#Gareth Emerson fluff

[spookyscarydemonbabe]

Worst Case Scenario

Summary- Gareth wants the chance to talk to you so badly, but seeing how you react to other guys approaching you only makes him more and more nervous…

Genre- Fluff

Warnings- None c:

Tag List- @thatsthewaythechrissycrumbles @munsonology @aidansloth @esme-viridian @morganwrites12672

(tag list is always open, please let me know if you’d like to be added 💋)

Word Count- 3.7k

“Just go up and ask!” Jeff urged Gareth as the four of them sat at a table a few rows in front of you at the library.

“I can’t!” Gareth whispered, “What if she says no?”

“What if she says yes?” Grant said, trying to push Gareth into finally being able to ask you out.

It had been months since he gained this little crush on you, and it was growing to the point of agony for him. Sneaking glances at you from across the classroom, tripping himself up in the halls from watching you walk past, and your sweet demeanor definitely wasn’t helping much.

You were so smart, so kind, and though you had barely spoken to one another aside from an occasional ‘hi’ in the halls he could tell that you were someone genuine. But seeing all the other guys get rejected day after day didn’t make him feel any better about his crush on you.

He’d seen guys approach you in class, in the halls, during lunch. At least one guy a week had the balls to ask you out on a date, and though you had always appreciated their offers, you turned down every single one. And Gareth knew he would probably just be another one of those guys you rejected.

“Stop overthinking it.” Eddie said, “If she says yes, good. If she says no, then you have your answer. Simple as that.”

Gareth knew Eddie was right. He shouldn’t pry you with things like this, and he knew that if he got another rejection he could take it well. Sure, it may hurt at first, but he’s been through it before and he can do it again. He was about to stand up and finally do it, but he stopped as he watched one of the seniors approach your table.

The boys kept themselves quiet, trying their best to hear the interaction that was about to take place. And it seemed like a few of the boys at the tables around you were doing the same thing.

Daniel McNeal was a senior, decently attractive, smart, and was quite gifted when it came to managing a schedule filled with work, school, sports, and a handful of extracurriculars to really spice up his college applications. Gareth knew now he wouldn’t stand a chance after him.

He and the boys sat back and carefully watched your interaction.

As Daniel approached your table, your head tilted up from your notebook and gave him a polite smile as he looked down to you, moving your attention quickly back into your notes.

“Hey.” He said with a smile, getting your attention once more.

You looked up once again and gave him another smile,

“Hi.”

“You’re (y/n), right?”

“Yep.” You’re went back to scribbling down a few points from your textbook, “That’s me. Why?”

“You know, i always saw glances of you in the halls,” He helped himself to the seat across from you at your table, “I just never expected you to be this pretty up close.”

You kept a kind smile on your face and let out a slow sigh, knowing exactly what was about to play out. It’s happened too many times before. You set your pencil down onto your notebook and closed it, folding your arms over it and looking up to him,

“Go on.” What you were saying would normally sound so shallow, and yet there was something about the way you said it that made it sound so syrupy sweet. No matter how humiliated all those rejected boys felt beforehand, you never made them feel bad for asking.

Daniel shot you a strange look,

“What do you mean?”

“Ask me out. I assume that’s what you came over here to talk to me about, but if it’s not then i apologize. I think i’ve been in this situation so many times things like this just come natural to me.” You giggled, making him smile.

“Pretty and smart. You’re the whole package, aren’t you?”

“I suppose so.” You shrugged.

Daniel leaned forward into the table, talking softly to you with a cocky smile on his face, thinking he’s already got you wrapped around his finger,

“Well, what do you say? You, me, saturday night, i was thinking the drive in but if that’s not your style i’d be happy to take you to dinner.”

“No thanks.” You smiled still, pulling your arms away from over your notebook before opening it back up and moving your attention back to your textbook.

Daniel gave you another confused look,

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

“I mean ‘no’ as in, ‘no, i don’t want to go out with you’. But i appreciate the offer!”

Your sweet demeanor was confusing given your answer, and Daniel was at a loss for words. He had never been rejected by a girl before, and he certainly didn’t expect you to be the first to do it. He figured with his good looks and charm he would be the one to finally break your streak of rejections, but you proved him wrong.

He watched as you happily went back to your notes, and leaned across the table to get a bit closer to you, talking in a whisper,

“Did i do something wrong?” He asked with a nervous chuckle.

“No.” You looked up to him from your notes, “It’s nothing you did. I’m not denying that you’re an attractive guy, and you seem very nice, but i’m just not interested.” You flashed him a smile and looked down back to your notes, scribbling away and leaving Daniel confused as he sat across from you.

After a few moments of silence, Daniel stood up from the chair across from you, and as he stepped away from the table you gave him one last smile before moving back to your notes. The boys were sat at their table, slack jawed after watching that scene unfold in front of them and the handful of other students sat at the tables around you.

“So she’s never going to say yes to me.” Gareth shrugged, giving up any attempts he had thought of to try and get your attention, but after watching you reject yet another guy he had no intentions of letting himself risk getting rejected.

“Stop being a pussy!” Jeff whispered through his teeth.

“Enough with that!” Gareth whispered back, quickly glancing back at you once more, watching as you continued on with your note taking, looking so peaceful as you did so, “I’ll ask… I just don’t know if i should do it now.”

“Fine then, that means she’s up for grabs.” Eddie shrugged as he sat back in his seat.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you can’t get all pissy if some other guy asks her out and she says yes. Just rip the bandaid off and do it!”

Gareth put his head in his hands and sighed, knowing that Eddie was right,

“You’re right. Fuck it.”

Gareth took one last deep breath and glanced over his shoulder at you, deeply focused on your textbook, tapping the eraser at the end of your pencil on the pages of your notebook. It was now or never.

Without another word he stood up and slowly stepped toward your table, his palms already feeling damp just from taking a few steps closer to you. He kept his breathing slow, the constant reminder in the back of his head telling himself that the worst thing that could come of this would be you saying ‘no’. Rejection wouldn’t be anything new for him, so why did it feel so different with you.

When you glanced up and met his gaze with a little smile his heart stopped, along with his feet.

You quickly looked him over, a smile still on your lips as you noticed he stopped before you,

“Hi?” You said with a little giggle.

“Hi.” Gareth said as he snapped out of his little trance, still doing his best to stay calm. But you could see that he was still a bit nervous.

“Your name’s Gareth, right?” You asked him as he stood before you, holding back a little giggle as he nodded, still standing before you. “Do you want to sit down?” You asked him, motioning your pencil to the chair across from you.

“Yeah,” He laughed to himself, clearing his throat and pulling out the chair across from you, “thanks.”

You kept a sweet smile on your lips as you went back to your notes, Gareth watching you happily scribble along the pale blue lines in your notebook. He couldn’t just sit across from you in silence.

“What class is that for?” He asked as he tried to glance into the textbook you were writing from.

“History.” You set your pencil down onto your notebook and closed it, your arms crossed over the notebook as you looked at Gareth with bright eyes, “I’ve never been that great at History so i always like to study up on it a bit more.”

“Makes sense,” Gareth smiled and shrugged, “I’m the same way with Algebra, i just can’t get that stuff down.”

You giggled as you saw him smile, and you noticed a little bit of pink on his cheeks as he heard it. It was quite cute.

“So what brought you over here to me? Aren’t you sitting over there with your friends?” You asked him, making him blush deeper with embarrassment, not knowing you had noticed he and the guys had been sitting there.

“I was.” He started, clearing his throat and doing his best to not make direct eye contact. He knew that would only make him blush worse.

“But, i saw you were sitting alone and thought maybe you’d like some company? I know you’re probably studying or something but I’m pretty good at history, i’d be glad to help if you need any.”

“You know, now that you mentioned it,” You smiled, sliding the textbook you were reading from over between the two of you, “I am having a little trouble remembering some of these dates, do you think you can help me?”

Gareth looked up with bright eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips,

“Yeah!” He quickly hushed himself, clearing his throat as he remembered you were sitting in the library, “Which ones did you need help with?”

“Um, the ones on…” You sat up slightly flipping a few pages back to find the timeline, “this page. I don’t know why, i just can’t seem to get all these dates correctly, i think because everything happened so quickly in World War 1 that i can’t seem to remember which event happened on which day.”

Gareth nodded as you explained your trouble to him, but he tended up once more as he saw you shift in your seat.

“Here, i think it’ll be easier if i came over there.”

You slid the book over to him and stood up from your chair, walking around behind him and sitting in the seat next to his. You could still see a little pink on his cheeks as you smiled to him, moving your chair a bit closer to his.

The boys tried to keep their glances over at the two of you hidden, but as soon as they saw you move closer to Gareth they couldn’t help but stare.

“She got closer to him…” Jeff whispered.

“No, i can see that, but why?” Grant whispered back.

“I can’t tell what they’re talking about,” Eddie started, watching the two of you from across the room, seeing your eyes light up a little as Gareth was pointing out something on the pages of the textbook you’d been reading from, “I mean it looks like they’re just talking about school stuff but who knows…”

They saw a few giggles from you and a nervous laugh from Gareth and only got more excited for him. Giggles were always a good sign.

“You really make all this seem so easy.” You said to Gareth as you looked up from the textbook.

“Really? I don’t know, i guess this stuff always just made sense to me.” He flashed a smile as he looked to you too, and he has finally felt himself comfortable enough to ask you what he’d been dying to ask all this time.

Unfortunately he didn’t plan for the bell to ring as soon as he parted his lips to speak.

“I should get to class,” You said apologetically, carefully shutting the text book in front of you, standing up from your chair, “I want to make sure all that stuff stays fresh in my brain for this quiz. Thanks again for your help,” You placed your hand onto his forearm and gave it a little squeeze, “i really do appreciate it. Now i know exactly who to come to when i’m having a little trouble with history.”

Gareth couldn’t help but smile as he stood with you, mustering out a quiet, “No Problem, anytime.” As he saw you walk to the other side of the table and pack up your backpack.

He glanced back at the guys, who were urging him to grow a pair and ask, not even noticing that you had stepped around him to make your way to your class.

“(y/n).” He said suddenly, even catching himself off guard as you turned back to him.

“Yeah?” You asked, a sweet smile on your lips as you took a few steps back towards him.

“Um…” He cleared his throat, not sure how to start as his eyes darted all over the room, “You don’t have to say yes if you don’t want to, but i think you’re a really interesting person, and if you weren’t doing anything this weekend i wanted to know if maybe you’d like to do something with me?”

“You mean like a date?”

He felt a blush rise to his cheeks again as he nodded.

“I’d love to!”

His eyes went wide, and he could tell that the other students around you turned in shock.

Out of everyone that had asked to take you out in school you had never taken anyone up on their offer, no matter who was asking or where they were taking you. Just to see that Gareth was the one who had somehow gotten you to say yes was a shock to everyone around you, including himself. This would no doubt be the gossip that ran through all the cliques at school for the next week.

“Really?” He asked quietly, still in shock.

You giggled and nodded,

“Really. It sounds like fun! Here,” You reached into your bag, grabbing a piece of stray paper and a pen from the side pocket, scribbling your name and number down onto it for him with a little heart in the corner, “call me later tonight and we’ll plan something.”

He was speechless.

He stood there for a moment, looking down at the little piece of paper in his hands, and he was hoping to god that this wasn’t just some joke. He snapped from his trance as he felt a hand slap down onto his shoulder, and as he looked up he saw the guys in front of him, wide eyed and just as shocked as he was.

“Is that her number?” Jeff asked him, snatching the piece of paper from Gareths hands as he continued watching you slowly step away.

“It is!” Grant exclaimed as he saw your handwriting, “Damn, i think this is the only time i’ve heard of her giving anyone her number, let alone say ‘yes’ to a date with anyone.”

“Yeah, and that ‘anyone’ is you!” Eddie smiled and patted him on the shoulder, “Good for you bud.”

Gareth felt like he should’ve been basking in his glory. He was the only guy that had ever gotten further than just a conversation and then a rejection with you. Out of every other guy that had tried their chance with you, soccer and basketball players, some of the smartest guys in school, even the class president tried his hand at you at one point or another and yet you chose him. He needed to know why.

Without saying a word to the guys he pushed past them, following behind you to try and catch you before you had made it to your next class. Thank god he could see your hair swaying behind you in the halls. He picked up his pace, dodging past the other students making their way to their classes before finally catching up and giving you a quick tap on the arm. You turned to him with a smile and a confused look,

“Hey, is everything ok?”

“Why did you say yes?” Gareth asked quickly as he tried to catch his breath, his nerves had left him entirely and were replaced with confusion.

“What do you mean?” You asked, quickly moving yourselves against the lockers to keep out of the way of the traffic of the other students.

“I’ve seen guys come up to you and ask you out countless times, not once have you ever said yes to any of them. But you said yes to me when i asked you.”

“I did.” You confirmed for him with a giggle, “So what’s all the confusion about?”

“I just…” He sighed and looked at the tile floor between the two of you, trying hard to not let himself get embarrassed and red faced again, “I’ve seen the kind of guys that have approached you before. You know, the smart guys and the popular guys, people that actually seem to mean something to the other people that go to this school. Im a nobody…”

Your lips curled into a sweet smile once again and you placed your hand to his cheek, gently guiding his eyes back to look into yours,

“You’re not a nobody. Just because you’re not super smart or popular doesn’t mean you’re a nobody. I think you’re a really cool person actually.”

Gareths eyes lit up and a small smile was brought to his lips.

“I think you’re very sweet, and you’re smart, and funny, and i think compared to most of the other guys that’ve asked me out you’re the one with the most personality.”

You shared a chuckle with him and saw a light pink on his cheeks once again as he tried to look away.

“You really want to know why i said yes?”

Gareth nodded slowly.

You giggled again and did your best to hide your own blush,

“Because you were nervous to talk to me. All the other guys had this arrogance to them, and i know the only reason most of them asked me was so they could add on another thing to their list of trophies. They asked me just because they wanted to see if i would actually say yes, but you asked me because you liked me. i could tell that you liked me.”

The other students had started to disappear from the halls into their classes, leaving the two of you almost entirely alone.

“Really?” He asked you quietly, “I thought girls didn’t like guys that got nervous like that.”

Another quick giggle left your lips,

“Well, i like guys that get nervous around me.” You leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to his cheek, “Remember to call me later, ok? And tell your friends i said ‘hi’.” You motioned behind him and started to step away, and as Gareth turned he could see the guys standing slack jawed behind him.

He turned back but saw that you had already began your walk to class, giving him a little wave as you entered your classroom.

The boys quickly caught up to Gareth and did their best to walk through the halls to get to their own classes, but what they just witnessed would be on their minds for the rest of the day.

“What was that?” Grant asked him as they made their way down the opposite end of the hall, “Did she just kiss you?”

“On the cheek.” Gareth shrugged.

“So she did?” Jeff smiled, “Do you know what this means for you?”

“No?…” He thought to himself for a moment, “Should i?”

“It means that you hold more power than any other guy here. You not only got (y/n) to go out with you but you also got her number-“

“Oh yeah,” Gareth remembered leaving before grabbing that little slip of paper they took from him, “which one of you still has that?”

Grant reached into his jacket pocket and handed it over to Gareth,

“We didn’t copy it down or anything, this is all yours. We wouldn’t want to ruin your chances or anything.”

“Thanks.” Gareth looked down at the little scribble of your name and number on the little piece of paper in his hands, “And i didn’t make her do anything.” He said to Jeff, “I guess things just worked out right and she decided to say yes.”

“Well, how do you feel? You just got the most sought after girl in school to go out with you, you don’t seem too excited about it.” Eddie asked him with a chuckle.

“Good!” Gareth said with a big smile on his face, “Trust me, i’m over the moon about this, it just feels… strange? But i don’t know if that’s the right word.”

The class bell rung through the halls, and the boys said their quick goodbyes before running off to their classes.

“Tell us how it goes later!” Grant said as he ran down the opposite end of the hall.

“Don’t fuck this up!” Jeff laughed as he quickly stepped down the hall.

“Good job Romeo, but he’s right, don’t fuck this up.” Eddie gave him one last pat on the shoulder before slowly moving down the hall, and as Gareth watched the guys slowly disappear down the halls, he took one last look at the piece of paper in his hand.

He smiled to himself as he neatly folded the paper and carefully slipped it into his pocket, strolling slowly towards his classroom.

He didn’t care if he was late or not. Knowing that him just being him was enough for you to like him made him feel like nothing else that day could drag him down.

He couldn’t wait to get home.

[punkrockmlchael]

Secret Admirer

Masterlist | Gareth Emerson Masterlist

Gareth Emerson x Fem Cheerleader!Reader

Modern AU ; Secret Admirer to Lovers

Warnings: This is literally just fluff because I just.. needed this, No like literally buckle up for the fluffiest fluff, big bad and scary Gareth is actually a huge and sweet teddy bear when you get to know him, Secret Admirer!Gareth, Cheerleader!Reader, Best Friend!Chrissy, Kind of mean girl cheerleader friends, Gareth has a little sister, Gareth has a cat

Synopsis: Random love letters continue to find their way into your locker at school, it felt like each and every day there was a new one. As time goes on your friends are constantly guessing who they think your "Secret Admirer" actually is. But, they couldn't have been more wrong. This has been giving me trouble because I wanted it to be the best it could be and I continued to come back to it. It has nothing to do with Valentine's Day but I made it a goal to finish it before then and this, uh, this turned out pretty long... So, to anyone that was waiting I'm sorry for the delay but I hope you enjoy how this turned out! Thanks for reading! + once again thank you to the loves of my life @keeryhours + @the-witty-pen-name

Word Count: 7k

Notes. 

Love notes? 

No, just notes… right? 

That’s how it all started… with some small and subtle handwritten notes. Sweet little anonymous notes that always seemed to brighten your day and compliment you when you needed them the most. They came so often you were starting to wonder how you never noticed them being placed inside your locker… they must’ve been stuffed through the gaps but whoever was placing them definitely had to be quick and cunning if you never noticed them before, right?

It felt like every single day when you opened your locker a new handwritten note would fall to the ground and land at your feet. Each and every note seemed to have come from the same person—the consistent handwriting didn’t hide that, it actually only accentuated the fact that all these notes were from one person. But, alas, you never were able to find out who was sending them…

The scribbly and slightly slanted handwriting was a stark contrast to the nice and neat little square the paper was always folded into. It was funny, really, there was so much detail put into the folding of the paper but the handwriting was borderline unreadable unless you squinted and tilted your head to just the right angle. These notes were also never addressed with any name, any initials, anything; never even a clue as to who this person was, they never seemed to slip up and give away their identity. Which left you constantly playing the guessing game of who this person was and why they chose you to supply letters to. 

