#Amazing Johnathan

[grudnick]

Gearbox at Brookledge by Mark Berry Via Flickr: Brookledge Theatre June 13, 2016 Los Angeles A special Brookledge Follies show for Gearbox Software's annual party at "the home of magic." Line-up (in order of appearance): Brett Loudermilk Lindsay Benner Timur Bekbosunov Mac King Scot Nery Amazing Johnathan Puddles Pity Party Introduced by Randy Pitchford Emcee – Mike Caveney Live Piano – Kristian Hoffman www.brookledgefollies.com www.gearboxsoftware.com

[slimey-wallz]

"It's actually a Memory chip, they manipulate and store bits and bytes using transistors."-probably what Johnathan would say

(also, I did Google that up lol)

Johnathan by @bunnyspine!! 💙💻💚

Fanart by me!!

[missmitchieg]

ok but full cover when?

[ghost-in-the-corner]

Post MAG-200 Update: I've had My Boy Builds Coffins on repeat for the nearly two hours since I finished TMA, I am so Not Okay

[habromaniac59]

Anyone else cry about how beautiful of a singer Andrew Garfield is… or is that just a me thing ?

[roydeezed]

I'm a comic book fan. A superhero fan. And that means that I hate comic books and superheroes. Sorry, that's literally baked into the contract when you pick up your first trade. A little something gets seared into the flesh, a promise that says you'll see the absolute worst storytelling imaginable. That you'll see months and years of hard work thrown away at the behest of editorials whims. But also. That you'll see storytelling like no other. You'll see masterpieces made from decades of mistakes. Heart and soul unlike any other. People knowing that what they'll make will be derided and washed away by the sands of time but still putting their all into it. I'm a comic book fan. A superhero fan. And that means I love them.

And by golly is the new Ultimate Spider-Man possibly the best first issue that's come out in years. I haven't read any of the setup if there has been but it really doesn't need much. It tells you everything you need to know from the start. And it's hard not to romanticize comics when this issue romanticizes comic's finest hero in such a way. It takes J Jonah Jameson, one of the most flanderized charcters, and gives him his due. It twists One More Day and turns #36 Stand Tall into something that reflects the changed times. It takes Secret Wars and Ultimate Iron Man and the old Ultimate Universe and makes something out of them that's grown with us. I don't want to spoil it but if you've ever loved Spider-Man and Peter Parker please go read it.

It's so heartening to see one of my favourite heroes return to form in such a way. My breath caught as I read and realized what direction the story was going. By the end of it I was tearing up. There's such love for Peter in the story. And such a fond look back over the shoulder at his history before looking forward and taking that leap of faith.

[bitchysouljellyfish]

YEAHHHHHHHH

Cheating Heart

Pairing: John Price x F!Reader

Synopsis: Your feeling for John were wrong – horribly wrong – but when you see your current boyfriend in bed with another woman, what’s to hold you back anymore? (18+)

Word Count: 20.8k

Warnings: Cheating, toxic relationship, angst, fluff, depictions of violence and gore in flashbacks, unhealthy coping mechanisms, smut, breeding kink, praise kink, Protective!Price, vulgar language, porn with an incredible amount of plot

A/N: Literally just supposed to be smut practice and I turned it into a novel lmfao. I should be getting back to requests after this.

Keep reading

[massiveladycat]

"Benny could not even form these basic thoughts, could not actually categorize the rightness and the wrongness of what was happening. All he could do was feel it. Feel the wrongness. He heard the sounds of hunger. The moans. They were not happy sounds. He had been hungry so many times, he knew. That was why he cried sometimes. For a bottle. For something to eat. Benny knew only a dozen words. He stopped crying and tried to say one of those names. “Tuh… Tuh… Tuh..” That was all he could get. ‘Tom’ was too difficult. Not always, just sometimes. It wouldn’t fit into his mouth now. “Tuh… Tuh… Tuh..” It was actually a strange moment when Tom Imura realized that his baby brother was actually trying to say his name. Because saying it was also a warning. A warning was a thought that Tom wouldn’t have credited to a kid that young. Could toddlers even think like that?" - bits and pieces by johnathan maberry

i'm genuinely going to cry benny saved tom on first night O HMY GOD WAILING

[travsd]

The Amazing Johnathan

Had we not lost him earlier this year, today would have been the 64th birthday of The Amazing Johnathan (John Szeles, 1958-2023). Early as his passing was, it might have been much earlier. He’d known about his serious heart condition since 2007, and had retired in 2014 thinking he had only a year to live. Nominally a magician, Johnathan had only a few genuine tricks up his sleeve. His was…

[evileyeandthecattywhumps]

Hear me out.

Eddie and reader have established relationship. Like madly in love. And you are involved in the events of the upside down from the beginning. Every season you are involved having been friends with Johnathan since forever.

