#ITS SO STARTLING SEEING HER IN MY NOTIFS

[docsfallfromgrace]

ONE OF MY DISCORD FRIENDS KEEPS SEEING MY POSTS ON HERE AND SOMETIMES ITS EITHER SO FUNNY OR SO EMBARRASSING. like hi gamer do you enjoy seeing me reblog cat videos, my Constant Autistic Spam, or my personal posts that get a little too real sometimes ☠️☠️☠️

[sanguineterrain]

crushin' | jason todd

Summary: Barbara invites you to dinner with the Bats. She's done so before, and you've always declined, but this time, you agree because the Bat you've had a crush on for ages will be there. Little do you know, the only reason he's staying for dinner is because of you.

Pairing: Jason Todd x gn!reader 

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings/tags: batfam shenanigans, dick is a good meddling brother and deserves a fruit basket, fluff and humor, kissing, crushes, love confessions. just wanted to write something sweet and light :)

the divider

"So you're gonna press this," Barbara says, demonstrating on her own screen.

You follow along, clicking and typing. She nods.

"Good. Then you're gonna do this."

You open the file. A video of what looks to be Bruce drunkenly hula-hooping pops up. Your eyes widen.

"And that's how you keep Bruce in check," Barbara says, patting your shoulder. "Use sparingly. Only when he's getting on your last nerve."

"Wow," you say. "Babs, I... I don't know if I should have this kind of power."

"No, it's cool. I have dirt on everyone in this family, so really, it's my power. You're the only one who gets to see the vault."

You look at her. "You scare me."

She grins. "Thanks! Anyway, you're free to go. They'll be back from the mission soon, so our job is pretty much over."

The computer beeps. She checks the notification and types back. Then she hums.

"Or, you can, y'know, join us for dinner. Alfred keeps wondering when you'll do so."

You press your lips together. "I dunno, Babs... are you sure? I don't want to intrude."

"You're not. Seriously. And you know what I just found out? Jason will be here too."

Well. That does certainly stop your refusal in its tracks. You haven't seen Jason properly since he returned. You feel a pang of guilt at that; true, he's never at the Manor, at least not when you're around. But you could've reached out by now.

Still, being able to see him again properly is a wonderful opportunity. One you can't pass up.

"Okay," you say. "I'll join you all. As long as Alfred's okay with it."

She rolls her eyes, smiles. "Don't be ridiculous. C'mon."

You follow her to the elevator Bruce got installed for her. In the Manor, most of the family are sitting down to dinner. Damian and Cass are on one side of the table. Bruce is at the head. Alfred is still bustling in the kitchen.

You start to pull out the chair next to Cass, but Barbara startles you.

"That's Dick's chair!" She smiles sympathetically. "Sorry. He's particular. Isn't he, guys?"

"Yes," Cass says. "He's comfortable here."

"I've no idea what you're referring to, Gordon," says Damian. He nods at you. "Hello."

You smile. "Hey, Damian. That's fine. I'll sit next to you, Babs." You sit in the middle of three chairs, with Barbara on your right and an empty chair on your left.

"Hi, Cass. Hello, Mr. Wayne."

"Bruce," he reminds you. That's not happening. It feels way too weird to call him Bruce, even though you've known him since Jason was Robin. Just, no.

Cass smiles. "Hello. Glad to have you."

"Where's Tim and Duke?" you ask.

"Thomas is at university," Damian says. "Drake is probably with that idiot clone he calls a boyfriend."

Bruce looks up. "Tim and Connor are dating?"

"Good God," Barbara mumbles.

"Well, yes, Father. They've been dating for quite some time, even shared a room together. Last month, Drake went undercover in Atlantic City and the clone—"

"Old man! Where are you?"

"Jason, just—"

"Shut it, Dickhead."

The grandfather clock swings open, revealing the Cave entrance. Up stomps Jason, followed by Dick. Jason has a smear of purple goo on his forehead, but otherwise is clean. His back is to you.

Jason points an accusing gloved finger at Bruce. "You owe me a new bike, new guns, new gear, new phone, new—"

"Jason, slow down. Why exactly do I owe you new things?" Bruce asks.

"Because Tweedle-Dum here didn't scan the fuckin' spaceship that landed in Syracuse and melted my bike with purple goo!"

"It said it was empty," Dick says tiredly. "How was I supposed to know an abandoned ship would spit goo?"

"Okay, alright, boys, don't fight. Yes, Jason, I'll compensate everything you lost in Syracuse."

"Yeah, you will. And a new fridge." Jason thinks. "And a new TV."

"Master Jason," Alfred begins, walking into the dining room with a dish of roasted potatoes. "You may continue your bargaining with Master Bruce after dinner. Wipe that alien sludge off your face and have a seat."

Jason sighs. "Alf, I appreciate the invite, but you know I don't dine with most of the folks at this table. Gets real fuckin' crowded."

"Master Jason, watch your language," Alfred says sternly. "We have a guest. Behave like the young man I raised you to be."

Jason scoffs. "Who, Barbie? She doesn't—" He turns and stops, staring at you.

You smile, suddenly self-conscious. "Hi."

He swallows, eyes wide. "Hi. Hey."

"Aren't you staying for dinner?" you ask, confused. "Barbara said you were."

"I—" He glances at Barbara, then looks at you. "Uh. Well. I don't really..."

"C'mon, Jay, you guys should catch up!" Dick says brightly, already seated.

Jason's mouth sours as he turns to Dick. You pull out the chair next to you and tap the seat.

"You can sit next to me," you say, looking up at Jason.

He immediately turns back to you, lips parted. "Oh. I—y-yeah. Sure. Thanks."

"Master Jason. The goo," Alfred reminds, raising a brow. "And hang up your jacket."

Jason quickly backs up and bumps into the table corner. He winces.

"Right. I'm gonna... yeah. Be right back."

Jason disappears down the hall. Dick grins wolfishly at Barbara.

"You're amazing," he says.

"I know," she says, shrugging.

Alfred serves the last tray of vegetables, then sits. Jason soon returns, gloves and jacket away and goo-free.

"Did you style your hair, Todd?" Damian asks.

"No. Shut it." Jason scoots in his chair, glaring at his brother. But when you pass him the tray of roast, his expression softens. He smiles at you.

"Thanks," he says, and puts three slices on his plate. "Great roast, Alf."

"You haven't tried it," Alfred says, but looks very pleased.

"Don't need to."

"We're very glad you're here, Jason," Bruce says. "All things considered—"

Jason holds up a hand. "Ah-ah. I'm not here for you, old man. Save the speech for another day."

"And who are you here for, Jason?" Dick asks, propping his chin on his hands.

"None of your beeswax, Dick."

Dick shrugs. Damian begins to talk about an art project in school. You pay the appropriate amount of attention until Jason nudges your arm.

"Hey," he says, nodding at your empty glass. "Didja get something to drink?"

"Oh." Heat creeps up your neck. "Um, no. Sorry. I didn't know where to get the drinks."

"'S okay. Alf doesn't put out drinks anymore 'cause everybody drinks something different. You just help yourself to whatever's in the fridge. I'll get it for ya."

"Jason, you don't have to—"

He holds up a hand, smiling. "C'mon, none of that. You're a guest. Orange Fanta, right?"

You blink. "You remembered."

"Uh." His cheeks go pink. "I mean, yeah. No biggie. I'll be back."

Jason stands. Immediately, the others pounce.

"Are you going to the kitchen?" Dick asks.

"No," Jason says.

"Can you get me another Diet Coke?"

"Todd, if you're going to the kitchen, I would like another lemonade, please," Damian says.

"I just said I'm not going to the—"

"Master Jason, will you please bring this into the kitchen?" Alfred asks, holding up an empty tray.

Jason heaves a sigh. You wince.

"Sorry," you whisper.

He shakes his head and winks. "Nah, 's not you."

Obediently, Jason takes the tray and goes to the kitchen. He returns with a Diet Coke, which he tosses at Dick, who catches it with one hand, and a bottle of lemonade, which he throws to Damian who also catches it with one hand and a scowl. Finally, Jason opens the Orange Fanta for you and gently pours it into your glass, then sets the half-full can next to your plate. He sits down.

"Of course they get special treatment," Dick mumbles into his drink.

The table rattles, and Dick winces, squinting at Jason. The table rattles again, and Jason hisses.

"Boys," Bruce says wearily. "Enough."

"Yeah, Jason," Dick says, sticking his nose up. "Y'know it's my birthday soon. I deserve a brother who doesn't kick me."

"Oh, I'll tell ya what you deserve," Jason begins.

"Are we doing laser tag?" Cass pipes up from the end.

"'Course we are! Everybody's gonna be there." Dick looks pointedly at Jason. "Except my own brother. He refused."

You look at Jason, who's got a nasty glower aimed at Dick.

"You're not coming?" you ask.

Jason's expression melts away when he turns to you. "Uh, I mean—"

"No, he's not," Dick says, pulling the saddest pout you've ever seen. "He said he wanted nothing to do with my stupid birthday."

"Those weren't my exact words."

"They were very close," Damian says.

"Shut—"

"Jason, I can't believe you aren't going to Dick's birthday," Barbara says, shaking her head.

Jason's mouth falls open. "Et tu, Barbie?"

"You should come," you say, touching Jason's arm.

He immediately looks at your hand. You slowly remove it, smiling sheepishly.

"Then we can be a team," you say. "We're playing doubles. I'm horrendously bad at laser tag, but I bet we'd win together. I'd watch your six."

"Leaving them in the lurch, Jason?" Barbara tuts. "So unlike you."

Jason heaves a sigh. "For God—okay. Alright, brother mine. You win."

You beam. "So you'll come?"

"'Long as you and I are a team," Jason says, a little shy.

You bump his shoulder with yours. "Of course."

Dick looks at you. "You should join us for dinner every night."

You laugh bashfully. "Thanks, Dick."

Dinner goes on. Bruce excuses himself early, as do Cass and Damian. Soon, it's the four of you plus Alfred cleaning up after dinner. You and Jason are loading the dishwasher when Jason hisses. He pulls out his hand, revealing a thin red cut on his palm.

"Are you okay?" you ask, hovering worriedly.

"Yeah, 'm fine. I'll take the tray—"

"Jason, no," Dick says, herding him away from the dishwasher. "You have to get that wrapped immediately."

"What are you—dude, it's a tiny cut—"

"Yeah, but there was food on there, and you have no idea what can get into the wound and make you sick," Barbara says seriously. "You need to get it cleaned right now."

Jason rolls his eyes. "Fine, whatever. There's a first aid kit in the closet."

"There isn't!" Dick says, shooing Jason toward you. "Alfred hasn't restocked it. You have to go to the Cave. You should both go."

"Yes, great idea," Barbara says, looking at you. "You have medical experience, don't you?"

"I mean, a little, but—"

"More than us!" Dick says, shoving you both towards the hallway.

"I don't think so..."

"You take care of Jaybird here, he needs that hand," Dick says cheerily, opening the Cave entrance. "Go on, go."

"Christ on a bike," Jason mumbles, and heads down the stairs.

You follow, confused and concerned. The entrance slides closed. Jason goes to the medbay, muttering under his breath as he digs through one of the drawers with one hand. You join him, searching the top drawer for the antiseptic spray.

"Is the cut really bad?" you ask, trying to get a better look.

"No. My brother's just an idiot. Nothin' new."

You pull out the spray, some gauze, and a bandaid. Jason nods in thanks and goes to take it.

"I can do it," you say. "I do have medical experience, after all."

He snorts. "Fine by me."

You both sit on the edge of a cot. You turn to Jason and pull his hand into your lap. He inhales sharply. You stop.

"Is this okay?" you ask.

"Y-yeah. Fine. Sorry. I don't get touched a lot." Jason's mouth screws up. "Ugh. That sounded weird."

You laugh. "It's fine, I know what you meant."

He scratches the back of his neck while you clean his hand. He has big hands. Bigger than you remember. They're deeply scarred and calloused. You rub your thumbs over the pads of his fingers without thinking.

"You got soft hands," Jason says quietly.

"Heh. Thanks. The computer life."

He hums. "I didn't know you were working with Babs."

The guilt swims back full force.

"I know. I'm sorry. I should've reached out, Jason. I-I basically ignored you. Not on purpose! I just... I guess I wasn't sure where we stood and I thought maybe you'd be mad I was working for Batman after everything and I was afraid that we wouldn't—"

"Hey, whoa. 'M not mad." Jason finds your gaze. You frown. "I'm serious. I don't mind that you're working for Bruce. I mean, hell, I do too, on occasion. Mostly I just bitch at him."

You giggle. He smiles. You're still holding his hand. You don't really want to let go. Jason doesn't seem to want to pull away either.

"Well, even so, I'm sorry for not reaching out. I did miss you, Jason. And I'm glad you're back."

He clears his throat, ducking his head. "Huh. Well, I missed you too. And y'got nothin' to apologize for. I could've asked about you."

"Well—"

"Uh-uh, no, I'm the king of self-deprication. Y'can't take that from me," Jason says, eyes dancing with mirth.

You sigh dramatically. "Fine, fine. Can we say that we both could've reached out?"

"That's agreeable. And, uh, while we're clearing the air, I'm so terribly sorry 'bout my dumbass brother."

You tilt your head. "What do you mean?"

"Ah, huh. Hm. Well, funny thing. I kinda had a, um, crush on you, before. And Dick has it in his head that I... that I have a chance now. So... yeah."

"Before?" you ask.

You don't know why you're disappointed. It's not like you knew. Except maybe if you had, you wouldn't have missed out. Maybe you wouldn't have lost so much time.

Jason glances at you. "What... why are you sayin' it like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you wish... that I..." He shakes his head. "Forget it."

"Jason," you say, barely a whisper.

He looks at you. His eyes flick to your lips, just for a millisecond. "Yeah?"

"Can I kiss you?"

A beat. Your heart falls.

"Yeah." Jason nods. "Yeah, kiss me."

You heart soars.

You hold Jason's face, still holding his hand. He gingerly touches your neck with his uninjured hand, strokes behind your ear with his thumb. Every nerve alights. You're kissing Jason Todd. The boy you've loved since you were thirteen.

"They did it! They're kissing!"

Jason growls against your mouth. You know it's not aimed at you, but it makes lightning shoot down your spine. Wow.

"'M gonna kill 'im," Jason mumbles.

You smile and pull back, just an inch. "It's nearly his birthday. At least wait till next week."

"Hm." Jason kisses the corner of your mouth. You like him so much. "Fine. Y'know you can convince me of pretty much anything? Wield that power carefully."

You wrap your arms around his neck. Jason braces you with a hand on the small of your back.

"I'm very flattered, but I think you're confused, Jay." A kiss to his jaw. "It's you who has a hold on me."

[mystellenia]

tutor session with nerd!ellie

summary: ellie agrees to tutor you, and your first session is today!!

content: sfw!! just some kissing and like light groping if u squint. i wrote this as like you guys lowkey playing around during the study break and i like how chill it is

notes: this took me way too long i need to time manage better

(wc 1.8k)

you sighed in satisfaction, propping your hands on your hips to look at your work. your apartment was basically sparkling after your much needed deep clean in preparation for your and ellie's study session. the two of you agreed that your place would be better since she has a roommate that spends most of her time at their apartment. 

thinking back to your last planetary class—the class after the time you asked ellie if she could tutor you—your lips curl up in a smile, laughing softly to yourself about how the two of you joked in class and how she explained a concept to you that you'd missed while watching her spin her pencil zoning out. 

you glanced at the clock, confirming that you still had time for a shower. it was only 3:15, and you guys had agreed on 4, so you freed your hair of its bun and headed off to the bathroom.  

after stripping and turning the shower on, you scroll on your phone to wait for the water to heat up, the small bathroom's air quickly thickening with steam. your thumb stutters while you clean out your notifications, coming across a text from ellie. 

ellie: hi are we still on for today at 4? and should i bring my textbook or did u get one from the library? 

your thumbs circle around one another as you think of your response. 

you: yess sometime around 4 is still good, i'll send address now 

you: please bring your textbook i haven't gotten around to getting one yet 

the steam from the shower started to fog up your phone screen, causing many typos you luckily caught before hitting the send button. 

turning on your shower playlist, you set your phone on the sink and pull the curtain aside to step inside. 

a quick twenty minutes later, you've finished up your shower and slip on some pjs after lathering your body in lotion. the time on your phone now said 3:48, so you exited your room to the living room to make sure you had everything you needed to study. 

once you laid out all your notes and your laptop, you plopped on the couch and waited. the dancing flame of the candle you lit caught your eye, teasing you after you blew it out in fear that she might think you were trying to 'set the mood' and subsequently relit it. 

fifteen minutes later you hear four soft taps on the door, signaling ellie's arrival. for no reason at all, you look through the peephole and see her standing on the other side of the door staring at her feet, red-brown hair pulled into a loose, low bun and her arms covered by a navy blue henley. that's all you catch, though, before she glances up again and looks at the door, making you jump to the side at the thought of her somehow seeing you through it.  

returning to the door, you turn the doorknob to swing it open and are met by ellie's startled stare before her eyebrows lower again. "hi... am i late?" 

"no, no, of course not," you rush out, "just on time. i was actually just waiting on the couch for you."  

you step aside to make room for her so she can enter, and she quickly glances around before noticing your setup and taking the seat next to yours to unpack her bag.  

once she's fully unpacked everything, with her textbook open on the chapter you went over in class, she pats her thighs and begins, "well, how about we start on what we went over on tuesday, yeah?" 

you dumbly nod as you reach for your notebook to flip to last class's notes.  

"okay, let's see..." while she finds the section your professor left off at, you take a moment to look at her. her brows were slightly furrowed as they always were, and you start to ask her how she got the cut in her right eyebrow but she speaks before you can get it out.

"okay, found it. do you understand everything about planetary atmospheres?" she asks. 

"pshhh, that's a cakewalk," you jest. "just weather, but in space, no?" 

"okay, then, miss genius," she chuckles, finding the next section. "how about planetary formation and habitability?" 

"yeah, isn't that just on, like, explosions? like supernovas?" 

ellie snorts before answering, "not at all, actually. let's start here." 

you feel your ears heat a bit at your complete failure at recalling tuesday's class and pull your knee up to your chest to rest your cheek on it. 

"so you already know that planets form from dust and gas around a young star, right?" you nod, so she continues. "so all planets orbit their own host star—ours is the sun..." 

forty-five minutes later, you stand up and stretch out your stiff joints, heading to the kitchen to grab you and ellie a snack. rummaging through the pantry, you find tortilla chips and immediately think of chips and salsa.  

"hey, we could do chips and salsa," you announce before realizing your apparent lack of preparation. "damn... so there's good news and bad news. which one you want first?" 

she shoots a confused look your way as she answers, "good news, of course." 

"so the good news is that i have tomatoes for us to bite into like apples to pair with the tortilla chips," you say with a cheeky grin. 

ellie drops her phone as her entire face screws up in a grimace, her eyes closing while she thinks. "why... the hell would we bite into tomatoes?" she probes. 

"because, the bad news is that i don't have any salsa. so." 

she seems lost in thought for a moment before asking, "how many tomatoes do you have?" 

you pause to count them, "uhh, like four. why?" 

"because i can make the salsa," she declares while standing up and rolling her sleeves back, revealing an intricate tattoo on her forearm. "can i look in your fridge to see what you have?" 

"yeah, sure," you gape, surprised at her gracious offer. "how do you know how to make salsa, anyway?" 

she speaks into the refrigerator as she bends to grab the tomatoes and other veggies and herbs you'd forgotten about. "just some recipe online," she responds. "but that recipe is what my dad used all throughout my middle and high school years. it's the best there is, trust me," she says, looking back and up at you as she finishes. 

