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#daveed diggs x ofc character linden marshall
ramp-it-up · 3 years
Text
Fresh Squeeze Ch. 8
Pairing: Daveed Diggs x OFC Linden Marshall (You)
Set in 2023, post-pandemic
Warnings: Cursing, AAANGST yet SMUT. Mention of Death, Anthony Ramos, Coached masturbation, heavy petting, sunscreen. Fluff. Plot. Mature themes and situations.18+.
Word Count: 4.6 K
Plot: Linden is trying to run from her feelings for Daveed after a lot of trauma and a shitty ex. Daveed assumes and hits a nerve and Linden just wants to hit that. It’s her birthday weekend y’all!
Read the Previous Chapter
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“Let this be a thing…”
You smiled at the possibilities of the situation.
“Let’s let this flow.  It’s my birthday weekend.  I want to have fun.”  You turned around and faced Daveed. “With you.” 
You reached up and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. They were so succulent, but you didn’t allow yourself to get sucked in, literally or figuratively.  You had to get some control back.
You looked up at him and he was hopeless. He struggled to continue to hold himself back. 
Daveed thought about how tight you were around his fingers. He would have you screaming in this fitting room again, this time with you impaled on his dick.
“That’s all that matters right now. I like this vibe.”
D nodded at you.  “You’re right.”  Daveed cleared his throat as you two gazed at each other.  “I guess we gotta find a way to get out of here.”
You chuckled. “Yeah.  The walk of shame.”  
You straightened your clothes and gathered the garments you were going to try on escaping the fitting room with only a passing smirk from the attendant. 
You giggled at his lowkey “Get it,” and Daveed rolled his eyes as you passed by.
You decided to get all of the clothes you’d wanted to try on, but got distracted from trying on because of your shenanigans.  You piled everything on the register.
Daveed was so unsure. About what just happened; about what could happen. He didn’t want to fumble this beautiful bag. 
Before you could speak, he stepped up to the register. 
“We’ll take them all.”
You gave Daveed a side eye. You smiled at the woman at the counter.
“Yes, I will.”  
You opened your purse to get your credit card out, trying to remain calm and collected. 
“Linden, let me.”  
Daveed really thought he was about to pay for all of your clothes up in here. This was not it. He was assuming too much.
“No, Daveed. I got it.  Thank you though.” 
There was no mistaking the acidity under your sweet tone. You didn’t know what Daveed thought this was….
“But, this is a lot. And it’s your birthday.”
Your smile widened even though your rage grew, “All the more reason it should be my prerogative.”
“Lindy…”
“Daveed.”
You stared at each other down for a hot minute and then finally Daveed just closed his mouth and watched as you pulled a black amex card out of your wallet and signed for the total, which was over $2200. 
You didn’t blink an eye.
The fun you shared in the fitting room was long gone.  Things had gotten real tense real fast.
“Can I at least help you carry them?”
You ignored Daveed as you struggled with the bags, then put them down on the corner of the street outside the store.
You got your phone out to order a ride.
“What the fuck was that Daveed?”
He took you in, your little angry body turning him on.
“I was trying to be nice.”  Daveed couldn’t hide his irritation with you.  Was this even worth it?
“Why do you think that paying for my stuff would be ‘nice?’”  
Daveed was confused. 
“Well, I know you’re not with Mark anymore and you were in school and everything and Columbia is expensive. I just didn’t want you to have to go into more debt on your birthday weekend.” 
“Why would I be going into debt?”  Your eyes were full of murder.  “Shit Daveed, you just don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
You looked up at him as if you were going to fight him. Daveed wondered how many times he needed to make you cum before you would calm down. He was going to find out.
“Obviously I don’t, because I don’t know why the fuck you’re mad at me because I wanted to do something nice...I-”
A car pulled up beside you.
“That’s just the fuck WHY Daveed.  You don’t know anything about me.”
And then you grabbed your bags, flung them in the back of the car and got in, leaving Daveed on the corner of a street in Isabella, Puerto Rico, wondering what the fuck had just happened.
------
You were actually vibrating with rage all the way back to the beach house. You texted Jas for the combination to the front door and let her know where you were.  
She made a remark about giving you and Daveed time alone and you didn’t correct her, you just  needed some space.
You got your bags into your room and then went back out to the kitchen for a bottle of water.  
Daveed came in as you sat and drank, looking out of the great room windows.
You sat up straight on the stool and tried to ignore him.
Daveed had ordered a car as soon as yours drove away, vowing to find out what that scene was all about.  
He had not had to chase anyone in a long time and he felt like he was way too old for it.  But he couldn’t help himself.
Now, he was standing here approaching you like a wild animal.
“Do you want to tell me what just happened?”
You just tried to will this intrusion into your life and your emotions away.  Maybe if you ignored him he would disappear. 
You just could not take anymore pain and Daveed was dangerous. 
He could hurt you. Bad.
“Linden.” 
Daveed came around beside you and watched your profile as you closed your eyes and tried to shut him out.
“Please.”
Damn.  You swallowed and opened your mouth to speak.  You almost couldn’t say the words. You continued to look at the ocean.
“Dell takes care of me.” 
