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#pop star au
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Another Au centered around music & punk Steve(sorta) bc of Steddie twt talking abt switching it up to celebrity Steve & just some guy Eddie.
I do love a good trope reversal
Underground Metal Eddie x (pop)punk Steve
Eddie working at a guitar shop that mostly catered to metal & hard rock musicians with a preference for a certain crunchy sound.
Since he was into a very specific niche of gay power & thrash metal, Eddie didn't know Steve was a pop punk star when they meet
He knew who Stevie Dynamite was, of course he did, everyone did. He knew that the guy debuted at 15, was supposed to be some musical genius who could play any instrument.
Eddie remembered the early songs because they were so personal, haunting little folk proto punk songs w/ a glam pop edge about identity, isolation, & loneliness. They weren't his thing but they were better then the usual radio fare.
Three years later after a series of salacious magazine spreads, notoriously explosive deals with several different make-up and high end hair care lines, more scandals then you could count, public partying, public meltdowns, cancelled shows, article after article abt the King of Pop Rock losing his touch, a mediocre album full of bubble gum party till you drop songs, and open speculation abt the nature of his relationship with indie pop darling Birdie (but Eddie knows that's not what ppl think it is. Her music is wall to wall barely subtle sapphic yearning, if there's one thing he knows it's gay subtext)
The rumors got louder & more dramatic until, five years after he rocketed to superstardom Stevie Dynamite publicly sued his label & parents for control of his image & brand.
He won
Then he quietly disappeared.
Thus was the end of the bigger then life legend of Stevie Dynamite
So when Steve Harrington walked into the guitar store on some lazy Monday afternoon while Eddie was sitting behind the counter working on a song in his downtime. He had no idea who Steve was.
When the unknown hot guy in a Violent Femmes hoodie & a plain black beanie struck up a conversation about Eddie's lyrics he thought Steve was just another life long grind musician wanting to talk shop
When the guy introduced himself as Steve, Eddie didn't think anything in particular about it
When Steve seemed to be flirting a little Eddie chalked it up to the guy wanting a discount on whatever he was in to buy.
When he dragged Stevie Dynamite viscously for being an absolute fake from top to bottom, when one of his newer songs came on the shop radio, Eddie laughed and agreed.
When Steve asked Eddie for help choosing a guitar with a very particular pensive but angry victorious sound he was happy to help (Steve paid full price & if he was annoyed he didn't show it)
When the guy came in again next monday for a new amp, and the Monday after that for new strings Eddie was confused but happy to see him
When Steve came in the Monday after that asking for help with the writing of a song, a service he would be happy to pay for, Eddie said yes against his better judgement. He knew he was well and truly fucked by the happy burbling in his stomach at the thought of creating music with this incredibly hot man.
When they spent six months of Mondays holed up in the break room working on lyrics, Eddie tried not to examine what it meant.
And when Steve abruptly didn't come by one Monday, Eddie had no idea what the hell happened but he was disappointed.
When one Monday no show, became two, then three, Eddie decided he must've been ghosted, he picked his embarrassingly broken heart up off the floor and kept going, resigned to never knowing what happened with Steve.
In fact Eddie had no idea that Steve Harrington was Stevie Dynamite until the first royalty check came in with a $ number so high, Eddie thought he probably died without realizing it. He'd never even dreamed of holding that much money in his hand at one time.
The check was from Dynamite Records?!?!?! Stevie Dynamite's personal label?!?!
Through a haze Eddie remembered that a a few weeks ago Stevie Dynamite had released his first post corporate divorce album to a tidal wave of media fanfare and critical acclaim. Everyone who had an opinion about music swore the real Stevie Dynamite was back on top again. Eddie barely noticed it, he'd been to busy not caring that Steve ghosted him to pay attention to yet another meaningless corporate shill telling him to dance all night
He called the corporate number on the check
"Dynamite Records, Jonathan Byers speaking, how may I help you?"
"uhh yeah man, I think there's been some sort of mix up. I uhh-, Look my name is Eddie Munson & as much as I would love to keep this check. It couldn't possibly be for me and I really don't want to get sent to prison for check fraud so maybe someone should come and get it or something."
The man, on the either end of the line immediately relaxed into a more casual manner.
"Eddie hey man, I've heard so much about you. It's definitely not a mistake, he wanted you to have credit since you guys wrote the songs together."
"uhh not to seem totally clueless or whatever Mr Byers, but umm He who?"
"Jonathan is actually totally fine, we're all family here right? Stevie Dynamite of course"
"Ok, but how in the world does Stevie Dynamite know me & why would he want me to get writing royalties on his new songs?"
"... Fuck...He still hasn't told you has he?"
"told me what?"
Jonathan sighed a kindly exasperated sigh on the other end of the line.
"Eddie have you looked at the new Stevie Dynamite album?"
"No-, I uhh no offense or anything it's just glam rock pop punk isn't really my thing."
"it's fine, it's not mine either-, hmm well are you at work? No of course you are that's where we sent the check. He didn't know your home address. You know, I should've known he didn't tell you now that I think about it. Why don't you go take a peek, pay specifical attention to the dedication. I'll wait here."
Eddie heard some rustling as Jonathan leaned back, talking to someone else apparently.
"Argyle, babe, you wouldn't believe this. He still hasn't told Eddie."
Even further away he heard a good natured huff of laughter.
"Bro? No shit. Man... Babe, your ex is so beautifully weird. I wish I found out a pop star was in love with me w/ a fat check and an album full of love songs. Stevie boy has style at least... wanna hit this?"
What the hell was that all about? If they were getting high he might as well just go look at the album right? Right. No time like the present.
Eddie didn't know why he was so nervous
The album cover wasn't anything remarkable, tattoo flash art of a nail bat, a weird flower full of serrated teeth, and a guitar. It was called "Stevie Dynamite: Love, Death, and a Baseball Bat Named Baby"
Inside there was a lot of concept photography, Stevie Dynamite after a show, make-up smeared, staring into a mirror with empty eyes. Each page of lyrics had a new picture of Stevie with some of the glamorous accoutrements removed staring at himself in the mirror, first he took off his shiny rock and roll lace top, then he replaced his leather pants with sweats, the next he had on an old beat up violent femmes hoodie, lastly he took off all the flashy metallic glam rock make up.
The last picture was just Stevie Dynamite, No, Steve Harrington, his Steve Harrington fresh faced, staring into the camera with a note superimposed, written in loopy feminine handwriting, the dedication.
'To Eddie who's inspired me since the day I met him, who never gave a damn about Stevie Dynamite'a fame or reputation, who was kind to me because that's just who he is.
To Eddie who helped me find my love of music again, reminded me why I was here in the first place, and helped me write the most sincere and meaningful songs I ever have.
To the Eddie I was so afraid of losing to the gossip machine I couldn't quite tell the truth.
All those dumb love songs that you were always teasing me about writing were for you Eddie. No matter what, you deserve to know that. I'm sorry, I hope you can forgive me.
I love you,
Stevie Dynamite
(but you can still call me Steve if you want to)'
Eddie felt faint again. He picked the phone back up
"What the fuck Jonathan?"
"Yeah, man what the fuck. But that's our boy Stevie, passionate, loyal to death and back, more than a little impulsive, and terrified of his feelings. Once he decides he loves you, he's impossible to shake. I'm so sorry he sprang this on you like this man, but Argyle's almost done getting him ready. I'll send him your way when we're done ok?"
Eddie wasn't sure what he was agreeing to but he still agreed.
20 minutes later a leather clad pop rock god, slouched in, looked around from behind his dark sunglasses with disinterested affected distance, pushed those sunglasses up onto his head and magically transmogrified into Steve Harrington, the guy he'd been pining over for a month. They both sat in silence, each afraid to go first. Finally Steve cleared his throat and broke the oppressive quiet
"I'm sorry I stopped coming by, I was so afraid that once you knew you'd only see Stevie, not me anymore. I couldn't bear losing another person I loved to him. God he sucks."
"But... you're Stevie Dynamite right? I haven't hallucinated all this, right?
"No no, you definitely didn't. I mean, yeah technically I'm him, but he's still the worst. I kinda hate him"
"uhhh...."
"I know it's weird"
"No I get it-, I think,-, trapped in reputations of our own making and all-, but uhhh... You love me?"
"Yeah Eddie of course! How could I do anything else but love you? Didn't you listen to the album?"
"uhh-, well-, No? Glam Rock Pop Punk just isn't my thing"
To Eddie's surprise, Steve broke out in a radiant smile.
"Of course you didn't, what was I thinking? All that worry for nothing. I'm so-... Hey I'm about to go play a private vip show to celebrate the album's success, you want to come? I promise I'll explain everything-, No pressure though!"
Eddie still wasn't sure exactly what he was agreeing to, but couldn't even feel to bad about it when Steve blushed, radiant, bigger then life, like a rock god, as he pulled Eddie out the door.
Right then and there Eddie made a pact with himself to keep saying yes to Steve as long as Steve bothered to ask. He was to precious not to.
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wardenparker · 8 months
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Win a Date with Javi G, part 1
Javi Gutierrez x female reader x Jack Daniels Co-written with @absurdthirst
Rating: Mature, but this blog is always 18+ Word Count: 15.9k   Warnings: Cursing. Food/alcohol. Pure fluff and flirting. A little dirty talk/dirty flirting toward the end. Summary: You and your best friend are huge fans of Spanish pop star Javi G, and she managed to convince you to enter a contest to win a date with the singer himself. No one is more surprised than you when you actually win. ✨🎶🥰 Notes: Hey Guys! It's my birthday! To celebrate, Keri and I conceived of this little one shot that turned into a smutty, kinky, fluffy two-parter and I hope you love it as much as we do. For all the folx out there who remember the movie "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton", you'll recognize the inspiration right away -- and reader's hometown is inspired by the waterfront town from "Bob's Burgers". We're all over the map here! Special shouts also to my darling @julesonrecord for imaging how much glitter Eurovision Pop Star Javi G would actually be covered in at every show.
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Your eyes are on the verge of crossing when the phone rings, books spread out on your desk in your home office and countless tabs open on your laptop as you try to piece together this bit of research to send off to your bosses on deadline. You almost let the call go to voicemail, too absorbed in this odd passage from an even odder book, but something inexplicable tells you to answer it. The call is Private, the word splashed across your screen as it continues to ring, and your cat meows curiously when she jumps up into your lap as you hit the green button to accept. “Hello?”
Jack tilts the handset for his desk phone against his shoulder and enjoys the sound of the voice on the other end. It sounds attractive, being in the business long enough, you can tell by a voice if the person is gonna be a looker. “Howdy ma’am.” He greets you and then says your name. “Is it a convenient time for a talk?”
Howdy? You make a face instinctively, wondering why you've got a cowboy calling you in the middle of the day. Probably a telemarketer, but what the hell. You've got time. Your cat meows again and you sit back in your chair to let her settle into your lap to be pet while you're on the phone. "Sure," you say after a moment. "What can I do for you?"
“Jack Daniels ma’am.” He introduces himself with a grin as he twists in his ergonomic chair and looks at the poster that is plastered up on his wall for the upcoming world tour. “I’m the CEO of Statesman Talent Agency.” He hums. “And I’m callin’ concerning a little contest that you entered. ‘Win a Date with Javi G’? Does that ring a bell?”
"Oh!" Shooting up straight in your chair almost tips your sweet cat onto the floor but you manage to recover and hold onto her. "Uh–yeah, yes. Of course." Entering the contest had been a whim. A decision made after too much wine and giggling with your best friend. Spain's Eurovision winner Javi G was trying to break out in America and you had loved the album he released - as well as everything he had put out in Spain that you had hunted down on the internet. Your best friend had been able to talk you into entering after about the millionth watching of his winning Eurovision performance. You definitely didn't think you would actually get a call about it though.
“Good, good,” Jack chuckles as he takes his boots off his desk and leans forwards. “I’m tickled pink to inform you that you have won our little contest.” He tells you. “You will be flown out to L.A. to accompany Javi to the Grammys as well as the Universal Music Group after party.” He rambles. “Hotel and your dress will be provided of course.”
"I—"You almost hiccup, the disbelieving laughter coming out of you right away. "Seriously?"
“Now ma’am, my momma would whoop me if I was leadin’ a young lady on.” Jack grins at your reaction, imagining you are about to start dancing. “We do need to be discussin’ some of the particulars. The NDA and the legal-ese stuff the blaster lawyers like to prattle on about.” He hums. “Plus we need to film your ‘official’ win for the announcement. Are you gonna be free next week?”
"I–um–yes, sir, I am." There's no fucking reason in the world to have called him sir, but the cowboy thing just sinks into your brain and the manners pop out by accident. "I work from home and my availability can be made flexible." Having a conventional job for unconventional employers has its benefits.
“Good, that’s good, darlin’.” Jack might get shit for his sometimes seemingly sexist way of speaking, but it’s not often. “I’ve got your information right here in front of me and will be sendin’ you an email.” He promises. “Congratulations.”
"Thank you very much, Mr. Daniels." There, that's more appropriate. It doesn't help that you're nearly vibrating in your chair and about three seconds away from laughing so hard you scream. "I look forward to hearing from you."
“Real soon, darlin’” Jack hangs up the phone and hums, your social media account pulled up and he’s looking at a picture of you. “She’s gonna be perfect.” He predicts with a grin.
As soon as you hang up the phone you're a giggling mess, hugging your cat and giving her all the scratches in the world as she looks at you with distinct concern. Immediately pulling up your best friend’s contact info to call her, you're not taking no for an answer – tonight is going to be takeout and a bottle of wine and celebrating. For a girl who has never won anything before, this is a very big first.
******
Four days later, Jack sighs as he walks down the stairs of the G5 he had flown to your closest airport. Squinting at the light, he’s delighted to find the car waiting for him. The little perks of having an international talent agency often outweighed the long hours and constant ass kissing.
“Thirty minute drive, Mr. Daniels.” The driver tells him when he opens the rear door to let the man climb into the nondescript black SUV. “Not much traffic this time of day.”
“Is there a lot a traffic…ever?” Jack asks, far too used to L.A.’s horrendous traffic in the years he has spent living there. It makes a normal town seem positively quaint.
“People still have to get to and from work.” The driver shrugs and closes the door, only opening his mouth again when he climbs behind the wheel. “Town’s Art Crawl is this weekend, so it’ll get busy fast.”
“Art Crawl?” Jack would normally be on his phone, answering emails but the driver has piqued his curiosity. “What is that?”
“The restaurants and businesses down on the wharf by the theme park all display art by local artists,” the man explains as he heads for the highway. The address he was given is an apartment on Ocean Avenue, so he isn’t worried about finding it. That’s just downtown. “It’s a fundraiser for I-dunno-what. People buy the art and can donate to whatever the cause is at raffles and things. Always brings in the crowds, though.”
Jack hums. “Interesting.”
“Town’s got a lot of good stuff goin’ on.” The driver continues. Having a captive audience suits him. “Just had a big party at town hall for New Years. Community theater is opening a show this weekend. More Art Crawl stuff.”
“Hmmmm.” Jack reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out his phone. Maybe Seymour’s Bay isn’t quite as small town U.S.A as he had imagined it to be. “Sounds like this place has some culture.” He says, opening his mail. “You like Javi G?”
The driver glances in his rear view mirror. He was given a name, a time, and an address and nothing else. Now this guy in a Stetson is asking him about some pretty boy pop singer? “Can’t say I’ve heard much,” he says with a shrug. “That’s the kind of stuff my fifteen-year-old daughter listens to.” 
“He is going to be touring in the U.S. in the next three months.” Jack tells him, glancing up from his email for a moment. “Tickets go on sale next Monday.” If there’s anything that Jack Daniel’s excels at, it’s promoting his clients. Even if it’s to his driver for the day.
“Yeah?” The man makes a huffing sound, like the wheels in his head needed some extra oomph to get moving. “It’s her birthday soon…”
“Nothing better than tickets for her and her two closest friends to see the concert of the year.” He reaches into his pocket and and pulls out a card. “If you want to really impress her, call that number and my secretary can set you up with VIP passes for a fair price. Meet and greets.”
The rest of the car ride passes with some grateful squawking from the driver and the usual questions about what it’s like to work for celebrities, and by the time the man pulls the car up in front of the big brick building on Ocean Avenue that houses a florist shop on street level and an apartment up above, he probably should have talked himself silly. Instead he pulls the back door open with a beaming smile and waits for this client to exit. “This is it,” he says, excited for whatever is happening that he doesn’t know about. But excited nonetheless.
“Thank you.” Jack nods as he looks at the neat, well kept building. He steps out of the back of the vehicle and reaches for his briefcase, filled with the paperwork that would serve as the agreement for the contest.
The agent’s arrival time was listed in the email you got last night, and you have been hustling all week long to make sure that your apartment is spotless for his arrival. Putting way too much thought into everything as usual, there are tons of drink choices in the fridge, an entire painstakingly assembled charcuterie platter to offer, and a box of macarons from the bakery down the street that makes the best sweets in the entire world. Even Pyewacket is behaving, just lazing happily in a patch of sun on the arm of your leather sofa. You’re dressed decently, styled like an actual adult, everything is perfect. So when the buzzer for your door sounds, you take a deep breath before you answer without panicking. “Coming!” You chirp through the speaker and head straight downstairs.
He waits, looking around the street and peers into the shop to see the bouquets that are on display. They are beautiful, someone with a skilled hand put them together. It’s ideal honestly and he can already see how the promo’s for the advertisement for Javi’s tour will go.
