#As for me... Yeah I've been hit terribly lately... SEND HELP!

[hairmetal666]

It's 3am. It's pouring down rain. Steve's soaked to the skin, been wandering the city for most of the night, hasn't slept in almost 24 hours, thinks maybe he's on the brink of delirium, and then a truck hits a pool of ponded water, sending a muddy wave cascading over him.

He just wants to go home but Dustin lost his dog and he can't leave a puppy out in this weather.

Steve steps off the curb, and what looks like a shallow puddle turns out to be a water-filled hole. He crashes towards the pavement, nothing he can do to stop it. As fast he's falling, he's miraculously not, arms wrapped around his waist. It takes a second for his brain to catch up, to understand that he's being held upright in an old-fashioned, romantic dip.

"Careful, sweetheart," a deep and smoke raspy voice says from above him.

it sends chills down his spine, the good kind, and warmth slips through him. His rescuer is a solid 10 knockout. Long, curly hair; eyeliner; decked out in leather and studs and chains. He smells like booze and cigarettes and weed, and it's intoxicating. Steve has to fight the instinct to nuzzle the guy's leather jacket. He's beautiful, holds Steve with the swagger only a guy with rings on every finger could pull off.

And Steve is a mud soaked mess in sweatpants and a threadbare Hawkins High tee. But the guy holding him isn't letting go. He stares down at Steve, brown eyes wide.

"Steve!" A voice calls over the patter of the rain.

"Dustin?" He says at the same time that the man holding him says, "Henderson?"

"Eddie?" Dustin asks.

"Wait, dnd Eddie?" Steve gets his feet under him, but Eddie's arms don't drop.

"You're the famous babysitter Steve I've been hearing all about?"

They gape at each other until Dustin reaches them.

"What are you still doing out here?" Dustin shouts. "We found Dart hours ago."

"Dustin!" He thinks he might cry. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You weren't answering your walkie!"

"Fuck." Steve drops his face to his hand. The walkie. Which is on the table by the front door where he and Robin leave their keys.

Steve swallows his frustration, the misery of waterlogged shoes, having to be up to open the store in a few hours, meeting the hottest guy he's ever seen when he looks like a drowned rat.

"I promised I'd find Dart, didn't I? Now what the hell are you doing out so late?"

"Mom and I were looking for you!"

"Let's get you back to the car, man, okay?" Steve says to Dustin. He wants to end this weird, terrible, embarrassing night before it gets even more humiliating.

"I can give you a ride home," Eddie says. He's got this weird, intense look on his face, staring at Steve.

"I'm only a few blocks away. I'll be fine. C'mon, Henderson."

"Oh, I can walk him. You head home."

He nods, starts towards his apartment, but turns back just in time to see Eddie and Dustin share a look he can't parse.

---

A few days later, Dustin's following him around at work, chattering about dnd as Steve shelves books, and without taking a breath during a soliloquy about owl bears, says, "Eddie's running a one-shot for us next week. You should come! It's a great way to get into the game."

"I'm not playing dnd," Steve answers. He slides a book onto the shelf. "I've told you this."

"Yeah, but you liked Eddie, right? He'd help you out!"

Steve squints at the kid. "I didn't really meet Eddie to know. Anyway, I'm sure he doesn't want a newbie crashing."

Steve is pretty sure Eddie doesn't like him, based on their short introduction, so he's not interested in forcing himself into the guy's dnd club. The night they met was humiliating enough, Steve in all his dorky glory.

"No, he totally wouldn't care. C'mon, Steve!"

"No can do." He ruffles Dustin's hair as he walks away.

He thinks that'll be the end of it, but every few days, for weeks Dustin and all the rest of the kids stop at the store to beg him to join their dnd club.

---

Steve is working the register and he hears the shuffling clank of a customer, looks up and finds Eddie. He's staring at Steve with that same look from the night they met, intense and piercing, cutting straight through the heart of him. He feels himself start to blush.

The first thing out of Eddie's mouth is, "Wait, this is your store?"

"Yeah?" Steve asks. "Is that--is that weird?"

"No! Not at all. It's a good store. Cute." His nose wrinkles when he says it and Steve's blush grows hotter. He knew Eddie thought he was a dork.

"Cute. Yeah. Right. Can I help you with something?"

Eddie rocks back on his heels, hands going to the pockets of his leather jacket, sending his chains jingling. "Oh, so, actually I wanted to see if you were busy?"

"Yeah, man. I'm busy." He laughs, doesn't intend to be mean about it, but he and Robin only opened the store six months ago and both take night classes at the local community college. Plus, everything he does with the kids.

Eddie's face flushes bright. "Oh, sure, of course. Yeah, I--I'll see you around."

The door thunks to a close behind him, and a voice immediately pops up to ask, "What the hell was that?"

He turns to find Max Mayfield hands on hips, glaring up at him, Robin close behind.

"Shouldn't you be in school?"

Max rolls her eyes and strides up to the counter. "Why were you an asshole to Eddie?"

"He started it!"

"I highly doubt that."

"Okay, Ms. Know-it-all, why don't you tell me what happened?"

"I know for a fact that Eddie came in today to ask you out. So, tell me, Steve Harrington, why he rushed out of here looking like a kicked puppy?"

"What?" He yelps. "Eddie doesn't even like me!"

She glares. "Doesn't like you? He's been pathetic about you since you met."

He gapes at Robin. "Don't look at me," she shrugs. "But that guy was definitely here to ask you out."

"Fix it." Max commands as she stomps out the door. "He bar tends at that metal place on 68th."

---

It's just after 9pm and he's at the metal bar on 68th, decidedly out of place in the yellow t-shirt and jeans he wore to his business accounting class.

It's fairly busy for a weeknight, but Eddie's not hard to find. He's obviously in his element, bobbing his head to a song Steve's never heard as he mixes a drink.

With a hard swallow and a healthy dose of humility, he walks up to the bar.

"Be right--" Eddie starts, balking when he notices Steve.

"Can we talk?" he shouts over the music.

Eddie's eyes widen a little, but he nods, slips out from behind the bar to guide him to an employee exit.

"What's up, Steve?" Eddie asks. His hands are in his pockets, shoulders bowed in.

"I wanted to apologize."

"What for?"

"Earlier, I--when you said the store was cute I thought you were making fun of me."

"But--why?"

"I thought you didn't like me." Steve cringes at the admission.

"What?" He laughs.

"I don't know. We met in the middle of the night and I was covered in mud looking for a dog that wasn't lost anymore."

"Steve. Holy shit." Eddie shakes his head. "You looked gorgeous that night. The way your clothes were sticking--you know what? Never mind. Did you think I wanted you to come to dnd because I hated you?"

"You wanted me to come?"

"Dustin didn't..."

"No! And he's been asking me to play dnd weekly for the past five years."

"Jesus Christ," Eddie slumps agains the brick wall at his back. "No wonder you turned me down today."

"To be fair," Steve slumps next to him. "If I had realized you were asking me out, I wouldn't have turned you down."

"No?" Eddie asks. His brown eyes gleam.

"Definitely not. I've had a crush on you since that night. Sort of devastating since I thought you didn't like me." Steve runs his hand through his hair, watches Eddie track the movement.

"The store is cute, Steve. I--uh--I've been a few times. Back before I knew you were the owner! I just kept seeing a hot employee with great hair and a perfect ass, and the vaguely mean lesbian barista gives me free drinks."

"That's Robin," Steve says. He's smiling so hard.

"I know that now," Eddie smiles back. "Sorry for being an idiot."

"Me too." Steve nods. "Do you--could I still come to dnd? Or take you out sometime?"

"Why not both?" Dimples pop on Eddie's cheeks, and Steve's heart flips.

"I like both." They're still against the wall, but drifting into each other's space.

"So Dustin said."

It surprises a laugh out of Steve. "I'm gonna kill him."

"Too bad. He's a nice kid."

"Eh, we've got six more to choose from."

"I have a few more hours here, but there's a diner down the street that does some of the most mediocre pancakes I've ever tasted. Meet me there? Around 2?"

"A thousand lost puppies wouldn't make me miss it."

The next time Steve is out at 3am he's pressed against a building, Eddie kissing him so thoroughly he knows he's never recovering from this one.

[naffeclipse]

Hiiiii~

Let me just scream about fish a little hehe (praying that this actually sends cause my internet is so weird rn aaa)

I've read 3 of the Song Fish chapters and I love how different the story is compared to Deep Dreams and also how it's different. At first I thought that 'oh it's gonna be a complete repeat sort of' but it's been very different so far and I'm really enjoying it!

I love how you're writing y/n this time around with their phobias of deep oceans and large objects/creatures. It's so well painted and described through your beautiful writing. I can very easily put myself in their shoes and really feel their terror, it's fantastic!

I was so giddy when I realized that Deep Dreams and Song Fish are connected, like really connected with them taking place in the same place just some years apart. AAA I LOVE IT!!

I'm a big fan of what you've done with Gregory too, he might be different from what he is in the games but I'm just very happy that y/n has someone nice to lean on. I'm very curious to hear about this mer he's hanging out with hehe~ I'm so used to y/ns being very oblivious to everything, but oh my god if they don't pick up on the clues soon I'll rattle them into tiny bits!!

Oh and the boys, THE BOYS!!! Oh my god I loooove them!! They're so patient and sweet and so AAAA!!! You know how I am with big creatures being gentle and caring, I melt and melt and MELT!! They're so beautiful too aaaa man.. I love them!!! I love the scene where y/n is on Sun's back and he and Moon are looking at y/n waiting for them to calm down, being so patient. And the "now you're wet again" prkfjflfok aawww they worked so hard to get you dry and then you just undo all their work just like that! But ah man also what do you do in that situation really? Do you stay on the terrible monster's back or do you jump into the other monster that is the ocean? Stuck between a rock and a hard place fr..

I've been reading while out sailing and it's just THE BEST EXPERIENCE!! I feel the waves and smell the clean air as I read and it's just PERFECT!! Just wanted to let you know hehe X3

I cannot wait to read the rest of this fic, I'm loving it so far!! Sorry I haven't sent any comments recently, it's been quite a lot going on. Even though I'm quiet I'm still enjoying your work immensely! My gosh I'm enjoying it~❤️❤️❤️

Oh my gosh, I'm so late replying to this, ahhh!!!

I have to say, I was really worried about it being just a repeat of Deep Dreams, which I absolutely didn't want because although there are some plot beats that are hit like in Deep Dreams, I hoped that the new Y/N and character conflicts would be compelling and fresh enough on their own! So I'm glad you're enjoying it so far!!

Thank you, babe! You're making me melt with your kind words ;-; I've been having a lot of fun with Gregory and Freddy and just that human kid + bear fish dad dynamic!

That scene, ahhh! Yeah, not much choice there, especially when panic is involved! But the boys are ready to do everything they can to help their little human ♥

Oh gosh, I can't wait for you to read Chapter 5 with that mention of sailing! Heheh! No need to apologize either, I'm just glad to hear your thoughts on it now! Thank you so much, Meep! *mwah*!

