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#told them meeting them all was better than any of the celeb guests
pollinatedpansy · 9 months
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Not to out myself in multiple ways but I got to meet some of the kick as people at the @ao3org booth at fan expo and they had a "take a fic leave a fic l" recommendations board and I put down "A designer dress from heaven and your dirty wedding ring" by the lovely @halfmoth-halfman
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dovesnroses · 4 years
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What the Demon Brothers Smell Like:
Lucifer: cardamom, amber, and smoke
• Lucifer is a cologne wearing guy – he never leaves his room without some
• Sprays it at his neck the inside of his elbows and his wrists
• In meetings with Diavolo, he greets their guests with a firm handshake, and his scent entrances them. It’s intoxicating and intimidating.
• After centuries, the smell lingers in his room and on his clothes
• When he hugs you, it’s never overpowering. To you, it smells like fire just smoldering enough to keep you warm
• Because he’s mostly a 1940’s movie character, Lucy will spray some on a handkerchief and gift it to you when you’re apart.
• You eventually steal his sweater
Mammon: Citrus, Wood, and Leather
• Mammon smells expensive
• He has as many colognes as Asmo has perfumes
• Prefers fresher scents that won’t have him dizzy during a photoshoot
• He’ll douse himself in cologne. It’s a part of his after shower routine.
• When is Mammon not wearing his leather jacket? The smell sticks to the rest of his clothes, so he produces a “Louis Vuitton store” than a natural musk.
• He’s got a car in his room for Diavolo’s sake.
• If you comment on a new cologne, he’ll blush and say, “It’s not like I got it with you in mind, Stupid Human.”
• Even though he did.
• Asmo once told him that a human’s body chemistry reacts differently to different scents. If you like a smell, he may go into your room and spray his cologne across your clothes, or he might gift you a bottle.
Leviathan: Cardboard, Lake, but mostly Sugar
• The smell of opening a cardboard box? That’s Levi’s entire room. Since his door is never opened and his room is filled with Akuzon boxes, it probably smells a little warehouse-y.
• Levi himself probably smells like the lake. I HC that the bros probably have a lake behind the house (think the Great Lake in Harry Potter). He probably goes there where no one can bother him and chills when things become too overwhelming.
• When you hug him, it reminds you of standing on a pier over a lake on a summer night.
• Levi has purchased every Ruri-Chan perfume twice (one for use and one for display)
• These things are **SWEET**.
• Think ‘Viva La Juicy’ by Juicy Couture and any celeb perfume
• He’ll spray it on his tub, hoodie, his uniform
• It’s a lot sometimes, but it works for him.
Satan: Bergamot and Linen
• I don’t believe Satan is a cologne wearer unless its for special occasions.
• Naturally Satan smells like fresh laundry that’s hung out in the sun to dry
o Funny considering there is no sun in Devildom
• He’s not a coffee drinker, but he loves tea a lot hence the bergamot smell
• And because he’s always in the library, he smells like a Sunday morning spent in bed.
• His cologne is a little of Mammon and Lucifer. It’s citrus but just a hint of spice.
• It doesn’t mask anything and only enhances how great Satan smells
• If you don’t see him put it on, you’d never tell he was wearing it. He only sprays it on his chest.
• His room and the library smell like this
Asmo: Peony and Blush Suede, Apples
• Asmo likes perfume. He is a connoisseur.
• He’s all about trying new scents in baths, lotions, sprays.
• His room sometimes smells like a bath and body works. Lucifer asks him to air out his room at least twice a week.
• He’s particularly fond of scents that are like him (floral, luxurious, seductive)
• To me, he smells like Jo Malone’s Peony and Blush Suede cologne
• Asmo doesn’t care if an item is “gender-specific”. If he likes the smell, he’ll buy it
• If you catch him in the morning and he hasn’t lathered something on, Asmo will naturally smell of Apples
• You said this once, and he responded with, “Why don’t you take a bite to see if I taste like apples too ;D.”
• Nothing smells bad on him.
• He’ll regularly spray you with things to see if it smells better on you. If he deems it, so you’re getting gifts.
Beel: Sweat and Pine
• Beel plays sports, and Beel gets sweaty, so usually, he comes home smelling of sweat and deodorant.
• But Beel naturally doesn’t smell that bad.
• It’s a warm ‘running through the forest’ kinda smell
• He’ll tell you not to hug him if he’s sweaty, but you couldn’t care less.
• It’s actually infuriating, because as a human you know you’d be rank if you sweat as much as Beel.
• After a shower he smells like soap and pine (think Irish Springs)
• You also steal his shirts. It’s just so easy to fall asleep wrapped in that comforting smell.
• He doesn’t bother with cologne.
• A lot of times also smells like spices from cooking/eating
Belphie: Lavender and Rumpled Sheets
• Our fave edge lord absolutely owns a diffuser in his room by his bed.
• He has bottles of cedar-wood and lavender essential oil on his nightstand that he puts into the diffuser at bedtime
• Like Beel, he’s not too big on cologne – it’s not like he’s had use for them for a long time…
• His natural scent is a little spicy, so all of this combined smells cozy and warm
• The couches, pillows, and blankets all smell like him
• No matter your relationship with him (friend or lover), Belphie’s scent calms you the most.
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Tower (one shot)
Summary: Paige is going to a party with a high status guest list. She meets Changkyun and Jooheon in the elevator...all three of them are lost.
Warning: SMUT. Threesome (Eiffel Tower, hence the title, get it?), spanking, exhibitionism kink, praise.
Word count: ~2k
A/N: I’ve been dreaming of this scenario for too long (even revealed the concept in a anon ask whoops). I am a raging slut for these two boys, I want to bring more fluff in my palette, but I had to get this off my chest. Will finish the second part of my Ultimate fic soon. This is my first one shot, I’m so proud of myself!
It's just a party, this isn't new. Hell, I've been at this hotel before! I hound my phone to see where exactly this party is, my instructions aren't very clear, thanks to my friend who is already there and has the worst luck with spell check while drunk. So, I guess I'm on my own. First ride to the elevator. I'm just gonna stop at each floor till I hear or see the party. It's annoying, but odds are it'll work. Floor two, nothing. I check myself out using the mirrors surrounding the elevator. Damn do I look good. I adjust the girls to not show too much cleavage in my halter top, just a tasteful amount. What about ass? A little bit of ass cheek, but not too bad, I've worn worse. The doors open at floor three, making me cautious of adjusting myself too much. Nothing. I browse my phone to kill time. Floor four, two people walk in. I look up from my phone and I see Changkyun and Jooheon from Monsta X looking at me in the mirror wall.
"All the floors?", Changkyun points out, chuckling over every button pressed. His laugh makes my panties want to drop.
"If you wanted to go down, I'm sorry, I'm trying to find a party, but I'm lost", I explain. Both boys laugh, making me feel better, but also worse. What are they laughing at? The doors close and we ascend to floor five.
"We're trying to get to that party too, but we have no idea where it is either", Jooheon sighs. Oh thank goodness. Wait, they're going to the same party? My dreams have been fulfilled!
"You're going to that party too?", I bashfully ask for confirmation.
"Just wanted to go to say hi, but if you're going to be there, I guess we can stay a bit longer", Changkyun gives me his slick, half smile grin. My grip around my phone tighten to prevent myself from losing it.
"And with twenty-five floors, we'll have plenty of time to get to know you before we find the party", Jooheon joins the flirtatious attack.
"What's your name, babygirl?", Changkyun starts with the questions. Call me babygirl one more time, I dare you. The door opens and we listen in to hear any music from the hallway. Nothing. We go back to casually leaning.
"I'm Paige. No need to tell me your names, I know exactly who you are, Jooheon and Changkyun", I reveal. If they want to play this flirting game, I'll play this flirting game. They're surprised that I know their names.
Level six, nothing. This is going to take a while.
"What's a beautiful girl doing at a party like this?", Jooheon wonders.
"There's nothing wrong with free booze and young celebrities checking you out. It's all fun and games till they learn how simple you are", I shrug. Celebs expect to be with celebs or with people of some significance. I'm a good fuck, but nothing stays for long.
"Simple is good. Those people just don't understand the masterpiece they have in front of them", Changkyun steps it up.
"Oh, I'm a masterpiece?", I act flattered. I look at their reflections and they both examine me fully, scanning me from head to toe. Jooheon bites his juicy lip, flashing me his iconic dimples. Changkyun licks the corner of his mouth, raising his pierced brow. I must be dreaming.
"Oh, please, any girl would drop their panties for those looks. You'll have to try harder if you want to impress me", I call them out on their attempt to seduce. The boys like the challenge. The door opens and we're struck back to reality. Floor seven, nothing. Both of them move to either side of me. I realize how much taller they are compared to me, but I won't let that aspect intimidate me.
The door closes and the boys are in full alert.
"Can I touch you?", Jooheon asks for consent. I raise an eyebrow at him.
"What are you going to do?", I call his bluff. He twists me to face him then uses both hands to get a handful of my ass. He pulls me to him and begins to kiss my exposed shoulder. I am definitely not the first ass he's grabbed, this man knows what he's doing. I already feel his hard on teasing me against my abdomen. I know the internet says he radiates big dick energy, but I confidently confirm it. Changkyun comes from behind me and presses his hard dick against my ass. Fuck, his big dick energy is also more accurate than I thought. One hand cups a tit while the other brushes my hair out of the way so he could kiss my neck, then proceeds to cup the other. Both of them fondling my ass and tits, nearly synchronized. Both pairs of lips against my skin, varying from light pecks to full on marking via sucking or biting. Their muffled moans buzz against my skin. They know how to work me. I didn't expect them to actually commit to those, I should've known better than to be a helpless flirt.
"Fuck me", I couldn't help myself from moaning.
"Don't have to tell us twice, baby girl", Changkyun growls in my ear, tugging on my shorts.
"You two are cool with sharing?", I nearly panic from how fast this is transitioning.
"For you, baby", Jooheon sighs in ecstasy. I doubt I would be the first one to have both of them in a threesome, but what the hell. I told them they needed to work for it and damn they did! Changkyun slides my shorts down to my knees and places a gentle kiss on my ass. Honey grabs my face and tenderly kisses my lips. Changkyun spreads my legs apart enough for my shorts to stay on my knees. He growls deep in his throat and licks a strip along my folds. I moan in Honey's mouth, he pulls me in deeper, our tongues getting acquainted. We hear dings and realize we're still going through the line of floors. Floor nine, nothing. Thank goodness no one is in the hallway to witness this. I wouldn't mind if they do. I hear Changkyun unbuckle his belt, Honey soon follows. A dick is rubbed against my ass, the warmth making my skin tingle. His strong hands knead my ass while he glides his length along my folds to tease me.
"Fuck, Paige, you're already wet for us", Changkyun grunts. Honey pulls away from my lips and looks deep in my eyes.
"That mouth is all mine. Slap my leg if you want us to stop, alright, baby?", Honey discusses protocol.
"You have every right to make us stop without question. The last thing we want to do is hurt you", Changkyun adds. I pull down Honey's boxer briefs to free his already throbbing dick. I let out a little gasp when I see what to expect.
"It's ok to say no", Honey whispers.
"I'll be ok", I assure. I put one arm behind my back for Changkyun to hold onto. I bend over to be eye level with Honey's dick and I take a second to compose myself. I could stop this at any time, it'll be ok. I lick my lips and drag my tongue along his impressive length. Just the sound of Honey's whimpery moan could make me cum. Changkyun lines himself to my entrance and slowly thrusts with ease. Holy shit, I wish I could've seen what he's packing before he buried his dick in me, I bet it's fucking beautiful as it feels. After I manage to fully throat him, Honey takes control and begins to fuck my face, holding either side of my cheeks. He does hit my gag reflex, but I don't believe I will puke, it will make my eyes water though. Changkyun matches the pace with Honey by pure instinct. Given his dancer experience, he body rolls into me, perfectly hitting where I want him. The sound of skin slapping is one of my favorite parts, other than the glorious moans from both parties, well in this case, from all three parties. Changkyun's grip on my arm tightens when the pace goes faster. Honey's hands move to my hair, pulling my head up to look at him. It's a sight I never imagined I'd see in my lifetime. Changkyun spanks my ass out of impulse. Honey and Changkyun look at each other with such confidence. They exchange a look with a little nod. This is it. This is the moment I'm done for. I'm nearly screaming on Honey's dick, this feels so good I never want this to stop! Changkyun notices my legs getting wobbly. He gives me another swift spank.
"You can do it, baby. You're doing so good", Changkyun encourages. Both men are getting feisty, they're at their limit. I let out a long moan while I cum on Changkyun. The orgasm was so sudden, or maybe I was just distracted by the feeling of both of them at the same time. Changkyun knows I came, chuckles at the feeling of me clenching around him.
"I'm going to cum, baby. Do you want Honey to cum in your mouth or cum in your pussy after me?", Changkyun pants. I use my free hand to gesture to my pussy.
"As you wish, princess", Changkyun grunts before slamming into me. He hits his peak of throttle till he cums. I wish I could record the sound he makes while he cums. It's a moan with a whimper, but it's slightly raspy with his deep voice, and there is a little giggle in it too. He rides out his high before he pulls out of me. Honey pulls out, spins me around and fucks me silly, holding me by my waist. His dick feels even more beautiful in my pussy than my mouth. Changkyun leans against a wall to catch his breath, but this way, I can finally get to see Changkyun's dick and holy fuck that was inside me?! I'm impressed with how I handled it. Honey slams into me, making a symphony of sounds. Skin slapping, my pussy quenching, variety of grunts and moans. Now that my mouth is free, I could finally be vocal.
"Fuck!", I moan in delight as I cum on Honey. My clenching makes Honey cum unannounced. His sound is more of a panting growl, far more primal. He thrusts a couple of more times to ride out our highs. He pulls out, but still holds me in case I fall over. They know my legs got weak, the shaking is visible. Honey places a kiss on my ass before pulling my shorts up. Both men stuff their dicks back into their pants. They give me a group hug to keep me standing and to give me more kisses.
"You did so good, Paige", Honey whispers in my ear.
"We need to do this again. Soon", Changkyun hisses.
"Definitely soon", Honey agrees.
"Really? I'm not going to be a one night girl?", I get all bashful, even though they just fucked me enough for two orgasms.
"You're too good to be just for one night", Changkyun breaths against my neck.
"Next time, we'll do this right and take you out", Honey adds. I hide my blushing face by burying it in Changkyun's chest. We hear a ding from the elevator. We made it to the floor twenty-five. There's music coming from the end of the hallway, the obvious penthouse suites.
"You guys still want to go?", I shrug. At this point, I just want to be with them.
"Fuck the party, let's go to our room and have our own party with pizza", Changkyun scoffs.
"And some more fun. What do you say, princess?", Honey offers. Is there any fucking question?
"Lead the way", I accept. Changkyun taps the floor four button.
"Well, twenty-one floors till we get back. Any ideas to pass the time?", Honey teases me by grabbing a handful of my ass.
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emma-what-son · 3 years
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(Echee post) Emma Watson wants her privacy at Café Pacifico in Covent Garden
Posted on May 22 2014.
From standard.co.uk May 2014 "Emma Watson has gone from unknown schoolgirl to Hollywood actress, thanks to playing Hermione in the Harry Potter films. But fame ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.The Londoner spotted Watson at Mexican hotspot Café Pacifico in Covent Garden on Friday, heading to the bar to order some drinks. Heads swivelled, eyes turned upon her and Watson retreated to the corner where her boyfriend Matthew Janney was sitting. Even that didn’t do the trick. Shortly afterwards, he was seen asking a table of customers, all chaps, to move away from their spot to give the star some privacy. Watson is lucky: few would argue with her rugby-playing beau, but he still said please." So she was at a public place drinking and because people were looking at her she had her boyfriend ask them to move so she could have her space and privacy? If she wants her privacy she can go home to drink. Those patrons have every right to be there like she does. Was she being heckled? No. It's natural for some people to get a little star struck around celebrities. Society or more like the business they work for have them made out to be such perfect specimens and better than everyone else that people are bound to check them out when coming across one in public. It's not like they were running up to her asking for autographs and selfies. They were looking going, "Hey look it's Emma Watson". And it's really no different when people spot a really attractive person in a bar or pub. I think it could have been worse don't you? What is it with celebrities like Emma who talk about wanting to be normal and treated like everyone else but then expect special treatment when around us "commoners"? Or maybe they don't want to really fit in. They just want the best of both worlds? As the saying goes they want to have their cake and eat it to. Idk but this is a shit move on her part. Total diva moment for sure.
Here is a couple other stories from this year where Emma is being less than nice and sociable From jamesmeets.wordpress April 2014: ….This only left the two big guns to arrive, Russell Crowe and Emma Watson. A couple of cars pulled into the Square together, which meant one of the two was arriving, but which would it be? Heart in my mouth as out got Emma. Here’s the point at which I should probably provide a bit of a back-story… At one stage, Emma was my favourite person; I grew up watching the Harry Potter films, and when I started this crazy hobby nine years ago there was a (small) list of people I wanted to meet most, and she was very close to the top of that list. However… four years ago I went to Wimbledon for the tennis finals. Rafa Nadal had beaten Thomas Berdych in straight sets in b-e-a-utiful weather. A perfect Sunday afternoon, topped off by spotting Emma leaving the VIP pavilion. I genuinely don’t think I had (or since have) ever been so excited to see one person. I asked her and she said no. It wasn’t a polite no, I’d have no issue with that, but was a downright rude no. It’s hard to describe, but her attitude was really bad. Maybe she was a Thomas Berdych fan? Joking aside, I was gutted, and since then the overarching thought whenever anyone mentioned her was that experience. Even getting an autograph from her at the BAFTAs in 2011 didn’t help change my opinion, as even the hardest signers’ sign at the BAFTAs. Anyways, back to the present… Out got Emma, and in some kind of twisted fate, came straight over to where I was. She signed for the person next to me, and then it was my turn. Despite internally combusting with a mix of excitement and nerves, I managed to tell her I met her at SW19, even with the details of Rafa winning in straight sets, that she’d said no to a photo and I was gutted. I was probably less eloquent than I picture. I asked her if she’d make up for it by posing for a picture now, and she agreed. Say whaaaaaaaaat!!! Her brother (I presume it was her brother, I’ve no idea) took the camera and took an absolutely belting photo. His fan photo
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Some comments from this person's page about Emma and the photo: Moviefan2k4-“No offense intended, but are British people always really serious? I’m only asking because Emma’s not smiling in that picture. She almost looks like she didn’t want to be at the screening.” James-”She’s not the nicest person in the world - she probably didn’t want to be there!” Moviefan2k4-“That’s sad; I hope she was just having a rough time, and that isn’t her daily temperament.” Dancingirl1-“Wish she would’ve smiled.” James-“It is. I met her four years ago and she was plain rude. Only reason I got this photo was because I told her how disappointed I was back then.” I bet if he was a hot guy she'd have no problem taking a photo with him. I bet that had something to do with it. She just seems like the type that would be so shallow. Plus she is there to promote Noah so she should be nice. It's part of the job detail. She can't work the crowd a little? It's not like she does it everyday. Idk but if I was making millions solely off the backs of working people I'd be ecstatic that they wanted my autograph. Here is another one From raleightelegram.com April 2014, "The after party was at the Central Park boathouse and they packed up 10 tour buses to get everyone over there.Jennifer Connolly sans any bodyfat whatsoever was shivering on the freezing cold carpet. Russell Crowe, who isn’t known for his social graces, was a surprisingly pleasant and social butterfly both on the carpet and at the after-party, even snapping selfies with me, Stephen, and rapper 50 Cent, while Jennifer Connolly looked on. At the party, Emma Watson sat drinking surrounded by friends and a formidable blonde haired woman guarding her. Emma didn’t chat with guests like Russell and the rest of the cast did, and she was a bit rude and snotty to me and other folks. Her guard was equally as unpleasant. I later learned this tough blonde was a hired bodyguard to protect her from stalkers. Emma was also the last celeb to leave the party, probably waiting for the bar to close." Ok she has a bodyguard but does she have to be rude to people at a party where you have to have credentials and be invited to attend? I'm sure she's as safe there as she would be in a panic room. She has her "formidable" bodyguard with her. Is it that much of a task to be nice to people.   And one more From skinnygossip.com Feb.2014,  "When she was in Iceland filming Noah she went to the bar I was working at. I didn’t see this but I heard some yelling from outside. Later I was told that she threw a hissyfit at a doorman for not letting her skip the line. She apparently kept screaming and yelling “do you know who I am?”. Such a cliché, I hope she was drunk…" Here is her latest tongue lashing moment of a service worker At first I thought she was upset with her new boy toy but actually she is giving some lip service to the security guard in the parking lot for a Rugby match. Her boy toy has to console her because she's upset about something. Oh the humanity!! lol
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Click here to see her same reaction when yelling at cab driver in London and if you want to see her on video get upset at another event click here to watch her get animated about having to walk with Rupert Grint instead of staying on the arm of HP producer David Heyman. For more diva stories visit Sue at emma-what-son.tumblr.tumblr and click on her diva tags and check out my diva posts on this page. Once again: I'm no longer accepting comments here. If you have any questions or comments you can reach me at meettherealemmawatson.tumblr.com where I spend the majority of my time. I will still post here when I feel like it and when there is something worthy
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shaekingshitup · 4 years
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unintended
A/N: Okay. So, this was supposed to be a completely different story with more thot antics than romance. But then this idea came and I decided to choose this one instead. I’m still just practicing over here. So, any feedback is appreciated. 😊 This is my first and most likely last fic that will be with a real celeb. So, I hope y’all dig it. It will be a series. So, expect more! I'm just not certain how I feel about writing for real humans that exist. AS ALWAYS, shout out to @glittermakesmesmile​​ for always reading first and making things make sense. She’s wonderful. Be on the look out y’all. 👀 
Pairing: Trevor Jackson x Black OC
Warnings: None
Word Count: 2265
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“I WANNA FEEL THE HEAT WITH SOMEBODY! YEAAHHHH I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. WITH SOMEBODY WHO-” Jayden stopped belting out the Whitney lyrics as her music paused and her Trey Kennedy ringtone filtered through her car’s speakers. 
