Young Blood (Trying to Find the In-Betweens) (Austin/Ally)

I am 100% convinced that if "Austin & Ally" aired on a network that wasn't, well, Disney Channel, then we would've seen a much more nuanced examination of the romance and post-break up arc: the fear to pursue a relationship for fear it will ruin their friendship; the hurt that inevitably results when they both pursue someone else in order to bury their feeling or because they are in denial of them; the strain on their partnership when they enter into a relationship (although the vid touches on this much less); and finally, following their decision that they're not yet ready to be a couple, the struggle to once again deny their feelings as well as the confusion surrounding how they actually feel (e.g., both Austin and Ally's surprise when it's revealed via song that he may still have feelings for her). I wanted to try to capture those various emotions that the show tends to minimize or gloss over (due particularly to its practice of veering into the realm of comedy even during what should be a fairly serious moment).

The popular interpretation of this song is that it's about remembering a past love from one's youth, but the first time I heard it I thought immediately of the confusion and heartache that surrounds falling for a close friend (i.e., Austin and Ally's situation). As long-time subscribers might know by now, my favorite vids to make tend to be angsty. That said, while this one definitely qualifies as angst, I decided to end it on an optimistic note since I think it's pretty obvious where these two are going to end up (I mean it IS Disney Channel after all -- that's one positive about A&A airing on this network rather than another; they may not get together for real until the very, very end, but eventually it will happen). I originally wanted to hold off finishing this vid until the S2 finale had aired (those of you familiar with the rumored season finale spoilers can probably guess why), but I didn't want to wait another month or so. There's a definite chance that I'll redo this vid to incorporate the finale, although it's not guaranteed -- it comes down to what actually shows up in the finale and, of course, how busy I am lol.

I really had the time of my life making this one, so hopefully it shows. (This is also my first full-length Austin/Ally vid, so yay!)

Fandom: Austin & Ally
Pairing: Austin/Ally
Song: Young Blood (Renholdër Remix)
Artist: The Naked and Famous

*****

Audio:

Austin: ...just go back to being friends.

Ally: Friends?
Austin: And partners. Always.

Ally: Okay, but don't let go just yet.

Austin: What if it doesn't work out? It could ruin our friendship!

Ally: Do you think we're making a mistake?

Trish: You still like Austin.

Dez: You like Ally.

Austin: We're a perfect match! What do you say?

Austin: It's called, "Not a Love Song."

Austin: There's no way I could make it without you.

Austin: I think about you every moment every day of my life.

Ally: I got a new goose! His name is Austin.

Austin: And I'd rather spend that time dancing with one of my best friends.

Ally: You'd give up your first national magazine cover for me?
Austin: You're more important to me than all of that.

Austin: Thanks for doing all of this for me, Ally. You're a good friend.

Austin: I'm always gonna need you, Ally.

Austin: Hey, that's the card from the flowers I got her! She kept it.

Trish: Austin wrote the song about Ally!

Ally: Do you still have feelings for me?
Austin: I-I don't know! All I know is that I love being friends with you. I don't want to ruin that.

Austin: Take a chance; break down the wall!