#Hollington

[findafight]

Okay but. Now I am thinking of transfem Evie Harrington starbara canon au where Barb is like. Preeetty sure she only likes girls. Possibly. But she's willing to give Steve a try. He's charming and goofy and listens when she says to cut out all that mean talk and is also, shockingly, very interested in her.

So she thinks sure, she'll try dating a boy. Feel like a normal teenage girl for a bit. It's fun and Steve listens when she tells him to back off. And she really does like him. So maybe she just likes mostly girls usually, and sometimes a boy. Mostly Steve, though.

But then she gets taken by the demogorgon and survives the Upside Down and everything is awful. Steve is still there, and he's worried and protective and so so glad she's back mostly safe. She thinks she might be a little in love with him.

They date, and it's nice and good and normal and Steve lets her set the pace with how to talk about the Upside Down. She does talk about it, and he talks about what happened in the right side up, and they both cry. Barb knows she loves him, and that he loves her. It's nice and comfortable, they kiss and have sex and saying it's love is probably fast but they've survived monsters apart, so now they want to stick together.

One day, maybe the spring or summer after round one, Barb convinces him to lay back and let her get him dolled up. They've got a free afternoon and she wants to practice doing someone else's makeup just in case. Also, it's fun. It's silly and they deserve a little silly. She doesn't really wear a lot of make up but she's got mascara, a couple colours of lipstick, rouge, and a whopping four different eyeshaddows. While Barb prefers the dark red lipstick, she thinks the lighter, cherry shade would be better for Steve. She curls his lashes (borrowed the curler from Nancy and forgot to give it back) and adds just a little pink eyeshadow, then blush around his cheeks. She's admittedly not very skilled or practiced, but it's definitely passable application. The finishing touch, though, is that Steve lets her style his hair, parting it to the side because of all the cowlicks, and letting its waves curl slightly around his face. She climbs off him and stands, looking down at him.

"oh. You make a very pretty girl, Stevie. Or. Hm... Evie, maybe? Wanna see?"

He pauses for a moment before crawling off his bed to the bathroom, and when he faces the mirror Barb can hear him stop breathing. It's just a moment, before he turns to her and smiles. Kisses her cheek and likely smears lipstick on it (which does give Barb a bit of a thrill, and little jolt of pleasure and longing and she doesn't want to think about that because she loves Steve. She knows she does. If people can be a little gay sometimes Barb can be a little Straight with Steve. She doesn't need lipstick on her cheek or to watch a skirt brush the ground or anything else like that when Steve is beside her.)

It isn't until after the tunnels that Steve brings it up. A week after, he's barely gotten the go ahead to slowly get back to school (he's able to do half days until the headaches get too much), they're laying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, holding hands and just breathing together.

"Barbie?" He starts, and stops.

She hums, encouraging.

He sighs. "Do you remember when you...when you did my makeup?"

"yeah, I do."

"you called me Evie. Like my great Aunt, my favourite Aunt, I would've been named after if I was a girl instead of my great Uncle."

She turns her head to look at him, still staring at the ceiling, squeezing her hand tighter now.

"I did..."

"I need you to know I love you. I do. I really, really do."

She almost sits up, but stops herself. Whatever Steve is talking about is important, he's clutching her hand tightly but not looking at her. Instead, she squeezes back. "I love you too."

Steve's breath hitches. "I really liked it when you called me Evie." It's a whisper, a breath.

Barb squeezes his hand again.

"Barbie. I really, really, liked it. I wish it was my name." Finally he turns to face her, and his eyes are glossy. She reaches up to brush her fingers against a yellowing bruise on his cheek. "I wish I was that little girl that was named after her Great Aunt Evelyn and I could wear makeup like you did for me whenever I wanted and that I was a pretty girl."

Barb leans in to kiss softly, a brush of lips. "Maybe you are?" She doesn't know. Just knows that Steve, Evie? Is upset. She doesn't want to see someone she loves upset, and it seems like saying that may help. She doesn't know.

Breath hitches. "You think I can be? Just like that?"

Combing her fingers through her...through her lover's hair, Barb shrugs as best she can lying on her side. "I've never wanted to be a boy. But you want to be a girl. I think. I think maybe that's what makes you one?"

