#I need to do this makeup style because the nude lipstick is so nice

[thevirgodoll]

[migilini]

I Do - Charlie Gillespie

a/n: I watched to many seasons of married at first sight and this came to mind. Just pretend that Charlie in this GIF is wearing a suit. Kinda a part two to Fifth Time Workes A Charm

Requests are open btw! (not just for Charlie)

words: 3k

warnings: none just fluff and a lot of crying

MASTERLIST

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You barely slept during the night. You kept waking up what felt like every hour to check if it was time to get up. The bed felt awfully empty and you would give everything right now to be in his arms. Then finally, the clock strikes 9 am and you are up on your feet, the nerves getting the better of you. The hotel room was nice and clean, you didn't like it, it felt too white and too lifeless to you right now.

You looked at yourself in the mirror, glowing but tired eyes staring right back at you. Taking a deep breath you tried to shake the nerves with a silly little body shake, then you smiled at yourself before heading into the bathroom to wash your face.

A knock on the door interrupted you mid-splash and you went to the door with a dripping face. “We’ve arrived!” your best friend Elouise or Eli for short exclaimed and hieved her whole baggage onto your bed. “What do you mean we?” you leaned your head out of the room and into the empty hallway. Just as you were about to close the door, feet pounded on the carpeted floor. “Sorry, sorry! Had to finish the call with hair and makeup.” Tris, your other best friend screamed through the halls, as she frantically came running towards you, phone clutched in one hand while the other held two dresses that flattered behind her.

You looked at her in amusement "Need a glass of water?" You chuckled at her heavy breathing and closed the door behind you.

"Oh yes please"

"Y/N you're so not ready...well lucky for you we are here. So hop hop go shower ma lady." Eli shushed you into the bathroom "and scrub every inch! I'll check if I have to!” You still heard their laughter as you get rid of your clothes and step into the shower. The warm water relaxed your muscles and your nerves immediately.

Several minutes later, now smelling like a goddess and wrapped into a soft white towel, you sat on the bed in your now crowded hotel room. While you were showering your nerves away, your dress, the hairdresser and makeup artist arrived.

“There she is!” greeted the makeup artist “Come sit down, we’ve got everything out and you and I already discussed your look. Are we still okay with it?”

“Yes, Carlos. But make everything as cry proof as possible okay?” you said laughing slightly.

“I also brought you a coffee and a croissant. I know you don’t usually eat something in the mornings but we don’t want you to faint now do we?” Tris held a tablet in front of her with several cups of coffees and something to eat. You took a cup gratefully, shooting her a quick thanks, holding the cup as Carlos started on your face and Melissa, the hairdresser started drying and styling your hair.

“Can I have my phone back?” You said to no one in particular.

“Nope, sorry.”

“Emi! What--It’s my phone!”

“I do know that. And you should know that Tris and I know you very well and you would’ve called or more likely face timed him by now and put a bad omen over the whole day.”

“Yeah. You and Charlie can’t be away from each other for long.” Tris acknowledged and sided with Emi.

“You’re just jealous that I’m in love.” You shot back with a smile and stuck your tongue out at your friends which in return gave you a growl from Carlos and Melissa who needed you to sit still.

After what felt like an eternity you were done and now it was time for your bridesmaids to get ready. They purposefully taped a piece of cloth over all mirrors so could only see yourself when you were 100% finished with getting ready.

Now that you had some time to actually think about today, your mind started to wander. Was Charlie ready by now or were there some complications? Tris did get a call earlier to then just run out of the room and come back 20 minutes later. What suit would he wear? Was he just as nervous as you? Totally unaware of how much time you passed, you were ripped out of your thoughts with a forceful swat on your shoulder.

“Miss Bride? It’s time to get the dress on.” Tris squealed.

You took a look at your best friends who looked absolutely stunning, at some time they got changed into their dresses. Emi smiled at you with a glossed lipped smile, her brown hair up in a bun while little strands of glitter strings framed her face. She wore a turquoise halter dress with some nude heels. Tris wore a bit of a darker turquoise strapless dress, her colourful hair falling straight over her shoulder. Both had simple makeup, a nude smokey eye with eyeliner.

Your eyes started to tear up. “Guys...you look absolutely stunning.” Emi walked over to you and embraced you in a hug. “We look really fudhing good but you’re gonna look even better. Now hop hop get undressed we have to lace up the dress.”

While your friends were working on lacing your dress up, you wondered out loud. “How much do we wanna bet that Owen lost the rings?” You chuckled and then yelled, “That's way too tight!”

“Oh Owen is so gonna lose the rings but we'll be fine. You’re gonna have rings or I'll run and get you some new ones.” Tris reassured you with a smile.

“Can I finally look at myself? I want to see if I look like a bride.” Emi and Tris shared a quick look before agreeing. Emi ripped the cloth away from the closest mirror. An audible gasp was all that was heard, everybody fixated on your reaction to yourself.

“I look like a real ass bride. I- oh my god… I look so good.” You coaxed out, trying not to cry, this got all a bit real too fast.

And you really did look amazing. Your open hair fell over your shoulders and ended right underneath your boob. It had a lot of volume and little glitter braids in it and Melissa had curled them to perfection so they framed your face perfectly. Your makeup was stunning as well, the reddish-brown and glittery smokey eye complementing your skin tone and eye colour. Carlos finished the look with a pinkish nude lipstick. You were glowing.

The cream coloured dress sat perfectly on your figure, the A-line cut highlighting your waist, the flowery lace flowing from the corset top down to your feet. The dress was poofy but not too much. You looked more like Sofie from Mamma Mia and less like Cinderella. You adjusted the straps and smiled at yourself.

“And I’m telling you, Charlie will bawl his eyes out when he sees you.” Emi patted your back and finished lacing up your dress. Tris couldn't contain herself anymore and let out a little sob “I’m sorry. You just look so gorgeous. I can’t believe you're getting married.” You pulled her into a hug.

“We don't have that much time anymore. the photographer should be here in five minutes to take your bridal pictures and pictures with the bridesmaids.”

The photo session went by quickly and you could tell that they turned out amazingly, by the way, Paul, the photographer, smiled at his screen. Megan, Charlie's sister and your other Bridesmaid came in at the last minute, due to the fact that she just flew in in the morning.

Then it was time for the first look. At first, you weren't sure if you should do this or if it would be better if the first look would be at the ceremony itself. You thought it would be funny to send Tris to the first look instead of you. So you, Megan and Emi sat in the hotel room waiting patiently.

The door opened “You two are really made for each other.” Tris came back in with a huge smile on her face. “Why? What happened?” You asked, the nervousness in your voice was evident. “Was he mad?”. She started to laugh “No absolutely not because he had the same idea as you and sent Owen.”

The room erupted in laughter “Oh no he didn't!” “Of course he did”

The next couple of hours flew by so quickly. You got to the venue. Your parents came by to say hello to you and to shed some tears. They also told you that most of the guests have arrived and everybody is waiting excitedly.

Finally, it was time. You nervously cracked your fingers, as you waited for all the guests to take a seat, the closed door in front of you the only thing shielding you from your fiance, your dad standing beside you in a suit.

“Nervous?” he asked you with a slight smile, you could tell that he was trying hard not to cry.

“Very. But I’m telling you if he doesn't cry I'll turn around and we gotta try again.” you joked.

“Oh my dear...he will.” he quickly took a look at his watch and then linked his arm with yours.

“Ready?” you shot him a smile and nodded “As ready as I'll ever be.”

The outside speakers started to play the instrumental version of Cherry Wine by Hozier and the doors opened.

It was mid-May and you and Charlie decided on an Outside wedding. After searching for a great venue you finally found one. It was an old brick house with a small colonnade of bushes in the garden. It was absolutely perfect but you didn't even look at the decorations because as soon as your eyes met his, the world stood still.

He stood at the front of the colonnade where some candles burned beside him. He wore a forest green tuxedo and that dashing smile of his. The closer you got, the more you saw how much he was crying and all you wanted to do is hug him and wipe the tears away. Your cheeks hurt from all the smiling but you couldn't stop, some tears of your own spilling out of the corners of your eyes.

You kissed your dad on the cheek and let him sit down in the front row, your eyes only momentarily leaving Charlies. “Hi, handsome.” You smiled up at him and instinctively used your thumb to wipe away some tears. “Did you cut your hair?” you asked, nodding to his now chin-length hair (think October Charlie) He grabbed your hands in his and kissed your knuckles while slightly nodding his head “You look...just wow,” he whispered so that only you could hear. You just wanted to give him a compliment when the officiant interrupted you.

“Now it's getting serious.” you said while he said “No backing out.” with a wink.

“The couple standing in front of me met at the young age of 18 in the middle of the street. Y/N bumped into Charlie here and practically fell for him right there and then. She shot him a quick sorry and went her way but the universe knew that these two needed to be together so the next day he bumped into her, totally accidental of course.” the crowd laughed and you and Charlie beamed at each other. “Sadly for Y/N that day she carried an expensive Cake that flew to the other side of the pavement. Charlie felt so bad that he promptly invited her to the next bakery where they got a cup of coffee and a new cake. Today we’re gathered here today to celebrate that love.”

“I believe that the two of you wrote your own vows? Y/N would you like to start?” You nodded and turned around to take a piece of paper from Emi who stood behind you, already missing the warmth of his hands in yours.

“Charlie, you know I’m not very good with words so I really struggled to write this, but here we are standing in front of your family and friends to share our love. I knew I loved you…” your voice wavered and you let out a sob “sorry...I knew I loved you in the first week that we’ve met. We sat on a bench in the little park right around the corner from where we met. You were late and totally out of breath when you arrived. You apologized like crazy but I didn't care, you don't know this but I had a really shitty day that day and just seeing you made it all worth it. That smile of yours knocked me off my feet completely.

From that day on I only loved you more and more. I love the way you try to wake up every day with a smile. The way you always seem to have so much energy and that you try to share that energy and love with the whole world. I love waking up in your arms because they feel like home and I miss you like crazy when I don't see you for a day.

I never really believed in love at first sight before I met you and I’m so glad that you ruined my cake. I promise to try and make you smile at least twice a day, to listen and care for you, to dance with you in the kitchen while our pizza is in the oven. I also promise to try your questionable food combinations at least once every time.

I can’t promise you that we won't fight or that we won't have our ups and downs but I will promise that we’ll work it out, that we’re not going to bed with grudges, to talk about our problems and thoughts and to always make up. I promise to be your partner in crime and to take all the blame if we ever get caught and lastly, and most importantly...

I promise to love you more and more until my heart stops beating, even when the day comes that we're old and grey, I promise to always see you with the same eyes and the same heart that I see you with at this exact moment.” You took a deep breath to try and stop your sobbing. Now it was Charlie's turn to wipe away some tears.

“Baby, don’t cry your makeup will get ruined.” he joked and you let out a small laugh. “Charlie, I believe now it's your turn to speak your vow.”

He took a shaky breath in before taking a folded piece of paper from the inside of his tuxedo pocket. “I want to start off with a simple I love you. I love the way you still give me butterflies every time I see you. I love the way you care not only for me but for everyone around you. I love the way you're patient with me. I love how much you're willing to try new things with me to make me happy because you really didn't like swimming with sharks. I admire how hard you work to help others and above all, I love how you love me.

It's in the way you look at me with such patience and compassion, the way you listen to me even if I'm rambling on, the way you push me to try harder even when I feel like I've done enough. You love me without judgment and chose to see the beauty in my flaws. Today, I want to make promises to you that I will always keep. I promise to love you back forever and harder each day. I promise never to get angry at you for making honest mistakes, even if I asked you to turn the lights off every night for the past week...

I promise to never stop holding your hand or give you a goodbye kiss. I promise to walk through life, as your biggest fan, your shoulder to lean on, and your best friend and I vow to stay silly, to never take ourselves too seriously, and stay just immature enough for cake and breakfast for dinner.

You're my soldier, my lover and above all, my best friend and I'm so excited to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Both of you were grinning and crying like idiots. “Now can we have the rings please?” the officiant asked the crowd and a teary-eyed Owen stepped forward the rings clutched in his hands.

“Thank you.” the officiant gave each of you a ring. “Do you Y/N Y/L/ want to take this man as your husband in sickness and in health?”

“I do.” You smiled up at Charlie and slid the ring on his left ring finger. “Oh good it fits,” you murmured and made him chuckle.

“And do you Charlie Gillespie want to take this woman as your wife in sickness and in health?”

“I do.” He grinned widely and also slid the ring on your left hand.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Charlie, you may kiss the bride.” Your lips locked with his and you couldn't be happier. Your hands found their way into his hair while his hands gripped your waist. His lips were soft and warm and you missed them dearly in the night the two of you were apart. The crowd cheered when he dipped you.

“I present to you for the first time Mr and Mrs Gillespie!”

[vegetalass]

RDR2 Boys as Sugar Daddies

This is so nasty don’t read it 👀

18+!!! 

Basically just don’t tell the lawmen I wrote it

Arthur 

His main goal is for you to look nice by his side and for people to be jealous

To say he wants an absolute doll would be an understatement

This man wants a quiet sugar baby who does whatever he wants

And that’s not to say that means someone submissive, just that he wants someone who is open to anything and doesn’t question his requests 

Honestly, just let him choose what you wear

Model everything for him in the dressing room so he can decide if things are a yes or no 

He always says yes, but it’s a process that you cannot skip 

He also likes a sugar baby who’s happy to see him 

The more excited and grateful and kissy you are when you’re around him, the better

Totally milks you for kisses any chance he gets

Specifically, cheek kisses (in public) 

“All I get is a thank you?” or “I’m not so sure, I’m gonna need some more convincing” 

Initiate sex in his car, you won’t regret it 

Also, go with him when he’s shopping for himself... 

The flex rates will be off the charts

Gets you one of those lil necklaces with his initials on it

Please wear his Vineyard Vines flannels 

It’s instant boner material 

John 

Bad at being a sugar daddy, but he gets the job done 

Basically just gets you a credit card attached to his account and leaves it at that

But he loves seeing the your style morph as you buy new clothes and jewelry 

And loves seeing the designer tags and receipts that get left around his house 

Spends a lot more time trying to do stuff with you rather than buy you things 

He’s the one who takes vacations and yacht trips (and whatever else rich people do idfk) because he doesn’t know how else to spoil you 

He’s also the one who wears $500 sweatpants and Gucci slippers all the time 

He’s a bad father not because he doesn’t care about Abigail and Jack, but he takes you to Jack’s sports games and performances (ouch) 

He’s not doing it to be malicious though, he just likes to take his sugar baby along with him when he goes places

And honestly it’s fine because Abigail makes his pockets hurt too 

If you try to take him clothing or jewelry shopping with you, he gets so confused 

You could be trying on the ugliest, most expensive outfit and he’d be like “Yes, looks great, I love it” or could be trying to choose between two pairs of diamond earrings and he wouldn’t be able to tell them apart

TBH, has a private chef

Charles

All about the subtleties 

Expensive flowers and wine delivered to your door

Has custom bracelets and rings made to give you

Picks you up from work in his expensive ass car

Doesn’t care if you’re walking around barefaced in pajamas as long as you’re wearing the gold necklace he got you

He doesn’t really care for doing the shopping with you, but he does want you to be happy

If you ask for anything, he just hands you his credit card and car keys

And then expects you to show (*cough* model) it all to him later, of course

Expect to go out to expensive dinners CONSTANTLY

Also to do other fun things, like go to ballgames, concerts, and etc. 

Probably has a membership at every single private club and store in the area

Loves a good designer, pink sheer bathrobe and matching fuzzy slippers vibe

Also… lipstick stains 

He will walk around all day with them on his face on purpose

If someone points it out, he smiles and ignores them 

Posts pictures of you guys together on social media and doesn’t respond to comments

Buys you all the latest technology the day it comes out

New phone, new headphones, new vacuum cleaner, and anything at all

Basically what I’m saying is: marry him 

Micah 

Since we’re already being nasty, he’s probably just in it for the sex

He wants you to look nice too, but for him, it’s more about the reward he gets from it at the end 

AKA: Taking it off of you 

He’s a freak of nature, so his favorite thing is seeing his sugar baby in pretty heavy makeup 

Mostly because he likes seeing it run and smear over time

Gets off to you telling other people how much you love him and showing off everything he’s bought you

He’s also willing to spend more on you if you brag

Like Arthur, he likes to have a deciding vote on everything you buy, but he actually takes it seriously and comments on how things look

Probably ends up complaining if you want to buy things that aren’t meant to impress him (see: pajamas, expensive snacks, furniture, etc. )

If you beg hard enough though, he’ll just sigh and give in 

“I work so hard for you and give you so much and this is how you treat me?” 

Sugar baby: “Yes.”

Expects nudes in the underwear he ships to your house 

They’re all G-strings, see through, or latex 

Kieran 

One of those sugar daddies who mostly just wants the emotional connection 

But that’s okay because he’s a sweetie and we love him

Enjoys it when his sugar baby gets a little bratty 

He’s not into the punishing aspect of it, but loves feeling needed and useful

Basically just boss him around a little bit

Has all your clothes tailored specifically for you

Likes to hold all your shopping bags at the mall while you run around buying things

If you genuinely ask him for advice, suggestions, or thoughts on anything you want to get, he immediately has to get it for you… Doesn’t matter what it is or if it’s ugly, them’s the rules 

He’s mostly just so touched that you care what he thinks 

Please introduce him to your coworkers so he can flex 

He’s pretty humble about it, but it’s still fun 

Probably owns some super large ranch out in the country that you both vacation at a lot

The one social media post he makes of you is a picture of you riding a fancy horse there

It’s blurry, but it’s the thought (and the flex) that counts

Wear anything with his name on it and he has to pass away immediately 

Javier

As long as you’re in expensive clothes and makeup, he doesn’t really care about much else 

And not just any expensive clothes, the expensive clothes that HE picked out

Usually they match his

You can suggest things for him to buy, but overall he likes to pick things out

The intent of making you look nice is so that he looks better

Enjoys it when you hang on his arm and dote on him 

Be taller than him. 

Even if it takes heels, do it

Posts pictures of his sugar baby on social media

Lowkey his entire feed is just you in a different outfit in every single photo

The captions are all like “Had fun today” or “👍”

Hair and nails always done 24/7

He makes the appointments for you 

If you let him choose the color and style, you will be rewarded 

Hires a limo for every occasion 

And yes, he has a private driver 

As long as he’s flexing with you, he’s happy 

Sean

Anything you want, you have to ask for

Not because he doesn’t want to get it for you, but because he wants to hear you beg for it (and whine) 

Literally just wants to show his sugar baby off 

All he does at parties is talk about you 

How you met, how sweet you’ve been, how pretty you are, etc. 

Constantly bringing you flowers

So many flowers that they’re practically just laying around your house 

Sex in dressing rooms

No, he’s not afraid to give you oral in them

And yes, it’s obvious 

Slips the attendant some cash on the way out because you feel so bad for them

Probably has tabs open at most shops and clubs, so paying isn’t a problem after he introduces you to staff

Pays for a private booth at a nightclub vibes

Sit on his lap to make the other boys jealous 

[cosmiceverafter]

Game, Set & Match

Chapter 4 of the Legend series. 

Read on AO3

Summary: The group hangs out together at the Wild Pony.

I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've updated! I returned to work, and life has been crazy. But I'm excited to continue the Belmanes' story, as well as have background Malex flirting. Because why not?

Enjoy!

Isobel hadn't felt this excited for a Saturday night, in what felt like years.

A few of them were going to have a casual night at the Wild Pony, and to her utmost delight, Gregory agreed to join in.

She couldn't figure out what to wear, which wasn't the norm for her. Isobel had already gone through several outfits. The evidence was the volcanic pile on her bedroom floor.

Was she going for a chic widow? Or a sultry alien?

Isobel shook her head as she stared at her disheveled reflection in the mirror, "You need to get a grip here."

Truthfully, she was nervous—it had been a long time since she had been around someone she had liked. And the last time didn't go so well. She had to keep reminding herself that Gregory was nothing like Noah.

Finally, she just decided to keep it casual with a dark blue v-neck shirt and her jeans with the knee holes. They made her ass look good. Her hair was down in loose curls, with light makeup.

The final touch was her brown boots.

That'll have to do, she thought, as she put on her nude lipstick.  

When she felt confident enough, she was on her way.

As she entered the Wild Pony, her body was tingling with a thrill of anticipation.

Isobel needed to tell herself it was just a guy, an old "friend," but her heart knew better.

Her boots stuck to the floor as she stepped foot into the dive bar. Yet, instead of disgusting her, it grounded her. She desperately needed it as she saw the boys standing up against the bar with their drinks.

Including Gregory.

Her heart began pounding, and she took a deep breath.

She could hear Michael narrating a story, and Alex and Gregory joined in with laughter. Isobel couldn't spot Forrest anywhere. She couldn't help but wonder if there was trouble in paradise.

"Hi, boys," she called out.

They all turned to look at her, and Gregory's face broke out into a slow grin. It was breathtaking.

Michael and Alex said hi, Alex even greeted her with a hug, which she loved.

Gregory hung back slightly. Was there a chance he was as nervous as she was?  "Hey there, Evans."

"Well, hello to you, too." Their eyes lingered on each other, and the background noise began to fade away. She shook her head and asked them, "So what are we all drinking?"

They held their drinks up, and Michael went on another tangent she wasn't tracking. Something about the service being slow and that he could do a better job...yada, yada, yada. She was too busy staring at how damn good Gregory looked tonight.

He had a black shirt on with a jean jacket and dark, tight jeans. Gregory also wore a long silver necklace with a turquoise pendant that she assumed he got from the reservation. She wanted to grab it to pull him towards her, just to make sure he smelled as good as he looked. His hair was messy, and Isobel couldn't help her mind from wandering at the thought of her fingers running through it. Tugging. Pulling.

The man was gorgeous. The Manes family had issues, but their style wasn't one of them.

Alex was wearing his black leather jacket and a white tee, and she couldn't help but smirk at the way Michael's eyes kept lingering on his former love.

Some things never change.

The sexual tension surrounding the air of the bar was thick enough to slice a knife through.

Isobel moved in closer to Gregory, and he momentarily looked startled as he bit his lip, which caused her to forget how to breathe.

What was air anyway? She felt like she was in high school again.

"So," Gregory cleared his throat with an alluring yet soft smile. "I owe you that drink. What'll it be?"

"Hm...How about we all take a shot?"

Alex laughed, looking at Gregory, "Only one, though, my brother here would be under a table if he has more than that."

"He's not kidding," Gregory agreed, looking slightly embarrassed. "But, I think I can handle one."

"Good to know, then we won't have to carry you out of here," she said with a wink.

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind that, Iz," Michael replied, wiggling his eyebrows and giving her a soft nudge.

Gregory flushed, and Isobel glared at Michael. Of course, he would do that. That was usually her role. Usually, she wouldn't mind the exposure, but being around Gregory was so different.

Before things got too awkward, she saw Max walk in. She had convinced her brother to come out for one drink. The poor alien had been down-and-out since Liz had skipped town. She knew they were having a hard time, and there were problems to be solved, but sometimes you just needed to let loose and not worry so much about the future. And her brother was long overdue in that department.