Over time you change because you know PTSD. And Eddie wants nothing more than to help you. He loves you. But you are stubborn because you can’t tell him anything. Officials made you sign NDA and they threatened to hurt those you care for. They know who Eddie and Wayne are.

He tries so hard to help but it’s killing him that he can’t because you can’t tell him what’s wrong.

So you break up. Devastated. You both are. But you have to because you need to keep him safe.

Of course seeing you and Steve become friends kills him and makes even angrier at you.

Then the events of season 4 occur and you go with the party to find Eddie. When he has the broken bottle to Steve’s neck, he hears you softly say his name. And he turns practically tackles you when he rushes into your arms. He is crying into your neck and you are rubbing his back soothingly and holding the back of his head. All you hear him say through sobs is that he didn’t do it. And you whisper back telling him that you know.

When things settle and he finally tells you all what happened he doesn’t let go of your hand.

You tell the party you are staying with him. And you convince him to lay down and lay his head on your lap. You will stay up and you run your fingers through his hair until he falls asleep.

When the party comes back and explains to Eddie what was going on. You can’t look him in the eye. You let the others explain.

You stay again free they leave a she turns to you and softly says the upside down was why you shut yourself off. Crying softly you just nod your head. He doesn’t ask anything else.

When you both go into Ricks house, you both decide to sleep in the bed together. You finally speak up and explain in detail all the events you and the gang had been through. And why you couldn’t tell him.

This leads to very emotional sex soft with tears and words of love. Until you fall asleep in each others arms.

If this sparks one of you amazing writers you for an idea to write. Please feel free to use it!

Obviously I’m not good at writing. But sometimes I have good ideas.

[southern-fried-simpin]

And you just know that even with the voice changer, Jon probably still sounds exhausted

Cupid Harley 💘

[juniperskye]

I Can’t Be Your Friend.

Sneak Peek: Eddie and you do something that alters the state of your friendship. You realize that being his friend hurts too much now. **The events of season 4 did NOT happen** Bold are Eddie’s thoughts; Italics are reader’s thoughts.

Eddie Munson x Fem Reader

Angst/Fluff/implied Smut

Word count: 2473

REQUESTS ARE OPEN - not edited - please be kind. Feedback is welcome if it's constructive!

Warnings: My blog is 18+, minors DNI, implied smut, drug use (marijuana), explicit language, idiots in love, Steve’s absent parents, mention of underage drinking. Let me know if I missed any!

That being said I do not own the characters portrayed in this story.

Tonight was going to be amazing! Steve had invited everyone over for a summer kickoff party, there would be pizza, swimming, beer, and good company. Robin and you had gotten to Steve’s early to help set things up, pizzas were on the way, and you were just waiting for everyone to show up now.

First to arrive was Nancy, she had driven over with Mike, Lucas, Max, and Dustin. They had come bounding in with arms full of chips and soda, piling them recklessly on the coffee table. The younger kids were arguing about who got the bathroom first to change.

You couldn’t help but laugh and roll your eyes as you made your way to the door, letting in the next group. You had assumed it would be Johnathan, Argyle, and the rest of the kids, but instead, Eddie was standing in the doorway.

“Hey Eds!” You smiled.

“Hey! How’s my best girl?” Eddie pulled you into his arms and lifted you slightly as he spun you around. “I’ve missed you dude.”

“I’m good Eds. I’ve missed you too!” Your heart clenched slightly as he placed you back on your feet.

Your relationship with Eddie had always been like this. You were best friends, but sometimes, things were done or said that seemed a bit more than friendly. You’d stayed more nights with Eddie this last year than you did in your own home. Robin had pestered you about the status of your relationship with him to which you’d always reply; “We’re just friends, he doesn’t see me that way”.

“So, I know the kids are here, but I brought a little something special for us. I figured we could go to the van, take a few hits then come back in.” Eddie said wagging a joint in front of you.

“Eddie!” You hissed, covering the joint. “You can’t just pull that out. But yes, give me fifteen minutes.”

Eddie tucked the joint back into his jacket pocket and watched as you made your way over to Steve, Nancy, and Robin. Robin gave you a knowing look and you brushed her off. You were all catching up for a bit, laughing at the nonsense the kids were getting up to. Eddie was the one to open the door for Jonathan, Argyle, El, and Will. As they all walked in, Eddie came up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist and rested his chin on your head.

“You ready?” Eddie whispered.

You nodded and let him lead you outside to his van. Climbing in the back, you made yourself comfortable amongst the pile of blankets and pillows, all the while, Eddie lit the joint and placed it to his lips. After a few quick puffs and one long drag, Eddie passed it to you. The two of you passed the joint back and forth for a bit before it was nearly gone.

“Do you want the last hit?” Eddie asked.

“Nah it’s cool, you take it.” You leaned your head back.

“We could always share it.” Eddie said with a sly smirk.

“Okay.” You blushed.

