#more masculine women and girls in entertainment please thanks | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

runariya · 5 months ago

Text

Drive to Survive (JJK) • Chapter 1 "Can't slow me down"

pairing: F1driver!Jungkook x female race engineer!reader genre: colleagues2L, formula1!AU, racing!AU, drama, kind of fantasy/cyborg!AU story rating: 18+, MDNI warnings: none word count: ~ 3.410

a/n: This work is purely fictional. All characters and events are entirely imaginary and do not reflect reality. Content errors related to the sport of Formula 1 are not excluded. Please do not use this story as your own. No translations are allowed without permission. Thank you for understanding! 💕

🎵 MIRANI, lilBoI, GroovyRoom, VALORANT - Can't slow me down 🎵

series masterlist • 02

Standing alone at the deserted pit stop of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, two days before the start of training for the eighteenth race out of twenty-four this weekend at the Hockenheimring in Germany, you can't help but exhale deeply. This moment marks the culmination of your ambitions, a goal you've pursued tirelessly since childhood.

Growing up in a motorsport family, you were immersed in the world of high-stakes automotive and racing enterprises equally surrounded by their high-ups thanks to your father. You admired everything about cars, particularly Formula 1. Every training session, qualifying round, and race became your passion and study material. Often, you found yourself in VIP lounges, observing the action alongside your father.

Your teenage years were a series of hard work and academic excellence, especially in STEM subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. These achievements earned you prestigious positions in robotics and engineering clubs. While others spent their free time socialising and partying like every normal and healthy teenager would, you dedicated yours to assisting smaller racing clubs with car setups, data analysis, and strategy planning.

In your late teenage years, you had the opportunity to accompany your father to a race once more, this time with the goal of making your own connections. You were on the brink of completing your bachelor’s degree as one of the youngest graduates in the world, with additional majors in automotive and aeronautical engineering. This combination was designed to secure your future and fulfil your aspiration of becoming a race engineer. Despite facing constant belittlement and pushback for being a woman—a feminine woman at that—and having few friends besides a handful of aspiring F1 drivers and some girlfriends of family friends, your social skills remained intact, thanks largely to your mother’s unwavering support and guidance. Her words were engraved into every cell of your being: „It’s okay to have your own passion.“ she said one day after you were again bullied at school for being the only girl at the robotics club, „There’s nothing inherently feminine or masculine about it. Wanting something in a male-dominated field doesn’t mean you have to shut off your feminine side or stop embracing who you are. It’s all part of you, so be proud of it—so am I.“

Meeting Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, and Mattia Binotto, team principal of Ferrari, was a dream come true. Their genuine interest in your future within their teams was a validation of your hard work. That day also marked your first encounter with Jeon Jungkook, a prodigious new talent under the Mercedes team and son of a former, now retired F1 driver. After enduring his lingering gaze for several uncomfortable seconds, the lame flirting that followed ade you turn away silently in mild disgust. You had no desire to entertain such behaviour, something you had grown accustomed to dismissing as one of the few—and even fewer attractive—women in the field.

Years flew by as you completed both your bachelor's and master's degrees with flying colours, nothing able to slow you down. Your relentless pursuit of your dream resulted in an offer from the Haas team for a race engineer position for the upcoming season. Although not your first choice due to reservations about their team principal, you saw it as a stepping stone in your career.

A week ago, you received a call from an unknown number late at night. You frowned, debating whether to send it straight to voicemail, as you were never a fan of calls, especially from someone not in your contact list. But something—a deep feeling in your gut—made you pick it up at the last second. Your heart rate spiked and stopped several times during the call when Toto himself offered you the position of race engineer for their first driver starting next week even though the season was in full swing. You tried hard to keep your tears of happiness from being heard through the receiver as you accepted and thanked him. The next day, you signed the contract sent via email, and after consulting with your father and lawyers, you sent it back. Then, you called to decline Haas' offer, which had yet to be formalised with a contract or any other written confirmation.

Now, here you stand at the starting line of a new chapter in your life, ready to embrace the challenges and triumphs that await. As a reminder pings on your phone, alerting you that it’s time to head to the Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stuttgart for your first in-person briefing and introduction to the team and driver, you leave the premises of the ring with a smile on your face that illuminates the way to your car. A gentle breeze captures your hair, and the sunny day is filled with the sound of birds chirping—a symphony soon to be drowned out by the roar of engines.

As you arrive at the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz, you're granted access to the premises with an access card sent to you by post. Your own smiling face greets you from the card as you hang it around your neck. You drive towards the imposing glass building, its sheer size both awe-inspiring and commanding. Turning into the designated section of the underground garage, you park your car and make your way to the escalators. The ascent is smooth and swift, leading you up to the floor where the meeting room awaits.

You are dressed in a modest, yet professional dress that strikes the perfect balance between formality and approachability. From the outset, you made it clear that you would not conform to the typical attire of the men—dress shirts and pants. This choice has been met without objection, thanks to the variety of coats and accessories available from the merchandise shop for the team while on track. Your attire, though different, fits seamlessly into the polished, modern and dynamic environment of Mercedes.

As you make your way to the meeting room, you pass several acquaintances of your father, exchanging quick greetings in the process. The building exudes an air of opulence and cutting-edge modernity, a testament to Mercedes-Benz's commitment to excellence. The walls are adorned with intricate technical drawings and striking photographs of every car model the company has produced, each piece telling a story of innovation and precision.

In various corners, you notice miniature sculptures, meticulously crafted to capture the essence of the brand, alongside occasional pieces of abstract artwork that add a touch of artistic flair to the high-tech environment. These thoughtful touches elevate the space, creating a perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics. The glass front of the building provides a breathtaking view of the training grounds of the local football club, a team that competes in the national first league. You take a moment to appreciate the seamless integration of sports and engineering excellence, both striving for peak performance.

Turning the last corner, the meeting room comes into view where you see Toto, the technical director James Allison, George Russell's race engineer Song Joongki, George Russell himself, and Jeon Jungkook waiting for you. Walking confidently towards them, Jungkook is the first to notice you, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion, then realisation, and finally settling on repulsion within seconds. Internally, you sigh; professionalism, it seems, might be a stretch for him today.

You softly knock on the open door with a friendly smile, making eye contact with everyone as you greet them. Toto is the first to stand and quickly walks over to you, prompting everyone else to rise except for Jungkook, who only stands after George nudges him and whispers, "Don't be a dick."

You shake hands with Toto, a moment you had long dreamed of in this setting. "Good morning, __. Thank you for being here."

As Toto turns around and introductions follow, the room reveals a spectrum of reception, from warmth to evident boredom, particularly palpable in Jungkook's demeanour.

„Please have a seat.“ He motions to the empty chair beside him and Joongki. To your right, at the head of the table, are Toto and James, with Jungkook directly in front of you and George beside him.

Undeterred by Jungkook's thinly veiled hostility, which is a familiar challenge throughout your career, you settle in, extracting your tablet from your purse as Toto initiates the proceedings.

„Today, we’re introducing our new race engineer for Jungkook, ___. ___, welcome to the team.“

„Thank you, it’s great to be here.“

The encouraging voice of the James catches your attention. „We’re glad to have you onboard. You’ll be working closely with Jungkook, and I know you bring a wealth of knowledge that’ll compensate for your lack of experience.“

„Yeah, welcome to the team. And if you need any help settling in or understanding our processes, feel free to ask.“ Joongki smiles kindly your way, toying with his pencil.

„Thank you, I appreciate that.“

Toto continues, ignoring Jungkook’s scoff beside him. „As you know, our team philosophy revolves around meticulous preparation and strategic execution. Let’s discuss what you’ve been focusing on since joining us a week ago and how we’ll integrate your approach into our existing strategies.“

Now it's your time to shine. Every previous conversation in this field has been off-track and informal. Now is your chance to prove you are worth their trust and the right choice for the job. „Certainly. I’ve been reviewing the recent race data and simulations, especially focusing on Jungkook’s driving style and preferences. I’ve also been familiarising myself with our car’s setup and the team’s historical performance at this circuit.“

As you mention Jungkook's name, you glance briefly at him. He stares back at you without blinking or moving, his reaction unclear—whether positive or negative that you mentioned his name.

„Good to hear. Jungkook has specific preferences regarding car balance and feedback. Have you had a chance to discuss these details with them?“ James asks further.

„Not yet, but I’ve prepared a setup proposal based on our simulations and historical data. I plan to discuss it with Jungkook later today, if he’s free.“

Jungkook's eye twitches at that, his face showing clear signs of displeasure. Nonetheless, he nods his head once.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, George interjects casually with a warm laugh to ease the tension, „Jungkook prefers a more stable rear end through the high-speed corners, just a heads-up. He’s very particular about it.“

„Understood. I’ll make sure to incorporate that into our setup options.“ you note it down immediately.

„Our drivers rely heavily on trust and communication with their engineers. Building that rapport is crucial for success on the track. How do you plan to approach this relationship?“ Toto challenges you, making it clear everyone in the room senses Jungkook's hostility.

You are certain that the job requirements themselves will not be the most challenging aspect; rather, it will be establishing a stable relationship with Jungkook. His approval and cooperation will ultimately determine whether you can secure your position and succeed in this role or face immediate dismissal.

You met Jungkook's gaze directly, intent on conveying your sincerity. “I believe in open communication and transparency. I aim to build a strong working relationship with Jungkook based on mutual trust and respect. I’ll be proactive in seeking their feedback and ensuring they feel fully supported.”

Your words seem to have struck a nerve, evidenced by Jungkook's growing irritation. There’s a short silence until George discreetly kicks Jungkook under the table. Jungkook coughs, masking a wince from the kick, and replies with a forced smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, “I appreciate that approach. Communication is key during the race weekend, especially with strategy adjustments and car performance updates.”

You are slightly startled by James' clap. “Perfect. Let’s ensure our focus remains on optimising our performance for the upcoming race. ___, if you need any additional resources or support, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re all here to ensure both drivers have the best possible setup and strategy.”

“Thank you. I’m excited to contribute to our team’s success.”

“Excellent. Let’s continue our preparations. We have a packed schedule ahead of us. ___, welcome once again. Let’s make this a successful weekend.” Toto's words do little to soothe the burn of Jungkook's scrutinising stare.

After one and a half hours of intense briefing, Toto finally adjourns the meeting. The next session is set for Friday morning at the track, with every staff member involved in the training scheduled for that day.

As the room begins to empty, George turns to you with a warm smile. “Okay, let me properly welcome you to the team. I’m super excited to have you on board.”

“I’m very honoured, thank you, Mr. Russell.”

“Oh, please, call me George.” Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Jungkook rolling his eyes and throwing his head back while George approaches and embraces you in a short, welcoming hug.

“Oh wow, you’re taller than I thought,” you say to George after pulling away, Jungkook faking gag sounds.

“And you’re so tiny.” George ruffles your hair which earns him a playful glare. “Anyways, I’ll leave you both to it. See you tomorrow.” He winks and heads out. After a moment, his head pops back in. “You,” he points to Jungkook, “behave.” And with that, he's gone.

A silence stretches between you and Jungkook, both of you locking gazes in a challenge you didn’t realise was happening until you blink and Jungkook bursts out, “Ha! You lost.”

You blink again, slower this time, perplexed by the absurdity of it all. “Okay, now that that’s settled, let’s get down to business, shall we? So, the Hockenheimring was dropped from the calendar for the last few years, so it’ll be not only new to me but also to…”

Jungkook interrupts, “Why are you so obsessed with me?”

You slowly turn your gaze from your tablet to him, blinking as you compose yourself. “We should obviously review the track. I’m sure you’re aware of its tight hairpins and long straights. Also, I’d like to know your preferred tires so the technical sectors don’t…”

Jungkook scoffs, clearly not having listened to a word you said. His arms are crossed, his look equal parts challenging and condescending. “It all makes sense now. You’ve been obsessed with me since the first time you saw me. Doing everything in your power to work with me. Even graduating ridiculously young and declining the offer from Haas.”

Your irritation reaches a boiling point. “I think it’s funny you’ve kept tabs on me for all those years.”

“No, I haven’t. It’s common knowledge. You’ve always wanted a piece of me. It’s flattering, really.”

“I can assure you, my interest has always been in the job, not in you. And it’s flattering to know that my vitae seems to be common knowledge to you.”

“Sure, sure. You don’t have to play coy. It’s perfectly natural to be drawn to someone as experienced as I am. But let’s keep things professional, alright?”

“Fine by me.” You smile at him, relieved that he seems to be cooperating. “So, yes. The tires you’d prefer to…”

Jungkook interrupts again, and you slump defeatedly into your seat, looking at the ceiling. “It’s just that your enthusiasm to work with me comes off as a bit… personal. But don’t worry, I can handle it.”

Having had enough of this kindergarten behaviour, you counter with a flat tone. “If anyone’s having trouble handling things, it seems to be you. Your comments suggest you’re projecting your own feelings onto me.”

“Projecting? That’s a bit of a reach. I’m just stating what I’ve observed.” Jungkook acts surprised, an exaggerated hand on his chest.

After spending the first hours with Jungkook in this room, you knew you’d have to set boundaries and make your intentions clear. It’s well known in the media that he’s a flirt, and sometimes his success goes to his head. But you’re trained and prepared for this kind of behaviour. It’s not your first nor will it be your last rodeo.

“What you’ve observed is likely coloured by your own assumptions. I’m here to work. If you feel uncomfortable with my presence, perhaps it’s your own obsession that’s the issue.”

Jungkook’s ears tint red. “My obsession? That’s absurd. I’m perfectly professional.”

And for good measure, you push further. “Yet you seem fixated on making this about something other than work. It’s almost as if you’re trying to convince yourself of something.” You can’t suppress the twitch of your lip.

“I… No, that’s not it at all. I’m just pointing out what I’ve noticed.” He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, the red tint slowly spreading from his ears to his cheeks.

And because you’re a little bit petty because of his behaviour in the hours prior, you make him squirm a little bit more. “What you’ve noticed is a fabrication of your own making. Let’s stay focused on the race. If you can’t handle working with me professionally, that says more about you than it does about me.”

“I’m completely professional! It’s just… Look, let’s just get this done.” Jungkook is clearly embarrassed.

“Exactly. Let’s focus on the tires for now and leave personal assumptions out of it, hm?” The smile you send him is plastic.

The atmosphere in the room is thick with tension. Jungkook's eyes dart away, his earlier bravado crumbling. He clears his throat and finally sits straight up, pulling his own tablet in front of him.

"Fine, let's talk about the tires," he says, his tone grudgingly compliant.

You take a deep breath, trying to reignite the professional spirit that this meeting was supposed to uphold. "The Hockenheimring has a mix of high-speed straights and tight hairpins, so we'll need a tire that offers a balance between grip and durability. What’s your preference?"

Jungkook’s expression becomes more focused, the professionalism shown for the first time. Something you only heard about. “Mediums for the practice sessions, hards for the race. We can test softs during qualifying.”

You nod, noting down his preferences. “Good choice. The mediums should give us the flexibility we need for adjustments. Now, about the strategy for turn six. It's notorious for causing understeer. We need to adjust the front wing angle…”

As you delve into the technical details, you notice Jungkook finally paying attention. His eyes are on the data, and he’s engaging with the information. The earlier hostility seems to fade, replaced by a shared focus on the task at hand.

“This setup should help mitigate the understeer,” you continue, showing him the adjustments on the screen. “It’ll also improve stability through the Parabolika.”

Jungkook nods, his demeanour much more serious now. “That makes sense. I’ve had issues with that turn in the simulation. If we can nail the setup, it’ll give us a significant advantage.”

“Exactly,” you say with a genuine smile in your face, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. “And for the long straights, we’ll need to optimise the downforce. It’s a tricky balance, but I believe we can find the sweet spot.”

The conversation flows more smoothly, the professional exchange slowly bridging the gap that had earlier felt insurmountable. By the time you wrap up the discussion, there’s a mutual respect in the air.

“Alright, I think we’re set for now,” you say, shutting off your tablet. A smile now permanently on your face, you notice Jungkook's motions falter a bit as he packs up, his gaze meeting yours. He seems taken aback by your joyful demeanour, having not noticed the shift in your expression since the conversation turned serious some time ago. “I’ll finalise these settings and we’ll review them again on Friday.”

Jungkook stands, looking somewhat still not fully convinced of you but also more cooperative. “Thanks for the detailed rundown. I appreciate it.”

Still, you offer him a genuine smile, hoping this marks the beginning of a more collaborative relationship. “No problem. Let’s make sure we’re both on the same page from here on out.”

He nods, and with a final, respectful glance, he leaves the room. You watch him go, feeling a mix of relief and cautious optimism. It’s been a challenging start, but you’re determined to make this partnership work.

As the door closes behind him, you take a deep breath, gathering your thoughts. The road ahead is long, but with focus and determination, you’re confident that you’ll both rise to the challenge.

series masterlist • 02

a/n 2: lmk what you think in any way you like! please send me a message, ask or comment if you would like to be tagged for upcoming chapters 💕 also - character asks and drabble requests are open

Like what you read? Check out my other work here!

66 notes · View notes

youremyheaven · 1 year ago

Note

Despite being celebate revati placements are often assumed as fboy/fgirls and promiscuous too.

I got one question tho.

Are revati and punarvasu both the strongest wealth naks and are they the only wealth naks?

Oh i got one more question.

