#aaron pierre fan fiction

[thefantasyride]

The eyes + the stare would have me folding like a chair at the Great Montgomery Brawl.🤤 I need help! 🫠

[nubiawrites]

chapter four

Pairing: Aaron Pierre x Black Original Character

Warnings: Slow burn. mentions of kissing, thigh riding, and dry humping. mentions of weed and alcohol. 18+

Summary: Aaron and Iriye toe the line of their connection at a celebration for Paradise Lost.

Notes: Y'all still strapped in. Cause I think y'all gonna hate me with this chapter. The ideas I have for the next chapter will be well worth it. Please reblog, like, or reply, as I love talking about stories and characters. Thank you for all the love so far.

MASTERLIST

It happened so fast, as Aaron would say, when the paparazzi and the press asked about his attachment to the project. Within three days of the first time he tasted whiskey on Iriye’s lips, the studio had sent to the trades that Lanoire Productions Paradise Lost was greenlit, Aaron smiling at the headshots of Tamara and Iriye, focusing on the latter more so. 

Seven days after feeling the weight of her straddling his lap as Iriye got herself off on his clothed length, the announcement that Aaron had been cast went out. He received many texts and calls from family and friends congratulating him on the role. But the one text he had been waiting on was from the woman who sounded so sexy grinding on his lap, nails digging into her neck and lips that were so soft. He was trying to be cool, but he was waiting for it. Two hours after the announcement, he saw her name pop up under his notifications, and he quickly read it, seeing she sent a screenshot of the article and the word congratulations.  

“Congratulations,” He muttered to himself. He didn't want to be rude, so he sent her the prayer hands emoji and a thank you. But the congratulations? It was going to haunt him for a bit.

Fourteen days after tasting the skin of Iriye’s neck, he finally saw Iriye in person. 

Aaron was focused, rerunning the scene with the actress with whom he was doing a chemistry test. Though he was filming on Lanterns, in the moments he had free time, pre-production for Paradise Lost was well on its way. 

Many execs were standing at Video Village, watching Aaron run through the lines with one of three actresses up for consideration for his romantic interest. They finished the scene, and Tamara came over, taking her headphones off her head. She began asking them to try it differently, but he zoned out as he saw Iriye chatting with Davis, the exec on the project. He probably wore rose-colored glasses, but he could tell she was happy. Anytime she was on the lot, she was. From the first time he saw her on the sound stage, taking it all in, he had to know why she was passionate.

Aaron watched as she shifted on her feet, heeled boots underneath a long denim skirt that hugged her curves nicely. The slit in her skirt peeked and showed her legs a little. She wore a graphic design shirt, and though it was simple, she looked all put together. Even if he could only think of how two weeks ago, she was falling apart in his lap from them grinding against each other through their clothes.

“So let's see how that feels?” Tamara stated. The actress, Samantha Ailey, with whom he was running his scene, nodded in agreement. “Aaron, that works?” Aaron nodded, taking in what she said and returning to the scene. He glanced over in Iriye’s direction again and saw her sit by Tamara, her peeking over at him for a second and their eyes meeting. A quick nod from her was all she gave as she returned to the video console.

Aaron turned back to Sam, noticing she was entering the space she had created for Nora, the romantic lead opposite Aaron’s Isaiah. Seeing another actor in their element, pushing and pulling in a scene, was why he was in the career. He loved the collaboration and the exploration you could do with a character. He was right at home when the scene began.

Every time Aaron read one of the words Iriye had crafted, sentences that ran together seamlessly, he was in awe. Since that night they kissed, he had reread the script, making notes and digging deeper into this character. And having fun doing so. Isaiah was quickly becoming one of his favorite characters to dive into.

“Cut!” Tamara said gently, one of the production assistants bringing over a water bottle for him and his scene partner. He thanked them, taking a sip before handing it back.

His scene partner tried to make small talk, and he indulged her, trying to stay present as he peeped over to Tamara and Iriye talking. Tamara nodded before Iriye began walking over to them.

“Hey Sam, how are you feeling?” Iriye checked in. 

“I’m doing good, Iriye. In great hands with Aaron here,” Sam said as she pointed toward him.

“Perfect,” Iriye said, turning her attention to Aaron finally. It felt like she hung the sun as her attention was on him. “So we want to try something different this time around,” 

Iriye explained the scene's underlying vibe to the two. Aaron listened, finding her perspective interesting, as he had a different idea of the scene. Iriye was just about to walk away when he stopped her.

“Yes, Aaron,” Iriye stated as she felt his hand on her arm stopping her.

“I get your reasoning behind the note, but I was wondering if we could discuss it more quickly,” Aaron asked. Iriye weighed her options momentarily before nodding, throwing her hand to Tamara. Their hand signals became apparent, and Tamara spoke to an executive.

“So, in the scene, Isaiah and Nora are weighing their options, their entanglement becoming more apparent and the attraction weighing on them. They know the repercussions, but they're drawn to each other,” Iriye explained.

“Hm. Kind of like us,” Aaron said, keeping his face neutral. Iriye narrowed her eyes at him. 

“Not like us,” Iriye shook her head.

“I said kind of like us,” Aaron replied. Iriye glared at him, and Aaron gave her a small smile.

“Focus,” Iriye breathed. “You guys are giving too much away in the scene. Pull it back. It should be a longing. A marathon. Not a sprint,” 

“I wanna see you again,” Aaron stated.

“You see me, Aaron,” 

“Not like this,” Aaron feigned concentration, but the look in his eyes was something more profound. Iriye tried to keep her cool for professionalism’s sake.

“Prove it. Get through this scene,” Iriye said before returning to video village. If Aaron could grin, he would be showing all his teeth, but Sam came back over, and they were asked if they were ready.

By the end of the scene, Aaron knew he did something right because Tamara clapped, rushing over as the camera test ended.

“We got it, folks. That’s a wrap,” Tamara said. The crew on the soundstage clapped. Aaron stepped aside so Sam could have the room and applause. 

Aaron was already searching for Iriye, seeing her clapping. He was about to walk her way, but an executive pulled her away, and he figured he would have to wait. As a production assistant handed him his water, Nelly came up, clapping her hands for him. 

“Hey big guy!” Nelly said, her loose waves framing her face. “Good job out there,”

“Thank you,” Aaron said, grateful for the woman. “But I owe it all to you, Tamara and Iriye,”

“If you say so,” Nelly said, brushing her shoulder off. “Okay, I have a request of you. And by request, more like a demand,”

Aaron let out a chuckle. As he looked down at the woman, who stood at five foot three, he could tell she was tall in personality.

“What do you need? Another birthday message,” Aaron joked. 

“No, but Auntie Devon thanks you, and you’re invited for dinner anytime you want,” Nelly pointed out. “I’m throwing a bit of a surprise celebration on Tamara’s rooftop for her and Iriye,” Aaron raised his eyebrow at the sentence. “Aaron, I may seem rich in heart and spirit, but I share a two-bedroom apartment with my roommate and her boyfriend,”

“I’m not hating, I swear,” Aaron raised his hands in defense. 

“Good. So you’ll come? It’ll be lowkey. Close friends and people we like only. I can even say cameras and no paparazzi for you,” Nelly joked. 

“No, we don’t have to do that,” Aaron shrugged. “I’ll be there,” Nelly clapped happily.

“Great. Bring something strong. And not just yourself,” Nelly stated before walking away.

Aaron shook his head before returning to his trailer so he could leave for the day.

Aaron stared at himself in his apartment mirror, brushing his waves before leaving the bathroom. He looked around his apartment, ensuring he had everything before grabbing the bottle of Whiskey that the liquor store clerk had suggested. He figured it would taste good on his lips and maybe Iriye’s if he got to kiss her again.

Aaron arrived at the apartment building in Culver City and parked his car in the garage, as Nelly had mentioned in her text message. He made his way up to the floor, knocking on the door. It quickly opened, and Nelly smiled, ushering him in. 

“Thanks for coming,” Nelly moved to take the bottle of whiskey from him. “Let me get you a drink,” She said, ushering him to the kitchen, where there was a counter littered with food and drinks.

A dark skin black woman with a curly bob set out plates, smiling as she saw Aaron.

“Tam and Iri should be here in thirty minutes top,” The woman said before leaning over to shake Aaron’s hand. “I’m Cece,”

“Tamara’s girlfriend, right?” Aaron asked, a big smile taking over the infamous Cece’s face.

