#Steve Guest

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Reed McMaster at MMFA:

Right-wing media falsely accused Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker of supporting violence against Republicans following his April 27 speech calling on Americans to protest congressional Republicans and the Trump administration.

Pritzker’s speech focused on the need for Americans to use their constitutional rights and demonstrate publicly against the Trump administration’s actions

Giving a speech in New Hampshire, Pritzker called for “mass protests” of the Trump administration and declared that Republicans “cannot know a moment of peace.” “It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once,” he added. “Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption. But I am now.” He did not call for any violence, however, and instead declared that Republicans “must understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have.” [The Guardian, 4/28/25]

Pritzker specifically said he wanted Republicans to be called out verbally and voted out of office, without mention of violence. He said, “We must castigate them on the soap box and then punish them at the ballot box.” [YouTube, NBC Chicago, 4/27/25]

Pritzker’s endorsement of protest was the culmination of his speech detailing the Trump administration’s attacks on the economy and civil rights. The Democratic governor called for pushback against the Trump administration’s attacks on health care, federal workers, autistic people, and women and LGBTQ people in the military. [The Washington Post, 4/27/25]

The right to protest is protected under the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. As the American Civil Liberties Union explains, “The First Amendment protects your right to express yourself and to testify before, petition, and protest the many branches and agencies of the local and federal government.” [ACLU, 8/15/24]

The right-wing faux outrage machine went on overdrive this week, as they falsely accused Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker of making a call for “violence” against Republicans and the Trump Regime during a Sunday speech in front of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

See Also:

The Advocate: Illinois governor says don’t blame trans kids for losses by ‘do-nothing Democrats’ in fiery speech

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

==

"Thank goodness the Gender Studies majors have arrived," said no climatologist ever. When you have a degree in hammering, you need to convince the world that everything is a nail.

Scientific American has been captured by an anti-science cult.

[morganbritton132]

Dustin, dramatically and loudly throwing himself down on the counter at the diner: I need a milkshake, stat.

Patty, the waitress working the bar: What’s your trouble, kid?

Dustin: I think my mom likes Steve Harrington more than me

Person next to him: *snorts*

Tommy, the person next to him: Yeah, tell me about it.

[vickypersch]

Y'all can't tell me Dally didn't craft this with his own hands

[blogfullofemos]

My Look Precedes Me

Based from this picture:

Synopsis: You're sitting on Eddie's bed with nothing but homework dispersed around you. And well... Baby has been in the corner... FOR FAR TOO LONG!!!

Word Count: 1k+

Warning: explicit words and a lot of angst. Italics is for flashbacks. I also believe that Eddie is very anxiety ridden, like moi. So yeah. Do what you will with that lol. Also has been proofread multiple times. (I wanna give you the best of the best okay 🥲)

Pairing: Eddie Munson + female reader

Lastly thank you so so so so so much for the shockingly amazing amount of feedback I received on my last 2 Eddie Munson blurbs. Thank you for the hearts, reblogs, and follows. Also I love the commentary cuz yes this man indeed drives me feral. But at times, he's just like me. 😭 Enjoy and let me know how you feel darling.

Eddie’s antsy. Eddie’s pissed. Better yet, if he has to deal with this any longer!! Eddie’s going to bring the upside down, downside up!! Or however the fuck they would reverse it. Sitting on a bean bag at the corner of his room, Eddie blatantly stares at you with furrowed brows. Wearing nothing but his favorite, black-ripped skinny jeans, his right leg bounces rapidly. His guitar resting still from the action as his hands fidgets all around it. Rolling his brown eyes, he presses his hand against his bottom lip to bite at the skin. Trying his best to distract himself from his fuming impatience. 

     For 2 and a half weeks, you’ve been…. Distant. And with no reason. The first week you started to make conversations between you two short, didn’t acknowledge when he wanted to make you the priority, and lastly you didn’t answer his phone calls. At all. You’re his girlfriend, right? Obsessively he checked if you still sported his guitar pick necklace. His heart finding some semblance of solace, as he watched your habit of twirling the pick between your fingers when talking to others, never stopped. 

“Hey… Uh-umm are we o-okay?” he asks shakily. With his hands in his pockets, he picks at the skin on his fingers. Clammy, heart burning, and thoughts racing for the worst; he kept his focus trained on the gravel crunch of his shoes. Never wanting you to see the fear anticipating to implode if his assumptions rang true. “You’re too in your head, Eds.” you giggle softly. Trying to break the unnerving silence, you scatter tiny rocks with a kick but nothing changes. You give it a few more steps. “Eddie?” you say, looking beside you with worry. Taken aback, you whip your head to look behind you. With a 4ft distance, Eddie stood still. His curls lightly drift with the wind as his head remains drooped. ‘Then why didn’t you notice I stopped? You must be in your head too.’ he thinks as a sniffle betrays him. In an instant, he hears you drop the scholarly books you held close to you and run towards him. “Eddie, baby..”, “Eds you’ve done nothing wrong..”, “Baby its me, not you okay.” you rush out. And with perfect deflection, you kissed him deeply.

      The 2nd week was pure Hell. You made it your mission to not cross paths anytime during class hours, and when it came to lunch. You would just sit next to him, hold his hand, and if he was lucky you would laugh at a joke he made. Eye contact was the least of your worries.

“Sooo what’s happening here?” Steve abruptly asks as he dips his french fry into ketchup. Sitting across from you at the table, Steve quirks his brow at you as your focus snaps to him. Successfully cutting your convo with Robin down completely.  “What do you mean?” you laugh off.

“Well Lisa needs me.” Robin announces, quickly freeing herself from the table. Your eyebrow raises at her sudden departure, but she just smiles and waves before scurrying to whatever table Lisa is at. Who even is Lisa? You don’t realize Eddie profusely shaking his head at Steve, before smacking his hand on his face as Steve clears his throat. “You and Eddie.” you look at Eddie with confusion. With his hand covering his mouth and nose flared, he just stares at Steve. “Something’s off.” Steve finishes, biting his ketchup covered french fry. Eddie squeezes your intertwined hand with his, needing to break your inquisitive eyes from his teetering restraint. Even if it was just for a moment. Steve chuckles, “I mean…” he takes another bite to a fry “Why are you-?”

