#golden stars fic

[ohmystaxk]

Golden Stars MASTERLIST

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 (Coming Soon)

NOW ON AO3 (Chapters to be Updated)

Pairing: (Druig x OC!Zephyr)

Content/Tags: CONTENT WARNINGS AND MORE WILL BE ADDED WITH EACH PART. Friends to Lovers, Thousand of years of yearning, Angst, Sexual Harassment, SA Attempt, Major Character Death, Minor Character Death, Ajak being a Mother figure to Ikaris and Zephyr, Kingo and Zephyr being the absolute besties that they are, Ikaris and Zephyr are twins (more like they are made of the same cosmic energy [possible Adam and Eve parallel]), Ikaris and Zephyr are so similar that they hate each other.

Summary:

In 1491, Zephyr, one of the eleven Eternals; left them all behind. In the present she is found after the strange resurgent of deviants, and is reunites with Ikaris, Sersi and Sprite. A heartbreaking conversation leads her to learn about the tragic death of their once leader, Ajak.

Zephyr, feels much like stranger amongst her old friends, alone and isolated in the mist of their sudden reunion. And yet, she is not alone. Druig, who also left the Eternals 30 years after her, is the one that never forgot about her, the one that constantly wondered about her whereabouts and safety.

"I never believed in ghosts, but I might as well do now." Druig eyed her up and down, impressed by what his eyes were witnessing. "If it isn't Zephyr, Wielder of the Stars. My, how much have I miss seeing your face."

"Druig," she answered back as she looked up into his eyes, not looking away, not wanting, afraid she might not see them again.

"You look as beautiful as the day you left me."

[koifishanonymous]

@havanillas’s rtrn mermaid au has been giving me brainworms chat

[aurae-rori]

A DEAL IN DIAMONDS (MEMENTO VIVERE) - AVENTIO FIC

“a deal in diamonds (memento vivere)”

— #aventio #ratiorine fic

— based on @portalmonsterrr 's comic!

— pre-penacony relationship

— established but also not-established relationship

— aventurine's issues™ coming into play

— 4.2k words

[ironunderstands]

Yapping about why I love Aventio and what I feel makes it a great ship 

(If you hate it I urge you to read this, because you don’t have to agree with me, but I want you to get where Aventio shippers are coming from at least)

I’ve just really wanted to talk about why I love Aventio because the people do not get it like I do and GODDD ITS SO GOOD WHEN DONE CORRECTLY UGHHHHH

Also this is gonna be VERY stream of consciousness I do not have a plan besides dragging you through my brain so enjoy the ride.

I guess the best place to start is the fact that Aventurine and Ratio are my two favorite characters in the game. Like even if they have no interactions with each other ever and might as well be from different pieces of media I would ship them, because I like seeing characters I like interact and the fun police cannot catch me. That’s a really shallow personal reason though and I feel like the rest I have will be able to be appreciated by others.

GOD THE DYNAMIC IS SO GOOD RAAAAAA

Two emotional constipated dumbasses circling around each other like black holes trying desperately to deny and run from their feelings when they have both fallen hard. The lack of acknowledgement of feelings on both ends is TRAGIC and it makes me want to rip my eyes out in a good way, let’s start with Ratio.

Unfortunately my glorious king Ratio has been mischaracterized to hell and back but we will get to that (and the Incorrect Reasons Why People Hate Aventio) later. Instead I will go over his actual character; a deeply insecure, intelligent man who desperately wants the rest of the galaxy to come to the realizations he has long since stumbled upon, but has been so isolated from his peers from such a young age that he’s doomed to fail in literally every social interaction he has and be misunderstood by both the audience in universe and irl (the autistic coding isn’t helping him either).

Ratio is tragically misunderstood again, both in universe and by the audience, which is why it means so much that Aventurine Gets Him. Aventurine pushes his buttons, tears down that literal cold marble facade masking the deeply silly and caring man beneath (this man bathes with rubber duckies in the privacy of his own home 😭), and that scares the shit out of Ratio. People aren’t meant to see through him, Ratio acts rude not just because he believes it’s the best way to help people, and because he believes he himself is mundane and the conclusions they come to should be their own, not his.

No, it’s also because on some level Ratio is afraid to be vulnerable around people. As much as he pretends like it doesn’t affect him, Nous’s rejection has hurt and haunted Ratio for his entire life. And I do mean his entire life, even in high school he had already set up a strict routine for himself, something commented on by his teacher, Ratio has quite literally always been striving for some sort of perfection and the fact that he cannot achieve it kills him.

Moreover, the guy just grew up way too fast, he didn’t have time to develop social skills. We see it in that afformentioned relationship with his teacher, in which they recommend Ratio (who is again in high school) to be moved up to college level stuff and transferred due to his success. He has quite literally never been able to just relax in a environment of his peers, Ratio for some reason we don’t yet know has always been dedicated to constant improvement and that leaves no room for dealing with failure.

On some level, he knows this too, that he can never be perfect. Ratio is part of the Mundanites in the Intelligenica Guild for a reason, he doesn’t just see himself as mediocre because he believes everyone is and that’s ok, but also because he looks down on himself for being too mediocre for the Genius Society, being too mediocre for Nous’s acknowledgement, being too mediocre for anything.

Which is tragic because Ratio is very accomplished and he is very smart, and his character stories aren’t even told from his pov, but rather in the style of documentaries and letters (his professor) and other works on his well acclaimed life. We don’t ever get to see how Ratio really sees himself, just the tiny cracks in his marble facade that let the real man behind the character shine through.

Because that’s what he’s playing 90% of the time, a character. Whether it be at the Herta Space Station in which his real goal was to uproot the researchers blind worship of the Genius Society, or in Penacony in which he plays up the arrogant, narcissistic scholar both people in universe and irl make him out to be, both to serve a goal bigger than himself. 

Sincere moments from Ratio are RARE but god are they beautiful, his conversation from Screwllum in 1.6 and his note to Aventurine in 2.1 will forever haunt me in the best way possible. If you want to understand Ratio as a character, yes read his character stories, but just watch that damn scene with Screwllum it is phenomenal. He cares so much and is so, so bad at expressing it, he drives me nuts, Veritas Ratio the man you are. 

And the thing is, it seems like he’s always been playing a character and doesn’t know where the real him ends anymore so he just sticks to the way people perceive him a lot of the time. Like as a kid he was constantly striving to be the best so he missed a lot of necessary developmental shit, and as an adult he’s a celebrity so it’s hard for him to attach himself to others anyways because society and his students will hound him for it.

And then you throw Aventurine into the mix, and oh boy does shit get interesting.

Veritas Ratio, perfect “unfeeling” Veritas Ratio and the one person who gets him well enough to push all his buttons and expose the vulnerable underbelly he thought he hid so well. On a fundamental level, Ratio understands this, which is why he doesn’t bother with the alabaster head, as pretending the real him is just as unfeeling and uncaring is easier.

So he brushes off Aventurine’s jests as if they are an insult to his very existence, he can’t look in Aventurine’s eyes when he “betrays” him because his poker face would break, he leaves as soon as he’s done talking because lingering would allow the weight of their conversations to sink in. Part of it is because for pretty much all of Penacony, up until the note Ratio gives him, Ratio is acting, trying to play up the role of the arrogant, unfeeling scholar to make Sunday buy the betrayal plan, because to Sunday this behavior is signs of a bad relationship between the two (honestly the fact that the audience also interpreted it this way makes me mad like did yall seriously not pay attention, but also happy because if even the players were fooled that means Sunday buying it is believable). 

However, even if it feeds into his insecurities, Aventurine knows that false facade and loves tearing it down. It’s very telling that the second time we see Ratio really freak out (the first being at Herta Space Station) is at the suggestion that he came to narrate Aventurine’s demo not because of knowledge or respect for the show or whatever, but because he genuinely likes the guy. What makes it even better is that Aventurine is the one who suggested it, and already figured out the excuses Ratio was going to use to deny it. Ratio can fool everyone else in the galaxy, but he cannot fool Aventurine, and on a fundamental level that is what makes their dynamic work, because Ratio knows Aventurine in the exact same way.

Aventurine can shove away people who care about him, out of distrust and fear that they will leave him like his family did. He can believe he’s unloveable and a person so detestable that even the actions he performs in order to stay alive condemn him to hate himself as much as the rest of the galaxy hates him. But, Ratio doesn’t see him that way.

Aventurine doubts his intelligence, if he has really earned anything he’s done and in his voiceline about Ratio, doubting if Ratio even sees him as smart or worthy. However, Ratios voiceline about Aventurine is about how he believes Aventurine is smart and worthy, and that his doubt will be his downfall if he doesn’t come to the realization that he isn’t worthless. 

Ratio knows Aventurine’s one weakness, the one thing that could stop him; himself. That’s why he gives him the note urging him to stay alive and keep on living because ultimately Aventurine will only ever fail if he gives up. And The Note Is Enough, Aventurine walks into the event horizon of a black hole, confident he can return alive on the other side because someone cares about him, BECAUSE RATIO CARES ABOUT HIM, and wants him to live on even if Aventurine doesn’t feel that way towards himself.

In the metaphorical and literal manifestation of the meaningless of the universe, in the face of overwhelming nihility, Aventurine survives because someone loves him, and with that love he’s strong enough to brave even that. 

Even if they can’t admit it out loud, these two deeply, deeply care for one another and trust each other perhaps more than anyone else in the narrative. The betrayal plan would have never worked if there was not mutual trust, Ratio wouldn’t have gone to Penacony in the first place if he didn’t trust Aventurine, and Aventurine wouldn’t have asked him to come if he did not trust him. We don’t just see this trust between Aventurine and Ratio either, and Jade and Topaz both trust him with their cornerstones, but ultimately it’s Ratio who’s physically with him the whole time, risking his life alongside him for the sake of their plan. 

As much as people like to ignore it, lying to the Family members, to Sunday, is extremely dangerous and puts Ratio’s life in danger as much as it does Aventurine’s. Ratio is not an irrational person, he wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t have faith Aventurine would succeed, he would not have done if he didn’t think he would return. They have absolutely faith in one another and it’s beautiful. 

Aventurine’s first constellation is named “Prisoner’s Dilemma” for a reason. A social experiment in which two prisoners are captured and separated, if they sell the other one out and remain silent, they go free but the other remains in jail for 20 years. If they both sell each other out, they get a sentence of 5 years. 

But if they both remain silent, trust the other, they even if they physically can’t communicate and don’t know what the other says, they get the best possible outcome, only one year in jail each. It requires a sacrifice on both ends, they both still have to go to jail, but only for a year, and only if they trust each other completely, as if the other sells them out they will be in jail for 20.

The prisoners dilemma relies completely on trust, and it’s the exact situation Aventurine and Ratio face in the Penacony quests. Aventurines doubts if Ratio’s betrayal was real or not, even if he set it up himself, and Ratio worries about Aventurines survival, if continuing this plan will end well. “You can’t expect a featherless bird to take flight” isn’t just Ratio chastising Sunday, he’s genuinely worried that this plan will put Aventurine at too much of a disadvantage to continue on. 

But they both trust each other, and if just like in the Dilemma neither come out completely unscathed (although it’s much worse on Aventurine’s end), they ultimately achieve their goal. 

God is it sweet and corny in the best way possible 

I want to kill this fandoms perception of stoic, emotionless Ratio because once people realize he’s actually the corniest mf ever is the day I sleep easy. He makes statues of himself doing Jojo poses, he plays chess versus himself, he named himself Veritas (truth), he loves rubber duckies, he literally sits in a bathtub couch, and Aventurine breaths and he gets flustered.

Ratio so deeply silly, chronically corny, it’s a crime he needs to be locked up someone stop him. 

And Aven brings that out of him. His teasing reveals the goofball trying so desperately to disguise himself as a serious scholar. Ratio is very smart of course, but that only makes his silliness better, as you watch this absolute genius of a man behave like a tsundere schoolgirl. 

It’s not like Aventurine is some paragon of seriousness either, he’s the one teasing Ratio, fucking around even in a serious mission. Yeah it’s partly because he wants Sunday to think he’s incompetent, but it’s also because Aventurine genuinely is having fun, enjoying himself before the serious part of the plan kicks in, and the meantime he does that by messing with Ratio.

Their dynamic of Aventurine messing with Ratio, and Ratio trying desperately to pretend like it doesn’t affect him is as hilarious and heartwarming as it is tragic, and that dichotomy is why I love them so much. It’s fun and it hurts so so much because their interactions being this flavor of silly leaves almost no room for the sincerity they both desperately need from one another. 

AND GOD I NEED IT TO HAPPEN. RATIO MENTAL BREAKDOWN SCENE PLEAASEEE LET HIS WALLS CRUMBLE PLEEEEAASEE PLEASE PELADE PLEASEEEE EPLES DOLS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 

They’ve gotten closer and closer and closer and soon something’s gonna snap because they are so close yet so distant and if something doesn’t change the tension is just gonna boil over AND I NEED IT TO HAPPEN. I need more Ratio scenes I need more interactions with him I need him with his guard down I need him to profess out loud that he cares about Aventurine I need him to break please he needs it, it would be so good for him. It doesn’t even have to be from Aventurine, just Ratio snapping and revealing the fucking mess he is under his facade and not being rejected by the people he cares about for it is enough.

I honestly doubt it will happen in the story though, as much as I want it to. Although Aventurine’s character demo somewhat changed my mind against this, I feel like hoyo is like “ok they get the vibe between these two we can move on” and the shippers are left to extrapolate how this relationship would go beyond what it is now. As much as I want a breakdown scene for Ratio in general, it probably wouldn’t happen in a while but devs if you are reading this PLEASEEEE. 

The only time Ratio ever gets slightly out of his element is with Aventurine but I need it to go further because god it would be interesting.

Well I’ve deemed that enough yapping about why I love Aventio (for now 😈) so let’s talk about why people hate the ship and why most of the reasons behind it a fucking stupid. (Massive disclaimer of course you can dislike it it’s just a lot of the “oh it’s a horrible ship and anyone who likes it sucks” shit isn’t grounded in reality in the slightest and I’m tired of the slander)

“Ratio was racist to Aventurine”

Now this is a spicy one because if this post was made in 2.0 I would 100% agree with you (during that time I shipped a non canon version of them in which that did not happen because how dare u do my boy like that hoyo). However 2.1 changed a lot and I mean a lot, and basically reframed the 2.0 quests for everyone.

Essentially, Ratio and Aventurine were both acting in that argument scene, making the things Ratio said to Aventurine not how he really sees him, and actively something Aventurine wanted him to say, so you cannot blame him for what he said. I’m not even joking or exaggerating, retrospectively it quite literally does not make sense if you view it in any other way, and honestly even with just the knowledge of 2.0 the scene doesn’t make sense if played straight, so let’s get to why.

a) Ratio and Racism do not mix fundamentally. Ratio is a person who believes that everyone deserves and education regardless of background, that it is a scholars duty to help others achieve that, and no matter who you are, you are capable of intelligence, learning and becoming the best version of yourself, and that those qualities are just limited to geniuses.

THIS AND RACISM DO NOT MIX. “Oh yeah education and improvement is possible for everyone except this specific group of people for some fucking reason!!” Like not only would this scene being serious contradict Ratios entire character, the man who believes people should not be judged for their educational background judging Aventurine for his educational background (that’s actually what the Sigonian upbringing line meant, it was mistranslated in the EN version)??!?!! Make it make sense.

Moreover, half this perception also come from the fact that hoyo made the incredible writing decision of naming Aventurines planet after a slur for Romani people, so unfortunately literally anytime its name, Sigonia, is brought up you’re essentially saying a slur. It’s much worse in the CN version, in EN it’s not obvious at all, because our version of the slur (it starts with a g and ends with a y that’s all the hints you’re getting), doesn’t look like the version of the slur that the name for Sigonia was derived from, which is partly the source of this misconception as I’m pretty certain most people assumed Ratio (and by extension Sparkle) said a slur elsewhere in the conversation when in reality them referring to Avens ethnicity/background/planet IS the slur.

Anyways terrible writing decisions aside, Ratio supposedly being racist doesn’t just contradict his core motivation, it contradicts his job. He’s a scholar, for fucks sake, and racism is inherently illogical. Mmm yes I’m gonna base my identity around finding truth for myself and I will believe government and social propaganda about specific groups of people! Very logical, very scholarly, we all clapped. 

So yeah, doesn’t make sense on a character level, to the point that in 2.0 I concluded that they must be using Ratio as a plot device in that scene to deliver some of Aven’s backstory to the audience due to how OOC it was for him 😭. However I wasn’t necessarily wrong, Ratio was delivering some of Aventurines backstory to AN audience (not just us), and he was behaving OOC in the 2.0 scene, but it was on purpose.

b) The betrayal plan 

Aventurine forms a plan in which him and Ratio pretend to betray one another in order to sneak the Aventurine cornerstone into the dreamscape by replacing it with the Topaz stone (red herring + black hole scene dialogue implies she and Jade are there for other reasons) and the Jade stone (perfect dupe). 

Now this betrayal hinges on Sunday, their main antagonist buying it, actually believing that Ratio would betray Aventurine on a mission as important as Penacony, and it requires Sunday also buying that he is winning the whole time, that the loss of the cornerstones was somehow a fumble on Aventurine’s end rather than something he planned all along. 

So, they stage the 2.0 conversation. Ratio yells at Aventurine for losing the cornerstones, something which was part of their plan the whole time. He then insults Aventurine’s background allowing Aventurine to reveal key details of his past that Sunday would not have learned otherwise, which he uses in the trial against Aventurine. Seriously, Aventurine only found out he was the last Avgin when he became a Stoneheart, do y’all think Sunday summoned that info with his mind or something during the trial (like do you guys genuinely think Sunday read his wiki or something)

Moreover, Ratio not only insults him, but portrays Aventurine as useless, disposable to the IPC because he is apparently already sentenced to death. Why does he do this? Well, so Sunday feels confident enough to do the same to Aventurine. Seriously, sentencing an IPC member, especially a high ranking one to death is a risky move, even for someone as convicted as Sunday, he would need the confidence to do so and learning Aven might already die would give him that ability. 

Because well, it doesn’t matter that much if he’s already going to get disposed of in the near future. I also think the IPC plans to use Aventurine’s “death” as leverage against the family because they were pleased to hear of his death sentence according to Dr. Ratio, meaning a) he likely did not have one from them at the time, although in the past he was sentenced to death and b) even if Aventurine succeeded in getting the cornerstone his seeming loss in the rest of the conversation wasn’t actually a loss at all, getting sentenced to death/“dying” at the very least was part of the plan all along as the IPC could still use it as leverage if things went south.

Continually, Ratio treating Aventurine in the exact same sh1tty way the rest of the galaxy does perfectly slots him into the arrogant, uncaring scholar role, which Sunday knows are some of the most easily manipulated people in the galaxy, considering he tries to bribe Ratio with knowledge about Stellarons it seems he bought this idea hook line and sinker. Sunday isn’t even subtle about it either “I heard you and your companion haven’t been getting along lately” where did he hear that from? Ratio didn’t tell him, and even though we know Sunday was 100% watching the two of them on their little adventure pre-meeting him (the bird and hound statues) that scene hasn’t happened yet so where did he get that from?

