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hellfirenacht · 10 months ago

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Wing Man Part 7

Fic Summary: Steve 'the Hair' Harrington is your best friend, and is constantly striking out. Sick of this, you two make a deal; you'll wing man for each other. Hooking Steve up with dates is easy, but he finds himself struggling to find you a date. At least, until Dustin starts talking about his new cool friend Eddie.

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Chapter Summary: Dustin spills the beans, and Wayne gives some advice.

5k words

Chapter Summary: Dustin spills the beans, and Wayne gives some advice.

A/N: Happy New Year! I ran out of steam there for a while but I am bursting with new inspiration and have a billion ideas for new and old fics! Thank you for your patience and support 💜

The next night after dropping you off at home, there was a storm the likes of which Hawkins had never seen. Lightning lit up the sky through the night like a shitty rave, knocking out the power for Forest Hills Trailer Park for the better part of two days. It wasn’t until Saturday, when Eddie attempted to check in on Ronnie again, that he realized that their worn out phone had been completely fried. Shit.

Getting a new one was easier said than done, Eddie and Wayne had to pinch pennies this week after his uncle had been out of work a few days because of a cold, and having to replace a good chunk of groceries that had gone bad sitting in the dead fridge.

Sure, Bev had been nice enough to give Eddie a few extra shifts at the Hideout to help cover but that was a paycheck that wasn’t going to be in for another week. There was always his dealings, but he’d been keeping his head down after nearly having his stash blown by an over enthusiastic K-9 unit that, thankfully, was more interested in the jerky that Eddie had in his jacket.

For a week, he’d been without a phone now. Normally it wasn’t a huge loss, not many people actually bothered trying to call him anyway, and Wayne didn’t really socialize much working the night shift. But he missed Ronnie, and he really was stressing each day that went by that he didn’t call you. Eddie knew that whatever this was, he was probably already blowing it.

Tuesday rolled around again, and he hoped that you’d show back up to the Hideout. Jeff had even agreed to give most of the band a ride if Eddie agreed to haul their equipment and do all of the breakdown in case you needed another ride home. No such luck though, unbeknownst to him Keith had come down with the same cold that his Uncle Wayne had the week before, meaning you had to work a double.

It was now Friday, over a week since you’d written your name in the most stubborn permanent marker he’d ever come across. Your name still stained his skin in a faint and ugly shade of pea green. Eddie could now say your number by memory, despite never having punched in the digits once. If anyone at school had noticed that Eddie ‘the Freak’ Munson had a girl's name on his arm, they didn’t say anything.

“Whose number is that?” Mike asked in the middle of a time out while Zach and Gareth were pouring over the rule book over the legality of a move that Eddie was sure was bullshit. So much for that.

Eddie’s head snapped over to the freshman while those in Corroded Coffin snickered and suddenly lost interest in the rules for the moment. With the candles and stage lights on, it was always warm in the Hellfire room, and Eddie had stripped his jacket giving his arms a chance to breathe while he guided the party on their next adventure.

It had also meant that the faded remains of your number was still visible, which he hadn’t thought much of until Mike had pointed it out.

“Yeah, Eddie, whose number is it?” Jeff snickered, which earned a hard look from Eddie that under any other circumstances would have shut Jeff up but in this case only made him laugh harder.

For a moment he debated internally about putting his jacket on, and telling them all to shove it. It was tempting, very tempting, but Eddie wasn’t a teen anymore. Hell, he had a good two to three years on most of the members in this club. Why should he be embarrassed because a cute girl had some sort of interest in him?

Because you’re blowing it by not being able to call her. He told himself.

Eddie then told the table about how you’d given him your number right before he dropped you off. How you’d been a perfect gentleman and hadn’t taken advantage of him or made any untowards moves to him. (Even if he had thought you almost did, but he kept that part to himself).

To his surprise, the ribbing was kept to a minimal. Without Eddie fighting against it, the group became less interested. Eddie’s love life was only of interest when it meant that the sheep could finally have some fun with the shepard.

That was going to be the end of it. Jeff had conceded that the rule they were looking up had been an old house rule from his middle school group that he had never questioned as not actually being accurate, and they were ready to move on. Eddie opened his mouth to guide the party to the next encounter-

“I thought you said you weren’t interested in her.” Dustin suddenly said. Eddie had thought that the shrimp had been suspiciously quiet for the past few minutes.

“If that was him not interested then I’m quitting Hellfire to be a cheerleader.” laughed Gareth.

“No one wants to see you in a miniskirt, man.” said Mike.

“They have guy cheerleaders!” protested Gareth. “I’d wear the pants.”

“That’d be a first.” ribbed Zack.

“Don’t you have to be crazy strong to be a cheerleader? Gareth, your strength stat sucks.”

“I haul my own drumset every week!”

“Can we get back to the game?”

“Eddie,” Dustin spoke up again. His brows were furrowed and he was messing with his pencil, the same way he did when someone in the party was about to do something that didn’t make any sense. “You did say you weren’t interested.”

So much for Eddie’s love life being of no interest, he now had a herd of sheep looking at him expectantly, no longer talking about Gareth possibly changing after school activities. He should ignore it, get everyone back on track, and lead them back into the Forbidden Caves where he was not tempted to throw a mimic in for messing with the flow of the game.

He should... but Dustin’s comment bugged him for some reason.

“I never said that.” Eddie said, looking at the kid.

“What? Yeah you did!” Dustin looked as shocked as Eddie felt. When had he ever said he wasn’t interested in you?

“Oh yeah, when?” Eddie crossed his arms and leaned back in his throne, his eyes narrowing.

“At the arcade!” Dustin sounded frustrated. “You told me that you didn’t want me introducing you to anyone when we were doing Hellfire related shit, and that you weren’t interested anyway.”

The warmth from the candles and stage lights were nothing compared to the heat of everyone’s eyes on him. What the fuck was Henderson even talking about?

Oh. Oh what the fuck?!

“Excuse me?” Eddie said slowly as that thirty second conversation started to play in his mind.

“Yeah, I remember that.” Mike added, in an attempt to back up his friend. “We just assumed she wasn’t your type.”

Eddie hadn’t been looking to be anyone’s boyfriend. He was never looking to be dating anyone, the few times he’d found himself in the good graces of a girl who’d shown interest in him it had always blown up in his face.

That had never stopped him from trying though.

“Are- wait. Back up.” Eddie stood up and made his way over to the opposite end of the table where the freshmen were suddenly looking very nervous. He grabbed them by the shoulders, as he’d done so many times in the past and hauled them up while the rest of the table watched on in amusement. Normally, Eddie would never pause the game but, fuck it. This kid had something to do with you, and he was going to figure out what.

“Jesus, Eddie-” Mike said, wincing at the grip. “I don’t have anything to do with this, it was all Dustin and Steve!”

This was getting more and more confusing by the moment. Eddie shoved the two boys to face them, leaning over them. Even with Mike’s growth spurt over the past few months, somehow Eddie still seemed to tower over them.

“Steve?” Eddie’s voice was slow, trying to understand why that name was even being spoken in the private sanctuary away from jocks.

“Yes, Steve! They’re like, best friends or something! Ask Dustin!” Mike said, throwing his friend under the bus.

“What’s the big deal?!” Dustin asked, looking between Mike and Eddie with a look of bewilderment.

“Henderson, you have thirty seconds to explain what the actual Hell is going on before your character becomes Quasit food.” Eddie said, releasing his grip on both of the freshmen.

“Okay, okay!” Dustin held his hand up in surrender, looking nervous as everyone watched the scene unfold. “So, you know how her and Steve work together? Well, they had a deal going on where they’d help get each other dates.”

Eddie’s head tilted down slightly, but his eyes stayed firmly focused on Dustin. This was making less and less sense by the minute. Steve needed help getting dates? King Steve of Hawkins High who had the pick of any girl in school before he graduated? That Steve Harrington couldn’t get a date and so had recruited you into helping him?

And you, you with the everything about you couldn’t get a date either? Hadn’t you mentioned something about that before, at the Hideout?

“I help him and he uh... he helps me get out of the house.”

You’d said that, and he hadn’t thought much of it until now. All this time, Eddie had thought the arcade incident had been Dustin trying to have his two older male friends meet and be friends, but it had been you that he was supposed to meet?

“So you’re telling me that you, Dustin Henderson and Steve Harrington were trying to set me up on a date?” Eddie looked over at the rest of the table that looked just as bewildered as he did. This was a prank, right? He’d been tossed into some sort of alternate dimension where a freshman and a jock had any sort of interest in his love life, in any part of his life. He’d sooner believe that he’d run a drug deal with Chrissy Cunningham than this.

“Well, technically we were trying to set her up on a date and you seemed like a good fit?” Dustin’s answer came out as more of a question, leaving Eddie’s mind reeling. Behind him, he could hear the growing snickers of the party.

Eddie was ready for this to start making sense any time now.

“So she was helping Steve get dates and he wanted to set her up with me?” Nope, even after thinking it a half dozen times it still wasn’t clicking.

“That part was my idea actually!” Dustin said, showing off a smile filled with metal. “She’s pretty weird and Steve said she was picky-”

“Can’t be that picky if she was interested in Eddie.” muttered Gareth, earning another round of laughter at the table.

Eddie didn’t even have it in him to shoot another look at the table as he continued to try and piece together what was going on.

You and Steve had a deal to try and get each other dates. You were picky and so Dustin suggested Eddie. Steve then brought you to the arcade to force a meeting and-

“Wait, did she know that she was supposed to meet me?” Eddie asked suddenly.

“Oh yeah, she knew the whole time in the arcade.” Dustin nodded, hoping that Eddie wasn’t about to blow a fuse over this. “Well, she figured it out at least. See she was just supposed to be tagging along with Steve to find guys to flirt with but then uh... she realized she was supposed to meet you.”

“And she didn’t know who I was?” Eddie clarified, thinking back to the way you’d tried to talk to him about Hellfire, Chris Morrison, anything to try and start a conversation. How the hell was it that he could remember every time you two met so clearly, but you didn’t know who he actually was?

Because it wasn’t about you, Eddie. He had to remind himself.

Dustin shrugged. “I guess not? She’s never mentioned you before that night.”

Guess not everyone paid attention to the Freak. He hated that it bugged him that you didn’t remember him but could he blame you? He probably wouldn’t remember him either, just a Munson fuck up who everyone was waiting to end up dead in a ditch somewhere.

Eddie pushed Dustin back down into his seat, done interrogating the poor freshman. Everyone watched as he made his way back to his side of the table, behind the DM screen. He had a lot to think about, but he wasn’t about to start processing that in front of the rest of Hellfire.

“You all wander deeper into the cave, the only light coming from the torch carried by-”

“I have dark vision!”

Broke and bored, Eddie haunted the trailer for the rest of the weekend. He did have practice with Corroded Coffin for a generous two hours on Saturday, and then a long shift that night at the Hideout where one old drunk had slipped him a $10 tip for making sure he always had a cold beer in hand. But those few hours were just a minor reprieve from the information that Dustin had given him the previous day.

When he wasn’t distracted by work or practice he was practicing guitar, working on lyrics, prepping for the next Hellfire session.

He tried to think about you, but ended up feeling confused. When he was trying to think about anything else, all he could see was the way you had flirted with him at the Hideout.

Despite popular opinion, Eddie wasn’t stupid when it came to girls. He could tell when a girl was interested in him, and you had made it clear that you had at least some interest in him. You had told him point blank that you were not with Harrington, and had no interest as well. He’d seen the way you looked at him while watching them play, that excitement in your eyes. Your head had bobbed to the rhythm of their songs watching them with as much enthusiasm as if you’d been a fan for years.