“Steve. Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” Eddie warns, trying his best to keep his hands at where they were.

“No. Munson. It’s… “ Steve slowly pushes the styrofoam plate aside, contemplating his next words wisely. Your eyes searched for what was to come out of Steve's mouth, but he sighs. “You are no Madonna.” Steve points at you, “And YOU!!” he points at Eddie “Are no Sean Penn!!”. In seconds your jaw drops, milk splatters onto Steve as Eddie tosses its small carton at his head, and Steve is now over the table grappling Eddie.

    The taste of iron seeps within his mouth as he recollects himself from his triggering memories. Slapping his hands on each side of his bean bag chair, he shoots himself off of it. Quickly catching his guitar from falling, he swiftly places its strap on his shoulder. “I wrote a song for you.” he says heated, snatching the sheet you were filling out and crumbling it. 

“EDS!!” you yell out in shock, trying to snatch the balled-up paper from him but he puts it in his mouth. Before you could even say anything, he scratches his pick against his guitar strings. The scratchy sounds reverberating throughout his room loudly, since he always has his amp on max. Chewing the paper, he strums a quick solo, spitting the saliva-soaked blob at you. Disgusted you watch him headbang to a heavy riff, “WHY ARE YOU DRAGGING ME ALONG, SO FUCKING HIGH STRUNG, ANOTHER DAY OF THIS AND WE’LL BE DONE!!” he bursts out, strumming his guitar strings like he was punching it. 

    Your heart sank as he continues the angry riff, his brown eyes twitching as tears slowly begin to creep their way out. “LOVE YOU BUT IT JUST SEEMS TO BE FUN, YEAH EDDIE, THAT’S A GOOD ONE!! DOES SHE LOVE YOU, DOES SHE EVEN KNOW WHAT SHE WANTS!!” he continues. The vein in his neck protrudes from how loud he was screaming. You nibble on your bottom lip, your eyes welling up, but Eddie didn’t care to stop. Because when did you ever 'cared' to stop? Your intense stare never once faltering as he stalks towards your laid-back body. “CUZ IF SHE WANTS TO UP AND R-.” his voice cracks as his eyes winces, heavy tears running down his cheeks. His nose flares as he struggles to breathe, his hands not keeping up the harsh tempo. Opening his mouth, you scream “MY PARENTS ARE PLANNING TO SEND ME AWAY!!”.

“What?” Steve says, thrown back and silencing his guitar strings eerie screeching. Finally, you explain your past actions followed by a full blown breakdown. Believing you were invincible, your father always seemed to catch you in an act. And this one labelled you his grandest mistake. During a rage fit, “NO DAUGHTER OF MINE WILL BE WITH A DRUGGED-OUT LOSER!!” you repeated to Eddie. Causing Eddie to turn away from you, walk a few steps away, and plop on the end of his bed. Your father gave you an ultimatum. If you chose Eddie, he would send you away to live with your great grandmother. Well more like take care of your prudish great-grandmother. But if you chose different, then life goes as usual. And the only way he knew you weren't seeing Eddie, is if you focused on getting your grades up. Eddie looks up to his ceiling, bemused on how oblivious he was in all of this. The puzzle finally putting itself together.

     “BUT- but I choose you Eddie.” you cry, quickly placing your hand on top of his. Eddie stared at the walls while you vented out your frustration, silently crying. He hates your dad. But he understood his smothering defense. If they were to reverse roles, he would've done the same. But God he felt so wrong for placing all of his pent-up rage towards you. It wasn’t you who was pulling away, it was your family prying you off of him. Broken, he finally looks at you with soaked lashes, “A drugged-out loser huh.” he sadly repeats your father’s remark. You pout. Bringing him close, you rest his head on your chest. The strong sound of your heart beat causing him to sob.

As it was the first time he ever heard a precious thing give texture to his ostracized existence.

[artiststarme]

Eddie didn’t like children. Well correction, he didn’t like little children. He watched the tiny humans run around the streets of the trailer park with their capes and missing teeth and it freaked him out. He saw the woman two trailers over with a baby in his arms and cringed at the sight. The little ones freaked him out. What good were the little fleshbags other than staring unseeingly into the distance and screeching through the neighborhood? He didn’t know so he avoided all of them like the plague.

Steve loved kids. He loved the innocence they had and the glow in their eyes when they looked up at people. He remembered when he had innocence and a shine of hope in his eyes. Simpler times those had been. But he loved kids, helping them and making sure they kept their innocence and hope for as long as humanly possible. However, he too didn’t like little ones. Babies were so frail and fragile that he was always far too scared to even go near them.

That’s why it was the perfect option to adopt a four year old girl and her six year old brother. They were big enough not to be “useless fleshbags” according to Eddie and they were big and enough not to be seen as overly delicate to Steve. When they chose to adopt the siblings into their small family, Steve and Eddie made things complete.

[norelationtoatticus]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love (feel free to ignore if you've already done this or don't feel like it!)

Thank you including me in this Minnie!! You're a sweetie pie.

🍌 Operation: Gros Michel

The story of my heart. The one I wrote instead of going to therapy or moving out of Florida. This is not my tightest plotting or best pacing, but it is definitely my writing at its most emotionally raw and moving.

🗝 The Things That Unlocked Him

Unhinged kinky shrinkyclinks romcom. The climax of this one is the most fun I have ever had writing anything ever, it was so delightfully deranged. But also with moments of pure sweetness and vulnerability, too.

🫧 5 Times Bucky Tricked Steve Into Washing His Hair +1 Time He Didn’t Have To Ask

This one was a lot of firsts! First time doing a bang, which was delightful. First time doing a 5+1. And first time writing from Bucky's POV. I love all of the hijinks in this. I usually write comedy that is more reliant on dialogue, so it was fun practice to get more into the situational comedy.

