#anyways yeah outfits i would wear if i was bolder....it would look so good but i am so weak...

[enhanced-operatives-division]

I love her so much you guys

[zialltops]

honeysuckle’s & huckleberry’s

Cowboy!Joel (41) X F!Reader (25) | 4.7k | wip | explicit | 18+ minors dni | enemies to lovers | slow burn | au: no cordyceps outbreak

After four years away at collage, you’re finally home with the tools and knowledge to save your family ranch. That is, if their ranch hand would stay out of your way.

Or: Ranch hand Joel doesn’t know how to handle the return of his bosses prodigy daughter, her snarky little attitude, or her sinfully tight jeans.

a/n: phew this chapter was hard to write because all i want it for them to kiss already. these two are so at each others throats that i cant WAIT to write that in the form of the devils tango. please let me know what you guys think, comments fuel my desire to write🤍

Masterlink

AO3 Link 🤍

Chapter 2: Northern Attitude

Three days of bad weather pass before Joel is able to get the truck out of the snow to drag your car out of the embankment—but he chooses not to anyway. He’s spent the last three days working and avoiding you, because he can’t keep his head from spouting off about how much you piss him off and how good you look doing it.

And piss him off, you do. The morning after your first night home, Joel was shoveling off the steps and the front driveway when you came out of the house in a pair of pants that look like they have been in your closet for years because god damn, they are tight. He doesn’t miss the look on your face when you find your way into the snow where he’s working. “Like my stupid fucking shoes? I wore them so I’d look nice when I saw my parents—thought there was some delicious cowboy here to impress. But now they are all I have to wear because some bullheaded asshole left my car on the side of the road with all of my belongings in it.”

Him, being the bullheaded asshole instead of the delicious cowboy. He’s fuming, if he wasn’t already panting, he’s sure there would be steam rolling out of his ears right about now. He can't stand you. Cant stand your cocky attitude and the way you hold your hands on your hip’s—those sexy little fucking—Joel! “Should have known better than to show up in the middle of winter in those damn heels. You did that to yourself. You should know the only thing you’re findin’ here is cow shit and snow.” You cross your arms and look over his shoulder. “Yeah—nothing but bullshit here.” He turns to find Tommy, his eyes on your figure in your stupidly tight outfit, he’d always been the bolder of the two. “Nice shoes…y’know, they do seem practical, you’re a few inches above the cold, y’know? Don’t ya think, Joel?” You smile at him and Joel sees red, that trading asshole. “Y’know, I was still gonna pull you out, bullheaded asshole here was the one who insisted we leave you.”

If Joel was a better man, he’d tell his brother to fuck off—but he’s not, so he socks him in the mouth and gives him a nasty bruise and a split lip. Both of you hightail it away from the driveway and Joel gets back to his shoveling.

Since that day, it’s been a non-stop onslaught of demeaning remarks. You sneer at him when you pass him in the halls, so he sticks to the hunting cabin he and Tommy occupy for a whole day. When he comes in for supper, you sneer at him again. “What, do you just hide out all day, doing jack shit?” He started this, he knows that, and there isn’t much he can do since he left you for dead on the side of the road a few days ago. He huffs at you when he sits down across from you while everyone else gets their plates in the kitchen. His voice is somewhere between a whisper and an aggravated shout. “I’ve been taking care of the cattle, what the hell have you been doing all day, huh? With that big fancy degree? Hid in the house all day and do your nails?” The nails in question are a sharp blue color, a homage to the crisp skies as the sun sets amongst the gloomy clouds, radiating dark indigo across the plains. His stomach curls when his brain supplies the image of them wrapped around his cock—both your little hands, manicured and soft and—son of a—“Actually, I think I forgot to check the fences. Miss Lou, do you mind if I pack this up to go?” He did forget, and he should do that, but it could have waited another day. He really needs a reason to get away from your accusing eyes right now, away from the way you unwillingly make him feel ridged all over.

He checks all the fences on the half mile walk to the hunting cabin, eats his supper at the sad little table and tries (he fucking tries, okay?) to keep his hands off himself. It aches, aches when he gets hard, like a damn weight between his legs that makes him feel dizzy from lack of blood in his poor muddled brain. He gets crazy—can't stand the thought of another person having so much control over his senses that he can't control his own bodily functions. He hates that you’ve weaseled your way in to his weaknesses—pretty eyes, smarter than him, hard to get with an attitude. It pisses him off so bad that his body reacts before his mind can gain clarity enough to tell himself no. But how can he, when all he can think about is what this is doing to him.

He cant stop thinking about how much of a bitch you are, about the type of men you probably pulled while off in collage and how you expected some kind of Adonis and what you got was just Joel. Your disappointment in his mere existence does nothing to flag how hard he is when he finally gets his hands in his pants. It should be alarming how fast he’s got himself on the edge on the image of you glaring him down, blackmailing him just so he can be your own personal verbal punching bag.

What the fuck is wrong with him, that being treated like garbage gets him so worked up. Is it because he knows it's something he'll never have? Like nothing else in the world can, you’ve got him hot and stiff in his large hand, after three days of knowing you, his head tipped back against his pillow and his eternal gratefulness that Tommy is still eating supper at the main house. At least he wont have to witness the way Joel’s resolve goes down the drain when he thinks about those pretty eyes, those nimble fingers and that bratty little attitude. He cums when he thinks about your stupid fucking shoes and how angry you are at him that you’re stuck wearing them.

Tomorrow, he’ll tell you he still cant get your car out, even if all the fucking snow melts, just so he can watch you walk around in them for a little longer, so he can hate you a little bit more. Maybe his distaste will bleed out the want, but Joel has never been that lucky.

———

It’s damn late by the time Tommy makes it home—or maybe it’s not, but Joel's guilty hand found the neck of a bottle a few moments after washing it clean, so he’s completely lost track of time. Drowning his troubles was the best thing he could come up with, so he tipped the bottle back until it was empty and his head felt like it was in a fish bowl.

The door throws open when he’s leaned all the way back in a chair at the little dining table, his bottle sitting empty in front of him and his mind reeling. “Close the damn door, it’s freezing!” He doesn’t open his eyes, because he’s got the spins and the last thing he wants to do right now is throw up.

“Aint me.” He hears Tommy’s voice somewhere in the living room and he finally peeks an eye open and glances towards the door.

“You really are a piece of work, aren’t you?” It’s you, standing in the doorway and letting in all the cold residing outside of these walls. Joel attempts to lean forward, but his weight wobbles and the chair falls backwards on the hardwood. “This is why this ranch doesn’t make any profit. You spend your days drunk off your ass, don’t you?” Her tone is so accusing and snappy, if Joel had half a mind he would pull himself off this floor and give her a piece of it.

“S’the end of the day, I’m not workin’, ‘n I can do whatever I want.” He pulls himself up using the table and he stand there for a moment, trying to let his head catch up with the rest of his body. “I came down here to tell you I want my car out tomorrow morning first thing. But, by the looks of it you wont be good for a damn thing in the morning.”

He groans and walks over to the door on wobbly legs, his vision is blurry but the drunk part of his brain supplies that you walked all the way here with Tommy just to bark orders at him. So, Tommy is definitely a fucking traitor, getting cozy with you when he knows how irritating Joel finds you to be. Even if you look damn good with those wind bitten red cheeks that would look so good hallowed out around his—c’mon, Joel. “I’ll be up before you, smartass. I have livestock to feed, ‘sides, I told you I'd pull it out when I could. Snow’s still too thick.” Joel uses the door frame to hold him up while you look him over from the porch. “I wasn’t asking you to pull it out, Im telling you.” Telling him? Like he’s not his own goddamned person, who makes decisions around here of his own? Hank asked him over a year ago to manage the ranch on his own—he’s been the one calling the shots here for some time, so what gives you the right to stand on his porch and tell him what he’s going to do?

“You might be the all reining princess in their eyes, but do not push me, Honey. I’m not the one to fuck with,” your eyes narrow and your arms cross over your chest like that might somehow make him second guess his boldness. You take a few steps closer and puff your chest out, point your nose up at him with a hard glare. “What are you going to do about it, huh? Not a damn thing.” Actually, one thing does come to mind and it takes everything in Joels power not to grab you by your hair and bend you over the back of the couch, show you exactly what he’s going to do about it.

Instead, he stands there in the frigid air, looking down at you like a pissed off little mouse staring down an alley cat, so fucking brave that he questions if he’s an alley cat at all. “When you can run this ranch by yourself, then you can look down your nose at me, but until then, you’re going to need some taller stupid fucking shoes.” He wouldn’t have the balls to say these things to you if not for the whiskey burning through his veins. Actually, he’s been pretty weary of telling you off, because the last thing he needs is you telling your parents, who obviously would believe you over him. But right now? Fresh off half a bottle and a mind numbing orgasm? He has all the courage in the world.

“I want my car out. I want my things and my clothes. You have until tomorrow night, or my parents can find new ranch hands.” He scoffs and his anxiety only bubbles up a little bit—he’ll pay for it tomorrow, but right now he’s pissed. “Well you better hurry back there and get on it. I’ll tell ya what—I’ll even help you hang up the flyers, hows that sound?” Your face is beat red in an attempt to contain your anger, your eyebrows are drawn together in the kind of pout that makes Joel chub up in his sleep pants. He’d rather sleep out in the snow than to have you see the way your attempt at aggravation works him up, so he starts to close the door on himself. “Better get to it, unless you want to be the one up at four thirty to feed.” He closes the door, turns his body and lets himself slump against the wood. His palm finds the front of his pants and he pushes, attempting to quell the sudden rush of blood that makes his head spin more than the alcohol in his system. “Damn…she’s gettin’ to you, huh?”

It’s Tommy’s obnoxious fucking voice in his head, standing near the hallway to the two small bedrooms. “Fuck off, Tommy, you know how it is for me.” The younger man laughs, crossing his arms over his chest. “I'm just sayin’, it’s kind of funny. Nobody gets under your skin like that. Does fightin’ really do it for you?” His voice is dripping with amusement and Joel wants to punch him again. “It ain’t the fightin’.” Tommy rolls his eyes when Joel reaches into his pants to adjust the discomfort. “Oh, thats right. Your shitty attitude comes sometime after she gets your big ol’—“ Joel growls at him, ”Tommy, if you don’t shut the fuck up right now, I’m going to drag you out in the snow and beat your ass.”

It does the trick, because Tommy knows Joel isn’t kidding, he’s always been the stronger of the two, the one who’s always put Tommy in his place and he’s never been afraid to sock him square in his mouth when he runs it like he is now. “You know it bothers me when I can't control it. I can’t hide it. And she just—she—she’s one of them girls you know? The one’s that you don’t stand a chance with but they rub it in your face anyways and I can’t fucking stand it. It’s embarrassin’.”

He leans away from the door and makes his way over to the couch. When he plops down, his head finds his hands and he drags his calloused fingers through his curly, wind whipped locks. “What if you did stand a chance? Been a really long time since you’ve let yourself have anything.” Tommy finds the seat beside him and their heated argument shifts into a tender conversation, one brother to another, one man to his best friend in the whole world. “Ain’t about what I can have, tom, she’s Hanks daughter and I’m double her age, at least. This,” he gestures to himself vaguely. “This is the last thing a girl like her wants to get themselves tied up in. Can’t—one and done it like you can. Takes some…workin’ up to.”

Tommy pushes his shoulder with a small snort. “Always wondered how you got that thing in anyone.” He hasn’t wondered—he’s asked for years, and Joel being the closed off man he is, never had the heart to spill his bed-mates secrets. But there hasn’t been anyone for years, certainly not someone like you who can get him going faster than anyone he’s ever met. “Just—lots of…stretching. Things I can't do during a tumble in the hay, alright? And not everyone wants to deal with that—fuck know’s I don’t.”

Deal with the rejection of someone seeing him naked and kindly (or not so kindly) telling him that they aren’t interested anymore, deal with the look of shock women give him when he’s pressed up against them—when they feel it. He’s tired of it—so he doesn’t try anymore. Having you at his doorstep, flooring that desire in him? He can't deal with that. “I always thought it would be kind of an appeal to women, don’t they like that? I mean, I didn’t get your genes but I’m not doin’ too bad, they seem to like it.” Not doing too bad? To be normal, lead a normal life where he doesn’t have to bring anxieties to a moment he should only bring pleasure? “It ain’t all puppies and rainbows, man…nine times out of ten were good and they’re into it until I get my pants off. Then they hightail it out of there before I even have a chance to explain myself.”

It’s an embarrassing conversation to have with your brother, but Joel is grateful that he at least has someone he can talk about this with, above all else. The years he’s struggled, the supposed highs that only led to disappointment. It's been one minuscule moment of rejection after another, and he’s not asking for a lot, just to feel what everyone else gets to feel—normal, wanted, less like a freak and more like something to be desired. All for something he can’t change about himself, because believe him he wants to.

“I’m sorry man…I can’t relate, but I know how hard it is for you. One day, some crazy bitch is going to love your…terrifying dick.” He snorts loudly and rolls his eyes at his little brother. “Today ain’t the day, but thanks, Tom…” his head is still spinning and if he doesn’t go to bed soon, he won't make it out to feed before the sun hits the horizon. Tommy heads to his room, but Joel finds a blanket and curls up on the couch with a trash can at his side—just incase he needs to throw up before morning comes and he sobers up.

———

He does make it out to feed. It takes him an hour to get a hundred and fifty heads of cattle fed—he can’t wait till spring when they can be turned out to pasture, when half of them are sold off and the breeding season restarts. The cold, stand still winters drive him crazy on every ranch he’s ever worked, but this one more than most, because the cold is bone deep and there's you now, to drive him crazy in every possible direction.

When he’s done with the cattle, he takes inventory of the feed room, make’s a list to take with himself to town when the roads are cleared, then makes his way over to the stable. If there is one thing he can find solitude in, it’s snorting, fussing, grouchy ass horses early in the morning. They’ll kick at the stalls until he’s filled their feeders, snort cold air at him like they don’t want his company—he finds a lot of himself in the equine’s, misunderstood unless you get to know them like he has. He finds that his favorite place to be is in a saddle, pushing cattle through spring summer and fall, just him and them and all the trust in each other they have to offer.

Once they are fed, he finds his tack bucket and pulls open the stall to a young mare they’d bought last summer. She was ready to break this spring, but Hank had all but given up on the Morgan. So much so that he’d handed Joel her bridle one morning and told him “if you can get through to her, she’s all yours, son.”

She wasn’t a big horse, compared to others over her breed, but she had an untamable mane and tail that Joel has to keep braided or it becomes a rat's nest. She’s all over the place, spooky with a fear of water that Joel can't seem to help her get over. For such a pretty little Palomino, she sure has a lot of fight in her.

“Hey, pissy girl.” He hums when she flicks her tail at him, pulling her head out of her feeder just long enough to look back at him. He’s been the only person she lets in the stall since they got her, the only person who can give her a good brush down and stand behind her without getting a hoof to the chest. “Don’t look at me like that, okay? I had stuff to do before I could bring you guys breakfast. Besides, you’re gettin’ fat.” He pats her on her flank, watches dust come up under his hand. He starts brushing her down when he hears the stable doors come open. He knows it's not Tommy, because he’s in the north field checking on the heifers who are getting ready to calf. They still have a few more weeks, but it's good to keep track in the middle of the kind of storms they’ve been getting. The last thing they need is losing a calf to this kind of cold.

“Joel? You in here?” It’s Hanks booming voice in the desolate stable. “Yeah, I’m in here Hank!” He sets down the brush and steps out of the stall because he knows Hank won't come in it. “I was tryin’ to find you before my daughter did. She been through here yet?” His stomach drops and curls—did she tell him? About the argument they had on his porch last night? That he was drunk off his ass drowning his emotions like he always has? “I don’t know what she might have…told you, but it was at home—the cows were good, animals fed, I wasn’t—“ Hank makes a face and shakes his head. “Son, I ain’t mad at you for nothin’. I told her you’re allowed to have a few drinks when you’re done with your work. She can be very…aggravating, if anyone knows that it's me. I just wanted to apologize before she comes in a raging ball of fire because shes embarrassed about her shoes.”

Embarrassed? She’s embarrassed about walking around in those boots that make her ass look like it was sculpted by gods? Those damn shoes that can get him hard in an instant? “She’s embarrassed about them?”

Hank cracks a soft smile and puts his hands on his hips. “Most of that fire comes from a hurt place. She's all bark and no bite—“ Joel scoffs. “She just about bit my head off last night. I might have said some things I shouldn’t have.” Hank has always been understanding and kind the entire time Joel has known him. “I know, we talked about it. She said I need new ranch hands and I told her I don’t trust anyone to run this ranch but you. Don’t worry, I won't let her run you off. I really thought college would set her straight, but she’s still got that stubborn attitude of hers. Just—keep yourself busy and she’ll give up eventually. Don’t be afraid to defend yourself, either. I’m not going to get mad at you for standing up to her.”

Its more of a relief than he thought it would be to hear Hank stick up for him. You must have ran home to tattle on him, but knowing Hank has his back eases the anxiousness built up in him from the night before. “Anyways…when you see her, maybe Tommy can take her to get her things until we can get her car out, so she can get off of everyones back.” It’s going to have to be Tommy—there's no way in hell Joel can handle being in a car with her by himself with his current situation. “Absolutely, thank you Hank.” The man heads out the door with a genuine smile. “Don’t be too late for breakfast! Louise made fresh jam.”

Breakfast sounds like a dream to his empty stomach, so he gets back to the task at hand so he can spare himself a few minutes of downtime to eat before he gets back to work. He steps back into the stall, runs his hand across the top of his horse's back and sighs. “Maybe I should cut her some slack, huh Cersei? You’re kind of a bitch, but you’re still my favorite girl.” The horse nickers at him, flicks her tail and waits patiently for him to get back to brushing out her winter coat.

