from the series Thin Walls
fluff//smut
Wrapped in tissue paper that's so thin you can almost make out what's inside. It feels soft, like fabric but fluffy. There's something that draws you to this gift and you're not really sure why.
from the prompt "seven days ago..." + "ugly sweater"
wc: 1164
Sad is your first thought. A few strings of tinsel line the walls over styrofoam cups and cookies so bland they might as well be cardboard. You tried the punch earlier and it was just as bad. Whatever tiny budget there was for your apartment's non-denominational holiday gathering was wasted on sugar water and decor that's two hours from the trash can.
Yet, here you are.
Honestly, you're not even sure why you came. Maybe you're bored or some part of you wanted to get to know the neighbors better. Sure, you talk to your clients but that doesn't fill the craving for actual human interaction.
Now that you're here though, you don't know who to talk to. Everyone seems to have formed their groups and it would be weird to barge into one. The group to your right is catching up about family members. On your left there's an intense discussion about the third floor laundry room. They all know each other already. Maybe they live close together.
Your closer neighbors are nowhere to be found though. The woman across the hall is out of town, you've been feeding her cats all week. Then there's Tomura. You really hoped you'd run into him here, your schedules usually line up.
Little do you know, he's standing outside the door having a crisis.
Tomura was going to talk to you, really. He's been thinking about it for two weeks now, trying to find the right time. Today he showered, put on a clean shirt, and hyped himself up for the entire elevator ride.
Sure, the last time he saw you in person he ended up fingering you, fucking you with his favorite of your dildos, and you briefly kissed him, but there's no reason he should be nervous, he assured himself. If anything, he's doing the right thing by asking you out on a date. That's probably what you would expect, right?
But when he walked in and saw you wearing that sweater, he immediately turned and rushed out. There's no way he can do this now.
It's the ugly sweater you were wearing in your cam show seven days ago. As soon as he saw you, his mind filled with images of you from that night.
You started off slow and cute. He liked that because you were dressed how he'd imagine you going to a holiday party. It felt real in a way that fits you. Now, he knows it's how you'd dress. You are, right there on the other side of the wall.
Tomura loved that show for other reasons too. Typically, you have certain toys you'd default to. This time, you had a newer one. It suctioned to the floor next to your tree.
You teased a bit, keeping the sweater on while the rest of your clothes came off. Slowly, you lowered onto the toy. Tomura wondered how it felt for you, if that's something you enjoyed. It's a bit bigger than what you're used to (he'd know, he watches all of your shows) so he wasn't sure how you'd fit it all. But with a little patience and a lot of lube, you managed.
After a few minutes, you were riding the dildo like you do in so many of his fantasies. He came almost immediately and stayed hard after.
Every part of it felt perfect to him. All of it was so domestic. The tree, your outfit. Tomura imagines it's him; that you're bouncing on top of his dick like that. He wonders if you'd enjoy that. He's pretty sure you would.
Now, in the hallway with all of your neighbors walking past, he's trying hide a raging boner and once more work up the courage to talk to you.
It's okay, he tells himself. If he every wants his dreams to come true, it starts right here by talking to you. You kissed him and held him close in your bed. He doesn't think you'd do that with just anyone.
Tomura debates for a while, but the universe has other plans.
Growing bored, you toss the styrofoam cup in the wastebasket and head out the door — walking straight into Tomura.
"Sorry," you mumble before looking up to see it's him. "Uh, hi."
"Hi," he replies with an awkward smile.
"I was hoping you'd be here," you say.
You wanted to see him, he tucks that thought away to dwell in later.
"I um," he scratches his neck. "I like your sweater."
"Thanks," you beam at him. "I kind of hoped you'd notice. That's why I wore this," you add, "I thought maybe you'd like it. That and it was this or a nicer dress and I am not getting dressed up to stay in the building."
Tomura laughs.
"So uh, are you on your way out?" he asks.
"Yeah. I mean," you backtrack, "I could stay. If you want to hang out here. But as a heads up, everything in there tastes like cardboard including the punch."
"Hmm," he hums cutely, "hard sell. What if I got you something better instead?"
"Oh yeah?" you ask, "like what?" You notice the way he tips his head to let a few strands of hair fall over his face. It looks soft.
"W—what are you in the mood for?" his voice waivers, why is he more nervous now that you're flirting back?
"Well, I got my hopes up for a cookie and a decent cup of cider when I went in there, but no such luck."
"I can do that," he says, knowing the fancy grocery store two blocks down the street has both. It's not the date he imagined himself asking you on, but it's perfect. More personal. "Come on," he says, walking to the lobby. "You can pick out a whole box of cookies."
You grab his hand, pulling him out the door. In that moment, Tomura doesn't think he's ever been so happy.
The date goes well! You hold his hand as the two of you walk down the sidewalk. He asks how the party was and you try to find a nicer word for bland. When you arrive at the store, he grabs a basket and finds a jug of cider to warm up. The two of you pick out a dozen cookies together and on the way to the checkstand he notices you looking at a bouquet. It's cute, with sprigs of holly mixed in. Tomura grabs one then checks out. On the way back, you decide on your room since you decorated and it fits to extend the holiday party. The two of you sit under your tree (giving him thoughts) and you end up talking for most of the night. He debates kissing you or trying more, but wants to make sure you don't think he expects that. Especially with how you met, he needs you to know that he's not trying to buy you with baked goods. And it's sweet, nice.
Thin Walls is a series of audio installations that, when listened to in its entirety, present like a diary of sound. Each track feels like a room in a forgotten building. As we move through these spaces, we are invited to relate to the sounds those spaces create. The result is a multisensory experience where walls feel thin, memories linger and sound becomes something we can almost touch.
Thin Walls offers a look into Holden Linton’s inner world and personal architecture of thought. Recorded between 2021 and 2025 in North Philadelphia, the album reverberates within abandoned apartments, old bedrooms and other domestic spaces.
Track seven, Plastic Trees (05:14), stands out. In it, Linton blends rhythmic sound art with spoken word to reflect on artificial comfort and feelings of alienation. He asks, “Can we be made? Can we be made? Time holds, blind folds. Can we be made? Can we be made? These hands aren’t mine anymore. These shoes can’t run anymore.” The track balances poetic depth with rougher, more abrasive textures. It gives the album an emotional center and contrasts with more non-idiomatic tracks like Sharp Polygon Texture (7:26) and Default (3:37).
Instead of relying on melody or polish, Thin Walls focuses on embodiment and physical presence. The lo-fi sound increases a sense of intimacy with Linton. Everyday materials such as dust, glass, plastic, trash and even Linton’s own body become part of the composition. The album masterfully moves between sound art, field recordings and noise without drawing clear boundaries between them.
Ultimately, Thin Walls invites listeners to step inside. It builds a world where noise and environment are tethered. The result is an immersive and porous listening experience. Thin Walls is both a space to explore and a memory to hold.
Harry’s new flat is great but the acoustics are even better. They’re so good in fact that his daily shower concerts start to entertain an audience besides his shampoo bottle.
