So I am constantly plugging other people's works in this book, but honestly, what other use would it be for? :D I love introducing people to people.

I'm sure you've heard me rant about Oil, curiosityanddreams, but I don't know that I've mentioned the one and only Magnus (ceaseless-watchr).

The three of us are usually up to no good, but the one wholesome thing we've managed to create is Tempest and Darlington. They still need a ship name, by the way. Darlingest? Tempington? Wow that's terrible.

Anyway, they're characters from Defeatism, one of the most suspenseful but adorable applyfics you will ever read. Definitely check it out, it's on Oil's page. Tempest is Magnus' baby, and Darlington was my appropriation of Leigh Bardugo's Darlington. Spoiler alert, they end up together, and they're beautiful.

All this to say, I can never stop thinking about these two. Like, ever. So I made them a playlist, and I'm going to break down 10 of the songs that I put. Keep in mind, there will probably be more songs added much later, and most of these songs are purely vibes. But let's get into it!

Also, spoilers to Defeatism ahead!

001. Budapest, by George Ezra

"My house in Budapest
My, my hidden treasure chest
Golden grand piano
My beautiful castillo
You, ooh, you, ooh,
I'd leave it all

Give me one good reason
Why I should never make a change
And, baby, if you hold me
Then all of this will go away.

If you just say the words
I'll, I'll up and run
Oh, to you, ooh, you, ooh
I'd leave it all.

My friends and family
They don't understand
They fear they'll lose so much
If you take my hand
But for you, ooh, you, ooh
I'd lose it all."

I mean. I MEAN. C'MON. This is basically them in a nutshell. I mean, Darlington wouldn't be cut off from his family because of Tempest, but I imagine that was one of her biggest worries about letting him be the father of her baby. That Darlington would get cut off from his "friends and family" that "don't understand" and would regret choosing her for forever. But for Darlington, he's ready to risk it all, because that's just the kind of person he is. He'd have given up everything about his rich white boy life to help her. They're just so *mwah*.

I also think the song's vibe is very much a blend of the two of them. It's a little more chill and laid back, but also kinda funky and playful, which is very much how I see their relationship. It's calm and understated, but still vibrant.

002. Tattooed Heart, by Ariana Grande

"I wanna say we're going steady
Like it's 1954"

This one is mostly off vibes. I can see them kissing each other to this song, especially the live version, since it's so much softer and more moonlight-y. You're gonna see a lot of old fifties-sounding songs on this playlist, because I'm a sucker for those kinds of songs, and I think it fits Darlington and Tempest's old-married-couple vibe.

003. Lift Me Up, by Rihanna

"Lift me up
Hold me down
Keep me close
Safe and sound
Burning in a hopeless dream
Hold me when you go to sleep
Keep me in the warmth of your love
When you depart, keep me safe
Safe and sound."

I've been obsessed with this song since I first cried to it in the theatres after Black Panther 2. But that's not the point. The point is that it feels very much like the kind of sorrow that they feel after Defeatism is over. Like, yes, they got out safe and everything, but also there's a kind of sadness in knowing that this scary thing happened to them. They made good friends and close relationships, but they also were terrified and nearly died. So it feels like the recovery and the processing of those emotions.

And yeah, it's mostly vibes. I always picture scenarios that would play out in a movie, with the song as the soundtrack, and I can see our favourite couple comforting each other when they wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares, or looking at the first snow since that night and just staring out the window together.

But also Tempest having the baby and Darlington crying in the hospital room, because it's also a song about new starts. Which I think is so cute.

004. Dream A Little Dream of Me, by Louis Armstrong

"Yes, stars fading but I linger on, dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger 'til dawn, dear
Just saying this, yes.

Dream a little dream of me."

Again, some more vibes songs. I just like imagining them cooking to this song, and Darlington singing it in a horribly off-key voice. Perhaps Tempest sings it to their baby at night as a lullaby. It's very soft and sweet. And again, sometimes I just put the song in the playlist because I liked it, and that's what we're working with folks.