———

It’s breakfast when he finally sets eyes on you again, but you aren’t in those damn shoes—you’re barefoot like that's somehow any better. You’re barefoot in what looks like an old pair of your pajamas, like you just rolled out of bed when it’s already eight in the morning. “Look what the cat dragged in.” You sneer at him a little when he sits down across from you with his plate. Tommy hasn’t made it inside yet and Hank and Louise are in the living-room after they’ve already finished eating.

“I’ve been up for hours, what were you doing? Cant learn to manage a ranch if you sleep until eight in the morning.” Joel feels like he has the upper hand, and based on the look on your face, you know it too. “That’s what I have you for, to do all the grunt shit I don’t want to. I slept like a baby.” Joel on the other hand tossed and turned all night, willing away his morning wood for hours until he finally gave in and wrapped his hand around himself in the dark of his room under his soft quilt, where your prying eyes couldn’t reach.

It’s the only damn thing keeping him from chubbing up in his jeans, looking at you across the table in a pair of sleep shorts that ride up and leave little to his imagination. He thinks about how easy it would be to pull them aside and slip his fingers through your lips—if he would be able to get you wet. It’s enough to get him excited, so he tries to find a way out before it becomes too big of a problem.

“Where are you going?” He looks down at his plate, devising a plan to leave with it, so he can at least finish his breakfast. “Uhm…I have a lot to do today, figured I would get back to it while the day is young.” You push your chair back and stand as well, Joel’s eyes must have a mind of their own because they track up your bare thighs to the bottom of your shorts that have ridden up so much the fabric is pulled tight along the outline of your center—goddamn he can fucking see your pussy. He makes a sharp sound, choking on the spit building up in his mouth as it waters.

“You aren’t doing anything until you get my car out, you hear me? I’m not walking around another second like this.” You gesture to yourself—Joel couldn’t agree more. You need to wear clothes that fit you if he wants to keep his dick to himself. “Tommy is going to take you, he’ll be in soon.” You shake your head at him with a huff. “No, I don’t want Tommy taking me, he’s not the one responsible for leaving my car in the snow. You are getting my car out.”

He wants to argue some more, but arguing with you makes him horny and the last thing he needs is to be that worked up in a car with you for an extended period of time.

“Fuck—alright, fine—give me fifteen minutes and I’ll meet you at the truck.”

It’s a shit ass excuse to run back to the cabin and spend ten minutes jacking off as fast as he can fucking manage so he can control himself in the truck. It’s a futile attempt to control the way Hanks spitfire of a daughter makes him hotter than the surface of the sun.

You are going to be the death of him.

[yudgefudge]

My Eras Tour Fits, One For Each Era!

also pls bear with me on this, I am boring and dont rly know how to dress, so these may not be that cool

obligatory tagging the people who asked for it + swiftie mutuals: @dybalaispretty, @lonely-salamander, @rainingmbappe, @liverpool-enjoyer, @purefractals, @tam-is-blogging, @charlesluvr !!!!

General Swiftie Fit: I could only put 10 images in this post so I just wanted to describe my general swiftie concert outfit, which would be the iconic 22 outfit, except with full length sweats not tiny shorts because like. I do not have beautiful slender legs like Mrs. Swift.

Now, onto the Eras:

I just wanted to go for a simple country look. In Swiftiedom, green is the official color of debut, so I went for some supercute green cowboy boots and a simple cowboy outfit! Underneath the plaid shirt I'd imagine I'm wearing one of those "Who's Taylor Swift Anyways? Ew." shirts. I know that's from 22 but I don't care lol.

Yeah don't judge me. I would pull up with the notepad as well, I would write the chants on it cuz I don't like shouting. I wouldn't wear the hoodie unless it got super cold, but I still made sure the hoodie was on theme! Also I'm aware that's not the pajama bottoms she wore in the vid, I wanted them to be fearless-colored (golden yellow)!

Since I couldn't wear the iconic Speak Now dress (way too impractical to wear to a concert LOL) so I went for like, a groom's look? I just realized I forgot to put trousers in this. Well they would be a dark purple, much darker than the shirt, almost black. I went for white gloves because it just gives me bridal vibes idk? Like a groomsman. This fit would look perfect beside the Speak Now dress, which is what I was going for.

Yeah I won't waste y'all's time. I would wear that exact fit. It is the best costume I've ever seen. I just wouldn't wear leggings like she does because once again I don't have legs for days.

I wanted something that would BLIND ANYONE WHO LOOKED AT ME!! BECAUSE THAT'S THE VIBES OF 1989!!! Keep dancing and don't let ANYONE tell you you're too much! Be goofy and silly who gives an F!!!

Yeah don't judge me. Reputation is my favorite album. I would 100% go ham and go full bad boy biker with this one! The shirt says "and in the death of her reputation, she felt truly alive" which is the quote I live by. I think I would slay this fit. Too bad I have zero (0) money.

This isn't exactly what I'd wear. 1) the shirt would have even BOLDER colors. As well as the jacket. This is basically a You Need To Calm Down fit... I love that song so much it makes me wanna dance. Also, my jacket would say "The Man" on the back. I would also do that lover makeup thing with the eye heart.

"who brings headphones to a concert" well DUH i'm not wearing them. Sometimes we sacrifice logic for the sake of the serve! Also, my stuffed husky, Dustin, is part of this fit, but I can't get a good enough pic of him. Just know he is part of this, I wanted this to give "I'm still in bed" vibes, cuz that's what folklore is to me as an album? Idk, it just gives me that, "I wrote this while nestled under the covers" feel.

This is just meant to replicate what Taylor already wears on the album cover. Also, I would have a champagne glass.

And last but DEFINITELY not the least, my Midnights fit! I also designed this as a general Eras fit, because tbh the Eras aesthetic is kind of the Midnights one too, if that makes sensee? I wanted this one to give the vibes of that You're Losing Me line, "I'm the best thing at this party, I wouldn't marry me either". Clearly stylish, but meant to be in the back of the party, not the center.

[starkerforlife6969]

Starker - The Beach War

Peter loves the sunshine.

He loves the sand under his toes, the little shore-line waves bumping against his ribs, he loves the sound of gulls swooping low, but he loves the sunshine most of all.

Steve warns him not to spend too much time out in the sun. Steve buys him sunscreen and umbrellas and hats.

But if the damning red crest over the bridge of his nose is anything to go by- Peter takes little heed.

“I’m going to aerobics,” Peter chirps sweetly, pouring coffee into Steve’s mug and reaching for his headband on a Tuesday morning.

His husband, in slacks and a still-unbuttoned shirt, looks up from the morning paper with a small, curious smile. “Didn’t you go yesterday?”

Peter nods, “I like it.”

“Alright. I suppose you deserve to enjoy yourself. Now that I’m officially a ballot candidate, thanks to you.”

Peter smiles warmly, reaching over to kiss Steve’s mouth and wipe the toast crumbs from his husband’s chin. “We all collected those signatures.”

Steve laughs at his modesty. “It’s one step closer to stopping Stark from destroying this town. I won’t rest till it’s done, Pete. Bucky’s coming over today, to help with the campaign.”

“Okay. Well, there’s lasagne in the fridge left over, will you two be alright?”

“Yeah.” His blue eyes run over Peter’s face. “Have you been wearing suncream?”

“Yes,” Peter lies, but is it really a lie? He tries to. He does, at least like, 50% of the time. Maybe 40.

Steve accepts it easily, and kisses Peter again, and then Peter’s out of the door and into the sunshine and free.

***

Class is perfect. Adrenaline-pumping, vibrant, fantastic, and it fills Peter with energy and when it’s over, dripping with sweat as he heads into the cool, air-conditioned bliss of the mall and wiggles his toes in his shoes.

He’s free the whole day.

He’s going to spend it in the water. On the beach.

He buys a danish from the new mall store, and is heading for the automatic doors when it catches his eye.

A familiar face. Or rather, fifteen of that unfamiliar face, splashed across a display for the new colour tvs. Beck. Peter stops despite himself and watches through the glass as fifteen Quinten Beck’s lecture on how environmental restrictions are really just restricting progress.

Peter takes another bite of his Danish and warm icing dribbles down his fingers. He licks it off angrily. Ugh, Beck. He was a dick in college, and he’s an even bigger dick now. What did Peter ever see in him?

He scoffs, turning away, only to come face-to-face with-

Oh. Handsome. Very handsome. Peter can’t help but be a little winded at the tanned skin, groomed hair and expensive suit and then-

Oh. Shit. It’s Tony Stark. Is it? It must be. It looks like him from the papers, and the interviews and- Yes. Yes, it is. The camera’s, already flattering, still don’t do him justice. It’s Tony Stark. Standing right here, in the mall that he had all those trees chopped down to make.

“You seemed drawn to him, and then you scoffed. It doesn’t speak to you?”

Peter blinks. Stark’s voice is lovely. Smooth. Just how it sounds in the adverts. “Oh!” Peter hums, hastily swallowing his mouthful of Danish. Stark’s eyes are roving over him- not even subtly. What is he looking for? Peter shifts a little in his workout gear. These shorts are very short, he must look- there’s probably icing on his lips and- “I don’t- I wasn’t drawn to him.” Peter insists, “I just know him- uh, Beck. I know him in real life.”

“I see,” Stark grins, eyes all amused, “do you have one?”

Peter blinks. He watches Tony’s eyes dip over his form once again. Rest on his lips. Peter licks them reflexively. He knows Tony isn’t married, but- “I do. I’m uh- I’m married. Sorry.”

Tony laughs, and Peter feels his cheeks flush. “I meant: do you have a colour tv? I know you’re married.”

Peter frowns. How is that possible- oh. He glances at his ring and manages a little laugh. “Perceptive.” He hums.

Tony lifts an eyebrow, a little quizzically. “No.” He says slowly,  “I know who you are, Peter Rogers. I saw the “Save our Wave” campaign. You and your husband. Smart way to launch. Ocean in the background. You looked….radiant.”

Oh god. Tony Stark knows who he is.

Peter brushes his hair behind his ears and doesn’t know what to say. “Uh...thank you.”

Tony grins. “Good ad. But it won’t be enough. It can’t stop progress.” Tony steps forward, so they’re a little closer than what’s proper, and his voice drops into something lower. His fingers graze Peter’s bare shoulder. “But I’m not sure you want to stop progress, do you, pumpkin?”

Is he talking about his aerobics outfit? Or the fact he was watching colour tv? Or the fact that he’s in the mall, having just finished a mall class, eating a mall-pastry, and watching mall-tv? Despite the fact that he’s supposedly against the mall.

Peter ignores the ripple of goosebumps that spread across his skin. He lifts his nose, but Tony still towers over him. “I do not agree wih Quinten Beck.” He snaps. “I’m sorry, but we do care about the environment. And we’re not going to have our beach destroyed for another mall.”

He pulls away then, pushing past Tony.

“Peter,” Tony says, and he can’t help but look back. Tony stands there, stupidly handsome, hands in his pockets, and his voice is as cool as the ocean-breeze when he says, “If I were married to you, I’d put you in my campaign videos too. You’ve got a face that changes minds, sweetheart.”

Another furious, heated blush, and Peter bumbles out into the sunshine.

Beach. He needs to go to the beach. Stat.

***

Peter’s freckles always make their debut in the LA Summer.

He serves a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade as he, Steve and Bucky take lunch out on the patio.

Bucky and Steve are pressed close together. It’d be odd, if it wasn’t so commonplace. But Peter expects it now. They’re childhood friends. It’s fine, probably. He tries not to think about it too much. Because he knows Steve. And Steve is kind and loyal, and even if he wanted to- he wouldn’t cheat on Peter.

Unfortunately, Peter thinks Steve might want to. More and more lately, now that Bucky’s basically been living here to help with the campaign.

“Thanks, Sweatpea,” Bucky murmurs, as Peter refills his glass.

For the man who’s stealing away his husband, Peter should probably like Bucky less. “No problem, James. Do you guys want more pecan pie?”

“It’s alright, sugar. Steve and I will eat at the community luncheon.”

Peter blinks. He turns to Steve, who looks away bashfully.

“What?” Bucky asks, reading their faces.

“We were invited to the Harrisson’s gala this afternoon.” Peter points out, still looking at Steve’s face, “it’s a great opportunity to raise some funds-”

“It’s a stuck up crowd,” Bucky points out, not incorrectly, “not exactly who we want associated with Steve’s campaign.”

“Right,” Peter hums, because Steve had a choice between him and Bucky, and Bucky’s already won.

“I’m sorry, Pete,” Steve says earnestly, reaching his large hand across the table to take Peter’s. Bucky looks away. “I just feel the luncheon has a lot more to offer. You can go to the gala by yourself, can’t you? You’re more than amazing without me dragging you down.”

Not true. Peter thinks, because as much as he loves being free, Steve’s all-American home spun wholesomeness always leaves a trail of admirers.

“Okay,” he murmurs. “You guys have fun.”

He collects the rest of the dishes and takes them inside, unaware that he has a Bucky-shaped shadow until he’s corned next to the kitchen sink.

“I’m sorry.” Bucky says, bowing his head, and Peter half-smiles. “I wouldn’t have suggested it if I knew you guys had already-”

“It’s alright.” Peter says softly, “I think he would rather be with you anyway.”

Bucky’s eyes snap to his, ice-blue and frightened and hopeful. “Pete…” he says, voice a little raw. “It’s not…”

“You guys alright in there?” Steve calls from outside.

Peter ducks under Bucky’s arm, and it isn’t very difficult to make his voice bright when he calls back: “Just fine!”

***

The Harrison’s own a ridiculously nice estate, and Peter only feels a little out of place. He’s in the dark blue silks he brought with him to LA all those years ago, and Mr Harrisson greets him warmly at the door.

It’s...better than he thought it would be. It turns out he doesn’t really need Steve. At all, actually. He’s clever and he has his degree and he knows a lot about the environment. People like him. They respond to him. It’s-

“Just look at you,” comes a whistle, and Peter turns slowly to see Tony Stark in a tuxedo.

Fuck. It’s a very tasty sight. Tastier than the crab rolls being handed out, and they were pretty damn incredible.

“You’re just working the room, aren’t you, honey?” Tony drawls, voice dripping with appreciation and something low and dark and-

“I’m uh, I’m trying,” Peter manages, feeling his cheeks flush.

Tony looks like he wants to step closer, but he doesn’t. Peter kind of- maybe a little- wants him too. “And where’s your very lucky husband?”

“Oh, he’s...he’s not here.”

Tony’s eyes light up. “Really? Well, how about you and me get some air?”

The Harrison’s house sits on the beach, and Peter kicks off his shoes and is pulled down onto the sand as easy as breathing.

God, the ocean air. He rolls up his trousers, sinks his feet into the cold, trembling waves.

“Just look at you,” Tony hums, and Peter turns to see he’s being watched, and Tony’s skin looks even better lit by the sunset.

“You said that already,” he points out, feeling bolder, braver, now that he’s out on the beach.

“Well, maybe that’s because I can’t stop looking at you.”

Peter blushes, before stepping into the water a little further. “Are you going to join me? Or do you hate the ocean as much as you claim?”

Tony obligingly toes off his shoes. “Never said I hated the ocean. Don’t get me mixed up with Beck. I just know that sometimes we’ve gotta sacrifice things in the name of progress. Technology. The future.”

Tony pulls off his bowtie, slips off his jacket, and then comes and wades into his knees.

“Gotta sacrifice things,” Peter echoes, “like the ocean. Like trees. Who needs ‘em, right? They only give us oxygen.”

Tony grins at him. “You’re a firecracker, aren’t you, Peter? I thought you liked my mall. Or wasn’t that you? In that gorgeous little aerobics get up? Eating one of those danishes- to die for, aren’t they? Wasn’t that you, sighing at a colour tv?”

Peter scoffs because he doesn’t have a comeback, and he glances out at the horizon.

“You were mine, sweetheart, you’d be purring away with that tv at your feet. I’d buy you a hundred if you wanted ‘em. You wouldn’t want for anything.”

Jesus. Peter tries to stifle the flood of arousal that courses through him. “I’d be wanting for a husband that cared about protecting our coast line.” He manages, though it sounds a little weak.

“The coast line,” Tony hums, reaching a hand down to plunge into the water. “The beach. You a surfer?”

“No, I just...I like the beach, it makes me feel…” free “...it’s the beach. It’s nature. It’s not for us to bend and re-shape for another mall, Tony.”

Tony chuckles, “I do like to hear you say my same.”

Peter scowls, and heads back for the sand. A few splashes later, Tony follows. “You can’t...I don’t know, you can’t seduce me into supporting you.”

Tony’s hand grips around his wrist just before Peter reaches his shoes, and he’s looking up into very dark brown eyes, and a very, very appealing mouth. “I’m not trying to change your mind.” Tony murmurs, “I’m just trying to see where it is you stand. You like the mall, you didn’t mind the trees being cut down there, but the beach. The beach is where you have a problem. It’s your line.”

“It-it’-it’s not about me.” Peter stutters, feeling exposed, “My husband is the one running for-”

“And I am trying to seduce you. Have been since I saw you in that advert. Couldn’t get you out of my head. Thought they’d hired a model at first, and then I found out you were married to him. I couldn’t believe it.”

Oh. Warmth buzzes through his skin, flattered and delighted and giddy, Peter doesn’t know what in the name of hell possesses him to say: “He’s not going to be my husband for much longer.”

Tony’s eyebrows lift in surprise. Then he smirks. His hand is still wrapped around Peter’s wrist. “That so?”

A few other guests pull out onto the beach now, and Peter spots Mrs Harrisson in the distance.

“Save our wave, Mr Stark,” he whispers, unable to stop smiling, as he gathers his shoes and heads over.