"yeah?" It's a tiny, cracking, word and Barb wishes she could help fix whatever grief is causing it.

"well. I don't think any people who aren't girls want to be girls."

Her lover shifts, enough that their foreheads touch. "And...would that be okay? For you? For...for us?"

Barb leans closer, so their lips brush when she speaks. "Pretty sure you're it for me, Evelyn Harrington. Whoever you decide you are, I'll love."

"and if I want to be your girlfriend?"

She grins, can't help pressing into a kiss. "Then I guess I've got the prettiest girlfriend in town."

Evie presses in for another kiss. "Mmh. No. I think that's me." Barb can feel her smiling against her lips.

[momotonescreaming]

Tried my hand at writing a quick Steve/Barb thing sparked by this post by @findafight because it has completely bewitched me I can't stop thinking about them

Despite everything, despite the monster with no face taking her from outside Steve’s house, it’s where Barb feels safest. Although, she concedes, it’s mostly because it’s Steve’s.  If he lived in Forest Hills, or on Cherry Lane— she’d feel safest there. 

He keeps the place warm, because he knows she can’t stand the cold anymore. Shuts the windows, so she can’t feel the breeze. He keeps her favourite tea in the cupboard even though he doesn’t drink it himself. It’s the little things, all adding up, slowly building the warmth she feels. There isn’t the stifling weight of her parents, slowly smothering her. There’s just Steve, who loves her. 

She’s staying the night at Steve’s, to which her mother pursed her lips, but reluctantly let her go. Barb was different now, would never be the same again, and her mother had to let it be or risk losing her forever. She was choosing Steve, the boy who fought a monster for her, whether her parents liked it or not. She would continue to choose Steve. He was her boyfriend, had met her parents — in an official boyfriend capacity even — and had managed to charm them into letting her stay sometimes. Other times, she lied and said she was staying with Nancy. 

There were nights where she needed Steve. To feel his enveloping warmth as he held her in his arms. To feel his heartbeat. He’s warm, and alive, and he helped stave off the nightmares.

Other nights — like tonight — she just wanted him. Wanted his company. 

She didn’t tell him she was coming round — but she knew he’d be home — and his face lit up at the sight of her. Greeted her with a kiss, eyes shining. It still felt novel, being wanted, being desired, having a boy who was insufferably happy to see her. Barb kissed him back, feeling the soft material of his sweater under her hands, soft lips pressing against hers. 

Steve ushered her inside, grinning all the while.

People at school talked about the Harrington House as if it was a holy place. Untouchable and desirable at the same time. The home of the infamous Steve Harrington parties. Many a tale had been told of the things that happened in its hallowed halls. Most of them lies. 

To Barb, it was just Steve’s place. She’s comfortable here, safe here. Knew where the Harrington’s kept their spare linen, how to work their expensive stereo, where everything was in the kitchen cupboards.

Steve had moved his boombox into the kitchen, music playing softly as he cooked dinner. Barb joined him, chopping what needed to be chopped, stirring the sauce, letting Steve drape himself over her back. Grab her hand and spin her around the kitchen, laughing and dancing to the music as they waited for the oven. 

They ate dinner on the couch, watching a movie, as the sky slowly darkened outside. She helped him with the dishes — washing while he dried. 

It was nice. Domestic. 

Later, they went up to Steve’s room, and got ready for bed. It was a comfortable routine now. Barb wasn’t nervous to take her top off in front of Steve anymore, wasn’t as self conscious when she felt his roving eyes. She could get changed into her pyjamas feeling him looking at her, knowing she was free to look at him in return. That he welcomed her looking when he slept without a shirt on (because of course he slept without a shirt on), and that he welcomed her touch. 

She had a side of the bed now, a bedside table, and a drawer he had cleared out of his dresser for her. Over the months she’s slowly filled it with her things — spare underwear and an old bra. Shirts and jeans. A sweater and a nice dress (just in case). Pyjamas she only sometimes uses because she keeps stealing one of Steve’s shirts. 

She has a toothbrush in his ensuite bathroom. It's nice. Steve carving her out a space in his house. 

