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pocket-of-sunshine24 · 3 days ago

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Home For The Holidays (S.H. x Reader)

Summary: Steve and the reader were inseparable as kids, but when high school hit, Steve became "King Steve," and their friendship fell apart. After graduation, the reader leaves Hawkins for college, trying to move on from the past.

Years later, they return home for winter break, only to be forced to confront old memories and people they thought they’d moved on from. At the top of that list is Steve Harrington. He’s changed, but is it enough for the reader to trust that he’s no longer the person who left them behind—or is there still too much pain from their past to bridge the gap?

Word Count: 13.4k

Warnings: Angst, hurt and comfort, Steve calls reader "sunshine", fluff at the end, lots of feeling alone and left out, having to talk things out, King Steve ruins things for himself (as usual)

Authors Note: Heyyyy! Here's the full fic of the drabble I posted a few days ago. I tried to keep this gender neutral, but if you notice any mistakes please let me know. Also this is my first time ever writing a fic so please be nice, but feel free to comment feedback! Thanks for reading!

Divider created by @strangergraphics-archive

Driving through Hawkins on the way home feels bittersweet. Watching all the holiday lights flash by as you turn down your street, with memories from when you were younger flashing by just as quickly. With a deep breath you try to remind yourself that you’re only home for a couple of weeks. You can do this. It’s not like you’ll have to see him. No matter how small the town is, you know you can just stay home and avoid your old usual spots no matter how much you want to see what he’s up to now. But that boat passed a long time ago. You both made your decision. You doubt he even remembers you. With that thought you pull into your driveway, an ache for what once was sits on your chest.

The house looks the same as you remember it—nothing about Hawkins ever seems to change. The faded shutters, the cracked driveway, the overgrown rose bushes that your mom used to tend to—everything is just as it was when you left, frozen in time. But as you stand there, you feel the weight of something missing, like the town itself has stalled, unmoving, while everything you once felt here has slipped away. The memories, once vivid and full of life, now feel distant, as if they belong to someone else. You take a breath, and it feels as if you’re the only one who’s changed. Hawkins hasn’t moved, but somehow, you have. And you don’t fit anymore.

You grab your bag and step out of the car, the cool air biting at your skin as you walk toward the door. The familiar sound of your mom’s voice calls out from inside, pulling you back to reality. You’re home and you’re here to spend time with your parents, not get caught up in the past.

The evening passes in a blur of catching up, the easy chatter of family life filling the space that once seemed so comforting. But no matter how hard you try, your thoughts seem haunted by the ghost of your childhood. A tall, tanned boy with a penchant for mischief. Steve Harrington.

What had he become? Was he still the same guy who’d once made you laugh until your stomach hurt, or was he still ruling over Hawkins as King Steve like he had in high school? You didn’t know. And part of you wasn’t sure you wanted to find out. You had your own life now, a life that no longer included him. The thought should have been comforting, but instead, it gnawed at you in the quiet of the evening.

Later that night, as you lie in your old bed, the familiar creaks of the house lull you into a restless sleep. You can’t shake the feeling that you no longer belong in this space. The bed feels too small, the sheets too itchy. It’s as though Hawkins itself can sense the change in you, urging you to either fit back into the version of yourself that once belonged here—or leave for good.

The next day, you wake up feeling exhausted from the restless night. Deciding that being cooped up in your house for 2 weeks will only serve to drive you insane, you head out for a morning walk to clear your mind. You spent too many hours the night before reminiscing on what was and people from your past. You need to remind yourself why you left Hawkins in the first place.

You make your way downtown and step into the grocery store, recalling your mom’s complaint about not having any eggs for the holiday party she always hosts at the end of next week. As you pass through the doors, you welcome the warmth, a respite from the biting cold. Keeping your head down, you move quickly through the aisles, eager to grab the eggs and get out without running into anyone who might recognize you.

But as soon as you send that wish out into the universe you run into Nancy Wheeler. You freeze for a moment, your stomach dropping. Nancy, Nancy, who always had a knack for seeing through people, looks at you, her expression shifting from surprise to a hint of recognition. Her eyes flash with an emotion too quick to place. The grocery store suddenly feels smaller, and the cold of the outside world seems to creep in despite the warmth around you.

"Well, look who it is," Nancy says, her voice both familiar and slightly guarded. "I didn’t expect to see you back in town." She gives you a polite but somewhat distant smile and, you can’t tell if it’s just her usual friendliness or if there's something more beneath it.

You manage a tight smile, feeling the awkwardness settling in like a thick fog. "Yeah, just for the holidays. You know how it is." You try to sound casual, but your voice feels a little too forced.

Nancy nods, taking a step back to give you space in the aisle. Her gaze lingers for a second longer than necessary, as if waiting for something, but then she pulls a carton of milk off the shelf and places it in her basket. The silence between you both stretches, heavy with unspoken words and broken promises. Past memories bubble up of watching her and Steve through their best and worst times. Memories of Steve coming to your house drunk and crying because Nancy had said their whole relationship was bullshit.There had been so much left unsaid between them, so much hurt, that it fractured his relationships with everyone else. You suppose that’s when time started to slow to a stop in Hawkins. And now, here you are, standing in the sterile aisles of the grocery store. The years apart feel like a wall that neither you or Nancy is sure how to climb.

“So…” Nancy starts, as though she’s considering something, the words tentative. “How have you been? Really, I mean.” The question hangs in the air, and you can hear the genuine curiosity in her voice, but there's something else there, too. A carefulness.

You feel the pressure to answer, but you’re not sure where to start. What part of your life do you even mention? The life you’ve built away from Hawkins? The tangled feelings about everything you left behind? Or do you just lie, let it all slide with a simple answer?

You’re not even sure if Nancy knows about what happened between you and Steve. Do they still even talk? You’ve been so out of the loop on everything in the lives of those who stayed in Hawkins. You feel as if you’re just passing through, forced to watch as they continue on without you.

“Oh you know, I've just been busy with school, but it’s been good. It’s nice to have a break at home though,” you respond politely. Trying to figure out the best way to get out of this situation without seeming rude. You glance towards the door hoping she’ll end the conversation there and let you leave. But she continues on oblivious to your growing discomfort.

“Hey, I know you haven’t been home in a while, but you should stop by mine this Friday. I’m having a small get together with a couple friends. You’re invited if you want. I will let you know Mike and his little group will be there too because if they aren’t invited he’ll give me hell.” Your lips twitch into a genuine smile at the mention of Mike and the others. It’s been so long you wonder how they have changed, if at all, in this town stuck in time. Your heart twinges at the thought that they’ve grown since you’ve last seen them, but it was your decision to leave. Your decision to not come back until now.

With a tentative smile you say, “sure I’ll see if I can make it.” You begin to turn, having long forgotten the eggs that sent you into the store in the first place, when Nancy grabs your wrist and says, “It’s good to see you again, really it is.” Her eyes are earnest as she stares at you. It’s as if she’s trying to see something in your eyes. Or piece together a puzzle in her head. You just give her another small smile and quickly exit the store, your mind even more foggy than when you left the house this morning.

Hands shaking as you exit, the bitter cold rushes against your cheeks. You weren’t ready to see anyone from your past, let alone anyone with a connection to Steve. It’s been so long. You aren’t even sure you would recognize him if he stood right in front of you. The memories with him are precious, too precious to let go of, but the hurt has frayed them over time—left you wanting to forget even as you long to keep them close to your heart.

You mull over Nancy’s invitation for this Friday. It’s only a couple nights away. Is Steve gonna be there? Are you ready to face even more people you left behind here? You’re not sure, but maybe it’s time you tried anyway.

The rest of the week passes with no further drama. You spend lots of time with your parents getting the house ready for your mom’s annual holiday party. Setting up decorations, putting up the tree, finally getting those eggs she needed.

Everything seemed to be falling into place. You eventually let the awkward interaction with Nancy fall out of your mind as you find a small comfort in the routine with your family.

Friday creeps up on you until it’s merely two hours before Nancy’s get together. You’re freaking out. Clothes thrown all over the floor, your room a disaster zone. Nancy didn’t say much about what to wear. Did you need to dress up? Was it more casual? You were overthinking every little thing because it was easier to do that than to think about who might be in attendance at said gathering. Your heart races as you think about what might happen tonight. You force yourself to take a deep breath and square your shoulders, you’ve been running from this town, this moment for long enough, you need to face the past and the mistakes that haunt you.

You step in front of your mirror, still unsure of what you're doing. The outfit you finally settled on is simple—a nice sweater, some jeans, shoes that are neither too casual nor too formal—but nothing about it feels like it fits. The sweater clings uncomfortably, the jeans stiff—like they're not even yours anymore. You feel like you're pretending to belong here, as if all these years away haven't changed anything. You stare at your reflection just for a moment, and it feels like you’ve stepped back in time—like you’re sixteen again, about to sneak over to Steve’s for a movie night—when everything seemed so much simpler. But you’re not that girl anymore. The one who fit so perfectly in this town. You try to shake the memory from your head, but it lingers, pulling at you like a thread ready to unravel everything. For a second, you wonder if you’re making a mistake, if going to the party is just you trying to force yourself to become the girl you were before you left. To pretend that time stopped for you too after you left Hawkins. But it didn’t. Time kept going. You left, and you changed. You don’t fit here anymore, not like you did before. You don’t match. Before you can second-guess yourself, you take a deep breath, reminding yourself that facing the friends who stayed in Hawkins is the only way forward. No matter how much it hurts. With one last glance at the mirror, you grab your keys and head out the door. Your car hums softly as you drive toward Nancy's place. The familiar streets of Hawkins look the same as always, but now they feel cold, unfamiliar, as if the air is heavy with something more than just the winter chill. You arrive at the Wheeler’s house, the warm glow of lights spilling out from the windows. The faint sound of music and laughter drifts through the air, a stark contrast to the tightness in your chest. You take one last moment to yourself before stepping out of your car. And as you exit, the cold bites at your skin. It feels as though the sound of your shoes echoes louder than they should against the quiet street. You try to steady your breath, your heart racing as you work up the courage to ring the doorbell. For a second, you hesitate, the weight of everything you left behind in this town bearing down on you. Then, with a final deep breath, you press the doorbell and wait, feeling your pulse thundering in your ears. Nancy opens the door with a wide smile, looking exactly the same. The same easy confidence, the same look of someone who’s always known her place in the world. She steps aside to let you in. “Hey, you made it!” she says, her voice casual and warm. You almost feel like you belong here. Almost.

She leads you into the living room, where a few people are already gathered. It’s quiet enough to still feel intimate, but lively enough that the evening doesn’t feel awkward. Christmas lights hang everywhere, casting a soft glow that feels like a gentle embrace. The scent of cinnamon and pine lingers in the air, pulling you back to childhood holidays where her and her mom would drop off their special holiday cookies to everyone in town.

A modest Christmas tree sits in the corner, its twinkling lights offering a simple, homey feel that tugs at something deep in your chest. It feels almost like nothing’s changed, even when you know so much has. Still, the warmth of the room eases some of the tension you didn’t realize you were holding.

You glance around, trying not to draw attention to yourself. Your eyes scan the room, landing on familiar faces—Jonathan, Robin, Dustin, Max, Mike, El, and Will—all of them seem the same, but also different. Not just older, but somehow… more. More aware, more grounded. Their eyes carry a maturity that wasn’t there the last time you saw them, bickering and riding their bikes to Mike’s house, so carefree. The weight of it hits you in a way you weren’t prepared for, the ache of time missed, of them growing up without you being there for it.

But then your gaze drifts to the couch, and everything else fades. Steve Harrington in all his glory. He’s sitting there, chatting with Lucas, a beer in hand, that familiar charisma still clinging to him like a second skin. For a moment, it’s as if you can pretend you’re 13 again about to watch some corny holiday movie with him at your house.

You hadn’t expected him to look the same—tall, tanned, but a little more muscular. His hair still that perfect mix of messy and styled. But it’s the new depth in his eyes that catches you off guard. There’s a quietness there now, something behind his usual charm that wasn’t there before. And it pulls at your chest, tightens it, a knot you can’t untangle. How much has he changed? How much has he been through that you missed?

You’re not sure if he’s noticed you yet. You try to steady your breath, your mind racing for something to say, something to do to break the tension that’s suddenly hanging on you like a storm cloud. But before you can move, Nancy’s voice breaks through.

“You can grab a drink from the kitchen if you want. It’s right through there,” she says with a smile, and you nod, grateful for the excuse to put some distance between you and Steve.

You head toward the kitchen, trying not to look too much like you’re avoiding anyone. As you step in, you find yourself staring at the sink, trying to gather your thoughts. You know this feeling—this knot in your stomach that tightens every time you think about him, about the things left unsaid between you two. It's been years, and yet here you are, standing in a room where everything is the same, but nothing feels familiar. It’s like walking into a scene you've seen before, only something’s different now. The sink, the countertop, even the way the light hits the corner of the room—they should be comforting, but instead, they feel distant, like you've stumbled into a version of your past that’s been subtly altered without you realizing. You can recognize the outline of what once was, but the edges are blurred, the picture incomplete.

The changes are small, almost invisible at first glance, but they pull at you, unsettling in a way you can't quite explain. It’s as though the space itself remembers, but it’s forgotten you. It’s still Hawkins, still Nancy’s house, but it’s not the one you left behind. It’s like the place has shifted without you, and no matter how much you try to fit into this scene, you know something is different—just enough for you to feel like you don't belong anymore.

You open the fridge, reaching for a bottle of water, when the sound of footsteps behind you causes you to freeze.

The smooth timbre of a voice you once knew so well, one that used to bring you so much comfort, cuts through the air. “Didn't think I'd see you tonight.”

You turn, and there he is. Steve Harrington. Right behind you, close enough that you can feel the heat of his presence. He looks at you, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, though there's something else in his eyes—something soft, almost vulnerable, like he's unsure how to read this situation either.

You swallow hard, struggling to find your voice. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure either.”

He chuckles, but there’s no humor in it, just a quiet kind of acknowledgment. “It’s good to see you. I mean, I—" He pauses, and then his expression softens, something unspoken flickering in his eyes. "I didn’t expect you to come back. After everything…”

His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning, like an unspoken invitation. An opening to finally speak the truth about what happened between you two all those years ago — when you made the decision to leave Hawkins, when you realized you no longer fit in a town that used to feel like home.

You want to say something — anything that might clear the air or break the sudden tension between you two — but it’s hard to find the right words. The only thing that feels clear is the space between you that’s been there for so long, and it seems impossible to cross.

Even when he’s standing here right in front of you it feels as though he’s miles away. Your fingers twitch with the subconscious urge to pull him into you. You look up at his soft brown eyes and open your mouth to respond, but before you can get anything out, Nancy’s voice calls from the living room. “Hey, don’t leave me hanging in there! We’re about to start a game.”

Steve glances at the door and then back at you, his expression unreadable. “I guess we better get in there,” he says quietly, taking a step back. "It’s… good to see you again."

As he moves to leave, you feel that familiar ache in your chest, the pull to say something more, to break through the walls you’ve both built. But the moment slips away before you can.

You follow him into the living room, where the sound of laughter and chatter fills the air. Your eyes find him again, across the room, and his presence feels like an open wound you can’t quite heal. As you watch, he seems so at ease here, surrounded by the people you can tell are his family. He laughs so freely, loves so loudly. It's so evident in the playful way he knocks his shoulder into Robin's.

