#A little spicy?

[kawaiisimp]

Hair cuts and cherry chap stick

Hi so this is the first fanfic I have literally ever written. It's completely self indulgent. I just like the thought of Vil not wearing makeup, wearing a crop top, running his fingers through my hair, insert other stupid tropes. This is not proof read like at all, so if you see any mistakes let me know. Reblogs and likes are appreciated, but I don't think I'll write a lot bc school got me dying. I've got some other fic ideas that I'll write faster tho if people like this one ig?

Vil Schoenheit x gn!reader; Characters mentioned: Epel, Rook, Cater, Ace, Deuce, and Jack (I think that's it); 16+? (Reader fanisizes about Vil, but it doesn't go far); it's long af; slow burn?; lots of teasing and blushing; Vil is ooc tbh; I based the reader's hair off of mine bc I wasn't sure how to write other hair, I'm sorry; pet names are used

Anyways! On to the fic.

When you first asked if Vil would give your hair a trim while waiting on Epel to finish showering before your sleepover started, he immediately declined.

"Please, Vil. I really need one and I refuse to pay for a salon trip," you begged him feeling annoyed as you sat on his silky sheets.

"Why do I need to be the one to trim your hair. I'm sure Jade would love to give you a haircut." He scoffed and stared you down from his vanity mirror while continuing to rub his makeup remover onto his face with a brush.

A sigh left your lips as you scooted closer to the edge of his bed and pouted.

"Vil, my split ends are absolutely terrible! You said so yourself 15 minutes ago! Plus, I wouldn't let Jade get near me with scissors if somebody paid me!" You sighed again, throwing yourself backward, burying your face into his silky pillows.

"Not to mention, I think you owe me a favor for letting you use me like a dress-up doll all the time," you shifted in your spot, pausing for a second "and I enjoy it when we get alone time..." You trailed off blushing, gaining Vil's full attention.

He slowly turned around and placed his brush down, "Potato, I hate mumbling, so if you have something to say say it clearly!"

You slowly turned over to look at him checking to see for signs of actual anger, but you were greeted with the ethereal view of his makeup removed, and his gold and violet strands pulled loosely into a ponytail with a purple silk headband keeping his locks from mixing with the cream currently on his face. He stared back with his piercing violet eyes. You fully sat up to face him, admiring the slight smile pulling at his lips, with smudged lipstick around the edges and the, now messy, mascara and dark purple eyeshadow surrounding his unwavering eyes. You felt your face heat up upon noticing the slight pink tint on the tips of his ears, meaning he had heard you. You soaked in the moment knowing seeing him in this state was a rare occurrence. You opened your mouth to tell him he looked gorgeous, but the moment was ruined when Rook burst into Vil's dorm room.

"Oh, Trickster! I thought I would find you with Roi du Poison!" He announced, flamboyant as ever, "Monsieur Cherry Apple is awaiting you!"

You groaned and rolled off of Vil's bed onto the floor causing Rook to chuckle and Vil to gasp as your old gym shorts rode up along with your NRC t-shirt, exposing your stomach.

"Potato! You ruined my bed and your outfit is now sideways and completely wrinkled!" Vil snapped as you pushed yourself off the floor and started gathering your things. You just smiled at him and shrugged.

"It's going to end up that way anyways while I sleep." You said, giving the pair a tired half smile and a wave as Epel appeared in the doorway. "Anyways, I'll see you guys later this week. And Vil, can I come over on Thursday after class? You never really gave me an answer earlier."

Vil scoffed, having already turned back to his vanity, "I did and I believe the answer was no; however, I would be inclined to assist you as long as you're not late, you do not bring your monster creature, and I get to do your makeup to match your picture perfect hair cut," He snapped, continuing to finish his nightly routine.

"Good!" you nearly shouted as you walked out of his dorm room, giving Vil a wide smile; leaving Rook and Vil to themselves. Epel was talking about something, but you couldn't focus not after seeing Vil looking unperfect. And definitely not after he agreed to spend time alone with you on Thursday. It was a struggle to even sleep that night but; once you did fall asleep Vil was the last thought on your mind. And the first one when you woke up.