When the back door to the building opens and you step out, you have to hold back a small giggle at first. There’s a man in a Stetson with a Burt Reynolds mustache peering in the shop window right beside your beaten up little car and you clear your throat politely. “Mr. Daniels?”
Seeing you in person, it's even better than your social media page. Your smile is bright, almost irresistible. He reaches up and sweeps his hat off his head and smiles his most charming smile while he says your name. "It is surely a pleasure to meet you."
The features that you noticed from a distance are the least consequential as the man turns to greet you and aims a smile at you that’s brighter than the sun. Oh god, he’s handsome… “It’s really nice to meet you, too.” You put your hand out automatically, meaning to be polite, and motion to the shop beside you. “Beautiful, right? My sister does great work.”
"It’s your sister's shop?" He asks, glancing back over to the window and then back to you. When you nod, Jack grins and straightens up. "Fine work," he praises. "Probably better that most shops that I've seen charge a thousand dollars a setting."
“She ships long distance and does all kinds of special arrangements.” You tell him, puffed up with pride for your hardworking big sister. “I have her card upstairs, and you should pop in before you leave town. Bring something back to your wife or whoever’s at home.”
"No wife." He shakes his head and winks at you. "Yet." He doubts he would ever marry, his life not exactly conducive to having a little lady putter around the house. "But I know that I send flowers all the time to clients and associates."
“I’ll make sure you leave with Kate’s card, then.” Nodding toward the building, you can’t avoid the little shiver that wink gave you, as silly as it is. “Would you like to come up?”
"I never turn down a pretty lady inviting me upstairs." Jack hums, enjoying the way you seem to fluster. You will look amazing on Javi's arm at the Grammys but that doesn't mean that he couldn't flirt with you and pay you a compliment or ten.
It’s just one flight of stairs that opens into your little place, but the meowing is immediate when your black cat pops out of nowhere and starts inspecting the new arrival. “Pyewacket, be nice to Mr. Daniels,” you instruct, giving her fur a ruffle on your way through the living room. “Can I offer you a drink? Something to eat?”
Jack eyes the fluffy black cat as if he might get attacked and edges past it. Never been a cat man, although it seems to be staring at him judgmentally. "I'm good with a drink." He accepts with a nod and looks at the small dining room table. "Perhaps we can go over the contracts and disclosures here?" He asks.
“Of course.” After going through the drink options you end up pouring two glasses of iced tea and setting them down on the clean table. “I understand the basics. Don’t talk about private things that I might see or hear, and to make sure I actually show up at the appointed time and place or legal action can be taken against me.”
"Right." Jack grins, reaching into his briefcase to pull out the paperwork. "There's also a little disclaimer that any and all sexual activity happens with consent of both parties." He winks at you again and shrugs. "Just in case."
“I—um—okay, that’s…” You look at him curiously. “Is that…something that happens? With these things?” It would be the first you’ve ever heard of anything like it — but then again there is also an NDA on your table right now. 
"If you and Javi wanted it to." He admits with a small grin. "Animal attraction and all. This just states that neither you nor Javi are required to provide intimate acts and if any transpire that it is of your own free will."
“It seems way more likely that I’ll overhear something, but I get it. You have to protect your client.” And since absolutely fucking nothing is happening without your consent - thank you self defense classes - you nod and pick up a pen. “So what happens? I arrive at some decent but inexpensive hotel, stylist dresses me so I look halfway decent, and I walk down the red carpet with him then get sent back to the hotel? Quick and dirty, as they say?”
Jack snorts and shakes his head. "Oh no." He hums, sending you a cocky smirk. "You will have a suite at the Biltmore Los Angeles and the stylists will be measuring you the day you arrive to make sure the gowns they pull for you to choose from are your size. We have artists come in to do your hair and makeup following a full spa day." 
“Oh.” That’s a hell of a lot more than you expected, and you can’t help but feel a little special and a lot flustered. “That’s a hell of a way to make a girl feel special, Mr. Daniels.”
"This is a once in a lifetime event, darlin'." Jack admits with a charming grin. "Javi's startin' off his U.S. tour with a bang."
“Yeah, I—um…my best friend and I actually pre-ordered our tickets the day the email went out.” You look down into your iced tea sheepishly, but you entered a damn contest for a date. They already know you’re a fan. “Fan Club early access tickets…”
"Fan club, huh?" Jack chuckles and he bites his lip. "Well, we'll just have to upgrade our contest winner to VIP tickets." He decides. "Can't have the woman who goes to the Grammys with Javi G watching his concert from anywhere but front row."
Sure you could demure and say it isn’t necessary, but you’re not at all going to turn down that kind of offer. The nearest big concert venue to you is a decent drive away and you and your best friend had already planned on having to get a hotel room for the night on top of everything else. It is going to be an extra big deal now. “I’m very happy to be extra positive publicity for you,” you tell him instead, knowing that that is probably his biggest and main concern. It doesn’t bother you one bit. 
"Good." He smiles and nods. "Not necessary but we will take all the social media coverage we can get." He does level you a serious look. "Before the winner is announced...you should probably make security changes to your accounts." He warns. "Just in case."
“What do you mean?” The ink is on the page now, your signature on the dotted line of the contract appointing you the winner of the contest, so you sit up to pay attention.
"Sometimes fans can be...invasive." He's sure he doesn't have to tell you about it if you are part of the fan club but he does want to warn you. "Make sure that you aren't getting random DMs and that you accept friends. I'm sure that as soon as it is announced, you will find you have thousands of new followers overnight."
“It will be a very busy weekend, then, I guess.” The email that had been sent to you said the announcement was coming within days of your contract being signed, so that can only be soon. After all, the Grammys are in three weeks. “I’ll change my passwords and privacy settings and all of that. Lock it down. Thanks for the tip.”
"Don't want this experience to be anything but magical." Jack winks again and snaps his fingers. "Oh! Damn near forgot, Javi recorded you a message."
“Oh, that’s—that’s so sweet.” So what if it was in his contract? Or if it was just a thing he would have done for any person who won the contest? It’s still nice.
Nodding, he pulls out his phone and opens up the video. "I'll send it to you, it's going to be posted on the official Javi G tour site after the announcement of your win as well."
The message pops up on your phone right away while you begin to read the NDA, glad to have just a tiny bit of legal knowledge from this and that over time. This one looks nearly identical to one that you signed for a work event some time ago so you sign it without fear. The last piece is the paper listing sexual activity as unattached to the contest and of the own free will of its participants and you shake your head all over again. How many people really just fall into bed with celebrities just because they’re famous? It seems so silly.
Javier Gutierrez, known as Javi G to his fans, pops up on the screen and he flashes the sweet smile that has melted men and women's hearts across Spain and Europe. Now destined to become a major success in the United States. "Buenos dias!" He waves and says your name. "I cannot tell you how I am looking forward to our date." He seemingly speaks to you, making eye contact with the camera. "Perhaps you will make me not so nervous." He chuckles nervously as he says that and continues on. "We will have a wonderful time at the Grammys and who knows?" He shrugs. "You might inspire a new song, cariño." He blows a kiss to the camera. "See you soon."
“He always seems so sweet.” Who knows if it’s a character or not, but even in his little Instagram posts or things like that, he always seems completely earnest and giddy. Like he can’t believe his good luck or something. “Is there anything else I should know? Before the day, I mean?”
"Javi has requested a brunch, or lunch, depending on how hungover the two of you might be." Jack smirks because he knows that is very likely. "Something simple, low key with no social media. His way of thanking you." 
“No dressers for that, I’m assuming?” You tease because it’s in your nature, but you make a mental note to pack your favourite dress to have brunch in. “I can definitely do brunch. Best meal ever invented.”
“L.A. is the city to have it in then.” Jack sweeps up all the signed paperwork and nods. “You will be sent an electronic version of these papers as well. We just like having physical copies.”
“Sure. Makes sense.” Another nod, as you wonder why this agent came all the way out here himself. “Do you…need anything else from me? Clothing sizes, probably?” There had been no request for physical indicators of any kind in the contest entry, so it’s not like he has them on file unless he’s a creeper.
Jack shakes his head. “The stylist will measure you when you land in L.A.” He explains. “Women’s sizes are so varied from brand to brand.”
“Okay.” Nervous again, you shrug your shoulders and take the last sip of your iced tea. “So is that it? I really have no idea how this works. Obviously.”
“Well…yeah.” Jack frowns slightly and picks up his tea again. “The ticket will be sent to you, we are flying you out two days before the Grammys, then back home two days after.” He shrugs slightly. “What questions do ya got for me?”
“Wait, it’s four days?” You almost startle at that news, but manage to shut your mouth after a few seconds. “Okay, uh…what arrangements do I have to make for myself? Hotel for the other nights? Flight home? Obviously you guys aren’t buying my meals or anything.”
Jack frowns. “Darlin’, I’m sorry, I guess you didn’t read the fine print.” He tuts, shaking his head. “Everything is included. There and back. You are not going to pay for a thing. At least I hope the $300 a day spending money for meals is enough.” They had wanted to make this contest as popular as possible, garnering attention and excitement for Javi G’s tour and it seems as though you didn’t even know what you were getting. 
The disbelieving laugh that that news earns him bursts out of you like an explosion and you end up giggling nervously. “I…had had a lot of wine that night,” you admit. “And I never went back to reread the contest information because I didn’t figure there was any chance I would win.”
“Surprise.” He chuckles and tilts his head. “The prize includes first class flights to L.A. and back, the entire stay at the Biltmore and twelve hundred dollars to be spent at your discretion for food. For four days. And the room service in the hotel is included with the room.”
“I’ll grab a city map and a rental car when I land and I’ll be good to go.” Sitting back in your chair, you blow out a breath and laugh again. “This is a hell of a contest, Mr. Daniels. It’s really a very impressive prize.”
He sighs and rolls his eyes. “I knew there was something they forgot.” He hisses, shaking his head. “We will make sure there’s a car at the hotel.”
“Oh no, that’s not—!” You bite your lip and hope you haven’t gotten some poor office lackey in trouble. “It’s very generous of you.”
“Convertible okay?” He wants to make sure he smooths over this oversight so you are happy as a pig in the mud when you post your stories online. “Drive down Hollywood Boulevard Marilyn style?”
Nearly choking on the first sip of a new glass of tea, your eyes go wide when you look up at him again. “I—that car? The broken down piece of crap you were standing next to downstairs? That’s been my car for seven years and she has been that bad the whole time I’ve had her. A convertible is insane.”
“Then the videos you post – safely – of you driving it with the wind blowing through your hair will be spectacular.” Jack winks.
“Very safely.” You can promise him that with your hand on your heart.
“It’s gonna be a great trip, darlin’.” Jack predicts. “Javi’s gonna love you and you’re gonna feel like a star.”
“I’m very excited.” It felt like a dream to begin with, but now all this? It’s incredible. It’s a fairy tale.
“Perfect.” Jack thinks you’re beautiful and if he didn’t have this contest that needed to be fulfilled, he would be hitting on you. “Only three weeks until you will be in L.A. and posing with Javi on the red carpet.”
******
The first two days in LA are like a whirlwind, posting things to your social media in between sending texts back to your best friend and your sister, doing as many touristy things as you can manage and eating some of the best food you've ever had in your life. This city is like nothing you've ever experienced before and you're enjoying every second of it. The day of the Grammys is an all-day spa treatment for you until you head back to your hotel room. Room service is waiting for you there, and the team of stylists arrive very soon after. The army of dresses that they have with them are all so stunning that you can barely get a good look at one before you're sighing over the next, and they are ready and excited to get to work.
“Knock knock.” Javi can hear the chattering and laughter inside as he stands outside the hotel room with his suit. His hair is already carefully styled and the stylist that is working with you right now is going to finish his look here in your room. Jack had wanted candid photos of you and him getting ready together.
"Oh my god." Sitting at the vanity in the hotel room in your robe and slippers, you swear you nearly fall over right in your chair. "It's you!"
“It’s me.” The door had been left open, due to the people coming in and out of your suite, so he pushes the door open and pops his head inside. “Can I come in?”
"O–of course!" Making sure you're covered by your robe, you get up to offer him your hand and find the smile on your face is even broader than you thought it would be. He's even more handsome in person...how is that possible?
The stylist quickly takes the suit from Javi, leaving him free to take your hand and pull you in for a hug. “Are you excited? I am excited. What a thrilling night!” He rambles, squeezing you tight and pulling back to beam at you, “Jack was right, but he always is.” 
"Jack was right you'd be excited?" He smells amazing despite it probably just being soap, and he's so warm that it radiates through you like you're hugging a ball of pure energy in the form of a man. Or maybe the form of a Golden Retriever Man.
“Jack was right that you are even more beautiful than your picture.” Javi corrects with a shy smile.
"I..." What the hell do you even say to that, when it's being said by the most attractive man you've ever seen in real life? "Thank you." Lame. "You're–I mean–you're incredibly sweet." Thank god you stopped yourself before you told him that he is beautiful, too. That would have been a hell of a way to start the night.
Javi frowns slightly as he panics slightly. “I did not mean to offend.” He hastily corrects, biting his lip. “I– I messed it up, didn’t I? Now you are uncomfortable and will not want to attend the Grammys with me.”
"Javi..." Surprising both of you, you reach out and put your hand on his arm. "I got tongue tied. I was about to tell you that you look beautiful instead of saying handsome. It's...you did nothing wrong. I'm just excited and very nervous."
He swallows, taking a deep breath and sighing out softly. “I–I’m sorry.” He apologizes. “Normally I can pretend to be more collected but I am nervous.” He admits.
"It's okay." Both of you end up laughing a little, and you step back to let him further into the room. "We were about to have a great debate over which gown to put me in. Do you want to weigh in?"
“You have not chosen yet?” He is surprised but delighted. “Have you tried any on yet?”
"They took my measurements when I got into the city two days ago and now I get to try stuff on and pretend to be a model." It's completely surreal and you're enjoying every second of it, if you're honest with yourself. The fact that people have whole lives like this is insane.
“You will look incredible.” Javi has no problem slipping into the chair that you had just vacated and he taps his chin as he thinks. “Is there a dress that matches my suit?” He asks the stylist. “Or should we not coordinate?”
The woman tips her head at Javi for a moment before nodding slightly and pulling away to sift through the garment bags that she brought. "We can make your accessories match," she tells him confidently. "You have pearl and gold cufflinks and gold horsebit on velvet loafers. For her," she nods to you while she talks. "I have two velvet gowns. Both will work with gold and pearl accessories." One gown is lush black velvet and the other is seductive red, both in vintage cuts. "How about one of these?"
Javi looks to you for your opinion. You will be wearing the dress after all. “What do you think?” He asks, genuinely wanting your input. “If you would rather something else, that is perfectly fine too.”
"Velvet is great. I'm not upset about that option." You're not upset about any of this, and you step toward the stylist with the dorkiest thumbs up known to man. "Let's try both on and see which one looks better."
Javi chuckles and nods. “That sounds like a perfect plan. Shall we have some champagne?”
Champagne. On Grammy night. With your favourite singer of all time. While you try on designer gowns. If you could go back in time and tell Little You about all this you'd never believe yourself. "Absolutely. Let's do it. You pour and I'll be right back."
Javi knows that the bucket of champagne is going to arrive soon. Jack had assured him that he was ordering one for when you were meeting him. Knowing that some champagne would calm him down.
Disappearing for the time it takes to wiggle into the red dress, you glimpse yourself in the mirror long enough that you almost sigh. It's stunning. Reminiscent of old Hollywood, it fits and flares in all the right places and the back hangs low enough to show off a whole lot of skin. Unfortunately, you note as you step out for Javi to see the dress on you, it's a little hard to walk in because it is so form fitting.
Immediately, Javi frowns when he sees your lips pinched together in concentration. “What is wrong with it?” He asks, leaning forward. It’s stunning, to be sure, but he will not have you uncomfortable for the entire night.
Biting your lip just gives you away even further, and you shrug a little helplessly. "I'm not very good at being elegant, I guess," you have to laugh to not be embarrassed. "It's a little hard to walk in."
Javi nods seriously, his brows pinching together. You look sexy in the dress and he knows it is flattering, but if you aren’t comfortable, it’s not the dress for you. “No.” He decides, shaking his head. “I wish for you to be comfortable.” He flashes a grin with a roll of his eyes. “As comfortable as you can get in a formal dress.”
The horror stories of being sewn into red carpet gowns, not being able to breathe, or walking in one specific way all night are thankfully not in your future, and you smile gratefully. “Okay. I’ll put on the other one. Be right back.”
“It is beautiful though!” Javi calls after you, watching you toddle out of the room into the bedroom of your suite.
He’s right, obviously. It’s a stunning gown and gorgeously made, but the one and only time you ever walk a red carpet is not going to be a night you have to hold your breath and tiptoe in order to exist. The black velvet dress is slightly shorter, the silhouette is much more comfortable, and the intricate pattern in the material is accented by an off-the -shoulder neckline that makes you feel elegant without being too exposed. It’s perfect, and you know the second you walk out that the difference is immediate.
Javi sits up straight in his chair, captivated by both the dress on your body and the shy smile that lights up your face. You feel good in this dress and that makes you even more stunning. “Estás preciosa. Impresionante.” He murmurs as he stands. “Yes, this is – it is beautiful.”
“It’s so comfortable,” you barely stifle a giggle, gleeful and unable to really wrap your head around your own good luck. “You, um…you like it?” As surreal as it is to have this monumentally talented international star sitting there gauging your appearance in red carpet fashion, you don’t feel as nervous as you thought you would. As you did right when he came in. He just had such a positive energy about him that it puts you right at ease.