So much has changed about him. When you left, he wasn’t this open with anyone—not even you. You would’ve never imagined he could share such easy camaraderie with Nancy or Jonathan. But here they are, smiling together like nothing in the past ever happened.

It hurts. To know that they reached him in ways you couldn’t. It makes you feel like you were never really needed. As if it was a good thing you left. As that thought crosses your mind, you suddenly grow hot and uncomfortable. Sitting here, watching them… it feels like you’re intruding on something you shouldn’t be. Something you aren’t meant to be a part of. You begin to fidget with the bracelet that sits on your wrist, twisting it with a sense of urgency. As if that small, repetitive motion could somehow quiet the storm inside your head as Dustin explains an overly complicated holiday game that his long distance girlfriend Susie told him about.

When you finally manage to pull yourself from your racing thoughts and look up, you catch Steve’s gaze—his eyes fixed on the bracelet you’re nervously twisting. It’s a brief moment, but it’s enough as he looks at you with an intensity that lights up your skin, his expression searching for something in your eyes. You try to swallow the lump in your throat, but the weight of everything unsaid—everything that’s always hung between you—feels too much.

You still remember the way he used to notice the smallest things, once saying, ‘You always seem to do that when you’re overwhelmed.’ Observing your need to fidget with something when you get anxious. The memory resurfaces now, and you watch him track the movement of the bracelet, a quiet familiarity in his gaze. You clamp down on it, halting the motion, and in that instant, his eyes snap to yours, sharp and perceptive. It’s like he sees straight through your façade, into the unspoken turmoil beneath.

You find yourself holding your breath, not knowing whether to look away or keep staring. He knows you, maybe better than anyone else, and there's a quiet ache in your chest at how easily he seems to read you even now. You feel like a stranger in this house full of people, full of laughter, but with him, it feels like time has gone backwards and you’re back to being best friends sitting on his patio complaining about the English essay you have to have done before the end of the week. You’re not sure what he sees now—whether it’s the girl he once knew, or the stranger you’ve become—but his eyes linger for just a second too long.

You want to say something. To bridge this gap that feels ever growing, but the truth is, you don’t even know what you’re feeling or what you would say. It’s been so long since you last saw him and you don’t even know if he would want to hear what you have to say. So much is different now. There’s so much you don’t know about him anymore.

The sound of laughter from Robin seems to shatter the moment, pulling Steve’s attention back to her. You just sit there, frozen, your hand still gripping the bracelet like it’s the only thing keeping you anchored. The noise of the party swells around you, but it’s distant—like you’re standing on the edge of it all, watching from the outside. Everyone is laughing, caught up in their conversations, and you feel like a shadow, unnoticed, as though you’re no longer part of this world. When you finally check back in, Dustin and Lucas have started bickering over the rules of the game.

“Man, that doesn’t even make sense! Why would I have to go back to Santa’s Workshop just because Rudolph saw me walking outside? You made these rules up just so you could win!” Lucas accuses.

“I didn’t make them up! You’re just mad because you’re losing!” Dustin shoots back, pointing an accusing finger.

“Oh yeah? Well, maybe I wouldn’t be losing if you didn’t keep changing the rules halfway through! First, you say we have to find the presents, then you say the elves are watching us, and now—” Lucas waves his hands in frustration, “—I’m supposed to be stuck in Santa’s Workshop because of some imaginary reindeer?”

“It’s not imaginary! It’s part of the game!” Dustin retorts, crossing his arms. “You just don’t get it!”

“You’re cheating, that’s what you’re doing!” Lucas yells, causing a few heads to turn.

Steve, who had been half-listening, stands up. The laughter and chatter fade into a low hum in the background as he steps toward the two arguing boys, his voice calm but firm.

“Alright dipshits, enough,” Steve says, his tone brokering no argument. “We’re all here to have fun, not start World War III over a game. This is supposed to be fun for everyone.”

Dustin and Lucas both stop mid-argument, but they glare at each other, clearly unwilling to back down. Steve sighs, looking from one to the other with a raised eyebrow.

“Lucas, you’re taking this way too seriously. It’s just a game. And Dustin,” Steve turns his gaze to the other boy, “stop making up rules just to win.”

The tension between them doesn’t dissolve immediately, but there’s a subtle shift. Lucas crosses his arms, but the fire has gone out of his argument. Dustin shrugs but doesn’t speak, his posture a little less defensive.

“Look,” Steve says, running a hand through his hair, “why don’t we just take a breather, okay? If you two can’t agree on the rules, then we’ll just play something else. It’s not that big of a deal.”

After a beat, Dustin huffs, but he nods reluctantly. “Fine,” he mutters, not entirely happy, but willing to let it go for now.

Lucas lets out a dramatic sigh. “Yeah, whatever. Let’s play something else.”

Steve gives them both a half-smile, satisfied with the result. “Good. Now hug it out so we all know you still love each other,” he says with a grin.

The boys roll their eyes but give each other an awkward hug. “You’re so lame Steve,” Dustin mumbles.

“Yeah way to make things weird Harrington,” Lucas agrees.

“Hey it’s not my fault you idiots start acting like 3 year olds when it comes to playing a game. I do what I have to do to keep the peace.”

The boys give each other one last look and walk off with the rest of the younger kids to find something else to occupy their attention. Slowly, the rest of the group begins to disperse, picking out new games or chatting in small circles. Steve turns back to the others, rolling his eyes. “If we weren’t here, they would burn this house to the ground.”

“Luckily we are here so they won’t,” Nancy says with a playful twinkle in her eye.

The two of them share a look, one that feels familiar—too familiar. It’s a shared joke, an easy camaraderie that feels like it has always existed between them. You can’t help but watch, feeling a pang in your chest. The last time you saw either of them, they weren’t even speaking to each other. The breakup had left things between them fractured, awkward, and heavy. You remember the silence between them, how they'd avoided eye contact and made excuses not to be in the same room. The tension had been so thick you could almost taste it. There were so many nights where you laid awake with Steve as he cried over the broken pieces of their relationship.

It’s unsettling to see them so comfortable. You wonder when things shifted, when they went from bitter exes to whatever this is now. It used to be like walking on broken glass around them, carefully avoiding the cracks in the conversation.

Now, though? It’s like that tension never existed. The warmth between them feels natural, even easy. They seem completely at ease with one another, like nothing ever happened. The way Steve looks at her, and the way she responds—it’s not the strained politeness you expected, but the kind of closeness you’d expect from long-time friends, maybe even something more. You watch them, trying to make sense of what’s happening. It’s strange. Stranger still, is how you didn’t even know it happened. Being away for so long, leaving these people behind—they didn’t stop living. They didn’t pause their lives waiting for you to come back. They went on, found new rhythms, new routines… and now, you’re a stranger in a space you once belonged. A space that’s now filled with laughter and inside jokes, with people who’ve moved on without you.

Steve turns back to the group, rubbing the back of his neck. “Honestly, though, it’s kind of impressive how much chaos they can create in such a short time.” He flashes a grin, and Nancy laughs, nodding in agreement.

You feel a strange twinge in your chest, as if you’re not quite sure where you fit in this new dynamic, this new version of Steve, Nancy, and everyone else . You shift in your seat, suddenly aware of how much has changed—and how much you haven’t been a part of.

Even though you made the decision to leave, you can’t help but feel hurt—like no one fought to keep you here, like no one wanted you to stay. You’ve never felt the passage of time as much as in this moment. These people sitting across from you look the same on the outside, but so much has happened since you left. So much you weren’t a part of that you don’t know how you could ever fit in their lives again.

At this realization, you feel like an imposter, trying to slip into a life that no longer belongs to you. Sitting here, watching the group interact, you feel hollow. Steve pushes a hand through his hair and laughs at something Robin says, and it’s like watching a memory play back—his familiar movements, his laughter, the ease of it all. It’s like you were once fluent in their secret language, one made of glances, gestures, and unspoken words, but now it feels like you've forgotten how to speak it, and everything feels foreign.

You wish you hadn’t come tonight. But even as the thought crosses your mind, there’s a part of you that wonders if it’s too late to turn back. You stand and head towards Nancy to say your goodbyes. Tonight has rattled your nerves and you aren’t sure you could make it through a full night of being an outsider in the lives of people you used to call friends.

“Hey Nance, I’m gonna head out. I’ve got to be up early to help my mom with preparing for the holiday thing next weekend. Thanks again for having me.” You give her a tight smile.

“Of course! So glad you could make it. Do you want me to walk you out?” She starts to stand and the rest of the group looks over curiously.

“No you don’t have to do that! I’m just parked out front. I'll be okay.” You turn with a wave to the rest of the group, actively avoiding Steve’s gaze and head out to your car. The cold has only gotten sharper since your arrival and chills you to the bone. The wind whips past your face causing tears to well up in your eyes. A sigh escapes your lips, your steps heavy as you trudge towards your car, weighed down by your thoughts.

You hear a voice call out your name in the stillness of the night. Turning, you see Steve standing at the front door, his chest rising rapidly, like he sprinted to catch you before you slipped away. He looks both relieved and hesitant, his usual confidence softened by something you can't quite place.

“Wait up! I um.. I wanted to talk to you,” he scratches at the back of his neck. A sign you know means he’s nervous. You aren’t sure if you’re ready to have a conversation with him yet, but you don’t think he’ll let you get away without getting this off his chest either.

"I—um…" he clears his throat, then looks away briefly, before meeting your eyes again. "I’m really glad you came tonight, even if… well, I know it’s probably not easy."

A tight knot forms in your chest, and all the unspoken words you’ve held inside for all these years press against your throat, desperate to spill out, but you swallow them back down. Unexpectedly, a wave of emotion crashes over you. This is the person you once bared your soul to, the one you’d talk to for hours until the sun came up, losing track of time. Now, you can’t even bring yourself to meet his eyes. The tears that the wind has coaxed threaten to fall now as you force yourself to look into his warm, honey eyes.

“Steve…” It’s one simple word, but it carries a heavy history that presses against your chest. Saying his name out loud for the first time since being back feels like your heart breaking all over again. It’s strange how right it feels falling from your lips, and yet you don’t even know him as he is now. The Steve you knew was a lanky 10-year-old who always let you win at tag. But then, in the blink of an eye that boy grew up, and in doing so, he left behind his childhood to become someone new—King Steve.

King Steve was cruel and broken. You tried to stay by his side through it all, but when Nancy broke up with him it all fell apart. At first, he leaned on you, and it seemed like you might get your Steve back. But you quickly realized that wouldn’t happen. He put up new walls, built them higher each day, and you could feel the distance between you growing wider, until one day, you woke up, and there was an ocean between you.

You still remember the first time Steve didn’t smile when he saw you, the first time his eyes didn’t light up when he saw you. You told yourself it was nothing—just a bad day—but you couldn’t shake the feeling. Slowly, you started noticing the small changes: the way his voice lost its warmth when he spoke to you, the way his laughter felt strained, as if it was something he had to force. And then one day, you realized that the person you were talking to wasn’t Steve anymore. Not the Steve who had once been a part of every second of your life. It was as if all the years you spent together didn’t matter. Like you meant nothing to him. Not even worth remembering. You thought, maybe naively, that your friendship was something stronger, something that couldn’t just fade away. But when Steve pulled back, when he let the walls rise higher and higher, it felt like the rug was pulled out from under you. The person who once knew you better than anyone else was slipping through your fingers, and you couldn’t stop it. The innate trust you had in him started to fissure and crack, breaking until there was nothing left to salvage. That abandonment, the slow and painful disintegration of something you thought would always be there, made you question everything you knew about your friendship, about yourself. It hurt so much more than you ever expected it would.

You became a shadow of yourself—once bright and eager, now a hollow version of who you used to be. You stopped going out, stopped talking to anyone. It wasn’t just that you lost Steve. You lost yourself too. You lost your spark, the fire that used to drive you, and in its place was only emptiness. You withdrew into yourself, living on autopilot. Without Steve, it felt like a part of you was missing. He wasn’t just your best friend; he was your person.

You used to be confident, full of life, and now… you weren’t sure who you were anymore. When Steve shut you out, it wasn’t just him you lost—it was that piece of yourself that only existed when you were together. You became a stranger in your own skin, unsure of who you were without him beside you. And that uncertainty, that emptiness, followed you everywhere you went. Your parents noticed, their concern growing as they saw you shrink from the world.

It took time, and a lot of self-reflection, but eventually, you realized that staying in Hawkins was only hurting you more. You weren’t healing, you were sinking deeper into the same numbness. Leaving Hawkins wasn’t a choice—it was a breaking point. It wasn’t easy, not by any means. Every part of you ached at the thought of leaving behind what little you had left of Steve, what little you had left of the past. But staying was worse. Staying meant continuing to live in the shell of a life you once had, clinging to memories that could never be relived.

So, right after graduation you packed your bags, walked away from everything you knew, and left it all behind. You needed to find yourself again, to figure out who you were on your own. No Steve, no parents, just you. You went to college as far away as you could get, and promised yourself you wouldn’t look back. Until now.

When you look at him, it feels like all the old pain surges up again—like the weight of all the years and hurt is crashing down on you. Seeing him this close, after all this time, is like opening a door to a past you never fully closed.

“Steve..” you say his name again allowing yourself this one indulgence. “I don’t know if I can do this right now.” Looking up at his face, the face that you used to think was the sun, it’s almost too much, and for a split second, the world feels impossibly small. Everything around you fades into the background as you focus on Steve, standing in front of you—so close, so real. And yet, it’s like you can’t reach him, like you’re stuck in some place between the past and the present, where nothing feels clear. He’s here, and you want to reach out, but something inside of you pulls away, reminding you of everything that happened before. “Please, just—just let me say this. I know being back here is hard. Hell, it’s hard for me, too, seeing you here. But I missed you so much. You were my best friend—the only person I could truly be myself with. I don’t want to lose the chance of having you back in my life, all because I was too much of an ass to talk to you.”

His words hit you right in the heart, and for a moment you don’t know what to say. You want to believe him. You want to believe that he means it—that this is the Steve you used to know, the one you could trust. You can feel yourself so close to forgiving him, to allowing him back into your life, but the doubt lingers—like a shadow. How can you trust that this time would be different? The memory of him pulling away, disappearing without a word, is still so fresh in your mind. It was like he vanished without a trace, and you were left standing there, wondering if you had imagined the whole thing.

“You mean so much to me. Every day that you were gone was agony. I had to live a life without you in it, and I can’t imagine doing that again. Please, let me show you that I’m not the same idiot I was in high school. I’m different now.” His voice cracks on the word "please," emotion thick in his tone.

“Steve, I want to believe you, but how can I? I haven’t seen or spoken to you since before I left for college. We’re basically strangers now. I don’t know if I can put myself through that again. It almost destroyed me the last time. I can’t go through that again.”

As you look into his eyes, you realize you're both crying. Steve takes a shaky breath, wiping his eyes, but his gaze never leaves yours. The silence stretches between you, thick with all the things left unsaid. His hand twitches at his side like he wants to reach out but is afraid of scaring you off. You can see the sincerity in his eyes, the way he’s holding onto this moment as if it’s the last chance he’ll get.

“I’m not asking for things to go back to how they were,” he says softly, his voice steadying a little. “I know that’s impossible. But I can’t keep living like this, wondering if there’s even a chance we can get back to some version of us. Maybe it won’t be the same, but I want… I want to try. To make it right.”