“Yes. Nice to finally meet you,” Cece stated. “Your picture currently hangs in my home office, which has become Tam’s office. She says she doesn’t believe in bringing work home, and yet it happens,”

“My bad,” Aaron chuckled. Nelly offered to take his jacket, and he handed it to her before making himself a drink. “Anything I can help with?”

“Nothing really, but I appreciate it, and besides, this is your celebration too, as much as theirs,” Cece said. Aaron nodded as Nelly came back into the kitchen.

“Aaron, let me show you off to everyone,” Nelly said, pulling him along. Aaron followed her outside to the rooftop, where at least thirteen other people, different shades of black and brown, were hanging out. Aaron mingled, enjoying the conversations around him and chipping in when he could. It felt good to exist for a moment.

He was chatting with a cinematographer friend of Tamara’s, sharing the last film they watched with good lighting when Cece rushed outside. 

“They’re coming up. Look alive,” Cece said. Aaron moved to crouch somewhere, trying his best not to spill his half-sipped drink, but with his height, he sat on his ass to hide properly.

He listened for the footsteps after a few minutes.

“I better get girlfriend of the year. I drove across town for Cece’s favorite prerolls,” Tamara lamented. Aaron quickly heard Iriye’s laugh, and he smiled to himself.

“Surprise!” Cece called out, everyone joining in. Aaron stood up, a little of his drinking sloshing in the cup. 

Iriye covered her face momentarily, seeing a mix of her and Tamara’s close-knit friends when she put her hands down. Tamara playfully pushed her, looking across the little crowd and seeing Aaron standing amongst people. Her face warmed as she caught him holding his cup up before sipping.

“Babe,” Tamara said, going over to Cece and kissing her. Everyone hooted and hollering at the pair. 

“We just wanted to celebrate you two, the brains behind Lanoire,” Cece said, pulling Iriye in for a side hug and squeezing her side. “Nelly, get up here,”

Nelly headed for Aaron, pulling him through the crowd. “Don’t forget Aaron,” Nelly pulled Aaron beside Iriye before taking Tamara’s side. Iriye masked how aware she was of Aaron’s body close to hers.

Aaron stepped away a little to give the four of them the space, clapping along with everyone for them. Once things died down, Aaron stood off to the side and let them bask in their moment. Aaron was proud to be there, seeing Iriye’s smile as she enjoyed the spotlight.

Throughout the night, he tried to converse politely with others, but his eyes kept returning to Iriye. She had forgone her skirt and shirt for a denim dress, side peeking out from the sides having cutouts. But she still wore the boots from earlier, making her at least two more inches taller than she was. Whenever he tried getting closer to her, someone came up, or a song she loved popped on, watching her dance and sing the lyrics to the music blasting from the rooftop.

Aaron was about to get another drink when another song came on, the beat he enjoyed. 

Iriye rushed to the makeshift dance floor, hips swinging as she felt loose. All week had been something as she and Tamara prepared for the chemistry test. But from what the execs heard afterward, they all loved it. She felt she could breathe, her mind focusing on the man who had been a part of it all: Aaron.

Iriye saw him holding the wall, bouncing his head to it. If it hadn’t been for the shot Nelly gave her and the drink she mixed up, she wouldn’t have kept her eye on him as she danced. And Aaron was meeting her gaze; the two engaged in a stare-off as Iriye rolled her hips in a circle.

“Fuck it,” Aaron said to himself. He downed the rest of his drink before going over to her, two-stepping to the music. The group dancing around her whooped and hollered as Aaron joined. 

Iriye felt too good, watching Aaron enter her space as they moved together. The music was good, and so were the vibes. She caught his eyes, bright and full of energy. Iriye got closer, dancing with him, feeling like they were just the two on the dance floor. 

I need you so much, it scares me 

Hooked on you clearly 

No matter what I do boy, I'm fucked

Kelly Rowland sang from the speakers, and Iriye saw how Aaron matched her energy. She chuckled as she spun in a circle, playfully throwing it back. She saw the light stutter in Aaron’s dance moves and rolled her eyes.

“Can’t keep up,” Iriye taunted with a smirk. Aaron raised an eyebrow at her.

“You play too much,” Aaron threw back.

Aaron reached out for her hand, and he spun her in a circle, her dancing to the beat of the music before moving closer to him, them both moving in sync.

The song ended, and Iriye took a moment to catch her breath as the crowd dispersed around them, smiling at Aaron as she pulled away from him. “I’m getting a drink,” Iriye said, a mischievous sparkle in her eye as she looked at him. 

“I think I need one, too,” Aaron said. Iriye headed back into the apartment, Aaron following right behind her. Luckily, the guise of being thirsty didn’t bring too much attention to them as they were alone in the kitchen. 

Iriye grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge, handing one to Aaron.

“Here you go,” Iriye opened hers, watching him as he uncapped his. She took a sip of hers and swallowed it down, her eyes catching the sight of the tattoo peeking out the left sleeve of his shirt. “Nice tattoo,”

Aaron grinned when she peeped at it, seeing the ape on his bicep. “It’s Sonny,” He moved closer, lifting his sleeve to show her. Iriye looked at the tattoo, letting her fingers trace over the skin. He smiled as her fingers were soft against the skin.

“I always wanted a tattoo,” Iriye admitted. “But I don't think I’m patient enough to sit that long and let them stick me with a needle over and over again. But I can appreciate it on others,” She trailed her nails against it, and he groaned a little.

“I get it, but good things come to those who wait,” Aaron replied, taking another sip of his water. “I mean, look at you.”

“Are you talking about the other night?” Iriye said softly. 

“Yes, I am,” Aaron stated. “I can’t stop thinking about it,”

“What part?” She looked at him through her eyelashes.

“When you were on top of me. Quite the image burned into my brain,”

“Me too…” Iriye looked towards the balcony, wondering if anyone could see them.

“Look at me,” Aaron stated. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful of your space. I know I left last time afterward because I didn’t want to overwhelm you. But I want to take whatever this is at your pace. Whatever this is,” He moved his hand to trace up her arm.

“What if I don’t know what is going on between us? Because whenever we’re alone, and there’s alcohol involved, we are too busy kissing each other,” Iriye pointed out. 

“Not right now, though,” Aaron raised an eyebrow at her.

“But I want to kiss you. Since today. Since the last time I kissed you,” Iriye admitted. “Maybe even before that,”

Aaron was about to say something when they heard the door to the balcony open, and he moved beside her. They both watched as one of Iriye’s friends rushed to the bathroom. She chuckled before turning to him, her brown eyes peering up at his.

“Did you drive here?” Iriye asked. Aaron nodded. “Do you think you can drive us to your place?” Aaron straightened up more.

“Yeah, yeah, I can,” Aaron grinned.

“Okay. Just give me an hour. I’ll leave, and then five minutes later, you call it a night,” Iriye planned. “I’ll wait for you downstairs,”

“You are full of surprises,” Aaron smirked. 

“We’re two adults consenting to whatever this is,” Iriye stated. She took another sip of her water before heading back to the balcony.

Aaron tried his best not to check his watch too much while mingling with the others, but his eyes sought out Iriye. He found that she was acting wholly unfazed or maybe just good at hiding it. 

As the time ticked away, it was getting harder to focus, especially as he watched her legs in the boots she wore, how he would love to trail his hands up from her boots to her thighs to see how they felt. He wondered how they would look on his shoulders as he did the things he had daydreamed about with her.

He was broken out of his thoughts as he realized Iriye was doing her rounds. He was supposed to listen and wait a few minutes, but based on how she looked, he knew he should have been patient. He was growing impatient. He walked over to Cece and Tamara, who were hugging Iriye. 

“Cece, thank you for the hospitality. I had fun,” Aaron said. Cece moved to hug him, and he saw Iriye’s eyes looking at him. 

“Anytime,” Cece said. Tamara moved to hug him as well. 

“I get it. You’re like a big teddy bear,” Tamara stated as she hugged him.

“Someone smoked a little too much,” Iriye shook her head at her friend.

“I earned it. We earned it,” Tamara stated. 

“You’re not gonna walk out alone, are you?” Cece asked. “Aaron, do you mind walking her out on your way,”

“Not at all,” Aaron nodded, looking at Iriye. Iriye smiled politely before moving to hug them again. 

“Have a good night,” Cece said. Iriye and Aaron walked out of the apartment, Aaron watching her from behind as she went to the elevator.

“I thought we had a plan,” Iriye pressed the button on the elevator. 