“It’s is perfect, no?” Javi bobbles his head enthusiastically as he looks at the stylist for some back up. “She looks like she is a celebrity herself.”
“She will be after tonight.” The stylist hums her approval. “Sit down, honey. Have a drink, chat, whatever you like. Just don’t move your head a lot while we’re putting your look together, okay?” 
“Drink. Chat. Don’t move,” you laugh lightly at the directions and sit back down again, delighting when Javi himself hands you a glass of champagne. The last two days have been surreal, and this has just leveled up to crazy.
“It is easy to do once you remember not to look at everyone.” Javi assures you, sitting down in the chair that has been set up next to yours for last minute touch ups. It will allow him to chat with you and get to know you before the red carpet. “Are you looking forward to the awards?”
“Yeah, absolutely!” It’s such a once in a lifetime chance for you, what’s not to love? “I have no idea what to really expect, though.” A laugh comes easily but you have to remind yourself not to shrug. “I watch it on TV like most other people, but I have a feeling that a lot of stuff happens that isn’t shown on the broadcast.”
“We will find out together.” Javi admits with a giddy grin. It will be his first American Grammy Awards show and he is looking forward to it. “But we will have fun. I am sure of it.”
“We absolutely will.” Looking at him in the mirror as the stylists go to work on both of you, the whole thing is just…it’s perfect. It’s the story you’ll tell for the rest of your life. That time you reached Peak Awesome by winning a contest.
“And then we have the after parties.” He chuckles with an excited grin. “Sharing a drink with all my favorite artists.”
“Are we supposed to go to certain ones?” You had re-read the contract and contest rules over the last few weeks and there was a lot you had missed in your wine haze when you had entered.
“We will make an appearance for Jack. The main party….” He snaps his fingers, unable to think of the name. “Then we can choose where we would go.”
“Universal Music Group.” You remember that one, considering it’s such a big deal. “Jack did a really amazing job setting all of this up.”
“Jack is wonderful at everything he does.” Javi assures you with a small smile. “He has guaranteed my success in the States.”
“Well,” the smile you aim at him in the mirror is shy. “I already have my ticket for the tour. Jack, um…upgraded it. To VIP. So tonight won’t be the only time you see me, it seems.”
“Wonderful!” Javi lights up happily. “I might have to pull you up on stage with me.” He teases with a small wink. “Croon a few songs while you are there and make everyone in the stadium jealous.”
This man just does not do things by half, does he? It makes you wish you had about three more glasses of champagne to justify this bubbly feeling. “Well…he also put me and my best friend in the front row…so if you wanted to, we’ll be right there.”
“Your best friend? Is she a fan as well?” He asks, his eyes wide and sincere. “Or are you dragging her along for someone to attend with you?”
“She’s a fan, too.” You assure him, watching in the mirror as the stylist carefully sets the curls in his hair. “We watch Eurovision together every year, and the first time you performed for Spain…three years ago? You absolutely should have won, by the way, but we’ve both been fans ever since.”
“Thank you.” Javi still has a hard time accepting compliments, even as long as he has been performing, so a blush darkens his tanned features. “I am grateful that you think so. That is what matters to me, people enjoy my music.”
"There are a lot of us out there." If you thought he was sweet before, now you just want to wrap him up in cuddles and protect him with everything you've got. He's just a nice man who wants people to connect to him, and he's so endearing that it makes you ache. "You have a huge community of fans out there. All over the world."
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” He ducks his head, causing his stylist to huff and remind him about staying still. “Oh! Sorry.” He catches your eyes in the mirror and winces, although he is grinning slightly.
"I promise, you do." Considering you're a member of that community, you would know. But either way, you beam his smile back at him in the mirror. "There are a lot of people in the States who are very excited to see you come over here. It's going to be great."
“I hope so.” He gushes. “I have always dreamed of coming over to American music billboards. ‘Crossing over’.”
His excitement is so sweet and pure, and you can't help the way your smile spreads and spreads the more you talk to him. "I don't know anything about distribution or profits or tours or any of that. But as a fan? There are so many of us who are so excited about this. I think it's going to go really well for you."
“Fingers crossed as the saying goes.” Javi is grateful that you seem to be such an encouraging person and his eyes light up. “We should call your friend!”
"Would you mind it?" Your phone is out on the vanity in front of you and you had thirty seconds worth of forethought this morning to change your lockscreen from a picture of Javi to one of you and your friend and your sister in her florist shop so that when he nods and you pick up your phone it isn't a cringeworthy moment.
“Not at all. You should FaceTime her!” He insists, eyes sparkling with the excitement of surprising your friend.
"Her name is Esme." You're practically giggling as you tap your phone screen, and grateful when the stylists move him slightly closer to you while they work so that you can both be seen in the small screen. "She's going to absolutely lose her mind. So...just be warned."
“That is okay.” He grins as he leans over a bit more to smoosh his face next to yours in the screen as you try to connect to your friend.
The phone rings twice before she picks up, but Esme is currently cat sitting for you and it's Pyewacket's face that greets you instead of your best friend's. "Hey Pye!" You coo at your cat, who looks confused as hell to see you in a little window instead of all in front of her. "Es...put the cat down and say hello," you giggle, still making faces at your cat.
“Aren’t you calling for a Pye check in?” Esme laughs as the feline jumps down and she turns the camera towards her face. “So how is it–” Her eyes widen and she starts to squeal. “OH MY GOD, Oh my god! Javi G!”
"I'm calling to say hi," you cackle, nearly keeling over in your chair to the dismay of your stylist. "Javi thought we should give you a call."
“Oh my god, oh my god, hiiiiiiiiiii.” She gasps out, nearly about to pass out from not taking a breath yet. “I can’t believe that I’m talking to you!”
"I told you," you smirk to the man beside you, but it's all good natured. Everyone deserves a little love and encouragement, right? His just comes from fans. "Es, you have to breathe, babe," you remind her over the camera.
“I’m so sorry.” She looks stricken for a moment. Embarrassed that she might be embarrassing Javi G. 
“Hello.” Javi finally has a moment to speak and he smiles indulgently into the camera. “Do not be sorry. I am happy to meet you Esme. You have a beautiful name.”
“Y-you’re beautiful,” she giggles, like she isn’t a grown ass woman of thirty. “I mean— ah, my friend is the smart one. I’m okay with that. You’re meeting her, she’s the smart one.” 
“Oh, you’re going to lose it even harder at the concert in a couple of months,” you can’t help but laugh, really. Esme wears her heart on her sleeve and doesn’t apologize for it.
“I will send your friend home with an autograph for you. Is that okay?” Javi asks, raising his brows in question.
“That would be amazing!” Esme squeaks. She would be clapping her hands with glee if she didn’t also have to be holding up her phone. “I’m gonna record the whole thing on your DVR tonight, babe,” she promises you eagerly. “You’ll have it to watch over and over.”
“I will talk to you again before she leaves.” Javi promises before kissing his hand. “Ciao Esme!” He knows they can’t keep talking, needing to finish getting ready and there needs to be behind the scenes photos taken. 
“I love you, honey, I’ll call you later!” You promise her before having to end the call. The clock is ticking and it’s almost time to go. “That was incredibly sweet of you. I know she’ll never forget that in a million years.”
“It was a small thing.” He shrugs one shoulder and gives you an embarrassed grin. “We will have to call during brunch so you can talk longer.”
“Jack said the brunch was your idea?” You ask, setting your phone back on the vanity. “I think it’s absolutely perfect. Brunch is absolutely my favorite meal.”
“I figured that even though the Grammys are exciting, we won’t get a lot of time to talk.” Javi reasons. “But brunch? Brunch is perfect for talking.”
As if to prove his point, the stylists move over to do a full face of makeup on you and just a few small touches on him - bits of eyeliner and glitter that the naked eye would hardly perceive but that enhances his look so much.
Javi grins in the mirror as you open your mouth so the lipstick can be painted on the interior of them far beyond what women normally do. “It should withstand any eating or drinking,” the stylist tells you when she is done, and she puts the tube down next to your phone. “But keep it with you for touch ups just in case.”
“I am glad I do not have to wear that.” Javi hums.
“It’s not so bad.” Lipstick always feels glamorous to you, adding to that elegant celebrity vibe that tonight is giving you, especially after spending all day at the spa. “Besides,” you grin and it wrinkles your nose. “You have more glitter on than I do.”
“To make me sparkle on camera.” He rolls his eyes but he knows the effect will look good on film.
“It’s cute,” you promise him easily. The jewelry and accessories have come out now – the very last thing before you are ready to get into the car to head to the red carpet.
Javi stands and smiles at you. "Now I must put on my own suit to match your beauty."
The whole thing takes less time than you would think, but by the time you’re ready to take pre-show pictures the stylist who is snapping them for you is making silly jokes about adult prom while he does his tie and you check your purse one last time to make sure you have everything. The night is going to be absolutely incredible and you’re starting to vibrate with excitement.
"I must confess." He takes your hand and leans close. "I have been so nervous for tonight that I have not eaten anything." He whispers. "Have you?"
“I’m the opposite.” His hands seem almost twice the size of yours, enveloping yours and keeping you close. “I’ve been nibbling all day to try to take my mind off being nervous.”
"So you would not want a pit stop by In & Out?" He asks, almost pouting at the idea. "I have a wish for their fries and American Coke."
“Well, I think we have to.” You’ve been nibbling today, picking at fruit and cheese, charcuterie and spiced nuts at the spa. As much tea as you could drink. The room service tray was delicious but definitely picked over. But fast food with a pop star is way better than some of the things you had on your proverbial Bingo card for tonight. “I’ve never had In & Out. We don’t have them where I’m from.”
"We can have the driver swing through the drive through on the way." He grins mischievously and nods. "We can experience it together."
“It will make a very silly story in an interview one day. I think it’s an excellent idea.” His phone goes off on the table again, flashing as it sits beside yours, and you see Jack’s name pop up on the screen. “I think you might have some instructions, or hopefully some encouragements, incoming.”
Javi picks up his phone, his face lighting up when he hears his agent's voice. “Rey,” he hums, grinning at you as he speaks. “We are just about to leave.”
“Está bien, zorro.” Jack’s voice on the other end is pleased and honeyed. “Y’all got everythin’ you need? Clothes fit, stylists done their duty? Car should be downstairs waiting for you.”
“Sí.” Javi bobble his head even if Jack cannot see him. His hand reaches up for the necklace around his neck. “We have already taken some pictures, rey. They are fantastico. She is more beautiful that I imagined.”
“I knew you’d like her.” Jack seems satisfied at the choice, and his voice pitches low for a moment. “Now you two behave and I’ll see you at the party. Buena suerte esta noche.” Good luck tonight.
“Sí.” He hums warmly, smiling as he pulls the phone away to look back at you. “Jack will be joining us at the party.”
“Then we better make sure we have fun before that.” Boldly putting out your hand to him, you nod to the door of the suite. “So we can have plenty to tell him.”
He takes your hand and grins. “Are you enjoying your prize so far?”
“It’s absolutely amazing.” And why does holding his hand feel like the sweetest, giddiest thing in the world? Esme’s going to be hearing about this forever, she really is. You could just melt over it. “I still have two more days here after tonight and I just…it’s more than I ever thought it could be. Going home is going to be such a bummer.”
"Where are you from?" Jack had told him the town, but he couldn't remember off the top of his head. You both are out the door and striding down the hallway with the stylists snapping photos of you. Jack probably told them to do that.
“Seymour’s Bay, New Jersey.” It’s a small town that almost no one has ever heard of, and you shrug a little. “We’re a ninety minute drive from New York City, and we have an old style amusement park. Those are about the only notable things from my town.”
"I see." He nods and once you are on the elevator, he squeezes your hand. "So what do you do, Belleza?"
“It’s…kind of weird.” You admit, feeling very schoolgirl in your beautiful dress while the man of your dreams holds your hands on the way to a very fancy party. “I’m a researcher for a podcast. True crime, a lot of history, some supernatural stuff. Sometimes we talk about movies made about true events and what they got right or wrong. It’s basically me and my cat and a whole lot of books.” 
"Interesting." Javi doesn't think it's weird, but he frowns slightly. "Do you do the podcast? Or do you just research for it?"
"I research for it." The frown makes you certain that you've completely weirded him out or made him uncomfortable, and you shrug again. "I studied to be a librarian, but through a series of random events, I ended up becoming a researcher instead. My bosses are great, though, and I can work from home. So it's way better than a lot of other jobs based on just that."
"That is unfortunate." Javi shakes his head. "I think you would be good at the podcast." He smiles. "You have a beautiful voice and I was hoping I could listen to you sometime."
"Anytime you want to hear it, you just give me a call," you joke, never thinking for a million years that he would actually do such a thing.
Javi nods seriously, making a note to himself that he needs to have Jack give him your number. The elevator starts to slow down and he sighs, squeezing your still joined hands. "The car should already be waiting for us."
It is, just as Jack had promised, and the crowd of fans and paparazzi outside that had gotten wind of where he would be are held at bay as you and Javi are ushered quickly into the backseat. More luxurious than any sedan but not quite a limousine, you're glad all over again to be wearing the less cumbersome dress of what you tried on. There is plenty of room to stretch out and be comfortable as the driver pulls quickly away from the hotel entrance.
"I didn't think that there would be so many outside." His eyes widen and he looks back at the crowd that gathered and was still snapping pics as you drive away. "That's crazy."
"Some members of your fandom are...a little more zealous than others." No one was overtly rude or acted out or anything like that, which was fortunate, but it's a very good thing that the car's windows are tinted. The further you get from the group, the harder it will be to pick out your nondescript car from all the other black cars with tinted windows in LA.
Javi scoots forward so he can tap on the the divider between the driver and the you. When the window rolls down, he shoots the driver a grin. "Can we stop by In & Out?" He asks. "We want to grab some food and drinks before the red carpet."
The driver chuckles, obviously having heard this request before, and he nods. "Sure thing, Mr. Gutierrez. There's also some drinks in the cooler built into the seat between you, if you want them. Not sure what Mr. Daniels put in."
"I'm sure Jack put in all my favorites." He grins and nods before he sits back. "Jack stocked the drink cooler in here." He tells you before he reaches for the pull down for the seat.
"He seems to think of everything." When Javi pulls the cooler open there are half bottles of Spanish cava from a vineyard on his home island along with a plethora of canned cocktails in every flavour imaginable and, of course, water bottles. You have to admit to being impressed. Jack seems to be an incredibly thorough man. And that thought turns dirty very quickly.
"He does." Javi nods as he pulls out a bottle of the cava and starts to twist to the wire off the cork to open it. "Shall we share a drink before our fries?" He offers.
"Wine and French fries is actually a combination I've done before," you roll your eyes at yourself. "Because I'm clearly the classiest person you know. But yes, absolutely let's celebrate."
"Cava and papas fritas are a match made in Heaven." Javi insists, popping open the bottle and taking a swig directly from it before offering it to you. "I can open your own if you do not wish to share."
"I'm not fussy." He's charmingly normal, and yet also you don't think you've ever met anyone like him before in your life. He is simultaneously vibrating like an overexcited chihuahua and as laid back as any housecat. When he offers you the bottle you take it, enjoying the heady buzz of more bubbly in your system. Nowhere near even tipsy, you're simply relaxed.
"I must confess." He turns towards you with an earnest expression and leans in close. "I am surprised by how normal you are." His eyes widen, realizing how horrible that sounds. "I mean, how normal you are taking all of this" He rushes out, cursing himself for insulting you. "I would be about to jump out of my skin and you are so cool and composed."
"It's partly the bubbly," you admit with a guilty grin. "But..." Pressing your lips together when you move the bottle away from them makes you look even guiltier, but you can't help it. "I'm just trying really really hard not to weird you out. Like Esme's reaction when we called? I've been doing that on the inside for the entire time."
"Do you want to know a secret?" Javi asks, his eyes widening and he leans in closer to you.
"Very much." And you will keep it secret and safe for as long as you live, just glad to have these memories to hold on to.
"I feel like that all the time." His eyes widen in seriousness and he bites his lip. "I am always anxiously bouncing off the walls and wondering if everyone around me thinks I am crazy."
"How many people have ever referred to you as a puppy to your face?" You ask with a grin, knowing that the majority of the American fandom refers to him as a 'golden retriever boyfriend' with maximum affection. His brow furrows in confusion and he tilts his head to the side as he looks at you. Trying to figure out what you mean by that. "It means you're excitable and sweet and you have really positive energy." The last thing you want is for him to think that you're covertly taking a dig at him or something, because it's completely the opposite. "Your happiness is infectious."
"Oh." Javi nods as he smiles at you, understanding what you are saying now. "Then it is a good thing."
"It absolutely is." You would never have said it otherwise, but you feel a little hazy from how close he is. His presence really is intoxicating.
"I look like a puppy, hm?" He asks, leaning in a little more. "A cute puppy?"
It's criminal the way your heart leaps in your chest, but you're flustering before you can even blink. "I think the agreed upon term is...'Golden Retriever Boyfriend'," you admit sheepishly.
"Golden...Retriever...boyfriend..." He says it slowly, letting the words roll on his tongue. Biting his lip again as he thinks about the nickname that he is apparently known by. "Do a lot of people call me that?"
"I–" You could lie. You could. Or play it off. But you just sort of giggle as he passes the bottle back to you to sip from again. "...yeah. At least, in America they do."
"Maybe I should get a dog." He thinks with a grin. "They have such loving little faces and always love you."
"You should do what makes you happy." It's good advice that you can never seem to follow for yourself, but he absolutely deserves all the good things in the world.
