#jatp sweet tarts

[invisibleraven]

"I would love to spoil you, can I do this for you?"

sweet tarts

Carrie would probably be the first to admit that she was a little spoiled. Her dad bought her almost anything she wanted, and she had a healthy allowance to purchase everything else. Of course, deep down Carrie knew her dad spoiled her as some sort of apology or penance for never being around, and she would much rather have quality time with him than more stuff, but she had given up asking years ago.

Carrie wasn't stingy with her wealth, nor did she flash it around. She liked helping her friends and spoiling them as well-wondering if some of her father had rubbed off on her, using gifts to convey emotions instead of words.

That is, until she started dating Reggie.

Reggie would outright tell you he was poor-and he wasn't ashamed of it. He earned every penny to his name, and absolutely refused handouts.

"But why?" Carrie had asked him, even after offering to pay for things over and over again.

"Half the reason my folks are in the black are because of bad loans," Reggie said. "We've had letters, phone calls, even one scary looking guy come to the door to collect-I never want to live like that ever again."

"Reggie I don't care if you ever pay me back, I have enough money to give away!" Carrie argued.

"And I love your generous spirit," Reggie replied. "But I don't want people to think I'm with you for your money. I'm not some gold digger, and I never want anyone thinking you're like...my sugar mamma or something."

"Okay, you are never allowed to use that phrase again," Carrie said, wrinkling her nose. But she let it go, kind of loving how independent Reggie was, and she truly didn't care if their dates were cheap, because they were always fun.

However, soon word came down that Reggie's favourite band was going to be playing in the coming months-and Carrie knew how much he would want to go. But the ticket price, even for the general admission was high, and after having to make some emergency repairs on his truck, Reggie was already living lean.

"There'll be other concerts," Reggie assured her.

"But...Reggie I want to buy these, I know you'll regret it if you don't go."

"Carrie..."

"I would love to spoil you, can I do this for you?" she pleaded, giving him her best approximation of his puppy dog face. "It can be your birthday-Channukah-anniversary-Valentine's gift."

Reggie had to laugh at that. "You're not gonna let this go are you?"

"You know how stubborn I am."

"I do, and it's one of the things I love about you," Reggie replied. "I just...I don't want to feel like I owe you anything."

She took his face in her hands then. "Reggie, before you, I was so lonely. You have no idea how much love and life you have given me. How happy you make me. Sure, I've got nice things and money in the bank but I've never had anyone love me like you do."

Reggie softened at that. He knew Trevor was more absent than not, and while Reggie's folks were not the best, he did have a family in his friends, in the Molinas who had taken him in when things got really bad at home. Carrie had her Candis, sure, but aside from Kayla, he didn't think she was especially close to any of them.

"I can't promise you a lot," he confessed. "I'm never going to have a lot of money to my name, but I can promise you love, as much as you want of it."

"I'll take it," she replied, pulling him in for a kiss. "Now can I please spoil you, just this once and get you these tickets?"

"Fiiiiiiiiiiiine," he sighed, but he was smiling as he said it. "Just this once though, we're not making this a habit."

"Of course not," Carrie replied, pulling out her phone. "But since this is a one time deal, I am totally getting us the VIP package."

"Wait, Carrie..." he said, watching as she giggled and ran off. Sighing before deciding he could let her spoil him-just this once. But he was still going to chase her and pretend to protest-just for the fun of it.

With that he ran after her, loving her shrike as he caught her, spinning them around before grounding themselves-and talking Carrie out of spending half her bank account on Meet and Greet packages.

"Wait, why are you buying two?" he asked.

"Well we're going together aren't we?"

"But-you don't even like them."

It was true, this band wasn't her favourite, but she would do anything for Reggie. "Well I'm not letting you go alone."

Reggie had to kiss her then. "You really do spoil me."

Carrie grinned, returning the kiss, and wondering if she could keep doing so for forever, because it would never be enough to repay everything he had given her. And maybe, if he'd let her pay for them to get matching shirts. Because if they were going to this thing, they were going to look good.

[daintyduck99]

Rarrie and boots

“How on earth do you walk in these?”

No one can break Carrie's composure like Reggie; she takes one look and dies laughing.

When she can breathe again, she says, “Very carefully. Don't break your neck.”

He shrugs. “It'd have been worth it.”

And she suspects she knows what he means, it'd have been worth it because I made you laugh, but before she can call him out, he's sheepishly asking,

“But—could you help me take them off?”

[bananakarenina]

WOOHOO halfway to my goal of publishing 2 things on ao3 this month!

thus with a kiss i die by @bananakarenina (inspired by @innytoes' fake fic ask game!)

Rating: T for like kissing and very minimal language lol

Summary:

Carrie Wilson has landed her high school theater dream role: Juliet, but now she's faced with an even bigger problem: one of Julie's stupid band mates snagged the role of Romeo. This was not how her theater debut was supposed to go. It doesn't help that Reggie looked incredibly disappointed when he heard. Still, they have to work together somehow, and while it's hard going at first, things change when Reggie confesses the true reason why he'd looked so upset at getting the main role instead of a side one: he'd never kissed anyone before.

[zerolostwalks]

"I want to show you off." for Sweet Tarts?

Backlight

“Hey, Peach Blossom.”

Carrie just barely managed to hold back her near-involuntary giddy laugh at Reggie’s greeting. She would have greeted him with a hug closer to the door but she was already in the middle of prepping for dinner. 

“So, I had to deal with some interesting drama today.” Reggie said, hooking his chin over her shoulder as he hugged her from behind.

“Oh? What’s that?” Carrie asked, keeping her attention on her veggie chopping. Though she could just catch the disbelieving scowl Reggie shot her way. His wry chuckle and shake of his hard were more difficult to ignore given the movement somehow brought his face closer to hers.

“Well, apparently,” Reggie began, using that playfully clueless voice usually reserved for when he was trying to pretend he wasn’t aware of what was going on, but Carrie knew better to fall for it by now. “One Carrie Wilson personally reached out to see if our band would be interested in helping her out with some new secret project.”

“That does sound interesting.”

“Mhmm.” Reggie’s voice lost some of the playfulness. “Flynn’s almost certain you’re up to something.”

Carrie only hummed in response as she finally finished all her prep and went to break away from Reggie’s grip to move to actually start cooking, only he wouldn’t let her go.

“Are you?”

Carrie huffed before spinning around in Reggie’s arms, wrapping her own around his waist. “Maybe, I just want to show you off.” She was aiming for teasing but his lost, almost worried expression paired with his question made her think of something else. With an annoyed sigh she added, “You didn’t listen to the demo did you?”

His confusion furrowed deeper into her brow. 

With another sigh she broke free of Reggie, successfully this time. Though she only went far enough to get her phone from where she’d put it on the counter to switch it the demo in question. 

It was a rough idea of the song she had in mind, paired with the limitations of the program she had to use in order to even begin to get a vague idea down of the sound she was going for. Definitely stepping away from her usually pop genre and closer. More of a rock sound, with the bass standing out as a lead sound. 

“I’m no bassist so it definitely can do with improving.” She said, pocketing her phone and trying to not grimace at the poor quality of the demo. “And as I told Julie, Luke, and Flynn earlier I am looking for a band that I trust to help me get the right sound.” 