“I thought I would hasten the plan,” Aaron shrugged. Iriye shook her head, and then the elevator opened. Aaron let her go in first before following. She pressed the garage button and moved close to Aaron to kiss him…

The door stopped closing due to a hand, and Iriye and Aaron moved apart as quickly as possible. But Nelly was quicker. 

“Your jacket,” Nelly said, her eyes looking between the two. Iriye just stayed on her side of the elevator. Aaron smiled charmingly at Nelly before pushing the elevator door back to grab his jacket. 

“Thanks, Nelly,” Aaron said, hugging her. Iriye moved to hug her next, Nelly chuckling.

“Night, Nelly,” Iriye said as Aaron held the elevator door for them. Nelly stepped back out of the way. Aaron let the elevator doors move as she heard.

“Don’t hurt him, Iriye,” Nelly teased. And the charming smile left Aaron’s face and turned into shock as Iriye chuckled. 

“How did she?” Aaron was shocked. 

“The mirrors,” Iriye tapped the mirror behind them in the elevator. Iriye laid her head back against the mirror. She chuckled as Aaron leaned close to her ear. 

“In any other situation with you, I would be thankful for a mirror,” Aaron said lowly, Iriye's laughter seizing. Oh, she was in for it. AN: Hey... so how we doing after this? @bluewatersfairy @coquitobby @honeysilkandcinnamon @insaneevanity @meleekabenjamin @theogbadbitch @slowlysteadycoffee @ashanti-notthesinger @thisbeautifullifeofmeandyou @mysticalbiscuitalien3 @irishmanwhore @alonahh @grooveoftiro @gabriellalover @ovohanna24 @ticalsstallion @strawberrymoon45 @hi888888sworld @msuncensered @yurfavdealer @honeys-archives @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @theunsweetenedtruth @blackpinup22 @niggaronnn @aritannahrocks1300 @htnqueen305 @333symone @appelle-moi-si-tu-te-perds-numb6 @bombshellbre95 @wildwomanalereyia @teenage-aria @skvrpion @absentmindeddreamer @blackpinup22 @liv10002 @styleismyaddiction @jungwonsgfs @hooliemooliedonutshawp @hippiesandpeacesigns @blowmymbackout @justagirlwho-believes13 @caribbeangyalsworld @melovedorks @moihasarrived @ashanti-notthesinger @xx-mintyxx @iluvchrisbrown @ash-ketchumzzz @deijalee @pyramidlight @xosharieee @kaylaahisthebestest- @chaniceandrea @kimmivlixx @saveadanc @kaylalb @queenbritbrat @kceeee @naughtynolly-blog @myawesome56 @chainingxday @nononoks-blog @kinginwithbreezy-blog @apple123cg @jazziejax @lauren1000000 @withoutmusiclifewouldbflat @venusincleo @loveschrisbrown20 @brwnskingirlll @iamfredtina @cozyashhh @modelmemoirs @kimiasinterlude @rpayn22 @mscarter123 @lolola22267 @thesweetestdrug @valarghoulis @nyifly22 @zimsilandela @teheeboo @blveeeeeee @5starsirl @yassbishimvintage @23jammy @prettiegal @vadeadiugularis @gabbywontlose @pinkkycherrish @slashervalley @aqueenwasmadehere @lee-jennie @wuzzzgoood

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[creatingblackcharacters]

No, That’s Not ‘How Color Works’. - Whitewashing

Whitewashing, as defined by Merriam-Webster:

"to alter (something) in a way that favors, features, or caters to white people: such as a) to portray (the past) in a way that increases the prominence, relevance, or impact of white people and minimizes or misrepresents that of nonwhite people and B) to alter (an original story) by casting a white performer in a role based on a nonwhite person or fictional character"

In fandom context, we know it to include:

Making someone’s skin lighter

Making someone’s hair a thinner texture

Changing someone’s nose to be thinner

Shrinking their lips

Changing the character in their entirety to be someone else

The Normalization of Whitewashing

Remember how I mentioned last lesson that despite the nature of poorly drawn Black characters, most audiences are not turned off enough to discourage the action in professional works? Similar idea with whitewashing. Not the same- unlike the Ambiguously Brown Character, which claims to have plausible deniability, overt whitewashing is usually enough to make fans speak up! But that’s the key word here- overt! It has to be “bad enough” to make enough people speak up, but as we’ve seen many a time, “bad enough” seems to have a much higher threshold for nonblack viewership (sometimes the limit doesn’t exist!)

Some visual examples

This is a link to my personal thread on a Netflix show I was watching- Worst Ex Ever. Now, while the show itself was quite enlightening, there was something I could not get over. I thought I was going crazy. And that was that no matter how dark the person of color would be in real life, the animated portions would draw this light pinkish-brown. Every. Single. Time. It's like they couldn't fathom scrolling down the color wheel. And this is a Netflix original! Netflix has plenty of money for someone to have caught this in creation. But... it was produced. And put out. And they're making more of it.

I asked all of the Dragon Age fans about the series, and uh… I didn’t know things were this bad, guys! Apparently this is a man of color, but it doesn't seem like the creators want you to know that 🤣. Jokes aside, as I’ve discussed before, the noticeable whitewashing- and that was one of many racist things I was told- was not enough to prevent sales... so why would they stop? I can only hope this new game, with all the updates, is enough to turn the tide. But the series has gone on for a while now, that if they’d chosen to do ye same olde… there clearly would not be a lack of financial support to prevent it.

Colorism as a Tool

Even when actors of color are cast, colorism often plays a role in normalizing whitewashing to audiences, even to Black audiences! People think “oh well at least they’re Black!” as if that is the only important part. It is not.

While Aaron Pierre, the actor cast for John Stewart of Green Lantern fame, is a GORGEOUS, STUNNING man, he is not the dark-skinned man that John Stewart is supposed to be and should not have been cast! To me, this is overt colorism, but clearly for many people this is not “enough” to warrant concern or even prevent the casting itself- including the studio behind the movie! Black fans have plead for years for the character of Storm to be played by a dark-skinned, preferably African, woman, and it has never happened.

It naturally happens in fan spaces as well, which is another indicator that colorism as a tool for whitewashing is quite effective for audiences. If I see one more Zendaya fan cast for Kida from Atlantis, I will scream. It’s been happening for years, and I don’t think any of the people who just want to see her and Tom on screen either understand or care that Kida is a dark-skinned character. Zendaya doesn’t look anything like Kida- it doesn’t matter if she’s Black too! Just because someone is Black does not mean they can play every single Black character! I’ve even seen people fancast Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones fame, to which… I don’t have the words. I can’t fathom what would cause these decisions other than racism.

The Common Excuses

I must be honest. I don’t really feel like re-iterating how certain things are not okay and how to fix them, because I’ve already discussed these things in massive detail. So I’m just going to direct the excuses I regularly hear to my lessons, where you can read up on them.

“Their hair/eyes are like that because they’re biracial so-”

Relevant Lessons: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 8, 9, 10

There is nothing wrong with having biracial characters with a range of features. I am not saying that! Because yeah, genetics do happen!

But I mentioned this in my last lesson, and I will re-emphasize here, that using biracial identity as a way to whitewash is a sinister form of racism. The intention here- the real intention- is the issue here! The idea that somehow this character can only look the way you want them to look by "diluting" their Blackness… I don’t know how you can explain yourselves out of that one.

You don’t get to use us as an excuse for diversity while still trying to maintain your preference for Eurocentric beauty standards. Black biracial people don’t always look light skinned, thin-haired and ambiguous, and even the ones that do don’t deserve to be treated as your fetish for pretend antiracism. If you just want to draw a white person with a tan, do that. But don’t change a character’s entire look just so you can work in some whiteness. If you want to claim that canon Black character’s mother was white, then I guess they inherited some of her personality because their features should not change.

“It’s my style/It’s the color-”

Relevant Lessons: 3, 4, 10

I hate all excuses for whitewashing, but I’ve grown to despise, hate, abhor and loathe this one the most as I’ve become an artist. I wish there were stronger words to describe just how much I hate the “style” and “color” excuse.

Are style and use of color oft intertwined? Absolutely. I’m not saying they aren’t. But out of everything, there are two things I want artists to understand:

1. Style does not cancel out racism! No style forces you to choose ashy greys and to change peoples’ features. That’s you! If you look at something, and it looks offensive, you change the style. You grow as an artist!