It may seem rushed, that they’re moving fast, but it doesn’t seem that way when Barb thinks about the Upside Down. About monsters, and the fact that they’re real. She can stay the night with her boyfriend. Can move some of her things into his room. 

She’d clear a drawer out for him if she knew her parents wouldn’t throw a fit if she did. 

So she moves her things into Steve’s room, touches of her personality scattered about. Steve says it makes the place feel more like home, less like one of his mother’s catalogues. He liked it. 

Carol had often joked that Steve’s plaid wallpaper gave her a headache, but Barb found it comforting. It made her think of Steve. Being safe in a place where it was just them. Where they didn’t have to worry about the gaze of the high school gossips, who loved to gawk at Poor Barbara Holland. That girl who got poisoned in the woods and somehow ended up with the most popular boy at school. 

She could just be Barb. And he could just be Steve. No performing the acts that high school demanded of them, no playing the part. The two of them could just be together. 

 He kissed her cheek as he slid into bed next to her, stubble gently scratching her skin. She smiled, turning to capture his lips with hers. Grinning against her lips, he kisses her again, and again, gently drawing his hand up to cup her cheek. 

Turning towards him, she lets herself be kissed, the two of them slowly sinking into the sheets together. He sighs happily, breathing into her mouth. Eyes drifting shut, kisses getting slow and lazy. She lets her kisses lessen into short pecks, slow and gentle. Tries to ignore her glasses starting to press into her face.

Steve pulls away, but only just so, eyes flickering open. “As much as I would love to keep doing this,” he starts, voice heavy and thick. “I think I’m going to fall asleep on you.”

Barb laughs, light and airy, hands resting on Steve’s sides. He’s forgone a shirt, skin tanned and warm. He always did run hot. She gently runs a thumb in circles on his skin, and he melts into the touch. 

“Okay,” She says, voice low, looking fondly at him. Over time, she had learnt — Steve was a terrible morning person. He’d wake up early for a full breakfast and a morning jog. A workout before school or early swim training. And then it stuck and he couldn’t wake up any other way. On the other side of this, of course, was the fact that he went to bed early. He had to, if he wanted to wake up early as he did well rested. He would stay up for parties, and for hang outs with friends; but when it was just them, or a school night, he’d be in bed and yawning at a decent time. “Mind if I read?” 

‘Nah,” Steve replied. “Go ahead.” 

“Goodnight,” She says, almost a whisper.

Steve quickly kisses her again, whispering a ‘goodnight Barbie’ into her lips. He shuffles down further into bed, resting his head on his pillow, burrowing down into the blankets. He huffs out a breath, and Barb can feel the warmth of it on her hip. 

In reverse of Steve she props herself up, leaning on the headboard. The main light is out, but the lamp precariously perched on the bedside table gives off a soft, warm light. Enough to read by. It’s cosy. With the warmth of the lamp, and the reflections of the pool light shining from behind the curtain, it’s almost atmospheric. 

She picks up her book, gently running her hand through Steve’s hair as she does so. He hums happily, wrapping an arm around her waist and nuzzling into her side. She almost giggles, he’s like a sleepy kitten. 

They stay like that — her and Steve — with one hand gently running through his hair until she needs to turn a page. That still feels like a novelty — touching The Hair’s hair. As much as that is a silly high school nickname, she knows now that he genuinely cares about his hair. About how he looks. And how special she is, being able to touch and mess up his hair so readily. 

She reads, not keeping an eye on the time, very determinedly ignoring the alarm clock on Steve’s side of the bed. As a kid her parents used to joke about her One Chapter Books, because she’d tell them she’d turn off her light and go to bed after just this one chapter — and then she’d continue to read for an hour or so until they caught her still awake. Steve had called her cute when she told him, and she tried not to blush in return.

Steve is fast asleep now, arm still slung over her waist. His face is completely pressed into her hip, mouth open, and she’s not quite sure if it looks all that comfortable — but it must be considering he hasn’t moved.  He's making soft snuffling noises that aren’t quite snores, shifting in place and then settling into her side again with contented sighs. 

It's adorable. She could get used to this.

Going to sleep with Steve at her side in a bed that they share, knowing that when she wakes up he’ll still be there. That he’ll offer to make her breakfast while she makes coffee, and they’ll curl up on the couch together to eat it. That he’ll continue to carve out a space in his home for her, but he’ll back off as soon as she gives the word.

