#coco last

Coco is also a terrible secret keeper who revealed  that Baxter drank underage in their first meeting with Xavier and had to tell Cliff Holden everything every step of the way to stop themselves from spilling the beans because Cliff doesn't know Baxter and therefore couldn't spoil the surprise.

There's no escape for Cliff, if he tries to avoid Coco's gushing, Coco whines to Cove who then asks his father to speak to them.. and we all know he can't say no to Cove

They know exactly what they are doing

Cliff on the other hand, does spend some time questioning his past decisions..

"You didn't even take the twenty! There is no contract!"

"Too late, you are family" 

*Cliff making a show of being put out but not being able to hide his (somewhat pained but genuine) smile

He had to put up with three years of gushing that no one else could know about.. you can bet Cliff Holden's wedding speech left an impression. 

Baxter definitely falls more in love when hearing how much planning went into things (it's definitely one of those things that still gets him flustered). Coco on the other hand is shameless and very proud of themselves, their husband, and the wedding their Husband planned.

No one knows until Derek's wedding speech that Coco has been doing much the same to Derek. (Because he hasn't met Baxter in person either). Except Derek doesn't even try to escape, he likes to be depended upon. He thinks he can at least do this for his friend even if he can't be there often physically. Despite being in the same city Derek keeps himself busy, Coco's gushing makes a fairly good running soundtrack. It helps that Coco literally sings Baxter's praises fairly often and they have a nice voice. He does not think of that old crush he had at Thirteen, or the voided deal he made back then at all, no sir, not him. He's far too busy. That's true, eventually. He never stopped loving the friendship he has with Coco, and Coco definitely never knew about his crush. His wedding speech is also a doozy, for Baxter at least, Coco is still shameless. Poor Baxter might implode from how red he gets from all the praise.

Given Coco is in the public eye, their relationship becomes public eventually. They make sure Baxter is actually ready, media training, asking him to avoid comment sections, lots of reassurance. They do everything they can to protect Baxter from any downsides of the limelight. They gush so much about him in interviews that there are compilations of "Times interviewers got Coco started on their husband" that are over four hours of just Coco complimenting Baxter while avoiding given personal info. They also get a reputation for being overprotective when an interviewer starts a sentence with "Isn't he too-" and Coco cuts them off to list compliments until the interviewer gives up and just says yes to one in order to keep things going.

Baxter not so secretly loves this side of them, but he can't control his blush whenever Coco gets protective. Whenever it looks like anyone might say the slightest questionable thing about Baxter (friendly teasing aside), Coco interrupts them and lists good things about him until they accept one and leave. (Yes, this does include one unfortunate and unexpected encounter with Baxter's parents at a high end restaurant. The rudeness left them speechless, Baxter pleased and embarrassed, while Coco got a private room with a separate exit for themselves and Baxter). 

Coco also knows that Baxter needs to work on his self esteem himself, but they can't help showering him in compliments whenever he looks sad. At first, it doesn't happen in front of company, but one-time at a dinner with family Coco is telling a story that took place after he left their city and Baxter makes a sad face. Coco cuts off their story mid sentence, gently grabs Baxter's cheeks and stares into his eyes while showering him with compliments. They take full advantage of his shock to keep showering him with compliments until he begs them to stop. Baxter is distraught, embarrassed, and unfortunately pleased so he can't really tell them off. Everyone at the table teases an unrepentant Coco while Baxter recovers, and Coco finishes their story.

Later, they talk to Baxter more and decide verbal compliments will be saved (mostly) for when they are alone, but Coco will carry a notebook in their purse exclusively to write down Truths about Baxter Ward. That is the title they give it. It makes Baxter smile and blush a little every time he sees Coco writing in it. Coco for their part, finishes the notebook rather quickly and scrambles over how to give it to him, until they realise they could make it a yearly anniversary tradition to give him one. Baxter reads them just as much for the traces of Coco's wit, the impact they make on the paper with their words and the way they held it, writing in it, as for the compliments. He'd say it's more for the fact he can tell where they were and what they were doing when each compliment was written. Sometimes Coco combined those details with the compliment, but mostly it's because Baxter is observant and notices all the context clues.

