#director hargrove

[correctrvbquotes]

Director: Dear Chairman.

Fade in to the Freelancers attacking the structure

Director: I don't give a DAMN about your committee and its opinions of my work! Have you forgotten sir, we were at war? A fight with an alien race for the very survival of our species? I feel I must remind you, that it is an undeniable, and, may I say, a fundamental quality of Man, that when faced with extinction, every alternative is preferable!

[sixsobbles]

I was too busy playing I Became A Dog and completely forgot I said I'd post this.

The Triplets 2.0 don't fit but I have done them. I'll post them whenever I post on here next I swear. Anyways enjoy the rest of PFL and CI‼️

Btw I think I'm real clever for the Sharkface design. My Insta because it has a lot more art on it.

[rvb-relationship-royale]

RVB Romantic Relationship Royale- Round 1, Part 3, Poll 11

[rubykgrant]

(Hargove voice) Dear Director,

Have you ever lied? Cheated? Have you bribed men to cover the crimes of other men? Are you an accessory to murder? Can you live with it? Can you live with it?

[hellfirecvnt]

Hellfirecvnt Masterlist

List Started: 5/12/24

Last updated: 11/11/24

Total Works: 26

Fandoms: Stranger Things, Vice Principals, The Righteous Gemstones, Fallout, Dinner in America, The Passenger (TBA)

Stranger Things- (I no longer write for ST.)

Eddie Munson:

Y'know I Knew a Guy Like You. (Eddie x Y/N, but Y/N talks like Theo Von) A silly adventure. No smut.

"Your Sister is Hot." (Eddie x Fem!Harrington!Reader) You're Steve's hot sister and Eddie is down bad. Yes smut.

...Yet (Eddie x Fem!Reader) A pool hangout feat. the whole gang turns steamy after a few shots and a game of Two Truths, One Lie. Yes smut.

Second First Time (Eddie x Fem!Reader) You lost your virginity to a guy who couldn't make you cum. Eddie can fic that. Yes smut.

She's Got a Boyfriend, Anyway. (Eddie x Fem!Reader) Your friendship dynamic changes when you start dating Billy Hargrove. Yes smut.

Let Me See You (Sub!Eddie x Fem!Reader) Eddie's got a kink you didn't know about. Yes smut.

Finish What You Started (Perv!Eddie x Fem!Reader) A night of truth or dare awakens a need in Eddie that his pervy little heart will do anything to satiate. Yes smut.

Where Have You Been All My Life? (Dom!Eddie x Fem!Henderson!Reader) You're Dustin's beloved big sister who happens to be a perfect parallel of his friend, Eddie. Yes smut.

You're Mine (Eddie x Fem!Reader) Eddie goes with you to get a tattoo. He's horny. Yes smut.

Claimed (Eddie x Fem!Reader) You're new at Hawkins and Eddie has already made his claim, you just don't know it yet. Yes smut.

Innocence Lost (Eddie x Fem!Reader) Corruption kink type beat. Yes smut.

Innocence Lost Pt. 2 (Eddie x Fem!Reader) Part 2 of 2. Yes smut.

Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson:

Interruption (Steve x Fem!Reader x Eddie) Eddie barges in on your time with Steve. Yes smut.

People Pleaser (Steve x Fem!Reader x Eddie) Eddie likes to see how far you'll go for him. Yes smut.

Billy Hargrove:

It's Personal (Billy x Fem!Reader) Billy's been an ongoing bully/ nuisance in your life since you met. He's acting a little different after finding out you've been hurt. No smut. (Part 2 coming soon)

Billy Hargrove, Steve Harrington, and Eddie Munson:

What are You Thinking Drinking About? (Billy, Steve, Eddie x Fem!Reader) You and your friends hang out pretty regularly. You've known each other for a long time and have a lot of history since meeting in high school. Some of the group can't make it to the hang out one night, and there's a weird tension between you and the ones who do show up. Yes smut.

Vice Principals-

Lee Russell:

•••Series 1:

First Trip (Lee x Fem!Reader) (Pt. 1) You're the new secretary at NJH. You've caught Lee's eye, but disaster strikes before anything can be done about it. No smut.

The Foundation of Learning (Lee x Fem!Reader) (Pt. 2) A dream changes things and Lee plots Belinda's downfall by framing a teacher. No smut.

Teacher Work Day (Lee x Fem!Reader) (Pt. 3) "Is that bitch pissing on that cop car?" No smut.

Preoccupied (Lee x Fem!Reader) (Pt. 4) A plan is hatching, sure. You and Lee can't stay focused. What are you two thinking about? Yes smut.

Light my Fire (Lee x Fem!Reader) (Pt. 5) Your plan goes awry. Tensions are high. What's everyone gonna do about it? Ooh. Yes smut.

•••••

•••Series 2:

Subordinate (Lee x Fem!Reader) (Pt. 1) North Jackson High has a new principal and your coworkers are not coping well. XOXO. No smut.

The Righteous Gemstones-

Baby Billy Freeman:

Hallelujah, What a Payday (Baby Billy x Fem!Reader) Baby Billy's on the search for his next co-star. Yes smut.

Fallout-

Prewar Cooper Howard:

Hard to Get (Cooper x Fem!Reader) It's been a new experience being cast in the lead of the latest Hollywood movie. What's even more nerve-wracking is your far-more-famous-than-you co-star. After you can't seem to sell the chemistry between you to the director, you're pushed to spend more quality time with your cohort. Yes smut.

Dinner in America-

John Q. / Simon:

Don't Piss Me Off (Simon X Fem!Reader) (Pt. 1) You're back in your hometown for a few weeks to house sit for your parents. A rivalry dating back to your high school years makes an appearance, but this time, he's met his match. No smut.

Don't Piss me Off (Simon X Fem!Reader) (Pt. 2) You still can't stand sticking around your parents for too long, but you stay in town for a while longer just to see him play. Yes smut.

[rubykgrant]

I like the idea of Flowers coming back, not as a full-on villain or anything, but because he talks like a serial killer trying to flirt, everybody just assumed he has insidious intentions. He also plays it up like he had more control than he actually did over the events that happened to everybody... and like, yeah, he had his own agenda and THOUGHT he set some stuff up to happen, but because he kept faking his own death and peacing-out to go do whatever, nothing went according to ANY plan. A big issue was, while he didn't want certain things the Director OR Hargrove to happen, he really didn't put enough effort into trying to stop it, AND he used everybody like his own toys he could play mind-game with. So. That sucks. His "apology" involves promising to keep all his precious little blossoms more "in the know" this time... that's right, he calls them that. He wants to help them "grow and bloom" to their full potential. His name is Flowers, and he's so happy to see all his Red roses and blue Violets again! They hate this. It doesn't have any sexual words, but it SOUNDS even more sexual than any innuendo Donut ever said

[perfides-subjekt]

Ransom for a Dead Man (1971) Director: Richard Irving Writers: Dean Hargrove, Richard Levinson, William Link

– You know, Columbo, you're almost likable in a shabby sort of way. Maybe it's the way you come slouching in here with your shopworn bag of tricks. – Me? Tricks? – The humility, the seeming absent-mindedness, the uh, homey anecdotes about the family: the wife, you know? – Really? – Yeah, Lieutenant Columbo, fumbling and stumbling along. But it's always the jugular that he's after. And I imagine that, more often than not, he's successful.

[imavikingo]

I usually add my commentary on the tags... BUT. In this case is necessary (for me) to post it directly on the post. So I'm sorry if this is annoying!