RING RING RIIIIIIING. RING RING RING RIIIIING RING!
She looked at her screen and the unsaved number which was staring back at her. 
“Hello?” she asked trying not to let the aggression creep into her voice towards whomever had ruined her jam sesh as she weaved through the madness that was LA Traffic. 
“Hey girl, how you doing?” greeted her with a sweet Southern twang
“Oh shit! It’s Terrell” Jayden thought automatically as she began gushing. All aggression was temporarily forgotten. 
“Hey boo! I’m just circling the block trying to find a spot. I’m makin’ a pit stop at Blue Bottle. What’s up? Can I grab a coffee for you?”
“..bring me their Single Origin?” Jayden heard coming through in the background.
“Nigga” Terrell chuckled in an incredulous tone without losing his good humor. 
“Who’s that? Is that Matt?” she asked trying to piece together what was going on. She was supposed to be meeting Terrell in 45 minutes. She was barely 3 miles away from his place. She’d planned  the day out perfectly so that she would be on time, for once in her life.  You only win the Shits & Giggles Song Association once. I mean, how could she be late for THAT?! 
It sounded like there was some sort of disagreement happening on the other end as Terrell’s voice came in high pitched and strained  “No. That’s not Matt, it’s-,”
“Wait, it’s my fault. Let me tell her” said the mystery person on the line. Jayden was confused as she put her car in park and grabbed her headphones so that she could continue to have this conversation while she stood in line at Blue Bottle. 
“Ugh. Okay,” Terrell relented.
“Hey Jayden. It’s Jayden, right?” spoke an unfamiliar male voice on the other line.
“Yes.. and this is?” Jayden questioned as she opened the door and was blindly greeted by a barista.
“Well hopefully,  the one you grab a Cold Brew for.” chuckled out of the other end of her phone. 
“NIG-GUH. Where is my henny? Cuz I can’t wit yo ass,” Terrell hollered in the background and Jayden heard some generous pouring being done.
“Okay. Can someone please explain to me what’s going on? I’m fourth in line so if you want anything I need some answers first. Who is this?”
“Damn. Straight to it. She’s kind of feisty. She gotta be a fire sign.” Jayden heard this come in muffled as if the person was trying to communicate out of her earshot. She sighed outwardly. Typically, she had more patience than this. However, LA traffic really brought out the worst in her. 
“Third in line.” she said, “and about 10 seconds away from using some choice words with you myself.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Let me explain. My name is Trevor. Trevor Jackson” he paused. Jayden waited for some further explanation. This name wasn’t ringing a whole lot of bells for her and she didn’t see the point in him being on her line. She was still confused; although, having a name did cause her to simmer down a little. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket while he spoke and was getting ready to Google “Trevor Jackson” but she was bombarded by all of the texts she hadn’t received while her phone was in drive mode. 
“Okayy, Trevor who wants me to bring him coffee. What’s going on?” she asked in a genuinely curious tone and without her previous bite. She made her way through the barrage of “Congrats”, “Good luck” & “Don’t Fuck Up!” texts her family and friends had showered her in. 
Trevor took his time providing her with an explanation. He was measuring out his words and how he would respond “Look, I know that you’re scheduled to shoot your Song Association episode with Terrell soon and that’s great! Congratulations on the win, uh, by the way! But, I had a mix up on my end. I thought that I was supposed to meet him today at 2 pm. Instead of next Saturday at 2 and I’m actually going to be unavailable at that time. So, I was thinkin maybe I could go first since I’m already here. Then, Terrell can just shoot yours afterwards? Plus, my mom’s here to watch me do this because she’s a big Terrell fan and it would mean a lot.” 
Well when you play the mom card. Jayden thought 
The boy was lucky there was only one register at this Blue Bottle and that the person ordering right now had a lot of complicated orders or his lengthy answer may have caused him his Cold Brew. 
“Okayy. That makes sense,” Jayden says, “ I blocked off the rest of my day to be here so I can hang around. I get to watch yours right? I mean you’re not gonna just ask me to bring you coffee and then make me leave?” she giggled as a way to relieve the nervousness she felt about the situation and then she waited because she was certain this Trevor guy nor Terrell would ask her to leave. Right?
She was met with silence. Absolute and complete utter silence. There was no sound whatsoever on the other end.
“Hello? Helllo? Did y’all put me on mute?” Three seconds later there was roaring laughter and she stepped forward. She would be next in line real soon.
“Yes! I’m sorry I accidentally put you on mute. But thank you! Thank you! My mother and I truly thank you.”
“It’s okay! Does your mama want anything while I’m here?” Jayden asked. 
“Oh, yeah. Uh please get her the tea. I promise I got you when you get here. 
“It’s fine,” Jayden responded. “Well, I guess I’ll see y'all soon. It’s my turn,”
“Thank you Jayden. I really mean that.”
“Not a problem” she said.
17 minutes later Jayden was sitting in her car in the Guest Parking garage that Terrell had told her to park in when she arrived. 
“Here” she texted. 
“Meet me at the elevator” was her reply. 
Jayden grabbed the drink carrier and her mini black backpack and headed for the elevator. By the time she made it to the door, Roxy was there to let her in. 
“Hi Jayden” she said.
“Oh my goodness, hiii” Jayden said as she gave Roxy a hug with her free hand. It was just sinking in that this was real. She was really about to be on Song Association. She loved watching the series & was ready to come for Miss Amber P Riley’s perfect score. She definitely didn’t have the perfect vocals to match. However, her competitive nature was not going to let her miss out on this opportunity to fuck this game up.  
“Hey girl, thanks for being so cool about today,” Roxy said as they stepped into the elevator. She pressed the button for the fourth floor. “We’re going to be doing lots of filming today so we can get this content out on schedule.”
‘Yeah, it’s no problem,” Jayden responded, “ Like I said,I already set aside the rest of my day for this. So, it’s really not a problem. Plus, this way I get to say I saw this Trevor guy on Terrell first!” she laughed.
“You’ve really never heard of him before?” Roxy inquired.
“Mm-mm” she shook her head in the negative.
“Wellll, you are definitely in for a treat,” Roxy smirked. The elevator dinged to let them know that they had made it to the fourth floor.
She took a right out of the elevator and led the way down the hallway until they made it to unit 414. Roxy opened the door and Jayden was immediately met with fresh air. After the heat of the LA sun, the cold air was refreshing.
“Miss JAY-den!” Terrell called out to her once he heard his front door shut. He set his glass down on the table. She couldn’t help it. She broke out into a full faced grin. She couldn’t even see anything but his hallway and all of her teeth were already on full display. She followed Roxy deeper into the apartment and when she saw him she was so overwhelmed that she wasn’t sure what to do. Terrell hopped off of his stool, removed the drink carrier from her hands by placing it on a nearby table and greeted her with open arms. In that singular moment, Jayden felt welcomed and as if she was the most valued individual in that room. So, of course it was at that time that she made the fated mistake of looking over Terrell’s shoulder and got a real  good look at a well-groomed and delicious piece of chocolate. Trevor gave a slight wave which she returned with a smile. 
“MM. I am so glad that you’re here.” Terrell said as he rubbed circles in her back and gave her all of the reassurance she needed to be there. She was still nervous. But she was starting to think that this was all planned and for a purpose.
“I’m so glad to be here!” she replied as he released her from their embrace. 
“And BIIIIIIIIIITCH. This is a WHOLLEEE ASS LOOK! We gone talk about this later boo. But can I get a twirl?” Jayden did one better. She retreated back towards the hallway and came back in full runway flair. She strutted into the room, twirled and looked over her shoulder as she headed back towards the entrance. Finally, she strutted back one last time and gave Terrell a smirk. His energy was contagious. She had nearly forgotten that there were other individuals in the room.
“Oh yeah. Definitely a fire sign,” Trevor commented as he reached for whatever concoction Terrell had prepared for him prior to her arrival. 
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry. Where are my manners?” She reached for her drink tray and provided him with his Cold Brew, “Trevor, I presume?” she asked as she stretched the drink out to him.  He responded with a smile of his own. 
“That’s me.” Trevor verified nodding his head. He took the drink with his left and shook her hand with his right. “Thank you Jayden. I really do appreciate everything. What do I owe ya?”
“Oh no, that’s fine. Don’t even worry about it.” 
“Nah, I got you. What’s your venmo? Cashapp? Zelle? I got you.” Jayden ignored his queries and responded with his own. 
“Where’s your mama?” Just then, an older Black woman with tight skin, a tight body to match and some of the kindest eyes Jayden had ever seen came from around the corner. She was really out here showing that Black don’t crack and she wasn’t even on camera!
“Hi Mrs. Jackson, my name is Jayden.” she smiled and handed the older woman her tea, “here’s your drink ma’am. I got some sugar too just in case you’re like me and like it sweet.” 
“Thank you so much sweetheart. I love sugar. I need just enough to keep the diabetes at bay” Mrs. Jackson responded as she too embraced Jayden in a hug. “Your timing is perfect actually. I was just heading out.” she said. 
“Oh no, is everything okay?” Jayden asked hoping she wasn’t being too nosey in her first impression. 
“Oh yes darling. Trevor’s brother Ian has an event today too and I told him I would be there. But, I refused to miss the opportunity to meet this young man and see my baby boy get a few songs in on this game.” Mrs. Jackson clarified. “Thank you so much for this tea. Trevor, did you pay this young woman for this?” she asked sharply. Jayden could tell two things about Mrs. Jackson off the bat: 1) she was kind 2) she was no nonsense . The look she gave her son spoke volumes. It said “I know I raised you to be polite. I don’t care who you singin for but you better be respectful and don’t expect nothin from no one. Not even a damn coffee. 
Damn. Jayden thought. 
“I’m working on it ma.” Trevor told her. “Okayy baby” Mrs. Jackson said while continuing to stare at her son. The lecture left her eyes and was replaced with a knowing look while she smiled at her son.
Well Miss Jayden, I mean it.  I do appreciate it, and good luck to you on your game too. I’m sure you’ll be wonderful,” she said as she hugged the young woman one final time.  Mrs. Jackson continued around the room saying goodbye and hugging everyone. “Terrell, make sure you don’t go easy on my baby boy. He got this. We been practicin’, ya know.” .  
Jayden watched the woman, enamored by the similarities between Mrs. Jackson and her favorite aunt.  Jayden was so caught up in her thoughts, she initially missed Mrs. Jackson’s final goodbye to her, catching only enough to ask the woman to repeat herself.  
“I’m sorry Mrs. Jackson, what did you say? Jayden stammered out flustered as she had gotten so in her own head. 
Mrs. Jackson paused before scurrying out the door to support her first born “ I said I’ll see you soon baby”, giving the young woman a wink and mischievous smirk before disappearing out the door. 
Jayden stared at the door, mouth opening trying to figure out what the woman had meant. 
………………………………
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A Double Life
Chapter 2 
A self-indulgent Daniel Ricciardo fic.
Summary: Returning to old passions results in the start of chaos and living a double life. We say we hate chaos, but the thrill is unlike anything else.
Words: 2,236
Part 1 // Masterlist
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Formula 3 was incredible, one of, if not the best years of your little life so far. You got to visit so many cities that you hadn’t been to before and you met so many people. Especially with the tracks overlapping with F2 and F1, you could chat to, learn from and in some cases, build friendships with people in the leagues above. It did also help that Lewis would pop in to see you every now and again, check up on things and introduce you to those he thought might stand you in good sted. Either way, you felt as though you gained two new families that year; one in academia within your research group, and one within the world of racing.
Your confirmation paper was accepted, critiqued and praised, meaning you had done everything you needed to progress in your PhD. You were relieved at being able to produce something of worth whilst living both of your lives with full intensity.
All too soon the season ended and you had achieved more than anyone could have predicted. Like a duck to water – albeit a sleep deprived duck - you had successfully readjusted to racing, finishing a staggering 3rd in your rookie year. You were so proud. You’d been balancing the move into your second year in your doctoral programme with racing and you were starting to see the results of your pre-race training. That, combined with your work ethic and results from this season, you could move up into Formula 2, having signed a contract with ART Grand Prix in August.  
After the last 12 months, you felt as though you had mastered the required routine for balancing your ‘two lives’ as you call it. Coming into the long break between seasons you didn’t want to lose that balance, but also wanted to give yourself a break from the long days you were accustomed to. Who knows, maybe you could go for lunch with friends, after all you can be somewhat laxer on your diet now. A real social life sounded divine, yet somewhat terrifying.  
You figured you were afraid that if you loosened your grip on your routine, you’d struggle even more with your move to formula 2. Comparing the two championships, formula two had significantly more traveling involved, with tracks from the middle east being included. Where the season was eight rounds between May and September for Formula 3, Formula 2 had 12 rounds between March and December. Formula 2 would potentially interfere with more of your lab work and conferences you attended. Could you handle an increase in workload and training? Would it be easier if you maintained your somewhat unhealthly work schedule?
You were already a little more intense than some of the other F3 drivers, with regards to diet and training routines, you knew that, but Lewis had always pushed you to be better, work smarter. You don’t improve without pushing yourself, why limit that to just the track?  
With the season coming to an end, it meant that season one of the Stewart show, one of Lewis’ many nicknames for it, would be airing soon. The camera crew were your one link between life on and off track, they saw it all and now the world would be able to as well. You were excited to see people’s reactions, but also concerned about how things might change as a result. Would drivers take you less seriously? Would people from your lab watch it and view you differently?
You had been talking through these thoughts and worries with Lewis as you met for a ‘detox weekend’ in London at his flat. He wanted to celebrate your fantastic season and pray over the year ahead without any distractions and to give you a break from work. There was a movie playing in the background but you were far more interested in hearing about the team shuffles and how he thought the season was going to play out in F1. You wanted to know everything: who he thought would shine, who he thought might struggle and which teams he thought would step up. The resulting strategy discussions would help you in ways you couldn’t imagine as you moved up the leagues.  
Lewis always found ways to teach you something whenever you were together, but he also made a point of turning drivers' mode off and connecting with you on a personal level as well, even if he had been your mentor for over a year. Your friendship continued to blossom; you were more like family than friends now. You knew each other well enough to tease each other over the gossip surrounding them and could share secrets with one another and trust them to keep it. Lewis would tell you stories about his niece and nephew – who insisted on calling you auntie Rachel – that would have you snorting and clapping like a seal, or about stupid things he’d seen in town on a night out. You would share stories from the lab, who’d fucked up what experiment, which couples had emerged recently and what you had been working on. However, what Lewis loved to hear more than anything, purely so he could tease you, was any gossip from your love life, or more accurately, the lack of it. He would tease you about not following the other boys and dating someone from the circuit, someone’s brother or cousin, ‘get your flirt on’ he would always say.  
Tonight, Lewis was dragging you hard, saying he would set you up with one of the F1 lads if only you would admit which one you thought was the cutest. Anyone with a pair of eyes knew those boys were pretty jaw-dropping, I mean what else did anyone expect from a bunch of athletes. However, there wasn’t a hope in hell that you would admit to Lewis who you had a small celeb crush on, not that there was anyone. Definitely not.  
“Won’t be long until you’re up in F1 with me you know.” Lewis announced out of nowhere, seemingly dropping the topic of ‘hot F1 drivers’
“I’m sorry what?”  
“If you keep doing what you’re doing; working hard and getting these kinds of results, I see no reason why they wouldn’t find a seat for you in F1.”
“Oh.” You were shocked.  
Yes, you wanted to drive in F1, who didn’t, but you knew it was a hard task to get a seat and you didn’t have anywhere near as much experience as some of the other drivers in F2 who would be pushing to move up. “I’m not so sure,” you started, “as long as I’m alive, driving and challenging myself, I’m happy.”
“Sure but I’d love to have you in F1, race against my own little sister.” You could hear the sincerity in his voice.
“Cute, till I beat you, then you’ll just be sulking” You stuck your tongue out at him.
“Nah but for reals, it’ll make it super easier to tell which of the boys you’re crushing on.” He smirked back at you.
“Oh piss off.”
---
Lewis decided that once you had settled into the season a bit you should start coming to the media days as his guest to get a feel for things, still adamant that you would be up there soon. Obviously, you agreed, wanting as much experience as you could afford to get, regardless of where you ended up racing. Before you knew it, a permanent VIP pass had been organised, allowing you to go to any grand prix you wished.  
You loved watching the races, especially from the pits. It made your hunger to improve and move up stronger than it ever was. Well that, and it meant you could chat to some of the drivers you knew.  
Having met them last year, you occasionally played esports with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris and so knew them relatively well and so would always chat to them over race weekends. You were so thrilled to be back and settled into the new season that you couldn’t help but have a laugh when you were catching up with everyone. Media days were some of your favourites as everyone was usually in good spirits and this time, unbeknown to you, you were getting far more involved than ever before.
Whilst you were pally with a few of the drivers, you were yet to meet them all, and you were looking forward to meeting a certain jokester more than others. Once Lewis had figured this out, he had teased you relentlessly, it was all over for you. Unfortunately, he was only gorgeous until he opened his mouth.
“Here to scout the boys out?” Ricciardo had spotted you wandering around the paddock earlier and finally cornered you outside the Mercedes hub.
“Oh yeah, got to see who my competitions gonna be.” You teased back.
“The WAGs usually meet in the coffee parlour over there then.” Excuse me?
“Come again?”  
“The wives and girlfriends, your competition?”
You could only shake your head. Of course, he assumed that you in the team merch, guest of Lewis Hamilton, were here only with the aim of getting a boyfriend. Oh no, when you said you were scouting competition, you meant competition for a seat.
Almost on cue, Lewis came wandering around and started laughing at the sight of you.  
“Don’t lock your jaw sugarsnap” Lewis chuckled, using his nickname for you. The tension and irritation clear on your face. He knew exactly who had caused it given the group you were with. “Ricciardo what did you say?”
“Why me? And ‘sugarsnap’?” Ricciardo quizzed? “You already a WAG, doll?” He asked turning back to you
Your jaw tensed again; you couldn’t really blame him for not knowing you but the assumptions still hurt. Though you also shouldn’t have assumed that he watched the lower leagues, nor even heard of your show.  
“Yeah, I know you, so what did you say and why are you calling her a WAG?” Lewis was both amused and concerned, it was a strange look.  
“Told her which canteen the WAGs usually go to but I’m guessing she already knows if she’s your guest, ay?” Ricciardo winked at you.  
“Oh, that’ll do it. I’m her mentor and self-imposed older brother so no she’s no WAG.” Lewis’ voice was stern but still held a small hint of humour. He then turned to you, a grin spreading across his face.  
“Suit up sugarsnap – you've got a hot lap to do.”
“Really?” The excitement of the day returned at that.  
“Yup and you’re driving me round, step to it.”
You ran back to your changing area squealing with excitement. You headed off so fast you missed the shocked look on Ricciardo’s face.
“She’s driving?”
“Mentor hot laps – a new Mercedes segment.”
“She’s a driver?”
“A damn good one – you'd know that if you checked any of the results from F2.”
“I do check!”
“Stewart? Placed 3rd in F3 last year?” Ricciardo was nodding, he knew that name, saw the results from last years F3 season too. “Yeah, she’s Rachel Stewart.”  
With that, Lewis headed to the garage to meet you.
You climbed into your GT-R, Lewis clambering into the passenger side, repeatedly commenting on how weird it felt given he was usually the one driving these laps. You could already see the joy on your media teams face, the camera catching this bickering and knowing full well how well received this sort of banter would be with fans.  
“You driven one of these before?” Lewis queried.
“Nope.” You replied, popping the ‘p’, “that an issue Lew?”
“Adds to the adventure. Don’t go above seventy on a corner or we’ll roll.” Fun, but something to learn.  
“Rollings fun.” You sassed back.
“Not your car Stewie.” Another nickname.  
“Roger that.”  
With a shared laugh, you were off on your lap.  
The mentor hotlaps segment had come about with Mercedes deciding that they wanted to start highlighting the impact a mentor could have, both on and off the track, and so were filming various challenges and fun tasks for their social media. They could showcase both mature and successful drivers, as well as the upcoming drivers they hoped would lead the next generation.  
You knew your lap was being filmed and so steered clear from bad language and uber personal topics but you laughed, chatted and teased your way round the hot lap, Lewis booing when you wouldn’t steal a second lap. As you climbed out you reminded Lewis that your name didn’t carry quite as much weight as his. Obviously, he couldn’t help but comment on how it wouldn’t be long till yours carried the same.  
