#I just like doing starry designs
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I tried out a slightly new coloring style! This guyâs name is Altair, I got him from Starridge a while back c:
#my art#i feel a bit bad about my first drawing of him is drunk#but in my defense#the pose was really fun#i promise I'll do something better later#but his cape was really fun to draw!#I just like doing starry designs#the shirt was a nightmare though#could have done better#i'll just have to work on poofy shirts#so expect a lot of those c:
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I made a few new wax seal stamps out of clay (like the ones I did for my worldbuilding stuff forever ago), this time just of random symbols that I thought might look good done in the style of painting over the raised part of the wax or etc. :0c Some of them aren't carved deep enough to really show up that well, but overall they worked okay for being clay lol
#wax seal#crafts#wax stamp#stationery#Window one is kind of stinky.. I was imagining like a swirly night sky sort of looking thing so it would be a surreal contrast of a night#sky with a window in the middle that shows a daytime sky - but the silver and purple wax kind of mixed too much together#with the black and it just looks very plain black and not all that starry or anything hjbhj.. Of course the eye is probably my favorite#since all I ever do is draw eyes and still like eye imagery for some reason. The four leaf clover is very lumpy and skrunkty but also it wa#the smallest in size out of all of them so was easier to do multiple stamps of just to try it out.#The heart with eyes wax is actually more swirly in person. I wanted it to be a mix of light pink and red and white. and the wax#did kind of all blend together but in person you can definitely see MORE of the intentional swirlyness. in this it just looks plain pink.#I was going to do one eye in the heart but it looked weird. but now two seems too plain. i could have done 3?? in a pattern.. hmm#alas. I wish I could make actual metal ones. With the clay i have to paint them in a thin layer of olive oil before stamping because#otherwise the wax just kind of gets stuck in the grooves of the clay and then you can't pull it up. Very wacky ''unprofessional'' looking#set up where I'm hot gluing circles of sculpey clay to short stumps of a wooden dowel that I sawed apart with a serrated bread knife#and then using an old paintbrush to put olive oil on them whilst holding a spoon over a yankee candle flame hjbjh#ANYWAY.. I think if I were middle class/rich/etc. this would be one of the main things in my crafting room is like.. SO many colors#of wax. and all different custom made stamps designed by me. which could be much more elaborate in actual metal.. muahaha.... >:)c#RHGghhh... I actually don't want to talk much about it since (this is probably just my Obsessed With My Own World Artist Delusions) I#think I have a really cool idea for a game that could genuinely be successful if i ever get to make it and I don't want to give#everything away and spoil the whole plot/concept in hopes that one day I can actually do it - BUT - a game that I'd like to make after the#visual novel I'm making now has partially to do with the main character working as a sort of writer/scribe/artist assistant in an elven#city (set in my world/with my worldbuilding species and versions of elves and etc) and I was thinking of maybe incorporating#somehow being able to collect little writing type items like these like.. you can get different wax seal patterns or pens or etc. when I do#stuff like this in Real Life it always makes me think of that like.. ouh... this is good research.. what it shall be like to be a littol#elf collecting wax seals and such.. indeed... GRR i need to be finished with my current game NOWWW... i MUST work on other#thingss... aughh... ANYWAY.. yay. accomplishment to do One Single Thing other than Sit In The Summer Heat And Rot#though also hilarious as this was the first cool-ish day that was below 80F in a while hgvh#waking up like 'wow.. i actually feel okay today?? like I could do things?? how mysterious.. I wonder why..?? :0'' Its The Weather You Fool#Tis Always The Weather
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Week 2 - Muse
Click for Quality!
Thanks to @localcanadiancreature62 for the prompts!
#BillfordWeek2024#aria draws#digital art#digital drawing#fanart#billford#I was gonna put code in this one about âoooh who REALLY was the muse ooohâ but tbh I think it diluted the whole concept#I think Ford being all starry and Galaxy-y and bill being the more âhumanâ looking of the two here make my point#also the angel and demon bills honestly have very little to do with my higher concept I just wanted to have fun#also also HUMAN BILL JUMPSCARE! AGAIN!#Iâm sorry I just. I REALLY. like. the design I came up for him.#HES FUN TO DRAW HES ALL TEETH AND EYELASHES AND HES NICE AN BIG AND CHUBBY HES FUNNNN#ok Iâll shut up#bill cipher#human bill cipher#human bill design#ford pines#young ford pines#stanford pines#grunkle ford#bill x ford#all aboard the toxic yaoi train or whatever that woman with the ukele said idk#is that even still relevant. I am not online
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Honestly, I feel like Cassieâs New 52 outfit was kind of a slay
#cassie sandsmark#Cassie sandsmark fanart#wonder girl#dc wonder girl#wonder girl fanart#new 52 comics#cassandra sandsmark#dc#dc comics#dc comics fanart#I donât know why I like this outfit so much#I think itâs the starry jumpsuit#let it be known that I do not think this outfit is right for Cassieâs character#I just think itâs a cool design
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SURPRISE ITS ANOTHER DRAWING-
Silent Orders
(Inspired by a drawing made by Clover_Noir on twitter of the same name. It gave me Fire vibes for some reason-)
Fire is made by @creatively-cosmic for their story, Missing Numbers. They have an ask blog called @themissingnumbers, so please go check them out if anybody sees this.
Extras are below the cut.
I donât do backgrounds like this often. Itâs not very good, but Iâm still proud of this one :)
#SURPRISE BITCH YOU THOUGHT I WAS GONE-#Nah Iâm joking ;)#I finally got my first ever drawing pencil for my tablet a little while ago#Iâm not drawing with my fingers anymore baby! letâs go!#I really like Fire if you couldnât tell btw-#Heâs so interesting and did I mention that I love his design?#IMMA NEED THAT JACKET SIR /j#I just think heâs neat.#He (and everyone else in Missing Numbers) deserves so much better.#ALSO I DID A BACKGROUND THIS TIME#NEVER THOUGHT IâD DO ONE OF THOSE#YIPPEE!#Also Starry if youâre reading the tags please give bro a coat up on Mt. Silver please I beg of you-#I canât get up there to hug him myself so a coat will have to do#Please let him know that heâs not alone
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sorry to ffxivlovepost always anyway Man the way the devs & game did so good in making an mc that is Basically a blank-slate for the players, and there's so many opportunities to make your oc However you like but. the game itself adds so much story and character to that blank-slate guy. amazing
#⯠ê°á starry thoughts à»ê± *·Ë#⯠ê°á ffxiv à»ê± *·Ë#i think abt this a lot. and also a lot of other ffxiv stuff LMFAO#it's amazing ..... drk is a huge example of this i think#bcs it plays into the guilt and whatnot the wol feels and all that. spectacular#endwalker !!!!! shadowbringers!!! the way the game uses the concept of hope is just always so beautiful and fascinating to me#and yeah bunch of games may have like. mc you create & design but not always can you like. ehvejfhsjf idk how to explain LOL#it is 4 pm i woke up 2 hours ago but priorly woke at 7 am after havingn a rlly. weird sleep.#to which my twin told me 'i wont tell u what time it is' as we went to sleep so it def was Really late#bcs we were going thru re2 and she was also playing games on steam i've been telling her to play#(to which i got her fav characters right and knew fr how'd she'd like the game LMFAO. twins amiright.)#actually that is also smth so fascinating to me bcs. i always have had someone w me in my life. i am literally never alone.#to which what i'm getting at here is Wow... it's like having a sleepover every single day. and i was a kid always sad never to have#sleepovers bcs my parents were strict (they r cool tho!) but i was a kid who wanted to experience all the kid things#but i didn't rlly but that's fine :P i am a grateful person LOL anyway back on track back on black#ffxiv... the game that u are.....#it's the 1st game that rlly actually made me invested in the ocs of others and also make a fully fledged oc that wasn't just originally mine#but for a fandom or something. and also it got me back into writing and Into making poetry and prose so. yeah.#it's amazing how much. oc x canon ???? yeah. ffxiv is so Wow#like eveyrhhting w themis or graha and how u can AAGGGHHH shit w your oc . so many possibilities#and that character. those possibilities. are already in game but also expanded by the player and the fanbade and#idk it's so beautiful to me WHAGHSGDJDH. and yes me saying themis or graha up there is self-indukgent bcs#both of them are so Insane it's so. insane!!!!! i will never forget what happened in abyssos in particular that Broke me#and anabaseios... :)) i cried so much it is almost embarrassing. and wow. asphodelos. wverything w themis just. yeah#anyway graha... self-explanatory if u know..... idk he's the character of all time to me. simply said. but themis is crazy bcs going thru ab#yssos made me think for a bit 'hey themis might be my fav character in ffxiv now' but No but also Wow. wow#kinda cute bcs me and my twin have a thing where she has a certain type of chara she likes and me too#so sometimes. most times. all times. we have our own characters we like anyway but sometimes they overlap but either the case we kinda#lowkey 'segregate???' idk if that is a good word but we do that w our fav characters. so like emet is her fav elidibus is mine.#and that was all the way in arrr alr and we barely knew spoilers so that's kinda crazy! anyway
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"Hey how's that infection au coming along?"
Saidnoonebcitsjustnowgettingtraction
I'VE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET FIXATED ON A SINGLE DESIGN TO THE POINT WHERE MY PRISON OF A BRAIN WON'T LET ME THINK OF ANYONE ELSE HELP-
#ITS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS NOW WHAT DO I DO!?!?#LIKE. SHIT. THE TREND HAS DIED AND IM AT A STANDSTILL I CAN ONLY THINK OF MY DUMB GIRAFFE OF A BEING IM GOING MENTAL OVER HERE#ALSO YES HI I AM STARRY EYED SYNDROME IF THAT WAS NOT CLEAR ENOUGH IM SO SORRY I AM A BIT. DUMB#spooky month au#I HAVE STUFF WRITTEN DOWN FOR HOW THE WHOLE THING WORKS IF YOU WANT ME TO SHOW IT JUST ASK AND I WILL OBLIGE#LOSING MY FUCKING MARBLES OVER HERE I HATE MY BRAIN I ONLY HAVE TWO DESIGNS#AGHGAGAGSJFHDJEJFORHRIRB FUCK
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Out of Sunshine
Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader
Summary: Having forgotten your dinner date, Spencer comforts his usually sunshine girlfriend Trope:Fluff & Comfort w.c: 1.2k a/n: been very overwhelmed with responsibilities and wants lately that I just needed to write a self-indulgent fic. Comments and reblogs are highly appreciated! đ masterlist
Spencerâs knock on your apartment door was met with silence. It was a starry Friday night and he had arranged a dinner reservation with you, his girlfriend for a year and a half, to the newly opened French restaurant along the main street. With a certain spring in his step, he settled with Hotch, and by extension the team, that he couldnât be disturbed unless an emergency case comes inâsomething he silently wished not to happen. He had also picked up a bouquet of your favorites from the local florist. An array of whites that reminded him of the dress he first saw you wearing at the park.
He knocked again, ears straining to hear anything behind the dark wooden door. There was nothing. He balanced the bouquet on one hand and reached for the phone inside his satchel. It was quite unlike you to not answer the door.
The number you dialed is either unattendedâ
âStrange,â he muttered under his breath. During his morning phone call with you, a much needed routine to tide him through the macabre of his job, you sounded so excited about the dinner heâd planned and had even promised to wear the same white dress that had plagued his eidetic memory. He chuckled in reply before asking any plans for the day. There was a slight pause on your end, no doubt thinking of ways to pass time before night winds down, and you answerâ
The studio, he remembered. You mentioned passing by your art studio to occupy time. He sighed in relief as he enters his vintage blue car parked on the the sidewalk, bouquet placed securely on the passenger seat. The clock on the dashboard tells him thereâs still time to make it to the reservation, granted he wasnât sure if you were ready to go.
A non-descriptive tune played from the radio as he turned left to enter the designated parking space of your studio building. It was a mixture of soft piano keys that sounded like spring and sunshine, both adjectives he loved to use to describe you.
When he finally found the courage to fumble his way in asking for your number, the smile that flashed on your face was blinding. It was as if he stared directly into the sun with little to no protection for his vision.
Over the course of multiple dates, he found himself waxing prose about you in his head. The pinking of your cheeks reminded him of strawberries ripening, so tempting to touch with his own pair of lips. The twinkle in your eyes, full of adoration and trust, made him feel strong and protectiveâlike he was some kind of crow guarding his loot of sparkling treasure. And the bounce in your step wherever youâd go had him envisioning a sprig of wildflowers growing from each footprint, the nymph of his very own Spring.
He let himself in the studio, grateful youâve trusted him with a spare key. âSunshine,â he called out.
The light inside the four cornered room was on, windows all open for the paint fumes to escape, and there you were, hunched over an easel, furiously painting without any care of your surroundings.
He called your name, softer this time, as if to slowly ease you out of the artistic trance. The timber of his voice and his sudden presence led you to squeak in surprise, paintbrush dropping on the wooden streaked floor.
âItâs me, sunshine,â he raised his hands in front of him in surrender. âItâs me.â
Your nose scrunched up in question, a streak of blue dried paint on your cheek, adorable. How adorable you were in his eyes.
âWhat are you doing here?â you bent down to grab the brush before resuming your old position.
âItâs 7:50, love.â
You swiveled to face him, eyes wide in distress. Hands promptly reaching to turn over the faced down phone. âNo, noâoh my god, I am so sorry!â
âItâs alright,â he tries to placate you but his words of comfort seem to fall on deaf ears. âReally, itâs alright. It happens to everyone.â
Tears were starting to build up in your eyes. Your hands were wrangling with the apron tied around your waist as you mutter a series of apologies again and again. âIâm sorry. So sorryâwe canât make it to our reservation now, canât we? Spence, Iâm so so sorry. IâI forgot,â a sob escaped from your throat. âI donât know what to do.â
He puts down the flowers on the nearest available space, your stool, and steps into your space. Filling it with his perfume and warmth meant to comfort you. He could see how distressed you wereârocking on your heels, hands unable to stay put, and lower lip sandwiched in between your pearly teeth.
âBreathe. Itâs completely fine, love. No harm done. Really, itâs alright.â
The tears come rushing down, staining your flushed cheeks with its tracks. âItâs notâhow could I forget?â
âSunshine, itâs okay. It happens to all of us and I know youâre quite busy, itâs understandable.â
You burrow into his chest some more, afraid of separating from him and the haven he brings.
He continued on. âI also know youâre overwhelmed, the exhibit is just around the corner and I know how important it is to you, I understand.â
Laying your cheek near his beating heart, you mutter a reply. âItâs really notâI donât want you to think youâre not important to me too.â
His hands cupped your face to stare into your saddened eyes. Spencer couldnât see the warmth and brightness that was always present in his sunshine. There was a cloud of rain and doubt covering itsâ greatness. He understood no one could always be happy all the time but it bothered him to see you breaking down from stress.
âShouldnât I be the one worried about that?â he lightly joked. âIâve cancelled on dates so many times and did those ever make you feel less important to me?â
âNo. Never,â you sniffled.
âThen what makes you say Iâd think that, sunshine? I would never, I promise.â
The corners of your lips lifted up to a small smile. There it was, the rays of sun peeking behind the clouds, bringing warmth back to the dark crevices of his being.
âIâm sorry about your shirt,â your lower lip jutting out in a pout. The air of anxiety slowly dissipating around you.
Spencer laughed, noting the tear stained marks littered on his purple button down. âThatâs alright. Why donât we order from your favorite Indian place down the block? We can get your favorites and have our dinner date here instead?â
âYouâd be okay with that?â
He leaned in to kiss your temples, taking in the twinkle back in your eyes framed by your wet long lashes and the flush on your cheeks from emotionâgood and bad.
For Spencer, you had never looked more beautiful. The reason behind of your breakdown was raw, intimate, and it made him see you in a new light. Heat bloomed in his chest, like a series of red roses, filled with love for you.
âAnywhere with you is good for me, sunshine.â
Comments and reblogs are highly appreciated!
#spencer reid oneshot#spencer reid fanfiction#spencer reid fanfic#spencer reid#dr spencer reid#spencer reid imagine#criminal minds fanfiction#criminal minds fanfic#spencer reid fluff#spencer reid x fem!reader#spencer reid x reader#spencer reid x y/n#spencer reid x you#spencer reid comfort#criminal minds fic#spencer reid fic
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IdeaDpxDc: A nice moment with a sleep demon/2
Part 1(?)
Note: Sorry, I don't know English, use a translator. I apologize if you don't get the idea.
Dead On Main.
---
Peace is, without a doubt, a precious commodity.