Billy (for what we see and is logical to us) never wanted to have anything to do with Karen Wheeler, the directors shoved the "ship" into us because they thought it was "hot" (gags). When... First of all (even if it set in the 80s that's not... Good). Billy was a minor and a vulnerable kid, Karen was a 40 something year old woman thirsting over a kid with other 40 year old women because they were bored with their lives. Mostly because they made bad decisions in "choosing their husbands" or staying with them. Billy was Nancy's age. So it's not justified (even if Karen didn't have a kid his age. It's NOT justified) "She didn't go!" Yes, but she wanted to. She wanted to have sex with a minor and entertained the idea of being with him because she found said kid "hot".

He didn't have/receive any form of affection nor care (his dad abused him, his step-mom didn't do anything to help him or console him, his step-sister made his life more difficult, his mom abandoned him when he was a kid and he didn't have real friends and couldn't show vulnerability either. It was really dangerous for him to be himself in a house where no one cared about him) and the only way he could get a modicum of affection was flirting with women.

The first time he flirted with Karen was to get information, not because he wanted to do it or cared about the woman. He was on a time limit and needed to find his step-sister or suffer the consequences.

After that, in the third season he saw the effect he had on the women and maybe thought "this way I can feel loved/cared about for a bit" he did it because he was a vulnerable kid with zero paternal or maternal affection, with zero knowledge of how wrong it was to be pursued by older women.

And Karen should have known better since the beginning. What would have she done if Nancy was pursued by a 40 year old man? Get mad? How hypocritical. If she was so bored with her life and her husband, she should have done something besides flirt and try to get with a kid.

[correctrvbquotes]

Director: Dear Chairman.

Fade in to a stream in the middle of the Valhalla canyon

Director: I am disappointed by your decision to press charges, but I am not surprised. My only hope is that the courts will see the matters differently than you have. You see, I never had the chance to serve in battle, nor did fate provide me the opportunity to sacrifice myself for humanity as it did for so many others in the Great War. Someone extremely dear to me was lost very early in my life. My mind has always plagued me with the question, if the choice had been placed in my hands, could I have saved her? The memory of her has haunted me my entire life, and more so in these last few years than I could ever have imagined. But given the events of these past few weeks, I feel confident that had I been given the chance, I would have made those sacrifices myself. Had I only the chance.

[prettyboybillyhargrove]

Dacre Montgomery is ready to work

There’s a famous audition tape of Dacre Montgomery’s online. Maybe you’ve seen it; some 18 million people have. And it’s captivating to watch, not just because of Montgomery’s intensity, but because of the clear control that he has at such a young age. That steady ferocity cuts right through the screen, even though he’s just ‘running lines’ against a plain blue backdrop. It also cut through the sea of other actors gunning for a role in Stranger Things and made him Billy Hargrove, the resident bad guy on the sci-fi drama that broke Netflix viewership records on its way to becoming one of the biggest shows in TV history.

It’s been almost six years since that audition made Montgomery a global star, but the man sitting in front of me has lost none of that vigour. Reclining in a side room at a studio in Sydney before the photoshoot accompanying this article, the now 28-year-old looks casual. He’s wearing a plain black T-shirt, white shorts and one of those non-descript navy caps movie stars wear when they want to be incognito. The outfit is a simple one, designed to avoid attention—a far cry from the red carpet fashion that Montgomery favours. But as he starts talking about the thing he loves most—movies and the process of making them—that same intensity takes over; a passion that has him on the edge of his seat.

“When I was in my early teens, all I did was stay in my room and watch movies. And I fell in love with everything,” he says. The reverence, the obsession, is what drives Montgomery, and not just when it comes to acting. On set for today’s shoot, Montgomery—who was recently named the face of Politix’s new autumn/winter “The Gentle Man” campaign—is completely locked in. Unlike some who see an ambassador role as an opportunity to make a quick buck, Montgomery has signed on because he’s excited about the brand’s refreshed look and new chapter. “I don't just rock up on time. I rock up 10 minutes early,” he told me, “I don't just give one idea, I give 10 ideas because I don't engage with anything unless I'm authentically interested in it.”

He’s not kidding. After each burst of shots, he pores over them like he’s the creative director, rather than the subject—not out of vanity, but to see if the images are challenging enough. At one point, he grabs a mirror from the corner of the room. “Let’s just try it”, he tells the crew, and proceeds to work it straight into the shoot.

This dedication to perfection hasn’t always been easy for him or the people around him. After Stranger Things, the search for the next perfect role was almost paralysing. “Before I felt like, ‘look, I'm not going to take anything unless I'm 150 per cent invested’,” he says, and eventually, that attitude led to Montgomery parting ways with his team—his management, agents, everyone.

During that period, which he describes as a creative hole, Montgomery tried anything and everything. He wrote poetry (which was released as a book by publisher Andrews McMeel under the title DKMH and turned into a spoken word podcast of the same name), made short films, and dedicated himself to learning the arts of cinematography and screenwriting—at some points, he was watching three films a day, “morning, noon, night”, just like he did as a teenager.

Part of the fear that drove him into that lull was the looming presence of being typecast. When there are roles being offered to you left, right and centre, which one is the ‘perfect’ next step to take? This year, he has started climbing out of that hole, engaging more filmmakers as well as taking on roles like the one with Politix. But, there is still a sense of wariness.

For example, as news broke that Hugh Jackman wouldn’t be returning as Wolverine—a decision that he has since reversed—rumours swirled that Montgomery might step into the role. But for him, it’s about the filmmakers rather than any big-name character. “It’s just finding filmmakers that I'm really interested in working with and going from there as opposed to it being like, ‘oh, I've always wantedto play Wolverine or Bane’,” he says, “but also, I’m feeling a little bit of Marvel fatigue. I’m not really interested in it in the same way that I was.”

Montgomery isn’t alone in his ‘Marvel fatigue’, plenty of moviegoers aren’t as interested as they once were—just look at the recent box office figures—but it’s another example of how he’s a film fan first, and an actor second. He can thank his parents for that.

“My dad started taking me to films that I shouldn't have been seeing when I was a kid,” Montgomery says, “but he worked in the film industry and he would explain to me the process of everything.” From the very beginning, he was exposed to not just the definitive films of the time, but also how they were made. His mother and father would take him to the sets they were working on and show him the ins and outs. “It was like, ‘here’s the unadulterated version of the world and the industry and here are all the ins and the outs of how movies are made.”

For some actors, fame, as much as the films that inspire them, is a driver. And it’s only if they reach a level of success that they really see how the sausage is made—which is not always pretty, especially if they aren’t backed by a huge studio. Thanks to his parents, Montgomery is a rare actor who has always known about the gritty reality of making low-budget films—the long days, the repetition, the egos—but that’s what he fell in love with. “I'm not here for money or notoriety or anything like that,” he says, “I really care about the work and that's what I'm there for.”

But it’s that moment when he actually steps in front of the camera and it’s time to perform that has always had Montgomery hooked. “When you’re on set, I don't try to take up too much space and I wait until it’s my time to go in front of the camera and do my little thing. But when I do that… It's ecstasy. There’s nothing but that moment, do you know what I mean?”

Though it’s been a few years since Montgomery has had those moments and shared them with the world—Elvis, in which he was a scene-stealer, was largely filmed in 2020—he’s getting back to work. “I am climbing out of that [hole] and what that looks like is me engaging with more filmmakers,” he says. Of the three filmmakers he has agreed to work with—at least publicly—one thing is clear: they aren’t interested in making simple, sugar-coated work.