"Do you have any pets?" He asks, feeling the car slow down and turn. He looks out the window and grins when he sees the iconic sign for the west coast fast food joint. 
"The cat in the phone call?" You grin at the excited look on his face. "She's mine. Pyewacket...like the cat from Bell, Book, and Candle."
"Ohhhh, she was pretty." He nods, grinning. "Sleek looking, have you had her long?"
"She's two now and I've had her since she was twelve weeks old." That beautiful black cat is your favourite roommate and only child, and you love having her. "Someday maybe I'll get her a puppy sibling. But the apartment I live in is a little too small for that right now."
"Mr. G." The driver clears his throat. "We are nearing the window. "What would you and your guest like to eat?" He asks politely.
The two of you collaborate on an order in the backseat just in time for the driver to order at the speaker, and only a few minutes later you have a bag between you and Javi's craving for American Coke is being fulfilled. "Should have enough of a drive to enjoy your snack before we get there," the driver tells you, fully amused before he puts up the separator again.
"I'm so excited." Javi confesses, even as he starts opening napkins to start draping over your lap to protect your dress. "I have heard so many good things about this and have not had time to try it before now."
"Are you that busy getting ready for your tour?" It must be an immense amount of work, but you don't really have any bearing on what goes into it. Not really.
"Rehearsals are normally fifteen hour days." He admits with a rueful grin. "Another reason I have been looking forward to the Grammys. It's a break."
"Fifteen?" That sounds like torture, and you immediately offer him some French fries like an apology. "Please tell me you have all kinds of people whose literal job it is to take care of you, because that's insane."
"Jack makes sure that I am well rested." He assures you, smiling at how thoughtful you are to worry about him. "It will get better. Hard work now to insure that the tour is perfect."
"It will be perfect." Of that you have no doubt. He's an amazing performer with incredible talent and dedication. "And I'm glad you have someone to look out for you. I know...people always say that being famous is lonely, and you're too sweet for that."
"It– it can be lonely." He admits, frowning slightly and reaching for his Coke to take a sip of it. "I do not have many friends." He shouldn't admit this to you. Opening up too much, you could tell people even though there is a NDA that protects him.
"Well that's shitty." Turning to face him completely in the back of the car, you decide that the frown on his face is completely unacceptable and you shake your head. "You have one more. If you want to, I mean. You want to talk to somebody, or vent about your day, or whatever, you just drop me a line, okay? And if you ever want to see the lamest town in New Jersey sometime, I'll take you to the broken-down amusement park for the probably-unsafe rides and rigged carnival games."
"Really?" He asks, surprised by the offer. People often want to be close to him, to get things from him, but it's never an offer to just listen. "That is– that is very nice of you." He chokes out, emotional from the gesture.
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." In a moment that might qualify as juvenile if it didn't feel so honest and pure, you stick out your pinky finger to him and grin. "Pinky promise. Jack has my number and my email, but I'll give it all to you at brunch tomorrow if you really want it. Friends shouldn't be hard to come by for somebody as nice as you are."
His grin lights up his face and he eagerly hooks his finger around yours. "I know it seems silly to not have friends." He admits. "My family kept me isolated. Practicing to become famous was more important than friends."
"My family put pressure on me in other ways. And I know I don't have any kind of demanding career like you do, but I get it. When they decide they know what's best for you they never let go." Squeezing his finger gently in yours, the two of you are back to your snack in no time. "I do shifts in my sister's flower shop to keep them quiet. The whole family are all florists except me."
"Florists?" His brows shoot up and he hums. "They create beauty and they can't understand why it doesn't fulfill you."
"I am...not very artistic," you admit, picking up another French fry. It's official. In & Out is amazing. "I can appreciate beauty, and music, and art, and theater, and all of it. But I'm not good at making it myself. So sometimes I run the cash register for my sister on busy days or help with shipments. But arrangements? Esme and Kate do all that."
"There is nothing wrong with that." He shoves some fries into his mouth and follows it up immediately with a sip of Coke, moaning at the taste of it combined. "You have to have a sip of Coke with your fries."
It's not exotic for you at all, but he is so excited that you lean over and accept a sip of Coke without a second thought. There really is something so fantastically satisfying about simple, greasy fast food while you're all dressed up that is so much fun. "So are you right back to rehearsals tomorrow after brunch, or do you still have time to relax?"
"I will start back rehearsals next week." He tells you with a grin. "The last week before the tour starts. They don't want me to be too tired at the start of the tour." One more week of practice and then the last week before the kickoff will be spent relaxing. 
"So you have time to relax and enjoy yourself." That makes you nod with authority you definitely don't have. "Good. You should do things with your time that make you happy. Collect lots of memories. You never know where inspiration can strike, right?"
"I am hoping to." He smiles although there is a hint of secrecy in the curve of his lips as he says it. "There are a lot of things that I wish to experience. Especially if I am going to make the move to America permanent."
"Are you?" That rumor hasn't even hit the most in the know members of the fandom as far as you can tell, and you make the motion of an ‘x’ over your chest. "I signed the NDA, Javi. I won't say a word, I swear. But that's so exciting!"
He flushes again, realizing he has misspoken and yet with your hand reaching out to take his, he relaxes slightly. "I shouldn't have said that, but I'm glad someone knows." He admits, knowing that only his people, Jack, know of his plans.
“And hey.” You squeeze his hand gently, a moron he seems to find reassuring. “Even if I hadn’t signed it? We’re friends now. Friends get excited and keep secrets for each other. It’s part of the deal.”
"Thank you." The last few fries are gone quickly and he carefully starts to wipe his fingers free of salt and grease before he checks his suit for any dropped grains.
“Here.” There’s just a few specks of salt on his lapel but you lift them off in the curve of one of the fake nails that the manicurist at the salon gave you earlier today. “There.” There is no stain or mark left behind. No one would ever know you’ve been naughty. “Perfect.”
“Thank you.” He smiles, reaching up to brush a fry crumb from the corner of your lip. “You still look beautiful. And that was delicious.”
“I should check my lipstick, since it’s the one thing the stylists sent with me.” Having him call you beautiful makes you shy. You’re just a normal girl from a normal little town. Not someone Javi G should be calling beautiful.
“Yes.” Javi nods seriously and picks up your purse to hand you, “I will hold anything you need.”
The ride took less time than you thought, and you’re putting away your lipstick and mirror as the car enters the line to deposit you and Javi on the red carpet. “Don’t be nervous,” you encourage, taking his hand briefly. “You’re going to be amazing. I know it.”
"It is show time." He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment. Clinging to your hand when you try to pull it away and flashes you an apologetic grin when the moment passes. "Sorry." He hums.
“Sorry.” You instinctively apologize at the same time, and the two of you end up feeling silly but thankfully not too awkward. “If you need to grab my hand on the carpet, go for it,” you tell him, right before the car door opens. You’re not going to be mad if there is a picture out there in the world of him sweetly holding onto you for support. Just a nice man being nice to his fan.
Javi slides out of the SUV, adopting a charming smile and lifting an arm and waving to the first wave of fans and photographers, buttoning his jacket and turning to help you out of the car. While there are porters to help guests out of the cars but he wants to do it himself. Flashing you a smile as he reaches for your hand.
What you see on tv is so different from what is happening the second that Javi helps you out of the car. It’s so much louder than you expected and with so many more people everywhere. Red carpet interviews and photos give you the impression that things are all very organized and to some degree they are, but there are far more people milling about than you ever would have guessed. The two of you are ferried into a sort of arrivals line - as you make it down the carpet there will be certain places to stop for photo ops and for interviews, and there are handlers to make sure that you go where you need to. But the sheer scale of the event is so much greater than you had ever thought watching it from home.
"Here we go." Javi murmurs under his breath as he smiles and starts to wave again. It's big and loud and reminds him of stadium tours while he was in Europe. You are new to this and he keeps your hand curled around his and when he drops his hand down, he pats your hand and looks at you. "Are you okay?"
“I’m great,” you admit, thoroughly surprising both of you. The whole thing is massively exciting and you’re just soaking it up. “How are you doing? Nerves okay?”
Surprisingly good. He is normally way more nervous about things like this but you are calming him down with your down to earth friendliness and happiness. "I'm good." He insists with a smile, leaning in and kissing your cheek before his hand drifts up to touch his necklace again.
The crowd apparently loves this moment, fans nearby cheering loudly to see something so sweet in front of them. “They’re loving every second of you,” you promise him, grinning from ear to ear.
He smiles shyly, biting his lip as he looks at you soulfully. "I should have asked if that was okay." He murmurs, hoping you didn't mind it too bad.
“More than okay.” Hell, for all you care the guy can stick his tongue down your throat in the middle of the red carpet. Fuck…that’s a thought that is going to fester…
He smiles and nods, kissing your cheek again and this time he doesn't flush when he pulls back. The permission gives him confidence and he sends you a small wink before an event coordinator comes over to guide you down the carpet.
For the first real time tonight, that sheet of paper you signed concerning the possibility of sex pops back into your mind. Not because a kiss on the cheek is inherently sexual but because the nearness of him is so intoxicating.
The first few stops fly by. Charming and vivacious, Javi manages to win them over with a smile and his enthusiastic love of everything American and the joy of being here. He displays you just as much as he can, gushing over how he is enjoying being here with you and pushing you to talk as well.
The first reporter to not know anything about the contest is the first one to ask him to introduce his girlfriend to the world. He looks eager to hear all about it, thinking he might be getting a scoop, but despite the hand holding you both shake your head politely.
"She is my date." Javi clarifies, leaning in. "But she is beautiful, no?" He asks, looking back at you. "Won a contest and inspired the next song. I swear."
“I’ll be very excited to hear that song when it comes out.” He surely doesn’t mean it, but it’s still a nice thought to have. “I’m honestly just having the best time in the world.”
"We are planning to make sure we enjoy everything." Javi beams, happy you are enjoying yourself and he hopes that you mean that. You are inspiring his next song. He's already come up with the hook in his head and actually cannot wait to jot it down.
“What kind of everything are you enjoying?” Disappointed to not have unearthed gossip, the reporter digs for more. You’re clearly smitten, even if you are just a fan.
“The show, the parties after.” Javi flashes you a grin. “Tomorrow, we will nurse our hangovers with a delicious west coast brunch.”
“You’ll never want to leave LA after this.” The man chuckles to you, and you can’t shrug or risk looking weird. 
“I already don’t want to leave,” you admit with a blinding smile. This moment is supposed to be for you and yet all you want to do is make it good for Javi. He chuckles and the two of you move down to the next reporter. Smiling as he grips your hand tightly. “He wanted us to give something away so badly,” you grin guiltily.
“He did. Secret relationships are always titillating.” Javi hums, reaching up and touching his necklace again to calm himself.
“Too bad for them.” Still holding his hand, You flash him the same smile that you had the reporter to hopefully reassure him. “Everything’s going great.”
“Let me know if that changes.” He asks softly, wanting you to enjoy this entire experience. “Although they are going to be jealous of me standing beside someone as beautiful as you are.”
"When you write your song, put that in the lyrics," you tease affectionately. "It will be my favorite forever."
“I will.” Javi nods seriously. “The hook is already written. ‘No star shines as bright as your smile’” He sings softly.
"I—I thought you were just...saying that." The flash of a camera isn't as dramatic as a wasted bulb anymore, but there is now one photographer in the world with an picture of you looking at Javi with soft astonishment written all over your expressive face. "It's...it's beautiful," you murmur back, feeling your cheeks heat up so much you might become your own sun.
“You are beautiful.” Javi counters, unraveling your hand from his arm to kiss the back of it. “Inspiration struck, thanks to you.”
******
If he was enjoying himself before the awards, Javi is ecstatic afterward and you are powerless but to roll along with his excitement at the afterparty. His award for Best Global Performance will be delivered to his LA residence and the adrenaline from his win might never wear off. Happiness looks so well on him, though, and he's all but glowing when you walk into the party together.
"I can't believe I won!" He gushes for about the five thousandth time. It's incredible and he's nearly overwhelmed with how many people, famous artists, came up to congratulate him. "Can you believe that I won?"
"I absolutely can," you assure him just like every time before. He's a brilliant entertainer and it isn't the first award he's ever won, but his desire to break America means that winning a Grammy holds enormous importance for him. "You more than deserve it."
"Is that..." His eyes widen and he cranes his neck over the crowd and then ducks down and around The Weeknd to see better. "Is that Gloria Estefan?" He asks in a near reverent whisper. "Oh my god, it is." He hisses, looking back at you almost panicked. "It's Gloria Estefan!"
"You should say hello." He is very near to a kid in a candy store at this party, and while you are just sort of absorbing the glitz, glimmering chaos around the top of you, he has transformed into a fanboy. It's actually reassuring to see – the way he is acting on the outside is very much how you felt on the inside when he walked into your suite tonight.
"No!" He shakes his head and straightens up, looking back at you like you had suggested he spit in her drink. "I could not possibly. She is...she is iconic. I cannot bother her."
"Did it bother you to meet me?" The question is posed as entirely theoretical, and the hint of a smile on your lips tells him you aren't judging him in the least. "Having someone who admires you tell you that you mean something to them is wonderful, Javi. Don't be afraid."
Javi shakes his head, still too starstruck and he looks back at you, “Maybe after a drink, sí?” He asks, raising his brows at you.
"Well, let's get you a drink, then." There are waiters passing by with trays in every direction and a full bar against the far wall, so getting him whatever drink he wants will not be a problem whatsoever.
“How do you feel? Are you still having fun?” He asks, wanting to make sure that he’s not boring you or you wish you were back in your suite.
"The answer to that will always be yes," you promise him. The two of you have gotten used to walking hand in hand tonight, and now it is natural to put your hand in his as you walk to the bar. "What are we drinking to celebrate your victory?"
“Tell me your favorite drink.” He begs, turning those puppy dog eyes as you call them on you and smiles.
"Usually just wine," you admit, albeit a little sheepishly. "Sparkling or even sangria if there's a party. "But I am absolutely open to trying anything." A rule which goes for more than just cocktails, but he doesn't really need to know that.
“Should we try some of the signature cocktails?” He asks, pointing to the placard with a list of yummy sounding drinks. “Jack should be here soon.”
“Absolutely.” The only way to survive winning this contest has been to go with the flow, so you’re just going to roll with that a while longer. People are already starting to drink and dance, catching snacks from passing trays of hors d’oeuvres or from the long buffet of sumptuous offerings along the wall adjacent to the bar. Tables for chatting and resting sit ready but most people seem ready to party. At the bar, a half dozen specialty cocktails are listed with cheeky names and full descriptions. Some are fruity, some are smokey, some sound downright dangerous. It’s all a matter of taste.
"Award Winning Whiskey Sour." Javi decides, looking at the menu. "I think I will start with that." He looks over at you and waits for your decision.
“The Sweet Victory Raspberry Limoncello Cooler sounds like my speed,” you decide with a grin. An open bar with a reason to celebrate always means trying something wonderful.
"Then that's what you will have." He winks at you and darts off to grab the drinks. It doesn't matter that he is the award winner, he is going to treat you like the star since you are with him.
“Javi!” There is a crowd forming and you end up losing the fast-moving Spaniard in the thick of it, but you just laugh and hang back. You’ll stay where you are and he will find you again. In the meantime, this party is incredible and a few covert pictures won’t hurt anything.
At the bar, Javi orders the drinks, smiling at the bartender and he reaches up to touch his necklace as he looks around the crowd, searching for a Stetson.
“Lookin’ for somebody?” Jack’s voice comes from behind his left shoulder, the warm smirk of amusement evident in his honeyed tone.
"Jack!" Javi lights up again, delighted to see him and he lunges forward to hug his agent. "Can you believe I won?" He knows that Jack had kept tabs on the awards ceremony, even if he had been working while he was watching so he could attend the party.
"Of course I can believe it." He had no doubts about it, but he's glad to see Javi happy. Jack pats his star on the back and looks around before raising an eyebrow at Javi. "Where'd our girl get off to? Run away to powder her nose?"
"I left her..." Javi bites his lip and looks around the crowd before he spots you. "Just there." The bartender brings over the drinks and Javi shoves a generous bill into the man's hands. "Can we also get a glass of whiskey?" He asks, nodding towards Jack. "For my friend."
"Enjoying your night?" Jack asks him, honestly wondering if the sweet shows of companionship he saw during the broadcast were real or if Javi was learning how to charm Americans along with everyone else in the world.
"She is wonderful." Javi confides with a small grin, leaning in closely. "Just like you said she would be. I like her, rey. I really like her."
"I thought you would." That news pleases Jack, who presses a bill into the bartender's hand when he comes back with his whiskey. "She signed on the dotted line, ya know," he reminds Javi under his breath. "Could be a well-deserved way to celebrate."
"Does she know?" Javi asks under his breath, reaching up and touching his necklace again. "What that entails?"
"Not yet." Jack shakes his head and picks up his drink, holding it to his lips a moment and considering the next course of action before he drinks. "If you'd like to tell her, we can. But I'd say let's see how she dances before we go invitin' her to the rodeo."
"No." Jack's idea makes sense and Javi nods. "I want to see her dance. Plus I need to deliver her drink."
"Then lead the way, zorro," Jack murmurs quietly, a smirk gracing his lips.
Javi smiles as he moves through the crowd of people, nodding and slightly awestruck by some of the people who greet him by name. He doesn't stop, eager to get back to you with the drinks and with Jack.
You get one more discreet picture in on your phone before you see Javi reappear with a distinct Stetson-wearing mustachioed cowboy behind him, and you quickly pull up your text messages to fire one off to Esme to cover up the fact that you were being an absolute fangirl for the five minutes he was gone.