On Monday, you found yourself getting more excited as Thursday drew closer. Your excitement finally became too much to bare for a certain brainless duo. As they had been giving you side glances in every class since Monday at breakfast. Not that you really noticed, as the only guy on your mind was Vil.

The straw that finally broke the camel's back was when Cater posted a picture of you on his magicam day-dreaming with a blush and slight smile plastered on your face. The caption read, "Oh, look at the perfect! They're totes smitten with someone! #loveisintheair #socute! #anyguesseswho." The post blew up so much that by Thursday morning, half of the school had guesses as to who it was, and the other half were in denial. Ace and Deuce were skeptical about the idea of you, the overblot fighting perfect, having a crush. But the post was impossible to ignore, and the longer the pair looked at your face, the more the idea of you having a crush ate at them.

"What's up with you this week?” Ace finally asked during lunch on Thursday. He had a look of disgust and annoyance. A short staring contest started between the both of you and the rest of the first years froze. Everyone was waiting for your response.

A blush slowly crept up your face. You believed you’d been hiding your excitement rather well. You slowly pulled your sandwich away from your face finding your plate was suddenly extremely interesting.

“What are you talking about?” You said, refusing to look up at the group.

“Dude, are you kidding right now?” Ace eyed you down, putting his fork down.

“You’re blushing!” Deuce announced with a mixture of shock and confusion.

“I am not!” Your face turned redder; whether it was embarrassment or anger, was unclear.

“Oh Great Seven, You really ain't got the hots for some guy, do ya?” Epel said, his eyes narrowing, pointing his fork at you.

“What? No! Where is this coming from all of a sudden?” The first part of your announcement fell on deaf ears. You swallowed hard, snapping your head up finally to meet the rest of the table, who were all staring at you wide-eyed with smirks, except for Sebek, who looked annoyed.

"Did you not see what Cater posted to his Magicam?" Jack interjected

"No! What did he post?" You never got an answer because Sebek decided he couldn't stay silent anymore.  

“Human! You better not have a crush on lord Malleus!” Sebek snapped

"Ew! Why would they be into Malleus of all people!" Announced Ace. The pair started to bicker over Malleus, and then something else, and the topic was somehow forgotten. You were just happy nobody had figured out your crush on a certain blonde and violet-haired celebrity. The rest of the day went normally.

After class, you found yourself opening Magicam and typing in Cater's username. There you saw Cater's post. And the top-liked comment was Vil's. The Vil Schoenheit on his public magicam account, for millions to see typed, "I've never seen the perfect so charming; however, do they know you took this, Cater?" You nearly dropped your phone in shock, your heartbeat ringing in your ears. Your face burned hot as the word charming ran through your mind repeatedly.  

You were filled with an increased level of excitement, and you found yourself practically running to Vil's dorm. Before you knew it, you were opening the door to the Pomefiore dorm and practically skipping down the long corridor to Vil's door. You gently knocked on his door, expecting him to tell you to leave or tell you to open the door and let yourself in.

You were shocked when the door swung open, revealing Vil with his hair unbraided and a more natural makeup look on his face. He stared at you down with an unreadable expression. Your eyes travel from his face down to his "Casual" wear consisting of a dark purple, nearly black, tight crop top sweater and a pair of velvet sweatpants of the same color with the band of clearly expensive boxers exposed.  You didn't realize you'd been staring since he walked out until your eyes fell back on his glossy lips, now pulled in a small confident smile. You felt your face turn scarlet upon realizing he had been watching you mentally undressing him.

"Ah, potato you're not late. That's quite shocking considering those troublemakers seem to follow you around like lost puppies." He ended his sentence with a chuckle and stared you down with his hand on his hip and the other on his door, holding it open. It took you a moment to remember how to speak.

"Um yeah, I disappeared before they could see me." You mumbled, your head moving down to stare at your feet to keep your eyes from wandering down to his lips.

Vil chuckled as his left thumb and index finger raised your chin, so your eyes met his gaze. He leaned in closer to your face and you moved with him, stopping just centimeters away from his lips. He pulled back a little further.

"You know I hate mumbling, but I do find it amusing how you did not deny the way they follow you around." He let go of your face slowly as he soaked in your flushed, half-lidded-eye expression. He suddenly pulled back fully, leaving you a little disappointed with a racing heart. He finished opening his door and grabbed your hand, gently guiding you into his room.