🍎 An Apple A Day

This fic really surprised me! I flew through the writing without much of a plan, and I ended up with some great elements I wasn't expecting. I love the banter in this one, and the chemistry between them. This Bucky ended up being an absolute doll, such a dream boat, and this Steve is prickly and hopeful, just the way I like him.

🎄 The Great Barnes-Rogers Christmas Tree Heist of 1938

I love how very young and goofy they both feel in this pre-war fic, constantly bantering, and bickering, and tussling with each other. Bucky's moody, vulnerable, sweetness matches well with Steve's hard-headed determination and problem-solving.

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

A/N: Yes, just like Steve, I missed having my first girlfriend.

The stars shone overhead as Steve parked his truck by the quarry, the full moon on display without a cloud in sight. It was still weird to be driving a truck after driving the BMW for so long, but Steve was actually glad to be rid of it. It was the last thing that his parents had ever bought for him, and he was pretty proud that he bought the truck with his own money just like he did with his apartment. Said apartment was currently being used by his new roommate. A newly resurrected Eddie was having another date night with Chrissy, which usually meant extracurricular activities. Steve hadn't been sure what to do with the rest of his time, thankful that Jonathan had called when he did to ask if he could give him and Nancy a ride to the quarry. Which was weird now that he thought about it. They both had cars, didn't they?He watched them climb out of the truck and into the bed after spreading out a blanket. Steve opened the window.

"Do you guys want me to leave you alone? I could go for a walk?" Steve asked.

"Why would we want that?" Nancy asked in confusion.

"Because this is a date," Steve said.

"Exactly, this is a date," Nancy said.

"We want you here here," Jonathan said softly.

"Are you sure?" He asked. "I don't want to be a third wheel."

"Why wouldn't we want you here? Why would we ask you out and then tell you to leave?" Nancy asked. "Did Jonathan not make it clear that this was a date for all three of us?"

"No, he did not!" Steve exclaimed with wide eyes. "You want me? Both of you?!"

"Steve, we had sex with you!" Jonathan exclaimed. "Of course, we want you and for more than just your body!"

"I thought - you said that you wanted to keep warm because the power had gone out, and it was snowing - "

"It was a line!" Nancy yelled, trying not to laugh.

"I kind of thought the last couple of times that we hung out were dates," Jonathan said.

"Me too! I mean, we kissed you after every single one of them!" Nancy exclaimed.

"I thought you were being friendly!" Steve yelled.

"Okay, Steve, what's going on? I know you're not this stupid. You're quicker than that," Jonathan said softly.

Steve ran his hand through his hair and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked at them.

"I don't know - I guess I just didn't want to get my hopes up. You two are all that I've been thinking about since that night, and it just seemed too good that you both wanted me," Steve said. "We were getting along so great. . .I just didn't want to make assumptions and mess everything up."

"We love you, Steve, and we want to be with you," Nancy said softly. "Probably should have been clearer about that, but you know our communication skills need work."

"I love you, too," Steve beamed.

Jonathan cupped his face and kissed him through the window. Steve sighed against his lips, remembering the way that Jonathan had kissed him that night. Flashes of memories flooded his mind: hands touching, skin against skin, more kissing, and the moans. . .Jonathan and Nancy had curled up against him afterward. Jonathan was kissing him softly now, just like he did back in December. Jonathan pulled back, smirking at Steve. He knew what he was thinking about. That night had been great and one of the last nights he had spent in his childhood home. It had been a great way to say goodbye to it.

"Get your ass back here, Harrington," Jonathan's voice grounded him to the present.

Steve laughed and got out before hopping quickly into the bed. Nancy giggled and pulled him in for a kiss. It was a deep and rather harsh kiss, as though Nancy was pouring every feeling she had into it. She pulled away, wiping her lipstick off his mouth with her thumb.

"Well, we got food, too," Nancy said. "We brought your favorites."

She pushed the picnic basket out into the open and started pulling out the food. She pulled out a battery-operated lantern and flipped it on.

"We forgot the chocolate covered strawberries, but I think we found something better for desert, anyway," Jonathan said and squeezed Steve’s thigh.

"If I wasn't so hungry, I'd say we skip to deserts," Steve said and kissed Jonathan sweetly on the mouth.

"I'm starving," Nancy agreed.

Nancy passed out the food and made space so Steve could settle in between them. Jonathan moved the piece of chicken around on his plate.

"You and Robin still planning on becoming paramedics?" Jonathan asked.

"That's the plan," Steve said.

"I figured you would have moved in with Robin," Nancy said. "We were surprised when you invited Eddie to move in."

"Well, I'm still going to. . .it's just Eddie needed a place to stay because Wayne wanted to move in with his. . .uh, significant other," Steve said.

"Uncle Wayne told us about Scott," Nancy said, smiling.

"Oh, yeah, I wasn't sure if that was public knowledge. . ." Steve said and then snickered.

"What?" Nancy asked.

"Just remembering the look on Eddie's face when he came back and found out that Wayne had become everyone's uncle," Steve said. "He pouted so hard."

"He was my uncle first!" Nancy giggled with a fake shriek as she tried to mimic Eddie's voice.

"I love him," Jonathan grinned. "I'm glad they're a part of our group."

"Yeah, Chrissy and Vickie, too," Nancy smiled. "They saved my ass and Robin, too. I'm going to miss them when I do go to Emerson."

"So, you decided to go?" Steve asked.

"Yes, even after they rejected me. . .I did want to make them work for it when they sent me another acceptance letter," Nancy sighed. "But it's been my dream to go to Emerson."

"I guess finding out that you weren't actually working with a serial killer but actually saving the town made them change their minds?" Steve asked.

"Some of them there are still hesitant and believe that Eddie is a killer, according to my sources. Of course, none of them has seen him cry because he accidentally stepped on a kitten's foot," Nancy said.

"Yeah, we got a cat out of that. Not that I'm complaining. Although, he seems to like me more than Eddie. I think he still remembers what Eddie did," Steve said and they laughed.

"Hm, all the more reason to go to Emerson. Make those fuckers sweat," Nancy said. "I want to prove them wrong, but also, like I said, Emerson is my dream, and nothing is going to stop me from going."

