#Eddie would have a thing for Dino’s

[sabbathbloodysabbeth]

This was a quick write and I put in my own experiences in. It’s a bit rushed but I ended up writing more then what I meant to 👀 pretty much I’m projecting my overstimulation on Eddie, plus I love to think Steve doesn’t just babysit the group but other smaller kids as well and he becomes very aware of their needs.

Just- Eddie gets overstimulated all the damn time and has to either bites something or does his overwhelmed bat hands. Flapping them aggressively as he runs away from a situation making Goblin noises. Before he’s putting his hands to his ears and just letting all the noises off from his chest. The amount of times he’s just done that with the group of hellfire boys, it’s become a normal thing. Garett, Jeff and Grant all got used to this years ago. So they knew about how the other got.

Meanwhile Dustin, Mike and Lucas could all get a tad overwhelming. Which is why the other boys all just decide to try and teach them that Eddie gets overstimulated really easily and it takes him more effort to understand peoples tones. Because he puts all his energy into that his tone sometimes doesn’t come off as friendly, and he doesn’t realize it half the time.

But anywho back to the being on course. All of them are somewhat used to it, and they are all shocked by how well Eddie is handling everything in the upside down. Besides a few clicking noises and popping noises he doesn’t run away from them. And when he looks like hes getting overwhelmed he has to close his eyes and rub his head back to hold himself back.

So when everything is finally done and the other is in the hospital. He’s so fucking overstimulated that he’s not even crying because of the pain anymore. The doctors don’t know what to do, not until they start to catch on and they try to help the other be as comfortable as possible. Then Eddie’s ok for a bit.

Then when he leaves the hospital, that’s when everything hits him all at once. It had always strained him a bit to hold himself back from doing what normally helps him with being overstimulated. So he has on and off days but soon enough it’s all good days and he’s with Robin and Steve. The two are energetic just like him but today he can feel himself getting overstimulated and he doesn’t want to embarrass himself. Though something on the radio turns to a high pitched static and robins making noise that doesn’t make since jumping up and down and holding her ears as Steve is quick to shut it off. Quickly and gently not touching her the best he can, moves and has her sit in the back room in the dark with a window open so she can breathe. He moves back out apoligizing to eddie who is really trying not to do the bat flap and just run away with goblin noises.

Steve looks at him and raises a eyebrow. You see he’s been helping Robin out for a while, plus he’s been babysitting smaller kids for a while and he doesn’t know what it’s called but he knows when someone’s getting overwhelmed. He moves over closer to the other as he hums. “Are your stims loud or are they quite?” He asks curiously. That’s what one of the parents used for their child, who was in the process of being diagnosed for autism. And it seemed to be the only word that would fit Robin and Eddie at the moment.

“My what?” Eddie asks confused.

“Stims? Oh shit sorry I have this kid who gets overwhelmed really easily, and well he does these things when he is. He does a bird flap with his hands, starts to click his tongue, whistle or just say certain words over and over again because he likes how they sound. His parents call them stims, and Robin has them as well when she gets overwhelmed and you have the same face that the kid I babysit gets when he’s trying to act normal so- that and the kids told me you apparently turn goblin sometimes.” Steve explains looking at the other with curiousity.

And if Eddie wasn’t about to cry from how overwhelming everything was he would shamelessly fall in love with the other. No one’s ever treated what he has done normal for the first time he does it in his life. Though he’s quick to stammer out a sentence. Breathing picking up. “I get loud.”

“Well, Robin gets overwhelmed by loud or i else I would let you chill with her.” Steve frowns. “What normally helps?” He asks curiously. And Eddie flushed.

“I don’t know.”

“Ok- um come here. The kid I babysit when he gets overwhelmed really likes to cuddle. Maybe you’re the same?” Steve hums and Eddie’s face is flushing as he moves shamelessly over. If the other thought he could help then he would take it. He would cry if it didn’t work.

Steve moves letting the other in and he pulls the other into a warm hug gently rubbing his back and playing with his curls. It was a little overwhelming at first but when Eddie finally lets himself have a moment to close his eyes and breath, Steve’s the first person to properly bring him down. Though Steve does ask him what it means for him to turn “goblin” so he does end up making the noises he normally does acting as if he was saying normal words. Steve doesn’t laugh and nods his head as he helps the other to the best of his abilities.

When Robin comes out shes a little tired but a lot better. Eddie finally lets go when he feels better and Steve hums. “Weighted blankets normally help that kid I was telling you about, if you want I have a extra if you want it.”

And boy does Eddie fall in love.

[manicpixiefelix]

head, heart, hand. {Felix Catton/Reader/Oliver Quick}

Part 3.

Summary: Your second year at Oxford brings with it Farleigh, much to your delight, and you get to learn about Farleigh's personal nemesis (which he rolls his eyes at every time you call him that) Oliver. It turns out Oliver's actually very lovely, and does Felix quite the favour one unassuming morning. Farleigh's not happy to see him again, but Felix is.

{ masterpost }

Need to Know: They/Them. Explicitly NB Reader. FWB!Reader/Felix. Reader is from a well off family but has pretty much been adopted by the Cattons.

Warnings: heavy drinking by everyone at the pub including the reader, and 'dog' being used to demean the reader once.

A/N: 5101 words. much longer than the last ones, and we finally have oliver!! very excited to FINALLY be able to write their weird little fuckin dynamic at oxford, i love them all very much. im a bit unhappy with the pacing of the beginning but i like how it picks up once oli is introduced, but also the bar scene is SO LONG and i will not apologise i love them your honour. id be mighty grateful for any feedback or if you have any thoughts in general about the story, i stare at so many kind asks in my inbox lovingly, i will answer them very soon i promise!! also this is so unedited, sorry lol.

Taglist: @strangemaximoff @renaissance-mama @tsach @malscorner @xhoneymoonx134 @yelchinweasleylothbrok @tarriea @florencediet @butitsbetterifyoudoittoem @belladonnadarksshade @fandom-multiamory @snazzynacho @jubileexoxo @soocore @be-lla-vie @nightingale2124 @willow-sages @null4ndv0id @gracieluvthemoon @day2dream @marvellover98 @navixfr @bitxhinthecomments @daintylovers @alesunsets @noturningbacknow @d0llysposts @alilcloudy @callsignwidow @moviequotes23 @325575 @bonnieblue0606 @osoqueen125 @hot-dino-nuggies @darkness-falls-xo @mattymurderdocks @flowerecs @weepingwitchofthewest @ilovemydinoboi @marsmallow433 @king0flies @cashtons-wife

----

At first you don't notice him for who he is. At first you hear about Farleigh's insufferable tutoring partner. At first, Oliver Quick means absolutely nothing to you.

The most important part of your second year of college is that Farleigh has finally conceded to joining you and Felix at Oxford. Once, during the last Summer break, while Felix had been off confronting his at-the-time good friend Eddie, after Farleigh had told him Eddie and Venetia had been sleeping together, you and Farleigh had gotten high in the maze to avoid the fallout.

Since the Cattons were paying for his education, he'd admitted that he wanted to remove himself as much as possible from his mother's legacy and memory and the guilt Sir James held about his sister. It would be hard to do at a college where he would be a legacy student because of his mother's attendance. You think you partly understood; certain people, usually staff, liked to kiss your ass when they found out about your own legacy status and the people your parents became, you're not so sure they'd treat Farleigh the same, all things considered.

But he's out of options.

Sometimes you're not sure what to make of Farleigh; his strange place in the Catton family was never something they seemed to like to discuss around you, but Farleigh was far more candid about it. So when he pulls these stunts, gets himself kicked out of schools, puts himself in precarious positions despite how you knew he genuinely enjoyed academics, especially literature, you can't help but wonder why.

"Don't try and pathologize it," you could hear him rolling his eyes as he attempted to scale the minotaur statue in the middle of the maze. Looking up at him from where you're laying in the grass, you watch him rise above the walls into the sunshine. Maybe it's dangerous, maybe he should stop, get down, be safe, but he looks far more content up there, on the edge. Maybe he feels freer up there, even if he knows it's not true.

So now he's with you and Felix at Oxford, a first year only academically, he slots perfectly into the group of friends you'd both already managed to collect.

The point is, you have no idea that of everything that happens in those first few weeks of your second year, the parties, the hook ups, the social dances you found yourself doing, that the guy Farleigh likes to complain about from his tutoring sessions - Oliver, Farleigh always says it with an eye roll - would mean so much more to you than you'd ever expect.

Everything about the man you would come to find extraordinary, from the outside, was completely, and charmingly, ordinary. Including how you'd met him.

Felix had overslept again, and threw a pillow at the door when you'd stuck your head into his room to remind him that he had classes. You'd left yourself enough time to walk, but Felix would have to at least run if he didn't get his ass up soon, or would ride his bike instead. Its on your way, so you duck your head in to at least check it there.

What you don't expect is the unassuming man with dark hair to have a gentle, almost caressing hand on the tire of Felix's bike. When you make a confused noise, he about jumps a foot in the air.

"Sorry," he seems to shrink in from himself, recoiling from the bike like he'd been caught red handed, "just admiring." He babbles, but can't meet your eyes. For a moment, you look over him, before turning your attention to the ludicrously expensive mountain bike that Felix has always taken for granted.

"It is a nice bike," you find yourself grinning, stepping towards the bike and giving the tire a squeeze, both as a show of your own appreciation, and to test the pressure, just in case, "didn't mean to spook you..." And you trail off, prompting for his name, holding your hand out.

It hangs in the air for a moment, and the man before you gives you a proper look over. The way he holds himself, as if trying to take up as little space as physically possible, but his eyes, his gaze, oh it longed to swallow whole every detail of everything he cast it upon.

"Oliver," he says after a very long moment. Despite his demure voice, there's something deliberate, unwavering about it, "Quick," he follows it up with, "I'm Oliver Quick." And he ducks his gaze, sparing you from his intensity as you shake his hand.

"Oliver Quick," you turn the name over on your tongue; the same Oliver that Farleigh's been complaining about, you ponder, before giving him a smile, "I'm Y/N." As soon as the handshake drops, Oliver's doing that thing again, shrinking back and looking uncomfortable in the space.

"Yeah, I think I've seen you around," Oliver nods but can't meet your gaze, "around campus, I mean -" Which reminds you -

"Fuck, I'm almost running late," you hissed, spinning on your heel, "sorry to run Ollie, you seem lovely!" You call over your shoulder as you bolt to class, hearing him calling out;

"No trouble," and awkwardly trailing off the further away you get, "you seem... very nice too..."

Bursting through the door to your tutorial with five minutes to spare, your lecture looks up from his desk for a brief moment. Giving him a nod, you try and slip past him to grab a seat by one of your friends, chatting near the back, when he raises his voice.

"No Mister Catton today either, I presume," he says with a sigh, and you again check you watch before plastering on an apologetic smile.

"He'll be here," you assured, "promise." The professor did not seem impressed.

Sitting next to India, she immediately greets you with a hug.

"Felix hung over?" She grins, and you anyway in respond with a smirk.

"After last night? I'd assume so."

"King's Arms tonight?"

"Of course."

When he does eventually show up, it's ten minutes late with an apology about how his bike had gotten a flat tire. The professor, just tells him to take a seat, and Felix does with many placating thanks, sliding into one of the open few open seats in the row in front of yours. Ruffling his hair, he throws a faintly guilty grin over his shoulder at you and India, telling you both not to start.

After the tutorial, you fully intend of having lunch with India, as the two of you don't have any other classes until the afternoon, the two of you walk with Felix to where he'd stashed his bike before his next lecture. Except -

"That's not yours," you look at the bicycle curiously, "I thought you had a flat."

"Had," Felix agrees, wheeling the unfamiliar bike from the rack with a grin, "bloody angel of a man lent me his."

"Of course someone just gave you their bike," India chuckles, reaching out to give Felix's shoulder a squeeze before he mounts the bike with intent to take off.

"Lent," Felix grinned back, "I'm gonna give it back."

"And what about yours?" You asked, eyebrows raised.

"He took it back for me."

"Your hero," you laughed, shaking your head at him.

"My absolute hero," Felix agreed, "I'll tell you about it later, okay? King's Arms tonight?"

And once he's away, and you and India are on your way to the campus cafe, her arm tucked in hers, she gives you a knowing, almost exasperated smile.

"You're already trying to figure out how to fix his tire, aren't you?" Her nails dig a little too much and her smile's a little too sly and her tone almost grates against a thought you don't like to consider, so you push it to the back of your mind and give an embarrassed little smile.

"Was it that obvious?"

"No, but you are," she leans in, lips almost against your ear, smile in her voice, "endearingly predictable," she murmurs against the shell of your ear, "you're always wrapped up in him."

"Right now I seem to be rather wrapped up in you," you rest your free hand on hers, tucked into the crook of her elbow, taking her hint and lowering your voice to something flirty.

"And make darling Felix wait?" She teased in response. Instead of answering her properly, you ask her back to your dorm under the guise of lunch and she happily accepts.

The bike shop is closed and Felix has class and you can't even be sure if this supposed bike saviour has even returned Felix's bike by now; there's no waiting, but India likes feeling prioritised, so you keep all that to your self. India likes to feel important in Felix's life. Anyone who Felix spends even a little of his time and attention on ends up rather addicted to that feeling, to feeling special to Felix Catton, and India is one of the many who have picked up on your own importance to the man himself.

So you're not dating India. You're also not not dating India; you're a placeholder of sorts, which would be cruel to you if you didn't like her well enough or if you weren't satisfied taking your fun with her. It would also probably be cruel to India if she knew the truth, that Felix thought she was hot and wasn't ready to commit to maybe dating her, but that he was getting that way he sometimes got about people, that he wanted them around, wanting to not share them, but without devoting himself to them. That's where you come in. A placeholder. A proxy. An almost. Someone who makes this pretty girl feel important and close to Felix. Someone Felix isn't worried about falling in love with India even while keeping her happy and around.

When you arrive late to the King's Arms with your own around India's shoulders, Felix lights up while Farleigh, from beside him, narrows his eyes with a smirk.

"Cute shade of lipstick," he says slyly, even as he moves over at Felix's insistence to fit both yourself and India in the booth beside him. Farleigh flicks the collar of the shirt you'd thrown on in a rush to get dressed for afternoon classes, "on both of you."

"Are you jealous, Farleigh?" India grins, taking it all in stride as you pull your collar out with your thumb to try and inspect it. India's lipstick was smeared faintly against the collar from where she'd been enthusiastically kissing her way down your jaw a few hours earlier.

"Of course," Farleigh's sly smile widens to a cocky grin, and he winks at her, while she leans over you to plant a kiss on the corner of his mouth with a wicked grin.

"Right in front of her partner?" Annabel, Felix's latest fling was on his other side, reaching over Felix to shove Farleigh's shoulder with a scandalised laugh.

"Not really together," India mused, even as she shifted to lean heavily against you, her arm around you and tucking herself up by your side. You nodded in kind, shrugging as Felix had to hide his laughter in his pint.

"And besides," Farleigh declares in a voice you knew all too well, "if anyone knows how to share it's Y/N," with a cheshire-cat smile and making a show of putting his hand far up your thigh under the table. Surprised by the outright boldness of it all, Felix, who had been trying to take a sip to cover his amusement, ends up snorting beer out of his nose as he laughs, which sets the whole table off.

It's later in the night, several rounds of drinks and plates of chips, when you finally remember to ask Felix about his bike. There's this look in his eyes as he recounts the details, how he'd somehow gotten on the wrong side of something small and sharp when he'd been found by his 'absolute hero'.

"Ollie," he says brightly, "Ollie - Oliver - something, I don't -" he's babbling, and though he doesn't at the time, both yourself and Farleigh react, though in vastly different ways.

"Oliver?" Farleigh draws out the name with disdain, like it's done him some sort of personal affront, or set off a bad smell, judging by his expression.

"Don't make that face," Felix rolls his eyes, giving Farleigh a good-natured shove, but it's all becoming background noise to you as you glance over your shoulder. In your mind, all you can focus on the brief but captivating moments you shared with a blue-eyed Oliver just this morning. As if by fate, when you finally come back to reality, and realise you're staring at the bar, you see those same blue eyes staring back at you, intense and surprised.

"There he is!" Behind you, Felix's voice raises above the din of the pub with barely restrained glee, "Ollie! Oliver! Oliver!" And immediately those blue eyes snap to your attention-grabbing best friend, "come over here, mate!" Felix insists, and you drop your gaze with a faint smile.

As Felix loudly and insistently vies for Oliver's attention and company, you briefly raise your gaze, only to see the disdain on Farleigh's face having grown immensely.

Oliver. Farleigh's classmate Oliver. Insufferable tutoring Oliver. Know-it-all Oliver. 'Thus' Oliver. No regard for style in his academics or his wardrobe Oliver.

Felix's hero, Oliver.

Considering how much joy Farleigh took from ribbing you at every given opportunity, just to see your squirm for his amusement, you supposed you could take some joy from his discomfort in this moment. When he sees your smug smile he scowls at you.

"This guy's my fucking hero," you've heard that warmth in Felix's voice a hundred times over, "just telling everyone how you saved my ass today," you wonder how long it will take Oliver to fall for him too.

Oliver, for his part, plays at being abashed as the rest of the group gives him faint compliments, gaze surprisingly shallow as he takes you all in. Keeping your own eyes down for the moment, you take the cigarette from India that you'd been sharing with her. You quickly reach into Felix's jean pocket beside you for the lighter you know is there, and when you look up to light it, cigarette poised between your lips, you see Oliver's gaze momentarily focused on the lack of space between yourself and Felix, where your hand had disappeared. Felix, you know without even having to look at him, hasn't even looked away from Oliver once.

"Take a seat, I owe you a drink," Felix grins, and is already shoving the few people on his left, before you put a hand on his arm to get him to settle down.

"Could you get the next round, India?" You ask her quietly, and though she hesitates for a moment, she relents, considering it was meant to be her shout after all.

Oliver is hesitating as India stands and smooths out her skirt, heading for the bar, and finally Felix remembers that most people's worlds don't revolve around him.

"Oh, sorry, are you with friends?"

Another moment of deliberation from Oliver, before he finally relents to Felix, and agrees to join them. Looking around, there's a chair next to a table behind Farleigh that was going unused, or -

When you pat the now empty seat at the end of the booth beside yourself, you're not looking at Oliver. Chin in your hand and cigarette poised between your fingers, you're giving Farleigh a grin that's all teeth, while he looks like he's trying to stave off a sudden tension headache.

"Come here, Oliver Quick," you refuse to explain your smug smile, "I don't bite."

"Yes they do," Farleigh huffs in irate response, to which most of the rest of the group cracks up. The leather beside you shifts, and you can feel the heat Oliver radiates before you even look at him.

"Quick, Oliver Quick!" Felix, behind you, is muttering almost to himself, before adding, "wait, how did you know that?" And throwing himself practically over your shoulder as you'd turned to face Oliver properly.

"We met this morning," you say quietly, gaze fixed on Oliver's, on the way he's taking you both in. With Felix's chin on your shoulder, the two of you cheek to cheek and watching him with interest, it could be enough to send anyone else running. But his gaze isn't the shallow one he'd ghosted across the others, he's drinking this moment, and the both of you, in. Smile stretching wide across your face and you tip your head against Felix's, "just as lovely as I thought," and turning your face even slightly towards Felix means your lips against his temple, not that either of you seem to mind, "your hero."

"My fuckin' hero," Felix agrees adamantly, though you and he sit back as India approaches with a tray of pints and an exasperated look.

"And you've given up my seat," she sighs, placing the drinks on the table for everyone else to take their share. Farleigh's already passive-aggressively reached behind himself to grab the extra empty chair, and you promise to make it up to her with a heavy layer of implications that the rest of the table snickers at.

Introductions are made and drinks are had and the night carries on apace until you, at the very least, felt like you could call yourself reasonably wasted. Despite how quiet Oliver is in the general conversation, Felix makes a point of always including him, arm around your shoulders so he can lean across you to talk to him, while Oliver just tried to keep up.

Everything about Oliver shouted that these people weren't his people; his clothes, his accent, his vernacular, his very unfamiliarity with who so many of them were considering their families were often titans of industry. Still, you respected the effort he was making to keep up. Whenever even the hint of a joke at Oliver's expense could be felt in the air, Felix shut it down, and though it started out subtle, it became less so as the night wore on; the grateful look on Oliver's face, even as he tried to duck to hide it, said how much he appreciated the gesture.

It's decided almost unanimously by the time you have to buy a round that it should be the first round of shots for the table. Several more would be to come, but you were getting tequila, and all the fanfare that came with it.

Getting back to the table you find Oliver's slid into your spot by Felix. Though he tries to apologise and get up, you shush him, insisting it's fine as you sit down next to him with the tray of shots topped with lime wedges, and the shot glass half full of salt for the table the bartender had kindly provided.

"You do know this is why I was late to my tutorial this morning," Felix still helped himself to a shot glass with lime as the salt was being passed around the table.

"Salt?" Oliver frowned at the glass in front of him, "lime?"

"You've never done tequila shots before?" Farleigh scoffed, holding India's hand up in front of himself where she'd offered it to him to apply salt.

"No, I haven't," is all Oliver can say awkwardly, watching as Farleigh sprinkled a line of salt across the back of India's aloft hand, licking it up in one swift motion before he took the shot and bit the lime in quick succession.

"Salt, shot, lime," you give Oliver a nudge to bring his attention back to you.

"Salt, shot, lime," Oliver repeats, looking from his glass to the glass full of salt that Felix had reached over and brought to your side of the table, "do I have to lick the salt off of someone else?"

"Not necessarily," Felix says from his other side, while Annabel giggled and allowed him to apply salt to her hand.

"More fun that way," she adds coyly.

"Not unless you want to," your own shot glass sits untouched, salt now sitting between both your glasses.

"Do you- should I-" Oliver's stumbling over his words, fidgeting with the end of the lime.

"Lick it off their neck," Farleigh barked from across the table, and though you tried to tell Oliver that he didn't have to do anything like that, and Felix's disappointed admonishment of his cousin, the entire rest of the table, who had finished their own shots and were now invested in the drama, light up with agreement.

"You're so crass, you're gonna give him the wrong idea," Felix groaned, rolling his eyes with frustration.

"I love Y/N but I don't think there is a wrong idea about them -"

"Watch what the fuck you say about them, Farleigh -"

"Watch what I say about your fucking dog-?"

"I'll lick their neck!" Oliver announces at the top of his lungs, interrupting the vicious barb, and the way Felix had practically leapt across half the table in a sudden fury. For a long moment, tense silence hangs in the air, Farleigh half out of his chair, wearing a sneer, and Felix braced over the table with white-knuckled fists pressed into the woodgrain. Then, as Felix sits back down and things begin to ease, once again all eyes return to Oliver, who's shifting in his seat, looking at you with almost apology in his eyes, "if- if you're okay with that."

After a beat, you break into a self deprecating smile.

"I do like getting my neck licked," you laughed, and immediately angled your head and pulled the collar of your shirt to the side so he could have a better angle and more of your shoulder to apply salt. The tension dropped almost entirely as everyone but Farleigh and Felix burst out in cheers. Chatter arose again as Oliver fumbled with the salt, but you caught Felix's eyes from behind him. Tension in his brow that you longed to smooth away, and discomfort in his gaze, but when you smiled you could see him take a breath, and smile back.

"I won't bite," it comes as a surprise when you hear Oliver say this, so quiet only you can hear as he diligently applies a sprinkle of salt to the soft skin of where your throat meets your shoulder, "promise," you can't see his expression but you think you can hear him smirking. It actually sounds almost like flirting.

India's been glaring at you across the table whenever she hasn't been flirting overtly with Farleigh for the past half an hour. So you flirt back.

"Not even if I ask nicely?" You murmur back, trying to repress the thrill that the whole moment was giving you. You hear the faintest, momentary rumble of a laugh from Oliver before you feel his hand on your thigh as if to steady himself, and his tongue on your neck. It's barely a second of contact, the delicate caress of his mouth as he licked the line of salt clear from your skin. Quickly, he then takes the shot, and swallows before biting down on the lime, making a pained face as the table cheered.

His hand is still on your thigh; his grip is tight.

As he's spluttering and grinning and Felix is clapping him on the back for the effort, he's rather abashedly offering himself to you, if you'd like to repeat the same salt process on him -

"You've done enough for your first shot, Ollie," you told him with a fond nudge, happily applying salt to the back of your own hand, completing the ritual with far less fanfare. Still, when you glance past Oliver to Felix, you see the way he's regarding the newcomer, with a kind of awe and warmth. This too you know well.

Crammed so close in the booth, Felix's arm stays around Oliver's shoulders for most of the rest of the night, and while no-one can see it, Oliver's hand remains on your thigh. Sometimes he taps along to the music of the pub that you've already tuned out, sometimes he's rubbing small circles with his thumb, or give you a squeeze when he's laughing at a joke, but it never waivers.

