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#I’m looking at you Colleen
thefangirlingbarista · 4 months
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The best part about having writer friends is them creating characters that you fall head over heels for.
The worst part about having writer friends is watching them put your favorites in unpleasant situations.
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chrollohearttags · 4 months
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y’all know them troll stan accts on twt that post just to put ppl against each other or start shit? That’s what a lot of you give and I just want y’all to know, y’all are corny as hell and you don’t deserve to read anybody’s fics. All y’all deserve are shitty booktok recs at best.
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leenfiend · 9 months
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me who spent all day thinking about Keith and Lance: I miss them :(
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emotinalsupportturtle · 5 months
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Why are my uni friends looking at me like I’m crazy just because I went in a shop and bought Dracula?
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eliza-4642 · 5 months
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reddarchives · 2 years
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The amount of horrifically published books that go out into circulation every single year, I’m fully convinced I could write a novel in one sitting and have it be a New York Times best seller
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fuckyeahgoodomens · 22 hours
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Good Omens graphic novel update: May 2024
Happy 34th birthday to Good Omens - published in May 1990. We don't need any extra reasons to celebrate Aziraphale and Crowley, but we're always happy to find some.
Admin
Thank you to everyone who has completed the PledgeManager so far; as mentioned, this will be open through 2024 into early 2025 to complete. A few key queries that have arisen in the past month:
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I need to change my address. How do I do that? We have left the option to update your shipping address open on PledgeManager and will do so for as long as possible. Per PledgeManager, here is a step-by-step on how to change your address: Return to your survey (which you can also do by visiting my.pledgemanager.com and using the ‘Forgotten Password’ option if needed) and scroll down on the receipt page. There, you will see the below button. After clicking that, you will be taken to the first page of the survey and will just need to click through to the shipping page. On the shipping page, you can use the ‘Create New Address’ button to enter their updated address. 
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If you have any further issues or queries, visit the central FAQ page as your first port of call.
Good Omens items...
The desk at Good Omens HQ is slowly filling up with prototypes, the latest of which appears to be as popular as Aziraphale and Crowley, and for good reason. We are, of course, talking about the ducks. Here's an early version of the duck mug:
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We've got some early prototype designs of the trading cards too. Illustrator Steve Gregson has begun work on the base card deck illustrations, to be unveiled in future, and designs for some of the variants are fully underway. Here are some early samples of graphic novel variant cards from Colleen Doran, and Rachael Stott's Crowley:
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The base packs (Hellhound+) currently include 80 cards, and have caused quite heated games with those who have test-played it so far on their attempts to thwart (or indeed cause) the apocalypse. Hellhound+ backers will also get a booster pack alongside the main game. Rarities for sharing at random in these orders are shaping up nicely too. Hoping to share some of the base pack design imminently.
If you've been wondering what your other alternative cover choice is, alongside Rachael Stott's (Serpent+), then wonder no more: here is Frank Quitely's take on Aziraphale and Crowley, ready to shine on your shelves.
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Update from Colleen
We often end with an update from Colleen, whether that's her art, or her shots from her studio. However, we thought it was about time we invite Colleen to update you herself, so we are handing the rest of this month's over to your ineffable artist for a glimpse inside the process of making Good Omens. Enjoy.
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As you may imagine, I’m having a wonderful time working on the Good Omens graphic novel. The Dunmanifestin team asked me to pop in and give you a look at my process.
The task of adapting a beloved novel into graphic novel format is a complex, wonderful sort of pressure cooker. Even without the well-publicized complications I got smacked with over the last year, it promised to be an intense, time-consuming project.
The graphic novel is about the book and not the show. Getting Michael Sheen and David Tennant out of my head was quite a task. I’ve seen it dozens of times and I adore it, but I to had devote a lot of time to re-reading the novel and listening to the audiobook to clear my head of them. 
The few times I allowed myself to watch the show again screwed me up a bit. So, I won’t watch it again until I am completely finished with every drawing. Maybe a view-a-thon will be my reward for finishing the book. 
But I’m getting ahead of myself. There’s still a lot to do, so let me show you it.
Before we knew the Kickstarter fundraiser would do well, the graphic novel was to clock in at 164 pages. After the good news of the Kickstarter success, I got permission to take the story to 200 pages. That meant a major rewrite and redraw on some dozens of thumbnails and layouts.
And you guys are getting a much longer book.
Not complaining one bit. I was so happy to get more space to give breathing room to the ending.
Anyway, here's a look at my workspace.
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To the left is my laptop computer with the script. The laptop is connected to my graphics computer via ethernet, and all my reference is on the main system, from which I share files.
On my older projects, I dutifully printed out every bit of reference. I think this is the first project where I’ve done all reference and organizing on my MAC.
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As you can see, I draw comics the old-fashioned way – by hand – and there is my script on the computer.
But I do all the coloring on this project on the MAC. I know some people hate Photoshop, but even if I wanted to switch, I don’t have the time to dive into a new system.
That entire box with all the narrow drawers in it you see there contain Good Omens pages in varying degrees of completion. Finished pages are at the bottom with layouts, pencils, and partial inks toward the top. The middle drawer contains templates, French curves, and a ruler.
The box isn’t fancy art studio equipment. It’s just a Childcraft brand puzzle storage rack. I realized a long time ago the heavy wooden bookcases, puzzle racks, and construction paper storage made for children’s classrooms made great modular storage for professional art spaces. It’s solid as a rock, heavy so little children can’t tip it, and I can move it and rearrange my space however I like.
The final art is drawn on 11”X14” Strathmore 500 acid free Bristol.
I do all my prelims as tiny “thumbnail” sketches, some in ink, some in very loose pencil. I keep them organized in this Levenger notebook. The thumbnail paper is both Canson brand, and Blue Line Pro, and both are acid free. Blue Line Pro is good for ink, but Canson is better for pencil because it has more tooth. I usually use Canson.
Using the Levenger hole puncher, I perforate my pages and keep them organized in a Levenger Circa system. It’s pricey, but I love it. There are other brands far less expensive, however.
The ruler shows how tiny the thumbnails are.
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If the storytelling is clear at this small size, then it will be clear in the final.
I redo quite a bit as I go along, as you can see from the sequence below.
From thumbnail:
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To pencils:
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Since I did multiple rewrites, adding a large section at the end and popping in earlier scenes I originally had to skip, this meant redoing almost all the page numbers about 4 times.
Nearly went barmy.
I use the construction method of drawing, as you see. This is an old-school technique. Some people seem to assume that artists always use computers and tracing for their drawings, but most cartoonists of my generation work extemporaneously. There’s quite a bit of noodling around and searching in the sketches. Using too much reference often results in stiff, dead work.
In comics, it’s very important to make sure you’ve considered word balloon placement when designing a page. The script for Good Omens is more copy-heavy than most modern comic book scripts because I want to preserve as much of the clever original language as I can.
Here I scramble about working out the word balloon space allowance.
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Here’s a deeper look at the process for page 2 from thumbnails to final color.
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Now here is where things get a little weird. What you’re about to see is a process called flatting.
If you color a comic without first flatting the art, you are consigning yourself to many extra hours of labor and frustration.
Flatting is a way to tell the computer to select areas inside the black lines so that whenever you click on that particular color, you can paint inside that area perfectly. Since the computer only understands 1 and 2 - or on and off - when you tell that computer to stick to that area, that is what it will do.
There are computer programs that you can use to create your flats. I use Multi-Fill. The results are uniquely ugly, but they get the job done. Here is what that looks like.
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Absolutely hideous.
But pretty much all I have to do from this point on is click each block of color and change it to whatever I like. The result is this:
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I also experimented with selecting areas of the line work as color holds, but I’m getting into more complicated color technique than we may have time for at this point. But from here, I can start painting.
And the painting stage looks like this.
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Since I wasn’t entirely sure exactly how I wanted to approach this color style, I took screen shots of some of the changes I made as I went along. In the shot at the left, I’ve given Aziraphale’s heavenly self a golden glow by using a color hold on the line. But I found it needed more contrast to make his figure pop, so I darkened it in the next shot.
I use the computer to create the initial flats, but I either do the final flats myself, or I have help from Julmae Kristoff and/or Dee Cunniffe.
The flats are (usually) not intended to be part of the final work. They are a technical tool.
For example, here are the original, computer-generated flats for one scene in Good Omens.
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And here are the secondary flats by Julmae Kristoff.
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And here is my final color work.
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Since I’m running behind on the book, I’ve brought in Dee Cunniffe to do some extra color work. He is a wonderful colorist, as well as an excellent flatter. I’m not sure to what extent I’ll be handing pages to Dee at this point, because I’m very controlling, and I want to make absolutely certain there are no stylistic anomalies in the art, and I want all the Crowley and Aziraphale pages for myself, is that too much to ask?
I use Faber Castell Pitt Artist pens for my inking. I sometimes use an old-fashioned crowquill as well, but Faber Castells are easier to control, and the ink uses real pigment instead of dye like many markers. All of my originals are created with longevity in mind: acid-free and lightfast. I want the drawings to be fade-proof.
And that is a quick tour of the work so far.
A thousand thanks to Neil Gaiman and the Dunmanifestin team for their incredible kindness and patience, and that goes double for all Good Omens supporters out there. Your indulgence is appreciated more than I can adequately express. I am truly sorry to have been the cause of the delay in the book, but I can only make it up to you by doing my very best.
And that is what I am doing.
BTW, many years ago, I found a little yellow duckling who was getting beaten up by the other ducks, so I saved him and took him to my home to live until my parents adopted him, since they had a nice yard and a pond, and I didn’t.
He had a birth defect and could not fly, which is probably why the other ducks were pecking at him.
He got to stay in the family house, and eat goldfish crackers, and swim in the tub. Eventually they built him his own house. We called it the Duck Majal.
He lived for ten years.
I named him Fred because I’d been watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s when I heard him quacking for help that day we met, and Holly Golightly’s brother was named Fred.
So, here’s to you Fred.
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Until next time.
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abseque · 2 years
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killing ur crush’s bff for attention is a little extreme but valid
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Discussion Film provides a summary of what the extended trailer was geared at Cinemacon 2024.
I’m going to copy the entire blurb here with the link. There’s no need for me to rewrite it.
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CinemaCon 2024 only got a very brief look at Sonic the Hedgehog 3 since it barely wrapped production. The brief teaser showed Jim Carry’s Dr. Robotnik in his lab, but he’s gained weight and has let the place go to the dumps with it being full of junk. He’s let his hair go crazy and now has a noticeable belly. Robotnik jokingly says that he’s been binging “carbohydrates.” His assistant, Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub), comes in and says, “We found him.” Stone presents Robotnik with one of Sonic’s blue electric quills, and, as he’s done before, Robotnik licks it and tweaks out. He yells, “Let’s do this!” to Stone’s face, which then cuts to a montage of Robotnik getting his hair cut by Stone and getting a fresh look with his game-accurate mustache, bald head, and depraved-looking eyes. 
The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 footage then cuts to Robotnik and an entire gang of henchmen, all armored with laser guns, waking up Shadow the Hedgehog in a cryotube. Shadow opens his eyes, which are bursting with red electric energy. We then cut to Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and Knuckles (Idris Elba) facing off against Shadow in the middle of a huge city street at night. Shadow is noticeably dead silent as it’s still not revealed who the voice actor is. Knuckles jokes that this new Hedgehog is much stronger than the last one he faced, to which Sonic hilariously replies with, “You Mean me?”
The real money shot of the footage is Shadow the Hedgehog riding a motorcycle in the night sky over some skyscrapers and then using it to bounce himself towards Sonic, who is flying upwards at him at full speed. We see Sonic’s bright blue power clash with Shadow’s bright red energy in the night sky, looking like it’s straight out of an anime. The final shot of the exclusive footage showed Robotnik and Sonic away from a ring portal on an empty road. They both look grumpy and like they can’t stand each other’s company — implying that they’re going to have to work together to defeat Shadow.
Discussion Film, 2024.
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stewieonthewall · 1 month
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🚨🚨 calling all pazzi enjoyers 🚨🚨
here’s another covid fic snippet that no one asked for bc i feel the need to defend myself atp 😭😭 let it be known that this was written in MARCH ok? also no warnings for this or anything it’s just silly
•••
Looking around for her phone, Azzi takes two photos. The first shows the curtain of blonde hair doing little to hide all the points of contact between Paige’s face and Azzi’s neck. The second shows the pale hand nearly digging into Azzi’s exposed side, the pushed up hoodie (she’d always recognize it as Paige’s) making it look even more suggestive.
She knows it’s a bad idea, maybe even a terrible one, but she tells herself that she’s going to use them for something productive, like sending them to Imani (whoever she is) and telling her to back off. It doesn’t even sound convincing to her. She’s fucking ridiculous.
Sighing, she stands up and makes her way to the bathroom. Soothed by the familiar morning routines of washing her face and brushing her teeth (the bitter aftertaste in her mouth taking a while to go away), Azzi is able to look at her reflection without wanting to scream.
Making fun of herself has always been her best defence mechanism, so she does a stupid pose and takes a stupid photo of herself in Paige’s hoodie and posts a stupid ‘Who wore it better?’ poll on her private story. Less than three minutes later, a FaceTime from Colleen covers her phone screen.
Azzi is quick to answer, not even getting a greeting in before her friend blurts out, “So what’s up with you and Paige?”
Eyes widening, Azzi rushes to find headphones, frantically mashing the volume button down before Colleen can say anything else.
“What are you even talking about?” She whispers once she’s settled back in the bathroom.
The other girl shrugs. “Did something happen between you two?”
Azzi still doesn’t get it. “Like, a fight? We’re fine, I promise. Why are you asking, though? Did Paige say something to you?” She hopes her voice doesn’t sound as paranoid as she feels. It’s been a long 24 hours.