[luimnigh]

May! Did pretty well this month. Okay, made no progress in reading the book I was reading, but apart from that I watch quite a bit of stuff.

Five movies, and four partial watches.

Two series, continued my weekly watch from past months, and added two new weekly watches.

And two games polished off.

I spent today babysitting my nephew, so let's just say I'm already getting a good start with June.

Movies:

Face/Off: It had come up on Flickle a few days before, and I ended up on it after scrolling some streaming sites for a while. Been a couple years since I've seen it. Delightfully bonkers.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: There's some elements of this film that I feel have aged badly already, some elements that are unrealistic now that I know more about the realities of animal testing and care, but the global pandemic in the end hits different now.

Jumanji: The Next Level: Fine enough sequel, I liked it quite well. Nothing spectacular to it.

Casino Royale (2006): I watched this instead of Eurovision. Which means, unlike the rest of Europe, I watched Britain br good at something.

Deadpool 2: Good to catch this one before the sequel arrived. Took me a few years to realise this was an adaptation of the "Deadpool in love with Death" story without making Deadpool want to bone bones. Still think both these writers and the Avengers writers are cowards on that mark.

Rush (Partial): Caught the last hour one night, basically starting with Niki Lauda's crash. Good movie.

Maiden Voyage: Ocean Hijack (Partial): Caught the first hour of this film late one night. Terrible action movie, Die Hard on a Cruise Ship which makes it an inferior Speed 2: Cruise Control.

The Imitation Game (Partial): Parents were watching it. Caught the last half hour. Spent the entire time annoyed with Turing's characterisation.

The Road Dance (Partial): Caught the last hour. Depressing drama set in the Scottish Outer Hebrides during WWI, about the aftermath of a sexual assault. Mark Gatiss is in it.

Series:

Tales of the Empire: Good to see Barriss again, though I certainly didn't wait as long as many others I know.

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: A lovely little tragedy. Very much epitomises the idea of a tragedy where so many things could have happened to change the ending, and yet you know that the ending was always inevitable. Also I've been thinking about playing the game, so this helped give me some understanding of the setting.

Dungeon Meshi (Partial): I feel like this show is gonna need a second season to wrap up. The situation is still only escalating.

Doctor Who (Partial): You know, I haven't watched weekly Doctor Who since Capaldi? I stopped watching after Hell Bent. I really do need to watch the seasons I missed. Anyway, I think Ruby might be Susan.

Jet Lag: The Game: Season 10 (Partial): Yeah, already way better than Hide And Seek.

Games:

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations: The final game in the trilogy, and a nice send-off. Some interesting twists and turns, and a nice look into both Mia and Edgeworth's heads. And thankfully, there was no character as annoying as the clown this time.

Saints Row (2022) DLC: Stepping back into Santo Illeso was like stepping back into a comfortable pair of slippers. Problem is, the company that makes those slippers has been shut down, so once those slippers are worn out, I'll never be able to get new slippers. A damn shame.

Looking back, I spent most of last year in a depressive funk. There were some high moments, but after about March I just stopped doing the stuff I enjoy. I didn't read books, I didn't watch movies, the last videogame I played to completion was in May, I only went to the Cinema twice...

I just took the quick dopamine hit from stuff like youtube videos and social media scrolling.

I gotta fix that. I gotta get back to the things I enjoy.

So my New Year's Resolution, probably the first time I've ever seriously done one, is to enjoy more art.

I'm gonna record every movie and series watched, every book read, every game played- and I'm gonna finish a bunch of those I started and never ended.

No goal, just more.

[cantgetoutofmyheda]

They meet at the park when their dogs wrap their leashes around them

Hi, this was fun! Also - I've seen all the other prompts from folks that I'd love to tackle. :)

Thanks for sending all of them in!

----------

It was early. Too early for her phone to be buzzing on her nightstand. She could tell by the way the light shone through the shades of her window that she shouldn’t be waking at this hour, especially during a day off on a long weekend. Groggily, Clarke rubbed her eyes. She grabbed the phone to find Monty’s name on the caller ID. She knew that it only meant one thing—her plans of doing absolutely nothing that weekend were being turned upside down.

“What’s up, Monty?” Clarke heavily breathed the words out as she picked up the phone. She didn’t have the energy to try and hide the fact that her slumber was cut short.

“Sorry to wake you, pal, but I’ve got a whole litter in from late last night. Think you can help out?” The man’s chipper voice on the other end signaled he had been awake for far longer than she had.

Clarke immediately sat up. She gasped into the phone, suddenly sounding very awake. “You want me to take a whole litter?!”

Monty laughed. “No. No, Clarke. Sorry, I was just letting you know what we’ve been dealing with. We’re making a few calls, but you’re always at the top of my list. There are four girls and three boys, we’re guessing they’re around two years old. Rescued from a house that Octavia did a welfare check on—she said the place looked like it was out of an episode of Hoarders. She called me to come get the dogs around midnight, they’re all in the kennel now but we need to move them.”

She was grateful that he wasn’t asking her to take the lot of them, because she knew that if she was the only option, she’d probably agree. “Gotcha. Okay, can you drop off one of the girls? I have everything she’ll need from the last foster, I just need to dog-ify the house.”

“Two hours from now work for you?” Monty asked. Clarke could hear him smiling into the phone with relief.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, “Yeah. Let’s do it.”

---

Clarke considered herself to be a professional foster mom. She had been doing it for years, helping her old friend Monty out each and every time he called her with new dogs that needed temporary homes before they found their forever homes. It started in their early twenties when he was in dire need of a placement for a senior dog. After that, the calls started coming with less and less time between one another, and not once did she turn a dog away.

She had dealt with loads of issues with each foster—some weren’t house trained, some would rather eat her walls instead of their food, some would relentlessly bark when anyone walked on the sidewalk—but she made do.

With Madison, whom she had the honor of naming, the issue wasn’t accidents in the house, it wasn’t that she wouldn’t eat her food. It wasn’t until Clarke had her clipped into a leash for a walk to the dog park that she realized Madison was a terrible walker. Zigging and zagging across the street, pulling Clarke in every which direction. The fifty-pound mutt had more energy than Clarke did. Madison ended up walking Clarke to the park, though it should have been the other way around.

The pair made their way into the section of the park for dogs. It was fully fenced in, but Clarke knew better to let Madison run free, so she tried her best to walk her around the area. She assumed that Madison would be dog friendly, knowing she spent her two years cooped up with other dogs, but didn’t want to take any chances.

Madison pulled Clarke from dog-to-dog, saying her hellos, sniffing each and every one of them, and would be on her merry way. Clarke pulled out her phone to send Monty a text saying everything was going well. The brief distraction caused everything to not be going well.

Within a fraction of the second it took her to hit send, Madison was halfway across the park—running towards god knows what. Clarke didn’t consider herself to be athletic by any means, but she found herself trying to catch up. After what felt like an eternity, she spotted Madison playing very nicely with another dog. A wave of relief coursed through her body as she approached the scene. The dogs looked like they were having a ball, but Clarke noticed their leashes getting more and more tangled as they circled around one another. She approached them to start the untangling process and grabbed what she thought was Madison’s leash to get a hold of her.

“Excuse me?” A woman’s voice sounded. Clarke didn’t even see her standing there, she was distracted by trying to find and get control of her foster.

Clarke spun around to answer, “Yeah?”

Her raised brow was met by a smirk from a strikingly beautiful woman who seemed to be around her age. Her green eyes moved direction down to the dog that Clarke had under control. “I believe that’s my dog.”

“Huh?” Clarke asked, keeping eye contact with the woman. She didn’t realize she hadn’t even looked away.

“Well,” the woman cleared her throat while biting her bottom lip. She noticed the way Clarke was looking at her. “I suppose he’s actually my foster dog. But semantics.”

Clarke’s cheeks turned to a light shade of rose and she finally looked down. The dogs were strikingly similar, but the one who’s leash she was holding definitely had anatomically different parts than the dog Monty had dropped off to her. She looked to the woman’s feet, where Madison was lying comfortably.

“Shit. Sorry.” Clarke apologized as she handed the leash over. “They look almost exactly the same, minus his…”

“Yeah,” the woman was still smirking as she received his leash back. She bent down to grab Madison’s to hand over to Clarke. Their hands brushed slightly, and neither woman was quick to retract.

Clarke took it with a smile on her face and a fluster in her belly, “Sorry about that. Thank you. I’m Clarke, this is Madison—but it seems as if the two of you have met already.”

“Oh, we go way back. All of two minutes or so,” she smiled. “I’m Lexa, this is… well, he doesn’t really have a name right now, so I’ll have to get back to you on that.”

“You mentioned he was a foster,” Clarke recalled. “So is Madison. Did you happen to get him this morning?”

“I did,” Lexa nodded. “I’ve never done this before, though. My ex-girlfriend signed us up with a local rescue, but they never called until this morning. Something about a litter of dogs needing temporary placement, and I couldn’t say no.”

All Clarke heard was ‘ex-girlfriend’ and her mind went from thinking about the dogs to thinking about the woman in front of her. She shook her head, trying to get back on track with the conversation.

“Ah, yes. Looks like Madison and your little guy are siblings. She was dropped off this morning, too. I’ve been fostering for the rescue for a while now. Happy to share some tips and advice or anything else if you’re in the market for that.”

“Definitely,” Lexa nodded in response. “I had a dog growing up, but I definitely wasn’t his sole caretaker. I’m kind of blanking with what to do with him since I don’t know how long I’ll have him for.”

An idea popped into Clarke’s head. “My place is pretty close by and I have a fenced in yard. They can run around out back and I can make us some coffee.”

“Yeah?” Lexa asked. “That actually sounds really nice.”

“Great,” Clarke nodded. “It’s a date.”

The second the words came out of her mouth, she instantly regretted it. Her word vomit sometimes got the better of her.

Lexa raised a brow. She looked into Clarke’s eyes and finally responded, “It’s a date.”

[ambivalent-anarchy]

You've Got Moves (Part 2)

Masterlist

Part 1

Gender: Female

Pairing: Peter Parker x reader

Warning: None

A/N: Better late than never, right?😂😂 (wow 2 fics in one week that's crazyyy) Also I put one of my favorite comedy tiktoks in the dialogue soooooo oops? Also Harry and Ned are wingmen who share one brain cell and I like it that way

I might make one more part to this but idk

---------------------------------------

It took 7 months for Peter to ask you out.

It took the time for MJ and Asher to become a couple, homecoming to go by, MJ and Asher to break up, winter formal, midterm exams, MJ and Asher to get back together, and Christmas to go before Peter Parker gathered the guts to even consider thinking about asking you out.

Scared wasn't even the word for it.

Harry Osborn, the new transfer student, laughed at how nervous Peter was at lunch. "Asking girls out is easy, Peter. I do it all the time!"

"You say it like it's the simplest thing on earth," Peter dreaded, to which Harry shrugged.

"Because it is! You just ask. How is it that I've only been at this school for 2 months and I've had more chicks than both you and Ned combined?"

"Hooking up is not a hobby of mine. That's why," Peter retorted with a pitifully unintimidating glare.