In a daze, you allowed him to guide you into his dorm. He dropped your hand and allowed you to take off your shoes and jacket. Vil closed the door behind you and placed his hand on your lower back, barely giving you any time to slow your heart rate. Vil guided you wordlessly to his vanity. His hand moved off of your back and he grabbed your hand to help you sit. He let go of your hand with a soft squeeze and gave you a small smile. You could feel his hair brush against your ear as he leaned over to move some items closer to him, causing you to jump slightly. You thought you heard him slightly chuckle, but you were sure because of your heart hammering in your ears. He leaned down to grab a barber cape. He placed it over your frame in a swift, elegant motion. You felt your face turn pink as he lifted your hair and clasped the cape. You could still feel the sensation of his fingers on the back of your neck as he leaned down to get eye-level with you in the mirror.

He placed his hands on your shoulders, moving closer to your ear, "So what were you thinking for your hair?" Your face went red, and you accidentally let out a nearly inaudible whimper, but it was clear he heard it as his eyes locked with yours with a new glint present in his violent orbs.

You let out a little cough as you spoke, "I want all of my spit ends cut off, and you to thin it out?"  Vil nodded as he pulled away from you, grabbing a hair brush.

"That's simple enough." he hummed as he began to run his fingers through your hair, picking a spot to start brushing.

Once he started, you closed your eyes. In an attempt to calm your heart, by concentrating on the feeling of the hairbrush running through your hair. Trying desperately to ignore that the one brushing your hair was the guy you'd been crushing on since the third week of school. It was quite difficult, considering the only thing you could smell was his cologne. The only thing you could feel was his manicured nails running through your hair and you knew if you opened your eyes, you would see him moving in the mirror as he tended to your hair. He was impossible to ignore, to not think about, so you gave in and let him fill your thoughts, despite the fact you might be close to going into cardiac arrest.

You were used to having Vil fill your thoughts, but it was different when he was literally inches away from you. You're used to feeling your heart rate speed up when you thought about holding his hand, kissing his cheeks, saying I love you to each other, placing little pecks on his lips before class, and cuddling with him at night. You're used to having your breathing hitch when your mind wanders into what it would feel like to run his fingers through his hair, hear him whisper "I love you" against your lips before pulling you in by your neck for a deep kiss, him holding on to your hips and you tugging him by his belt loops as his tongue slips past your lips, his lips against your neck as he pushes you down on his bed; where you've watched him do his makeup many times, him telling you you're gorgeous as he pushes his hand under-

You were ripped out of your thoughts when he asked a question. You jumped at the sound of his voice but missed what he asked.

Your face went red as you turned around to face him, worrying he was going to be angry at you for getting lost in your not so pg thoughts. Your worry dissipated as you fully examined his expression, full of admiration and perfectly relaxed with the tips of his ears slightly pink. You wondered if he was imagining the same things as you. The thought made you bite your lip and you cleared your throat to speak.

"I'm sorry, I was dosing off," Your eyes rapidly scanned his face trying to see if he could tell you were lying. It was unclear, so you just continued, feeling extremely nervous. "What did you ask me a minute ago?"

You noticed his face was softer than usual as he looked at you, still running his fingers through your hair. He let out a little chuckle.

"I asked if you needed a drink or a snack before I started on your makeup," He said slowly taking off the cape he placed on you and turning you around to face him.

"Wait, you already cut my hair?" You said wide-eyed.

This time he laughed, a genuine, joyful laugh. One you've only heard once before. It was when the pair of you were sitting on his bed while he was doing your makeup, and you were ranting about the protagonists of the book you were currently reading. You don't remember what made you so mad as his laugh knocked the wind out of you, making you forget why they were so terrible.

"Yes, I finished it ." He said with the last of his laugh. It once again knocked the wind out of you as you stared at him and his natural smile. You suddenly remembered his original question.

"Ah, I don't need a drink or a snack, but is it okay if I go change into something more comfortable. I still have some clothes in your room right?" He smiled softly at you with a thoughtful look.

