Work Text:
Optional Song: Good Luck, Babe! but it's sad (Reinaery) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8ETg7349mM
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“Velvet!”
“Velvet, Can I have a picture?”
“Velvet, can I get your autograph? Please?”
After a few concerts and interviews like this, Velvet had gotten used to the screams of her adoring fans. She loved it. Reveled in the power she held over them. They loved her. Loved her.
Velvet sashayed down the aisle, posing for pictures and signing autographs at an exponential speed. This is what had become her new normal these last few months. Kidnapping that troll really had been the best thing that ever happened to her. Gave her all this influence over the other Rageons. Made her feel like royalty. Gave her everything she’d ever wanted.
Right?
Velvet continued her way through the crowd, putting on her usual fake smile.
Until she felt a hand on her arm. Then a voice, standing out despite the thousands of others screaming out at her.
“What about me? Can I get your autograph?”
She’d know that voice anywhere. Velvet whipped her head around, trying not to show too much surprise. Her fans were watching, afterall.
You. You were here. Why were you here?
Why couldn’t you have just taken the hint when she cut contact with you?
Velvet pulled her lips into a smile, trying her best not to look suspicious. Just another fan interaction, everyone. Nothing more.
“What are you doing here? How did you even-” Velvet whispered, gripping your wrist. “It doesn’t matter. We can’t do this here.” She hissed, letting go.
“Then where?” You asked, clenching your hand into a fist at your side. Not out of anger. Out of hurt. Sadness.
Velvet glanced around, quickly snatching your notepad and scribbling down what looks to be a phone number and address.
“That’s my phone number, hotel and room number. Come tomorrow night at nine.” She said, sounding displeased. Velvet shoved your notepad back into your hands and turned around, about to continue interacting with her fans.
“You changed your phone number, I see.” You answered bitterly. She glared at you one last time before walking confidently forwards, beaming at her fans. Being her usual diva self. Trying to stop focusing on you.
You didn’t matter to her anyway.
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You stood at the golden colored door, glancing at Velvet’s note, then down at your phone, checking the time. Right room number. Right hotel. Right time. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
You knocked.
The door opened a few seconds later, revealing Velvet. She had her bright green hair pinned into a ponytail, and wore a white bath robe overtop of her usual gold crop top and skirt.
"Right on time." Velvet answered, allowing you entry before closing the door behind the two of you.
Velvet strutted over towards the counter, pouring two glasses of what looked to you like wine. Velvet took a sip of hers before offering the other to you. You took it, running your finger along the bottom.
"You're underage, Vel. You shouldn't even have this in your possession." You muttered. Velvet scoffed, dramatically rolling her eyes.
"When you're famous and rich, silly little rules like that don't matter anymore, sweetheart." She answered, smirking. "Anyway, obviously you wanted to talk about something other than my drinking habits." She said, sitting down on the leather couch and checking to make sure her nails were still in perfect shape. "Talk." She instructed, taking another sip of wine.
You shook your head in disbelief at her attitude. After all this time it really shouldn't have surprised you. But somehow it did. You walked over and sat down beside her, giving a few feet of space between the two of you. "What do you think I want to talk about, Velvet?" You asked, irritated.
She shrugged innocently. "I don't know. That's why I asked you. Do you answer every question with a question now? Because if that's the case, I'm about to get incredibly irritated." Velvet said as she ran her pointer finger around the ledge of her glass.
You narrowed your eyebrows. "You know exactly why I'm here. You... You ghosted me. I heard nothing from you! For two months, Velvet." You felt tears pricking the corners of your eyes, but you ignored them, pushing through. "I... I sent messages. Called you, emailed you. You just... You ignored them. Ignored me. And then you changed your number without telling me?" You shook your head, still in unbelief of her careless actions.