005. I Just Called to Say I Love You, by Stevie Wonder

"No New Year's Day to celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring, no song to sing
In fact, here's just another ordinary day

But what it is, is something true
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart."

This is something I imagine a sappy old Darlington doing when Tempest is away on work, or even if she's just out to buy groceries. He's literally so whipped for her, and I love it. Darlington is good at communication, he's a leader after all, but he's never been good at expressing his own emotions. So once he figures out how to do that for Tempest's sake, I imagine he does it all the time, to the point where she's a little annoyed with him (lovingly of course).

006. It's Been A Long, Long Time by Kitty Kallen and Harry James

Some more vibes for you. This is such a classic love song feeling, and I just like it in association with anybody falling in love. Shoutout to Marvel and Captain America for introducing me to this song because GOD it's so good.

007. Silent Night, by Pentatonix

"All is calm, all is bright
Round 'yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace."

I'm a Christmas song enthusiast, and I'm not sorry. I will always love Christmas music. Actually, ever since I made the playlist, I've been thinking about the parallels between Tempest and the Virgin Mary. It's a very interesting theme to think of, and I love the role that Darlington therefore represents, which is Joseph. In the Bible, Joseph risks it all for Mary too. Back then, an unmarried woman being pregnant was scandalous and worthy of being ostracised for, but Joseph still married Mary, both because he loved her and because he wanted to protect her. Clearly, people would have speculated about the reputation and morality of both Joseph and Mary because of this, but he did it anyway. It's very sweet.

Also winter will always remind me of Christmas, and it's a winter story. Plus the acapella simplicity of the song is just so sweet and bare, and that's what happens to everyone in Defeatism. They get laid bare, and all that's left is this raw, ragged, I-just-cried-for-three-hours feeling. And I love it.

008. Can't Help Falling In Love, by Elvis Presley

"Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin?
If I can't help
Falling in love with you?"

I think this one speaks for itself. Also asking to stay, and if it would be a sin, and basically asking if he's allowed to fall in love with her? Very Darlington coded.

009. Don't Go Breaking My Heart, by Elton John and Kiki Dee

"Don't go breaking my heart
I couldn't if I tried
Honey if I get restless
Baby you're not that kind

When I was down
I was your clown
Ooh-hoo, nobody knows it
Right from the start
I gave you my heart

Nobody told us
Cause nobody showed us
And now it's up to us, babe
Oh I think we can make it
So don't misunderstand me
You put the light in my life
Oh, you put the spark to the flame."

Honestly, I could justify any love song being Darlington and Tempest's. Here, again, it's about doubt and fear of actually committing all the way with each other. Tempest is scared, yes, but Darlington must be too, somewhere deep down. I think he's more scared of getting his heart broken because she doesn't trust him with this. Obviously, Tempest is right for being wary about the future, but Darlington's plea is more of 'don't break my heart by saying you don't want me in your life'.

And again, the music is not Defeatism-themed at all, but it's probably Darlington and Tempest in five years dancing in their kitchen with Tempest's baby. I think they have an old-fashioned vibe to them, too.

010. Ain't No Mountain High Enough, by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

"If you need me call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far.

Remember the day
I set you free
I told you you could always count on me, darling.
From that day on
I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
Some way, some how."

I see this as a Tempest song, actually. Darlington doesn't really "set" her "free", he just helps her carry this huge burden. But Tempest is the one who reminds Darlington that he doesn't have to carry the burden, and therefore sets him free. I also think the song gives very Tempest-in-a-silly-mood vibes, which is adorable to think of. Tempest is loyal to death, and I feel like this song really reflects how she feels about Darlington now that she's let herself love him.

And that's the ten! They're the first ten on the playlist, and I think there are six more after that (as of now). The other ones are:

I Say A Little Prayer, by Tori Kelly and Pharrell Williams
Love On Top, by Beyoncé
Can't Take My Eyes Off You, by Ms. Lauryn Hill
The Moon Song, by Walker Burroughs
We'll Never Have Sex, by Leith Ross
My Love, by Matt Block, etc.

These ones are also a mixture of vibes and "I'd do everything for you" songs.

Lemme know what you think! I'll link the playlist here <3