Work Text:
Song Links:
You turn me on, I'm A Radio by Joni Mitchell:
https://youtu.be/tYOA_SkFqbU?si=YuK_uTbilTgRoQPh
My life by Billy Joel:
https://youtu.be/FGBya8WmB_s?si=sCoxf2fJoWI5VHyN
Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVbhvuCep9Q
It started as one of Miles’ schemes. Bored in the rec room, he pitched Sawyer: a Dharma radio station. “C’mon,” Miles smirked, leaning back. “Horace’ll love it—community spirit, morale, yada yada. You sell it, I’ll rig the gear. Easy win.”
And Sawyer had gone for it. Maybe it was the thought of Juliet’s amused smile when he told her the plan. Either way, a week later, the barracks had its very own broadcasting station.
What started as an experiment turned into something bigger. First came the casual announcements, weather reports, and general reminders. Then came the music, crackling through the jungle airwaves like some kind of lifeline. Within a month, every night ended with the barracks buzzing with laughter and requests. The nightly two-hour karaoke show became the compound’s favorite ritual.
“Ladies and gents, tonight you’re in for a treat, you're a'bout to hear one of the finest voices,” Sawyer turned to Juliet, that familiar half-smile tugging at his lips. “Go on, Blondie. Show ’em how it’s done.”
When the opening notes of Billy Joel’s “My Life” rang out, Juliet surprised everyone—including Sawyer—by belting it at the top of her lungs. She wasn’t shy; she threw herself into the song, full of feeling and joy. Her voice rode the rhythm like it was made for her. And then Sawyer joined in, sliding naturally into the duet. The song seemed to resonate with both of them at the core, defiant and liberating, like they were declaring to the entire universe that they were masters of their own destiny. Singing it together was cathartic, their voices weaving sass and joy, trading lines with perfect rhythm and grinning like kids.
And by the time they hit the last chorus together, their studio audience erupted into applause. Even Jin cracked a smile.
Miles, leaning on the console, “Yeah, yeah, I’ll call my buddy in Hollywood, get you two a record deal. But don’t get too excited and quit your day jobs.”
Sawyer snorted. “Fine. As long as I get a cut.”
Miles rolled his eyes. “Yeah, sure, Elvis. I’ll split the imaginary profits with you.”
It became a thing. Karaoke nights spilled outdoors onto a makeshift stage, the warm air buzzing with the glow of string lights and the scent of hot dogs and beer. Couples danced barefoot on the lawn. And Sawyer and Juliet? They became the main event.
One evening, the speakers carried the opening piano of “Just the Way You Are.” Sawyer turned to Juliet, offering a hand. “C’mon, Blondie,” he drawled. “Let’s dance. Ya knew you’ve been wanting me to ask ya all night.”
I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far, mmm
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are
Together they walked away onto the lawn, away from the other guests. Sawyer’s hands slid to the curves of her dress, drawing her close. Juliet’s breath caught, but she didn’t pull away. The world seemed to still as they murmured the lyrics softly in unison, their voices brushing together with Billy Joel’s croon.
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard, mmm
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
Juliet’s head tilted slightly, a silent scoff twisting her lips. Clever conversation? That was half the thrill—those sharp, teasing exchanges with Sawyer. She’d spent too many years trapped in sterile politeness. His wit was oxygen. Yet as the next line drifted through the speakers—*I just want someone that I can talk to*—she softened, her shoulders relaxing against Sawyer’s chest. Yes. That raw simplicity hit deeper, a quiet truth beneath their banter. Someone who listened when the masks fell away.
Sawyer’s thumb traced idle circles on her lower back where her dress dipped low. Juliet’s pulse jumped. His breath warmed her temple as they swayed.
And every time the song drifted into the gentle “mmm, mmm,” their mouths were only inches apart, their bodies pressed close, and for a heartbeat neither dared to breathe.
Then Amy’s voice broke through, carrying a plate of homemade pie. “Sorry—didn’t mean to interrupt.” She flushed pink. Sawyer and Juliet smiled and graciously accepted a slice.
Later, Horace and Amy danced under the stars. Sawyer leaned against Juliet as the next song, “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” filled the night. “Look at the Dharma king and queen,” he chuckled, nodding at the couple spinning, and so very much in love. Juliet laughed softly at the reference, but when the lyric came—I can’t forget the time or place where we just met, and she’s just the girl for me—Sawyer’s chest tightened. A flash: Juliet on Hydra Island, taser in hand, fire in her eyes. He shook it off, unsettled. Juliet’s gaze lingered on him, as though she sensed the stumble.
The weeks passed, and the radio became their stage. In the summer months, they took the show outdoors. Juliet’s favorite line to croon was always, The broken heart, the radio might fix it. Sawyer teased her for being sentimental. Their banter became electric, each night sharper, funnier, warmer.
And then, one night, Joni Mitchell’s “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio” slipped through the speakers. Juliet leaned closer to Sawyer at the mic, her voice turning sultry as she sang:
And I’m sending you out this signal here
I hope you can pick it up loud and clear…
Sawyer blinked, rattled by the way her eyes held his. He covered it with a grin, firing back between the lines, “C’mon, Blondie. Keep singin’ like that, you’re gonna start rumors.”
She smirked, not missing a beat, answering in that same smoky tone:
"I know you don’t like weak women, you get bored so quick…"
She tipped her head, gaze never leaving his.
"And you don’t like strong women, ’cause they’re hip to your tricks…"
The crowd whooped, sensing the heat. Sawyer leaned on the console, pretending to fan himself.
"Well, it's been dirty for dirty down the line," he charmingly replied," but you know I come when you whistle when you're loving and kind."
"Oh, yeah?" she cocked her head just so. "But if You've got too many doubts and there's no good reception for me..." she trailed off with a smirk, letting the words hang.
Sawyer's grin turned wicked as he leaned into his mic, going completely off-script, "Well, maybe I like women who keep me guessin'."
Juliet threw her head back and laughed low—a rich, throaty sound that made his heart race. "Careful, James," she purred, leaning closer until their foreheads almost touched. "Careful what you wish for."
The crowd erupted in an elongated "Oooh" and whistled, beer bottles raised in salute.
Calls for “Dance! Dance!” rose above the music.
Juliet glanced at him, and the unspoken passed in the space between them. Suddenly, it was as if the rest of the world ceased to exist. The music and the crowd beyond—all of it faded into a blur until there was only the pull between them, the charged closeness daring them to close the distance. For a fleeting moment, they forgot the crowd was even there.
They swayed together as the song played, their eyes locked. And at the final chord, Sawyer leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers in a short, tentative kiss. Juliet answered before he could retreat, deepening it into something more. The crowd erupted—cheers, whistles—and they pulled back smiling at each other, giddy with the quiet realization settling deep inside that perhaps this was the beginning of something worth holding on to.
Miles bumped elbows with Jin. "See?" he muttered, watching Sawyer and Juliet finally pull apart, flushed and grinning. "Told you they'd cave before the stroke of midnight. You owe me a pack of two Dharma beers.”
Jin just shook his head and smiled as he watched Sawyer pull Juliet closer, both oblivious to everything but each other.