#i considered giving her a ponytail but ultimately went against it. if you wanna see what it looks like search up bebe or rody soul LMAO

[millidew]

big sis gladiae

[c-atm]

Connie Maheswaran sighed...She knew this was a bad idea, but no one else was around, and the best friend/ bane of her existence/ big crush/ betrothed had an eye for these things, so his expertise was appreciated.

"So." Steven Universe, gem hybrid, alien prince, sweetheart, and hero to many, started with a grin. Placing his hand on the curve of her back." How skimpy of a bikini are we getting, huh?

She growled dangerously as she felt his hand crept lower." Stop it, you pervert."

Steven just smirked as he lifted his hand back up. That lecherous fox smirk that he only showed her.

"I promise that my intentions are as 'pure' as the lily-white of your clothes." 

Connie arched an eyebrow looking at her yellow polo, black denim shorts, and orange kicks. "What white are you talking about?" She implored.

The alien royalty squeezed the college sophomore bottom. "The thin warm cloth underneath." He whispered into her ear, making her fume with annoyance, bashfulness, and made just a wee bit of an exciting impression… Despite her pouting with puffed blush crossed cheeks and steady brows.

"How the hell do you know?" She questioned, grabbing his wrist and clenched tightly, making the 'big gem on campus' fall to his knees in slight pain.

"Ow, ow, ow! I promise I didn't peek at you while you were getting dressed today."

"But you did peek at me." She arched an eyebrow.

"On accident." He pleaded, " We both know I would never peep on you."

"Now, Steven..."

"Not without an escape route."

Connie took a moment to consider it, but in the end, she decided he was right.

Steven always had a damn way to run away. Not like when they were teens, and she would easily catch and punish him for his transgressions against all womankind. However, they were more innocent, like giving her (not-so unwanted) pecks on her cheek or complimenting her physical growth.

It was the reason her betrothed became her bane before becoming her friend and crush.

Though his actions couldn't be helped, it was ingrained in him. The gem race was very liberated when it came to physical appeal, appreciation, and affection and saw all forms as beautiful. From the first (of what would become semi-normal) time she visited his home planet, it quickly became apparent to her that kissing, touching, and 'raunchy' commentary was commonplace among Homeworld. A lot of sensual and carnal PDA was everyday stuff for gem kind. 

All except fornication in all its forms. 

That was considered divine as gem fusion but way less lax—the ultimate show of reverence for one's unique being. Even stories of one’s actual sexploits were to be kept between partners, no matter how many there were; neither monogamy nor polygamy took precedence on Homeworld.

She let his wrist go with an unamused hum, opting to hold his hand to keep it from wandering.

”Let’s go, my perv.” Connie sighed as she led him further into the store, towards the dressing rooms. She was nearly closing the door behind her as she entered, turning and facing him, hiding with the plywood entrance. "So, against my better judgment, I'm gonna go into the dressing room and wait for you to bring me back some swimwear," Connie informed, blushing. "I need you to take this seriously, ok? No games at all." She muttered.

Steven gasped, placing three fingers on his chest as if he was an offended southern Bellé. "Why madam, I do declare that I will be at my most critical. After all…" He caressed her cheek with a smirk on his face, "the chance to decorate you in my taste doesn't come along often." He grinned as he interlaced his fingers together. "I can see you now in...Hehehe! Oh yes..."

Looking at his bottom lip gnawing, nearly crossed eye blushing expression of perverse elation, Connie almost regrets asking for his advice and help but, there is a reason for that. "Can you not imagine whatever you are imagining and help me?"

He looked up at her pouting profile and smirked lovingly before kissing her forehead. "You're more tempting than anything I can imagine." 

She took a deep breath, rubbing the back of her left calf with her right foot, and idiosyncratic behavior towards surprising affection and praise.

"⁵Just...Stay away from the skimpy swimsuit from earlier."  She warned, burned cheeked as she closed the door behind her, "Himbo hubby."  rubbing her forehead, where the warm sensation of his lips lingered, she grinned. The feeling of pride In her chest.

"Ok... Let's get to business."

Three minutes later, Connie was stripped of her clothing and her pride as she looked at her reflection. Bare to her body and her insecurities. She didn't feel Charming? Girlish? Soft? Cute?