Walking back towards your cool room several members of the Mercedes team congratulated you saying your lap was both impressive and hilarious. People seemed to love seeing the familial relationship you had developed with the five-time world champion. No one was quite as happy as Lewis’ press manager, quietly commenting how easy this would be to put out.
“Not bad at all doll.” An Australian accent called out as you left the main crowd in the garage.
Smirking up to the driver, one you may have had a crush on until he opened his mouth to speak earlier, you decided to play him at his own game.  
“Thanks. Say Ricciardo, when’s your contract up?”  
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fanfic-inator795 · 5 years
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RotTMNT/Baron Jitsu fanfiction: Dating… With Children - Chapter Eight
(Also on AO3 if you want to leave a comment or kudos)
Plot:  Benjamin Draxum hardly considered himself a man of high social standing. Not because he was uncouth or unworthy of it, mind you, but simply because he didn’t have much of a social life. Hard to have one when he usually spent his days at work, cooped up in a lab for so long that he often had his lunches in there, and his nights at home reading or doing research for more personal projects. But perhaps meeting handsome semi-retired movie star - as well as his four young sons - could change all that…
((Apologies for the long wait! Writer's block hit me hard this time around... But not only have I finally finished this chapter, but I managed to get a couple drabbles written out as well to make up for the lack of content, which I should have posted shortly. Anyway, hope you enjoy both them and this chapter! ^v^ Also, shoutout to @halloweennut, whose own celeb AU inspired a few small bits for the beginning chunk of this chapter, heh))
Lou could still remember when he was a younger man, fresh off the set of his first movie. A passion project from an already decently famous director with a foreign, previously unknown actor as the face of it. Lou had been so excited when he first walked into that small LA television studio, only half listening as his manager tried to ‘suggest’ answers to certain possible questions, and instead just tried to take it all in. Not only was he going to be a movie star, but now he was going to be on one of the most well known talk shows in America! Talk about a good head start! As was to be expected, he'd ended up completely acing his interview, charming both the live audience and viewers at home and cementing himself on the path to stardom.
But that had been years ago, the excitement and ‘newness’ of it all being long gone, even after taking a bit of a break from the business. As far as Lou was concerned, you be on one talk show, you've been on them all.
Still, the experience wasn't necessarily a bad one - especially when the studio put in the extra money for a decent backstage spread. Licking his lips slightly, Lou picked up another ham and cheese-topped cracker, quietly munching on it as he watched the various stagehands pass by. He was moving over the dessert side of the table when one of the show’s managers finally approached him. “Five minutes until you’re on, Mr. Jitsu!”
“Mm,” Lou nodded. He took a cookie to go and then stood at the designated spot behind the curtains, knowing the drill well. Popping the treat in his mouth, he took a moment to smooth out his outfit - a crisp white shirt with a light blue jacket and pants and a loose red tie, making the whole thing a sort of call back to the jumpsuits he used to wear - and make any last-minute quick fixes to his hair before the commercials ended.
Finally, the stage lights came back on just as the cameras began rolling, and the audience cheered as their favorite New York hostess strolled back on stage. “Welcome back, everyone,” Jessica grinned, soaking in the cheers from her audience. Jessica Jacklynn was more of a local famous favorite than a national one like other late night talk show hosts, but she still had plenty of fans thanks to her cool demeanor and always being on the search for exciting drama with her guests. “We’ve got a pretty special treat for you all tonight, a man who I'm sure needs no introduction, but I guess we’ll give him one anyway-” The audience gave a bit of a laugh at that. “Here to celebrate the seventeenth anniversary of his film, ‘Teriyaki Shakedown’, give it up for… LOU ‘JITSU’ HAMATO!”
Huh, it wasn't often people included his real last name - and even less often, if ever, his real first name. Most people just introduced him by his stage name. Heck, Lou himself usually did that too, not having much of a connection to his family name and only using it to sign official papers. ‘Guess she did her homework,’ Lou thought as he walked out onto the stage, a professional grin plastered on his handsome face.
He struck a couple ‘action poses’ for the cheering audience and shook hands with Jessica before setting down on the dark red couch opposite her desk chair. (From what he heard, Jessica was somewhat famous for actually standing on her desk when things got really exciting, and wondered if she'd end up doing that tonight at some point.)
“So Lou, seventeen years,” Jessica began, smiling sweetly now, “It’s been a while, though I bet the time just flew by for you, huh?”
“Oh yeah,” Lou nodded, “Seems like it was only yesterday I was tossing stunt doubles into bowls of soup.” The audience laughed again. “Heh, it's kind of funny that that film is more remembered than my first just because it started my catchphrase. But hey, it's a good catchphrase! And apparently still pretty applicable to non-soup situations.”
“Mmhm,” Jessica nodded, “Well, we all love a good action-hero catchphrase. But, we aren't just here to celebrate the past, we want to know what you've been up to since! After all, it has been a while since your last film-”
“Yeah well, you can thank the box office for that,” Lou joked, earning more laughs.
“Fair enough, but I understand that you've had other things keeping you busy as well?” Jessica inquired, leaning in a bit on her desk, “Things like trying to take care of four little boys, maybe?”
Lou’s smile faltered ever so slightly as he nodded. “Yes, I suppose you could say that…” Lou never minded the spotlight of the press, and could even handle the paparazzi! But when it came to his kids, well… It was a whole different story.
Even without reporting it to the press, the news that Lou Jitsu had adopted four young sons had still broken a few days after he signed the papers. Almost immediately, news and celeb magazines wanted info and pictures. They'd pop up like a nasty swarm of gnats, hoping for several pictures and wanting to ask the boys questions after questions.
The first time it happened, it caused poor three year old Mikey to hide his face in his father’s chest, obviously freaked out by all the sudden people and flashes, while his only slightly older brothers were still a bit too surprised and confused to know what to do, the three of them crowding around Lou’s tall, protective legs. It took threatening to throw their cameras into the nearest tree to get them to finally leave, though even that didn't discourage much of the media circus.
He had accepted one interview, hoping to relieve some pressure, from a local New York newscaster who simply wanted a cute fluff piece from the semi-retired action star (as well as to get the full story first before any other media outlet could). ...Unfortunately, said newscaster ended up being a huge jerk, doing everything from asking if Lou purposely chose to adopt ‘minority kids’ (as if Lou himself wasn't a minority? The guy was an idiot too) to asking if he was trying to ‘prove something’ to other celebs who had adopted kids by adopting so many at once, even going so far as to imply that his kids were simply charity cases. Honestly it took all of Lou’s self restraint not to just rip the stupid poofy blond hair right off the guy’s head by the time the interview was over.
And of course, once he allowed one reporter to talk to him, everyone else just tried even harder to get an interview too. It eventually took Tang Shen - as well as several other people in the industry who considered themselves Lou Jitsu’s friends - threatening the various members of the paparazzi on social media, as well as the public finding some other piece of celeb news to obsess and gossip over, to finally get it all to stop somewhat.
Though, thinking back on all that, Lou was beginning to wonder if he had made a mistake accepting the invitation onto Jessica’s show, possibly inviting that whole mess back into his life... However, Jessica was calm and professional as she continued. “I think we all remember a couple years ago when we all heard that action superstar Lou Jitsu was suddenly a father, and for what it's worth… We couldn't be happier for you!”
Lou blinked. “Oh… Well, thank you!” He nodded, quickly composing himself, “Yes, they are very good boys, even when they don't always listen. But hey, what kid does?”
“True, true,” Jessica agreed, “And I bet they love having fun just as much as you did, eh Lou?”
Lou chuckled. “Well, fun for them, and maaaybe a bit more on the side of stressful for me. But what can I say? I love my boys, even after the hundredth time I’ve told them to take off their shoes before running into the house.”
Chuckling along with his listeners as he relaxed on the couch, he began spinning various anecdotes about fatherhood and his new family that were funny and even relatable as they were heartwarming. The audience was practically eating out of his hands - not that Lou really cared, he just liked talking about his boys! Though, if he could entertain people with them then, hey, two birds with one stone.
“-and oh, you should've just seen the mess they made, and the faces they made when I caught them. They knew they were in big trouble - they got cheese and sauce on the CEILING! It was unbelievable!
"Ha! I can imagine!"
"Yes, and all over a ‘which pizza topping is the best’ argument! I wanted to be mad, believe me, but at that point, it felt like all I could do was laugh!" Lou shook his head at the memory. "Heh, I am sure I must have seemed crazy, but then again I was pretty crazy for leaving four kids under ten in the kitchen alone anyway. And it is like I told Ben, if you are going to have a food fight, you might as well do it as a child so you have a better chance of getting away with it-”
“Wait,” Jessica stopped him, “Ben?” She raised an eyebrow, smirking a bit. “Who's Ben?”
Again, Lou’s grin fell ever so slightly. Had he said Ben’s name? Shoot. “Well, ah… A-Anyway, after all that-”
“Oh, don't tell me you've been holding out on us, Lou!” Jessica told him, her eyes curious and mischievous as her now-curious fans throwing in a couple encouraging cheers, “Come on, you can tell us! Is there a new certain someone we should know about? Someone we already know?”
“Heh, I doubt it...” Lou mumbled. Draxum definitely wasn't the public type, he barely even had a social media page! There was no way he'd want his and Lou's 'story' shared with the whole city, much less the rest of the world. However, even knowing this, he also knew that his hostess wouldn't let it drop if he tried to play dumb and completely deny it. So, he decided to just choose his words carefully.
“I… may have started dating again-” The applause and surprised shouts were practically thunderous- “but, I want to respect my boyfriend’s privacy. It is what he deserves, after all. He is fun, smart, good with the boys-” he cracked a smirk, “Definitely handsome, aaaand… That is all I am going to say.” And his smirk only stubbornly remained as groans filled his ears.
“Are you sure you can't give us anymore?” The so-called Queen of Drama inquired, batting her eyes a bit, “I just know our audience would-”
“Now, I believe your people found some deleted scenes from the studio that you wanted me to give some insight on?” Lou asked, not even looking at her now, effectively ending the conversation, “Because, hey, isn't this supposed to be about ‘Teriyaki Shakedown’? I have got plenty of stories about that story too, you know! Does anyone here want to hear about how I came up with my Hot Soup finisher? Maybe a little demonstration too, if we can find some soup?”
Much to their hostess’ dismay, the audience unanimously answered, clapping and cheering once again. Remaining professional as ever, Jessica just smiled as she tucked a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. “Well, I guess we know what we’re doing after commercials. Stay tuned for more stories and stunts with our favorite butt-kicking star, Lou ‘Jitsu’ Hamato!”
----------
“Great show tonight, Ms. Jacklynn!” “Wonderful job, Ms. Jacklynn!” “That was such a good idea, finding an excuse to get the Lou Jitsu on the show!” “I'm just surprised he said yes! Feels like it's been forever since he's been on something!” “And yet the moment someone says his name, his fans go totally rabid! Now that's what you’d call someone with star power!”
Jessica nodded as she continued making her way through her stage crew, only briefly acknowledging their comments and praise. Even the executive producer of the network only got a minute of her time. “I just really have something I need to get done before I head home,” she explained, not bothering to reveal anything else as she finally made it to her private dressing room.
She sighed, kicking off her high heels. Hosting a show was nice, but now it was time for the real fun. After all, content for shows and blog posts didn't just fall out of the trees most of the time. Sometimes, you had to go searching for it… And other times, you had to make it yourself. She had been hoping that with enough flirting, perhaps she could make some viewers see sparks between her and the semi-retired star, leading to plenty of publicity for the both of them and possibly start certain favorable rumors. But this… This was MUCH more interesting!
“Funny, Lou,” Jessica mused as she turned on her laptop, “You never used to shy about who you dated…” Even before she got into the showbiz game, she could remember seeing and hearing about all the various arm candy he’d have at movie premieres, award shows and Hollywood parties. Whether they were a new face on the movie scene, some beautiful model, a rich heir or heiress or even a co-star, Lou simply had no problem showing them off and having fun in both public and private for however long the fling lasted.
So what made this ‘Ben’ guy so special? What was he trying to hide?
Jessica went to Lou’s social media page first, naturally. She ended up scrolling through four months worth of content, but unfortunately came up with nothing. All Lou seemed to post were cute pics of his kids, random opinions on random things, Lou Jitsu memes and the occasional food or outfit pic when he had something to show up. Guess he was just as private about his personal life online as he was in person. Jessica scowled a bit at this, but didn’t give up yet. There was information out there, she knew there was! She just had to dig a little deeper…
She began searching for anything Lou Jitsu related on all social media sites. Most of it was useless - a fan mentioning they were doing a #JitsuMovieMarathon or someone taking a pic with an obvious Lou Jitsu impersonator. Those were the most frustrating. But finally, after over an hour of searching, she finally found something.
The Facebook page of a nobody with a followers number that indicated that anything he posted most likely stayed trapped within his circle of friends no matter how interesting or cool it was. There, she found a picture of Lou in a fighting ring with some guy she didn’t know, the caption explaining that this guy just couldn’t believe someone as awesome as Lou Jitsu was fighting in their gym.
But that wasn’t the most interesting thing. No, what was most interesting was the slightly blurry face in the background of the pic, tall with auburn hair and eyes wide with amazement. Jessica hummed to herself. He could’ve just been another fan… But there was something about him that seemed to claim otherwise.
This hinting feeling was indicated about twenty five minutes later when she saw the tall, redhead man again in another picture, this time on Twitter. It was slightly out of focus and far away, and Lou was wearing sunglasses, but it was them, there was no doubt about that. “Can’t believe it! A celeb date night on MY shift!” the girl had tweeted, adding an obnoxious amount of emojis and wishing the former star luck before adding “#HotSoupLove!” .
Jessica smirked. Hot Soup Love, indeed. “Now we’re getting somewhere…” It took some cross referencing and a lot more digging - whoever this guy was, he had little to know social media presence whatsoever, which made it even stranger that he was dating LOU JITSU of all people - but finally, she found him.
His stern, serious picture stared back at her as his information was revealed, thanks to the research lab website that introduced him: Dr. Benjamin Draxum, head of Genetics and Biochemical Research. “Doesn’t exactly seem like the ‘dating’ type, or the type of guy that a guy like Jitsu would go for,” Jessica commented, opening up a word post on her own social media page, “But hey, that just makes it all the more interesting.”
She always did love being the first one to break the story on any potential celebrity gossip, and this was certainly a story twist that no one would see coming…
----------------
Draxum’s eyes shot opened at the sudden alarm. He groaned, hating how early these Monday mornings always seemed to be. His eyes then shifted towards the windows, his body still lazy enough to ignore the alarm. Even behind the curtains, he could tell the sun was just barely starting to rise. So then, why was his alarm-?
It was then his tired brain finally realized that it wasn't his alarm going off, but his simple ringtone. He reached over and picked up his phone, and then glared at the screen when he saw it was a number he didn't recognize. Why they were calling over an hour before he had to wake up, he had no idea. It was probably a telemarketer, but just in case it wasn't, Draxum reluctantly answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Hello,” a seemingly human voice replied, “Are you Dr. Benjamin Draxum?”
“Yes, and who is this?”
“My name is Samantha Vics. I work for the NYC Inquiry and I was wondering if I could ask you some questions.”
A newspaper? (Or, maybe a magazine, he didn't know for sure given that he didn't really read many of either.) Well… He wasn't expecting that. Better than a telemarketer, at least. “About what?” He asked, wondering if perhaps something happened at his lab and they needed a statement from someone who worked there.
“Well, I was hoping you could tell me a little about your relationship with Lou Jitsu.”
…………… What .
“Excuse me?” He asked after several seconds of silence. Maybe he just misheard-
“Your relationship with Lou Jitsu. You are dating him, aren't you? I was hoping maybe I could ask you a few questions about that. How you two met, how long you two have been dating, what it’s like dating an action star as famous as him-”
Draxum took a deep breath through his nose. “...Excuse me for asking but, which section of the paper did you say you worked for?” He was just barely managing to keep his tone even.
“Oh, it's not a paper, sir. It's more of a local and national pop culture and celebrity-focused magazine, why-?” Draxum hung up, releasing his sigh. He wanted to go back to bed for the next hour and pretend that the whole incident was just an annoying dream.
...That's what he would've done at least, had it not been for the two more phone calls he received that morning. One from some talk show host named Jessica, and another from the Today Show, asking for a comment to use during their ‘Trending Now’ segment. Those two simple words sent enough dread down into Draxum’s stomach to switch his phone to silent, effectively ignoring it as he got ready for what was sure to be a long day.
His temper only rose when he ended up running into more people outside of his apartment, at least three or four. More ‘reporters’ - weren't these people supposed to be researching and reporting REAL news?! - trying to ask him questions, as well as ordinary people passing by, whispering as soon as they saw him and watching him as if he were some sideshow. He lost track of how many times he said “No comment”, practically shouting the words by the time he got to his car. At least they were smart enough to get out of his way once he got behind the wheel.
He didn't drive to work right away though, curiosity finally getting the better of him as he instead pulled into an empty alleyway where he could check his phone - four missed calls now - in peace. All he did was type in his name into a search engine, and about half a dozen articles from various blogs and gossip rags came up.
“Beautiful Brawn Meets Brain! Lou Jitsu Dates NYC Doctor!”
"Just WHO Is Jitsu’s New Boyfriend?!”
"Hot Soup Love!”
"Is Lou Jitsu Into Scientists Instead of Supermodels These Days? These Pics Would Say Yes!”
“What the hell?!” Draxum scowled, reading title after title before finally clicking on the earliest post. Honestly it was more speculation than an actual article, with the only ‘facts’ being the two pictures that included both him and Lou, as well as his name - which was only used once. After that, he was just referred to as ‘Jitsu’s Boyfriend’ or ‘The Scientist’. That definitely irked him.
And one of the photos… That was the diner they liked going to. The diner that would no doubt be swarmed often now in the hopes of getting another shot at seeing the Big Apple’s newest celebrity couple, the public and media alike most likely not caring if they disrupted a date. This made Draxum’s heart ache as much as it made his anger rise. He really liked that diner...
“How did they even find out about us?” He wondered out loud as he continued scrolling through. Sure there were the pictures, but something would have to prompt people to go looking for them, given they weren't originally posted by paparazzi. It was then, in the back of his mind, he remembered Lou saying something about having a talk show gig.
His eyes narrowed as he immediately switched from the Internet to texting. “We need to talk,” he typed.
Thankfully, Lou didn't wait long to reply, his words serious for once. “I know… I have to take the boys for school, but I will meet you at your lab for lunch. Maybe before then I can call up a couple people, do some damage control.” So he already knew. Draxum texted back that he would see him then. Just as he started his car back up, he received one last text.
“Ben… I am so sorry.”
Draxum didn't reply back.
The drive to work was average, save for his still-set-to-silent phone getting more unknown callers. He would have to start blocking numbers soon, maybe even change his number. He scowled just thinking about it as he walked up the walkway to the research building. It was ridiculous, couldn't these people just take a hint and leave him alo-?
* CLICK ! CLICK !*
Draxum’s whipped his head to the side so fast it was a wonder he didn't get whiplash. His eyes had just barely caught the tail end of a flash of light, and as he stared at the seemingly-normal bush that sat near the parking lot, he could see hints of black and plastic within it. Unable to help himself, he clenched his fists. “HEY!”
The scrawny figure didn't hesitate to move, jumping out of the bush and dashing down the street with their camera in tow. Had he not been in work clothes, he might have chased the photographer down. But he was as tired as he was furious, so he settled for simply letting the lab’s security desk attendant know that he'd spotted a ‘suspicious person’ outside.
His interns thankfully were smart enough not to say anything, stiff in their seats and already engrossed in their daily tasks. That's what Draxum tried to do as well, to just pretend that everything was normal despite feeling like the entire city - the entire world - now had their eyes on him, desperate for any little scrap they could get. ...Naturally this made focusing on work fairly hard. In between in-putting data from current tests and doing research on upcoming projects, he’d switch to social media, reluctant yet too curious to stop himself.
By this point most of the ‘articles’ had stopped, given that there was no new information coming in and nothing new to add. But that didn't mean people didn't have anything to say - the comments sections were an absolute nightmare...
Some people claimed Lou was only dating him so Draxum could (somehow) get his kids into a good college, or free medical care (he wasn't that kind of doctor, morons). Others simply called Draxum out for only wanting to date Lou for his status and money, with some speculating that he was only faking being a doctor. They wondered what they saw in each other, how Lou could possibly think of ‘going out with someone like that’. Every quality or accomplishment Draxum had or might have had was just ripped to shreds by fans and gossipers alike, all of them agreeing that the famous action star could certainly do better.
Draxum wasn't the type to care what people thought of him. ...He had to keep reminding himself that. That these opinions were worthless in the grand scheme of things… Still, even the least social people could still feel the crushing weight of words and insults if enough was thrown at them. “Unbelievable,” he muttered, his anger more numb now even as his disheartened frustrations remained.
The morning hours of his shift took an eternity to get through, but eventually the noon hour rolled around, and there was a knock on his doorway. “Hey,” Lou quietly greeted, holding up a logoless bag. With the media circus going on around them, it made sense that his boyfriend would pick making a sandwich for him over stopping somewhere and buying one. Draxum nodded, thanking him as he took the bag, but didn't open it.