She doesn’t want to give the word. She wants to continue heading down the path they’re walking, the two of them shaping their lives around one another, simply because they want to. Because they love each other. 

It feels early, a little too soon, but she thinks that Steve might be it for her. 

[isupportzaynxliamxziam]

Thursday, 6 April 2023

Liam's at JCB Golf & Country Club in Hollington Road, having a day off and posting about it via his Instagram Stories

Zayn on the other hand posts a photo of him and Daniel Zaidenstadt, who's a recording engineer and producer, on his Instagram

He also posts on his Instagram Stories

Daniel Zaidenstadt also posts on his Instagram

[bennettmarko]

[squeakowl]

Art by Sophy Hollington (source)

[took-hold-of-nothing]

[catladychronicles]

Artist: Sophy Hollington

[brokehorrorfan]

The Green Knight is available on Collector's Edition 4K Ultra HD ($47) and Blu-ray ($45) via A24. The 2021 fantasy adventure film is housed in a discpack featuring art by Sophy Hollington and a 62-page booklet enclosed in a slipcase.

David Lowery (Pete’s Dragon, A Ghost Story) writes and directs, based on the 14th-century Arthurian poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Dev Patel stars with Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, and Ralph Ineson.

The Green Knight is presented in 4K with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. The disc includes a new short film by Lowery. Special features and booklet contents are detailed below.

Special features:

Audio commentary by writer-director David Lowery

Oak Thorn & The Old Rose of Love short film by David Lowery

Making-of documentary

Score featurette

Visual effects featurette

Costume featurette

Deleted scenes

Booklet contents: 

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight excerpt annotated by David Lowery

Costume design sketches by Malgosia Turzanska

An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger.

[deadpoetsmusings]

The Go-Between (2015) dir. Pete Travis

“There’s no spell or curse except an unloving heart.”

[findafight]

Hope you're okay with my stray starbara thoughts bc oh my god you've given me brainworms like no other!!!

They're getting serious and telling each other things that they've never told anyone else before. Barb tells Steve that she worries that Nancy is outgrowing her and their friendship is slowly dissolving. She felt it before but it's worse now after the Upside Down and Nancy is charging her way through the journalism world. And she doesn't know what to do. Steve tells her that he does all these things to impress his father but he's not sure if he likes the man he's becoming. Especially since sometimes he's not sure if his dad even loves him. He sure as shit doesn't love his mother what with all the cheating his dad does. He talks about how lonely he gets in that big empty house by himself and she talks about the stares she gets now that she's Poor Barbara Holland who got sick from a gas leak and got lost in the woods.

Steve invites Barb around to use the pool. He talks about how the water will be good for her physical therapy - and while he's not technically wrong it slowly dissolves into them goofing off, splashing each other, and kissing in the pool loungers. She doesn't feel as self conscious with Steve there with her being supportive the whole time.

The first time he lends her his letterman jacket she rolls her eyes at what a fucking move that was Harrington, oh my god. But she blushes and wears the jacket and Steve smiles and looks so happy and smiley he's practically dizzy with it.

He tells her his hair care secrets and she promises not to tell anyone. Barb lets him do her hair for her one time and it comes out so soft and looks so good and she really likes the feeling of his nails gently scratching against her scalp. She knits him a scarf , and it comes out a little wonky with a couple of missed stitches, and all she can see are the imperfections, but Steve loves it and wears it all winter.

He gets his summer job working at Scoops and he hates his dad for forcing him into it but Robin seems cool - if a bit standoffish to him at the moment. The first time Barb comes by to visit while he's on the clock he pulls out the "set sail on an ocean of flavour with me" speech and it's so lame and so dorky but Barb leans over the counter to kiss him on the cheek when he gets her a free cone.

She gets nightmares of the Upside Down still - though they're not as frequent anymore - and they're horrible but if Steve's there he'll hold her close so she can feel his warmth, and his heartbeat, and he'll run his hand along her back until she feels safe again. She returns the favour after the mall burns down and he dreams of being tortured. Of almost dying. Of being drugged and out of control of himself while others were in danger. She holds him this time and reminds him that he's not alone, and he's safe.

idk they're in love!!

