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whambamsami · 14 days ago

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Red Velvet

my fist ever fic! hope you like it :) not really sure how this site works yet so so sorry if anything is formatted incorrectly!

Summary:

Bucky's found solace in a seductive jazz speakeasy, a perfect escape for whenever he isn't busy saving the world. But there's a new band performing tonight, and the lead singer has him questioning everything he knows about being a gentleman.

Warnings: no warnings! but if i ever do another part to this, i will be adding many warnings lol

Bucky Barnes was not known for his social aptitude.

Maybe that’s why he took to this specific place so much.

The Red Fox, a small Italian restaurant owned by a darling elderly man, was tucked away in a cobblestone alley, a whisper in a city that screamed. Despite the incredible tiramisu, it didn’t garner much attention.

That is, from those who didn’t know any better.

Lurking just below, hidden behind a brass door and a set of stairs that would creak with age, had it not been for the red plush carpet that swallowed any unwanted sounds, was The Red Fox’s best kept secret; L’Affare.

Dark walnut paneling and the permanent smell of cigars clung to the deep crimson velvet curtains draped around the place kept any sunlight- or wandering eyes- at bay. Leather banquettes hugged the walls like old lovers, and a curved mahogany bar anchored the room, the glistening glass of amaro, vermouth, and top-shelf gin winking at patrons like crown jewels. Customers spoke almost only in whispers, and laughed almost only with too many teeth.

People who knew L’Affare knew better than to run their mouths about the happenings of such a place.

Which made it the perfect spot for individuals who preferred a bit of discretion to accompany them on a night out.

This, in turn, attracted a wide variety of guests.

Including the Avengers.

Natasha and Clint were the first to stumble upon L’Affare, having followed a group of men who were believed to be involved the mob down the stairs, and were enticed to stay for the near-perfect cocktails and the comfort brought by the tight-lipped staff who moved as if two of the Avengers drinking at their bar was a common, if not boring, occurrence.

Soon, the rest of the team learned of the safe haven beneath the Red Fox, and couldn’t resist a chance to experience the normalcy brought about by its tact.

So, when Steve told Bucky about a little place that he could get an Old Fashioned without the all stares and all the questions that made even remedial tasks like grocery shopping a nightmare, he gladly took him up on the offer.

They became a bit like regulars, always making sure to give a friendly nod to the unassuming staff upstairs before descending into the hazy slice of paradise that was nestled under the busy street above.

Not only did L’Affare have bartenders that knew how to make a mean drink, the comforting yet seductive ambiance of the speakeasy lulled both Bucky and Steve into a comforting familiarity, reminiscent of their time before the war. Every Friday and Saturday that wasn’t taken up by work, they’d be nestled in a corner, telling old tales and chuckling between themselves. Sometimes others would join, Sam usually, but Bucky and Steve were L’Affare’s most frequent customers.

This Friday night was like no other. Steve and Bucky had returned from a mission earlier that day, and both were itching to return to their routine. Once they had rested a bit and showered off all the sweat, grime, and fluid that had accumulated on their bodies throughout the job, they happily made their way to their favorite secret spot.

Both men, enhanced and thus unnaturally giant, had to duck to fit under the brass door as they plod their way down to the familiar bar.

Tonight, however, they noticed a stark difference in L’Affare’s usual appearance.

The smaller seats and tables that typically sat in the center of the room had been pushed aside, replaced by a small stage, crafted by what looked to be the same wood used for the bar.

Bucky and Steve exchanged glances before making their way to sit at the bar, the weight of both of them plopping down enough to cause the martini glasses hanging overhead to clink together like glittering crystal windchimes. The bartender, who had served them many times, made his way over to the two men, cleaning his cocktail shaker and nodding politely at them, both in polite acknowledgement and to question what they’d like to drink.

Steve orders a single, aged, well-aged scotch. Bucky sticks with a simple Tiger Beer, ever the simple man.

Once the older gentleman serves them their drinks, he moves to give them a bit of space, but Steve motions for him to stay.

“Would you happen to know what’s going on tonight? With the stage and all?” he asks, gesturing to the center of the room behind him.

The man nods politely. “Boss hired a band for tonight. They’re supposed to be real good.”

Steve nods appreciatively, ever the gentleman, as the bartender returns to the other side of the bar, topping off the gin and tonics of the older, oily pair of men in inky black suits, unbuttoned far too much for their age.

“Band, hm? Sounds sort of fun” Steve says to Bucky between sips.

Bucky nods.

“Hopefully nothing too loud” he replies gruffly, a small smile betraying his interest.

The pair chat for a bit, the day slipping away, and soon the lights of L’Affare are dimming even more than usual, the typical amber glow lower than before.

The crowd hushes in anticipation.

Silhouettes were the only hint to what was happening on stage. A group of men who Bucky assumed to be a band were further back on the left side, where three womanly silhouettes were tucked away to the right in uniform fashion. A single figure stood front and center of the stage that drew Bucky’s eye the most. Legs that he could only assume were lengthened by heels led his gaze up to delicious hips and-

Before he could fully register what was in front of him, the sound of a low, lazy saxophone began, curling under his chin and beckoning him closer. The lights flicked on, with a single spotlight illuminating the figure that had caught his attention earlier.

Bucky gulped.

All of the women on stage, both the three backup singers and the lead, were in ruby colored silky gowns, like they had emerged from the velvet and leather that adorned much of the rest of the bar. But no one wore it like the main singer, who just filled it out so nicely.

And then she started singing.

The second she opened her plush lips, smiling like she knew something Bucky didn’t, he involuntarily tightened his grip, silently thanking God that his vibranium hand was grasping the stool and not the glass of the beer can.

She wasn’t loud. Didn’t need to be. Honestly, Bucky thought to himself, she didn’t even need to sing, for all he cared, that was how drop-dead gorgeous she was. She purred into the vintage-looking microphone, her dark painted nails glinting as she caressed it, pulling it closer to her lip gloss-coated mouth.

What Bucky would give to be that microphone.

Her voice was beyond sweet, like honey poured over a blade. She swayed her hips, Jesus, those hips, softly to the music, and Bucky wouldn’t look away. Couldn’t. He sat there, stupidly, staring up at her like she was something religious, something sacreligious, god, he could care less. All he knew was that she was glowing.

Steve turned to Bucky, wanting to see his thoughts of the performance so far, and smiled smugly when he took in his friend’s expression.

“Might want to close your mouth, Bucky. Unless you’re gonna take a sip, or make this a duet” he jests, nudging Bucky playfully.

Bucky snapped his mouth shut, stopping whatever retort he surely would have thrown to Steve if he was at all mentally available for their typical back-and-forth, his eyes darting to the forgotten beer in his hand. He took a heavy swig before returning to stare at the woman onstage that was quickly making him feel much drunker than he was.

The band stuck mostly with classics from the Rat Pack, some Peggy Lee thrown in here and there. No one in the room could look away. The lead singer was absolutely hypnotic.

Song after song, and Bucky didn’t think he’d blinked even once. He didn’t want to miss a second.

After the band finished up a lovely rendition of Gentle On My Mind, the lead singer leaned in to speak, not sing, for the first time all evening.

��Thank you all for being such a wonderful audience. We’ve got time for one more, so I hope you won’t mind if we do one of my favorites!”

God, her regular voice was just as enticing. Was that even possible?

Bucky didn’t have long to consider that until the band was striking up again, ending the night with a killer performance of Cross Over The Bridge.

Still, he sat at the bar, unmoving, beer untouched in his hand, lips slightly parted, unable to look away.

And finally, finally, the lead singer’s twinkling eyes locked with his as she sang and swayed, that same smile still gleaming out to the crowd, except now, it was gleaming right at Bucky.

It felt like someone had ripped his chest open and was squeezing his heart. Was this a heart attack? Was he dying?

He managed to compose himself enough to give her a smile back, his eyes still hazy from whatever godforsaken witchcraft she had used on him. She was too far away, he hoped, to see just how much she had affected him.

Soon, much to Bucky’s dismay, the song ended. She stood and thanked the crowd as they applauded (Bucky by far the loudest, which Steve found very entertaining) and the band cleared the stage, disappearing behind a wall of velvet. Bucky could breathe again. Much to his dismay.

“You liked it that much, huh?” Steve asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Bucky didn’t even have the strength to feign disinterest.