The more drunk you become, the more you find yourself leaning into him, and you begin to tune out the conversation, focusing only on your drink, the warmth of Oliver and his hand on you, and on the sensation of Felix's hand playing with your hair since his arm was around Oliver's shoulders, and you're leaning your head against him.

Everything's become blurry, your brain is still trying to catch up after you take another shot from muscle memory alone when Farleigh starts insisting on Oliver shout the next round, and for that round to be jaeger bombs.

"We just did shots," you shake your head with a faint frown, but the movement makes you feel all kind of queasy.

"You tapping out?" Farleigh, in much better spirits considering how many he'd consumed, is all wide, challenging smiles full of teeth.

"Nope," you again shake your head, against your better judgement, "never ever ever." Everything is spinning, even with your eyes closed.

"Then you shouldn't be letting Ollie snake his way out of paying for his round," Farleigh sounds all kinds of smug, and despite how you're all kind of done with him for tonight, and Oliver is trying to insist that he's not trying to wiggle out of paying for a round, the rest of the table have apparently taken up Farleigh's crusade. They're booing him, hissing at him, while Farleigh's smugness screams social triumph; you can feel Oliver's fingers twitching on your thigh, like he wants to be fidgeting but can't bring himself to let you go.

"Fine," Oliver relents to the peer pressure, letting you go and throwing his hands in the air, "can you move a sec?" He asks, and you shuffle out to let him past, before scooting back in and back beside a once more frustrated Felix.

Farleigh argues that it's the rules of the pub when Felix asks him to give Oliver a break, but you don't really hear them. You've cleared enough space on the table in front of you to be able to cross your arms on the table, laying your head on your arms to try and see if it would help. Felix is rubbing soothing circles on your back as he argues with Farleigh, probably out of pure habit, so you try and focus on that sensation, and picking a point that you see that you can focus on.

Everything's sideways, the bar, the people, the street outside, but it doesn't matter. In the moments you find yourself focusing on Oliver in the cool light of the bar, everything else falls away. He looks antsy and uncomfortable, watching the bartender pour the shots, wallet in his hand. You'd have paid in a heartbeat if Farleigh hadn't been so insistent on attacking Oliver's pride. Everything else about him was so charmingly ordinary, perhaps that's why Farleigh was infuriated by him, and why he'd attacked Oliver's pride, one of the few things that Farleigh probably believed Oliver had of value to himself.

Tomorrow, you and Farleigh were having words.

Tonight, you wanted to somehow help Oliver without making any kind of big deal about it. Problem was, you weren't sure how. You weren't even sure if you were capable of walking in straight line right now.

"Fi -" when you turn your head to your other side, you see Felix, half finished a cigarette, with a pensive look on his face as he too was watching Oliver. When he looks at you there's a moment that the two of you share, of understanding, of compassion and a shared goal, "can you get me a glass of water?" You asked, knowing he'd take the hint. Thankfully, he smiles at you, the two of you shuffling once more so he could get out of the booth and head towards Oliver and the bar.

Leaning on the end of the booth, you wait for Felix to return before you sit back down, instead focusing on the interaction between the two men at the bar. It's not that you can hear them, but you can see the grateful but anxious look in Oliver's eyes, and the way he can't look away from Felix's smile, and something sharp and bright and intrigued lights up in your chest.

There's a moment as the interaction begins winding down, when Felix takes the tray of drinks, and looks back at your gathered group of friends. His eyes meet yours, faint flicker of familiar affection passing in the next moment as he says something else to Oliver before he's making a beeline back to the group.

"Thank you, Ollie!" He announces brightly, much to the cheer and delight of the rest of the group once the jaeger bombs are set down at the table. Caught up in the sudden influx of joy, you chant Ollie's name, clapping along, not even realising that since you'd let go of the booth you were starting to take on a lean.

"You're fucking legless," Felix crows with laughter, who had already slid back into the booth and was now taking you by the arm and sitting you back down beside himself, "I'm cutting you off, you're on the waters now," he joked, arm around you to steady you, though you weren't inclined to disagree. Thankfully, in the next moment, a water was being placed in front of you, and a cheer was once again rising from the group as Oliver rejoined you all, bashful smile on his face as everyone was lavishing praise on him for following through with buying the round.

The glass was cold and clear and faintly frosted, few ice cubes floating delicately on top of the pint of water before you, looking absolutely perfect in this golden, humid pub. Even just reaching out and holding the cold glass of water in your hands seemed to make everything a little less blurry at the edges.

As you dragged the glass towards you, surprised by your sudden craving for fresh, cold water, praise tumbles from your lips, words half blurring together, and Oliver takes his seat once more beside you.

"Ollie, you're my fucking hero."

[megalony]

Let Him Burn

This is an Eddie Diaz requested by Anon, I hope you like it, any feedback is always lovely.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr @rogmeddows @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefanthefan @omgitsearly @luckytrashgooprebel @scarsout @deaky-with-a-c @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac @vousmemanqueez-blog @jonesyaddiction @milanosaurus @httpfandxms @saint-hardy @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls @mrsalwayswritex @rogerina-owns-me  @hellsdragon @im-an-adult-ish @crazylittlethingg @allauraleigh @onceuponadetectivedemigod @ceres27 @avyannadawn  @noonenuts @sleepylunarwolf @coverupps @justagirlthatlovedtoread @musicistheway

Masterlist

Summary: (Y/n) takes Chris to the shop for their weekly magazine, but things take a bad turn when someone starts a hostage situation and the 118 arrives to save the day.

Enjoy.

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

"Come on then, cheeky boy." Reaching into the car, (Y/n) scooped Christopher up in her arms, gave him a little spin and set him down on his feet so he could grab the crutches that were waiting for him.

She carded her fingers through his wet locks and slung her bag on her shoulder. A smile lit up (Y/n)'s face when Chris started to speed ahead into the shop. Despite just finishing hydrotherapy which was a tiring hour for him, he was still full of energy and ready to go speeding round the shop.

Every Friday after school, (Y/n) would come to the school and join Chris for his hydro session in the small pool at the back of the school. It was a small rectangle pool but they booked it out every Friday so Chris could make use of it and he could be on his own with his parents when Eddie had the afternoons free to join them. Chris loved to splash around and play with the floats and it burned the last of his energy that he had for the day.

Now it was the second routine they had on a Friday afternoon, they went to the shop ten minutes away from home. Chris would choose the same chocolate bar, the animal farm one with different pictures and inscriptions on each one. And he would get a new Dino magazine that came out weekly on a Friday. They contained new miniature figures and fun facts and he could colour and cut out and make new things.

Chris liked (Y/n) to read the facts and stories to him in the evening and then on the Saturday he would spend all morning cutting out and colouring and doing the activities.

It was one of his favourite routines.

"Chocolate," Chris beamed up at (Y/n) when she caught him up and walked into the shop with him.

(Y/n) rested her hand on his back and nodded, following him past the fruit and veg and towards the back of the shop where the sweetie aisle was.

"I think daddy deserves one too, he's done a double shift."

"Yeah!" Chris grabbed two and handed them over, it made him feel special when Eddie would have a chocolate bar with him and they knew Eddie would be home early tonight. He had been on shift since yesterday afternoon so he was supposed to be home on time for tea if all went well.

(Y/n) followed a step behind him round the corner towards the next aisle where the magazines were and right where it always was on the front row was the blue and green magazine Chris always picked. She let him grab it and he juggled it along with his crutch and they dawdled down towards the checkout.

"Why aren't you fucking listening to me? Try it again,"

Frowning, (Y/n) curled an arm around Chris's shoulders and pulled him back into her chest as she stopped walking. She didn't want to go to the checkout with Chris if that man was going to start shouting, it would unsettle her son.

She watched the lady at the desk try his card again but when it didn't work, he slammed his hand down on the counter and threw the bottle of whiskey onto the floor. The glass shattered, the alcohol splashed like droplets of rain forming a puddle and when he shouted, (Y/n) reeled back.

Chris jumped in her arms, the smile instantly dropping from his face as he brought his hands up to cover his ears, holding the magazine tightly against his left ear in his panic.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? I'm not doing this shit, do it properly or I'll light this place up!"

Fear bolted through (Y/n)'s body and tingled down to her toes. The man got a lighter out of his pocket and despite how badly he was shaking, he held the lighter out as if he might either throw it on the alcohol on the floor or throw it on the lady at the checkout. He hadn't made up his mind and either prospect made (Y/n) choke.

Why today? Why did this idiot have to make a fuss today on all days? Why now when Chris was having his Friday routine did this idiot have to make a scene?

"Mummy,"

Reaching down, (Y/n) turned Chris around and let him burrow his face into her chest. He kept his hands covering his ears and (Y/n) tangled her hand into his curls to try and soothe him but she could feel him starting to tremble against her. Each time the man shouted, Chris jumped and shuddered and gasped until he finally screamed.

The scream vibrated through (Y/n)'s chest and shook her heart behind her ribs. She felt the magazine drop to the floor and Chris fought in her arms until he could flop down onto his knees and curl his chest over his legs with his arms pinned into his chest and his hands still over his ears. The crutches fell from his elbows and crashed to the floor with a clattering bang.

"Okay baby, shh, I'm here." (Y/n) went down on her knees in front of him and coiled her arms around him, trying to gently shush him but a fire lit up her eyes when she looked over at the man.

"What's he doing, what're you doing?"

"You're scaring him, what do you expect him to do?" She snapped back, unable to control her own anger. He couldn't expect the few people in the shop to be happy that he was causing a scene. "Baby come here, let's go home."

Reaching forward, (Y/n) curled her arms around Chris's chest and slowly pulled him up into her chest before she tried to stand. His legs hooked loosely around her waist and he tightly dug his arms into her neck until she could barely breathe. His breathing was laboured and harsh in the crook of her neck and he was about to start crying, she could feel it. But (Y/n) didn't get two steps before she stumbled back when the man threw a can of beer her way, narrowly missing her head.

"Stay where I can see you or I'll light this place up!"

Something inside (Y/n) told her to bolt. She could leave Chris's crutches here and the magazine and chocolate which were all on the floor. She could make a break for the exit with Chris in her arms and get in the car and go home. It wasn't worth the risk. As much as (Y/n) could run with her boy in her arms, that man was close and he could still start a fire or throw something else or hurt the cashier.

There was any number of things he could do and (Y/n) didn't want the risk, not unless it was a last resort.

But she didn't know how long Chris could stay here without having a full blown meltdown. Screaming was just the start and (Y/n) dreaded what else her son would do when panicked like this.

"Okay,"

(Y/n) nodded her head and slowly lowered herself down to her knees, still with Chris clinging to her front like a baby monkey. She gently shushed him and started to sway back and forth like when he was little and woke with nightmares. Her hand dug deep into his curls and she kissed his forehead repeatedly.

"Mummy, don't like it." His words were slurred around his thumb he was deeply biting down on, something he did when he was extremely happy or extremely unsettled.

"I know baby, we'll go home soon. I've got you," Shifting round, (Y/n) sat down on her bum, spread her legs out and kept Chris sitting on her lap. She could feel her legs beginning to burn and her lower back was starting to ache already but it didn't matter. What mattered was keeping Chris calm and safe, no matter what.

The stranger started to rant again but (Y/n) couldn't work out what he was saying, all she could hear was Chris whimpering into her neck and her heartbeat thudding rapidly in her ears.

Each can of beer the man threw made (Y/n) jerk and jump but when she watched the man throw down another bottle of whiskey just past the checkout near the window, fright took over her. He leaned down and set the alcohol alight with his lighter and jumped back to stop himself from getting lit up too.

This was bad.

With one arm still around Chris's waist and his face tucked into her neck- thankfully looking behind her so he couldn't see anything happening- (Y/n) dug around in her pocket. She fished her phone out and scrolled down to Eddie's contact. This was going to be hard.

"Ola mi amor, how are you? Did hydro go okay?" It was a relief to hear Eddie's voice after only two rings. Part of (Y/n) was afraid he would already be out on a call and wouldn't be able to answer and if she rang 911 they might think she was pranking them and hang up on her.

"Shh baby, good boy, everything will be okay." (Y/n) buried her nose and mouth into Chris's shoulder and kept her trembling hand between their merged chests. She had to have the phone close enough to speak and just about hear Eddie's voice on the other end but she couldn't let the stranger see in case it infuriated him or made him set another fire.

"(Y/n) what's wrong? Is Chris having a meltdown?" The panic was evident in Eddie's voice when his tone dropped an octave and a sterness overtook him.

"Hm,"

"Mi Amor why aren't you talking to me, is something happening?" Eddie reached his hand out and grabbed Bobby's arm, stopping him from walking past.

He'd never had (Y/n) ring him up like this before. If something was wrong she would always talk to him right away, she would rant and rave if something happened. She would panic or get upset if something was bothering her or Chris and if their son was particularly upset she would hand Chris the phone so Eddie could calm him down and talk to him. She always spoke when he answered, she wasn't giving clear answers right now and it was unnerving.

"Yes, baby."

Fear struck Eddie's heart and he pressed the phone tighter to his ear while simultaneously gripping Bobby's arm in a tighter grip.

"Where are you?" Eddie glanced at his watch strapped to his wrist and racked his brain. "Fuck, hydro's finished so… so are you at the store with Chris, for his book and chocolate?"

Eddie had all of Chris's routines memorised, each day was planned and specified because routines kept Chris happy and in order. He liked structure and if something had to change, they had to sit him down and explain what and why and make sure something else was in place for him. It made him feel calm to know what he was doing.

They had meal plans each week so Chris knew what he was eating each day, they had structures for shopping and only on a Saturday night would Chris ever try and watch a new movie. Every other day he stuck to the same Disney and cartoon movies he knew and liked.

Eddie knew by this time hydro was done and finished and they should be on their way home from the shop with his magazine and usual animal chocolate.

"Hm, yeah."

"Daddy?" Chris started to drool onto his hand and the back of (Y/n)'s shirt but she didn't care. She continued to smooth her free hand up and down his back.

"Shh, we need to stay quiet baby. We'll see daddy soon." She couldn't have Chris trying to talk to Eddie or she would have to hang up. The man couldn't know, if he knew she was calling someone, much less a firefighter, he would get manic.

"Mi amor," Eddie paused, gulped and took a shakey breath, "Are you being threatened or held hostage in the store?"

"That's right baby, we'll see daddy soon."

Bile rose in the back of Eddie's throat and he stumbled forward until Bobby held an arm out around his chest and hoisted him back up.

Oh God.

His family, his wife and son, they were being held hostage in the store. Chris had never been in a situation like this before. He had never been forced to stay somewhere or had his safety threatened. He didn't even watch movies about hostages or guns or violence, Chris wouldn't know what it meant or what was going on.

"We're coming, we'll be there soon mi amor I swear-"

"Who the fuck are you talking to? Why are you spouting shit?"

(Y/n) held the phone closer to her chest and continued to rock back and forth. This was going to give her a chance to speak a bit more freely to Eddie before she hung up. He knew what shop they always went to on a Friday, he had been part of this routine thousands of times each week. Eddie could get the team down here and help them out.

"I'm talking to my son, I told you you're frightening him."

"Stop talking-"

"Then let us leave, let me take him out of here-"

"No one's fucking leaving! This place will go up in flames if you keep testing me, bitch."

"Daddy! I want daddy. Home. Home. Home!"

Terror struck Eddie's heart when (Y/n) hung up on him. Why did he have to be on shift today? Why couldn't he of had today off and worked last Friday or next Friday instead? Anything to be there with his family right now. He could try and descale the argument and calm down the person threatening his family. He could of tried to get them out of there and keep them safe and make sure Chris wasn't going into a meltdown and (Y/n) wasn't panicked.

"(Y/n)…? (Y/n)! Fuck!!" Eddie let his weight drop onto Bobby as his vision blurred with tears and his head started to fill up with air.

They had to get down there. Now.

***

Closing her eyes, (Y/n) buried her nose in Chris's curls and tried to hum quietly in his ear but it didn't do anything to calm him down. If anything, she could feel his panic rising until he started to cry and he was itching to move in her arms. He kept his arms bound tight around (Y/n)'s neck like he was trying to strangle her but his legs kicked out against her hips and he squirmed until (Y/n) had to pin both arms around his waist as tight as she had ever done.

She couldn't have him try and fight his way out of her arms, she had to keep hold of him in case she had to make a break for it and run out of here. Chris wouldn't be able to run or hurry even with his crutches. (Y/n) had to be ready.

"Daddy. Home. Go Home!"

A tremor ran down (Y/n)'s spine when Chris slammed his hand down on her back and made her wince. He wasn't trying to hurt her, he was panicking and he didn't know what to do or how to make everything stop. He wanted his chocolate, his magazine and to be back at home without anything bad happening.

He wanted to be home with his parents, not stuck in a shop with people shouting and crying.

"Daddy's coming here to get us, he should be here soon baby," She continued to rock him back and forth despite how badly he was thrashing around in her arms.

"I want d-"

Chris shuddered and gasped in (Y/n)'s arms when the distant sound of a fire engine rattled the store and got closer. The team had gotten here, Eddie had gotten to them as fast as he could. They were going to get everyone out.

The siren continued to blaze which alerted the man that someone was going to come in and ruin whatever plan he had concocted. His violent shouts, the siren and the sudden blaring fire alarm in the store all became too much for Chris who started to scream at the top of his lungs. He chomped his teeth down on the side of his hand and smashed his forehead into (Y/n)'s shoulder as if he wanted to smother himself to make everything stop.

The action sent (Y/n) tumbling backwards into a shelf and her arms momentairely let go of Chris to cradle the back of her head.

A split second was all Chris needed to scramble out of his mum's arms and shuffle away. He felt like he had tunnel vision, all he could see was the door where he knew his dad and the team would be waiting for them. He wanted Eddie, he wanted uncle Buck and Bobby to get him and take him and his mum home. He wanted to be out of here now.

"Christopher!"

Rolling onto her stomach, (Y/n) scraped her knees on the floor to try and get to her feet and grab him when she saw the assailant bolt towards them.

There was only a split second for (Y/n) to decide what to do and in that moment, she hooked her hands under Chris's arms, hoisted him up off his feet and bolted towards the door.

"Cap I have to get in there-"

"We can't risk running in blind we don't know if he's holding them hostage, if he had a weapon or if he's hurt anyone."

"That's my family! He was threatening to light the place up!" Eddie slammed his fist into the side of the truck, relishing in the burn it ignited in his knuckles and how it caused his nerves to flare.

He had to get in that store now, he had to go in and get his family out and keep them safe, that was his job. Eddie's job was to protect people and keep them safe and if he couldn't protect his family, he shouldn't be doing this job. (Y/n) had called him, she had been desperate for help and Eddie had to do something about this situation.

"Someone's coming out," Hen dug her hand into Eddie's shoulder and pointed towards the entrance to the shop when the automatic doors opened.

"Eddie!"

His head snapped to the left in time to see his wife running out with Christopher in her arms. But right on her tail was a man with vengence in his eyes, fury on his face and his arms stretched out towards her.

Both Eddie and Buck set off into a run but their paces faltered when they watched the stranger grab a fistful of (Y/n)'s hair and yank her backwards forcefully. A strangled sound left her lips and she tilted Chris forward to give him a shove towards the team to get him safe.

The eight year old stumbled forward, tripped over his feet and went down on his knees. He pressed his palms back over his ears, screamed as loud as his lungs would allow and curved his chest down over his knees with his head pressed into his legs to hide himself away and become as small as possible. He was out, he wanted Eddie and he wanted to get in the car and go home, whatever was happening wasn't fun and he wanted it to stop.

"I got you, come here buddy." Buck reached down and scooped Chris up before he backtracked towards Chimney who was waiting uncertainly by the ambulance. He needed Chris as far away from the scene as possible and he had to check if he had any injuries.

"Get off! E-Eddie…"

(Y/n) reached behind her to try and grab the wrist that was tangled up in her hair and in a frantic panic, she waved her left arm to try and either hit him or get some leverage and add some distance between them. His hold was strong and the force he yanked her back with caused her to stumble down to her knees.

She couldn't help but scream when he slammed her head into the side of the door and tried his best to drag her back into the burning shop by her hair. Her head started to thud and everything turned and spun on its axis around her.

A pitiful howl left her lips when she felt his lighter scrape down her left arm from her elbow to her wrist and the flame licked and fizzed against her skin. She dug her nails into his face and screamed, digging her heels into the floor to try and stop him from moving her any further.

She could feel Eddie's name on the tip of her tongue until she managed to open her blurry eyes and saw him heading straight for her. She barely got to focus her vision before Eddie was lunging.

His elbow flew into the man's nose earning a successful snap and when his head shot back, Eddie grabbed his wrist and twisted it round so he dropped the lighter that had burned his wife. As swift as anything, Eddie dropped the left side of his body and pummeled his shoulder into the man's chest and took him down to the ground.

He pinned his knee down on the man's groin and curled his fingers into his palm, smashing his already bruised knuckles into the man's face causing blood to splatter across the gleaming white floor.

He wanted to keep going.

Eddie wanted to smash his fist into the man's face until the flesh tore apart and the bones were exposed. He wanted to pin him down and light up his skin like he'd just done to (Y/n) and drag him closer to the flames by the roots of his hair. Eddie wanted to frighten him and punish him and pummel him for terrorising his family like that.

His son was screaming and his wife had been attacked; Eddie wasn't going to let that lie.

"Eddie- hey, that's enough!"

"Let him burn!" Eddie's chest heaved beneath his shirt that he had been sweating through since he received (Y/n)'s phone call. His arms shook and tensed up and he fought with Hen and Bobby when they grabbed an arm each and dragged him backwards until he was level with (Y/n) who was doing her best to sit up.

They should evacuate any other people in the shop and leave him to be engulfed by the flames. He shouldn't be able to get out, he needed to sit and dwell and inhale the smoke he had started. He shouldn't get priority for anything.

"Get off," He huffed breathlessly and wrenched his arms free from their hold so he could collapse down on his knees in front of his wife.

He wasn't sure whether it was the smoke, the terror of the event or the relief of seeing his family relatively unharmed that made Eddie cry, but the tears drenched his face and he didn't bother to wipe them away.

(Y/n) curled her shaking arms around Eddie's neck and burrowed her face into his neck, hiccuping into his skin when he bound his arms around her and pulled her back into his lap. His face tucked into her hair and he closed his eyes, inhaling her scent to try and calm himself down but a storm was raging inside of him and his heart was working overtime until he was sure he was about to have a heart attack.

"Mi amor," His tone changed, became softer with a gentle edge and he nuzzled his nose into her hair so he could press multiple kisses against the side of her head.

"Eddie…" (Y/n) wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but she didn't have to say anything. She moved her shaking hand up from his neck to cup his face and bring him down for a tear stained kiss. "W-where's Chris?"

"Buck's got him, he's safe. Come here,"

Moving his hands down from her waist, Eddie cupped the back of her thighs and swiftly pulled her until her pelvis bumped into his groin. He curved her legs around his hips and kissed her again while his fingertips dug into the soft flesh of her thighs and he lifted her up with him. He stood up with (Y/n) clinging to his front and her lips glued to his jaw, something she knew would instantly calm him down.

He turned around and made his way over to the ambulance where he could see Buck. His friend was stood in front of the ambulance, a soft smile on his face and Christopher in his arms who was curled up into his chest, calmly biting his thumb.

Eddie carefully sat (Y/n) down on the edge of the ambulance and stood between her legs, feeling the heels of her feet pressing softly into his lower back just above his bum.

He reeled his arms back and reached out for (Y/n)'s left arm and gently squeezed her hand while he held her arm out in front of him for inspection. A light burn ran up the inside of her arm from her elbow down near her wrist, but it wasn't deep her extensive enough to need medical treatment. Cream and bandages would do just fine to make it blister and heal up in a week or so.

A small burn and a bash to the head was the best outcome Eddie could of asked for when he had fretted they would have smoke inhalation, loss of consciousness. He imagined bullet wounds, broken bones, third degree burns, the lot. Anything and everything ran through his mind when he thought about what could have happened with his family.

"Are you okay, buddy?" Eddie brushed his thumb across Chris's cheek when Buck gently sat him down on the ambulance next to (Y/n).

"Just a scrape on his knee, he'll be alright."

"Home," When Chris saw (Y/n) lean forward and bury her face into Eddie's chest, Chris pushed forward and wrapped his arm around his dad's leg. He pressed his chin into Eddie's thigh and tilted his head up so he could look up at him.

He wanted to go home now. He wanted Eddie to take them home and for this day to be over.

"Yeah, I'm gonna take you both home now."

