"Well, Look who finally showed up!" Wanda exclaimed as the duo walked up. "I heard that you guys were having your own little photo-shoot without my equipment." She folded her arms and sneered in jest. "That hurts my pride, you two." Her eyes glanced at Connie in the Asuka outfit. "Though seeing such a body in some of my merchandise makes up for it."
Steven's eyebrow arched in slight envy as Connie gave Wanda a smug smile.
"Why, thank you." A slightly flirty tone laced her voice as she tipped her cap. "I think it looks good on me too."
"Then I can Imagine how our resident Shinji feels." The witch teased getting a smirk from Steven.
"What's there to say, that hasn't been said."He shrugged. " She makes angry psychotic breaks hot." He chucked as Connie gave him a gentle elbow into his gut.
"Hey now, Steven." She smirked.
"Hey nothing. You're the one who said I make 'depression' sexy."
"I stand by that claim."
'Hmm..Did something happen?'Wanda observed as she watched their antics. There was a certain lack of passion and a bit more reservation in their tones and smirks. She shook her head as she turned her direction toward the set up behind her.
"Ok you two, let's get this shoot going shall we?" Wanda suggested. "Who's going first?"
"That would be me." Connie announced with her hand raised.
"Ooo, now that's a treat. Get over there."
Connie gave Steven a quick grin before walking forward, passed Wanda and the camera set up and up onto the 'Main Stage'.
The 'Main Stage', usually a revolving platform surrounded by mirrors, had a more traditional set up. Most of the mirrors were removed except for four full body ones each corner of the seven foot wide, circular revolving stage. The backdrop was.a green screen that stretched over the revolving platform stopping at the mirrors edge. Studio led lights towered over the mirrors and peered downward towards the stage making it bright but not blindingly so and thanks to the central air of the whole studio it was at a comfortable temperature. All in all it definitely made her feel like she was the center of attention, which made her feel a bit anxious.
'Oh this is, more than expected.'Connie looked at each of the mirror's perspective of her and slightly grimaced at her reflections as a bit of self-consciousness slipped in. 'I..I should have probably asked Alex for some makeup...I wished he told me how much he planned for this..didn't think I would get professional shots done. I feel a bit overwhelmed..What if the shots don't come out well.'Her face started heating up as Steven comments and actions in the dressing room played in her head."Though, he did say I looked hot." She grinned a bit looking up.
"Admiring yourself?"
She turned to see Steven walking up to her camera in hand, a slight grin on his face.
"Admiring the set up." She stated before narrowing her eyes.at his grin. "You didn't take a candid shot, did you?"
Steven scoffed at his companion, putting his finger tips to his chest. "To think that you would accuse me. Your Biscuit, your Mister, your man; of taking a shot of you unaware and behind you back. With this professional camera," he held up the black device in his right hand, "for shame Heartberry. For shame."
"You definitely did ."
"But I used my phone."
She chuckled as he brought out the smartphone and handed it to her, showing her the picture. It was of her looking up at the set up. He hands folded behind her back, her left foot on her toes, a small smile on her face and the lights reflecting in her black eyes.
'Admittedly, that's a nice shot.'her musing thoughts were interrupted when she felt him pull her close to him with his left hand on her navel, pressing her back to his chest while holding the camera above them with his right. She rested her left hand on top of his while rubbing his whiskered chin with her right sticking out her tongue towards the camera to go along with his flirty grin.
With a press of a button, the camera clicked with a quick flash of light and temporarily strained their eyes.
"Ok, flash was stronger than expected." Steven chuckled as he rubbed his eyes. "Sorry about that Heartberry." He blinked multiple times, getting his focus back.
"You're fine, Mister." Connie reassured as she blinked a few times herself.
"Want some help with that, heal your eyes like that one time?" He joked.
Connie blinked again but on emotion based reflex. "Uhm... I would but we lack a drink." Shyness gripped her throat as she spoke.
"Ah, that's true" Steven rubbed the back of his head. "Guess direct contact is our only choice."
"Guess so." Connie breathed deeply as she closed her eyes.
Steven palms gently pressed against other cheeks getting a reflexive grin from her. "Smiley." He teased before placing gentle butterfly kisses on her eyelids. Getting a giggle from the young woman. "Better?"
"Uh-uh." She held his hands in place, keeping her eyes close. "I think you need to try again."
"Oh, really." He heard the anxiousness under the flirting before kissing her cheeks tenderly. "Better?"
She bit the corner of her lip, holding back a giggle. "Getting there." her tone, more relaxed and teasing.
"Getting there, huh?" He whispered closed to her lips.
His breath tickled her, bringing a little heat to her face. As she massaged the back of his hands with her palm." Uh-huh."