As soon as they were alone in the room, his interns heading to the cafeteria faster than he had ever seen them go, Draxum asked his first question: “Why did you think it was okay to just… To just tell the whole WORLD about me without even-?”
“It was an accident,” Lou told him, as apologetic as he was defensive, “I-I was on that show, just telling stories about the boys and, well, your name just… slipped out.” He winced, silently berating himself for such a stupid mistake before continuing. “But I swear to you, Ben, I did not give them anything! All I said was that I was dating someone and left it at that. I didn't say what kind of job you had, or any personal information about you, or even your last name!”
Draxum was still scowling, though at least it didn't seem to be directed completely at his boyfriend now. “And it would seem they didn't need you to tell them that stuff, when they could just find it on their own.”
“Hmph, right…” He still wasn't sure how Jessica was able to find all she did about Draxum with just a first name, but he did know one thing: He was NEVER going on her show again. ...Unfortunately, whether he made a reappearance or not, the damage already seemed done. “Ben, I… I am so, so sorry. I never wanted something like this to happen! Especially not to the man I care about.”
Draxum stared at him for a moment longer before sighing. “I know… And I forgive you.” It would be unfair to keep blaming him for such a minor mistake.
Lou managed a weak smile at that. “Thanks… So uh, I was able to get in touch with a couple of my old managers, and they are going to try and get the story pulled.” Though by this point, it was already far too late. The original reporters had done their job, and it wasn't as if they could control every single person on social media. They had lost the war before starting a single battle. “I, I could still make a public statement. Not sure how much it would help, but…”
“Couldn't hurt to try,” Draxum agreed. Still, while Lou didn't even attempt to ask it, it still hung in the air between them, and the idea of it still sort of broke Draxum’s heart. Even worse, he didn't even have a solid answer to it.
“So, uh… A-Are you still coming over tonight?” Lou asked, “Because if you are, there is this back road behind my house, which may help with-”
“I think,” Draxum suddenly began as he forced himself to not look away, already feeling cowardly enough as is, “that I need some space.”
Lou’s glasses were at just the right angle to catch the fluorescent lights of his lab. Between that and the shading from his poofy hair, Draxum couldn't quite tell what his expression was. Still, the man’s voice remained steady. “Take all the time you need,” he quietly insisted. He then said his goodbyes, and walked out the door - and both of them hoped it wasn't for the last time.
Draxum stared at the open space where his boyfriend had stood, and nearly followed him out the door - but stopped when his phone lit up yet again with another unfamiliar number. He glared at the device, blocking the number before slamming it down on his desk.
Some space between them was for the best… It was for the best...
----------
The nice thing about the media machine was that new news became old news pretty quickly.
Sure, it still took him a couple days and blocking at least a dozen more numbers, but eventually Draxum stopped getting calls asking for interviews or comments. His co-workers made sure to stay out of his way as well, even though he could tell they were VERY curious and we're just barely holding back questions. And even if Draxum still made it a habit to look over his shoulder while walking around, the attempts that various members of the paparazzi made to try and get a shot of him also became few and far between.
After all, there was no point to the pictures if he was the only one in them...
“...” Draxum sighed, his eyes once again going from the book he was reading (a book he'd already read twice over, and was only trying to force himself to read it again as a distraction rather than for pleasure) over to the coffee table, where his phone sat, its silence adding to the much too quiet atmosphere of his apartment. Part of him almost wished it would ring or alert him about a text, but he knew it wouldn't happen. It hadn't happened for nearly two weeks.
“I wonder how he's doing,” Draxum mumbled to himself, eyes going from the device to the dark sky outside his living room window. He wondered about Lou and the boys both… He was sure they’d had to deal with twice as much hounding from the paparazzi, if not more, but he really hoped that they were enjoying some well-deserved peace now too. With days of silence from both sides of NYC’s newest hot couple, the media and celebrity gossipers alike eagerly moved onto the next scandal, leaving #HotSoupLove in the dust.
It was a relief… But there was also little actual comfort to it, for Draxum knew as soon as there were signs of the two of them being together in public again, the cameras and microphone-wielding pests of the city would pounce on them once more like snakes from the shadows. Each date outside of one of their homes would be a spectacle for the world to see, and Draxum hated that.  What he hated even more, however, was the fact that if it weren't for these vultures and the mess they would bring to his life… He would've probably called Lou as soon as the coast was clear...
Draxum had never needed space, he just refused to give the paparazzi a chance to get what they wanted! He had just wanted some peace and quiet, some time to hide from the prying eyes of his newfound public audience. But Lou… He had never wanted to be away from Lou, not for this long at least.  He truly did forgive him for his mistake, and each time Draxum thought of him - of the fun conversations or the things Lou would do to make him smile, of all the small gestures meant only for him and the moments they would also share with Lou’s young family - it only made his heart ache… God, did Draxum miss him. He missed ALL of them, and wanted nothing more than to see them again. To go back to the way things were.
And yet his hand refused to pick up the phone.
Draxum growled, carelessly tossing the book aside before leaning back on the couch and shutting his eyes. He hated it… Hated that to be with the one he loved, he'd have to risk being exposed to the world. Hated that a single phone call between them or a simple night out could also invite thousands of eyes and invasive questions. Hated that, for their relationship to work, he would have to also most likely deal with dangerous rumors and insulting comments and possibly even threats (depending on how rabid that particular part of the Lou Jitsu fanbase was) on a daily basis.
...But most of all, he hated himself for being such a coward. He didn't care how reasonable it was to hide, he was still allowing them to control this part of his life. He was giving them the power to decide the fate of his relationship instead of fighting for it... But since when was Benjamin Draxum not a fighter?
Deciding to do what he should've done two weeks ago, Draxum stood up and got his laptop.  It didn't take very long, about an hour at most. Editing was minimal, and as he prepared to post it on his rarely-used Facebook account (which had amounted followers in the thousands in just a few short days with the number continuing to rise), he finally picked up his cell and sent a simple text:
“Hello, Lou. Sorry for taking so long.”
It only took a couple minutes to get a reply. “It's fine, do not worry about it.” It was a normal enough reply, yet something about it still made it seem like Lou was walking on eggshells with him rather than being his normal, carefree self.
Draxum scowled slightly as his thumb flew across the keys. “No, it's not fine. Yes, I was upset and-” Scared? Angry? Disgusted by society? “-worried about dealing with… this whole situation. But not anymore. By the way, I’m posting something online right now, and I just wanted to give you a heads up. I'd suggest you watch it though.”
That time, Lou’s reply took several minutes. “Should I be worried about this?” He finally asked. He could almost see the man raising an eyebrow at him, wondering whether or not the scientist was about to do something that could get him anything from a bunch of flame comments and haters to getting arrested.
Draxum chuckled despite himself, not exactly being able to blame his boyfriend for being concerned. “No, if this blows up in my face, I should be the only one in the crossfire. That being said, I did want to ask one last thing. Are you free to go out tomorrow? I'd like to take you back to the diner we like.”
He could see Lou thinking it over (thanks to the ellipsis word bubble) before giving him an answer. “Yeah, sure, I should be free...but are you sure u want to go back there? and not somewhere else?”
“Yes. Very.” He was certain that Lou was still a bit unsure, but nevertheless they agreed on a time that Draxum would pick him up before saying goodnight. With that taken care of, Draxum made his post and then promptly shut off his laptop, letting his video do the rest…
-----------
“Hello. My name is Dr. Benjamin Draxum - though I'm sure most of you out there don't care about that. You'll just call me ‘The Scientist’ or ‘Lou Jitsu’s boyfriend’. Speaking of Lou and my relationship with him, that will be the subject of this video. You all want answers? Then fine, you've got them.
“We first met about five months, at an art museum auction event. When we first met each other, he invited me to join him and his family for the rest of the evening. I accepted. Afterwards, he gave me his phone number, and after a long conversation over the phone where we got to know each other, he invited me over to his house for supper. Again, I accepted.
“Ever since then, we've been spending time with each other and going out on dates when we can. We talk on the phone, visit each other’s homes, and do all the normal, average things that literally any other couple would do on dates. Those are the facts. And because I have revealed all the facts that are there, I will not be accepting or answering anymore questions, from the public or the media, in this video’s comments section or through the phone or email. However, I understand that this will not keep people from asking anyway or from speculation, nor will it keep mine and Lou’s relationship private despite the more intimate details of it not being anyone else’s business. I fully expect candid shots of us together the next time we go out, no matter how much I may ask of others to respect our privacy. ...But again, I accept this, and I will give you all one last fact about me:
“I care about Lou Jitsu, fully and genuinely, and as long as he will continue to allow it and as long as I still have these strong feelings for him, I will continue to be with him. Thank you and goodnight.”
Jessica had watched the video three times now, and each time she found herself a bit hollow afterwards. It hadn't been the first time someone famous (or even just in the middle of their thirty seconds of fame) had made a video to help clear up certain things or vent about something. But those were usually a lot more dramatic, where they'd eventually start screaming or crying or insulting people - But Draxum had done none of that.
He had spoke as if he was giving a lecture on whatever it was he studied. He was clear and concise, only presenting the facts with little emotion whatsoever. Even how he presented himself on the camera was professional, sitting up straight on his couch at home, well dressed with brushed hair. This was hardly some dramatic speech or him boasting about how he was sure ‘their love could conquer anything’. ...At least, it wasn't that in words or tone.
But in his eyes and the way he stared down the camera - not caring how many were watching or judging - revealed his true feelings. His passion, his determination to fight for his relationship, maybe even his love.
“I gotta hand it to you, Jitsu,” Jessica smiled, finally closing the screen, “You sure know how to pick them…” She also had a feeling that they'd be one of the few celebrity couples to stay together - and if that were indeed the case, she'd definitely have to come up with a better couples name for them than #HotSoupLove.
---------------------
As far as he knew, no one had followed him to the Jitsu household. No paparazzi desperate for interviews, and no cameramen hoping for candid shots. Though, if there had been someone, he wasn't sure how much he would actually care. At this point, nothing was going to stop him from finally seeing his boyfriend again.
So, Draxum walked up to the house, moved to knock on the door, and-
The door opened, Lou already knowing he was there. He was smirking, but there was gratitude and admiration in his smile. “Well well well… Don't we know how to make a viral splash?”
Draxum smiled back at him. “Well, I didn't exactly have much of a choice. I had to let the world - and you - know where I stand.”
Lou’s smile fell a bit. “...Except you did have a choice. You know that, right?”
“I do… But it wouldn't have been a choice I'd be happy with,” Draxum told him, taking a step forward. He took Lou’s hands, squeezing them with care. “I want to be with you, no matter how much I may have to deal with from everyone else.” Though, after a moment, he frowned. “Of course, I'm not the only one this affects… Even if I'm not around you all the time, I'm sure you and your family will have to deal with all of that extra attention as well, so-”
Suddenly, Lou was grinning ear-to-ear. “Wow, last night really was the first time you have been on social media in a while, huh?”
“...Yesss, why?”
He chuckled. “Tang Shen saw what was going on, and heard about how our house was practically swarmed with people wanting comments that first day. And well, heh, you're not the only one who can make an online video. Just recently she decided to, ah, 'renew' an old threat directed at the entire paparazzi community, and told them that anyone who tried to talk or take pictures of my children without my consent would be VERY sorry. My boys will be just fine.”
Draxum was grinning now, holding back his laughter. “Well, that settles it. I definitely have to meet that woman one of these days.”
“She always flies in around Christmastime, just a heads up. And as for me, I am pretty much used to the whole ‘rabid fanbase, occasionally stalked by media people’ thing by now. Although…” His smile softened. “It really is easier when you have someone helping you deal with it.”
Not willing to hold himself back anymore, Draxum closed the distance between them, kissing Lou softly. Lou deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. Yes, this was where he belonged: Beside his boyfriend, taking on whatever came their way together.
As they broke apart, they could hear tiny feet coming down the stairs. “I will have to go drop the boys off at O’Neil’s place, and then-”
“Draxum!” “Dr. Draxum!” “Drax!” “DRAXUMMMMM!”
From out of nowhere it seemed, he felt one, two, three, four small bodies (though that last one was pretty heavy) run into his legs, knocking him off balance and onto the ground. “Wh- Boys?!” Lou shouted.
Of course, his sons just ignored him, too excited as they all shouted at once. “We haven't seen you in forever, Dr. Draxum!” “See, I told you guys he'd come back!” “Yeahhh well, I always knew.” “Nuh uh, Leo!” "Yuh huh!" “DRAXUM I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE BAAAACK!”
Unable to help himself, Draxum laughed, managing to wrap his arms around all four of them. “I've missed you boys, too…” And that was the truth.
It took about fifteen minutes to calm the boys down and get them to April’s house (and to get Mikey to let go of Draxum), thanks to Draxum happily promising to visit them again later. With that settled, the reunited couple made their way to the diner.
As was to be expected, the diner was pretty full, now infamous for being #HotSoupLove’s ‘place’. But the two barely gave anyone else a second glance as they caught up with each other and enjoyed their meal, nor did they hesitate in taking a nice walk through the open Central Park afterwards. Not even the annoying occasional flash of a camera out of the corner of their eye or the whispers as they passed people by could sour their mood.
They were dealing with it all together, and that was all that mattered.
(( I know Jessica Jacklynn was just a referee/commentator, but I feel like she would totally be the type of character to host a late night talkshow and just be all about the celebrity gossip and drama. Lol, anyway, hope this chapter was enjoyable and not too wordy. please leave a comment if you can!))
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smilingformoney · 5 years
Text
Platinum Diamond Scene: Act in a Sketch with Avery
Josh Morello: Awesome! Josh Morello: First off, we wrote two different versions of the script. Would you rather play a parody of yourself, or a parody of Jaylen Riaz? You: Jaylen? Fiona: Playing up your beef with Jaylen would amp your popularity up immediately. Avery: Then again, Cadence, it really just depends on whether or not you want to play up your rivalry with her. You: Hmm…
Who do you play on Last Call? -Jaylen
You: The people want what they want. Besides, I don’t owe her anything. Fiona: Good call. Josh Morello: Works for me!
-Yourself
You: I’d rather just make fun of myself. I barely know her, anyway. Josh Morello: Works for me!
Avery: What about me? I’m down to play a fun character as well. Josh Morello: Any preference? Avery: Surprise me. Josh Morello: Oh, then, we’ll have something in store for you… Josh Morello: First, we’ll send you off to hair and makeup while I meet up with Shane to go over the scripts. Then, we’ll go over lines together. Josh Morello: And don’t worry, this is last minute, so we’ll have teleprompters in case you forget your lines. Shane: Go forth and slay, you guys! Shane and Josh leave together. You: Guess we’re really doing this… Avery: I guess we are…
Soon, it’s almost your turn to go onstage with Avery for your skit. The curtains roll back. The lights blink on. The studio audience roars. You wait in the wings for your entrance. Host: Hello, hello! We’re back with Pop Star Jeopardy, your favourite place to feel validated when you know a piece of trivia a celeb doesn’t. Host: With us tonight, we have… your favourite rebel and heartbreaker, currently in the head and in trouble for crashing yet another yacht… Host: …Raleigh Carrera! Raleigh Carrera: Yo, what’s good. I didn’t think I’d be able to make it tonight… but turns out it’s pretty easy to blow off community service when you’re famous. The crowd boos loudly, but they’re loving it. Raleigh Carrera: What? What’d I say? Host: O… kay! Next up! Our other contestant decided it was better for their image to do charity work in Africa for the Pictagram posts… so we found a replacement! Host: Don’t ask which country in Africa… because they won’t remember! The audience boos again! Host: Bravely taking up the mantle, we have a surprise guest, your fave pop star killing it on Charttopper…
-If you’re playing yourself
Host: Cadence!
-If you’re playing Jaylen
Host: Jaylen Riaz!
You walk on stage, trying not to trip, and place yourself behind the podium. The crowd cheers loudly, stomping their feet, when they recognise that it’s you.
-If you’re playing yourself
You: Hi, New York! I was busy… -Writing Raleigh Carrera’s name with hearts in my diary, but…
You: …I’m here now! You: Have I told you how head over heels in love I am for my wonderful partner yet?! Have you seen the thing they do when they flip their hair? They’re amaz-- Host: Yes… many times! Let’s move on!
-Talking about how much I idolise Avery Wilshere, but…
You: …I’m here now! You: Have I told you how big an inspiration they were and is to me, my life, and all of my music?
-If you’re playing Jaylen
Jaylen Riaz: Helloooo, New York! I was busy… -Adopting all the sick kittens in a shelter, but I’m here now! +2000
Jaylen Riaz: I was, like, definitely not gonna tell you guys I did this awesome, angelic thing because I hate humble bragging… Jaylen Riaz: But honest is just like, the most important thing to me, you know?
-Having ghostwriters write all my music, but I’m here now! +2000
You: Which is to say, I wasn’t busy at all!
The audience laughs appreciatively, which encourages you. +5000 Audience Member: Cadence acting onstage? What a twist! She’s so multitalented! Host: In Pop Star Jeopardy, all of the winnings go toward our celebs’ charity of choice… Host: …which typically means their next booze cruise in Ibiza! But we deal with it because of the ratings! Isn’t that right? Avery looks up from texting. Raleigh Carrera: Oh, sorry, you were saying? Something came up with my private island off the coast of Bora Bora. Host: …I think that means it’s time to start the actual game! Host: Today, our categories are… ‘Living Frugally,’ ‘Methods Of Public Transportation,’ and ‘How To Be Relatable.’ Host: Raleigh Carrera… You’re up. Raleigh Carrera: Thanks, Josh, you’re the man. I got this on lock. I’ll do ‘Living Frugally’ for 400. Host: Alright! You’re on a first date, but you only have $20 on you. How do you make that money go far… and win your date’s heart? Raleigh Carrera: Easy. What is… ‘Take them back to my penthouse for a topshelf nightcap…’ Raleigh Carrera: ‘…and spend the $20 on a Ride XL Lux Black so send them home and make sure they don’t spend the night?’ The crowd erupts into more jeers, but they’re all grinning. Raleigh Carrera: What, come on? It’s cost effective! Raleigh Carrera: I’m just saying what I know y’all are thinking.
-If you’re playing yourself
That is… an incorrect answer! Cadence, take us home.
You: Well, Josh, what is… ‘Skip the date and donate $20 to…’ -‘Singer-Songwriter Broken Hearts Foundation?’
You: It’s for a good cause. We pour everything into our music. We have a lot of feelings. You: We also say ‘heart on our sleeve’ a lot.
-‘Escaped My Hometown And Never Shut Up About It Club?’
You: No one even knows where my hometown is, but I feel like it’s important to remind people of this a lot. And I support other people who do the same.
-If you’re playing Jaylen
Host: That is… an incorrect answer! Jaylen Riaz, take us home.
Jaylen Riaz: Well, Josh, what is… ‘Skip the date and donate $20 to…’ -‘Yachts for Tots?’ +1000
Jaylen Riaz: Because no one should have to grow up and not have a Tubular Two birthday bash along the lush, golden sands of Turks and Caicos.
-‘Screens for Teens?’ +1000
Jaylen Riaz: This foundation puts 4K TVs with 3D options into every classroom. Jaylen Riaz: Because no student should have to suffer through low-res movies.
-‘Equestrian for Pedestrians?’ +1000
Jaylen Riaz: Because no one should have to get to their destination in anything less than a gold-plated saddle.
The name of the organisation gets a big laugh, and you see Josh smile at Shane backstage in the wings. That must have been one of Shane’s lines! Shane: … Host: And that response is… also incorrect! In order to win, you have to actually go on the date! Host: Who hurt both of you? Host: Let’s just skip forward to our final round!
-If you’re playing yourself
Raleigh Carrera: Alright, let’s go, Cadence. It’s getting real now.
-If you’re playing Jaylen
Raleigh Carrera: Alright, let’s go, Jaylen. It’s getting real now.
Host: The category is… ‘What do you do for fun?’ As long as you write or draw your answer, you will win! Host: So please… be sure to follow directions! Host: And don’t forget to select a wager!
-If you’re playing yourself
You glance behind the podium to see two notebook props.
Pick a notebook! -Diary with hearts -Journal titled ‘Poetry’
Host: And now… It’s time to reveal the answers of our celebrity contestants! Cadence, you go first. You lift the notebook up so the crowd can see.
DEFINITELY YOUR OWN, ORIGINAL WORK! -Show the hearts diary/journey titled ‘Poetry’
You: In my spare time, I love to write beautiful songs… And let people know that I wrote my own songs! You: Like, I really, really write my own songs. Did you know how much I hate using ghostwriters? Host: Oh, yes, actually! This is a well-publicised fact! Host: You know, you only had to write a sentence or draw a picture on the lectern, not author a whole book… You: In my pursuit of authenticity and art, I cannot be silenced. Host: Marvellous, I suppose! And what did you select as your wager? You: I went all in.
-If you’re playing Jaylen
You glance behind the podium to see two painting props.
Pick a painting! -Rembrandt Self-Portrait prop -Mona Lisa prop
Host: And now… It’s time to reveal the answers of our celebrity contestants! Jaylen Riaz, you go first. You lift the painting up so the crowd can see.
