#also the way his hair is styled... very subtly but goes from being v pressed down and unstyled to raised again

[ollierachnid]

Whoever did Reginald's costuming in particular... I'm obsessed with them. The progression from the softer colours and fabric, sloped shoulders, etc. in the earlier episodes: ep 3 especially the cream, wool jumper which was so un-Reginald and went far in making him seem fragile and elderly, that (despite Colm Feore being 63) Reginald never reads as. But as the season progresses and he weans himself off of the pills, his choices swing back to stiffer, darker fabrics and much sharper shapes. You barely even notice while it's happening across episodes but comparing them side by side and it becomes so obvious he was reverting back to himself, conveyed just through costumes AUGh

[hearteyes-for-killmonger]

In My Mind x 05

Firm foundations and sturdy hands

still crumble under tyranny

---

"Where exactly are you taking me," you slur through toothpaste, spitting it in the sink before rinsing. It's still early, 8:45, but he's fast, putting on clothes in his room while you take the bathroom.

"Well you need clothes, I ain't forget."

"And hair products, a curling iron, satin cap, my own body wash," you add using his mouthwash. It's good he has extras of the basics. The bathroom door is cracked so he can walk in and hand you a stick of deodorant which you jam under your arms and set in an empty drawer with your toothbrush for your own. "Okay, v-neck come through."

Full business casual, he comes up beside you in the mirror brushing his shaved sides down and you walk out to put your shoes back on, wearing the same clothes from yesterday.

The way out of the building is just as smooth as the way in. You take a staircase to a display where his glossy burgundy BMW sits with tinted windows and custom tags.. his trophy.. and then you get in. He presses a button and you sink through tinted glass looking out at the view until you reach ground and the wall goes up behind you allowing him to back out onto pavement.

"I'll never get over that," you mumble looking through the side mirror to watch the opening shut. His own private entrance. A 'sky garage' he called it.

"Nia.."

"Hm.."

"What do you think about Black Wall Street?" He's driving somewhat normal now, only six miles over the speed limit and you haven't felt like you were going to fall through the door yet which is a plus.

"Black business, black mecca."

"It's been the pinnacle of black successful business. If you look at Tulsa, Jackson Ward, Durham.. We were at the height of self-sufficiency. We had bankers, builders, mechanics, electricians, cooks, shoemakers, tailors.... hairstylists. Anything you needed, you'd get from your own people and it worked! We were putting money in each other's pockets and building wealth with each other, taking pride in our blackness instead of tryna be the third white race... you know Asians are the second."

"I was with you until that last one."

"Nia, you know what happened to all them cities?"

"They were destroyed."

"By who? Did we destroy ourselves?"

"Boy. Who are you, Dr. Umar?"

"That's what you think?"

You touch the small black, red, and green beaded necklace with the wooden brown carved Africa pendent sitting in his cupholder.

"Umar Johnson is an ignorant misogynist who uses his platform to spread false information while robbing his followers. That's what you think of me?"

You blink. "No, I only meant the superwoke part."

"Unlike him, I have a Ph.D and I don't think AIDS came from gay black men, but it was intended to decimate the black population."

"I get it, don't compare you," you mutter watching the Oakland city views through your tinted window. People are out, strutting and power-walking on sidewalks and jogging across streets to work.

"Who destroyed our black wall streets?"

"White people," you sigh giving him what he wants.

"Never forget that the US National Guard united with White Nationalists in 1921 to bomb and shoot up the Greenwood District of Tulsa. They destroyed 35 blocks of self-sufficient black business, murdering an estimated 200 people and injuring more. This is what happens when you and I pull ourselves up by our bootstraps in this country. Jackson Ward? Socio-economic assault. They built a highway right through it and put their own businesses around it to undercut our efforts. They chased us out and sent us to housing projects then filled them with drugs. You see where I'm going with this?"

"I think I'm starting to."

"Nia, you've seen my dreams, you've seen where I've been. I've stood on both sides and seen firsthand how easy it is to infiltrate and decimate an entire city, a region even with the right intelligence and firepower. Hell, I've even pulled the trigger and I'm not proud, but it was a necessary evil for me to see that it doesn't matter how strong you build or how pure your intentions are. When a government decides that you've surpassed the ceiling of poverty they've designed specifically for you they'll wipe out a generation, drug you up, and restart you from zero. Do you understand how deep this goes?"