Baxter ends up doing most of the cooking, which Coco uses as one of the many things to remind him of what he brings to the relationship. Baxter also remembers the exact day he met Coco Every time. He often plans simple excursions for each one. He finally understands it doesn't always need to be extravagant, sometimes the best moments can be wandering randomly around the city reminiscing. He, of course, continues to be very affectionate in private and initiates many fun dancing rendezvous in his company's ballroom. His personal growth continues and he actually maintains contact with his current friends. With Coco's encouragement he actually manages to swim a little in the ocean and reconnect his middle school friends. He makes Coco feel brave as he triumphs over his past fears in leaps and bounds (barring a few minor setbacks that he is not allowed to ruminate on).

He continues his charity works and grows his business far more than he expected.

Here a headcannon for my OC, Coco Last's proposal to Baxter. (If it seems familiar it's because I originally posted this elsewhere but my brain is still fixated on it).

If anyone expresses the slightest bit of interest in it after this, I can and will elaborate further.

My brain got caught up in planning how my oc (Coco Last) would propose to Baxter. It contains spoilers.

Context for Coco, they are a blonde haired blue eyed Oscar winning and very prolific actor (who also invests in their projects, collecting lots of royalties). They keep their dancing skills sharp for movies and never so much as had a crush on anyone other than Baxter. Also... They are very EXTRA.. as are their proposal plans.

They start planning maybe three months after they start dating Baxter for the second time. This is necessary because they plan to propose on their third anniversary with Baxter, and they need the entire Ballroom building that they are having built on barren land near the mountain lodge where Baxter took them on vacation the first time to be completed for their post proposal trip... and this is just the tip of the iceberg. They are always asking Baxter questions about how he's like to be proposed to for "future reference", and put what they learn to good use.

They are proposing on their third anniversary because their third time running into Baxter was the charm. They are also proposing at the Cypress where they met Baxter, and they want to make sure it will be a surprise. Therefore a month before their first anniversary they confirm with Baxter that they'll go to the Cypress for dinner every anniversary.

Their first anniversary, they give Baxter a bouquet of black roses (for rebirth) and White roses (for loyalty) also because his favourite colours. Then they go to dinner at the Cypress and reveal they rented the ballroom out just for them and Baxter that night.

Their second anniversary, they give Baxter the same flowers, dinner and ballroom time except they ask Baxter to take the next week off work ahead of time. He does and Coco reveals in the ballroom, while they are waltzing together, that the two of them will be spending the next week at a competitive ballroom dancing camp. Of course, it's a blast.

This whole time, some of the work calls they've been taking were about the ballroom building they are having constructed near the mountain lodge where they took their first trip with Baxter. A month or two before their third anniversary, the ballroom is cleared by four different ballroom inspectors, the competitive ballroom camp organizers, and all the competitive ballroom team coaches that attend the camp. So the camp finally has a permanent location, and after they propose to Baxter they will both be able to enjoy both the mountain lodge where they took there first vacation and the competitive ballroom camp they enjoyed after their second anniversary.

Their third anniversary begins the same as the last two for Baxter, so of course he expects nothing until Coco proposes during dessert. The experienced and skilled videographer Coco hired did an excellent job disguising themself at the table Coco booked for them to have the best angle. Coco also covered their meal on top of paying the videographer and a large tip, because they firmly believe it's better to over compensate those you hire. (The photographer is at the same table as the videographer and gets the same perks, they may or may not end up dating). The videographer captures Coco's grand, romantic, five minute long (have I mentioned they are EXTRA? laughing) speech and Baxter's reaction to that paired with his dream engagement ring perfectly. Of course, the pictures are also perfect, Coco doesn't play around about getting the best for Baxter.

After dinner in the rented out ballroom there's a live orchestra, which Coco then reveals they commissioned for the week. And Baxter's like how? What? And Coco reveals they commissioned the band to play both for that night and the week of the ballroom camp. Baxter's already impressed but when Coco reveals where the ballroom camp will be that year he's baffled. Because there was no ballroom at the mountain lodge? And Coco's like there is now. And he's like you didn't! To which Coco confirms they did have an entire Ballroom built for him and them and the competitive ballroom dancing camp. Baxter is bashful and baffled all like "That's too much"

And Coco responds:

"No, that's not too much, what might be too much is that I named it

Coco Last keeps me up at night,

Coco Last what did they do when Lee wanted to put on a show?

This is exactly what Coco would want. They would love you as I do.

As a self proclaimed being of immense skill owed constant admiration, the prospect of a show greatly excites them. At that age they were already practiced at dancing, singing, guitar playing, writing and most important of all, acting. Performing for them was an exceptionally pleasant Friday, as in it was a common place part of their week that they always loved. The especially novel part of this performance was that they had the privilege of working with a fellow skilled artist.