"I'm okay with you changing. We have ample time, but don't take too long." he paused and grabbed your hand to help you out of your seat before continuing, "You should have shorts, but I'm not certain you have a shirt." He paused again, a slight blush almost too light to see arose to his cheeks, "But I will gladly lend you a shirt of mine. You're welcome to have whichever one you want." He smiled down at gently placing his hand on your lower back, pushing you towards his closet. 

You blushed lightly at the thought of wearing his shirt and walked over to his closet your hands slowly running over his tops. You didn’t miss his gaze trailing you with every motion you made while sifting through his clothes. You finally grabbed one of his button up shirts he wears with his uniform. You turned to him for approval and he nodded towards the bathroom. You felt a smile involuntarily form on your lips as you grabbed your things and drifted to the bathroom to change. Once you were dressed you lifted your hands covered by his sleeves to your face and inhaled. You felt your whole body heat up as his scent filled your nose and the softness of his shirt finally soaked in. 

You opened the door, tossing the clothes you were wearing before on the floor next to the door. You opened your mouth to tell Vil you were finished, but never got the chance as he gasped and made his way across the floor. 

“Potato! You should know better than to just throw your clothes on the ground! At least fold them!” He said exasperated while bending down to gather your clothing. 

“You don’t have to do that Vil! I can handle it!” 

“Well obviously not, considering how you haphazardly threw them on the floor!” He sighed as he shook his head continuing to fold your clothing, “Will you go sit on the bed and wait for me. It will only take a moment to fix your carelessness.” 

You rolled your eyes giggling softly at his antics as you made your way over to his bed. You sat down on his bed against the headboard, crossing your legs as you lowered yourself down on his plush bed. You hummed slightly as you leaned over to grab one of his pillows and placed it on your lap so you could rest your arms. You sat there for a second before a thought crossed your mind. “What if I tease him a little bit?” thought to yourself. He’s so much easier to mess with when his back was to you. 

“You know Mr. Vil Schoenheit, you could just tell me directly you care about me instead of cleaning up after me like I’m your partner or something,” you purred at him with a little grin. You gazed at him through half lidden eyes, while leaning forward with your hand on your chin. 

You should have known better than to tease the world’s favorite villain, who was known on the big screen for trying to keep the love interests apart; meaning he had read and seen every stupid trope played out more times than he could count. 

You watched him slowly rise from his spot on the floor with your clothes in hand as he approached you. He gently sat your clothes down on the little couch at the end of bed. You moved from leaning on your arm to sitting straight up as he cupped your chin. You could tell by his smirk that your reaction boosted his already high ego. He leaned in nearly touching your lips again. The action made your face turn apple red. 

“But my darling,” He purred back matching your half lidden expression from earlier, “Do actions not speak louder than words.” He kept eye contact with you as you melted, feeling your violent blush travel down your neck. After a moment of sitting there star struck with his hold still on your chin, you finally jerk back as far as you can with a little squeak. 

“Hey! That’s not fair! You cornered me!” You practically whined in a panic, turning your head away to create some distance, the temptation to kiss was far too much and you did not want to create a more awkward situation than the one you’ve already created. 

He chuckled at your response, “Well unfortunately, life is typically unfair and you did not seem to think it was unfair earlier,” his tone softened, but there was still a trace of mockery as he moved his hand to your cheek to coax you into facing him. You felt your face twist into an awkward scowl as he moved back, grabbing your upper arm tugging you forward slightly. 

He eased off of the bed leaving you flustered behind him, while he grabbed his makeup. He sat the bag down as he climbed back on his bed, leaving one of his legs dangling off of his bed with his other tucked under his body. You watched him as moved looking striking as ever as he pulled his hair back into a pony-tail and pulled his sleeves up. 

 He snapped you out of your trance when he turned to you holding up the dark purple velvet head band with a bow you always picked when he typical did your make up. You slowly leaned forward allowing him to slip the hand band on your freshly cut hair. The tips of your ears turned pink as you felt his fingers sweep against them. He smiled in response to your involuntary action. 

“Now then,” Vil spoke softly as finished tucking a few loose strands of your back, “I’m going to start doing your makeup, and with as many times as we have been in this exact position, you should know the order in which make up is done.” He stated, still in a soft tone, as he reached for a moisturizing primer. 