Jonathan shifted in his spot beside him. Steve looked at him and found him frowning into his food.

"Are you okay?" Steve asked.

"It's nothing," Jonathan said.

"He gets like that when I bring up Emerson. I think he feels guilty for lying to me about not applying there, which is crazy because it's not something that I wanted for you in the first place. You've been wanting to go to NYU since you were six years old, Jonathan," Nancy said, rolling her eyes. "Stop using me as excuse to run away from that."

"I'm not! Do you ever think that maybe dreams change?" Jonathan asked.

"I'd believe that if I didn't know you. You never want to admit when you want something for yourself. It always has to align with someone else. I know Argyle told me that you applied to Lenora because it would be close to your family," Nancy said.

"What's wrong with wanting to being close to my family?!" Jonathan asked.

"Nothing, if that's really the reason and not because you're scared of putting yourself out there," Nancy said. "You've used them as an excuse before when we had that internship. We weren't being paid, Jonathan! I know the reason you wanted to stay is because you liked the job, but you didn't want to admit to being selfish."

"I'm going to have to side with Nancy on this one. Not because I'm scared of her or anything but because she's right," Steve said.

"This is supposed to be a fun relaxing date," Jonathan pouted.

"Okay, but now we feel like this is something we talk about. It's okay to want things, Jonathan," Steve said.

"Steve’s right. You've spent a lot of time looking after your family and putting them first. . .making sacrifices for them. You've always been afraid to admit when you wanted something, and I think it's because you've watched your dad put himself first time and time again. It's okay to be selfish sometimes," Nancy said.

"You've got to find the right balance, but you know, I think that's what a lot of people do. Try to find that perfect middle between being selfish and between selfless," Steve said thoughtfully, and Jonathan smiled at him. "What? I'm more than just a pretty face."

"I know," Jonathan said softly and paused. "I just - "

"Have we still not convinced you?" Nancy asked.

"It's just every time we get separated, something fucked up happens," Jonathan sighed. "And I know eventually that the three of us are going to have to do our own thing, but I just can't shake this feeling. . ."

"We know. We feel that way, too, but we can't let that stop us from living our lives," Nancy said softly.

Steve grabbed their plates and put them aside. He grabbed Jonathan and maneuvered them so he was in the middle.

"Tell us what you want, Jonathan," Steve said, holding his hand in his, stroking it with his thumb.

"Not what your family or friends want. . .not what we want," Nancy whispered. "What do you want? What have you always wanted?"

Steve could tell that Jonathan was about to break, his cheeks were flushed red, and if Steve pressed his hand to his chest, he could probably feel his heart beating rapidly.

"I feel like I'm being pressured here," Jonathan muttered, but Steve could see the smile at the corner of his lips.

Steve ducked his head down, tucking his head into Jonathan's neck, his nose brushing against his skin.

"Say it," he whispered.

"Steve," Jonathan whined. "It's not fair."

Steve ran his hand up his arm and then moved to his stomach, caressing it. Jonathan jerked, his stomach reacting to his touch as though it had tickled him. Steve sent a mischievous grin to Nancy, and she smirked. Steve dug his fingers into the spot, and Jonathan let out a startled shriek.

"Come on, you know you want to. Just admit it," Steve said as he continued to tickle him.

"N - n-no!" Jonathan laughed and tried pushing Steve’s hands away.

Nancy dug her fingers in on his other side, and Jonathan let out another shriek. Jonathan was now laughing so hard that his dimples were showing and his face was turning red as he tried to wiggle out of their grasp.

"Jonathan, just say it, and we'll stop," Nancy said. "We're doing this for your own good."

"Okay! Okay!" Jonathan wheezed, and they stopped. "I want - I still want to go to NYU."

Nancy and Steve pulled their hands away, quickly kissing his cheek. Steve made sure to kiss his dimple.

"See? Now, was that so hard?" Steve asked.

"It doesn't matter," Jonathan sighed. "Even if I do apply, they might not accept me."

"That's kind of the risk in doing anything you want," Steve shrugged. "You might not get it."

"You still should try, though," Nancy said. "One day, you might wake up and regret not trying at all."

"I never really tried before either, not really," Steve said. "Everything I did was for my dad. I mean, sure, I did end up liking basketball and swimming, but those were things my dad liked. For the longest time, I thought I had to do all that in order to get his attention, but he was an unhappy man, and nothing I did would have made him happy. That thought is what made me step out on my own. You and Nancy sort of gave me the courage to do that."

"You did that yourself," Jonathan blushed.

"Yeah, I did, but you two inspired me," he smiled. "Look, Jonathan, you've got a great family now. With Will and El. Joyce has Hopper. They're going to be okay when you go off to NYU. The important thing about Joyce is that she's the kind of mother who wants whatever makes you happy, and if you aren't happy, then she isn't."

"I know," he said softly.

"You've got another year to apply," Nancy said. "And I think it'd be the perfect time to start practicing doing things that you want to."

"And you and Steve?" Jonathan asked.

"Well, I'm hoping that I'm one of the things that you want to do," Steve smirked and Nancy giggled.

"It's okay for us to have different dreams as long as we happen to share one," Nancy said. "We don't have to do everything together, but as long as we find our way back towards each other, I think we'll be happy. That's the most important thing in any relationship, right?"

"So, I become this famous photographer, Nancy, a famous reporter, and Steve a paramedic?" Jonathan asked.

"Well, for now. I'm still figuring that shit out. Kind or slow in that department," Steve said.

"Everyone figures things out at their own pace," Nancy said. "We don't have it all figure it out. . .you know, taking a year off doing nothing sounds nice."

"I guess we're nothing, Jonathan," Steve grinned and Nancy laughed, slapping his chest.

Nancy dove at him, tickling his sides. Steve laughed when Jonathan started doing the same. During the scuffle, Steve somehow ended up in the middle. This time, Nancy was on his other side. Steve collapsed onto the bed of the truck while Nancy shoved their trash into a plastic bag. She curled up against Steve while Jonathan did the same. Steve looked thoughtfully up at the stars, his heart singing.

"I guess since we're being honest with each other, there's something I should tell you," Steve said.

