Every year, the authors who participate in the Pets in Space anthology put together a playlist of music that inspires the stories inside! I love this practice, as it’s always a lot of fun to see what the author has chosen.
For the Pets in Space playlist, I have chosen the song Delicate by Taylor Swift. I’m a new Swiftie, and I’ve come to really love her lyricism and poetry over the last year. The lyrics of Delicate perfectly capture the vulnerability and fragility underlying Winta and Daichi's blossoming connection.
From the very beginning, Winta is haunted by her fear of rumors and gossip jeopardizing her reputation — “This ain't for the best, my reputation's never been worse.” Her past experiences with shallow men using her or wanting her to fit a certain mold have left her incredibly guarded when it comes to opening her heart again.
Yet Daichi seems to intuitively understand and accept Winta's true self from the moment they meet, flaws and all. The line “So you must like me for me” speaks to his ability to look past her defensive walls and appreciate the passionate, nurturing woman she is at her core. No matter how the town gossips buzz about their closeness, Daichi's warmth and empathy slowly but surely melt Winta's reservations.
His steadfast patience and adoration allow her to finally embrace the “delicate” intimacy awakening between them without fear of rejection. In many ways, Daichi is the living embodiment of the song's central message — liking and cherishing someone for their authentic self, even when the world seems determined to tear them apart.