Daveed looked at you carefully. You continued to stare straight ahead. 
“The accident. The driver of the truck that hit us was drunk AND high. The company knew of his history and didn’t take him from behind the wheel.”
You took a deep breath and continued.
“We had good lawyers. I not only list my twin, but my left ovary and the ability to have children without a very involved medical procedure.”
Daveed really didn’t want to hear anymore. He felt terrible.
“There was a 30 million dollar settlement, 5 million to my mom with 25 million in trust until I turned 25 years old.” 
You didn’t know why you were telling him all this.
“So when I say I got it, Daveed. I got it.” 
You looked at him, something in your eyes that spoke of strength and brokenness.
Daveed wanted to throw himself off a cliff as he watched the tears roll down your cheek. Got damnit he was such an idiot.
“I’m sorry, Linden….”
“Don't be sorry Daveed. I just can’t do this. I can’t let you hurt me like Mark, like every other person who thinks they know me.  I can not…..”  
You just shook your head and walked toward your room.  Daveed’s long legs got ahead of you and he just stood in your way as you walked.
“Linden. I’m not going to let you run away.” 
You two played a slow game of human foosball.  After a minute, you just stopped.
“Move Daveed.  Let me go.”
He put his arms up, but he didn’t move.  
“I’m not holding you.  But I’m here Lindy, and I’m not going to leave you alone.  I’m sorry that I made such a boneheaded assumption, and I’m sorry I made you bring up something so painful.  But I’m not like everyone else.  I think I…”
All of a sudden, you wanted him to stop talking. You grabbed him around his waist and gave him a hug, sobbing into his chest.  
Daveed brought his arms down around you and held you while you cried, just as he did that first night. He still felt good.
This time, however, was different. Daveed bent down and picked you up, taking you into your bedroom bridal style.
He kicked the bags out of the way and lay down with you on the bed.
“Daveed, I…”
“I just want to hold you Lindy.  Relax.”
You stopped protesting and went with the flow. You let him hold you and did as he instructed, you relaxed, your head on his chest, listening to the slow, steady beat of his heart under one ear and the ocean out of your other. 
You felt the soothing thrill of him playing on your scalp and with your curls with his left hand as his right caressed your left leg, which was thrown across his thighs.
Before he knew it, you were softly snoring in his arms, and Daveed knew that his fate was sealed. The road to your heart was full of landmines, but he had to try to get there.  
------
You woke up to the sounds of giggling.  
Jasmine and Craig were standing over you and Daveed on the bed.  You were a little confused, but you and D woke up to an audience.
“Whyyyyy are you still fully clothed?” 
You grimaced at Craig and threw a pillow at them as Daveed sat up and grinned.
“Get the fuck outta my room Craig.” He dodged it successfully.
“We ain’t got time for you to waste all weekend NOT fucking around.  Chop chop.” Craig walked out of your room as you stuck your tongue out as his back. 
Jasmine laughed at you and followed him. 
“We’re going to have dinner out by the pool if you wanna join. Swimsuits required. The chef will be here in a few and Craig and I want to get some sun before the show tonight.” She looked at you over your shoulder as she left. 
“Or if you two want to stay in, that would probably be dope too…”
You shook your head at her back as she closed the door.
------
You sat up on the edge of the bed, feeling a bit awkward.  You put your head in your hands and let your curls hide your face. What the fuck were you on? It was like you had experienced the rollercoaster of a relationship, all in 18 hours.
Daveed sat up against the headboard, eyeing you warily.
“I want you Linden. I’m sorry for assuming earlier, but you gotta let me in so I know how not to.  I need you to be absolutely clear about what you want.”  
“I… I want you too, Daveed. I’m just really scared about being hurt again.”  
He closed his eyes when he heard your admission. Slowly but surely.
You raised your head and looked over at him.  You’d exhausted him already.
“I don’t want to hurt you Lindy.  But we’re both human. And too grown for the games.”
“I don’t want to play any games with you Daveed.  I mean… well….”
He opened his eyes and stared at you. He heard the invitation in your tone. This was a dangerous situation. He looked at his watch.  It was about 4 pm.  
The show started at 10 and although he wanted to start something and finish with you all afternoon and night… it might have to wait.  He leaned his head back and fantasized.
“What are you thinking about?”
Daveed opened one eye. He was attractive as fuck. He opened the other one and then closed them again.
“You don’t wanna know.”
You were intrigued.  You turned toward him and put your leg up on the bed, half indian style.
“Yes I do!  I must know all the things.” Your voice raised at the end of the sentence, making D smile.
Daveed wished he had the time to tame your control freak ways.
“You really don’t.”
“YES I DO.”
Daveed opened his eyes at your tone and you immediately calmed it down a bit, while your heart beat faster.
“You tryna stay in this room or you want to go out on the deck with everyone else?”
You looked down at the bed and bit your lip. You saw his huge hand on the bed, the veins prominent and the fingers impossibly long.  You looked back up at him and swallowed.
“W-we should probably join Craig an ‘nem….”
That stutter.  Oh, the control Daveed was utilizing at the moment.
“Then you definitely don’t want to know what I was thinking.”