2. “Everyone who is brown will look ashy so I just-” if you recognize that your Black characters look strange in comparison to your nonblack characters, then it’s time to try something else! I don’t understand this sudden need for “realism” when it comes to color and lighting, but not when it comes to hair, for example. No one cares about realism when giving every and all Black characters wavy tresses they probably wouldn’t have, but suddenly milquetoast watercolor attempts at brown and off-putting lighting is “how it works”. That’s not fair.

The color picker is an available tool! I use it often!

Dead giveaway of purposeful whitewashing: if someone gets the outfit color palette right via color picking, but the skin color is multiple shades lighter. That means they were looking at that character and chose not to proceed.

Dead giveaway of purposeful whitewashing: if the white characters in the show are completely correct in their palettes. Again, that means they cared enough to look at everyone else… and not the Black characters.

If you use the color picker and the color picked is… disrespectful, you do not have to use that! You can simply choose a better color that is still similar to the brown that ought to be depicted!

“It’s the lighting-”

Relevant Lessons: 4, 5

If your white characters do not shine like snow in the sunlight because of your lighting, then your lighting does not make your Black characters suddenly light tan.

If your Black characters look bad in your lighting of choice- for example, putting a very dark-skinned character in electric white lighting can be ghastly- try changing the intensity or the color of the lighting. DON’T change your character’s skin color!

I'm going to show you some pictures of South Sudanese model Nyakim Gatwech. Pay attention to the choices of light, color, and makeup.

Look how BEAUTIFUL she is! Look at the choices of intensity and color of light, and how they make her look different in each image.

Now look at this image in comparison:

In this image, whoever did her makeup and took this picture did not take into consideration her skin tone. She's also under this really intense lighting. This is an example of "increasing the lighting does NOT make an image "better"". She didn't need to have lighter skin or "more lighting" to look good. She needed BETTER lighting, lighting that worked with HER.

To see this as an example in drawn art, @dsm7 makes an excellent argument for proper lighting and color, why it is an issue to use it as an excuse, and how to solve that problem.

‼️DISCLAIMER FOR NEXT EXAMPLE‼️

Okay. I am about to show y’all a fan-created example from my personal experience. It is a TEACHING EXPERIENCE ONLY. I am not including the artist’s name in this image. It happened a couple years ago, and it’s over- they’ve chosen to be who they are despite me kindly confronting them about it. The only reason I’m including it at all is because I feel like it would be remiss to have such a clear-cut, multi-level example, and not teach with it. That said, no, I am not telling anyone to act out towards them. Again, that is not what I’m telling you to do. The last thing I need is a literal lynch mob of angry nonblack viewership for trying to teach you all, and y’all sitting there watching it happen to me. Every example of whitewashing is not going to be so obvious, but I hope you learn how to spot the examples in the art you see and share.

I'm obviously a Hades fan, particularly of Patroclus- despite my disdain for the lack of effort in his canon character design. So I've seen a lot of things. That said:

“Well it’s just MY design of them-”

Relevant Lessons: ALL

The sepia coloring did not do this. The lighting did not do this. The design is the exact same as the Hades version, even down to the shape of the hair curling in the back. The only thing that is different… is the man himself.

Y'all. Y'all! You CANNOT take a pre-existing Black character and say “oh well this is my design of them” …and the design is of a whole white person. Because if the rest of the fit is the same, and the only thing that changed is the Blackness… Racism. If you’re going to “make up your own design”, then do that!

“Blackwashing”

Speaking of: I’m sure someone edgy out there thinks they’re so smart as they retort to the screen: “but if that’s not okay, then why is Blackwashing okay?” To which I say- shut up. 😐

The “definition” by fandom: making a nonblack character Black, usually an anime character, but characters in general.

Funny enough, the actual definition in the dictionary (or closest to) is “to defame”, in contrast with whitewash (as in whitewashing history). Maybe racist fans ARE using it correctly when they say you’re blackwashing their characters, when they mean you’re making them “less likable because they’re Black now”. 🤔

Anyway: Blackwashing is not real for the same reason reverse racism is not real.

Me painting these characters brown is not going to take away from the fact that there are far more of you in media than there is of me. Me saying that I ‘headcanon a character as Black with 4C hair’ is not going to make the studio go “oh! Well they must be Black with 4C hair now!” Me saying “oh I think I’d like this character better if they were Black” as a beta tester (less overtly, obviously, because I’m not racist!) will never make a studio change that character. Black viewers have minimal value in comparison to the power of the white viewer’s dollar. I could draw white characters Black every single day of every single game media… and they would still produce majority white characters. There has not been centuries- if not millennia, when we consider Jesus Christ himself, even- of purposeful “Blackwashing” with the intent of removing the original ethnicity- and thus importance- of white people. No one has ever been allowed to forget when someone is white. No one has ever been allowed to forget or not acknowledge white people.

How it could be "solved"

Personally, I love Black edits and I welcome them here. I find them creative and fun. But if you really, REALLY didn’t want us to make those edits, then naturally, we need more Black characters in all of our media!

I wouldn’t have to make edits if I saw more of me to begin with in the things I like to watch- but when we have those characters, racists act an ass about them. We’re not allowed to even be present! I’ve seen too many gamer bros mocking the existence of Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed, and he was a real ass man. But if we made a game about African peoples in African societies, how many of the gamer bros would actually play those games? Do you think there’d be as much support, when we hear so much about Black characters that are treated so abhorrently? How many games do we have where people would love their faves just as much if they were Black? I even learned that Solas was apparently supposed to be a man of color. IMAGINE how many people would not have liked that man, with the same exact plot and characterization.

Something I’ve noticed recently: apparently "Blackwashing" is not a thing when White fans “allow” it. Take this recent trend with Miku. International Miku was beloved! But if you draw any other character as Black on any other day, there will be people that are horrid about it. Ask any artist, Black artists and Black cosplayers especially, who’s ever done it what their comments are like. I’ve read entire missives akin to white supremacist drivel on how it’s somehow morally wrong to make characters Black. Meanwhile no amount of “hey maybe you shouldn’t do this” prevented the movie Gods of Egypt from being created, with a cast full of British White people.

Solutions to Avoiding Whitewashing!

1) Using References!!

Do I think you should know what Black people look like? Yes. We’re humans. It’s 2024. Everyone knows what we look like when it’s time to hate and discriminate against us, so you know what we look like when it’s time to love and depict us. If you’re on Tumblr, you have access to the Internet. ESPECIALLY if you’re in the U.S., as Black people are the source of damn near every piece of online pop culture. If you can find my dialect to make my jokes, you can find pictures of me.

Would I rather you use a reference every single time so that you can only strengthen your depiction of my people? ABSOLUTELY.

Anyone on the Internet telling you not to use a reference or that you shouldn’t need a reference? Unfollow them. You don’t need that negativity in your life. Why would you deprive yourself of a tool to create? The greatest portrait painters in history had to look at their subjects! You are not getting paid nearly as much to do this as Hans Holbein, and he had to stare at Henry VIII correct else lose his head- you can pull up multiple references. I’d far rather be judged for using hella references than be judged for being a racist!

Part of the issue is people draw what they’re used to, what they’re comfortable with (thus last lesson). But if what you’re used to is not what someone will look like… That’s not okay. Their features are not the issue, your skills are the issue. Learn! Practice! There is no rush. No one is rushing you to be perfect at drawing Black characters, and no one is rushing you to post them. You can just practice! If you’re not a professional, you can take as long as you need to draw! If you need to draw that piece of hair over and over until you feel like you have down the shape, you do that! If you need to use a tool that would draw the hair for you, you get that tool!

If you want to post, you can say you are practicing! If you make clear you are practicing, then be willing to accept that people may have feedback. I’d far rather deal with someone saying they’re unconfident and practicing, than someone posting a whitewashed caricature and closing their ears because “well at least I’m trying!”

2) Empathize! Care about actual Black people when you create a Black character!

Imagine, if you will, in the Twilight Zone: you went to an artist, and you asked for a white character (I typed in “regular looking white dude” on google). There’s hardly ever any white characters, you’re so super excited about this one! You paid good money, because you’ve seen just how amazing this artist creates! They’re so good at drawing characters of color! But no matter how many times you ask, they send you back an image of… Assad Zaman.

That man might be fine as hell! Gorgeous! Beautifully done! Chef’s kiss. Stunning! But… He’s not white. That’s not what you asked or paid for. You can’t even fathom how they mixed this up, they don’t even look alike! And when you confront them, they gaslight you, they call YOU the issue for not understanding how you can’t tell that this is a white man! They would never get this wrong! They have white friends, you’re the racist! But you’re not stupid, and you have functioning eyes- you can SEE what this drawing looks like! And… It’s not you.