Each time a new note fell to the ground you’d look around, trying to spot if there was anyone lurking in the shadows and watching you. But, you never found anyone, at least, you never seemed to find someone who was actively watching you and your moves… if they were watching you they were doing it so discreetly that you never once thought anything of it. They were good at concealing their identity, really. 

Every little love note from your secret admirer, as Chrissy had called it, made its way into your folder. It brought a smile to your face every time the folder was opened, but you still wished you knew who exactly was writing the letters that put a huge smile on your face.

And more importantly… did they know they were putting these smiles on your face? Or, was all of this just a trick someone was playing on you? There’s no way you could have a secret admirer… right?

You sighed, yawning softly as you put the combination into your locker on autopilot. You had a late night; a pep rally was directly after school and the championship basketball game followed soon after. So, that meant that you cheered your little butt off for the entire school during said pep rally and for the entire town that had decided to come out to the championship game. All the while the band played in the background to help keep everyone interacted with obnoxious sounds of basketball coming from the court. (You know, the dribbling, the squeaks of sneakers, the shouts from players and the crowd; yeah, all of that.) Fortunately, Hawkins had won the championship game; the first big win in years. Unfortunately, that meant that you were stuck being dragged to a party after the game with your best friends and fellow cheerleaders, Chrissy and Kate. Apparently despite being a school night, the win still needed to be celebrated. But, really, what was the point? The game was already done, the win already secured by Jason Carver as he made the game winning shot at the buzzer. 

God, what more was there to celebrate? You wanted to celebrate your bed. But, no. Instead you were dragged out of the gym and to the biggest party you’d ever been to. Chrissy and Kate assured you that you’d be back home by 9 o’clock at night, but once 11 o’clock hit your body was finally resting in your bed comfortably, only to lie awake for ages. The clock showing 1:25 in the morning was the last thing you remembered before finally falling asleep.

You felt like you were running on empty as you yawned yet again, desperately craving an overly sweet iced coffee flavored with caramel syrup with extra whipped cream on top and maybe some extra caramel drizzle on top of that light and fluffy whipped cream. Yeah… that sounded like heaven right now. Caffeine buzz… sugar buzz… honestly, either sounded like they would help at this point in time. After struggling with your locker combination a couple of times, you finally succeeded and opened your locker to grab your English textbook. As you flung the door open, a small folded piece of paper landed at your feet. 

You raised an eyebrow and looked down at the paper by your feet before looking around the hall to see if there was anyone watching you. When you didn’t see anyone actively paying attention to you, you shrugged, bending down to reach for the paper. 

You held the small, perfectly folded paper in your hands before you opened it carefully, reading the contents to yourself.

You looked really pretty at the school pep rally yesterday.

You blushed to yourself, folding the paper back up quickly. You stuffed it in your pocket and grabbed your English textbook, closing your locker. You turned when you heard your name, looking at Kate as she walked towards you with a big grin on her face. Clearly, she was not affected by the late night like you were. She was looking as peppy and chipper as ever… damn, how did she do it? Did she already down that sugary and caffeine filled coffee of your dreams without you?

“Hey, girl,” Kate smiled, bumping your shoulder with her own gently. “How’d you sleep?” She giggled, taking in your tired and disheveled looking appearance. “I texted you, you didn’t respond. I had thought maybe you didn’t wake up in time for school this morning!” 

Looking at Kate, you rolled your eyes as a small scoff left your mouth. “I saw your text, I just didn’t have the brain power to reply. And as for sleeping? I slept like hell, thanks,” you muttered, making the short walk to your English class. Kate walked alongside you, smiling at you.

“Sorry, girl, I thought maybe you could survive off of a few hours of sleep.” She teased, walking into the classroom with you. You sighed, sinking into your seat.

“I can’t,” you replied softly, grabbing your folder out of your backpack. You grabbed the tiny piece of paper from your pants pocket and slid it in the folder discreetly for safe keeping. “And, I think you know that I can’t. I’m going to be honest, I think the only solution at this point is an iced coffee with too much caramel and too much whipped cream.” 

“Damn. Well, you better wake up quick,” she smirked, watching you rest your head in your hands. “Don’t think you want detention with the freaks today.” She added, motioning towards the boys of the Hellfire club. Eddie and Jeff stood around Gareth’s desk, talking far too loud for only being 7 o’clock in the morning. They continued to laugh and talk amongst each other, something about camping? No, a campaign? What the hell was a campaign? You really weren’t sure what they were going on about this early in the morning… it seemed like a foreign language to you and the other students that heard their conversation.

“Kate, don’t call them that,” you yawned again, watching the three boys continue to laugh until the bell rang. “They’re not freaks,” you mumbled, smiling softly when you saw Gareth look at you and smile.

“They are totally freaks, though.” Kate muttered back, looking at the board in the front of the room. 

But you didn’t hear her. You just yawned again, giving Gareth one last smile before looking at the board as well. You were clinging to the hope that you could at least make it to lunch in order to get a nap in… who needed to eat anyways?

You sat in study hall, reading The Great Gatsby to yourself as others around you mumbled and talked amongst themselves about various topics. No one else was doing any homework, and you didn’t really blame them. No one ever actually did homework in study hall… it was the class that students took to tell their parents they would be getting ahead of their schoolwork, but, really, it was just a free for all social hour. Even the teacher that watched study hall didn’t really care, she used this free time to pretend she was grading papers for her class but she was really just swiping through her latest dating app matches trying to find Mr. Right on her phone under the desk. And, it was kind of funny watching her sit and mumble to herself when she didn’t get a match she wanted but, also, this was Hawkins… not many suitors for a teacher at the local high school in her mid 30s. 

Normally you’d be sitting with Chrissy giggling with each other while watching the teacher as she aggressively swiped on her phone, mumbling to herself more. Then you’d move on to giggling about your latest cheer practice, then you’d be discussing the latest shade of nail polish you bought, then you’d go back to giggling about the latest funny video you saw online before finally discussing the newest skirt you had picked up at the mall. But, not today. Today you were just unlucky as Chrissy was sick which left you all alone in study hall. So, you might as well work on some homework… right?

While reading, you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, pouting to yourself when it moved over your ear again. You ran your fingers through your locks, sighing when you realized how short your hair actually was now. It framed your face perfectly—like you had wanted—but now it was too short to pull back into a ponytail, to place in a bun and apparently too short to even push back behind your ears to get it out of your face. 

Damn haircut.

You continued to attempt to push the strands of hair behind your ears before sighing to yourself, setting the book down on the table. You leaned back in your seat, crossing your arms over your chest as you looked out the window, watching the wind blow the dry and brittle leaves around the field gently.

The sounds of the people talking around you started to become muffled as you continued to look out the window, watching the leaves dance through the air without a care in the world. There was a big gust of wind, the leaves flying through the wind freely, tauntingly almost, as you sat and watched. Your copy of The Great Gatsby sat long forgotten in front of you as your eyes followed the leaves outside the window.

You glanced over to the table in front of the window, watching as the Hellfire boys sat around in a circle having a very intense discussion. How do these boys always seem to be so in the zone and have the most intense conversations no matter the time of day? It kind of made you envious of the fact that they all enjoyed each other’s company and didn’t care what others around them thought—literally, they were so loud. They were polar opposites of so many others; most people in high school were so caught up in wanting to be popular and needing to fall into a specific category that they would do anything for it. But not these boys; no, these boys were different.

You watched as the boys continued to joke around with each other before Gareth stood up. He nodded at the others and walked past your table, smiling at you a little as he walked towards the door. You smiled at him before you glanced back at your book, picking it up again to attempt to dive back into the story you needed to desperately finish for English class. 

After a few minutes you were finally able to get back into your book. You became so engrossed in the story telling of Nick Carraway that you didn’t notice Gareth slip back into the room and back into his seat at the table with his Hellfire friends. They all went back to talking and joking with each other during the remainder of study hall. 

The annoying ring of the bell and the sound of your classmates packing their belongings up in a hurry was what finally pulled you out of your book. You sighed, marking the page you were on before you stuffed the book in your backpack and stood up, making your way out the door and down the hall to your locker. 

You put your combination in gracefully, opening the door to grab the correct books for your homework. A small piece of paper fell to your feet, landing on top of your converse shoes. You picked it up and unfolded it, reading the note to yourself.

You got a haircut; I like it. It looks good on you.

You blushed softly, reading the words on the paper before you glanced around you. There weren't many people roaming the hall at this time; it seemed like everyone was already out the door or on their way to practices and clubs. The only person walking towards you was your locker neighbor—Gareth. He smiled at you softly before he stopped next to you, putting the combination in his locker. You smiled back, holding the paper to your chest before you attempted to tuck the short strands of hair behind your ear again.

You grabbed your folder from your locker, placing the note inside carefully before shutting the door quietly. You glanced at Gareth, watching as he went through his less than tidy locker. Papers were scattered about the inside, crumpled and ripped and continuing to move with each movement he made.

“Shit,” he mumbled to himself, eyes stuck in his locker. He glanced at you and smiled a little. “Hey, uh, what’re the odds you know the homework we’re supposed to do for English tonight?” 

You smiled, looking at him with a slight nod. “Yeah, uh, here,” you replied, grabbing your planner from your bag. You turned it to the correct day before you handed it to him. Gareth smiled as he took his cellphone out of his pocket, snapping a picture of the homework you had written down. 

“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver… I swear I had it written down but can’t find it.” He stopped for a second, looking up at you. “Did you get a haircut?” He asked softly, his smile growing more. 

You nodded, running your fingers through your now short hair. “Uh, yeah. I’m not a huge fan of it…”

“Well, I think it looks good on you,” Gareth replied, closing his locker. “I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” He asked, looking at you. You smiled, a pink tint covering your cheeks.

“Yeah… see you tomorrow, Gareth…” Gareth nodded at your response, smiling again as he turned away and walked towards the theater room, catching up with his friends Jeff and Eddie. You stood there for a second, watching him leave and begin laughing again with his friends. 

“Hey?” Kate called your name, walking towards you. “You okay? What are you looking at?” She asked, stopping next to you. You hummed, turning towards her.

“Huh? Oh, uh, nothing. Sorry, I was kind of zoning out…” 

“Right, well, ready for practice?” She asked, looking at you.

“Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry.” You replied, turning to walk towards the locker room. 

“What were you looking at?” Kate asked, walking alongside you. You shrugged, not wanting to admit to her that you were watching one of the freaks as she called him.

“Oh, nothing. I thought I heard something… you know?”

Kate raised an eyebrow, not believing you. “Yeah, sure.”

“Stupid fucking glasses,” you muttered to yourself, squinting as you looked at the board in your World History class. You tried to move a bit closer, leaning over your desk as you scribbled some notes sloppily in your notebook. When you realized that even moving closer to the board wasn’t helping, you sighed to yourself. You sat back in your seat as your teacher continued to speak to the entire class, making more and more notes on the white board about the latest World History Lesson.

You took your glasses off and squinted again, trying to keep up with the notes that were being written on the board. A small groan escaped your lips as you gave up on reading the board, instead taking notes based on what your teacher was speaking aloud. 

Gareth glanced up at you as he took his own notes, noticing how you seemed to be struggling with seeing the board. He raised an eyebrow as you put your new glasses back on, eyes directly on your notebook now as you wrote down everything you heard. You attempted to keep up with the notes, struggling slightly as your pen moved across the paper in hasty scribbles, it would be a miracle if you could even reread these notes later. 

Once the bell rang you stood up and moved towards the front of the room, looking at the board once again only this time from a closer view. You quickly wrote down any of the notes you had missed, comparing your notebook to the board a few times before gathering your belongings. You snapped a quick picture of the notes on the board with your phone to compare later before you walked to your locker, smiling at Gareth slightly as he stood at his own locker. 

He smiled at you, nodding at you slightly. “Hey,” he said softly, grabbing his textbook for his next class. “New glasses?” He asked, motioning to his own face.

“Hey, uh, yeah… I, uh, I got them yesterday after school,” you replied, putting the combination into your locker. 

“Nice, well, they look good on you.” Gareth replied, closing his locker. “I really like the black frames on you, they really make your eyes pop.” 

“Thanks,” you smiled, blushing softly. You opened your locker and watched a folded piece of paper fall to your feet. You bent down to grab it, opening it slightly to read the contents to yourself. Your eyes skimmed over the note, squinting slightly as you took in the words that were written on the paper.

You got new glasses, huh? The black frames look totally badass on you. 

You blushed a bit, reading over the note again. Someone else had actually noticed your new glasses and thought they looked good? And, they even went out of their way to compliment you on your new glasses, putting this note in your locker for you to find? You smiled a little, thinking to yourself. You thought these new glasses were terrible… they were just too big and bulky. Not to mention, they kind of gave you a bit of a headache, and they made it difficult to see the board in class right now. You pushed your glasses up higher on the bridge of your nose, examining the note in greater detail. 

God, whose handwriting was that? Who did you know that could write in such a sloppy, slanted manner? And, why—no, how—was the paper always folded up so perfectly?

You folded the note back up and stuffed it into your pocket. Glancing up, you noticed Gareth was gone and was probably off to his next class by now.

“Hey!” You jumped at the sound of Chrissy walking towards you, giggling to herself. “Woah, you good girl?” She asked, looking at you with a smile. 

“Huh? Yeah, sorry, just… have a headache,” you mumbled, grabbing your notebook from your locker before shutting it quickly.

“Yeah, I’ve heard new glasses can do that to you.” She said softly with a small frown. “But, at least you can see, right?” 

“Something like that,” you replied, nodding as you looked at her. “Ready for class?” 

“Yeah, I guess.” Chrissy nodded, walking with you towards your next class. Your right hand made its way into your pocket, playing with the folded note gently. 

God, who was leaving these notes?

“Oh my god, this is so weird,” you smiled from your seat at the cheerleader lunch table. You were sitting next to Chrissy and across from Kate, a wide smile on your face as you looked at both of them.

“What?” Kate asked, smiling at you.

“Yeah, what’re you going on about, girlie?” Chrissy smiled, taking a bite of her salad.

“This is like my first lunch without braces in god knows how long.” You smiled brightly, showing off your perfectly straight and shiny teeth. “There’s so many foods I can eat now like… I can have gum again, I can have potato chips, I can have popcorn. My god, I am so excited to eat all the food I haven’t been able to lately.” 

“How many selfies have you taken so far?” Chrissy giggled, looking at you with a smile. “I have to think you’ve at least taken a couple of selfies already to show off your brand new smile.”

You giggled, taking a bite of one of your baby carrots. “Maybe just a few… you know, just had to take some pictures and test out some new angles,” you smiled more, running your tongue over your teeth. It felt weird. It was smooth, and there were no more braces.

“I have to admit, you look good without the braces,” Kate smiled, looking at you. “Don’t get me wrong, you were always beautiful but you look so happy without them on.”

“Yeah, your smile is so contagious.” Chrissy smiled as well, agreeing with Kate. You smiled at them both, continuing to munch on your baby carrots with ranch.

“You’re both going to make me blush,” you giggled. You finished your lunch while joking with your friends before the bell rang. 

“Shit, I forgot I have a math test,” Kate said, standing up.

“Damn, that means I have a math test,” Chrissy groaned, standing up as well. They both looked at you and smiled, “see you after school, girl.” 

“Yep! See you at cheer practice,” you smiled, rising from your seat. You grabbed your items and made your way to your locker. You put your combination in and opened the door, watching yet again as a small piece of folded paper fell to your feet. This one was a little different, your name was on the outside of the paper with a small smiley face drawn next to it.

You bent down and picked up the paper, reading your name on the outside before you opened it, looking at the contents within.

No more braces, huh? God, your smile is breathtaking. 

You blushed a bright red, unable to hide the wide smile that was forming on your face. Who is the one person that keeps noticing these small little changes about you? And, follow up question, why do they feel the need to tell you through these notes? Are they seeing the smile that forms on your face after you read the notes? Are they doing it as a joke?

Reading over the note again, you smiled as you looked into your locker, reaching for your textbook. You grabbed your folder as well, placing the note inside before you closed the locker door and made your way towards your next class wearing the same smile you had when you first read the note—a huge, bright and contagious smile, as Chrissy called it. 

“Have you figured out who your secret admirer is yet?” Kate, asked as you walked towards your lockers together after cheer practice was finally over. The halls were dim and empty, the three of you the only ones around for the time being. 

“It’s Steve! No, it’s Andy! Wait, maybe it’s Tommy,” Chrissy squealed, naming off all of the popular boys in your grade.

“Chrissy, come on, you’re just throwing names out left and right at this point,” Kate commented, shaking her head. You shrugged, walking towards your locker.

“I think you are both too invested in this,” you said, stopping at your locker. “I mean, they’re just little letters and I don’t even know who they’re from!” You said, putting your locker combination in. “It’s not a big deal.”

“They’re love letters,” Kate corrected, looking at you. “That is, like, so totally a big deal!”

“Yeah! This could be your future boyfriend! Your future husband, the father of your children,” Chrissy gushed, watching as you opened your locker.

“You two are just so—” you started, cutting yourself off as you looked into your locker. You raised your eyebrow, looking at the girls before redirecting your attention back to the locker. 

“We’re so what?” Chrissy asked, giggling.

“Yeah, what’s up?” Kate asked, moving to get a better look in your locker.

You picked up the single red rose that was sitting in your locker, holding it up. You lifted it to your nose, sniffing it gently before you noticed the piece of paper attached to it. You quickly unfolded it, reading the contents as a smile appeared on your face.

You’re the most beautiful girl in the world ♡

You looked up at Kate and Chrissy, smiles forming on their faces as well. “Still think it’s not a big deal?” Kate asked, taking a peek at the love note. “Someone is like, in love with you!”

“Oh, my god,” Chrissy squealed again, jumping up and down. “This is so perfect, oh my god, what if he’s planning on asking you to Prom?”

“Chrissy, I still don’t even know who he is,” you reminded her, looking down the hall to see if you could find anyone. Then again, it was after school and clubs… not too many people were still here willingly. No, just a few teachers and the janitors tended to linger around the building at this time.