Neither her demo nor her explanation did anything to get the confused scowl off of Reggie’s face. Almost worryingly so. Maybe it sounded a lot worse than she thought and that was part of why Julie and Luke had seemed hesitant about it. 

“It’s okay if you actually aren’t interested, I'm sure I can hire someone.”

“No, that’s not it.” Reggie said, quickly closing the space to pick up one of her hands. “It’s not bad, just a little rough around the edges but, it’s just the instrumentation. I’m not sure where.”

“Where I fit in?” She quickly cut in, biting back a mildly bitter laugh when Reggie nodded. She definitely should have talked to him about this part before now. “I do have lyrics, two versions actually, and I figured you should probably help me decide which ones to use before anyone else heard them.”

She didn’t even wait for him to ask before she went to one of the demo’s with her singing. This was definitely angrier than most of her songs. An old venting song channeling her frustration and bitterness at trying to force himself into a mold, and definitely full of more growls and yells she’d ever had to record before. She switched over to the second version so quickly she’s not sure if Reggie even noticed at first, probably thought the song had looped. 

At least until she started singing. While this version was similar in tone, the lyrics were definitely more focused on her wanting to make her own place in the world. Though the second verse not so subtly was talking about how Reggie helped inspire that. Or maybe it was only obvious to her, his eyebrow barely quirked up.

His silence didn’t once the song ended didn’t help either. Nor the way he wasn’t even really looking at her anymore. 

“So when you said show me off.” He eventually said after clearing his throat. Though he left the statement to hang between them. 

“I meant as maybe more than just a bass player.” She finished the thought for him, smiling in spite of herself, at the awe written across his face. 

“But I thought.”

“I think I’m ready to let other people know about us.” Carrie cut him off, smiling brighter with his smile, sunshine bright as always. “And yes I’m sure.” She added when she saw that furrow start to form between his brows again.

He pulled her closer, kissing her before she even fully realized that’s what he was going to do. Catching her by surprise seemed to be something he was uniquely adept at. Almost as good as he was at distracting her. 

But she managed to pull herself away long enough this time to finish dinner and for them to flesh out her idea a little better. As well as to get a good second draft of the lyrics sort of combining the two versions. 

In the end she knows even if Julie and everyone else don’t agree to help with the song she’s got Reggie’s support.

[onlygenxhere]

Hey there! Happy Friday!!

If you're still accepting prompts Sorry to text so late, can your dog come over? + Reggie/Carrie, please?

Dancing Queen

Sorry to text so late

Can your dog come over?

My dad is out of town and I’d feel safer with him here.

Reggie stared blearily at his phone. He’d already been asleep over an hour when the chirp had woken him. He could pretend he hadn’t seen the message. He’d just pulled down his notifications and not actually clicked on the text so she wouldn’t know if he didn’t respond.

But… it was Carrie and she wouldn’t text if she didn’t need something.

Han had been over enough in the past year to be comfortable there. Carrie had actually been the entire bands go to for keeping their animals when they were out on tour since she’d had to take a hiatus from her own rising fame after a scary incident with a stalker last year.

In fact her being alone in that house didn’t set will with him at all.

Reggie was nothing if not a good friend and he was too tired to wonder why she hadn’t texted Alex and Willie to see if Fosse wanted to come over or Julie and Luke to see if Fender or Gibson were available or even Flynn who had no pets but would surely come over if she asked.

He reached over and gave his best bud a pat on the head, “You up for a visit to Carrie’s?”

The golden’s tail thumped on the bed and he gave Reggie’s hand a deceive lick.

Ok then.

The man in black

Be there in thirty

He only added a black t-shirt to his attire of Star Wars pajama pants before grabbing Han’s leash and one of Luke’s energy drinks to wake him up on the way. Driving this sleepy wasn’t a good idea. Drinking the Monster probably wasn’t either but at least he’d be awake for the trip… and maybe the next three hours after.

Well, he had to get back home too. She’d only asked for his dog, not him.

He was practically vibrating by the time he punched in the code at the gate to let himself in, pulling up to the front door and sending Carrie a quick message to let her know they were here.

The front door opened and she was coming down the steps dressed in baggy pink pajama pants and a matching t-shirt before he was even all the way out of his truck.

Han bounded out after him, racing over to Carrie and jumping up trying to give her kisses.

“Han! That is no way to greet a lady!”

Carrie was laughing and trying to push the big dog down so she could pet him. “It’s ok. It’s nice that anyone is this excited to see me.”

Reggie frowned as he shut the door of his truck. “Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t be excited to see you?”

She waved her hand attempting to dismiss the comment as she finally got Han to sit and she knelt in front of him scratching behind his ears. “Who’s a good boy?” she cooed.

“Carrie?” Reggie stopped in front of her. “What’s going on? Where’s your dad? Hell where’s the staff you usually have here?”

She wrapped her arms around Han’s neck and looked up at him. “Dad is in New York for the weekend on business and we haven’t had live-in staff in almost six months.”

How did he not know this? He talked to Carrie pretty regularly he thought but apparently there were things she’d been leaving out. He nodded toward the house. “Want me to come in?”

Carrie ducked her head rubbing her check against Han’s soft fur. “You don’t have to. I have Han now… thank you.” She looked up at him and those big brown eyes looked so sad and lost.

“That wasn’t the question Care.” He reached a hand out to her and she took it standing up and looking him in the eyes as he asked again. “Do YOU want me to come in?” He wasn’t trying to imply more than the words he was saying but they both knew he was offering to stay the night too.

She nodded and took a step toward him. Han scooted out from between them and darted into the house, no doubt headed toward her room. Reggie took her other hand, holding them both.

“What’s going on darlin’?”

She closed her eyes and bit her lip shaking her head. “I just feel so stupid for being afraid of an empty house.”

“Carrie,” he squeezed her hands and waited for her to open her eyes. “There is nothing stupid about you,” he said softly shaking his head. “You have every right to be nervous about being alone after what happened.”

“It’s been almost a year Reg and nothing new has happened. Derek is still in jail.” She looked away from him. “I need to get on with my life.”

He didn’t know what to say, she wasn’t wrong but everyone got over trauma at different speeds. He pulled her into a hug, sliding his arms around her thin frame and holding her tight. “Just tell me what I can do?” They’d been friends for years and he cared about the woman in his arms more than he’d ever admit.

“You’re already doing it Reg.” she hugged him back just as tight. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”

He felt his heart drop just a little at the word friend but that’s what they were and that’s what she needed. “Better not let Flynn or Julie hear you say that,” he said trying to lighten the mood.

“I didn’t message them.” Carrie pulled away from him and he saw the tears in her eyes. “I messaged you.”

He nodded, “And I’m here.”

She nodded again and let her hand slid down his arm till she could lace their fingers together. “Would you mind staying?”

He shook his head feeling like his voice might have left him.

Carrie took a step toward the front stairs pulling him with her. “Will you stay with me and Han?”

They both knew Han slept in her bed.

He licked his lips and nodded finding his voice. “Are you sure?”