Nancy gasped and sat up. Jonathan did the same, looking at her curiously.

"Which one of us did it? Or was it both of us?" Nancy asked.

"What are you talking about?" Steve asked with wide eyes.

"Because of the bat bites. . .were we able. . .I mean, are you telling us that you're pregnant?" Nancy asked, seriously.

Steve stared at her, and she stared back at him. Jonathan was looking back and forth between them, panicking.

"What?!" Jonathan exclaimed, his voice higher than before, and then Nancy burst into giggles.

"No, Nancy, you didn't me pregnant," Steve said, rolling his eyes. "That joke is so old. It has great grandchildren."

"Oh, thank God," Jonathan said in relief. "Not that I haven't thought about it, it's just too soon."

"No, I just wanted to tell you that before we slept together. . .I slept with someone else. I wasn't sure where I stood with either of you, and everyone hadn't come back from the dead yet, so Eddie was upset about Chrissy. . .it just sort of happened," Steve said.

"You slept with Eddie?" Nancy asked.

"You're living with a guy who you slept with?" Jonathan asked.

Steve shifted slightly as he looked at them. He hadn't really thought that this might have been a problem until now.

"Like I said, I said I wasn't sure where I stood with you. Eddie has Chrissy now, and I have the two of you. I don't want anyone else. I swear," Steve said.

"I suppose we did wait a little long to act on our feelings," Nancy sighed. "And it would be hypocritical of us considering how Jonathan and I got together."

"I mean, can't Robin move in?" Jonathan muttered. "I mean, I like the guy. . ."

"Oh, baby, are you jealous? You're the only guy I want to be with," Steve said. "I love you. Eddie's just my best friend. You have nothing to worry about."

Jonathan buried his face into his neck while Nancy laid down again. She laid across his chest, running her hands over his stomach. Steve had a problem. He really did because now he was imagining them putting a baby there. Nancy giggled like she knew what he was thinking. Jonathan popped up suddenly.

"How did you not know that last Saturday wasn't a date? My hand was down your pants!" Jonathan exclaimed.

"I thought you were just helping out a friend," Steve said.

"And have other guy friends helped you out in the past?" Jonathan scowled.

"Yeah!" Steve exclaimed. "I mean, it was just one guy, really. . .we were two lonely guys who didn't have girlfriends or boyfriends yet. . .at that point, I wasn't even sure I was interested in girls. And it was just one friend I did that with, we did it a lot. We were really close. He used to take me out a lot, buy me things, and he got really excited when he had me meet his parents. . .it sucked when he had to move, but yeah, we were just two friends helping each other out."

"Steve. . .he was your boyfriend," Nancy said in amusement.

"No. . . I mean, I would have known if he was my boyfriend," Steve frowned, and then he thought about it. "Oh, Goddamnit, I did it again! I missed having my first boyfriend!"

Jonathan and Nancy laughed. Jonathan let the laughter fall from his lips and he pouted.

"I can't believe that I'm not your first boyfriend," he said.

"Yeah, but you're going to be my last," Steve said, kissing his forehead and pausing. "Not that I'm going to kill you or anything - "

"I know what you meant," Jonathan laughed.

"You're both my last," Steve sighed.

"I think this was supposed to happen. . .ever since that night in Jonathan's house, with the demogorgon. . ." Nancy sighed happily. "I'm glad I didn't have to choose between you two."

"So are we," Jonathan said softly.

Nancy and Jonathan snuggled deeper into Steve’s arms. The three of them looked at the stars as they continued to talk softly about what the future may hold for them. Jonathan was right about one thing. Nothing was set in stone, and everything could change in an instant. Living in the moment, Steve thought, was just as important as looking head. One thing he hoped would stay the same was a future with Nancy and Jonathan. His eyes fluttered closed, and he fell asleep with a smile on his face.

3 AM

Steve quietly walked through the doorway of his apartment, shushing Jonathan and Nancy as they giggled. He wasn't sure why he was telling them to be quiet. When Chrissy was over, Eddie slept like a log. They followed him to his room and watched him change into pajama shorts before tossing them something to sleep in. Before they could crawl into bed with Steve, Eddie came bursting in, holding a frying pan while Chrissy held a pot.

"YOU CANNOT PASS - oh, it's just you. And what time of night do you call this, Steven?!" Eddie asked.

"Well, most people call it three in the morning," Steve said, scoffing.

"Hm, that kind of attitude won't get you a spot in the TARDIS," Eddie said, pointing the pan at him.

"Paramedic, Eddie," Chrissy laughed. "He's studying to become a paramedic, not a time lord."

"Semantics," Eddie said, waving the pan around. "By the way, I KNEW something was going on with the three of them."

"You knew nothing," Chrissy laughed.

"I didn't even know that something was going on with his," Steve said. "Rather, I didn't want to get my hopes up. . .by the way, I was completely honest with them tonight, and I wasn't sure if Chrissy knows that - ,"

"You fucked my boyfriend?" Chrissy asked with a grin. "Oh, yeah, he told me. You thought I was dead, so it's fine. It's not happening again, though."

"Oh, yeah, no, definitely not," Steve said, smiling.

"So, raise your hand if you haven't slept with Steve Harrington?" Eddie cackled and then blinked when no one raised their hand. "Chrissy?"

"I told you I knew him," Chrissy shrugged. "You didn't ask me how."

"The shorts don't lie," Steve said and turned around. "I made them myself."

On the back of his shorts, in pink shiny letters, was the word: SLUT.

"Oh my god!" Eddie said, wheezing.

"I'm Nancy and Jonathan's slut though now, and only their slut," Steve said, cocking his hip in their direction.

Jonathan buried his head into Nancy's shoulder, laughing while she giggled.

"You're an idiot, Steve Harrington," Nancy said.

"And you're both beautiful," Steve said, smirking.

"Well, I guess since you're not balrogs, I'll let you guys get some sleep," Eddie said, wiggling his eyebrows. "I demand a pair of shorts for myself but in red! Gotta let Chrissy know I'm her slut, too!"