“Come on, it has to be Steve, he’s always watching you while we’re cheering!” Chrissy smiled, looking at you. 

“Oh, my god, picture it,” Kate smiled, joining in on Chrissy’s excitement. “Prom; Chrissy and Jason, me and Billy, and you and Steve!”

“Isn’t he with Nancy?” You asked, sniffing the rose again. Kate shook her head rapidly. 

“No! They broke up!”

“Yeah, she’s with Jonathan now,” Chrissy added, looking at you. “Oh, god, I hope it’s Steve!” 

You rolled your eyes, shaking your head at your two friends and their speculations. You grabbed your things and smiled at them, closing your locker. “You guys are crazy,” you said, looking at them. “But, I have to go. I have to go work on a World History project with my partner.”

“Partner?” Chrissy asked, gasping slightly. “Wait, is it Steve?” 

“Or Andy? Or Tommy?” Kate asked, giggling with Chrissy. You shook your head and looked at them.

“No, it’s Gareth.” 

“The freak?” Chrissy asked. You shook your head slightly and looked at her.

“Don’t call him that, he’s actually pretty nice… I think,” you replied, shrugging slightly.

“Oh, god, don’t tell me you have a crush on one of the freaks,” Kate said softly, rolling her eyes. 

“Look, I have to go. I’m already late, I texted him and told him I’d be there around five and it’s almost five thirty!” You panicked, grabbing your phone to send Gareth a text. “I’ll see you tomorrow, bye!” You added, running towards the door as you typed out a text to Gareth. 

You made it to your car and started the short drive to Gareth’s house from the high school. He had sent you a text back that you read once you pulled up to his house, a text back that just said ‘it’s fine, no biggie,’ but to you it felt like a biggie, in fact, it felt like a big biggie. You hated being late and even more, you hated blowing people off. You grabbed your bag and hopped out of the car, walking towards the front door; taking a deep breath, you knocked on the door, waiting for someone to answer. 

After a minute or so a cute little girl opened the door. She was probably around seven or so and looked just like Gareth—she had blue eyes, fluffy hair with little curls thrown about and an adorable smile with a tooth missing in the front. She held a small baby blue teddy bear under her arm and smiled up at you.

“Hi! I’m Gracie,” she beamed, looking at you.

“Hi, Gracie,” you smiled at her. “Is Gareth home?”

She nodded and giggled, turning around. “Gare! Your girlfriend is here!” She turned back to you and smiled, “you’re pretty.”

You blushed softly as she called you her brother’s girlfriend, smiling a little. “Why, thank you, Gracie.” After a minute Gareth came walking to the front door, looking at Gracie.

“Why are you yelling at me?” He asked, noticing you at the door. He smiled at you slightly before looking back at Gracie.

“I said your girlfriend is here,” Gracie said, pointing to you. “She’s pretty, Gare, are you going to kiss her?” 

You stifled a laugh, biting your lip as you looked at her with a small smile. Gareth turned a bright shade of red before he shook his head, pointing towards the living room. “Okay, that’s enough. Don’t you have a tea party to get back to?” Gracie gasped and nodded, looking at Gareth.

“You’re right! Mr. Fluffy is waiting for me!” And with that Gracie was running back to her tea party, forgetting you were even at the door. Gareth shook his head and looked up at you, still a bit pink as he stepped to the side and motioned for you to come in.

“Hey, uh, sorry about… her,” he said softly, closing the door behind you as you walked in. “She’s got… quite the imagination,” Gareth trailed off, looking into the living room as he watched his sister go back to her tea party with her stuffed animals. “We can go to my room,” he said, directing his attention back to you with a small smile.

“That sounds good,” you nodded, smiling as you followed him into the house and up the stairs. Along the way, you took note of all the decorations in the house. There were so many family pictures on the walls along with various other pictures. You lingered on one slightly, smiling at what appeared to be Gareth when he was younger with his parents. He was standing in front of their house in between his mom and dad with a toothless grin on his face, his hair was a mess, a fluffy mop on his head. You smiled softly, eyes flickering from the picture back to the boy in front of you. 

He stopped in front of a door that had a Metallica poster on the back and opened it, motioning for you to go first. You smiled at him, stepping into his room as you looked around. There were metal posters everywhere as well as pictures of him and his friends hanging on the wall. His dresser had a ton of little dragon figurines on it with a book that said Dungeons and Dragons Player’s Handbook. 

“Sorry, it’s kind of messy,” Gareth apologized, moving some of his clothes off of his bed. “I’m actually so terrible at putting my clothes away… very toxic trait of mine,” he mumbled, walking towards his closet. You giggled softly, watching him walk past you.

“Oh, mine too, it’s okay,” you smiled, watching him throw the clothes in his closet.

“You can take a seat on my bed, get comfy or whatever, we might be here for a bit.” He said, looking back at you. You glanced at his bed, taking note of the dark colored bedspread and blankets. You walked towards it, sitting gently. You grabbed your textbook and notebook from your bag, placing them on the bed in front of you as you grabbed a pen. You placed your bag down beside you and jumped when you felt the bed move, looking back to see a black cat staring at you curiously.

“Oh, hi,” you said softly, reaching out to pet the cat gently. Gareth closed his closet door and grabbed his notebook and textbook as well, looking back at his bed with a smile.

“Oh yeah, sorry, I probably should have warned you about him. You’re not like allergic or anything are you?” He asked, sitting next to you on his bed. You shook your head, scratching the cat behind his ears as he started purring, nuzzling against your leg. “Well, that’s Ozzy.” He smiled, “he’s kind of an attention whore.”

“Well, hi Ozzy,” you smiled, scratching his head more. “You are so cute, Gareth didn’t tell me he had such a cute little kitty friend at home.” Gareth smiled a little, watching you interact with Ozzy.

“I kind of forgot you’ve never been to my house, otherwise I would have warned you about Gracie too.” He said, opening his notebook to his most recent notes.

“Yeah, I didn’t know you had a sister either,” you nodded, looking at him with a small smile. “She’s cute, though. She looks just like you.”

“Yeah, I get that alot.” Gareth replied, setting his notebook down as he tapped his thighs for Ozzy. Ozzy meowed and walked towards him, jumping into his lap before he curled up in a ball, purring more. “She is definitely the cuter sibling.”

You giggled to yourself, looking at your notebook in front of you. You smiled as you glanced at his notebook and stopped in your tracks when you saw his notes on the page. More specifically, when you saw his handwriting on the notebook page. That consistent scribbly, slanted handwriting was staring at you, teasing you; taunting you and calling out to you. 

Why? Because you know you’ve seen it before.

In fact, you’ve seen that handwriting so often recently. And it was currently sitting in your folder on numerous pieces of paper as well as sitting in your car with a bright red rose. 

You glanced up at him, watching as he continued to pet Ozzy on his lap.

Holy shit.

Gareth Emerson was your secret admirer. 

You walked through the gym in your red ball gown, weaving through the groups of people. While you had come to this dance with Chrissy and Kate, they were off now dancing with their boyfriends. Which was fine, it just meant that you were now alone for the time being. 

You made your way towards the punch table, grabbing yourself a cup before you took in your surroundings. You glanced around the room, sipping on the punch. Your eyes landed on the one person you were looking for–Gareth Emerson. He was sitting alone at a table in the corner, messing with his tie. 

It had been about a month since you had realized that Gareth was the one supplying the letters in your locker. And, since that day, his letters haven't stopped… in fact, they have actually increased to coming daily. Sometimes even twice a day. You wondered if he knew that you knew who he was… if he did know that you knew, he was doing an amazing job at hiding it. If he didn’t know then… well, he was just crazy.

Because you had been wanting to say something to him ever since the eventful day when you first recognized his handwriting and found out who he was. You just never found the right time. At least, until tonight—prom night. For some reason, tonight seemed like the perfect time to tell him, to show him, to confess your mutual feelings that had been growing towards him since you started spending time with him one on one. 

It was prom after all, wasn’t tonight about love and relationships and all that other cheesy shit?

You smiled to yourself and grabbed another cup of punch carefully. You made your way towards the table Gareth was sitting at, taking a seat next to him. He looked up at you and smiled, “hey, you, uh, you look great,” Gareth said, taking in your appearance. He smiled softly as he watched the red lace fabric hug your upper body and curves before it flowed into a poofy ball gown skirt at your hips. Damn, you looked too good in that, and red was always his favorite color. Curse you for picking up on that and for wearing it specifically for him.

“Thanks,” you smiled, setting both cups of punch down on the table. “You clean up pretty well too, you know.” You giggled, looking at him. “I have to admit, I’m pretty surprised you’re here. School dances don’t seem like your kind of thing. But, I brought you some punch.” 

Gareth blushed softly, shrugging as his fingers continued to play with the end of his red tie. “Thanks. And, I had to wear this suit somewhere, you know?” He replied, looking up at you. “Are you… uh, all alone tonight?” He asked, his right hand moving towards the cup of punch you placed in front of him. 

“Kind of,” you responded, looking at him with a smile. “I came with Kate and Chrissy but they’re with Jason and Billy.” You motioned towards your friends who were dancing with their boyfriends. You hung your purse on the edge of your chair before resting your arms on the table. You looked at Gareth with a smile on your face, “what about you?”

Gareth smiled, looking at you. “What about me?” He asked, taking a drink of the overly sweet punch you had brought him.

“I mean,” you smiled, “where are your friends? Or are you also all alone tonight?”

“Ah,” he smiled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Kind of? Eddie is flirting with girls, trying to get someone to dance with him and, honestly, I’m not too sure where Jeff and Grant ended up…”

“And you’re not asking any girls to dance?” You asked, looking at Gareth. He looked up at you and shook his head.

“Oh, no, I don’t think any girl would want to dance with me anyways…”

“That’s not true,” you replied, “I bet there are plenty of girls that would like to dance with you.”

“Yeah, right,” Gareth shook his head. “Like who?”

You shrugged, smiling at him. “Good question.” You reached for your purse, pulling out a small piece of folded paper. You handed it to him and giggled softly.

He looked at you and raised an eyebrow, looking down at the folded piece of paper in his hand. He unfolded it carefully, looking at the contents carefully. 

Will you dance with me, my secret admirer? ♡

Gareth read the paper and looked up at you, turning a bright red. “How, uh… how did you know it was… me?” He asked softly, folding the paper back up. He tucked it into his jacket pocket gently, eyes on you again as he looked you up and down subtly. 

“Well, your handwriting during our History project kind of gave it away for me,” you giggled. “So, will you dance with me?” You asked, standing up. You placed your hand out for Gareth to grab, smiling when he stood up and placed his hand in yours.

“Of course I’ll dance with you,” he said softly, pulling you towards the dance floor just in time for a slow song. “Though, I must admit, I am terrible at dancing.” 

“Yeah, me too,” you replied, wrapping your arms around his neck gently. Gareth smiled softly, placing his hands on your hips gently. 

“You’re not like… I don’t know… weirded out by me placing those notes and stuff in your locker, are you?” He asked softly, pulling you closer to his body gently.

“No, not really… should I be?” You asked, smiling up at him. “If we’re being honest with each other, I have always had a tiny bit of a crush on you and I was secretly hoping you were the one planting all the letters for me…” 

“Really?” Gareth asked softly, swaying with you to the music. “Well, if we’re being honest with each other… the truth is I’ve had a crush on you for quite a while, and, I guess I was just… nervous that you wouldn't like a freak like me,” Gareth admitted softly, leaning closer to you.

“What do you mean?” You asked, moving your face closer to his.

“Well, you’re a cheerleader, I’m a freak… we just, don’t really go together, you know?” 

“Why are you calling yourself a freak?” You frowned. 

“Because, well, that’s kind of what I am? You’re popular and I’m just, well, a freak.”

“No,” you argued, shaking your head. “You’re really cool and really sweet and to be honest… being popular doesn’t mean anything. I like you for you, and truth is; I’d love to get to know the real you more.” 

“Really?” Gareth asked, smiling softly. 

“Really.”

“Well, uh, in that case,” Gareth said, leaning closer. “Can I… uh, can I kiss you?” He asked softly. 

“Please,” you replied. 

Gareth smiled and leaned in closer, placing his lips against yours softly. You smiled, kissing him back as your fingers played with his hair on the back of his neck gently. Gareth’s right hand moved up to your face, caressing your cheek softly as he pulled you closer to him with his left hand that was still placed in your hip. 

He pulled away slightly, resting his forehead against yours. “Would you, maybe, uh, want to go out with me sometime?” He stuttered out softly, looking at you. 

“Absolutely.” You replied, leaving another soft kiss on his lips.

gareth tag list: wanna be added? comment + let me know! @keeryhours ; @darkyuffie-blog ; @luveediary ; @the-witty-pen-name ; @bastardstevie ; @pupwrites ; @swiftieintheupsidedown ; @hawkinsmafia ; @the-unforgivenn ; @corrodedcorpses ; @potatoesenpaii ; @cowboylikemunson

[the-witty-pen-name]

Ketchup-gate

Gareth Emerson x F!Reader

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: fluff, mutual pining, friends to lovers, kissing, cursing, stupid pranks

Synopsis: After the freshmen prank on you goes wrong, it sets off a series of events where Gareth finally shows you how he feels.

A/N: I have fully gone down the Gareth Emerson rabbit hole. I love him so much. Please let me know if you like it, it’s my first time writing for him. If you want to see more Gareth content from me- my requests are open! I also hate this title but we’re rolling with it cause I couldn’t think of something better 🤷‍♀️

When a glop of ketchup lands on your page with a splat, you look up from your notebook with daggers in your eyes. A hush falls across the table as you look at the culprit of painting your homework and the front of your Hellfire shirt red. Eyes wide in panic, one of the freshmen sitting across from you looks like they might melt from under your heavy stare.

“What the fuck was that, Henderson?” You snap, snatching napkins from Mike’s tray.

“Uh- um-”

“UH, UM,” you mock, tilting your head to match each syllable.

“It was just part of the initiation!” Mike interjects- trying to diffuse the tension before it goes too far. Your brow furrowed in confusion as the rest of the table erupts into a laughing fit.

“What initiation?” you question, skeptically. The two younger boys look even more startled.

“To join Hellfire…”

“There’s never been hazing to join Hellfire,” you point out, and you notice how Jeff and Grant can’t keep themselves from falling over in laughter. “We don’t have people trying to get in, why would you think we would need an initiation?”

“You dumbasses set them up to piss me off?” You ask, redirecting your glare to the boys seated further down the table.

“I’m just disappointed they couldn’t think of an actually good prank,” Grant scoffs.

“That was the best you could do, Henderson?” Jeff mocked. “That’s not even a prank.”

“You’re all assholes,” you mutter, shoving your bag over your shoulder. You need to go to the restroom and try to get the glaring stain off your clothes before they set. Maybe if you have time, you can salvage your homework too before next period.

You don’t even notice Gareth and Eddie as you rush past them, and you don’t hear Gareth call out to you as you head down the hallway. Eddie shrugs, but as the two approach the table, the aftermath of the situation is glaringly obvious. Your usual seat at the table looks like a set of a shoestring budget gore movie.

“I’m gonna go find her,” Gareth says, patting Eddie on the shoulder- opting to catch up with you then join the others at the table. He can hear Eddie interrogating those at the scene as he heads after you.

“Dude coming in!” Gareth announces, stepping into the girl’s room. You roll your eyes when you make eye contact with him in the mirror. “Not a perv! Just need to help a friend in crisis!”

“It’s just me,” you mutter, dabbing your shirt with cold water with wads of paper towel. Gareth moves to lock the door so you two can talk uninterrupted. Also, so he doesn’t get in trouble being in here with you.

“What happened?” Gareth asks, shrugging off his flannel and offering it to you.

“Thanks,” you smile weakly. “Um, it wasn’t a big deal… Dustin ‘Carrie’d’ me with a bottle of Heinz and I kind of freaked out on him. Jeff and Grant put him up to it.”

“That sounds… really fucking stupid,” he stiffles back a laugh. You shove his arm, playfully.

“They of course chose the day I wore my club shirt, and I was working on my short essay for Ms. O’Donnell,” you exhale, annoyed still.

“It’ll come out of the shirt,” Gareth tries to help. “And you and I can wipe that off and I can help you rewrite it. Lunch just started- we can probably type it up at the library if we hurry.”

“It’s gonna set,” you whine, frustrated that you just seem to be fruitlessly pushing ketchup everywhere.

“I will make you another shirt,” he promises gently. He holds up the flannel again and helps you shrug it on. “Good as new, yeah?” he smiles.

God, why does he have to be so sweet? You’ll let yourself bask in the fact that you’re wearing his shirt later. It smells like his cologne- the scent overwhelms you and you wish you could just sink into it.

“Thanks, Gare,” you smile. You look down and button up the shirt so it hides the stains a little better. “You’re the best.”

“I know- would you tell the guys that?” he jokes.

“I’ll work it into conversation,” you promise. You move to head towards the door, you still need to fix your paper for class.

“Hey,” Gareth says, and you turn back to him. Suddenly, his demeanor is more shy.

“Yeah, Gare?”

“Do you- I mean, would you ever…”

“Yeah?” you ask, encouraging him to continue.

“Nevermind,” he shakes his head. “Let’s go fix your paper, yeah?”

“You’re my hero,” you joke, turning back around to walk out of the bathroom. You miss the way his cheeks flush pink. You can hear Eddie’s voice booming down the hallway- you look over at Gareth skeptically.

“I think he’s pissed about Ketchup Gate,” Gareth guesses, “C’mon, let’s get out of here before we run out of time.” He takes your hand and the both of you scurry down to the library, the clock ticking on your deadline.

You’re so focused on the fact that he’s holding your hand, you can’t even care about your homework anymore.

The rest of the day went by in a blur- you couldn’t take your mind off Gareth, which was not an uncommon occurrence. You kept thinking about the shirt you were wearing, the way he helped you fix your homework, and the way he waited for you outside Ms. O’Donnell’s class to walk with you and see how it went. Your every thought was tied back to him it seemed.

You were off your game in Hellfire. You could maybe concentrate better if Gareth wasn’t sitting so close. You’d stop rolling horrific numbers and would be able to stop stuttering on all of your decisions if his eyes were looking anywhere else but on you. You had done such a good job hiding your crush over the past few years- and unfortunately, it’s gotten worse instead of faded as you had hoped with time.

