starkslawyer

[starkslawyer]

"Ah, Ms. Barnes. I should've seen the resemblance to your brother." Oliver had known most of the Avengers for a while now, but hadn't really had the chance to be around Bucky much. The man was here one minute and the next he was gone. Kara had told him that Bucky had a twin sister but he had never seen her until now. "Is this your first Stark bash?" Oliver asked with a smirk as he looked up from the preparing Becca's drink. He squeezed a little lemon into the tonic water and then got a fresh slice to hang on the rim of the glass. After setting it in front of her, he poured himself a little more bourbon and then came back around to sit down next to her.

"You can call me Oliver. I get called Mr. Branson day in and day out around the office." He took a sip of his drink, his eyes carefully studying just how breathtakingly beautiful she was. "Anyway I'm sure whatever Kara told you about me was likely alright. I can only imagine what your brother had to say about me." He chuckled and then glanced over to the group across the room. Bucky was already watching them.

Turning his attention back to Becca, he smiled again. "So I haven't seen you around the Tower before? Are you new in town or have we just not crossed paths until now?" Oliver always had his head buried in work so maybe he just didn't notice her until now. Then again he would've likely noticed someone as beautiful as she was. It was like he had a built in radar for pretty women.

Becca hated going to events but she'd promised her brother and Steve that she'd get out of the tower and try to meet new people. It was hard for her to find it easy to talk to others now that it wasn't a requirement for Hydra. Her mind was healed with the work of Tony and Kara, the same way they'd helped her brother but still, she feared what might happen if Hydra came looking for her. She'd done terrible things as well and that haunted her and any relationship that she might ever find with someone.

Finally after picking out a red dress, her lips crimson and long chestnut hair cascading down her back she finally decided that she was as ready as she would ever be. The moment she walked in, her eyes found the friends that she'd made and as she walked up, they all greated her, James arm wrapping around her and kissing her on the cheek. For anyone that didn't know, their resemblance couldn't be missed from their bright blue eyes to the same smile.

The group talked about the last mission and as she had nothing to say, Becca excused herself to go to the bar. Taking a seat next to a handsome man in a very expensive suit, she smiled when he turned to look at her. When he spoke she couldn't help but catch his Boston accent and she knew exactly who he was.

When he said it was serve yourself she chuckled, "wow, Mr. Stark didn't have the funds for a bartender.... if you're offering, well I think I'd just like a tonic water and lemon if you don't mind." Becca never drank because unlike her brother and Steve, the serum amplifed anything in her system and one drink could cause her to be hard pressed to control her mind reading and that would make the party unbearable. "So, you're Oliver. I've heard a few things about you from Kara and my brother. I'm Rebecca. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Branson."

[starkslawyer]

Oliver looked down at the math problem she circled. He could've figured it out on his own but it would've taken longer without his girlfriend's help. He listened to her quietly explain how to solve it but instead of watching down on the paper he was looking at her lips wishing he could kiss her right now.

"Yeah, that's fine," he said when she told him that she'd like to go into the city with him -- except Evan had to come also. They rarely ever got any alone time with out the bodyguard or whatever he was. "I wanted to take you to dinner. Does he have to go also?"

The study hall monitor gave him a look and he ducked down again. His eyes glanced up at Kara when she told him why she came over to help him. "I swear they're getting more and more strict about every little thing. Still don't see what the problem is with chatting a little as long as we're quiet." He reached across the table to get his pencil but before doing so, he brushed his fingers along her hand and smirked as he looked into her eyes. "You're going to be so beautiful at the gala. Usually hate going to those things but not anymore ---"

"Branson!" An elderly woman's voice called out. "See me after the bell."

Oliver rolled his eyes and then the bell rang. "Wait for me outside?" he asked and then cleaned up his papers and books and headed over to the study hall monitor as all the other kids rushed out to go home.

About a three minutes later Oliver exited and found Kara near her locker. "I got detention tomorrow at lunch." He grinned then. "But I talked my way out of it." He leaned up against the locker next to hers. "Are you sure Evan has to drive you into the city?" He reached up and put his hand on her hip. "You know I'd never let anything happen to you. Does your dad not trust me?"

Kara had been working on her Physics when Oliver looked over at her and asked about the dress. She nodded to him and leaned in circling one of his problems he was working on. She wanted it to look like they were helping each other with their homework if someone did come over to tell them to be quiet. Shifting in her seat she pointed to the part in his problem that he hadn't done right. "You need to move this remainder over to this part of the thearom. He was smart, very smart but math and physics were her area and he was much better at history and their political science class. They made a good team when it came to helping each other.

She leaned in closer as though she was going to show him how to fix the problem. "Sure. I don't have anything to do. Evan will be picking me up after school. You want me to just have him take us in. He's gonna have to go anyway. I'm not allowed into the city without him going." She watched him correct his work and she smiled. "That's it. Didn't mean to correct you but if we're caught talking better we're helping each other than talking about the gala. Besides, I knew that you'd been spacing a little and not paying attention when you forgot to move it."

[starkslawyer]

Oliver wanted nothing more than to leave the party at the Avengers Tower. He didn't have to go home but he could go up to his office and work. There was a bunch of stuff he wanted to get done anyway, but he knew there was no way Tony would let him do that. He distinctly remembered his boss telling him that he needed to unwind a bit. And Oliver was pretty sure that his best friend, Kara, wouldn't let him leave either. She had told him it would be fun to meet all the Avengers -- but honestly, Oliver could care less. He had thought that maybe him and Kara would get a chance to talk but she was busy with Steve. He didn't want to interrupt either because they looked like they were enjoying each other's company. So here Oliver was at the bar by himself. At least Tony had really good bourbon.

