#{ SECOND CHANCE }

[troveoftrolls]

All hail to the king~ Thrash in his prime and heading the Rock trolls. No one is quite sure where he came from. The big fucker just seemed to roll up one day and made himself comfy. Then proceeded to steamroll in seizing the throne. He's lead the tribe well and life under his reign has been an easy one.

Bonus art!: Thrash playing with a very young Barb and Thrash himself as a little one.

-Luxx

[pinkkop]

Day 27 - 15 Days Days BL Challenge

Day 27: Top 3 15 BL Kisses?

You're not the boss of me!!!! I do what I want!!!!!!

please don't hate me, I just couldn't choose only 3 kisses

... sorry #NotSorry

So here are my 15 favorite kisses in no particular order!

Since I couldn't add EVERY single GIF of how these kisses happened and progressed, you should all go check out the full posts these GIFs are from, so you can experience the kisses in their full glory ✨

These 1-3 GIFs really only show a fraction of how good these kisses are.

Brave Boys

Second Chance

Time of Fever

Kinnporsche the series

The Eclipse

Love in the Air

Choco Milk Shake

Secret Crush on You

Never Let Me Go

Love Class 2

Step by step

Monster Next Door

Just ignore that this is from the pilot trailer and not actually in the show.

City Boy Log

Semantic Error

I feel you linger in the air

I recommend pretty much every single of these shows so if you want to know more or just where to watch any of these, shoot me a message!

Good kisses need good chemistry so you're guaranteed that in every single one of these shows.

And finally an honorary mention: Dai and Shun from The Boyfriend, who's first kiss could have been straight out of a BL 🤯

The original challenge is here and part two here.

[fujunfuren]

THE PRINCESS ROYAL (2024)

Bonus: Jinglan representing us

[fuzzyghost]

[midsummer-semantics]

if the world was ending

Okay, I told myself I wasn't going to write anything for @steddieangstyaugust but apparently I lied (I'm sorry)

Here's for day 1: Second Chance

CW: Slight agoraphobia

[not posted to AO3 but you can find other things there.]

When the earthquake hits, he’d like to say he thinks about his parents first. That he wonders where they are and if they're safe or if they’d hear about it from wherever they are in the world. If they’d call to check on him, even though they never did before.

He'd like to say he thinks about Robin, who's two states away studying for a graduate degree in International relations and communication, and likely doesn't feel the ground moving beneath her feet like he does.

Hell, he'd like to say he thinks about the kids, but most of them are scattered themselves, starting college programs (Will, Mike, Dustin) or sports training camps (Lucas) or exploring the West Coast (Max and El).

No, Steve is alone in his big, empty house when it hits, and the only thing on his mind is that they were wrong. Indiana doesn't get earthquakes, so something else has to be afoot. Six years since they defeated Vecna, since everyone tried to move on with their lives while Steve stayed because that's what he does, he stays.

A touchstone Dustin had called him once. Something to do with foundation and a connecting center. Steve still thinks it might have just been him and the rest of the group trying to make him feel better about still being stuck in the same house, in the same town, doing nothing and going nowhere.

He's alone and he thinks 'This is it. What I've been waiting for.'

He has a 6-year-old emergency pack stored that should have more dust on it if it wasn't for the way he chronically checks it. His trusty bat and a duplicate he made just in case, plus the ax he used the last time, are all near enough to the door. He's not sure what the protocol is for earthquakes, having grown up in the Midwest, but he's pretty sure he's not supposed to be indoors, right?

It doesn't last very long, but it doesn't matter. A few seconds of the ground shaking and rolling beneath his feet are enough to jumpstart him into action.

He's gathering supplies, cursing himself for taking too long, when the phone in the kitchen rings.

He should ignore it, knows that whatever or whoever it is can wait until he's secured the area and alerted the cavalry that something is happening. It'll take days for people to get here and Steve thinks he might he able to hold off whatever's coming out of whatever rift has sprung up until then, but he doesn't have time to think about it too hard.

The phone rings off the hook as Steve takes too damn long to double-check that nothing is in the house before he even attempts to go outside, and Steve knows he can't just leave it. Not in case it's someone who's still in town who knows he's here: Mrs. Wheeler, Claudia, Jim or Joyce.

He nearly rips the cord out of the wall when he answers.

"Stevie?!" comes the frantic voice of the person he least expects to be on the other side.

"Eddie?"

"Steve, oh my god." He can hear Eddie panting. "Are you okay?"

It's the first time Steve's heard Eddie's voice in five years. Since Eddie made good on his promise to run like hell out of here, something he'd repeated to anyone who would listen until he finally did. Five years since Steve had realized he was halfway in love with him after saving the world and never got to say anything because he was a coward and Eddie was leaving anyway so what was the point?

He'd gotten one phone call when Eddie arrived in Denver and it's been radio silence since then. Truthfully, he couldn't blame the guy, but Steve had had... thoughts... feelings... probably brought on by end-of-the-world shit but nonetheless. And then Eddie just—

Vanished.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?" he asks.

"We're good," Eddie replies, and only then does he hear the rough grumble of Eddie's uncle in the background, asking why Eddie's on the phone at nearly 3 in the morning.

"Earthquake, old man," Eddie shouts, still too close to the receiver for Steve's already damaged hearing.

Oh.

So, Eddie's in town. Cool. Steve had no idea. Doesn't know when Eddie got in or if he ever intended to tell Steve he was here at all. That's fine.

"Sorry, Stevie. Woke Wayne up. Shit— did I wake you up too?"

Steve swallows harshly, shaking his head even though Eddie can't see it. "No, I was already awake."

"Me too," Eddie replies. "Jet lag. Just got in a few hours ago. What a welcome home, huh?"

"Sure," Steve says, wondering what the point of this call is. "Look, I'm glad to hear from you, but I really need to—"

"Wait!" Steve shuts his mouth, his teeth clacking harshly. "It's fine. Everything is fine."

"Dude, there was an earthquake just now—"

"And it wasn't You-Know-What related," Eddie states, a bit of his franticness back in his voice. "They're leveling part of the plant for safety issues. Wanted to do it at night so no one would freak out." Steve cringes. Hawkins wasn't exactly magnanimous about the rebuilding efforts last time, but he doesn't go to city council meetings to hear about what the efforts might have been since then. "That's part of why I'm home. Wayne's got an extended leave until they sort out what else to do."

Steve sighs, dropping the emergency pack on the floor and leaning the ax he'd managed to grab against the wall. "Oh. Great. Wish they'd have told everyone else just in case."

"I know, sweetheart. But everything is okay."

Sweetheart.

Steve's actual heart skips a beat hearing that again.

"I'll be back, sweetheart. I promise."

"So... you're here then? In Hawkins?"

There's a beat of silence, some shuffling on the other end. "Well, yeah. I told you I'd come back."

"For your uncle."

"He's part of it."

Steve hesitates, hating himself for even considering getting his hopes up.

"And the other part?"

"My guy is here."

When the earthquake hit, he’d like to say he thought about his parents first.

No, he'd thought it was the end of the world. And above that, all he could think about was Eddie.

[sumju]

I was a lot happier with this one.

[mooniiify]

emergency contact — bakugo katsuki

quirk: super sonic/speed; hero name: sonic

disclaimer: using the established hero identity from my bakugo fic on wattpad lol

contents: second chance, pro heroes in their twenties

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

her whole body hurt, that was the first thing she realized when she started gaining consciousness. her eyelids felt heavy, but she willed them to open, only for her to wince and close them back immediately as a harsh light hit her eyes.

it took her a moment. she took a breath. there was a soft beeping in the background. where was she? slowly, she fluttered her eyes open again, squinting until she got used to the light. she looked around, taking in the white walls and the IV drip stand next to her.

hospital. oh.

what had happened again? she remembered the villain attack in musutafu — she’d been called in, and kirishima, mina and todorki had been at the scene, too. the villain was preaching about the downfall of heroes as usual. she didn’t remember much of the fight, except getting hit really badly in the back of the head at some point.

with her left arm, she reached up and touched the side of her head, feeling the bandages.

she sighed and let her arm fall back down next to her. she looked to the side, noticing the red button that would call the nurse. this wasn’t the first time she’d been in a hospital bed like that and it wouldn’t be the last. she knew the drill by now — she pressed the button and waited.

a nurse walked in soon after, a smile on her face. y/n recognized her from the last few times she’s been here. “oh, glad to see you’re awake, sonic! how are you feeling?”

“mostly fine,” y/n answered. “how bad was the damage this time?”