"Jack is here." Javi rushes out with a happy smile on his face as if the man's presence behind him isn't announcement enough.
Murmured thanks to Javi for delivering your drink come with a broad smile, and you are right back to beaming when you turn to Jack. "You must be very proud tonight."
"Pleased as punch, darlin'." Jack hums, sending you a small wink. "Only a few things that I can think of that would make me happier and it wouldn't be polite to speak about that in public." He winks again and takes a sip of his whiskey.
When your smile turns shy it seems to please the cowboy even further, and you take a sip of your drink with a happy hum before looking back to Javi. Not that Jack isn't damn fun to look at, but it's Javi's night. "What are you thinking, Javi? Grab something to eat? Get on the dance floor?"
"Dancing." Javi sneaks a look over at Jack before back to you. "I wish to see how you move." He smirks, taking a sip of his whiskey sour and biting his lip.
Well damn. Get a couple of drinks and an award win into Javi Gutierrez and suddenly he's all but purring at you in front of his agent. While a prouder woman might have played it off or demurred, you have reached a point in the night where not caring anymore is a virtue. There are no paparazzi inside this party. No fans to speak of other than you or a few other lucky guests. So Jack is here? Fuck it. Jack's a flirt, too. "Well, come on, then," you toss him a grin after taking a long drink of your cocktail. "I'm sure Jack won't mind guarding our drinks for a few minutes."
Jack chuckles and takes your drink from you, making sure that his fingers linger over yours and he practically coos at you. "Enjoy yourself now, darlin'." He encourages, grinning at you like he's the cat that is edging closer to the canary.
"I'll try to keep up," you tease Javi as he leads you out onto the dance floor. Considering how many of his performances you've seen on television, you know how well he can move. It really will be trying to keep up with a pro tonight.
Jack watches with interest as Javi pulls you into his arms and starts to move. It's obvious that you are infatuated with Javi and he doesn't blame you. It's a part of his charm, his ability to draw people in.
The song has a beat to move to, thank god – something hip hop and Latinx that makes for fantastic party music at the beginning of a night. There are no speeches here, no cameras to pose for, only people enjoying themselves, so that is exactly what you decide to do when you put both arms around Javi's neck. When are you ever going to get a chance like this again in your life? Never is when, so you're damn well going to enjoy every second of it for everything it's worth.
Javi laughs breathlessly as he twirls you around and dips you. Happy that your dress allows for you to move so easily. He wouldn't have been able to dance with you like this if you had worn the red dress. And it would be a shame to not get to press his body to yours like this.
"I think we picked the right dress," you laugh breathlessly, obviously having the same thought as him at this moment. This fairy tale - your fairy tale - keeps getting better and better at every turn.
"Depends on how it looks on the floor." Javi teases, pulling you closer and flashing you a grin.
"I–" The shock on your face is abundantly evident. For all the teasing, or flirtatiousness, or even the fleeting sweet moments you've shared tonight? Neither of you has been as bold as to make that kind of comment or make any intentions known. On your end it seemed utterly ridiculous to even think he would be interested, assuming his gestures to simply be those of a sweet man with good manners. But maybe it is actually more than that? "Now that is a very interesting question," you admit, lips curling up into a grin.
"Sí?" He asks, eyes widening slightly in shock as if he is surprised that the line actually worked. Jack's presence has given him confidence that he normally does not possess or represses because of his poor self esteem, but the grin on your face captivates him. "You would like to find out? With me?"
Thinking about it for a second, you end up surprising yourself and laugh a little right out loud. "You know..." you shake your head in amusement. "I was really about to say that I was only serious if you were actually interested in me for me and not in some wish fulfillment thing about fucking a fan. But honestly? I don't really care what the motivation is. I'm one hundred percent on board. We'll dance, we'll drink, we'll go back to the hotel and have a night. Why the hell not?"
If you had told him that he was the world wide star, top of the charts for all the countries, he couldn't have looked any happier about your agreement. "Yes!" He crows happily and pulls you even closer to kiss your cheek. Since you are in public, he would not cause a scene.
He is nearly crushing you to him as he revels in your agreement, and you have to admit - this whole contest, this trip, this night, all of it - it's so surreal that why shouldn't it include sleeping with an internationally known musician that you've had a crush on for literal years? That's completely tracks with the tone of the whole thing. Esme and Kate are never going to believe half of what actually happened even before this.
When the song ends, Javi pulls away and he searches your eyes. "Do you want to stay?" He asks. "Or do you want to go?"
"Jack won't be upset if we don't stay longer?" After all, you had really only been here for what feels like a few minutes. Perhaps it was as long as a whole half hour, who knows. And Jack seems like a man who prefers to do things 'right'.
"Why don't we see what he wants to do?" Javi asks, taking your hand and leading you off the dance floor. "I need my drink anyway!"
There is definitely something you're missing here, unless Javi is about to ask his agent's permission to take you back to the hotel, but since you're already decided to just roll with it you let him drag you back to the table where Jack is waiting and gratefully accept your drink from the tall, dark, and handsome Southerner when he offers it back to you.
Javi is nearly bouncing on his toes with anticipation, grinning as he takes his drink from Jack and tosses it back quickly. “I would like to go back to the house, rey.” He tells Jack before he turns to you. “Unless you would be more comfortable in your hotel room, of course.”
"It's where my stuff is," you point out needlessly. "But nobody ever died because they were embarrassed about a walk of shame."
“There’s no shame in that walk, darlin’.” Jack smirks, taking a sip of his whiskey. “Maybe a little hitch in your step dependin’ on how hard you’ve been ridden is all.”
"Traditionally is it not the lady who does the riding?" Throwing caution to the wind, you have another sip of your drink and tilt your head at Jack. "What's the song? Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy?"
“Oh you are perfect, darlin’.” He chuckles, leaning in and chucking your chin with his fingers. “How’d you like to find out?”
For a second you freeze, not sure that you've understood him correctly, and you look between the two men to find Javi looking just on the edge of nervousness and Jack smirking confidently. Well that's a surprise... But really, is it a bad one? Hell no. Cowboy Burt Reynolds is a look you didn't know you were into until a month ago when Jack Daniel's showed up at your apartment, and you're just going to throw up your hands and go with the flow. "Ya know what?" You toss back the end of your drink, enjoying the way the bubbles go straight to your head - you're making the decision with a clear head but you might be a little floaty by the time you get back to wherever you're going if you have another. "Sure. Let's go find out."
“Really?” Javi’s eyes widen happily and he reaches for your hand, “You know he is talking about…” He looks around and lowers his voice to a whisper. “Both of us, sí?”
"I understood that part," you promise him, squeezing his hand just as you have every other time that he has been nervous tonight. "And I've got no clue why you're asking, or why you're asking me, but since I'm never going to get an offer like this again?" You shrug again and end up laughing a little. "Let's go."
“You will not regret it.” He promises you, turning and beaming at Jack. “I want you to know that you have the most exquisite taste, rey.” He hums. “I feel relaxed already.”
"Okay." Setting your glass down on the table beside you and picking up your evening bag instead, you look between them curiously. "I thought your name was Jack?" You ask quietly. "Not Ray?"
Javi flushes and he ducks his head in embarrassment, reaching up and touching his necklace. Jack chuckles and decides to answer for him. He sets down his whiskey after he drains it. “Not ‘Ray’ like ‘Howdy my name’s Ray’.” He explains. “‘Rey’.” He exaggerates the punctuations slightly. “My little zorro named me his king the first night he skipped a step or ten on his own walk of shame.” 
"Zorro?" As far as you know, that's just a guy in a mask with a sword running around Mexico in the movies, but clearly it means something different. Whatever it means, though, one thing seems to be growing clearer: Jack is much more than just Javi's agent.
“Fox.” Jack smirks, reaching out to run his finger down Javi’s smooth jaw with tender affection. “He’s my sexy fox, isn’t he?” He asks, looking up at you. “Or foxy?”
The absolute hard right into unbelievable that an already crazy night has taken makes your whole body feel like it's been instantly set on fire and like your system has been flooded with instant arousal all at once. Jack is his dom...that makes so much sense... "He's been very good tonight," you tell Jack, humming a little to see how Javi lights up at the praise. "He should definitely be rewarded for it."
“That’s good.” Jack coos, smirk growing wider when he sees that you understand the dynamic and are either intrigued or approving. “I bet his cock is aching for some attention, isn’t it, zorro?”
"Por favor, mi rey," Javi turns his wide eyes on Jack, the very same ones he has used on you multiple times tonight. The party is so raucous all around you that barely anyone has even noticed you, and the three of you seem to have entered your own little world anyway.
“Now that you know this…” Jack turns his dark gaze on you. “Are you still willing to go home with us? The agreement doesn’t cover me. But a good old fashioned verbal consent will do.”
"I thought it was a little weird when that page was in with the others, but...anything can happen in the world, right?" You smirk at Jack, feeling far bolder than you ever thought you could. "Now I see you were just being thorough for your man. That's very considerate, Jack. And...I think that deserves a reward, too."
Jack arches a brow and a slow smirk rides across his face. “What kind of reward are we talkin’ about, darlin’?” He asks, interested in see what you think is a reward.
Cheeks on fire, your eyes slide away for a second to compose yourself so you can look back at him. "I was really hoping you'd just be impressed that I was being cheeky and I'd have the car ride to think up something creative," you admit sheepishly. "Called my bluff."
He tosses his head back and laughs. A deep, belly laugh that rolls through his body. Javi squirms slightly, his own grin on his face and Jack finally looks back at you with pure admiration in his expression. “Good for you, darlin’.” He chortles, reaching out and pulling you close so he can whisper in your ear. “Might have to spank you for that, but only if you want me to.”
There’s no way he can know that he’s offering you something that you very much enjoy, but he’ll most likely be able to figure it out by the way you reflexively shiver a little at the suggestion. “We should get going,” you tell them most, nodding with as much authority as you can. “Sounds like our own party is going to be far more fun.”
“Oh it will be, darlin’.” Javi whimpers in agreement with Jack and he takes your hand, squeezing it gently. “You don't seem surprised.” He murmurs as Jack guides you both towards the exit.
"I decided about ten minutes ago to just throw up my hands tonight and go with the flow, so I'm just leaving all of my confusion and surprise for tomorrow when I think about what happened." You lace your fingers through Javi's and offer him a smile. "I basically have decided that all of this is just an amazing dream and so anything can happen."
"That is a good way to look at things." Jack hums, his hand sliding to your back as he leans close. "I thought I was dreaming the first time Javi begged to suck my cock, now I hope to never wake up." He teases. "Why don't we go see what kind of fevered dream we can cook up for you?"
______
Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @haylzcyon   @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide @elegantduckturtle @becsworld @julesonrecord @its-nebuleuse
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georgiapeach30513 · 4 months
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Inside Her Fantasy, Part 2
Summary: You and Ransom can't stay apart
Pairings: Ransom Drysdale X Reader
Rating: adorable
Warnings:  mentions of sleeping together, 18+ ONLY
Word Count: 4K
Previous
Series Masterlist
*dividers created by @firefly-graphics
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“Uncle Ranny!” Charlie shouts walking into the box of the Gillette, “Is this your box?” The little girl tugs on Ransom’s arms, but he shakes his head no. “I didn’t think this looked familiar. Oh my god!! Maevey, she’s going to be right there. Nixie, lookie, bubba, right there is going to be your future,” Ransom turns his head quickly, and the little girl smiles up at him, and turns back to her baby brother with a giggle.
“Nixie, if Ransom and her get married, she will be your aunt. Shh, don’t tell Ranny that secret. I don’t think he knows.”
“It was nice of her to get all of us in here. Bucky, you got Nixon’s headphones, right?”
“Yes, ma’am, Sarge. Nixie boy has got his ears, and he’s going to be dancing all night long, and then we’re taking all four of the kids home,” Bucky’s wife rolls her eyes, knowing that Ransom wouldn’t be going home with them. She heard her daughters tell her all about meeting you. He was smitten. Even now he is nervously staring at the stage. She just could see the difference in his eyes. He was interested in more than what you could offer him.
“Daddy, you don’t have four kids. Mommy are you…?!”
“No,” she says, putting her hand over Charlotte’s mouth. Walking over to her eldest daughter who is staring dreamily at the stage, “Maeve, you okay, baby?”
“I actually get to see her. Mom, she invited us here. I know that some people think it’s a big deal to be Bucky Barnes’ daughter, but this is a big deal. She’s going to be right there on stage, and…I’ve been a fan since I was Charlie’s age.”
“How long has this girl been performing?” Bucky grabs Nixon out of his wife’s arms, and places him in the baby carrier, letting the little toddler stare out at the stage as well. He turns around to peer up at his daddy, and pats his hand over his mouth, while Bucky kisses it softly.
“First off, let’s call her a woman. Secondly, she now has ten albums, and her first single went number one when she was sixteen,” Ransom interjects, getting the biggest smile from Maeve. Yes, Ransom had to do some research on you. It was for his nieces completely. It had nothing to do with himself.
“So she’s more famous than you, buddy. Oh, this is great. She gave you pity seats,” Ransom shoots an irritated glance towards Bucky. This wasn’t helping his nerves at all.
“No, her didn’t,” Charlie stomps her foot, staring up at her dad. “Her gave this box to me and Maevey, her biggest fans. Do they have chicken tenders tonight?”
Bucky’s wife goes over to check on her oldest daughter. Her eyes staring owlishly at the stage, still in a state of shock. Ransom wanders around aimlessly. Sitting down, only to stand back up, while Bucky and Nixon watch him. “Drysdale, you okay, buddy?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. Never seen the stadium from here before. It’s nice. Spacious. That’s a giant stage. And it’s just going to be her up there. I’m out there with all of you, and…”
“You seem nervous,” Ransom shakes his head, but has to look away from his friend. “You met her for just a minute,” he remembers the feeling of knowing he had found his one. And sixteen years later, she was still his one.
“She’s different,” Ransom pulls at his collar when the lights in the stadium start fading. “She’s…America’s sweetheart. They all love her. And I’m…”
“America’s slut.”
“Shut up. I don’t — I mean I have, but not all of them. I enjoy a woman’s company, they just get annoying really quick, and if they have a laugh I can’t stand all they get is a peck to the check. Ya know?” Bucky nods his head, not fully understanding what was going on through Ransom’s head. “I just…”
Everyone turns to the door when a woman in jeans comes in. Nodding to everyone present, “Hey, so I was told to inform you guys if you’d like to stay after the concert, she has a few days off before her next stop, and…”
“Yes!” Sarge shakes her head, looking at her oldest daughter. “Mom, why not?”
“This is a three hour concert for just her set. Nixon and Charlie need sleep, and so do you.”
“I’m not a baby!”
The woman clears her throat, demanding attention again. “She will be off for a few days. Maybe Mr. Drysdale can handle waiting after the show for her. She would really like it if you waited.”
“I should really help them get the kids in bed,” Bucky playfully nudges Ransom’s leg, while all the girls turn to gawk at him. Maeve especially, realizing that Ransom was blowing this for her.
“Maybe you didn’t understand, Mr. Drysdale. It wasn’t as much of an ask as it was a request. Please, you want to wait for her. She normally doesn’t take long to get out of costuming, and the eyelashes come off, and the makeup toned down. It would be in your best interest to please just wait,” she gives a final nod before leaving the box, and Maeve walks to stand right in front of Ransom.
“She never talks after a concert. She’s interested. Don't ruin this for us. I need you to stay here and wait for her, okay?” Her head gives him a few nods as she raises her eyebrows.
“Us?”
“Ran, she is perfect. You can tell by her lyrics that this stage is just her job, it’s not who she is. Just don’t ruin this for us. I would love for you to spend the next few days that she has off with her. And then you can bring her over to the house because you always sleep in Charlie’s bed.”
“Yep, you do, Ranny. You need this. You don’t need to have twinkle toes no more. You need to sparkle!”
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Ransom takes a deep breath as he paces the room. Wandering back and forth, and questioning what it was that you could want him to linger in the box for. He’d never seen Gilette like this. Not from this angle or it lit up with sparkling lights the way it was. You were even more incredible, and he questions what it was about you.
Ransom was in fact a simple man. And you had all this glitz and glamor up on the stage. Singing to a sold out stadium. Just you. Sure he’d played here to a sold out stadium, too, but with a team. These people came to see you. His honorary nieces were infatuated with you, and they weren’t the only ones.
A few times he thought he caught you looking up at their box. Of course you would know where they were. He told himself you were looking at Charlie and Maeve, but he hoped it was someone besides little girls. And hopefully it was a man that wasn’t married and 6’5”, and named Ransom.
He sits down, and stands back up again, starting to get nervous. You had forgotten and made him a joke by waiting. How long exactly did it take to get here? The stadium was empty, and janitors were starting to clean everything, and he was left here remembering your silhouette. Imagining you were making your way to him. Start with a playful conversation, and both of you would counter each other with quick remarks.
It was starting to feel like being in school when you would pass secret notes to your crush while your teacher droned on. He hadn’t even properly met you. He felt like he just stood there and stared at you while you smiled this beautiful smile at him.
“Ugh,” he groans, starting to head towards the door, but instead you open it. Giving him your beautiful smile. That’s what had taken so long. Gone were the fake lashes, red lips, glitter, crystals and larger than life woman. She was replaced by someone that seemed normal. Jeans and a shirt, but still the prettiest smile.
“Sorry,” you giggle as your eyes flick down his body. “I don’t like leaving the dressing room in her clothes.”
