#Monet...babes...hope you did your stretches

[astoldbychae]

this has been stuck in my head for dayyyysssss because...

I need to give them a visit, to see what happens next. . .🙃

[kaitycole]

“Lipschitz!”

Summary: Sugawara is just trying to find himself, how does that work out for him?

Pairing: Sugawara x Reader

Word Count: 2068

Warnings: Angst. Mentions of murder, cheating, alcohol, drowning 

A/N: This is the official last chapter, I’m still mulling over the possibility of an epilogue. Thank you so much to all of you who supported this series from the beginning. I hope I did it justice!

“Do you want to tell me a little bit about Sugawara?” She stretches her neck to the left and then right, tapping her pen on the legal pad.

“Sure.” You smile at the journalist, but it never really touches your eyes.

*                      * “Just a minute longer, I swear.”

You sighed, your boyfriend had said that same line five minutes ago. You were restless, legs stiff from not moving and all you could think of was how good it would feel when you could finally stretch. When you could finally put on something warm, the sheer fabric he had delicately draped over you wasn’t cutting it anymore, your bare skin felt the chill from the cool air that blew in through the opened window.

“You said that for the last five minutes, Kōshi.”

The silver-haired man just laughed behind the canvas, paintbrush held in the air as he narrowed his eyes looking at his work, then up at you then back to the painting. You leaned up just enough to see that he was biting the end of the brush which you knew meant that he was conflicted. All artists are their own worst critics, but sometimes you felt Suga was worse than Van Gogh, Monet and even Pollock at times. Not that you really had any frame of reference, but still.

Watching him painstakingly criticize his own work, endlessly making changes that he only deemed made the pieces worse was really hard for you, watching the person you love drive themselves into a dark hole of perfectionism took a toll on the both of you. But you loved him and at the end of the day, that made it all better, right?

After what felt like forever, you finally saw his signature smile, the one that was bigger than life and he sat down his paint palette then swirled the brush in his murky colored water cup. You watched his shoulders relax before he nodded and you knew that he was finally done.

“Lemme see! Lemme see!” You squealed as he walked closer to you, sitting next to you on the sofa you had been lounged out on.

He kissed you, the paint on his hands and fingers transferred to your skin as he grabbed your face. You scrunched up your nose as the cool wet sensation before kissing him back.

“Maybe tomorrow.” He peppered your face with kisses as you both laughed. His hands trailed down your arms and across your upper chest, his lips were pressed up against yours again.

“You’re going to get paint all over me!” You giggled, his lips trailed across your jaw and down your neck.

“That’s okay.” His eyes met yours, “you’ll become my greatest master piece.”

*                      * “They say that artists can be very passionate people.”

A laugh escapes you and Alex looks at you confused, “that’s a bit of an understatement.”

“It couldn’t have been easy on your relationship. Artists tend to struggle for a while before gaining notoriety.”

“He worked as an elementary school teacher during the day. It wasn’t the money that caused issues, it was watching him tear himself apart that was the hardest.”

“What do you mean by that?” “No one was harder on him about his art than he was. He could produce something that was immaculate, but he’d say his students’ finger paintings were better.” You take a deep breath, “it was hard watching him beat himself over things I couldn’t help fix.”

“What changed? How did you go from wanting what’s best for him to…being in here?”

“A lot. A lot changed.”

*                      * It started when he decided to go out one night with his coworkers for drinks one Friday night. You didn’t mind it, you really didn’t because you trusted Suga and you enjoyed seeing him relax for the first time in a while. What did bother you was the fact that it seemed the occasional Friday night turned into the whole weekend to where he spent more days of the week out than at home.

Your knees were pulled up to your chest while you sat on the couch, a commercial playing on the TV while you scroll through your phone. When that stopped being a solace for you, you tossed it across the couch, deciding to stroll through his art studio. The smell that hit you when you opened the door was a mix of acrylic paint and peppermint, it was undeniably Suga. You saw one of his easels covered with a sheet which intrigued you, it wasn’t often that you didn’t see his work.

But once the sheet came off, you wished you never had. Your stomach dropped. It was like all of the memories you had spent making since high school, since college, shattered and all the jagged edges pierced into your heart as it sank. You could tell by the pose it was the one he had painted of you a couple months ago, the one that he told you wasn’t ready. Now you understood what he meant by ‘not ready’, it was your pose, but it wasn’t your body, wasn’t your face. You weren’t sure who it was but you knew it wasn’t you, the curves and lines, they didn’t belong to you. Tears welled in your eyes as you chewed on your bottom lip, realizing that while you laid completely exposed to him, his mind was clearly on whoever was in this painting.

Three long hours had passed before he stumbled into your shared apartment, crashing into everything he possibly could, waking you from your sleep. While his head hurt from the alcohol, yours hurt from crying. You got up, walking in just soon enough to watch your boyfriend fall onto the couch face first.

“Suga?” You leaned against the door frame.

He hummed something in response into the cushion.

“Kōshi? Babe?” You walked through the room, crouching down next to his head before placing a hand on his back.

He mustered up just enough strength to turn to face you, “I didn’t mean to wake up, sweetness.”

His innocent words, gentle tone, the use of the nickname reserved for only him, didn’t stop the tears from slipping down your cheeks, doesn’t untwist the knot that tightening in your stomach,  doesn’t remove the fact that you can’t help the one person that you want to.

After that night, you watched him change. He spent more time in his art studio, face covered with paint smudges, a sight you thought was absolutely adorable. He seemed happier, constantly dragging you into the studio to show off various artworks he’d finished. Everything was perfect, until he came home smelling like cheap perfume and stale beer.

*                      * “So he was cheating?”

You smile politely which catches Alex off guard, placing your elbow on the counter in front of you, as you rest your chin on the palm of your hand as you look at her. “He said he was trying to find himself.”

“Trying to find himself?” A look of pure bewilderment crossed Alex’s face.

“That’s the exact expression I wore when I asked him the same thing.”

*                      * “What the hell does that mean? Finding yourself?” You put air quotes around the last two words. There was a sense of anger running up your spine, you were tightly clenching your fists.

“I just think that I need to let loose. To learn how to breathe.” He flicked the paint brush against the blank canvas, not bothering to even look at you.

They say that smells can trigger memories, something with the olfactory system being located in the same part of the brain that effects emotions and creativity. Something about the fact that certain smells can affect the region of the brain that’s responsible for storing our emotional memories. That’s why you assumed whenever you smelled acrylic paint you thought of Kōshi, of the one person you thought would never let you down.

But now the smell just made you nauseous, made your heart hurt because whoever this silver-haired man in front of you, it wasn’t the love of your life. Wasn’t the boyfriend you’d been with for years. No, because that man would never hurt you like this, would never refuse to look at you when he all but broke your heart.

“I didn’t realize I was suffocating you, thought I was just being supportive!”

You yelled and then he yelled then you yelled some more and before you knew it the paintbrush hit the floor with so much force it bounced a bit. He shook his head storming passed you, his shoulder hit yours but he didn’t stop. The walls vibrated when he slammed it shut, leaving you leaning against the door frame, lip quivering.

** You stormed through his studio, grabbing all the gallons of paint you could carry, making a few more trips than the anger in you wanted. You started to fill the bathtub, the various colors muddling together, the thick liquid clung to the lining of the tub.

A smirk covered your lips as you thought back to how frustrated Suga would get when colors mixed like this, turning a disgusting brown that no artist would make on purpose. You remembered him saying the color reminded him of dirty paint water, somehow this all felt ironic.

Your foot catches on the rug into rug and you tripped, the empty red paint can fell from your hand; thin splatters clung to the white wall next to you.

*                      * Alex takes a deep breath, sitting her pen down before looking up at you. Hearing these crimes had progressively gotten worse as the interviews went by though she came into them thinking it’d get easier.

“Why didn’t you just use water?”

You lean forwards, chin still on the palm of your hand, teeth showing as you smile. “I thought paint gave the scene a more artistic flair.”

*                      * You felt Sugawara’s resistance slowly fade as he stopped trying to push his hands up, stopped trying to lift his head out of the tub of paint. His feet stopped kicking against the floor, his body slowly became lifeless under your hold. You stood up, leaving his hunched over the side of the tub, his beautiful silver hair now covered in the brown paint mixture.

They say when someone drowns, their entire body fights to survive. There’s panic, the sheer realization of what’s happening and the frightening moment you know you don’t have an idea of what to do. The moment when you subconsciously know you’re about to lose consciousness, your lungs going against the logic of not breathing in the water to try to salvage your existence. Body going into overdrive trying to save you, trying to get much needed air into your lungs. Some who have survived drowning say they had flashbacks, snippets of their life that flash through their mind as consciousness faded.

You wondered if Suga felt that panic, if his body had registered what was happening, or if the alcohol had clouded some of that. You wondered if he had fought as hard as he could’ve or if his inebriated state had lowered his abilities. You wondered if he saw flashbacks and what were they of. Did he see the two of you? The long years you had spent by his side, supporting every decision that he had made, giving up the few things you wanted for his dreams. Or did he see those women? The drunken nights spent at the bar, the woman he was thinking of when he was painting you, the owner of the cheap perfume he would come home smelling like.

*                      * “Most people just break up with their lover when they discover they’re cheating.” Alex looks at you pointedly.

“We did, some could say we ended our relationship due to artistic differences.”

Alex looks at you puzzled, “I’m not sure I follow.”

You stand up, stepping as close to the glass as the counter will allow before slamming yours on the glass while pressing your face against it. Alex jumps back in her seat, her chair scooting against the tiles loudly, her heart thumping against her chest. She watches the guard rush over, grabbing you away from the divider and pulling you out of the room.

“He saw himself alive and I saw him dead.”

Series Masterlist here

General Masterlist here

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Treat You Better

Warnings: non/dubcon sex, questionable relationship lines (kinda cuckold-ish).

This is dark!Bucky Barnes and explicit. 18+ only.

Summary: Bucky wants what Peter has.

Note: Okay, so I mean, this fic doesn’t involve technical cheating but if you’re sensitive to it, I wouldn’t recommend reading. Also we got a very calculating Bucky and very clueless Peter. I hope y’all enjoy!

Let me know what you think!

You hated waiting. Worse, you hated waiting for Peter. Without fail he was always late. When you planned something, you always expected to do it at least a half hour later. Tonight, you had planned to go out for drinks after a long week apart. Classes and your respective obligations had kept you away from each other. Admittedly, his were more pressing.

Still, the semester started to drag by the more you were alone and you had fewer reprieves from the endless studying and inherent chaos of your dormitory. You had flagged the day in your phone and it had gotten you through the midterm stress.

But he was late. Not just a few minutes, but a whole hour. It didn’t matter, right? Drinks could wait. The bars would be open well past midnight. It was only...9:17! Mark that; an hour and fifteen minutes late.