What are the fame naks?

Your observations and posts are very entertaining please continue to do so.

im not saying they're always celibate

theyre not the type to be promiscuous which is to say, have several sexual/romantic partners at the same time. the number of partners may be fewer but the quality of their experiences are wilder or deeper, many Revatis are into crazy stuff (BDSM, knife play, primal kink etc) they seek a certain intensity with their sexual experiences and this is not something you can easily find with people. That sort of chemistry, connection and compatibility is rare, which is why Revatis tend to be celibate, its either crazy mind blowing euphoric ecstatic sex or nothing at all.

Some Revatis could very well be "fuckboys/fuck-girls" but it probably does not satiate them at all. They love the chase, the thrill of it but the experience itself probably underwhelms them since its impossible to experience ecstatic orgasmic bliss with every random person you sleep with. this requires a certain depth of connection and emotion.

Revati & Punarvasu are very strong wealth giving naks but they are not the only ones.

The thing about the abundance of Revati & Punarvasu is that they acquire a lot even in positions where they are not expected to.

Angelina Jolie has a net worth of $120 million, Rihanna of $1 billion, Kristen Stewart of $70 million, Cardi B $80 million, Pink (the singer) $200 million. All of these women have either Revati Sun or Moon.

Miranda Kerr $60 million, Drew Barrymore $125 million, Shakira $300 million, Cameron Diaz $140 million, Keanu Reeves $380 million, Mariah Carey $520 million, Jessica Simpson $280 million, Sofia Vergara $180 million. All of them have Punarvasu Sun or Moon.

Other than Cardi, none of them are actively working per se, they have different ventures and investments and generate a whole lot of passive income. This is what I meant by how they make money even in positions where they're not expected to make as much. Many of the above listed singer makes millions of dollars from royalties alone. They dont have to work as hard as others to make money. Perhaps their journey to success is difficult but once they get there, everything flows easily for them.

Other nakshatras associated with wealth are Jyeshta, Swati, Hasta, Pushya & Dhanishta.

Nakshatras associated with fame are harder to narrow down because one can be famous for many reasons.

Cancer rashi women are famous for their beauty, desirability and personal appeal.

Sun ruled men are famous for their masculinity and symbolize male virility and power. They're the poster boys of the "guy/dude films/aesthetic."

Venusians are famous for the art they make

Jupiter natives are famous for their abundance, high principles, values and ethics. Their regal & elegant conduct is also notable.

These are just a few examples, fame can manifest in many ways (and even negatively).

Also thank you💛🙏🏻I'm working on a new post<3

#wealth in vedic astrology #revati

87 notes · View notes

metalandmagi · 4 years ago

Text

The Lesser Known Best Girls of 2020

Anime this year has had its ups and downs, but do you know what gets on my nerves? When people ignore all the amazing female characters we’ve gotten and just assume Chizuru Mizuhara from Rent-a-Girlfriend is the best girl of the year (who is also amazing and deserves to be worshiped). Sure, we have Tohru Honda, Nobara Kugisaki, Abby, and Chika and Kaguya. But when will people start noticing the other MVPs of the year?

So this is an appreciation post for all the anime girls nobody has talked about from 2020 (at least, the new ones…sorry continuing series girls like Asirpa and Chihaya and Myne).

1. Kazuya’s grandma from Rent-A-Girlfriend. Because she constantly roasts Kazuya, she’s the reason this hot mess of a show exists, and without her, we would not get to know Chizuru.

2. Makoto’s mom from Ikebukuro West Gate Park. Because she’s the perfect blend of no-nonsense mentor and pure cinnamon roll who does more to solve people’s problems than her son. Why can’t she be the protagonist?

3. Swindler/Ordinary Person from Akudama Drive. Because she has gone through some of the most character development of the year, from a somewhat bland but still sweet cinnamon roll to a crispy bun who has seen some shit and has come out the other side. Or at least I hope she does, the show’s not over yet.

4. Makoto Ohno from Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater. Really all the girls in this show are best girl material, but Makoto is the perfect senpai who is underrated and unjustly ignored…just like this show. Please watch this show, it’s the most wholesome watch of the year without being annoyingly moe.

5. Minare Koda from Wave Listen to Me! Because she’s a hilarious boss ass bitch who represents all the women watching anime as jaded adults, and she practically carries that entire show on her own.

6. Natsume from Deca-Dence. Because she’s basically an adult version of Emma from The Promised Neverland with the addition of a mechanical arm and a cute pet.

7. Catarina Claes from My Next Life as a Villainess. Because she’s so fun to be around, she accidentally turned herself in to the protagonist of the harem game…and she never has to end up with anyone to consider her ending successful.

8. Somali from Somali and the Forest Spirit. Because I would cut off my own arms to ensure her happiness. Apparently, most people don’t realize Somali is a girl and everyone forgot how adorable this show is.

9. Chiyuki Fujito from Smile Down the Runway. Because she’s a great example of a typical determined anime protagonist who isn’t annoying and is easy to root for. And she ended up getting side-lined in her own anime in favor of the male co-protagonist.

10. Arte…from Arte. Because she never gives up and constantly deals with people belittling her artistic abilities, but she’s still a kind person who doesn’t have to act more masculine to respect herself…..just ignore the hair thing at the beginning of the show.

11. Oden/Hina from The Day I Became A God. Because she’s hilarious and effortlessly endearing, and she gets bonus points for her big “love confession” being familial and not romantic…cuz that would make the show very…different

OR NOT I GUESS! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK PA WORKS? AM I THE ONLY ONE WEIRDED OUT BY THIS?!

Oh well, she’s a good girl either way, even if the show’s ending grosses me out.

*editing this in after the fact* 12. DEAR GOD HOW DID I FORGET NOI FROM DOROHEDORO!? SHE LITERALLY GOT ME THROUGH SO MUCH OF THAT SHOW! Everyone’s favorite super buff lovable antagonist. She’s the perfect woman, nothing more to be said.

And finally, the best girl of the year:

Sayaka Kanamori from Keep Your Hands Off Eizoken. Because her design is unique, she’s a shrewd, brilliant business girl, and without her, the show would go nowhere because the other girls would spend all day daydreaming about making an anime and never actually do it.

And some honorable mentions:

Michiru Kagemori from BNA. Because her design is awesome. I just can’t remember much about her…personality wise.

Jing Xialian and Sophia Taylor from Appare Ranman. Because despite being the token women in an otherwise all male cast, they are the most interesting and entertaining characters in the whole show. They just need more screen time. Seriously, I love Appare, but I wish they were the protagonists.

Anyway, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

#i was just bored okay #anime #best girl #long post #keep your hands off eizouken!#diary of our days at the breakwater #akudama drive #the day i became a god #ikebukuro west gate park #arte #deca-dence #appare ranman #brand new animal #wave listen to me #smile down the runway #somali and the forest spirit #my next life as a villainess #dorohedoro

569 notes · View notes

baubuttercup · 4 years ago

Text

Mini Garcia pt1/ Spencer Reid

Summery: Y/N is the new Tech Analyst intern under her mentor Penelope Garcia and has just started her first day at the BAU. During a case Y/N get a few calls from a not so familiar boy genius who seeks her help...or does he seek more?

Spencer Reid x Reader

Warning: Fluff/none

A/N: This is the first of many stories i will be writing and i look forwarding to writing more. I haven’t fully edited it but hope you enjoy it :)

Please Interact for more Spencer Reid/ MGG fics!!

“you will be fine trust me, you are already a natural and thats coming from yours truly” you were so nervous because today was your first day working at the BAU as a Tech Analyst Intern. Penelope was the one who got you the job working along side her. She was your teacher, mentor, and even your close friend and you knew working with her would be nothing less than entertaining. “P what if they don’t like me or I don’t fit into their group, you told me that they were like family” you followed the women wearing a floral dress with glittery high heel through the halls of the FBI coming to a stop next to two glass doors. “Y/N before we go in you are going to take three deep breathes and snap the hell out of it, cause you my little prized protege, will fit in just fine, so stop over thinking and pull yourself together”. I inhale three breathes before she pulled the glass door opened guiding me into a large room which from memory i think she had called it the “Bullpen”. As we walked in i noticed in the corner of my eyes a man and a women eyeing me up and down. The man was large and muscled, he was appealing to the eye, just not preferably my type “Babygirl who is this fine little thin-” Penelope put her hand out barricading me from the man “cool it hot cakes, she is pure” I chuckled under my breath at her immediate response “This Derek chocolate thunder Morgan is the new Intern, working beside me as i mentor her into become the next best Garcia, Y/n meet Derek Morgan” we both extend our hands to go in for a friendly handshake “Oh and this fine ass piece of women is Jennifer Jareau” I smile shaking the pretty blondes hand “JJ for short its lovely to meet you” she hesitated for a moment before continuing “You seem so young, if you don’t mind me asking how old you are” I nervously try not to stutter upon my words “Oh um-m yeah i’m 20, but I got into the early acceptance program for computer programming and coding at Georgetown and now i’m here” Derek and JJ both exchange stairs before Derek opens his mouth “you, princess should meet our resident genius, i’m sure you two would get along quite well” JJ chuckles before giving Derek a smirk “OH YES how could I have forgotten about boy genius, where is he by the way” A tall dark haired man and a slightly shorter Italian looking man appeared from behind us “Reid and Prentiss are at a conference they will be meeting us in San Francisco” He looked intently at the group surrounding me then turned to look at me “You must be Y/N L/N, i’m Aaron Hotchner but please call me Hotch, and this is David Rossi, we are happy to have you on board, Garcia has spoken very highly of you” both men shake my hand firmly “I’m glad to be on board sir and thank you for this amazing opportunity” Hotch goes to say something before he was cut off by a text message appearing on his phone. “Wheels us now, they need us down their asap, Garcia brief us on the plane” and with that they were all making their way to the elevator. “Come on little Einstein we have work to do”

Garcia had just finished briefing the team on the case they were assigned to. From what i could catch it was about a Zodiac killer who had been killing over a decade ago and has recently just started up again. I tried to listen in and take note on everything Garcia was doing because god knows this job is fast past and i don’t want to fall behind on my first day. I found myself continuously zoning out thinking back to what that Morgan guy said about a “resident genius”. Who was he and why was Morgan so sure we would get along. So many questions were crossing my mind, before i heard Garcia’s voice continuously saying “Earth to my little oracle, hello, Y/N come back down to earth little one” i snap back to reality seeing Garcia waving her hand in front of of me “oh sorry- P who was that resident genius Morgan spoke about earlier” she spun in her chair making eye contact with me smirking “Oh my god yes Reid, how could i forget again. So you didn’t meet Emily Prentiss she is a total kick ass babe who is super cool and Spencer Reid who is a total genius with an eidetic memory and a whopping I.Q of 187″ i began to open my mouth to say something when Garcia interrupted “you guys would totally be so cute together, i need to set you two up, it would be a match made in heaven” I blush, a little taken back by the abrupt comments made by Garcia who is now really cheery “P calm down i haven’t event met the guy and i think you are a little in over your head” she looks at me still smirking “you are already intrigued by him aren’t you” just as i was about to stop her, the computer phone began to ring and the caller I.D was most clearly someone i didn’t even know yet but for some reason already was under affect by “ANSWER IT” Garcia motioned to the headset on my head “no i don’t even know what to say” she pointed at me with her fluffy unicorn pen “answer the phone i trained you for this” I reluctantly answered and within seconds i was met with a masculine yet soft voice on the other line “Hey Garcia I need you to track the ISP of the user who entered the spam comment to an internet cafe” I immediately got butterflies in my stomach, no stop Y/N you have never met this person and Garcia is just getting in your head, you continue to remind yourself. “U-mm i’m sorry I-I’m not Garcia i’m Y/N L/N the new Tech Analyst intern” I began to fidget with my figures staring between the plasma computer screens and Garcia “Oh Hi, I’m Reid, I mean I’m Spencer, let me start over I’m Dr Spencer Reid but you can call me Spencer or Reid, nice to meet you” my nerves begin to calm at the sound of his voice and the fact that he sounded just as nervous as me. I look to Garcia as she was smiling and motioning her hands to continue the conversation “Oh um-m sorry, you needed me to track the ISP of the user who entered the spam comment to an internet cafe...right?”I patiently await his response, which seemed like forever “Yeah, if you can do that, that would be great, thanks” I look to Garcia once again as she gives me a reassuring smile of encouragement before i turn to the monitors and type away, I remember everything Garcia taught me about the bureau system and was surprising easier to manoeuvre once actually assigned to a task “Hey um Reid, you still there?” thinking maybe he hung up “still here buttercup...um i mean Y/N” Garcia nudged me overhearing what Reid had just said and was cheering in the air, I quickly regained focus “so yeah unfortunately the unsub used a prepaid credit card, so I don’t have an I.D, i’m sorry” i felt my nerves regain their position in my stomach as i thought i didn’t do a good job “Thats okay, thanks for your help L/N and am excited to meet you in person, hopefully soon” I blush quickly at his comment, this going unnoticed by Garcia who is in her own world of happiness at the moment. “Yeah same goes for you, take care and if you need anything else you know where to find us” I end the call not wanting to make anymore of a fool of myself than i already have “BUTTERCUP, HE CALLED YOU BUTTERCUP” I groan at Garcia’s response already embarrassed by the ordeal “Y/N i know Reid and i have know him for many years, never in my time of being in boy geniuses presence have i ever heard him call someone BUTTERCUP” a million things swoop through my mind in that moment, why did he call me that, was it a fluke, was he just trying to be friendly, what am i saying i have literally never met this guys before its for sure nothing. I turn my head to Garcia giving her a please stop looking at me face, before she puts her hands up in defence” Okay okay i’ll stop, but you guys would make cute babies” she whispered the last part just loud enough for me to catch it.

As time goes on I observe everything Garcia continues to do in order to find the details of the unsub. This job although seeming like fun is very high pressure and i made sure i noted down everything that Garcia done so i didn’t seem like the biggest failure in front of the team, or one team member in particular. The phone rang once again causing Garcia to answer it “He who seeks the queen of all knowledge, speak and be recognised” I chuckle under my breath at the witty response before i felt a tap on my shoulder “Pretty boy wants to speak with you” I give her a confused look “Boy genius, girly” I straighten up and answer my headset “Hello L/N speaking” i try to analyse why on earth he would want to speak with me and before he got a chance to answer a million conclusions were rushing through my mind “Hey L/N, long time no speak” there was a pause in the background before i heard a male chuckle and whisper “thats one way to get the girl Reid” he cleared his throat before continuing on “So i just thought i’d give you more training so can you run something for me” I physically prepare myself for what he is about to ask, ensuring i don’t screw this up “I need you to compile a list of people with I.Qs of 160 and above in the region” I type away trying to speed up so i don’t slow the team down “I’m checking with the bay area mensa society which is kind of slumming cause folks can get in with a measly I.Q of 130″ Reid chuckled at my statement making me feel more comfortable about what i was doing “try and check old school records, we’re looking for someone who is in his 20′s or 30′s” as I am intensely try my best to recover these names it appears in front of me “BINGO, Caleb Rossmore and Harvey Morell, they both have I.Qs over 160 and get this they both use to write about the Zodiac in their junior high school newspaper” I smile at myself, kinda proud at what i just accomplished on my own “thats amazing, thanks Y/N and tell Garcia she has the best intern” I smile to myself satisfied that i done something right and that Reid thought so too. “Yes that’s my little Einstein, ah you are moulding into a beautiful little Garcia, how proud i am right now

The team had just got back from catching both Caleb Rossmore and Harvey Morell and Garcia had gone to greet Morgan at the elevators. I had stayed behind packing my belonging as i was ready to head home to my fluffy dog Milo and sleep for hours. A knock on the door startled me. I abruptly turn around and was met with a tall figure who had beautiful brown eyes and shaggy hair. “Hi, I’m so sorry to have startled you, I’m Spencer Reid the one that kept annoying you on the phone” I feel my cheeks heat up from the sight of how pretty this boy was “um yes, i mean no you weren't annoying at all if anything you gave me the training i need, so i should be thanking you, and I’m Y/N L/N” Reid stuck out his hand which took me by surprise because according to Garcia he was not a handshaker and refused to shake hands with anyone, stating that even kissing was more sanitary “Well, in that case i’m glad to be of assistance and its nice to officially meet you Y/N” we stared in each others eyes for a few moments before we were met by Penelope and Morgan “Hey guys you have met, yay, okay now can we go this princess is getting bags under her eyes and those aren’t the kind of bags i want” we all laugh at Garcia’s remark as we start to head towards the elevator. “So I heard you went to Georgetown” i look up at the brunette boy who was gazing down at me “yeah, I actually graduated this year, which i’m kind of sad” “oh why’s that” I look straight into his eyes “I like educating myself, and expanding my field of study is something that i genuinely enjoy, so i’m kind of sad its over, but i’m looking at going for my PHD in Computer engineering” Reid looked me deeper in my eyes without saying anything, just then i heard a murmur “they will make such cute babies and i’m going to be the best godmother” and with that the elevator doors open and we all began to file in.

I may have just met Spencer Reid but i have a feeling we are definitely going to be getting along.