She was never called cute or adorable. No... Words that described her was strong, tall, mature, robust, and built, which was right.

She was six ft by the time she was 16 (she's 6'6 now), always been athletic; being an army brat on an army base until she was 12, strenuous exercise was more than just a habit; it was a lifestyle. Combined with tennis and martial arts, it was easy to understand why her body was built and cut as it was. She had 'mercenaries muscles.' A body made for battle, yet she was 'blessed' with the curvy hips and noticeable bust of her mother's bloodline.

The thing is, she didn't hate her body. She just wasn't privy to the attention she got from it. Most guys were intimidated.

Most girls…' intrigued' to say the least, and then there were some who 'swore' she was 'transitional.' People she affectionately referred to as transphobic bastards.

One cause she was born, lives and will die biologically and mentally as a woman, no matter how 'masculine' she supposedly acts; and more importantly, being trans isn't wrong.

"The scars don't really help either." She mused as she scanned her nude form little scars from her active lifestyle on her stomach.

"I think they give you character, Berry." Steven voiced from behind the door, surprising her enough for her to jump.

"The hell?! How did you get done so fast?!" She nearly shrieked as she turned to the door...Which now had a few swimsuits hang on the knob, " Steven...Did you peek at me?" 

She was greeted by silence.

"Accidentally," 

She gave a slightly exaggerated sigh at his guilty tone to hide the smile on her face. "Really? You don't wanna see me in the buff?"

She could already see the thousand-watt smile on his face.

"Wait, are you saying I can?"

She had to bite her tongue from laughing at his eagerness, "No, sit and wait." She scoffed out a chuckle when she heard him moan, downtrodden. Taking a look at the group of bathing suits in the knob, she went to see which one she definitely will not wear.

----------------

Steven sat in the pink chair in front of the dressing rooms, legs and arms crossed as he waited for his beauty of a betrothed model for him. He knew she wasn't crazy about her appearance, but he couldn't get enough of it.

The fact Connie tower's him by a whole nine inches. Her 'jacked,' pear-shaped body with its hypnotic curves, especially around her bust, hips, thighs, and butt. Blazing deep-set onyx eyes with thick brows, thin cupid bow lips, her slightly narrowed and flat nose, and loose raven hair in a half-braided ponytail that reached her broad shoulders. An amazing amazon made real. 

Of course, her physique was only part of why he was smitten to what humans would call near 'perverse' moments, strange since earthling takes sex for granted, to the point of making multiple websites about it for profit. 

Planetary cultural differences aside, Connie's physicality was just a complementary mirror to her character. Strong, bold, unique, and mesmerizing. No wonder why Connie steals every room she walks in when she wants to or not. He couldn't help but snicker tenderly at the thought of her before tenderness gave a slight way to hunger at the thought of her in a swimsuit.

"Steven...Can you come here?" 

The hybrid looked with a bit of concern and curiosity at the brown hand waving and shy voice coming from the dressing room.

"Hmm?" He stood and walked to took the gold sprayed knob of the plywood in his hand.

"With your eyes close!"

That made his eyes widen, but he followed her request, closing his pink eyes before entering and closing the door behind him. "You ok, Ni'?"

"I...I need you to promise to be honest with me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Just promise. ok?"

"Hmm...I'm opening my eyes."

"Wait. I'm not.."

"...HMM..."

Connie looked towards him in shy withdrawal, holding her left arm, and biting her lip adorned in a blue bikini. The top looked like a cage neck crop top that clipped in the back, and the bottoms were high-waisted with an extra band that crossed around her navel. It was sexy, to say the least, accentuating off all her curves and prominent muscle, flattering her breast, thighs, hips, and butt, without showing too much; it was made for her.

"Well?" She asked, looking at his stare but getting no answer, feeling her cheeks heat in marooned embarrassment. "Is it that bad?"

"Adorable."

Connie's eyes widened, "A-Adorable?" She pursued her lips, looking down at herself. She wasn't used to being called that. 

"Yeah... I mean, yeah, it looks sexy..but it really brings out your softer, sensual charms."

"I...I.." her nose flared as she fought the bubbling feeling in her chest. " You're... You’re not just saying that, right?" She rubbed her left calf with her right ankle.