You take a breath, his words creating cracks in the armour around your heart. Part of you wants to give in. It’s so easy, so tempting, to fall back into the safety of something familiar. But you know the truth. You know that the old Steve, the one you could talk to for hours, the one who was your constant, is gone. In his place is this man, this version of him who’s grown and changed. You’ve grown too. And that hurts more than anything.

"I don’t know if I’m ready," you admit, your voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t know if I can be the person you want me to be right now."

"I’m not asking you to be anything. I just want you to let me in. Let me prove that I’ve changed. That I’m not that guy who hurt you anymore." The desperation in his eyes is almost too much to bear. You can feel the tension between you, the pull of something that used to be so easy now tangled in doubts and fears.

"You don’t know what it was like," you say, voice cracking, "what it felt like when you… when you shut me out. It wasn’t just you pulling away. I felt like I lost everything. I didn’t just lose you, Steve. I lost myself. I couldn’t get out of bed for days because I thought I had done something wrong. I kept replaying every conversation we had over and over hoping to piece together what had gone wrong. It felt like I didn’t matter to you."

Steve winces at your words, his face falling. “I never wanted that. I swear, I never wanted to make you feel that way.” His voice trembles as he steps closer, hesitantly, as if testing the waters, unsure whether you'll let him. "I was such a mess back then, I didn’t know how to fix myself after Nancy left me. I thought I was broken. That no one wanted me in their life. I felt so lost for so long. I didn’t even realize I was drowning.”

You swallow hard, the knot in your chest tightening. You can see the guilt in his eyes, but you also see the vulnerability. And despite everything, despite the hurt, you want to believe him.

"I don’t know if I can trust you again," you whisper, the words stinging as they leave your lips.

Steve flinches when you say that. "I can’t promise that things will be easy. But I can promise I’ll show you every day that I’m trying. That I want to make this work." He pauses, letting the words settle.”I’ll wait until you’re ready. Just… please give me a chance to show you."

The silence lingers, and you’re left standing there, caught between the person you once knew and the person he’s become. You want so badly to reach out, to make it all better, but you’re scared. Scared of losing him again. Scared of opening yourself up to someone who might disappear again.

“I’m not asking for all of you right now," Steve says gently, as if sensing your hesitation. "Just… a chance. A chance to prove that I can be the friend you need. A chance to show you that I’m not the same person I was.”

You don’t know what to say. So, you don’t say anything at all. You just look at him, trying to make sense of everything. The past. The present. The possibility of something in between.

“I’ll… think about it. But I can’t give you an answer right now.” The words hurt to say, like a knife in your chest, cold and sharp, twisting deeper with every second that passes. But everything is so complicated now. You don’t know him anymore, don’t know if you can trust him, and it hurts so much to have to guard yourself from him—the one person you thought you would have by your side forever.

His face falls, and you see the disappointment in his eyes, but he nods slowly. “That’s fair. Just know, if you need anything, or want to talk… my number’s the same. And I work at Family Video now. You can stop in whenever.”

His words hang in the air, and there’s a rawness in his voice that makes it hard to look him in the eye. He goes to reach out, like he wants to comfort you, but then thinks better of it. Instead, he simply says, “I do miss you. So much.”

A tear escapes, running down your face. “I miss you too, Steve,” you say, your voice shaking, but you manage a watery smile before finally opening your car door to leave.

“I promise I’ll think about it. I just need some time,” you add, your hands trembling as you grip the steering wheel. He nods silently, his eyes never leaving you as you start to drive away.

"Get home safe," he calls after you, his voice small, almost lost in the wind.

Your hands are shaking as you back out of the driveway of the Wheeler home. You notice Steve is still standing there, watching you leave, his figure growing smaller in your rearview mirror until you turn off the street.

You know you needed to have that talk with Steve about everything. But that conversation has muddled your brain. Your heart is racing, and the weight of everything hangs heavy on your chest. Steve says he wants to show you he’s different, but deep down you know: if you let him back in, he’ll become your everything again. You worked so hard to figure out who you are without him and how you fit into the world, and now that you’re back home in Hawkins, all that work seems to be crumbling down.

You spend the next few days just trying to make sense of your emotions and figure out what you want. It feels like there’s a weight pressing down on your chest, like you’re fifteen again, replaying every conversation you ever had with Steve, trying to unravel what he’s really thinking.

You’re not sure if you can trust him, but he seemed so sincere. There’s a vulnerability in his eyes that pulls you in, but that only makes you more cautious. He may look like the Steve you used to know, but there’s something different about him now. An air around him, a subtle shift in his presence, like he’s grown into someone else—someone you’re not sure you recognize. And that terrifies you.

What if you’ve both changed too much? What if you’re just too different now to reconnect, to rebuild what you once had? Letting him in again feels like taking a risk, like handing him the key to your heart and hoping he doesn’t have a knife waiting to use.

After thinking it over for days and days, you decide to go over to Family Video and invite Steve to your mom’s holiday party. You spent so much time deliberating that it’s now 3 days away. As you get ready you keep having to wipe your hands on your jeans because they’re so clammy. You aren’t sure why you’re so anxious. You’re just inviting him to a party. Your mom throws it every year, and everyone in town is basically invited. Taking a deep breath, you look at yourself in the mirror and try to reassure yourself. 'This is no big deal. Just two former friends reconnecting.’ But when you glance down, your hands are still trembling. You sigh and grab your keys getting ready to face Steve.

The bell rings as you step into Family Video. Glancing around your eyes are drawn to the checkout counter and instead of seeing Steve like you expected you find Robin, looking bored out of her mind as she flips through a magazine. She glances up at you as you walk over. “Oh hey! How’ve you been? Haven’t seen you since Nancy’s party.” She gives you a knowing look, the kind of look that makes you wonder if she knows more about what happened that night than you’d like.

“Oh, um yeah… just been stuck at home helping my parents.” You twist your bracelet nervously, eyes flicking around the space as you clear your throat, trying to gather your thoughts. You still haven’t figured out how to ask her where Steve is, when he steps out from the back room. It’s as though you summoned him with a single thought.

“Hey Rob, I’m like ninety-nine percent sure Dustin used my login to extend his movie rental again. I swear that kid will be the death of me.” He says as he walks out, pulling on his vest. Once his eyes find you, his face lights up, and he breaks out into a wide smile.

“Hey! What’re you doing here?” His voice is so full of joy it sends a rush of heat to your cheeks. You glance at Robin, who stands behind the counter with a teasing glint in her eye. She looks at Steve, then back at you, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile.

“I’m just gonna do some inventory in the back. Stevie buddy, you watch the counter while I’m gone.” She turns to leave, but not without muttering under her breath, “Try not to make a complete fool of yourself this time, dingus.”

Steve rolls his eyes, but his smile stays soft and warm. He turns back to you, his gaze is so intense you feel like you’re the only person in the room.

“So, what’s up? You here to pick out a movie? I’ve got a couple I think you might like.” His voice is steady, but there’s a spark there that makes you swallow hard, unsure of how to respond.

“No, actually, I um, I wanted to invite you to my parents’ annual holiday party this Friday.” You force the words out in a rush, nervousness spilling from you. “I know it’s only three days away and you were probably going to come anyway because, you know, it’s kind of a town tradition, but I—uh, I just wanted to invite you because you were really nice the other night and I’ve been thinking things over. I do want to try to be friends again, but I’m just a little nervous, so… I figured this could be a good first step?” You finish the sentence with a nervous chuckle, hoping he didn’t notice how much you just word-vomited in his direction. Your face heats up even more as you glance up at him, half-expecting him to laugh at you. But instead, his eyes light up with amusement, and he grins.

“Thanks, Sunshine, I’d love to go.” His voice is teasing, but there’s an undeniable warmth in his tone, that same old fondness you haven’t heard in years.

Your heart skips a beat at the old nickname. A smile tugs at the corners of your lips before you can stop it. You never thought you’d hear it again—and part of you is surprised to know that Steve still remembers it, even after all this time.

“Okay, good.” You swallow, trying to steady yourself. “Well, then… I guess I’ll see you there.” You turn to leave, but then his hand is gently on your wrist, and you freeze. His touch burns through the fabric of your sleeve, a searing heat that rushes to your chest, making your breath hitch. It’s been so long since he’s touched you like this, and for a moment, it feels like nothing has changed.

Your eyes widen as you stare down at where his hand rests on your wrist, the heat from his skin making your pulse race. When he realizes what he’s done, he immediately pulls back, a flush creeping up his neck to his cheeks.

“I just wanted to say thank you,” he says quickly, his voice softening. “Thank you for giving me a chance. I know this is just a party, but… you didn’t have to come all the way here just to invite me. This means a lot to me, and I want to prove to you that you can trust me.” His eyes meet yours with such sincerity, the emotion so raw it almost takes your breath away. “So, thank you—for letting me.”

Again, it feels like you’re seeing your Steve from so many years ago, and it’s like time hasn’t passed at all. The familiar, easy banter between the two of you feels comforting. You return his smile and say, “Of course. I want to get to know the you now, in the present. The Steve who’s friends with literal children and Robin Buckley. Nothing against her, she’s just way too cool for you, Harrington.”

“Hey, I’m way cooler than Robin could ever be!” he jokes, his grin wide and teasing.

You hear Robin’s voice float in from a few aisles over, “You wish, dingus!”

A small laugh escapes you, and you notice Steve’s entire demeanor shift—his shoulders relax, his smile grows, and there's a softness in his eyes that wasn’t there before. It's as if the sound of your laugh has put him completely at ease.

“Well, if she’s cooler than me, does that make me adjacently cool?” Steve asks with a sly smile, still holding that lighthearted tone.

“Sure, Steve,” you reply with a grin, your voice a little more carefree than before. After a few more exchanges, you find yourself waving goodbye and walking out of Family Video, feeling lighter than you have in days. It’s strange, but something has shifted in the air between you two. Maybe, just maybe, things could be okay between you again.

The whole drive home, you can’t help but smile. It feels like a small but important step forward. As you count down the days until the holiday party, you think about how it could be the beginning of something new. A new chapter. And for the first time in a long while, you let yourself believe that maybe this time, things will be different.

The days fly by as you help your parents get ready for the holiday party. Your mom pulls out all the stops every year, but this time it feels like she’s taken it to a new level. The house is filled with decorations, and you half expect fireworks to go off and a dance number to break out. You keep that thought to yourself, though. God knows your mom would absolutely consider it if she knew how much her enthusiasm makes you feel like you're starring in a holiday special.

By the time Friday rolls around, you’ve lost track of the days completely. You’re so focused on getting every detail just right—helping your mom with the decorations, making sure everything is in place. She’s been running around in a tizzy since the morning, clutching a clipboard like a drill sergeant, barking out orders for the workers she hired to set everything up. You can practically see the pressure mounting on her as she insists, this party has to be perfect.

“Mom, you know you don’t have to do all of this just because I’m home this year,” you say as you watch her direct the placement of a giant ice sculpture—a snowflake, naturally.

“Yes I do, sweetie! This is the first time in four years that my baby’s back home, and I will not let it be anything less than perfect,” she says, practically vibrating with excitement. “Now, please go help your father with the garlands.”

You look over at her, still juggling a thousand things at once, and can’t help but smile. It’s hard to stay irritated at her energy; she’s just trying to make everything perfect. But you’re already thinking ahead to the evening, knowing you’ll spend the whole time playing the role of “dutiful child,” smiling politely at the family you haven’t seen in forever, while your mind lingers on the invitation you extended to Steve.

The pressure of the night ahead weighs on you, but you nod and make your way to find your dad, who’s untangling garlands and muttering about how nothing ever goes right when it’s time to decorate.

A few hours before the party is set to start, you head upstairs to get ready. The moment your foot hits the bottom step, it suddenly hits you—Steve is going to be here. Steve Harrington. Your heart stutters in your chest, and you nearly trip on the stairs, your body betraying the flurry of thoughts in your head.

You hadn’t fully processed this fact until now. Sure, you knew he was coming, but the thought was more a presence you couldn’t shake as you got ready throughout the day. Now, his arrival was just a few hours away, and the thought settled heavily in your chest. You could feel the flutter of nerves, the tightness in your throat, the pulse of doubt that made it hard to breathe. How would tonight go? You wanted to give him a chance, you really did. But the weight of the past hung on your shoulders.

Despite yourself, there was that tiny spark of hope flickering inside you—a hope that maybe, just maybe, he’d be the man you’d always thought he would be. But what if you were wrong? What if the person you once knew is gone, and all that remains of him is a memory that only you carry, a memory fading in the quiet spaces between what was and what is now?

You stand in front of your closet, staring at the array of clothes like you’re trying to decode some secret message. What do you wear when you’re trying to look casual but also somehow impress the guy who used to be your best friend? Maybe boots. Maybe a chunky sweater. You huff a small laugh at yourself. You’re definitely overthinking this. Your mind and heart race, the possibility of seeing Steve again churning up all sorts of emotions. The truth is, if tonight doesn’t go well, you’re terrified of losing him again.

After getting dressed, you step out into the backyard, hoping a few deep breaths will calm you down. The cool evening air brushes against your skin, and you listen to your parents putting finishing touches on the house, their chatter a steady hum in the background. You close your eyes letting the noise fade as you try to quiet the chaos inside your mind. Tonight will be fine. It has to be.

Soon enough, the party is in full swing. You’ve barely had time to catch your breath before the neighbors and your parents’ friends sweep you into their orbit. You’re the guest of honor, they say, and everyone wants a piece of you. There are too many familiar faces, too many questions. You try your best to smile, to be charming, to make small talk. But it’s all a blur, like you’re watching it happen to someone else.

Lost in thought, you barely notice the warm hand that lands on your shoulder, grounding you in the present.

“Hey, stranger,” Steve’s voice whispers in your ear.

You jump and spin around at the sound of his greeting. He looks… devastating. His hair, as always, is meticulously styled but looks soft, somehow. He’s wearing a pair of dark-wash jeans that hug his thighs in all the right ways. His shirt is a soft blue button-up, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. In one word—perfection. If you could, you would have paintings made of the way he looks right now: the twinkle of the lights catching in his eyes, the flush of his cheeks from the cold, and the soft scent of eggnog mixed with something distinctly Steve.

You let out a nervous laugh, trying to brush off how flustered you feel. “Geez, Steve, you really know how to sneak up on me.” You attempt to sound casual, but he’s standing so close and you can feel the heat of his arm resting on your shoulder, burning through the fabric of your sweater. And yet, a warmth settles in your chest, like the missing piece that made everything feel out of place was the absence of Steve at your side.

“Sorry to spook you, Sunshine, but you looked a little lost standing here all by yourself. It’s my duty to make sure you have the best time tonight, especially since it’s your first holiday party since you left.”

“Oh, how kind of you, Steve. My knight in shining armour,” you tease, but the words feel lighter than they should. In reality, you’re relieved Steve has decided to stay by your side tonight. You’re not sure you could’ve handled a whole evening of your parents parading you around like a show dog. You know it’s just because they’re proud of you and have missed you, but it’s exhausting. What you really want is to spend time with Steve—just the two of you, getting to know the man he’s become since you left.

Steve takes your hand, pulling you toward the kitchen with an ease that feels both nostalgic and surreal. He’s been here before, countless times as a kid, and the familiarity of it all catches you off guard. Everything about tonight, about him, feels like stepping back in time.

He grabs two glasses from the cabinet, pours a drink for each of you, and hands one over. "I don’t know about you, but after all that forced small talk, I could really use something stronger."

