lana del rey imagines

ꨄ︎ the heart has to break, that's how the light shines in ꨄ︎

"I'm so excited, babe! But what if I die before the album is released though? There's a huge possibility."

Lana chuckles as she leads you by the hand through the Conway Studio premises. With so much casualness and familiarity, even for people who see you both crossing in the hallways.

"You won't, baby," the assurance in her voice is strong. "You survived Dealer and Violets for Roses. I think you can get through anything at this point."

You give her smooth hand a squeeze. "And I still don't know how I did that, honestly. 'Cause agh, they were so good! But I think you're right. I've proven to be a tough person. I can handle this."

There's a sort of tradition that became quite important in your nearly eight-year relationship with Lana.

It all started with Honeymoon. And since then, two weeks before the release day of every new album, your fiancée lets you listen to two other songs before the rest of the fans. It's kind of silly and fun, and even though it's also the hardest thing for you, you never end up disappointed with your choices, that's for sure.

That doesn't take away the fact that you are always, without exception, extremely nervous and anxious. Hearing new Lana songs is like a trip to paradise for you, and hearing them before the rest of the world, well, other people would surely commit murder for this privileged spot.

Sure, she's got the piano at home and all the space in the world to sing freely, but rare are the times when that actually happens. Nothing embarrasses Lana more than you hearing her sing— but oh, if she only knew.

"Hii Jack!" You happily greet the producer and close friend as soon as you walk into the recording booth.

"Hey there, Amiga Mía," his Spanish never fails to make you laugh. "So the special day has finally arrived, huh?"

"Yeah, it has! But then I have to wait two weeks to hear the rest, can you believe that," letting go of Lana's hand (who must suppress her urge to tug back at you), you approach Jack. "Maybe I won't have to suffer so much."

He flashes a half-smile as you point to the laptop resting on his desk, amidst a bunch of synth and music production tools you know nothing about.

"Careful, Jack, she's capable of stealing it and running away with it if she has to," Lana warns.

"I do know that," one of his arms coming to rest protectively on top of his treasured possession. "You've managed to survive two weeks all these years. This one won't be any less different."

"Yeah, well, it's still hell."

As you turn on your heels, Lana is already holding the vinyl cover of Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard. She gently motions for you to come closer and you immediately oblige.

You plop down on the black couch, giving yourself a long second to appreciate the art. It's the Retail Exclusive version. Truly beautiful, all of it. Both the eye-catching pink album title and the aesthetics, but the photo of your fiancée is even more so.

When your fun to watch trance-like state drags on for a while, Lana sits down next to you, flipping the vinyl for you. She starts playing with your hair as you scan the track list.

"You had two months to choose, baby, so tell me. Which ones are the winners?"

You had two months, yes, but you're still hesitant. You had to cross one off the list already, A&W, because it was released on Valentine's Day. It should make your job easier because it means one less but.... Yep, it doesn't.

You pout. "Why? Why did I agree to listen to only two songs from Honeymoon that day? It was so silly of me, because now I'm here, dealing with the consequences of my decisions."