A sigh escaped him after he took a sip a liquor from his glass and he closed his eyes, hoping when he opened them again that the party would be over. Sadly, it wasn't. Oliver turned his head towards the doors that opened up and in walked the most beautiful brunette he had ever seen. He didn't know who she was and he couldn't recall Kara mentioning anyone that fit her description. Was it one of Tony's girls?

His eyes followed her as she made her way over to Bucky, Audrey, Rhodey, Thor. She chatted with them for a moment and then turned and headed over to the bar. Oliver took another sip of his drink, his eyes danced over her gorgeous form and he smiled when she took a seat next to him.

"There's no bartender. It's kind of a do it yourself thing, he said to her. "I can get you something if you want, though? Glass of wine? Sparking water? I can do a pretty good martini." He chuckled lightly and got up and made his way around to the other side of the bar so he could serve her, but mostly so he could look straight into her pretty eyes. "I'm Oliver Branson. Tony's lawyer .... part time bartender."

@amarvelousmencgerie (becca)

[starkslawyer]

THE   BUDDING  ROMANCE  PROMPTS 

for couples that are just beginning explore the sexual side of their relationship. 

DISCOVERY

[ EXPLORE ]  sender gets flustered while making out with receiver after becoming aroused. 

[ EXPLORED ]  receiver gets flustered while making out with sender after becoming aroused. 

[ EXPERIMENT ]  muses try touching each other more intimately for the first time,  groping,  caressing and kissing new areas. 

[ VENTURE ]  for sender to start teasing receiver by brushing their hand between their thighs or across their chest to see how they react.  

[ VENTURING ]  for receiver to start teasing sender by brushing their hand between their thighs or across their chest to see how they react. 

[ DISCOVERY ]  muses undress each other for the first time. 

[ NEED ]  receiver approaches sender and kisses them longer and more passionately than they ever have before. 

[  NEEDED  ]  sender approaches receiver and kisses them longer and more passionately than they ever have before. 

[  BUILD UP  ]  muses are kissing and it naturally begins to get more heated and intimate than they’ve ever taken it before. 

[  CAUGHT  ]  receiver catches sending getting flushed because of something they are doing or wearing. 

[  CATCHING  ]  sender catches receiver getting flushed because of something they are doing or wearing. 

COMMUNICATING

❝  i think i’m ready to go further now,  if you are.  ❞

❝  i’m a little nervous,  but it’s a good nervous.  ❞

❝  i know we were waiting to get intimate until we were both ready,  so i thought i’d let you know i’m ready now.  ❞

❝  can we take a break—i’m just.  i like this,  but i need to go a little slower.  ❞

❝  why don’t you tell me what you like?  ❞

❝  take my hand,  show me where you want to be touched.  ❞

❝  you just look…you always look good but right now it’s.  wow.  ❞

❝  do you like this outfit?  i wanted to wear something special.  just for you.  ❞

❝  all i wanna do right now is take you inside.  ❞

❝  i want you to stay here with me tonight.  stay?  ❞

❝  i wanna do more than just kiss you goodnight.  ❞

❝  i don’t wanna stop touching you.  i just wanna be near you and close to you in any way i can.  ❞

❝  it’s getting harder to keep my hands off you lately.  ❞

❝  no,  don’t stop.  i liked it.  i like when you hold me like that.  ❞

❝  stop looking at me like that i’m gonna blush in front of everyone!  ❞

❝  why are you blushing?  ❞

❝  you don’t have to be so shy about it.  ❞

❝  honestly,  i’ve been starting to feel the same way.  i want more.  i want to try more.  ❞

❝  i just.  i really like you in that.  ❞

❝  so,  i thought,  it might be a good idea to talk about,  you know.  our boundaries and what we’re both comfortable with.  ❞

❝  i don’t really wanna go out tonight i just…want to be with you.  just us.  ❞

DEMI / ACE SPEC

❝  i don’t usually feel these things.  but i do with you.  i’m starting to.  ❞

❝  i know i said i might not want to do anything sexual,  but.  i think i do actually.  you make me want to.  ❞

❝  i wanna try some things with you.  ❞

❝  i wanna do this.  for you.  making you feel good will make me happy.  ❞

❝  i need a little more time,  but i’m almost ready.  ❞

❝  no,  i’m okay.  i want this too.  trust me,  i really want it.  ❞

❝  i’ve done this before,  i’m just a little bit slower to get to it is all.  ❞

❝  you know,  what we talked about before?  i’m ready.  i wanna talk about it again.  ❞

❝  wow okay,  yeah.  this is doing it for me actually.  ❞

❝  i was…hoping we could stay in tonight actually.  i want you all to myself.  ❞

❝  are you sure you’re ready?  i don’t want to pressure you.  ❞

❝  is this alright?  do you want more or should we just keep it at this level for now?  ❞

❝  i’m really turned on right now for once so you better hurry up.  ❞

❝  you wanna…skip the movie and go back to my place?  ❞

[starkslawyer]

He was relieved to hear that Saturday worked for her. The weekday would've been fine too but after a long day at Stark Industries, Oliver was pretty crabby. Usually he left the office around seven or seven-thirty to get home around eight or so. Just enough time to eat, check his emails, finish up some work, and then hop into bed by eleven. He was up by five the next morning for a jog or a swim and back home for a shower and then off to work again. Day in and day out that was his routine. "I'm looking forward to Saturday." He still wasn't sure about going to a bar to smash glasses but hell, he'd give it a try. Maybe if things went well he could take her out to one of his favorite restaurants sometime. "Would you like to meet there? Or I could pick you up if that's something you're comfortable with." He figured that she'd want to meet him there and that was fine with him. He wanted her to feel safe with him.