"oh, i'll be the judge of that," you quip. 

once she starts chopping the onions and tomatoes, you have to force yourself to stop drooling over her random knife skills and excuse yourself to the bathroom even though you don't have to go. 

you splash a bit of water on your cheeks and give yourself a pep talk in the mirror to boost your confidence, then head back out into the kitchen. ellie had apparently finished her salsa and plated it in a small dipping bowl for the two of you, her lean forearms now flexing as she opened the bag of tortilla chips. 

"hey, perfect timing," she says, clapping her hands over the sink to rid them of any crumbs. "i just finished my legendary, michelin-star salsa. you ready?" 

"you're really gassing this up, huh?" you smirk. "i bet this recipe is by a mom of three who had to share her whole life's story before even telling what ingredients you needed." 

"bro, just eat it already." 

you give in and scoop a hefty dip of her salsa onto your chip, raising it to your mouth while maintaining eye contact. 

your eyes widen as the salsa covers your tongue, the crunch of the chip pairing perfectly with the smooth sauce. "oh my god. el, this is so good." 

she stares at your mouth moving around your bite for a beat too long before her eyes flick back up to yours, processing what you said as her trademark smirk took over her face.

"el, huh?" she teases, but saves you from responding with her cocky answer. "of course it's good, i made it," she says while wiping imaginary dust off her shoulders. 

the two of you fall into a comfortable silence, you leaning on the kitchen counter over the bowl of salsa and her looking down at you eating the snack. her eyes linger on your lips for a bit before her hand lifts to your mouth to brush her thumb at the corner of your mouth. she casually wipes her hand on a rag before realizing what she did and freezing while staring at you like a deer in headlights. 

in your shock, you stop chewing and murmur through the fresh tension, "what was that for?" 

"oh, you had some salsa on your lip," she explains, lifting her pinky finger to point to your lip so as to prove herself, "right here." 

her hand slowly falls back to her side as you stand straight and grab her arm to pull her in to a bruising kiss, slow and full of want.  

ellie doesn't need to be told twice—she quickly has your thighs wrapped around her hips after tapping them to signal you to jump. she walks the two of you to the island so she can stand between your open legs. her kisses hungrily move down to your neck, her mouth making quick work of undoing what little composure you had left as a soft breath escapes you. 

in your lustful daze, you don't notice ellie's phone ringing for a while—not until she grunts in annoyance. opening your eyes to look over her shoulder, you see her phone lit up next to the fridge with a call from a someone named "claire!!" 

"it's from someone named claire?" you inform her with poorly masked jealousy and are met by her exasperated groan. "god, that's my roommate," she says. "just ignore it." 

you do just that, closing your eyes again as you pull ellie back up to your lips to kiss her again, her tongue tracing the seam of your lips before entering. 

the phone rings again and ellie pulls away with a huff to answer it. "yes?" she demands. although you couldn't make out what this claire was saying, you did notice ellie's eye roll and her hands patting at her pockets to retrieve her car keys. "yes, i'm leaving now." 

"ugh, my roommate locked herself out of the apartment. again." she walks back to the couch to pack up her stuff to leave, and you shyly slide off of the counter and simply watch her. 

"well, what a productive study session, am i right?" she awkwardly jokes, twisting the ball of her foot into the ground. 

"oh, shut up, ellie. i'll see you in class on thursday?" you say. 

"yeah," she confirms with a chuckle, "thursday." 

she lets herself out, but not before sharing a soft stare with you, her gaze stuck on yours like honey. then, she stepped outside and the door shut with a click. 💫

reblogs are always greatly appreciated!!

yayyyy finally done and i already know what i’m writing next (ellabs girlies get ready)

ladies ladies calm down i gotta establish the relationship before anything happens but perhaps a part 3??? lets see how this does

tags of those who were waiting for this: @saturnsdrafts @hazywazysmind @nramv @elliesactualgirlfriend

anyone who wants to be tagged in the future, just comment!!

click here!! oh and here too!! ˶ᵔᵕᵔ˶

[tinycoffeeroom]

on the radar | arthur hill

face claim: N/A ♡

request: here !

requested: Okay! This just came to me when making my previous Arthur Hill request but it had to be its separate thing! What about an imagine where Lisa is the one to set them up?? Like she said she had “someone on her radar” in the pod with George one time?

───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

You’d met Lisa by chance. Your parents were quite well off and since the housing market was in shambles, you’d decided to still live at home, turning a spare room into your office for work. 

One of the conditions to staying at home was walking Clyde; your family dog, something you revelled in anyway. He adored you, often sitting and waiting by the door around four in the afternoon when he knew you would come along with the leash and take him out to explore the neighbourhood. 

On the day you met Lisa, you’d been running late. Clyde had been shamelessly whining by the front door for an hour by the time you could drag yourself away from work and grab his leash.

Halfway into the walk, he’d become interested in a cocker spaniel currently off leash and bounding towards the two of you. You’d been wary at first, keeping him at bay to assess the small dog running as fast as their little legs could carry them. The dog stopped two feet away, barking softly and wagging their tail so fast, it was like a blur. 

Slowly loosening your hold on the leash in your hand, you let the two of them approach each other. The second they were within sniffing distance, they both barked happily, swirling round and round as you laughed at the pair who whipped around to look at you, wagging tails hitting each other happily. 

You could hear a woman shouting in the distance. “Bonnie! Bonnie, oh for goodness sake!” 

You couldn’t help but giggle at the coincidence. 

Seconds later, a frazzled lady rounded the corner, lead in hand, eyes darting around the little path you were both on. The second she spotted the cocker spaniel, currently engaged in another round of sniffing with your dog, she breathed a sigh of relief. Speedwalking up to you and the two dogs, she bent down once she had a chance, huffing at what was probably a very stressful five minutes. 

“Um, hi. I’m guessing this cheeky little girl is yours. Her and Clyde have been getting very well acquainted.” You smiled brightly at the woman, who had since caught her breath. 

She let out a startled laugh, eyeing the two dogs running round the both of you. “Clyde? Bonnie… and Clyde. What are the odds, eh?”

You echoed her sentiments, laughing along with the woman. 

“Oh, where are my manners? I’m Lisa, and I see you’ve met Bonnie.” She reached a hand out for you to shake, the interaction brief but kind. 

“I’m Y/N, and that’s Clyde, as you already know.” You pointed over at the elderly dog, playfully going for Bonnie’s tail. 

The two of you watch the dogs play for a moment before Lisa gestures over to the end of the path. “There’s a little park just around the corner if you want to go and sit and let them play for a bit?”

You know the park well, often choosing to take Clyde there if you wanted a more laid back approach to a walk. You nod, walking after the older woman. 

Once the gate is shut, you let Clyde off his leash, watching him bound over to the cocker spaniel as they run circles around one another. Lisa takes a seat on the bench, patting the spot next to her for you to sit. 

“So, I haven’t seen you around here before. Have you just moved here?”

Shaking your head, you point back to the estate behind you. “Nope, I live just over there. I normally walk Clyde around four-ish so maybe that’s why our paths haven’t crossed before.” 

She hums in response, giving you a once over before looking back towards the dogs.

She seems to be deep in thought, so you chose to take that moment to check your phone for any notifications. There was only one from your boss, setting up a meeting for you and a potential client early next week. 

Lisa clears her throat, attention now back on you. You smile at her, pocketing your phone. 

“So, since those two are going to be a while, how about we get to know each other?” Her returning smile is kind, almost motherly. 

“I guess I’ll go first! I’m Y/N Y/L/N. I’m 24 and have just finished a university degree in Business and Marketing. I’ve had Clyde since I was little, he just celebrated his 20th birthday, believe it or not!” The two of you look back at the dogs, Clyde exuding the energy of an excitable puppy rather than the sometimes grumpy old man you knew him to be. 

“Nice to meet you, Y/N. I’m Lisa Hill. I won’t say my age for fear you’ll faint.” She chuckles as you nudge your shoulder against hers playfully. “Me and my husband live just over that hill. We’re currently empty nesters as both my son and daughter have long since moved out. They’re roughly around your age actually!”

She pulls her phone out of her pocket, the lock screen lighting up to display a picture of what you assume is her family. Lisa and her husband stood at the back, arms linked and smiling down at her two children fondly. The girl looks kind, eyes closed in laughter as her brother has her captured in a headlock. 

You take a second to look at the brother. Sparkling brown eyes, full moustache over pouty lips and a little stubble, with short, slightly wavy hair. He’s very pretty.  

“I’m currently doing odd bits and bobs, as in I quit my long term job to raise my kids but now my son has somehow coerced me into doing a podcast with him!”

You perk up at this. “A podcast? What do you guys talk about?” You were always on the lookout for something new to listen to, your usual podcast currently paused on your phone. 

She hums, looking towards the two dogs. “A little bit of this and that. It’s called Mummy’s Boy so people write in with questions they want a mum to answer, or with silly stories. And then my son updates me on everything happening on the web.”

You rack your brain for the title, your mind coming up blank. You make a mental note to check it out when you’re back in the comfort of your home. 

You and Lisa spend the next hour chatting away, her relaying stories they have spoken about on the podcast whilst you add in your own experiences that relate to them.

The sun sets behind the two of you, and before long your phone rings, your mum worried on the other end as it’s been 3 hours since you left. 

Shocked at how the time has passed so quickly, you and Lisa call the dogs over to the pair of you, attaching their leashes and beginning the walk home. Once you reach the crosswalk, Lisa turns to you, a motherly smile on full display. “Take care Y/N. If you ever want to catch up, you know where I’ll be.” 

Overcome with how lovely she is, you wrap her up in a quick hug, feeling her chuckle as she pats your back softly. Pulling away, she waves you goodbye. 

Popping an airpod in, you pull up the Mummy’s Boy podcast, eyes widening at just how popular it is. Clicking on an episode titled “Mum, I can’t stop mewing”, you head down the alleyway to your house. 

───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

Days went by filled with spreadsheets, trips to London for business meetings and the Mummy’s Boy podcast. 

After the first episode, you did some digging online and found their youtube channel, quickly clicking on their newest upload. You’d smiled as Lisa came into view, rattling off a prewritten script before the camera changed to her son. Arthur. 

Over the last few weeks, you’d developed somewhat of a crush on the man. Watching back on all their old podcasts, plus checking out his music he had plugged during one of the episodes, you couldn’t help but fall for the talented musician. 

Iced Coffee played through your earphones quietly as you trek down the pathway, Clyde steadily pulling on his leash. Another late work day meant you were heading out around the same time as when you had met Lisa, heart thumping gently as you thought about running into the kind woman again. 

As much as Arthur had captured your attention, you couldn’t help but smile thinking back on how open she had been when helping people on the podcast, and the way she had so easily fallen into conversation with you as your dogs ran circles around one another. 

She was the definition of the word “motherly”, kind and caring to her core. 

Iced Coffee comes to a close and as the first notes of You’re Not A God begins to play, you hear a voice from behind. 

“Y/N!”

Recognising Lisa’s voice, you turn around quickly, pulling Clyde to a stop beside you. She waves excitedly at you, hurrying down the path to where you’d stopped still. You look around, no Bonnie in sight. 

“Hi, Lisa!” You manage to get the greeting out before she wraps you up in a warm hug, rocking the two of you back and forth gently. One hand still wrapped in Clyde’s leash, you use the other to wrap around her, squeezing her tight. “No Bonnie?”

Lisa pulls back, suddenly aware of the lack of dog next to her. “She’s here somewhere- oh! Arthur, hurry up, slowpoke!”

Your eyes follow her line of sight, quicker than you would like to admit. A man stumbles down the path, eyes wide as Bonnie drags him along, the dog catching sight of you and Clyde. He eventually reaches the pair of you, reaching down to rest his hands on his knees as he catches his breath. 

“She nearly took my arm off, Mum! I’ve never seen her run so fast!” He huffs through quick breaths, unwrapping his hand from Bonnie’s leash to pass her back to Lisa. 

She smiles over at you, eyes drifting past to find the park a few metres away. You catch onto her train of thought, nodding as the two of you begin to head down to the gates. 

“Come on, Arthur, I want you to meet Y/N.”

Looking back over your shoulder, you notice when Arthur finally acknowledges your presence, head tilted up from where he was still hunched over. You smile politely, hand raised in a little wave. He returns the action, eyes blinking rapidly. 

By the time you make it to the gates, the two dogs have managed to tangle their leashes into a knot, you and Lisa huffing as you free them of their constraints. 

Lisa settles down on the bench, sitting on one edge and patting the space in the middle. You can see her eyes flitting between you and Arthur, a scheme forming in her mind. Before you have a chance to press her on it, Arthur appears beside you, breathing finally back to normal. 

Grabbing your hand, Lisa pulls you into the spot next to her, eyeing Arthur and then the empty spot on the other end. He settles down gingerly, sitting close enough to the edge that you’re pretty sure a slightly stronger gust of wind would send him tumbling. 

“Arthur, this is Y/N. I met her on a walk the other day. The little guy over there with Bonnie is Clyde, it’s almost like it’s fate!” 

You wince at her not so subtle tone, throwing her a playful side eye as she grins back at the two of you. 

Arthur shuffles from his precarious spot, wiping his hand on his trousers before offering it out to you. Chuckling softly, you wrap your hand around this, revelling in the warmth of it.

“Hi, I’m Arthur.” He pauses for a moment, squeezing his eyes shut. “But you knew that already. I see you’ve befriended my insufferable mother.” 

The two of you share a laugh as Lisa lets out an indignant noise, glaring at him. 

“Hi Arthur, I’m Y/N.” You grin as he realises what you’re about to say, mouth pulling up into a hybrid of a smile and grimace. “But you knew that already.”

You realise the two of you are still shaking hands, moving to pull away as Arthur squeezes once more. 

“She’s very pretty, isn’t she?” Lisa's smile curves up higher as Arthur buries his head in his hands, a whining “Mum” falling from his lips. She holds her hands up in mock defence. “I’m just saying!”

Deciding to spare him any more embarrassment, you pull Lisa into a conversation about how you’d checked the podcast out, telling her about how much you had enjoyed the episode with the Italian. 

Your eyes flicker back to Arthur every now and then, inviting him to join in with little tidbits of behind the scenes. Eyes flickering across his face as he delves into the tiktoks they had filmed with Isaac, the Italian Arthur helpfully supplied, you grin as he moves closer to you, no longer in danger of falling from the bench. 

The two of you transition the conversation from the podcast, to his tiktok, his music, your work and bits and pieces the two of you have in common, not noticing as Lisa steps away from the bench, moving to throw a stick to the two energetic dogs. 

As the conversation continues, you and Arthur have practically merged together, your feet resting gently over the top of his.

You were in the middle of showing him pictures of Clyde when he was just a puppy, trying to zoom the photo in so he wouldn't see a brace faced tween version of you, when your phone rings.

Startling at the noise, you smile shyly up at Arthur who removes his hand from your thigh, having subconsciously moved there when you'd jumped at your ringtone.

Your mum was once again calling you back for dinner, your eyes widening as once again hours had flown by in the presence of the Hill's.

Untangling yourself from Arthur, you call Clyde back, reattaching his leash.

Arthur looks up at you nervously, hand reaching up to scratch at the back of his neck. “Do you think I could, maybe, get your number?”

Reaching a hand out for his phone, you grin at the way his cheeks flush when your fingertips brush slightly. You send yourself a simple text so you have his number, trying to ignore the way Lisa rocks back and forth on the balls of her feet, a smile permanently etched onto her face. 

She pulls you in for a final hug, whispering a small goodbye as the three of you part ways. Glancing back, you blush as your eyes catch Arthur’s who had done the exact same thing. He sends you a small wave, eyes not leaving yours until they round the corner. 

Popping an earphone back in, you pull up a random podcast, eyes flitting up to the top of the screen as a text comes in. 

Hi Y/N. It’s Arthur. But you already knew that :p Would you want to grab dinner tomorrow night?

───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

a/n: arthur has returned to tinycoffeeroom!! thank you so much for your request, this was so much fun to write <33

taglist: @golden-hoax

[dollfacejjk]

Helpless || Jungkook ff ||

pairing: jungkook x female lead!reader x another female (unnamed)

genre: angst, 18+, cheating au.

warnings: heartbreaks, mentions of sex and cum, love triangle, jungkook was a cheater, crying, Jungkook is an asshole, our oc(y/n) is a strong and independent girl.

a cheating story from the other woman's point of view,

She watched him pulling out the condom off his dick and throwing it in the dustbin with a tired look. He rolled away from top of her and checked the time on his phone which was near the pillow she was laying her head on.

She also glanced and saw its already 02:34 a.m. He quickly opened his phone and typed something while tilting his phone, keeping the screen away from her gaze. She saw how he brows frowned as he typed away furiously. At last, he groaned loudly and threw his phone on the bed.

She watched him jumping out of the bed before slipping into his boxers. His back red from the scratches she gave him while he was fucking her on this bed just 5 minutes ago.

He went straight to the bathroom, maybe to wash up. She looked up at the ceiling and gulped helplessly. She can still feel the ghost of his hands on her thighs and shoulders, thinking about the promises he made her but was never be able to keep it.

The sound of a ‘ding’ near her ear jolted her out of her thoughts. She glanced to the side and saw his phone unlocked, his home screen was of him with that girl, still.

She bit her lips, wondering if she should sneak a peek at the notification or not and when another ‘ding’ vibrated through his phone, her hands reached up to grab his phone before she can even think.

She moisten her lips and swipe down to click on the notification bar. It opened to a chat.

02:35 a.m.

Jungkook:

Y/n? I wanted to talk to you.

Can we talk today in the evening?

Please?

Are you sleeping?

Baby I know you never sleep this early.

Please reply?

I am really sorry! I just wanna talk.

Only for half an hour I promise!

Y/n? You are online, it is showing. Please reply baby!

02:38 a.m.

I don't wanna loose you!

02:45 a.m.

My life ❤ (Y/n):

I don't have time. Should've thought about not losing me when you fucked that girl in our own room.

Who knows you might still be fucking her.

Anyways don't message me again or I will have no choice but to block you!

She got startled when she heard a thud from the bathroom. Jungkook might have dropped something. She quickly turned off his phone before placing it down bear the pillow. Curling herself more into the blanket, she shifted to her right when tears started forming in her eyes.

“I would break up with her in a few days baby, just wait.”

“You know, Y/n is becoming more annoying now a days. I wanna break up with her as soon as possible.”

“........ I broke up with her and told her t-that I was cheating on her with you.”

“She found another man so soon?”“She really moved on from me within a month!”

“....I t-think I still love Y/n.”

“Jungkook? What are you saying? You broke up with her because you wanted to be with me, right? You even cheated on her with ME!”

She saw him following his ex all day, trying to talk to her, just for her to ignore and roll her eyes at him every time.

She saw him on his knees, crying to that girl, asking her for forgiveness and another chance. He clutched Y/n's hand and sobbed loudly, messily wiping away his tears and blabbing god knows what apologizes.

She saw how Y/n looked rather embarrassed seeing his behavior than feeling pity for his condition. Another man came running in and snatched Y/n's hands way before glaring down at Jungkook's body. He mouthed a quick ‘stay away’ and lead Y/n away from Jungkook.

She glanced in the direction of bathroom when she heard the door click open. Jungkook stared at her in surprise before his face turned into a scowl.

“What are you still doing here? Get out!”