It’s dehumanizing. It’s being told that there’s a “better way” to look like you, and that’s by… Not looking like you. You, as you exist, are what’s incorrect. Your identity is incorrect, not their drawing. It’s better to have thinner hair instead of an afro or locs, it’s better to have lighter skin, it’s better to have a straighter, thinner nose over a round one, and smaller lips.

And what makes it worse is knowing that people who don’t look like you? Probably won’t care. They won’t be willing to see- not unable, but unwilling- that playing with this caricature is harmful, that they’re propagating harm by not acknowledging it. They’re letting you know that your humanity means less to them than the clout received with a whitewashed or half-assed Black character, and that people will applaud them for that ‘attempt at inclusion’. And people will applaud! They will be entertained by the mere performance! And that hurts.

I’m going to say this, and it’s awkward and I try not to say it directly on here, but… Having Black friends and/or being around actual, real life Black people would help. I can tell from some of the questions I receive that Black characters and their traits- especially things like our hair and our cultures- are being treated as… alien concepts. But even if, for whatever reason, you legitimately don’t know any Black people, you do not need to know us individually to care about our humanity as a whole! Even if you do not know we’re there, we are, and we could possibly see your work!

By acknowledging Blackness and making room to understand what it means- and that includes how we can look- you are doing the bare minimum of acknowledging our personhood. If you cannot do even that, you don’t need to be drawing us.

Conclusion

Here’s the thing: if you want to draw a white man with tanned skin, do that. Just do it! You do NOT have to erase me to have more of you! There is not a single fandom where the majority of the white fans ever said “gee, not another white guy!” It simply doesn’t happen. God knows we wish it did sometimes. You will always have an audience for white characters. There’s no danger to any of you of “being erased”.

(Without putting on my political hat, I will say that a lot of white people who consider themselves to be far from white supremacist will express beliefs in line with great replacement theory if you push them hard enough. It is unfortunately not as uncommon an idea as you might think. I would do some self-evaluation.)

People are going to notice that you only ever draw white people, but… To be frank, that has never stopped anybody from being successful. Again, Jen Zee, at Supergiant with the terrible dark-skinned characters… Still has a job. at Supergiant. A professional studio. Dragon Age. Multiple games of consistent whitewashing and racist writing. Still going. If racism prevented creation and popularity, I wouldn’t have to have this blog. Alas, that is the society we currently live in.

But if you ACTUALLY want to depict Black characters, if you ACTUALLY want to do right and be respectful- not because you want the clout, but because it’s the right damn thing to do- then you need to commit! This means drawing them as they are meant to be! Accept that you’ll likely lose some fan base, who was there (whether they were aware of it or not) for the white and lighter skinned characters. Accept that this means that trying to appeal to those people by whitewashing characters is 1) wrong, 2) racist, which is 3) something you chose to do when you could simply have just… Drawn more white people.

I’ll say it again: antiracism is hard. It’s hard doing the right thing in a society that rewards racism so easily. It’s really hard knowing that people will stop supporting you or caring as much about your work when you start including Black characters as actively as you do white ones, especially if you start talking about the importance of it. But in my honest opinion, I’d far rather be someone that cared about others, with genuine fans, than someone that was racist for the fleeting internet clout of strangers. And that may be less ‘hopeful’ than I normally am in these lessons, but… People make choices. And people who have been informed- as you are now- are aware of the choices they are making. It’s the thought that counts, but the action that delivers- let’s choose better actions.

[jimmybutlrr]

All the terry Richmond and Aaron Pierre fan fictions I have come across.

[melaninadorned]

So, for the past 2 months Aaron Pierre has had the girlies in a chokehold and I'm enjoying all the fan fiction dedicated to him. 👀🤣 Y'all have been getting really creative with the writing... It's actually nice to see/read the content I'm coming across...I'll be sharing a lot of it.

[local-bxbby]

Does anyone make Nathan Campbell ( from Insecure) fan fiction?

If not can we band together and set something up like he so fine he was MY Aaron Pierre at some point

[goodeday-to-write-hcs]

If AHS Characters Were On Big Brother

• Elsa Mars would host. Sydney Aaron James would be in charge of production.

• The sixteen houseguests would be Michael Langdon, Misty Day, Kai Anderson, Madison Montgomery, Behold Chablis, Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt, John Henry Moore, Queenie, James Patrick March, Shelby Miller, Ben Harmon, Audrey Tindall, Rory Monohan, Lana Winters, Kit Walker, and Cordelia Goode.

• Michael would be the one guy that all of the girls think is super hot at first. Madison would be the female equivalent. Madison would definitely be looking for a showmance.

• Behold would be the one (known) gay that they always have.

• Coco would definitely be a floater.

• James would not know too much about the show and be super confused the whole time.

• Shelby would be the one weird, zen white girl that always talks about her intuition and freaks out when it warms her of something that was never going to happen. Think Christie from BB21. Misty would also be like this but without the overly emotional part.

• Ben would be the older guy/father figure that usually gets voted out early.

• Audrey would be the drama queen (so would Madison tbh).

• Rory would be the classic dudebro white boy millenial that thinks he’s going to win every comp.

• Shelby would win the first Head of Household competition, which would be an endurance competition.

• Audrey would be upset because she already doesn’t like her. But she’d hide it to avoid being put on the block.

• Shelby would want to try to get the least amount of blood on her hands (like every first HOH) and would nominate Queenie and James, who she wouldn’t see as threats.

• Kai would win the Veto competition and decide not to use it.

• James would be evicted.

• Madison, Michael, Rory, Kai, Audrey, and Coco would form an alliance.

• Madison and Rory would start a showmance and Audrey would get jealous.

• Madison would definitely have a boyfriend back home that would be pissed.

• Lana and Kit would become friends and make a final 2 deal.

• Lana, Queenie, and John Henry would bond over watching and judging the others. They’d form a loose alliance that isn’t necessarily a formal alliance. Lana would bring in Kit.

• Kai would win the second HOH and want to go on a reign of terror. He’d end up nominating Behold and Ben, which isn’t actually a big, scary game move whatsoever.

• Misty would be the “weird” outsider that befriends the older guy, Ben. She’d be very sad about his nomination.

• Behold would win the Veto and take himself off the block. Kit would be the replacement nominee.

• Even though everyone seems to like both Ben and Kit, Ben would be evicted.

• Cordelia and Misty would form a final 2 deal.

• Queenie would win the third HOH and, wanting to make some waves, nominating Kai and Shelby because they were the first two HOHs.

• Shelby would start out as Queenie’s target, since she put her on the block. But Kai would make some drama and he’d end up as the target.

• Misty would win the Veto and take down Shelby. Coco would go up in her place.

• Kai would be evicted.

• Rory would win the fourth HOH and nominate Behold and John Henry because they’re on the opposite side of the house and Behold has been one of Kai’s targets.

• Michael would win the Veto and not use it.

• Unfortuantely, Behold would go home.

• Madison would win the next Head of Household.

• Audrey would get into some drama with Shelby and almost everyone would want her to be evicted.

• Madison, however, would be personally annoyed by Coco and would nominate her and Cordelia. Cordelia would be a pawn.

• Michael would win the Veto again and not use it.

• Coco would be evicted.

• Kit would win the next HOH and nominate Audrey for causing drama. Misty would go up with her as a pawn.

• Cordelia would win the Veto comp and take down Misty. Kit would replace her with Madison.

• Audrey would be evicted and be the first member of the Jury. She would be absolutely miserable while living alone for a week.

• Misty would win the next HOH and take a shot at Kit after the previous week. Unfortunately, no one in this fictional season of Big Brother seems to understand how to backdoor people. So she would put him up right away next to Michael.

• Lana would win the Veto and unsurprisingly take down Kit. Misty would put up John Henry in his place since he is another member of their alliance.

• Michael would be evicted.

• Michael and Audrey would have some drama in the Jury house.

• Lana would win Head of Household and plan to get back at Misty for trying to get rid of Kit. So she would put up her and Cordelia since she knows how close they are. Rory would win the Veto and not use it. Misty would be sent to the Jury house.

• Cordelia, furious about losing her ally, would win the next HOH and puts Lana and Kit up next to each other. Madison would win the Veto competition and not use it. Shockingly, Lana would be evicted instead of Kit.

• The next week would be the Jury Battle Back, which Misty would win (much to the delight of Cordelia). Rory would win the HOH and nominate John Henry and Shelby. Shelby would win the Veto and take herself off the block to be replaced with Queenie. John Henry would be evicted.