She nodded, “Just to sleep.” A ghost of her usual smile found its way onto her lips. “For now...”

“Ok,” he followed her up the stairs and into her house shutting the front door behind them.

They got in bed that night, the dog between them, and they stroked his fur as they talked well into the morning. Reggie found out about all the fears and anxiety she’d been hiding from everyone and he confessed to her just how lonely he’d been feeling about living in a house with two couples. No matter how much you loved them.

They finally drifted off to sleep sometime around three with Han snuggled up between them but when the sun streaming in her windows finally woke him the dog was gone and Carrie was asleep in his arms.

It was the first morning of many they woke up together and the last time Reggie went to bed thinking he was only ever Carrie’s friend.

[bananakarenina]

sooooooooooo I wrote the thing.

here is the first installment: thus with a kiss i die

Ooooh fake fic tags bc I apparently suck at coming up with fake fic titles just as much a real ones: sweet tarts, first kiss, enemies to lovers

Thus with a kiss I die

After narrowly beating out Julie for the role of Juliet in the school play, Carrie is faced with an even bigger problem. Which is that one of Julie's stupid band mates snagged the role of Romeo. This was not how her theater debut was supposed to go. It doesn't help that Reggie looks incredibly disappointed when he heard.

Still, they have to work together somehow, and while it's hard going at first, things change when Reggie confesses the true reason why he'd looked so upset at getting the main role instead of a side one: he'd never kissed anyone before.

[1mnobodywhoareyou]

birthday week prompt: "i hope to celebrate many more with you like this." taking a bit of icing off the cake and putting it on their cheek .

For Reggie and Carrie but in specific mean girlfriend and her hopelessly in love boyfriend who likes when shes mean to him.

god. you really do like to challenge me, don't you? i imagine this is going to be too tame for you and too much for others 😅 but hope it's at least halfway satisfactory

Reggie scoops a finger full of icing off of the cake. He’s just about to put it in his mouth when he’s interrupted by Carrie clearing her throat from the doorway. 

“Seriously?! You couldn’t at least wait until after everyone else had seen it.”

“But… yummy,” Reggie explains needlessly. 

Carrie rolls her eyes, “Would have still been yummy in the half hour you could have waited.”

Reggie offers his finger to her as a peace offering. Carrie eyes him warily before accepting it, opening her mouth slightly so that she can lick it off. 

When she’s finished, he takes a clean finger and scoops off another bit of the frosting for himself. 

“You can’t possibly be serious.”

“When am I ever?” he replies cheekily. He looks at his finger and back at Carrie, a mischievous glint in his eye. 

She sees through him immediately. “Don’t even think about it,” she warns. 

“Think about what?” he asks innocently, looking back at his hand.

“You know exactly what.”

“What are you gonna do about it?”

“Reginald Peters, I will break your fingers.”

“Promise?”

Carrie huffs out a frustrated breath. When Reggie gets into these moods, there is very little she can do to deter him. There’s a lot about him that she’s managed to hack but when he’s into her threats… Well, they’re less effective than she’d sometimes like them to be. “I’d have to redo my makeup.”

“Pity.”

“You have guests waiting.”

“So? It’s my birthday. They can wait.”

“Reggie,” she warns again.

“But I could lick it off of you,” Reggie murmurs. 

Carrie feels her knees weaken and tries to nonchalantly lean back against the counter. “You don’t like the taste of my makeup.”

“I’m happy to suffer for you.”

Reggie can sense her resolve softening. He reaches out with his (mostly) clean hand and rubs a thumb over her cheek. 

Carrie glares at him

He decides to tempt fate and smears the finger full of frosting down the other side of her face.

She grabs him by the wrist, harder than is probably entirely necessary, and makes a show of licking his finger clean. He watches intently, mouth gaping.

“I believe you said you’d do something about this?” Carrie challenges, turning her iced cheek toward him.

Reggie snaps his jaw closed and nods. He leans forward and runs his tongue up her cheek, cleaning the frosting off of her face. He fights back a grimace at the taste of her foundation and tries to focus instead on the sugary sweetness and the poorly muffled sounds she’s making. 

Satisfied that he’s gotten all of the icing from her face, he trails his tongue down to her jaw and sucks lightly until she pushes him away. “That’s enough. You have people waiting for you.”

“For us,” he corrects. “And fuck ‘em.” 

He tries to lean in for a kiss and Carrie presses a hand to his mouth, pushing him back. “No, not ‘fuck ‘em.’ I have a reputation to uphold. You can wait.”

Reggie whimpers at the thought. 

“And if you can’t be good…” she trails off, letting experience speak for her.

“I’ll be good, I promise.”

“You’d better be.” She pinches the underside of his arm. “And you’d better hope that fixing this doesn’t take very long,” she adds, gesturing to her face. “Go greet your guests, I’ll be right down. And for god’s sake, don’t touch that cake again.”

“Yes’m,” Reggie readily agrees, stopping just short of offering her a mock salute when she glares at him. 

It turns out that Reggie had caused barely any damage to Carrie’s makeup and she joins the party in no time, hosting and mingling like the seasoned professional she is. 

When the party’s over and the house is finally cleared out, they work to clean up what they can of the mess. Yes, there will be cleaners coming in tomorrow but Carrie’s not one to leave a disaster in her wake. 

Reggie walks up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist. “I hope to celebrate many more with you like this,” Reggie murmurs into the back of her neck.

“You’d better,” Carrie snarks back. 

“Nobody understands why we’re together, you know.”

“Yeah, well. It’s none of their business. Are you happy?” Carrie brings a free hand up to his head and runs it through Reggie’s hair, giving a light tug to accentuate her question.

“Of course. Perfectly. Are you?”

“As happy as I can be.”

“I guess that’s what matters, then.”

“Exactly. And if they give you any grief over it, they can answer to me.”

Reggie coughs out a dry laugh, “Yeah, okay.”

She turns in his arms and drapes her own over his shoulders. “If they love you like they say they do then they can keep their thoughts to themselves. They don’t have to understand me. Or us. But they do have to respect you.”

“Respecting you is part of respecting me.”

“Yeah, I don’t really care what they think of me to be completely honest.”

“Okay. Well, I care, Care.”

“That’s great for you.” She retracts her arms and turns back to what she’d been previously occupied with. “We have stuff to do. Now get to it if you want the rest of your birthday gift while it’s still technically your birthday.”

Reggie doesn’t need to be told twice, quickly finishing his task and helping Carrie with hers so he can see what she has planned for the rest of their night.

[invisibleraven]

is there anything i can do to help?

sweet tarts

Carrie was not having a good day.

She had slept in, leaving her less time to get ready, so she didn't feel as put together as she would like, but she also had a test first thing that morning and couldn't afford to be late. Then her car gave her trouble, meaning she had to park near the back of the lot, and run to class.

From then on it was just little things, like having to eat the school lunch because she had forgotten hers at home, banging her elbow on one of the sets in drama class, and of course it was a freshly painted one. By the end of the day all she wanted to do was bury herself in her blankets and escape from the world.

But of course, when she got to her car, it wouldn't start.

No matter how many times she turned the key or stepped on the pedals-nothing. She screamed, thrashing about as she vented her frustration.