They already had several songs written with Lee in mind, so they were ecstatic at the suggestion. They used one of the songs they wrote, sung with Lee, did the makeup, and choreographed a dance for both them and Lee. Of course, with all these things they respected Lee's input. They were able to do all these things in one afternoon thanks to their previous preparation and Lee's help. There's no way Coco would've been in a show without making sure at the minimum, those four elements were done to their satisfaction. They also made sure that Cliff Holden a) watched the show and b) set up his nice camera on the tripod to record the show. Coco did check ahead of time, and he had the best camera, hence his camera had to be used for the recording.

After both Coco and Lee become famous, that recording becomes the two most watched videos on YouTube because both them and Lee post a copy. Whenever they are asked about it, they say they wish they could have worked some guitar playing in there. Lee says the same because she thinks it's funny.

How did they react when Baxter went NC at the end of step 3?

You are literally my favourite person. <3 Small trigger warning far a reference of disordered eating in paragraph 4 (not including this little blurb, I put an asterisk before and after it), you can just skip that one if you want.

So Coco knew Baxter wasn't up for staying dating and they accepted that. Like full on just let him go wishing him the best. They have way too much pride to ask someone for something not freely offered. (If anything he should have bagged them to keep in contact). They didn't so much as ask to be friends or send him a single message. They are a big fan of the ephemeral, the temporary, un repeatable, beautiful experiences. To them Baxter was ephemeral, a show that would go on forever changed, but never to return. It was wonderful and painful.

This doesn't mean they weren't in love with him, but they're of the mind that it was their decision that hurt them. They are the ones to blame for their pain because they agreed to temporary knowing full well they'd love him forever actually. There were lots of tearful performances of "Wildest Dreams" by Taylor Swift, "I knew you were trouble" (also Taylor Swift), and even "Enchanted" (They're a Swiftie) on the hill behind their house. They had outfits (plural) mimicking every look from those songs music videos. They would sing, dance, and cry (like the artsy crying where tears run down their cheeks but their makeup stays perfect and their face serene) while playing guitar for the instrumentals. Eventually after all their family and friends beg them to add another song in the rotation, they add "Teardrops on my guitar" (still Taylor) to the performance rotation.

Of course, they didn't let any of this slow their career. They live and breathe for performance, they were always doing at least one show/movie. They also posted several original songs on YouTube (that they gave the rights for to Lee after their acting career became lucrative). Their original song videos also had them singing dancing, playing the guitar, and changing outfits at least three times. They were always working and performing, they even went on tour at one point.

*Unfortunately, this was unsustainable. They frequently forgot to eat and became dangerously underweight. To the point that shopping in the kids section still meant baggy clothes. It was not being big enough to fit their favourite designer's new dress (that was made specifically for their second Oscar appearance based on measurements from their first apperance) that made Coco begin the arduous process of working to eat regularly again. It made them feel really ugly, and even looking at food was too much for them at points. They were really lucky that Cove was living with them, because while their family supported them mentally, Cove was there physically. (Jude and Scott, were the best at maintaining regular contact considering their experience with long distance dating). He learned to cook to help them. And when looking at food made them cry and puke (this frequently happened after they gained the courage to start baking again, they don't know when they stopped), Cove was happy to make the food disappear (after helping them recover a bit and being sent away). When Baxter finds out about all this after they start dating again, he totally tries to blame himself and Coco shuts that down with a vengeance. Reasons their schedule out so well Baxter is both impressed and afraid for them. He asks what he can do to help and Coco jokes it's good he got better at cooking.. Jokes on them, the food is so good they gain 15 pounds within three months of dating him.*

By the time they meet Baxter again at 25 for Jude and Scott's wedding. They are two years recovered from all of that (It definitely had nothing to do with Baxter and everything to do with their insatiable hunger to be a star). They are happy, but they still love Baxter. They think the wedding could not be in better hands. Once Coco finds out Baxter still cares them (at Xake, the bakery), they decide not to let him go. (Their impatience also wins out and they confess after the wedding clean up). Also, they totally quote one of the songs they wrote about Baxter in their confession (before they ask him out using his words minus the temporary stuff).

Oh my god, I love you, thank you. And they were extra from the very beginning.

