Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Coming from a family who tried to deny my belief in magic it was hard trying to keep that dream going, when the people you love most call you names for something you believe in you start questioning yourself, was my magic real? Could i even find the magic i've been desperately trying to search for? But as i got older my belief faded and faded until it was just a childish fantasy i used to believe in.

Did i still believe in magic? Not really.

My parents are rich scientists and they wanted me to get an important job, something practical like a doctor or a scientist like themselves. But even after all those countless years i spent trying to convince them magic was real they called me stupid. Denied anything i suggested.

Eventually i just decided to be a normal person and forget all about my childish dream and leave my mark on the world somehow just like how my parents always wanted me to turn out.

The thing is i couldn't become something great like a scientist or a lawyer i wasn't talented enough and it wasn't something i wanted to do.

The thought always run through my mind, why should i dedicate myself to something i had no interest in? But no matter how much i hated it i tried my best to make them proud.

The pressure and expectations took over until i forced myself to deny my beliefs and focus on my future, but when i couldn't even get a high respecting job i had to settle for something lower.

I remember sitting at my computer writing another job application knowing that i was going to be sent back again so i just started applying for something, anything that could let my parents still be proud of me even if it wasn't something great. Even if my life didn't really have a purpose yet.

And i did it, i got a job offer for a fashion photography studio and without a second thought i accepted the invitation.

Fashion photography wasn't something i expected myself to be doing but i was proud that i at least had something.

Maybe a little bit of me was hoping that my camera could catch that magic i so desperately hoped for as a child but i also knew that was just stupid.

And that's why last month i actually attended the interview i needed the job, i needed too prove that i still had a choice to pick a path in my own life. I wasn't going to let them force me to follow in their footsteps like them and become some boring, non creative scientist with no hopes and dreams aside from just making money which we already have plenty of.

The sound of my alarm clock rings through my ears and i start gaining conciousness.

Today was my first day and i was very nervous about how today would turn out, what if i got fired for not being good at my job? No, of course the boss will like me i try and convince myself.

I spend more time laying in bed worrying about the day then actually getting ready and now i'm going to be late which makes me even more worried.

I can't be late on my first day that will leave a bad impression.

Now i am rushing around my room getting ready as fast as i can, putting my glasses on and changing into a formal white shirt with a pair of gray pants i found in the back of my drawers.

I was going to wear a red tie but that would seem a bit to formal, i wanted something that said i cared about my appearance but also not seeming like a try hard so i decided against it.

By the time i walk too my new workplace i will already be five minutes late.

Part of me just wanted to sit on my floor and cry but i'm a man i'm not allowed to cry, well that's what my parents told me so i would always hold in my tears until i was alone.

I was an emotional person so i cried all the time in private.

And i hated it.

I finish getting ready and leave my room, my older brother is watching some television game show about guessing letters to create words, my father is next to him reading the newspaper and my mother is in the science lab i assume.

My older sister got married a few months ago and no longer lives with us, i haven't contacted her since. She was always rude to me so i wanted nothing to do with her and she didn't bother ever contacting me either.

I sprint to the kitchen and grab my leftover pasta for lunch out of the refrigerator, i'll just use a microwave at my new workplace if they have one.

My dad yells at me from across the room, "Alexis don't run in the house."

I put the pasta in a plastic container and mutter a quick apology, "Sorry, i have too go bye."

I grab my bag and swing it over my shoulder putting the smaller bag which carries my camera over my shoulder and across my waist.

Then i start fast walking out of the house not wanting my dad to yell at me again but none of them even said good morning or told me they hope my first day goes well but i'm used too it ever since i started believing in magic instead of science they have been treating me like shit.

The fresh air hitting my face felt wonderful i hated being in that household.

Now the only obstacle left is i have three minutes to walk to my work and the fact the streets was full of people walking their dogs, heading to work or just taking a walk.

I adjust my glasses and start walking towards my work place as quickly as i can.