After a devastating campaign for your character, you decide it’s best to just cut your losses and head home. Mike, Lucas and Dustin have somehow convinced Eddie to drive them to the arcade- how? You’ll never know. Jeff and Grant seem interested, and make a plan to meet them there- but Gareth lingers, waiting to see what you’re doing. The rest of the guys fall over themselves, piling out of the room towards the parking lot. You doubt they notice that you’re ducking out.

“Are you coming?” Gareth asks hopefully, dangling his mom’s car keys in the air like a trophy. “You can drive with me- my mom let me have the wagon tonight.”

“No, I’m kinda tired,” you lie and you hope he can’t tell. “I was just gonna go home- maybe just chill and watch TV. There’s a new episode of Growing Pains on tonight…”

“Are you sure? I mean, the arcade could be kinda fun,” he asks, and he tries his best to hide the disappointment. “Or, maybe I could keep you company? I could stomach Growing Pains, or maybe we could get a movie at Family Video?”

“No, you go ahead,” you try to insist. You don’t think you could manage being alone with him without making a complete fool of yourself. You’re surprised at how well you seem to be holding up now. “I kinda want to just have some time to myself.” Lie.

“Okay,” he nods, feeling the sting of rejection. He tries his best to not let it weigh him down. “Hey, um- if you change your mind, you can always call The Palace and I can pick you up.”

“Thanks, Gare,” you smile.

Gareth is annoying Keith about every 15 minutes from the second he gets there. He idles near the prize counter, waiting for Keith to be done helping someone before asking again if someone called for him.

“I’ll page on the intercom if you get a call,” Keith rolls his eyes. “Don’t tell people to call you here again.”

“It’s just that it’s really important, I can’t miss it if they call,” he insists. He walks back to join the rest of the group. Jeff and Grant can tell immediately something is up with him, they knew he’d been acting weirder than usual. Eddie picked up on it too, but he was a little preoccupied in intimidating the freshmen so none of them beat his high score that he just set in Dig Dug.

“What’s up with you, man? You’re walking around here like it’s a wake,” Grant asks Gareth. Both he and Jeff slid into the opposite side of the booth where they found Gareth sitting alone. He keeps glancing over at the counter, trying to tell if Keith would step away to check the phone.

“Nah, I’m good,” he says distractedly, “Just, um, she’s gonna call if she wants to come out. I said I’d come get her. I don’t want Keith to fuck it up, you know?”

“She’s not coming out tonight,” Jeff points out, “She said she wanted to stay in, you told us.”

“But if she changes her mind, I’d go get her,” Gareth corrects him. Jeff sighs.

“Whatever you say man,” Grant says, shaking his head.

“When are you going to ask her out?” Jeff asks, knowingly. Gareth’s eyes widened.

“It’s not like that!” he insists. Jeff and Grant exchange a look.

“It’s totally like that,” Grant scoffs, Jeff nodding in agreement.

“You’re whipped,” Jeff taunts.

“No, I’m not!” Gareth tries to dispute them. It’s pointless. They know him better than anyone. He’s completely smitten, and they know it.

“Mike told me that he heard her talking to Nancy and she told Nancy that she liked you,” Jeff says, stirring the pot, to get Gareth’s reaction.

“Shut up, she did not. You’re trying to fuck with me,” he scoffs, before glancing back over toward Keith.

“Ask him yourself, Emerson,” Jeff says, hands in surrender. “That’s what he told us.”

“Pricks,” Gareth mumbles under his breath, pushing up from the booth and making a beeline towards Wheeler- who was currently losing terribly to Eddie in air hockey. He stops next to Mike, shouting over the arcade’s music and the clanks of the air hockey table. He shouts your name and Mike looks puzzled.

“What about her?”

“Did you tell Jeff you heard her say she liked me?”

“Fuck,” Mike shouts, the distraction causing him to miss deflecting another shot from Eddie. He goes to grab the puck from the bottom of the machine. “He told you that?”

“Well, is it true?” He asks, impatiently.

“Yeah,” Mike says distractedly, lining up his next shot as the puck hovers around the table's surface. “She and Nancy were talking about whatever and your name came up.”

“You have to tell me what she said,” Gareth says, irritated. He takes the puck off the board to command Mike’s full attention.

“What the hell?” Eddie shouts with a laugh. Gareth rolls his eyes and just sticks the puck into Mike’s goal- the score was 6-1 anyways. Eddie was clearly going to win.

“You have to tell me what she said,” he reiterates. Mike looks like he’s holding back a temper tantrum, but he remains composed.

“She slept over like a few weeks ago,” Mike rolls his eyes. “They were talking about boys- Nancy was talking about Jonathan, something gross like them kissing or whatever. I was trying not to hear it- anyways, I distinctly heard her say that she wanted you to kiss her like that or whatever. Made me wanna vomit.”

“I gotta go,” Gareth says, rushing out the door. He completely ignores the questions from his friends and a confused Keith.

You’re in your room, playing your records loud- enjoying the fact your parents are out. You don’t have someone bugging you to turn them down. You’re in bed, flipping through a magazine. You’re wearing your most comfortable pajama shorts and Gareth’s flannel shirt he let you borrow. You should probably have given it back after Hellfire- but he didn’t ask for it, so you kept it.

Gareth tries banging on the front door for a few minutes to no avail. He can practically feel your music vibrating the whole house. He’s shocked one of your neighbors hasn’t called in a noise complaint. He walks around to the side of the house. Your mother has trellis with growing vines that runs up the side of the house, leading right up to your bedroom window. Fuck, he mutters to himself. Of course, he’s going to climb up.

You’re gonna think he’s a creep, he thinks to himself pessimistically as he drudges up the side of the house. He hopes to god that you’ll hear him pound on the window before he falls to his death. He makes it to the top, but he almost falls backwards when he sees you- in bed with his flannel. Taking a few steadying breaths first, he knocks on the window.

“Gareth?” You shout, scared shitless. You rush over to the window and open it up. You immediately grab his arms and help pull him through the window. He ends up landing directly on top of you with an umph. He pushes his body up, his hands resting on either side of your head so he’s gazing down at you.

“Mike told me you liked me,” he pants, catching his breath. Shit, you think.

“He did?” you ask, reluctantly, mortified. Oblivious to the fact that he obviously reciprocates your feelings. He nods, biting his lip nervously.

“I’m gonna kill him- I told Nancy that in confidence-” Oh.

Gareth kisses you and it’s like time stops. You forget about the blaring music, or that you're directly under an open window that’s letting in the night’s cold air. You forget that you were just absolving to get over him- too scared to ruin your friendship. None of it matters when he’s kissing you like this.

TAGLIST: @sunshinepeachx @downbear @fanlifeaamt @exploding-bonbon @losingmygrasponreality @andvys @djodirt @moonlightsolo @kyga01 @sheisjoeschateau @melaninjhs @v3lv3tf0x @purpleeyeswithgoldensparkles @sunshine-mrk @danymunsonharrington @mrsjellymunson @fanficfantik

[keeryhours]

Stranger Things masterlist

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Robin Buckley

naked in manhattan ❤️‍🔥 - best friend! fem reader

Jonathan Byers

girls on film ❤️‍🔥

All Characters

Teen Pregnancy Series

[fizzing-imagines]

Threats | Gareth Emerson x Reader

Notes: I need more Gareth GIFs

Warnings: Language

Word Count: 1.1k

"Gareth." A fry hit him in the face, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Jesus, why are you always throwing shit at me?", he said in a tone that was more aggressive than joking. You weren't used to that. "Sorry.", you mumbled, clearly noticing his tone. Why was he so angry? "I just wanted to ask you if you can lend me some paint for my figurine.", you mumbled. He was growing distant in the last few weeks, not talking to you outside of Hellfire, never asking how you are, not even helping you with your D&D character like he always did with his usual enthusiasm.

Gareth was angry. Not angry at you, but angry at the world. How could it set such a considerate, funny, charming and overall perfect person in front of him but not have them like him back? He wasn't angry at you - but you were the next best person to get angry at, even though he didn't want to be. It wasn't your fault you didn't like him back. At least he thought that. "Uhm, sure. I can bring them with me tomorrow.", he said. You quietly nodded your head before looking down at your fries again. The other members of Hellfire noticed your behaviour, but didn't comment. Not yet.

"You okay?", Eddie asked you while walking you to your motorbike. "I'm fine.", you said, but he didn't believe it for a second. He knew about your little crush on Gareth for a while now, but he also knew something you didn't know.

Eddie wanted to make sure you truly didn't want to talk. "I don't know why Gareth acted that way. It was wrong." He could read you like a book, always did. "You don't need to act like you're fine. If he hurt you, just be honest and I'll rip him a new one." That made you chuckle a bit. The two of you arrived at your bike, you opened its trunk to grab your helmet. "It's okay Eddie, really.", you reassured him. Once again, he didn't take it for a second and made a plan in his head. But he wouldn't tell you that. "Drive safe, I'm not scraping you up from the sidewalk." Eddie patted your shoulder before walking off to his van.

But his van didn't drive to the trailer park. It drove straight to Gareths place. His 1975 Chevy Silverado was already parked in the driveway, the door to the garage was open in which he saw his friend playing the drums in an aggressive way. "Didn't know we're supposed to treat our crushes like shit.", Eddie said while walking up to Gareth. He stopped in his tracks as he saw his friend approaching. "I don't have a crush on her.", he replied. But the fact that he already knew who Eddie was talking about gave him away. "Fuck off, I can see it in your eyes when you look at her." He took the drumsticks out of Gareths hands and pointed them at him in a threatening manner. "You're gonna go over to her place right now and apologise. And if you're not a pussy, you're finally going to confess. I'm not watching this shit for another six months." Gareth felt a bit threatened, so his tone changed. "Why would I confess if she doesn't like me anyways." His voice was quieter now and seemed more insecure overall. Eddie clicked his tongue before turning and pacing in a circle. "Listen man, I confessed to her three months ago and you know why she turned me down?" The fact that Gareth just now found out that Eddie has had a crush on you as well confused him even more. "Because she likes you, you stupid shit." And now his mind started racing. His body acted faster than his head and he sprinted towards his truck while looking for his keys. While unlocking his car, he realized something and looked back at Eddie.

"Why did you confess to her if you knew I liked her?", he asked. Eddie rolled his eyes before saying "I was high as shit, now drive!" and swatting him away with his hands. Gareth did as commanded, got into his car and drove to your house. The usual 15 minute journey only took him 10 minutes as he ignored stop signs and red lights. There was something more important than traffic signs; You. He did a full-stop in your driveway, his squeaking tires already announcing his arrival. You heard it and looked out of your window, barely making out the figure of your crush through watery eyes.

You've been crying your eyes out ever since you came home. You have been for days, but today was bad. Especially after Gareth treated you the way he did today. But after hearing a "Sweetie, Gareth's here!" from your mother you quickly whiped the tears from your face and made your way downstairs. He was standing in the doorway, out of breath and face flushed as he was trying to breathe. "Are you okay?", you asked him with your eyebrows knitted.

"I'm in love with you.", he spurted out. "Like, bad. I'm so madly in love with you (Y/N), it's not even funny anymore. Eddie makes fun of me for it at this point and I've been acting like such a dick because of it." Your mother was still standing next to the door, listening to his full rant while you stood there and didn't even know what to do next. "Let's go outside.", you said after a while before stepping through the door and closing it behind you. It wasn't until now that Gareth realized what he had said to you. Again, his body moved faster than his brain did. "I'm sorry.", he said then. "For what?", you replied. "Gareth listen, I need to tell you something too." His face was flushed, he looked beyond stressed, nervous sweat was collecting on his forehead and making his hair stick to it. But he looked so beautiful. "I'm in love with you, too. And I'm down so bad that Eddie is gonna add it in his next campaign." A small laugh left your mouth. "And I've rejected guys over it, spend nights imagining you were my stuffed animal so I wouldn't feel alone and-" Gareth cut you off by grabbing your face and smashing his lips onto yours. This is all he needed. You.

"Shit, please be my girlfriend. Please be mine.", he whispered once the kiss broke. Gareth kissing you took the breath out of your lungs, so you couldn't give him more than a nod for now.

It was enough for your now-boyfriend.

[munson-blurbs]

How do you think a grumpy, slightly introverted (probably?) fluffy-haired, blue-eyed gremlin meets an outgoing, slightly naive but studious brown-eyed girl?

Annie in her college era (2006 specifically) had an amazing bartending job at a hole-in-the-wall bar, two a day practices for pole vault and a love-hate relationship with o-chem lab.

And maybe would blast Stone Temple Pilots and Seether until her ears bled while studying instead of partying, I dunno

you are the literal best I cannot wait

You meet Gareth while studying at your college library!

CW: college AU, lip ring Gareth specifically for you WC: 574 Divider credit to @hellfire--cult

Can you see just like a child?  Can you see just what I want?  Can I bring you back to life?  Are you still alive?

You tapped your toe in time with the beat blasting through your headphones, your sneaker nearly silent against the library carpet. In your opinion, the best way to listen to music was loud enough to wake the fallen, even when you were studying. Badass guitar solos and angry lyrics always made preparing for Organic Chemistry tests less awful.

It wasn’t that you didn’t like chemistry; you actually loved it. When you were in high school, you opted for science electives over the music or art classes your friends preferred to take. It was just this class, with the sheer amount of work and the tragically boring professor who droned on and on like he got paid by the syllable.

Burn, burn, burn, burn, burn  Burn your wicked garden down  Burn, burn, burn, burn, burn  Burn your wicked garden to the ground, yeah

A tap on your shoulder snapped you from your musical stupor and sent your heartbeat into overdrive. You slid your headphones down around your neck and looked behind you to find the cutest guy you’d ever seen in your life.

His eyebrows shot up to his mop of brown curls as he realized he’d startled you. “Oh, shit, I’m sorry.” His tongue brushed over the ring curled around his lower lip. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It–It’s okay.” Taking a deep breath, you steadied yourself and met his gaze as your heart rate accelerated to a normal level. “Do you need something?”

The guy cleared his throat. “I’m Gareth. I think we have o-chem together?” He gestured to your thoroughly highlighted and sticky-noted papers. 

You hadn’t seen him before, but it was a big class. With a polite nod, you smiled at Gareth. “Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 with Dr. Carr?”

Gareth’s face lit up. “Yup. God, that guy is…” He trailed off and waited for your reaction, in case you actually liked the professor for some unknown reason.

“Brutal,” you finished for him. “Are you also studying for next week’s test?” Dr. Carr had warned that no one ever passed it, which raised more questions than answers for you. Like, why give an exam that everyone fails? And what kind of sadistic asshole found joy in that? 

“Trying to. But I feel like I’m just going in circles.” Gareth let out a reluctant laugh. “I was wondering if you were having better luck.”

You cocked your head towards an empty chair at a nearby table. “Grab a seat and I’ll help you.” Was this really happening? Was this super hot guy–with a goddamn lip ring–going to sit mere inches away from you and listen intently while you went full science geek? Or was this some sort of hallucination brought on by mid-semester exhaustion?

But it was very real–his cologne, his fingers brushing over yours to turn your notebook page, the way he eventually rested his chin on your shoulder as you explained different compound compositions and reactions. And when you yawned mid-sentence, the coffee he bought for you was also real–and much appreciated. 

“We should meet up again tomorrow.” You suggested once you finished your drink and could barely keep your eyes open. “Maybe grab some Chinese food and study some more.”

Gareth ran his tongue over his lip ring once again. “It’s a date.”

--

[the-dumpster-fire-of-life]

would love love love to request a first crush!Gareth and first crush! reader

so cute and awkward

RAWR OMG THANK U 😭 THIS IS SO CUTESY OF COURSE I love him sm I’m keeping him in my pocket 😋

First Crushes

You are absolutely right when you would assume that being Gareths first crush would be so awkward

Id say you both start off as friends, or maybe you got paired up together in class, or he’ll maybe you’re friends with someone else and met through there

It takes time for the crush to develop, and so when it does you both already have your flow

But my god when the feelings kick in it’s noticeable to everyone else around you BUT yourselves

He probably wants to be liked back by you so bad, and he does things for you without thinking a lot of the time

Maybe he saves you the seat next to him in hellfire, or give you his jacket when it’s cold, make stupid jokes to get you to laugh, or bring you a small snack along with his when he sees you

He noticed the small things like what snack you always grab before Hellfire, or what you prefer to eat before lunch, if you enjoy a certain genre of books instead of another genre

He stores all this information in his brain but he cannot fathom what to do with it

Due to him and his friends being dubbed “Freaks” he probably thinks here no chance in hell that you like him back, even if you do

People have probably done that fake crush stuff on him or the “my friend likes you!” Just for it to be a joke, cause Yknow, kids are assholes, especially to people they deem different to them

So he doesn’t have the most confidence in himself that he’s able to pull off you liking him back

But it’s just so natural for him to like you that he cannot stop it 😭

You probably do the same things back that he does for you, but you notice the things about himself or maybe you wanna make yourself be more in a way that has a more chance of him liking you back

It’s so awkward too at times, like when your hands accidentally touch or you or him says something a little too close to being seen as feelings, the stuttering is getting to everyone in Hellfire

It’s so obvious the two of you like each other and you just don’t get it

You guys probably don’t tell one another you like each other for a long, long time

But when you do, oh my god the relief this guy feels but there’s also this feeling of kind of nervousness and dread

Like what if it’s a joke? And he panics

It takes a lot of reassurance for him to know that hey, you INDEED like him back 😭

After another grueling campaign of Eddie kicking everyone’s ass, as usual, it was time for the clean up.

And coincidentally, everyone but you and Gareth fiddles out an excuse to need to leave for the specific amount of time it takes to put everything away.

So, that leaves you and Gareth to clean up duty. For a couple minutes, it’s a little silent with little jokes and the faint sounds of the miniature figures fiddling into boxes, and books being put away.

You wanna talk to Gareth, but sometimes it’s just so hard to. Especially after Hellfire, when you’d spend the last few hours right up against his side, making jokes and turning at the wrong moment.

Just to get your nose barely inches from him, and having to pull back before you could fuck anything up.

Unbeknownst to you, Gareth was going through the same turmoil. He was sweeping crumbs away off the ground, and finding any pieces that had been knocked off the table.

For the past five minutes he’s been trying to work up the courage to make a move, or he’ll, say anything.

He stopped for a moment, tapping his fingers against the brooms handle before steeling himself, and clearing his throat for your attention.