Paige had watched with similar eyes, right? She’d seen something in them that no one else had before-

No. Not them. Not Corroded Coffin. Just Eddie.

It felt pathetic that he kept comparing you to Paige. He didn’t want to, he really didn’t want to. It wasn’t like he was still hung up on Paige, not really. She’d just been a turning point in who he was as a person. She’d been the first (and last) girl to really look at him as a person. If his dating prospects had been small before, they had completely dried up over the past two years.

Date the freak? Yeah, right. There had been the odd girl who’d hit on him as if daring themselves to get with him but he was done with that. A few mediocre dates that he’d agreed to out of boredom or loneliness had only added to the idea in Hawkins High that he was undesirable. Adding to that, the older he got, the younger his underclassmen became and the idea of dating someone younger was... well he didn’t need to add ‘creep’ to the long list of rumors about him. It didn’t matter to him most of the time, instead focusing on his friends, his band, his club, his business, himself. God knows he’d never be able to hold down a relationship unless he got his shit together and earned everyone’s trust again.

“Graduate and get laid, Munson.” Ronnie’s voice echoed in the back of his mind and he groaned as his face warmed. It was the middle of the week, just over two weeks since the night at the Hideout. Eddie was laying on the old couch face down, his homework on the counter half finished and the blue glow of the tv doing little to distract him.

The sound of the door opening didn’t even phase him enough to look up, even as Wayne grunted out a hello before setting something down on the counter next to his forgotten schoolbooks.

“Did you eat?” Wayne asked, which earned a shrug from Eddie. How could he think about eating when he was stuck thinking about everything else?

“Are you gonna tell me why you’ve been moping around for the past few weeks?” Wayne tried again in an attempt to be a good guardian. When that didn’t work either he sighed and said “Might as well step outside with me and have a smoke.”

It was better than doing whatever the hell else Eddie was doing now, and so he rolled off the couch less than gracefully and followed his uncle out onto the porch to sit on the outdoor couch. Wayne offered him the smoke and for a moment it was peaceful. Wayne wasn’t one to push Eddie to talk about anything, but he did have a way to make him think even if it did piss him off occasionally.

Eddie took a long drag of the cigarette and released it slowly as he stared up at the sky. It was a dark night, a million tiny dots illuminating the trailer park, even if the moon wasn’t out. He scanned the stars, looking for the three that he knew were Orion’s belt. That’s about where his astrology knowledge began and ended, but it was something to look for at least.

“I think a girl likes me.” He finally said as he spotted what he assumed was the constellation he was looking for.

“Yeah?” Wayne asked, his own eyes gazing upwards as well, giving Eddie the space to talk more.

“Yeah.”

It was silent again for a few minutes as they smoked, the only other sound for a while was that of Wayne cracking open a beer. That’s what Eddie appreciated about Wayne, he didn’t need to fill the silence like his dad did, and Eddie didn’t need to either. He could just... exist.

“I don’t know what to do about it.” Eddie finally said a while later. “She only has an interest because her and some jock are trying to get each other dates.”

“Is that right?” Coming from anyone else that question would have been dismissive, a filler phrase to show that they were paying minimal attention. Eddie knew better though, which caused a knot of frustration in his gut.

“I guess.” he shrugged.

“How many dates has she gone on?” Wayne passed the beer to Eddie, who took a grateful sip.

“Don’t know. It didn’t sound like she’d been on many. Henderson said she’s picky.”

“But she likes you.”

“Yeah.”

Another long stretch of silence as Eddie stewed over the question. He hated how Wayne could break down his problems into simple questions.

“Don’t see why you’re moping around if she likes you.” Wayne glanced over at Eddie. “Are you sweet on her?”

Eddie snorted at the term, taking another drag from the cigarette and flicking the ashes off the porch. “She’s cute.” he said, thinking about how you’d looked the last few times he’d seen you. He might have been distracted that first night at the arcade, but not so distracted that he didn’t notice that at least. “Smart too. She got the guys to listen to her last time we hung out.”

Wayne raised an eyebrow. “She got Gareth to pay attention? That’s a damn miracle.”

“They liked her too.”

“More than the California girl?”

The question caught Eddie off guard and he looked up at Wayne who was still looking off in the distance. Eddie had never explained exactly to Wayne what had happened that first senior year, most of the details going to what happened with Al when Officer Morris was shot. They never talked about how Eddie was so damn close to packing everything up and running away to California.

Thinking about everything that happened that year still stung. Eddie had tried hard not to think about what could have been if CJ and Toby had just shown up one or two days later. Would Eddie have made it to the audition? Would they have really liked him? Maybe in another life he’d be signed and he’d be working on an album or on tour and him and Paige...

It didn’t matter, that ship had long since sailed. Eddie was no rock hero, and never would be. He tried to tell himself it was better this way, if anything it meant that his relationship with Al was over and done with which was a hollow victory if he was being honest.

“Definitely more than her.” Eddie finally agreed. You weren’t asking him to ditch the band and run away with you, so that had to give you some points for them, and for him. Dustin vouched for you, and even Mike, but he wasn’t sure how much that counted for yet. After all Dustin still seemed to worship Steve, and you were friends with Steve-

But did that actually matter? If you and Steve were close enough friends to help each other like this, and Steve was willing to vouch for Eddie, despite never having any real conversation just because Dustin said something-

“She gonna ask you to run away?” Wayne was now looking at Eddie again.

Sometimes he wondered if his uncle could secretly read minds.

“Doubt it.” Eddie said, “She works at the video store. I don’t know much about her, honestly.”

“So ask her on a date.”

“What?”

“She likes you, you want to get to know her. Ask her on a date. It’s not that complicated, Eddie.” Wayne dropped the cigarette on the porch and crushed it under his boot. “You always did think too much, always sucked up in your own world. You’ll be happier in the long run if you open up a bit.”

Easier said than done for a 20 year old still in high school that the whole town considered a satanic cult leader. Then again, when was the last time he’d really opened up to anyone other than Ronnie or Wayne? Right, his dad in the weeks before the heist.

“I think I fucked this up before I could even start.” Eddie sighed, snuffing out his own half finished cigarette. “She gave me her number and I never called.”

“Could’a grabbed a quarter from the change jar and used a pay phone.”

Eddie pressed his hands against his face and dragged them down slowly. Why did good advice always come too late for him?

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I brought back a new phone for the kitchen today.”

Eddie’s head snapped up so fast he should have snapped something, his eyes widening.

“Don’t get too excited. It’s a new used phone. Guy down the line from me offered it up and it’s better than nothing.”

Eddie didn’t care if it was a rotary phone, he’d take anything at this point if it meant that he could try to call you.

He wanted to call you.

He wanted to call you. Eddie didn’t care if you remembered that first time you met, did it even really matter? You had an interest in him, Eddie Munson, now.

“Thanks, Wayne.” Eddie stood up and hurried inside, seeing the new old phone that was sitting on the counter. It took a few minutes of making sure it wouldn’t fall off the wall before he plugged it in and heard that sweet dial tone sound.

Eddie grabbed his copy of Lord of the Rings from his bedside table and pulled out the paper flower, looking at the number scribbled in his own chicken scratch. He didn’t trust himself to punch in the number without checking, no matter how many times he read the ten digits over the past two weeks.

It rang once.

Twice.

Six times.

No response.

“It’s late, she might be asleep.” Wayne said, grabbing a box of pasta from the cabinet.

It wasn’t that late, not even 8:30 yet. Eddie sighed and hung up the phone, crossing his arms as he thought about his next move. He’d always had tunnel vision when he got an idea into his head, from Corroded Coffin, to his campaigns, to a book that he wanted to read, it was hard to shake the urge when he got one.

Grabbing the keys from the counter he called over to Wayne “I’ll be back later.” which was responded to with a confirmation that he’d save some pasta for Eddie in the fridge.

There weren’t many places he could think of where you could be tonight. You hadn’t shown back up at the Hideout, and the arcade was closed this late on a weeknight. You could be at home, but Eddie didn’t remember where you lived and showing up to your place after two weeks of radio silence would definitely get him in trouble.

So he drove to Family Video.

If you were there he’d do.. something. If you weren’t he’d call you after school tomorrow. Eddie winced internally at the thought. He’d been trudging through school and dragging his feet for the past six years to graduate, and now was the time he felt childish about it. You could legally buy him a beer, and he could illegally sneak you a drink in the Hideout.

At a stoplight he swapped out the Black Sabbath tape for W.A.S.P., remembering that you had mentioned liking them. How did he continue to remember these small details about you?

Because she’s treated you like a human each time you’ve talked. It was startling how something so basic was such a big deal to him.

The lights were still on at Family Video, and the open sign was still lit up. He could see movement inside the store, and he caught sight of someone wearing the signature green vest that the employees wore.

He’d walk in, and if you were there he’d- fuck what the hell was he supposed to do? Eddie stared at the door from inside his van for a few minutes. It was past nine now, and he could have sworn that they should be closed now but that stupid sign was still on. That had to be a good sign right? Eddie wasn’t one to believe in stuff like that but maybe he’d be stupid to ignore a literal neon sign hanging in the door.

Okay, now or never. Eddie had never really been one to hesitate before and he wasn’t about to start now.

He made his way to the entrance and opened the door before he could think about what he was actually wanting to do. Eddie could improvise, it was one of the more useful skills that came from years of running Hellfire.

“Who didn’t lock the door?!” Your voice was a welcome sound, sealing the determination inside of him. No going back now.

“It was Steve’s job to-” your co-worker said. She looked familiar, but he couldn’t place a name to the face.

“Oh, shit. Hi.” Steve was the first to actually notice Eddie as he walked in, looking as if he was expecting literally anyone else.

Turning on the Freak, Eddie smirked at Steve. “Cursing in front of customers, Harrington? Now that’s not very professional of you.”

“Well, we’re closed. You can’t be a customer if you can’t pay.” Steve said, putting his hands on his hips in a way that reminded Eddie of a mother hen. Steve did have a point, and so he decided to cut through any bullshit and looked over at you. You looked like you’d had a long shift, but the way you were looking at him... there was still the same shock that was on Steve’s face, but while his shock was laced with confusion yours was excited. As if you couldn’t believe that The Freak was here and that was a good thing.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Eddie blurted out the request before he could think. He had no idea where you two would go or what you would do but he had to do something.

Your coworker nudged you in the ribs, and your expression changed to a more professional one.

“I- uh. I have to finish closing.” you said, looking at Steve for a split second.

“Steve and I can handle the rest of closing!” Eddie made a mental note to learn this girls name and send her a fucking gift basket one day.

“Guys, I’m literally in charge of you both. I can’t leave before you.” You said, reaching down to grab something from below the counter- your bag. Eddie felt himself growing more excited, his heart pounding as you tossed your work vest and keys over to them. They were basically shoving you out the door to spend time with him.

“We can handle it!” Steve said.

“And I can handle Steve!” Robin added. “We close without you and Keith all the time, remember?”

You stepped out from behind the counter, looking up at him. The color of your eyes under the fluorescent lights reminded him of the stars he had been looking at earlier this evening. Eddie found himself smiling at you as you opened the door for him.

Someone was quick to lock the door and turn the OPEN sign off.

Eddie opens his van door for you, trying his best to make a good impression for whatever was about to happen. You hopped into the passenger seat and he thought that he might enjoy seeing you sitting next to him like this in his van more often.