"I was just glad that they didn't split when I was younger. It might've been harder. As it was though I felt like they were both living separate lives anyway. My father with his work and my mother with hers. She was high school literature teacher -- retired now. I have an older sister, too. She was already half way through college when they divorced." He gave Aven a tight lipped smile. The conversation had gone from flirty to serious -- not that he minded but it was unusual for him to share family details with someone he just met. "I'm sorry about your parents. It's hard -- it really is." He paused a moment and glanced out the window. "Even with all the hardships, though, it sounds like you're doing really great. You're a writer now and I think that's pretty amazing." Oliver wondered how different his life would've been if his father hadn't pushed him so much? He'd probably be a completely different man.

She mentioned that she did tour but it was just in the states but maybe someday she'd do some international work. Oliver learned her brother was a photographer. "Oh, really? That's interesting? Does he have any of his work published or in a gallery?" He wondered if maybe he had seen his work in a photo journal magazine or in the news. "Sounds like a very dangerous job."

Oliver laughed and shook his head. "I'm not that kind of lawyer. I mostly handle business contracts and ... well some personal stuff for Mr. Stark. He has me on retainer." Personal stuff with Mr. Stark was occasionally sketchy. Like the time he write up NDA contracts for women Stark would have relations with. Oliver grinned at Aven before checking his phone. "However, if you murder someone I will make the exception for you."

"I love Boston. My parents still live there, though I think now that my mother is retired she's thinking about moving back to Italy. But I do love the energy of New York. I don't think I'd want to live anywhere else now.

When she asked if he wanted another cup or if he had to get back to work, he looked at his watch. He probably should get back to the office but... "I think I could go for one more quick cup. After all, I'm not going to get to see you again until Saturday." He gave her a small wink and then stood up. "Want me to get you a refill or would you like something else?" He asked, and after she told him, he went up to the counter and ordered, returning a few minutes later.

He handed her the cup and sat back down. It was only a few bucks so he didn't think she'd mind if he paid for hers. "I drink more coffee than I drink anything else." He smiled and then took a sip as he looked at her. "So -- What do you like to do besides writing? Any sort of hobbies or interests?" He wanted to gauge what she liked to do for potential dates later on.

In all fairness, Aven had started this flirting thing, and she thought she was prepared for it to be reciprocated or shut down, no hard feelings either way. But Oliver flirting was pretty devastating, and she had the sense he hadn't even really started trying yet. She knew he was talking about work, but she couldn't help wondering if any woman had ever posed a challenge for him with that face. Given that she'd already sort of asked him out, she was guessing not.

"A watch for all occasions, of course." She gave a light laugh. She was having a hard time remembering if she owned one watch, let alone multiple. Punctuality wasn't a high priority for her, and her jewelry was more likely to come from the crafters at a street market than Tiffany's. "Wow, you really have that locked in, don't you? Saturday works fine for me." She didn't need to check her schedule to know she was free, but she did make a note of it in her phone. She might not be as organized as he was, but she wasn't a monster. It was a formality, in any case. She wasn't likely to forget a date with a handsome man.

"I'm sorry. That must have been hard on you. I wish my parents would have divorced. I think it would have been easier. My dad traveled all the time, and even after it was clear to everyone else that he'd checked out of our family, my mom never really let go. It's a sad way to live." She didn't have to look far for reasons her brother was such a flight risk. Aven had managed to sidestep most of her parents' issues and still found herself in bad relationships. She never thought she'd agree with Theo's approach to his love life, but here she was. It was easier just to keep things casual.

"That sounds lovely. I do, yeah. I've never done an international book tour, but maybe someday. My work mostly keeps me in the States. My brother, Theo, is a photographer, so he gets to do all the traveling. It mostly takes him into places with a lot of unrest though, if not actual war zones. It's not exactly vacation-friendly." She hadn't particularly wanted to visit most of those. The photographs were heartbreaking enough.

"You seem well-suited to it, as much as you can tell something like that on a first meeting. Do you mostly do contracts, or should I give you a call if I end up on murder charges?" She was teasing. Mostly. Criminal defense lawyers probably didn't work for tech companies. The corner of her mouth pulled up in a smile at his reaction to checking his phone. Good money it was his boss again.

"I'm from New York state, but my brother and I only moved to the city after high school. It was always one of those things, you know? Close but just out of reach. I love it here though. Do you miss Boston?" She wouldn't want to live anywhere else, and for as much as he had difficulty settling, she didn't think Theo would either. She eyed his empty cup for a moment. "Should we get you a refill, or do you need to head back soon?" It was an easy out from their conversation if he wanted it--or genuinely needed to get back to work.

