Lavender Haze (Actor!Steve Rogers AU)

2

"You're shitting me" Steve groaned as he sat on a call to Fury and his publicist Maria Hill, the next morning. "Please tell me this is some prank you guys are pulling just because you know how much I don't like her".

"I don't prank Steve, Maria and I both agree that it'll be good for both of you. You have the new movie coming out and she's got her album release, it's just like any other job".

Steve rolled his eyes. "How the hell am I supposed to make like I can stand the girl when really she's just the equivalent of a piranha?"

Maria smirked. "You're an actor? So act? Surely it can't be that hard to convince the fans viewing her video that you two have chemistry. It's what the director wants, so go in there, earn your keep and then once it's over you'll never have to see her again".

"Easier said than done. Her music is everywhere, her face is everywhere..."

"I've never known you to dislike someone so much".

"Yeah, well now you do - look I'll do the crappy music video but that's it, I don't want Hill here putting me in for PR appearances just to keep Arizona's management happy that she's getting a good rep for once, because that's another reason why isn't it? They want her to finally get some good publicity".

Nick looked smug. "Why do you think we agreed? With you agreeing to appear in this video her popularity will rise".

"With more men willing to sell their soul to the devil that she is?"

"I know her manager, she's been through shit and she needs a boost. I'll send you the schedule and you can go from there - who knows? Maybe you two will have something in common".

Steve sat back and sipped his coffee, letting out a sigh. "I highly doubt that".

Once he got off the call he got straight onto Bucky. "So Fury's agreed for me to do some video with Arizona Allen - got any bleach I can drink?"

Bucky's laughter echoed through the phone. "Oh man, this is gonna be good. And you're just taking this lying down?" He knew just how much dislike Steve had for the woman, and the fact that this was now happening was either karma or a sick twist of fate for his friend. Bucky guessed it was probably a bit of both though.

"It's just another job, nothing major". He now tried to play down the situation, even if it was making him feel nauseous thinking about it.

"It will be to fans, yours and hers - trust me".

Steve groaned. "The fact that people will probably try and associate us? That's gonna piss me off".

Bucky made an 'mmmm' sound. "I spoke to her at Pepper's birthday - she's pretty nice, not how people have made her out to be, maybe you should give her a chance".

"I'm good thanks, I met her briefly there as well".

"You failed to mention that vital piece of information".

"Wasn't relevant, she borrowed my lighter that's all". He brushed it off.

Bucky sighed dreamily. "First it's borrowing your lighter, next it'll be wearing your t-shirt the morning after a night with her". He teased, loving every moment of torturing his friend over this.

Steve became a little irritated. "Shut up Buck".

"Sorry", his friend laughed, "Oh I can't wait for Sam to hear about this. He's gonna love it". Then calming down. "Look, just go in, act the shit outta yourself - then go home. Job done, you get paid and then you'll probably never have to see her again".

"Yeah, that's what I'm hoping"

"It'll be fine, what's the worst that could happen?"

**

"You alright?" Phil asked as he sat next to Arizona in the back of the car - currently the pair were on their way to some TV appearance, but she'd been quiet ever since the party last night. Even in the studio where she felt like she could be her goofy self, she'd been very serious during the last few pieces of finalising the album.

"I guess..." She shrugged. "Did Steve Rogers manager get back to you about the video shoot?"

Phil nodded. "He's agreed to do it, so we're good to go. Production have been in touch, now it's just a case of you turning up and doing what you do best".

Arizona stared out of the window. "I'm surprised he actually said yes, e doesn't like me, even you could see that".

"He's friends with Brock isn't he?"

"They're in the same film franchise so yeah, that's probably the main factor. Makes me wonder what the bastard has been saying about me to everyone". She huffed. If she knew Brock then he'd be calling her a bitch and bad mouthing her to anyone who would believe him. "Hey Phil?"

He looked across at her. "Yeah?"

Arizona paused. "Is it true that they're saying I won't sell out my tours anymore? That this album will flop?" She wanted to know what move to make next. Usually she had a plan, but this latest breakup had been somewhat damaging.

"There have been rumours, but that's not to say that they're gonna be right. Since when have the critics ever been about you?"

She nodded to herself, mind in overdrive. "Well...if they do turn out to be right, maybe I should take a break, recharge my batteries. I don't want to perform arenas I can't even sell out. Perhaps it'll do me some good, give me new content to write about and come back with".

Phil looked thoughtful now and then nodded. "I doubt it'll happen, but if it does then taking time off might help - when was the last time you had a decent break?"

Arizona couldn't remember.

"Exactly. Even if the tour does go ahead you're still taking a break after - I can tell you're getting more stressed lately, if you need to take time we can push back the album release and rearrange appearances..."

"No". She said quickly. "I don't wanna do that - it wouldn't look good on me. Then again I suppose I can never do anything right in the eyes of the media so it shouldn't matter".

Phil patted her hand. "We've got your back. This video with Steve Rogers will help, trust me".

Arizona sat back and continued to stare out of the window. "Let's just hope we can get along for the sake of this video, and maybe my sanity by the end of it - how am I supposed to work with a guy who hates my guts?"

Phil smiled knowingly. "Show him just how good of an actress you can be and that'll get you through it".

She sighed. "He was my teenage crush you know, well, one of them - kinda feels disappointing knowing that someone who's films I love knows I exist, and despises me for it".

"Just be yourself".

"That's a shit piece of advice".

Phil chuckled at this. "You know what I mean, show him you're not the person who the media makes out to be. You're both in the public eye and subjected to frequent speculation and gossip, he should know how it feels".

"Yeah but there's a difference you're forgetting". She reminded him, "Everyone loves Steve Rogers. As far as they're concerned, I'm just someone who goes through multiple guys and can't keep them". 

"He's out there, trust me, he's out there somewhere".