Eddie took a long drag, holding it in as he moved towards you. He brought his lips to yours, only separated by a few millimeters. Your lips parted in a gasp, and he blew the smoke into your mouth. You inhaled sharply, allowing the smoke in. Your mind felt hazy, and you were starting to wonder if it was the weed or the lack of space between Eddie and you. Eddie met your eyes and pulled back slightly, clearing his throat.

What the hell was happening?

The two of you made your way back into the house and took turns changing into your bathing suits. You rushed outside and went to sit on the steps of the pool with Robin and Nancy. Each of whom gave you a pointed look.

Eddie made a stop in the kitchen to grab you a coke and an orange soda for himself, he then made his way outside. He sat the two cans in front of where you were sitting with the girls, the next thing you knew he was jumping into the pool, splashing the three of you, eliciting screeches from you three.

He surfaced and swam over to you, settling himself between your legs which were dangling off the step. His chest pressed against yours as he reached behind you to grab his soda. Your breath was caught in your throat.

Had he always been this beautiful?

Who were you kidding. Of course he had.

The night went on like this. The kids swimming, playing a ridiculous game of Marco-Polo, Steve grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, Eddie treating you like far more than a friend.

Now you were all crammed in Steve’s living room, some movie playing in the background. You couldn’t remember the name of it because you were far too distracted. When you had come into the living room, all the good seats had been taken, and instead of letting you sit on the floor, Eddie had pulled you into his lap and wrapped his arms around your middle.

You had been sitting like this for about half an hour before he made the suggestion.

“Do you want to go back to my place?”

This typically wouldn’t have sounded like a line, but given everything that had occurred today, you couldn’t help but feel like his words held deeper meaning.

“Okay.”

He led you into the trailer, just like any other time you’d been here, only this time there was a tension hanging over you.

More like sexual tension.

Jesus, get a hold of yourself.

Entering Eddie’s room brought forth a wave of anticipation, you couldn’t help but feel like something was about to happen. Eddie walked over to you and handed you one of his Iron Maiden shirts and a pair of his boxers.

It’s now or never.

You locked your eyes on Eddie’s as you slowly removed your tank top and shorts, leaving you clad in only your bathing suit. Eddie took a sharp breath and pulled his shirt over his head. Up until now things felt as though they’d been moving in slow motion, then all of a sudden things switched to fast forward.

Eddie lunged towards you and locked his lips onto your own, your hands finding his curls, his finding the ties to your swimsuit. His lips tasted like orange soda and nicotine, he was addicting, and you knew you’d never be able to give this up.

Eddie woke up and glanced over to see your naked form curled up in his bed. He couldn’t believe it, the two of you had taken that leap, this would change everything between you.

This could change everything.

I can’t afford to lose her.

You stirred awake, noticing your lack of clothing, and taking note of the discarded clothing on the floor.

So that really did happen.

This could change everything!

“Hey.” Eddie said quietly.

“Hey.” You blushed.

You sat up holding the sheet to your chest and turning to meet Eddie’s gaze. Something was off about his expression, he seemed somber, and you were terrified to find out why.

“So, uh…” Eddie turned, breaking eye contact. “We should just forget this ever happened; you know. So, it doesn’t fuck up our friendship.”

Please say you don’t want to forget about it.

Of course he doesn’t want me.

“Oh, uh, yeah. I guess you’re right.”

Of course she doesn’t want me.

You stood and quickly began pulling your clothes on and gathering your things. There was this loud ringing in your ears and you’re sure Edie was calling your name, but all you knew was you needed to get out of there.

You were halfway home before the ringing stopped.

How could you be so stupid.

Then the tears started. Not only had your heart been broken by the man you loved, but you also lost the one person you’d want to hold you while you cried.

“Dude what is up with you? You’ve been super weird since Steve’s summer kick-off party.” Robin pestered.

“Yeah she’s right, plus Eddie’s been extra bitchy, which usually only happens when you haven’t seen one another in a while. I thought for sure you guys were gonna hookup that night.” Steve ranted.

Your face turned a bright shade of red and you let your gaze fall to your lap. You knew you weren’t exactly being discreet with your avoidance of Eddie, but you didn’t’ think they’d call you out directly.

“Holy shit! You two had sex!” Robin shouted, smacking you on the arm.

“Ow! Yes, we did. And it ruined everything. The next morning, he suggested we just forget it ever happened.”

“What? No way, Eddie’s head over heels for you. What happened?” Steve asked.

You explained to Steve and Robin the events of the night and they both concluded that it made no sense. They were both convinced Eddie was in love with you.

This was when Steve and Robin came up with their plan. They would get you and Eddie together before summer ended.

“Steve, this isn’t working. She is declining every invite to hangout; she has gone as far as driving over and leaving if she sees the van, and even calling everyone to be sure if Eddie was invited.” Robin said throwing herself on the couch in defeat.