---

Next Chapter

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#Nacht fic #eddie munson x reader #wing man

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 4 months ago

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In Bloom 3

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as noncon/dubcon, allusions to trauma, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: After wasting much of your youth in a toxic situation, things are starting to look up. That’s until you meet a certain flower seller.

Characters: Cole Turner, short!reader

Note: It’s suiting that it's hump day cause I feel like cole is into that.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Please do not just put ‘more’. I will block you.

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

You slice into a cucumber, moving the knife carefully. As you focus on the task, you notice Aunt Bev’s glances. Are they intentional or is she concerned? You keep the blade steady and slow, sure not to catch your fingertips.

“Hon, did you want to borrow one of my skirts for dinner?” She offers.

You look down at yourself. You think the jeans and tee are just fine but now you’re doubting yourself. You blink at her and shrug.

“Should I?”

“It’s up to you, of course. Just whatever you’re comfortable in. I just have this nice blue flowery one and it suits you better.”

“Well, I...” you put the knife down and gather up the cucumber in your hands, dumping it onto the bowl of lettuce, “I could try it on.”

You grab the dish rag and wipe your hands. You just want to make her happy. You never had someone like Aunt Bev, someone who is happy over the smallest things. She makes everything you do seem like some great achievement.

“Oh, come on, it’ll be nice,” she insists and gestures you down the hall, “in here.”

You follow her upstairs to the bedroom she shares with your uncle. She rolls open her closet as she hums. She pulls out a wrap skirt; blue petals on white.

“You’ll need a shirt to go with it,” she insists, “one sec.”

She hands you the skirt and turns to sift through a dresser draw. She pulls out a plain chiffon blouse with a little scallop at the bottom. “It will go nicely.”

“Thanks, uh, but what... what if I spill?”

“That’s okay, honey,” she holds out the shirt, “you can keep them. They’ll look much better on you.”

“Oh, uh,” you look down then up again.

“You just get changed,” she sweeps past you, “I’ll be downstairs.”

You can’t deny her. The door closes before you can even think of changing your mind. It would be rude to say no anyway. They’re such nice clothes. You look down at what you’re wearing and crumple inside. You made the wrong choice again. You should’ve known to dress up for company.

You change as quickly as you can. You carry your clothes back downstairs and into the small room you’ve been allotted. It was once Aunt Bev’s craft room. You feel bad about that too.

You return to the kitchen. She’s not there. You rinse some cherry tomatoes and quarter them on the wooden cutting board. As you do, you hear voices.

Aunt Bev strolls in as Cole follows her. You don’t turn to see. You’re too shy. You hope he doesn’t even notice you.

“Oh, honey, you look lovely,” she chimes as she nears the counter and sets down a round pan, “isn’t it wonderful, Cole brought dessert.”

“Ma sent a pie,” he explains, “do you like rhubarb?”

You want for Aunt Bev to answer. She doesn’t. You look up and over and realise they’re watching you. Oh.

“Uh, I never had it.”

“Never had rhubarb?” Cole blusters, “well good news, my ma makes the best strawberry rhubarb crumble.”

“Um, oh, thanks,” you try to smile but your lips just strain tightly over your teeth. You turn back to the counter and add the tomatoes to the bowl.

“Salad looks yummy. Very colourful,” he comes closer. He’s so tall you can’t help but shrink down. “Bev’s right, that’s a really nice skirt. Suits you.”

“Thanks,” you cheep.

“Can I help with anything?” He offers.

You look around him at Aunt Bev. She smiles and gestures as if to say, ‘go on’. You turn back to the cutting board and lay the knife down.

“I’m almost done,” you say, “no thank you.”

“Well, when you’re done, honey, why don’t you show him the garden?” Bev suggests, “she has really livened it up, you know? She spends hours out there.”

“I’m sure. I’m excited to see it,” Cole agrees as he lingers close by, “nice house. Cozy.”

“Ah, you know, we try to make it home,” your aunt preens. “I didn’t even say how nice you look. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a tie.”

“Shucks,” he waves her off as he leans on the counter right next to your work space.

You go to the fridge to get the container of feta and come back to sprinkle it over the salad.

“Smells delicious too. Did you cook all this?” Cole asks as he looks down at you.

“No,” you shake your head, “just the salad.”

“She’s a good helper,” Bev beams and nears, taking the bowl from in front of you, “I’ll just go set this out on the patio table, why don’t you two go check out the garden?”

“I’d love to,” Cole stands straight, “ladies.”

He waves ahead of him and you hesitate. You pause to put the feta away then follow Bev towards the sliding doors. She goes out onto the deck and plants the large bowl on the wooden table. She stays there as you drag your feet past. You do your best to keep moving as you feel Cole getting too close.

You go down the steps, nearly stumbling at the bottom. You cross your arms as you approach the garden where daffodils stand tally among the pansies. He puts his hands on his hips as he steps up. His blue eyes rove over the foliage as he peruses it thoughtfully.

You peek over at him. He wears pale khakis and a grey button up rolled to his elbows, a trim of teal along the buttons. He wears a tie in a darker shade of grey as his hair is even fluffier than the last time you saw him. You shy away before he can catch you.

“Wow, it’s so nice, and the placement is wonderful. Great for crossbreeding,” he points around. “You know a lot about plants?”

“I read,” you say. “Library books. Aunt Bev brings them home.”

“I love the library,” he chirps.

“Oh, I don’t... I haven’t gone.”

“Yet,” he insists, “one day, I’m sure.”

You nod and fold your arms. You sway and search the grass. He kneels by the edge of the garden and touches a leaf.

“What happened to your daylilies?” He asks.

You bounce on your toes, “put them in my room.”

“Really? You must have petals all over,” he chuckles as he continues to rustle the plants, feeling each one. “Do you have a favourite?”

“I don’t know, they’re all pretty.”

You nibble your lip. He talks a lot. He makes you talk a lot. You sniff and squeeze your arms.

“Don’t get lost out there,” Aunt Bev startles you as she calls from the deck, “I’m about to bring the rest of the food out.”

“Ah, thanks, Beverly,” Cole waves at her and smiles, turning to look at you, “shall we?”

“Okay,” you don’t move. He doesn’t either.

“You go first,” he says.

You do as he says and he follows. The skirt flutters around your legs, swirling in a way that tickles the back of your knees. You’re not used to it. You never really wore one before.

As you come up on the deck, he trails you toward the table. He sidles past you and pulls out a chair before you can do it yourself. He opens his hand to the seat, “please.”

“Uh, thanks, you don’t have to...”

“My ma always taught me manners,” he assures.

You sit and he slides the chair toward the table, trapping you in it. He claims the one next to you, his elbow almost on the armrest of yours. You make yourself small. You’re really good at that. You miss when you could be invisible.

Bev appears again, a long pare of tongs in her hand. She approaches the roiling BBQ and opens it up. As she turns the drumsticks, she smiles over at the table.

“Don’t you two look ready to eat,” she trills. “I just told the others to come out and get a plate. Just gotta get this chicken and the potatoes.”

She uses the tongs to transfer the drumsticks to a large serving plate. Cole clears his throat and gets up. He goes to take it from her and brings it to the table.

“You are just the biggest, sweetheart,” she grins, “your mother must be so proud. Such a lucky lady.”

“I do what I can,” he says, “don’t want you to burn yourself.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about me. You do too much of that,” she removes the wrapped potatoes from the grill next, “I can’t thank you enough for helping us last weekend.”

“Really, it’s fine. It was a very busy weekend,” he meets her again to take the next tray, “I can tell a lost soul when I see one. I figured it was best to get her out of the tide before it swallowed her up. Sometimes I even get overwhelmed.”

“It really was so amazing,” she insists, “we got more than enough. You make sure you take leftovers for your mother. She sent that lovely pie.”

“Sure,” he agrees easily as he sets down the potatoes. He sits down once more, further crowding you. Is he that big or that oblivious. “She’s a nice girl,” he peers over at you and you look at the table, “I couldn’t just let her get lost.” He turns slightly in his chair, towards you, “I hope it didn’t scare you away. I have some new stuff I’m bringing next week; thought maybe you’d like to see.”

“Oh, you know that would be so lovely, honey.”

“If that’s too much,” Cole leans his elbow on the arm rest and extends his fingers as he speaks, “she could come up and see them at the farm. Right in their natural habitat.”

“The farm?” Bev exclaims, “how exciting.”

“Of course, you’re all welcome to come up and see. My ma loves having a full house but my sister never comes around anymore and it was only ever the two of us. She always wanted more but, ah, you know?”

“That’s too bad,” Bev says, “but that would be so wonderful. Honey, wouldn’t you like to go see all his flowers?”

“I could use some help potting too, if you have a set of hands to spare,” he suggests. “Not that I’m looking for free labour, I just... figured.”

“We’d love to help out, wouldn’t we, honey?”

That’s it. She’s given the answer for you. You can’t disagree with her or you’d be mean. You’re not a mean person. Not like she always said you were.

“Sure,” you murmur.

“We’ll make a day of it,” she sings, “just let me know when.”

“Will do,” Cole says brightly. “Sorry, I’m a dweeb about these things. I don’t really meet a lot of people who like flowers as much as me.”

“We can all use friends,” Bev goes to the sliding door and pushes it open, “right, hon?” You nod, choked of your voice and she sighs as she pokes her head inside, “where is everyone?”

🌷

You help clear the table after dinner. You sit down as Cole gets up and you’re relieved to be on your own. The others sit on the other side of the table; Uncle Morris along with your cousins, Mason and Lena. The latter two are on their phones and Uncle Morris chews on toothpick.

You’re content enough to watch the clouds in the sky. Aunt Bev is so good at keeping things lively but you never know what to say. You don’t really feel safe around anyone but her. She’s the one who found you, who helped you.

You look down at your hands and the faded welts. There’s more up your forearms and on your legs. They are almost indiscernible, though a few are stark enough to be picked out. You rub your hands together, as if you might wipe them away. Some memories are wrought as much into your skin as your mind.

The sliding door opens and your Uncle Morris sits up and pats his stomach, “ah, about time. Dessert! The best part of dinner.”

Bev and Cole dole out the saucers. Yours is placed before you as he sits next to you again. You take your fork and spin it nervously. Morris is quick to dig in as your aunt asks Mason and Lena about school. Their conversation edges you out, but you’re used to that. You prefer it. You never have much to add.

“You gonna try it?” Cole keeps his voice low as he pokes at his crumble.

“Oh, uh, sure,” you scoop up some of the reddish pink goop and oats.

“You have to tell me the truth, if you like the rhubarb. I gotta report back to ma.”

You nod and take a bite. You don’t like how he watches. It makes you self-conscious. His eyes linger on your hand as you slid the fork from your mouth and chew the tart dessert. Your cheeks pinch and you swallow tightly. You like it.

“Well?” He nudges you and you wince. “Oh, sorry, are you okay? Was that too hard?”

“No, I... I liked it,” you put the fork down and try to hide your arms. They’re oversensitive. Most of you is; just brushing against furniture can make you whimper. “Thank you.”

“Told you, ma makes the best,” he proclaims, but a vee of worry remains between his brows, “you sure I didn’t hurt you?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” you insist. You have to act normal.

You grab your fork and take another bite. He continues to watch you, moving the crumble around as he does. You wish he'd stop looking so much.

“Oh, wow, did that hurt?” He points to the back of your hand. That one scar that stands out.

“No,” you lie.

“What happened?”