“Did you see her? The lead singer? I think she looked at me.” He does his best to mask just how excited he felt at the possibility, but Steve had known him far too long to let him get away with playing coy.

“Oh, she looked at you, alright. You should have said something. Ask her out, maybe.” “Said something? And interrupt? Plus, if she isn’t interested, we run the risk of having to find another bar that won’t make us take a picture for their wall.” Bucky huffs, clearly torn by his intense attraction and mild fear of rejection.

Steve put his palms out in surrender. “Fair enough. Just… haven't seen you that excited about a girl since the 1940’s. Plus, we already know you guys have similar taste in music” he jokes, finishing off his second scotch.

Bucky can’t stop a half-smile from forming on his stubble-covered face. He likes the idea that they would have things in common, that they do have things in common.

It takes a second for him to respond.

“...Hypothetically…”

“Hypothetically?” Steve questions.

“If I were to consider saying something, what would I say? Hypothetically, of course.”

Steve paused to consider.

“I hate to say this, but you’re asking the wrong guy. I never exactly learned how to pick up women. But we should definitely use our resources here.”

“Use our resources” Bucky asks, tilting his head a bit. Interested. Confused, but interested.

Steve pulls out his phone, a more modern version than his previous flip phone, but still definitely outdated.

“Hmm… definitely not Tony… maybe Sam? No… Oh! Got it.”

Bucky waits for him to finish the text, looking expectantly.

Steve turns to face him, grinning, clearly proud of his quick thinking.

“So, who’d you ask?”

“Natasha.”

“Natasha?” Bucky furrows his brow involuntarily. As much as he’s grown to be close friends with her, he’d still like to keep this under wraps as much as possible, to minimize potential embarrassment.

Before Steve can say anything, his phone lights up. Natasha’s ID pops up. The two lock eyes before Steve answers.

“Nat, hey! Did you see my text? Figured we could use a woman's opinion.”

“Good idea, Rogers” her voice comes through a bit fuzzy. She’s definitely out as well, in some other hidden pocket of New York City, eager to blow off a bit of steam after the work she’d put in this week.

“So, what do we know about her so far? What kind of interactions have you guys had?” Natasha inquires.

Bucky and Steve pause for a beat.

“...Well… we haven’t really gone farther than eye contact so far.”

Nat matches their moment of silence.

“Hm.”

“...Yeah.”

“Okay, well, you’re at a bar, aren’t you? Why don’t you buy her a-”

She’s cut off by the bartender appearing in front of the two supersoldiers. He drops two clear shots off in front of them, doing a terrible job of hiding his smirk.

“Sorry, sir, we didn’t order-” Steve begins.

“They were sent by the band, sir. It’s vodka. Top shelf. Enjoy.”

And he’s gone again, retreating to the dark corner from which he came.

Bucky and Steve share a bewildered look. They were no strangers to free drinks, of course.

But this was from the band.

Slowly, they do their best to see through the smoke and darkness that shrouds the far corner that usually allows the bartenders to melt into the background. And there, nursing martinis, are the ladies in red who had just graced the stage, smiling sweetly, raising their glasses in appreciation to the two heroes that sat across from them.

Nat’s voice breaks their silence.

“Was that what I thought it was?”

Bucky is quick to interject.

“Thanks, Nat, really, but I think we’ve got it from here.” He hangs up, and looks at Steve, a bit of a wild look in his eyes.

Steve smiles.

“Guess we found our excuse to go talk to them, huh?”

Bucky doesn’t reply. Instead, he takes both shots, ignoring the burn of the liquor as it pours down his throat.

Steve’s eyes widen a bit, surprised by his friend’s sudden actions, but he’s never been one to get in Bucky’s way.

“You alright, Buck?”

Bucky’s breathing has noticeably picked up, his eyes still a bit wide. But he smiles.

“Better than alright. I’m going over there. Would be ungentlemanly not to thank them, wouldn’t it?”

Steve chuckles.

“Fair enough. But I got dibs on the cute backup singer.”

They head over, Steve putting a gentle hand on Bucky’s broad shoulder to slow him to a normal pace.

“Easy, big guy. Those shots were from the band, not just your favorite singer. They could be from the saxophone player for all we know.”

They don’t need to announce themselves, usually, due to their large presence, both physically and metaphorically. All four of the women turn when the men approach, easy smiles on both their faces.

“We just wanted to thank you ladies for the shots. You were all great up there.” Steve begins, addressing the group. Bucky can only look at her.

How can she be even prettier off the stage?

She’s smaller than he thought. Being on stage makes people look a bit taller, he guesses, but now that she’s perched on a barstool, he looms over her. He smiles politely, praying he looks at the very least like someone close to sanity. His enhanced senses are absolutely drowning in her sweet vanilla perfume. He can see that she used a bit of… what was that, body glitter? Maybe an oil? Something shiny that draws his attention to her delicate collarbones, and then lower, lower…

His mother would absolutely murder him if she saw him acting so improperly. He collects himself and smiles, nodding after Steve. “Yeah, you were... You were all great up there, really.”

The women smile politely, thanking them.

One of the backup singers, her dark curly hair cut short in a pixie cut, speaks first.

“Don’t be too thankful for those shots! We drink for free on the nights we sing” She jokes.

The two men laugh.

“Guess we better stick close to you tonight then” Bucky jokes back, eyes unintentionally flitting to the lead singer.

She smiles warmly.

At him.

“If you know what’s good for you, you sure will.” She teases lightly.

Bucky thinks he might die.

Was she flirting? Just joking with them to be polite? Bucky didn’t even care, he only cared that she was talking. Talking to him.

Or, talking to a group that he was a part of. It didn’t matter to him.

“Aw, you’re too kind, doll.” He subtly shifts a bit closer to her, fighting his instincts to turn her away from the group, so it can be just the two of them. “You don't have to share with us.” He’s joking, but there’s something genuine behind us. He’s giving her an out.

“No, no! Please. It’s the least we could do for you boys.” She beams, her smile so dazzling it nearly knocks Bucky on his ass.

“Really, you two are heroes” another backup singer, the one with long, caramel braids flowing down her back, gushes at them, sipping her martini shyly.

Bucky and Steve both rub their necks bashfully.

“You flatter us. We should be getting your drinks after that show tonight. But, if you drink for free…” Steve leaves his sentence open ended, a cheeky smile adorning his bearded face.

Speaking of, the bartender returns with a chilled bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice, paired with a large platter of oysters.

“Good timing, you two. We can’t finish all this on our own!”, the first backup vocalist, the one who looks a bit like Betty Boop, looks expectantly at Steve and Bucky.

The two men don’t take much convincing before they pull up seats, each on either end of the group of women. Bucky sits next to his lead singer. They must look ridiculous next to each other, he thinks to himself, as he absolutely dwarfs her. He hopes she doesn’t mind, she’s such a tiny little thing….

“So… you like older music? Or, do you only like it when you’re paid to?” He inquires, desperate to speak to her about something. Anything.

She laughs softly, and oh, god, if he liked her voice, her laugh is just… something else entirely. He’d like to make her laugh forever, he thinks, or at least for the rest of the night. As long as she’ll let him.

“Oh, I love it! My dad raised me mostly on Frank Sinatra, so anything he’s been near, I’m a pretty big fan of.”

“Frank, huh? I think I have just about all of his records.”

“No way! I’ve been collecting some of his! I just found a really great Dean Martin one, actually…”

The conversation continued with ease, the only discomfort came from whenever Bucky would have to wrench his gaze away from her lips before she caught on. The bar was closing soon, and even though the band typically is allowed to stay late, all pretty exhausted. Steve, Bucky, and the band all head out together. Bucky thinks he overhears Steve asking for one of the backup singers’ number, the one who looks like Betty Boop, he thinks to himself. It dawns on him that the night is coming to an end.

“Hey, doll?”

“Hmm?”

She turns to face him, the red glow of the signs in the window illuminating her beautifully. Bucky’s breath catches, but he clears his throat.

“Let me walk you home.”

“Oh, really, Bucky, you don’t have to-”

“It’s not safe for a lady to be walking alone at night-”

Her giggle, her adorable giggle, cuts him off.

“I was going to say you don’t have to because I was going to Uber”, she says through a smile.

He falters for a split second.

“...A car, alone, with a strange man? That’s worse!”

“So your solution is that I walk home in the dark, alone, with a strange man?” She counters playfully.

He laughs, surprised.

“A strange Avenger, thank you very much. It’s practically in the job description at this point.”