You sighed and unlocked your phone as you leaned back on metal and leather chair. You re-read the text for dozenth time. ‘See ya at 8.’ He had sent you that. You had confirmed with a ‘can’t wait’ and heart emoji. He had sent you five hearts in return. Yet here you were, waiting on him.

You set your phone down a little harder than you intended. The spark of anger drew the eye of the only other person in the room. It was easy to forget Bucky, even when he was right beside you. He was quiet, unassuming. 

When you entered he had muttered a greeting and you had returned it. You asked him how he was; he shrugged and returned a courteous but unconcerned ‘you?’ You echoed his sentiment and began your vigil.

“Sorry…” You gave a meek smile. “I…”

“It’s fine,” He assured you. His facade didn’t crack as he went back to swiping back and forth on the tablet. He had been poring over a briefing since you arrived. It didn’t seem very brief. He yawned and shifted on the leather couch.

You leaned on your elbow and stared down at the small font of your textbook. Medieval and Renaissance Art: Themes and Narratives. You rubbed your eyes and tried not to yawn yourself. You had taken the book out about half an hour into your wait. Studying was preferable to staring at your lifeless phone.

You huffed again and tapped your fingers on the table. Where was he? There was only so much you could read about the Sistine Chapel before you found yourself staring out the window and plotting your fateful descent.

“Just call him,” Bucky’s voice surprised you. His arm was stretched across the couch as he looked over his shoulder. “Kid probably forgot...almost forgot his damn suit the last time we worked together.”

“Sounds like him,” You grumbled.

“Do it,” He said, “Really. I can’t take you moping over...whatever it is your reading.”

You lifted a brow and his lips curved slightly. He was amused with himself. You picked up your phone and stood. You waved it at him with a tilt of your head and turned away. You hit Peter’s picture and waited for it to dial.

It took two tries. He picked up as you expected to be forwarded again to his voicemail and you stuttered on your greeting. 

“Hey,” He answered nervously, “What’s up?”

“Um, I’m waiting...for our drinks,” You leaned on the table and tried to keep your voice down. “It’s almost 9:30.”

“Shit,” Peter cursed on the other end. You glanced over your shoulder at Bucky who was once again focused on his confidential files. “I’m so sorry, I thought I texted you.”

“Texted me?” You wondered.

“Yeah, uh, something came up,” The inflection made it sound more a question than a statement. “You know…business.” 

You nodded. You didn’t miss the crack in his voice or the poorly muffled whisper from Ned. When those two were together, it was rarely business.

“I came all the way down here, Peter,” You hissed, “Now I gotta take the subway back. At night. Thanks for the heads up.”

“I swear, I thought I hit send.” He explained thinly. You frowned.

“Sure,” You didn’t feel like arguing. Maybe you were just tired. Frustrated. It didn’t matter. “Fine, I’ll see you...Monday?”

“Tomorrow!” He said sharply, as if surprised. “Promise, babe.”

“Tomorrow,” You replied unconvinced. “Sure….love ya.”

“You too, babe.” He returned, “I...gotta go.”

The line died before you could give your own farewell. You shook your head and tucked your phone in your pocket. You turned and rounded the table to close your textbook. 

“You were right, he forgot,” You muttered as you shoved the book in your tote. “Good thing I didn’t sit here for an hour and a half waiting for nothing.” You said dryly. “Now that would be stupid.”

“Ah, fuck,” Bucky leaned forward and set down his tablet. You glanced over at him as you pulled on your canvas jacket. “Now, I don’t think I could forget something as important as you.”

“Please, don’t try to make it better,” You moaned, “Really. I’m just going to go home and write that stupid paper on Titian. What an exciting Friday night.”

“You want a ride?” He offered casually as he stood and stretched. He turned with his arms over his head, his lower stomach peeked out from beneath his tee. You tried not to notice the lines of his pelvis above his jeans. 

“I appreciate it but I can manage myself.” You slung your bag over your shoulder. “I got a pass.”

“Come on, let me drive you,” He insisted though his voice was as detached as ever. “I got nothing better to do.”

“I don’t know, you seemed pretty entranced,” You kidded.

“It’ll be a nice break,” He said, “And hey, a step up from the subway. Instead of a train full of strange men, you’ll only have to deal with one.”

You scoffed and shook your head. “Alright, fine. You’ve twisted my arm.”

-

Bucky’s car was nice. You guessed it was a perk of working for Stark Industries. And saving the world. It was much preferable to the subway. You sank into the seat with your bag on your lap. You almost felt like a child as he turned the engine. 

“So, where am I going?” He unlocked the gps on his console and brought up the address bar, “Type it in, will ya?” He steered with one hand as he pulled out. “Not the greatest without this thing...as much I don’t trust robots.”

You squinted at him but shrugged off the comment. His metal hand would’ve made you think he had a natural kinship with more mechanical. And his demeanour. The street lights flashed through the windows and lit up the lines of his face as he drove out onto the street. You keyed in your address and turned to watch the city pass through your window.

“So...never asked but you study science or whatever, too?” He prompted. You looked to him slowly. You were almost stunned by the question. Not the content, merely the speaker. You almost preferred his disinterest. You guessed he was merely making small talk.

“No,” You laughed, “I suck at science. Art. Yeah, I know, I’ll make a great barista.”

“Art, eh?” He nodded. “I like art. God, that sounds like I’m stupid.” He chuckled. “You know, during the war, there was lots of stolen art. Some hidden away to prevent that. Some never found.” He cleared his throat as he turned the wheel. 

“We were on our way to Germany. We’d clear towns along the way. Some of them’d be blown out so bad you couldn’t step inside for fear of it all falling on your head.” His eyes searched the road as if he was seeing another city entirely. “Others, totally untouched. Towns just empty. The people fled to avoid the same carnage...or they were dragged out by their invaders.”

You nodded. You didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t ever spoken so much in your presence. Even with Peter around.

“Anyway, we found this one apartment. It must’ve been locked up for well over a year. Place was covered in dust but...paintings everywhere. On the couches, in the kitchen sink, just dozens of them. We had them taken back to headquarters...I knew this one CO though, had him send a Monet to my ma. She loved flowers, you know?”

“Monet?” You were stunned. You’d only ever seen the famous paintings in your textbooks and on the walls of museums. “Wow. I…”

“Don’t know if it ever got to her though,” He said. “I never did.”

You bit the inside of your lip. What could you say that wouldn’t seem entirely obtuse?

“Ah, don’t worry so much.” He shrugged. “Sorry, I get a bit heavy. That’s the past though…” He stopped at a light and looked over at you. “So, you’re an artist?”

“I guess,” You said. “I like to paint and my portfolio got me into the program so...for now, I am. Until I’m off into the world of corporate desk jobs and retail gigs.”

“Ah, I see why Peter likes you. You’re a hell of an optimist,” He joked as he hit the gas and looked back to the road.

Your phone vibrated and you reached into your pocket. “No use running from the…” Your screen lit up and you swiped up to view the snap. Your voice died as you watched the video in awe and anger. “I knew it!”

You hit lock and the screen went black. Your nostrils flared and you clamped your mouth shut in a scowl. You squeezed your phone and shook your head. Bucky’s eyes flicked to the rear view than you and back through the windscreen. He laughed again.

“What?” You couldn’t help the growl.

“You,” He smirked, “You’re...cute when you’re angry. Like a little chipmunk.” You frowned deeper. “I mean...you’re fiery. It’s...I always wondered how a girl like you got mixed up with the Spider-man but I’m starting to think you might be more formidable than him.” You narrowed your eyes and he peeked over at you again. “Look, it’s a compliment. I’m not very good at them but take it for what it’s worth.”

“Gee, thanks,” You crossed your arms over your tote, “I’m flattered.”

He pulled into your dormitory parking lot and brought the car to a stop as the gps announced your arrival. “Look, try not to stress about it. He’s young, stupid. You got your whole life to be mad at him.” He said. “Or to explore your options. Who knows?”

“My type of optimism,” You chided. You grabbed the handle and inched the door open. “Thanks. Really. You didn’t have to.”

“No problem. It gave me an excuse to get off the couch,” He leaned his arm against your seat, “Hit me up if he does it again. Can’t have a girl like you on the subway so late.”

You couldn’t help the smile and you opened the door all the way as you stepped out. “Thanks. Have a good night, Bucky.”

“You too, doll.” His vibranium fingers tightened on the wheel. “Take care of yourself. Don’t let the boy get you down.”

You closed the door and stepped back. He pulled out and around the lot. You watched him leave, his headlights disappeared into the city haze and you retreated to the gate of your dorm. What an odd night. Not exactly the end you were expecting.

-

Bucky lifted the bar, a small breath escaped him. The muscles in his right arm strained and a shock surged at the base of his vibranium arm. While he could lift the weight with his left arm alone, he worked to keep his right as strong as he could. He may have only one arm but he didn’t want to fight like it.

His time in the gym was his alone time. A sort of meditation. He could forget about everything and just be. His body was intuitive. He moved from machine to machine with ease. His body fell easily into the patterns; running, push-ups, lifting. 

He set down the bar and sat up as he rubbed his right hand. The metal of his left was warm. He stretched his vibranium fingers and watched the plates slide back into place. He moved his head from side to side to work out the kink along his shoulders. 

The door opened and closed. He was rarely caught off-guard but his head wasn’t as clear as usual. It hadn’t been lately. Two nights ago he had drove her home and ever since she hadn’t left his mind. When she got out of his car, he could still smell her. She smelled of strawberries. Good enough to eat.

He stood as he turned to the intruder. Peter smiled at him and Bucky had to keep from scowling. When he thought of her, he couldn’t help but think of the boy. He was a kid truly, not to see what he had right in front of him. It filled Bucky with resent. She was so sweet, so devoted to the flaky college kid, and Peter was entirely oblivious.

“Sorry, Mr. Bucky, I was just comin’ to train,” For god’s sake, the kid still called him mister.

He shook his head and shrugged as he dropped and began another set of push-ups. “Thought there was a gym at the school.” He grunted.

“Yeah…” Peter let his voice trail off as he set his gym bag on the bench. “It’s too crowded there.”

“Mmm,” Bucky lost count after ten. 

He couldn’t concentrate on the numbers as his mind strayed once more. As he lifted himself up and down, he couldn’t help but think of her. Picture her below him. He felt a stir in his shorts and held back a groan. Fuck. The things he’d do to her. 

She was so delicate. He could only imagine the ways he could break her with his iron touch. She’d wilt like a flow. The juices would flow from the sweet berry and fill his mouth. He sniffed and brought himself to a halt. 

He rolled onto his back and stretched out each leg. His cool down exercises would help him calm down. He was getting far too worked up over Peter’s girl. Yes, Peter’s girl. He shouldn’t have to remind himself of that.