“Your story? It looks a bit… y’know,” Colleen smirks. “I figured it was only a matter of time, but I didn’t think you’d post it like that. I have to say, though, I thought Paige would be the type to leave hickies. Unless they’re just somewhere el-”
“SHUT UP!” Azzi shrieks, immediately slapping her hand over her mouth. “How are you getting all of this from a photo? We’ve never even kissed!”
Colleen has the decency to look slightly apologetic. “Sorry, I guess you wouldn’t see it that way. Look at the photo again, Az. Try to understand, because I promise I’m not the only one.”
“Fine.” Azzi clicks on her story. Shit. Her hair is messy, her tongue is out in what she realizes now looks like a smug smile, and Paige’s hoodie is hanging off her in a way that makes it look like she’s not wearing anything else. Colleen is totally right.
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wayfaringhoax · 1 year
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Plans
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Summary: Javier Peña is slowly but surely becoming a thorn in your side. He just can't seem to leave you alone at work, and you're coming to realise that dismantling your plans is his top priority.
Word Count: 15k
SLOW BURN! You have been warned ...
Pairing: Javier Peña x Female Reader
Trope: Opposites Attract (work acquaintances that bicker like crazy)
Rating: Explicit. 18+ MDNI
Warnings: explicit sexual content (dirty talk, oral sex f-receiving, p in v), swearing, consumption of alcohol, mention of drug-related violence and death, angst, mention of overworking, bickering at work, bribing/trading favours at work, discussion of insecurities, talk of previous sexual partners. Slight dub-con with an unexpected kiss (on the cheek).
Author’s Note: This fic features a reader/OFC blend. She has a defined job and a particular personality, but she has no pre-assigned physical appearance.
I really hope you enjoy this! Please consider leaving a comment or reblogging if you liked this fic. It would mean the world to me !!
You have a method for these types of calls. The ones where an embassy associate or some other government official refused to accept what you were trying to tell them. It’s all about the tone of voice used; you must appear agreeable with a hint of ditsiness, just enough to remind whatever balding senior on the opposite end of the phone that you were a woman, and so, it was expected that things weren’t getting done properly. If it weren’t for misogyny, you’d have been yelled at more times than you could count.
God, and the pet names. It was as though these men believed sweet talking had the power to override all scheduling conflicts and put their names at the top of the list. You swear they are the reason why you never like when men call you “baby”, or “sweetheart”. The only thing it aroused in you was disgust.
As the American Ambassador to Colombia, your boss was in high demand, and as his personal assistant, you were extremely protective of his diary. And well, Crosby was revered for his expertise and military history, which caused all the other WASPs in your sector to swarm to him; eager to share a drink and talk politics with an American hero. 
Despite the fact your boss had no time to indulge them, having his hands full with more pressing matters - such as the alarming rise of drug-related violence in South America - they still blew up his phone constantly. Did these men not have wives to annoy, instead of you?
You lift your head at the sound of someone entering your office.
“Need your old man to sign this paperwork.” 
Not now. 
Javier. The man lives in his own little world, it seems. Can he not tell you’re currently occupied?
You raise a finger to your lips to shush him, before pointing at the phone pressed to your ear.
“What?” He mouths, moving closer to you. 
Rolling your eyes, you make a shooing motion with your hands. 
It doesn’t work, as he places the forms down in front of you, and when you think that’ll be it, you notice he’s leaning over your desk; eyes looking at you expectantly. 
You look up at him in disbelief. He’s grown far too accustomed to getting his own way with the women around here. You’ve seen the way he smolders; dipping his head down so his eyes appear irresistible when he gazes up at them, and of course, you couldn’t help but scoff at how he’d undo a few more buttons of his shirt, too. Sometimes, if he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, he’d even resort to the sluttiest thing a guy could do: rolling the sleeves up. But, it hasn’t failed him yet.
Poor Colleen. She was about ready to hand over the embassy’s entire criminal database when Javier held her hand to admire her manicure. But it’s not going to work on you. 
You pull the phone away from your ear and press it to your chest, giving him a look that could kill.
“Javier, I’m on the phone.” You hiss. “You’ll have to wait.”
He huffs in annoyance before sinking back into the chair opposite you. You’re doing your best to stay focused as you rattle off a list of alternative dates, but Javier’s taken to toying with your belongings that are laid out on your desk. When you notice him holding a frame next to his face, raising his eyebrows as he points to the photo of your cat, you’ve just about had enough of his impatience. 
You attempt to snatch the object away from him, but he’s too quick for you; putting it back in its place before seizing your planner. 
“Mr. Cassidy, I can assure you. As soon as your funding is cleared, the ambassador will be in touch to discuss moving forward with the project.” You say whilst frantically making grabby hands at the man sitting across from you, hoping it will entice him into returning your most prized possession.
You have no such luck, as Javier appears perfectly content to browse the pages outlining your meticulous schedule, stopping every so often to nod his head or hum in amusement. You feel your ire rise at the country attache’s brazen presumption, but somehow, it doesn’t reach your voice, allowing you to continue the call as normal. 
Javier’s taken aback at how unaffected you seem, so he decides to ramp up his efforts.
Reaching into the pocket of his sand-coloured blazer, he pulls out a cigarette, and when he lights it, he observes how your eyes flash with a hint of something. Something he doesn’t see often. 
Could it be quiet rage simmering beneath those doe eyes? 
You were a people-pleaser; always pleasant and professional. So Javier’s surprised at the way you’re glaring at him. Proud even. Knowing he’s the one to bring it out of you.
As he makes himself comfortable, crossing one leg over the other and reclining back into the chair, you flash him an exaggerated smile. But Javier knows that it’s not meant for him, rather, it’s directed at whatever schmuck has been hoarding your attention for the past five minutes. 
“Thank you for your patience, I’ll be in touch shortly. Alright, take care now.” 
Finally. You end the call and immediately lean forward to retrieve your planner.
“What is wrong with you?” You ask. “Are there no drug kingpins that need incarcerating?”
He stares you down with a slight pout on his lips before repeating his earlier request; as though he didn’t even hear what you just said.
“I need this signing. It’s urgent, is he around?” 
“Everything’s always urgent with you, huh?” You grumble. 
“It’s not like there are lives at stake or anything.” 
You don’t appreciate his sarcasm, especially after how he barged in and disrupted your work. 
The smirk he’s masking is beyond infuriating, and you’re sure he’s exhaling the smoke from his lips in slow motion, purely to rile you up further. 
Every little thing he’s doing seems to annoy you, though you’re not entirely sure why. You put it down to the fact that you know you can’t get rid of him. Not easily, anyway. And not until you give him what he wants.
“The ambassador’s engaged all day, I’m afraid. Try again tomorrow, perhaps?” You tell him with a sickly-sweet smile, holding his forms out towards him.
Javier realises he may have pushed you too far, so he quickly scrambles to sit up straight; hoping a different approach will work on you.
“Sweetheart-” He begins, leaning closer to you. Cigarette now forgotten in favour of working you over.
You cut him off. “Don’t call me that. I’m not one of your girls, Javier.”
He sighs, retreating back in defeat. It’s hard to believe that you didn’t even look at him when you spoke those words, but your tone alone suggested it would be wise to back off. And so, Javier does just that, whilst he scratches his head for a new strategy.
“How about you fast-track these...” He suggests, holding the papers up again. “And in exchange, I’ll buy you a drink.”
You can’t help but scoff. 
“Yeah, that seems fair.” You jest. “That would also require me going to a bar with you, outside of working hours.”
You don’t need to elaborate. He knows you’d never willingly do such a thing. 
“You see.” He drawls. “That’s where you’re wrong. A few little birdies on the third floor told me you’ve got plans this evening. If I just happen to be in the area…well, I think our arrangement can still be fulfilled.” 
Your ears heat up in embarrassment. You didn’t like the thought that this man knew what you got up to outside of work. In your head, colleagues were colleagues, not friends. You liked to keep your work life completely separate from your personal life, and frankly, you didn’t want him trying to weasel his way in there. But something told you he wasn’t going to let this go.
It wasn’t like you’d advertised your plans. The women from communications had hounded you in the break room when they noticed you’d had your hair done. It would’ve been unprofessional to ignore them, so eventually, you’d let it slip that a few of your friends from home were visiting, and you all planned to head into town for some drinks. 
They had fussed over you like you were a newborn. Of course, you assumed it was because you typically kept to yourself at work, and it simply gave them something to gossip about; someone’s life to pry into where they could.
When did you get so cynical?
Snapping out of the memory, you busy yourself with organising your desk drawer. 
“Let me guess.” You say dryly, preoccupied with the task at hand. “You’ll be drinking alone?”
He raises his eyebrows in good humour. “Not if you’re there.”
“Fast-track’s gonna cost you more than one drink, Peña.” You tell him, your voice taking on a singsong quality as you avoid making eye contact. 
“And I’m not drinking with you. I have friends, believe it or not.”
“What will it take?” He asks, looking somewhat intrigued; he didn’t think you’d budge.
“Well, there’s six of us. So three bottles of something should be about right.”
Javier sighs. Why does it cost money to get anything done around here? 
“Wine?” He asks you.
“Am I that easy to read?” You say incredulously. There goes yet another thing he now knows about you.
Yes, he thinks. But he wouldn’t dare tell you that, too scared to poke the bear since you were so close to giving him what he wants. Javier stays silent, opting to give you a knowing look instead.
Finally, you look his way, and your eyes pierce into him. He’s not quite sure if he’s turned on or scared shitless. Or perhaps he’s both? 
Taking the papers from his grasp, you dangle them over the tray marked as “priority”, and his eyes lock on the movement of your hands like a cat chasing a laser. 
“If this means you’ll leave me to work in peace …” You say, looking to him for confirmation of your agreement. 
Javier raises both of his hands at that, holding his palms out in surrender. You squint at him in apprehension, before dropping the forms into the tray.
As he makes his way out of your office, he turns back to address you, and you’re not at all surprised when the DEA’s country attaché winks at you. 
“I’ll see you there.” He tells you.
“Unfortunately.”
***
The bar isn’t as crowded as you hoped it would be. Which means you spot him as soon as he enters. He’s still wearing his dress shirt, but he’s slipped his signature leather jacket over the top, and as cliché as it sounds, it screams bad boy; giving you yet another good reason as to why you should stay away from Javier Peña.
Javier, however, is pleased by the lack of patrons this evening. There’s enough empty space for him to have the perfect view of you from where he’s perched at the bar, nursing his whiskey neat. It’s an intriguing view, he thinks, as his eyes soak up the sight of you, very much out of your element, as you leave your circle of friends to get a drink. 
Your pristine black mary-janes have been swapped out for a pair of electric-blue strappy heels, and your modest silver stud earrings are nowhere to be seen. Instead, your ears are adorned with an elaborate, colourful pair of drop earrings, and Javier can’t help but want to pull your hair back so he can get a better look at them. Not that you’d ever let him that close to you. At least not before you tore him a new one, that’s for certain.
And the dress. His eyes can’t decide where to settle, as his gaze darts between each visual spectacle you’ve curated for him. 
Well, he knows you most likely didn’t dress up for him, but he doesn’t stop himself from indulging in the thought for a brief moment. The knowledge that you’ve been hiding all this underneath those pencil skirts and stockings is a pleasant surprise to him. One his brain can’t seem to compute just yet. 
Sure, he thought you were beautiful. After all, Javier wasn’t blind; he could spot a pretty woman from a mile away. But you always dressed so modestly. So he’s not quite sure what to think when he sets his eyes on the exposed skin of your shoulders in that halter neck, as well as the way the glittery fabric hugs your curves just right before it flares out slightly when it reaches the top of your thighs; giving your ensemble a flirty, playful touch. 
He also can’t help himself from staring at the supple skin of your legs as they draw his eyes down, feeling as though he’s been hypnotised. Besides, you’d made an effort tonight, and it would be criminal to let all your hard work go unnoticed. 
Was there someone you were trying to impress? Surely not. 
Javier knew you weren’t the type to give any man who didn’t meet your exceptionally high, and oddly specific standards the time of day. If they weren’t going to play into your five-year plan, then they were of no use to you.
Perhaps you have yet to notice him, he wonders. Stubbing out his cigarette, he heads to the bar, ignoring the bartender’s sceptical look when he orders three bottles of red wine for the table of young, attractive women over in the corner. Women who look like the last thing they need is to be bothered by this man, drinking his sorrows, alone on a bar stool. 
Amused, he watches you all fuss over the complimentary booze, chuckling to himself when he sees your friends dive right in to fill their glasses. But you don’t seem to be drinking any of the wine you haggled for back at the office. Instead, you stay sipping your margarita in the corner of the booth, seeming perfectly content to sit this one out.
Javier’s perplexed, and slightly exasperated at your cheek. His wallet is feeling significantly lighter in his jacket pocket as of right now, and here you are; shunning his generous offering. 
He walks over to you, preparing to turn on the charm. 
Wearing a winning smile, he approaches tentatively. He's playing the part of the handsome gentleman with nothing but pure intentions, and he doesn’t miss the way your friends’ eyes light up at his arrival. You, however, don’t seem so impressed.
He hunches over slightly, holding himself with a cocky air and chewing his gum as he catches the attention of the rest of the table.
“Ladies…” He begins. “Apologies for the interruption, but I need to borrow your friend here. It’ll just be for a few minutes, then I promise, you can have her back.” 
You take a moment to consider what he might want, but nothing sensible comes to mind. Therefore, you conclude that he must’ve come over here for the sole purpose of vexing you. 
“What’s the matter?” You ask him warily. 
“Embassy business.” He tears his gaze away to wink at your friend. “It’s confidential, of course, so I can’t say any more.” 
“Who’s this?” Your friend asks excitedly, and the rest of the group appears to share her enthusiasm, judging by their wide eyes and straightened backs. You couldn’t fault them, as the men back home were nowhere near as handsome as him. Javier had that whole rugged cowboy appeal; wild and headstrong, a little rough around the edges, with just enough charm and chivalry to make the panties drop. 
Did you really just acknowledge that you find this infuriating man attractive? 