Fuck. Now you definitely did want to know.
You pulled your other leg on the bed and then sat on your knees.  
“Pleeaseeee Daveeed.”
You. Begging.  This was heaven or hell, Daveed couldn’t figure out which. But he didn’t move from his position, just clasped his hands in his lap.  Because reasons.
“Actually, you on your knees made up a lot of my thoughts.”
You smiled a little.”So, you want me to suck your dick?”  You’d decided to try it.  
Daveed grunted and then looked to your face.
“That sounds nice.  Those pretty lips wrapped around my dick.  I wonder if you could take it all? Gag reflex?”
Instant waterfall. You moaned a little, and were so mesmerized you couldn't answer. Daveed sped on.
“But don’t be so unimaginative.  You on your knees can involve lots of things.”
Daveed moved, not too fast, and came around the bed behind you.  You shivered as he put his hand on your neck and then trailed it down your spine.
“Up. Let me see that arch.”
You obeyed of course, on your hands and knees on the bed, the arch in your back perfect for fucking. Daveed was looking at your ass and you hoped he couldn’t see your wetness beginning to trickle down your thigh.
“You could be on your knees with me behind you, eating you out from behind.” 
Daveed kneeled behind you, face to face with your barely cloth covered crotch. You moaned as you felt him get nearer to your core. Daveed stopped.
“You good?”  You nodded frantically, and Daveed continued closer.
“We’re gonna need a safeword.”
“Holy fuck!”
“Nah, that wouldn’t be a good one, because I have a feeling you might be saying that a lot.”
Daveed placed three kisses at your core, one on either inner thigh, and one on the strip of his jeans covering your clit. You started clenching as he pulled himself away, licking his lips. He’d captured some of your moisture on his mouth. You tasted better than he imagined.
“Or you could be on your knees riding my face, letting me drink from your pretty little fountain.”
Daveed sat on the floor and placed his head between your legs on the bed, looking up at your pussy in his jeans.  He just looked, not daring to touch you or himself. You reached down and caressed his curls.
“Daveed, please..”  
“No, no. You wanted to know what I was thinking.”  He slid out from under you like a mechanic.
He stood up behind you, put his hand on your ass and smoothed all the way down to the back of your neck, pushing your head down to the bed.
“How about me behind you on your knees, face in the bed with you keeping that ass up, while I pound that shit from behind? I wanna see that ass shake as I give you these back shots.”
And Daveed started the motion, pushing his hard, jeans covered dick into your ass, rubbing at first and giving you some friction, but driving you insane. 
You turned your head to the side to moan as Daveed pulled his hips back and snapped them forward, then sped up and gave you a pounding through your clothes.
Daveed hooked his fingers into your shorts, about to pull them down, when he stopped. He shook his head, trying to clear the sex high from his brain.  He stepped back.
You lay panting on the bed, lost in the moment.  You took a deep ragged breath to calm down and then turned over on your back.  You watched him watching you, knowing that he was holding back from fucking the shit out of you.
“What are you thinking Daveed?”
His voice was so damn deep. “That I want you to be ensconced around my dick. That I want all kinds of orgasms to happen, that you need to be cumming right now, Linden.”
He then cleared his throat.  “But that we probably have an audience right outside that door right now.”
“Hmmmm. I agree that I need to be cumming right now.”  You smiled at him and stretched.  ”But what about you Daveed?”
“Not quite yet. That HDD will be on point for the show tonight.”
You  got up on your knees, facing away from him and moved your hand to the waistband of your shorts. He watched in fascination as you touched yourself, your slick more than lubricating your fingers.
“What about me riding you on my knees. I LOVE Reverse Cowgirl.”
Daveed’s eyes began to water as he saw the vision. He saw your arm moving and your hips undulating. He moved behind you and pulled you to lean back onto him, your shoulders against his chest as he looked down to watch you finger yourself under the shorts.
So fucking sexy.
“What are you doing?” His velvet voice in your ear was everything.
As if he didn’t know. As if he couldn’t see. As if he wasn’t just doing the same thing less than two hours ago.  The view from over your shoulder was the shit.  Damn shame there were clothes involved, but the fact that they were his clothes made it pretty hot.
“MM.mmm...mmm…” You were gasping, his voice and proximity getting you there quickly.
“No, that won’t do.  If you wanna be a Good Girl for me, you gotta use those words.”
“Fuck.. I mean… Yes. Sir…” 
You heard his chest vibrate with a whimper when you said that.
“What Are you doing Linden?”
Your eyes rolled back in your head and it lolled against Daveed’s chest as he brought his hands up to your hips to help keep you steady.
“I- I’m trying to cum, Sir…”
“Where is your hand?” Daveed was intently using his imagination to visualize.
“Nnnnh nnh, circling my c-c-clit…”
Daveed huffed.  “Good Girl.”  He gripped your hips harder as they shook.
“Are you wet like you were earlier?  That shit feels like, like, liquid satin.  Man, I can’t wait to be deep in that…”  
He dipped his lips to your neck, eyes glued to your arm emerging from your pants.  He bit at your pulse point.
“Ah!”  You were sooo close.