DEFINITELY YOUR OWN, ORIGINAL WORK! -Show the Rembrandt/Leonardo da Vinci painting
+1000
Jaylen Riaz: In my spare time, I love to create beautiful art… Especially those already created by other people! Host: Beautiful, Jaylen! Most people just, uh… Use the pen we offer on the podium. Not create a whole painting. Jaylen Riaz: In my pursuit of truth, my art cannot be restricted by any medium. Host: Marvelous! And what did you select as your wager? Jaylen Riaz: I went all in, so to speak, just like my ailing grandmother raised me to do. Host: How moving! You mention your ailing grandmother so often, I feel like I already know her!
Host: And Raleigh, what do you have to share with us today? Avery lifts up something from behind the podium. Raleigh Carrera: This is what I like to do for fun, no doubt.
BOTTLE OF ABSINTHE -Watch Avery take a swig!
Avery hiccups. Raleigh Carrera: Is this show over yet? I have places to be. Host: Uh, Raleigh… That definitely does not qualify as a written entry or a drawing! Host: In that case… given that she wagered all of her earnings thus far and won this round, I’m pleased to announce that the winner is…
-If you’re playing yourself
Host: …Cadence! You: Ohmygod, thank you so much! You: I’d like to thank my family and my best friend Shane, who I talk about repeatedly even though none of you know who he is…
-If you’re playing Jaylen
Host: …Jaylen Riaz! +2000 Jaylen Riaz: Ohmygod! Ohmygod! I’m so moved! I’m speechless! Jaylen Riaz: I’d like to thank my family, my life coach, puppies, marshmallows, rainbows, the cat I definitely didn’t kick on the way here…
The audience oohs, ahhs, and explodes into laughter as confetti bursts from the ceiling and begins to rain down above you. +45,000 Host: Congratulations! Avery: And now, live from New York… +50,000 You: …IT’S LAST CALL! Josh Morello: We got a great show for you tonight! Cadence is here! Stick around!
You run backstage together with Avery, giddy from the rush of performing. Soon, you can hear Josh beginning his opening monologue… Josh: Now, I don’t know about you, but I have been keeping up-to-date on the newest season of The Debutante… You: (That monologue must be what Shane helped write! I’m so proud of him!) You head back to wardrobe and change…
Avery: Wow, that was wild, wasn’t it? You: Acting on stage was so… thrilling! My heart is still pounding. Avery: Congratulations! You’re such a superstar! Looks like you’ve got a back-up career in comedy if this whole singing thing doesn’t work out. You: I doubt it. Between you and Josh, I had to fight not to break. Avery: Oh, I did break. Many times. You: Happens to the best of us. You: By the way, it was fun seeing you act as Raleigh. Avery: I think we all have just a little bit of Raleigh in us. And they’re a good sport… That’s one thing I like about them. You: So… I guess I’ll see you later after my performance? Avery: I suppose so. Unless… Avery’s blue eyes twinkle slightly.
You: (I should…) -Make out with Avery.
You lean in close, and cup Avery’s chin in your hands, placing one soft kiss on their lips. Avery: This is a bit risky, isn’t it? You’ve got a fake partner to be loyal to, remember? Wouldn’t want rumours of infidelity getting out. You: I doubt the paparazzi will find us back here. You stumble backward until you fall on top of the couch, Avery on top of you. You wrap you legs around her waist, drawing them closer, as your hands roam down their back. Avery: Cadence… They trail kisses down your neck, gently pinning your hands above you as your head bounces against the couch cushion. You: Mmm… You sit up, hopping on Avery’s lap. Their hands wander down your sides, then pull you closer to them at the waist. You: Man, if only old Cadence Dorian could see me now. Making out Avery Wilshere. Avery: You’re one to talk. I’m just as dazzled by you. Avery sucks gently on your lower lip, her hand slipping under your top… The door opens. Zadie: Ugh, I’m so glad I moved my silk swatches away from that couch before you all got to it. You break apart from Avery, blushing furiously. Zadie’s standing behind a rack of costumes, blinking rapidly. Zadie: Not to bust this up, but Cadence needs to get dressed. Not un-dressed. Avery: Got it. Well, I’ll see you later, Cadence. Good luck. You: Thanks. Avery gives you one last tender kiss on the lips, and then they slip out the door.
-Give Avery a hug.
You lean in close, and wrap your arms around Avery. Avery: Congratulations again, Cadence. We were a great team up there. You: Always. You give them one last squeeze, and then you let them go.
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pofcroyalfanfiction · 6 years
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Chapter Fifty Four - Somebody Elses Party
Soon the garden was packed with guests, all dressed in their summer finery. Her birthday party had become one of the Queen’s palace garden parties, except it was even more exclusive. Where were the casual outfits? Where’s the rocking music and kids running around? Most importantly, where were any of her friends from Marlborough?
Ellie tried to be as polite as possible with everyone who spoke to her, grateful for their time and efforts in their charities, now without Charlotte to help keep conversations going, but all the while she was on constant lookout trying to spot at least one girl from her dormitory. It had been at least two hours and she’d had no luck, even Taylor Swift had been swept away by the grownups.
She would know a thing or two about best friends.
At least the family was still here, tactically dispersed throughout the garden to talk to as many people as possible and push the royal brand. Savannah and Isla were there, hiding by the bushes with the other teenagers and kids, keeping to themselves. They beckoned Ellie over, noticing her discomfort in the middle of the crowd, the center of attention, but as soon as she made a move to reach them, she was swept aside by her grandmother, Camilla.
“Eleanor, darling, are you enjoying your party?” she asked sweetly.
“Yes, granny, it’s lovely.” Ellie lied. Half lied. Mostly lied.
“It’s a wonderful gathering, so many bright minds come to see you. You should feel very special.”
She hated being told how she should feel, but felt bad for feeling anything but special.
“I do granny, I do.” Ellie reassured her, feeling even more guilty.
It’s not that I’m not grateful for them, I can be charitable, I’m a nice person. I just… don’t want them here. Shit, that sounds terrible.
“Have you seen any of my school friends?” Ellie asked hopefully, even though she knew her grandmother had no clue who her friends were. As sweet as she was, Camilla still thought she liked Take That, even though they were before her time.
“School friends, dear? Camilla seemed confused. “This isn’t really the right place for that sort, is it?”
“That sort?” Ellie pressed her. Thankfully she was well practiced in disguising her irritation. Camilla didn’t pick up on it.
“Yes, the rowdy sort. I imagine your school friends are rather less refined than yourself. Marlborough has been going downhill for years. I did argue for you to be sent to Queen’s Gate and then Mon Fertile, but your mother insisted on Marlborough.”
Ellie ignored that jab. Camilla had always been clear, either outright stating it or via a veiled remark, that she felt Ellie had had too much of a ‘common’ upbringing that was not fitting of a future queen. This was no different.
“It is where she went, granny.” Ellie reminded her.
“I know, I know, it’s a family thing. I still feel you would have done better at Queen’s Gate, at least then you would have made friends we could actually invite.”
“What does that mean?” Ellie was now struggling to hide her anger.
“Darling, did you honestly expect your mother to send any invitations to Marlborough? This was always going to be a formal event, although between you and me, this seems far too casual.”
Ellie was seething. She turned away from Camilla and watched the party, soaking it all in. The party atmosphere had vanished and all she could see was money. The posh and the wealthy, the upper class. She was growing more and more uncomfortable by the second. Why would her mother let this happen?
This isn’t me. She knows this isn’t me.
Camilla seemed to pick up on her frustration, “Don’t worry dear, it’ll get more formal as you get older.”
“I’ll speak to you later granny. Thank you for coming.” Ellie kissed her on the cheek and made a quick escape before Camilla started talking about bringing back the 60’s and arranging her debutante ball.
Ellie made her way through the crowd, thanking everyone for coming. She briefly shook hands with Idris Elba and talked about his new film, then he introduced her to even more acting pals. Ellie remained polite throughout, but kept trying to navigate her way to her mother who was holding court in the middle of the garden, with George and Charlotte holding onto her legs.
“Mum, can we talk?” Ellie asked quietly.
“In a minute sweetheart, you need to meet Danielle and Willa here.” Kate put her hand on the small of her back and ushered her towards the two women.
It stayed that way for the next hour, being introduced to practically every guest present by her mother, who kept her hand on her back throughout as if she was showing her daughter off. Ellie felt like a piece of meat, being auctioned off to various charities that wanted her to become a patron. Kate was trying to get her to show an interest, tactically introducing her to charities she thought Ellie would be interested in.
The trouble was that Ellie wasn’t interested in any of them, not strongly enough to pick one as her first ever patronage. She liked horses, yes, but hadn’t had much time to ride whilst at school. Music was great, but the most musical related thinking she’d done recently was what to add to her studying playlist on Spotify.
It’s not like I’ve been allowed to go to a concert before, either.
She was only fifteen, and yet she was expected to be strongly supportive of a cause close to her heart, but what?
She’d tried to ask her mother about her friends, but all the talk of her future had drained her energy.
“Mum, I need to pee.” She whispered in her mother’s ear.
Kate gave her a squeeze and kissed her on the forehead. “All right, come right back poppet. Lots more people I want you to meet.”
Instead Ellie snuck her way out of the party, using the same arch way that her great grandparents had used hours before when they arrived. She knew that all eyes were on her anyway, including the cameras, so there wasn’t much point in sneaking, but she did so anyway. It wasn’t like anyone was going to stop her.
The atmosphere was much quieter outside the garden, with no guests milling around and just the caterers and staff busy carrying trays in and out of the party. They all gave her space, and didn’t complain when she picked a few cocktail sausages from a plate and dipped them in tomato sauce. She hadn’t eaten in hours and the hunger pains were hitting hard, only noticeable now that her anxiety had been lifted.
“We can get you a sandwich if you’d like, ma’am.” A freckle faced young woman told her. She was one of the masses of staff that had been hired to cater the party, and someone who seemed just as tired of the guests as Ellie was.
“Oh please! That’d be amazing.” Ellie gushed, wiping her mouth with her hand. Etiquette be damned, she just wanted to eat.
Ellie told the woman what she’d like, and while the other caterers gave her shifty looks, she quickly prepared a cheese toastie especially for Ellie.
“This feels like my first birthday present.” Ellie spoke with her mouth full, savouring the flavour. She’d almost forgotten what the whole party was for.
The woman frowned at her. Ellie immediately worried about how that came across, and so to not sound like a spoiled little girl she continued. “Fourteen birthdays before this, none have been as formal as this.”
Nice, Ellie.
The woman appeared slightly uncomfortable, unsure what to say. She smiled at Ellie as she enjoyed the sandwich, then finally spoke. “To be fair, this doesn’t feel like a fifteen-year old’s birthday party.”
“It doesn’t?” asked Ellie, wanting to hear the answer from somebody else.
“Nah, I’ve worked those too. Nothing like this.”
“What does this one feel like?”
“Kinda posh.” She spoke with a thick Geordie accent. “Fanciest gathering that I’ve worked.”
One of the woman’s colleagues came over, curtsied to Ellie, and took the woman aside. Ellie listened to their whispering, apparently the other servers thought that the woman was avoiding work to chat with celebs.
“I should get back.” The woman said, grabbing a tray of freshly cooked sausage rolls and rushing off.
“Thanks for the toastie!” Ellie yelled after her.
So, this is what her life had become. No longer having fun, joy filled birthday parties with friends and family. Instead having quiet, respectful ‘gatherings’ with a bunch of unfamiliar faces, which would get even more tightly controlled if Camilla was to be believed.
Ellie retreated further, wandering behind the catering trucks, past the hustle and bustle of the staff and guests that were leaving early. Occasionally she’d pass by a few guests she didn’t know who had left to find more secluded spots to escape the party, just as Ellie was doing. They bowed to her, tried to apologise and said they were “just about to head back inside.”
They all seemed to think she’d come out there to ruin their escape plans, and she rushed to reassure each one of them that that was not the case. They didn’t really believe her.
“We’re sorry, Your Highness.”
“Happy birthday, Your Highness.”
Grumpier than ever, she found her secret spot. It was a little space between the hedges that nobody knew about, just next to the woods and not far from the nearest river. It was the perfect place to hide from everyone at the party, even her family, all except the cameras. It was a good spot to have one of the CCTV cameras as, from up high, it offered a view of the whole garden. Ben also happened to know it was one of her spots.
She bent down, her knees rubbing in the dirt and no doubt muddying her dress. With a little testing of the hedges, she found the spot where the twigs weren’t so dense and pushed them aside, revealing a hole in the hedge that she could crawl through.
She made more noise than she normally did getting through the hole, all the twigs and leaves rustling as she squirmed past, a sad reminder that she wasn’t a little girl anymore. The sound of the party was still dominating her ears, yet even when she stopped moving to remove a branch that had caught on the sash of her dress, the rustling of bushes continued. Ellie listened closer, the sound wasn’t from anything she was touching. It was coming from her hiding spot.
She crawled faster, doing her best to be sneaky. The noise of the party helped mask her movements as the rustling up ahead hadn’t stopped, but now she could hear new noises. Soppy and sucking sounds, like two wet fruits being grinded and slapped against each other.
“Eugh” Ellie whispered. She watched as two guests sucked face in her favourite hiding spot, forever tainting it. This made her even more grumpy, but at the same time she couldn’t help but watch them.
Their faces were obscured, but the two sparkly dresses and sets of high heels made sure that whoever they were, it was going to be controversial. Ellie couldn’t stop herself from audibly gasping and interrupting the pair when one of them finally turned towards the light.
“Your Highness, uh, we’re so sorry.” Hailee Steinfeld said to her, blushing a deep crimson as she tried to fix her lipstick with one finger.
Dakota Fanning just smiled awkwardly, hiding her hands behind her back and bowing her head slightly. She let out a nervous giggle.
The two women towered over Ellie in their heels, but having them both nervous around her, seemingly unable to leave, was unsettling. Two of the biggest actresses in Hollywood caught making out in front of her, grown women, and yet they were apparently waiting for Ellie to relieve them.
“It’s okay.” Ellie finally said, remembering to say something. The two women visibly relaxed.
The last thing Ellie wanted to be in that moment was a Princess. She wanted to gossip. This was huge. An utter scandal, and at her own birthday party! Hailee was supposed to be with Jason from the Bass Boys, Dakota was apparently sworn off relationships forever.
Both women apologised again and made their escapes quickly. As soon as they were gone Ellie spun around, completely blown away by what she’d seen. She wanted to tell her friends, to laugh, to theorise, but nobody was there. She spun around again and then collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily and realising how much she’d tightened up in front of them.
“That was huge!”
Ellie shot back up to her feet. Taylor Swift appeared from behind the hedges.
Is everyone sneaking through these hedges now? And is this why Taylor is always making headlines? Because she’s hiding behind the bushes during all the big scandals?
“You scared me.” Ellie clutched her chest, slowing down her breathing.
“Sorry, Your Highness.”
She’d had enough. Ellie’s mask slipped.
“Please don’t call me that. I don’t want to be called that. Not today” The words stuck in her throat.
Taylor stood there, watching for a moment while Ellie sat back down again. After a long awkward silence in which she could tell Taylor was debating whether to stay or go, her idol finally sat down next to her.
Ellie couldn’t speak, stunned by how surreal everything was. Sitting in seclusion, stars starting to appear in the sky whilst the party droned on behind them. Not to mention that star studded make out session. She had no doubt it was these sorts of moments that inspired a lot of Taylor’s songs.
Oh God. “You’re not going to write a song about this, are you?” Ellie asked.
Taylor laughed. “No, probably not. Hailee’s a friend.”
“You haven’t written about friends before?” Ellie probed.
“Well yeah, just not by name. Didn’t you ever listen to Bad Blood?”
“It’s one of my faves, I listened to it a lot when Alex stole one of my games.”
They both giggled. “That’s a valid reason.” Taylor nudged her arm.
“Cause now we got baaaaad blood, it used to be maaaaad love!” They sang it together.
The awkward silence came back as they sat together, listening to the party.
Taylor leaned back, her hands in the grass. Ellie could feel her eyeing her up from behind. “So, what do I call you, if not Your Highness? Gotta say I’m used to your cronies telling me to stick to the titles.”
“They’d also tell you to curtsey.” Ellie added.
“Do you want me to curtsey?” Taylor asked, moving to stand up.
“No, please don’t.” Ellie quickly put her hand on Taylor’s knee. A curtsey from her would ruin the day even more.
“All right.” Taylor sat back down, then edged closer to her. “So what can I call you?”
“Ellie’s fine.”
“Ellie, then.”
More awkward silence. Taylor watched her closely, then started rubbing her back in a caring, motherly sort of way. Ellie was in dreamland. Surely this was every Swifty’s dream.
“Do you wanna talk about it?” Taylor asked.
Ellie could feel her emotions boiling over, tears gathering in her eyes. With all the fear and anxiety the party had caused her, now to top it all off was embarrassment. To be so emotional in front of a stranger was so foreign to her, so unbelievably different to how she normally was.
“I hate that I’m crying.” Ellie felt her skin warm up as she said the words.
“It’s okay to cry.” Taylor soothed her.
This is so weird.
“I just wanted a normal birthday party, okay.” Ellie struggled to explain herself, stuck between wanting help and not wanting to sound spoilt. “Instead this happened.”
“Not what you expected?”
“Sometimes a celebrity will be there, but its normally just friends and family. It’s never about work.”
“Nobody wants to work on their birthday.” Taylor gave her a comforting squeeze. “You know, I remember coming to your sixth birthday party a few years ago. You were adorable.”
“You were at my birthday?” Ellie asked, blown away once more.
“Yea-aaah.” Taylor told her, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Your dad and I did some karaoke together. He’s not a bad singer.”
“Ugh, don’t tell him that. He’ll be singing for days.”
They laughed together, making the tears roll down her cheeks. Ellie went to wipe them away but Taylor did it first. “Ellie, we’re friends, right?”
Ellie nodded eagerly. Yes, yes, yes!
“I know our lives are so, so… different, and the amount of pressure you must be under is just… insane. I see you every day in the news and you handle it so well, it’s inspiring.”
“Stop, you’ll make me cry even more.” Ellie pleaded.
Taylor pressed on. “I feel like I’ve gone through some of what you’re experiencing. This expectation to be someone for everyone, it’s tough to keep up. You’ve gotta have time to be yourself, have friends you can be yourself around.”
“They weren’t invited. Not classy enough.” Ellie said bitterly.
“I don’t believe that for a second.”
“It’s true, Mum didn’t invite them.” Ellie looked around, aiming to glare at her mother before realising that a dozen hedges blocked the way.
“The Kate I know wouldn’t do that.” Taylor told her, her eyebrow raised.
Ellie just shrugged and didn’t respond, her mood turning sour once more.
“When I was a lot younger, just starting out, I had to go to a lot of parties like this. Ones where I had to impress strangers, practically sell myself. It was stressful as hell and sometimes I just wanted to run away.”
“Sounds familiar.” Ellie said sarcastically.
“Sometimes I did run away.” Taylor shook her slightly, gazing intently at her. “Right out the front door. Just walked down the street for a bit, or found a nice place to sit and zone out. It was the best feeling in the world.”
Taylor stood up, then turned to Ellie and grabbed her hands to lift her up onto her feet as well. “I hear there’s a nice little river nearby.”
“Yeah, just through the woods.” Ellie pointed into the thick woodland, away from the party.
“Go on then.” Taylor urged her, a beaming smile on her face.
“Go on? What?” Ellie just stared at her, wide eyed.
“You need this Ellie, I’m looking out for you.” Taylor dragged her up to the edge of the woods.
“You’re serious?”
“I am!”
Ellie bounced on her heels, getting excited. Should she really do it? Just leave just like that?
And never come back?
Taylor kept urging her on, turning her to face the forest every time Ellie spun around in circles.
“Just go be yourself for a bit, breathe, have a nice walk. You’ll feel so much better.” Taylor nudged her forwards with a hand on the small of her back. “I promise.”
Ellie stood frozen as she felt Taylor step away, moving back towards the party. It was so exciting! She couldn’t think straight, her hands were trembling, her feet itching to move. She could sense Taylor a few steps behind her, watching, waiting.
Her ears perked up, a strange whirring noise high up above her brought her out of her reverie. She looked up, following the sound all the way up to the camera. It was staring right down at her, following her every move.
Fuck.
Ellie stared up at the camera, knowing exactly who was watching her. She could feel them politely asking her to return to the party, in that way that sounded like a suggestion but was most definitely an order. Ellie didn’t move. She felt guilty, but she wanted this, she needed this.
She mouthed the word please, then desperately looked to the woods, to freedom. The camera kept watching her, as if it was waiting her out. Expecting her to back down, but she didn’t want to.
“Please Ben.” She whispered. Surely he’d understand. He’d know she’d stay safe. Staying at the party was the more dangerous option.
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jrubalcaba · 6 years
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Can’t Help Falling In Love - Ch. 8
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Can’t Help Falling In Love Chapter 8- A Steve x OFC fanfiction
author: jrubalcaba
featuring: OFC Evelyn “Evie” Collins x Steve Rogers
word count: 2316 words
rating: PG 13
warnings: cussing and semi smuttiness
A/N: Thank you again to @celeb-fess ! This chapter will also be from Evie and Steve’s P.O.V
Evie’s P.O.V
I opened my eyes and sighed. Still no Steve. They left two and a half months ago, and have yet to come home. I’ve spoken to Steve maybe four times since they made it to their safe house, but that was five weeks ago.