The first film we are likely to see in Montgomery’s next chapter is Spider & Jesse, directed by Dan Kay, which dives into the far-reaching consequences of addiction. “It’s about two girls that find their mother dead in the first scene and they bury her in the backyard so they don't have to go into the foster care system,” Montgomery explains, “I play the mum’s ex-boyfriend that was dealing her the drugs.”

It’s an unglamorous role with limited screen time, but that didn’t bother Montgomery because it was clear the film, and the people behind it, had something vital to say. “I realised they were on a mission to give insight into the people that are affected by addiction—family, friends, and people they're associated with rather than shedding light on the addicts themselves.”

Filming on Spider & Jesse, which took place in Florida, has already wrapped, but Montgomery’s other two projects are yet to begin production. Both are ambitious, and both defy simple explanation. The first, titled Went Up That Hill, comes from Samuel Van Grinsven, a New Zealand-born, Sydney-based director who became a festival circuit favourite with his feature debut Sequin in a Blue Room.

In essence, Montgomery says the film is an assessment of abuse and how trauma lingers from our childhoods. Beyond the message of the film though, it’s the challenging acting work—he’s heading to Berlin to work with co-star Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, Old), Van Grinsven and a movement coach to prepare for the complex role—that has attracted him.

The same goes for Faces of Death, the other project Montgomery has been linked to, which is a remake of a 1978 American mondo horror film notoriously banned for years in countries across the world, including Australia, due to its graphic depictions of death. “I have a really interesting co-star [Euphoria’s Barbie Ferreira] who I love, and the character is a serial killer, and for me, it was like, ‘what’s the thing that’s going to scare me so much about creating this character?’” he says of the film, “So I rang the director and I was like, ‘I want to go visit a serial killer in a state penitentiary in the state of California when I'm back because it scares the shit out of me’.”

After these films wrap up, Montgomery plans to start his journey into directing. “I want to direct my first movie and right now I'm in the process of working on the script with my writer and then I'm going to go on the process of trying to put the movie together,” he says, and he won’t give much more than that away, but if there’s anything we’d wager on, it’s that the movie will be challenging—both to make and in concept.

If these types of films don’t sound like they’ll be box office smashes or Oscar bait, Montgomery isn’t worried. “To me, the success of the movie is in the making of the movie,” he says. “And the outcome of the movie looks like a cathartic experience making [it], as opposed to some other thing like, ‘Oh, I want to get into this film festival and I want the film to have a 4.0 on Letterboxd.’ That's not what I'm doing it for.”

The same attitude goes for his partnership with Politix. Beyond filmmaking, Montgomery is passionate about the way that fashion allows him to control his direct experience. “I suffer from incredibly bad OCD,” he shares, “And I have always found comfort in controlling my surroundings, and that is fabric. My mood is very affected by what I have on my skin and what I have in my space and what I can smell and all that sort of stuff bleeds into my personal life aside from fashion.”

As with his project selection in cinema, the aesthetics are one thing, but for Montgomery to come on board he has to believe in the direction of the project.

“I'm interested in [Politix’s] reworking of the company and what they’re doing to reshape it for 2023 and onwards. But what I was genuinely interested in is that sensitivity of masculinity because that really is me. I am a very sensitive person. I'm very sensitive to my space and to interactions in my life. And I think this whole campaign is really about unpacking what is that.”

Once Montgomery signed on with Politix to become its new face, as with his films, he was all in. From the campaign direction to the execution of the advertising, Montgomery has been instrumental. He’s not just arriving, taking some photos and leaving—as with the photoshoot accompanying this shoot, he’s trying to make it the best he can.

“I want the product to be good, just as good as they want the product to be and not hopefully from a narcissistic point of view, from a point of view of I want it to be good,” he says, “That's more important to me than the paycheck or how many people see it or how successful the campaign is. That's the through line for me.”

It’s this sheer dedication to craft and passion for the work that has seen Montgomery through to where he is today. It’s what made that Stranger Things audition tape so arresting and, if he pulls off his big swings, may just make him one of the most memorable actors Australia has produced. Whether those ambitious punches land or not, there’s no doubt about one thing: Montgomery is ready to do the work.

PRODUCTION CREDITS:

Words by Charlie Calver

Photography by Jesse Lizotte

Styling by Miguel Urbina Tan

Fashion assisting by Isabella Mamas

Grooming by Joel Foreman

Production by Jade Carp

Dacre Montgomery wears Politix throughout; politix.com.au

[unamused-boss]

I have a idea! So billy x reader and they have been dateing for 3 years each year you try to get the lead role in the school play so it's your now it's your fourth year doing this and you finally get the lead role and you and billy celebrate :)

Where for art thou... Juliet?

Billy Hargrove x Reader

disclaimer: doesn't follow stranger things plot, billy maybe oc, and apologize if this is short! Reader is GN just because they are trying out for Juliet doesn't mean reader is completely fem, its only for the story! I was also a kid in theatre, so I can insult my people lol

Summary: You and Billy have been dating for a while now. You have been apart of the drama club for all of high school, trying for every lead only to get the supporting roles or side roles. Now being a Senior in high school you have finally gotten your lead role. And Billy is 100% supporting you... well most of it.

..............................................................................................................................

You and Billy have been the IT couple of Hawkins High School for years. It surprised everyone when in the last two months of freshmen year you got Billy Hargrove to go on a date with you. As well to find out you asked him, some kid that was apart of the theatre club, which Billy liked very much. Billy liked his little nerd.

In those four years of being together you and Billy have supported each other through everything. You went to every basketball game Billy played in; cheered for him as loud as you could. Even when his team fumbled the ball at the lat second of the state championship game, which you had to comfort Billy through. But today isn't about Billy, no, today is about his sweetheart auditioning for the spring production of their final year of high school today.

"So do you think I'll do good?" You ask nervously, you been tugging at the sleeve of your jacket all morning as the other students around you make their way into the school as you sat at the hood of Billy's car with him. For the past week you have been going over and studying your lines for the auditions for Romeo and Juliet today. You are auditioning for Juliet today, the role of your dreams (deal with it).

"You're gonna do great, baby." Billy reassured, "Don't doubt yourself, you are talented."

"But what if I fuck up..." You sighed.

"You're not going to fuck up, babe." Billy said softly. "Listen your the best fuckin person they got in there."

"You're just saying that cause you're dating me, silly."

"No I'm not, you are going to do great in there." Billy said turning to face you. "Who gives a shit about Tammy Thompson, or Catherine, or who ever else you think is going to out shine you... you are going to do great and rock that shit."

"You really think so." You smile up to him. You got all giddy in your stomach when he was soft with you. Billy started to put his arms around your waist bring you in close for a hug. Billy kisses the top of your head making you giggle.

"I'll see you after four o'clock okay, and maybe we can have a movie night to calm your nerves a bit." Billy suggested.

"I would love that." You smiled and pecked his lips. Letting go of his hold to make your way into the school.

.................................................................................................................

Your day went by pretty slow. For one not having Billy in any classes and two Billy skipping half way through the day so you didn't see him for lunch. But that did not matter, the dreaded time has arrived. Auditions. The director was not doing a cold read like she did every year, this time you had a month in advance to learn the lines of your desired part. You made your way to the drama room to wait for your name to be called.

"Catherine Shuort!" The director called. Catherine got up an mad her way out. There is not way you are getting this role, you can't be half as good as some of these girl. Catherine had a lead role in sophomore year! You were starting to freak out a bit.

"Hey!" A voice shouted you out of your own head. You look up to see your long time friend, Eddie Munson. Who is also a member of the drama club for the past few years.

"What's got you so worked up?" He asked.