When they first met Cove, they were like finders keepers. And every month on the same day they found Cove, they'd give Cove a drawing of a white linen poppy. (Were the drawings good? No, but they did end up everywhere in Cove's room). Over the years their skills improved and they gift Baxter ink drawings for every important date, from the day of the first soiree, the date when they met the second time, the third time, their first date the first time, first date the second time... there's a lot of dates. Only Baxter's planning skills (and calendar where he writes down all these dates as Coco celebrates them) allows him to keep up. The chocolate fountain illusion cake Coco made on Miranda's birthday (that they brought to Miranda's party after the reveal), is the only one Baxter had any issues with. *He nearly had a heart attack because he woke up and discovered a chocolate fountain in his kitchen. He thought it was a nightmare.*

Spoilers for Cove step 1 dlc: When Cove ran away Coco went with, but they didn't need any of Cove's drinks or snacks. They always carried a purse around with them, and that purse was almost as big as them (might be the main reason they end up with some slight muscle definition as they get older). They have all the basic necessities in the purse. (In Coco's mind, the necessities are snacks, drinks, first aid kit, and two full disguises including wigs, contacts and outfits that fit over top of their clothes).

The minute Cove says Coco can come Coco throws on one of the disguises and insists Cove uses the other. The conversation goes a bit like this:

"What are you doing?"

"Putting on my disguise. Where's yours?"

"Why would I have a disguise?"

"Because you said you don't want people to know you're leaving. If they see you they will know, so you just have to make sure they see someone else, someone more fabulous. Did you not even bring a disguise?"

"No"

"Here, you have to use my extra one so we don't get caught"

"But there's no one around"

"Wanna bet?"

"Fine" *Pouty Cove puts the disguise on. He didn't like the wig and couldn't keep the contacts in for long. So only his clothes ended up different.. It made Coco pout for a second before remembering their disguise was an adult who doesn't pout. Yes, they did think they could pass for an adult at 8 years old, 3 feet tall, with the biggest possible child like blue eyes (the brown contacts did not make them look older) and chubby cheeks.... *

Coco also has a new, fully choreographed, victory dance for every year. Whenever they have a big win, they will break out into a full song and dance as soon as there is enough space to. Even during "Dinner" at Cove's house, when they win the card game, they actually go outside to do one, much to everyone's amusement. Cove is an excellent best friend because he becomes very efficient at clearing a stage area for Coco at a moments notice. He's so good at it, that after Coco became famous people thought he was Coco's body guard, or the one scheduling these seemingly impromptu pop performances by an Oscar winning actor.

Coco, cleared that up really quick, and their fans enjoyed the performances all the more for knowing they are victory dances.

They definitely did a dance after Baxter asked them out in "Sightseeing", though they waited until after Baxter was inside. Also, when they asked Baxter out after Scott and Jude's wedding. (Although they were a little disappointed that Baxter didn't notice that they quoted when he asked them out verbatim, without the part about things being temporary)

They also love dressing "grandly formal" all the time. They actually had to dress down for Scott and Jude's wedding. Of course, a paparazzo got a picture of Coco only looking "formal" and their fans were so worried they broke Twitter. Coco had to to a whole press release through a reputable journal that they were alright. They also explained that they knew the importance of not stealing another person's show. Same as how upstaging your costars ruins a performance, stealing the show takes it out of it's context and ruins the show. In this case, the show was the wedding of two people near and dear to their heart and they'd rather die than ruin that momentous occasion. (They may or may not have given their publicist a conniption over refusing to change their wording).

Ps. They carry four disguises in their purse now, so they are never caught by paparazzi if they don't want to be. All their friends are used to Coco putting on disguises while out with them, and Baxter thinks it's rather ingenious of them. Whenever they put on a disguise while out with him, he always asks, "What wonderful gentle person do I have the pleasure of escorting today?"

Absolutely wild. Baxter may be attached to BW for many good reasons, but it seems we're attached to BC for the initials of our ship.

I love the artist choice of career for us.

SPOILERS

In hindsight, now I'm thinking our oc hair and eye choices mean more than we expected:

hair blonde/gold like the beach and eyes blue like the ocean....

So I like the idea that our ocs appearance could remind Baxter of his ocean fear as well as his fear of intimacy. That way he's confronting both a bit while near mc, and it helps me justify his issues even more.

(It's funny to consider him also struggling with that and never mentioning it because he thinks it's ridiculous. But it's also another motivator to overcome his fear of the ocean, and it helps to associate the ocean with mc).

TLDR:

I think we have the best ocs ;)