You’d asked the bartender to go easy on the tequila, but perhaps he’d done the opposite. As there could be no other reason as to why you’re currently indulging in such absurd thoughts.
Of course, Javier’s thrilled at the prospect of flashing his badge to the group of beautiful women currently looking up at him like he’s some kind of god. 
He holds it up to them. “Javier Peña, DEA.”
“Again, I apologise, but it really is urgent.” He says, looking at you expectantly. 
You sulk out of your seat before you walk straight past him to a more secluded section of the bar. 
He gets a little too close to you, as when you abruptly turn to face him, he’s hit with a mouthful of your hair. “What is it?” You grit out. 
Meanwhile, Javier’s taken aback at how sexy you are when you’re mad like this. At the embassy, you kept it subdued; hiding behind your persona of professionalism with pleasant smiles and jovial handshakes. But right now, you look as though you might actually slap him. 
“Bonita-”
Again, you cut him off at the use of another pet name. Holding your hand up as you roll your eyes in frustration.
He tries again. “You clean up nice…” And at that remark, you turn your body to face the bar, not wanting to give him another opportunity to check you out.
“You’re not drinking?” 
You gesture to your margarita whilst you take a healthy sip.
“You know what I mean.” He says. “What? You rinse me out for nothing?” 
Taking advantage of your apparent shyness, he’d managed to slip in closer, so you’re surprised when his next words are spoken into your ear.
“You waiting on someone else, huh? Got a better offer or something?” 
“God…” You groan. “I just don’t like the idea of you buying me a drink, okay?”
“You’re from work.” You tell him as a matter of fact.
He raises his eyebrows in confusion. 
“The problem is … ?” His words trail off, searching for your reasoning. 
“The problem is.” You say. “Is that it’s not appropriate.” 
Javier watches your eyes fix on something behind him, ultimately giving you away. He turns his head to see what’s caught your eye, finding what he could only describe as a rather gormless American tourist, sharing a beer with another fellow statesman, as they stick out like a sore thumb. A pair of gringos, if he wanted to be particular. 
He can feel the mirth rising in his throat as it hits him. You had eyes for this plain-looking man. 
And he liked the look of you, too, it seems, as Javier notices him rise from his seat, clearly heading in your direction. 
“Oh, it’s funny is it?” You ask, your tone low. 
He’s taken to ignoring you now; staring straight ahead at the bottles of liquor lined up behind the bar, finding your irritation to be quite the source of entertainment.
The sight that greets you next is Javier, taking a swig from his drink whilst his eyes peer at you over the rim of his glass, inciting you to do something. You ball your hands into tight fists, before shuffling down the bar slightly to put some distance between the two of you.
The tourist is now in front of you. He fluffs his hair as he leans against the bar and greets you, and Javier silently sniggers at the man’s mediocre efforts to flirt with you. You, however, don’t seem to mind it, judging by the genuine smile on your face. Oh, so this is your type. Meek, predictable and incredibly dry. Each to their own, he thinks.
He knows he should probably leave soon, not wanting to spend another weeknight wasted for no good reason, but he can’t tear himself away from eavesdropping on what might be the most boring conversation he’s ever heard. He’s listened to hundreds of wiretaps on sicarios’ phone conversations, and although he wishes those shitbags were dead, their chats were far more engaging than the one he’s currently privy to.
“So, what’s your favourite colour?” 
“Purple.” You tell your admirer, overjoyed at the mundane nature of your conversation. 
Mundane is safe, and safe is good. Good is what you need in a husband and potential father of your future children. Good pays the bills. Good doesn’t spin your world off its axis and force you to question everything you thought you knew about yourself. Good, was good. And this man had all the right qualities, so far.
Another question. “What do you think of lasagne?”
“Yeah, I like it.” You reply, and Javier can’t actually believe how into this you are. 
Well, perhaps he could believe it, actually, if your planner was anything to go off. You even penciled in when you planned to consume alcohol. 
He had nothing against your love of a routine. But he most definitely wanted to see how far he could push you; see how you’d react to spontaneity.
From the corner of his eye, he sees you place your hand on the American’s arm and lean in closer. 
And for Javier, it’s the final straw.
His resolve snaps. Unable to tolerate any more of the painful scene unfolding right beside him, he makes his way over to where the two of you are standing, and in typical asshole fashion, he makes sure to accidentally bump his shoulder against the other man when he reaches you.
“Pérdon, amigo.” He says, hand on your date’s shoulder in a faux apology, before he mutters something else in Spanish. His voice low enough that you didn’t catch what it was.
You hazard a look up at him, and …
Fuck. You realise he’s only just getting started.
The tourist had been so kind as to order you both another drink, but before either of you could get your hands on them…
“Thanks, baby.” Javier coos, looking right at you as he takes a sip from one of the drinks; specifically, the one your date had been reaching for.
Stunned at his bold use of yet another pet name, it’s a few seconds later when you react. You turn your head so fast, that if he wasn’t a government agent, he would’ve missed it, but luckily for Javier, he senses you’re about to call him out when he sees your eyebrows raise, mouth open and hand poised, ready to point a finger in his direction. 
So, naturally, he shuts you up before you can ruin his fun. And he does this in the way he knows best. 
He kisses you. 
Or at least he tries to, but you somehow manage to swerve him just before his lips meet your own, causing it to land on your cheek.
It’s only a peck, but it does the trick, as you are well and truly dumbfounded.
If the eyes are the window to the soul, then you hoped Javier could gauge just how close you were to throttling him by looking into yours. What the fuck was he doing? 
Your ‘date’, though you weren’t sure you could call him that anymore, is just as shocked as you are, backing away from you slightly. You sense he’s not wanting to step on any toes, but he can tap-dance all over Javier Peña’s toes if he likes. In steel boots. You’d most definitely find joy in that. 
You size him up, trying to work out how to get yourself out of this situation before this asshole escalates it. Conflict was the last thing you wanted; it didn’t fit into your schedule for the evening.
“Javie-” You try.
“Sweetheart…I think you’ve bored this man for long enough, don’t you think?” His arm snakes around your waist, pulling your body into his as he stares blankly at the other man, waiting for him to scurry.
And, well, you were also hoping he’d leave. However, your reasons were different from those of Javier’s. Whatever they may be. 
You simply didn’t think you’d be able to contain your anger at the agent’s shenanigans for much longer, and you didn’t want to flip your lid in front of the stranger.
Cutting his losses, your tourist sees himself back to his table, and you notice he’s quick to grab his jacket and tuck in his chair. Javier’s getting comfortable on the stool next to you when you see your admirer leave, and the tight-lipped smile he gives you on his way out has you cringing; mortified at the example that’s been made of you tonight. 
When you’re sure he’s gone, you let some of the facade drop. 
“What was that?” You ask Javier, voice as sharp as a thousand knives.
He simply twirls the glass around in his hand, not taking his eyes off the amber liquid for a second. 
You push again. “What could you possibly have gained from that?”
But still, no answer from the DEA Country Attaché.
“You know what…nevermind.” You exclaim before attempting to return to your friends over in the booth.
Before you make it past him, Javier holds his arm out to stop you in your tracks. Offering you the second of the two drinks, he gestures for you to take it.
“Sit down.” He tells you. “At least until you’ve finished your drink.”
Simmering is no longer the most apt word to describe how you’re feeling right now. You are boiling; the heat in your veins ready to spill over at any moment.
Yet somehow, you are so overcome with outrage that your body feels stiff, and you’re unable to move, or even get more than a few words out. So, not quite able to comprehend what’s just transpired, you sit down, waiting for him to offer up some kind of explanation.
After a few more swirls of his drink around the glass, Javier breaks the silence.
“I was doing you a favour. Trust me, he was dull. You don’t want that.” 
You deserve better than that, is what runs through his head, but that’s a whole other emotion, so he squashes it before it can fester into something more potent.
He continues. “Your kids would’ve been called Randy and Bob or some shit like that.”
“Yes.” You grate in response. “And we could’ve lived in a cushy house in a nice neighbourhood, bought a couple of cats, and travelled once per year.” 
“You want that?” He asks you dubiously.
“And how could you know what I want, Javier?” 
Sensing your control isn’t wavering, he turns to humour. “Well, uh…he didn’t seem like much of a cat person, I’m afraid.” 
Well, he’s got you there. But you couldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d successfully picked out one of the man’s flaws. You couldn’t let Javier Peña of all people get the better of you. 
“And you don’t seem like much of a diplomat, but here you are … Mr. Attaché.”
That one was a bit too on the nose. 
A sullen look grows on his face; telling you it’s time to go. 
Tomorrow’s a new day, and if you see him, it will be at work. He can’t get away with this shit there. 
Right?
***
Clearly, Javier does not know how to respect your personal space.
The next day, at 12:15 pm precisely, you head to the break room for lunch, and by the time your coffee cup is filled, he’s there too. Loitering behind you like a lost puppy, but not the cute, innocent kind. Javier Peña was the yappy, irritating kind of puppy. 
Crosby had often considered him a thorn in his side; always waltzing in with some grand scheme that threatened to derail everything he had been working towards for years. And now, you were beginning to understand just how your boss felt. 
He waited for you to acknowledge him, but after seeing you potter about the communal space; tidying, reorganising, anything to look busy, he realised that you were stalling. 
And you were. You were hoping he’d get bored of watching you be so mundane, and eventually, he’d leave you alone.
He makes himself a cup too, before leaning against the unit next to where you’re currently refilling the sugar.
“Good night?” He asks, his usual mirth now present again.
“What are you doing in here?”
“Lunch break.” He grins.
“Oh, excuse me. I thought your diet consisted of cigarettes only.” You tease.
So quick, he thinks. And he doesn’t give you a response, hoping this little victory over him would somehow weaken your guard.
“You never come in here. What’s special about today?” You ask.
He shrugs in response before straightening up slightly, subconsciously hoping to get a little closer to you. He’s fascinated. As far as he was concerned, you eat, sleep and breathe work. So seeing you use your break time, like everyone else, feels strange. It feels new.
What would you do? He found himself studying you like you were a rare specimen; your behaviours, motivations and fluctuations a complete mystery to be unravelled. 
However, as he readjusts his posture, the collar of his shirt slips a little. Previously, the garment had done well to hide it, but now it’s plain to see.
A hickey.
This man has a hickey, just above his collarbone, and due to your proximity, you can see it as clear as day. 
And for some reason unbeknownst to either of you, it incites you. 
You’re not jealous.
You’re impressed. He’d spent a good portion of his evening derailing yours, and yet he still had time to secure a hookup. Well, the man was determined; you had to give him that.
“Good night?” You repeat to him, eyes locked on the offending mark.
Javier follows your gaze until he realises what you’re referring to. He looks around the room to check for eavesdroppers, before lowering his voice.
“Yeah, it was actually. It doesn’t compare to sitting at a bar discussing fucking lasagne, or all the different shades of purple that exist… but I’d say it was alright.”
You sigh. “Yeah, I know it wasn’t my finest hour. But at least I ended the night with some dignity.” 
“Oh, I had plenty of dignity by the end of the night.” He says. “You should try it sometime. It’s good stress relief.”
Stress relief. God, this man was ignorant if he didn’t realise that the majority of your stress recently has been caused by him. 
Him, and his insistence on aggravating you, getting under your skin and sinking in deep, all for some twisted type of power play. 
You must’ve been the only woman at the embassy who wasn’t throwing their panties at him as he walked by their station, which made you a challenge. Just like Escobar, you were a target that needed to be worked. He saw you as a conquest, and that’s what brought him to the break room just now: he was doing his reconnaissance. 
Moving to the far side of the room, right where the refrigerator stood, you try to put some distance between you before replying to his quip.
“Thanks.” You tell him dryly, your eyes looking at anything but him. “But I’ve got my own form of stress relief that works just fine.”
He holds in a chuckle. You were probably one of the most highly-strung people he’d ever met, so he seriously doubted your words. If this was you with well-managed stress levels, he couldn’t imagine what you’d be like on a bad day. And yet, some part of him wanted to see that. Wanted to be the one that drove you to that place. Not out of malice, of course, but out of curiosity. 
Javier wanted to work you up, right up to the point where you’re at the edge of what your body can handle, only to see you spiral down. All your rational thoughts lost to the physical, as you fall over the precipice, into a sea of baser instincts. It would be beautiful to see, he thinks.
But the sound of your heels drags him out of his fantasy, as he sees you heading towards the door. You were on your way back to your office, by the looks of it, and Javier can’t help but follow you, though he kept a safe distance so as to not spook you too soon.
When he sees that you’re at your desk again, comfortable, he quickly sneaks through the door. 
You’d anticipated that he wouldn’t leave it alone without getting the last word in, so you weren’t exactly phased by his intrusion. Typing away, you get on with your business as though he’s not there. 
Standing beside your desk, to any onlooker it appears as though he’s just running something by you, as he picks up a document from your desk that looks somewhat related to his sector. He rakes his eyes over it sporadically, not at all paying attention to anything it contains. Rather, he’s debating whether to let a certain thought of his loose. Would it be too much?
“What is it that you do then?” He asks. “For stress relief?” 
He looks up from the piece of paper he’s holding to gauge your reaction. It wasn’t meant to be sexual, but you couldn’t deny the shift in the atmosphere. Javier felt as though there was something unsaid between you. Something festering in the back of both your minds.
Your ire now subdued, you drop your pen to look up at him. “Organisation. Cleaning, moving things around my apartment, filling out my planner…” You say, tapping your nails against the wooden surface in thought. 
Javier feels something light tug at his chest. Fascination, for sure. But could it also be admiration he feels? He can see that you’re getting swept up in a daydream of your own making, drifting towards a sweet fantasy; your eyes lighting up in pleasure, and he wants so badly to call it fascinating, but something tells him it’s a little closer to endearing.
The document long forgotten, he asks you. “Your planner, huh?”
You nod in response. “It’s sacred.” 
A delicate smile makes an appearance on your face, and Javier’s trying his hardest not to indulge in the sight. 