He stood and stretched out his arms. “So, how’d your little date go with the girl?”

Peter looked at him curiously as he began to warm up. “How’d you know about that?” His voice was higher than usual.

“She was here all night waiting for you,” He replied, “Friday, that is.”

“Oh,” Peter blinked and frowned. “Well, I kinda forgot we were supposed to meet.”

“And yesterday?” Bucky prodded. He should back off. It wasn’t his business.

“I, uh...we saw a movie,” Peter squinted at him. “Why are you so concerned?”

“No reason. Drove the girl back to her dorm. She seemed down,” He tried to seem nonchalant but could barely ignored the thrill it sent up his spin. “Just...I dunno, she’s a special one. You should treat her like she is.”

“You drove her home?” Peter stopped his own stretches as the thoughts wrinkled along his forehead. “Why?”

“Didn’t want her to take the subway that late,” Bucky said coolly. “Not safe, ya know?”

“Ya,” Peter nodded and bent an arm behind his head. “I guess you’re right.”

Bucky finished up and grabbed his hoodie from the bench. He drained the last of his water and watched the kid as he began a set of sit-ups. He made it halfway to the door before he turned back. He neared the kid and stood over him. He looked down as Peter fell flat.

“What?” Peter asked.

“You really upset the girl,” Bucky said, “I doubt whatever you were doing with that friend of yours was worth it.”

“What do you care?” Peter leaned on his hands as he sat up. “She’s my girlfriend.”

“Then start acting like it,” Bucky snapped.

“Hey,” Peter hopped up to his feet. He still had to look up at the super soldier. “I don’t appreciate you getting involved, Mister.”

“Mister?” Bucky scoffed. “Ah, kid, you need to grow up. Women get tired of boys. Quickly.”

“I’m not a boy,” Peter snarled. “You need to back off.”

“Tell your girl the same,” Bucky didn’t know why he said it. It just seemed right. A bit of revenge on her behalf. A little jealousy always put things into perspective. “She’s very talkative.” Bucky let his voice linger in the air. “...Very...friendly.”

“Leave her alone!” Bucky was surprised by the kid’s strength. He very nearly stepped back as Peter shoved him. 

“Oh don’t you worry. It was all innocent,” Bucky smirked. “She’s loyal, almost to a fault. But you’re pushing her to her limit. One of these days--”

“One of these days what?” Peter spat. “Why don’t you mind your own business, old man?”

“Key word being man,” Bucky countered. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Bucky patted his shoulder and backed away. He draped his hoodie over his shoulder as he pulled open the door and glanced at the kid as he stepped into the hall. Their eyes met in unspoken challenge. 

The door closed between them and Bucky chuckled. His chest fluttered wildly as he pictured her face. Imagined how her body would feel against his. He’d just have to wait until the kid slipped up again.

-

“How many times do I have to repeat myself until you hear me?” You pulled away from Peter. 

You had been entirely content until he spoiled it all. Nestled up together on the couch watching a movie on Netflix. The compound lounge was empty and peaceful. Or at least, it had been.

“I forgot,” Peter’s hand brushed your lower back as you stood and turned on him. “I’m sorry.”

“You forgot. Again. Big surprise. Anything to do with me, you always forget,” You evaded him as he rose and reached out to you. “Goddamn it, Peter. I told you about this two months ago. I’ve reminded you constantly and you just don’t even care.”

“I can tell Happy to reschedule the whole thing.” He pleaded as he followed you around the sofa.

“That’s not the point, Peter,” You growled and turned on him. He nearly tripped as you bore down on him, your finger in his face. “I’m tired of feeling like this. Ignored. A burden.”

“You’re not--”

“I am. Fuck, Pete, I don’t wanna be your biggest priority but I at least wanna be on the list,” You spat. “I mean, we both have our lives, our responsibilities. We knew that when we got into this but...you never treated my time like it was worth anything.” 

He tried to grab your hand and you shoved him away. His eyes rounded in hurt.

“Peter!” You exclaimed, exasperated, “Or should I call you the amazing Spider-man, hmm? Our greatest hero. You can’t do any wrong.”

“You can’t hold that against me,” Peter shook his head. 

“I don’t, Peter,” You lowered your voice. “I don’t expect you to drop everything for me, I just expect you to give me something. Anything.” You sighed and crossed your arms. “We’re on different roads, Peter. We can’t turn back now.”

“No, you...Please,” His face drained of colour. “You can’t mean it.”

“I can’t live like this. I can’t try anymore, not when you don’t.” You pressed your lips together and sniffed back your tears. “I might not be a hero but I can’t handle it all. School, you, work. I...You should enjoy it. College. We only get these years once and obviously I’m just an obstacle.”

“Don’t say that,” He neared and you hung your head. “I...can change.”

“People don’t change, Peter,” You let him hug you, his chin on your head. “Not for others. One day you’ll be ready for a relationship, I will too. But now…” You slowly drew away and hid your face. You grabbed your purse from the table. “I don’t think either of us are ready.”

“Please don’t leave,” Peter’s voice cracked as you pulled on your jacket. “Please…”

“Go save the world, Peter, it’s what your meant to do,” You opened the door and looked back at him. “But it’s not for me. This life...you’re much braver than me.”

You closed the door behind you. The hall was cold, it sent a shiver up your spine. Or was that the pit in your stomach. The twist of your insides as reality struck you across the face. It was over. Two years, done. Even if you had seen it coming, it still hurt. Inevitability was just as painful as chance.

The tears began to fall when you reached the elevator. You wiped your cheeks as you waited for the doors to ding. You were startled as a shadow appeared at the edge of your sight. You turned and brushed away the last of your tears with your sleeve. But it wasn’t Peter.

“Hey, you okay?” Bucky neared and you shied away. You sniffed again.

“I’m fine, I…” Your voice was nasally from crying. 

“What’s going on?” He asked kindly. He stared at you and his blue eyes sparkled. “What did he do?”

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” You looked past him. “It’s...stupid college kids, you know?”

“Youth is...dramatic,” Bucky said lightly. “Doesn’t mean you don’t have a right to feel the way you do.”

You looked at him. He wore a leather jacket over his tee and his usual combat boots. He was on his way out too. 

“What are you doing up?” You wondered. “It’s a bit late, isn’t it?”

“You telling me it’s late,” He scoffed as the elevator doors chimed and slid open. He waved you in ahead of him. “What about you, young lady? Out after dark?”

You laughed. “You got me,” You resigned. “I’m headed home. To sulk alone.”

He nodded and the elevator began its descent. You took out your phone and fiddled with it nervously. The silence that rose was tense. You were both thinking of what to say but neither could muster a word. You tucked your phone away and sighed as the elevator stopped.

“Hey,” He followed you out, “Wait, come on, it’s almost midnight. You need a ride?”

“I’ll be fine, really.” You assured him as he kept stride with you. “I’d hate to treat you like a chauffeur.”

“I don’t mind. Really.” He stepped ahead of you and blocked the door. “I wouldn’t feel right letting you take the subway this late. Alone.”

You squinted at him. Why did he care so much? While the gesture was nice, you weren’t so sure about his intent. Wait, this was Bucky. He was an Avenger. A hero just like Peter. Did you really prefer the underground creeps to him?

“I…” You bit your lip and peered through the glass doors on the other side of him. “...dunno.”

“Or maybe…” His lips twitched before he grasped his thought, “You wanna join me for a drink? I was just headed to this bar down the street. One drink in exchange for a ride. Fair trade, right?”

“A drink?” You raised a brow.

“Totally friendly, I promise. But you seem like you could use one,” He smiled, “I always heard it was bad to go to sleep angry.”

You stared at him as you thought. You dragged your tongue along your bottom lip as you weighed your options. You were on edge and you knew it would only get worse once you were home to stew in your self-pity.

“Alright, I suppose a drink is the least I can do,” You accepted. He turned and opened the door and waited for you to pass through. “But wait…” You stopped before the second door, “Should you be driving if you’re drinking?”

“Yeah, uh, my tolerance is...the serum kinda cancels out the alcohol.” He moved past you and grabbed the second door. 

“So you drink for the taste?” You stepped out onto the street and he followed. 

“It’s actually pretty sweet without the burn,” He shrugged. You walked side by side down the pavement. “And I like the bar. Small, quiet. As much as I hate crowds, it’s comforting, you know?”

“Ah,” You let him lead you to the corner and he stopped you at a small door under a plain wooden sign. “Oh, this place it cute.” You looked up at the simple moniker.

“Yeah, Peter said it was a hipster joint but I don’t really know what that means.” Bucky opened the door, once more gesturing you through. You frowned at the mention of your boyfriend. Ahem, ex-boyfriend. He noticed and winced. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s fine. It was my decision…” You shook off the sudden wave of gloom. “Look, let’s get that drink and forget about it. That’s all I wanna do.”

You entered and he followed closely behind. The bartender recognized him as you approached and Bucky greeted the woman as ‘Laura’. You smiled at her as she poured another customer’s drink. She turned to you as you dug out your wallet. 

“I’ll have a gin and soda,” You said above the low din, “A lime too, if you have it. And uh, whatever he drinks.”

“Actually, I’ll try that,” He intoned, “Sounds interesting.”

You waited for your drinks and handed over your cash. You left the change as a tip and Bucky led you to a table in the corner. He sat and you did the same, dribbling a little gin down your fingers. You sipped through the thin straw and shook the moisture from your hand.

“So, how’s school?” He asked before another deathly silence could rise. 

“Oh, it’s school,” You rolled your eyes, “Mostly papers and seminars. Nothing interesting. I mean, come on. You don’t wanna hear about the lameness that is the life of an art major.”

“Yeah? You’d be surprised how much paperwork is behind fighting the bad guys,” He replied, “Plus the mishap with Sam’s wings...that’s not going over well.”

“Mishap?” You prodded. “What exactly happened with the wings?”

“Well, airports don’t take well to unidentified air crafts in their zones,” Bucky chuckled, “We kind ran into some heat over Heathrow…”

-

One drink turned into two, which turned into a tequila shot and a third. Bucky was surprisingly good company. A nice distraction from the grief brewing at the back of your mind. You had thought of asking for that ride but the thought of being alone made you sick. Or was that the alcohol?

You giggled as you finished off your third gin and hid your mouth behind your hand as a belch threatened to rise. Bucky was entirely sober as he watched you lean back heavily in your chair. As a university student, you envied his tolerance.

“Another?” He offered as he looked to the bar.

“No, no,” You raised your hand, “No. I can’t handle anymore.”

“Lightweight,” He teased and you scowled. “There it is.”

“What?” You wiped the irritation from your face.

“That little furrow,” He pointed between his brows, “The chipmunk face.”