The sky seemed to be very dark today and i start wondering if it's going to storm soon, i don't have an umbrella so i hope it doesn't storm on my way back from work.

Now here i am standing out the front of my new workplace five minutes late. it's a four story building considering the fact the company i work for is pretty big.

My office was on the third floor but before i go to my new office i needed too ask the boss for a tour beacuse i don't know anything about the building yet.

I gently open the front door, my eyes darting around the new work place scanning for my boss or someone who can help me.

The first floor seemed like more of a customer service area as there was countless desks and cozy seating areas highlighted by a giant signboard in the middle projecting a map of the building.

This place was extremely fancy and i felt awkward, scared, and my nerves got worse.

So many people are walking around with files or clothing items, random customers and a few mean glances from a group of posh girls who obviously thought very highly of themselves.

I approach the giant map and start searching for where the boss might be, but what if he is busy? I should probably just go to my office first.

My eyes flicker between all the staircases and doorways but i don't know where any of them lead to so i just take the elevator.

I press the elevator button and wait nervously for the door to open up.

I really hope i can do well in this job, i just want my parents too stop calling me stupid or untalented. Just beacuse i'm not a scientist like them doesn't mean my life has any less worth.

I get into the elevator and stand there picking at my nails in nervousness. The sound of the elevator moving through the mechanical track was somewhat soothing and not even thirty seconds later the elevator came to a halt, dropping me off at the third floor.

The doors open and i cautiously step into the hallway where i see a room full of small offices and a few bigger separate offices.

I hope i get a big office.

A firm hand grasps my shoulder and i let out a tiny noise of suprise and jump a little bit.

I quickly turn around and see my boss standing there grabbing my shoulder, he was tall and had fluffy black hair with bright green eyes. His hair was combed over to one side and he was wearing a simple black suit with a yellow and blue patterned tie.

I open my mouth to speak but he cuts me off, "You're late. also your office is over there." He sounds pretty disappointed, his expression stoic and i can't help but want to just sink into the floor.

He points to one of the bigger rooms and i feel a wave of relief knowing that i don't have to share an office with like ten other people.

"Your first client is coming soon, he is a famous male model named Michael Kaiser i'm sure you have seen him on a magazine before." My boss informs me before giving me a slight push in the direction of my office and starts walking away.

Damnit i didn't like my boss already he was rude. And this Michael Kaiser guy? I have never even heard of him before

Chapter Text

With my first client coming soon i felt extremely nervous, my leg shaking a little bit and i hide in my new office.

The interior is pretty fancy. A wooden desk with tons of drawers in the corner of the room, a photo printing room off too the side, a bunch of different cameras and lenses planted onto the wall. And it even had a backdrop in the corner with a royal looking couch probably for clients.

I was extremely amazed at my new working environment, it was the perfect mixture of professional yet comforting.

My gaze drifts around the room once more before i place my backpack on my desk and take my camera out of the case.

A giant window is fixed on the side of my office and i can see the city below, cars driving past like ants, people going about their day, birds flying freely throughout the sky.

It was oddly comforting and i realise that i was nervous over nothing.

I open the brand new laptop on my desk and by the time i have set up all the details and made an account so i can sign in i realise how much time has passed.

My gaze drifting to the time in the corner of my laptop and it has been an entire hour. My client should be here any minute, shit.

I quickly stand up and rush towards the door, opening it and the most majestic man i have ever seen in my life is standing right outside with a pissed off expression but the moment his eyes meet mine his face turns into one of shock for a second before he quickly hides it with an annoyed look.

He crosses his arms and sighs, "Seriously i've been waiting for five minutes and i knocked like ten times." He rolls his eyes at me and i feel ashamed. It is my first day and i have already messed up, not just once but twice.

I mentally slap myself and quickly offer him inside, "Sorry, i'm really sorry come inside please."

He rolls his eyes again and i feel really stupid i want too just quit my job and run back home but i'm here for a reason.