You shake your head, “nothing.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” you hiss and drop your fork.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not upset,” your eyes well and you flick your lashes. Your hand throbs. You hear the snap of the switch, you feel it against your tendons. You want to scream but you can’t. “I’m fine, I’m fine...”

“I...” Cole babbles and looks around. The table is silent as you gulp for air.

“Oh, hon,” Aunt Bev gets up and comes around to your chair, “have some water, alright?”

“I didn’t... I don’t know what I did,” Cole stutters.

“It’s not you, sweetie,” Bev pets your hair as she offers the glass of water. “She’s okay. She was out in the sun today, she gets a bit faint.”

You want to cry even more. Not just for the embarrassment. Because you’re grateful. Because she lies so easily for you. She protects you like no one else ever has.

“Can I go inside?” You whisper.

“Sure, hon, I’ll put your dessert aside for you,” she smiles.

#cole turner #dark cole turner #dark!cole turner #cole turner x reader #ghosted #in bloom #fic #dark fic #dark!fic

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t4tozier · 6 months ago

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an extension of this post for @peachtozier aka losers band au <3

okay first off let’s start with who plays what

richie: drums. i said a lot of my thoughts in the original post but i think he really takes a shine to it and ends up being so so good at the drums. he’s the one that gets the most slow-mo edits made of him by fans because he’s got the long hair and the sweat and he dumps water on his face in the middle of songs because he doesn’t have time to drink it.

bill: lead singer and songwriter. he gets a lot of attention because of it which the others always tease him about until he turns red. his stutter goes away when he sings and new fans are always shocked when he talks for the first time at one of the concerts because they don’t expect to hear it. he writes most of the lyrics, but richie occasionally helps out if he has a specific idea.

mike: keys, backup vocals/instruments. he’s kind of a jack of all trades, knows how to play a little bit of everything, so he’s the one that will take over if someone else has to tap out for a show or if they just need a break on a song that doesn’t require piano. very good at taking cues from others when they deviate from the studio versions during concerts.

bev: bass guitar and backup vocals.

sorry i blacked out for a moment thinking about bev playing bass. anyway. she whips out these killer basslines like it’s nothing. she likes basing some of her work on famous riffs but she always puts her own spin on it to make it something new. thrives on improvisation.

eddie: lead guitar. i just think he deserves to shred. he can let his energy out on the heavier songs but also switch it up and play a lovely ballad on the acoustic guitar. he’s not great at improv but will provide a steady riff as a base while the others do their thing.

stan: band manager. he’s very professional and polished when communicating with venues and sponsors but when they all show up nobody can tell which one is him because he’s just as goofy as the rest of them. he’ll be dancing along to tiffany or whatever random song they put on as their warmup in the green room and lip syncing over a can of soda with richie and then some assistant comes in to knock on the door and he clears his throat and straightens up and is like thank you ten :)

ben: roadie/techie. he comes up with all the cool lighting cues, the set design, and is the one to go over the stage before a gig to make sure that it’s structurally sound and everything they want to do will be safe at the venue. he also carries some of their heavier equipment, helps richie load the drum kit onto the stage, etc.

okay this is gonna become a longer au bc this post is already too long <3

#suburban decline au #band au #richie tozier #eddie kaspbrak #reddie #stan uris #stanley uris #beverly marsh #bev marah #mike hanlon #bill denbrough #ben hanscom #the losers club #connor tag

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acesofspadess · 1 year ago

Text

Start of Something New

a/n so it starts!!!!!!!!

Worth The Risk Masterlist

summary: An early morning start leads to the start of something new...

The comfort of your best friend's bed would always amaze you. She had the perfect princess bed, the perfect princess room. It must have been nice growing up like a princess. You wouldn’t know. You didn’t have a sob story family, not really you'd say. You lived with your grandparents, your birth parents were never in the picture. Your grandparents spoiled you the best they could, which was more than enough for you, but it was nowhere near Beverly’s lifestyle, but you still got a lot.

It seemed this aspect is what brought you two together. You met in Year 7 when you complimented her Mary Janes. You ended up sitting next to each other and 3 months later for your birthday she bought you a matching pair. When her birthday came around you crocheted her a sweater using her favourite colours. She wore it almost everyday that it was cold.

Beverly’s brother Bentely, was 2 years older than you both and welcomed you into the family like his own sister. You had pretty young grandparents thankfully, and the Williams absolutely loved them. The Williams on year as a Christmas gift helped renovate some of the stuff in your house to better the home, but kept it in a way their seemed nothing changed at all. You were a short train ride away from your home in Hazel Grove to the Williams in central Manchester, so you were always switching houses.

Because of that, it was well known to the Williams siblings how much you were always singing, even when you tried to hide it.

“Autumn, wake up.” Beverly shook you as you slowly opened your eyes. You expected to see the sun glaring at you through the window, but it wasn’t. “What time is it Bev?” you had a deeper voice to begin with, but with the lack of use and sleepiness it sounded like you just came from a rave. “Early. Now get up and put some clothes on, we've got a surprise for you.”