That was the conclusion Jason came to after a long moment of reflection, observing his cosmic boy: the dream demon who had saved him from that endless nightmare.
They were both in a field covered with flowers in shades of blue, purple and pink, under a starry sky where the stars seemed to shine with an unusual intensity. The same scenario as the last twenty times.
Yes, they had seen each other again. After Jason refused to forget that moment, the demon simply visited him again the next night, without even bothering to hide.
They didn't do much, they just played, had fun and enjoyed sweet moments together, like now, when the demon came up with the peculiar idea of ââmaking flower crowns.
However, despite being the one who had the idea, he was the last to finish his crown. Jason found it sincerely adorable how the demon frowned, frustrated at not being able to tie a knot. Her expression was so cute that Jason couldn't help but smile. Sure, he could have helped her, but that would have robbed him of those precious minutes of admiration for him.
He didn't know how much time passed, he just watched and pondered. After all, time in this place was strange.
"I'm done!" Void exclaimed, proudly raising his crown. "Isn't it pretty?"
Jason replied with a simple "Yes." However, he wasn't looking at the flower crown, but at the creator of it. Although Void didn't seem to notice that detail.
"Thank you. It's the same design that Sa-Saiph showed me!" He commented, satisfied.
There it was again. Those little slips of information that Jason had noticed in the multiple conversations they'd had. Jason chuckled; Void wasn't very good at hiding data. He mentally noted it down in the special folder he'd created in his head for him anyway.
Because he'd be a liar if he said he didn't try to find out more about that demon with the information he'd inadvertently given him. Though, to be honest, he didn't try very hard either.
After all, he could see that Void was a nice guy. (And maybe, just maybe, Jason had a little crush on him.)
"One of your friends?" Jason asked curiously.
"Yeah, my best friend," Void replied. "She's a huge plant fanatic. I suspect she's on the level of Poison Ivy."
"Eh, it would be a problem to have another plant invasion," Jason commented, remembering the woman's extremist past. How many times had she invaded the city with her plants?
"Oh no, no, it only happened once, and she was being forced to do it," the demon suddenly stated, as if trying to quickly correct the impression he had given.
"Your friend invaded a city with plants?" Jason asked, incredulous.
"Just once," Void emphasized, as if that made it any better.
What the hell? How had that not reached the ears of the Justice League? Forget it, he decided not to ask. Some things were better left unsaid.
He decided to change the subject instead.
Unintentionally, his vision focused on the hands holding the crown, and then on her arms. The areas on his arms were decorated with a design that reminded Jason of a starry sky, filled with tiny, glowing stars and nebulas against a dark background. It was so beautiful, as if Void's arms were an extension of outer space.
As he looked closer, he realized that some other parts of his body also shared that surreal effect of a universe filled with stars. There were sparkles of light on his skin that seemed to dance with every movement, creating an ethereal and captivating image.
"Your skin⊠is amazing," Jason said, without thinking. "You look like you're made of stars."
Void smiled, a little embarrassed. "Thanks. I guess it's just part of my nature. I've always loved outer space."
Jason was silent for a moment, enjoying the revelation. "Really? Why?" He asked, genuinely curious to know more.
Void looked at his hands fondly. "I think it's partly because of my older sister. When I was little, she was⊠gone for a while. It was only a short time, but I was lonely. Then, on a call, she told me that I wasn't alone, that the stars were keeping me company. She said that every point in the sky was a friend watching me." Void then turned his gaze to Jason. "It's a silly story, right?"
Jason shook his head. "No. It's cute." Then, blushing, he added, "I have things I like too for certain reasons."
Void looked at him with interest. "Really? I'd love to hear about it."
However, Jason looked away, visibly embarrassed. "No."
The answer made Void's expression immediately deflate. "Oh, ancients⊠Why not? Tell me, tell me, tell me!" He exclaimed as he excitedly threw himself at Jason, eager to discover his secrets.
Jason laughed. "Still a no." Then he quickly dodged Void, jumping up and running to avoid being caught. Void, amused and exasperated, chased after him, insisting that he deserved to know.
"Come on! It's not fair!" Void shouted with laughter as he ran after Jason.
Fresh air, laughter, and the feeling of freedom filled the field of flowers. Yes, this was the peace Jason so desperately needed.
âŠ
As dawn came, Jason woke up. His bed was really comfortable, and the little meetings with his sleep demon were truly relaxing. Jason had certainly had a satisfying month.
Stretching out on his bed, Jason wondered what he should have for breakfast, until he saw him.
He immediately sat up cursing the person creepily standing in the corner of the room: the demon brat, still in Robin's costume and staring at him. "Shit, Damian! What are you doing standing there?"
Damian completely ignored his question and, in a serious tone, asked, "Todd, do you do drugs?"
"What?" Jason frowned.
"You laughed a lot in your dreams," his younger brother said, his expression a mix of curiosity and disdain.
Jason looked at him in disbelief. Had this kid been spying on him all night while he slept?
---
Note: Sorry, I don't know English, use a translator. I apologize if you don't get the idea.
One of Damian's hypotheses is that his brother uses drugs. As for Jazz, she had an accident in her parents' basement that injured her arm, so she had to stay in the hospital for a while. Danny felt super lonely without his older sister.
Comment that nobody cares about: I wasn't planning on continuing with this, I know it's poorly written, but inspiration came when I saw this (honestly it's a very weird way to get inspiration)
#dead on main#dp x dc#batpham#danny phantom#dc x dp#dp x dc crossover#dp x dc prompt#dcxdp#danny fenton x jason todd#dc x dp crossover#i used a translator#i do not know english#void!danny
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I know what they call you.
Youâre a little lost in your head. Eddie wants to find you. shy!reader
foreword: The healing properties of good head <333 Anyways I labeled this R âshyâ but sheâs more⊠introverted? Reserved? this one goes out to the weird and off-putting girlies who have a lot to say but are kinda quiet instead. Timeline may be a bit wibbly but designed it to be early 4th-season era, with R (early 20s) having played an undetermined part in the various Upside Down battles from seasons previous. Loosely based on this anon every1 say thank you anon!
cw: alcohol/weed used as a social crutch, R is hassled by a guy at a party (but her boys back her up), brief vomit mention, implied bad home life for R, light SH by way of tight grip, PTSD, R has breasts+V, praise kink, oral (R receiving), one (1) spank, multiple orgasms (R), soft dom!eddie, overstim, coming in pants (E)
wc: 11k
Itâs spring break, 1986, and youâre cursing the name of your so-called âbest friendâ Robin Buckley.
You didnât even want to go to this stupid kegger in the first place, arguing with her the whole ride over from Steveâs backseat.
âDonât you think itâs totally lame that youâre basically being chaperoned by two gap-year losers?â youâd said, leaning forward to rest your elbows on the console, seatbelt pulling taut across your Rolling Stones tee. âYouâre a big girl, Robin, you donât need Steve and me to babysit you anymore.â
Robin began protesting but Steve interrupted, tapping at your forearms without looking away from the road- âSit back, wouldja, thatâs not safe. And for the record, itâd only be lame if we were, like, thirty and still going to high school kickbacks. Gap-year drinking parties are a rite of passage.â
Youâd sat back against your seat with a huff, arms crossed, unconvinced until Robin turned those big pleading eyes your way over the back of her seat. âYou wanna talk about lame? Lame is me getting anywhere within a 60-foot radius of Vickie. I am totally hopeless around that absolute beauty.â
Sheâd twisted in her seat and reached for your hand, and you gave it to her grudgingly (the two of you ignoring another of Steveâs gripe about vehicular safety) as she said, âYouâre like, the best wingwoman Iâve ever met. Please come to the party and help me avoid the natural disaster that is me running my mouth.â
Robin wasnât just being generous- you were a killer third wheel. Especially when alcohol was involved: the walls that you naturally upheld around your introverted demeanor by day turned liquid as whiskey by night, often scoring you major cool points with your friends for things you barely remembered doing the day after.Â
So youâd relented, and in turn resolved to get as drunk as possible as quickly as possible (in the name of Robinâs aid, of course), but turns out your best friend didnât even need your help in the first place; within 5 minutes of setting foot in the crammed house party Robin won a spot right next to Vickie on the living room couch, starry-eyed gaze saved only for the redhead that bore no room for your intervention.
Three shots ago, the situation would have struck you as funny, but itâs been a lonely time (what with Steve abandoning you, too, in favor of chatting up some college blonde); drifting from packed room to packed room, sneakers sticking to the floorboards, winding through throngs of sweaty dancing students just to keep on top of your alcohol consumption.
Kind of like hunting in the wild, you muse, leaned against a wall with red solo cup in hand. Flirt with Amy Thacker and her low-cut blouse to access the watering hole (Mystery Punch, green both in color and flavor); let Lenny Baker put his paws on your waist to gain entry to the standing liquor cabinet. The stuff of nature docs.
If this dimly-lit Hawkins party is the savanna, then you are the antelope- grazing on snacks, never staying in one spot for too long, minding your own business and staying way the hell away from the lionâs den (the group of jocks in Hawkins Tigers polos).
Unfortunately, you push off the wall in search of a refill at the same time Lenny Baker decides to sidle up to you, nearly knocking the cup from your grasp when he bends his thick head to shout in your ear above the music.Â
âGreat party, right?â His arms are crossed above his tank of a chest, blocking you from a smooth exit via the kitchen archway.
âIf youâre into drunk teens, I guess,â you say back, pointedly, licking a stripe up your wrist from where the punch had sloshed onto your bare arm.Â
When you look back up Lennyâs still standing there, watching you with a hungry edge thatâs starting to make your well-honed antelope-sense tingle. As you not-so-subtly cast your glance around for Steve, Lenny leans in again, close enough to give you a sour whiff of his breath. âIâm legal, if thatâs whatâs got your panties in a twist. And whatâs wrong with having some fun?â
âIâm not into having fun with douchebags who âroid away their remaining brain cells to bully my friends,â you retort, flatly. You doubt this guy knows youâre connected to the Hellfire group (de facto sitter, second only to Steve), but the insult seems to land anyways.Â
Lenny scoffs, going for a low blow to offset the sting of his bruised ego- âIf youâre trying to play the part of slut, you were doing a way better job earlier.â
What the meathead hasnât picked up on yet is your absolute lack of care about him- or anyone else at this stupid fucking party, for that matter. Besides Robin and Steve, obviously, but theyâre equally indisposed at the moment. Youâre feeling bold enough that you could play dirty: throw the dregs of your drink in his face, make a real scene- but the shots from earlier are hitting you sideways and youâre not entirely confident in your ability to multitask.Â
So instead, with a wink, you tell him, âAt least this slut knows when to quit,â and turn on your heel, abandoning the kitchen escape route for a closer door that leads to the back porch.
You suck in lungfuls of cool night air, trying to clear the fuzz of booze from your vision. When you donât hear any angry footsteps following in your wake, you sink against the wooden bannister and tip back the last of your drink in one swallow. Maybe Steve doubled back to the carâŠ?
With your empty cup left neatly on the railing, you set off down the couple of steps that separate you from the grass, except the toe of your shoe catches on a hidden groove in the wood, and nothing is within reach to grab onto as you trip and begin to fall.
The stumble should have ended with you facedown in the dirt, but something- someone- solid breaks your downward path, catching the upper half of your body in a sturdy hold even as your legs twist around themselves.
âWhoa, whoa, hey, I gotcha. You okay?â
The voice is instantly familiar, one that youâve heard ringing out from underneath the drama room door on countless occasions as youâve waited on your various child wards to wrap up their D&D sessions.
Eddie Munson is holding you in his leather-clad arms, larger than life with that big cloud of hair and doe-eyed gaze matching yours. He helps you stand, properly, dropping his hands once youâre stabilized and taking the warmth of his palms with him.Â
âYou okay?â he asks again, tilting his head, looking at you with fresh concern from under that mop of bangs. âLooks like you had a lot to drink.â
âThanks, Dad,â you drawl, bravado flooding back in. âAm I really gonna get a fucking lecture on drinking from my local drug dealer?â
Instead of rising to the bait or bristling at your tone, Eddie grins- delighted, wolfish- before letting out a low whistle. âWho coulda guessed: resident Shy Girl has a mouth on her.â
You twist said mouth into your own smile, one that you hope is coy and charming and not dorkily lopsided (because you stopped being able to feel your face after that last drink), and coo, âYou thinkinâ about my mouth, Munson?â
He laughs- a full, vibrant sound that lights up the night. Thereâs a flutter in your ribcage, knocking up a frenzy at the noise, like it wants to get out and at him, but you tamp it down and play it cool.
âYouâve only seen me in the cold, unforgiving light of day,â you continue, as Eddie rifles through his pockets, surfacing with a pack of cigs, eye contact yet to be broken. âMy nighttime alter ego is a real riot, all liquored up.â
âWell, I happen to think youâre a riot in the sober light of day, too.â Eddie shrugs a shoulder as he flips the lid of the cigarette box.
Youâre unsure if heâs messing with you- heâs gotta be, right? The only meaningful interaction you two have had in the past handful of years has been through the courtesy of the children in your respective care- a few surface-level conversations during carpool pickup, some flirting on his end that youâve always been too skittish to return.Â
Well, until now, you guess. Maybe this is a good thing, him seeing you like this- itâll either scare him away, or youâll finally make good on the quiet crush youâve been harboring.
Youâre about to speak again when the porch door opens with a bang; you and Eddie swivel at the same time to see Lenny clomping noisily towards the steps, voice booming out over the thrum of bass back inside- âThis freak bothering you?â
You look between the metalhead and the jock, eyes wide and mocking as you call back, âNo, but youâre starting to!â
âJesus, talk about poking the bear,â you hear Eddie mutter behind you, but your focus is taken up by the fact that Lenny is tromping down the steps and reaching out to grab your upper arm, his cold and clammy palm taking up a sizeable amount of space.
You can feel that rage, simmering and easily accessed, start to crawl over your skin. You stand your ground in the face of someone much larger than you, sneakers planted firmly, chin tilted in defiance- Iâve killed monsters in alternate dimensions, asswipe. You mightâve scared me back in high school but now I dare you to fuck with me.Â
Before Eddie can jump to your defense, youâre already going in for the bite, voice dripping with derisiveness. âSo glad your right hand found its way off your dick for a change, Len. How about you do me one better and take it far, far away from here?â
Lennyâs face is almost purple with anger as his grip tightens, and you feel Eddie moving in at your back- to do what exactly, hard to say, âcuz Lennyâs got about 60 pounds on the lanky DM- but just as fast as the tension has ramped up, it gets diffused with the arrival of one Steve Harrington from around the corner of the house.
He cuts a smooth path through the grass to your other side, Robinâs sweater slung over one arm, twirling his car keys in neat loops around his finger, boasting a casual demeanor that doesnât match up with the steely look heâs giving Lenny. âYou heard the girl, Baker. Time to am-scray.â
Whether itâs the rumors of Steveâs nail bat or the manic look in your eyes or the fact that heâs outnumbered, Lennyâs got plenty of reason now to drop your arm.Â
Which he does, spitting one last âbitchâ at you before hulking off into the night.
The anger in you recedes like a wave. You breathe out a dry laugh, then turn back to the boys, clasping your hands over your heart with faux-dopeyness. âMy heroes. How will I ever repay you?â
âShutting up, for a change, would be a great start,â Steve grouses over the sound of Eddieâs cackles.
âHoly shit. Canât believe your girlâs feistiness almost landed me in the hospital.â Eddie shakes his head, plucking a cigarette out and sticking it between his plush lips.
âSheâs not my girl,â Steve says, even as you wind your arms around his chest from behind, tucking your chin over his shoulder. âShe is, unfortunately, my problem.â
âI love when you two talk about me like Iâm not here.â You simper at Eddie from your draped position.
Heâs watching you with a fondness that feels overly familiar, through the haze of smoke streaming from his nostrils as you pat the chest beneath your hands- âDonât worry about olâ Stevie boy. Heâs turned into quite the good guard dog after the whole Russian mall takeover last year.â
âAaaaand thatâs enough talking from you,â Steve says firmly, twisting out of your arms and putting his own around your waist. âSay goodbye to your new buddy, weâve got a Robin to collect.â
As Steve steers you towards the direction of his car you wave at Eddie, a motion that he returns, his rings glinting in the porch light.