Max walked up to them and waved.

"Surprised you showed up," Michael smirked.

"Be nice," Alex muttered as he pushed his shoulder into Michael's. Michael froze and stared at Alex's face. The two of them and their feelings were so apparent that Isobel wanted to tell them to just go in the back room already.

Isobel hugged her brother, "Shot?"

"Yea, what the hell. Why not?" Max said solemnly. He looked over at Gregory, "Hey man, how are you?"

Gregory was polite as ever as they exchanged pleasantries, and Isobel felt happiness spread throughout her body. Gregory fitted right in with the group.

As the bartender poured their tequila, Isobel turned to Alex, "So where's Forrest tonight?"

Michael stiffened and faced the bar. Alex's eyes glanced over Michael's back, "He is out of town for business."

Max looked at Michael, failing at not being overly obvious. She had a thing or two to teach her brother about being discrete.

She nodded and played it cool, "Nice, well, we're glad you could join us!"

Alex smiled, "Of course. Wouldn't miss it. You're my crew."

Isobel took note of Michael's lips, which were now forming into a small smile, and she felt suddenly felt at ease. She liked Forrest, she did. He was a superb guy, a diamond in the rough desert even. But she wanted Michael and Alex to find their way back to each other. You could feel their love; it was palpable.

She truly believed they were meant to be together. Forrest would understand that. How could he not?

Besides, Alex didn't look too upset that his significant other wasn't there. Maybe there was hope for these two cosmic fools yet.

"That or the fact there's absolutely nothing else to do in this hellhole town," Michael retorted with a shake of his curls.

Count on her other brother to say the wrong thing at the perfect moment.

"Amen to that," Max murmured in agreement as he reached for the shot glass.

She moaned internally.

Was she the only alien with game?

Alex just shrugged, pulling his gaze away from Michael as he took a sip of his drink.

"He speaks the truth," Gregory replied as Michael turned to hit their glasses together. "This town is somethin' else."

"That it certainly is," Michael sneered, shaking his head. "Something vile and disturbed."

"Okay, okay, enough of that," Isobel exclaimed as she pointed towards the tequila. She was going to have to be the ringleader of what fun meant. "Let's move on to bigger and more delicious things."  

As they held out their shot glasses together, Alex suggested, "What do we cheers to?"

"How about new chapters?" Isobel responded as her eyes flickered to Gregory, who was already staring at her.

That sentiment would apply to all of them. "To new chapters!" they collectively said.

Isobel was eager to see what that meant for them all.

***

As the night went on, Gregory felt himself relax more. He had been so damn uptight when he had first arrived at the Wild Pony. It hadn't helped when Isobel had walked in looking the way she had.

The girl was breathtakingly beautiful, and he had to remind himself to stop staring. He didn't want to be creepy, but damn, it was hard to look away.

They were all having so much fun, even Isobel's brother Max. Something was going on with the guy because he had looked miserable. Now he just looked drunk.

"I mean, we all make mistakes," Max said as he weaved slightly. "I mean, that's what it means to be human, right?"

"Absolutely," Gregory replied, "especially people like my father."

"Oh yea, that man was full of mistakes, wasn't he?" Max froze and grimaced, "Sorry...um, may he rest in peace."

Gregory laughed without humor, "No, you don't need to add on that tagline, Max. He doesn't deserve it."

"Okay, good," Max sighed as he patted Gregory's back, "Just an observation, but Jesse was an absolute dick."

Now Gregory laughed for real, "You'd be correct with that observation, my friend."

He couldn't help but only halfway listen to Max Evans. Gregory didn't want to talk about his father; he was much too busy watching Isobel leaning over the pool table.

The way her ass looked in those jeans of hers.

Damn...

She was a freaking goddess, and the alcohol was lowering his control. His innermost desires were rising to the surface.

Finally, Isobel made her way over, and he couldn't ignore how he felt at watching her hips sway in that way.

She leaned in closely, really close to the point they were touching. Her gaze was a look of pure lust, "You're up." Gregory couldn't help but take a glance down at his pants. When she giggled slightly, he was nonplussed as he breathed in the smell of her. Gregory knew it was weird to think, but she smelled like fresh rain and lavender.

Billiards. She meant the game.  

He had to get a handle on himself before he did something foolish, like kiss her in front of everyone on top off the pool table—something he desperately wanted to do. All night it had been on his mind...her soft lips upon his.  

Gregory's mind started spinning, and it wasn't because of the tequila. "I'll be back. It's my turn," he told Max, who was now drinking the water that Isobel handed him.

Michael laughed, "What a lightweight."

"I think I'm about there as well," Alex replied as he sat in the tall chair, his cue stick falling into him.

"I'm disappointed, Manes. We have a game to win!" Michael teased as he watched Alex. "And besides, I thought it was your brother who couldn't handle the alcohol, not you."

"Well, I can handle a few shots, but I definitely cannot keep up with you," Alex exclaimed as he took a large sip of his water.

Michael grinned slowly, his eyes slowly moving up and down Alex's body, "We both know that's not true."

Gregory's eyebrows shot up in surprise even though he knew he shouldn't be. Of course, Michael would flirt with his little brother. After all, this was Michael Guerin, the man who was still madly in love with Alex.

Alex hesitated before returning the smile, "Okay, well, as far as liquor goes."

"Mmhmm. Okay, then," Michael responded as he licked his lips, humor slowly morphing into something else entirely. Gregory felt a bit embarrassed as if he were invading their private moment. Thank goodness for Isobel.

"Alright, alright, you two...we get it, now Greg, let's win this game so Michael can finally get off of that high horse of his." He nodded and tried to focus on the game. But that focus evaporated as soon as Isobel walked around the table. She leaned down to whisper in his ear, "If you win this for us, I'll cook you dinner."

Oh my—she was flirting with him. Isobel wanted a real date with him, and God, did he want one with her.

No pressure.

Now it was his turn to attempt flirting, "Oh really? Is that so?"

Isobel nodded and gazed into his eyes. She licked her full lips, and Gregory couldn't help but weave into the table like a spellbound idiot. "And I'll have you know that I don't cook for just anybody either."

Shakily, he breathed out as he moved closer, "Message received, Evans." And since he was probably making a fool of himself already, he decided to add, "This won't be the same kind of date that was promised to Jake Mulligan though, right?"

Now it was Isobel's turn to be affected; her hand went onto the table to steady herself. But then she regained her perfect composure, "Greg, this will be nothing like that. I can promise you that."

Score.

"Thank you, Evans. That's the confirmation I needed to hear." Gregory turned to take the shot with confidence, sinking the ball instantly into the pocket.

Game, set, and match.

[amphtaminedreams]

A/W 2020 Fashion Month: Before Vogue Went Blank

Hi to anyone reading,

I’m sorry this post is so late! I really have no excuse apart from all my mental energy being taken up by shooting and editing my Euphoria lookbook up until now and me being too much of a lazy, nap-loving twat to face the mammoth task of a fashion month review; honestly, by the time it’s done, it’s like a dissertation-level amount of characters, so let’s say the final push to get this out is in sympathy with all my 3rd year friends I started uni with finishing their ACTUAL dissertations.

Things have got scary since I originally started saving the photos for this post, and the world has been turned upside down. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the likes of which have not been seen since the Spanish Flu, Italian Vogue’s April cover was blank. As I’m writing this, 26,000+ people have died of coronavirus in Italy, the worst affected country behind the U.S in terms of sheer numbers ( though quick update: as I post this, I’m pretty sure our incompetent prick of a PM has made sure we’re up there too). Proportionally, the actual death rate is even higher, along with a handful of other European countries. There have been some complaints made about the cover and it’s supposed “lack of imagination”; all I know is that in a country whose death toll accounts for 10% of worldwide coronavirus deaths, something of a visual silence feels appropriate. 

That being said, for me, writing is one of the only things giving me a sense of purpose right now. Yeah, surprise surprise, working in a grocery store isn’t all that fulfilling. Who would’ve thought it? So what better time to reflect on a time when all the rich people of the world were going about their lives as usual and sitting front row at fashion week rather than crying on Instagram live to their millions of followers about how trapped they feel in their 10 bedroom mansions.

I’ve got to say, this year’s A/W offerings were a lot better than I expected, mostly due to the fact that I’m not generally a big fan of winter fashion; it’s hard to be disappointed given my preconceptions! There’s only so many knits and coats and jeans you can see before it begins to get a bit tiring, and I expected that to be reflected in the presentations. Fortunately, even the brands which are known for their bohemian, Coachella-esque collections generally managed to translate that into something recognisable and consistent on the runway whilst actually being weather appropriate. Of course, there were a few disappointments-I’m sure if I say one of them begins with D, you can guess which brand I’m talking about-but that was more than made up for by the standouts. Gucci in particular was my 2013 Tumblr wet dream and the Moschino show was what I can only describe as a live continuation of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, though I’ll stop with my praise there and wait til I get to actually reviewing before I go overboard with kissing Alessandro Michele’s ass. And on that note, in chronological order, I’ll get one with the reviews! First up, Acne:

Continuing on a winning streak when it comes to catering to my personal preferences (if someone tries to tell me designers don’t care about my personal preferences I’m going to whack out that “just found out the world doesn’t revolve around me, shocked and upset” Marina Diamandis tweet), Acne once again channels futuristic hippy commune living in a dystopian wasteland. I know, those are very specific personal preferences

I love the shredded hems and the burnt velvet, the rawness of it all, and the baroque/your-nan’s-wallpaper patterns are actually a surprisingly nice touch. I imagine if Giselle from Enchanted had to make her dresses out of a thrifty goth’s curtains rather than an upper-middle-class New Yorker’s, they’d look something like this collection. You’ve even got the odd bit of classic fresh Scandi tailoring in there with the oversized coats and blazers which holds it back from being a bit TOO flea market. Plus, the renaissance painting detailing on the black leather-look coat is a stunning detail as well; I’m so glad it seems this trend is here to stay, why wouldn’t I want random nude bodies all over my clothes? 

As for the styling, I can’t get enough of the tousled hair. As an eternally tired person who can't be arsed to pick up a brush most of the time, I feel represented. Along with the outfits, it says “I’m an art student/transient painter in the 70s living in a city loft who smokes a lot of weed and does acid on the regular” and that is a life worth manifesting.

Alberta Ferretti was dreamy, and a perfect example of how to translate the bohemian aesthetic of their S/S show to A/W. Somehow despite the furs, ruffles (pussy-bows under tailored jackets and knits/generally heavier pieces always looks really chic imo), tulle, metallic tapestry style prints and chunky jewellery, it all still looks very effortless, like a natural continuation of what we saw last summer; the typically masculine structure of the oversized suits with the ornate patterns and the accessories lends to the careful navigation along the line where maximalism and minimalism meet, the looks as practical as they are decorative. Picture it: you work some high-flying, powerful job in the city, commute on a motor cycle and roll up in one of these suit sets. This collection is for the edgy businesswoman who is completely comfortable telling all the twattish males she works with where to stick it and I want to be her. 

The evening gowns are, of course, stunning too. In this analogy where I am a powerful businesswoman and not a pushover who works at a grocery store right now and only beefs with rude customers, I would be wearing one of them to the boujie work Christmas party. The ruffled dresses remind me of something Valentino would put out with the colour palette and the ruffles, and whilst we’re on the topic of colour palettes, this one is beautiful. The lilac and hot pink is SO right.

Though predictable, Alessandra Rich is just as much of a treat as usual, the first brand you’d go to if you were styling a throwback it-girl, Chanel Oberlin in Scream Queens if it took place 30 years earlier. Reminiscent of an amalgamation of vintage Chanel and Versace, there are so many cute details I love here, from the white tights with the black heels and the double breasted blazers to the gold chainlink belts and the pearls. The tartan suits with the shoulder padding are very Heathers, the prints the best of your mum’s 80s wardrobe, and nobody else out there is doing bows as well as this; these are the outfits that prissy bitch wears in the cartoons of my childhood that turn out to actually be quite good fashion inspo 15 years later, Trixie Tang from Fairly Odd Parents I’m looking at you. 

This girl was the blueprint. 

I think someone like Lilly Collins or Daphne Groeneveld would be an ideal fit for any of these looks, or Lana Del Rey if she wanted to stop serving us middle-aged suburban soccer mom and took us back to those H&M ad campaign days. Lana stans please don’t come for me for saying that, I am one of you; I say this because I love her. It’s all altruistic. 

Whilst I admittedly didn’t love it as much as last summer’s, I really enjoyed the Alexander McQueen collection too, plus I had a better idea of what to expect this time round; no, we’re not gonna get a repeat of the Plato’s Atlantis show but we do always get some beautiful pieces. Again, like with Alberta Ferretti, this seems like a natural continuation of what we saw in the summer, just with adjustments made for the colder, darker, and altogether moodier months. A/W being the gothier older sister of S/S, it seems right that a lot of the looks turn their back on the ethereal, almost fairy-like feel of what we saw before and embrace the vampier side, reds and blacks (the ultimate Bratz Rock Angels colour combination), plenty of dramatic structures and formidable suit sets. It’s punk but it’s classy, and even with the lighter pieces, we’ve got the grunge inspired harnesses on top to contrast with the elegance and effectively, toughen the whole look up, something Gucci does well too. 

The patterned suits with the clunky boots in particular are very cool and I need a gun metal grey heart detailing harness, but undoubtedly the MOMENT of this collection is Adut Akech in what appears to be a silver chainmail dress. She looks like an Amazonian goddess, and whilst I could never dream of pulling something like that off myself, I could happily admire her in it for hours.

There wasn’t much to get excited about at Altuzarra. The collection was very elegant for sure and the feathered belts are cute but it was all quite pedestrian and nothing new-the only detail I really like is the cut out on the second dress from the left, 3rd row down.

As for Anna Sui:

I’m not altogether sure why I wanted to review it. A lot of the outfits as a whole are a bit messy, and not in that avant-garde, expensive-looking Margiela kind of way, just in a “how many fabrics can we possibly get on this model” kind of way. Plus, the styling seems weirdly outdated-a lot of the jewellery looks like the kind of thing you’d see if you searched “gothic choker” on Ebay and ordered the results from low to high, and the makeup and hair in particular is very 2012 Tumblr fashion blogger. Backcombed hair and red lipstick? We’ve got a Zoella thumbnail on our hands.

When the collection did go down the bohemian route though (and when that route wasn’t a failed attempt at what Etro does a lot better), there were a few nice pieces and prints. I mean you really can’t go wrong with a teal fur trimmed coat.

Ashish, on the other hand, took their aesthetic from a similar era and did it a lot more creatively and kookily; this collection looks a lot more deserving of being on a runway. The prints are so loud and costume-y that at times the garments risk looking like something you’d wear at a decades themed dress up party, but they’re saved by understated and much more commercial silhouettes, plus some gorgeous hair and make up. On the whole, very groovy, unintentional disco queen, despite the few risks that didn’t quite pay off.

Next is a brand I always look forward to. In the words of Myrtle Snow:

BALENCIAGA!

Seriously though, if any brand knows how to blend costume and high fashion, it’s them. They take over-the-top, almost absurd silhouettes and turn them into theatre. This year we’re taking it in the direction of Phantom of the Opera, I guess? Dracula? The Woman in Black? An off-broadway production of Harry Potter where Snape is the protagonist? Whatever the direction of the collection is, I live for the dramatics of it all. Demna Gvasalia got these models walkin’ down the runway like they’re members of the Volutri, which is a reference you should all understand given the renaissance Twilight is having online atm.

Straight off the bat, I adore the staging, and all the models are exquisite-the theme of the show was climate change, and I always love when there’s a story behind the presentation of the clothes. I can’t imagine how amazing this must have been to witness in person, though I’m guessing equal parts mystical and intimidating. There are so many things I love here: billowing coats, cinched in waists, the pattens that are sprinkled sparingly in amongst the black, and the bloody shoulder pads that almost run PARALLEL to the model’s necks. This is really a collection that Myrtle Snow would be proud of and brb whilst I get rid of my padlock necklaces in favour of putting whatever meagre amount I can get for them on Depop towards a Balenciaga padlock belt (as if, lol, I don’t even think selling my soul would cover it).

And then there’s Balmain, which isn’t always the fashion critic’s favourite, but which I do tend to like. 

I mean there are some really good takeaways here-though the 80s inspired suit, as wearable as they are, can get a little repetitive, they are staples which here seem to pave the way for Olivier Rousteing to try something new for the brand. The moulded breast plates (reminiscent of the Tom Ford one Zendaya wore though I’m not sure which came first!), for example, along with the Matador-style capes and the flowing silk dresses are the most glamorous incarnation of Lara Croft one can possibly imagine, probably just as equally suited for a Roman goddess as they are for an Assassins Creed style action heroine. And yes, I am aware of the fact that Tomb Raider and Assassins Creed are two separate games, okay!  I just don’t know enough about the visuals of either to firmly plant this collection in the camp of either one, so I’m going down the crossover route with it!

Not to say there weren’t any bad choices-I omitted a good portion of the looks that were shown; there were definitely pieces that I found to be a little tacky, particularly a recurring chain print which has got to be one of my least favourite patterns out there. Overall, though, it’s gonna be the richly coloured art-deco prints, the wet-look boots and the gem-encrusted scorpion brooch which stick with me, so I’ll let it slide. 

Bottega Veneta was very meh; even of the looks I picked out, there are a lot I’m now looking back at and wishing I hadn’t included. Some of the men’s pieces are nice, sure, and I feel like one of those vaguely sick, victorian ghost looking male celebrities everyone obsesses over (Timothée Chalamet and Dane DeHaan I’m looking at you) would make those suits on the second row look fine af, but it’s mostly the womenswear that I’m here for and on this occasion it wasn’t great. A couple of the coats are nice and that’s about it. Like I really had to act as if the tassels weren’t there on a lot of the clothes and go from there because I really don’t like them in this context and if I was to veto looks purely on one of the garments having tassels, there’d be nothing to show or reference when giving my opinion on the show. They were EVERYWHERE. In a summer collection, done right, they can be a nice detail but here they just feel unnecessary and if I’m being honest, are quite ugly. 

Thank god for Brock taking the sour Bottega Veneta tassel taste out of my mouth. Never a let down. Literally, everything they put out sends me into a daze of imagining I’m in some romantic drama wearing one of the pieces, in a man’s idea of “no makeup”, running round in a field looking forlorn and windswept because my ghostly lover has-

Okay, you get the picture. I’ve never read Wuthering Heights, but it goes something like that, right? If not, lets just say envisioning myself in any of these catapults me straight into some period drama where I’m born into wealth and sit by my mansion window looking sad all the time and writing poetry and lusting over some stuffy upper-class man I can’t have and who is probably played by Colin Firth because I’m pretty sure that’s what happens in most of them (about to enrage my future English lit undergraduate sister with that line).

Nobody does modest, muted sexy to such a masterful degree. I mean, when Maison Marigela did face veils I was just mildly afraid, but here they’re subtle enough that they’re quite beautiful and almost other-worldly, acting as some kind of boundary between this world and the past that Brock aims to recapture through its designs-the red lip popping out from underneath is a perfect touch too. I don’t like it AS much as the summer collection but I would say that’s solely on the basis of the more autumn/winter appropriate colour scheme and the heavier fits, which is just a personal preference. I mean, I’m usually not a fan of empire waistlines at all and Brock even manages to make that work.

Burberry this season was a real mixed bag, mostly due to the styling. There are some really gorgeous, London back alley vintage shop looking pieces, especially the 70s style coats, reminiscent of outerwear a slimy record exec would've worn back in the day repurposed by someone like Alexa Chung or Zoe Kravitz or whichever effortlessly cool woman it is we all want to be-also the private boy’s school rugby gear looking shit is classic Burberry and I’m a fan of that, even though it’s not the most inventive or exciting. I just don’t get why there had to be SO much ill-fitting plaid over ill-fitting plaid. Again, like with Bottega Veneta, I thought the menswear was a lot stronger; whilst I wasn’t really wowed by anything, it seemed a lot less forced, whereas a few of the womenswear looks gave me the vibe of a design team desperately grasping onto some ill-conceived ideas of street style and relevancy. 

The design team at Carolina Herrera for example, know their niche. They never try to be something they’re not, always sublimely preppy and pretty and predictable-when it comes to target market, the bag is reliably secured. Laid- back princess dresses never get old for those constantly “summering” in one expensive coastal town or another, for the rich American moms attending charity galas and the Spencer Hastings and Blair Waldorfs of the world; women with glossy hair and fresh faces who act as if they woke up looking like that polished but are actually anal as hell and take 2 hours to get ready and would NEVER, I repeat NEVER, shit in a public toilet. 

Yes, I managed to worm toilet habits into a review of a Carolina Herrera collection. I’m sorry. Enough with the pearl clutching. 

Next is Celine:

I mean, when there are THIS many looks, it’s hard not to find something you like, and though VERY predictable and verging on lazy when you’re putting out the same shit every collection, Celine’s aesthetic is so similar to my own ideal style, it’s hard to be mad at it. That being said, a lot of the pieces, as per usual, came across as cheap YSL knock offs; the overall outfits are cute, but the more you look at the details-it particularly pained me to include a metal bow belt and an ill-fitting velvet skater skirt but I liked the rest of the outfits-the worse it gets. Please, PLEASE someone drive it home to Hedi Slimane, I’m begging you: QUALITY NOT QUANTITY. I get what he’s going for, 70s hipster Jane Birkin is a vision I can very much get behind, but not when it seems to be so rushed.

With the men’s looks, you can get away with it a lot more; when so much of menswear is so plain and unchanging, the slightest hint of Mick Jagger is enough to make a outfit edgy. But even then, I still feel like we’re seeing a load of variations of the same outfit. There are always some pieces that catch my eye, this time round the capes and the velvet blazers, and I would wear most of these things, sure, however I don’t think the combinations SHOULD necessarily look like something I’d personally put together; a runway collection is supposed to be aspirational and cutting edge, not pedestrian (entirely intentional self-drag, lol). Also, side note, the lack of diversity really bothered me. 111 looks and not one of these models has a body type that is naturally achievable for most people. It’s 2020 for fuck’s sake. I’m tired.

SO, let’s liven things up a bit with the Central Saint Martins collection, a breath of fresh air in terms of diversity (though a few more plus-size models would be nice):

As a former University of London student, I hate to heap praise upon them. If you’ve studied in London as well, you’ll know CSM students are ANNOYING. I mean, I’m sure they’re lovely as individuals but you can’t fully understand the meaning of the word pretentious until you’ve seen a group of them at a Uniqlo Tate Late. That being said, they are very good at what they do and I’m so glad that Vogue Runway includes them; this is what Off-White thinks it is, and really it makes sense that a bunch of current fashion students are able to come together to present one of the most experimental and forward-thinking shows of this season. 