#matthewgraygubler #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfic #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid smut #spencer x you #spencer x reader #spencer reid x y/n #criminal minds smut #mgg x y/n #mgg fanfiction #mgg pics #criminal minds x reader #mgg x reader #penelope garcia #derek morgan

195 notes · View notes

cherryblossomtease · 3 years ago

Text

In The Fairest Season ~ Part 2

18+only

warnings summary masterlist

~JUNE~

The first time you sing for the Baron you haven’t even met him yet. In fact, you have no idea that he is in the audience.

Your solo, the lone aria not sung by Serena, the lead vocalist who will never let anyone forget it, opens the second act and it is your chance to show the world, or at least the city, that you are meant for greater things.

You give the song everything you have. Living it, breathing it, exhaling it out across that stage until the audience is moved to tears. You can’t see them for the lights, but you can feel it.

Follow that, you think as you glide offstage, passing the undeserving diva who strong armed her way to top billing. You don’t like to fight amongst your own kind, but if she suddenly lost her ability to speak you wouldn’t be sad about it.

Curtain call confirms your intuition. You are pulled front and center by your cast-mates and their own applause is drown out by the roar of the crowd.

The people love you.

Accepting your praise with a truly humble heart, you curtsy under a wave of roses. All the while, one man sits watching from a private box.

He is the last to stand. Not because he disagrees with the ovation, but because he’s been rendered immobile since the moment you opened your mouth.

You didn’t know it then and neither of you would be certain right away, but it is clear to any who see the way he looks at the aspiring songbird dipping low as she thanks the audience with tears in her eyes— Baron Helmut Zemo is already falling in love with you.

While finding out as much as he can about you is easy for a man like the Baron, your only knowledge of him is gained the same way as most outside of the elite circles— through rumors and whispers— and those tell the tale of a powerful man who has gained the love and devotion of his fellow soldiers and countrymen while at war with an enemy state. Though some say his tactics were less than honorable…

Either way their war was too distant, both in time and setting to matter to anyone here, but it changed the Sokovian people forever, reshaping the land and claiming so many lives.

Zemo’s wife and child among them.

You’d heard the story in passing and found it heartbreaking but hadn’t felt the need to think of it again until today, thanks in large part to the kindness of Colonel Nicholas Fury and his wife, the Lady Valentina a former Countess through marriage with a taste for danger. It comes as little surprise to those in the know that the Colonel, or his Lady wife would know someone like the Baron, who happens to be a former Colonel himself, though there are many secrets kept about their history and just how such a friendship was made.

Today however, none of it matters as the Colonel and Lady Valentina are holding a lovely benefit for the local children’s home, and while it is a reason to show off their mysterious guest, as the Baron will be staying with the pair for the season, you’d agreed to entertain long before rumors of this Baron began to make the rounds. The Colonel pays prices most girls won’t see after a month of work, and with nothing expected from you but your voice at its best and your personality front and center to charm the upper class, this is the sort of performance you look forward to.

Accompanied by piano in the grand solarium, the performance is by your own standards a very good one; Understated, gentle on the ear, but, as is evidence by the looks on the faces of the Lords and Ladies in attendance, no less impactful.

“Haunting” Is what you’re told by those who greet you afterwards and you wear that word like a badge of honor over your heart as you mingle.

It is between sets while standing at the piano that you feel the lightest touch on your shoulder.

Fingertips, brushing your bare skin with a hesitancy but such longing that your attention is grabbed instantly.

You’ve been touched like this before, but this is different—you turn around feeling curiosity instead of dread.

You aren’t quite sure how long it takes you to speak. Maybe it’s seconds, perhaps some minutes or more before you find your words, the point is, time feels irrelevant.

His gaze is as bold as the sun and you are held there, left to feel the trails of heat along your skin in the wake of it—up your arms, across your shoulders and neck, your lips— you’ve never had a man look at you this way before and not felt the urgent need to run. Instead, you take a step forward.

“Madame. Allow me to introduce his Lordship, Baron Helmut Zemo.” The Colonel announces.

With a slow bow of your head you lower into a small curtsey to show respect for the man above your station. Your eyes lift to meet his as you rise up and watch his mouth curl into a hint of a smile.

“Madame y/n” He exhales when he says your name as though he is relieved to know it and you feel the little hairs on the back of your neck rise as if he’s whispered in your ear. “It is an honor.”

You smile and thank him “The honor is of course mine, my Lord Baron.”

“After today I’ve had the privilege of watching you perform twice now. But I was beginning to fear I might never meet you in the flesh.”

Something about his choice of words makes you feel warm all over. “It seems the stars have aligned and brought us together after all.” You say with a genuine smile.

He gives a hint of a laugh and glances at Fury. “Yes a, Man shaped constellation” He teases making the Colonel grin.

“Forgive me Barron Zemo,” You say a little timid. “I hope I don’t embarrass you or myself by speaking freely, but… your accent? Please, tell me the name of your country. I’ve heard it said before but can quite recall.” You’re unable to hold back your curiosity and the way he forms words has you eager to know more.

“Ah.” He flashes a quick smile. “Well, you see I am only here to visit my friend as you know.” He says glancing at Fury. “A summer abroad. A summer away…” You catch a hint of sadness but he presses on. “I am from Sokovia. A small country but there is none that can compare to its beauty.”

“Sokovia?” You say it slowly “Yes, in passing I’ve heard it said but I am ashamed to say I could not point to it on a map. Though I’m sure it’s as beautiful as the tone you take when speaking of it.” You pause to look him in the eye. “I can hear the love you hold for your homeland in your voice Baron.” You are being polite but the truth is, you are struck by it. He has a sort of rasping tenor that comes out in a hesitant whisper, as though he wants to say more but fears saying too much.

I can take it, you think and find yourself drawing your bottom lip between your teeth as you study his. He has a wonderfully wide mouth and the way his lips move when he speaks is hypnotic.

“I will never hide my love for my country. Not after everything we have been through.” He says.

You smile reading between the lines. “I see that. And while I’m only a singer who has had her travel limited.” You admit. “I hope to perform across the world. Tell me the best Sokovian stage Baron and perhaps I will stand on it one day.” You say, aware of how eager you sound but know that it’s the truth.

The Colonel laughs like all wealthy men do when they hear the dreams of women, but the Baron does not. No, he looks at you as though you’ve just spoken your deepest desires aloud and he feels blessed to have heard them.

“One day, yes. Perhaps you will.” He says and you hope he doesn’t notice how your breath catches in your throat, but the way his eyes fix on yours makes you feel seen.

The three of you fall silent and you’re very aware of Colonel Fury watching the two of you. You see his coy smile from the corner of your eye and its clear that he thinks the Baron will have you down to your stockings by the days end, but nothing is further from the truth.

Baron Zemo doesn’t try to take your dress off, not even when you wander inside and into the library alone with him. Instead he listens to you tell stories about the parts of your life that are easy to share and with what seems to be genuine interest.

You tell him about your mother who was a singer before you, though she never made it to the big stage. You still send money home to her and your sweet father who is too sick to work but still manages to paint when he’s feeling up to it.

“So you are the product of true love.” He says and while there is an edge to his voice, he is not trying to tease. You feel him watching you touch the spines of the many books along the shelves in the dimly lit room.

“Why do you say that?” You ask, your back still to him.

“A singer and an artist who marry do it for no other reason.” He says, confident in his statement. You can hear the smile in his voice and your own grows across your face. Coming from anyone else this would be an insult. Coming from him, it turns your ordinary origins into something romantic.

“Love, with the hope of fame and money.” You correct with a smirk and find him over your shoulder.

He is standing in the light of the large south facing window and you have no choice but to turn and face him. It’s nearly unfair that any man should be so beautiful.

You’d noticed the way the other women in attendance looked at him in his exquisite jacket and vest, looking the very picture of fashionable victorian masculinity; and done without effort it would seem. Just his natural air of confidence. Honestly you’re convinced Zemo could make a workhouse uniform look like the kings cape.

What would those women do now, you wonder. With his brown hair looking almost black in the library shadows, so thick and pretty as it falls in his eyes in lovely contrast to his fair skin.

As the clouds part and a strong band of light breaks through the windows casting a warm glow over the man, you smile imagining the socialites batting their lashes and dipping into quaint curtsies to attract him, but it seems none can manage to take his eyes from you…

They would all say it’s because you’re a stage whore, a woman of ill repute with the gift of song. But they are wrong. They always are.

“Tell me Baron Zemo, how long did you say you’ll be staying” You ask crossing the room to step into the sun with him.

He looks down at you and you notice for the first time the flecks of gold in his eyes. “I must return at the end of August.”

“Oh.” You look away. It’s already June.

His body language changes a bit, like someone has splashed cold water over him and he goes stiff. Quickly as if desperate to do so, he takes hold of your hand which startles you as much as it excites you. You try not to let him see the way he’s made your own body respond but your heart threatens to leap from your chest.

“Would it be forward of me to ask you to join our small party for dinner this coming Saturday?”

Your eyes dart up finding such hope in his. “Not at all. So long as you understand what it is you’re asking?” You hate to turn the mood, it was so nice, but this needs to be said.

“What do you mean?”

“Well dinner with a performer of course. I suppose it could be seen as the Colonel’s kindness… but Baron please don’t tell me you’re so naive to the ways of the country you summer in.”

He gives you a curious frown “I forget where I am often. Your ways here will always be a little strange. You see in Sokovia, to possess a gift such as yours would see you walk among the people who look down on you here. We lift those better than ourselves up in my country.”

You feel light headed at the idea. Imagine being seen as important for what you are born with, and not for what you are born into. “It sounds wonderful.” You say, fully aware of how soft your voice is when you’re standing so close to him.

Him, this man you do not know. You pull your hand free from his.

Taking a step back you give a small curtsy. “I must go back, we have a few more songs to perform, but thank you for the walk, and for the invitation. I look forward to it!”

He smiles politely and offers to escort you, but you know better. No need ruining his reputation or starting rumors about your own.

You go back to the solarium and take up your place next to the piano and proceed to sing the heartbreaking aria that can decimate even the strongest of defenses.

Your eyes scan the room as you sing, finding hapless victims to serenade until finally you land on the Barron standing behind the rows of chairs.

The man is stricken by your words of love and loss and you think perhaps you could have warned him about your song.

When you find him again, it is an accident.

You’d gone off looking for your pianist when you find the Baron standing alone in the garden just off the parlor.

You almost speak but notice the way he stands there without moving. He is looking down at a bush of flowers; large white Lillies.

You brace against the doorframe and lean in to watch him for a moment before you realize… he raises his hand and wipes a tear before slipping it back into his pocket.

Tears over flowers? No. Not flowers, and then you understand. The war you know nothing of, took everything from him.

You feel guilty. Of all the songs you had to sing you chose the one that could break a healthy heart, what had it done to this shattered thing probably held together by nothing more than string and sheer determination.

Your own ached for him and you’d never longed to hold anything or anyone so much in your life, but you did not know him yet and quietly slipped back inside.

Your last interaction with the Baron that afternoon had been no more than a sweet goodbye, but your thoughts are preoccupied with him over the week.

You find your self thinking of the way he’d touched your shoulder while you dress for your performances, and onstage when you shut your eyes you see his looking back at you, golden in the sun.

When Saturday comes around, you ignore the teasing of your best friend Brigitte who watches the way you’re fussing over your hair and pinching your cheeks after dressing in the small apartment you share with her over the theatre. Thankfully no one keeps watch over the costumes and so you wear the pale yellow dress from last years production that you think looks best against your skin.

Brigitte asks if he’s proposed yet just to set you off, but only because she’s never seen you nervous, but then she’s never seen you so excited over a man. Presumably because none has ever managed to hold your attention for so long.

The carriage arrives to pick you up and you try desperately not to be won over by the fact that he’s sent his own.

You know that it is his.

You run your hand along the silk lined walls, inhaling deeply, picking up the faintest scent of his cologne as you sink into the seat. Your smile grows wide with no one there to see as the driver sitting high above steers the horses through the city streets, the light jostle inside keeping you alert as you imagine the Baron standing at the threshold of the estate waiting for you. It begins to feel wonderfully indecent to be surrounded by him so intimately.

And what would it feel like if he really did hold you close? Would it feel this warm and safe? Would you rest in his arms as you do his carriage, rushing past the world feeling untouchable?

Your eyes close for a moment; you are lost in a sea of daydreams until a wheel hits a large hole that jolts you back to reality. Eyes going wide, you quickly blow out the tension built up in your chest through your lips and shake you head trying not to smile. The man has held your hand one time old girl. Calm down!

You are still flushed and breathing hard when you arrive. When you see Baron Zemo waiting for you in the hall of the estate, in his dinner jacket and tie, you feel as though he knows every indecent thought you had on that incredible ride through town. If he does however, the Baron does not humiliate you, only showers you with complements on your appearance tonight.

And though the night is perfection, dinner in the city would not be dinner without a scandal. And so it goes that yours is candlelit and ripe for the pamphlets.

Colonel and Lady treat you as their guest of honor, though it is the Baron who attracts the attention of the others in attendance.

As he escorts you to the dining room, Baron Zemo dares to whisper in your ear. “If I could have entertained you and you alone, I would have made it so. But this is —not allowed —on these foreign shores.” He says and you see the way his dark gaze fixes ahead. You aren’t sure if it is Lord or Lady who earns his contempt but all you can do is hold back your laughter.

“It’s perfectly fine. The rules are there for them, so long as I am in their world I will play along. To be perfectly honest Baron… ” You look up at him in the door way and he lays his hand over yours, resting in the crook of his elbow. “This is exquisite.” You say. He smiles looking a little relieved and you notice that he’s been watching your lips as you speak and you feel yourself blush.

That however is not the moment to cause the scandal. Nor does it come from the Baron expressing his rather progressive views which he offers up like a complement to the soup course. It comes when he asks your opinion and you, shock of all shocks, give it.

The Lady Hawthorn who is also in attendance tries to cut you off, but the Baron hushes her and urges you to go on.

With him backing you, you find yourself feeling quite free to express your desire to see all people treated equally, and end your monologue by announcing that you know such a utopia could never exist so long as the wealthy are pleased and the poor too overworked to notice. This sends the Lady over the edge and Fury into a fit of laughter.

Only Baron Zemo hears the truth and he looks at you through the deep yellow glow of candlelight with pride.

Unfortunately that, is not what they print.

Rising star flies too close to the sun

“What a ridiculous thing to say” You huff carrying an armful of gowns over to the mirror in the little dressing area of your apartment.

“Maybe, but you’ll sing to a packed house tonight” Brigitte grins as she lounges on the settee in the middle of the small but colorfully decorated room. “The audience loves a spectacle.” Her French accent makes everything sound cute but it is nothing short of annoying in the moment.

“It’s hardly a spectacle Brigitte. Just bored, sad, empty headed people with nothing better to do than twist your well thought out words and opinions. My, well thought out words and opinions.” You speak with conviction while trying to ignore the sinking sense of embarrassment as you hold each dress up over your underclothes, one at a time. You are angry of course, those damned pamphlets are nothing more than a way for them to openly indulge in gossip and cruelty about you and your kind. Granted you’re not above reading them from time to time and this isn’t the first experience you’ve had with being a feature (poor Lord Quinn. He did fall in love so easily) but this is the first time that you care.

“You’re quite the radical aren’t you.” Brigitte says sitting up and sipping her tonic.

“Yes, a woman with an opinion, how will the world move on.” You roll your eyes and sling the yellow dress aside.

“Those aren’t costumes.” Brigitte says suspiciously and sits up on her knees, her arms hanging over the back of the sofa.

You look at her in the mirror and sigh. “No. I can’t keep borrowing them and besides, these aren’t for the stage.”

She’s waiting but you hesitate. “Tell me! Who are they for? It’s him right? Your Baron.”

“He isn’t mine.” You scold. “But yes, Baron Zemo has asked me to accompany him to the festival tomorrow night, and…” You pause glancing at yourself in the mirror. “I’ve said yes.”

“Of course you have, silly girl.” Brigitte giggles and gets up, coming over to you. She stands at your back, her long elegant fingers resting on your shoulders. She presses her cheek to yours and you feel the swell of love for your oldest friend rise.

The two of you have been through so much together. From escaping the cruel and often times corporal punishment of St. Augustine’s school for girls, to the deadly grasp of the streets. You’d been fighting along side one another until you both managed to sing your way onto the stage.

While Brigitte is technically better, you’re the one who sings with heart and that small edge is why your likeness will hang from the posts and not hers, but she is your friend in all things and as you gain notoriety, you have every intention of bringing her right along with you.

“I don’t know why I think anything will come of it. He’s a Baron for goodness sake.” You say scrunching your nose up at the lavender dress.

Brigitte is waiting, knowing you’ll answer your own suspicions.

“But, he looks at me and it’s as though these barriers don’t exist. I might as well be the daughter of a Duke when he smiles.”

“In his eyes, perhaps you are.” She says kindly. “Now, put those dresses away, you’ll wear my white one and look nothing less than angelic tomorrow. Tonight, you’ll sing like one and win your place in the Barons heart for good.”

As fate would have it, Baron Zemo was not at the performance last night. It means nothing though, that much is clear. He is as taken with you as you almost allow yourself to be with him. It is a dangerous game you play, one that could see you broken by the end of summer, but it is so hard to stay away…

You stroll causally behind The Colonel and Lady Fury through the park grounds along the pea gravel paths lit by paper lanterns with sparks flying from swirling machines and flames that shoot up from small bonfires.