Some other interesting proof for it is that the Final Victor lightcone likely depicts Aventurine trying to convince Ratio of this plan of his, the events of which must occur  pre-Penacony for several reasons, the least of which being that we just never see it happen on Penacony which if you think it did we would see it. Moreover lightcones are canonically condensed memories and the Final Victor lightcone released in 2.0, meaning it’s the memory of something that happened before then. 

All signs point to the 2.0 scene, the one people use to paint Aventio as toxic being staged. And I have so much more evidence for this, (Ratio would never agree to go without a plan, Aven clearly formed his pre-Penaocny, so much of the plan like Ratio opening the cornerstone box, which he can’t do up until the betrayal as it’s in Sundays possession, rely on him arriving knowing how to do so, the time discrepancies, the complete 180 in personality Ratio would have to do to go from distrusting Aventurine to putting his whole faith in him, etc), but I will reupload one of my old slideshows to elaborate more on it. Basically the one thing that people use to say it’s toxic is not true and is in fact a greater show of the trust between those two. 

“The shippers are all weird and racist” 

Now this one actually has some truth to it because yes there are some incredibly fucking weird Aventio shippers and I do not blame yall for disliking them.

HOWEVER, most Aventio shippers are normal and hate that shit just as much as you guys do. Like do you realize most shippers also really like these characters and have something insane called morals so they don’t automatically excuse racist fujoshi goobers just because they are making content for their favorite ship. Trust me someone doing that pisses me (and most other Aventio shippers) off significantly more than people who hate the ship. Also free Ratio from this shit man poor guy is getting mischaracterized as a slaveowner by his fans and haters 😭

And like guys, have you ever been in a fandom before, like ever? Weirdos are always gonna be weird and it’s not Aventio’s fault they are this months victims. For a fun little example of how gross other fanbases can be, one of the most popular Overwatch ships on ao3 is Genji Shimada X Hanzo Shimada WHO ARE BLOOD RELATED BROTHERS. THERES LIKE 300+ FICS OF IT, SHIMADACEST IS LITERALLY A TAG ON THERE. I WAS IN THE TRENCHES SEARCHING FOR GENJI HANZO ANGST FICS (Hanzo killed Genji it’s complicated doomed siblings will always get me) AND HAVING TO COMB THROUGH THOSE ABOMINATIONS IN THE PROCESS.

Like please I’m relatively new to fandom culture but yall cannot be acting like this is weird for fans to do, it’s weirdo behavior but it is not unique to the HSR fandom or even Aventio. And even if understandably this makes you not like the ship, don’t paint the people who enjoy it as being the people who do this kinda sh1t. It’s not our fault peak gets tainted by miserable creatures ok, let normal ppl have their harmless fun and stop lumping people together into a monolith. 

?????

Well that’s it that’s all the “valid” reasons people have for hating Aventio, at least the ones I can remember. Everything else is just personal opinion and not at all an objective reason.

“They’re so sibling coded!”

Anyways again obviously you can still dislike it not everything is for everyone, I really just wanted to make this post to demonstrate why I and many others like it, and why the reasons people use to say it’s problematic are incorrect. Feel free to call it mid, block it whatever I don’t care, just don’t harass shippers for having some harmless fun, because the characters aren’t real but the people who like them are and in doing so you are really just being a jerk for no reason. If you somehow hate Aventio and read this the whole way through I congratulate you on your ability to actually listen to other people, and regardless of whether you changed your mind or not I respect you for doing so anyways. Thanks for reading and I would love to hear your thoughts. 

[allseeingharlequin]

This is what I think John's eyes look like when he's got his own body idc if its human (the top of a jar of honey after I stuck a spoon in it)

Especially in that one fic where him and Arthur meet when Arthur sleeps and they have their own little rooms in his head I can't remember what it's called

[wish-upon-the-universe]

Mirabell instarsandtime is so smart you guys!!!! Don't discount her!!!!! When you first get her shield, she blasts siffrin with so much technical craft jargon he can't keep up in the slightest!! Even Odile on had a faint grasp on the CARROT method!!!! And she was the first to bring up that Time Craft would actually kill you from the energy it needs!!! Guys she's a craft genius!!! Can anyone hear me!!!!!

[grand-line-shenanigans]

Yippee!!

[ghost-of-kreacher]

really wanna write a fic where dante is a really good singer and just kinda sings to themselves in their office not realizing that they havent turned off the 'broadcast voice to all sinners' thing at the clock so the sinners just enjoy whats basically a free concert

[saunne]

You Are A Weakness I Cannot Afford To Possess - Aventio/Ratiorine Snippet

[You are welcome to yell at me and demand monetary reparations to pay for your therapy because I'm not sorry]

Every risk was cautiously considered and weighed, every move carefully calculated. Obviously, emotions were something based on a much less stable basis than mathematical calculations but... 

Veritas Ratio was not blind. 

He wasn't a fool either, despite feeling like one at that very moment. 

“...What do you mean no ?” 

The man looked at him, a bittersweet smile on their thin lips, even as one of their poker chips twirled nimbly between their graceful fingers. 

"Before you ask a question, why don't you consider whether the answer has already been determined ?" Aventurine responded softly, their eyes drifting to gaze outside as they wearily parroted Veritas' own words. "It is better for everyone if such questions are not asked... Don't you think, my good Doctor ?" 

These words, Veritas uttered them regularly.  To his colleagues, his students, Enid, his superiors, strangers even. 

To be the recipient was... painful. 

Unexpected. 

"I don't understand," Veritas whispered, his voice hoarse and his throat tight. "You love me."

Every risk was cautiously considered and weighed, every move carefully calculated. Veritas Ratio would never have risked a move if he had not been absolutely certain that his feelings were returned.

And yet… And yet.

“I do,” Aventurine laughed airily. “Gaiathra help me, I do.”

The chip was strangely warm in Veritas' palm as his hand instinctively gripped around it, the smooth edges digging into his palm. Aventurine's hand was soft against his cheek, barely a caress, ghostly and fleeting presence. 

Their lips were soft and just slightly wet as they kissed him, for barely more than a heartbeat. The faint caress of their sigh as they retreated felt as icy as the incessant blizzards of this planet of eternal winters, to which Veritas had accompanied them only weeks earlier. 

Where he had warmed their frozen fingers between his. 

Where they shared laughter and kisses as light as the snowflakes that ended their fall in their pale eyelashes.

Where a cheerful “Why not, Veritas?” had met his cautious questioning, where only a silence heavy with lost words now met this same question, this "why" trembling with dashed hope.

"Because... All or Nothing only works because there is nothing left, Veritas. Nothing except myself, which is nothing in itself,” the Stoneheart confessed in a breath, in a plea that sounded more like a condemnation. “I can’t…”

They closed their eyes, taking a deep breath.

When they looked at him again, the heat of their gaze was not that of an inviting hearth, but that of a raging fire. 

A heat of desert wasteland bathed by a blind sun, of an age-old drought that a cataclysm would not be enough to repair. A heat made of prayers as numerous as the grains of sand of Sigonia-IV and as sticky as the blood that had stained it.

 “You are a weakness I cannot afford to possess, Veritas Ratio.”

A silence.

"And for what little it's worth, I'm truly sorry."

[golden-chiivalry]

tickle-tober day ten - spidering (moze x jiaoqiu)

🪸 ;; pairing -> lee!moze x ler jiaoqiu ;

🪸 ;; fic type -> written to be romantic, but can be seen as platonic, small 2.5 trailblaze mission spoilers ;

🪸 ;; warnings -> none ;

🪸 ;; author’s note -> i love. moze and jiaoqiu sm. they’re together on my team (along with aven and argenti) and i just love them sm. hoyo give me more moze eidolons

tickle-tober masterlist

ao3

the first thing that could be heard from jiaoqiu’s home was a muffled shriek, followed by (barely suppressed) hysterical giggles.

ever since the yaoqing trio returned home, moze has been practically glued to jiaoqiu’s side.

the foxian wanted to get groceries? moze’s right there, carrying his bags and helping him shop.

walking home? moze is trailing after him, watching from one shadow only to move to another to observe the foxian further.

cooking? moze does it for him.

cleaning? moze does that too.

at this point, he’s like an unpaid caretaker!

“j—jiaoqiuhuhu!” moze giggled, alternating between swatting at the healer’s hands gently and covering his face to muffle his laugher. “stohohohop it!”

“i’m afraid i cannot.” jiaoqiu chuckled, continuing to spider his hands over the shadow guard’s ribs. “for you see, moze, ever since we’ve returned you’ve been helping me out dutifully. i simply wish to return the favour!”

“buhuhut youhuhu’re nohot hehelping mehehe!” the grey haired male wheezed

“i am!” jiaoqiu chirps, his hands moving to spider at moze’s exposed tummy, giggling as the shadow guard shrieks once more and starts to laugh hysterically. “you’re awfully tense. as your physician, i believe a simple massage will help!~”

“jiaohoho!! nohohohohoho!” moze whines. whines! oh, this is precious! “youhuhur clahahahaws are sohoho bahahad!”

“ah, my claws?” the foxian smiled, his tail thumping against the ground happily. “apologies, my dear patient, but they’re a necessity. now, where was i? ah, spidering my hands over your ribs, yes!”

“nohoHOHOho!! nohohohohot thehehe rihihibs agahahain!”

[rebekadjarin]

Watch me

Chapter 16 of Golden Dawn

A/N: For the life of me, I will finish this fic! If you're new here, Golden Dawn is my reader insert comfort bad batch fanfic with a slow burn Crosshair love story (with smut). It's about going on missions, hanging out with the batch and overall just them being happy and having fun. Other clones are included too! If you are interested, here is chapter one.

Summary: You spend an eventful day on Kamino with the bad batch and you get to spend some time with everyone, especially Crosshair. He seems unable to take his hands off you but you both have your duties. It doesn't mean that you can't squeeze in some quality time for the two of you... One of your favourite 501st boy also appears, and you get to find out what the hell Hardcase got into this time.

Rating: super explicit, explicit on the square

Word count: 11k

Warnings: S M U T, cum

My old taglist: @fangirl-goes-nova @murdertoothpick @tacticalsparkles @coffeeandtodd @moonstrider9904 @luosymekawa @littlemisscare-all (if you want to be added/removed, just message me!)

You read the chapter here or click on the chapter title in the beginning and it will lead you to my ao3

“We have training to do,” Crosshair told you in the morning when you asked what their program for the day was. 

“Do I have to go?” you asked and stretched, sitting on his bed. You already got ready but you lay back just for another five minutes while the others went ahead. 

“No, I don’t want them anywhere near you,” he answered and you sent him a questioning look. “When we didn’t train with Jango, they had other bounty hunters do the job. And I also prefer to train you myself,” he added with a small smirk. 

“I think we have been doing a little different kind of physical exercise lately,” you suppressed a smile and he came closer. He bent forward to lean on the bed with his hands and you stopped breathing for a second. 

“Which proved to be more effective than I ever imagined.” His voice was raspy from the morning and also because of lust. 

Your lower muscles clenched in anticipation but you were rudely interrupted when Tech’s head popped into the room to hurry Crosshair. 

“In a minute,” he quickly got rid of Tech. 

“Maybe I do want to come along with you after all,” you stood up and looked up at Crosshair’s face. 

He moved his toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other and raised an eyebrow. 

“I want to watch,” you added with an innocent smile. 

“Really?” he stepped so close that you could feel his hot breath on your skin but he didn’t touch you. “You want to watch, sunshine?” 

You nodded with that same playful look on your face. 

“Because I can make you watch, if you’d like to,” he continued and you gulped loudly, making him smirk. “Or maybe change it up and make me the one looking at you while you’re pleasuring yourself, hm? How soon would you come under my gaze?” 

You felt like the floor disappeared from under your feet and you moaned loudly at the picture his words painted into your mind. That would be so excruciatingly arousing. You couldn’t take it anymore and rested your forehead against his chest and interlaced your hands around his waist. 

Your hands traveled up his back and scratched it. You got so turned on by this little conversation of yours that you couldn’t stop yourself and started leaving wet kisses on his neck. He was still standing motionless. 

“Crosshair,” you said his name while continuing to suck on his neck. “I think I could come only listening to your voice,” you confessed and he couldn’t take it anymore and grabbed your waist roughly. 

“Fuck,” he said and pulled your hips closer to his. “I have to go,” he said but his grip on your body didn’t loosen. 

You reached down with your hands and started to take off his codpiece. “You can make it quick,” you placed another kiss on his neck. “You already got me hot and wet enough.”

“Fuck, fuck,” he groaned and ripped his codpiece off to take his hard cock out and shoved you back on the bed. You grinned as his self-control shattered and he flipped you to your stomach and yanked your trousers down. 

“Fuck it,” he continued cursing and quickly bent down and bit your ass before putting his cock in front of your entrance. “Just from my voice you say?” he grabbed your hips and shoved himself inside you with one rough motion. 

You didn’t lie when you said you were ready for him, he slid in easily but you still moaned at his roughness. 

“Just from me watching you?” he started thrusting into you and you had to stop yourself from yelling loudly from pleasure as he roughly fucked you. “You think you could come only from those?” he asked, out of his mind while fucking you. 

“I do, Crosshair, I could,” you nodded frantically while he continued to destroy you. 

He let his hands travel up your back, under your shirt and find their way to your breasts. He started to draw circles with his thumbs around your nipples. 

“I believe you,” he moaned into your ears. “But let’s just remember how well you come around my cock,” he buried himself deeply inside you while still stimulating your nipples and a quick but strong orgasm exploded in you and all you could do was whimper while he fucked you through it. 

You heard a knock on the door and Tech’s voice came from outside to hurry up Crosshair because they were really going to be late. 

“Just a second,” Crosshair shouted back in a completely normal and collected voice while not slowing his pace. “See, I’m going to be late because of you,” he whispered into your ears. 

You couldn’t collect yourself enough to form a coherent answer but he just fucked you faster before he pulled his cock out of you and rutted it against your ass, coming in hot pulses on your lower back. You felt his thick cum cover you and drip from your hips. 

You moaned loudly when you felt his cum all over your body and he patted your ass before standing up and putting himself away. He quickly picked his codpiece up and reattached it while you were trying to catch your breath, laying on the bed, covered in his cum. 

“Crosshair,” you groaned and looked back at him. He was standing next to the bed, armor back to the usual, his eyes mischievously shining. 

“Yes, sunshine?” he cocked his head on one side.

��I don’t think I can get up,” you confessed. You barely felt your limbs, you were still so numb from having just been fucked like this. 

“That’s alright, you look perfect, covered in my cum, lying there, numb from my cock,” he smirked smugly and you groaned. 

“I really have to go,” he added and walked toward the door. 

“You can’t leave me here like this,” you shouted after him. 

“Watch me,” he winked at you and walked out. 

“You want to explain what took you so long?” you faintly heard Tech’s annoyed voice in front of the door. 

“No,” Crosshair answered simply as their steps slowly faded away. 

You let out an exasperated breath and trembled when you felt another drip of his cum flow down your ass. He really made sure you couldn’t follow him for the training. 

You wondered for a second about what kind of bounty hunters trained them that he didn’t want to let you close to them but you were too distracted to dwell too long on it. 

It took you several more minutes to collect yourself enough to get up and you were thinking about getting back at him the whole time. He was usually the collected one who reduced you into a blubbering mess but you wanted to see him be the one begging one time. You weren’t even sure it was possible but you would definitely try. 

A shower helped you recover from the rough morning sex with Crosshair but your heart was still racing and your cheeks felt hot whenever you remembered it. 

After calming dawn a little you decided to make yourself useful. You started with visiting the medical area to help out the medics there. 

You saw a few kaminoans and couldn’t stop following their slender figures flow on the corridors. Hearing their smooth voice sent shivers down your spine and you had trouble finding them sympathetic. 

You were relieved to see that there were clone medics working in the hospital wing and not kaminoans. They creeped you out and you couldn’t really put your fingers around the feeling. 

“Hardcase?” you stopped immediately when you caught a glimpse of his tattoo in the corner of your eyes. 

“Hey Medy!” he greeted you eagerly and sat up, just to press his palm on his side and groan from the sudden movement. He tried to ignore the pain and continued talking. “Fives and Echo told me that you’re around, I’m so happy to run into you!”

You instantly changed into medic mode and stepped closer to examine his injury. 

“I’d rather not see you here, Hardcase,” you shook your head a little. “What happened to you this time?”

“Ehhh,” he looked away, feeling a little embarrassed. “I fell down.”

“From where?” you raised a brow because it was never this easy with him. 

“Well out of the window. But I really had no choice!” he protested vehemently. “Rex clearly told me not to even think about walking out the door. He didn’t say anything about the window,” he smiled mischievously. 

“Why am I not surprised,” you shook your head and scanned him. You quickly checked the results and saw that the injury wasn’t too bad. “I’ll apply a bacta patch and you need to take some medication for the next few days,” you searched for the right ones and handed them to him. 

“Thanks Medy,” he smiled at you and took them. ”Now you can apply the patch,” he grinned and pulled up his shirt. You rolled your eyes but did as he said.  

“Why did you have to stay in that room anyway? Did you do something?” you sent him a questioning look.

“I might have successfully made a small explosion after tampering with some gadgets," he confessed. “But you should have seen it! It was mind-blowing! I might have just come up with a new weapon,”  he was clearly proud of himself and you couldn’t suppress a smile. 

“I’m glad that it wasn’t literally mind-blowing,” you laughed and he just waved it off. 

“So yeah, after that Rex sent me back to my room to think about what I did or something like that, I didn’t really pay attention to be honest.”

“And why did you decide to leave the room?” you were still trying to put the story together. 

“I was hungry,” he shrugged. 

“And why did you fall? I have seen you pull off far worse stuff. Not that I advise you to do those,” you sent him a playfully scolding look. 

“Oh yeah, I totally had it under control,” he waved. “But then I saw Rex behind a window and he was just about to turn. I swear to you he felt that I was there. So I had to disappear and I might not have paid enough attention and slipped. You know how rainy it is out there.”

“You’re lucky you landed on the roof and didn’t fall sixty meters into the water.”

“Yeah,” he grinned and you shook your head. He was always playing with fire. And he did it in his slightly unhinged but undeniably cool style. 

“You should take care of yourself a little bit better,” you patted his shoulder when you were ready with everything and he sent you a grateful smile. 

“Why would I when you’re always here to heal me?”

“I wish that was the case, but I won’t always be there. So just don’t suffer stupid injuries, alright?”

“I’ll try my best,” he winked at you and you knew your little speech had no effect on him and sighed. 

“I guess that’s a start.”

You spent the next hours helping out and stitched up a few shinies who got injured during simulations. 

“I knew I would find you here.”

“Tech!” you turned around and smiled at him. “Did you finish with your training?” 

“Crosshair and Wrecker stayed behind to practice some more. I thought that this was the perfect opportunity for me to show you around in the laboratory, if you’re interested.”

“I am, that sounds great,” you put the equipment you were cleaning down and stood up. “Let’s go.”

“So you said Crosshair is still practicing?” you asked him on your way to the lab. 

“Correct. He’s a perfectionist and always has to practice the most.”

“Well, it really works for him. I actually wanted to ask you something about him.”

“Yes?” Tech glanced at you . 