And let’s talk about the RANGE. From catsuits worthy of comic book heroes to  dresses Twiggy would’ve worn in a 1960s editorial, every subgenre of fashion has been fully delved into here. Whilst we’ve got the adrogyny of the suits and suspenders combo and kitschy gender-bending co-ords David Bowie would be proud of, at the other end of the scale we’ve also got models walking down the runway dressed like wood nymphs or some other kind of siren-like creatures. There’s looks that wouldn’t be out of place in a Gucci or Come Des Garcons collection but at that same time would be equally at home in a Berlin techno club. 

Honestly, credit where credit’s due-it was a really interesting show and I wouldn’t expect anything less.

Chanel was quite literally the polar opposite of the CSM show. 

Very blah. 

It’s crazy because before you properly get INTO fashion, Chanel is like the epitome of style. And then you do, and you see the runway shows get lazier and lazier (with some exceptions) every year, and you realise that same prestige that had you aware of Chanel at the age of 7 or 8 is literally all that’s keeping the brand going at this point. I’m not saying the collection is flat out ugly, a lot of it’s cute, but you’re CHANEL for fuck’s sake. Yeah, I like the crucifixes but SCALLOPED HEMS!? No. I do NOT recall travelling back in time to witness Primark’s Spring 2013 collection on the runway and I am NOT having it.

It’s not at all surprising that a lot of the time newer brands Charlotte Knowles (above) tend to be more interesting than those more established-and yes that was a Chanel indirect if the transition wasn’t obvious.

With no room to rest on laurels or reputation, everything has to be bolder and smarter and more distinctive and most importantly, has to appeal to its target market with the fervour of an L.A sign spinner. I only found out about Charlotte Knowles because of a Vogue article citing her as Bella Hadid’s new favourite brand to wear, and once I saw the collection, it was clear why; daringly modern, slick, and edgy is both her street style (say what you want about her as a model but her outfit game is unbeaten) and Knowles’ USP to a T. If Dion Lee, Off-White, GCDS and Acne had an orgy, this would be the result, and that is a GOOD compliment.

Next, Chloe:

Not a huge amount to say, to be honest. Low-key, wearable, and cute. Like Emma Roberts’ Nancy Drew if she did an autumn exchange program at the Sorbonne and studied art history, libraries and coffee shops on the weekdays and galleries and protests at the weekend. On reflection, that definitely makes this collection sound more exciting than it is but there are some effortlessly beautiful pieces here. The 4th row in particular is full of stand outs-the vest with the watercolour faces on with the shirt underneath is perfection, and the burgundy suit with the saffron ruffled collar peeking out from underneath is adorable and not at all reminiscent of the Ronald McDonald inspired nightmare that any combination of red and yellow tones should theoretically be.

As for Christian Siriano, I see why people hate it, I really do. I understand that it seems kinda unfair to have it show the same week as Brock and Rodarte and Oscar de La Renta. We’re talking 2 very different kinds of quality here. BUT, at pure face value, his clothes are FUN, plus Coco Rocha will always have a special place in my heart as someone who lived on The Face and America’s Next Top Model and every show that could possibly give me an unhealthy body image ever.

Like are you telling me you wouldn’t wear these dresses to a party!? Live a little. They just need tailoring...which ideally would be done BEFORE the model’s walking down the runway in it but...you know...can’t have it all.

Christopher Kane is a show I always look forward to.

I would say his designs are the only thing that make geometry look fun but I’m going to expose myself and admit that would be a lie because I actually found geometry really fun. Trigonometry was my shit, lol.

He is a designer who perfectly demonstrates that juggling interseasonal consistency and taking risks can be done. There’s always something DIFFERENT about his collections, fresh and subtly experimental. There are occasionally a few misses, sure, but I’d rather that than for a brand to keep playing safe, plus he never goes too far in the opposite direction either; no going weird for the sake of weird. I don’t like it AS much as the summer collection but it’s mostly because of the more muted, autumn/winter appropriate colour palette.

Comme Des Garçons? Too weird?

Never.

Honestly when it comes to a CDG collection, I have to really shift my perspective to appreciate it. I’m not looking at fashion presentation, I’m looking at a moving piece of experimental art. I know, it’s a stretch. But you know you’ll never be bored by one of their shows. Not gonna lie, this specific collection crossed the line into plain ugly a couple of times for me. We had padding so extravagant it looked like several models were walking round with Ikea pillows stuck to their chest and headdresses reminiscent of the kids’ game Headbandz. In amongst that though, we did get some gorgeous veils like the ones seen above and the shoes and socks combo is actually quite wearable.

I’d say Dilara Findikoglu is the cut-off point after which things get a little too avant-garde for my personal taste, and it hovers over that cut-off point flawlessly; despite the other-worldly elements of her collections, they remain somewhat grounded by nods towards conventional fashion that allow the beauty, be it inner or outer, of the wearer to shine through. Comme Des Garcons garments undeniably have character but they tend to swallow up any trace of the individual underneath, whereas the character of Dilara Findikoglu garments seamlessly merges with the wearer and in turn elevates both to something transcendent and ethereal. If the Pussycat Dolls got transported into a rugged, post-apocalyptic future, they’d scrape together these outfits to perform in, I know it; the energy of the collection, with the body jewellery and the frayed cut outs and the chalk white faces, is very warrior princess, just as raw and intimidating as it is hot as fuck, and I want that energy in my life. Along with a Dilara belt, of course. I would wear her name like a badge of honour anytime she wants. Dilara, pls pls let me be part of your tribe. PLEASE.

Anyway, this is where I thought I’d cut things off, so as to end on a positive note. You know what that means: Dior is coming up. I feel bad knowing my first post was defending Maria Grazia and yet here I am now, looking at the bar down on the floor, but I mean, you never know; maybe girl is doing this on purpose and one day she’s gonna come out with a Gucci level quality show like a phoenix from the ashes.

If you got this far, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING even if you’re just here for the pics. Part 2 will be covering some of my most anticipated shows from Elie Saab, Fendi and Etro to Gucci and Moschino, Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs, and everything in between. Yes, the shitty ones too.

I’m plowing through all the material as quick as I can so I hope to get the next post up really soon, and yes-you can count on the overwhelming sense of needing to be productive pushing me into fulfilling that statement. 

Thanks again and I hope you’re well!

Lauren x

[gaycrouton]

prompt, times mulder seen scully in her underwear before they got together

I’m not sure if someone in particular on here has a capital on the numbered short ficlets combined, but I love the style so much I wanted to try it out. Hope they don’t mind!

I

He was right. It probably wasn’t the first thought that should have come to his mind as his frightened, pretty new partner dropped her robe in the middle of his motel room, but it was. Reasonable, functional, and somehow enticing. A nude bra, beige or white maybe, that matched her panties perfectly.  The lights from the candle distorted the color as the flames flickered across her mosquito-bitten back, but he saw enough to confirm that the brief passing thought in his mind from earlier had been correct. It was too quick to be called a fantasy, too titillating to be called a passing thought, yet it brought him a great sense of satisfaction to know he’d pegged this new agent correctly.

She’d been sternly lecturing him and he’d been hanging off of every word. He couldn’t remember another instance of someone shooting his theory to shit being so exciting. Something about the no-nonsense manner of her voice, the way her eyebrow cocked as if inviting him to disagree with her, the way she seemed to enjoy the back and forth as much as he did – he wasn’t sure what about this workplace conversation had him raking his eyes over her body and thinking what was under the unflattering suit she wore like armour as soon as she turned around.

What he did know now was that he’d pictured it perfectly.

Good to know.

II

He really would’ve taken Scully as the type to wear an undershirt. That theory was shot to hell as he stared straight down the top of her sagging blouse and he was given a perfect view of her round breasts encased in a light pink bra, the little bow in between reminding him how much of a gift this really was.

Dana Scully

He only got to look for the same amount of time it took her to write those two words underneath his own sloppy signature on the expense report, not that he was trying to look. He’d just been staring in that direction when she bent over in front of him to sign the form, the cap of the pen gripped lazily between two ruby red lips.

He could see what he hadn’t last time. Freckles. Little tiny dots littering her chest. When he looked up he knew he’d see matching ones on the bridge of her nose, regardless of how much she tried to hide them. What he saw was his suspicions confirmed, and a pair of amused, yet chastising, blue eyes boring into his.

He coughed nervously and mumbled, “I’m sorry.” His eyes darted around the room as if pretending that’s what they’d been doing the whole time. He just hoped whoever got to see that present unwrapped it carefully.

She extended her hand out to him and he took the pen she was offering back. “Have a nice weekend, Mulder,” she replied in a teasing tone, jovial but not wanting to reward him. He held his breath until he heard the sound of her heels become a faint echo.

He tried to not focus on whatever, whoever, she was going to that inspired her to curl her hair today and wear a nice, lacy, pink bra.

Her lipstick was still on the cap of his pen, and though he partially wanted to preserve the imprint, he couldn’t stop his finger from darting out and watching the creamy mark transfer from the plastic of the pen onto the pad of his skin. Pulling back, he stared mesmerized by the bit of coral smudge.

A little bit of Scully on his fingertips. And, in the ultimate act of juvenile longing, he kissed his own finger to feel what her lipstick would feel on his mouth – traces of an exchange that never happened.

In the real world, that is.

III

Peanut Butter and Jelly, Night and Day, Scully Screaming and Mulder Running, some things just naturally went together. Tonight was no different. He’d just gotten into his pyjamas, or more accurately - stripped into his pyjamas-, when he heard an uncharacteristically high-pitched scream come from the otherside of the adjoining door. “Scully?” he yelled in concern.

“Mulder!” she shouted in response.

He didn’t need much more than that to burst into her room, gun blazing and alert. Mulder swept his eyes across the room and ultimately landed on Scully’s form. She was in the corner of the room, naked minus a pair of dark blue panties. Her breasts were being firmly held by her hands, inadvertently exaggerating her cleavage, as she precariously sat on an end table.

His heart dropped as he feared the worst. A screaming Scully was never good, but a nearly-naked screaming Scully scared him worse. He turned and started stomping around the room, expecting to see a man hiding in some corner - his attempt to attack Scully thwarted and now he was trying to leave.

He’d kill him.

…but he couldn’t find anything. He turned back to Scully and urgently asked, “What happened, Scully?”

“There’s a snake in my bed!” she whispered, pointing urgently while sliding slowly off the table, keeping one arm and hand securing her chest.

His eyes accidentally slid down as she did this and he, for the millionth time but none as viscerally as this, appreciated her toned body. She was sculpted like a statue and had to turn away quickly before embarrassing himself.

Lowering his gun, he nodded and made his way towards her mattress, slowly drawing back the sheets until he was met with a dangerous looking, but non-lethal, common snake. He chuckled softly before grabbing the snake by the middle. “Mulder, no!” she lurched, grabbing his shoulder lightly.

“Scully, this is just a garden snake,” he laughed, bringing it to the door and tossing it onto the gravel before closing the door and turning around. He almost ran over Scully, who’d come up behind him quietly as his apparent back-up even though she was scared herself.

They were closer than either of them had anticipated and he realized he was just as naked as she was. She was apparently noticing that too as her eyes were focused lower than they’d ever been during office hours. “Are you okay?” he asked, making her eyes comically shoot back up to his as a blush spread across her cheeks.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I thought it was worse,” she chuckled self consciously, bringing her other hand back up to her chest to give herself more coverage, bringing Mulder’s gaze along with it.

She must’ve been getting ready for bed because her face was devoid of all makeup and he could smell some faint moisturizer on her. She must’ve lotioned her whole body too because she seemed to be absolutely glistening under the dim lamp light emanating from the bedside.

“N-no, don’t be sorry. I’m um, I’m glad to help,” he offered lamely.

“Thanks,” she whispered. “Oh-uh,” she started, turning around. “Sorry, I called you in while I was practically naked,” she apologized.

Or at least, he thinks that’s what she said, because as she left to grab her robe, all he could focus on was the way her underwear wasn’t full coverage. The sides of her rounded ass were visible as she walked over and that, combined with the elegance of her exposed back, had him crossing his hands in front of himself as he refused her apology and ran into his room.

He wished her a goodnight before closing the door, and he laid in bed that night and  wondered if she had any idea the effect she had on him.

IV

She’d been staying at his apartment for the past two days because they were repainting her apartment. This morning she insisted it wasn’t fair that she was eating all his food and not paying him back, so, despite his adamance she didn’t need to, she was off on a run to the store.

In their newfound routine, something he found simple joy in, it became an unspoken rule that she’d shower first and he’d go in after her. He loved it because the steam in the shower just heightened the smell of her floral shampoo and he felt engulfed in her scent.

So after she left, he made his way to the bathroom, stripping carelessly as he went. When he closed the door behind him, he turned to the towel rack and was stunned to see a thin, strappy bra hanging next to his striped towel. Staying dead silent for a moment to make absolutely sure she was gone, despite having just witnessed her leave himself. When he was confident she was gone, he picked up the scrap of fabric and felt it in his hands. Part of him felt like a kid again, finding small clues to the intricacies of womanhood that were still a mystery to him.

This was Scully’s bra.

This bra had touched her naked breasts.

And now it was in his hands.

He gently hand his hands over the cups and tried to commit the size difference to memory. She was on the smaller size, but they were bountiful nonetheless. He’d spent hours thinking about them and imagining what they’d look like, and now he had a piece of the puzzle in his very hands.

He noticed part of the underwire, if that’s what it’s called, was sticking out from the middle and he realized all the times in the past few weeks he’d seen her grabbing at the middle of her chest and tugging was because the wire had been poking her.

34B, he noted on the side band. He contemplated if she’d find it weird if he bought her a new bra. He felt bad if this one was causing her pain – it had to have been a favorite if she kept insisting on wearing it despite the pain. He decided the worst thing she could do was call him a pervert, it wouldn’t be the first time. Hell, after spending two nights here and accidentally catching sight of his morning wood both times, it honestly couldn’t be that bad. He just had to decide what kind to get her.

He spent the entire shower thinking about what type would fit her best before, quite literally, coming to the decision to get her another black, strappy one.

V

108 degrees. Record setting in the state and they just happened to be on a case in the area to be able to experience it. Hot enough to make any person sleep in their underwear.

Sometimes he forgot Scully fell under the category of ‘any person’ since he didn’t categorize her that way himself.

It was that slip up which caused him to be so taken aback when he walked into her motel room, without knocking as he’d later chastise himself for, and saw her sprawled on the bed in a forest green bra and deep purple underwear. The sight alone made him hard as a rock and lose all ability to think rationally.

He was about to apologize when he realized the lights in the room were off and she was sound asleep, the even rise and fall of her chest signalling she had probably been for a while now.

He felt his foot yearning to step forward and get a better look, but instead he turned around and closed the door as softly as he could. She’d done five autopsies back to back today. The last thing she deserved was her partner coming into her room and ogling her nearly-naked sleeping form.

She didn’t deserve to have him muffling her name in his fist as he came all over the shower tiles while thinking of her, but he only had so much willpower.

Green was his favorite color on her, after all.

VI

She didn’t close the door and all the sudden he was a horny teenage boy again.

This situation had occurred with varying frequency through the seven years of their partnership; they came over to her place to finish a report, watch a movie, eat something, whatever it may be. “I’m just going to change into something more comfortable. Make yourself at home,” she’d say as she made her way down the hall into her bedroom, closing the door behind her as he tried to imagine what was happening behind the mahogany that blocked his view.

There was no imagining this time and his brain was short circuiting from it.

He watched as she walked into her bedroom, not sparing the door a second glance, as she grabbed the bottom hem of her sweater and whipped it over her head, revealing she hadn’t been wearing more than a thin white bra underneath it all day. He felt like he needed to turn around, but he was frozen in place.

She then grabbed the stretchy hem of her skirt and pulled it down her legs, bending over as she did so so he got a full look at her rounded ass.

A thong.

A fucking white little thong.

He felt all the blood in his body rush to his groin as he watched Aphrodite herself make the most mundane task seem highly erotic. He knew he was gaping as she reached behind her back and unclasp her bra, revealing more skin to him than he ever remembered seeing under favorable circumstances.

He knew that he should probably leave, avert his gaze, fucking anything other than stand here and let his hard on tent his pants like a cartoon.

But she’d never left the door open before and if there was one thing Fox Mulder did, it was look for signs. He realized she was staring in front of a mirror and he couldn’t stop himself from looking.

Pink, perfect ovals with taut, hardened tips reflected back at him on top of her creamy heavy breasts. He swore this was the image men wanted to be their last. This was what pure heaven was like. He felt his eyes flutter lightly from pure arousal as he bit his lip, thanking whatever god was out there that allowed him to be blessed with this visage.

As he looked up a little more, he realized this thanks were just being directed to the god in the other room as Scully stared straight back at him through the mirror. A coy, self-satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Then, just as quickly as it had started, she turned around - not caring to conceal her fully revealed breasts from his attention - as she closed the door. He swore to god she even winked at him, the very last thing he saw before she disappeared behind the wooden door.

She came out in her silk pyjamas with no mentioning of the mini-strip tease. She let him see what she wanted him to see under her terms. Terms he was more than willing to follow.

[artificialqueens]

You're beautiful, no matter what I used to say - (Nina/Brooke) - multifandomgeek

Summary: To Brooke, beauty is everything. So when she starts getting feelings for a girl completely outside her type, she just tries to ignore it.

-

A lesbian, college AU

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20606846

–

Brooke lived for beauty. She loved every aspect of it, and it was part of all of her favorite subjects: makeup, fashion, design. She had a good eye for it too, be it in art or in people, and she was proud of that. In her first year of college, she already knew it would be an important aspect of her life, no matter if she decided to design clothes or graphic material (she was still thinking about it).

To her, It was extremely important to look her best at all times. It only made sense, and she would rather spend less on food than go without her trusted brands of makeup, even if with her clothes she could be a little more creative to fit her budget.

Beauty was everything, and when she found herself attracted to someone, appearance was always on the top of the list. Some people might call it shallow, but for her it was just a clear sign that that girl had something in common with her. Even when she was a young teen, it had seemed so obvious that she would be a lesbian because women were just the most beautiful creatures on earth. It was simple.

She liked girls with softly smoked eyes paired with red lips, or colorfully blended eyeshadow with a bold personality. She liked voluptuous hair that she could tell was fancy just from looking at it, or maybe short, well-kept styles that exposed a long neck and big, stylish earrings. But most of all, she liked girls’ curves. A lean body, round just in the right places, that she would pull closer to her with a hand strategically placed on their lower backs.

She could never see herself with a less than perfect girl. It was just who she was. Some people valued romance, others valued loyalty, and Brooke valued beauty. To each their own.

“Why are we doing this again?” Brooke asked Detox, her best friend, who had dragged her to a LGBTQ event one afternoon.

“Because we’re queer, and we should give back to the community,” said Detox, fixing her lipstick in a small mirror while they waited for the thing to begin. It was supposed to be an auction, or was it a bingo? Brooke didn’t really care.

“Give back for what?” mumbled Brooke, looking around as they sat down, seeing if she could at least score a good lay from this, but everybody seemed a little… weird.

Detox elbowed her. “Aren’t you out, you ungrateful cunt? Don’t take that for granted.”

Brooke rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything else. She looked at her nails and accepted her fate, if only for Detox’s sake. She knew her friend had another relationship entirely with being gay, and even if Brooke didn’t get it, she wasn’t that big of an asshole to not be able to stand a few hours in a boring lecture (what even was this event?) to support her best friend.

The room they were in was relatively small, with a few rows of plastic chairs pointing to a raised platform on one of its extremities, where a podium with a microphone was set. It reminded Brooke of the church her mother used to go to when she was little, if with a lower ceiling. The chairs were about half full, and she supposed this kind of thing wasn’t very popular. It wasn’t difficult to understand why, considering Brooke herself didn’t want to come in the first place.

She and Detox were sitting at one of the last rows. They usually found themselves in that position, often because they wanted the option to leave in the middle of things, but maybe it was just a habit that came from being popular and not caring much about school. There were all kinds of people scattered around, a lot of them clearly alone, and Brooke couldn’t help but pity them. Maybe this organization (was it a club?) was important for some people after all.

“Okay, guys, sorry for the delay,” said a girl taking the podium with a hurried demeanor and a giant smile. She didn’t talk on the mic, but her presence was enough to make the low chatter that had filled the room stop all at once. “We’ll begin in a minute, but while we don’t, Josh will pass a list for you to fill in with your contact info. It’s completely optional, and we’ll use it to keep you updated with our activities.”

A guy with bright blue hair waved two clipboards with pens tied to them, so everybody could see, before handing them to people sitting on opposite sides of the room. Brooke dismissed it completely, turning her gaze back to the girl at the podium, who was now going through a stack of papers with an air of confident professionalism, a soft smile still playing on her lips.

She was a big girl, probably as tall as Brooke and who knows how much heavier. She had her dark blonde hair brushed back and kept in place by a headband, with a few strands dyed pink, almost randomly and already quite faded. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a logo that was probably that of the LGBTQ association. There was no makeup on her face apart for a nude lipstick. Maybe a little concealer, if that, not that Brooke could notice at that distance. She caught herself thinking she could be sort of pretty, if she put some effort into it.

“Is this working?” said the girl, grabbing the mic, that was, indeed, working. “Okay, it is, haha,” she laughed, and Brooke smiled with her. What? “Hello everyone, and welcome. My name is Nina West, I’m the head of our LGBTQIA+ Association. I want to thank everyone for coming, it means a lot for us, and know that you’re always welcome here, no matter what.” Nina’s smile was so genuine Brooke couldn’t help but believe her, even though it was probably a speech she had delivered a hundred times.

Nina went on to list the weekly activities held by the association, that included game and movie nights, soccer practice, singing lessons, support groups, activism meetings, and so many other things that Brooke was genuinely surprised. The clipboard for the contact info reached her and she almost filled it in before remembering she didn’t actually want to be there. She passed it over to Detox, not looking if she was filling it herself in favor of keeping watching Nina. “We’ve had sewing and fashion design workshops for the last few months, and everyone was so good we decided it would be fun to show it off!” said Nina excitedly. “Tonight, our models are all LGBTQIA students who attended the workshops and made or embellished the clothes they’re wearing. So please give it up for our first artist, Trevor!”

Brooke was smiling and clapping with the crowd before she could think about it. A lanky boy wearing a short sequined dress appeared from behind her to parade through the center of the room, between the rows of chairs. The dress was not very remarkable, but Trevor was smiling so much, strutting like he truly believed he was on a runway, that it seemed more beautiful than it actually was. He went up to the stage and made a few poses while people cheered and clapped.

Nina walked to him, smiling so proudly you’d think she was his mom. “Hi Trevor, how are you?” she pointed the mic to him so he could answer.

“I’m fabulous!” said Trevor.

Nina laughed wholeheartedly and Brooke’s heart did something weird. “You are!” said Nina. “Did you make this from scratch?”

“Yes,” said Trevor, a little more shyly. “Sasha helped a lot, but yeah.”

“It’s amazing!” said Nina. “Isn’t it, you guys?” she turned to the small audience, who whistled and cheered. “You’re incredible, Trev! And fabulous.” She pointed at him, while kindly leading him to stand on the corner while she announced the next model, this time a girl in a big puffy jacket.