“concussion, a broken leg due to debris falling over it. some scratches and bruises, but that’s about it,” the nurse read off of her clipboard. “everything was already taken care of and healed. we should be able to discharge you by the end of the day, but you should take it easy when you get home.”

y/n nodded. “that’s good. thank you.”

the nurse nodded before she wrote something on her clipboard. “are you feeling okay for visitors?”

y/n furrowed her eyebrows at that. “visitors?” who could it be? maybe kirishima or mina decided to visit. how did they get out of the fight, anyway? and how did y/n pass out? so embarrassing!

“well, mr. dynamight—“

“mr. who?”

no. this couldn’t be. why would he be here?

“mr. dynamight. bakugo katsuki?” the nurse scratched her head. “i thought you two were friends. or at least classmates back in ua.”

friends. yeah, no. “we were. don’t let him in.”

the nurse nodded and reached for the door. “all right. i’ll let him know.”

y/n sighed and looked back up at the white ceiling. seriously, why the hell was he here? how did he know she’d gotten hurt? okay, maybe he’d heard it from kirishima or seen it on the news, but still! how did he know which hospital she was at?

“tch, she’s still tired and doesn’t know what she’s talkin’ about.” y/n’s blood ran cold at the familiar voice coming from beyond the door. “i’m going in.”

“mr. dynamight, sir—“

the nurse couldn’t stop him. the door opened and in walked bakugo katsuki, still dressed in his hero costume, bar his mask and gauntlets.

the nurse immediately looked at y/n. “i’m sorry, miss sonic, i—“

“it’s okay.” it wasn’t the nurse’s fault. it was bakugo’s annoying stubbornness, as usual.

the nurse apologized again, then excused herself and left. bakugo moved silently from the door to the left of her bed, his arms crossed in from of his chest. “how are ya—“

“the fuck are you doing here, bakugo?”

bakugo’s lips shut in an instant. he looked to the IV drip in her arm, then to her heartbeat monitor — it was beeping a bit quicker now — then back to her. “the hospital called. told me you were injured.”

y/n’s eyebrows furrowed. “the hospital called you? why the hell would they? are you stalking me or something?”

bakugo grunted. “tch, speedy, you didn’t change your shitty emergency contact. you set it to me years ago, remember?”

right. “oh.”

“yeah.”

y/n looked away from him and out through the window. her view was obscured by a tree, but it was better than looking at bakugo at the moment. “why did you come, then?”

there was a sound of metal scraping on the ground. startled, y/n looked back and noticed bakugo pulling up a chair to sit next to her. it looked small under him. it was funny, but she didn’t laugh.”

“‘cuz they called me and told me you were injured.” bakugo said as he leaned on his knees. “and i saw the news. i was worried.”

y/n sighed. “bakugo, we—“

“stop calling me bakugo. you know i hate it when you call me by my last name.”

“bakugo.” she gave him a stern look. “we broke up three months ago.”

bakugo was silent. to this day, even after having calmed down, it was still weird to see bakugo this silent. “i know.”

“then you can’t expect me to act fucking normal and call you by your first name just because you decided to come to the hospital because you were worried about your ex.”

“i fuckin’ know.” bakugo groaned, running a hand through his hair.

they sat in silence for a moment and y/n’s unfocused eyes watched him as he looked at the ground. they dated for five years before they broke up. from their first year at ua, up until a few months ago. it was understandable bakugo was acting like that, really.

“do you ever think we made a mistake?”

y/n’s eyes focused and his face became clearer out of shock. she opened her mouth to answer than, no, she didn’t think so, but closed it. after thinking for a moment, she nodded. “at least once a day.”

their break up hadn’t really been spontaneous. it was building up the busier they got, and at the end, they reached the mutual decision to part ways. they were stubborn, both of them fighting for the top spots in the hero rankings, so much so that they forgot about each other. it made sense, back then.

but now, as y/n returned to the same home she’d shared with bakugo every night to a now cold, empty apartment, she was starting to think how being a top hero was just so lonely.

bakugo nodded at her answer. “yeah. me too.”

y/n moved to sit up, wincing a little as she did. despite the healing, he ribs were still sore. bakugo instinctively moved, one hand going behind her back to help her up. “careful, speedy.”

“i’m fine. they’re discharging me later, anyway,” y/n explained.

bakugo nodded, his hand lingering on her back for a moment too long before he retracted it and sat back on his chair. he ran a gloved hand through his hair. “you know, i really fuckin’ miss you, speedy.”

her heart monitor beeped faster at the words and she felt her face warm up in embarrassment. bakugo had just heard how flustered he made her — there was no backing out now.

still, she didn’t look at him. she looked at her fingers that were playing with each other. “yeah, i miss you, too, katsuki.”

bakugo’s hand reached out, catching one of hers in his. she looked back at him again, at his soft, pleading face. “can we try again? we’ve been through so much shit together and, honestly, before we broke up, i never imagined my life without you in it. but now that i actually experienced it, i realized just how shitty it is. being a hero is so fucking boring if you’re not there to run by work just to tell me a dumb joke, or to sit on the couch and watch the news and make fun of shitty hair and raccoon eyes, or bantering over who’s going to be higher in the next hero chart, or—“

she’d heard enough. leaning in, she pressed her lips on his, her hands grabbing the sides of his face. the IV drip in her arm felt uncomfortable, but she ignored it best she could as she savored bakugo’s lips, the ones she’s been missing for so long.

bakugo moved his hand to the back of her head, the other one on her back. he didn’t really pull her too close because he was scared she would fall off the bed, but he didn’t mind. the fact that she was kissing him was enough.

they pulled away not too long after — it didn’t matter that the kiss was short, there was so many more to come — and y/n smiled as she looked into his red eyes. her right thumb stroked his cheek ever so slightly. “you know, i’m higher in the rankings than you this month. i’m twenty-fourth and you’re twenty-sixth.”

bakugo chuckled, his smile unwavering. “shut up, i saw. i wanted to call you and rant to you about it. that’s only ‘cuz i had to take a week-long break after i got injured.”

y/n waved him off. “excuses, excuses. just admit i’m strong.”

“never denied it, speedy.”

y/n felt warm again. it felt so right, being with bakugo and talking with him like that. she hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed it.

“i don’t know if this is sudden, but are you going to move back in now, or are you gonna wait and see how this goes? not that i’m pressuring you or anything, i just—“

bakugo interrupted her with a peck, sealing her lips shut. when he pulled back, he gave her a nod. “i’ll move back today if i can. i’ll call shitty hair to help me with my shit. hell, i missed the bed.”

[bloomingkyras]

Officially Schwartz Rodriguez Family

[bugstung]

The Anatomy of a Star [Second Chance au]

[troveoftrolls]

[First] [Previous]

John is a good big brother, he's just very...intense when he tries to set his mind to something. He wants them to live good lives, to be happy. He just can't see the forest for the trees sometimes.

- Fluff

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

There is so much airing right now. It's insane. July is already crazy but with more coming in August I'll probably do a shorter version of this mid august to kinda keep all the shows straight in my head. And I know we still have a couple of days left this month but I wanted to do this to close the weekend. Also because I'm watching a lot this is gonna be long. And also. Spoilers and opinions below, read at your own risk.

QL - Currently Watching

🇹🇭 4 Minutes [1/8] - Living for the visuals in this show. Just like with DFF, I feel the framing is very intentional. Only one episode so, for now, I'm very intrigued by the premise and the characters and will be looking forward to the meta that will no doubt be a big part of watching this show for me, as with dff. Also, is it just me or is Jes just ridiculously handsome?

🇯🇵 Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko! [4/8] - I love it here. I'm having such a good time with this show. Hiroko is the master of selective perception even when Ayaka is trying so hard to make her see. I'm looking forward to see what happens next. Also we had a small moment of running to the beloved!!!

🇹🇭 Century of Love [5/10] - Did not see this coming. After The Trainee this is the thai bl I look forward to the most weekly. Daou is doing excellent work, even as he's softening because he's in looooove, I can still see the demeanour of the 100 years old man. Love reading all the theories after the last episode. I'm on team Vee is Vad, and the girl is an imposter with sinister intent.

🇯🇵 I Hear the Sunspot [5/12] - It's excellent. I love Taichi, he doesn't always understand Kohei, or himself, but he will stay by his side regardless. That moment in the stairs was probably my favourite so far. I'm expecting this show to break my heart again.

🇹🇭 I Saw You In My Dream [2/12] - It's cute. I like the premise but I've been burned by Thailand when they venture a bit into high concept so we'll see. I like the characters and the actors so far. At least there seems to be communication between the leads which for me is already a win.