“Her?” He asks, a bit confused.
“Yeah, her. That girl you saw on the stage. That’s not really me. I change when I walk out on the stage. But then I take off the costume and makeup, and I become me again. Just a simple girl.”
He pauses a moment to smile and nod. His eyes trailing up and down your body. It was the same person, and yet so very different. “I love to sing and perform, but I love being me most of all. Are you like the cocky man that’s on the football field? Doing your little dances after a touchdown?”
You had watched some of his footage. You did care enough to learn about him and his career. So it wasn’t just him that was scouring the internet for interviews and clips to get a better idea of who you were, you did the same thing. Ransom starts to relax a bit more with this knowledge, “No, not exactly. The adrenaline — I get it. Why did you ask me to stay behind?”
“I don’t know. What I do know is I like to look at you, and the girls. It’s sweet. Real, and there’s just something that is enchanting about you. I can see by the way you’re looking at me you’re not used to having someone be so direct?” He chuckles, but it isn’t nervous like you had expected. Like the others always were.
“I don’t see the point in beating around the bush. I’m attracted, but it was how you were with those girls that really did it for me. And the baby?”
“Nixon. He’s my little linebacker. Well, one day. As soon as his legs get situated. He’s going to be unstoppable. He’ll be bigger than his dad. But first he’s gotta walk. He will though. He’s our rock. Bucky and his wife, we call her Sarge because she runs a tight ship, but they’re good people. Great parents. She had Maeve when she was sixteen, and they’re still together. They beat the odds, and made it, and have this beautiful life, and…you don’t want to talk about them.”
It was quite the opposite. Ransom’s eyes light up when he talks about them. Most men just wanted to quickly get you in their bed, but Ransom was talking about his family. That’s what they were. Teammates second. He respected their marriage, and loved their children. He was good with them.
“I have a mom. She’s very supportive. My dad’s an ass. But she wasn’t always the most loving. She was there, and made sure my education and sports was always top notch. Never did without, and she went to every game. But there’s something about the way Sarge and Bucky are there physically, mentally, and emotionally there for their kids. Even with Nixon. They divide their time, and god, I love those kids, ya know? I am sorry.”
“You’re fine,” your mouth turns up in the biggest smile as you watch him. “It’s cute. It’s a good quality in a man that wants a family.”
“Do you want a family?” He blurts out too quickly, and wishes he could take it back, but instead you nod excitedly. “What’s yours like?”
“I never knew my dad, but my mom — she’s amazing. I’m glad I can…well, I can make sure she has the best of everything that she needs. The Barnes and I are alike like that,” there was definitely more to it than that. Ransom could tell, but it was something you didn’t elaborate on. If you wanted him to know, you would have said something.
“I couldn’t have dreamed my life being like this, ya know? I thought I would be a music teacher with four kids by now. Life has a funny way of going, and telling you what it is you will do. Not what it is you want. I was gifted with song and being a storyteller, you were gifted with agility and strength, but that doesn’t guarantee we’d end up here.”
You and Ransom talk back and forth a moment before your hand presses up against your stomach, and a loud rumble echoes into the box. “How much time do you have?” Ransom asks with a devilish grin.
“I don’t leave Boston for another couple of days. And then it’s on to the next city.”
“I think you need food, don’t you?” You would love food. But there was always an entourage that went with you out in public. You wanted time with just Ransom.
“I think we’re going to have to sneak away from my security.”
“Don’t worry,” he stands, and offers his hand down to you. “I know how to get out of here undetected. Just make sure they know you’re safe. I really don’t need to get arrested for trying to kidnap you. Tell your PA.”
“Yeah, she’ll understand,” smiling you give June a quick text as you lift your hand up to Ransom. Looking down at your wrist, he smiles, tracing his thumb over the crude friendship bracelet he made. “I think you need to make me another one. I don’t need your phone number to get out to everyone.”
“I’ll make another one when I see my number in your phone.”
“Deal. Shall we go get some food?”
“Our chariot awaits, rosebud,” you pause as you look up at him serenely. Trying to hide the soft grin that was threatening to sneak up your throat. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
“No. My mom used to call me her little rosebud when I was little. Said one day I was going to bloom into a beautiful rose. That is the title of my next album.”
“Well, how about buddy? Bud? Or I can use your name. Sorry, I keep putting my foot in my mouth.”
“I like Bud. But I like you talking to me more,” it was settled immediately. You loved hearing his voice. A deepness that rumbled out of his chest. Sounding a bit burly, but enough playfulness to make you giggle constantly. The way you bashfully keep biting at your lip, and feeling your cheeks heat up. Wonderstruck. He had captured you in the most pure way. How was he able to do that? He wasn’t even a jerk. He was pure.
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“Ransom, it’s getting late.”
“It’s just two in the morning,” he smiles from across the table from you. His leg was propped up on your side of the booth. Any other man would have made you feel trapped, but with him, you wished he would close the gap and sit with you. It was late, but you didn’t want it to end.
“Are you tired?”
“A bit. I did have a three hour show.”
“Oh, but I got to wear a color changing bracelet and dance with the cutest four year old ever. But if you’re ready for our night to end I can take you to your room, or you can sleep in the most comfortable bed in all of Boston.”
You gulp as you look at him. You wanted him, but didn’t want to ruin the innocence of the budding relationship just yet. He was ready to take you to bed, but you could always set the boundary of just sleeping. You were tired, and just talking about it had made you even more so.
“This bed is so comfortable you’ll feel just like a princess.”
“On one condition,” you answer, leaning forward, and he meets you halfway across the table. “No kissing.”
“I can agree to that if you agree to my terms,” cocking up your eyebrow, you give him a short nod. “You don’t fall in love with me the first night.”
“Done,” your sweet giggle is music to his ears, even if he was slightly offended you wouldn’t fall in love the first night.
“You said that too easily, Bud. What happens if you do?”
“Then you get a kiss,” you give his foot a little push as you start to get out of the booth. Turning back to look at him. You wouldn't fall in love on the first night. That was just silly. You were creating a bond with him, but not like that. “Take me to the best bed in the city.”
“Whatever you say.”
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“Ahhh!” Charlie screams as she points at her bed. “Ahhh! Daddy! Daddy! Ranny has twinkle toes, and he’s not alone! Daddy!!” Groggily you groan, burying your face even deeper into Ransom’s chest. This was not the wake-up call you were promised. “Daddy! Maevey! Mommy!”
“Psst,” Ransom’s arm holds you tight to his chest as he wiggles his fingers towards the tiny girl, “Charlie, baby, can you just go play with your dolls or something?”
“You have a woman in my bed, Ranny! And my dolls are…oh! My! God!” You look up at the little girl with a tiny smirk before nuzzling back into Ransom. He didn’t lie, this was the best bed in the city. But you think it had more to do with him than the bed itself. “Maevey!”
Charlie screeches as she runs from her room. Ransom’s arms go above his head as he stretches, and then back on you, pulling you even closer to him. “How did you sleep?” He doesn’t even attempt to get too close or make you uncomfortable. You assume it won’t be long until the entire Barnes clan returns.
“This was the best sleep of my life,” you weren’t even exaggerating. You had a six year relationship, and nothing felt better than Ransom’s arms.
“I think it’s because you had a big man as your pillow.”
“I think it was the pink canopy. These blankets really are so soft. Hey,” you smile up at Bucky holding his son, followed in by his wife, and the littlest girl. But when Maeve walks in, gasps, and walks back out you stifle a smile. “I was told this was the best bed in Boston, and that I would get blueberry pancakes.”
Everyone just stares at the two of you, and you clear your throat sitting up. Still in last night's clothes, and so was Ransom. Knocking his arm because you two had only slept two hours at most. “Guys, I believe we all met yesterday. But she has a new name, Bud.”
“It’s short for rosebud.”
“I’m going to make some blueberry pancakes I suppose. Charlie, baby, come help me,” Charlie shakes her head no, refusing to look away from you. “Charlotte Anne Barnes, now. Daddy, you keep Nixon,” the little girl gives you a bit of a wave before following her mother out the door.
Bucky grabs a chair from Charlie’s table, and sits down, staring at you and Ransom. “Guys, need I remind you that when two people love each other, sometimes babies are made. You two just met, you don’t love each other, and I would love it if you weren’t making babies or practicing making babies in my daughter’s princess bed, and…”
“We didn’t even kiss, Buck,” Ransom yawns, his sinewed arms stretching above his head again. “You’re making a big deal out of nothing.”
“Did you have twinkle toes?”
“No, and I resent you asking,” it was like watching a tennis match. The two of them barely breathing before responding to the other. They were just like siblings.
“Then why are you here?”
You nervously look at anything that isn’t Bucky, mostly staring at the little cutie he had in his arms. His four tooth grin is looking at you. “I feel comfortable here, Buck. I just…”
“Bud? You mind giving me and Ransom a moment? Kitchen is down the stairs and directly to the left. I’m sure Sarge would love some help,” giving him a quick nod, you jump up. Stopping in the door to smile at Ransom. You are so tired, but got the best sleep of your life. Other than this moment, it feels right.
Bucky doesn’t say another word, until you’re completely out of earshot, and then he narrows his eyes at Ransom. “Ran, what the hell man? You bring a stranger into my home with my kids. And you’re in one of their beds.”
“She was asleep in Maeve’s room. So I didn’t bother going into the guest bedroom.”
“You have a home.”
“I have a house. And it’s empty,” realizing why Ransom was always here makes Bucky slowly nod his head. “I want what you have, so I stay where you are.”
“You want my family?”
“I want a family. I don’t have to be the father or husband. I just feel comfortable here. And she…we didn’t want to say goodbye, and if I took her to my house it would have been pressure to sleep together, and I want to. But I want to wait, and she’s incredible. She’s funny, and she’s…”
“You didn’t besmirch my daughter’s bed?” Ransom repeats the question as he laughs, shaking his head at the random word Bucky used. “Here’s the deal, pal, you brought her into my kids’ lives. She better not be a casual fling. Maeve loves her, idolizes her. Charlie loves anything Maeve does, and Nixon’s a flirt. Did you see him bat his eyes at her? You involve my kids and this becomes more personal.”
“If I involve your kids it means more to me than a night. You know that right? Those are my girls, and Nixon is going to be my linebacker, and I like her, Buck. Her laugh, she hums in her sleep. She fits perfectly in my arms. I like that.”
“Let’s go get some blueberry pancakes,” Bucky sighs. It was enough for him to realize Ransom wasn’t playing a game. If he brought Maeve around, then it was serious. Charlie is one thing, but Maeve is his princess. The first child Ransom had ever been around. The man that Maeve would run to over her own father.
“I can’t believe you guys didn’t kiss,” Bucky would have to call that out.
“Yeah, well, the princesses were staring at me. Cinderella is knocking me off my game. And I think Peppa was looking, too.”
You turn around from your conversation with Sarge when you hear Ransom’s voice. Looking back at her before you skip over to him. Looking up at him with the biggest smile. You liked the Barnes’, too.
Making sure no one is looking at your arm around his neck, pulling him down to your lips when you give him a chaste peck. “What was that for?” He asks with a smile, wishing he could kiss you again. Longer. Make it last. He didn't ever want to let you go.
“I owed you,” you sheepishly answer. Licking your lips just to taste the slight cherry flavor of his chapstick. “Last night was enchanting. I want…would you want to go to the next show?”
“You owed me?”
“Don’t make a big deal about it. But I always make sure to pay up my lost bets,” he looks adorable when his entire face turns pink. Going all the way to his ears when he realizes what you mean. He got the kiss because you fell in love the first night. No sex. No kissing. Just talking. And you wanted to talk even more.
“Yeah. Yes, I want to go to the next show,” you’d get with June to arrange him traveling with you. He was in his off season, and you were just getting started.
“Good. Bucky, you mind if I hold that handsome man?” You spin on your heels, needing to hold the sweetest little baby boy, while Ransom stares at his family loving you just as much as he is. Last night was enchanting. And he wanted every night with you. There are some things you just feel in every part of you, and he did. He would marry you. It was the first thing that Ransom knew with the utmost certainty, and he didn’t want to be away from you ever.
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Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season @marveloustaylortot @pono-pura-vida @peaches1958 @seitmai @smile1318 @andydrysdalerogers @cjand10 @midnightramyeoncravings @kmc1989 @floral-recs @fenixstar @astrorogers @musingsfromthemitten @patzammit @stillthatbetch @pandaxnienke
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theangrypomeranian · 3 months
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thinking about them again ❤️
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wafflesandkruge · 4 months
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Zoya Pop Star AU (2/?)
In which a tour is announced...who will show up at the last show? 👀
p. 1
welcome back to the silly little collab i have with @generalstarkov! next time, we'll get some insight into what exactly happened with zoyalina hehe
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gamerbearmira · 6 months
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pop star au?
WOWOWAOWW POP STAR AU⁉️⁉️
Originally I only did Mirabel but added Camilo because. I need more content of them being close and being besties. Why? Cause I can 🗣️.
I don’t if you have any lore or ideas. If you do. Please do tell. Love that <333 but I started doing random crap because I’m crazy ⁉️ Basically Alma’s doesn’t really view Camilo’s gift as “useful”, or at least not as useful as other gifts. Even Dolores’ gift has more use. But yeah, he doesn’t really have much to do, especially in his younger years. And then Mirabel straight up didn’t)t get a gift. Difference in this AU is that they still stayed close. Mirabel kinda followed him around, she was the closest
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Anyway they liked going to town and dancing near the bands. Alma saw how good they were and was like. “Marketable Plushies” 🦅🦅🦅. No jk but she did think that they could still keep their high reputations, just as entertainers of sort. Like Isabela sits there and is pretty (which later upsets the duo because do they have to work so hard just to get approval while she can just. Stand there and throw flowers. It’s not fair). So, why not have Camilo and Mirabel preform? They were very outgoing, and people were naturally charmed by them.
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Cue “the duo”. Biggest musicans in the Encanto 🤕 Basically known throughout the Encanto, they have a whole fan base. They both worked so hard, and are so happy to preform. Camilo does occasionally still have to use his gift to help around, so sometimes Mirabel’s flying solo, but it’s not that bad. Biggest fans??? Their parents. Literally at every show. Alma is something of a. Manager.
Idk I’m crazy y’all
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moononyx09 · 4 months
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I saw you have a Numberjacks Pop Stars AU. Tell us more ✨✨✨ It sounds very cool
Of course! In this AU, all the main characters have pursued a career in music... Along with some other familiar faces.
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The picture above is Tryhearts. It consists of Teresa and Jas, or in other words, 3 and Japer. Other bands include:
B4SP4CE (Felix and Bobby, or 4 and PB)
Starmixers (Ivy and Karyn, or 5 and Spooky)
Riddle me this (Sid and Xavier, or 6 and Puzzler)
Eldermentals (Sevanna, Ethan, Nina and Norris, in other words, 7 8 9 and the numbertaker.)
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rosaacicularis · 1 year
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putting two cents in to learn more about that supposed hallmarky au 👁_👁…?
who am i to deny you content 😌😌 here you go <3
grian is a big pop star but he’s in a little creative funk…. so he goes to a little small town to chill out and get re-inspired…. there’s an open mic night at a cafe and his agent encourages him to go… maybe he’ll find a new sound or something <3
it’s really boring and he’s heavily considering leaving but then scar goes on and he has the most beautiful voice grian has ever heard, chills go down his body and he feels as though he’s been reinvented…
he goes up to scar after it and they start talking and getting to know each other and (falling in love) grian starts writing music again, music that he’s genuinely proud of and he and scar practice it together…
and then grians agent comes down to pick him up and bring him back to the pop star life but he doesn’t want to leave scar… he confesses to scar that he’s famous and that he didn’t tell anyone because he didn’t want to be treated differently… scar asks him why he’s telling him now, grian asks scar to go with him, that there’s a label waiting for him if he does… and they kiss and get married <3<3
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shivanessa · 1 year
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Fanart for @gallantrejoinder wonderful fic Set Aside The Highlight Reel where Diarmuid is a pop star and David his bodyguard. 😍
I'm so into the Popstar!Diarmuid idea and wondered what kind of clothes he might wear. I decided on this thick, black, wool cardigan to refer to the monks' robes.
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artificialqueens · 9 months
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🏳️‍🌈 Euphoria, 3/10 (Greentia) - Juno
Summary: Veronica enlists the help of a songwriter and some new friends to help make her project a reality.
A/N: Part 3 of Eurovision au, and we’re getting nearer!! Big thanks to everyone who has let me annoy them about this fic, and there is more content on my blog!!
When Veronica woke up the Monday after Pride, her alarm on August Bank Holiday sounding illegal, she found herself with a creeping headache and dry throat, in a bed that wasn’t her own, but one she knew all too well all the same.
Light green bedsheets twisted around her body, the colour clashing with the pinks and oranges of the lesbian pride flag which hung at a jarring angle on the wall opposite the bed, beside the bookcase Joe had painted black, holding a few battered books, some records, and a fluffy monkey in a hat, grinning at her over its cymbals. 
Veronica rolled onto her back, but Joe wasn’t there. 
She put one arm over her face with a groan. We’re definitely gonna have to talk about this at some point.
Even though Joe was in the flat, making a cup of tea, he said nothing to her, and Veronica had no time to think about this yet again. Her mind buzzed with a single thought: that one of Tia’s songwriters had offered Veronica a space at their studio to record this song today, and she hadn’t even showered yet. 
Her previous music had been recorded at home with their phones, but now that she’d been signed, her label had given her a budget to hire a studio. And Tia had lit up when Veronica had told them.