Velvet rolled her eyes. "Oh please, don't exhaust me with your drama. I was just busy, alright? Excuse me for having a life that doesn't revolve around you." She scoffed, getting up to pour more wine into her glass. "We were never serious, sweetheart. Just a little bit of secret fun on the side. I thought you understood that."
Her words hit deep. Piercing your heart. How could she say that?
"Two years, Velvet! We've been dating for two years. That's not just a little 'fun on the side'. That's a relationship. A serious one." You shot back, wiping the tears that had collected by your eyes away. You slammed your wine glass down on the coffee table.
Why would she do this? Hurt you like this? Didn't she care about you?
Velvet rolled her eyes, sipping her drink. She wouldn’t let it show, but she didn’t know what to say. Or maybe it was that she knew exactly what to say, but she was too chained down by fear to say it.
“𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺. 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥.”
Instead Velvet stayed silent, allowing you to bask in the moment. Collect your thoughts.
“Nothing to say?” You asked, crossing your arms. She shrugged. “We had something special, Vel. Please don’t do this. Don’t push me away just because you’re embarrassed-”
That must’ve set her off, because Velvet stomped forwards, glaring as she interrupted you. “It’s not a matter of embarrassment. It’s just more… convenient.” She explained, tapping her nails against the glass, creating a clicking sound. “With Veneer and I blowing up online, we’re going to have opportunities. Fans. Producers. Those rageons don’t need to know about my… specific preferences.”
You scoffed. “Specific preferences. Right. You’re a lesbian. It’s okay to admit it, you know. It’s okay to like women.” You muttered.
Velvet sat back down, crossing her legs so that a small amount of her thigh was showing. You had to force yourself not to sneak a glance. “Oh, is that so? Thank you for that wonderful new information, sweetheart. I didn’t know that already.” She said sarcastically. “It’s just… better for publicity if it’s hidden. Keeping the male fans interested, y’know. If producers and other rageons like that think they have a chance with me, it’ll help my career. Grow my fame. You know how it is.” She said, grabbing her makeup bag and applying some fuchsia-colored lip gloss.
You sat there, staring at her. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, you knew Velvet better than anyone. Here, she was deflecting. Interposing her newfound fame as an excuse for why she couldn’t come out.
“Velvet. You can’t hide behind that. We started dating long before all of this happened. And before, the excuse was that you just weren’t ready for your family and friends to know. And I respected that. I gave you time. I stayed your dirty little secret. I refrained from showing you any sort of romantic attention in public. I lied to my friends. To my family. Because I thought you were worth it.” You paused, letting her absorb what you had said. “Don’t prove me wrong, Vel. We’re in love.”
Velvet stared down at her knees for a few seconds, and you could swear you saw regret in her eyes. Sadness. It only lasted a few seconds as she tried to regain her diva persona. She suddenly lifted her head, narrowing her green eyebrows. “Oh, yeah. Because we’re dykes, right?" She said teasingly, disgust in her voice.
"Are you serious right now?" You ask, your voice dripping with desperation and disdain. How could she respond like that after you had just poured out your heart to her? "That's what this is about for you? A stupid label?"
You shake your head, narrowing your eyebrows. "You know what, Velvet? You're right. I am a dyke. I'm a fucking lesbian. And you know what else? I'm proud of it. I embrace it. I don't hide from it like you. A self-loathing closet case." You regret being so cruel with your words. But in the moment you can't stop yourself.
You step closer, your eyes boring into hers with an intensity that she's never seen before. "But you know what the worst part is? You're not just a dyke, Velvet. You're a hypocrite. You preach about not giving a fuck what anyone thinks, but the second it comes to your own sexuality, you fold like a house of cards." You can't believe you're standing up to her like this.
