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Beetle

@usbkord.bsky.social

200 followers 85 following 1.7K posts

Video killed the radio star. Ted Kord | Blue Beetle | #DCRP 29 | MDNI | A #Vague idea

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

Rose thought he knew what spoiling was before...but he hadn't seen anything yet!

[END OF ACT ONE]

Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

Later that day, Ted posted a blog post about the nails he got done and where to find the place.

That was always part of the goal: to bring more attention to Gemini.

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

He yells back from the door.

"We can't kiss right now, you're at work. It's not romantic!"

And then he leaves.

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

He touches their noses together then pulls away.

"Bye, Rosy. Catch you online."

And then he escapes.

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

He tapped his own cheek.

"You can paint me another time.

I'm happy with just the nails."

He wiggles his fingers.

"Everyone will know I'm yours now!"

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

He glances outside.

No birds. Back to normal.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out some money.

He pays enough for the makeup and the nails and then some.

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

He grabs one of Rose's hands and rubs his cheek against it. He grins.

"And before you go home, you can have some Darjeeling tea. Sugar or honey on the side this time, that way you can sweeten it exactly the way you like it."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

He waves a scolding index finger back and forth.

"Not the second nicest one. The nicest one."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

He releases him.

"Then, we're going out for dinner. So, you need to start looking through places that have meals that you want to eat. And you're going to pick the nicest one."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

"I'm gonna take you out somewhere to get you something nice to put on.

You're getting the exact outfit you want."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 1h

"A couple seconds after you got your ability to speak clearly back."

He weaves one of his hands into Rose's hair.

"Here's what we're gonna do."

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♡ °.•【 ROSE OSCURO ~ 】 @eyes-for-disguise.bsky.social · 2h

M-Me?? You think- me?! I've thought- You're so attractive! ❞

He covers his mouth, trying to contain his excitement. He's trying not to kiss Ted on the spot, to be frank.

❝ Ever since we met, I've thought you were attractive! How long have you-? ❞

Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

He kisses the back of his hand.

"Y'know, like a date."

Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

He releases him, but he takes his hand again.

"Look, I know this is a lot to ask right now.

But...can I take you out to dinner sometime?"

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

"Watch my nails, you gave 'em to me."

He pulls him into the best hug he can manage right now.

"Now knock it off, or I'm gonna take my chances with the Feather Fleet."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

Ted flushes red with embarrassment.

He's glad that's over, but more importantly, he's glad that Rose has his smile back. Taking it away from him was about to be the worst part of his month.

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♡ °.•【 ROSE OSCURO ~ 】 @eyes-for-disguise.bsky.social · 5h

❝ You ARE special to me. More special than Rhodonite. You... are incredible. Absolutely amazing. ❞

He gives Ted a warm smile, like syrup on pancakes.

❝ ... You're my number one. ❞

Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

He looks at him.

"So, I'm sorry! I know I said something that really upset you, and I don't want to be rude to Rho, but."

He looks exasperated.

"I just want to be special to you too!"

Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

"I just did it a minute ago.

'He seems like he's hiding things!!' He's a mask, they all have secrets.

But I was straight with you about why I like you better."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

If he wasn't being cautious with his nice new nails, he would be pinching the bridge of his nose right now.

"But then I thought he had a long history with you, and I thought he had the talent to be your #1.

And suddenly, I'm trying to one-up him left and right."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

He starts speaking quickly.

"I thought that you got close with Rhodonite, and something about that idea really got under my skin.

Because he is a good guy, and I did actually feel a little something for him."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

"And..."

He looks like he might throw up.

The truth, Kord. The truth.

"I haven't been completely honest. I was jealous. That's what happened."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

This time, Batman is handling the situation.

There's several flashes of light in the distance.

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

"You already did. You see the birds out there?"

Still swarming.

"I would've been caught in that if I wasn't sitting in this chair right now."

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Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 5h

The last time he was this confused by a look, it was Rhodonite getting angry at the Fall Festival.

Stop thinking about Rhodonite!!

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♡ °.•【 ROSE OSCURO ~ 】 @eyes-for-disguise.bsky.social · 6h

bitter laugh.

❝ I mean- he saved your life. I could never do something like that. ❞

He pulls out some dramatic makeup, his face now unreadable. He looks... upset? No, not quite. Not apathetic either.

Maybe...

Numb.

Yeah. That's it. He looks like all of his emotions have drained.

Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 7h

He carefully picks his next words.

"He's fun for a minute, but...I've been trying to figure him out. I masked it by feigning attraction. I'm sorry I haven't been more forward with my concerns, but I know you really like him."

He gestures to his face.

"Do what you want. Again, I trust you."

Beetle @usbkord.bsky.social · 7h

"Rho is fine, but he isn't you."

Well.

"We actually talk, Rose.

And we might not know each other that well yet, but I still feel like I'm speaking to someone real.

Rhodonite is hiding something. Thousands of things, probably. It comes with his job."

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♡ °.•【 ROSE OSCURO ~ 】 @eyes-for-disguise.bsky.social · 8h

say that? Why does he always try to look a gift horse in the mouth? He wasn't trying to be harsh or passive-aggressive... he was genuinely curious!

❝ Huh? Oh! I guess they are. Maybe I can play into that with your makeup. ❞

He swallows hard, his hand moving to pick at the skin around his thumb.