You looked up, hand paused midair over the table where you were collecting figurines. You saw him glancing at you a couple times, averting his gaze again and again as he fiddles for a moment.

“Hey, um- we were gonna go to the diner once everything’s cleaned up.” Gareth started off, pursing his lips and trying to keep his voice nonchalant and almost smooth.

You looked over him for a moment before a smile came to your lips, wondering what he was hinting at.

“And I was gonna ask if you wanted to…Yknow- come?” Gareth suggested, peeking at you for a moment as he held the broom still.

At your silence- only a millisecond but it felt like forever to him, he kept babbling.

“It’s late and all- but I can totally give you a ride home!” He threw out there, hoping you’d take it with every fiber of his being.

He saw your lips quirk up, and he couldn’t stop himself from letting out a breathy sigh before he kept going.

“I just thought that, “Hey, she might wanna tag along!” But you can say no. It’s not- like forcefully.” Gareth waved his hand for a moment, trying to make the motion almost like he was whiny it off.

“So just- you can come. If… you want. Cause I’d be kinda happy if you did.” He said before he could stop himself. Gareth almost cursed himself out.

To him, he sounded so pathetic and like he was begging. But God knows he was. He was begging every higher being he didn’t even know were listening that you’d say yes.

You watched his mind work overtime; and felt your heart flutter again and again in your chest before you decided to put the poor guy out of his misery.

“Yeah, I’d like that.” You smiled, this ever so soft look on your face. Your eyes crinkled at the corners, lip turning up in the most perfect way he’s ever seen and the Emerson boy feels like he can’t breathe.

Gareth nodded, heart beating out his chest as he returned the smile before turning his head, nodding over and over like he couldn’t control it. He couldn’t, his heart was working overtime just from your pretty smile.

“Okay, okay- cool. Nice. Thanks.” Gareth finally got out, stuttering and cursing himself in his head but did he really care? Not at all.

Cause a moment later he heard you laugh, an airy sound that played over and over. He snuck another glance at you, and tried not to melt right then and there.

You were smiling to yourself, thinking he wasn’t looking and putting away the D&D equipment for next time.

The thought of actually making a move- well, sort of move, and actually succeeding, was unfathomable to Gareth. His heart beats out of his chest, and he lets go of a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

Seeing you smile was the best thing he’s ever seen, and he gets to see it EVERYTIME he cracks a joke, or brings you a snack, or opens a door for you, or gives you the work in class.

He just watched for a second, admiring you and having to whip his head back and hide the look on his face when you caught him.

Oh god, Gareth was in for it.

But in truth, it was you. So, could he even care?

[tbmunson]

Escape - Gareth Emerson x Reader pt.3

Summary: Your spot on the cheer team is threatened by the fast spreading news of your new relationship. Some people aren't as accepting as others.

Warnings: 18+ smut, oral, mentions of parent passing away, fluff.

Word Count: 5,527

Notes: I thank you guys again for your patience. Between normal life and unexpected events, it's a little harder to find time to sit down and write. Thank you all for continuing to support this story.

Taglist: First and foremost, my number one support, @ashes-writing. Thank you so much for everything. @depressedacidtest @nana90azevedo @alanamarie @lizzziekatt @m3ndacious @nighttwingg

You and Gareth had finished a decent portion of the paintings, not quite half, but more than a quarter, when the doorbell rang.

“Who’s that?” Gareth asked, looking up at you from the canvas.

You shrugged and sat your brush down. “No idea. Could be the guys if they tried to find us at your place.” You answered, stepping towards the door.

Gareth followed quickly, hugging you from behind as you stopped at the door, which made you laugh.

You pulled the door open as you looked up at him only to be met with a high pitched and disgusted “Ugh!”

You rolled your eyes and leaned back against Gareth. “What, Tiffany?” Your tone was flat, unwelcoming.

“Natalie called me to tell me about that little scene in the slum garage and I needed to talk to you about it, but in your house? Really?” Her face was scrunched, making her look more like a witch than she usually did.

“My boyfriend isn’t allowed to hug me?” You fake pouted, resting your hand on his arm. You raised your eyebrows and tilted your head, waiting for her response.

“Boyfriend! Boyfriend? Are you kidding me?” She was screaming, hands clenched into fists that were shaking by her side.

You nodded in dramatically. “Yeah, boyfriend.”

“Absolutely not! Cheerleaders don’t date freaks!” She shrieked, making you roll your eyes

“Then I’ll turn in my uniform Monday morning, unless you’d like me to go grab it right now.” You offered, pointing to the stairs.

“I- uh- wait.” She held up her pointer finger and thought for a moment. You were the best at stunts on the team, and one of the three that could do serious acro that were left. The team couldn’t afford to lose you. “No. You can stay on the team. Just don’t sit with the freak brigade on game days.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “Obviously you can’t afford to kick me off the team or you would have, so I think I’ll sit where I’d like, when I’d like, wearing what I’d like.”

Tiffany’s chest rose and fell with deep, harsh breaths as she glared holes through your head. “You’re fucking lucky you’re talented because if you were anyone else you would be gone.”

“You’re fucking lucky I actually like cheering because if I didn’t you’d be shit out of luck. Now. If you don’t mind, get off of my porch and don’t come back.” You were ready to pounce and show her exactly how you felt about her after all these years, but you knew better.

Gareth’s hands fell to your hips where they had rested most of the day and he soothed you, rubbing his thumbs over your skin to calm you. “That was so fucking hot.” He mumbled into your ear as Tiffany stomped away towards her car.

The guys turned on the street and saw Tiffany’s car in your driveway before seeing her yank the door open with the most sour look.

“Wonder what happened?” Grant asked before seeing what was happening at the front door.

You had turned yourself around and pulled Gareth down for a kiss, tongue licking over his bottom lip while he backed you up against the doorframe.

“No fucking way!” Jeff yelled before making a quick turn into your driveway.

The guys piled out, clad in all black, which pissed Tiffany off even more. “Fucking freaks!” She yelled out of the window as she started her car and slammed it into reverse.

Jeff flipped her off as they ran up to the door. “It’s about time!” He called out, breaking the kiss.

“When I’m right, I’m right.” Eddie smirked, making you roll your eyes.

“Fuck off, Eddie.” You laughed, letting an arm drop from around Gareth. “You don’t get credit for this.”

“Yeah, Greely does, actually.” Grant said, holding up a bag for you. “We all got you something, by the way.”

Gareth raised his eyebrow as you took the bag.

“You guys didn’t need to get me anything.” You said, opening the bag.

“Shut up and take it out, Princess.” Eddie urged, watching you closely.

You pulled the heap of black fabric from the bag and unfolded it. “Oh, my god!”

“Dude! That’s sick!” Gareth added, looking at the white lettering.

“You’re our biggest fan. And you’re really cool. It’s the least we could do.” Jeff smiled as you took in the new Corroded Coffin t-shirt.

“You guys are the best!” You squealed, taking a turn to hug each of the boys. “Thank you, again, for not writing me off with people like Tiffany and the bitch brigade. You guys are the best.”

The boys couldn’t help but smile. “It was Grant’s idea. The shirt.” Jeff stated, nodding his head to the bassist.

“Yeah, but we all went in on it so I can’t take all the credit.” The boy blushed lightly as being called out by his friend.

“Well it was a very sweet idea. Thank you, again. Why don’t you guys come on in? It’s warm out here.” You waved the boys inside and made sure to close the door behind them.

“This is a nice place.” Eddie said as he looked around at the pristine white walls and light wooden floors.

“It’s okay. It doesn’t feel very homey to me. My parents aren’t into the whole displaying memories thing.” You replied, leading them into the sitting room. “I’ll go clean up the studio real quick. I’ll be right back.” You headed towards the stairs and Gareth followed, grabbing your hand as he walked up with you.

“They adore you, you know.” He smiled, squeezing your hand as you topped the stairs.

You grinned and looked back down at the three guys who made themselves at home on the couches that hadn’t been sat on in who knows how long. It felt more like home than it ever had. “I adore them too, but not as much as I adore you.” You replied, standing on your tiptoes to give him a quick kiss.

He didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing. He watched you move with nothing but happiness on his face and that was enough for you.

Once the two of you cleaned up the mess and stopped the stereo you grabbed the tray you’d brought up earlier and returned downstairs. “I made sandwiches earlier, which you guys are welcome to.” You announced before setting it down on the coffee table.

The boys reached for the food and Eddie asked “So what exactly was that bitch here about?” In reference to Tiffany.

You explained the situation, including the fact that they needed you and didn’t have a say in a single thing you did anymore.

“I will never understand how people like her work. What makes her think she can control someone’s personal life?” Jeff asked, laying back against the couch with a couple of the grapes from the tray.

“Everyone rolls over to her because they’re scared of her. I’m done with that shit, you know? I’m tired of being what everyone else wants me to be. If that makes me a freak, then I’m proud of that.” You sighed, relaxing into Gareth’s side.

“Welcome to the Freak Brigade, Princess.” Eddie smirked as he snatched the last sandwich. He filed the name away, deciding that would be a good name for the Corroded Coffin fan base.

“It’s a pleasure to have you.” Grant added, peeling the cover off of the sleeve of Oreos.

Gareth kissed your cheek and smiled down at you. “You could have joined us at any time.”

“Gross.” Eddie mumbled, hiding his laugh behind the sandwich.

You rolled your eyes and rested your head against the back of the chair. “Jealousy is ugly, Eddie.”

The boys all laughed and fell into conversation about the campaign that was set to kick off the following Thursday, the last one for most of the club.

You mindlessly played with Gareth’s hair as you listened to them talk animatedly, more enthusiastic than any of the other people you’d hung around talked about anything.

“Do you know how to play, Princess?” Eddie asked, drawing you out of your own head.

You shook your head and chuckled. “Dustin gave me a rundown yesterday at lunch, but I don’t think I could compete with you guys.”

Gareth squeezed your thigh, noticing how your body reacted to him for the first time. “I’ll teach you, help you out if you wanna join in on the campaign.” He smiled, digging his fingers in a little deeper as he watched you.

“Yeah, that would be great.” You were biting back any noises that wanted to bubble up your throat and swallowing them back down.

“Great, Dustin and Will can help you with a character sheet. Those two are little geniuses when it comes to… just about anything actually.” Eddie laughed, noticing but ignoring the tension between you and Gareth.

“Great. I’ll draw their, uh, their characters as payment.” You replied in an attempt to clear your brain as Gareth’s hand gently slipped up and down your skin, driving you crazy in the best way.

“Great.” Eddie replied, laughing a little.

“Oh, Gareth, I was supposed to show the girls some acro. We should probably head down in a few, hm?” You knew if you were to sit here for another five minutes you’d just jump his bones in front of everyone.

“Right, right. Why don’t you go get changed and me and the boys will wait for you here?” He offered, not wanting to seem like he was dying to get into your room.

You nodded and kissed his cheek before getting up to run up the stairs.

“Gareth, you just teased the fuck out of her.” Eddie stated, moving to stand.

“Yeah, I thought she was going to take you right here.” Jeff added, grabbing the now empty tray to take into the kitchen for you.

Gareth chuckled and looked towards the stairs. “Can you blame me? I’ve only wanted her for the last fourteen years of my life.”

“I overheard Tiffany the other day saying how she hasn’t, you know. So don’t push too hard. Might scare her off.” Grant said in a whisper, making sure you wouldn’t be able to hear him.

Gareth nodded, wondering if you’d been waiting for him. He waited for you for so long, until last year he just couldn’t take it anymore and he convinced himself you’d never give him the light of day. He ended up messing around and hooking up with the senior girl in Hellfire that year, which he kind of regretted and was kind of happy about. He knew what he was doing and he’d be able to please you, but on the other hand, he would have loved for you to be his first.

You came back down in a pair of practice shorts and a tighter t-shirt with your hair in a ponytail. “Ready?” You asked, slipping your sneakers on at the foot of the stairs.

“Yeah.” Gareth smiled, reaching out for your hand, which you gladly let him take.

The sight was a little funny, four guys dressed in all black walking you down the street wearing a pale pink top and white bottoms. It definitely caught the attention of some of your neighbors who gave you a strange look.

Gareth restrained himself from touching all over you as you walked. The outfit left very little to his imagination and he was definitely imagining the rest. At least until he heard his sisters all your names and start running towards you.

“Are you gonna show us tricks now?” Clara asked, reaching up and taking your hand as Lori tried her best to climb into Eddie’s arms to tell him about her competition.

You nodded and bent down to pick her up. “I sure am, lil bit. How about I show you a back handspring?”

“Mrs. Amy is supposed to teach my class that soon!” Lori said, turning in Eddie’s arms.

“I can show you how and you can impress Mrs. Any next time you go to class.” You winked, earning a squeal from the girl.

“Alright, so I’ll show you first and then I’ll break it down for you and help you. I don’t want you to try it by yourself just yet because we don’t have a mat and I don’t want you to get hurt, okay?” You emphasized as you handed Clara off to her favorite bandmade, Grant.

The girls nodded and watched you closely, cheering you on with the boys.

“How many can you do in a row?” Lori asked as you walked back over.

“I can do five.”

“I wanna do five!” Clara yelled excitedly, making you and the boys laugh.

“Let’s start with getting one down, then we can work on multiples.” You replied with a smile. “You guys ready to try that?”

“Yeah!” The girls wiggled themselves out of the arms holding them and followed you.

You looked up at the boys and nodded to the garage. “You guys can go hang out. I think us girls have it under control out here, right?” You really just didn’t want them to get bored, standing around watching a couple of letting girls jump around.

“Yeah! Us girls got it out here.” Lori said sassily, making everyone laugh again.

“Alright, Princesses. We’ll get out of your way.” Eddie bowed dramatically before walking towards the garage.

Gareth stepped over to you and pressed a quick kiss to your lips. “Let me know if they get to be too much, Doll.” He squeezed your hip and watched the blush that spread across your face.

“They’ll be fine. We’re not going to do too much.” You rested your hand on his arm and gave him one more kiss before letting him follow the boys.

“I thought you said you weren’t his girlfriend.” Lori pouted, feeling like she may have been lied to.

You dropped down to your knees in the grass. “He wasn’t last night. He just asked me today. You know what that means, don’t you?” You asked, brushing some hair out of her face.

“What?” She asked, still pouting.

“That means that I get to come over and play with you guys all the time.

Clara gasped dramatically, covering her mouth with her hands. “Promise?”

“Pinky promise.” You held out your pinky for each girl to take the turn.

“Yay!”

After about half an hour the sun began to set and you had both girls doing back handsprings, with you spotting them of course. You were getting ready to call it quits when Gareth’s mom walked outside.

“Would you girls like some lemonade after that practice?” She asked from her spot on the porch.

“Mommy! Y/N is the best girlfriend Gareth ever had!” Lori yelled, making your face flush, which wasn’t that noticeable considering you were already red faced from the work and heat.

“Girlfriend?” She asked curiously, like she hadn’t seen her son kiss you earlier from her spot at the kitchen window.

“Yes ma’am. As of today.” You replied, walking with the girls up to the porch.

“Please, call me Gwen.” She smiled, handing you a cold glass full of lemonade. “He’s had a thing for you for a while, you know.”

“I’ve had one for him too. Probably since we were Lori’s age.” You admitted, taking a seat in one of the rocking chairs, which appeared to be an open invitation for the girls to crawl into your lap.

“Trust me honey, I used to catch the two of you looking at each other from down the street. I think you two were the only ones who didn’t know.” She chuckled before scolding the girls for climbing all over you.

“Oh, no, they’re fine. I had to tell Gareth that a hundred times in the last two days.” You laughed as Clara yawned, evidence that she hadn’t taken a nap today.

“They talked about you all day today, telling me how you were the funnest person ever and how nice you were to them.” Gwen said, then added, “Thank you for teaching them a new skill and spending time with them. That last girl Gareth had hanging around wasn’t… gifted when it came to kids. That was one of the reasons they broke things off. He never left her alone with them.”

You couldn’t stop the bitter chuckle that came out of you. “She wasn’t my biggest fan either. I think she wrote me off with the rest of them.” You hugged the girls a little closer as sleep began to take hold of them.

“I didn’t like her.” Lori mumbled with her eyes closed, making both you and Gwen laugh.

“I don’t think Gareth did either, much.” Gwen sighed, standing to grab Clara. “It’s bedtime my sweet angel. I’ll come back and get Lori.”

“I’ll take her up. I did it last night.” You said, standing with the girl on your hip.

“Gareth made you take her up?” Gwen questioned, eyebrow ticking up like she was ready to tell her son off.

“Gareth won't make me do anything I don’t want to do, I promise.” You assured her as you followed her in.

Gwen laughed and nodded. “Good. You tell me if he starts and I promise you it won’t last long.” She nodded with a look that was sweet but also serious. That’s when you knew that you loved her.

“I promise you I will.” You smiled, following her up the stairs. “Goodnight lil bit.” You cooed to Clara before walking through the open door across the hall. “And goodnight to you too, baby doll.”

“Goodnight my other angel.” Gwen said softly from the door.

“Night mama, night Doll.” Lori mumbled, making you laugh a little as you pulled the blanket up.

“Doll?” Gwen asked as you closed the door behind yourself.

“I guess she heard Gareth call me that earlier.” You chuckled, following the woman down the stairs.

Gwen smiled and her eyes watered a little. “That’s what Gareth’s father called me before he passed away.”

Your stomach turned, realizing the weight the simple name carried. “Oh.” You weren’t sure what to say.

“He doesn't call anyone that, so you’re special.” She took your hand in hers and gave it a gentile squeeze.

You smiled and squeezed hers back. “He’s special to me too. Now that I have him I’m scared to lose him.” You weren’t sure why you were admitting that to his mother, but it felt right. Safe. More than you could say for your own mother.

“You’re welcome here anytime, Honey. I know your parents are gone a lot so if you need to be around people, don’t be shy.” She patted your hand, a silent assurance that you won’t lose her son.

“Thank you.”

Gareth opened the door and looked at the scene, smiling a bit. “Trying to embarrass me, mom?” He asked with a chuckle.

“Not at all. Don’t accuse your mother of things.” You answered, walking over and hugging him. “Lori spilled the beans about us, by the way.” You smiled up at him as his arms fell around you.

“Well, at least that part is over with.” He kissed your forehead as glanced at his mom who nodded back at him. “Lets go to the garage with the guys, hm?”

You nodded and turned back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Gwen.” You smiled at the woman before walking out of the door with Gareth.