Then-a knock on her window, and she turned to see the very concerned face of Reggie Peters. She knew him by association of course, his band and hers often performed at the same venues, and he had always been very sweet, but they never spent a lot of time together.

"Hi," she said, rolling down her window. "Sorry you had to see that."

"Hey, we've all been there," Reggie replied. "Car giving you trouble?"

"Yeah, it's been acting up lately, and I guess it decided to give up the ghost," Carrie sighed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Reggie asked.

"No, I can call Triple A, and my dad can come get me," Carrie replied, getting out of the car. Only of course, her phone was dead. "This fucking day, I swear."

"Here," Reggie said, offering his own phone. "You call, I'm going to look under the hood to see if I can figure it out."

"You really don't have to-" Carrie started to say, but then her mouth dried up as Reggie stripped off his ever present flannel, tying it around his waist. Who knew he had arms like that? Carrie certainly didn't and had to shake herself from staring to even lift the phone.

"They'll be here in lik twenty minutes," Carrie said after ending he call.

"Your oil pan is drier than Arizona in the summer," Reggie replied. "No wonder she wouldn't start."

"I...I don't really know much about cars," Carrie admitted. "My dad has a guy for that."

"Well your dad's guy neglected yours," Reggie stated. "It's not hard to fix, but still-he should have been checking your oil regularly."

"I'll make sure to tell him so," Carrie replied.

"Plus your alternator is close to shot-you're essentially driving a death trap," Reggie said.

"Maybe you should be my car guy," Carrie said.

"Oh no," he demurred. "I know my way around thanks to shop class and working on tractors on my grandparents farm, but I'm no mechanic."

"You seem like one to me-far better than the boob my dad hired."

Reggie grinned, highlight a smudge of grease on his face, and Carrie had the strongest urge to wipe it off-or maybe leave it there, because it looked damn good on him.

Soon enough the tow truck was there, and the driver asked if she needed a lift to the garage.

"Nah, I'll get her home," Reggie said, and Carrie smiled at the offer-she really wasn't looking forward to getting in the dirty tow truck, and given her phone was dead she couldn't exactly call an Uber.

Reggie led her to his truck-a beat up looking red beast, but it was clean, and more importantly, worked so Carrie didn't really care. Plus he had a charge cord so her phone could slowly come back to life as he headed towards Malibu.

"Where do you live anyway?" Carrie asked. "Hopefully I'm not too far out of the way."

"Used to live in Silver Lake," Reggie hummed. "But it was a bad situation, so now I'm shacking up with the Molinas in Los Feliz."

"Oh." That...complicated matters. Carrie and Julie had been friends once upon a time, but had a falling out a few years back and hadn't spoken since. She always regretted it, but couldn't find it in herself to be the bigger person and apologize.

"Yeah, Julie's a good friend. Plus her dad lets us use his garage for band practice."

Oh yeah, the lead singer of Reggie's band was Julie's boyfriend-that made sense. Carrie just hummed, letting the LA scenery pass her by.

Reggie pulled up in front of her gate, whistling at her house. "Damn, you live here?"

Carrie shrugged. Yes, it was an impressive house, but it was also empty, lonely, and not really a home. Not like the one it sounded like Reggie had with the Molinas. "Thanks for the ride."

"Anytime," Reggie said with a smile. "And when you get your death trap back, if you want me to look at it, just gimme a call."

"Cuz your my car guy now?"

"I'm your guy for whatever you need," he said sincerely.

Carrie couldn't help but blush at that, biting back a smile as she waved goodbye, squealing a little as she shut the door behind her.

"Hey Carrie," her dad greeted her-a rarity for sure, but there he was, sipping a tea at the kitchen counter. "Good day?"

Carrie beamed, going over to make herself a cup as well. "The best."

[invisibleraven]

"Can I tell people about us?" for Sweet Tarts pretty please?

Carrie never means for it to happen-her and Reggie. They have nothing in common aside from a love for music and appreciation for bad sci-fi. They travel in different circles, and only passed each other in the halls on rare occasions.

But then at a party there was drinking, and some dares, and Carrie found herself enjoying a very pleasurable seven minutes in a closet with one Reggie Peters.

Then at the next party, Carrie manipulated the bottle just a little so she ended up with Reggie again, and he smirked, just a little when she confessed as much when she was all kiss drunk and breathless.

"You wanna make out with me doll-all you gotta do is ask."

"I don't-I can't... be with you. Not in public."

"So we sneak around, it'll be sexy."

And it was. They hooked up at parties, where it was easy to slip away unseen. At clubs after one of their respective bands played-even if Carrie had never thought she was the type to hook up in a bathroom stall. Him pulling her into janitor closets, her tugging him into windowless study rooms.

Carrie loved it-having this sexy little secret. But then-they started doing more than make out. They started talking, getting to know one another, and...liking one another. Until they weren't secretly hooking up, but secretly dating one another.

And the secret was starting to grate on Reggie.

"It was different when it was just kissing and the like," he explained. "Fun, for sure, but no big deal if no one knew. Now it feels like you're hiding me because you're ashamed of me-of us."

"I'm not ashamed," Carrie argued.

"Then can I tell people about us?" Reggie asked. "Carrie, my friends know I'm seeing someone, they know how happy you make me, they just don't know who you are, and I want them to."

Carie didn't realize-but Reggie radiated sunshine, of course people would notice when he became blindingly happy. It was wonderful to know that she was the cause.

"The girls have been teasing me about how often I sneak off, or am not available for stuff because I'm seeing you. It would be nice to finally tell them why. Have you get to know them."

"So we can tell people?" Reggie asked, his smile blooming even further on his face. "Because...Carrie I want more than sneaking in and out. I want to show you off-show the world how awesome my girlfriend is, make them wonder what on Earth you see in me."

"You make me laugh," Carrie replied. "And I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will have no idea why you're with me too."

Reggie snorted at that. "Oh yeah, all my D&D nerds will totally be wondering why I'm dating the hottest girl in school with a killer voice and who lives in a mansion."

Carrie giggled at that-she couldn't help it. Especially since Reggie always just saw her, not her father's name and money. Insisted on paying for their dates, even when she had money to burn, because he claimed she deserved having someone spoil her.

Reggie who did make her laugh, deep belly laughs that she never let loose with any one else. Who made her think, and cry, and feel more loved than she ever had before.

So why on Earth was she keeping such a man a secret? Shouldn't she be shouting it from the rooftops that Reggie was hers?

She looked at him-his crooked grin, his shining eyes, the way he looked at her with such love, faith, and hope. "So how do you wanna tell people?"

"Well we could just come into school holding hands and let the gossip train take care of the rest," Reggie mused. "But I kind of want to make a spectacle."

"You know I love a good spectacle," Carrie replied with a grin. "And I do have a Dirty Candi performance at the pep rally next week..."

"Doll, you have the best ideas."

Carrie smiled into his kiss, silently thinking to herself that letting herself fall for Reggie was her best one yet.

[invisibleraven]

"This totally does not feel like the movies." for Reggie/anyone because he WOULD.