“Who is we?”

~~~

Bev was truly a blessing, she had taken every measure to learn how to deal with your curls. You now guessed her wanting to wash and braid your hair overnight was for whatever you were currently getting ready for.

“Good Morning Fall, a fine July 10th no?.” you were met at the bottom of the stairs with Bentely. “Are you in on this too then?” he nodded, handing you a mug of tea. “Thank you Meadow, and why was the date needed?.” you teased using his fake name. He called you ‘Fall’ a play on your name and you called him 'Meadow', the meaning of his name.

“Okay are we ready?” Beverly trotted down the stairs holding two shirts. “What are the shirts for?” you asked noting that one of you would not be wearing it, and you had a strange feeling it was you. “Oh me and Ben are gonna change when we get there. You got your keys?” She directed the last bit towards her brother who shook them for her to see. “Okay lets go.”

“Go where?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It didn’t take long for you to realise where you were going when the stadium popped into view. “You two are taking the piss right now. Why are we here?” you started panicking. You were at the Fountain Studios, the place of the X-Factor. “Surprise!” Bev cheered from the passenger seat handing you a travel cup with steaming tea inside. “Meadow, why didn’t you tell me?” you whined and he laughed. “Mom paid me,” he shrugged. And you groaned. “Mom’s in on this too? I don’t even know what to sing.”

“New York State Of Mind.”

They both said at the same time and you threw your head back against the back seat. “I'm gonna fail.” you cried and Bev rested her hand on your knee. “If you don’t make it through we’ll take you shopping.” You shrugged her hand off with a laugh. You finished your tea and walked through the lot to get in line. You were singing to the siblings as you walked through the long line. It felt like forever and no time at all before you were getting your paper with your number on it. “230408. When you get famous I wonder how many people are going to get tattoos of it.” Bentley joked and you laughed, “You have to get it first though.”

The rest of the wait had you nervous until you ran into someone. “I’m so sorry I wasn't paying attention.” you immediately started apologising. “No you’re alright.” he laughed and you joined him. “Autumn.” you held your hand out. “Harry.” he shook your hand before you introduced who you guys were with. You all chatted on until the very last moment, you even met a boy named Zayn whom you had taken a picture with. You and Harry had little interviews shot and were giggling the whole time.

Harry went right before you and you were there to give him a hug when he came off stage headed to the next round.

You were next and the siblings made sure to give you a hug before you went on. “Youll do great.” Bev whispered before you were walking on stage. You were met with cheers from the audience and you felt really good for just those 5 seconds.

“Hello.” you spoke into the mic looking at the three judges. “Nice to meet you, what's your name?”

“Um, I’m Autumn Solace.” When you said it you heard cheers and wondered if it was from Zayn and Harry’s familly. Simon looked back at the audience and you smiled. “How old are you Autumn? Nicole asked before Simon.

“I’m 15.” everyone awed as you said it and you smiled bashfully. “Okay so tell me a bit about you.” Simon asked and you wracked your brain for any information. “I work at an ice cream shop on Saturdays but I make clothes in my free time” you decided to say, to which Simon looked surprised. “What kind of clothes do you make?” Nicole asked and you turned to her. “All kinds really, I made my best friend a knitted sweater, but I'll put old clothes together to make something new.”

“When do you have time to do all this with school?” she gasped confused. “Well I just finished my GCSEs so I'm going back to college in September.” the audience gasped because you were a year early. “Wow, and what are you gonna study?” Simon spoke up instead of Nicole.

“I want to study Business, Law, and Physcology, and maybe an art, I'm not sure yet.” Everyone cheered and Simon looked shocked. “So what are you doing here?” he questioned. “Um, my best friend signed me up without telling me. She knew I wanted to go on but would never sign up myself.”

“Why did you want to come on this show?”

“My mum said I was a good singer. And my friends thinks so.”

“Okay well mums usually don’t know.” Everyone, including you, laughed. “Well exactly, so I wanted to hear it from people who know.” Simon seemed to like your response, “do you think you can do it?”

You thought for a second, “I think I can do it for where I’m at, but with help I'm sure I can do a lot better.” Suck up to them, you heard Bev’s voice through your head. “Okay, what are you going to be singing?”

You looked to Bev and she nodded, “New York State of Mind, by Billy Joel.” The audience clapped and the judges looked shocked. “Okay, let's hear it.”

The ending of one of your favorite songs played and you waited for your part to come up

It comes down to reality

And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide

Don't care if it's Chinatown or up on Riverside

As you changed into higher pitch the audience cheered and you kept going

I don't have any reasons

I've left them all behind

I'm in a New York

The riff came naturally and you surprised everyone including yourself

State of mind

You held onto the last note as the music finalised and the room went up in applause. You gave a short bow as Simon asked Louis what he thought. “I'm glad we got to hear your voice in such a song. For 15 you have such a nice voice.” He complimented you and you smiled. “Thank you.”

When Simon asked Nicole you knew it wasn’t good by her face. “I mean I agree with Louis but I think you're still so young, you don’t have enough experience or confidence yet.” you thanked her still as the audience booed him. “Yeah someone in the audience just said rubbish and I have to agree with them.” Simon replied and you couldn’t help the grin that painted your face. “Cause you know, the show is designed to find someone like you, whether you're 15, 16, it doesn’t matter. I think with just time you can be really good.” Hearing those words was unbelievable from someone of his power. “Thank you so much.” The audience cheered loudly before Simon was going down the line.

“Louis?”

“I like you Autumn, so i'm going to say yes ”

“Nicole?”

“For all the right reasons, I'm going to say no.” The boo’s that go around were louder and more proficient.

“I don’t think they booed you loud enough there.” Simon egged on the audience who booed once again but louder.

“And I think you’ll be happy to be hearing,” Simon started and you froze. “That I agree with Louis.” the music played again as you thanked them with a big smile. “Thank you so much!” and you walked off stage into Beverly’s awaiting arms. When Bentley hugged you he spun you around and you laughed with tears clouding your eyes. “We told you you could do it!” you laughed all together and as you headed to walk out you saw Harry and his family.

“Congratulations!” Anne was the first to spot you and pull you in for a hug. You immediately felt at home in her arms. “Thank you so much.” you pulled back from her and waved to Harry who finally came over to you. “You did really good.” he shyly answered to your beckon. “You did amazing your self.” You watched as he blushed looking down. “Ill see you around then yeah?” you asked and when he nodded you gave him a side hug before you being pulled away by Bentley saying Beverly was ready to go shopping. You turned around last minute to see him smiling with his family before looking back up at you and you smiled before he was out of your sight.

Worth The Risk Masterlist

tags:

@youcan-nolonger-run @ravenclawdirectioner

@luxiorchive @maeflowers653 @purple9950 @forkmeniall @nathalielovesonedirection @hopsydaisy @shortie-niya

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eastend-if · 9 months ago

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Hello!! Okay so ROs reaction to MC being asked out in front of them..? (crushing stage vs. relationship stage)

Hope this kind of ask is okay!! Have a great week 💜

Aina would be sooooo excited for MC (esp if it's someone she knows). She's the type to go a bit overboard and wants to help MC with prep :] She'd be squeeling, jumping around and giggling until she tackles MC in a hug with how happy she is for them.

Aina with a crush would still be happy bjt her happiness is dimmed. She wants the best for MC so she'll smile and nods but she will be eating a lot of sweets when she gets home. She'd also let MC know abt her feelings before they get in a proper couple 🤭 She thinks it'll help her move on !

Unlike, Aina, Beverly is pretty quiet but she's protective. She'd be glaring at whoever is asking MC out but also trying to see if she could sense anything about them. I think if it was someone "normal" She'd even advise MC against that. All in all would still be happy for a friend even if it's not the most sound decision.

Now, a crushing Beverly? She's someone who struggles a lot with her feelings so when she tugs MC away from whomever asked them out, she doesn’t quite realize it. I think it could easily lead to one of their first fights with Bev saying shes the one who understands MC best! If MC refused to hear her out, she'd stomp away. But if they stay, they'd get Bev opening up about her own feelings ask them to wait for her.

Benji would be happy for a friend MC to be asked out if a little embarrassed because that should probably not be his business 😳 He'd wish them good luck with a smile and that'd be that. He's very easy-going.

If he was crushing on MC, well unfortunately Benji is used to make himself past last, but shouldn't he have a right to fight for what he wants also? And with this question in mind, He'd watch the scene. As soon as he can, he'd ask MC if that's what they want, much more concerned abt them than he is of himself. He'd leave them with a kiss on the forehead, a little good bye to his own love.

Hez is a little shithead and would start to tease MC endlessly. He'd be happy for them but he's obviously not telling them that now. Later when they're alone and sharing a lil moment.

For a crushing Hez, it'd start about the same, teasing but it's more like barbs than it is playful. It's directed at both MC and the person that's asking them out. He's mean like a bad dog when he's nervous or whatever<3 He's liable to grab MC wrist to drag them a few ways away to ask if they like him and will grin smugly should the answer be in his favor.

Thank you for the ask☺️ Have a great week too!!

#the entity answers #eastend if #ch: hez #ch: beverly #ch: aina #ch: benji #my neck pains is tortuous so am in bed to write this and i fell asleep like 3 times !?#apologies if it makes no sense

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boxwinebaddie · 3 months ago

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to all the guardian angels watching over me --

for you, my treasures, i am working on a gift,

something to lift our spirits while i lift this curse.

( god, i wish i had taken PE a bit more seriously. )

now, it's not much...

but because i've been experiencing alot of stress/panic attacks lately, if you are looking for a little hurt comfort, but mostly comfort, i am writing up a little think piece about Ravesey!Style X Anxiety, what situations/subject matters might be stressors, nervous tics/tells,

and, naturally...

...what the other boy might do to comfort them. <3

again, it's not much ( i wish it could be more, but alas, i have been trying to write for months and my hands hurt almost as much as my heart does ), but i wanted to try and ease back into writing things again, i am inspired endlessly by your requests/questions, would like nothing more in the world than to answer them and hopefully heal the world with a little hate...from ravesey style.

( so you better smile, pendejos. )

but first, a sappy, crappy thanks from ur poorly functioning uncle.

many of you have asked what my days are like ( i'm sorry i got a little graphic and morose down here, but on the bright side, i'm only five ft, so it's far less stuffy than six feet under, right? khlks. what can i say! even as a gallows girl, i'm shallow. <3 call that preposthumo(ro)us. )

buuut anyways, a lot asked how to make my dog days better but tbh? i'm a cat person ( i miss lily :/ ), so i don't need compliments.

your company is more than enough.

( tho, i do 'preciate the gifts you're leaving on uncle death's doorstep )

...so, um...

*rubs neck nervously and accidentally strains it*

Thank You. :'}

on terribly hard days, ( any sans you ) when i wake up with the skin on my face red and broken open after another round of failed antibiotics from another lazy er diagnosis that i don't have/but must because my voice shakes when i talk and i pick my skin when i'm scared, my body heavy, puffy and yet far too light from exertion, a disgusting jaundice yellow against the bruise blue tile of my bathroom floor, trying not to gag as the nauseating, patronizing voices of ugly male doctors echo in my ears with this horrible thing brewing in my body like poison...

..i open your messages, i read your kind words, tell all the loud men in lab coats to shut up, i put the dnr down, and decide...to save myself.

i sit up slowly so i don't get whiplash or come crashing down to earth, ( yk, i've heard it hurts to fall from heaven, but then, hells not far off. )

i think about how if i don't do this, no one will relentlessly hit on my rant park girls and ruin their day, i think of what little silly drink i will weakly brandish in my hideous, chewed up hands for my bev check that day, it helps if i imagine us all together at a picnic table one day, laughing, smiling, drinking our drinks, just dillydalling the day away,

a perfect, beautiful day.

talking about our perfect, beautiful boys.

just me and my perfect, beautiful girls.

but right now...

it's just Fucking. Me. again.

and this biohazardous BITCH who won't pay rent.

and i finally make it up for air, i savor it, then hold my breath so i don't scream at god or waste my very important air on another stupid arrogant man who won't listen and doesn't care, gritting my teeth so hard, all sound and movement softens ( a very sick kind of kindness ), stupidly clinging to my sweat-laden shirt, all cotton and rotten hope,

trying very hard to be 'good', to be a positive role model even outside of the classroom full of small children i loved very much but was too sick to send off to off to the kindergarten i prepped them for...these weird, funny, odd, special, tiny little people i raised in place of their rich, idle parents; tied their shoes, sang them songs, taught them to spell their names...and will probably never, ever see again.

-- but who would want me to practice what i teach and be brave and not cry as i try to remember which parts of the lymphatic system will release pressure in each sagging limb, painstakingly putting my broken doll parts back together by myself in that cursed fucking bathroom which knows me better than any ex i've ever had...