You laugh softly, accepting the drink, and clink your glass against his. "We both deserve this. Cheers to surviving our parents’ social events."

The quiet clink of the glasses feels almost like a reset, an unspoken acknowledgment that the weight of the night—of the past—is slowly starting to lift. You both step outside, into the backyard, where the cool night air cuts through the still heat of the house. The contrast is almost soothing.

As you settle onto the swing set your parents gave you so many Christmases ago, a sense of calm settles over you. The air feels fresher out here, more open, and the gentle creak of the chains is oddly comforting. Steve leans against them, his eyes meeting yours with that familiar warmth, but something is different now—there’s a hesitation there, a quiet understanding that feels new.

"So…" Steve begins, his voice soft as he swirls his drink, "I still remember how much you used to love these parties. You’d dress up as an elf, and your dad would play Santa. Your mom was Mrs. Claus, and you’d talk about it for weeks before the big night."

You smile, a soft, bittersweet laugh escaping you as you look up at the twinkling string lights that fill the yard. "Yeah, it was a big deal back then. My mom always goes all out, even now, like she has something to prove every year." You pause, letting the memory settle. "It’s nice to be home, even if it’s a bit of a whirlwind." You turn to face Steve, your eyes scanning his face, noting how much he’s changed, how much time has passed. But his smile, his laugh, they’re all the same. "How about you? How’ve you been?"

Steve chuckles softly, scratching the back of his neck. "You know me, same old same old. After high school, I didn’t really know what I was doing with my life. But, I made it through. Just… took some time to figure things out. I had to work out who I wanted to be and who I didn’t."

He pauses, taking a slow sip of his drink, his gaze fixed on the glass as if searching for something in it. Then, with a small, almost sad smile, he looks back at you. "But of course, some things never change. My dad still thinks I’m a failure and a disappointment. My mom, on the other hand, hardly talks to me unless it’s about dad."

You can hear the hurt in his voice, but there’s a quiet strength behind it now—like he’s made peace with something difficult.

"I had to realize," he continues, his eyes steady, "that even though they’re my parents, I get to pick who I call family." He pauses, letting the weight of his words hang in the air for a moment. "My real family… are the kids, Rob, and Nance."

Your heart aches for him. You know Steve always longed for the approval of his parents, but they never gave him the love or recognition he deserved. It’s something that’s weighed on him his whole life. You remember how hard he worked to prove himself, and yet they never showed interest. But now, at least, he’s surrounded by people who truly see him—Robin, Nancy, the kids. They get to witness the real Steve, the one who’s found his place.

Surprisingly, a sharp pang of jealousy twists in your chest. They get to see him. The real him. And you’re not even part of his world anymore. You try to ignore the ache that forms in your throat. You’re trying, aren’t you? Trying to be a part of Steve’s world again.

You feel the shift in the air. "It’s weird how much life has changed since high school huh?"

Steve lets out a small, bitter laugh. "Yeah, weird isn’t the word I’d use. But it’s true. I’m not the same guy I was back then." He hesitates, his gaze flickering up to meet yours, like he’s uncertain about what comes next. "And… I guess neither are you."

You shift uncomfortably, unsure how to respond. There’s a part of you that wishes things were simpler, that the time apart hadn’t complicated everything. But then, you both need to be honest if there's any chance of moving forward.

The conversation hangs in the air, thick with unspoken things. You take a deep breath, knowing this moment can’t be avoided anymore. "Steve," you say quietly, "we need to talk about what happened. About… everything with you and me… what happened after you and Nancy broke up.”

Steve visibly stiffens at the mention of it. His gaze drops to the ground, and you can see the tension in his shoulders. There's a long silence, and then he lets out a breath, like he's been holding it for too long. Finally, his eyes meet yours, and there's something raw in his expression—vulnerability mixed with regret.

"I figured we’d get here eventually," he says, his voice quieter than usual. He looks at his drink before continuing. “I know you probably hated me after that. And I get it—I was a mess. But I never meant for it to hurt you the way it did.”

Your heart tightens at his words. Even though you’d tried to talk things out last week, something about this moment feels like the real beginning of the conversation—the part where everything comes into focus. “It wasn’t just the breakup, Steve. It was how everything went down. The way you… distanced yourself after. It felt like you didn’t even trust me enough to tell me what happened. We were supposed to be best friends, but you just shut me out. You didn’t even try to explain anything. Why didn’t you let me in?”

He winces, and his eyes fill with guilt. It’s the first time you’ve seen this side of him in so long. The Steve you knew in high school was always wrapped in confidence, hiding behind his jokes and easy charm. But now? Now, there’s a heaviness to his shoulders, a softness to his eyes.

“I didn’t know how,” he admits, his voice low, almost fragile. “I was falling apart. So caught up in everything that happened with Nancy. There were things we both said that made me rethink everything about my relationship with her—hell, about myself, about anyone. The last thing I wanted was for you to see that side of me, the part that was so lost and confused. I pushed everyone away, including you, and I regret it everyday.”

The weight of his words presses down on you. You don’t know how to respond. It’s like you’re seeing Steve in a way you’ve never seen him before—raw, unguarded, unsure.

You nod, your throat tight, feeling the years of silence between you both finally unraveling. “I get it,” you say softly. “But it didn’t make it any easier. You just… disappeared, Steve. You went from being the person I trusted the most, to someone I couldn’t even reach. And that… that hurt. A lot.”

He looks down at his drink again, fidgeting with the glass. “I’m sorry,” he mutters, almost to himself. “I never wanted to hurt you. I was trying so hard to be what I thought my dad wanted, what Tommy and Carol wanted. I was so caught up in my head, I couldn’t see what I was doing to the people who mattered most. What I was doing to you.”

His gaze lifts, locking with yours, and the emotion in his eyes is so raw, so intense, that it’s almost too much to bear. You find it hard to keep looking at him, the weight of his words pressing down on you. He looks at you, really looks at you, as if silently searching for a way to make you understand.

You pause, trying to process his words, and something clicks in your mind. The way he’s talking, the weight of his regret—it feels like there’s something he’s not saying, something left unsaid but hanging between you like an open wound.

You think back on what he said earlier. Your voice quieter now, almost hesitant. "What did you and Nancy talk about that made you rethink things?”

Steve shifts uncomfortably, his eyes looking anywhere but at you. There’s a beat of silence before he responds, his words careful, almost guarded. “We talked about… a lot of things, I guess. Things we never really said to each other when we were together. But mostly… it was about the way I let people in, or didn't. And… you.”

The word hangs in the air, and you wonder if you heard him correctly. “Me?” you ask, the uncertainty in your voice betraying how much his admission shakes you. "What do you mean by that?”

He meets your gaze again, his eyes heavy with meaning. “You were… always more than just a friend to me. I think I just didn’t know how to see it, how to understand it, back then. Nancy saw it before I did. But I wasn’t ready to deal with it. I thought it was just me being confused, but… I guess I was confused about more than I realized.”

His confession leaves you breathless. There's a rushing in your ears, a pressure in your chest, as you try to process everything he's just said. The weight of his words settles over you. Suddenly, everything feels different—the way he’d look at you, the small gestures, the things he never said but made you feel—now, it all makes sense.

You swallow hard, trying to steady yourself, your voice barely a whisper. “So, you… you cared about me, as more than just a friend?” The question feels absurd, yet you have to ask it, just to hear him say it, to make sure you’re not imagining it.

Steve exhales sharply, his hand running through his hair, “I’ve always cared about you. More than I ever let myself admit. But after everything, I didn’t know how to handle it. I didn’t know how to make sense of my feelings. My girlfriend has just broken up with me after telling me our whole relationship was bullshit—said I wasn’t in love with her, but with you, my best friend.” He shakes his head, as if still processing the words. I was struggling to hold it together. I couldn’t think straight, let alone try to talk to you about it.”

The truth finally hits you, and it’s like a light switch flicking on. It’s not something either of you planned, not something either of you expected, but here it is—Steve’s feelings for you were there all along, buried beneath all the confusion, the distance, and everything you both went through. You’re left reeling, trying to figure out what this means for you now. Neither of you are the same people you were back in high school, but you can’t deny the pounding in your chest or the way your body heats when you’re close to him. It's a strange mix of emotions—part relief, part panic—and it leaves you questioning everything.

You don’t know how to feel, or even what you should feel. So many years apart have complicated things beyond recognition. You know you cared about Steve deeply when you were kids, but was it love? You aren’t even sure you know what love is.

But as you sit there in the quiet of the backyard, with the sound of the party just barely audible in the distance, your mind starts to drift.

You remember the way Steve used to look at you, like you were the only person in the room. How he used to make you laugh until your sides ached whenever you were sad, and how he always had your back, no matter what. You remember his confidence, even when it seemed like he was faking it. He was always trying to make everyone happy, and you made sure that he was happy too.

And then you think of how he is now. Not the flashy, show-off King Steve from high school, but a man who knows what he wants and what he believes in. You see the way he stands by his friends, how loyal he is to them—how protective he is of everyone he cares about. You realize that, somewhere along the way, Steve shifted from trying to meet others' expectations to defining his own way forward.

It hits you, slow and steady, as you look over at him—his cheeks flushed from the cold and the weight of his confession. Maybe this warmth you’re feeling has been there all along, quietly waiting beneath the years of silence and distance. Maybe Steve was never just your friend. Maybe, deep down, he’s always been more. He was always the one who mattered most, so perhaps it’s not so surprising that he’s become the one you love, even when you didn’t realize it. The way he’s changed has made you see him in a new light—he’s not the person he used to be, but he’s become someone better, someone you can't help but want to fall for.

You swallow, trying to clear the lump in your throat, before turning to him. “Steve,” you say softly, your voice barely a whisper in the cool night air, “I- I care about you too… as more than a friend."

His eyes widen just a fraction, and it feels like the world pauses. Then, slowly, a soft smile curves on his lips. “Yeah?” he asks, his voice quiet and unsure, like he’s testing the waters.

You nod, feeling warmth spread through your chest as you admit it out loud. “Yeah. Looking back, how could I not? You were my best friend for so long.” You offer him a shaky smile, one that says everything you can’t put into words. It’s not just the way you feel when he’s near, or how he makes you laugh without trying, but something deeper—something that’s been buried for years. When he pushed you away, when everything fell apart between you two, it hurt. But it also made you realize how much you missed him, how much you cared. The space between you now feels like it’s filled with all the lessons time taught you both, the things you learned in the years apart.

And now, here he is. Not the same person he was, but someone who’s been through struggles, someone who’s grown stronger, more sure of who he is and who he wants to be. The fact that you’re finally talking, finally being open with each other, feels like you’ve crossed some invisible line. It’s not just about moving past the past; it’s about being ready to be honest with each other, and with yourselves.

You can’t stop yourself now. The words slip out, raw and true. “You’ve changed, Steve, but so have I. I think we needed that space to grow into the people we are now. We’re better for it. We can be more open now than we ever were back then.”

He exhales a long breath, his eyes softening as he looks at you, like a weight’s been lifted. “I’m glad to hear that,” he says, his voice steady now. “Because, honestly, I’ve been hoping you’d feel the same. I’ve just… been waiting for the right moment to say it.”

You let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding, and the tension between you both starts to melt away, leaving behind something new. Something neither of you expected, but both of you needed.

The two of you lapse into a comfortable silence, the weight of the past few years momentarily lifting. Above, the stars glitter against the deep indigo sky, their light soft and steady. You glance at Steve, noticing the way the faint glow from the house outlines his profile—the curve of his jaw, the softness in his eyes as he gazes upward.

“It’s weird being back. It felt like I didn’t fit in Hawkins anymore,” you admit, your voice quiet.

Steve turns to you, his expression thoughtful, his gaze drifting toward the stars before settling back on you. “Maybe it’s not about fitting back in,” he says softly. “Maybe it’s about finding a way to grow here—making a space that’s yours, where you can keep becoming whoever you’re meant to be.”

The words hang between you, and your breath catches in your throat. Steve leans forward slightly, his hand brushing against yours on the swing’s chain. His fingers are warm, and the small touch sends a jolt through you.

“I can’t believe I ever let you go,” he says softly, his voice raw and vulnerable. He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair away from your face, his touch lingering for a moment.

Your heart pounds as his eyes meet yours, filled with something you can’t quite name but feel all the same. “I’ve missed you too, Steve,” you whisper into the quiet night as he closes the space between you.

The kiss is soft, tentative at first, as though he’s testing the waters. Then, as you respond, it deepens, years of unspoken words and lingering emotions pouring into the moment. The world fades away—the stars, the party, the distance you’d both felt—all of it dissolves into the warmth of his lips on yours.

When you finally pull back, Steve’s forehead rests gently against yours. His eyes are still closed, and his breath comes in soft, uneven bursts. The faint sound of the party drifts through the yard, blending with the rustle of the wind in the trees.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

“Me too,” you admit, your voice trembling slightly.

As you look at him—really look at him—you feel the years of pain and uncertainty begin to loosen their grip. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something new. Something worth holding onto.

Sitting together in the quiet, you realize that maybe all those years of silence led you here, to this moment. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what it took to realize you’ve never really let go of Steve—not fully.

#stranger things #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #Steve Harrington au #Steve x you #Steve Harrington x you #Steve Harrington angst #Steve Harrington fanfic #Steve Harrington fluff #hurt/comfort

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rainebelowzero · 3 days ago

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Steve Harrington x Male Reader

not a request

notes: I think this is the first time I've written something where you're explicitly dating the person, yippee 🥳 also this is supposed to take place between S3 and S4, I think it's kinda vague but that's what I was thinking of when I was writing this

cws: blowjob (reader receiving), multiple orgasms, steve gets a facial, some sadness (a little, don't worry)

..Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen…This isn't helping. You think, staring up at your ceiling in the dark, trying to tire yourself out. It had been...exactly 4 days since you've slept a full 8 hours, and the people around you have been starting to notice.

After everything that's happened, it was hard for you to sleep, so you normally stayed in bed, unable to close your eyes. What made it worse was that you were home alone. Your parents respected you as a responsible adult, which was good but you really didn't want to be home alone.

You had considered calling your boyfriend or one of your friends, but it was late and you didn't want to wake them up. You felt guilty asking one of them to come over.

So you lay there. Dealing with it on your own. You'd fall asleep eventually. Hopefully.

That's until a faint sound comes from downstairs. You try to ignore it. Maybe it was from outside, it happens sometimes. Or maybe the house was settling. Or maybe-

The sound happens again. The creaking of the wooden floor downstairs. Your parents weren't supposed to be home until later the next day, so it couldn't be them.

You stayed still for a second, hoping, praying you weren't about to be taken by some kind of monster. You think about the others. You'd be gone without a trace. Alone. You refuse to go out that way.

You reach out into the darkness, knowing exactly where your bat is. You creep down the stairs, seeing the vague shape of a figure moving in the almost pitch black of your living room.

As you get down the stairs, you notice that it's pretty..human shaped?

You lean towards a lamp, yanking the chain to turn it on. You and the figure jump seeing each other, the man spinning around to face you. Your eyes need to adjust to the light, though it's faint, but you squint at the man.

“Steve?”

He grins sheepishly. “Hi.”

You let out a relieved sigh, dropping the bat down next to you. You didn't realize, but your hands are shaking, Steve drawing your attention to it as he notices and grabs your hands, squeezing them. His hands are warm, very warm, and he looks at you with guilty eyes and a frown.