“Where do you think his jealousy originates from? I mean I think I know a little about it but I wanted to ask you about it as well. You’ve known him longer.”

“As far as I’m concerned, he has never shown this type of behavior before. It’s only when he’s around you,” Tech sent you a curious look. “But jealousy has a simple scientific explanation. It discouraged desertion by a mate, bolstering the family unit and enabling the survival of the young. At the same time, it has pushed us to abandon philanderers in favor of more stable and rewarding partnerships.”

“Maker Tech, that's pretty dry. I was thinking about something closer to Crosshair.”

“Oh. In that case,” he tilted his head to think for a few seconds. “I believe it’s because of his own insecurities and him thinking that if he let you get closer to another male you’d leave him for them.”

“Oh.”

“Was that sufficient?”

“It was a lot, Tech. And what could I do about it? I really want to be there for him.”

“I’d like to offer a solution for you but my knowledge in the matter isn’t extensive enough.”

You sighed. All you wanted was to understand Crosshair more to be able to support him better. Tech must have seen that you weren’t comforted yet and tried again. 

“What are you worrying about?” 

“Just that I’m not able to support him in a way he needs it.”

“That’s nonsense. He’s clearly happy.”

You felt a little relieved. “Thanks Tech, that means a lot.”

“You are welcome. But I don’t understand, can’t you see it on him?” 

“I can but sometimes I’m not sure I can trust my eyes. I'm afraid they would show what I want to see and not what’s actually there.”

He seemed to think this through. “You have nothing to worry about. He’s lucky to have you, you seem to pay special attention to his well-being.”

“Of course I do,” you said like it was obvious. “Sometimes that’s all I think about.”

“Well, it’s clearly working. He’s better than he’s ever been.”

You closed your eyes for a second. It felt so comforting to hear these words from someone else’s mouth, especially Tech because he and Crosshair had a special bond. 

“Thank you, Tech, this was really comforting.”

His face lit up after your praise and he unconsciously started walking faster from happiness, you had to jog to catch up with him. 

“And how are you feeling Tech?” 

He looked a little taken aback and slowed down to match your pace. “My work on the ship is endless, I still want to boost the engines and I have to reorganize the food cabinet after Wrecker made a mess a few days ago. Last night I read an interesting article about molecular underpinnings of a disease affecting corals.”

“Is marine life something you’re interested in?”

“Very much so,” he smiled a little. “I would love to explore it in different water planets.”

“Maybe we’ll get an underwater mission once.”

“Highly unlikely, I don’t see why they would send us. It’s not the area where our enhancements are the most useful.”

“I was just hoping for it, Tech.”

“Oh. In that case I also hope that it will happen.”

You smiled at him and he held the laboratory door open for you. He showed you around and talked about all the equipment you were interested in. You also spent some time working on one of your medicines you started earlier but couldn’t finish. Working with Tech was always easy for you because he was so clearly passionate about what he was doing that it kept you going endlessly. 

“Hungry?” came the question from behind you and you jumped and turned around immediately just to see Hunter standing in front of you with a smirk on his face. You put your hand on your racing heart and took a few deep breaths to calm down. 

“First of all, don’t do that,” you motioned at him, “but yeah, now that you ask I’m hungry.”

“Great, come on!” he smiled at you warmly and turned around. 

“Tech?” you looked at him but he shook his head. 

“I’ll stay, I want to finish this. But you should go.”

You nodded and walked toward the door to catch up with Hunter. 

“You two get on well since day one,” he noted when you arrived next to him. 

“He’s always been very kind to me,” you smiled remembering how in your first days you spent all your time next to Tech. “And he says very interesting stuff all the time, you should listen to him more.”

“Thank you for the suggestion,” he smirked and led you toward the cantina. 

“How was the training?”

“The usual,” he dodged the question easily and sat down next to you. “I also just wanted to check up on you,” he tilted his head and looked at you deeply. 

Your hand that was halfway to your mouth with a mouthful of the plain kaminoan food stopped and you looked back at him. “What do you mean?”

“It’s just that many things happened in a short amount of time and I wanted to make sure that you’re alright. And that Crosshair was treating you well when we’re not around. Not that I don’t trust him,” he added quickly, “but we know how he can get and I don’t want him to treat you like that.”

“Oh,” you smiled and put the bite in your mouth and swallowed it before answering. “That’s so considerate of my kind sergeant,” you teased him, making him smile but then you continued in a more serious voice. “No, I really meant that. Thank you. And I’m really good. You can’t even imagine how nice he is when you’re not around,” you lowered your voice and leaned closer to him as if you were going to share a secret. He tensed a little and paid attention to your every move. “Hunter, I think he is…,” you whispered, “a softie,” you finished and he laughed out so loud that many clones sitting at tables near you looked over to see what it was about. 

“That sounds pretty serious, are you sure you can handle that? Because I’m not afraid of moody or angry Crosshair but soft Crosshair scares me,” he grinned and you laughed with him. 

“I know right,” you couldn’t stop smiling. “It’s pretty serious, I don’t think there’s any coming back from this.”

“Wow,” Hunter calmed down and shook his head with the last hints of laughter still playing on his lips. “You know I really think that you were all he needed,” he looked up at you. “He’s different since you’re together. Before, he’s been often with us but stayed distant. Lately he just seems more alive. He’s just like who he was back when we were cadets.,” Hunter smiled at the memory. “You know before the war and missions. You really bring that out of him.”

“Hunter,” you smiled, really touched by his words. You quickly patted his hand that was resting on the table. “Thank you.”

He smiled back at you. “Anytime. Also if you have any sexual questions you can always come to me,” his smile turned into an evil smirk and you rolled your eyes. 

“Shut up and eat,” you told him with a full mouth. 

“You know I won the bet and can talk as much about it as I want?” he snickered but did as you said and scooped some food on his spoon and quickly swallowed it. 

“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”

“If I can, then I will,” he grinned and you shook your head with a tired smile on your face. 

“That does sound like a motto of the bad batch.”

“It really does,” he nodded with an eager face. “Let’s patent it so after the war we can use it for a small business,” he joked. 

“Do you think a lot about the end of the war?” you took a sip of your drink and watched a group of shinies walk away in front of you. Why did they have to wear their full armor inside when there were no battle simulations? It must not have been comfortable. Maybe it was to prepare them. 

“Yeah, sometimes,” Hunter answered. “I imagine us all staying together and maybe continuing working for the Republic, you know, because we want to, not because we’re their property. That would be nice.”

“That does sound good,” you smiled at him. “I hope it’s going to be here soon.”

“Let’s just win that war before, shall we?” he winked at you and you both stood up after finishing your food and walked out of the cantina after you packed up some food for Tech. 

While you were walking on the white corridors you ran into Wrecker who was coming from the training rooms, freshly showered and whistling to himself. He was hard to miss with his size and also the off tune whistling. 

“Hey guys,” his face lit up when he saw you.

“Hi Wreck,” you smiled back at him. “I’m taking this for Tech, wanna come?”

“Sure,” he agreed and you turned left where Hunter went right, he headed back to the barrack. 

“You don’t look tired,” you glanced at him and he laughed. 

“They don’t have enough weights to tire me out,” he flexed one of his massive arms. “You know these are pretty cool,” he lifted his fingers up and looked at his nails. 

“Hunter did a pretty nice job, I’ll tell him that after the war he can go work as a nail artist,” you added seriously and Wrecker snorted. 

“You know we could do more stuff like yesterday.”

“I think so too, Wreck. I missed these nights so much,” you smiled softly. 

“Well, I’m always here if you want to.”

“Thanks. Maybe we could also… No forget it, I’m sure it’s not your thing…,” changed your mind while talking. 

“What? You started saying it, now you know I won’t let you rest until you tell me,” he nudged you softly. 

“I was just thinking about how much I wanted to go shopping for clothes and stuff,” you confessed and waited for him to laugh at you but he didn’t.

“Then let’s go. Next time we can, we’ll go.”

“Really?” you face lit up. “You’d come with me?”

“Sure,” he grinned. “We can also get a couple beers and you can spill all the tea on Crosshair.”

You laughed. “Sounds like a pretty cool plan to me.”

“Can’t wait,” he added with a grin just when you’ve arrived back to the labs where you dropped off Tech his lunch and made him promise that he would eat it and not forget about it. 

“Forget about eating?” Wrecker shook his head. “I could never.”

“Yeah, same.” 

“Wanna get a snack?” he looked at you mischievously

“Here?” you raised an eyebrow. “How?”

“I know a way,” he sent you a crooked smile and showed you the way toward another building. He was leading you through dark and narrow corridors which not even the cameras kept an eye on until you arrived in front of a simple door which Wrecker quickly tampered with and opened so you could sneak in. 

The room you arrived in was full of neatly organized boxes and Wrecker immediately led you to one of them and opened it. You saw that it was full of different flavors of chocolate covered energy bars. He grabbed a handful of them and you did the same and he carefully closed the box back and you made your way out. 

“How did you know about that?” you laughed when you were back to the well-lit white corridors. 

“You think I wouldn’t find where they kept the snacks we occasionally got?” he grinned and shoved two into his mouth. “Hunter led me there, he could smell it but then after that it’s all my work.”

“And they never noticed?”

“The secret is to not do it often,” he passed on his knowledge. 

By the time you arrived back at their barrack Crosshair was already there, freshly showered and looking more handsome than ever with his new haircut. You smiled when you saw that he was back and ran to him. 

He quickly pulled you into a hug and placed a kiss on the top of your head. 

“How did the training go?” you asked, your voice muffled because you were still pressed against his chest. 

“Fine,” he answered and sat down on his bed and pulled you into his lap. You stared into his eyes and drank him in. 

Then you noticed something changed behind him on the wall and you looked over his shoulder to take a better look at it. The usual three target posters were still hanging on the wall but something changed. 

“Did you…?” you asked him and a smile spread across your face. Previously, the middle poster was shot carefully to make the letter C. Now it’s been changed to the letter your name started with. You couldn’t find the words and it was just so sweet of him. 

“Crosshair,” you pulled him closer and he hugged you back. “This is so sweet.”

“What happened?” Wrecker came over to take a look too and he smiled when he saw what Crosshair did. 

“Who would have thought that you were such a romantic, lil bro?”

“Don’t call me that,” Crosshair answered, pretending to be irritated but the smile playing on his lips gave him away. Wrecker quickly ruffled his hair then went back to his bed. 

Some time later Hunter arrived back with Tech by his side. His face was more serious than usual and you grew a little wary. 

“New mission?” Wrecker asked with a grin and sat up on his bed. 

“A bigger one,” Hunter nodded. “The jedi discovered a new separatist base but they had to fall back to help the battalions on Ryloth. Our mission is to find out all we can about this new base, what technology they use, why they moved there and any useful information before destroying it.”

“Nice, an explosion then,” Wrecker cheered but Hunter’s face remained serious. 

“What else is there?” Crosshair asked, he also saw that Hunter was yet to share everything with the group. Hunter came closer and looked into your eyes. 

“I’m afraid you can’t come with us this time. We have to drop you off at the Republic base on the planet, you were ordered to stay there because they are in dire need of medics. We lost a battle there a few hours earlier,” he sighed. “You can imagine the situation.”

You gave him a firm nod. You knew your duty. 

Crosshair’s face didn’t show much about his thoughts. 

“Cross?” you nudged him, wanting to hear what he was thinking about. 

“I don’t fucking like the way they just order you around,” he said sourly. 

“Technically they can,” Tech stepped in front of Hunter. “Officially she’s still listed as our medic, not a fifth member and medics can always be ordered around when a shortage appears somewhere. Also I have to add that it would be much safer for her to remain at a Republic base than to accompany us to this mission.”

You heard Wrecker chuckle and turned your head his way.

“I know that,” Crosshair answered Tech with a grimace, “that’s why I didn’t protest.”

“What’s up with you Wreck?” you asked him because he was still chuckling to himself. 

“Let me guess,” Crosshair raised an eyebrow and the corner of his mouth twitched despite his gloomy mood. “Tech said technically and you find that extremely amusing.” 

Wrecker burst out laughing again and just nodded. You shook your head with a smile on your face and turned back to Crosshair. The furrow between his brows was still there. 

“I’m gonna be fine,” you stroked his face. “I’m more worried about you guys.”

“Nah, don’t be,” Wrecker, who collected himself a little, sent you a grin. “We wouldn’t risk getting injured when the only one to stitch us up is Tech.”

“I did the work fairly efficiently!” he objected. 

“The emphasis is on fairly,” Hunter added with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. 

“It’s not my area of expertise,” he nodded reluctantly. 

“It’s okay Tech, it wasn’t so bad,” Wrecker tried comforting him, which he thanked with a half-smile. 

“You hear that guys? You’re not allowed to get injured because I’m not gonna be there,” you looked at all of them. “That’s an order.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Hunter jokingly saluted you. “But I thought it was usually Crosshair giving you the orders, right?” Hunter asked with a mischievous grin and you froze. 

Crosshair just rolled his eyes and ignored Hunter’s comment. 

“He just wishes to get promoted,” Wrecker patted Crosshair’s back not so lightly. “But we wouldn’t let ya go,” he also pushed him a bit and Crosshair shook his head with a faint smile on his lips. 

“So when do we leave?” you asked them. 

“Right after they finished preparing our ship,” Hunter answered and took a seat on his bed and put his legs up. 

“They are doing what?” Tech jerked his head up. “No one can touch my ship when I’m not there.”

“As I said, our ship,” Hunter repeated but Tech ignored him and was already on his feet and halfway out of the door. He was pretty sensitive when it came to the maintenance of the Havoc Marauder, he had already put so much work into the ship that it rightfully felt his a little more than anyone else’s. 

“If we have a little more time…,” Crosshair started and placed a soft kiss on your shoulder, making goosebumps appear on your whole body. His lips lingered on your skin just one second longer before he leaned closer to your ears. “I could show you the armory.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t actually mean the armory,” Hunter commented without even looking up from his datapad. 

“Do you always have to ruin the mood?” you looked at him and he shrugged with a crooked smile on his face. 

“I just wanted to make sure that you two are on the same page,” he added and you rolled your eyes. 

Wrecker raised his head when he heard the word armory. “It’s a pretty nice armory. I shed a few tears when I first saw it after they renovated it.”

“You cried?” you laughed. 

“Your man right there did too,” he grinned evilly and Crosshair sent him a death glare. 

“I didn’t.”

“Yeah you did, lil bro,” Wrecker continued grinning. “There was one teardrop running dramatically down your face when you saw the rifle collection. I saw it.”

Crosshair pursed his lips and you needed every ounce of self control you ever had in your life to not laugh in his face. 

“Medy’s is quite close to dying there,” Hunter noted and you closed your eyes and tried to concentrate on your breathing to control your uncontrollable urge to laugh. 

“I just need a minute,” you managed to say somehow. 

You couldn’t see but were sure that Crosshair and Wrecker were silently communicating while you were dying, as Hunter worded. 

“Alright, I’m sorry, I know the armory is our secret bonding place, I won’t share anything I learnt there again,” Wrecker apologized and Crosshair facepalmed. 

“Secret bonding place?” you asked, your curiosity overriding your urge to laugh in their faces. 

“It’s not a secret when you know about it,” Hunter said casually. 

“You knew?” Wrecker asked with his mouth hanging open. 

“How would I not have known, Wrecker?” Hunter looked up at him. “You thought that you could sneak past me without me waking up? Also, stealth was never your strongest quality. Crosshair though,” he tilted his face. 

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Wrecker asked him. 

“It seemed like a you two kinda thing,” Hunter shrugged. 

“That’s so sweet,” you smiled and felt discomfort radiating from Crosshair. “What, Cross? Is me learning that you have a special bond with one of your brothers uncomfortable for you?” 

“He’s just not used to showing emotions at all,” Hunter answered instead of him. 

“I want to leave,” Crosshair said and Hunter nodded. 

“You should before he tells her about your weird obsession with porgs.”

“Your what?!” you laughed. 

“They are so freaking cute!” Wrecker immediately protested. 

“Sorry, I didn’t know that your secret armory meetings were officially called porg fan club meetings,” Hunter mocked them. 

“So porgs?” you smiled at Crosshair who was not just radiating discomfort, he was burning with it. 

“I want to leave,” he repeated and picked you up and carried you to the door. 

“He says that they are neat,” Wrecker shouted after you and you sent him a grin. You were so grateful to have his brothers next to you because learning this kind of information would have been almost impossible from Crosshair himself. 

“Cross,” you cupped his flushed face and looked deeply into his eyes. “Don’t do this, you know I love learning everything about you. You shouldn’t feel bad about this, this is so normal,” you laughed. “Why do you have a guard up most of the time?” 

He shrugged and put you down on your feet when you were out of the room. He held your hand and started walking down the white corridor. 

“You shouldn’t, you know,” you continued, “you can always be yourself with me. I want that. I want everything about you.”

A small smirk appeared on his lips and he stopped to kiss you. He gently brushed his lips against yours to let you know he got what you were talking about. 

“Right now what I want is you,” he whispered against your lips and deepened the kiss. You opened your mouth to welcome him as he slid his tongue inside your mouth to explore it. 

His hands traveled down your waist and pulled you closer until you were pressed up against his hips. His fingers dug into your flesh and you already forgot what you were talking about. 

He didn’t even check the door you were standing in front of, just opened it and pushed you inside while kissing you. Only one of his hands left your body to lock the door. Then he lay you down on one of the bunk beds and deepened the kiss.

“You looked absolutely amazing when I left you in the morning,” he said in a raspy voice and pushed his hips against yours. You moaned when you felt his hardness. 

“I can never get enough of you,” he continued and lifted your shirt, placing a kiss on your stomach. “I could be with you all day and all night and it would never be enough,” he unbuttoned your pants and pulled them down. 

His words made your head spin but all that came out of you was a soft whimper. He laid you down on the bed, his head between your legs. He grinned at you, a full smile that you loved so much.

“And I have more plans for you for today,” he slightly bit his lower lip then buried his tongue inside you. You inhaled sharply and your fingers found their way into his silver hair. His pace fastened and soon all you could think about was how much you wanted him inside you.

“Crosshair,” you asked him and he looked up at you, licking his lips in a mischievous way. 

“Will you do me a favor and fuck me right now?” you lifted your hips with desire. 

“There’s something I want you to do for me before, sunshine,” he smirked at you and you lifted a brow.  

“Now that I’m not going to be here for a few days,” he started talking and you almost moaned at how sexy his voice sounded, “there’s something I want to ask you not to do,” he continued with a darkened look on his face. 

“What?” you asked and licked your suddenly dry lips. 

He answered with a knowing smirk. “But I want to watch now. I want to see what you’re not going to be allowed to do while I’m away.”

You drew in a sharp breath when you understood what he was talking about. Did he want to see you pleasure yourself? While he was standing next to you?

“Come on sunshine,” he told you, his voice the smoothest you’ve ever heard it and it made you want to do anything he told you. Without question. You would have followed his voice alone to hell and back. 

“Do you want me to talk you through it?” he continued and you closed your eyes and nodded. “I want to see how you come from your fingers, sunshine. I want to see how your body trembles under the pleasure you caused.”

“Why am I not allowed to do it while you’re gone?” you asked in a weak voice, already turned on just by listening to his words. 