I am not only fine with it, I encourage it!!! Send me so many Starbara thoughts! Brainworms forever!!

yes yes them slowly opening up to each other, being soft together!! How Steve doesn't know what he wants from the future, how Barb feels Nancy pulling away (even though it's Barb who got the shiny, new, popular boyfriend) and how she feels she did the same thing to Robin, way back when. How Barb's parents mean well but they're suffocating in their over-protectiveness and she can't even properly talk to them about what she went through. How Steve doesn't want to become his Father, and how especially doesn't want to become his mother, how he thinks he might not be doomed to it when he's with Barb.

She tells him about the Upside Down, how cold and dark it was and how scared she had been. About the nightmares where it feels like she'll never be warm or able to breathe easily again. How sometimes she can't sleep until she's called the Byers and made sure Will is alright and how sometimes she gets a call from him in the middle of the night doing the same. She tells Steve that some days, he's the only thing about her life that she feels she chose. When her parents were pleased she wasn't distracted by boys, she chose Steve; when Nancy was a bit surprised(though encouraging) at how excited Barb was for the party, she chose Steve; after everything, when the world had tipped right-side up but she was surrounded by doctors and government agents and confusion, Barb chose Steve; how she wants to keep choosing him. (Steve holds her tight, right then. Kisses her forehead as she buries her face in his neck and tells her that he's here, she's safe, it's over. Doesn't tell her quite yet that he's pretty sure she's the first person to choose to love him.)

They float in his pool, no bad memories in it, no last-seen pictures of a girl dangling her legs over the side. Just them, chatting and splashing and laughing and kissing. Feeling like the teenagers they're supposed to be. When he first suggested it she joked that he's just making excuses to see her in her swim suit, and it's a bit self deprecating, because why would he? but Steve just smirked, shrugged, obviously dragged his eyes up and down her body, and said "it worked, didn't it?"

They get looks when he pulls Cliche Boyfriend Stunts and how openly gone on her he is. @jestyzestyn on the first post pointed out that beauty standards and 80's tropes played into the original Nacy-Barb-Steve dynamic. So not only is she Poor Barbara Holland, she's also a not conventionally Pretty Girl going out with thee most desirable boy at school. There's whispers that Steve feels sorry for her--guilty, after she went missing from his house. Once, someone asked why he was with the girl who got poisoned by the gas leak, and he gave them such a scathing look that no one asked again. (the answer is, of course, that he loves her. She makes him feel safe, and loved, and that there's more to life than their dinky hometown.)

She teases that maybe since she has his junior varsity jacket, she'll have to make him a sweater one of these days. (And she knows about the Curse, how making a boyfriend a sweater will inevitably lead to a breakup. but what is the time and effort of knitting a sweater to finding out monsters exist and fighting one, on the off chance it'll help save her? probably even, she thinks.) He says she better make sure it matches his scarf.

Okay lighter side, Steve lifeguarded the summer of '84, and this is prime time for girlfriend to ogling him. But it is also prime people-who-are-not-your-gf-ogling-you-time. Barb is like Steve. those girls were flirting with you. If they wanted an actual pool noodle they would have gone to the office the first time you told them to. and he does his confused puppy head tilt going "why would they do that? everybody knows I'm dating you?" and she doesn't know if she needs to explain the concept of trying to steal someone's man and also that he's hot to him or not. She's like babe.....ok. (there was some jealousy at first but tbh after a guy has told you he loves you and told you how much his parents infidelity bothers him and also literally fought a monster to save you [she isn't letting that one go. nancy makes sense. Nancy is her best friend and is like a dog with a bone for mysteries. Jonathan also makes sense. His brother was missing too. She had been seeing Steve barely a month before everything. who DOES that? Steve. Steve does.] you kinda grow secure in your relationship)

(in the fall, after they get to the tunnels, Steve gives her an out. looking at her through his goggles. He tells her she doesn't have to go back down there, doesn't have to touch the Upside Down again, but she clenches her jaw and tells him that he's concussed and there's no way she's letting him go down alone.)

but oof. lifeguarding you can't get distracted so even tho Barb gets to ogle hot bf steve is a professional and does not get to ogle hot gf the same :( '85 is when they really get their flirt on during company time. He tries on the outfit and shows her at home and he's like "this is literally the worst day of my life. this is horrible."

and she goes "well, hon. at least it makes your butt look good?"

and Steve huffs and crosses his arms over his chest and says "my butt makes everything look good. Let's not give any credit to the sailor suit."