[one-thousand-and-one-fandoms]

Inspired by @mdoodlerfandomart 's Coalition Lance AU.

~~~

The Voltron team was in a somber mood as they made their way back to Earth. Pidge a bit less so, because she was so looking forward to seeing her mom and dad, but even that only served to remind her that one of their own wouldn't be coming home to his family. The Voltron team had a Lance shapped hole in their ranks and everyone was feeling his absence.

Coran missed the incesant chatter from the coms which Lance had usually initiated, and Allura missed their gossip beauty sessions. Shiro had an immense amount of guilt over Lance's capture, despite technically not having been there when it happened. He contantly wondered if his clone had somehow set Lance up in an ambush, and hated that his memories of that time were disjointed and blurry at best.

Pidge busied herself by radioing every ship and planet within distance to ask if they had seen a man, tall, brown skin and blue eyed, but everyone she could get in contact with said no. (On the plus side of this process, though, they did discover that the Coalition seemed to be in good hands, so that was a relief, at least.)

Hunk kept a small notebook where he drafter hundreds, if not thousands, of ways in which he might have to break the news to Lance's family that their son, brother, cousin, uncle, etc., was MIA, likely presumed dead. None of them were completed because Hunk inevitably broke down in tears every time before he could finish any of them.

And Keith... well, Keith kept holding onto hope that Lance was alive, somewhere in the wide universe. He simply refused to believe that Lance was dead. The team kept telling him he was in denial, but it was the only thing that kept him going. Otherwise he didn't think he'd be able to function. He often played with one of Lance's necklaces that Keith now wore and wondered about his whereabouts.

If he was in a good mood, Lance had escaped to a planet of peaceful aliens and awaited rescue. It was his greatest, most indulgent daydream that they defeated the Galra once and for all and Keith led a rescue mission to find Lance, found him and brought him home. However, if he was in a bad mood, he tended to imagine progressively worse case scenarios that left him on the verge of a panic attack and spiralling. It was the uncertainity that got to him and wore him down.

As the Earth finally appeared in front of them, Red and Blue picked up speed and went ahead of the rest to spearhead the formation. It was a bit unusual, but the Paladins didn't have the energy to question it. There were a lot of mixed emotions in the group and they were absolutely exhausted in every way that mattered. The comms were quiet. Each Paladin was lost in their thoughts, and their missing Paladin weighed heavily in their minds.

Suddenly, as they entered the Earth's athmosphere, the comms began to crackle.

"Earth to Voltron, do you copy?"

Every single one of the Paladins startled in their seat and their eyes widened in disbelief. They turned on their comms and cameras. They all looked at each other as if they had seen a ghost. Hunk was the first to break the silence.

"Was that...?"

"Earth to Voltron, do you copy?" the voice repeated and this time Keith yanked the radio out of its base as his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest.

"Lance?! Voltron to Earth, we copy. Lance, is that you?!" Keith yells into the receiver.

"Keith?! Oh my gosh, you're alive!" Lance exclaimed on the other side.

"What do you mean I'm alive? You're alive!" Keith retorted and he couldn't help the smile on his face or the tears in his eyes.

Just then they received a notification of an incoming live transmission that Pidge immediately accepted. A new screen popped up in front of them and there he was, alive and breathing, the one and only, Lance McClain.

On the screen, he laughed incredulously as he wiped at his eyes and said, "Hey guys, it's been a while."

What followed was chaos: everyone began talking at the same time, raising their voices to be heard above the others, and asked all sorts of questions wanting to know how Lance ended up on Earth, how he escaped the Galra, was he okay, he he seen their families, were they okay and the cockpit descended into pandemonium as Lance valiantly attempted to answer all of them.

Keith, however, was quietly taking in and just looking at his boyfriend after years of holoscreens and memories. Lance was no longer a lanky, awkward teen. He'd filled out: his shoulders broadened and, while still thin, he seemed to have gained a lot of muscle. His face had sharpened and Keith could see a bit of stubble on his chin and cheeks. He had a few new scars, too. He was also wearing a Garrison unifform, with a few medals in it.

"Keith?" Lance asked, and Keith realized he'd just missed most of the conversation. Keith smiled.

"Hey, sharpshooter," he replied. Lance sent him a flirty smirk in return.

"What? Did you miss me?"

"You have no idea," Keith answered and didn't care if he was being sappy in front of the Paladins and however many people were in the command center. Lance chucked wetly and his gaze softened.

"We're ready for you to land. Unfortunately, our hangars aren't anywhere near large enough for the lions, but there's an open field right outside. Crew members will be waiting for you in their vehicles to bring you to base. There are some people here who can't wait to see you guys!"

Keith raised an eyebrow. Lance looked, and sounded, so mature... so professional. It was hard to believe he was the same goofball he fell in love with.

"How come you're at the helm?" he asked. Lance smirked, but it was Pidge who answered.

"If you hadn't been so busy making oogly eyes at him, you would have heard that he's the head of the coalition. You know, the one we've hearing about," she snarked with a shit-eating grin on her face.

"Wait, for real?!" Keith exclaimed.

Lance gasped and grabbed his chest in a wounded gesture, "You heathen! Can you sound a little less surprised? Do you really have so little faith in me? You wound me!"

Someone out of shot of camera in the command center said something to Lance that the Paladins didn't manage to catch. Lance's reaction, though, was telling enough. He scoffed in mock offense and replied, "You take that back!"

Keith laughed. It was nice to see his Lance in this new, grown version of him. He asked, "How did that even happen?"

Lance scoffed again and rolled his eyes, "Again, it's a very long story and I don't want to clutter the frequency. You're welcome to come for dinner at mine's and I'll tell you all about it." Lance winked.

"Fine," Keith relented.

"Transmission over," Lance said and his screen disappeared. Only then did Keith pay attention to the looks of awe and joy in the rest of the Paladins. Hunk was even openly crying and babbling about how glad he was that Lance was okay. Keith felt the same.

It was as if a stone had been lifted off of his chest and now he could breathe! Liquid fire poured through his veins and, for the first time in a long while, he felt like he could battle a hundred cruiseships and win! Red purred in his mind, and Keith was transported back to the very first time he flew red, before the war and their losses had worn down his excitment and passion for flying a sentinent lion in space. He smirked.

"Race you," he said, and sped down towards the Earth at full speed. Red happily obliged.

"You cheat!" Pidge yelled and gave chess.

Hunk followed with an indignant, "Hey!"

Allura, Shiro and Coran laughed joyously and tried to catch up.

Keith didn't care all that much, to be honest. He had a very pressing reunion to get to, after all.

~~~

I hope you liked it! It's just a scene, and it doesn't encompass a lot of events but I wanted to focus on the characters. I'd like to explore other scenes, perhaps later, from Lance's POV on Earth or maybe Keith's POV when he first finds out Lance is missing until they exit the time dilation worm hole thingy.

Let me know what you think!✌🏼

[andreafmn]

Collision | Chapter 20

Word Count: 3.1K Story Description: (Y/N) Uley is back home after being away for four years. Her life is at its first standstill and she is taking this time to find out who she is without school. But she never thought that coming back to the reservation would turn her whole life around. In the midst of secrets and mystery, a man crashes into (Y/N)’s and her life will never be the same. Chapter: 20/? A/N: your eyes do not deceive you, that's right, two posts in one day. Where is my prize? 😅😅 but I am very surprised at myself that I was able to post both Twilight stories. Also, don't hate me for that ending... My content will always be free, but if you’re feeling particularly generous, you can leave a tip on any of my posts  or buy me a coffee to support me and my love of writing Follow 😊 -> TikTok • Instagram • Business If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post! Please check if you’re tagged in the story, I’ve reached the limit of tags on Twilight again it seems. 😅

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Chapter 20

Time moved weirdly when you were stuck in the same routine. Days muddled together, only certain events sticking out. There were no beginnings or ends. There were only moments awake and moments asleep. That was how (Y/N) could tell that time had passed. When she was conscious, she could see that things had changed.

Her life consisted of work, school, Paul, her friends, and her family. There was nothing more. There was nothing less. Simply the same cycle, over and over again. It was good enough in the beginning. The semblance that things were getting better made her want to believe it.

But time was not kind to lies. As the seconds passed, the harder it was to keep her cracked façade whole. She could smile, she could laugh, she could enjoy life as it happened to her. Still, there was something that was always missing. A gaping hole in the middle of her chest that she covered every day.

(Y/N) had to believe that things got better. Even if at that moment it felt like things would turn worse, she needed to believe that they would change. She was getting everything she had dreamed of, everything she had worked so hard to obtain. And yet, there was a sadness inside her that didn’t allow her to enjoy it.

Two months had passed since the last time she had cried for them. Eight weeks since her eyes had dried and the pit had opened inside her. Since she had rid herself of the idea that they were ever coming back… that he was ever coming back.

She thought over the words she had told Bella. She needed to take a first step; any step that would make the life she was living real. She owed it to herself, she owed it to her mother, she owed it to her brother, she owed it to every person that had been beside her through it all.

“What’re you doing in my room, Paul?” (Y/N) was startled as she saw her friend’s reflection in the mirror before her. She had been focused on studying; her head engrossed in her books all afternoon. “Is everything okay?”

“Not exactly,” Paul responded “Jacob Black is going through his first shift and he’s freaking out. Won’t listen to anyone, not even Embry.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s in the woods with Sam and Embry.”

She followed the boy out of the house and into the darkness of the forest. Why they needed her help, she did not understand. (Y/N) was the least versed in the supernatural world. But if there was something she understood it was feeling scared and overwhelmed by it. It was an all-consuming implosion of the mind. Everything they had known as reality became a rose-colored canvas over what was truly happening.

Far into the trees and away from the town, Sam and Embry stood before a giant russet-furred wolf. The animal moved from side to side, his eyes far away and scared. The boys tried to calm him, lifting their arms in a show of peace. But it did nothing to calm the poor boy that was stuck in his wolf form.

“Guys, step away from him,” (Y/N) called as she closed the distance between her and the wolf. “He’s scared.”

“Paul, I told you not to bring her here,” Sam seethed. “She could get hurt. Again.”

“He did nothing wrong,” she reprimanded. “Just get away from him, please.”

They quickly did as told, leaving the girl and the wolf. But she could still feel her brother’s cautious stare following her every move. (Y/N) was tentative in her steps, showing Jacob no sign of danger. She stared into the brown of his eyes, trying to connect with the scared boy beyond the animal.

It had only been a week since he had confronted (Y/N) regarding Embry. He had taken her by surprise, wondering why his best friend had suddenly started to avoid him and Quil, and had started hanging out with Sam’s group. She had done what she could, but the boy was too angry to stand reason.

He had rapped harshly against her front door, his knuckles beating against the wood loudly. She had been studying, far too focused on her books to know who it could have been at that hour. It was late at night and her mother had left only two hours before to work. And there was no chance that it had been Paul or Embry since they were out on patrol that night.

She sauntered down the stairs, fear clutching at her limbs as she walked. There was no reason for anyone to be knocking on her door that loudly. It made her tremble, but she was smarter than to allow fear to overtake her.

“Jacob?” (Y/N) had called out in surprise as she swung open the door. “What are you doing here at this hour?”

“Look, (Y/N), I have nothing against you ‘cause you have always been a good friend to me,” he sighed. His eyes were red, telling her that he had been crying. “But I need to know what your brother is doing. It was weird when he took Jared, even weirder when Paul joined. Now, he’s changed Embry as well.”

“W-what do you mean he changed Embry, Jake? He was there at your birthday party last month.”

“But he wasn’t really there, was he?” Jacob continued. “He’s been avoiding Quil and me in school. He comes up with excuses or doesn’t even respond when we call to hang out. And he barely said a word to me other than ‘happy birthday’ at the party. And now, we see him hanging out with your brother and his weird gang.”

“It is not my place to talk about what happens with Embry, Jake; what happens with any of them for that matter,” she tried to explain calmly. “All I can tell you is that he definitely is not in a dangerous gang like it’s rumored. My brother is not a dangerous person.”

“Then, why can’t Embry talk to us, huh? Why is he clearly under instructions to not talk to his friends or even to his mom?” Jacob exclaimed. “She’s been asking us nonstop what’s happening with her son, and we have nothing we can say.”

“Jacob, I understand how frustrating this must be. But I can’t say anything. It’s really not my place.”

“So, what? You’re just gonna let your brother keep taking guys from the rez and making them turn their backs on everyone they know?” he said, his voice rising slightly. “It’s not right, (Y/N), and you know it.”

“I wish I could tell you what is going on, Jake, but…”

“But it’s not your place to tell. Yeah. I got that,” he scoffed. “If there are any more guys that are taken from their families because of your brother, it’ll be on you, (Y/N).”

“No one has been taken from their families, Jacob,” she replied defensively, biting down on her tongue to not anger the boy further. “They’re always free to come and go.”

“Yet they’re not free to talk,” he seethed. “I can’t believe you don’t see what they’re doing, (Y/N). You’re smart enough to know that something’s not right.”

“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, Jake,” she sighed. “But I can promise you that your friend is safe.”

“It doesn’t matter much to me that he’s that safe when he can’t even say hi to me in the halls.”

“Jacob…”

“No, it’s fine, (Y/N). It’s not your place.”

He had left her house completely infuriated. So angry that he wouldn’t even return her waves when they ran into each other in town. And she understood his anger. Someone had come between him and his best friend. They had ripped away a relationship without a single reason.

But now, he would understand the why. Now, he would be in on the secret.

(Y/N) reached her hand out, showing Jacob that she meant no harm. Her movements were slow and calculated, always in sight of the brown wolf. She was letting him know he was okay, that he was safe.

“I know you’re scared, Jacob,” she spoke softly and calmly. “I bet you’re stressed too. Nothing that is happening is making sense.”

Jacob let out a huff in response, his eyes searching her over.

“I promise we will let you know everything that’s happening,” she continued. “But the first thing we have to do is get you back in human form. And I’m gonna help you with that, okay?”

The wolf’s head nodded, his pacing stopping dead in his track. He walked toward her outstretched hand, his snout bumping against it. He nuzzled into her, his pained eyes begging her to keep talking.

“You need to calm down,” she told him. “Center your mind and think how it feels to be in your human form. You have to focus and keep calm.”

It seemed her voice was what he needed to do the trick. The wolf stepped back and closed his eyes. She was almost sure she could feel the air changing around them as Jacob focused. And then, it all happened swiftly. One second, the russet-colored wolf towered over them. And the second, Jacob was covering up his naked body with his hands.

“Uh, is there a chance any of you brought a change of clothes?”

“Here,” Sam said as he threw the boy a bag of clothes. “There are many things you’re gonna have to learn now.”

Jacob disappeared behind a tree to get changed, running to shield himself from the others. (Y/N) had no idea what it was like for the body to go through that shift. But she could begin to imagine how disconcerting it would be to have your body turn into a massive wolf after an angry outburst.

“Thank you, (Y/N),” Paul said as they waited outside of Sam’s house as Jake was informed of everything. “We should have you over every time a new kid shifts. You’re good at calming them down.”

“I guess I can understand how it feels to not feel in control of your own body,” she sighed with a smile. “But I’m glad I could help with Jake. Just last week he was grilling me over what you guys were doing.”

“we’re not doing anything wrong.”

“Not in the eyes of the town, Paul. People think that you’re a dangerous gang that is corrupting the boys in the reservation.”

“Eh, I’m used to it,” he shrugged. “Not many people thought I was a good guy before. I doubt I could change their minds now. And, honestly, I don’t care what people think of me. Just you.”

“Well, then, you’re lucky I like you, kid,” she laughed. “You would be very sad if I didn’t.”

“I really would,” he said, making her laughter die in her throat. He was too serious. Too serious for the playful tone she had spoken with. “I couldn’t live without you.”

“Paul, what’re you…?”

“I’m serious, (Y/N),” he continued as he took her hands in his. “You’re the most important person in my life, (Y/N). I would die without you.”

“You’re important to me too, Paul,” she smiled softly. “But where is all this coming from?”

“I just… gods, I just need to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

As Paul opened his mouth to speak, the door to the back slid open, Jared and Embry tumbling out. They wore playful smiles on their faces and were holding plates of food in their hands.

“Yo, (Y/N),” Jared called. “Jake’s asking for you.”

“We’re sort of in the middle of something here,” Paul muttered through gritted teeth. “He can wait.”

“We’ll talk later, Paul,” she smiled as she put distance between them, her heart beating a million miles a minute. “I’m gonna go see what he needs.”

“But (Y/N)…”

“Later,” she called from the door.

(Y/N) had an inkling of what Paul was going to say. She could feel it deep in her bones. The past three months had been perfect –too perfect, she guessed. The last thing she wanted was to break things off with Paul, to put distance between them. But she knew that it was what would be best for them both.

As she walked into the house, she allowed herself to push down the thought. To forget that sooner rather than later, she had to push him away. To forget that the start of her poorly mended new life crumbling was nearing. Nothing good lasts. That much she knew.

Jacob was waiting for her at the dining table, a look of shame plastered across his face. He was shaking slightly, the weight of the new information heavy on his shoulders. And she could see what he truly was. A boy that had his whole life ripped from under him.

“Hey,” she called out softly. “Jared said you wanted to talk to me.”

“Yeah,” he chuckled softly, his head snapping toward her voice. “I owe you an apology, (Y/N).”

“No, Jake. You were angry. I understand.”

“But you didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of the anger,” he continued. “You were protecting Embry, protecting all of them. And I was pretty mean to you.”

“You don’t even make the top five, Jake,” (Y/N) laughed as she sat beside him. “But, if it makes you feel better, I accept your apology. Even if there’s nothing to apologize.”

Jacob remained quiet for a second, his gaze falling onto his hands. “Your brother said I can’t see Bella,” he peeped. “I know it’s to keep her safe, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to. I can’t just abandon her right now.”

“I understand that, Jake. But this is only for the time being,” (Y/N) tried to help. “You need to learn to control the phase. If something makes you snap when you’re with her…”

“I know. Sam told me… all of it,” he sighed. “What if I imprinted on her? She’d be allowed to know everything then, right?”

“You can’t force yourself to imprint on someone, Jake. It doesn’t work like that.”

“Not that we know of,” he smiled, hopeful. “I’m gonna try and I’ll be the first.”

“Jake,” she called as the boy jogged to the front door. “Jake!”

“Thanks for the talk, (Y/N)!”

And the next second, he was gone.

“Maybe delusion runs with the shifting gene,” she said to herself.

(Y/N) used the moment to leave Sam’s house, though. She needed to escape that conversation that Paul was sure to want. Things were changing once more and she was not ready for it. The last thing she wanted was to lose her grasp on the reality she had forged for herself. She had crafted it to the most minuscule detail and she couldn’t let him ruin it.

She ran to her home, locking herself in her room. She could feel panic building inside her. As the reins she held on her façade slipped, she could only feel the dread that was underneath. The (Y/N) from six months before was trying to claw her way out. To make her feel the same pain and sadness, making the hole in her chest grow.

But she couldn’t let it. She couldn’t let any of it out. She had to keep every last ounce of those emotions buried deep inside, locked away with the memory of him. It was the only way she would survive. The only way all of that heartbreak would have been worth it.

Instead of spending the night studying as she had planned, (Y/N) crashed on her bed, succumbing to a tiredness she didn’t know she had. She had only planned to rest her eyes for a second, not to completely fall asleep.

She was walking down a path she had come to hate, but one she still knew like the back of her hand. The road to perdition, she had branded it in her mind. She could see the bridge as she walked, begging her limbs to not keep moving. She never wanted to be back there, much less when he wasn’t there.

But the closer she got, she could make out that there was a figure standing there. A figure she had done so much to forget about, even if she never wanted to. Not really.

“(Y/N),” he breathed as she stopped in front of him. “God, how I’ve longed to see your face again.”

“Carlisle,” she said, her voice breaking as tears burned in the back of her eyes. She couldn’t walk to him. Too scared that he would disappear if she did. “Where have you been?”

“Being a coward, I guess,” he replied. “I have missed you, my love. So much more than I could ever tell you.”

“Then, show me,” she commanded in a whisper. “Show me how much you truly have.”

Carlisle extended his hand and she gladly took it, sighing happily as the coldness enveloped her. He pulled her over the treaty line, making her body crash into his. He placed one hand on the low of her back as the other cradled her cheek. His amber eyes looked intently into hers, the warmest smile he could muster spread across his lips.

“Kiss me,” she whispered and Carlisle obliged.