🇹🇭 Knock Knock, Boys! [10/12] - Latte and Almond are great in their boyfriend era. They seem comfortable with each other without being way too cutesy which honestly would feel kinda weird for them, especially Latte. Poor Thanwa though. Look I feel for Peak. He lost his mum and so not wanting to disappoint the remaining parent is completely understandable but damn, I wish he got some nerve and spoke for himself. I really hope the boys visit will give him the support he needs to finally do what he needs to do.

🇹🇭🇨🇳 Meet You At the Blossom [6/12] - I'm watching because it's kinda historic but I'm not enjoying it as much as other people so I'll just say there are some funny bits and some cute moments.

🇯🇵 Mitsuya Sensei no Keikakutekina Ezuke [1/10] - Oh Japan how you spoil me. Chaotic boy✔ Older openly queer man✔ Food✔ Dog✔. I'm in jbl heaven.

🇹🇭Love Sea [8/12] - I'm watching.

🇹🇭My Love Mix-Up! [7/12] -I'm stopping the weekly viewing of this one and probably binge it when it's over. I probably shouldn't but I know myself and my curiosity will win in the end. I've said a couple of things what bugged me about this show and this thread started by @twig-tea and all the reblogs [@bengiyo @hallowpen @silviakundera @doublel27] are an excellent read and the reason this last episode finally made me drop my weekly viewing. It was bad before but now it makes me too angry and there's a lot airing atm, so I'm choosing joy.

🇹🇭 SunsetxVibes [6/12] - It's just fun for the most part. I'm honestly trying not to think too hard about this one because there are some things that just make no sense. Also I keep getting confused by the time on this show. The editing is weird. But like I said, I'm trying not to think about it and just enjoy the ridiculousness. Definitely more into the side couple's dynamic.

🇯🇵 Takara No Vidro [4/11] - What an excellent time it is for jqls. I'm fascinated by Takara and desperately need to know more about him and it seems I'm gonna get my wish next episode. Maybe it's the hole Hayama left in me, but for some reason I find some similarities between them. Something about people liking them on a surface level, and isolating themselves and encountering someone who sees them in a different way and being drawn to that. I also like how the show is using the episode storylines. The creep episode was interesting given that Taishin was called a creep early on, for following Takara to uni, so the contrast worked well in establishing that Taishin motivations are completely different. And then the stan episode was really interesting not only in reinforcing the idea that Taishin was really sheltered growing up but also he's so lost and confused so he's just looking for clues as to what he's feeling for Takara. 🇹🇭 This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans [4/8] . I'm watching for the sides.

🇹🇭 The Rebound [10/12] - I guess the crazy ended with a bang, or several, and now we're back to our regularly scheduled programming with a very average high school bl. Also, can we stop having sick grandmas drive the narrative?

🇹🇭 The Trainee [3/10] - I love everything about it. First of all, Jane. Look, I've loved Off since my first OffGun show, which was Theory of Love, and every character since then has only increased my devotion. Him and Mix had me weekly watching a show (The Jungle) that in normal circumstances I wouldn't waste a day one let alone 16 whole episodes. I have a problem. And I thought Ten was the ceiling honestly but Jane is just another level. Not only is he, oh so pretty in this, but his character is just perfection. He's tough but reasonably so, will give credit where it's due, notices the people around him and will apologize if he's in the wrong. And yes, that hand gesture have me fanning myself. Ryan has no business being in that company honestly, but I'm a sucker for an underdog that tries and improves and is genuinely a good human for the people around him. Oh and also, this show is funny. I'm having a great time and I'm always excited for the next episode. Please be... nope, I won't go there. It's great.

QL - Finished

🇯🇵A Man Who Defies the World of BL 3 - First of all massive thanks to @ikeoji-subs for making it possible to finally watch this season. I think this is my favourite season so far. I love Mob's and Hatano storyline and would very much like a fourth season to see what happens next. @emotionallychargedtowel wrote here and here some of the reasons why this character is so different from all the ones we've seen so far and I also speculated in the tags about how he could connect to the mangaka and that's why he can hear some of Mob's thoughts and see him breaking the fourth wall. Either way there's not enough information. I need more. I definitely think Mob is struggling more to keep his secondary characters status this season. I adore Ayato and Toujou. So many couples and so many tropes, I was in heaven. I still need to rewatch all of it.

🇯🇵Ossan no Pants ga Nandatte Ii Janai ka! - Fansubbers are angels and deserve the world, so once again, massive thanks to @isaksbestpillow for allowing me the privilege to watch this show. And what a privilege it was. I'm gonna miss this family so much. The kindness and empathy of these characters will stay with me for a long time. I wish everyone would watch this show and I can't really find the words to talk about this show but this post by @lurkingshan explains way better than I ever could all the reasons this show is an incredible watch, as does this spoiler free pitch by @twig-tea. So do yourself a favor and go watch it. 🇹🇭 Wandee Goodday - I love Cher and Oyei.

🇹🇭 We Are - Final thoughts here.

Rose Watches OJBL

Nothing to report this month. The obvious reason being the absolutely insane number of shows in the currently watching list.

Others - Watched

BL Metamorphosis (2022) Kashimashi Meshi (2023) Second Chance (2021)

As usual my ask box is open for questions or requests. Have a wonderful week💜

[arlana-likes-to-write]

Second Chance - Chapter 17

Masterlist

Warnings: chemo treatment, mention of guilt, Tony is a worried father, mention of death (reader likes to make bad jokes)

Relationship: Yelena x reader, Avengers x reader (platonic), Tony x reader (platonic)

Word Count: 4.4k

The constant moving of Yelena’s hand up and down your back woke you up. It was soothing even though it pulled you out of sleep. The Black Widow’s presence was comforting even though your bones and mind ached—her warmth eased some of the pain. Your eyes fluttered open, and you stared at the Black Widow in your bed. You waking up went unnoticed by the blonde as her hand kept moving. She seemed lost in her own world, so you had time to observe her—observe the way her blonde hair was braided and some of the hair was pulled out of the braid from sleeping. The small hairs curtained around her face. The sun from the window bounced around the room, and the rays reflected in her green eyes. She was breathtaking. As long as you had, you would remind her.

A knot in your neck caused you to groan slightly, and her hand stopped moving. “Hi,” she spoke softly. “I am sorry if I woke you up.” You shook your head and rolled onto your back.

“It’s fine,” you whispered. Your throat was super dry, but reaching for your water seemed like an impossible feat. “What time is it?” You put your forearm over your eyes.

“8,” she answered. “You have treatment at 11.” Shit. You slept for a lot longer than you meant to. “Hey sweetheart,” you put your arm down and looked at her. “Why don’t you have your treatment here instead of at the cancer center?” You shook your head.

“No, I’m fine,” you sighed. “I just need one more hour. Can you wake me up at 9?” You asked her. She nodded.

“Of course,” you rolled onto your side and closed your eyes. There was no way you were going to have your treatment at the tower. That meant you weren’t doing well, and you were fine. Tired but fine.

*

Yelena watched your breathing even out. It took minutes before you were fast asleep. The blonde sighed and stood up. Not even her leaving the bed caused you to stir. “FRIDAY,” she whispered as she left your room and closed it behind her. “Can you tell Stark I need to speak with him?”

“Of course, Miss Belova,” the AI said. Yelena paced in front of your door until she heard Tony’s frantic knocking on the other side.

“She’s fine,” Yelena said while opening the door.

“Don’t do that.” Tony pushed past her and into your apartment. “If it’s not an emergency, tell FRIDAY to tell me that.” Yelena closed your door and stared at your father with her arms crossed. “Damn near gave me a heart attack.”

“Are you done?” Yelena asked. The man narrowed his eyes but nodded. “She is fine but exhausted.” She walked past Tony and walked into your kitchen. If you were stubborn about going, then at least Yelena could get your snack bag ready. “I suggested having her treatment here, but she said no.” Tony sighed and walked over to your coffee pot. He started the process of making a fresh pot.

“If I remember correctly, her mother was stubborn.” Yelena scoffed and opened up your fridge.

“And you are not,” she pulled out a bag of baby carrots. She saw Tony shake his head out of the corner of her eye.

“It seems to me,” the billionaire poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip. Yelena cringed at how easily he could consume the hot liquid. “She is stubborn about this because she wants to keep her autonomy,” Yelena stopped packing your snacks and turned to face him. The man was leaning against the cabinets. “If she has her treatment here, then she admits the chemo is affecting her.”