[starkslawyer]

"Did your dress come in yet or are you still waiting on it?" Oliver whispered, looking up from his calculus homework to the pretty blond that say across from him. They were in study hall and it was supposed to be absolute silent but he had been itching to talk to her for the last 35 minutes. Saturday was the huge gala for the Children's Hospital Foundation which both Stark Industries and Branson, Hewitt, and McGill were both huge donors. Oliver usually hated things like that but now that he and Kara were together they were much more tolerable.

"I have to go into the city later and get my suit fitted. Did you want to come with me?" He whispered again and then dipped his head when one of the study hall monitors looked in their direction. "Maybe we could grab some dinner or something?" @amarvelousmencgerie (kara)

[starkslawyer]

Chris Evans enjoying pizza in Defending Jacob (2020)

[starkslawyer]

softer shippy prompts.

soft & simple quotes for all your shippy needs! a lot of these can work as platonic prompts if that’s preferred. feel free to change pronouns, descriptors, and context when needed. combine prompts too if desired ♡

WORDS.

❝ you’re so cute when you blush. ❞ ❝ your hair is so soft … ❞ ❝ you smell really good … ❞ ❝ how is your skin so soft? ❞ ❝ your laugh makes me melt.  it’s super cute. ❞ ❝ god, you are so CUTE, it’s not fair!!! ❞ ❝ i bet you’d look really cute/pretty/handsome in a dress/gown/suit and tie/tuxedo/(article of clothing). ❞ ❝ you’re all i’ll ever need. ❞ ❝ you have such pretty eyes. ❞ ❝ you always know exactly how to make me laugh … ❞ ❝ your dimples are absolutely adorable. ❞ ❝ are those freckles on your cheeks that i see? ❞ ❝ i guess all the love songs i’ve ever sang were about you. ❞ ❝ is it weird that i’ve daydreamed about our wedding? ❞ ❝ the word ‘love’ can’t even scratch the surface of what i feel for you. ❞ ❝ you’re my person.  you’re beyond special to me. ❞ ❝ there are seven billion people on this planet, yet you’re the only one for me. ❞ ❝ there’s no touch that feels like yours. ❞ ❝ every morning i want to wake up hearing your voice, seeing your smile. ❞ ❝ you taught me what love is … and what it means. ❞ ❝ being wrapped in your arms is a truly special feeling. ❞ ❝ the sound of your voice is like heaven to me. ❞ ❝ i truly can’t control my heart when i’m around you. ❞ ❝ just stay here with me … by my side. ❞ ❝ promise you’ll always be here for me … ? ❞ ❝ i love you.  more than anything. ❞

ACTIONS.

send +↻ for the reverse!

[ sing ] — sender sings a love song to receiver [ bath ] — sender draws a bath for receiver [ cry ] — sender lets receiver cry on their shoulder [ tear ] — sender wipes receiver’s tears [ cuddle ] — sender cuddles up to receiver as they’re just waking up [ art ] — sender sketches a picture of receiver [ snap ] — sender snaps a picture of receiver when they’re not looking [ kiss ] — sender kisses along a stretch of receiver’s skin [ clothe ] — sender helps receiver remove an article of their clothing [ embrace ] — sender jumps into receiver’s arms [ carry ] — sender carries receiver to bed [ lift ] — sender playfully picks up receiver from around their waist [ pin ] — sender pins receiver underneath them [ massage ] — sender gently massages receiver [ sit ] — sender sits on receiver’s lap [ lean ] — sender leans against receiver’s shoulder [ scar ] — sender shows receiver one of their scars [ wrap ] — sender wraps their arm around receiver’s waist to pull them close [ pillow ] — sender uses receiver’s lap as a pillow [ goodnight ] — sender kisses receiver goodnight [ hold ] — our muses lace their fingers together [ dance ] — our muses slow dance together [ candle ] — our muses cuddle in a dimly candlelit room [ tub ] — our muses share a hot tub together [ nuzzle ] — our muses touch noses [ laugh ] — our muses laugh together [ bed ] — our muses share a bed

[starkslawyer]

"I like a good challenge," Oliver said with a little smirk as he looked at her. She was very pretty. He always had an eye for pretty brunettes. But he didn't want to assume just because she was talking to him that it was anything more. Still his flirtatious nature was bound to slip out at some point.

He couldn't help but laugh when she said that she was having a hard time picturing his fancy watch in the Break Bar. "Well, I'll wear my less expensive fancy watch, then." All of Oliver's clothes, shoes, and accessories were designer and luxury. He made good money so he like to keep up his appearance to match. When she asked about when they could meet, he opened the calendar on his phone and began to skim through the dates. Most were blacked out with deadlines and work engagements but he did find one where he had nothing going on. He had been looking forward to staying in that night and cooking himself a good meal but he wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to go out with a pretty girl. "I don't have anything going on this Saturday night. Would that work for you?" He asked and then looked back down at his calendar. "Or I can do next Thursday after 7pm." He wanted to give her a couple of options just in case one didn't work out.

They got to talking about their heritage and he found out that she was Irish and German. When she asked about if he had ever traveled to where his parents were from he nodded. "My father and mother were born overseas and both ended up in Boston when they were kids. They met in college, married...had kids...divorced." He chuckled. His parents split up when he was eighteen but at least he had been an adult then with his own career and life ahead of him. "I've been to Ireland a few times in my life but Italy a lot more. Still have aunts and cousins and grandparents over there. I like to try and go every two years or so. What about you? Do you like to travel?"