"I just want to do good." You responded.

"You gonna do great, hell I sometimes question casting cause of how good you are." He said, casually looking down to his script.

"What do you mean?" You questioned.

"Tabitha Thompson!" The voice shouted, directing Tammy to get up to go audition.

"You so should have gotten a better role last year then, you should've at least gotten Jo or Laurie!" Eddie seemed baffled at the casting last year when you performed Little Women. You received the role as the girls mother as well as played someones uncle.

"You really think." You said.

"Um. Absolutely." Eddie nodded his head to the statement. "You like really good, better than Tammy "muppet" Thompson out there." You giggle at his remark of Tammy's voice.

"Thanks Eddie, you're a great friend." You smiled.

"Eh, it's no trouble, you did help me ask Chrissy out." He said...

"Y/N L/N!" You hear your name be shouted from the outside. You take a deep breath before making your way out. Remembering what Billy was saying to you this morning. You stepped out on stage, the old wooden panels creaking underneath your shoes.

"Hello, my name is Y/N L/N and I will be auditioning for Juliet today."

"Alright, when ever your ready..."

.....................................................................................................................

It has been three days since the audition. All you have done is wait in suspense for the cast list to be posted. You caught wind from Tammy it should be posted today. Once the bell rang, signaling that the day was over. You hopped out of your seat straight to your locker to put your books away. You were about to leave when.

"Whoa, whoa, Hey sweet thing." Billy said bringing you into a tight hug. "Where you off to?"

"The cast list is being posted today." You say, wrapping your arms around Billy. He smiled down to you.

"Alright, but you have to kiss me before." He teased. You complied happily, placing a sweet kiss on his lips. When you parted you said your goodbyes saying you will meet him at his car in a few minutes. You ran to the drama room to see the cast list be put up.

Romeo ............................................ Edward Munson

Juliet .............................................................. Y/N L/N

Mercutio .............................................. Dylan Fowler

Tybalt .............................................. Catherine Stern

Lady Capulet ............................. Tabitha Thompson

Capulet ..................................… Fredric McShallows

You couldn't believe it. You got Juliet! You got the lead! You ran straight passed everyone. Passed Catherine who looked pissed off at her role. Pass Dylan, the freshmen, that looked shocked he got an on stage character role. Passed everyone, none of them matter to you at the moment. You only cared about seeing one persons and one person only. Your boyfriend, Billy. You slam passed the doors to his car with the biggest smile on your face. Billy sees you and has no time to react as you throw yourself into his arms.

"I got it! I got the lead! I'm Juliet!" You cheered.

"I knew you would get it baby! I knew you would!" He held you closer. "Let's go out on a date tonight."

Really?!" You said.

"Hell yeah, my baby got the lead role." He cheered with s smile on your face, "Get in the car!" Taking you over to the passenger seat of the car, opening the door for you then making his way to the drivers side. Turing the engine on to roar the camaro right out of the school parking lot. Billy took you to a nice place to eat. Well as nice as a high schooler that works at the public pool can get, but it was still nice. You and Billy currently sat in a booth with your food in front of you.

"So, tell me about this Romeo and Juliet shit." Billy said, he may have seemed harsh about it but he has sat through every rant for every play you've been in. Billy loves listening to you talk about anything, literally you could talk about paint drying; he will continue to look at you with hearts in his eyes.

"Well it's about two lovers in Verona that can't be together but choose to anyway." You answered. You were about to eat more of your fry when Billy said, "So you're playing one of the lovers?"

"Yes."

"So do the lovers... at any point... uh kiss?" This confused you. Billy has seen you with an onstage "lover" before. What's so different?

"I mean... maybe once, but it's at the end?" You answer looking at him. Then you see it in his eyes and lips, he was being so jelly. You started laughing at him.

"What's funny?" He smiled to you.

"You know the Romeo has a girlfriend, right?" You answered.

"Who?"

"Eddie? You know who he is." You said.

"You have to kiss Munson?!" Billy said.

"Billy you have nothing to worry about, are you scared he's gonna kiss better than you?" You teased.

"No." He snorted, " I just love you a lot, and I don't want another guy to kiss you the way I do."

"Aww Billy Hargrove has a heart." You joked. Billy just rolled his eyes to you. "Seriously, I don't think Edward Munson will replace you." You get up from your side of the booth to make your way over to his side. Sitting next to him and giving him a smooch on the cheek. Billy just smiled to you as you did to him. You both finished up your night with food and fun. You and Billy really did love each other. It came with the time you both have been together. Nothing could change your mind about Billy Hargrove. As well as nothing could change his name about you.

So when the time came of your final bow came on stage, Billy was waiting for you outside with the biggest bouquet of roses just for you. Even if the three second kiss peeved him a little but he can easily get over that. Since he will be with you for the rest of his life.

"You were absolutely amazing, baby." Billy smiled with you in his arms.

"Well, Eddie might have gotten the role of Romeo but I think you fit far better." You smiled up to him. You both brought your lips together for a sweet yet passionate kiss.

.....................................................................................................................

hope you enjoyed the Fic!

[leonardalphachurch]

everything you’re saying is completely correct but i do think there’s more nuance in the problems with the way women are written in the show vs just season before season 11 good after season 11 bad. which i’m not saying that’s what you’re saying i just also want an excuse to talk about the way female characters are treated.

there’s a definite difference between the way women are written in the different eras of the show. looking at bgc, there is a LOT of misogynistic humor levied at the women; the women in bgc face more overt misogyny than at any other point in the show. there are also only 3 women over the 5 seasons, compared to the 14 men (the disparity in numbers will continue through all eras of the show, though). however, they’re also WAY more fleshed out than the freelancer women are— and even the post 11 women at times. kai was reduced down to “party girl” in the original post but i don’t think that’s fair at all. for a character who was really only in a little over half a season of the show (pre 16) she has a really dynamic characterization. she’s not immune to the misogyny of blood gulch but she IS a fleshed out character. she’s colorblind; she speaks fluent spanish and knows morse code, implying a proficiency in languages; she has an actual backstory of how and why she joined the army, something that even most of the reds and blues don’t get; she’s bisexual; she’s terrible at picking up social cues; and, most importantly, she’s on the same level as the rest of the reds and blues in terms of power and narrative. kai and jensen are the ONLY female characters who are allowed to be as much of a fuckup as the rest of the cast. and we’ll get to jensen later. (ohio is also a fuckup but she’s barely a character and even then, within the triplets she’s often the most competent!). all of the reds and blues are messy assholes and kai is really the only female character that is actually equal to them (tho even then, her status as a little sister character does give her an element of being below the other characters— not to even mention the fact that she literally was not named besides her title of how she related to a male character). as for kai in 16-17. we already wrote about this in a much better way than we’re doing here so. go read those posts.

sheila is a really interesting character because like. she is literally a tool for men to ride around in and use. but she is also, imo, maybe the best written female character? besides maybe kimball? but sheila and kimball’s problems are very similar, actually. looking at sheila in a vacuum, she’s unbelievably dynamic and imo compelling. she’s a military tank who’s purpose is to kill, and she does take pleasure in violence! but she’s also. motherly? and a romantic. and vindictive and jealous. and caring and kind. she has multiple arcs, which is a trait she shares only with carolina (and kind of tex? tex’s arcs are. complicated.) she’s like. a really interesting character. there’s such a deep well there. but her problem is not a problem with her, it’s a problem with the rest of the show. her motherly behavior and general competence puts her on a higher pedestal than the reds and blues have. and like. there isn’t a problem with writing a woman who’s motherly. especially since she’s so fleshed out besides that. like, toriel isn’t a misogynistic character just bc she’s a mom. but the difference between toriel and sheila is that undertale has countless female characters with contrasting traits while rvb. does not. if rvb had tons of other female characters all at different levels of competence and personality types than sheila would be perfect. but it does not. and as it is two out of the three female characters in blood gulch are at least in part defined by how they take care of the male characters around them.