• That week, Zingbot would pay a visit to the houseguests and his zings would be especially brutal.

• Shelby, starting to show herself as a competition beast, would win the next Head of Household. She would nominate Kit and Madison, with the plan to backdoor Rory. Kit would win the Veto and set up the perfect opportunity for Rory to be put up on the block. Rory would be evicted.

• While in the Jury house, Rory would cheat on Madison with Audrey.

• The next HOH would go to Misty who would nominate Queenie and Madison. Misty would win the Veto and keep her nominations the same. Madison would be evicted.

• Twist time! That week would be double eviction week. So there would be another eviction that night.

• Queenie would win the Head of Household and out up Misty and Cordelia. Kit would win the Veto comp and not use it. Cordelia would be voted out.

• In her exit interview with Elsa, Cordelia would reveal that her and Misty are actually in a showmance.

• Madison would get into a fight with Rory at the Jury house over him cheating with Audrey.

• Shelby would win the next HOH, guaranteeing her a spot in the final 3. She would put up Kit and Queenie. Misty would win the Veto and not use it. Surprisingly (and angering and confusing many fans), Misty would keep Kit and evict Queenie.

• Kit, Misty, and Shelby would be the final three. All three have established themselves as comp beasts and would fight like hell on the last competitions.

• Kit would win the first one, meaning only Shelby and Misty could play in the second.

• Misty would win the second and Kit would win the third.

• Out of Misty and Shelby, Kit would shockingly take Misty to final two even though they’ve seemed like enemies.

• In the end, it wouldn’t really matter who Kit took to the end because he’d have the majority of votes and win the season.

(Thank you so much for reading (especially if you actually read it all)! This took a lot of work and I legitimately needed to take notes to keep track of everything. I apologize if there are inconsistencies or spelling errors. It was hard to keep track of all of this. I also apologize for being so repetitive with my word choice. But I didn’t know what else to say.

Anyway, I am back and doing more Headcanons. So, if any of you have any requests, let me hear ‘em! My inbox is open!)

[aletdownsquid]

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Ugwu, Reggie. "The Stars of 'Black Panther ' Waited a Lifetime for This Moment." The New York Times, 12 Feb. 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/12/movies/black-panther-marvel-chadwick-boseman-ryan-coogler-lupita-nyongo.html.

VanDerWerff, Todd. “Avengers: Infinity War’s ending is incredibly bold. And maybe a little cheap.” Vox, 27 Apr. 2018, www.vox.com/summer-movies/2018/4/27/17281060/avengers-infinity-war-spoilers-ending-who-dies.

Wilbur, Brock. “Alan Moore Has A Lot To Say About ‘The Killing Joke.” Inverse, 28 Apr. 2016, www.inverse.com/article/14967-alan-moore-now-believes-the-killing-joke-was-melodramatic-not-interesting.

[torentialtribute]

Arsenal 3-0 Rennes (4-3 agg): Hosts reach Europa League quarter-finals

There was really no need for a superhero to send Arsenal through Europe on Thursday night. Yet Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is as close as they have reached these parts, so it was good that he had to score the goal and wear the mask, which confirmed their superiority.

Aubameyang scored his second of the night after 76 minutes, Arsenal relying on UEFA's away match goals to ensure their progress in the final eight. Aubameyang gave them a total composite victory. I celebrated by picking the Black Panther mask from behind and hoarding it, putting it on and giving the crossed, armed Wakanda Forever greeting. He also had it ready for the game with Manchester United, but when he scored, he couldn't find it. Aren't superheroes meant to have an X-ray vision for things like that?

Doesn't matter. Wakanda is a fictional Sub-Saharan African state, invented by Marvel Comics, and the birthplace of their first black superhero. Since Black Panther has become a hugely successful film, the Wakanda Forever character has begun to mean black excellence. Aubameyang certainly represents that. In his last 13 games for Arsenal, he was now involved in 15 goals: 11 scoring, with four assists. He was the difference last night and picked Rennes just as they started to look dangerous.

Aubameyang scored his second and Arsenal & # 39; s third of the night with this poetry of 72 minutes

Arsenal: Cech, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Mkhitaryan, Torreira, Iwobi, Suarez, Guendouzi, Nketiah

Rennes: Koubek, Traore , Da Silva, Mexer, Bensebaini, Bourigeaud, Andre, Grenier, Sarr, Ben Arfa, Niang. Andris Treimanis (Latvia)

Subs:

It was a simple goal; a beautiful cross from Sead Kolasinac, finished up close by Aubameyang. He is the striker of a real poacher, always in and around the box of six yard, and puts pressure on the last line of defense. Rennes couldn't handle him.

It has been quite a week for English clubs in Europe: Manchester City & # 39; s past seven Schalke, Chelsea & five in Kiev, Liverpool & # 39; s three against Bayern Munich's choice of couple. And Arsenal had way too much for Rennes. Looking at their accidental dominance here – they went on from the 15th minute on – it's hard to believe they lost the first leg 3-1. It means that the Champions League safety blanket – back door qualification the Europa League winners – will continue to exist, even if Arsenal may not need it in view of their current position, fourth.

In comparison, of course the Europa League is the bad relationship between UEFA club competitions, but the teams took the field, a stadium Announcer tried to add something spice to the occasion. & # 39; Welcome Rennes … and the Arsenal! & # 39; I roared like this was a collision of gladiators.

The basic level quarter for Arsenal to make progress was 2-0, and they had that lead. Unfortunately it soon became clear that the Emirates could welcome Rennes and Stimpy and the visitors would still have their hands full. within 15 minutes. If they had not been added before, it was more because full control over a game is not always suitable for laser focus. The first half almost came to an end and Arsenal played training football. Mesut Ozil crossed and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tried to finish it off with a bicycle kick. A nice pass from Ozil was then fired by Alexandre Lacazette for Aaron Ramsey, but his shot was tame and straight to goalkeeper Tomas Koubek of Rennes. You may wonder if Arsenal was behind the game, or if it would have happened by chance.

Because when Arsenal caught up, they broke Rennes apart. Four minutes passed when a long ball from Ramsey required Koubek to doom to tackle Lacazette. A minute later Arsenal was at the door.

He was quickly harassed by his teammates after taking his side for the perfect start at the Emirates Stadium

It was a simple goal, just executed. The rapidly improving Ainsley Maitland-Niles made a right low and threw the ball in to Ramsey. His cross was crossed over the target and Aubameyang converted it with a leg outstretched. It was his 31st goal in 53 appearances. It is even hoped that those whose protests led to the exit of Arsene Wenger last season acknowledge that the former manager left them with one very good striker.

The following attack brought the aggregated scores to a level and Arsenal a lead over goals. It was almost certainly offside, but the game was directed by the cream of Latvian arbitrators, thus excluding a home goal for the home crowd. This is hardly to be expected. When did you think a referee ever felt the pressure of 60,000 home fans in Latvia?

Aubameyang cut the ball back to Ramsey, who then passed it on to Sead Kolasinac, clearly in offside position. The Bosnian defender wisely did not fight for it and raised both arms to acknowledge that he had no intention of interfering with play. However, Rennes stopped – but Aubameyang did not. He ran to the pass and was now one meter away. There was a reason for that. He also had an offside when the ball was played. The officials were undoubtedly so busy seeing Kolasinac that they had not noticed the second Arsenal man in the game. Aubameyang crossed and Maitland-Niles met his episode with a header on the back post. Would Koubek or a cover defender have done more to block? Certainly – but they responded slowly to the overview and did not recover on time.

Only two minutes in the second half, however, a reality check. Shkodran Mustafi was cheaply expropriated by Clement Grenier, who gave the ball to striker M & # 39; Baye Niang. He took the push of a button and then shot at a deep pass that flew from Petr Cech & # 39; s right post. An away game and Arsenal are back on the verge.

Or a broadcast. After 55 minutes, Lacazette arrived late at Ramy Bensebainl. In the circumstances it was fortunate that the only yellow that was shown was Grenier for his furious protests, not for Lacazette. It would have been his second of the night.

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[nubiawrites]

chapter two

Pairing: Aaron Pierre x Black Original Character

Warnings: Slowburn? Summary: Aaron is held to the fire when he breaks bread with Iriye, and the two find more common ground than they thought they could. Notes: This might be a slow burn, but I promise it'll be worth it. I am really excited for you guys to have this chapter. Tell me what you think! Also, let me know if I should share the playlist that inspired this story. Also, let me know if you want to be added to the tag list. Enjoy!