If Reggie had one guilty pleasure, it was rom-coms. He loved watching all manner of movies that showed people falling in love with some hijinx and misunderstandings until they came together in the end. He had fond memories of watching the classics with his MeeMaw, and introducing her to some of his modern favourites-but he didn't dare tell other people about his love for the genre, given it usually was met with ridicule.

Tonight was no different-Carrie had invited him over so he could tutor her in math-something he did on the regular. She paid him of course, and even stocked non-healthy snacks for him, which was a blessing after the first session ended with them dragging the rice cakes that her dad kept in the pantry.

Afterwards they usually just hung out for a bit; they had even become friends of a sort, and Reggie grew to love those times together, even if all they were doing was chatting or watching a terrible movie together. Carrie, weirdly enough, liked slasher movies-the bloodier, the better, and even though Reggie hated horror, and Carrie had asked a few times if he wanted to watch something else, he had always told her that her choice was fine.

After the end of the movie, they were both yawning a bit-the movie had been a bit by the books, and even Carrie admitted it wasn't her favourite. Only when Reggie opened the door to go home, he was met with a torrent of wind and rain.

"Holy cow, when did the storm start?" he asked.

"I don't know," Carrie replied. "But I don't feel comfortable letting you drive home in it."

"I'll be fine."

"Reggie, it's over an hour drive, I'll worry the whole time. Please stay-unless your folks will freak."

Honestly Reggie's parents probably wouldn't even notice, let alone care if he didn't come home. They were too involved in their latest feud, and Reggie had been sneaking in and out as a result, rather than get caught in their whirlwind.

"Nah, I wasn't looking forward to driving home in it either. I'll stay until it passes."

"Just stay the night, I'll even break out the real eggs for breakfast," Carrie offered.

"Well when you throw in eggs..."

Carrie stuck her tongue out at him-she was always a bit of a brat, but Reggie honestly kind of loved that about her-among many other things, but there was no way he was jeopardizing their friendship by telling her that. Then she offered to loan him something to sleep in-meaning he got to borrow sweats from the Trevor Wilson, even if he would probably never tell anyone.

You would think, living in a mansion, Carrie had lots of extra rooms for him to stay in, but apparently not. "We don't really have many guests, and my dad never did get around to adding a guest bed to the pool cabana," she explained as she led him to her room.

"Are you sure you're okay with me being in here?" he asked.

"For the millionth time, it's fine," she assured him. "The couches would kill your back, and my dad's mattress is honestly worse-he likes it extra firm. So it's this or the floor."

Look, Reggie would never claim to be the smartest guy in the world, but even he wasn't about to volunteer to sleep on the floor when his dream girl was offering him a spot in her bed next to her. Plus her bed was three times the size of his standard twin, so there was plenty of room.

Soon enough they were ready for bed, and once Carrie ensured everything was locked up, she slipped into the covers with him. "Good night Reggie."

"Night."

The lights clicked off, and Reggie tried to sleep, but he found his previous sleepiness had all but evaporated. Plus, no amount of band sleepovers with Luke and Alex would compare to sharing a bed with Carrie. He could smell her everywhere-the spicy sweet scent that he had come to adore. Plus he could hear her breathing-softly, but not yet slumbering.

He honestly had expected to feel uncomfortable-or for Carrie to insist on like, a pillow wall, but no, it just felt like a normal night-just one where he couldn't sleep.

"This totally does not feel like the movies," he murmured to himself.

Carrie turned over and faced him at that. "What?"

"Sorry, didn't mean to keep you up."

"It's nothing, I always have trouble sleeping during storms," she admitted. "Now what were you saying about movies?"

Reggie blushed, thankful for the darkness hopefully obscuring the burning of his cheeks. "It's just, in the movies, when the two leads have to share a bed, it's always awkward, and this isn't at all."

"I mean, we could make a pillow wall, or get a second set of sheets if you want," she teased.

"I'm good," he replied.

"I didn't realize you knew those kind of tropes," Carrie stated. "You don't strike me as a rom com kind of guy."

"I love them," he admitted. "I grew up watching classic romances with my MeeMaw, and always enjoy a good story about people falling in love. I just don't usually tell people, because you know how idiots are when it comes to guys and romance movies."

"I think it shows you have a sensitive soul, and good taste," Carrie remarked. "Which one is your favourite?"

"Well I grew up on stuff like It Happened One Night and Casablanca, but I do love When Harry Met Sally, and The Notebook."

"I like Pretty Woman and You've Got Mail," Carrie replied.

"Always great choices," Reggie agreed. "Maybe next time we could watch one of those instead of another slasher flick?"

"You don't like horror movies do you?" Carrie asked.

"I kind of hate them?"

"Reggie! Why didn't you say anything? We can always watch something else! I love other genres-musicals, rom coms, big action set pieces. We don't have to watch slasher flicks if you don't want to."

"I didn't want to be a rude guest."

"It's not rude to tell me when you're not enjoying yourself," Carrie replied. "So next time we'll see what movie we can both agree on, and go from there."

"Sounds good," Reggie said, punctuating it with a yawn. "Okay, sleepy now. Sweet dreams."

"Sleep tight Reggie," Carrie replied, and soon the two of them were fast asleep.

And if they drifted towards each other in the night, waking tangled together-well that was one romantic trope Reggie really didn't mind. And if the brilliant smile Carrie gave him when she woke up in his arms was any indication-it was a favourite of hers as well.

Next movie night, they did indeed pick a rom com they both enjoyed. However, they didn't end up watching much of it-but the kisses they shared were better than any up on the screen anyways, so Reggie didn't count it as a loss.

[invisibleraven]

"i brought you flowers." "for what?" "there has to be a reason?" for the rarepair of your choice

"Knock knock!"

Carrie rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's antics. "You have a key you don't have to knock!"

"I never want to assume," Reggie said with a shrug as he appeared in her eye line. "Might piss you off some day and you decide to change the locks."

Carrie hummed in agreement. "It is true you shouldn't raise my ire."

"Exactly!" Reggie said, but his grin was that cheeky one that she adored even when he used it to joke or deflect.

"Did you come over for something?' she asked, teasingly.

Reggie whipped out a bouquet f hot pink daisies-her favourites. "I brought you flowers."

"For what?" Carrie asked, even as she reached out to caress the petals. She knew it wasn't an anniversary or for any apology he felt he owed.

Reggie cocked his head, his face taking on an air of confusion. "There has to be a reason?"

Carrie took the blooms, inhaling their subtle scent, surrounding herself in Reggie's love. "No I suppose there doesn't. Thank you, I love them."

"Thought you might," he replied, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I'll get you a vase for them."

Later, as they were snuggling on the couch, a movie playing on the TV, Carrie's gaze kept flitting to the flowers sitting on her side table. She had never before had a partner who did things like get her flowers just because. Who made her laugh and smile like Reggie did. Who admitted that he felt lucky that she even gave him a second look.

Gosh she had lucked out with him.

"Do you wanna stay?"

Reggie turned his face to her, nuzzling their noses together. "The night? Always doll. I sleep way better with you in my arms."

Carrie shook her head then. "No, I mean all the time. I want you to move in."

"Really?" Reggie beamed.