His eyes follow me like a flashlight in the dark and i don't know if he is either judging me or just staring at me for no apparent reason.

Once he is inside i close the door and look into his eyes, "Sit on the bench please."

He smirks and follows my order sitting down on the royal looking bench in the middle of my office. His posture is pretty good considering the fact he is a model and i stare at him for a few seconds before running over to get my camera from my desk and almost dropping it from nerves.

Kaiser sees this and chuckles before muttering something that i didn't quite pick up on which makes me feel even more insecure than i already was.

What made it worse was that last week my mom kept telling me to find a wife but nobody wants a pathetic, emotional and childish man like me. Most girls want someone who can protect them and i'm more likely the one who needs protecting.

I was already disappointing my parents enough after all my sister was a happily married scientist, and my brother had a girlfriend and was also a scientist and then there is just me who works at a fashion industry.

I feel so stupid and untalented but i wanted to try my best, i wanted too feel needed in this world.

His gaze that never left me was causing me too stress out even more and i wanted to just hide under my desk and start crying but that's very unprofessional.

I clear my throat and look back up at him, "So you're already in your outfit i assume?"

He chuckles at my question, "That's what it looks like sweetheart."

I feel all my muscles freeze at that nickname but i decide too not question it, his gaze not leaving mine for a second and i feel so awkward, my palms staring too sweat and my nerves keep appearing.

I nod slightly and start instructing his position, "Ok, umm...just move towards the left slightly and put your left arm over the chair but like casually and move your legs inwards a little bit."

He takes in the information i just gave him and he repeats the instructions, i approach the stand up camera and lean forwards slightly so that i can use the camera properly.

He looks really good right now his clothes are neat and his hair looks like something out of a fairytale. I was kind of jealous, if i looked like him maybe i could have a wife already?

I finally take the photo of Kaiser and he stands up walking towards me but i quickly walk into the opposite direction making sure the photo turned out alright and it did. I was more talented than i had originally thought.

I nod my head and look over giving him a big smile, "Ok Kaiser the photo is done."

His face turns red slightly at my smile and i wonder if it's too hot in here so i immediately grab the air conditioner remote turning it on and Kaiser shoots me a confused eyebrow raise.

He crosses his arms and moves his gaze to the floor, "So what do i do now?" He questions me and i stop looking at the photo.

"Um i think you can leave now." I expain softly still quite unsure of how this all works.

He stands even closer to me and i start feeling a little bit scared, was he going to kill me?

Probably not but it was always a possibility.

He grabs my chin,  tilts my head upwards, and stares into my eyes with a look of something i couldn't quite understand.

He smirks slightly, "yknow you are pretty cute in my eyes."

I raise my eyebrow, seriously why was he complimenting me? We met ten minutes ago. I push his hand away and take a step back, "Um thank you..?"

He rolls his eyes playfully and i start feeling kind of weirded out, "the door is that way." I point towards the door and he begrudgingly walks out of my office so i take a deep breath in relief, the office turning quiet and peaceful.

His haircut was so atrocious yet it looked awfully good on him which made me amazed, i approach my printer and start printing a few copies of the recently took photo which turned out fine.

The sound of my door opening makes me drop the photo and i quickly pick it up and look over at the door, one of my co-workers walks in she is wearing a white button up shirt and a knee length black skirt. Her long wavy brown hair falling loosely down her shoulders, her red lipstick shining a little bit from the reflection of the ceiling light and she is pretty tall, taller than me which makes me feel a bit insecure.

I nod in greeting, "Um hello there i'm Alexis Ness do you need anything?"

She smiles at me charmingly, "Hello Alexis, so you are the new photographer huh? My name is Camilla" Her voice somewhat deep for a lady.

I nod and glance around my office making sure i cleaned up all the stuff up from the earlier photoshoot.

A smirk plasters onto her face and i freeze, why is everyone smirking at me today do i look really good?