Brigitte and your friend Eloise are bringing up the rear, but it feels as though there isn’t another soul alive. Just you and him and the beautiful menagerie that surrounds you.

The festival is one you’ve heard of but never attended and you’re almost happy you never have because as far as firsts go this one is magic.

A show of sight and sound engages every sense. There are acrobats, jugglers, stilt walkers and sword swallowers. You smell the food being sold from small carts and hear the music of the far off bandstand. You have a hard time not running around like a child as you point and shriek at the shocking, and squeal with delight at the fun. Each beautiful display of oddities and wonder that seem to never phase the Baron amaze you, though he does take great joy in watching your reaction.

When a fire breather spits yellow flames in your path, you jump back with a scream grabbing Zemo’s arm which makes him laugh.

You’re suddenly aware of how jovial his voice can be and when you look up, he smiles like you’ve never seen before and closes his hand over yours.

You think he might let go, but instead he begins to walk again, happy to keep you close.

You take in the sights on either side of the lawn, until it all begins to feel like a dream. Perhaps it was the champagne you had on arrival…

“Thank you my Lord, I’ll never forget this night.” You say under the cover of a trellis dripping with wisteria just outside of the wonderful chaos.

“It has been quite the show” He says looking back at the distant festivities before settling on you again. He quickly takes off his black topper, his hair falling into his eyes. “Unlike anything I’ve ever seen” He says looking at you with such an intensity that you can not hold the eye contact. You smile and look away spotting a servant with a large tray of champagne stacked like a pyramid of glowing gold.

Baron Zemo sees how you look at it and waves him over, taking two glasses from the top giving one to you, and raising his glass in salute.

“What do we drink to?” You ask.

Zemo thinks while looking into your eyes. Finally he raises the glass a little higher. “To the continuation of our friendship.”

You feel your cheeks flush and your mouth go a little dry. To declare a friendship between you is something you almost wish he wouldn’t say, but, it’s already been done. Still, what future can there truly be, you wonder looking up at this man who, had you been born into a wealthy family would have been yours weeks ago. But then, something about the Baron tells you not to fixate on what could have been, and to always expect the unexpected.

The sound of your glasses clinking is drown out by the boom of fireworks in the distance.

You tip your glass and drink. The champagne is sweet and cold and bubbly. You swallow with a smile only to shut your eyes when he strokes your cheek with the back of his hand, his thumb daring to glide across your bottom lip.

You inhale the moment and open your eyes to find his wanting, but not here. Not yet.

“To our future.” You say, needing him to know that you wish to push forward.

The Baron nods and takes another drink, watching you do the same over his glass. “I must insist on seeing you again, you understand?” He asks as he finishes.

“Yes of course.” You say. “I have one week, and then the show continues.” You tell him feeling sorry for it. It’s not easy to balance a life on and off the stage, in fact you’ve never really had too before, but for him you will try.

“A week.” He says it with finality. “Then let us have this week as our own.”

The next few days are a whirlwind of unforgettable moments. You are convinced any other man would be trying to impress you with his knowledge and access to things privy only to someone of his status, but with the Baron it feels as though he simply enjoys sharing his world.

From a private showing of the Kings’ collection of antiquities, to a small garden reading by one of your favorite authors who Baron Zemo happens to know personally, you spend your time together as near equals, exchanging ideas and thoughts as easily as you would with your oldest friends. It surprises you to find it so easy to speak to a man you’re only just starting to know.

Perhaps that is because he never once reminds you of the gap between your status. You are cautious to believe anything a man of such wealth says, but when the Baron speaks he seems to do so truthfully, and when he listens, he does so without judgement.

“How is it my Lord, that you seem to rise above the constraints of society while moving through it so elegantly?” You ask as he escorts you home to the theatre one evening.

You are arm in arm, the lamps are lit and the air has a certain joie de vivre that radiates from the passersby. You smile and nod hello to a couple before looking up at the Baron’s handsome profile. He walks in silence for a while and you know him well enough by now to understand that he is just thinking before speaking, which is something you greatly admire.

“I hope my manner is not offensive.” He says with a deep frown. “I simply wish to be as honest with you as possible. To pretend that I see you as someone unworthy of my attention would be a lie.”

You turn your face to hide your giddy smile but he stops walking, your hand slipping from his coat.

Confused, you spin to face him. “Baron? What is it?”

“Do not hide.” He says in all seriousness. “Your face, it’s so expressive. There is such an openness in the way you show your emotion and I fear someone has told you to keep it hidden?” He asks and you avert your eyes instinctively but quickly look back up at him.

Feeling sure, you confess. “When my parents were too poor to keep me, I was sent to Augustines as I’ve mentioned. It was there I was taught that to show joy is a sin. To cry is a sin, to be angry is a sin. Frustration, even a simple smile, all sins. Everything beautiful about who we are as living creatures must be suppressed” You say, still bitter.

The Baron scoffs shaking his head. “Nothing is a sin when you stop believing that there is someone to sin against. Your smile is a gift mala ptica, a glimpse at your pure heart, just as your tears are an expression of the pain you feel inside. People can be very cruel, and I am sorry you were ever told such lies.” He says and you see that it truly hurts him to picture you as a child, scolded for what comes naturally. “Please, do not feel as though you ever need to hide either from me. If I am the reason you smile, then I consider myself to be a fortunate man.” He pauses, looking at you as people pass by. “Conversely If I ever make you cry, well, the pain of hurting you will be my deserved punishment.” He says and though you stand apart on the dark sidewalk, you feel the warmth of his affection reach out and close its arms around you, holding you close enough that you can hear the drumming of his heart.

The week ends with a picnic, just a small luncheon taken outside with all the delightful indulgence of the spoiled upperclass.

You sit at the edge of a large blanket, covered by a spread of fruit and cheese and bread. There are biscuits and cakes, small sandwiches and of course tea— and what looks to be chopped pheasant being carried out by a young servant all the way from the house. You are thankful for the shade of the ancient tree you sit under with the women; Lady Valentina, her neighbor, who has brought her daughter-in-law, and their two cousins, all of you laughing as the men play a lazy but entertaining game of rugby in their shirts, their jackets thrown down in the grass.

You applaud for the Baron and Lord Wessex the neighbor’s son who has come home for a quick visit with his wife. They make a great team, and though the Baron insists he’s too old for sport—which he is most certainly not— he is fast and strong and shows just a glimpse of the man he must have been during the war.

“He cuts quite the figure.” One of the cousins says to the other with a wicked little grin.

You eye her prim face, almost jealous but the energy would be wasted. You know who he smiles at as he crosses the lawn.

“Yes, but I hear he’s engaged.” Says the other

“Oh? To who? Certainly not to anyone here.” Lady Valentina says sipping from her cup.

You are silent as you watch these women who you know in name only. You don’t know their hearts, but you guess them to be as cold as the pheasant.

“No. A Sokovian Duchess I believe.” The cousin says and you stare at her.

“Then why on earth is he here?” The daughter-in-law asks.

“Must not be a very happy engagement.” The cousin says, her tittering laughter joined by the others.

You smile but set your tea down and look over, watching Baron Zemo toss the large ball across the lawn to his partner. He trots backwards and calls something out, clapping a few times before stopping and resting his hands on his knees. As though he can sense your eyes on him, he looks over from his bent position, that lock of hair fallen out of place.

He told you just a day or so ago to never hide your feelings from him, and so you don’t. Honestly, given what you’ve just heard, you couldn’t if you tried.

You can only imagine how you must look because he stands upright, rakes his hair back with his fingers and stares at you, his own face long, his jaw tight.

He knows something has happened. Immediately the Baron calls for a break in the game.

You look away eyeing the women. “Please, excuse me. I believe my legs are going a little numb.” You shrug, feigning a smile at the ladies and quickly get up, brushing your skirts and walking off.

“Poor circulation from all that time standing onstage.” You hear one of them say.

“And lying on her back” Another whispers loudly to the shocked laughter of the others.

The insult stings, more so than it normally would, and you shut your eyes as you march off towards the house ready to leave.

Of course they think you’re just here playing the whore to the rakish Baron. Why you ever thought they would accept you as their own or that he would be better than the rest is beyond you.

But what truly shames you, is that you believe their gossip, even after spending time with him. And why shouldn’t you? Isn’t this what men do? Lie? Especially to women of your profession.

It’s when you’ve reached the manicured part of the lawn that you realize you’re hardly breathing and that your heart feels like it’s been run through with one of the picnic bread knives. You clutch your chest, angry at the pain as the tears that well in your eyes burn, and you curse yourself for letting him have such an effect on you at all.

“Wait.”

You gasp, startled by his voice vibrating deep in your own chest as he has come up on you by surprise; his body so close to yours you feel his breath along your neck as he takes you by the arms and pulls you into the shaded privacy of the garden trees before you can protest.

He turns you around and the look on his face is a mix of curiosity and worry, to which you find yourself surprisingly angry. “What’s happened? What have they said to you?” He asks.

“What’s wrong Baron? Are you worried that I’ve found out?” You ask and move to wipe your eyes, but you let him see, just as he’s insisted.

“Found out? mala ptica, I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t you?”

He just stares down and you realize you’ve never seen him confused before. “Baron? What do you think they said?”

“Some insult? A way to make you feel inferior as seems to be their casual form of amusement.” He says clearly very angry and possibly ready to march back and defend you.

You feel your anger falter. This is unexpected and you shake your head. Now you’re the one confused. “No. Baron… I—I’m afraid I’ve made something of a fool of myself if you truly have no fear of any secret being found out?” Your voice rises as you question it.

“You are not a fool y/n” He says with a hint of irritation in his voice.

You look down, steadying yourself before looking back up into his eyes. “I never expected anything from you, you know? Your friendship has been nothing short of wonderful, but I fear that in getting to know you, I’ve found it impossible not to let my romantic heart lead the way. But what can we expect from a product of love.” You toss your hands up flashing a sardonic smile.

The Baron steps forward and your eyes close reflexively when he lays his palm to your cheek. “What have you heard? Tell me.”

“That you are engaged.” You answer not wanting to prolong it. “To a Sokovian Duchess no less.”

He smiles, looks off then back down at you and you hope he never stops the gentle, rhythmic stroking of your face. “I was, and it was a mistake. I broke it off before I doomed us both to a loveless marriage.”

“I was under the assumption that people of your wealth marry to acquire more of it.”

“You assume wrong.” He says even closer “It is beneficial, but, should I ever marry again, it will be for nothing less than a love to repair what is left of my heart.”

You’re breathing faster. He is so close. It seems to happen so quickly. One moment you’re ready to leave, angry and hating that you’ve even come, embarrassed that you’ve been swayed by a Lords influence. And the next you’re standing in his shadow gazing up into his eyes…

“May I kiss you?” He asks in a way that would be very hard to refuse.

“You may” You whisper. His fingers inch along to the back of your head, his other hand pulls you in by the waist until his hips are pressed against you and his lips part; the heat of his skin so warm from running touching you before his mouth does.

It is the force and passion of his kiss that surprises you. Not overly aggressive or unwanted, it is unexpected, as though he has been longing to do this as badly as you have and now, he can not let another second pass without tasting more of you.

His tongue on your own is warm and soft as he gently enters your mouth and it is not the demure touch of society but of two people who feel a great many things, not the least of which is an urgency to do more.

The Baron pulls away, your lips leaving his slowly. You look at your hands resting on his chest over his white shirt. His cravat is a little askew letting you see a hint of skin and the shimmer of a very thin necklace that makes your stomach flutter. Your eyes flit up to meet his as he exhales very slowly.

“Thank you mala ptica” He says and kisses your forehead and you think there are many reasons for him to say this, but for now you let it be, though something else has always made you wonder…

“What does that mean?” You ask curious, eyes closed

He leans back to see your face. “What?”

“Mala… mala ti..”

“Mala ptica” He says with an amused smile. “It means—little bird actually.”

You scrunch your nose wondering why this is what he’s taken too calling you and he chuckles a little with a sigh. “Your voice is like the song of a bird, a thing of natural beauty. Forgive me for having been so familiar. It—slipped out.” He says simply.

You grin, you can’t help it and close your hands to fists in his shirt and pull him down kissing him again.

It is hard and fast but he is a most willing partner.

When you let the Baron go, you bite at the corner of your lip feeling such an urge to go down to the cool grass with him here and now, understanding why everyone seems so preoccupied by it, but the truth is no man has had you and you refuse to be the woman they expect you to be. You will not succumb, not even for a Baron, not even for this one. But he will challenge you to no end.

He smooths his hands over your face and sighs. “What now hmm?”

You mimic his movements smoothing the wrinkles you’ve caused in his shirt. “I can not go back. I don’t belong here.” You tell him.

He takes hold of your hand on his chest and holds it there. “No, I don’t believe I do either. Not today.”

“My next run begins in two days, I won’t have time to go on so many adventures with you.” You smile.

Zemo pulls your hand down but does not let go. “Then I will wait until you are free to enjoy the rest of the season with me.”

“Will you?”

“Of course.”

“It’s almost over my Lord, you’re going home at the end of summer.”

“Yes,” He says and tilts his head to find your eyes. You look at him and smile wide. “But perhaps I might persuade you to come with me.”

#baron zemo x you #zemo x reader #zemo x y/n #zemo au #baron zemo fanfiction #victorian au #victorian era #mcu au #baron helmut zemo #helmut zemo x reader #baron zemo #zemo fanfic #zemo x you #zemo in love #Baron Zemo romance because thats what we want

25 notes · View notes

sweetnightlullaby · 3 years ago

Text

As I was watching shang-chi (which was a great and entertaining movie btw, some spoilers below) I realised how we need more female centric films, even blockbuster ones that aren't just oh a masculine lady who can kick ass.

No I mean a whole character heroine journey (the Joseph Campbell way) about maturing and finding her way and all the variations that can imply.

Give me the story through the woman's perspective, the growth, the anger, the grief, the grey morality everything male action protagonists have been praised upon and women (look at Daenerys or Wanda) have been called as *shock face* mad villains.That's some bulshit right there and a shallow understanding of a multi leveled character but because their stories are been told through male writers ( yeah I see you g.r.r martin) or through a male protagonist the male audience must identify with (and the female audience has learned to do as well), we never truly explore or bother to understand the women in films.

God how can a woman be anything more than a secondary character, a loving mother, a mad bloodthritsy man hating (most of the times abused) woman, a sexualised teenager etc.

Back to shang-chi for a sec. Imagine a film with xialing as it's main character, we never saw much behind her badass image (which was pretty satisfying I must say), to her own trauma, her own head to head meeting with her father, her own grief about her mother, her journey of leaving as a kid a traumatic life and finding her way to the top. It's just.. frustrating.

Because we have seen the father and son archetype and clash and reconciliation many many times in cimena (which is predominantly male dominated) but never the mother and daughter archetype and relationship, the clash also, the kindness and all the emotional depth. The matriarch and her heir.

There's just so much unexplored space there and so many young girls and women who are thirsty for something to identify and ponder with, to see themselves and take pride in.

I'm sorry but even tho it was a good movie and we need this representation of asian culture, it could be so much better if marvel just stopped being marvel for a sec. I rolled my eyes so many times when his father was literally abusing him but never got called on his bulshit by either him or his sister and we got a montage of them locking eyes in the end as he gave him the ten rings (like thanks dad but what about all the psychological and physical pain I endured through my childhood, guess we'll never mention it again).

A part I did like was how the siblings switched places a bit, with shang-chi taking his mother's caring role and xialing taking her father's leadership (which again would have more impact if she developed a relationship with him, negative or positive).

Okay I'm done rumbling. The summary of that is that we need more action packed blockbusters about young girls and women and their journey of finding themselves. Also more films about women in general and the portrayal of abused women, angry women, vengeful women without bias (there's been a slight shift in that), also the portrayal of queer women with loving realationships (just imagine a black widow film where Yelena and Natasha weren't sisters but friends to lovers, okay I will stop now).

Finally, this all ties back to the first ever morally grey woman I saw on tv. That's Morgana from BBC's Merlin and of course she is viewed as a villain through our main characters lenses and good vs evil philosophy but she was such an interesting character, both kind and cruel. Just imagine an ending *potential spoilers*of Merlin and Arthur fucking of in the distance to become farmers and be gay together( like please) and Morgana with a*you can't change my mind*heavily queer coded Morgause rule Camelot together with acceptance of magic and a fresh chapter in fantasy and mythology and storytelling . It isn't hard. Of course one would argue this isn't how the original tales go, but this is art, it's fiction based on the Arthurian legends and you can expand and shift them as you desire, in fact you should explore their many sides(which the green knight with dev Patel did really well).

Okay I'm done for real now!

#shang chi #shang chi spoilers #marvel commentary #films #movies #female protagonists #film theory #storytelling #merlin

16 notes · View notes

ohheckstuff · 4 years ago

Text

I am really conflicted on how I feel about Leshawna and the impact she has had on young black girls.

I’m rewatching Total Drama and I- I don’t know how to feel. I just feel like they really leaned heavily into the loud black girl role for her, while it did make her a memorable and entertaining character I just don’t think it was doing any favors for black representation in media.

Now let me preface this by saying that black women don’t owe you anything. We don’t have to act prim and carefully put together just for white approval. If we want we can be as loud and boisterous as we please. We don’t owe you shit.