“I just hope you can take it all. S’pretty big.”
You whimpered at the thought of the pleasure, and at the yearning to be filled up right now.
“Ohhhhhh.” So very close.
“Need time to prepare you. It might hurt a bit at first.”
You bit your lip at the spring was about to snap.
“But I think I know that you like it to hurt a lil bit... I don’t give a fuck if you get mad, I might have to buy you some nipple clamps…”
His hands moved smoothly up your sides under the t-shirt and cupped your breasts, ghosting over your rock hard nipples.  Suddenly, he took each between his thumb and forefingers and twisted roughly.
“FUCKKKKKKK!!”
Your body rocked at your orgasm and you took your hand away from your core, too sensitive to continue. Daveed grabbed it and took it to his mouth, sucking your juices off, causing aftershocks to jerk your hips.
He moaned with your fingers in his mouth and then released them, kissing your neck again.  He chuckled.
“You wouldn't get off that easy if I had the time.  I’d make you take all of everything.  Including your orgasms. Better be ready.”
You turned around and stepped off the bed into his arms. Daveed held you, not daring to go down to the bed again.
Your head was on his chest.  Even after all that, you were too shy to look up in his eyes.
“How do you make me cum doing the bare minimum? You hardly touched me.”
Daveed smiled.  He felt the same way.  He was about to nut in his pants like a teenage boy a few minutes ago.
“You sure you want this?”
You finally looked at him.  Those eyes.  
“Yeah.’
“You sure you want all this crazy?”
“Mos def.” Daveed kissed your forehead and smiled down at you, eyes crinkling adorably.
It was time for your hands to roam.  You palmed him through his jeans.
“Let me take care of you D….”  You moved to unbutton him and he pulled out of your reach as you pouted.
Daveed smoothed his thumb over your lips.
“Like I said, I’d like nothing more.”  Then he cocked his head and looked up.  “Well, I’d like few things more… but If my dick comes out in this room right now, we would not leave for the rest of the weekend.”
He leaned down to kiss you with a sweet and filthy promise.
“Patience, Lindy.” He took a deep breath and backed toward the door.
“See you at dinner.”
You just stared at him, daring him to stay.
“Ok. Leave then. But Daveed. If I hear you turn my doorknob, I’ll be faceup on the bed butt-ass naked, waiting for you if you come back in.”  You started unbuttoning and unzipping your shorts.
Daveed stopped with his eyes wide, the angel and devil in his head wrestling with each other. He finally cleared his throat as he turned around and left.
“See you at dinner Lindy.”
The vision of you bending over toward him taking down your shorts with an evil smile was burned into his brain as he closed your door.  He stood there looking at the floor and contemplating going back in.  When he looked up, there were four pairs of eyes looking at him.
He straightened up and went to his room as his friends watched him like a hawk, then rolled with laughter.
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Daveed hopped in the shower, and quickly got himself off to calm down.  He slipped on some blue swim trunks and his white sunglasses, ran out and cannon balled into the pool, causing Jasmine to cuss him out as he splashed her hair.
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He’d been chilling on a pool float a good twenty minutes when he saw his favorite animal out of the corner of his eye. Damn. 
“Look at that genius ass.”
Rafa commented and looked over from the float beside him and laughed at Daveed who was crossing himself.
“Dude! You’re jewish.”
Daveed cocked his eyebrow at his best friend. 
“I’m gonna need all the help I can get.”
You’d spent 30 minutes picking out your most modest swimsuit, then grabbed a quick shower. You were shy by the time you walked out onto the pool deck, but no one was paying that much attention to you.  No one, except for Daveed.
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His chill disappeared as he climbed out of the pool, over to your lounge chair.  Your sunglasses only partially hid you clocking him as he emerged, dripping wet.  Damn, that body you thought. 
He walked over to the chair next to yours and picked up a towel and started to dry off.
“Hey. You good?”
You smiled at him. 
“Hey. I’m great.” You smiled wider. 
You appraised him, as the delicious smell of something cooking wafted from the house. The sun was still bright, even though it was afternoon.
“You need a hand with some sunscreen? You’ll want to make sure that it is on evenly.”  
You stood up and bent at the waist to get the sunscreen out of the bag you’d brought out. Daveed licked his lips and you were all too ready to get your hands on Daveed again.
He looked at you and bit his lip.  “Sure, why not?”  
He cocked his head and eyebrow at you.  Then, he raised his hands to the side of his body..
Your mouth started watering.  You went around to his back and resisted the urge to put your arms around him and rest your head on him. 
Instead, you evenly distributed some cream on his well-sculpted shoulders and back.  You let your fingers dip a little bit into his swim trunks, feeling the top of the muscles contained within.
“Turn around.”  Your voice was everything at that moment to Daveed.  He did as you commanded.
“You don’t think I can take it from here?”  He questioned you as you squeezed some more cream into your hand.
“I have a technique. I can make sure it’s on evenly.  Its already out of the tube.”  You looked him dead in the eye as you rubbed your hands together, listing the reasons why you should keep your hands on him.
Diggs chuckled, then let you have your way.  
“I’m all yours."