Harry shrugged with his shit-eating grin. "It's not my fault the girls and gays can't resist these lips."

Ned chimed in as he threw a french fry into his mouth. "Peter, this isn't like Liz last year. You and [Y/N] are already really close, dude. I'm sure you can just ask her. Who knows? She might say yes!"

"But what if she says no?," Peter groaned. "Then I'll just be one of those people she avoids and barely talks to out of awkwardness." He shifted in his seat nervously. "I don't want that."

"But if you don't say anything then you'll always regret it," Ned pointed out.

Harry sighed and rolled his eyes. "Peter, pull out your phone."

Peter raised his eyebrows in confusion, but followed Harry's instructions.

"Go to her in messages and say 'hey let's get dinner'." He smiled. "See? Simple."

Peter opened your messages in his phone and stared at your profile picture.

'You can do this, Peter. You can do this.'

He bit his lip. "Okay but should I say, 'let's get dinner' or 'do you want to get dinner'?" Seeing Harry's impatient face, he explained himself. "I just feel like those two sentences have completely different vibes, y'know?"

Harry glared at him. "Are you really about to have us telling you what to tell your crush like a bunch of girls?"

Peter didn't know how to answer that question seriously. "Uh...yes?"

Harry pondered the question for a small bit before simply shrugging and answering. "Hmm, go with 'let's get dinner', so you'll sound all confident and assertive."

"Okay."

Before Peter could press send without thinking twice, Ned stopped him. "Well, actually now you sound a little aggressive, man."

"Really?," Peter asked with a wince, immediately erasing the message.

"Yeah, I mean the last thing you wanna be like is the guy that's all like 'let's get dinner' like you're some kind of caveman."

Peter groaned. "Oh no, definitely not."

Ned ate another fry. "You want to ask her to dinner, not tell her to dinner."

"I'll go with 'do you want to get dinner' then," Peter said with a nod.

That one didn't sit well with Harry. "No Pete. Cuz now you sound like a pussy."

Peter slammed his phone onto the lunch table. "This stuff is tough!"

Ned turned towards Harry. "No but listen. The last thing Peter wants to do is come off as the overly masculine type that's all like 'let's get dinner cuz I'm the breadwinner, bitch', y'know?"

Harry shook his head. "Yeah but women also love assertiveness. You have to know what you want."

Peter stared at the table, desperately wanting the conversation to be over. Why would he even go to these two for relationship advice? Harry was the king of hookups and Ned's relationships never lasted longer than a few weeks. What was he thinking? For a guy with a 4.5 GPA, he sure did feel stupid.

"I got it!," Ned exclaimed. "Okay. Text her this. 'Dinner would be something that I would enjoy taking you on, but only if YOU were also interested in attending the meal'." He held his hands up for praise.

Harry nodded. "Mhm. Perfect balance. And the more words the better."

Peter just stared back at them, wondering where he'd gone wrong in life. "...no.... I'm not gonna send her that."

Harry shrugged. "Welp,' he sighed. "I guess some people just don't want to be helped."

So close to slamming his head into the table in front of him, Peter felt a tsunami of relief hit when he saw Asher walk into the cafeteria.

Asher was your best friend. If anyone knew the proper way you'd want to be asked out, it'd be him.

The second Asher noticed Peter looking at him, he made his way over. "Hey Peter. What's up?," he asked as he found an empty seat.

Harry spoke up before Peter had the chance. "Hey Ash. Pick one. 'Let's get dinner' or 'do you want to get dinner'."

Asher thought for a second. "Depends on the girl," he said before taking a bite into his apple. "-but 'do you want to get dinner' is nicer. Why?"

Harry slammed his fist on the table. "Damn it!"

"Yes!," Ned cheered.

Asher looked around the table. "Okay, by why?"

Harry and Ned went quiet and looked to Peter, who was staring anywhere to avoid eye contact. He began to mumble pitifully."I....I-i wanna.. I wanna-"

Harry and Ned spoke up, already tired of the conversation not getting anywhere. "He wants to ask-"

"-I wanna ask [Y/N] out!," he blurted, feeling his cheeks start to burn when Asher's smirk turned into a wide grin.

"Well it's about time!," he exclaimed. "She's been crazy about you since you met."

"Really? She has?," Peter asked. That wasn't even in the realm of possibility in his mind.

Asher nodded. "She's always going off to me about how-" he mocked your higher pitched voice. "I've been dropping him hints since, like, foreverrrr!"

"Seriously?! She has?"

Ned laughed. "Well Peter. She has been calling you cute since the day she met you..."

"But I just always thought it was the friendly kind of cute, y'know?," he rambled. "Not the boyfriend type cute!"

"How many girls are out here calling you cute for you to make that assumption, dude?," Harry asked.

Asher sighed. "So this is what it's like to have low confidence." He shook his head and gave Peter a disappointed look. "I can't say I like witnessing this, Pete."

"Just-" Peter groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. "Just tell me what will work, okay? I need to ask her out perfectly."

Asher tilted his head in confusion. "She's a simple girl. You just have to straight up ask her out. What's the confusion there?"

"That's what I said!," Harry yelled.

"You know he's got to make it difficult for himself for no reason," Ned pointed out.

"Okay can we all talk about how terrible I am at this after you help me?," Peter begged.

"...yeah."

"Sure."

"Ugh, fine."

Peter sighed. "Alright. So?"

"What are you going for?," Asher asked. "Like a gift or something?"

"I just want whatever's the absolute best way to ask her out."

Asher pinched the bridge of his nose. If he was gonna set you up with your crush, he wanted it to happen right.

"Okay," he said, staring Peter in the eyes with a new sort of intensity. "Think about your best moments with her. Now pick something special from all those moments and voila! You'll have it!"

Peter nodded and stared at the ground as he thought for a while about everything he'd done with you since the beginning of school. You were truly the most extraordinary, most confident girl he'd ever met.

Every time he'd thought you couldn't get more perfect, you'd just show him another side of you that was better than the rest. He always stayed endlessly impressed and most of all, he felt as if he didn't have to try too hard with you. He could be himself and mess up as many times as he could manage and you still stuck around, showing him that there needn't be any worries.

And your style? Fuck, you could make anything work for him. You were the only one who could get him out of his comfort zone and in front of a camera, for something as frivolous as a TikTok. But he'd always do it, and even find the fun in it, because it made you happy.

"Remember how we freaked out that first time when she called you cute, Pete?," Ned said. "She said that you were cute and that you only had to put it use!"

Harry laughed. "This girl is literally giving you the instructions, Peter. Take them."

"Hmm." Peter looked up with a smile and snapped his fingers. "I got it."

-

You tossed popcorn into your mouth and snuggled yourself further into the blanket. "Ash, how can you even say that? 'It' is a horror movie!"

"Yeah, technically," he retorted. "But there's literally not a single part of the movie that's scary. It's more of a drama than anything else."

"You realize the clown phobia rate skyrocketed when the movie came out right?"

Asher scoffed. "Uh, your point? It's not my fault some pussies couldn't sit through it. Still a drama. The story definitely played with your emotions more than your fears."

"Whateverrrr," you laughed. "I can't deal with you."

"Pennywise literally got up and did this," he said before breaking out into Pennywise's dance. He laughed as he kicked his legs out. "What kind of horror movie has this crap in it?" He stopped when he felt the full force of you throwing a pillow on his face. "Ugh!"

"Sit down and get under the covers, idiot," you hissed. "I wanna keep watching these HORROR films."

"Whateverrrr," he drawled out, mocking you. He sighed and plopped down next to you, grabbing a handful of popcorn after.

When school was getting suffocating, marathoning horror movies with Asher were a must. He had an endless repertoire and all the time in the world for his best friend.

Halfway through 'It: Chapter 2' though, the movie was the least of your focus and instead was TikTok.

What could you say? The app was addictive.

It was a big, entertaining, completely useless collage of everything every no-name had to offer, from stupid debates to cringey POV's to fun dance routines.

You tried to hook every friend you could on it. Asher, of course, already knew about it since it first came out and he, of course, had thousands of followers because most of what he posted was random thirsts traps whenever he was feeling hot, which was always. And thirsts traps are always in high demand for the people on TikTok.

You tried to hook MJ on it, but she'd already decided that she didn't like it before even giving it a chance. Even the messy, political side didn't reel her in.

Of course then there was Peter, who didn't know was TikTok even was before he met you. You made it your sole mission to get him hooked, but you'd since given up on that. It was a lost cause. The only time he probably ever saw TikTok nowadays was when he was doing dances with you before gym started. He let you put the app on his phone but he never used it. You wouldn't even put it past him to have deleted it, but it was whatever. TikTok had started his friendship with you, so needless to say, it'd done an amazing job in your life.

Plus your followers were always asking about him. All of the "omg couple goalssss" and "you guys look so cute together" served as massive confidence boosters. A girl can dream, right?

You shifted over a bit when you felt Ash getting closer and closer to you.

When he moved over again, you scooted away, only for him to get closer again. "Ash, what is your deal?"

"Easy there," he chuckled, backing up a little. "I'm looking at the phone, not you."

"You've been all up in my phone all day, what's up?"

"I can't tell you," he shrugged, a sly smirk stretching across his face. "But," he pointed to your tiny screen. "Some idiot is taking wayyyy too long to shoot his shot."

"Shoot his shot?" You gasped. "Who?"

"I'm not at liberty to say," he said with a smirk.

"Nooooo," you whined. "If someone has a crush on me you gotta spill! C'mon, please?"

He laughed and repeated himself. "I'm sorry, but I am not at liberty to say!"

"Bullshit! Who is it? C'mon! C'monnnnnn!"

He shrugged and this time you knew that he was dead set on not giving up the mystery guy.

"Ugh," you pouted. "Fine. Let's just finish the stupid movie."

-

"Kids next door, battle stations!!!!"

And now it was sometime after midnight. The popcorn was all gone. The movie was done and now you were watching old cartoons so that the horror movie wouldn't be the last thing on your mind before bed.

Looking over, you saw that Asher didn't need any cartoons like you did. He was already passed out, snoring as loud as ever.

Grumbling in boredom, you stared at the wall, trying to connect the tiny dots in the designs. It was like something was officially keeping you from being able to fall asleep.

*Ding!*

At the sound of your phone receiving a text, you sat up curiously. Who was texting you at this hour?

You smiled when you saw that it was Peter.

Pete: hey y/n

You were about to send him a quick,"why are you up this late" text, but he kept typing.

Pete: pls dont judge me too hard for this

With that completely vague warning, you furrowed your eyebrows, concerned.

Y/n: whats up r u okay

He sent you a link next, which confused you, but not as much as when you actually pressed it.

It led you to TikTok, and the video was waiting to be pressed to start. Peter was standing in the middle of the screen with one of his typical corny sweatshirts on. The caption at the top read: "For [Y/N] Only". Smiling already, you quickly pressed play.

You slapped your hand over your mouth. "Oh my God."

"So he finally got the guts, huh?," Asher mumbled, having woken up from the loud music on your phone but was still half-asleep.

"Oh I'm sorry, did I wake you?," you asked. You turned down your phone.