Back to Leshawna, watching her it’s painfully obvious that she was written to just be a stereotype of the loud, sassy black woman. Hell, one of the first things that were used to describer was “Big and loud.” (Thank you Harold.) I am aware that Total Drama plays off of archetypes quite a bit: i.e. The bitchy rich girl, the done with everything goth, the delinquent, the goody two-shoes, the jock, the nerd, etc. But for Leshawna it was definitely more racially charged.

It also kind of rubs me the wrong way that the only dark skinned, black woman had to be used for the overpowering, loud black woman trope. It just feels like they’re making a mockery of us.

Now let’s look at her love interest- Harold. The scrawny, nerdy white boy who probably calls people slurs over the internet while gaming. One of his very first interactions with Leshawna was a damn microaggression. It also felt like their whole relationship was used for a juxtaposition. “Ha ha look at the big black girl carrying around her small twinkish boyfriend.” It just feels like whenever interracial relationships featuring a black woman is shown in media it’s used as a joke to paint us as overaggressive, masculine, and overall undesirable.

I really like Leshawna, but I don’t like how she was handled.

#Oh heck thoughts #total drama #td leshawna

34 notes · View notes

sionnables · 5 years ago

Text

So…

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, you guys.

Let me explain something first: the Broadway musical First Date is my SHOW. I mean, it’s NOT-- I had no part in the creation or performance of it, obviously. But it’s “mine” in the way that people tend to take possession of things they like, you know?

“That’s my song!”

“That’s my precious fictional baby!”

Or, I guess, like that weird thing sports fans do when they insert themselves into their favorite team, like, “we need to box out the endzone and get some points on the board” or whatever.

First Date is mine not only because I loved it, but because it felt like the creators reached into my heart, plucked out all my experiences and emotions, and put them up on stage. I mean, it went to TATTOO LEVELS, so you know it’s both serious and a little ridiculous.

Six years later, I still fucking love that show.

(The intensity has gone down a bit, but that’s probably the best for everyone.)

So when I happened to find out that the book writer of First Date was the creator/writer of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist AND it was a musical, I obviously wanted to check it out. It was delayed slightly by a deep-dive into a Schitt’s Creek hyper-fixation (David and Patrick can have my entire heart and, like, overall existence), but I finally started watching a few days ago.

And it is delightfully First-Date-y.

It’s also a really good “I can’t handle anything too sad or heavy right now due to reality” option. There’s some romantic angst and family tragedy thrown in, but it’s not like This Is Us: The Musical or anything (thank christ-- seriously, how does anyone watch that show? It’s Ugly Cry Central over there).

I’m not going to do the plot summary thing because Google exists. But here’s the thing: yes, there are multiple tropes here that have been done to death (*cough*lovetriangle*cough*), but you know what? The show is cute, the cast is really talented, and the writing’s pretty effing funny. I don’t need groundbreaking television to be entertained. And I’m a sucker for “nice comedy” nowadays, you know? Like, I could never get into Glee because the characters were HORRIBLE to each other. I can’t do a show full of selfish, mean people, it just doesn’t work for me. Give me a well-written ensemble comedy where everyone messes up but they’re ultimately trying their best and growing, and I’m pretty much in.

That all being said, here’s what I need to discuss (spoilers ahead, obviously):

1) Zoey’s definitely got that whole Zooey-Deschanel-adorkable thing going on, but you have to appreciate a show that is like, “STEM Women FTW!” because we need that. Also, maybe it’s Fellow Millennial Empathy, but I appreciate that she has no idea what she’s doing and is still trying so hard to be a functioning and successful adult, WHILE dealing with family tragedy, AND sudden musical powers, AND being a woman in charge of a department full of men (girl, been there done that), AND confusing mushy feelings. It helps that Jane Levy is so talented that I was convinced she was British (she is not).

2) Mo. Is. Everything. More representation of gender-fluidity is wonderful to see, for one thing. But he’s also the smartest character on the show, as well as the most well-balanced and emotionally mature. And his VOICE, okay? I love that it seems like Mo is going to sort of be Zoey’s guide through all of this, and I’m looking forward to seeing their friendship grow.

3) Simon is a gorgeous, gorgeous man. If he was at ALL single, I’d be like, “Zoey, hit that IMMEDIATELY”. But I don’t love the direction that their relationship is going (HE IS ENGAGED, FFS) OR the whole Jessica vs. Zoey thing they’re pulling. I’m willing to give the first part a pass because both of them are grieving and emotional instability can definitely equal bad decisions (we may not like it, but you can’t say it’s unrealistic). But that second part? Simon is way more to blame than Zoey. No more girls hating on girls, okay? Like, I don’t want Jessica and Zoey to necessarily become besties (that whole “it’s always about your dad” comment was way too awful for me to like her THAT much), but you know what I mean. The longer this goes on, the less I like Simon. And it’s such a BUMMER, because I feel like Zoey and Simon could really use each other, platonically.

4) Speaking of not liking people, Zoey’s brother is a dick. Not ONLY because of the shit he pulled with going out to bars instead of being with his PREGNANT WIFE/STRUGGLING MOTHER, but that whole thing about him having to “convince” his wife to have kids when she didn’t want them? YUCK. He’s the one character I do not like at ALL and I hope that Emily leaves him and ends up an awesome single mom with a hot boyfriend. I’m glad Zoey told her what was up. GOOD. WHAT A JERK.

5) Zoey’s mom is amazing and deserves the world. That is all.

6) Full disclosure: I am 100% Team Max. But within that 100%, I’m 50% Zoey Is Clearly Not Ready To Date Him Or Even Process Her Feelings About Him Right Now So He Needs To Just Be Her Friend and 50% Zoey Is Clearly Terrified Of Feelings And Max Might Need To Push Her a Little To Get Her To Get Past That. This is coming from a place of experience, because I was once terrified of feelings and commitment and basically my husband is only my husband because he chose to ignore the many, many times I tried to break up with him and was very persistent with me. Please note that this DOES NOT MEAN that Max needs to be all pissy about “friendzoning” and/or pushing TOO hard, TOO quickly. Which he’s sort of toe-ing the line with, at the moment. I don’t think that Zoey ever really gave him the impression that she was interested in him romantically before the whole “flash mob” debacle (I cringed when Mo said that touching his shoulder and having him come over to watch a movie was leading him on, because please don’t do that, writers, Mo is too smart and progressive for that BS), and the flash mob itself was a really weird, out-of-character move (at least thus far) for him. Look, I get the whole “omg, Max can hear her/no wait, there’s real singing” thing was an unexpected twist, but I’m not a fan of twists over characterization. Max knows Zoey, and I think he’d know that declaring feelings in public while making her the center of attention would not be her thing (but I find public proposals super cringe-y, so maybe that’s just me). I’m sort of not happy with that. What I DO think is appropriate is him asking for some time/space after she asks to just be his friend-- I count that as being respectful of her decision and needing some breathing room to disconnect his romantic feelings towards her. I also don’t blame him for being upset that she knew his feelings way beforehand and didn’t say anything, or for being upset after seeing her sing to Simon. The singing thing is not Zoey’s fault at ALL, but that is some serious emotional whiplash! Nevertheless, I hope these two are endgame and don’t hurt each other too much in the process. That boy will do ANYTHING for her, and I kind of love him for it. Please don’t turn him into a “Nice Guy”! Also, can we all agree that he outsang EVERY SINGLE ONE of the Jonas Brothers with “Sucker”? Goddamn!

7) Tobin is so stupid, but WOW is that character a brilliant representation of every single, straight, young, insecure, emotion-denying, Reddit-using, product of toxic masculinity gamer boy that you’ve ever met in your life. Holy SHIT. They’re nailing it with him. He is 100% the guy that yells a “make me a sandwich” joke in front of his friends and then goes home and cries about not having a girlfriend. I have met 10,000 versions of Tobin in my life and he CRACKS ME UP. Bless him.

8) Leif is Draco Malfoy and I hope that Joan is using him for sex and then ditches him in a humiliating fashion. IF THEY MAKE HER FALL FOR HIM I SWEAR TO GOD. She’s too smart for that. I want Joan and Mo to take over the world together.

9) I don’t want to talk about Zoey’s dad. HE’S FINE. EVERYTHING’S FINE. HE’S TOTALLY GOING TO GET BETTER. THIS IS A HAPPY SHOW.

Okay, I think I got all of my thoughts and feelings out. Until next week, at least.

#zoeys extraordinary playlist #zoeysplaylist #ZEP #this is too long #i apologize #but i mean #we're all stuck at home so at least it wastes some time #mention of a broadway show that i will not tag because reasons

18 notes · View notes

thecarmillacurator · 5 years ago

Text

I Know We Only Met (But Let’s Pretend It’s Love) - Beauty and the Beast AU - Carmilla Fan Fic Review & Recommentation

Title: i know we only met (but let’s pretend it’s love)

Author: LMoriarty on Ao3

Word Count: 30k

Chapters: 1

Rating: Teen

Ship: Hollstein

Tags I’d Assign: #fairy tale #beauty and the beast au #hollstein

Author’s Synopsis: There is a story. (Have you heard it before? A girl, a beast, a dying flower. Do you know what happens when the last petal falls?) There is a story, and it is about a girl, one that’s tired of her life, tired of the boy who wants to wed her. Tired of not being able to love another girl. Tired of not having any girls to love. There is a story, and it is about another girl, too. One that's more thing than girl, more monster than lover. More beast than human. There is a story, and it is about them.

Readability: Easy, well-written prose, with the occasional heightened narrative tone for effect.

Reviewer’s Plot Summary: Stripped down, slightly altered Beauty and the Beast AU. Laura doesn’t want to be the low-class, provincial girl. But she is. (Or is she?) There’s Will, the too-aggressive suitor. There’s her over-protective father, willing to do anything (foolish) to protect her. There’s the fact that there simply aren’t enough books to read. And then there’s Mircalla, fated to a curse thanks to an evil-scheming demi-god. Mircalla, the Beast. (But also, definitely not.) Perhaps, women handle ill fates with more grace then men? It feels like this is a fairy tale we all know. And it is. It is. (But it also isn’t.) Or, maybe it’s both.

Review: Confession: I’ve never been able to stand the Beauty and the Beast story. (Confession: I’ve only ever seen the Disney versions.) Confession: Until this. It’s a bare-bones version of the story, stripped of all the boring parts, but then augmented, and then tweaked on top of it. (And plus, there’s no singing!) The author gives us a pleasing sense of high-narrative whimsy (though it’s a serious whimsy, not a sweet one), joyously juxtaposed with bouts of here-and-now language.

The story is written in third person semi-omni POV.

The Good: The heart of the reason I enjoy this story is that it’s a critical satire of the latest Disney version of the tale. (Sorry, Hermione: You’re wonderful, but not even you could rescue this for me. Though, you were great. Really, you were.) The narrative blatantly calls out problems which underlie the primary and secondary male characters in the Disney take, while also asserting that women should be stepping up to claim a legitimate role in changing the world around us. (The more time I’ve spent refining this review, the more I’ve realized just how political a piece this fairy-tale-on-the-surface really is.)

Primarily, Gaston’s (here, Will’s) behavior isn’t buffoonery or a comedic form of narcissism. It’s recognized for what it is: obsessive and dangerous. And LeFou’s (here, Kirsch’s) admiration for a stronger man (we’ll leave it at ‘admiration’ for now, though see the concrit later) seduces him into a passive accomplice. Belle’s (Laura’s) father, Maurice (here, Sherman), takes a slight deviation from the movie, in that he is so unwilling to lose his daughter (feel like a failure at protecting her?) that he disrespects what he knows would be her wishes and allys with an evil man to ‘rescue’ her. There’s no question the author is using this piece to address social commentary at three different types of masculinity.

When it comes to the Prince/Beast, the author substitutes Mircalla, who is still self-pitying, but is far less angry and more humble than The Prince/Beast, and, more typical of a woman who has been victimized, for some reason finds ways to blame herself far more than she should.

But Belle (Laura)... Here is where the story truly twists. The Beast doesn’t do anything to rescue Belle, or her father, or become the hero. Instead, when Laura is told she has significant power to affect others, to change the world around her, she simply accepts it. She doesn’t assume she’s unworthy of it. She doesn’t run away from it. She respects it. Honors it. Spends time and thought and effort trying to understand how to wield it, not in a reactionary way, but responsibly.

She accepts it so deeply, that she, in turn, ultimately convinces Mircalla that it’s okay to raise her voice and challenge the status quo.

The Concrit: For me personally, the piece waded a few shades too far into anti-male territory. Repeated throughout is the idea that all men (clearly meant in contrast to women) have it in them to be “monsters,” whether through poor character, simple weakness, or stupidity. (And, oddly, even gay men got lumped in with this idea, as being, rather than ‘evil’ themselves, too passive to… I’m not sure what… not be men? Not take a stand?) I disagree with what I interpret the author says on this. There are good men in the world. They shouldn’t be lumped together and stereotyped anymore than anyone else.

That being said, I don’t deny men are responsible for most of the terrible things that have happened in human history, and are by far still the dominant demographic in that arena today. I’m not blind to this, even though I would argue that it’s a subset of all “man” kind who perpetrate these things, and that other “men” take/took stands to resist to them. But I do actually appreciate this story’s attempt to message younger women that we (and the world) no longer have to labor under the same paradigm, that times are changing, and we can step up with them.

Remember: Please please please… if you enjoy the stories I review and recommend- whether you’ve only just read them because of my reviews or you’ve read them in the past and these rec’s remind you of them- stop by the authors and send them some love. They’ve given a tremendous amount of their time, effort, and passion to provide us with high-quality, free entertainment that keeps Carmilla alive for us. Let’s thank them. (I’m not looking for props, either: You don’t even have to mention this blog; just send them a note or a comment to let them know they’re appreciated!)

45 notes · View notes

kumkaniudaku · 6 years ago

Text

Planez

WORD COUNT: 3,205

WARNINGS: SMUT (18 + CONTENT)

ANYWHERE MASTERPOST

Recommended Listening: Planez x Jeremih (ft. J.Cole)

Blindfolded and fitted with noise-canceling headphones, Tasha felt like she had been forced into a hostage situation. The events of the morning felt like another installment of Liam Neeson losing someone in his family from the moment her eyes opened to register her surroundings.

A week prior, she was notified by her secretive husband that she should prepare for four days without the kids for a “celebration.” Chadwick provided no further explanation besides a departure and return date. A bit of prying led her to a list of items she should pack and the revelation that there was a planned stop in Atlanta for a night, but she couldn’t uncover anything else. Everyone from her mother to her trusted best friends refused to cough up information that they knew.

The time spent with her parents was bittersweet, only becoming bitter when she was enthusiastically shaken from her sleep by Chadwick with a loud ‘Happy Birthday’ and a strict time limit to be dressed and waiting downstairs. Moments after kissing Micah and Noah goodbye and promising to return before their Spring Break was over, she was lightly forced into a blindfold and into the back of what she assumed to be a large vehicle. The earphones were a punishment for pressing her ear against the window to listen for clues. The subtle bumps and dips in the road failed to give away an accurate location because every road in her hometown was decorated with endless obstructions. Her only hope was to annoy her husband for answers.

“Devin said we’re going to Toronto,” she lied, not realizing that she was hollering.

“One, that’s a lie. Two, stop yelling.”

“What? I can’t hear you!” Chadwick considered his options while he laughed at CoCo’s perplexed expression. He could continue to troll her by not responding the way she wanted or allow her to hear the first big clue. Her hands roamed around the backseat before she found his leg to pinch his inner thigh.

“Are you talking? Take this shit off me so I can hear!”

Pulling one side away from her ear, Chadwick placed a quick kiss against the shell before answering. “I said stop yelling. People can hear you outside.”

“If I could see these people outside, what would they be wearing?”

“Clothes.”

Tasha turned in the direction of Chadwick’s voice and frowned, “Haha, Mr. Smartass. I bet you’re a riot at parties.”

“I like to think so.”

“Yeah, well, that’s why we don’t pay you for thinking.” Chadwick smiled in preparation to annoy her further but decided to let Tasha listen to the sounds around her.

The roar of engines grew louder as they approached their destination ahead of schedule. Chadwick watched Tasha's right hand frantically search for his to intertwine their fingers, indicating that she was more afraid than her expression let on.

“What is that sound? Are those...planes? How are we so close to the planes? Are you trying to kill me?”

“Does that make sense to you, baby? To bring you to see your parents and let them see my face before I killed you?”

“So, you do plan to kill me but not this time?”

“Co!” Tasha’s laughter lit up the backseat of the SUV as she basked in the glow of frustrating her husband the way he’d done her.

“Okay, so planes. We’re going to a place that we reach by car. Is this first-class concierge? I just made that up by the way.”

“I think you’ll consider this better than first class.”

As he removed the blindfold, CoCo’s eyes fought to adjust to the Spring sunshine before they bugged out of her head for the shock of her life.

In front of her, a mid-sized passenger jet sat waiting and ready for departure. It’s sleek black, and gold design looked like it was ripped from a page of a magazine. Four crew members, all Black women, lined the steps leading to the entryway, waving and smiling like they were expecting her all along.

“Woah...wait...hold up. Is that for us?”

“It’s supposed to be, but they’ll leave if you keep sitting here and asking me questions.”

Tasha’s eyes and mouth remained wide open as Chadwick kindly removed her seatbelt before ushering her out of the vehicle. A chorus of morning greetings followed the couple until they were at the bottom of the steps leading to the inside of the jet’s cabin.