His eyes held a look like he meant it when he said that. Your heart did a funny dance.
You held his gaze as you spread the cream on his shoulders and out to his arms.  Then, you got some more cream and started on his pecs.  You spread it on, rubbing your palms against his nipples.  
Daveed’s eyes closed in ecstacy.  Then, your hands went down.  You traced his eight pack as you continued to stare him in his eyes which opened as you started going south.
You licked your lips as your hands went where his happy trail would have been if he hadn’t shaved.  At that moment, his cock jumped and you were so close you could feel it. 
Your eyes widened when you remembered that you were not alone….
Shit!  
You and Daveed both turned your heads and saw your friends watching the show as you were about to go for the gold in Daveed’s swim trunks.
The deck erupted into screams, whistles and applause as everyone laughed at your lust.
You both blushed and moved apart. 
“Okay pervs, the show is over.”  Daveed said as you moved to sit on the beach chairs.
D returned the favor for you;  his hands on your body having the same effect on you as earlier, but the difference was you were self conscious now.
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Dinner was chill, and you two enjoyed your surroundings and your friends, both of you sitting as far apart as possible.  
The dance you did was delicate, but everyone noticed the new intimacy despite the high sexual tension. You drank some wine, but not too much, and Daveed had about two Johnny Walker Blacks. 
Rafa led the discussion of music, politics and culture and the weekend was vibing.  You were very content in the moment. By 7:30, Daveed, Rafa, and Ant had to start to get ready to leave for the show.  
You walked him inside and you shared a few kisses.  You felt like a kid as he held you.
“Daveed.”
“Yes?”
“Daveed, tonight I want….” you looked into his eyes, which were meeting yours boldly.
“What do you want Lindy?”
“I want you to be with me tonight, Daveed. Spend the night in my room.” Daveed was on top of the world.
“Done.  But I want you to decide after the show what we're going to do in your room tonight Lindy.  We can just go to sleep.” His smile was mischievous.
You didn’t understand. “You playing hard to get?” 
That heat, that anger in you. That was that shit he liked.
“Oh. I’m not hard to get. Get me hard Lindy.” Knowing full well he was a second away form just that.  
“Meet me backstage after the show.”
He pulled away and went into his room, leaving Linden hot, bothered, and soaking wet.
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Next Chapter
Ahhhhh! I feel so rusty! Let me know if it’s any good. I missed this!
Taglist. (Let me know if you want on. Or off, lol)
@theatrenerd86 @sebastianabucknettastan @imatyoursurrvicesurr @riiyy @ivycomet @lonelydance @jbrizzywrites @sillyteecup @ohsoverykeri  @theselilwonders @curtainremote @biafbunny @summerofsnowflakes @honeysucklechocolatedrippin @peaches-and-mangoes​​
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ramp-it-up · 3 years
Note
Can you please do 8 and 9 off of the smut list for Daveed. Thank you
Certainly!
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ramp-it-up · 3 years
Text
Fresh Squeeze, Ch. 5
Pairing: Daveed Diggs x OFC Linden Marshall
Set in 2023, post-pandemic
Warnings: Cursing, Angsty Angst, drug and alcohol use, surprise flights, Anthony Ramos. Lots of Plot.
Word Count: 3.5 K
Plot: Linden Marshall just finished law school at Columbia University in NYC. Daveed Diggs is still creating magic with his platonic life partner Rafael Casal in the form of their Blindspotting musical, Bay Boys. Linden’s boyfriend WAS Mark Monaco, star of the superhero movie series Invincible.  They were together for years, and her trauma and his addictions were toxic. She knows now that wasn’t love. 
A/N: Keep in mind that this the same AU as Arrivals, with Holly Woods, but is BEFORE Rafa and Holly get together. And don’t come for me about Anthony.
Read the Previous Chapter.
===================
NYC, May 2023
Jasmine was blowing up your phone as you were trying to get dressed.  You had to search for it under the pile of clothes on your bed.
You had procrastinated getting ready, trying to finish one of your applications for a summer internship at this law firm in Harlem that you were excited about.  
You wanted to finally relax after finishing Columbia law in the top 10% of your class. You just wanted to relax and enjoy this weekend.
Craig, your mom and your uncle were the only ones to attend your graduation.  They knew you didn’t want any fanfare, so your famous friends didn’t attend, and they had a show to do, but they’d sent you tons of well wishes.
We're coming up, get decent!
You chuckled and shook your head. Anthony usually raided the refrigerator when he came over. This time, you told him to bring his own snacks..
You slipped on what you were wearing for the night.  Craig was in his room getting ready and you had volunteered his place, so you were playing hostess. You were surprised that he was so chill about it, actually. 
“Pika Pika,” you said to yourself in the mirror then ran to answer the doorbell. It was almost 6 pm.
You opened the door for Cookie Monster and Big Bird.  You burst out laughing. But you stopped when you saw Anthony's face. He had like five bags from Whole Foods that he was juggling in his blue arms.
"Jazzy!!!! There's my girl.  Hey Ant! leave the food and your girl. We may run off together."
Anthony came in the door loaded down with bags and kissed you on the cheek.  