"That message has already been spread, Eddie," Chrissy giggled.

Chrissy was in the middle of dragging Eddie out when he gripped the doorframe and looked meaningfully at Steve.

"You happy, big boy?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, I am," Steve grinned, biting his lip.

"Me too," Eddie said, smiling softly at him.

Steve crawled into bed with Nancy and Jonathan. He never thought it would have worked out like this. Hoped? Yes. He had made time to discover himself after he and Nancy broke up. He found that he could be happy without her, that he could make meaningful relationships that weren't romantic, as well as relationships that were somewhere in between, and he found this family along the way. He didn't need Nancy or Jonathan to be happy, but his heart longed for them. . .he wanted them like this. He was glad that the break up happened because it led him to Dustin, to Robin, then to Eddie as well as Vickie, and it even led him back to being friends with Chrissy again. Bad shit happened, but there were good things that came of it, too. Steve pictured himself as a young boy, looking out the window and hoping that his parents would come home, dreaming of a large family of his own.

"You are home," he whispered to himself and fell asleep with a smile on his face. "And you have a family. . ."

[fuckyeahstagefright]

31/01/25 special guest Mat Baynton

[hannahwatcheshorror]

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986)

This is a horror movie about plants and dentistry, if you know me at all I am going to give this a high score. But really, folks, this is a classic musical horror film that is fun for the whole family. Rick Moranis is not the strongest singer but he makes up for it with heart. Please enjoy how moist they are able to keep the plant's mouth(s).

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Trigger Warning Suicidal Ideations

We meet our pretty hapless main characters Seymour and Audrey. Seymour is of course our plant obsessed little nerd and Audrey his main love interest. They work at a plant shop and while Seymour was perusing the wholesale flower market he found a peculiar little plant that he named Audrey II. It looks like a funky little Venus flytrap. Either way they put it in the window of the shop to drum up business and it worked like a charm, people came flooding in to buy the fakest flowers I’ve seen since Final Girls. Audrey dreams of being with Seymour somewhere green (not Skid Row) but keeps dating the creep she is with because she thinks she doesn’t deserve better. Seymour isn’t sure how to keep Audrey II alive and growing so he sings a whole song about it then cuts himself and the plant starts suckling the air so Seymour feeds it his blood and the plant grows! Wack! Business is still booming because the plant is getting them guest spots on the radio (guest star John Candy). 

As Audrey II gets bigger and bigger it demands more blood from Seymour which is stressing him out and literally draining him. We find out Audrey's abusive boyfriend is Steve Martin and he is a crazy dentist who is a sadist (he loves causing pain to others), which would explain why Audrey is always so beaten up. Audrey II sings a song to Seymour about how he needs to eat a whole human being because he is a hungry boy and while Seymour isn’t happy about this at first they narrow in on Audrey’s boyfriend as the target and that makes Seymour happy. We have a special guest star from Bill Murray as a masochist who goes to the dentist and has just the best time ever. Then Seymour goes to the dentist boyfriend to kill him but doesn’t have to because the guy overdoses on laughing gas. The boyfriend asks, “What’d I ever do to you?” and Seymour simply replies, “Nothin’. It’s what you did to her.” Damn. What a baller. Then Seymour drags the body back to Audrey II, hacks it up, and feeds it to the plant. Wack.

Audrey is getting questioned by the police the next morning so Seymour goes over to her, it turns out her boyfriend is missing (shocking). Seymour suggests that maybe that isn’t a bad thing and Audrey tearfully agrees. They sing a song about how Seymour is suddenly there and it is a really good song. They also finally kiss! Things are really on the up and up, right? Wrong! Because the boss saw Seymour hacking up the body and waited ‘til today to say something. The boss is going to turn Seymour in but Audrey II has other plans (gulps that man right up). Seymour does more press with Audrey II and when he makes a little money he plans to run away with Audrey. Seymour takes Audrey aside and asks for her hand in marriage, she agrees and they will be wed that night! But on his way out the door Audrey II asks for more blood, more meat. Seymour refuses to kill anymore but says he will go to the butcher shop and get some fresh meat for the plant. When Seymour is gone, the crafty plant uses its vines to manipulate the phone and call Audrey, beckoning her over.

When Audrey arrives at the flower shop she is greeted by a simply massive plant that almost immediately grabs her with its vines and starts to gobble her up. Seymour comes through the door just in time to grab her feet but he is too late, she has already been gobbled too violently. They have a sad and romantic moment in the alley where Audrey can have her last words. She tells him that she wants him to feed her to the plant, so that her death means something or whatever. It is super sad and very dramatic but it’s her death so let her have this moment. After she passes Seymour places her gently in the plant's mouth and it eats her slowly. Then Seymour goes up to the top of a roof to (apparently) jump off but he is stopped by a salesman who is showing him that he took a clipping from Audrey II and made a new smaller plant and that they are going to be selling them to folks all over the USA. This rocks Seymour to his core and he runs back to the shop.

Seymour starts to argue with the plant about how its plan the whole time was to get itself spread all across the USA, that is why it helped Seymour get famous. The plant just laughs and laughs, grabbing Seymour with its vines and in general being much stronger now that it has three (3) bodies inside of it. It doesn’t take long before Seymour is eaten as well. Audrey II’s are on shelves all across the USA and soon they take over the USA. The Audrey II’s only need about one (1) and a half people before they can basically feed themselves so it really isn’t that unbelievable that a couple of schmucks wouldn’t do just that and doom the planet (thanks Rick Moranis). Now we sit just watching alien plants destroy buildings to rocking music while people and dogs flee in all directions. At least Audrey got one thing right, the future was green.

-----------------------HANNAH WATCHES HORROR--------------------

[kuzakvanowenshays]

Steve Buscemi guest-starring in L.A Law (1991) [episode 6.4]

[vagueeyes]

Finished reading MULBERRY CLOSE and rewatched/read along afterwards. (Am I doing this for all of s9? Maybe.)