"I wouldn't lie about this." Steven raised his right hand in a promise.

She crossed her arms, her mouth in a side pout," So...I'm cute in this, then?"

"Are you fishing for compliments?" Steven teased, getting a raised brow look of astonishment from his betrothed

" I..No!" She crossed her arms below her chest, looking away, pouting with puffed blush crossed cheeks and steady brows.  

 Before turning towards the hybrid, just as she was about to attempt to make her point, she was caught off guard by his hand gently but securely grabbing her chin and leading her to move her face up close to his, their nose tips gingerly touching.

It wasn't the first time he did this, and it always made her feel a bit meek. Never unpleasantly, though.

"You're always cute."

The feel of his warm lips sandwiching her top lip with popping clips was new.

New but welcomed. 

[katrinapavela]

Is  Rowan Trying to Bring Olivia Back to the Light, or Irrevocably Shutter Her in Darkness? #Scandal

Let me start by saying that I have a well-known history of not seeing it for Rowan, since 301. I didn’t even wanna write this because it seems boringly obvious to me (and other folks who see through this man’s behaviour), and I just want it to be over. I’m tired, even more than Olivia seems to be. I never bought into the idea back then that this man was trying to help save his daughter from destruction and danger brought about by Fitz. That he was going to extraordinary lengths, and showing “tough love” like a strong, black father. 

The short version: Rowan is an abusive person. He has been an abusive person since we met him through Jake. Abusers always need the abused more than the abused need them. Without an object to play games with, the abuser doesn’t really exist. His “games” have gotten more and more intense over the seasons, switching tactics and acts like the shapeshifter he is. Rowan is trying to complete the process of eliminating Olivia’s chewy centre (her soul, her humanity) by eradicating ties to those for whom she has the greatest vulnerability. Except him. Fitz and Quinn have been used tactically this way. The ultimate point is for Olivia to have nothing and no one but Rowan (”You never choose one of them over me” (407); “If I have to choose between [my father] and you [Fitz]; you will lose” (611). Rowan sees Olivia as his only connection to humanity. Jake is just another “son” he created. Olivia is “[his], [his] child, the thing [he] made” (310). Everyone needs someone. Rowan’s soul is lost. He can’t have a genuine relationship with anyone. So he’s compelling Olivia, through control, manipulation and domination, to be that someone instead of working for it. 

The reasoned version:

Y’all want me to believe that Rowan is simply a stern father who sees Olivia’s potential, and is practicing ‘tough love’, so that she can be the “championed” he raised? That Rowan has been transformed by his encounters with Ponytail and Peus? That Rowan is the old, feeble, victim now?

Y’all can forever and a day miss me with that messed up psychology. I have too many receipts listing the ways in which that kind of thinking is fucked up. The moment Rowan became an active presence (seen or unseen) in Olivia’s life, the level of death, destruction and alienation has increased, not decreased. I cannot think of a single thing Rowan has done for his daughter that did not require she give him something in return. That’s the definition of transactional, not family. Anyway, let me get to it. 

HELL NO ROWAN IS NOT TRYING TO SAVE OLIVIA!

It makes no sense. Every single time Rowan has intervened in Olivia’s life, it has been to his primary benefit, which he manipulates her into thinking is also to her benefit (hold on to that because it’s relevant). Think about it. Can you name a single parental, altruistic thing he’s done for her? Even paying her goddamn student loans, before she knew he was Command, required her to report for weekly Sunday dinners in exchange (302). 

Rowan: “People are predictable. Unchanging. Monotonous. They use the same language. They offer the same excuses. They make the same mistakes. People are endlessly disappointing because you hope they won’t be…” (413, “No More Blood”)

There is no way on god’s green earth that Shonda could write anything that would justify the levels of abuse Rowan has  perpetrated directly upon Olivia himself, and through his prostitutes, Jake and Russell. I’m not gonna bother to list them all because it’s too great. Plus, Olivia, in her 707 monologue to Rowan, already alluded to the ways in which he has destroyed her life so that she is almost unrecognizable to herself.

But what is it that Rowan ultimately wants from Olivia? Why does he keep doing this?