“What did you guys talk about?” He asked, keeping you as close to his body as possible.

“Nothing.” You replied with a sly smile. You leaned up and kissed him as he opened his mouth to argue. “Don’t worry about it. I promise it was nothing you need to be concerned with, okay?” 

“If I pretend I’m still worried about it will you kiss me some more?” He smirked, stopping you next to the garage.

“If you want a kiss, just ask for it.” You ran your hands up over his chest, one coming to rest on his shoulder and the other resting on the side of his neck.

“That’s all it takes?” He asked, holding your hips and squeezing them.

You nodded as his face came closer to yours.

“Can I kiss you, Doll?”

You nodded again and pulled him into you.

His lips moved with yours and his hands dipped lower to rest on your ass before squeezing, eliciting a moan which he swallowed before pulling back. “Is that too much?” He asked, remembering what Grant mentioned earlier.

You shook your head and pulled him back down. “We could do more.” You whispered against his lips.

Gareth tensed a bit but kept going. “Have you done more?” He asked after a moment.

“No. I didn’t want to give it up to any of those meatheads. Greg begged for it, but I wouldn’t touch him with a fifty foot pole.” You replied, twisting some of his hair in your fingers. “But I want you to have it.”

Gareth groaned and grabbed your ass again. “Shit, baby. Of course I want it. I just don’t wanna rush you.”

“I wouldn’t offer it if I wasn’t sure.” You kissed the corner of his mouth and then his lips. “My house is still empty.” You whispered, lips ghosting over his.

He groaned again and pulled you off of the side of the garage. “Hey boys, uh, we’ll be back later.”

“Should I ask?” Eddie quirked a brow, looking between the two of you.

“Nope.” You answered as Gareth gently pulled you towards your house.

“Oh, they’re about to fuck.” Eddie stated as he plopped the joint between his lips to light.

“Should we leave them some?” Jeff asked, grabbing one of the other joints.

Grant shrugged and watched Gareth grab your ass as you walked. “I don’t think they’ll be back.

You unlocked the door and pulled Gareth up the stairs with you. You stopped to open the door to your bedroom but Gareth turned you around and pushed you up against said door.

“If you want to stop, tell me. I promise I won’t be mad.” He ran his hands up and down your sides, bunching your shirt up a bit so he could touch your skin.

“I promise I’ll tell you.” You replied, craning your head to capture his lips in a kiss.

He smiled and kissed you slower than before but it was so much more powerful. His tongue pushed gently into your mouth as his hand reached for your door knob. Once he had it open he nudged you gently into the room and pulled away from the kiss to look around.

“What?” You asked, following his eyes.

“It’s different from what I thought it would be.” He replied, scanning over the darker art you had displayed.

“Spend a lot of time imagining what my bedroom looked like?” You joked, smiling at him.

He nodded and pulled your body into his. “I was expecting pink and frilly and cheer trophies. Maybe some pom poms hanging around.” He chuckled, taking one last look.

“Yeah? Bet you were hoping for pretty pink panties hanging off the top of the laundry basket too, huh perv?” You laughed as you sat down on the edge of the bed.

He glanced over to the basket and back to you. “Maybe. But I’ll settle for the black ones.” He smirked, bending to lift the lacy fabric up.

“I wore those last night.” You shrugged, biting your lip gently.

Gareth dropped them back down and walked over to you, pushing you back gently to hover over you. “What kind did you wear today?” He gripped your hip, with one hand while the other held him up.

“Why don’t you find out?” You asked, reaching up to his shoulder and pulling him down for a kiss.

He groaned into the kiss, his hand slipping from your hip to your core, making you moan. “Someone sounds needy.” He chuckled as he started kissing down your neck. His hand slipped back up your body, peeling your shirt up.

You sat up a bit to aid him in removing the garment, unhooking your bra while you were at it before falling back to the bed.

“You’re beautiful.” Gareth whispered before leaning back down to pepper your chest in kisses. His hand that wasn’t holding him up ghosted up your stomach before grasping one of your boobs, giving it a light squeeze.

You moaned out, bringing your hands to push through his hair.

“You liked that, huh?” He asked, looking up at you with a smile.

You nodded, breathing heavily.

He smirked at you again before taking one of your nipples into his mouth, licking and nipping lightly on it. He could get off on just watching you squirm beneath him. Once he moved on from your nipple he slipped off of the bed to settle between your legs. “You soaked all the way through to your shorts baby.” He rubbed your thighs as he spoke.

“There was nothing to soak through.” You said, looking down at him.

“Hm?” His brows furrowed.

You chuckled and pushed yourself up on your arms. “Take them off.” You nodded to the shorts.

He reached up and gently pulled them down, only to be met with your bare, glistening pussy. “Fuck, been without panties all day?” He asked, warm breath fanning over you.

“Yeah, just hoping you’d notice.” Your words were breathy, almost silent.

“Been this wet all day too?” He asked before kissing the inside of your knee.

“Started when I watched you practice. I’ve been trying to be good.” You drew your bottom lip between your teeth, savoring the flavor of Gareth that lingered there.

Gareth kissed further up your left thigh, pulling back just before he reached your core. “Trying to be my good girl?” He asked before kissing the inside of your right knee and starting up.

“Yes, Gareth, fuck. Please.” You begged, watching him come closer and closer to where you were dripping.

He groaned as he wrapped his arms around your thighs, digging his fingertips into the soft skin. “You sound so pretty when you beg.” He had no other choice but to give you what you were asking for.

His tongue glided up your delicate folds, he moaned at the taste of you.

You let out a strangled whine, causing him to pull back.

“Don’t try to hold back to pretty noises, baby. Let me hear it, yeah?” He dipped back in, licking over your clit and reveling in the moans you released. It was animalistic in the best way, driving him to continue.

He unraveled one of his arms from around your leg and teased your entrance before gently pushing it in.

Your moans came out louder as the pleasure registered, only to be amplified by him adding another and curling them, reaching farther than your own fingers ever could.

“C’mon, baby, I know you're close. You’re squeezing my fucking fingers.” He mumbled into you, sending vibrations through you.

“Close, ‘M close.” Your breathing was rapid, moans spewing from your throat as the coil in your core snapped, Gareth’s name falling from your lips at full volume.

“Good girl, good girl.” He mumbled as you slowly came down from the high as he gently rubbed your thigh.

You looked down at him and reached out, trying to grab him. “Please.” You pouted, opening and closing your hand.

He smiled softly at you and was by your side in seconds. “What is it, pretty girl?” He ran the tips of his fingers up and down the side of your face as he waited.

“More.” You whispered, rolling onto your side to face him.

“More?” He raised an eyebrow. “More of what, baby?”

“You. More of you. All of you.” You pouted, hand resting on the side of his neck to pull him to you. You kissed him, tasting yourself on his tongue.

He pulled back after a moment, pressing a kiss to your nose then forehead. “Yeah? Get up to the top of the bed, okay?”

You nodded and pushed yourself further up the bed as you watched him stand, pulling his shirt over his head and unbuttoning his pants. “So pretty.” You mumbled, watching him shed his layers until he was fully exposed to you.

“If you wanna stop, tell me. I promise I will.” He smiled, crawling up to settle between your legs.

“Okay.” You admired the way the lamp in the corner highlighted the high points of his face. You felt seen, needed more than desired. “Gareth.” Your voice was low, soft, you weren't sure he heard you until he hummed back. “I love you.”

His mouth went dry and he looked down at you. A hundred thoughts raced through his mind, all of them involving you and the reasons why he knew what he said next was true. “I love you too.” He bent down to kiss you again, gently, like you were made of glass and he was scared to break you.

You felt the truth behind his words in the way he was so careful, taking his time, making sure you were okay. Your mind only fell from the kiss when you felt him press against you, slipping through your folds. You gasped.

Gareth pulled back and looked down at you. “You’re okay baby. I’ve got you, okay?” He stopped all movement, waiting on you to respond.

“I know. I’m okay.” You replied, hips twitching a bit, anxious for his next move.

He nodded, finally positioning himself at your entrance. “I’m gonna go slow, geet you all nice and stretched out. You gotta tell me when you want me to move.”

You nodded, but were shocked at his tutting. “Use your words, baby.” You moaned at the sound of his lust filled voice.

“Okay.”

He kissed your forehead and pushed into you slowly stretching you open inch by inch. “Feel so good baby, shit.” He thought he may bust early because of how tight you were, but he kept his control, only shuttering once he was fully inside of you.

You waited a moment, soaking in the feeling, before you looked up into his eyes. “You can move now, please.”

Gareth chuckled darkly, his fingertips skimming over your cheek. “So fucking polite.” He dragged himself out slowly and pushed back in at an equal pace, watching your body react to him until you were begging him to go faster.

You were a moaning mess of pleasure, unsure of how you’d ever be able to anything other than be in bed with Gareth. There wasn’t a coherent thought in your head, let alone coming out of your mouth as he began slamming into you at a delicious pace.

His hand slipped between your bodies and rubbed circles over your clit as he watched your face contort in ways he hadn’t seen before, ways that he needed to see again and again.

Your fingernails dug into his back, his scalp, the bedsheets, anything you could find to remind you that you were still on Earth.

“You’re close baby, I can feel it.” Gareth whispered into your ear as you tightened around him.

You nodded, unable to form a simple ‘yes’ in response.

“Give it to me. I know you can. That’s it, good girl.” Gareth’s hips sputtered as you came, white hot pleasure soaking both of you as he followed you over the edge, filling you with him.

There was a long moment of silence where the two of you recovered before you spoke. “Do you really love me?” You asked, turning to face him.

He half smiled, reaching his hand out to you. “I have loved you since our first day of elementary school when you came over and shared your 64 pack of crayons with me because I only had 24. You told me that wasn’t enough colors to be creative, so we made these two awful looking blobs with all 64 colors. That’s the day I knew I loved you.”

You giggled, wrapping yourself around him. “I knew I loved you the next day when I was on the swings by myself and you came over and told me that I was your best friend and best friends don’t swing alone. You pushed me so high I thought I was flying.” You smiled before pressing a kiss to his jaw.

“We’re so stupid.” He chuckled, shaking his head. He continued when he saw the curious look in your eyes. “We’ve been in love with each other since we were four. We were just to dumb to say anything. We could have been happier a lot sooner.” He smiled, pulling you into his body.

“Yeah, I guess we are pretty dumb, worried about what the other would have said. I’m glad I have you now. You’re not going anywhere.” You replied, drinking in the feeling of his skin on yours.

“Same goes for you, Doll. Same goes for you.” He pressed a kiss to your forehead and held you while you drifted to sleep.

[pupwrites]

hello! would you consider writing something with Gareth showing his boyfriend his favorite songs?

i just think it would be cute and i love Gareth

record player

nothing better then chilling in your boyfriend’s room,

1st person- y/n’s pov

cw: fluff :]

sorry it’s so late, i hope you like it !!

this right here is my favourite place, laying in my boyfriends bed with the covers all bundled up around me, head resting on gareth’s bare chest with his arms wrapped protectively around me as we lay in silence.

the silence is quickly interrupted by gareth’s soft voice “hey, baby ?”, i look up at gareth with eyes full of curiosity, voice soft “yea ? what’s up ?” “i made a mixtape of like all my favourite songs, and i wanna show you ‘em.. i-if that’s okay with you, that is” gareth softly speaks in a shy tone, hand running through my hair. i nod with an excited glimmer in my eyes “yes ! i wanna see what my favourite boy is currently loving”.

as soon as them words leave my mouth, gareth carefully moves my head off of his chest and presses a kiss to my forehead, he then moves off his bed and over to his drawers to try and find the mixtape, once he’s dug through almost every draw and finds it, he proudly presents it as if it were a trophy and walks over to his cassette player.

once it’s in and the instrumental for heaven and hell by black sabbath sounds, gareth turns to look at me with a cheeky grin and a glimmer in his eyes “now, relax and be prepared for a good while of amazing song after amazing song”, he then makes his way back to bed and manoeuvres me so i’m laying fully on him and hums along to the song.

as we lay there in each others arms just listening to the mixtape gareth made, i can’t think of a better place i’d rather be, with my boyfriends humming almost lulling me to sleep.

[plvto-sqda]

-⋆ Dating Gareth Headcanons (Pt.2)

✩Summer Edition!✩

⭒ He would take you stargazing all throughout the summer. His mom taught him a lot of constellations when he was younger, and he is kinda a space nerd as well so he loves to point all kinds of stars and planets out to you. One of the best parts of these little trips with him is the drive to the spot you both like to stargaze at because the sun is going down, creating a beautiful sunset of all kinds of colors as energetic music blasts from the car and you guys are joking around and generally having very enjoyable conversations with each other.

⭒ Gareth would take you to the beach a lot too! He would always take a box or bag to put all kinds of shells and rocks in (because we all know he loves rocks and trinkets; he has a whole collection at home lol). He also definitely has a special jar where he puts all the rocks you give him. He also loves going to the little shops at the beach too and checking out all the shells, trinkets, glass-blown art, and crystals.

⭒ You guys would have an absolute blast at the fair! He’s definitely a huge fan of the more intense rides like the Kamikaze and the Spin-Out, but he will be more than happy to go on the Tilt-a-Whirl or the Giant Swing with you. And once the sun sets the two of you share a funnel cake and then go on the Ferris Wheel. When your capsule is reaching the top he tells you how much he's enjoyed this and that honestly, the day couldn't get better. You smile and tell him you feel the same. And once the capsule finally reaches the top, you lean over and kiss him. He's immediately all smiles and turns bright red and basically stays like that until the ride is over.

⭒ Gareth would also take you to go to drive-in movies together. Some of his best memories are of you both in the back of his car, cuddled up in blankets and pillows, and watching a drive-in horror movie.

⭒ He would take you to outdoor concerts too! Occasionally you two would invite the rest of the Corroded Coffin boys and then go out for dinner at a fast food place afterward, but it's also just nice to hang out together and dance and scream all the lyrics to the songs that are being played. (Also bonus: if you went to any metal concerts, Eddie would def get a little jealous and beg to go with you guys)

⭒ You two go on countless trips for ice cream all throughout the summer! Gareth likes more chocolatey or peanut buttery flavors and he likes strawberry too, but he will be totally willing to try some of whatever flavor you choose. I also headcanon that he loves waffle cones. Idk he just seems like a waffle cone kinda guy.

⭒ We all know Gareth loves hiking and nature, so you two will often go for little walks and hikes. Some of your favorite things to do while hiking are finding rocks, picking flower bouquets out of the wildflowers, and foraging too! His mom used to forage a lot and she still does today so he knows about what most of the plants are out there and what he can do with them.

⭒ On the 4th of July, he takes you to go out for dinner and see fireworks. He also brings snacks and a cooler for drinks. You guys sit there for hours, having both funny and deep conversations, commenting on the fireworks, maybe sharing some kisses, and overall just making some really great memories too. He has a lot of Polaroid pictures of this night

⭒He's definitely not into actual hunting, but he finds fishing enjoyable. (he always catches and releases them because he feels bad killing and cooking the fish, and he doesn't even really know how to cook fish anyways lol)

⭒ Hey, and let's not forget about outings with the Hellfire Club too! You guys would arrange hangouts frequently over the summer and go for drives (ofc while blasting metal the whole time), go shopping (depending on which stores you guys decide to go to, chaos often ensues and so is getting kicked out), play DnD (more chaos), and explore around Lovers Lake together (Eddie pushed Mike into the lake once), and more stuff like that.

[spookyscarydemonbabe]

Late Showing

Summary- After a work shift you find Gareth all by himself, waiting for someone that never showed. Although you’ve had your differences, you can’t help but want to make him feel better.

Genre- Fluff

Warnings- None c:

Tag List- @thatsthewaythechrissycrumbles @munsonology @aidansloth @esme-viridian @morganwrites12672 @hawkinsmafia

(my tag list is always open, if you’d like to be added please let me know 💋)

Word Count- 2.8k

You yawned as you adjusted yourself in the uncomfortable velvet lined chair, head rested on your hand, not paying attention to anything that was going on around you. Being the ticket girl at the movies wasn’t a very exciting job, especially during those days of the week where you were basically getting paid to sit around and look pretty. But, it was a job that paid, and that’s all that mattered. It was just surprising for it to be this slow on a Friday.

You still tried your best to be alert, paying attention to every sound just in case it was anyone trying to make you do your job. Your ears perked up at the sounds of a few familiar laughs.

Every Friday after their DnD session, the older boys from Hellfire Club would usually stop by for a late night showing of whatever horror or comedy movie looked the most interesting. They were decently friendly, save for a few normal stupid teenage boy comments and stereotypical ‘boy humor’ that didn’t exactly translate all that well to girls. They were all relatively nice with you, they’ve seen you once or twice a week for the last six months so it was normal to have a conversation with them every now and then. But somehow, every week, one of them made it seem like it was his mission to piss you off.

At least, that’s what you took from your interactions with him.

And seeing him walking up to your booth with his hands on his pockets and a smirk on his face told you he was definitely going to try and get you today. Good thing you were stubborn enough to get him first.

“(y/n).” He said with a smile as he approached the booth with the other boys behind him.

“Gareth.” You smiled to him and looked just past him to smile at his friends, “Boys. You’re here awful early, aren’t you supposed to be jerking each other off in the drama room right about now?” You smirked to him.

The smirk dropped off Gareths face as he heard the boys try to stifle their chuckles at your comment.

“…We finished early.”

He only realized the error of his last words after the boys laughed harder behind him.

“Is that right?” You giggled, “What are you guys seeing today?”

“What’s playing?”

“Well,” You said, “if you look at the marquee that’s right above my head, it’ll tell you what’s playing.”

“Wow, bitchier than normal today are we?” Gareth laughed to himself.

“Only for you, sweetheart.” You said with an eye roll.

“Ignore him (y/n),” Eddie said as he shoved Gareth aside, “we’ll take four for The Fly.”

“Ooh, that’s a good one!” You smiled and tore off four tickets from the roll beside you, “Lots of gross stuff, really good body horror.”

You handed Eddie the tickets as he gave you the $20 bill from his pocket and he tore them each away as he handed them to the guys.

“You’ve seen it?” Gareth asked with a scoff, “How?”

“Maybe because i work here, idiot.”

Gareth wasn’t even given a chance to respond before getting his arm tugged away by Eddie into the theater.