"okay okay."

And every time she comes in he does the "ocean of flavour" spiel and she's dying. he's soooo lame. she loves him so much. she kisses him every time about it.

Robin is a bit cold and standoffish because steve is not only the guy who never paid attention to Tammy Thompson, he's also the guy currently dating Robin's childhood best friend who sort of ditched her. It's many messy feelings inside our girl. But Barb does try to make amends with Robin, and they do rekindle their friendship (and gang up on Steve)(literally I think it'd be so funny if Steve wanted to be Robin's friend sooo bad. world's most giant squish on her. sooo embarrassing. And Brab is playfully like oooh do you have a cruuush on Robin? and steve is like absolutely not I am in love with YOU i just want Robin to live next door and also share cat custody what's not to get?)

When Dustin comes back, talking about Suzie, he looks right at Steve, starry-eyed, and says "she my Barb." hkadsjhfkashd

After the Russian base Barb spends a lot of nights in bed with two other people, shaking them out of nightmares she doesn't want to comprehend, not really knowing what to do but loving them anyways.

[momotonescreaming]

More domestic Steve/Barb for my co-captain of this ship, @findafight

Barb wakes up slowly, lazily, eased into it by the sun peeking through the curtains and not the blaring of her alarm clock. She can take her time, let the heaviness of sleep slowly lift from her bones. Bleary and still half asleep — she stretches, groaning — feeling the gentle pull of her muscles. Her arms stick out from underneath the blankets as she does so, her bones clicking, and she feels the sting of the chill in the air.

It was starting to get colder out now, the wind whipping up a frost in the early mornings. She could feel the cold, feel it pressing at the windows. Seeping into the air and leeching all warmth. Steve's curtains did little to keep in the heat. She quickly retreats under the cover, into the pocket of warmth her and Steve have created.

Rolling over, she blinks and finds Steve’s side of the bed empty. The sheets are cool, but they’re still rumpled in a vaguely Steve-like shape. He always was an early riser, but she can’t help but feel the anxiety starting to twist in her gut. Leaning over to turn on the bedside lamp, she forces herself up and into something vaguely resembling a sitting position. The light is harsh, but warm, Barb scrunches her eyes shut as the light floods her vision.

She blinks again, rubbing away the sleep as her eyes adjust to the light. Her glasses are neatly resting atop the bedside table, next to what looks like a yellow blur. A note? Putting on her glasses, her vision clears, and Barb finds that it is in fact, a note. Steve’s left her a message in his familiar, scratchy, handwriting.

Gone for a run, back by breakfast. Love you! <3

Smiling, she runs her hand over the yellow paper, thumb brushing against the heart Steve had drawn. Her chest flutters at the sight — at the silly heart, at the note itself. A little reminder that he loves her, and he’s thinking of her. Smoothing out the paper, she opens up her book and tucks the note inside. 

Throwing off the covers and swinging her legs out of bed, she feels the chill ripple across her skin. Seeping straight through the worn fabric of her pyjama pants and an old gym shirt of Steve’s she had stolen to wear to bed. 

Staying in bed alone, isn’t as pleasant as it was before Steve, she’s found. She can’t feel his radiating warmth, feel his breath on her skin, his cute snuffling snores. She knows what she’s missing now. Waking up on an early Sunday morning, feeling Steve pressing gentle kisses to the back of her neck, his strong arms wrapped around her waist, legs tangled with hers. It was everything.

Waking up in his bed, knowing he’ll be back, and thinking of her — was still nice, but wasn’t as good as when he was there with her. A shiver runs down her spine, and she gets out of bed. 

It’s still early morning, and everything is quiet. Barb can’t hear Steve in the shower, or listening to the TV downstairs, but she doesn’t worry. She knows where he is. He’s safe, and he’ll be back.