“Because I’m a selfish bastard who wants all of your orgasms to himself,” he answered and you couldn’t suppress a moan hearing that. “Don’t get shy now, sunshine. Do you remember how dirty your mouth gets when you’re begging me to fuck you? This isn’t different. But this time you’re the one doing it to yourself.”

You were already burning with desire and you wanted to please him too so you shyly lifted your fingers and placed them on just the right spot. 

You could hear him drawing in a sharp breath when you started circling your clit and rubbing the wetness all over yourself. 

“You’re so turned on,” he said, his voice airy and eyes wide. 

“It’s only for you,” you answered and threw your head back as you applied pressure on your clit while circling around it. 

“You’re so fucking perfect,” he breathed as you winced from pleasure hearing his praise. “Always coming around my cock when I fuck you. Always saying the perfect words to make me lose my mind. You do that to me, you make me lose my fucking mind,” he kept talking and you closed your eyes and focused on the pleasure your fingers on your clit were causing you while listening to his smooth voice. 

“Look at me,” he ordered and you reluctantly opened your eyes and glanced at him. All air left your lungs when you saw his expression, it was wild with lust and passion as he was looking down at you, a few drops of sweat balancing on his body as he was trying to fight the urge to fuck you right there and then and just enjoy the sight of you pleasuring yourself just a little longer. Just until you came. 

“What you said earlier,” he kept talking, “I know I can be myself with you. I don’t always show it but I know it. And I will. With time, I will show you all, sunshine. But we have time. We have all the fucking time in the galaxy.”

Your mouth fell open as you were listening to his words and you couldn't stop staring at his face while he was talking, he was so genuine. And he said all the time in the galaxy. Fuck, that sent a shiver down your body and you trembled as you felt the first signs of your orgasms building in your body. 

“You should see how beautiful you look right now, lost in my words and pleasure. You’re absolutely out of this world.”

The orgasm that was building in your body exploded and ripped through your body and your whole body trembled. He was there behind you immediately, sliding next to you and kissing your forehead. 

“Such a good girl,” he whispered and lifted the hand you were pleasuring yourself with and licked your fingers off. You groaned at the sensation and pressed your body harder against his. 

He rolled you over to your side and slid behind you. He gently sank his teeth in the sensitive skin on your neck and his hand traveled to your hips and pulled you closer, until his cock was touching your entrance and you winced in pleasure, still high from your orgasm. 

He pushed his hips forward and buried his cock inside you while his lips never left your neck and you whimpered, feeling overstimulated but drunk on pleasure. 

“Such a good girl,” his lips were moving against your skin as he was whispering. He started moving, every thrust audible because you were so wet for him. “So perfect for me,” he sighed and dug his fingers deeper into your hips as he started fucking you faster. “Talk to me.”

“I can’t,” you managed to say between two intense thrusts. “You make me lose my mind too, Crosshair.”

He exhaled deeply and shoved himself deeper than before inside you. He ran his delicate fingers down your body until they grabbed your butt and squeezed it, making you moan. He turned you around, standing on all fours and entered you. Both of you were completely lost in each other when you heard someone standing in front of the door, trying to enter. Thank the Maker Crosshair had enough in him to close the door earlier, otherwise you would have found yourself in a rather mortifying situation. Not that this was not making you flush with embarrassment.

‘I think,” you started saying but Crosshair didn’t seem to startle as much.

“We’re busy,” he called out and focused his attention back to you. “So where were we?,” he asked in a husky voice and rubbed his short stubble to your neck.  You shivered at the sensation and were reminded again what you two were in the middle of before being interrupted. 

He started moving again, slowly, making you moan out of pleasure. You tried muffling the sound with your hands but he stopped you. 

“I want to hear you,” he said in a raspy voice and picked up his pace. “I’d want everyone to hear you and know that you are mine,” he emphasized every word with thrust. You completely forgot about the interruption, all you could sense was him everywhere around you. 

 “I am yours, Crosshair,” you confessed between two moans and he inhaled sharply.

“What a good girl,” he softly stroked your hair before grabbing your butt and dictating an even faster rhythm. 

You moaned his name as he came inside you and filled you up with his thick, warm cum. He held you in place while he came, drunk on the voices you were making. 

After a minute of both of you just breathing hard, you turned around to face him and rested your forehead against his. “You’re mine too, Cross,” you whispered and kissed him. He kissed you back fondly, eagerly and embraced you. You stayed like that until both of your breathing calmed down. 

“You mesmerize me,” he whispered into your ears in a voice so low you could barely hear. 

“Crosshair,” you murmured his name. 

“I loved watching you,” he continued, stroking your naked body with his smooth, long fingers. You smiled sheepishly. “You are so beautiful,” he kissed your temple and you melted into his arms. 

“I can’t wait for you to come back from the mission,” you were reminded of the fact that he was going to leave you soon. He tensed a bit next to you. 

“I will come back. I will always come back to you, sunshine.” 

You took a breath to say something more when an abrupt knocking startled you. 

“Oh, fu-,” you started saying and abruptly sat up and started looking for your clothes. “Shit, I forgot about him,” you were so mad at yourself and flushed with embarrassment again. 

Crosshair stayed laying down on the bed with an evil grin playing on his lips. watching you hurry and get ready again. He reached for a toothpick and placed it between his lips.

“Crosshair!” you warned him. 

“What?” he stretched without any signs that he wanted to leave. 

“I think we should go right now and let poor shiny get his room back,” you said.

“Let him wait,” Crosshair answered smugly. “This might be the first and last action he could have heard.”

“You’re such a jerk,” you suppressed a smile and rolled your eyes. “Let’s just go!” you offered your hand to him which he couldn’t reject and got up. “Now, dress yourself,” you jerked your hand away and pointed at his clothes. He stared at you, naked and an amused look on his face. Well, he wasn’t completely naked, his toothpick was between his lips. It was a sight you wanted to see for the rest of your life. You couldn’t hide your smile. 

“Come on,” you managed to tear your eyes away from his body and nudged him to put his clothes on. He scowled and reluctantly started putting his clothes back on.

Then he held your hand and you walked out of the room to find a trooper awkwardly standing in front of the door. You felt a flush of embarrassment run through your body but Crosshair must not have felt anything remotely close to that because he just flicked his toothpick on the floor and casually told the trooper that the room is all his again. You mumbled an apology while Crosshair reached for another toothpick but luckily the clone seemed to be just as eager to get out of the situation as you so he just made an awkward face and disappeared in his barrack. 

“Well that was awkward,” you noted when you were walking on the corridors, in a safe distance from the room. 

“Only if you think it was,” Crosshair sent you an amused look and you thought about it. 

“I guess you’re right. I still think it was.”

He chuckled lightly and before he could have opened the door for you, it opened and Hunter walked out with Wrecker following him. 

“Why is there always someone in front of the doors today?” you wondered out loudly and received a confused look from your sergeant. 

“We are leaving, Tech signaled that his, I mean our ship is ready,” he decided to ignore your comment and just started walking toward the exit. 

“How was the armory?” Wrecker asked you genuinely and you suppressed a smile. 

"I was pleasantly surprised,” you sent a smirk to Crosshair. “It was even more than what I was expecting,”  you continued and looked back at him again. He had a triumphant and smug expression on his face. 

“I know right?” Wrecker continued. “It’s so fucking cool, next time I’m gonna show you the explosives and maybe give you a little representation,” he got all excited and you didn’t have the heart to tell him that you didn’t actually visit the armory. Hunter smirked knowingly but for once didn’t say anything. He exchanged a look with Crosshair that only the two of them could understand and sent him a crooked smile accompanied with a wink, making Crosshair roll his eyes with a smirk tugging at his lips. 

“That would be so nice of you Wrecker! But maybe let’s not blow the place up where you grew up, alright?”

“Oh, he wouldn’t blow it up, he knows what he’s doing,” Crosshair told you and Wrecker pushed out his chest at the compliment, “but I would be wary, he can talk endlessly about explosives that are basically the same,” he added with a smirk and Wrecker protested loudly. 

“Hey, you know they ARE all different! And it’s not like you don’t gush over your precious rifles every opportunity you can.”

“They really are all unique with their own enhancements,” Crosshair argued. 

“So are explosives!”

“He’s just playing with you, Wrecker,” Hunter weighed in. “He’s always doing this just to annoy you. Or us,” he made a face. 

“Oh,” Wrecker reacted and Crosshair sent him a playful smirk. “You’re a jerk.”

“Funny thing, I just told him this not long ago!” you said with a smile playing on your lips. 

“Really? He got it two times a day?” Hunter continued. “You aren’t yourself, Cross, it is usually way above ten by this time of the day,” he glanced at the time and shook his head, pretending to be disappointed. 

“I'll do better tomorrow," he answered with an amused face and you couldn't stop yourself from rolling your eyes. 

"That's the Cross we know," Hunter patted his back. 

You arrived back to Tech muttering to himself about how no one else can touch his ship. 

"Did they screw anything up Tech?" you asked him as you were all getting on the ship. 

"No, but you know the odds of that happening?" he asked vehemently. "I should always be notified when repairs are being done to the ship." 

"Don't worry, your baby's okay," Wrecker gently shoved him. 

"How long is this mission gonna be?" you asked, not wanting to let Crosshair go for even a day. Or just spend days without all of them, you got so used to them always being around that you felt some unease creep up on your spine when you thought about being apart while they were risking their lives. 

"Probably a few days," Hunter answered. "But if he will be this motivated to get back it might take less," he smirked at Crosshair who kept you close to his side. 

"All I know is that we are going to blow something up and that's enough for me," Wrecker grinned. 

"You deserve it, Wreck," you grinned back, knowing that it was already too long since he could blow something up. You thought about your meeting with Hardcase in the medical area and couldn't help but notice how well the two troopers would get on. "You know I treated a clone on Kamino, long story short he caused an explosion and fell down from the roof, I will have to bring the two of you together someday." 

"I wish I could have seen it," Wrecker laughed. "Who's the guy?" 

"It's Hardcase from the 501st," you answered. "He said that his growth chamber leaked and it made him hyperactive."

"That sounds like fun," Wrecker looked around the ship, probably for something to blow up. 

"Don't even think about it," Tech looked up from piloting and sent Wrecker a harsh look. "I have just got the ship back to its original state" 

"Man," Wrecker shook his head in disappointment. "I have to blow something up right now!" he was radiating energy and you thought how much he meant what he said. 

"You might need a cause for that, Wreck." 

"I have a cause, it's because I want to do it," he argued and you burst out laughing. Hard to argue with that. 

"Technically…," Tech started talking but Wrecker cut him off. 

"I don't wanna hear that, nothing good ever comes after that word. It do be funny when you say it though ." 

"Yeah, it was like the first word he ever said," Hunter said. "99 told us everything." 

"Actually it was a full sentence, don't undermine my so early developed skills." 

"Yeah Tech, we all know that you are a smart-ass." 

"I would once again ask you to refrain yourself from using that word to describe me." 

"Alright, then nerd." 

"Is that better?" Tech quickly glanced at you. "I'm unfamiliar with the latest changes in so-called slangs." 

"It's fine Tech," you restrained a smile. 

"Alright then."

"So Wreck, I see you're in dire need to do something, tell me a little about those explosives, what will you use at the end of the preferably short mission?" you asked Wrecker. Crosshair pulled you closer and interlaced his fingers around your waist. You needed a lot of self control not to lose your mind but Wrecker's happy face was worth paying attention to. 

"Sure thing, but first how much do you know about explosives?" 

"Not exactly much," you managed to answer but Crosshair's hands were very distracting. 

"Then I'll start from the beginning," Wrecker dived into the topic and showed that his knowledge was way more extensive than you would have ever imagined. You thought that he just blew stuff up for the sake of it but it turned out that he knew his way about them better than anyone. 

He told you everything about the difference in sizes and ingredients. 

"He actually came up with the idea of one of my custom bullets," Crosshair told you. Your conversation with Wrecker caught his attention too and he was listening to it carefully.

"It's a completely new approach and works very well," Tech added and you smiled proudly at Wrecker. 

"Maybe I shouldn't have, if I didn't give you those bullets I would have won a few more of our competition," Wrecker made a face and Crosshair sent him a smirk. 

"And I will continue using them against you," he said with a smug face. 

"You wish, this mission I will crush you," Wrecker answered with playful determination. 

"I don't think so," Crosshair raised an eyebrow. 

"I hope the both of you know that the beginning of our mission will consist of less shooting and more sneaking around for information, correct?" Tech asked and they both looked at him with a slightly disappointed face. 

"You'll get your chance to destroy clankers after we're done with the boring part," Hunter quickly calmed them. 

"Exiting hyperspace in ten seconds…," Tech warned you before you flew out of hyperspace and you saw the planet you were going to land on to drop you off. 

Crosshair held you a little tighter now that the time to say goodbye came closer. 

"If you don't all come back in the same condition, I will kill you," you said only half joking. 

"I'll take care of them," Hunter smiled at you reassuringly. "Just as I always do." 

Wrecker snorted loudly. "And what about the time you were hanging from that really tall tree and couldn't do anything because you dropped your knife? Who came to take care of you?" 

"You did," Hunter answered unwillingly. 

"And what was Tech doing while that?" 

"Being surrounded by clankers while trying to get the door open," Hunter continued in the same voice. "But they had it under control with Crosshair."

"Well…," Tech started to say but was cut off by Hunter. 

"Did you make it out alive or did you not?" 

"Barely."

"See," Hunter pointed at you. "Told you I always take good care of them."

"I mean if staying alive is considered that then you're doing just great," you gave him a thumbs up. 

"I know right," he grinned at you and you shook your head with a smile on your face. 

"I took care of that situation," Crosshair whispered into your ears and you believed him. 

"With me," Wrecker protested. 

"You might have helped."

"It was teamwork, right lil bro?" Wrecker patted Crosshair's back, making him roll his eyes but not saying a word against it. 

"As always," Wrecker finished and you sent him a smile. You were less stressed about the mission now and knew that they would take care of each other no matter what. 

“You better send me messages whenever you can,” you looked at each of them sternly. “Especially you,” you tightened your grip around Crosshair’s arms. 

“I will call you any chance I get,” he whispered into your eyes in a low and husky voice that weakened your knees, “I already miss your voice moaning my name,” he added in an ever quieter tone.

You gulped and he chuckled softly in your ear. The others turned back to each other and started discussing the mission. 

Crosshair’s hand wandered around your body and squeezed your waist, making all air escape from your lungs. Would you ever get enough of this man? You knew the answer was no.

“Why are you torturing me?” you asked and leaned a little closer to him. He put his large hand over your stomach and pulled your hips closer to his. Your breathing accelerated so noticeably that it made him smile against your shoulders, where he buried his face. 

“If this is how you react to torture, I’m unsure of your abilities,” he teased you lightly. 

“Why, you’d be able to hold up better?” you asked, your mind foggy with him being all around you and his smell surrounding you. Everything felt stronger now that you knew you would have to be apart for a few days. 

“I did,” he kept his tone light but the seriousness of the answer surprised you and you opened your eyes abruptly. 

“What?”

“Don’t worry about it, sunshine,” he buried his face back to your shoulder and you let his silver locks against your cheeks divert your attention. 

“You better come back to me,” you whispered, suddenly afraid of their upcoming mission again. 

“Haven’t I told you before? I always come back,” he answered and kissed your skin softly. Then again and again, leaving a trail of tender kisses across your neck and shoulder, making you melt into his arms. 

“Someone’s awfully clingy today,” Hunter turned away from the discussion he was having with Tech and Wrecker and looked at the two of you. He was wearing one of his crooked smiles but it was tinted with a hint of mockery. 

“Just making sure she doesn’t even think about anyone else why I’m away,” Crosshair answered and you frowned. 

“Like there is any doubt.”

“As I said I’m just playing safe,” he turned his attention back to you and kissed your neck again. You tried to keep your expression together now that Hunter was looking at you and you knew you didn’t succeed when his grin grew even bigger. 

“You won’t have to worry about anything like that,” Hunter reassured Crosshair with a wink. 

“If any of the regs give you a hard time…,” he started saying but you cut him off. 

“They won’t!”

“If they give you a hard time,” he continued like you hadn’t spoken, “call me and I’ll be back. Fuck the mission and anything else.”

“That won’t be necessary. If anything, they’ll give me a hard time with being too amusing and not letting me rest,” you brushed it off but realized what you said might not have been the best thing to say to him. 

“I changed my mind, you are coming with us,” he said with a dark expression and you shook your head. 

“Crosshair!” you warned him. “Stop this. I will be fine.”

“With regs surrounding you everywhere. And I won’t be there,” he was starting to get a little too worked up.

“Crosshair!” you warned him again and turned over to cup his face and stop him. “Stop!” you looked deeply in his eyes. “Stop it, you are being unreasonable.”

He scowled but didn’t look away from your eyes. 

“They are my friends. You are my man. And this is going to stay like this. Always.”

He seemed to think this through. “I still don’t like it,” he said eventually but with way less vehemence. 

“You don’t have to. Just accept it. Try it. For me?” you smiled sweetly and looked up at him from under your lashes. He lightly shook his head and raised his hand to hold your chin and lift your head to kiss you. 

At first he was gentle, his soft lips brushing against yours but then he deepened the kiss and got lost in you. His hands traveled down your back and one of them rested on your waist while the other stayed on your back to pull you even closer. You were still cupping his face and stroking his stubble as he kissed you desperately. 

You forgot about everything and everyone else, it was just Crosshair and you and you never wanted it to end. 

But then Tech cleared his throat to let you know that you landed and you broke away from each other, Crosshair a little too unwillingly. You didn’t even notice when you landed. 

“I’m afraid this is goodbye for now,” Tech said and glanced at you. You somehow managed to get out of Crosshair’s hands and walked over to Tech to pat his shoulder. 

“Take care Tech,” you smiled at him and he sent you a half-smile. 

“You too Medy,” he said and pulled a small but elegant silver blaster out from one of his packets and handed it to you without saying a word.. You reached for it, speechless. It fit perfectly into your hands and you knew it wasn't on purpose but you couldn’t not notice how its color was unmistakably close to Crosshair’s hair color. 

“I know you have a blaster but this one fits you better, it’s personalized for your hands,” Tech started talking. “It has yellow blaster bolts, which is the color mandalorians mostly use. It’s more powerful than both red or blue blasts,” he kept going on about it and you lifted the blaster to inspect it from closer, still stunned by its beauty and Tech’s gesture. It was a beautiful piece of weaponry, elegant but deadly. Exactly what you thrived to be. 

“Last time we were apart you got injured and we came back to find you severely exhausted,” Tech said. “I don’t want that to happen again.”

“Tech,” you placed the blaster down carefully and gave him a quick hug which surprised him and he didn’t know what to do. “Thank you so much,” you let the astonished trooper go. “It’s beautiful. I don’t know how to thank you for it.”

“You could start with not getting shot again,” he answered and you laughed 

“I’ll do just that.”

He nodded and glanced at Crosshair who came closer to inspect the blaster. He took it in his hands and looked at it carefully. He balanced it on one hand to check its weight and then handed it back to you without a word. 

He and Tech shared a look and Crosshair sent him a nod and a soft smile. Tech tilted his head and nodded back. Crosshair reached forward to pat his shoulder before taking a step back and looking at you again. 