You watched his hands as he gathered some on his finger tips and rubbed the cream around in his hands. He leaned forward to the point where you could feel his breath against your face. You felt your cheeks tingle as they turned pink under the feeling. He clicked his tongue once.  

“Close your eyes, dear, and leave them closed until I tell you otherwise,” He whispered sternly. 

Your eyes fluttered shut as you listened to the sound of his fingers gliding along your face. It was extremely relaxing and you knew better than to talk while he was focusing on your makeup. You focused on the sounds of him picking up different products, how the brushes felt gliding over your skin, how his breath fanned over your cheeks and sometimes your lips. You both sat there in comfortable silence while you were lost in thought. You had always found it heart warming that the soft tone he used before he started doing your make up, was reserved for only you. Only you heard him speak so softly. And he only started using that tone with you a few months ago, so it must mean something right? I mean you’re at Pomefiore nearly as much as you are in Ramshackle, either by Epel’s, Rook’s, your own, or more recently, Vil’s request. You were ripped out of your thoughts once more by Vil, but this time it was less embarrassing for you. 

“Open your eyes.” Vil requested in that soft, gentle tone. It made your heart flutter after where your thoughts had wandered. You slowly opened your eyes and made direct eye contact with Vil. Your eyes darted over his face still perplexed by how he could look so breath taking even without his makeup. You  were glad you took the time to admire the man in front of you, because you noticed his cheeks were tinted a light pink. You realized your staring in complete silence was getting a little awkward, well at least in your opinion. You then realized you never felt the cool of liquid liner or the feeling of him softly blowing on your eyelids, but you distintly remember feeling him apply eyeshadow and the other products. 

“So, are you going to do eyeliner in a minute or...” You trailed off realizing Vil probably wouldn’t take to kindly about being questioned about makeup, even though he had never actually gotten upset at you before. He smiled at you and closed the eyeshadow pallet he was holding. 

“How observant. I’m glad you pay attention when I do your makeup.” He complimented, making your heart flutter for the millionth time this afternoon. “I saw this dewy and soft makeup look on Magicam the other day and immediately thought of you and how radiant you’d look.” He hummed still sounding soft as ever. It was only then that you realized just how close he had gotten. Your lips were nearly touching again and you could feel his breath against your lips. You looked up at him saw he was pondering something. You were about to ask him to kiss you when he suddenly turned away, leaving you disappointed once again. 

“I just have to add the final touch of chap stick and lip gloss and then your look is finished.” He muttered. He picked up a cherry flavored chap stick and turned back to you. It was then you saw the bright pink coating his cheeks and ears. You watched, mesmerized as he slightly parted his lips and applied the chap stick to his lips instead of yours. 

“What are you doing?” You questioned with a slight waver in your voice. Time seemed to stand still as you felt Vil’s hand on the back of your neck. He leaned in close, lips nearly touching once again. 

“You’re the second most gorgeous person I’ve ever seen.” He whispered, barely loud enough for you to hear. He gently guided you forward, both of your half lidden eyes staring into one another’s. Then your lips touched. Your eyes fluttered shut as the feeling of fireworks erupted all over your body. His lips were softer than you could have ever imagined. 

Vil slowly pulled back looking just as dazed as you were. He didn’t remove his hand from your neck, but his other hand wrapped around yours. You were completely breathless as you stared at his violet eyes glazed over with adoration and maybe even love. You were both close, but not close enough you could feel his breath on you anymore. Your face redder than riddle’s, redder than the apples Epel carves, redder than the mushrooms Jade tries to force you to eat, you didn’t believe there was a color in the world as red as your face was now. Your gaze shifted away from Vil in embarrassment, even though his face was red too. 

“You have no clue how long I’ve wanted to feel your lips against mine,” Vil said lovingly. You felt a you had no clue you were holding be released as your heart fluttered. Your gaze fell back on him and you smiled the warmest smile you had ever given Vil as your hands moved to cup his cheeks. 

“Me too,” you said matching Vil’s tone. Vil smiled and placed his forehead against yours. His hands moved to hold your cheeks as you giggled. After a moment you realized you wanted another kiss. 

“Um, Vil?” You cursed your voice for wavering. 