“But it is,” Yelena said, and there was no shame in that. The blonde saw how the simplest of things left you exhausted or the way you pushed your food around your plate. However, she understood the need to have control of your body. You needed to make your own choices, not the cancer’s. Yelena sighed. “Your daughter is stressing me out.” Tony laughed.

“Are you regretting being with her already?” Yelena shook her head.

“Never.” It was a blessing and a curse that she was with you. Tony smiled and squeezed her shoulder as he walked to the door.

“Good. Come get me if you need anything.” Yelena let out a slow breath when Tony left. It was strange how suffocating Yelena felt being in your living space. There was an aspect of who you were in every corner with your artwork on the wall to the scent of the candles you had lit. All Yelena wanted was for you to be close and safe in her arms, but that feeling felt overwhelming sometimes.

Yelena shook her head and saw your bag that you packed for treatment by the door. She grabbed it and dumped it on the counter. Cleaning out the trash, she repacked it. Before she placed your sketchbook back in, she felt the urge to flip through it.

The drawings were mostly of your travels and the animals you’ve seen. When she was about to put it away, she stopped on an unfinished drawing. It was of her. The day she took you to Central Park and the German Shepherd puppy ran up to her. You captured the pure joy on her face when the dog ran up to her. Yelena smiled and carefully ran her fingers over the pencil lines.

She would never forget that day. It made her realize how fragile life could be when you spoke about death and how important you were to her.

*

Yelena walked back into your room. Your position changed, but you were still fast asleep with your arms wrapped around the pillow she used and your face pressed against it. It pained Yelena to wake you up, but you asked her to. The slight movement of the bed caused your eyes to open. “Is my pillow that comfy, detka?” Yelena teased. You smiled and stretched before burying your face back into the pillow.

“Smells like you,” you whispered. “You left me, and I needed to cuddle with something.” Carefully, your hand moved up her arm and placed your hand behind your neck. It was hard to stop her body from shivering at your touch. “Kiss me,” you whispered. “Please.” You added on quickly.

It seemed natural for Yelena to close the distance between you and her. Your lips were soft against hers, a little dry as your body was dehydrated from you sleeping so long. But it was perfect. You moved Yelena closer to you until she was holding her weight off of you, caging your body with hers.

In this bubble of peace you created with your lips on hers and your hands on her skin, Yelena was buzzing. She felt like she was on fire. However, she had to stop. Slowly pulling away, Yelena looked down at you. Your lips were bruised, and your eyes were slightly blown out. She wondered if her own expression matched yours, but Yelena smirked and let her lips kiss your cheek and down the column of your throat. The small hitch in your breathing made the smile on Yelena’s face grow. You were so responsive to her touch. She rested her head on your shoulder and kissed the skin that wasn’t covered by your shirt. “It is time to get up, baby.” She glanced up at you as you groaned and threw your head back. “You could always—”

“No,” you gently pushed her off, and she landed next to you with a soft thud. “I’m good.” You sat up and swung your legs over the side of the bed. When you stretched your arms over your head, your shirt rose up. Yelena was mesmerized by the small section of your back. There were some imperfections, but you were so soft compared to her. “After a shower, I’ll be good to go,” you turned to look over your shoulder with a smirk. “And no, you can not join me. We would be very late if that was the case.”

Yelena felt the blush overtake her face, and she pulled a pillow over her face, groaning into the soft fabric. Your laughter was music to her ears as you walked into the bathroom. The pillow remained on her face until she heard the shower running. Slowly, she got up and walked over to your closet. She remembered the outfit you wore when you went to treatment together—simple, baggy, and comfortable. She tried to replicate that with the clothes she picked up. The door was cracked open, and Yelena easily placed the clothes on the sink.

“I packed your bag and a few snacks for you.” Yelena said, leaning against the wall. She wasn’t sure you heard her over the water.

“You did that,” you said in disbelief. Yelena smiled.

“Yeah, you are not alone in this.” Again, you were silent. It made Yelena’s anxiety worse because she knew you heard her.

“Thank you.”

*

Your friends in DC swore by weighted blankets. They went on and on about how it helped them sleep, quieted their mind, and comforted them when their anxiety got too much. However, you hated them. The blanket made you feel trapped and claustrophobic.

As you sat at the cancer center, a needle in your port, and Yelena sitting next to you, you felt like a blanket was over you. You could barely mumble a ‘thank you’ once the nurse left. Now your eyes were closed, and you basked in the weight that was suffocating. You wanted to rip it off. “Stop it,” you said with your eyes still closed. “Stop looking at me like that.” Yelena gasped.

“How did you—” you chuckled and shook your head. “How am I looking at you then, detka?”

“Like I am going to drop dead right here,” you teased with a smile.

“That is not funny.” Her tone was sharp, which made you finally open your eyes. You motioned for her to come closer. When you were able to put your hand on her cheek, her face softened.

“Right,” you whispered. “Sorry, not funny.” Yelena sighed and moved her chair closer to her. She kissed the palm of your hand and held it close to her lips. “I’m okay, Lena. Just a little tired today,” you closed your eyes. After your treatment was over, you would go back to the tower, and you would be tired and stuck there. Trapped. You hated feeling. Especially with how you were feeling, everyone would be hovering. That sounded awful. Maybe you could escape somewhere with Yelena this weekend. You groaned.

“What is wrong?” Your eyes opened at Yelena’s panic. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine,” you squeezed her hand. “Sorry, I was just thinking,” you sighed. “I want to do something with you this weekend,” you said as you reached for your water bottle that Yelena was quick to hand you. You thanked her with a smile and took a much-needed sip of water. “I want to get away, out of the tower. Seems a little impossible.” Yelena took your water bottle when you were done. Her green eyes were trained on your connected hands, and you could see her mind work a million different possibilities. It was cute. You pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear that pulled her out of her thoughts.

“We could go to Iowa.” Iowa? You were not expecting her to say that. Iowa is a state in the Midwest that borders the Mississippi, Missouri, and the Big Sioux Rivers. What the hell was in Iowa for a Black Widow?

“Iowa,” you said slowly. “What the hell is in Iowa? Besides nice people and corn.” Yelena laughed. The sound filled you with warmth, and it made you smile.

“The Bartons are in Iowa,” you raised her eyebrow in question. “Hawkeye.” OH! She could have said that from the beginning. “He retired to the countryside along with his wife and kids.” A small smile appeared on the blonde’s face. “It is probably my favorite place to go.”

“Then,” you managed to let go of Yelena’s hand and cupped her face. “We go to Iowa.”

*

“You are crazy! Do you know that? Do you know how insane this sounds? Just this morning you said it wasn’t a good idea for her to go to the cancer center; now you want to whisk her away to Iowa? Are you out of your mind?” Tony ranted.

Through her life, Yelena has been called a lot of things. Crazy was one of them, but it was a rare one. Yelena sighed as she filled a bag with medical supplies. The Black Widow was grateful Tony ran down to medbay after her meeting with Helen. The doctor suggested bringing things for extra hydration, such as gloves, alcohol swabs, needles, and a few bags of fluid. The plan was to leave tomorrow morning, stay until Sunday, and leave late afternoon. So Yelena grabbed two bags of fluid per day to be safe. “Call off the little vacay.” Yelena turned around to face him.

“No,” she said simply. “She was the one to suggest going away. I came up with Iowa. At least she is not going to France.” The blonde continued what she was doing. She knew you had your own supply of medication, but she wanted to grab extra. Tony continued his rant about the possibility of something happening.

“Look,” Yelena slammed her hands onto the table. His voice was giving her a headache. “Trust me that I will take care of her,” she squeezed her eyes shut. “Please.” Tony was quiet until she heard him slump into a chair with a sigh.

“I do trust you,” Yelena turned around to look at him. He was slumped back, and he looked tired. It looked like Yelena had never seen it before. “It’s just—”

“You are a worried father that feels a little out of their element,” Yelena guessed. Tony nodded. “Yeah, I get that.” She walked over to him and sat next to him. She felt a little lost as well. It wasn’t every day you were in a relationship with someone that had a life-threatening illness. “Nat is going to meet us there on Saturday. Laura is married to the most accident-prone Avenger I know.” The small jab at Clint got the man to laugh. “She will be okay, and if anything happens, we will come back here.” Tony nodded again.

“Pepper told me how she fell asleep in her office and she called you,” Yelena nodded. “You carried her back to her room without a second thought. Even this morning, you showed a level of care for her that I didn’t think was possible,” the blonde frowned.

“Are you trying to offend me?” She asked.

“No,” he answered and looked at her. “Are you worried about letting her in just for the possibility of losing her?” Yelena sighed and sat back in her chair. Her hands gripped onto her pants.

