"Hello, I'm Daniel – have to say," The interviewer introduced himself, shaking your hand as you moved to sit down across from him in front of the cameras that were angled to get both of you so they could flip back and forth during editing, "You're even hotter in person."
You were currently having your top clipped with a microphone and you squirmed uncomfortably in your seat, adjusting the bottom of your skirt so it covered more of your legs, his eyes following the movement, "M'name's Y/n," You fumbled out, used to the treatment through questions on camera, not off camera and so blunt, "Nice to meet you too."
Natasha and Bucky were standing off camera to the side, watching the entire thing along with half of your management, and then there was the crew from the radio show that you met backstage after Crystal said you looked like shit when you came stumbling into your hotel at four in the morning with Natasha in tow. You hadn't slept a wink, but with the magic that is your makeup artist, she can really make you look a hundred times more alive than you are. You were also wearing custom made Louis Vuitton curtesy of your stylist and the brand partnership, but it wasn't to be mentioned on camera – you just liked wearing the pieces early and getting people excited about what was to come.
Then a woman behind the camera signaled that they would start filming in five seconds – then four, then three...you get it.
"Welcome back to The Show where we talk everything from celebrity gossip to politics to what you should and shouldn't be listening to – I'm here with one of The Show's most loyal guests, everyone knows who she is, Y/n Stark!" He cheered and you smiled, "How're you doing today, Y/n? Get here okay?"
"Yeah, I've been loving Peru and the fans have been so welcoming and-"
"So, you're touring your new album, Out of Control, correct?" He barely waited for you to nod, "Lot of...provocative lyrics in this one. Not something the young teens should probably be listening to, huh?"
"I don't know," You shrugged, trying not to fiddle with your hands on your lap, "I don't think it's that bad, I'm sure there's -"
"You sing about getting tipsy, high, and kissing girls – you're like a walking wet dream!"
You frowned, "How so?"
"Please, don't act like you don't know every man's fantasy is-"
"I can assure you, I'm not trying to be-"
"Move on!" Someone from your team shouted and since it's not live, the interviewer simply nodded, clearing his throat.
"So, with touring around the world, doing dozens of interviews and meet and greets in between, how do you have time to stay so fit?"
You internally groaned, your eyes floating around the room to Natasha who seemed just as upset if not more, only outwardly, but when she noticed you watching her, she rolled her eyes more playfully, pretending to hang herself. You tried not to laugh, smiling as you turned back to the interviewer.
"Like anyone else, I try to eat well and exercise when I can. Singing and running around can be difficult, so breathing exercises are just as important too. Breath control."
"Nice. You were recently voted female sex symbol and Harry Styles is your male counterpart for that category, how do you feel about being known as a sex symbol?"
You composed yourself – you've had media training and you've done countless of interviews, some worse than this, you could do it, "Harry Styles is one of the best performers and lyricists of our generation, so to be side by side with him in anything is an honor. Not sure what he'd think about the label, but I'd rather talk about something more music related. If that's alright with you."
"So, you don't like being labeled a sex symbol?" He raised his eyebrows, letting out a short breath, "What would you like to be called then? If you don't mind me asking."
"A singer," You shrugged, not playing along with it, "A person? I don't know. Sex symbol is fine, it's just-"
"A bit too naughty for the girl next door?"
You barely resisted cringing. This interview needed to be over yesterday.
"I'm doing a live cooking video for the Global Poverty Project," You blurted in a weird panic and the interviewer looked confused for a moment but then composed himself quickly, "Tomorrow night before the concert, you can check the webpage or my social media for more information – you don't have to donate, but whatever donations come in I'm going to match and every view it gets, I'll donate a dollar."
"Um, what're you planning to cook?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows, and you honestly hadn't even thought that far ahead, assuming your team set something up.
Luckily, the interview wrapped up soon after that, someone yelling 'cut' and then you shook about a dozen hands as you took off your microphone and made your way back to the green room to grab your bag. When you came back out, you were face to face with a Bucky.
"Where's Nat?"
"What? I'm not good enough?" He teased, his face completely stoic, and then he shrugged, "She needed the bathroom. Told me to go ahead."
You nodded, following him out, and then got into the back of the car, "Can we get waffles on the way? I'm starving."
"Sure." And then the redhead was slipping into the other front seat, clicking in her belt before she glanced back to you.
"Hey, you alright?"
"Yeah," You assured with a tight smile, "Bit embarrassed, hope my fans don't hate it, but I'm alright."
"Nothing to be embarrassed about, doll, that dude was a jerk." Bucky tried, but you just gave him a grateful smile through the rearview mirror as he pulled out of the parking lot, not really believing it.
"Bucky's right for once, so why don't we-"
"The fuck you mean for once?"
"-go get some waffles and Johnny said to send his assistant what you're going to make so she can get the ingredients for the livestream."
"How'd you know she wanted waffles?" Bucky mumbled and she shrugged.
You frowned, furrowing your eyebrows in confusion, "And when did you talk to Johnny?"
"We had a bit of a disagreement," She waved it off, facing forward, "So, I told him your new schedule for the next few weeks, not wanting him to bother you for a while. Thought you could use some space."
You raised your eyebrows, surprised by the thoughtfulness behind it, "Wow. Thanks."
"Okay, I gotta ask because no one else will," Bucky spoke up after a long pause and you stayed quiet so he could continue, "Why don't you just fire Johnny and gut your management of all the douche bags? You're the one making the money, you're the one your fans love, I just don't get it. The power is in your hands."
You bit your lip anxiously and Natasha elbowed him hard, "It's not really, though."
"She's under contract," Natasha explained evenly for you, "It's complicated."
"Oh, come on, you can't expect me to buy that bull-"
"Two years," You cut him off, "I signed a ten-year contract, eight albums, and a documentary. I play the role and I get my freedom. I can renew their contracts if I want, but they don't own me anymore – kinda sacrificed my freedom for a chance at fame. I was just lucky enough that people actually like my music and me as a person."
The ride was deafeningly quiet after that and you sat back, dreaming of the days you could breathe and eat waffles without having a nagging voice in the back of your head telling you not to over and over again.
