Following the “rule” that the winner of each season wins one of the first 5 episodes

Which queen will be our next winner?

WILLOW PILL!

Following the “rule” that the winner of each season wins one of the first 5 episodes

Which queen will be our next winner?

KYLIE SONIQUE LOVE!

SYMONE!

Raja Gemini [ AS7.01 - 7.03 ]

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7

Cast Promo Portraits

Photography by Richard Phibbs

• Jaida Essence Hall
• Jinkx Monsoon
• Monet X Change
• Raja
• Shea Couleé
• The Vivienne
• Trinity the Tuck
• Yvie Oddly

Raja by Sequoia Emmanuelle

Cast de Rpdr All Stars s7 en formato de All Winners

Galactica, Chapter 98 (Group Fic) - TheDane/Veronica

A/N: Click here if you’re looking for previous chapters (or here if you’d rather read on AO3). 

Previously: Charlie offered Courtney a deal, work pressure increased for Violet, and Nicky got curious about Miss Fame’s disagreement with Bianca.  

This Chapter: Sutan helps Violet relieve some stress (so to speak), Nicky investigates her workplace mystery. 

***

Bianca hadn’t heard much from Courtney after her meeting with Charlie, but based on their deal behind the scenes, it had to have been good news. So when she got home, she poured a two glasses of rosé before finding Courtney in the den, figuring that they could toast to her success. She was curled up on the sofa, dogs in her lap, surrounded by papers, purple Sharpie in her hand. 

“Hey…what are you up to?” Bianca asked, leaning against the door. 

“Oh, hi!” Courtney looked up, surprised. Apparently she’d been concentrating so hard that she hadn’t even heard Bianca arrive. “I’m just trying to go through this contract from Charlie-” 

“A contract, huh? So, that sounds like pretty good news…” Bianca walked toward Courtney on the sofa, holding out one of the wine glasses for her while setting a bunch of bags on the coffee table. 

“Oh! Yeah!” A grin broke out across Courtney’s face and she put the papers on the table, as well, eyeing the bags as she capped her pen. When Bianca slid in beside her, she first pulled her close for a soft kiss, then accepted the wine glass, asking, “Are you proud?” 

“So proud,” Bianca said, clinking their glasses together gently. “Are you proud?” 

“I guess I am…I don’t know, it doesn’t really feel real yet,” she admitted, one eye still focused on the shopping bags. “But Olivia introduced me to a manager who said she can help me go through it on Friday…” 

Bianca smirked to herself, knowing that she was probably dying with curiosity. Ever since the promo items from every designer started being delivered to Marie Claire for Fashion Week, Bianca had been coming home from work every day with presents, which were getting bigger and better the closer they got to February. She knew that Courtney was probably dying to dive in, but instead, she took a sip of her wine and continued to chat casually. 

“Oh yeah? Who’s the manager?” 

“Latrice Royale. Do you know her?” Courtney asked. 

“Hell yeah! She’s a real good-time gal, you’ll love her,” Bianca said, settling in beside her with an arm around her shoulders. “But, um…you know I can help you with that kind of thing, right? Or send it to one of the attorneys who-” 

“I know.” Courtney put a hand on Bianca’s arm, fingers stroking the soft fabric. “I just kind of…I feel like I need to figure it out myself.” 

“Hmm…” Bianca supposed that it was smart of her to do that. And she couldn’t help but be a little impressed that Courtney was actually going through the contract, her notes and question marks scribbled in the margins. So many people she knew had been fucked over because they’d simply signed contracts without reading them. 

Latrice was an excellent manager, so she knew that Courtney would be in good hands with her. It was a little unsettling, though, how quickly Courtney had managed to find someone else to help her, and she couldn’t help but feel the slightest bit uneasy. 