She rolls her eyes, the discrete tug on the corner of her mouth betraying her as she counters.

“Oh, so you walk women home all the time, then?”

He lets himself feel a bit more confident than usual, mentally blaming the champagne as he leans in closer to whisper, “Only the special ones…”, a daring smile, one that he hadn’t worn since before HYDRA, breaking across his usually broody demeanor.

He swears once he gets closer that he can see the tiniest bloom of rosy blush start to form on her cheeks.

Maybe it’s the cold of the night air. It could be the alcohol as well. But Bucky doesn’t care. Because for the first time in the past 70 years of his life, he feels like himself, like he felt before the war.

He’ll be damned if he lets the woman that brought him back to that feeling Uber home.

“C’mon. You said you live on 6th, right? It’s a nice walk that way. Plus, I have a surprise…”

“A surprise? It’s not like, a knife, right? Or a sex dungeon?” she teases, letting him softly lead her across the street, his vibranium hand cool through the thin fabric of her dress, as he gently moves her to the side of the street furthest from the road.

He laughs, surprised at her bold joke.

“A sex dungeon?” he laughs, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over her small shoulders. The jacket was comically huge on her, practically brushing her knees, but he’d rather her dress be a bit hidden as opposed to her catching a cold.

“You aren’t denying it!” She quips, trying her best to ignore the warmth his jacket brings her, his cologne filling her nose as she inhales on instinct. Pine overtakes her senses, and… mint, maybe? His toothpaste, perhaps, or a mint he’d popped in before the walk. She wonders if he’d taste like it.

He chuckles, the sound snapping her out of her thoughts, as he returns her teasing smile with a gentle nudge, quickly returning his hand to rest on her waist. Not too low, not too high. His mother would be proud.

“Well, that would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?”

“Bucky!�� she squeals in surprise, swatting his broad chest, making him break out into laughter as well.

They make their way, nearing her apartment, when he pulls her across the street, toward a dimly lit storefront. The LED ‘Closed’ sign hanging in the glass display window emitted the only light, spare the streetlamps.

“Bucky, are you sure this is the place you’re thinking of? Looks extremely closed to me..” she muses, pointing helpfully to the sign in the window.

He grins. “Don’t you trust me, doll?”, and he places one hand on the doorknob, outstretching the other for her to take.

She narrows her eyes, placing her small, warm hand in his cool metal one. “Not really, no…” she mutters, half serious.

He closes her hand and effortlessly pulls her into the building. The lights, which must be motion-activated, she cleverly deducts, flicker alive, illuminating the room to reveal a cozy, but empty Italian bakery.

Her mouth falls open, taking in the perfectly decorated pastries that sat tauntingly in the display case. Rainbow cookies, cream puffs, varying cannolis… and she was starving. Those oysters from earlier were long forgotten.

“Wow… okay, breaking and entering is definitely a great surprise, but are you sure we’re allowed to-?”

He holds up a hand, still smiling knowingly, and points to the hallway.

Sure enough, a short, portly man emerges. At first, he looks a bit irritated to be bothered at such an hour, but when he sees Bucky’s face, he lights up.

“Ah, James!” he exclaims, throwing his arms out to wrap Bucky in a hug.

James?

Bucky smiles, a bit red in the face. He introduces the singer as his date for the evening (which, in turn, makes her a bit more red than Bucky). He quickly explains that the man, Sal, owned the bakery, which, despite the sign outside, was actually open 24 hours to friends and family.

“Friends and family, hmm? Which are you, then?” She muses, trying to see if there are any physical similarities between the two.

“Oh, James is a friend, but he’s basically family at this point.” the cheery old man explains, wrapping her in a friendly hug as well. “And any friend of James is a friend of mine! Come, take whatever you’d like. On the house.”

She turns to Bucky. “On the house, huh?”

He shrugs, the sheepish action not matching his wolflike grin.

“You’re not the only one with connections, you know.”

He looms behind her, bending a bit to be closer to her ear while they peruse the baked goods.

“You’re one cheap date, you know that?”

He snorts at her comment.

“Yeah, yeah. I hope you’re fine with an Italian bakery, I took a gamble because of the restaurant you sing for, so…”

“Oh, no, I love it! You picked great, Bucky, this is an amazing surprise. You’ll have to help me choose, though… there’s so many options, and if you’ve already been here, I’d love any recommendations you might have.”

He straightens a bit, feeling pride at his ability to steer her in the right direction. They select a few cannolis and are on their way, waving happily with goodies in tow.

As they cross the street, finishing up the cannolis (best in the city, Sal promised, and he definitely delivered. They were some of the best you’d ever had), she spoke through bites.

“So… James, huh?”

He smiles a bit.

“Yeah, James. You didn’t think my actual name was Bucky, did you?”

They laugh, a sense of familiarity enveloping them both as they stroll. Bucky found the confidence to drape an arm over her shoulder, keeping her close as they crossed the street to her apartment.

For safety, he thought to himself. Just for safety.

When they arrived under the awning under her apartment, they both paused. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. She glanced away, wary.

She broke the silence.

“Thank you for walking me home! And for the cannolis. Sal wasn’t kidding, these are incredible, really.”

“I’m really glad you liked them. And I’ve said it a million times tonight, but you were incredible on stage. Thank you for letting me walk you home, I had a great time…”

He stepped a bit back, preparing to head off, refusing to overstay his welcome. A small flash of something crossed her eyes. What was it? Disappointment?

Bucky was screaming at himself to ask for her number, for something, anything, that might result in the continuation of tonight. But his gentlemanly ways demanded that he not push his luck.

“Well, goodnight, doll.”

He turned, and made it a single step, cursing himself mentally.

“Bucky?” she called, nerves plaguing her voice.

He turned to see her, hands clasped to stop herself from doing anything too rash, eyes a bit wider than before.

“...Think you’ll come see us again? The band, I mean?”

Her voice was shy, the shyest he’d heard it all night. Maybe she just wanted to secure customers for the bar, to make sure that her band would be asked back if patrons wanted to see them perform. But Bucky didn’t care. He knew, or he hoped he knew, that this was her masked way of asking to see him again, her thinly veiled questioning of if tonight had gone well, if he was.. Interested.

God, was he interested.

Was that not how he had come off?

Well, he can’t have that.

He stepped closer, gauging her reaction.

“Oh, definitely. I’d love to see you again.”

Another step. His icy blue eyes darkened in the light, pupils blown wide, raking across her face.

The blush on her cheeks from earlier had returned. He could write that off as the alcohol, hell, even as makeup.

But his enhanced senses picked up on other things.

Like her heartbeat. Pounding in her chest. Yeah, that had absolutely accelerated when he stepped closer.

So he took another, testing the waters.

“The band, I mean. I wouldn’t miss a show.”

And her heart rate definitely picked up a bit. Was he imagining it?

Her lips parted softly, her words coming out a bit breathy.

“Yeah? You liked the show?”

He could be imagining it, he told himself. He refused to misread this, to blow this opportunity. He would go as slowly as she wanted, until the end of time, if she asked him, if she only let him.

But he had to see. He had to see if she’d even give him the chance, if he could get away with even just a little flirting, his night would be made, that’s all he needs…

“Oh, I loved it. Good music, great band. And, between me and you, I definitely have a thing for the lead singer.”

His words were playful. His eyes were anything but.

And he took one more step. Close enough to touch. He lifted his arm, the same one that was draped over her mere minutes ago, subtly, to graze her hand with his. Staring down at her, barely constraining himself for just scooping her up in his arms and shoving her against the steel of the elevator in her apartment, and showing her, really showing her just how bad he wanted her, how good he could make her feel, how many times he could make her-

Her scent was intoxicating, so much so that he could barely think straight. He had been a perfect gentleman thus far (at least in action), and he would be damned if he blew it at the finish line.

Until she glanced down at his lips.

It was so fast he almost missed it.

But nothing gets past Bucky Barnes.

It was like he could feel a dam break inside him, his resolve slipping fast.

He let his metal arm wrap around her waist, pulling her body flush against his, slowly. So slowly it was killing him, keeping his eyes locked on hers. He dipped his head down gently, their noses touching, just barely.

“Can I kiss you, doll?” he murmurs, and if she says no, he thinks, he’ll politely accept, bid her goodnight, and then go run into the nearest busy street he could find. It was New York City, after all, it shouldn't take too long.