“I bet. You use it to plan out every part of your life?”
“That’s what it’s for.”
“Even when you fuck?” 
That renders you speechless. Javier had expected you to lash out, call him filthy or heatedly demand that he get out of your office. But nothing comes.
It’s at this exact moment when he realises he’s struck a nerve. Your shoulders have dropped, you’re nibbling on your bottom lip, and under the desk, he can see your feet have stopped their usual tapping. You look sheepish, almost.
He knows he can’t take it back, so he figures he might as well push forward. After all, he’s got nothing to lose. Except for his eyes, and any other vital body part, should you go back to being mad at him and claw them out.
“Right.” He drawls, waiting for you to elaborate.
Usually, when Javier Pena provokes you, he expects you to give it back to him. But not this time, it seems.
Laying back into your chair in resignation, you sigh. “Not quite. Let’s leave it at that.”
It’s clearly a lie, you denying that your sex life is dictated by a schedule. Javier knows you’re just the kind of woman that wants to exercise control over every aspect of your existence, even your carnal pleasure. You’re not giving much away, and he wants to crawl deeper; draw out a confession and claim a victory over you.
“Leave it at that...” He parrots. 
“DEA interrogation 101, never deflect. Good job you’re not a criminal, huh?” He jests, his laugh seeming shakier this time.
Still unwilling to budge, you give him nothing.
Again, in classic Javier fashion, he leans down, hands planted firmly in front of yours on your desk, crowding your space as his eyes beg yours for contact. “Bonita.” He coos.
That does it, snapping you out of your mildness. 
“Javier!” You admonish, voice firmly raised, though not enough to draw the attention of others. 
“I know, I know… no pet names. Apologies.” 
All he receives in response is your glare. Scathing and defiant.
Straightening up, he exhales whilst flexing his fingers. “Just tell me. Then I’ll leave it alone.”
But you’re not prepared to give this man any ammunition against you, not of your own volition, anyway.
However, he decides to adapt his strategy. He swipes the sacred object. Your planner, and holds it behind his back; beyond the extent of your reach.
You don’t react at first. Not until you hear his next words. “I think I’ll take a quick look-”
Darting out of your seat, you go to stop him, reaching over your desk for the stolen object, before he slams it back down in front of you. His wide palms pressed firm against the fabric cover, holding it down in a show of his dominance. You shouldn’t find that sexy, you think, cursing yourself silently for allowing yourself to become affected by this man.
As this is nothing short of an act of war, leaving you bristling and agitated. Rising to your feet, you gravitate towards where he’s holding your planner hostage. “You’ve had more than enough fun terrorising me over lunch break, I think it’s about time you get back to work.” You say.
“Tell me, and you can have it back.” He affirms, though he doesn’t need to move an inch. He knows, and you most definitely know, that your strength is no match for him. He’s an agent, for crying out loud. You’ve got no chance of getting your planner back without one of two methods: manipulation or seduction.
The latter was certainly off the cards, so you went with the former option. But you couldn’t deny your body’s reaction to Javier’s physicality. The way he stood firm in place, challenging you to come to him, all the while knowing he has the power to wrangle you wherever he sees fit. And to you, that was undeniably sexy.
You would never indulge in such a fantasy, of course, liking your men docile, as they were less likely to cheat and screw up your five-year plan. But you could allow yourself this one forbidden thought. Just for a second longer.
“There’s nothing to tell. Give it to me and I’ll bump your meeting with Crosby to tomorrow instead of Friday. Heard you need a sign-off… urgently.” You try smirking. “Something about a Cali operation and a chicken van.”
His own grin falters. Huh…he must really need the ambassador’s approval. 
But he tries to play it off. “It’s alright, these things can’t be rushed. I think I’ll hold onto this a little longer.” 
“What do you want, Javier?” You ask, your voice unimpressed and impatient.
“Tell me. Tell me that you actually plan when you get laid. Then you can have this back.” He holds the planner above his head, and when you reach for it again, he snatches it back behind him. 
“Come on…” You groan.
He moves closer to the door, daring you to let him leave with your most prized possession. But you’re running out of plays, you’re getting tired, and you remind yourself that Javier’s most likely going to get screwed later on, in some way or another, by the Colombian government, and that thought alone brings you comfort. Enough comfort, that it outweighs the distaste of having to give in to him.
Stepping closer, you huff out. “Okay! Fine! … I follow what Vogue magazine suggests. Orgasms at least every two days, and-” 
“And what?” He taunts.
“Eating saffron regularly, a-and drinking red wine, too. Aphrodisiacs … you know?” 
Javier’s grin is smug as shit, after drawing out your admission, and you want nothing more than to wipe it off his face. But right now, you just want him gone. Somewhere where he can’t see the blush flourishing in your cheeks. 
“Are you done?” You ask, arms crossed against your chest in an attempt to regain the appearance of power. Something you had forfeited whilst chasing the DEA Country Attaché, who held your planner hostage, around your office like a child chasing a butterfly.
The man in front of you softens at your tone, understanding that he’d pushed you quite far, and that he quite possibly got carried away. He couldn’t resist the way it felt; getting swept up in teasing each other, evoking a lightness in his chest that doesn’t come around often. 
“Do you ever do anything simply because you want to? When you want to?” He asks you. “Impulsively?”
All you can say to usher him out of your space is his name. “Javier.” You call, until you somehow manage to form a few more words. “Time’s up. Out, please.”
Sensing you’re at the end of your thread, he stalks towards the door. But when he reaches for the handle, he turns back to look at you. And the look on his face is unlike any of the ones he’s sported around you previously. It’s genuine. 
He calls out to you, voice almost quiet enough to sound sincere. “Hey, uh- if you ever wanna ditch the planner and let loose sometime, let me know, yeah.”
And with that, he’s gone. Leaving you reeling from the implications of his parting words.
***
The following day, Javier seeks you out on his lunch break, hoping to ask for another favour. But you’re not there. 
When he asks around in the break room for you, he finds out that you’d gone out for lunch today. Avoiding him, perhaps?
Now left with twenty-five minutes of free time, and a reluctance to head back upstairs and do some actual work, Javier goes snooping. He already had his excuse, having brought down another form for you to sign off on, so he’s not worried about looking out of place. But still, he’s considered a hero nowadays; a reputation to uphold, so he quickly checks for prying eyes before he pushes open the door to your office. 
That’s when he sees it. 
Your planner. Sitting pretty, waiting for someone to come along and peek inside. Well, today, that someone was Javier Peña. He knows he shouldn’t be doing this. It’s a huge violation of your privacy, and if you found out, you’d surely have Crosby fire him. But as his feet carry him forward, he tells himself it’s harmless.
You work in an embassy, and you weren’t the type of person to have anything incriminating on your person whilst in a building filled with the top brass, not to mention various military and police officials, so there couldn’t be anything too intimate in there.
He picks it up, and as soon as his fingers touch the first page, he becomes frantic; possessed by the need to soak up as much of you as he can through these slightly worn pages, before he gets caught.
Javier studies your schedule like a classified file. He tells himself he’s searching for some dirt on you, something juicy that will become ammunition for his future torment. But that’s not the whole truth. At least, the fondness in his eyes suggests otherwise.
Mondays: no caffeine until 12 pm… Wednesdays: senator’s conference, dinner with Damon, laundry (whites) … Saturdays: allowance of 500ml wine …
The last one causes his eyebrows to raise, though the discipline it showed was certainly true to what he knew about your character.
However, as he’s about to investigate what you had planned for this Saturday night in particular, he hears the click of your heels getting closer, followed by your laughter. There you were, on your way back to the office, Crosby close behind as the two of you partake in light-hearted conversation. Huh, so that’s what you look like when you’re happy.
Luckily, for Javier, the ladies from your floor latch on to you, dragging you into their conversation and buying him some valuable time whilst you discuss last week’s department meeting.
It all happens so fast. He darts out of your office and makes a beeline to the elevator, his shoulders slacking only when he’s back in the sanctuary of his own workspace.
Pulling open his desk drawer on the right side, he shoves your planner inside and almost slams it shut; the closure somewhat symbolic of his hesitancy to confront what he’s just done.
Oops. 
***
It was when he saw you working late one evening, on a Friday nonetheless, that Javier considered it might be time for him to return your planner. He hadn’t looked inside again, not since that day in your office when he’d come looking for you during lunch, but there was a reason he didn’t want to give it back just yet.
The planner tied him to you. It gave him a reason to not have to leave you alone. Of course, you weren’t aware that he had it; as far as he could tell, but for as long as he held it, he’d matter to you. This little piece of stationery gave him a place in your world. Just for now, but now was enough for Javier, at least until he could make sense of these incomprehensible feelings you were eliciting from him.
Feelings that were causing his stomach to churn, currently, as he observes the way your hair falls in your face, whilst your hand moves elegantly over the page. However, he notices that the usual swiftness of your writing is absent. It appears as though you’re tired; wrist flexing far too often, and the strokes of your pen somewhat sluggish at this time of night. And to top it all off, there was a cup of coffee beside you; the rim kissed by the pink of your lipstick, teasing him with phantom sensations of what your lips would taste like. 
Javier got the sense that for you, drinking coffee after 7 pm was practically illegal, and yet the proof was right in front of him. It must’ve been a tough day if you were willing to disrupt your immaculate sleep schedule.
He steps inside, and you’re not even alarmed by him violating your privacy again. At this point, you’d come to expect his presence, despite how troublesome it always seemed to be for you.
“Sweetheart…”
Devoid of the energy needed to accost him for his choice of words, you settle for a scowl. But it’s a tired scowl, and he can tell you’re most likely not in the mood to bicker with him like you usually are.
You don’t lift your eyes when he sits down in front of you, but you should’ve done. Because if you did, you’d have seen the unmistakable furrow of concern on his face. You would have seen his empathy. Unadulterated, earnest and afflicted. It was the kind of expression one can only offer to another when they’ve experienced it themselves. 
After all, Javier had plenty of experience in overworking himself to the point of physical and mental burnout. Unable to ever switch off, even, and rather than fall deeper into his vices, he considered it better to channel the ambivalence he often felt into more work; that way he’d feel like he was doing something good. Even if all he was doing was searching for minor leads; needles in a haystack that Uncle Sam didn’t have the funds to clean up. 
Hoping to obtain more of your attention, he lets out a rough cough to stir you from your tired musings.
When that doesn’t work, he asks. “What are you still doing here?”
“It’s fine.” You tell him. “It’s not that unusual.”
“For you, it is. Trust me, I do this often and I never see you here. What is it?” He questions, gesturing to the forms you’re working on.
“Crosby needs all this done. He’s headed back to Oklahoma for the weekend to see his family, and well, there are four networking events next week, and it’s down to me to organise it all. Nothing I can’t handle, but he only dropped this on me when he called earlier, at 4.30 pm.”
Javier knows that by the way you punctuate the time, you’re not a happy bunny for having your schedule thrown into disarray. Like clockwork, you left the office at exactly 5 pm every day, so at 8.53 pm, you’ve had almost four hours off track. 
“So what … you’re gonna sleep here for the weekend until it’s done?”
Exasperated, you say his name in a warning. “I’m not in the mood for your-”
“I’m not in the mood for you, right now.” You tell him, wanting it to come across with absolute finality. But there’s no certainty in your voice, and it pains Javier to see you like this. 
He knows it’s not his fault - the cause of your stress - but the way you’re trying to exile him sends an anxious quiver through his veins. A part of him longed for you, and hearing that you wanted him to leave caused an uncomfortable urge to fight; to prove to you that he could fix it all for you.
He calls your name in a plea to get you to stop, just for a moment. Perhaps so he can talk you round? Fuck knows. He doesn’t know what to do, but he figures he’ll try to buy himself some more time. 
You look up, and he can see the whites of your eyes are tinged red; strained. The way you look so unsure of yourself has him crippled. Never, had he ever anticipated seeing you like this, as you were always so driven, confident in the trajectory you were following for yourself.
He says your name again. And it’s a white flag; a temporary truce whilst he helps you through this stump. 
“What?” You ask. You’re not annoyed, however, as there’s a trace of laughter in your voice; the kind of laughter that comes when something slips. It wasn’t exactly a facade, but you’d definitely loosened up now that you had gone past your “working hours”. To Javier, it seemed as though you’d given up on trying to impress others. Trying to please everyone, as you did constantly throughout each day at the embassy. And shit. Javier liked the way it looked on you. 
Authenticity.
“You should head home, it’s late. Crosby would never get rid of you if you didn’t finish all this shit.” He says with a soft smile.
“Well…” You huff. “It’s easier said than done. Besides, you said it yourself. You’re always here late.”
Of course, he was the pot calling the kettle black, but this was you. And you didn’t deserve this. 
He doesn’t have an answer to that. “Yeah, well …”
“What about this?” He says, picking up your stress ball from your desk. He holds up the squishy cat, before holding it out to you.
“Here. Give it a squeeze … Problem solved.” He jokes.
You take the toy from him before giving it a few good squeezes in your hand, and Javier can see some of the tension in your muscles evaporate at that. 
And he’s almost floored when you smile sheepishly at him. Do it again, he begs in his head, wanting - no, needing - to see this purer side of you. 
Standing from his chair, he coaxes you up too. “Come on … pack up your shit and you can let me give you a ride home.”
You shake your head almost instantly. “I’m good. I can call a friend.”
Javier sighs and perches on the corner of your desk. Leaning down closer, he tries again. “Well, Brenda left hours ago. You caught a lift in her with her, right? Come on, it will save you and your friend the hassle.”
He’s greeted by your vacant expression. Well, this is going great for him.
After a pause of deliberation, you try to get your words out. “But-” Is all you manage.
Sensing your concern at this new advancement in your working relationship, he tries to reassure you. 
“What, huh? Your planner won’t let you?”
And as soon as Javier mentions the planner, he regrets it. Considering it was currently in his possession, and he had planned to return it to you tonight, he probably shouldn’t be putting the thought of it in your head. Thankfully, you’re too exhausted to pick up on it.