“Hello, Mrs. Boseman, this is for you,” a young crew member announced before handing over a glass of Rosé. “We hope that you enjoy flying with us. Do not hesitate to make your needs known. We aim to please.”

“Thank you, so much. Hey, Charmaine,” CoCo smiled, using the young woman’s name from her badge for an extra touch. “You wouldn’t happen to know where my husband is taking me, do you?”

“I do.” CoCo danced in place at the news, earning a laugh from the women around her. “But, unfortunately, I can’t tell you. He requested our silence.”

“What! Girl, it’s okay. My name is on the bank account too!”

“Not the one I used. Now, come in here and sit down so we can get going.”

A gentle pull to her elbow moved Tasha up the short flight of stairs into what could only be described as a dream. Black and gold seats on top of the cleanest floor she’d seen since their children were born were just the tip of the iceberg. Wood grain surfaces added a masculine touch to the aircraft to juxtapose the feminine energy and smell. From what she could see, there was a small bedroom and bathroom in the furthest section while an assortment of snacks and finger foods rested on a counter nearby.

“I hope you like it. And just in case you don’t, there’s Krispy Kreme in the bedroom because I know you like those.”

CoCo tore her eyes away from the luxury surrounding her to watch Chadwick slide into a nearby seat and pull out his phone. As always, he sat relaxed with quiet dominance radiating from his lean frame. She couldn’t bite back her smile at the way his grey Nike Tech suit matched her Nike hoodie dress, a request that seemed corny at the moment, but currently felt like a sweet memento.

“You, sir, are something else,” she laughed as she took the short walk to his seat to make room for her body in his lap. “Can I know where we’re going now?”

“Nope.” His grin pulled an irritated eye roll from CoCo, prompting him to pepper kisses along her face and jawline. Her pout resembled his first-born’s which tugged at his heartstrings. “I’ll say this. It’s a place we’ve discussed visiting before.”

“Have we talked about it recently, because that doesn’t narrow it down.”

“I’m not saying anymore. Just know that you’ve mentioned it on more than one occasion. Consider your outfits and use your brain. As a matter of fact, you should sleep on it. We got a long flight.”

The wheels in her mind began to turn as she prepared for the question that she knew would catch him off guard. “How long is the flight?”

“It is long enough for you to think about why you thought that weak information probe was gon’ work on me. You ain’t slick.”

“Oh, whatever!”

Between the excitement of being able to enjoy each other without any distractions and the warm feeling of Chadwick’s fingertips rubbing slow circles into the meat of her thighs as the flight attendant powered through her preflight instructions, CoCo felt a surge of energy that was difficult to put into words. Her brain became hazy with thoughts far too sensual for her current situation. Or were they? The four days away from the hustle and bustle of packed lunches, teething rings and homework help provided the perfect opportunity to roam around an unfamiliar territory free of inhibitions. New places were open for exploration, both physically and intimately.

Their intention to stay awake and spend time together quickly turned into an impromptu nap that didn’t include the loud wails of children. The peace in the jet’s “master” bedroom kept Chadwick and Tasha in an uninterrupted slumber until their bodies could no longer remain stationary. Chadwick was the first to stroll into the main area, leaving CoCo behind to entertain himself with whatever basketball game he could find. An hour later, Tasha emerged well rested with a more accurate idea of the destination.

“You know, I have to watch you from now on,” she smiled from the bedroom’s entryway, earning a raised eyebrow from her husband.

“Watch me do what? I’ve just been sitting here.” Chadwick’s eyes followed Tasha’s frame as she slowly approached him.

He could feel the aura of seduction radiating from her being as she moved toward him with a feline’s grace. The rhythmic switch of her hips kept him hypnotized until she straddled his lap and laced her fingers at the nape of his neck, using the tip of her stiletto nails to scratch the spot that would grab his attention.

“We’ve been on this plane for seven hours. When we did the fuel stop, I overheard the pilot say we had a little over 10 hours to go.”

“You were supposed to be asleep. I see where Noah gets it from.”

CoCo laughed into a kiss that lasted long enough to show her husband that she was well beyond the innocent peck phase of their routine interactions.

“I can’t believe you remembered me wanting to go to the Maldives after all this time. We were literal kids when we talked about that.”

Using the pad of his thumb, Chadwick brushed CoCo’s bottom lip and smiled. “It’s important that I make good on all my promises. And what better way to celebrate your half a century?”

“I am not that old yet!”

“My bad. As much as you lie about your age, I get confused.” Chadwick laughed while Tasha’s halfhearted attempt to swat at his chest ended in her giggling into the crook of his neck.

“I hate you. But I love you.”

“I’ll take that. I love you more.”

“I sincerely doubt that,” CoCo added before pressing her forehead against Chadwick’s.

Intimacy settled in as they took in the small things that amounted to two beautiful packages. Chadwick allowed his hands to roam his wife’s back and legs, feeling his body heat up at her little sighs of content each time he would grip and release the thickest part of her thighs. Chadwick would be lying if he said he didn’t pack the shortest of her “travel dresses” he could find to have access to the smooth, golden skin underneath.

Tasha would be lying if she said that the press of her bare breast against the soft fabric of her dress combined with the roughness of her husband’s hands drifting up her legs until they landed on her butt didn’t start the churn of desire in her belly.

Simultaneously their eyes connected, covered with the same fires smoldering behind them. Tasha made the first move, capturing Chadwick’s bottom lip between her teeth before soothing the tinge of pain with her tongue. She led the charge, and he gladly followed. Any time she took the reins and initiated sex, it ended in the type of bliss that only existed on TV screens.

As the moment began to escalate past an innocent make-out session, Chadwick was the one to pull away for air.

“I think we should finish this in there,” he chuckled while using his head to gesture toward the jet’s bedroom.

“I don’t like that idea. Is it my birthday or not?”

With his lips no longer part of the equation, CoCo continued her journey to Chadwick’s jawline and neck, taking pride in the feeling of his stomach tensing beneath her palms. Every graze of her teeth across the juncture of his shoulder and neck combined with the tips of her acrylics dragging across his skin as her hand descended into his sweatpants was working overtime to diminish Chadwick’s resolve.

“Baby, there are four women on the other side of that door that can hear everything we do.”

“Then let ‘em hear.”

A simple sentence sparked a section of both their brains that had been dormant in the routine that had become family life. This was the adventure they indulged in at the beginning of the relationship, and a trip halfway across the world could unlock that fire that kept them locked in the house in the heat of passion for days after making the relationship official.

As quickly as pure, unfiltered lust flashed in her eyes, CoCo was granted permission to tug her husband’s pants and briefs to the middle of his thighs. His dick emerged proud and beautiful in the way that one would describe renaissance art. Tasha moved to position herself on the couch beside him, settling on her knees with her ass in the air.

The fear of being caught became the driving force behind CoCo’s desire to get Chadwick off in the filthiest way possible. Starting at the base, she flattened her tongue against the underside of his member to follow her favorite vein to the tip and back more times than she could count. Chadwick watched with intense focus as she closed her lips around him and took him as far as her throat would allow.

She began slow, preferring to keep a steady rhythm and use her entire mouth to massage the dick she’d grown to know and crave. Chadwick whispered his wife’s praises while his fingers danced to the hem of her dress to lift it to her hips. The force of her movements below his waist made the meat of her ass jiggle against his palm.

While the sight and sensation of her mouth bobbing up and down in his lap were what his fever dreams were made of, he needed the sounds that came with it. He needed the sloppy, lewd harmonies of her moans and saliva to perform his favorite song.

Stealthily slipping his middle and index finger into her panties to add firm pressure to her sensitive nub drew one of the sounds he was hoping to hear.

“Oh fuck!” The surprise and jolt of energy forced her mouth to release the head of his dick in a short gasp.

“Let me hear you, girl. Let them hear you.”

A honied “yes sir” set off a chain reaction that had Chadwick drawing labored breaths to form some type of thought. All he could muster were expletives and broken praises as his thighs, and her mouth became a mess of fluids.

Tasha maintained eye contact as she moved to divide her attention between his sack and perineum until her eyes clamped shut to get the full experience of Chadwick’s fingers massaging along her walls.

They made a competition of who could get the other off the fastest, trading moans for loud and harsh curses. Filling his wife as far as his fingers would allow caused her hips to stutter as she bit into his thigh to choke back a near scream.

“Come here,” he demanded in a husky growl that stirred CoCo into action. Her shift gave him time to pull his digits from her slit glistening and covered in her wetness. His free hand took a firm yet gentle hold of his wife’s chin to bring her mouth to his in a hungry kiss.

The taste of her unique flavor never failed to push him to this animalistic corner of his being that he was often forced to suppress. Chadwick felt the need to dominate CoCo’s mouth, and she happily submitted to the takeover, feeling like a goddess that possessed the power to bring the strongest man to his knees.

Remembering his honey-soaked fingers, Tasha pulled her husband’s wrist between them to bring his fingers to her mouth. He watched for a moment, half smiling at how uninhibited CoCo was becoming the closer they got their final destination. Her magnetic sensuality pulled him as he joined her in the task.

Tasha’s hand snuck back to his hot, massive erection after licking her palm to contribute the already slick surface. Her wrist twisted with skillful precision, drawing her husband’s attention while she moved from his mouth to his neck. He’d forgotten his work inside her panties as the pace and pressure of her stroking increased.

“Fuck,” Chadwick gritted out amid loud smack to CoCo’s ass.

Sensing the direction he was moving, Tasha allowed her man to guide her head to his lap before looking up at him with a smile, “I want you to fuck my throat, Daddy.”

Chadwick moved with trepidation at first as he watched CoCo lower her lips until they met his pelvis and worked up and down until she was satisfied with the amount of lubrication she’d created. His hips moved slowly, rocking up into her mouth in one fluid motion.

CoCo extended her tongue while anchoring her hands to his thighs. The sights, sensation, and sounds worked in tandem to speed him up, turning the languid thrusts into short, powerful strokes. The gurgle and gawk from CoCo as he held her head steady encouraged him to move faster and feel the ridges of her throat against the head of his dick. Bringing her hands to his tight balls to add a gentle roll was the trick to push Chadwick over the edge in a loud cry that was sure to alert at least one of the crew members to action beyond the partition.

CoCo pulled away after the first sputter of his seed to replace her mouth with her hand and kiss him through the remainder of his orgasm. Both of his hands became full, one reaching to knead her ass while the other wrapped around her chin to hold her mouth in place.

A light sheen of sweat coated his forehead as he let go of euphoric sighs and moans of pleasure until he felt an erotic tingle from his head to his toes. Pressing his forehead to Tasha’s, Chadwick looked down to watch her hand motions slow down until he was semi-flaccid in her palm.

Bringing her hand to her mouth, CoCo licked the space between her thumb and index finger clean with a smile. “We made a mess, baby. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Zapped of his energy, Chadwick watched with hooded eyes as CoCo situated him inside of his briefs and sweats before standing and reaching for his hands. He accepted her help to rise, allowing her to lead him into the small bathroom compartment.

As they passed the crew’s cabin, light shuffling away from the door indicated that someone had been listening and was attempting to move away to remain undetected. The newest members of the Mile-High Club looked at each other with cheeky grins on the way inside the bathroom, unsure of what would happen next. There were at least 10 hours left on their flight to paradise and four days to drink in the entirety of each other in whatever manner they saw fit.

Anything between now and then was a possibility.

__________

TAGS

(PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BE ADDED OR REMOVED)

@k-michaelis

@wakandanmoonchild

@idilly

@texasbama

@afraiddreamingandloving

@inxan-ity

@daytimeheroicsonly

@onyour-right

@sisterwifeudaku

@killmongerdispussy

@90sinspiredgirl

@willowtree77785901

@maynardqueen101

@heyauntieeee

@halfrican-heat

@purple-apricots

@lalapalooza718

@blue-ishx

@profilia

@ljstraightnochaser

@girl-wtf-lmao

@dramaqueenamby

@royallyprincesslilly

@melaninmarvel

@thiccdaddy-mbaku

@lavitabella87

@purplehairgawdess

@unholyxcumbucket

@airis-paris14

@uhlxisback

@oshasimone

@maliadestiny

@drsunshine97

@zxddy-panther

@queentearra

@skysynclair19

@retro-melanin

@mermaidchansons

@misspooh

@melanisticroyalty

@babygirlofwakanda

@wakanda-4evr

@sarahboseman

@karensraisns

@wakandankings

@kaykay4454fan

@ororowrites

@awkwardlyabstract

@mixedmelanin

@brownsugarcocoabutterwildflowers

@cosmicmelaninflower

@justanotherloveaffair

@jaeee-http

@iliketowrite1996

@blackpantherismyish

@soldierandawar

@msincognito67

@reignsxjackson

@yaachtynoboat711

@syreanne

@minim236

@yoyolovesbucky

@raysunshine26

@maddiestundentwritergaines

@iwrite4poc

#Chadwick Boseman #chadwick boseman fan fiction #chad x coco #chadwick boseman imagine #chadwick boseman x reader #chadwick boseman x you

111 notes · View notes

realityhelixcreates · 5 years ago

Text

Lasabrjotr Chapter 35: Planecdote

Chapters: 35/? Fandom: Thor (Movies), Marvel Cinematic Universe Rating: Teen And Up Warnings: None Relationships: Loki x Reader (Someday) Characters: Loki (Marvel), Reader, Additional Tags: Post-Endgame: Best Possible Ending (Canon-Divergent), Reader Has Some Insight, Loki Tries To Explain Himself, But May Still Be An Unreliable Narrator Summary: In which Loki explains exactly what he was up to during the New York Attack. It's up to you whether you believe him or not .

It was nice that you had made some friends, Loki thought, slightly annoyed at the continued presence of your little group of human followers. They had followed you around all day while you explained-surprisingly patiently-the abridged version of what had happened to you. They were fascinated by your potential with magic, by Asgard, and, much to his surprise, by him. He had tailed you, of course, in multiple human guises. He had to make sure you were safe, but he understood the need to be on your own. He didn't like it, but he understood.

They wanted to know everything, and for the most part, you didn't have any problems telling them. When some of the questions got a little sensitive, you just laughed softly and told them it was a 'political secret'-no matter what the subject was. They seemed to appreciate the joke.

“But what about when he attacked us?” One piped up. “Is that a political secret too?”

“No,” You sighed. “It's no secret, it's just something I don't know. We haven't exactly discussed it.”

Of course. The crux of every matter involving him, at least from the Earth's standpoint. It would always come up, in every conversation about him. He lounged against a wall, not so far away, only gaining notice because of the impeccably dressed and handsome shape he had taken. Otherwise, none of your little squad was paying him any attention, and he could eavesdrop with ease.

“I can tell you though, that it wasn't exactly his idea.” You said conspiratorially. “He was under someone else's control.”

Oh damn. You were talking about it. Well, he hadn't asked you not to, but it wasn't a subject he wanted to dwell on.

“Someone else was pulling the strings? Who?”

“His name was Thanos, and he was some kinda alien or something. But it's okay, he's dead now. Can't cause any more trouble.”

“Okay, but did he just tell you that? Do you have any proof he wasn't just making it up?”

“Thor corroborated.” You said. “In fact, Thor was the one who told me in the first place. I don't think Loki would have even mentioned it.”

“Why not?” A young man asked. “You'd think that would be the first thing he brought up. Get the blame off of him.”

It's shame.” You said so quietly that he barely heard you. “You gotta understand, Loki is royalty, and not just any royalty; his planet used to rule lots of other planets. He's a prince of whole worlds. He's a god. Like, actually a god, of the old kind that were way more like people, but still gods. For him to have been used like that, to be brought low like that...he'd probably rather we all think he's just evil, rather than have us entertain the possibility for one second that he might have ever been weak enough to allow anyone else to control his actions.”

Loki was boiling inside, but it wasn't with anger. The stew of emotions stuck in his throat like bile. One would think you'd been given Heimdalls eyes, to see through him so. Unsettled, Loki dug his fingers into the wall beside him.

“He actually takes his job really seriously.” You continued. “And his people seem to like him a lot, so he must be good at it. I mean, even the maids speak highly of him, and if he's nice to the servants, he must be pretty decent overall. And so far, he has been really good to me.”

“Are you dating?”

You had Loki's full attention.

You twiddled your fingers nervously. “Is this about all those so-called 'news' articles? We're friends. I think. I'm pretty sure. But I've only known him for a little while, you know?”

“Girl, it's been the whole summer! The sun's just weird here.”

“Wow, has it really been that long? I've just had so much on my plate, and I haven't thought about dating anyone in a long time now. Besides, he's an immortal god-prince, and I'm...I don't know what I am really anymore. Like, I'm working class, but I've been promoted? I dunno, I'm not royalty, so it's probably not even allowed.”

It was. Women in Asgard tended to marry 'up', so to speak. He could marry a peasant if he wanted to. Not without pushback from every noble who wanted to put forth their own daughters, and there weren't many strengthening family alliances that could be made with the lower classes. Not to mention, he simply didn't know many individual peasants, probably for those very reasons. But theoretically, it wasn't forbidden.

But it was something he shouldn't be contemplating right now. He had no time. No inclination. And there was no one of interest to him. No one...

“And anyway, I've got a lot going on, you know?” You were saying. “Gotta learn magic, Asgardian history, and language, and culture, court manners. You know, all that stuff. I can't think about romance right now. Maybe not ever again.”