[apomaro-mellow]

Hot for Teacher(s) 2

Part 1 / AO3 Link

@babydollbaron I need you to know your tags basically changed the trajectory of this fic

In the mornings, Steve dropped Shawn off at the before care offered by the school and then went to work. Afterwards, Shawn took the school bus home and went over to a neighbor's house, Miss Robin, until his dad got home from work.

Because of this, Steve knew he would hardly have a reason to see Eddie outside school functions and conferences. Which was fine. It was totally fine. He absolutely was not spending nights thinking about those curls under his fingers. Whenever Shawn had a story from school to tell, he hung on every word. And it was only because these were the formative years of Shawn's life.

"Oh yeah, Mr. Munson asked about our practice and I got to tell him all about it", Shawn said.

Steve paused in his current task, which was the dishes while Shawn did his homework at the kitchen table. He knew exactly what his son was talking about.

"Oh? How'd that come up?"

"I told him about it before but I didn't get to tell him about it before Yasmin started crying. He asked me and I told him."

Steve currently taught middle school, but he'd had a little experience with the younger ones. When it got close to Shawn starting school, he did his best to make sure he was prepared. And to make things a little easier on whoever was teaching him. Steve tried to be subtle with his next words.

"Tell me more about Mr. Munson."

And then the floodgates opened. Mostly because it seemed Mr. Munson was very open about his personal life. Apparently, anytime the students had a question, he answered it. Just in this five minutes between drying the dishes and plating up dinner, Steve learned that Mr. Munson played guitar, loved the color red, played a game about dragons, and was single.

"Wait, how do you know he's not married?", Steve asked.

"Because Briana asked him and he said he's not married", Shawn answered easily.

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

Steve tried not to think too hard about it. Mr. Munson being single didn't change anything. Not a single thing. But a really hot alpha who was unattached and also happened to be really good with kids who his kid loved was kind of the ultimate wet dream.

For Halloween, the students were allowed to come in costume and before the day was over, Steve's email was blessed with a collection of pictures of the class, including one where several superheroes, princesses, and even a kid dressed as Chucky defeated the mighty Munson dragon.

It was so cute that Steve had half a mind to send a reply that said so but second guessed it. He didn't need to tell Shawn's teacher it was a cute picture that was the whole reason he sent it. He had to keep all correspondence professional. But it was a picture of Shawn so he was well within his rights to save all of them to his phone.

"You ha~ve a cru~ush~", Robin sang on the phone. She was pulling some dino nuggets from the oven in preparation for Shawn coming over.

"Shut up, I don't!", Steve hissed on the other end. School had just ended but there would be a staff meeting in about five minutes. "I didn't tell you so you could make fun of me-"

"Come on, you knew it was coming-"

"I told you because I just had to tell someone." Steve sighed and took of his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. "It's not creepy if he's Shawn's former teacher, right?"

"Steve, I'm gonna be honest, I don't think it's creepy now." Robin picked up one of the nuggets and chomped on it. "It's kind of crazy how we have dino nuggets and animal crackers but not the other way around."

"Please save that for Shawn when he gets there. What do you mean? Wouldn't it be weird?"

"You're both two grown adults. I don't see the harm in asking him out", Robin said.

Steve slouched in his chair behind his desk. "That's not the only fact here. There's the fact that he's teaching my son. If any of the other parents find out, they'll think I'm sleeping my son's way to the top."

"....In first grade? That would be pathetic."

"Most suburban gossip is, but you already know this. It's not me I'm worried about really, it's Shawn. Kids talk too and what if they make fun of him?"

"Oh no! My awesome dad is dating my awesome teacher! Whatever will I do?!", Robin wailed.

"He thinks we're awesome separately. There's no telling what he'll think of us together. And I...I don't want to give him false hope."

"Steve...when was the last time you went on a date?"

Steve let out a puff of air. "Does that one guy who ogled me a few years ago count?"

"Gross! Steve! No! Do you mean the guy who was just staring at you breast feeding?"

"Serves me right for doing it in public. And in shorts."

"Hey, no, there will be no slut-shaming in this household." Robin paused when she heard the door open and the bounding of feet. "Your gremlin is here."

"I think you mean my precious miracle from above. And you will treat him as such. My only gremlins are my sixth graders."

"Whatever. Just get your shipwreck together and decide what you want to do."

Turns out, Steve didn't have to wait long for an opportunity. Shawn had come home that day with a flyer for a Thanksgiving performance and was asking for parent volunteers.

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

Eddie wasn't like, actively hoping that he would see Shawn's dad again. But when the fliers went home asking for volunteers, as well as an email, there was something going up. But it wasn't hope. It definitely wasn't hope. It couldn't possibly be hope. That way nothing could be dashed when nothing came of it.

So when he came into the auditorium after school, he was simply pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Harrington there. Not elated. Not ecstatic. Just appropriately pleased.

He greeted all the parents of his students, of which he only saw two others before coming to Mr. Harrington.

"Nice to see you again", he said with a handshake.

"And you as well", Mr. Harrington replied.

Eddie was sure he was imagining the electricity passing through their touch.

"Well, welcome to elementary theatre. Where we're gonna nurture any and all blossoming passions in the arts."

"Can't wait to see it. Um, so what exactly will they be doing?", Steve asked.

"The first grade class as the honor of doing a little song on what they're thankful for. Mrs. Clifford usually accompanies them by piano, but this year I'm hoping to get some more instrumentation for it."

"Oh, Shawn told me you play guitar."

Eddie's first instinct was to twirl his hair to hide his smile but it was still up in a bun, so he tried to fix his face to not be too obvious but he was sure it came out as a weird grimace.

"Yeah, yeah I do. Been playing for years. What about you, any instrumental skills?"

"None", Mr. Harrington shook his head. "My parents tried piano lessons, but I never took them for long. Just long enough to learn 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'."

"Everybody's got their talents. And no better place to showcase them", Eddie thrust his arms out around them.

"Well for now, I'm volunteering my time being a watchful eye and working on backgrounds and costumes. Plus snacks."

"Wait, did you bring the chips and sliders?", Eddie jutted a thumb toward the table near the stage.

Mr. Harrington shrugged. "It's just turkey and ham. And I know how ravenous kids can get."

"Are you guys talking about me?", Shawn asked, coming up to them.

Eddie watched the odd look on Mr. Harrington's face and was sure his must've looked similar. This was probably the longest he'd been talking to a parent without talking about their kid.

"I was just about to bow to your dad's culinary prowess", Eddie said. "Apparently, he made the snacks for this evening."

"I asked him to make his stuffing because, you know, Thanksgiving, but he said it was too early", Shawn said.

"I'm sure his stuffing is delicious", Eddie smiled down at him.

"You should come to our house and try it", Shawn beamed, leaning his head against his dad's hip.

Eddie looked back up at Mr. Harrington. "I'd love it if I could do that."

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

What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck

Steve was thankfully saved from replying to that by rehearsal starting and so Mr. Munson's attention was drawn away but seriously. What the fuck was that? Was that man inviting himself over to his house? Was it simple small talk? What was it all supposed to mean?

He was put on costume duty while the children practiced which kept his hands busy but not his brain, so he spent the next hour over thinking about that one line, which led to him overanalyzing the entire conversation. When practice ended, the teachers stood by the front entrance to wait for any parents that weren't already there or hadn't shown up toward the end to get their kids.

Mr. Munson waved off the last of his students just as Shawn finished in the bathroom and Steve helped him get his coat on. He looked hesitant before speaking up.

"Looks like you're my last one. I can walk you to your car if you want. It's pretty dark out."

Pretty dark was an understatement. It was near pitch black and the parking lot had bare minimum lighting. Steve definitely would've felt better about it if he had someone on the other side of Shawn.

"Yeah, that'd be great, thanks."

And without being told so, Mr. Munson put Shawn between them as they left the school and walked out into the parking lot. He gave a whistle once they got to Steve's BMW.

"Nice car."

"Thanks. She's been pretty faithful to me all these years." Steve unlocked the car and let Shawn into the backseat first. When he closed the door, he smiled at the alpha before him. "Thanks for walking us out.

"Consider it a routine then. At least until this place can afford to fully light up the lot."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it." There must have been the tiniest bit of a lull in the conversation because suddenly Shawn piped up from inside the car.

"Dad, can we get tacos for dinner?"

Steve snapped out of whatever staring contest he was having with Mr. Munson and looked down affectionately at his son. "What? My casserole not good enough all of a sudden?" He opened the driver side door and got in, turning the ignition on.

With them safely in the car, Eddie went over to his van and got in, waiting until he saw Mr. Harrington pull out before going his own way.

Later that night, after putting Shawn to bed, Steve was left alone with his thoughts again as he graded papers using an answer key at the kitchen table. It was easy to let his mind drift into just how...how wonderful Mr. Munson seemed.

He bit his lip and squeezed his legs together. Mr. Munson was handsome, and charismatic, and so safe, so much the perfect alpha that he'd been led to believe didn't exist. He could protect him and his pup... and Steve could give him more pups...

Steve's hand drifted down between his legs and he let it stroke a few times before freezing and closing his grade book. Time for something more mentally stimulating.

"Guess I'm lesson planning tonight."

Part 3

Tag Team

@anne-bennett-cosplayer @aol19 @lololol-1234 @hippieg1rl420

[theemporium]

15 with steve please!

15. “I can’t believe you remembered.”

.

As sad as it sounded, Steve got pretty used to people zoning out when he spoke. 

Yeah, he had people who fawned over him and girls who flirted with him and guys who wanted to be him when he reigned as King Steve, but none of them ever really listened to him. Neither did his teammates on his basketball team. Neither did his parents. 

Nobody ever really focused on the words he said, nobody ever really bothered to remember them either. 

Things shifted when the world of the Upside Down came crashing into his life. When his close knit group of friends became a group of rangly kids that Steve never considered would change his life for the better. When he learnt that popularity and numbers meant shit when you had people who would die for you, who would care if you died even. 

And as much as he loved and adored his little found family, his luck with girls didn’t become any better as the years passed.

When he was King Steve, they just used him for his looks and social status. When he was working at Scoops Ahoy, they flirted with him in hopes of a discount or a freebie. When he moved to Family Video, they just saw him as a cute face to play about with but eventually leave in the dust. 

And the saddest part of it all was that Steve never expected it to change, he never expected that his life would be anything but bad luck and bad dates. 

Then, after being dragged into a campaign last minute for the sake of filling numbers by Dustin and Eddie, he met you. 

You were pretty. So fucking pretty that sometimes it made his heart race and his brain stop working and he was pretty sure he would forget his own name if someone asked him. And you were funny, in an effortless way that made his cheeks hurt every time he was around you because you just made him so happy. And, by some fucking grace of god, you liked him. 

Or at least, he thinks you do. 

He really fucking hopes you do. 

But his doubts got the best of him and he allowed himself to push away the question he was desperate to ask you, no matter how much Eddie and Robin hounded him to just bite the bullet and ask you out on a date. He couldn’t fuck it up, and he couldn’t lose you. 

And then you sauntered into Family Video less than three hours after his shift started, smiling brightly as you dumped a container on the counter in front of him. 

“Uh,” Steve glanced down at the container before looking up at you, finding his cheeks flushing slightly at the smile you gave him. “Not to be a stickler or anything, but this doesn’t look like a copy of Jaws.”

You rolled your eyes, nudging the container closer to him. “Open it.”

“Open it?” Steve parroted. 

“Yes, open it,” you said to him, almost rolling back on your heels as you watched him reach for it. “It’s for you.” 

Steve remembered a vague conversation he had with you a couple of weeks back. He offered to drive you back home after a campaign and ended up parked outside your house whilst you spoke for two hours before eventually leaving the car. It had left him giddy for days after—much to Robin’s amusement.

He didn’t think you had actually listened to him during that conversation, let alone remember a single fact from it. Maybe because Steve wasn’t used to being the one having something done for him.

“You said they were your favourites when you were younger,” you started when you noticed the way he fell silent after opening the container. “The bakery didn’t make them anymore so I tried my best go at making them myself but, uh, I’m not really a baker.”

Steve stared at the box in front of him, containing around ten dinosaur shaped cookies with green icing and multi-coloured sprinkles decorating them. He felt his throat close up when he noted the different faces and expressions on each cookie, all homemade by you just because Steve stupidly admitted to you that he used to love the dino cookies the local bakery made whenever he stayed with his grandmother before she died. 

The nerves started to eat at you the longer he stayed silent. “Do…do you like them?”

Steve finally tore his eyes away from the cookies, blinking back the wetness in his eyes as he gave you such a soft smile it made your heart sore. “I can’t believe you remembered.” 

“Dino cookies are hard to forget,” you joked lightly, your expression a little sheepish. “I’m sorry if they taste like shit—”

“They are perfect,” Steve said with certainty. 

Your brows furrowed. “You haven’t even—”

Not missing a beat, Steve grabbed a cookie from the top of the pile and shoved a large chunk in his mouth as he took a bite. His eyes widened a little as he looked down at the cookie before shoving the rest in his mouth. 

“Holy shit,” he murmured, blushing a little when he heard the way you giggled at his muffled words before he made sure to swallow the cookie before continuing. “You actually made those?”

“With my own two hands.”

“They’re insane,” Steve said, pretending like his heart wasn’t thundering against his chest. “I—thank you. So much.” 

“Anytime, Stevie,” you answered with a smile. 

“You think you can teach me the recipe?” he asked, partially joking and partially serious because anytime spent with you was a win in his books.

“Does Friday work for you?” you asked and he nodded. “Perfect. It’s a date.” 

Steve didn’t even get the chance to respond before you turned on your heel, walking out the store before he even opened his mouth. But he looked down at the box of cookies, a wide grin spread across his face and found himself eager for Friday to roll around.

.

[littlespacereader]

Haiii, I hope this request iss Oki:

I'm a trans male little who sometimes still has to deal with periods.. they make me feel very dysphoric and sad, often causing me to regress..

Could you write a fic with that theme?

I'm not set on one specific fandom, here are some options I'd love to see & you can choose wich one you want to go with!!

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

[The little one would be a trans guy in every scenario.]

Stranger Things:

Steve and Eddie, both are flips in my hc, so it could be each way around.

Cg Argyle & little Jonathan Byers

Cg Nancy Wheeler & little Steve Harrington

Marvel:

Cg Wade Wilson & little Peter Parker

Cg Gwen Stacy & little Miles Morales

Criminal Minds:

Cg Jennifer Jareau & little Spencer Reid (other cg options: Penelope or Derek)

Teen Wolf:

Cg Noah Stilinski & little Stiles Stilinski (other cg options: Melissa or Scott)

Cg Boyd & little Isaac Lahey

Supernatural:

Cg Dean Winchester & little Sam Winchester

American Horror Story coven:

Cg Violet Harmon & little Kyle Spencer

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

So, yeah.. any of those would be cool hehe

Thank you for reading!!

My first ever request!! Thank you so much!! I was so excited and intrigued by your idea! First off I would like to state that I am not trans myself but I am a HUGE Ally to anyone in the LGBTQ+ community! Know that you’re safe with me and I got your back💞 I absolutely loved the list of fandoms and pairings to chose from. I decided to go with Caregiver! JJ and make the Reader the Little with Spencer as an older brother Little. That being said if I don’t do this story justice I apologize from the bottom of my heart! I hope you enjoy this @dino-boyo-agere ! Thank you again for the request!!

Forever Mommy’s Little Boy

Caregiver! JJ & Trans Male Little! Reader with Big Brother Little! Spencer Reid

Tags: mentions of period, pull-ups, hurt and comfort. (Completely SFW)

Relationships: Caregiver! JJ, Uncle Derek Morgan, Big brother little! Spencer Reid, Aunt Penelope Garcia, & Trans male little! Reader.

Nicknames: baby, sweatheart, baby boy, kiddo

Breathe! Just breathe! It’s only about 10 minutes more and we’ll be going home. I can wait that long.

I sat at my desk and was waiting patiently for JJ or Morgan or literally any Caregiver in this office to announce we would be heading home. They would’ve been wrapping up everything by now…what’s taking so long?

The case, like every case before it, was long and exhausting. All I want to do is collapse into JJ’s arms and just be babied for the rest of the night but we were still stuck at work!

Regression played the devil on my shoulder, teasing and taunting me to regress at work. But I couldn’t, not yet. I had to remain big till we got to the car, then I could regress and finally relax for the weekend.

I checked again to see if any Caregivers had finished their files. Morgan sat at the desk across from me and he was still leaned down working, same went for JJ who I wanted more than anyone to finish her paperwork. The rest of the team looked the same, all expect Spencer who, like myself, finished his work early.

Spencer regresses as well. He acts as my older brother, watching out for me and creating all the creative pretend games. I’m so lucky to have him!

With a glance towards him I could see he was struggling to keep from regressing as well. At least I wasn’t alone.

Then suddenly I felt off, like weirdly off. It was a weird feeling I haven’t felt in- oh God no. I must be wrong. I have to be wrong. I quickly stood up from my desk and rushed off to the restroom. I walked in and quickly closed the stall door behind me before checking to see.

Sure enough my period arrived earlier and heavier than expected. And since I was unprepared my pants and underwear are stained noticeably. I tried my hardest to push back tears threatening to spill.

This is dead to me. This…this period, it’s just a nagging reminder of a life that didn’t feel whole. A life that wasn’t really mine, not like now. But this was just a hurtful reminder, one I definitely didn’t need right now.

This combined with my struggle to not regress was not a great combo. With a last ditch effort I cleaned myself up as best as I could before walking out and looking in the mirror. But sad and terrible thoughts plagued my mind.

Tears started to run down my face. There was no holding back my regression now. Immediately I started to just regress, feeling smaller and smaller every minute. I just wanted JJ. I wanted her to hold me and tell me it’s all okay. Tell me I’m her sweet little boy and not-

“Y/n?” Spencer asked before entering the large bathroom. He immediately froze upon seeing me.

“Hey, what’s wrong? What happened?” I must’ve caused a domino effect because I could see Spencer regressing along with me.

“Nothing, I’m fine Spence.” I tried to say, wiping away my tears as fast as possible. But Spencer wasn’t buying it. He also didn’t seem to notice the issue which I was grateful for.

“I know something’s wrong. Let me help! I want to make sure you’re okay…please.” He put a hand in my shoulder and looked me in the eyes.

“I’m fine I just-…. P-Please…get mommy.” I said, barley a whisper. Tears starts to flow again, running down my face as I started to cry.

“It’s gonna be okay. I’ll go get her.” Spencer right away said. As much as he didn’t want to leave, he knew there was only one person who could fix whatever was happening.

~~~

JJ sat at her desk finishing up the last details on her case file. Even though they were still at work her careful Caregiver eyes spotted Y/n leaving the bullpen, and then Spencer right after.

A sinking feeling fell upon her that something was wrong, call it a Caregiver’s Spidey sense. She wishes for once she was wrong. Spencer came rushing over to her, worried and sad.

“M-…JJ, something’s wrong with Y/n.” He tried to explain sounding like his normal adult self. But his regression was in full swing and JJ could easily see it.

“What’s going on? Where is he sweetheart?” Now she was worried. A thousand questions played in her mind.

“The bathroom. I walked in to see if he was okay and I found him crying by the sink. I tried to help but he only asked for you.” Spencer explained.

JJ stood up from her desk and placed a comforting hand on Spencer’s shoulder. “Thank you for looking out for your little brother and making sure he’s okay. I’m going to take care of this, and while I’m gone I want you to go to Aunt Penelope’s office and keep her company. Okay?”

Spencer nodded. “Okay…but just-.” He stopped for a moment, looking up at JJ with tears in his eyes. “Just make sure he’s okay. I’m worried about him.”

She smiled and kissed the top of his head. “I know you are sweetheart. I promise I’ll make sure Y/N’s okay.”

With that small reassurance Spencer nodded and left heading towards Garcia’s office. With Spencer taken care of JJ turned her attention to the bathroom.

When she arrived she could hear Y/n soft cries and sniffing. She knocked on the door, “Y/N? It’s me baby, it’s Mommy. Can I come in?”

Even though it was a public bathroom filled with different stalls and sinks, she wanted permission to enter his space instead of barging in.

If she wasn’t listening as closely she could’ve missed the soft “You can come in.”

JJ immediately walked in and closed the main bathroom door behind her, locking it. If someone needed the bathroom they could go to the one a floor down. For right now they needed this space, just the two of them.

Once JJ and Y/N made eye contact, it was as if the world paused so the two of them could have a moment alone together.

Her heart shattered seeing Y/N so broken and upset. She instantly made her way over to her boy and wrapped him into a tight comforting hug.

“My baby boy, what’s wrong sweetheart? What’s happened?” She asked but didn’t get much in the way of a response.

Y/N just cried into JJ shoulder, finally getting the comfort he’s wanted after this long case.

JJ decided to help Y/N along with figuring out why he was so upset. She rubbed his back with one hand and played with his hair in the other. She could tell he wasn’t in the mode to talk and that was okay. Yes and no questions it was then.

“Did someone hurt you?” She asked. He shook his head against her.

“Did someone say something to you?” Another no from him.

Thank God those were two no’s. Because if they weren’t, she would’ve killed someone.

“Sweetheart,” She said pulling them apart and looking into his teary eyes. “I want to help you as best I can right now. But I can only do it when I know what’s going on. You don’t have to talk if you don’t feel like it right now. But you have to give me an idea what’s going on.” She explained.

Y/N nodded wearily. He turned around and pointed to his pants which now sadly had a small red blood stain on the back.

Immediately it all clicked into place for JJ. “Oh sweetheart I’m so sorry this happened. You’re okay baby boy, you’re okay.” She pulled him back up against her, holding him in a tight hug once more.

“Baby boy?” He broke apart and looked at JJ.

Her heart shattered at the question. She caressed his face and placed a kiss to the crown of his head, “You will always be my baby boy. This will not change that. It never has and it never will.”

More tears started to run down Y/N’s face hearing those words. JJ almost fell backwards by the force of the next hug he gave her.

“It’s okay baby. You’re okay. Mommy’s going to make it all better.” JJ said, rubbing his back to comfort him so more.

When the tears dried and his breath started to slow to a normal rate, JJ broke apart from her boy and wiped the last of the tears away.

“Here’s what we’re gonna do, I’m going to get you set up in the stall over here. Then I’m going to grab your bag and get you changed into something clean and comfortable. After that we’re going to get your brother and head home. Sound good?” She asked only to get a nod and a small smile from Y/N.

“Okay let’s get you set up then.” Taking his hand in hers, she led him over the the big stall in the bathroom. Inside was your standard public bathroom only this time with a changing table made especially for Littles.

“There,” she smiled. “Now, I’m going to grab your bag from my office. Keep the door locked okay?” That got another small nod from Y/N. With a small kiss to his head she left the stall, hearing a small click of the lock on the way out.

~~~

After JJ left the bathroom I felt uncomfortable again. She just made everything so safe and comfortable. Now without her here everything felt overwhelming, scary again.

But she wouldn’t be long. She just went to grab my bag and then we would go home. I couldn’t wait to be home again, laying on the couch with my favorite stuffie on one side and JJ on the other.

But my beautiful daydream was interrupted by the sound of someone entering the bathroom. Despite my stall door being closed, I backed myself far away from the door, my back hitting the wall.

This was a restroom, it would be ignorant of me to think no one else would use it. But I want to just be alone with JJ. Now with strangers walking into the space I felt more exposed and scared.

But the person who walked in stayed by the sinks. They didn’t walk into a stall or wash their hands. Before I had a moment to really question it further, the man spoke up.

“Hey kiddo it’s just Uncle Derek. Your mom just sent me in here to stop anyone from coming in. You doing alright in there?”

A wave of relief washed over me. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and wiped a few stray tears.

“M’ doing okay.” I managed to say.

“That’s good to hear. You just let me know if you need anything okay?”

I nodded my head. But then I realized he couldn’t see it so I added a quick: “okay.”

Uncle Derek was a life saver! Not once but twice people tried to enter the bathroom but he redirected them away. I’m couldn’t have been more happy to have him there to protect me.

After what felt like years but was only really 15 minutes JJ returned and relieved Morgan of his guard duties. He knocked on the door before leaving.

“See you when you get out kiddo.” He added before leaving the bathroom to JJ and I once more.

I heard the main door to the bathroom lock before JJ knocked on the stall door. I quickly ran over and opened it to her only to see my favorite stuffie in her arms!

“I’m sorry I took so long. I thought your bag was in my office but it turns out it was in my car. But guess who was also in there waiting for you?”

I immediately grabbed the stuffie and brought him close. Between him and JJ being back, everything started to feel calm again.

“Alright baby boy, let’s get you all sorted out.”

JJ opened the changing table, quickly cleaned and placed a cover on. Then she went over to me and helped me and my stuffie up onto it.

With that she started to get to work, taking my shoes off, then my pants and underwear. Then she helped clean up and before I knew it she was sliding a fresh pull-up on me followed by my emergency set of pants.

“There you go,” she said rubbing my belly. “All fresh and clean.”