“Stop!” You whined and reached for your phone. 2:37 am. Holy shit! “Oh my god, it’s so late. Or early, I guess.”

“So it is,” He glanced over at your screen, “Last call already.”

“I should...go,” You stood with a wobble. You steadied yourself and untangled your purse from the back of the chair. 

“Yeah, we should probably head out,” He rose and stretched his arms and grabbed his leather jacket. 

“Urgh, I can’t wait to lay down,” You pulled on your canvas jacket as you followed him to the door. “What a long night?”

You yawned as you stumbled out onto the sidewalk. He was quick to catch you. His arm around your waist as he turned you in the right direction. “Careful,” He warned as he led you down the pavement. “Can’t have you messing up that pretty face of yours.”

Your cheeks burned and your lashes fluttered. You reached up to rub your neck as the heat spread. “Ha, you’re too sweet.”

“And you’re...drunk,” He chuckled as you leaned into him without thinking. He smelled of sandalwood and sweat. A hint of alcohol clung to him, too. “Come on, let’s get you back while you can still walk.”

“I’m not that bad,” You protested and elbowed him. 

“Sure,” He said dryly and you sneered at his doubt.

He turned you into Stark Tower, through the two glass doors, and towards the elevator. It wasn’t until you were in the rising box that you realized you were going in the wrong direction. 

“Wait…” You slurred as his arm slipped, “Why aren’t we...your car?”

He squeezed your ass and your squeaked in surprise. He turned to pin you against the elevator wall. His metal fingers pushed a stray hair back and you gasped. He leaned in as your heart hammered in your chest. 

“Bucky,” You grabbed his forearm as it snaked around your hip, his hand kneaded your ass hungrily.

“You’re so fucking sexy, you know that?” He pressed his lips to yours sloppily and crushed you against the wall. You froze as his metal hand drifted down and cupped your breast. He pulled away as the floors ticked closer to the top. “Peter’s a stupid boy...how could he ever let you go?”

“He...how do you know that?” You breathed.

“Not hard to guess,” He smirked, his arm once more around your waist as the elevator doors opened and he as good as dragged you out. “Don’t worry, baby, we’re gonna show him what he’s missing out on.”

“Bucky,” You said weakly. Your head spun and the warmth of his arm hypnotized you. You felt safe; wanted. “We shouldn’t…”

“It’s okay, baby,” He pulled you around the next corner, “It’s just a little bit of fun. I know you uni girls…”

Another corner and another. He spun you against a door and his mouth was on yours again. He turned the handle as he held your hip with one hand. He devoured you as he urged you backwards into the room and kicked the door closed behind him. You clung to him to keep from stumbling, your lips working against his.

He reached up to slide your jacket down your shoulders. You let him as a small voice told you not to. His touch was hot. Intoxicating. Your jacket fell to the floor with your purse. He bunched the hem of your shirt up with his fingers. Up along your stomach and chest. He pulled away as he tugged it over your head, his eyes intent on your lacy black bra.

“Jesus,” He whispered. 

Your mind was hazy, his broad shoulders blurred as he nudged you back. Your legs hit something and you fell onto the bed with a gasp. You felt him pull off your shoes, then your socks. His fingers worked deftly at the fly of your jeans as you lifted your head to watch him. This had to be a dream.

You giggled as he lifted your pelvis and glided your jeans down your legs. He stood and your vision cleared for a second as his eyes met yours. You glanced down at your body, the lacy bra and panties were all that were left to you.

“Stay there, baby,” He purred and you dropped your head. You couldn’t have moved if you tried.

You heard him moving around. You looked over as he emptied his pockets on the dresser and peeled off his leather jacket. He turned back to you and winked. His tongue poked out as he came nearer and pulled off his tee. He bent to unlace his boots and quickly kicked them off. He circled the bed as he undressed, watching you like a scavenger.

Your head lolled back and forth as you tried to keep track of him. The shadows blurred in your eyes and you closed them to still the ripple in your vision. You flinched when he touched you. His metal fingers were cold along your thighs as they crawled along the flesh. His other hand was warmer but rougher as it slid around your waist.

He lifted you and held you against him as he climbed up on the bed. He walked on his knees across the mattress and laid you down beneath him. His kiss was even more fervent than before. His tongue desperate as it slid past your lips. He ground his pelvis into you and you felt his erection through you sheer panties.

He parted and sat back on his heels. His hands explored your body as his eyes followed them. You looked down and gaped at his naked body. His cock was slightly curved but large. Your eyes rolled back as you wriggled beneath his touch.

"You're so precious, baby," He whispered as he reached around and popped open your bra with a flick. 

You pouted as he tugged your bra from your arms. You caught it and he pulled it away easily. It dropped over the side of the bed and you shivered at the touch of his fingers along your hips. He guided the lace down your thighs and past your feet. 

He tossed the panties away and bent over you. His lips trailed along your neck, shoulders, chest, and stomach. He hummed as the tip of his nose traced the line of your pelvis and you squirmed. His dark hair hung around his head and tickled you.

"Bucky," You breathed. "What are--" 

You gulped as he kissed just above your pussy. He pushed your legs apart and bent them over his shoulders. The muscles of his shoulders rippled against your calves as he bent closer. 

His slipped his tongue along the curve of your lips and pushed deeper. It was cool and sent a tingle along your thighs. You squeezed his head between your legs without thinking. His fingers danced along your ass and edged around your pussy.

He delved between your folds and you trilled. The sound was startling. Was it really you? His tongue moved from your clit to your entrance and back again. He swirled around your bud and suckled. He didn't let up, each flick of his tongue had you trembling.

You reached down to push away his head as the heat built. Instead your fingers buried in his dark hair and urged him deeper. He tickled your folds with his finger and circled your entrance. He pushed inside and you arched your back beneath him.

He drew his finger in and out before adding another. His mouth continued to play with your clit as he worked his hand. The pressure mounted and you moaned through your teeth.

His tongue and fingers moved faster. You could hear your wetness, feel it as he lapped it up. The knot unwound and you disassembled all at once. You whined as your orgasm radiated through you.

You twisted beneath him as he slowly parted from you. He looked down at you as you pressed your legs together and your hands fluttered over your torso. You closed your eyes and the after waves swept you away.

He chuckled and stroked his cock as he pulled your legs apart and dragged you closer. He rubbed his tip along your folds and it sent a shiver through you. You opened your eyes and watched as he pressed himself past your entrance. His head stretched you as he leaned over you.

He held himself up with his elbow beside your head as he slid into you. You gasped as he filled you to your limit. Your eyes went wide at the storm of lust and pain. He smiled down at your tortured delight.

"Yeah, baby," He pulled back slowly and eased back in. "You like that?"

You bit your lip and he cradled your head in his hand as he moved carefully. You shyly touched his hips; nudged him weakly as he worked against you.

"I can tell you like it." He whispered, "A girl like you needs a real man, eh?" He sped up just a little, "He can't fuck you like I can." He picked up again and you let out a mewl. "That's it, baby."

Your legs bent around him and your nails dug into his skin. Once more you felt the spring winding. His mouth smushed against yours and he nibbled your bottom lip as he parted and kissed along your cheek.

"Say my name, baby," His hips rose and fell in rhythm. "Say it."

"Bucky," You breathed.

"Again," He sped up.

"Bucky," You rasped as the heat licked at your skin.

"Louder," He urged as he rocked into you harder and harder. "Louder."

"Bucky," You raised your voice and he pushed himself up. 

He grasped your hips as he sat back, his thighs against yours. His flesh clapped loudly against yours as he crashed into you. "Keep going," He hissed.

"Bucky!" You exclaimed as the tide rose higher. "Oh, Bucky, Bucky, Bucky…"

You yiped as the swell burst and you came with a violent shudder. He kept going until you were weak and breathless. Your fingers knotted in your hair.

He slowed and lingered in you. He wiggled his hips and you twitched.

"Turn over, baby," He rubbed along the back of your thigh. "I wanna see that pretty little ass."

He pulled out of you and you trembled as you struggled to move. You rolled over and raised yourself up on your knees. Your arms shook as you struggled to stay up.

He slapped your ass and you nearly fell forward. He seized your hips again and pulled you back against him. He entered you in a single motion. Your pussy squelched around him and you moaned.

All pretense was gone. He pounded into you and you fell down to your elbows. His pelvis crashed against your ass and he bent over you to fondle your tits. You purred and pushed back into him, longing for more.

His metal hand went to your throat and he sat up. He took you with him, your back against his muscled torso. His grip tightened as he fucked you without pause. His other hand found your pussy and his fingers twirled around your clit.

"Are you gonna cum again, baby?" He growled in your ear. You nodded and his fingers slackened just a little. "Let me hear it." His breath was hot along your temple. "Let me hear you cum."

"Ah, ah, ah," You panted and closed your eyes as another orgasm broke through. "I'm cum--cumming."

You shook and he caressed you through your climax before dragging his wet fingers along your stomach. His metal hand choked you as his other hooked around your shoulder and he forced you down harder onto his cock.

"Fuck, baby, can I cum in you? I'm gonna cum," His lips brushed over your hair.

"N-n-no," You wheezed and clawed at his hand. "N-not inside."

"Inside?" He snarled and sank into you completely. His hips twitched and he gave several long thrusts. He came as you batted helplessly at his metal hand. "God, baby, you feel so good." 

He slowed and lowered your bodies together so that he was on top of you. He pushed inside as deep as he could and you cried out as he hit your cervix.

"You like it when I fill you up?" He ran his nose along your ear. "Hmm?"

You buried your face in the mattress and steadied your breath. He kissed the back of your head and pulled out of you carefully. You felt the stream of his cum and yours as it leaked between your thighs. You shook your head and the cloud grew thicker.

You rolled over as the bed shifted and you watched as Bucky's vague figure walked to the dresser. You sat up and squinted at him as he turned back with something in his hand. His phone was pointed at you as he neared.

"Bucky?" You blinked in confusion, "What--"

"Say hi," He smirked as he moved the lens up and down your body. Your mouth fell open as he turned the camera back on him. "Who's an old man now, Petey boy?"

[artificialqueens]

some call it chemistry — (trinity/detox) - lily2

[ prompt ] : sasha notices someone glancing at her best friend during their friend's performance and decides to try and make magic happen even if trinity isn't feeling the gesture too much: atleast at first.

[ author's note ] : I've been writing trinity a ton lately because she's one of my favorite queens and I will always love a florida girl with bias and I mentioned on my tumblr if there's any good pairings and someone mentioned detox and trinity would be just a match in plastic heaven and couldn't stop thinking about it so here this is, song below helps to set the mood and was mentioned, couldn't help myself! I reccomend highly listening to "two to make it right" by seduction for purposes of the fic, it's mentioned throughout the fic.

— *.✧

Sasha isn't stupid.