She smiles sweetly, but doesn’t say anything. Instead, she stands on her tippy toes, drawing him a bit closer as she wraps her arms around his neck, their lips ghosting each other.

Fuck it.

He finally makes his move, gently pressing his lips to hers. It’s slow and gentle, like the whole night has been. She tastes impossibly sweet, like cannolis and champagne. He tastes like sharp mint, she thinks to herself, like she thought he would. She’s soft, so soft and small and warm in his big arms, her hair and lips and body so welcoming, drawing him in, his mind firing in a run-on sentence of more, more, more.

Quickly, very quickly, he’s getting lost in the kiss.

Too quickly.

His concepts of chivalry are dissolving in front of him as she melts into him. He keeps one arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer to him, as he snakes the other around the back of her neck, deepening their embrace. She gasps softly into him, and fuck, that does it.

He’s tried to resist, he really has, but when he hears that pretty noise, when he feels her body react to him, he pulls back without thinking and brings his lips to her jaw, leaving hot, open mouthed kisses trailing down to her collarbone.

Whatever lotion or perfume she put on earlier must be laced with nicotine, because it was seriously egging him on.

Acting purely on instinct, his hand trails from behind her neck, down her waist, and slowly back up again, softly cupping her breast, drawing a gentle moan from her kiss-puckered lips.

The sound goes straight through him, but also serves to snap him out of his trance. He realizes quickly what he’s doing, and straightens, absolutely mortified with himself.

“Oh, god, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to let it go that far, I’d really like to get to know you more, and take you out properly, I just got carried away-”

He rambles frantically, horrified that he might have lost his one chance with her, until she cuts him off.

“Bucky.”

“...yeah?” he answers tentatively.

“Do you want to come upstairs?”

#bucky barnes #bucky x reader #james bucky buchanan barnes #bucky x you #winter soldier #the winter soldier #bucky barns x reader #bucky barns imagine #bucky barns fanfiction

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fourthemarauders · 23 days ago

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THE MARAUDERS ERA CHARACTERS DURING THE PURGE (Muggle au)

1. Sirius Black

THRIVING. He's been planning for this since he was 13. Puts on eyeliner and a leather jacket, grabs a baseball bat with spikes (named “Family Trauma”), and blasts “Highway to Hell” as he drives a stolen motorcycle around, screaming, “ANARCHYYYYY.” Ends up freeing a bunch of dogs from a shelter and forming a Purge Pack™.

2. James Potter

Thinks it's a neighborhood prank. Shows up at Remus’ door like, “Mate, did you hear they’re doing one of those fake apocalypse things?” Five minutes later he’s hiding under the kitchen table yelling, “I’M TOO HANDSOME TO DIE!” Accidentally survives because no one wants to hurt him. He’s that likable.

3. Remus Lupin

Locked himself in a reinforced bunker with a spreadsheet, three panic buttons, and a collection of emotionally devastating books. He's ready. He’s calm. He's prepped. Unfortunately, he invited Sirius over for “safety,” and now his living room is on fire. Again.

4. Peter Pettigrew

Thought he would be the sneaky survivor, but he's the guy on TV tied to a lamppost with a “RAT” sign taped to his back. Honestly? Pete? Again?

5. Lily Evans

Built a trap system around her flat like she’s in Home Alone but rated R. Molotov cocktails? Check. Electrified doorknobs? Check. A bat labeled “Smash the Patriarchy”? Also check. She livestreams the whole night and gains 300k followers. She’s an icon.

6. Marlene McKinnon

Out on the streets with brass knuckles, hoop earrings, and zero fear. She’s not purging anyone; she’s hunting down people who are purging and just wrecking them. Vigilante queen. The city fears her more than the purge itself.

7. Dorcas Meadowes

Already in camo, face painted, and repurposing IKEA furniture into deadly weapons. She sends “Don’t worry, I got this” texts and is never seen again… until the morning after, walking home with blood on her boots and an iced coffee.

8. Mary Macdonald

Throws a massive “Purge-Eve” party with a dress code and glitter bombs. Absolutely everyone forgets it’s Purge Night until 11:59 p.m. She barricades the doors with bar carts and they all wait it out sipping Prosecco and insulting each other’s trauma.

9. Regulus Black

Locked in his mansion stress-knitting and arguing with his Roomba. Keeps muttering, “This is so beneath me.” Has a wall of weapons he never uses. Accidentally purges someone by dropping a bust of Caesar on them. Feels guilty for years.

10. Barty Crouch Jr.

Living his best life. Has a customized Purge playlist, a trench coat, and probably teeth he stole from someone. It’s a hobby. Spends the night quoting Shakespeare and chasing hedge fund bros with an axe.

11. Evan Rosier

Just vibing. Wearing a tuxedo and sipping wine while watching the city burn from his penthouse window. Occasionally tosses a molotov cocktail for fun. He’s not part of the Purge, he curates it.

12. Severus Snape

Swears he’s “not participating,” but mysteriously shows up at three different crime scenes holding a wand he insists is just “a stick.” Probably makes someone cry using only a five-word insult. Accidentally becomes a cult leader.

13. Sybill Trelawney

Announces 43 different doomsday prophecies. One of them is somehow weirdly accurate. She spends the night burning incense, reading tea leaves, and summoning spirits. No one touches her because she terrifies them.

14. Pandora rosier

Genuinely thinks it’s a celebration. Dresses like a disco ball, releases glitter-filled pigeons, and builds a peace circle in the middle of the street. Somehow untouched. No one knows how. Not even the Purge dares touch Pandora.

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unmerrymagdalene · 2 months ago

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Running Through The Night

Lene experiences her first hotel date with Avery. It is not fun. (M!Avery with PC. TW for fatphobia, dissociation, and SA)

Tightness envelops your chest the moment you step into the elevator. Gold bleeds down its walls and into the reflective cold floors.

In one hand, you grip the hotel room key. The other shakily presses the highest button.

You step back further once the elevator doors close, focusing on the floor indicator.

Suddenly, you slip and trip backwards.

Your hands quickly grip the shiny railing behind you. After taking a few breaths, you glance down at your feet. Instead of your usual Mary Janes, black high heels cling around your ankles. They pinch and prod the rest of your feet. +Pain

Your eyes quickly focus back on the screen.

4…5…

With your…discomfort over small spaces, feeling it in elevators made sense. It would’ve been nice if you figured that out before, and not now. +Trauma

Fortunately(?), your mind doesn’t go back to the dark prayer closet.

9…10…

The key passes between your hands, fingers rubbing against its cold brass ridges. They tremble all together. ++Stress

It’s been a couple weeks since you’ve met Avery. You don’t know exactly how many, but enough to get a feel of things.

12…14…

When you first met him, you didn’t know why he took a liking to you. Even now, you still don’t. There were far more pretty and charming girls out there. Many went to your school. Why you?

But when Avery proposed this arrangement, you didn’t fight back. Everything went so fast…

It felt easier to just go along. Even if it was stressful.

Even if it felt dirty. +Trauma

18…20…

You squint your eyes, trying to picture him in your mind. Avery’s face quickly blurs together. Styled, dark brown hair laid over featureless eyes. Brown skin, nothing else.

As if a shadow casted on his face. A trick of the light.

That was good.

24…

Your heart pounds inside your chest, only suppressed by the tight-fitting cocktail dress you’re wearing. You live inside your head and ignore how bare your legs are. How the slits cut around your stomach. You pull it down, in a failed attempt to cover yourself more.

This date wasn’t different from the others.

26…

You’d smile and nod.

28…

You’d do anything he asked of you.

As long as it wasn’t-

DING!

The key fumbles out of your hands once the elevator rings. It clatters loudly onto the floor.

Still keeping a death grip onto the railing, you bend down and pick them up. You stumble out before the doors close on you.

After stepping out of the hall, your eyes peer down an endless hallway of doors. Wooden, accented with the same reflective gold. You look down at the key again, and start walking to the right.

The sound of your heels vanish under its brown carpeting. You walk…and walk…

Until you find it.

You take in another shallow breath. The key slips inside the lock,

And you open the door.

Like the rest of the hotel, the room keeps its golden sheen. You walk in and take notice of the bathroom on your left.

From how spacious the room is, coupled with the balcony, you figure it’s a suite. Light brown wood decorates the dresser and nightstand, matching its shug carpets.