Your new posse was quick to coo, and protest, and reassure you that that wasn't so, that you'd find someone. Loki wanted to agree. It wasn't as if he wanted you to remain celibate or anything, it was just that he didn't think you had many options. There weren't many humans for you to interact with, and fewer Asgardians who could be considered worthy of you. He supposed that was his fault. Appointing you as his personal seidkona had shot you up through social ranks in a way he didn't think you understood just yet. There were very few people on your level.

“It's not so bad though.” You continued. “I've got more than enough to occupy my time, and if I haven't run him off, Loki is almost always there. I'm not lonely or anything, so I don't necessarily need romance. Don't worry about it. I'm not.”

“Um, sir? Are you aware that you are damaging the wall?” A passerby asked quietly. Loki drew his hands away from where he'd been digging his fingers in, only then realizing that he had left dents in the plaster.

“I see.” He answered, just as quietly. “Thank you for informing me.”

The person moved on swiftly, a concerned expression on their face.

“There's always Thor.” Someone suggested. “We know for sure he's into humans, even if Loki isn't.”

Suddenly Loki was boiling again.

You laughed. “No way! He's not my type. Don't get me wrong, he's great, but just not my kind of guy.”

The bubbling inferno subsided to be replaced by a strange nervy, buoyant feeling. He'd never before heard a woman be so dismissive of the possibility of his brother's affections. From Midgard to Vanaheim, Thor was considered the pinnacle of masculine perfection, everyone knew that. To hear you so quickly declare him to be uninteresting to you was deeply satisfying.

He wanted to wade in among this little group of humans, to scatter them, and take you away. Yes, you needed interaction with other people, but this was all time you could be spending with him. Without any duties, without any danger, just being. You could be exploring the museums, or watching the great whale behemoths swim and blow water into the air, or sampling delicious dishes, which you so loved to do, or just walking the town, holding hands...

No wait, he wasn't doing that anymore. He was going to be more professional, more magisterial. More royal.

You stayed there talking until evening, when hunger presumably overtook you, and your new friends saw you back to your hotel in a tight, protective little group. Loki, of course, managed to get back into your shared room before you, and composed himself as if he had just been waiting for your to return.

“Pleasant afternoon?” He asked innocently.

“Yeah, actually.” You said. “Lotta good conversation, and I think I convinced them that I was fine. They might even hate you a bit less now too.”

“I am not concerned with their opinions.” Loki scoffed. You called that good conversation? Inane questions and senseless suggestions? You were better than that.

“Well, maybe I am. Loki, nobody knows anything about you except for what you did five years ago. Why haven't you done anything to defend yourself? If you just told people what really happened-”

“Would that make it better?” Loki interjected. “Would that gain me forgiveness? Would they even believe me, were I to apologize?”

Well...some would. Especially if you didn't do any other bad things, or did good things instead. Like the nature reserves...”

Loki stepped close and took your hands in his. He would stop tomorrow.

“_____ you know it wouldn't go that smoothly. There is a limit on what I can say. If I told people I was being influenced, they would want to know by whom. And if I spoke about Thanos, they would want to know more about him, his goals, and especially his methods. They would start looking for more answers, and we don't want that. Someone would stumble across information about the Stones, and go looking for them, and it would all start over again. I am pleased that you care about my reputation, but if I want to keep the universe safe, there is little I can do to clear my name.”

You hung your head, refusing to meet his gaze. “ I just thought maybe you could get people to like you, and then you wouldn't have so many enemies.”

Loki laughed. “I'm royalty; I'll always have enemies. I welcome them. They help keep me sharp. Now I need your help with a very important matter.”

“Yes?” You asked, looking back up.

“Where shall we go for dinner?”

*****

You ended up in an old, wooden building with a quaint, timber-framed interior, that was far too casual for the effort he had put into his impeccable suit and clean ponytail. He'd thought that you might appreciate seeing him in fine human style, after your day among your own kind, and indeed, it seemed to affect you. In fact, you'd had a hard time taking your eyes off him.

It was pleasant, noticing others staring at you in your beautiful Asgardian dress, and seeing that you were only looking at him. Perhaps he was a finer specimen than he had given himself credit for. But you both stuck out like jewels in a goat's ear, in this tavern-like establishment.

You had insisted though, as soon as you found out they served American food. It seemed your nostalgia was high.

“Pizza, Loki.” You had said. “I haven't had pizza in like, four months, and I just gotta have a pizza!”

So he had caved in, and brought you to this rustic restaurant, where you had ordered a pizza and a soda, and exclaimed about how it had been so long, and laughed at him when he tried to eat his slice of the messy Midgardian concoction with a fork, as was clearly proper. Somehow, you were balancing a floppy slice of the mess in one hand, and just eating it like that. Loki sighed and shook his head. Someday he would cure you of those peasant manners.

“Say, Loki...” You said between bites. “Am I allowed to ask you kinda personal questions?”

When have you ever held back? “To be honest, as my seidkona, you are not only allowed, but expected to question me. Just be mindful of the context, and the situation, and the nature of the question itself. I, on the other hand, need not answer if I do not wish to.”

You nodded slowly. “I want to ask you about the dream we shared.”

“Which one?” They were both unpleasant.

“The more recent one.”

“Ah. Well, if you will but indulge me...” He made a flourishing gesture, and the sound of the wait staff and the other patrons dulled and slowed. “We will go unheard now. It is as safe to ask as it can be.”

Your eyes flicked around the restaurant, taking in the altered noise. “Wow...That's really handy!”

“Your question?” He prompted.

“Oh right. Um. Were you really going to let them kill three and a half billion people?”

Yes that would be an important question to you. There was a fifty percent chance you would have been one of them.

“No.” He said frankly. “There's a reason that was a nightmare. That was the worst case scenario; what was likely to happen if all my planning went awry.”

“I mean, you could have died.”

“Unlikely. But it was something I included in my plans. That was the second worst case scenario.”

“Wait, wait. There was a scenario where winning was worse than death?”

“Yes, of course. Conquering your realm, but remaining under Thanos' boot would mean that all of my plans had failed, and I would never be free.”

“What exactly was the plan, anyway?”

“It's moot now.” He shrugged. “But a lot of it came down to control of the Mind Stone. It was caged within my scepter, and was what I used to control the Chitauri troops, as well as the handful of people I touched with it. I...was also being controlled, as Thanos exerted his influence over me through the stone. I was, on some level, aware of it, and everything I did on your realm was part of my plot to flout him. Defeat was acceptable to me, death was acceptable, but ideally, I would triumph.

I would have taken the realm with as little damage as possible. It was important to keep as much as I could intact, especially your weapons, your warriors, your resources. If everything had gone absolutely flawlessly, I would have defeated your Avengers, and added them to my army with the power of the Stone. With their power, their minds, their funds, I would have built defenses for the Earth, especially enhancing you space travel capabilities. I would have pulled hundreds of thousands of Chitauri troops in, and then cut them off from their mothership, leaving them solely under my control.

The Chitauri would then go into space, to patrol. This is when we would have begun building bases on your moon, and mining operations across your planetary system. All humans who were capable of it would be given basic military training, as everyone would have to be mobilized against outside threats, especially from Thanos. And he would have tried. Three of the Stones were here on Earth at that time; there is no way he would have let up.

Of course, I would have also gathered up all magically talented individuals for training, once I realized they existed. So I would have found you either way, my dear, even without this binding rune. And while I was raising your planet out of the galactic mud, I would have sent my brother to Asgard to take his place as king. Once enthroned, he would have allied Asgard, and the rest of the realms to Midgard, and under my banner, we would have purged the universe of Thanos, and all his allies. After that, I would have ruled your planet as a benevolent god. I would not have tolerated defiance, but I would have rewarded those who deserved it. No divisions by race or religion, or culture, or wealth. Merit would be all that mattered.

Ah, but that would have interfered with your precious 'freedoms', so it could not be allowed.” He sighed. “You throw celebrations for a royal wedding in a country you don't even live in, but you hate the idea of kings. Hypocritical nonsense. And more, you weren't even allowed to make your own decision about it. Some man in an underground bunker decided I could not be king, and so war was declared against me before I could even present my case.”

“You did murder a bunch of guys.” You pointed out.

“I did murder a bunch of guys.” Loki admitted. “Almost entirely combatants.”

“Almost?”

“The museum curator in Stuttgart was not technically a combatant. He was working for my enemies however so he was fair game.”

“Okay, gotta admit, you are sounding distressingly villainous right now.” You said it almost jokingly, but your soda glass shook a little in your hand.

“I did tell you I still had it in me, did I not? And you did ask. This is all just hypothetical of course, In reality, my neutral plan is the one that panned out. I was defeated, but not killed, and eventually, Thanos was overcome. And you and I met anyway, just a little later we might have, so perhaps the Norns interwove our strings in all their tapestries. We were always going to meet. So I will try to be less villainous, as I already was, but you will have to confront the fact that I have been truly nefarious, especially if you ask me about the times when I was.”

He cupped your shaking hand as you put your drink down.

“Yeah I guess if I'm gonna pry, I'd better be ready for what I find, huh? So you believe in fate, Loki?”

“The Norns weave the threads of each life into a vast work that forms the universe, and we can travel those threads in whatever way we see fit. But some knots they tie very tight, and those are hard to wiggle around. Most people can't, and even those who can, cannot escape them all. Some things simply must happen. I suppose that's...as close to a religion as Asgardians get.”

“Do the Norns really exist?” You asked. “Like, are they people you could meet? I mean, we used to think gods weren't real, solid people that you could meet, and yet, here you are.” You brushed your knuckles against his palm, sending little jolts of electric warmth down his spine. “Very solid.”

Loki cleared his throat. He wasn't supposed to be holding your hand. He would stop tomorrow.

“Uh, well, I've never seen them, but that does not mean they don't exist. As you've learned, a great deal of things that weren't supposed to exist actually do. Just as there is a great, wide universe beyond your Earth, There may be even more outside of that which is beyond even we Aesir.”

“Wow. Something beyond even you? I never thought you would admit such a thing!” Your voice was laced with sarcasm.

“I am clearly among the greatest men you have ever been privileged to meet, but yes. There are forces greater even than I.” Perhaps he was laying it on a bit thick, but it was better that you snorted at the pretentiousness, and turned your interest to the mysteries of the universe, rather than the things he had done. Or rather, would have done.

What would he have done, if things had gone entirely his way? Would he have found you after all? Certainly, once he'd found out there were humans that could use magic, he'd have had them all rounded up for training. But if there were very many, would he have noticed you?

Probably. You had such a knack for getting yourself in trouble. For curiosity. For poking at the core of him. Oh, he would have hated it. For he would have seen that you were a valuable asset and would not have brought you to harm, but you would have frustrated him greatly. You weren't disobedient exactly, just...mouthy.

It was a trait he simultaneously valued as a person, but despised as a ruler. He had liked it in his mother, he had liked it in Sif, he had even liked it in Jane Foster, and he...he liked it in you.

Yes, he likely would have kept you very close. Perhaps he would have made it his personal responsibility to correct you.

Oh, but he should definitely not be allowing his thoughts to wander down such a path.

He would stop tomorrow.

#loki x reader #loki (marvel)#marvel fanfiction

9 notes · View notes

your-jellyfish-senpai · 5 years ago

Note

all the soft wlw asks, please (but do hold off till the morning if it is late at night where you are)

soft wlw asks //

aw anon you’re so sweet!! thank you for the concern; I was very much asleep by the time you sent this lol

answers under a read more bc SEVERAL

1. how long have you known you liked girls?

since about tenth grade! i should have realized sooner tbh but i was naive and indoctrinated into a very heteronormative family/environment

2. talk about the girl who made you realize you liked girls

yes! so tenth grade. i played tennis. there was a girl on the tennis team who was SO NICE and had the most amazing curly hair. once we went to see a movie (it was when lion king was rereleased in theaters) and, wait for it, our hands brushed several times.

of course, important to mention, her boyfriend also accompanied us to see the movie so like... i’m just a gay disaster

3. are you in a relationship at the moment?

alas, single as a pringle.

4. do you have a crush at the moment?

good mcfreaking question i don’t even know

5. describe your crush!

????????

6. do you tend to like more masculine, feminine, or androgynous girls?

feminine almost definitely but i’m really of the opinion that women = hot

7. do you look/dress more masculine, feminine, or androgynous?

i think my style has evolved to be more feminine but idk why. i think it’s easier for me to feel comfortable in feminine clothing bc of my body? but like, i still id as nb/nb woman so that’s ??? complication. what the fuck is gender.

8. what’s your gaydar like?

pretty good? but i tend to get more false positives lol. i swore one of my coworkers was bi but i really, really doubt it now. still, it’s not bad.

9. tall girls or short girls?

yes

10. intimidating girls or kind girls?

yes

11. hugs or kisses?

YES

12. do you have an ideal ‘type’? what would they be like?

oh god idk. funny, sweet, compassionate & passionate, creative... i don’t think i have an “ideal” type or anything tbh. i just like Women

13. what’s your favorite personality trait of yours?

hmm... i think i’m pretty empathetic and also creative! and as one of my coworkers has said, “lowkey funny.” i recognize this is more than one but i am trying to be more positive so plz let me live

14. what’s your favorite personality trait for a girl to have?

SEE #12

15. what’s the best thing about liking girls?

girls soft, pretty, sweet, funny. easier to talk to and relate to girls.

16. do you have any friends who are wlw?

yEAHH BOI

17. have you ever been to pride? if so, what was your first pride like?

i think i’ve only gone to one pride thing bc Not Out to fam and it’s hard. it was fun, like a lil street festival, but i’d really like to do.... more. and go to one in a bigger city.

18. do you like the lesbian flag?

i love the colors of the one that’s replacing the original since the designer is less than ideal BECAUSE the new one is like a sunset and i love sunsets.

19. what was your first kiss with a girl like?

Awk bc I’m awk but Good

20. who was your celebrity/fictional gay awakening?

so like, i definitely had subconscious gay crushes on MANY fictional characters growing up but the first one since realizing Not Straight was probably Korra.

21. what’s your favorite lgbt+ movie?

don’t crucify me but i have not seen very many. i enjoyed love, simon!

22. who’s your favorite openly wlw celebrity?

i’m gonna say angelina jolie. also i’ve just spent several minutes parsing through the wikipedia page of “LGBT firsts” and who was gonna tell me that Sally Ride was gay. also i feel very disconnected from lgbt history and i need to remedy this.

23. do you wear makeup?

yeah but i’m trying to wane myself off it when i can bear to. it’s a crutch and is deeply tied to self-esteem issues and i’d like to not entertain them lol. but i love eyeliner.

24. who was the first person you came out to (if you have)?

god idk? my tumblr followers? lol

25. has anyone ever come out to you?

not in, like, a formal way, but sure

26. have you found a community of lgbt+ people?

a majority of my good friends are in the community

27. do you have any older lgbt+ people you look up to?

i wish i knew some older people in the community wtf

28. do you identify with butch/femme labels?

hmm.... this one is tricky. if anything, i would identify more with femme/somewhere in the middle, but because i don’t totally identify as Woman and bc i’m still a bit hesitant regarding my identity in general, and bc i know these terms are pretty exclusively lesbian-related, it’s tough to say?

29. who’s your favorite fictional wlw?

UHHH...... asami, marceline, god idk im bad at this

30. what experiences are you looking forward to having in the future (kissing a girl, going to pride, etc)?

yes i absolutely look forward to the next time(s) i get to kiss a girl god damn

#about me #wlw asks #long post #thank you anon!!! ^-^#Anonymous

3 notes · View notes

anitabyars · 6 years ago

Text

Title: A Perfect Lie

Author: Lisa Renee Jones

Release Date: May 14, 2019

ABOUT A PERFECT LIE

Secrets. Lies. A man. There's always a man. And there's always a truth to be told.

I'm Hailey Anne Monroe. I’m twenty-eight years old. An artist, who found her muse on the canvas because I wasn’t allowed to have friends or even keep a journal. And yes, if you haven’t guessed by now, I’m that Hailey Anne Monroe, daughter to Thomas Frank Monroe, the man who was a half-percentage point from becoming President of the United States. If you were able to ask him, he’d probably tell you that I was the half point. But you can’t ask him, and he can’t tell you. He’s dead. They’re all dead and now I can speak.

BUY A PERFECT LIE

Amazon US → https://amzn.to/2PUIGLj

Amazon UK → https://amzn.to/2PUBNtq

Amazon CA → https://amzn.to/2PRbsMI

Audible → https://adbl.co/2TJMTb1

iBooks → https://apple.co/2p09PB4

Nook → http://bit.ly/2MrIqB5

Kobo → http://bit.ly/2NCgK18

EXCERPT

“Can I join you?” he asks, motioning to the table.

There’s interest in his eyes, the kind a man has for a woman, but who knows, maybe it’s real or maybe it’s not real. Maybe he knows who I am and sees a path to power and fame. The way Tobey wanted me for money and power, right up until the moment I’d called his number aka his agenda; thus, he has not called me since I left. Maybe Harvard will lie even better than Tobey did. Maybe Harvard will at least kiss better than he did, and the lies would taste like temptation rather than convenience. At least then, if I’m used, I’ll enjoy being used.