which i guess i should talk about kimball bc she has the same problem. kimballs actual writing is FANTASTIC. but again, chorus has numbers issue. out of the 10 new main characters introduced during chorus, only three of them are women. better numbers than bgc, but still not great. and if we consider ALL characters, not just new ones, then out of the 22 main characters, only four are women. and three of those four women are, again, hypercompetent and taking care of the men around them. there is more of a nuance to this dynamic in chorus bc i do think chorus has overall the best treatment of female characters but there’s still a lot of issues there.

especially with jensen. i do like jensen a lot, and i do really appreciate getting another cringefail woman to the cast. unfortunately her entire plot line is about the fact that she’s a woman. obviously, being a woman is an important part of. being a woman. but nearly everything about jensen’s arc is about how she’s the girl. simmons’ whole thing in 12 is his “nerdy” misogyny of seeing women as some untouchable separate species. which, funny enough, is kind of a microcosm of the entire issue with the shows treatment of women. make no mistake: the fear of women is rooted in misogyny. simmons behavior towards “volleyball” (refusing to give her a promotion because she intimidated him) is just as misogynistic as tucker’s (wanting to give her a promotion because she’s attractive to him). and this is never dealt with. (the misogyny is, in fact, doubled down in psas, but if i want to start complaining about the psas i’ll be here all week). even like, her trait of being bad at driving is a misogynistic stereotype? and like. i don’t think that was the intention there but you can see the problem when whole reason for existing in the first place was for a man (her boss) to be misogynistic at her. and then giving her a romance plot with palomo is like. we get it. she’s the girl. men attracted to women. can she please at least get an apology for how simmons treated her please.

you’ve explained a lot of the issues with the pfl ladies but again, the only characterization that women are allowed to have during the pfl era is “hypercompetent bitch”. obviously, all of the freelancers are hypercompetent, given their status as elite soldiers, but even within their ranks all the women are presented as being cutthroat, extremely capable, cold-hearted bitches, while the men are allowed to be soft, caring, lovable goofballs. york and north are allowed to wax poetic about the morality of pfl while CT yells at wash to “wake the fuck up”. wash and york are allowed to have major fuckups on their missions with little consequence shown to the audience while when north and south fuck up their mission, only south is blamed for it, and when she points out how unfair that is it’s treated as a tantrum and it’s never acknowledged that she’s right. there IS a double standard. wyoming, the one male character who was presented as being as cutthroat and cold blooded as the rest of the pfl women are, is just. written out. looking at numbers again, pfl has the best ratio but it’s still off. out of the 14 main characters, 5 are women. i didn’t even include wyoming or any of the innies in that count. out of the 5 women, ALL of them are hypercompetent and four of them are consistently characterized as “bitches”. and you could make an argument for 9er having that trait too. out of the nine male characters, NONE of the freelancer men have really. any negative traits. the only men who are presented in a negative light are the villains.

last but not least is shizno. i don’t have a lot to say here but. starting with kalirama— do you remember how excited people were when she first showed up. why was she just dropped. the fact that she was dropped was so egregious that the writer for 17 literally made chrovos a women to make up for the fact that he thought kalirama wasn’t utilized enough. i’m not joking that’s literally the reason. and about chrovos. look i think the god of all time not having a set gender is good and makes sense but. i kinda wish she was like. actually fluid in her gender and changed formed a few times. bc as it is she’s just kind of. a trans woman. and there’s nothing wrong with making your time god villain a trans woman (it’s actually awesome and everyone should do this) but when that’s. the only trans character you have. and it’s introduced with a joke about a sex change (in character comment for donut to make but. it still sucks) it’s like. it’s like. don’t do that.

and then dylan. she’s fine. i think she should’ve been way more unhinged. the thing is she is kind of unhinged in the first few episodes? like she shoots jax without remorse. she breaks into active military investigations. she negotiates a man’s suicide. but it feels like the second she gets with the reds and blues all the interesting parts of her character vanish and she just turns into. nice lady who takes care of the men around her. again. AGAIN.

it’s tiring. no more women who have the only brain cell. no more hypercompetent women who take care of men. from now on we only write cringefail lesbians.

(also i want to be clear here that when i call a woman’s characterization “bitch” i am not calling her a bitch, i am saying that that is how the writers are characterizing her. “bitch” is a character trait to misogynistic men, which is essentially “woman who has too much power and doesn’t respect men and you should hate her for it”. “bitch” isn’t just “woman who’s mean” it’s specifically about how the woman interacts with men (though sometimes that man is just the male author). as an example: despite being possibly the most cruel woman of the cast, grey isn’t characterized as a “bitch” because she’s never presented as being cruel for how she undermines a man’s character. contrast that with CT, who is literally in the right, but still gets the “bitch” characterization because of treatment of wash.)

In general up until like season 11 most of the women in the show are very one dimensional and they're often ignored until they can move along the guys plotlines. They’re also focused on a lot less. Aside from like. Carolina. The girls are all shelved over and over. Kai just got straight up removed for like 7 seasons. Comparing the girls to Redteam. Both are part of the plot but aren’t the main focus of the story, but red team gets fleshed out dynamics, diverse characters, multi faceted personalities, even Donut the guy whose personality is “gay jokes” gets hobbies and friends and interesting interactions. And the girls get. The angry one. Died to further the plot. Party girl. Hell Tex gets killed over and over to give motivation to the Churches. A lot of the depth and complexities of the girls has to be made up by the viewer. And while there are good women leaders in the show, there are like no girls who are allowed to have character development sans Carolina. They’re not allowed to make mistakes or grow from them. Their shows of emotions aren’t taken seriously by anyone around them. The girls are for the most part not allowed to be anything but perfect. When they make any mistakes they're immediately made out to be the bad guys. South is literally designed to be hated for traits that she shares with people like Sarge and Church. Ct is killed to give Wash trust issues and as a way to push her bf guys existence into the story and explain desert!ct. In general I absolutely love the girls and think they deserve better than what they got. For the person (tried to @ them but tumblr wont let me?) in the comments of one of my posts who asked me to explain why i think the way rvb women are written isn't good, thanks btw /gen. I love excuses to write out my thoughts <3

[theladysherlock]

Dalek Week 2024: Day 6

Lights! Cameras! Action!

Deryn dug through the files on the desk, ignoring the bubbling liquids next to her. One folder was bright red-- a sure sign of something important, if she'd ever seen one-- so she pulled it out and started flipping through the pages.

Suddenly, she heard the slow, steady taps of a walking stick on the floor. "Well well well," a deep voice called out from behind her. "You're more clever than I gave you credit for."

Deryn whirled around. "Doctor Hargrove?! You're the one behind all of this?"

A familiar man in a labcoat stood there, his safety goggles pushed up to his hairline. One hand held a large walking stick, the other he held out towards her. "Hand me the papers, boy, and forget you saw anything."

"I can't just forget! You're poisoning thousands of people!" Deryn shook the paper at him. "This data proves it!"

"You have no idea what you're dealing with." The man in the labcoat grinned cruelly. "You see, I've... made..." he frowned, then rolled his eyes. "Line?"

There was a loud groan. "CUT!"

The film crew sprung to life behind the cameras. Deryn took two steps back as the technicians reset the scene, adjusting the props back to their original place.