***

He and Steve have sex that night.

It’s the best sex they’ve had in a long time. Passionate, erotic, and Peter knows why. It’s because he was just with Tony, and Steve was just with Bucky, and they’re both pretending.

Afterwards, still warm from the haze, they look at one another.

“I’m so sorry, Pete,” Steve whispers, voice-choked up, and Peter brushes away his tears.

“Don’t be. Where you are, it’s where I am. You and Bucky are made for each other.”

“You have someone too?” Steve asks. Peter nods. “Okay. Okay, but not till...not till after the campaign. Divorce…” the word makes him jerk a little, and Peter soothes him, “it could rock things.”

“After the campaign,” Peter nods, and they sleep in each other’s arms, and maybe it shouldn’t feel like everything’s going to be okay, but it does.

***

Steve annihilates Tony in the televised debate.

Peter knew he would. Tony is clever and pithy, but Steve is earnest, and kind, and people can see that. They can feel that. Tony handles it as well as he can, but it’s clear by the end of the interview- Steve is ahead.

Peter swims back towards the shore.

He’s still wet as he pads into the mall and heads for the pastry-store.

“I’ll get that,” Tony says, appearing from nowhere and handing over the money before Peter can fish his wallet from his ocean-wet shorts.

Tony’s hand is on the small of his back then, guiding him towards the food court, and soon Peter’s eating his pastry on a plastic red chair, and looking at Tony with wide, innocent eyes.

Tony breaks first.

“So, your husband’s campaign is a little stronger than I thought.”

Peter laughs. The sound seems to make Tony light up, and that just- Peter’s stomach tightens.

“My advisor’s are a little worried.”

“Steve is very good.” Peter agrees, taking another bite.

Tony leans across the table, and his cologne makes Peter want. “I’m better, though, Pete, is the thing.”

“Are we still talking about the campaign?”

“Let’s get dinner.” Tony says suddenly, “please. I know it’s early, but I am burning with it, Pete. I think about you all the time, I can’t keep staking out beaches and malls hoping to run into you.”

“What if someone sees us? What about Steve’s campaign-”

“It’d hurt mine just the same. Who gets the sympathy? The man being cheated on, or the man who slept with a married guy?”

Peter pulls the pastry apart with his fingers. “Just dinner?”

“At my house.”

Peter laughs, scandalised, “dinner at your house? How easy do you think I am?”

“Not easy at all. You’re fucking difficult, sweetheart. Look at what you’re wearing, fuck, it’s like you want to torture me.”

Peter tries not to blush and fails. His voice is gentle though, when he voices his main concern: “And what happens if once you’ve...once we’ve...what happens then? Curiosity satisfied, you might not want to see me anymore.”

Tony reaches across the table to touch Peter’s hand. Peter looks around worriedly, but nobody is paying them any mind.

“Is that what you’re worried about?” Tony whispers, more serious than Peter has ever seen him. “Peter, I would never get bored of you.”

“It’s happened before,” Peter says weakly, and doesn’t realise how true it is until it’s spoken aloud. The pain for the divorce yet to happen ripples across his chest. Oh god, where has this been? Someone loved him once, and then found someone else-

“I’m gonna crush him.” Tony vows, voice vicious, as soon as he spots the glitter of Peter’s tears. “I’m going to destroy his campaign-”

“No, no,” Peter insists, sniffling, and managing a small smile. “Steve is- he’s a good guy, Tony. A good guy with a good cause, you don’t need to,” Peter huffs fondly, “you don’t need to protect my honour.

“Alright,” Tony says, a little bit like he’s unconvinced, so Peter squeezes his hand.

“I want to have dinner with you. I want to feel your hands on me- I- I think about it all the time. And afterwards, I want...more.” Peter looks down at their hands. “You said you’d get me anything.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Tony whispers, “I’m going to give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”

***

The mall gets made.

In the next town over. The beach is saved. Steve wins.

They divorce.

Steve hugs him. Bucky hugs him. There’s a lot of crying, but then Peter’s being picked up in a ludicrously nice hot-red car, and there’s Tony and kissing and a house in Malibu right on the sand.

There’s a wedding, and teasing, and arguments. There’s sex. A lot of sex. There’s swimming and living and life under the sun.

There’s a thousand things. A million things.

And every day with Tony promises more.

When Peter wakes up, ready for the beach, Tony slathers him with suncream and for some reason it doesn’t feel like he’s trapped.

Maybe it was never about the suncream.

He still loves the beach. And the sunshine. And the gulls swooping low and the sand under his toes, but-

But he doesn’t need it to feel free. He feels free right here, in bed, tangled up with Tony and the promise of more.

[oikawaplssteponme]

PART 9 | previously: part 8 | masterlist

pairing: Katsuki Bakugou x fem! reader

ratings/warnings: swearing

synopsis: When UA’s hot heads, Katsuki Bakugou and you, are forced to put your hatred for each other aside and plan the third year Prom, things end up getting a little heated...

a/n: hi hi!! 💙so there isn’t too much Bakugou in this part BUT i promise the part after this will make up for it *wink wink*. and i just think this part is really cute anyway ☺️ enjoy xx

•

nine: girls day

“Y/N! Y/N! GET UP SLEEPY HEAD!!”

You woke up to the sound of someone banging and giggling outside your dorm.

“Fucking hell… GIVE ME A SECOND!” You groaned and got up from your bed. You opened the door to see a smiling Mina, Momo, Uraraka, Jirou, Hagakure, and Tsu.

“What the hell…”

“I knew she’d forget,” laughed Jirou.

“Forget what?”

“Girls day today!” squealed Mina. You perked up, remembering well what Mina had mentioned to you a couple days ago.

“I didn’t forget...my alarm just didn’t go off,” you lied.

“Well we are all leaving in about 15 minutes so get dressed and let’s get going!” Mina and the other girls ran off. You were still waking yourself up as you rubbed your eyes.

“You look like hell,” said Bakugou, standing outside your room. You immediately crossed your arms.

“Fuck off Katsuki. It’s too early for your shit.”

“It’s almost noon.”

You huffed.

“Whatever.” You closed your door and began scrambling around for something to wear. You quickly put together an outfit and slipped your shoes on. You grabbed your wallet and phone, shoving it all into a small bag, then rushed out the door.

“There she is! You look great!” smiled Mina.

“God I love it when they wear casual clothes…” mumbled Mineta. You scoffed and kicked the purple boy over.

“SHIT-”

“Can you ever not be creepy?” You muttered.

“Alright ladies, a day filled with fun is just ahead! Let’s go!” cheered Mina. You sighed and began to follow your friends out the door.

“Hey dumbass!” called Bakugou. You turned around to look at him.

“Yes?”

“Have fun,” he smiled. Your eyes widened.

“Fine maybe I will!” You replied. Bakugou raised a brow but laughed off your comment. You gave him a shy smile and rejoined your friends.

“Fine maybe I will”? What the fuck Y/N.

~

You and the rest of the girls in your class took the train to the city. It was a beautiful day, a cool breeze passing by you as you walked along the city streets. The seven of you stopped for some boba before being led into a store by Mina.

“Guys, what is this?” You asked as sipped on your drink. You looked around the girly boutique.

“PROM DRESS SHOPPING!!” cheered Mina raising her arms in the air.

“My parents set us up with an appointment and we have the whole shop to ourselves!” explained Momo.

“Momo what is your life…” mumbled Uraraka.

“Oh gosh I don’t even know where to start!” squealed Hagakure.

“Hi ladies! How can I help?” asked the store manager.

“We have our Prom this week and we need some show stopping dresses!” said Mina.

“Well you’ve come to the right place! Here I’ll show you around.”

You followed the manager around the store as she showed you the endless amounts of dazzling dresses. It was an understatement to say you felt a bit overwhelmed.

“Feel free to pick out a few dresses and try them on. Don’t be afraid to ask any of our attendants for some help,” smiled the manager.

“Thank you very much!”

Your friends immediately dispersed along the aisles of clothing. Piling up whatever outfits caught their eyes. You walked slowly as you looked around, feeling a bit intimidated by the glitz and glamour.

“Would you like some help?” said a voice. You turned around to see one of the attendants.

“Uh yeah that would be great actually,” you said nervously.

“Perfect. What’s your name hun?”

“It’s Y/N.”

“It’s nice to meet you Y/N, I’m Zella. Do you know what style of dress you are looking for?” She asked. You shrugged.

“All I know is that I need a long dress. I have no idea what I actually want,” you admitted. Zella smiled.

“Well that’s why I’m here. How about I pick a few styles out and you let me know what you think of them?”

“That sounds good.”

You followed Zella as she picked out a couple dresses. She would show you them, asking for your approval before keeping it for you to try on.

“Probably not something pink,” you laughed as you looked at the princess dress before you. Zella chuckled.

“Noted.”

“How is it going Y/N?” asked Mina, or what you presumed to be Mina. You could barely tell through the skyscraper of dresses she was carrying.

“Uh good thanks. I think you’re holding half of the store there,” you joked.

“Gonna go try them on! I have to find the perfect one!” She cheered.

“I think we have enough for you to try on too,” chimed in Zella. You nodded and went over to the dressing room.

“We should do this bridal style and each one of us goes one at a time!” Suggested Uraraka. You laughed.

“As long as I can sit on the couch the longest, I’m good.”

“Me first!” Mina rushed into the dressing room to change. You crammed onto the couch with your friends in front of the mirrors and riser.

“So Y/N, what did you tell Deku?” asked Jirou. You flinched.

“Well uh, I told him that I’d rather go without a date. He understood so we’re cool,” you explained.

“Yeah well dates are overrated anyway,” said Jirou.

“Did you want someone else to ask you?” asked Uraraka. Your face went warm.

“Well uh I wouldn’t put it like that it’s just that-”

“Okay dress number one!” said Mina.

Thank god.

Mina twirled around in a white and gold flowy dress.

“It’s cute Mina but it’s not you, you know?” said Momo.

“I agree. You need something bolder!” You smiled.

“Yeah I'm not the biggest fan of this one either. Onto the next!”

~

The seven of you took turns trying on and showing off your dresses. After about 30 dresses, Mina settled on a light purple dress, definitely more of her vibe. Momo went next, trying on about 10 dresses. She picked a vibrant red one. Jirou only tried on one outfit, a two-piece black jumpsuit. She was set on it from the start. Hagakure tried on every pink dress possible. She actually chose the pink dress that you had rejected. Uraraka also went for pink, but more of a lighter tone. Lastly, Tsu picked out an emerald green dress. All of your friends looked stunning.

“Alright Y/N, you’re up,” smiled Tsu as she exited the dressing room. You sighed.

“Bare with me ladies,” you joked. You walked over to the dressing room and stepped inside. Zella had already hung up the dresses you had picked. You looked at them, unsure where to start. You decided to put on your least favorite first, just to get it out of the way. You slipped the light blue dress on and looked in the mirror.

I look like a fucking cupcake.

Just to amuse your friends, you stepped out of the dressing room. Their hands flew to their mouths.

“I never thought I’d see the day where Y/N wears a bright color,” joked Mina.

“Yeah well don’t get used to it because this is definitely a no,” you laughed as you stood on the riser.

“This is priceless...”

“Y/N, this dress just came in today so it wasn’t on the floor yet. I think you’d like it.” Zella rushed over to you holding a zipped up dress bag. You smiled.

“Anything to get me out of this.”

You took the bag and went back into the dressing room. You hung up the bag and unzipped it. You gasped. Inside was a beautiful black dress with thin straps and a slit for one of your legs. You eagerly changed out of the dress you were wearing and put the new one on.

“Zella? Could you zip me up?” You asked, opening the door. Zella smiled.

“That’s definitely the one.” You turned around and Zella zipped you up. You walked out to your friends. This time their hands flew to their mouths, but in a good way. You stepped onto the riser, letting the skirt of the dress fall around you. You looked at yourself in the mirror, trying to hide your smile.

“Oh Y/N, you look beautiful,” Mina gushed. Your face grew warm.

“It’s just the dress that’s all…”

“No it’s you. You’re glowing,” said Momo. You continued to look at yourself. You felt beautiful. You were beautiful.

“Fine I guess I’ll get this one,” you joked.

“Perfect! Let’s get you changed and get going!” smiled Mina. You nodded, heading back to the dressing room.

You changed back into your clothes and zipped the dress back into its bag. You took the dress and went to meet your friends.

“Alright, who is paying first?” You asked.

“Oh no no. All your dresses have been paid for by the Yaoyorozu’s. You’re all good to go,” explained the manager. All your jaws dropped as you looked at Momo.

“Surprise…?”

“MOMO!” The six of you rushed over to your friend, joining in a large group hug.

“Tell your parents the biggest thank you!” said Uraraka.

“I will,” smiled Momo.

~

After your wonderful day filled with fun just as Mina had promised, you were back at UA. The seven of you walked into the dorms and watched as the boys' faces lit up from your return.

“THEY'RE BACK!” cheered Denki and Mineta as they rushed towards you all.

“Mineta if you lay one hand on me I’ll blow your ass up right here right now,” you warned him. He nodded, stepping back.

“How was your ‘Girls Day’?” asked Iida.

“It was amazing!” gushed Uraraka.

“Well I see you all found your dresses for Prom. That’s excellent!”

“Yeah only after trying on half of the store,” you joked. You went over to your room and set your dress bag down.

“Hey dumbass,” said Bakugou, standing outside your door.

“Hi Katsuki,” you smiled. He raised a brow.

“Why are you in such a good mood?”

“What? I can’t smile at you?”

Bakugou smirked. “No no, go right ahead.”

“Find your dress?” He asked, pointing to the dress bag laying on your bed. You smiled.

“Yeah I did. Wanna see?” You said eagerly.

“Woah is that like allowed?”

“Katsuki it’s a prom dress not a wedding gown,” you chuckled. Bakugou stepped inside of your room and stood beside you as you unzipped the bag. You showed just the top of the dress. Bakugou’s eyes widened.

“That’s uh-that’s a pretty dress,” stuttered Bakugou.

“Thanks,” you smiled. You looked up at Bakugou, who was already looking at you. Your face got hot.

“Well uh, I’m exhausted so I think I’m gonna take a nap,” you said. Bakugou nodded.

“Alright. Sleep well.”

“Thanks Katsuki.” Bakugou left your room and you slowly shut the door behind him. You pressed your back against the door, placing your cold hands on your hot face.

Only 7 more days until Prom. Just 7 more days. I can do this.

•

a/n: so i actually have pictures of all the dresses i mentioned in this part but im not sure if you all would care to see them so just please lmk so that i can post the dress/outfit hc’s that go with this part :)))

[taglist OPEN: @vangoghpoets @vangoghmusings @bokutory @complimentaryhugsgirl @cloudswritings @kriswu46 @neodnyl @evivn1 @jazzylove @mileven-reddie @whalerus @misssugarless @random-fandom-girl-24 @fanfiction-and-stress @ushiwakatrash @minhoswife @addictofsupernatural @the-shota-king-masayuki @freyafolkvangr @fourteenow @tamaguchi @lalayy @athenarosaline @blxck-coffee @katsukibabe @thatonegeekchick @that-chick212 @bibly @nxynxy @theunknownrandom @flustered-blue-eyed-sex-muffin @94potterhead @moonlightaangel @katusukisbitch2000 (if your name is bold I couldn’t tag you) ]

[yikesharringrove]

Nb model Steve? Maybe Billy is a photographer who's known for his artsy and alternative photos and Steve is an up and coming model who has to deal with a lot of misgendering in the industry? But Billy is one of the first photographers who really respects their pronouns and what he's comfortable wearing

Read on Ao3

-

Steve didn’t know what to expect when they got on location.

They loved being a model, felt so comfortable in front of a camera, had even gotten to do some runway work for New York Fashion Week this year.

But the issue, is that they only get work as a male model, where they’re expected to be hyper masculine and all macho.

It’s the fucking worst.

But their agent had gotten them this shoot, promised that it wouldn’t be like the last one, or the one before that, or the one before that.

They took a deep breath before entering the building.

“Hi, Steve Harrington, checking in.” The woman smiled at them, tapping on her phone.

“Great, let’s take you through to hair and makeup. Mr. Hargrove will want to speak with you before you begin.” She led Steve through to the warehouse.

Steve had never worked with Billy Hargrove before, but his name preceded him. He was known for beautiful shoots with models way beyond Steve’s recognition and caliber. Shooting campaigns for high end designers.

“So, I was never informed what campaign this is for.”

“This is for Mr. Hargrove’s personal portfolio. He chooses to freelance various projects he believes in.”

“Wait so, this is like, just for him?” She pulled Steve aside.

“He’s putting together an art book, but do not tell anyone you heard that. He’s going to announce it in a few months. Limited run, all that. You’ll be getting a share. He feels paying models is extremely important.” Steve just nodded, they’re eyes big.

“Sorry, how did I end up on this project?”

“Oh, Mr. Hargrove is a fan of your work. Asked for you by name.”

Steve was in hair and make up now, being ushered into a tall chair. The woman, probably Mr. Hargrove’s assistant, took off again.

Steve closed their eyes, figured they would be getting a light foundation, maybe some contour to sharpen their jaw, that kinda thing.

They zoned out, just let the makeup artists do their work.

“Steve Harrington. Good to meet you.” Steve opened their eyes, was met with The Billy Hargrove.

“Mr. Hargrove, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve a very big fan of your work, especially on the most recent Dior campaign, those images were beautiful.”

“Oh, call me Billy. And I loved your work with Jonathan Byers. I think that was about three years ago, now? I’ve been trying to make arrangements to work with you since those were published.”

Steve furrowed their brows. Those pictures featured Steve in a lot of makeup, and lingerie in most of them. Billy was studying their face.

“Have you done their hair yet?” Steve’s eyes were wide.