“All the time,” she admitted. “But like I told her, if she breaks my heart by leaving, then I am glad I gave it to her to break.”

*

“I’m so bored,” Kate whined as she lay on your bed. You rolled your eyes as you grabbed clothes and packed them into your bag.

“So sorry I’m so boring,” you teased.

“That is not what I said,” the archer defended. You knew that, but it was fun to poke fun at her. The small bag you were bringing was packed with your clothes, hygiene products, and medication. Your backpack was still packed with your sketchbook, tablet, and chargers from treatment. You needed to add a few more things, but that could wait. “Are you excited?” Kate asked. “To have your first couple vacation.”

“Didn’t expect it to be Iowa,” you huffed when you took the bag off the bed and sat down. “Expected it to be to the Bahamas or the Maldives.” Kate laughed and turned on her side to look at you. Her arm bent so her head could rest on her hand. Somehow her face got softer.

“This is kind of a big deal for her, taking you to Iowa,” she added. “Not even—” the archer’s voice trailed off.

“You know,” you mirrored the way she was lying. “I keep hearing snippets of this ex, but no one is telling me anything.”

“Did you ask Yelena?” You nodded. “And how did that go?”

“She almost bit my head off and not in the sexy way.” You deadpanned. Kate blinked at you. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish.

“Please give a girl a heads up when you are about to have sex so I can leave the state.” You pushed on her shoulder, and she fell onto her back. “Rude,” she grumbled, but she returned back to her position. You smiled. “I can’t tell you,” your smile fell. “Not because I don’t want to. Mostly because I don’t really know what happened between her and Vicky.” Vicky. Ew. You hated that name. “She was nice, but I don’t know,” the archer shrugged. “She rubbed me the wrong way.”

Now you were curious. “Do I rub you the wrong way?” You asked. The archer smirked. Since she was facing you, she missed Yelena leaning against the doorway.

“I don’t know, baby. Why don’t we find out?”

“Kate Bishop,” you felt bad. It would have been easy to warn the archer of the Black Widow’s entrance, but you were a little mean at heart. Kate jumped out of her skin, falling onto the floor with a thud. She was quick to stand up. “You are on my side of the bed.”

“I wasn’t even under the covers,” Kate defended. The blonde rolled her eyes and walked over to you.

“Hi, baby,” she bent down to kiss your lips.

“And that is my cue to leave,” Kate clapped her hands. “See you guys at dinner.” She gave you finger guns while she walked backwards and out the door.

“Bye, Kit Kat,” you called after her and heard the door slam shut. Yelena sat by your head, and you moved your head to rest on your lap. The blonde was still sending daggers to her friend that wasn’t there. “Hey,” you said, and you used one of your hands to squeeze her cheek. “You are going to give her a heart attack.”

“Good,” she looked down at you. Her green eyes were soft, and there was no real bite to her words. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” you answered, took her hands in yours, and played with the rings on her fingers. “Especially now that you are here.”

“Sap,” she smiled.

“Only for you,” you yelped when Yelena moved to rest her back on the headboard and moved you further up her chest. You liked it here—feeling the steady beat of her heart and each calm breath she took.

“Stark is not happy we are leaving,” you hummed. Her hands began to massage the deep knots in your shoulders.

“I’ll talk to him at dinner.” It was team dinner tonight with bonding after. Kate told you that Bruce was arriving back tonight, and you were excited to meet the doctor. “You have magical hands,” you groaned.

“Is that so?” The blonde chuckled. “And here I thought you wanted Kate’s hands on you,” she kissed your shoulder. Again she chuckled as your body tensed up. “Or am I misremembering it?” Her lips touched every part of your skin she could reach. “She wanted your hands on her.”

“You sat up and turned to sit on her lap. There was a playful smirk on her face, but there was no hiding the vulnerability in her green eyes. The fear. You trailed your finger up and down her chest, watching it slowly rise and fall. “Your hands,” you whispered. “Are the only ones I want on me.” It was sudden. The way she flipped you onto your back and covered your body with hers. Her lips were on your neck and caused a gasp to escape your lips.

“So sensitive,” she teased. You laughed and put your hands on the back of her head, forcing her to look at you. “What is it?” She questioned.

“Just want to look at you,” you whispered. “You are beautiful.” The blush covered her cheeks, and she hid her face in your shoulder. You smiled, running your hands up and down her back. Her body sagged against you. The weight was comforting. It felt safe and warm.

*

After dinner, you sat with the Young Avengers, plus MJ and Ned. Yelena was right when she said they were always here, but they were nice. America started the game. It started off as simply hypothetical scenarios—what would you say to a jealous GPS or to your shoulder if it wanted to lead instead of follow? Then MJ asked a thought-provoking one—what would you say to time if time could answer back? The question stumped you, and you remained quiet as your friends went back and forth. The only person that adopted your silence was Yelena. She seemed lost in her head too.

What would you say to time? A million possibilities raced through your head. Why was her time up and not hers? Why is time moving so fast when you wanted it to slow down? “Hey kid,” you were thankful for Tony’s sudden interruption. He was standing next to Dr. Banner. “Do you have a minute?” You nodded, but before leaving with Tony, you looked at Yelena—a silent question passed through you both. Are you okay if I leave? She gave you a smile, nodded, and followed the duo to the kitchen. “Bruce, this is my daughter. Y/n, meet Bruce Banner,” Tony nudged the doctor with his shoulder. “This one might be smarter than both of us.” Bruce gave you a soft smile.

“Not very hard to be smarter than you, Tony,” the doctor teased him. Tony let out a dramatic gasp.

“Why do I put up with you?” He questioned. You chuckled with a shake of your head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Doctor Banner,” you offered him your hand. At first he hesitated, but soon his hand contacted yours in a brief handshake. “I read your work on the structural dynamics of oxidoreductases.” You noted the surprise on Bruce’s face.

“Did you read that when you were 10?” Tony teased. You felt your body heat up from being called out.

“I was 13, thank you,” you said and slapped the billionaire on the shoulder.

“Impressive,” Bruce said, then turned to look at Tony. “You may be right. She is smarter than the both of us.” You rolled your eyes.

“Hey Snicker doodle,” you huffed at the annoying nickname Kate gave you. She heard you call her Kit Kat, and all throughout dinner she had been testing candy-themed nicknames. This one wasn’t bad compared to the others. “We are going to play cards. Wanna join?”

You hesitated. It sounded fun, but you wanted to talk more with Bruce. The man was fascinating, brave, and maybe a little stupid for testing his own creation on himself. “Go hang out with them,” Bruce made the decision for you. “We can discuss the complexities of structural biology and enzymology another night.” You smiled.

“I’ll hold you to that, Doctor Banner,” you said. “It was nice to meet you.” You gave them a wave before walking back to your friends. Quickly, you smacked Kate on the back of her head. “Snicker doodle,” you said, ignoring her ‘ouch.’ The hit wasn’t that hard. “Really?”

“What?” The archer complained. “I liked that one.”

“As did I,” Yelena put her arms around you.

“You both are so annoying,” you mumbled with no real hatred in your voice.

*

“It’s impressive,” Tony pulled his eyes away from you to look at his friend. The doctor was pulling out the leftovers from the fridge to build himself a plate. He returned to the tower after dinner was done and put away. Tony wondered how long he was going to stay. He looked better than the last time he was here—the bags under his eyes weren’t as dark.

The Blip changed him like it did with all the members of the team that survived those 5 years. But Bruce carried around so much guilt Tony never understood why. “She looks so much like you,” Tony wasn’t convinced. Sometimes he would stare at you and try to find himself in your features. He saw more of Jessica than himself.

“Really? I don’t see it.” Bruce shrugged.

“Because you don’t see the look in your eyes when you are working in the lab,” he put the plate in the microwave to heat up the food. “It was the same look she had when she brought up my paper.” Tony stood next to him, his back against the counter as he watched you.

It seemed like you were playing spoons, and Wanda and Vision joined the game. Your laughter mixed with the others, and it tugged at Tony’s heart. “Have you thought about what I asked you?” He kept his voice low so no one could hear them. “A way to cure her without using bone marrow.” Bruce opened the microwave when it beeped.

“I have some ideas,” the doctor sighed. “I’ll have to run some tests.” Tony nodded. “But Tony,” the billionaire looked at his friends; Bruce was staring at his food as if he was gathering the courage to eat. “Have you considered she doesn’t want to be saved?” Bruce’s comment froze Tony to the spot. It transported him to the time Bruce openly admitted to trying to kill himself. At the time, it was such a throwaway comment, but Tony thought about it a lot.