“I love you Lindy, but fuck you man.” You punched him on the shoulder. 
“Ow! Time to get this party started!”
Linden heard Jazzy’s Brooklyn accent turn into a London lilt as she started play fighting with Ant. They felt like family at this point.
=================
Ever since the launch party in January, Jasmine had pursued you as a friend persistently. You normally didn’t let anyone in because of the circumstances of your life, but Jas was oblivious to your awkwardness with normal human beings.
“Girl, you are fucking DOPE, and you are NOT gonna deny my love.  I know your life has been a trip, and you don’t have to tell me all of it, but I’m not gonna let you shrivel up and be a little retiring wallflower. Life is to be lived.” 
Jasmine telling you that during a Saturday brunch date in February was the key to your heart. She drew you out, and you didn’t see what value you added to her life.
But she loved you anyway. And you loved her, and of course, Anthony was part of the package.  
He was beautiful, loud, talented, and reckless, but he reminded you too fucking much of Dell to be annoyed with him very long.
Your circle had certainly widened from just Craig. That was one thing for which you could thank Mark. You were working on him being a distant memory.  He hadn’t lasted too long in Bay Boys, quitting soon after the musical opened in March.  
Daveed’s hands and feet had ‘slipped’ one too many times during the scene when he was stomping his ass on stage. Mark cited health reasons, and publicly spiraled a bit. He was currently in rehab. 
Again. 
You had not heard from him and that was absolutely fine with you.
Because Jasmine was in Bay Boys and that was her life, the cast and crew became yours as well. Rafael was the type of chaotic creative genius that fascinated you; you could listen to him talk for hours.  
Things with Daveed were more tricky. Ever since that awkwardness with him after the launch party, you’d kept your distance, but you hung out a lot, so you were trying to be friends.
When you and Jas and Ant and Rafa hung out and talked, Daveed was there, smiling shyly and sneaking glances at you, throwing in pearls of wisdom every so often. 
He was so dope and so talented and intelligent and so freaking hot, but you were trying to get yourself together.  You were convinced that night in January had been a mistake. 
You needed some space. And time.  Law school was no joke, and you were in therapy so entanglements was not what was up.
Daveed sensed your hesitancy and decided to stop pursuing you. But he couldn’t stop how he felt.
You were both a little wasted and keyed up the night of the launch party, and despite the way you were beautiful and intelligent and sexy as fucking hell, he was not going to press you. 
Daveed was sure that you two could be something special if you would give it a chance, but he didn’t want to chase you, but he was so gone for you, that if you just nodded your head at him, he would be at your feet.
The attraction was undeniable. There was a crazy little dance you two did that everyone recognized and respected.  This group seemed to know you were fragile, and that you didn’t need to be pushed too far.
But the more they persisted, the more you came out of your shell.  The more you trusted, the more the old Lindy came back. 
Craig noticed first soon after you started hanging with the crew when you were trying to find a place to live. He went to one showing with you and sat you down for a talk.
“Girl, I love the light in your eyes.  I haven’t seen this Lindy since…well in a long time. Stay with me for as long as you want. I know you need to get through this last semester of school, you don’t need one more thing to think about. I’m proud of the work that you’re doing on yourself, Linden.”
You were grateful to Craig.  His place on the Upper West Side was super convenient to Columbia, and not having to think about finding a place was so clutch.  Third year was kicking your ass.
“Besides, I wouldn’t have this place if it wasn’t for…”
“Hush,  I don’t want to hear that.  Dell would have wanted this. I love you cuzzo.” 
=================
Craig came out in a Sully onesie and immediately dragged Jasmine into a conversation about the Met Gala that had happened a few days ago. 
You approached the kitchen where Ant stood, food all around him on the counter. You were whispering. He smiled a secret smile at you.
“I’m so proud of you doing this for Jasmine.  It’s good for you all to get away. I’m glad that she got a little break. She deserves it all.”
Anthony had arranged for this little get together to be a surprise for Jasmine. This was going to be a kickback weekend.
The show was on a four day hiatus while the set was moved to a bigger theatre.  It was a hit and was destined for a long run.
Ant’s green eyes lit up as you kept talking about Jasmine.
“Yeah, she does. And the woman of the hour deserves all the happiness in the world.” He lifted his beer to you.
They way he said that was weird and you were about to ask him what was up with that when the doorbell started ringing, you went to answer it and were stuck there for a few minutes as people started coming in. 
The food and the drinks were flowing while all kinds of characters came in. 
Now they also had Jack Skellingtom, and a Care Bear in the house to add to Big bird, Cookie Monster, Pikachu and Sully. It was an odd cast of characters who were jamming to 90's rap, eating chicken wings and basically tripping like only friends could do.
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Then there was Toni, some tag-along chick who showed up with Rafa.  She had on a plain gray onesie.  What a downer.  
You’d  pegged her for  a star fucker who only hung with Rafa because of who he and his friends were.  The girl was too much in everyone's business. 
"Sooooo. You and Mark ARE broken up for real for real. The tabloids say y’all are back together!  I told my friend Susie you weren’t, but she wouldn't believe me."