"Yeah," Carrie replied, mirroring his smile. "We can live here or find a new place together if you want."

"Not my place?" he teased.

"No," she said decisively. "Your place is shit-even you think so."

"It really is," He gave a little chortle. "I like it here, so if we could make some space for my stuff, truly make it ours, I would love to call this place my home."

"We're not displaying your weird Klingon sword."

"How about my Lego Death Star?" he asked.

"Only if you put it in the office," Carrie replied.

"Fine but your Peloton has to go in there too so we can fit a plant or two," he bargained.

"As long as you're responsible for them, you know I'm no good with plants," Carrie replied.

"Deal," Reggie said, sealing it with a kiss.

"Can you promise me one more thing?" Carrie requested.

"Anything for you doll."

"Never stop surprising me with flowers for no reason."

[invisibleraven]

'very obviously checking each other out while undressing, trying to deny it even though it's obvious' gives me SweetTart vibes

It wasn't every day that you got invited to a pool party at a honest to goodness mansion, not if you were Reggie Peters anyways. But Carrie Wilson had invited him, along with half their grade to her mega end of summer blowout.

He had been worried about getting in as he biked up to the security gate, but the nice man there had his name on the list and even told him where to chain his bike. Seeing Luke's already chained there as well helped calm Reggie's nerves-he'd know at least a few people here.

He wasn't exactly unpopular, given he was in an up and coming band and not exactly repulsive looking. But he also knew he was a D&D playing nerd who led the Mathletes and had a little less luck with the ladies than he'd like.

Plus he was a little worried about his old trunks-sure most people in their grade weren't rolling dough, but he was a little worse off, and he was at the home of a girl who probably had enough swimsuits to wear a new one every day.

He wasn't sure where to change though, clutching his bag close to him as he went around back, seeing the crowd of people all around, some splashing in the pool, some in the hot tub, and a bunch on the lounge chairs. Finally he spotted Alex who was happily rubbing sunscreen on Willie and made his way towards them.

He saw that he was going to pass Carrie on the way, and figured he should at least thank her for the invite-his MeeMaw taught him manners after all. Even if Carrie kind of intimidated him-she was rich, talented, drop dead gorgeous, and a little bit scary when she stalked the halls.

Only as he got close, he didn't account for Brent Varney barrelling past him, shoving him, his bag, and Carrie into the pool.

Reggie splashed and sputtered, shaking the water from his hair, gasping as he doggy paddled. Seeing Carrie seething as she glared at Brent. "You okay?"

She then turned and saw him and her face softened a little. "Yes, even though I was planning on being in my suit before I took a dip."

"Me too," Reggie chuckled, tossing his now wet bag up on the deck, hefting himself up and then reached down to hoist Carrie out as well. "There, dry land."

"Thanks," Carrie said. "Come on, I'll bring you to the cabana, we can toss our wet stuff in the dryer there and get changed-I'm sure I have something you can wear. Then we can go kill Brent."

The cabana was small, but Carrie moved around like a dance, pulling out a set of trunks and a tank for him, and a pink bathing suit for herself, pointing to where the dryer was before turning around and pulling her shirt up.

"Do you mind?"

"Sorry!" Reggie eeped before turning, pulling his own sodden shirt off, letting it fall to the floor with a plop. Thank goodness he had left his leather jacket at home-a dip in the pool would have ruined it.

Carrie peeked over her shoulder as she loosened her bra-more so to ensure Reggie wasn't peeking-but she caught sight of his broad, pale back, clusters of freckles dotting the skin and blushed.

"If you need sunscreen, just let me know-yours is probably more than a little waterlogged." She then caught his eye, turning so quick she swore her neck cracked.

"Now who's peeking?" he teased, though he didn't exactly mind.

"Turn around you," Carrie replied, but her tone was just a tiny bit playful. "So sunscreen?"

"You're probably right about the SPF, might need to borrow a towel too" Reggie chuckled, wincing as he worked the tight wet denim off his legs, having to more than one little jump and shimmy to achieve his goal. Only on one little jump he caught sight of Carrie adjusting her bikini top-not seeing anything scandalous, but it was probably more than she would like and quickly turned his flaming face away.

Their bottoms were changed rapidly, with Carrie tying a cover up around her waist before she turned around, seeing Reggie pull the tank down, obscuring the small soft patch of his stomach and trail of hair leading to the waistband of the trunks she had loaned him.

"Will I do?" he asked, giving a twirl.

"You're alright," she replied, squeezing some of the moisture from her hair before pulling it into a quick ponytail and sliding some sunglasses over her eyes-hot pink and heart shaped of course.

Reggie took his wet stuff, making sure to empty his pockets-thankfully the pool didn't hurt his wallet, and he didn't have a phone to ruin, before chucking it into the dryer. "You throwing your stuff in too or you want to bring it into the house?"

"I'll put it in here," Carrie replied, throwing her things in with his, trying no to blush at the sight of his black briefs tumbling with her pale lilac underthings. "Thankfully none of it requires dry cleaning or Brent would be dirt."

"I'd say we push him into the pool as revenge but he'd probably love that," Reggie joked as they exited the cabana.

"Well this is the last pool party I'm inviting him to," Carrie replied, absent mindedly slipping her arm into his. "Now, how about we find some food and plan a better way to get back at him?"

Reggie nodded, letting Carrie lead him to the spread, grinning at Julie and Luke's flummoxed looks as he passed by. Though honestly? If getting dunked meant Carrie on his arm-he might have to thank Brent in the end of it.

But he was totally never telling Carrie that.

[invisibleraven]

caressing their cheek with their thumb (i would sob)

sweet tarts

If there was one high point of having a millionaire for a father, it was definitely the private pool. Don't get Carrie wrong, she lived in LA, the land of beaches, and loved going to them with her girls all the time. But sometimes you wanted to avoid the crowds and the sand and the fish, so pool it was.

Today for instance, Carrie wanted to swim a few laps, then work on her tan, a perfect afternoon. However, it was also the day her dad had someone coming to clean the pool, which she forgot until she went out and saw a young guy skimming the top.

"Hello?" she called out. "Are you almost done?" She tapped the toe of her sandal, crossing her arms.

He looked up, and-fuck that was Reggie Peters. One of the cutest guys in her grade, the bassist for an up and coming rock band, and Carrie's secret crush.

"Oh hey Carrie! Should have realized this was your house given the name on the contract," Reggie said with a wave. "I'm nearly done yeah, gimme like ten more minutes and I'll be outta your hair, kay?"

"Well be quick about it," Carrie replied, huffing back inside, hoping he had been too far away to see the blush now coating her cheeks.

She stomped into the kitchen, throwing together the stuff for a smoothie to take up time and distract from the vision of Reggie in a skimpy tank and board shorts out next to her pool. The way the heat gave his muscles a sheen, how the sun brought out his freckles, how she wouldn't mind see him dripping from a dip into said pool.

But she couldn't do that-Reggie was friends with Julie, and had probably heard so many nasty things about Carrie from her former friend. Plus he was a notorious flirt, so surely one of the many girls or guys he shot a wink at had taken him up on the offer by now.