âChrist, you really are somethinâ else with some drinks in you,'' Steve fusses, helping you into the backseat, hand shooting up to block the door frame before your head can collide with the metal. âDid you seriously have to bring up the Russians?â
âHe probably thought it was a joke, Steve,â you say, exasperated and fighting the twisted middle seatbelt with uncoordinated hands. âYou know⊠those things that you tell people when you wanna get in their pants?â
The crack was aimed at Steveâs recent string of strike-outs in the dating department, but he throws it back at you. âYouâre trying to get in Eddie Munsonâs pants?â
âNo,â you sputter, indignant and feeling suddenly too hot.Â
Steve knocks your still-struggling hands from the belt, clicking you in himself, before pointing an accusatory finger in your face. âStay here while I get Robin, and no throwing up in the Beemer.â
He shuts the door, Robinâs sweatshirt hanging from one shoulder while he stalks back into the house.Â
You let your head fall back against the seat and close your eyes, bright cherry embers of cigarettes between lush-lipped curves dancing behind the dark of your lids.Â
___
You manage to avoid throwing up in the BMW, saving the worst of it for the downstairs toilet of the Harrington house after Steve drags you and Robin indoors. Once your body is purged of the spirits, you collapse into your usual side of the guest bed, sweaty and exhausted, murmuring an apology to Robin who squeaks at the rocking movement of the mattress. In a few minutes, youâre lulled to sleep by the gentle snores of your best friend.
The morning sun is a very rude awakening, Robin apparently having forgotten to close the blinds before leaving with Steve for their shifts at Family Video. Thereâs a full glass of water on the bedside table and a few loose Tylenol tablets, the word âDRINKâ sprawled on a sticky note in Steveâs handwriting.
You wince, down the meds along with half the water, and start the search for your sneakers.
When youâd signed up to protect a bunch of teens at the end of the world awhile back, it had seemed like a one-time gig. But now, here you were a few years later, loading yourself into your curb-parked junker to willingly cart around the same kids.
While wearing yesterdayâs clothes. Even with the sprays of cologne that youâd stolen from Steveâs dresser, youâre pretty sure youâll be fooling no one.
Evidenced by your first stop in east Hawkins for Dustin Henderson, who clambers into the front seat with a scathing appraisal. âRough night?â
âYou could say that,â you reply, shifting the gear to drive and grimacing at the subsequent squeal of metal that pierces into your left temple. âLearn from my mistakes as a washed-up twenty-something and cool it on the teen drinking, all right?â
âWashed up though you may be,â Dustin intones sagely, digging through his backpack and producing two brown-paper bundles, âyou are now one Claudia Henderson Breakfast Sandwich Deluxe richer.â
You take the proffered sandwich gratefully, steering with one hand to peel back the oil-stained paper from the still-warm bread. âGod. Is your mom looking to adopt?â
âSheâs kind of got the perfect child already, but Iâll keep my ear to the ground for ya,â Dustin says around a mouthful of cheese and egg.
The solid breakfast helps your stomach ease back into a place of normality, but with your next stop adding two more kids to the mix, the rowdy bickering that follows puts that Tylenol to work.
âYouâre an idiot,â Max is saying to Lucas over the sound of his indignation in the back seat. âYou seriously think Indiana Jones would win against Supergirl? She can shapeshift, and she has heat vision.â
âAll Iâm saying is, itâs really hard to see a whip coming.â Lucas is stretching the limits of his seatbelt in his earnestness to get his girlfriend on his side.
It doesnât work- Max rolls her eyes and taps at your shoulder. âHelp me out here. His logic is totally shit, right?â
Making a turn onto the main road, you nod your assent without looking back. âI think you should listen to your very smart girlfriend, Lucas.â
Max makes a triumphant âhahâ, and Dustin adds fuel to the argumentâs fire when he drags in some other comic book character that youâve never heard of.Â
You hazard a glance in your rear-view mirror at Max, whoâs too busy dishing out an enthusiastic rebuttal to notice. Her auburn braids swing with the movement of the car, and you wonder if they were done by her mother before work or if Max had to rely on her own hair expertise again.Â
Youâve got a real soft spot for Max, always have. While you both have plenty of cause to bond over shitty home lives, itâs also Maxâs brash and defiant attitude that drew you to her. Sheâs got the bravery you can only hope for, something that you are sure to tell her frequently, even though the compliment is hard for her to take.
You score a parking spot thatâs right in front of the arcade, calling after the kids already scrambling out of your car that you want to leave at noon, sharp. They all give some form of distracted acknowledgement before disappearing into the building, so you figure the earliest you'll be getting out of here is noon-thirty.Â
Not like you have much to do today, anyways, besides bother Steve and Robin at work- since the arcade is conveniently located right next to Family Video, itâs a perfect excuse to wait out the kidsâ spring break activities in the company of your nearest and dearest.
Youâre cutting a swift track up the sidewalk when you nearly collide with Eddie Munson, for the second time in less than 24 hours.
âHey!â He beams at you, a wide, easy thing that fits on his face so well, like it was made to be there, boyish dimples digging in. âLong time no see.â
âYeah,â you agree, trying to smile back but probably landing somewhere in the grimace region as memories of last night float to the forefront of your mind. Small talk. You can do it. Say something. âUm. Were you getting a movie?â
âNah.â Eddie shakes his head, hooks a thumb at the Family Video doors behind himself. âKeithâs one of my regulars. That guy might actually smoke more weed than me.â
You hum mildly to show youâre still paying attention but really youâre looking at Eddieâs hair, dark curls that shift with each of his movements. His hair isnât black, like youâve been led to believe this whole time- with the morning light shining through, highlighting the halo frizz around the edges, itâs actually a deep, chocolatey brown.
Similar to his eyes. Which are trained on you. Because you havenât talked in a weird amount of time and are now just openly ogling his hair.Â
Before you can open your mouth to apologize Eddie asks, âYou wanna smoke?â
You nod, perhaps a tad too enthusiastically, and then stretch on your tiptoes to peer around Eddieâs frame at the Family Video sign. âYeah, but we gotta be fast unless you want the Wonder Twins joining us.â
His grin slips into a smirk, and he winks before taking your hand in his. âA quickie, then.â
That fluttering thing in your ribs is back. The metal of Eddieâs rings are cool against your palm as he leads you around the side of the building, dropping your hand once you both are leaned up against the red brick.
Trying not to outright stare again, you watch from the fringes of your vision as Eddie lights up and breathes a cloud of smoke into the air. His nails are painted black- they werenât last night. An image of him- hunched over a kitchen table, tongue sticking out of those pillowy lips in concentration, a nail polish brush held in his long fingers- flits across your mind.
Eddie holds the cigarette out, filter-side towards you, and you shake your head lightly. âNo thanks. I donât actually smoke, I just wanted to talk to you.â
Eddie glows. Before he gets the wrong idea you start explaining, arms crossing tight over your chest in unconscious defense- âI wanted to talk about last night. And say Iâm sorry. Iâm not usually soâŠâ
âBadass? Charming? Hot?â Eddie fills in when you trail off, taking in another deep drag of smoke.Â
Christ. You feel heat rushing from head to toe as you ward off his flattery, nails nipping into your upper arms. âI was gonna say⊠talkative? I guess? Iâm normally not one to pick fights, but Lenny was being a dick and I donât like the way he treats the kids, or you, for that matter, and I was drunk and mouthy but thatâs not an excuse to drag you into it and Iâm sorry-â
âHey, hey.â Eddieâs tone is soothing, low, cutting smoothly into your feverish confession. He reaches out and strokes the back of his knuckle across your hand, tiny half-moons from your nails leaving their impression as you soften your grasp on yourself.
He doesnât seem to mind that you canât look anywhere but at your sneakers planted in the gravel as he says, âYou have nothing to apologize for, sweetheart. Iâm a big boy, I can handle myself when it comes to dickwads like Lenny Baker. And I would say that rescuing fair maidens is part of my job description, butâŠâ
Eddie stubs the half-smoked cigarette out against the brick, flicks it to the ground, and waits until you look up at him again before saying âYou donât seem like youâre in need of any saving.â
That flutter, again, as you hold his eye contact for as long as you can stand it.Â
The corner of his mouth quirks up. âThere she is.â
Mortified, you resist the urge to scream into your hands as you push off from the brick, instead squeezing them into fists at your sides. âOh-kay. Well. I better head inside or Robin will send out the search party for me.â
Eddie lets you walk past him, but just before you turn the corner he says, âIâm across from the Mayfields in Forest Hills if you ever want some company. Or some good weed.â
Footfalls from his thick-heeled boots recede into the distance, and you take a minute to calm your breathing before pushing your way through the doors of Family Video.
Steveâs stocking a shelf of New Releases at the front of the store, vest-clad torso faced away as the bell above the door signals your entrance. On autopilot he monologues, âWelcome to Family Video, let us know how we can be of service.â
âAw, I miss the days when you were forced to say Ahoy, mateys!â You tease, Steve turning to give you an irritated frown as you prop your hip against the register counter.
Robin clacks away on the computer, hitting the Enter key a little harder than necessary as she says, âYouâre about one mall fire and a bajillion NDAâs too late to ever hear that shit again.â
Keith must be lurking around in the back office, âcuz the three of you only refer to last yearâs cataclysmic series of events as a âmall fireâ when youâre talking in code.Â
Or if youâre trying to be funny. But based on the dark circles under Robinâs eyes and the harried way Steveâs shoving a hand through his hair as he drifts towards the counter, you surmise that the three of you are very much on the same page this morning with regards to humor and hijinks.
âI didnât know it was possible to be this hungover,â Robin groans, sinking her hand into a torn-open Skittles bag and popping a handful into her mouth. âSugar is supposed to help, right?â
You snort, fiddling with a stack of paper brochures as Steve leans against the counter.Â
âHad any more run-ins with the town riffraff?â He asks, feigning casual, honey-colored eyes roaming around the shop.
âIâm visiting you, arenât I?â You shoot back, unreasonably defensive.Â
âAnother point for the pretty lady, and Harrington strikes a zero,â Robin totals in her best sports broadcasting voice. âWhat the hell are you talking about, Steve?â
âDrinky McGee over here was spilling her guts last night to none other than Edward Munson,â Steve replies, looking satisfied when Robinâs eyes bug dramatically.
âEddie?â Robin hops off the stool, sliding her hands from the other side of the counter to stop your own from ripping the brochures to shreds. âAnd what, pray tell, were you spilling about with Eddie Muson?â
âNothing.â You pull your hands from Robinâs, rolling your eyes as if the stakes are low, when in fact the stakes are as tall as the Empire State Building. You can practically hear the wind whistling from this height. âI wasnât⊠we barely talked. He was backing me up when some jock started messing with me. Thatâs all.â
Robin whirls on Steve with animosity- âYou left her alone long enough for some meathead to get involved? Jesus, Steve, the hell is wrong with you?â
âLike you shacking up with Vickie after two Tears for Fears tracks is any more responsible!â Steve snaps.
Having spent enough time with both your friends to know their propensity towards petty arguments, you slap a hand against the counter to derail. âHey! Both of you knock it off. Itâs fine, Iâm fine, we survived yet another night out on the town unscathed. Letâs just⊠drop it.â
Steve looks properly chastised, but Robin gets a glint in her eye that confirms sheâs not thrown off the scent so easily.Â
âYou know what they call him, right?â she asks you, lowering her raspy voice even further.
âEddie The Freak Munson,â Steve supplies, but shrinks noticeably when Robin gives him a withering look. â...not that, then?â
âOf course you, Steve The Hair Harrington, would only know him by that name.â Robin shakes her head, disapproving, before turning back to you with a wicked grin. âWord on the street holds Eddie The Munch Munson in very high regard.â
Steve scoffs at this, but you blink, uncomprehending. âMunch, like⊠he eats a lot of food?â
You feel very suddenly and violently ganged up on when Steve and Robin give you mirrored quizzical looks.
âNo, babe,â Robin says, slowly. âMunch as in he eats pussy.â
âJesus christ.â Heat courses through you as you scan the empty store, even as Steve chuckles and says, âYou really are a prude.â
A skittle sails airborne into the side of his temple and he flinches, Robin coming to your aid. âThatâs no way to talk to a lady, Steven.â
âIâm so not a prude.â Youâre quick to jump to your own defense. âI just⊠didnât know what that meant.â
Youâd had a boyfriend for 6 months your sophomore year of high school, Ben- nice enough guy, but youâd mostly dated as an excuse to get all your firsts out of the way. Some laid-back hookups have occurred since then- itâs not like youâve been chaste all these years, for fuckâs sake.
But you certainly wouldnât give any of those boys a prize-winning nickname for their ability to eat you out.Â
âItâs all baseless gossip, right?â Steve grabs a nearby wheeled cart and pushes it to the New Releases, resuming his shelf stocking. âI mean, what the hell else are small-townies good for other than trading lies like baseball cards.â
âI dunno,â Robin says, thoughtfully, sucking at her front teeth. âIf the token lesbian is hearing about it, then heâs gotta be some sort of sex god.â
Steveâs making a snarky comeback, but you canât hear him over the whistling in your ears.
You stare blankly out at the parking lot, one hand absently crunching at a brochure, trying really hard to think of anything but those plush lips and all the places you want them.Â
____
Ever since the events of last year ripped a hole in your found familyâs world, you make it a weekly habit to visit Max.
Youâre always armed with some excuse- made too much pasta, please take it off my hands and put this tupperware in your fridge; I was on my way to the thrift store and thought Iâd stop by, wanna come with and help me pick out some new jeans?- so that itâs harder for Max to deny your company. Slowly, over the last handful of months, by way of secondhand book offerings and slices of leftover pizza, Max has let her guard down enough to let you in.Â
Even on days like today, when her demeanor suggests active disdain (calling you âmomâ with a caustic bite when you ask after her last meal, rolling her eyes when she finds you doing the leftover sink dishes), you donât take it personal. Her coldness towards little acts of kindness is due to the shitty way other people have failed her. And plus, youâve put in enough effort to be able to see the warm side of Max Mayfield.
Like now, for instance- sheâs giving you a bone-crushing hug on your way out, freshly-braided hair pressed tight to your sternum as you hug her back and sway in the doorway. The hug is quick and fierce, over in seconds as she slips back into practiced indifference
âStay out of trouble this week and Iâll buy you a pony,â you joke as she pulls away, and the smile that she cracks makes it all worth it.Â
âMake it a racehorse and youâve got yourself a deal,â she says, giving you a small wave before closing her front door.
You walk down the dirt path to your parked car, keys in hand. Tonightâs schedule is that of a responsible, sensible young adult- the classified ads on your desk at home need trawling through, and a laundry pile the size of Hoosier Hill waits expectantly on your floor.
But thereâs this crawling under your skin, a feeling that tends to flare up every so often, a craving for some sort of release gnawing at the edges. Usually the cure is sad music and masturbation, or some of Steveâs parentsâ wine and a cheesy romcom.Â
Or weed. That tends to work, too.
Youâre shoving your keys into the pocket of your denim jacket and walking across the way to Eddieâs trailer before you lose your nerve, scuffing your sneakers against his porch while you knock.
He looks surprised to see you, dark brows raised, leaning into the palm heâs got on the doorframe- âOh shit. Hi.â
âHi,â you reply, tracking one foot up the back of your calf, feeling timid under his gaze. âDo you⊠can I buy some weed?â
When he nods, you duck under his arm and drop to one knee on the carpeted floor to untie your laces.
âShit, sweetheart, donât go to all that trouble.â He lets the door close, enveloping you both in the moody lighting of his trailer. Thereâs a radio playing the local rock station dimly from one of the bedrooms, and as you toe off your shoes you notice a gleaming black guitar leaned upright against the couch.
âDo you play?â You drift over on sock feet to gently brush across the strings, a faint and discordant noise rising and fading underneath your fingertips.
âYeah.â Eddieâs voice comes from just over your shoulder as he watches your gentle fingers on his prized possession. âIâm in a band, actually. You should come see us play sometime.â
âThatâs cool,â you say earnestly. âI remember when you got in trouble for that talent show performance- your band was totally swindled out of first place, if you ask me.â
When he doesnât respond right away, you hazard a look at him over your shoulder and find him staring at you again, something youâre still not used to, giggling out a little âWhat?â as his eyes stay on your face.
âYouâre pretty, thatâs all.â The Dio logo on the front of his tee ripples when he shrugs a shoulder. As if he knew it would embarrass you, he leaves no room for your disagreement, turning away into the kitchen, stretching tall for the metal lunchbox on the top of his fridge.