“You’re not mad, are you?” Courtney looked up at her, brows knitted together. “I just figured that you’ve already done so much, and you have work, and Fashion Week is coming up, and-” 

“Of course I’m not mad,” Bianca said quickly. And she wasn’t, not at all. She pressed a kiss to Courtney’s cheek. “I think it’s great that you’re doing all this yourself. But it doesn’t matter how busy I am. If you need me, I’ll be here for you.” 

“I know. Thanks, B.” Courtney sighed, snuggling close against her. “So can I open those presents?” 

“I knew you were eyeing up the bags!” she exclaimed, tickling Courtney’s ribs, making her squeal. 

“Well, what is it!? Is it something sparkly?” she asked. 

“Alright, magpie, open the fucking bags.” 

Courtney giggled, snatching the bags off the table and pulling everything out: several pairs of earrings, a YSL metallic lavender mini-skirt, a red suede jacket from Guess, a pair of Sophia Webster slingback pumps with a watermelon motif, and a rhinestoned Judith Leiber clutch that looked like a bunch of asparagus. It was all very her, and the way she shrieked happily and gushed over each item made Bianca feel warm and fuzzy inside. 

“It’s gonna look great with that patchwork denim skirt,” Bianca said, gesturing to the purse. 

“Thank you, B. I love you so much,” Courtney said, climbing into her lap. “And you know, I do need you. Without you, I’d be…a fucking lost soul.” 

Bianca would never have admitted how good she felt, hearing Courtney say that while clasped in her arms, murmuring against her. Instead, she took one finger and tilted Courtney’s chin towards her. 

“Same, angel,” she whispered, before capturing her lips in a kiss. “Fucking lost…”

***

“Mmh,” Sutan hummed, pressing his lips against Violet’s throat, his hand closing around her breast, the lace of her bra against his palm. They were on top of the covers, a trail of clothes leading from the couch to the bedroom. Sutan had come home from work to find Violet sweet and waiting, his girlfriend filled to the brim with pent up energy, practically radiating a need for release.

Sutan shifted, moving Violet’s legs with his own, settling in when Violet pulled back, trying to look behind him.

“What?” Sutan glanced down, Violet’s black hair fanned out on the pillow, her neck pink from his teeth and lips.

“Are you wearing a single sock?”

“Shit,” Sutan moved back and up on his knee, one black sock still on his otherwise naked body. He had been so eager to respond to Violet’s call, had wanted to treat her so right that he had forgotten.

“Oh my god!” Violet giggled, pushing herself up on her elbow, reaching out, pink nails and pale hands against a tan thigh, “Let me-“

“I can do it,“ Sutan snatched Violet’s hand, pulling it up and away, lacing their fingers together, an emotion he refused to identify as embarrassment fizzling out in his stomach.

“Obviously,“ Violet rolled her eyes, warmth in her voice as she tried to tug her hand free. “Now let me-“

“No-“ Sutan pushed her back, pinning her against the bed by her shoulders, Violet’s eyes widening before a wicked grin spread on her lips, her hips bucking up and unsettling Sutan with a shout.

“Hey!” Sutan laughed, Violet jumping him, the two of them rolling around the bed, fighting for control, Violet truly challenging him.

Sutan couldn’t say exactly how it happened, but he had ended up on his back, Violet on his lap, her knees digging into his ribs, her hands firmly planted on his chest.

He had lost, and somehow, it didn’t matter.

“Hey,” Sutan smiled, looking up at Violet, her hair spilling over her shoulders. He could feel her against him, hot and ready through her panties, his cock rock hard and smashed against her thigh, Violet’s small breasts heaving in their bra.

“Hey…” Violet was flushed, her cheeks pink, and Sutan couldn’t help but reach out, fingers running up her arm until he could snatch the strap of her bra, Violet quickly getting it and reaching behind, unhooking it to drop it on the floor.

She was absolutely gorgeous, but he felt his stomach do a flip when he realized that he could see every single one of Violet’s ribs, the bone pressing against the skin, her hips starting to jut out too. 