He laughed when she told him how she became to be an author. "Oh, that's not embarrassing. Well, perhaps the fan-fiction part is." He knew exactly what he was doing when he left here. Looking up some of her books and having a flip through them. Obviously, romance was not his thing to read but he was curious how she treated relationships and wondered if there were any steamy sex scenes in them. He was just curious ...."Being an author is something to be proud of. I'm sure not everyone can write a book get it published. Do you do book signings and all that, too?"

When she asked what made him become a lawyer, he shrugged. "Kinda born into it, I guess. My father owns the largest law firm in Boston. Kinda grew up in that environment. My father was also one of those that took their work home with them so I've always been surrounded by it. But it's a good thing. Even if I hadn't been around it I think I would've ended up in law anyway." He paused a moment to check his phone when it vibrated. Tony 'Fuckin' Stark. He slid it to silent and then turned his phone upside down and looked back at Aven.

"Have you lived in the city all your life or are you a transplant?"

"Nothing wrong with having standards on either side, I guess." It wasn't a crime, wanting a job done well, or refusing to do one. Given that she was rather enjoying this conversation with Oliver and his boss wasn't here to defend himself, she'd have to side with him though.

"Is that the best part about the job? Finding your way around a difficult problem?" She liked the way he talked about it, the dedication and the cleverness it would take to do something like that. It was obvious he was well-suited for the job, and she'd always been impressed by people who were good at things she'd never be good at.

It was heads or tails on whether Aven actually meant that as a date. She still wasn't clear on his relationship status, given the topic had never come up, but mostly she was doing what she always did and rolling with the vibe. She wouldn't turn down the possibility of something more, but even as a platonic friendship thing, she still would have offered. He seemed like he needed something to take the edge off, and somehow over the course of the conversation she'd become invested. "I have a hard time picturing your fancy watch there, but I think we could make it work. Since you're the one on a deadline, you can pick a night that works for you."

There was something satisfying about catching him off guard not once but twice in the same conversation. No, she was absolutely not keeping count. That would be weird. She was relieved he hadn't taken offense. Not unlike her brother, sometimes her mouth got ahead of her brain. Unlike Theo, she could usually smooth things over with a sweet smile instead of getting punched. "As long as you're happy?" It was both an agreement and a question, since it hadn't escaped her notice that he hadn't actually put it in those words. He was busy, he enjoyed it, and his bank account was happy. It wasn't quite the same thing.

"Kind of walked into that one, didn't I? Thank you," she laughed softly, not usually one to brush off a compliment from a handsome man, even one she'd accidentally set up herself. It was still flattering from someone who claimed to be grumpy and turned out to be sort of charming. "A couple generations ago on my mother's side. German on my father's. Have you been there? Ireland or Italy." He'd mentioned the occasional vacation, so she was curious. Her brother traveled all the time for work, but hers mostly kept her in the continental US.

"That's an embarrassing origin story, but okay. I actually started out writing fanfiction in high school. I liked the classics. Romeo and Juliet, Lancelot and Guinevere, that sort of thing. Give the women more agency and a happy ending, and it turns out you've got a novel-- and an audience. I wasn't really expecting to turn it into a career, but it just sort of evolved from there. What made you want to be a lawyer?"

[starkslawyer]

🐝  *  ―  𝑮𝑹𝑼𝑴𝑷𝒀 𝑿 𝑺𝑼𝑵𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑵𝑬 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

from the grump ❛  how can you be this cheery already? we haven't even had breakfast.  ❜ ❛  just don't make a big deal out of this.  ❜ ❛  you know i love you, right?  ❜ ❛  i know, alright, i know i'm an asshole. but i'm trying here.  ❜ ❛  i'm sorry. i didn't mean what i said earlier.  ❜ ❛  do you always have to be so damn optimistic?  ❜ ❛  nobody has ever made me feel the way you do.  ❜ ❛  there's no way in hell i'm doing that.  ❜ ❛  i'm not good with this whole stupid feelings thing.  ❜ ❛  you make me want to be better. you make me want to be good.  ❜ ❛  can't you just move on and forget about it already?  ❜ ❛  i'm only doing this because you asked me to.  ❜ ❛  you're the only one who has ever believed in me.  ❜ ❛  you won't stop this until i say 'yes', will you?  ❜ ��  how are you so happy all the time?  ❜ ❛  until i met you, i never thought i would've been capable of that.  ❜ ❛  you're the polar opposite of me.  ❜ ❛  whatever. i didn't think you'd care anyway.  ❜ ❛  your optimism might be starting to rub off on me.  ❜ ❛  why don't you give up on me like everyone else?  ❜

from the sunshine ❛  come on, it's gonna be fun!  ❜ ❛  see? i told you there's some good in you.  ❜ ❛  you should smile more. you have such a beautiful smile.  ❜ ❛  i'm so excited! there's so much i have planned for us.  ❜ ❛  i was just trying to do something nice for you.  ❜ ❛  do you always have to be so pessimistic?  ❜ ❛  stop being so stubborn. i'm trying to help you.  ❜ ❛  i knew there was a big softie under all that tough exterior.   ❜ ❛  i always feel better with you by my side.  ❜ ❛  sometimes you should let others in.  ❜ ❛  light up, [name]. we're gonna be here for a while.  ❜ ❛  why is it so difficult for you to accept a compliment?  ❜ ❛  stay? i just ... don't want to be alone right now.  ❜ ❛  just because i'm generally a happy person doesn't mean i can't have an off day.  ❜ ❛  i'm not some helpless little girl/boy!  ❜ ❛  you're not gonna get rid of me that easily.   ❜ ❛  stop that. i don't want you to talk about yourself like this.  ❜ ❛  of course, i remember! i remember everything you told me.  ❜ ❛  let's go outside and dance in the rain.  ❜ ❛  you don't mean that, do you?  ❜

[starkslawyer]

"I'm all about living it up tonight." He took a sip from his wine and then smiled at her. "Okay, fuck this place for dinner. We'll have our drinks and pop in somewhere down the street for apps and maybe i'll find somewhere on Open Table we can make online reservations for dinner." He pulled out his phone and began to see what was nearby. "I'm really glad we could get together tonight. I've been missing you."