His shirt lifts with the stretch, a flash of stomach lined with a trail of dark hair that makes you swallow back the gathering saliva in your mouth.Â
âSo, weed,â heâs saying as he pops the lid on the box, shaking out a small bag of fuzzy-looking green clumps. âI can set you up with a couple of daysâ worth, if you want.â
âThat sounds good,â you reply, mustering courage to drift to Eddieâs side, pretending to assess the baggie heâs holding, committing to memory the way his long fingers deftly pluck apart bud from stem. âThat way I can come back and buy more.â
His fingers pause, halfway to the metal grinder nestled in the lunchbox as he says, âYou know, you donât need to use weed as an excuse to come see me. I think weâve already established I like lookinâ at ya, so youâd be doing me a favor if you came by more. Just to hang out.â
This offer sits between you as he grinds the weed down, then tips a stripe of it neatly across some rolling paper. His dexterous fingers pinch and tuck until a joint takes shape, a small strip of the paper poking out.
He holds it to your lips, brown eyes shimmering with warmth as he waits.Â
A Stevie Nicks song starts up on the radio, muffled by the trailer walls but crooning through all the same. This close to Eddie for the first time, you can smell him- balmy and spicy, like bergamot and Irish Spring.Â
You lean into the joint, licking across the paper in one unbroken motion. Your tongue catches on Eddieâs thumb when you pull away, and thereâs a salt-warm taste that settles in your mouth.
âGood girl,â he says, in that low-toned voice, and you have to fight to keep your thighs from pressing together in your jeans.
âWanna smoke here?â Eddie smooths the spit-damp end of the joint down, giving the end a twist. âGood way to test out the merchandise. First oneâs free.â
You shake your head as he extends the joint- âIâm definitely paying you, Eddie. And no, I canât smoke here.â With you being the unspoken addition to that sentence.Â
âAw, shucks, sweetheart,â he drawls, devilish grin creeping back in, âYou donât trust me?â
âItâs not you I donât trust,â you admit, before you can stop yourself.
His brows shoot up again, then waggle, obscenely. âAfraid Iâm gonna be too tempting to resist once youâre in the clutches of the Green Dragon?â
Something like that, you think, wryly, but that fluttering is back and you really want to shut it up, so against your sensible, better judgment, you take the joint from Eddieâs hand.
âGot a light?â
You havenât smoked in over a month, and with your tolerance so low two hits is all it takes to get you sprawled out on the living room floor, arms akimbo like youâre making a carpet snow angel.
Eddieâs a bit more restless in his high, plucking melodious and listless tunes from the couch with his guitar, one foot propped on the coffee table near your head.
Feeling loose-limbed and confident, you stare unabashed up at Eddie. Heâd put his hair into a low bun, earlier, and there are a few dark tendrils swinging free around his neck with the rocking movements of his body to the music.Â
He hits a snag, string buzzing out a dissonant noise. âCanât focus with you lookinâ at me.â
âSorry,â you murmur, except youâre not at all. âNow you know how I feel all the time.â
He sticks his tongue out at you, your girlish tittering in answer; you pat the carpet beside your hip. âCome lay with me.â
His body responds easily to your request; Eddie props the guitar back up against the couch and stretches out next to you with a sigh, a wave of that smokey sweet smell coming with him.
Under your weed-filtered view, the popcorn ceiling above you is moving, whorling and undulating in the muted light. Youâre feeling gutsy and sure of yourself as you ask aloud, âDo you really think Iâm pretty?â
Your head turns so you can meet Eddieâs eyes, which are dancing across your face- cheek to lips to nose back up to eyes- and he doesnât make a joke, this time, his words coming with weighty seriousness.
âYeah, I do. I think youâre beautiful. Always have.â
âAlways?â Your echo is a soft and seeking thing.
âYeah, always,â he confirms, simply, as if itâs a fact of life. âWoulda made a move sooner, but you always seemed soâŠâ
âUnapproachable? Aloof? Bitchy?â You fill the gap in his speech with adjectives that have been used to characterize you in the past- usually by boys in the heat of an argument over inconsequential things that have been lost to time, only the labels sticking around.Â
Eddie gives you a reproachful look. âNo. I was gonna say, you seemed like you were always in your own world.â
This throws you for a loop. Neck on a swivel, you look back up at the ceiling as Eddie continues.
âI wanted to get to know you more, but Iâll be the first to admit I was intimidated by you. I mean, youâre way out of my league-â Eddie ignores the sardonic snort you give to this- â-and I just assumed asking you out would've ended with an epic crash and burn.â
The ceiling stops swaying, and you swivel back to hold Eddieâs eyes again, the weed making honesty easy. âI always kinda thought you were beautiful, too.â
Awash with the bravery that only comes from being in an altered state, you keep the momentum thatâs aided by Eddieâs soft smile and push up on your elbows.Â
âI know what they call you.â
Eddie blinks up at you, then slowly, slowly, pushes himself up onto his elbows too. âYeah?â
Itâs a taunt, a dare, an I bet you wonât.
Shows how much he knows. When youâre drunk or stoned, heâd be hard pressed to find a bet you canât win.
You say it, unwavering. âEddie The Munch Munson.â
His lips fall open, leaning in towards you as if drawn by a magnet, and you think heâs gonna kiss you until he falls back against the carpet, scrubbing his hands down his face. âShit. Fuck. We canât do this.â
âWhy not?â Youâre a little taken aback, âcuz while itâs not an outright rejection, Eddieâs upping the drama, hands pressed into the sockets of his eyes, groaning as he tips into your side.
With his forehead pressed into the curve of your shoulder, he says softly, âI think weâre both a little too stoned to be thinking clearly. And I really, really want you to think clearly when it comes to this.â
âComes to what?â Youâre egging him on now, trailing your fingers up his bicep, coy and angelic.Â
He rolls away from you, making a pained noise with his face smushed into the carpet before pushing himself off the ground. âYou know what, princess. New topic, for the love of god. You hungry?â
You are, actually, and when he extends his hand to help you up, you take it.
Eddie whips up a box of mac and cheese while you sit on a counter nearby, conversation engaging and fluid as he cooks.
Between interjections of âscuse me, angel, gotta get into this cabinet and can you take over stirring for a sec? you answer all his questions. You tell him your favorite bands, the states youâd visited on a road trip when you were six, even giving him the whole âmy momâs a nice enough person but we donât get alongâ spiel that you donât usually get to until a third date.
If thatâs even what this is. Heâs scooping steaming noodles into two bowls, passing you one, leaning up against the counter closest to the one youâre sat on. Your knee rubs against his ribcage as you eat.
In between chews, he lets you ask about himself- his favorite bands, the states heâs never been but wants to travel to someday, the highlights of his golden years with his mom that he misses every day.
Thereâs a quiet lull, after your bowls are scraped clean and set aside. He helps you off the counter and tells you to pick out a movie; you load The Black Cauldron into the VCR and settle into the couch cushion.
Eddie puts an arm around you, lets you play with his hands for the bulk of the film, running your nails methodically across his palms.Â
By the last act of the movie, you can feel your high beginning to fade, taking your courage with it; when the credits roll, youâre ready to call it quits and sleep off the hangover in your own bed.
âYou sure youâre okay to drive?â Eddie asks, following after you as you tug your sneakers back on in the hall.
âYeah, Eddie, Iâll be good. Thanks for the weed,â you say, pulling your jacket tight around your frame. âAnd for the- for everything.â
The smile appears again; the one that cuts deep dimples into his cheeks as he watches you step onto his porch.
When he says your name, you turn, keys in hand- âYeah?â
Leaning into the doorframe like he had earlier, he cants his head, streetlight a warm glow across his cheeks. âYou wanna know where I got my nickname, you come back in a few days. Sleep on it tonight.â And then he closes the door.
___
So, technically, he told you to come back in a few days, and showing up less than 24 hours later has to hint at being some sort of desperate.Â
Which, fuck it, you kinda are, at this point. Frankly itâs a miracle youâve lasted this long what with the whole being plagued with visions of Eddie Munsonâs hands and lips and hair and that stupid fucking nickname every waking and dreaming hour youâve spent apart.Â
While you can appreciate the honorable nature of Eddie asking you to make a clear-headed decision, youâre wishing for a hundred things to take the edge off as you change out of the PJâs youâve been moping in all day.
Black tights stretch over your calves as you think of the whiskey you mom keeps hidden in the downstairs cabinet; denim miniskirt smoothed over your hips as you long for a deep hit of weed; hands shakily plucking your black tanktop into place as the urge to be anything but sober gets swallowed down.Â
You make the ten minute drive to Forest Hills in silence (relative to the weird engine noises your hunk of metal car decides to make), wracking your brain for silver-tongued excuses but instead drawing blank after blank.
By the time youâre rolling to a stop in front of Eddieâs trailer, you still have no idea what youâre gonna say to him- only that something needs to be said. Max is at the Sinclairâs for the night, one less person to worry about witnessing you slamming your car door shut and walking right up to Eddie on his front steps.
Heâs wearing a pair of overalls, grease-stained, shirtless underneath- the tail end of a larger ink piece peeking out against his ribs. Thereâs a lone bike tire on the ground, held steady by the spokes his boot rests on as he wrenches the middle hub, biceps rippling and flexing with each movement.Â
Certainly a sight that would have stopped you in your tracks, on any other day. But youâre determined to have it out with the returning wingbeat behind your navel, planting your Converse in the gravel just before the first step that Eddieâs sat on.
He doesnât seem surprised to see you this time, instead giving you a lazy smile on a half-tilt, wiping the tire oil from his hands onto the front of his overalls.
âWhat brings a fair maiden such as yourself to this ugly neck of the woods?â Eddie leans the tire up against the steps and rises to greet you.
Youâre gonna lose what little nerve you have left if he touches you so you act quick, speaking as you cross your arms- âI need to tell you a few things.â
That stops him up short, just a few feet away as he inclines his head, hair loose around his bare shoulders. âIâm nothinâ but ears.â
A wet, rattling breath catches in your chest. You give a cursory scan around to confirm that the rest of the trailer park citizens are indoors, soft lights from rows of windows luminous against the darkening twilight sky.
âI have a⊠a thing,â you start, unsure of where to begin, really wishing youâd come up with a polished script on the ride over instead of being forced to flounder through for the right dialogue. âIt started last year. With the mall fire?âÂ
When Eddie nods his understanding, you continue, in short starts and bursts, like youâre fighting with the words before they come out.
âSomething⊠happened. To Robin, and Steve, and to- to me. It was really bad, for awhile, and then it got better, but Iâm stillâŠâ your hands squeeze tight into the flesh of your upper arms, nails stinging. âIâm fucked up from it. And the only way I can talk about it is if Iâm fucked up, too. Sâwhy I can only hold a conversation when Iâm drunk or flirt while Iâm high, like thereâs this bad thing inside of me that I canât look at when Iâm sober-â
Thereâs a frantic edge thatâs slipped in to your voice and Eddie steps towards you, as if to soothe, but youâre not ready to give in yet so you take a step back, choking out the last few words- âI just- I wish I could tell you everything, but I canât, not yet, and Iâm sorry. Iâm really sorry.â
From somewhere in the forest behind, a bright chorus of crickets swells as you fix your focus on the ground, as Eddieâs boots crunch forward on the gravel, toe-to-toe with your sneakers.
He moves carefully, as if worried that youâll spook- lightly brushing his fingers across yours, drawing your awareness to the fact that your nails are dangerously close to drawing blood, a sigh as you release.
âThank you for telling me.â Unlike your own voice, his is low and sure as his thumbs brush against the red half-moons in your arms. âYouâre really brave, you know that?â
He doesnât leave room for you to dispute this, instead tracing the underside of your jaw with his knuckle, forcing you to hold his gaze, those deep brown eyes soft with empathy as he says, âI donât have any expectations of you, âkay? Iâll be all ears when you need me to be, but you donât have to spill all your secrets every time you come around. You wanna just watch shitty cartoons and keep my couch warm, thatâs fine by me. Nothinâ else needs to happen.â
And itâs his acknowledgement of your admission, his softhearted way of letting you know that nothing needs to happen, that makes you brave.
Brave enough to tilt your chin into the lift of his finger as you say, âI didnât just come here to apologize.â
You watch his Adamâs apple bob against the taut vein in his neck as he swallows, hard.Â
âYeah?â
When you nod, Eddie blows out a breath and turns on his heel, motioning you to follow him up the stairs.Â
Your eagerness is obvious as you scramble up the steps after him, heart starting to thrum in tandem with the flutters as he shuts his front door behind the both of you.
âTake your shoes off,â is all he says, in a low, strained voice, before turning into the kitchen.
Obedient, you drop to one knee and jerk apart your sneaker laces with trembling hands.Â
Now on nyloned feet, you step onto the linoleum tile of Eddieâs kitchen. Heâs faced away from you at the sink, taut lines of his shoulders rising and falling as he washes his hands.
âYouâre sober?â He asks, still at the sink, drying his hands on a patterned teatowel.Â
When you realize he canât see your nod, you speak- âYes. Yeah. As a judge.â
A soft exhale through his nose, amused, as he finally turns to face you. Eddieâs eyes do that hypnotizing dance- skipping from your chin to your eyes to your lips back up again- and you let him, feeling exposed to the point of nakedness with the intensity of his focus.
âI want to hear you say it.â
The sentence winds through the air, joins the wings in your stomach, sits low in your belly as you shift your weight from side to side, a gentle rock to ease your flayed-alive nerves.Â
You say it. âI want your mouth.â
Eddie takes a step closer, nearly toe-to-toe with you again. Over the familiar layer of bergamot and fresh hand soap he smells like the outdoors, and faintly of mechanic oil, hearty and wild.
âWhere?â Itâs a single word, but with so much weight- suggestive, a taunt, an offer.
You breathe him in, eyes fluttering closed, âcuz brave as youâve been itâs still hard to say some things while looking at him. âWant your mouth⊠on me.â
He crowds into your space, one hand gliding smoothly to set against your waist, the other fitted against your neck, tapping a thumb to your lips.
You part them, passive and wanting, but he doesnât press his finger to the pad of your tongue like youâd hoped. Instead, he lets his thumb stroke to the corner of your mouth to make room for his own.Â
âWhere?â he asks again, this time into your mouth. You can feel the tip of his nose graze yours, pinpricks of his hair tickling your cheeks.Â
âPlease,â is all you manage this time, awash with heat when you feel his smile form.Â
âSâokay, sweetheart. Iâll work you up to it.â Itâs a touch condescending, skirting that fine line between tease and mean, the same tone of voice that has your thighs pressing together.
And then, he gives you what you asked for. His plush lips- the ones that youâve been fantasizing about for what feels like eons- are pressing against yours.
Itâs a kiss that starts chaste, tender, but soon devolves into a heady, fevered thing when you push your tongue past the seam of his lips. He melts into you, using the hand he has on your face to keep you steady as he sucks your bottom lip into his mouth, grazing his teeth into the plush of it before going back to twining his tongue with yours.Â
Thereâs an audible wet click as he pulls away, both of your chests heaving in the quiet that follows; Eddie rests his forehead against yours briefly to catch his breath, and then heâs tugging you down the hall and into his room.
Itâs pleasantly messy and lived-in, posters and photographs taking up most of the walls, guitar cables snaking and criss-crossing atop his dresser. You take a seat on the bed, hands tightening into the flannel duvet while Eddie begins to undo the buttons of his overall straps.
Wholly fascinated, you watch as he pushes the thick material from his body and kicks it to the side, leaving him in just his guitar pick necklace and a simple pair of black boxers. Now on full display, you drink in the sight of the most skin youâve ever seen of his- tattoos at his chest and arms dark against the rest of him, pale and gleaming softly in the yellow light of the bedside lamp.Â
Youâre trying to figure out if the larger piece on his ribs is a dragon or some other mythological creature when he moves in to sit next to you, his kisses erasing all thoughts.
Eddieâs making these throaty little noises as you kiss; his hands track lines from your hips to your sides to your shoulders, your chest unconsciously pressing into his touch.Â
When his thumb catches on the outline of your beaded nipple through your shirt, he hisses lightly, drawing back to look at you again- âIs this okay?â
You nod, but he doesnât seem satisfied with that, tsking as he swipes with his thumb again, watching closely as you react silently to the touch.
âHard to tell when youâre enjoying yourself if youâre quiet as a churchmouse,â Eddie says, in a tone thatâs reminiscent of training a pet. âYou gonna let me hear you?â
Your teeth catch on your lower lip as he thumbs across your nipple again, shockwaves coursing into goosebumps as you choke out, âIâm not s-so good at that. Not without- fuck- weed..â
Eddie huffs a laugh, a little derisive but you figure heâs probably got the right, seeing as how youâre this worked up and heâs barely touched you.
âYouâre plenty good at this sober, sweetheart. Want me to prove it?â
His hand falls from your breast, extricates one of yours from the covers, and slides it up the meat of his thigh- then to the front of his boxers.