Suddenly a sad thought came across my head. “Mommy, I can’t wear a pull-up.”

“Why not? You’re too young not to wear one.” She pointed out, making me feeling smaller.

“No, it’s just that…it’s going to have blood on it.”

JJ sighed. She sat me up and held my hand in mine. “I want you to listen to me for a second Y/N. I don’t mind taking care of you whether you’re on or off your period. That changes nothing about the fact you’re my little boy. Do you understand? I still love you the same and I will never see you different. You are and will forever be my baby boy.”

More tears found their way to my eye as she pulled me into a hug once more. I felt so much better now that I was changed, but even more so now that I felt accepted. No matter what anyone said or what my body said, I’m her little boy. Forever.

“Now,” she said breaking apart. “We gotta go catch up with your brother. He’s very worried about you. I’d say he’s so worried he might let you chose the movie we watch tonight.” JJ winked.

“Really?!” I said shocked. Tonight was his movie night choice. But he was gonna let me chose?!

“Really! And if we’re really lucky we might be able to convince Uncle Derek and Aunt Penelope to stay and watch it with us.” JJ added as she helped me down.

Hand in hand the two of us walked out of that bathroom. Once out we went to Aunt Penelope’s office and met up with Spencer again.

He stood up and ran over to me “Y/n! Are you okay? I’ve been so worried!” He wrapped me in a tight hug.

I smiled against his shoulder, “I’m okay Spence.”

“While you were gone I thought of the coolest game we can play when we get home!” Spencer added excitedly once we broke apart.

“I can’t wait!” I smiled back.

“Come on boys, it’s time to go home.” JJ said after talking to Garcia.

Spencer took one hand and JJ took the other as we left the BAU. My little family always knew how to make me feel appreciated and accepted. Caregiver and Little boy. Forever and always.

[hellowhisperingstars]

Chapter Nine: The Drop

Summary: A night at the bar doesn’t go how you and Eddie thought it would and it ends with you getting punished. Eddie lets you in on some of the darker moments of his past that no one really knows about. 

Pairing: Rockstar/Bar Owner!Eddie Munson x Baker!Reader 

Words: 9K

Warnings: 18+, dom/sub dynamic, smut, spanking, vibrators, fingering, safe word used, sub drop, alcohol, mentions of drugs, jealousy, an almost bar fight, angst, cussing, overuse of pet names, Y/N used, talks of past jail time, the word whore is used a lot, mentions of canon character death by suicide. Please let me know if I missed anything.

A/N: Hello! Gonna be honest this chapter was hard as hell to write. I had zero motivation and I ended up re-writing a part of it like three times. I'm sorry it's been so long since my last update but here is chapter nine! As always the girl in the gif does not represent what the reader looks like, I just needed the aesthetic of a pinky promise! Please tell me what you think! Also I've never experienced sub drop so I probably didn't portray it correctly please be nice about it!

Likes, comments, and reblogs are always greatly appreciated! <3

Please let me know if you would like to be added to the tag list! I will be double checking if you have your age in your bios! AGELESS OR BLANK BLOGS WILL NOT BE ADDED TO THE TAG LIST!

Previous - Masterlist - Forward

They say that time heals all wounds and you knew that was what you needed for your heart to get back into shape. After taking a few days to grieve you easied your way back into work, knowing Nana wouldn’t want you to dwell on her passing and soon you found yourself back in the swing of things. The kitchen was a place where you could let your stress melt away, letting you focus on the task at hand; currently that was a cupcake cake in the shape of a dinosaur. You went about adjusting the cupcakes into the perfect spots before you were confident enough to start frosting it. Outlining the dino with white buttercream you then moved onto filling it in with the light green and blue buttercream for its skin and spots. Cartoonish. Cute. The kid will love it. 

“Y/N,” Emma said as she poked her head back into the kitchen. “Mrs. Reynolds is here for that dinosaur cake.”

“Just finished!” You smiled as you picked it up and placed it in a box for your customer. “I’ll bring it right out!”

“I’ll let her know!” Emma smiled as she moved back into the front of the shop. You heard her quiet. “It’ll be out in just a minute.”

Slapping the sticker on top you picked it up and maneuvered your way out of the kitchen into the shop towards the empty register. “Mrs. Reynolds?”

“That would be me!” The red-haired soccer mom said as she stood up from your cafe table and bounced over to you. She seemed more excited about this cake then her kid probably was.

“Your order is ready!” You smiled as you placed it on the counter pushing it towards her. “I hope the birthday boy likes it!”

“I’m sure he will!” She smiled as she touched the top of the box. “Can I look?”

“Be my guest!” 

You watched as she lifted the lid and did an excited little dance. “Oh my it’s perfect! I knew you wouldn’t let me down!”

“I’m so happy you like it!” You laughed in glee holding your hands to your chest. This. This reaction is why you decided to open the bakery in the first place.

She smiled brightly at you as she closed the lid on the box and pulled it carefully into her arms, gave you a little wave, and headed towards the door with a little bounce in her step. 

Grinning, you headed back into the kitchen to finish a few more orders until you had to leave. Tonight you were going to the bar for the first time in a few weeks. You hadn’t been ready to face a lot of people since the funeral but Eddie had convinced you to come out cause the boys were playing again and getting the chance to get out and listen to your favorite band with a few drinks with friends is just what the doctor - or in this case the Dom - ordered. Plus the band would be leaving for New York soon to work on a deal and a new album with their record company and Eddie wanted to spend as much time with you as he could before he had to hop on that plane out of state for a few weeks. 

Looking at the clock you nodded to yourself and got to work on a new order. Just a few more hours and you can see your boy.

The bar was busy tonight as you pulled into an open space in the parking lot. Grabbing your purse you pull it over your shoulder and exit your car, bumping your hip against the door to close it after you locked it. It was nice out, the heat of the day had diminished enough that your sundress could be paired with a light jacket and you were comfortable. Walking up the steps to the patio you smiled as the sound of the bass rattled your bones before you even opened the door, pulling it open as you stepped inside. By the looks of it you were late to the party, Eddie was already on stage, singing his heart out into the mic with his guitar in his hands but once he saw you his face lit up like the fourth of July. Mid song he gestured for you to come over to the stage. He wanted his hello kiss. Didn’t matter to him that he was in the middle of a performance or that you haven't even sat your purse down yet. He tossed his guitar over his shoulder so it hung against his back before he pulled the mic from the stand and knelt down, holding his hand out to you which you gave as he sang. You laugh a little at the attention he was giving you and for a moment it's like he's singing just for you, completely forgetting the crowded bar behind you. 

Once the lyrics had momentarily stopped to allow for a good second guitar solo from Jeff, Eddie moved the mic away to pull you closer with your hand, placing a kiss on your lips before he pulled back his voice starting to get raspy from singing. “Hi baby.” 

“Hi.” You smile up at him, your sweaty rocker. “You look sexy up there.” 

“Yeah?” He asks, his eyebrows disappearing under his bangs as he fakes shock before a smirk graces his plush lips.

“Yeah.” You nod before tapping his hand holding the mic with a little smirk of your own. “You have a song to finish. I'll be at the bar.” 

He nodded with a chuckle pulling you back in for one more kiss before he let you go with a wink and let out an over exaggerated groan as he stood up just to make you laugh. Puting the mic back on the stand he pulled his guitar back into place as he started to sing again.  

You mouthed the words along with him as you walked to the bar, knowing the song by heart since college, and a smile flashed on your face as you noticed Lizzy sitting with her back to you. Slowly you crept up behind her and placed your hands over her eyes laughing as she jumped in surprise. “Guess who?!”

Lizzy’s hands came up quickly to grab yours, her fingers feeling around for anything that would give away who it was. “Well the band’s still playing and these hands are way too soft to be Jeff’s. I was just talking to Robin so… it has to be… Y/N!”

You laughed as she pulled your hands away so she could turn on the stool to face you as you perched yourself on the stool next to her. “Hey!” 

“Hey! How have you been? Are you doing okay?” She asked with a low concerned voice, her hand rubbing up and down your arm. 

“I've been alright,” You smiled tilting your head a little with a small shrug. “Finally getting back to normal.”

“That's good. If you ever need to talk you know Robs and I are here for you.” Lizzy said as Robin slid you your usual drink order.

“Thank you.” You said for both the drink and her offer. It was nice to have friends like the ones you made here at the bar, you’ve missed them. “Where’s Steve? I thought he was working tonight.”

“Over there.” Robin said pointing behind you. 

Steve seemed almost back to his old self. He was always able to move on with things faster than you ever could, but Nana's passing took a toll on him, you could see it. His smile wasn’t as wide as it normally would have been but by the look of it he wasn’t doing too bad of a job flirting with a girl at a table by the stage. 

You smiled at your cousin when he looked up at you with his own little grin. Yeah. You guys would be okay. Moving your gaze back to the stage you watched as the band finished their last song on a strong note, Eddie always loved a big finish when it came to his performances on stage. He was sweaty and winded but smiling at the ceiling lights as the last note was played, he really loved what he did. Turning to Robin you ordered Eddie a water knowing that his throat would need it after all that singing.

The crowd went wild as the band moved off the stage to take a break and mingle with the patrons of the bar. Eddie stopped at a few tables on his way to the counter, to you, he was checking in on the crowd seeing if they were having a good time or needed anything else. A few people slapped him on the back making him laugh with a well placed joke or comment. Soon he was behind you, his arms going around your waist so his chin could lean on your shoulder. “There’s my beautiful girl.”

“Well hello handsome.” You smiled as you looked at him the best you could from the awkward angle he was forcing. “You sounded great tonight. Sorry I missed most of it.”

“It’s okay. We’re playing again another day.” Smiling he kissed the side of your neck before he pulled back with a fake little pout. “And are you saying I don’t sound great every other night?”

“Yeah…” You smirked, it was time to mess with him. “You were a little pitchy last time.”

“Pitchy?!” He gasped as he leaned back to look you in the eye, his eyes narrowed when he saw that little gleam of mischief in them. Tickling your side he pushed his nose into your hair so he could whisper in your ear. “Oh you are such a brat.”

Your laugh was interrupted as the small redhead from open mic night walked up to Eddie. She was back in her tight corset and short skirt.“You were great tonight Eddie!”

“Huh?” He asked as he pulled back a little to look at her. Misty. She was a nice girl but extremely pushy. There was no telling how many times he had turned her down. “Oh, thanks Misty.”

“Can I buy you a drink?” She asked, lifting her hand towards the bar, cocking her head to the side in a flirtatious manner.

“No thanks, Misty. I’m good.” Eddie said as you passed him the water that you had asked Robin for. “My girls got that taken care of. Thanks baby."

“You’re welcome.” You smiled as you looked over at her before you turned around to take a sip of your own drink. 

“Then maybe I can buy you dinner sometime?” She batted her eyelashes at him this time. She was laying it on thick, trying to get Eddie to fall for her in some way shape or form. 

This whole conversation was awkward to be in the middle of and you looked over at Lizzy and Robin with a wide eyed glance. Was this girl really trying to pick up your boyfriend right in front of you? Lizzy gave you a knowing look back while Robin just shrugged and went about making a new drink for another customer. She had seen this time and time before, she knew Eddie wouldn’t go for it.

Eddie sighed, leaning his head against the back of yours as he rolled his eyes and whispered into your hair so quietly that you barely heard him, “She doesn’t give up…” Before he lifted his head and looked over at her. “No, thank you. I’m not into cheating. The only girl I’m going out to dinner with is this pretty girl right here.”  

“So… You're dating someone?” She asked in shock as she looked you over behind your back. Her tone made you look over your shoulder at her. “You told me you weren't interested in dating anyone right now.” 

“And I wasn't. Then I met her and I changed my mind. As a fully functioning adult and human with free will I'm allowed to do that.” Eddie said as he set the cup down on the counter next to your drink after he took a gulp of it, one of his hands caressed the small of your back while his other one sat on his hip.

Misty's lips puckered like she just sucked on a lemon and her eyes narrowed. “I've been trying to get your attention for months and this chick walks in one night and you fall all over her?!”

“Look Misty,” Eddie sighed as he dropped his hand from his hip to your thigh rubbing it up and down. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. If you don’t like the fact that I’m dating someone you don’t have to come back.”

“But that’s not fair!” She snapped looking at you again with a glare. You didn’t look like the type of girl Eddie would go for. What could he see in you? “She’s not even your type!”

Eddie blinked at her before he turned to look over at you, he took in your hair, your eyes, the little smile you always gave him when you looked at him. “Nah, she’s definitely my type.”

All of Misty’s questions and arguments were starting to get to you. So what if you didn’t dress like her? Sure you didn't dress the way people thought Eddie would like, you weren’t a metalhead or even a punk but Eddie was your boyfriend, your dom. He likes you for you. Rolling your eyes a little you look back at your drink trying to ignore Misty the best you could. 

Taking a deep breath Misty straightened her shoulders and stomped away back to her spot at the other end of the bar. 

“Well she's pissed.” You mutter at Eddie as he invades your space again. “Does she bother you a lot?”

“Yeah. She started coming around for a few months before you did and I made the mistake of sleeping with her. She has not left me alone since.” He shrugged as he laid his chin back on your shoulder. “She'll find someone else to cling on to, that's kinda what she does. I feel bad for hurting her feelings but she won't take no for an answer.”

“My offer to fight her still stands, Eddie Bear.” Lizzy said as she took a drink looking a little too eager to fight the redhead.

“And while I appreciate it, I think Jeff would kill me if I let that pretty face get hurt.” Eddie said as he poked her nose before he leaned over giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for the offer though.” 

You and Eddie laughed as Lizzy put her fists up punching the air in front of her slightly. “Just say the word.” 

“Hey Eddie!” Someone shouted over the music getting his attention. The older man waved in a come here motion. 

“Be right back babe. Behave. Both of you.” He said kissing the side of your head and ruffling Lizzy's hair, cause he knows she hates it, as he went by to see what was up.

“One day that boy is going to learn the hard way about messing with a black woman's hair…” Lizzy snarked as she fixed her ponytail. 

“I would pay to see that!” You said raising your drink in her direction. 

Lizzy lifted her own drink and tapped your glass with hers. “And I will take your money!”

After a while Gareth had taken up residence on the stool next to you, leaning over the bar to grab a lime slice to go with his tequila shot. “I have been looking forward to this shot all night!”

“Only one shot?” You asked as you watched him down it before he bit into the citrus in his hand.

“I promised my wife I wouldn’t drink a lot tonight.” He muttered around the slice. “She wants to have a serious conversation and being hung over is not an option.”

“Ooooh…” Lizzy smirked as Jeff wrapped his arms around her. “Trouble in paradise?”

“Maybe she’s pregnant…” You offered as you gave him a playful wide eyed look that made him nervous.

“Stop it.” Gareth quipped as he threw the rind at you. “I’m not ready to be a dad yet!”

You and Lizzy laughed at him as you took the last sip of your drink. Putting the empty glass on the counter you smiled as Robin and Steve joined you both behind the counter passing out drinks and taking payments. Eddie flitted about the bar going in between loving on you, taking smoke breaks, and talking to the people who had come out to see them play. It was just like old times and exactly what you needed, well except for the glares of a certain redhead being thrown your way from across the bar, you could have done without that, but you just ignored her. She wasn’t your problem.  

One of the times that Eddie had found himself behind the bar you hopped off the stool you were perched on and went around the counter. Since you were the boss's girlfriend you were more than welcome behind the bar but you mainly stayed on your stool more than content to watch them mix and serve drinks, you didn’t like feeling like you were in the way. Tonight though you had a plan to mess with Eddie. You needed to make a little bit of trouble to get back into the swing of things so to speak in your dynamic with him. He’s been treating you like spun glass since Nana passed and while you were grateful you were ready to go back to your regularly scheduled program. 

Coming up behind Eddie you wrapped your arms around his waist as he leaned on the counter talking to an older gentleman you haven't met before. His hand dropped down to hold yours as he looked over his shoulder at you, “Hey sweetheart. Come here I wanna introduce you to someone.”

You let him pull you around so you were standing between him and the bar so you could see the older man. “Hi.”

“Hey kiddo,” He said in his gruff voice. He was balding and the little hair he did have was gray and white, scruff covered the lower half of his face. He had the same kind look in his eyes that Eddie did. 

“Y/N, this is my Uncle Wayne.” Eddie introduced as he smiled down at you. “Wayne, this is my girlfriend Y/N.”

“Nice to finally meet the girl that Ed doesn’t shut up about.” Wayne smiled as he held his hand out for you to shake.

You laughed as you shook his hand. “He’s told me so much about you too! Please tell me you have embarrassing stories?!”

Wayne laughed as he took a sip of his beer. “Oh you bet I do. That boy’s been an adventure since the moment he stepped foot in my house!”

“Fuck...” Eddie sighed leaning his head back towards the ceiling. “This was a terrible idea.” 

The three of you chatted for a while laughing as Wayne told you of the time a young Eddie tried and almost succeeded in befriending the raccoon that dug through their trash at night. “That animal bit his arms up real good. He’s lucky there was little to no scarring. We spent almost a full night at the ER making sure that boy didn't get rabies!”

Snorting into your water you looked up at Eddie as he rolled his eyes. “A raccoon really?”

“What?! They’re wearing masks! They look like cute little bandits! I thought I could teach him to help me steal snacks!” He laughed. “I went for an easier pet next time.”

“A possum.” Wayne laughed into his glass as he finished the last mouthful. “He kept a possum in his room for three days until I found it. Little bastard started hissing at me from under the bed.”

“I would have gotten away with it too if you didn’t go searching for cigarettes.” Eddie mumbled into his own beer.

You shook your head as you laughed. 

“Laugh it up babe,” Eddie smirked as he leaned down to whisper in your ear, making you bite your lip to hold back your smile. “We’ll see who gets the last laugh later.”

Wayne smiled at the two of you as he pushed his empty glass away and stood up from his stool. “Time for this old man to head home. This is enough excitement for me for one night. Moving from the night shift to the day shift has me all tired.”

“You know you can always retire.” Eddie said as he watched his father figure stretch his tired muscles. “I can pay your bills as you do whatever you want. Shit you could go fishing everyday for all I care.”

“Maybe next year. But you ain’t payin’ for shit, I got my money handled just fine.” Wayne said with a look at Eddie before he turned to you. “It was nice meeting you sweetheart. You and Ed should come by for dinner soon.”

“I would love that!” You smiled.

“You two have a goodnight. I’ll talk to you later, son.” He said, leaning over the counter to pat  Eddie on his shoulder. Taking his wallet from his back pocket he dropped a couple bucks on the counter for his beer and gave you both a little wave before he moved through the crowded bar towards the door.

“I like him.” You smile as you look up at Eddie as he grabs the money off the counter and puts it into the tip jar. He would never tell his uncle that his money was no good here. So no matter the amount Wayne left on the counter it went straight into the tip jar for Robin and Steve to divide up later.

“He likes you too.” He smiled as he wrapped his arms around your shoulders. 

“You think so?”

“I know so.” Eddie nodded as he looked down at you. “He wouldn't have invited you to dinner if he didn’t.” 

The thought made you smile, you had somehow won over his uncle, that was a big step. But you had no time to sit in that moment because now it was time to put your plan into action. Slowly you slipped your hand into the pocket of your sundress and produced a shitty pair of plastic handcuffs. It was the type you would get in a childs police officer costume. A kid at the bakery insisted on trading them for a cookie, a free cookie, but hey a trade was a trade. They were easy to break and wouldn’t hurt Eddie but it would get the point across and that’s what mattered. Quickly you slapped the cheap cuff onto his wrist and the otherside onto the handle of one of the fridges that sat under the counter. 

Eddie raised his brows at you as you ducked away from him when he went to grab you, a little smirk on his lips. He jostled his wrist that the plastic was holding him hostage. “Really?”

Jeff and the other boys leaned on the counter to get a better look and laughed at Eddie's plight. Biting his lip Jeff chuckled at him. “Gonna be the sub tonight Ed?”

“Shut up.” He muttered as he pulled a little on the cuff before looking over at you. “You wanna play this game?”

“Maybe,” You shrugged, sticking your tongue out at him. You winked as you took a step back out of his reach when he lunged for you, the tiny fridge door opening as he moved. “Careful baby. Don’t want to hurt your wrist.”

“The only thing that’s going to hurt tonight is that cute little ass of yours.” He smiled as he took a step back to close the door and fiddle with the cuff until it fell off his wrist. Standing up straight he pointed to the ground in front of him. “Get over here.”

“Hmmm,” You hummed as you rocked back and forth in your converse. “No.”

“Child.” A scoff sounded from behind you. 

Turning you looked at Misty as she rolled her eyes at you. “Excuse me?”

“I said you’re a child.” She sneered as she propped her head on her palm. “Why would you embarrass him like that? In his own bar? In front of his band?”

“I wasn’t…” You shook your head. You were just playing. Your brows scrunched together as you stared at her, your hands balling into fists at your sides. It was just a prank.

“Misty.” Eddie said in warning as he came up behind you. “Don’t listen to her baby, you're fine. You didn’t embarrass me.”

“I don't know what he sees in you…” She said ignoring Eddie. “You’re nothing special.”

Your eyes narrowed slightly as you stared at her. 

“And you think you are?” Lizzy asked as she leaned on the counter to get a look at her from where she sat not too far away. Jeff put his hand on her shoulder in warning.

“I would be better for him than you will ever be.” Misty said as she leaned in towards you. “I wouldn’t embarrass him or act like a child. I would be the perfect submissive.”

“Enough.” Eddie warned as he put his hand on your shoulder. “Don't listen to her Y/N… Hey. Look at me.”

You turned and looked at him, he didn’t seem bothered by your prank, so instead of dwelling you took a deep breath and rolled your eyes at Eddie to show your frustrations and shook your head turning back to look at Misty. “I’m not having this conversation. I’m sorry you feel slighted but that’s not my fault. Have a goodnight.”

“Scared I’m right?” She called as you started to walk away.

“No,” You shook your head again at her. “I just think this conversation is stupid. You’re just mad that Eddie made a choice and it wasn’t you. Simple as that.”

“Come on baby.” Eddie said, pulling you away from Misty. He wanted to get you as far away from the bitter woman as quickly as possible.

“I bet he’s only putting up with you cause you put out like a cheap whore.” Misty snapped, throwing one more jab at you as you turned to walk away. 

Your steps faltered as you snapped your head around to face Misty. You were getting really tired of people who don’t know or care about you calling you a whore. “Wanna say that again?”

“I said. You’re. A. Cheap. Whore.” 

Eddie could see you were about to fly over the counter at her so he grabbed you around the waist pulling you back to him. Your back slamming against his chest. “Okay, calm down, feisty pants.” 

Looking at Misty he glared at her for a moment before he was distracted by you. You were fighting Eddie's hold on you not caring that your nails were digging into his arm as you tried to get at her but he wasn't having it. Leaning down so only you could hear he muttered in your ear. “Take it easy, she's not worth it.” 

“Eddie. Let me go!” You said as you tried to lunge for her, making her take a step back in shock she hadn't expected that. She had expected you to sulk like a child not try to fight her. The other patrons of the busy bar turned to see what the commotion was about. “I'm not going to hurt her, I'm just going to rip her hair out!” 

“No you won’t.” Eddie said sternly as you struggled in his arms.

“I’ll do it…” Lizzy said moving to get off the stool but Jeff pulled her back with a hand on the back of her neck. That shut her up quickly but she was still seething.

“Let me go Eddie!” 

“Nope.” Eddie announced and lifted you off the ground easily, carrying you out from behind the bar and over to the stairs. As he placed you back down on your feet he blocked you from getting back down the steps. His dom voice in full effect as he pointed at the ground “Stay here.” 

You tried to push past him but he wasn’t going to budge. Sometimes you forget how stupid strong your boyfriend is. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him but he wasn’t a pushover. With both hands on the railings as he took a step up so he could now tower over you. “Enough Y/N. Get upstairs. Now.”

Glaring at him you stomped your foot like the child Misty said you were. You hissed out his name before he gave you a stern look making you huff in anger before stomping up the stairs muttering the entire time.

He watched you go before turning around to look at Misty. The anger he felt in his chest for her was overpowering. He had never regretted sleeping with someone more than in this moment. She had put some weird claim on him and that was ending right now. He was never comfortable with the attention that Misty had lavished him with but he dealt with the photos and her slipping him her number, not wanting to look like some asshole rockstar but tonight he wasn’t having it. Enough was enough. You had finally felt okay enough to come back out and she had to open her big mouth. Dom voice still out to play he moved back to the counter glaring at her. “You need to leave.”

“She tried to attack me!”

“You provoked her.” Eddie said, trying to stay calm. “Everyone saw it.”

“But Eddie..” She muttered as she looked around. 