The fashion show went on, and while some of the garments were… well, questionable, a couple were really well made and tasteful. The last person to walk the make-shift runway was Sasha, the person who most people mentioned as their mentor. Brooke couldn’t really tell if they were a boy or a girl, and it was fascinating. They were absolutely beautiful, despite the bald head, which was so bizarre in Brooke’s mind. Sasha was wearing a long red gown that was so gorgeous it should be on a red carpet. Brooke wanted to meet them.

In fact, now that she thought about it, a workshop might be just what she needed to decide on what major she should pursue. She could have a taste of the real thing and see if it seemed like something she wanted to do for the rest of her life, then go for the fashion career. If not, then graphic design could be the right choice after all. It was at least worth a try.

She explained it to Detox once the event was over. To say she looked surprised was an understatement, the other girl surely expecting Brooke to want to leave as soon as possible. People were talking and mingling around the room. Brooke noticed nobody was alone anymore, and it gave her a weirdly nice feeling. She felt nervous as she approached Nina, which was even weirder. She never had problems talking to people before, but this girl was something else.

“Hi,” said Brooke once Nina was free from a conversation with one of the students who had modeled.

“Hi!” said Nina with a gentle smile. She was just as tall as Brooke, and her eyes were so pretty.

“I’m Brooke,” she said, extending her hand.

“I’m Nina, nice to meet you.” Nina’s handshake was firm yet comforting.

She must give the best hugs, Brooke thought. What was going on with her today? “I was wondering if those sewing workshops are still going on?”

“Yes, of course!” said Nina, letting go of Brooke’s hand, that suddenly felt cold. “It happens on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Did you put your email on the contact sheet?”

“Oh. No, I, hm…” Brooke trailed off, not knowing what she could say.

“It’s fine,” said Nina without missing a beat. “Just show up a few minutes earlier and we’ll set you up.” She touched Brooke’s arm, smiling.

Brooke just wanted to be her friend so bad. “Okay, then. I will. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” said Nina. “See you then.”

Brooke made her way back to Detox, who was watching her with a weird smile on her face.

“I think you have a crush on pink girl,” said Detox.

“What? Of course not, she’s-” Fat, Brooke wanted to say, but refrained. Detox just chuckled and shook her head, not looking like she believed Brooke at all. Brooke looked back at Nina, who was now talking to Sasha. One of the pink strands of her hair had fallen down her face, brushing her cheek, and Brooke wanted to pull it back for her. “She’s so nice, though.”

–

When Wednesday came around, Brooke found her way back to the Association room all by herself. She was very excited, the prospect of doing something passion-oriented so refreshing after so many weeks of exhausting classes. She had dressed sensibly professional, changing after her classes just to feel more confident going in. She had even applied a new nail-polish just the day before, predicting she would get there barely knowing how to thread a needle and wanting to be at the top of her game to cope with her anxiety.

She was 15 minutes early. The chairs were all piled in one corner, making space for a few long tables that were scattered in the center of the room. Sasha was there, taking pieces of fabric out of a suitcase and organizing them on the tables. Near the door, there was a desk where another girl sat, working on a laptop. She looked up when Brooke approached.

“Can I help you?” she asked. She wasn’t rude, but Brooke was expecting Nina. Of course, Nina couldn’t be there all the time, and the disappointment pooling in Brooke’s stomach made absolutely no sense. She didn’t come here for the other girl, she came for the sewing. Right?

“Hi, I came for the sewing workshop? Nina told me to come early because I’m new.”

“Oh, welcome,” the girl smiled. She had curly brown hair and warm eyes, but it just didn’t hit quite as good. “I’m Meatball.”

“I’m- what?”

The girl laughed, pleased at Brooke’s reaction. “Meatball. It’s not my real name, don’t worry, my parents weren’t that mean,” she said, opening a drawer and rummaging in it for a moment before finding a piece of paper that she handled to Brooke. “Fill this out and you’re good to go.”

It was a form for Brooke’s basic information, with a few unusual boxes like “pronouns” and a line saying you could use whatever name you’d like, it didn’t have to be your official one. For a split second, Brooke thought about how unnecessary that seemed, but then it hit her where she was, and she wondered how much of a difference a detail like that made in making people feel welcome there. A lot, she supposed.

“HI, DIVA,” Meatball suddenly shouted, startling Brooke, who looked up to see Nina at the door. Her heart started beating faster, inexplicably.

“HI, DIVA,” Nina yelled back, leaning over the desk to… wiggle her tongue at Meatball? It was like they were having an open-mouthed, exaggerated kiss, but without actually touching. It was ridiculous, kind of disgusting, and Brooke wanted Nina to do it to her too.

Nina turned to Brooke. “You came!” she said, and Brooke didn’t even know when she started smiling.

“Hi,” she said. Nina had her hair up in a ponytail today, and was wearing a more delicate top than the t-shirt that Brooke saw her in last time. It had a nicely cut cleavage, and wow, those were nice tits. Brooke snapped out of it before she ogled for too long, swiftly finishing her form and handling it to Meatball.

“Have you met Sasha yet?” asked Nina, placing a hand on Brooke’s back.

“Not really, no,” said Brooke, being guided to the tables, not taking her eyes off Nina.

“Hey, beauties,” said Sasha as they approached, and their voice was just enthralling.

“Hi, gorgeous,” said Nina, kissing Sasha’s cheek. “I have a new student for you, this is- oh, I’m so sorry, I forgot your name,” said Nina apologetically.

“Brooke,” she said, extending her hand to Sasha, who shook it. “Nice to meet you.” Nina forgot her name. That was cool, it was fine. They had talked for what, 10 seconds? At least she remembered her. Brooke was not at all saddened by it, that would be ridiculous.

Sasha asked Brooke what did she expect from the workshop and they started talking about the Fashion Design program, Sasha being a junior and a great source of information on the matter. Brooke should be more interested, really, and not fighting to pay attention as Nina slipped out of the conversation to talk to Meatball again.

But Sasha was their own kind of creature, and Brooke was genuinely mesmerized by them, even if her mind was playing tricks on her. Soon, she found herself hanging on every word as Sasha talked about beauty, in a completely different way than Brooke ever heard someone talk about the subject before. Soon, a few more people arrived, and Sasha had to cut the conversation short to start the class, leaving Brooke wanting more and at the same time with too much to think about.

There were about a dozen people in the room, and they were separated accordingly to what they wanted to learn. A few people were making clothes from scratch while others were decorating. Brooke was placed at a corner with a boy who taught her how to turn on the only sewing machine they had and how to make it work. It took a moment, but she got the hang of it, feeling immensely proud when she finally got the thing to whirl into motion, threading a line on a small piece of fabric, just for practice.

Once Brooke learned how to do the bare minimum on the machine, Sasha asked Nina to show her how to thread a needle and stitch something by hand, while someone else used the machine. Brooke was so happy to have an opportunity to talk to Nina again that she didn’t even feel when the needle punctured her finger as she tried to put a thread through its impossibly small hole.

“I didn’t think you were going to be in the class,” said Brooke, putting her finger in her mouth and sucking on it. Nina’s gaze zeroed on her lips for a moment and Brooke felt like smirking.

“Oh, I love it,” said Nina, quickly finding something to do on the table. “I’m not very good at it, but Sasha is such a great teacher, I can’t help but keep coming back.” She was avoiding looking at Brooke’s face; it was adorable and made something sparkle in Brooke’s chest.

“I think I want to be a fashion designer too,” said Brooke, going back to trying to thread the needle.

“That’s great! I’m a theater major, so it’s really useful for costumes and such, but I could never create things like you guys,” said Nina, relaxing a bit once she noticed Brooke’s finger wasn’t in her mouth anymore.

“This is frustrating. I might as well just give up on that dream,” said Brooke, lowering the needle with a huff.

Nina laughed. “You can practice that later. Here, have mine.”

Brooke was still hung up on the fact that she made Nina laugh, taking the needle with a thread already in it from her hand. Nina showed her how to make a simple stitch, and let her practice while she worked on her own project, a hoodie with a small hole in the seam that she was trying to fix.

They kept talking while doing it, and Brooke found out Nina was two years her senior, but had been in the queer association since day one, and for her, it was the most important part of her college life. She told Brooke a few stories about students that found there a true beacon of hope, and how she was so very proud of helping to build a safe space for the community in campus, even if that proved risky sometimes.

“What do you mean, risky?” asked Brooke.

“Oh, you know, just your regular bigot professor, sometimes a group of students who think they can just throw slurs at us and we’ll stay quiet. Oh, and of course, every time there are some cost issues, we are the first thing to pop up on the administration’s mind. It’s been fine nowadays, I just have to pay attention, it’s not like when-” She interrupted herself, looking away before she looked at Brooke again. “Hey, you’re almost finished. I have to show you how to tie a knot in the end now.”

“I want to help,” said Brooke all of a sudden. She didn’t know where that came from, this was supposed to be something she was doing for her own sake, selfish in every sense of the word. Brooke was not the kind of person who volunteered, and she was certainly not the kind of person who did things impulsively just to impress some pretty girl.

Wait, what?

“I’d really appreciate that, Brooke,” said Nina, looking into Brooke’s eyes.

Oh, what the hell.

“I have to look at my schedule, but I can free some time for you- for the association, I mean. I’m pretty good with time-management, I can help with whatever you need.” Her heart was pounding. She wondered if she could become familiar enough to have Nina kiss her cheek when she said hello to her too.

“Thank you,” said Nina, smiling in a way that felt like a reward in itself. She quickly walked to Meatball’s desk and took a slip of paper from the drawer, coming back to give it to Brooke. “Send me an email, we always need more people.”

It wasn’t like getting her number, but it was something. Not that Brooke liked her that way.

“I will.”

–

Volunteering, as it turned out, was work. A lot of work, especially if you just couldn’t find the heart to say no to the person in charge, even if there was an exam coming up or an essay due.

“You know, if you just boned her your life would be so much easier,” said Detox one day, roughly two months after Brooke started volunteering at the association. She was sitting at Brooke’s bed, watching the blonde apply concealer under her eyes to hide the signs of her tiredness.

“Fuck off,” said Brooke, focusing on her makeup and trying not to think about just how much she wished she could take that advice.

Becoming friends with Nina was easy. She was a very friendly person. In fact, she had a lot of friends, and Brooke was absolutely not jealous of any of them, nuh-uh, especially not the gay boys who kissed her on the mouth to say hello. Not at all.

Being friends with her was even easier, Nina was kind, sensitive, a great listener, but perhaps her greatest quality was her sense of humor. It just matched Brooke’s, in a way that sometimes left both of them with tears in their eyes. She just liked being with her, everything seemed so much better when Nina was around. Brooke smiled more, did more things that she was proud of, Nina just made her a point-blank better person, and happier too.

Brooke was so in love with her it was dizzying.

“Why haven’t you made a move yet?” said Detox. “Didn’t you say you could have, and I quote, ‘any fucking girl you wanted’?”

“Did I actually say that? God, I’m obnoxious,” said Brooke, scrunching her face at herself.

Detox laughed. “That’s not the point. What’s the deal with this girl?”

“I’m ready,” said Brooke, finishing touching up her lipstick and capping it, completely ignoring the question. “Come on, let’s go.”

Detox rolled her eyes, following Brooke outside so they could walk to class together.

–

Later that week, Brooke found herself at Nina’s place, together with half a dozen people as they did a task force to organize a bunch of paper-related tasks, including cutting up hundreds of flyers for upcoming events, which was what Brooke was doing. Her thumb was sore already, and so were her cheeks from all the laughing.

“Look at this bitch,” said Meatball with her phone pointing at Brooke’s face, probably filming an Instagram story. “Who puts on that much makeup to get paper cuts?”

“That reminds me, I got something for you,” said Brooke, reaching in her jeans pocket and bringing out her middle finger.

Meatball laughed, putting her phone down. “She’s growing on me,” she said to Nina, who was behind a laptop, trying to fix some finance sheets with Josh. Nina looked at her fondly. Brooke had been trying to stare less at her, but sometimes it was just impossible.

They kept working, the conversation switching back an forth between the most stupid things and important matters regarding the association. As the night progressed, people started to leave, but Brooke stayed put. There were still too many flyers to cut up, and besides, she had nowhere else she’d rather be.

“Look at this,” said Nina at some point, sitting beside her on the couch to show a video on her phone. It was of a couple dancing at their wedding. The camera only focused on the couple for one second, however, before zooming in on a little girl standing with the crowd wearing a hulk mask and a cute, flowery dress. It was so funny, and they watched it too many times.

“Every time I come to your house I have to put on waterproof mascara,” said Brooke, dabbing at the corner of her eyes.

Nina chuckled. “You could not put mascara at all, you know.” Brooke gasped, overdramatically, making Nina laugh even harder. “I don’t get it, honestly. You’re so pretty, why do you do all that?”

“You think I’m all that pretty precisely because I do all that,” said Brooke, trying to play down how flustered the comment actually made her. She noticed they were alone in the apartment now, not knowing how she could’ve missed it. Her heart went crazy.

“Yeah, right,” said Nina, leaning her elbow on the back of the couch. “I’m sure you’re just a monster without lipstick on.”

Brooke shook her head, not knowing what to say. She liked wearing makeup, but lately she had been thinking maybe she relied too heavily on it. It was a work in progress. In any case, she couldn’t just not try to look her best whenever she was seeing Nina. Because if she wasn’t beautiful, then what was she?

“Beauty is all I have,” said Brooke, focused on the paper she was working on.

“What are you talking about?” said Nina. “Brooke you’re not just beautiful, you’re so much more than that.”

“I know.” Brooke smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks,” she completed, hoping that would be the end of it.

“Hey,” said Nina softly, taking the scissors and paper from Brooke’s hand and putting it away. “Talk to me.”

There were tears in the corner of Brooke’s eyes. Fuck. “It’s nothing, I’m fine. I just used to be so obsessed with standards, you know? Thought it was so important, and it’s not. But it’s what I am, right?” she shrugged. “I’m pretty. I’m not particularly smart, or kind, or-” Nina looked so beautiful today, her hair let down and her pink strands recently retouched. Her eyes were searching Brooke’s so kindly it was overwhelming.

“Who let you believe that? That’s not true, Brooke. You’re all of those things.”

It was so hard not to believe Nina. “I sort of like this girl, and I’ve never felt like this before. It’s like I didn’t know my heart was frozen until she took it in her hands and warmed it up, and now I’m so much better because of her.” Brooke sighed. She didn’t know what she was doing, but now she was talking and she couldn’t stop. “But she’s so amazing, she just deserves better than me. Way better.”

“Brooke,” said Nina, kindly, taking her hand. God, Brooke liked her so much. “Don’t tell me you don’t know the effect you have on people, I’m sure whoever this girl is she’d be so lucky to have you.”

“No, you don’t get it,” said Brooke, getting up, suddenly frustrated. “It’s not just about sex, okay? Yeah, I want her, but it’s not just that.”

“That’s good, it’s great! So tell her! Wait, is she straight?”

“No,” Brooke chuckled at the absurdity of it.

“Oh, good. So tell her! Brooke, you’re an amazing person, you deserve love.”

Brooke looked at her. She was up now too, looking like it didn’t even cross her mind that this girl could be herself. If it did, maybe she wouldn’t be saying these things.

“Yeah, maybe I will,” lied Brooke. “Thanks, Nina.”

Nina hugged her. Brooke closed her eyes, resisting the urge to bury her nose in her neck.

“Who is it?” asked Nina, pulling back. “Do I know her?”

Brooke shook her head, panicking.

“If we ever cross by her you have to tell me!” she was holding both of Brooke’s hands now, smiling at her. “Who could’ve gotten you so hard? I’m so curious!”

She looked so happy for her, so excited that Brooke had told her this. She probably wouldn’t let this go, would keep encouraging Brooke and being the wonderful friend she usually was. How painful would that be, watch Nina give her pep talk after pep talk while Brooke kept lying to her? Brooke didn’t think she could stand it.

“It’s you,” Brooke blurted out, watching as Nina’s smile faltered. She pulled her hands back, regretting it, regretting it so much.

“Huh? Oh, you’re just messing with me,” said Nina with a weird half-smile, swatting at Brooke’s arm.

Brooke smiled weakly. “I wish.” She looked away, trying to locate her bag. “Maybe it’s better if I just leave. Yeah, I can take some of these flyers and finish them at home,” she was already in motion to pick things up when Nina’s arm on hers stopped her.

“I don’t get it. You’re serious?” Nina sounded so confused. Brooke couldn’t look at her.

“Yes,” she said it looking down, daring to turn back to Nina only after a beat, meeting her frown and her beautiful eyes with a curtain of doubt in front of them.

“But I’m-” she didn’t finish, but Brooke could see the insecurities in her expression. She was confused, wary, and thinking things that did not belong in her head.

“You’re beautiful. So beautiful. And I don’t mean just on the inside.” Brooke took a step closer, against her better judgment. Nina was the same height as her, but suddenly it felt like she was shorter, smaller. “The way I feel about you, it’s-” she took a deep breath, lost for a moment in Nina’s eyes.

“Don’t play with me. This isn’t funny.”

“You don’t have to like me back, Nina, it’s okay. Really, I promise you. But please, don’t doubt that I do.” Brooke’s emotions were all over the place. She kind of wanted to hide, but at the same time, she couldn’t move.

“Have you been listening to me?” Nina’s voice was low, and she took a step closer, making Brooke’s breath hitch in her throat. Her hand went up to touch Brooke’s jaw, shakingly. Brooke’s eyes closed in their own accord, and she could feel Nina getting even closer. “Look at me.”

Brooke did, and she was so close. She almost couldn’t believe this was happening. Nina’s eyes focused down on her lips and suddenly Brooke’s mind was too cloudy to think anymore. She just reached up, framing Nina’s face before she closed the gap and brought their lips together.

Nina immediately pulled her closer, pressing their bodies against each other’s, and Brooke felt a shiver run down her spine. She heard a faint moan escaping her throat as her hands slid down Nina’s face to reach her neck, the kiss deepening as their tongues found one another’s, Nina’s hand moving to tangle in Brooke’s hair, her blunt nails raking her scalp deliciously.

Brooke arched against her, wanting to get closer, closer, so much so that Nina stepped back. It made their bodies be too far apart, and Brooke stepped closer again. They were so lost in it that they didn’t realize they were right next to the couch, and as Nina tried to walk back one more time, this time keeping a hand firm on Brooke’s back, her leg hit the couch and she stumbled down, taking Brooke with her.

They fell gracelessly on the cushions, Brooke on top of Nina, her face so close to her breasts that she felt dizzy. Nina started to laugh, her hand still in Brooke’s hair. Brooke laughed too, sitting up and taking in Nina’s swollen lips, faintly stained by Brooke’s lipstick. She couldn’t even fathom how she could have ever thought that Nina was less than gorgeous.

Brooke probably wasn’t smiling anymore, too entranced, and Nina sat up straight too. She looked insecure again, but Brooke didn’t even want to entertain it, and just leaned in to kiss her again. It was softer this time, and Nina sighed into it. Brooke moved to kiss her neck, sucking lightly at the skin and relishing in her smell. God, she’d pictured this so many times.

Nina’s hand was in her hair again, and Brooke was getting too hot. But this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. “I want to take you on a date,” said Brooke, leaning back to look at her face, not without some effort.

Nina smiled. “Yeah,” she nodded, capturing Brooke’s lips again. Her hand slid down Brooke’s side, slipping into Brooke’s shirt to grip her waist. Brooke thought she was going to combust.

“Wait,” said Brooke, breathless. “I don’t wanna rush into anything, I was serious when I said this wasn’t just about sex, Nina, I want to do this right.”

She was interrupted by Nina’s chuckle. “I’m sorry,” said Nina, covering her mouth. “You’re just so cute, protecting my honor.” She caressed Brooke’s cheek. She called Brooke cute. No big deal. “Let’s go slow then. But just to be clear, it’s not on my account.”

Nina wanted her. Brooke’s vagina was screaming at her right now, begging her to listen to reason. “So, if we, hm… You wouldn’t think I was using you?”

Nina looked a little taken aback. “This is fucking surreal,” she mumbled. “No, of course not.”

“Alright then.” Brooke was back on Nina’s neck in an instant, drawing a half-laughter, half-moan from her. Brooke could feel her clit practically setting off fireworks. She let her hands wander to cup Nina’s breasts over her clothes and God, she was so gay.

“Bed,” breathed Nina, and they scrambled to get up.

Nina pressed Brooke against a wall for a few minutes before they could reach her bedroom, kissing her silly while groping her ass, and Brooke couldn’t do anything but hold on.

–

Brooke loved curves, and Nina’s were the best she ever saw, let alone touch. Her breasts were a heavenly gift, and Brooke was sure she would never get tired of putting her mouth on them, nuzzling them, making them home. But Nina was soon squirming too much, and she moved on, kissing down her soft stomach, letting her hands trails down the curve of her waist and hips, massaging her thighs as her tongue worked past her belly button.

She groped Nina’s inner thighs, and the girl opened her legs for her. Brooke looked up as she let her thumbs graze the juncture between Nina’s thighs and her crotch, watching her breath hitch and her hands grip the sheets. Brooke stroked Nina’s folds teasingly, letting her eyes roam over her body as she did so. She dipped her fingers between them, finding wetness and heat, and kept stroking as she watched Nina’s hooded eyes close and her heavy breathing become tiny moans as her body waved against Brooke’s hand.

Brooke surged up to kiss her, straddling her thigh as her hand kept going, now drawing wide circles around her clit. Nina pulled her close, trying to kiss back and grope Brooke but getting sided-tracked by her own pleasure, letting out huffs of breath and stopping her hands mid-movement as she just felt.

Brooke was rutting against her leg, holding back her own moans as her fingers worked with increased precision on Nina’s clit. It was getting harder and harder for Nina to keep from making any noise, and Brooke never felt prouder of herself. She moved to suck on Nina’s neck, her own rutting growing more intense.

“Don’t stop,” whispered Nina with a sinful, delicious moan, tugging on Brooke’s hair. It was so hot Brooke thought she would end up coming first, but Nina kept moaning and with a few more strokes she came, arching out of the bed and opening her mouth in a perfect “o,” a guttural sound escaping her throat.

Brooke touched her through it, keeping it firm and slow, watching her face as she rode her orgasm. Once Nina opened her eyes again, Brooke retrieved her hand and kissed her, feeling Nina’s hand snake down her body to slot in between her legs, stroking Brooke hard and fast while they kissed. It didn’t take long at all for Brooke to come too, biting Nina’s lip and convulsing over her body, one hand holding Nina’s juicy tit in a deadly grip.

Brooke collapsed down on the bed, a smile planted on her lips that she was sure was never going away. Nina snuggled against her, resting her head on her chest and throwing an arm over her waist. Brooke started combing through her hair, sleep creeping up on her. Nina’s smell was intoxicating, and she closed her eyes, dozing off while thinking that she definitely could get used to this.

–

“HI, DIVA.”

Brooke was already working on the sewing machine when Nina arrived for the workshop. She stopped pressing down the pedal to watch her and Meatball doing their tongue thing, that Brooke still didn’t get, but chuckled at every time. Then, Nina went to Sasha, kissing their cheek and exchanging a few words with them before finally walking towards Brooke.