You  just smiled and didn't confirm or deny, treating Toni like the paparazzi. The girl was oblivious to your hate and just kept talking.
Daveed rescued you. 
"Hey, Toni, show these folks how you can blow. They're setting up the karaoke machine over there. Show us what you're working with. Someone might hook you up with a gig."
Toni perked up and hurried over to Anthony and Craig, who were setting up the lyrics on the big screen to match the karaoke music. Some Bad Boy joints were up.
Rafa was behind them screaming, "Dylan, Dylan, Dylan!" 
They were a scene.  You  breathed and relaxed a little.
"Don't stress. She's not coming with us  to the island."
You looked up at the tall, fine Grumpy Care Bear who was nursing some of your special 18-year-old Chivas Regal that you had gotten for graduation. His beautiful smile shined out of his brown face and beneath the curls tumbling out of his hood. 
“I’m not pressed. I’m chilling. You can do what you want. With who you want.”
“She’s not with me. Rafa brought her for the ride to the airport. And it’s not entirely true that I can do what I want. With who I want. Because what if who I want to do doesn’t want to do me?”
You knew what he meant. But you eyed his drink instead of looking at him. It wasn’t that you didn’t want him. That was far from the truth. You didn’t want to get lost in him. And you could see that happening.
Daveed saw your wheels turning. You were over analyzing again.  He’d spent three months observing you every chance he got. He felt like he knew your anxieties.  So fucking smart, but here you were thinking too much.
"Hey Genuis Ass. Want some?" Daveed’s voice was softer as he grinned and offered you some of his drink.  “Or, I could go make you something?” For some reason he wanted you to get loose. 
"Nah, I'm good Diggs.”  For some reason you needed to stay in control.  You played it off by changing the subject. 
“I still can’t believe y’all call me that.” 
Daveed just smiled and nodded, chuckling a little. He craned his neck and looked at it, having to dodge a smack upside the head.
“That ass is genius, you know. That’s the one thing He Who Shall Not Be Named was right about. And you’re one of the smartest humans I know.”  
You had to look at him then. The flecks of gold in his eyes tho.  But you could tell from the slight redness that he was a little zooted.  He didn’t get that way around you a lot, but you knew for the stories that he partied occasionally. 
He and Rafa and that Toni chick must have pre-gamed.  You remembered the last time you two were  tipsy together.You cleared your throat and looked away.
“Why did you lie to that girl? She can’t sing.” You were shaking your head, scowling at Toni’s screeching from the karaoke machine.
He winked at you. D was well on his way to getting LIT.
"What? She can blow.”  Daveed sipped his drink and watched her. 
“She’ll suck your soul out and spit it back in your mouth." Daveed was loose. And so was his mouth. But he didn’t care.
Your mouth was hanging open at Daveed as you wondered what Daveed had done with Toni, what Daveed AND Rafa had done with Toni... 
Shit, you were just going to ask.
"How do you know that she..."
"AWWWW SHEEEIIIITTT! THAT'S MY JAM! REMEMBER THIS LINDY??"
“No, I was like, negative 5..”
You raised your voice as he traveled away from you, smiling. He was not slick.
“Well you missed out being tardy to the party…” 
He was backing toward the mic, knocking it out of Anthony’s hand and starting the rap. Rafa joined him, trading verses.
Now as the record spins around, you recognize this sound,
Well, it's the underground,
You know that we're down with wutchyalike
Yeah, with wutchyalike, yeah
And though we're usually on the serious tip, check it out:
Tonight we're gonna flip and trip and let it all hang out tonight,
We're gonna say what we like.
'Cause, yo, yo, we want to know how many people in the flow,
Would like to just let yourselves go
And doowutchyalike,
Yeah, well tonight's your night.
Just eat food, try not to be crude or rude,
Kill the attitude, chill the serious mood,
And doowutchyalike,
Yeah, and doowutchyalike,
Everybody doowutchyalike
Everyone was dancing and Daveed had effectively deflected your question. But you would never forget.
By 8 o’clock, Craig grabbed the mic and motioned for Jasmine to come with him. You had enjoyed some cocktails finally, and just figured they were going to duet Wind Beneath My Wings just like they always did. 
You were actually moving to the music and feeling good.
"Ok guys, whew.  I'm hot.  Is it hot in herrrre?" Craig was fanning himself.
“Whoooo! Nelly!”
You yelled and everyone laughed.
Craig took his hood off and started to unzip his onesie. Jasmine did the same.
You kept dancing nervously, not realizing it, looking around at the others who were also disrobing. You did a double take as D’s abs came into view.  What was going on?
Craig continued.
"Lindy, I just need a minute to talk, can you stop whatever it is you're doing?"  He grinned at you from across the room. "You're still moving Lindy."
You blushed and stopped fidgeting.
"Ummm, Craig, what the..."
One by one people dropped their onesies, all except Toni, who had no clue what was going on. Soon, everyone was standing in Craig’s condo in their swimsuits, looking fine as hell. 
You just looked around, then in your cup wondering if you were too drunk and hallucinating.
“Lindy, you’ve worked real hard, and this past few months have been crazy, so we wanted to do something special for you this weekend, for your graduation, and for your birthday, WHICH IS SUNDAY!!”