"Don't worry about me, you just got a boyfriend," he chuckled, moving to lay down so he could get to sleep again. "Text him back for god's sake."

~~~

Y/n: its been almost a whole year and youre still so cute when you make those

Pete: haha thanks

Pete: uh

Pete: i really like you y/n

Pete: do u think you'd wanna go out with me or get dinner sometime?

~~~

"He asked me out," you gasped. "Ash, he asked me out!"

Asher rolled over and groaned. "I thought that was already established? Jesus, you two couldn't possibly be moving any slower."

You rolled your eyes. "Fuck you."

"Nah, you're with Peter now," he laughed. "You're gonna have to fuck him instead!" That comment earned him another pillow to the face.

You looked back at the messages and sent a tiny cute one. You smirked at the new idea of what was about to happen and turned it off before going to sleep.

~~~

Y/n: kiss me at school tomorrow and find out

~~~

Didn't do a third edit cuz I got lazy but I'm pretty happy with the turnout anyway. Thanks for reading!

Tagging: @allegra-writes, @allegra-soleil, @yumings, @hey-its-grey, @spideyyeet, @sunkissedspidey, @tommyunderoos, @chaoticpete, @snarky--starky, @sovereignparker, @thesherlockianavenger, @bubblebucky, @kelieah, @eridanuswave, @ithoughtthiswastwitterbutfr, @kidney9-9, @gwenvrse

[tinisprout]

No Doubt in Us

Chapter Eight - Healing Day *written chapter below*

Fiance!Haknyeon x Fem!reader

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Synopsis: Life is great, you have your dream job, you finally got your first big break, and you are now engaged to the love of your life. Happier than you’ve ever been, you live life one day at a time. Then one day a terrible accident happens leaving you in a coma. Where you finally awake, everything is not as you remember. Amnesia takes away 3 years of your memory, forgetting your beloved Fiance. Faced with a reality that seems unreal, as your mind is stuck in a past with uncomfortable memories, your future with him is uncertain.

a/n: Sorry for the late chapter I've been very busy

Send me an ask if you want to be put on the taglist for this series

Taglist:@my-summer-night @deputyjuyeon @juhaktheoneforme @sunqnew

Word Count: 1.7K

Chanhee was pushed through your front door by Kevin, followed by Jacob closing the door behind them. You stood in the center of the living room awkwardly as your friends got closer to you. Kevin and Jacob giving friendly greetings while you smile back at them in acknowledgment. You and Chanhee just eyed each other not sure where or how to start. Haknyeon waved Kevin and Jacob over and that was their cue to get out of there.

“Healing day! You two had something you wanted to say to each other, so we’ll give you some space,” Kevin says as he slaps Chanhee on his back and hurries to a Haknyeon winking at you in passing. Jacob taps the same place Kevin hit and nods at you as he passes. The three boys exit the house into the backyard. The inside is still visible which was perfect for Kevin to make sure nothing escalated into something worse. Now that they were outside they gave each other proper greetings, it had been a while since Kevin talked with Haknyeon face to face.

They caught up with Haknyeon, Jacob thought he seemed to be doing a lot better emotionally than he was before. They would see each other almost daily for dance class last week and Haknyeon always looked like his mind was somewhere else. Haknyeon was never good at hiding his emotions, although he always tried to seem energetic for the class, he was different. Jacob regretted not asking him about it, he thought it was something to do with you, he could only imagine how complicated things were at home, but he thought you guys would work something out. He didn’t expect that you weren’t seeing each other, he wondered if he asked about it, would the problem have been solved earlier.

Jacob asked Haknyeon if the two of you were good now. “Ah, I never said anything to anyone did I?”

“Yeah, we didn’t get an update after that. Spill the beans, bro.” Kevin dramatically states while quickly glancing through the glass door at you and Chanhee, checking body language.

“Sorry, the past couple of days have been a lot, but it’s good I think.”

“You think?” Jacob questions.

“Well I’m still technically her Fiance, but I’ve been demoted to the boyfriend title… uh wait we probably aren’t there yet, maybe just friend right now. But we are trying to date again.”

“You should be more hopeful, she mentioned something yesterday about you, but she didn’t tell me what happened. I’m going to get the truth from one of you.”

“Oh, nothing really happened, we just fell asleep,” Kevin squints his eyes at Haknyeon. “On the couch together…”

“Uh-huh, and why would that warrant any kind of reaction from y/n?” Haknyeon sighs, pulling out his phone from his pocket. Kevin and Jacob look at each other with a curious look. Haknyeon shows them the image that your father sent him yesterday. The two examined the picture of their friends essentially snuggling together on the couch with wide eyes.

“Wow,” was all Jacob could say.

“Putting the moves on her already. And who took that picture?” Kevin jokes and Haknyeon protests.

“I wasn’t trying to “put the moves on her”, we fell asleep and I guess that just happened. Her dad took the picture though, he sent it to me last night.” Kevin laughs at his answer while Haknyeon puts his phone away.

“And was that it?” Haknyeon stays silent, making the answer obvious.

“There’s more?!” Jacob exclaims, surprised by the fast progress between the two.

“Well, maybe I don’t really remember.” That was a lie. “I was half asleep when it happened. You should ask y/n instead.” Haknyeon nervously laughs trying to feign ignorance, but inside his head, he asks you for forgiveness.

“I’m in for a treat today,” Kevin says with a devilish smile, once again looking back to you and Chanhee, now hugging it out. He looks to Haknyeon, “Do you ever get jealous of Chanhee and y/n’s relationship?” Tilting his head in the direction of the aforementioned two. Haknyeon and Jacob turned to look at them, a smile plays on Haknyeon’s face when he sees that it’s going well.

“No, they’re just friends, more like siblings. There is nothing I should be jealous about. It’s different now though, I don’t have the privilege to love her in the way I did before. There are times I wish I could just hold her, but I shouldn’t, I can’t, not while she is still trying to figure everything out.” He had a miserable smile on his face looking at you.

“Okay, I didn’t ask that so you could make me sad.” Kevin and Jacob look at their friend with concern. “We gotta take you out some time soon, you’re too depressing, man.”

“Sorry? I wasn’t trying to be.”

“Don’t be sorry. I think things will change soon, she is bound to fall in love with you again.” Jacob says with conviction.

“You’re the third person to say that, maybe I should start believing that.” Jacob and Kevin both wrap their arms around Haknyeon giving him some reassurance and he thanks his friends. All of them jumped at the sound of the glass door opening.

“Am I interrupting something?” Chanhee says looking at the trio embracing and they laugh. You pop your head out from behind Chanhee, looking at your friends and Haknyeon laughing together. You didn’t realize it yet, but seeing him get along with your friends made him look a lot better in your eyes, you give him a little more of your trust.

“Glad to see everyone getting along,” you say, flashing a smile to them. “You guys can come back in.” Everyone walks back to the living room and Kevin asks everyone a question.

“Who’s hungry?” Everyone replies positively. “Perfect, then Haknyeon it’s your time to shine. Please go get some food.” Kevin then whispers in Haknyeon’s ear, that playfully evil smile on his face again, “I need to get the truth from someone.”

Haknyeon nods, knowing the interrogation to come. Their strange interaction had you and Chanhee curious about what was going on, while Jacob pretended like nothing was out of the ordinary. Kevin hands Haknyeon his keys any Haknyeon goes to get his wallet, saying goodbyes to everyone on his way out the door. Soon after he walks out the door, you get a text from, Haknyeon, saying, “I’m sorry.” You don’t understand his message but before you can text him back Kevin shouts.

“Interrogation time, Baby!” You and Chanhee are confused at Kevin’s sudden outburst. “Hope you didn’t think I forgot what you said last night. Spill the beans!” realizing what Kevin wanted to do, you faked ignorance.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really? Cause Haknyeon says you would remember what happened.” You understood why Haknyeon apologized and you look at Chanhee and Jacob for help. Chanhee lifts his hand signaling that he wasn’t going to do anything. Jacob looked away, truth be told he wanted to know what happened too.

“Ugh, fine.” Everyone sits around the coffee table. You quickly explain the event in as little detail as possible and all the boys are shocked by your actions.

“Okay…,” Kevin holds back his smile through his clasped hands. “So how are you feeling about all that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did your heart pound?”

“Did you find yourself hoping more happened after the fact?” Jacob added.

“Have your feelings changed at all?” Chanhee chipped in.

“Well...,” you hesitate with your answer. “Did my heart pound because I was excited or anxious? I don’t know. Did I want something more to happen? No, it’s too soon for that stuff. I think I feel comfortable around him for the most part.

“There are times where he slips up, but he really is prioritizing my comfort. He is funny and silly that’s a bonus…. Final verdict, he’s kinda cute.” The big reaction you were expecting didn’t come, the room was drowned in silence.

“I feel like I’ve traveled back in time.” Kevin wipes an imaginary tear away.

“Am I missing something?”

“You said something very similar back then.” You look to Jacob in surprise at his answer.

“But that was her opinion after their first date. Things seem to be moving along well.” Chanhee says with a smirk on his face. You are unsure how to process this information.

“I- can we move on? I don’t know what to think right now.” You ruffle your own hair letting out a sigh.

“Alright, we’ll stop,” Kevin reassures. “But it’s time for some fun! Bring that switch out, we’re playing Mario Kart. You light up at the idea, that had been one of the things Chanhee briefly mentioned back when he showed you around the house. You never played it cause all the games were designed to be multiplayer and you figured it wouldn’t be that fun playing by yourself.

Playing was fun despite coming in last most of the time. You weren’t the one to be bad at games, that spot was reserved for Chanhee. There was no other explanation for how abysmal you were doing except, this must be part of the stuff you forgot. You had no recollection of having this game system or game, so this experience was new to you. The quartet continued to play happily.

Kevin’s phone buzzed while they were picking a different track. It’s a message from Haknyeon, saying he has the food and asking if he can come in. Kevin gives him the affirmative and one minute later he opens the door, carrying two bags of food. The game paused and everyone welcomes him back. You all decided to take a little break from playing to eat.

Everyone crowds around the coffee table conversing while eating, to your relief nothing seemed out of place, even with Haknyeon there. You were too scared to tell your friends about your fear of drifting from them because of your amnesia. You felt like as a person you had regressed, everything you heard about how you were before the accident seemed like you had everything figured out while right now you were unsure about everything. Three years of personality development were completely gone, you wondered were you even the same person. Right now though, you felt like your worries were silly, with your friends enjoying yourselves together, you were content.

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[yurtletheturtlehenderson]

S.T. REWRITE - S2:E2; Chapter Two, Trick or Treat, Freak - [Pt. 2]

A Will Byers x Reader Series

After Will sees something terrible on trick-or-treat night, Mike wonders whether Eleven’s still out there. Tensions grow between Y/n and Mike as does their concern for Will.

A//N: This chapter is slightly different cause I realized I'm a complete Doof™, and I had Max and reader meet twice. It had been so long since I wrote MADMAX, that I forgot they met in the arcade lol. So if you've read this before, the scene in the hallway is different.

||Reader's POV||

"Well, good new is, this is only slightly humiliating," I mumble.