A main reason this is my favourite episode of s9 is its homage to REAR WINDOW, and how it goes a step further and inverts it. Hitchcock's film is done from James Stewart's character's/his apartment's POV and we mostly see what he chooses to focus on (and it cuts/the camera moves accordingly) - but this episode's camera is static, so we, as the audience, have to choose where to look. Staring at the spider crawling into view? You're going to miss hearing the off-screen argument.

Script-wise, this was another episode that had more scenes cut out than I was expecting, such as removing the more overt references to Damon's alcoholism. It's there in the episode, but we get it from Reece & Vinette Robinson, rather than have it spelled out for us. This thread in the sub has some lovely comments about their performances:

Further thoughts & observations:

Finally I find out the car brand mentioned by Kenny - definitely feeling the cultural gap there. As an aside, I will always laugh at how Val & Damon's car is at the edge of the frame - it's clearly so Reece can seamlessly switch places with his stunt driver.

Val & Damon are so cute 😭. They were working things out and just wanted to live their lives!!

This is one bit I wish they left in...

Something I've come to appreciate about this ep is the amount of improvisation that was done. The parts where Val & Damon argue off-screen are written into the script, but what they are arguing about is not. Imagine the footage of this! Also, the little back-and-forth between Sheila and Kenny as they come up to Val/Damon's house for the first time is not scripted at all - that was definitely ad-libbed.

It's so funny r&s envisioned Sheila's legs dangling from the top of the screen, during the scene where she breaks into the house. Watching back this time I caught the sound of the window closing, at the bit where Kenny tries to distract Damon from turning round/looking up!

This is my favourite bit of the script (and it occurs on Day 9, heh). Watching the scene back, it's not obvious, but there is a second where Damon seems to look straight into the doorbell camera - and I love that this is specifically written in, as if to say to us, "See? We know Damon being a murderer is obvious. Wait till you see what happens next 😉..." On first watch, I was wondering whether Damon was playing this up for the doorbell camera, knowing the footage is recorded - thankfully, I was wrong. It's been a while since I've seen REAR WINDOW, but looking at some vids I think this scene achieves a similar effect of showing something to the audience that the characters don't know about:

It's also heartbreaking to think that this phone message is likely the last thing Val hears from Damon, and her phone message/murder is the last thing he hears from her...

But! A huge smile on my face when I got to this page and found that "You're never gonna get your Tupperware back now, are ya, SHEILA??" wasn't scripted!!

And finally - it's not the same thing, but this was a Mulberry Close I spotted the last time we were in the UK hehe. I think there's also a building in Hampstead Heath called Mulberry Close, but at the time it seemed weird to stop in the middle of a busy sidewalk to snap a pic, so I moved on...

[bishonenspit]

my favourite picture of maya mineo x

[kitmarlowe]

Uncle Dickie, life and soul of the party, and my favourite. Funnier than Peter Kay and smarter than Fred Dibnah.

[1lostsoul0fishbowl]

Have a snippet of Gone Away, my love letter to uncle Wayne, featuring eight-year-old Eddie and the debut of a very tiny fabulous-haired friend.

(This was not written with any particular ship in mind, obviously, since they’re little kids. But if you want to imagine it as the elementary school beginnings of That Popular Ship, you’re certainly more than welcome to. 😉🫶)

***

Wayne gets out of work a little earlier than usual on the Friday before Thanksgiving. He was hoping the weather would be nice enough to take Eddie to the playground, but the temperature has dropped since that morning and a steady drizzle of rain is turning everything damp and gray. Well, never mind, he thinks; they can invite Grace to come over early instead. Maybe she’ll make them her famous hot chocolate. He has no idea what she puts in it, but it’s addicting.

He’s hunched into his jacket as he heads toward the school, still idly daydreaming about hot chocolate, and he almost walks right past a small figure huddled pitiful and alone in the parent pickup area until a little noise catches his attention. It’s the unmistakeable noise of someone crying and trying to hide it.

Wayne turns to look. It’s a little boy, smaller than Eddie, with luxuriously thick brown hair. It’s so fluffy and nice that Wayne actually does a double take. The kid’s got more hair than Eddie does. Good thing it isn’t curly like Ed’s; combing it would be a nightmare. His face is pale under a scattering of freckles, and his eyes are red-rimmed and so sad they break Wayne’s heart a bit. “Hey, little one,” he says softly to the boy, “whatcha doin’ out here all by yourself?”

The boy sniffles, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. “Nobody came to get me,” he says quietly. “I’ve been waiting and waiting but nobody came. I’m cold.”

“Let’s get you inside.” Wayne holds out his hand, and the little boy immediately takes hold, following him into the school. “They got an after school thing where you can wait, so’s you don’t have to sit out here in the rain. I’m pickin’ up my boy from there now.” He leads the kid over to the teacher in charge. “Found this little guy out front. He said no one came to get him. I reckoned he’d be better off in here with y’all than sittin’ there all by his lonesome.”

“Your mother hasn’t come yet?” the teacher asks, and when the boy shakes his head no, she sighs. “Janet,” she calls across the room to the other teacher on duty, “can you try calling the Harringtons again? They were supposed to be here forty minutes ago.” She turns back to Wayne. “Thanks for bringing him in. Honestly,” her voice lowers, taking on a here’s some juicy gossip sort of tone, “they’re always late, by now he should know not to bother waiting outside.”

Wayne frowns at her. What is she spreading stories about this poor baby’s folks for? He’s about to tell her it’s none of his business when he hears Eddie shout.

“Leave him alone!“

His eyes snap instantly to the sound. Eddie is standing protectively in front of the little Harrington boy, glaring down a tiny blond kid who’s got a smug smirk on his face. “Why are you so mean to everybody?” Eddie demands.

The smarmy kid shrugs. “I’m not being mean, I’m just telling the truth. Steve’s a crybaby.”

“He is not. And you are mean.” Eddie crosses his arms, scowling, and a look of surprise crosses the blond boy’s face. He instinctively takes a couple steps back. Wayne doesn’t blame him; that scowl reminds him a bit too much of his brother, and he hopes he’s not about to see a display of the temper that went with it. “I’ve seen you,” Eddie continues, stepping closer, as the blond kid backs away even more. “Every day I see you being nasty to someone. What’s wrong with you?” He doesn’t quite make a fist, not exactly, but he sort of flexes his fingers experimentally and that’s enough to tip the little blond punk over the edge.