“Hmmm?” 

“I still don’t have lip gloss on,” you mumbled, praying to the Great Seven he got your hint. Your eyes met for a second as he moved his forehead from yours. 

“Oh! You don’t do you?” and with that moved one of his hands away from your cheek and picked up a pink sparkly gloss. He smirked, but you were too busy leaning into his hand on your cheek to notice the glint in his eyes. You closed your eyes and braced yourself for another kiss, only to feel his hand grab your chin and the lips gloss applicator to run across your lips. You’re eyes popped open only to see Vil holding back a laugh. You knew you were pouting.

“Vil! Why’d you do that?” You cried in annoyance. 

“Am I not allowed to tease you a little?” He quirked his perfect eyebrow up. 

“But, You’ve been teasing-” Your eyes went wide and then fluttered shut again as Vil’s lips pressed into yours again. Your arms slowly found their way around his neck. You felt him smirk against your lips, but the kiss stayed as gentle as before. You both broke away, with you giggling at a thought that popped into your little head. 

“What’s so amusing, potato?” Vil questioned, with soft eyes that didn’t match his scowl on his glossy lips. 

You chuckled a bit more before he clicked his tongue and started clearing off the bed. You continued your giggle fit until he was done and then you laid down on his bed, while he sat down staring at you lovingly. You finally gained your composure and patted the spot next you, inviting Vil to lay down. He slowly laid down on his side to face you as you rolled over too. 

“I just think it’s funny how the world’s favorite villain kisses so gently.” You beamed giggling softly again. Vil let out a tsk as he stared at you giggling away again. Your giggling stopped once you felt his hand in yours. 

His eyes met yours again as he spoke, “How can I not be gentle with the one thing I find brings me more joy than any amount of fame or beauty?” He inquired playfully as he leaned in to kiss the top of your head. You blushed once again and Vil pulled you into his chest. 

“Hey Vil?” You asked

“Yes”

“Can I stay the night? I think I like you holding me against your chest. It makes me feel comforted? I think that’s the word I’m looking for.” You whispered against him. He pretended to think for a moment. 

“As long as you become my significant other, then I have no qualms with you staying the night.” 

“Then, I’ll gladly become yours!” You beamed into his chest, your eyes closing. You giggled in delight as you felt him press a kiss to the top of your head and cover the pair of you up with his blanket. 

“Goodnight, darling.” Was the last thing you heard as you slowly drifted off to sleep in the arms of the fairest of them all.

[chremes007]

knee deep in the passenger seat 🚙

[dirtflunk]

deranged freaks. absolute weirdos. throw rocks at them

[kokoinupi]

also add in the tags if you want how your tolerance has changed over time!

[casmick-consequences]

lucius' biggest, most genuine smiles always being reserved for pete is something that can be so personal

[nidbaesenpai]

Dare you say this love could just save you

[pennywises]

PET SEMATARY (1989) dir. Mary Lambert

[hairmetal666]

Eddie thought inviting Steve to the Grammys would be fine, cool, no big deal. And it should be, but Steve is walking out of the suite's bedroom wearing a burgundy tuxedo that fits him like a fucking glove. His shirt is unbuttoned just enough to let chest hair peak out, and Eddie thinks he might faint.

He's always been attracted to Steve, of course, but never let it go further than that. Like, sure, Steve was hot as fuck, and sure he was the best guy Eddie had ever met, and sometimes, yeah, he did have to force away thoughts of Steve when he jerked off, and in other circumstances he'd totally be head over heels. Just, Steve is straight, the straightest, a fucking arrow.

Eddie tears his eyes from Steve's body. "You look great, man." He slaps Steve's back. Keeping it cool; keeping it so cool.

"Psh," Steve says. "Have you looked in a mirror? Oh my god." His eyes are saucer wide as they travel down Eddie's body.

"Is it too much?" Eddie crosses his arms over his bare chest.

"Are you kidding? You're--fuck, man. You look good as hell."

He's wearing a silky burgundy shirt, open to show off the necklaces around his throat, his tattoos, the silver in his nipples. His pants are leather, tight, sitting low on his hips and putting the cut of his pelvic bone on full display. They have a lace-up closure that comes dangerously close to showing pube.