A nod came from her. “Yep. Drink up.” Hattie assured him with a grin. “Don’t apologize okay? I’m fine with waiting here.” She spoke. “We could live it up? Make it a progressive type of thing if you wanted. Have drinks here, appetizers somewhere and dinner somewhere else?” She asked taking a sip of her wine. “Whatever you want to do Oliver, but I’m just enjoying hanging out with you.” And that she genuinely meant.

[starkslawyer]

❛ i bought two. here. ❜ @hattiemaee

"One of these is for me?" Oliver asked when Hattie brought over two glasses of wine from the bar. They were waiting for their table to be ready for them but the service was so slow. Oliver had been getting antsy and Hattie looked like she could tell. "Thank you. Sorry about the wait. Our dinner 7:30 reservations look like they're going to be 8:15 reservations now. We could go somewhere else if you want?"

[starkslawyer]

𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒 

from this generator.

❛ close your eyes and hold out your hands. ❜ ❛ what are you smiling at? ❜ ❛ i can’t leave you alone for one minute, can i? ❜ ❛ was it you? did you do all this? ❜ ❛ i don’t know how you do this every day… ❜ ❛ that is not an appropriate question to ask a lady you’ve just met. ❜ ❛ i’m not sorry. ❜ ❛ i did warn you not to trust me. ❜ ❛ do you remember anything? at all? ❜ ❛ you’re lucky you’re cute. ❜ ❛ why don’t you just kill me? ❜ ❛ did you hurt yourself? ❜ ❛ i could show you the way. ❜ ❛ i don’t feel so good. ❜ ❛ you owe me a dinner. a very nice dinner. ❜ ❛ don’t go. please. ❜ ❛ you wanna know what your problem is? ❜ ❛ i’m here to drink alone. ❜ ❛ don’t run away from this. ❜ ❛ i’m just saying, murder is an option. ❜ ❛ i didn’t realize you were in so much pain. ❜ ❛ i guess it runs in the family, huh? ❜ ❛ you wouldn’t understand. ❜ ❛ we’ve been through a lot. i think we should just lay low and take it easy. ❜ ❛ dangerous to be out so late. ❜ ❛ i hope you haven’t been standing out in the cold this whole time. ❜ ❛ i made a mistake. ❜ ❛ am i not good enough? ❜ ❛ i’m going to get you out of here. ❜ ❛ why did you bring me here? ❜ ❛ aren’t we in a good mood today? ❜ ❛ don’t shut me out. please. ❜ ❛ the storm’s getting worse. ❜ ❛ i never meant to hurt you. ❜ ❛ you’re about as intimidating as a butterfly. ❜ ❛ have you come to laugh at me in my miserable state? ❜ ❛ here, take this. you’ll catch a cold. ❜ ❛ this is the part where you leave. ❜ ❛ why are you talking like we’ll never see each other again? ❜ ❛ you stepped on my foot! ❜ ❛ you’re not a very convincing liar. ❜ ❛ we’re in completely different leagues. ❜ ❛ how did you find me? ❜ ❛ i don’t need you anymore. ❜ ❛ rough day today? ❜ ❛ snap out of it! ❜ ❛ you look better in my clothes than i do. ❜ ❛ why are you still here? ❜ ❛ can i ask… what happened? ❜ ❛ are you saying you care about me? ❜ ❛ i won’t let anyone hurt you. ❜ ❛ it’s not stealing if it was mine to begin with. ❜ ❛ well, this is where i live. ❜ ❛ we’re not so different after all. ❜ ❛ how long have i been asleep? ❜ ❛ no more lies, no more secrets. ❜ ❛ can you forgive me? ❜ ❛ i thought you… i saw you get shot. ❜ ❛ why are you really here? ❜ ❛ i wish we never met. ❜ ❛ you look like you need a hug. ❜ ❛ would you run away with me? ❜ ❛ see? i’m not just a pretty face. ❜ ❛ we can stop them. i can help you. ❜ ❛ what now? i’m tired. ❜ ❛ i didn’t want you to see me like this. ❜ ❛ i can’t do this without you. ❜ ❛ if you tell me yours, i’ll tell you mine. ❜ ❛ are you threatening me? ❜ ❛ did you ever care about me? ❜ ❛ treat me like the princess that i am! ❜ ❛ i’m not leaving you. ❜ ❛ why did you come? ❜ ❛ i need your help… and you need mine. ❜ ❛ i wish i could hate you. ❜ ❛ i see you don’t recognize me. well, it was a long time ago. ❜ ❛ you’ve lost a lot of blood. ❜ ❛ i had my suspicions, but until now i wasn’t sure. ❜ ❛ there’s nothing left for me here. ❜ ❛ that is… literally illegal. you’re describing something illegal. ❜ ❛ wait. i’ve heard that sound before. ❜ ❛ just try to hang on. ❜ ❛ so why’s it so important anyway? ❜ ❛ i’ll stay in tonight, thanks. ❜ ❛ we can’t keep going on like this. ❜ ❛ in about a minute, you’ll be sorry you didn’t listen to me. ❜ ❛ is this seat taken? sorry, it’s a bit crowded here. ❜ ❛ you can’t leave me here alone! ❜ ❛ i’ll believe it when i see it. ❜ ❛ why are you laughing? this is a very serious situation. ❜ ❛ i bought two. here. ❜ ❛ i’ve seen you before, walking by. ❜ ❛ why can’t i come with you? ❜ ❛ c'mon. aren’t you worried what might happen if we go? ❜ ❛ walk with me? ❜ ❛ it’s very rude to stare. ❜ ❛ how many times have i told you? you can’t visit me here. ❜ ❛ we can’t fix this. can we? ❜ ❛ are you going to kill me? ❜ ❛ it’s not like you can stop me. ❜ ❛ it’s not safe for people to see us together. ❜ ❛ take me with you. ❜ ❛ some risks are worth taking. ❜ ❛ let them go. take me instead. ❜ ❛ what do you want in exchange for it? ❜ ❛ is being drunk an excuse? ❜ ❛ promise me you won’t overreact. ❜ ❛ how can i possibly trust you? after all you’ve done. ❜ ❛ how long have you been standing there? ❜ ❛ why did you wake me? ❜ ❛ i’m not here to talk about my feelings. ❜ ❛ you were going to leave without saying goodbye? ❜ ❛ for some reason, i’m attracted to you. ❜ ❛ promise me? ❜ ❛ it’s nothing, i’m just tired. ❜ ❛ i feel safe with you. ❜ ❛ i don’t need your help. ❜ ❛ i think i have a bit more experience with this thing than you do. ❜ ❛ no way, i’m not doing that. ❜ ❛ i do care. ❜ ❛ you snore in your sleep. it’s adorable. ❜ ❛ i have a spare bed. ❜ ❛ you’re very kind. some day it’ll get you killed. ❜ ❛ you’ll always have a home with me. ❜ ❛ of course i care. you’re my family. ❜ ❛ you shouldn’t insult people that are bigger than you. ❜ ❛ i never wanted to hurt you. ❜ ❛ i swear it wasn’t me. ❜ ❛ we can just sit here, you don’t have to talk. ❜ ❛ did you miss me? ❜ ❛ this isn’t just about you. it’s about what’s best for all of us. ❜ ❛ you can never admit when you’re wrong! ❜ ❛ is this what you wanted? ❜ ❛ what are you doing out here by yourself? ❜ ❛ sorry to put you through that. i guess i owe you one now. ❜ ❛ the only time you talk to me is when you need something. ❜ ❛ i’m still learning. ❜ ❛ if you have something to say, spit it out. ❜ ❛ you… don’t like me very much, do you? ❜ ❛ i’m on your side. ❜ ❛ i risked my life for you! ❜ ❛ whatever you’re going to ask, the answer is no. ❜ ❛ you can stay with me. ❜ ❛ i just need time. ❜ ❛ please don’t do this, don’t act like you care. ❜ ❛ who the hell invited you? ❜ ❛ what? no witty remark? nothing clever to say? ❜ ❛ i just wanted to say i’m sorry. ❜ ❛ think of it as a compliment. ❜ ❛ do you ever stop being so serious and dull? ❜ ❛ it’s rare to see your kind around here. ❜ ❛ you remember me. that’s good. ❜ ❛ you’re a terrible flirt you know. ❜ ❛ are you kidding me? we’re not ‘fine’! ❜ ❛ right now i wish i was dead. ❜ ❛ i guess i should’ve told you. ❜ ❛ you’re not alone. i’m here. ❜ ❛ you’ve been so quiet. what’s on your mind? ❜ ❛ knowledge is power. ❜ ❛ you scared me. ❜ ❛ well, what’s so strange about that? ❜ ❛ don’t look at me like that. ❜ ❛ i want to be there when you get what’s coming to you. ❜ ❛ just who do you think you are? ❜ ❛ you look… amazing. ❜ ❛ we’re safe, aren’t we? ❜ ❛ you know, i really hoped i’d never see this place again. ❜ ❛ don’t touch me. get away from me. ❜ ❛ i thought you’d like this. ❜ ❛ it’s too dark, i can’t see anything. ❜ ❛ what’s that smug look for? you think you can do any better? ❜ ❛ who did you piss off this time? ❜ ❛ you should’ve thought about that before you got into a fight. ❜ ❛ i only wanted to help. ❜ ❛ you knew and you didn’t tell me? ❜ ❛ you don’t scare me. ❜ ❛ wow, look who remembered my existence. ❜ ❛ change isn’t easy. ❜ ❛ why did you help me? ❜ ❛ why do you hate me? ❜ ❛ i can’t even trust myself anymore. ❜ ❛ i was making sure you weren’t dead, since you never called. ❜ ❛ you look awful. what happened? ❜ ❛ are you here to kill me? ❜ ❛ you know you aren’t allowed in here, right? ❜ ❛ was that a friend of yours? ❜ ❛ two years later and you haven’t changed. ❜ ❛ you look like you just saw a ghost. ❜ ❛ nobody tells me what to do. ❜ ❛ you’re too scared to do it, aren’t you? ❜ ❛ come on. it can’t be that bad. ❜ ❛ i hope to repay your kindness someday. ❜ ❛ just let me do this for you. ❜ ❛ why were they coming after you? ❜ ❛ how many people have you killed? how many? ❜ ❛ how much do you value your life? ❜ ❛ you don’t know when to give up, do you? ❜ ❛ don’t lie to me. ❜ ❛ i’m not sober enough to talk about this. ❜ ❛ have a drink with me. ❜