“That’s it! We will invite her over for a movie night, just the three of us. Then after she’s here, you go to the other room and call Eddie and invite him over. That way nobody will be able to tell her that he’s invited because he wasn’t.” Steve explained.

“Hey guys!” You called entering Steve’s house.

“Hey! How have you been? We haven’t seen you in a while.” Robin pulled you into a hug.

“Sorry about that, I just…I can’t bring myself to face him yet. I’ll get over it, I just need time.” You said.

Steve came in, greeting you and pulling you to the living room to help him pick a movie. He threw a wink over his shoulder to Robin. She rolled her eyes and made her way to Steve’s dad’s office ready to make the call. When she came to the living room she played it off as a trip to the bathroom.

Things were going well, they felt like old times, save for the hole in your chest in the shape of one, Eddie Munson.

Speaking of which.

“Hey guys!” Eddie greeted, entering the house.

“Guys, what the hell.” You said threw gritted teeth.

They both looked at you with guilty eyes. You shook your head and told them you needed to go. Grabbing your bag you went for the door. It took everything in you to not look at him.

“Hey, where are you going?” Eddie called after you, following you outside. “I haven’t seen you in weeks. You’re dodging my calls, your canceling plans, you’re literally leaving as I showed up to hang out.”

“Eddie, I can’t do this right now. I need to go.”

“So what? That’s it?” He had never sounded so defeated.

“Eddie, I…”

“Is this because of that night? C’mon you’re my best friend, you’re just gonna throw that all away?” He grasped your hand in his own.

“That’s the problem Eddie, I can’t be your friend anymore. Everything is different now.” You shook your head, pulled your hand from his grasp, and took off walking back home.

Eddie walked back into the house and immediately receive a slap to the back of the head from Robin. She and Steve proceeded to explain to Eddie how he had messed the whole thing up and how him suggesting you just “forget it ever happened” had led you to believe that he didn’t care about you.

Initially he didn’t believe them that you had feelings for him, but after they literally spelled it out for him, he realized what an idiot he had been.

“I’m gonna need your help.”

The plan had been a pretty difficult one, Eddie needed Robin and Steve to convince you to come over again for an end of summer bash and after the last time, he was sure you’d say no.

Robin had explained to you that after your conversation with Eddie, that he definitely wouldn’t be coming. She told you that she asked him, and he had declined. It was then that you agreed, but not without a pang of guilt filling your chest. You couldn’t stand the thought of hurting Eddie. The look on his face when you told him you couldn’t be his friend had been haunting you.

The day came and you drove over to Steve’s, shocked that the only car in the driveway had been his. You parked and let yourself in.

“Steve? Where is everyone?”

“Hey! I’m in my room, and they’re on their way I figured you could come early so I could see how you were doing.” Steve said.

You walked into his room and noticed he was seemingly searching for something, he was scrambling around his room, swiftly moving to his dresser as you made yourself comfortable on his bed. You looked over at him just in time to see a mess of curls enter and Steve pulling the door closed. You heard the lock click and the distinct sound of a chair being pushed against the knob.

“What the hell is this?”

“I needed to find a way to talk to you and you’ve been avoiding me.”

“Eddie, let me out.”

“Not until we talk. Look I fucked up that night, I suggested that we forget about it and that was stupid.” He exclaimed.

“Eds, look, I just need time…these feelings will go away eventually. I don’t want to lose you as a friend, but how am I supposed to be around you when I’ve tasted your kiss and will never get to experience that again?”

“I don’t want your feelings to go away. Truth is, I only suggested it because I thought there was no way you could love me back.” Eddie explained.

“You love me?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Eddie pulled you into a gentle kiss, wrapping his arms around your waist. You let your fingers get tangled in his hair. There were whispered apologies between kisses and you two only broke apart when the two of you needed air.

“How would you like to go get some dinner?” Eddie asked.

“I would love that!” You replied.

With that, Eddie walked over to the bedroom door and began knocking, shouting to Steve that he was safe to let you guys out. His knocks sped up the longer it took for Steve to release you both.

“Harrington, hurry up! I gotta take my girlfriend on our first date!”

[realwomenofgaming]

Hey friends!

I am just excited that we are less then a month out from hearing from our good friend, Johnathan Harker! Yes it is almost Dracula Daily time.

Don't know what Dracula Daily is? Last year I wrote an article about the great experience and why I love it.

We have a great time with this! If you haven't been a part of Dracula Daily and are interested please sign up.

There is also a podcast Re: Dracula if you would like to follow along in auditory form. Honestly, the podcast is amazing, and I HIGHLY recommend it as well.

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!