You finger the beaded necklace in your lap. Of course you understand everything he's saying, but what he's expecting from you is a different story and you won't agree to anything prematurely.

"Where's the end," you ask. How will he know when he's accomplished this great mission he's been on for most of his life? It's all he breathes. Will he even survive without the fight as his purpose? Keeping your silence, you watch his profile as he turns left.

"Africa. Africa was the start and it'll be the end, but in the meantime we need to provide legal and physical protection here, major city by city. We need safe houses, secured and armed.. built to withstand the force of a nuclear weapon."

"How will you manage that?"

"How long will it take is the question." Pulling up to a building standing among other buildings, this one is as big as a high school with lettering across the front reading Wakandan International Outreach Center. Temporarily, you put the fact that you're supposed to be shopping to the back of your mind. You've heard of this place on the news, but somehow you didn't put this together. He parks in front of some well manicured bushes in a space marked for the CEO.

"You're the CEO?" You look around at the cars in the lot, the WIOC bus, and to the people walking inside.

"You ain't know? Ms. See Everything?"

"If I saw everything, I'd have figured this thing out between us. Don't ya think?"

He steps out and adjusts his tie. He's got the grey v-neck sweater vest, the white collared shirt underneath. The navy chinos.. and the navy oxfords.

Getting out, you spin showing off the same outfit you've been wearing and his brows raise subtly as you walk in beside him. Immediately he's rushed with greetings from the three people at the front desk, two guys and a girl, all wearing black WIOC shirts with blue and purple lettering that reminds you of a 90s paper cup pattern. Very stylish and retro.

The girl with the baby face and two long feed-in braids, is reaching out, grabbing your hand to stamp with some sort of mallet which he gently blocks with two fingers on her wrist before it makes contact.

"Shakila, this is an affiliate," he stares. The girl straightens, backing up meekly and the guy to her right.. the one with a rougher feel and a troublesome glint in his eye can't be over 21, you guess. He rolls out from behind the desk and you see he's wearing all black roller skates with orange and green swirled wheels. They look custom.

"72 people in the building, boss, counting you two. Ghost and Slim out patrolling, say we gotta bluebird.. 5-0 campin at Fuller's they up to something but they been quiet..up there since about 8:15 this morning."

"Keep watching. Let me know if anything changes."

"Yezzir." He rolls off down the hall and makes a right, disappearing.

"Donnie, how you doin," Erik asks the man who's been reading a magazine, chillin. He's bald, light skin, and looks over 40. He's also as big as Erik! His muscles make his t-shirt took like a muscle shirt, it's tight, but it seems more of a personal style choice than an issue of not being able to get a bigger shirt.

Erik taps the desk before continuing down a short hall that splits into three and you walk alongside him, making a left when he makes a left and passing two young boys in the hall.

"An affiliate?"

"They thought I was bringing you in for assistance," he clarifies and your face scrunches. "But you and your salon might be interested in becoming affiliates after I give you the tour."

"Really? Wow.." This thing with him just keeps getting stranger.

"This is the women's dorm," he stops in front of a large expanded room, a space filled with about.. "Twenty beds, ten bunk beds. Forty women can sleep here with their kids. They call and we hold the spot or they show up and take it. That's all the beds we could fit in there but I'm thinking of expanding. The men's dorm is on the other side of the building. Don't worry, we have security. No incidents yet. Further down," he leads and you follow him down the clean tile hall. He takes you into another opening that says locker room.

"It's like a YMCA in here." You turn looking all through at the rows of lockers with actual locks, the showers, four toilet stalls, four sinks.

"There are 60 lockers, eight showers, eight stalls, eight sinks, two washers, and two dryers."

"Y'all water bill high." Looking back to him, he smiles and nods for you to head out into the hall again as you follow him. "This place is nice, if I didn't have my apartment, I'd try to stay someplace like this."

"It's our safe place for homeless kids and families or just people who need a place to be without having to look over their shoulder, wondering where their meal coming from or who's after them."