Heat rushes to his face at the compliment. "It's--you know. Hazard of the job."

"Yeah, hazard, sure. Guess it's a hard life having hot dudes literally throwing themselves at you."

Eddie barks out a laugh. "That's a vast exaggeration."

"Is it?"

He blushes harder. "You're my date tonight, Steve."

"My point exactly."

His manager and publicist usher them out the door before he can ask what the hell that meant.

---

The ride is giddy and playful, Steve popping champagne to celebrate Eddie's nomination for Song of the Year, even though there's no chance in hell he wins.

Steve is happy. His face is bright with joy, eyes shining, laugh loud and infectious. He's gorgeous, knows it, will be an absolute menace on the red carpet. He's been with Eddie to parties and stuff before, doesn't have any anxiety in front of the camera and isn't obsessed with musicians like Eddie is, unafraid to meet them.

Or so Eddie thought.

Because now they're standing at the edge of the red carpet, Steve very nearly trembling next to him.

"Harrington?"

"That's--That's Madonna." Steve points to her. "We're not even ten feet away from Madonna." He gulps. "Eddie. Madonna."

Steve has met famous people before with Eddie. Ozzy, briefly, Janet Jackson, Dave Grohl, James Hetfield, and he'd always been fine. Barely batted an eye. But get him within reaching distance of Madonna and he falls apart.

Eddie doesn't think about it, grabs Steve's hand, twines their fingers together. "Okay?"

The smile Steve throws him, grateful and a little embarrassed, stabs straight through his heart. He calms as they make it up the carpet, but he doesn't drop Eddie's hand, even when they pause for pictures. In fact, he leans into it, drapes his arm around Eddie's shoulders, or around his waist, seeming to thrive the closer they are. Eddie feels this dangerous pull to indulge in it, to let himself believe it means something, and he doesn't quite have it in him to turn it off.

By the time they reach their seats, Steve is relaxed back to his normal charming and handsome self, doesn't bat an eye as Eddie introduces him around.

The show passes quickly with all the performances and Steve whispering jokes in his ear. It's the best time he's ever had at an award show, like he should have been bringing Steve along this whole time. He's so distracted that he's not really ready when Paula Abdul comes out to announce Song of the Year.

His name is read off as a nominee and Steve grabs his hand, squeezes tight. Eddie's heart flips in his chest. He's not paying attention when Paula opens the envelope, too focused on Steve's strong hand holding his. He hears her say, "And the Grammy goes to--" and everything goes fuzzy.

Steve is saying, "oh my god, oh my god, Eddie. Get up, get up."

And his fucking song is playing and everyone is cheering, a couple people slap his back, and oh shit, oh shit, he fucking won. He stands, Steve with him. He thinks they're going to hug, that's what you do in these situations, but Steve is kissing him. Not on the cheek and not a quick peck, but lip-to-lip, soft and sweet.

Steve just kissed him and he has to get on stage and give a speech. He has no idea what he says because Steve just kissed him. On the lips. On purpose. His ears are ringing and words tumble out of his mouth, thinks he says, "couldn't have done it without you, Stevie," before tripping over his feet to get backstage.

Interviews, photographs, congratulations all help him settle. He's still buzzing with the win, but aware enough now to think the kiss had to be an accident. They've been friends for nearly a decade and Steve never seemed interested in men generally or Eddie specifically.

It takes a while to finish up the backstage business, but when he makes it to his seat, Steve just beams at him. He doesn't mention the kiss, which makes Eddie think he's overreacting. It wasn't a big deal. Sure, he could still feel Steve's lips, warm and soft, against his own, but it didn't mean anything. He's just too in his big gay feelings to be objective.

They don't get a chance to really talk until they're back in the limo and on their way to the after-party.

"You won," Steve says.

"I won." Eddie smiles. "Crazy."

"You deserved it."

He shrugs. "I don't know about that."

"Doesn't matter. You did." Steve fidgets with the cuff of his jacket. "About earlier, um. The kiss. I--"

Eddie feels his face heating, heart kicking up. It was nothing, he knows, and Steve shouldn't have to-- "It was an accident. It's okay. I know you don't--it was the heat of the moment and--I know you're not--you don't--"

Steve blinks a lot, emotions flashing across his face faster than Eddie can categorize.