“No.” He said with a shake of his head. “I’m not interested in your excuses, Misty. Whether you like it or not, I have a girlfriend. So I won’t be having dinner or drinks with you tonight or ever. It’s time to let that idea go. You’re no longer welcomed here. Get out."

“You made a mistake picking her. You'll see.” Misty seethed for a moment before she flipped her hair over her shoulder and grabbed her purse muttering about not wanting to be in this shit bar anyway under her breath.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Eddie yelled back at her. Watching her leave he sighed as he looked at his friends. “Make sure she doesn’t come back, yeah? I need to check on Y/N.”

“No problem..” Robin said with a nod. She was happy to see her go but watching that scene had ramped up her anxiety a little. She would not have pegged you for the fighting type.

“I'll make sure of it,” Steve said with a nod and a serious look on his face. It had been a long time since he's seen you like that and he hated every single second of it. Moving around the counter he followed Misty’s path and stood at the door watching as she got in her car and drove away. 

Nodding his thanks, Eddie walked through the crowd and up the steps to the top landing, moving around the walkway until he was at his door. He took a moment to calm himself a bit more before he opened the door. He needed to go in with a level head. Twisting the knob he pushed the door open slowly, he could hear you muttering to yourself and he had to duck the moment he walked through the door as a pillow sailed through the air towards his head hitting the wall next to him. Closing the door behind him, he grabbed it from the floor and tossed it back on the couch. “Easy babe."

“I'm… ugh!” You cried as you paced around the living room. “You should have let me hit her!”

“That wouldn’t have made the situation better.”

“It would have made me feel better!”

“Calm down sweetheart.” Eddie said, holding his hands up. “She’s gone anyway.”

“Tell me to calm down one more time.” You threaten glaring at him as he walks farther into the room. Huffing you watched him cross his arms again, his eyebrows disappearing under his bangs. 

“If you don't lose the tone I’m going to beat it out of you. Take a breath.” Stepping into your path he grabbed your shoulders rubbing his thumbs over your spaghetti strap covered shoulders. “Don't let her get to you like this. She’s not worth any of this.” 

“Did you hear what she said? She called me a whore. I'm so sick of being called a whore for no reason. First my dad and then that bitch! She was acting like we didn’t belong together. Just cause I don’t dress or act like her… like she’s so fucking special.” If the situation wasn’t so hostile Eddie would have said that angry look on your face was hot. But now was not the time and you were still ranting. Once you got started it was hard to stop. “You make me happy… and I make you happy right? So she has no place to talk about our relationship…”

“Yes baby you make me very happy and you're right she doesn't. But right now I'm very disappointed in how you handled that situation.” He said as he cupped your jaw in his big palms.

“What? Why?” You asked, your eyes wide with shock. It's not like you actually hit her. 

“Let's count. You handcuffed me to a fridge, almost started a fight in my bar, was a complete brat on the stairs, and then you threw something at me. If we count all those offenses up you owe me… five per offense… so twenty hits.” 

You whined at him with a pout wanting to protest. It wasn't your fault! “She started it, that's not fair Eddie!”

“Nope, nuh uh, not getting out of this. I understand you didn’t start it and that you were upset but you almost jumped someone. I've never seen you act like that, and as incredibly hot as that was, that’s not how good girls act is it? So..” He kissed your forehead before he grabbed your hand and pulled you to the couch making you face away from him. “Get undressed.”

“But Ed-Sir I-”

“No more buts. Strip and wait for me.” He said as he gave your ass a slap. “That doesn’t count as one.”

“Yes, Sir.” You mumbled as you started to pull your dress off your form. You listened as he moved around the room, the sound of a drawer opening caught your attention as you tossed your dress on the usual spot, the one chair he had in his living room, your panties soon joining it after you toed off your shoes and socks. You heard him walk back towards you, felt the heat of him against your back but he never touched you, not yet. You wanted so badly to look over your shoulder at him but you also wanted to hear him call you a good girl again so you had to listen. 

Eddie moved around you, setting down the items he had in his hand before he took a seat on the center cushion of the couch holding his hand out to you. “Come on baby. No more waiting.”

Sighing, you took his hand and let him pull you over his lap adjusting you to his preference, your ass on his lap and your chest on the cushion next to him. Then he started your punishment, by kneading the fat of your ass. You gasped and wiggled when he gave a couple of quick slaps to your sit spots. 

“Sit still.” He commanded as he continued his slaps breaking them up with more kneading. 

“Sorry Sir.” You whispered as you counted the slaps in your head when he went past twenty you glanced back at him. 

“This is just a warm up baby.” He said giving you one more powerful smack before kneading the spot. Once he was sure you were ready, the blood flowing to your bottom heating your skin, he grabbed the wooden paddle and showed it to you. “Twenty hits. Count them out for me, you can cry if you gotta. What’s your safeword?”

“Red, Sir.”

“Good. Deep breath.” He waited until you took your breath before he started, the sound of the paddle making a loud crack against your skin had you gasping and your eyes closed at the pain. He was starting out easy.

“One.”

Smack.

“Two.”

Smack.

“Three.” You clenched your fists on the cushion. The hits were getting steadily harder as he hit you in quick succession. “Four, five, six.”

“Why are you being punished, baby?” He asked as he smacked you again.

“S-seven. I almost started a fight..” You muttered your eyes starting to tear up. This hurt so damn bad. “A-and I was a brat and threw a pillow at you.”

“And?” Another two smacks on your sit stops. 

“Eight! Nine! I handcuffed you to the fridge!” You cried as you tried to not focus on the pain when he smacked you again. Shame welled up in your chest making you feel terrible. “Ten!”

He took a break then, rubbing the small of your back as you tried to control your breathing tears falling down your cheeks. “Doing so good, baby. Ten more. You can do it.”

The last ten hurt so badly that you shoved your face in the cushion to hide your sobs as he hit harder and harder and you counted higher and higher. At one point you swung your arm back to try and stop him but he just grabbed your wrist and held it tightly at the small of your back. “Don’t do that. I could hurt you. A bruised ass is nothing compared to broken fingers.”

“I’m sorry, Sir!” 

The very last one was the worst, making you cry out into the room. “Twenty!”

“That’s it. All done. You did so good sweetheart. So good for me aren’t you, baby?” He said as he dropped the paddle on the cushion next to him out of your line of sight and pulled you up carefully to sit in his lap. Your flaming cheeks hitting his jeans made you hiss out in discomfort as he cuddled you. “Deep breaths. Good girl. My sweet girl.”

“I’m sorry,” You mumbled into his shoulder as you leaned into him. “I’m sorry, Sir.” 

“It’s okay baby. Water under the bridge right?”

“Y-yes Sir,” You nodded sniffling. That feeling of shame was still sitting heavy in your chest, this punishment didn’t make you feel better at all. How could you have been so thoughtless? Trying to fight that girl, you were just as ugly as she was. Nana would be disappointed in you. She taught you better than this. Whore.

He leaned back on the couch letting you get comfortable on his lap as he ran his hand up and down your arm, whispering sweet things to you as you settled down. “You okay? What's your color?”

You didn’t feel okay but you nodded anyway. Placing a kiss on the side of his neck you looked up at him as he maneuvered you to straddle his thighs with his hands on your hips. Sniffing you wiped under your eyes. “Green, Sir.”

“You sure?” He asked as he watched you. He searched your eyes trying to see if he needed to call it.

“I'm okay," You nodded. You felt heavy in a bad way but you continued to nod anyway. “I'm okay.”

“If you're sure, beautiful.” He mumbled as he looked into your red and mascara smudged eyes. “You gonna continue to be a good girl for me?”

“Yes, Sir.” You nodded.

“Took your punishment so well. I think you deserve a reward.” A mischievous little grin grew on his face as he manhandled you so you were standing between his legs with your back to him as he brought your hands behind you and placed a pair of leather cuffs around your wrists. 

Usually this would have done something for you. Excitement would have burst through your veins but all you felt was a tightening on your chest and a sick feeling in your gut. You didn't want to do this. Your safeword was at the tip of your tongue but when he turned you around the smile he gave you made you swallow it. He looked so proud of you and happy to be doing something you usually both found fun and you had caused him so much trouble tonight. Could you really ruin his night even more? Giving him the best smile you could muster, you let him move you around so you were back on the couch, the fabric rubbing against your abused bottom as you laid down. You moved around until you found a comfortable position for your hands and watched down your body as Eddie picked up the vibrator from the same cushion the paddle sat on. 

You heard it before you felt it and jumped a little as the head of the vibrator hit your clit. Closing your eyes you tried to focus on that, just focus on how the vibrator made you feel. It felt good but you still couldn't get into the right headspace. You were thinking too much. Whore. Shame still bubbling inside you. He said you didn't but you couldn't stop thinking about how you had embarrassed Eddie in his own home, in front of his friends and patrons and fans. Tears bit at your eyes making them sting. Whore. You felt his fingers start to prod at your entrance but you weren't wet enough. This wasn't what you wanted. The tears you were holding back finally pushed through and you were sinking into the shame that was drowning you as you gasped out your safeword. “Red... Eddie red. Red.”

His eyes snapped up to you as he stopped immediately, you felt him move his hand away from you and heard as he tossed the vibe on the table. His hands came back towards you grabbing your shoulders gently and pulled you to him to lean on his chest as he reached around you to get the cuffs off. Tossing them to the side he pulled you into his lap again his arms holding you tight as if he could hold you together while you cried into his shoulder. “Shhh it's okay baby. You're okay.” 

“I'm sorry,” You repeated as you sobbed. “I'm sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm sorry I didn't notice you weren't in the right headspace. I'm proud of you for using your safeword. Such a good girl.” He whispered into your hair as he rocked you, shushing you the whole time.

“I have to go. I need to leave.” You muttered as you tried to pull away, shaking your head. You needed to stop being a burden and hide away with your shame. You embarrassed him. You weren’t any better then Misty, and you brought shame to yourself and the memory of your grandmother. Was she watching you right now? Was her spirit mad at you for being so weak and letting Eddie do this to you? Did she think you were a whore too? Everyone else seemed to think you were. 

“No baby, no.” Eddie said, shaking his head. Leaning back so he could get a good look at your face he cupped your jaw gently, his big brown eyes searching yours as you cried. It was finally happening. You were dropping. “No sweetheart, you're not going anywhere. I got you. I'm right here. I’ll take care of you.” 

You shook your head but continued to let him hold you as he grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch. Pulling it over you to warm you, tucking it around your body, careful of your stinging ass. He simply held you for a long time. Knowing that after a scene you needed that closeness as he brought you back down but today the quiet did nothing to settle your racing thoughts but having him just holding you helped a little. You started to calm down and your tears were finally drying up. He moved, bundling you up more and laying you gently on the couch before he got up and went into the bathroom to get some lotion for your butt. You watched as he moved into the kitchen to get your aftercare snacks. He managed to juggle all the things in his hands as he came back over setting them down on the table. 

Handing you your water bottle he stroked your head calmly as he watched you take small sips before you handed it back and he gave you some fruit snacks. Placing your bottle on the floor next to you for when you needed it. He also had your favorite chocolate sitting there in case you wanted some. Holding up the bottle of lotion, he smiled at your little nod and helped you turn around lifting the blanket up and off your bare ass so he could rub some on. You hissed a few times but made no real objection to his gentle massage. The lotion was cool and it felt nice as you wiped your nose on the blanket.

“I saw that,” He chuckled as he finished rubbing the lotion into your skin. Pulling the blanket back down he set the lotion back on the table and helped you turn back around moving your head so he could sit down and you could use his thigh as a pillow. His hand is now sitting softly on your chest while the other stroked your hair some more. “Feeling better?”

“Not really.” You mumbled.

“Wanna talk about what happened?” He asked as he played with a lock of your hair. “You can tell me anything, you know that right?” 

“I know.” You hiccupped as you looked up at him. You thought for a moment and then you told him everything. All of your feelings, the shame you felt, how you were sure your Nana was angry with you, how you were starting to feel like everyone was right and maybe you are a whore. 

“No.” Eddie shook his head. “None of that is true. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You're not a whore, and your grandmother isn't mad at you.”

“It's not the first time someone's called me a whore you know? There was this guy in college. We had been fooling around for a while and I brought this up and he rejected it. Told me that this kind of stuff was for whores and he couldn’t be with a whore. I told him to fuck off. I don't know why it bothered me so much this time.” You sniffed, biting your lip.

“First of all, if you ever see that guy, point him out. I’ll punch him in his stupid face. Second, you've had a hard few weeks, baby. A lot has happened that’s thrown you for a loop.” He said as he dragged his finger over your forehead and down your nose. “Not to mention we rushed into this today. It was your first night playing in a while and I had to give you a punishment and not one of the fun ones you like. I misjudged that. I'm sorry.”

“It's not your fault.” You said taking your hand out of the blanket to reach for his face. You smiled a little when you felt him kiss your palm and hold it to his cheek. “I know I was being a brat. Are you okay? I didn’t upset you did I?”

“No baby you didn’t.” Eddie said as he shook his head. He was now only disappointed in himself for not seeing the signs but all he could do was make a note of it and do better next time. No one was perfect, not even him. He smiled down at you. “I'm fine. I could use some cuddles though. Wanna get in your Pj's and watch TV while we cuddle?”

“Yes please.” You nodded as you went to sit up, Eddie helping you with a little push on your back to help you. He followed you up not long after, watching as you walked to the bathroom to wash your face. He took a detour to his dresser to grab your Pj's.

It's been about an hour since the start of your drop and you still weren't feeling like yourself. This is the first time you've ever dealt with it so you didn't even know how long it was supposed to last. Has Eddie ever dealt with this? Did it always feel like this? Sighing, you adjusted on the couch as you curled into Eddie as best you could. You both had been mindlessly watching some cartoons on the TV. You think it was Futurama, that's what Eddie said it was at least. 

“You okay baby?” He asked as he played with the back of your sleep shirt. The one you always wore here, the Iron Maiden one. Eddie tilted his head at you, his hair being mushed by the pillow under it. 

“Just thinking.” You said looking up at him. “You said you were a sub before you were a dom right?”

“Mhm.” He nodded. 

“Have you… dropped… before?” 

“Plenty of times.” He confirmed as he looked down at you, his hand still fiddling with your shirt. “I would hit a real low sometimes. I had a lot to work through at that time and the drops only made it worse. It felt really lonely.” 

“This doesn't feel like loneliness…” You give him a sad look. “How long does this usually last?”

“It’s different for everyone. It could be a few hours or a few days. All we can do is make sure you're feeling comfortable and safe. I'll be right here with you for as long as you need. I'm not letting you go through this alone.” 

You nodded looking back at the TV. You needed something else to distract you, the cartoon wasn't cutting it. “Tell me about your time as a sub? How did you get into all this?”

Eddie stared at you for a bit, like he was thinking of a way out of this conversation and for a moment you thought he was going to avoid it all together but instead he sighed and closed his eyes. “It's not a fun story and I'm not proud of it. I made mistakes when I was younger and I paid for them but I need you to understand that I'm not that kid anymore. I've grown up a lot. Can you listen with an open mind?”

You nodded your head. What could he possibly tell you that would make you think any differently? “I will. I promise.” 

“Okay.” He said as he took a breath trying to figure out how to start his sad tale. “Remember how that night on the porch when we talked about our parents, I told you I lived with Wayne until I was about twenty?”

“Yeah.” You nodded blinking up at him.

“When I was twenty I was still living with Wayne in that one bedroom trailer, I was in my third year as a high school senior, and no matter how much I tried I couldn’t find a job in that town to save my life. Everyone thought that I was no good. The town freak. Because I didn’t dress like the others, or listen to their shitty music, and I played D&D. I was the devil sent to corrupt their children and since I was doing so poorly in school I was seen as unreliable for the workforce so no one would hire me. Wayne was working long hours at the plant to keep us above water but money was tight so I did the only thing I could. I met up with the local dealer, Reefer Rick, and I started dealing for him. I was good at it. Jocks, cheerleaders, burnouts, nerds, desperate housewives, stuffy business men; you name them I gave them drugs. Weed mostly, a few pills here and there, but I never sold the hard stuff and I tried not to sell to minors.” Eddie always tried to be smart about who he sold to. He closed his eyes as if he could look back in time and see where it all went wrong. “There was this one girl that year, Chrissy, she was the Queen of Hawkins High. Popular, a cheerleader, always smiling but no one knew how terrible her home life was. She was stressed, had trouble sleeping, and just needed help. She asked to meet up after school for a deal and I tried to sell her weed but she needed something stronger, so I sold her Special K. Ketamine.”

You blinked at him completely enraptured by his story. He looked so sad. You had never seen him like this before, so you did your best to wrap your arms around him as he took a moment. Saying her name after all these years made his chest tighten and he took in a little stuttered breath, his hand stopped moving as he clenched your shirt in his fist. 

“What I didn’t know was that she had been stockpiling the pills. Her mother was hard on her, she always had to be perfect, and one day she just couldn’t do it anymore. She OD’d on the drugs I had sold her. If I had known this was her plan I would have never sold them to her. Her friends knew she was buying from me so when that happened they told the cops where she got them, they came and searched the trailer. Found my stash and I was arrested for possession and the selling of illegal substances. They tried to get me for her death but since I just sold the pills and didn’t force her to take them they couldn’t. I also got a lighter sentence because I ended up cutting a deal and giving them the name of my supplier. In the end I was sentenced to five years in prison.”

“Oh, baby.” You muttered as you hugged him. “Five years?”

“I only served three out of the five I was sentenced to. Got out early for good behavior with one year of probation.” He looked down at you now, that sadness was still pinching at his features. “Does that change how you see me? Knowing I was in jail on drug charges? Slightly responsible for the death of the one person in that fucking school who was ever nice to me?”

“It wasn’t your fault.” You said, shaking your head. “None of this changes how I feel about you.”

“Good.” He sighed in relief as he moved his hand to cup the back of your head. “I don’t want you to be scared of me or anything because of this.”

“I'm not scared of you.” You whispered, pressing your face into his chest. "Never could be."

“I’m glad.” He smiled at you a little. He took a moment to let you take in all the information before he continued with his story. “I got out just after my twenty-third birthday and I was… angry. Really angry. No one tells you about the shit you have to deal with when you’re on the inside of a prison and how it would make you feel once you’re out. I was so scared that Wayne was going to hate me, that all he was going to think was that I was just like my old man. But he didn't. He would visit every week and when I got out he welcomed me back home. I crashed on his couch until I was able to get a job as a mechanic with the help of my probation officer and saved up enough to get a shitty apartment in town. I was careful for that first year I was out, never did anything that would make it so I had to go back. But when that year was up… I spiraled. Hard. I’m talking about drinking, drugs, anything to make me forget and it was bad. I barely remember this but I was at a bar in Indianapolis one night and I was plastered apparently but I got into it with this biker guy, he almost murdered me, but some guy in a business suit stepped in and saved my ass. That guy was Daniel Christianson.”

“I’ve heard of him.” You spoke up then. “Seen his billboards on the highways and around town when I go into the city.”

“Big time lawyer man.” Eddie laughed a bit then. “Well mister big shot, don’t tell him I said that, took me to his place to sleep it off, said he didn’t trust me to make good decisions so he revoked my driving privileges. Stole my keys right out of my pocket. The next morning when I was more or less myself I wanted to leave but he didn’t let me, not until we talked about what happened that night. I was about ready to fight him but he put me on my ass. He saw that I was lost, and angry, and that I just didn’t care about what happened to me. He had been in this community for a while but hadn’t had a submissive for a few years. He brought it up carefully saying he could help me and gave me his number and time to think about it after he dropped me off at the bar so I could go home. I sat on it for a few days, BDSM was something I hadn’t really thought of before. I mean, I’m a guy, so yeah I’ve seen the porn, had a ridiculous amount of dirty mags that kinda leaned towards it, so I thought what the hell. I’ll give it a try and if I don’t like it I can leave. So I called him, we set up a meeting, and he became my Master. I stayed with him as his sub for about three or four years. He helped me get my head on straight and taught me a lot, he helped me let go and forgive Chrissy and myself. When I decided I wanted to try being a Dom he took over my training, everything I know is because of him. He was with me when Corroded Coffin got back together, when we got our first record deal, when we bought the bar, and everything else after that. He’s actually my lawyer.” He sighed as he played with a lock of your hair. “And that's the whole story.”

“Damn,” You muttered as you blinked. All of your issues seem so frivolous now. “You had a rough couple of years. I’m surprised none of this has gotten out before.”

“Dan looks through all our contracts and interview questions so no one can ask questions we don’t feel comfortable answering,” Eddie said, his fingers tugging at your hair. “It wouldn’t look good for the record company if my history got out so no one knows anything we don’t want them to. I told you because I trust you.”    

“I won't tell a soul.” You promised as you held up your pinky. A little giggle left you as he hooked his pinky with yours and pulled it to his lips dropping a kiss to your knuckles with a little grin. 

“Thank you sweetheart."

Tag List:

@eddiesprincess86 @haylaansmi @micheledawn1975

[little-bitty-froggy]

Heloo!! May i request a eddie dear and frank frankly cg with a fem little?? Thank youuu!!

Cg: Eddie dear, Frank Frankly

Howdy is in here for like a sec sooo:3

Little: fem reader

Age: 3

Today the day! Y/n gets to go to the store with there papa(Eddie) and there daddy (Frank) to Howdys for something special. Y/n made a goal that she wouldn't throw tantrums and that she would help out all month. Every day she would get a sticker on her chart when Y/nwas good that day.

“PAPA!! DADDY!!” Y/n yelled. “I DID IT!!! The chart is filled!!!!” “yes I see that butterfly.” Frank ruffles Y/n’ hair. “You know what that means right?” Y/n gasps. “TOY?!?!” “yes little one, a toy, for being so good.” edfis picks Y/n up onto his hip. “Where do you want to go princess?” “uuuum…. OH! Howdy’s! I wanna get a toy papa.” she has a huge smile on her face. “Ok, let get your shoes on first.” Eddie puts Y/n down and she runs to the mat where the shoes are, and slips on her f/c shoes and goes by the door. “Hurry daddy! I don wanna be late!” Y/n giggles. “Where right behind you love bug.”

[time skip cause my brain is foggy:3]

They walk into Howdy’s and Y/n goes straight to the toy isle. Y/n looks at all the time and plushies in amazed. “You can get one thing ok? I don't care about the price, just one thing.” “ok papa!” Y/n goes up and down the same isle looking at all the different playsets and kits but one thing catches their eye. A median-sized white dino with a little tiara. Y/n quickly grabbed it, examined it just in case she didn't like the texture, and ran over to Frank. “Daddy! I got wat I waned! Look!” Y/n showed Frank the white dinosaur. “Aww, she's beautiful bug.” she then giggled running around the store to find Eddie. “Papa? PAPA!! Look look!” Eddie then turned around with some other little items. “I got a dino papa!” she then gasped. “dose for me?!” “hehe yes little one, you ready to get checked out?” Y/n then bounced around running to the counter waiting for Frank and Eddie.

“Well howdy there kiddo. What can I do for you?” Y/n looks up and places the white dinosaur on the counter. Frank walked up with Eddie and they place a few things. Some of Y/n and Franks safe foods, a pink bottle and a water bottle. “Well Howdy there, Howdy.” Eddie gives an accword yet welcoming smile. “Hello there fellas, will this be it for today?” “MHM! Daddy can I pay attention for my stuffy?” frank ruffles their hair. “You don have to worry about that. Where getting you this as a gift remember.” “oh, okay!” Frank pays and they leave Howdys. “So what do you wanna do now little one?” Frank asks. “Hmm, cuddles?” Eddie lifts up Y/n and places them on his hip. “That sounds like a plan.”

I know it's kinda short but I did do a sketch on my computer. I'll post it when I get to finish it. Aldo I'm so sorry that I never got around to your request. I've been in a rough spot but at least I got it done soo. :)

[marjanefan]

Why I believe Reece and Steve (and Inside No.9) are  NOT homophobic  (spoilers)

OK I am just going to look at the accusation that 'Inside No.9 is homophobic. I will address particular concerns and try and look at particular characters in more depth. I hope I can make a good case it is far from homophobic.

Please note I will be discussing characters who are openly LGBT or who are shown to be LGBT. I will not be discussing characters whose sexual orientation is not indicated or discussed. It is actually interesting to note how many characters sexual orientation or marital status is not indicated. This shows how these play little part in the characters motivations and actions.

We should ask 1. are the characters made ridculous because of their sexual orientation 2. punished because of their orientaton. 3.Motivated to do bad things because of their orientation.

Please note many spoilers below

Wholesome LGBT Characters- that survive!

Stevie (Tom and Gerri), Bobby (12 days of Christine), and Robert (Zanzibar) may be somewhat camp but they are all deeply caring and considerate characters - and they all survive

And lets not forget Mark Gatiss got to play Callum, a happily married, professionally successful openly gay man, just as he is himself.(and yes Callum does survive the events of 'Merrily Merrily'). Callum is or was part of the gang just like Laurence and Darren and his sexual orientation is by the by. And the friendship between Callum, Darren and Laurence reflects the even greater frienship and brotherhood between Mark, Steve and Reece.