...and because of your strength, my loves,

i remember everyday why even though i am some woman's annoying, inept, yappy purse dog pomerainian that accidentally got dumped on the side of the busy highway, a dumb, useless, fancy, fluffy, fussy thing, doomed from the start, dead on arrival, taken and afraid, shaking in my siren clog hello kitty crocks, scared shitless, with no survival skills, no self-preservation, no strength, that somewhere, way past this horror movie scene, far beyond night that never ends...

crimson dawn B R E A K S.

and it looks a lot...

Like Your Smile. :)

HYH.

-uncle nina xx

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vacantgodling · 2 months ago

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holds microphone up to u

may i hear about tmc

gimme your thoughts

WELL <3 since you asked so nicely <3 (jkjk but thank you eeeee)

so-- surprisingly atm i'm trying to figure out The Plot. i wasn't sure if i was ever going to make ?? a proper plot for tmc just because like. i love tmc and the kiddos so much but bc i know i want it to be a webcomic style thing that's just scared me off from working on it. basically bc art hard. But i should do it because i want to have fun and i had a few like. lingering dream-thoughts about some things so i thought i'd try and push it more.

rn i'm toying with the idea of expanding what's going on with society. because right now basically, there's the "city thing" that chidori and co live in which is dominated by trains. but i don't think anyone knows the kinda Back Drop for tmc?? cuz i never talk about it?? but basically this is a futuristic wip where humanity had to adapt to earth's sea levels rising WAAAAY up (in a way that is totally improbable but like i'm not hard worldbuilding this world at all bc this is supposed to feel shonen anime like PFFFF. basically anything goes cuz i said so energy). so they use train rails and special train types to get around. tm.

this is old art from an old ask but this is the gist basically LMAO im sorry its so shit PFF

i was originally thinking of making wholly different societies that have something different instead of train masters BUT TBH, i think everywhere has train masters like its a global thing but chidori's city is just a big ass city and governments are still different like how bangkok, nyc, and paris all have different currency pff. basically my scope of the world is just expanding.

anyway tho, chidori's city has the largest population and by virtue of that its the one most prone to diseases, struggling, and economic stagnation. rich people gotta rich so they hate this.

my thought for the plot is actually around the strength of the sturgeon dollar. tl;dr the money in chidori's city is called "sturgeons" like the fish (and is colored similarly) but its actually got a poor exchange rate with the other cities. this is something that is concerning to the herme family who bellamy is the youngest child of. (bellamy below--the diamond prince and one of the s-rank train masters tm)

bellamy is technically the "odd one out" of the herme family and is treated very poorly behind closed doorsaside from his illustrious and beloved image by the public. his family is full of law makers and politicians, but they also have heavy ties with crime (which is what i'm kinda developing now) and they have links to crime various other syndicates across the flooded world. the problem is, because the sturgeon dollar is so weak it puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to negotiations with other politicians and syndicates. so with the under-the-table go ahead from the government, they have begun operations to start working towards destabilizing pretty much every city society (at the expense of civilians obvs) to try and either make the sturgeon dollar stronger, or to introduce an entirely new method of currency only for the elites.

me playing with the idea of yagmur being a double agent has to do with the fact that yagmur is a secret train master branch basically akin to the fbi or z-rank. they're covert ops. he's technically been assigned to work for the government of chidori's city to help with whatever tf this plan is but at the same time, he and bellamy are in a not-so-secret secret relationship and despite coming from money, bellamy hates his family. so yagmur is loyal to bellamy before anything else. but at the same time, bellamy isn't necessarily concerned with citizens--he's concerned with revenge and tearing down his family. so if i were to classify things as they currently are:

chidori and his main friend group (amehana, solange, bev, folami, and markis) are on the side of their city and protecting it from like everything.

bellamy and yagmur on their own side trying to take down the herme family.

the herme family and government (and some other entities) are on their own side trying to sabotage other cities to strengthen thier own dollar and since yagmur works for the government he's also kind of involved in this too.

so that'sssss currently where i'm at. i still need to figure out how the train academy works, what's up with these semi-magical weapons, redesigning folami (AGAIN but thankfully i think i have a good idea this time) and just other stuff to uhhhh make this make sense. maybe figure out the city situations as well?? just a lot tbh LOL

#s: train master chidori #this is a ramble about a lotta nothing #but i can try and explain more #my thoughts are jumbly

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counting-hrt-in-posts · 4 months ago

Note

How many hrt's are in this Wikipedia page?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_electric_vehicle

Thanks for the ask, but lovingly I aint doing.... all that...

This is an 8500 word article of very big words and I am a human being, not a machine. That being said, I'm not outright denying this ask, but I'm not going to do 8500 words of tedious, painstaking work. This is a fun blog and my commitment to the bit is not worth weeks of work. Thanks for understanding <3

The first section, or summary of the article, has 60 counts of HRT

Plug-in electric vehicle

A plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) is any road vehicle that can utilize an external source of electricity (such as a wall socket that connects to the power grid) to store electrical energy within its onboard rechargeable battery packs, to power an electric motor and help propelling the wheels. PEV is a subset of electric vehicles, and includes all-electric/battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).[5][6][7] Sales of the first series production plug-in electric vehicles began in December 2008 with the introduction of the plug-in hybrid BYD F3DM, and then with the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV in July 2009, but global retail sales only gained traction after the introduction of the mass production all-electric Nissan Leaf and the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt in December 2010.

HRT 11

Plug-in electric cars have several benefits compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. All-electric vehicles have lower operating and maintenance costs, and produce little or no air pollution when under all-electric mode, thus (depending on the electricity source) reducing societal dependence on fossil fuels and significantly decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, but recharging takes longer time than refueling and is heavily reliant on sufficient charging infrastructures to remain operationally practical. Plug-in hybrid vehicles are a good in-between option that provides most of electric cars' benefits when they are operating in electric mode, though typically having shorter all-electric ranges, but have the auxiliary option of driving as a conventional hybrid vehicle when the battery is low, using its internal combustion engine (usually a gasoline engine) to alleviate the range anxiety that accompanies current electric cars.

HRT 16

Cumulative global sales of highway-legal plug-in electric passenger cars and light utility vehicles achieved the 1 million unit mark in September 2015,[8] 5 million in December 2018.[9] and the 10 million unit milestone in 2020.[10] Despite the rapid growth experienced, however, the stock of plug-in electric cars represented just 1% of all passengers vehicles on the world's roads by the end of 2020, of which pure electrics constituted two thirds.[11]

HRT 7

As of December 2023, the Tesla Model Y ranked as the world's top selling highway-capable plug-in electric car in history.[1] The Tesla Model 3 was the first electric car to achieve global sales of more than 1,000,000 units.[12][13] The BYD Song DM SUV series is the world's all-time best selling plug-in hybrid, with global sales over 1,050,000 units through December 2023.[14][15][16][17][18][19]

HRT 11

As of December 2021, China had the world's largest stock of highway legal plug-in electric passenger cars with 7.84 million units, representing 46% of the world's stock of plug-in cars.[20] Europe ranked next with about 5.6 million light-duty plug-in cars and vans at the end of 2021, accounting for around 32% of the global stock.[21][22][23] The U.S. cumulative sales totaled about 2.32 million plug-in cars through December 2021.[24] As of July 2021, Germany is the leading European country with cumulative sales of 1 million plug-in vehicles on the road,[25] and also has led the continent plug-in sales since 2019.[22][26] Norway has the highest market penetration per capita in the world,[27] and also achieved in 2021 the world's largest annual plug-in market share ever registered, 86.2% of new car sales.[28]

HRT 15

#I feel as though my life flashed before my eyes while I just *kept. scrolling.*#probably could have done more but I couldn't find as good of a cutoff #hrt counter #here here for trans cars ig

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trek-tracks · 1 year ago

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Hiya! for the Star Trek ask game:

8) which captain would you like to serve under, 15) top 3 fave alien crewmates and 36) which social issue would you like to see tackled?

8) I'm kind of surprised at this answer, but the more I think purely about the characters, the more I think that SNW Pike would be my favourite captain to serve under. He's a little warmer and less distant and reserved than most of the other captains (other than Sisko, who I also considered, but I'd rather travel than be on a space station) to people outside of his main circle, and I would like to be invited for one of his home-cooked meals. TOS or AOS Pike, less so. Plus, Anson Mount and I graduated from the same small MFA theatre program, so I feel a certain sense of loyalty. It's like we both went to Dramafleet.

15) Oh this is tough, tough, tough! How dare! Well, I'd have to say Spock, for one; I think he's being overused right now, but I can't help but love that sarcastic mess of a half-Vulcan. I also have a huge soft spot for Deanna Troi, maybe because she's my girl Bev's BFF. And I was debating between Kira, Jadzia Dax, Tuvok, and Garak (all amazing), but then I realized that I'm actually going to give the third spot to D'Vana Tendi because I love her and she is me if I were more talented at both science and violence. (T'Lyn is also ranking up fast on my list.)

36) So many social issues! Trek has dealt with disability many times before, but something I'd like to see it acknowledge in a more complex way is the incredible range of opinions disabled people have in relation to their disabilities, and how that should inform care, treatment, and social policy. There are many things we consider "disabilities" that the people who have them consider integral parts of who they are (many people, for example, have spoken about their autism as something that should be accommodated rather than removed), versus disabilities where many (not all, because there's no such thing as a monolithic opinion, but more prevalently) consider them to have no positive aspect, and would rather they be "cured." For example, my type 1 diabetes has shaped my life, but if I could have it gone tomorrow, I would do it without hesitation or reservation. I'm not sure how they would delve into this discussion, but I think it would be a valuable one, if handled well.

Thanks so much for the ask!

#star trek #star trek tos #spock #star trek lower decks #star trek lwd #star trek voy #star trek ds9 #star trek snw #benjamin sisko #christopher pike #d'vana tendi #deanna troi #t'lyn #asks #redteaatmidnight

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watchoutforthefanfics · 3 months ago

Text

achievement unlocked 🔓 (part twenty) || Streamer AU! Reddie (IT)

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

AVAILABLE ON AO3

Inspiration: this prompt + BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Billie Eilish

Summary: Richie liked to play video games, and by some stroke of luck, it became his job. Being primarily known as Trashmouth on stream, he found his own little group of streamer friends and they became intertwined: The Losers Club. It never did feel quite complete, though. Well, until, he got his very own backseat gamer in chat.

TWs: cursing, talk of sex, and shameless flirting.

[[A/N: okay so like technically this is the last chapter BUT... I have an epilogue shit in mind (different events that I want to write within this universe). So, no worries!!! I didn't intend this to be the end at all, but like I was writing it and was like.... oh shit. So epilogues to come lovelies!!! Don't you worry!!! Enjoy :))]]

Richie wasn't exactly sure why it started, but it did. There could be a myriad of reasons, honestly (all of which Richie had debated thoroughly at this point), but it did start happening. Not that Richie was complaining.

It was the day after Bev started helping, and she had said she couldn't do much more (with her stream schedule), but she'd do what she could. Richie had actually posted that he'd be back on stream by next week (which was fittingly flushed with '🍝' because his fans seemed to be obsessed with Eddie just a little less than he was), so, they weren't exactly on a timer, per se, but they did kinda have a deadline. Technically.

Richie was currently pulling out some of Eddie’s personal shit. Mostly because a lot of the stuff Eddie intended to do himself, like clothes, for example, he had to color code them -so, it was essentially no use for Richie to hang them up. But things like his toothbrush, his hair products, shampoo, conditioner, and plates (shit that already had a spot essentially) were fair game. So, that's what Richie was doing.

That being said, he was sitting -rifling through a box in the living room (DVDs and games -that he never had the console for but Richie did), and Eddie was in the kitchen. Organizing the pantry. Well, he thinks anyway, Eddie was doing a lot in the kitchen, so he really could be on any task at this point.

This, this was when it started.

"Hey, Richie, honey, where do you keep the canned shit?"