“I'm sorry I scared you, I just..I couldn't sleep and I wasn't really thinking about how that would scare the shit out of you. I just needed to see your face.” He apologizes profusely.

You smile at him, wrapping your arms around him tightly. He returns the action immediately, and you take in his weirdly super soft sweater and his warm, inviting scent.

“It's okay. I couldn't sleep either.” You respond, your voice muffled as you stay close to him. You pull away a little bit, suddenly confused. “Wait, but, how'd you get in?”

You knew he had a thing for crawling in through windows, but none of yours were open.

“You gave me a key, remember?” He says, pulling out his bundle of a bunch of keys, jingling it a little bit.

You nod. You genuinely forgot you did that. Pulling fully away from him, you drop down onto the couch, sliding closer to him as he does the same.

“Is there a reason you couldn't sleep?” You ask. He shrugs, running a hand through his hair.

“I'm not sure. I've just been pretty restless, I guess.” He looks away from you, and in the dim, warm light of the still, silent living room, you can tell there's something he doesn't want to tell you. Maybe it's the same way you feel. Like you'll close your eyes and suddenly one of your friends will end up missing. Like you won't be there in time to help.

You slide a hand over his and give it a squeeze the way he did for you. He looks back to you, smiling softly. You glance over to your TV, before standing, stretching your arms a little bit. You grin at Steve.

“Let's watch a movie.” You say. You pick a random comedy to lighten the mood and slip it into the VCR, sitting back on the couch. The two of you stay snuggled together, enjoying each other's presence. The faint sound of rain against the ground comes from outside, and you feel way better than you did before with Steve there.

A little further into the movie, you feel the urge to be closer to him, so you hold him tighter, your arm around him and your other hand on his arm, gently running your fingers along it. You can feel the muscle underneath his sleeve, and you give his bicep a small squeeze.

He glances over at you and you laugh softly. He gives you a grin and goes back to watching the movie as you lay your head on his shoulder. Throughout the movie, your hand moves from his arm to his chest, running your hand along his body. He doesn't mind, just turning to press a kiss to your temple and letting you basically feel him up. You slip your hand under his sweater and the shirt underneath, and he jumps a little bit before laughing.

“Your hand is so cold. What are you doing?” He asks playfully.

You shrug, feigning innocence. “Nothing. I can't touch my boyfriend?”

He gives you a suspicious eyebrow raise and looks away, back to your TV.

You move your hand up a little bit underneath his sweater and shirt, and he shudders a little, but doesn't acknowledge it. You pull your hand back, and he sits forward, lifting the sweater over his head. His shirt rides up a little too, and you can see the start of his happy trail, eyeing his body as he tosses the sweater aside, then pulls his shirt off too and sits back down.

You go back to touching him, and he laughs a little bit as you give his chest a soft squeeze. He turns towards you, kissing your forehead. He raises a hand, gently cupping the back of your head as he presses kisses to your face.

You lean forward, kissing his shoulder. Sliding into his lap, you place your knees on either side of his legs, kissing up his chest and then to his neck. His hands go to your waist, holding you as you kiss up to his face, purposely kissing everywhere but his lips. He gives you a fake pout when you pull away.

“What?” You laugh, and he laughs with you, dropping the facial expression.

“You missed a spot.” He responds.

“Did I?” As you say that, he pulls you closer, capturing your lips in a needy kiss. You hold his face gently, Steve kissing you like it's the last thing he'll ever do, like he's dying of thirst and you're the only thing to relieve it.

Your other hand rests against his chest, and your fingers run over one of his nipples a few times, making him groan into your mouth. You knew how sensitive they usually were, and you keep flicking your fingers against his nipple as the bud starts to harden and perk up. You do the same for the other one, switching hands. You pull away for a second, taking a breath before going back to kissing him, rolling his nipple between two of your fingers.

His hips buck up a little bit, and you roll your hips against him to pull more desperate sounds out of him. He gently puts a hand over yours to stop you as he catches his breath.

“Can I suck you off?” He asks, his voice almost a whisper. You grin and nod, climbing off of him. You shove your pants down eagerly while Steve gets on his knees in front of you, hands resting on your thighs. He presses a kiss to your inner thigh, pushing your legs apart a little bit. One of his hands strokes you through the fabric of your boxers, and he gently pulls your cock out, pressing his lips to the head. His lips wrap around the head, tongue gliding along it as he slowly strokes at the base.

You run your fingers through his hair as he takes more of you into his mouth. He lowers his head more and more, until you're fully into his mouth. He pulls your cock all the way out before swallowing it down his throat, bobbing his head and using his tongue to lick against the underside of it. He gags a little, but keeps going, his eyes tearing up a little. You thrust into his mouth, pushing his head down lightly, still letting him do it himself for the most part.

His lips are slick with his spit, dripping down his chin as he releases muffled moans around you. You groan, holding his head in place for a moment, and he lets you thrust yourself into his mouth roughly, staring up at you. The eye contact makes the heat in your stomach grow, and you pull out before you can get to your release. Steve catches his breath, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He grins up at you while you calm yourself down.

“Getting excited already?” He asks teasingly. You laugh, rolling your eyes.

“Shut up.” You respond in a joking tone, leaning down and kissing the man on the lips, tasting yourself on his tongue. He sits back on the couch, and you're instantly back on him, kissing his neck and squeezing his thigh.

He sighs in pleasure, and he pulls his pants off, dropping them on the floor. He turns onto his stomach, pushing his hips back against your dick. You grab his hips, grinding yourself against him a little before pushing his underwear down, revealing his plush, hair covered thighs and thick ass. You spread him open, showing his tight hole, already slick with what you assume is lube. He lets out a soft whimper that he tries to cover.

“Did you already prep yourself?” You ask, kind of surprised.

He turns his head back a little to look at you, half nodding. “I tried to make myself tired, but it didn't work and then I was super..” He trails off, looking for the word.

“Needy?” You finish, giving his ass a squeeze. He moans softly.

“Yeah. For you.”

You giggle lightly, grinding your cock against his hole as it clenches and unclenches around nothing desperately. Steve lets out a few soft gasps, burying his face in his arm as his heavy cock hangs between his legs, tip rubbing up against the couch. You notice and pull your shirt off, sliding it under him so he doesn't ruin the couch. That'd be really hard to explain to your parents.

You almost want to stay like this forever, watching this gorgeous man beneath you grind his ass back against your cock, hole slick and ready to take all of you. You hold him still, guiding yourself into him. Steve groans as the head pops in, and you slowly, almost painfully slow, slide your cock into his ass, his walls inviting you in, holding you snugly.

He has to resist the urge to whine, your dick stretching him out so good, nothing like his fingers. It was exactly what he was craving, legs shaking as you push in to the base and pressing so deliciously against his prostate.

You start to move, thrusting in and out of him before pulling out to the head and slamming yourself back into him. He moans loudly, back arching. His fingers claw at the arm of the couch as you pound into him, your thick cock bullying its way into the man's tight hole each time, pounding against his prostate.

Steve is practically seeing stars, and you have to reach forward to cover his mouth, not wanting your neighbors to hear how loud he's being. He moans loudly into your palm as you dig the nails of your other hand into his hip. He fucks himself back on you and you feel him tense up as he cums without warning, spurting all over the shirt you placed under him. You don't slow down even a little, completely abusing that sensitive spot inside of him and making him twitch and whine from the overstimulating pleasure.

You keep stretching his hole wide, and Steve swears he can feel you in his stomach, knowing he definitely won't be able to walk afterwards. The sound of skin against skin fills your living room, Steve's muffled moans bordering on full on yelling sounding like absolute music to your ears.

He lets out a loud, heavy sob as he tenses again, squeezing tight around you and cumming again. His eyes roll back before his head falls against the arm of the couch. You stop covering his mouth, the only sounds he's letting out being soft, breathy whimpers and desperate gasps for air.

You pound into him a few more times before pulling out and getting off the couch, pumping your cock as you grab Steve by the hair, yanking his head back. He looks so thoroughly fucked out and he sticks out his tongue as you jerk yourself off over his face, groaning as you shoot your hot load all over his face. He moans weakly, swallowing what he could catch in his mouth and dropping his head back down when you let go of him.

He pants heavily, as do you, catching your breaths, when you notice that he's still hard, cock rubbed red against your bundled up t-shirt. He lifts his head enough to look at you, and wiggles his hips a little, silently begging you to keep going. You get back up. You had a lot of time before your parents got back, after all.

#x male reader #dom male reader #top male reader #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x male reader

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drewstarkeysring · 20 hours ago

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She did what?- Drew Starkey part 2

˚⋆ ୧ ‎ ࣪ Warnings Cheating , Odessa , swearing

Summary Hollywood is so overrated, but when Larissa finds out what our beloved Drew is up to, shit hits the fan 💋

"I miss you how you made me feel last night"

"When can you leave her house already, I need you"

You're Gut feeling all your friends talked about having when they have gotten cheated on. You said to yourself you would never feel that. Drew was good to you, no signs, no evidence. Until now, you can't breathe. heartbroken is the feeling you felt.

It's been an hour, and he still sleeping.

I looked through all of the messages. He has been gone for two months, which means for those two months. He has been lying and cheating with her. The girl you hate, you knew she always talked shit to her friends when you would be with Drew at a bar. You brushed it off because you never wanted to ruin the moment.

"What are you doing on my phone," Drew says, staring at me. He is caught, and he knows it. He has been awake for the past 5 minutes.

Disbelief is all you feel, the man you loved for 2 years who you thought couldn't hurt you in a way that all your friends told you or the internet. Deeply in love with this man. The hurt you felt, and he was about to hear it.

"Are you kidding me, the shit I found on your fucking phone, you cheated on me with this bitch, be so for real right now Drew". You say

He looks like he has seen a ghost, a ghost that is about to get put through the ringer. "I don't know what to say... I'm sorry baby". He says

"Dont call me that, we done Drew, Done. I have nothing to say to you". you express

"I am gonna leave save us both the trouble". Drew says

I take his phone and throw it against the wall. It shatters. Thank God fuck that hoe. Crash out is all you think but let this motherfucker think you're calm and collected.

A few days later

Brian, your best friend, always was in a show with Odessa. You needed a friend that made you feel at home. Both you and Brian made it up together. You met him at an award ceremony and knew he would be family. He was there with you for everything: first Big Movie, First Vogue Magazine Cover, Victoria's Secret shot, and plenty of other amazing accomplishments. He gets you and always supports you through everything. A big brother that you always wanted.

"I really can't believe him, two months away from you, and you would think he was thinking of you, but no, just thinking with his Dick," Brian says, he takes a sip of his wine.

You roll your eyes. "I wanna kill her and him. Everything I gave to that man and sacrificed for him, cheating, was never on my radar for him. Especially with her, like dude, the bitch is all over him 24/7 you would think, hello, he has a girlfriend maybe I should back away and stop trying to fuck him anymore, but no, my boyfriends fucking her in Italy for two months, while his girlfriend is home waiting for him and missing him." you express in disbelief

"If I could take anything back, it would be that boundaries are a major thing, that first night I met her, I should have known that she wanted him all over him and how she would brush me away every time I would speak."

Sitting on the floor with Brian as the TV in the background was just for noise for your ears. Chineses was just ordered, and Brian brought you your favorite red wine and yap session.

"You're perfect, beautiful as people would say," Brian says jokey. He nudges your shoulder, teasing you. "Don't let this silly man drive you crazy you have major things coming for you, accomplished many, and our the people's princess if you have any takeaways with this shit, it would be he lost the baddest bitch he will ever meet. You should be proud of yourself but do not, and I mean I do not let this shit get you off your tracks, major things are happening in your life. Oscar red carpet for Anora, Fenty shoot, and Vanity Fair shoot with Lily-Rose Depp. Life has shit planned for you." He says while hugging you and reassuring you of your worries. "I love you hoe". He nudges you again.

You roll your eyes. "Love you more boo". You hug him

#drew starkey #drew starkey x reader #drew starkey fanfiction #rafe cameron x you #rafe cameron #rafe cameron imagine #drew starkey smut #rafe fluff #outer banks fanfiction #Brian Altemus

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thoughtswithbbg · 3 days ago

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Yeah, You Are My Home, My Home For All Seasons

Back to Masterlist :: Next

Summary : Kinich hadn’t seen you since you moved back to Snezhnaya to be with your family. Now, only a year later, he finally made his way back to you for Christmas.

Warnings : Fluff, long distance, pure yearning, slight angst, Ajaw in all his glory

A/N : i love kinich so much, sorry this was late guys!

When Kinich heard the words leave your mouth about you having to leave Natlan and him to be home with your family in Snezhnaya, he begged to come with you much to Ajaw’s annoyance.

“Kinich , you can’t come with me..” you sighed, looking at the man who you fell in love with during your time in Natlan. “You have a life here; I can’t take that from you.”

“Why not? I would give anything to come with you, you know that.” He sighed, his head resting on the crook of your shoulder. “I would do anything for you..”

“And I can’t let you do that.” You pulled away from him, pressing a soft kiss on his lips that he quickly reciprocated. “I’ll write you letters every day; we aren’t breaking up I promise. I could never leave you like that.” Your forehead rested against his, your hands intertwined together.

It broke Kinich's heart to see you walk onto that boat, it crushed him. But even after the five years you both had spent away from each other, he never stopped loving you. Consistent letters flowed between you two, and Kinich longed to be with you.

It was 2 weeks before Christmas when his Archon finally gave him permission to leave to Snezhnaya to see you.

"Archon are you sure?" Mauvkia wasn't stupid, she could see the longing on Kinich's face clearly anytime she saw him. As much as the Nation of Dragons needed Kinich, she knew his lover needed him more.

"Yes, you have to go Kinich," She gave him a warm smile, "I can see how much you long for her, we'll be just fine while you're gone." He could never thank his Archon enough for letting him travel to Snezhnaya and vowed to be forever loyal to whomever the Pyro Archon maybe.

The boat ride was long, as Snezhnaya was not the closest nation in the world. Once he arrived though, he underestimated how cold it would be. How you were able to stand it, he had no clue.

Over the five years you have been exchanging letters to each other, Kinich only received the location to your house in Snezhnaya once. It took him forever to find that exact letter, but he made sure to take it with him. You lived on the west coast, only a couple miles from the port. He began to make his way across the snowy land of Snezhnaya before he finally found a house that looked like what you described in your letters.

He knocked on the door, praying he got the right house. A small child opened the door and Kinich faltered. The little girl looks exactly like a tiny version of you. A million thoughts passed through his head as he just stared at the tiny human before him.

"Lyra? Who's at the door?" He finally snapped out of it when he heard your honey voice from inside the house. You came to the door and Kinich saw your face almost light up in shock and joy.

"Kinich?!" You ran forward and jumped into his arms, and he caught you with ease. You hadn't changed. You hadn't moved on. You still loved him. Those thoughts passed through his head as his grip on you didn't lighten up at all. He captured your lips in a hurried and eager kiss filled with all the longing he had for you.

"EWWW SISSY IS KISSING SOME HOBO!!" Lyra ran into the house, shouting all the way to alert any other people in the house. You sighed at your little sisters' antics, before dropping yourself out of Kinich's arms.

"Come in Come in," you made way for him to come into your house, the warmth of it making his cold chills vanish instantly. "I missed you, so much Kinich." You hugged him again, only to have a small force from inside his coat push you away.

"OH YEAH? AND WHAT ABOUT ME PEASENT!?" Ajaw in all his glory flung himself out of Kinich's coat in an instant, pointing his tiny dragon claws in your face accusingly.

