This is the first time someone has sent me an ask about a character. And it's about Dev?? My favorite child? My precious, messy guy? 🫶🥰
Okay, first, limiting to three songs was stupidly difficult. In fact, I cheated. (Dev would, too, so 🤷♂️.) Second, I'm answering this ask based off my version of Dev, and my hc. For those that might not know: my version of Dev is a punk and a playboy. He's quite brilliant but slacks off at school. Secretly in love w his best friend. He's loud and chaotic and charismatic. Nail polish, eyeliner, piercings and jewelry. His childhood was shit. He's got an extremely wealthy family obsessed with status and appearances.
I say all that because he's the best and I love him but also to help situate my music choices. To get into Dev headspace and write, I listen to a lot of early 00s alt + punk pop. So that's what shows up in most of these song choices. I also tried to not overthink this and it was hard and so many songs are left out!
Good news: I put together a Dev playlist last summer. If you wear Converse and hate the status quo, there's a good chance you'll like it. My Dev and Niall fic has its own playlist, too.
Okokok: 🖤 the songs that remind me of Dev 🖤
Best Friend, Conan Gray
This captures Dev and Niall's friendship. Perfectly. No notes.
Made a promise that I'm gonna marry you
If we're both still single by, like, thirty-two
And that shit is gonna end up bein' true
'Cause I hate, like, everyone except for you
Who else is gonna grocery shop with me at 2 AM?
Who else will take that picture for you just to get revenge?
Tied: I'm Not Okay (I Promise), My Chemical Romance / Night Drive, All-American Rejects
My version of Dev carries trauma from his childhood. His family doesn't respect or accept or understand him. They don't love him, and he carries these wounds deep inside. His whole life he's been told to conform into a shape that doesn't fit him. Dev is told he's too loud, too lazy, too slutty, too much. There's this line from more than a footnote that sums it up: I learned very early on that the best way to survive my family is to not care. They can’t hurt you, if you don’t have any shame.
Dev has depression, but is in that place where he doesn't quite realize how deep it goes. He doesn't allow himself to stop long enough to address just how thick and sharp his sadness is. It's there, but it's like that monster under your bed as a kid. Super terrifying but if you don't look, you won't see it. Can't confirm it. You can pretend nothing is there. You can try and sleep without nightmares. You can say you're okay. (You're not okay.)
I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. I would die for him.
Heaven's Gate, Fall Out Boy
My version of Dev is a messy and mean boyslut (affectionate!) and he love love loves Niall. He's the one that fell first. He's sharp with everyone, except for Niall. (Baz gets some soft moments, too. Valen once called them loser besties and it's TRUE.) This song ... I dunno, there's a yearning quality to it while still revealing low self-esteem. Something about this picture of Dev not believing he's good enough for heaven, but could Niall give him a boost anyway? (Because of course Niall would get in, and Dev wants to be where Niall is, always.)
And in the end if I don't make it on the list
Would you sneak me a wristband?
✨ BONUS ✨
Always, Blink-182
This will forever be Dev and Niall's song.
So here I am, I'm trying
So here I am, are you ready?
Come on let me hold you
Touch you, feel you, always
Kiss you, taste you, all night, always
Hozier, Towa Bird, Green Day, Rage Against the Machine, Renee Rapp, Troye Sivan, Paramore, Gang of Youths, Lauv. They've all got songs that remind me of Dev. He's the character I see and hear everywhere.
Thanks for this ask, @valeffelees !! 🩵🩵 I will happily yap about Dev (and Niall) anytime.
@couldneverhurtusnow It's like if Leo Dicaprio had gone from Titanic to how he looks right now in a few years, before he even hit 30. He even looks younger in Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman and those were only filmed around 2 years ago. He looks like he's done nothing but sunbathe, infuse meth, and not sleep in the last 2 years.