White curtains cover the window to the balcony, but you can still see through it. It’s shadowed, with a table and hot tub occupying it. There’s a large TV in front of the bed, resting on a stand. A simple desk and chair stand a few inches beside it.

After looking around, you sit down on the clean white bed. You sink into the lush mattress. It’s far bigger and softer than your own bed. Cramped. Barely fitting you. The one you’ve always had since arriving at the orphanage.

You lay down, still keeping your feet on the ground. You spread out your arms. They can’t even reach the sides of the bed. -Stress

If…if this was going to be your first time…at least it was somewhere nice. That was something. It had to be something.

You’d done other stuff with Avery, like anal and sucking him off. But this was your first time sleeping overnight together.

He…he c-could be expecting more from you.

You didn’t want to. But what other choice did you have-

The door clicks open.

You shoot up, dropping the key at your side. Your eyes follow Avery as he enters the room.

“See? Finding the room wasn’t hard. I knew you could do it.” He takes off his navy suit jacket and places it on the desk chair. He picks up a large piece of paper. It looks laminated.

Avery glances it over, before looking at you again. “The suite’s nice, right? You know, most people can’t afford to have a room on hand.” He slinks over and sits beside you. Your thighs are touching. +Stress

His free arm slowly, and deliberately, creeps around your shoulder. He pulls you closer to his chest and brings the paper to you. It’s a menu.

You grab it, eyes glancing up at his.

Avery flashes a smile. His teeth are too white. “Order anything you’d like.”

He’s lying.

Avery liked things a certain way. He liked you in short dresses. Long dresses made you “look like a fucking nun. And not a sexy one.” He only allowed them at fancier parties. Down to your calves or ankles, but never to the floor.

He liked you in white, but was partial to pink and red. But your bras and underwear had to be black. With lace. Something about the pure white revealing black being a turn on. You didn’t mind, since you hated bright colors.

High heels and golden jewelry were a must. Luckily, he paid you enough so you could afford all of it. Except when he bought you the occasional dress. Always a size too small.

You know you couldn’t order anything. This was a test.

Your eyes scan the menu, looking over your “options.” You ignore Avery’s hand caressing your thigh. It moves upwards and in, closer to your crotch. ++Stress

You pass the menu back to him. “Order for me…please…”

He squeezes it before taking the menu. “My pleasure.” +Endearment

~~~

After making the call, Avery escorts you to the balcony. It’s warm, steam from the hot tub ventilating the whole area. You take a seat at the stone, white table.

He smiles again at you.

You nod and place your hands in your lap. They pinch at the shimmering fabric of your dress. +Stress

It doesn’t take long for the food to arrive. The waiter rolls out the food on a tray, covered with metal domes. They place them in front of both of you, along with glasses and silverware.

The waiter uncovers them, revealing plates of pasta.

Your eyes widen slightly. Avery usually ordered salads for you, and something filling for himself. This was different.

They put down a bottle of champagne before leaving. Avery is quick to open the bottle and start pouring for the both of you. He gives you a little extra, as usual.

“Don’t be shy. I know it’s rare you get to drink the good stuff.” He says with a grin.

On cue, you take a long sip. You’ve realized, even on an empty stomach, you had a surprisingly high tolerance to alcohol. A fact you’ve also kept to yourself.

You feel a dull warmth growing in your face, traveling down your body. But nothing more. +Arousal? +Avery’s Love

While Avery talks, you start eating a little. Picking up which topics to remember with him was fairly easy. If it was his coworkers, then you needed to remember. Especially if one angered him. Then you’d shake your head and agree.

If it was reports or cases, you could let that pass. He liked explaining things to you.

Once you’re both done eating (and you’ve finished your drink), he gestures over to the hot tub. “Why don’t we take a dip?”

Your eyes go from the hot tub to Avery. You shift in your seat. “I…didn’t bring a swimsuit…”

Avery leans closer to you. He tilts his head slightly, eyes glinting impishly. “Neither did I.” He grins, showing off his teeth again.

For a moment, your eyes glance down at the table.

Fingers grip your dress, feeling tighter than ever before. Your chest rises as you struggle to breathe. ++Stress

This was fine.

You feel your hands slacked, resting in your lap.

It’ll be over soon.

Your legs relax. It travels further up your arms, until you can only feel your face. Living quietly inside your head.

You give a small nod and stand up.

His grin widens. +Endearment

The sounds of your heels clattering, your dress falling to the ground catches your ears. You look away as Avery changes, staring into the hot tub. The bubbles pop and rumble against steaming water.

He’s the first to step in. You ignore that he's not wearing anything. +Stress

You slide in your black bra and underwear. He moves closer and tucks you under his arm. The heat simmers, wafting under your chin.

He keeps talking, still about his job. The coworkers that don’t know what they’re doing. The nagging women in his office, who “could stand to lose a few pounds. It’s for their own health, of course.” He looks at you a second longer before moving on. ++Stress ++Insecurity

But after some time, he grows quiet.

Popping bubbles and the humming hot tub replace his voice. From the balcony, so high up from the ground, you could hear cars swerving and honking about.

You try looking up at the starry, night sky. But with Avery so close, you can’t.

Not without looking back at him.

“Tell me,” his other hand brushes against your thigh. “How’s school going?”

Your eyes widen lightly, only to quickly settle down. You furrow your eyebrows a little. You didn’t think Avery cared about that stuff. About you, really.

“U-um…it’s going well…” You lower your head, focusing on the water. “I have mostly Bs though…”

“Uh huh…”

You nod. “Except for Science…I have an A…”

He chuckles and squeezes your shoulder. “That’s cute. You want to be a scientist or something?”

“Um, I-” +Stress

“Because you’re too pretty to be one, Lene. And science is more of a guy’s thing. You’d be better off doing something else.”

Your nails dig into your other thigh. ++Stress +Trauma

“Something more…womanly, you know? You don’t want to overwork yourself, right?”

You scratch against your skin, sinking your nails deeper. You realize you can’t feel much of anything now. “….right…” +++Trauma

Avery laughs again. You hear the smile on his lips. ++Endearment, +Avery’s Love

His hand moves up your thigh and settles on your lap. “Hey…let’s call it for tonight. You don’t want the bed to get too cold, do you?”

Your eyes peer past the bubbles and steam, staring down. A brown, blurry hand looks back.

You take it.

~~~~

“Go on and change into something more…comfortable.”

Avery sits back on the bed, while you open the hotel’s closet. Inside, you find two outfits hanging: a long sleeved set of pajamas, and a dark sheer babydoll lingerie.

Your fingers tighten around the handle. +Stress

You glance back at him.

Avery waves at you with one hand, in a “hurry up” motion. The other loosens his dark blue tie.

Honestly, you’re more surprised he offered another “option” at all. It’s not like you had a real choice in the matter.

You take off your bra and underwear, your back facing Avery. You try to go as slowly as possible, but you can only do so much. +Stress

The babydoll lingerie slips onto you. You can’t feel the material, but you can hear your heart pounding in your chest. ++Stress

You turn back. By the time you’re finished, Avery’s clothes lay next to the bed. He’s only in his underwear.

He pats next to him, staring intently at you.

You take in a nonexistent breath and make your way over. His eyes never leave your figure, and only go to your eyes once you sit down.

The second you do, he immediately pins you down.

You feel the weight of Avery’s body pressing uncomfortably against yours. The way his hand creeps up your legs, gripping the helm of your lingerie. The strong stench of alcohol wafting from his breath.

Your heart pounds even faster. Your breathing starts to quicken. +++Stress

It takes you a minute to break free of your body, watching above.

Usually, you wouldn’t keep watching.

“You know,” he lifts the lingerie up, revealing your crotch. Only some stubble, per Avery’s request. “I really only asked you to put it on, so I could take it off. That’s not cocky, is it?”

You watch as you ideally shake your head. Your eyes glaze over looking at him. Like the lights are turned off.

Avery takes off the outfit with the same quickness as someone opening a present. “Good thing you took your underwear off first. It’s like you know exactly what I want.”

He kisses you, sticking his tongue down your throat. His hand gropes at your chest. The other pulls down his underwear.

You keep watching.

After a minute or two of…”foreplay,” Avery pulls out a condom,

And a small bottle of lube.

Mentally, you sigh.

You make a fast escape to the balcony. Whatever happened to the body wasn’t your concern anymore.

Sounds of cars honking and driving from below continue on. You look out into the night sky.

From how high the hotel is, even amiss the various skyscrapers crowding the city, white stars twinkle brightly.