He pressed his lips softly to hers, love slipping past his mouth. It was just as she had remembered it. Just as cold, just s perfect. It was what she had been missing for months. A true connection of love and passion. Her hands traveled up his chest, feeling. He felt so real.

“I miss you, Carlisle,” she cried as they parted, his thumb wiping away the tears that fell. “Why won’t you come back?”

“I’m right here, my love.”

“No, you’re not,” she sighed defeatedly. “This is only a dream. I know it is. Because you’re not actually here.”

“But I am, (Y/N),” he smiled. “You can feel me. You can see me. You can hear me. Who’s to say that I’m not.”

“No, Carlisle,” she said sadly, taking a step back. “If you were here, I wouldn’t be able to wake up.”

She stood on the railing of the bridge, making sure she was past the treaty line. She looked down, the river angry and rushing, rocks piled up everywhere.

“What are you doing, (Y/N)? Get down from there.”

“I can’t do this, Carlisle,” she sobbed. “Not even in my dreams. Because when I wake, you won’t be there, and I’ll be right back where I started.”

Without another thought, she let herself fall, and she waited for the crash.

But it never came. She woke up in a sweat a second later, clutching at her racing heart. The beginning of the end, she thought. She could feel herself crumbling, and it scared her. 

Next ->

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@unicornicopia1 @the-house-of-rose-and-ember

[peachesvanilla]

Another day

Pairing: Baekhyun x reader

Genre: fluff, bf! Baekhyun

Notes: a mix of everything (?) I’m slowly trying to get back into writing so starting pieces I do will be random. So, please be understanding.

Baekhyun stretches his neck holding his nape, a sigh escapes his lips as his muscles relax. Every part of his body is screaming pain in tiredness. Working late two consecutive nights sucks his soul out of his body, and living two days with bare minimum texts with his girl is close to losing his mind. But tonight marks the end of the overnight streak, he is finally in his girl’s building.

His lips tilt into a smile thinking about the smile he will get once she sees him. He clicks on the lock button twice on his car key and makes way to the elevator. Another man closer to his age is also waiting for the elevator, giving him a polite smile Baekhyun unlocks his phone, going through the mails he got. A notification pops from her. Tiredness runs out of his body as excitement takes its place, a smile breaks out on his face, he leans on the wall opening her message.

Yah, Byun Baekhyun! Remember to eat!!! If I got to know you skipped your meals again… you know what happens right?

Baekhyun barks out a laugh remembering the one time he was working his ass off and forgot to eat the whole day only to end up in hospital for blanking out. She barreled in, screaming at him with tears in her eyes and then sobbing hard that he had to console her for two hours and make sure he was still alive and breathing.

The elevator doors open with a ding, Baekhyun pushes himself off the wall considering telling her he is coming or keep it a surprise.

“Which floor?” The man asks.

“Fifth, please.” Baekhyun answers, locking his phone, deciding to surprise her. He should learn to keep surprises from her and not ruin it beforehand just because he can’t shut his mouth.

The man sighs, “I wish I lived on that floor too.”

“Pardon?”

He laughs, waving his hand. “There’s this girl who lives on that floor, she is really pretty.” He grins, dropping his head. “I tried talking to her but I guess she doesn’t talk much.”

Baekhyun gives an understanding nod to end the conversation. He spins his phone between his fingers watching the floor numbers move up slowly.

“You must have seen her,” the annoying man continues, “you will know her once you see her. Prettiest among the pretty.”

They are still stuck on the third floor, Baekhyun swears in his head. He should have waited and rode the elevator alone.

“She is staying at 505. Which flat are you staying at?”

Baekhyun grits his teeth. That’s my girl. He turns to the man now, facing him and giving a once over. Decent. If Baekhyun was any younger he might have bloodied his knuckles by now or bark out profanities. But he is thirty now, way past of the childish acts.

He leans on the elevator wall, rubbing his lower lip. “You can try,” he shrugs one shoulder.

The elevator opens with a ding. He pushes himself off the wall and walks out. But thirty means he isn’t going to sit and watch.

He turns his head to the side, “but what can we do, she isn’t going to look.”

The man startles, leaning to the edge of the elevator.

“She’s busy looking at me.” A devilish grin sneaks up his lips watching the man take a step back and the elevator doors shut.

He cracks his head to the side, unbuttoning his suit and tugs his tie, loosening it. The tension in his body piles up, the blood rushes to his head. That bastard had better not stalked her.

He marches up to her door and presses in the password on the lock. Twisting the door handle open he enters into the dark apartment.

The smell of vanilla and peach washes eases him. He bends down, removing his shoes and setting them in its designated space. His ears perk up at the clink of pans and spoons, he scrunches his nose and a growl emanates from his stomach at the delicious smell of his favorite chicken soup.

With urgence in his steps he discards his suit on the couch he makes his way into the dimly lit kitchen. She isn’t feeling good, he comprehends from the signs of her house. Dim lights, no TV playing in the background or her humming out of tune of her favorite songs.

She is standing in the middle of the small kitchen, hands in her hair and eyes closed. Her body is shaking slightly, and he swears he heard a whimper. His heart drops to his stomach, with one long stride he engulfs her in a tight hug from behind.

His nose is buried in her hair, “I’m sorry.” He whispers the same words over and over in the intimacy of closed space, and his heart breaks a little hearing her sobs. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

She twists around in his arms, her red eyes take in his features. “I missed you.”

Baekhyun’s shoulders sag, words not leaving his mouth seeing her so broken. She was acting strong in the messages she sent all this time. He closes his eyes in pain, how can he let this happen. He pulls her head onto his heart, circling his hands around her tightly. He lets her be till she calms down.

They are on the couch, Baekhyun holding her hand, playing with her fingers, his gaze never once leaving her face. She sniffles, muttering something. He curls the stranded hair behind her ear, “can you say it once again, baby.”

Her eyes lift from the couch to his face, fresh tears brimming her eyes again. “Bad day,” she answers.

“Another bad customer?” he cradles her face, snaking his hand around her hips he lifts her up and settles her on his lap. She nods, holding his shirt. Her finger tracing the wet patch on his chest. He leans in kissing her temple and nuzzles his nose in her hair. “What did they say?”

She hiccups. “Th-that I’m a fraud and,” her head dips down, “I should close my business.”

Baekhyun detests the way she looks at herself. It has been a recurrent thing, the hate comments. He knows she is handling them well these days but it doesn’t sit with him well. The first time he saw her shatter made him riled up and wanted to grab them by the neck whoever caused pain to her. After thorough investigation on his side he found out that the customer just wanted to escape paying. Oh, the way he dragged her out was satisfying to say the least.

If he can, he will do it again.

“Baby,” he whispers, holding her chin, “look at me.” A tear drops from her left eye, he wipes it off her cheek. “You and I know that you are not what they say.” She nods. “I appreciate what you do, and I really really love your work.”

She hums, twirling the button on his shirt.

“Just because someone says it, it won’t become true. And I really want you to see yourself as a hardworking, talented and pure person as you are.” He rubs her back in reassurance. “And there’s only love filled in your products.” He kisses her tear stained cheek. “Alright?”

She nods, turning her head to the side, pressing a kiss on his cheek. His heart skips a beat, feeling the softness of her lips and the little “thank you, Baek.”

“Anything for you.” He smiles, booping her red nose with his finger. “Can you do one thing for me?”

Her eyes narrow in suspicion. “I don’t think so.”

“Just once. Can you show me what that customer said?”

She pushes his chest, leaning back. “No.”

“Please, baby.” He slips his hand under her shirt, enjoying her body shiver under his touch. “I won’t do anything.” The lie slips easily.

“Not believing you even one bit.” She climbs down his lap, disappearing into the kitchen. He follows her. She puts the chicken soup back in the microwave, heating it. “I was doing great in handling it and you appeared out of nowhere.”

Grabbing a tissue he passes it to her. She wipes her runny nose. “Tell me Mr.Byun, to what do I owe this pleasure of meeting you?”

He shrugs. “Missing my favorite girl.” He peppers kisses on her neck, running his nose along the length. “Why are you so pretty?”

She folds her hands and gives a blank look. “Dude I have a runny nose, red eyes and my hair is a mess.”

He laughs, pinching her waist. “Don’t call me dude.” He runs his eyes over her face, “still pretty for me.” He kisses the tip of her nose. “So, chicken soup.”

She tilts her head to the side, “yeah..? Are you giving up on that customer? Just like that?”

He shrugs. “Just like that.” He rubs the side of her stomach, “chicken soup, please. I’m hungry.” He grabs the bowls from the cabinet.

Setting up the bowls on the table he excuses himself. Once he is out of her eyesight he unlocks her mobile and goes through her dms. He notes down the customer details and sets back her phone on the couch.

And he remembers someone else.

“Do you remember anyone looking at you creepily or trying something weird?”

She sets the soup pot, drags her chair out. “You?” She blinks up at him innocently.

“Cute. But no.” He deadpans.

“I tried.” She giggles. “No one is creepy.” She tilts her head, “I don’t even go out. So,” she scratches her head, “you again?”

He flicks her forehead before sitting beside her. “Stop trying to be cheeky.” She doesn’t even know that creepy elevator guy existed. Just like he thought.

[writers-ex]

made with love

ryujin x fem!reader

⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ💌ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹

as you begin getting dressed your phone starts buzzing frantically, checking your notifications you see its from the one person you were hoping to see there.

'code gingerbread.' 'this is an emergency' 'plz i need ur help' 'meet me @ my place TT'

panicking from just the first few texts you grab your keys and phone rushing to her place. banging on the door you see a flour covered ryujin in an apron with the most saddest face you've ever seen.

"i burned them…i burned them all how is that even possible??"

"i'm sorry you burned wh-oh my gosh did you turn off the oven?" catching a whiff of something burning you rush inside and follow the scent to the kitchen, turning off the oven you look over to see ryujin staring mindlessly at the black cookies lying on the table. patting her back you hand her some water and clean up the mess, after taking out the trash you pinch her cheek slightly. "ok now that that's been taken care of tell me from the beginning what happened."

ryujin recounts how she was told by jihyo to bring cookies but this time she bought ingredients and wanted to try baking them only she didn't understand how long they needed to be cooked for and burnt the batch. in a panic she called you and now here you cleaning up her mess.

"it's fine jin, lucky for you i know a great baker on tiktok that can help us. just give me a minute-" swiping on your phone your feed shows up 'brownies'n'felix' watching one of his videos you give her a thumbs up. "now i know what to do! start making some shapes and i'll handle the rest." after making cookies of all shapes and sizes you manage to bake them with only two looking burnt, waiting around for them to cool you prepare some frosting and hand ryujin a pipping bag.

"ok now comes the hard part…decorating them. obviously mine are going to come out better-"

"um no they're not. i'm shin ryujin, the ace of everything."

"except baking."

"shut up. i can frost more cookies than you and i'll prove it to you!" sharing a look the two of you nod begin drawing little designs and faces on each cookie. getting closer to each other you notice that ryujin is beating you so to slow her down you swipe some frosting on her face and giggle making her drop the bag and have the access frosting land on your shirt. the two of you gasp and look at each other with a mischievous gaze, ryujin slowly reaches down to grab her green bag and quickly squeezes its contents all over your face making you groan.

"RYUJIN!!!" laughing you grab the access flour and throw it at her making her cough and vulnerable to more attacks. the two of you have at it until the supplies runs out and you're both covered in head to toe with frosting, flour, cookie dough, and what you think are rainbow sprinkles.

"ok ok truce!!" holding your hands up ryujin stops herself from throwing more flour at you. "i think the cookies have had enough of our jackson pollock art and we'll be late to the party if we keep this up."

"fineeee…you're no fun." walking over to you ryujin smirks. "buuuut you do look like a snack~" blushing you swat her now very close face from your own and find yourself backing up hitting the edge of the kitchen counter as ryujin corners you. giving you a slow once over she stops and stares directly into your eyes with a knowing look. "i think we both need to shower."

"yes i know that so i'll wait here and-"

"want to join me~?"

"RYUJIN?!" laughing she heads to a room and comes back with a change of clothes.

"i'm kidding i'm kidding!! you go first though i'll clean up now." handing you some clothes she pushes you toward the bathroom. once you come out you see ryujin once again in the kitchen in the middle of pipping one heart shaped cookie.

"jin i'm done." walking behind her you spot her attempting to write something on the cookie. "'i heart you' in a heart shaped cookie, wow that's so original~" startled she drops the bag and pouts.

"DONT SCARE ME LIKE THAT!! i almost ruined your cookie?!" laughing at her angry face you let her words register and stop to look at a flushed ryujin. "what? you heard me!! i'm making you a confession cookie because i like you but feel too awkward to tell you." taking the cookie from her you look down at it and smile making her give you an odd look.

"well that's good news because... i like you too and this is the cutest thing anyone has ever done for me." her shoulders slump in relief as she hears your answer.

"you're welcome~" puckering her lips ryujin tries to get a kiss from you but you block her with your cookie.

"not now my little baker, go change and maybe i'll consider it."

"yes ma'am!" rushing to the bathroom she closes the door enough to peak her head out. "now do you want to join me?"

"RYUJIN!!!!"

to go back and read another route click here

[cosmicanamnesis]

he tastes like chocolate pt. 7

[part 1] [part 6] [part 8] [read on ao3]

December 31st, morning

It didn’t matter when Steve fell asleep, he couldn’t sleep past six in the morning. Usually he was up by five, really, six was sleeping in according to his circadian rhythm. 

He woke up in an unfamiliar place and started to panic before his brain caught up to the rest of him. 

It wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. His phone was on the nightstand and he was wearing his own clothes, but through bleary eyes he could barely see his surroundings, not to mention he wasn’t wearing glasses. Not that he ever really wore his glasses. They looked stupid and Robin always teased him about them so he made do without them when he wasn’t at home. This practice, unfortunately, didn’t help him figure out where the hell he was. As he tried to steady his breathing, the smell of the room hit him and he remembered.

Oh.

Oh yeah.

He’d stayed the night at Eddie’s house. He slept in Eddie’s bed. He grabbed a fistful of bedsheet and brought it to his face, trying to ground himself with something. The sheets smelled like weed smoke and nicotine and someone else’s sweat and all Steve could think was that he hoped his shirt had absorbed some of it. Was that weird? It felt weird.

He rubbed his eyes and grabbed his phone, dismissing the notifications he didn’t care about, finally landing on the ones he did.

Robs

ugh remind me to never let dates stay over if im covering ur shift

how do u do this every day

its so early im fucking dying over here

wake upppppp cmon steve i know u dont sleep in

unless ;)

Hey, you dug your own grave. Lie in it. Also, good morning.

i hate u

so how did last night go ???

Fine. We didn't really do anything, just ran some errands for his uncle. And he slept on the couch, let me sleep in his bed.

what a gentleman

Right? I am in way too deep, Robs.

could be deeper

What?

;)

I’m moving back in with my parents.

nuhuh

No, you’re right. I could never.

Robin didn’t respond right away, which meant the morning rush had started, and he wouldn’t hear from her for another two or three hours. He scrolled through social media for a while, letting himself enjoy the quiet morning for as long as he could let himself relax before needing to find something to do. 

Finally he got up, changed back into his regular clothes and gathered his stuff. He made Eddie's bed out of habit more than anything and left his stuff in a pile on top of the blankets before heading to the kitchen in search of breakfast and something caffeinated.

Eddie was still asleep when Steve came into the kitchen. He could see him stretched out on the couch, one arm up over his head, one leg dangling off the side, snoring away like he'd never slept better. Weirdo. 

Quietly, Steve began rummaging around in the kitchen until he found something. He thought he'd seen it last night as they were putting groceries away, and sure as shit, there it was. A tiny countertop espresso maker, covered in dust and hidden on top of the fridge behind several bags of cereal. It didn't look like it had ever been used. He set to work wiping it down before crossing his fingers and hunting through cabinets for… Perfect. They had an unopened tin of Bustelo hiding on the top shelf of a cabinet that also had pancake mix in it, so double score.

He was startled by the door opening, cold air blowing in behind Wayne as he shrugged off his coat.

"Morning," Steve said quietly, announcing his presence. Wayne nodded at him and then looked over at Eddie on the couch, unmoving like nothing had happened.

"You know how to work that thing?" Wayne asked, pointing to the espresso machine. Steve almost laughed.

"Did Eddie not tell you what I do for a living? I work at the coffee shop down the block from his apprenticeship."

"Ah," Wayne nodded. "Won it at a work thing one time. I don't know how to set it up, and the boy doesn't drink coffee, so. Figured I'd get rid of it one day, just never got around to it."

"I'm glad you didn't. Thought I was gonna have to go bug my roommate at work to make me coffee on my way home," Steve said, breaking into the long-ignored coffee tin. He’d probably go bug Robin anyway, since he had a whole day to kill. "Here, grab a mug, I can show you how to work it."

It wasn't an especially complicated machine, nothing like they had at work, but it got the job done. Wayne followed along, seeming to mentally take notes as Steve showed him what all the parts were and how to use it, even taught him how to make hot chocolate with it for Eddie, and how to clean everything after. Somehow, through all of their talking and noise, Eddie still didn't wake up. Steve sipped his coffee, leaning against the counter as he watched Wayne bring Eddie the hot chocolate.

Wayne set the mug on the coffee table, next to the pile of Eddie's rings, and patted Eddie gently on the arm. He grumbled something Steve couldn't hear and swatted Wayne's hand away.

"Eddie, you gotta get up," Wayne said, nudging Eddie a little more forcefully. More unintelligible mumbling. Steve smiled as he watched. "You gotta take Steve home, son."

That woke Eddie up. God he hated being up early. There was barely even sunlight filtering in through the blinds, and Wayne was trying to get him up now? Eddie was prepared to fight him about it a little longer until he said the magic word - Steve - and Eddie's sleep-addled brain finally figured out what was happening. He sat up in a panic, feeling his hair hold its wild bedhead shape as he made eye contact with Steve, who was smiling at him from the kitchen. 

"Morning," he said softly. "Made you hot chocolate." He glanced at the mug on the table and Eddie followed suit, reaching over for it as Wayne sat down and turned the TV on.

"Thanks," Eddie took a sip and smiled back up at Steve. It tasted like the ones Steve made him at work, fancy and creamy and a far cry from the powdered cocoa mix he usually made do with. Steve turned to put something away in the fridge, finally giving Eddie a clear line of sight to the espresso machine on the counter. Mystery solved.

“Breakfast?” Steve said, holding up the half empty pancake mix. Eddie blinked, surprised, and set the hot chocolate back on the table.

“Steve, you don’t have to cook for me, I’m an adult,” Eddie said, slipping his rings back on. He saw Steve shrug out of the corner of his eye and start hunting around in the kitchen.

“You bought me dinner, I’ll make you breakfast. ‘S only fair.”

Eddie looked over at Wayne, who barely glanced away from the morning news. The silent conversation they had went something like,

Can you believe this guy? Making me breakfast in my own house?

You sure know how to pick ‘em.

Wayne, make him stop.

The kid made me coffee, Ed, he can do whatever the hell he wants.

You’re unbelievable.

Eddie rolled his eyes and grabbed his mug, heaving himself off of the couch while Wayne stayed put in his recliner, looking entirely too smug, the bastard. He stretched as he stood and joined Steve in the kitchen, rubbing the leftover sleep out of his eyes.

“Ehh, fuck off,” Steve said, waving a spatula in Eddie’s general direction. 

“Relax, Stevie, I’m not gonna take over,” Eddie said, leaning back against the fridge. “Just… supervising.”

“Yeah, ah huh. Sure.” Steve turned away and grabbed a pan out of the dishrack, spinning it in his hand with a flourish before setting it on the stove.

“Huh… Where’d you learn to do that?” Eddie asked, sipping his drink.

“Do what?”

“The… flippy thing,” Eddie said, which was almost even vaguer coupled with a spinny sort of hand motion.