Carrie slowly sipped her smoothie, and even though she knew she shouldn't, kept watching Reggie clean the pool, then quickly looking away whenever his gaze approached her.

So when he finished, she didn't see him put the tools away, only heard him as he came to the patio door. "All done, you wanna inspect my work?"

Carrie whirled around, praying she didn't have smoothie on her face, and instead gave a nod, sauntering out, and giving the pool a once over. "Perfectly satisfactory job."

"I'll be sure to put that on my resume then," Reggie joked, grinning at her.

"Do I need to pay you or..."

He waved her off. "Nah, your dad did that already before he took off in his copter. Must be cool to have that as an option."

"It's alright," Carrie said with a shrug. "Kinda choppy, but way less traffic."

Reggie chortled at that, then looked at her, an Carrie was sure her blush had intensified to a boiling point as he reached over and caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Wh-what are you doing?"

He drew his thumb back. "You had an eyelash there. Make a wish and blow on it."

"Why?"

"Old wives tale," he said with that crooked grin of his never fading. "My MeeMaw always had me do it when I was a kid."

I wish I had the courage to tell you how I feel Carrie thought, before blowing gently on the eyelash, watching it float away on a gentle breeze.

Reggie beamed, then stepped back. "Alright, I'll leave you to swim."

"Do-do you want to join me?" Carrie asked in a fit of boldness. She never had been one to rely on wishes, preferring action instead. "We have lots of extra suits and towels."

"Wish I could," Reggie replied with remorse. "But I've got five more pools to do today."

"Pity," Carrie said, deflated. "Maybe next time?"

"I'm off tomorrow," Reggie offered. "Maybe I can bring you a smoothie so you don't have to make your own?"

"I'd like that," Carrie stated, sure her blush had increased ten fold. But Reggie's cheeks were mirroring her own in rosiness, so she didn't care. "Until tomorrow then?"

Reggie grinned. "Tomorrow." And never had a single word filled Carrie with such glee. She might just break out into song is only for Reggie still standing there before shaking himself, rushing off to get to his other jobs.

And Carrie-well she might just have to put stock into eyelash wishes after all.

[invisibleraven]

Was it all fake?

Sweet tarts

Carrie wished she could make this situation go away by pouting and crossing her arms-her usual avoidance tactic. But no ignoring it would make the pile of threatening letters disappear. Nor the stern looks on her managers faces.

"We're hiring you a bodyguard," Felipe stated, no nonsense, no room to argue. "Plus we have a PI investigating these."

"I don't want some hulking brute following my every move-I don't want my fans to know," Carrie replied, ever petulant.

The man sighed, massaging the space between his brows. "I have a candidate in mind. He usually works undercover as a nanny for kids, but we can pose him as your new boyfriend-someone it wouldn't be suspicious to bring with you everywhere, and no one would be the wiser."

"Can I go on record by saying I hate this?" Carrie stated.

"Noted," Felipe replied. "But I would rather you be unhappy and safe than not." He slid the picture over to her. "This is Reggie. He'll be coordinating with your home security to ensure the house is safe, then he's on your arm until we catch the culprit."

Carrie surveyed the photo, humming. "Well at least he's cute."

Felipe snorted at that. "Always an upside."

Reggie it turned out, was pretty easy going, despite being as trapped in this situation as she was. He told her he would follow her lead when it came to the whole fake relationship thing-hand holding and arms around each other but no other PDA-as long as she was honest about any threats or plans to leave his sight.

And Carrie, despite herself, found they got along pretty good. They didn't have a lot in common, but Reggie was a good listener, enthusiastic about music, and even taught her a few self defense moves so once he was gone she could whoop a bit of ass.

"How did you end up doing this?" she asked one night as they shared a meal. "Like how does one get into being a bodyguard?"

"I've always been a bit of a scrapper, but also really good with kids," Reggie explained. "Got hired to be a nanny for some CEO or another, disgruntled employee tried to hurt the kid, I took him down. Went from there. There's no like, school for it, but I've trained in weapons and fighting, plus I have all my childcare courses."

"So you're like Super Nanny?" Carrie joked.

He laughed at that. "Minus the cape, sure. I don't look like the typical bodyguard, so it's an easy cover. But this is also fun, since the kids only really know about the bodyguard part if they're old enough to get it. Nice to not be a secret for once, be real."

"I get that," Carrie said with a sigh. "I gotta keep up the whole persona of Carrie Wilson International Sensation so much I sometimes forget who Carrie really is."

"Well, for what it's worth, I like the real Carrie plenty," Reggie replied, squeezing her hand. Letting his touch linger until his face burned and snatching it away.

And Carrie was wondering why she felt the loss so profoundly-none of this was real right?

It came to a head one night, they were half watching a movie, Carrie's head resting on Reggie's shoulder, pretty much drifting off, when the sound of breaking glass jolted her up.

"Stay here," Reggie stated, more serious than she had ever heard him. Pulling a knife from around his ankle, and holding a finger to his lips.

Carrie huddled into herself, covering a gasp when she heard a gunshot. She knew that Reggie had a gun, but she was certain it was locked up in his room-not on his person. She stood, unsure if she was running towards Reggie, or out the door.

The choice was taken from her when a figure appeared in the doorway. Crazed eyes and a sinister smile on his face. "Finally, together at last," he sneered. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment."

"I got your letters, I think I have some," she replied, holding herself tall. No sudden movements her mind supplied. Put them at ease.

"I had to get your attention somehow," the man stated. "So you would notice me." He came closer, reeking of booze and desperation.

Carrie stood her ground, waiting until he was close enough, then struck him in the throat with the heel of her hand-a move Reggie had taught her. He staggered, glaring at her.

"Now why did you do that?" he gasped.

She held her fists up, glaring at him. "You stalked me, threatened me, broke into my house and shot my boyfriend," she replied. "Why do you think?"

The man growled, rushing at her, but then stopped, falling over, Reggie's knife square between his shoulder blades.

Reggie himself stood in the doorway, clutching his bleeding shoulder, giving her a weak smile despite his fat lip and black eye. "Sorry doll, he packs quite a wallop."

Carrie rushed to him, tenderly taking his face into her hands. "You saved me."

"All in a day's-" whatever else Reggie was going to say was cut off when Carrie kissed him-half gratitude and relief, half something unnameable in this moment. And he kissed her back, only pulling away when the sirens in the air got close.

"That'll be the calvary," he quipped. "How about we pick this up later?"

She nodded, keeping close as police and paramedics flooded in.

Only later was filled with too much paperwork, bandages, and phone calls. Later was Felipe telling her that Reggie's job was over and he would be moving on to his next assignment.

Later was watching him pack, and standing there as the words lying in her heart staged caged. Only when he touched the doorknob did she ask "Was it all fake?"

Reggie deflated. "I was always real with you. If you don't know that..."

"I was too," Carrie whispered. "I don't want to let that-you go."

"Then ask me to stay," Reggie pleaded. "I can find a job working with kids, hang up the cape."

"You don't have a cape," Carrie said, but rushed into his arms, grinning to reflect his eager smile. "But you're still my hero."

[invisibleraven]

Ok several hours after I saw this...