The first noise you make for him is a small gasp, one that matches his own as you cup your palm over the thick jut of his hard cock.
âTold you,â he says, sounding strung-out, his hand still closed around your wrist, âYouâre doinâ just fine at working me up.â
You wrap your fingers around the bulge as best you can with the fabric of his boxers separating skin from skin, gaining confidence to explore as his grip on your wrist loosens. The black ink at his ribs expands and shrinks with the bellows of his breath, jolting and stuttering with each stroke of your hand.
Just as heâs drawing in a breath to speak, tightening his hold around your wrist in warning, you still your movements. Delicately, slowly, you slide out of his grasp and take his wrist in your hand, placing his palm on your own thigh.
The whole âreciprocating pleasure with soundâ is still a hard one to give in to; maybe you can compensate for your hesitancy by showing instead of telling. You guide his hand up, into your skirt, parting your thighs until his fingers find the wetness soaking through both your panties and tights.Â
âFucking⊠jesus.â Eddie moves with the fluid surety that you lack, middle finger running up the seam of your clothed pussy, your hips jerking reflexively when he catches against your clit. âThis all for me, princess?â
In answer, you lean to bury your face into the crook of Eddieâs neck. He lets you, taking the opportunity to hook your leg over his thigh, spreading you out as much as your fitted denim skirt will allow.
You pant into the column of his throat as he strokes you through the light layers, the fabrics grinding friction into your clit caught under his fingertip. He rests his chin on the crown of your head, cooing praises that have your stomach muscles tensing.
âThatâs it, good girl, such a good girl for me.â
Your clit is throbbing now as he rubs you in small, quick circles, and youâre so close to falling over the edge that you have to pull his hand away.
Eddie picks up on your unspoken plea; he tugs the skirt down your hips then tosses it blindly over his shoulder, reaching for the edge of your tights. He slips them down your thighs, your calves, peeling them off you with reverence. When all thatâs left is your best pair of satin panties, he maneuvers you up against the headboard and stretches himself flat on his stomach, nose pressing into your core.
That heat has come back, flashing through you with a vengeance as Eddie mouths at your pussy through the satin, sloppily but with purpose enough to have your cunt clenching around nothing.
You stay up on your elbows, watching that mane of dark hair bracketed by your thighs, but when Eddie pulls your underwear down and off your ankle your weight falls back against the mattress.
The flat of his tongue licks a wide stripe from your weeping hole up to spread the wetness around your clit. When he sucks the bundle of nerves into his mouth, your head presses back into the covers, hands grappling above you for something to anchor your grasp.
When Eddie flicks the point of his tongue against that bright spot of nerves your hands find a pillow to grip, and when he moans into your pussy the vibrations have you instinctively pulling the pillow against your face, teeth biting into the fluff, masking the whine that would have been loud in the otherwise quiet room.
You think you might be able to get away with this setup (what with Eddie seemingly focused on making you explode into a million little pieces) but thereâs a sharp smack before the outer skin of your thigh is burning, white-hot from the kiss of his rings.
Eddieâs mouth leaves you only for the time it takes for him to rip the pillow from your grasp and scold, âUh uh, none of that, câmon,â and then heâs back at your clit, suckling with renewed vengeance.
There are little stars bursting at the edges of your vision, your hands shooting down to grip at Eddieâs hair when he pistons the point of his tongue against you again. Your hips are subtly bucking into his mouth, shaking thighs involuntarily closing around his ears. Normally youâd be concerned about Eddieâs air intake but going off the moans heâs burying in your pussy, youâd hazard a guess that heâs really into it.
As if in confirmation, he pulls off your clit with a wet pop, laving his tongue up the junction where thigh meets pelvis, voice sounding wrecked- âDoinâ so good, sweetheart. Fuck, you got me so hard. Gonna blow a load in my boxers like a teenager, yâtaste so good. Gonna let me hear you? Hm? Wanna hear you.â
Youâre dizzy with want as you prop yourself on your elbows again, mouth falling open as Eddie sinks two of his fingers up to the ringed knuckle inside your velvet walls.
His other hand comes to rest on the soft curve of your stomach, pinning you in place, before he looks up at you, black pupils nearly eclipsing the chocolate brown.Â
âWhat do you want?â he asks again, patiently, as if he doesnât have two fingers nestled inside your cunt.
Your efforts to grind into him are stopped with his firm hold on your middle, and he tuts at you again- but instead of a reprimand, he seems to soften a bit.
âCâmon, angel,â Eddie says, with such tenderness that makes tears prick at the corner of your eyes. He presses his lips to the inside of your thigh before encouraging, âLemme hear you say it, and Iâll make it so good for you. Promise.â
âWant you to make me come. Please.â Your voice is unsteady, but itâs audible enough.
Eddie rewards you by sinking his fingers further, to the hilt, heel of his palm catching against your clit. When you let out a warbling moan, he nods- âThatâs it,â- before setting a steady rhythm for fucking his fingers up into you.Â
âFuck, Eddie- fu-uckâŠâ youâre trying, really trying to stay in the moment and not get caught up in the noises youâre making- for him.Â
When Eddie reattaches his mouth to your throbbing clit and angles his fingers to hit into that soft, spongy spot with each thrust, you feel waves of pleasure start to wash through you. Thereâs just time for a choked âShit, Eddie, youâre gonna make me cum,â before youâre spasming around his fingers.
Somehow, you manage to stay on your elbows, bracing your body through the convulsive shocks, white-hot stars joining the wingbeat rhythm as Eddie takes you apart with his mouth and fingers.
He moans, long and low, fucking you through it and then some- your orgasm has been completely wrung out when you push at his forehead, whimpering at the overstimulation.Â
âNo, baby, one more, please. Gimme one more,â Eddie lifts his head to plead with you, sweaty bangs glued to his forehead- and then heâs back between your legs.
Itâs this moment that makes you retrospective. Sex with boys, in the past, has always been a quick means to an end: a few minutes of foreplay, tamping down your own pleasure for the sake of blowing off some steam.Â
But now, pleasure was being given to you in spades by Eddie Munson, and you wanted to give it back to him.
You come on his tongue and fingers, again, stomach tightening beneath his warm palm, and this time you really loose the sounds caught in your chest: a strangled mix of your bliss-soaked whines with his name, Eddie Eddie Eddie.Â
You feel the bed frame jolt below you both as Eddieâs hips thrust into the mattress in a frenzied tempo.
âFuck me.â He pulls away, finally, panting into the side of your knee. He rests his head against your leg, lips tinged pink and shining wet, gazing at you with lust-blown eyes. âYou are so fucking hot. Holy shit.â
Bashful as your peak wears off, you pull him forward so you donât have to look at him when you whisper, âYeah?â
âYeah, princess,â he says, slumping against your chest and into your arms. âThatâs going straight to my long-term spank bank. Number one. For sure.â
You slap playfully at his shoulder, and he rises on his elbows to kiss you- once on the lips, twice on the cheek- warm palms on the outside of your shoulders.Â
âAre you⊠dâyou need any help?â you ask, reaching to tuck his hair behind his ears, feeling the crush of insecurity leech in. âI dunno if you even- I mean, did youâŠâ
From all the physical activity, your breasts are half-spilled out of your bra, and Eddie bends to kiss at the tops of them, affectionately, shaking his head as he goes. âThere is no world in which I wouldâve lasted, just now. Very noble of you to assume, though.â
He grins at your giggle, then says- âI dunno about you, but I need some new underwear. Wanna borrow a pair of my boxers? Bet youâd look cute.â
________
Later, when youâre both cleaned up, dressed, and full from a pizza delivery, Eddie invites you outside for a smoke.
You sit with him on the porch couch, legs slung over his, a big flannel blanket shared over both your laps while he smokes with the hand that isnât on your thigh.Â
Thereâs a crunching of wheels on gravel, and Max Mayfieldâs bike lamp cuts through the dark.
âHey, Heavy Metal,â she calls out, undoing her bike helmet and leaning her bike into its kickstand. âAre you done fixing up Lucasâs tires or do I have to keep hauling my ass all the way across town to see him?â
âIâll have it done tomorrow, Red,â Eddie calls back, giving her a salute.
Halfway to her door, she remarks, âYou two are gross, by the way,âÂ
You cross your arms in the sweatshirt Eddie loaned you, slipping into irksome older sister mode easily. âSo howâd it go with your boyfriend, tonight, Maxine?â
She flips you both off, but you catch the smile on her face before the front door bangs shut behind her.
Eddie chuckles, smoothing his palm up your thigh, then takes another drag. âYou gotta come night smoke with me more often, angel. The streetlights suit you.â
âGonna get me hooked on nicotine, too?â Your sock foot pokes him in the ribs and he tuts, snapping it up in his free hand and digging his thumb into the arch of your sole.
âFuck no, your teeth are too pretty to ruin. Want you to come keep me company while I destroy my lungs.â
Another cloud of smoke lifts dreamily around Eddieâs face. His thumb is working wonders on the tense muscle of your foot as you tip your head to rest on the back of the couch. With the nearby streetlamp, his profile is cast in a warm glow; you do a dance of your own, eyes taking in the strong slope of his nose, tracking down to his lips, back up to the wild curls at his temple.
Eddie feels you staring, turns to fix you with a quit it look that you canât help but laugh at- âWhat, so youâre the only one whoâs allowed to stare?â
âThatâs right,â he confirms, leaning forward to set his cig in an ashtray, bullying his way into your space, rings cold under your chin when he tilts your face towards his- âGotta pay the piper for that obvious violation, sweetheart. Sorry. I donât make the rules.â
This time, when the flutter within you kicks up, you have a place for it to go- melting softly into Eddieâs lips.Â
___________________
I wrote the last third of this while blasted please donât judge too harshly lmao
#eddie munson x reader#eddie munson x shy! reader#eddie x reader#eddie munson smut#stranger things fic#eddie munson fic#robin buckley#steve harrington#mdni
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i saw you post about tattooartist!choso recently and now i canât stop thinking about him ⊠with a tongue piercing âŠ
sigh i love talking abt him cW. femreader (she/her), tongue piercings, nipple play, oral
tattooartist!choso who is surprisingly gentleâ kind, paralleling the dark ink that artistically lines and covers just about every inch of his bulky body. smiling up at you so, so sweetly when you ask the most obvious questions just to hear his smooth, almost melodic voice ring in your ears. just to ogle and watch him speak, his round tongue piercing catching the warm, orangey glow of his dimly lit parlor.
he can tell youâre nervous with how you chew down on the puff of your bottom lip, eyes glossing as they flit anxiously around the cluttered room. so he hums out a soft âitâll be fineâ attempting to press out your nerves, offering a larger hand to take your bag, âyouâre in good handsâ
but youâre still so antsy, shifting and squirming against the cracked-up darkly leathered seat before he can even begin outlining the design. every sound around you seems so jacked up and amplifiedâ the hum of familiar R&B music, the rev of cars passing by, the thump of your heart booming rhythmically.
and he canât have that. how is he supposed to ink you like this? he needs you to calm down and sit still for him ⊠so he presses his pillowy lips against your neck to âhelp you relaxâ tenderly dragging the silver ball against your heated skin before slowly moving to peel your shirt off.
âwh- what are you- o- oohâ
with tightly gloved hands, heâs grabbing at your doughy titsâ suctioning his lips around your perky nipple, before flicking his pierced tongue, watching starry-eyed how you squirm so cutely for him.
âwas tryna calm you down, but youâre still all twitchy, whatâs wrong hm? do you want something from me?â his pointer finger and thumb find the flap of your zipper and heâs tugging at it with a stupid smirk. dragging it up and down making your body tense at the sharp metallic hiss.
you only nod sheepishly. then thereâs a heat that takes shelter on the apples of your cheeks when you glance down, unable to meet his starved eyes, âpretty girl, use your wordsâ
âi want you, cho, pleaseâ
âwant me to what?â
his dark purple irises are almost scary. they engulf you, drowning you, making you lose yourself, sending shocks and chills up your spine.
âto- to fuck me..â
you flinch at the laugh that pools from his lips, âsee that wasnât so hard was itâ, fingers running through his thick, black hair, tousling it slightly, before moving to yank at your jeans, âlet me taste this pussy first, then i swear iâll fuck you goodâ
skillfully, sinfully heâs ridding you of your pants, gliding your cute little panties to the crease of your thigh. âsheâs all twitchy too,â pressing a sweet kiss to your clit, making you whine, your hips bucking up in a desperate plea for his warm tongue.
and because you asked so, so nicely, the shiny ball littered with spit pokes out his mouth to flick at your most sensitive parts, the rubber of his gloves gliding across the maps of your thighs to rest on your tummy pressing and pushing against it, encouraging you to make a mess of him as if heâs not already the messiest eaterâ drooling and slobbering all over your cunt.
each time he flicks his piercing against your abused achy clit you swear you see stars, your eyes burning at how tightly theyâre screwed shut behind long lashes, both your hands lost in tangles of his fluffy hair as you rock your hips against the sticky mess youâve made of him.
âso eager now, huh? be good fâme and cum all over my face so i can finish my jobâ
#á°.á â soâs diary#choso x reader#choso smut#jjk smut#jjk x reader#choso x reader smut#choso x you#choso x y/n#jjk x y/n#jjk x you#jjk x reader smut#jujutsu kaisen x you#jujutsu kaisen smut#jujutsu kaisen x reader#jujutsu
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anyone else but you | x.minghao
pairing : idol!minghao x reader
WHAT ! - painting minghaos nails (reader likes doing nails),
warnings: petnames, kisses, established relationship, self indulgent
you sat in the living room practicing on the practice nail hand minghao had bought you when he found you wanted to start doing nails, while spotify was playing in the back. minghao walked out of your guy's shared room noticing you working. he leaned against the wall softly smiling at the sight
there was something so comforting about how your posture was horrible but the small light on the coffee table that was originally supposed to help you see the nails clearer emphasized the features on your face more as well as how your brows furrow and your lips softly pout out as a result of focusing.
feeling a gaze on you, you turn to look and see minghao propped against the wall, when he realizes he got caught he closes his eyes for a second and chuckles in embarrassment, but he knows he could only blame himself due to the fact he didn't try to hide it.
minghao walked over to where you were sitting looking at his nails that you painted for him about a week ago and how some were chipped due to practice for seventeen's upcoming comeback.
he sat in front of you and you noticed his nails. holding his hand to take a closer look, "do you want me to repaint them?" he nodded and smiled at you "thank you"
you slid the practice hand aside and grabbed your acetone removing the old polish. as he looked for inspiration on his phone, a design caught his eye. he saw how it matched the comeback colors as well as the aesthetic, gently sliding the phone toward you
"can you do this one for me please?"
"yeah anything for you"
although you've been in a relationship for a while he couldn't help but smile each time you agreed to do something for him, because out of all people it was for him.
as you started on the base coat, the song had finished and a new song was playing
"oh i love this song" you said excitedly turning the volume up
minghao just sat in front of you as you worked on his nails making them look pretty smiling at you as he listened to you sing the lyrics quietly
"i dont see what anyone can see in anyone else, but youuuuu" you sang and you moved your head from side to side with the beat
laughing slightly at your movements he mirrors them tilting his head with you and synchronizing with you as he hums to the beat
as you worked he broke down each of the lyrics and applied it to your relationship
"i kiss you all starry eyed, my body swinging from side to side"
he wish he could kiss you right now but unfortunately, you were too focused on his nails for him to swoop in and kiss you, but he will swing side to side with you.
"just because we use cheats, doesn't mean were not smart"
smiling at the lyric he remembers when you two were still in high school and that one algebra 2, the class where he met you. oh, he hated that class so much but loved it for bringing him to you. his mind traced back to when you would send him looks as a way to ask for the answer to a question on the quiz, he knew you well enough to read you and then give you the answer with his expressions. and like telekinesis, you nodded like you understood him (you did) and circled the answer on your paper
sure wasnt the most ethical thing to do, but you both survived the horrible math class
"my name is adam and im your biggest fan"
minghao couldnt help but laugh at that lyric, cause it was so him.
his name is minghao and he's your biggest fan
he hates public attention but if he had to shout it to the world, he would. anything you dream or want to do, he will always be your backbone to rely on
you looked up at him laughing and raised your eyebrow
"whats so funny?" you asked
minghao smiled at you and softly pushed back a piece of hair from your face
"nothing, i'm just your biggest fan"
smiling at his words you continue working on his nails
"i'm your biggest fan too"
he's never listened to the song, but he was sure about one thing
he didn't see what anyone else could see but you
#Spotify#serejae#seventeen x reader#seventeen#svt#svt x reader#svt fluff#seventeen fluff#minghao x reader#minghao#minghao x you#minghao fluff#seventeen angst#minghao angst#kpop x reader#kpop imagines#kpop texts#kpop
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SHINY NEW THINGS, ïœĄïŸâ đđ surprise piercings
đ„ PRECIS. In which, they surprise you with their new piercing, after being inspired by you. PAIRING. uni bf!enha x tattoo artist gf!reader GENRE. fluff WARNINGS. skinship, petnames, mild kissing
authors note àšà§ First post, kinda nervous. I was heavily inspired by Romance Untold: Inceptio Ver. The blush, the stickers âžâž just everything!! â Ꭰâ
âââââââââ
HEESEUNG : Ver. Eyebrow
The soft hum of Heeseung's motorbike drifted through your open window, a familiar sound that brought a small smirk to your face. You looked up from your desk, where your latest tattoo designs were scattered, doodles of delicate lines and intricate patterns.