He knew his girlfriend had been dropping weight she really couldn’t afford to lose because of stress, but it was different to see it so clearly, the bedside lamp illuminating her body. 

“I love you.” It spilled from him, the words the first thing, the only thing, that came to mind. It felt almost cowardly to say, like it wasn’t enough, like he was somehow, like he was supposed to save Violet, to do something, anything, but she simply smiled, leaning forward to press the sweetest kiss against his lips, her black hair a lavender scented curtain around them.

“I love you too,” Sutan could barely hear the words, Violet whispering them right before she kissed him again and pulled away, the wicked glimt back in her eyes. “Now take off that sock.”

“Ha!” Sutan snorted, flipping Violet over, his girlfriend laughing.

***

“Et voila,” Nicky said, handing over the folder to Ivy, which contained all the approved looks for next week’s Marie Claire shoot. She liked visiting Ivy and by extension Raja, the plants and the dark green giving it a much more relaxing vibe than Fame’s sparkling white.

“Thank you!” Ivy took the folder, a smile on her lips. “How’s your first week going?” 

Nicky paused in the door and turned back around. She’d been prepared to hurry back to her own desk, but figured that lingering for a minute was okay. After all, Ivy seemed like a good person to get to know better, being friendly with other assistants often what saved your neck in a pinch.

“Well, I think,” she answered. “Miss Fame hasn’t said much, but she seems pleased.”

Fame hadn’t really acknowledged her existence or looked at her, the majority of her commands and requests going directly to Violet, but she was calling her Nicky when she was talking to her, Fame getting her name right apparently a big deal.

“Or… Well, at least not not pleased.” 

“Mmh,” Ivy laughed, nodding her head. “Trust me, you’d know if she wasn’t pleased. It seems like you’re gonna be a perfect fit. And if there’s ever anything I can do, or help you with, please don’t be afraid to ask. I’ve been here for a long time.” 

“Thank you,” Nicky said, then after a moment of hesitation, added, “There is one small thing…” 

“Yes?” 

“So…I see that Raja is handling the Marie Claire shoot,” Nicky said, gesturing to the folder she’d just delivered. “And Violet mentioned that Miss Fame and Bianca Del Rio are…um, not in direct communication at the moment. I was just wondering if you had any more information. You know, so that I can do my job better.” 

She bit her lip, hoping she didn’t come off disrespectful. But she was anxious to know why Miss Fame’s  very long term friendship was suffering. It wasn’t like Nicky, but after Violet’s admission, she had taken to social media, combing through both Bianca and Fame’s Instagram profiles. She couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary, Bianca posting her normal content of parties, clothes and a girl Nicky assumed she was dating, but neither her nor Fame had mentioned each other since before Christmas.

“So…” Ivy folded her hands and glanced around, then continued in a low voice, “I really shouldn’t be talking about this…but…it has to do with Miss Fame’s previous assistant.” 

“Her assistant?” Nicky asked, brow furrowed. What could her assistant have to do with Bianca Del Rio? 

“Look, I know you’re new here, so you probably don’t know yet who to go to for…information. And…I mean, you should just probably know not to talk to Roxy in reception about Courtney,” Ivy finished with a sly wink, so quick that Nicky almost missed it. 

“Aha. Thank you for that advice,” Nicky said.

“Anytime.” 

***

“Omigod,” Roxy whimpered, her fingers digging into the wood of her desk, looking like she was suffering from great physical distress, “The thing is, it’s so deliciously juicy and I wanna tell you so sooo bad but…” 

Roxy took a slow, deep breath, seemed to be trying to center herself, then looked directly at Nicky, with a slight shake of her head. 

“See, I promised that I would be good. Ugh, this sucks,” Roxy groaned, leaning back in her chair. 

“Listen, I get it,” Nicky couldn’t really hide her smile, the coffees she’d just picked up warm in her hands. “I’m not trying to get gossip, I just want to understand-” 

“Oh, I know. I get it.” Roxy gave her a mischievous grin, then snapped her fingers and said, “Pearl! Pearl was there when it all went down.”