Pausing, you look around and Erik stops. This place is beautiful. He's even got the babies' art hanging on the walls making the place warmer.

"You good?"

"Yeah.. You know, I'd actually love to be affiliated with this place. I wanna donate. How do I do that?"

"I'm glad you asked, Nia. Keep walking with me. Let me show you the rest," he smirks, speeding up as he unlocks a door with his handprint that lights up blue.

"What the hell," you mutter staring between him and the door.

"Staff only entrance. Extra measure to keep the women safe on this side, if you wanna leave or come in, there's one way and you gotta get through security, that way you're only back here if you're supposed to be.

"Makes sense."

Through the door is another hall that's perpendicular to the one you just left. You follow him left and come to a large open cafeteria full of people sitting at tables, eating. Men, women, small children, teens, all black for the most part. There is a sprinkle of darker skin that isn't black. A mother with three young kids and then an old man.

"How do you get away with only taking black people? Isn't that 'discrimination'," you ask with air quotes. Not that you take issue with it, you're just curious. He laughs.

"When the colonizers come we just tell them we don't have the space and if there's an issue we have Donnie escort them out. We don't get governmental assistance, we're not required to run how they think we should run. We screen everyone who comes through and take who we think will benefit from our programs.

"Wow, I'm with it," you smile following him to the food line.

"Gone 'head baby," the older woman in front of him waves for you both to go ahead. He puts his hand on her back and kisses her cheek and the line ahead happily parts like the red sea letting the both of you through with a quickness. They love him. They genuinely love him. They also all have stamps on their hand. One woman is trying to pull her stubborn toddler aside and out of the way, but Erik sweeps him up and sits the boy on his hip, winking at the woman before passing you a white dish and grabbing two more.

"What you want lil man," he asks as he goes through each option fixing two plates. One (sausage links, grits, eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, pancakes, fruit cup) for himself and one (sausage links, bacon, eggs, pancake, fruit cup) for the kid.

Choosing a table, you sit with your plate (some of everything because it looks good) and Erik follows, sitting across from you with the kid and the two plates.

"I'll get the drinks," you offer heading back to pick up two glasses of apple juice, making it to the table before returning for one more glass and three straws. You pass them out and take your seat, mouth watering and ready to eat.

"Bow your head and close your eyes, please." You lower yours and wait.

"I don't close my eyes." He lowers his head and you say the prayer as the toddler reaches into Erik's plate grabbing one of his sausages. Erik doesn't look up but he shakes his head with a slow smile and you try to keep from laughing as you finish saying grace.

"Amen," you snort picking up your fork.

"This why I keep my eyes open," he points to the kid, shaking his head in humor. He sets the boy in the seat and hands him a piece of his own sausage. Looking over, you see the mom approaching with her plate and an apologetic smile.

"Lord," she sighs. She's pretty though she looks tired. "I'm so sorry, he's a handful, I know."

"Not at all," Erik smiles. She sits next to her son and he automatically starts pulling on her, saying "mama, mom, mommy," just busy, so she pulls him onto her lap to keep him still. They're both cute and remind you of Lia and her son, Jackson.

"This is Chyna.. and Orion," he palms the boy's head playfully. "Chyna, this is Nia," he nods digging into his plate.

"Hi Nia," she smiles and you reach out to take her hand, asking how she is. She's great but ready to eat, she laughs and for a while you all just focus on eating.

"Mommy," Orion starts and you understand 40% of what he just said. His mom entertains him with hums of "Really? Oh wow," as she eats, feeding bacon into his hands.

"You here for a job," she asks looking up and it's an innocent question.

"I'm here on tour of the facility, just lookin-"

"Nia is an affiliate and potential shareholder. We're in discussion," he interrupts.

"Oh okay..," Chyna's eyes widen. "So you're getting a feel of the center. Let me tell you why this place is so important," she says all humor gone.

"Me and my son have been here for the past few nights.. a few nights before that.. and then maybe a week prior." She looks to Erik and he nods.