That was the first time they hadn’t been misgendered on a job.

“No, Mr. Hargrove.”

“If you can make it look like they just have it now, I like the kinda of, wild thing that’s happening. And maybe make the gold a little bolder. I really like the look.”

Steve hadn’t washed their hair in a few days, usually the hair artists would wash it before they began anyway.

Billy smiled at them one last time before leaving again, and Steve got a look at themself in the mirror.

Their eye makeup was a pretty ballet pink, gold glitter packed onto their eyelids. Their face was contoured to look feminine, the way the did their own makeup.

When they finished with hair and makeup, they met Billy in wardrobe.

He was flicking through a rack of clothes.

“Hey! You look great.” Steve flushed.

“So, what are you comfortable in? I’m looking to explore humanity in all forms. I’m working with artists that inspire me through their realities. You’re pretty much the top of that list.”

“Wait, I’m not following.”

“Your gender identity and expression, the way you wear your body in the most authentic way possible. I’ve seen your work. Those images with Byers are so beautiful, so much moreso than anything else I’ve seen of yours. Your confidence exuded through the image more than anything I’ve ever seen. It was inspiring.”

“So, you’re gonna let me do this my way?”

“Of course. I’m showcasing you, whatever that means.” Steve nodded at him once.

They began rifling through the clothes, making a pile of things they liked, what they thought would look good with the makeup.

“And I’m pretty much comfortable with anything.” Billy raised one eyebrow.

“Nudity?”

“If you want.”

“Could that cause you any dysphoria, though?” Steve blinked at him.

“Jesus, that’s the first time I’ve ever been asked that on a shoot.” Billy’s smile slipped.

“Seriously?” Steve shrugged. “Not even with Byers?”

“Well, I mean, that doesn’t count. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and I was just getting into modelling, and him into photography, so that was kind of to build up both of our portfolios at the time. I did my own hair, makeup and costuming.” Billy raised one eyebrow.

“But apart from working with a close friend, you’ve never been asked about dysphoria.” Billy said it as a statement, like he was trying to wrap his head around the idea.

“And it’s funny, because I usually get dysphoric in menswear shoots, but most people hire me as a male model.”

“Jesus, I’m sorry, Steve.” They shrugged.

“It is what it is. Not a lot of gender noncomforming or just straight up not cis models in the mainstream. There’s a few, don’t get me wrong, but not many, and very few household names. I just figured I need to be versatile for now, and eventually, I’ll have enough of career I can start making demands. Taking up space.”

“Still, it sucks that you gotta pick and choose like that. You should be able to just, do what you want.”

“That’s easy to say, mister photographer.” Billy smiled bashfully. “Look, thank you for taking time to research me and know what I’m all about. This experience has already been a lot better than most of my other shoots.” Billy clapped them on the shoulder.

“Hey, you’re my muse. I’m just excited to be working with you. I’ll leave you to get changed, we’ve got some wardrobe assistants standing by if you need help.” He swept out of the curtained off area.

Steve decided to begin with a light blue slip dress, matching silk panties.

They had help getting into the gold chunky heels, and made a bit of a show of walking those few feet to set.

Billy was staring darkly.

“You look beautiful.” Steve grinned at him, taking a seat on the white settee.

Billy was very easy to work with.

He let Steve take some liberties, try a few things out, and would direct from there, telling Steve how to adjust their body.

Steve felt in control, felt beautiful and confident. 

Steve had taken off the slip, was posing in just the blue panties, now sitting on a windowsill, the New York skyline behind them.

Steve stood up, and dropped the little panties, kicking them away. Billy nodded, still looking behind the camera.

“Beautiful, Steve.”

They stood in nothing but the heels, had been given a piece of fabric to drape around their body, or not if they so pleased. Steve held it aloft, looking at the camera with their best bitchy I’m above you look.

Billy had them do the same with six other outfits, slowly strip out of them throughout the shoot.

The set was closed, only a handful of people in the room with them as Steve languished around.

Billy nearly lost his damn mind at an image of Steve, their back to the camera, in nothing but red pumps, sitting in a middle split on the windowsill.

“You’re a fucking genius, Stevie. Gorgeous!”

It was hours before the shoot had finished, and Steve was given a plush robe and a latte.

“Steve.” Billy jerked his head towards the table in the corner, Billy’s cameras and laptop sitting on top of it.

Billy pulled another chair up to the table, let Steve sit on the first one.

“I just want to go over the shoot with you. You can pick the shots you like the most, and we can see which ones are right for my project. I’m publishing an art book. I’m sure Miranda already told you, she tells fucking everyone.” He had loaded the images from the day onto the laptop.

They clicked through them, sitting just the two of them, everyone already having left for home.

“Oh, wow.” Billy had stopped on an image of Steve with the large piece of gauzy fabric. It was draped over their shoulder, put hung to the floor, doing nothing to cover their body. “Look at your face. This is what I was taking about. The confidence, you just exude don’t fuck with me energy. It’s beautiful.”

Billy would often do that, point out minute details in Steve’s body language or facial expressions and explain the ways they were captivating.

And it made Steve feel captivating.

“You’re really beautiful, you know that?” Steve was far too aware of how close Billy’s face was to theirs.

“I really felt it today. Thank you.”

“You are ethereal. I’m not kidding.” Billy’s eyes flicked down to their lips. “Can I kiss you?”

“Please.”

Steve sighed when Billy kissed them, just a light press of his lips to theirs.

“I’d like to see you again. Cook you dinner? Or take you out? You pick.” Steve sat back.

“Like a date?”

“Yes.”

“You wanna date me?”

“Yes.”

“Is that why you wanted to work with me?”

“I wanted to work with you because you are so beautiful it’s inspiring. I want to date you because on top of all that, you’re kind, and sweet, and driven.”

“Um, yeah, then. I’ll go on a date with you.” Billy beamed. “But I don’t put out on the first date, and just because you photographed me naked does not mean you get to fuck me anytime soon.”

“Oh, of course.” He looked serious. It made Steve melt a little.

“And I’d love it if you cooked for me.”

“Then my place. Friday. Seven o’clock. Wear something nice. I may not be able to resist photographing you.”

“Yeah, yeah, Sweet Talker. I’m allergic to bell peppers and I think mushrooms are gross, so steer clear.”

“Drat. There goes my idea for mushroom stuffed bell peppers.”

“Darn. Looks like we can’t go out, then.” Billy laughed.

“I’ll text you my address. And my house will be properly de-mushroom and bell peppered for you.” Steve smiled.

“I appreciate it.”

[okskz]

Ready.

Mia + Changbin

after changbin sets up a nice date for mia, she realizes she’s ready to take that next step with him in their relationship.

there you have it!!! now, stop coming for my throat. I told y’all it was going to be when y’all least expect it. so hope you guys love the post and please feel free to leave some feedback because it is always appreciated!

also, I didn’t go into full detail so this is all suggestive and there is a time skip.

[9th Member of Stray Kids]

“You almost done?” Hyunjin asked for the nth time from the moment Mia began straightening her hair.

The girl let out a huff as she eyed him. “Now I am.” She gritted, turning the straightener off and unplugging it.

“Good! Now put these on.” Hyunjin passed her some clothing to put on.

Mia looked at Hyunjin with confusion then at the clothes. “Why are you telling me what I should wear? And shouldn’t you be getting ready too, why are you rushing me?”

Hyunjin shushed Mia by putting his finger on her lips. “No time for questions, just change so we can go. Here, I’ll even turn around so you can change.”

He swiftly turned around, closing his eyes. He smirked just a little. The plan was to tell Mia to get ready as if they were all going to go out but instead it was for a date Changbin was setting up on the rooftop of the building with Minho’s help.

Mia looked at him strange for a quick second but ended up changing either way. She was wearing a black mini skirt, with a white Gucci shirt tucked in, along with some white shoes. It was a simple yet cute outfit for her and she mentally applaud Hyunjin for knowing her style.

“Okay, I’m changed.”

Hyunjin turned back around, smiling softly at her. “Oh I did a great job.”

Mia chuckled. “I guess you did-“

“No time for conversation, we have to go.” Hyunjin grabbed Mia by the wrist and practically dragged the girl out.

Chan had asked where the two were going and that was when Mia stared at Hyunjin confused. Hyunjin only brushed off his question by saying the two were only going to go out for a couple of hours and that they would be back later. Chan didn’t question anything and told them to have fun.

Once out the door, Mia grabbed Hyunjin by the arm. “I thought you said we were all going out?”

“Again with the questions, Galindo?”

Mia scrunched up her face from hearing Hyunjin call her by her last name. It sounded weird coming from him. “Don’t call me that.”

“But you let Changbin do it.”

“Yeah because that’s Changbin, and it only sounds right when he says it.”

Now, Hyunjin was the one to make a face. “Anyways, lets go.”

“Can you at least tell me where we’re going?”

“No.”

Groaning, Mia still ended up following Hyunjin. She didn’t question anything until they had made it to the door of the rooftop. “Why are we here?”

“You’ll see.”

Hyunjin propped open the door and what Mia saw, she couldn’t believe her eyes as soon as she had walked outside. Her mouth fell a little open as she looked at everything.

Her eyes were met with Changbin, who was standing a few feet away from her, rose in hand with a small smile plastered on his face.

“You did all of this?” She questioned.

“With a little help from Minho.”

Minho had popped up from the side, walking to where Hyunjin was at by the door. “Alright, I’m giving you guys two hours. I think that’s how much I can stall them and have them out the dorms.”

“Sounds good.” Changbin replied.

“No fair, I have to hang out by myself because Chan thinks I’m with Mia.” Hyunjin groaned, closing the door as the two left.

Mia let out a small laugh. “They sure really have our backs.”

“Mhm.” Changbin hummed. “This is for you.” He handed Mia the rose which she happily accepted from him.

It was one of the many roses Changbin had for Mia set on the little round table in a vase. It was the most beautiful sight Mia had ever seen. Around the table were small candle lights as well on the table, along with rose petals scattered around nicely. And the view of the sunset was perfect in Mia’s eyes.

“What is all of this for?” Mia softly asked. She looked at Changbin who couldn’t stop staring at Mia from the moment she arrived.

“Well for starters, we’ve been together for seventh months so I thought why not celebrate that. And another reason was a way of me telling you how deeply sorry I am for the way I spoke to you that day.”

Mia stood there silently, knowing exactly what day Changbin was talking about.

“And also because I feel so bad for leaving you alone. If I hadn’t done that-“

“Changbin. Don’t blame yourself. It’s okay-“

“Don’t tell me it’s okay when it’s not. I don’t want what happened to you that day to ever happen again.”

“And it won’t. Lets look at the brighter side. He’s been caught and so has the other person who tried to harm my career. The least we can do is celebrate to that.” Mia chuckled a little, trying to lighten up the mood.

“You’re right.” He smiled. “But I’m still very sorry, so let me make it up to you.” He gently grabbed Mia’s hand, taking out the chair for her to sit down.

“I know you hate romantic dates but for once I wanted to do something romantic for you. So I hope you don’t mind.” Changbin smiled nervously, scratching the back of his head.

“Don’t worry, I love it.” Mia smiled. She slightly chuckled when Changbin let out a sigh of relief. He quickly sat next to her.

“I hope you like the food too.” Changbin said.

Mia looked at the pasta in front of her, grinning softly as she took her first bite. “It’s great.”

Again, letting out a sigh of relief, Changbin began eating as well. They were silent at first, enjoying the food and each other’s company.

The both of them looking straight forward as they watched the sunset together while eating. “Can I just say, you look so beautiful.” Changbin spoke up once setting his fork down after finishing his plate.

“Yeah? You don’t look too bad yourself.” Mia laughed. “But honestly, I’m just wearing what I’d usually wear.”

“And? You still look beautiful, Galindo.”

Mia let out a soft laugh. “Funny, Hyunjin called me that earlier.”

“What? Beautiful?”

“No. Galindo.”

Changbin scrunched up his nose. “Why am I more hurt that he called you that instead of beautiful.”

Mia went in and kissed Changbin. “I told him only you’re allowed to call me that.” She laughed.

“Good.” He kissed Mia once more, looking at her once breaking apart.

Mia didn’t know what it was, the way Changbin was looking at her with full of love causing her heart to race just like in the beginning of their relationship. There was no doubt Mia was in love with Changbin.

And Changbin felt the exact same way.

“I love you.” Mia said softly. “And thank you for this date. I appreciate you going out of your way just for me.”

Changbin wrapped an arm around Mia, pulling her in close. “I always got you and I will do anything and everything just for you to be happy.”

It was always the words Changbin would say to Mia that always got to her. Through out their relationship, Mia never doubted that Changbin’s love for her. He would constantly remind her so she wouldn’t have to worry.

And right at that very moment when the two began kissing each other softly, Mia knew she was ready to take that next step in their relationship.

Slowly breaking apart from the kiss, Mia rested her head against his, whispering softly. “How much more time do we have together?”

“About an hour, why?”

“I want you to know that, I’m ready.”

Changbin looked at her shocked, he knew exactly what she meant by being ready. “Really?”

Mia slowly nodded her head, standing up from her seat as she slightly began moving to the door. Changbin shot up, looking down at the table. “Wait! But this date isn’t over, we still had dessert to eat.”

“Change of plans.” Mia winked.

Changbin smirked once seeing Mia turn back around, heading towards the door. He quickly went after her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

The two were laughing as they hurriedly made their way back to the dorms. It was empty, which was perfect for them. As soon as Changbin closed the door to their room, he turned Mia around and pressed his lips to hers.

It was slow at first, Mia roamed her hands up down Changbin’s arms as he held her from behind her neck. Changbin back her up until they made it to his bed and gently pushed her back until she was laying down and got on top of her. He never broke the kiss and Mia grabbed the back of his hair, pulling him down closer to her.

“I love you.” He whispered out of breath, pecking her lips once more. “Are you sure you want this?”

Mia looked up at Changbin and nodded her head. Changbin slightly got up and took off his shirt, throwing it across the room and went back down to kiss Mia. This time he began kissing her neck as he intertwined his fingers with her.

His hands then went down to where her shirt was tucked in and slowly took it out, he broke away from the kiss again and took Mia’s shirt off. He only smiled softly at her before going down and leaving a trail of wet kisses from her chest all the way up to her jaw.

Mia slightly closed her eyes, letting out a small noise pass her lips. Changbin got back up again, this time grabbing the hem of Mia’s skirt and slowly dragged it down until it was completely off.

Changbin bit his lip as he smirked at Mia. The girl only smiled as she decided to get a little bolder and went behind her back to unclasp her bra, throwing to across the room. She slightly laughed when Changbin’s eyes widen. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

Mia only laughed, bringing herself up to kiss Changbin on the cheek. He quickly went ahead and took off his pants then pinned her down, this time kissing her with more need.

After a few more seconds of making out and both of them fully exposed to each other, Changbin got off from Mia and went to grab a shoe box that was under his bed and took out a box of condoms that have never been open.

Mia looked at Changbin confused. “I’m not even going to question when or how you got those.”

“I got them awhile ago. Just wanted to be prepared if this were to ever happen.”

Changbin took one out and swiftly opened it. He got back on the bed, looking at Mia once more to search for signs if she was uncomfortable. “You ready?” He questioned, kissing her lips

Mia nodded her head, biting her lip as she began smiling. Changbin smiled back, holding onto Mia’s hands once more before kissing her lips again.

***

Changbin plopped himself next to Mia on his bed, both of them staring up at the ceiling as they tried catching their breaths.

“Did we really just do that?” Mia questioned, slightly smiling.

“Yes, we did.” Changbin chuckled. He brought his sheets up, turning to his side and placed a soft kiss on Mia’s shoulder. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

Mia shook her head. “No.”

“Was it good?”

“Did you like it? Was it good?”

Mia nodded her head, biting her lip to prevent a full smile to appear. “Yeah. I liked it. Did you?”

“Oh yeah.” Changbin laughed. He kissed her shoulder once more.

“Have I ever told you how much I love you?”

“Every chance you get.”

“Well I mean it every time. I’m so in love with you.”

This time Mia turned to her side to face Changbin. She cupped his face and kissed him on the lips. “I’m in love with you, too.”

Changbin’s phone began ringing from his nightstand, interrupting the mood. It was Minho, so he answered.

“Yes? Why are you whispering?”

“Because they’re in front of me. You and Mia better be done with the date because we’re heading to the dorms now.”

Changbin smirked down at Mia, who was resting her head against his chest. “Don’t worry, we’re done now.”

[wroammin]

Friend Troubles

Part 1 | Part 2 (You are here!)

Ao3

Pairings: Prinxiety, Platonic Dukexiety

Word Count: 1,518

Warnings: lots more cursing in this one because remus

A/N: hey uhh if anyone’s figured out how to write human interaction or title these things please let me know

Virgil could still see Roman’s horrified face when he woke up in the morning. The memory brought a small smile to his face, which was usually a rare occurrence before 12 o’clock. Or any time of day, really.

He supposed that he should perhaps feel some kind of guilt for purposely messing up Roman’s scenes, but after meeting him, any sort of those morally confusing notions he’d been having had been quickly forgotten.

Virgil knew why Roman had gone up to the booth yesterday, of course. But judging by Roman’s excessively flustered demeanor as he apologized for forgetting him, Virgil suspected he wouldn’t have to worry about getting kicked off crew for sabotage at least for a while. He felt a little bit satisfied with himself at that.

So, naturally, the slight skip in his step as he made his way to his locker was bound to attract the attention of demonic, happiness-sucking entities. Two hands clamped around the side of his headphones and yanked them down to his neck.

“Hey, what gives?” Virgil said, not bothering to turn around as he pulled out his phone and paused his music.