I was doing the best I could to shrink back and be as hard to notice as possible, even though I know it's a lost cause.

Unfortunately, the boys all had the same thought and I had been slowly pushed front in center.

"Oh, my God," Someone laughed.

I did my best to let the side comments and laughter slide off my back.

"Maybe its's not so bad," I tried.

"That's easy for you to say [Y/N], you're not in a proton pack and jumpsuit." Lucas said.

I winced. He did have a point, their costumes are a bit more obvious than mine.

"When do people make these decisions?" Dustin said.

I heard Will speak up behind me. "Everyone dressed up last year."

"Yeah! I mean, who are they to judge, he went as Frankenstein's monster last year, and no one laughed despite that being super played out." My anger was getting the best of me, and I made direct eye contact and let my voice rise as I uttered those last words.

The boy I had targeted, covered his laughs with a cough and grew silent fairly quickly. At least I shut someone up.

"It's a conspiracy, I'm telling you."

"Just be cool" Mike encouraged.

I took a deep breath in, and that's when we all heard some prick speak out. "Who you gonna call? The nerds!"

I had a million things I wanted to say to that kid but nevertheless I took another deep breath in. That's wen I felt a hand grab my own, and I knew it was Will. I gave his hand a light squeeze as a silent thank you and kept walking.

+++

...three to the right, four to the left.

I mindlessly repeat the combination in my head as I've done a thousand times before at this school and my locker opens once again. I let it swing open and I sigh. I pull the fake glasses off my head and fold them, putting them on the small shelf in the locker space. I reach forward and grab my textbook and notebook after scanning for them. It's then that I barely make out my brother's voice.

"...so you probably don't have any friends to take you trick-or-treating,"

I frown and look over to find them just down the hall. Talking to Max. Or, attempting to at least. I continue to exchange my things and get ready for the next class. Although, I can't help but wince when I hear him continue.

"and you're scared of bullies, so we were thinking that it would be okay if you come with us."

My eyes widened slightly, and I took that as my cue.

"'It'd be okay'?"

My eyes widened slightly and I took that as my cue to jump in. I closed my locker and quickly reset the dial.

"Yeah. Our party's a democracy, and the majority voted that you could come."

I quickly made my way over, my things held tightly against my chest. I smiled and spoke up.

"Hey guys," I chirped. I made eye contact with Max and I chose my words carefully. "How are you guys?"

I ignored the frantic and slightly confused looks Dustin and Lucas were desperately trying to send my way.

Max smiled knowingly at me.

"I'm good." And I knew, just like me, she had a double meaning to that.

She turned back to the guys and plastered on a fake smile.

"I didn't realize it was such an honor to go trick-or-treating with you." I couldn't help but smirk at that.

"Yeah, I mean, we know where to get the full-sized candy bars. We figured you'd want in."

Her eyes squinted ever so slightly. "That's presumptuous of you."

I stood there awkwardly before I recalled that Max and I had our next class together.

Desperately wanting to change the subject, I smiled and turned to her. She was already closing her locker.

"Wanna head to class?"

"Sure thing." She smiled, and the two of us walked away, leaving the boys a gaping mess.

I felt kinda bad for the guys, but at the same time, I hadn't realized how nice, and refreshing it was to have another female friend for once.

||3rd person POV||

Max felt a looming sense of dread knowing it was time to go home. Which meant another painful care ride with him. She hated even being around him, he made her life a living hell. As she skated across the parking lot, she knew he was gonna threaten her in some way for being late. She didn't feel bad though, of course.

"You're late again."

"Yeah, I had to get catch-up homework." She mumbled, opening the passenger door and climbing in.

"Jesus. I don't care. You're late again, and you're skating home. Do you hear me?"

+++

Max sits quietly, wishing with all of her might that the car ride could just be over. 

Billy, her older step-brother blasts the song Wango Tango as he drives, wrecklously down the road. He scoffs.

"God, this place is such a shithole."

Max thinks of the [Y/N], the only girl who had actually been nice to her, despite her own short temper. Her only real friend since moving here.

"It's not that bad,"

He looks at her, and she knows - she knew as soon as she said something, anything, Billy would find away to use that against her. And sure enough.

"No?" He said, angrily.

She watched as he reached for the window mechanism and rolled down her window. He watched smugly as she winced at the smell and harsh wave of cold crisp air. He took a deep breath, and pulled his nose.

"You smell that, Max? That's actually shit. Cow shit."

"I don't see any cows." She said, matter-of-factly, reaching over and rolling up the windows.

"Clearly, you haven't met the high-school girls."

Max's head threw itself back at the headrest at the comment. She felt her anger boiling up, but she tried to keep it down.

"So what, you like it here now?" He snapped.

"No," she said defensively.

"Then why are you defending it?"

"I'm not."

Max knew he was getting angry again. He knew his pattern by now and she knew he was already up to no good. He loved to corner her.

"Sure sounds like it," He said calmly.

Max hated it when he got calm like this. It always meant he was going to snap. Go too far. Her heart began to pound. She shook her head, tying to regain her composure.

"It's just we're stuck here, so..."

"Hmm. You're right. We're stuck here," She felt his head turn and his eyes zero in on her. "and whose fault is that?"

"yours."

His attention when back to the road. She couldn't help it, her anger was getting the best of her, and the answer came out in a weak whisper she prayed he didn't hear. But he did, and she knew 

he was going to do anything to make her pay.

He looked at her, then back at the road but then back at her. "What'd you say?"

Max felt like she was shrinking. "Nothing," She mumbled, quickly.

Billy got calm again. Her heart began to beat faster once more. "Did you say it's my fault?"

"No," she said quickly.

"You know whose fault it is."

She stayed quiet. Max knew anything she said would it would piss him off. Her words failed her.

"Say it,"

Her eyes began to burn, but she refused to cry. He always made her feel weak and powerless and she knew she might not be able to do anything now, but she sure as hell wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

"Max..." He said lowly, drawing out her name. "Say it." He growled.

He whirled towards her in his seat, his face inches away from hers. His face was completely red as he screamed his throat raw. "Say it!"

She closed her eyes tried to ignore him. Even though she could feel his spit on her face, and his screams were loud enough to vibrate the car. She couldn't let him see how he got to her.

He returned to road, and reached for the volume dial, cranking it all the way up. His foot stomped on the gas and the car was suddenly going unnaturally fast. Billy threw his hands on wheel to every beat of the song.

She let him take it out on the car, grateful it wasn't her. But she knew there was nothing she could do to stop him anyway, right?

She was prepared to make it through the rest of the car ride, but her pounding heart stopped, her breath hitched and her eyes went wide when she saw four figures on their bikes in the middle of the road, not far up ahead.

"Billy, slow down." She said, quickly.

"Oh, these your new hick friends?" he asked, a scary gleam in his eye.

She quickly shook her head. "No! I don't know them."

"I guess you won't care if I hit 'em, then?"

Max knew Billy was crazy. He was out of his damn mind, but what terrified her most, was that she truly and honestly did not know if he was crazy enough to hit some kids with his car. She felt sick to her stomach, everything was going too fast and her heart began pounding faster and faster. 

"I get bonus points, I get 'em all in one go?" he asked excitedly.

The car was getting close and just like that, her fear was quickly replaced by anger and her adrenaline was pumping. She whirled herself around all the way to face her nasty scum of a step-brother and her voice was rising. "No, Billy, stop. It's not funny."

His body kept dancing, his head bobbing and hands drumming themselves against the steering wheel, but his head turned to her and his eyes were stone cold. He had no emotion in his face and it was enough to send a chill down her spine, but she knew now wasn't the time. He stomped on the gas pedal and the car roared.

Max wondered to herself why and how in the hell do these idiots not here this car and why the hell aren't they moving?!

She kept an eye on the road, the kids, the girl - [Y/N] - noticed the car coming first.

'Why the hell, aren't they moving?' she thought.

Max found her voice one more and screamed at the top her lungs. "Billy, come on, stop it. It's not funny. Stop!" The car got faster.

What she feared most was coming true. He snapped, and he might as well have been in trance cause he was laser focused, she was positive he hadn't even blinked, and she knew it didn't matter whether or not he had any intention of stopping. She couldn't afford to sit around and wait, they were only a few feet in front of them.

"Billy, stop it!"

With a racing heart, Max lunged forward, gripping the steering wheel and the car swerved to the left, just in the nick of time. 

Billy came to life and started shouting again. "Yeah! That was a close one, huh?"

He let out a wild and crazed laugh, and Max whipped around in her seat, peering out the back to see her classmates emerging form the leaves on the side of the road. She was unable to get a good look, the car was over the hill within seconds and they were out of sight. But she breathed a sigh of relief knowing they were alive.

+++

Tag List: @dickkwad @aimee-lucass @iblesstherainsdown-in-africa @miscellaneoustoasts @acexattorney

DM me if you want to be added!

[punkscowardschampions]