Olivia actually said it best herself, in 409:

Olivia: “You’re not leaving. You’re never leaving. You can never leave me alone because you have no place to go. The only life you have is the sad, twisted one you built here. The one where you lurk in the shadows, pull puppet strings and pretend the world couldn’t exist without you. You can’t disappear, become a normal person because, dad: you are not normal. You’re a sick, lonely man who only knows how to lie and call it love.” 

Maybe that hot truth she spat reaffirmed to him why he needed to let the kidnapping happen to her. 

Because every word above is true. In fact, we can say Olivia has inhabited some of that ow, too. Change is a verb. I haven’t seen Rowan change anything, except the act he puts on in order to manipulate, people. Case in point: the dialogue @Jarmstrong05 on Twitter dug up.

Rowan did that because he wanted Olivia to run B6-13. Why the fuck would Rowan want Fitz’s soft ass heart to run B6-13? That was just another manipulation of Olitz love, just as Rowan’s trip to Vermont. Rowan started cultivating Fitz as an asset the moment he was on house arrest in the White House, in 6B. Rowan knows that if he went about convincing Olivia to be Command directly, Olivia would run back to Zanzibar. Just like he knew not to directly suggest she take on Mellie’s campaign, but instead created the circumstances to point Olivia in that direction. 

/Pause for the cause:

(I am seriously wondering if he promised Mellie that Olivia would make her president in exchange for Mellie letting Tom out of prison, too (506). Because what incentive would she have to let Tom out? Mellie is thirsty for domination, short-sighted, and is too busy wanting to be the mammoth who gets the glory, so that she doesn’t see the stronger mastodon running circles around her)

pause for the cause\

But why wouldn’t Rowan just want to run B6-13 himself? Is he just trying to take it back from her? 

Rowan switched up his tactics when Olivia was with Fitz in S5. He started cultivating her as daddy’s girl, instead of the usual “against me, you will lose” adversarial rhetoric he used with her in S3-4. Allow her to think you are both on the same side, and you get what you want from her more quickly. In fact, Olivia has been making the transformation to Rowena after 509. It is in 510 that we see the colour red premier (rowan means red). 

If he tried to run B6-13 as Command Olivia would make it her mission as CoS to fighting him. Low key, Rowan has already been running B6-13 indirectly, by using Jake to undermine Liv’s decisions and go behind her back. Jake is a tin man with no brain of his own. He needs orders from someone, a mission. Like, I’m sure Olivia doesn’t know Lucy is B6-13. Rowan has basically allowed Olivia to borrow power (that’s the real ‘something borrowed’), and think that she was controlling the world. It’s easier than fighting her. If Rowan took back direct control, against Olivia’s wishes, she would dedicate Mellie’s whole administration to fighting him, which is tiresome for us and Olivia, but not Rowan:

Huck:“I never considered it before. But, yeah, you were made. Just like us. By him. Why wouldn't you have a guy? ... No. You don't have a guy. You don't need one. You have your father. He is your guy, and he is always out. And you really do need him, because as long as he is by your side, nothing you do seems bad in comparison. Your guy is always out, and he is the biggest, hungriest monster on the loosest leash in the world. ... A monster does not change. A monster is always hungry. Do you not understand that when the monster gets hungry, he will turn around and eat you?”

What I think Rowan has been doing this season, is cementing Olivia as both his replacement, and his permanent companion, until he dies. Rowan is trying to eat Olivia this season. His consumption of her keeps him alive. It’s either she dies or he dies. You already know the option for which I have advocated for 4 seasons now. 

Rowan: “You are like looking into the window of my past. You are me. No matter how much I tried, all I could create was me. There is a reckoning coming for you, Olivia. You think you have it under control. You think you have all the power buttoned up inside you behind your eyes, lighting you up. But one day you'll glance into a mirror, and you will discover that some of that power is missing. The lights are going out. Then? You'll have some difficult decisions to make. Do I want that power back? Who am I willing to hurt to get it? Now I can say this because I know You cannot have it all, Olivia.” (701, “Watch Me”)

Rowan doesn’t make predictions. He engineers them. Of course she never had it under control because with him around, she will never be in command of her life. As long as she thinks life is defined in the parameters her father as given her. Of course she can’t have it all, because he never did. 