I rolled out of bed and jumped in the shower. After I was done, I pulled on some jeans, one of Steve’s Under Armor shirts, and his hoodie and went to find breakfast. Nat, Alice, and Wanda were sitting at the bar, makeup and hair products piled up everywhere.
“Geez. Think you have enough stuff to get ready for tonight?” I asked them, walking to the pantry and pulling out some cereal.
“This isn’t just for us. We’re going to help you get ready too,” Wanda clarified. I finished pouring the cereal before putting the box away and grabbing the milk.
“Sounds good. I can’t do my makeup for shit so I’m glad you’re going to help.”
”Yeah I can’t do makeup either, so I’m glad we’re all doing it together,” Alice commented. I dug into my cereal and looked at the different piles. They had everything sorted into eyeshadows, mascaras, eyeliners, blush, and so on. I pulled out an eyeshadow palette and pointed at the shimmery midnight blue color.
“That’s the exact color of my dress.” The three of them looked at each other and grinned conspiratorially. I knew nothing good would come from this.
“That’s interesting. It matches Steve’s…tactical suit,” Alice mused. They shared another look that made me want to slap them all. “We’re just messing with you, Evie. You and Steve are a sweet couple. Well, you will be, once he gets home.” She looked sad, and I squeezed her shoulder.
I know she was missing Bucky something fierce. “They’ll be home soon, Alice. Or we’ll just have to mount a rescue party and go collect them ourselves.” She smiled! Mission accomplished. I put my empty bowl in the sink and walked around the counter. “So what are you thinking for me? My shoes are blue, but you won’t be able to see them when I have the dress on.”
They looked at each other for a minute, before pulling out a chair and ordering me to sit. I did as instructed, pulling my hair out of the messy bun I had it in. They walked around me, studying my face and hair.
“What does the dress look like?” Wanda asked. I pulled up the pictures I had taken on my phone and showed them. They nodded in unison. “That’s actually really gorgeous. Nice job, Evie.” They started looking at everything they had before Nat looked over her shoulder at me.
“What are you wearing underneath?” She smirked and gave herself away.
“Ok, what’s going on? Why does it matter what I’ve got on under my dress?” Nat rounded on me, smiling fondly.
“Because the guys are trying their damnedest to get home in time for the ball.” I felt my jaw drop.  
“Really? Steve could come home tonight?” I asked, astonished. The girls exchanged looks before turning back to the table.
“Possibly. Bucky called me last night and told me that there was a possible way home coming up, but they weren’t sure if they were going to make it,” Alice explained. She reached out and grabbed my hand. “He said that if they weren’t home by noon today, then they missed their chance.” We stared at each other for a bit, understanding that our guys could be gone for even longer, and the thought was almost too much to bear.
“Oh,” was all I was able to squeak. Nat squeezed my shoulder sympathetically.
“But, on the off chance that they are able to come home, you need to be ready.” I shot her a quizzical look. “I’m pretty sure that if he does make it home tonight, Steve’s not going to let anything come between you two. So, what would you wear in that event?” I thought about it for a moment before chuckling.
“Well, I’d have to pull out the big guns then.” Wanda snorted before turning to me.
“The big guns? What are those?” I smiled before laughing.
“I’d have to show you. Words don’t do them justice.” I jumped off the chair and ran to my room. I rooted around in my underwear drawer before finding what I was looking for. I trotted back out into the kitchen and show them to the girls.
“Bravo Evie. Steve would love that,” Alice whistled.
“Oh wow. Yeah, He’d be in for a real treat,” Natasha complemented. I smiled smugly to myself before we all began to get to work figuring out how we were going to look for the night.
#
I was waiting for Wanda, Alice and Nat to meet me in the living room when Tony and Rhodey walked in, looking absolutely dapper in their suits. “Wow, look at you two ladykillers. Pepper’s gonna have her hands full fighting women off of you, Tony.” He smirked before gesturing at me.
“C’mon, let’s see it,” he instructed, making a twirling motion with his hand. I obliged, spinning around slowly so they could see every angle. Rhodey started clapping.
“You wanna talk about killing it? Look at you. You look absolutely stunning,” he complimented before hugging me. Bruce walked up then, enveloping me in a hug as well.
“You look amazing Evie.” I hugged him back before releasing him.
“Thanks, Bruce. You don’t look half bad yourself.” He had shaved (finally) and looked absolutely dashing. Vision, Wanda, Nat, and Thor walked up, and we took turns showing off how we looked. “What the hell is taking Alice so long?” I whined. Tony put his arm around my shoulders and steered me towards the elevator.
“I’m sure she’ll join us up at the party. Come on, let’s take a selfie before we go.” I huffed before we all got around Tony and took a picture. We then climbed into the elevator and heading to the mezzanine for the ball. When the doors opened, we all stepped out and began to mingle.
I grabbed a drink from the bar before spotting Skye and Jemma across the room. I hurried over and we all squealed with excitement as we began to catch up. Maria joined us and we all stood and watched people dance. Suddenly, something cold and metal ran up my spine and I shivered, spinning around to find the culprit.
“James Buchanan Barnes! Why do you constantly have to irritate me?” I scolded, slapping his flesh arm. He laughed before pulling Alice in for a kiss. “Wait, what are you doing here? Alice said if you guys weren’t here by noon, then you weren’t coming home for awhile.” I looked at the both of them, noticing the Grinchy smile that crossed his face.
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 “That was bullshit, wasn’t it?” I shook my head. “Nice beard by the way. Makes you look way older.” He grinned at Alice before elbowing me.
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“It’s my job to irritate you,” he joked. I laughed as Sam, Clint and Scott walked up, along with another man and his date. “And no, it wasn’t bullshit. I surprised Alice too. We were just too busy to tell you.” I flipped the two of them off. “So you like it?” he asked, scratching his chin. “It took awhile to grow it, but it’s there.” Alice ran her fingers through it before he rubbed his face against hers.
“Sod off Buck!”  she groaned, trying to pull away. He finally stopped, her face red where he had rubbed against her. 
“Ya, his may be there, but mine is better,” the newcomer bragged, his girlfriend pulling him in for a kiss. I went to ask who he was but stopped. He did have quite the beard, fuller than Bucky’s. 
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I glanced back at the guys and noticed that Sam looked the same as before, but Clint and Scott both had more hair on their faces. Clint’s was more of a goatee, but Scott’s beard was…impressive.
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“Jesus Lang. How the hell did you manage to grow that beast?” I exclaimed, stepping forward to run my fingers through it. “Is Hope here? Has she seen it yet?” Oh man. Not only was his beard full and thick, it was oh so soft.
“Nah. Steve bet us all $100 that we couldn’t grow a beard better than he could. I am proud to say that I finally did something better than Captain America, and I am now $500 richer.” I suddenly realized that I was still petting Scott’s beard. I pulled my hands back, sheepishly looking around at everyone as they laughed.
“Yeah, just wait until she gets a load of Steve’s. She’s gonna lose it,” Clint noted. The guys all laughed. I looked at them in disbelief. There’s no way…is there?
“Steve grew one too? Like actually grew a beard?” I asked, my heart racing. Bucky nodded before leaning in and whispering:
“Why listen to us, when you can take a look for yourself?”
                                                   ********************
Steve’s P.O.V
I was nervous for some reason. I haven’t been to a charity ball before, but knowing that Evie was there, waiting for me, was enough to get me through.
The quinjet had landed on the roof hours ago. Bucky and I had come up with the idea of making Alice and Evie think that we weren’t coming home today, so when we made it in, after all, I went to Sam’s and stayed with him, opting to get ready there in case Evie decided to hang out in my room. Buck couldn’t wait any longer, so he went to reunite with Alice. I made him swear to keep her quiet because I wanted to surprise Evie still. We also told the rest of the team so they could help us keep her distracted.
Once we got a text from Tony saying that they were headed upstairs with Evie, we all finished getting ready before getting in the elevator and heading up. The doors opened and we got out, separating. I slowly made my way to the bar, stopping here and there, talking with guests. I was finally able to get a drink and I stood at the bar, looking around for Evie. Finally, I spotted her on the other side of the room, surrounded by the rest of the guys.
My god was she beautiful. No, there wasn’t enough words to describe how she looked. I honestly couldn’t think straight with how incredible she was. Her hair was pulled up, away from her face, showing off the graceful arch of her neck. Her dress, which was gorgeous on its own, paled in comparison to her beauty.
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She reached up and as she began stroking Lang’s beard, a simmering rage burned through me. I knew I had no reason to be jealous of Lang, or of any other man for that matter, but seeing her lovingly caressing another man’s face still had me in a tizzy. She suddenly pulled her hands away and there was laughter. Buck happened to look over and catch my eye before leaning in and whispering in her ear.
                                                       ******************
Evie’s P.O.V
I turned around and there he was. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. He had grown a beard, and it was fantastic. He was wearing a suit that matched my dress, no doubt thanks to divine intervention. 
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He walked over, and it’s like time was slowing down. Steve eventually reached us, and everything was right with the world.
                                                  ******************
Steve’s P.O.V
I reached her, and nothing else mattered anymore. She smiled at me and suddenly, there was no one else in the room. I grabbed her hand and led her outside to the balcony. We stood at the railing, looking over the city lights, my arms bracketing hers. We stayed that way for god knows how long, relishing each other’s presence. ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ was playing over the speakers, and it brought me back to our first date when we danced to it. I smiled at the memory, realizing that I truly could not help falling in love with her.
After a while, she turned in my arms, lacing her hands around my neck. “Hi.” She began to run her fingers through my beard. “This is new. Are you going to keep it?” I chuckled, pleased that she liked it.
“I don’t know. Captain America doesn’t have a beard.” She looked up at me, batting her eyes.
“But Steve Rogers can,” she argued. “It’s really up to you, I guess.” She pouted slightly, her lips catching in a slight smile to show she was teasing me. I slipped a finger under her chin and pulled her face up.
“It’s grown on me, no pun intended.” She giggled at that, and it was one of the best sounds I’ve ever heard. “It beats having to shave every day, and if you really like it, I’ll keep it,” I answered her. She smiled again, and I couldn’t stand it any longer before crashing my lips to hers. I pulled her flush against me, my arms snaking around her waist. Her hands wound into my hair, tugging it gently.
Our hands began to wander, exploring each other. One of my legs came to rest between hers, as one of hers came between mine. We slowly began to rut against each other, our kisses becoming more and more frantic until finally, her hands came to rest on the button of my pants.
We broke apart, gasping for breath. Once we settled down, we locked eyes and straightened up, an unspoken agreement that we needed to get behind closed doors before we went any further. I grabbed her by the hand again, leading her through the crowd toward the elevator.  
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thorne93 · 7 years
Text
Decisions, Decisions (Part 5)
Prompt: Imagine Tom Hiddleston has a crush on you and he is feeling jealous of James McAvoy on “The Graham Norton Show” because James talks about how great the chemistry was between you, his co-star, and him in your latest film.
Warnings: language, sexual content, adult content…?
Word Count: 5007
Note: Beta’d by @like-a-bag-of-potatoes​ - This fic would NOT be possible without you, and @amarvelouswritings​ - who let me badger the hell out of her. Thank you both a million! Used @theartofimagining13​ imagine
Also, some of the timelines are going to be off in this, to make stuff fit, and James’ wife and child are nonexistent - nothing against them, just easier to write if he didn’t have an ex wife and child. Texts are in italics
Tags: @wordacadabra   @frenchfrostpudding @lisssays @cocosierra94  @staceycasey123 @lucianightwolker @tacohead13
~~~~~~~~~~
Friday night you went to a few stores for some dresses. You found one thing you liked, and you reserved it for the “other” dress. But for the main dress to go to the premiere with Tom, you needed something dazzling. You spoke with Trish, your stylist, and asked her if she could work with Versace on a design you had in mind. She said she would work on it.
Tom was texting and calling quite frequently, sending you two more bouquets of flowers with another poem on each card. The calls became more familiar, a little more flirty, and you sent him a new watch to his hotel and some chocolates - since you knew they were his guilty pleasure.
James had contacted you a few times but he had a couple of interviews related to Split coming out soon so he was rather busy. But in a way it was good because you were able to spend more time and attention on Tom - that was a good thing, right? You weren’t so sure, you were already in so deep with both of these men, you didn’t need to have the decision be any harder than it was.
The premiere was tonight, Tuesday night and you were getting ready while Skyping with Ida.
“How is life going, secret agent?” she asked with a laugh.
“It’s good,” you answered as you grabbed the Versace gown that was one of a kind, pulling it out and grabbing the matching accessories Trish had picked for you.
“So….do they know yet?”
“No,” you said shrugging, taking your tablet into the bathroom while you curled your hair at your vanity and began applying makeup in your cute Victoria’s Secret robe that you got while being a guest model on the annual fashion show.
“But haven’t they seen the tabloids?”
“Yes, and I told them it was just dinner.”
“So you lied,” she surmised.
“No. We did have dinner.”
She sighed. “Alright. I can see you aren’t going to be honest with them.”
“Ida, how can I? If I come out and say ‘I’m dating both of you because I don’t know who I like more’, they are going to make the decision for me and I don’t want that. Let’s get of this topic please. How is the article coming?”
“I meet with MTV in an hour. So far so good. I got some good material from Guns n Roses.”
“Nice. I bet that was fun. Where are you, anyway?”
“For today and tomorrow I’m in New Orleans.”
“Cool. Have I shown you the gown?” you questioned.
“You haven’t! Let me see, let me see!” she demanded excitedly. You opened the garment bag and showed her the red velvet long sleeve dress that had a neckline that plunged with diamond strings between the cleavage, and opened on the sides with more rows of diamonds and a slit that was only knee high.
“My god, woman, you’re going to give poor Tom a heart attack in that!” she exclaimed, admiring the dress.
“You think?” you questioned, unsure.
“Oh yeah. Those are going to show off the girls very nicely. You’re going to be stunning! I can’t wait to see all of the shots of you two together. Oh, how are you going to keep this a secret from James?”
You shrugged as you put the dress back up and finished with your make up. “If he asks about it, I’ll just say Tom asked me to come as a friend. You really needn’t worry about this,” you said.
She threw up her hands in a surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave it be. I’m just jealous, I suppose,” she informed and stuck her tongue out. “Oh, I gotta go. Have fun! Lots of love!”
“Bye, sweetie.” You hung up the call and finished getting ready. You slid the dress on, put on the black velvet peep toe pumps to match, a diamond choker and matching earrings, grabbed your satin clutch and went to the kitchen to wait on your date. You were actually early for once.
James texted you.
“Just thinking about you, hoping you’re having a good night.”
“I am,” you responded, a smile coming across your face, as his words sunk in. “And you?”
“It would be better if I was with you.”
“You’ll see me on set tomorrow,” you reminded, ignoring how that comment made you feel.
“Not soon enough. Can I see you tonight?”
“I already have plans. I’m sorry. What about tomorrow night?”
“Aye aye, mate, that will work. See you tomorrow then.”
“au revoir pour le moment”
The doorbell rang and you happily skipped over to it.
“Tom!” you greeted, throwing the door open.
“Mademoiselle,” he greeted with a wide grin. “You look absolutely stunning. I see your stylist put my money to good use,” he remarked.
“This is actually a custom design I made,” you informed.
“Oh? It becomes you. It’s rather...daring,” he noted with a gulp.
You shrugged delicately. “Yes, well when you’re this good looking, why hide it all?”
“Indeed. Shall we?” he offered, gesturing to a car waiting for us.
“Absolutely.” You grabbed your clutch from the counter and locked the front door. You two got inside the luxury sedan and headed on your way to the premiere.
“Are you excited?” you asked.
“I’m nervous, to be frank. I always feel uneasy seeing films I’m in for the first time.”
“Why is that?”
“I feel like I’m my worst critic. I feel like I will critique every little thing I do.”
“And do you?” you wondered.
“Most of the time no, but then I do and I sit there wondering if everyone else noticed the blunder as well.”
You shook your head with a gentle laugh. “Tom, you’re a wonderful actor. Everyone loves you, and hell even if you have one miniscule facial cue that was off, so what? The directors and producers must’ve liked it,” you said. “I know you and I know how hard you work and how good you are, don't let anyone persuade you differently.”
“That’s very sweet,” he said before suddenly leaning in to kiss you, taking you by surprise, but to be honest, kissing him felt amazing after not seeing him for so long. When he pulled away from the loving kiss, he was still rather close. In a low voice, he said,  “Thank you for accompanying me, I know you’re busy.”
“Oh please, I’m happy to come. I’m just blessed you chose me over about a million women who would kill for this opportunity.”
Tilting your head up with his fingers on your chin, he looked into your eyes and said, “Yes, but they aren’t you.” He planted a few more kisses on your ruby red lips before pulling himself away. “I’m sorry, if we keep going we’ll smudge your makeup, and we can’t have that.”
You cleared your throat, just then realizing your arousal. “Mmm, no we can't have that.”
Finally, you made it to the premiere and you joined the line of cars that was letting celebrities out onto the teal carpet.
“You ready?” you asked, trying to get Tom spirited for his debut.
“So long as you’re by my side,” he breathed, gazing at you with that lost-in-the-moment look. He was swimming in your eyes and you couldn’t help but dive right into his grey-blues, the moment was cut short as Tom’s door was opened and he was greeted by Luke, Tom’s agent.
Luke bent down and leaned his head in. “Hey, Tom, you can go ahead. Oh, hey Y/N, how are you?” He waved slightly at you.
You smiled warmly at him. “I’m fine, Luke, how have you been?”
“I’m on my toes with this one here,” he informed, gesturing to Tom. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you. So do you. New suit?”
“Why yes it is.” He looked up and then bent back down. “Okay, it’s your turn.”
Tom climbed out then helped you out, immediately the flashes from dozens of cameras were blinding you. You never understood how the other celebs didn’t get dizzy as hell with all the flashing and shouting and chaos. People were calling to Tom for questions about Kong, Thor, other projects, and you… To dodge the question about you, he simply said you were there as a friend, thankfully. You hadn’t discussed the whole “Do we confirm or deny us dating?” PR bullshit yet, and the general rule in Hollywood was - if you haven’t discussed it, you deny it. The last thing anyone wanted in this business was for their secret lover to be outed when they didn’t want to be.
You took several photos together as Tom had his hand on your waist and your hand around his. While Tom was being asked about his films, you were pulled by a few people to ask about Juxtaposition and Renegades, the one you just got signed onto. Tom stepped away from you only a few times when he was asked to photograph with Sam and Brie. Brie and you complimented each other’s dresses and hugged, promising to talk after the movie.  
After what seemed like a million questions, hugs, familiar faces, new faces, autographs, photos, you made it to the end of the teal carpet and into the theater where you sat with Tom, Brie, Sam, John, and then all around you were the directors, producers, and editing team. The movie was absolutely incredible and you leaned over and whispered little compliments to Tom each time his acting was so on point you wanted to just scream. As much as you were an actress, you were a huge fan of films. You couldn't help but forget you knew half of these people as they transformed into their roles. It’s a stunning and surreal experience to say the least.
Once the film was done, you were lead to a private room for the after party which was huge. Music was playing songs from the soundtrack of the movie, so many guests were already dancing, colleagues of the trade were greeting each other, a few photos were being snapped. You and Tom walked in and soon Brie found you two.
“There you are, hey guys!” she greeted, coming up and hugging each of you. “Y/N, I haven’t seen you in like a year. How are you? I hear you’re working on...Juxtaposition, is that right?”
“Yep,” you replied nodding. “I’m fine. You did wonderfully, by the way! Excellent work in Kong.”
“Oh,” she said lightly, waving you off. “He’s the real star, the stud on your arm,” she insisted, motioning to Tom standing next to you who was blushing now.
Tom smiled and offered, “I’ll go get us some drinks. Brie, anything?”
“Champagne, please,” she requested kindly. She turned back to you as he left. “So, Tom, huh? Is it serious?”
“We don’t know yet,” you said honestly. “We’re just...going with it for now.” You shrugged as you both eyed him walking across the room.
“Well he’s an amazing man. He’d be a hard one to let go. Unless you’ve got someone on the side…” she insinuated.
Your eyes flickered to her and they said more than your words could.
“Gotcha, I’m not saying anything. Not my place to judge or say anything,” she said.
“Thank you,” you breathed. “And you? Anyone new?”
“Not that anyone knows about,” she informed with a devious expression.
“You scandalous girl, you,” you teased nudging her with your arm.
Tom came back with champagne for everyone.
“A toast,” you said, raising your glass. “To your successful, wonderfully acted, amazing movie, may it blockbust until the cows come home!” All of you laughing as you clinked glasses.
Brie excused herself as you and Tom sipped on your drinks for a few minutes, talking about the movie and your comments on it. He got pulled away by another director and said he would be right back. While you waited, you texted Ida about the movie and your night thus far.
You were so busy Tweeting, Facebooking, and checking Instagram, and being approached by a few other colleagues, that you hadn’t noticed Tom was gone for thirty minutes. Finally, he returned.
“I am so sorry about that, every chance I had to come back I got pulled another direction.”
“It’s fine,” you assured kindly, you knew just how that could happen at functions like these.
“Let me make it up to you. Would you care for a dance?”