"Artie, you're killing me!" The director shouted. "We've had ages to prep for this and you still don't know your damn lines? Sharp knows his lines, and he's only been here a week!"

Arthur Bailey, the actor working opposite Deryn, threw his hands in the air in disgust. "They're all so similar! I give three different evil speeches in this movie-"

"Well get it together! I don't pay you to waste my time!"

"You barely pay me at all," Bailey said.

The director rolled his eyes. "Right. Twenty minute break for everyone but Artie, you're running lines till you're blue in the face." He clapped his hands twice. "Get a move on! We don't have all day, people!"

Deryn scampered off set. Twenty minutes would be enough time to regroup with Alek and see if he'd found anything.

Two weeks ago, the Americans had found evidence of a spy somewhere on set. A bag had been discovered by the stage doors, containing buckets of money and directions written in German, telling someone to stay the course and await further instructions.

So, for the past week, Deryn and Alek had been undercover on the set of The Madman's Revenge trying to identify the secret agent, though so far she'd been more successful in front of a camera than while skulking.

It wasn't so difficult, acting. It felt a lot like the early days of figuring out how to be Dylan, but in short, quick bursts. She still had to figure out how to walk and how to hold herself, but she didn't have to figure out the right thing to say. It was all written down for her ahead of time, and Deryn Sharp was more than capable of memorizing a few words. Besides, the character they wanted her to be wasn't so different from who she actually was. She just had to be... bigger. Enough that the camera could pick up what she was doing.

The stage makeup was pure dead annoying though. She'd never worn any regular makeup when she was stuffed into skirts, but this had to be worse. She felt like a circus clown, the way her features had to be exaggerated to a ridiculous degree to have any hope of being caught by the cameras. And on top of it all, it made her face itch like mad.

Alek was waiting for her in her Dressing Room, sitting comfortably with Bovril sprawled across his lap. He was still too famous here in America to spontaneously take up acting, but no one would question him as a producer. Just a rich, spoiled aristocrat throwing fistfuls money at his newest hobby and poking his nose in where it didn't belong.

"Done for the day?" he asked hopefully.

She shook her head. "Just twenty minutes," she said.

"Ah." His face fell a little, likely as disappointed as she was that she'd be here for another several hours.

Best not to dwell on that idea or she'd make herself angry. "Did you find anything in his dressing room?" Deryn asked.

"No, nothing out of the ordinary," Alek said, picking up Bovril and setting it on the arm of the couch. "Several empty bottles of brandy, but nothing suspicious."

"Aye, Bailey is drunk on set more often than not." Deryn flipped through her script. "If we keep having to do reshoots around his bumbling, I won't be able to snoop."

"Snoop!" Bovril cried, then burst into a fit of giggles.

"Leave that to me," Alek said, absently scratching the loris behind the ears. "The crew is used to seeing me wander around by now."

"Any of them acting suspicious?" She asked.

"Not particularly. Although there are a few backstage romances that they don't know I know about."

Bovril giggled again. "Surreptitious," it said. "Forget you saw anything."

Deryn plopped down on the couch next to Alek, trying not to scratch at her face. "You always seem to run into those."

Alek rolled his eyes. "It's annoying. You'd think one of these days I'd stumble on something actually relevant."

"You never know, it might be useful eventually. Who haven't we gotten to yet?" She asked, handing Alek her script with notes on her castmates. He simultaneously handed her his own notebook so she could look through his observations.

"I haven't been able to speak to Ms. Rennoll," Alek said thoughtfully. "Although I don't think she likes me very much."

Miss Clara Rennoll played the leading lady in the film and had a habit of getting screechy whenever a scene didn't quite go her way. The entire crew was petrified of her and her temper, which meant she had ample opportunity to sneak about without being questioned. Though, if she spoke any German, she had yet to show it.

"Ms. Rennoll doesn't like anyone," Deryn said.

Alek nodded. "I'm sure you'll be able to charm her well enough," he said.

She sighed and ran a frustrated hand through her hair. After a week of poking around in between scenes, they were running out of possibilities and time. Everyone had access to the drop point. They still didn't even know what information had been passed along, though it must have been relevant to warrant that much money in payment.

"You know," Alek said, leafing through her script. "I always pictured you in something like this."

Deryn blinked, confused. "What?"

He winced and Deryn immediately recognized the face of a man who regretted making a promise not to keep any secrets, even the embarrassing ones. She'd made it enough times herself.

"I won't laugh," she said. "I swear."

His cheeks flushed, just a little. "Even when I first watched adventure movies like this, I always pictured you as the heroine," he said.

Deryn stifled a grin. "And you as the hero, then?"

"Well..." He cleared his throat. "Not at first, anyway."

"And you've seen how many, now?"

"Um. Lots."

An overwhelming wave of affection swept over Deryn and she couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Blisters, Alek, you're adorable." She cupped Alek's face with her hands and kissed him.

He made a small, surprised noise as she pulled him close, but he recovered quickly as his hands found their familiar place on her waist.

A loud knock at the door startled them away from each other.

"Places in Five!" The Assistant Director called out. Blessedly, he didn't come inside. She heard him knock on the dressing room door next to her own-- the man must just be going down the line.

Deryn swore extravagantly. Alek's face was smeared with red, which could only mean that her stage makeup was pure dead ruined.

Bovril started chittering like the flechette bats, before saying "good heavens!" in Dr. Barlow's unmistakable cadence. Brilliant. Even the beastie knew she was done for.

Despite the obvious look of horror in her eyes, her prince was undeterred. "We can fix this," Alek said, and began digging through her kit. He pulled out the bottle of foundation and, after a quick examination, popped the lid off. "I've watched the makeup team, I'm sure I can figure it out."

Her jaw dropped. "In less than five minutes? Are you completely barking daft?!"

"Stop talking. You're moving too much." He smudged some makeup on her face with his fingers, covering up the space around her chin and mouth with another layer of gunk.

Deryn screwed her mouth and eyes shut, trying not to flinch away from him as he worked.

Finally, Alek took a step back to assess his work and winced. "It's not great, but I don't think anyone will notice. Just as long as they don't look too closely."

"Better than nothing," she said, already trying to think of cover stories. "Thanks, love, you're brilliant."

"Break a leg!" Alek said, and gave her one last quick kiss on the head before she tore off for the set.

[camaro-and-smokes]

A Shot for Life

A Harringrove fic by Suometar / camaro-and-smokes

Rating: Explicit Warnings: No warnings Characters: Billy Hargrove, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Heather Holloway, Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Eddie Munson, Original Characters, Other Character Tags to Be Added Tags: No Upside Down, Modern Setting, Model Billy Hargrove, Photographer Steve Harrington, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Gay Billy Hargrove, Age Difference, Other Tags to Be Added

Chapter 2: Scared of love, but scared of life alone

Summary: It hadn’t been intentional, not dating anyone after healing from the heartache that had gutted Steve raw in the ancient past. He’d escaped the hurt into his work and then just…his career had taken off and there never seemed to be time to make space for anyone new. Then the years had passed, one after another, and here he was, still fully emerged in his work—and all alone.

Read on AO3 >>

::::::::::

The studio was dimly lit after bathing in the brightness of spotlights all day. A single table lamp cast a warm glow on the wall in front of the table by which Steve Harrington was reviewing the shots from the day’s photoshoot.

Today had been the last session with a stunning model for his upcoming exhibition at the Los Angeles Center of Photography. The theme was curiosity, and the star of today’s photoshoot was none other than a delicate praying mantis.