Moments later, you heard the door to your apartment click open, and the faint shuffle of Heeseungâs steps. He appeared in the doorway of your room, hood up, his face partially hidden. His hair was messier than usual, fluffing around his forehead in a way that seemed intentional, as if he were trying to hide something.
You spun around in your desk chair to face him.
âHeeseung?â you asked, tilting your head curiously as you pointed to your own head. âWhatâs with the hood?â
He smiled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and he took a few steps closer. âJust wanted to see you, princessâ he murmured, his voice warm and a little playful. After a few short strides towards you, he turned your chair to face him better before leaning down, and brushing his lips gently against yours, the kiss so tender it sent a flutter through your chest.
As he pulled back, you noticed something glinting just above his eyeâa small silver piercing nestled in his eyebrow, catching the light. You gasped softly, your fingers instinctively reaching up to touch it after you combed your own fingers through his soft red locks.
âWhen did youâ?â
Heeseungâs eyes twinkled with a mixture of pride and bashfulness, the corners of his lips quirking up into a grin. âGot it today. Thought it would look cool⊠kind of inspired by you.â
Your fingertips gently traced the piercing, feeling the cool metal against his warm skin. It added an unexpected edge to his otherwise laidback aura, a hint of rebellion that made him look even more intriguing. It was sexy in a way you hadnât expected, a perfect, wild contrast to his usually soft, relaxed, manly demeanor.
Heeseungâs gaze never left yours as you touched the piercing, his eyes wide and filled with a mix of excitement and hope, like a puppy waiting for approval. âDo you like it?â he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
You smiled, your heart swelling at the sight of his starry-eyed expression. âI love it. It suits you⊠makes you look a little dangerous.â
Heeseung chuckled, his cheeks flushing a light pink. âMm? Dangerous? I like that.â He leaned in again, capturing your lips in a deeper kiss, and you couldnât help but think that maybe, just maybe, this new piercing was the perfect addition to the boy you adored.
JAY : Butterfly Kiss
The gentle patter of rain against the window filled the room. You lay on the bed, lost in thought, when you heard the front door open. Moments later, Jay stepped into the room, casually shaking off his damp jacket.
"Hey baby," he murmured softly, making his way to the bed. Without hesitation, he crawled up and nestled himself between your legs, his head resting comfortably on your stomach while his arms found their way around your waist, eyes closing as he let out a content sigh.
Smiling, you ran your fingers through his hair, but something caught your eye. A glint of silver sat perfectly under his eye. Leaning closer, you saw itâa delicate butterfly kiss piercing.
"JayâŠ" you gasped. "When did youâŠ?"
He didnât answer, his lips twitching into a playful smirk, eyes still closed.
"Jay, are you seriously pretending to be asleep?" you laughed, lightly tapping his shoulder. "I see it! It looks amazing!"
He chuckled, eyes fluttering open, a proud sparkle in his gaze. "Surprise," he said with a grin.
You reached out, brushing your fingers over the piercing that sat so nicely on his cheekbone. It added a new layer of sexiness to his already gentlemanly persona, perfectly complementing his sharp features and deep eyes.
"Itâs perfect," you whispered. "I canât believe you got it."
Jayâs grin widened. "I wanted to surprise you. Thought it might make me look a little more⊠edgy."
"You look incredible," you assured him, cupping his cheek. "It adds this whole new vibe."
He leaned up to kiss your forehead before settling back down. "I got it because your designs are always inspiring. And I wanted something to remind me of you."
Your heart swelled, and you pressed a tender kiss to his lips. "Youâre the sweetest," you murmured.
He smiled, eyes closing again as he nestled back into you. "I think youâre the sweetest," he whispered.
And there, in the quiet comfort of your shared space, you lay together, feeling the warmth of his body against yours, the rain softly tapping against the window.
JAKE : Smiley
You were lying on the couch, fingers gently drumming against your bare belly, absently playing with the dangling red gem of your navel piercing while a TV show played softly in the background. The front door creaked open, and you heard Jakeâs familiar footsteps. He came home from classes, his bag slung over his shoulder and a faint trace of tiredness on his face, yet his eyes were bright with anticipation.
He dropped his bag by the door and immediately headed over to you, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He settled down beside you on the couch, close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating from him. You continued to focus on the TV, but you could sense him watching you closely, his eyes tracing over your belly and the gem that hung there.
âHi love,â he said softly, his voice and signature Aussie accent pulling your attention away from the screen. You turned to look at him, and thatâs when you noticed itâa glimmer of silver catching the light as he smiled wide. A smiley piercing, the delicate barbell glistening against his pearly white teeth.
You blinked, doing a double take as the realization hit. âIs thatâŠ?â you began, your voice trailing off in surprise.
Jakeâs grin widened, his eyes sparkling with pride and a hint of mischief. âYep,â he replied, leaning back slightly to give you a better view. âGot it today. Thought itâd be fun to surprise you. And, you know, I wanted to impress you a little,â he added with a playful shrug.
You couldnât help but smile back at him, a mix of amusement and adoration bubbling up inside you. âIt looks amazing,â you said, genuinely impressed. The piercing added a whole new level of sexiness and edge to his otherwise sweet, playful demeanor. It was such a stark contrast to his boyish charmâthis little piece of metal that somehow made him look even more intriguing and attractive. It was like heâd unlocked a new side of himself, one that was daring and confident.
Jakeâs cheeks flushed slightly at your compliment, but he kept his gaze steady on you, his eyes filled with that starry, prideful look that made your heart skip a beat. âI got it because of you,â he admitted. âYour designs, your piercingsâŠtheyâre so cool. I wanted to show you I can be cool too. Not just the ânice guyâ you always tease me about.â
You chuckled, reaching out to lightly touch the piercing with your fingertip. âOh, Jake,â you murmured, your voice softening. âYouâve always been cool. But this? This just makes youâŠirresistibly cool.â
He beamed at your words, the glow of his smile making his new piercing shine even brighter. Leaning closer, he rested his head on your shoulder, his eyes still fixed on you with that same adoring gaze. And as you sat there, side by side on the couch, you realized that Jake, with his sweet smile and newfound edge, was even more captivating than ever.
SUNGHOON : Industrial
You were in the kitchen, humming softly to yourself as you prepared a simple snack. It was late, and the apartment was quiet, save for the faint sound of the refrigerator humming and the clink of utensils. You had just finished slicing some fruit when you heard the door open, followed by the sound of Sunghoonâs soft footsteps as he came home from his late class.
Before you could turn to greet him, you felt his presence behind youâa comforting warmth that enveloped you in an instant. His arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you close as he rested his head in the crook of your neck. He let out a content sigh, his breath warm against your skin.
âLong day?â you asked softly, leaning back into his embrace.
Sunghoon nodded, pressing a gentle kiss to the tiny butterfly tattoo on your exposed shoulder. âYeah,â he murmured, his voice slightly muffled as he nuzzled closer, as if trying to hide from the world. His hold on you tightened a little, and you could feel his heart beating steadily against your back.
Smiling to yourself, you set down the knife and turned in his arms, wanting to see his face and properly hug him. But Sunghoon kept his face buried in the crook of your neck, his arms remaining firmly around you. You chuckled softly at his shyness, gently running your fingers through his hair in a soothing motion.
It was then that you noticed something newâa shiny silver industrial piercing in his ear, peeking out from behind his dark hair. Two spiky studs glinted at either end of the bar, catching the light and drawing your attention.
Your breath hitched slightly as you took in the sight, your hand instinctively moving to touch the piercing. âSunghoon,â you whispered in awe, your fingers grazing the cool metal. âWhen did you get this, baby?â
He finally lifted his head just enough to meet your gaze, his cheeks flushed with a faint blush. âToday,â he replied quietly, his voice still soft. âI⊠I wanted to try something newâŠâ
You felt a warmth spread through your chest at his words, your heart swelling with affection. âIt looks amazing,â you told him, gently touching the piercing again. The industrial bar added a whole new level of sexiness and edge to his clean, prince-like coolness. It contrasted so perfectly with his usual composed demeanor, giving him a rebellious flair that only made him more captivating.
Sunghoonâs eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and shyness as he watched you admire his new piercing. âI was a little nervous about it,â he admitted, his lips curling into a small, bashful smile. âBut I thought⊠maybe itâd suit me. And I wanted to impress you.â
You grinned, your fingers tracing the line of his jaw as you looked up at him. âWell, you definitely did,â you said softly, your voice filled with sincerity. âIt suits you perfectly, Hoon. You look incredible.â
His smile grew wider, and despite his initial embarrassment, he seemed to relax a bit, his gaze softening as he stared down at you with starry, prideful eyes. âThanks,â he whispered, his hands still resting on your waist. âIâm glad you like it.â
âI love it,â you assured him, leaning up to press a tender kiss to his cheek. âAnd I love you.â
Sunghoonâs blush deepened, but he didnât look away. Instead, he held you closer, his forehead resting against yours as he whispered back, âI love you too.â And as you stood there, wrapped in his embrace, you couldnât help but think how lucky you were to have someone as wonderful as him by your side.
SUNOO : Nose
You stepped out of class, the crisp afternoon air brushing against your face as you scanned the crowd of students dispersing across the campus. It didnât take long to spot Sunoo, waiting just outside with a bright smile on his face. His eyes lit up the moment he saw you, and he immediately started walking over, his steps quick and eager.
Before you could even say hello, Sunoo pulled you into a gentle hug, his arms wrapping around you with familiar warmth. Then, with a playful grin, he leaned in and planted a quick, soft peck on your lips. It was so sudden and sweet that it made your heart flutter.
As you leaned back to look at him, you noticed something newâsomething shiny and sparkly catching the light on his nose. A small, glittering stud adorned his nostril, and it immediately drew your attention. You blinked in surprise, taking a moment to admire how the stud added a touch of sparkle to his already bright and cheerful face.
Sunooâs cheeks turned a rosy pink, his shyness mixing with excitement. His eyes were wide and hopeful as he waited for your reaction, biting his lip nervously. âDo you like it?â he asked, his voice soft but filled with anticipation. âI got it because of you... I thought it might suit me.â
For a moment, you were speechless, just staring at him and taking in this new look. The piercing added a whole new level of mischievousness to Sunooâs usual cute, soft image. It was unexpected and yet, somehow, it fit him. The sparkly stud seemed to enhance his playful nature, making his already captivating eyes look even brighter and more mischievous.
You smiled up at him, reaching out to gently touch the stud. âI love it,â you finally said, your voice full of admiration. âIt looks amazing on you, Sunoo. Itâs likeâŠit adds this little hint of mystery and sass. You look soâŠdifferent, but in a really good way.â
Sunooâs face lit up at your words, a look of pure joy spreading across his features. He glanced down shyly, but there was no mistaking the pride in his eyes. âGood, thank youâ he murmured, glancing back up at you with a playful wink. âI wanted to surprise you, and maybe show you a different side of me. Not just the cute Sunoo, you know?â
You chuckled, feeling a warm glow spread through you. âWell, consider me very impressed,â you replied, leaning in to give him another quick kiss. âYouâre definitely full of surprises.â
Sunoo beamed, his hand finding yours as you started to walk together, side by side. And as you glanced over at him, admiring the way the sun caught the glimmer of his new piercing, you couldnât help but think that Sunoo, with his sweet smile and new mischievous edge, was even more enchanting than ever.
JUNGWON : Lip Ring
It was late evening at the tattoo studio. The sun had dipped below the skyline, casting a soft golden hue through the windows. You were at your workbench, carefully cleaning up after a long day. The faint buzz of the tattoo machines had finally quieted, leaving a serene calm that settled over the room.
Jungwon had arrived only moments ago and was sitting quietly beside you, watching as you meticulously wiped down your equipment and organized your tools. His hands were folded in his lap, fidgeting slightly, a nervous energy radiating from him. You could feel his gaze on you, a mix of curiosity and something more lingering in his cat-like gaze.
As you reached for the last cloth, Jungwon shifted a bit closer. You glanced up briefly, catching his eye just as he quickly looked away, a blush creeping up his cheeks. You smiled, finding his shyness endearing.
âAre you alright?â you asked softly, gently scratching your nose where a delicate shimmery stud twinkled.
Jungwon nodded quickly, but his eyes darted away again, clearly struggling with something on his mind. Before you could ask him what was bothering him, he suddenly leaned forward, pressing a quick, fleeting kiss to your cheek.
You felt a cool, unexpected sensation brush against your skin, and when he pulled back, you saw the small, shiny glint of a new lip ring.
âJungwonâŠâ you breathed, touching your cheek where the kiss had landed. âIs thatâŠ?â
He nodded, looking a little sheepish now, but there was a proud glimmer in his eyes. âI got it today. Because of you. I wanted to match,â he admitted, a soft smile playing on his lips.
Your heart swelled at the thought, warmth spreading through your chest. âItâs beautiful,â you said, reaching out to gently touch the ring. âIt suits you. Adds a bit of an edge to that perfect model student image of yours.â
He chuckled, a little self-conscious but clearly pleased by your compliment. You could see the nervousness still lingering, but there was also a newfound confidence in the way he looked at you, the way he sat just a bit taller, leaning back on his arms.
You found yourself leaning in, closer to him, until your noses almost touched. âCan I kiss you?â you asked softly, your voice barely above a whisper.
Jungwonâs eyes widened in surprise, his breath hitching. But then he nodded, a quick, eager nod, his own breathless whisper escaping, âYeah...â
You closed the distance, pressing your lips to his, and felt the cool metal of his new lip ring against your skin. It was a soft, sweet kiss, filled with a gentle warmth and the unmistakable thrill of something new.
When you finally pulled away, both of you were smiling, a shared glow in your eyes. Jungwon reached up, touching his lip ring again, before biting it gently. That was hot. A small, almost disbelieving laugh escaped him. âI canât believe I did this,â he said, a mix of amazement and happiness in his voice.
You laughed too, giving him another quick peck on the lips. âIâm glad you did,â you said. âItâs perfect. Youâre perfect.â
Jungwonâs smile widened, dimples prominent and he leaned his forehead against yours, closing his eyes. âI want to be a little more rebellious,â he confessed. âJust for you.â
You chuckled softly, your fingers gently tracing his jawline. âIâll love whatever version of you, you decide to be,â you whispered.
As you both sat there, the quiet of the studio wrapping around you like a warm embrace, you knew this was a moment youâd never forget â the start of something wonderfully new.
NI-KI : Venom Tongue
It was a quiet night in your dorm's share house, your roommates asleep and the world outside settled into a deep, peaceful hush. You were lounging on your bed, working on some new tattoo designs, when you received a text from your boyfriend. It was typical of Ni-ki to be playful and mysterious, but tonight's message was particularly intriguing: "I have a surprise for you. Wait for me :)"
An hour or so later, while you were lost in your sketches, you heard a soft rustling by your bedroom window. Turning around, you saw Ni-kiâs grinning face peeking through the open gap. You couldnât help but laugh quietly as he slipped through the window with practiced ease, landing lightly on the floor.
âSurprise!â he whispered, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
You motioned for him to come closer, your curiosity piqued. âAlright, look at these, then you can show me your surprise.â
Ni-ki plopped down on the edge of your bed, his playful demeanor never fading. As you laid out your designs for him, he took an enthusiastic interest, nodding and commenting on each and every one. But soon, his attention shifted from the sketches to you.
As you finished explaining your last sketch, your voice trailed off as Ni-ki pulled you gently but firmly between his legs, drawing you closer to him by the hips. Instinctively, you leaned down until you felt his breath against your skin as his lips met yours in a slow, tender kiss. The contact was electrifying, and the sensation of something cool and smooth brushing against your tongue caught you by surprise.