A part of you wants to go higher. To reach out and rake your hands against the sky. To jump out and run throughout the stars.

But the other part, the one stuck down here, knows it isn’t possible.

It never will be.

So you stay there, and wait for morning to come.

#degrees of lewdity #dol #dol fanfic #avery the businessperson #dol avery #dol pc #lene the faithless #merry’s writing #sorry guys….

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bvckleyydiaz · 2 years ago

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a little preview of what’s to come 🫣

“Well,” you hear Derek’s voice call out before you’ve even entered the conference room, “Look at who finally decided to grace us with their presence. Not like you to be late, Y/N.” Your friend grins at you boyishly from his chair. You’re going to miss seeing it every day. Don’t give in, don’t show any resistance. It’s the only thing that will save you now.

You offer as much of a smile as you can. “Guess there’s a first time for everything, Der,” you murmur, trying and failing to sigh away the prick of tears behind your eyes. Your gaze travels to a spot on the far back wall, just between Spencer’s and Emily’s shoulders. You can’t let yourself look them in the eye. If you do that, this will have been for nothing. “I...” You try to swallow the growing lump in your throat, “I want all of you to know that I love you with everything I have left in me, and... that’s what makes this so fucking unfair.” You take a deep breath to steady your voice, tears already seeping through and breaking down the walls you’ve built. “I didn’t want to do this, but I see no other choice.” You unclip your badge and place it and your gun on the table. You then take the manila folder out of the bag hanging heavily on your shoulder and slide it across the table in front of Aaron.

The sound of your heartbeat thundering in your ears muffles all other sounds around you, and you fear that you’ll break your hand if you clasp them together any tighter. It’s the only thing anchoring you to reality. Aaron’s voice brings you back, the folder opened and his eyes stormy. “What is this?” The sound of his voice makes you shudder. You’ve known your boss long enough to know that if he raises his voice any louder, all the restraint he has will be out the window.

“My resignation,” you tell him and watch his left eye twitch, “Effective immediately.”

Five bodies stand all at once, spines ramrod straight. Rage, desperation, bewilderment, and a few other emotions that you can’t quite decipher mix into a cocktail of misery on their faces.

“You’re leaving?” Derek demands, his tone harsh. “Just like that, no second thought?”

“I said that I didn’t want to do this, that I had no other choice, and I meant it,” you stress. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life hating myself for what I’m giving up. But... I don’t see any other way out.”

“Can you at least tell us why?” Penelope asks, and you feel the knife in your chest twist. You never wanted it to end like this; hell, you didn’t want it to end at all. You remember the text you got earlier this morning, right before you walked into the building. You’ve made your choices. Now, live with them.

“Somehow, confidential information from one of our cases—one of my files—was leaked,” you lie. “The Brass wants someone to blame. And they’re going to blame me because my name was attached to that file.”

“Do you have any idea who could’ve gotten ahold of that intel?” Emily asks. You shake your head.

You knew exactly who it was.

“Why wasn’t I told about the leak?” Aaron asks, his Hotch voice making an appearance. “That’s something I should’ve known.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” you tell him, and you are sorry. Just not for the reason he thinks. “Strauss said that the director wanted it handled quietly. This was the fastest way to do that.”

“So, some asshole is going after one of our own, and we’re just supposed to do what?” Rossi asks, his shoulders tight. “Sit with our thumbs in our asses until he’s brought in?”

“Dave’s right,” Aaron agrees. “Y/N, you’re not going anywhere, I won’t let you. I’m going to talk to Erin.” He takes a step forward, but you place a hand on his chest to block his path.

You feel his heartbeat under the tips of your fingers. It’s quick. He’s angry. “Sir, don’t. Please. I’ve already caused enough trouble. I need to just... take it with grace, I guess.” You try to give him a reassuring smile, but it does nothing to ease him. “Thank you for trying to fight for me.”

With that, you take your hand off his chest and walk out of the room without another word. Your palm still tingles from where it laid on Aaron’s chest.

#e posts #e writes #aaron hotchner #aaron hotchner x reader #aaron hotchner series #aaron hotchner angst #y’all are gonna hate me for this one #not gonna lie

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summerofofelia · 7 months ago

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15 day BL challenge time!

OG here 💙

Day 12 - Wedding you wish you had an invite to

Okay, this one was a toughie BUT I gotta go with KinnPorsche because

1. It would be E X P E N S I V E. I’m talking custom tailored Valentino suits and swarovski crystals. Beyoncé would perform at the reception. Their wedding would be featured in Vogue.

Expensive husbands

2. You just know those mafia boys know how to party. We’d do shots out of diamond encrusted shot glasses. The dance floor would be chaotic. Tankhun would jump on a table and break it by doing a death drop. I’d wake up in a bin in another city a day later covered in gold dust and holding a brass pig.

We all know who the real star of the wedding would be

Honourable mention:

Fang & Tan’s wedding.

Tan would do a 10 minute speech sobbing about how much he adores Fang. Tan would ding a glass himself and be like, “oh I guess you have to kiss me now” and Fang would shake his head and smile, slightly embarrassed but so, so happy. Then the horde of giant dumb dumbs (said with much affection) known as their friends would tear the dance floor up with the aid of a thousand shots and cocktails, partying till 4am.

Oh they would P A R T Y

#BLChallenge2k24 #kinnporsche #kinnporche the series #we are #we are the series

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technicolorfamiliar · 7 months ago

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Life & Trust Oct 13, 2024

It goes without saying that I went into L&T with a healthy amount of skepticism. Pretty much everything about how the show was marketed pissed me off, and all of the early teased info about the experience itself (the stupid masks with antlers, the fact that the show is basically a carbon copy of the Punchdrunk format, etc) made it sound ultra annoying. When I walked into the building last Sunday evening, my expectations were low. Which, inevitably, led me to find myself pleasantly surprised by the parts of L&T that worked, and to be massively ticked off by the things that didn't.

Spoilers below, including 1:1 info.

Preshow:

On arrival, I was escorted by a bar staff member to a small café table in the middle of Conwell Hall. Even with all the hype and photos on social media, the space is impressive, from the marble floors and columns to the antiqued brass fixtures to the massive Diego Rivera style show-specific mural hanging above the bar. It's cavernous, opulent in an Art Deco kind of way. There's a lot of cute paper ephemera on the tables, but between the menus, the business cards, the full-size old timey newspaper (full of in-world easter eggs), not to mention the drinks, the canapes, the votive candles… it's a lot of clutter. There's piped in music that's not quite period appropriate. I know there's some concern about disturbing the residents who actually live on the upper floors, but there's no reason they can't have like one person at a piano or something. They don't need a whole band, but some live entertainment would be nice.

Because I knew that people attending the 6pm "cocktail hour" get first admittance into the performance space, that's the entry time I booked. But that meant I had to stand around for the better part of an hour before doing 3ish more hours of standing, walking, and running inside the show. Other people, primarily couples and groups, got put at tables with seats during preshow. Because I was solo, I had to stand. Infuriating. There's no reason those tall café tables can't have bar stools or chairs. L&T seems to cater to couples and groups, which makes sense financially, but if they want to encourage repeat visits, they should make the preshow more accommodating to and comfortable solo guests. Just sayin'.

The Show:

The staff member I met during preshow escorted me and a handful of other guests to a small waiting room where we were held before being shown in to meet "the CEO", aka an older actor playing Old Faust J. G. Conwell. He was great, but the whole intro announcement/exposition scene is too long. Conwell's monologue is fine, but the second half of the scene with the demon? witch? goes on and on for no real reason other than to buy time for the previous group of audience members to filter into the performance space. (Maybe I'm just a broken shell of an immersive theater fan at this point, but I thought this scene and a few other moments in the show reveal too much of the bones of L&T's structure, feeling like ways to fill time rather than opportunities to pull me into the world. But again, maybe that's my fault.)

And what a space. Each subfloor is absolutely massive, yet all of the rooms (except the finale hall) feel a little claustrophobic because of the low ceilings. I know there are entire sections of the set I didn't see, but because it's at least four or five floors of disorienting, labyrinthine spaces, I don't feel like I was missing out.

The first room I walked into was what I can only describe as The Poodle Room… because it was a dark, creepy little office full, like floor to ceiling, of poodle figurines of various sizes. There are definitely some areas and rooms that you can tell a lot of care went into the design and detail -- the Conwell family suite is beautiful, something like an Egyptian tomb is bizarre and eerie, an old tavern and a series of tenements feel lived in.