Martin (The referee's a wxxxer)

There is a gay character who does not die or who kills who does something questionable. Martin in 'The referee's a wxxxer' sets up his lover Calvin to ensure the success of his true love- the football team he supports. But the episode asks questions of the ongoing homophobia in UK league football and the alliegance fans at all levels have to their teams.

Episodes where LGBT characters die

Inside No.9 does not kill off LGBT characters more than heterosexual characters

In 'Sardines' it is implied Stu and Carl may die but this is alongside THREE heterosexual couples

In 'Wuthering Heist' Mario (Dino Kelly) dies in the final shootout but so do several other heterosexual characters.

In 'A Quiet night in' Sabrina is killed by Gerald- and the killing is shown in all its horror. But Gerald is also killed as are Ray and Eddie.

In 'Private view' Patricia (Felicity Kendall) is killed- as are several other characters.

I will come back to Simon Smethurst in 'Simon Says'

Episodes where LGBT characters are killers

Inside No.9 includes many many killers - but only two are (possibly) LGBT.

In 'How do you plead?' Urban is revealed to have killed a classmate as a young teenager. But it is clear he is deeply haunted by this and he actually owns up to it and accepts that he will face serious punishment eventually for this. He is trying to make amends by being a patient and caring person and it could be said that his outwardly camp persona is a way for him to defuse the darker side of his character and turn it into something better (see how he drops this persona when he goes to sort the fuse).

Brian in 'The Last Night of the Proms'joins in the killing of Yusef. But this is shown to be part of his latent xenophobia and of his failure to accept and be open about his true sexual orientation and desires.If he had been more self accepting he probably would not have participated. And part of the point of Brian's story is that Reece and Steve show that remainers are capable of being as racist and intolerant as Brexit supporters.

A few more thoughts on Carl and Stu

I wrote a whole blog about 'Sardines' but just want to say a bit here about Carl and Stu and their relationship. When we met them they are mid argument and it is clear that there are underlying tensions between them about Carl's fear of intimacy, because of the abuse he endured at Andrew's hands. But it is also evident that there is affection and in a moment that was cut from the episode as aired but in the script they reconcile.

The case of Simon Smethurst

In 'Simon Says' Spencer kills Simon during what appear to be an attempt by Simon to seduce him. But this is after Spencer has seen Simon apparently kill Gavin. He could well believe he is about to get violated and possibly killed. (Also worth noting there was a cut scene from earlier in the episode when Spencer considers smothering Simon as he has had enough of his blackmail).

What Simon's actual intentions are in this particular scene are debated by fans. There are signs he may have a romantic/sexual obsession with Spencer but he was performing a script (I may come back to this). But the point is that Spencer doesn't kill him because he may be gay but because he is afraid in that moment for his life.

Personally I could also discuss the portrayal of lesbian characters such as Felicity (The Understudy), June (And the winner is) and Patricia (Private View) - it seems no one cares very much about the L part of LGBT (I say this as someone with many Lesbian friends). But I don't hold this against Reece and Steve (too much!)

And arguably why can't LGBT character be as flawed and complicated as a heterosexual character

The vast majority of killers and indeed victims in the show are heterosexuals or do not have their sexual orientation indicated (like Maxwell, Dennis Fulcher, Viktor).

I previously wrote a blog about 'The Stakeout' which looks at amongst other things whether Varney being a vampire is code for homosexuality.

The Question of 'The Last Weekend'

This particular issue is being raised because of the forthcoming episode 'The Last Weekend' where Steve and Reece play a couple Joe and Chas. I am going to reserve my thoughts on the episode until I have actually seen it and had a chance to think about it.

Perhaps we need to examine our own feelings about what we expect from this episode and why we want the episode to play out a particular way.

Final thoughts

Reece and Steve have many close friendships with members of the LGBT commmunity (not just Mark Gatiss but people like Matt Lucas, Derren Brown and many others). Russell T. Davies has praised the show.

Inside no.9 explores the human condition and human fralities often in quite a profound manner. I am proud to be a fan.

[warmaidensrevenge]

Love and pinball

Pairings: Eddie x Chrissy x Fem! Plus size reader

A/N: Look at me buuuuudddies! Another part. I've been writing so much when I can. You guys can expect some spiciness coming up on existing fics. Ones that I haven't touched in a while. But boy oh boy am I excited. Okay...okay I'll shut up now. As always thanks for reading and feedback is greatly appreciated. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. No pressure though. Kay love ya byeeee.

I do not give permission for my work to be posted anywhere else. Please respect all creators.

Word count: 5,000+

Warnings: 18+ No minors, thank you. Angst, slow burn, language, sexual situations/implications, oral(m receiving), hurt/comfort and not proof read.

Summary: Eddie's trying to build a friendship. But quickly wants more.

Part 2: No doubt about it.

The next morning he woke up in a good mood. He turned around and Chrissy wasn't there.

" Hey Chris? Where are you?" He called down the hall.

" In the kitchen."

He smiled and jogged over. He went to her and tried to kiss her.

" N-no Ed." She pushed him away. "You'll mess up my lipstick."

"Oh common Chris. I miss you. And you look so pretty today."

She gave him a thin lip smile and kissed his cheek. " I gotta go."

He looked at his watch. " This early? Where are-"

" I have a breakfast date. Then I'm going to work."

Eddie watched her grab her purse and head towards the door. 

" Don't wait up." She said right before she closed the door.

He sighed. Where was the girl who loved to be in his arms? The one who couldn't get enough of his lips? 

Deep down he knew that the relationship was over. But he refused to accept that. He still loved her. And he wanted to make things work. He just didn't know how.

Later that day he wanted to see you. Fortunately for him, he didn't have the right part for your car so he had to drop you off last night. Your house was small. But nice. And seeing in at night made it look kinda haunted. Well to him that is. But when he pulled up that afternoon, he saw that it was actually painted a charcoal gray. With a black door. It looked nothing like how your colorful self was. But surprisingly it was more like him. He liked it. Actually loved it. The front yard was big and had a tire swing. The wrap around porch was incredibly nice. He could picture you sitting out there, drinking lemonade and reading or listening to music. The thought made him smile. And secretly wished he could sit next to you. Holding your hand. 

He quickly shook off the thought and jumped out of his van. He walked towards your garage that was wide open. That's when you came up from the basement. Holding a laundry basket on your hip. You looked amazing. Sure you were in black tights and a gray shirt with the sleeves cut off. With your hair in a crazy messy bun. Nothing fancy. Just comfy. You looked great though.

" Hey bud. Uhhh whatcha doing here?"

" H-hey sweetheart. Umm I uhh." He scratched the back of his head and nervously laughed. "Wanted to see if you wanna grab lunch… with me?"

You pressed your lips together and gave him a 'no' look, that made him feel so stupid and a bit bummed.

" That sounds great. I would love to."

He raised his brows and was surprised.

" But…"

Of course there's a but.

" It's cool. Sorry I-I shouldn't have come." He turned around to leave.

" Eddie?" You softly said.

He stopped. His name never sounded so good coming out of someone's mouth before.

"I was going to say I would like to. I'm kinda babysitting right now…my niece is here. She's actually napping right now. But she will be up soon."

He turned around. " Oh. I'm sorry. I hope I wasn't being too loud."

You laughed. " Please. That girl can sleep through a marching band in her room."

He grinned. " So can I."

" Awe. then you two would get along just fine."

You guys stood there quiet again. But it was nice. Like the silence didn't need to be filled with nonsense. 

" So umm if you're okay with Mac and cheese and dino nuggets. We could still have lunch." You offered.

He licked his lips. Trying so hard to not show you how excited he was to say yes.

" That sounds amazing actually. Do you have juice boxes?"

You nodded. " Those are for my niece though…However, I do have my own personal stash of Capri sun's that I may or may not be willing to share."

He laughed and looked at the ground. 

" Common bud."

He glanced at you and you nodded towards the door.

Doing a slight bow, he held out his arm. "After you."

He followed you up the 4 steps and was immediately hit with the smell of cookies. His mouth instantly watered. 

" Jesus. It smells so good in here."

You put the laundry basket in the next room and came back. 

" Thanks. Just making some cookies for later."

Eddie looked around the kitchen and smiled at all the cow decor. It was very cute. 

" Uhh yeah." You said when you noticed him looking. " I have a thing for cows."

He clicked his tongue. " I see."

You tilted your head and narrowed your eyes at him. " Are you judging me?"

He smirked at you and held up his hands. " No. Not at all. Cows are cool."

" Uh-huh."

He chuckled to himself and watched you pull out stuff for lunch. 

" Do-do you need help?"

You looked over your shoulder. " No thanks bud. I-"

A little voice cut you off.

" Tee, I'm hungry."

Eddie looked over and saw a little girl with messy brown hair rubbing her eyes. 

" Hi sleepyhead. Good afternoon baby."

Eddie watched your face light up when you went to her. You picked her up and put her on your hip. 

" I'm getting lunch ready right now baby. I'll be done in a few minutes."

She nodded and pointed at him.

" You want to say hi?" You asked.

Eddie smiled and waved at her while you put her down. Holding her hand.

" This is my friend Eddie. Eddie, this is my niece Natalie."

He looked at you before he squatted and held out his hand for her.

" It's nice to meet you princess."

His heart melted right away when she grabbed his hand with both of her tiny ones and flipped it around. Her eyes got so big when she saw his rings. She then met his gaze and reached for his hair.

" Your hair is pretty."

" Aww thank you princess. I like your hair too."

Natalie giggled and gave him a hug. He looked up at you to silently ask if it was ok that he hugged her back.

" It's okay. She doesn't bite. Just really friendly."

He gave her a hug. " Is that right? Just like your aunt huh?" 

Natalie pulled away and ran to another room. She came back with a handful of toys. 

" Want to play dolls?" She asked.

" Oh baby. Eddie doesn't-"

" I would love to." He gave you a big ass smile before grabbing her hand and leading her to the living room.

As he played with Natalie. He kept stealing glances at you. When you would catch him you would make him blush from the look of joy on your face.

After lunch all of you watched a movie. 

" Is Bud gonna take us to the park now?"

Eddie turned his head towards you. 

" Oh no baby. I told you we can't go today because I don't have my car."

"What park?" He asked.

" Umm, just one on the other side of Hawkins. Near Forest Hills. They have-"

" Water fountains."

" Yeah." You furrowed your brow. " How-"

" I used to live out there…if you want, I can take you guys."

Natalie jumped up. " Yes! Please, please! Tee please!"

" I-." You grabbed her and placed her on your lap. " Bud, you don't have to. I can take her another time."

Without thinking he grabbed your hand. " Let me take you guys for ice cream and then we can work off the sugar there."

You looked down at his hand and then at Natalie. She was giving you a pout.

" Okay. Let's go."

…

Eddie had never felt this way before. Sitting there watching you and Natalie sharing an ice cream. Laughing and making random noises. It was something he wanted all the time. You were sweet with her. So loving and happy. It was a side of you he was falling for. Though he knew he shouldn't. He did. And he didn't want to fight it. 

When he took you guys to the park he raced Natalie to the water. But before they took off Natalie started to count."One…twooooo…..five."

He looked at you and grinned.

That's where you got it from.

The laughter you made from him figuring it out made his heart skip.

Once you put down the stuff, you came and picked up Natalie. Spinning her around and wetting her a bit. 

She squealed and you put her down. She then quickly ran and hid behind him. 

" Help me bud." She pleaded.

He put his hand on her head. " Don't worry princess. I'll protect you."

When you came towards them he grabbed your hand and started pulling you towards the water. Your's and Natalie's giggles sounded angelic to him. The sun was envious of how brightly you smiled. 

" Oh my God!" You yelped as he held you over a fountain. 

Getting you and him completely soaked. Both uncontrollably laughing. After a minute there was this moment where you looked at him and he looked at you. Without a word being said he knew you wanted what he wanted. More days like this. With each other. 

As you guys went back to the house, you offered to dry his clothes for him while you gave Natalie a bath. He of course agreed. Not wanting one of the best days of his life to be over just yet. 

When Natalie was squeaky clean, you took a quick shower too. After, you asked if he would like to join you guys for dinner. Which he did. Before he knew it, it was almost 9. Natalie was in bed and he was sitting with you on the couch. 

" You're really good with her."

You took a sip of water and nodded. " Yeah. I guess you can say I love her."

He grinned. " I hope so."

You let out a small nose laugh.

" So uhh. Tee?"

You grinned putting your cup on the coffee table. " Yeah. She had trouble saying auntie. So she's called me Tee since she could talk."

" That's cute. But do you ever get a day off?" He asked.

" What do you mean?"

He looked at his lap. " I just mean. You have 3 jobs and you babysit. Don't you ever just get a day to relax?"

You put your legs on the couch and covered them with a blanket. Turning your body towards him. " This is how I spend my days off. This or spend a few hours at the lake with friends. But whenever I can, I try to spend time with Natalie…she umm…she lost her mom when she was one. I try to be that womanly figure in her life. And well she's really fun to be around. So I would take a day with her than have a day all alone. "

" That's sweet."

" I try."

Eddie and you grinned at each other. A few seconds passed by when you grabbed his hand. 

" Thanks Eddie. You made Natalie's day. I haven't seen her that happy in a really long time."

His grin turned into a soft smile. " It was a pleasure. Honestly, I haven't had that much fun in a while too."

You gasped and pulled your hand away. " What about the lake? I thought we had a great time." 

He shook his head. " No. That was a good day too. Just today was better."

You beamed at him. " I guess you can say I'm pretty awesome."

" I could. But I won't." He joked 

You gasped again. " Alright. Break a lady's heart." 

It happened again. That moment. But this time it felt like you wanted him to kiss you. Should he? Would you be okay with it?

Chrissy...

He cleared his throat and got up. " I uhh better head out. I want to make sure your part comes in tomorrow."

The look on your face broke his heart. It was fast but he saw what looked a lot like disappointment. But within a blink of an eye. You were smiling again. 

While walking him to the door, he thanked you for lunch and dinner. 

Before he left you called out his name.

" Yeah sweetheart?"

" Umm do you want to hang out sometime?"

His heart jumped. " Yeah. Definitely."

" How about next Saturday?"

He wanted to say yes. More than anything in the world. But he had plans. With Chrissy.

" Umm could you maybe do Sunday?" He asked. Praying you would say yes.

You hummed and crossed your arms. " Yeah. I think I can do that. We could go to this thing I heard about. It's called Age of Horror. The theater shows all the horror/slasher films all day."

Eddie could have ran and hugged you. He always wanted to go to that. But he didn't want to go alone. And Chrissy hated scary movies. 

" Absolutely! I love horror movies."

" Cool. I'll see you then bud."

"Looking forward to it...Goodnight y/n."

"Night."

…

When he got home he threw himself on the bed and smiled at the ceiling. He closed his eyes and saw you. He replayed the whole day over again. Wishing he could do it again tomorrow.

Why did he feel like this so fast? Why were you just so…perfect and beautiful? How was it he didn't meet you sooner? 

Why couldn't I've met you before-

He opened his eyes and shook the thought away. No way should he want to have met you before Chrissy. But he wanted to. He really wanted to.

Having enough of his selfishness he hopped in the shower. 

" Ed?"

" Chris?"

He took a couple of steps back as Chrissy climbed in the shower with him. 

" Hi Ed…I'm so sorry about yesterday."

He gave her a thin lip. 

" I canceled my date to make it up to you."

Gee thanks. 

"It's fine Chris. I'm kinda tired."

He watched her get down on her knees and grab him. Putting his flaccid cock in her mouth. He wanted to push her away. He wanted to get out. But he just closed his eyes and thought of you. It was wrong. And he felt real shitty for doing it. But he did it anyway. His thoughts weren't sexual at first. It was just you laughing and looking at him. 

" Mmm that's it Ed." Chrissy said cupping his balls.

He ignored her and kept thinking about you. Only this time he thought of the first time he saw you. The way you had your tongue out. The way your tits bounced. Then at the lake. Stand there in your tight red bathing suit. Sweat dripping down your skin. Then when he was holding you under the fountain. How your soft body molded to his. The smell of strawberry shampoo filled his nostrils. 

Before he knew it, his body filled with goosebumps and his toes curled. 

He opened his eyes and saw Chrissy spit out his cum and smiled up at him. 

" That was fast Ed."

He swallowed and tried to smile. Catching his breath. " S-sorry." 

When he got out he laid in bed with her. She was fast asleep. With his eyes fixed on the ceiling tears fell. 

I'm so sorry Chris.

…

After Eddie left, you went to check on Natalie. Once you knew she was okay you went to bed. Looking up at the ceiling you were lost in thought. The day at the lake was nice. And you liked all your new friends. Especially Eddie. You were lying when you said he wasn't your type. He was most definitely the type of guy you would fall head over heels for. Only saying  he wasn't to save yourself from the hurt of rejection. Then the whole car thing happened and now today. Today was amazing in every sense of the word. It's been so long since you felt comfortable with someone. Ever since your college relationship ended 2 years ago, you haven't felt like you needed anyone. You had enjoyed being alone. Being free to do whatever you want. You had dropped out of college when the break up happened and decided to travel until you missed your family. This labeling you as the troublesome one. So a few months ago you wanted to finally settle down in a little town. Be closer to your loved ones. It took a bit to find a good paying job and with help from your brother. You bought your first house. And boy did you love your little house and the silence that came with it. You wanted this to be your forever home. So you worked other jobs to pay your mortgage off faster. A relationship wasn't something you had time for and was the furthest from your mind.

But today hit you differently. All day you kept repeating to yourself that Eddie in fact had a girlfriend. To stop looking at him like you wanted him. Because…you did. He was beautiful and funny. And he made the best faces. Most importantly he was really good with Natalie. You actually loved seeing him with her. It honestly made your heart melt when he called her princess.  Still, he was unavailable. So you cursed yourself for basically asking him out on a date. Not that you would ever actually consider it a date. But he also didn't say no. Even though he maybe should have. 

You sighed heavily while turning to your side. 

I want to get to know you on a deeper level…Maybe we could-

" Tee?"

You rolled over and saw Natalie in your doorway.

" Yeah baby?"

" Can I sleep with you?"

You softly smiled and sat up. Pulling the blanket back. She ran over and you picked her up. Once she was comfy you laid down. 

" I like bud, Tee."

You laughed a little and moved her hair behind her ear. 

" Me too baby."

…

The week dragged on for an eternity . Eddie looked forward to Sunday. He only saw you once during the week. When you picked up your car. You didn't stay long. But the few minutes he got with you got him through the week. 

On Saturday, Chrissy tried and failed making dinner. Like always. But hey at least she still tried. The date night was quiet. The night consisted of pizza and a movie. He sat there watching one of her favorites while she cuddled up next to him. 

He should be here. He should be enjoying the time he has with her. And for the most part, it was a good night. However he kept thinking about tomorrow. Should he pay for the "date"? Could he put his arm around you? Does he offer a shoulder for you to hide in when you were scared? 

All the unanswered questions came to a halt when Chrissy started kissing his neck. Everything got pretty heated. Before he knew it, he was taking her from behind. He tried not to think about you. He was trying to focus on her. What he did last Sunday wasn't right. He shouldn't have been thinking about you when he was with her.

About 30 or so minutes later he finally came. He laid there while Chrissy went to shower. A few minutes later he heard her moaning. When he went to check he saw her pleasuring herself with the shower head. 

He went back to the room and sulked. Now he couldn't even make his girlfriend cum. His mind went to the other guys. We're they bigger than him? Did they make her cum? Was he bad tonight? How often did she do that? Was it after every time they had sex? 

Then his questions went to you. Could he get you there? Would you accept his size? Would he even be able to fit because of how big you were?

The second after he thought that, he felt like a shallow piece of shit. He didn't think you were fat or anything like that. Sure you were definitely bigger than him. But you were beautiful. Inside and out. He knew that because even though he only hung out with you twice, those two times was all it took to see the real you. 

The goofy and sweet, competitive and strong willed, outgoing and loving you. And though tomorrow wasn't a date. He was going to treat it like it was. 

Chrissy finally came to bed and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. When she turned around he cleared his throat.

" I uhh have a date…tomorrow."

Chrissy smiled. " That's good. Have fun. Good night Ed."

He wanted her to be upset. To hear her say something other than have fun. But when he heard her steady breathing he knew that she didn't care.

…

When he agreed to meet you at the theater, he wanted to pick you up. But, you said you had to do stuff before. So when he got there he was expecting to see you alone. He was wrong. Somehow instead of a night with you two, Steve, Gareth, Robin, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Mike were there. His heart sank. You didn't mention this to him. 

-

You locked eyes with him and smiled. So happy that he came. He looked a little upset at first. But that faded when he saw you. Sure tonight was supposed to be just you two. And you really wanted that. However, you didn't know if it was the best idea. As much as you wanted more time alone with him. The thought of his girlfriend changed your mind. So you invited everyone. Hoping that he wouldn't be upset that you didn't tell him.

-

Tickets were bought, and snacks were in an abundance. Now it was time to find a row to sit in. Dustin picked the perfect seats right in the middle of the theater. When everyone was about to sit, Eddie was hoping to sit next to you. But his luck just ran out. To your right was Robin and Steve. To your left was Gareth. When you looked at him, he could see that you were apologizing with your eyes. So he forgave you for whatever you thought you should be sorry for and grinned at you. Taking the seat next to his best friend. 

Everyone was getting settled in, passing around popcorn and chit chatting. The lights flickered and the audience cheered. Once the lights were off the opening scene to Suspiria played. That's when the exit door opened up and a couple came in. 

When he saw her, he sank into the seat. 

What the hell?! What the fuck Chris?! You said you hated scary movies.

Then he saw her date and was pissed.

Jason fucking Carver! You've got to be shitting me!

If it were anyone else, anyone who didn't give him hell in highschool. He would have been okay with it. Well, as okay as he could be. But it was fucking Carver. Chrissy knew how badly he was bullied. And she was out with the prick. Like this situation wasn't bad enough. Now she was fucking him too.

Eddie took a couple of deep breaths to calm down. His eyes followed them to their seats. He was disgusted. Then out of nowhere he felt a hand on his thigh.

-

You were sad that you couldn't be close to him. God you wanted your thigh to touch his. You wanted to be overwhelmed by the scent of his body wash and faint cigarette smoke. You wanted those glances. Silently telling each other they rather look at one another, instead of the movie. But Gareth hopped in the seat before Eddie even got the chance. And Robin didn't want anyone else to sit next to you. So she slipped into the chair on the other side. 

Slightly annoyed with both of them you accepted that it was probably for the best. Sitting there, doing those things would only aid the feelings that were growing. 

When the movie started you looked over at the cute blonde couple that came in. In the darkness you could still see Eddie's face. The look he had scared you. Then you saw his fist clenched and jaw flexed looking at the couple. 

" Hey Gare." You whispered.

Gareth looked at you and smiled. " Yeah?"

" Switch with me, yeah?"

His smile turned down. " You want to sit next to Eddie?"

You nodded and leaned in to kiss his cheek. " Yes please. There's something wrong."

He turned to Eddie and followed his glare. " S-shit! Umm." Gareth looked back at you and got up.

When you sat down Eddie's eyes were still fixed on the couple. So you reached over and put a hand on his thigh. When he looked at you, his eyes softened. His jaw slacked and his fist loosened.

" You okay bud?" You asked just above a whisper.

You saw his Adam's apple bob.

" Y-yeah. I-I'm good."

But you didn't believe that. " Who are they?"

-

Eddie looked away from you. He was embarrassed. He would be so humiliated if you met her this way. He didn't even want you to meet her. He could lie and say the shit about Carver. But he didn't want to lie to you. He wanted to be utterly and completely transparent. 

" Uhh." He sighed. " That's uhhh Chrissy."

"Chrissy...Your Chrissy?"

He nodded.

You were quiet until he saw you turn your gaze onto Chrissy. You sucked on your teeth when you saw what he saw. Chrissy was kissing Jason. You didn't say a word. You just got up and started down the row. Gareth must have known what you were planning because he was just a few steps behind you. Right when he passed Eddie, he gave him a look.

" She's gonna fight." 

Eddie's eyes nearly popped out. He quickly got up and went after you. Pulling Gareth back.

" HEY! CHRISSY!" You shouted. 

She looked right at you. " Uhh yeah?"

Eddie saw you smile. But it was anything but happy. Then you laughed sarcastically. 

Chrissy stood up." Do I-"

You then raised your fist and mid swing Eddie grabbed your arm.

" ED! WHAT THE-" Chrissy screamed.