“That’s a pretty blaster for the pretty lady,” Wrecker joked when he took a look at your new blaster too. “And Tech’s right, we better not find you as tired and done than the last time!” he grabbed your shoulders and shook you a little just to make sure his words got to you. 

“You are the ones going on the serious mission, why are you worried about me, who’s staying at the base?”

“‘Cause last time you managed to get into trouble,” Hunter told you with one brow raised. 

“Yeah, we handled that just well.”

“You got shot,” Crosshair said with a sour face. 

“Barely,” you waved and pointed at him. “You were the one who got seriously injured not long ago so you don’t really have a say in this.”

“That has nothing to do with this,” he stepped closer. “I’m used to getting injured but you are used to healing them.

“Well, I don’t seem to get used to healing your injuries  so you if you just stopped receiving them,” you glared back at him. 

“Alrighty,” Hunter decided to step between the two of you. “Let’s just not get carried away. We are dropping Medy off, she’ll be safe there. And if not, then she’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself. And we’ll be fine too,” he looked at you reassuringly. “We took care of each other even before you so don’t worry, it’s barely more than a standard mission for us. Piece of cake,” he said and you saw Tech wanting to say something and open his mouth but he seemed to think it through so he remained silent instead. 

“I’d want that piece of cake,” Wrecker wondered and you couldn’t help but smile at that. 

“We’ll get you one after the mission,” you told him and he nodded excitedly. 

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Tech stood up from his seat, “but I believe it’s time for us to leave if we want to arrive at a time when security is lower around the base.”

It was time to say your goodbyes. They all accompanied you while you got off the ship. 

Hunter nodded at you encouragingly and patted your shoulder before getting on the ship again. Tech sent you a smile and then followed Hunter. Wrecker picked you up and gave you a bear-hug, making you laugh. He ruffled your hair after putting you down and then went after his brothers. It was just Crosshair left. 

He looked at you for several seconds without saying anything and then pulled you into his arms and kissed you again. His kiss was passionate and rough and he held you almost painfully tight but it was all you needed. After the kiss he rested his forehead against yours. 

“I’ll be back soon.”

“You better,” you smiled at him. “But until then…,” you smiled at him mischievously and gave him something that you had hidden in your pocket earlier.

His eyes widened and a mischievous smile appeared on his lips. Then he lifted his hand to his face and inhaled the smell of the little fabric that you gave him. Then he put your panties in one of his pockets and smiled back at you playfully then his expression darkened and he bit his lower lips.

“I will have fun with this while I’m away.”

Now your eyes widened. “On the mission? You wouldn’t dare,” you waved. 

“Yeah?” He smiled cockily. “Watch me,” he stole another quick kiss and started walking toward the ship. You stood there, frozen and just stared after your beautiful man. 

He glanced back at you over his shoulder. “Oh, you’ll be able to watch. I’ll call you,” he smirked and got on the ship, leaving you there, astonished and aching for him.

[wardenparker]

Win a Date with Javi G, part 1

Javi Gutierrez x female reader x Jack Daniels Co-written with @absurdthirst

Rating: Mature, but this blog is always 18+ Word Count: 15.9k   Warnings: Cursing. Food/alcohol. Pure fluff and flirting. A little dirty talk/dirty flirting toward the end. Summary: You and your best friend are huge fans of Spanish pop star Javi G, and she managed to convince you to enter a contest to win a date with the singer himself. No one is more surprised than you when you actually win. ✨🎶🥰 Notes: Hey Guys! It's my birthday! To celebrate, Keri and I conceived of this little one shot that turned into a smutty, kinky, fluffy two-parter and I hope you love it as much as we do. For all the folx out there who remember the movie "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton", you'll recognize the inspiration right away -- and reader's hometown is inspired by the waterfront town from "Bob's Burgers". We're all over the map here! Special shouts also to my darling @julesonrecord for imaging how much glitter Eurovision Pop Star Javi G would actually be covered in at every show.

Your eyes are on the verge of crossing when the phone rings, books spread out on your desk in your home office and countless tabs open on your laptop as you try to piece together this bit of research to send off to your bosses on deadline. You almost let the call go to voicemail, too absorbed in this odd passage from an even odder book, but something inexplicable tells you to answer it. The call is Private, the word splashed across your screen as it continues to ring, and your cat meows curiously when she jumps up into your lap as you hit the green button to accept. “Hello?”

Jack tilts the handset for his desk phone against his shoulder and enjoys the sound of the voice on the other end. It sounds attractive, being in the business long enough, you can tell by a voice if the person is gonna be a looker. “Howdy ma’am.” He greets you and then says your name. “Is it a convenient time for a talk?”

Howdy? You make a face instinctively, wondering why you've got a cowboy calling you in the middle of the day. Probably a telemarketer, but what the hell. You've got time. Your cat meows again and you sit back in your chair to let her settle into your lap to be pet while you're on the phone. "Sure," you say after a moment. "What can I do for you?"

“Jack Daniels ma’am.” He introduces himself with a grin as he twists in his ergonomic chair and looks at the poster that is plastered up on his wall for the upcoming world tour. “I’m the CEO of Statesman Talent Agency.” He hums. “And I’m callin’ concerning a little contest that you entered. ‘Win a Date with Javi G’? Does that ring a bell?”

"Oh!" Shooting up straight in your chair almost tips your sweet cat onto the floor but you manage to recover and hold onto her. "Uh–yeah, yes. Of course." Entering the contest had been a whim. A decision made after too much wine and giggling with your best friend. Spain's Eurovision winner Javi G was trying to break out in America and you had loved the album he released - as well as everything he had put out in Spain that you had hunted down on the internet. Your best friend had been able to talk you into entering after about the millionth watching of his winning Eurovision performance. You definitely didn't think you would actually get a call about it though.

“Good, good,” Jack chuckles as he takes his boots off his desk and leans forwards. “I’m tickled pink to inform you that you have won our little contest.” He tells you. “You will be flown out to L.A. to accompany Javi to the Grammys as well as the Universal Music Group after party.” He rambles. “Hotel and your dress will be provided of course.”

"I—"You almost hiccup, the disbelieving laughter coming out of you right away. "Seriously?"

“Now ma’am, my momma would whoop me if I was leadin’ a young lady on.” Jack grins at your reaction, imagining you are about to start dancing. “We do need to be discussin’ some of the particulars. The NDA and the legal-ese stuff the blaster lawyers like to prattle on about.” He hums. “Plus we need to film your ‘official’ win for the announcement. Are you gonna be free next week?”

"I–um–yes, sir, I am." There's no fucking reason in the world to have called him sir, but the cowboy thing just sinks into your brain and the manners pop out by accident. "I work from home and my availability can be made flexible." Having a conventional job for unconventional employers has its benefits.

“Good, that’s good, darlin’.” Jack might get shit for his sometimes seemingly sexist way of speaking, but it’s not often. “I’ve got your information right here in front of me and will be sendin’ you an email.” He promises. “Congratulations.”

"Thank you very much, Mr. Daniels." There, that's more appropriate. It doesn't help that you're nearly vibrating in your chair and about three seconds away from laughing so hard you scream. "I look forward to hearing from you."

“Real soon, darlin’” Jack hangs up the phone and hums, your social media account pulled up and he’s looking at a picture of you. “She’s gonna be perfect.” He predicts with a grin.

As soon as you hang up the phone you're a giggling mess, hugging your cat and giving her all the scratches in the world as she looks at you with distinct concern. Immediately pulling up your best friend’s contact info to call her, you're not taking no for an answer – tonight is going to be takeout and a bottle of wine and celebrating. For a girl who has never won anything before, this is a very big first.

******

Four days later, Jack sighs as he walks down the stairs of the G5 he had flown to your closest airport. Squinting at the light, he’s delighted to find the car waiting for him. The little perks of having an international talent agency often outweighed the long hours and constant ass kissing.

“Thirty minute drive, Mr. Daniels.” The driver tells him when he opens the rear door to let the man climb into the nondescript black SUV. “Not much traffic this time of day.”

“Is there a lot a traffic…ever?” Jack asks, far too used to L.A.’s horrendous traffic in the years he has spent living there. It makes a normal town seem positively quaint.

“People still have to get to and from work.” The driver shrugs and closes the door, only opening his mouth again when he climbs behind the wheel. “Town’s Art Crawl is this weekend, so it’ll get busy fast.”

“Art Crawl?” Jack would normally be on his phone, answering emails but the driver has piqued his curiosity. “What is that?”

“The restaurants and businesses down on the wharf by the theme park all display art by local artists,” the man explains as he heads for the highway. The address he was given is an apartment on Ocean Avenue, so he isn’t worried about finding it. That’s just downtown. “It’s a fundraiser for I-dunno-what. People buy the art and can donate to whatever the cause is at raffles and things. Always brings in the crowds, though.”

Jack hums. “Interesting.”

“Town’s got a lot of good stuff goin’ on.” The driver continues. Having a captive audience suits him. “Just had a big party at town hall for New Years. Community theater is opening a show this weekend. More Art Crawl stuff.”

“Hmmmm.” Jack reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out his phone. Maybe Seymour’s Bay isn’t quite as small town U.S.A as he had imagined it to be. “Sounds like this place has some culture.” He says, opening his mail. “You like Javi G?”

The driver glances in his rear view mirror. He was given a name, a time, and an address and nothing else. Now this guy in a Stetson is asking him about some pretty boy pop singer? “Can’t say I’ve heard much,” he says with a shrug. “That’s the kind of stuff my fifteen-year-old daughter listens to.” 

“He is going to be touring in the U.S. in the next three months.” Jack tells him, glancing up from his email for a moment. “Tickets go on sale next Monday.” If there’s anything that Jack Daniel’s excels at, it’s promoting his clients. Even if it’s to his driver for the day.

“Yeah?” The man makes a huffing sound, like the wheels in his head needed some extra oomph to get moving. “It’s her birthday soon…”

“Nothing better than tickets for her and her two closest friends to see the concert of the year.” He reaches into his pocket and and pulls out a card. “If you want to really impress her, call that number and my secretary can set you up with VIP passes for a fair price. Meet and greets.”

The rest of the car ride passes with some grateful squawking from the driver and the usual questions about what it’s like to work for celebrities, and by the time the man pulls the car up in front of the big brick building on Ocean Avenue that houses a florist shop on street level and an apartment up above, he probably should have talked himself silly. Instead he pulls the back door open with a beaming smile and waits for this client to exit. “This is it,” he says, excited for whatever is happening that he doesn’t know about. But excited nonetheless.

“Thank you.” Jack nods as he looks at the neat, well kept building. He steps out of the back of the vehicle and reaches for his briefcase, filled with the paperwork that would serve as the agreement for the contest.

The agent’s arrival time was listed in the email you got last night, and you have been hustling all week long to make sure that your apartment is spotless for his arrival. Putting way too much thought into everything as usual, there are tons of drink choices in the fridge, an entire painstakingly assembled charcuterie platter to offer, and a box of macarons from the bakery down the street that makes the best sweets in the entire world. Even Pyewacket is behaving, just lazing happily in a patch of sun on the arm of your leather sofa. You’re dressed decently, styled like an actual adult, everything is perfect. So when the buzzer for your door sounds, you take a deep breath before you answer without panicking. “Coming!” You chirp through the speaker and head straight downstairs.

He waits, looking around the street and peers into the shop to see the bouquets that are on display. They are beautiful, someone with a skilled hand put them together. It’s ideal honestly and he can already see how the promo’s for the advertisement for Javi’s tour will go.

When the back door to the building opens and you step out, you have to hold back a small giggle at first. There’s a man in a Stetson with a Burt Reynolds mustache peering in the shop window right beside your beaten up little car and you clear your throat politely. “Mr. Daniels?”

Seeing you in person, it's even better than your social media page. Your smile is bright, almost irresistible. He reaches up and sweeps his hat off his head and smiles his most charming smile while he says your name. "It is surely a pleasure to meet you."

The features that you noticed from a distance are the least consequential as the man turns to greet you and aims a smile at you that’s brighter than the sun. Oh god, he’s handsome… “It’s really nice to meet you, too.” You put your hand out automatically, meaning to be polite, and motion to the shop beside you. “Beautiful, right? My sister does great work.”

"It’s your sister's shop?" He asks, glancing back over to the window and then back to you. When you nod, Jack grins and straightens up. "Fine work," he praises. "Probably better that most shops that I've seen charge a thousand dollars a setting."

“She ships long distance and does all kinds of special arrangements.” You tell him, puffed up with pride for your hardworking big sister. “I have her card upstairs, and you should pop in before you leave town. Bring something back to your wife or whoever’s at home.”

"No wife." He shakes his head and winks at you. "Yet." He doubts he would ever marry, his life not exactly conducive to having a little lady putter around the house. "But I know that I send flowers all the time to clients and associates."

“I’ll make sure you leave with Kate’s card, then.” Nodding toward the building, you can’t avoid the little shiver that wink gave you, as silly as it is. “Would you like to come up?”

"I never turn down a pretty lady inviting me upstairs." Jack hums, enjoying the way you seem to fluster. You will look amazing on Javi's arm at the Grammys but that doesn't mean that he couldn't flirt with you and pay you a compliment or ten.

It’s just one flight of stairs that opens into your little place, but the meowing is immediate when your black cat pops out of nowhere and starts inspecting the new arrival. “Pyewacket, be nice to Mr. Daniels,” you instruct, giving her fur a ruffle on your way through the living room. “Can I offer you a drink? Something to eat?”

Jack eyes the fluffy black cat as if he might get attacked and edges past it. Never been a cat man, although it seems to be staring at him judgmentally. "I'm good with a drink." He accepts with a nod and looks at the small dining room table. "Perhaps we can go over the contracts and disclosures here?" He asks.

“Of course.” After going through the drink options you end up pouring two glasses of iced tea and setting them down on the clean table. “I understand the basics. Don’t talk about private things that I might see or hear, and to make sure I actually show up at the appointed time and place or legal action can be taken against me.”

"Right." Jack grins, reaching into his briefcase to pull out the paperwork. "There's also a little disclaimer that any and all sexual activity happens with consent of both parties." He winks at you again and shrugs. "Just in case."

“I—um—okay, that’s…” You look at him curiously. “Is that…something that happens? With these things?” It would be the first you’ve ever heard of anything like it — but then again there is also an NDA on your table right now. 

"If you and Javi wanted it to." He admits with a small grin. "Animal attraction and all. This just states that neither you nor Javi are required to provide intimate acts and if any transpire that it is of your own free will."

“It seems way more likely that I’ll overhear something, but I get it. You have to protect your client.” And since absolutely fucking nothing is happening without your consent - thank you self defense classes - you nod and pick up a pen. “So what happens? I arrive at some decent but inexpensive hotel, stylist dresses me so I look halfway decent, and I walk down the red carpet with him then get sent back to the hotel? Quick and dirty, as they say?”

Jack snorts and shakes his head. "Oh no." He hums, sending you a cocky smirk. "You will have a suite at the Biltmore Los Angeles and the stylists will be measuring you the day you arrive to make sure the gowns they pull for you to choose from are your size. We have artists come in to do your hair and makeup following a full spa day." 

“Oh.” That’s a hell of a lot more than you expected, and you can’t help but feel a little special and a lot flustered. “That’s a hell of a way to make a girl feel special, Mr. Daniels.”

"This is a once in a lifetime event, darlin'." Jack admits with a charming grin. "Javi's startin' off his U.S. tour with a bang."

“Yeah, I—um…my best friend and I actually pre-ordered our tickets the day the email went out.” You look down into your iced tea sheepishly, but you entered a damn contest for a date. They already know you’re a fan. “Fan Club early access tickets…”

"Fan club, huh?" Jack chuckles and he bites his lip. "Well, we'll just have to upgrade our contest winner to VIP tickets." He decides. "Can't have the woman who goes to the Grammys with Javi G watching his concert from anywhere but front row."

Sure you could demure and say it isn’t necessary, but you’re not at all going to turn down that kind of offer. The nearest big concert venue to you is a decent drive away and you and your best friend had already planned on having to get a hotel room for the night on top of everything else. It is going to be an extra big deal now. “I’m very happy to be extra positive publicity for you,” you tell him instead, knowing that that is probably his biggest and main concern. It doesn’t bother you one bit. 

"Good." He smiles and nods. "Not necessary but we will take all the social media coverage we can get." He does level you a serious look. "Before the winner is announced...you should probably make security changes to your accounts." He warns. "Just in case."

“What do you mean?” The ink is on the page now, your signature on the dotted line of the contract appointing you the winner of the contest, so you sit up to pay attention.

"Sometimes fans can be...invasive." He's sure he doesn't have to tell you about it if you are part of the fan club but he does want to warn you. "Make sure that you aren't getting random DMs and that you accept friends. I'm sure that as soon as it is announced, you will find you have thousands of new followers overnight."

“It will be a very busy weekend, then, I guess.” The email that had been sent to you said the announcement was coming within days of your contract being signed, so that can only be soon. After all, the Grammys are in three weeks. “I’ll change my passwords and privacy settings and all of that. Lock it down. Thanks for the tip.”

"Don't want this experience to be anything but magical." Jack winks again and snaps his fingers. "Oh! Damn near forgot, Javi recorded you a message."

“Oh, that’s—that’s so sweet.” So what if it was in his contract? Or if it was just a thing he would have done for any person who won the contest? It’s still nice.

Nodding, he pulls out his phone and opens up the video. "I'll send it to you, it's going to be posted on the official Javi G tour site after the announcement of your win as well."

The message pops up on your phone right away while you begin to read the NDA, glad to have just a tiny bit of legal knowledge from this and that over time. This one looks nearly identical to one that you signed for a work event some time ago so you sign it without fear. The last piece is the paper listing sexual activity as unattached to the contest and of the own free will of its participants and you shake your head all over again. How many people really just fall into bed with celebrities just because they’re famous? It seems so silly.

Javier Gutierrez, known as Javi G to his fans, pops up on the screen and he flashes the sweet smile that has melted men and women's hearts across Spain and Europe. Now destined to become a major success in the United States. "Buenos dias!" He waves and says your name. "I cannot tell you how I am looking forward to our date." He seemingly speaks to you, making eye contact with the camera. "Perhaps you will make me not so nervous." He chuckles nervously as he says that and continues on. "We will have a wonderful time at the Grammys and who knows?" He shrugs. "You might inspire a new song, cariño." He blows a kiss to the camera. "See you soon."

“He always seems so sweet.” Who knows if it’s a character or not, but even in his little Instagram posts or things like that, he always seems completely earnest and giddy. Like he can’t believe his good luck or something. “Is there anything else I should know? Before the day, I mean?”

"Javi has requested a brunch, or lunch, depending on how hungover the two of you might be." Jack smirks because he knows that is very likely. "Something simple, low key with no social media. His way of thanking you." 

“No dressers for that, I’m assuming?” You tease because it’s in your nature, but you make a mental note to pack your favourite dress to have brunch in. “I can definitely do brunch. Best meal ever invented.”

“L.A. is the city to have it in then.” Jack sweeps up all the signed paperwork and nods. “You will be sent an electronic version of these papers as well. We just like having physical copies.”

“Sure. Makes sense.” Another nod, as you wonder why this agent came all the way out here himself. “Do you…need anything else from me? Clothing sizes, probably?” There had been no request for physical indicators of any kind in the contest entry, so it’s not like he has them on file unless he’s a creeper.