There's also a Magical Devil Juice Forest with twinkling, color-changing fiberoptic lights on every branch and leaf. There's a dingy vaudeville theater, a nickelodeon running loops of early silent short films, a grimy artist's studio, a plush boudoir with a broken crystal chandelier in a heap on the floor, a coal mine. It's a lot. And yet, some of the spaces in the show have seem unfinished somehow or appear as an afterthought.

Based on what I'd read online, I was expecting the weird devil deer masks all the audience members wear to be super uncomfortable. In reality they're no worse than the Sleep No More masks. The antlers are a little annoying and totally unnecessary. But like a lot of things about Life & Trust, the masks seem to be the product of a certain aesthetic or viral moment the creators are desperately striving for. As Paul Hollywood says, most of what I saw felt like "style over substance."

The performances, all of the ones I saw anyway, were excellent. I tried to avoid characters that had excessively large groups of audience with them. Unfortunately, most of the familiar performers whose work in this new show I really wanted to see all seemed to have huge crowds with them at all times. Luckily, I didn't have to wander around for long before finding another character with few or zero people following them -- which may have been purely by chance or how the creators and performers designed the character tracks. Appreciated either way.

I saw a selection of scenes with the Miners, the Vaudeville Couple, Evelyn, Naima, the Maid, and Dorian, all of whom were played that night by extremely strong and engaging performers. I liked the tone shift with the Vaudeville Couple's scenes, how their sincerity and silliness turns performative and degrading as soon as they're offered money to entertain. I liked the working class Miners balance of hope and despair, the secret affair and role reversal between Naima and her Maid, and Dorian's shapeshifting physicality as his brittle and decadent façade begins to decay.

I followed the tarot reading Con Artist, basically from the top of the show. I should have made more of an effort to stay with them through their entire loop, but it just got to be too difficult to navigate the space as more and more people latched onto the character. The performer in this role was just subtle enough, just intimidating enough, which is no small feat because I imagine the character is extremely difficult to like, especially if you don't get the 1:1 early in their first loop where they explain some of their motivation. Interestingly, the 1:1 reveal of the Con Artist's lack of empathy gives them more humanity. They manipulate and steal from other characters in a way that feels curious, not outright evil. They made pointed eye contact with me in the scenes following the 1:1, marking me as an accomplice. When they eventually confront their own reflection in a hall of mirrors, they are at their most shattered and vulnerable. They collapsed, reaching out to me again for stability and comfort, but even this could have been a kind of manipulation. But you know what? I didn't mind, it was one of the few times in the show I forgot about the outside world all the other audience members around us and was actually… you know… immersed.

By the end of the last loop, my whole body hurt, I was sweaty and exhausted, and fully ready for the show to be over. But ohhh no, the finale had to happen first.

I'm sorry to say, unless you followed Faust Young Conwell or Mephisto -- or have a basic understanding of the primary framing narrative -- the finale makes no sense. The use of the finale space was smart, having the performers up on platforms allowed the audience to see most of the action (unlike some other recent immersive shows *COUGH*THE BURNT CITY*COUGH*), but the whole sequence was waaay too long. The lighting is cool, Conwell does a sick slow motion Matrix backbend at one point, and there's a striking final visual of the straightjacketed body in the water tank, but the whole thing could have been cut down to half the time and be just as impactful. And there was a curtain call?? I get wanting to honor the performers at the end of a show, but it took me right out of the moment. I mean, if you're going to do a show that's so similar in structure and style to Punchdrunk, why not end with character walk outs like they do? Although walk outs may have been difficult because because there's literally only one exit out of the finale space. Still. One of the things I like about immersive theater is that it doesn't feel like a play… I can stay in the world longer if there's no button on the end of the show, like a curtain call, you know?

Final Thoughts:

Reading back over this write up, it sounds like I had a bad time. And that's not the case, really I swear. There's a lot about L&T that works. It's beautiful, the original music is a nice touch (some people hate it, I really enjoyed and appreciated it), and the performances are truly pretty outstanding.

Mostly what doesn't work are the story and the structure. It doesn't have that hard-to-define Special Something that Punchdrunk shows have or even Third Rail Projects had with Then She Fell.

Life & Trust isn't going to haunt me the way other immersive shows do. It's trying too hard to be Instagramable, and thus sacrificing the soul and spirit it needs to be a lasting influence on this particular format of theater.

I'm glad I went and I absolutely did not hate the show, but it's simply too expensive to be worth multiple visits. Nor am I going to be thinking about it 10 - 15 years later.

P.S. I genuinely don't know if I'm going to do a write up on the Sleep No More show I saw on this trip. There's really not a lot to report. I might just write something when it finally closes… whenever that actually happens.

#my writing #life and trust

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labellenouvelle · 1 year ago

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COFFEE OR COCKTAIL ?

Super chic custom made coffee or cocktail table , steel , brass and antique mirror top. See brass details on legs and center along with brass pineapple finials. Add design and style to your life ! Item No. E5749 Dimensions: 38" x 20" x 17.5" high approx. SOLD

504.581.3733 / t

[email protected] /e

#antiques #magazine street #nola #interior decor #interior design #new orleans #interiors #new orleans antiques #collectibles #oddities #custom made #coffee table #cocktail table #design #custom furniture #one of a kind #sold

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cleanerdoesntgaming · 2 years ago

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headcanon time

Clyde: Very casual with his friend group, doesn’t commonly talk during classes unless if Robert makes him; He’s a band kid who plays brass, which Elijah jokingly slanders him for. Commonly trades food with his friend during lunch.

Robert: Commonly the one to start the conversations with his friend group, even in classes. He normally does chaotic things during lunch; most commonly stealing food or creating “the infamous lunch cocktail” in the middle of the table.

Elijah: Kinda a jackass to the teachers, but not to his Friend Group; He’s commonly asleep during class, which caused him to get kicked out during the week. He’s in the school’s boy’s basketball team.

James: Doesn’t talk in public unless if he has to, normally writing his horror stories in his english notebook; He’s still somewhat social, only communicating through mannerisms when he’s with his friends. He doesn’t show his face when he’s knowingly on camera.

#iceypie #iceypasta #creepypasta #substitute #nuclear blue #substitute clyde #substitute elijah #substitute robert #substitute james

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openingnightposts · 4 days ago

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#anewyorkerspointofview #louisvuitton #lvcafenyc #Openingnight.Reviews

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angelon19 · 4 days ago

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Destination Wedding at a Coimbatore Resort? Here’s the Ideal Decor Plan

Planning a destination wedding in Coimbatore? You’ve made a brilliant choice! With its lush landscapes, scenic Western Ghats, and serene weather, Coimbatore offers an enchanting backdrop for your big day. But the secret to transforming a beautiful resort into a dreamy wedding venue lies in one key element—decor.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the ultimate wedding decor plan for a resort-based destination wedding in Coimbatore, with expert insights and actionable tips to make your day truly unforgettable. And if you’re looking for trusted professionals to execute your vision, there’s no better option than the best Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore.

Why Coimbatore Resorts Make Perfect Wedding Venues

Coimbatore is home to stunning resort venues like Vivanta by Taj–Surya, Le Méridien, and Dvara Resort, each offering a unique blend of luxury, nature, and heritage. Whether it’s a mountain-view mandap or a lakeside mehendi ceremony, these venues provide a versatile canvas for unforgettable decor.

Benefits of hosting your wedding at a Coimbatore resort include:

Spacious outdoor and indoor venues

Access to local flowers and materials

Pleasant weather during most months

Proximity to temples and tourist attractions for guests

For seamless theme execution and venue customization, enlist the expertise of Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore who know the local climate and aesthetics inside out.

Step-by-Step Wedding Decor Plan

1. Choose a Cohesive Theme

Your wedding theme sets the tone for the entire event. Popular choices in Coimbatore include:

South Indian Traditional (with banana leaves, marigold, and temple bells)

Rustic Elegance (jute, wooden elements, warm lights)

Floral Extravaganza (orchids, roses, and jasmine hanging arrangements)

Boho Chic (macrame backdrops, pampas grass, pastels)

Each theme can be customized for ceremonies like sangeet, haldi, and reception, with a skilled team like Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore bringing your vision to life with precision.