“Aw, I’m truly sorry for interrupting your Fifty Shades of Grey audiobook–”

“It was not–”

“Ooh, Fifty Shades Freed, then! I didn’t really peg you as the type, Virgil, but I guess even prudish emos have to let loose sometimes.”

“Good morning to you, too, Remus.” Virgil sighed, pulling his hood up and then stuffing his hands back into his pockets.

Remus just cackled like a hyena, suddenly reminding Virgil of the fact that, although he and Roman were twins, their relation in Virgil’s mind ended there. Remus’s hysterical howling was nothing like Roman’s warm laughter, and even Remus’s ratty mess of a mane was a stark contrast to Roman’s coiffed locks.

“Oh! I heard about your little encounters with my dearly beloved brother, Prick Charming.” They continued walking in the direction of Virgil’s locker.

“Yeah? What’d he say?” The darker-haired boy asked with an unamused sideways glance. His friend’s eyes were trained on something further down the hall.

“Probably something as stupid as he usually says, I don’t know, I wasn’t really listening.” Remus abruptly made a gross face at the random freshman he’d been staring down, sending them scrambling into the nearest hallway as quickly as they could. He laughed maniacally to himself, wiping away a fake tear. “Works every time.”

Virgil rolled his eyes. “Uh, aren’t friends supposed to like, stick up for each other when someone’s talking shit about them behind their back? Or at least pay attention when they do?”

“Huh?” Remus said as he scanned the hallway for more unsuspecting freshmen, frowning as soon as he realized there were none left. Virgil repeated the question. “Oh, Roman wasn’t talking shit about you. I would’ve beat his ass if he was.”

“What? Then what was he saying?” Virgil tried to keep his voice impassive, but confusion and curiosity inevitably leaked into his tone.

“Ugh, I don’t wanna think too hard about the stupid shit my brother says, Virge, but I think he was talking about your… laugh? ”

“My laugh.” Virgil mumbled, finally coming to a stop at his locker. “Wait, he was talking about my… laugh? But he wasn’t talking shit about it?”

He turned to ask Remus to elaborate, but his friend had already shot off down the hallway after two underclassmen.

It was probably nothing. He told himself to forget about it completely. And by the time a certain actor swung by the tech booth later that afternoon, he already had.

[]•[]•[]

The troubles with the tech booth hadn’t stopped after Roman’s visit up to the booth the day before. In fact, although Roman was hesitant to admit it, things seemed like they were only getting worse. So, he kept on investigating.

Roman grabbed his bag and made his way up to the booth. Remembering his first visit, Roman made an effort to arrive a little earlier so he could meet more of the crew.

In all honesty, Roman wasn’t entirely sure what, or who, he was looking for. Was it a scorned classmate? Perhaps someone who was jealous of his role as a lead? Or was it truly just someone who was plain awful at manning the booth?

Whoever or whatever it was that was causing these mistakes, Roman had to do a little more digging before he could start connecting dots.

That was the main– if not, the only–reason why Roman stayed after everyone else finally left the tech booth. Well, almost everyone else.

“Hello again, Virgil-who-is-a-friend-of-my-brother’s!” Roman exclaimed as he heard the last of the crew slip down the ladder and out of the booth. Virgil shot the actor a glare, which quickly turned into an amused stare as he finally realized what Roman was wearing.

“Couldn’t bother to get out of costume, Princey?”

Roman looked down as if he’d forgotten he was in-costume, which Virgil thought would be impossible with how extravagant his outfit was, with golden shoulder epaulets and a bright red sash fitted across his chest.

He looked back up at Virgil, brows knit together. “What do you mean? This is what I normally wear.”

The techie rolled his eyes, and Roman finally let his fake confusion drop in favor of a beaming grin.

“Okay, okay. So I didn’t have time to change because I wanted to get here earlier. Sue me.”

“I’m considering it.” Virgil muttered, crossing his arms.

“Well, I see you’re feeling chattier today!”

The darker-haired boy frowned and went quiet. Roman’s chocolate-brown eyes widened.

“Oh, I– uh, sorry? Was that rude? If it was, I’m–”

“Truly sorry?” Virgil sighed, wondering just how much more of a Prince Charming cliché Roman could be. “Don’t worry about it, Princey. Remus has made far worse comments.”

Roman looked genuinely relieved at not having offended Virgil, which made the techie feel... something. Probably just confusion at seeing an expression of relief on a face that resembled Remus’s, who never felt guilty for doing anything.

“I’m sure he has.” The actor agreed with a soft smile.

It was quiet for a couple of moments, which made Virgil a little nervous.

“Can I trust you?” Roman suddenly asked, leaning lazily on the wall and staring expectantly at the darker-haired boy.

Jesus, was this some kind of weird attempt to let Virgil incriminate himself? Probably not, he considered, since Roman was so incredibly and unbelievably polite, but he hesitated anyway. Virgil should have just stayed silent, really… but there were no spotlights to fix in the booth this time around to keep him entertained, and something about Roman’s ridiculous prince costume made Virgil want to poke fun at him some more. So, he answered.

“I guess you could, but it’s probably not the smartest idea.”

“But… not the dumbest?” Roman inquired, cocking his head.

“Is that really how you decide whether or not to do something? If it’s not the dumbest idea possible, it’s good enough?”

Roman let out a small laugh. “Not always. Sometimes it’s the dumbest idea possible and I do it anyway.”

“Guess that explains why you chose to stay here after rehearsals again.” Virgil huffed, grabbing the handles of a nearby spotlight.

“Right, well, I was hoping you could help me with something.” Roman pushed off of the wall and approached Virgil, who was sitting on one of the fold-out chairs by the viewing box and now aimlessly swinging a spotlight back and forth. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed it yourself, but there have been a couple of… recurring issues with some key scenes in the play. Namely, all of the ones I’m in.”

“I’ve noticed a couple.” Virgil held the spotlight’s handles a little tighter, wondering if Roman was really about to confront him about the sabotage right then and there. Had he read things wrong? Did Roman actually know it was him?

Roman continued, “And seeing as you’re seemingly always up here–”

“I’m not.”

“–Could you maybe help keep an eye out? For anything, erm, suspicious? I don’t really know what to look for, but since I can’t be up here while I’m onstage, a helping hand– or, eye– would really be appreciated.”

So Roman hadn’t quite figured things out. Virgil could work with that.

“Huh.” He eased his iron grip on the spotlight and turned to fully face Roman, suddenly feeling a little bolder. His newfound bravery probably had something to do with the fact that he was the only one in the room not wearing a stupid prince outfit. “So you want me to help you?”

“I– well, you don’t have to, I just thought–”

“No, yeah, I know, but… how do you know it’s not me doing all that stuff?” Virgil tried to look nonchalant, but his brain was screaming at him to shutupshutupshutup.

“Well... I guess that’s where the trust comes in!” Roman gave him a bright, crooked grin, and Virgil felt something shift in the pit of his stomach.

He turned his gaze away from Roman’s stupidly perfect, sunshiney smile.

“You sure are something, Princey… I’ll help you out.”

[homosociallyyours]

OK so I saw this post (about the woman who kissed a stranger in front of the Eiffel tower and other places) and really REALLY needed to write up a rom-com plot for it. At first I thought I was going to actually make a heterosexual romance happen, but it became immediately clear that I am fully incapable of that. This is long, but if you love romantic comedies I think it’s a fucking delight. 

If someone out there makes movies and wants to make this, lmk. I’ll say yes. 

So we start out in flashback with the woman waiting at the airport with her group of friends. They’re headed on a trip to Europe to celebrate graduation, and they’re all talking about what a great time they’re going to have but they’ll miss their boyfriends etc, except for one girl who’s like “Well I don’t have anyone to miss, so :P” and her friends are like OK FINE, we dare you to find a guy to kiss you every city we visit in Europe. She sort of shrugs bc that’s not really so interesting, but then one of her friends offers that she should find a guy to kiss her in front of a bunch of famous places, super romantically, while her friends take a picture. She’s in. 

We zoom through the trip with the focus on her taking on this dare. She immediately has a lot of success in asking, and it definitely makes her bolder. She shares her first kiss with someone with Big Ben in the background. Then Stonehenge. The Eiffel Tower. etc etc. They’re back on the plane and she’s looking at photos on her friend’s camera. Her friend is next to her and remarks that she can’t believe the girl actually went through with all those kisses from strangers. She asks if the girl is glad it’s over, says something like, “I just bet when we get home you’ll find Mr. Right.” The girl gets a far off look in her eyes, says, “maybe so.” 

Jump forward to present day with a X number of years later, probably 13 years bc 35 is that kind of age, but honestly more would be better. The scene is a wedding, and a woman who looks a lot like the girl is standing at an outdoor altar with candles all around and a flower arch. It’s dusk. She’s being asked if she takes this man when someone yells “FIRE” and the flower arch is burning and there’s screaming and you can hear the sirens of the firetrucks off in the distance. They put the fire out, and we see an older woman (who’s actually our girl) approach one of them. Her friend stands behind her with her camera ready. She taps a fire fighter on the shoulder and asks if he’ll kiss her through the window of the fire truck. He looks bashful and first but accepts, and the friend gets the picture. The woman who’s getting married sees it and storms over and is like, “Cousin protag, if you staged a fire so you could get one of your stupid kisses I’m going to jail for murder on my wedding day and I won’t even care.” (She did NOT stage it, but she takes her opportunities when they come)

So this woman comes over and is like...excuse me, what the fuck was she talking about? I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but she was yelling and accusing you of setting her wedding on fire and you didn’t think that was weird. So they + her friend leave the wedding and go to a diner where they sit in their fancy dresses and talk about the project that’s defined this woman’s life. She’s kissed hundreds of guys now. Her friend still documents most of them, but she’s had stand ins over the years. The new woman is scrolling through all these pictures and is like, where are all these guys now? What are they doing? Do you talk to them? Do you ever think about them? 

And the protag kind of shrugs, bc...no? Not really? But her friend is like, “you would think she’d have found The One, right? After kissing all these guys? But it’s just-- kiss, NOTHING, kiss, NOTHING.” And she’s clearly sad about it, she really wanted her friend to have a magical moment where she kissed a stranger and fell right in love. But the new woman is like, that’s not how love really works though, it takes time, getting to know someone, etc. And what if one of them is thinking of you? 

They get to talking more and the new woman is an editor (or reality tv producer?) and she thinks this could be a great book, especially if they can use social media to launch it. She’s very convincing and the protag decides to go along. 

So they’re working together-- the friend is helping too --posting the photos one by one and tagging them and getting them noticed. It actually doesn’t take long before the story kind of blows up, and that’s when she gets the first message from one of her kisses. The editor is like, “this is our angle--you meet them again, all of them at once. At a big party like an old romantic royal ball. And you talk with them and then get to know them and maybe you really do find someone you’re excited about.” 

She starts getting more responses, enough that someone actually has to help her go through everything. Some people are just trying to get famous, since this is taking off media-wise. She finds that she can often recognize them even if they only did share one kiss years ago. There’s something comforting about it, like maybe she WILL fall for one of them if they meant enough for her to remember them. But as the number of guys found grows, she gets less and less hopeful. If anything, she’s filled with dread. She liked collecting their kisses like souvenirs more than she liked the idea of falling for one of them. 

She has a heart to heart with her friend where she kind of laments not feeling anything, and the friend asks her how the kisses compared with guys she’s kissed while dating, and she confesses that it’s the same level of heat, the same non-spark. She liked those guys as people, and she doesn’t regret any of her relationships, but there’s not really anything huge that she feels. Her friend has a lot of sympathy but not a ton of empathy; she’s never been in this kind of situation. She asks if protag was attracted to any of the guys, like physically, and protag says “they were all really attractive,” like she’s stating a fact. Because they were conventionally handsome and she’s conventionally pretty and that’s what works, right? Her friend gives a sort of half-hearted yeah, because...not really? But she doesn’t know how to put it. 

Friend talks to new woman about the talk she’s just had with protag, and we see a light go on in her head. Like something is clicking into place. And she has a hunch about it but she can’t really spill it to friend. She drives to protag’s house and they go sit on the couch and protag is confused about why new woman is there and looking kind of upset. They’re good friends now and it worries her. Protag doesn’t expect it when the woman asks her if she’s ever kissed a woman. She says no, then as she’s asking why the woman asks if they could kiss. Just to see something. And protag has never been asked if she wants to be kissed, let alone by another woman-- that just doesn’t happen to her. 

They kiss and it’s immediately clear that there’s something different about it for protag. Her body language shifts; she’s somehow less comfortable with this kiss and more at home with it. When they break the kiss she looks dazed, opening her eyes (she usually keeps them open? but they just closed on their own this time) and staring back at the woman who kissed her, looking at her lips, thinking about doing it again but surprised that she’s thinking it. The woman asks her how it was. “Different.” Asks her if she wants to do it again. “Definitely.” Protag initiates it this time. 

So the next day protag is freaking out big time. Because maybe she’s gay? Apparently? She’s always thought other women just exaggerated their feelings for their boyfriends. But it turns out no, they were being real. And she’s just never felt that before. She’s kinda worried it’s all tied up with this new woman, though, so she calls her friend and convinces her to go along to a gay bar that night. She’s never had trouble finding someone to kiss in any other circumstance; she figures she’ll just kiss a few women and make sure this isn’t a fluke. 

The gay bar is 1) mostly gay men and 2) nothing like her vacation experiences. She tries walking up to the first woman she sees and gets a dirty look followed by “I’m with my girlfriend.” It takes her several tries before she finds someone to kiss, and when she does she finds that she does like it more, but not as much as she liked her kiss the previous night. Her friend takes a picture anyway (since that’s what she always does) and the woman protag has just kissed gets upset and offended, accusing protag of being a straight woman kissing a lesbian for attention. 

Protag leaves with friend and drops her off, friend apologizing a lot. Protag drives to editor’s house and knocks on her door and when she opens it she just asks “Can I?” and editor nods and they’re kissing and it’s a lot but it’s exciting, she’s totally wrapped up in it. Editor slows her down, tries to say she wasn’t trying to start something with the kiss. Protag is hurt and feels rejected. She leaves without hearing anything else. Decides to try to avoid editor as much as possible and go on with the stupid fancy party with all the men she’s kissed. Maybe she was wrong anyway. Maybe she just needs to try harder. 

Editor knows she fucked up and calls the friend to tell her everything. Friend realizes that Protag was trying to see if she was into the editor and says she has a plan. They’re gonna make this work.

So it’s the party and the whole thing is gorgeous. The place is set up with photo areas that look like famous locations that you can kiss in front of. Plus everyone who’s single is wearing a kissy lip pin on their outfit so you know they would like to be kissed. The protag looks great but she’s also kind of grim, just there to get it done. She gets to the party and everyone cheers, she’s going to give a toast later and talk about a release date for her book etc etc, but first she’s supposed to mingle and do some kisses. A few men come up to her right away. She remembers most of them, and it’s weird seeing them but kind of fun too? She didn’t think they’d ever really meet again. 

She sees one of her first kisses and he’s really excited and asks if they can kiss again, says he’s always wondered if she was “the one who got away” and she feels excited about it, like maybe it’s fate and this is it and he’s the one. They go to the spot that looks like where they kissed and just go for it. It’s everything a good kiss should be, by looks. When they break apart, the guy has this hopeful look in his eye and Protag justs puts her hand on his shoulder and thanks him and shakes her head very gently before walking off. Because he did feel something and she didn’t. 

Protag isn’t thinking about where she’s going, just walking away, when a hand on her shoulder stops her. She turns and there’s the editor, looking amazing and smiling at her and she’s confused for a half second before the editor takes her hand and leads her over to one of the kiss areas. The friend is waiting with the camera. Editor leans in and kisses Protag and it’s fireworks all over again. Such a good kiss. When they pull apart Protag looks in Editor’s eyes and waits for confirmation that this is what they really both want. Editor moves both of them slowly into the next backdrop. “I want to be one who kisses you in front of monuments. I want to replace every photo you have with one of us kissing if we can. Can we?” Protag says yes and everyone cheers because it’s really sweet and beautiful!! Friend snaps pictures. 

This time when we flash forward to a wedding, it’s for the Protag and Editor. They’re standing in front of (dramatic monument) as they say I do. 

Author’s note: the more I think about it the more I realize the editor should be a producer (maybe) who wants the protag to do a reality show. Or basically just something else (literary agent? promoter? IDK)

[nativemossy]

Cap-IM Rec Week 2019 - Wednesday

Rec Week- Angsty Wednesday @cap-ironman 

Don’t forget to leave kudos and comments for your hardworking authors! they deserve the credit for the hard work they put into entertaining us with their fabulous works of art!

disclaimer: i genuinely struggle with the difference between angst and h/c, so the way i’m differentiating those lists is (mostly) by what the author tagged. 

the stillness of forgetting - by nasa

“Who are you?” Tony asks every morning when he wakes up and finds Steve lying next to him.

“I’m your husband,” Steve always replies.

-

aka Tony has Alzheimer's.

why rec?: ouchie, this one makes me cry a lot, so I don’t read it often. memory loss fics really get to me, so if thats something youre interested in this has it in stock! its so heartrendingly sweet and i just love it a lot

Orbital Mechanics - by Sabrecmc

Freshly out of the ice, Captain Steve Rogers definitely does not want to Bond with anyone. Until he does.

(Steve's POV for Celestial Navigation)

why rec?: tbh i’d recommend anything of Sabres (and multiple times at that - hence why i posted abt this on monday as well), but Celestial Navigation and by extension Orbital Mechanics both have permanent places on my instant classics list. just a lovely fic all around.

Something Death Can Touch - by thatdammeddame

Tony nearly dies in the field on a Saturday.

Steve breaks up with Tony the Wednesday after he's released from hospital.

why rec?: sad!! with happy ending!! its got a nice round conclusion, everyone comes full circle and is better for it.