-Thia

[temptingfatetakingnames]

Dancing in the Dark Part 2

Part 1

Time was moving slowly and Eddie wanted to smash his head on the table. Women kept coming over to talk to Steve. They brought him drinks (that he politely refused), they eyed him up and down, they complimented him, they touched him. On the shoulder, shyly on his knees, they leaned into his space and smiled brightly at him. They all asked him to sing again. Please, please sing again. You were amazing, they said with their breathy, feminine voices. Eddie wanted to scratch their pretty smiles off their stupid pretty faces. Steve shook them all off with a smile and Eddie was honestly a little surprised that he wasn’t soaking up the attention more.

Nancy and Johnathan were on stage singing a Sonny and Cher duet that probably would have sounded a lot better a few beers ago. It was late though, and most of the crowd was drunk and having a good time, singing along with them. The latest woman to strike out with Steve slinked away after leaving a napkin with her phone number on it.

“I’m gunna get some air,” Steve said, getting up from the table. Eddie watched him make his way through the crowd until he couldn’t see him anymore. When he turned back around, he saw Robin staring at him, her eyes wide and slightly unfocused.

She jerked her head in the direction Steve went. “You should go after him.”

“Should I?” Eddie asked, bewildered.

“Yeah, go see if he’s okay,” she said slurring her words a little.

“Shouldn’t you go see if he’s okay? Miss Best Friend?”

Robin pursed her lips and shook her head.

“Miss Best Friend says you need to go,” she said and then gave him the most uncoordinated wink Eddie had ever seen his life. He looked through the crowd towards the door that Steve had disappeared out of. He knocked his knuckles on the table and stood. Robin gave him two thumbs up and a huge grin that he couldn’t help but snort at.  

He made his way through the room, gently nudging people out of his way. When he got to the door he took a deep breath, pushed it open and stepped outside. Steve was leaning up against the side of the bar with a cigarette hanging loosely in his fingers. He was looking up at the sky, deep in thought, a small frown hovering on his lips. He looked beautiful and sad and Eddie felt his heart clench painfully in his chest.

How had he missed it?

How fucking sad he looked sometimes?

“Hey man,” Eddie said as he walked over.

Steve looked at him and Eddie watched in real time as a mask came down over his face. He tilted his head to the side and a little half smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

It almost reached his eyes.

Almost.

If Eddie wasn’t looking closer now, he would have been fooled by it. It was well practiced, automatic, near perfect…and Eddie’s heart clenched again.

“Munson,” Steve said with a warm affectionate voice that Eddie didn’t feel he deserved. He held out his cigarette between two fingers and Eddie took it.

They traded it back and forth, quietly smoking.

“You should sing more often, you’re not as terrible as I was expecting you to be.”

“High praise coming from you,” Steve said and nudged Eddie’s shoulder playfully.

“Why don’t you?”

Steve shrugged and took another drag of the cigarette before answering. “I used to… with my mom. She loves Springsteen.”

It both was and wasn’t an answer. No parents. Big house. Eddie wondered when they stopped singing together. The silence stretched between them. Eddie fiddled with his rings, turning them around and around his fingers. He didn’t know how to talk about things like this – the big things. How do you ask your friend why he doesn’t sing with his mother anymore? How do you ask him why he sang Springsteen tonight if it hurt him?

“I was wondering what Robin was going to say earlier – what else you’ve been up to?” Eddie asked, choosing an easier question.

“Oh.” Steve seemed surprised. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “Well, I figured out that I really want to work with kids. For my job? But I really screwed myself over with my grades so I’ve been talking to Hop about what I can do. He’s going to write me a reference letter and see if he can help get me into college next year. In the meantime, I’ve been volunteering at the public school. Basically, a camp counselor for an after-school program. I – I really like it. The kids are great. I’ve been teaching them basketball and swimming. There’s this one girl, Ashley – she’s so shy, but so sweet! Took me weeks just to get a smile out of her, but a couple days ago she hugged me and gave me cookies that she made with her mom –” Steve cut himself off before muttering, “sorry, I’m rambling…”

Another adorable blush started creeping over his cheekbones. Eddie couldn’t think of a time that Steve had talked so much at once. He usually just listened when they all got together, chiming in every now and then with a comment but never talking a whole lot. But then he tried to think about the last time he or the kids had asked him a question about what he was doing or thinking and – he couldn’t.

“It sounds great, man!” Eddie said around the lump in his throat. “Tell me more.”

Steve smiled. A real one this time, small and shy.

“Yeah?” he asked.

Eddie nodded… and Steve talked.

He had been volunteering since the spring. It was mostly younger kids whose parents weren’t home when school got out. Steve said that the program was pretty bare-bones and that the other counselors just let the kids do whatever they wanted in the school playground or gym but didn’t really plan any activities. Steve changed that by introducing sports and trips to the pool and lake as the weather warmed up.