Everyone cheered as Jasmine took the mic. “You think this party is for me. Well the joke’s on you bitch, because you have been hosting your own party!”
You opened your mouth, squeaked a little, then spoke,
"But why?.. Everybody?  But what..."
Daveed moved close.
"Damn, you fine," you whispered. 
Your hand flew to your mouth when he smirked in response. Everyone was rolling because turns out, you didn’t whisper.
Daveed cleared his throat. "Thank you. You’re fine yaseif. Anyway, Anthony and Jasmine have a house there, and we’re flying out of JFK tonight.  In about two and a half hours in fact. So we gotta get going.”
You still had only a part of a clue of what was going on. But you couldn't resist all of this.
"Okay? But... I don't have any clothes. And I don’t have a ticket..."
Craig came from the storage room off the kitchen with one of your suitcases. Others started getting their bags as well
"Everybody's shit has been in my house for a week. And girl, you know I got your information. It ain’t nothing but a thang.  Your ticket is ready and waiting. Just sent it to your email.”
Your mouth dropped open and you stared at Craig as everyone pulled their onesies back up and got their bags together.
Your eyes filled with tears that you hurriedly brushed away. Craig came over and hugged you. Then every else joined in for a group hug.
"You deserve, Lindy. Let us celebrate you."
You looked like you didn't quite believe it, but you went along. You laughed, visibly deciding to go with the flow.
"I'm down!"
Toni was nearby. When the hug broke up, she started asking questions.  Your  patience was wearing thin.
"I don’t believe that all these people really roll like this. Y’all wild. Susie won that bet."
You just continued to look at this fool.
"But isn’t this dope?  All these famous, successful men being so fearless with their love and appreciation for Black women, of all people. Who woulda thunk they didn't want white women?"
Toni just kept saying the wrong thing. It was the "of all people" for you.
You stared daggers at your houseguest. Toni caught the look.
"Wait, are you mixed?"
You narrowed your eyes and said, "Black mixed with Black."
Toni clutched her pearls.
"Oh wow. Didn't mean to offend. I just mean everyone knows Jasmine is mixed, with her dad and all, as black as can be. But her white British mom saved her from his skin tone. I mean, she has braids in now, so you can see it, but all she has to do is blow her hair straight and she can pass..."
Toni jumped when Rafa spoke. She didn't know he was there.
"Toni. Not Jas. She's the homie." 
The look in his ice blue eyes could burn. 
"And you are a Black woman, so you know how dope they are. Why would anyone NOT worship at your feet?"
Lindy just sipped her drink as Craig entered the chat. "Amen!"
"Maybe it is time for you to get going, honey. I might call you when I get back."
Rafa  led Toni to the door as she protested.
"But I was going to take you to the air..."
"And I APPRECIATE you Black woman, but we'll get there.  See you later."
Then Rafa shut the door in her face. Linden discovered she loved him eternally at that moment. She was rolling.
No one mourned Toni’s departure as arrangements were made for cars to take everyone to the airport.
"You and Daveed can ride with us, Rafa." Ant to the rescue.
"Yeah, Jasmine loves to look at my profile." Jas pinched him so hard he jumped.
“Fuck!”
Ant  was screaming as he, Jasmine and Rafa went out the door. 
"Peace! See you at airport security.  If you get nabbed by TSA, you on your own!”
Daveed lingered. “I don’t know if all of us and our bags will fit in one car. Can I ride with you and Lindy, Craig?”
Craig smirked at Daveed, but didn’t say anything. “Of course...you good with that Lindy?”
You tried to keep it light. 
“Sure.. no biggie,” you cleared your throat and headed to the bathroom to make sure you had everything you needed.
=================
By the time you got to your Uber, the traffic was horrible. It took over an hour to get to the airport. You felt both anxious about missing the flight and keyed up about sitting next to Daveed in the car.
His thigh and side pressing into yours in the dark in the back of an Uber Black brought back memories of that reckless night. 
When he put his arm up on the seat behind you, “For more room,” he said, in that voice and flashing that megawatt smile, you were enveloped more into his scent and warmth. You had to control yourself not to melt into him.
Craig was sitting on his phone, sneaking glances at you and smirking the entire ride. He’d insisted that you be in the middle because you were so tiny.
The whole world was against you, you thought, as you and Daveed both stared straight ahead, both flashing back to that January night.
You were the last three people to run through the airline gate just at they were about to close it. All your friends in first class cheered when you took their seats, and Rafa popped a bottle of champagne.
"Talk about cutting it close," Ant commented as Rafa gave Daveed a high five.
Daveed looked at you. You shook your head at him. Somehow, you were sitting next to him. You just decided to let it be and have some time.
“Just make sure you don’t molest me under this blanket, Ms. Marshall,” Daveed intoned when you were settled and given amenities for the night.
The flight attendant had to tell y’all to keep quiet as the cat calls went up.
Welp, you thought. This will be the vibe the entire weekend. 
You weren’t mad at it. You loved these people. And you were safe. You just smiled, settled down, and looked out of the window to watch the lights of New York fade away.
=================
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