Whatever the case, it’s clear I might actually be angry with Tobey and that aside, the interest that Harvard has shown in me, must be controlled before my Denver sanctuary is destroyed. “You can join me,” I say, “but only because I’m trying to save the rest of the place from the attorney in the house.”

I am pleased when Harvard laughs, where Tobey would have scowled, proving that Harvard has a sense of humor, which is rare for those in my life. I’ve barely completed this thought when he moves forward and claims the seat next to me, not across from me, settling his briefcase on that chair instead. In the process, his leg brushes my leg and for the briefest of moments, I’m transported back to the place that I’m now trying to forget: to Austin, to Drew’s leg next to mine, his wink, and I do now what I did then. I jerk back. If Harvard notices he doesn’t react. “Since we haven’t been formally introduced,” he says, resting his naked hands on the table. “I’m Logan. Logan Casey.”

“Logan Casey,” I repeat trying to ground myself in the present, at least for now, but some part of me is still swimming in that memory, which naturally has me wondering if this man is a shark in the water around me. “Two first names,” I add. “Sounds like your parents fought over who got to pick your first name. Did they draw straws for which choice became your middle name?”

“You’re actually right on target,” he says, laughing again, and it’s a nice, masculine laugh, and oddly this thought feels familiar while Logan does not. “No one has ever guessed that,” he adds. “My mother won the name war. The women always win. Speaking of names. Do you have one?”

“Hailey Anne Pitt,” I say, “and in my house, my father won the name war.” Because in my father’s world, I add silently, the women don’t win the wars. At least, not that he knows, not in an obvious way. I’ve learned this well.

“Well then, Hailey Anne Pitt,” he says, “what’s a Stanford girl like you, doing in a place like this? You’re a long way from school.”

I’m smacked in the face with a lesson I’ve long ago learned and forgotten with this man; strangers do not always remain strangers and all offhanded remarks can come back to haunt you. “That was a joke,” I say, shutting the door connected to my real life, and a path that leads to my father. “I hate attorneys, remember?”

He narrows his eyes on me, and for no reason other than instinct, I believe he’s looking for a lie that he won’t find. I’m simply too well-taught from birth, too skilled at being more than one person to allow such a detection. Well that, and the fact that I really do hate attorneys, which is why I’ll be a good one.

“That was a joke?” he confirms.

“Yes,” I say. “Are you amused?”

“Yes, actually. I am. What does a lawyer-hating smart ass like yourself do for a living?”

“When not busy taunting those who went to law school,” I say. “I’m an aspiring artist.” Both honest answers, if you put a “was” in front of the “aspiring artist” which I’d thought that I’d come to terms with, but the knot in my stomach says I have not.

Logan motions toward the art room. “Your career explains why you ended up here.”

“I guess it does,” I say, as this place serves me well to reconnecting to the Pitt part of my life, which is a place I really need to be right now, for all kinds of reasons.

“Are you good?” Logan asks, as if he’s read my mind.

My father’s words answer him in my head. Art is useless unless you’re famous, he used to say often, because of course, it was inconceivable that I might be good enough to be famous. “Art is like movies and food,” I say, shoving aside that bad memory. “Good is subjective.” I don’t give him time to reply. I ping the conversation back toward him. “What kind of law do you practice?”

“Corporate,” he says, and this time he pings back to me. “Do you live in the neighborhood?”

“Yes,” I say simply. “Do you?”

“I bought a building a few years ago where I live and work which means this is my home turf, and why I know you’re new here.”

“I am,” I say and since he’s clearly going to ask for details, I quickly preempt with an on-the-fly story. Actually, it’s the suggested story, Rudolf included in my file. “I came here for a job, and my new boss owns a house he’s rented to me for dirt cheap.”

“And what does an artist do but create art for a living?”

“I’m working for a private art acquisitions firm. I now hunt for treasures for a living.” This lie is actually my dream job that I’ve never been allowed to entertain.

The horror flick loving waitress delivers my coffee and brownie. “Thank you,” I say, because every politician’s daughter has manners beaten into her.

“No problem,” she says, “but if you come to your senses and want a better version of that coffee, just shout.” She eyes Logan. “I already know you want a crappy tasting coffee, on endless pour and a chocolate chip cookie. Coming right up.”

“Thanks, Megan,” he says, giving her a wink that I don’t classify as flirtatious, just friendly, and Megan is gone.

“Obviously you’re a regular,” I comment, “and they even like you.”

“And they like me,” he confirms, “despite knowing I’m an attorney.

“Because you’re good looking and use it to your advantage.”

He arches a brow. “You think I’m good looking, do you?”

“Oh, come on,” I say, crinkling my nose. “Everyone thinks you’re good looking. I’m simply stating a fact. We use what we have and those of us that are smart, know what we have.” I move on from what is really quite inconsequential. “Why work here, not at home, or in the office?”

“I find I get a lot of work done with a cookie, coffee, and no access to streaming television,” he explains.

No one in my D.C. crowd would make an admission of being human and distractible. Some people in my situation might take comfort in that fact, but I don’t. Logan’s an attorney, and my gut, which I’ll confirm with research, says he’s a powerful one, the kind that radiates toward my father. Maybe that’s a coincidence and maybe it’s not. Maybe he’s testing how well I execute my cover story. The possibilities are many. Though in all fairness to Logan, perhaps I’d lean toward his innocence, if not for the laundry list of recent events such as Tobey being gay and the FBI agent, who is likely working for my father, that I slept with to prove I was a) still desirable and b) not a killer.

ABOUT LISA

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series.

In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is also the author of the bestselling WHITE LIES and LILAH LOVE series.

Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

CONNECT WITH LISA

Newsletter ➜ http://lisareneejones.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Bookbub ➜ http://bookbub.com/authors/lisa-renee-jones

Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/2MoWosB

Twitter ➜ https://twitter.com/LisaReneeJones

Instagram ➜ http://instagram.com/lisareneejones

Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/LisaReneeJones

My Review!

5 ⭐️

Riveting!!!

Wow! This is a riveting, suspenseful, mystery that is about greed, destiny, betrayal, secrets, lies, power, money and ambition. It’s about what some powerful people may do to get ahead. But is also the story of a young woman Hailey Anne Monroe whose father has political aspirations to become the President. A father who appears to be disdainful of rules, of laws and of ethics. Raised from infancy to be the perfect daughter, Hailey tells us her story, as she searches for answers, and finds out what she is truly made of. Written in past and present tense it takes you on her journey of what she says is the truth. But is it? Or could it be the perfect lie?

This story took me on a wild ride, making me question every single character and situation the whole way through. There were little hints along the way that built this story, so many little things that started to tick off this list of what was real and who was behind all of this. I spent most of the chapters mentally keeping track of all the big and small clues. My mind constantly racing trying to figure out where this was all leading next. Because we have learned that in politics and life that lies can and are avoided by the many versions of the truth.

Lisa Renee Jones did a phenomenal job crafting this story, and I was held captive until the end. I loved its fast pace and unexpected turns. So clear your schedule. Bring a snack. This will keep you reading late into the night. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#lisa renee jones #the perfectlie #riveting narrative

2 notes · View notes

jellybean531 · 6 years ago

Text

Meeting Request

This is my plus-size reader back again. She has heard of the incredible military leader, M’Baku, but he has some unexpected attributes that take her by surprise. Who knew a meeting could bring so much...more?

I pull a lot of this from my life and being bored in meetings. Have you every fully day-dreamed in a meeting? What if....well, just keep reading.

If you want to check out my other fiction, it’s all on my M’Baku Masterlist. I hope you enjoy.

Client Engagement

She was bored in the conference room, awaiting her next meeting, clicking her pen against her pad of paper. She had prepared all of her notes and was convinced she could impress this new client with ease. She became smarter in tough situations.

For today’s occasion, she wore her cutest suit that accentuated her curves and a pair of heels that showed off her long shapely legs. It was a winning combination. With her cute cat-eye glasses and flawless makeup, she was ready. She had the “cute, curvy black girl” look down. She knew she needed to land this client or her promotion was in danger. She knew she was good, but hooking this client was a big deal. She brought her somewhat goofy male assistant along to take notes. He was charming and she was always surprised when clients thought he was the decision-maker, not her. He had an Associates and she had two Masters’ degrees.

As head of the defense ministry in Wakanda, her next client was a formidable soldier. She knew that he would ask her questions to ensure that she was prepared; a challenge she anxiously awaited. She was very smart, her long braids pulled back into a smart bun. Her years of analysis had taught her that she had to look the part twice as much to be respected by a man, likely 4 times for a Jabari man- a masculine culture that she was curious about. She was often thought to be a cheeky, outspoken American woman, but didn’t mind the challenge. She had her corporate armor on and was ready for the outspoken, Jabari General-turned statesman.

As she sipped on her cool glass of water, she visualized the end of the meeting, full handshake, and all smiles. She reassured herself again that she had this down. She looked at her watch one more time, wondering where this man could be and silently judged his lateness. “Another man using his power to get what he wants,” she thought.

She was jolted out of her thoughts quickly.

“Please rise for the Honorable M’Baku, Great Gorilla, undefeated in battle, father to the Jabari,” a breathy female voice said. Then, 3 large-shouldered men in tailored black suits entered the room. They had earpieces and sunglasses and were unsmiling. “If this is the appetizer, then what is the main course?” she thought silently, with the briefest of smiles breaking on her full lips.

“Please rise for Lord M’Baku.” You stood up and tapped your assistant on the shoulder. In his notes, you could see that he had written “so many snacks” at the top. You glared at him briefly and he rose with a half grin, bashfully.

You kicked yourself for not looking at pictures of the Jabari lord beforehand. He was tall and entered the room with an Obama-like swagger, but modified for his large, imposing (exciting) form. His warm smile and tall stature overwhelmed you for a moment. You had to catch your breath. Lord M’baku was a sight to behold. He was in a military uniform, black suit with the Jabari symbol on one arm. The pin of a Gorilla mask was small on his lapel, signifying his tribal rank. His 6′5″ frame was framed perfectly in his suit, accentuating his broad shoulders (that you wanted to squeeze) and he smelled...just good. Your biggest challenge would be overcoming his easy grin and the fact that he was your type...in every way.

“Please sit down.” All of this formality for nothing. If the lady would please sit first, I would be so honored.” He smiled at you, his deep baritone voice music in your ears and he held out his hand for you to sit. You hated taking orders but found yourself in a chair quickly face-to-face with the leader. Your defenses were completely down.

“Have we taken good care of you?” He asked. “Oh yes,” you smiled, thinking of the many other ways he could take care of you, but you were here for business...and only business.

He leaned back in the big executive chair right across from you. “So, you are the smart businesswoman I’ve heard so much about. How short can we make this meeting?”

“Well, I have a comprehensive deck.”

He raised an eyebrow and leaned forward. “How about this? Your reputation is impeccable and I like you. Pitch me in 5 minutes. That’s all the time that I need.”

“Ok. This deal is a win for you. Here’s one slide outlining everything.” as you slid it across the table “I have a 95% record of success and land huge profits for all my clients.”

“I don’t know why I like you or trust you, but the deal is done. Have your assistant work up the specifics and let’s get moving. I just have one condition, he said..making clear eye contact with you. “Clear the room.” “I said ‘clear it.” he bellowed.

His bodyguards moved with lightning speed, noteworthy for men of their size. One of them motioned towards your assistant and you gave the go-ahead. Before you knew it, you were face to face with the Jabari lord-alone, your nose full of his alluring scent, your eyes beholding his glory, and your ears listening intently to him. You were clutching the chair with all your might to not melt into a puddle.

“Two conditions: first, I want to be your only client. Can that happen? I’m selfish, and I don’t like to share.”

“Can you afford my entire team?” you asked.

“Yes. Money is no object.”

“What’s in it for me?” you peered over your glasses

“The chance to make me a lot of money.”

“I may be sold, but I’m not sure.”

“Look. Other firms would kill for this.” He leaned in and put his hands on the table his imposing form towering over you.

“I’m not other firms I’ll try it for 6 months. After that, I’ll open-source my secrets -it’s all risk for you.”

“Second, have dinner with me tonight.” Your face flushed. You knew you looked good, but you also knew the Jabari lord drove the women crazy. You wanted to be known for your skills at work, not your other skills (of which you had many).

“I’m afraid I...”

“Look. I don’t bite. It’s just dinner.” He said with a wide, beautiful smile.

You looked at him bashfully and but your lip. “I can do dinner, but what about...”

“I’ll have my assistant cancel your appointments. I’m sure they will understand.”

A deal and a date, you thought to yourself. This turned out much better than you had planned.

“Meet me at the Ritz-Carlton in 2 hours.”

Best Intentions

You arrived at the Ritz Carlton in a little black dress- you always packed one, and a pair of heels with leopard trim. You added a scarf for a little glam, but no cleavage as you didn’t want to sell more than your business skills. You took a deep breath -you knew this dress hugged in all the right places.

When you arrived at the front desk, the bellman recognized you. “Are you the dinner guest of Lord M’Baku? “Yes, I am.” “Great. Go to the desk at the far end.

When you went to the standalone desk, you gave your name, and the woman at the desk smiled. “We’re so glad you’re here.” Please follow me.

She took you to a private elevator on the other side of the extensive lobby. We’re thrilled you could join us this evening. “Do I need to push a button?” “No. This elevator is penthouse only. “What did you get yourself into?” you thought

You were nervous in the glass-paneled elevator, but it went to the 23rd floor of the hotel. When you stepped off of the elevator, you couldn’t believe your eyes. This was the entire 27th floor of the hotel, with their very own concierge, who greeted you. “Welcome. We’ve been expecting you. Please follow me.” a concierge beckoned, smiling knowingly at you.

You walked through the lobby to another door and she unlocked a room. You were a little nervous, but when the door opened, you were in an expansive dining room. The Gorilla pin that M’Baku had worn earlier had life-size replicas in the dining room, and a round, wooden table greeted you. “Please be seated while we inform him that his guest has arrived.”

Wow. His very own floor? suite? dining room? You looked at the pictures on the wall and assumed they were of Jabari-land. The table was set with an ornate arrangement and red and white bottles of wine were on the table as well.

You stood as Lord M’Baku entered, again, smelling amazing. “Please sit, dear.” He flashed that brilliant smile at you again and you awkwardly sat. “Did you find everything ok?”

“I did. This is so nice.” I really appreciate the invitation.

“The pleasure is all mine. “I’m so fortunate to have a nice young woman such as yourself join me for dinner.” I’m so impressed by you, and I’m glad we’ll be working together. Enough about work. Tell me about you. He leaned in and you wanted him to come closer, but you caught yourself, just in time.

How will I ever close this deal, you asked yourself, as the door closed behind you.

M’Baku looked at you in your adorable black dress. “You look very nice,” he said somewhat bashfully. “Thank you. I clean up well.” He didn’t respond, but the twinkle in his eye suggested that he agreed.

You slowly sipped your white wine and appreciated M’Baku’s form. “Thank you for the invitation,” you said. “I’m always happy to entertain guests. You were a formidable negotiator today. Your reputation preceded you, but I was impressed.”

“I’m not usually this informal with my clients,” you said. M’Baku chuckled “You haven’t seen the might of the Jabari firsthand, then.” You knew that was a famous Jabari tagline and laughed lightly.

Your were feeling slightly flushed and your eyes became lidded. You felt your shoulders loosen and you took down your hair. You engaged in conversation with M’Baku and felt yourself start to relax.

He smelled so good. Although M’Baku had started across the table, he was suddenly sitting next to you. You chuckled at him a little too much and he was right there. His body and broad chest were within striking distance. You started to laugh too hard at his jokes and touch him too much. It felt so lovely.

“Is this how your close deals, in that black dress”? He asked. “Not at all. You would have worked with me regardless.” “How can you be so sure?” “There’s no one better.” It’s that simple.

M’Baku bit his lip, impressed with your confidence. “You know why I invited you here, right?” “I’m not sure, actually.” “Well, I want all of you.”

“That’s not for sale, sir.” you said, indignant.

“It’s ok.” he moved closer, brushing your cheek. “You are a very beautiful woman. Why are you single?”

This question irritated you more than most. “I’m not sure.” It was the truth. Somehow, you were too awkward, too nerdy, always too something.

“Let me tell you something.” “What is that?” “In my country, you would be a queen. You’re one of the smartest people -man or woman -that I’ve ever met.” I’d be lucky to have someone like you.

“Really”? You said softly. All of your confidence in the boardroom was inverted around men.

“Jabari men don’t stutter.” With that, M’Baku closed the distance between you and kissed you. It was a long, lingering kiss -the kind of kiss that was an invitation and a warning at the same time. It was sweet, but with a hint of danger. You wanted it so much.

Just then a server entered the room, interrupting you two mid-embrace. “I’m sorry, Lord M’Baku.” He waved the waiter away and whispered in your ear, “This is going to be a very successful partnership.”You looked him in the eye and said, “are you sure you’re ready?” “A Jabari man is always ready. Be prepared.”

He was your only client now and about to be so much more.

Tag List: @therevolution-willbelive @mbakuwifey @muse-of-mbaku @great-neckpectations @thiccdaddy-mbaku @jackburtonsays @unholyxcumbucket @sweettea-and-honeybutter @6lackraconteur

Want More? Check out “Working Lunch”

#mbaku x reader #mbaku #black panther #black panther fanfiction #mbaku imagine #Wakanda forever #Wakanda #jabari #plus size #winston duke #jabari tribe

88 notes · View notes