“Come on …” He groans. “Be a little spontaneous for a change. Who knows? You might like it.” 
“I don’t wanna owe you any favours, Javier.” 
“No favours …” He assures you. “I’ll even do you one. If you let me drive you home, I’ll leave you alone from now on.”
You pretend to believe him. “Right. It’s not like you haven’t told me that several times already. I’ll believe it when I see it, Agent.”
Fuck, why does the thought of that hurt him?
“This time I mean it.” He announces.
And in that moment, a pool of unease treads between the two of you. 
You should be glad of his promise to leave you be. Perhaps, you are. But you love routines and consistency, so you can’t deny that the thought of such a change unsettles you deeply. 
Feeling both anxious and safe with Javier in this moment, you accept his offer.
***
Riding in Javier Peña’s car was not where you thought you’d be on Friday night. And you’re sure he can tell by how strangely you’re acting.
You’ve got your knees locked together tightly, with your hands resting in your lap. Whilst you tense and flex your fingers repeatedly, Javier’s trying his best to keep his eyes on the road. But at the stop lights, he’s able to get a proper read on you, and once again, he’s bemused by what he sees.
It’s awkward. Or at least, you’re behaving awkwardly. There’s no sass, no feisty determination … 
Just you, not knowing how to act around him now you’re alone together. 
“Lighten up, would you?” He says. “You look like you’re riding in a funeral car.”
And that snaps you out of it. Slightly. 
You swallow and unclasp your hands before you speak next. “Sorry, I’m not used to this.”
“What, you don’t take DEA agents home often?” He teases. 
Javier predicts your eye roll before it comes. “What do you think?” 
He looks away from you then, but you spot his grin in your peripheral vision.
It’s silent for a short while, until the man beside you can’t help but speak his mind.
“Look, I uh- I completely get it, you know. Not trusting people, not wanting to let them in. But it’s not all bad. Having someone to talk to, someone to have fun with, someone to touch. I meant it when I said it’s stress relief. And you deserve to have that.” He says with utter sincerity.
“With whoever you consider worthy, of course. If anyone can even make it that far, right?” He jokes.
And you can’t help but laugh at his teasing this time, but the awkwardness is still very much present in your body. 
“Thanks …“ You mutter, voice trailing off in uncertainty.
Javier uses the lull to change the subject. “So how long have you been living at your place?”
“Around two years. Not all of us got upgraded to the premium apartments. We can’t all be heroes, you know.” 
Your pitch rises at the end to convey your amusement, and Javier finds himself mirroring your soft smile.
“Don’t know about a hero, Princesa. But I’m El Jefe now … guess they needed to give me a swanky new apartment to distract from the fact I’m pretty fucking useless these days.”
Princesa. 
That one was new. But for some reason, it was fitting.
And it doesn’t even bother you, right now. You know Javier Peña is a notorious womanizer. But just for a moment, you let yourself indulge in it. The moment that feels so much like a fantasy; you’re alone with him, in his car, and he’s calling you Princesa. It’s the funniest thing, how exhaustion has completely unravelled all your judgements.
“Wh- what do you mean? Crosby wouldn’t keep you around if you were useless, Javier.”
Fuck. The way you say his name like that, so hopeful, and without a trace of expectation. It makes him want to tell you everything; all of his fears, regrets and deepest insecurities. 
Some were rooted so deeply they almost felt physiological, and perhaps, they’re what cause him to say. “Every lead’s always one step ahead of you, and by the time you manage to get somewhere, someone’s already dead. When it matters, the people in charge won’t do shit, not until the narcos embarrass them enough to knock them off their asses.”
Your heart flutters at his raw admission.
“Fuck, and when things are good. When people aren’t getting killed, it’s because the government’s in bed with the fucking bad guys, paying them off with Uncle Sam’s money. Meanwhile, the narcos are raking in more cash than ever before.”
“Javier…” You exhale. 
Unsure of what to say, you try to reassure the troubled man beside you. 
“It’s enough. What you’re doing is enough. That’s all you can do. The system isn’t changing anytime soon.” You tell him.
The question is on the tip of your tongue. “I’ve heard things, and well … there will always be people like Stechner, pulling the wrong strings. Why put yourself through all the pain, when it’s never going to change? What’s in it for you, Javier?”
Does he even know why?
“One less body. One less overdose. One less finca destroyed … I hope to God that somehow, the scales are tipping. Even if it’s only a little. I hope something good comes out of it all, once in a while.” He says.
Silence soon comes to feel like a friend. At this moment, neither you or Javier know what to say, but you don’t feel the need to fill the quiet just yet. After all, that would mean acknowledging the prominent development in your relationship, and you were both too afraid to call it what it was. Afraid that acknowledgment would cause everything to dissipate all at once.
“Thanks for lending me your ear … uh, I guess it’s a good thing I said I’d leave you alone. Means you won’t have to hear me whine like that again.” Javier tells you, his apprehension somewhat obvious to an outsider. But not to you.
“Yeah … it’s a good thing, huh.” 
Nothing else is said for the remainder of the journey. The day had ground the two of you down, and you had collectively reached your limit. 
As you enter your apartment, you can’t help but replay the drive over in your head. Dropping your heels on the way to the living room, you curl up on the couch, processing. Would Javier really leave you alone?
Yet the most pressing question remained unanswered. Is that what you wanted? 
***
When Javier vowed to leave you alone, you expected it would bring relief.
However, you haven’t seen the man for five days now, and you can’t shake the sense that something is missing.
His daily annoyances had become a part of your routine, and without them, your office felt a little too quiet. Ghastly, almost. It was devoid of the warmth his mirth would bring, as he’d saunter in bargaining for favours with that artful charm of his.
Files he needed you to fast-track. Stationery he’d tamper with on your desk. His legs crossed in your chair. Even the curls of his cigarette smoke filling your office. All these things were simply no more. 
To the best of your understanding, you’d always thought you hated him. He was everything you were not. Scared of commitment, brazen and sometimes rogue, Javier was a lone wolf. 
Whereas you were reserved, organised, rigid in your ways and a pathological people pleaser. A goody two shoes, to be frank. 
He was everything you thought you hated, but perhaps, he reflected everything you were scared to be. 
For the longest time, you believed you needed someone just like you. A mirror, to be exact. Someone who validated your existence, because they lived in the same skin as you. 
And now, you’re not so sure anymore.
Having somehow misplaced your planner, time had seemed quite blurry, lately. You made a mental note to buy another when you head into town at the weekend, yet part of you wondered what it would be like to be without it. After all, you’d survived the last week. Would it be a disaster? Or would it be freeing?
There was a deep yearning within you to break the monotony and try something new. You longed for the taste of spontaneity and recklessness that Javier had fed you; bit by bit until you’d become addicted to the thought of it. 
You weren’t naive. This didn’t mean you wanted to run away with him, ask to go steady, and pray he’ll change his biology. Pray he’ll commit to you, and you only.
No. The thought of that made you feel sick, even. You’d never want to be the sacrificial lamb who tries to change the wolf, all because she thought there was a chance he could love her, in a different life.
Rather, you longed to give up control to him. You longed to have him knock you down a peg, make you question everything you ever knew about yourself. You longed to see the version of you that complimented him; all rough edges and dark clouds.
But a leopard can’t change its spots - not overnight, anyway - and you didn’t possess the courage needed to make a move. So, ultimately, you got back to work, allowing these new desires to fade into the background.
Perhaps, in the need to catch another kingpin, desperation alone would bring him to your desk, and he’d sweet talk you round to get things moving faster. And you’d flirt back with him, or at least try to, and he’d be surprised; eyes wide and smirk strong.
Such a thought sent a shudder through your body. Perhaps.
***
Javier Peña couldn’t remember the last time he went over to a woman’s place, without the intention of sleeping with them.
But here he is, standing outside your door. 
He hasn’t seen you in a while, having stood by his word to leave you alone. And although he tells himself he’s just here to return your planner, at last, that doesn’t explain why he decided 9.27 pm would be the best time to come over. 
It also doesn’t explain why he wore that same leather jacket from the night at the bar, when he’d ruined your chances with another guy. Or why he made sure to lock all the car doors and windows, as though he expected to stay awhile.
He knows his chances are slim. But Javier wants to test the odds. 
His knock startles you, and you scramble to fix your appearance, not having expected any visitors this late in the evening.
When you open the door, you’re met with the last person you expected to find there. He’s uncertain, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was nervous. But Javier Peña doesn’t do shy. Reckless and haphazard, perhaps, but not shy. Not like this.
Why is he here? Did Crosby die, or something? You couldn’t imagine why else he’d be here right now.
“W-What happened? Is he alright?” You ask, stuttering in your panic.
He holds his hand out to steady you, firm fingers clasped firmly around your delicate wrist. “Everything’s fine, don’t worry. I just came to return this. I uh- found it in the break room, beneath a pile of magazines.” 
He holds up your planner. But he doesn’t hold it out to you, too scared of you kicking him to the curb once you’ve got it. Before he even has a chance to figure out why he’s here.
“Oh my God! Really? I’ve been looking for it everywhere.” You say, shaking your head in disbelief, still coming down from your earlier panic.
“Yeah.”
He looks up to the ceiling, not quite sure how to handle the fact you’re quite underdressed; the top buttons of your blouse are undone, revealing the way your breasts are barely contained by the thin satin adorning them. And underneath your skirt, your legs are bare too, a sight that had haunted Javier’s dirty dreams since he first saw them that night with your friends. 
When you’d opened the door, your sweet little gasp of surprise caused his cock to stir in his jeans, and now he’d set his sights on your body, he wanted to hear it again, as he held your thigh against his chest whilst he fucked you deep into the bed.
Shit. He couldn’t take it anymore. He needed to feel you; feel what it’s like to hold your attention completely for a while. Feel you clamping down on him as you said fuck expectations and succumbed to the chaos of carnal pleasure. Pleasure that he was desperate to give you. 
You weren’t a conquest. Not at all. It was just that Javier knew how much you were holding back and holding out on yourself, and he wanted to be the one to show you what it could be like to let loose. To let go and be a little kinder to yourself.
Leaning in closer, he coerces your eyes to meet his, and the intensity of his stare has slick pooling between your thighs. He didn’t even need to touch you. You’d give him anything he asked for.
“So, uh … what’s on the agenda for tonight, then?” He asks, testing the waters.
“Nothing.” 
Your eyes peer up at him. Your want, need and craving staring back at him. It has to be now, he thinks.
“Fuck!” He curses, before his body’s moving yours, walking you back into your apartment with his hands on your hips. 
“Javier! W-what?” You ask, but you don’t get the chance to reply when his lips on yours successfully quiets you. 
“Javier! We should … We should- shouldn’t be-”
“Shouldn’t be doing what, huh?” He counters, his tone laced with amusement.
You don’t have an answer for him, instead your hand grips the back of his neck to pull his mouth back to yours, and in return, you feel him smile through his kisses.
When you reach your bedroom, you situate yourself on the bed whilst pawing at Javier desperately. His belt. His hair. The leather covering his broad shoulders. Your hands reach for whatever they can get. 
“Sweetheart.” He exhales, his voice trying its best to hide his impatience. 
His eyes unable to get enough of you like this, you watch as they roam up along your bare legs, taking in the rare sight of you sans stockings as you lay back on the bed, your supple skin the perfect contrast to the crisp white sheets beneath you. 
His gaze having soaked up enough of your body to drive himself crazy, he eventually moves it upwards to admire your face; the innocence mixed with pent-up frustration divulging how much you need to be touched. How much you need someone to unravel you from head to toe.
“I need-” You begin. “I need it, Javier.” It being every unspoken desire you harbour for this man. Everything you want him to do to you, but you’re too scared to admit. 
“I need more than that. Words, baby. What do you need?”
“I-I need you to show me. Show me what it’s like to let loose … like you said.” Your voice trembles slightly, not used to acting on your wants.
That’s all Javier needs to hear to give him the green light. Then, he’s back on you, mouth latching to any inch of skin he can reach. Trailing kisses down the v of your cleavage, stopping only when your blouse cuts off his access to the heaven below, he moves off the bed to stand beside it.
“Take your clothes off. I need to see you.” He tells you.
“Are you seriously asking me to strip for you?” Your voice is hesitant, worried you’re not going to match up to his other girls if that’s the level of sexy he expected from you. “Is this what it’s always like?” You ask. “With the others?”
“No, fuck I- … I’ll mess up the buttons on your pretty shirt if I try. Maybe you should-”
You cut him off. “Yeah, that’s good.”
He watches you unfasten each button, one by one, and you’re taking too long for his liking. It’s not deliberate on your part, it’s just that you’re wearing satin and the garment had to be handled delicately. By the time he’s removed his leather jacket and his shirt, you haven’t even made it past your tits. 
It’s not enough. There are still too many parts of you concealed from him, and Javier decides that messing up the buttons wouldn’t be that bad after all, as he replaces your nimble fingers with his own rough hands, opening your shirt with a few harsh tugs before wrangling it over your head. 
When he’s gotten it off, he tosses the somewhat wrecked garment aside before hiking your skirt up to pool around your tummy, and his rough touch has you moaning loudly.
“Javier…” You whine.
“Javi, baby. You call me Javier when I’m getting on your nerves at work.” He gives you a cheeky smile, relaxing you. “This is different.”
You try it out, the name tasting unfamiliar on your tongue. “J-Javi …” You moan, deciding it tastes good in your mouth.
“There you go, baby.” He praises, his face lighting up at your submission, but also at the fact you seem to be enjoying yourself, as that’s all he wants out of this; for you to feel good.
He kisses and nips at the soft skin of your belly whilst he tugs your panties down your legs. They stick to your pussy, at first, due to how much slick has gathered within them, but you lift your hips eagerly to help him, and Javier’s taken aback by just how vocal you’re proving to be. How pretty the sounds you’re making are. 