" LET ME GO EDDIE! YOU CAN'T HIT HER. BUT I SURE AS HELL CAN!" You yelled trying to get out of his arms.

Next thing he knew Jason got up and pushed him. Gareth jumped in and threw a punch. 

While holding the very tenacious you back, all his friends came to help. People were throwing popcorn and ushers came. 

Finally everyone who was involved got thrown out. 

Eddie had to pick you up and carry you outside. While you cursed at Chrissy the whole time. When he put you down he cupped your face and made you look at him. All the while thinking how incredibly sexy you were for doing that. 

" Y/n please. Calm down."

" No Eddie! How are you not pissed?! She is such a dick for cheating on you."

You tried to push his hands away but he then decided to give you a full on bear hug. It only took a couple of seconds before you hugged him back. 

" I-I'm so sorry bud."

" Don't be. I-"

" Oh my God! You totally were gonna kill her!"

Eddie didn't want to let you go. But Mike interrupted the moment. When you guys pulled apart everyone was staring at you two. 

The young ones that didn't know the situation praised you for what you did. The others that knew looked at Eddie. Clearly understand that he hasn't mentioned a word of this to you. 

"Ed?"

Eddie turned his focus on Chrissy who was standing behind Gareth.

" You have a lot of nerve you-" you started to say but Robin jumped in front of you and grabbed your arm. With Steve grabbing your other arm. Pulling you away.

Eddie quickly looked at you. " It's ok sweetheart."

You shut your mouth and nodded.

He then went to walk with Chrissy. 

" What the hell was that?!" She said, smacking his arm.

He sighed. " I'm sorry. She doesn't know about our arrangement. But... what the hell are you doing with Jason? And here?"

Chrissy looked like she was gonna cry. " Look Ed, he's changed. And I was going to tell you. But I barely see you."

He scoffed. "And who's fault is that? I'm home every night."

She looked away and wiped a tear away. " Ed, okay I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But he's different now. And I want to get to know him."

He should've been mad. He should have argued more. But he glanced at you and he knew he didn't really care to. He just wanted to be with you.

" Chris. It's fine. Have a good date."

She smiled weakly and nodded. He was just about to join his friends again when Chrissy grabbed his hand.

" Though she tried to kick my ass, I like her…you like her too. So you need to be honest with her…I'm not gonna be home tonight. So maybe bring her back?"

That's breaking a rule.

He didn't say anything and watched her walk away. When he came back you looked apologetic. 

" Alright, so now that the movie's out of the question-"

" I think we're banned now." Steve interrupted Robin.

She rolled her eyes. " Yeah whatever. So what're we gonna do?"

" We could go to The Palace?" Max suggested.

" Or the Hideout?" Gareth offered.

Steve scoffed." The kiddos can't go there yet." 

" I kinda just want to go home." Eddie said.

" Me too." You said

He looked at you and you still looked sad.

" I umm rode with Gareth…could you take me home instead?" You asked him.

You rode with Gareth?

" Y-yeah. Of course."

Once the goodbyes were said, Eddie held open the door to his van for you and offered his hand to help you up. 

" Such a fine gentleman."

" Ehh I try."

Both of you smiled a little. 

The drive was silent. Well, except for the sound of him tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. When he pulled up to the house you sat there for a minute. He kept telling himself to say something. To stop being so weird. But nothing was coming to mind. Then you shifted and turned your body towards him.

" Eddie, I am so sorry you had to see me like that. And I'm really really sorry about Chrissy. You don't deserve to be cheated on…no one does." You reached out and put a hand on his knee. " Everything's going to be okay. You're a great guy. I'm sure you'll find someone who treats you and thinks you're with the shits."

He grinned.

" Y/n, I have to tell you something."

When he was done, you sat straight forward. Eyes fixed towards the dash.

" Uhhh wow. Okay I'm a dick."

He laughed a little. " What? No you're not."

" No seriously. I'm an asshole. I should have minded my own damn business."

" Sweetheart, it was very cool that you stuck up for me. People don't normally do that. And it was badass."

You tilted your head and widened your eyes a little." Well I don't feel like a badass."

He put his hand on your head rest. " You are."

The second you looked at him with those beautiful eyes of yours, he wanted you then and there. Unfortunately, he didn't know if you would be okay with having a relationship with him.

Now that it's out. Might as well.

"S-so does it bother you that I am..I guess you could say polyamorous?"

" What? No." You shook your head and averted your gaze. " Not at all. To each their own."

He withdrew his hand when you seemed to not pick up what he was putting down. Still, he needed to know. Needed to ask questions.

" Have you ever been in a relationship like this before?"

He tilted his head. He was just about to ask you that. " Uhh no. Chris is the only girl I've been with."

You gave him a little smile. " Aww that's cute."

You're cute.

You looked back at him. " Bud?"

" Yeah sweetheart?"

"As much as I love sitting in your van. Cuz I do…like more than life."

He chuckled.

" But I need a drink. And my belt is digging into me like it's trying to become a part of me."

He laughed again. Then you hoped out. Just before you closed the door you gave him an amazing smile.

" Coming curls?"

…

@marsmunson86 @browneyes528 @themultiverseofmars

[bakageta]

Holiday 500 fic #4

@gallus-rising's prompt! Just as you are always thinking about Venom's tiny dinos, I am always imagining them wearing novelty chicken arms.

NO! Venom roared in Eddie’s head as he struggled to tap the add to cart button. He was sitting, as alone as he ever was these days, on the couch in his boxers while Venom’s former take home meal chickens scratched up the last of the feed on the area rug.

“Yes,” Eddie insisted with grim determination. Sweat beaded on his furrowed brow. His hand was frozen around his phone.

NO!

“Why not? We agreed you get to pick one thing for the chickens and I get to pick one thing for the chickens.” The sweat trailed down his temple and he blinked to keep it out of his eye. The distraction was enough for Venom to move Eddie’s thumb a few millimeters away from the phone’s screen.

It’s undignified! They hiss.

“They’re fucking chickens. They don’t have dignity.”

That was the wrong thing to say.

Venom locked Eddie’s body to the couch, stiff, cramped, and unmoving. It punched out from his left side and darted into his face.

“Take. That. Back.”

“No.”

His symbiote snarled loudly enough to rattle Eddie’s chest and pressed forwards. It was a sound normally reserved for the worst of their meals. Not something that had ever been heard in their apartment. Another sound followed, an angry squawk that was more and more common. Sonny chased Cher across the living room and into the kitchen.

“Hey!” Venom whipped its head around to track the hens. “Leave her alone, Sonny! You are sisters! You should get along!”

Eddie sighed. “See, that's why they need something to do.”

“But they are sisters…” Venom grumbled.

“They’re also animals. You gotta give them stuff to do or they’ll figure out their own stuff.” Mr Belvedere had very much been a learning experience for Eddie. He figured that chickens weren’t that different in their needs–behaviorally at least–so he’d proposed enrichment to Venom. Unfortunately, the symbiote couldn’t pick a toy.

“There are too many options… What if they do not like what I pick?” Venom’s external mass buzzed with frustration. 

Eddie sunk into the couch with a sigh. “How ‘bout you pick two things, then? Since mine’s a two pack.”

“That is… Acceptable.” Venom perched its head on Eddie’s shoulder as its surface calmed.

Venom’s pause had been thoughtful instead of grudging. Eddie knew because his jaw hadn’t involuntarily tensed and his molars hadn’t ground against each other. “Great, fantastic, love it. What do you wanna get them, then?”

“The rocking perch and the cat tree,” Venom answered immediately.

“The. cat tree?” Eddie had already been subjected to a lecture on how cat trees could be used by chickens just as easily as they could by cats. Mostly for perching instead of scratching, but it had been backed up by multiple chicken keeping forums. Hopefully Venom would settle for something other than the two hundred dollar–

“The two hundred dollar Amarkat tree, yes.”

Eddie could see Venom’s shiteating grin out of the corner of his eye. “Fine.” They’d gotten an advance on the Life group settlement and the interview gig was looking good. They could splurge on the fucking yard birds. “But that means I can definitely get the novelty t-rex chicken arms.”

[ablogcalledrevenge]

A Stranger Things Hanukkah Special!

A/N: Happy Hanukkah to all my fellow Jews out there! I’ve been reading so many sweet and lovely Steddie Christmas fics that I felt like contributing myself. I personally headcanon the Byers and Eddie as Jewish, so I wanted to write something festive of my own. I’ll be completely transparent and admit I didn’t actually watch season 4, just got the synopsis from multiple people, but just like OFMD, the Steddie brainrot is real. I hope you like it and may your holidays be full of warmth and love!

Eddie arrived around noon at Steve’s house just before he was about to jump in the shower. He came in holding a bag of onions in one hand and a small sack of potatoes in the other. He also had a backpack that looks full to bursting.

“Good afternoon Mr Harrington. I’ve come to hijack your Christmas party.” Eddie announced, bowing low on Steve’s doorstep. Rolling his eyes fondly, Steve let him in from the cold.

“You’re hijacking my Christmas party?” He deadpanned, watching Eddie unload his things and wash his hands at the sink in the kitchen. There were plain sugar cookies cooling on the counter; Steve was going to let all the kids decorate them during the party.

“Well, I was talking to Jonathan, you know Jonnyboy right Stevie? Anyway, we were talking and he mentioned how much El loves Christmas because it’s still really brand new to her and how Joyce actually started teaching her about Hanukkah back in Cali because the Byers are actually Jewish so El by extension is too. So then I was like, no way I’m Jewish too! I can help you guys celebrate Hanukkah! And then Jonathan was like, oh we should have a Hanukkah party. And then I said, fuck that, let’s just merge with Steve’s.” Eddie rambled, scrubbing at the potatoes while Steve watched, his brain trying to follow the conversation.

“So here you are?” Steve realized, a smile breaking out onto his face.

“So here I am!” Eddie replied, brandishing a potato with a cheeky grin. 

“Well my house is your oyster, so go crazy. I think it’s a great idea. I mean, shit Eddie I didn’t even know you were Jewish! We could have done this from the beginning.” Steve said, feeling a small spike of guilt as he gestured to his kitchen and beyond. 

“No worries Stevie, it’s not a big deal. I’m Jewish on my mom’s side so it’s not like it’s super obvious. Like why give people another reason to target me, y’know? I just think having a Christmas and Hanukkah party would be nice for El, and everyone else. So, I’m making latkes!” He explained, making himself at home in Steve’s kitchen. It made the guilt fade away into something warmer.

“I was actually about to take a shower and then run out to grab a few last minute things. You can use whatever you can find. There are bowls and plates in that cabinet and the cutting boards are in that one under the knife block.” Steve pointed out while Eddie gave him a jaunty salute. 

“No worries, big boy, I got this all under control. “He smiled, whipping out some cassettes from his backpack. Steve chuckled all the way up the stairs, the sound of Dio accompanying his shower.

~~~~~~~~

When Steve came back down the stairs, showered and dressed, the smell of oil and onions greeted him. Eddie had switched the music to something softer, still metal, but softer.

“Almost done?” He asked, startling Eddie in the middle of grating potatoes. The other boy flinched, and gave Steve an unimpressed glare. Then the pain caught up to him.

“Ah shit, cut my finger.” Eddie mumbled, a small dot of blood welling up on his knuckle. Steve sprung into action. He grabbed Eddie’s wrist, bringing his injured finger over to the sink to rinse in cold water. Then he grabbed his kitchen first aid kit, wisely kept under the sink, and dressed the minor wound with neosporin, a dinosaur bandage, and a soft kiss.

“Dinos huh?” Eddie asked, eyebrow raised.

“Oh shut up, it’s for the kids. Are you okay?” Steve shot back, blushing madly once he realized what he did. He was still holding Eddie’s hand as well. For some reason he didn’t want to let go. Not until Eddie assured him he was okay.

“Yeah I’m fine. It’s all part of the process anyway. You’re not making real latkes unless you cry or cut yourself. The blood adds flavor.”

“You got blood in the potatoes?!” Steve yelled, dropping Eddie’s hand and grabbing the bowl. He didn’t see any specks of red…

“Nah, probably not. That’s just an old wives’ saying, you know, to make the kids laugh when they hurt themselves while helping their moms.” Eddie replied, gently bumping his shoulder into Steve’s.

“Right, well, I’m going to head out before you give me a heart attack. Robin and the others should be here soon to finish decorating. I’ll be back in, like, an hour. Maybe a little more.” Steve said, grabbing his coat, scarf, and keys. Winter had officially come to Hawkins and he wasn’t taking any chances.

“Sounds good. Ooh, pick up some sour cream and applesauce while you’re out. We’ll need them for the latkes and you’re fresh out.” Eddie called over his shoulder. 

Steve nodded absently, tugging on his sneakers. Maybe a hat? Nah, he’d already done his hair and he didn’t want to have to do it again. 

He opened the door to a gust of wind that nearly knocked him on his ass, and felt all his hard work go to waste. 

“Hey, hold on. It’s cold out there. I know your hair is, like your thing, but I think protecting your whole head is a little more important.” Eddie teased, carefully placing a black knit hat over Steve’s head. It was the one he’d worn coming in and it smelled a little like tobacco smoke. They were very close and Steve could see the different shades of brown in Eddie’s eyes as he pulled the hat over his ears.

“There we go, nice and warm. See you in a bit.” Eddie said with finality, resting his hands on Steve’s shoulders. Struck with an almost uncontrollable urge to close the distance and kiss Eddie, Steve gave a shaky smile and pulled away. He didn’t look back as he closed the door behind him. The biting cold helped him remember what he needed to do and hopefully, eased the red he knew was on his cheeks.

~~~~~~~~

When Steve returned, bags in his arms, the house was full of light and noise. It seemed like almost everyone had come over during his absence and Eddie’s music had been replaced by the usual Christmas songs. 

Robin bounded over to him, Santa hat resting on her blonde head, and grabbed some of the bags. Then she took off the beanie Eddie had loaned him and replaced it with a Santa hat to match hers. Kissing her cheek in thanks, the two brought everything into the kitchen. One bag, Steve made sure to keep to himself.

Nancy and Jonathan greeted him as they started to empty the bags, putting things away. Eddie was at the stove, hair up in a messy ponytail. He gave a thumbs up when Steve showed him the sour cream and applesauce, lifting a golden brown latke out of the oil and onto a paper towel. 

“It smells great in here. I can’t wait to try them.” Steve said, stepping up close behind Eddie and peering over his shoulder.

“Thanks, it was my mom’s recipe. I’m actually so relieved they’re turning out so great. Last year I didn’t squeeze enough of the water out and they completely fell apart in the oil.”

“Ah rookie mistake but it happens to us all.” Jonathan piped up from his place leaning against the counter.

“Anyone want a beer?” Steve asked, opening his fridge to put away the sour cream. He got yeses from everyone, and pulled out a six pack. Someone screamed in the living room and every adult froze.

Then the sound of laughter reached them and Lucas yelled that El had to warn him before lifting him in the air. The adults in the kitchen relaxed, the fight going out of them like air in a balloon.

“I swear, these kids are gonna make me go grey.” Steve muttered, opening his beer. Once Eddie was done with the stove, he was going to pull out the mulled wine. He figured it would be nice for the older members of the party after dinner.

Dustin entered the kitchen, baseball hat firmly on his head. He was still dressed for the season though, sporting a handmade Christmas sweater that his mom had made him. It was bright red with green christmas trees and candy canes. Claudia had even weaved tinsel into the strands of the trees, making them sparkle. It was very charming and ridiculously ugly and Steve had a matching one upstairs.

“Is it almost time to eat? We finished decorating and I’m hungry.” He pouted, collapsing on the little table in the kitchen like he was too weak to stand. The others laughed.

“You see Eddie? This is your son.” Steve sighed, grabbing the plates and silverware. Eddie in turn, just cackled.

“Here, go make yourself useful and set the table for everyone.” Robin said, pointing to the plates and then to the dining room. Dustin gave a long suffering groan but did as he was told.

“And don’t forget a place for Argyle, he’s on his way.” Nancy called out, perfectly content to stay exactly where she was under Jonathan’s arm. Steve was just about to open his mouth and ask where the dude was, when the doorbell rang.

“I GOT IT!” Mike yelled skidding from the living room to the door in his fluffy socks. 

With the smell of pizza and sugar wafting, Argyle entered. His clothes were colorful and mismatching but still festive and Steve couldn’t help but laugh, his heart filled with that stupid Christmas joy everyone was always talking about.

“I brought the pizza and the jelly doughnuts dudes! So let’s eat, yeah?” He said, Mike leading him into the dining room to put down his boxes. Everyone, having heard his arrival, quickly ran to the table, eagerly awaiting the latkes. 

The adults in the kitchen joined them, leaving Steve and Eddie to each grab a platter. Eddie had the beautiful tower of latkes, while Steve spooned applesauce, sour cream, and jelly into bowls. 

The crowd cheered when the food was finally presented, everyone happily digging in. The quiet lasted for a few moments, everyone focused on putting their plate together and taking first bites. Then it exploded into the noise you’d expect from 7 kids and 6 adults. Heaps of praise were given to Eddie, everyone loving the latkes.

“These are way better than Mom’s.” Will whispered to his brother, causing them both to giggle. 

El asked for maple syrup at one point, which Steve got her, though he was confused.

“They’re pancakes? You eat pancakes with syrup right?” She asked sweetly, drowning said pancakes in it. Eddie laughed and took the syrup from her, adding it to his plate too.

“Right you are Supergirl! You can eat your latkes with whatever you want. I’ve even heard of some people using…” Here he paused for dramatic effect, “ketchup!” 

The whole table groaned as Eddie shuddered.

“Wait, that makes more sense than syrup. You eat French fries with ketchup, so why not latkes. It’s basically the same thing.”

“Try before you deny Steve-o.” Argyle piped up, a smear of sour cream on his chin. 

“Yeah, try before you deny!” El, Mike, and Will parroted back. 

“But it’s not just potato, there’s onion in it and- oh forget it. You guys are weird.” Steve sputtered, shaking his head. Eddie patted his knee under the table in a way that felt both condescending and settling. 

The group resumed eating their latkes and pizza, talking about holiday plans and hopes for the new year. Eddie told the story of Hanukkah as they ate, Jonathan and Will adding bits and pieces randomly. Someone, maybe Nancy, had lit candles in the middle of the table, giving the whole room a soft glow.

Steve glanced over at Robin sitting next to him, laughing at a barb Erica made towards Lucas, pizza grease on her fingers. Then he looked at Dustin, smiling wide, pearls on full display, while Max whispered something in El’s ear, the girl nodding in agreement. Finally he turned to Eddie on his other side, cutting up a latke and dipping it in syrup with a big smile on his face. He had taken his hair out of the ponytail from earlier and now it hung around his head in soft waves.

Steve wanted to do this every year. He wanted to do it every day. He wanted to do this with Eddie.

~~~~~~~~

Latkes and pizza eaten, the Party had migrated into the living room for presents and dessert. Steve was warming up the mulled wine when Eddie bounded in, looking for his backpack. 

“I figure we can light the menorah and then open presents. It’s dark enough that it’ll look really nice next to the tree.” He explained, pulling out a box of candles.

“Oh wait, don’t move, I’ll be right back!” Steve said, running up the stairs to his bedroom where he’d stashed the last bag from today. He ran back down, almost out of breath from how fast he moved and presented the bag to Eddie.

Looking confused and a little worried, Eddie opened the bag and pulled out a pretty gold candle holder. 

“It’s a menorah! I got it for you, for Hanukkah. I mean, I got you another present for Christmas but I felt bad that you weren’t getting anything for your holiday so I found it at the store and thought you’d like it. Do you like it?” Steve said, feeling his nerves creeping up on him. 

Eddie hadn’t moved, or changed his expression. He just stared down at his present in shock. 

“Oh fuck, I messed up, didn’t I? You hate it? I wasn’t supposed to get that for you, I was overstepping. You probably have a super nice one and I’m being rude. You can return it, I think the receipt’s in the bag…” He rambled, feeling more and more like Robin with every passing moment. What the hell, he used to be smooth! But instead he could feel his heart jackrabbiting in his chest as Eddie put down the candle holder and stepped closer to Steve. Shit, he was gonna get punched now.

But instead, Eddie gently grabbed his face, stopping the rant mid word and kissed him.

All of Steve’s thoughts froze dead in their tracks. Luckily his body seemed to pick up the pace faster than Steve, because after a moment of surprise, his arms came to wrap around Eddie’s shoulders. He didn’t know why Eddie was kissing him, but he’d be damned if he didn’t make the most of it.

Eventually, oxygen became important and they had to break apart. Eddie was flushed, smiling brightly. Steve knew he had a similar dopey look on his face.

“That’s not a menorah.” Eddie whispered, kissing Steve again all soft and sweet.

“It’s not? But it has the spots for your candles.” He pointed out, pulling away from Eddie to grab it. Laughing quietly, Eddie wrapped his arms around Steve’s waist, resting a chin on his shoulder from behind.

“A menorah for Hanukkah needs 9 spots. One for each night and one for the helper candle, called a shamash. This one only has 6 but it’s beautiful and I appreciate the gesture. It means a lot that you wanted to get me something for Hanukkah.” Eddie said, kissing Steve’s cheek as he slumped against him.

“Well shit. I’m sorry.” He mumbled, giving said candle holder a glare. Eddie shook his head and turned Steve around.

“Nah, it’s perfect. It came from you and I love it.”

Steve leaned forward to kiss him again, feeling drunk with joy, when Robin’s voice echoed into the kitchen. 

“Hey what’s the hold up? The kids wanna open presents!”

Steve and Eddie laughed and unhappily pulled themselves apart. Eddie grabbed an actual menorah from his backpack and went into the living room while Steve poured out wine for everyone. They had candles to light and presents to open!

~~~~~~~~

Once everyone was in the living room and huddled around the fireplace mantle, they began. Jonathan pulled out a bag of yarmulkes, saved by Joyce over the years, for the boys to wear if they wanted. Steve got a gold satin one with the inscription Sammy and Ellen, A Golden Anniversary 1980. He hoped it brought him luck. Dustin put his on top of his baseball hat. (”It’s a gift from Suzie, I can’t take it off!”)

Eddie, Jonathan,  and Will said the prayers while lighting the candles, El and Nancy shakily following along. The sound was beautiful with all the different voices coming together. The prayer didn’t seem too complicated and it had a pretty rhythm. Eddie’s pinky brushed against Steve’s and linked for a moment which was probably Steve’s favorite part.

Candles lit and tree turned on, the kids flopped onto the floor to exchange presents. Steve may have gone a bit overboard this year, but the various squeals of delight made the hole in his wallet worth it. 

They drank the wine and ate the doughnuts, sufganiyot was what Eddie called it, as Will explained dreidel to them. 

“I’m not so sure this is a good idea. You guys can get pretty competitive...” Nancy said, looking wary.

“It’s not a competition if you know you’re gonna win.” Max scoffed, flicking her red hair over her shoulder. This started a lively debate about if dreidel was anything more than a game of chance. Eddie passed out gelt, one of which Argyle immediately unwrapped and ate. Considering there were so many of them, teams were picked.

Jonathan and Nancy. Will and Lucas. El and Max. Robin and Steve. Dustin and Mike. Eddie, Erica, and Argyle as the true wildcard team.

“You guys are going down!” Robin shouted, pointing at every other team.

“Oh please, like I’m going to lose to you. You still owe me ice cream.” Erica shot back, crossing her little arms across her chest.

They played for a good amount of time, Steve paying little attention to the clock on the wall. The candles in Eddie’s menorah slowly burned down as the Christmas lights twinkled. 

Finally, after much hemming and hawing and claims of cheating, one team stood victorious. 

El and Max sat behind the largest pile of gelt, smiling widely and looking very smug. Eddie proclaimed them the winners and scooped Max up, Jonathan following with El, and paraded them around the living room to cheers from their adoring fans.

Someone turned the radio back on, Christmas music playing quietly under the conversations. Steve, pressed up tight against Eddie on the couch, couldn’t remember a more enjoyable Christmas. Normally he’d spend the season alone, his parents coming home on the 25th to exchange gifts and then flit off to some fancy party. He’d gotten offers to spend the day with others, Robin and Dustin and his old friends, but he turned them down. He hated feeling like the odd man out. 

But now, with everyone in his home, warm and safe and happy, that feeling was gone. He was with his family, one that he had found and loved all by himself.

Plus Eddie, smelling like powdered sugar, oil, cinnamon, smoke, and all of Steve’s dreams rolled into one. Plus Eddie, who shared his heritage with all of them. Plus Eddie, who kissed him in the kitchen with the promise of more.

Finishing his cup of wine, Eddie leaned forward to place it on the coffee table, before laying back against the couch. His arm came up to wrap around Steve’s shoulders with a contented sigh. Steve mimicked the sound and snuggled deeper into the couch and Eddie.