“My friend Baby - that’s what they’re known as, just Baby,” Tia had waved their hands excitedly as they’d told her last week, “they own a recording studio and they said they really want to meet you, want to talk about working with you, if you’re up for it? They’re an amazing songwriter.”
And now, thanks to getting distracted by Joe last night, I’m gonna be late. Kill me now.
Time was money, and she was already wasting it being late, especially as she was paying by the hour to be there. Somehow she got to the studio only ten minutes late, sprinting the last two hundred metres from the Tube station, arriving out of breath and full of nerves.
But when she got in, Baby was an excited whirlwind, adorned with box braids and the kindest smile Veronica had seen. They grasped Veronica’s hand in both of theirs and bounced on their heels. “It’s so nice to meet you, I’ve heard so much about you!”
“What!” Veronica laughed at their response, her face heating up. “What has Tia told you?”
“Only the truth, babe.” Veronica span at their familiar voice, and her heart thumped at the sight of Tia, leaning their shoulder against the wall and sipping from a cup of coffee. They stood upright and opened their arms, and she gave them a brief hug.
“Told you they’d like you!” They whispered before she broke away.
Baby grabbed her arm, spinning her back round to them. “It’s so nice to meet you, come through -“
The recording studio was not what Veronica had imagined. Instead of being a plain, dingy place, Baby’s had a sixties feel to it, from the patterns on the walls, the decor, leather chairs and the mixing deck. The piano was in the corner, and there were guitars there already too, sitting on their stands next to their amps.
Tia immediately went to one of the chairs and sat down, spinning themself and running their hands along the deck.
“I love recording studios,” Tia sighed, “they make me feel like I’m on a spaceship or something.”
“God, me too! It’s the whole … moving your chair around the deck and all the buttons and things,” Veronica moved her hands as if turning the dials.
Baby came in, holding water and glasses, followed by someone Veronica presumed to be Baby’s girlfriend. A tall, blonde woman Veronica vaguely recognised from a Vera Wang advert she’d seen on a billboard, who was clutching a portable coffee in one hand and a Nintendo Switch in the other.
“Hi, I’m Dakota, it’s gorgeous to meet you,” she purred, leaning down and giving Veronica an air kiss on each cheek. “You like it in here? It was my idea to make it look like this. Much better than what it looked like before, so boring and brown.”
Baby sat down at the deck and put their own headphones on, but Dakota just picked up her Switch instead, settling herself into a corner out the way.
“She’s just here to watch us and play Mario Kart.” Baby grinned fondly at her.
Veronica chuckled, picking up her guitar and looping the strap over her head. “Alright. What bit are we recording first?”
It made far more sense now that she was recording with Baby why she was paying for a four-hour slot. Recording on her phone normally didn’t take long, but this was a far more detailed analysis. Baby was meticulous and heard things Veronica seemed to miss. If a note was flat, or early, it was redone, over and over until it was perfect.
Once it was complete, at the end of the day, Baby placed the headphones over her ears and played the finished song all the way through. 
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes  from the start, as she realised she actually liked hearing herself this time, and the effects and the beat that Baby had added in, gave her a floaty feeling in her chest like she was riding a roller coaster. She fought the smile until it was too strong, and the overjoyed laugh wouldn’t stay in her throat.
Baby’s smile was soft as they looked up at her. “D’you like it?”
Veronica’s voice was hoarse, her throat was sore and her fingers numb; but listening to the finished product lifted her heart, warmed her soul.
“It’s - it’s great.” She swallowed. “Thank you.”
“Oh, you’re so welcome Veronica. You know, I was looking for you online earlier, but I couldn’t see any videos for your music, just the fan-made ones - can you send me the links?
“Videos?” Veronica echoed. “What videos?”
Baby’s jaw dropped to the ground. “Hang on. Don’t you have any videos for your singles? Nothing? Oh god - we’re gonna have to hook you up. So this song - is this for your next single? When is your label planning to release? Or is this an album track?”
“It’s a side quest,” Tia said flatly.
“A what?”
“It won’t be an album track,” Veronica started, but Baby carried on through her.
“Oh, okay, well anyway, Veronica, I think you need a really eye-catching video as well for this song you’ve got here. Think about the sorts of things you want for it. You can use the green screen studio here too if you want to play instruments, but think about what you want and if you want bits at certain locations as well.“
But all the way home that evening, she didn’t really know what sorts of things she could do for a video, or where to start. And the deadline to submit her song and video was only six weeks away.
Maybe Joe can help me choose.
But when she got home, her loneliness echoed in the mundane sounds in the flat. The scrape of the front door, the keys on the countertop, the creak of the door to the living room. The buzz of her phone when a message came through, but when she looked, she found she had two to read.
Divina @ 19.02: for a video you should stay within budget, i would prioritise recording and editing costs with the money and do what you’d like with the surroundings, lots of free spaces in London you will prob find something Divina @ 19.03: recording quality is important but natural light saves you lighting costs and natural environment can be a great backdrop. Have fun with it and bring the song to life xx
Her heart sank at the other message.
Joe @ 19.08: out with anubis and the dnd lot will be late dont wait for me x
The lead weight in her gut hung heavier. It’s always the way; he just runs off with his D&D group the day after. 
She needed to talk to him. They still hadn’t talked about Veronica’s birthday either. Or that time in June where they’d both come home from work stressed and wound up and it had felt good to help the other unwind -
They had to talk. 
Even if Veronica wasn’t sure what to say.
——
“Sorry I’m late,” Veronica flopped down onto the chair in the cafe two days later, putting down the bottle of water and jamming the heels of her hands into her temples with a groan. “Oh, god. Worst Wednesday ever. One of the invoices got messed up and I had to create a whole new order form before I could create it again.”
Dakota slammed her coffee down, staring wide-eyed at her. “You still have an office job?”
“You’ve had two number one singles, babe.” Baby tilted their head, regarding her through a mask of concern. “That’s gonna do you an injury.“
“I’m down to four days, and I need to keep money coming in.”
“It’s not always as fast to change over, Baby.” Tia, sitting beside Veronica, blew bubbles into their Diet Coke through the straw. 
Baby made a noise in their throat. “Probably won’t be much longer. Anyway. Video time! What have you been thinking?”
“Oh, God,” Veronica laughed, “lots of thoughts.”
“Spill.” Baby leaned towards her; Dakota mimicked them, leaning so close that Veronica felt like she was back at a teenage sleepover about to tell them her crush.
“So. There’s basically three types of music video, from what I can tell,” Veronica said, holding up four fingers. “One. What I’m calling the band video. Basically just a band playing their instruments, there’s loads of slow motion shots of the band members, hair flicking, the lead singer looking moody - that kind of thing.”
“Yeah, that’s one,” Baby nodded at her. “In the biz we normally call that the performance video. Good if you just want the viewer to see you strumming a guitar and lip synching.”
“Exactly.” Veronica put one finger down. “Second, there’s a story. Crap acting and the occasional wide-angle lens of the singer looking sad.”
Tia snorted and held up their hands. “Yep. Been there, done that.”
"Narrative.” Baby grinned. “Really popular.”
“Then there’s the … I don’t know how to describe this. The weird one. There is no reason for any of what’s happening, it doesn’t make sense with the song, but it looks cool. Sometimes they don’t even have the singer in them. Like, the song is about falling in love but the video is someone walking around the underground.”
Baby laughed. “Yeah, I know what you’re saying. We call them concept videos; you don’t always understand the reason but it’s the artist’s vision. I see a lot more of those now, people never used to like them, but they’re getting more popular.”
“I always wanted to do one of those,” Tia sighed, “but I don’t think I ever did.”
“Which one did you like doing most?” Veronica asked them.
Tia looked up to the ceiling, considering. “I liked the performance ones. They were always great. Normally in a nice car or a boat, or in mansions and old castles. And we used to dress up and strut around.”
“Oh, yeah. I call those the boss bitch ones.” Baby said. “They’re always really fun to record, and you always come away from those feeling really good about yourselves.”
“That’s the only thing I missed about the band. Us all trying to strut around and look sexy.” Tia gave a dry chuckle. “Didn’t work for me.”
“What did Vanity always say about you?” Baby asked them.
“That I had two left feet that she could see, and maybe two more invisible ones,” Tia deadpanned, picking up their straw. “And I guess she had a point.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Veronica shook her head. “Anyway, did I get them all?”
“You missed the animated video, but I don’t think you’d be wanting to go for either of those, would you? Is there one you like most?”
“I’m not sure.” Veronica rested her chin on the heel of her hand. “I’ve got the budget off the label, so I’ll see what I can get for that.”
“They might have some direction they want you to go in, I’d ask them first,” Baby pointed at Veronica’s phone. 
She picked it up, dropping Divina a message. 
Veronica @ 18.17: What sorts of things does the label want for the video? 
When she put her phone down, Baby and Tia were in deep discussion. 
“… office, and I’d already told them I had to take some leave. Ugh. I just want to get this wrapped up now.”
“Have you got some dates you’re wanting to get booked in?”
Tia nodded. “It’ll be quite a big chunk of December, Dakota said that was the earliest you had two days at a time available. God, at the rate we’re going though, we’ll only have three songs done!”
Baby’s mouth dropped in feigned outrage, giving them a slap on their forearm. “Is that a hint? Genius comes to those who wait, babe.”
“Are you …” But they both turned to Veronica as if in shock at her interruption, as if they’d forgotten she was there.
“Sorry. But are you doing music at the moment as well?”
Baby looked up at Tia, their face suddenly serious. But Tia nodded.
“Yeah, I’ve decided I have one more album in me.”
“They said that about their first,” Baby grinned.
"Alright, okay,” Tia put their hand to their forehead, chuckling softly at Baby’s remark. “I have at least one more album in me. So, Vee, your video, do you want to brainstorm some ideas?”
Having an industry professional and a fresh-from-retirement singer brainstorming a video with her made it much more methodical. Hiring recording equipment and the studio would be the main expense, but the rest was already at her fingertips.
“I know a few people with cameras,” Baby ticked off their fingers, “and there’s loads of woodland you can record in, and as long as it’s a nice day and we’re facing the right direction, you won’t need artificial lighting.”
All the way home visions of woodland and what her video could look like ran through Veronica’s head like a film reel. Ethereal, dreamlike images of herself dancing in sunlight through trees, something her mum would probably call frolicking and her sister would roll her eyes at and call embarrassing.
When she got back home, she ran to her wardrobe, running her hand along all the dresses she had and picturing herself in them, dancing to her song, being on a screen for millions of people to see. 
By the time she’d rounded it down to a shin-length pink dress and a shimmery gold summer dress, it was almost ten.
She wanted to see what Joe thought, but he hadn’t come home yet. 
——
"I’m sorry Neil … migraine. Really, really bad.”
She didn’t see Joe until that Friday morning, standing at the open door to her room, tapping his heel against the wooden frame, making what sounded to Veronica like a lot of noise. She waved a hand, but he didn’t take notice.
“No no, it’s fine; my in-tray was already done yesterday so it will just be today’s things …”
“Rodney.” Veronica looked up at Joe as the car horn sounded from outside yet again.
“Yeah, yes, I know Neil … and Kat has access to my emails.”
Another beep. Veronica coughed.
“Sorry, sorry - I’ll feel better on Monday. Hopefully. Thanks. Sorry. Bye." 
She hung up the call with a relieved sigh.
"All sorted.”
“Yes!” Joe punched the air while Veronica reached for her shoes. “See, I told you it would be easy to -”
Her phone was buzzing, this time a call from Tia’s number.
“Oh my god, I can’t, I need to -”
“Here.” Joe grabbed the phone and pressed the dial. “Well hello. How are you doing this fine sunny morning?”
“It’s meant to rain in like two hours, are you and Ronnie ready to -”
“Yes, yes we’re on our way.”
“Got everything? Change of outfit? Shoes? Makeup? Wipes? Deodorant?”
“Don’t worry my darling, we have everything on the list you gave us, just have to persuade our Ronnie to get out the door -”
“I’m coming, I’m coming!”
Joe just looked back at the phone. “That’s what she said after Pride too.”
“Joe -”
By the time they got downstairs, threw the two bags into the boot of Kitty’s car, and Kitty’s foot had hit the accelerator pedal, Veronica’s stomach was starting to hurt. 
“What if I’m seen?”
“Hmm?” Joe turned away from the window to face her, squashed in the middle with Tia on her left.
"I just don’t want to get in trouble. With Neil.”
“You won’t, my love; he has a duty to trust his employees.”
“Bit nerve-wracking, that’s all.” She sighed. “Tell you what though. I’ve never done it before, I feel dead naughty -”
“What?” The collective shout of the other four, combined with their heads spinning like owls round to face Veronica in the back sent the car into a drift, until Kitty gave a squeak and turned back to face the road, waving an apology at another car she’d come very close to.
“You’ve never just … taken a day?” Ella asked flatly, their jaw on the armrest next to the passenger seat.
“Ronnie, remember when you were leaving the house last month and I told you I had a day off? Well,” Joe patted her hand with a patronising smile, “it wasn’t because I’d booked one, let’s just say that.
"And I told my agent multiple times that I was getting laryngitis when I was really hanging out my arse or on a beach somewhere.”
Kitty waved her hand. “I told mine I thought I had appendicitis because I’d heard Ella mentioning it from some book she was reading, my agent didn’t even think about it, they just took my word, and I was then papped at Notting Hill carnival, with a huge cocktail in my arms, and put in the Metro the next day.”
“Oh my -” Veronica clapped a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing. “So you’ve all done this before?”
“Many, many times babe,” Tia shook their head. “God, how have you never done it!”
Veronica looked back at Joe. Bathed in amber sunlight, he looked positively angelic when he took her hand from her lap, stroked her knuckles.
“He isn’t out looking for you, Rodney, he just expects you to be in bed. Which, as far as he knows, you are. No one is gonna spot you outside. No one will see. They’re all in the office, so they won’t spot you all the way out in Epping Forest.”
Her tongue was robbed of a response, as it often was when he seemed to read her mind like this, but he still raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
“It will all be fine, my love.”
Her stomach, twisting itself into a knot moments ago now settled, the slow ache passing away, because when Joe spoke words like that he seemed to cast a spell with them.
And he didn’t fail today.
They still needed to talk. But not today.
They pulled into a parking space, grabbed the bags from the boot, and follower Kitty and Ella to the agreed spot. Veronica’s eyes were trained on Ella on the way, ten feet ahead of the other three on their walk deeper into the forest. 
“What’s Ella Vaday doing here -”
“Oh - she’s really good at creative direction. She coordinated some videos for me when I first went solo.”
“She’s - she’s Glinda! She’s on the West End!” Veronica whispered back, her eyes wide. 
Tia shrugged. “Yeah, she is now, but she still does stuff like this now and then, and she is free today, so she said she’d come.”
A whirlwind had brought them to this point in less than twenty-four hours. A hurried message to the group chat from Baby that a last minute cancellation had come up in the studio for this afternoon; Tia finding people to record and a location to take advantage of the warm September sunshine; and Joe’s shift switching to Saturday night instead of Friday. The only thing that had been needed for everything to fall into place was for Veronica to get the Friday off work.
Just the idea of faking a migraine to her boss had been enough for adrenaline to still be running through her now, but arriving at Epping Forest on this perfect morning felt like nature sighing with relief.
Sunshine followed them here, the few clouds bright and blinding white as if dipped in melted silver. A rainbow of leaves, succumbing to autumn, painted their woodland canvas for the day in deep red and umber orange and mustard yellow and pale green, and the blue of the water of the lake they reached sparkled with diamonds left by sunlight.
“Where have you all been?” Baby was there, hugging Tia as they came up to them all. They were flanked by Dakota, yawning and clutching a steaming travel mug, and some others that Veronica hadn’t met, each holding a camera.
“Sminty and Le Fil,” Baby pointed to them each, “probably the most awake people here.”
At their words, Sminty raised her head and gave Baby a look that might have killed them on the spot if their back hadn’t been turned. 
“Are we ready to go,” Ella called, “light is looking fab at the moment so I don’t want to chance the weather turning or anything -”
“I just have to change quickly, and then we’re good to go.” Veronica looked around. “Where - where should I change?”
“The changing rooms are right there, love,” Sminty pointed to a spot with thin air, while Le Fil shrieked with laughter and batted her on the arm.
Dakota shrugged, smiling awkwardly. “That tree is quite big there, you might want to change behind it?”
She’d opted for the pink floaty dress, with lots of material to flow behind her. But in her hurry she’d forgotten her shoes, and all her accessories.
Jesus Christ.
So when she came round the tree, announcing herself with a forced jovial “ta-da!"  throwing her arms wide as she could, she couldn’t stop warmth creeping up her face. She was in her converse, grey with wear, however absurd it appeared against the pink flowing material of her skirts; and no accessories whatsoever. 
But Joe, beaming delightedly. gave a gasp and reached towards her. “You look fantastic, Rodney, an absolute dream.”
“Love that colour on you,” Dakota purred, “you’ll have to tell me where you got that dress - oh god, you look so lovely I could just eat you up.”
“Hey, hey, I saw her first, I’m calling dibs.”
“Maybe she isn’t interested in dibs, Joe, maybe -“
But Tia’s quiet, unfathomable expression drowned out their voices. They were looking at her as if they’d never seen her before, frozen like a statue, until Baby nudged them to say something and they picked up their phone.
“… this lovely place, isn’t it gorgeous!” Joe’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, turning Veronica to the view. “Absolutely wonderful. You’re going to fit right in.”