Tommy & Meena

Tommy: [Late enough that the clean up is done and she could've potentially heard about some of the drama but not late enough that if there's a mcwalsh party whereby Ali gets knocked up that he wouldn't already be drunk at that feels like a starting point] Tommy: Cá mbeidh tú ag fliúchadh na seamróige? 🍀🧡💚 Meena: I was about to go down to the restaurant, just hang out there Meena: Caleb and Drew were going to some party but I was not invited so 🤷 Meena: What are you all up to? Tommy: 🍻🥃 Tommy: but the vibe's more drinking ourselves to death, doubt you want an invite either, like Meena: I think that's most people's vibe but they sound happier/more in denial about it...? Tommy: Yeah, it's casually cultural Meena: Yeah? Tommy: You're not feeling patriotic today? Meena: I don't really vibe it any day Meena: but that's not important Tommy: that's a no for the Irish dancing then, alright Meena: We can try Meena: I look even taller when I'm not allowed to move my upper body though Tommy: 😂 Meena: no leprechauns here Tommy: any 🌈💰? Meena: no more than normal 💔 Tommy: I'll be right there then 🌈✨ Meena: That's your superpower Meena: I don't know how 🍀🧡💚 Gus has gone, you'll probably feel more at 🏡 where you are Tommy: It ain't feeling very 🏡 but 💌 received Tommy: I'll stay put, feet & upper body Meena: Why not? Tommy: long story Tommy: you'll hear the short one at 🏫 probably Meena: You don't feel like telling it, understood Meena: is there anything I can do? Tommy: I don't know how to, more like Tommy: you'd redraft it before you were done with the 1st for being too Tommy: unreadable Meena: Nonsense poetry is my specialty Tommy: Yeah? Tommy: maybe you should've been there to roll out the welcome wagon for my new sister Meena: New sister? Meena: Oh, do you mean your mum's baby Meena: not baby now, from before Tommy: she definitely ain't a baby now Meena: So, she came and it went bad Meena: I'm so sorry, Tommy Meena: how bad are we talking? Tommy: bad as it gets Meena: Is your mum alright, I mean Meena: stupid question, but Tommy: It's a fair question & I wish the answer was yeah Tommy: or there was fuck all I could do Meena: That's terrible Tommy: I've gotta go back to school, how can I? Meena: For them Meena: sometimes all you can do is give everyone a small sense of normality Meena: even when you don't want to, or think you can't go on yourself Tommy: Ali can't hold down the fort all on her own, alright, she probably can, but she shouldn't have to Meena: She won't be Meena: she has Carly, and me and Ro and, loads of people, really Meena: I promise we'll all do what we can Tommy: Don't start me on Ro, she wasn't even there Meena: Where was she? Tommy: Fuck knows Tommy: I thought she might be with you Tommy: or your brother Meena: She wasn't with me Meena: maybe Drew but I doubt it, he's been out and about everywhere all day, obviously Tommy: she'll be at home then Meena: Oh, that's a bit Meena: I understand under normal circumstances the pub on St Paddy's is not her ideal place to be but as it was Meena: anyway, that's all to say, you don't need to worry about Ali, she has a good support system to support your parents and take care of Rocky Meena: do you have people YOU can talk to and lean on at school? Tommy: yeah, Carly's ace with him & Ali to have lasted this long, like Tommy: I ain't telling anyone at school about this, loads of 'em already think I'm trash Tommy: or come from it Tommy: they've got a point now Meena: No, they don't Meena: your family are some of the best people I know Meena: you're not anything to be ashamed of Tommy: Everyone around here knows that Joe would be your brother's best customer except he don't carry the right stuff & now loads of 'em also know she's as bad, nah, worse Tommy: & that together they're Tommy: I can't even fucking go there Meena: People shouldn't judge him by that, never mind you as his family Tommy: They do though Tommy: keeping my mouth shut about it at school is my best option Meena: as long as you can express yourself and have an outlet through your work, I can't say I blame you Meena: you don't have to tell everyone everything Tommy: or anything Tommy: 🩰 will do Meena: I shouldn't say anything against words, given who I am and what I want to be but Meena: a comfortable silence can be preferable to words you're unsure of, words that hurt, or that you don't want to speak into existence Tommy: Yeah, I'd take an uncomfortable silence over that too Tommy: everyone's hurting & unsure enough Meena: if it's good enough for Maya Meena: 🤐 Tommy: I didn't mean with you Meena: You can always talk to me Meena: no matter the quality or quantity of your words Meena: you know that Tommy: okay Meena: but no rush on it Meena: obviously Meena: and I won't fill the silence with total nonsense, like Tommy: but those poems are your speciality Tommy: self proclaimed, like, but still Meena: Rude to doubt me Meena: 🥬🐢🐌👑 Tommy: Gimme one then Tommy: best shot Meena Though some at my aversion smile, I cannot love the crocodile. Its conduct does not seem to me Consistent with sincerity. Meena: 🐊💔 Tommy: He is basically a 🐍 with feet Tommy: You 🖋 that? Meena: Sadly not Meena: I'll try to write something as appropriate scathing for your brother Tommy: Or as 💔 for me, yeah? Meena: Of course Meena: what could be better to cheer you up? 😏 Tommy: as a feel good goes it's obviously unrivalled even by 🍻🎵💃�� Tommy: that's the level of your talent Meena: You're either that drunk or you wish you were...code red either way Meena: you could come to the restaurant though, if you actually wanted Tommy: Get ahead at waiting tables for when the West End fucks me off & over Tommy: good thinking Meena: Please Meena: your name is already in lights, I can see it Meena: 🤩 Tommy: as you said please, I'll come Meena: manners maketh the man do what you want? Meena: interesting Tommy: works on this one Tommy: how much of a man I am is up for debate, usually Meena: People are idiots Meena: and too invested in stuff that doesn't affect them whatsoever Tommy: like you said, practically a local celeb at this point Meena: still, what's going on in your tights is just not their business Tommy: that's such a you way to put that Meena: I'll choose to take that as a compliment on me having a consistent voice Meena: though the alternatives are 🤔 Tommy: take as I miss you Meena: Are you back for long? Tommy: Nah, they ain't that patriotic either Tommy: I shouldn't even be here, wouldn't have been if she wasn't coming Meena: That's shittier Tommy: maybe JC is trying to keep me humble before I get too 🤩 Meena: It's Patrick that needs to make a second coming to banish your brother 🐍🐍 Tommy: he's already done that himself Meena: Oh, that was the purpose of today then? Meena: I get it Tommy: if he had one Tommy: might have just been out of his 🧠 on whatever 💊💉🥄🚬 Tommy: or worse so 😍 over her that's all that he gives a shit about besides the above Meena: Wait Meena: he's what? Tommy: you'll hear about it soon as you get back to class, they were doing it for everyone to see Tommy: her purpose given what it did to my ma Meena: Jesus Meena: that's Meena: you're right, no words Tommy: at least he one upped Fraze, I guess Meena: does make that situation seem totally run of the mill in comparison Meena: I have heard it happens Meena: when people who are related but estranged meet Meena: it's like a thing™ Meena: not that that helps you personally, obviously Tommy: Really?! Meena: [sends articles like nerd] Tommy: fucking hell Meena: It's crazy Meena: like you know there should be some strong emotional response but you kinda get it fucked up or something Meena: I don't know, science isn't my forte Tommy: nor mine, but if anyone would get those kind of wires crossed, it would have to be him Tommy: Jesus Meena: at least he didn't have a wife and kids to leave or something like some of these people Meena: it's really sad Tommy: you didn't see her though, she's like Tommy: terrifying Meena: I don't think they have to be a hottie but it probably helps in some cases Tommy: 😂 Meena: how so though? like what was she like Tommy: Alright so if they were putting a modern twist on Frankenstein's monster for the stage she could play that, but she'd need serious anger management first Tommy: electroshock wouldn't be far off, funnily enough Meena: Okay, that does sound scary Meena: even if looks can be deceiving, is the moral my own life has hit home hard, sounds like the insides matched so Tommy: It was like if you took every teenage horror story my ma has told us, scraped off the sugarcoating and then mixed that with the worst shit Fraze has ever done when he's on one, you still wouldn't come close to the mark Meena: I know the sort you mean Meena: no matter how well Drew and Caleb think they do with protecting me, I've had plenty of people approach me asking for them, messing with me Tommy: this once I'm gutted you know what I mean then Tommy: 'cause fuck that Meena: mostly it's the former and it's stupid little kids who want some weed or pills, that's just annoying but yeah Tommy: you know boxing's footwork is dead easy, I could teach you what my dad taught me Tommy: any time you want Meena: thanks Meena: at least my height would finally work in my favour, right? Meena: better reach Tommy: bigger 🎯 too remember Tommy: you have to keep your guard up to protect that face Meena: sounds like you're saying I'm 🌚 Tommy: 😮 Tommy: that's awkward Meena: *frantically googles how to shrink head* Tommy: nah, it's awkward 'cause you grew into your head ages ago & I didn't throw you a 🥳 or anything Tommy: must of happened all of a sudden or without me realising Meena: grew into it?! Meena: so I was a bobblehead before, thanks so much 😂 Tommy: only slightly Meena: I'm only slightly 💔 then Tommy: don't be, it was endearing Tommy: you were a cute kid Meena: okay 👵 Meena: no need to patronize me Meena: my head is only literally big, not metaphorically Tommy: come on, a 🍭 is a great look Meena: Better than a pea-head Tommy: or a 🍐 head like I've got Meena: it's distinguished Meena: be gutted you don't want to be a character actor Tommy: nice save, you can teach me ⚽ when we're done with 🥊 Meena: Sounds good to me Tommy: 👍 Tommy: [show up boy cos the restaurant can't be that far from the pub surely] Meena: [have a nerdy but more chill time, Gus loves everyone he's a good egg, I say you should go to this party for the drama of it all sod it] Tommy: [agreed x 2 the restaurant would have such a nice vibe when Drew and Caleb aren't there which they obviously aren't rn and then yeah we can get more messy with it] Meena: [okay so the plan, we having a lovely time (given the circumstances tonight lol) then her boyf shows up] Tommy: [I just picture her bf being so underwhelming like no offense but he'd have to be someone that Tommy didn't clock on socials so when he realises he's like oh and then dials his campness up to 1000000 being that gay BFF stereotype which she would pick up on immediately cos that's not how he is with her except when he's hiding behind it cos things are uncomfortable between them. I just imagine him raiding Ali & Carly's makeup and wardrobe and making the gayest cocktails he can and getting Meena involved and stealing her attention] Meena: [he wouldn't be and he's also lowkey an arsehole as per her type so he wouldn't be all ❤ on her socials anyway, but all this can be a thing 'cos not seeing the gay boy as a threat and probably wants to get drunk so] Tommy: [don't beat him up Tommy you don't want her to think you're doing it for Drew and Caleb like reasons] Meena: [at least we know you two are distracted] Tommy: [thanks for also getting Carly and Ali involved in your gay antics because we all need whatever fun we can get] Meena: [until you gotta go pregnant Ali] Tommy: [lord, I hope Tommy has left by then] Meena: [lordt] Tommy: [casual 3way with your missus and the less attractive drug dealer in town] Meena: [thank god your genetics are solid underneath that mess boy] Tommy: [and we know Rio looks like Ali anyways] Meena: [you do alright out of it kids] Tommy: [it could be so much worse] Meena: [blame your dad for your insecurities grace] Tommy: [and your evil nan] Meena: [junie is just #unique like no one looking like you boy, the closest is fraze as your uncle] Tommy: [unless he looks like Caleb's dad because we don't know him] Meena: [who can say baby] Tommy: [anyway take a moment to appreciate all the Tommy and Meena dancing everyone, giving you that for free] Meena: [love that] Tommy: [soz shit bf he is a threat because their chemistry especially when they are dancing is ridiculous goodbye] Meena: [deffo gonna get mardy at that and go off to have an argument] Tommy: [are you happy now Thomas? Thought not] Meena: [awkwarddd] Tommy: [get drunker boy that'll totally make it better and not worse] Meena: [cry in the bathroom that's a mood] Tommy: [ruin your make up, oh babe] Meena: [everyone else is so wrecked you'll fit in] Tommy: [by not doing drugs you're one of the least messy] Meena: [exactly dr phil] Meena: [the next day] Meena: Have a safe flight back Tommy: Cheers, I'll probably just 💤 Meena: Can't blame you Tommy: did you get any? Meena: Yeah, I'm fine Meena: had to get up early to clean the restaurant though so not as much as I'd ideally want Tommy: had another 🌱🍏🍈🥬🌿🍐🥝🥒🌼 juice, yeah? Tommy: that's pretty patriotic, you know Tommy: better late than never, like Tommy: throw 🍊🍑🥕 in there too & you're sorted Meena: Yeah, I bet EVERYONE in this fair nation is starting a juice cleanse this AM, not having a fry-up, nah Tommy: 😏 Tommy: green eggs & ham would keep you in theme Meena: 🤢 Tommy: fair 🍳🥞🧇🥓🥐🥯🍞 then Tommy: take your pick Meena: are you gonna post it to me? Tommy: be messy if you're having 🍳 or 🥞 but saves me having to use any words Meena: Probably best to stick to non-perishables Meena: best option for us both, like Tommy: Yeah Meena: How was it, this morning Meena: before you left Tommy: how you'd expect Meena: Yeah Tommy: Bea has to leave too so Fraze's dramatics will take centre stage for a sec but Meena: Distraction is probably the best technique for right now Tommy: worked last night Meena: I bet the parties you have in London are even better Tommy: only 'cause we 🩰 ain't supposed to be partying Meena: and what's more fun than prohibition, sure Tommy: forbidden 🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍌🍉🍇🍓🍈🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥝 juice is my fave, can't lie Meena: 🙄😏 Meena: enjoy Tommy: you're not supposed to give me your blessing, sucks the fun right out Tommy: forbidden, remember Meena: I'm not a teacher Tommy: yeah you are, whenever Anne needs you Meena: Okay, smartypants Meena: there's nothing I could teach YOU Tommy: not with THAT attitude Meena: 🤨 maybe next time Meena: bring your own 🩰 Tommy: & 🥊 Meena: a look Tommy: the 🩳 are too Meena: what do you wear on your top half though Meena: leotard? Tommy: lads don't usually wear anything to show off 💪 Meena: Who are you showing off to? Tommy: The other lad of course, name a sport that ain't homoerotic Meena: not when you come back here Tommy: when I come back here most of all Meena: no boys in my classes Tommy: Anne's been a letdown from the very beginning, what can I say? Tommy: you're on your own, Meeps Meena: I'll survive Tommy: I know