Robin caught his eye and raised her eyebrow. Steve flushed and used their best friend/platonic soulmate mind reading powers to tell her they’d talk about it tomorrow. She gave the two of them a long, searching look, but apparently happy with what she saw, turned back to her conversation with Nancy.

~~~~~~~~

Much later, when everyone had left and the house was empty, Steve and Eddie cleaned up. They threw away wrapping paper and pizza boxes, picking up balls of metal gelt wrappers to toss as well. Eddie cleaned up the oil and the leftover potatoes. Steve boxed up food for Wayne and Keith, hoping to get in good with both. It was especially important now that he had a boyfriend.

Wait, did he?

“Does Hanukkah have any other traditions that we didn’t do?” He asked abruptly. Eddie wiped down the stovetop and made a noncommittal noise, focused on a stubborn grease mark.

“Like Christmas has tons of random traditions, does Hanukkah have those too?” He continued, resting his hands on his hips.

“Um well, I guess maybe if you’re Sephardic or from a completely different country. But as far as I know, we basically did everything for Hanukkah. We’re done for the night. Why? Was there something else you wanted to do?” Eddie asked, throwing out the paper towel.

“Well I wanted to know if Hanukkah had anything like mistletoe. I like mistletoe.” Steve whispered, suddenly embarrassed.

“I literally kissed you a few hours ago, you don’t need mistletoe if you want to do that again.” Eddie laughed, taking a step closer to Steve. 

“Yeah but it’s more romantic that way. Like I could kiss you”, which Steve did, “and then ask if you wanted to be my boyfriend. That would be so festive and romantic.”

Eddie sputtered and rested his head on Steve’s shoulder, pressing a kiss to his bare neck. 

“I don’t know. What you just did there was pretty romantic. Consider me wooed. Also yes, of course. I’ve been crushing on you since the moment you found me in the boathouse.” He admitted in the quiet of the kitchen. Steve’s heat soared and he lifted Eddie’s head to kiss him again.

“Happy Hanukkah Eddie. I had a really nice time tonight.”

“Happy Hanukkah Steve. Nes gadol haya poh.”

~~~~~~~~

[silas-brainrot]

when it rains, it pours—;; steddie fluff

To say that it was pouring outside would be a severe understatement, Steve thinks, when he perks his ears to listen closely to the sound of rain pounding against the walls and ceiling of Eddie’s trailer. It had started off as a light type of storm, with only the occasional lightning strike and clap of thunder, and the fall of rain being only a drizzle. It was pleasant for Steve at first, the younger of the two always having been fond of storms. He remembers sitting at his window sill late at night when he was a kid, watching in fascination as water had fallen from the sky and decorated every surface it could touch with its small droplets, and the clouds a dark gray that lit up like Christmas lights every now and again with lightning. He had liked to think of the thunderclaps as loud drums that were placed all around the skies, with the drumsticks hitting them dead center whenever they pleased. He remembers tracing along the small, racing pathways of water from inside of his home with his fingers, big brown eyes focused while his brain made which stream could fall faster and hit a certain part of the window a game.

He had been surprised when, even after everything, the man’s love for storms had not changed. Sure, there were still some nights where even if he tried his hardest to enjoy the storms as they came, he couldn’t help but associate the sound of thunder with the deafening ones that shook the Upside Down, the sound a harsh, mind echoing thing. It was those nights when he would place one of his records on his vinyl player and push the volume notch up to the highest level possible to drown out the noises until it was over.

But tonight wasn’t one of those nights, though, Steve thinks to himself thankfully. Tonight he was okay, and he knew he was safe where he was. He had been at Eddie’s trailer since the early morning when his boyfriend had called him up and all but begged him to come over for the day because ‘I’m bored out of my mind, Stevie, and I don’t know how much longer I can last like this!’ And so Steve had agreed begrudgingly, sighing an overdramatic ‘I’ll be there in twenty,’ into the receiver, smiling despite himself at the triumph noise that had come out of his boyfriend’s mouth in response. He had hung the phone back up afterwards, making his way upstairs to change into something more comfortable, before heading out.

The clouds had already started to darken by the time Steve had pulled his BMW up to Eddie’s now overly familiar trailer, and the air had started to turn humid. The younger had smiled a little to himself at the sight and the feeling before locking up his car and making his way up to Eddie’s front door and knocking. He had let a small grin grace his lips at the sight of a summer mused Eddie Munson opening up the door for him. The man had his long, curly hair pulled back into a half-assed bun, strays and static pieces pointing out in every direction. He was shirtless, and dressed in a pair of baggy and, if Steve were being honest, quite adorable pair of pajama bottoms.

“Tiny dinos, huh?” Steve had teased out, walking into the trailer as he let Eddie close the door behind him.

“Don’t judge a man by his dinosaur pajama bottoms, Stevie. You wound me, truly,” Eddie said back, a conspicuous look of hurt decorated across his features.

“Oh, shut up,” Steve responded with, a small laugh coming from his lips, before walking up to Eddie and pressing a small kiss to the older man’s lips, letting out a small hum of satisfaction before pulling away.

“Hey, no, no fair, that was only like, barely three seconds, come back here,” Eddie had said, pulling Steve back towards him, causing a quiet laugh to fall from his lips. He rolled his eyes at Eddie’s antics before he brought one hand up to rest on the side of the curly haired man’s neck, leaning in once more.

He had let his lips linger for a few moments longer than previously, before pulling away again. It was then that Steve heard the first clap of thunder echo across the sky, followed shortly behind by the start up of rain. Steve let a smile inch across his lips, his brown eyes almost lit up at the sound. Eddie watched his boyfriend's expression change with fondness, dully taking notice of the way his mood had seemingly almost immediately changed at just the sight of the younger man. God, he really was in love, wasn’t he?

“Did you have anything planned for today, or did you just call me over so you could stare at my handsome face all day?” He asked, raising an eyebrow in expectancy.

“And what if I did?” Eddie teased back, bringing one of his ringed fingers up to brush away a stray strand of chocolate brown hair.

“Then I’d say you’re in luck, Munson, because I’ve got absolutely jack shit to do the rest of the day. And plus, I think the radio stations were saying something about a big storm heading our way or something anyways. So, you have me for the rest of the day,” Steve said, shooting the other man a small smile.

“Oh no, whatever will I do?” Eddie exhaled in exasperation, waving his hands around dramatically.

“Ouch, okay then, dude,” Steve pouted, though he found it hard to bite back a smile at his boyfriend’s theatrics. Eddie had shaken his head slightly before dropping the act.

“I suppose we could watch some movies, if you want. God knows me and Wayne have enough of them,” Eddie had proposed, though the last part had come out in a slight mumble. Steve had let out a snort, before nodding in agreement,

“Yeah, that will work,”

***

And then, somewhere along the line, the two of them had gotten bored of movies, and besides, you couldn’t barely hear the lines over the sound of the storm, anyways. The rain had picked up heavily somewhere between their third and fourth movie, the sound of water pelting itself against the metal of Eddie’s trailer taking up most of Steve and Eddie’s attention. The younger had grumbled in slight annoyance at the fact that he could barely hear what Princes Leia was saying to Darth Vader over the deafening noise, eventually getting so fed up that he paused the movie and turned it off completely. Eddie giggled quietly at his lover’s irritation before caving and apologizing.

They had just laid there together for awhile, talking about everything and nothing, with Eddie’s back up against the armrest of the couch. His legs had been laying on the rest of the cushions, with Steve between his legs and his back pressed up to Eddie’s bare front. Steve’s fingers fidgeted pointlessly with the chunky rings laying on his boyfriend’s fingers, leaning his head up to press gentle, innocent kisses to the outline of Eddie’s jaw. Then, eventually, they had migrated towards the curly haired man’s bedroom when the sofa started to get uncomfortable, even though they resumed their previous position once they were adjusted on Eddie’s bed.

They had just kissed each other gently for awhile, pausing every now and again to just bask in each other’s presence. The silence was comfortable and uninterrupted, save for the rhythmic sounds of their breathing, and the occasional mumbled ‘I love you,’ to the other. One of Eddie’s hands had been running their way through Steve’s hair, the other holding the younger’s hands, and their legs were tangled together underneath the blankets. The sounds of the storm outside were comforting for Steve, and Eddie believed it to make a great form of ambiance. Steve’s eyes were shut peacefully, though Eddie could tell he wasn’t asleep– just relaxed. So, he took the rare opportunity to really look at his boyfriend’s features, a gentle love struck smile present on his lips.

“You’re so gorgeous, sweetheart. Did you know that?” Eddie hummed out softly, like if he spoke too loud the fuzzy ball of relaxation and calmness they were shrouded in would pop.

“Yeah, I’ve heard it from this freaky guy once or twice,” Steve mumbled out as a response, causing Eddie to gasp softly in offense.

“Sticks and stones, baby, sticks and stones,” Eddie sighs out, shaking his head. Steve smiles a bit, peeking one eye open to look at Eddie’s face. Their eyes connect, and Steve almost giggles.

“Hi,” Steve says quietly.

“Hi yourself, handsome.” Eddie responds with, tone matching. Steve huffs, before letting the comfortable silence carry on. It’s like that for a good few minutes, before Steve speaks again.

“Hey Eddie?” He asks, eyes moving from where they were settled on a book that rested on the older man’s bedside table to look at Eddie.

“Hmm?” He responds with, matching Steve.

“Can you read that to me?” The younger asks quietly, as if he was scared to.

Eddie moves his eyes to look for what the other had found, and to figure out what book he was referring to. The Hobbit. The tattooed man’s eyes light up once he finds it, a large smile breaking out across his face.

“My, my! Steve Harrington wants me to read him a nerd book? What has gotten into you?” Eddie asks dramatically, tone over the top and extra. Steve huffs.

“Nevermind then-”

“No, no, I’m just giving you shit, Stevie. Of course I can read it to you,” Eddie says, pressing a fleeting kiss to Steve’s cheek before he reaches over to grab the old, worn down, and beat up book off the top.

It was old– the book was one of the first Wayne had ever been able to get him as a Christmas gift one year, his uncle having seen the way Eddie kept eyeing it whenever they walked past it in the stores. The metalhead liked to think of it as the thing that started his interest in D&D in the first place, and he couldn’t have been more thankful for it. The book was well loved, though, even if the raggedy old thing looked as if it was one accidental drop away from falling apart. Eddie wouldn’t be surprised if that was true– just devastated. There were small doodles spread across the inside cover, with his name written sloppily in the corner. The curly haired man knew that the pages held many thoughts and annotations decorating the side margins of the pages, and that it was the book Wayne used to read to him every night when he was younger after he had gotten it.

Eddie pulled the book over to the two of them, though, opening it with both hands before adjusting his grip of it in one, the other going back to its rightful place in Steve’s hair. He presses a small, quick peck to Steve’s forehead before he begins to read it outloud for his boyfriend, and he feels a ball of warmth growing steadily inside of his chest when he sees the way Steve is so enthralled by the words written across the pages.

Steve quickly notices how easily Eddie is sucked into the book, with how easily the man slips into voices he’s made up specifically for each character, or the way his free hand had left its resting place in Steve’s hair to wave around and gesture in grand movements. He notices the way Eddie purposely projects his voice louder so Steve is able to hear his words over the increasingly louder thunderclaps and rain splatters. The younger of the two takes a few to just tilt his head up towards Eddie once more, like he had done out on the couch, and smiles a bit when he realizes Eddie is too into the book to notice. During it, Steve realizes how much it truly baffles him as to how absolutely anybody could look at the man he’s pressed up against, and think he’s dangerous. Think that he’s absolutely anything less than good. Pure good, and warm. Homely. Steve thinks that’s the best way to describe Eddie Munson to him.

To Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson is home.

And Eddie doesn’t notice that Steve is staring up at him like he just caught the moon and stars in his hands and is offering them to him until he looks down next. His cheeks almost immediately start to darken in a soft blush at the realization, pausing his reading and looking down at Steve with slightly puzzled eyes.

“What, you develop a staring problem in the past chapter?” Eddie teases out gently, a small smile on his lips. Steve shakes his head softly, his expression matching Eddie’s own.

“No, just like hearing you so passionate about something like this. It’s nice, is all,” Steve admits with a slight blush of his own. He distracts himself from his slight embarrassment by pressing a tender kiss to the underside of Eddie’s jaw, and then on his lips.

“Sap,” Eddie mumbles teasingly, voice quiet as he smacks Steve’s face softly, before bringing his attention back to the book, and starting back up again.

Yeah, Steve thinks to himself as he continues to watch Eddie. Home.

fin.

[cyberpawn-arc]

meta: vale + pov on each of NC's different fixers

Vale Meta Discussion!!

Rogue Amendiares

   First thing's first, Rogue is one of the biggest badasses in Night City to Vale. Vale admires her resolve and her work ethic and the way she is runnin' the mercenary system of Night City with that same confident smirk on her face as she's had for decades. She's unstoppable and she's truthful, she's not gonna sit there and have you run in circles for cheap work. They're lucky to have her in their life and they want to prove to her that they've got the merc skills to pay the bills.

Dakota Smith

   Vale doesn't work with Dakota a lot due to the fact they aren't the biggest fan of the Badlands. It's too quiet for them, and they prefer how the business of the city kees raking eddies in on a more consistent basis for them. Even though they don't work together a lot, Vale has a lot of respect and trust for Dakota, as she has never gone behind their back.

Dexter DeShawn

   When V was a beginner merc, they saw Dex as the entry ticket to the major leagues. They were intimidated by the fact he was the gatekeeper of glory, his picks of the endless mercenary litter were legends in the making and they felt like everything was coming up roses for them and Jackie when Dex chose them for the Arasaka Heist. Ask V now? Dex was a coward. Always was. Never had the balls to do his own work.

Dino Dinovic

   V also thinks Dino is cool as fuck. Dino oozes that rockerboy charisma, the ooze that reeks of lots of drugs and blood and probably a fair amount of spit too. Even though Vale has never heard Dino play the bass in any band, Vale knows that they can trust him to handle a drink at a party or sneak them into some major bash thrown by Kerry or another rock legend.

Wakako Okada

   While Vale appreciates Wakako's honesty and bluntness, they've occasionally found themselves getting in trouble with her. She's got a certain way she wants shit done, and she doesn't want a messy, sloppy job that ends with Vale ruining every plan of stealth. What Vale makes up for in strength and charisma, they lack in stealth and subtlety. Even though they know they can complete any job she has for them, Vale is scared of her critiques.

Regina Jones

    Vale sees the ideal of healing those who are suffering from cyberpsychosis as a very noble and worthwhile mission to live on. They trust Regina as she’s willing to give them as much information as she knows before they risk their life to help an individual going through cyberpsychosis. With their empathy and Regina who hands them their tasks, they trust her and they love this mutual goal they’re working towards to try and heal the city and the people living inside of it.

Sebastian "Padre" Ibarra

    Given Padre’s past, Vale has always been the merc showing up asking if they would ever listen to a poor mercenary’s confessions about their job and the work they’ve done. He’s honest about salvation and sin and the teachings in an old book that Vale has never even thought about cracking open. Padre was actually the first Fixer Vale ever worked with! They were a punky teen who wanted to get into the mercenary work, and Padre was willing to have them deliver votive candles and food to those in Heywood he assists.

Muamar "El Capitán" Reyes

    As Vale is a Merc With a Heart, it feels as though Cap is a Fixer who really does genuinely care about Santo Domingo and its safety. They help Cap deal with nuisances trying to overthrow the local community balance and put families in danger. At the same time, Vale has made jokes about how Cap was a corpo rat! They think that shit is funny! They didn’t believe that the first time they were told that!!

Mr. Hands

    Vale isn’t as keen on Mr. Hands as they are some of the other Fixers. He’s more open on how he sees this all as business, as a money opportunity he needs to capitalize. He sees their kindness as an obstacle for his goals and they see his cold, calculating nature as an obstacle for the betterment of the city. They just wish they could level with him and have him share even a hint of his past to them. They want to understand him.

[juniperberries-canisroot]

Okay so I leveled up a bit and figured out I can repair my CowBoy Repeater with more CowBoy Repeaters, explored some more and now things don't kill me as easily. I still hate bugs thou. They don't stay FUCKIN STILL.

Anyhoo, I now have a floating robot following me and Boone, both of which are cool but I've already lost ED-E at that Station Charlie place. He for some reason went back INSIDE the building while I was outside. Weird but okay. I activated one of his trigger words, I need to somehow figure out how to activate Posideon or Navajo or some other one. Maybe when I rescue that lady in the Vault she'll say somethin. Pretty sure she's probably dead or gone crazy from the plants and I'm gonna end up fighting her, which she will then be dead.

For some reason the old lady didn't activate anythin when she said HELIOS. Oh well. His quest is also bugged cause bringing him to the ScrapeYard doesn't actually do anythin.

Boone is a damn beast, he says he doesn't do good in close combat and to keep the enemy away from him but TWICE he's one shot killed a human enemy before I could run up to said enemy and use my lovely Chance's Knife. Gotta save bullets. 50cal and 357 aren't easy to find. Also I haven't given Boone anythin, he still has all his standard gear. I need to get him a badass rifle thou.

ED-E who's name I'm not sure how to pronounce, like Eddy or E D E, has insta killed a RadScorpion and somethin else. Also he keeps playing music when I go in combat? Also also he makes an annoying fuzzy static sound when he's nearby. But killing scorpions with a laser is pretty cool so I'll take it.

I still don't know how to fix or mod my guns. My repair is at like 40 and at this point I can't get JuryRigging cause the repair skill needed for that is WAY too high for my playstyle and gun repair kits are very hard to find. I'm near the level cap of 30, I'm at like 20 now and I'm gonna sink the rest of my points into speech, guns and somethin else. I love speech checks. I should have put more points in Intelligence at the begining. I need implants. I'm all vanilla so I can't cap out at 50 with all the DLC. I can't download the DLC cause the Xbox 360 doesn't connect to the internet anymore. Yes I am playing on a second hand XBox, I am amazed it still works. Thou I have noticed loading times are getting longer, considering I've barely explored the map.

I also got ahold of the ANTI MATERIAL RIFLE HELL FUCKIN YEAH! I'M GONNA SNIPE SO MANY BUGS WITH IT!!! I'm poor again but nothing a trip to GoodSprings and exploiting can't fix.

I'm still tryin to find 357 for my CowBoy Repeater thou. Now that I have the AMR I need to stock up on 50cal. I don't like how much the gun sways thou when you hold it. It's not like I don't have the strength needed for it, I have 6 and it requires 6. Maybe I need more guns skill, idk. It's pretty high thou, like 70 maybe. I also don't use VATS alot cause my chances are pretty fuckin low and I've sniped things farther away just using the sights on the CowBoy and Varmit Rifle. No scope cause I still don't know how to make shit. I haven't made anythin for my guns, I would love to make scopes, silencers, longer barrels and lighter stocks, but I really don't know how to do any of that and at this point in the game, I think it's too late. I invested too many points in Melee thinking I was gonna use that more often, cause I was in the begining. I sneak attacked a man with a god damn kitchen knife in GoodSprings and killed him in one hit, yet SOMEHOW my silenced .22 in VATS couldn't take half health off in sneak either. Which is why I put so many points in Melee, (55), cause I thought I was gonna use it more often. So I'm tryin to do that now.

I have a single house, the motel room at Dino-DeeLite in NoVac. There's another house I can get I think that's non faction but eh. I got my nice cheap little motel room, I'm good.

[hitchell-mope]

(Lillian Luthor’s Plan)

Kara: what the hell are you doing here?

Lillian: relax Mrs Danvers. I’m here to help. Not hinder.

Lucy: mhmm(.) A likely story(.)

Lillian (holding her arm up to reveal a baby Truth Seeker): oh but it is. You can rest assured that every word I’m speaking to you is the absolute truth.

Mon El: I feel like we owe those poor kids a hefty amount of financial compensation.

Lillian: you do. Andrea, come out of the shadows dear. I already know it’s you. And you are not to blame for what Leviathan or your father has done.

Andrea: does she know everything?

Karamel (exhaustedly): yes.

Lillian: well at least I’m on your side in all of this. I can help you put a stop to Lex and the imp.

Kelly: what about Esme?

Lillian: oh yes. The child. She’s a sweet little girl. And for what it’s worth I am truly sorry that she was caught up in my son’s machinations.

Alex: then why didn’t you take her and bring her back here.

Lillian: we’re all parents here Miss Danvers. Well. Apart from Miss Nal, Mr Ackerman, Miss Lane, Mr Olsen, Andrea and the children of course. And you know as well as I do that Lex would not have hesitated killing both me and your daughter had I interfered.

Carter: Ackerman?

Brainy: my human alias.

Carter: ohhhh.

Mon El: you said you were here to help.

Lillian: I am Mr Danvers. Believe me. I am.

Mon El: then cut the bullshit and help.

Lucy: I have several questions.

Karamel and Dansen: NOT NOW LUCY!

James: later Luce.

Lucy: but-

James (firmly): later.

Lucy (huffily): fine.

Nia: what’s your plan Mrs Luthor?

Lillian: your intention to use the satellite to give yourself a boost is logically sound but misguided in execution. Suicidal in fact. Both socially and literally.

Mon El: elaborate.

Lillian: everyone here knows you are not the governors favourites. She will not hesitate to shoot you down if she thinks your actions put the planet in danger.

Lucy: she’s right. The risk of it vastly outweigh the reward.

Kara: so what would you have us do?

Lillian: this is where Samantha comes in?

Samantha: me?

Lillian: yes dear. You. After. You have magic do you not?

Samantha: yes....?

Lillian: then it’s simply a matter of you transferring your magic to Mrs Danvers so she can fight Lex and the imp on an even playing field.

Nia: like Triassic Triumph!

Carter and Ruby: YES!

Lillian: explanation please?

Nia: Power Rangers Dino Thunder. Kira and Ethan have Conner their morphing powers so he could activate the Shield of Triumph.

(Everyone but Carter and Ruby stare at her blankly)

Nia: seriously? Were the only three who know that? Oh my god I’m young.

Lillian: yes. Yes you are. But more the point. Mr Ackerman. Would it work?

Brainy: theoretically yes. But from what Nia’s told me about that show it could leave Samantha vulnerable and temporarily depowered.

Mon El: I’ll bring Samantha back here, put here under a sun lamp and then fly back to cover Kara.

Alex: what about us? We’re Esme’s moms. She needs us.

Kara: you need to stay here. Help Cat Morgan look after Ruby and the twins and keep an eye on Lillian.

Alex: like hell we will-

Kara: this is not up for debate. The best thing you can do for Esme right now is stay out of it and let us rescue her.

Alex: but-

Mon El: she’s right. We’re all worried about Esme. But you and Kelly being there won’t be helpful.

Alex: we’re her mother’s.

Mon El: I know. That’s why you can’t be there. You’re not thinking clearly. It’s not a bad thing. In fact it’s extremely commendable. But it is a liability. Trust me. If it was Eddie and Tony you’d be benching us and you’d be right for it.

Kelly: he’s right Alex. You know he’s right.

Alex (reluctantly): okay. Okay fine. Fine. But bring her back. You had better bring her back

Kelly: or we will never forgive you.

Mon El: we wouldn’t expect anything less.

Kara: alright for this we need to split into teams. Mon El, Nia, Brainy, James, Samantha and J’onn. With me. The rest of you. Stay here. Guard Ruby and the twins and oh fuck.

Mon El: what? What is it? What’s wrong?

Kara: we know where Lex is. We know where Lillian is. What about the other one?

Lillian: oh Lena. I forgot about here.

Kara: please tell me you killed her?

Lillian: what? No! Well. Not yet. She’s sedated. Heavily. She won’t be a problem for at least a week. If she lives that long. The dose was originally manufactured for stampeding zoo animals.

Mon El: well that’s. Helpful. I think. Shall we go?

Kara: I think we should before Lucy starts grilling her.

Lucy: don’t worry cuz in law. She’ll be answering my questions at gunpoint.

Lillian: well this is a slightly unfortunate situation.

Lucy: only for you.

Kara: everyone knows the objective. Winn’s in charge of the Tower. My team with me and-

Samantha: I don’t think I can do this. I’m still really new at this magic thing and-

Winn: Samantha. It’s okay. You can do this. I’ll be watching everything over the comms. I’m here for you. Always.

Alex: that and you don’t have a choice in the matter.

Kelly: not when our daughter’s in danger.

Mon El: we’re a team. You’ve been practicing. I’m your CO. I know you can do this. Trust us.

Lillian: you’re running out of time. If you’re going at all I suggest you go now.

Kara: c’mon. Let’s go.

(Mon El, Kara, Nia, Brainy, James, Samantha and J’onn all leave. Lucy turns to Lillian with a harsh smile on her face)

Lucy: my turn now.

Lillian: I’m in trouble aren’t I?

Lucy: yep

Lillian: ah crap.

(End of Lillian Luthor’s Plan)