He answered naturally -thoughtlessly, "In the cabinet to the right of the fridge, Eds."

He chimed a sweet little thank you, that made Richie grin a little. And nearly instantly, Richie went back to shuffling -on a mission.

It took a minute to process, and he was pulling out a movie (a Garfield cartoon that Eddie had most certainly bought for him) when it hit him.

"Honey?" He questioned, mostly to himself -laughing a little.

Slipping the DVD into the cabinet (Richie already had them alphabetized, thankfully), he stood and slowly pattered over to the kitchen.

Eddie was staring at the pantry in intense focus (bingo), brown deadset on them like if he looked away they'd unsort themself somehow. Richie loved him so much he might explode. He figured they both could use the break anyway, so he spoke.

"Did you just call me honey?" Richie asking, teasingly.

Eddie jumped, spinning to him before flushing a red that Richie knew well, "Yes, why, dickweed?"

"I should be asking you that, Spaghetti," Richie slowly made his way to Eddie's side -his big brown eyes were soft on him (betraying his pinched frown).

"I'm your boyfriend," Eddie offered, frustrated, "-Am I not fucking allowed to call you pet names?"

"You're allowed," Richie laughed, now right in front of him (long strides are really helpful sometimes), "-but you've literally never done that before."

"Well," Eddie actually fucking pouted, and Richie near immediately kissed him (like it was a fucking Pavlovian response and you know, maybe it was) -Eddie's frown quirked up for a second, "-you have all this shit for me, I wanted to... try some out."

Richie grinned big and bright, pinching his cheek, "Awe, Eds loves me-"

"Shut up," Eddie shoved at him, "-of course, I do. You're lucky I don't call you fucking 'goose egg' or some shit."

Richie snorted, "Goose egg?"

"It's better than fucking Spaghetti," Eddie pointed out.

"First off, maybe later," Richie winked (Eddie's frown set even deeper), "-but secondly, there's nuance to it, Eddie my love. It's a nickname of another nickname that I've given you. There's layers, like an onion-"

"Cool it, ogre," Eddie retorted, "-Aren't you supposed to be sorting shit?"

"Ogre?" Richie hummed -playfully acting thoughtfully, "-Now that's a thinker, Eds. Totally could be a winner."

"Shut up," Eddie repeated, shoving him (but not before kissing him solidly once), "-Go do your fucking job, Tozier. Make yourself useful."

"I can think of a few ways I can make myself useful," Richie hummed, moving his eyebrows -suggestively.

Eddie rolled his eyes, but did in fact say, "Maybe later, dickweed."

And that was the end of that. Well, technically the start of something (more than one something but you didn't hear it from Richie).

It didn't stop there. Eddie kept trying them.

'Love' when they woke up in the morning -wrapped into each other (it was cute, but Eddie definitely didn't like it when he said it), 'darling' when he didn't want to move off the couch to get the remote (Richie had straight-up burst into laughter at that one, it just wasn't right), 'babe' as he rambled about different things putting up his clothes (that one actually sounded pretty good, but it didn't quite achieve his goal of flustering Richie), 'sweetheart' when Richie had given him his homemade dinner (that one was cute, but again there was a prerogative), 'lovebug' when Richie was being a little too clingy -not that Eddie was complaining (that one just didn't sound right in his mouth), 'dear' just saying it to see if it worked (Richie pointed out his bit and Eddie had promptly dropped it), 'bae' in a similar way as babe but much more purposeful (Richie and Eddie started at each other for a moment before simultaneously bursting into laughter).

All that to say, Eddie was trying. Richie personally thought it was the cutest thing in the world. He wanted it to maybe go on forever, and maybe he thought maybe it could go on forever-

Well, until Eddie found the perfect one.

They'd done it, every box unpacked -Eddie was totally and completely moved in. Richie was fucking ecstatic, personally, (although... he would miss the way Eddie's arms flexed when he was carrying a particularly heavy box) because Eddie was officially living with him. Eddie could wake up in the morning, get his toothbrush and toothpaste, go to fucking... his closet and get his clothes. God, Richie was over the fucking moon-

That being said, they were physically letting themselves rest (at Eddie’s insistence, naturally). In a similar position to how they slept, actually, Richie as a human blanket with their legs intertwined. The only thing different, now, was that Eddie was partially sort of sat up. It made it so Richie was a touch lower than he'd usually be, and his arms circled his lower waist instead of around his ribs. It did mean, however, that Eddie could smooth one hand mindlessly up and down Richie's back and the other thread gently through his hair.

It was probably the best fucking cuddling Richie had ever been a part of. It was no wonder he was getting tired, Eddie was safe and warm and comfortable and his fingertips were gentle and soft. Richie should've been knocked out as soon as he'd laid onto Eddie's chest-

"You ready to go to bed, lover?" Eddie hummed, soft and gentle -affectionately teasing.

Richie blinked. Lover?

"Rich," Eddie continued, more persistent. At no response, he moved his hands to pull Richie's face up to match his eyes.

He must've looked some sort of cute because Eddie's face softened considerably -brown eyes shiny and soft. It made Richie's head swim that he was looking at fucking him like that.

"You tired, lover?"

Richie was not sure if it was the name (lover? what the fuck-), the tone, or maybe his eyes, but it made some splotchy red climb up his collar. Eddie's eyes hinged on it for a second, eyebrows furrowing for a second -before something settled across his face, a glint in his eyes.

Was this what it felt like with 'Eddie baby'?

"You like that one?" Eddie asked, smiling -thumbs brushing against Richie's face (he kinda wanted to lean into it), before teasing, "-Lover?"

Richie pressed his lips together.

"Or maybe," Eddie added, still smiling and moving to peck his lips once (Richie kinda felt like he was in paradise), "-loverboy?"

He blinked, red shooting up his cheeks, Eddie grinned. It made Richie's heart skip a beat, even now. But at the moment, he felt a little speechless.

Richie just shoved his head forward into the crook of Eddie's neck -drowning in strawberries. Eddie laughed and it rattled through Richie's head.

"Really?" Eddie hummed, pressing a kiss to his temple, and moving a freehand to thread through his curls again "-Those are the ones that get you?"

"I dunno," Richie breathed out against the skin of Eddie's neck, "-there's just something about the teasing of loverboy. And the fucking... sincerity of lover. Because, yeah, you do fucking love me. And that's sick as fuck-"

Eddie laughed again, before humming -softly, "You do still get pretty fucking affected when I say 'I love you'."

As if on cue, his skin burned brighter, "Well, yeah, because you fucking... love me."

Eddie giggled, and tugged his face up again -brown matching his own, "You're so fucking cute when you're tired, loverboy."

Richie frowned, cheeks pink, "This is not fair, I'm tired and vulnerable and you're so pretty it makes my brain hurt-"

Eddie pulled him forward and kissed him, effectively shutting him up. Slow and sweet, fingers sliding back to push curls behind his ears and palms on his cheeks to keep him there. Richie felt like he might physically faint, being treated so preciously. He always felt that shit when Eddie was like this, all soft and sweet and genuine. The times where he just genuinely showed Richie he loved him, without the poking and the prodding.

Don't get him wrong, he lives for the poking and the prodding, but these moments? They are right fucking there with them. Richie wanted them to feel this way forever, to never lose the warmth twisted around his heart, the bursting love in his chest any time he looked at him.

God. He was so fucked.

Richie woke up to two things that next morning, the thrum of Eddie's heartbeat under his chest, and the buzz of his phone vibrating against the nightstand.

He blinked, leaning up slightly. With a breath, he moved to press a kiss to the hinge of Eddie's jaw -soft and sweet, and pulled himself off of Eddie. It took a few seconds, but he did it eventually, slipping on his glasses.

'Staniel 🐦😤😠 is calling'

Richie furrowed his eyebrows, eyeing the time: 9:37. What the fuck-

Before he could think anything of it, Eddie stirred a little, and Richie felt the need (instinctive) to soothe him.

"Just a sec, Eddie baby," he hummed, leaning over and kissing his forehead.

Eddie shifted, rubbing at his eyes, "Where are you going?"

"Stanny's calling," Richie hummed, voice scratchy, "-if I don't answer, he'll kick my fucking ass."

"Stanley?" Eddie sat up, and Richie frowned.

"Eds, you can go back to sleep," he motioned dismissively, "-I'll figure out what he needs, and-"

"No, I don't want to," Eddie echoed out, yawning -stretching slightly (Richie's eyes unwillingly hitched on the skin of Eddie's stomach for a moment), "-it fucking sucks without you, and I want to talk to Stanley and Patty-"

Richie blinked.

"-Now c'mon, asshole," he pat the bed, "-answer the fucking phone."

Richie did as told -scooting in close to Eddie and throwing an arm around his shoulders (Eddie snuggled into him, naturally).

"Stan?" Richie called out, putting him on speaker.

"Richie, I've called you like three fucking times," Stanley spoke up through the phone.

"It's 9:37 am here, Stanley," Richie argued, yawning within the sentence, "-I just woke up to your call. Well, we just woke up to your call, actually-"

"Oh my god, Eddie!" Patty piped up, and Richie could physically hear the grin on her face, "-Hi, sweetheart. How's California?"

Eddie laughed, maybe a little nervous (Richie squeezed him closer to his side), "It's still fucking polluted, but-"

Patty laughed, and Eddie's eyes hung on Richie for a second -Richie wanted to bathe in it like it was fucking sunlight.

"-it's a lot fucking better. I'm happy as shit."

Richie grinned, turning to kiss his cheek (Eddie swatted at him but didn't push him too far away). So fucking cute.

"I'm really glad," Stanley added, softly. It was unusual but not unfamiliar.

Something flickered along Eddie's face, taken aback a little, Richie could tell.

"Alright, Stanthony," Richie hummed, "-to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Actually," Stanley hummed, "-I wanted to talk to Eddie."

Richie blinked, and eyed Eddie for a second -his eyes widened in response (maybe nervous, Richie itched to soothe).

He squeezed Eddie again, fingertips dragging along his arm -in a comforting motion.

"You gonna put him through the wringer again, Stanthony? Really?" Richie laughed.

"No," Stanley answered flatly, "-You guys are stupid in love with each other, I could see that from like 1000s of miles away. It's disgusting."

Richie rolled his eyes, teasing, "Sometimes I worry for Patty."

Patty snickered over the phone.

"Very funny, Richie," Stanley continued, unphased, "-Look, I want to talk about my wedding."

Shit, right, it was maybe two months away. He and Eddie had talked about it a little bit, and Eddie wasn't sure if Stanley would want him there. Richie disagreed, strongly, and told him that every time they talked about it. Because it was just so fucking obvious to him. Stanley, at the least, loved Richie and Richie loved Eddie. So, by proxy, he was going to the wedding.

"Yeah?" Eddie asked, curiously.

"Well, I have a big ass wedding party, already but-"

Eddie's eyes grew wide, and Richie watched him for a second with a baited breath.

"-you're a Loser now. Not even just because of Richie. You're one of us. So, I wanted to ask if you'd be one of my groomsmen?"

Eddie blinked, his mouth screwing up into something Richie recognized -something a little teary. Richie kissed his cheek again, and Eddie leaned closer to him this time.

"What the fuck," Eddie laughed, a little teary, "-Yeah, of course, Stanley. What the fuck-"

Richie laughed, rubbing his hand up and down his back. Eddie was grinning, smooth against his side, and Richie thought that's where he was meant to be. That they fit perfectly together, that it was always supposed to be this way in the end-

Patty hummed, soft and sweet, "It just wasn't right without you in our wedding, Eddie."

"Shit," he sniffled, and Richie wiped at his tears with his freehand -before his breath started to pick up, "-thank you. Are you... Do you have a suit for me? Or should I fucking get on that? What are your wedding colors-"

"Eddie baby, relax," Richie interrupted -trying to catch his eye (keyed in on the Eddie-ism), "-let 'em speak, yeah? Don't worry about hypothetical shit."

Eddie took a breath, brown eyes focused on Richie. He watched him for a second, making sure his breaths slowed and the tension slid out of his body-

"You guys are disgusting," Stanley interrupted, promptly, and it made Richie snort out a laugh.

"Shut up," Eddie huffed out, and moved to wrap his arms around Richie’s middle.

Richie laughed even harder.

"To answer your question," Patty spoke, sternly, maybe to the both of them, "-just send us your suit size, honey. We'll get it. We still have time. No need to worry."

"Okay," Eddie paused, "-if you guys need anything else, let me know. I'm great at planning-"

"I bet," Stanley snickered, Richie physically heard the smack on his chest (love ya, Patts), "-honestly, just wish you were here before we paid for a wedding planner."

Eddie laughed then too.

"That's why we called," Patty confirmed, "-but if I don't get to talk to Eddie for a while, I will fly out and kick your ass, Richie."

"What the fuck, why me?"

"Please," Stanley leveled, "-she'd never kick Eddie's ass. He's her favorite."

"What?" Richie let out a faux gasp, dramatically leaning back against the headboard, "-My dearest Patricia, I swore we had something special-"

"Don't worry, Richie," Patty hummed over the phone, "-I think you're a package deal. I just don't have the years of Eddie that I do with you."

Richie pouted, as if she could see him, and Eddie laughed at it and even just the noise made the act falter.

"Yeah, whatever," Richie huffed out -playfully.

Eddie was on the phone (he’d switched to his own) for about an hour and a half, he'd turned it off of speaker (for whatever reason), and because Richie was a clingy motherfucker, he stayed close to him. Like didn't move a single limb, fingers brushing through his hair or trailing along his skin. It was a little like he was memorizing him, understanding that he was right fucking there. Eddie, right there with him, his boyfriend.

It was easy to forget sometimes that Eddie was here with him, that he'd found Eddie at all. Because he'd gotten used to life without him, without someone, but now... fuck, he can't even remember what it was like before Eddie. And he doesn't fucking want to. Ever. He'd do everything in his power to keep him. Everything-

Wait.

Richie paused, switching on his phone as Eddie mindlessly talked to Patty -he dove into one conversation in particular.