Having a model that cared more about the day’s dinner than anything he was doing, or the fame that would be bestowed upon them once the exhibition opened, was refreshing. He could’ve worked all day long with creatures that were blessed with ignorance of expectations and things like success.

“Wow. Those are amazing,” Robin Buckley, Steve’s assistant and friend, said as she appeared on his side to look at the photos on his screen.

Steve stretched and brushed his silvery hair off his forehead. “For once, a model who doesn’t ask for a bathroom break when I’m on a roll,” he snorted before turning to look at her. “Hey, did you get a reply from the art director of the Givenchy campaign? It’s next week, and he still hasn’t confirmed the location.”

“Yes, Gavin replied to me. I forwarded that email to you, but in short; they’ve chosen the model, and the shoot is going to be in the Bahamas. He apologized it took so long for them but you know how it is sometimes. They’re arranging everything for the shoot, including crew. All you need to do is to be there with your camera. I already booked our flights. Oh, and hey, the editorial team for ‘Verve Magazine’ wants to discuss the possibility of an exclusive on the exhibition.”

“That should be taken care of this week,” Steve said sternly. “I don’t want to think about other things than the shoot next week.”

“Alright,” Robin said and scrolled through Steve’s calendar. “You have nothing on Thursday at noon.”

“Book a call with them then,” Steve said as he kept going through his photos.

“Consider it done,” Robin replied and started tapping her phone to make the arrangements.

.

A half-an-hour later, Steve took a break from editing and went to the small office kitchen where Robin was drinking tea. “So, are you going to tell me who the model is?” he asked her as he made a beeline to the fridge.

Robin grinned. “Billy Hargrove.”

Steve closed the fridge door and, leaning on the counter, he unwrapped his sandwich. “Remind me what he’s done before?”

Robin snorted at his way of saying I have no idea who that is, please enlighten me. Knowing he would remember better who he was going to be working with if he saw the face of the person, she opened Instagram on her phone to find Billy’s profile, and handed the phone to Steve. “He’s been mostly on editorials and on runways. Just walked for McQueen the other day. Fresh face, only two years in the business, started off quite late. But hardworking like no other I’ve seen in a while.”

Steve took the phone and scrolled through Billy’s profile. Blond, short hair with longer curls on top, sun kissed skin, a nice smile, a bit of bad boy attitude in his presence. Steve tapped one photo to see it better. It was a shot of Billy’s face in perfect detail, taken on a beach at sunset. He was looking past the camera at the sinking sun since the shadows on his face were almost nonexistent and behind him deep and dark. The text said ‘Someone to reach within’.

Most of the comments said they were ready to reach Billy’s within or allow him to reach theirs whenever he wanted. But something in the text, along with the mood of the photo, caught Steve’s attention. Despite the peaceful setting, there was something in Billy’s expression that hinted at a deeper story. Billy’s gaze seemed hard as he looked into the distance, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Steve could tell that Billy was not just another model, but someone who clearly had a talent for visual storytelling. Something told him they’d get along.

He gave Robin her phone back. “Will you make sure he knows how to…”

Robin interrupted him. “Already sent him an email when Gavin told me. You want to talk with him before the shoot or…?”

“I don’t think I have the time from the exhibition work. Just make sure he knows what to expect and what I expect from him. You remember…”

“…what happened last time, yes. I wish I could forget. He knows to be on time and respect everyone equally on set. I hope that doesn’t have to be said every single time from now on. I have zero tolerance for divas.” As she scrolled through her phone, a reminder popped up on the screen. She let out a frustrated groan and muttered, “Oh fuck. I forgot that.”

Steve glanced up from his sandwich, raising his other eyebrow. “Forgot what?”

Robin looked at him sheepishly. “The opening of the Gucci flagship store is tonight.”

Steve looked at her for a moment, dumbfounded, before wiping the corners of his mouth. “How can you forget something like that? I’ve done all their major photoshoots for…”

“…years. I know, Steve! Fuck! I set the reminder, but didn’t remember to set it to alert more than once, for just now. I’m so sorry!”

“Okay, what time?” Steve asked.

“In thirty minutes.”

Steve shook his head and dropped the rest of the sandwich to the trash. “Jesus, Robin! You’re the one who’s supposed to remember these things because I’m the dingus who forgets everything—your words, by the way,” he scolded her as he left for his office.

“I know, I’m sorry,” she said. “The charcoal turtleneck is in your closet with the black trousers. I think the Gucci boots should be there too,” she shouted after him. “Unless you’ve taken them home with you.”

“Can you find me a belt to go with the slacks?” Steve shouted back to her as he rushed to his office, pulling off his shirt. “I don’t think I have one here now.”

After a while, Robin brought Steve a black vintage belt. “This is the best I could do now. Not Gucci, sorry.”

She then left to find something for herself, leaving Steve to finish his outfit.

He pulled the belt through the loops in his slacks and looked at himself in the mirror as he buckled it. For someone who was a few years shy of fifty, he looked pretty good. The only thing that revealed his actual age was his hair that was now more or less bright silver rather than brown. That change had happened earlier and quicker than he’d hoped, which was why he liked to keep it longer on top and short on the sides, to keep himself looking a bit more like he felt—younger than his age.

He grabbed his jacket and turned off the light from the office. Robin was already waiting by the front door, wearing her black, ankle-length fake-leather jacket over some of the designer clothes she probably hadn’t had yet time to return from some photoshoot.

When she saw Steve, she smirked and threw his car keys to him, opening the door and leading them to the corridor and towards the elevator that took them to the garage. “You scrubbed up well.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” Steve said with a smile. “Which photoshoot is the shirt from?” he asked with a lilt.

“From the shoot for the Fashion Institute. I know, don’t start,” she said, holding her palm up as they stepped into the elevator. “I will take it to the dry-cleaner first thing tomorrow and return it. And I’m going to bring some of my own clothes to the studio for something like this, though. Because this shirt tickles and it isn’t exactly my style,” she continued with a laugh.

Steve pressed the button to the garage level and leaned against the railing. “Well, that should remind you to remember to return things on time and set up reminders to remember to do so,” Steve quipped.

“Oh, bite me,” Robin said, jabbing Steve with her elbow.

“Ow! No need to get violent,” he replied with a laugh. He was happy Robin was working with him. They had such an uncomplicated relationship, even though, technically, Robin was his employee. But they were equals, friends, and both poking at the other playfully—but also supporting each other. Which was more Steve could ever ask for since there weren’t that many people around him nowadays.

.

At the Gucci store they mingled effortlessly with the who’s who of the industry.

Steve didn’t really care about these events. He would’ve rather been at the studio choosing the last photos for the exhibition and preparing for the Givenchy photoshoot. But Gucci was a major client, and unless he was anything less than out of the country or deceased, he couldn’t miss an event like this.

“I’ve been here for fifteen minutes and I’m already exhausted,” he murmured, leaning toward Robin.

“Stop complaining. I know you don’t like these events,” she replied, “and neither do I. But you haven’t been seen in one of these in months.”

“I know, I know. It’s important to be seen,” Steve muttered. He should’ve gotten used to having to go to events like this over the two decades he’d worked in high fashion, but for some reason, they never got any easier.

She patted his arm and pointed to the other end of the store, where the lead designer for the brand was talking with some people. “Let’s go say hi.”

“Steve!” Michel André, the top designer of Gucci, greeted him with a thick Italian accent, holding his hands up in the air theatrically. “I was hoping to see you here,” he continued. “Your exhibition in Milan, it was the talk of the town for months!”

“I’m flattered, as always,” Steve responded, with a modest tilt of his head.