Like A Comet Streaming On - by Sineala

Tony escapes Afghanistan with a functioning Iron Man suit and a perfectly normal heart. He even manages to bring Ho Yinsen home safely at his side. But he may as well have lost everything... because his wolfbrother is dead. Six months later, the Avengers find Captain America, frozen in ice, miraculously alive. Everything and everyone Steve has ever known is gone -- except his wolfsister, the recipient of the lupine version of the super-soldier serum, who was frozen in his arms. Tony has everything but his wolf. Steve has only his wolf. This is how their lives fit together.

why rec?: another fic that lives in my phone and travels with me - this is an instant classic for sure. i feel like i’ve recced this before no but i will be reccing it’s “fanfic of a fanfic” in tomorrows post, so I have talked about it. I love the psychic wolf premise, I hope to maybe do something in the future with it, though I could never dream of coming close to this amazing fic. If i’ve read this once i’ve read it dozens of times and loved it more each time. 

Wait & Sea - by Lenalena 

In which Tony and Steve get sent on an undercover mission aboard a cruise ship to make contact with Hydra. In this AU the military has kept the discovery and defrosting of Captain America a secret, so Steve and Tony have never met before. Yet they are to pose as newlyweds....

why rec?: tagged as angst and humor and if memory serves that’s exactly right. perfect blend of the humor of the identity porn trope with the angst of constant misunderstandings. 

Born From The Earth - by venusm

Tony Stark's born an omega in a world where that means he's supposed to follow certain social rules. He becomes Iron Man anyway: Fuck biology.

If only his biology (and the world) would quit fucking him back.

why rec?: i debated real heavy about including this because it’s technically steve/tony/omc, but hear me out: A great part of this fic focuses on the developing relationship between Tony and Steve, as well as Tony’s relationship with himself and the world around him. This is, hands down, my favorite fic of all time. as far as writing in general goes it’s right up there with my favorite authors. if i could only read one fic for the rest of my life this would undoubtedly be it - unfinished or no. i cannot even begin to impress upon you how much I love this fic. I can only aspire to write like this. the author makes you angry when they want you to be angry, sad when they want that too. It’s a beautifully orchestrated rollercoaster of emotion and I fall a little more in love every time I read it (which is frighteningly often).

Never Too Late for Love - by Sineala

Steve has always believed that a soulbond is a blessing -- a rare and beautiful miracle, joining the thoughts and feelings of two people forever, from the first time they touch. Steve knows he's not going to be one of the lucky ones. He knows Gail isn't his soulmate. But he loves her, even if they're not soulmates, and he's going to do right by her. After the war's over, he's going to marry her, and they're going to settle down. They'll buy a house. They'll have children. He'll see his family again. Maybe Bucky will live next door. It's going to be a good life. He doesn't need a soulbond. He'll be fine without one.

Then Steve wakes up sixty years in the future to find that his wonderful life has moved on without him. His family is long dead. His fiancée married his best friend. And the only purpose he has left is leading the Ultimates, a misbegotten team of superheroes with flaws too numerous to count. Steve hates everything about the future -- but most of all he detests Tony, flashy and flirtatious, who embodies everything Steve hates about a world he never wanted to live in.

And, oh, yeah, Steve has a soulmate after all: Tony fucking Stark.

why rec?: so much relationship angst. so. much. angst. Steve has to get his ass in gear and his brain into the 21st century, and Tony probably needs to go easy on the poor guy. its also ultsfic, which I’m usually not a giant fan of bc of the assholery but the dynamic works for me here

Senseless - by Scavenge4Dreams

Blinded, deafened, exhausted, injured and afraid, Tony raised himself up into a defensive position, the knife coming up just like Nat had taught him.

“That had better fucking be you, Steve Rogers- it had better be you. Fucking disarm me. If you let me kill you, I swear I will be very, very pissed.” Tony snarled, sure it was Steve approaching. Had to be. Had. To. Be.

What if it wasn’t?

why rec?: it’s been a while since i’ve read this, but I remember this being a good one that involves a rescue, injury recovery, and some eventual upon a brief reread I can say that this fic also has established relationship going for it! it’s tagged angst but it’s definitely got it’s fluffy parts and a really fun ending

Thrust Issues - by Sineala

A battle gone wrong leads Tony to the unexpected and pleasant discovery that Steve is much more well-endowed than he could ever have imagined. But when Tony learns that Steve has never actually been able to sleep with anyone because of his size, Tony does what any good friend would do: he offers to relieve Steve of his virginity. Personally. Tony's determined, Tony's methodical, and Tony has a plan. He's going to get Steve laid. Tony just needs to make sure Steve never finds out that Tony's in love with him.

why rec?: look at this point i think we can all agree that i might be a little bit of a fan of sineala’s. just wanted to throw that one out there to start us out. 

so my rec has little to do with the oodles of pining angst (of which there is plenty) and much more to do with there being a specific line in this fic that boils down to “friends fist friends right?” and I think of it at least biweekly. the rest of the fic is beautifully written and the characterization is to die for, plus its got a lovely happy ending!

She - by isozyme

Iron Man is strong and muscular and masculine, and Tony Stark wears a three-piece suit and walks with his hips stiff.  No colors other than navy or muted red. No prints bolder than a pinstripe. No luxurious silks and linens. His outfits are tailored to hang crisp and straight, his slacks hemmed to a conservative medium break.  The public won’t know. Nobody will go digging deeper, for classified ads and witnesses who remember him from half a decade ago. Steve will never find out all the ways Tony’s ruined himself.

why rec?: i’m putting this here just in case I don’t make a post for Sunday. This is one of those fics that hurts so good - it’s so well written sometimes it makes my teeth ache because it’s so sad and as the reader you can see all the pieces but a character cant. I love that feeling, its a great feeling. Some of this stuff can hit close to home so heed the warnings and read the tags!

[writingsofmyimagination]

Conjecture |3|

Yoongi x Reader

Idol Reader Au, Enemies to Lovers AU

Summary: Your management refused to renew your contract unless you collaborated, so you ending up working with Min Yoongi. A guy you’d disliked from before both of your debuts. There is more to their past than meets the eye.

Words:2071

Links to other parts in my masterlist

if you want to be tagged let me know :)

@msunnsstuff @rosey-roseu @eyelessmin

Warnings: Swearing. (nearly at the smut i promise)

(Mention’s on Monsta X’s Wonho)

Reblog, Like, Comment :)

//-It was 4am Yoongi was still bright eyed and bushy tailed hands working tirelessly on the buttons and dials of his mixer. During a quick break he checked on his phone, you’d still not replied to his texts or missed calls; he couldn’t help but become enveloped with worry, he just wanted to know when you’d be home, his caring nature had just took over. He scrolled through the latest news and his worry disintegrated into an un-ignorable haemorrhage of defeat and despondency. Dispatch had released an article with ‘exclusive photos’ of Y/N getting in to a car with Monsta X’s Wonho earlier that evening outside the Club Exec. He exhaled a sigh saturated with vexation.

“Pull yourself together Yoongi” he said to himself under his breath, no longer wanting to work he shut everything down and headed to bed.-//

 You were praying with everything you could that Yoongi was still in bed to miss you doing the walk of shame. If you was honest it wasn’t the walk of shame that so much bothered you but the fact last night you was way too preoccupied to think of the consequences of allowing Wonho to litter your inner thighs with bites that had blossomed into small red petals; not ideal when your short dungarees weren’t even close to covering them up. You was also vexed at who he thought he was leaving you messages and missed calls, it wasn’t like he had to wait up for you, you had a key.

Of course he was up. He was sat leg tucked under on the stool and was resting his elbows on the breakfast bar gazing at his phone when you walked in. The relief in his expression quickly drifted to a more disapproving gaze, apologetically giving you a once over up and down. This definitely got your back up with him even more

“You know we have a photo-shoot today right” he turned back to his phone not impressed.

“You know we have a thing called concealer and airbrushing too right?” you bit back.

“Well hurry up and do whatever you need to we have to leave in twenty minutes” this time he didn’t waste the energy to look at you. You said nothing mentally flipping him off as you walked past. You decided you just couldn’t drop it.

“Firstly what makes you think you have any right to judge me with those looks, if I want to stay out all night fucking someone then I will. Secondly why do you think you can message as much you did, you’re not my keeper” As soon as your heard your tone and language out loud you regretted it.

His head dropped slightly and his eyes closed as if to collect himself

“I’m sorry I was just concerned especially after…” You was not going to let him finish that sentence.

“You know what I’m sorry too, I shouldn’t speak to you like that and it was really out of line” you sighed. As much as his concern was kind of valid, after five years though, it seemed a bit much.

What was it to him anyway?

  You made Yoongi go through a drive through to pick up some coffee that your body was crying out for as you’d not slept.

“So you and Wonho then? You’ve kept that out of the media well, well mostly” Yoongi finally asked, breaking the silence of the journey.

“Me and Wonho nothing, there’s no story there, we’re just friends with some added benefits. I mean he’s an absolute sweetie and all but he definitely couldn’t handle me full time as a girlfriend” you said with a small laugh at the truth.

“Looks like he gives it a good go” he toyed referring to your marks. You couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yeah I suppose he does”

When you arrived at the studio there was a whole entourage waiting for you, they guided you past the set. The entire backdrop was covered with newspapers and various news clippings with some words like feud, rivals, secrets, lovers?  That were bigger and bolder cutting in over the normal papers. In front of the background was a mock-up of a small studio not dissimilar to yours or Yoongi’s.

You were whisked away separately to makeup and wardrobe, not that it took them long to dress you. They put you in black leather shorts only just covering your behind. The matching bra they put on you was adorned with small pyramid studs and two chains which swooped down from the shoulder strap across your chest to join again at the other strap. Your favourite part of the outfit was the leg harness that clipped onto one of the belt loops of your shorts, a thick line of leather led into a large O-ring and off that was another small piece of leather which diffused into triple chains going off in both directions to wrap around your thigh. It was sexy to say the least, you started to wander what kind of photoshoot this was going to be. You also couldn’t help but think if you were in a harness, what was he going to be in. Honestly you couldn’t wait to see Yoongi in a harness of some sort, that visual alone was enough to have your mind running wild, especially their Fake Love performances at the 2018’sMamas.

One side of your hair had been straightened and pinned back flat against your head to give the illusion it’s been clippered, the other half was being curled and placed with delicate precision. At the same time the make-up artist started working on your face, well after covering up your legs a bit more professionally, instead of being embarrassed you just owned it and you and the girls ended up having a bit of laugh.

“Not the best idea before a photoshoot is it really” the make-up artist teased.

“I wasn’t really thinking about it and besides I have you to make it look like it never happened” you responded.

“Well Y/N that’s you done, you better head down we’ve overrun a little on time” You thanked them both gratefully and bowed, a chaperone was waiting to escort you down onto set.

“Any reason why I’m wearing hardly anything and Yoongi gets to stay fully clothed?” You asked fully aware of what the answer would be but you wanted your irritation noted. Yoongi was in black ripped skinny jeans with chains at the side, a white untucked fitted shirt with the top few button undone, which pleasantly teased the top curves of his chest. The look was finished with a leather jacket. There were more silver chains which hung around his neck. The dark purple hair was straightened but ruffled messily. He looked good, really good. You had to kick yourself to not stare any longer. Lee was the only one too respond to your question.

“He has to maintain his image of Suga of BTS as well remember, your image has always been a lot more…”. He neglected to find the right word, yep that was the answer you expected. The dull ache of muttering around quietened down slightly as the director indicated for you to go on set. You could instantly feel the heat of the lamps causing your follicles to dilate allowing heat to escape.

“Right Y/N I’d like you sat on the desk with Yoongi in the chair” You both did as you were told.

“You look…remarkable” You could tell he took a few moment to choose his words carefully. You thought of multiple slightly bitchy comebacks but for arguments sake you just thanked him.

“Enough chit chat” the director barked. You both looked at each other with the amused look of two school kids who’d just been caught passing notes.

“Y/N have the harnessed leg up to rest your foot on his knee” Great he’ll have a marvellous view up my legs.

“Yoongi will have the headphones on and then we’ll have you biting the cable with some attitude, okay?”

“Sure” you agreed. You’d been told the song needed to have a sexy vibe as well but this shoot seemed excessive as much as it was visually stunning. You both took your positions and went through the motions of the shoot. Up next was the shoot for the concept trailer, this time at least you had been given a leather jacket and Yoongi had the addition of a waist harness It had quite a deep width with buckles secured at the front, you were silently grateful to wardrobe for this blessing. You’d been directed to stand either end of the small white walled cove that had been set up and been asked to do various actions, both banging your fists into the wall with frustration, walking around each other looking up pensively and some more actions of a similar nature. The final action was the most awkward and you gave a pleading look to the director at this point.

“Walk toward each other when you reach each other rest your hands on opposite shoulders and look down, you’re fed up. Hold for five seconds and then both push each other away, but when you’re just in reaching distance grab hands and Yoongi you pull Y/N into your arms. So the look will finish with one of Y/N’s hands on Yoongi’s chest while the other is still being held, Yoongi’s hand I want resting on Y/N’s hips and you looking deep into each other’s eyes with all forgiven”

“Isn’t that a bit too, you know close?” you protested to no avail.

“That’s the point” You sighed audibly enough for Yoongi to look at you with furrowed brows, his eyes though almost offered an apologetic stare.

With your warm hands entwined with his and your bodies pressed together perfectly like two puzzle pieces, looking up into his coffee coloured eyes that you couldn’t help but get lost in and feel the effects of the caffeine within your heartbeat which had become elevated and your pupils had blown out. Yoongi on the other hand was staring down his mind a chimera of empathising with your awkwardness and trying to not to notice how good his hand felt against your skin and relished in your chest gently rising and falling against his.

“That’s a wrap guys” You immediately pulled yourself away before he’d even finished speaking. Once again you were scolding yourself for allowing the attraction that was growing, you camouflaged your anger at yourself with general agitation and stayed in near silence as you allowed the stylist to take the items of clothing you were slowly relieving yourself of. By the time you were back into more comfy clothes and ready to leave the dressing room you’d manage to slap on a slightly happier face to say goodbye to everyone. When you was finally away from people you allowed the silence to bleed back into the car journey home.

“Well the director was a bit of a dick” Yoongi blurted out shattering the silence. He half peered over to observe your reaction hoping it would maybe tease a half smile from you. He succeeded.

“Yeah, someone definitely pissed on his cornflakes this morning” you returned. He chuckled, his smile was something you were slowly starting to crave, it was slowly chipping away at your dislike for him. You wasn’t even sure if it was possible that this sweet natured guy was even capable of doing what you’d disliked him for.

“Are you going to go the party tomorrow?” he asked trying to carry on a conversation.

“Yeah of course, it’s a once a year thing. You should really go to you know, be social and all that”

“Why would I wanna do that?” he toyed back. “I think Hobi and RM will be going though I know they’re so looking forward to meeting you, they’ve been bugging me like mad”

“Really? That’s sweet. It would be cool to finally meet the other legends of the rap line”

“You can go with them if you’ve not already arranged lifts and stuff, be warned though Hobi’s a complete lightweight”

“Thank you that would be great, I can work with lightweight one of my friends is literally the worst”. Yoongi just shook his head with an amused look. You felt you’re bad mood disintegrate, as easily as he could cause them he could cure them too apparently.

[kinkymagnus]

Do you have any headcanons about Magnus crossdressing? (Although I hate this term because clothes don't have a gender)

LET MAGNUS BANE WEAR A SKIRT.

and a dress. and lacy lingerie. and pretty “traditionally feminine” things. 

he already does have a more traditionally feminine style sometimes–particularly season one, with the open and silky flowy colorful shirts. and his makeup. and it suits him. 

but seeing him properly in like fishnets or a dress… ldfkgjkgfdhj

(also, i totally get you on clothes not having a gender. i mean, i’m a trans dude but i do like skirts/dresses sometimes? which can have some. self-esteem issues. but like. my point being a guy can like skirts/dresses and all that and not be less manly. and skirts/dresses/makeup don’t have to be “a girl thing”.)

but REALLY magnus in traditionally feminine clothing would be so good. i would pay to see magnus in a skirt, okay?

(not to mention the part of me that hardcore likes trans or nonbinary magnus is screaming at the idea of nonbinary!magnus in a skirt, ok.) 

but ok okok ok ok oko kok oko kok spECIFICALLY. you asked for headcanons. so let’s do that. ok

magnus “crossdressing” headcanons under the cut: 

magnus generally likes a more androgynous fashion: not super “masculine” (like, idk, dirty overalls or jeans or whatever is considered “manly”, or like even plain but nice/sharp suits and stuff) but definitely not super “feminine” either (like dresses). he tends to go for the happy middle ground. HOWEVER

that doesn’t mean magnus doesn’t like either/or. and honestly, tho he might not admit it easily, he prefers some more feminine clothing. 

dresses are super flowy and nice, and he’s got great legs so

also because i project myself onto characters i like and relate to: for magnus, how the fabric feels is one of the most important parts of an item of clothing.

it doesn’t matter how nice the dress is, if it doesn’t feel good against his skin or at the very least feels comfortable, he won’t wear it.

and that kind of applies vice versa–while he has standards as to what he’ll wear in public, he 100 percent has some dresses/skirts/shirts/robes/whatever that are kind of frumpy or just look okay but are made of the SOFTEST fabric, with just the right amount of like, heft to it, and feel so nice against his skin.

anYWAY. magnus likes all sorts of dresses (i know i keep going back to dresses and that’s not all crossdressing is but look i love dresses despite being a dude so i’m gonna project ok?) but like. there’s different Moods. there’s “this is a nice dress and i feel Powerful in it” and “this is a fancy as fuck dress, look at it, it’s a ballgown, it’s heavy and swooshy, i can spin” there’s “this is light and breezy on the bits, feels nice, comfy” and “this is like a cosplay dress, i look bomb as fuck even tho i can’t wear it forever because it’s heavy and complicated” and “this is nice, i just feel a little more feminine today and it it looks good on me but it’s not uncomfortable” 

magnus looks good in red and gold as well as blue and purple ok

magnus in a skirt. magnuS IN A SKIRT. androgynous fashion is great. magnus in a more masculine but kinda open shirt, maybe even a button up, and a simple black skirt (not tiny but not long either), maybe fishnets because fishnets look so good and make you feel good wearing them ok and he looks SO GOOD. long legs mostly showing off, draped over the arm of a chair as he’s just like lounging sideways in it and alec is like HOLY SHIT YOU LOOK GOOD 

magnus. in a crop top. not inherently feminine by any means but still. this could mean a more masculine one or a blatantly feminine one. either way he looks good. 

piercings!!! earrings. sometimes simple and subtle ones like little black beads, other times more elaborate/obvious. hoop earrings, or dangly pretty ones. whatever goes with his outfit and his mood.

magnus in lacy underwear and lingerie will always be my jam okay

he looks so good with silky/lacy underwear ok

magnus casually defying gender roles is my life

i would think that over his centuries of living he’s like. gotten more and more bold as the years went by?

this next part works better if you fly with this ‘magnus is lowkey nonbinary’ headcanon but it works for not that too

actually fuck it this is trans nonbinary man magnus now.

