a/n: Someone needs to stop me. I've signed up for more bingos than I can count, and given myself too much work XD

onereyofstarlight requested: Artist AU looks fun and Virgil is the obvious pick - maybe an AU where Kip Harris is an artist instead of a firefighter and Virgil's about to meet his No. 1 Art Hero? 😁💕 Or if you'd like more of an AU prompt - the bros aren't bros but they're all taking the same painting class at the local art center and this is where they meet!

Virgil pulled at the collar of his shirt for the thousandth time and swallowed. He wiped his sweaty palms against his pants and chanced a glance across to the other side of the gallery. The man he was wanting to talk to was still busy deep in a conversation. Virgil couldn't work up the courage to insert himself into the discussion, so was stuck glued to the spot next to his own art.

Kip Harris had been Virgil's biggest artistic inspiration since he had first seen one of his pieces. He had just been a kid, and his mom had taken him to an art gallery on one of their days out together. The rest of his brothers weren't interested in that sort of thing, so whenever his mom wanted to head out for some art supplies or go to a gallery, it was always just her and Virgil.

When Virgil had laid eyes on that piece of art on the wall, he had been captivated by the man's use of colours and simple details that could change the meaning of the whole picture. Each painting of his held a story, but you could only see it if you looked close enough.

It was something that as soon as Virgil got home, he had tried to replicate. Although he could never get his style down accurately, it did go on to influence Virgil's own style in the future.

Now, Virgil was given the opportunity to meet his idol. He had honestly never thought he'd get accepted to present his work at this art show. He had had a couple of art shows in the past, but nothing big, and his art was only displayed in small, local galleries. He had applied on a whim, fully believing he'd be turned down. Especially after he'd found out Kip Harris would be showing his art there as well.

But he'd been accepted. Still, he was ready to turn the offer down as he couldn't take the time off of IR. However, meddling little brothers in the form of Gordon and Alan found out about the offer and soon the rest of his family knew about it. They told him he would get the day off work and they'd cover for him, and left him with no choice but to accept.

Virgil had agonised over what pieces of art to bring, and even made some new ones. He couldn't stop thinking about how Kip Harris was going to be there and possibly see his art, so he knew he couldn't bring anything that looked awful.

Nothing could prepare him for how nervous he would feel when he was finally in the same room as his biggest inspiration. He could feel his heart pounding anytime he considered going over to speak to him, and his mouth felt dry and he couldn't stop sweating.

He knew he would regret it if he didn't speak to Kip when this might be his only opportunity to do so, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. The closest he got was walking up to Kip, but he spun on his heel before the man could even realise he was there.

Instead, he distracted himself with his own art pieces as people came up to comment on them. Maybe Kip would come over and initiate the conversation instead, and Virgil wouldn't have to worry so much.

However, that seemed unlikely as the time passed and Virgil knew his opportunity was dwindling. There was only about an hour left until the show was over, and Virgil would likely never be in the same show as Kip again. This was his only chance, and he was blowing it. If only he could get his stupid feet to move from the floor and get actual words to leave his mouth.

"Hey!"

Virgil jumped a foot in the air when a hand landed on his shoulder. He whipped his head around to find who the culprit was, and was surprised to find his younger brother standing there.

"Gordon!" Virgil shook his arm off as he put his hand to his pounding heart. "Don't do that."

"Woah, sorry, big guy." He held his arms up in apology. "I didn't mean to make you jump."

"Where did you come from?" Virgil could feel himself start to calm down slightly. It didn't help that he had already been full of nerves.

"We just finished a rescue and decided to come and surprise you. The others are coming, but they are taking forever with post-flight checks and getting changed."

Virgil had noticed that Gordon wasn't in his uniform. He wondered where they had landed, but decided that wasn't worth him asking. He just hoped they didn't scratch his ship.

His gaze drifted back to the man he had been watching all night. Now that his brothers were here, he couldn't see him working up the courage to talk to him. If he made a fool of himself, his brothers wouldn't let him live it down.

"I thought this was an art show," Gordon then muttered next to him.