Nicky nodded. She hadn’t met Pearl Liaison yet, but she already knew her reputation, Violet looking exasperated every time Pearl had called their office. 

“She can fill you in. Plus, she’s super loyal to Miss Fame so she won’t tell you anything out of turn.” Roxy looked mighty proud of herself, a glint in her eyes.

“Thank you, Roxy.” Nicky smiled, “Have a great day!”

***

“Well well well, aren’t you a naughty thing,” Pearl grinned, spinning around in her chair. “Good to know that the inside matches the delightful outside.” 

Nicky hadn’t known what to expect when Violet had sent her down to PR, warning her to keep it brief and professional, while remembering that Pearl was her superior, no matter how charming she seemed. 

“Listen, I’d love to fill you in, especially since Violet probably left you high and dry. She never says anything about anything,” Pearl drawled, pulling some of her blonde hair over her shoulder and running her fingers through it, “but I’m unfortunately bound by ethics to keep my mouth shut. You know who isn’t, though? And who’d love to tell you the whole sordid tale? Bob Caldwell from design. Find him at lunch when Maxwell isn’t around, but be prepared to have something to trade. He loves a good bit of gossip from upstairs.”

***

“Merci!” Nicky sang, taking the receipt from the cashier and then turning around with her tray. She’d been dubious about the cafeteria food at first, but so far had found it to be surprisingly decent. 

Nicky’s insistence on a real lunch break was, so far, the only thing that seemed like it might be a problem. Violet ate lunch at her desk nearly every day, answering emails while picking at a salad. The thought of it made Nicky pity her a bit. When she’d announced that a nice, filling lunch was essential for keeping her energy up and doing her best work, Violet’s mouth had immediately turned down in a frown, and it seemed like she’d wanted to argue about it. 

However, one thing that Nicky appreciated about Violet was that she seemed to have some respect for her years of experience, and thus held her tongue, content to silently disapprove while Nicky gathered her purse. Nicky knew that Miss Fame was probably used to having someone glued to their desk all day, but this was one thing she wasn’t planning to compromise on. 

She’d assimilated into American culture in almost every way since moving here three years ago, but giving up lunch? Not on her agenda. 

She balanced the tray of grilled chicken, tomato soup and roasted vegetables as she scanned the cafeteria, wondering if there would be any familiar faces. When she spotted Bob Cadwall at a table in the corner, she nearly cried out with happiness—just the person she’d been dying to meet. Even better, the man who’d been sitting with him was getting up, giving him a quick kiss and leaving an empty place. Nicky strode over, ready to begin her mission.

“Hello… You’re Bob Caldwell, yes?” 

“Yup!” Bob looked up, flashing a bright smile. “And you’re the new assistant, right?” 

“Yes.” Nicky looked around conspiratorially, then lowered her voice. “I heard that you enjoy being kept…in the loop on the latest news…” 

“I sure do!” Bob quickly pushed out the chair across from his seat with his foot. “Please sit. I’m all ears.” 

“Well…” Nicky put her tray down, then delicately slid into the seat, voice still quiet. “I’m not sure I’m supposed to be telling anyone this…” She bit her lip demurely, grinning on the inside when Bob’s eyes widened.

“Listen, you should know that anything you tell me in confidence…” Bob mimed zipping his lips, then locking them and throwing the key over his shoulder. “Done.”

“Ah, good to know. But maybe…” Nicky took a deep breath. “Maybe you can clear something up for me first?” 

“Sure, sure.” Bob nodded, eyes glittering. “What do you need?” 

“I’ve been trying to figure out why Miss Fame and Bianca Del Rio are…on the outs, should we say? And what does that have to do with her old assistant? People seem to not want to talk about it, and I can’t find any trace of the girl in our office, but it’s really helpful in my job to know about touchy things. Do you know anything that might clarify the situation?” 