“I heard you’re shooting the Givenchy campaign. We have to come up with something new for us, too, or we don’t stand a chance in competition!”

“You know I’m always at your service. Just let me know when,” Steve said with a genuine smile. Gucci was the only client he still frequently worked with because he had pretty much free hands with their campaigns. He knew what the brand stood for in a way a few photographers did.

“I’ll have my assistant send you the plans for next winter collection and we’ll talk,” André said, grinning. “I hope you’re coming to fashion week this year?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Steve assured before he was released from the discussion by a group of fashion editors who wanted to talk with the designer.

When Robin after a while brought him another non-alcoholic drink, he went straight back to work-mode. “Could you check tomorrow that the smoke machine is working? I didn’t remember to check it and the last time when I needed it, it didn’t work. And if it doesn’t…”

“…I’ll buy a new one. Yes, I can do that.”

“Thank you,” Steve replied and looked around the space that was pulsing with people and music. This scene of posturing and meaningless pleasantries was an image of his life for the past twenty-five years, a hollow summary of what had still made him a ‘rock star’ among photographers; one who made garments come to life like no other.

But he wasn’t just a fashion photographer. He had a skill of taking stunning photos anywhere, anytime, of anyone. He’d held several exhibitions all over the world and won several contests, including the most prestigious ones; the World Photography Award and the BJP International Photography Award.

Despite his success and recognition, it was especially in events like this where he felt more alone than at any time in the solitude of his studio. The constant buzz of conversations and clinks of glasses reminded him of the loneliness inside him. He had achieved everything he had ever wanted in terms of career, but it had come at a cost.

Steve looked at his drink, not feeling like drinking it. He’d done what he came here to do; to be seen. “I think I’ll head home,” he said to Robin.

She looked at him knowingly. “Could you at least try to enjoy this for a bit longer? Please?” She bit her lip, her eyes pleading with him. “Maybe get to know some new people?”

Steve knew what she meant and smiled wearily. “You know I can’t. This scene…” he grimaced and vaguely pointed around with his finger in the air, “there’s nothing like that for me here.”

Robin looked at him with concern, like so many times before. “You know, these are the circles you move in. It’s been so long. Why not just give it a chance…”

Steve’s expression turned firm as he cut her off. “We talked about this. Nothing has changed. Not yet.”

Robin sighed in defeat and didn’t push further. “Okay. I’ll stay for a while longer,” she finally said with a soft smile, placing a comforting hand on his arm. “I’ll report to you later if anything comes up.”

.

Steve walked out of the store into the cool evening air. The New York heat wave had finally given in to a summer shower and the air smelled fresh as he walked towards the parking garage where his car was. Perfect for forgetting what Robin was once again hinting. What she’d been pushing on him at an exceeding rate lately.

He knew she meant well, and he admitted she had a point. He didn’t want to spend the rest of his life alone, and he was already halfway in and it felt more difficult each day to find someone.

It hadn’t been intentional, not dating anyone after healing from the heartache that had gutted him raw in the ancient past. There was a reason why colleagues shouldn't date and Steve had learned it the hard way. He’d escaped the hurt into his work and then just…his career had taken off and there never seemed to be time to make space in his life for anyone new. The years had passed, one after another, and here he was, still fully emerged in his work—and all alone.

But it was scary to get himself out there after all this time. What if he'd forgotten how to even date? How did it even work nowadays? And could he ever have the courage to share his innermost self to someone else? Could he ever trust someone that much?

Despite it all he’d signed up for both Tinder and Grindr, but deleted the accounts after a short while. He’d worked long enough with well composed, half-veiled appearances for not wanting to be chosen solely by his looks alone—or, god forbid, by his name.

He hardly ever went out, except at industry events, but a while back, Robin had lured him out of his studio to go dancing with her, and it had been fun. After who knows how many drinks, she had told him she had a new girlfriend who apparently was the one and that Steve would meet her sometime soon. The new relationship had made her more resolute to make him open up to the idea of finding someone who mattered more than his camera.

And she was right. The most likely people he’d connected with were in the fashion industry because those were the circles he moved in. But last time he’d only found pain, and a field that concentrated on just the looks rarely helped couples to stay together.

Robin always told him he was too soft for his own good. So, he was an artist at heart, sue him.

.

His phone ringing snapped him out of his thoughts. It was Eddie, his best friend since high school. He was one of the few people Steve truly enjoyed being around, even though Eddie from time to time went into chipmunk mode about his projects and not shutting up even when Steve had already lost him half an hour earlier. Steve shot all Corroded Coffin’s promo shots and, in return, Eddie had modeled for him several times. Eddie’s nude black and white portrait from fifteen years ago was still one of Steve’s most recognized photos.

They hadn’t talked in a long while, so getting a call from him was a pleasant surprise. “What’s up, Munson?”

“So, hey, uh…Are you in town this weekend?” Eddie asked nervously.

“Yeah. But I’m working and flying out on Sunday. Why?”

“I was wondering if you…I’d like you to meet someone.”

Steve stopped in the middle of the pavement, his heart sinking a little. He was quite sure where this was going. “Who’s the lucky girl today?” he still asked sarcastically, since Eddie was notorious for his short-lived relationships.

“Oh, ha-ha. She’s uh…” Eddie’s voice trailed off, and he fell into silence. “I really want you to meet her. I think she might be, you know…” he confessed, leaving the rest up in the air for Steve to catch.

Steve couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Eddie had only once before introduced someone to him like that; his ex, who he’d been with for over a decade. It stung to know that Munson, who even was a year older than him, had found someone who truly saw him for who he was, not just his fame as a rock star. Sure, of course Eddie was known worldwide too, and there was a pool of takers for him that grew all the time, but still finding one who wanted to see the real person and not the mask wasn’t easy.

“Oh. Uh, well, I’m really stuck with work until the end of next week. How about Saturday a week from now?”

“Perfect. That’s perfect, yeah. At my place. Does eight work?” Eddie asked eagerly.

“Sounds good.” Steve smiled as he walked into the parking garage, but inside, he was torn. “You’re head over heels, are you?” he asked, trying to push down the feelings of loneliness that were surfacing once again.

Eddie chuckled. “Um, you could say that.”

“I’m happy for you, man. I really am,” Steve said, not feeling quite as sincere as he'd wanted to.

“So, what about you? Still looking?”

Steve sighed. “Yeah.”

“You must be looking in the wrong place.”

“I’m starting to think so myself, too,” Steve admitted, feeling a little bit defeated.

“Hey, maybe one of those work trips of yours will produce someone who you’d like to stick around for,” Eddie suggested optimistically.

“Oh, I think the problem is the opposite; who’d want to stick around with an old guy like me,” Steve replied with a half-hearted laugh.

“C’mon man, you’re not old!” Eddie encouraged him. “I know you’ll get lucky one of these days. I can feel it.”

Steve smiled weakly as he opened the car doors and sat inside. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“I wish there was something I could do,” Eddie said, his tone warm and sympathetic.

“You enjoy what you have and leave that dilemma to me for handle,” Steve said and took his driving gloves from the glove box. “Hey, I’m going to take a drive. Keep me posted on that Saturday if something changes.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that.”

.

After ending the call, Steve sat for a while in the car, not yet starting it, his hands on the steering wheel. He should be happy for Eddie, and the fact that he couldn’t be made him feel like a lousy friend. But now two of his closest people were having someone special in their lives and he had no one. It stung.

But maybe Eddie was right and the someone he was looking for was just behind the next corner. All he really could do was to trust that and not lose hope.