However, he doesn’t know that you’ve already written this off as being a one-time thing. You figured that If you were only going to be able to have him once, you might as well go all in and enjoy yourself. Right?
Having stripped you of your panties, he quickly pockets them in his jeans, but not quick enough for it to escape your notice. 
“What are you going to do with those?” 
Your expression is guarded, concern causing you to shift back up the bed slightly. Javier’s stomach drops as he sees you slip away from him slightly, and he’s consumed by the need to reassure you.
“Nothing you don’t want me to do.” He says, hand gently working your calf to relax you. “Do you trust me?”
You probably shouldn’t, but you do. “Yes.”
“Good.” He taps his pocket with your underwear inside. “A precaution. You’ll have to speak to me again after this. If you want these back, of course.” 
It’s the way that even his filth is somehow laced with sweetness that comforts you, and you settle closer to him on the bed, allowing his hands access to your body again. His experience now blatantly obvious to you, Javier swiftly slips your bra off, mouth instantly latching on to your nipple as he teases it with his tongue.
“Javiiii … “ You whine, writhing under his touch. Hand caught in his soft curls, your fingers press his head closer to you, which is frankly impossible, but still, you try; unable to get enough of him.
“What, baby? What is it, huh?” 
Arching your back as his tongue swipes at a particularly sensitive spot, you mewl. “Touch me, please.”
He lifts his mouth from your tit with a wet pop. “What do you mean?” He asks with a smirk. “Looks like I’m already doing that, no?”
Javier’s greeted with a cute, yet frustrated grumble from you. “Touch me there.”
“Where?” He knows you won’t explicitly tell him where, but he continues to tease it out of you. 
“You want me to touch your pretty cunt?”
“Oh my God …” You cry out. “You’re so dirty.”
Taking your words as praise, he finds himself needing to prove to you how dirty he can be. 
He flips you onto your belly, and as you go to raise yourself up on your forearms, he beats you to it, pulling your ass up and causing your back to arch. Shoving your skirt out of the way, he leans over you for a moment, tangling his hand in your hair as he massages your scalp, subtly pushing your head further into the pillows. It’s a signal. It says relax, I’ve got you. But it also says don’t move, this is exactly how I want you.
You lose it when his mouth latches onto your pussy, tongue licking thick stripes through your folds as you open up for him. 
“Fuuuck!” His lips suckle and kiss your hole in a wet frenzy, as you squeal before quietly cursing yourself for being so noisy.
Javier watches you plant your face into the pillow, trying to muffle your sounds of pleasure. He reaches a big hand back into your hair to turn your head sideways, as he urges you. “Don’t hide from me, baby. This sweet little pussy deserves to feel good.” 
His words are made even filthier by the sounds of him mouthing kisses on your cunt. You moan for him, louder this time. “It tastes so good, too, just like honey. Do you want me to keep going?”
“Yes!” You beg. 
Javier stops. He lifts his mouth from your centre, only to spit on it. A mixture of your slick and his spit runs down, past your hole and onto the sheets below you; the lewd sound of his fingers toying with your combined juices has your shoulders digging further into the bed. He’s driving you wild.
His fingers nudging at your entrance, you call out to him. “Javi … m-maybe we should slow down, we’re getting the bed all wet.” Your hands fist the sheets, hoping to draw his attention to the soaked fabric as your eyes plead with him.
Pausing the exploration of his fingers, Javier moves his head to the side to check your expression. You look embarrassed. Ashamed of feeling this good, and he can’t have that. He’s not used to women who are so stubborn in receiving pleasure. 
But then again, you weren’t most women, and that’s what drew him to you in the first place.
“Sweetheart, you say the word and we’ll stop.” He reassures you, and you shoot him a grateful, yet timid smile in return.
“But you shouldn’t ever feel embarrassed about this.” His thumb finds a pearl of wetness pooling at your entrance and he drags it up, smearing it everywhere, and you feel it too, as the cool air hits the slick now covering your ass cheeks. 
“This, is so fucking sexy, princesa. And it’s going to get messier, still, when you come on my mouth.” 
Princess, he calls you again. And the way your pussy clamps down on nothing tells him you like this pet name, after all.
“Ah!” 
“You good?” He asks, his concern genuine.
“G-Good.” You squeak in reply, before stretching out on the bed again.
And with your affirmation, he ducks his head down to bury his face in your pussy, again. But this time, he’s increased his force; his tongue darting inside your hole whilst one hand grips your thigh tightly. The other finds its way back into your hair, caressing your scalp and gently tugging to coax you further out of your shell. 
“J-Javi!” You moan his name again, liking the way the sound of it moves through your body. Like it was yours to keep, for just one night. 
“Yeah, you like that baby?” He goads, mouth never leaving the paradise between your legs as his nose nudges your swollen clit. You feel every syllable vibrate through you. “You like getting your cunt eaten?” 
“Javi, please.” You whine, volume no longer a concern of yours.
He knows you’re close, can feel you throb against his tongue, and your thigh shakes underneath his hand. He moves both hands to spread your cheeks, allowing him to dive even deeper and tongue-fuck you even harder.
“That’s it princesa. Sweet girl. I’ve got you. Give it all to me.” He coos, lapping at your clit to draw out your orgasm. 
You come in a symphony of whines, mewls and cries. Your pussy soaking his face, as well as the sheets, just as he promised you. 
And Javier works you through it, drinking up your nectar and prolonging your orgasm until your body falls flat on the bed in exhaustion. He figures it had been a while for you, so it was no surprise that you looked as though he’d just fucked you to sleep. 
Now pliant in his arms, he moves his hand back to your head, petting you as you come down. “That’s it, baby. So fucking good for me. You did so well, huh?”
“Javi … “ You groan, voice hoarse from all the noise you made. His grip on your hair is firm enough that you feel yourself leaking again, already, and you reach behind yourself to feel him.
“Shhhh, baby. I’m right here. What do you want?”
Everything you have.
Such a thought scares you, and so you turn onto your back to tell him. “It’s fine, I-I’m all good now … you should-.” 
“I’m not going anywhere. Not until you tell me what you want.” So stubborn, he thinks. Can’t you see he needs you just as bad?
The sound that comes out of your mouth is just above a whisper. “You, Javi. I want you.”
You sound so sweet, beckoning him to you like that, and he pushes your legs apart before pushing a finger into your sopping heat, soon adding another when you purr for him.
“Well, you’ve got me, alright. You didn’t even need to ask nicely.” He smirks at you, and you would’ve rolled your eyes had he not been taking you apart with his fingers so good. 
Reaching for his belt, you coo to him. “I want to touch you, s’not fair …”
And, well, Javier would be a fool to deny you. He makes quick work of his belt and zipper before pulling his jeans off, and then he’s kneeling on the bed. Right in front of you, where you can see him; throbbing, the tip flushed red, aching for the touch of a woman. 
He gives himself a few firm tugs, before groaning out as his strokes get faster. His gaze locks on you. Your eyes blown wide, lips parted and tongue peeking out in thirst, as you arch your hips up towards him. 
“Fuck.” He leans forward to capture your lips, but your hand on his chest stops him halfway.
You look up at him in expectation, your eyes unsure of what it is you’re asking for.
“What is it? Are you okay?” He asks in earnest. 
“I … I want to see you … touch it.” You say, voice as soft as a kitten.
And Javier groans. He settles his legs on either side of you as his hand returns to his cock. You can see that he’s teasing himself, playing with the tip and smearing his precum down the underside. Is that for your benefit? It’s somehow become more than a little friendly stress relief between colleagues; he’s showing off for you.
“Baby!” You whine, hands grabbing at his forearms to stop him.
Well that was unexpected. But he liked it. Liked the way you were getting into it enough to call him baby. Releasing his cock from his grip, he looks at you. You reach for his soft brown curls again, pulling him down to your lips.
Between kisses, he taunts. “Thought you wanted to watch, princesa. Huh?”
“I’ve seen enough. I need you to … “
“Need me to what?” His expression plays at being serious, but his tone tells you he’s teasing. 
He knows you don’t want to say it, but he’s not letting you off that easily.
“I need you to … “ You begin, but you can’t say it. “I need you …” You beg, instead, wrapping a leg around his lower back in an attempt to get his cock inside of you.
Javier chuckles at this. He should’ve known you wouldn’t be willing to admit what you’re about to do. With a wrecked sigh, he grabs your thighs and pulls your sweet cunt onto his cock.
The sounds you both let out excite each other further, and as Javier opens you up on his hardness, you mewl at the stretch. It stings perfectly, reminding you, once again, that your experience is no match for his. You squirm on the bed desperately as he gives you more of himself.
“So tight.” He grits. “Doing so good, princesa. Taking me so well. Look at that … “ He marvels, looking down to where your pussy is stretched out around him. He pulls out slightly to show you how your juices have soaked him. “Already, huh?”
You let out a high pitch, girlish sound at the depraved sight. There couldn’t be any doubt. That was you. Your body taking his, and it fills you with a peculiar sense of pride.
He pulls out again, teasing your clit with the tip; tapping it against your nub until he’s satisfied that you’ll have to throw these sheets out with how wet you’ve gotten them. It catches on the rim of your hole a few times as he pushes it back inside, eventually getting tired of his own teasing and pushing in all the way.
“Fuck, yesss.” You praise, your hand fumbling to hold his. Javier gives you one of his hands and you intertwine it with your own, resting it atop your hip. His other hand, however, holds your leg, spreading it wide as he fucks into you deeply.
He’s on his knees, his back straight as he drives forward, and your hips are raised, almost as if you’re perched on his legs. Javier fucks you until you’re both spent, and as you both near your peaks, he crawls up to lean over you; mouth pressed to your ear, tongue licking at your skin whilst he fills your ear with pure filth. 
His change of position has you practically bent in half, your hips lifting off the bed as he pounds you down into the mattress.
“Princesa …” He rasps. “Need you to come on my cock … show me how much you like it.”
“J-Javi … “ Your hands tug at his hair roughly, cunt clenching down on his thickness.
His thumb rubs your clit faster now, as you get louder. “How much you like the way I fuck this sweet little pussy like it’s mine. Always so uptight, huh? Turns out you just needed to get fucked like one of my girls-”
You cry out as your orgasm hits you, and as you come all over him, Javier talks you through it. His thrusts now slower, but deeper. 
Again, you roll your head to the side, hoping to drown your cries in the pillow, but Javier quickly sets it back in place, needing to hear it all come out.
“That’s it. There’s my feisty princesa … let it all out.” He coos.
And he wants to sneak a glance at where you’re soaking him, but he’s taken by the innocent look in your eyes as you let go for him.
Forehead now pressed against yours, he kisses your face whilst soothing you with his soft gaze. And the way you’re looking back at him reassures Javier that his last comment didn’t offend you. 
Who knew you secretly liked his filthiness?
Satisfied you’re finished cumming, he pulls out and begins jerking himself over you.
“Javi, baby.” You coo. “I want to see you. Want to feel you on my skin.” 
It’s the gentleness within your voice that sends him over the edge and Javier comes in spurts, painting the skin above your mound with his seed. Some of it spills onto your pussy, too, and he feels another wave rush over him as he watches his cum coat your puffy hole. 
“Fuck.” He curses, nose nuzzling your throat before he collapses beside you. 
“Yeah … “ 
He places a quick kiss on your lips. “Did you enjoy yourself?” 
You nod, trying to curb your enthusiasm by biting your lip. But Javier can see through it, considering he’s an agent.
Or was it because he’d gotten better at reading you? 
“Thanks.” You offer awkwardly.
“Jesus Christ … “ A large hand palms his face. “Please tell me you didn’t just thank me. I’m not an escort, no matter what you might think.”
That has you giggling, quietly. 
“You know that’s not what I meant, Javier.”
Javier. 
So you were back to that, huh? Javier feels himself tense at the change of address.
Deciding to give himself a moment, he tells you. “I’ll be right back.” Before getting up and heading into the bathroom.
He returns a moment later with something to clean you up. As he softly swipes the cloth over your sensitive folds, he searches for something in your expression. Something he can’t seem to define.
Leave it alone, he reminds himself as he settles back on the bed, next to you. You feel his chest press against your side as he hovers over you, hand caressing your hip, whilst his eyes avoid yours.
“Well, um … I guess that’s it. Wow … “ You say, dazed, as though you’d never truly experienced pleasure before.
Without asking you, of course, he lights a cigarette. “Well, you know where to find me … “ He says, voice trailing off in implication.
“That won’t be necessary.” You chuckle. 
“I should probably get back to searching for a husband.”
“You know, I’ve got a five-year plan waiting on me.” You breathe, and Javier notices that you almost look unsure. “What about Van Ness? He’s one of your agents, right?”
“What about him?” He replies.
“I see him around the office … he’s cute. Is he single?” 
“Princesa … “ He groans, and you cut him off.
“I thought we were done with that whole thing now.” Your eyes dart around the room, suddenly shy. 
He hums in thought. “Never had a woman talk about another man whilst she’s in bed with me.” Tutting, he pretends to appear offended. 
Yes. Pretends.
You give him another girlish giggle, and it warms his blood again.
“Well … Is he single?” You repeat, eyes alight with hope.
Huffing out, he reaches over to the ashtray on the nightstand. “You’ll have to ask him.” 
“You haven’t thought it all through though. Not properly.” He says.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, where do you want to live when you’re married? Colombia?”
You shake your head.
“Van Ness is DEA. We’re the kind of guys that find it hard to settle down in one place. I can’t see him leaving Colombia just yet, not whilst the action’s still here … “ 
He’s got a point, though you hate to admit it.
“Whatever.” You groan. “No DEA guys then.”
“Except me.” He interjects, smirking at you.
“Including you!”
Stubbing out his cigarette, Javier moves his body over yours, looking down at you with a gaze so intensely affectionate, it renders you speechless.
But then his signature, winning smile returns. “What I’m hearing … princesa. Is that your search is futile, right now. As long as you’re in Colombia, anyway.”