“Oh!” Steve started laughing, and demonstrated again with the spatula before turning his attention back to the pan, swirling a glob of butter around until it melted. “Dunno. I’ve just always done it. Drives Robin nuts. Started doing it when we worked at- Y’know that summer job I was talking about? Ice cream parlor.”

“That’s still a thing? Ice cream slinger is still a job you can have?”

“Apparently. Anyway, used to do it with the ice cream scoops all the time. She hated it, thought I was gonna throw ‘em at her on accident.”

“Did you?”

“Not on accident,” Steve chuckled.

They chatted in the kitchen for a while as Steve made breakfast for the three of them. All three of them. He made coffee and pancakes for Wayne. Because of course he did. Because of course this very pretty, very funny, exceedingly kind man would teach his uncle to use the espresso machine that he hadn’t touched since he got it and then make him fucking pancakes. Eddie was pretty sure that if he didn’t lock Steve down and soon, Wayne was gonna try.

Eddie and Steve returned to the living room with breakfast and made small talk with Wayne while they ate, all very "So Steve, where are you from," and such, getting to know each other. As Steve and Wayne, who was being uncharacteristically talkative that morning, fell into a conversation about baseball that Eddie could only kind of follow, he decided to see if the Hellfire group chat had any updates for him.

Microwave: so when is everyone getting here?

Garebear: That’s kinda up to Eddie since we need the van.

Dustpan: so any time between 2 and 6:30 is what I’m hearing

JIF: Yeah pretty much

Leia: max is gonna be here at noon to help set up. erica will be here whenever she wants to be.

Dustpan: naturally

Dustpan: mike, will, any word from el?

Dustpan: wait was that her that just came in?

Dustpan: jesus yes it was, she just scared the shit out of me in the kitchen

Dustpan: never mind I guess

good god how do you all function this early

Garebear: Why the hell are you awake?

gotta run a couple errands

i have a cute boy to impress

Leia: knock em dead, tiger

anyway gare ill come drop the van off at yours once im done and ill be back for the party at… whatd we say 7 right?

Garebear: Earlier if you can be, I’d like to not have to sound check without you

JIF: Again

Garebear: Again

Garebear: Hey I was gonna say that

JIF: Sucks to suck

Eddie rolled his eyes and sighed, shoving his phone into his pocket so he wouldn’t have to watch everybody talk over each other. There was a reason he always kept his phone on silent. If he had to hear his stupid messages go off every thirty seconds, he would probably lose it. Gareth understood, but insisted that he be in the group chat anyway so he would, quote, know what was going on and not have to make Gareth be his personal messenger, Jesus Christ Eddie could you join the 21st century please.

No, no he could not.

"Alright, if you two nerds are done… bonding, or whatever," Eddie said, tapping Steve's shoulder and making a grabby hand gesture to take his empty plate. "I got shit to do, so we should probably get you home, yeah?" He collected Wayne's plate as well and headed back to the kitchen without waiting for a response. 

"Uh, alright," Steve said, brain struggling to change gears as he was jerked from his conversation. "Well, guess I'll be around," he nodded to Wayne as he stood up to follow Eddie to the bedroom so he could grab his stuff. Or, he tried to follow Eddie into the bedroom.

Eddie had caught himself, stuck still in the doorway when Steve all but ran into him, jolting him back to reality.

“Sorry, didn’t realize you stopped,” Steve laughed, sneaking in past Eddie as he stayed firmly caught on the doorframe, gaping at nothing. Steve tucked his small wad of belongings under his arm and turned back to leave the room, but Eddie still hadn’t moved.

“Hey, man, you good?” he asked, waving his free hand in front of Eddie’s face.

“Uh, yeah,” Eddie blinked hard and nodded, coming back down from… wherever he was in his head. “Sorry, I, um… sorry.”

Eddie slid past Steve into the room to pull his boots back on, sitting softly on the very edge of the bed like he was trying not to mess the blankets up, even though Steve had barely done more than shake them out to lie flat across the mattress.

Once Steve was gone and Eddie could hear him chatting with Wayne in the living room again, he took a moment to pull himself together, running his hands over the smooth bedsheets. No one else had ever made his bed for him, except for Wayne the day he had moved in. Shit, Eddie never even made his bed himself, either. But here was Steve, pretty kind funny and apparently a bit of a neat freak, and he had made Eddie’s bed.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about it, but he couldn’t let the question linger much longer than realizing he didn’t know how he felt, because he knew if he let Steve and Wayne talk any more, he’d never get Steve out of the house. Not that it was a bad thing, just… inopportune. He had other moves to make first, and unfortunately it meant Steve had to go home. For now, at least.

He shook his head again, trying to clear his brain like an old etch-a-sketch so he could focus on the task at hand, and forced himself up. He didn’t bother tying his boots; they were on his feet and that was all he needed, so he grabbed his coat and ventured back out.

“Ready?” he asked, knocking his shoulder against Steve’s as he came up behind him.

“Yeah,” Steve smiled. “Thanks, again, for letting me stay,” he said, looking between Eddie and Wayne as Eddie started pulling him out the door. Wayne nodded to Steve before he was completely dragged outside.

"So," Steve said as he and Eddie situated themselves in the van. "I know you said no dress code, but like… What should I wear, actually?"

Eddie smiled, looking behind him as he pulled away from the trailer.

"I dunno… Do you own anything other than polo shirts?"

"Yeah! This is just what I wear to work, dude, I don't dress like this all the time." 

It was a little bit a lie. In reality, that was how he dressed more or less always, but it's not like his closet was comprised entirely of shirts that looked like his mother picked them out. 

"Hm… In that case, wear something that if you wore it to work you'd get written up. Got anything like that?"

"I'm sure I can find something." Okay, maybe his clothes did all sort of look like his mother picked them. Whatever. He'd have Robin help him. He'd have time after she got off work.

Eddie stayed in the parking lot across from Steve's apartment for a minute before moving on with his day. He pulled his phone out, ignoring the Hellfire group chat's constant stream, and texted Barb instead.

B:

he made my bed

is that a thing people do?

Make their beds?

make OTHER PEOPLES beds after they stay the night

Aww, he stayed the night?

yeah. turns out that coworker i thought he was dating? they do live together but shes gay and apparently had a hot date over

anyway back to my question

Did he sleep in your bed?

yes

…

Did *you* sleep in your bed?

no jesus b i slept on the couch what kind of man do you take me for

Well, I mean, I've never had anyone do that for me, but I guess that it's not, like, outside the realm of possibility.

he also made breakfast. for all of us.

Wayne too? That’s cute.

Sounds like he just wanted to be nice.

i think waynes more in love with him than i am

Did you tell him you know Nancy?

no uh. it never came up

You should probably tell him at some point.

i dunno. feel like that might freak him out

Yeah, maybe.

Eddie rested his forehead against the steering wheel for a moment, collecting his thoughts. It’d be fine, he told himself. Steve was being nice. He’s just a nice dude. Super nice. He definitely wouldn’t care that Eddie was friends with Nancy. Shit, they weren’t even really friends. Friendly, sure, but friends? Nah. 

Get it together, Munson. He’s just a guy.

------

i think i'm a little behind schedule so pt 8 will go up here in a couple hours and both parts will be on ao3 once i'm off work

tagging: @original-cypher @avacrebs @dangdirtydemons @rainydays35 @changenamelater @phantypurple @alienace @renaissan-vvitch @krazyperson @steddiereid @kittsu-makes-glass @i-must-potato @jaywhohasthegay @henderdads @mightbeasleep @straight4joekeery @sharingisntkaren @micheledawn1975 @thehumblefigtree @goodolefashionedloverboi @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @potentialheartofdarkness @dreammetheworld08 @steveisabicon @biatcgh @alittlegreyfish @r0binscript @estrellami-1 @shitnshit

[gaoau]

Stir — Night Study Session

A Mother's Instinct note — i did the math. with balconies having an average height of 2.3m and yakus jumping reach being 3.1m and the mandatory minimum height of a railing being 90cm, its technically possible for yaku to run up and reach a hand leaning over the railing of a balcony. warnings — none. word count — 1.4k

prev. — next.

The ungodly hours of the night were, for some annoying reason, [Name]'s favorite moments to burst into tears. Yaku had come to know this all too well, for he was unfairly doomed to suffer alongside her. His eyes would snap open to the utter darkness of the eigengrau engulfing his room, and then he'd realize his stomach was doing backflips. The digital clock on his bedside table would read times between two o'clock and half an hour past four—sometimes a little over one o'clock on a good night.

His first response was always to groan quite loudly, growling to himself words of [Name], what the actual fuck are you doing? After contemplating his options for a couple minutes, he would unplug his phone from its charger and wince at the brightness of his dull screen. More often than not, he'd find his notification bar entirely flooded with texts from Illiterate Dumbass Ankle—contact name courtesy of [Name] herself. When he opened the chat, the count of unread messages stood above fifteen every single time. Yaku had to scroll through pictures of her crying, red face and an impressive amount of exclamation points to figure out what was going on.

[Name]'s reasons for crying in the middle of the night ranged from the death of her favorite character in a series she was watching, to accidentally stepping on her cat's tail as she went to the kitchen for a snack, to getting startled because she thought she'd seen a humanoid figure standing on her backyard, to finally being able to understand that one math problem she'd been stuck on for forever. The amount of times Yaku had fallen asleep after reading text messages saying Holy shit I'll drop out and become a stripper I have never seen a number in my entire life only to wake up to [Name] challenging Albert Einstein to a trigonometry battle was insane—it happened so frequently that he was starting to get worried.

There were times, however, that his message app was left completely blank and untouched. Every once in a while, Yaku would jolt awake because of his stomach stirring itself up, pestering him to check on [Name] since she was most likely crying her eyes out. But when he pressed the power button on his phone and found no new messages at all, his stomach would become an empty void of nothingness as it tried to eat itself. Those were the times he would get genuinely worried, wondering what was making [Name] cry at night and why she wasn't telling him as she usually did.

Yaku sat up on his bed, the springs of his mattress creaking beneath him. His fingers swiped rapidly across his phone's screen and in no time he had sent three concerned messages in the span of five seconds. He patiently awaited a response, knowing full well [Name] kept her phone by her side every waking moment of her days. When a few minutes passed and his mess of a friend had yet to even read the messages, Yaku sighed resignedly.

He was quick to throw on a hoodie, grab his keys and wallet, and sneak out the window without waking up his parents. He knew [Name]'s favorite treats for a stressful night—whichever the reason for that stress was—and buying them presented no trouble. Maybe he could throw in some fruit for a smoothie and two cans of whipped cream to see who could down theirs first.

It was well past three o'clock when [Name] jumped at the sound of tapping on her window. An irregular rhythm, with very irregular pauses in-between—ah, Yaku was throwing rocks at her window again, wasn't he? Glancing with furrowed brows at her clock, [Name] forced herself to stand from her chair and draw her curtains open.

Effectively, ready in position to fling yet another pebble at her window, Yaku stood on the street, staring up with squinted eyes. His face lit up instantly upon seeing [Name] walk out her balcony, goosebumps erupting on her skin at the change in temperature. He retrieved his plastic bag from the ground and held it safely between his teeth.

[Name] leaned over the railing, stretching out her dominant arm out of habit—after her parents locked their ladder away, these two had to improvise. With a small run-up, Yaku leaped into the air and clasped his hand around [Name]'s forearm. "Goodness fucking gracious, Morisuke, what are you doing here?" [Name] grunted as she struggled to pull her friend onto safe land without falling over. "I'm also trying to study, so, yeah… You know…?"

Yaku shot her a quick thanks while ushering her back into her room, scolding her for heading out into the cold without a coat and barefoot. He set the plastic bag on her desk, right next to the open biology textbook and [Name]'s notes. "So that's it, then."

[Name] crashed onto her chair. "What's it?"

"That's why you're crying."

[Name]'s brows seemed to dance; one rose in confusion, then fell into a frown with its pair, before finally bending into a grimace. "Cry—I'm not crying, though?" Yaku brushed the back of his finger up her lashes. [Name] blinked repeatedly, before flinching at the unexpected sensation of tiny water droplets hitting her face. She locked eyes with Yaku's knowing look. "…Oh God, I'm crying."

"Come here."

And she did as told, pressing her forehead against his cushioned stomach, inhaling the scent of his deodorant on his hoodie. "Sorry, I've just been kinda stressed lately." A few sniffles sounded as she wiped her eyes with her fingers. "I really need to save my biology grades or I'm done for."

"[Name], come on, it's only the first semester. You'll get it back up the next one."

"You trust me too much."

Yaku laughed, tracing his hands up and down her back in an attempt to soothe her. "I should. I'm sure you'll do fine. Don't you like biology?"

"Dude, I like plants, not learning however the fuck humans came to be."

[Name] pulled away and raked her fingers through her hair. Yaku smiled down at her, placing his palm atop her shoulder. "Trust me on this one, you'll do just fine."

"I need better than fine, though." Her eyes strayed to the open textbook, riddled with thousands of unreadable characters. A heavy sigh fell from her lips. "I should really go over some stuff, just to be sure."

"Here." The rustling of the plastic bag caught [Name]'s attention. Yaku knew her too well. "I brought snacks and your favorite ice-cream. We can review together."

"Morisuke, it's, like, three in the morning."

"We will review together."

[Name] giggled, accepting the package of blueberries Yaku had tossed to her. She popped a small handful into her mouth. "Thanks, dad. Hm, also, how'd you know?"

"Know what?"

"That I was crying."

Yaku blanked. "Uh, I just did." He shrugged his shoulders while opening the cans of whipped cream. "I just know. Here, no cheating." He passed one of the cans to [Name], who gingerly took it in her hands with glimmering eyes. Almost instantly, she coated her blueberries with whipped cream. "Oh, for fuck's sake, I said no cheating."

"Good thing there's no practice tomorrow." [Name] snorted loudly, watching how her friend hurried to fill his mouth with sugary whipped cream. She gulped down her fruit before joining him.

"You can crash at my place."

Yaku's words—albeit muffled by the amount of cream puffing his cheeks—brought a warm smile to her face. "Much appreciated. Okay, let me teach you about human evolution."

Together, they laughed the night away, tossing fruit into each other's mouth and playing with their cans of whipped cream. [Name] explained her biology material with exaggerated hand motions and always a spoonful of her favorite ice-cream flavor trapped between her fingers. It was the following morning while she flunked her test when she wished she had gotten more than an hour of sleep. But looking back, the nights in which she started talking about the evolution of human beings only to end up rambling about the thumb not being considered a finger by certain definitions were her favorite.

[passivenovember]

Billy tugs his phone out of his pocket, clumsy fingers swiping notifications from the home page. 

He’s got four emails from Cosmo, a missed call from Maxine, and a message from Joyce that lights up his screen with the same sprawling, letter-esque type that all people born before 1983 seem to use. 

Billy, Joyce says, and Billy imagines her index finger tapping furiously, glasses perched on the tip of her nose, Hop ate some bad seafood. Won’t make the party. I’m sorry, kid. Love you so much. Breathe in, have fun, breathe out. Love, Joyce Byers.

Billy hadn’t noticed the time.

“This is fun,” Eddie says, suddenly. 

Billy looks up, startled out of his swirling little daydream. “Sure,” he says distantly. Things have settled in the dust. Soft, intimate conversations flutter around the room like butterfly wings, brushing Billy’s skin and sticking to the sweat on his brow. 

He’s relieved to be out of the spotlight. A good meal can take the edge off of things, sending people into a heady, comfortable space where nothing matters as much as it did before. 

Scarecrow is asleep on the couch. Everyone else is gone.

Billy considers the clock on his home screen and the prickly meaning of 10:23 shining over the last picture he took with his mom before boarding the plane last Christmas. His feet hurt, his throat’s dry, and really what would it matter if he took off?

It’s not like Steve would toss a rock through his living room window. He might send someone after him, like. Chrissy or Eddie or Dustin, who Billy learned spent every summer at a camp not far from Mammoth Lakes. He’s been gathering information all evening, building his arsenal. No matter the case or the friend or the scenario, Billy could take them–

“Should we go check on Steve?” 

Billy looks up from the empty pit of his cell phone screen. It’s gone dark. The room has cleared out, with art majors and registered nurses running back to whatever warehouse Steve keeps them in, and it’s down the the bare bones.

Billy. Scarecrow, asleep on the couch. Robin and Chris, probably, sitting on a bathroom floor somewhere misty-eyed like El and Max are when they’ve had too much to drink, doing each other’s hair and throwing compliments at each other like confetti. And Munson. 

Always Munson. 

Eddie wags an eyebrow, patting at his shirt pocket for a packet of cigarettes. “Want?”

“No,” Billy says, wrinkling his nose at the bright orange package, “Thanks.”

Apparently, people still smoke Dosal’s. 

Apparently, this is 1982. 

“Suit yourself, Blondie,” Eddie fishes a pale slim between two fingers and pinches the butt with his teeth, patting around all over again for a lighter. Billy wants to play the Hypocrite, insisting that smoking real cigarettes is bad, even though his lips are lightning pricks of jealousy. 

“They’re having a moment,” Billy says finally.

“Who?”

“Nancy and Steve.”

“Awful long moment, if you ask me.”

“Nobody did.”

“Gee, thanks,” Eddie quips back. He gets a flame started. Smoke pouring from his nose like a dragon, “You should go up there,” Eddie says, eyes bright with mischief.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I can’t just go up there–”

“Don’t wanna cause a scene?” Eddie blows smoke through his nose, the flat, sweaty face of his palm lining circles through the air, “Dude. Party’s dead. It’s not like anyone’s around to see and even if they did, they won’t remember or care once the hangover kicks in.”

“Oh, and you don’t count?”

“‘Course not, Blondie, I’m just stirring the shit. Besides,” Eddie smirks, “You go up there and find out what’s keeping him, and I swear I’ll punt the Wheeler kid over my shoulder and we’ll be gone in time for Nancy to storm, broomstick flying, out the front door.”

The edge of Billy’s cell cuts into his palm, its corner pressing deep enough that Billy feels his pulse thumping through centimeters of metal and plastic. “Where’s Chris?”

“Went for a sleepover with Robin and the baby. Chrissy loves kids.”

Billy doesn’t remember that. He doesn’t remember much of anything–

“Are you serious?” Eddie rolls his eyes, “That’s what you get for staring at your phone for twenty minutes, Hargrove.”

Billy starts. “Twenty minutes?”

“It’s true what they say about radio signals and microwaves and cell phones frying your frontal lobe, you know–”

The ceiling starts thumping overhead. “Wait,” Eddie says to himself. To Billy. He holds his palm upward, cigarette smoke curling up through his fingers like fog from a sewer grate.

Someone slams a door. 

And then someone else comes thundering down the stairs, their footfall so heavy that Billy glances at the knick-knack shelf with mirth.

He holds his breath, terrified and suddenly, heart-wrenchingly sober–

And then Nancy rounds on him.

She’s crying.

Eddie says, “Wheeler,” like he knows something they don’t know.

Nancy ignores him. Her eyes somehow catch and tear open on Billy’s smooth, concerned gaze. He wants to say something to her. He wants to apologize and scrub the thundering sound of her footsteps from the stairwell.

She stalks to the foyer, snatching her purse off the now bare antique table that had bags and jackets piled high not even twenty minutes ago. “Mike,” Nancy says, her eyes glued to the floor as she digs around for her keys.

Scarecrow doesn’t rouse from his spot on the sofa. He’s drooling, a little.

Billy clears his throat, “Is everything–”

“Michael Wheeler,” Nancy says, with all the pissed-off, righteous terror of a girl who spent too long at her mother’s knee.

Mike sits with a startled sound, “What, what happened? Is everything–”

“Get up so I can drive you home.”

Mike stares wildly around the room, dimly lit like all rooms are at the end of a monumental evening. “Where is everybody?” Mike’s wide, nervous eyes land on Billy. “Hey, do you have any more of that tater-tot casserole?”