You giggled and rolled your eyes to yourself, sitting back in your seat and waiting for the next customers to come up and purchase their tickets.

Your constant back and forth with one another couldn’t be traced back to one specific incident, they’ve been happening for so long you couldn’t remember who said what first or even how it began, but it eventually became a highlight of your shifts.

You’d be sitting in that booth for hours, nothing to entertain you except the rare occasion when there’s actual work to do or if you managed to bring in a book or magazine with you. As soon as you saw those boys pile out of whoever’s car they drove in and you saw the familiar red vest on Gareth, you couldn’t help but be excited for whatever nonsense he had to spew at you that day.

You didn’t hate each other. You certainly didn’t like one another, but you didn’t hate him. It was all innocent fun.

A week later, you were in the same position.

Bored, stuck at work in that little booth out front just waiting for the boys to show up again for their normal friday night routine.

You checked your watch and noticed it was later than normal for them, usually they were there around 4-5 pm, but as it approached closer and closer to 7 you figured they probably just decided to switch things up for the night. There wasn’t anything that great showing anyways.

Until you saw a familiar car pull into the lot.

You were glad to see them again, and finally be able to have a little bit of interaction with someone after being stuck alone in that little booth. But when you saw just one person step out of the car and approach the booth, you let out a gentle sigh.

Gareth walked up to the booth with a smile on his face, pulling out a $10 bill from his pocket and placing it onto the counter,

“Two for Chopping Mall.”

You took the $10 and glanced behind him before reaching around and pulling two tickets off of the reel,

“Why do you need two if it’s just you?” You asked, sliding him the tickets, “I figured the guys would be with you.”

“I asked them to stay back this time.” He gave you a cocky smile and took the tickets, “I’m meeting someone. A girl.” He shrugged, his eyes quickly scanning you for your reaction.

“Oh. Alright,” You shrugged, giving him a smile, “enjoy the movie then.”

Your reaction threw him off, and you could tell by the way his eyebrows raised ever so slightly, but you didn’t pay any mind to it. Gareth smiled back and wandered into the theater without another word.

The next two hours went as they usually did for you, handing out tickets to the various families and couples for their friday night excursions to the theater, though there was one thought that you couldn’t get out of your head. There were plenty of guys that came alone, but not one girl had walked inside by herself. You could be wrong, she probably just wandered in when you weren’t looking or came in through a different entrance.

Either way, you wouldn’t let yourself dwell on it for much longer.

You didn’t like Gareth, and he didn’t like you. That’s how it’s always been, and how it always will be.

But when it reached 9:15, and you noticed a crowd of people leaving the theater as you got the little booth ready to close up for the night. Tickets were put away, the little ‘sorry, we’re closed’ sign was turned in the window, and all the cash was locked up for the managers to count. As you switched the light off in the booth, you walked into the theater by the connecting door, but there was a little pit in your heart as the door closed behind you.

Gareth was still sitting on one of the benches inside, alone, in near darkness from the lights inside switching off as it got closer and closer to closing time.

You slowly walked over to him, and as you looked closer at his face it made you regret any time the two of you had one of your little spats with one another. He was sitting there looking like a kicked puppy, waiting all this time for a girl that never even showed up. You didn’t like him, you were so certain, but seeing anyone in that predicament was enough to pull at your heartstrings.

“Gareth?” You asked quietly, catching him by surprise as he jumped slightly in his seat.

“Oh, hey. Just, uh…” He cleared his throat and showed you the tickets still in his hand, “waiting. I think she’ll be here soon, we’ll just see the later showing…”

“Gareth,” You sighed, “we’re closing. The movies over…” He pursed his lips and gave you a slow nod, looking back down at the tickets he held in his lap, “I’m sorry-“

“No, it’s ok.” He stood up quickly, shoving the now useless tickets into his pocket as he cut you off, “i’ll just, uh… See you next friday.”

You gave him a small but friendly smile as he stepped past you, and he copied it.

In that moment there was a switch that flipped inside you.

Seeing him so defeated, all alone waiting for someone who probably wasn’t going to show anyways.

“Hey!” You called out to him as you took a few steps closer. He stopped and turned to you. “Did you still want to see that movie?”

Gareth shrugged,

“I guess so. But you said you’re closed?”

“I work here.” You giggled, “Come with me.”

You grasped his hand and led him down the quiet, dimly lit halls into one of the empty theaters. The lights along the sides of the walls were still on, though it was strange to see a theater so quiet and empty.

“Sit wherever you want,” You gently let go of his hand, though it felt strange to not have something filling that space, “I’ll be back in just a minute. Want a snack or something?”

Gareth shrugged again as he looked over the empty rows of seats,

“Popcorn is always nice.” He said to you with a smile. You could already tell he was feeling better.

“Popcorn.” You nodded, “No problem. I’ll be back in a few minutes, sit wherever you want.” You smiled and wandered out of the theater.

Gareth looked around for a moment before spotting a pair of seats right in the middle. He slowly walked up and got comfortable, smiling to himself as he sat there waiting patiently for you.

It was strange.

You’d never been nice to him, at least not this nice. Gareth didn’t know what it was, if it was you doing this out of sympathy or not, but he didn’t mind it. When he looked past all those childish arguments the two of you had, they seemed almost pointless. Behind the mask of insults and one liners, he could see that you were just a nice girl. And he was hoping you’d see the same for him too.

The two of you had never been alone in any sense of the word, the only time you had was during the five minutes of words you’d exchange over him or one of the guys buying tickets. It felt so weird. There were a thousand and one outcomes he could’ve imagined up from the two of you being around each other alone, each one of them ending up with either him having a black eye or you getting fired for ‘unlawful conduct’ with a paying customer. Never like this.

His train of thought was interrupted as the lights along the side walls started to dim, and the screen started to show the beginning static of a film reel. Just as the trailers started playing he heard the theater doors open and soon saw you with a bucket of popcorn in your arms.

“Here,” You said with a smile as you handed him the bucket, “I hope you like extra butter and salt, cause that’s what i put on it.”

“Who doesn’t?” He smiled back.

Your attention was soon grabbed by the lit screen as trailers started rolling for the newest upcoming movies. It was quiet between the two of you as you sat and watched the screen, but it was in no way an uncomfortable silence. Rather, it felt oddly comforting.

It was nice to be sitting there with him, and without even noticing all that anger that you had always felt for him was melting away. As the screen turned back to black, you snuck a glance over at him. It was quick, and you were certain he hadn’t noticed as you turned your head back to the screen.

But he did. And he liked you looking at him.

He’d be lying if he said he didn’t try and sneak a few glances at you as the movie went on, and though it was quiet, you could almost feel it every time he did. It was nice.

It was so strange. You had never gotten along in any sense of the word before. Each time you saw him or he saw you, you had to prepare yourself to come back at anything he said, but this was the longest the two of you had gone without making a quip at the other. You liked it.

He was actually quite nice to be around. It felt comforting to have him there, especially during a scary movie.

You glanced over his way one last time before slowly leaning in to whisper,

“I’m sorry that girl never showed.”

Gareth looked to you with a thankful smile,

“Thanks.” As you looked back to the screen he leaned in closer to you, “I’m sorry for always being a dick to you.”

You quickly looked back to him. His apology caught you off guard. It wasn’t unwanted by any means, you deserved an apology for the things he’s said to you. But you knew he deserved one too, you weren’t going to deny he’d gotten the same remarks from you.

“I’m sorry for always being a bitch to you.”

You both apologetically smiled to one another.

Your arguments were what made your ‘relationship’ worthwhile, it was nice to have someone to lash out on after a difficult time dealing with customers that made it seem like it was their destiny to be a pain in your ass. But it felt even nicer to know how sorry he was for everything. It felt like being nice to each other was going to be a lot easier than being each others punching bags.

“No hard feelings?” Gareth whispered to you as he offered over the bucket of popcorn.

You couldn’t help but stifle back a quick laugh as you grabbed a few pieces of popcorn,

“No hard feelings.”

You smiled at each other once more, your face turning back to face the screen as you ate the few pieces of popcorn he had offered. But you could still sense his eyes on you.

Gareth took a slow, quiet breath, as if he was nervous about something. He leaned towards your ear to whisper once more,

“This is nice.”

As you turned to him, a blush arose onto your cheeks and a smile tugged at the corners of your lips. He was still so close, your noses nearly brushing as you turned your head. Your eyes glanced over his face as the light from the screen illuminated his face ever so slightly in the darkness of the theater. And you had to admit, this lighting made him look a way you had never imagined yourself seeing him in.

He just looked so good.

If you had to be watching a scary movie with anyone, you were glad it was him.

You nodded gently, the smile on your lips getting harder to hide as you could just barely see the pink on his cheeks too.

You both quickly turned away once more, each of you hiding your red faces and wide smiles from the other.

It wasn’t a date, but it was sure starting to feel like one.

A few moments passed by, the tension between the two of you could be cut with a knife, and as you sensed Gareth start to move next to you it definitely caught your attention. Though he wasn’t fidgeting in his seat as you assumed.

His arms gently raised up over his head, and you tried so hard to stifle your giggles the moment you heard an overacted yawn coming from him. And just as you suspected, as his arms came back down, one found its way laid across your shoulders.

You looked to him and quietly giggled as he looked to his lap with an embarrassed, but comfortable, laugh.

“That was so lame.” You said as you raised your hand to your lips to quiet your giggles.

Gareth looked to you with that smile still on his face, his hand gently moving over your shoulder,

“But it worked, didn’t it?”

Your giggles slowly ceased and your lips pursed,

“Shut up.” You said with a smile and an eye roll as you looked back to the screen, your head moving to rest on his shoulder as he pulled you in closer.

Whatever this was between the two of you, it wasn’t a date. But you were hoping he would ask you on one soon.

[punkrockmlchael]

gareth emerson thoughts from your favorite gareth emerson thot!

18+ mdni, Smut: Oral (Fem Receiving), Overstimulation (Both Gareth and Reader are 18+)

Absolutely no one asked for this but I am down so so so bad for this fluffy haired drummer, okay???? (Word Count: 516)

-

I always see people saying that they think Eddie would be addicted to eating pussy (and while I agree) I am here to put my two cents in. That absolutely no one asked for but damn. (As Sabrina Carpenter once said... I'm so fucking horny)

I think Gareth would be absolutely one hundred percent addicted to eating pussy as well. He's such a cocky and arrogant asshole that he would get off on the fact that he could get you off with his tongue. (But he’s also super sweet and would make you know he cares??)

Like, I just, I don't know.

You're lying on his bed, literally moaning and screaming his name and he is not letting up at all. He just continues to lick and suck, pulling you closer by your thighs while you're trying to push his head away because you're so overstimulated. Like, you are pulling and tugging at his hair and somehow, you're just boosting his ego and that cocky motherfucker is going harder.

Like, you've already cum on his tongue twice tonight and you literally have tears in your eyes as his lips wrap around your clit, sucking harder and harder with each tug of his locks.

"Gareth," you whine, trying to push his head away from your throbbing and aching core.

“Hm?” He hums back, pulling you closer as he licks another stripe up your folds, looking up at you with a cocky glint in his eyes. He moves slightly to leave soft kisses on your thighs, watching your body shake and squirm underneath him.

“You, gah, fuck,” you moan, hips bucking up as you cannot form a coherent thought at his movements. “Hurts,” you finally mumble before he blows on your sensitive clit softly, looking up at you.

“Doing so well for me, baby girl,” he mumbles, kissing over your clit gently. “Come on, baby girl, cum for me one more time,” he adds, licking up and down your folds before he shoves his tongue into your entrance, swirling it around gently.

You moan again, back arching off of the bed as more tears brim your eyes, threatening to fall. You tug on his hair tightly, causing him to moan against you.

“Gare,” you moan loudly, seeing stars as he moved his thumb up to rub tight circles on your clit while he continues to poke his tongue in and out of your entrance. You whine again, bucking your hips up as you feel your third release of the night. He moans louder, jutting his hips against the bed for friction to his aching cock while he laps up all of your slick and release for the third time that night.

You fall back against the bed, fingers releasing his locks as your chest heaves up and down.

Gareth looks up at you, moving slightly. He kisses back up your body gently, peppering your body with kisses before he kisses your lips gently, pulling you closer to him. “Did so good, baby girl,” he mumbles, wiping your tears away with his thumbs gently. “I love you so much.”

gareth tag list: wanna be added? comment + let me know! @keeryhours ; @darkyuffie-blog ; @luveediary ; @the-witty-pen-name ; @bastardstevie ; @pupwrites ; @swiftieintheupsidedown ; @hawkinsmafia ; @the-unforgivenn ; @corrodedcorpses ; @cowboylikemunson ; @alastorssimp

[the-witty-pen-name]

🎀 💋 💄 x Gareth please ❤️

MANDI 💕😘 ILY BBY

I hope you enjoy!!

Gareth x Reader

Word Count: 318

Warnings: none; fluff

You’re at your locker, the door hangs open so you can reapply your lipstick in the mirror you have on the door. From behind you, you see your boyfriend, Gareth walking up behind you, his curls bouncing with his stride. He’s smiling, because he finally managed to catch you at your locker. He wraps his arms around your waist from behind, catching your eye in your mirror. He winks, and kisses your cheek.

“Hey pretty,” he mumbles against the soft skin of your cheek. It makes you smile as your eyes meet in the mirror again. “I got you something,” he says as you turn to face him. He digs into his backpack and pulls out a small white box topped with a pink ribbon.

“For me?” You smile, grinning ear to ear taking the box from him carefully. “You don’t have to get me stuff..,” you trail off, partially telling the truth- you love little gifts, but genuinely- you don’t expect it. He’s just thoughtful like that- always has been.

When you open the little box, there’s a small pendant on a long chain. It’s so pretty. “Gare..,” you marvel, holding it up, “this is so beautiful.”

“Want me to help you put it on?” He offers, and you twirl around, facing the mirror again. He drapes the necklace around and you watch the way his tongue pokes out and his brow furrows in concentration as he fumbles with the small clasp. He smiles when he’s successful. “What do you think?” He asks, bashfully.

“It’s perfect,” you beam. You turn to face him again, and you wrap your arms around his neck to place a kiss on his cheek. You giggle, seeing the lipstick you applied has been left behind on his skin. “Oops,” you say, turning to grab makeup wipes and you miss how Gareth swells with pride, looking at how it looks in your mirror.

[strangermarvelss]

all of the girls you loved before- e.m

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Female!Reader

Summary: the one where eddie runs into his first love, leaving you to question your relationship in the aftermath. loosely based on the taylor swift song with the same title.

Warnings: angst, crying, jealousy, insecurity, eddie being rude unintentionally, cursing, pda (gross), eddie and reader are a few years out of high school, fluff, happy ending

Word Count: 4.8k

Request?: No

A/N: hello again everyone, its been a minute! since i’ve been gone, i’ve entered my swiftie era (not like crazy obsessed but def a fan of the music) and this gem of a song dropped and plucked some inspiration from me, so here is a new one shot for you all! enjoy! -sava

The haze within the hot open room of the Hideout was starting to dissipate, the crowd exiting the venue one by one as the band you’ve been cheering on from your spot at the bar begins clearing the stage of their equipment. The ringing in your ears has yet to go away, getting so lost in the metal music that you didn’t care if it would bite you in the ass at work tomorrow, you’d find a way to take customers orders at the diner, even if they had to scream in order for you to understand. 

You found yourself sitting at the same spot at the Hideout every Tuesday night to cheer your boyfriend and his band members on. Within the years since graduating high school, the town you called home started coming around to the type of music your boyfriend played, despite ridiculing him for years prior to their own revelations. With the new popularity, Tuesday nights at the Hideout have gone from 5 drunks sitting in the back to almost a packed house every week, begging for encores and autographs at the end of each show. It made you happy seeing your boyfriend celebrated in such a way, having been there for him in his lowest points when the tables were turned. Now you bask in his glory like never before, cheering him on alongside the rest of the town.

Paying your tab, you begin walking towards the back stage area when you see a tall lanky man with long luscious curls make his way over to you, his smile wide as his signature dimples poked into the sides of his cheeks. He extends his arms wide, not caring if he gets in anyones way as he greets you. Taking off in a run, you launch yourself into his arms, wrapping your arms around his neck and legs around his waist as he catches you, hands making contact with your ass in a not-so-subtle way. You pull away and look at him momentarily before pressing your lips to his.

You take in his scent as your mouths move together as one, the sweaty smell that was no match for masking with his cheap cologne filling your nostrils, but you didn’t mind one bit. You part away from his lips, looking at the deep chocolate irises that you love seeing on a daily basis before running a hand through his sweaty mop of curls. He sets you down and plays with his bangs, moving them to the side as they desperately try to cling to his damp forehead.

“You guys killed it tonight,” you tell him, pulling him in for another hug. He wraps an arm around you, pulling you into his side and twisting his upper body and leaning down to press a kiss to your hair before flashing a closed mouth smile at you.

“Couldn’t have done it without my number one fan,” he says, cupping your cheek with his large calloused hand and placing yet another kiss to your body, this time directed at your forehead.

“So I was thinking that maybe tonight we go back to my apartment and watch some movies? I know we usually go bother my coworkers at the diner after your show but I kind of just want some you and me time,” you tell him with a smile.

“That sounds even better than going to the diner. I bet you’ve already picked out a selection of movies.” “You know me so well. I rented Halloween, Nightmare on Elm St-“

“Eddie? Eddie Munson?” a feminine voice calls out from behind you. You and Eddie turn around, watching a slim figure approach you with a bashful look plastered on her face. As she got closer, you noticed she was wearing a short black leather skirt and a bright pink top, barely leaving anything to the imagination with the amount of cleavage she was showing. Her hair was long and straight, looking silky to the touch as her skin glowed under the colorful stage lights that were still on. Who the hell is this, and how did she know Eddie?

Eddie squints his eyes as she approaches the two of you, his face relaxing and the smile growing wider than you’ve ever seen it when he finally makes out her features. You won’t deny the twinge you feel in your chest as you watch him drop your hand and give the mysterious woman a big embrace, bigger than the one he gave you moments ago.

“Holy shit! How are you? I haven’t seen you in forever,” Eddie exclaims, breaking away and tucking his hands under his armpits.

“M’good! Just finished up college not too long ago so I came back to Hawkins while I search for something a little more permanent,” she tells him, her timid demeanor going out the window as you watch the two grow comfortable with one another. “I see things at the Hideout have changed since we went to high school not too long ago.”