Wait, so why did he try to get Fitz to save her?

lmaoo, Rowan doesn’t give a good goddamn about Olivia’s soul. He’s been trying to make it as black as his. The performance Rowan gives depends on his audience. He told us (and Jake) as much in 406. He needed Fitz to come back to DC in order to test Olivia’s chewy centre. Referring to Fitz as “son” (703, 704) and instructing him on how to “lure her into a cage” (704) all indicate Rowan’s cultivation of Fitz as a deputized B6-13 prostitute. That tactic would never work because Fitz has a genuine connection with Olivia and doesn’t need B6-13 tools. In any case, Olivia eventually passed the test and sent Fitz packing. (I can now see in her own way that she wanted him gone so he wouldn’t be used against her, and so that she can keep up her bad bitch facade. It’s harder around people who actually see you as a person, not just what you can do for them)

When Olivia tried to punish Rowan by taking away his livelihood, something he genuinely enjoyed (his BONES!!!!!!!), he was done playing. You don’t take Rowan’s things. He has a transactional relationship with everyone. Olivia took Annie, so Quinn now gets taken. A person like that is not tethered to reality (which is why Maya laughed incredulously when Olivia told her what Rowan did). Rowan doesn’t need to actually kill Quinn to achieve his goals. He needed to test Olivia's centre. From Olivia’s reaction to those gun shots, her time as Command is dead, to me. When QPA connect’s Quinn’s abduction (I know there are a lot of parallels with her and Olivia, but that’s another post), Olivia’s relationship with them is as good as done (Rowan hopes). Fitz and QPA are the last real connections Olivia has, even though she’s treated them shittily since becoming CoS and Command. 

Lessons from the Alternate Universe episode (610)

(does anything I’ve written above make sense?)

Rowan’s influence goes back to the Defiance decision. The AU showed us the contrast in Olivia’s life when her father  was not in it (and, by extension, Jake). She had more agency. She smiled. She loved her work AND her friends. She actually stayed and tried in her relationship with Fitz. She was in Command of her life, it wasn’t in command of her. So, in what world would the man who brought darkness into this girl’s life be the one to save her? Change is a verb, and I have seen no action from Rowan. And I need to seem some action from Olivia in the opposite direction. Otherwise, she will be eaten alive by the monster under her nose. 

Some of this might be

So y’all tell me. 

What do you guys think is going on?

[hamimagines]

First Contact (Rafael Casal x Reader)

Masterlist 

Request Queue

Request- This is a fic requested by my girl @jazygirljazzy (she’s awesome and posts a lot of Daveed and Rafa stuff and you should follow her) and it’s based on Rafa’s video series on YouTube “The Away Team”  It’s gonna be a four part series following each episode of the miniseries 

Song- cool girl -- Tove Lo (I changed this song like three times)

Words- 2,164

You hurried quickly down the hallway. The uniform was tight and it chaffed against your skin, something you thought you’d get used after years on this spacecraft but never seemed to get comfortable with. You couldn’t with that now. If you were late to this briefing there was no way you would get promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain. 

You practically slid through the automatic door to the ship’s board room. Every face turned towards you and the room went uncomfortably quiet. You felt a heat on your neck and face. “Sorry? Am I late.” You smiled sheepishly and sat down in one of the chairs, which was bolted to the floor of the spacecraft. 

“Not at all. We were just getting started.” the admiral said. He gave you a gentle smile. “Okay. It looks like everyone’s here. I’ll just get right into it. Since starting a new military branch in space, we’ve discovered close to three hundred new planets and solar systems. Obviously, we’re here to learn all we can about the vast universe we share. Long story short, we need to assemble a team to go out discover as much as they can about these unexplored areas. They will chart, collect samples, search for signs of life, and if possible, communicate with them.”

Your interest instantly peaked. This was your chance to get off this ship and do something that would make a difference, to put your name on something, to have something to be proud of. The admiral loved you. He’d trained you himself. He had to pick you. He had to. 

“I already have several candidates in mind for this special group, and I’ve called you all here today to get your opinion. Ultimately, it is still my decision, but we work as a team here.” 

A smile glowed on your face. You couldn’t contain the excitement. The admiral was looking at you with a similar expression, so you knew he had you in mind.You couldn’t wait to get out there. Touching new planets, new ground, new plants, new atmosphere, new everything. It was all going to be yours to explore.