“I–”

Nancy grabs her brother by the scruff of his neck, “You don’t need more casserole, I can get you McDonald's on the way home.”

“Home,” Mike repeats, scrubbing sleep from his eyes, “What happened to you and Steve–”

Nancy hauls Mike to the front door, shoves him through, and slams it shut behind them.

The house falls silent like someone hit the mute button. Like Nancy ripped the button out of the wall and they’re stuck in this weird, floating space between alive and. Something else. Radio silent.

Eddie clears his throat, “Anyway–”

“Mike told me he doesn’t like tater-tot casserole,” Billy says thickly. Feeling. A little bit like a tiny ceramic figurine in the center of a snow globe, full of wonder as emotions swirl brightly all around him. 

Maybe he’s just drunk. “He said he wouldn’t eat it.”

“Right.”

“But he did,” Billy tries heavily. “Mike was the first person I met when I got here and he made me feel like shit, but then. He ate the casserole.”

Eddie nods, taking a languid drag from his still-lit cigarette. Billy thinks that Steve is going to throw a fit when he comes down here and finds his vintage, 1970s furniture smelling exactly like the decade they were manufactured in.

Billy shakes his head, willing it to clear. “It doesn’t make sense. Nothing makes sense anymore.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“I just mean that. Why would Mike eat the casserole if he hates it?”

Eddie shrugs, “Maybe he was lying?”

“But why would he eat my casserole if he hates me?”

“Maybe he was lying,” Eddie says again, flatter this time. He puffs on his cigarette, studying the drunken flush on Billy’s cheeks. It goes on forever and forever and then he ashes his cigarette in the tray Steve uses to keep loose change in, leaning forward on his elbows. 

Eddie’s head gets huge and wobbly like a bobbledummy. “Can I be honest with you, Billiam?”

“--Billiam–”

“Can I, though?”

“Sure?”

“You’re a great guy,” Eddie says lightly, full of feeling, and Billy starts to shake. “I’m being serious. You’re the best guy Steve’s been with in longer than I can remember, you just. I think you judge people too harshly.”

“Me?”

“You.” Eddie determines. He leans back, cool as a frizzy-haired cucumber. “I just think, like. You’re getting all misty-eyed over the drunken realization that maybe Mike didn’t hate you as much as you thought he did, and earlier you seemed surprised that Nancy didn’t try to kill you with a paring knife, and you’re attributing it all to some garlic bread and a fucking tater-tot casserole.”

Billy’s ears feel hot. Red hot and sunburned, under the weight of Eddie’s scrutiny. Maybe he’s right, maybe he’s wrong– “What should I attribute it to, then?”

“You,” Eddie says, lighting another cigarette. “I’ve known you for half a day, Hargrove, and I can tell. You’re cool. Way cooler than you give yourself credit for.”

–

Eddie makes up some bullshit lie about needing to go home. I work in the morning, he says, so Billy lets him go.

And then he climbs the stairs, two at a time while flickering memories of the party-set-up dance just out of reach. He’s never actually been anywhere beyond the landing on the second level of Steve’s house. The attic drawstring dangles in a lazy, barely-there breeze, and Billy’s surprised to find more doors than he anticipated, stamped along the hallway in calm, quiet darkness.

He imagines them leading to spare bathrooms. Closets that span the entire floor. Libraries and knicks that lead to the unpolished servant’s quarters. 

It’s magical like the Brothers Grimm stories his mom used to read to him, and Billy has the foreign, intense urge to open every single door and peer into the darkness like Nancy Drew.

Nancy Wheeler.

But the door on the farthest end of the hallway spills gold onto the carpet from a tiny, amber sliver, and Billy’s heart thumps wildly, battering against his ribs at the thought that Steve’s in there, Steve’s just down the hall–

Billy knocks twice with the hardest part of his knuckle. Just like his mother used to before Neil went missing and before Susan made her laugh at the grocery store, back when Billy had huge feelings but couldn’t put a name to them. Back when his bedroom was a fortress. 

“Steve?” Billy says. Someone shuffles behind the door, their shadow casting long enough to reach like phantom fingers into the hallway. “I think I’m gonna head out–”

The door swings open.

Steve’s been crying. 

Right away, Billy’s heart skips a beat and starts thumping backward, eager to turn back time and retrace every step until things start to make sense again. “Oh, you didn’t have to open the door,” Billy says, shyly, “Sorry. I didn’t want to bother you.”

Steve shrugs. He won’t meet Billy’s eyes when he says, “Is everyone else gone?” Like he hopes they’ll come thundering up the stairs, one right after the other, to save him from this.

Billy tries to push the thought away and fails. “No, they’re all gone.”

“Did you have an alright time?”

“Yeah,” Billy says softly, surprised to feel his heart opening like a flower in the light of that truth. “Your friends are really great, Steve. Chrissy was a doll and Robins–”

“Robin.”

“Yeah. Dustin actually knew where Mammoth Lakes is on a map, like. I was so surprised. And he’s been hiking near the mountains at that nerdy little summer camp–”

“--Camp Knowhere–”

“Right. Science camp,” Billy smiles, feeling hot all over from the booze, “And Eddie was great, too, y’know. For a nosy piece of shit.”

Steve starts at that, his spine going ramrod straight like maybe Billy’s words electrocuted him. “You. You spent most of the night with Eddie?” 

“Yeah, he’s cool,” Billy chuckles, and. Steve makes a face, like. A trademark, Big-eyed-terrified-jealous-asshole kind of face. It’s adorable. “Steve. Are you jealous?” Billy asks, amused.

Steve turns beet-red. “No.”

“Oh my god, you are.”

“I’m not jealous of Eddie Munson,” Steve spits, rolling his eyes so far back Billy thinks they may never be brown again, “He’s a nice guy, I just. Can’t believe you found anything he said so interesting that it took you an hour and a half to come up here.”

Billy falters. “I thought he was one of your friends.”

“He’s a work friend,” Steve says sharply, “That’s not the same thing. Nancy said he was making eyes at you all night.”

And. 

For the first time since Steve started turning Billy’s heart on its head with the sound of a shovel on his driveway, Billy wants to knock Steve’s teeth in. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Steve looks bashful, staring at the floor. “I don’t know. Nancy said that–”

“Fucking Nancy,” Billy spits. His arms burn, and his muscles pull tense. “She has no right to run up here and tell you that anything was going on, Steve, because she’s full of shit. Eddie’s a cool person. He was just being nice.”

“Like how he’s been ‘nice,’ to every other guy I’ve–”

Billy tries to put a lid on the fire that sentiment starts, burning through his stomach. That Billy’s not special. He’s just like every other guy Steve’s ever brought home. “Eddie loves his girlfriend,” Billy reasons, “Chrissy, remember her?”

“Yeah.”

“Good,” Billy says, crossing his arms over his chest. “What does it matter who I spent the night with, anyway.” 

“Billy–”

“I still had a good time. I thought that’s what you wanted?” 

“It is what I wanted.”

“Then why are you acting so weird?” Billy's jaw aches. He wants to hinge it shut. Yearns to fold himself into Steve’s arms and forget everything. Nancy and the kitchen, Nancy and the Hallway–

But. 

He’s drunk. And when Billy’s drunk, his mouth runs away with him. Steve’s hurt him, whether or not he meant to is inconsequential, and Billy’s suddenly pissed off. Furious. He bares his teeth. “It’s not like I could’ve spent any time with you.”

Steve picks up on it immediately, his eyes blowing wide with regret. “Bill–”

“When you weren’t saddled up in the next room, smoking until your eyes dried out and ditching me so I could bake bread in the kitchen like your little kept boy, you were locked up in here with Nancy.”

Steve’s baby browns flash red with anger. “Like you were, with Munson?”

“What are we talking about?” Billy snaps. “Where is this coming from?”

“Nancy just said–”

“You’re throwing a fucking fit because I was spending time with one of your friends?” 

“To be fair,” Stee quips, smiling softly, “Eddie’s pretty cute.”

“I’m not in the mood for this,” Billy shakes his head, driven crazy with sorrow, “That’s bullshit, Steve. You don’t get to be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad at you, baby.”

“Don’t call me that,” Billy says, “I’m pissed at you.”

“Alright, Jesus–”

Billy feels his fuze stop, ready to detonate. “Why are you rolling your eyes and acting like this isn’t a big deal? It is.”

“I know.”

“I come up here and you start bitching at me about Eddie Munson. I’m not the bad guy, here. I wasn’t the one who disappeared for an hour to talk to a girl I once called ‘baby,’ on the phone.”

Steve doesn’t say anything. 

His mouth opens and closes, working around a comeback, but Billy isn’t in the mood to give him that chance. 

“For months, Nancy’s been this huge thing hanging over my head. Ever since we got snowed in that last time, and. Steve, I didn’t ask to be a bigger part of your life. I didn’t ask you to scrape my driveway, or bring me ice melt, or grow flowers to decorate my classroom with. I didn’t want any of it. I don’t deserve–”

What Nancy said to me. Robin’s kindness. 

This.  

Love.

You. 

Billy takes a deep, steadying breath. “I’m sorry,” He says, tugging a hand through his hair. When their eyes meet, Steve’s are warm. Sad. Billy wets his lips, “I don’t want to bitch back and forth. Tonight was really fun. Really. I loved it.”

I love you.

Billy turns, grateful that the world is less of a dreamscape, now. He’s ready to go home, ready to disappear, But then–

“Nancy said she overstepped, tonight.”

Billy stops. His hand clutches the banister.

“She told me she opened her mouth and ruined what we had, and. To be honest, I’m not really surprised. I should’ve expected that she would say something fucked to you because she does that. Always has. It’s one of the reasons we broke up in High School and never got back together again, even though–”

“--Steve–”

“I just. We’ve never really stopped caring about each other, and it’s unhealthy. I was living in denial because it’s always been platonic on my end. But I think in some weird, step-ford wives kinda way, maybe Nance–”

Billy whirls, his body catching on fire, “I don’t want to hear that she’s in love with you, Steve.” 

Steve watches him like a bear caught in a trap. 

Billy’s voice cracks right down the middle. He hates it. He’s going to drown. “I swear to god. If you tell me that she’s in love with you and after all this time, all this shit you’ve done to make me like you. Steve, if you stand there and say you love her–”

“I’m not in love with Nancy Wheeler, Billy, I’m in love with you.”

Billy blinks, shocked when tears cling to his lashes. 

He’s grateful that Steve isn’t close enough to see them, poised and ready to break like waves over his freckles. “No,” Billy says, not. Believing it. He can’t. He won’t. Billy shakes his head, “No–”

“Look–”

“--This is insane,” Billy says, “We’re fighting. We’re having our first fight.”

“Yeah,” Steve says sheepishly, “It sucks, but. It’s kinda nice, too. Refreshing to have it all out there.”

“Stop,” Billy says, breathless. “This isn’t right. I’m supposed to call you an asshole, and you’re supposed to kick me out and I’m supposed to not sleep, and. Cry to my sister on the phone. I’m supposed to realize I fucked up big time, and come back tomorrow with flowers and apologize for getting so drunk and ruining our lives–”

“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” Steve says. He tucks his hands into his pockets, gaze steady on what he wants. “What’s happening is my fault.”

“It’s not,” Billy says thickly. He wants to stand on the stairway banister and say it’s his fault. All of it. His insecurity, his depression, his brain bullshit, making everything difficult since that first January day–

“It is, though,” Steve says, taking one step closer. “I shouldn’t have invited Nancy tonight. I should’ve done more to make you comfortable, and even though I knew all the shit with her was tearing you up inside, I didn’t do anything to stop it. I should have.”

“It’s okay–”

“It’s not okay, Billy, you’re supposed to throw shit and call me an asshole because I deserve it,” Steve says. “We’re having our first fight, remember?”

He’s on the verge of smiling, but. 

Billy can feel heartache like an incoming rainstorm, emotions like clouds gathering somewhere neither of them can see but when the rains come and wash away everything that was there before, they can start over, bathed in the light of the dawn.

“I don’t know what she said, exactly, but Bill,” Steve looms closer, his eyes swamped with emotion, “You’ve gotta believe me. It’s not true.” When his hands cup Billy’s neck, they’re warm. His thumbs brush lightly over Billy’s jaw. “I’m so in love with you, Billy.”

Billy presses into them, like a cat, “Okay.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t say it earlier. I’m sorry–”

“That’s the thing about a first fight,” Billy says, grinning softly, “I think we get to have makeup sex, now.”

Steve holds terrifyingly, shockingly still, and then. 

He moves.

Billy kisses him. He presses all his weight into Steve, pushing and pulling until their bodies meld into something new. 

Steve sucks on his tongue, hands scrambling to touch every part of Billy he can find. They stumble, unsure on love-drunk legs, knees knocking along the hallway and into the bedroom. 

Billy hums low in his throat. Steve’s tugging on his shirt, pulling the starched fabric downdown down until the blood stops pulsing up through his brain. 

“Off,” Steve says, panting into his mouth, “Off, baby, please–”

“Buttons,” Billy grunts, and they go flying, a handful of tiny stars that leave scratch marks on the wallpaper.

This is the shirt Steve picked out for him. So they could match. They’re matching right now, two halves of a whole, and Steve gets him on his back, says, “Let me eat you out, baby. Please–”

“Yes.” Billy’s mouth chokes around a half-baked thought, that. Good boy. Steve, Billy, both of them. 

“Thank you,” Steve says, like a prayer, and it’s ridiculous. 

Billy wonders if it’s the start of something. Of love. Fifty more years draped button-downs and pressed khakis and Steve, salt-and-pepper gray around the temples and everywhere else. 

He gets Billy’s pants off.

Billy moans because he wants to see it. The room is cold, and Steve is warm, and Billy tucks into it like an animal fending off the winter, and then he’s hot.

On fire.

Steve gets his mouth on Billy. Licks up his balls and swallows his cock down to the root, nose buried in the curly blond husk that pillows him. Steve gives head like someone’s told him he’s got ten minutes left to live. It’s break-neck. Harsh. The world is drowning and the sky has been torn open, and this is Steve’s dying wish. 

“Shit,” Billy says to the ceiling, “Shit, Steve, I’m gonna–”

Steve pulls off with a wet, satisfying pop. “I’ve got lube in the drawer,” He says, voice hoarse through the fog of pleasure surrounding them. 

He doesn’t ask. 

He licks a stripe from Billy’s balls to his swollen, pink head, and says, “Open it for me.”

Billy doesn’t have the wherewithal to think so he gets on his knees and crawls, starving, to the beside table. 

“Jesus Christ,” Steve says. He follows Billy up the mattress. Steve’s cupping his ass, petting it, spreading it open. 

He spits on Billy’s pucker, and.

There are fingers, pressing lightly at his rim. Steve says, “I’ve wanted this for years,”

Billy drops the lube, says, “Years?” But then he’s being split open. Fucked open on Steve’s tongue, strong and sure and slick, in all his most tender places.

His face hits the mattress. He’s suffocating, and death smells like cedarwood and vanilla. Billy’s dripping a puddle onto it, ruining the duvet and the sheets too, probably, but.

It feels amazing. It’s amazing–

Billy’s radioactive. Steve’s got him by the kneecaps, keeping him open and receptive, and Billy’s cock hangs heavy and swollen when Steve pressed two fingers in alongside his tongue.

Billy’s makes a noise, like. 

His lungs are giving out. His heart has grown lips to speak, after all these years, and–

“Is it okay if I–”

“Want you,” Billy gasps, tasting cotton on his tongue. He can’t manage more than that.

Steve pulls away, pressing a soft, sweet kiss to the base of Billy’s spine. “Lay on your back, okay?”

Bily does as he’s told. 

His shirt is tangled frustratingly around his elbows. Billy twists onto his back, anyway, watching as Steve tugs his own pants down just far enough for his cock to bounce free.

It’s perfect.

It’s long and thick, pink at the tip next to a pretty brown freckle, and Billy wants to get his mouth on it. He tries to sit, obeying when Steve keeps him pinned to the mattress with a strong, gentle arm across his chest. 

His pupils are blown wide, eating up all the honey-brown Billy loves so much. “I want,” Steve starts, gasping when Billy’s fingers tug at his length. “Fuck–”

“Where’s the lube?” Billy demands. 

Steve fumbles for it. When his fingers close around the bottle, he squirts a generous amount onto Billy’s waiting palm and sits back, watching through eyes half-lidded as Billy’s fingers tease and play with him. 

“You’re big,” Billy says softly.

“Jesus, you’re gonna give me a complex.”

“It’s a fact,” Billy twists his fingers and Steve lights up like Times Square. He wants to do it again, “You’re gonna feel so good, Stevie.”

Steve drops his forehead to Billy’s chest, tongue laving hot over his collarbone. “You talk way too much,”

Billy tugs on his cock a little harder, relishing the little ah ah ah’s Steve can’t hold back. He’s got Steve where he wants him, that pretty pink head bumping softly against his hole, and Billy needs this.

Steve’s heart and body and love, more than he’s ever wanted anything in his life.

It’s terrifying.

It hurts and it really, really doesn’t when Steve slides home. Kisses all over Billy’s face and says, “I love you,” like he’s a virgin who’s just seen God for the first time.

Then he moves, sliding out and back in, out and back in.

Thrusting and then pounding, folding Billy in half until Steve is all he can feel inside of himself, all he can see staring down from above.

“I love you,” Steve says. Keeps saying, when Billy whimpers that he’s going to come. Steve quickens his thrusts, “You’re gorgeous. You’re so tight, baby, so perfect. Come for me, alright? C’mon, let me see you–”

It’s all the gentle reverence Billy could never, ever deserve. 

He has no choice but to lie there and take it.

–

“I like your ears.”

It’s hot, under the duvet cover. Billy’s covered in sticky, warm sweat. It’s Steve’s and it’s his and it’s theirs, making it difficult to stay put but impossible to pull away. 

Steve’s got a leg thrown over Billy’s waist. 

He’s propped on his elbow, gazing down at the soft, rounded shell of Billy's ear, fingertips tracing up and around until he tugs on the lobe.

“Ow,” Billy swats his hand away. “Dick.”

“You’ve got Dumbo ears.”

“Is this the best you can come up with in terms of pillow talk?”

“Freckles and pink cheeks and perfect lips. Long eyelashes and wonderful hair and now the ears, took?” Steve ignores him, leaning down to ghost the shell with his lips, “You’re like a cartoon character. It’s like God wanted to make everyone else feel bad about themselves because of how detailed you are.” 

His breath tickles.

Billy laughs, high and bright, “God, you’re insane.”

“What do you expect? You’re the main character and I’m just a supporting role–”

“--shit, what time is it–”

“--I’m not even a supporting role, I’m a cameo. An NPC–”

Billy pats around under the covers for his phone, realizing that it’s probably still lying face-down on the coffee table. 

“--It’s really only a matter of time before you find some other person who’s as perfect and detailed as you are, and then you can have perfectly detailed babies and live in your perfectly detailed house–”

Billy sits, drooping his legs over the side of the mattress, “I live in an IKEA showroom, I don’t think you’ll need to worry about that.”

“Hey, where are you going?” Steve demands. “I thought we were gonna have a sleepover?”

Billy’s stomach swoops. 

His brain kickstarts, trying to think of a reason he can’t sleep over tonight, but his synapses fumble the ball and he sits there, starched button down dangling between two fingers. 

Suddenly, he can’t breathe.

The walls are closing in, and Steve says, “Billy, what’s wrong?” And Billy thinks no one should ever want anything from him. No one should ever get this far–

“Hey, why are you breathing like that?” Steve sits, palms spreading warmly over Billy’s stomach where he slots in behind him. “Where’d you go?” 

Billy’s mouth dries up. Outside the window, the sky is starting to gray, a little, dawn slowly and softly approaching. Billy has no idea how long they’ve been here, lying like this together, but he knows he never wants to leave.

Won’t survive it ever ending. 

But it will.