MASTERLIST

Iriye sat at her desk, typing away at the outline before her. It was safe to say that she had been in what she liked to call her writing nest mode for the past three days. She started her day on the lot by heading into her office at dawn and working until Nelly came in, running meeting schedules by her and Tamara. Or enticing her with snack runs so they could take a break and walk the lot. 

But Iriye knew what Nelly was trying to do: catch a glimpse of Aaron while he was on set. From what she heard, Lanterns were set to be shot on the lot some days, and the word was getting around. But Iriye was trying not to get hung up on the British man with sun-kissed caramel skin or how his eyes were a mix of gray, blue, and green. Like seafoam, according to Nelly.

“He is so much taller in person,” Tamara said from the back of the golf cart as Iriye drove them back to their production office. Nelly chuckled from the passenger side of the golf cart.

“Don’t forget, fine as hell,” Nelly shot back. Iriye just shook her head at the two. “You don’t have anything to add, Iriye. Usually, you give us something to work off of,”

“He’s alright,” Iriye stated, keeping her eyes on the road. “He’s an actor and now someone we gotta collaborate with,” 

“Now Iriye, you know we Ain’t talking about that. We’re talking about the hunk of man he is,” Nelly chuckled.

“Even I can admit he is a sexy man, and I love women,” Tamara said. 

“Maybe he is handsome,” Iriye grumbled. “But that doesn't mean he’s still an actor, getting his come up and his way,” She didn’t want to let on to their earlier interaction and felt she had done a good job of it during the meeting. She didn’t hide away from his eye contact when he made it, meeting him back equally and confidently talking about the work Tamara and her wanted to do. She wasn’t going to let Aaron faze her.

“Well, he can have me any way he wants,” Nelly said. Tamara laughed at her cousin, and even Iriye chuckled a little.

The door to Iriye’s office opened, and Nelly poked her head in. 

“Hey. Everything good?” Iriye asked Nelly. Nelly just wore a Cheshire grin on her face.

“You have a special meeting just pop up. It’s Mister Pierre,” Nelly giggled.

Of course. The caramel-skinned devil would appear when she thought of him.

“Did you tell him I’m busy and he can schedule through you if he wants to meet with me?” Iriye asked.

“Girl, do you think I had the power to when he looks like that,” Nelly shot back. 

“I’m in writing mode, Nelly,”

“And you’re going to be in hungry mode soon, so why not have eye candy while you eat, Iriye,” 

Iriye huffed, leaning back in her chair. This reminded her of the pain she had experienced hunching over her laptop as she worked.

“I’m busy. I have a full plate today,” Iriye reasoned. Nelly gave her a look that shouted stop lying. 

“Fine,” Nelly said. But then she opened the door wider. “Just give her five minutes, Aaron. Do you want anything while you wait?”

Iriye glared at Nelly as she walked away. The other woman knew Iriye wouldn’t be able to put her foot down if something like that happened. She hated being put in awkward positions when it came to plans. She stood up, figuring she could use a break but also set Aaron straight for his lies. She grabbed her makeup bag, touching up her lip gloss and mascara before fixing one of her goddess locs that fell from her bun. She stood up, adjusted her jean skirt, and made her way out of her office. 

Nelly and Aaron were chatting, and Iriye was at least happy that Nelly was enjoying herself. Although she dreaded it, she didn’t want to be alone with him again, feeling embarrassed for being thrown off by him. Aaron saw Iriye and stood up from his chair with a soft smile.

“Nice to see you again, Iriye,” Aaron offered.

“Likewise. Nelly told me you wanted to speak to me,” Iriye said, giving a curt smile back. But that just made Aaron smile a little wider.

“I just wanted to chat more about the project your team pitched in the meeting,” Aaron admitted. “And what better way than by breaking bread,”

“Usually, people schedule that ahead,” Iriye stated. “Cause I had a lot of things on the schedule for today,”

“Nelly didn’t mention anything,” Aaron stated, causing Iriye to raise her brow at Nelly.

“She’s been writing so much, she probably worked up an appetite,” Nelly feigned. 

“If I had known you were writing, I wouldn’t have come by. My apologies. I know how precious a creative space can be,” Aaron apologetically placed his hand against his chest.

“Honestly, it’s fine,” Iriye said, trying to ease her way out of the situation, especially when Aaron looked so shocked. “I’m out of my office now, so lunch sounds good. Let me grab my wallet,”

“No, it’s my treat. For disturbing your writing time,” Iriye could tell there was something more he wanted to say behind his words.

“Right,” Iriye said before she turned to Nelly. “Do you want anything, Nel?” She asked, even if she was mentally shaking the younger woman.

“Nothing at the moment, but thank you. Take your time, you two. I’m just gonna have a working lunch,” Nelly said, reaching for her phone.

Iriye just shook her head and headed for the door, Aaron reaching and opening it for her. 

“After you,” Aaron offered. Iriye let her disposition slip momentarily and sent a glare to his head.

They both walked silently until they made it outside when Iriye broke it first.

“So Aaron, what’s it like working with talent?” Iriye asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Aaron let out a chuckle, his hand moving over his goatee.

“Okay, you got me there,” Aaron raised his hands in defense before dropping them. “But if I’m being honest, I’m surprised you didn’t know who I was,”

“I should have known who you were?” Iriye scoffed. “I’m not on the internet enough to learn who is the thirst trap of the month,”

“Thirst trap of the month? I’m a thirst trap,” Aaron chuckled. Iriye rolled her eyes. 

“Is that all you got from that?” 

“I mean, isn’t a thirst trap what you send to someone,”

Iriye turned back to the office, but Aaron blocked her path gently. 

“Okay, I’m sorry. I’m not used to all this newfound attention,” Aaron admitted. “So when someone didn’t call me Mufasa, it was refreshing. I felt normal for a moment. Plus, you did assume I was some tourist looking for my tour guide. Do you know what they say about assuming?”

“What do they say?” Iriye humored him.

“You make an ass out of you and me,” Aaron tilted his head to the side. “Sorry, that was lame,” A chuckle broke from Iriye.

“It was,” She agreed. “I think the thirst trap has been destroyed,”

“That’s rich coming from the woman who was ready to get me thrown off the lot for not wearing a badge. I respect it, but still,”

“Listen, there are crazies out there. Our security is good, but even some can slip up. And besides, who wonders to a soundstage by themself?”

“You did. That’s exactly where we met,”

“Same difference. Besides, you’re talent here. You probably have your big movie star trailer. Probably much nicer than any stage here,”

Aaron nodded his head for a moment in contemplation. Iriye took in the deep color of his eyes.

“Sometimes an empty trailer can be quite suffocating,” Aaron admitted. It was the kind of honesty that took Iriye by surprise. 

“We should probably get to lunch, you know? Since I got to write,” Iriye headed for the golf cart designated to Lanoire. “You coming?” She asked Aaron. He smiled softly at her as he made his way over.

A quick five-minute drive to one of Iriye’s favorite food trucks on the lot was filled with a comfortable silence. Sure, Iriye was still a little confused about the details that led up to the meeting, but she figured some good food would get her more answers.

They got to the front of the line of the truck, Aaron checking the menu. 

“Since you’re treating for lunch, I hope you don’t mind watching me destroy some wings,” Iriye stated. “Best wings in all of Burbank,” 

“Best wings you say? I’ll be the judge of that,” Aaron stated. “I mean it can’t compare to the places I’ve been in Atlanta.

“What was that you said about assuming?” Iriye raised an eyebrow at him.

“Using my own words against me. That’s cold,” 

“You’re treating me to lunch so you can’t complain” Iriye said, stepping up to the counter and greeting the cashier and placing her order. She was shocked when he actually put in his order for some lemon pepper wings. “I wouldn’t have taken you as a lemon pepper wing person,”

“Stick around and you’ll find I’m full of surprises,” Aaron stated. They grabbed their food when their order was called and found a nearby table. 

“So let’s deal with the elephant in the room,” Iriye was all business as she placed her arms on the table and leaned in. “ Are you buying me lunch because you actually want to hear more about the possible projects or because you are genuinely sorry?”

“Can it be a bit of both?” Aaron asked. “I didn’t mean to lie about who I was. But at the same time, I have become very popular, and I assumed you knew. But maybe I actually ran into the one person who never heard of me,”

“You’re bold to assume I’m the only one who never heard of you,” Iriye said before biting into her wing. She tried her best to have her manners when it came to eating the wings, especially as she peeped at Aaron and took a bite of his wing. He caught her eye, covering his mouth as he chewed. Iriye waited until she finished her first piece before continuing with her own line of questioning.