He bolts, shouting “I’m telling my mother about you!” over his shoulder, scurrying to safety next to the teacher. Eddie ignores him. His face softens into a friendly smile as he turns to the Harrington boy— Steve, according to the nasty blond— who is staring at him in openmouthed astonishment.

“Are you okay?” Eddie asks, and Steve manages to nod. “I’m okay,” he says after a moment. “That… that was really cool. Thanks.”

Wayne breathes out an incredulous laugh. He’s never seen this much drama at the day care before. The teachers must eat it up like daytime soaps. He did notice the gossipy one didn’t make any sort of attempt to stop the boys from arguing. Thank the lord Eddie didn’t actually hit the little punk, no matter how much he probably deserved it. They might’ve actually brought out the popcorn instead of breaking up a fight.

A weary looking woman in a prim lilac pantsuit has arrived; the nasty kid’s mother, Wayne guesses, by the way the blond races over to her, babbling and making exaggerated faces and pointing at Eddie. Why, that little snitch. Wayne pastes a pleasant smile on his face and walks over to introduce himself to the woman. He drops some innocuous nonsense about ‘kids these days’ before mentioning rather pointedly that he’s glad his boy is brave enough to stand up to bullies. The woman looks at her son, then back at Wayne, who meets her gaze steadily. She’s clearly putting two and two together. She mumbles something about letting his father know, as she hastily gathers up her son and departs.

He already knows the kid won’t get in trouble; that kind never does. But at least his mama won’t go blaming Eddie for the trouble her own son caused. Shaking his head, Wayne turns to collect his nephew, more than ready to get out of this place and relax at home.

Eddie and Steve are sitting at a table together, chattering away and building something huge and complicated out of Lego, when he calls out, “C’mon Ed, let’s get going.”

Eddie rushes over to tug at his sleeve. “Uncle Wayne,” he whispers, “can we take Steve home? He said his mom forgot to come get him.”

“That’s real nice of you, little darlin’, but no, we can’t take him. I can’t just take a kid that don’t belong to me. Imagine what his mama would say if he was gone when she got here.” He looks over at Steve. The boy’s despondent face tugs at his heartstrings for sure, but Wayne knows the name Harrington and he’s not about to get himself accused of kidnapping by that guy. Poor kid’s just gonna have to wait.

Eddie has other plans, though. “Then can we stay with him til she comes? Please, uncle Wayne? He’s so sad. I don’t wanna leave him here all by himself.”

Wayne sighs. This boy is giving him gray hair already, he can feel it. “Lemme check with the teachers. If it’s okay with them, we can stay a bit longer.”

The teachers don’t seem to mind. So Eddie and Steve go back to their Lego, and Wayne settles down at one of the tables with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. Other parents stop in to collect their kids over the next hour, but still nobody comes for little Steve, and soon he and Eddie are the last ones left. Wayne yawns, standing up to stretch. Maybe he should’ve just taken the kid home after all. This is getting ridiculous.

“Uncle Wayne.” Eddie’s tugging at his sleeve again.

“You ready to go now?” Wayne yawns again.

“Um. No. Can you help?” Eddie whispers. “Steve’s crying again and I can’t get him to feel better.”

He shakes his head. Where did this kid get such a big heart? Must take after his mama that way. “What d’you want me to do, little darlin’?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you could read to us?” Eddie’s big brown eyes plead with him. “I always feel better when you read to me.”

Now how is he supposed to say no to that?

“Alright then,” he agrees, and next thing he knows he’s sitting on the floor on a pile of cushions in the ‘book nook’ with two little boys leaning up against him, one on either side. Eddie insisted that Steve choose the story, and he’d picked one called Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. By the time Wayne finished the first chapter, Steve had stopped crying, and he’d crawled into Wayne’s lap and snuggled down and didn’t seem inclined to move. Eddie didn’t appear to mind; he simply reached over and took the book, holding it out and turning the pages as Wayne read so he could hold onto Steve. Wayne rubbed the smaller boy’s back, just the same way he did to soothe Eddie when he was upset. It worked the same way, too. Steve was half asleep by the end of the second chapter.

He’s midway through chapter five when at last the classroom door bursts open and a frazzled-looking young woman hurries in. She dashes over to the teachers, frantically telling them a story complete with wild hand gestures.

Eddie gently nudges Steve. “Is that your mommy?” he whispers.

Steve yawns. “No, that’s Anja. She’s our housekeeper.”

“What’s a housekeeper?”

“She cleans my room and stuff,” Steve informs him, and Eddie looks impressed. He doesn’t ask any more questions though, and Steve breathes out a tiny sigh of what Wayne is fairly sure is relief. Lord have mercy, he thinks, there’s an awful lot going on beneath the surface here.

The young woman hurries to his side now, holding out her hand to Steve. “Your mom asked me to come get you, liebchen. Sorry you had to wait so long.”

Steve ignores her hand, reaching for his jacket instead. “Where is she this time?” he asks in a resigned voice, sounding much older than his can’t-possibly-be-more-than-seven years.

Anja shrugs. “Ach, you know they never tell me where they’re going. Let’s get you home, ja?” She turns to Wayne. “Thank you for keeping an eye on him.”

“It was a pleasure, ma’am,” Wayne says honestly. “He’s a good boy.”

Steve shyly thanks him, then turns to Eddie. “Hey, um, is it okay if I look for you at recess on Monday?” he asks. “Maybe we could play together?” He sounds timid, afraid of rejection maybe, but Eddie gives him a big smile. “Sure!” he says immediately, easily. “I’ll be over by the tetherball poles, okay?” And Steve grins back, nodding happily.

In the car, driving home at last, Wayne says casually to Eddie, “So how long you been friends with the Harrington boy?”

“I just met him today,” is Eddie’s unexpected answer. Wayne snorts a laugh. Honestly, nothing about his boy should surprise him anymore.

***

[maskednerd]

based on the SnapCube Fandub clip