In an attempt to fight off the morning cold, she pulls on a pair of fuzzy socks she had left here last time, and one of Steve’s oversized Pacers hoodies. Barb used to judge girls who were obsessed with stealing their boyfriend’s clothes, thought it was a possessive ‘staking their claim’ thing. She knows better now. She gets it. 

It smells like him. 

Pulling open the curtains, the light floods in. It doesn’t feel it, but it looks warmer already.

She heads downstairs, socked feet padding against the carpeted floors. It’s colder down here, with the large open spaces, and the central heating turned off. She could turn it on, Steve wouldn’t blame her, he knows how much she hates the cold now — plus his parents were the ones paying the power bill anyway, and they could afford it. But it felt weird without Steve there. 

So she opens more of the curtains, letting the light in so the sun can slowly warm up the hallowed halls of the Harrington house. It helps. 

The first time she was alone in Steve’s house without him, it felt weird, and thrilling, nerve-wracking all at the same time. She had a boy, who liked her, who trusted her enough to leave her alone in his house. 

Now, she was more calm about it. Used to it. 

Barb heads to the kitchen, to the now familiar beige cupboards and dappled countertops. Steve’s moved the spare radio onto the windowsill, likes to listen to tapes, or whatever sports game was being reported on as he cooked. She likes it too, the noise making it so she doesn’t suffocate in the empty echo of a house without Steve. Turning it on, she switches until she finds a station playing music she recognises, and lets it play. 

The coffee machine hums as she turns it on, a fancy thing her parents would never spend money on — Barb making sure she’s making enough for two. 

Turning to the clock — some fancy one Steve said his mother spent far too much money on for something designed to go in the kitchen — Barb debates whether to start breakfast. She has the time to actually start cooking something, and not just putting toast in the toaster — depending on how fast and how far Steve decides to run today, of course.

Steve likes to come home and cook her breakfast — has even bought her breakfast in bed a few times — and has admitted as much to her. It’s just another way for him to take care of her.

But she’s awake, and out of bed, and has the time. It might be nice to surprise him for a change. Cook him breakfast. She doesn’t get the chance often — he always wakes up before her. 

Nodding to herself, she opens the fridge to see what she has to work with. Not a lot, in all honesty. But enough for eggs. No bacon. Maybe toast on the side? Steve really needs to do a grocery shop. The vegetables he has are still fresh, and he has plenty of cheese — so Barb settles for omelettes. She’s decent at making them, if she says so herself. 

So she pulls out everything she needs, turns the volume up on the radio, and starts cooking.

---

Steve loved an early morning run. The rush of endorphins, the gentle burn of his muscles, the wind rushing past him. When most people were still asleep, he could enjoy the quiet streets of Hawkins without interruption. Barb was safe, the demogorgon was dead, there was nothing hiding in the shadows waiting to catch him alone. It was a step back to normal, and it was nice. 

The best part of an early morning run was being able to go home afterwards. To hop in the shower and feel the warm water ease his muscles, to feel the sweat wash off of him, to fill up on breakfast, to relax. Satisfied.

It was even better when Barb was there. She was fast asleep when he left for his run that morning, face slack, hair messy, and had shuffled into the warm spot he’d left as soon as he was out of bed. He could kiss her goodbye when he left, and could kiss her good morning as soon as he returned.

He would always return to her. 

Unlocking the front door, Steve lets himself inside. He can see the sun streaming through the large windows in the living room, visible from the front door. Music is playing faintly from the kitchen. Barb is awake. He can feel himself smile at the thought of her.

Toeing off his shoes as fast as he can, Steve throws his keys onto the hall table and makes his way to the kitchen. He’s eager to see her, of course he is. The excitement of seeing her again still hasn’t worn off, even after months of dating. Everyone said he’d leave the honeymoon phase, that the shine would wear off — but it hasn't yet and he doesn’t want it to. He’d only been on a quick jog, all things considered, and he was still thrilled at the thought of seeing Barb again. 

Steve almost runs inside, but instead he pauses at the entry to the kitchen, leaning on the propped open door. He watches her fondly, his eager grin settling into something softer, fond. 