“I would never force her,” Tony said. “But I want to give her options.” Bruce nodded.

“I’ll be in the lab,” he said. “Working late.” The doctor walked towards the lab before Tony could respond. He sighed. Gods, he needed a drink. When you laughed again, Tony couldn’t look at you. Instead, he walked over to Pepper and Morgan. A heaviness threatened to drown him, and he was struggling to fight the tide.

_

Taglist: @likemick, @averagetmblrusser, @wandaromamoff69, @simpforyelenabelova, @cd-4848, @simpforyelenabelova @nymph0puppp, @sparks123123

[freddyloyd]

"Jason is the happy Robin and Dick is the angry Robin because Dick wanted to kill Zucco!"

Jason:

Either they were both the "happy robin" or neither of them were, to my knowledge there's nothing "angry" Dick did that Jason didn't also do in spades.

[sumju]

I’ll be posting the First part of chapter 2 soon.. Probably in a couple of days. Anyway I just thought I’d share this. Thank you so much for the likes and comments so far. That means a lot to me ❤️

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Second Chance 3

Warnings: non/dubcon, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Characters: Jonathan Pine

Summary: You move into your parents’ house as you try to rebuild your life, catching the attention of someone you never expected.

Part of the Brother’s Best Friend Universe

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

You could say it’s Jonathan who convinced you to walk into that bar but it didn’t really take much. Anything to delay your return home is welcome. You’re grateful to your parents for taking you in, yet you can’t help but feel a little dejected all the same. You didn’t exactly return home to fanfare. 

Jonathan holds the door and you give him a look. He acts as if he doesn’t notice but you catch the glint of his blue eyes. 

“Why don’t you grab a seat and I’ll get the drinks?” He offers, “if I recall, you were a fan of Grey Goose–” 

“Oh god no, I can’t handle the headache,” you snort. 

“Ah, I see you’ve converted, pint?” He insists, 

“A glass of wine will do,” you insist, “riesling or sauvignon.” 

“Sophisticated,” he muses. 

“Relax, I usually get it in a box.” 

He smirks and turns towards the bar. You look around and claim a table against the wall, just beneath a vintage show poster for some long forgotten band. You sit and place your purse against the wooden paneling. 

You circle your thumb around your fingertip as you stare at the table. The finish is worn and a few slivers are missing along the edge. What are you doing here? Not just at this table in this bar, but in this town. You always said you would never come back. Now look at you. 

Embarrassment tendrils up your neck. You remember how loudly you proclaimed that very sentiment, every day since you turned sixteen. To the very man you came in here with. 

Jonathan finds you before you can descend too quickly into self-pity. He sits and puts a stemmed glass in front of you, a tall dark pint for himself. You reach for your purse. 

“How much do I owe you? There’s an ATM–” 

“My treat, as a congratulations.” 

You scrunch your lips then quickly slacken them, recalling how it deepens the lines around them, “what are you up to?” 

“I can’t be happy for you.” 

“Please, it’s been a long time but things haven’t changed that much.” 

“I have,” he insists, his voice deepening to a note that catches you offguard. You hide the slow realisation as it dawns; he is far from the stringy teen or the obnoxious coed… he’s a man and yet you don’t feel much different than that lost sixteen year old with the chip on her shoulder. 

“Did I never apologise for that molasses incident?” 

“Incident? Don’t try to act innocent,” you laugh. The first time you’ve truly done so in months. Looking back, those years weren’t as bad as they felt as you lived them. “I still can’t stand the smell.” 

He smirks and guiltily looks down at the table, “I was a little bastard.” 

“So you say but I still don’t hear an apology,” you chide, “it is what it is. It was years ago.” 

“Well, if it counts for anything, I do regret it,” he meets your eye. 

“If that’s your biggest regret then I think you’re doing just fine.” 

“Definitely not the biggest,” he lifts his glass and holds it out, “cheers to you.” 

You hesitate but clink the wine glass against the tall pint. You drink nearly half the glass before you remember to stop. You haven’t drank since the night it all imploded. You mad a point of it. Plus, your mother locked her wine away. 

You put the glass down and turn it slowly by its base, “sorry, I’m not much fun. I’m sure Jaydon will be up for some drinks later. You could even break out the beer pong.” 

“What do you mean?” 

Your mouth pinches again. 

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” He asks. 

“Molasses…” you mutter. 

He laughs and shakes his head, “I will forever atone for that one,” he sits back, his hand against the side of his glass, “you don’t realise, you were always the cool older sister.” 

“Please,” you roll your eyes. 

“You were. Jaydon is Jaydon. He can’t see beyond his own nose but… well, I’m an only child, I didn’t have anyone to scare away my bullies.” 

“Yeah, well, as much as I could smack Jaydon myself, that idiot was a bit obsessed, wasn’t he?” 

He tilts his head, “he has no idea how lucky he is. None of them do.” 

“Alright, Jonathan, I can’t take any more. I didn't come for a pity party.” 

“That’s not what this is.” 

“You know.” 

“I know?” He wonders. 

“I’m not stupid. I’m pathetic, sure. I hear my mother telling all her friends on the phone. I’m sure you’ve heard everything. It’s shitty. I lost my boyfriend and my job and my overpriced apartment and now I’m back here. And you and Jaydon have lives to go back to,” you gulp and raise your glass, swallow down the wine with your bubbling emotions, “I don’t need any more reminders.” 

He watches you put down the empty glass. He stares at it before he looks you in the face, “I’ve heard what they have to say but it doesn’t mean I believe them. It’s hearsay.” 

“It’s what happened. I am not the cool older sister, I’m the fuck up.” 

He leans forward and slowly reaches for your wine glass, “and what have you heard about me, hm? How do you know I haven’t fucked up?” 

You look at him and gesture emphatically, “come on.” 

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he stands, “and pay you back with another glass.” 

Before you can argue, he’s on his way to the bar. The tinge of wine sticks to your tongue as you watch his confident march. As you examine the way the fabric of his button down strains between his shoulders blades, you blanch. You turn straight and once more lower your eyes to the table. 

No. No. It’s Jonathan. It’s your brother’s friend. It’s that skinny, reedy kid who drove you insane. You’re just lost. You’re not thinking straight. You're fresh off heartbreak, you’re not even through it. You don’t want him, you just don’t want to be alone. 

He returns and you clear your throat, fixing your posture as you smile at him. He sets a full glass in front of you. Once more, your hand is on your purse, “alright, you have to let me get this one.” 

“You can buy my next pint,” he gives a slanted grin, “I must warn you, I’m rather easy once I see the bottom of the glass.” 

You laugh, “be careful.” 

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about me, darling,” the last word flutters through you, “I’ve grown, I can handle myself.” He takes his glass again and hovers it before his lips as his winks, “and you.” 

[dragonflylady77]

twenty years and change

This is the fic I wrote for the Harringrove Corner Winter Event

🔥 Fire & Ice ❄️

Fire: campfire, lights, candles, matches

Ice: snow, blizzard, skating, ice cream

Rating: M | 3644 words | second chance, steve chest hair agenda, matchmaking max

This fic is a gift for @callieb, who is a sweetie and did sprints with me when I was on the last stretch and struggling, for @whenyouwishuponastar7 who created HGC and @shieldofiron who secretly loves fluff so I keep writing it for her.

Summary:

Billy loved his sister, so when Max had begged him to sort out Susan’s old house in Hawkins to get it ready to sell, he’d found it hard to refuse. Max was heavily pregnant with her third child and not allowed to fly, and Susan had finally made the move to California to be closer to her grandchildren. What he hadn’t anticipated was the announcement of a once-in-a-hundred-year blizzard making a direct beeline for their corner of the state, then bumping into his high school crush in the lobby of the hotel where he was staying.

Read on Ao3

The universe had to be taking the piss. There was no way around it. For some reason, the fates had decided that nothing good would ever happen to Billy in Indiana. 

The town of Hawkins had given him the heebie jeebies from the moment he’d been dragged here by his asshole of a father as a teenager. He’d put his head down and made it through high school, before working his ass off at the local pool the summer after graduation. He had escaped in a cloud of dust at the beginning of fall, a full ride scholarship at UC San Diego in his back pocket.

Now he was back, twenty years and change later, and the goosebumps weren’t only because of the sub-zero temperatures. There was something wrong with this town, Billy knew it in his gut, in no part because there was snow everywhere. Billy hated snow. He likes his water liquid, preferably salty and full of waves. 