It was an odd first thought to have when considering what may or might not come of her possible intervention, it was difficult to not be atleast a tiny bit intruiged when she noticed a seemingly familar face in the crowd staring and glancing over at her best friend for the entire chunk of the night.

She knew first hand how the Russian herself sometimes be a bit oblivious, Shea always made fun of her once they fully begun to date of how she would consistently drop hints to the blonde, how every move in the game was to impress Sasha, make her smile, finally let her figure out that indeed Shea Couleé, likely the most wanted girl in all of Chicago, Illinois hell— America, was in love with the sweet, quirky, vocal girl who called Brooklyn home and Russia the motherland.

"She's been staring at Trinity all night." She whispered in a hushed tone to her girlfriend who was dancing around in her heels, as if someone would sniff their conversation out over Peppermint performing and giving her soul on stage, as she did always, Shea turned a bit concerned, "Who? If it's someone you think might pose a threat." Her words quickly gaining momentum beginning to scan the expression in Sasha's face before she quickly snickered, kissing her hand, attempting to divert any possible violence.

"No, no! I mean Detox, she's been giving her the side eye and the little glances all night, Trinity is comply distracted by the alcohol and performance obviously but, something in me says to maybe, try and set them up?"

Shea definitely felt her curiousity get the best of her as she took a sip of her vodka soda, her feet still moving along the floor as she took a glance at Trinity who was dancing wildly with Monét just across from them, she seemed just a bit tipsy but she was a southern girl: she could definitely handle her hard liqour especially if it meant seeing one of her best friend's perform on stage despite her meager dancing ability.

Her eye's peaked over at Detox who leaned against the bar, sipping a gin and tonic and occasionally speaking in uninterested, mumbled conversation to Alaska who already seemed drunk as can be, slugging against her shoulder, on the bar stool attempting to not break it with her stiletto's. A small grin across her lips forming when she indeed, looked back to Trinity who was lipsynching to the performance, staying on her feet, Shea surprised she could even move let alone attempt "dancing" in her skin tight dress, the lights reflecting on the iridescent fabric and material.

"Babe, I think you're on to something here." Her brow cocked in surprise as she pressed their lips together, Sasha very happy to receive a kiss before she pushed the blonde along to play matchmaker since she was the one who was doing some spying and cracked the code.

Casually walking through the crowd, stopping to greet and press some cheek kisses to Aja, Farrah and then bumping into a clearly drunk Katya, toppling onto Sasha in comfort: she attempted to make some idle conversation, Sasha unable to keep herself from just walking right past the constant pressure of conversing. Her Russian counterpart smiled before chugging her straight vodka as she grooved, taking Sasha's hands, "I know we both have really cute girlfriends but you'll always be my favorite!" She yelled over the music as they moved in a awkwardly endearing waltz position, Sasha giggling, not wanting to be rude or too obvious with the fact she was on a bit of a time crunch.

Eastern Europeans don't usually get this intoxicated so quickly.

Trixie seemed to come in at just the perfect moment, apologizing for Katya's state though Sasha truthfully didn't mind, she just had a mission and knew she would kick herself if she didn't get it done tonight.

"Hello!" Trinity yelped, hugging her best friend the minute she started barely walking in the same direction as the duo who were making an attempt to dance across the packed floor of the bar, New York City was crowded and Sasha knew it well enough that it didn't bother her too badly, Monét smiled and welcomed Sasha into their corner of the floor.

"Oh don't worry, I'm not dancing!" She yelled, Trinity frowning in disappointment, "Bitch I ain't drunk, I've had only two, Shea doesn't have to worry about me licking your face or any of the weird shit Alaska does." Monét cackled, remembering how much anger leaked from Trixie's face last week when Alaska decided to take out all her sadness through alcohol which ended up with Katya and Alaska comfortably at a distance performing with eachother until the idiosyncratic girl decided to lick Katya's cheek right on stage.

It was a loud uproar and reaction from an already intoxicated crowd, just laughter, screams and smiles though Monét mentioned that she had never seen such a visual representation of smoke blowing from the fumes quite like Trixie's reaction.

"Speaking of Alaska—" an almost perfect segway of events, "I've been with Shea the whole night of course but, I've noticed you definitely have sometimes attention the whole night." She said near her ear, Trinity stopping to dance as Monét kept singing, though her ears pricked open, "Oh girl if it's Alaska, I wouldn't trust her with anyone drunk."

Trinity had to agree, finishing off her drink with a slow chug, "Jesus, am I so ugly people only find me attractive when I'm drunk!" She cried out more in exaggerated pitch than genuine concern. Sasha shook her head, Trinity always looked stunning and utterly beat for the god's, a perfect understanding of makeup and clothing coordination.

"Alaska's best friend over there though..." She smirked, Trinity tilting her head, definitely pondering who exactly she meant by that though Sasha alertly pointed to Detox under her chin, immediately all sense of respect and normality seemed to drop as her cheeks flushed a bright red, grabbing Sasha's wrist.

"You're kidding right?"

Sasha's silent pose and the grin that begun to stretch across the corner of her lips was enough of an answer. "Shit..." She gasped before handing Monét her empty drinking glass, "I'm gonna go real quick." The Floridian huffed out as her friend groaned aloud, "I knew she'd leave my crusty ass the minute she finds someone who can possibly buy her more alcohol."

"Would you like a dance?" The black girl smiled genuine as she held out a hand, dramatically painted like a victorian gentleman, Sasha couldn't help but cross her arms at the thought of it, she knew how jealous and tense her own lover could get, "Hey! I know Shea and have for decades, I am definitely not trying to get you, I could never do that to Nina." She explained innocently, harmlessly, waving to Shea who kept a good but resentful distance.

Shea already giving her massive side eye, pointing at her and making gestures towards her throat at Monét bitterly, she knew her NYC sister was simply playing around and absolutely trusted Sasha's intuition however she couldn't help but feel a twine of jealously as if her and Sasha hadn't danced for the last two hours with arms only around eachother.

"We can dance but no licking my face."

"Consider it done bitch!"

*.✧

Leaving her friend's for themselves, Trinity pushed her way through best she could, unable to really process this all and convinced this was some kind of set up or joke Shea had for Sasha to simply deliever the punchline. It wasn't that she didn't feel like she was good enough or pretty enough, Trinity had the wallowing self confidence others wish they could chanel even 2% into, that wasn't the concern.

But Detox, it definitely seemed just a bit out of her league.

They weren't that much older than eachother, Trinity was younger by a year it was more that she was completely smitten hearing about her almost a year ago, entranced by the idea that someone loved plastic surgery as much as her finding that an impossible feat and then only meeting her through Alaska about six months ago where it was revealed the "Queen of Southern California" was actually born in Orlando, just as Trinity was.

"It's Trinity!" Screamed Alaska in excitement as Detox turned, taking a sharp breath in to appear as calm and sedated compared to her best friend as possible, "Yes it is! You gotta slow your roll girl." She mumbled comfortingly, rubbing her shoulders as she waved her off, "As long as she's driving me home, we're all good!" A finger in front of Detox's nose, quickly getting deflected with a scoff.

"Can't believe I gave up alcohol for you, fucking bitch."

Turning to Trinity she smiled, beginning to piece together that it was probably the doing of Monet or Sasha judging by their time together and proximity to eachother, she definitely wasn't disappointed, she just had hoped this could've happened without Alaska needing to breathe on her neck, literally and figuratively.

"Sorry about her, I have to be her damn sitter for the night since Roxxy is off in Orlando tonight without me."

"If you buy me some alcohol, I'll definitely forgive you." A wink leaving the corner of her right eye as Detox sprung into action, truly making an attempt to seem convincingly flirty back without making it cheesy or dense. "Pick your poision, I know everyone who works here so if they make it bad, I can complain like the bitch I am." Gaining a laugh from Trinity she couldn't help but smile, tuning out Alaska who also begged for alcohol.

"Suprise me." She breathed out gently, their eyes gazing though the moment always seemed to be ruined by the blonde's tantrums, Trinity wasn't offended, she couldn't count the number of times Sasha had probably carried her out a bar or three after a good night out.

"Manhattan please and a water if possible." She spoke as she handed the bartender a twenty, asking for no change as she invited Trinity to sit with her, the girl smiling and pulling out the chair so she could sit, watching her dress as she hopped up on the bar stool, the two exchanging awkwardly endearing glances. The energy extremely tense but the expressions clearly expressing nothing but need and want.

"So, I have to be a nosy bitch—" she started as she handed Trinity her drink, "Was it your friend who sent you over?" Referring to Sasha, she seemed sweet enough but wasn't sure if this interaction was going to be horrid or something worth taking up further.

"Yes, she mentioned you stared at me all night." A sip from her drink, an approving nod to the alcoholic beverage. Detox was a bit taken back by her honest response, Alaska beginning to doze out on her back, locking their hands so she could be sure she didn't let her be taken off by a stranger.

"Did she?"

"Yup, I didn't believe her hence why I came, I thought it was too good to be true is all." Honesty was truly the best policy when it came to Trinity, why try and beat around the bush when you could just get to the point, make out, buy some alcohol and go home happy or atleast mildly satisfied for the night.

A roll of the eyes from Detox, who ran a hand through her blonde hair as Trinity grabbed her free hand, "I expected more confidence from someone who can't even pinch herself." She had to laugh wildly at that, "Oh fuck off!" She screamed, hitting her shoulder teasingly.

"You're one to talk."

"Bitch atleast I am, I've never seen you so quiet, you're always making some snide or witty comment."

She couldn't argue with that, she never felt so much riddled anxiety trying to speak to someone like Trinity, even when they had first meet it seemed like some twist of fate, too good to be true.

Hilarious, stunning, a bit blunt but always honest and caring of her friends, full of silicone and always had a comeback in the palm of her hands ready and prepared.

"Dance?" Already finished with her Manhattan, Trinity stood and held her open hands out for Detox to take, the blonde nervously glancing back and forth at Alaska who was begining to get drowsy. "Don't worry about her, bring her with us and we can drop her with Sasha, you know her motherly insticts."

"Perfect." She laughed, taking her hand as she grabbed onto Alaska's shoulder who was dancing along to the tune, the music dying out in Detox's ear as Trinity lead her to the left of the floor, handing Alaska to Sasha with no words exchanged expect a nod, now they were alone to dance as the music set in, a new song starting.

"Jesus christ, this is a throw back." Detox laughed as she was still holding onto Trinity's hand, not wanting to let go though she danced along to the beat, the brunette impressed, "See you can dance!" Detox shrugged, sliding across the floor in her heels easily, she could pick up movements but didn't consider herself a dancer, Trinity she knew had two left feet unless she was about to pass out from alcohol poisoning or was grinding on someone.