When you finally pulled away, your eyes wide with shock, Ni-kiâs smirk was positively devilish. He stuck out his tongue, revealing two shiny metal balls nestled perfectly in the center. The new Venom piercing gleamed under the soft light of your room, a stark contrast to his usual playful grin.
âYou got a piercing?â you gasped, leaning in closer to examine the metal balls. âJust like my dimples?â
Ni-ki chuckled, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction as he tapped his fingers gently against the tiny studs in your lower back. âYeah, inspired by you... Do you like it?â
Your heart raced at the sight. His new piercing was not just a bold choice but an edgy complement to his already wild personality. It was undeniably hot, the perfect blend of rebellion and charm.
âItâs amazing,â you said, your voice barely above a whisper. âIt looks so good on you.â
Ni-kiâs grin widened, and he leaned in for another kiss, the metal of his piercing cool against your lips. The kiss was slow, sweet, and full of unspoken promises and you immediately knew kissing Ni-ki would quickly become your new favorite hobby. When he pulled back, his expression was a mix of satisfaction and affection.
âYou know,â Ni-ki said, âI was a little nervous to show you⊠but it was worth it.â
You smiled, your fingers lightly tracing the metal of his piercing. âWell, you definitely nailed it. Itâs perfect.â
Ni-kiâs laughter was soft and full of warmth. âIâm glad you think so. It hurt like a bitch.â
As you both sat there, wrapped in the intimacy of the moment, basking in hushed giggles and heated kisses, you couldnât help but marvel at how Ni-kiâs new piercing was not just a rebellious addition but a symbol of your shared connection. It was a night filled with sweetness and a touch of daring, perfectly capturing the essence of your relationship.
#enhypen imagines#enhypen#enhypen drabbles#enhypen fluff#enhypen fanfiction#enhypen scenarios#enha#enha x reader#enha imagines#heeseung enha#jay enha#jake enha#sunghoon#enha soft thoughts#enha soft hours#enhypen sunoo#enhypen niki#nishimura riki#jungwon#enha jungwon#enha sunghoon#enha sunoo#fanfic#writing#kpop imagines#jake x reader#sunoo x reader#heeseung x reader#sunghoon x reader#jungwon x reader
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HE SEE
Pairing: Azriel x Female reader
Summary: Love and promises donât last forever, but guilt and remorse do.
Warning: Angst, sadness. Let me know if anything happens.
Word Count: 4962Â
Notes: We have the continuation of âI Seeâ. Iâm proud of this. Thanks to those who asked for another part; you make me very happy. My friend told me that this second part has the song âThe Smallest Man Who Ever Livedâ by Taylor Swift, itâs just a recommendation. Â
I hope you enjoy it. Please leave your comments on what you think, suggestions are always welcome as long as they are meant to teach and with respect.
English is not my native language, so I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors.
Original story, written by me. Please do not copy or plagiarize my story.
I appreciate the comments, reblogs, and likes that I receive.
Happy reading!
I see (1)
Velaris, the City of Starry Light, was illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. Azriel stood in the room of his new home, gazing through the window as the rain soaked the city streets. Sleeping had not been an option since he left the home he had shared with Y/N for the past centuries. It had only been a week since he did so, since he left his heart bleeding.
In the bed lay his mate, Liria, fast asleep. He had met her a couple of months ago, and of course, they had had their first date. She had joined as a new spy for the court, alongside Nuala and Cerridwen.
Liria was absolutely different from Y/N. She had dark blonde hair, her eyes were a sea-green color, and her lips were thin. At times, she was cold, and when her work took up too much of her time, she became distant. But with Y/N, she always found time to talk to him; she was sweet and the perfect mix of a woman who knew she wanted to be with him. Sometimes, at dinner, Liria simply ignored his trivial day-to-day conversations, or sometimes, neither spoke.
It wasnât supposed to be this way for him. He had imagined that with Liria, he could have an even deeper connection than he had with Y/N; that they would embrace the bond, talk about getting married and having children in the future. But everything was turning out the opposite.
The Master of Spies couldnât forget the feeling of wanting to be close to Liria on the day they met.
It was just a training session, training the next spies who would serve the Night Court, and then he would return home to his beautiful and sweet girlfriend to kiss her and catch up, as he always did.
Liria and Azriel were in fighting positions, assessing each other as opponents.
âThis time, Liria, you need to trust your instincts,â he told the blonde.
âI always do, Azriel. Do you doubt me?â she replied with a flirtatious smile.
So when Liria attacked, it was directly at the feet of the Shadowsinger. The blonde slid across the training field floor to strike Azriel's right ankle. It was an unexpected move for him, and he fell to his knees. With the same determination, Liria lunged to throw him onto his back and ended up on top of him, their faces inches apart, about to kiss.
Azriel was astonished by the energy enveloping them both. He didnât expect that just before the sea-green-eyed girl attacked, the bond that connected their souls would shatter. He could only watch as their faces were a breath away from kissing, and though he wanted to, he didnât. His girlfriend was waiting for him at home, and he had plans with her. But the beautiful blonde girl was his mate , not Y/N, whom he had always thought their souls were destined to be together, whether or not there was a mating bond. Perhaps it was at that moment that he realized, no matter what, he longed for that bond with her, with Y/N.
And the mother was wrong about them.
Azriel sighed and decided to take flight, while the rain was just a kiss on the skin and a sigh in the night.
Sometimes, the people who heal you are the same ones who break you.
Y/N barely had the energy to avoid neglecting her work. Part of her was dedicated to designing costumes in a small boutique in the city center. Her busy life kept her occupied most of the time, but sometimes it wasn't enough. Azriel crossed her mind at the most inopportune moments: while designing, during conversations.
So when Mei, her coworker, told her that she had received a letter from the Dawn Court as a sign, Y/N decided to share the news with Feyre. They had agreed to meet at their usual café, right in the artist's quarter, in the Rainbow.
When Y/N arrived, Feyre was sitting by the window as always, sketching in a notebook.
âSorry Iâm late, Fey,â Y/N greeted her friend.
âDonât worry, darling, I just got here,â Feyre replied.
The two women ordered their usual drinks while catching up on their work.
âAz hasnât shown up at the River House or the Wind House,â the blue-eyed brunette informed Y/N. âRhys has been worried, but his work hasnât allowed him to take any time off,â Feyre continued.
âI donât think Rhys should worry about Azriel,â Y/N responded. The name of the Shadowsinger came out in a broken whisper. âHe must be with his mate,â she continued.
âY/N,â Feyre called her friend, âRhys isnât worried about him, not right now or about his partner,â she confessed with tender eyes, while looking at Y/N, who was lost in her thoughts.
It took 10 seconds for Y/N to understand what her friend was telling her.
âRhys wants you to come to the house to spend the afternoon. He misses his friend, Nyx misses his aunt, and I miss you too,â the brunette admitted. âActually, everyone does,â the fae continued.
âIâm not his aunt anymore, not anymore,â Y/N whispered with a hoarse and broken voice.
Feyre stood up from her chair and moved closer to Y/N. She sat beside her, pulling her close to her chest as she hugged her. Y/N couldnât resist, so she hugged back, burying her head in her friend's neck and letting her guard down. She cried as her adventurous mate held her tight and whispered that it was okay, that she had her, and that she wasnât alone. Nothing else mattered, neither the fae watching them nor the coffee cooling on the table. Only the two of them, only Y/N was Feyreâs concern. She was her friend, and although she had met her through the Shadowsinger, she knew enough to assure that she would always be her friend.
After a while, they slowly pulled away, and Feyre wiped the few tears from Y/Nâs cheeks. She took her hands and looked into her eyes.
âYou will always be Nyxâs aunt. He adores you, and I know you adore him too,â she said with the kindest voice she had for her friend. âBesides, Iâm sure you miss him too,â she added, smiling.
âYes, I miss my mischievous boy,â Y/N choked out with a hoarse voice. âAnd I also miss the others,â she continued.
âI knew it,â Feyre said with a small laugh. âSo... will you accept coming to the house?â she asked with a calm and hopeful voice.
Y/N thought for a while. If Azriel hadnât shown up at her friendâs house or the house where he used to live before meeting her, what were the chances of running into him?
âAlright, Iâll go,â she agreed.
âTomorrow afternoon, weâll prepare your favorite meal. Maybe Rhys will want to share some of his cherished wines,â Feyre mentioned with a smile.
Both women laughed, knowing it was hard to convince Rhys to share some of his wines, but it was no secret that there were always two people who took them without permission from the great lord.
A new day, another day at work. Y/N finished one of the designs she had been working on for a week. She asked Mei to pack it up, as they would pick up the dress later. With that, she ended her workday and returned to her apartment. She hadnât moved into a new one yet; she couldnât, not yet. So she decided to keep her mind occupied preparing for the meeting that afternoon.
Y/N was in her dressing room, surrounded by clothes she used to wear with Azriel, and it was a difficult decision. She had designed some outfits for their dates, family dinners, anniversaries, or special nights. Maybe she should have just bought something new and avoided this debate she knew she wouldnât win.
In the end, she opted for a simple pair of pants and a shirt that had been shoved at the back of the closet, low heels, and understated yet carefully done makeup, trying to hide her dark circles and signs of exhaustion. She finished with her favorite perfume, no jewelry, since Azriel had been the one to gift her small collection since he entered her life. She couldnât help but imagine going to this meeting with him, as they had done so many times before: her sitting at the vanity, finishing applying her lipstick, and the Shadowsinger behind her, watching her through the mirror. It would only be a moment before he would approach to fasten the necklace he had returned, kiss her cheeks, and tell her how beautiful she looked. She wouldnât arrive late just because Azriel decided to take Y/N and lay her on the bed, just to kiss her and tell strange jokes. She wouldnât arrive with wrinkled clothes from struggling to get them both up.
They would never again arrive holding hands.
Y/N stood at the entrance of her friendâs house, looking at the garden where Azriel and she had played with Nyx, a garden that had witnessed so many happy moments, and now they were just that, moments. The house that had scared her so much the first time Azriel introduced her to his family. The fae took a deep breath, preparing to knock on the door, but paused for a moment when she heard the boisterous laughter of Cassian, followed by Morâs laughter and Nyxâs small chatter, her nephew. She couldnât help the soft smile that appeared on her face, so she knocked on the door.
She was met with Cassianâs fierce hug when he opened it. He might have stopped her breath if he had hugged her a little tighter. She hugged him back, and little steps echoed as Nyx appeared at the door.
âAuntie! Auntie!â the child shouted, jumping up and down so she would pick him up.
âNo, I saw her first,â said the general, too loudly for the little heir to hear.
âLies, it was Uncle Az!â the child babbled, pushing at Cassianâs legs.
The general slowly released her, whom he considered his sister-in-law, to see her face and make sure she was okay. Y/N greeted him with a forced smile, silently assuring him that she was fine.
The woman bent down and picked up Nyx, who squealed and hugged his aunt. She couldnât blame Nyx; he didnât know yet. That his Uncle Azriel and Auntie Y/N were no longer together. So she showered him with kisses all over his face, tickling him, and the child burst into laughter. Cassian smiled at the scene until he felt someone elseâs presence behind him.
âAre you going to let her in, or are you going to wait until the three of you freeze out here?â the father of the little black-haired boy questioned. âNyx, darling, let go of Y/N, itâs my turn,â Rhys continued.
âNo,â Nyx grumbled with a pout as he clung to Y/Nâs neck.
âThen it will be a group hug; just try not to kill me,â Y/N attempted to joke.
The two adults laughed and moved in to hug her. She felt a part of her heart warm with the love of a family. A moment later, the four of them entered the house, leaving the cold weather behind for the warmth of the home.
Everyone greeted her: Mor, Feyre, Elain, Nesta, and even Amren hugged her, which was unusual for her. The table was decorated with her favorite food and even her favorite wine, courtesy of the High Lord, just as Feyre had said.
One more task to complete. It would be the last of the afternoon, and then she could have dinner with Liria, and maybe, just maybe, cuddle together. He had postponed some of his reports since he left Y/N and had also not visited his siblingsâ house. He needed time.
Liria entered Azrielâs small office, where he was sitting reading one last report. She approached quietly and kissed him on the cheek. The Master of Spies shivered from the sudden affection and tensed his wings. It was one of the few times his mate showed affection, and almost always his body reacted the same way. Even his shadows didnât approach her; he was sure they missed Y/N. And how could they not, when the woman with whom he had shared almost everything would enter his office in the loudest way, with a radiant smile that could light up an entire universe, his universe? She would shower him with kisses and hugs, then sit in his favorite sofa while keeping him company, creating new designs for her shop. And just now he noticed she was wearing one of the robes she had made for him.
He responded to the blonde with a tense smile.
âAre you almost done?â he asked.
âYes. Where are you going?â she asked, noticing Liriaâs outfit.
âIâm going out with some friends; I just came to let you know,â she whispered close to his lips and gave him a kiss. âDonât wait up for me; you should rest,â she advised him, and with that, she left through the door of his office.
Another night added to the many nights he would spend dining alone, once again.
The doorbell of the river house echoed inside the property. Rhysand frowned and turned to look at his mate . âAre we expecting anyone else?â he questioned mentally to Feyre, who simply shook her head. Everyone had settled in the living room of the house to continue their conversation. Nyx was in his room with his aunt Elain; he had fallen asleep.
Rhys got up from the couch and walked to the door. He did not expect to see the person on the other side, at least not today.
âAzriel,â he said his name as if afraid they would know he was there. âWhat are you doing here?â he asked his brother.
âI came to deliver⊠Y/N,â he whispered, his breath catching. âIs she here?â he asked.
There was no way to lie. Her scent drifted into the Master of Spiesâ lungs just as he remembered it: so soft, subtle, and sweet. The High Lord could see the agony on his brotherâs face and how his eyes filled with tears. Was it guilt or mourning?
Azriel could have died in that moment. There was no way to say he didnât miss her, because he missed her to his bones. His heart ached as if a dagger had pierced it. The sound of her laughter reached his ears. The melody had changed; it was no longer loud and full of life. It was all his fault. He should have been there with her and not with Liria. He had made a mistake, and his error would cost him his entire life.
âWhat did you come for?â Rhys asked, cutting through the thread of his thoughts.
âTo deliver the reports,â Azriel muttered in a hoarse voice.
His brother let him into the house, and as he walked down the entryway, he saw the huge vase with strange figures that they had given Feyre for her birthday two years ago. It had been brought specially from the Winter Court, a trip they had taken together. He could still hear her voice with feigned annoyance telling him to be careful not to break it. The memory struck him like a stab to the heart. He arrived in the living room just as Y/N delivered the worst news he could have heard.
âIâm going to the Dawn Court. Iâll be away for at least a month,â she told her friends.
âNo,â Azriel whispered with a broken voice. âYou canât go,â he shouted, alerting everyone to his presence. His shadows separated from him and approached her.
The fairy shuddered at the contact of the shadows on her skin. She hadnât expected him to show up. Azriel saw the smile of his beloved falter the moment their eyes met. Her face grew somber, sad, and he wished that Prythian would swallow him whole at that damned moment.
Silence fell over the room. Everyone was tense from the unexpected arrival of the Shadow Singer.
Cassian was the first to break the silence.
âAz, we werenât expecting you,â he muttered through gritted teeth, angry at the situation. His wings flared, ready to defend Y/N if necessary.
Azriel ignored him as he crossed the room to where Y/N was sitting. She stood up instinctively, wanting to flee, just wanting to forget him for a while. It wasnât fair. The moment he reached her, he took her in his arms and began to cry.
âY/N, darling, please donât go. Forgive me,â Azriel whispered in her ear.
She couldnât move. Her breathing became ragged, her throat tightened trying to suppress the sobs that wanted to surface. She swallowed hard to clear the knot that had settled in. A shiver ran down her spine.
âLet me go,â she whispered back. âDonât touch me, Azriel,â she shouted, disappointed.
He continued holding her close, and she squirmed in his arms, pushing him as far away as possible. Where she had once felt safe, now she felt suffocated. When they were a few centimeters apart, she saw his clothes; it was one of the garments she had made for him, and it carried a scent that wasnât his. Her heart sank to her stomach.
âI know youâre angry, please, listen to me. I know it was wrong, and Iâm deeply sorry,â the Shadow Singer pleaded, as he moved his hands to her face. âIâll do whatever it takes to earn your trust back, to make you believe in me. I promise. Iâll do whatever you want, just say it,â he begged again, this time on his knees, holding her hands and kissing them.