However, Billy loved his sister, so when Max had begged him to sort out Susan’s old house in Hawkins to get it ready to sell, he’d found it hard to refuse. Max was heavily pregnant with her third child and not allowed to fly, and Susan had finally made the move to California to be closer to her grandchildren.

Billy’s classes had been moved online for the next three weeks, his assistant covering his office hours while his TA would handle the grading until he was back. He’d discussed the upcoming workload with Elaine and was satisfied she was more than capable to fill in for the duration.

What he hadn’t anticipated was the announcement of a once-in-a-hundred-year blizzard making a direct beeline for their corner of the state, then bumping into his high school crush in the lobby of the hotel where he was staying.

“Am I dreaming or is that you, Harrington?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Billy felt his cheeks heat up and he was glad to still be wearing the massive scarf knitted by Max, as it hid most of his face. He dropped his bag at his feet and allowed himself one sweeping glance at the man who had visited his dreams more often than not when they were teenagers, while he pulled off his woolly hat to give his hands something to do.

Steve freaking Harrington, former King of Hawkins High. His brown hair had lost none of its volume, but gained some silver strands on the side, which suited him. The guy had no right looking this good this close to forty, especially wearing Hawkins Inn’s maroon blazer.

“Hargrove? Billy Hargrove? What…?” Harrington recovered quickly, his eyes going from Billy to his computer screen then back to Billy. “Do you, um, do you have a reservation? I can’t see your name on the list and we’re fully booked, what with that blizzard grounding all the planes up in Indy.”

“Oh, um, maybe look under Sinclair? Max made the booking,” Billy answered with a sigh as he shoved his hat into the pocket of his parka. 

“Right, okay, Sinclair. Yep. here you are.” Harrington put down the key card, smiling at Billy. “You’re in room 29, on the second floor. The lifts are over behind you. There’s a heated pool on the ground floor, next to the gym. They are open round the clock, should you need either at any point. Complimentary towels at reception. The restaurant is open for breakfast from seven in the morning until around ten thirty.”

“Thank you, Steve. Oh, what about dinner?”

“Di-dinner?”

Why did he have to make it sound like he was asking the guy out? Well done, Hargrove. Jesus.

“Yes, what time does the restaurant open? Or is there a bar I can get something to eat at? I’m famished.”

“Oh, right. Um, the main restaurant opens for dinner at five but the bar is open now. They will have a selection of snacks.”

“Okay, thanks, man. I’ll catch you later.”

Billy grabbed his bag and with one last glance at Harrington, he headed for the lift. He could have sworn that Harrington said ‘nice to see you’ but that had to be wishful thinking.

***

After a shower, a cold beer and decent meal at the quaint hotel restaurant, Billy was lounging on his bed when his phone pinged with a video call from Max.

“Hey.”

“Sooooo…”

“What?”

“You got anything to say for yourself?”

“About what?”

“Like that, is it? Okay. How’s Steve?”

“Fuck off.”

“Oh, come on. I wish I could have seen your face when you saw him.”

“You think you’re funny, Maxine, but you’re really not.”

“Don’t get stroppy with me, William. We stayed at the hotel with the kids when we were over last Christmas and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Steve at the desk.”

“Why? Cos you didn’t think he’d move on from working at that stupid ice cream shop or wherever he worked after the fire at the mall?”

“No, you big jerk, because last I’d heard, through Dustin—”

“Which one is that again? Curly hair, who works at NASA?”

“Yeah, him. Anyway, he said Steve had moved to Chicago with his best friend Robin.”

“Robin? Robin Buckley?”

“Um, yeah, I think so? Why? Do you know her?”

“Band geek. Told the sickest ghost story around the campfire when we went to the lake senior year. Had a massive crush on Hank that summer. Always wondered if anything happened between them.”

“Maybe that’s because you fucked off back to Cali without saying goodbye to anyone, not even your sister,” Max said, glaring at him. Her clipped tone made Billy groan.

“Oh my fucking God, shitbird, give it a rest. It was twenty years ago and I have apologized to you a million fucking times already.” 

They heard a door slam and footsteps coming closer quickly.

“Mama, we’re home! You’ll never guess what happened, oh hi Uncle Billy!” 

“Hey, Lennox.” Under Billy’s amused eye, Lennox snatched the phone from Max, who rolled her eyes. The nine year old then took Billy down the hallway to his room. Billy saw Max in the background, being handed her three-year-old daughter by her mother. He redirected his attention to Lennox. 

“What have you been up to? How’s my favorite nephew?”

Lennox cackled as he flopped on his bed. “Pfft, you’re silly, I’m your only nephew.” He peered into the screen, then his gaze found Billy again. “Where are you? This is not your house.”

“It isn’t?” Billy looked around, pretending to be surprised to see the bland walls and the non-descript painting in a gaudy frame.

“Extreme lack of books, my dear Watson.”

“You got me there, Mr. Holmes. I’m in Indiana. Your mom asked me to sort out your Gran’s house so she can sell it.”

“Oh, okay. Is it cold? It was freezing when we went last year.”

“Oh yeah. There’s snow everywhere, man. I hate it.”

“How long are you going to be there?”

“A couple of weeks.”

“Are you in a hotel? We stayed in a hotel. It had a pool.”

“You know, I am. Same one but I haven’t checked out the pool yet.”

Lennox grinned. “Oh, you have to go! There’s a water slide that’s a dragon and you come out of its mouth, and a pirate ship you can jump from, and Willa stayed in the baby pool but I went in the water slide.”

“Sounds fun.”

Max walked in the room and came to stand at the foot of the bed. Billy waved at her.

“Lennox, sweetie, I need my phone back and you need to go have your shower.”

“But, Mooooooom…”

“Lennox,” Billy said before Max could interrupt her son’s whining, “you be good for your Mom, and I’ll go see if that pool you were telling me about is really that awesome.”

Lennox let out the most put upon sigh. “Fine. Bye, Uncle Billy.”

“Bye, buddy. I’ll be home for Christmas, I promise.”

***

Billy stretched out in the water, staring at the foam sea creatures decorating the ceiling and absently noticing the lack of sharks. He needed to remember to text Max later, so she could tell Lennox he was right, and the pool really was that awesome.

Not that Billy had tried the waterslide or the pirate ship, instead, he’d made full use of the empty pool to swim lengths. He’d lost track of time, the familiar feeling of his body slicing the water as he went back and forth between the two ends of the pool helping him forget about the snow and the stress of being back in Indiana.

His arms and legs hurt in the good way that meant he’d pushed himself, more than he’d had the chance to recently. A noise by the pool chairs to his left caused him to straighten up. He put both feet on the bottom of the pool and turned to see who had interrupted his daydreaming.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize someone was still there this late… Billy?”

Steve’s surprise was evident in his tone and if Billy chose to take it in a positive way, that was between him and his dirty pornographic dreams featuring Steve Harrington that still plagued him to this day. More ‘the one you never had a chance with’ than ‘the one that got away’ but there wasn’t much Billy could do about the direction of his thoughts when he was asleep.

“Steve. Hi. Sorry, I’ll, um, I’ll get out of your way.” Billy didn’t let himself look for too long, didn’t want to be caught staring at how well Steve filled that white t-shirt or—nope, not looking at the swim shorts. 

“It’s okay, you don’t have to leave. I just finished my shift and it’s been a long day. I was gonna soak in the hot tub for a bit before I head home.” Steve pointed towards an area next to the pirate ship that clearly signposted, an innocuous door hiding behind the fake palm trees.

“Huh. Lennox didn’t say anything about a hot tub.”

Steve smiled. “Your nephew, right?”

Billy nodded. 

“He probably doesn’t know it’s there, to be fair. Access is forbidden to anyone under the age of eighteen,” Steve continued, walking slowly towards the greenery, and Billy automatically followed in the water. 

“Do you, um, do you wanna join me?” Steve asked, his cheeks turning pinker under the harsh neon lighting.

Billy wondered if he had stepped through some portal to another dimension. One where Steve Harrington was not entirely straight and kinda totally into him. He didn’t remember hitting his head though.

“Sure.” The word was out of his mouth before he even realized he’d said it. It was his turn to blush and, to hide that fact, he hoisted himself out of the pool. He threw his goggles on the nearby chair with his clothes and did a couple of shoulder stretches. He could feel Steve’s eyes on him the entire time, almost like a caress, and forced himself not to react. 

Once he was done, Billy picked up his towel and dried his face before smiling at Steve. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Old swimming injury. Need to stretch or I won’t be able to move tomorrow.”