2. Stage & Mandap Decor

The mandap is the heart of a wedding. Depending on your theme, consider:

Lotus pond-inspired floating mandaps

Domed canopies with floral hangings

Traditional Kerala-style wooden mandaps with brass lamps

Statistically, 72% of Indian couples prioritize mandap decor over other elements (WeddingWire India Report, 2023). Don’t cut corners here—go with specialists like Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore for aesthetic impact and structural integrity.

3. Lighting That Sets the Mood

Lighting is often overlooked but plays a crucial role, especially for evening events. Options include:

Fairy lights woven through trees

Chandeliers over dinner areas

LED uplighting for entrances and dance floors

Use warm white or amber lighting to create an inviting and luxurious vibe. For a balance of beauty and functionality, collaborate with Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore, who understand the unique lighting needs of resort venues.

4. Personalized Signage & Entry Decor

Your guests’ first impression begins at the entrance. Welcome signs with your initials, floral arches, or even cultural motifs like kolams add an elegant touch. Ideas include:

Hand-painted wooden boards

Brass urns filled with petals

Photo timelines hung with fairy lights

Adding a personal element here goes a long way. Let the top Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore tailor these designs to your story and theme.

5. Table Settings & Lounge Areas

Especially for receptions and cocktail nights, table settings and lounges bring in sophistication. Think:

Monogrammed napkins

Floating candles in glass bowls

Rattan or velvet lounge furniture

With curated seating and detail-rich table decor, your venue transitions from a dining hall to a luxe experience. For cohesive coordination, trust Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore to style it seamlessly.

6. Eco-Friendly Decor Options

With more couples going green, consider sustainable options like:

Biodegradable floral confetti

Reusable fabric drapes

Potted plants as centerpieces

Expert decorators can suggest vendors and styles that align with your values. Many Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore now offer eco-conscious packages without compromising on grandeur.

Pro Tip: Create a Decor Mood Board

Before meeting your decorator, create a mood board using Pinterest or Canva. Include:

Color palette

Fabric textures

Lighting inspiration

Mandap styles

Table layouts

This helps professionals like Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore understand your vision and suggest budget-friendly alternatives if needed.

Conclusion: Bring Your Dream Destination Wedding to Life

A destination wedding in a Coimbatore resort can be as magical as the ones you see in magazines—provided your decor is on point. From floral-filled mandaps to ambient lounges, every detail should reflect your story and style. And the best way to achieve that? Partner with experienced Wedding Decorators In Coimbatore who combine creativity with logistics for a flawless finish.

#wedding decorations #wedding decorator #wedding planning

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figandnash · 5 days ago

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Elevate Everyday Living with Timeless Design Finds

There’s something magical about stepping into a space that instantly feels like home—one that reflects your personality, comforts your senses, and speaks to your lifestyle. Whether you're refreshing a room or curating your dream aesthetic from scratch, the latest new selection of luxe furniture, home decor, serveware, home fragrance, lighting, art, coffee table books, and more offers endless inspiration. 🖼️🛍️

🛋️ A New Era of Luxe Furniture

The newest arrivals in luxe furniture blur the lines between comfort and couture. Think deep, sink-in sofas dressed in performance velvets, sculptural accent chairs that double as art pieces, and artisan-crafted case goods with rich wood grains and metal detailing. ✨ Each piece is made to be lived in—but admired, too.

Whether your aesthetic leans modern, transitional, or eclectic, this season’s curated pieces create balance, flow, and functionality in every room. These furnishings aren’t just visually appealing—they’re conversation starters. 🔥

🕯️ The Power of Home Fragrance

Scents have the power to transport us. That’s why a standout in the new collection is a refined lineup of home fragrance options: luxurious candles, diffusers, and room sprays with notes ranging from smoked amber and sandalwood to fig, citrus blossom, and eucalyptus. 🌿

Whether you're setting a cozy mood for evening guests or just creating a spa-like vibe during your daily wind-down, these scents offer an olfactory upgrade that completes the ambiance of your home. 🧘

🖼️ Thoughtfully Curated Art and Lighting

Art isn’t an afterthought—it’s a signature. The latest art arrivals span from bold contemporary prints to hand-painted canvases, metal sculptures, and photographic works that add texture, dimension, and soul to any room. 🎨

Pair that with statement lighting—think brass chandeliers, alabaster table lamps, and minimalist LED sconces—and you’ll see how each piece plays a role in shaping atmosphere and depth. Lighting is functional, yes—but in the right hands, it's transformative. 💡✨

🍽️ Dining with Style: Serveware That Shines

Hosting is an art form, and this new wave of serveware brings elevated simplicity to the table. Ceramic platters, glass carafes, mixed metal utensils, and resin trays offer style and utility for both everyday meals and special occasions. 🍷🍽️

Serve in style with pieces that mix heirloom craftsmanship with modern elegance—your charcuterie boards, fresh-baked loaves, and sparkling cocktails have never looked better. 🧀🍞🍸

📚 Coffee Table Books That Speak Volumes

No luxe living room is complete without a smart stack of coffee table books. The new assortment includes titles from fashion houses, design legends, culinary artists, and travel photographers. 📚 From Tom Ford to Marrakech interiors, each cover is as visually striking as the content inside.

Display them in living spaces, bedrooms, or even in the home office to spark conversation and invite exploration. Bonus: they make fabulous gifts. 🎁

🏠 Make Every Space Matter

What sets this latest collection apart is how intentional each piece feels. These are items designed to transform the way you experience your home, making everyday rituals more beautiful and meaningful. Whether you’re lounging with a candlelit book, hosting a stylish dinner party, or revamping a guest room with a new armchair and throw pillows—every object has a purpose. 🧺🛏️

This approach mirrors the belief that good design isn’t just a luxury—it’s a right. Everyone deserves a well-appointed room that supports their daily life with grace and ease.

🌍 Customization Meets Craftsmanship

Behind many of these selections is a vast custom fabrication network that brings bespoke dreams to life. Have something special in mind? A made-to-order headboard? Custom drapery in a rare textile? Tailored case goods for an oddly shaped nook? 🎨✂️

Through close collaboration with skilled artisans, upholsterers, woodworkers, and designers, it’s possible to create heirloom-quality pieces that match your vision—and fit your space perfectly. 🔨🧵

🛒 One Boutique, Infinite Inspiration

From the moment you walk into the downtown Palm Desert showroom—or browse online—you’ll discover a world of thoughtful design. The boutique brings together the best of local charm and global style, making it a destination for those who value craftsmanship, detail, and creativity. 🌵🏛️

It's not just a store—it’s a lifestyle experience. Each item is selected to help clients live well with good design, blending form, function, and storytelling in one elegant package.

🧑‍🎨 The Personal Touch: Designer-Led Spaces

What makes this boutique stand apart isn’t just what’s on the floor—it’s the minds behind the scenes. Interior designers with decades of experience offer tailored consultations, helping you translate mood boards into real rooms. From full remodels to subtle refreshes, the design team works closely with clients to understand their tastes, goals, and lifestyle. 🗂️📐

Want to create a serene primary bedroom? An artful dining room that doubles as a gallery? A minimalist desert escape? The team’s goal is to make it personal—and make it beautiful.

📆 Events and Seasonal Highlights

Regularly hosted in-store events give design lovers a reason to return again and again. From book signings and floral arrangement workshops to designer showcases and seasonal preview nights, the boutique doubles as a community hub for creatives and collectors. 🎉🌟

Visitors can also enjoy exclusive seasonal lines and limited-edition drops that align with the latest trends while maintaining timeless appeal.

🎁 The Art of Gifting

Need a thoughtful gift? The boutique offers a curated gift guide filled with stunning ideas—from sculptural candles and luxe throws to limited-edition prints and glassware. Perfect for birthdays, housewarmings, holidays, or just because. 🛍️🎁

Each item is ready to impress—and many can be beautifully wrapped for a polished finish.

✨ Final Thoughts

Design is more than aesthetics—it’s about how a space makes you feel. The new selection of luxe furniture, home décor, serveware, home fragrance, lighting, art, coffee table books, and more creates opportunities to elevate your home in every way imaginable. 🏡💫

Whether you’re refreshing a single room or reimagining your entire living environment, you’ll find a trove of treasures that spark joy, encourage comfort, and reflect your story. 🌈

So pour a coffee (or a glass of wine), light a candle, and start your design journey—it’s time to live beautifully, boldly, and intentionally. ✍️🕯️

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