âAnd what will you do?â she laughed sarcastically. âWill you promise that you wonât hurt me again?â she continued, with her fists clenched. âYou hurt me, Azriel, and you didnât care. While you were sticking your tongue in another womanâs mouth, I was at home, waiting, begging for you not to be hurt and to come back to our home safe,â she hissed with pain, as her gaze met his. âI would have ripped out my heart for you, no matter the reason, but I know you wouldnât do the same for me,â she went on. âDo you know what I want?â she murmured.
Azriel had red eyes as she spoke. He remained on his knees, crying for the pain he had caused, and although he had a sliver of hope, it vanished the moment her eyes met his. There was no way to repair the damage. Her eyes, which had once looked at him with love, with the kindness and softness of a feather, with the adoration he didnât believe he deserved from her, now looked at him with the coldest gaze, disappointment swimming in them, and sadness clinging to them. He didnât even need to answer; nothing would heal her heart.
âI want my heart to stop bleeding, I wish it would stop singing your name,â she whimpered. Tears were already streaming down her cheeks. âBut I wish it wasnât you who nearly ripped it out of my chest,â she said, collapsing to the floor, hugging herself.
Azriel, who was closer, didnât even have the chance to reach her in time. Instead, it was Cassian who appeared to hold her against his chest, crying like he had never heard her do before. His shadows tried to calm her as they once did when she was scared. Even they were there for her.
Cass, his brother, was the one holding her in his arms, against his chest, and Azriel wanted to tear her away, but he had no right.
âItâs best if you leave,â the general said through clenched teeth to Azriel.
His voice, filled with pain and disappointment, had never spoken to him like this in the centuries they had been together. Azriel understood. Y/N had developed a relationship with him, supporting each other, and he also knew that Cassian would never have done this to her.
A hand rested on the spyâs shoulder. He looked up and met the violet gaze of Rhys, his other brother, and the eyes of the rest of the people he considered family, who were in the dining room; they had left them alone a while ago.
The weight of his decision was on his shoulders, in his heart, and in his soul. His brother was indicating that he should get up, but Azriel's ears were ringing; he heard it from a distance. He didnât know when he got to his feet. Rhys guided him to his office. The reports had been forgotten on the floor of the living room. But he decided he couldnât stay there, not while he could hear her muffled sobs. So he left the house and went to the only place left for him.
The door opened. Liria entered; it was night, and she found Azriel slumped on the sofa, in the darkness. She could see the tears streaming down his cheeks, even though he was asleep. In his dreams, Y/Nâs muffled cries tormented him.
The blonde approached to comfort him. She grabbed the blanket from the sofa across from him but stopped inches from his body when the scent hit her. A scent she had noticed on him when she first met him, which she had discovered belonged to someone else soon after. But still, she continued; he was her partner, their souls were bound.
If âI love youâ were a promise, would it be broken if they were honest?
The next morning, Azriel woke up to the sound of clashing weapons. He got up from the sofa, rubbing his face with his hand, and saw Liria in the hallway, where the noise was coming from. The woman could feel her partnerâs gaze, so she turned around.
âI didnât mean to wake you,â she greeted him.
âWhat are you doing? Why the suitcase?â the dark-haired man asked.
âIâm leaving,â she replied vaguely, turning back to continue packing her weapons.
âI donât want the bond,â the spymaster's words slipped out.
âI know,â Lyria said. âDonât forget that I can feel your emotions through the bond,â she reminded him, seeing his look of confusion. âLast night, you were murmuring her name and how much you love her,â she revealed in a hoarse voice.
Her mate passed by him, perhaps gathering the last of her belongings. He could only watch; he thought it would hurt, but it didnât.
âTwo days ago, I found a small box,â Lyria continued. âBy the way, nice ring. She would have liked it,â she confessed.
Azriel tensed at the mention of the object. He remembered having carefully hidden that ring, a proposal ring for Y/N. Before meeting Lyria, he had been planning to propose marriage; the only ones who knew were Rhys and Cassian. He had ruined everything.
âHow did you find it?â he finally looked at her.
âI made a mistake with you, with us, Azriel,â she evaded his question. âI wish I hadnât left,â she continued in a hoarse voice. âI donât want the bond, I reject it,â she said finally.
They had heard stories that if someone rejected the bond, they would die. But the bond cooled on both sides and neither of them died. The rejection of the bond didnât hurt as much as Azrielâs soul ached from having left his girlfriend. It didnât tear his skin as it did that day when he saw her cry. He didnât wish for Prythian to swallow him for the rejection.
âIâm sorry, Lyria.â
The decisions of the two had brought them to this point: bringing together two people with the same energy could make them implode. And they understood it too late.
âIâm sorrier for us,â was the last thing she said before leaving through the door.
Although they both had hope, dreams, goals, loves, friendships, and families, they had all shattered.
The journey to the Dawn Court was supposed to last only a month. Thesan, the high lord of the court, had requested in the letter that she be the one to make his tunic for the most special day of his immortal life and that of his lover.
She had done it. That was five years ago.
The rays of the sun filtered through the white curtains, reflecting the face of her beloved, who was sleeping peacefully beside her. He, with brown hair, had his arms wrapped around Y/N, holding onto her as if his life depended on it. And so it was.
A few years ago, Y/N left the Night Court for the Dawn Court. Her small boutique in her friend's court was left in Mei's capable hands; she trusted Mei to run it and might soon give it to her as a birthday gift. During her time in the Court of Sun Rays, she opened a new boutique, where she currently works, although she designed for both. Mei handled most of the workload at the boutique on the other side.
During that time, Azriel never stopped sending her letters, flowers, and her favorite things to reach out to her, always without success. Until one day, she responded to one of his thousands of letters, where he kept apologizing, making it clear that she wanted nothing to do with him ever again.
Darius and T/N were at the market, doing their shopping, holding hands, stealing kisses from time to time, and joking around. She had met him when she arrived at the court, with her heart still in pieces. He was a warrior of Thesan's royal guard. They became friends, then started flirting, soon became a couple, and now were married. He was always patient with her; her heart wasnât ready at that time, but every time she spent time with him, the pieces came back together. He had also had his heart broken a few months before they met, so they understood and supported each other, respecting each otherâs pain.
Darius loved his wife so much that he wouldnât hesitate for a second to tear apart anyone who decided to hurt her. Anyone who made her shed a tear would find their own heart ripped out before causing her any pain.
Liria and Azriel were not exempt from sharing work. They had a court to protect and a high lord to respond to. Both were in the Dawn Court, searching for new leads on a minor commotion.
Azriel managed to distinguish a woman's hair. He walked, trying to get as close as possible to her to confirm that his eyes were not deceiving him, that it was indeed her, the woman he loved.
And even though she had told him she wanted nothing to do with him, he was unwilling to stop searching for her. So, when he confirmed that it was Y/N, the air escaped his lungs. At a respectful distance, he saw Y/N holding hands with a man, a warrior. But what struck him most was the bulging belly against which the woman rested her hand, adorned with a wedding band and the engagement ring. The love of his life had found her mate, was starting a family, and it would not be with him, as he had dreamed many times. Azriel would not be the father of her children. He had not been chosen, and he never would be, just as he had not chosen her first.
Liria watched the scene with the same sadness. On the day her bond with Azriel was broken, Darius, with whom she had shared a century of her life, had proposed to her. She had no doubt that he loved her deeply. However, she had rejected him and now bitterly regretted it. She knew she could have been the one to receive those tender kisses and those looks overflowing with love. Liria deeply regretted ending her relationship with Darius for Azriel and losing the chance to be his wife.
Such is the smallness of the world. The people they had hurt ended up finding each other to make each other happy and complete, like puzzle pieces that belong together.
Azriel had nothing more to offer. He never had a right, and he realized that his fear of not deserving Y/N's affection had come true. He did not deserve her, and he would carry that weight throughout his existence.
And if dreams were to come true, they would have been the ones.
The sun shone and embraced Y/N. Darkness dragged Azriel into the depths.
Tags: @janebirkln @cynthiesjmxazrielslover @blessthepizzaman @rcarbo1 @saltedcoffeescotch
@nikt-wazny-y @oceandiors @whosmys
Guys, it won't let me tag everyone, I hope you can read it.
I red them!
#azriel x reader#acotar x reader#acotar fanfiction#azriel spymaster#azriel#acotar fandom#fanfiction#azriel acotar#azriel fic#azriel angst#azriel x y/n#azriel x you#azriel shadowsinger#acotar#shadowsinger x reader#night court#sarah j maas#sjmaas
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opinions on ai?
This is the perfect time to share something I wrote a few months ago when I was upset about it:
AI is the bane of my existence and I hate it so much. Not only because of the environmental impact that it has, but because of how it gives us absolutely nothing of value in creative spaces and is actually a detriment to our future, rather than being "innovative" like companies want us to believe.
If you're using AI to write notes for you, or to answer questions, to write your essays and your discussion posts, you are hurting yourself. But eventually you will hurt others with your willing ignorance. You are not learning, you are not taking the time to push yourself to new bounds. You are not absorbing the information you need, and for why? Because it's hard? Life is hard. Learning is hard. If learning was easy, you wouldn't be learning anything at all. And one day when you need to use these tools you put down and gave to a program in order to do your job, you are going to get someone hurt in some way. If you're going into teaching and you didn't bother to learn about childhood development because you let an AI take your notes because you couldn't be half-assed to sit through an hour long lecture, you will fail every student that comes your way. If you're an engineer and you had AI do the math for you, something that you make will break and it could kill someone. Because the AI can not even count how many times the letter 'r' is in strawberry, but you're trusting it to make bridges or design buildings?
And in a creative sense, you are not an artist if you use AI. I will scream it from the rooftops if I have to.
You are not an artist if you use AI.
Because to be an artist is to put your very soul into what you create. And an AI has no soul. To be an artist is to lay yourself bare for people to witness and interpret, and it's scary but it's freeing. To be an artist is to make a message with your art, to have people a thousand years from now sit in a museum and feel connected to who you were so far in the past. To think that humanity may be different but we are also inherently the same. To be an artist is to despair over the process of creating your art because it's difficult, and time consuming, and damn does it drive you crazy. But then you get that end result and you realize you learned something about yourself, you got better at something that brings you joy, you created and now you see what you are capable of, and what you will be capable of in the future. To be an artist is to connect with someone because of what you made, and that someone includes yourself.
We keep telling young artists that they need to be better now, they need to quit if they aren't good at it on the first try. We keep acting like we didn't start from somewhere ourselves, like we were born with the fine motor skills and the talent needed to create. It's because our attention spans can't handle over 20 seconds and we need multiple videos playing to drown out our own thoughts. We have to look at comment sections to see the court of public opinion before we make a judgement ourselves. If anything is out of the ordinary or doesn't look the way we expect or want, it must be shamed. And this existence is exhausting because at the end of the day, we have done nothing of value. When coming across a video of a young artist who took the time out of their day to create, we need to encourage them to continue going, tell them that their work is worthy. Because it is. It is worthy because they made it. If we shoot them down before they can go anywhere, we've just killed an artist that could have painted the next Starry Night, or created a sculpture that millions of people would try to visit. We've shot down someone who could teach others how to create one day in their future. We shot them down and killed their inspiration and motivation, and they might turn to someone else to do it for them because they will believe they are not worthy enough or talented enough to make it.
When I was still in school, my favorite part of the year was seeing the projects put up on the wall. The silly displays our teachers put up to show a holiday with slightly wonky paper snowflakes, the posters that the art students made with "too many lightning bolts around the guitar", the signs for school dances, the yearbooks that students spent all year making, the English class posters that depicted scenes from what they were reading and they were made with stick figures or they had someone draw out butterflies. I loved seeing the decorations for Homecoming Week, loved looking ta the booths that everyone made for our career and science fairs. I liked when we put on talent shows still, when we did pep rallies and fashion shows and we saw everyone get together to have fun and not care if it was "perfect." No one there was a professional artist, not yet, but that didn't make it any less entertaining or creative.
We dance because we want to feel how our bodies move and express ourselves in ways words cannot. We paint and we draw and make pottery and quilts and pictures because at one point, all we had were cave paintings of our hands, and we still look at them with reverence for where we started. We sing and we drum and we laugh because music is a universal language that anyone can understand, and isn't that breathtaking? We write so that people in the future can pour themselves over our words and learn from us, so that kids can hide their books underneath their covers with a little flashlight when their parents put them to bed hours ago but they just can't put our story down they have to know what comes next! We cook for our loved ones and have family recipes that mean we've been tasting the same food that our family we never got to meet were eating too.
We create because humans are meant to create. We put our love into the process, we put our dreams and our hopes and our hard earned lessons into these creations.
AI will never have that. AI has none of the process, and therefore, it is not art. We can gripe about how art has different meanings all we want, we can shout that art is only art if it invokes an opinion or a thought, but that is not what makes art. Because there is still effort put into placing a shoe on a pedestal, or painting a yellow square, or painting a mural on a wall, or writing poetry in a tiny notebook at school, or melting crayons together, or anything that requires you putting it together. If AI is doing all the work for you, then you've accomplished nothing. And you stole from the people that actually did accomplish something. You stole not only their effort, but you stole their process, their feelings, their hope and their dreams and their ideas of the future.
AI is nothing and will ultimately become obsolete. Because humans will not stop creating just because companies are pushing for us to stop and hand it over to them. They want us to stop creating, they want us to pay them for it, they want us to put blind trust into what they're doing, they want us to forget that they are stealing from us. I will not forget. I will never forget. Because I was born to sing and dance and write and draw and cook, and when I die, my body will go right back to the Earth and perhaps flowers will grow around my grave. I will still be creating even then. And even if AI is still around and still trying to steal from us, I will die knowing that it could never do the same.
#ai#ai is a plague#ai is not art#ai is theft#ai is stupid#ai will never be worth it#ban ai art#ban ai#fuck ai#erinwantstowrite#writing#i want to die knowing my art made an impact#they want to take that art and make it a profit#that is the difference between us
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astarion... the man that you are.....
#⯠ê°á starry thoughts à»ê± *·Ë#morning ^_^ !!! on a roadtrip rn w family so i am well <3 even if it is just turning 8 am <33#i am a morning person as much as i am a night owl actually ... before the pandemic i used to wake early even w/o an alarm on non school days#and i wake early less nowadays but i love when i get up early and i wish i could do so more but i hate sleeping too early lol#ANYWAY HI i hope you all are well. unfortunately now that i'm online again you all will be subjected to my random rambles.#not as bad on my priv twt where i talk about philosophical topics and the like an overwhelmingly amount but aha that is Fine !!!!!#i want to change my theme. i love you themis. but. aghghhhh to what... to what...#i wna practice graphic designing a bit bcs i suck (<- amazed at the abilities of my peers and out of practice at all)#errr i want to reference. mĂ€neskin maybe (in the time i have been gone i have gotten obsessed w a new band <3 how very apollo of me. anyway)#'all is fair in love' ... ? 'valentine my decline is so much better with you' ..... ?#idk man. and what color scheme! and who!!!#vincent valentine is a choice esp bcs of ffviir. aerith is wnother just because i adore her so much. uhhh#zenos... because we are insane..... and thten i forgot every other single character. oops!#i am a nerd so i want something space themed this time actually. insert a bit of physics (physics nerd ^_^)#have i bragged (/lh) about how i'm the only person i know in my batch at my school who got perfect in the first physics exam#and that all my classmates and friends like gojng to me and call me 'sister (irl)' bcs i am in a catholic school#:3 i love physics ... man. makes me remember how much i love math And science. even if i do hate molecular bio sorry some of it is interesti#but GOD i hate learning about dna in school. just dna. everything else is literally okay i literally have on the origin of species i got it#for my bday i asked my friends to buy me it bcs they offered. fucking insane#yeah so (<- haha nerd) anyway i also grew up w bill nye my fav guy and sid the science kid and god little einstein was my favorite show#despite me probably watching a total of 5 episodes compared to others. oh my god.#and the way i would get . if i got anymore than 3 mistakes in a math exam my whole life i would have to hold back tears LMFAOOO oh god.#smh i swear if history class wasn't in filipino for my whole life before highschool i would have goddamn excelled#i still did but ... !!! only filipino subjects brought me down. tho i do love learning abt my language even if it also pisses me off ^_^#right where was i haha RIGHT ..... okay. ok. uhh i want an ff character ............ actually ff8 would be slay#or urianger. space fits too. astrologist man. and then i forgot everyone else. oops!#aha............ crystal exarch. but specifically the crystal exarch. or i'll just do mr squall leonhart or vincent valentine#space!!! my beloved... you can wait another time... i wish to reference the hit song valentine by mĂ€neskin
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