[xxx-cat-xxx]

okay, i've got it. i'm asking you for a fic bc i LOVE your writing and, well, you did offer hjsgdf. i want a fic where tony Dad Carries peter. (re my last post on the topic lmao) i want peter to get hurt, and i want, nay, n e e d tony to pick him up and Dad Carry him IN FULL IRON MAN SUIT through the m c f r e a k i n g sky back to the compound while peter whimpers half consciously and tony worriedly reassures him through the ride. idc how he gets hurt or what else happens i just NEED this gkshj

I had a blast writing this prompt! Consider it a (very) late birthday or an early Christmas gift. I picture it taking place at some point of time after Endgame,in a world where things are fixed and broken all the same. Injury, emeto, angstahead.

Away from the Sun

The bomb looks like it’s been built by a 14-year-old as part of their science project, and Tony is halfway through a joke about it when the thinggoes off, hitting his shoulder in a series of explosions and knocking him deadout of the air.

While falling, he hopes against all odds that the web Peter had beendangling from is still intact. But of course he’s wrong, and the first thing hefeels after hitting the ground is the boy’s hard impact next to him. The secondthing is a raging fire in his shoulder that makes his vision go black.

He can’t have been out for too long, though, because pebbles and dust - it’sdust, only dust - are still falling from the sky when he forces his eyes toopen and his arms to push him upright, because the kid got injured.

Tony makes it to his knees and bends over Peter, feeling his heart thudagainst his ribcage at an ever-rising speed. There’s blood flowing from a gashon the kid’s temple, and he looks still, awfully still.

“Hey, buddy.” He touches the boy’s arm carefully, knowing better than to shakesomeone with a probable head injury. Nothing.

“Pete, if you’re trying to pull a show, that’s not the moment,” Tonyhalf-jokes, but he can clearly hear the panic in his own voice.

The boy finally stirs, and the relief flooding through Tony makes him momentarilydizzy. Or maybe it’s just the injuries catching up with him.

“Ow,” Peter moans, blinking hard against the streetlights brightening theearly New York winter evening. He shifts as if to make to sit, but Tony pusheshim back down. He uses the kid’s mask to temporarily stall the blood flow onthe side of his head.

“Your name, kid. And tell me where we are,” he demands.

“P-Peter Parker?” It sounds a little like a question, but Tony decides tolet it pass.

“On a – a mission…I guess.” Peter adds, then swallows, his face now turningashen below the crimson lines.

“Okay. Tell me what’s hurting.” Tony is sure that there was more to theconcussion protocol, but confirming that the boy is not dying from anyinner injuries seems more important at the moment.

“My - my head. And I feel –” the rest of the sentence ends in a wet gurgle.Tony turns Peter to the side when a gush of vomit pours out of his mouth,spilling over his suit and onto the pavement. The kid’s shoulders hitch and hebrings up another wave, screwing his eyes shut against the pain in his head.

“Easy, kid, easy,” Tony soothes, now using the blood-stained mask to wipethe boy’s mouth. He absent-mindedly makes a mental note to ensure that the nextversion will be liquid-repellent.

“I..don’t feel well.” Peter states hoarsely when he is done retching andlets himself slump against the Iron Man armour.

“Yeah, I got that much. You’re pretty concussed.” Tony replies.

“Oh. Ok.” Peter mumbles, already shutting his eyes again.

“Hey, no sleeping yet,” Tony orders.

He’s had enough concussions in his life to know that this one is notlife-threatening, but it’s far from benign, either. A quick glance around thebus-station-turned-battlefield confirms his suspicion - there’s no way anambulance will get through to them any time soon, and even a helicopter landingwould be difficult at this point.

Flying it is, then. Tony gets up with a groan, pulling Peter with him into asitting position. But as soon as he locks both of his arms under the boy’sshoulders, the agony ripping through his own momentarily takes his breath away.The joint is out for sure, and the skin above it probably burnt if the stingingpain is anything to go by. There is no way he’ll be able to manage Peter’sweight dangling from his arms like this.

“Kid, I need your help,” he says, making a split-second decision to benddown and scoop Peter up in some sort of a one-armed embrace. “You gotta workwith me here.”

“Hmm,” Peter mumbles, opening his eyes slowly, apparently havingdifficulties in focusing on the older man’s face. But he locks his legs aroundTony’s middle obediently, then wraps his arms around his neck, his head comingto rest on Tony’s good shoulder.

Taking off while minimizing his movement is a challenge if Tony’s ever facedone, but Peter is light like a feather, and they make it into the air withoutany further problems. The boy lets out a noise suspiciously close to a whimperwhen they shift from the vertical to the horizontal, and Tony curses himself,not for the first time this night, for ever calling him to the mission in thefirst place.

“Straight to the tower, Fri,” he murmurs into the helmet once they havereached skyscraper-level. “And give Pepper a heads-up that we’re about to bargein.”

“Kid, you still with me?” he asks aloud, to keep Peter engaged, and maybe alittle bit to keep the darkness inside his head and the other, more menacingdarkness above them out of his thoughts. Flying at night has become quite of achallenge recently.

“‘s stars are beautiful,” Peter slurs in reply, clearly not sharing Tony’saversion.

“Yeah, everyone says that.”

He forces himself to look at the ground, where New York is rushing by atbreath-taking speed. It’s filled with lights, with lives, with loud andannoying people. Not with blackness and desperation and the futile longing forrescue.

“But once you’re out there,” he adds, because talking helps, talking meansthat he’s still here, and it’s not like Peter’s going to remember any of thisanyways, “It’s not beautiful at all. It’s fucking empty and it scares the hellout of you.”

He holds Peter a little closer, a little tighter, so that he can nearlydeceive himself into feeling his warmth through the armour. Alive.

“Misser Stark, you okay?” Peter asks, sounding a little more lucid now.“Cause your heart beat’s through the roof, and I can sorta hear youhyperventilating.”

“My shoulder’s out. I’m in a little bit of pain here, buddy.” It’s ahalf-truth, at least.

“‘s it bad?”

Peter tenses in his grip, trying to sit up and get a good look at hismentor, and jostles Tony’s arm in the process. He hisses in pain and drops afew feet before he can catch himself.

“Don’t worry, boy, I’ll be fine. Not gonna let you fall.”

“Hmm.” Peter nods and then gags in response. A slim stream of vomitsplatters onto Tony’s armour.

“Ugh. Sorry,” he says weakly. “Just…so nauseous.”

“It’s okay, kid. I’ll send you the dry-cleaning bill.”

But the joke is lost, since Peter has buried his face in Tony’s neck againat the sight of the approaching tower, shielding his eyes from the growingshape as if he was a child on a rollercoaster ride. Or maybe he’s just passedout again.

Tony makes a tumbling and embarrassingly unsteady landing on the terrace,hoping in vain that no one is there to witness it. But at least it’s onlyPepper and not any of the Avengers that’s waiting for him.

“God, Tony, this looks terrible!” she fusses as soon as she’s at his side.

“It’s a pretty nasty flesh wound, but he’s lost less blood than it lookslike, the concussion’s what we gotta worry about…”

He trails off when he realizes that she isn’t looking at Peter but at hisown shoulder, where the melted metal is burying itself into his skin.

“Oh, that. Yeah.”

The smell of burned flesh is suddenly filling his nostrils, eliciting aqueasy feeling in his guts. He’s lightheaded all at once, as if someone hadflipped a switch and cut off his adrenaline supply. Tony had fully intended tocarry Peter down till medical, but when he takes a step towards the balconydoor, the head-rush hits him full force, and it’s all he can do to grab thewall for support as not to lose footing.

“Woah.” He sets Peter down as gentle as possible, blinking through thegreyness clouding his vision.

“Can you just get Bruce,” he addresses Pepper. “Or Sam? Whoever’s onmedical?”

As soon as she’s gone, he gives up any pretence of being able to stayupright, letting himself slide down next to the boy. Stars are dancing in frontof his eyes. Stars. Hollow, all-consuming, nothing - stop. Don’tthink about it.

“What?” Peter slurs.

Was he talking out loud?

“Nothing. It’s okay, buddy, just stay awake. Help is coming.”

“…hurts.”

“Yeah, I know. It’ll be better soon, trust me.”

“My hands…” Peter stares at his fingers as if it was the first time he’sseen them, and unfortunately Tony has a pretty good idea of what the kid ishallucinating there, “Something’s wrong with my hands…”

“Your hands are alright. A-Okay. Here, see.”

Tony takes the kid’s fingers into his own, squeezes them tightly, toconvince the kid that he’s intact, that they are flesh and blood and not dustand no, not going there now. 

Then, suddenly, Bruce is standing over him, pulling molten pieces of metalfrom his arm.

“Whatcha doin’?” Tony glares, because Peter is the injured one, the one thatneeds to be taken care of, “Look at the boy first, he’s hit his head.”

“Already done,” Bruce reassures.

And it’s true, Tony must have lost time again, because when he shifts toglance at Peter, his head is covered in white bandages. He smiles at Tonyhazily, his pupils wide and unequal, the kind of smile that comes after a doseof painkillers on the heavier side. Tony is a bit jealous, because fuck, hisshoulder is more than just stinging now.

“What happened here?” Bruce asks in a calm voice, examining Tony withadmiringly steady fingers.

He rides out a wave of nausea when the doctor prods at the injured joint andhe can feel something shift below the skin.

“It’s…” He searches for an expression that adequately describes thesensation of fire and pain raging in there “…wrong.”

“That’s the most creative euphemism for broken that I’ve heard in awhile now.” Bruce replies drily. “Keep still for now, Pepper’s coming with themedics, they are getting a gurney.”