"What if I do?" Steve asks. His voice is too soft, eyes locked on the cuff link he's fiddling with.

"You--what?"

"What if I did mean it?"

"You're straight."

Steve goes pink. "I'm really not."

"Steve?" He shrieks. "Since when?"

"Um. Since you invited me to this?"

"What the fuck?" Eddie shoves him. "What the fuck, man?"

"I know, I know!" Steve pulls his hand through his hair. "You invited me and I freaked out and I didn't know why, and Robin made the saddest little face at me. Said, 'oh, dingus, you didn't know?' How the fuck was I supposed to know!"

"I think you wanting to fuck me should've been a pretty good indication!"

"I thought that happened to everyone!"

"It doesn't!"

"That's what Robin said!"

They're both yelling.

"Jesus christ. Jesus christ," Eddie keeps repeating.

"Look, I get it if you don't want me too, dude. I know that's not how it works, but I've been pretty crazy about you without realizing it for a while now, so--"

He doesn't mean to, he really doesn't, but he laughs. Like, super loud. Like a donkey bray.

"Okay, can the driver let me out? Like, can I go? I can't--"

"Wait, wait, sweetheart." Steve's gotten up, like he's about to knock on the partition, but Eddie grabs his wrist. "Of course I want you back, you idiot, oh my god."

"Oh." Steve's ears are pink. "Oh. Well. That's good."

Eddie huffs. "Just good? I won a Grammy and the guy I've been pining over for years wants me back. I'm having the night of my life."

"Shut-up." Steve's smile is so big, his eyes so bright.

He raises an eyebrow. "Make me," he says in his lowest register, but he's truly not prepared for it when Steve clambers over to him and lowers himself to straddle Eddie's hips.

"Holy shit," Eddie whispers. "Holy shit, Steve."

He give a wry little smile, eyes locked on Eddie's mouth. "Baby, can I kiss you?"

"Yes." Eddie clears his throat. "Yes, please, do that. Yeah."

Only, he doesn't. He's straddling Eddie, they're so close their breath mingles, and Steve's eyes flicker between Eddie's mouth and his eyes, lips so close to touching but not.

"C'mon, asshole," Eddie says.

"I knew you'd be a brat." He whispers. He wraps his hands into Eddie's hair. "Been dying to do this."

And then they're kissing. They're kissing and it steals all of Eddie's breath and his thoughts, and it's new but it's also like they've been kissing forever, like their lips and tongue know each other, like coming home.

He whines, high-pitched and breathy, and Steve laughs, kisses him deeper, moves closer, and Eddie feels how hard Steve is, the persistent pulse of him. And shit Eddie's close, on the brink just from this, from nothing, oh my god.

Steve's hands drift down Eddie's torso, mapping his chest and his stomach, coming to rest at the laces of his pants. "These have been driving me insane," Steve breaks the kiss to say. "Been thinking about undoing them all night."

"Fuck, sweetheart, you can't say shit like that," Eddie groans.

"Why not?"

"Because--because," Eddie sputters but then Steve's lips are on his neck and he's rolling his hips for friction.

Steve's fingers find the laces again, trace against them. Eddie's legs fall open, arching into the touch. "We're going to be so late," he murmurs as Steve's fingers get to work.

[spicy-apple-pie]

Does Damian consider Selina a mom? No.

Do they gang up on Bruce to allow them to foster kittens in the manor? Absolutely.

I support Damian and Selina bonding over animals and manipulating Bruce.

[attractthecrows]

let it also be said that I love the Mahariel + Lavellan worldstate. It's so haunted. You are Dalish, you are not a part of human culture, but by happenstance you're dragged into it and to the forefront of hell to save a world that hates and fears your people. You have no choice. You can never return to your home, to the familiar, to anything you've ever known. You will be an echo; Mahariel echoing Garahel, Lavellan echoing Mahariel. You're so proud of your Dalish heritage, but your identity doesn't matter at all. Doomed to be a martyr for a people that do not respect you and cannot understand you, while your clan mourns, lamenting that they cannot bury you, no life-tree to stand as your memory. You're a hero. You're already dead. You died the moment you left your clan.