“Hey, baby,” said Nina, giving Brooke a peck.

“Hi,” said Brooke, smiling. That’s right, she’s my girlfriend, she felt like stating, even though it was just their friends in the room with them. It had been a month, and Brooke still wasn’t over it.

Meatball made a puking sound in the background, and Nina giggled.

“Jealous much?” said Brooke, turning back to her sewing.

“Suck my dick,” said Meatball, not even bothering to look away from her computer.

“Don’t mind if I do,” said Detox, coming in the room at exactly the right time, surprising Brooke into laughter and making Meatball flush red.

[baekberrie]

🌸dnce to this ➬ bbh🌸

🌸Fluff, romance, one-shot/drabble

🌸Pairing: Baekhyun x Reader

Your lips puckered together shortly to make sure that the lipstick was layered evenly, your eyelids sparkled with a simple highlighted nude eyeshadow, a thin eyeliner wing completed the look. There was another party that you had been invited to this week, a classmate from university had made sure to invite as many people as possible and since you had promised your friend that she'd find you there, you were already touching up your face with some light makeup. It probably wasn't a fancy party so you weren't going for a super glam look. You were just about to pick out an outfit for the evening when the door to your room opened. A lazily dressed boy appeared from behind the door, his caramel brown hair was a fluffy mess and the oversized clothes made him look so tiny. That boy happened to be your boyfriend, who also was supposed to come with you to that party, like always, he was nowhere near decent to go out.

"What did I tell you about not knocking on my door before you enter?" You scolded while you rummaged through your closet, not sure about what to wear, anything you'd come up with would either feel to simple or too elegant.

Baekhyun made himself comfortable on your bed and muttered a "Forgot," obviously he hadn't forgotten at all, that was why he had stuck his tongue out at you behind your back. A sigh left your lips when you finally found something nice to wear.

"Baekhyun you need to go change, we'll leave in ten minutes." The fact that he only gave you a hum made it pretty clear that he had no intention to move from his current spot. But you didn't want to go there alone so you insisted.

"Fine, I'll go alone then," The tone in your voice was purposely bitter because you knew that no matter how lazy Baekhyun would get, he hated to be lazy alone. You had to bite down on your lip to keep it from curling into a smile when you heard him whine with protest. Purposely, you ignored his pleads and pretended to search deeper into your dresser.

"These earrings would look cute," You muttered for yourself, making sure to speak loudly enough for him to hear you and you couldn't help the satisfaction that you felt when he growled out a desperate Come on!

With a shrug you headed out of the room, making your way down to the kitchen. Although you left him in your room you were secretly waiting for him to catch up with you, but knowing him, your hopes weren't too high. The summer air was making it hot and stuffy inside of your apartment and although it was soon eight in the evening, the sun had yet to set and the cicadas were still joyfully praising the warm weather.

Cold water splashed into the glass when you suddenly felt a pair of arms snuggle around your waist. The surprise made a shiver run down your spine and you soon forgot about the flooding water in against your hands. Baekhyun's soft hair tickled your neck when he let his face hide in the side of your neck, his hot breath clouding on your skin.

"Do we really need to go to that party?" He whispered softly and for the tone in his voice, you could tell that he was unconsciously jutting out his lip into that absurdly adorable pup face of his. His thumb was drawing absentminded circles on your stomach, the warmth of his body transferred to yours, it would have been a lie if you said that you weren't enjoying it. In fact, you were starting to doubt whether you really wanted to go spend most of the night out.

"But I promised Bea-" You started, but Baekhyun didn't even let you finish the sentence before he spoke again.

"Bea will leave you at the bar alone after five minutes like she always does."  Well, there flew all of your excuses in one blow. He wasn't wrong and you couldn't really tell him otherwise, because he had seen that himself.

"I don't know," You sighed, for some reason you didn't want to give into his laziness, the fact that he was now way more appealing than that party already meant that he had won.

Baekhyun's lips pecked the crook of your neck a few times, "We have already been to all those parties, they're all the same anyways."

After a short while, his arms disappeared from your waist as he reached out for the retro-styled radio that was placed on the counter, you didn't use it often since it was mainly for the purpose of decorating. Questioningly, you stared at him while he kept on doing his thing with the device. You couldn't help but notice how much colder you felt when he wasn't back hugging you.

"What are you doing?"

"You don't need to drive all the way to an expensive club to dance you know? We could just put on the radio," He said, the smirk was hearable even in his voice, but it was nothing compared to the look he sent you when he looked at you from behind his shoulder, and just a few seconds later there the tune of a soft RnB song echoing against the walls. The male fidgeted with the light switch, making the kitchen lights decrease their brightness.

Just like if you were a teenager, your heart fluttered an unhealthy amount of times when he walked up to you and didn't hesitate to place his pretty hands on your hips, the smirk on his face turned slightly softer, but the mischief was still there and you could see it glinting in his eyes. Eventually, Baekhyun gently pushed your hips against his, pressing your bodies together, he was warm and somehow it just felt so comforting. Your arms found their way around his neck and your cheek resting against his shoulder. His scent didn't fail to put you under a beautiful daze as his hands traveled higher up, one resting around your waist and the other threaded carefully through your hair, massaging your scalp.

The sun was starting to set and the light beige walls took its warm shades to themselves, the soft music continued while the two of you rocked slowly under the dim kitchen lights.

"Well," Baekhyun murmured lowly against your cheek and you pulled ever so slightly away just to look at him, barely escaping getting lost into his dark chocolate like orbs.

"Isn't this better than any possible party?" He raised a cocky eyebrow although his voice was way too soft to be challenging, he knew exactly the answer to his question. Although he was trying to tease you, he had set you into a whole different mood now. You ignored his challenged and just pushed your lips against his. He responded with a soft hum, you felt his lips curl against yours into a smile.

"I'll take that as a yes,"

--------------------------------

very short, kind of meaningless (wrote it in one go, sorry for mistakes) but a lil and cozy scenario won't hurt!💕 Stay awesome, xoxo // P✨💖

[ours-is-feral-love]

Part Five now on AO3  (Final Part)

Sneak preview below. (look @romanoffsbite - i finally did it)

One Year Later:

Thirty-two shades of lipstick—exactly thirty-two; she had counted them one-by-one as she waited somewhat patiently—with their caps off stared at Darcy. Divided into groups, there were circles of nudes, berries, pinks, and reds. Some even sparkled, as if they had taken a trip back to the 90s when glittery lips was all the rage. That was the 90s, though, wasn't it. Always making an unwanted comeback. Heaven forbid she walk outside with frosted shadow and bright pink blush. MJ wouldn't do that to her. Hopefully. Everything else on the vanity looked modern enough.

She chanced a look in the mirror. From where she sat about a foot away from the set-up in her director-style chair, she picked apart the flaws marring her face that would soon be hidden by a pound or two of makeup. Deep purple bruises lined her under-eyes. There was one angry, red spot that would not disappear no matter how hard she tried riding high on her left cheekbone. Her skin held an almost permanent sallowness. Sleep deprivation did not look good on her. Nor did copious amounts of stress.

This was her new normal. At least, that was what everyone kept telling her.

Say goodbye to sleep. Say goodbye to free time. Say goodbye to your social life.

Not that she had much of a social life outside of Loki and Jane and MJ. And MJ's boyfriend, Peter. And Peter's best friend, Ned. Occasionally Maria would join in on the fun, but nowadays it was rare their schedules lined up. Darcy was just so busy all of the time. The only reason she even saw Loki in the first place was because they lived together still. And the only reason she saw Jane was because her fiancé was Loki's brother. And because the wedding was fast approaching, and Darcy was doing everything in her power to ensure Jane would not search elsewhere for a maid of honour. The lead up to the wedding was not going to turn into a Bridesmaids situation on her watch.

To her surprise, everyone on her team, and everyone involved behind the scenes, was amenable enough to her polite demands for time off. The show hadn't even premiered yet and she was already getting what she wanted. MJ, the cosmetology student who started working at Warner Bros. Latte when Darcy needed to cut back her hours for filming, was chosen as her makeup artist above a slew of applicants because Darcy had asked nicely. After a couple of weeks of begging, Darcy managed to snag Loki a guest appearance on the series. He had three lines and was nameless, but Loki was still thanking Darcy every time they saw each other. Which was practically every morning in the apartment.

Phil kept telling her the reason people were giving into her requests was because of how wonderful she was. How this was really and truly the big break she had been looking for since moving from San Fransisco. Everyone in Hollywood had heard through the proverbial Californian grape vine that her performance as Patricia in The Earth Is My Grave was revolutionary, so watch out, because here comes Darcy Lewis to take over the world.

But she wasn't convinced. It was all too much too quickly. She had auditions left, right, and centre. Even following the leak—the fucking leak that kept her up at night months and months later—Phil sent her scripts every other day. Then he sent her on auditions. Then on callbacks. Then he sent her directly to whichever lot she needed to be on for filming. All before the miniseries that started it all aired. It was as if all the big name directors in Hollywood had her name whispered in their ears as they slept one night. Everyone woke up the next day with her on their mind.

And God, how stupid was it of her to feel any sort of resentment for this catapult into fame. After all, it was what she had been dreaming about endlessly since she was a child. It was what she had worked so hard for. But it really did feel like someone had strapped her inside a human-sized catapult and sent her flying into the air without a parachute.

It felt like soon enough she was going to crash land.

Pressing her hands against her cheeks, Darcy pulled back, forcing herself to smile. It was amazing to her how much of her spare time lately had been taken up by Red-Carpet-Smile practice. Prettiness at all times, no matter what, was part of the job description. She had settled on a pouty smile and a barely-there, lazy smile as her staples. Loki had applauded when she showed them to him, so she hoped they were good enough for the rest of the world. She would find out tomorrow once all the celebrity reporters had an opportunity to compile their pointless, shallow articles about what everyone looked like, facial expressions included, at the premiere that was taking place in less than two hours.

Less than two hours.

Darcy dropped her head. She stared at her crossed legs. God, she had been waiting for almost a year for this night, but as the seconds ticked forward, all she wanted was to be home with her father in San Fransisco watching Singin' in the Rain.

She wasn't ready. For any of what was to come. Not the cameras, the reporters, the screaming fans. Not him.

She wasn't ready to see him.

[james-bucky-barnackle]

Vintage

Synopsis: You comeback from a mission to attend Tony and Pepper’s wedding, only to see your ex, Bucky who you’ve not been together with for a year and the two of you haven’t exactly moved on yet.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Warnings: None

Word count: 8k (I know, its insane)

A/N: This is a one-shot, I’ve been inspired to write as I listened to some of the songs I’ll squish in linking them in (>). If you see that symbol and you wanted to hear what song I was listening to when I wrote that part, click right on it! If you want it all compiled, here’s the playlist.

If I have typos, feel free to message me so I can edit it asap. And since this is a one-shot, if you guys want to request like deleted scenes or drabbles based on this feel free to put it on my ask. Hope you guys enjoy!

(>)

Running late as ever, I’ve just gotten to the hotel suite where everyone’s halfway through getting done putting on hair and makeup. It’s the morning of Pepper and Tony’s wedding, and we are all gushing at how beautiful she looks. Her hair pulled up, and her makeup still on an ongoing meticulous process, while Wanda’s struggling with what lipstick to wear and Nat searching through the hangers to find which dress is for which bride’s maid. When she spots me by the door seemingly lost and pretty disheveled, she pulls me and we start walking towards one of the vanity mirrors.

“Don’t look at me like that! Traffic was pretty bad,” that’s the excuse I give her, which is not exactly a valid one since I came in a quinjet. It’s been a year since I’ve slept at the tower. I was assigned on a mission that necessarily didn’t mean going home for a few months, I didn’t realize it would take me a year before I got it done. And even when I did finish it, I still didn’t go home, explained how there were still possible threats lurking around. Well, there will always be threats everywhere, but there was a different threat I was trying to avoid at the tower, something personal, and nothing bad happened while I was gone that was too bad for them to need my help. For once, we all had a laid back- I wouldn’t say normal, but a bit of peace in our lives. After reversing the effects of Thanos’ snap, life however traumatizing the events were, went on. And It’s been 4 years since that happened, we’re just all happy Tony and Pepper finally are getting married, it’s been years. Everything may go to shit, but they always find a way around it. I hope we did too, but that’s life, we don’t always get what we want.

“If you came home yesterday, we would’ve all started getting ready together!” Nat’s really pissed at me, but I give her my best puppy dog eyes and hug her really tight having not seen each other for a year other than on each other’s phone screens, she gives in but still smacks my arm.

“Hey!”

“You’re still late”

“I’m not, look, you guys aren’t even done with your hair yet,” we pass by Pepper I give her a quick peck on the cheek and congratulate her. “Wedding hasn’t even started yet,” she replies.

“I doubt Tony will let you out of his sight on your special day,” she gives me a huge smile and the makeup artist continues with her work.

“Wanda! I’ve missed you!” I greet her when we get to the table with an excessive amount of makeup scattered on top of it, and her just finished putting on a scarlet red lipstick standing up as soon as she hears me. “That is definitely your color.”

“I know, right? I’ve missed you too! It’s been so long.” We hug so tight and jump like grade-schoolers. We stop when we hear Nat cough behind us. I give her a toothy grin and immediately put my bag down and started getting ready too. We had different styled gowns but all in the same color- pale pink.  I’ve forgotten how it feels like to wear one, all I’ve been wearing were civilian clothes or my suit while I was undercover, this felt nice. Wanda’s gown was off-shouldered, while Nat’s was a beautiful tube, mine was a halter that crossed and hugged my neck. I’ve never been comfortable showing my collarbone, everyone else knew, but only he knew why.

I put my hair in a tight ponytail with my hair straight snaking long behind my back, ending just above my waist. I’ve sported a very light makeup look, with a nude lip and gold eyeshadow, and maybe a ton of highlighter, I’ve never heard of it but it’s something I’ve come to immediately adore, it makes the tan I’ve gotten from being on the field look godly. Wanda let me borrow her hoop earrings to which I first declined, thinking my piercings probably healed and closed from not wearing any jewelry in such a long time, but I was surprised when she put in on with ease. Forty-five minutes before the wedding, Pepper gets called by the planner for a photo shoot before the ceremony, and has left the three of us updating each other on the past year’s escapades. As I was trying to find where else I could put highlighter on my body, my ear perks up at Wanda’s words.

“I hope Vision wore the tie I picked out! I told him he should if he wanted the both of us to look good walking at the aisle,” walking? At the aisle? Are they getting married too?

“I thought the bride only gets to walk the aisle?” I say very confused.

“The groom’s men and the bridesmaids walk the aisle first then stop before the altar to wait for the bride,” Natasha replies as a matter of fact “ever been to a wedding before, Y/N?” My eyes grow wide at her response.

“Uhm what?” it took them a moment to realize the reason behind the worry flooding my face.

“I thought you guys ended on good terms?” Wanda asks. Honey, no break up is amicable, at least ours wasn’t. We were on a brink of collapsing, and we ended it before things got worse, before it affected any mission, we thought it was the best decision to make. But all I could remember from the night that happened was me asking if this was really what he wanted to do, and him not having a clear answer, and all of a sudden, we just weren’t us anymore. We still got along, but the moment Wakanda needed one of us for help, I took the opportunity and left.

“We did, I just- didn’t know about this part… of the wedding,” I tried to spur an excuse, but I didn’t want to seem bitter. “Who’s walking with who?”

“Wanda with Vision, I’m walking with Cap, Sam’s walking with Maria,” my jaw drops.

“Sam and Maria?! Agent Hill, Maria?” I’ve never been so confused in my life.

Natasha continues, a grin plastered on her face, “A lot of things happened while you were gone.”

“You bet,” I say raising my eyebrows in disbelief.

“Then you and Bucky,” Wanda finishes the lineup. I try not to throw up. It’s not that bad, right? It’s been what, a year? And we seemed okay the last time we saw each other, he walked me to one of the quinjets, game me a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek before I left. It’s okay, we’ll have to see each other sooner or later, and it’ll be fun. Like old friends reuniting, just like how excited I was when I saw Nat and Wanda… Oh who am I kidding? My stomach is turning. I bite my cheek and nod at the both of them.

“It’s gonna be fine! You two are the coolest people I’ve ever met; you two will get along just fine… again.” She smiles at me pulling my hand for me to stand up. We all look in the mirror and check ourselves for anything we might’ve forgotten and left the suite to get to the venue.

The wedding’s being held on a huge field full of flowers with an old castle standing proudly in the background. It was very intimate, everyone knew everyone, with an exception of some of Pepper’s relatives. But the rest of the avengers greet them with familiarity. They probably have been acquainted while I was gone. Carrying my small bouquet, I look around the place walking to a small fountain where the entrance of a maze makes me catch my breath, this place is amazing, it’s just like a fairy tale. I think of exploring it before everything ensues, moving my head up looking at how tall the green walls must be. There was still ten minutes before the ceremony starts, and I plan on using the last ten minutes getting the last bit of fresh air I could breathe thinking of what to do or say when I see Bucky again.

“You lost?”, my ten minutes just flew out the window. Its him, standing in his baby blue suit, the sunlight hitting his features just right to see his beautiful ocean eyes. A hitch in my breath escapes as I take him in, he was once mine. I smile noticing his hair was sleeked back into a neat bun, he’s always hated not knowing what to do with his hair, but knowing what not to do with it, which is cutting it.

“Is this not the set for my Best Friend’s Wedding?” we both laugh, he loved to hate that movie ever since I’ve begged him to watch it with me. He’s never understood what Jules found in Michael to do these crazy things just to get him back. I argued that I only like the ending of the movie where she loans their song to Michael and Kimmy because they still haven’t found theirs yet and he always says why we can’t just skip it all together to that part, and it’s really just because I liked being with him, and hearing his opinions about how he’d never want me to end up like Jules because he wouldn’t think twice about who he wanted to marry, it will always be me, at least it was me.

“You look amazing, Y/N,” my stomach is doing somersaults.

“Not bad yourself, Sergeant Barnes. I’m loving the man bun,” I say raising my eyebrows twice, joking, as he shyly touches his hair.

“Shut up, how have you been?” lonely and regretful.

“Better than ever, it’s nice to be back. And you?”

“Same here, happy to see you back.” I want to ask him how he’s been sleeping, how he spends the rest of his days when missions aren’t at an abundance, what movies he’s watched without me, has he finished all the books I’ve left him? I want to drop the small talk and ask but we stare at each other like idiots not knowing what to do, and when I see him finally open his mouth to say something, a voice shouts making him close his lips tight.

“Hey old flames! We gotta go, we have a wedding to attend to,” its Sam, waving widely when I nod at him. “Damn, Y/N! I see why Bucky’s all over you. You look good girl!” I shake my head and giggle, his humor making me lose a notch of awkwardness I was feeling from being back around Bucky. I walk before Bucky could offer his arm, as I held my bouquet with my left hand and my dress with my right so I don’t trip. I don’t even look back, I try my best not fall in love with him all over again.

We were lining up at the red carpet, the music played by a live band of course, and I feel so overwhelmed to see everyone again, I couldn’t help but squeal. Steve gave me a tight hug and lifted me off my feet, only to put me back almost immediately realizing we might ruin our attires. We laugh and he nods as he sees Bucky behind me, Steve looks at me one eyebrow cocked up and I roll my eyes. We’re the third pair in the line and as the organizer stands at the side with her signal at the ready, we all link up our arms and I take a moment before I take Bucky’s.

“Just like old times, huh?” He lowers his head and gives me a wink. I finally take it and rub his arm with my thumb. I think to myself, it’s Pepper and Tony’s day, I’m sure Bucky’s not on the same page as me. We’re cool people, we should just enjoy this day and not think of anything else, it’s all in the past. The breakup was inconsequential.

I didn’t realize I was zoning out, so when Bucky lightly pinched my arm I look at him and laugh apologetically. The organizer is motioning towards us for our turn to walk. My hold on his arm tightens as we start marching, it takes him by surprise and he puts his left arm on top of mine, I miss this. We start walking and it feels ethereal, I stare at the altar and bite my lips, this felt perfect, I shake my head slowly as I push the thought away. The choir sings heavenly as we stride and I smile as I look up at Bucky and see that he’s beaming. The pathway feels miles long, and I don’t complain, I want it to go on forever. It feels like paradise in his arms with the flowers lined up on the floor, the glare of the sun illuminates the both of us perfectly, I thank the inventor of highlighters, I feel like the goddess that I am.

I’ve always felt alone on earth, I didn’t know which planet I belonged to, when mine was blown into a million specks. I found myself enjoying the austerity of Earth and stayed. Although, I’ve always felt left out seeing couples who have grown old together, with me centuries later remaining the look of a 25-year-old, alone and scared of commitment. Nothing was permanent, it didn’t feel like love when there was no growing old together. And when I’ve met Bucky, deciding I had no other purpose left than to fight for a realm that has been my home for years, I’ve discovered a new reason to continue living. He was my day and I was his night he gave me something to look forward to in the morning, and I was the lullaby he needed in his sleep. We found each other in the midst of chaos not knowing where we both belonged, realizing it was at each other’s arms all along. And as we strode along the man-made garden, everything went in slow motion, my senses grew stronger as the wonders behind me ensued. I hear birds chirping to the music, the winds rustling through the trees, and Bucky’s heartbeat syncing with mine. When we finally come up the end of the aisle, we make our way to the opposite ends of the altar, smile still plastered on our faces. I want to steal the wedding and make it ours, suddenly forgetting all the mistakes we’ve made and only the good things in view.

-

(>)

It was like the first drop of snow signaling the end of fall, when Pepper came into view. She looked breath taking, I steal a glance at Tony who’s unknowingly shed a tear. He couldn’t believe what was currently taking place, Pepper was a sight to behold. She walks with sophistication, a smile breaks through her lips as she struggles to keep a tear in. I look at them with utmost adoration, this has been the most wholesome thing I have seen above all that has happened in the past few years. We’re all awe-struck at this moment, it’s been so long for the two of them, and it’s finally here. The centuries I’ve lived seemed like a minute compared to what the contentment these two were feeling when the bride finally met Tony and wrapped her arms around his. In their eyes, I’ve seen the eternal bliss radiating from them, my heart was overflowing with emotions. I’ve lived so long, and I have never been to a wedding, I find it incredibly dumbfounding, but I’ve never attended them for the fear of my photograph taken and exposing myself. The past generations weren’t really as open minded to superior species back then, so I kept my distance.

-

“Peter! Where’s that kid? Oh-“

“I’m here Mr. Stark! I’ve got the rings!” Peter replied as he powerwalked through the aisle, everyone letting out a low laugh. Tony shakes his head when Peter finally reaches them, Pepper giving him a kiss on the cheek as he hands them both the rings. Tony ruffles his hair as he apologized profusely, signaling for him to exit.