You laughed, much to Kinich's annoyance and Ajaw's joy. You gave him a small peck on the cheek and watched as his face heated up instantly. "HUMAN HOW DARE YOU DEFILE K'UHUL AJAW THE ALMIGHTY DRAGON LORD!!"

A small hand tugged on Kinich's coat, and he looked down to see a small girl. "Um, can I play with your dragon mister?" Knowing she was talking about Ajaw, Kinich agreed and set Ajaw off to with the little girl, smiling at her joy to have a new toy.

"KINICHHHH HOW DARE YOU!!" You could hear Ajaw's shouts and cries from the other end of the house as your little siblings tortured played with the "dragon lord".

"Would you like to help me decorate the cookies?" You spoke to him, and he felt himself smile as he remembered how much he missed your cooking."

"Of course," He followed you to the kitchen, thinking along the way of how to make you his forever.

#BBG's Christmas special #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact x you #genshin impact x gender neutral reader #genshin impact #genshin impact kinich #genshin impact fanfic #Kinich x reader #genshin fluff #genshin x reader #Natlan #snezhnaya #x reader

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screamlet · 8 hours ago

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118 daily drabble (day 39; worst)

@118dailydrabble

notes: broken up bucktommy (inspired by this gifset)

---

"I got you, I got you," Buck yells as he scrambles to push broken floorboards and plaster off Tommy. "118, I'm down in the cellar with Kinard. He seems dazed, possibly concussed, narrowly missed impalement—"

"Copy, we're on our way," Chimney replies. "And save the color commentary for later."

Tommy says, eyes closed, "People worry about flying, but I've never gotten hurt in a chopper."

Buck knocks on a wooden floorboard and Tommy opens his eyes. "Still superstitious?"

They broke up two months ago, so Buck can't help himself: "Still begging for trouble?"

Tommy's eyes are sad, but he points to his face. "Worst I've ever looked?"

Buck laughs. "Never. Not as long as I can see you."

#911 fic #bucktommy fic #118dailydrabble #drabble #my writing #my fic #evan buckley #tommy kinard #hopeful ending!!!!!!!!!!!!

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jinxedshapeshifter · 3 days ago

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Analyzing Klavier's Behavior Because I Am Nothing If Not Predictable*

*But also I made this post at 2am and am determined to see it through

Alright so a few days ago I posted this reblog of a response to a post I made mentioning that Klavier's behavior that is so commonly poked at as "Klavier, there was a murder" could very well be a coping mechanism. As you'll know if you've read the essay I wrote on the parallels between Ryulock and Homumiko, I really like to analyze fictional characters. So I have decided to analyze Klavier Gavin's behavior throughout his appearances because there's implications in there that I think aren't talked about enough.

(Also important to note because I feel like it'll come up; this is all my interpretation of Klavier's behavior based on a combination of personal experience and just how I read his behavior. I am not going to claim my analysis to be objectively correct.)

Part 1: A Brief-ish Summary of Klavier's Canon Appearances

Klavier's only canon appearances are in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney and Turnabout Academy in Dual Destinies (which is a shame but that's not my point). In the latter, he's not acting as Prosecutor Gavin, he's acting as Rock God Klavier. I still think, for the sake of context, it's important to go over these appearances and how he acts during each one.

Turnabout Corner

Our first introduction to Klavier is in Turnabout Corner, the second episode of Apollo Justice. He's introduced as a cool, suave prosecutor that likes to throw his weight around a little (as indicated by him overriding the police and allowing Trucy and Apollo to investigate People Park), and it's easy to (correctly) assume pretty early on that he doesn't really care about giving information to the defense like every other prosecutor in the series (something that will come up later). In Turnabout Corner, we also learn about Klavier's status as a rockstar, and how he usually acts during court proceedings. Apollo's first impression, which carries over into Turnabout Serenade and is still part of how he sees Klavier into Dual Destinies, is that Klavier tends to not take things very seriously.

Turnabout Serenade

Turnabout Serenade is... interesting. We see a side of Klavier that he seems to want to keep under wraps at first — he's a perfectionist when it comes to his music, and his focus is on Daryan's missed cue, not the fact that a murder happened at his concert; notably, he's focused on Daryan's fuck-up, when he's not the only one who messed up during the concert. He comes off as irritable during investigation segments, seeming to put on a mask of his usual confident and carefree attitude when Apollo and Trucy show up.

This is also the first time Klavier starts to get honestly pretty mean when even the implication that something he didn't want to be true is true is suggested. The second Apollo implies LeTouse was murdered during the second set (which is when he first presents the igniter) Klavier gets mean ("Herr Forehead, don't destroy what little respect I have for you!" which implies he never had much respect for him in the first place, which I'd argue is not the case but I'll get into that later). We get into Daryan's testimony once it's made clear that Daryan's a suspect, and at that point he's less mean to Apollo and tearing into Daryan instead. Turnabout Serenade alone shows that Klavier's views of people can and will change on a dime.

Turnabout Succession (2019 section)

I'm gonna get it out of the way now, Klavier is a brat during the 2019 section of Turnabout Succession. This is relevant; he seems to have grown out of this by Turnabout Corner, but he's still prone to being a dick. Klavier's also much more egotistical during the 2019 section of Turnabout Succession; most notably, he brags about the success of The Gavinners multiple times during the trial (which Phoenix describes as an "utter lack of humility"). As a 24/25-year-old, he's not normally an egocentric asshole; this trait only really shows itself during times where he'd be stressed. Again, we'll get to that.

Turnabout Succession (responses to Kristoph's involvement)

The first reaction to Kristoph's involvement is when Vera mentions the commemorative stamp with Troupe Gramarye on it, and he gets intense about asking Vera about what the first forgery she made was. He actually scares Vera and concerns the judge:

And this is where he first breaks down. Trucy gets concerned, Apollo has to tell him to calm the fuck down because he's badgering the witness (at which point Klavier calls Phoenix Apollo's "soiled, sullied mentor"), and then Vera collapses from atroquinine poisoning and the trial ends. I cannot imagine what the next span of time before the trial continued was like for Klavier.

Once Kristoph actually takes the stand, Klavier's quite quiet for a while, aside from defending Kristoph when you press certain statements (and even then, Kristoph will not hesitate to talk over Klavier). Apollo even mentions that Klavier's acting different, and decides it's because Kristoph's in the courtroom. Klavier gets so upset that he can't even function properly, which Kristoph blames on Apollo ("My, my. You've upset my poor brother to the point of uselessness."). Klavier does eventually snap out of it and accuses Kristoph of bluffing, and the rest of the trial he works with Apollo to convince the jurists that Kristoph is behind Drew and Vera's poisoning, not Vera (although he does tell Apollo he's leaving the case if he can't prove Kristoph is behind forging the evidence in the Zak Gramarye case).

Klavier's behavior in the 2026 sections of Turnabout Succession very much remind me of 17-year-old Klavier, and his breakdown sprite does not help this (which I've also done an analysis on. Parts of that analysis will be relevant later). Again, this will come up later.

Turnabout Academy

I personally think Klavier's behavior in Turnabout Academy is also similar to his behavior when he was 17, although in the complete opposite direction from Turnabout Succession. Looking at Klavier's behavior in Turnabout Succession's 2019 section vs his behavior during Turnabout Academy, I am immediately struck by similarities. Notably, Klavier exhibits some degree of inflated self-confidence (he calls his own voice "godlike" if you present the tape recorder to him, tells Apollo and Athena to find the Gavinners banner, leading Athena to wonder if he just wants his banner back, claims the burnt fragments of the Gavinners banner is a "challenge directed at [Klavier] and Gavinners fans everywhere"), which leads him to put down Apollo specifically (telling Apollo that the role of a fledgling lawyer is one he was "born to play," calling Apollo a wet blanket, "That feigned swagger does not suit you in the least," probably jokingly accusing Apollo of destroying the statues of Klavier and Phoenix).

It's all behavior that feels like it should come from 17-year-old Klavier, not 25-year-old Klavier, at least not under most circumstances.

Part 2: A Slightly More In-Depth Analysis of Klavier's Behavior

Klavier's behavior, notably, changes depending on the circumstances he's in. I think it's important to figure out what the baseline for adult Klavier's behavior is before we go any further however.

I, personally, think the baseline for Klavier's behavior is most clear in Turnabout Corner. He doesn't have any personal involvement in the case beyond Apollo getting Kristoph thrown in prison, and he's pretty chill the entire case. It feels like, at the very least, he's adhering to his rock god persona (and I don't think it's a stretch to assume that's at least partially what he's like when he's not masking anything). Turnabout Corner serving as the baseline for Klavier's behavior also makes sense from a writing standpoint. So, I'm going to use Turnabout Corner as a baseline for Klavier's behavior. Now that we have that out of the way, let's analyze Klavier's behavior.

Part 2.1: Turnabout Serenade

So, first of all, let's look at the transition from Turnabout Corner to Turnabout Serenade. Klavier's having fun, he's at a concert and performing with someone he looks up to and admires. Then, tragedy strikes. A murder happens during the third set. The pianist for the second set is arrested. Daryan missed a cue he shouldn't have missed. This is the first time Klavier is aggressive. It's the first time we see perfectionist Klavier. The second Apollo and Trucy show up, he starts acting like he did during Turnabout Corner. To be completely clear, I do think he was genuinely happy to see them. I don't think his behavioral change when Apollo and Trucy show up is entirely a front. At worst, he's pretending everything's fine by acting like he normally would. Two explanations I can think of for this:

Maybe he just doesn't want Trucy and Apollo to see him like that.

Maybe he doesn't actually care how Trucy and Apollo see him, and he pretends everything's fine by instinct.

Additionally, this is the first time we truly see the extent of how egocentric Klavier can get. He opts to completely ignore the fact that a murder happened at his concert and instead focuses on Daryan's missed cue. That's what we see, at least.

By the end of the case we find out that missed cue was crucial evidence. That missed cue had implications for the entire incident. It's also implied in Turnabout Corner that Klavier is always multiple steps ahead, and in Turnabout Academy he suggests that the missing Gavinners banner is relevant to the case, and it ends up being crucial to the case. Exactly like Daryan's missed cue.

I don't think Klavier was just being an egocentric asshole here. I think he knew that the missed cue was somehow relevant, especially if he noticed Lamiroir and Machi's mistakes during the second set. If he did notice the mistakes Lamiroir and Machi made, then noticed Daryan's missed cue, I don't doubt he'd think they were somehow related. The one thing saving him was that the entire case, both the defense's side and the prosecution's side, hinged on the murder taking place during the third set, so he gets fucking mean when it's implied the murder might've happened during the second set, because there goes any plausible denial. Once Apollo suggests the murder happened during the second set, Daryan's alibi goes out the window, and he becomes their prime suspect. Basically, Klavier's aggression in Turnabout Serenade, and potentially how set on figuring out Daryan's missed cue he was, was very likely him getting defensive.

Part 2.2: Turnabout Succession

Not gonna talk about the 2019 section of Turnabout Succession much here. Klavier's behavior in Turnabout Succession is very much like his behavior in Turnabout Corner. That is, until Kristoph is made a suspect in Drew Misham's murder.

Klavier's pretty much the same as he was in Turnabout Corner for most of the first trial of Turnabout Succession. He's enjoying himself (a fact Apollo and Trucy mention), he's having fun teasing Spark Brushel a bit.

And then Vera brings up the commemorative stamp with Troupe Gramarye on it. As I mentioned above, he gets so intense about finding out what Vera's first forgery was that he scares Vera, concerns the judge, concerns Trucy, and has Apollo telling him to calm the fuck down because he's badgering the witness. Even taking 17-year-old Klavier into account, that's incredibly out of character for him. 17-year-old Klav was a bit mean to witnesses, sure, but he never badgered them. This exact moment is where, upon replaying AJ:AA, I was like "holy shit, you can pinpoint exactly where and when Klavier realizes Kristoph's involved in this."

During the next trial day, he's out of character on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, by which I mean he's too quiet. Klavier's usually talkative and flamboyant. He likes to test Apollo and Apollo's theories. He likes getting under Apollo's skin. But the second Kristoph's on the witness stand we don't get any of that. He's just quiet and he lets Kristoph talk over him. Kristoph's presence is enough to make him uncharacteristically quiet (which makes me wonder what the fuck their history is, especially with Klavier's "Spinning out of whose control? Mine? ...Or yours?" line after Kristoph says he's spinning out of control and the fact that what triggers Kristoph saying that in the first place is Klavier saying "Let's clean out the family closet" and Kristoph claims Klavier's going to say something he'll regret, but that's a different post for a different time). Klavier eventually gets so desperate for proof that Kristoph killed Drew and tried to kill Vera that he literally begs Apollo to prove it. Once Klavier has seen evidence that would indicate that Kristoph is guilty of Drew's murder, he's mostly back to his normal self.

Part 2.3: Turnabout Academy

Turnabout Academy is interesting because Klavier's behavior still feels off but you aren't playing as Apollo; you're playing as Athena, who doesn't know what Klavier is usually like. Klavier's a lot nicer to Athena than he is to Apollo (he is still a bit mean to Athena at points, just to be clear). I personally think it's because Klavier knows Apollo but doesn't know Athena well, but that's just an assumption, I don't think there's really evidence to support it.

Anyway, Klavier's behavior during Turnabout Academy feels pretty similar to when he was 17 in my opinion. He is brutal with Apollo. Klavier:

Tells Apollo that the role of a fledgling defense attorney is one he "was born to play"

Calls Apollo a wet blanket

Calls Apollo a stick in the mud

Accuses Apollo of destroying the statues of Klavier and Phoenix TWICE (probably jokingly but that's still mean, Klavier. This is also, notably, reflective of Klavier accusing Apollo of setting his guitar on fire in Turnabout Serenade)

17-year-old Klavier, while he doesn't target anyone specifically, is a fucking brat. He's irritating and he likes harassing people (like how 17-year-old Klavier was ever allowed in a court of law is beyond me. Granted this is the same court system that let an 18-year-old with a whip prosecute cases but I digress). In some of 17-year-old Klav's dialogue, we also get a taste of just how egocentric he could get at 17. Some of 17-year-old Klavier's lines in the 2019 section of Turnabout Succession that had me like "wow, never has a more irritating 17-year-old existed":

"Herr Detective, this is my stage. Can the antics."

"And I haven't proven anything yet, beyond my good looks, and startling record sales."

"...Would you hold me accountable for a mistake made in my youth?" "That was just this morning!" "...I am still young."

"I would hope the defense refrains from its customarily broad, sweeping accusations."

"...Truly, there's no substitute for experience. Nothing blinds one to the truth so effectively."

I can 100% see some of those lines also coming from Turnabout Academy Klavier. That then begs the question; if Klavier had evolved past acting like this by the age of 24, why is he back to acting like that by the age of 25?

Simple; it's very likely the same reason his behavior was the way it was in Turnabout Serenade. Constance Courte had personal significance to Klavier and quite literally shaped how Klavier prosecutes cases. Klavier says this himself; "She may have taught the judge course, but she had a huge impact on me. She was fond of saying, 'The end is only justified through proper means.' She wouldn't tolerate dishonesty and always revered what was right beyond all else." From the beginning of the case, it's had more personal significance than any of the cases Klavier prosecuted (while other cases did have personal significance to him, it was only ever clear near the end of the trial).