“Yeah, they sure have,” Eddie chuckles, kicking one of his feet out as he looks down. “Looks like the people in this shit town have finally come around when it comes to listening to good music.”

As you watch the interactions from person to person unfold in front of you, you feel the familiar tickle in your nose begin, hoping and praying that you won’t be noticeable if you aren’t able to get rid of the impending sneeze.

“Achoo!” You exclaim, bending down and hiding your nose in the crook of your elbow, silently yelling at yourself when you watch both pairs of eyes land on you.

“Bless you,” the mystery woman says with a smile. You nod, taking a step forward to try and join in on the conversation.

“Thank you,” you tell her, extending your hand. “I’m Y/N by the way, Eddie’s girlfriend.”

You watch Eddie nod as she takes your hand, shaking it firmly. “I’m Heather.”

Suddenly you feel your brain catching up with the rest of the world, clicking into place once the name leaves her mouth. This was the Heather you’d heard so much about from Eddie’s friends. The same Heather that just so happened to be his first love, capturing his heart in ways you wish you could’ve done yourself. If only you’d moved to Hawkins earlier in your high school career compared to your senior year, a.k.a Eddie’s second attempt at being a senior. 

The members of the Hellfire Club gave you all the details that you needed to know about Heather: that she was Eddie’s first everything. First date, first love, first time, and eventually, his first heartbreak. The two were smitten with one another when no one else wanted to look Eddie’s way, with all the judgy classmates questioning why they were together in the first place. They didn’t see Eddie for who he truly was, they only ever judged him based on his outer appearance. The same goes for Heather: everyone always questioned why someone as hot as her would settle for someone like Eddie, which always made you upset to hear.

“It’s really nice to meet you Heather. I’ve heard a lot about you,” you tell her, trying your best to sound as sincere as possible. Eddie shoots you a look, silently telling you to stop, which makes your heart drop a bit. Adverting your eyes from him, you look back at Heather, who didn’t miss the interaction. 

“All good things I hope,” she jokes.

“Are you kidding? Of course all good things. I can only hope you extended the same courtesy for me, if you did tell your college friends about me,” he says, rushing the last part out. Was he getting nervous?

“I can assure you that I did. Even after the way things ended…” she says, looking down to the ground as her sentence trails off. You can sense the tension in the air, feeling as if you’re causing the vibe of the conversation to shift a bit. Masking your feelings with a smile, you turn to them and excuse yourself, lying about needing to use the restroom before heading out for the night. Holding the curtain to the side, you enter the backstage area and round a counter towards an empty hallway you know nobody ever comes down after the shows, as you and Eddie have had your share of moments in this very spot, both PG and R rated moments.

As the secluded feeling sinks in, you feel the confidence and happiness that filled your body just moments ago begin to evaporate, vanishing into thin air as you replay the last few minutes in your head. His big smile when he saw her, the big and warm embrace, the look he gave you when you nudged your way into the conversation. It made you want to shrink into yourself. Jealousy was never something you were known for having, usually being more focused on the moment at hand and knowing the security you had with the relationships you had with the people around you.

But the history between Eddie and Heather changed that.

When you first heard about Heather, you didn’t pay much attention to it because you knew that was his past. He told you numerous times that he loves you and loves being with you, and it made you confident in the strength of your relationship. But knowing how strong those feelings he had for Heather and seeing her interact with him in real time, it changed things. He was a different man from the one he was in high school, having graduated and making a name for himself with the music he loves performing. And now that Heather is back in Hawkins for a while, it makes you wonder what could happen between the two of them. 

Would they be able to reconcile? It didn’t look like there were any harsh feelings anymore, so maybe making up was still an option for them. What if Eddie wanted to revisit his past and be with the girl he loved before you came into his life? Was the love he had for her stronger than the love he has for you?

You could feel yourself being to spiral, your arms wrapping around your body and hugging on tight. Your breathing was starting to become jagged and unsteady, trying your best to take deep breaths slowly to get yourself to calm down. Thinking the worst was always such an easy solution for you, because preparing for the worst and not being shocked by the disappointment that lies ahead was better than being blind to the impending doom.

Once you feel yourself becoming calmer, you exit the hallway and walk towards the curtain once again, hesitating and stopping in your tracks. Peeking your head out, you can see the two of them still talking, Eddie throwing his head back in laughter as the two share a funny moment with one another, making your heartache grow. Retreating back behind the curtain, you turn and see Gareth walking your way, a smug look on his face before contorting into a welcoming smile.

“Hey Y/N! Glad to see you made it out tonight, even though I know you’re in the audience every Tuesday,” he says, wrapping his arms around you. You give him a quick hug, pulling away and failing to mask the hurt as you see his demeanor change. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah! Yeah, everything is fine…it’s just, Heather is here tonight. She came up to Eddie and I and started talking with him and catching up-“

“Wait, Heather Heather?” Gareth asks before poking his head out of the curtain. “Holy shit! I had no idea she was back in town. Still looks as hot as ever.”

Pretending to ignore that, you let out a sigh and tap him on the shoulder. Gareth turns to you, lifting a brow.

“Can you make out what her and Eddie are talking about? I think I sort of killed their vibe earlier and now it looks like things are picking up now that I’m not there.”

“Yeah, hang on one second,” he tells you before disappearing behind the curtain. As much as you appreciate Gareth helping, you were more scared to know how the conversation is going. With all the possibilities that were swirling around in your head, it was just getting fogged up with negativity that you were not expecting this evening and you hated going to such a low place.

A moment later, Gareth pops back from the other side of the curtain with a neutral expression, which worries you more than it should. You raise your eyebrows at him, bracing yourself for whatever news that he was about to deliver.

“So I used the gig as an excuse to talk with them and told Eddie that we were almost done loading the equipment up, which is true, and he said he’d be back here in a minute. But as I was walking away, I heard Heather mention how they should catch up another time over coffee and when I looked back, she was writing her number down on a napkin for him,” he explains.

Somehow the news hurts you more than you imagined it would. With their plans on the horizon sometime soon, it made the insecurities rise once again. You knew how special someone’s first love could be because Eddie was that for you. Before moving to Hawkins, you had your fair share of dating but none that meant much to you compared to the feelings your harbor for Eddie. Knowing that he already experienced that with someone else didn’t bother you until that person had to show up right there in front of you. A majority of these worries and doubts reside in your head, you’re aware of that, but it almost feels as if there is going to be a choice he is going to make, and it isn’t looking good for your side.

You can feel the tears beginning to well in your eyes, unable to hide the frown that resides on your lips as you process what Gareth told you. Looking at him, you flash him a sad smile before wiping away at your bottom lash line, a half-baked attempt to get rid of the tears. He rests a hand on your shoulder, ducking his head down to try and make eye contact with you. 

“Hey, don’t get sad, okay? Heather is just Eddie’s past, but you’re his present and his future. You don’t have anything to worry about,” he tries to reassure you.

“Yeah, you might be right,” you tell him before meeting his gaze and making eye contact. “But you didn’t see the way he looked at her. The way he smiled at her, the way he held her. On top of that, the way he looked at me when I talked to her. I’m worried that I actually do have something to worry about,” you explain.

Now it was Gareth’s turn to frown, breaking the eye contact and staring at the floor below. He should know better than anyone how Eddie felt about Heather all those years ago and it doesn’t just go away overnight. 

“I think I should go. I’m going to sneak around the other way…will-will you tell Eddie I wasn’t feeling good or something? If you can think of a good excuse, just use it, because my brain is fogged up right now and I can’t think of any,” you ask. Gareth nods, sending a sad smile your way before you disappear behind more curtains as you make your way around the stage to exit through the front doors unnoticed.

—————————————————————————————————————

It’s been three days since you’ve last seen Eddie.

Clocking out of your shift at the diner, you sigh as you realize its your usual date night with Eddie, yet haven’t heard a word from him since the awkward encounter with his ex at the Hideout. To say the silence has hurt you would be an understatement, as you wait by the phone any chance you’re home hoping he will call. He always makes it a point to call you at the end of each day when he knows you both are already off work, catching up on each others days and talking for hours before falling asleep.

Now you’re going home alone for the fourth night in a row, wasting away as you prepare yourself for when Eddie does eventually call you to break things off, telling you he wants to try things with Heather again while she is in town and rekindle the blissful and naive love they once held in their hearts for one another.

Tossing your jacket on the back of one of the chairs at your kitchen table, you let out a sigh as you begin making your way to your bedroom and undressing your uniform. Quickly, you change into a comfortable band t-shirt and a pair of gym shorts, tossing your dirty uniform in your laundry basket before going back to the kitchen. Opening your fridge, you spot the bottle of wine you have been eyeing every day after work this week. The delicious red teasing you and wanting you to indulge in the sweet liquid to cope with the impending end of your relationship.

“Fuck it,” you mutter to yourself, before grasping the bottle and twisting the cap open. Opening the cabinet above, you grab the first wine glass you see and take it out, pouring the wine in until it gets close the the rim. You take hold of the glass and make your way over to your couch, bringing the glass to your lips and letting the wine travel down your throat with ease. 

Before you’re able to bask in the taste, you hear your doorbell ring throughout your apartment. With a puzzled expression, you set the glass of wine down on your coffee table and make your way back to the front door, sliding the peep hold cover to the side to get a look at just who could be outside. Rolling your eyes, you take a deep breath before opening the door, standing face to face with the man who owns your heart. At least, for the next few minutes.

“Hey sweetheart,” he says with a smile.

“What are you doing here?” You ask straight out of the gate. 

“Good to see you too,” he says, raising his eyebrows and looking down at the pizza box resting in his hands for a moment. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted to do for date night tonight, so I just took it as an opportunity to plan an evening of pizza, movies, and indulging in the new weed I got from Rick yesterday.”

“I just thought we weren’t going to do date night this week since I hadn’t heard from you,” you say.

“Sorry sweetheart, that is my bad.” He tells you as he makes his way inside your apartment. He sets the pizza on the kitchen table and opens the fridge and pulls a beer out. “I’ve been extremely busy this week with work, band practice, and…uh, well…”

“Heather?” You question, closing the door and resting your back against it as you bring your arms to cross in front of your chest. He stills for a moment, frozen in place as silence falls over the apartment unit. Turning to you, he raises his eyebrows while biting his lip, his physical look of guilt showing front and center. Trying your best to remain stoic, you quirk a brow at him, keeping your position at the door as you wait for an explanation. 

“How, uh…how’d you know about that?” He finally asks after several minutes of silence.

“Gareth told me before I left on Tuesday. Said he overheard her giving you her number,” you answer plainly.

Another beat of silence falls throughout the room. Eddie’s attention is on the floor below him, kicking his feet as he digs his hands into the pockets of his black jeans and forgetting about the beer he was excited about enjoying. You find your eyes diverting to the ground as well, finding it hard to look over at your favorite metalhead. Mentally preparing yourself for the ache to grow, you finally let out a deep sigh, your hand coming up to rub at your forehead before you work up the courage to look at him again.

“Look, if you came all this way to let me down gently with pizza and weed, you can just save yourself the trouble. I’ve already spent the past few days preparing for this, so lets just call it what it is and go on about our lives, okay?” You muster out, feeling your throat close up and voice waver towards the end. You shut your mouth, turning your head as you feel your bottom lip begin to quiver. Opening the door, you step to the side and remain silent, not trusting yourself to speak anymore. You can’t breakdown in front of him, not when he’s choosing another girl over you.

You hear his heavy footsteps grow closer to you, stopping right before your figure. Your eyes are planted to the floor, seeing his stark white Reeboks enter your vision before leaving once again. Suddenly, you feel his hand lay on top of the one holding the handle to the front door, guiding it to a close and stepping to the side.

“I’m not breaking up with you,” he reveals.

You whip your neck in the direction he moved to, seeing the sad expression on his face as his big brown cow eyes look into yours. Part of you was hesitant to question him about it, not wanting his mind to change in a matter of seconds and leave you in a puddle of sadness afterall. But the more logical part of your brain wanted answers. Why did he not bother calling you for days but thought it was okay to hang out with his ex? Why didn’t he confess earlier about seeing her around? Why was he acting so strange at the Hideout, and why didn’t he want you talking to her?

“What?”

“I said I’m not breaking up with you, sweetheart. Why was that even a thought that popped into your head?” He asks, his voice level and sweet. He takes a step closer to you, filling the small gap that had separated you moments ago before slowly extending an arm out to you, cupping your cheek in his hand and rubbing the pad of his thumb across the soft skin.

“I don’t know…” you finally answer, the lack of confidence in your voice giving you away as your sentence trails off.

“C’mon, I know you had to think that somehow. I won’t be mad or anything, I promise. Just want my sweet girl to talk to me.” You take the beat of silence to think about to how explain it to him without coming across as a jealous and needy girlfriend. You can do this, you think to yourself.

“It’s just-I know how you felt during that relationship and how deep the feelings were thanks to Gareth and Jeff, a-and the way you were talking to her and looking at her at the Hideout on Tuesday made it look like no time had passed and that the feelings were still there. I mean, she gave you her number Eds! A-and you just said you hung out with her!” You exclaim, breaking out of his grasp and retreating towards the living room. You run a hand down your face, sighing as you try to level your heavy breathing. 

“Okay, when you put it like that…yeah it sounds bad,” you hear him say from the kitchen. You sit on the couch, taking a large sip of the wine you abandoned earlier. Eddie turns around and stalks over to you, sitting on the chair opposite of you, not wanting to get too close again after the failed attempt. “But baby, I promise nothing happened with Heather and I, okay? We went over to Rick’s last night after grabbing coffee and smoked. Nothing more.”

“I just wish you told me about it,” you let out, feeling deflated from the way you were reacting.

“I know baby, and I’m sorry I didn’t. Work had been busy and when I was going to call you after I woke up yesterday, Heather called and asked to hang out at the coffee shop. I should’ve used the payphone outside the place or hell, called you before I left my place. If I could go back and do so I would.”

You flash him a half-hearted smile, looking back towards your wine glass before picking it up once again. Bringing it to your lips, you take another big sip, beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol move throughout your limbs and send a tingling feeling in them. Out of the corner of your eye, you watch Eddie slide over onto the couch, still leaving room between the two of you as he leans his arms on his knees, hanging his head down a bit and letting his long mane of curls move forward with him.

“You want to know what we talked about yesterday? Over coffee?” He asks, quirking a brow your way as he shifts a bit from his position.

“Hmm?”

“We caught up, I asked her about college, she told me all kinds of stories. Even told me the story of how she met her fiancé, who moved in with her when she came back to Hawkins. They’re getting married in November, a few weeks before Thanksgiving which I thought was nice. Then I talked to her about you, and how we’ve been dating since the winter of ’84 and been inseparable since then. I must’ve been smiling really hard or something because she pointed out how happy I looked when I talk about you, which is true,” he chuckles out, a silly grin creeping onto his features.

Now it was your turn to smile, unable to hide the warm and fuzzy feeling that made its way into your chest at hearing the words. You set the wine glass back down, shifting on the couch so you were facing his direction, legs crossed as you leaned over to take his hand in yours. “Really?”

“Oh of course baby. Look, what I had with Heather all those years ago was great, and I appreciate the time I had with her then. But loving her taught me how to be better and show the person I was really meant for all the more love and affection that they deserve. You,” he boops your nose, making a giggle escape past your lips. “-you are the one I love now and will love until I take my last breath okay? All the shit I’ve been through was worth it because it brought you to me when you moved here, and I am so fucking happy about that. Wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

You can’t help but feel the burning sensation behind your eyes at Eddie’s sweet words. Sure, you still felt like a bit of a fool for acting like a jealous girlfriend, but hearing Eddie shut down all your worries and reassure you about his feelings for you in the nicest way you could’ve imagined warmed your heart. You move your hand to the back of his neck, pulling him towards you and closing the distance between you as your lips meet his. His hand instinctively goes to your hip, holding you closer as his mouth moves against yours in fever.

Eventually pulling away, you lean your forehead against his, giggling to yourself as you feel his bangs tickle the sensitive skin of your cheeks. You look at his big brown eyes, seeing the soft look he was giving you and melting all over again.

“Sorry for acting like a jealous girlfriend babe. Not the prettiest look for me if I’m being honest,” you joke.

“Hey, if the roles were reversed, I would totally act the way you did, so I get it. But now you know that you don’t ever have to worry about anyone else, because like I said, you’re it for me baby. I love you.”

“I love you more,” you say, pressing your lips to his cheek. He shoots you a grin, breaking contact with your forehead and rubbing slow circles into the fabric of your leggings. 

“How about I warm up that pizza I brought over and we pop in one of those movies I rented? You probably need some food after all that wine you drank,” he says, making you laugh. Nodding, you agree.

“That sounds like the best idea you’ve had.”

[fizzing-imagines]

ok ok

i’d looooovve to request something with Gareth based off of Alkaline by Sleep Token if possible 🫣🖤

Perfectly Misaligned | Gareth Emerson x Cheerleader! Reader

Notes: This just felt perfect for my favourite couple to write! I hope you enjoy 🤍

Words: 244

Warnings: None

Nobody understood how you and Gareth worked. He was a freak, you were a cheerleader.

He played DnD in his free time, you did gymnastics.

He listened to Metallica, you listened to Madonna.

His favourite colour was black, yours was pink.

Nothing made sense. Realistically, you two shared no common interest. Yet, whenever either of your friend groups spotted you in the hallway, all other couples were ourshined by the way you two looked at each other. When the basketball team saw you two getting snacks at the store, even they had to admit the pure love between you two. Everyone could see it.

It just didn't make sense.

To nobody but you two.

To Gareth, you were so calming. Before you, he was impatient, impulsive and overreacted easily. It's like something was missing in his heart.

That something was someone, and it was you. His safe haven, his light in the dark, his everything. Gareth didn't feel alive until the day he met you during freshmen orientation.

To you, it felt like a switch flipped inside you. Your shyness, the hushed voice, the insecurities were washed away with the first kiss you two shared. He was your anchor, the person who kept you grounded when everything was getting too much.

No, it didn't make sense how you matched so perfectly. But it didn't have to. Nobody had to understand except you two.

You two were perfectly misaligned, and that's how you liked it.

[tbmunson]

Part 2 of Escape is going up tonight. If you haven’t already, please go in my ask box and let me know if you want to be added to the tag list! If you commend on the original post for Escape you have already been added!