“Pepper, I take you to be my partner for life, if it already didn’t feel like forever living with me,” a sound of laughter fills the scene. “I promise to be your companion and your friend, your consolation and disappointment, and maybe sometimes the reason for your disappointment,” Pepper gives a teary chuckle. “your greatest fan and your toughest adversary. I will love you ‘til the end of my days and will always protect you no matter what. You’re the roots that keep my feet on the ground, and I have no idea what I would be without you. You’ve shown me great patience and understanding through the toughest times, and I would everyday try my best to love you more than you deserve.” I can hear the sobs of everyone, this magical moment has been even more wonderful. Tony’s vows surprised me, it’s perfect and simple, it’s how it’s how it’s supposed to be. I notice Bucky’s gaze on me as I give him a smile gentle as the clouds above us, and look back at the couple. I twitter at Tony’s shaking hand as he puts the ring on Pepper’s fingers.

“I feel truly blessed to find something permanent in this world,” a sharp breath escapes my lips as Pepper starts her vows, it’s not even halfway through but I’m already deep in it. “I always find my way back to you, in the toughest times, in my best days, you’ve become my home. I promise to love you ‘til the end of my days, to be your strength when you are weak, to be your heart when you forget that you do have one, and I promise not to get too mad when you work so hard on your hobby,” another round of laughter echoes. “I will support and be there for you always to do whatever it is that makes you happy, and I promise to try not to show my disappointment when you do.” She gives Tony an apologetic smile as he replies with a shrug. “I vow to love you and speak when words are needed and to share silence when they are not.” She grabs his hand and slides the ring through his finger. I didn’t realize I’ve shed a tear when Wanda smooths her thumb on my cheek trying not to ruin the makeup.

-

A roaring cheer welcomes the newly-wed couple as they make their way to their car. Flower petals raining everywhere, and I whip my hand to make them float making twirls in the wind. Pepper pauses astonished as she looks over where I was and gives a knowing grin. I wink at her, I couldn’t resist it. I could control the elements and a little shower of flowers was nothing. I give her a wave as she and Tony run to the car, where a chauffeur opens the door for them. Before Pepper enters, she lifts her bouquet up, and smirks at me, glaring at her I shake my head as she nods and throws it in my direction. Relief floods over me as it falls on Wanda’s hands. She blushes and Vision takes her hands as everyone continues to bid the couple a quick good bye. Next thing I knew, everyone’s getting into their vehicles ready to go to the reception. I wasn’t exactly in a hurry, I was still hungover the ceremony, I’ve never felt this way before, I can’t believe I’ve never been to a wedding. Nat approaches to inform me to meet her in five minutes at the pavement as Steve gets the car from the parking lot. I nod and walk around for a bit. Lightly untying the ribbon from my bouquet, I throw the flowers lightly as I make a small whirlwind around me, the flowers dancing with the wind, stems falling to the ground. I feel him behind me, before he could even speak and I turn to face him.

“Hi,” I say, the flowers frozen in mid-air.

“Hey, I was wondering-“ he turns scratching the back of his head.

“What?”

“If you wanted to ride with me to the reception… I totally understand if you’ve already got a ride, I just wanted to ask if--“ he spoke way too fast, nervousness obvious in his voice and it makes my heart skips a beat.

“Okay,” I nod coolly.

“Oh okay… Wait what?” a smile emerges from his lips surprised at my agreement.

“Sure, I’ll tell Nat not to wait up for me.” His reaction makes my heartbeat accelerate. It takes me back to the first time he asked me on a date, it wasn’t really a date, but it was the night that started it all.

----

(>)

“It’s raining Buck, what do you want to do?” I say as I put a tissue paper between the pages before I close the book I was reading.

“Can we go to the rooftop?” his eyes pleading like a five-year old.

“Did you not hear me say it’s raining?” I’m teasing him, knowing he wanted to go out badly, I knew how much he liked being on the rooftop during nightfall, but I’ve never really interrupted him when he was up there, figured it was his own thing.

“Stop, I know you can make an air shield, so just do that and we won’t get wet,” I’m grinning. This man is spoiled. I wasn’t even prepared for that plan, But I put my book down and I stand up in defeat.

“Okay, Buck fine. Let’s go to your secret lair,” he grabs my hand and pulls me towards the elevator. I can’t help but smile whenever he does, he’s like a remote that pulls me to the channel he’s in.

We get to the rooftop and he offers his arm for me to take. We walk and as requested, I make an air shield above us as the water bounces off it like an invisible umbrella. He takes me by surprise as he pulls me close and starts swaying to a nonexistent beat. It’s dumb, how much I smile around him, my cheeks hurt like crazy but I never let it go. I let a laugh out and he shushes me as he guides my hands to his neck. I inhale, our faces are so close, my heart started beating like wildfire. In a second everything felt more intimate, we’ve been best friends ever since I’ve become a part of the avengers. Bucky and Steve have been the people I’ve most related to, having lived on the planet during the 40’s we kept joking about how everything used to be boiled and how I wished I was trapped in ice too just to get away from the havoc of it all and not feel so alone all those years. I told them everything they missed that were too personal to find on any website or newspaper. I’d never thought I’d meet people I could grow old with, add Thor to the mix who was excited when he first met me, gushing about how he studied my planet as an elective, and was surprised someone survived. It was a sad moment in my history but he’s been so welcoming, saying I could always call him for a space exploration, seeing as how he wasn’t always in the tower. Bucky and I have always enjoyed each other’s company, teased Steve every time he was being fatherly about something, and annoyed him over details whenever he’d come home after a date with Sharon. We’ve always been two peas in a pod, enjoyed a lot of the same things and loved each other’s company. We were each other’s automatics, we’d need someone to help us, we’d call each other; we’d go on a mission and pair off, it would always be with each other, one of us would get sick, and we’d be there to take care of each other. We were each other’s person and right now, in the middle of our little bubble underneath the pouring rain, we’re dancing to the silence, our eyes staring into each other as I take his features in.

“I’ve wanted to tell you this for some time now, I just didn’t know how.” His voice sends shivers up my spine. “We promised no secrets, and I didn’t want to break that promise-“

“Bucky, just say it.” I plead, the rain pouring with a new-found aggression, making its impact on the concrete louder.

“I think I’m falling in love with you,” my lips part at his confession. I look into his eyes with a mission to search his honestly behind it. And when I see nothing but sincerity, I close the space between us and I kiss him, a soft moan escapes from me, tears stream down my face. I’ve found him, over a hundred years of not knowing where I belonged, I finally found the x mark on my treasure map, and he’s found me. He didn’t expect my response, as he let a small laugh in between our kisses. “I take it you feel the same way, doll?” we pause and I give him a smile I’ve never given to anyone in centuries, the look of intense passion and admiration.

“I do, I love you.” I laugh as I try to keep a sob in, “I’m sorry for crying I just, I’m so happy.” His eyes look a lot gentler, he pulls me into a hug with his arm caressing my back.

“I’ve got you, always.” His words make me too overjoyed that I drop the shield keeping us from the downpour and we don’t bother taking cover as the rain covered our bodies.

----

(>)

Now in the passenger seat with him driving, it takes me back to the old times, jazz music blasting through the speakers, the hood of his car open as I let the warm wind on my skin. We drive through a gorgeous countryside, trees on the sides of the road with branches meeting above us like a parasol shielding us from the sun’s sudden bright gaze. I remember the undemanding times of the past, technology wasn’t as mind boggling as it is, and everything didn’t need to be posted on a glass box, that fit right in the palm of your hand. Where all we did was stare at the beauty of the lands around us, forests unexplored and people connected more intimately and personally.

“I’ve missed this, Buck.” He turns to look at me as I have my head on my arm placed on the passenger door.

“Yeah, times we’re simpler back then,” He knew exactly what I was thinking, I could hear the pain in his voice behind his forged smile.

“I’ve missed you.” I say as I grab his free hand. He brings it to his lips and places a soft kiss, almost too soft to even feel.

“You too.” He gives me a genuine look as he continues to hold my hand as we drove to our destination.

The rest of the ride consisted of him updating me of the things I’ve missed during my absence. It felt like I missed a whole decade seeing as how so much has changed. Peter has been residing in the tower, having graduated from high school and is in college studying engineering, and Sam and Agent Hill, god I can’t even imagine, I didn’t know if I wanted Bucky to stop or continue with the story. I was surprised to discover the reason for Sharon not being in the wedding, turns out she and Steve ended it way before I even left, talk about not keeping secrets, and me so oblivious to it, how did I not notice? With all that’s going on about everybody else, I only ever wanted to know about him.

“What about you, how have you been?” I peer at him, squeezing his hand. He looks down and takes a moment to reply.

“I’ve been good,” he shakes his head, “the same since you left.” My smile falters, the distance wasn’t so good for the both of us. I smile for his comfort, I didn’t want to think anything else of the conversation.

“Must’ve been good to have Steve all to yourself.” I raise my eyebrows, him laughing and rolling his eyes.

“Sure, I would give anything to see him try to slosh himself with alcohol over Sharon knowing he’ll never get drunk.” This makes me laugh, I can imagine him desperately trying to forget only for alcohol to enter his body like apple juice. “What about you? I haven’t heard anything from you since you got back.”

I scratch my head and play with my fingers. I didn’t really have a clear answer on how I’ve been. And every chance I had of planning what to say has been taken away ever since he came to me like nothing’s changed. “You could say I’ve been the same since the last time you saw me, but you’ve already used that response.” I laugh at myself, afraid he might see through me.

“Smart mouth,” he shakes his head giving me a quick glance as he turns his head back to the road.

“You loved me for it,” I couldn’t stop the words from coming out realizing how he might take it differently.

“I did, maybe a little too much.” I bite my lips and I slowly pull my hand from his and look out the window. There’s too many memories of us together, it’s like a flash drive was jammed into my head and I was remembering everything. Hearing his heartbeat, I could say the same for him.

--

We’ve arrived, Bucky runs to my side to open the car for me and I take his hand as I get out, fortunately not tripping on my dress. I immediately spot Nat and Wanda who’s just arrived as well and I walk towards them, thanking Bucky for the ride with him replying with an “I’ll see you inside.”

“Just got home and you’re already back with Bucky,” Natasha teases. I can’t help but roll my eyes at her. The three of us walk inside the venue where a huge tent was splayed and cute string lights hung up the ceiling with exquisite rows of carnation lined up resembling a cloud of flowers above us. It looked heavenly. We find our table, which was #2 and set ourselves in that direction. When we get there, other women we’ve worked with were already sitting comfortably. I wave at Helen and Maria as I get near and they stand up to greet me with an embrace. I find it funny how we’re seated in a different table from the boys, like we’re being segregated to mingle and not let one of us look taken to anyone who’s interested. I’ve heard weddings were one of the places for these types of things. As we get settled in our seats, 5 more women come to sit with us, their faces familiar as they all made an appearance at the tower. The guys were seated at the table right next to ours, table #3 with the usual suspects, Steve, Sam, Bruce, Clint, Peter being adorable as ever, Stephen, Scott, Vision, Rhodey and Bucky. In their baby blue suits and being huddled together, I’m surprised they haven’t broken out and sung a Jackson 5 song yet. Tony must really enjoy this, I mean come on! Baby blue? It’s made the best day of his life even better. And the boys don’t have any reason to complain on their guy’s wedding day.

The buffet has started, and waiters were scattered around putting food on each table. I never even realized I was hungry, when I finished my appetizer thinking if I could ask for more. I couldn’t hold a conversation seeing as how I was too deep into finishing the savory dishes laid in front of me. Just before dessert was served Rhodey, being Tony’s best man stood up and gave a toast to the couple. It was full of jokes and rambling about how he’d always be there to kick Tony’s ass whenever he’d upset Pepper. He gave his best wishes and we all brought our glasses up and cheered on. Before he sat down, he signaled something to the organizer, a grin exposed from his lips. The white screen from corner front of the room lights up, Rhodey made a photo montage, it’s adorable. I turn my chair to face the screen, this was something worth putting my fork down.

The montage was showing the couple’s first photos together from the beginning even when they weren’t even one yet. We see them at his birthday with Pepper smiling by his side trying to hold Tony’s glass as he looked like he was about to fall down. Funky music was playing in the background. Everyone was smiling ear to ear. The photos moved on to when the avengers were formed, Bruce in the background having a serious conversation with Thor as he held stormbreaker, with Peter seemingly on Thor’s side as he stared at his weapon. Where is Thor anyway? He’s probably just running late. There was also one where Natasha was in the background with Scott looking like he was caught doing something.

“What was that about?” I ask Natasha.

“You don’t wanna know,” she smirks at me, an eyebrow raised.

The next set of photos was of them at a beach trip, I remember this! We were on this trip! There was one where Tony and Pepper sat underneath a palm tree, sipping piña coladas, next was one where they were at the yacht at sea, I look closer and there’s me and Bucky conuddling in the background. My cheeks turn incredibly red. I steal a glance at Bucky just as he went to look at me and we both turn our heads down, embarrassed but smiling. The next photo appears as a new song plays, it’s a love song, a ballad, the total opposite of the upbeat music it had earlier; Pepper stands on the rooftop with Tony behind her, his hands on her waist- this was taken during New Year’s Eve, and so were the next that followed. There was one with the fireworks in the background and another couple, with their backs to the camera admiring the night sky, while the man’s metal arm pointed at the sight. I didn’t need the metal arm to remind me who it was, it’s him and me. Another photo flashes through the screen and I see me and Bucky in the background laughing like idiots with his arm around my shoulder sitting on the living room couch. The montage might’ve been made for Tony and Pepper, but it definitely felt like it was ours as well even with just us in the background. I shook my head as I turned back to face the table just as the presentation ended. A grin creeps up my face as I take a bite of my cheesecake.

(<)

The couple makes their way to the center for their first dance and I’m feeling butterflies in my stomach, I’m so happy for the both of them, they deserve this day with each other, they deserve each other. Dream a Little Dream of Me plays in the background, and I remember it being a song that reminds me of Bucky. Come to think of it, every song finds a way to remind me of him. We might’ve broken up, but he’s still my constant. Everyone will age, but not us. It’s automatic, we’re automatic.  Is it silly how I’m in someone else’s wedding but I’m thinking about me and him? I guess not. I bet there are people here who’re imagining themselves in their shoes. The smile on Tony’s eyes look like his on cloud nine, it’s contagious, I feel like such a fangirl smiling like a dork as I watched them in awe. As the first song ends, other couples start to join them on the dance floor. Sam reaches out for Hill’s hand as he sauntered towards our table.

“You missed your chance, Y/N.” he teases when he sees me looking.

“I’m heartbroken, Sam.” I joke back as I nod at Maria laughing as they went.

Soon after, Steve asks for Nat and Vision with Wanda. I look at Helen to start a conversation but she’s now occupied by a good-looking bachelor and I wink at her when she smiles at me as she gets up to dance. Great, I’m alone with the five girls who work at the tower who I’ve never conversed longer than five seconds with. I slump in my seat and twirl my glass as I look at the table’s centerpiece. I wish inanimate objects could talk. A light tap on my shoulders bolt me from the blue and I turn to see Peter standing in his adorable suite, his brown eyes sparkling full of youth.

“Hi, Y/N! I uh don’t know who to ask, I don’t really know anyone here other than you guys, and everyone’s pretty occupied… I didn’t mean it to look like I ran out of options, it’s just that you seem to be the coolest here to ask to dance…” he sighs realizing he’s been talking too long, “so here I am.” I chuckle and hold my hand out, his eyes surprised and helps me stand up.  I find it cute how I’m a bit taller than Peter, my left-hand rests on his shoulder while the other one in his hand. He’s the brother I’ve never had, he’s a little bundle of joy the tower desperately needed.

His talkative personality entertains me, as we sway to the music. He’s telling me about the new webs he’s working on and how college life has been treating him very well, he seems to be enjoying it. I ask him about girls and a drop of sweat breaks through his forehead. The last girl he tried to take out to a dance turned out to be the daughter of the bad guy he was fighting. I press my lips to a tight line and shrug, “very understandable,” I jokingly reply.

“Who else knows your Spiderman?” it was a basic question, but I’ve never really had time to talk about the personal stuff with him when I was at the tower. It always consisted of jokes and tactical plans for missions. He shakes his head.

“No one does, except for my best friend.” I raise my eyebrow at him, and nod slowly. That must be hard keeping your identity secret. I realize how he’s the only one among us who has the need to, well aside from Scott, but are people really unaware that he’s Antman? I doubt it.

“That must be some best friend”

“He’s name is Ned, I asked Mr. Stark if he could be my plus one but I was afraid he might fanboy over you guys and didn’t tell him,” he ends his sentence with a nervous laugh. I just nod at him, with a smirk on my lips, letting him take over the whole conversation, I’m just happy to see him again.

“No one’s gonna believe me if they knew I danced with you! I mean, gosh you’re Y/N, every guy in my university would be jealous, but of course, as your little adopted brother I would never let anyone of them get near you… if they knew… that I… we’re… close.” He immediately shuts his mouth seeing as he talked way too much again. I laugh at him; the tower would be so dull without Peter.

“I’m trusting you with that,” a deep voice speaks behind me, my partner smiles as I turn to see Bucky. Peter looks like he’s the one who’s interrupted on something, as he gives me a quick hug and excuses himself from the dance floor. Bucky puts both my hands on his shoulders just like he did the first time. I feel a rush through my veins, I didn’t have time to breathe properly. He always had this effect on me. He smiles and I look into his eyes.

“You’re late,” I smirk at him.

“Am I? I think I came here just in time,” I roll my eyes.

“I was actually having a good time with Peter,” I teased as he fakes a look of agony.

“Well, you’ll be having a better time with me, doll.” Here he is, calling me that pet name, butterflies flutter in my stomach.

“We’ll see about that,” I say as he smiles ear to ear. We’re acting like the way we did before, comebacks coming back clean and clever. It’s like he’s on a mission of making me fall for him all over again, did I really even stop loving him?

“About Rhodey’s photo montage, was it just for Tony and Pepper? Because I’ve seen another couple in the background looking a lot happier than they were.” He huffs, I lace my hands behind his neck.

“They did look like they stole the show, don’t you think?”

“I’m pretty sure they were the show, doll.”

“Too bad they don’t get to look like that in photos now,” I bite my lip, he’s taken aback, remembering we’re not together anymore. He quickly recovers and pulls me closer.

“They must be both pretty stupid to end such a beautiful thing” his expression stern.

“Maybe it wasn’t so beautiful if it had to end,” his emotion reflects on my face and before I say something witty to save the mood and keep it light, he interrupts.

(>) 

“Y/N, I want to show you something.” I’m stunned, I didn’t expect him to interrupt me to tell me he wanted to show me something.

He leads me to a garden outside the tent, flowers glistening against the last rays of the sun, setting dimly on the blossoms. The remains of a stone gazebo stands in the middle, the roof already gone, with the columns being the only markings of what it was during its glory days. It’s beautiful, I walk towards it with fascination and daze. I touch the remnants of the concrete. I’ve always loved things of the past, being a fossil like myself. It feels like old friends greeting me in the present, I turn back to Bucky with a big smile on my face, “This is wonderful.”

“I wanted to tell you something,” He says as I continue looking at the marvel. I nod at him to continue. “Ever since you’ve left, it’s never felt right. Every time I walked past your room I always prayed for light to seep through the bottom of the door, to tell me that you’re back home, even if I knew everyone would’ve made me well aware if you were.” He laughs nervously. I try to continue exploring the gazebo. His words startle me, but I try my best to look nonchalant.

“I didn’t know if I should call you, I didn’t know how break ups worked. That’s why whenever Nat or Wanda would call you, I would try to prop myself close enough without getting obvious, just to hear your voice through the speakers. It’s stupid how I even get mad when the calls are short, when I couldn’t even muster the courage to call you myself.” I’m holding my breath; my eyes are going to be flooded with tears. I called ever so often just for Wanda and Nat to tell me how he’d react around my voice, so he’d finally call me. But he never did.

“And I know I’m stupid for that.” I blink at him. “Fuck I had one year to practice what to say and here I am still out of words!” he hisses at himself waving his hand in the air as he enters the gazebo, my heart’s pulsating. “All I’m saying is, I shouldn’t have let you get on that quinjet without me, I should’ve said I didn’t really want us to end it when you asked me if I was sure, because hell I didn’t even know what gotten into me,” torment clear in his eyes.

“Bucky”

“When I saw you by the fountain at the ceremony, you looked like a dream. You looked so unreal, you looked like the first blossom in the spring, the one everybody admired but no one dared to touch,” I want you to touch me, Bucky.

“And we walked the aisle, with you comfortably holding my arm just like you always did, I never wanted to let you go. I wanted to walk you to the altar and tell Tony to reschedule their wedding because I had other plans,” My heart is breaking into a million pieces. A pang of anguish sets on me, I shake my head his confession has me speechless, and he looks like he still isn’t done. “ Take me back, please.”

Without a warning, a roar of rain falls on us, Bucky and I don’t move a muscle; and before the first raindrop hits any of us, it stops, mid-air. An air shield wasn’t present, the rain just stood still in an instant. I didn’t even realize it was my doing, until I focused on his deep blue eyes. The frozen rain in the background looking like tiny specks of glitter, darkness making an entrance as the sun escaped. He looks tortured, as he waited for my reply, not knowing if he should add any more words to the speech he’d just given. I walk closer, tears brimming my eyes, it’s just like the first time he told me he loved me. The dusk surrounding us, and the rain but this time still and quiet. Our heartbeats the only loud noise present in our ears. I cup his face and he closes his eyes and tilts his head closer as if its been forever since he’s felt my skin on his. He was my day, and I was his night, and here we are back to where it all started, longing for each other, trying to make up for the past. I search his eyes and see the same sincerity I once found when he first told me he loved me, and I kiss him, passionately, warm blooded and desperately. And he kisses me back with hunger, impatient longing and the same desperation. I feel ecstasy on his lips, an addiction I’ll never recover from, we’re both in seventh heaven, never wanting to go back. We pull away from each other, our nose touching as we both smiled in pure bliss.

“I’m taking that as a yes,” he says as I giggle. He puts his hands on my waist and lifts me up in joy. We’re back in each other’s arms, as each other’s constants, each other’s automatics, each other’s classics, old lovers in the present and we’re never letting go.

--

A few hours and tequila shots later, everyone’s on a high and seemingly tired. I’m sitting happily on Bucky’s lap as I feed him another slice of cake. Poor Peter’s already asleep on one of the tables, Bruce is trying so hard to keep Rhodey from drinking one more shot and Steve’s surprisingly still dancing. The newlyweds have already left for their honeymoon. Right before I move to lick the icing on Bucky’s lip a loud barbaric voice stuns all of us.

“I’m here! And I’ve brought a gift!” Thor slams a huge bottle of what I’m sure is filled with alcohol. He looks around noticing the tent nearly empty with only us inside. Helen Cho suddenly stands up with a new-found energy.

“Hi Thor!” she waves as she immediately fixed her hair.

Sam groans, annoyance too obvious to ignore.

Do I tag people here? Gosh I’m such a rookie Tell me if you want to be on my permanent tags list??? Or not bye!!!