“I can walk,” Tony says for the sake of it, but he doesn’t even attempt tomove.

His gaze returns to Peter, and yes, the boy is staring upwards again, eyesfixed somewhere on a star Tony can’t see, doesn’t want to see, and for a momenthe’s irrationally afraid that someone’s just going to reach down and pull thekid up and away. He resists the urge to rub his hands clean on his armour, becausethey are not coated in dust, no, they just aren’t.

“Hey kid,” he says, and there must have been something in his voice, becausePeter turns towards him instantly, and even through the drug-concussion-haze inhis eyes Tony can see Titan clearly written all over his thoughts.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Stark,” he whispers, and Tony’s throat goes so tight that hecan’t even tell him to shut up. Instead he just sits there, silently, thinkingabout all the cracked and damaged people on this planet, wondering how they areever going to be strong enough to piece each other back together.

When the tranquillizers kick in and Peter starts listing to the side, Tonyputs his good arm around him and pulls him close, just to keep the boy upright,to make him feel safe, not at all because the touch helps to ground his fragilesenses in reality. He can hear the kid’s breathing, loud and clear and alive,and he focuses on that, because it is all that counts now.

[hailqiqi]

1, 5, 13, 22, 28 I can send them five times so you do each one, but I fear you might hate me for this, so I give you a Chichester ("I give you a choice" but my phone has decided I need to give you some British town, and I'd give you that too! It has a nice gallery, I've been there once)

1 - ‘We’re not just friends, and you fucking know it’Posted to AO3 here.

Who said Prompts have to be answered Promptly?

The market wasbeside one of the most spectacular ice rinks Lance had ever seen.

The ice was ashimmering, silvery white - something about metals in the water making it moresilver than the ice back at Earth - and the rink was surrounded by trees withpale green trunks and baby blue leaves. Lanterns strung between them twinkledlike stars in the night, and what looked like fairies glowed amongst the leavesand zoomed across the rink itself, leaving coloured trails behind them as theyweaved between the skaters (he’d been told they were a type of firefly, butthey looked like fairies so Lance was going to call them fairies and just bedone with it).

Topping it alloff - literally - were the wispy pink clouds that drifted lazily in the nightsky above it, only partially obscuring the view of the magnificent swirlinggalaxy that was host to the Ulippa system.

It was themost breathtakingly romantic sight Lance had ever seen. The rest of theteam had gasped in awe as well, and Pidge had honest-to-goodness squealedwhen she saw it. Lance hadn’t even known she was capable of it.

Tysa, theirguide, smiled gently at them. “I see you like the gliding ring, Paladins.Unfortunately it is only for those who know the fine music of pairdom.”

Aaaaand thereit was. Lance had always hated being single on Valentine’s Day, but that was nothingcompared to how much he was coming to hate being single on Ayurla.

Romantic lovewas celebrated on Ayurla. It was a goal, something that everybody must try andattain, and in order to encourage that it felt like just about every coolactivity on the planet was reserved for couples. Love was the foremost thoughton everybody’s mind and being in love seemed to be the be-all and end-all toeverything. It was like Valentine’s Day 24/7.

Lance couldunderstand it if Ayurlans had soulmates or something, but Tysa had said thatmost Ayurlans had many partners over their lifetimes - and multiple partners atonce wasn’t uncommon, either. He’d also been confused when Hunk had asked aboutmarriage or life-long commitments, seeming surprised that humans were prone to tiethemselves to one person for the rest of their lives.

Lance didn’tget it. What was the point of being in love if it wasn’t going to be forever?

Hunk nudgedhim with his elbow, breaking him out of his reverie. “Maybe we should justcheck out the market, then?”

“Eh, I guess,”Lance replied, stretching his arms over his head. “I’m kinda disappointedthough. I’ve never been ice skating.”

“Well, itdoesn’t look like that’s going to be possible, so we may as well make the bestof it and explore the market.” Typical Shiro, always encouraging them to makethe best out of a bad situation.

Not that itwas a terrible situation. The market really did look cool: there were foodstands selling everything from frozen candies to steaming tie-dyed soups thathad set Hunk bouncing up and down with excitement; Lance had seen glimpses ofjewellery that looked like it was set with starlight and fabrics thatglittered; other stands had been overladen with displays of every kind of techgadget you could imagine (and then some).

Lance reallydid want to check it out, he’d just rather go ice-skating first.

“If you reallywanna go ice-skating, why not just ask Pidge to go with you?” Lance whippedaround to see Matt grinning at him mischievously, but before he could react theolder man doubled over in pain as Pidge’s fist connected with his gut.

“I told youalready, we’re. Just. Friends!” She ground out, emphasising the last twowords with smaller hits. Her cheeks were red, but it could’ve just been thecold - their paladin armour was temperature-controlled but only covered up tothe neck, and nobody had bothered to bring their helmets despite the fallingsnowflakes.

“If you decideto change that, you’d be welcome on the ice,” Tysa chipped in serenely.

Lance felt hisown cheeks heat up in response (to the cold, obviously). “Uh, thanks. We’llkeep that in mind.”

“Sure wewill,” Pidge added, crossing her arms as she looked away from the group. “So,Tysa, can we go explore the market? There were a few stalls that Matt and Iwanted to check out.”

Her cheekswere a deep red now.

Could he stillblame that on the cold?

“Certainly,”the guide answered. “I will be waiting here in case you need any assistance.”

—

Lance ended upwandering the market with Hunk and Allura. The market was as fascinating as ithad looked and his companions kept alternately shoving interesting foods andshiny trinkets in his face, but Lance found himself too distracted to take itin properly.

Pidge had beenblushing around him a lot lately.

She always hadthough, hadn’t she? The light dusting of pink that often coloured her cheekshad been a familiar sight to Lance for as long as he’d known her, even backwhen he’d thought she was a him. She was probably only blushing more oftenlately because her stupid brother had a habit of opening his big mouth andsaying things like he had earlier.

Lance foughtback a wave of irritation at the thought. Stupid Matt and his stupidsuggestions. Pidge and him had a good thing going - they played games in hisroom together, watched movies together, sometimes sat up in the observationdeck together when they couldn’t sleep. He’d help her find bugs in her code andshe’d help him with his hand-to-hand. They had an easy rapport - they spentmost of their time together joking and laughing, and they were comfortableenough with each other that casual hugs and touches and leaning on each otherwere all just part of hanging out.

But then Mattwould make some stupid comment and suddenly they’d be five feet apart, cheeksburning and unable to look at each other. It made conversation stilted andawkward and Lance hated it.

“Look, Hunk,it’s a divining ball! I used to have one of these!” Allura grabbed somethingthat looked like a Magic 8 Ball and held it to her chest, closing her eyes.Hunk said something in reply but Lance tuned it out, running his fingers oversome of the shimmery red love-heart cushions instead.

What made itworse was that he couldn’t figure out why Matt’s comments affected himthe way they did. Him and Pidge were friends, just friends. Sure, she waspretty in her nerdy way (more like beautiful), and he felt like he was just ina constant state of being impressed when he was around her, and then he foundit hard to do anything but smile when he was around her, but that didn’t mean…

Wait.

Lance’s eyeswidened and his fingers stilled as the pieces slot into place.

Oh.

He lookedaround wildly, gaze finally settling on a painting of a pair of Ayurlan loversin a park as he tried to reign his thoughts in.

This wasn’thow it was supposed to happen! When Lance fell in love it there was meant to befireworks and a choir of angels, the whole shebang. He was meant to seerainbows and roses and just know that she was The One the moment he sawher (or at least the moment he realised).

Yet here hewas, very clearly feeling something for Pidge and yet there hadn’t been anyfanfare. He couldn’t even figure out when things had changed, couldn’t pinpointthe moment he fell for her. At some point it had just become as natural asbreathing.

But falling inlove wasn’t supposed to be quiet, was it? It was meant to be somethingthat consumed your whole being, filled you with burning, fiery passion,stopping you from thinking about anything else. At least that’s what all thesongs said.

So did he loveher?

“Hey, Lance! Buddy, are you okay?” Hunk’sconcerned face was suddenly filling his vision, and Lance leaned back to getsome space. “You look out of it.”

Lance blinked,shaking himself out of his stupor before replying. “Uh, yeah, sorry man. Just…”Just what, exactly? Just realised I might be in love with our other bestfriend? “Just got a lot on my mind.”

“Oh, youshould try this then!” Allura smiled enthusiastically as she pushed the silverball at him. “It’s a divining ball!”

“A diviningball?”

“Yes! I usedto have one as a girl. You hold it to your chest and ask for help, and it tellsyou what you most need to hear.”

Lance raisedone eyebrow. “Sounds more like a motivational ball.”

“That’s what Isaid!” Hunk chimed in. “It really works though. It told me I need to stopthinking about things that probably won’t happen, and I have to admit it’s gota point.”

Lance shotthem both a disbelieving look before taking the ball from Allura and holding itin front of his chest. “Like this, then?”

“Yes, justlike that,” Allura confirmed. “Then you close your eyes and ask it inside yourmind for help.”

He closed hiseyes.

I think I’m inlove with someone but I don’t think that’s how love works.

The ball inhis hands grew warm.

“Love exists,whether it is acknowledged or not.”

Lance openedhis eyes. Huh.

That madesense.

“Uh, buddy?What did you ask it?” Hunk and Allura were looking at him, confused expressionson both of their faces.

Lanceshrugged, his cheeks flushing, “Just…things.”

He looked downat the ball again, then held it up to his chest and closed his eyes.

Okay, so if Ilove her, what do I do about it?

He felt warmthspring to life under his palms again, and opened his eyes expectantly.

“Love makessilence golden, but silence can never make love bloom.”

Well. Okaythen.

Confidencebloomed in his chest, and he grinned. This was gonna be great.

“Here Allura,I gotta go,” Lance said, pushing the divining ball back towards Allura. “Thanksfor this!”

“Where are yougoing?” She called after him, confused, but Lance ignored her as he pushed hisway through the crowds.

He just had tolook for a big blue and orange guy with a gap in the crowd next to him. Sheshouldn’t be too hard to find.

—

“Pidge!”

Pidge whirledaround as he made his way towards her, breathless from pushing his way throughthe crowds. He’d had to go all the way to the other side of the rink, but he’dfinally found them.

She frowned athim. “Hey, Lance, what’re you-“

“Do you wannago ice skating with me?”

“What?”Pidge’s eyes blew wide, and that light pink Lance had come to love coloured hercheeks. “Lance, we can’t. Tysa said, remember? It’s not for friends.”

Lance snortedand looked her in the eye. “We’re not just friends, and you fucking know it.”

Pidge’s mouthdropped open.

Lance suddenlyfelt the rush of confidence deflate and took a step back, bringing a hand up tohis neck and looking away nervously. “Uh, that is, if you wanna be. Uh, go.Ice-skating.”

Screwing uphis courage, he looked at her again and held out his hand, patently ignoringMatt cracking up a few steps away.

A warm smile slowly bloomed across Pidge’s face, making her eyes shineand her cheeks flush as she reached out and placed her hand in his. “Okay.”

--> Continued Here