“Alright to start it off I’ll introduce you to our Away Team, those individuals who we do the actual exploring and data gathering. I want you all to welcome Rafael Casal and Nico Cary.” 

A small whoosh was heard at the doors at the other end of the room opened and two scrappy men walked through. You hardly paid any attention to them or their almost off-putting dynamic. You just wanted the admiral to announce your position in the field. “We’ll have Dr. Diggs acting as their primary Physician and Lieutenant Y/L/N would remain on board collecting and organizing the data gathered, should you choose to execute my plan that is.”

Your jaw dropped. This was bullshit. There had to be a joke in here somewhere. He couldn’t actually be confining you to nothing more than a secretary. 

The admiral started handing thin green folders to everyone in the meeting. “That’s all I have for you today. Please look over these individuals credentials and when we meet again we’ll vote on whether to proceed or rethink our choices. Thank you.” Everyone got up and started to shuffle out, but you stayed.    

You stared down at the neat green file set on the table in front of you. Your mind replayed over and over again everything that had just happened. The two men, Nico and Rafael, we’re chatting lightly with the admiral and laughing. It took them a good few minutes to even notice you were there. 

“Lieutenant Y/L/N? Are you alright?” 

You looked up at him slowly. “I’m fine.” you forced out. He gave you a look that told you he knew you were lying. “I’m just wondering, sir, why I’m not being considered for the exploring job.” Your anger started to boil slowly. “You know how hard of a worker I am. I much rather be doing this myself than babysitting these two. It’s been my dream since I was a child, so forgive me if I’m feeling a little robbed right now! ...sir.” You stood there for a moment. His eyes were blank and one of the two men had an amused expression that only furthered your rage.

“Casal. Cary. Could you give us a minute?” 

“Of course, sir.” The smiling one said. The other looked at you with a slight amount of pity, and they both walked out of the room. You looked down at your hands, feeling embarrassed. 

“Y/N, sit. Please.” He addressed you with your first name now that you were alone and the situation was less formal. You did as he said, and he came and sat next to you. “Talk to me.” 

You threw your hands in the air. “You have to be kidding me, dad! You know how much I’ve wanted this. You know I want to be an Explorer. How could you take that opportunity away from me?” 

Your dad nodded thoughtfully. “I know, but if I let you do this mission, your career will never advance. Y/N, this is just the first of many expeditions. If I made you an Explorer now. That’s all you’d ever be. This one mission would be the end. You’d chart some maps and that’s it. But, if I have you head it, show everyone else on this ship that you can handle yourself and you know what you’re doing, you’ll move up. You’ll call the shots. You’ll make your own expeditions.”

“What good is living in space if I don’t ever get to see it? What good is being in charge of something I’ve never gotten to experience?” Your voice was softer now. 

The admiral laid a comforting hand on your arm. “Y/N. You have faced so much adversity in your life. People think you’re only here because you’re my daughter. That you don’t deserve to make it this far because you’re a woman. I’m giving you a chance to prove them wrong. I’m putting you completely in charge of this mission, Y/N. This is an important job, and I wouldn’t trust anyone else to it.” 

You ran a hand over your face and took down your tight ponytail. “Okay, I’ll do it.” 

Your dad chuckled and ruffled your hair. “It’s cute how you think it was a choice.” 

You rolled your eyes and stood up. “Get back to work. Stop being so lazy.” 

He smiled and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” 

You watched him walk from the conference room in his office and then left altogether. When you were out in the hallway, one of the two men was waiting by the door. You started to walk past him, but he followed you. 

“Hey.” he said when he caught up with you. 

“Hi.” you spoke curtly. 

“I’m Rafael, but you can call me Rafa if you want. I figured I should introduce myself since we’re probably gonna be spending a lot of time together now.”

You had to force yourself not to roll your eyes.

“So you’re the admiral’s daughter, right? Y/N Y/L/N?” 

“That’s me.” You turned a corner and he still followed, so you stopped and faced him. “Are you planning on following me all the way to my bunk?” 

A sly grin appeared on his face. “You know, it does sound pretty fun. Too bad I don’t do human.” 

You nearly gagged. “You don’t...nevermind.” You started to walk away and to your surprise, he didn’t follow. You paused and looked back at him. 