Jack shakes his head. “The stylist will measure you when you land in L.A.” He explains. “Women’s sizes are so varied from brand to brand.”

“Okay.” Nervous again, you shrug your shoulders and take the last sip of your iced tea. “So is that it? I really have no idea how this works. Obviously.”

“Well…yeah.” Jack frowns slightly and picks up his tea again. “The ticket will be sent to you, we are flying you out two days before the Grammys, then back home two days after.” He shrugs slightly. “What questions do ya got for me?”

“Wait, it’s four days?” You almost startle at that news, but manage to shut your mouth after a few seconds. “Okay, uh…what arrangements do I have to make for myself? Hotel for the other nights? Flight home? Obviously you guys aren’t buying my meals or anything.”

Jack frowns. “Darlin’, I’m sorry, I guess you didn’t read the fine print.” He tuts, shaking his head. “Everything is included. There and back. You are not going to pay for a thing. At least I hope the $300 a day spending money for meals is enough.” They had wanted to make this contest as popular as possible, garnering attention and excitement for Javi G’s tour and it seems as though you didn’t even know what you were getting. 

The disbelieving laugh that that news earns him bursts out of you like an explosion and you end up giggling nervously. “I…had had a lot of wine that night,” you admit. “And I never went back to reread the contest information because I didn’t figure there was any chance I would win.”

“Surprise.” He chuckles and tilts his head. “The prize includes first class flights to L.A. and back, the entire stay at the Biltmore and twelve hundred dollars to be spent at your discretion for food. For four days. And the room service in the hotel is included with the room.”

“I’ll grab a city map and a rental car when I land and I’ll be good to go.” Sitting back in your chair, you blow out a breath and laugh again. “This is a hell of a contest, Mr. Daniels. It’s really a very impressive prize.”

He sighs and rolls his eyes. “I knew there was something they forgot.” He hisses, shaking his head. “We will make sure there’s a car at the hotel.”

“Oh no, that’s not—!” You bite your lip and hope you haven’t gotten some poor office lackey in trouble. “It’s very generous of you.”

“Convertible okay?” He wants to make sure he smooths over this oversight so you are happy as a pig in the mud when you post your stories online. “Drive down Hollywood Boulevard Marilyn style?”

Nearly choking on the first sip of a new glass of tea, your eyes go wide when you look up at him again. “I—that car? The broken down piece of crap you were standing next to downstairs? That’s been my car for seven years and she has been that bad the whole time I’ve had her. A convertible is insane.”

“Then the videos you post – safely – of you driving it with the wind blowing through your hair will be spectacular.” Jack winks.

“Very safely.” You can promise him that with your hand on your heart.

“It’s gonna be a great trip, darlin’.” Jack predicts. “Javi’s gonna love you and you’re gonna feel like a star.”

“I’m very excited.” It felt like a dream to begin with, but now all this? It’s incredible. It’s a fairy tale.

“Perfect.” Jack thinks you’re beautiful and if he didn’t have this contest that needed to be fulfilled, he would be hitting on you. “Only three weeks until you will be in L.A. and posing with Javi on the red carpet.”

******

The first two days in LA are like a whirlwind, posting things to your social media in between sending texts back to your best friend and your sister, doing as many touristy things as you can manage and eating some of the best food you've ever had in your life. This city is like nothing you've ever experienced before and you're enjoying every second of it. The day of the Grammys is an all-day spa treatment for you until you head back to your hotel room. Room service is waiting for you there, and the team of stylists arrive very soon after. The army of dresses that they have with them are all so stunning that you can barely get a good look at one before you're sighing over the next, and they are ready and excited to get to work.

“Knock knock.” Javi can hear the chattering and laughter inside as he stands outside the hotel room with his suit. His hair is already carefully styled and the stylist that is working with you right now is going to finish his look here in your room. Jack had wanted candid photos of you and him getting ready together.

"Oh my god." Sitting at the vanity in the hotel room in your robe and slippers, you swear you nearly fall over right in your chair. "It's you!"

“It’s me.” The door had been left open, due to the people coming in and out of your suite, so he pushes the door open and pops his head inside. “Can I come in?”

"O–of course!" Making sure you're covered by your robe, you get up to offer him your hand and find the smile on your face is even broader than you thought it would be. He's even more handsome in person...how is that possible?

The stylist quickly takes the suit from Javi, leaving him free to take your hand and pull you in for a hug. “Are you excited? I am excited. What a thrilling night!” He rambles, squeezing you tight and pulling back to beam at you, “Jack was right, but he always is.” 

"Jack was right you'd be excited?" He smells amazing despite it probably just being soap, and he's so warm that it radiates through you like you're hugging a ball of pure energy in the form of a man. Or maybe the form of a Golden Retriever Man.

“Jack was right that you are even more beautiful than your picture.” Javi corrects with a shy smile.

"I..." What the hell do you even say to that, when it's being said by the most attractive man you've ever seen in real life? "Thank you." Lame. "You're–I mean–you're incredibly sweet." Thank god you stopped yourself before you told him that he is beautiful, too. That would have been a hell of a way to start the night.

Javi frowns slightly as he panics slightly. “I did not mean to offend.” He hastily corrects, biting his lip. “I– I messed it up, didn’t I? Now you are uncomfortable and will not want to attend the Grammys with me.”

"Javi..." Surprising both of you, you reach out and put your hand on his arm. "I got tongue tied. I was about to tell you that you look beautiful instead of saying handsome. It's...you did nothing wrong. I'm just excited and very nervous."

He swallows, taking a deep breath and sighing out softly. “I–I’m sorry.” He apologizes. “Normally I can pretend to be more collected but I am nervous.” He admits.

"It's okay." Both of you end up laughing a little, and you step back to let him further into the room. "We were about to have a great debate over which gown to put me in. Do you want to weigh in?"

“You have not chosen yet?” He is surprised but delighted. “Have you tried any on yet?”

"They took my measurements when I got into the city two days ago and now I get to try stuff on and pretend to be a model." It's completely surreal and you're enjoying every second of it, if you're honest with yourself. The fact that people have whole lives like this is insane.

“You will look incredible.” Javi has no problem slipping into the chair that you had just vacated and he taps his chin as he thinks. “Is there a dress that matches my suit?” He asks the stylist. “Or should we not coordinate?”

The woman tips her head at Javi for a moment before nodding slightly and pulling away to sift through the garment bags that she brought. "We can make your accessories match," she tells him confidently. "You have pearl and gold cufflinks and gold horsebit on velvet loafers. For her," she nods to you while she talks. "I have two velvet gowns. Both will work with gold and pearl accessories." One gown is lush black velvet and the other is seductive red, both in vintage cuts. "How about one of these?"

Javi looks to you for your opinion. You will be wearing the dress after all. “What do you think?” He asks, genuinely wanting your input. “If you would rather something else, that is perfectly fine too.”

"Velvet is great. I'm not upset about that option." You're not upset about any of this, and you step toward the stylist with the dorkiest thumbs up known to man. "Let's try both on and see which one looks better."

Javi chuckles and nods. “That sounds like a perfect plan. Shall we have some champagne?”

Champagne. On Grammy night. With your favourite singer of all time. While you try on designer gowns. If you could go back in time and tell Little You about all this you'd never believe yourself. "Absolutely. Let's do it. You pour and I'll be right back."

Javi knows that the bucket of champagne is going to arrive soon. Jack had assured him that he was ordering one for when you were meeting him. Knowing that some champagne would calm him down.

Disappearing for the time it takes to wiggle into the red dress, you glimpse yourself in the mirror long enough that you almost sigh. It's stunning. Reminiscent of old Hollywood, it fits and flares in all the right places and the back hangs low enough to show off a whole lot of skin. Unfortunately, you note as you step out for Javi to see the dress on you, it's a little hard to walk in because it is so form fitting.

Immediately, Javi frowns when he sees your lips pinched together in concentration. “What is wrong with it?” He asks, leaning forward. It’s stunning, to be sure, but he will not have you uncomfortable for the entire night.

Biting your lip just gives you away even further, and you shrug a little helplessly. "I'm not very good at being elegant, I guess," you have to laugh to not be embarrassed. "It's a little hard to walk in."

Javi nods seriously, his brows pinching together. You look sexy in the dress and he knows it is flattering, but if you aren’t comfortable, it’s not the dress for you. “No.” He decides, shaking his head. “I wish for you to be comfortable.” He flashes a grin with a roll of his eyes. “As comfortable as you can get in a formal dress.”

The horror stories of being sewn into red carpet gowns, not being able to breathe, or walking in one specific way all night are thankfully not in your future, and you smile gratefully. “Okay. I’ll put on the other one. Be right back.”

“It is beautiful though!” Javi calls after you, watching you toddle out of the room into the bedroom of your suite.

He’s right, obviously. It’s a stunning gown and gorgeously made, but the one and only time you ever walk a red carpet is not going to be a night you have to hold your breath and tiptoe in order to exist. The black velvet dress is slightly shorter, the silhouette is much more comfortable, and the intricate pattern in the material is accented by an off-the -shoulder neckline that makes you feel elegant without being too exposed. It’s perfect, and you know the second you walk out that the difference is immediate.

Javi sits up straight in his chair, captivated by both the dress on your body and the shy smile that lights up your face. You feel good in this dress and that makes you even more stunning. “Estás preciosa. Impresionante.” He murmurs as he stands. “Yes, this is – it is beautiful.”

“It’s so comfortable,” you barely stifle a giggle, gleeful and unable to really wrap your head around your own good luck. “You, um…you like it?” As surreal as it is to have this monumentally talented international star sitting there gauging your appearance in red carpet fashion, you don’t feel as nervous as you thought you would. As you did right when he came in. He just had such a positive energy about him that it puts you right at ease.

“It’s is perfect, no?” Javi bobbles his head enthusiastically as he looks at the stylist for some back up. “She looks like she is a celebrity herself.”

“She will be after tonight.” The stylist hums her approval. “Sit down, honey. Have a drink, chat, whatever you like. Just don’t move your head a lot while we’re putting your look together, okay?” 

“Drink. Chat. Don’t move,” you laugh lightly at the directions and sit back down again, delighting when Javi himself hands you a glass of champagne. The last two days have been surreal, and this has just leveled up to crazy.

“It is easy to do once you remember not to look at everyone.” Javi assures you, sitting down in the chair that has been set up next to yours for last minute touch ups. It will allow him to chat with you and get to know you before the red carpet. “Are you looking forward to the awards?”

“Yeah, absolutely!” It’s such a once in a lifetime chance for you, what’s not to love? “I have no idea what to really expect, though.” A laugh comes easily but you have to remind yourself not to shrug. “I watch it on TV like most other people, but I have a feeling that a lot of stuff happens that isn’t shown on the broadcast.”

“We will find out together.” Javi admits with a giddy grin. It will be his first American Grammy Awards show and he is looking forward to it. “But we will have fun. I am sure of it.”

“We absolutely will.” Looking at him in the mirror as the stylists go to work on both of you, the whole thing is just…it’s perfect. It’s the story you’ll tell for the rest of your life. That time you reached Peak Awesome by winning a contest.

“And then we have the after parties.” He chuckles with an excited grin. “Sharing a drink with all my favorite artists.”

“Are we supposed to go to certain ones?” You had re-read the contract and contest rules over the last few weeks and there was a lot you had missed in your wine haze when you had entered.

“We will make an appearance for Jack. The main party….” He snaps his fingers, unable to think of the name. “Then we can choose where we would go.”

“Universal Music Group.” You remember that one, considering it’s such a big deal. “Jack did a really amazing job setting all of this up.”

“Jack is wonderful at everything he does.” Javi assures you with a small smile. “He has guaranteed my success in the States.”

“Well,” the smile you aim at him in the mirror is shy. “I already have my ticket for the tour. Jack, um…upgraded it. To VIP. So tonight won’t be the only time you see me, it seems.”

“Wonderful!” Javi lights up happily. “I might have to pull you up on stage with me.” He teases with a small wink. “Croon a few songs while you are there and make everyone in the stadium jealous.”

This man just does not do things by half, does he? It makes you wish you had about three more glasses of champagne to justify this bubbly feeling. “Well…he also put me and my best friend in the front row…so if you wanted to, we’ll be right there.”

“Your best friend? Is she a fan as well?” He asks, his eyes wide and sincere. “Or are you dragging her along for someone to attend with you?”

“She’s a fan, too.” You assure him, watching in the mirror as the stylist carefully sets the curls in his hair. “We watch Eurovision together every year, and the first time you performed for Spain…three years ago? You absolutely should have won, by the way, but we’ve both been fans ever since.”

“Thank you.” Javi still has a hard time accepting compliments, even as long as he has been performing, so a blush darkens his tanned features. “I am grateful that you think so. That is what matters to me, people enjoy my music.”

"There are a lot of us out there." If you thought he was sweet before, now you just want to wrap him up in cuddles and protect him with everything you've got. He's just a nice man who wants people to connect to him, and he's so endearing that it makes you ache. "You have a huge community of fans out there. All over the world."

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” He ducks his head, causing his stylist to huff and remind him about staying still. “Oh! Sorry.” He catches your eyes in the mirror and winces, although he is grinning slightly.

"I promise, you do." Considering you're a member of that community, you would know. But either way, you beam his smile back at him in the mirror. "There are a lot of people in the States who are very excited to see you come over here. It's going to be great."

“I hope so.” He gushes. “I have always dreamed of coming over to American music billboards. ‘Crossing over’.”

His excitement is so sweet and pure, and you can't help the way your smile spreads and spreads the more you talk to him. "I don't know anything about distribution or profits or tours or any of that. But as a fan? There are so many of us who are so excited about this. I think it's going to go really well for you."

“Fingers crossed as the saying goes.” Javi is grateful that you seem to be such an encouraging person and his eyes light up. “We should call your friend!”

"Would you mind it?" Your phone is out on the vanity in front of you and you had thirty seconds worth of forethought this morning to change your lockscreen from a picture of Javi to one of you and your friend and your sister in her florist shop so that when he nods and you pick up your phone it isn't a cringeworthy moment.

“Not at all. You should FaceTime her!” He insists, eyes sparkling with the excitement of surprising your friend.

"Her name is Esme." You're practically giggling as you tap your phone screen, and grateful when the stylists move him slightly closer to you while they work so that you can both be seen in the small screen. "She's going to absolutely lose her mind. So...just be warned."

“That is okay.” He grins as he leans over a bit more to smoosh his face next to yours in the screen as you try to connect to your friend.

The phone rings twice before she picks up, but Esme is currently cat sitting for you and it's Pyewacket's face that greets you instead of your best friend's. "Hey Pye!" You coo at your cat, who looks confused as hell to see you in a little window instead of all in front of her. "Es...put the cat down and say hello," you giggle, still making faces at your cat.

“Aren’t you calling for a Pye check in?” Esme laughs as the feline jumps down and she turns the camera towards her face. “So how is it–” Her eyes widen and she starts to squeal. “OH MY GOD, Oh my god! Javi G!”

"I'm calling to say hi," you cackle, nearly keeling over in your chair to the dismay of your stylist. "Javi thought we should give you a call."

“Oh my god, oh my god, hiiiiiiiiiii.” She gasps out, nearly about to pass out from not taking a breath yet. “I can’t believe that I’m talking to you!”

"I told you," you smirk to the man beside you, but it's all good natured. Everyone deserves a little love and encouragement, right? His just comes from fans. "Es, you have to breathe, babe," you remind her over the camera.

“I’m so sorry.” She looks stricken for a moment. Embarrassed that she might be embarrassing Javi G. 

“Hello.” Javi finally has a moment to speak and he smiles indulgently into the camera. “Do not be sorry. I am happy to meet you Esme. You have a beautiful name.”

“Y-you’re beautiful,” she giggles, like she isn’t a grown ass woman of thirty. “I mean— ah, my friend is the smart one. I’m okay with that. You’re meeting her, she’s the smart one.” 

“Oh, you’re going to lose it even harder at the concert in a couple of months,” you can’t help but laugh, really. Esme wears her heart on her sleeve and doesn’t apologize for it.

“I will send your friend home with an autograph for you. Is that okay?” Javi asks, raising his brows in question.

“That would be amazing!” Esme squeaks. She would be clapping her hands with glee if she didn’t also have to be holding up her phone. “I’m gonna record the whole thing on your DVR tonight, babe,” she promises you eagerly. “You’ll have it to watch over and over.”

“I will talk to you again before she leaves.” Javi promises before kissing his hand. “Ciao Esme!” He knows they can’t keep talking, needing to finish getting ready and there needs to be behind the scenes photos taken. 

“I love you, honey, I’ll call you later!” You promise her before having to end the call. The clock is ticking and it’s almost time to go. “That was incredibly sweet of you. I know she’ll never forget that in a million years.”

“It was a small thing.” He shrugs one shoulder and gives you an embarrassed grin. “We will have to call during brunch so you can talk longer.”

“Jack said the brunch was your idea?” You ask, setting your phone back on the vanity. “I think it’s absolutely perfect. Brunch is absolutely my favorite meal.”

“I figured that even though the Grammys are exciting, we won’t get a lot of time to talk.” Javi reasons. “But brunch? Brunch is perfect for talking.”

As if to prove his point, the stylists move over to do a full face of makeup on you and just a few small touches on him - bits of eyeliner and glitter that the naked eye would hardly perceive but that enhances his look so much.

Javi grins in the mirror as you open your mouth so the lipstick can be painted on the interior of them far beyond what women normally do. “It should withstand any eating or drinking,” the stylist tells you when she is done, and she puts the tube down next to your phone. “But keep it with you for touch ups just in case.”

“I am glad I do not have to wear that.” Javi hums.

“It’s not so bad.” Lipstick always feels glamorous to you, adding to that elegant celebrity vibe that tonight is giving you, especially after spending all day at the spa. “Besides,” you grin and it wrinkles your nose. “You have more glitter on than I do.”

“To make me sparkle on camera.” He rolls his eyes but he knows the effect will look good on film.

“It’s cute,” you promise him easily. The jewelry and accessories have come out now – the very last thing before you are ready to get into the car to head to the red carpet.

Javi stands and smiles at you. "Now I must put on my own suit to match your beauty."

The whole thing takes less time than you would think, but by the time you’re ready to take pre-show pictures the stylist who is snapping them for you is making silly jokes about adult prom while he does his tie and you check your purse one last time to make sure you have everything. The night is going to be absolutely incredible and you’re starting to vibrate with excitement.

"I must confess." He takes your hand and leans close. "I have been so nervous for tonight that I have not eaten anything." He whispers. "Have you?"

“I’m the opposite.” His hands seem almost twice the size of yours, enveloping yours and keeping you close. “I’ve been nibbling all day to try to take my mind off being nervous.”

"So you would not want a pit stop by In & Out?" He asks, almost pouting at the idea. "I have a wish for their fries and American Coke."

“Well, I think we have to.” You’ve been nibbling today, picking at fruit and cheese, charcuterie and spiced nuts at the spa. As much tea as you could drink. The room service tray was delicious but definitely picked over. But fast food with a pop star is way better than some of the things you had on your proverbial Bingo card for tonight. “I’ve never had In & Out. We don’t have them where I’m from.”