"His father, Rashaad," she continues, gesturing to her son, "He died last month and didn't leave a dime. I talked to his family and my family and they told me I could sign over his body and the state would cremate him," she pauses, still in shock from it. "...But I couldn't do that..." Tears leak from her eyes and you look around for a napkin. She swallows, her eyes turning pink, and takes a breath. "Then there was the rent.. We hadn't paid it for the month and our extension was running out," she sniffs. "Well I had a funeral to plan, I couldn't let the state take him."

Orion, feeling her sadness, rubs her face to try to make her feel better and she tries to pull herself together.

"So ah-" she wipes her nose. "I took a chance and contacted the Wakandan International Outreach Center and they not only paid for the burial and the coffin, they sent a representative to the funeral for words of encouragement and I'll never forget that," she sighs. Erik keeps his eyes down to his plate.

"See, his daddy.. was a hood," she continues, eyes dead on yours. You know what she's talking about. You don't have to grow up in Cali to have family in the streets. "He was shot out there in the streets in a driveby...," she sniffs. "And you know.. people like to talk a lotta shit, but even if he wasn't nothing to nobody else, he was someone to me. I loved him."

"We're working on getting Chyna a higher paying job to cover her rent," Erik interjects giving her time to wipe her face.

"Yeah, they paid the rent for the month and they're paying next month. I'm taking the class on building a resume now. I'm still working at Ross, I'm just trying to do everything I can.

"You're doing a lot," you offer and Erik gestures for you to stand to follow him out. "It was good to meet you and hear your experience," you smile shaking her hand.

"Thank you, and I'm glad you're trying to help. We need more people like him," she points to Erik.

"Shit, don't boost me," he smiles. It's something he's done a lot since he's been here and you've noticed that his smile is something that brings so much peace and a sense of safety to these people. Still, looking at him you can see deep down there's a spot in him that isn't touched. It's full of rage and intense sadness that his smile can't cover. If only the peace he provided to all these people would reach him.

@thickemadame @just-juicee @kenbieeereadss @honeytoffee

Previous Chapters:

[dracjoonie]

BTS Reactions - They Have A Crush On Their New Tour Photographer (Photographer!Reader)

I tried to have some fun with this one, I’m not sure if its 100% what you wanted but hopefully its still entertaining <3

Tags: Just fluff and awkwardness

Requests are open !  𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕥  

𝕊𝕖𝕠𝕜𝕛𝕚𝕟

You would have caught his eye immediately. He’s a grown ass adult so idk if “crush” would be an appropriate word to use, but he’d definitely be interested. And not at all afraid to show it. From day one of meeting you he would be walking right up to you to make small talk.

“Hi, I’m worldwide cutie guy; Jin. What’s your name??....Y/N..? I like that.. it suits you.”

“I hope you like it here, let me know if any of the other guys give you trouble though, I’ll knock em out.” He’d say playfully throwing up his fists.

When it came to you going on tour with them he would find excuses to talk to you, or would catch you as you were walking down the hallway. He would never be so persistent that he made you uncomfortable, but his interest would definitely be known.I think he would also make sure you were always taken care of(made sure you were fed, that you were getting enough sleep, that your hotel accommodations were up to pare) , adding that same concern to the rest of the staff as an afterthought/cover-up. When it was time to perform and you were taking pictures he would be very aware of where you were located. Every single show he would find you and his eyes would only leave your camera when the choreo forced him to look away, or while he was interacting with fans. It would be 1000% more intense while he was singing his solos as well because it would be like he was singing to you. The little staff member in the corner with the big camera.

“Hey Jin..? I know this is a strange question… But have you..perhaps.. Been flirting with me?”

“Did you only know realize that? Sweetheart, you’ve got a lot to learn.”

𝕐𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕚

He would probably be a little shy upon meeting you. Maybe waltzing into the meeting  late/last and  noticing you in the room, and then he would have a hard to looking away. Might even start daydreaming while looking in your direction.  I think someone would probably notice him staring and bump his shoulder, and he would get all embarrassed about it. That classic gummy smile. He would say “Hi..” under his breath, and might awkwardly reach out his hand for you to shake.

He’d say~ “I’m Su-Yoongi, What’s your name?... Oh..Nice to meet you...Y/N.” Just before he bowed his head to you, smiling.

“Guess I’ll see you around.”