Velvet shakes her head, scoffing at you. "Oh, go fuck yourself. You have no idea how hard it is to be this famous. I need to keep my image clean." She responds, her face a mixture of surprise at your outburst and anger because of what you said. She quickly goes back to ridiculing you. "Two dykes in love. What a spectacle.” She said dramatically. “What a love affair, oh~”
“Okay, this conversation is finished.” You declared, standing up, your fists clenched at your sides. You tried not to show how hurt you were by her mocking. “I won’t sit here and be ridiculed by you. Maybe Veneer puts up with it, but I won’t. You won’t treat me like shit anymore, Velvet. Because I’m done.” You gestured with your hands. The emotion in your voice was audible. “We’re done. I hope you’re happy pretending, Velvet. I hope you’re happy being afraid of yourself. I hope you’re happy being a fake.” You felt tears start to run down your cheeks, but you didn’t care. You were too heartbroken to care.
“Good fucking luck.” You said, before turning on your heel and walking out of the room, making your way to the door.
Velvet sat in shock, before putting her glass back down and rushing over to you, grabbing your wrist.
“You want me to be real? Fine. Let’s be real.” She said bitterly, spinning you back around to face her.
She cornered you against the wall, still holding your wrist tightly, like you might fade away forever if she let you go.
“Yes. Fine. I’m a lesbian. I like women. You… you’re the only person who knows that.” She said, her voice shaking. She was suddenly less confident. It was strange to see Velvet like this. It felt wrong. Out of character.
“I hate men… I hate them. I hate when they touch me without my consent. I hate when they think they have a chance with me. I hate when they think they’re hot shit because they go to the gym twice a week and have had lots of girlfriends.” Velvet’s eyes started to water, and she bit her lip, trying to keep the tears in. (And let's be honest, save her makeup from becoming a puddle on her cheeks.)
“A-and I hate dicks.” She said firmly. You had to bite the inside of your mouth when she said that so confidently. “They’re messy, and long and gross, and dirty-” She shook her head. “I hate everything.” She whispered. “But it doesn’t… go with me, you know? I’m… I’m pretty. I’m girly. I’m-”
“A diva?” You interrupted, smiling softly. You were amazed at how honest she was being. Velvet opened her mouth to intervene, until she closed it and smiled softly back to you.
“Yeah. A diva.” She nodded. “What I’m trying to say is, being a dyke, it doesn’t fit. That’s not what people want. They think it’s dirty. They’ll think I’m dirty,” She let go of your wrist, stepping back. “A-and maybe I think that too-” That’s when she broke. Tears streamed down Velvet’s cheeks, her hands automatically shooting up to hide it.
You stood there, staring at your girlfriend. There she was, plastering herself out for you to see. Broken parts and all. Your heart breaks at the raw vulnerability in Velvet's voice. You reach up with your free hand to cup Velvet's cheek, your thumb brushing softly over the delicate skin. When Velvet flinches, you gentle your touch, letting your hand fall to rest against Velvet's shoulder instead.
"Velvet," You murmur, your voice soft and understanding. "You're not dirty. Never. Loving someone the same sex as you is never something to be ashamed of." You confirmed, nodding at her. "You don't have to be anything other than what you are. Pretty, girly, a lesbian, doesn't matter. All those things can all coexist. They're not mutually exclusive."
Your eyes search Velvet's, willing her to understand. "Embracing your sexuality doesn't mean you have to change who you are. It just means accepting all of yourself, even the parts that scare you. Especially those parts that scare you." You don't know where these words are coming from. Normally you could hardly tell the barista what drink you'd like without stuttering. Now you were eloquently giving advice to the girl you had once thought you needed to take advice from.
"Velvet, I know you like coming across as confident. Bossy. Controlling. You... kind of like being a bitch." You snicker as you say the last bit. She grins, trying to wipe away her smeared mascara. You continue. "You can still be yourself. You can still be who you want to be. Being attracted to women doesn't change that. It's already a part of that. A part of you."
You take your hands and rub them on both sides of her shoulders, coaxing her into relaxation. "I think it's beautiful." She scoffs in disbelief. "I do." You say. She averts your gaze, but you delicately put your hand under her chin, lifting her face up to look at you. You made eye contact once more. "Even bitchy diva Velvet. I think she's beautiful as well." You say jokingly. Your voice suddenly turns solemn. "But I'm not so sure she feels the same way about me..." You slowly slip your hands off of her, and back up.