The thing about Turnabout Academy is that, in terms of Klavier's role in the story, it is incredibly similar to Turnabout Serenade. Here's a list of similarities just to show what I mean:

Both cases involve Klavier having Apollo and the individual he's investigating with figure out something that doesn't seem to be significant to the case but is actually crucial evidence (Daryan's missed cue in Turnabout Serenade and the Gavinners banner in Turnabout Academy)

Both have personal significance to Klavier in some way (Daryan was the culprit of Turnabout Serenade and his mentor is the victim of Turnabout Academy)

You would not be blamed for saying "Klavier there was a MURDER" every time he shows up in both cases

Klavier's roles in Turnabout Serenade and Turnabout Academy are similar enough to me that it caught my attention almost immediately (in fact, I tagged the screenshot I posted of Klavier telling Apollo and Athena to look for the Gavinners banner as "turnabout serenade ass behavior"). That also means that his behavior is similar in both cases; the primary difference, in my opinion at least, is that Klavier's more intense and mean in Turnabout Academy (which was obvious to be quite quickly).

Part 2.4: Klavier's Shifting View of Kristoph

(This isn't important I just wanted to bring it up)

It's made pretty clear in Turnabout Succession's 2019 section that Klavier has a positive view of Kristoph. Klavier takes Kristoph at his word that Phoenix is going to present forged evidence and keeps him anonymous when he mentions that he gave him the tip that Phoenix would present forged evidence. He was excited to go against him in court (which just makes the fact that Kristoph forged evidence to beat him a lot more sad), something he even acknowledges when it's made clear that Kristoph forged the diary page that got Phoenix disbarred ("...Kristoph! We were supposed to face each other in that trial! A fair fight, brother to brother! I deserved that much! You let me borrow the victim's belongings... ...You showed me all your research on the case!").

We can literally watch this crumble during Turnabout Succession. He knows Kristoph is a good defense attorney; when Apollo first meets Klavier in court, Klavier says that he's prosecuting the case because he wanted to see the true strength of "the little boy who bested" Kristoph, which at the very least implies he respects Kristoph's skills as a defense attorney. That's completely crumbled by the end of Turnabout Succession, with Klavier literally telling Kristoph "You're not needed anymore." It's honestly really sad to watch too. It makes you wonder what was going through his head during that span of time during Vera's trial where Klavier's just not as talkative as he usually is and Kristoph's on the witness stand.

(To be clear, I think Klavier knew Kristoph was a piece of shit before Turnabout Succession. I don't think Kristoph's emotional abuse of Klavier started during Turnabout Succession, and I very much think Klavier knew that Kristoph was a piece of shit because of it. However, I don't really think he would've expected anything that came out during Turnabout Succession, which is why he reacts how he does. I also think it would be safe to assume that either Kristoph only started emotionally abusing Klavier after Zak's trial or Klavier realized that's what he was doing after Zak's trial, due to Klavier's attitude toward Kristoph holding the implication that if Kristoph was actively being abusive at that point in time, Klavier didn't realize it)

Part 3: What We Can Conclude About Klavier Based On This Information

I've mentioned it before (in fact it's in the Klavier breakdown animation analysis I linked earlier in the post), but Klavier's behavior comes off as him not having been able to properly grow up, whether because he became a celebrity when he was 17 or for some other reason. It's like he regresses back to 17 during traumatic situations, or possibly has some sort of relapse if we assume he got mental health treatment between the 2019 section of Turnabout Succession and the start of Turnabout Corner, and his behavior supports that, which is fucking heartbreaking. It's like he's putting on a mask of maturity because he was forced to. By who? Could be anyone. He could've felt obligated to do it by his status as an international celebrity. He could've been pressured into it by the Gavinners' record label (assuming they weren't indie). Kristoph could've pressured him into it because Klavier had eyes on his every action on a global scale. He could've experienced some kind of psychological trauma that caused it. There are so many potential explanations here and they're all fucking heartbreaking.

Part 4: Conclusion

So. 3.3k words later. This is longer than my Ryulock/Homumiko essay. Anyway, conclusion: I don't think Klavier's ever been flanderized. I think people are misreading his primary trauma response (that being, some form of regression or relapse). He's not even the only person this happens to in the series (*stares at Athena*), it's just not obvious with Klavier if you don't consider ALL his behavior together, including his behavior when he's 17 because that's really what explains his behavior in my opinion. Klavier's behavior isn't easily explainable in a nearly 3.5k word essay without knowing how he was at 17.

And yes, you could argue that this is all coincidence. You could argue that none of this was intentional, especially when you consider how Ace Attorney is written. Someone who goes into Dual Destinies without playing Apollo Justice first won't get the additional context required to recognize the full extent of Klavier's behavior.

I would beg to differ however. Some of Phoenix's bitchiness from Apollo Justice is still present in Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice, and I very much think that was intentional. Apollo's behavior in 5-4 and 5-5 are very much indicative of him having trust issues as a result of everything that happened with Kristoph and that's a hill I'll die on. Simon still acts the same as he did in prison, likely as a result of either trauma, habit, or both.

If you think Ace Attorney doesn't reference past games in characters' behavior, you're underestimating Ace Attorney's writing. I absolutely think Klavier's behavior in Turnabout Academy and his behavior in Turnabout Serenade are meant to be reflective of each other. I'd be genuinely surprised if that's not an intentional parallel and if it doesn't indicate something about Klavier's response to traumatic events. Even worse, I am quite sure that Kristoph has put him down over this. Hell, you could argue that his comment about Klavier being stressed to the point of uselessness is him putting Klavier down for how he copes with trauma. It explains why he was so quiet while Kristoph was on the witness stand, actually.

I also don't think Klavier's as egocentric and quite as much of a perfectionist as he lets on. I think it's part of what I referred to earlier as Klavier relapsing. I very much think he might've been like that at 17, but much like his other behavior at 17 it feels like he grew out of it, and he has a tendency to fall back into it during traumatic situations, whether it's as a defense mechanism or just how his brain responds to trauma.

Essentially this causes traumatic situations for Klavier to turn into him bottling everything up, which comes across to other people (including anyone who decides to play Apollo Justice and Dual Destinies) as irritability. This happens to me too; I'm prone to emotional overreaction but I've gotten to a point where I tend to bottle it up instead of doing literally anything else.

Capcom, please for the love of the Holy Mother give Klavier therapy.

#i worked on this for six hours pls reblog it if you think it's worth anything lmao #(nobody asked but this is almost 4k words. of just me talking about klavier)#also deepest apologies for any inconsistencies. when i do stuff like this i tend to think while i'm typing which leads to inconsistencies #ace attorney #apollo justice ace attorney #dual destinies #klavier gavin #ace attorney analysis #character analysis #aa4 #aa5 #apollo justice spoilers #dual destinies spoilers #aa4 spoilers #aa5 spoilers #tw abuse mention #long post

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rintarosluvr · 1 day ago

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𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐊

Sylus x Reader

Topics: angst (sorta), flashback on how Y/n and sylus met, they are 14/15, basically teenagers being teenagers, she doesn't like sylus (let me cook!), sylus comforting Y/n

Note: happy new year! hope y'all enjoy this chap as well!!

Word count: 5k

Chap.1

Chap.2

A loud crash shook you awake, the sound rattling the stillness of the early morning

The faint glow of dawn seeped through the thin curtains of your bedroom, painting the walls in muted shades of blue and gold

The soft rustling of the ocean breeze carried through the slightly ajar window but it wasn’t enough to drown out the commotion outside

The door to your room creaked open as Leanne peeked her head inside, her hair messy from sleeping

“Y/n…” she called, her voice filled with worry

“I know, I know” you grumble, rubbing your eyes as you sit up, the wooden floor creaked slightly beneath her as she stepped inside

“I thought your old neighbors moved out?” she asks, glancing toward the window as if trying to see what had disturbed the quiet morning

“They did. The house has been empty for a while” you mumble, tossing your blanket aside and standing up

“Then why did I see people moving in?” she asks, her confusion evident

“What?!” you exclaim, rushing past her and heading for the stairs

Leanne follows as you storm through the cozy living room, where Vanessa and Kaori are already waiting by the open door

The salty tang of the ocean air hit you immediately, the sound of waves crashing faintly in the distance

“She’s finally up” Vanessa mutters, leaning against the doorframe

“About time” Kaori sighs, stepping aside as you push the screen door open and head outside.

The morning sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the sleepy coastal neighborhood

The old house next door loomed next door, it’s once faded blue paint now looking refreshed

“Did you call any of my parents?” you ask as you stride toward the house, your bare feet brushing against the dew covered grass

“They didn’t pick up” Vanessa replies

“Great” you mutter, pushing open the rusty gate that separated the two properties. It creaked loudly, drawing a wince from you

You make your way up the short pathway, bordered by overgrown shrubs and press the doorbell. The faint sounds drifted from inside the house, quickly silenced by the chime of the bell

A moment later, the door swung open, revealing a boy about your age. He leaned against the frame, his expression casual, his white hair slightly disheveled as though he’d just woken up

“Can I help you?” he asks, his raised eyebrow matching his amused tone

You blink, momentarily thrown off by the easy confidence in his posture “This house isn’t supposed to have anyone in it. So, if you would kindly leave…”

He smirked, crossing his arms as he leaned further against the frame “My parents just rented this house. So that makes us neighbors” he says

You narrow your eyes, skeptical “And where are they?”

“Out with your parents” he replies without missing a beat “They told me they had a daughter my age living next door”

That sounded exactly like something your mom would say... You sigh, the tension in your shoulders easing slightly “I guess you’re in the clear Just try to keep it down, yeah?”

“I’ll try my best” he nods as he watches you.

You roll your eyes and step back

“What’s your name” he asks, tilting his head in curiosity

“Y/n” you reply curtly

“Nice to meet you, Y/n I’m Sylus”

You nod, turning on your heel to head back toward your house. Your friends fall into step beside you, their curious glances making you bristle

“He’s staring at you” Leanne whispers, a teasing grin tugging at her lips

“I have a boyfriend” you mutter, your tone clipped as you focus on the gravel crunching under your feet

“There’s nothing wrong with admitting your neighbor is good looking” Kaori shrugs, her tone light as the sun glinted off the ocean waves in the distance.

“Whatever” you mumble

[Three Days Later]

“Okay, kiddos, everyone take a seat!” your teacher says as you make your way to your usual spot at the back of the classroom

The chatter among your classmates gradually fades and the bustling energy settles into a calm quiet

“We have a new student joining us today, Please give a warm welcome to Sylus, who officially transferred yesterday''

Your attention shifts to the new arrival. Sylus stands tall, exuding a composed confidence. His eyes sweep over the room, taking in the curious faces

When his gaze lands on you, he nods slightly, a small smirk tugging at his lips, You narrow your eyes, returning the look with mild annoyance

From the desk in front of you, your boyfriend leans back slightly, his tone low “You know him?”

“Found out like two days ago, that he’s my neighbor” you explain with a sigh “Thought he was one of those kids sneaking into abandoned houses or something”

“And he knows you’ve got a boyfriend, right?” he presses, his expression serious

“Probably not” you admit, leaning back in your seat “Didn’t talk to him for that long”

He nods, clearly mulling it over before turning his focus back to the front of the classroom

“What was that about?” Vanessa whispers, her eyes darting between you and your boyfriend

“Don’t know, it’s weird” you shrug, brushing off whatever that was

“Sylus, you can take a seat next to Eydis” the teacher says, motioning to the empty chair near the window, Sylus strides to the seat with an air of ease, his smirk lingering as he passes your desk

As he sits, he casts another glance your way and you fight the urge to roll your eyes

During the break, you and your friends sat near the soccer field, the ocean stretching out in the distance

The sun glinted off the waves and a gentle breeze carried through the air, Your friends gathered around the picnic table, chatting and picking at their snacks.

Leanne broke the momentary silence, her voice playful like she was interviewing you “So, what do you think about your boyfriend being jealous of Sylus after just three classes?”

“It’s annoying” you mumble, unwrapping the vending machine snack in your hands and taking a bite

“I bet” Kaori chimes in, leaning back on the bench and shaking her head

“You should’ve seen his face when Sylus called my name after the teacher asked who he wanted to partner up with for class” you sigh

Vanessa raises an eyebrow “Maybe he’s jealous of Sylus’s looks?”

“Well, I’m his girlfriend” you say firmly “He doesn’t have anything to worry about”

“True” Vanessa nods, popping a chip into her mouth as the conversation shifts to other things, but the unease about your boyfriend’s jealousy lingers in the back of your mind

Above the distant sound of the waves, the faint cheers from the soccer field and the chatter of other students fill the air, grounding you in the moment as your friends laugh and joke around

“Wassup!” a familiar voice cuts through your thoughts. You turn your head, spotting Kazuo strolling over with his usual relaxed demeanor “What’s with your boyfriend acting all competitive toward the new guy?” he asks, raising an eyebrow as he leans casually against the table

“I honestly don’t know and I don’t want to know” you grumble, rubbing your temple “Everything is pissing me off at this moment”

“Might have to do with Sylus talking to him before class” Eydis says, suddenly appearing and sliding into the bench between Kaori and Leanne, helping himself to their snacks

“What?” you ask, genuinely caught off guard

“He didn’t tell you?” Eydis looks surprised “Well, I asked Sylus about it, and he said, ‘Your girlfriend is very pretty’ which is bold, I can’t lie”

You groan dropping your head onto Vanessa’s shoulder “Are you kidding me?”