“So, how did you weasel into that meeting the other day? I never told you the name of Lanoire,”  

“I have my ways. I just asked one of the executives working on Lanterns if they knew you. You have quite a reputation, Iriye,” Aaron admitted.

“What can I say? I hustled very hard at this place and others,” Iriye smirked.

“I wanna hear more about it,” Iriye stopped eating the wing as she heard Aaron’s request. She wiped her hands on a napkin and cleared her mouth. 

“Well, that’s a bit of a long story,” Iriye began. “Tamara and I met in undergrad. I was a creative writing major, and she was majoring in film. We clicked instantly over our love for films from the nineties, especially Black films. We were each other’s life boats in spaces where we weren’t exactly the majority. We both graduated and moved out here and just hustled our asses off. Working for others and ourselves. Even the odd job,”

“It paid off since you’re here with me.” Aaron smiled. Iriye looked back at her food, his smile that unnerving. “I knew I was right in asking about you,”

“So that’s why you asked to be part of our meeting?”

“Yes. I’m entering this new… status in my career. I admit they have me meeting with so many people from other production companies and deals on the lot, trying to set me up for the next project. So when I found out what your company was, I wanted to take part in the meeting. I know how hard it can be to get something made,”

“So…” Iriye dawdled. “You thought we could use your influence to help us? With all due respect, Lanoire is not looking for handouts,”

“I wasn’t trying to give you guys a handout. I remember you saying how fickle this industry is. Trust me, I know,” Iriye eyed him, even if she relaxed a little.

“There’s a story there. I want to hear it,” Iriye picked up a wing and bit into it.

“Someone once told me I probably wouldn’t play characters that were emotionally intelligent. I get it. I’m a tall, muscular black man. But I wanted to make things with characters that mean something, you know,” He explained.

“I get that,” Iriye could have cracked a joke but she understood his plight. “When I was in undergrad, I felt like if I didn’t write to an audience that catered to everyone, I wouldn’t be seen. But Tamara inspired me so much as a filmmaker, especially seeing writers and creatives like Issa Rae and Barry Jenkins-“

“Barry is amazing,” He threw in there.

“I know. I love see him portray his home town so beautifully. I actually printed the script for Moonlight, got it bound and would read it like a book. The pages are so tattered by now,” Iriye admitted. “I just want to write something that shows loves to Black women and my community without the politics of this industry,”

“Me too,” Aaron leaned in on the table, his eyes unnerving Iriye momentarily. “This passion that you have. Those are the people I want to work with. I want to work with you and Tamara and everyone at Lanoire,”

“Well, it’s a team of three, but we’re working on it,” She admitted.

“Consider it a team of four. If you will have me be a part of it,”

Iriye sat up and pretended to think about it.

“We need a clean slate for this to work.,” Iriye held out her hand. “I’m Iriye Edwards. I’m a screenwriter and producer at Lanoire Productions,” Aaron chuckled, licking his lip softly before taking her hand in his and shaking it. 

Iriye darted up to his eyes as she felt goosebumps rise at Aaron’s hand in hers.

“I’m Aaron Pierre. An actor and artist working here on this lot. Nice to meet you,” 

“Nice to meet you too,”

Lunch went by with a quickness that Iriye hated. They were warming up to each other, sharing stories about their industry experience. Aaron started in theatre and acting in London while Iriye fell in love with reading and film since her mom often took her the movie theater on days off or to the library to read while her mom studied.

“She was a single mom so she did what she had to do,” Iriye said, smiling softly as she thought of her mom. Her and Aaron were walking back to the golf cart so she could head back to the office.

“She’s probably so proud of you,” Aaron said, sliding into the passenger seat.

“Trust me, everytime I post something on instagram, she floods my comments,” She said. “I posted about my new bookshelf I set up and she was going crazy in the comments,”

“Now I gotta see the bookshelf,” Aaron declared. Iriye put the keys in the ignition and pulled out her phone, heading to Instagram to pull up the post. He leaned close to peer at her photo, and Iriye became very aware of him in her space. “Nice. What are you reading currently,”

But Iriye was distracted by his scent, wholly him, and she didn’t realize what he said. She was taken aback by the fresh citrus and woodsy scent of his cologne. 

“I’m sorry. What?” Iriye refocused, shaking off the moment.

“What are you reading?”

“When I have time to? For fun, I return to Waiting to Exhale or The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. Two perfect adaptations I will stand by when it comes to books being adapted,” 

“I agree on Waiting to Exhale. I haven’t seen the other,” He admitted. “Well, that should be your homework. It's one of my inspirations,” She explained before starting the cart. “Especially since you want to work with Lanoire Productions,” She teased. Aaron chuckled, her giggling as she started driving back to her office.

Along the drive, Iriye tried her best not to talk too much, especially when she realized Aaron was listening to her. He would politely chime in, but she felt she was taking over most of the conversation. Once they pulled up to her production office, she stopped the golf cart and turned to see him smiling softly at her.

“I’m sorry if I was talking too much,” Iriye played with the key in her hand.

“No, I liked it. I’m not much of um… a yapper as you Americans say,” Aaron admitted. 

“A yapper? I take that as a compliment,” She said.

“I mean, the world needs more yappers. Everyone tries to act cool and put together,”

“Like you,” Iriye asked. “You gotta admit, you seem to have it all together,” With those words, Aaron looked down at his hands before facing Iriye again. 

“Sometimes you gotta read between the lines,” Aaron stated. “But I like listening. You learn a lot,” He got out of the golf cart before leaning back down and handing her his phone. “Here. Put your number in,”

“Not to be American and all, but usually, there’s a please put somewhere in that sentence,” Iriye chuckled.

“Iriye Edwards, can I have your number?” Aaron asked her. Iriye pretended to think about it before she began typing her number in. 

“Use it wisely,” Iriye declared. I will have no problem blocking you, whether you are on team Lanoire or not.” She pressed the call button and watched her phone screen ring.

“You going to pick that up?” Aaron joked. “I might have a question about what being on team Lanoire means,” 

“No,” Iriye left the golf cart, heading for her office. “There’s a reason why Nelly works for us. If I need to get in touch with you, I’ll go through her,” She pressed the decline button on the screen and waved him off as she walked inside, confused yet intrigued about not only Aaron, the actor, but Aaron, the man.  @5starsirl @goldenjasssy @blowmymbackout @shinywrites @dizzytoodope @tpwk-cherie @heyerianna @naughtynolly-blog @bluewatersfairy @coquitobby @honeysilkandcinnamon @insaneevanity @meleekabenjamin @theogbadbitch @slowlysteadycoffee @ashanti-notthesinger @thisbeautifullifeofmeandyou @mysticalbiscuitalien3 @irishmanwhore @alonahh @grooveoftiro @gabriellalover @ovohanna24 @ticalsstallion @strawberrymoon45 @hi888888sworld @msuncensered @yurfavdealer @honeys-archives @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @theunsweetenedtruth @blackpinup22 @niggaronnn @aritannahrocks1300 @htnqueen305 @333symone @appelle-moi-si-tu-te-perds-numb6 @bombshellbre95 @wildwomanalereyia @teenage-aria

[nubiawrites]

Imma just say that this second chapter is already halfway done. Thank you for all of the love and sharing! Tagging those below for the chapter tag list under the read more when it comes out. Thank you all for supporting!

@5starsirl @goldenjasssy @blowmymbackout @shinywrites @dizzytoodope @tpwk-cherie @heyerianna @naughtynolly-blog @bluewatersfairy @coquitobby @honeysilkandcinnamon @insaneevanity @meleekabenjamin @theogbadbitch @slowlysteadycoffee @ashanti-notthesinger @thisbeautifullifeofmeandyou @mysticalbiscuitalien3 @irishmanwhore @alonahh @grooveoftiro @gabriellalover @ovohanna24 @ticalsstallion @strawberrymoon45 @hi888888sworld @msuncensered @yurfavdealer @honeys-archives @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @theunsweetenedtruth @blackpinup22 @niggaronnn @aritannahrocks1300 @htnqueen305 @333symone @appelle-moi-si-tu-te-perds-numb6 @bombshellbre95 @wildwomanalereyia @teenage-aria

[nubiawrites]

coming soon...

aaron pierre x black original character

when an up-and-coming screenwriter meets her match in a rising actor, their worlds collide as the lines blur between business and pleasure and maybe love...

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