I think once tour started he would kind of keep tabs on you, but super lowkey so nobody would suspect anything or tease him. He would just want to know if you had showed up yet so he could compose himself in how to act around you. I don’t think he’s the type to catch a crush easily, so I think he wouldn’t really know how deal with one. New territory. But he would mostly try and act like it didn’t exist, or he would put up his typical cool/tough guy persona thinking that would make him seem more attractive to you.

During shows I think he would try and avoid eye contact with you as much as he could, but he would be hyper aware of your presence. Might even show off, or make sure when he was crowd pleasing it’d be at a good angle for you to take the best pictures. Mostly I just think he would pretend crushes were above him, but if he were ever confronted on it he would be super smooth about it.

“Hey, so I notice you always leave the room when I enter… have you been avoiding me.?”

“Truth is, I’m just a busy guy, but I’d be willing to tell you all about that over drinks some time..” *internal screaming*

ℍ𝕠𝕤𝕖𝕠𝕜

Like Jin I think he would be pretty unfazed. As soon as you met he would be all sly smiles and confidence. Wouldn’t be his first rodeo. He knows his strengths, and he would know how to use them to catch your attention. He would have no problem walking right up to you and introducing himself personally. Would also probably find and excuse to touch you.

“Hey, I’m Hoseok but you can call me Hope. We don’t usually get new staff as cute as you; I’m sorry, what was your name again?....Y/N? I’ll remember that.” Winks.

“Oh, let me just..” As he reaches out to move a misplaced strand of hair.

“There you go. Let me know if you need anything, I’ll take care of it personally.”

So confident he gets called out by the other members for his boldness. Honestly if he had a crush I think “Jay” would take over, and we all know how that goes. I think on tour he would be the most obvious. He’s already rude on stage, but he would be worse. And always in full view of you, making eye contact at the most spine chilling times before licking his lips and flinging water all over the crowd. He’d also be gauging the way you would look at him off stage, especially after a show. Guy would 100% know what he was doing to you at all times.

“Hey, so Hoseok? I think I’m gonna have to delete most of tonight's photos.. They’re very….”

“Very what?” He’d say getting closer, eyeing you as you fiddled with your camera nervously. 

“Um…. risque.”

“Hmm, You know.. You’re even cuter when you blush.”

ℕ𝕒𝕞𝕛𝕠𝕠𝕟

He would get real stiff as soon as you entered the meeting room, probably nothing too noticeable, but he would be moving his hands around a lot or pushing his chin out a little more than usual. Probably would just try and remain professional and not give you much attention. Wouldn’t have too much trouble introducing himself, mostly from all the years of being the leader and having to get past his shyness.

“I’m RM..But you can just call me Namjoon.. This is-” Starts introducing all the other members. “I’m sorry, what was your name again? Y/N..hm.. so um.. How long have you worked as a photographer for? OH, well, we’re lucky to have you as part of the team.” And that would fill the quota for his social interaction with you that day. Nailed it.

During tour he would try not to be as much of a goof in front of you, wanting to give a good impression. But his goofiness would always follow him in the end. He would try to make small talk with you and wouldn’t be paying attention and would drop something, or be banging his hands on the table until things started falling. Or you would walk in while he was dancing around or making dorky sound effect and every time he would just hang his head in embarrassment. Probably would say sorry a lot, even though he hadn't done anything wrong. He would be thankful for the concerts because he could show you his cool side for once. Having the time of his life doing what he’s good at. And I think he would smile whenever he spotted your camera tracking him. It’d probably boost his confidence, and he would do more crowed pleasing because of it.

“So Namjoon.. I can't help but notice that you get really shy around me.. You wanna tell me something?”

“I..umm.” Gets really bashful.

“You caught me..” Gathers the last of his courage. “I can tell you about it over dinner some time if you’d like.. You can say no but.. I’m sorry, can I start over?”

𝕁𝕚𝕞𝕚𝕟

He would be shy and smiley, but would play it off too well. When you entered the room I feel like the members would tease him immediately because of the way he would be looking at you. But he would just laugh it off, maybe looking back to you and raising his brows. Pushing his hair back per usual as he composed himself. Probably would wait for someone else to introduce him. Always teeter tottering between actually being shy and faking it.