Barb didn’t hear him come in. The music is louder now, his radio set to some top 40’s station with the volume turned up. He recognises it— it’s a love song that’s been playing pretty regularly lately. She’s humming to herself at the stove, swaying and singing along with the music. God, he loves her. She makes him so fucking happy. The sun lights her hair up like a sunset — or a forest fire — outlining her against the window. 

The song picks up with the chorus, and she starts to dance in place, poking at her food with the spatula as she wiggles along with the beat. He tries to hold back a giggle as she shakes her butt, following the motion with his eyes. She looks happy. If he wasn’t all sweaty and gross from his run, he’d drape himself over her back and hold her tight. He might just do it anyway.

He approaches her from behind, careful to make sure she’s not holding a knife or the hot pan — and places his hands on her hips, feeling the soft fabric of her pyjama pants under his hands. Her pyjama pants are pink, fitting comfortably on her hips, with multi coloured spots. He smiles everytime he catches sight of them, because it means that Barb has been there. 

Hooking his chin over her shoulder, he looks down at what she’s cooking. She jumps, but quickly settles when she realises it's him, and he can feel the motions of it under his hands.

“Morning, Barbie,” he greets, pressing a gentle kiss to the side of her neck. 

She turns to look at him, face melting into a smile as they lock eyes. Her voice is still rough with sleep, warm and scratchy. “G’morning. I made us breakfast.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” He says, kissing her neck again, but lower this time — his face almost buried in the hood of his Pacers hoodie. It looks better on Barb. “I could’ve made something.”

“But I wanted to,” She says simply, with a small shrug of her shoulders. His heart swells. At how easy and obvious she makes it sound. As if caring for him was an easy decision. Steve presses his face into her neck, inhaling. Kisses her again, feeling her soft skin against his lips.

“Thank you,” he mumbles, pressing himself closer against her back, snaking his arms around her waist. 

“My pleasure,” Barb replies, quickly looking back at the stove to make sure her food doesn’t burn — and then back up at Steve. She tilts her head, the hint of a smirk on her lips. “Now go shower before it’s done, you’re so sweaty, it’s disgusting.” 

He just smirks back, squeezing her waist. “ But I thought you liked it when I’m all sweaty?”

She laughs, and it’s everything. “Not like this. So go shower. Shoo.”

Pouting, but not all that serious about it, Steve pulls away from Barb and retreats out of the kitchen. He watches her as he goes, walking backwards, and she’s watching him back. “Miss you already.” 

“Get out of here,” She laughs, shooing him away with her spatula. 

[jazznoisehere]

La Femme: Teatro Lúcido (Born Bad Records, 2022)

Cover Artwork by Sophy Hollington.

[fashionbooksmilano]

Il florilegio di Hollington

Testi di Clark Anthony Lawrence

Libreria della Natura, Milano 2023, 67 pagine, 21,2 x 24 cm, brossura,  Isbn 9791280484154

euro 19,00

email if you want to buy booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

Con una tazza di tè, accomodatevi in poltrona e preparatevi ad essere affascinati, ancora e ancora, ogni volta che volterete una pagina del Florilegium di Hollington.I giardinieri si riconosceranno nel personale approccio empirico di Clark a ciascuna delle piante presentate, tuttavia non è necessario essere appassionati del verde per apprezzare i suoi aneddoti originali e divertenti. Le illustrazioni di David, colorate e dettagliate, dialogano perfettamente con il testo, invitano a essere osservate da vicino per meglio apprezzare il modo in cui piante, creature selvatiche e un ricco simbolismo sono combinati a celebrare il mondo naturale. È un libro gioioso che riprenderete in mano più volte.

22/04/23

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[irelandindc]

I think I decided to start watching this because I was thinking of Mulholland Drive, but it’s all good it’s only four eps so if I don’t like it at least it’ll be over quickly

[cherylmmbookblog]

#Blogtour The Time of Cherries by Michael S Hollington

It’s a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour The Time of Cherries by Michael S. Hollington. About the Author Michael S Hollington qualified as a chartered surveyor. After spells in the City, Belgium and North America he spent the bulk of his career in Hong Kong, selling buildings on behalf of clients. He lives in London with his wife, Sarah. The Time of Cherries is his first published…

[xoeyfourr]