[starkslawyer]

shipping call for this over-worked, always exasperated, grumpy -- yet lovable lawyer.

but seriously -- he is grumpy and works a lot and has a little fear of relationship commitment (but that's just because he knows he a workaholic and he doesn't want to disappoint his partner) however, once he gets into a stable relationship he will treat them like a queen.

[starkslawyer]

angry daddy Chris Evans as Andy Barber in Defending Jacob, 2020

[starkslawyer]

"I think it's more him just being an ass. He much rather give me some mundane task because he knows I'm busy. That and he trusts me. I've never met someone more pickier than I am. He knows I'm not going to fuck the job up. However, I don't do food delivery." Oliver grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

"When I come to an impasse? Usually comb through the case and files over and over again looking for any sort of loophole or something we can use against them to make them sweat a little. Threaten them with that and usually the come around to meet our demands. This case is proving a little harder than usual but I'm pretty close to finding something. I can feel it."

The invitation to having a drink with her caught him off guard but he wasn't turned off at all. "Break Bar, huh? Don't think I've ever heard of that place before." Oliver was used to going to bars where drinks could run up to forty dollars and bottles of wine in the thousands. The little niche, kitschy places he usually avoided. However, when she explained what you got to do there he couldn't help but chuckle. "That actually sounds like something I need after a shitty day at the office. If you're serious about it then I'd like to go." He was usually the one to ask someone out but he didn't mind.

After explaining just how much work consumed his life and how it thrived with it, he was shocked when she asked when he was living for himself. The level of concern from a stranger was something he wasn't used to. "Look, I know it seems like a rough life but I do enjoy it. It keeps me busy and my bank account is pretty happy." He chuckled and then a small sigh did slip from him as he looked at her. "Truthfully, though, I am starting to feel a bit burned out. I hustled my ass off through high school, through Harvard, straight from there to my fathers law firm in Boston, and now at Stark Industries. I do take vacations now and again but it's hard for me to let the work go. It's always on my mind."

Flirting was becoming much easier now. He had tested the waters before but now that there was a potential 'date' in the future he felt better about where things were headed. And if he was wrong about it then no big deal. "You do seem radiant. You have a nice energy about yourself. Are you Irish?" He asked. "My fathers side of the family is from Dublin and my mothers side is from Italy. I have to say I lean more to my Italian heritage, though." A lot of his work ethic came from his father, his mother's side was a little more chaotic but he seemed to resonate more with the Italian culture.

When she told him she was a romance writer, he grinned. "Can't say that I have any of that type of literature in my library. But then again I'm more of a non-fiction kinda guy." Her profession was interesting and even though he wouldn't read anything like that there were plenty of people who did. He couldn't help but wonder if she wrote tame romance or something a little ... spicier? It didn't feel like the right question to ask at the moment. "So you're going to have to tell me how you got into writing that genre? I'm dying to know!"

The answer, while not altogether surprising, brought a delighted laugh. It probably wasn't the answer Aven would have given--sometimes nice walked the line into pushover for her, but there was a limit--which made it all the more entertaining. "There's also this thing called DoorDash. Us mere mortals without personal assistants find it useful." She could barely tolerate her publicist managing aspects of her life. One assistant, let alone two, was just Extra.

"What do you do when that happens?" She didn't have to feign curiosity in his work. It was a kind of passive research, talking to people about their lives and careers, little details to make the worlds in her novels richer and more believable. It sounded very much like a rock and a hard place situation, with Oliver caught in the middle.

Far from being intimidated, her face lit up. "If I can persuade you to have a drink with me, I know the perfect place. It's called the Break Bar. When you finish your drink, you smash your glass. It's very cathartic." The Wolfram family was made of temper problems, and while the twins were probably the least of that, they weren't immune. Her fuse was longer than most of her siblings', but just as explosive when she finally reached the end of it. People who said throwing things didn't help hadn't thrown enough things.

He was so confident in his answer, and seemed so content in it, but she couldn't help feeling a little sad for him. There were times when work consumed her life, when she was on a deadline or absorbed in a story. But she always came out of it more excited than ever to throw herself back into the real world. They didn't know each other well enough for the next words that came out of her mouth, but they were already down the rabbit hole, and it had been established that her filter could use some work. "But that's work, Oliver. When are you living?" Her smile was gentle to soften the words, in the hopes they wouldn't sound like a criticism. It wasn't her place to judge the way he lived.

"Thank you. It means 'fair radiance' in Irish, which I think is a little more pretentious than Pretty Writer." She wasn't exactly fair-haired, let alone radiant, but she doubted her mother had known its meaning when she chose it. "Something tells me I wouldn't find you in the romance section of the bookstore, counselor. But who knows. You could have hidden depths to you." She returned the grin, poking a little fun at both of them at once. She knew what people thought of the romance genre, and what they were likely to assume about her when they found out what she did for a living.

[starkslawyer]

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