❝ From the start its plain to see

you're suffering from a serious broken heart,

You know that its a shame

But I'm here to ease your pain. ❞

The music perfectly moved in as she took Trinity's waist, the other girl nervously inching away, "Trust me, trust me." She whispered before moving the hair from her forehead, "Trust the dancer who bought you a very overpriced cocktail." She couldn't argue with that logic.

❝ Do you know that

It takes two to make a thing go right

It takes two to make it out of sight

I can see it in your eyes

You feel the same way I feel about you. ❞

Feeling the rhythm of the music, singing loudly and feeling Trinity singing along to, she grabbed her hands and led her in a four corner movement, assuring she was doing just fine though Detox's added body rolls only made Trinity tense up twice as hard, unable to match her energy or refined skill, no matter how badly she claimed she couldn't pick up dancing.

❝ Some call it chemistry

I call it you should be with me

Cause I know together we can really turn this mother out. ❞

"You're really good at this!"

Detox had to amusingly snicker, "I'll send my thanks to Roxxy and Mayhem, taught me everything I need to know I guess." Relaxing her muscles Trinity felt herself slowly open up a bit more, everyone already looked a fool or was so adjusted to alcohol that they couldn't care how ridiculous she would look.

❝ In my mind there is no doubt

That one & one equals me & you

Don't you know that it takes two

Two to make it right. ❞

Trinity took it upon herself to turn around and shake her hair before running a hand down her dress and gently grinding on her partner's waist, recluctent at first before Detox wrapped her hands from behind around her neck, clearly approving.

She turned and threw her arms around her neck in return, staring intensely into her own eyes and mouthing every single word of the song as if she was Michelle Visage herself, though it was definitely a classic but the music absolutely gave her a new energy considering the lyrics and every new and horny ambition she felt running through her body. She owed Sasha as much money as she wanted after this.

❝ I don't believe in fairy tales

But I believe some things were meant to be

Why should we be alone

When we could have each others arms to hold. ❞

Their fingertips lingered on eachother's waist though Trinity was definitely the braver one from the duo, spinning her partner around with a quick speed before holding her with confidence, "Hope I won't make your friend's jealous." She said referring to Alaska and Roxxy, blowing Alaska a kiss as she jumped for joy seeing her two friend's dancing together.

The three always stuck around eachother since childhood she mentioned when they first met though she never knew the extent of their friendship.

"Oh trust me, they know me well enough to know who I've been pining for the last six months."

"Really? Who."

She needed to hear it first hand and know tonight wasn't just a waste of her time and Detox's, there was no way she had just grinded on the girl for no damn reason, the blonde bit the inside of her cheek, responding with a firm, "It's hard to say when she's dancing so sweetly in front of me." The god awful scent of hard liqour and cheap perfume dying down when Trinity learned into her face, wishing she would just knock her into a wall and kiss her already, time was a wasting until she had to go back to California, though she always made time for New York City.

"You're a real flirt, I like that."

"And I've been staring at you all night praying you'd kiss me so I guess we're even."

Detox didn't want to say she felt three entire weights drop off her shoulder when Trinity planted her lips on hers but it was difficult to say otherwise. Her red lipstick unintentionally brushing onto Detox's brightly colored pink lipstick though she wouldn't bitch about it, hell how could she. "Thank God for Sasha being nosy." She breathed out before slamming their lips together again, her hands toying with her hair, completely intoxicated forgetting she even had alcohol.

When she was pulled away after a solid minute she couldn't understand why, though they had kissed on that dance floor for about two minutes, having no boundaries now, every wall crushed down and thrown into the abyss. Her head leaned into the crook of Detox's neck since with heels she was still taller as she was without them, humming the song to herself with their hands dropped at eachother's hips.

"You wanna ditch?"

She had expected the question to come sooner or later, she loved her friends but if she could score especially score with someone who also showed a genuine interest in her, she would yank her own ass out of that bar and sprint in her white heels if she had to.

"Come to my hotel with me, if I can kiss you all night I don't want it to be in a gay bar playing Seduction, no offense." Her face changing to a gentle rose pink across her cheeks as a permanent smile was drawn on her face, Trinity could only nod and tighten her grip, interlocking their hands.

"None taken, just promise me you'll turn a blind eye if I steal that lipstick shade you're wearing right now."

"Consider it a done deal."

[5hfanfiction]

Be Exemplary (Chapter 2)

a/n: hope y'all are still reading! :) this fic is also available on ao3 :)

       It had been over one week since Camila saw the Clique (Lauren) again, and boy, was she relieved.

          She carried on with her classes and was happy to find out that most of her classmates and teachers were decent and not repulsive in anyway; well, most of them. She also managed to eat lunch with Normani anytime she could, and Normani being the social butterfly she was, quickly introduced her to a myriad of people and even her own circle of friends; making Camila feel as if she totally skipped the whole awkward-new-girl phase that she was supposed to go through.

         On the second Wednesday of her schooling life, Camila was introduced to Normani’s posse or Normani’s Bitches, as Normani would like to call it. Because Normani was a senior and was in the Student Council, she knew a lot of people and naturally made a lot of friends, not caring about their age.

       They all usually met at the cafeteria during lunch.

         First, it was Ashley Frangipane. She was a senior as well and was the head of the softball team in their school. She was quirky and had very short hair, which Normani informed Camila, would change colour every 3 months.

          “Who cares if you’re going through a mental breakdown, just change your hair colour and you’ll be fine,” joked Ashley, winking at Camila and eliciting a laugh from her.      

       Then, it was Victoria Monet, who was another senior. Her body was incredible, that was embarrassingly the first thing Camila noticed, and her skin was flawless. She was apparently a cheerleader and helped out the cheerleading team with their choreography as she was friends with the Head Cheerleader. Normani and her were childhood friends and bonded over the likes of the one and only, Beyonce Knowles.

         “Normani was the first one to teach me to how to twerk,” Victoria told Camila; her eyes glinting as she silently teased Normani by pretending to wipe away a non-existent tear from her eyes. “I owe her my life,” she continued dramatically to which Normani could only roll her eyes and playfully shove her.

         Last but not least, was Hailee Steinfeld, who was surprisingly Camila’s age. However, sadly she didn’t really take much of the same classes as her. She was incredibly tall, and Camila squealed when she found out that she was in the Glee Club; effectively, launching them into a plethora of stories that dug deep into the source of their love for music. Camila quickly found out that they both had the same sense of humour and even liked the same artists; making her gush on the spot, happy to have made a solid new friend.

          “I’m sorry, but you guys have to realise that all of you guys are hot right?…. Like how does one group have that many hot people inside of it, like…how? It doesn’t make sense?” Camila genuinely complimented them as they were all so oblivious to their beauty. “Is that why y’all are befriending me? So that i can officially be that one ugly girl in that big group of super-hot girls? Is that it?” she sputtered out like word vomit; half- serious, half joking.

          The four girls simply laughed and launched themselves into a lecture of self-love and declarations of “you’re fucking beautiful, Camila, shut the fuck up”, which surprisingly, had its intended effect on the brown-eyed girl.

          Like every teenage girl in the world, Camila had always doubted the way she looked. Before she had hit puberty, she hated her teeth, her body and even the way her voice sounded. And her mentality hadn’t really changed much after she had hit puberty, even when she got taller and her body got filled in all the right places. Even when her jawline sharpened or when her cheekbones popped and her smile was literal sunshine, she still had days where her insecurities could eat at her.

         There were days when the brown-eyed girl acknowledged that she actually did have a curvaceous body and her teeth weren’t as crooked as before. She would feel sexy and confident with herself.

  But sadly, those days were rare and didn’t last very long.

  (It was one of the reasons, Camila concluded, that she hadn’t dated anyone all her life; she doesn’t have the confidence to. Even though, she had grown into this beautiful woman who actually turned heads, she struggled to love herself. And if she couldn’t, how could she expect someone else to?)

            She’s working on it though, she’s finding her self-worth. And she has a feeling with this group of friends, she might be able to find it faster than she thought.              

            Just like that, Camila’s lunches with Normani stretched to accommodate three more people and she was slowly initiated into the elusive Normani’s Bitches squad. The four of them exchanged numbers and the quadruplet was bonded. Camila was beyond grateful to have found a group of friends that she could vibe with.

  Everything was finally looking great for her. So, of course, it was time for a change.

—

       It didn’t seem like it, but Camila was actually a morning person. Sometimes, she would wake up from a dreamless dream before her alarm clock even rang. She would then get up to get ready and leave the house with an apple in her hand before heading to school. She loved coming to school early; mainly because it was quiet. Sure, there were a few students sat in the hallway or even in the library dozing off, but it still gave Camila the feel of being alone; and sometimes, she needed that.

           On the third Monday of her schooling week, Camila reached school at 7.10 a.m. for her 8.05 a.m. AP Literature class, and thankfully, she found that the class hadn’t been locked. She quickly slipped inside with her school bag slung over her shoulder to sit in her favourite seat; just in the middle section of the class but next to the window. She then dug into her backpack to pull out a pair of earphones; intending to get lost in her own world.

         She played her self-made playlist from Spotify that consisted of songs she wished she had written and she looked out the windows; swiftly forgetting about the world around her. The volume was almost at its max, and she observed the trees, the school benches, the slow traffic of students piling into the school.

  Sometimes people are so caught up in their  world that they fail to press pause and observe the world around them.

       Camila continued to stare outside of the window for what felt like 30 minutes, until she suddenly felt the hair on her neck stand up. She had an inkling of a feeling she was being watched from behind and she turned her head around instinctively as she pulled an earphone out from her ears.

         Her chocolate orbs abruptly locked with green and her hand flew to her chest as she almost jumped out of her skin; goosebumps rising all over.

         Sitting right next to her was none other than, Lauren Jauregui. The older girl kept her eyes on Camila as her signature smirk grew on her lips. She was leaning back on her chair and Camila wondered how long she had been sitting there; goosebumps failing to disperse and only worsening. Camila didn’t know what to do, or how to react; her shock was preventing her from forming normal words like a human being.

  (Her burning anger for Lauren suddenly forgotten.)

  Before she could say anything, Lauren spoke instead,“You’re the new girl right?”

        Camila did not expect her to sound like that. Her voice was deep,raspy and rugged, like she had smoked cigars and it made Camila’s heart jump. Camila stared for a second before answering, “Yeah, i am,”.

           “Hm,” Lauren hummed, leaning forward in her chair so that she was closer to Camila; making the younger girl instinctively lean back. The brown eyed girl felt like she was sitting next to a ticking-time bomb; all the rumours replaying in Camila’s mind.

           Lauren was still staring at her though, like she was trying to figure her out. Camila was transfixed by the other girl’s eyes because the sunlight hitting Lauren’s face suddenly revealed gold specks in them. The green eyed girl suddenly swiped her tongue along her bottom lip and Camila was horrified that her traitorous eyes followed the pink muscle. Obviously noticing the sudden deviation of eye contact, Lauren’s smirk grew wider but she asked Camila a somewhat surprising question.