“Okay, let’s get going,” Ella was setting up the cameras as she spoke, adjusting positions for the movement of the sun. They had to work quickly against their natural backdrop which was changing every minute, every second they delayed.
Veronica realised with a laugh that the video set-up had virtually nothing to do with the song. In fact, by her own ratings, this was going to be number three: a weird one. 
“Veronica?” Ella called, approaching her and holding out her hand. “Are we taking any stills for the cover on your phone?” 
“Yeah -“ Veronica picked up her phone, but as she was switching on the camera, she spotted a new message from Divina.
Divina @ 9.05: sorry Ronnie been poorly last couple of days. yes the label want someone with you in the video besides Joe to act as a friend/love interest. having someone else in there makes you look more relatable xx
Her breath caught in her throat. “Oh, god.”
“What?” Ella asked.
“They want me to have someone else in the video.” She showed Ella and Joe her phone, and Joe closed his eyes.
“God’s sake. Couldn’t Divina have told you before this morning, Jesus.”
“I only messaged them on Wednesday night, it’s not their fault.”
“Alright,” Ella nodded, putting her hands on her hips. “You’ll need to get someone else to sign in to your video. Once you’ve got that, we can shoot. I think we’ll have to cancel today.”
“Cancel?” 
The word fell like a lead weight.  Veronica’s mind span at the realisation - she’d lose the day today for filming, she’d lose her slot at the studio, she’d lose the money she’d already paid towards that and to the people here … A frantic course of mental gymnastics later, and she realised that if she didn’t do this today, she’d likely have no budget to give it another try, her blood ran cold at the mere thought -
“I’ll do it.”
The voice came from behind Veronica. She looked over her shoulder at Tia, who shrugged. "I’m not doing much else other than standing around getting in the way.”
“Tia? Are you sure?” Ella raised one eyebrow. “Would it be okay if you were in someone else’s video in a non-singing part given … you know.”
There it was again.But Tia made a noise in their throat.
“As long as people don’t recognise me. Hang on. I’ve still got the cap I think…”
They looked in their bag, pulling out a baseball cap. “Oh, good, I thought I still had this. It’s not mine, it’s Vic’s,” Tia explained, “she left it at my house one time, I said she had to come and get it, and she said she would … and then she didn’t.”
Baby frowned. “You think people aren’t going to recognise you … because you’re wearing a hat?”
“I’m in my casuals, why not?” Tia motioned down to their jeans and tie-dye shirt, looking up at Veronica. “What do you think?”
And truthfully what Veronica thought wasn’t something she could verbalise, but her fireworks were exploding in her chest and hope had sprung again in her mind. 
“Sounds good,” Joe said behind them both, “what are we waiting for?”
Working with Ella on a set outside meant painstaking planning. Ella held her phone at so many angles, testing lighting and filters and sound, taking almost twice as long to set up as to film.
But once she was satisfied, filming here was like being lost in some magical world. She encouraged Veronica to do whatever felt right; to dance, spin, to hang from trees and cartwheel. Ella recorded lots of angles, lots of locations, and plenty of plain shots for the green screen later, while Veronica let worry leave her body through her hands and feet into the dirt and grass, let herself become the song.
Making music had always been a magnetic pull, but the music coming alive this blissful way intoxicated her, and quitting her office job for more and more of this sensation had never felt more tempting.
It was Ella who brought her back to Earth, in a scene with Tia. They were meant to be walking towards each other, but Ella had shouted for them to stop so many times the sun was disappearing behind the clouds.
“Cut - alright, okay, you both need to learn how to walk.”
“What?” Both Tia and Veronica said in unison, and then Veronica caught their eye and they both snorted with laughter.
Ella huffed for what felt like the millionth time that morning. “This is serious - you can’t just walk like you normally walk, you have to walk mysteriously.”
Veronica put her hands on her hips. “How in the name of satan’s balls am I meant to do that?”
Ella ignored Tia’s explosion of laughter, slapping their hand to their mouth to quash it, folding her arms. “Just walk like you normally would, but mysteriously.”
She walked back to her spot, and tried again, this time mimicking  a creeping motion with her hands and feet that made Tia stop dead in their tracks, their face tensed as they tried not to laugh again.
“Cut - Veronica.”
Imitating Ella’s weary huff, Veronica folded her arms. “Ella.”
She gestured at the sky. “Do you want to be doing this in the rain?”
Veronica let her arms drop to her sides. “Just - okay.” She turned and walked back to her spot. “Tell me how it should be, then.”
“I already said. Mysterious.”
“But what does that even -“
“Ron, just look at me as if you’ve never seen me before, but I’ve got something really sparkly on my face - like a diamond or something - and you want to take it off me.” Tia waved a hand as they spoke. “It’s fine, Ella, we’ll get it.”
Tia was wringing their hands, and Veronica mouthed a sorryat them, but they gave her a small smile, shaking their head.
She fixed her gaze on a spot just above their eyeline, and tried to picture what Tia might have there if they could grow anything. Maybe a unicorn horn, maybe a jewel, maybe another eye. Maybe it wouldn’t even be something growing, but a headpiece, delicately placed on their head with a decorative piece in the centre. 
No, that would be annoying. If that was me, I’d be batting it off my head all day. 
No, a jewel seemed most likely. And as they came closer to her, she could see them with a sapphire maybe, or topaz, or maybe a brilliant amber with deeper browns and golds at its heart -
“Cut. Better, much better. I think that’s a wrap on this scene. Do you two want to go and sit on the branch now?” 
Veronica barely realised she’d moved at all, but apparently she had, and Tia had met her in the middle, tilting their head to the left in what was becoming a familiar movement.
“See?” They murmured, so quietly Ella wouldn’t have heard. “Instant mystery.”
But Veronica wheezed with laughter and made her way past them to the branch of the tree they were both meant to be sitting on next.
For the ending, she and Tia were meant to be filmed from behind, sitting on this low branch and looking at the lake. But all the expertise she had garnered as a kid at climbing trees seemed to have left her body, and she yelled in frustration as she swung from it like a sloth. 
Tia chuckled, climbing on easily and tugging her up with them, their arm around the bough to keep steady.
“We’re just going to film the ending, with you two looking at the distance, so just, y'know,” Ella gestured with her hands  “do what you’d normally do together.”
Veronica waited for her to move behind them before muttering, “Yeah, because I’m always up in trees with people,” to another snort from Tia.
“You’re nailing this, Vee.” 
Their voice was so low. The hand around Veronica’s shoulder was quivering, ever so slightly, and they would not let go of the bough of the tree with their other arm. 
“Tia,“ How did you know that would work?”
They bobbed their shoulders. “You pick up a few tricks as you go along.”
“Yeah, but …” Veronica chuckled, “that was pretty specific, Tia.”
Tia opened their mouth and then closed it with a bark of laughter. “You know - yeah.”
They were looking towards the horizon, but blinds had fallen behind their eyes again, lips pressing tightly together and then parting.
“Look,” Veronica began, but the longer she looked at them, the more unsure every word in the dictionary sounded in her head, trying to piece together something that she could say to them. 
Eventually, she settled on just one. “Thanks.”
They frowned, turning to her. “For … for teaching you a trick?”
Veronica shook her head with another laugh. “No! For …”
For standing in. For calming me down. For being here. For always being here for some reason -
“… for this.” She gestured in a wide circle, hoping to make some sense. But Tia’s eyes darted between hers, their fingers tightening at her shoulder and their lips pressing tightly together. 
“I mean it,” she continued, not sure what was propelling her to speak but needing to fill this expanse, “you’re - you’ve done so much for me, and …”
“You’re, like …”
But Tia gave a quiet laugh, averting their eyes to her shoulder with a bite of their lip - and that bizarre urge Veronica had on the roof came back again -
“Cut, we’re good! Nice one!” Ella shouted from behind them both, brushing her hands when Veronica turned to her. “Back to the studio now?”
When Veronica turned back, Tia was wordlessly sliding off the branch, helping Veronica back down by catching her against their chest, hurriedly letting her go, letting in the chilly wind that was picking up.
”Guess we should -“
”Yeah,” Veronica nodded. “Off to the studio.”
But Tia sat in the passenger seat on the way back, and Veronica didn’t get the chance to find out what she was.
——
It took almost a month for the edit to be completed on her video, but at the start of October, the deadline approaching to apply, Kitty emailed her to say it would be with her the following day.
Divina had breathed a sigh of relief when Veronica had told them. “Oh, thank God. Come to the office tomorrow afternoon and we’ll get the whole thing done and dusted and sent off.”
But when the afternoon crept on, with no email from Kitty, Joe persuaded her to take a detour with him to a park he’d found one stop away from the office. 
They walked together, while leaves around them tumbled in clusters from the trees, draping an autumnal carpet around their feet, and the rain fell in a gloriously steady noise on the umbrella and the trees and the river before them.
Joe gave a shiver, and Veronica turned to him.
“Remind me why you brought me out here.”
“Well.” Joe shrugged. “Nice to find a bit of London that isn’t all urban jungle, darling, don’t you think? And anyway. You seemed a little …” he looked up, contemplating his next words. “… tetchy. Yes, a little tetchy.”
“Tetchy?”
But she had to admit, he had a point. Her stomach rumbled from not having had a thing to eat since breakfast; her eyelids were heavy from waking up at three this morning, too excited to fall asleep again.
This video was the final piece of the puzzle for Eurovision, but it was more than that.
It was her own vision. It was art in a form she’d never contemplated. It was her embodiment of her song, it was completely and utterly her, something that she wanted to see on the screen, something that transcended herself and watch the music come out of her, watch herself rising, rising -
The email arrived.
Joe heard the buzz, and turned to her, quirking an eyebrow.
With a hammering heart, Veronica clicked the email, nodding at him.
“Here we go,” she whispered to Joe, and he gave an excited squeak and leaned closer to her. 
There it was.
Her video.
Her video.
Her video.
Lustrous shimmers danced in her hair and all the frills of the fabric of her dress, drifting like candyfloss clouds in the echoes of her movements. Pastel pink lights filled the screen, letting Veronica bask in an ethereal blur of light. She saw someone with effortless elegance, every step so free and joyful, someone who had exploded into life from a cocoon, who sang a celebration of the world and of her place in it.
Some part of her was aware that Joe’s arm slipped into hers to grasp and rub her hand, but her heart fluttered and her lungs wouldn’t work and she was lost in this idyllic dream …
Then the music ended, the video stopped, bringing her sharply back to reality.
Veronica was back under Joe’s huge black umbrella, and all the while the world had continued to turn, leaves spiralling downwards in brown and red and orange, and the pattering of raindrops around them both clearing her mind, cooling her overheated nerves. 
Neither of them spoke.
All Veronica felt was her soul settling back into her body, a hum from Joe, squeezing her fingers.
“Magnificent, isn’t it? What did you think?”
But Veronica didn’t reply. She just kept breathing, words rushing half-formed through her head but vanishing before she could catch them.
“I … are you sure you’re happy you were only in a little bit of it?" 
"Of course!” Joe squeezed her hand. “You know I have more of a face for radio, anyway.”
“Oh. We’ll have to get you on there then.”
Joe gave a cackle, throwing his head back.
She turned to him. “What?”
“This is why I love spending time with you, Ronnie, because most people would just simper at me that of course I don’t have a radio face, but your reaction is to want to get me on the radio instead!” He cackled again, and Veronica’s face grew very warm again.
“Sorry. I don’t think I registered-”
“Don’t apologise, it’s hilarious!” He leaned into her, laughter dying, and grinned at her. “Anyway, I loved it. There was the right amount of me and the right amount of you. And Tia looks really different to how they look on their socials, don’t you agree? I hardly recognised them at first.”
She nodded, and with a jolt in her stomach realised that if Joe didn’t recognise them, and he’d seen them close up, then what was to stop them from being incognito with the world?
By the time she’d walked the rest of the way to the office, Divina was waiting in the lobby for her, tapping their foot against the leg of their chair and sighing with a roll of their eyes when she got in. 
“You really like to do everything last minute dot com, don’t you?” They stood, leading her back towards their office, from the main reception and through the corridor, through the open plan workstations and to the offices at the back. 
It still smelled of fresh paint, even though the walls didn’t seem to have changed colour at all; but while Divina walked briskly through the hallway of the main reception area, Veronica stopped to admire the so-called talent wall. It was by far her favourite part of the office, featuring all the pictures and names and descriptions of the various careers of people who were currently signed to the label, and their achievements.
“I’m not on this wall yet!” She called to Divina. “When is my picture getting put here?”
“When you win Eurovision, Ron,” Divina deadpanned back. 
She chuckled to herself, skimming her eyes across the names. Lots of stars from the past and present, familiar names …
Tia Kofi?
“This needs to be submitted before five, Ronnie!”
She had to tear herself away from their blurb on the wall and jog through the office to Divina’s voice, from their cubicle of a room. Painstakingly organised, the wall calendar neatly marked with annotations and every paper in their neat pile, Veronica always felt they were taking a trip to their old headmaster’s office whenever she went to see them.
They were perched at their chair, horn-rimmed glasses pushed up their nose, not looking up and tapping on the keyboard plugged into their laptop. 
“Have you got everything ready to submit?” 
Veronica nodded. “Yes.”
“You sure? You did the checklist the label made you?”
“Yep - I filled in the form, I got the song cover, the song itself, I’ve got the video, I’ve done everything they asked.” She unfolded the paper for the fiftieth time, running a finger down every question again. “Act, Veronica Green. Names of participants, Veronica Green. Pretty straight forward so far,” she giggled at her own joke.
Divina echoed her laugh, but their foot was tapping against the table leg, Veronica could feel it. “Good.”
“Label, Meridian; song title, Butterfly; song length, two minutes and fifty four seconds -“
“Alright, alright, I don’t need to hear it all.” Divina pulled up their paper copy of the checklist. “Form, done. Song? In each format?”
“Saved on the email.”
“Video?”
“Compressed and ready to send.”
“Art?”
“Everyone’s been credited,” Veronica checked again, “yep, they’re all on there.”
“The endorsement from Meridian? Well,” Divina muttered, opening their folder on their screen, “I’ve got that. Somewhere. That’s the vital part; they won’t submit you without the sponsorship from the label. Ah, here it is. Alright. You just need the email itself now.”
“What,” Veronica put a hand to her chest, “can’t I just say hey, pick me, I can get the Eurovision party started right now?”
A nerve twitched in Divina’s neck.
“I’m joking, I promise.” Veronica raked a hand through her hair. “Okay. How about this. ‘Dear theydies and gentlethem, I wrote a song, please consider me for the queer FA Cup final this year. Love Ronnie.’ And I’ll add some kisses.”
Joe would have laughed. Tia probably would have too. Divina just tilted their head and stared wordlessly at Veronica.
“Okay, fine. I’ll put For your consideration, please find attached my submission for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to represent the UK. Kind regards, Veronica Green.”
“That sounds ideal.” Divina unfolded her arms. “You’ve got about an hour before the deadline, I’d recommend getting it done right now.”
Even though she’d checked the attachments of the email to the BBC so many times, she checked them again. And one more time for good measure. They hadn’t changed since this morning: still the song, all the album artwork, and now the video. Everything still worked, everything was still there.
She took a deep breath.
Her finger hovered over the blue Send button on the screen.
Then she pressed it, and breathed out.
It’s done.
It’s done! 
Her whole body tingled. Her hands shook slightly and the oxygen in the room didn’t feel like it was quite enough.
I’ve applied for Eurovision. Holy shit!
Pride Challenge Points: 6032
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patroiocus · 2 years
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lmk pop star au but wukong is like those old guys in bands who everyone is like "that guy was so cool !! too bad he's dead... he's not dead ?? wait what the fuck i thought he died like 20 years ago ???" and he just runs a mediocre talk show now called "talking with the king"
i love the idea of old retired wukong literally being Old Retired Wukong. no more big buff monkey . now cranky old talkshow host who thinks he's Very Funny
"retired idol who returns as a mentor to young upcoming group (traffic light trio) despite backlash from one of the members' parents (dbf)"
"old rivals returning to the charts (macaque)"
wukong and macaque as rival pop stars please
i want to see mac and swk beefing on twitter. shit-talking in genius interviews. give it to me
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caramelapplesauce · 1 year
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just posted chapter 4 of get a thrill!!!
come get your marylily content <33
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faux0buggy · 1 year
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Lonely Star AU Carmen’s last album before going to jail for murderrrrrrr👊🏻🤪
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theangrypomeranian · 2 months
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If someone hasn't beaten me to it, GAC Pack pop star au??
*rubs hands together*
so! Courtney is like Taylor Swift and Gene is like Bo Burnham in this one, with Alex as Gene’s manager and boyfriend. they go to see each other’s shows and become close after that, with the media speculating about what their relationship is. it's heavily inspire by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship because I'm obsessed with them lol.
I have a lil surprise for this sneak peak, I'm proud of it lol:
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starrystevie · 6 months
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modern steddie au where steve is a pop star that is known for writing slightly gender ambiguous lyrics but dates new ladies monthly and eddie is a music reviewer on youtube that breaks down all of steve’s queerest songs to prove that he could actually have a chance with him. like just imagine eddie fighting for his life in the comments against all of steve’s fans debating whether him saying “he” during a live performance was intentional or just a bad recording.
and then when it comes out that yes, steve is queer and yes, he knows about eddie and hell yes, he would go on a date with him, eddie's comments explode with people still arguing about the validity of it all. but then after a few months, eddie and steve break the internet with a simple 5 minute youtube vid confirming that they are indeed seriously dating and steve has to keep reminding eddie to wipe the smugness off his face and to stop saying “told ya so” to the viewers.
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