trashmouth.tozier ✔️

best way to make a date about seeing the golden gate bridge

Richie paused for a moment, drumming his fingers along Eddie's skin -right under his shirt sleeve. Even now, it still made his head spin to get to fucking touch him.

reddy.bevvy ✔️

this your idea or his ?

trashmouth.tozier ✔️

his

he wants to see the bridge but like we should do some other shit

shouldn't we?

reddy.bevvy ✔️

you know you don't have to do huge fucking gestures right?

eddie will probably love it either way

Richie smiled, and pressed a kiss into Eddie’s temple, Eddie nuzzled further into him in response. Jesus fuck, Richie loved the shit out of him-

trashmouth.tozier ✔️

yeah I know

it's just like some of his first dates ever

I want to do right by him

he deserves the fucking best

reddy.bevvy ✔️

you know it might just be 'the best' to him if it's with you right?

Richie paused, pressing his lips together, eyes darting to Eddie who was sunken into his side. Completely wrapped up in him, playing with one of Richie's hands as he mindlessly spoke to Patty. Casual affection (because he loves me). Something in Richie wanted to cry, and the other part wanted to kiss Eddie until he couldn't breathe.

trashmouth.tozier ✔️

yeah I know

I just want it to be perfect

I love him so much bev

reddy.bevvy ✔️

I know, Rich

let me look around for you

we're gonna make this shit amazing

Richie laughed, softly, moving his head to come through Eddie’s hair. His Eddie. My Eddie. Jesus.

Bev eventually got back to him, with a slew of answers. The best places to see the Golden Gate Bridge, the best places physically by it. Restaurants and cafés and stores, she'd had it all covered. And then finished it with:

reddy.bevvy ✔️

enjoy yourself rich xoxo

So, that brought him to now, watching Eddie get ready. It was the cutest thing in the world.

He pulled out a shirt on the hanger, eyed it, and then another, and physically moved them back and forth. Richie had the spare thought that any other person would probably rush him, but he just wanted to pull up a fucking chair, lean his head on his hands with big-ass heart eyes. Partially because Eddie was LIVING here, and partially because he loved him so much he might explode-

"What do you think?" Eddie suddenly turned to him, holding out a short-sleeved baby blue button-up with a white tanktop underneath it and a simple brown polo.

Richie hummed, curiously, "Isn't red your favorite color, Eds?"

"Well," Eddie pursed up his lips, "-yeah, but-"

"Would wearing red make you happy?" Richie interrupted, tilting his head.

Eddie pulled the two shirts back to himself, gnawing at his lips, "I... I guess so."

"Then wear red, Eddie baby," Richie offered.

"I don't even think I fucking have red," Eddie pointed out, sliding his shirts back into their spots.

"Well, lucky for you, my dearest Spaghetti," Richie hummed, tugging him by the wrist to his own closet, "-You are dating a man made up of literal fucking color vomit-"

"Ew," Eddie scrunched up his nose, Richie leaned forward and kissed it (Eddie's frown quirked up for a split second).

Opening his closet, he motioned toward the assortment as if he were unveiling a new exhibit at a museum, arms open and wide.

"Take your pick, Eddie my love."

Eddie laughed only a little, before stepping past him into his closet.

On the surface, it was overwhelming, Richie could acknowledge that. Even after Eddie sorted it by color (because he wanted to, and Richie would give him the world if he could). But he could definitely say he has every color in his wardrobe, which is fun. Good, probably.

Red is actually more in Richie's wardrobe than expected. Mostly because there we a lot of strange button ups in red, but also because Bev had told him he looked good in fucking... 'maroon'. So, she'd typically get him something on the red spectrum.

Eddie fingered through the fabric, thoughtfully. Richie watched him again. If there was a career in watching Eddie Kaspbrak, he'd probably be the fucking CEO. He'd be the best of the best because he could just watch him. Which was weird as fuck, because normal Richie couldn't even wait for a loading screen in a game without chattering about fucking any and everything (great for streaming, but still). But with Eddie... he could just watch. And he could listen. Richie was usually fucking talking his ass off but when Eddie was talking, god all Richie wanted to fucking do was listen. Even about the most mundane shit in the world, Richie would never be bored. He could watch his mouth curve around the words, the way his eyes glinted differently depending on how he was feeling, the way his nose scrunched up when he was disgusted. Eddie was the most expressive person in the fucking world, and Richie wanted to know all of his expressions so bad it ached.

Fuck, he was so fucked.

Eddie pulled out a simple t-shirt with the champion logo in blue on the front, toward the right side. He showed it to Richie.

"Is this too fucking simple?" Eddie pursed his lips, "-This is like our first official date, and I know you fucking put effort into it, and I'm just gonna wear a fucking sports t-shirt? That feels so shitty-"

"I really fucking love you," Richie interrupted, smiling -affection bubbling up his throat (I wanna keep him forever).

Eddie's lips snapped shut, and a red bloomed onto his cheeks (like it was the first time Richie had ever said it, which it decidedly was not). His big brown eyes flicked between quite a few different things, some that Richie could name and others he'd learn to.

Finally, he spoke, soft, "I love you too, Richie."

"That one's nice," Richie hummed, leaning forward and pinching the fabric between his fingers, "-I think it'll be fucking great for today."

"But-"

"It's gonna be hot, Eddie baby," Richie moved forward, smoothing his hands down his arms, "-and you really don't have to fucking try hard for me. Just be comfortable and happy. I'll still makeout with you later, your shirt won't-"

Eddie shoved at him, "Shut up."

Even still, he pulled it off the hanger without hesitating. After quickly changing his shirt (and Richie maybe being a little distracted by the shown skin), they were on the streets of San Francisco.

Richie had suggested they walk, and Eddie had promptly pulled out some sunscreen. Richie wasn't going to complain, Eddie's hands all over him? Yes, please-

"Where are we going?" Eddie interrupted the thought process, thankfully.

Richie grinned, and poked his nose, "Wouldn't you like to know, weatherboy?"

Eddie scrunched of his nose, "A vine, really?"

"Uh, yeah, really," Richie enunciated, swinging his arm over Eddie's shoulder and tugging him close (Eddie didn't even hesitate with the motion, tucked against his side), "-that shit shaped a whole generations humor, it should be in fucking textbooks-"

Eddie interrupted him, pouting, "Are you seriously not going to tell me where we're going?"

Richie laughed at the expression, pulling him close and kissing his temple, "Don't worry Eds, you'll figure it out."

Eddie rolled his eyes, but stayed tight to Richie's side, hand moving up to grab his that was hanging off his shoulder -effectively pulling them closer. Richie felt like he'd never loved someone more in his life.

"Hey, Eddie my love?"

Eddie hummed, in response, eyes wandering along all the buildings.

"What are you willing to eat from a food truck?" Richie asked curiously, eyeing the upcoming section of food, "-If the answer is nothing, that's fine, but we could probably fond somewhere eat-in-"

"You'd-" Eddie started, "-You'd do that? Find somewhere else?"

Richie paused in his step, moving his arm to face Eddie fully -big brown eyes on his own.

"Eddie baby," he started, leveled but still somehow through laughs, "-I am balls deep in love with you-"

Eddie scrunched up his nose and shoved him, "You're fucking disgusting."

"-picking a different restaurant doesn't mean shit to me. As long as you're happy and comfortable, I'll find shit I like."

Eddie eyed him, flickering over his face -hinging on his facial features, like he was trying to memorize them. Richie did it a lot when Eddie was still asleep (if he woke up before him), and he could tilt his head up and count the freckles across his nose (which the sun, in fact, brought out more). It was 13, 6 on one side and 7 on the other (Eddie would despise it), if you were wondering-

"I think you might be the love of my life."

Richie blinked.

"Like forever kinda shit," Eddie added less eloquently, "-Like I don't think I ever get past you. I think... I think this is it. I think you're it."

Richie blinked again, mind running 100 miles per hour.

"I just, um-" Eddie continued, nervously, "-You should know that. And I know we've only really been dating a few months, but I just... It makes sense. You, Richie, you make sense. You've... always made sense."

Richie heart felt like it might literally explode. And he had half an idea that Eddie might fucking pull out a ring, but he knew better than that. Eddie, if he was proposing, he'd be stressing over the words, trying to recite them. Be perfect. And Richie would force him to break it, to be imperfect-

Fuck, if he asked, he'd say yes. What the fuck does that mean-

"Jesus, Eds," Richie laughed a little teary, "-Where the fuck did that come from? What the fuck-"

Eddie shrugged, completely certain in his words -not a shred of him embarrassed, as he moved his hands to cup Richie's face naturally (thumbs brushing away any tears), "I just really fucking love you."

"God," Richie laughed, teary, "-I love you too, you little shit. What the fuck? You can't just say that shit out on the street, while I'm trying to fucking figure out if you'd eat from a shitty taco truck-"

Eddie giggled, still cradling his face.

"-I'm not fucking ready for that. I might need days in preparation, honestly. Fuck, man."

Richie tried to wipe at his own eyes, laughing lightly, "It goes without saying, Eds, I think you're it for me too. Just fyi."

Eddie grinned brighter, a teasing twinkle in his eye, "Yeah, I kinda figured."

"Oh, fuck you, Kaspbrak," Richie laughed harder, pulling himself out of his grip, "-You're such a little asshole. The fucking whiplash I get from dating you, you should start paying my medical bills-"

"Shut up," Eddie chased him back, moving to cradle his face and kiss him. A soft and sweet one, the kind that Richie wanted to curl up under and absorb like a cat in the sunlight. He could fucking kiss Eddie forever. He'd suffocate, yeah, but what a way to go-

Richie pulled back, but held their foreheads together, grinning. God, he was so happy. So, so happy. Eddie grinned right back at him (like maybe he was so, so happy too).

"God," Richie let him go, intertwining their hands, "-fucking Eddie Kaspbrak-"

Eddie laughed, following Richie's guide as he navigated to a little sandwich shop that Bev had pointed out. They were still a little ways to being at The Golden Gate Bridge, but it was definitely pretty big on their horizon. They ended up getting sandwiches, both relatively light, nothing too heavy for the evening (Eddie wanted them to eat an actual meal later like you were 'fucking supposed to'). Richie would do literally anything he asked.

"Favorite season?" Richie asked, sandwich in one hand, and Eddie's hand in the other. They were tossing through 20 questions again, it was just nice -getting to know each other more (Richie wanted to know everything about Eddie so badly it burned).

Eddie hummed, chewing a bite (no way in hell he was talking with food in his mouth) and swallowing, "Maybe fall."

"Why?" Richie asked, following.

"Not as much to worry about," Eddie leveled, "-no fucking allergies as bad as spring's, no severe chance of hypothermia like in winter, and no stupid fucking sunburn and heat stroke chance like summer."

Richie hummed, thoughtfully.

"You?" Eddie's eyes flickered to Richie.

"Summer," Richie answered, "-obviously."

"Obviously?" Eddie raised an eyebrow.

"Eddie, my love," Richie laughed, "-look at me. I'm just... It's summer. I can't explain it. Although, I fucking love Halloween-"

"Now, that is fucking obvious-"

Eddie faltered off, then, as Richie guided him to the bridge, stopping as his steps did. The sun was just beginning to set, and Richie literally thanked god that it had lined up that perfectly-

"The bridge," Eddie spoke, a little lost.

"Yup," Richie popped the 'p', disconnecting their hands to throw an arm around his shoulders, "-per your request."

Eddie paused, eyes stuck on the setting of the sun, "I don't think this would be as cool without the sunset."

Richie snorted, "Which is why I am converting to Christianity in a few hours and thanking Jesus personally-"

"Shut up," Eddie elbowed him, and Richie jumped slightly, "-you're ruining it, dickwad."

"Yeah, yeah," Richie rolled his eyes, but still stopped talking.

His eyes hung on the setting sun and the bridge. It was kinda beautiful. Okay, no kinda, it was beautiful, the shine of the metal, the slightly cloudy skyline, the oranges. It was all beautiful. Very beautiful. Richie hadn't felt that way about San Francisco in awhile, but Eddie... Eddie brought it out of him-

Eddie leaned onto his shoulder, interrupting his thought process. And a fondness that only Eddie had ever achieved swam over Richie's skin.

He peeked at Eddie out of the corner of his eye.

And fuck, he was beautiful. Forget the fucking bridge-

His eyes were glittering in the golden hour way (Richie was looking at it in person now), and the setting orange highlighted the features of his face -the tip of his nose, his jawline, the individual curls (waves kinda) of his hair, even his fucking eyelashes. And he was so close that Richie could individually count his freckles, while his whole face was washed in a glow. An evening glow. He wanted to commit this to memory, this fucking vision of Eddie. And this whole day. These fucking feelings, ever since he'd gotten Eddie, he wanted to memorize how he felt every stage of the way. Remember it until he was old and fucking grey.

Richie let the thought settle in his head for a second.

In a year, he could buy a ring. Perfect for Eddie, maybe engraved with something unbelievably stupid. Gold maybe because of this moment now, because of the way he fucking simmered in the sun. Golden. And then finding the perfect time, the perfect moment, and maybe fucking it up. Maybe tripping up on his words, or crying too much to speak, or dropping the fucking box. But he'd still ask. And maybe...

Maybe Eddie would say yes.

Richie quietly leaned his head on top of Eddie's, and held him as close as physically possible -warmth against his entire side. He reveled in the fact that Eddie didn't even flinch at it, just nuzzled closer. Like he fit. Like he was always meant to be there.

And you know what? Richie thinks he was.

Yeah, okay, his mind hummed, one day. We can do it one day.

#reddie #watchoutwriting #reddie fanfiction #reddie fic #richie tozier #eddie kaspbrak #it chapter 2 #it chapter one #reddie fluff #the losers club #streamer au #achievement unlocked 🔓

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