Permanent tag!!!! @gracielou0518 @memory-of-a-goldfish @thatbitchsaidhi  @xxashy999xx @queenlouisa2001​ @shliic​ @fuckthatfeeling

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[fanfics4all]

A Lodge Between Us: Part 4

Request: Yes / No

Request are closed <3 Have a nice day/night

Archie x Lodge!Reader

Word count: 2832

Warnings: Guns and fighting 

Y/N: Your Name

Y/N/N: Your Nickname

Summary: You’re Veronica Lodge’s little sister and are dating Archie Andrews. You’re nothing like your sister, you don’t care about the riches and you don’t follow your parent’s orders blindly. You become close with the Southside and want to stop your father but your father has gotten into Archies head and is the devil on his shoulder.

A/N: You use to sneak off to the Southside when you first moved to Riverdale and became friends with Toni but Betty and Archie found out and made you stop.

PLEASE DO NOT STEAL MY WORK, I WORK HARD ON MY FICS AND IT’S NOT COOL TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK!

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Masterlist

Part 1,  Part 2, Part 3

(Not my photo, credit to whoever made it!)

Veronica and I were sitting at the dining table eating breakfast before we got ready for school when our parts walked up to us and started asked me a bunch of questions about Archie’s ‘Red Circle’ video he posted last night.

“No, I had no idea and I don’t know what he was thinking.” I said and took a sip of my tea.

“He didn't say anything to you about this video?” My mother asked.

“Am I my boyfriend's keeper?”

“Basta, mija, this isn't something you should be joking about.”

“It’s just a video mom.” Veronica said actually backing me up for once.

“Yes, threatening violence.” I sighed and looked at my dad.

“Daddy, can you please tell Mom she's overreacting?” He looked at her and she gave him a hard look.

“On this matter, Veronica, I stand with your mother.” He said.

“Which means you are done dating Archie Andrews.”

“Like hell I am!” I said standing up.

“Watch your language young lady!” My father scolded.

“Mom, I can date who I want to date. And I'm not jumping to any conclusions until I hear Archie's side of the story.” I finished and then left to go get dressed.

I put on a pair of ripped jeans, a beige polka dot sweater, some green ballet flats and grabbed my white and gold bag. For makeup and hair, I did a natural eye look, a nude lip color and put my hair in a bun.

Andre drove Veronica and I to school and once we got there I went to my locker. I put everything I didn’t need away and grabbed the books for my first few classes. Once I was done I closed my locker and looked down the hall to see a smiling Archie Andrews. I walked up to him and stopped him from walked.

“We need to talk.” I said and grabbed his arm. I pulled him into an empty classroom and shut the door.

“My parents want me to break up with you. They basically think you're the teen American Psycho.” I said leaning against one of the lab tables.

“Since when do you care about what your parents think?” Archie asked confused.

“I don’t but Archie what the hell are you doing?”

“Can't you just support me on this, Y/N/N?” He sighed.

“On what? Is this part of some master plan? 'Cause if it is, please tell me.”

“You know, to be honest, I don't see why your dad's got such a problem with it, Veronica. He pretty much gave me the idea. In his study, he basically told me I should-”

“Line up a bunch of semi-naked boys straight out of Lord of the Flies put them in red ski masks and deliver some Unabomber-like manifesto? Is that what he said you should do?” I asked cutting him off, although I wouldn’t put it past my father.

“Fight fire with fire. Fight terror with terror. That's what he said.” I looked at him and sighed.

“Mr. Archie Andrews, please report to the principal's office.” Principal Weatherbee said before I could say anything. Archie rolled his eyes but walked off to the principal’s office.

Other than the whole school buzzing about my boyfriend and his crazy video the school day was normal, well as normal as it could be. Veronica and I went home and worked on our homework. I tried to concentrate but Archie’s words kept swimming in my head. Finally, I was finished and I went to my dad’s study. I knocked on the door and entered with a smile.

“Daddy?” I asked and walked over to the chairs in front of his desk.

“When Archie came into this room…”

“Yeah.” he said looking down at his work.

“What did you guys talk about?” I asked.

“Don't remember, to be honest. Why do you ask?” He asked looking up at me and I smiled.

“I was just thinking. You know, one of the things I love about Archie is how earnest he is. Not in a bad way, more in an innocent sort of way. Trusting. Kind. Of course, that simplicity also makes him impressionable, vulnerable to certain forms of attack.”

“What are you going on about?” He asked.

“Manipulation.” I said and took a seat.

“If someone were to, say, pour poison into one of his cute ears Some dark notion might take shape in his mind. Say The Red Circle.”

“If you're suggesting-”

“I'm not suggesting anything, Daddy. I'm asking, what did you and my boyfriend talk about? And before you answer, remember which daughter you trained to manipulate people.” I said giving him a hard look.

“I've already told you I don't remember. Now, if you'll excuse me, the Swiss banks are about to close, and I have a call with the Lodge Charitable Trust.” My father said.

“Trust. Right. Got it. Have a nice call, Daddy.” I scoffed leaving the room.

I walked to Archie’s place and after my little chat with my father, I decided I needed to go see Archie. I got to Archie’s house and knocked on the door. Archie was rushing down the stairs and he opened the door to let me in.

“Hey, I was just on my way out. What's up?” He asked while putting on his jacket. Instead of answering him I gave him a kiss.

“Okay?” He asked confused but happy.

“There. That's my way of apologizing to you for raining on your Red Circle parade earlier today. I wanna support you and your comely crew, even at the risk of enraging my parents. Especially my father. Which is just what he deserves after playing mind games with you.” I growled slightly.

“Y/N/N, I really gotta go, and anyway, it's too late. The Red Circle fell apart this morning.” He said and walked to his door.

“Wait, what? It's over? Already?” I asked stopping him.

“For the other guys, yeah, but it's fine. This is my battle. No one else needs to fight it.” He said and went to leave again but I stopped him once again.

“No, no, no. If it's yours, then it's mine, too. And it can't just be you against an armed madman. No, Riverdale needs the Red Circle to expand, not contract.”

“Yeah. But the guys-”

“Are spineless cowards, clearly. Lucky for you, I'm not.” I smiled wrapping my arms around his neck and the two of us started to kiss.

“As much as I would love to keep doing this, I have to go Y/N/N.” He said pulling away.

“I should get home anyway, I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” I smiled and left his house.

The next morning I got dressed in a white t-shirt with a red target on it, purple skinny jeans, some cute brown boots, a little gold chain bracelet, and a black blazer. For hair and makeup I did a purple smokey eye with a wing, a metallic purple lipstick, and for hair, I just left it down. I got to school early to hand out the shirt I had made to surprise Archie. 

“There you are!” I said walking up to him. “I have a surprise for you. It meant burning the midnight oil and calling in a few favors, but Ta-da.” I said revealing the shirt I had on.

“Y/N/N, you can't wear that.” Archie said quietly.

“Are you saying I'm not rocking this scoop-neck look?”

“No, I'm saying you can't walk around with a friggi" target on your chest. You'll stick out like a sore thumb!” Archie said worriedly.

“Oh, Archie, it's adorable when you underestimate me. Come, come.” I said grabbing his hand and leading him to the next hallway over.

“Oh my God..” He said shocked looked at the Vixens hand out shirts to everyone.

“Let Weatherbee do his worst. The Red Circle is no longer a fringe band of radicals, it's a movement with style and panache.” I smirked.

“Y/N, this is amazing!” Archie said happily.

“Just supporting my boyfriend.” I smiled giving him a kiss.

The next day Archi and I were in science class and just about everyone was wearing the shirts I made. It was perfect. Until Principal Weatherbee walked in with Sheriff Keller.  

“Sorry to interrupt, Dr. Phylum, but Sheriff Keller and I need to see Archie Andrews in the hallway.” Archie stood up and I did as well.

“I'm sorry Principal Weatherbee but the T-shirts were my idea, not Archie's.”

“This is not about T-shirts, Miss Lodge, please sit down.” Archie looked at me and smiled a bit.

“It’s okay Y/N/N. There's nothing to worry about.” He said then left the room. He came back a few moments later grabbed his things then left once again. I looked at him confused but he just looked away.

The second school was over he texted me saying he was banned from school because they thought he was dangerous. I asked him if he wanted me to come over but he said no. So I went home with Veronica. I was sitting on my bed reading when my mom walked in.

“Nice T-shirt. Will you still be wearing it when Archie's arrested for reckless endangerment or something worse?” She asked and I rolled my eyes.

“Archie would never, Mom. He's being railroaded.” I said.

“And you can say that, with absolute certainty, after watching that video? Maybe you can. Or maybe you're just being loyal. But let me tell you something about loyalty. There's nothing more honorable than it. Noble, even. But blind loyalty? That's a stupid and dangerous thing. I pray that's not the case with you and Archie.” She said and sat on my bed.

“If anyone is being blindly loyal mom, it’s you.” She looked at me shocked but didn’t say anything, she just left my room.

I finished what I needed to finish reading for school and then started working on other homework. I must have fallen asleep because I was woken up by my phone’s annoying ringing. I looked at the screen and saw it was Archie.

“Archie? What the hell is going on? Are you okay?” I answered worried.

“I need you to get something for me, Y/N/N.” He said.

“What?”

“It’s in the school, boys bathroom inside the toilet in the third stall.”

“What is?”

“Can you get it for me?” He asked ignoring my question.

“Okay, fine.” I said and we hung up. I grabbed my coat and headed to the school. I went to where he told me and lifted the back of the toilet cover. I sighed and put my head in pulling out whatever he put there. I looked down and saw it was a gun in a plastic bag! I put the top back on and rushed to Archie’s house. He let me in and I stormed into the living room and he sat on the couch.

“At least you were smart enough not to keep it in your locker, but a gun, Archie? Why? For what?” I asked standing in front of him.

“To protect myself.”

“Against the Black Hood? Archie, that video, the gun If I'm following you, I need to know where, I need to know the truth.” I begged him.

“I want him dead, Y/N!” He shouted standing up.

“I want the Black Hood dead, and I want to be the one who does it. I want to be the last thing that he sees.”

“Spoken like a true vigilante.” I said a little scared.

“No, you wanted the truth. I made that video and showed my face so the Black Hood would make me his next target. I went to the Southside hoping he would come after me.”

“So you find the Black Hood and you shoot him and then what? You go to jail or you miss him, and he kills you, Archie.”

“It doesn't matter what happens to me.”

“Yes, it does. It matters to me, and your dad, Betty, Jughead. Meanwhile, like an idiot, I'm trying to support you by designing T-shirts.”

“I didn't ask you to do that.”

“No, you just asked me to fetch your loaded gun. And by the way, in case you're wondering where it is, I threw it in Sweetwater River.” I said.

“What?” He asked looking up at me.

“And you can be mad at me now, but you'll thank me for it later.” I said annoyed. There was a knock on the door and I went to go answer it.

“Wait!” Archie said trying to stop me.

“Y/N wait! what if it's-”

“Reggie?” I asked confused and looked at Archie.

“Can we come in?” He asked holding a stack of pizzas then walked in with the other Bulldogs. We followed them to the living room and I sat in one of the chairs.

“To what do we owe this unexpected honor?” I asked sarcastically.

“Archie could have told Weatherbee the hood was mine, but he didn't. In the Book of Reg, that makes you a top-tier loyal badass. And, uh. We were talkin' today and decided if you wanna keep the Red Circle going We're here for you, dude.” Reggie said. There was a noise outside and I got up to check what is was. I looked out the door and saw some Serpents walking up the steps.

“And not a moment too soon.” I said looking at the boys. They got up and Archie opened the door.

“How stupid are you Northsiders? You really think you can come to my house, stick a gun in my face in front of my boys, and there wouldn't be any payback?” The tall Serpent said, I think his name is Sweet Pea? I remember talking to him a bit when I use to sneak off to the Southside. He’s friends Toni I’m pretty sure.

“You have crap timing, bro. Bulldogs eat Serpents for lunch.” Reggie said and the Serpent just smirked.

“We'll see about that. And the more, the merrier.” He said and Reggie went to attack him but Archie stopped him.

“Y/N stay here.”

“Archie no.”

“Y/N, after my dad, I made a promise to protect him and this house. You stay here.” He said and turned back around.

“If you wanna fight, we'll fight.” He said.

“What about your gun?”

“What about your knife?”

“How about no weapons? If you insist on doing this, there are gonna be rules. Or should I call Sheriff Keller to be referee?” I asked pushing my way next to Archie.

“Hey Y/N, you’re the chick that use to hang out with Toni.” The Serpent said and everyone looked at me. Archie grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him.

“Stay here.” He said again and they all left.

I paced around Archie’s living room panicking slightly about what could be happening to Archie. I couldn’t take it anymore so I grabbed my coat and bag then left. I ran as fast as I could to the bridge they were going to. When I got there they were beating each other to a bloody mess! I could tell both sides were going to fight to the death. I pulled the gun out of my purse and shot in straight in the air. Everyone looked at me and the Serpents ran off. Archie and I went back to his place so I could patch him up. I grabbed the med kit and went to his room. I was cleaning a cut and Archie hissed in pain.

“Sorry.” I said and grabbed a band-aid.

“No. I deserve it. Tonight was really messed up, Ronnie. Things got so out of control.” He sighed.

“At least Dilton's going to be okay.” I said, he stabbed himself like an idiot.

“Yeah, but only because of you. You saved him, Y/N/N. And me.” I place the bandage in his stomach and smiled.

“These are fraught times, Archie. No one's thinking straight. We have to hold on to each other. Right? I'm sorry I lied about getting rid of the gun. I was freaking out.” I said quietly.

“God, Y/N/N, if I'd had it tonight I don't wanna think about it, honestly, I might've...”

“But you didn't. And I don't believe you would've. Even if you'd had it. You're not a killer.” I whispered wrapping my arms around his neck. We kissed and I climbed on top of him. We started backing out and I pushed him to his back. We were making out but I stopped him, pulling back and sitting up.

“We have one more thing we need to do tonight.” I got off him grabbing my coat while Archie put a shirt on. He grabbed the gun and put it in his jacket pocket. The two of us left Archie’s house and went to Sweetwater River. Archie threw the gun in and then walked me home.

Tag list: @jojokoko0717 @lilaqueenquinn @lonelydoode @les-bio-lie @tashy-bear @cuddlememerrick @blueandgoldaus @southsidefandoms @emo-godess-loves-you @hiya-imthatgirl @answer-the-sirens @mindsetjupiter @nixdunbarhale @nixdunbarhale2

[diaryofasupergroupie]

Groupie 101 - The Look

This is only part of Groupie 101. If I have left some things out feel free to message me with questions. For things you want explained or want to know about getting into the scene message me too and I’ll try to go through them in the next Groupie 101 post - K

When I started this blog I did it to get stories out of my system and talk about a scene that I absolutely adore. I never expected to need to write a guide of how to get started. But whether you want to be a band whore or a groupie you girls with music in your soul want to know how to be able to experience the scene.

First I want to address something. A band whore and a groupie can both be found hanging around side stage and backstage. But they are two different things. A band whore I define as a girl who sleeps with the band. She in my experience doesn’t date and will hook up with different band members. Boys tend to AAA or guest list these girls and they’re usually saved in their phone with their name and city due to the fact they rarely travel. Most girls who fall under this are not fans of the music or the band – they say that is a big no no. But groupies love the music. Some girls prefer the term band aid inspired by Almost Famous or Bebe Buell’s diaries. I have no issue with the term. Groupies are unapologetically fans and will date and travel with or after the band. We are all about music and it touches a part of the soul that nothing else can. We will leave the scene kicking and screaming. I hope that clears a few things up.

Now onto the exciting stuff. This originally was going to be one long post but after questions that have been sent in I have realised that it is going to need to be a series of posts. There’s a lot to cover but how to dress seemed one of the most asked things so I think it is a good a place as any to start. Take all of this with a pinch of salt though please. When deciding your look there are two routes you can go down. The first is to try your hardest to blend in with the other girls who are backstage, this can be good in situations where you have had to sneak backstage and so don’t want to be recognisable to security. Or you can dress to be memorable.

What you wear depends on what you are doing; is it a gig, a party, a festival, studio time, travelling or an off day? Different occasions call for different looks. Firstly you should be comfortable, if you’re not it will interfere with your confidence and that will be obvious. Now let’s assume you are at a gig as that is the best and easiest way to enter the scene.

Before we start I need to address something else. People seem to be under the illusion that to be a real groupie and have musicians’ want you you should be thin. This is false! But like in the real world there are men who are sexually attracted to slimmer girls – read Bad Groupie for reference. But this isn’t the majority. Guys like who they like. Personally I have been between a UK size 4-14 and had no issues. Curves are good. Skinny bodies are good. Everything in between is also good. Boys often want you to be healthy and the ones who are into fitness want to share that with you. But the only time someone has been seriously negative about my body is when I was struggling with an eating disorder. Any body is good.

Now what to wear: Jeans are always accepted and worn the majority of the time. In summer you see a lot of girls wear high-waisted shorts or even skirts with tights. There are people who will tell you to wear a skirt is trashy but in my experience if you follow the rule of only showcasing one part of your body you will be safe and not the subject of gossip. Low cut tops are worn a lot as are tight and crop tops but usually with jeans or shorts. Not many girls wear dresses usually as they can look too overdone. But my personal style is naturally very vintage and 60s/70s inspired. I often wear dresses and skirts and receive only nice comments.

Shoes are a personal thing. You hear a lot of people say vans or converse are a big no no. I have never seen anyone put off by this. Girls don’t tend to wear ripped jeans unless the rips are minimal and denim colour light and band merch isn’t worn very much. However saying that classic rock band merch is worn a lot i.e. The Rolling Stones. I have seen some girls wearing band merch. I do wear band merch because I get given quite a bit for free but if you are starting out it may be something to stay away from. Flat shoes/boots and Chelsea boots with a slight heel I see most. Heels were worn the majority of the time up until the last few years. Unless you are established in the scene there is a risk of looking as though you are trying a little too hard. Besides I once did an entire tour in platform heels and they are the most impractical thing for daily tour life in the world.

I want to also talk about the overall look. I would definitely recommend having a signature look! It makes you stand out. For years I was known as the one in the red lipstick. You should keep in mind wearing too much makeup can put people off – my definition of too much is different to most peoples though as I used to wear false lashes daily. Bold lips neutral eyes/ bold eyes neutral lips is always a good rule of thumb. Remember if you’re wearing bold lips a guy may wait to kiss you because he’s going on stage. Trends also change and groupie girls like civilian girls follow trends! I have gone through phases with my make-up, none of them traditionally pretty. For a long time I wore a muted Siouxsie Sioux inspired makeup. Now I wear a classic 60’s cut crease. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this though, the majority of girls wear winged eyeliner and nude lips. I just have a flair for the dramatic. If you do decide to do something outrageous though it will definitely make you more memorable.

As far as hair is concerned trends also play a huge part. There are girls with wavy undone hair of all lengths, pixie cuts, dead straight hair or perfected curls. It is a very personal thing and different things suit different people. I opt for undone natural hair with a 60’s poof or updo because it is quick and easy to do while on tour. I have never seen a girl with a shaved side or undercut – this doesn’t mean you can’t have one simply that I haven’t come across them. One major factor I have noticed is that girls don’t have unnatural coloured hair and I have seen guys avoid girls purely because of this. When I say unnatural I mean outside of the blonde, brunette, black, ginger, red domain.

As I said, please take this with a pinch of salt. I don’t intend to tell you how to dress, these are simply ideas and suggestions of what I have seen in the scene. As you have read I’m not very good at following my own rules. The most important thing is being confident and if certain clothes make you feel confident then wear them by all means! If you are uncomfortable it will show on your face. Truthfully your look can be perfect but if you are not fun to be around, good company, adaptive and have a deep rooted passion for the music then you may not be offered AAA. Whether your look is a deal breaker depends on what you’re there for. Do you want to make out or hook up with a band member? Or do you feel the music in your blood and need to be surrounded with it? Neither is right or wrong, most groupies started out as band whores anyway.

Q&A

Do groupies have a specific look?

Yes and no. They used to but now they look more ‘normal’ if possible. Some dress more outlandish and they’re usually the ones who have been around for years so they can get away with it. Before I got into this I thought groupies wore tight clothes, high heels and had big boobs. They’re normal people but the 60/70s often have a big style influence on their look.

I don’t know what to wear if I’m trying to get in the scene!

Follow my tips, but if all else fails then wear tight jeans and a low cut top. But dress for your assets and try to look respectable and classy! Following the show one part of your body rule has always worked for me.

Do you have different outfits for different occasions?

Of course! I wouldn’t wear the same outfit going to a gig in Switzerland in the winter as I do going to a festival in super hot Madrid in the summer! Different occasions call for different outfits. Above I’ve gone through the basic ‘gig’ outfits because that’s how I got into the scene and how most girls do. But I can talk more about it if anyone would like it.

Message me with any unanswered questions! -K

[maepolzine]

Morphe has a large collection of palettes and after getting the Vault collection, I told myself I wasn’t going to be picking up any new ones any time soon since I pretty much have the full range of collections with the other Morphe palettes in my collection. But after seeing the Morphe 35M Boss Mood Artistry Palette, I wanted this one as well as it has a unique color range of green, reds, and plum tones. And you don’t see those a lot of the time being released so I wanted to get my hands on this palette for some interesting variety in my makeup. I love green because it’s the color of my birth stone, though it’s not my favorite color… black or red will always hold that spot.

Anyways I picked up this palette from Ulta for $24 and contains 1.98 oz of product in total. Breaking it out there are 35 shades in the palette so each pan roughly has 0.06 oz of product and costs $0.68 each. You get a mixture of metallic and matte shades in the Boss Mood palette. So it’s a good deal overall which is why I do like the Morphe palettes. However, a lot of them have insanely similar shades often with subtle differences so that’s why I don’t collect all of their palettes. But this palette you don’t have those subtle differences, which is even more reason why I wanted to get this palette out of all of their more recent releases. Plus I can use this one in pair with Dark Magic palette from the Vault collection to create more looks. Since the colors go together nicely especially with the green shades.

Shade Descriptions:

Unlike some of the older palettes I have where technically there are shade names, my palettes never had those names indicated anywhere on the packaging. In this one you do get a plastic sheet that sits on top of the shadows that includes their names. And with the slight upper lid lip, you can place the sheet up there and be able to reference what shade you are using for the sake of a video. But an average person I don’t think would need that, so it’s easy enough to dispose of.

Light of the Party (frosted cream shimmer)

Popstar (metallic gilded gold)

Stroke of Luck (matte wasabi green)

Express Yo’self (matte moss)

Nude Tude (matte olive)

Green with Envy (matte midnight green)

Sheen Stealer (metallic burnt olive)

Stand Out (metallic bronze green)

Bold Moves (metallic golden pear)

Electric Energy (metallic golden sage)

Hello Sunshine (matte mustard green)

Play it Cool (matte caramel)

Hawt Stuff (metallic copper)

Peachy Keen (matte toffee)

Fired Up (matte apricot)

Bright Eyes (metallic amber)

Bossy AF (metallic garnet)

FOTD (matte red currant)

Talk Dirty (matte chocolate truffle)

Hot to Trot (metallic plum bronze)

Sparks Fly (matte walnut)

Confidence (metallic deep coral)

Red Carpet (matte raspberry)

Power Slayer (matte dusty plum)

Daredevil (metallic violet)

Vampy Vixen (matte brick red)

Sweet Beets (matte cranberry)

Color Persona (metallic cranberry)

Transformer (matte navy blue)

Center of Attention (metallic midnight blue)

Indi-glow Kween (metallic plum)

Grape Expectations (metallic electric purple)

Candy Crush (matte pomegranate)

Sultry Ways (metallic smoky eggplant)

Black Magic (matte black)

Swatches

Row 1 (Left to Right): Sheen Stealer, Green With Envy, Nude Tude, Express Yo’Self, Stroke of Luck, Popstar, and Light of the Party.