"It is." Virgil didn't bother glancing at Gordon as he mindlessly replied. Kip was still talking to someone, but he had moved closer as he made his way around the gallery.

"Then why are you staring at people instead of the art?"

"What?" Virgil finally turned away to look at Gordon, and could feel his cheeks warming. "I wasn't staring."

"Yeah, you were." Gordon laughed, but Virgil knew it wasn't in a mean way. "Who is that?"

Gordon looked over at where he had been staring, and Virgil could see the moment it clicked.

"Oh, is that him? Have you spoken to him yet?"

"No." Virgil looked down at his shoes. He was ashamed to admit it. He was usually so brave out in the field, so why couldn't he talk to one man?

"What?" Even Gordon sounded surprised at that. "Why not?"

"He's been busy talking to everyone. I didn't want to intrude." That was part of the reason anyway.

"Well, he's not talking to anyone right now. Let's go."

Before he knew it, Virgil felt a hand on his arm and he was being tugged across the gallery.

"Gordon- no, let me go." Virgil tried to tug out of his brother's grip, but when he looked up, he realised they were already across from the man he had been successfully, although unintentionally, avoiding.

"Hi there. Kip Harris was it?" Gordon started speaking before Virgil could stop him. Not that Virgil thought he could. Now that he was standing so close to his idol, his head suddenly felt very empty.

"Yes, and who are you?" Kip smiled at Gordon.

"Gordon, and this is my brother Virgil."

Virgil was pushed forward, and Kip turned to look at him. Anything that Virgil thought to say was gone. All he could do was look at Kip.

"He's a big fan of yours. His art is up over there," Gordon provided as he pointed over at Virgil's display.

"Ah, yes. I saw some of those pieces whilst they were setting up. I was very impressed, especially with your brush work. I'll have to take some tips." Then, he reached his arm out to Virgil. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Virgil stared at the hand for a long moment before he remembered he had to shake it.

"Heh," was all he could get out as he shook his idol's hand. Once he had the man's grip in his, he didn't want to let go. These were the hands that had created all those pieces of wonderful art, and now he was holding them.

Gordon placed his hand on his arm which snapped Virgil out of it, and he quickly let go of Kip's hand. Kip was watching him with a raised eyebrow, and his smile had dropped slightly. Virgil was worried he had messed this all up, and blurted out the first thing he could think of.

"I work your love!" As the words hit his ears, he realised they were wrong. He swallowed and took a deep breath before he tried again. "I mean, I love your work."

"Thank you. I'll be sure to come over and look at your pieces before the evening's over." His smile was thankfully back, and now Virgil was also grinning from ear to ear.

At that moment, someone else came over to talk to Kip, and Virgil felt himself be pulled away. His legs felt like jelly, and he was thankful that Gordon was there to keep him upright.

"Well, that was a start," Gordon said as they made their way back over to Virgil's display. "You didn't vomit all over him at least."

"He thinks I'm an idiot." Now that they had stepped away, the whole conversation rushed through his head, and all he could remember was how he had made a fool of himself.

"No, he doesn't. He probably gets fans acting like that all the time," Gordon reassured him. "Also, he said he was impressed with your work."

"He did?" Virgil wasn't sure if he had been dreaming that bit.

"Yep, and he's gonna come over to see the rest of your work."

At that, Virgil definitely felt like he could throw up now.

"But don't worry about that, because you have the rest of us here. We can do the talking and you can just point if need be."

"No, I think I can manage. I hope so anyway." He just needed a moment to calm his racing heart. He didn't think he'd ever get over the fact that he had spoken to Kip Harris.

"Thank you," he said next. He knew he couldn't have gone over there without Gordon's help.

Gordon just shrugged as they reached Virgil's display again.

"It's what I'm here for. Also, because I heard there were free snacks."

At that moment, Gordon caught sight of the food table, and disappeared into the crown.

"See you in a minute!" He called back to him, and Virgil just shook his head as he laughed. However, he did hope that the rest of his brothers came back before Kip did. No matter what he said to Gordon, he didn't think he could function through another conversation with the man.