(nonbinary man = someone who identifies more as masculine and a man, likes he/him pronouns and they/them pronouns, etc. but is also not quite a man and like, kinda in between gender wise? nonbinary but leaning masculine? possibly me, i’m still figuring it out. but anyway.)

(also i have a lot of feelings about magnus and they/them pronouns but for the purposes of this post i’ll stick with he/him)

he started off like. when he realized who he was and was like, transitioning and stuff. he dressed super masculine, trying to like, compensate, you know?

he felt guilty that he still likes some “girly” things because it’s like how do you know you’re really a man if you like girly things? are you faking it? (spoiler alert he’s not there’s nothing wrong with a trans man liking “feminine” things, nor a nonbinary person) 

anyway eventually he got more comfortable with exploring a little–some “guyliner”, maybe plain or darker colored nail polish, kohl. subtle stuff at first

he got bolder with encouragement from his friends, with like, meeting other queer people and stuff–more colorful makeup, clothing, nicer stuff

he may or may not have went through a brief phase of going way over the top

actually come to think of it the standards for masculinity have changed a lot over the years there were times when masculine was huge frills and poofy sleeves, right?

idk how to fit that in there but it does, ok

anyway the point is magnus gets more and more comfortable with himself

and right now during canon era he’s more on “boldly expressing himself but still has tons of issues so maybe not completely or as openly as he’d like”

aka he wears makeup and jewelry and more feminine clothes but he tends to wear more “risky” things in private/with close friends only. (as well as not being super open about being nonbinary and/or trans. some other queer downworlders know, particularly baby ones who are like also trans/nb and magnus is more than happy to help with like, glamours and potions or a person to talk to and shit) 

the first time catarina sees him in a dress lounging in his apartment looking fabulous she doesn’t bat an eye she’s just like “damn that’s good where’d you get it” and he lights up (she doesn’t fail to notice his shoulders relax a little) and starts talking about this fabulous little shop in france run by a friend of his 

ragnor is probably the only person he’d ever openly and directly talked to about this, one night earlier on when he was rather drunk and he saw a skirt he really liked but he was afraid to get 

ragnor bought it for him later

anyway

quick detour on they/them pronouns. magnus usually uses he/him because he likes those pronouns just as much and it’s just easier in so many ways but cat, ragnor, and some of his other close adopted family members often use they/them because they know magnus doesn’t hear it enough and he likes those pronouns too

alec finds out about him being nonbinary/enjoying they/them pronouns and magnus is a little worried because he knows alec is Gay but alec is like. so accepting and understanding. and even days where magnus feels more nebulous and less masculine alec is like “babe i love men yes but i love you MOST, on days were you’re a man and days when you’re not” because a) sexual attraction =/= love and b) alec loves magnus not his dick (although i have feelings about being trans + magical transitioning and believe it is fully possible magnus could potentially be pretty much biologically male with enough powerful magic ok)

anyway alec uses both he/him and they/them with magnus depending on what he’s comfortable with that day and magnus is so happy ok

BACK TO CROSSDRESSING (you’re right, that is a stupid term–especially since i’ve detoured into nonbinary man magnus because im dumb and now the “cross” part even MORE doesn’t work) 

ok but once canon era is over and malec are happily married and immortal

magnus now has several friends (i mean he already had that but now one of them is gone–although we can easily say ragnor faked his death i mean–and he has a few new ones. like. simon is immortal so. just saying.) AND a loving husband who loves and supports him so much

who are there to support and encourage him

so magnus might get more and more open and possibly wear skirts and stuff even in public

and yeah he gets some assholes who are dicks about it but he also gets the occasional shy teenager complimenting him on his skirt or a grown woman being like “oh my god THE COLOR where did you GET THAT” 

generally the downworld is pretty supportive 

and if anyone’s a dick about it i mean

while magnus can defend himself

catarina, raphael, alec, or one of his many other supporters is probably gonna get there first

[fairymascot]

WHY ANON (slams desk so hard it splits clean in half) I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED

now, picturing an au where max comes to arcadia bay after five years, rachel's there, no wacky time hijinks ensue and nobody's fucking suffering:

*rachel is genuinely SO hyped to meet max, though admittedly, it's got less to do with max herself and more with what she means to chloe. like, chloe would not shut up about max the whole time she's known her, and she sincerely sounds like such a sweet girl -- but also like the polar opposite of how chloe presents outwardly now. so getting to actually meet that goofy little shutterbug nerd who's owned a piece of chloe's heart since childhood is massively exciting to her. (and of course, gleaning Top Secret childhood info about chloe from her is a great bonus.)

once they meet, rachel's pretty much instantly endeared with her: she's so small and cute and fidgety, like a little pet squirrel! she's really fun to tease and mess with, and her reactions are adorable.

meanwhile, on max's end, her first impression of rachel amber is holy mother of intimidating, batman. chloe's built her up so much beforehand, but it still doesn't compare to actually being in the same room as rachel amber. she's like... electromagnetic. and almost definitely too cool for max to be breathing the same air as her. but she's also so NICE and friendly and not mean or condescending at all. so while max was initially feeling a little sour over chloe's best friend position being filled by someone else, she can't be actually mad about it. it's kind of impossible not to fall in love with rachel amber.

*though max is a little more reserved than rachel's used to, and rachel's way cooler than max is used to, they quickly find they can get a good conversation flow going, talking about art and literature and nerd stuff that chloe tends to zone out during. rachel offers surprisingly insightful commentary on max's photography, which catches her off-guard and makes her kind of embarrassingly fluttery on the inside. 'you should take my picture sometimes,’ she says with a smile. ‘i'm looking into modeling.' 'oh! oh. okay.'

*though rachel really enjoys teasing max, she's also very good at telling where to draw the line and when to pull back. she can see max struggles a bit in social situations with new people, and she wants to make sure that her reactions stay firmly within the 'adorably flustered' camp without crossing over to actual anxiousness. max really appreciates it, and she's kind of awed by it, too -- max is always doing her best to be empathetic and tune into what other people are feeling, but her particular mix of nosinesss and awkwardness can make it hard. to rachel, it just comes effortlessly, and it kind of blows max's mind.

*max feels a little out of place in her first week or two back in arcadia bay. even though chloe has accepted her back with open arms and rachel's been nothing but friendly, she can't shake the feeling that the two of them have so much more in common than she and chloe have now -- she's just this awkward nerd girl, and maybe they're only hanging out with her out of obligation...

though both chloe and rachel notice something's up with her, rachel is the one she ends up confiding in. paradoxically, it's easier to talk about personal stuff like this with someone she doesn't know so well, especially because she's worried that admitting it to chloe would just sound like guilt tripping. rachel proves a very sensitive listener, and instills new confidence in her, too: she tells max about how chloe puts on the pirate mixtape she made her in elementary school at least once a week, and how when they passed by a heap of old toys and summer clothes at the junkyard last month, she framed it with her fingers and went 'man, max would take a black and white picture of this and and call it farewell summertime, or some shit'. 

max feels better after that.

*rachel plays two truths and a lie with max. it is, after all, a time-tested bonding exercise. as chloe predicted, max fucking sucks at this game because she cannot lie to save her ass. she gives two completely mundane truths that no one would ever suspect to be false, then pauses, stares thoughtfully at her shoes, brushes at her hair, and comes up with some shit like 'i have a pet tarantula'. ('i've been to your dorm room, max,' rachel reminds. 'well-- yeah! i mean at home in seattle! my parents are taking care of him now. he's... bad with flights.') she's surprisingly good at picking apart rachel's lie, though, and rachel's impressed with her quiet attentiveness.

'but seriously, though. we gotta teach you how to lie.'

*rachel models for max, because i mean, come on, she’s gotta. max absolutely doesn't want to pass up this chance but she's also freaking out on the inside (and on the outside), because she's never actually worked with a model before -- it's usually just selfies, sceneries and candids. she's really worried it won't come out well and rachel will think less of her for it. she also has a minor heart attack when rachel walks into her room, drops her jacket on the bed, and says 'so is this where i take it all off, or...'

(when max just stares at her in terror, she laughs and says 'kidding, of course'. and the photos turn out really nice! so. all is well.)

*rachel absolutely loves that they're the same size and exploits the shit out of this, swapping outfits with max left and right. she thinks max looks hot as hell in her clothes, and while max can't really see it herself, being praised by rachel feels good. (her clothes always smell really nice, too.) she feels awkward lending rachel her clothes in return, because she has so much style and max really doesn't, but rachel always says 'oh, shush, your style's adorable' and steals all her lame hoodies and geek T-shirts anyway. and somehow makes them look drop-dead gorgeous every time.

*rachel loves dressing max up! she likes dragging her on impromptu shopping sprees, picking out bundles of clothes for her to try on, or just showing up on her doorstep and thrusting a bag into her hands with a 'here, wear this'. she's quick to pick up on max's aesthetic, and always gets stuff that's right up her alley, but just a little bolder than she'd usually think to buy: a bit more colorful, a bit more form-fitting. max finds the experience kind of embarrassing -- she doesn't want rachel to think she's some charity case -- but she can't deny that the outfits rachel pick out look... really good.

also, rachel LOVES matching outfits -- not in tacky over-the-top ways, but stuff like complementary color choices or little matching accessories. max really gets into the accessory thing too, and starts making a habit of gifting rachel goofy little nerd trinkets to match with. i'm talking stuff like this and this and this. rachel puts every last one of these on her keychain until it's considerably more chain than keys.

*in the venn diagram of chloe and max's music tastes, rachel is the overlap. she likes all of chloe's thrashy metal and angry teen angst hymns, and she likes all of max's weepy guitar tunes and cringy pop from 2003. max admittedly never quite outgrew her seventh-grade nsync phase, and rachel is a huge slut for nostalgia shit like that, as well as a huge slut for making chloe suffer. which means that car rides with those three almost inevitably end up sounding like a middle school dance party while chloe grumbles and huffs behind the wheel the whole way.

*they have like a million geeky marathons, staying up all night watching dr who and buffy and lord of the rings. while they're both big fans of the classics, max is the more active fandom-connoisseur of the two, and introduces rachel to a ton of stuff like obscure european sci-fi films, old artsy cinema, and like a metric boatload of anime. max's taste is all over the place and rachel enjoys pretty much all of it, even the outrageously bad stuff, because she has no concept of cringe and if anything just finds the dumb shit more fun. she will enthusiastically watch final fantasy spirits within with max and not even complain once.

she loves seeing max's eyes light up during the parts she likes best, or how animated she gets when she talks about it afterwards, sharing all this background trivia and her interpretations of the stories. max is really glad for the way rachel listens, even about stuff that obviously didn't grab her as much, but sometimes she has to stop and just kind of trail off mid-sentence because rachel's looking at her like she's going to eat her and leaning in and oh.

[carpetheotherfandoms]

Gala II

Legend of Korra

The Republic City Gala is coming up and Jinora is hoping that he’ll finally realize what he’s been unable to see all along.

Part one here.

Warning violence

Enjoy.

In the last few weeks Kai and Jinora had been so swept up in helping Tenzin and Korra prep for the Gala they had barely anytime to breathe. They had finally gotten the afternoon off today and they were going to go down to the beach but, of course, Pema snatched Jinora up right after breakfast to get her to try her new dress on.

“It’ll take like 20 minutes’ tops, how about I meet you on the steps in an hour?” Jinora stood up from the table and Kai nodded at her with his mouth full of food.

Jinora followed her mother through the temple to her bedroom and saw the dress hanging in a plastic bag from her closet door. As her mom unzipped the packaging she saw the beautiful reds and oranges and yellows the ran all over the dress. Her face must have shown her admiration because her mother chuckled, “And to think you didn’t even want a new dress.”

As Jinora slid into the dress she felt a lot older and much more beautiful than she had ever felt before. She looked at herself in the mirror she suddenly couldn’t wait for the Gala to come and for a certain someone to see her. When she turned to her mom she smiled brightly, “I love it.” Her mom grinned back, “You look stunning Jinora, it fits you perfectly.”

Jinora slipped out of the dress and got into her bathing suit to go down to the beach. She tried not to let her mind drift to the Gala but having finally put on that dress she felt elated. She had been having dreams about it for a while and although she was definitely not excited to have her father parade her around the room to visiting dignitaries and spiritual leaders but the dreams were never about that. She always imagined some fairy tale moment where Kai might ask her to dance and as they spun around the room she would finally be able to say the things she had always wanted to say.

They had been friends forever and she thought many times that something would happen but whenever it got to the brink of something, one of them backed down. They hadn’t spoken about that night in the temple when she had been giving Kai his tattoos. They had just rubbed it off like it was nothing more than because of the seclusion and meditation but she knew it wasn’t. It wasn’t nothing to her anyway, she didn’t exactly know how Kai felt. 

He got very closed off when she got too close or too personal and although when she was younger she didn’t mind; she was getting older now. Bolder even, and she could feel herself gaining the confidence to tell him that he meant so much more to her than as just her best friend. Unfortunately, she had never found the time or opportunity to say what she was thinking about this to him and she always felt this overwhelming fear it would just push him away. She felt like she was just stuck in an endless loop of this. 

Hopefully it would break soon.

Once she had finished getting ready she threw her beach items into a bag and ran down to the steps. As she walked through the temple doors in her halter style bikini and sheer cover-up that wrapped around her hips she saw Kai. He turned as her heard her, he was wearing a pair of swim trunks and had nothing else with him. Good thing she had been in charge of packing.

They were laying in the sand and watching the sun set towards the west over the city. They had worn themselves ragged taking the day to just be liked the kids they once were. It was a nice break from being their usual twenty-year-old selves who had lots of duties and responsibilities. Apparently they came with the territory once you had mastered an element that had almost gone extinct.  

Jinora spoke without turning her head towards Kai, “You know, I don’t tell you this a lot but I’m really glad I have you around.” Kai turned to look at Jinora, her eyes were closed but she had a slight grin on her face. He moved his hand over and squeezed her hand that was laying on the sand next to him, “Me too Jin.” When he touched her hand her big brown eyes fluttered open and she turned to look at him, he could see the faint blush that rose on her cheeks.

“Are you two coming to eat?!” Both were startled off the sand and looked behind them to see Meelo standing on the steps up to the temple. Kai realized he was still gripping Jinora’s hand and let go swiftly, “Yeah Meelo, coming now.” His hand felt cold where hers had been, he missed the warmth.

It was the day of the Gala and unfortunately Tenzin had swept Kai up early to go help him set things up in the city. He hadn’t even gotten a chance to eat breakfast let alone see Jinora before they flew off on Tenzin’s sky bison. When he went to bed after the beach that night he started to get a nervous feeling in his stomach and his mind was going a mile a minute. Maybe there was something in Jinora for him. Something more than friendship. T

hose thoughts made him start picturing her at the Gala; he had overheard Asami and Pema talking about Jinora’s dress and how much it made her look like a grown woman. He had obviously noticed both of them were changing and he could kind of ignore it up to now but the thought of Jinora in this dress was driving him crazy. Definitely a restless night.

When Jinora woke up that morning her mother informed her that she would be helping around the temple preparing some items that would be taken to the conference hall before the Gala. Her mom saw her looking around and notified her that her father had already taken Kai into the city for the day and that they would meet them downtown.

She spent the whole day and night thinking about their moment at the beach. Her heart froze when she felt him grip her hand because he had never done that before. She thought that might have been her moment but of course Meelo interrupted them before she could say anything and Kai had nearly jumped into the air at the sound of Meelo’s voice. It was confusing being in love with your best friend; what was him loving her and what was him falling in love with her?

Asami was helping her with her hair for the evening and could see the gears in her head grinding a thousand miles a minute. “You know Jinora, the first time I really acknowledged I had fallen for Korra was the day of Varrick and Zhu Li’s wedding.” Jinora popped out of her head and looked into the mirror at Asami.

“When we all went to get ready, usually I knew exactly what I would wear but when I opened my closet I felt worried. I wanted to wear something that was going to make her think I was the most beautiful woman there, that would make her see only me.”

Jinora laughed, “Asami, Korra would love you no matter what you wore.”

Asami chuckled too, “That’s what I finally realized after I had tried on my entire closet. Korra and I had built a really solid friendship and that’s how I knew, no matter what I wore or what I said, she would always care about me. That’s what best friends do.” Jinora looked down into her lap when she realized that Asami was trying to help her with her feelings for Kai.