Row 2 (Left to Right): Peachy Keen, Hawt Stuff, Play it Cool, Hello Sunshine, Electric Energy, Bold Moves, and Stand Out.

Row 3 (Left to Right): Sparks Fly, Hot to Trot, Talk Dirty, FOTD, Bossy AF, Bright Eyes, and Fired Up.

Row 4 (Left to Right): Color Persona, Sweet Beets, Vampy Vixen, Daredevil, Power Slayer, Red Carpet, and Confidence.

Row 5 (Left to Right): Black Magic, Sultry Ways, Candy Crush, Grape Expectations, Indi-Glow Kween, Center of Attention, and Transformer.

One of the looks that I made using this palette was an all green look using the shades: Stroke of Luck, Express Yo’Self, Hello Sunshine, Black Magic, Bold Moves, and Stand Out. If you’re curious, I’m wearing Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Crocodile Tears and Venus Flytrap in an ombre style.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I like the palette especially as I mentioned earlier I can mix it in with other palettes that I have with Morphe. But also it’s just a great fall palette. Some of the mattes when swatched are patchy but when applied with a blending brush or a fluffy brush they don’t appear patchy on the lid. The metallics are also insanely buttery and don’t need a wet brush to get that amazing pigmentation. However, I do prefer applying these shadows with my fingers to get the biggest punch out of them but it’s not needed. The thought of a green and plum type palette initially made me think it was going to be like two palettes sandwiched together that really didn’t go together. But both sides of the green and plum work wonderfully together. Yes I showed an all green look earlier, but I was living my best life with that look including the super green lips. Don’t @ me. I loved it! And I have played with more colors than just those, it just happened to be the only one I took photos of. The others I wore during the work week while I was also wearing glasses so it wasn’t the best conditions to take photos of a look.

What do you think of the Morphe 35M Boss Mood palette? Or Morphe palettes in general? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Love ya,

Mae Polzine

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Morphe 35M Boss Mood Artistry Palette Review & Swatches Morphe has a large collection of palettes and after getting the Vault collection, I told myself I wasn't going to be picking up any new ones any time soon since I pretty much have the full range of collections with the other Morphe palettes in my collection.

[mliknhoney-blog]

25 - Disney Princess Outfit Ideas

Have you ever wanted to be a Disney Princess?

Well, now you can! This article is for all of you who dreamt of being a Disney Princess. Today I’m going to show you some princess inspired outfits, so I hope you enjoy.

1. Cinderella 

Cinderella is characterized as kind, selfless, optimistic, and grateful. To me, she seems very graceful making what she wears more “feminine” and easy to the eyes. That would include soft silhouettes and a light color palette, light light hues of blue, white, gray, and small hints of black. 

Outfits: For the first outfit, I chose this light blue stripped button-up with a pair of white jeans. The airiness in this outfit makes it look sophisticated and expensive. The second outfit is more on the girly side. It includes a flowy white shirt and a light blue pleated skirt. This take on Cinderella is the modernized “dress” she would have and wear on a daily basis. 

Hair and Makeup: Go for a more natural makeup look: mascara, light blush, and a rosy or nude lipgloss. Those are the main products it looks like she used when her fairy godmother transformed her into a princess. As for hair, you can put it in a messy bun or just in a high ponytail. Just to add a little extra to your hair, you can wear a light blue headband or bandana.

2. Aurora 

Aurora was one of my favorite Disney Princess growing up. She is a shyer princess who is nice and sophisticated. So, I went for a more sophisticated and formal look with shades of light pink and grays. Her outfits are more for a girl on the go or in other words, a girl boss who is confident in what she wears.

Outfits: For the first look, I went for a flowy white detailed tank with a light pink blazer for sophistication. Another look is just a semi fitted off the shoulder baby pink dress. To go with it, I chose a pair of blush pink heels, but you can easily substitute it with a pair of white vans.

Hair and Makeup: For makeup, I would suggest for a smokey eye with hues of brown. Don’t go for bright or distracting colors because Aurora is more sophisticated and wouldn’t go with her style. You can also go for light bronzer and a nude matte lip color. As for hair, you can leave it natural or just in some loose curls.

3. Belle

Belle is a princess who loves to learn. She gets lost in books and always speaks her mind. For her outfit, I decided to go for a more casual and comfy look for spending the day at the library. iI decide to incorporate colors of light blue–from her outfit on the countryside–and yellow–from her iconic yellow ballroom dress. 

Outfits: You can go for wearing any flowy or baggy sweater or shirt with a pair of light to normal wash jeans. Accessorize with a belt and small dainty necklaces. As well as a pair of go to pair sneakers or sneakers of your choice. 

Hair and Makeup: Makeup is once again simple and natural: light brown eyeshadow, bronzer, highlight, and a nude or blush pink lipstick. I noticed that a lot of princesses go for natural beauty and uses a minimal amount of makeup just to enhance their features. Hair is really easy because she goes for a loose low pony or even in a half up bun.

4. Ariel

The last princess I’m going to talk about is Ariel. She is very bubbly, energetic, daring, and spontaneous. Her personality and her style I think goes hand in hand. She is very active and loves to explore and learn about new things. I’d go for athleisure and sporty look in light purples, greens, and white.

Outfit: I found this sporty outfit that incorporates a sports bra, green windbreaker, and a purple and green color block leggings. When coming across this photo, it instantly gave me Ariel vibes. The second outfit is on the girly side, but is still comfortable. That is a white ribbed shirt, a lilac purple jacket, and a pair of light wash jeans.

Hair and Makeup: For makeup, I would go for eyebrows, eyelashes, and a red lipgloss or you can even go with a bare face. She does live under the sea and doesn’t really need any makeup. Even for her hair, you can go natural or loose curls or waves. Her style is more laidback and easy to go for.

Hopefully you found this blog helpful and also thank you so much for reading through. If you do get any inspiration, let me know! I’ll see you next week :)

[outfittrends]

Outfits with Camo Pants-23 Ways To Wear Camo Pants Stylishly Outfit Trends - Ideas How to Wear

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Outfits with Camo Pants-23 Ways To Wear Camo Pants Stylishly

Outfits with Camo Pants- Camo pants, basically the ‘camouflage’ fashion, is the latest must-have item to have in your wardrobe! Although it’ll make the wearer stand out rather than cloaking them, so even better obviously. We totally get how these camo pants were far from any kind of fashion trend rather they have been associated with military fatigue and hunting attire.

But if you’d just know how to add a teensy bit of feminine touch to the overall look, camo pants will become your go-to, whether it’s for a fancy gathering or an informal one. On the plus side, camo pants are for everyone regardless of age.

This trend might be subtle but it has such versatile advantage to it, you can easily pull off your own unique style. Camo pants are the perfect fall staple!  So do you want to look badass and totally chic at the same time? We’ve rounded up 23 ways to wear camo pants stylishly.

How to Wear Camo Pants Stylishly?

Never wear animal print with Camo pants, ever. Rather keep the rest of your outfit pattern free so it’s not too busy.

Always pick contrasting footwear.

Trousers must be slim-fit and never long enough to puddle on your shoes.

↓ 23 – Street Style Camo Pants

Want to add a little bit of a swagger to your everyday routine style? Camo pants are ideal for giving a rough look, they’ll make you look tough because of the military influence so without a doubt, these pants do give a street style vibe. Pair it with a plain shirt and go out with minimal makeup or accessories. Also don’t forget to wear heels! After all you need to look a solid 10/10, don’t you? Have a look at these 16 Popular Spring Street Style Outfits Ideas For Women.

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↓ 22 – Celebrity in Camo Pants

Rihanna is giving off such relaxed vibes. I picked this look to give confidence to all you beautiful ladies out there, please don’t hesitate from bold colors, you need to have individuality in your style. Orange camo pants are super uncommon but gorgeous none the less. Pointer: She decided to match her camo pants with similar color boots which actually look pretty cool. Do give this look a try.

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↓ 21 – Jean Jacket paired with Camo Pants

Comfortable, warm and classic for winters, plus the jean jacket is the perfect fit with camo pants. These pants are incredibly versatile, they can create an immediate distraction for literally anyone around you. Plus I love how they add a fun and trendy element to your overall look.  You can carry this outfit easily when planning to chill with friends or a late evening party. Do accessorize to enhance your appearance.

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↓ 20 – Camo Print

Camo is one of those timeless prints you should totally invest in. This look is 100% full proof regardless of your body type. The constant pattern in your entire outfit will make you look very sleek! It’ll make you stand out from the crowd. You can also add a few personalized touches like black shades or white trainers, whatever works for you. Don’t forget to wear a watch to complete the look. Pointer: Love the pop of red color in her outfit.

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↓ 19 – Up your Game with Camo Pants

No harm in looking extraordinary, right? Deffo opt for purple camo pants. The different textures and colors will help in giving you the break that you need from the pair of jeans that you usually wear. Let camo pants be your standout piece for the day. Pair these pants with a purple tank top and own the look. Notice her white ankle booties though, such a refined outfit. Add a contrast handbag to boost the chill vibe even further. Here are 10 Super Cool Gym Outfits for Women.

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↓ 18 – Curvy Girl in Camo Pants

Neutrals give a very mellow feel to the overall look so pair a nude top with khaki camo pants to give a polished yet chic vibe. Also add strappy sandals to your outfit. Let your hair loose, preferably get a blow dry and accessorize appropriately. I would also recommend a belt to give definition to your waist. The shades she’s wearing are an absolute game-changer, you go girl! (Refer to the image below) Pointer: Consider how she’s carrying the handbag around her waist, spot on!

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↓ 17 – Casual Wear

Camo pants are best described for couch potatoes because of the comfortable feel, but you never know when you’ll have to run errands. So to stay at ease but totally vogue you’ll have to give this look an attempt. Rolling the trousers up will take the look away from military attire and transform your trousers into a more casual get up. Round off this look with a short light-coloured cardigan. For a more laid back look always opt for flats.

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↓ 16 – Sporty Chic

The design and fabric of camo pants is ideal for sports or any kind of manual labour. Pair these pants with your favorite v-neck tee and converse for a more athletic look, add a baseball cap and there you go! I love how you can effortlessly pull off the tough-girl look with these pants. So to get you up to speed and give you the confidence you need to rock this look, you’ll have to buy a pair of camo pants as soon as possible.

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↓ 15 – High-heeled Booties with Camo Pants

The right kind of shoes can transform your look. These boots will keep you fashionably warm and dry on colder days but also are a sexy pick for a night on the town or a dressy occasion. My personal preference has always been heeled boots with camo pants. It doesn’t get much sexier in the shoe department than this. Pointer: Let me hint towards the camo pants she’s wearing. (Refer to the image below) To wear camo you don’t need to restrict yourself to sober tones at all. You can carry any color as long as you’ve faith in yourself. Go conquer!

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 14 – Everyday Look in Camo Pants

Comfortable, practical yet can disguise dirt? Camo pants all the way. At this point striped shirts are literally in everybody’s wardrobe, which apparently also go so well with camo print so grab a pair of these pants and prove how you can still look absolutely fabulous with a super basic outfit. Keep your look simple so camo pants get to stand out. This outfit gives that effortless vibe we’re always striving for. Complete the look with a pair of pumps. Opt for a pony tail hair-do.

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↓ 13 – Pair White with Camo Pants

If you are a woman with a white shirt in her wardrobe, you are already half way there to nailing this smooth, all season style. There is little that doesn’t go well with a pair of camo pants, and unsurprisingly, a white loose/button down shirt is no exception. Bare a little skin to charm while you’re at it! Finish it off with a tweed handbag for stylish texture. Minimal accessories though. Pointer: Tuck in your shirt from the front for extra bonus points.

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↓ 12 – Nude Trench Coats

Let camo pants shine in a new fashion forward light with this beautiful trench coat. It can be a great way to finish off a smart casual outfit in an individual way. This is a classic combination that works particularly well if you go for a darker shade of jeans. Just make sure you haven’t got any conflicting prints going on. For a more contemporary look go with a pair of bold earrings. This is a combination that relies on contrasts to look good, which is something you need to consider when going for any camo look. Top it off with some nice shades.

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↓ 11 – Crop tops with Camo Pants

Just go with this look blindly because it’s the perfect outfit for just about anything you have planned .This particular reboot is attractive, youthful, and yes, even classic. Crop tops are no longer exclusively for teenagers. One of the easiest ways of wearing your crop top is to pair these bad boys with camouflage pants and voila! Use accessories to amp your look, a statement neckpiece can do wonders. You can always go for a loose crop top for a more curvy body type.

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↓ 10 – Sleeveless knit

To upgrade your average everyday look pair a dark olive sleeveless knit with camo pants and round it off with a bun. Oh and back heels of-course! Make camouflage the focal-point of your look. Dark olive color will add so much personality to your outfit and is absolutely genius with camo print. Go with a deep red lipstick to revamp your overall appearance. Pointer: I love how she chose to go along with a white clutch, fantastic contrast! (Refer to the image below)

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↓ 9- Multi-Colored Camo Pants

As the blue skies turn to gray, we can always take comfort in knowing that there are dapper options out there for us. Even in camo pants, so don’t feel timid when it comes to pushing boundaries. Unicorn camo pants are your way to go. Go ahead and pair these pants with your forever favorite leather jacket to stay voguish and trendy. Keep your accessories on the sleek side.

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↓ 8 – Baggy shirt with Camo Pants

There’s something so cool about an oversized shirt, and you don’t have to be model-tall to pull it off just try it on with a pair of camo pants and add a set of red heels to brighten up your otherwise colorless ensemble. You can make camo pants look romantic, feminine, chic, sexy and edgy depending on how you style it. But we guarantee won’t be able to stop wearing these pants once you’ve bought them. You can always opt for a more rebel look with reflective shades.

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↓ 7 – Camo Leggings

This look would be great for a weeknight dinner with girlfriends or even casual Friday at work! There is a correct way to wear leggings: With a tunic or long sweater that covers your butt and falls to the middle of your thigh. (Refer to the picture below) Throw on a pair of camo leggings, some pointy heels, a few bracelets and you are ready to talk business! Pointer: Pair with knee-high boots for fashion and function combined. Here are Ideas on how to wear Patterned Leggings.

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↓ 6 – Camo & Denim

It’s a timeless combination, camo and denim look flawless together. Ensure that your accessories don’t overpower your top.

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↓ 5 – Sucker for Camo

You can never go wrong for adding this print to your wardrobe. Camo pants will probably, no, definitely work with the clothes you already have in your closet. Score! It’s absolutely iconic. Pair camo pants with beaded heels for a more glamorous vibe. Tone down the look with a pink sweater.

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↓ 4 – Dressing up Camo Pants

Ready to make a bold fashion statement? I thought so. Pair a faux fur long hairy coat with a formal red shirt. This way, your chic camo pants will steal the show. Up the ante by wearing an edgy pair of ankle booties. Oh and accessorize with a classy neck piece and people won’t be able to resist complementing you. For a more formal gathering you can always do a fancy hair-do.

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↓ 3 – Military Inspired Camo Pants

I think women will soon take over the world with these camo pants. Not even kidding. How amazing do these pants look with her entire outfit? (Refer to the image below) The point of the trend is to look unexpected and unique, these pants evoke a wild, carefree, edgy vibe to your look. Counteract this outfit’s natural masculinity by rocking red lips. Pointer: Opt for the most alluring pair of heels in your closet.

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↓ 2 – Senior Woman in Camo Pants

A 50+ senior women can carry camo pants just as easily as the one in her early 20’s. They’re not only comfortable but also super convenient. An amazing way to wear camouflage is to pair it with something insanely girly. Finish the ensemble with a stunning clutch. Also, the floral print kitten heels are major plus to the entire outfit. Doesn’t she look absolutey spectacular? (Refer to the image below)

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↓ 1 – Time-less Camo Pants

Looking good shouldn’t be reserved for dressy events and special occasions. Why not add style and sex appeal to your weekend look as well? Camo pants are truly diverse, and are a great investment for the everyday woman. Go wear these pants, the possibilities are endless! Love to all x

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[fibula-rasa]

A Century of Glamour Ghouls: 2000s

Liz Sherman in Hellboy (2004) & Hellboy II (2008)

The Movie

The 2000s saw the rise of the comic-book franchise movie, a wave we’re still riding today. There were of course many many comic-book adaptations on film earlier, but the 2000s were when it became the top blockbuster genre with films like X-Men (2000), Spider-man (2002) and all their sequels. Looking back, Hellboy (2004) and its sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) are refreshing in that they feel like a traditional series of films (that probably should have had another entry). The universe they share is vast but well limned and there’s no overly contrived continuity. ANYWAY.

Hellboy is a supernatural-action movie with humor, horror elements, and the occult mixed in. Despite the variety of films Guillermo del Toro has worked on, there is significant cohesion among them. Even his films that aren’t strictly classed as horror films carry base elements of horror and an undercurrent of folkloric fantasy. The perfect choice for a Hellboy movie seeking to seamlessly incorporate action, supernatural horror, and folklore-based fantasy. In fact, he had just finished adapting Blade II (2002) when del Toro started work on Hellboy. It can easily be argued that Hellboy isn’t strictly a horror movie, but it’s a movie informed by and infused with horror and that’s quite meaningful for the present and future of the genre.

In 1944, a special team of Allied troops with the help of occult-expert Trevor Broom defeat Rasputin and a group of occultist Nazis and shut down their inter-dimensional portal. Rasputin gets sucked into the portal and a small demon baby has slipped out. Broom adopts and raises this baby and names him Hellboy. In the present day, Hellboy works for the super-secret Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD) alongside Abe Sapien, a psychic amphibian. Hellboy’s movements have been restricted lately in order to keep his existence a secret from the American public. He’s been sneaking out after missions to visit Liz Sherman, another BPRD associate with pyrokinetic powers, who is currently checked into a mental institution as she tries to cope with the destructiveness of her powers. Meanwhile, Rasputin has been reborn into our dimension (in the Birgau/Borgo Pass of all places). Rasputin machinates to summon the Ogdru Jahad and bring on the end of the world using Hellboy. Hellboy must struggle with what he’s been led to believe is his destiny while BPRD and a newly minted FBI agent race to stop Rasputin and his cronies.

The diversity of horror in film grew in the 2000s and exploded in the 2010s. Horror has refreshed itself again with quite a few creative and imaginative films. In parallel with over a decade of remake/reimagining-focused horror filmmaking, there have been lots of original works or fresh takes on older concepts released like The Descent (2005), 28 Days Later (2002), or House of the Devil (2009) in the 2000s or It Follows (2014), The Babadook (2014) or The Witch (2015) from this decade. Horror has also started expanding into other genres often, as the Hellboys and the Blade movies did with action. Warm Bodies (2013) mixed horror with a rom-com. Shaun of the Dead (2004) and What We Do in the Shadows (2014) mixed horror and comedy in bright new ways. The Witch (2015) is somehow a wide-release hit arthouse horror film. And this is only limiting myself to Western films!

Horror has never died and it has barely even receded since it was first recognized as a film genre in the 1930s. Good horror taps into our collective consciousness and digs its claws into our base emotions. Under the guidance of the right filmmakers, horror can naturally exist in any other genre; be it crime thriller, detective, psychological drama, sci-fi, period piece, comedy (teen or otherwise), or action.

The Look

In the first Hellboy film, Liz is struggling. She spends the first half of the film institutionalized and the second half reintegrating herself into the BPRD team. Understandably, her hair and makeup is quite simple. Liz’s costuming throughout suggests she’s constantly cold, which I can relate to. It’s thematically important though as constant coldness is usually associated with poor circulation which reflects her psychological blocks around her mystical powers. On top of the nice duality of a person with fire powers being associated with the cold. It also opens her costuming up to perhaps the most 2000s element of her styling: giant oversized knit pieces.

In the second film, Liz has gotten back to work and is styled in a sleeker, more tactical manner. Not an oversized knit in sight.

The Clothes

When Liz is institutionalized she wears deep-red scrubs and a chunky-knit duster sweater, a trend I’m glad has not had its revival yet TBH. After her return to BPRD headquarters, she is costumed in lots of layers, all in black, occasionally with a beret. This is the look I chose to emulate for my casual cosplay. I’m wearing a long black coat over knitted arm-warmers, two scarves layered atop one another, a midi-skirt with black gauzy fabric layered on top, black tights, a beret, and combat boots.

Liz’s BPRD uniform, so to speak, is a cropped leather moto jacket over a black t-shirt with tight black low-rise pants, a tactical belt, combat boots, and a metal cross necklace. This is what I chose for my full cosplay look. I made the belt buckle using red cello paper, a silver sharpie, and red construction paper. I layered two necklaces to try and mimic the look of Liz’s necklace.

The Makeup

Since Liz’s makeup is similar for both films, I just did the one look with a few modifications for the full cosplay.

Liz’s face makeup is pretty minimal, though I went for a full, but neutral base since I’m going to contour. How heavy you go is up to you. The contouring I did was specifically because I don’t resemble Selma Blair in the slightest, so it’s obviously optional for you. I contoured my chin to look longer and nose to look shorter and added lighter matte powder in the hollows of my cheeks to make them look a bit fuller. The first photo is showing the contouring shapes before I blended and the second is after blending.

Moving to the eyes, take a warm brown shade and go just over the moveable lid up to the crease. Drag that shade out and down a little past the outer edge of the eye. In a few scenes in Hellboy, Liz has touch of red in her eye makeup that I liked so I went back in with a reddish-clay shade and concentrated it on the outer half of the eye. Finish off the eyes with a few coats of black mascara and tightlining on the upper lashline only, if you like.

The eyebrows are a very natural shape at the head then taper off sharply to make a rounded shape. Brush your brows into shape. Take a powder shade just darker than your hair color and fill in any gaps in your brows. Use the powder to define the shape as needed.

Liz’s lips are usually either bare or stained with a deep brownish pink shade. Since I also wanted to mimic Blair’s lip shape, I started with concealer on the outer edges of my lips. Take a lip brush and a lighter wine shade and draw out the shape of your lips. Take your finger and, with a bit more of the lipstick, rub it into your lips. Then take a lighter neutral shade with a little bit of shimmer and put that only on the center of your lips. Rub your lips together lightly to blend the shades.

For the full cosplay, I only made two adjustments. First I took a bit of the warm brown eyeshadow and brought that along my lower lashline. Next I took more of that neutral nude shade and applied it all over the lips.

That’s all folks! I hope you’ve enjoyed this series and maybe gathered some inspiration for your own costumes. Happy Halloween!

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