“Nice to meet you Y/N. Wow you are soo cute.” And then he’d laugh really shlyly...sorta...kinda...on purpose.

“Well, cya around.” He’d say before waving to you and biting his lip; totally would be pressing his hair back again per usual.

This kid would be such a lil shit on tour around you. From not so subtly flirting with you, to impromptu dance practice simply because you were in the same room working. Oh he’s sweating? Might as well lift up his shirt to wipe the sweat away. Oh did he flash you? Woops. In the midst of him being evil he would also be very attentive and sweet. He would/does always thank the staff after a show, but might lingering on you a little longer. Always making sure you were ok, maybe even asking if you would ever want to tag along with him and the gang on group lunch breaks. During the actual concerts though... He’d be dragging the other members into his thot antics too, no one is safe. He’d be all body rolls and lip bites, totally just for the fans though.

“Hey Jimin?.. so ummm.. I wanted to show you this shot of you I took tonight.. The spotlight made you look like-”

“An angel? I know. But why don’t we grab some Soju Bombs and I let you take some close ups instead?”

𝕋𝕒𝕖𝕙𝕪𝕦𝕟𝕘

He would be pretty awkward at first once he knew he caught a crush, but I think he’d warm up fast. He would probably just be sweet and quite once he first met you. Might ask Namjoon to help introduce him, but I think if he was being that obvious Namjoon and the members would just push him to do it himself.  

“Hi!... I’m V!..”

“Hi V, I’m Y/N”

“Oh!... but I knew that..”

He would be super smiley around you, and would just bounce his hair around super content. He would probably ask you a bunch of questions about your cameras and how you got into such a profession. Would be really interested in seeing your other works as well. Wants to be your #1 model.

I think during tour he would probably find excused to be around you a lot. Or would ask you to take aesthetic pictures of him wherever you were traveling. Would insist it had to be you because he loved your style. Would ask for ways to credit your work when he was uploading pictures, being especially respectful if you were older. During shows he would always be striving to do his best (does that anyway but) wanting to show you all of his talent and stardom. Would pose especially for you and would smile cutely when you’d give him a thumbs up after getting a good shot. I don’t think he would show of too much, just hoping you would like him back when he showed you his genuine self. Overall pure as gold, protect him.

“Hey, Y/N? There’s this museum I heard about in this city.. I was hoping you would go with me? We could take pictures… Maybe it could be… a date?”

“I thought you’d never ask~”

𝕁𝕦𝕟𝕘𝕜𝕠𝕠𝕜 

He’s another one I think would be really awkward about it at first. Awkward and obvious as hell. As soon as he knew, he would stand as far away from you as humanly possible.  The other members might even have to physically drag him over to you to introduce himself.

“Hi! I’m JuNgkook!” He’d say overly loud, maybe his voice even cracking in the middle. And then he would just be awkwardly darting his eyes around the room to everything but you. That classic awkward smiley Jungshook face that falls into a 1000 yard stare when he thinks about it too hard.

“You ok there Jungkook?”

“Uhhhhh.. YeAh I’m gR8, you how are?... I mean…*cough*  What’s your name?”

“Y/N.....?”

“coolcoOolcool..”

Once he realized having a crush wasn’t gonna kill him he would get a little more confident. Might take some encouragement from the members, but he’d get there. Might be a dozen shows into the tour, but who’s counting? Eventually he would start acting more normal in front of you, slowly bringing in his jokes and his goofiness once he knew how much he liked making you laugh. Lots of slapstick. Probably would stare a little too long if he made you smile/laugh though. Mildly Jungshook at all times. During concerts he would try and put his underlying awkwardness aside and play it up 1000 for the fans. He’d probably try not to keep making eye contact with you in the crowd but it would happen anyway. And if literally ANYTHING mildly embarrassing happened on stage, full on Jungshook mode would be back and he’d just malfunction thinking about how you just saw that. Might have to pinch him.

“Hey Jungkook, whatcha daydreaming about?”

“OH! Uh.. I.DON’T.know.. “

Anyone else in the room→ “Dude just ask her out already, this is getting hard to watch.”