            “I know you from somewhere, don’t i? What’s your name, babe?” asked Lauren, her smirk still in place. The word babe snapped Camila out of her transfixed stupor, though.

  Suddenly, the anger was back.

            “Well, i’m not exactly sure. Because the Lauren i knew back in first grade didn’t beat people up for the heck of it,” spat Camila, happy to see the smirk wiped clean off Lauren’s face and recognition flash across it. “And my name is Camila, not babe, so please, never call me that again,”

            However, as quickly as the smirk was wiped off Lauren’s face, it was back and in full force; making Camila uneasy. “Camila, huh?,” Lauren husked with a perfect Cuban accent; making Camila flush.

  (She wouldn’t admit it, but she never thought her name could ever sound that good coming from someone else’s mouth)

            Her emerald eyes bored into Camila’s and then suddenly descended to take their time raking over Camila’s body which was clad in a simple form fitting white t-shirt and black skinny jeans. “I never knew you would grow up to be this hot,” Camila felt a chill run down her spine at Lauren’s words, “You never told me you were moving but i’m glad,” Lauren continued, her eyes abruptly rising to Camila’s face, watching as her cheeks tinted red, “- because absence makes the heart grow fonder, and you look positively edible right now,” she finished with a wink, and right on the dot, the door opened for a flurry of students to walk in as well as the teacher; effectively disrupting the.. conversation both of them were having.

            Camila teared her eyes from Lauren’s as she willed her heart to stop beating so fast. Dis credulity seeped through her veins as she still felt scorching eyes on her. How fucking inappropriate can she be? Camila looked at her then with a withering glare which only made the green eyed girl chuckle to herself and put both her hands up in mock ‘surrender’; successfully irritating Camila more. Why does she have to be so infuriating?

           She doesn’t look at Lauren at all for the whole class and packed her bag swiftly to leave when the class ended, but to no avail, Lauren caught up with her outside class with a grip on her wrist which Camila yanked her hand out off.

           “Woah, woah, princess, slow down,” Lauren chuckled with a slight rasp, her tone flirty as she stepped dangerously into Camila’s personal space. The nickname sparking further annoyance in Camila. Thankfully, the students in the hallways were minding their own business (or at least they were pretending to), so Camila didn’t have to wish that the ground would just swallow her whole; just to get away from her most hated person at the moment. Suddenly, Lauren lifted a finger up to the brown-eyed girl’s chin to move her eyes up to hers.

  (The small contact made Camila’s heart burn, but she simply ruled it out to anger)

          Camila huffed then, taking a step back from the older girl with her arms crossed over her chest; away from her too green eyes. Lauren only took steps closer; testing Camila’s patience. Just as about Camila was going to retaliate and tell Lauren to leave her the fuck alone, Lauren spoke.

          “You know,” she dragged the last syllable of her sentence; coming eye to eye with Camila. Camila’s anger was increasing rapidly, her cells were just about vibrating. “You can’t ignore me forever. The more you resist me, the more i want you for myself. It’s a vicious cycle,” Lauren whispered to her; then, she brought her finger up to tuck Camila’s hair behind her ears but Camila broke her silence. She grabbed Lauren’s wrist in mid-air and inched closer to Lauren; temper engulfing her body. She had never once been violent or rough with people before, but Lauren’s high on superiority brought out the worst in Camila.

         “Get the fuck, away from me,” Camila seethed in Lauren’s face; leaving a stoned face Lauren behind as she stomped over to the cafeteria. Camila really hoped Normani would be able to calm her down, or else she was going to run back and slap Lauren in the face.

  Because quite frankly, she wasn’t scared of her.

—

        Camila encountered a mix of reactions from her friends when she left a hot trail behind her, basically slammed herself down on their table. She was fuming, and all the girls could tell. Before anyone could ask, Camila launched into everything that happened that day; her hands gestured to nothing and her eyes wild. When she was done, all of them had their jaws dropped.

           “You……basically….got in her face…and told her to fuck off..” Normani repeated to no one, but herself; trying to comprehend her new friend’s actions.

           “Holy fuck Camila, who knew you were such a badass!” exclaimed Ashley, putting an arm around Camila’s shoulder.

         “Girl…..you’re amazing….but, Lauren won’t let you go that easily ,” echoed Hailee. The other girl had been around longer than Camila and had never seen the consequences of someone rejecting Lauren like that. “She’s going to come after you,”

           “Oh c’mon,” Ashley replied, “Lauren’s not that bad, she’ll make you a target for a few weeks, but then she’ll just let you go,” she nonchalantly said while taking a bite out of her burger; mayonnaise dripping down her chin.

         “‘Lauren’s not that bad’? Are you serious Ashley?.. Don’t listen to her Mila, Ashley has a soft spot for Lauren because they dated freshman year,” argued Victoria, who finally managed to wrap her head around the information that Camila told her.

          That caught Camila’s interest. “Wait, wait, wait…Ashley dated Lauren?” she asked incredulously, trying to imagine it in her mind but failing all together.

        “Yeah, for a hot second,” replied Ashley, licking ketchup off her fingers, “It was when Lauren, Ally and Dinah was just Lauren, Ally and Dinah y’know, before they were the Clique,” supplied Ashley. “She was charming, sweet and not to mention, a really good kisser,” Ashley finished with a wink; earning a few ‘ews’ from the table but Camila only felt her stomach turn with nervousness.

            Normani slurped her drink and added, “The Clique only became the Clique at the start of sophomore year. Something changed in Lauren, and the other two just tagged along. Blindly,”

            The ebony-skinned girl’s tone had taken a melancholy turn towards the end of her sentence, and Camila wondered if it had something to with Dinah. She never really did bring it up with her.

            “Before that, they used to pick fights, though unnecessary and dumb, to help people or protect people,..but then, they started to pick fights for their own selfish gain, and they flaunted their egos like its a flag,” explained Normani, her voice low and rough.

            “Though,” Ashley piped in, “Lauren has only ever hit boys though, i have never seen her hit a girl. And in this situation, since you’re a girl, she just might, i don’t know, publicly humiliate you or best case scenario, harass you until you give in,” she finished with a tilt of her head; her tone full of satire.

            Camila choked on her drink upon hearing those last words from Ashley’s mouth. “That’s the best fucking case scenario, are you serious right now?” Camila spluttered; trying very hard not to imagine what giving in to Lauren would be like.

  (Her new friends knew about her lack of relationships and her lip-virgin situation, which gave them the ammunition they needed to give her a proper opportunity for embarrassment.)

           “Aw babe, it ain’t that bad. You like girls right, well, Lauren’s a fucking hot one and i’m pretty sure she can show you a good time if you know what i mean. She has a lot of experience, and she could even teach you, don’t worry” Ashley replied with a faux reassuring tone. Victoria and Hailee made kissy noises in the background; effectively turning Camila into a blushing mess. She instantly regretted her choice of spilling all her beans.

         “Guys, y’all are shaming her, how dare y’all,” Normani scolded and took Camila’s hand in hers. “You told me that you knew Lauren in 1st grade,” stated Normani; earning a few “woah, what”s and “seriously”s from the other girls at the table and a nod from Camila. “We can only hope that because of that, she’ll treat you differently and not like any other girl around here,”

         “I know you’re angry and a little bit frustrated of how much she has changed since then, but look at it this way, you’re only going to see her for a year, so just ignore her and don’t fall into her trap,” reassured Normani; finally helping to calm down an enraged Camila.

      “Yeah, she’s going to try to push all your buttons, but don’t let her, soon enough she’ll just switch to another girl,” Victoria advised, patting Camila on the back a few times.

          Camila smiled at both of them, showing them her pearly whites as she gave them both a small nod. She could get through this, especially with these friends by her side. “Thanks guys for all the advice, i can only hope now that God saves my soul,” Camila dramatically announced, her mind still reeling from all the advice she had gotten a few minutes ago.

         She mulled over it and the details her friends had given her; daydreaming as she stared out to the cafeteria.

           Something had changed Lauren in sophomore year.  Right as that thought passed her mind, her eyes zeroed in on three pairs of legs that walked into the cafeteria.

  Speak of the devil.

           She saw Lauren and quickly looked away before they locked eyes with each other again. She couldn’t handle the tension.

  Operation “Try to Ignore Her and Not Fall Into Her Trap” was a go.

—

The plan was working, it really was.

         For a month, Camila turned a blind eye to Lauren’s actions; ignoring her questions, her winks, her taunts and uncalled for catcalls in the hallway. She couldn’t completely escape her in Literature class because the emerald-eyed girl always chose to sit right next to her, but other than that, she managed to avoid her very successfully. It was easy, but only because of her newly-made friends. They told her about where the Clique usually hung out and places where they usually don’t; like the library, or sometimes, even the field.

         Therefore, Camila made it a point to never go to school early again (no matter how much it was a sanctuary to her) and found a way to spend all her free time with one of Normani’s Bitches so that she would never be truly alone; and when that didn’t work, she mostly just spent her time in the library. She could listen to her music in there as well; no one could stop her.

        The only thing was that the whole walking-on-eggshells thing was a major downside.

          Everytime she as much as caught sight of Lauren and her Clique, she would strut away like her life depended on it, or put in her earphones so she could block the older girl out for good. However, she noticed, Lauren was never affected by it. It was like she was used to it; which got on Camila’s nerves even more.

  There were always wider smirks and brighter, glinting green eyes.

  If Camila had to roll her eyes any longer, she was sure that it would fall out of her head.

  It was like a game to Lauren.

       Everytime she was ignored, or her attention was shunned; she came back more determined. Her words still rung in Camila’s mind, “The more you resist me, the more i want you for myself,” and it made the brown-eyed girl gag. Not only was that statement borderline invasive, it was also creepy as fuck.

  (And it made Camila’s skin shiver; not a good sign)

         Camila could only avoid the bane of her existence for so long, and after a while, it got hard for her to keep up with all the rules of her “operation”. Especially because after the first two months, she rarely saw Lauren anymore anyway; therefore, she hoped that she had taken a damn hint and started harassing some other girl whose name was not “Camila”.

  (Though having that thought made Camila feel incredibly sorry for the supposed ‘other girl’.)

  Maybe, it was safe to bend the rules a little.

          So on Wednesday, Camila decided to say “fuck it” and she arrived at school early; however, she had forgotten her water bottle. Therefore, when she reached school after walking for 10 minutes, she needed a drink. It was 7.20 a.m. and the school was kind of empty. She rushed over to the water fountain near the teacher’s lounge and bent down to take a drink; ignoring the slight concern for germs that she had.

         She was midway drinking when she heard a voice sound out behind her; the raspy voice of the one person she had tried to ignore for the last two months.