His thumb traces your bottom lip, and you can’t help but open up for him. It seems as though he’s unlocked a new weapon to torment you with; his touch. As, currently, you’re unable to resist even the slightest sensation: a featherlight graze of his fingertips on your body.
“The way I see it. You might as well enjoy yourself some more. Marriage is always going to be there.” 
He winks at you, and you want to throttle him. Like that day in your office, when he’d interrupted your call. 
But you end up doing something else.
You close your lips around his thumb, sucking him further into your warmth, whilst simultaneously staring daggers into him. 
Always so stubborn, Javier’s reminded.
“There’s my feisty girl, huh?”
Thank you so much for reading! Please consider commenting or reblogging if you enjoyed it. <3
Taglist for this fic: @gracieispunk @queerponcho @darkerskylines @soaringcloud @kirsteng42
Shoutout to the bestie, @gracieispunk for helping me out with this and for taking my initial ideas to the next level with your genius. Eternally grateful for your support! <3
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maryonaccross · 1 year
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I hate the juxtaposition the writers try to make by painting Alicent as the sexually repressed patriarchy abiding woman and then try to show RHAENYRA as the sexually liberated one.
Are you… are you being serious? Rhaenyra who was groomed and manipulated by her UNCLE her whole life is supposed to be somehow more sexually liberated than Alicent who is stuck in an arranged marriage to a way older man? That’s the dream of sexual liberation? Being groomed by a close relative?
I mean at least Alicent and Viserys aren’t related. But apart from that their marriage is every bit as problematic as Rhaenyra’s relationship with her groomer.
The age gap between Rhaenyra and Daemon can’t be more than a couple years smaller than that of Alicent and Viserys. And the fact that he is her relative that took advantage of her vulnerability after the death of her mother to coerce her into sexual acts to ruin her reputation in order to gain political advantage is vomit inducing.
The thing that baffles me is how many people actually look at the scene where we we’re simultaneously shown Viserys maritally raping Alicent and Daemon coercing his niece to sexual acts in the brothel and don’t see this scene as the clear parallel it is.
People who don’t realize that remind me of Colleen Hoover fans that are only able to recognize abusive relationships when the abuse is explicitly shoved in their face in the form of physical violence and cannot recognize it when it is shown in a more subtle form like grooming, manipulation, dubious consent, and deception.
We could clearly see throughout the show how much Daemon’s grooming has had a long lasting effect on Rhaenyra’s life and personality. She isn’t able to build profound romantic relationships with anyone other than her uncle (remember how she forgot Harwin cough the father of her children cough even existed the moment Daemon showed up?) and we see her regress to an uncertain teenage girl at the moment he returns to her life ( she spills all her secrets to him the minute they’re alone without even thinking of possible consequences )
In Emma D’Arcy’s words:
"This is essentially a grooming scenario. The idea that a teenage girl is in any way able to consent to that sexual interaction is a mess. There is no way that power can be equally distributed in that relationship."
- Emma D’Arcy
( And please, do not come screaming in the comments about how things were different the books. I’m talking about THE SHOW and basing this on what we saw in the show, such as for example Daemon admitting that Rhaenyra was a child when he left to go into exile, and what the actors have to say about this relationship. I can understand why it can be frustrating that some things were adapted differently but using the book as an argument doesn’t hold any weight because there have been many notable changes in the adaptation.)
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erosmutt · 2 months
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ⵌ ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘᴏᴠᴇʀ! ⨾ ꜱᴀᴍ ᴍᴏɴʀᴏᴇ
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𖦹 milf!reader, fingering, infidelity, reader has a 'boys will be boys' mentality yikes, mention of alyssa and her mom, overall mid smut, there's more plot than porn tbh, 1K words
Both you and Colleen Beck were attractive older women with daughters Sam's age (who he had undoubtedly fooled around with), both carried yourselves with class, both were unique in your own way.
He absolutely adored that you two were good friends with his mother. Every Saturday afternoon, the three of you would get together at the country club and have wine and gossip while your husbands went to golf.
Like now.
Sam was sitting at a table with Alyssa and your daughter, Naomi. The two girls were fawning over some guy he didn’t care about, giggling like the school girls they were. But Sam’s eyes were fixed on you and Colleen. Especially you. You swirled the glass of white wine in your hand, watching as your husband, John, knocks the ball into the hole, the other two men complimenting him.
It wasn’t until Alyssa yelled his name that he snapped out of it and looked at the two girls to his left. “Naomi and I were wondering if you wanted to sleep over?”
A sleepover. A sleepover at Naomi’s house - your house. He would get to see you in your natural element. He wouldn’t see you all dressed up to play the trophy wife, he would see you! He just shrugs at the two. “Sure, guess so.” He mutters, putting on his headphones.
Of course, he had to act nonchalant, but he was internally cheesing. He didn't know why he was getting so excited - it's not like anything could happen. All he could do was fantasize about you.
He was sorely mistaken.
Someway, somehow, he had you exactly where he wanted you - in a compromising position. He had told you that he wanted to stay in a room of his own, not stay in Naomi’s room with her and Alyssa. Granting his wish, you were currently fixing up the guest room for him.
"I'm sorry Sammy," you begin, bent over as you tuck the corner of the fitted sheet underneath the mattress. There was a basket of fresh linen at the foot of the bed. “I never got around to making up the guest room,” you stand straight and look at him with a warm smile. “But now I have a reason to!”
Sam nods, rubbing his arms, shifting his weight back and forth. “Yeah, thanks.” you go back to talking about something or other. Your husband, more than likely. Every time you talked about John, Sam tuned you out. He didn’t have anything against John, didn’t have any reason to have anything against him, he was a nice man and a good dad to Naomi. Sam was just… jealous.
“I understand you not wanting to stay with Nomi and Lyssa, you don’t have much in common with them, do you?” you smooth out the sheet, then continue to make the bed. “Maybe you three’ll become good friends in the future, hm?”
“Yeah, maybe,”
“Maybe you’ll end up like your mother and Colleen and I.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Have kids, and they’ll be friends.”
“Kids, yeah.”
You turn to look at him, getting the feeling that he was less than excited about your little hypothetical. With a pout, you walk up to him and place your hands on his shoulders, squeezing gently. “Sammy, what’s wrong, hm? You alright?” He nods. “I’m fine. Just uh…” his eyes find your cleavage. “Uhh…”
“‘Just uh’ what?” You smile. His eyes go half-lidded. Fuck.
Sam looks up at you, meeting your eyes. “Sorry.” he murmurs, earning him another gentle shoulder squeeze. “It’s alright Sammy, you’re just a boy, you can’t help it.” He blinks at you in mild shock. You didn’t mind him ogling you? He nods. “Just a boy, yeah.”
“Here, let me finish up, okay?” You gently pinch his cheek, then go back to what you were doing - making the bed. He watched as you snugly tucked the sheet, humming softly to yourself. Sam’s fingers twitched, itching to touch you. He looks over into the hallway as he hears giggles come from the girls’ room. Then his mind began to race. If you truly didn’t mind him ogling you, then you wouldn’t mind him touching you, right?
With newfound confidence (and stupidity too), adrenaline courses through Sam’s veins as he reaches forward. He cups your pussy from behind, making you gasp, your hands tangling into the sheets, bunching up the linen you just spent so much time smoothing out.
“Sammy,”
“Hush, just let me do this,” he murmurs as he rubs his fingers up and down your clothed slit, the tight leggings you had on making it all the more easier for him to get a feel for you.
He switches hands; his left slides up your back, coaxing you to lay your upper body down onto the bed. His right tugs your leggings and panties down, until he’s able to comfortably position his hand.
"Sammy, please,"
"I said, hush." His fingers slip up and down your pussy as if getting a feel for it, until he finally prods against your hole, then pushes his fingers in.
You give him a low whine, arching your back. He works his fingers into you, gradually getting them stickier and stickier. He glances up to the door, making sure no one was coming past. Then again if they did come by and see, it’s not like he could stop them.
“We’ve gotta be quick, c’mon.” he was past the point of wanting to pleasure you, he just wanted to make you cum before your husband came by. His hand moves quicker, veins in his wrist protruding and hand beginning to cramp. “Just… cum already,”
Sam reaches forward with his other hand to cover your mouth. “You’re so loud, calm down.” He whispers, glancing up at the door again. You shut your eyes, squirming about. You really weren’t getting any sexual gratification from this because he was in such a hurry that he didn’t care to even get you off properly, but you would take it.
After a faked orgasm, you fix yourself up and give Sam a polite smile. “Thank you Sammy.” You press a kiss to his cheek. “Get some sleep, ‘kay?” With that, you leave, closing the door behind yourself.
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dcmeme · 7 months
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Daily Occurrences Gotham Citizens go through part 1
(WITNESSING VIOLENCE AMONGST HEROES)
Citizen 2: …Is the little Robin chocking Red Robin with his own cape up there?
Citizen 1: *not looking up from his phone* Just wait for Nightwing to break them up.
____
(HERO INSURANCE COVERAGE)
Citizen 3: What the hell do you mean my insurance doesn’t cover damages by the red hood- I got the full “hero collateral damage” package… What the f*ck do you mean Anti-heroes don’t count- THE WORD HERO IS RIGHT THERE!!!
____
(DATING CRIMINALS)
Citizen 2: Could you come pick me up?
Citizen 4: Is everything ok?
Citizen 2: Date got arrested.
Citizen 4: It happens to the best of us. Be there soon.
____
(DISCOVERING A NEW WAYNE)
Citizen 3: Who the f*ck is Jason Todd and why is he fighting Bruce Wayne on Twitter.
Citizen 1: Witness protection program guy, adopted son of his, tends to drop off the radar a lot.
Citizen 2: His feed is fire tho.
Citizen 1: Oh absolutely. Dude hit thousands of follows in a week after getting posted on that weird ‘hot guys reading’ Instagram.
Citizen 4: Didn’t he also go viral over a Colleen Hoover argument?
____
(ALMOST GETTING MUGGED)
Thief: Give me your purse or I’ll-
Citizen 3: *keeps walking*
Thief: Hey! I’m talking to you-
Citizen 3: I work for Ace Chemicals.
Thief:… do you need money? A warm meal?
Citizen 3: A sleep-aid would be nice.
Thief: Fair enough.
____
(LOSING JOBS)
Citizen 1: I’m off to the bank!
Citizen 4: Be sure to grab your bullet proof vest on the way out!
Citizen 3: I’m going to work.
Citizen 3: *answers phone, rolls eyes* Nevermind. Blew up again.
____
(SEES OLD FRIENDS- MEETS NEW FELONS)
Citizen 2: So, jerry, I heard you’re a business man now. Where at?
Jerry: I mean I wouldn’t say I’m a business man, I do wear a nice suit and walk around a type of office tho!
Citizen 2:… oh, Jerry-
Jerry: Black Mask has the BEST health insurance policy.
Citizen 3: At least he’s not working for the clown. Then again, I hear his dental insurance is fantastic.
Citizen 2: *head in hands* Jerry..
____
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pxgeturner · 2 months
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Miguel O'Hara is a world-renowned professional boxer, and Hobie's other best friend. One night he finally makes the two worlds collide and sparks immediately fly between the two of you. But will he distract you from meeting your publisher's deadline? And will you distract him from getting World Champ?
before you follow. m.list. Iron Fist gfx library. series m.list. tag list.
Prologue. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. Epilogue.
wc. 1.5k
an. hi. its me! Giselle, or gi, or gigi to few (not to be confused w gg, that is one of my moots. she makes really cool art.) n e ways here is the awaited Prologue for Iron Fist. Oh goodness I'm so nervous. I just want to make a few things clear. the reader is an author (obvs). She's recently graduated uni and is Latina! I write with a woc!r in mind always. I try to be as inclusive as possible, pero porque soy Mexicana, r might lean towards being more Mexican but I'll try to keep her Spanish standard and not be too specific to my family's culture. much love! hope you enjoy <3
please don't forget to reblog! likes do nothing to boost engagement.
Your foot taps against the floor. The damn blank document stares back at you. Mocking you is what it’s really doing. Fuck you, you think, I achieved my goal. I published a book and it is a damn bestseller! Only problem is that the readers want more. It’s been… some time since your first book. And sure, Jess said you can take a break before starting a new project. But you also know that it’s good to ride on existing publicity. At least be able to make an announcement that you’re writing something while all this excitement lasts. Maybe you should write something about vampires. You love vampires and how they fit into romance and how them drinking blood is a euphemism just a bit away from, the whole cannibalism-equals-all-consuming-love trope and how when a vampire attacks it’s often an allegory for rape and— but you have nothing to add to the conversation. You have nothing new to say, no new perspective or hot take, or twist. You have nothing. No ideas.
Not a single word on the page.
You have an idea, leaning forward to peck the keyboard. “F-u-c-k. T-h-i-s!” You highlight the text and italicize it.
Fuck this. At least it’s words on the page.
You reach for your cup and take a sip. “If all else fails I can ride on the rest of the signing bonus and royalties for a bit since the book is doing good, and once that dries up, I can apply to be circulation assistant at a library or something.” You sigh and take another sip. “But nobody has to know for now.” You get up, searching for your phone. You find it resting on the arm of the couch, you grab it, sliding onto the cushions, resting your head where your phone just was. “God, don’t make me a one hit wonder, I wanna be a star. I wanna be the one to push that bitch Colleen Hoover into obsoletion. Please God. Please.”
You open your phone and look for your mother on speed dial.
“Hola, nena!” Your mama’s voice is happy, she must be having a good day. You move into the kitchen. You need a snack.
“Hey, mama, how are you?” You hold the cell with your shoulder as you look through your pantry.
“Good, good,” you find a pack of roasted seaweed snacks and grab it.
“I went on a date anoche.” Your shoulder drops and the pack of seaweed slips out of your grasp.
Mi mami fue a una cita. Con un man! You stand there, trying to process that she is actually back on the dating scene.