It will–

Steve presses a kiss to the back of Billy’s neck. “Talk to me, Billy. Please.”

Billy shakes his head.

“Let’s lay down,” Steve tells him, and before Billy knows it he’s tucked under the covers again, folded in and around the soft, supple places Steve has made for him. 

Billy counts to one hundred, then.

Listens to Steve’s breathing for as long as it takes his own to go calm. Finally, he sits with his back to the headboard. Steve watches him, patient.

Always patient. 

Billy takes a deep breath. “When you were up here with Nance–”

“--Billy–”

“What did she tell you?”

Steve’s fingers play with the knobs of thread on his duvet. Like the rest of his house, it’s old. Quilted. Probably a hand me down from his mother, and her mother, and hers before that. “She told me you were afraid of me.”

Billy waits. Listens.

“You know you don’t have to be, right?” Steve looks up at him, eyes thick with worry, “You know I would never do anything–”

“It’s more than that,” Billy says. “My mom. She wasn’t always gay. Or, maybe she was, but she wasn’t always married to Susan.” His knuckles turn white on the lip of the duvet cover. This is stupid. This is so fucking stupid. “Before our family was like it is now, there was. My dad.”

Steve nods. Waits.

“He was an angry man,” Billy swallows and his throat clicks. “He liked. Blood.”

“Baby, if it’s hurting you, we don’t have to talk about this.”

“I have a lot of problems, Steve,” Billy says. “Something’s wrong with me.”

Steve shakes his head, “You struggle with mental illness. That doesn’t mean something is wrong with you, Billy.”

And.

Steve’s shaking. His jaw is set, strong and resolute, ready to argue Billy’s case for him. Ready to lay these things to rest because they’re in love.

Steve says he loves Billy. He really believes it, and.

Billy toes the edge of a cliff. “I’m gonna tell you something I never say out loud,” He whispers, “Is that alright?”

“Of course, you can tell me anything.”

“I know, but,” Billy sits up straighter, tugging a hand through his hair, “I need to say it because. Look, Steve, I.”

Billy’s going to throw up.

He closes his eyes. “I love you, okay? I fucking love you, too, and I can’t. Goddamn do this, if you don’t know the whole story–”

“Alright.” Steve sits, taking Billy’s hands in his own. “Tell me. Go slow.”

Billy opens his eyes, and all he can see is Steve. 

Beauty. 

Kindness. 

He realizes, then, that he’s shaking. That he would do anything to keep this. 

It makes him brave.

“Okay,” Billy starts, staring down at their hands because that’s easier. “I moved out here because I knew there were kids that needed someone to care about them, but I miss my family. I haven’t unpacked my house because I can’t see myself fitting in here, but. I never really fit anywhere, except for with my sister.” He stares out, to the foot of the bed. He counts the shadows, seeing his father’s face in every single one. “Steve, I. I didn’t expect to fall in love with you.”

Steve laughs, “Same, you’re way too cool for me.”

“No, I’m serious. I didn’t expect to fall in love. Not with anyone,” Billy says, “Ever.”

Steve’s smile falls away. “That’s not possible,” He says valiantly, “Someone would’ve come along and loved you. You’re a beacon for it.”

Billy gasps, “I don’t deserve you.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Steve, I used to be a piece of shit–”

“--So did I–”

“--I have panic attacks,” Billy admits in a rush, like he’s ever been good at hiding them. “I overthink things, and I spiral–”

“--I love you, Billy–”

“--I have to go to therapy two times a week. My favorite color is gray. Well, blue and gray, but–”

“--I love you, Billy,” Steve says, again. He rubs his thumb across the back of Billy’s hand, smiling softly. “We were neighbors before this. I know you.”

Billy watches Steve’s thumb, timing his breaths to its careful, loving swipe. “There was something else Nancy said,”

“What?”

“That I can’t keep stringing you along if fear is what I feel.”

Billy realizes, half a second too late, that he’s dropped a bomb. Steve pulls away from him, brow furrowing. “Stringing me along?”

“No, not, like, in the literal sense–”

Steve gets out of bed. He’s naked, and it feels wrong to look when the roof is caving in, but Billy can’t help it. 

“Nancy said that? I can’t believe Nancy said that, that’s so–” Steve’s eyes close like doors. “I don’t understand why you’re afraid of me.”

“Not you,” Billy says sharply. “She got that part wrong.”

“Then what? Tell me what I can do–”

“You can’t do anything!” Billy snaps. The room is silent. Outside, there are crickets. Night birds. Billy’s chest aches, pain springing fresh in his voice. “The fear is mine. It’s inside me. Ever since I was a kid, and. With my dad, I just.”

Steve watches him. 

Billy shakes his head. “I feel like I have a lot of work to do before I can love somebody.” 

A dam breaks. 

Billy doesn’t realize he’s crying until Steve crosses to him, pulling Billy to his chest. “Love isn’t something you have to work for, alright? You don’t have to spend years working on yourself until you think you’re perfect enough to love someone, you’re perfect now.”

Billy hiccups, his throat closing just a little. 

“Billy, please believe me,” Steve says. 

Billy wants to. More than anything, but.

He pulls away, scrubbing at his face with the back of one hand. It takes everything in him to say it, but he has to. He owes it to himself and to Steve and to this brand new, perfect, fragile thing growing between them.

“I love you,” Billy says gently, “I do. I’ve loved you so much for so long but I feel like I don’t know who I am. I haven’t known since the second I moved to Hawkins, and I just. Need to see my mom. And my sister. I need to go home and be with my family before I can–”

“When does your spring break start?”

“I don’t know,” Billy says, “What day is it?”

“If I knew, I’d tell you,” Steve smiles in spite of himself, thumb lifting to wipe the tear tracks from Billy’s face. “I could’ve guessed, you know? You’ve never really been happy, here. I thought I was helping.”

“You are.”

Steve nods, threading their fingers together. He watches their hands for a moment, and then sighs, his neck rolling his eyes to the ceiling. “I think you should go home early.”

Billy frowns. “But–”

“If you need space, I can give it to you,” Steve looks at him, smiling small and sad, “It hurts that you don’t see yourself here and I’ll miss you like hell for those two weeks, but. If that’s what you need to feel sure about this–”

“--I’m sure about you, Steve–”

“--Then yourself. Take care of you first,” Steve grows serious, eyes tracking the curves of Billy’s face, “I want you to feel okay. That’s the most important thing.”

Steve presses a kiss to their hands, and Billy loves him. It rumbles down through his bones, spreading like wildfire until his skin catches aflame. 

It hurts.

It hurts, and it really, really doesn’t when Billy lets out a deep, trapped breath. “Okay. I’ll miss you,”

“I’ll miss you, too.”

“You won’t run away from me when I get back?”

Steve leans forward, his breath ghosting the shell of Billy’s ear. “Where else am I gonna go?”

–

Billy sleeps in Steve’s bed that night.

When he wakes and the room is empty, his phone charging on the nightstand, he opens his Southwest App and buys a ticket. 

One way, home.

--

from the new chapter of if snow loves the trees and fields

[queenoftheworldisdead]

Off Schedule

Chapter 8

Note: knocking the rust of my writing. send me a note if something is weird. i dont bite

Summary: Your boss is going through a divorce, but it seems you are the last to know. Emotions flare between you, your boss and his business partner. What will you do?

Warning: 18 + only, slow burn, fluff, balance of power dynamic

Brad Pitt x Reader, Keanu Reeves x Reader

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7

💐

Jen looked gorgeous. Her baby bump fully present almost stealing the show while the happy couple took their vows.

Despite the joyous atmosphere you sat uncomfortably in the wedding venue, but hopefully hid it well. It was hard to forget consequences of your action, especially when facing the ex-wife, surrounded by her loves. You felt like an interloper, you shouldn’t be here. You were more surprised you hadn’t burst into flames in the pew.

Brad wasn’t here thank god. You hadn’t seen him since that night and thanks to your hiatus from work you wouldn’t be forced to.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the officiant announced proudly as the attendees erupted in cheers and applause. You joined in the pageantry as guilt continued to eat-away at you. Only a few more hours of this before you were free to go home a wallow in the shame of your mistakes.

💐

The short walk to the reception was magical. Behind the venue guests were led down a dirt path. White flower pillars wrapped in fairy lights highlighted the trail leading to a white massive outdoor tent.

The strong scent of flowers wafted out from the opening of the tent. The inside was just a gorgeous as the outside. Flowers draped the ceiling and walls while large center pieces overflowed with blush grapes and pale flowers.

The room boomed with music while the liquor flowed freely. You would be abstaining too scared to make another drunken mistake.

There were too many tables, finding your seat was becoming a challenge. The place cards written in golden calligraphy were beautiful, but hard to read off the stark white background. You squinted, leaning toward each card trying to make out the characters.

“Do you need any help?”

You felt the gentle touch on your shoulder before his soft words hit your ears. Keanu hid his chuckle from the sight of your startled face.

“Oh hi… I didn’t know you were coming. I didn’t see you during the ceremony.”

“I just got back, I tried getting a hold of you, but never got an answer.” He explained.

You frowned in confusion. You hadn’t had any messages from him. Your phone was working you were sure. Sarah and Zoe both had texted you just yesterday.

“Something must be wrong with my phone… I never-,“ You tried to explain as you dug out your phone and quickly scan through your messages. Nothing.

Not even older messages from him. Weird.

He stands beside you watching over your shoulder as you tried to figure this out. You search his name in your contacts and its there, but when you click on it your stunned to find out that he is blocked.

“I don’t know how this happened. I swear I didn’t.” You plead your innocence with wide eyes. The way he looked at you somehow you knew he believed you to your relief.

“No worries these phones are always doing something crazy, it might have to do with a software update.” He suggested. That had to be the case. You’d seen notifications to update before, but always ignored them so that might be why.

“Weird. Of all people. I would’ve preferred if it blocked my mom instead.” You joked.

“That’s a relief I thought you might be avoiding me.”

💐

Keanu led and you followed as he helped you find your seat. He was the only face you recognized and you hoped that his placement was close to your own.

“I think this is us.” He proclaimed picking up two placards holding them side by side. You could kiss Jen for this.

“So how are things at the office?” You enquired as he pulled out your seat.

“It’s been busy, but your absence has been felt. Do you miss it?”

“I'm actually thinking about quitting.” You confessed sheepishly.

“Really?" Surprise and confusion riddled his face. You felt bad, but it was a thought that had been plaguing you for a while. Things at Terrilum were overly messy and you weren’t sure how much worse it was going to get. You needed peace and stability and you were sure you wouldn’t find it there.

“Yeah I’ve just been there for so long and I think its time.” You squirmed a little in your seat. You avoided his looks of concern and focused on the happy people dancing on the dance floor. Your mood was coming down just thinking the of bizarre soap opera you found yourself in and you wished desperately to escape that.

“Well I’m sorry to see you go. If you need a reference I would be happy to help.” Keanu offered. He still looked a bit disappointed, but he wasn’t going to press it seemed. You were thankful for that.

“Thanks, I’ll most definitely take you up on that.”

“Um-mm well while I have you here..” Keanu started but hesitated. You felt the familiar bundle of nerves tightening you belly as you wait in anticipation.

“I hope you don’t mind, but since you were unable to read my messages before, I was wondering if I could ask you in person again.”

“Ask me what?” You asked on the edge of your seat.

“If you wouldn’t mind... I'd like to take you on a date? A real one this time.”

💐

You blinked dumbly at him. For how long you weren’t sure. The question had caught you off guard.

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable…Umm I’m sorry I just thought.” He hurried to apologize, but you were quick to stop him.

“Wait! Wait!” You blurted out excitedly, holding your hands up haltingly. “Sorry,” you began lowering your hands and your voice in an attempt to sound more demur. “I’m mean I would love to.”

“That’s a relief.” He said with a grin, clearly entertained by your theatrics. “I’m ashamed to admit I’ve had a bit of a crush on you for a while, but never really had the courage to speak up.”

“Really?”

The news was unbelievable. It felt like you were in a dream that you didn’t want to wake up from.

The joy was short lived though. Your smile faded slowly when you spot a dark cloud in the horizon. The sight of him melts away the new found happiness and slamed you back down to the cold reality.

Brad. You thought he wasn’t coming. You hadn’t seen him during the ceremony either. Keanu followed your line of sight to find his friend and business partner.

Brad hadn’t spotted you both yet, that was good at least. Too busy congratulating the happy couple. Keanu waved over his buddy to your horror. An overwhelming urge to escape on coming doom enveloped your body. You needed to get out of here and fast.

“Um. Sorry… I just realized it’s getting late.” You lied, fumbling through your bag blindly, desperate to find your phone. You needed to order a hire car and get out of here.

“They haven’t cut the cake yet. Stay for a bit and I’ll take you home.” Keanu offered as he turned his attention back to you. Warmth bloomed on your exposed leg when he touched you there. His touch was comforting and you wanted to soak in it.

He was sweet, but you couldn’t take the chance of facing them both.

You smiled tightly disguising your discomfort the best you can. By the look on his face you could tell he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

You sneak a glance in Brad’s direction. He seemed to be getting closer. Damn it. You felt trapped and needed to escape.

“Um ok you’re right, but um I’m gonna go to the ladies I’ll be right back.” You lied pointing a thumb in the direction of your escape. He didn’t get up when you shot to your feet. Keanu just nodded in understanding and you’re grateful when he wouldn't follow suit.

You didn’t look back. There were no bathrooms in the direction you were headed, only catering. The only restrooms were back at the main venue, and to go there you would have to pass by you know who.

Clumsily you slip through the catering door. The faint scent of cigarette smoke caught your nose and you followed it. If they are smoking then there is a back door somewhere.

The staff looked at you confused, but say nothing. Ignoring the stares you ordered the fastest option for hire car despite the price.

Damn it. The next ride was twenty minutes away.

💐💐💐💐💐

[llostwriter]

系统错误 | SVSSS Fanfic

CHAPTER 4

【ǫᴜᴇsᴛ ᴀᴄǫᴜɪʀᴇᴅ: ғɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪssɪɴɢ ᴋɪᴅ ᴏғ ᴀ ɪɴɴᴏᴄᴇɴᴛ ᴇʟᴅᴇʀʟʏ ᴄʜɪʟᴅ. ᴜsᴇʀ sᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ 'ʏᴇs'. ɪғ ᴍɪssɪᴏɴ ɪs sᴜᴄᴄᴇssғᴜʟ, ᴘʟᴀʏᴇʀ sʜᴀʟʟ ʀᴇᴄɪᴇᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ʙᴏɴᴜs ᴏғ 𝟸𝟶𝟶 ᴘᴏɪɴᴛs】

Xuan Ji seeps onto the green tea that was offered by the old woman. The elderly woman guided them to a tiny store and offered to buy them drinks and food in exchange for their assistance. Just two cups of green tea were ordered by Xuan Ji: one for himself and one for Xiyin. She supposed the actual Xuan Ji would also act in such manner. Knowing that the villagers are already impoverished enough, she also doesn't want the elderly woman to spend any more money. She looked down her long sleeves, making sure to pull the golden hairpin further inside to keep it from falling.

"Where was the last time you saw your son?" Xuan Ji inquired in an effort to learn more about it.

"I'm not sure..." Xuan Ji raising an eyebrow as she carefully listened to the elderly woman’s statement. "How are you not sure, about your own son?" she asked.

"He's always a reckless young man, he never listens to me, he goes wherever he want without telling me anything"

Yes, so the man was killed by his own stupidity. That will most likely also be waiting for Xuan Ji in the event that she is unable to alter her destiny. "Don't worry ma'am, I and Jiejie will find your son!" A startling voice surprised Xuan Ji, it was Xiyin.

Isn't it premature to commit to such promise? Her son might have passed away already, for all we know! Don't make any such promises—especially ones you can't keep—because it's difficult to bring someone back to life!

"If that is the case, I will no longer disturb you two young girls. This old woman shall take her leave," the woman got up from her chair and walked out of the restaurant, leaving Xuan Ji and Xiyin alone with their thoughts. "So Xuan jiejie, what are you deciding for us to do?" Xiyin said, gazing at Xuan in anticipation of a response. If nothing else, at least she knows when to take business seriously.

【+𝟸𝟶 ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴏɴ ᴜsᴇʀ's 'ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴄᴛ ᴘʀᴏғᴇssɪᴏɴᴀʟ'】

Xuan was annoyed by the notification that showed up in front of her since she could see the system was making fun of her without much thought—not that she isn't intelligent.

She honestly has no idea where to go after she leaves the restaurant. On the left, Xiyin is standing as usual next to her. Ma'am, even though I'm grateful you trust me to keep you safe, I don't think I could do the same for myself! You are usually by my side, so if a beast attacked one of us, it would probably hit both of us!

"YOU SON OF A BITC-"

Xuan and Xiyin are alerted when they hear a loud cry that seems to have come from a dark alleyway across the street. Oh no, Xuan has seen too many scary movies to be naive enough to believe that entering would not yield any positive results. "Should we checked it out?" Xiyin innocently pointed her index finger in the direction of the location and questioned.

It was unnecessary since a larger, stronger man pushed a well-known little child out of the alleyway. That boy was the same one who had run into Xuan Ji earlier. The boy had two other men standing beside him. The younger lad is lifted off the ground by the larger male who grips his collar firmly. A gorgeous blue floral pattern on a small pouch bag with a white tassel dropped from the boy's pocket.

"Xuan Jiejie, isn't that the same exact pocket that usually hanged around your waist robe?"

Because Xuan Ji had just recently "reincarnated" into this body, the pouch bag was absent from its original location. If Xiyin hadn't just now informed her, Xuan Ji wouldn't even be aware that she held the pouch bag. Now it was clear that the youngster had intentionally run into Xuan Ji and taken the pouch bag without her knowing. Since she had never even realized she had a pouch bag on her until now, Xuan felt a little ashamed.

The bigger man picked up the pouch bag after noticing the dropped object and threw the small lad to the ground. "Look, it wasn't even that difficult! If you would have been a good boy and hand over your pouch bag, it would had probably saved you some punches”, The larger male grinned as he eagerly opened the pouch bag in the hopes of finding some precious items, only to be disappointed at the sight of simply herbs.

"What the hell is this?!" The man apparently did not like what he saw because he threw all the herbs onto the ground and then stumped on them with his foot, reducing them into ashes and rubbish. He then tossed the pouch bag away. "You must think this is funny right?!" The youngster yelped in pain when the stranger grabbed hold of his hair.

"Stop this instant!" The man and his lackeys were alarmed by that voice. Xuan looked at Xiyin with an expression of skepticism, as if she were doubting Xiyin's sanity. In addition to the fact that Xiyin's attempt to assist Xuan is unlikely to be successful, both Xuan and Xiyin are likely to become involved in the conflict. Worst of all, the current Xuan Ji is completely untrained in battle, and Xuan has little faith that Xiyin will know how to defend herself. Why couldn't Xiyin see the situation and decide it would be best to remain silent? Xuan now regrets not leaving with Xiyin right away.

Goddammit, even though it's definitely not on purpose, Xiyin really enjoys making issues for Xuan. May the Lord have pity and spare her from assigned to a trouble-attracter!

The man let go of the younger youngster and said, "Look at what we have here," before approaching the two women. One of the lackeys grabbed the small boy's wrist and stopped any attempts at running away when he made an attempt to do so. "You shouldn't treat a little boy in that way. He still has a bright future in front of him”. Where did Xiyin get the bravery, Xuan wasn't sure. The comment was ignored by the buffer man as he licked his lips, drawing an unpleasant response from Xuan. The man tried to grab hold of Xiyin, but Xuan stopped him by twisting his wrist, causing him to grunt in agony. The man stared at Xuan as he withdrew his hand. Xuan looked down at the wrist the man had been twisted by. Muscle memory, perhaps?

"Xuan jiejie look out!"