“Oh yeah,” Bob replied with a chuckle. “Sit back and relax, because this shit is wild.” 

Nicky nodded, relieved that she was finally going to get to the bottom of things. 

“Okay, so, I guess it all started with Miss Fame’s last assistant, Courtney. Who was…I’m gonna be nice and just say a bit chaotic. Sweet, but totally in over her head. Always running around like she was on fire.” 

“Ahh.” Well, that explained why the most recent job description stressed experience. 

“A few weeks before the holiday break, she started getting all kinds of deliveries at the office from the Marie Claire runner. So Roxy did a little digging, and found out that they were all coming from BDR’s office.” 

“What kind of deliveries?” 

“Clothes, jewelry, lingerie…you name it.” 

“Wow.” That was certainly bold of Bianca, sending gifts like that to the office. And any story that began with a torrid affair was bound to be good—not to mention explaining why so many of her coworkers were loathe to talk about it, with their puritanical American notions about sex. 

“So then.” Bob put down the sandwich still in his hands and folded his hands, leaning across the table. “Bianca shows up to the Galactica holiday party, and guess who she’s brought as her date? Making out all over the red carpet?” 

“Ohh…” Nicky’s eyes widened. It was one thing to have a discreet affair—Nicky wasn’t above that herself. But to have a public relationship with your friend’s assistant? No wonder Miss Fame wasn’t speaking to her. 

“So of course, Miss Fame was pissed, but what could she do? She gritted her teeth and smiled through the night.” 

“Of course.” Nicky had no doubt that Miss Fame would have handled the whole mess in a perfectly professional way. 

“The next day, the fashion blogs and gossip sites had their pictures all over, but I think we all assumed it would blow over pretty quickly. And then…” Bob’s face broke out into a grin again. “Well, I don’t think anyone knew at the time, unless they were following Courtney on Instagram. But suddenly her feed was full of pictures of this glamorous vacation to Puerto Rico that Bianca took her on over the holiday break. And when they got back to town, she moved into Bianca’s apartment. And then, the worst part…when the company opened back up, she just…never showed up.” 

“Bob Caldwell!” a voice snapped, and both Nicky and Bob looked up, guilty expressions all over their faces. A stunning woman stood above their table, foot tapping, brow creased with disapproval. Her face was even more beautiful than the picture in Nicky’s manual. “What kind of shit are you spreading now, sir?” 

Bob’s face melted into the picture of innocence. “Nothing, Shangie! I swear, I was just telling absolutely true and verified facts…just to catch Nicky up on some things.” 

“Mmhmm…” 

“Have you met Nicky? Miss Fame’s new assistant?” 

“Hi, Nicky. I’m Shangela. I work in operations.” She shifted her gaze to Nicky, brown eyes warm despite the air of annoyance that still surrounded her.

“Enchanté…” Nicky said, extending her hand. As she smiled up at Shangela, she saw her stern expression falter, just for a moment, a hint of a smile flickering in her eyes. 

“Nice to meet you. I’m sure we’ll be talking again soon.” 

“Looking forward to it,” Nicky said. 

Shangela cleared her throat, releasing Nicky’s hand and shifting her attention back to Bob. “Behave yourself, Bob. I’m serious.” 

“I always do!” 

Shangela snorted, shaking her head. “Sure.” 

She gave both of them a little wave and continued to the door, Nicky watching her go until Bob snapped her back to attention.

“Watch out for Shangie. She’s a Fame loyalist, through and through. Been with them from the beginning. She used to date Raja way back, but she stayed with the company even though their breakup was horrible. Like hiss at each other at meetings kinda terrible.”

“Oh.” Nicky tried not to let any emotion show on her face.

