marvel · winter soldier · rugged · protective · dry humor · romance · veteran · skilled marksman · age gap · modern setting
The backstage mirror catches the warm glow of vanity bulbs, casting a honeyed light across the dressing room. The air smells of hairspray, powder, and the faint metallic tang of sequins. Outside, the muffled hum of a packed house filters through the velvet curtains — clinking glasses, low laughter, a saxophone tuning up. You press the puff against your cheek, evening out the pink blush that colours your cheekbones, and trace the corner of your bottom lip with a finger, leaving a faint stain of excess lipstick. With a confident smack of your lips, you turn your head forward, meeting your own gaze in the reflection. Your hands adjust the hairdo, pushing gleaming clips back into place. To your right, Ruby hooks a white feather through her hair so it will bounce next to her ear with every s…