“Yes, I’ve been dying to!” He grabbed your hand and led you to the dance floor. The song that was currently playing was rather upbeat and allowed you to dance almost a tango sort of a dance. You were dancing so well that a crowd began to form. Tom had several dancing lessons through his career and was an excellent partner and a terrific leader. Your feet swept across the dance floor as you glided. Somewhere in your bones you knew you two looked marvelous as the crowd of friends and stars watched you two move about the floor, making it your own. Too soon, the song ended but then it went into a perfect waltzing song and you thought you would squeal from delight. He took you in the proper frame and you began waltzing. Again, the crowd watched, mesmerized by every move you two made.
His hand in yours and his hand on your waist gave you a wave of butterflies as he led you across the floor, staring into your eyes and you staring back. The intimacy was so thick between you two it made your knees weak. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say this was a scene for a romance movie. The dancing continued for the rest of the evening, you knew your feet would be sore as all hell tomorrow, but you didn’t care.
The after party ended and some people were going to the “after-after parties” but Tom knew you had to work in the morning so you two piled into the car and set for your home.
It was quiet and dark in the car, the perfect atmosphere for you to play with his hands, lacing your fingers around his, tracing little patterns.
“I had a lot of fun tonight,” Tom informed in a low voice in your ear.
“Me too,” you said as you peered up through thick lashes. Like someone flicked on the electricity, the lust erupted between you two and Tom was leaning over you, his mouth on yours as your hands moved to his curls and pulled slightly on them, causing him to bite your lip as a sexy laugh escaped both of you. It took a hell of a lot of willpower to not practically jump him there in the backseat, so much so that you found yourself a few times slightly grinding in your seat. You continued to kiss, nip, bite until you were at your house.
Watching Tom on screen for Kong was incredibly sexy, and you just happened to be dating him. Needless to say, you had a scratch that needed itching after watching him handle a gun and be incredibly masculine.
Courage capturing you for a moment, you asked quietly, “Would you like to come inside?”
“I’d love to.”
He got out and helped you out and you lead him inside by his hand, a giant grin painted on your faces. As soon as the door closed, he grabbed your face in his hands and began kissing you heatedly as he pushed you against the door, his hips and arousal pressing against you, making you melt into his arms. You couldn’t help but pick your legs up suddenly and wrap them around his waist. This seemed to launch him into a full blown frenzy as he carried you like that to the bedroom and had his way with you. He was better than you’d ever imagined.
-------------------------
The next morning, you woke up earlier than your alarm, kissed Tom on his back, and went out and make coffee, a frittata and some homemade fruit waffles in your silk, short robe.
“Smells good,” Tom said, his boxers hanging low on his waist as he came into the kitchen, making that familiar throb appear between your legs.
“Thank you, it’s almost ready.”
“You looked damned sexy with after-sex hair, in nothing but a robe,” he complimented as he came up behind you while you cooked, rubbing all over your body. You got lost in the sensation quickly and turned around and started kissing him over and over again. He picked you up, turned off the stove, and put you on the counter and took you again, amazingly well. Your name on his lips sounded like heaven as he thrust into you until you both found release. As well for him, shouting “Tom” over and over, seemed to bring him closer each time you screamed it.
When you were done, you ran and got ready, eating quickly as you were dressing, Tom following suit. Your cars rolled up, ready to take you both to your destinations.
“I had a really great time last night,” you said as you walked out together into the cool morning air. “Thank you for the dresses, so much.”
“My pleasure. When can we see each other again?” he asked fervently.
You bit your lip. “I don’t know. I think filming is about to pick up some more. I’ll check my calendar and let you know, will that work?” None of that was a lie, thankfully. A lot of interviews were about to take place soon.
“Sure.” He smiled and kissed your forehead then climbed into his car as you made your way over to yours, ready to head to the set.
---------------
A little over a week had passed and Tom was keeping in contact most every day, sending sweet notes that made your day brighter, while James worked on set with you to make you laugh and feel sexy and vibrant and strong. They both ended up sending more gifts to your house. Tom sent a book, one of your favorite authors and it was a book you didn’t own yet. James sent you a locket with a note that said, “Fill it with memories to keep close to your heart.” He must’ve remembered you saying you missed your parents back home and how sometimes you felt a little homesick and lonely out here.
It seemed like life couldn’t get any more perfect, except now there was only one problem - who do you choose? You thought after the first two dates it would be easier, simple, but it wasn’t. They both possessed qualities that women craved in men, and more often than not, went above and beyond to make you feel special, not to mention you were attracted to both. This was supposed to be a quick experiment, two or three dates and then you’d leave one, but you found yourself unable to choose between your Brit and your Scot.
It was Friday and you had an show with Jimmy Kimmel and decided to wear the pink lacey dress that you bought with Tom’s generosity. It was cut short and made you look almost like a modern day princess, prim and proper.
When the show was over, you were in your hotel room, hoping to catch some sleep before your red-eye flight back to LA when James called.
“Hey, there,” he greeted, your favorite accent coming at you through the phone, immediately relieving you of all stress.
“Hey,” you greeted back softly.
“I saw the show. You were wonderful.”
“Yeah? You think?”
“Yeah, absolutely marvelous. The dress looked beautiful on you too, the pink really brought our your eyes.”
Without thinking, you replied, “Oh thanks, Tom bought it for me.” Shit. What did you just say?
“Tom, as in Tom Hiddleston?” he said carefully.
“Yeah,” you said innocently, trying to disbar any concern or suspicion, as you closed your eyes and you bit your lip.
A bit of silence passed on the phone as you anxiously awaited any response from him.
“I see. Are you sure there isn’t anything going on with him? He seems to be around a lot lately,” he said, a bit of annoyance in his voice.
“He’s just a friend,” you asserted and left it at that.
He laughed lightly on the other end of the line as he said, “I suppose I’m being a bit jealous, aren’t I? I’m sorry. Well it looks beautiful on you. Say, I was wondering if when you got back tomorrow if you’d like to run lines again?”
You chuckled seductively. “Run lines like we did last time where we got nothing done? Or run lines where we actually work?” you teased.
“We’ll see where the night takes us,” he flirted.
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
“See you when you get back, Y/N, I’ll be counting the minutes.”
“Au Revoir,” you quietly said.
“Bonsoir ma fleur de minuit,” he responded beautifully. From what you remembered of your gathered French, he just told you, “Goodnight, my midnight flower.”
-------------------
Saturday night, you made dinner and set the table and told James that you had made food so you could focus on work rather than pigging out on junk food like last time. You got wine chilled, made a quiche, some roasted potatoes, and made a dark chocolate cake for dessert. One thing you really missed from Oklahoma was all the home cooking, all the big meals, the family events….
James knocked on the door precisely at 6 and you welcomed him happily. You ate food, thanking him for his gifts, telling him you missed him and he returned the warmth. He said he was happy to do those things, he complimented your cooking, and was happy to see you again as well.
“Well, should we get through some of this scene for Monday?” you offered.
“Let’s. And hopefully we can get through it this time without someone distracting me,” he chastised.
You both stood from the dining room table as you made your way into the living room with your glasses of wine.
“I distracted you?” you asked.
“Well, I wasn’t the one to bring up Narnia,” he mentioned, shrugging with a playful expression.
“You’re just lucky I didn’t put on X-Men,” you warned, sticking your tongue as he sat on your couch.
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
You blushed as you turned your head away to sit your wine down on the coffee table.
“I...I-uh...I sort of...Have a crush on your character,” you blurted out so fast and mumbled you weren’t sure if he heard you.
“What was that?” he demanded through a small bout of laughter as he leaned up, trying to look at you.
“I...Have a crush on your character,” you said again, but slower and less mumbled.
He laughed as he leaned back and clapped, throwing his head back. “Oh that’s amazing. So you have a mutant kink? Or is it purely a Chuck kink?”
You took a sofa pillow and hit him with it. “Shut up,” you warned with a tease. “Can we just read our lines?”
“Yes, yes, I’m sorry,” he offered, throwing his hands up in an apologetic manner. He grabbed his script book and you grabbed yours. At first it was easy to get into character and you both read the lines seriously for about forty five minutes, a few times over before you moved on, and suddenly it was the makeout and sex scene that you had yet to shoot. You’d done two makeout scenes so far but this was the final one between your characters.
“Oh, we can skip over this if you want,” you said, shrugging, a blush creeping into your face. “I don’t think we need to rehearse that if you don’t want to.”
You looked up from your script to see what he wanted to do and you would’ve sworn someone put him under a lust spell. He was eyeing you hungrily, his pupils dilated as he alternated between biting his lip and licking it.
Your mouth and throat ran dry as you squeaked, “James?”
“Let’s rehearse it, if you don't mind.”
“I don’t mind,” you breathed, eyeing him.
You read your cues and started the kissing, gentle at first but then it was supposed to become more forceful, and James did just that. He pushed you with his hands on your shoulders onto the couch, his mouth molding with yours as you ran your hands long his back, your legs automatically coming to rest beneath him. His hands were rubbing your shoulders, then glided up to your hair as he pulled your head to the side and bit your neck, this wasn’t in the script at all but you weren’t about to stop it.
Eventually, you found your legs open and he was cradled between you as the kissing deepened, you pulled at the hem of his shirt and tugged it off, he was opening your blouse when your phone rang.
Between kisses, he asked, “Do you need to get that?”
You almost answered no, but then you realized it could be your family.
“Uh, maybe, it could be my family.”
“Ah,” he said as he climbed off of you and you jumped up and grabbed your phone from the counter. You saw Tom’s name across the screen and dashed into your bedroom and closed the door quietly.
“Hey, you,” you said, half hoping he would make this a quick call so you could return to what you were doing.
“Hey, how are you? Having a good weekend?”
“Terrific, how’s yours?”
“The usual. I had the London premiere today, then tomorrow I meet with Chris for something on Thor.”
“Ah, yeah, yeah.”
“Are you okay? You sound a little...busy?” he wondered.
“Oh, no, I was just...studying my lines.”
“Right, right! I’ll let you get back to it then, I should start getting ready anyhow. It was nice to hear you.”
“You too.”
“Well goodbye,” he said kindly.
“Bye.”
You hung up and rushed back out to the living room where James was waiting for you.
“Was it family?” he questioned nonchalantly.
“Uh, no, it was Tom,” you answered honestly. You were going to try being as honest as you could with them, even if a few lies got sprinkled in, it was killing you to do this to them but...you were selfish.
James scoffed as he grabbed his shirt and pulled it back on. “For a guy who’s just your friend, he sure is around a lot,” he noted with an annoyed tone.
“James, please. He just--”
“Just what?” he demanded as he got up. “Y/N, we were in the middle of a moment there and you stomped on it for a friend. I don't mind if it was your family, I get it, you want to talk to them whenever you can or if it’s an emergency, that’s fine. But when I’m in between your legs, it would be nice if your attention was on me and not that British bastard,” he spat at you.
“No, James, I--”
But he ignored you as he went to the door, wrenched it open, then slammed it shut. You stood there, stunned. What were you going to do? You considered calling Ida, but your phone rang in your hand and you nearly jumped out of your skin. This time, it really was your family. Sighing, you answered.
“Hey, Mom,” you greeted, faking some cheer. You weren’t unhappy to hear from her, you were just distraught from James’ outburst.
“Hey, bubbles,” your mom replied with your nickname. You earned it growing up because you were constantly blowing bubbles and loved bubble baths. “How’s my celebrity daughter doing?”
“I’m doing,” you said simply as you started to clean up dinner. “How’re you, Mom?”
“Oh, I’m alright. I saw you in the news.”
“Yeah? What’d it say?”
“It says your dating those two European boys,” she informed. You groaned internally. You did not need this on top of what else was happening.
“Something like that.”
“Hmm, well be careful. Your daddy says those boys are only after one thing,” she warned.
“Lucky for me I’m after the same thing,” you said back, teasing in your tone.
“Y/N!” your mom responded and you could just see her shaking her head as you laughed.
“Oh, Mom, calm down. I’m just having fun. I’m dating some men, what’s the big deal?” you asked as you finished loading the dishwasher.
“Well, nothing I guess. They’re saying awful things about you though and it just makes me madder than a wet hen.”
“Eh, you can’t let it affect you. I don’t even read that stuff and when I do, I remind myself that no matter what I do, I’m going to have those comments happen,” you reminded.
She sighed. “I know, but you’re my daughter and the things they’re saying….”
“I know,” you said quietly. “They’re idiots, Mom, don’t listen to them.”
“I saw you on Jimmy Kimmel too! I recorded it and I’m going to show Bethany.”
Bethany was your next door neighbor back home and your mom’s best friend.
“Oh, good. Did you like it?”
“I loved it sweetie. I also saw you on that Graham Norton show.”
“Oh…” You laughed uneasily. “That was...uh...well that was just…”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me, dear, I was your age too once, remember?”
“Momma, you scandalous devil,” you teased with a grin.
“Hey, you’ve got it sweetheart, you need to flaunt it before age takes it away like mine.”
“You’re still beautiful.”
“Well thank you dear. Well I won’t hold you up, baby, I just wanted to check in. I love you, I’m going to go to bed.”
“I love you too. Tell Daddy I told him I love him too and tell everyone back home I said hi.”
“I will.”
You bid each other goodnight and hung up.
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gkp26307-blog · 5 years
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Radhika Apte and Neha Dhupia show that will blow you away
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Radhika Apte and Neha Dhupia show that will blow you away - After Karan Johar, the celeb that can bring out the spiciest bits of goss straight from the horse's mouth is none other than Neha Dhupia. She is back with the third season of No Filter Neha and it has stayed true to its name featuring celebs at their candid best. The way Neha divulges into conversations and brings out the best-kept secrets, you won't want to miss a single episode. The latest guest to grace the show will be Radhika Apte and check out the 10 revelations she made on the show. #Radhika Apte’s worst date! When she went to England, she went on a date. She revealed, "I mean the guy is wonderful, we’re very good friends, he wasn’t bad, it was me because it was a rebound. We went on this date and we got really hammered. Oh my God I was so drunk! At one point, I kept my head on the table because I was so drunk and he left, he went to the loo. And I thought he went and I got up and I left." #Bombay made Radhika Apte depressed at one point "I came to Bombay initially, alone. Then I went back to Pune because I got too depressed because I was here for 7-8 months, I was staying with people that I didn’t get along with and I was doing theatre which was in town so it was that commute every day, which is fine, that was the only good time, the theatre time that I had. But I had no good friends. I wanted to do films and I didn’t know a single soul, I didn’t know any casting director, I didn’t know anybody! I didn’t know where to start from. So, I’d wake up and feel what do I do? Whom should I call? Where do I go? So, I realized I need to be around people who make me a bit happy and don’t make me feel so useless," revealed the actress. #Radhika Apte’s weird audition experience "I don’t remember the name of the director because it was just an audition of a film that never happened. Oh my God, it was so dramatic. I came back from London and these guys said that they wanted to do a film, Vikram the south Indian actor is going to be in it, it’s going to be massive and it’s a period drama. So, they called me down south and said we’ll give you a hotel, you come here for one day, the director wants to audition you. I’m not even exaggerating okay, I’m not even joking, this is exactly what happened…this director was some asshole, I can’t even remember his name, they got me a room which was a bizarre room! It was such a cheap hotel, I could not believe. And I’ve not gone to South India or any industry where they’ve treated me like that. So I go to them and said I need to go back tonight, I can’t stay here. Then the director came and said ‘just want to see you in different poses’. I said I don’t know what that means so he just showed me some dance poses, thankfully. And with him, a bunch of people came in the room, all men, with cameras. And they were like they’re going to click pictures and I couldn’t quite understand where this was going, what was happening. That got over and he said we have to get your measurements with masterji and again some 12 people came in and took my pictures in that little blouse and the period costume that they’d given me. They’re clicking pictures of me and I don’t even know where those pictures are! It wasn’t that anybody touched me or said anything sexual, it’s just that what was happening was not okay," shared Radhika on the show. #Radhika Apte’s bizarre non-payment story! Radhika revealed, "I have payments pending for years…years! I won’t tell you names in Bombay but the two films I did with Balakrishna, who’s great, he was actually trying to help me. But the second film that I did with him, they offered me a lot of money because I was doing his second film. It was not my cup of tea, I was doing it because it was really good money. I had a lot of money which they said they’ll give me on the last day. So, it was a song shoot and I said I want my money right now or I’m not going to do this song. And they said here’s the cashier, he has the money and the receipts so just finish this off and we’ll immediately give you. Then I finished my shoot and I had to leave for the airport and I said so please can you give me my money? And they were like oh, the cashier went to the office. So, they said, if the cashier comes here, it’s going to be too late for you to go to the airport so why don’t you go to the airport and let the cashier meet you at the airport, outside the airport you sign the things, take the money and you go. So, I said this is so not okay but I had to go, I had work the next day. And I remember incessantly calling them and either they were not answering or their phones were switched off! I tried to follow up with them for so long but I never got paid!" #Radhika is a no nonsense person She shared how she gave it back to a really big star. "I’m pretty no nonsense and it comes across quite obviously and this one was like a really big, big star. I had heard a lot of things about him. But on the set, I witnessed him spanking women left right and center! I freaked out and gave it back to him on the first day and he was extremely respectful from that day on. Older women, younger women, assistants of choreographers, he would just hold them by the waist when they’re crossing him and they’re just trying to escape," told Radhika. #Radhika hates social media? Radhika reveals, "I don’t hate social media at all, I just don’t love it. It has a place in my life, my daily life more than my “life” and I’m appreciative of that space, it’s given me a lot. It has given me my bread and butter in many ways. It’s just that I think getting involved in social media too much is not good for my mental health. It’s not good for anybody’s mental health." #Akshay Kumar’s prank on Radhika Apte Sharing about it, Radhika revealed, "He used to play a prank on me almost every day. So basically, on April Fool’s day I was like wait, now I’m going to play a prank on you and he’s like haha we’ll see. And then with Sir Balki he did this to me because he knows my weakness that if a director is panicking or there’s a time limit or you need a shot desperately, I’m like a machine. I’ll do anything. I’m not chilled out on set. So, he (Sir Balki) was like the sun is going Radhika, the sun is going, we really need to get this shot. He said just climb on the wall and I want you to run from this corner to that corner. And I was like WHAT? He’s like ya ya it’s a montage, just go. I climbed up and he’s like okay now run! And I was like there’s no camera Sir Balki..I said where is the camera? he said it’s there, it’s behind the tree and I said there’s no camera behind the tree. And he’s like Radhika we’re losing light, please run! And I had to run. So I ran like an idiot on this wall and Akshay couldn’t stop laughing and everyone was filming!" #Radhika on being killed in Sacred Games "I’m really good with rejections and I’m not very attached, I wish I was like this in my personal life. I’m not attached when the work is over. I knew that I was going to die from the beginning. So, it’s like so detached in my head that even if it’s so successful I go like greaaat!" reveals the actress. #Saif or Akshay - better co-star according to Radhika? The actress chose Akshay and guess what the reason is. "Definitely Akshay comes on time more than Saif but Akshay is on time in comparison to anyone I’ve worked with!" told Radhika. #Who needs a new stylist according to Radhika Apte? Radhika thinks Ranveer Singh needs it and because 'he can carry anything so he should get a new stylist every day and get some more inspiring looks every day.' Radhika Apte and Neha Dhupia show that will blow you away Read the full article
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geektalknews · 6 years
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Helpful Tips If You Are Attending Heroes and Villains, or any convention really.
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Photo by Fortress Photography If you are any kind of a fan, no matter the genre, you love attending conventions. This year for the second year in a row, we had the pleasure to attend Heroes and Villians Fan Fest in our hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. This year was a little different tho, they were teamed up with the Walking Dead fan convention Walker Stalker Con, so basically comics on one side and zombies on the other. We at Geek Talk News wanted to make a survival guide to help you out in case this was your first ever con, or just needed a refresher course.
Getting Inside the Convention: 
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Photos By: Fortress Photography You will want to hit the floor as soon as the doors open, you will want to arrive early regardless of whether you purchased your tickets online or on site. Side Note: We recommend buying tickets online. And friend them on all the social media sites, because they run sales very often of buy-one-get-one-free tickets. And even a buy-one-get-3-free ticket. So there is no reason to pay full price for a single ticket. There will be signage, Fan Fest staff and volunteers to direct you to where you need to go. There are people designated just to answer your questions, so don’t be afraid to ask. Once your online purchase is complete, you will receive an email confirmation with a QR code. You must present this code via printed email or scanning your smartphone in order to receive your “ticket” at the event. Please note: Heroes and Villians tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. As well, tickets cannot be applied towards future Heroes and Villans Fan Fest Conventions. You will need to exchange your ticket voucher for your pass/lanyard or wristband. We also recommend picking up your lanyard/wristband early if that is an option. Ticketing usually opens up the day prior to the start of the Con. This info will be posted in the Fan Fest app (which I found useless since they did not update it with our particular venue) and on the Heroes And Villians Fan Fest Website.