The man hoisted Xuan off the ground while tightly grabbing her throat. Her nails left scratches on his arm. “What on earth are you moron waiting for? Grab the other female as well!" The boss, who appeared to be the leader, roared at his henchmen who flinched and quickly obliged.

[slepyicarus]

Mc Monday

Yeah im working on catching up lol. It takes me a bit to write/draw often lol

As always the Mc!Monday challenge is by the kind and amazing @obeythedemons if u like my post to these check out Lances! They are just *chefs kiss*

Prompt: MC accidentally touches a book in Satan’s room that casts an illusion over them both that shows MC’s greatest dreams coming true. What are they, how does MC react, can MC get out?

Tags: slight Anger flare up, described panic attack, past child emotional/ verbal abuse, past child negelect, transphobia, reference to suicide

Humming along to the music Icarus calmly played on his DDD while waiting for the cookies frosting to set when the quite crystal like notification noise interrupted the music. Icarus startled, losing the level. Scroffing he opened his messager. His angered calmed when he saw Satan had texted him about their bi-daily reading session.

Now equipped with a tray full of tea and cookies Icarus knocked on the wrathful demon's door. The door opened softly revealing the as usually messy of book towers library that Satan calls his room. Said demon sat on his bed with Lavendel, which most-likely walzed right to Satans room for treats and pets from Icarus' room, who purred until she saw his owner. Now she meowed softly earning a chuckle from her current bed and her owner. "Hello you two. How are the cuddles today?", Icarus laughed slightly, setting the tray down on the ony free space of Satan's table. Satan smiled right back at the other "Impeccable as usual. You brought cookies too?" Looking for the book he read and left on the table last time Icarus hummed as responds before explaining "Levi has a gaming event coming up so i thought to show my support i would make him some Ruri-chan themed cookies. Im still working on my icing skills but they taste really good. Finally there it is." "Wait Icarus, thats not-", the avatar tried to warn his friend but it was too late.

Icarus squeaks out of surprise and covers his head while a book tower he didn't see was balancing against his book tipped over, spilling countless books onto the floor.. A few books fell on the halfdemon before falling onto the floor in the end. As soon as the rain of books stopped Satan rushed over to the other demon looking him over for any wounds. "Are you ok?? Does it hurt anywhere?" Taking the book that landed on his head off Icarus shook his head. "I'm ok." Satan took the book Icarus held and paled a bit. "Eh Icarus, don't panic but you touched a cursed book.." "I did what now?", Icarus shrieked as he paled himself looking up at the blond, "What does it do" "It shows your biggest deepest dream to the ones that touched it." "oh no-"

"Icarus? Baby is that you?", a sweet voice could be heard from the door of the room, making both demons turn to the door where a short chubby brunette woman with a soft purple and white dress stood having the same face and green eyes as the half demon. Icarus took a step back holding his own hand close to his chest, his breathing growing quicker and more shallow. He could feel the cold sweat forming on his neck and back. Nervously he swished his split tail from side to side. Starting to shake his head he said shaken "N-No, your not real. I know yo-your just a hallucination. Just part of the curse." Placing an arm around the shaking half demon Satan pulled him closer to help him with his fear. "But baby its me. Really.", the woman exclaimed, walking to the two demons, "Look at you. My sweet baby having made it so far to even go to an academy! I'm so proud of you.." Icarus breath hitched as soon as he felt her hand petting his head right in between where his horns have manifested from his panic. He shifted into his demon form in his panic without noticing it making his though grow louder with all hhis memories. Everything back up, making his eyes water. "Oh Icarus..dont cry, my son..everything will be alright now..Mama's here..", the woman cooed cupping his cheek and start petting it with her thumb. Slowly tears began to roll down his reddened cheeks which she brushed aside while whispering small words of comfort before dissappearing just as suddenly as she appeared. His knees finally gave out and he fell to his knees, small sobs escaping the usually alsways smiling demon. Two arms circled him and slowly rearranged him so that he lend againgst the chest of the book smart demon. Finally Icarus could noticed and feel Satans presence again. He gripped into the sweater vest as if his life depended on it and let the sobs flow out of him, letting them carry all of his hurting toughts and heart break with them. Satan held him thtough it, petting his now open wild lilac hair and whispering words of comfort and encouragement.

It took a while for Icarus to calm down enough to only tired sniffes. All his trauma resurfacing made him exhausted and wanting nothing but continued to be held. "Do you feel better now, Ru?", Satan asked softly to which the other nodded lightly against his chest, having spend most of his energy while crying. "Could we lay down on your bed for a bit, Tantan..? I just need to be held a bit more and the floor is uncomfortable..", the lilanette almost whispered. "Of course", Satan answered before picking up the smaller into his arms and walking over to his bed. Carefully he laid down with the tired exchange student which cuddled up closer to him. After a few minutes of silence while Icarus got his sniffles under control satan couldnt contain his curiosity in check and questioned quietly "That was your mother correctly? Why was she telling you that she is proud of you your biggest wish..?" Back in his casual clothes the smaller wiped his eyes with the sleeves of his hoodie "Because she abandoned me in a group home and after i came back to her she only complained about everything that was connected to me. She always compaired me to my older siblings and how amazing they are doing while i just waste my life away. She neglected me and my mental health until i tried to end myself..", Icarus explained sniffing again and wiping a new tear away. "And..And when I told her that I'm trans she told me its just penis envy and I'm just confused because of the media. She never accepted me as Icarus.." Another quiet sob escaped Icarus. Satan hugged him tighter. "Im sorry that she did that and thank you for telling me, Icarus..", Satan spoke continuing to hold the other as long as he needed silently boiling on the inside.

She should hope that she never crosses mine or my brothers path..otherwise she will see how much pain Icarus had too feel thanks to her own body...

[andreafmn]

I'm Not Afraid | Chapter 11

Word Count: 3K Story Description: (Y/N) Argent arrived at Beacon Hills to put to rest her father’s sister, Kate Argent. For the first time, her family has decided to settle down and sustain a life in this interesting small town. After 17 years, (Y/N) has the opportunity to establish interpersonal relationships but will she be ready to face the complications that come with relating to her cousin’s, Allison, friends; especially, the infamous Derek Hale. She will face the adventure of being associated with the Derek and McCall pack, as well as being faced with the discovery of certain aspects of her life she never imagined. Chapter: 11/? A/N: Somehow manage to cough out 3k words with a migraine flare-up, so hope you enjoy it 💖 My content will always be free, but if you’re feeling particularly generous, you can leave a tip on any of my posts to support me and my love of writing or buy me a coffee TikTok • Instagram • Business | MASTERLIST If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post! 

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Chapter 11

Friday couldn't come any quicker. Sure, they were going to an underground rave to catch a murderous reptile and the murderer that was controlling him, but it was an underground rave, nonetheless.   

It was no surprise that (Y/N) had never gone to a party before. Being a social pariah at every school she had been to, there had been a lack of invitations for her. So, the fact that she would be going to one and that they were so close to trapping the biggest threat to Beacon Hills in one night had the girl's veins buzzing with excitement.   

If she had gotten more than three hours to sleep that night, it would have been too much. Having woken up at six in the morning to take Brody out for a run, she knew the crash would be inevitable later that day. But how could she sleep? The party and the Kanima weren't the only things running through her mind.   

Derek had not left her thoughts for a second. She could feel the warmth of his hands on her skin, she could smell his cologne, she could hear his breath right next to her ear, and she could almost, almost, feel his lips on hers. The night before they had been so close to finally sharing a kiss. If Isaac had spent even two more seconds inside, they sure would have been caught mid-kiss.   

But he didn't. He exited the loft at just the right time to startle them apart, making them wait that much longer to give in. Even if all she wanted was to throw caution to the wind and give in. She wanted him more than she thought she could want anyone else.   

After coming back home, (Y/N) hurried to school. She thought the more she rushed the faster night would come. Sitting still on her bike was almost impossible as the anxious thrill of what came after school rushed through her. All she wanted was to get through her classes and get to the rave.   

As she entered the school, making a beeline for her locker, she ended up crashing into someone, her bag flying through the air and spilling its contents all over the hall. Just by the force of the body she bumped into, she had an idea of who it could be.   

“Where are you hurrying to, Scott?” (Y/N) called out as she started to gather her things.   

“Oh, sorry, (Y/N),” he gave her an apologetic smile. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”    

“You okay?” she said as her eyes finally fell on his face. “You look kinda bummed out, not gonna lie.”  

“It’s nothing,” he sighed. “I just saw Allison and she got weird there at the end. She said it was nothing, but I don’t know.”    

(Y/N) was the first to stand up, taking the books Scott had gathered from his hands. “What were you guys talking about?” she asked. “Was it about tonight?”   

“More or less. But it’s more about what I told you about her mom,” he shrugged. “I told her that it would be good for her parents to see us with other people, so they think we are broken up. And she was fine with it at first, but she got weird after.”   

“Please tell me she didn’t mention me,” the girl groaned.   

“Why would she?”  

“So I guess she hasn’t told you.” She sighed before she continued, feeling like a gossip as she relayed the information. “You know how I told you she was acting off? Well, we had an interesting conversation regarding all that. She basically accused me of trying to take you from her.”  

“Take me?” Scott questioned. “Take me where?”  

The Argent girl couldn’t help the laugh that overtook her as the poor oblivious boy tried to make sense of what she had said. His expression could only be explained as a lost puppy dog. They had been walking to Chemistry class and he’d stopped dead in his tracks at the statement.  “She thinks I’m trying to make you my boyfriend,” she explained. “She claimed that everything came easy to me and that I already had a lot. And on top of that, I was trying to steal you away.”  

“But where would she get that idea? I mean, sure we’re friendly but I don’t think either of us has been anything but.”   

“I don’t know and honestly, it’s her shit to get over,” (Y/N) brushed off. “I made it more than clear to her that there was nothing between us. If she still wants to be pissed at me about it, then she can stay mad.”   

“I’ll talk to her,” he offered. “You should also know that your family knows that there are essentially two killers.”   

“She told them everything, didn't she?”  

“Sort of. But that's a good thing. The more people there are to take them down, the better.”   

“Sure, if those people weren't Argents and Gerard wasn't here.”   

“So, it's a bad thing?”  

“Let's just say that if they get involved, there might be one or two students that won't come to school tomorrow.”   

“Ms. Argent, Mr. McCall!” Mr. Harriss called their attention. “If it's not something you want to share with the class, I suggest you keep it quiet.”   

“Sorry, Mr. Harris,” the pair mumbled before they sank into their seats and placed their attention on the board.    

The rest of the day went by in a flash. As the time got closer, the more (Y/N) could feel the nerves creeping up her neck. Long gone was the excitement, instead replaced by a chilling sense of dread that she couldn’t seem to shake. Something in the back of her mind told her that tonight would most likely end in a tragedy. For whom, she wasn't sure. But she could feel the inevitability of a loss.   

As soon as the last bell rang, she gathered her things, ready to go back home and change. She had to pick up Isaac and Erica before the rave, much to her detriment. She was fine with Isaac. But something about the blonde was less than digestible for her. Maybe it was her personality, but her subconscious knew it was because of Derek. To that day, she couldn't shake the image of them in his car. And she hated that it made her question how okay she would be if he decided he couldn't wait any longer.   

“What the hell?” Her phone ringing in her pocket broke her out of thought as she was getting on her bike. “Uncle Chris?”   

“Hey, (Y/N), by chance did Allison talk to you today?”   

“Not really,” she answered, biting her tongue to not spill that they had yet to speak in two days. “What's wrong?”   

“We're gonna need you to meet us at home. We’ve got a meeting about tonight.”   

“Oh, uh, sure.”   

“We'll see you here, okay?”   

“Yeah. See you.”   

(Y/N) was quick to text Isaac the change of plans, the surprise shared between them. She told him that it was more than likely they would be planning an attack at the rave that night, and that every single member of Derek’s pack needed to be on high alert from the Argents. If they did go, they would be going for blood.   

As serious as the moment was, the blond boy couldn't help but throw a joke into the mix, asking her if she wanted the whole pack to be safe or if she wanted to make sure that Derek was safe. It made her face change into a million shades of red, regretting the fact that Isaac knew such a vulnerable piece of information.   

Instead of dwelling on the message, (Y/N) sped to her uncle's house, bracing herself to meet with revenge-blind hunters that wanted to take down the Kanima and anything that got in their way. But she wasn't sure if she wasn't prepared for those tens of men or finally seeing her cousin after two days.   

She knew she had been harsh, but she did not regret a single word she had said. Allison had formulated an image of her in her mind that was nowhere near what reality was, and it made her question if she could trust her with other aspects of her life. Could she tell her about Derek? Could she tell her about what her dad had told her? Could she trust that if she confessed that she wanted the family business to change that Allison would keep it to herself?   

They were questions she would have to wait to answer.  

Her uncle's house came into view, the driveway filled with tinted black SUVs. If she hadn't known there were meant to be people there, she would have been awfully intimidated, and most likely would have kept driving. But she fought the desire to escape and clothed herself in confidence, walking into the home like she belonged there.   

She nodded to a couple of people she knew, following the trail of people into the basement where Allison, Chris, and Gerard were waiting. The girl made a beeline for her family, ignoring her cousin's intense gaze. If (Y/N) had been questioning if Allison was still angry at her, she had gotten her answer.   

“(Y/N), can I speak to you over here?” Chris asked her as she got closer, motioning to an empty corner. (Y/N) followed her uncle, thankful that she didn't have to face her cousin or her grandfather just yet. “I know you've been kind of out of the loop since your dad has been away, so I don’t want you to feel ambushed. Allison told me everything that's been going on and I'd like to think that if you knew more information about all of this that you would tell us about it.”   

“Of course, I would," she smiled sweetly. “I would do anything for our family's cause. But I just don't know what to look out for. Mom and Dad have been away a lot and I haven't had much training in all of this.”   

“Maybe I can talk to Victoria,” he said. “She could help you and Allison with what it means to lead the hunters. One day it will be up to you two and it's best you're prepared.”   

A shiver traveled up (Y/N)'s spine as she thought about spending time with her aunt and being taught what it was like to be a female hunter. The woman had always unnerved her and the last thing she wanted was to be in close confines with her. “That would be great,” she said instead. “Maybe once mom comes back we can all meet up.”   

“Alright sounds good, (Y/N),” he smiled. “Now, get in line. Meeting's starting.”   

“Aye, aye, Captain.”   

She had to bite back a smirk. Her uncle had eaten up her oblivious and unknowledgeable façade, allowing her to fly under the radar. If that was the role she had to play, then she would damn well give an Oscar-worthy performance.  

(Y/N) watched as Allison took a seat on the wooden stairs, choosing to stand as far from her as possible. Her cousin wasn't talking to her, and she was planning on doing the same. She could already hear her father's words, begging her to take the high road. But she didn't want to be the bigger person, she wanted her to apologize.   

“All right,” Chris called for everyone's attention. “The party's in a warehouse just inside the industrial sector. Allison has learned that Jackson Whittemore will be there seeking his next target out of the crowd. Since we still have no clue as to just how strong he is, we need to be extremely cautious.”   

As (Y/N) listened to her uncle speak, her attention was drawn to a soft rattling sound. Out of the corner of her eye, (Y/N) noticed her grandfather swallowing two pills. The last thing she had heard, Gerard, was of sound mind and health. Pills didn't feel like something that fit his persona. Without even knowing, she had engrained the fact into her mind. If there's one thing she knew, no detail was too small. At some point, it could become necessary information.   

“When Allison had Jackson's location and has determined him to be at the optimal point where we can take him down, she'll signal me,” Chris continued, his eyes falling on his daughter. “Optimal meaning as far from the crowd as possible. If she cannot, (Y/N), I take you will make sure to do so. There will be no collateral damage tonight. You two, go ahead.”   

The man motioned his head toward the two of them, waiting for the teens to disappear before any of them talked. (Y/N) followed behind her cousin begrudgingly, drowning in the unnerving energy that was shared between the two family members.   

“Okay, this is stupid,” (Y/N) finally spoke, grabbing Allison's elbow to turn her around. “You cannot still be mad at me for something that you made up completely in your head?”   

“In my head? My dad doesn't even believe I can do one job without screwing up,” she seethed. “You didn't have to be here. I could have done this by myself.”   

“Come on, Ali. I'm basically your understudy here,” (Y/N) finally confessed, tears stinging the back of her eyes  “I only have friends because you introduced me to them. The only reason Scott and I have gotten close is because he's a good friend. And tonight, the only way I get to do anything is if you fail. And that is a huge if. So, instead of blaming me for whatever it is that you are feeling, try and focus on why you're feeling it.”   

“(Y/N)...”   

“Whatever, Allison,” she shrugged her off. “And be careful. I'm pretty sure you'll be leading Jackson right into Gerard's trap.”   

As soon as (Y/N) was outside, she fumbled in her pocket for her phone, dialing the number of the person that should have been the most aware of her family's plan. A pang of guilt bubbled in her gut as the thought that she was betraying her family. But there was a part of her that knew that what she wanted to do could not just save one life, but it could potentially save the lives of all her friends.  

“(Y/N)? Is everything okay?”  

“Listen, Derek, my family is gonna be there tonight,” she breathed. “They say they're only gonna be there to trap Jackson before he gets to his next victim. But something tells me they're there to kill him, whoever's controlling him, and anyone that gets in their way.”   

“How did they find out that it was Jackson or that there were two killers?”   

“Allison told her dad,” she said. “But she didn't have another choice, and I get that. But I need to make sure you and everyone else are safe. So, you might have to change certain strategies.”   

“You're aware that the majority of us are werewolves?” Derek laughed on the phone. “The one that should be worried, should be me.”   

“I've been training for something like this my whole life,” she smirked. “And technically, I’m the one who can get closest to Jackson. He can't paralyze me.”   

“But he can do a lot worse,” he said. “And I won't let that happen. All you have to do is keep a lookout. Isaac and Erica will get him.”   

“I am more than capable of doing this.”   

“(Y/N). You can not get close to him,” he commanded angrily. “You're inexperienced and you could get in the way. I don't want you to get close to Jackson, and that's an order.”   

“Thankfully, I don't take orders from you, Derek,” she scoffed. “Anyways, watch out for Argent hunters. They might have you on their target list.”   

“(Y/N)....”   

“Goodbye.”   

(Y/N) knew that Derek meant well but all she could do was feel betrayed. The one person she thought would have believed in her the most had made her feel weak and incompetent. Even if it was her first time taking a threat this big on, she had been confident that she was an asset to the pack. But he had made her feel otherwise.   

But that only made her more determined. (Y/N) would prove to Derek and to her family just how good of an advantage she was. She would prove it to herself.   

*** 

Derek couldn't believe what he'd said. All he wanted was to make sure that (Y/N) was safe, make sure that she was nowhere near where she could be hurt. It had been a long time since he had cared so deeply about someone else, and he despised the fact that he'd started to do so when so much was happening in the town. She had been kind enough to warn them about her family. Going behind their back to make sure he and the pack were safe. And instead of being thankful, he chastised her and made her feel small.  

“So, are we going already?” Erica snipped at the alpha. “Or do we have to wait until you're done gushing over the new girl?”  

“I'd watch my mouth if I were you, Erica,” he seethed. “One more word and you can stay here tonight.”  

“And miss out on all of this? Not a chance,” she groaned. “Fine, not another word.”  

“I don't want any mistakes tonight,” Derek directed himself to the group of teenagers before him. “I was just informed that the Argents will be there. You cannot let them see you or what you are. They are not going there to trap Jackson. They will be there to kill him.”  

“Or us,” Isaac added, a flash of fear crossing through his face. “Is it safe for us then?”  

“It will be,” he reassured. “As long as everyone sticks to the plan. Now, let's go. We cannot waste more time.”  

Derek needed that night to go without a hitch. That way he could think of ways to dig himself out of the hole he’d created with (Y/N). Because the last person he wanted to have hate him was her. 

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