          “You have no idea how many times i’ve imagined you in this position,”

         Camila choked on the water she was drinking, coughing one or two times; her face getting red with the innuendo implied.

         Embarrassment set in, and with it, hot, burning anger. Camila was done feeling like she had to adapt to Lauren’s setting, and she was going to make it clear. She spun on her heels only to catch Lauren’s eyes speedily meet hers as they were clearly checking Camila out; only making Camila even more annoyed. Her bottom lip was caught by her teeth and Camila forced herself not to look at the plump skin.

         “Why? So you could fuck me with your non-existent dick?” Camila asked her; surprising herself with her choice of words that dripped with sarcasm as her eyes burned into Lauren’s which widened. Both of her perfectly trimmed eyebrows rose as she took a step closer to Camila; the surprise evident in her features.

          “Wow, you’re feisty, huh?,” she answered her, stepping into her personal space even more, and Camila unconsciously moved back until her back hit the wall; allowing Lauren to effectively corner her. The older girl smelled like smoke and Camila’s nose wrinkled at the unfamiliar smell. Lauren pretended to think before getting eye-to-eye with the younger-girl; her green eyes almost black.

           “Um… sadly, maybe not a dick, but i’m sure a strap-on could do the job just as well,” she whispered to her; breath hitting Camila’s flushed face.

          Before Camila could respond with a fiery comeback; trying her best to ignore the increased pounding of her heart in her chest, Lauren beat her to it.

        “But maybe we can save that for later….something tells me you’ve never used these before,” Lauren continued, her voice husky; bringing one finger up to trace Camila’s upper lip with her papillae; her eyes focusing on her lips rather than her eyes, and Camila felt her breath hitch in her throat. “Am i right?”

  Like hell was she going to have her first kiss with fucking Lauren.

           Finally gaining back strength in the muscles of her arm to work again, she used them to shove Lauren back; barely making her move a step or two. “Shut up, what the fuck is wrong with you?” she seethed at her; a mixture of shame and anger rolling off her body.

          Disgustingly, Lauren only chuckled; the hallways echoed her throaty laugh. “So, i guess i’m right, huh?,” she replied, not waiting for a flustered Camila to answer while her eyes glinted with mischief. “I always knew i had a sixth sense,” she complimented herself as Camila abruptly spun around and walked away from her; she could no longer be in the presence of that psycho path.

         “You can walk away from me as much as you want babe, but just know that you’re giving me the view that i want,” called out Lauren from behind her, and Camila willed herself not to throw up in her mouth.

  Never had she felt so violated in her entire life, like she had no control.

  How the fuck was she going to survive the school year?

—

         “I don’t know what to do Ari, she’s everywhere,” Camila huffed onto the phone as she laid on her bed. Her hair was still wet from her shower and she just felt tired.

           “Babe, you have to pull through this. I feel like she’s only targeting you because she feels like she knows you- or maybe, because you’re her blast from the past, she’s hogging on you even more to prove herself to you, or maybe i don’t know, herself,” Ari reasoned with Camila, her voice sweet and extremely calming to Camila’s ears; though her use of the word ‘babe’ made her flinch a little.

            “Okay, Psychology major, we get it,” Camila teased her best friend, earning a genuine laugh from her. “She just infuriates me all the time with her stupid stares with her stupid green eyes and her completely inappropriate comments about my ass, and sometimes, i’m so shocked by the things she says that i just stand there stagnant, and i can’t move, like her green eyes turn me into stone or something,” rambled the younger girl; reliving her horrid moments in school.

           “Green eyes, huh?,” enquired Ariana, her tone ending with a tilt.

  (She only noticed because Camila said it like 75045847 times.)

            Camila, who was confused at the question, answered with a question, “Yeah, and it’s weird because they sometimes change colour and they have gold specks in them which is kind of creepy…but yeah, what’s your point?”

            “Oh, nothing, just a question,” Ariana deadpanned mysteriously; leaving Camila with an abundance of curiosity. “Ari, what are you trying to sa-”

            “No,no it’s nothing really. Back to me advising you- so, just think about the upcoming events your school is having! Aren’t the auditions for ‘Grease’ and slash Glee Club coming up?,” responded Ariana; effectively diverting Camila’s thought process to the musical play.

            “Yeah! Normani told me that audition sheets are going up tomorrow, i’m going to be the first one to sign up!,” Camila’s excitement could be heard through the phone screen. She continued, “Normani says that it’s also kind of an audition for the Glee Club, like those who are picked have the chance to be in the Glee Club if they wanted to! Who do you think i should play? Sandy? But i feel like…”

  And just like that their conversation stretched on and on about outfits and song choices; far away from the topic that wore leather jeans and red lipstick.

  —

          It was 7.30 a.m. and Camila was staring at the audition sheet pinned the board in front of her. It was decorated with ‘Grease’ memorabilia with John Travolta’s and Olivia Newton John’s face on it; making Camila smile at the nostalgia she felt. A pen hung by its side and Camila looked at it, still pondering on which character she should audition for; staring at the “Character” column that was highlighted on the sheet.

          Normani and Victoria told her to go for Sandy, go big or go home. However, Ashley and Hailee (who was also auditioning) told her to go for a smaller role because the big roles are usually given to the seniors. Camila was honestly okay with anything, as long as she got to be up on that stage and sing, she was fine. It also helped that ‘Grease’ was one of her favourite musicals of all time.

          “Are you going to stare at that paper all day or what?” a deep raspy voice sounded in Camila’s left ear; making her jump out of her skin. She turned around to find Lauren right behind her; her signature smirk still in place.

          “What’s the rush? Are you going to audition as well?” tormented Camila; annoyance in her voice.

          Lauren only smirked and ignored her question. “I think you would be a great Sandy, y’know, it’d be very fitting. Goody-two shoes girl who falls head over heels with a stud in a leather jacket. Sounds familiar, don’t you think?” she replied, her tone flirty as she simply stared into Camila’s doe eyes; unblinking.

          “Give me a break,” huffed Camila, turning her back on Lauren; tired of her silly mind games. “It couldn’t be further from the truth,” she replied as she finally made up her mind and wrote down her name together with “Frenchy” under the ‘Character’ column. When she turned back around, Lauren was actually giving her a smile.

         A whole smile, not just a stupid smirk and Camila unexpectedly felt her heart jump a little. “Bold choice, not one i would choose though,” the green eyed girl shrugged.

         Annoyed by her reaction, Camila folded her arms over her chest. “And what would you possibly choose? All you know how to do is harass and torment other people like the bully you are,” her verbal diatribe spilled out of her mouth before she could stop it.

          Lauren simply stood in front of her with a smirk in place. Camila’s nerves were suddenly haywire; unsure of what Lauren was going to say or do next.

         Then, Lauren walked around her; allowing the Cuban to catch a whiff of smoke before the green-eyed girl grabbed the pen by the audition sheet. Camila’s eyes bulged out of her head as the older girl proceeded to write down her name and her character- “Rizzo”. Holy fuck, this is not happening. Lauren then dropped her pen and turned around on her heels; facing Camila’s shocked face with her stupid signature smirk still in place.

      “See you at auditions, babe” she said, her tone mischievous as she winked at Camila before walking down the hallway.

         Camila couldn’t even react properly to the nickname she hated. She was bombarded with thoughts and eventually, slight panic about the hours and hours that she might have to spend with Lauren if she was actually any good.

  And it made her head hurt.

[hanalwayssolo]

Careful Confessions

A/N: Please let me project my own insecurities in writing through this little self-indulgent reader-insert drabble.

Tagging some Gladio babes that I know of: @louisvuittontrashbags @hypaalicious @cupnoodle-queen

You look at yourself in the mirror. You study how Gladio’s black button-down shirt draped around the entirety of your small frame as it fell just above your knees. You slightly peel it off over your left shoulder, and with a portion of skin barely exposed, you see a Monet masterpiece: lilac and pink bruises dotted your skin like a watercolor painting. You can’t help but smile.

If this is what it means to make love with Gladio, then by all means—gods be good, you’ll let him make a gallery of love bites out of you.

Your fingers begin to trace the marks in your neck, down to your chest, until you reach the curve of your waist and the layer of flesh that hugged your stomach. It’s as if all the fat in your body decided to convene in that section without your knowledge. Your smile dissipates like vapor.

A cringing feeling punches you in the gut. You wince at the sight of yourself, all painted in flaw and blemish. There are slashes of every shape from past wounds that travelled across your thighs, and stretch marks that striped the surface of your hips. Your body is a collection of your stories inked permanently in scars, and last night, Gladio has read each and every single one of them.

In the mirror, you could only see a disaster of a person. You wonder if Gladio sees you that way, too.

“Hey there, beautiful.”

As if to protest against the impending insecurities about to plague your thoughts, you hear Gladio’s voice. From the reflection in the mirror, you watch him rise from the bed and move closer in his naked glory, snaking his behemoth arms around your waist. Your height difference is like a crushing jab to your existence. “I look so tiny in your clothes. Like I shrunk.” “You look adorable in them,” he whispers in your ear. “Now, what’s really bothering you?” He looks at you in the mirror so intently, curiously, like he’s already reading your mind. “How can you love someone like me? Look at all of this.” You chew your lower lip, hoping it could ease the weight of the words you just spit out as you wait for Gladio to pass his judgment. But he doesn’t judge. In fact, he’s taken aback, his own heart swelling that you don’t see yourself the way he sees you. His mouth tentatively opens, a brief second of calculating his words, and purses into a smile. “All your scars are stars,” he squeezes you in his arms, gently and firmly all at once, his gaze still fixed on you. “And you’re made of galaxies, and I want you to revel on yourself the way I revel on you.” Your heart nearly leaps out of your chest. “Did you just make poetry out of me?” He laughs and the rumbling of his chest sends shivers down your spine, and he nuzzles his face on the crook of your neck. “I sure did. And also, I love you.” Eyes still fixed on the mirror, you ask, “Would you still love me even if I put on some weight?” “Even if you think you’re at your worst, I will love you.” “Even if I grow another arm?” “Even if you grow another leg. Or another ear.” “Really?” “Really really.” Gladio carefully spins you so he can meet you face to face, handling you like you’re made of fragile glass. “Look, I won’t bow out in assuring you everyday that I love you, even if it means I have to write cheesy poems on the fly about your greasy hair or that food that always seem to get stuck between your teeth.” You look up at him, tears threatening to spill from your eyes. “What did I do to deserve you?” He presses a kiss on your forehead. “I could ask you the same thing.” “I love you, Gladio. So, so much I can feel my heart ache.” “And I love you, too,” he smiles, cupping your face with such tenderness in his hands. “I will love the shit out of you. Always.”

His lips crashes into yours before you can even breathe another word.