The kids genuinely seemed to like him which surprised him but didn’t surprise Eddie at all. He told him more about Ashley. Her mom was on her own; her husband had passed away a few years ago. Steve didn’t say she was his favourite but Eddie could tell that she was. Something about how shy she was at the start and how she was slowly opening up to him really affected him. As he spoke, his smile got wider and he talked with his hands more and Eddie was captivated. He nodded along and let Steve talk for as long as he wanted, only asking the occasional follow-up question.

“I’m going to see if there’s a program I can volunteer with in the summer, too.”

“I’m sure there is,” Eddie said with a smile.

Steve ducked his head to hide his face. After a moment, he looked up through his hair and said, “thanks.”

“Thanks for what?”

“For asking,” Steve said. “For listening.”

“I’m sorry for not asking sooner.”

“How could you ask about something you didn’t know about?”

“I should have asked about you,” Eddie said quietly. 

For a moment the mask slipped off Steve’s face and Eddie saw the same dark emotion in his eyes that he had seen earlier. But just as quickly it was gone – hidden behind his confident self-assured attitude and a smirk on his lips. Eddie was starting to see it for the armor it was.

“I’m not that interesting,” Steve said and leaned back against the wall of the bar, lifting his face up to the night sky. The words were regurgitated – someone had said them to him enough times that he had internalized them, consumed them until he thought they came from his own mind. Eddie had a lot of experience with that. There was a lot that they had in common, Eddie was realizing.

“I don’t want this to sound condescending or weird… or whatever, but –” Eddie paused and cleared his throat before continuing, “can I give you a hug?”

Steve looked over at him with surprise and opened his mouth, probably to say ‘no’ or ‘what the hell, Munson?’ but Eddie turned to him, arms spread wide and he closed it. The moment stretched and Eddie didn’t think he was going to hug him. He was just standing there, staring at him, an unreadable expression on his face – probably trying to determine Eddie’s sincerity so he held his eyes, stepped a little closer and opened his arms wider.

Hug me, Big Boy.

Steve closed the distance between them slowly, like he thought Eddie might change his mind if he moved too quickly. He smiled at him gently and Steve sagged forward, resting his head on his shoulder. He let out a sigh when Eddie brought his arms up and held him tightly. After a moment, Steve gripped him back just as hard.

Now that the hug was initiated, Eddie had no idea what to do. Rub his back? Try to get him to talk? He had never been good with his own feelings, let alone someone else’s. But Steve was his friend… and he was hurting.

“Are you okay?” Eddie asked as gently as he could.  

Steve immediately tensed up but didn’t pull away. Eddie rubbed small circles into his back and looked at the sky. The stars shone brilliantly in the night; he could see why Steve kept looking up at them. They held on to each other silently. Steve was still tense in his arms, despite the circles, and Eddie was convinced that he wasn’t going to answer. Which was fine, maybe a quiet hug was what he needed. The circles didn’t seem to be helping so he stopped. He brought one of his hands up to Steve’s neck and slipped his fingers into the hair at his nape. It was soft. Steve shuddered at the motion and went limp in his arms.

“No,” he whispered.

“No,” he forced out and Eddie could tell from his voice that he was fighting back tears.

“No,” he sobbed and clutched at Eddie with desperation. His body shaking as the tears overwhelmed him.

Eddie made soft shushing noises and rocked them gently, his fingers still tangled in his hair. Tears pricked at his own eyes in the face of Steve’s turmoil. He wished they were somewhere else; somewhere warm and quiet where he could bundle Steve up and keep the world from hurting him… keep the world from hurting him more.

He felt small in his arms… fragile. Which was crazy because Steve was a protector. He had saved the world. He had saved Eddie – had dragged him out of hell despite his own injuries. But who protected him? Who asked him how he was doing? What he was feeling? Eddie was desperate to know why he sang Dancing in the Dark. When Robin forced him up on stage with whatever secret he didn’t want the rest of them to know he could have done any song he wanted. He chose Dancing in the Dark – and then sang the most heartbreaking version Edde had ever heard. Steve had put everything he was feeling into it; had practically screamed at them to see him.

“Talk to me, Steve,” he prodded softly. “Tell me anything, everything. I want to hear it. Talk to me, please.”

Sniffles and shaky breaths, but strong arms still clutched Eddie tightly.

“I – I don’t sleep…” Steve said so quietly Eddie had to strain to hear the words. “Everyone keeps saying it’s over but it doesn’t feel over. It’s been over before…and even when I do manage it, I have these awful dreams. Robin stays over when she can, and it helps… but she’s leaving and I don’t know what I’m going to do without her. And the kids are getting older and they don’t need me anymore. And I finally have a goal, something I want to do but what if I fucked myself over in high school and I end up stuck at Family Video forever? I don’t know what I’m doing Eddie, and I can’t sleep.”

Eddie was once again struck by how much they had in common. Nightmares and the fear that the Upside Down could come back at any moment? Check. Unfulfilled dreams and the fear of falling into an average boring life? Check. He didn’t know how to tell Steve that he understood, that he saw him. There was a song that came to mind, one of his favourites by Dio that always helped him when he felt lost and alone. Talking about feelings was hard, but singing? Eddie could do that. He could do that for Steve.