"I'll leave if you really want me to. We'll be over." You gulp, feeling a pain in your chest hurt as you said those words.
Velvet stared at the floor, shuffling her feet. She didn't want it to be over. As much as she tried to cover up her true feelings, her walls had broken down. You knew. You knew everything now.
Velvet couldn't go on without you. She just couldn't. She was so tired of pretending. As much as she loved the fame. Loved the fans. She needed something real in her life. You had always been that for her.
"Actually," She responds, finally. "Bitchy diva Velvet loves you very much." She says, taking a deep breath. She makes eye contact with you, her face sure. Certain. No doubt to be found. "She always has."
You bit your lip, hoping this wasn't some cruel joke. "R-really? You're sure-"
Heat.
Shock.
Love.
Before you can finish your sentence, Velvet has slammed her lips against yours, and it feels like it's your first kiss all over again. That fateful night at the group sleepover. You and Velvet had stayed up while the rest of the group had gone to sleep. You watched a movie. You forget what it was now. Probably some stupid romantic comedy. Velvet had picked it.
You were crushing on her for months, but had been too scared to make the first move. You were so sure she was straight. Until she had pressed her soft lips against yours. And this whole relationship kicked off.
As you came out of your memory, your gaze landed on the beautiful girl in front of you. Her green hair framing her round face.
"I love you too." You say, giggling slightly. She smirks and rolls her eyes.
"Of course you do, who wouldn't love me?" She replies, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder dramatically. She takes your hands in hers, gently squeezing them. Velvet's voice suddenly drops to a more serious tone. “I don’t want you to go.” She whispers, honesty in her words.
You shake your head, pressing a loving kiss to her forehead. “I won’t." You say, sighing. "But things need to change, Vel. I can’t go on with us acting like being in love is a crime. I can’t sneak around anymore, I just can’t.” You squeeze her hands, just like she had done to you moments before. “Please understand.”
Velvet watches as you adjust her bathrobe, which had fallen off one of her shoulders. She blushes at the contact. “I get it.” She says, finally. “I’ll… I’ll come out. Soon. We can plan when to do it. I promise. Just be patient for a little longer?” She asks. With all the fakeness in her life, Velvet knew she needed to be real about something. This was it. She’d been hiding her sexuality from everyone for too long. If people didn’t like it, fuck them.
You smile. Something about the way Velvet promised you this made you believe it was real. She really meant it. “Of course.” You bring her hand up to your mouth and softly kiss her knuckles.
Before you can blink, her lips are locked back onto yours, hand tangled in your hair. After two months of nothing, you both needed physical affection.
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The rest of the night is a blur.
Warmth.
Passion.
Pleasure.
Love.
When you finally come back to reality, you’re lying in bed, tangled in the dark purple sheets. Velvet’s arms wrapped around your middle, hugging you tightly to her chest. It’s dark out, the bright city lights shining in through the window, creating an almost magical sparkle to your surroundings.
You can’t help but wonder if Velvet’s ever opened up like this to anyone else. Your better judgment tells you the answer is no. Velvet’s always been closed off. Always been too manipulative and bitchy to ever be honest with anybody. Not even Veneer.
You feel her breath on your neck as she sleeps. It calms you down. Helps to relax your mind. Despite all her faults, you’ve always felt peace when you were with Velvet. Like everything would be okay.
You cuddle up to her and close your eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.
Velvet stayed still beside you, pretending to sleep.
She had been hiding from herself for so long. In all honesty, she still was. The troll situation. She knew she should probably tell you. But she just couldn’t. Not right now.
For right now she would relax. Enjoy being with you. Enjoying being herself.
Because no matter how hard she tried to deny it, you mattered to her.
She loved you.