“What?” he asked. “I can take a hint. You don’t wanna talk. That’s fine, but we are gonna be working together, so your little tough ice queen act is gonna have to crack pretty soon.” You scoffed and turned away again. “Later, Y/N!” he called after you. 

“Lieutenant Y/L/N.” you corrected. 

After months of planning it was finally here. First contact. Rafael and Nico were going to land on a small unexplored planet, one picked by you. You figured it would be best to start small, especially since as you became more familiar with Rafael and Nico, you weren’t certain of their abilities. This planet seemed to be mostly desert. It wasn’t very likely that they’d find any life, and even if they did, you didn’t think that even Rafael could fuck it up. Even with all these safeguards in place, you still made sure their microphones were on at all times so that you knew what was going on even when they didn’t like sharing. It was probably illegal, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to care. 

The mission started out well. The two boys landed safely, did as they were told, and started to gather samples. You and the crew you’d chosen to help you listened to their pointless conversations for what felt like hours. You were reclining in a chair waiting for them to say anything worthwhile. 

“There’s no tens on that ship. It’s all sevens. It’s all sevens man.” Rafael’s voice came through the speakers. You listened half-heartedly. “Except for that first officer, right? She’s sexy.” 

Your eyes widened. Rafael continued to talk, but you weren’t listening anymore. Every crew member was staring at you. Most of them were trying to stifle their laughter. You were absolutely mortified. How were you supposed to expect respect from anybody when Rafael was apparently talking about you like this. 

“Can you handle this for now?” you said quietly to your second. He nodded, and you quickly left the room. You didn’t care what your dad said anymore. This wasn’t what you wanted.  

You were gone from the room hardly three minutes when a young crew member was chasing after you. “Lieutenant Y/L/N! Lieutenant!” 

You turned around, more than a little annoyed. “What?” 

“It’s your men. They’re...he’s.” 

“Where are they?” 

“Infirmary.” 

Fear struck through you. You didn’t spare him a second glance before you were running down the sleek white hallways to the infirmary. A horrible screaming sound became louder and louder the closer you got. You nearly screamed yourself when you saw that it was coming from Nico. 

“What the hell happened?!” 

“We found life on the Class Four planet, ma’am.” Rafael said. You clenched your fists, ready to punch him in the face. 

“That doesn’t explain why my Explorer has a....whatever that is for a hand!” 

“Nico touched it.” 

“Rafael made Nico touch it.” Your second told you. Your jaw dropped and your head snapped towards Rafael again.

“He’ll be fine.” he said like it was nothing. Even incapacitated as he was, Nico gave Rafael an incredulous look. 

“This is the most unprofessional behavior I’ve ever seen. I’m getting you off this team. Now.” You left the infirmary, but Rafael followed you out. 

“Is it as unprofessional as leaving the control room in the middle of very important, and very dangerous mission?” You stopped walking and glared at him. “Oh yeah. I totally heard all about that, and unless you want the admiral that you abandoned their team when they needed you most...” 

You stepped closer to him. “Are you actually trying to blackmail me? It’s not gonna work. I don’t care what he thinks.” 

“See, I don’t believe that. I think you care a lot about what other people think about you.” 

“I could have you discharged for sexual harassment, Casal.” He furrowed his brow. “Yeah, you’re not the only one who hears things.” 

Realization dawned on his face. “That’s wasn’t harassment! That was just me talking to me buddy! Besides, listening to our conversations without our consent is an invasion of privacy. Face it, Y/N.” 

“Lieutenant Y/L/N.” You spat. 

“Yeah, whatever. The point is, I have just as much on you as you do on me. So go ahead. Go run and tell daddy. I just wait outside his door tell your finished. I’m sure he’d love to hear what I have to say.” 

You sucked your teeth and stared at the ceiling. You couldn’t believe the nerve of this guy. “Fine.” You stuck your hand out. “Truce.” 

Rafael looked surprised. “I didn’t think that would actually work.” He took your hand and shook it. You grabbed the color of his spandex shirt which matched your own and pulled him down so his eyes were level with yours. 

“You step out of line one more time, Lieutenant Casal, and I won’t fucking hesitate. Don’t forget you’re under my command.” 

Rafael grinned. “This should be fun.”