“How did it—” you aren’t holding your phone anymore. You use the wall as support to lower yourself to pick up your phone and snack.
“—ay, mami, lo siento, mi cellular se cayo de mi mano.”
“Todo bien, hija! I’m glad you’re ok.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m ok, I’m ok. Anyways— how was the date? What’s he like? Am I going to have a stepfather soon?” you joke.
“My time for marriage is gone, muñeca, I’m just looking for companionship, pero, tu lo sabes.” You hear some subtle clinking in the background of the call, she must be stirring her coffee. You open your snack and park yourself on the couch. “Are you writing?” Ugh. Not you, too.
“I was, just finished for a bit before I called you.”
“You called me to procrastinate.” You choke on your seaweed from the accusation.
You clear your throat, “I called to check in with you. I call you practically every day.”
“But right now you called me to check up on me as an excuse to not write. Nena, I know you.”
“Okay, fine. I might be having some writer’s block,” you admit, sighing.
“And that’s okay, nena, but then you need to get out, get some inspiration. Allow the world to give you a story.” There’s mama, with her easier-said-than-done advice. But, maybe you should get out of the house.
“Alright, I’ll go out soon.”
“Tonight,”
“—I will go out to the Chinese place across the street and nothing more. I’ll talk with Hobie when he gets back to see if he has any ideas.” You hear your mama make a noise in her throat.
“You still live with that boy?” Here it comes. You’ve lived with Hobie Brown for three years and have known him for five. She’s always been apprehensive of him, since he’s radical and looks like he’s been in jail, with all the metal in his face, and why does his hair look like that? But Hobie is the one who’s kept you sane all these years. He’s held you while you cried and pushed out of your comfort zone when you were getting too stuck into your routines, most likely by dragging you to a concert or a protest. You help him thrift and flip clothes and ever since that one time his stylist had an emergency and canceled, you now help him tighten his wicks every so often. On days like that the two of you stay in, watching nostalgic movies and listening to any demos he’s recorded recently. He’s like a brother to you at this point.
“Yes, mama, I still live with Hobie. Nothing’s changed.” You move the phone down to your chest and take a deep breath.
“I didn’t like him when I first met him,” you clench your jaw as she continues— “…and although he’s one of those kids, I can tell he is a good boy. I’m glad he takes care of you.” You relax. “But it wouldn’t hurt to have someone you could kiss.” “It would be nice, but right now it’s not happening.” “Alright, muñeca. I’ll leave you alone for now, but keep your eyes open for a nice man.”
“I will, con cuidado, mami, besitos.” You make a kissing noise into the phone, and she responds with a goodbye of her own, and you wait for her to hang up the call.
You sigh, and look at the coffee table. Hobie left his song book at home, weird. It’s open to the song he was working on the other day. It’s a slower song, you can still hear the melody. You drum your fingers to the tune. He’s on an unfinished verse. You pick up a pen from the little catch-all dish and scribble down a line or two.
Hobie weaves through the roar of chattering, anticipating fans and into the tunnel, and walks past employees and into Miguel's prep room to see him tying his shoes. “Hey,” Miguel looks up. “Hey.”
“Are you excited?” He moves to sit by the boxer, shimmying up against his shoulder.
“Haven’t really been excited for one of these in a while.” Miguel breathes.
“Well, one step closer to retirement!” Hobie bounces out of his seat. He turns to face his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You’re gonna do great, you big fuckin’ bear of a man.” He ruffle’s Miguel’s hair.
Miguel gives a half-ass hum in response.
“Well then, I’ll be out there, mate, cheerin’ you on.” He puts his hands in his vest pockets and walks out the room.
As he reaches the empty doorframe, Miguel speaks up. “Thank you, Hobie.”
“Anything for you, mate.” Hobie nods and goes to join the audience. Miguel fastens his gloves and puts on his robe. He warms up waiting for his coach.
“Ready, O’Hara?”
Miguel turns around. “Always ready for a fight.” He clenches his jaw. Walking down that hallway, the festive colors lighting up his path and the music blaring, he does his little bit, the movements molded into muscle memory.
This is it. This is his last year fighting. If he gets world champ again, he’s free.
Soon, he gets to fight his last fight. And dammit, the world championship will be his last match. Then, he’s never gonna have to come back.
He weaves under the ropes, entering the ring. Sitting on the stool, he shrugs off the robe and lets Carlos put the mouthguard in.
“You are going to show this guy exactly why people call you el oso!” Miguel beats his gloves together and nods. He might not like his job right now, but he really wants to hit something and goddammit if his opponent doesn’t look so beatable right now.
Coach Carlos steps out of the way, and Miguel stands to walk to the ref as he calls for him to center.
“We went over the rules in the dressing room.” Right before Hobie got here. “I want to remind you to protect yourself at all times, and obey my commands.” Ring the damn bell already. “God bless you both,” I don’t need it but this kid might. “Touch up,” here we go. He touches gloves with his newbie opponent and each goes back to their respective corners.
Miguel takes an orthodox stance.
The bell rings.
Miguel lands the first punch. He also lands the last.
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z0mbiefrank · 1 year
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Transcript for Marina Toybina on the Designing Hollywood podcast
I've seen a couple people searching for a transcript of her discussing Gerard Way's stage costumes, so I have made one! Feel free to share/link as a resource. Popular quotes are bolded.
Link to source video. MCR's section starts around 22 minutes in.
The transcript is beneath the cut.
Interviewer: Well now you’ve just finished working with My Chemical Romance, which is a band that I dig. Gerard Way is also a comic book writer and artist, created the Umbrella Academy. So, first of all, how did you get that job? Because there’s a design, I mean the look of that band and what they like to do, what they’re influenced by, they’re not just your typical rock band. So what was it like? How did you get that job? You designed the whole tour right?
Marina: I Collaborated with the lead singer, yes, with Gerard. Uhm, okay everything kinda has it’s place in time. About 15 years ago, 15 to 20 years ago, I was a huge fan. I’m a rock girl at heart, and back then a lot of their music was like music to my soul. It got me through some of the harder times. A lot of my friends were musicians. I never saw them live, never could afford to get to their shows, but knew one day in my heart there probably will be an opportunity, they were in like my top 5 favorite bands. He was an artist I’ve always wanted to work with. This past summer, while I was designing So You Think You Can Dance, I just happened to turn on their music - nope- let me rewind I'm so sorry. So a year ago I was reading a release that they're coming back together on tour and they're playing LA on my birthday. I looked at my team and I was like "I'm gonna be at that show. We're gonna go to the show, we're all gonna go together." And I just jokingly said “I'll probably dress them!” A lot of things in my career have happened to manifestation, I'm a huge believer in that. I think my intentions were so clear into the universe. I believed in it so much. That happened a year ago. Then this past summer, I was driving to work, I was listening to their music and I just happened to text my agent. I'm like “You know I really want to get back into music. It's what I used to do. I used to do a lot of live performances. I used to do a lot of music videos. I need to feel that again, even though I'm surrounded with music all the time and I'm doing all these shows. But there was a disconnect in my career, to where it's like I love live entertainment.” And she’s like “Who do you want? Like are we going after pop stars?” And I'm like “No I've done all that. I want to go back to my roots. I want like Incubus or My Chemical Romance or Red Hot Chili Peppers. Get me back to rock and roll.” And she was like “Well, you know, they're touring, but it's probably… I don’t know, let's put it out there.” Then within two weeks I get an email from her like “Hey their managers want to meet with you, he wants to meet with you.” One of the biggest things about their aesthetic is one of my probably top three costume designers, Colleen Atwood, did their black parade album and it was so incredible. Back then, I was always a step behind. It's like they did The Black Parade and then I met the photographer later. Then I worked on a project with him. So it was always like some better-late-than-never I guess. And I'm like “I'm gonna work with her someday, I love her work. I've been told by many people we're a lot alike.” You know? And I'm like “Why not?” And so we get this email “He would like to take a meeting, see what we can do.” I never expected to do a tour, I just wanted to open this door of opportunity, to just collaborate, maybe do one thing together. And he just showed up in my studio and it was just an amazing artistic energy.
Interviewer: Were you starstruck?
Marina: I was trying to hold it together. I mean before they came in, I can't tell you how much I paced. Usually, there's like 15 - 20 people at my studio. This was the time and day that I was alone. I didn't know what to do. Of course, my expectations were just to present myself and see if I would be a good asset to them because I love their music and I love what he's about. Also, it’s not just the frontman for me, I think he's a brilliant artist. So there's a lot of things. I just wanted our worlds to merge somehow. Within the first five minutes of our conversation, I'm like “Oh I get his brain.” I told them my story. I told him that this is like 20 years in the making. You know, I probably sound like a crazy-fan costume designer. But we share ideas, he walked me through the concepts of things he wants to do on this particular tour and they haven't started doing the US leg of the tour. I didn't know if they had a designer. Then he did mention Colleen was doing something for him and I was like “Okay, how - can this be a triangle? You know? Can I come in in the picture?” It was just a beautiful collaboration. It was a genuine artist to artist conversation. Like “Let's do something interesting.” He walked me through his concepts, his ideas and I'm like “Alright well, let me come up with some creatives, see if we're on the same page.” Again, as much as I wanted to be like “Hey we're doing this tomorrow!” I also felt like it's important now in my career and possibly in his, to make sure the relationship is good, that this is the right artistic match to one another and… it worked! From there it was just amazing fittings, amazing collaboration and some iconic things that went viral!
Interviewer: I love hearing this from you because this is like the joyous experience of 'oh my god I dreamt of working with somebody and you finally get to do it'. But I want to take you back to that because I'm curious. How would that process even begin? You're working with somebody that you already know their music, you already know his vibe. And Colleen Atwood, who I've interviewed by the way, on the show, she's incredible. Our interview had to - she was in the middle of a work day, so it was only it was a short interview. But how does a collaboration like that work with somebody like Gerard Way? How do you guys start working together? How is that process?
Marina: For us, it was just like an initial conversation. I introduced myself, my work. They already did some background checking up to see where I stand, what my aesthetic was like. And I felt I was in a place in my life, in my career, where I was able to bring something new. That's where my confidence I think came from. At the same time I didn't want to change the artist that's in front of me. I think that's always so important for me when working with music. You're dealing with a fan base, and a reputation, an aesthetic approach that's far beyond any artistic reach of anybody new coming in. So for me it was having a conversation, understanding what characters he wanted to bring forward. This was a very playful tour. This wasn't about dressing up the whole band. This was about him being in this world of iconic characters. And how can we bring this to life? What can we do that's still very recognizable to his fans but at the same time a little bit of a shock value? But at the same time, I wanted him to be him, you know? He was in this beautiful place in his life and career where he felt great and felt confident and I just wanted to uplift that. We did our creative decks, went through the conversations of which characters we wanted to go with, these are the shows that he had. I knew which city, we kind of wanted to play off where was the right time. Halloween was right around the corner, what do we do? So it was like very strategic conversations but at the same time so much room to play and be creative. So I just gathered the top 10 characters that we had discussed and kind of started doing my own thing, and keeping him and the music in mind. Had an amazing fitting. I've never worked with an artist that's so clear. It was not just directional and very precise and very distinct on his own style, but it was clear for me when we were doing fittings, this is somebody that knows his body. This is somebody who knows his aesthetic on stage. This is somebody that knows how they're going to perform. So it just made it so much easier for me to be able to fall into his world and do the fittings like “Is this going to come off? Is this piece staying on? Are we going to do options? Is the character going to evolve on stage? Is the character going to come down on stage?” So all those conversations happen in our fittings and then I just packed it all up, with distinct notes, send them off, and then kept checking in, making sure everything was okay.
Interviewer: So when you had a direction for the characters, were you doing sketches first?
Marina: No, not at all. This was something that I felt like needed to have the research. It wasn't just about designing something on paper. When he mentioned to me “I wanted to be a vintage cheerleader” I'm like “Okay, what era are we in? 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 40’s?” and then he was like “Find me something that's within possibly this color scheme.” The image that went viral when he did wear the cheer uniform, it was probably like 10 different vintage stores that we went to. And I'm like “Okay everything's size zero.” or like “What am I gonna do? This stuff doesn't exist anymore. If I get it from Etsy it's not going to come in time.” There's like so much and it happened to be as we were leaving one of the stores I looked on a sale rack and I saw this damaged, weird, vintage cheer dress that had no zipper, that had no hem. And I was like “I love this! I love this because I can reconstruct it. I can go and get the fabrics that we need to still keep it original and authentic. And that's how we start working. I build out a mannequin his size at my studio, put it on, we reshaped it, took the whole thing apart, reconstructed it to be his measurements, and still kept it authentic. After he wore it, the pattern for the actual thing was sold out. Fans loved it so much that we were getting notifications that people actually found the original pattern of this 1940s uniform and were buying it out.
Interviewer: That's crazy, okay!
Marina: Oh it's amazing! I think, to me, that's when things are just meant to be. When not only did my work translate into something beautiful on stage, but then he becomes this incredible persona on stage that then delivers the character and plays it off. We did that throughout every single look. Every single look when it became a fan favorite or craze.
Interviewer: In terms of time, what was the process when you first got the gig and then to the first show that was performing using your work? What was the time frame?
Marina: I think I had about a month to get it all together.
Interviewer: Wow! That’s not much!
Marina: Yeh and at the same time, I had another huge project in the works so it was going back and forth. But I could not tell you, I've had difficult projects in the past, I've had difficult times with artists, or finding our own language, or how to execute some things. This was so easy that time didn't matter to me. It was such a great collaboration, it flowed, like Bruce Lee would say, like water. It just made sense and no matter how difficult my other project was or what was going on at the same time, it was like oh this is the universe showing me this is how it's supposed to be. This is what's inspiring me. And at the end of the day, the one thing I told Gerard was “You made me fall in love with music again. You came into my life as an artist that I've admired and wanted to work with for almost 20 years. There was a big part of my beginning that made me look back at this now and be like “Oh that's what. That was that feeling that I had when I was 16 or 20.”
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