He started singing Rainbow in the Dark quietly, giving Steve something to lean into, to listen for. He softened it, like Steve had with Dancing in the Dark, turning it into a companion piece – a continuation, a parallel.

When there's lightning You know it always brings me down 'Cause it's free and I see that it's me Who's lost and never found

I cry out for magic I feel it dancing in the light It was cold, lost my hold To the shadows of the night

No sign of the morning coming You've been left on your own Like a rainbow in the dark A rainbow in the dark

Do your demons, do they ever let you go? When you try to do they hide deep inside? Is it someone that you know?

There's no sign of the morning coming You've been left on your own Like a rainbow in the dark Just a rainbow in the dark

Steve’s tears had stopped as Eddie sang. They were holding each other lighter now, softly standing close. Steve had leaned back so he could see Eddie’s face as he sang.

“It is over, Steve… truly over. We won and Vecna is dead. I know that won’t stop the nightmares – it hasn’t for me. Not yet. But it will eventually, when it keeps being over. I’ll come over when Robin is gone. We can help each other sleep, yeah? And the kids are always going to need you – maybe not in the ‘demon slaying, use my body as a shield’ way – but in the older brother who loves them way. I think you’re interesting, Steve. I think…” Eddie paused, trying to get his thoughts together. “I think you’re one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. I want to know everything about you. I want to know why your mother stopped singing with you and why your house is always empty. I want to know why you sang Springsteen tonight. I want to know why you got so good at hiding what you’re really thinking and feeling. I want to know your favourite colour and your favourite food. I want to know about your dreams and your nightmares…I want to know it all.”

“Why?” Steve whispered.

He was close enough that Eddie could see the green flecks in his eyes. His face was blotchy and red from crying and his hair was a mess from Eddie’s fingers, and he had never looked more beautiful. They still had their arms around each other but they weren’t hugging anymore – it was more a loose embrace, and Eddie was viscerally aware of the difference. Steve wasn’t pulling away though, was holding his eyes like they held the secrets to the universe. It made him feel brave.

“Because I like you and I want to know you, Steve Harrington.”

Steve smiled brightly, warming Eddie with the glow. He looked down at the hand that Eddie had on his waist and grabbed it. And just like that Steve was holding his hand, and smiling at him and Eddie didn’t know what to do with the feelings fluttering in his chest. He thought he might be having a heart attack.

“I like you too, Eddie Munson.”

He was definitely having a heart attack. Eddie squeezed his hand and then moved forward a bit so he could rest his forehead on Steve’s. He huffed out a small laugh, unable to comprehend how they had got here.

“Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to get our friends and take them home, then I’m going to come over and we’re going to sleep and in the morning we’ll talk more. Sound good, sweetheart?” The term of endearment popped out of his mouth and Eddie blushed furiously.

But Steve smiled and said, “Sounds good, Eddie.”

Final Part

---

I really wasn't planning on writing a part two of this ficlet so I didn't have a plan when I started. I hope you like it as much as the first part, it turned out much sadder than I thought it was going to. It's funny to me that even though Steve sang Dancing and Eddie sang Rainbow I think the songs work better the other way? Steve is the Rainbow and Eddie is Dancing - I guess that's why they sang them to each other <3

@newtstabber @warlordess @tillystealeaves @imfinereallyy @heartsong18 @saltyseagoat83 @aceofwands @djohawke @th30ra3k3n @lazy-duck @surreal-honeypot @awkwardgravity1 @yoriposts @alycatavatar @tearsonthemoon222 @roastingdragon @mightbeasleep @helpimstuckposting @goblintendencies

[bobcatblahs]

So many things- but the worst one I know was laying his *little JB* on Camille (Jackie Tyler)’s shoulder without warning or consent- which is absolutely sexual assault.

“i dont care what happened with jb, i want jack back” you should very much care actually

[soaked4mk]

(Mk1)Flirty intro dialogues

-Suggestive Content-

Johnny Cage,Kenshi Takahashi,Kung Lao,Tanya,Syzoth and Liu Kang

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶

Johnny Cage 🎬

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛

★ Johnny: “on a scale from one to ten, you’re a nine, and I’m the one you need.”

-Y/N: “No, I’m the one you need to leave alone.”

★ Johnny: “Did it hurt when you fell from hea-“

-Y/N:*rolls eyes* “that one is so over used,cage”

★ Y/N: “I don’t think you can take me”

-Johnny:*smirks* ”oh ho, is that a challenge, kitty?”

★ Johnny: “You, me, and a fancy dinner date” *wriggles eyebrows*

-Y/N: *cocks eyebrow* “Was that asking…or?”