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Photos By: Fortress Photography Picking up your pass is a one time, per con process. Once you have your lanyard you will skip ticketing for the remainder of the con. Do not lose your lanyard or wristband, they can not be replaced.  You will need to make sure your pass is visible at all times to the HVFF Staff, Event staff and HVFF Ambassadors. Once again, it is required for entry into the con as well as which lines you will be directed to for each celebrity. The largest crowds in ticketing are early before the con opens to the public.  Once you arrive you will be put in one line and be taken in groups to the ticketing counter. The lines will seem overwhelming; however, this process goes fairly quickly. If your arrival time is prior to your ticket’s entry time and you already have your lanyard, you will then proceed to another line depending on your ticket level.  Once the doors open for your ticket level you will proceed to security. Security may involve metal detectors and bag checks. If you are a cosplayer with a fake weapon or if you bring a fake weapon to have autographed (i.e. Lucille), then you will have to make sure a con ambassador inspects and zip ties your fake weapon before entry. Please refer to the Heroes and Villians props & cosplay policy on what is/is not allowed inside the convention.  In Nashville, we were not allowed to bring any open beverages, like coffee, through the doors. There are usually separate doors for entry and exit. There is only one point to enter and you must through the security checkpoint each time you enter the con floor. The good folks at HVFF take the safety of their attendees, guests, and staff very seriously. Even tho at one point the fire alarm did go off, and nobody did anything, but that is a discussion for another time. The con floor opens to VIP, Gold, Platinum and Media and hour an half earlier than it does for those holding GA tickets.
Ticket Levels:
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Photo by Fortress Photography Heroes and Villians have 4 different ticket levels- Platinum, Gold, VIP & General Admission. Each ticket comes with its own perks so think about which option is the best fit for you before you make your purchase. Platinum & Gold passes have the most perks but they are the most costly and sell out first. A General Admission ticket gets you in the door but there are no perks other than access the Vendor Alley and Panel Discussions. Depending on who you want to see, sometimes buying a GA ticket is better especially if you can get it on sale and split the cost with other people. And then add on the photo ops and autographs, which is what we did. I found that the price of the VIP tickets for some of the celebrities was more than the price of a ticket to the San Diago Comic Con, and to me, that seems a bit much. But that's just me.
Lines, Wait Times and Meet & Greets:
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Photos By: Fortress Photography. Crowds Lined Up For John Barrowman Waiting in line is something that you will have to do. There are thousands of people, I mean family members, attending the con with you so waiting is just part of the process. Wait times can vary from one minute to an hour or more depending on the celebrity. Sometimes you get lucky and there is a minimal wait time or no line at all!  Lines are formed by ticket level; Platinum & Gold pass holders go in line together, then VIP followed by General Admission attendees. There is also a line for folks with Disability passes but that line location varies from table to table. If you have an extended wait time, get to know the people around you! We met so many great people, forming friendships over a common bond is what the con is all about. A meet and greet is simply your opportunity to wait in your designated line and meet the celebrity and give them money for and selfie and an autograph. If I sound salty, I am a little, cause I personally think it's a little insane on how much they charge for just an autograph from a working actor. Some celebrities hug and/or shake hands and some do not. Some will come out from behind the table while others do not. It is very important to respect each celebrity’s boundaries and follow the instructions given once you get up to the table. You will be asked to put your phone away at most tables and you will not be allowed to film your interaction with the celebrity guest. If you purchase a selfie (if available) you will be allowed to keep that phone out but you will be asked to hand it to the ambassador taking the photos. It becomes quite costly to purchase something at every table; especially with the average price of a selfie or autograph being around $40. Meet & greets are a great option for those trying to stick to a budget. Other than the celebrity guests offering pre-sales, most are open to meeting a small group of 2-4 people at a time who are purchasing an auto or selfie. So if you and your three friends go in on a $40 selfie at the celebrity’s table, that is only $10 each! (Please note: You will only be able to use one person’s phone or camera). This is also great for couples and families 
Parking at the Convention:
It is important that you allow time for parking. You also need to work this expense into your budget. We advise you to get there as early as you can, the parking garage is your best bet (all day $15) but it fills up fast. Other than that you will have to pay by the hour or all day for $20-25 depending if anything else is going on downtown.
Cold Hard Cash:
Honestly, this is one of the biggest things that many people are taken back by the fact you will need real paper money at a con. While Heroes and Villians Fan Fest takes plastic for ticket sales and vendors may take your card, celebs do not. If you want a selfie or autograph you have to purchase that in line and it is cash only. There are ATMs at the con but fans were told that each time using the ATM at the Nashville con there was a $5 fee (with additional fees from your bank) and the maximum withdrawal per transaction was $120. With the average price of a selfie/autograph combo being $60, you will be standing in line at the ATM after just two celebs! So make sure to take some cash and save it for the celeb tables. We found that most of the tables in the Vendor Alley and Food Court accepted cards. Heroes and Villains Fan Fest is Definitely worth the price just for the experience of being around people like yourself, who enjoy the fandoms, and the quirkiness that makes us geeks.  After all "It's not just fandom...It's Family". Well, that wraps it up for this year, if you have any comment or questions leave it below. And if you went to HVFF this year did you enjoy it? Let us know. Read the full article
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Valentine's Day Sweethearts: The Cutest Celeb Couples Who Can't Get Enough of Each Other
Valentine's Day is officially here and we can't help ourselves from obsessing over all the love in Hollywood!
Whether you're single and spending the day with your gal-pals, or looking forward to a romantic date night with your significant other once the workday is done, we think it's safe to say we all have one thing in common -- we can't get enough of cute, celebrity couples.
In honor of the holiday, ET's rounded up the famous pairs who haven't been able to stop gushing over each other this year.
Meghan Markle & Prince Harry
Alexi Lubomirski
This is an extra special holiday for the royal and his fiancée, as it marks their first Valentine's Day as an engaged couple. During an interview with BBC News last November, the two were all smiles while recalling how they first met, and how Prince Harry ultimately popped the question.
"I'd never watched Suits, I'd never heard of Meghan before, and I was beautifully surprised when I walked into that room and saw her [for the first time]," he said of their first meeting, which was a blind date set up by one of their mutual friends. "I was like, 'Wow, OK. I'm going to have to up my game here. I'm going to sit down and make sure I got a good chat.'"
"The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was a confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned and everything was just perfect," he continued. "We are a fantastic team, we know that we are, and we want to, over time, have as much impact for all of the things that we care about as much as possible."
As for how Harry proposed, Meghan described the moment as "so sweet, natural and very romantic."
"[It was] just a cozy night," she said, adding that they were "trying" to roast a chicken. "It was just an amazing surprise. He got on one knee."
George & Amal Clooney
Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage
For George, life changed for the better the moment he met Amal, whom he married in 2014. In a sweet clip from his revealing interview on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, streaming now on Netflix, the 56-year-old actor opened up about finding the new, "very odd" purpose to his life. "I have to say, before I had the twins, I felt that about her," George says of his wife, who gave birth to their twins, Alexander and Ella, last June. "I felt that I met someone who, you know, I would absolutely trade my life for. I'd met someone that, her life meant more to me than my life, and I had never had that experience before."
David & Victoria Beckham
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Ken Paves Salon
Proving they're still going strong as one of Hollywood's hottest power couples, the lovebirds, who tied the knot in 1999, weren't shy about packing on the PDA earlier this month during New York Fashion Week. The former Spice Girl planted a giant smooch on her husband, who sat front row at her fashion show with three of their four kids. "Show day... proud of mummy," David later wrote on Instagram.
In an interview with Today last March, Victoria couldn't help herself from marveling over her "great" partner in crime. "I'm lucky that David is the most fantastic father and husband," she shared. "We're very equal at home, and we're a really, really good team."
"I think he's my soulmate," she added. "We complement each other. He's the most incredible husband, fantastic father. He inspires me every day. Not just seeing him with the children and how he treats me. It just works. We're lucky to have each other."
Tom Brady & Gisele Bündchen
James Devaney/GC Images
Through good times and bad.
After a devastating Super Bowl LII loss earlier this month, we have a feeling the New England Patriots quarterback may be the one receiving the chocolates this Valentine's Day! But all jokes aside, the athlete couldn't be happier about having the greatest support system by his side, 24/7.
"My love, we are incredibly proud of you because we are able to see every day all the commitment, sacrifice and hard work that you have devoted to become the best in what you do," Gisele shared on behalf of her and their children following the NFL championship game. "We love you!"
Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez
Kevin Mazur/One Voice: Somos Live!/Getty Images
Speaking of the Super Bowl, the game was a much happier one for these two lovebirds, who celebrated their one-year anniversary together at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. When ET caught up with J.Lo the night before the game, she had nothing but amazing things to say about the former MLB star.
"What was I doing one year ago today? I was with Alex," she exclaimed. "We had just met and, you know, it was good. It was a good night."
"It's crazy. We both are so happy about our lives right now and where we're at professionally, as well as personally," she continued. "Things seem to be flowing in a really beautiful way. We both have a lot of support for each other and a lot of love for each other. ... We're just really happy. It's a good time."
Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel
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What better way to show your love for your significant other than by dedicating an entire album to them? That's exactly what Justin did for Jessica and their 2-year-old son, Silas, on Man of the Woods. He also included his wife in the music video for the title track, in which he croons, "I brag about you to anyone outside. I'm a man of the woods, it's my pride."
Last month, the lovebirds made the Golden Globes their date night, adorably gushing over each other ahead of the awards show. "DAMN, my wife is hot!" Justin marveled in a sweet Instagram post.
Chrissy Teigen & John Legend
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Always keeping us entertained, this happy pair was a definite on our list! Chrissy, who is currently pregnant with their second child, a baby boy, has been together with John since 2007 (they tied the knot in September 2013), but they seem to have no problem keeping the romance alive.
ET caught up with the "All of Me" singer late last month, where he opened up about expanding their little family. The two are already parents to a 1-year-old daughter, Luna. "I'm very much in love with my wife and my daughter," he shared. "So, if the next baby has any of their characteristics, I'll be very happy."
Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban
Todd Williamson/Getty Images
Last but definitely not least, a couple that's kept their love alive for over a decade! Nicole and Keith are never shy about packing on the PDA, always looking head-over-heels in love whether they're just casually out in public or all dressed up and posing for pictures on the red carpet. 
But behind the scenes, their bond is even stronger. "Keith always says to me, 'You stay raw and sensitive, and I'll buffer things for you,' which is a beautiful offering," the Oscar winner recently explained in her Glamour magazine interview. "He is always told, 'You're so tough,' and he says, 'That’s not what I want for you, Nicole. You don't need to get a thick skin.'"
"I think for me, it's about having a place that's safe to nurture you, where the tears can be shed," she added. "That way I can actually go back open and curious and willing. And at times scarred and a little damaged."
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gossipnetwork-blog · 6 years
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25 TV Events to Get Excited About in 2018
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25 TV Events to Get Excited About in 2018
New year, new TV to look forward to.
Now that it’s finally 2018, it’s time to cut your losses with the fall shows you’ve already grown tired and make some room on your DVRs for everything the new year has to offer because there’s a lot to get excited about.
Kicking things off on New Year’s Day with the return of Arie Luyendyk Jr. as ABC’s latest Bachleor, we’ve narrowed down the 25 TV events worth getting excited about over the next 12 months from a surprisingly deep pool of worthy candidates. Seriously, there’s a lot of promising stuff coming our way. Read on and start programming your DVR!
ABC/Craig Sjodin
Bachelor‘s Big Winter
Kudos to the Bachelor franchise for trying something new in 2018. First, they went back a few years to the pre-Instagram days to find their newest leading man, Arie Luyendyk Jr., and we’re also being treated to what appears to be an international hot tub party known as Winter Games. It all sounds like exactly the fresh Bachelor air we need, and we can’t wait to see how it all goes down, starting January 1.
Freeform
Freeform Gets Grown-ish
It’s time for Zoey Johnson to fly the coop and strike out on her own…-ish. In this Freeform spinoff of Black-ish, debuting January 3, Yara Shahidi takes center stage as the eldest Johnson child embarks on her freshman year at California University with a diverse group of friends helping her navigate her first taste of adult life. Look out for guest appearances from parents Dre and Bow as Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross are set to make occasional guest appearances in the comedy, which hails from the mothership’s creator Kenya Barris. 
CBS
Star Trek: Discovery‘s Return
The spore drive is done for and the U.S.S. Discovery is…missing. The finale ended with Lorca (Jason Isaacs) and his team including Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) evading death and destruction at the hands of the Klingons, only to find themselves some place very unfamiliar. Could our heroes be in the Mirror Universe? Whatever happens, beam us up for more adventures on January 7.
VH1
Tyra Returns on Top
Sorry Rita Ora, but Tyra Banks is reclaiming her America’s Next Top Model throne. Banks is returning on January 9 to host the revived series on VH1 after only serving as executive producer on Cycle 23. This year, expect new terms from Tyra and new competitors: there’s no longer an age limit.
Showtime
Showtime’s Trip to The Chi
If creator Lena Waithe‘s Emmy-winning episode of Master of None, “Thanksgiving,” is any indication, her new Showtime drama is, hands down, one of 2018’s can’t-miss debuts. The Chi, premiering January 7, is billed as a timely coming-of-age story that will explore the humanity behind the headlines sensationalizing the South Side of Chicago. Expect this to be an early Emmys frontrunner.
The CW
A New Superhero
Luke Cage may have come before him, but Black Lightning feels like the first superhero series to finally truly speak to the Black Lives Matter movement. The CW’s latest DC Comics adaptation, starring Cress Williams as the titular hero and premiering Jan. 16, feels timely in a way that few of the network’s other comic book offerings have. If nothing else, it’s just refreshing to have a CW superhero who feels like a damn adult.
FX
American Crime Story Goes Glam
People v. O.J. was great, but The Assassination of Gianni Versace brings a new level of glamour and intrigue to one of last year’s most talked about new series with one of the biggest crimes fashion has ever suffered. Darren Criss plays the serial killer we never before knew we needed him to play, and Penélope Cruz is straight-up iconic as Donatella Versace. We are so there come January 17.  
VH1
Mama Ru Gathers More All-Stars
While some of the queens returning for another chance at the crown barely fit in the label of “star,” let alone “All-Star”—Aja, anyone?—our excitement at finally having RuPaul and her glorious queens back is off the charts. RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars 3 returns to its new network (VH1) on January 25 to see who will join the ranks of legendary All-Stars and All-Stars 2 winners Chad Michaels and Alaska, respectively. Who are we rooting for? We’ll never tell. (OK, we’ll tell. That crown belongs to Trixie Mattel. Don’t @ us.)
Mindy Tucker/HBO
2 Dope Queens Come to HBO
What’s better than listening to your favorite podcast? Watching it come to life in a series of HBO specials, that’s what! Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson bring their acclaimed podcast 2 Dope Queens to the cable network beginning February 2 for four hour-long specials taped before a live audience, tackling topics like “Black Nerds aka Blerds” and “Hot Peen” alongside guests including Jon Stewart and Tituss Burgess. 
Netflix
Netflix Explores Altered Carbon
Netflix is going big with this original series, an adaptation the classic cyberpunk noir novel by Richard K. Morgan. Set more than 300 years in a future where society has been transformed by new technology, consciousness can be digitized, human bodies are interchangeable, and death is no longer permanent, the sci-fi series stars Joel Kinnaman as Takeshi Kovacs, the lone surviving soldier in a group of elite interstellar warriors who were defeated in an uprising against the new world order. Altered Carbon, dropping on the streaming site on February 2, looks expensive and confusing as hell. Count us in.
CBS
Big Brother Turns Celebrity
Already a staple in the U.K., Celebrity Big Brother is finally making its way across the pond for a special edition on CBS beginning February 7. Which of our D-list celebs will sign up to duke it out in the Big Brother house with Julie Chen narrating their every move? We haven’t the slightest idea and we can’t wait to find out.
Lifetime
UnREAL Flips the Script
Did you know that it’s been nearly 18 months since UnREAL signed off for season two? After that creative debacle, you may have pushed the provocative Lifetime series, a fictional account of the inner-workings of a Bachelor-esque reality series, out of your mind. But queens Constance Zimmer and Shiri Appleby deserve better, and it looks like the time off may have helped deliver a third series worthy of their estimable talents. After tackling their first African-American suitor in S2, they’re going the Bachelorette route this time around with Masters of Sex alum Caitlin FitzGerald assuming the role of Everlasting’s (the show within the show) new feminist “suitress.” Could Quinn and Rachel have finally met their match? Tune in on February 26 to find out. 
Good Girls Go Bad
What do you get when you take a Parks and Recreation fave (Retta), a Parenthood breakout (Mae Whitman), and a Mad Men diva (Christina Hendricks), cast them as three suburban moms tired of their lives, and have them rob a local supermarket. Why, the recipe for our most anticipated show of 2018, that’s what. Is it February 26 yet?
Netflix
A Queer Comeback
All things just keep getting better thanks to Netflix’s upcoming revival of the seminal reality series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Does the new Fab Five (from left to right, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness and Tan France) have what it takes to make us forget about Carson Kressley, Ted Allen and the rest of the OGs? Come February, we’ll find out.
CBS
Round Two of The Good Fight
It’s been a long few months without Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) dropping an eff-bomb on our screens. The first season The Good Fight was politically charged and intriguing and the real world hasn’t gotten any less crazy, so Robert and Michelle King have a lot of fodder for new episodes, beginning March 4. Plus Audra McDonald will be a series regular this year, so our hopes of a musical episode just got all the more higher.
ABC
American Idol Returns From the Dead
Did we really want a revival of American Idol so soon after its 2016 (supposed) series finale? Not even slightly. Are we planning to tune in on March 11 to see if Katy Perry was really worth her rumored $25 million salary? You betcha. 
NBC
A New TV Musical Rises
Glee meets Friday Night Lights this spring on NBC, with Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) and Rosie Perez (Rosie Perez) in the starring roles of this Jason Katims-produced high school drama set (where else) in a working class town. This one could either be one of the year’s biggest successes or biggest flame-outs. Tune in on March 13 and judge for yourself.
ABC
Roseanne‘s Return
Revival fatigue is very real, but we for sure will not be able to look away from the return of Roseanne Barr‘s iconic comedy Roseanne, premiering March 27, for two big reasons: 1. Curiosity about how the show explains away the series finale that had Roseanne Conner revealing Dan (John Goodman) was dead and she made the entire series up as a writer and 2. Laurie Metcalf. Metcalf is one of the best actors working today. Any chance to get weekly doses of her we will take.
Hulu
Handmaid’s Trip to the Colonies
Where do you go after being the most-buzzed about new series and winning a slew of awards? That’s what we want to know, The Handmaid’s Tale! Season two, debuting sometime in April, is already well underway and details are being kept under wraps. We do know there will be more Alexis Bledel—sorry, that’s Emmy winner Alexis Bledel to you—and previously unseen parts of Gilead. “What I can tell you, and I’m not joking one bit, is it’s knocking me out where this story is going,” Ann Dowd told E! News. “I literally read the scripts and I think, ‘Oh my god.’ The ideas are genius and so unpredictable and harrowing,” she said. “Plus you see the worlds that you weren’t exposed to before: the Colonies, what that whole world is; those who make it to Canada, what happens there; the pregnancy, how that is coming along. It’s a phenomenally well-written show.”
Bravo
RHONY‘s Extra Dose of Real-World Drama
Arguably the best Real Housewives series on Bravo (go ahead and try to say another is better), Real Housewives of New York City is set to return with last year’s top-tier cast and you know there’s going to be laughs—and drama. Luann de Lesseps was arrested just before Christmas and charged with battery of an officer, disorderly intoxication, resisting arrested with violence and crimes against another person. She’s now in a treatment center. Bravo’s cameras are just itching to start recording and we cannot wait to see what they capture.
John P. Johnson/HBO
A Return Trip to Westworld
Season one felt like nothing more than a prelude, an introductory course to this world where nothing is as it seems and everyone watching wised up to the twists down the road much sooner than anyone writing expected. But now that the robots have taken over, making the demented amusement park at the center of this HBO sci-fi/western pastiche a true free-for-all, we can’t wait to see what happens next when Westworld finally returns this spring.But it better involve Maeve (Thandie Newton) kicking some ass.
FX
Atlanta, at Long Last
One of 2016’s most surreal and delightful new shows, Atlanta feels like it’s been gone forever. Apparently creator and star Donald Glover was too busy being very famous and employable to give us more in 2017, so we’ll take whatever he can give us in 2018. 
Netflix
Robin Wright’s House of Cards Reign
Robin Wright has always been the best thing about House of Cards and now she gets to truly own the show for its sixth and final season. After allegations of sexual misconduct by Kevin Spacey came to light, the status of the Netflix series was in question. After deliberation, Netflix and Media Rights Capital said the show must go on¬—without Spacey. Wright’s Claire Underwood ended season five in power, now we get to see her wield it triumphantly.
The CW
Sabrina Gets Spooky
Inspired by the success of Riverdale‘s dark take on Archie Comics, WB and Netflix are teaming up to create the show of our teenage dreams. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (you know, the teenage witch) is already our favorite thing to binge and we know absolutely nothing about it yet. Even if we only get a cast in 2018, we are here for it. 
Sipa
Feud Goes Royal
After Feud‘s spot-on casting for Bette and Joan, we can’t wait to see who Ryan Murphy lands in the lead roles for the anthology’s upcoming second installment, Charles and Diana. We have our thoughts on who will fill the royal shoes of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, among others, but we’re sure that Murphy will still manage to surprise us. 
Which TV event are you most excited about for 2018? Sound off in the comments below!
(E!, Bravo and NBC are all part of the NBCUniversal family.)
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