"We can have the driver swing through the drive through on the way." He grins mischievously and nods. "We can experience it together."

“It will make a very silly story in an interview one day. I think it’s an excellent idea.” His phone goes off on the table again, flashing as it sits beside yours, and you see Jack’s name pop up on the screen. “I think you might have some instructions, or hopefully some encouragements, incoming.”

Javi picks up his phone, his face lighting up when he hears his agent's voice. “Rey,” he hums, grinning at you as he speaks. “We are just about to leave.”

“Está bien, zorro.” Jack’s voice on the other end is pleased and honeyed. “Y’all got everythin’ you need? Clothes fit, stylists done their duty? Car should be downstairs waiting for you.”

“Sí.” Javi bobble his head even if Jack cannot see him. His hand reaches up for the necklace around his neck. “We have already taken some pictures, rey. They are fantastico. She is more beautiful that I imagined.”

“I knew you’d like her.” Jack seems satisfied at the choice, and his voice pitches low for a moment. “Now you two behave and I’ll see you at the party. Buena suerte esta noche.” Good luck tonight.

“Sí.” He hums warmly, smiling as he pulls the phone away to look back at you. “Jack will be joining us at the party.”

“Then we better make sure we have fun before that.” Boldly putting out your hand to him, you nod to the door of the suite. “So we can have plenty to tell him.”

He takes your hand and grins. “Are you enjoying your prize so far?”

“It’s absolutely amazing.” And why does holding his hand feel like the sweetest, giddiest thing in the world? Esme’s going to be hearing about this forever, she really is. You could just melt over it. “I still have two more days here after tonight and I just…it’s more than I ever thought it could be. Going home is going to be such a bummer.”

"Where are you from?" Jack had told him the town, but he couldn't remember off the top of his head. You both are out the door and striding down the hallway with the stylists snapping photos of you. Jack probably told them to do that.

“Seymour’s Bay, New Jersey.” It’s a small town that almost no one has ever heard of, and you shrug a little. “We’re a ninety minute drive from New York City, and we have an old style amusement park. Those are about the only notable things from my town.”

"I see." He nods and once you are on the elevator, he squeezes your hand. "So what do you do, Belleza?"

“It’s…kind of weird.” You admit, feeling very schoolgirl in your beautiful dress while the man of your dreams holds your hands on the way to a very fancy party. “I’m a researcher for a podcast. True crime, a lot of history, some supernatural stuff. Sometimes we talk about movies made about true events and what they got right or wrong. It’s basically me and my cat and a whole lot of books.” 

"Interesting." Javi doesn't think it's weird, but he frowns slightly. "Do you do the podcast? Or do you just research for it?"

"I research for it." The frown makes you certain that you've completely weirded him out or made him uncomfortable, and you shrug again. "I studied to be a librarian, but through a series of random events, I ended up becoming a researcher instead. My bosses are great, though, and I can work from home. So it's way better than a lot of other jobs based on just that."

"That is unfortunate." Javi shakes his head. "I think you would be good at the podcast." He smiles. "You have a beautiful voice and I was hoping I could listen to you sometime."

"Anytime you want to hear it, you just give me a call," you joke, never thinking for a million years that he would actually do such a thing.

Javi nods seriously, making a note to himself that he needs to have Jack give him your number. The elevator starts to slow down and he sighs, squeezing your still joined hands. "The car should already be waiting for us."

It is, just as Jack had promised, and the crowd of fans and paparazzi outside that had gotten wind of where he would be are held at bay as you and Javi are ushered quickly into the backseat. More luxurious than any sedan but not quite a limousine, you're glad all over again to be wearing the less cumbersome dress of what you tried on. There is plenty of room to stretch out and be comfortable as the driver pulls quickly away from the hotel entrance.

"I didn't think that there would be so many outside." His eyes widen and he looks back at the crowd that gathered and was still snapping pics as you drive away. "That's crazy."

"Some members of your fandom are...a little more zealous than others." No one was overtly rude or acted out or anything like that, which was fortunate, but it's a very good thing that the car's windows are tinted. The further you get from the group, the harder it will be to pick out your nondescript car from all the other black cars with tinted windows in LA.

Javi scoots forward so he can tap on the the divider between the driver and the you. When the window rolls down, he shoots the driver a grin. "Can we stop by In & Out?" He asks. "We want to grab some food and drinks before the red carpet."

The driver chuckles, obviously having heard this request before, and he nods. "Sure thing, Mr. Gutierrez. There's also some drinks in the cooler built into the seat between you, if you want them. Not sure what Mr. Daniels put in."

"I'm sure Jack put in all my favorites." He grins and nods before he sits back. "Jack stocked the drink cooler in here." He tells you before he reaches for the pull down for the seat.

"He seems to think of everything." When Javi pulls the cooler open there are half bottles of Spanish cava from a vineyard on his home island along with a plethora of canned cocktails in every flavour imaginable and, of course, water bottles. You have to admit to being impressed. Jack seems to be an incredibly thorough man. And that thought turns dirty very quickly.

"He does." Javi nods as he pulls out a bottle of the cava and starts to twist to the wire off the cork to open it. "Shall we share a drink before our fries?" He offers.

"Wine and French fries is actually a combination I've done before," you roll your eyes at yourself. "Because I'm clearly the classiest person you know. But yes, absolutely let's celebrate."

"Cava and papas fritas are a match made in Heaven." Javi insists, popping open the bottle and taking a swig directly from it before offering it to you. "I can open your own if you do not wish to share."

"I'm not fussy." He's charmingly normal, and yet also you don't think you've ever met anyone like him before in your life. He is simultaneously vibrating like an overexcited chihuahua and as laid back as any housecat. When he offers you the bottle you take it, enjoying the heady buzz of more bubbly in your system. Nowhere near even tipsy, you're simply relaxed.

"I must confess." He turns towards you with an earnest expression and leans in close. "I am surprised by how normal you are." His eyes widen, realizing how horrible that sounds. "I mean, how normal you are taking all of this" He rushes out, cursing himself for insulting you. "I would be about to jump out of my skin and you are so cool and composed."

"It's partly the bubbly," you admit with a guilty grin. "But..." Pressing your lips together when you move the bottle away from them makes you look even guiltier, but you can't help it. "I'm just trying really really hard not to weird you out. Like Esme's reaction when we called? I've been doing that on the inside for the entire time."

"Do you want to know a secret?" Javi asks, his eyes widening and he leans in closer to you.

"Very much." And you will keep it secret and safe for as long as you live, just glad to have these memories to hold on to.

"I feel like that all the time." His eyes widen in seriousness and he bites his lip. "I am always anxiously bouncing off the walls and wondering if everyone around me thinks I am crazy."

"How many people have ever referred to you as a puppy to your face?" You ask with a grin, knowing that the majority of the American fandom refers to him as a 'golden retriever boyfriend' with maximum affection. His brow furrows in confusion and he tilts his head to the side as he looks at you. Trying to figure out what you mean by that. "It means you're excitable and sweet and you have really positive energy." The last thing you want is for him to think that you're covertly taking a dig at him or something, because it's completely the opposite. "Your happiness is infectious."

"Oh." Javi nods as he smiles at you, understanding what you are saying now. "Then it is a good thing."

"It absolutely is." You would never have said it otherwise, but you feel a little hazy from how close he is. His presence really is intoxicating.

"I look like a puppy, hm?" He asks, leaning in a little more. "A cute puppy?"

It's criminal the way your heart leaps in your chest, but you're flustering before you can even blink. "I think the agreed upon term is...'Golden Retriever Boyfriend'," you admit sheepishly.

"Golden...Retriever...boyfriend..." He says it slowly, letting the words roll on his tongue. Biting his lip again as he thinks about the nickname that he is apparently known by. "Do a lot of people call me that?"

"I–" You could lie. You could. Or play it off. But you just sort of giggle as he passes the bottle back to you to sip from again. "...yeah. At least, in America they do."

"Maybe I should get a dog." He thinks with a grin. "They have such loving little faces and always love you."

"You should do what makes you happy." It's good advice that you can never seem to follow for yourself, but he absolutely deserves all the good things in the world.

"Do you have any pets?" He asks, feeling the car slow down and turn. He looks out the window and grins when he sees the iconic sign for the west coast fast food joint. 

"The cat in the phone call?" You grin at the excited look on his face. "She's mine. Pyewacket...like the cat from Bell, Book, and Candle."

"Ohhhh, she was pretty." He nods, grinning. "Sleek looking, have you had her long?"

"She's two now and I've had her since she was twelve weeks old." That beautiful black cat is your favourite roommate and only child, and you love having her. "Someday maybe I'll get her a puppy sibling. But the apartment I live in is a little too small for that right now."

"Mr. G." The driver clears his throat. "We are nearing the window. "What would you and your guest like to eat?" He asks politely.

The two of you collaborate on an order in the backseat just in time for the driver to order at the speaker, and only a few minutes later you have a bag between you and Javi's craving for American Coke is being fulfilled. "Should have enough of a drive to enjoy your snack before we get there," the driver tells you, fully amused before he puts up the separator again.

"I'm so excited." Javi confesses, even as he starts opening napkins to start draping over your lap to protect your dress. "I have heard so many good things about this and have not had time to try it before now."

"Are you that busy getting ready for your tour?" It must be an immense amount of work, but you don't really have any bearing on what goes into it. Not really.

"Rehearsals are normally fifteen hour days." He admits with a rueful grin. "Another reason I have been looking forward to the Grammys. It's a break."

"Fifteen?" That sounds like torture, and you immediately offer him some French fries like an apology. "Please tell me you have all kinds of people whose literal job it is to take care of you, because that's insane."

"Jack makes sure that I am well rested." He assures you, smiling at how thoughtful you are to worry about him. "It will get better. Hard work now to insure that the tour is perfect."

"It will be perfect." Of that you have no doubt. He's an amazing performer with incredible talent and dedication. "And I'm glad you have someone to look out for you. I know...people always say that being famous is lonely, and you're too sweet for that."

"It– it can be lonely." He admits, frowning slightly and reaching for his Coke to take a sip of it. "I do not have many friends." He shouldn't admit this to you. Opening up too much, you could tell people even though there is a NDA that protects him.

"Well that's shitty." Turning to face him completely in the back of the car, you decide that the frown on his face is completely unacceptable and you shake your head. "You have one more. If you want to, I mean. You want to talk to somebody, or vent about your day, or whatever, you just drop me a line, okay? And if you ever want to see the lamest town in New Jersey sometime, I'll take you to the broken-down amusement park for the probably-unsafe rides and rigged carnival games."

"Really?" He asks, surprised by the offer. People often want to be close to him, to get things from him, but it's never an offer to just listen. "That is– that is very nice of you." He chokes out, emotional from the gesture.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." In a moment that might qualify as juvenile if it didn't feel so honest and pure, you stick out your pinky finger to him and grin. "Pinky promise. Jack has my number and my email, but I'll give it all to you at brunch tomorrow if you really want it. Friends shouldn't be hard to come by for somebody as nice as you are."

His grin lights up his face and he eagerly hooks his finger around yours. "I know it seems silly to not have friends." He admits. "My family kept me isolated. Practicing to become famous was more important than friends."

"My family put pressure on me in other ways. And I know I don't have any kind of demanding career like you do, but I get it. When they decide they know what's best for you they never let go." Squeezing his finger gently in yours, the two of you are back to your snack in no time. "I do shifts in my sister's flower shop to keep them quiet. The whole family are all florists except me."

"Florists?" His brows shoot up and he hums. "They create beauty and they can't understand why it doesn't fulfill you."

"I am...not very artistic," you admit, picking up another French fry. It's official. In & Out is amazing. "I can appreciate beauty, and music, and art, and theater, and all of it. But I'm not good at making it myself. So sometimes I run the cash register for my sister on busy days or help with shipments. But arrangements? Esme and Kate do all that."

"There is nothing wrong with that." He shoves some fries into his mouth and follows it up immediately with a sip of Coke, moaning at the taste of it combined. "You have to have a sip of Coke with your fries."

It's not exotic for you at all, but he is so excited that you lean over and accept a sip of Coke without a second thought. There really is something so fantastically satisfying about simple, greasy fast food while you're all dressed up that is so much fun. "So are you right back to rehearsals tomorrow after brunch, or do you still have time to relax?"

"I will start back rehearsals next week." He tells you with a grin. "The last week before the tour starts. They don't want me to be too tired at the start of the tour." One more week of practice and then the last week before the kickoff will be spent relaxing. 

"So you have time to relax and enjoy yourself." That makes you nod with authority you definitely don't have. "Good. You should do things with your time that make you happy. Collect lots of memories. You never know where inspiration can strike, right?"

"I am hoping to." He smiles although there is a hint of secrecy in the curve of his lips as he says it. "There are a lot of things that I wish to experience. Especially if I am going to make the move to America permanent."

"Are you?" That rumor hasn't even hit the most in the know members of the fandom as far as you can tell, and you make the motion of an ‘x’ over your chest. "I signed the NDA, Javi. I won't say a word, I swear. But that's so exciting!"

He flushes again, realizing he has misspoken and yet with your hand reaching out to take his, he relaxes slightly. "I shouldn't have said that, but I'm glad someone knows." He admits, knowing that only his people, Jack, know of his plans.

“And hey.” You squeeze his hand gently, a moron he seems to find reassuring. “Even if I hadn’t signed it? We’re friends now. Friends get excited and keep secrets for each other. It’s part of the deal.”

"Thank you." The last few fries are gone quickly and he carefully starts to wipe his fingers free of salt and grease before he checks his suit for any dropped grains.

“Here.” There’s just a few specks of salt on his lapel but you lift them off in the curve of one of the fake nails that the manicurist at the salon gave you earlier today. “There.” There is no stain or mark left behind. No one would ever know you’ve been naughty. “Perfect.”

“Thank you.” He smiles, reaching up to brush a fry crumb from the corner of your lip. “You still look beautiful. And that was delicious.”

“I should check my lipstick, since it’s the one thing the stylists sent with me.” Having him call you beautiful makes you shy. You’re just a normal girl from a normal little town. Not someone Javi G should be calling beautiful.

“Yes.” Javi nods seriously and picks up your purse to hand you, “I will hold anything you need.”

The ride took less time than you thought, and you’re putting away your lipstick and mirror as the car enters the line to deposit you and Javi on the red carpet. “Don’t be nervous,” you encourage, taking his hand briefly. “You’re going to be amazing. I know it.”

"It is show time." He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment. Clinging to your hand when you try to pull it away and flashes you an apologetic grin when the moment passes. "Sorry." He hums.

“Sorry.” You instinctively apologize at the same time, and the two of you end up feeling silly but thankfully not too awkward. “If you need to grab my hand on the carpet, go for it,” you tell him, right before the car door opens. You’re not going to be mad if there is a picture out there in the world of him sweetly holding onto you for support. Just a nice man being nice to his fan.

Javi slides out of the SUV, adopting a charming smile and lifting an arm and waving to the first wave of fans and photographers, buttoning his jacket and turning to help you out of the car. While there are porters to help guests out of the cars but he wants to do it himself. Flashing you a smile as he reaches for your hand.

What you see on tv is so different from what is happening the second that Javi helps you out of the car. It’s so much louder than you expected and with so many more people everywhere. Red carpet interviews and photos give you the impression that things are all very organized and to some degree they are, but there are far more people milling about than you ever would have guessed. The two of you are ferried into a sort of arrivals line - as you make it down the carpet there will be certain places to stop for photo ops and for interviews, and there are handlers to make sure that you go where you need to. But the sheer scale of the event is so much greater than you had ever thought watching it from home.

"Here we go." Javi murmurs under his breath as he smiles and starts to wave again. It's big and loud and reminds him of stadium tours while he was in Europe. You are new to this and he keeps your hand curled around his and when he drops his hand down, he pats your hand and looks at you. "Are you okay?"

“I’m great,” you admit, thoroughly surprising both of you. The whole thing is massively exciting and you’re just soaking it up. “How are you doing? Nerves okay?”

Surprisingly good. He is normally way more nervous about things like this but you are calming him down with your down to earth friendliness and happiness. "I'm good." He insists with a smile, leaning in and kissing your cheek before his hand drifts up to touch his necklace again.

The crowd apparently loves this moment, fans nearby cheering loudly to see something so sweet in front of them. “They’re loving every second of you,” you promise him, grinning from ear to ear.

He smiles shyly, biting his lip as he looks at you soulfully. "I should have asked if that was okay." He murmurs, hoping you didn't mind it too bad.

“More than okay.” Hell, for all you care the guy can stick his tongue down your throat in the middle of the red carpet. Fuck…that’s a thought that is going to fester…

He smiles and nods, kissing your cheek again and this time he doesn't flush when he pulls back. The permission gives him confidence and he sends you a small wink before an event coordinator comes over to guide you down the carpet.

For the first real time tonight, that sheet of paper you signed concerning the possibility of sex pops back into your mind. Not because a kiss on the cheek is inherently sexual but because the nearness of him is so intoxicating.

The first few stops fly by. Charming and vivacious, Javi manages to win them over with a smile and his enthusiastic love of everything American and the joy of being here. He displays you just as much as he can, gushing over how he is enjoying being here with you and pushing you to talk as well.

The first reporter to not know anything about the contest is the first one to ask him to introduce his girlfriend to the world. He looks eager to hear all about it, thinking he might be getting a scoop, but despite the hand holding you both shake your head politely.

"She is my date." Javi clarifies, leaning in. "But she is beautiful, no?" He asks, looking back at you. "Won a contest and inspired the next song. I swear."

“I’ll be very excited to hear that song when it comes out.” He surely doesn’t mean it, but it’s still a nice thought to have. “I’m honestly just having the best time in the world.”

"We are planning to make sure we enjoy everything." Javi beams, happy you are enjoying yourself and he hopes that you mean that. You are inspiring his next song. He's already come up with the hook in his head and actually cannot wait to jot it down.

“What kind of everything are you enjoying?” Disappointed to not have unearthed gossip, the reporter digs for more. You’re clearly smitten, even if you are just a fan.

“The show, the parties after.” Javi flashes you a grin. “Tomorrow, we will nurse our hangovers with a delicious west coast brunch.”

“You’ll never want to leave LA after this.” The man chuckles to you, and you can’t shrug or risk looking weird. 

“I already don’t want to leave,” you admit with a blinding smile. This moment is supposed to be for you and yet all you want to do is make it good for Javi. He chuckles and the two of you move down to the next reporter. Smiling as he grips your hand tightly. “He wanted us to give something away so badly,” you grin guiltily.

“He did. Secret relationships are always titillating.” Javi hums, reaching up and touching his necklace again to calm himself.

“Too bad for them.” Still holding his hand, You flash him the same smile that you had the reporter to hopefully reassure him. “Everything’s going great.”

“Let me know if that changes.” He asks softly, wanting you to enjoy this entire experience. “Although they are going to be jealous of me standing beside someone as beautiful as you are.”

"When you write your song, put that in the lyrics," you tease affectionately. "It will be my favorite forever."

“I will.” Javi nods seriously. “The hook is already written. ‘No star shines as bright as your smile’” He sings softly.

"I—I thought you were just...saying that." The flash of a camera isn't as dramatic as a wasted bulb anymore, but there is now one photographer in the world with an picture of you looking at Javi with soft astonishment written all over your expressive face. "It's...it's beautiful," you murmur back, feeling your cheeks heat up so much you might become your own sun.