-Johnny: “please” *😩🙏🏼*

★Y/N: “…Johnathan Carlton”

-Johnny: “Future Wife” (Husband/Spouse)

★Johnny: “So… any answers on you being in my movie?”

- Y/N: “I already told you, most likely not the big screen”

-Johnny: “Oh no honey, I wasn’t talking about that movie”

★Johnny: “Just one chance Y/N, I promise you won’t regret it…”

-Y/N: *smirks* “I’ll consider it…”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶

Kenshi Takahashi 🗡️

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛

★ Kenshi:*lightly shakes head* “I do not understand what you see in cage”

-YN: *shrugs* “me neither”

★ YN: “I’m so,so sorry I wasn’t there when-

-Kenshi: “You are not to blame, dear.”

★ YN: “So the sight of sento…”

-Kenshi: *smiles* “Lets me admire your beauty in an amazing, new way”

★Y/N: “I can’t wait for you to see my new moves”

-Kenshi: *sarcastic* “har-har.”

★Y/N: “you won’t be able to see me coming”

-Kenshi: “really? What a shame”

-Y/N: “I-…” *😳*

★Kenshi: “you truly are a sight to behold”

-Y/N: “you flatter me, swordsman”

★Kenshi: “Your kombat skills are quite admirable.”

-Y/N: “as are yours,Kenshi”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶

Kung Lao 🥟

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛

★Y/N: I’m gonna do Madam Bo a favor, and beat some sense into you.”

-Lao: “Don’t threaten me with a good time”

★ Lao: *chuckles* “So now we’re on ‘friendly sparring’ terms?”

-Y/N: *rolls eyes* “if that’s how you wanna put it”

★ Y/N: “I do appreciate a man with a good work ethic”

-Lao: *smirks* “of course you do.”

★ Lao: “How about after this spar… we go out for a bite?”

-Y/N: *shrugs and smiles* “loser pays”

★Lao: “I can’t wait to have you pinned down”

-Y/N: “that sounds…”

-Lao: “tempting? *smirks* I know.”

★Y/N: “You need a humbling experience.”

-Lao: “Whatever you say, short stack.”

★Y/N: “Aren’t you cocky?”

-Lao: “And single.”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶

Tanya ☀️

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛

★Y/N: “I like what I see…”

-Tanya: “ditto”

★Tanya: “Are you ready to prove yourself, as a formidable opponent?”

-Y/N: “I have a few other things I’d like to prove to you as well.”

★Y/N: “Hold on…I have competition with mileena?”

-Tanya: “is it really a competition though?”

-Y/N “for you, yes.”

★ Y/N: “if you get tired, I have the perfect seat for you” *points to face*

-Tanya:*rolls eyes* “You have been spending too much time with that actor”

★Y/N: “As an Umgadi, are you really sworn to piety and chastity?”

-Tanya: “I am.”

Y/N: “damn it.”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶

Syzoth 🦎

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛

★Y/N: “Will you transform during battle?”

-Syzoth: “perhaps…”

-Y/N: “what about bed?”

★Syzoth: “Warm blooded creatures are fascinating”

-Y/N: “This, coming from the shape shifting lizard man?”

★Y/N: “I’m tempted to see the ‘beast’ you can shift into”

-Syzoth: “You mean my ‘true form?’

-Y/N: “True form? Even hotter”

★Y/N:*mocking tone* “Ssssooo, are you ready for thissss, battle?”

-Syzoth:*rolls eyes* “I don’t ssssound like that…”

★Y/N: “what do I have to do to get a little hiss” *puckers lips*

-Syzoth: *shakes head* “that was weak, even for you,Y/N.”

★Y/N: “Ready to taste defeat?”

-Syzoth: “I’m ready to taste you. ”

-Y/N: “I-uh..-uhm…” *😳*

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶

Liu Kang 🔥

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛

★Y/N: “Did I find you this attractive in other timelines as well?”

-Liu Kang: *chuckles* “I will not reveal that to you, Y/N…”

★Y/N: “I fear for my future…”

-Liu Kang: “Do not fear destiny,Y/N. And have faith in yourself”

★Liu Kang: “Somehow, even in this timeline, you manage to surprise me,Y/N.

-Y/N: *shrugs* “What can I say? I’m just that good.”

★Y/N: “You blessed me with this?” *points at face*

-Liu Kang:*shakes head* “you are simply ‘blessed’ in every timeline.”

★Y/N: “I wanna see who makes it out on top”

-Liu Kang: “Be careful for what you wish for,Y/N…”

★ Y/N: “I see the way your eyes light up whenever you look my way”

-Liu Kang: “Y/N, I’ve told you time and time again, those are just my eyes”

-Y/N:*shrugs* “Yeah…but those eyes linger, don’t they?”

★Liu Kang: “I will admit, myself in past timelines did find you…alluring”

-Y/N:”No way you just admitted that…”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