Tony: *sulking*
Rhodey: What happened?
Tony: Peter sent a voice note to the wrong contact.
Rhodey: And?
Tony: I was the wrong contact.
Rhodey: What was on it?
Tony: *thousand yard stare*
Rhodey: Tony?
Tony: I can never unhear it.
Rhodey: ...Was it bad?
Tony: *voice cracking* It was so good, Rhodey.
Evening and he was still at his desk. It wasn't as though he had anywhere else to be, but boring over numbers was far from his preferred pastime, and today did not want to end.
The phone buzzed on his desk, startling him from his perusal of the quarterly figures.
Unknown number: Trying to decide between the red lacy thong or the pink boyshorts. [Attached photo]
His brows furrowed in befuddlement at the text and the accompanying image of two pairs of under garments lying on a chaise somewhere. They were a decent quality but by no means high end- like the sort of thing people pick up at one of those mid range department store “boutiques”. The lace pattern was a little interesting. Most lace patterns trended toward floral but this one managed to embellish with a few ladybugs as well. That was at least interesting. The pink shorts were probably some kind of satin-like fabric but were otherwise un-inventive and would be as flattering as it could be on whomever might wear it. These definitely weren't things that Nathalie would wear (maybe the red one if she felt a silly need for ladybugs, but even that was stretching it), so to whom had she given his number for this sort of thing and why? He didn't think he'd been extraordinarily exasperating lately. He could never prove the little annoying or weird “pranks” over the years were her doing, but he strongly suspected. Why would she be doing this now?
He debated whether to respond to the text. The quarterly reports lay on his desk, staring at him.
“I need context.”
Unknown number: Seriously, G? Why else would I be sending you a pic of my underwear?
He pursed his lips.
“Humor me.”
Unknown number: !!! I have a date, you ass. Maybe you and I won't be the only ones to see these!
He was beginning to have serious flashbacks to when he and Nathalie were in university.
“I need to see them against your skin to get a better sense of coloring.”
A few moments passed before the phone vibrated again.
Unknown number: [Attached photo 2/2]
Oh thank goodness she wasn't wearing them! Shut up, Uni Gabe. The texter had laid them over her thighs while she sat to take the photos. Both colors would be flattering. Without knowing more, this could be more challenging.
“What are you wearing with them?”
Unknown number: [Attached photo]
She sent pictures of matching bras.
“That's not what I meant, but you must like them to go with matching sets.”
Unknown number: Shut up and HEEEELLLP MEEEEE
Unknown number: [Attached photo]
She sent a picture of a sleeveless little black dress with a fitted bodice, square neckline, and flirty gored circle skirt on a dress form. He couldn't see the fine details, but there seemed to be some kind of stitched floral embellishment along the hem and neckline. What kind of flowers were those? Either undergarment set would compliment it well.
“The pink ones are sweet but the red lace is obviously going to send a slightly different signal. How do you want to feel tonight? Cute or sexy?”
Unknown number: Both???
Gabriel considered for a moment. He let whimsy decide.
“Ladybugs. The red lace is sexy but the ladybugs are a cute touch and I believe they'll like the flowers on your dress.”
Unknown number: You're too adorable. Thank yooouuuu :* <3 <3<3
She stopped texting and he presumed she must be getting dressed for her date. He sighed. Well, that was mildly amusing for a little while if a bit perplexing. He'd have to ask Nathalie about it tomorrow. It had been a long time since anyone had sought his direct help for anything so personal. He didn't exactly have friendships that were so intimate either. Even his fraternal friendship with Nathalie hadn't approached anything like it in almost two decades.
“You're in fashion, Gabriel. You have to know these things.”
“I don't plan to do anything like lingerie, Nat. Can't you call your sister or one of your female friends?”
“No. It's good practice for you. You have to consider the whole outfit, and underwear is the foundation of a woman's confidence. Now, do you want to have to put up with me- your lonely, spinster friend- forever, or are you going to help me wow Celine?”
He turned back to the reports, determined to work at least a little longer before getting some dinner for himself and retiring alone with a glass of wine and maybe a book.
>!< >!< >!< >!< >!< >!< >!< >!< >!<
She sighed into her lunch while she waited for her friend. Another date gone bust. He'd been cute and even sweet, but she just wasn't feeling the chemistry. Georgette had been spot on with the ladybugs, though. It had made her smile to herself throughout the night to think that at least the ladybugs were happy even if she was disappointed. What a cute thing to suggest!
“Marinette! I'm so sorry I'm late! You don't have to rush off yet, do you?” There was Gi, harried blonde bombshell. It was worse lately because she'd had to switch phones and there had been some technical difficulties that complicated her life even more. Honestly, between the two of them- how they ever managed to be in the same place at the same time was a miracle.
“You're fine, Gi. I've got a little while.”
“Oh, thank goodness!” She hung her bag on the back of the chair and plopped down with a huff. “So, how was the date with whatshisname- Guy from the cafe?”
“You mean Guy?” Marinette tipped her head up and leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. “He was nice.”
“Nice? Well, that's... nice?”
“Yeah. ...Honestly, I was more entertained by thinking about how my ladybugs were happy because of the flowers on my dress.”
Georgette raised an eyebrow and stole a croquette from Marinette's plate. “Okay. You brought ladybugs with you? Mari, that's a little weird. Maybe that's why he was just 'nice'.”
Marinette looked at her friend. “What? No. I wore the underwear that you suggested because you said they were sexy but the ladybugs were cute and would be happy because of the flowers on my dress- the new black one I've been working on?”
“I do not remember that conversation.”
“I literally sent you pictures of my bra and panties sets last night because I couldn't decide. Around six?”
“Re-wy?” she asked through her mouthful. Swallowing, she added, “Are you sure it was me?”
The bluenette's eyes were wide as saucers. “Not anymore!” she squeaked. She dug out her phone from her purse and pulled up the conversation from the previous night and showed the number to her friend. “Isn't that your new number?”
She leaned forward and looked at the number. “No? You switched a couple of the digits. Oh, those panties are cute! Whoever suggested them was right. Too bad Guy didn't make the shortlist of your panty admirers.”
Marinette groaned, dropping the phone on the table, fighting the rapid reddening of her face. Georgette picked it up and scrolled through the brief conversation.
“Well, they seem genuinely helpful. At least they weren't creepy about it. I'm a little concerned that they didn't tell you you had the wrong number.” She saw her friend's head move in the direction of a head-table connection so she grabbed the plate out of the way in time for her to make contact. She stuffed another of her friend's croquettes into her mouth. “Oh, thith ith mezine!”
“Gi, stop eating all of my croquettes. Oh my god, who did I send pics of my underwear to? I almost sent a picture of me wearing them!” She bemoaned into the table.
“Good thing you didn't.”
Marinette groaned loudly as she lifted her head from the table. “Uh-huh. You can pay for those since you're eating them. I'm going to wallow in my embarrassment as I walk back to the boutique. Text me later so I'll have your actual number?”
Flynn gave one last look at his phone as he knocked at Cas’ door— he sent her one last message in response before he turned his phone off.
[text: Cas] Did you have to, however, take a picture from that angle? It leaves nothing to the imagination.
"Castiel? I’m here."
[ she heard the knocking on the door, and moved to open it. she was some what dressed, having put on at least a shirt. the door opened, and Cas was staring at her phone, not even tearing her gaze away from it for one second as she let Flynn in. ]
yes, i did. it seemed to be the only way i could ( get ) the picture.