Korra walked through the bathroom door in her outfit for the evening and leaned against the doorframe, “Don’t overthink it like I did Jin, trust your feelings. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

Asami placed both her hands on Jinora’s shoulders, “Your all done, go put that dress on and meet us downstairs.” She wrapped up her hairstyling tools and grabbed Korra’s hand as they left her room. Before they closed the door Jinora could hear Korra faintly, “You’re always the most beautiful woman in the room you know.” She smiled at the compliment.

Once she had slid into her dress she looked at herself in the mirror, time to go.

When they were walking up the street from the dock to the grand conference hall Jinora looked up to see all the big flashing lights. The hotel was lit up in gold, there were photographers everywhere with their camera flashing blinding white lights and people came in droves. 

She was walking with her mother, Asami and Korra towards the building when she could her the crowds of people behind the barricades yelling their names. She turned to see little kids holding signs with Korra’s name on it and some even had hers. She waved to them and they all started smiling brightly and cheering her name.

Kai was standing with Tenzin in the large hall. The whole place was marble, there were hundreds of round tables everywhere for the dinner portion of the evening and a massive floor laid out for dancing. There were decorations, floral arrangements and a very large band playing soft music as people came. 

Bolin and Mako had arrived pretty early to help them set up and it wasn’t too long after that that all the Beinfong’s arrived. Of course, Lin was in charge of the security so she was busy running around most of the day but Suyin and Baatar spent their time with Tenzin.

Although he liked had some people his own age around as the time grew later he found he kept his eyes more and more fixated on the grand staircase. More and more people came in wearing all different sorts of regalia from each of the nations just not the one he wanted to see. Suddenly, however, Tenzin put his hand on his shoulder suddenly and when Kai turned to look at him, “They’re here.”

He turned back to see where Tenzin was looking and he saw Pema descending the stairs with Korra and Asami, arm-in-arm behind her. Once they had descended most of the staircase that’s when he saw her following behind Korra and Asami.

Her hair was a lot longer now than when they were younger but she was wearing part of it pulled up away from her face and the rest in waves cascading down her back. The dress was a deep red and fitted tight against her body; it was sleeveless to expose her blue tattoos with an orange band that wrapped around her waist and tied into the back. 

The ends of the band draped behind her with the train of the dress as she walked. As she walked down the stairs Kai watched the dress sway with the movement of her hips and slide smoothly over the marble of the steps as she walked towards him.

Once she had gotten to the bottom, her eyes still fixed on Kai, she moved around everyone to stand with him. He was wearing a sleeveless yellow tunic with a high collar and a slit from his chin to his chest over tan pants and brown boots. The tunic was wrapped with an orange sash across his body and tied along the waist with a red band. 

He had a traditional air nomad beaded wooden necklace on with the air element symbol pendant handing just as she did. He looked much older with the soft stubble on his sharp jawline and his freshly shaved undercut.

She smiled at him as she walked up to him, “You look great Kai, like a true Master.” She could see his face get red, “Thanks Jin, you-you look incredible.” She blushed and did a small twirl in the dress, “What this old thing?” They both started laughing. It felt normal, more comfortable, not they were at a Gala with a million photographers and people around them.

The night moved forward with a lot of pictures being taken, people being talked to and foot being eaten. Her father had moved her and Kai around the room more times than they could remember. He wanted everyone to meet the youngest Masters in a generation and it seemed, a lot of them wanted the opportunity to meet them. 

They asked them a lot of questions and Jinora hadn’t realized how many people knew of her spiritual powers. Many of the spiritual leaders gave her helpful advice and discussed their own experiences in the spirit world.

When it was finally time to sit for dinner Kai had thought he could finally get a moment to talk to Jinora but people were still mingling around the room and she seemed to be a hot spot. Once dinner had finished there were a few speeches and dessert was served. 

As the speeches finished and announcer came forward and welcomed everyone onto the dance floor. Jinora turned to Kai when they announced dancing and before he could open his mouth someone beat him to the punch.

“Master Jinora.” They both turned to see a young man wearing the military uniform of the Fire Nation, “I was wondering if you would like to dance?” Jinora looked up at him and then looked towards Kai, she was hoping he would but in and tell the man he was taking her dancing but Kai said nothing.

“Uhm, sure.” 

She placed her hand out for the gentleman to take and he led her to the floor. Kai watched her walk away but had to tear his eyes away when the man grabbed her hand in his and placed his other hand on her back.

Asami nudged Bolin who was sitting beside her and motioned towards Kai with her head. Bolin jumped out of his chair and walked over the sit in Jinora’s previously occupied seat, “Hey buddy. How’s your night going?” Kai looked past Bolin at the dance floor and could see that Jinora was laughing as the man spun her around the floor then he looked back at Bolin. “It’s good.” Bolin turned around the see what Kai had been looking at and realized what Asami was referencing.

“You know; I remember when I tried to get Opal to notice me for the first time. Mako gave me some horrible advice about being a sly smooth talker but what she really wanted was for me to just be myself. She told me that that’s what she liked most, that she felt we were going to be really good friends, even before she knew I had feelings for her. So I just stopped trying to be something I wasn’t and just went for it.”

Kai smacked his hand on Bolin’s bicep, “You’re right.” Kai got up from the table and walked towards to the dance floor just as the song was coming to an end. He walked towards Jinora and with eyes locked on hers reached out his hand, “Mind if I have the next dance?” Jinora bowed her head to the gentleman in front of her and placed her hand in Kai’s as the music started up again. 

This time it was much softer so Kai pulled her close to him and placed his other hand on the small of her back. He felt her other hand gently rest on his chest and he looked down at her, “Enjoy your dance?” She laughed, “Oh yeah, if you enjoy talking to someone who wont stop talking about great battle strategies they’ve carried out. I don’t think I got a word in!”

Kai felt a wave of relief settle over his chest and the muscles in his shoulders began to unwind. His eyes were still locked with hers and he couldn’t help himself. He leaned down towards her and he could feel them both stop dancing. He kept inching towards her face and he could tell that she was moving her face towards him too. 

Their lips finally interlocked and he closed his eyes as this rush ran through his body. He released her hand and placed it on the side of her face and she moved her newly freed hand onto the other side of this chest. With his other hand still on her back he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. When they both pulled back he opened his eyes to see her own flutter open. 

Their faces were still very close together and before he could speak, she did, “God I’ve been waiting for you to do that.” 

Kai smirked and leaned forward again. He whispered, “Me too,” before intertwining his lips with hers once more.

Fin

[zombierunfiction]

Season 1 Mission 20: Listen In

The following morning Charlotte still felt rather shakey after Chris's death and burial.  Now she was once again strapped with a pack and her headset with the New Canton tech on it.  

"Raise the gates!"  Sam said as the alarm blared with the raising of the gates.  "Runner Five, ready?"  Sam asked.

"Ready Sam."  Charlotte said with less enthusiasum than normal.

"Gate are open, covering fire, and... Go!"  Sam said as Charlotte took off down the path.  "Runner Five, obviously things are..."  He chuckles dryly.  "Things are pretty scary right now.  I mean, well, the Major says 'fear is the greatest enemy', but I'm sort of thinking that New Canton is kicking fear's ass on that front.  So, we need you to go out again.  Find out what you can using their head set.  Go as near as you need to pick up their signal, but not so close that they'll spot you!"  He laughs softly as Charlotte was quiet for a bit.  "Your still upset about Chris aren't you?"

"This whole time I've never had to kill a person... just zombies."  Charlotte said softly.

Sam sighs softly.  "I know... If it helps he was already dead when you shot him.  And he asked you to do it."

"It doesn't."  Charlotte said.

Sam sighs heavily.  "Well this should be Easy and I'm sending a friend with you.  For protection.  You might need it."

"Hey there, Five!"  A voice shouted from the west making Charlotte turn and smile softly.

"Hey Sara."  Charlotte said as Sara ran along side her.

"You doing okay?"  Sara asked sa Charlotte shook her head.  Sara gently rested her hand on the back of Charlotte's neck.  "I know lots of folk round the base are getting nervous, but we're going to be just fine.  You and me, gorgeous day like today, a little run.  It'll be fun!"  Sara said happily as Charlotte looked at her with a slight smile.

"Yeah!  You guys are a real Charlie's Angels combo... or wait, is that sexit, Runner Eight?  You could be, um, Mulder and Scully.  I'm not saying who's who!  Ir like, uh, the A Team!  You pick."  Sam said with a laugh.

"We're just a couple of runners, Sam."  Sara said.

"Gotcha, a couple of runners.  You can be The Flash, and uh, The Other Flash."  Sam said snorting.

"You mean Quicksilver?"  Charlotte supplied as Sam was silent for a moment.

"Yeah!  Him.  How did you-"

"I looked at the comic books that Abel has collected since you said you liked them."  Charlotte said offhandedly.

Sam was again silent before he responded.  "That's very sweet of you Char... Uh... Be safe out there today, guys.  We don't know what they're planning and plus, you know zombies!"  

"Can't forget about those!"  Sara said with a laugh as they continued to run.  "You will be fine Charlotte. It will take some time but it's a nessacary evil."

Charlotte sighed softly as she looked at Sara.  "I will find Veronica.  She needs to know what her mother left her and know how strong her father was."  

Sara nodded as she started coughing again.  "Hey, Sam!"

"Hey?"

"Little tickly throat right here.  Going to turn off my mic for a few minutes, okay." Sara said.

"Uh... yeah, sure.  Just um, well, you know. Make sure not to turn off your receiver.  Since Barry Outpost fell to the east, there have been some gnarly zoms turning up.  A few of those guys were wearing helmets.  Makes for a pretty tough kill when they've turned."  Sam said.

Sara coughed again.  "No problem, Sam.  Just want to save you listening to me coughing away.  You'll give us heads up when we're in mortal danger?"  

"Sure will."  Sam replied happily.

Sara turns off her mic then turns off Charlotte's for her.    "Okay, char, we haven't got much time to talk, and runs are the only safe time for me to brief you.  Never can tell who's listening on the base.  so listen up:  Project Greenshoot, here it comes.  What I know, anyway, which I'm sure isn't the half of it."  Sara sighed heavily.  "Do you know what's going on in the outside world?"

"Not much."

"No, most of us don't.  You know what everyone knows.  How to find food, how to stay alive, seven different ways to take a zom's head off.  I like a meat cleaver on a broom handle, myself, but you've got to keep it sharp!"  Sara said as Charlott chuckles softly.  "Anyway, none of us have had time to think about the bigger picture.  But let me tell you something - someone's been thinking about it."  

"Do you have any idea who they are?"  Charlotte asked as she pulled out a bottle of water sipping it before handing it to Sara.

"There are atleast five separate organizations running private armies in this part of the world, did you know that?"  Sara asked as Charlotte shook her head.  "There's the official military, sure.  Provisional government, state of emergency, dropped food and med packs where they can, not doing a bad job.  I'm on their side - the side of law and order, freedom, and one day, democracy again.  all that good stuff."

"As long as we learn not to elect leaders who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground?"  Charlotte said as Sara laughs.  

"Yep.  But they're overstretched as it is, and they can't hold the whole country."  Sara looks over Charlotte's shoulder.  "Zoms heading in fromt the left.  Just speed up, hon!"  Charlotte looked over running faster with her.  After a while they had lost the small group and they slowed to a jog.  "Alright... where was I?  Oh yes... Then there are the other guys.  We only know about some of them.  There's some outfit in bright yellow uniforms running around in the southwest.  They look like a splinter military group, but we can't be sure.  Then there's a bunch of survivalist nut jobs claling themselves The Power."

Charlotte snorts.  "The Power?  Sounds like something a 16 year old would think of."

Sara laughs as well.  "Well they hooked up with a couple of arms manufacturers in the far west.  They're holed up in the mountains with enough firepower to take out anyone who tries to interfere.  Now, the Scottish islands have been declared zom-free by Comansys, that big tech company with fingers in everything?  Those guys made a hell of a lot of money before the Big Gray Bang, but no one unaffiliated can get in."

"I think I reconize the name Comansys but I can't think of where I heard it before..."  Charlotte says softly.

"I know it's a lot to take in.  You don't need to remember all of it.  Just this: there's more than one side to this war, and it's not just humans versus the dead.  It's also humans versus humans.  And Project Greenshoot?  All I can tell you for now is that the military think there's something really important in Abel Township.  They wanted you in there, gaining peoples' trust.  Except now, well, it looks liek more than one group is interested in whatever's there."  Sara continued as Charlotte took a slow breath.

"But if I was so important to this Project Greenshoot, why didn't they brief me on it before sending me in the helo?"  Charlotte questioned.

"I don't know but they were very hush hush about it."  Sara said softly as zombies began to fall in behind them.

"That pack's getting closer... best pick up the pace!"  Charlotte said looking back at them.  The two girls sped up heading into a dense wooded area.

Once they were free of the pack Sara breathed deeply.  "Okay, I think we lost them for now.  Thing is, Five, how do we even find out what's happening in the world?  Rofflenet, right?"

"Yeah or by new people coming into the township."  Charlotte replied.

"Well Rofflenet was set up by some genius McMillan in some place far away.  No one knows where that guy is.  But not everyone's on there, not by a long shot.  Did you know Finland's a total Rofflenet black zone?"  Sara asked.

"No i didn't.  Why do you think that is?"

"Either all those guys are dead, or they're using something much more sophisticated.  We're operating on rumors, here-"

"Runner Eight?  Runner Eight, switch your transmitter back on.  We've got incoming.  They're heading in fast!"  Sam came on fast as Charlotte turned hers on before Sara turns hers back on as well.

The girls looked around seeing the pack they had lost earlier seemed to be now running instead of shambling.  "Those fast moviers?  The ones we saw before?"  Sara asks.

"Yeah, the same.  The pack that infested the hospital."  Sam said as Charlotte groaned.

"Thought we saw the last of those things..."  Charlotte said softly.

"Gotcha, Sam!  We're speeding up.  You've met these zoms before... Your very first run?"

"Yeah they're fast.  And that wasn't a run that was a death march!  Come on!"  Charlotte said speeding up.

"We don't know why they run.  Most zoms can't do much more than stumble.  But then sometimes, one pack will start to run, like this.  Only ever in a pack, not individually-"  Sara said before Sam jumpped in.

"They're close behind, coming round from the right."  

"Are they..."  I know this sounds crazy, Sam, but-" Sara was interrupted again.

"-a fast pack coming in from the left, come on!  Faster than that!"  Sam shouts.

"-are they in formation?"  Sara tried to talk over Sam but a gunshot suddenly rang out making Charlotte pull Sara away from a tree she was about to hit.

"Someone's shooting... someone's shooting!"  Charlotte said.  

"Run!"  Sam shouted as the girls continued to run.  Soon they both had managed to out run the zombies and were taking a small rest behind a large bolder.  "Okay, okay, they're fast, but they're still dumb.  You're screened from them by trees now, so they can't see where you were heading.  And whoever's shooting has stopped.  Could it be New Canton?  Hm... you're heading into their territory, so you might be able to tune into their frequency and-"  

Static suddenly appeared on Charlotte's headset before the voice of the New Canton radio opperator, which she remembered was Nadia, came back on the line.  "Runner Forty-six, who's shooting?  Can you see who's shooting?  We can't get a fix on the location... That swarm of fast zombies has taken down our cameras in Sector G...  I told you, I can't see!  If you can help, help. If not, get out of my comms station!"  Nadia shouts angerily.  "Runner Forty-six, say again.  did you say you've seen runners from Abel Township?..."  Sara and Charlote looked at each other before they took off running again.  "Yes it's Abel Township.  We think they're shooting... Not, not at the zoms, at us!"  

"This is ridiculous!"  Charlotte said.

"Did you get all that Sam?  New Canton thinks we're shooting at them, we think they're shooting at us.  Who's out there, Sam?!"  Sara asked as they continued to run.

"I can't...!"  Sam sighs heavily.  "That swarm's taken out a camera in that sector, we can't see anything!"

"Can you contact New Canton to tell them it's not us?  We need to work together and figure this out!"  Charlotte asked as she looked back seeing the swarm had increased.

Nadia came back onto the headset a second later.  "Yes, sounds like the perfect time for it.  Runner forty-six, Runner Fifty-One, Runner Twenty-two - back to base.  We're prepareing for the raid now.  We'll be heading out in the next forty eight."

Charlotte felt her blood run cold.

After tomorrow New Canton would be attacking Abel.  

A few minutes later Sara and Charlotte were able to shake the swarm and were rounding back towards Abel.  "So... yeah.  Runner five, Runner Eight, head on back to base.  With what we've found out, I've kicked it upstairs, and I... well, there's nothing left for us to do now, huh?  They're attacking in two days and we need to make sure stations are ready.  Not like there's much a runner can do if we're under attack." Sam said as NAdia suddenly came back.

"Wait, I've got something!  We're picking up a signal from a runner's headset!  Is that... Oh my God!  Are you seeing what I'm seeing?  It's Runner Thirty-Eight, it's Lem!  No, look at him, he's not stumbling, he's not moving after the pack!  It's Lem!  It's Lem... he's alive!"  Nadia cried happily as Charlotte and Sara looked at each other before nodding.  She hated to use Nadia's sorrow over losing Lem against her but they were going to destroy Abel.  

Charlotte couldn't let that happen.

"Sam... since New Canton is attacking in two days... maybe tomorrow we do that mission that Maxine suggested."  Sara said as they continued to run.

"You mean her need to go out to that corner shop that wasn't a corner shop?"  Sam questioned.  "You know Janine won't go for Maxine going out at all."

"I'll go with.  Two runner's are better than one."  Charlotte volunteered.

Sam sighed heavily.  "Alright then... I'll see if Janine will Okay it.  If so it will be bright an early tomorrow."

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