“You are beautiful.” Javi counters, unraveling your hand from his arm to kiss the back of it. “Inspiration struck, thanks to you.”

******

If he was enjoying himself before the awards, Javi is ecstatic afterward and you are powerless but to roll along with his excitement at the afterparty. His award for Best Global Performance will be delivered to his LA residence and the adrenaline from his win might never wear off. Happiness looks so well on him, though, and he's all but glowing when you walk into the party together.

"I can't believe I won!" He gushes for about the five thousandth time. It's incredible and he's nearly overwhelmed with how many people, famous artists, came up to congratulate him. "Can you believe that I won?"

"I absolutely can," you assure him just like every time before. He's a brilliant entertainer and it isn't the first award he's ever won, but his desire to break America means that winning a Grammy holds enormous importance for him. "You more than deserve it."

"Is that..." His eyes widen and he cranes his neck over the crowd and then ducks down and around The Weeknd to see better. "Is that Gloria Estefan?" He asks in a near reverent whisper. "Oh my god, it is." He hisses, looking back at you almost panicked. "It's Gloria Estefan!"

"You should say hello." He is very near to a kid in a candy store at this party, and while you are just sort of absorbing the glitz, glimmering chaos around the top of you, he has transformed into a fanboy. It's actually reassuring to see – the way he is acting on the outside is very much how you felt on the inside when he walked into your suite tonight.

"No!" He shakes his head and straightens up, looking back at you like you had suggested he spit in her drink. "I could not possibly. She is...she is iconic. I cannot bother her."

"Did it bother you to meet me?" The question is posed as entirely theoretical, and the hint of a smile on your lips tells him you aren't judging him in the least. "Having someone who admires you tell you that you mean something to them is wonderful, Javi. Don't be afraid."

Javi shakes his head, still too starstruck and he looks back at you, “Maybe after a drink, sí?” He asks, raising his brows at you.

"Well, let's get you a drink, then." There are waiters passing by with trays in every direction and a full bar against the far wall, so getting him whatever drink he wants will not be a problem whatsoever.

“How do you feel? Are you still having fun?” He asks, wanting to make sure that he’s not boring you or you wish you were back in your suite.

"The answer to that will always be yes," you promise him. The two of you have gotten used to walking hand in hand tonight, and now it is natural to put your hand in his as you walk to the bar. "What are we drinking to celebrate your victory?"

“Tell me your favorite drink.” He begs, turning those puppy dog eyes as you call them on you and smiles.

"Usually just wine," you admit, albeit a little sheepishly. "Sparkling or even sangria if there's a party. "But I am absolutely open to trying anything." A rule which goes for more than just cocktails, but he doesn't really need to know that.

“Should we try some of the signature cocktails?” He asks, pointing to the placard with a list of yummy sounding drinks. “Jack should be here soon.”

“Absolutely.” The only way to survive winning this contest has been to go with the flow, so you’re just going to roll with that a while longer. People are already starting to drink and dance, catching snacks from passing trays of hors d’oeuvres or from the long buffet of sumptuous offerings along the wall adjacent to the bar. Tables for chatting and resting sit ready but most people seem ready to party. At the bar, a half dozen specialty cocktails are listed with cheeky names and full descriptions. Some are fruity, some are smokey, some sound downright dangerous. It’s all a matter of taste.

"Award Winning Whiskey Sour." Javi decides, looking at the menu. "I think I will start with that." He looks over at you and waits for your decision.

“The Sweet Victory Raspberry Limoncello Cooler sounds like my speed,” you decide with a grin. An open bar with a reason to celebrate always means trying something wonderful.

"Then that's what you will have." He winks at you and darts off to grab the drinks. It doesn't matter that he is the award winner, he is going to treat you like the star since you are with him.

“Javi!” There is a crowd forming and you end up losing the fast-moving Spaniard in the thick of it, but you just laugh and hang back. You’ll stay where you are and he will find you again. In the meantime, this party is incredible and a few covert pictures won’t hurt anything.

At the bar, Javi orders the drinks, smiling at the bartender and he reaches up to touch his necklace as he looks around the crowd, searching for a Stetson.

“Lookin’ for somebody?” Jack’s voice comes from behind his left shoulder, the warm smirk of amusement evident in his honeyed tone.

"Jack!" Javi lights up again, delighted to see him and he lunges forward to hug his agent. "Can you believe I won?" He knows that Jack had kept tabs on the awards ceremony, even if he had been working while he was watching so he could attend the party.

"Of course I can believe it." He had no doubts about it, but he's glad to see Javi happy. Jack pats his star on the back and looks around before raising an eyebrow at Javi. "Where'd our girl get off to? Run away to powder her nose?"

"I left her..." Javi bites his lip and looks around the crowd before he spots you. "Just there." The bartender brings over the drinks and Javi shoves a generous bill into the man's hands. "Can we also get a glass of whiskey?" He asks, nodding towards Jack. "For my friend."

"Enjoying your night?" Jack asks him, honestly wondering if the sweet shows of companionship he saw during the broadcast were real or if Javi was learning how to charm Americans along with everyone else in the world.

"She is wonderful." Javi confides with a small grin, leaning in closely. "Just like you said she would be. I like her, rey. I really like her."

"I thought you would." That news pleases Jack, who presses a bill into the bartender's hand when he comes back with his whiskey. "She signed on the dotted line, ya know," he reminds Javi under his breath. "Could be a well-deserved way to celebrate."

"Does she know?" Javi asks under his breath, reaching up and touching his necklace again. "What that entails?"

"Not yet." Jack shakes his head and picks up his drink, holding it to his lips a moment and considering the next course of action before he drinks. "If you'd like to tell her, we can. But I'd say let's see how she dances before we go invitin' her to the rodeo."

"No." Jack's idea makes sense and Javi nods. "I want to see her dance. Plus I need to deliver her drink."

"Then lead the way, zorro," Jack murmurs quietly, a smirk gracing his lips.

Javi smiles as he moves through the crowd of people, nodding and slightly awestruck by some of the people who greet him by name. He doesn't stop, eager to get back to you with the drinks and with Jack.

You get one more discreet picture in on your phone before you see Javi reappear with a distinct Stetson-wearing mustachioed cowboy behind him, and you quickly pull up your text messages to fire one off to Esme to cover up the fact that you were being an absolute fangirl for the five minutes he was gone.

"Jack is here." Javi rushes out with a happy smile on his face as if the man's presence behind him isn't announcement enough.

Murmured thanks to Javi for delivering your drink come with a broad smile, and you are right back to beaming when you turn to Jack. "You must be very proud tonight."

"Pleased as punch, darlin'." Jack hums, sending you a small wink. "Only a few things that I can think of that would make me happier and it wouldn't be polite to speak about that in public." He winks again and takes a sip of his whiskey.

When your smile turns shy it seems to please the cowboy even further, and you take a sip of your drink with a happy hum before looking back to Javi. Not that Jack isn't damn fun to look at, but it's Javi's night. "What are you thinking, Javi? Grab something to eat? Get on the dance floor?"

"Dancing." Javi sneaks a look over at Jack before back to you. "I wish to see how you move." He smirks, taking a sip of his whiskey sour and biting his lip.

Well damn. Get a couple of drinks and an award win into Javi Gutierrez and suddenly he's all but purring at you in front of his agent. While a prouder woman might have played it off or demurred, you have reached a point in the night where not caring anymore is a virtue. There are no paparazzi inside this party. No fans to speak of other than you or a few other lucky guests. So Jack is here? Fuck it. Jack's a flirt, too. "Well, come on, then," you toss him a grin after taking a long drink of your cocktail. "I'm sure Jack won't mind guarding our drinks for a few minutes."

Jack chuckles and takes your drink from you, making sure that his fingers linger over yours and he practically coos at you. "Enjoy yourself now, darlin'." He encourages, grinning at you like he's the cat that is edging closer to the canary.

"I'll try to keep up," you tease Javi as he leads you out onto the dance floor. Considering how many of his performances you've seen on television, you know how well he can move. It really will be trying to keep up with a pro tonight.

Jack watches with interest as Javi pulls you into his arms and starts to move. It's obvious that you are infatuated with Javi and he doesn't blame you. It's a part of his charm, his ability to draw people in.

The song has a beat to move to, thank god – something hip hop and Latinx that makes for fantastic party music at the beginning of a night. There are no speeches here, no cameras to pose for, only people enjoying themselves, so that is exactly what you decide to do when you put both arms around Javi's neck. When are you ever going to get a chance like this again in your life? Never is when, so you're damn well going to enjoy every second of it for everything it's worth.

Javi laughs breathlessly as he twirls you around and dips you. Happy that your dress allows for you to move so easily. He wouldn't have been able to dance with you like this if you had worn the red dress. And it would be a shame to not get to press his body to yours like this.

"I think we picked the right dress," you laugh breathlessly, obviously having the same thought as him at this moment. This fairy tale - your fairy tale - keeps getting better and better at every turn.

"Depends on how it looks on the floor." Javi teases, pulling you closer and flashing you a grin.

"I–" The shock on your face is abundantly evident. For all the teasing, or flirtatiousness, or even the fleeting sweet moments you've shared tonight? Neither of you has been as bold as to make that kind of comment or make any intentions known. On your end it seemed utterly ridiculous to even think he would be interested, assuming his gestures to simply be those of a sweet man with good manners. But maybe it is actually more than that? "Now that is a very interesting question," you admit, lips curling up into a grin.

"Sí?" He asks, eyes widening slightly in shock as if he is surprised that the line actually worked. Jack's presence has given him confidence that he normally does not possess or represses because of his poor self esteem, but the grin on your face captivates him. "You would like to find out? With me?"

Thinking about it for a second, you end up surprising yourself and laugh a little right out loud. "You know..." you shake your head in amusement. "I was really about to say that I was only serious if you were actually interested in me for me and not in some wish fulfillment thing about fucking a fan. But honestly? I don't really care what the motivation is. I'm one hundred percent on board. We'll dance, we'll drink, we'll go back to the hotel and have a night. Why the hell not?"

If you had told him that he was the world wide star, top of the charts for all the countries, he couldn't have looked any happier about your agreement. "Yes!" He crows happily and pulls you even closer to kiss your cheek. Since you are in public, he would not cause a scene.

He is nearly crushing you to him as he revels in your agreement, and you have to admit - this whole contest, this trip, this night, all of it - it's so surreal that why shouldn't it include sleeping with an internationally known musician that you've had a crush on for literal years? That's completely tracks with the tone of the whole thing. Esme and Kate are never going to believe half of what actually happened even before this.

When the song ends, Javi pulls away and he searches your eyes. "Do you want to stay?" He asks. "Or do you want to go?"

"Jack won't be upset if we don't stay longer?" After all, you had really only been here for what feels like a few minutes. Perhaps it was as long as a whole half hour, who knows. And Jack seems like a man who prefers to do things 'right'.

"Why don't we see what he wants to do?" Javi asks, taking your hand and leading you off the dance floor. "I need my drink anyway!"

There is definitely something you're missing here, unless Javi is about to ask his agent's permission to take you back to the hotel, but since you're already decided to just roll with it you let him drag you back to the table where Jack is waiting and gratefully accept your drink from the tall, dark, and handsome Southerner when he offers it back to you.

Javi is nearly bouncing on his toes with anticipation, grinning as he takes his drink from Jack and tosses it back quickly. “I would like to go back to the house, rey.” He tells Jack before he turns to you. “Unless you would be more comfortable in your hotel room, of course.”

"It's where my stuff is," you point out needlessly. "But nobody ever died because they were embarrassed about a walk of shame."

“There’s no shame in that walk, darlin’.” Jack smirks, taking a sip of his whiskey. “Maybe a little hitch in your step dependin’ on how hard you’ve been ridden is all.”

"Traditionally is it not the lady who does the riding?" Throwing caution to the wind, you have another sip of your drink and tilt your head at Jack. "What's the song? Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy?"

“Oh you are perfect, darlin’.” He chuckles, leaning in and chucking your chin with his fingers. “How’d you like to find out?”

For a second you freeze, not sure that you've understood him correctly, and you look between the two men to find Javi looking just on the edge of nervousness and Jack smirking confidently. Well that's a surprise... But really, is it a bad one? Hell no. Cowboy Burt Reynolds is a look you didn't know you were into until a month ago when Jack Daniel's showed up at your apartment, and you're just going to throw up your hands and go with the flow. "Ya know what?" You toss back the end of your drink, enjoying the way the bubbles go straight to your head - you're making the decision with a clear head but you might be a little floaty by the time you get back to wherever you're going if you have another. "Sure. Let's go find out."

“Really?” Javi’s eyes widen happily and he reaches for your hand, “You know he is talking about…” He looks around and lowers his voice to a whisper. “Both of us, sí?”

"I understood that part," you promise him, squeezing his hand just as you have every other time that he has been nervous tonight. "And I've got no clue why you're asking, or why you're asking me, but since I'm never going to get an offer like this again?" You shrug again and end up laughing a little. "Let's go."

“You will not regret it.” He promises you, turning and beaming at Jack. “I want you to know that you have the most exquisite taste, rey.” He hums. “I feel relaxed already.”

"Okay." Setting your glass down on the table beside you and picking up your evening bag instead, you look between them curiously. "I thought your name was Jack?" You ask quietly. "Not Ray?"

Javi flushes and he ducks his head in embarrassment, reaching up and touching his necklace. Jack chuckles and decides to answer for him. He sets down his whiskey after he drains it. “Not ‘Ray’ like ‘Howdy my name’s Ray’.” He explains. “‘Rey’.” He exaggerates the punctuations slightly. “My little zorro named me his king the first night he skipped a step or ten on his own walk of shame.” 

"Zorro?" As far as you know, that's just a guy in a mask with a sword running around Mexico in the movies, but clearly it means something different. Whatever it means, though, one thing seems to be growing clearer: Jack is much more than just Javi's agent.

“Fox.” Jack smirks, reaching out to run his finger down Javi’s smooth jaw with tender affection. “He’s my sexy fox, isn’t he?” He asks, looking up at you. “Or foxy?”

The absolute hard right into unbelievable that an already crazy night has taken makes your whole body feel like it's been instantly set on fire and like your system has been flooded with instant arousal all at once. Jack is his dom...that makes so much sense... "He's been very good tonight," you tell Jack, humming a little to see how Javi lights up at the praise. "He should definitely be rewarded for it."

“That’s good.” Jack coos, smirk growing wider when he sees that you understand the dynamic and are either intrigued or approving. “I bet his cock is aching for some attention, isn’t it, zorro?”

"Por favor, mi rey," Javi turns his wide eyes on Jack, the very same ones he has used on you multiple times tonight. The party is so raucous all around you that barely anyone has even noticed you, and the three of you seem to have entered your own little world anyway.

“Now that you know this…” Jack turns his dark gaze on you. “Are you still willing to go home with us? The agreement doesn’t cover me. But a good old fashioned verbal consent will do.”

"I thought it was a little weird when that page was in with the others, but...anything can happen in the world, right?" You smirk at Jack, feeling far bolder than you ever thought you could. "Now I see you were just being thorough for your man. That's very considerate, Jack. And...I think that deserves a reward, too."

Jack arches a brow and a slow smirk rides across his face. “What kind of reward are we talkin’ about, darlin’?” He asks, interested in see what you think is a reward.

Cheeks on fire, your eyes slide away for a second to compose yourself so you can look back at him. "I was really hoping you'd just be impressed that I was being cheeky and I'd have the car ride to think up something creative," you admit sheepishly. "Called my bluff."

He tosses his head back and laughs. A deep, belly laugh that rolls through his body. Javi squirms slightly, his own grin on his face and Jack finally looks back at you with pure admiration in his expression. “Good for you, darlin’.” He chortles, reaching out and pulling you close so he can whisper in your ear. “Might have to spank you for that, but only if you want me to.”

There’s no way he can know that he’s offering you something that you very much enjoy, but he’ll most likely be able to figure it out by the way you reflexively shiver a little at the suggestion. “We should get going,” you tell them most, nodding with as much authority as you can. “Sounds like our own party is going to be far more fun.”

“Oh it will be, darlin’.” Javi whimpers in agreement with Jack and he takes your hand, squeezing it gently. “You don't seem surprised.” He murmurs as Jack guides you both towards the exit.

"I decided about ten minutes ago to just throw up my hands tonight and go with the flow, so I'm just leaving all of my confusion and surprise for tomorrow when I think about what happened." You lace your fingers through Javi's and offer him a smile. "I basically have decided that all of this is just an amazing dream and so anything can happen."

"That is a good way to look at things." Jack hums, his hand sliding to your back as he leans close. "I thought I was dreaming the first time Javi begged to suck my cock, now I hope to never wake up." He teases. "Why don't we go see what kind of fevered dream we can cook up for you?"

______

Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @haylzcyon   @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide @elegantduckturtle @becsworld @julesonrecord @its-nebuleuse

My Masterlist!

[generalsdiary]

after reading chapter 2 of this amazing aventio role swap!AU I feel compelled to recommend the fic to you guys. it is a well fleshed out series, with nice pacing, a beautiful complexity to the characters and an actually interestingly built world.

the link - Lapis Lazuli

also the writer is on tumblr as @apollo-likes-writing show them some love

[aurae-rori]

“A HEART, EMBARK, A BEAUTIFUL STAR”

— aventio csm au but no prior knowledge of csm is needed. if you dont know csm then think of this of unwilling roommates and colleagues au but they kill shit too

— fiend ratio & devil hunter aventurine

— featuring mental illness and my lack of will to live

— rip kishibe you would've loved aventurine. thanks for hyping me up guys

— multichap, 1/10 and curretly 5.9k words

+ art of fiend ratio by @j11nko !!

[chocolateremus]

avzyy's masterlist !

˚₊‧꒰ა 𐙚 ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

Marauders era !

Remus Lupin

Sirius Black

James Potter

Marlene McKinnon

Barty Crouch Jr

Regulus Black

Evan Rosier

Lily Evans

Mary Macdonald

Pandora Lovegood

Golden trio era !

Harry Potter

Cedric Diggory

Hermione Granger

Ginny Weasley

Draco Malfoy

Luna Lovegood

Neville Longbottom

Blaise Zabini

Cho Chang

Oliver Wood

George Weasley

Fred Weasley

Ron Weasley

The last of us !

Ellie Williams

Ask me !

Req info !

[emeraldkitten5683]

Relationship: Aventurine/Dr. Ratio

Summary: Aventurine was an incredibly dynamic individual. If he wasn’t so preoccupied with both his responsibilities with the IPC, his research, and teaching, Veritas might have been content to spend the rest of his days studying every little one of Aventurine’s tactics, mannerisms, and mechanisms that helped him function in a world that is so against him. Even with the little bit of attention he could afford to Aventurine, he noticed how even in relatively “friendly” conversations, the gambler was always calculated, always searching the other person for any hints about their motivations while keeping his own cards close to his chest. Behind that guarded smile was an intelligent man stripping his conversation partner’s character bare right before his eyes.

He wondered if it was exhausting always being on the offensive.

--

I wrote a thing! I haven't written fics for this fandom or ship before, but I hope I did these two goofy goobers justice.