19. Character B entangling their legs with Character A’s, pressing their bodies flush against each other’s, leaving little to no space between them. (It’s almost like they can’t get enough of Character A.)  - I'm thinking Reggie and Carrie. I always see him as a leg guy.

Carrie was bone tired-it had been a long day, heck it had been a long week, and she was immensely grateful hat is was finally the weekend.

"You wanna do anything tonight?" Reggie asked as they made supper side by side. They had come to enjoy cooking together, even if Reggie prefered his portion to contain meat, and Carrie was a fairweather vegan most days.

"Sleep," Carrie replied. "I'm exhausted."

"You think you can stay awake through a movie?" Reggie asked.

"No promises, but I can try," Carrie told him. "I'm not sure I'm going to last through dinner."

"No falling asleep in your food," Reggie teased. "It'll get all cold and eaten."

"It's full of tofu, no it won't."

"No it won't," Reggie amended.

Thankfully Carrie managed to stay awake through dinner-Reggie kept her awake with conversation and jokes, and gosh she loved it when he made her smile and laugh. She always had to hold herself as this cold person-so serious and professional. But with Reggie she could be goofy, could relax, and truly be herself.

Reggie had literally seen her at her worse-and seemed to love her all the more for it-that he let him see behind her shield, let herself be vulnerable with him. And he was vulnerable in turn, letting his sunshine mask slip and showed her his childhood trauma, his insecurities, and his intense need to be loved.

That last task was simple for Carrie-Reggie was remarkably easy to love.

Especially on nights like tonight when he offered to do the dishes while she slipped into her jammies, making them snacks as she picked the movie. She knew he wanted to watch the new superhero movie, but Carrie was not up for ultraviolence tonight. Instead she picked an enemies to lover fake dating rom com that she was sure to fall asleep through, but at least would enjoy up until that point.

"Are you wearing my clothes?" Reggie asked as he joined her on the couch.

Carrie grinned, giving him a playful twirl, showing off the worn Sunset Curve shirt and oversized gym shorts. "Jealous?"

"Well I can't fit in anything of yours," Reggie replied, "And my wardrobe is already limited, so I'm not gonna have anything left if you keep stealing it all."

"I left you some if you wanna go change."

Reggie scooted off, returning in minutes in another pair of shorts and a looser shirt-a piece of rejected Dirty Candi merch that he kept for nights like this where they had nowhere to be and no one to impress.

"Big or little spoon?" he asked.

"Little."

Reggie grinned, laying down on the couch, opening his arms for her, and Carrie happily snuggled in. Letting Reggie wind himself around her like a vine, their legs tangled together.

"Your legs are so smooth," he said, rubbing their limbs together.

"That's because I shave them," Carrie retorted.

"I keep telling you that I'll shave them once you find me a cute skirt to show them off with," Reggie joked.

"One day I'll take you up on that and then what are you gonna do?"

"Rock the fuck out of it?"

"Probably," Carrie hummed as she started the movie.

As the story wore on, Reggie pulled her in even closer, and Carrie honestly loved it. She loved being held by him-feeling so loved and secure in his arms. And he loved to hold her-she often teased him about being obsessed with her.

"I know what I like, and what I like is you." was always his response, and well, it always earned him a kiss, because Carrie liked him too.

Carrie let out a yawn, letting her head nestle further into the pillow under her and Reggie's hold.

"Bored?"

"Tired," she replied. "Also this movie is kind..."

"Really bad?"

"Yeah," she admitted around another yawn. "You can turn it off if you want, I'm probably going to drop before too long."

"Remote is too far, and it means letting you go, I'll suffer through," Reggie replied, pressing a kiss to that space behind her ear that she loved. "You sleep, it's okay."

Carrie is sure she slurs out her love for him before snoozing but she's passed out before he can reply in turn. But it's okay-she doesn't need to hear it for it to be true.

Plus when she wakes up in their bed, Reggie still wound around her, she knows it for certain.

[invisibleraven]

massaging their shoulders after a long day / sweet tarts

Carrie had just twisted herself out of warrior's pose when she heard the door open, and smiled despite herself.

"Hey doll!" Reggie called out, the sound of his heavy boots in the hall.

"In here!"

"Just gotta wash up first."

Carrie rolled up her yoga mat as she heard the sink turn on, traipsing to the powder room where Reggie was attempting to scrub the oil and grease from his hands. She wound her arms around his torso, perching on her tiptoes to kiss his jaw. "Hey sinta, good day?"

He hummed, towelling off before turning in her arms to give her a proper kiss. "Yeah, got to work on a sweet Mercedes and I made good progress on the Harley."

If you asked Carrie as a child, she would have never guessed she would end up with a mechanic. However, after one stormy night when her pretty pink Porsche broke down, Reggie was the one to give her a tow. He made the whole miserable experience a good one just by making her smile and laugh all while coming to her rescue. The rest had been history.

"How was your day?" Reggie asked, the two of them swaying together, grinning just from being close to each other.

"Meetings and planning mostly, but I also picked us up a lasagna for supper, should be done before too long," she replied. Carrie would never profess to be a great cook, but luckily Reggie didn't mind her making food from frozen or simple meals.

"Knew it smelled good in here," he replied, the two of them making their way to the kitchen. "I'll make us a salad?"

She nodded, grabbing the veggies from the fridge, but turned when she heard Reggie hiss. "You okay?"

He nodded, rotating his arm. "Yeah, shoulder is a bit tweaked from carrying around parts of the engine block I'm tinkering with. I'll put some heat on it later."

"You want me to rub it?" Carrie offered. '

"Doll I'm never gonna not want your hands on me," he replied with a wink.

Carrie scowled, but shooed him to a chair, and began digging her fingers into the muscles of his shoulders. "Oof, I've felt softer bricks."

Reggie chuckled. "Yeah, one drawback of doing physical labour, you get some tense muscles. You know you get stiff after dance practice too."

"I stretch before and after, so I'm nowhere near this bad," Carrie snarked back, pressing her thumb into a particularity bad knot, smirking when Reggie hissed and then moaned as it gave way. "Might be something to consider."

"I think the guys at the garage would give me crap if I start doing downward dog before I strip a muffler."

"I bet you five bucks half of them would join you if you asked," Carrie retorted. "I'll even come in and teach you."

"And have them ogle you in your yoga gear? Pass." He leaned back and grinned at her. "That's all for me."

"I wear this stuff when I go to my classes and runs you know."

"And I don't know how you deal with all those eyes on you because you are stunning."

"Even all sweaty and gross?"

"Especially then."

"You're a liar and I love you for it," she said, leaning down to kiss him. "Now, how's the shoulders?"

Reggie got up and moved himself around, Carrie appreciating the view as he flexed and stretched, his muscles on display in his thin tank.

"All good, thanks to you and your magic hands doll," Reggie replied.

Carrie was about to reply when the oven beeped. "Well how about you take your magic hands to make a salad and I'll get the garlic bread on the go so we can eat and see what else my hands can do after supper?"

Reggie gave a playful salute, dashing off to start on the salad, with Carrie on his heels to get the lasagna, looking forward to a quiet night in, and wondering if she could convince Reggie to reciprocate the massage later.

She was betting the odds would be in her favour.