"Let me help you along then. "
She snickered as he laid his lips upon her. His slightly wet lips met her soft chapped in a sweet kiss.
Her hands slipped to his wrist as the kiss deepened from a simple pressing peck to a clipping lip lock capturing his upper lip between hers own while he did the same with her bottom.
The gentle feel of the mutual suckling upon each other's lips. The tight protectiveness of his arms around her waist and palms on her seat. The looping of her arms under his own grip on his shoulders, pulling him closer as she asked for and was granted access into his mouth with her tongue, evoking a love filled hum from her.
They released the oral action with a soft'chu'as they held each other in a swaying embrace ignited by a feeling of understanding between them.
"Better?" He whispered warm-heartedly into her shoulder.
"My eyes are, yeah." She nuzzled a bit closer. "I don't think you're talking about that, though."
"You're right."He sighed, feeling her stroke his locks. "You looked unsure up here..Kind of scared."
"Been awhile since I've been in the spotlight like this. Guess i'm a little nervous.."
She turned to the mirror looking at their costumed reflections, her sight lingering on his form. "Kind of feel below par for such a professional shoot. Unlike you, handsome."
Steven turned to her with an arched eyebrow. "You are gorgeous, you know that right, Berry."
"Hmm, what you mean in costume?"
Steven smirked "Oh you're wearing that plugsuit much better than the actual character," He praised while kissing her cheek "but.. I was talking about in general.
"Well you did say I make 'psychotic breaks' Hot." She jested.
"And I stand by that." He smirked. "Jokes aside,the pictures are gonna come out fine..better than fine." He gazed at her lovingly. "They're gonna be extraordinary because " He gave her a quick peck. " For one, I'm taking them and you know I won't make you look bad."
"I trust you to make me look beautiful, yes." She massaged that back of his ear, getting an appreciative snarl.
"You already are and I got evidence of your photogenic allure to prove it. " He shook his phone with a grin before whispering in her ear.
Connie's face turned maroon at his words, and her grin grew as she turned to his lecherous smirk. "Really? You want a shot like that."
Steven shrugged as he pursed his lips. "Not like I don't have one..It just you'll be in different costumes instead of my shirt and short shorts"
"True enough." She whispered, giving him a squeeze ."Thanks, Mister. For making me feel better." She kissed and smiled against his temple.
He nuzzled into her shoulder "I said nothing that was a lie..Your beautiful Connie"
"I'll take your word for it." She sighed. "Still.Though... After the awkwardness in the room..I guess it kind of made anxious to impress you." She moaned in embarrassment.
"You don't have to try to impress me, Connie." He chuckled. "Though I kind of feel the same." He admitted. "Can't help but want to impress the one you love, right?"
"Oh,Steven." She gasped.
"I know, Berry...We'll figure it out, later."
"Promise?"
"Of course." The two shared a kiss to seal the promise before he moved to press his forehead against hers,
The inadequacy and uncertainty from before, easing down by the sound of each other's breathing, the sensation of each other's touch, the warmth of each other's affection.
"I love you." their dual whispers was followed by a duet of silent chuckles as the weight on their hearts was lessened a little.
*Click!*
They both turned to the sound of a camera, took their attention. Releasing each other in the process.
"I'm sorry. It was just..You two are perfect together." Alex apologized, camera in her hand. "I had to take the shot."
"Come on, now." Steven complained as he glared at Alex halfheartedly. "That was something a little private."
"Sorry...I...I'll delete it." Alex offered in remorse.
"Don't." Connie stated. "It's fine," She reassured the receptionist.
"You sure?"
"Yeah.. Like you said. You saw something worth taking a shot at." She interlocked her left hand with The man beside her, getting a surprised glance. " We can relate to that." She smiled giving his hand a kiss and a squeeze. "Right?"
Steven's face glowed pink at her actions but soon settled as a bright smile grace his face, "Of course.When something that worth it comes along, you gotta take your shot. "before facing Alex.
"Oh.. Cool." Alex grinned in excitement. "So since that is the case..How about we start with the couple shots? Sure your friends would enjoy them as well."
"Yeah sure." Connie agreed.
"We can begin whenever you two are ready."
The two looked at each other. Identical grins as the feelings of anxiousness was now matched with the feeling excitement. Both were eager to know exactly what the other wanted.. and scared about how things would change, now that the term 'love' was out there, but they trust the person standing by them enough to navigate and work through the inevitable changes in their companionship.
"Ready for this, Heartberry?" Steven smiled gently, his question having a double meaning.
"Yup. Ready if you are, Mister." Connie answered in a similar tone, as she gave his hand a loving squeeze.
Both surprised and elated at how true and freeing the answer was.