“Oh, wow, um, yeah, no problem. Can’t have that.” Steve glanced down then back at Billy. “I can carry your stuff, if you want, since I’m dry. It’s late, and there’s not really anyone around, but I wouldn’t want another staff member taking your things to lost property, thinking they’ve been left behind.”

“Right. Yes, good point. Thank you.” Billy stood there, holding his towel in front of him while Steve gathered his shirt, goggles and room key. The evening had unexpectedly taken a turn for the better and he’d hate himself for not making the most of this opportunity.

“Do you swim?” he asked Steve when they started walking and a flash of something foul tasting appeared on Steve’s face, only for a second, before Steve gathered himself.

“No, not anymore.” Steve opened the door and Billy followed him inside, wondering what could possibly have made Steve stop swimming. 

After closing the door, Steve placed Billy’s belongings on a bench that ran along two of the walls. He turned towards Billy. “I used to, I mean, I was swim captain back in high school, and a lifeguard over summer too. But I haven’t in years… not since that girl died in my parents’ pool in senior year.”

“Jesus.” Billy fought with the urge to wrap Steve in his arms and kiss the sadness away by putting his towel on the hook on the wall. Steve’s towel joined Billy’s a second later then Steve took off his t-shirt and Billy blue-screened.

“Holy fuck…”

“What?” Steve looked behind him then around the room before his eyes landed on Billy again. 

“You might want to warn a guy next time, pretty boy, before you unleash… that.” Billy waved his hand in the general direction of Steve’s chest.

“Oh, that.” Steve blushed and Billy followed the pinkish hue on Steve's cheeks with his eyes, down Steve’s neck, until it got lost in the wiry dark hair covering Steve’s chest. “I, uh, I waxed my chest in high school because of the swimming. Didn’t see the point anymore after.”

“Thank fuck for that.” Billy cleared his throat, his face heating up from the embarrassment of having said something that should most definitely have remained unsaid. “Sorry, I should not have said that.” He winced and stepped to the side, facing away from Steve. “I’ll just…”

“If the end of that sentence is anything other than ‘lock the door and join you in the hot tub’, I’m afraid I don’t want to hear it.”

“What?” What the fuck was even happening right now? Billy didn’t have a clue.

“Billy, get the fuck in the water.”

Doing what Steve said—because who was he to question an order given to him in such a confident way by the prettiest boy he had ever seen in his life?—Billy stepped into the hot tub. He lowered himself on the lounge seat, leaned his head back on the headrest and closed his eyes. 

He heard the click of the lock on the door then the water hit his chest in little waves when Steve got in, but Steve didn’t sit on the other side of the tub like Billy had expected him to. Instead, Steve waded across until his knees bumped into Billy’s.

“Can you please open your eyes?” Steve whispered over the whirr of the water pump and Billy complied, taking a moment to really look at Steve. 

The thick head of hair he wanted to bury his hands in. The big brown eyes that seemed to see through him. The little moles on Steve’s cheek Billy wanted to trace with the tip of his finger. The plump lips Billy had dreamed about kissing so many times…

Billy’s visual exploration was cut short when Steve suddenly straddled him, one knee on either side of Billy’s thighs, arms wrapping around Billy’s neck. Billy’s hands found Steve’s hips on instinct, holding him in place before he got too close to Billy’s crotch.  

His dick, however, decided that it was on board with this most recent development, and Billy mentally thanked his lucky stars for the extra buoyancy the bubbly water afforded him. 

“Pretty boy…” He was dreaming. That had to be it. He was fast asleep in bed in his hotel room right now, imagining Steve Harrington was sitting on his lap.

“Stop overthinking and kiss me already,” Steve murmured, his mouth so close now that Billy felt Steve’s breath on his lips.

So Billy did. 

He pressed his lips against Steve’s, enjoying the way Steve leaned into it. Kissing Steve was quickly rising to the top of Billy’s favorite things to do, especially when Steve reduced the distance between them to nothing.

Feeling Steve’s coarse chest hair brush against his nipples made Billy groan. 

Steve licking into his mouth made Billy tighten his fingers on Steve’s waist. 

Steve’s hard cock brushing against his made Billy see stars.

***

Deciding they were too old and too tired to deal with the mess and ensuing clean up that would be necessary if they stayed in the hot tub any longer, they relocated to Billy’s room. They made out in the shower, while they exchanged lazy handjobs because floor tiles were definitely too uncomfortable on the knees.

They dried themselves quickly with fluffy towels they left in a pile on the bathroom floor and got into bed, where Billy took Steve apart with his fingers and his mouth. They fell asleep wrapped around each other in the middle of the king size mattress. 

Steve called in sick and Billy ordered them room service for breakfast. They spent the day in bed, talking and kissing and fucking. Billy told Steve about Neil and growing up feeling like he was made wrong, until he got back to Cali and found his people. Steve told Billy all about the Upside Down, and how keeping such things a secret meant he had closed himself off to everyone. Billy felt vindicated for thinking there was something wrong with Hawkins all along. 

As they lay in bed spooning, watching the shadows grow longer as the sun disappeared behind the trees, one arm around Steve while he dozed, Billy came to a decision. He had to act on it, before he talked himself out of it. This thing with Steve felt too good, too real, to let go of once he was done with Susan’s house.

“Stevie?”

“Hmm?” came the sleepy reply.

“Come with me.”

“Where?” Steve turned around in Billy’s arms, eyes closed, and pressed a kiss on the side of his neck. “If I have to get dressed, I don’t wanna go.”

Billy let out a chuckle. “I don’t think they’ll let you on the plane if you’re naked, baby.”

“Plane? What plane?” Steve lifted his head and stared at Billy, eyes wide.

Billy rolled onto his back, pulling Steve on top of him. He cupped Steve’s face with one hand, and wrapped his other arm around Steve’s waist. “Pretty boy, I’ve wanted you for so long…” Billy stopped, unsure how to continue.

Steve pressed a hand over Billy’s heart. “Tell me.”

“I know I was a shit show in high school. I was so angry all the time, and I didn’t know how to deal with how I felt about anything, but especially about you. Not that I thought I’d ever have a chance to have you.”

“Hoo boy, you sure got that one wrong.” Steve grinned, giving Billy a quick kiss on the lips.

“Shut up. If I had put the moves on you twenty years ago, you would have shot me down so fast, and probably told the whole school I was a queer. Then my dad would have either killed me or sent me to military school, and neither of us would be in this bed right now.”

“Fair point.”

“Anyway, what I was trying to say was, I’ve wanted you for so long, and now I’ve had you, I don't think I can give you up.”

“Billy…” Steve looked away, moving his face out of Billy’s hand.

Billy felt his heart squeeze at the sad expression on Steve’s face. His resolve to get Steve out of Hawkins hardened. “No. Don’t give me that bullshit about the gate and the monsters. You said it yourself, that girl, Jane, Eleven, whatever, she closed the gate. She moved to California with the Chief and Mrs. Byers. All your kids are gone. Not that they’re kids anymore, Stevie. My sister is pregnant with her third child, for fuck’s sake. What’s keeping you here, really? Don’t you want to get away from the memories? Finally break the hold this shit town has on you?”

“I tried. I moved to Chicago with Robin. It… it didn’t work.”

“What happened in Chicago?”

Steve sighed and rolled off Billy. “Robin got a girlfriend, moved in with her. I couldn’t afford the rent by myself so I came home. Got this job. Stayed on.”

“Baby…” Billy picked up Steve’s hand but otherwise he stayed where he was, facing Steve. He kissed Steve’s knuckles, one after the other. “Going by the last twenty-something hours, I think we could have something great. But it’s not gonna happen here because this town sucks the hope and happiness out of everyone. I won’t tell you I love you because I don’t wanna scare you off but—”

“You… you love me?”

Hearing Steve repeat the words back to him made Billy realize what he had let slip. Might as well go for broke at this point.

“Yeah. I do. I love you. So if you don’t want this, don’t want me , you need to tell me now, before I make an even bigger ass out of myself than I already have, and we can forget this conversation ever happened.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, what?” Had Billy really been reading the situation so completely wrong? Was Steve saying he wanted to forget the whole thing? Billy was so confused he didn’t react when Steve pulled him over so he was lying on top. Only when he felt Steve’s hands on his thighs did he shake off the daze. He looked down at Steve. “Pretty boy?”

“I love you. I’ve been dreaming about being with you for the past twenty years and I’m sick of dreaming. I want to live instead.”

Billy felt like his grin was going to split his face in two. Like he could explode from the pure joy coursing through his body.

“And Billy?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Get me the fuck out of Hawkins.”