“Anyway. Back to my story…that first morning back, after the holidays? It was wild. Everyone was in a panic. Poor Roxy and Ivy had to deal with the whole situation ‘cause she was just…gone. Dropped off her computer or something but never actually showed her face. That’s why Violet’s back in Miss Fame’s office. It’s insane, actually, since she’s so valuable in design—she’s doing the finale dress for fashion week.” 

“Oh my gosh…” Nicky felt terrible for Violet. To get such an illustrious promotion and then immediately get dragged back into your old position. 

Bob leaned back, shrugging his shoulders. “Anyway, I don’t know what went on behind the scenes. I’m sure Fame and Bianca had it out at some point but…no way to know. It’ll be super interesting to see how they handle her invites and seating for fashion week.” 

“Right…” As tense as things might be, having Bianca Del Rio absent from the show would be scandalous on a level that she was sure Miss Fame wouldn’t want. 

“Can you imagine if she shows up with Courtney as her plus one?” Bob asked, eyes sparkling with delight. 

“She wouldn’t dare!” 

Bob shrugged his shoulders, still grinning, singing, “I guess we’ll see…” After a moment, he added. “Alright…that’s everything I know. Now your turn.” 

“My turn?” Nicky raised one eyebrow.

“Yeah, you said you had news from upstairs. Time to spill.” 

“Oh. Well…” Nicky gave a coy, only slightly apologetic smile. “I may have implied that, yes. Oops.” 

“Oh, you sneaky bitch!” Bob burst into delighted giggles. “Alright, werk. But that’s only gonna work this one time! So I hope it was worth it!” 

Nicky giggled along with him, thinking to herself that it very much was.

***

Fame reached out, picking up the piping hot coffee from the corner of her desk. She opened her laptop, ready to go through another batch of emails, when she heard the taps.

She looked up, only to see Violet standing in the door, her knuckles resting on the frame. She was holding a notebook against her chest, clearly waiting for permission to either enter or get lost.

“Don’t just stand there. It’s annoying.”

“Right,” Violet nodded, quickly stepping into the office and closing the door behind her. She was wearing a high necked sweater dress, the knit in a knotted pattern now that Fame could see it in the light. “I know you haven’t requested an update, but Nicky has been us for almost a week now-”

“Yes? I’m aware.” Fame raised an eyebrow in disbelief. She knew Violet had been stressed since Courtney had pulled her ridiculous stunt, but she’d never bothered her with such unnecessary details before. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Well,” Violet hesitated for a second, and then, she barreled on, “She shows great potential, she’s a quick learner, and I believe she’ll be up to speed soon, so I was hoping-”

“Hoping?” Fame tried to stay calm, she really did, but Violet wasn’t paid to hope. She was paid to do her job, and hope sounded a lot like betrayal, like Violet was planning a mutiny. 

“Yes, to return to design, to work-”

Fame’s stomach instantly turned to ice, the nightmare she hadn’t expected coming to life in front of her, Violet continuing in an uncharacteristic display of obliviousness.

“I was thinking end of Monday, maybe Tuesday next week, but-”

“No.”

“Oh? Well, Wednesday would be good too-”

“I said no.” Fame stood up, her emotions overwhelming her. “I tried leaving it up to you to decide when training was finished last time, and that ended in pure catastrophe. You’ll be staying until after I return from Europe.”

Fame didn’t even know that she was going to make that decision, but it felt instantly right, calm washing over her at the thought of having Violet behind the wheel while she was away.

“But-” Violet swallowed, her fingers white from how tightly she gripped her notebook.

“But what?” Fame couldn’t remember Violet ever going directly against her, couldn’t recall the girl so blatantly dismissing a direct order. “Is there a problem??”

“What about my dress, the closing look?” 

Ah. Right. Fame had momentarily forgotten. She sat back down. If it was anyone else, she might be concerned, but she knew that there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Violet would allow anything other than sheer perfection down her runway. 

“I’m sure you’ll find a way,” she said, then waved her hand, gesturing for Violet to be on her way. “That’s all.”

***