“Nope” Eydis says, shaking his head as he munches on a stolen chips

“So he asked for your name a few days ago and stalked your social media. I respect the effort” Kazuo nods

“I don’t” you snap

“Well, we’re on the field” Eydis says, standing up with Kazuo “See you later”

As they head off, Vanessa nudges you “Are you going to talk to Sylus?” “No” you shake your head firmly “Who knows what he’s up to”

“Seems like he’s into you” Kaori says with a shrug “Like, a lot”

“Love at first sight” Leanne teases, a mischievous grin spreading across her face “How romantic”

You toss a piece of candy at her, earning a laugh “I’m joking!” she says throwing her hands up defensively

The ocean breeze swirls around you but instead of calming you, it only reminds you of the whirlwind Sylus seems to have brought into your life

“See you guys tomorrow!” you wave at your friends from across the train station

“We’ll be calling later!” Kaori reminds you as their train pulls up

“Sure!” You chuckle, popping your earbuds in, getting ready to start your music, but before you can, someone sits down next to you on the bench

You look up “Why are you sitting here?” you ask, glancing around at the mostly empty station

“Because I want to” Sylus says with a nonchalant shrug

You frown “Did you really go up to him and tell him his girlfriend is pretty?” you ask, unable to hold back your curiosity

“Yeah” he says, shrugging again like it’s no big deal

“Why?” “Wanted to tell him the truth,” he says casually, as it’s the most normal thing in the world

You narrow your eyes at him “Well, he’s jealous thanks to you”

“Then he doesn’t deserve you” Sylus says, his gaze locking with yours

You blink caught off guard by his bluntness “Just shut up”

He chuckles softly, clearly entertained by your reaction “If he breaks up with you, it’s his loss, really”

You raise your eyebrows, incredulous at what just came out of his mouth. It’s as if your one year relationship doesn’t hold any weight in his eyes

“If you were my girlfriend, I wouldn’t let you go for anything” he says, his tone sincere, with no trace of his usual smirk. He looks like he means every word

You don’t respond. Instead, you plug your other earbud in and start your music, hoping to drown him out

[Saturday]

“Do I really have to go?” you sigh, trailing after your mom as she moves around the living room searching for her bag

“Yes” she says without looking up “I already told Mrs. Qin we’d be coming over”

“What about my plans?” you protest, hoping for an out

“You don’t have any plans. If you did, you would’ve told me days ago,” she replies

“I don’t like him” you grumble, slumping against the wall

“Has he done anything to you?” your mom asks, already knowing you’re talking about Sylus

“Yeah, sabotaging my relationship” you mutter under your breath

“Oh, Y/n” she sighs shaking her head “He only told your boyfriend you were pretty. There’s nothing wrong with that”

“So if some woman came up to you and told you Dad was handsome, you’d be fine with it?” you challenge, crossing your arms and watching her reaction

“It’s good to know my husband is handsome” she shrugs

You groan and throw yourself face first onto the couch cushion, muffling a frustrated scream into the fabric

“Are you done?” she asks, raising an eyebrow as you peek up at her “If so, go get dressed. You’ve got fifteen minutes”

You huff dramatically but drag yourself upstairs, as you trudge up the stairs, you pull out your phone and tap into your group chat

The phone rings a few times before Leanne picks up, her face filling the screen as she spins lazily in her chair

“What’s up?” she asks, tilting her head in curiosity

“I need a way out” you groan dramatically, flopping onto your bed with your phone hovering over your face

“Out of what?” Kaori’s voice cuts in as her face pops up in the corner of the screen

“My mom is dragging me to Mrs. Qin’s house” you explain, letting out a long, exaggerated sigh. “And guess who’s gonna be there”

“Sylus” Vanessa guesses, her screen lighting up as she joins the call

“Ding, ding, ding” you deadpan “I swear, my mom is on his side at this point. She even defended him for calling me pretty to my boyfriend”

“Damn, Sylus got your mom wrapped around his finger too?” Leanne laughs, spinning again in her chair

“Not helping” you grumble, glaring at her through the screen

“So what’s the plan?” Kaori leans closer to her camera, her expression serious like she’s ready to strategize

“There is no plan” you sigh, flipping onto your back “She’s giving me fifteen minutes to get dressed, and I don’t have a single excuse not to go”

“Just fake being sick” Vanessa suggests with a casual shrug

“Tried that last time” you reply, groaning again “You know it won’t work twice”

“Well, you could always just… survive it” Kaori says, throwing her hands up as if it’s the most obvious solution

“Not the advice I was looking for” you mutter, shooting her a halfhearted glare

“You’ll be fine” Leanne says reassuringly

“Text us updates!” Kaori adds “We need the gossip”

“You guys are useless” you laugh despite yourself “Well, I gotta go” you add as your mom’s voice rings out from downstairs, calling your name

With a resigned sigh, you end the call and drag yourself toward your closet, already dreading the evening ahead

“On my way back from practice, I bought flowers for you both” Sylus says, handing your mom a bouquet with an easy smile

“Oh, how sweet” your mom says, bringing the flowers to her nose for a sniff “These are lovely”

Sylus then hands you a smaller bouquet. You narrow your eyes at him, your lips pressed into a thin line as his mother watches the interaction with interest

“Thank you, Sylus” you say with a strained, fake smile “How nice of you”

“You’re welcome” he nods, his tone surprisingly polite

You glance down at the bouquet in your hands, your irritation slowly fading when you notice they’re your favorite flowers

“Seems like stalking paid off” you mutter under your breath, making sure only he could hear you

“It did” he chuckles softly, clearly amused by your reaction

You roll your eyes and grip the bouquet tighter, silently praying for the ground to swallow you whole. God, why this?

“Your boyfriend has yet to do this” she whispers, her tone sly as she gestures to the bouquet

Yeah, that’s it. If the universe doesn’t end you right now, you’ll simply die, The last thing you want is your mother comparing Sylus to your boyfriend

Soon after you all move to the table, it was beautifully set, with steaming dishes of food that smelled amazing

You sat across from Sylus, who seemed perfectly at ease, laughing and chatting with your mother and his mother

“So, Y/n” Mrs. Qin began, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, “how do you like having Sylus as a neighbor?”

You forced a polite smile “It’s… fine. Quiet, most of the time”

“Most of the time?” Sylus interjected, raising an eyebrow “When have I been loud?”

You shot him a look “You’re not as quiet as you think during your practice in the garage with your boxing”

Sylus raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across his face “Ah, so you’ve been listening to my training sessions?” he teased, leaning back in his chair, clearly enjoying the banter

You fought the urge to roll your eyes “It’s hard not to hear the punching bag rattle at all hours” you muttered, trying to sound casual “It’s like a drumbeat for the neighborhood

Your mother cleared her throat, clearly picking up on your tone. “She’s just adjusting to the change, Mrs. Qin. You know how teenagers can be”

Mrs. Qin laughed, nodding. “Of course, of course. But you two seem to get along well enough” Her gaze turned to Sylus “Have you been helping her with anything? Schoolwork, maybe?”

“Actually” Sylus said “I’ve been helping her boyfriend understand his priorities”

Your fork clattered against your plate as you dropped it, glaring at him “That’s not what happened”

“Oh?” Mrs. Qin asked, her eyebrows lifting in amusement “What did happen?”

Sylus leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the attention “Let’s just say I had to remind him how lucky he is”

“You mean by making him jealous?” you muttered under your breath, quickly, shoving a bite of food into your mouth to avoid further questioning

“I think it’s sweet that Sylus has taken such an interest” your mother chimed in, giving you a pointed look “He’s such a thoughtful young man”

You resisted the urge to groan, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on you. Sylus smiled at you across the table, completely unbothered. You, on the other hand, were counting the minutes until this dinner was over

“So, do you attend any after school clubs?” Mrs. Qin asks, her gaze bright with curiosity

You nod, swallowing a bite of food “I do, the dance club”

“That’s interesting” she says with a smile “You cheer too, right?”

You raise an eyebrow, surprised “How did you know that?”

“Sylus mentioned it” she replies

You glance at Sylus, who gives you a small, knowing smirk

“Oh yeah. I do, it’s fun” you say

“I’ve seen them walk together after practice. It’s nice of him to wait for you” your mom chimes in, clearly proud

You almost choke on your food at the mention of that “Oh really?” Mrs. Qin asks, glancing between you and her son, clearly intrigued

“Yeah, it’s kind of late when she finishes” Sylus says with a shrug and you swear you can feel your blood pressure rising

“It only happened twice” you say quickly, wanting to downplay the situation

Sylus raises an eyebrow “Which is still a lot”

You give him a tight lipped smile, wishing you could find a way to shut him up

After dinner, both mothers decided to clean up, suggesting that you and Sylus hang out in his room while they took care of the dishes

You couldn’t help but wonder what kind of parents would let that happen, especially with how teens have been lately

But here you were, walking behind him to his room after he held the door open with a grin “Ladies first,” he said, gesturing for you to go ahead

His room was painted in deep red, with black curtains draped across the windows, a few medals hung on the walls, along with several trophies scattered around and to your surprise, a cat lounged lazily on the bed

You crouched down to pet it, letting your fingers gently stroke its soft fur

“It’s a boy” Sylus said, leaning against the doorframe, watching you

You smiled, continuing to pet the cat “What’s his name?”

“Shadow” he replied

His cat looks up at you lazily, flicking its tail before rubbing its head against your hand

You smile, enjoying the softness of his fur “He’s cute” you admit, giving the cat a gentle scratch behind its ears

Sylus shrugs “He’s more like a cat than a pet, really. Just hangs around when he feels like it”

You stand up and glance around his room, noting the trophies and medals scattered on shelves “You’re really I to boxing, no?” you ask, gesturing toward his achievements

“Yeah” he says with a slight shrug “You could say I like competition”

You nod slowly, eyes flicking to one of the gold medals hanging on the wall “Seems like it’s working out for you”

“Some things do” he responds, his tone unexpectedly serious for a moment

You take a seat on the edge of his bed, still trying to wrap your mind around the idea of spending time in his room

It felt… different. Something about the space felt both inviting and oddly intimidating

As you sit there, Sylus steps closer but the way he’s looking at you makes you realize just how much he’s been watching you since you stepped into the room

You feel the air shift between you both, an unspoken tension hanging in the air

“So, what do you usually do in here?” you ask, trying to break the silence

He smirks, leaning against the desk “Nothing interesting. Just training, games, and… occasionally making people mad”

You raise an eyebrow at him “Sounds like you enjoy the last one”

“Guilty as charged” he replies “You should try it sometime. Might be fun”

You roll your eyes, not taking the bait “I think I’ll pass on that one”

“So how long have you been with your boyfriend?” Sylus asked his eyes watching you intently

The question caught you off guard “A year” you answer, trying to keep your tone neutral

He nodded but didn’t say anything more, letting the silence hang in the air for a moment

“What? You don’t have a girlfriend?” you question raising an eyebrow, still leaning back and absentmindedly petting Shadow

“No” he replied simply, his gaze shifting away from you for a second “If I did, it would’ve been known”

“Got it” you nodded, the air between you suddenly thick with something unspoken. You watched as he sat down in his chair, settling into the silence,

You grab your phone, relieved for something to distract you, It buzzed a few times and you unlocked it to check the notifications from the group chat

Leanne: “Y/n, spill! What’s going on with you and Sylus?”

Kaori: “I swear he’s flirting with you, just admit it!”

Vanessa: “You okay over there?”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes, texting back quickly “Nothing’s going on. He’s just being a pain”

You could feel Sylus’s eyes on you as you typed, but you didn’t look up. It was easier that way

[The morning after]

“He was just staring a lot, like he was observing me” you tell your friends the next day, trying to make sense of Sylus’s behavior

“Maybe he was in awe” Vanessa shrugs, a teasing grin on her face

“I don’t know” you shrug, not quite convinced “It was a bit weird when it was just the two of us”

“In an awkward or like a comfortable way?” Kaori asks

“Both, I guess” you sigh feeling the confusion from last night all over again

“And he gave you flowers, your favorite ones, that’s cute” Leanne adds, trying to lighten the mood

“I’m just trying to figure out why he always does the things he does, waiting for me and now the flowers” you mumble, your thoughts tangled

“Well, that gotta wait, your boyfriend is coming and looks mad” Vanessa says, her tone shifting as she spots him walking toward you

You turn around to see him approaching, a frown already forming on his face

“Hey, can we talk?” he asks as soon as he reaches you

“Uh yeah, sure” you nod, feeling the tension “See you guys in class” you call to your friends, who nod and watch you walk away

You follow your boyfriend down an empty hallway, feeling the weight of the moment

“Are the rumors true?” he asks as you both slow down, his voice tense

“What rumors?” you ask, genuinely confused

“You and Sylus having dinner last night?” he asks, his eyes searching your face for an answer

“Oh yeah, was forced to go by my mom” you reply, trying to keep things light but sensing the storm brewing

“And the flowers he gave you?” he presses, clearly not letting it go

“Couldn’t really throw them away” you mumble, feeling uncomfortable “Why are you questioning me right now?”

“I don’t like him” he admits, his voice low and serious

“And I do?” you mumble under your breath, trying not to sound hurt

“It seems like it” he sighs, running a hand through his hair in frustration

“Are you kidding me right now?” you narrow your eyes at him, not knowing how to handle this

“What am I supposed to think, you’ve been spending so much time with him?”

“Not by will” you say, your voice edged with frustration

“Right” he mumbles, his eyes narrowing “Maybe we should take a break”

“What? Just because of what happened last night? Are you serious?” you ask, your annoyance creeping in “Whatever, I don’t have the time for this. Text me later or something” you say, turning on your heel and walking away

Sylus watches you enter the classroom, clearly annoyed, with a hint of concern flickering in his expression

You take your seat with a sigh, trying to shake off the tension

“What happened?” Kaori asks, noticing your mood as soon as you sit down

“He wants to break up because of what happened last night” you explain, keeping your voice low

“Because of a dinner you were forced to go to? That’s crazy” Leanne says, disbelief in her voice

“Tell me about it” you mumble

[3:42PM]

You felt like crying when you saw the text message from your now ex boyfriend after school

The words stung, he broke up with you so easily, letting his insecurities about Sylus tear everything down, for a guy who had barely been around for a week, it hurt more than you expected

“You’re fine, Y/n” you whisper to yourself, trying to steady your breath “He doesn’t deserve you”

Breaking up with you over some other guy? How weak was that? The thought gnawed at you as the frustration and disappointment built up inside

You let out a deep sigh, pausing your music, trying to compose yourself

You had ditched cheer practice, too tired to face it all, the last thing you wanted was to pretend everything was okay when it really wasn’t

You wanted nothing more than to be home, away from everyone, to just curl up and cry your eyes out, the weight of everything, the breakup, the confusion, the frustration was too much to carry right now

You just wanted to shut the world out, tune out all the noise and let the tears fall without worrying about anything or anyone

It felt like everything was falling apart and all you wanted was to escape for a while

A pair of shoes stops in front of you but you refuse to look up, already knowing who it is, of all people, he’s the last person you want to see you like this

“I’m not in the mood today” you mumble, keeping your gaze fixed on the ground

He doesn’t reply right away but instead, he sits down beside you. “He’s an idiot” he finally says

You scoff softly glancing at him.“You know this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t talked to him, right?”

Sylus doesn’t smirk or offer a cheeky comeback, For once, his face isn’t wearing its usual confident expression. Instead, there’s something softer, almost unreadable in his gaze

He looks at you for a moment longer, his eyes tracing over your glossy eyes and the way your teeth sink into your lip, an obvious attempt to hold back the tears threatening to spill

You look pitiful, like a cornered kitten, trembling but still trying to hold its ground, Vulnerable, but stubbornly defiant, yet he doesn’t smirk or wear that cocky, self assured expression you’ve come to expect

If anything, there’s something unfamiliar in his face. Concern? Sympathy? His lips press into a thin line and the sharpness in his eyes softens, just enough to make you doubt if you’re imagining it

The silence stretches, heavy and taut, until he finally speaks, his voice lower than usual, as though afraid to shatter you entirely “You look like you’re about to cry”

“And whose fault is that?” you snap, your voice cracking slightly as you glare at him

Sylus sighs, leaning back against the wall behind him, his gaze never leaving your face “Mine, I guess. But I wasn’t trying to ruin anything for you. If he can’t handle someone saying his girlfriend is pretty, maybe he wasn’t worth your time”

“That’s not the point” you mutter, looking away “It’s the fact that he got so insecure over something so small”

He tilts his head, studying you like you’re a puzzle he’s trying to figure out “You deserve someone who doesn’t crumble at the first sign of competition. Someone who can see how amazing you are and not let their ego get in the way”

You blink at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone “Why are you even here?”

“To make sure you’re okay,” he says simply “And to remind you that his loss isn’t your fault”

You let out a shaky breath, the tears threatening to spill over “I don’t need your pep talk right now, Sylus”

“Maybe not” he shrugs “but you’ve got it anyway”

His words settle over you like a strange kind of comfort and for a moment, you let the silence between you stretch, letting yourself feel just a little less alone

“You have a fever” your father says, pulling his hand away from your forehead, his brow furrowed with concern

“Don’t worry, I can still go to school” you insist, attempting to sit up

“Not happening” he replies firmly, gently pushing you back down by your shoulders. “You’re staying home”

From downstairs, your mother’s voice calls for him, He looks back at you “Alright, if anything happens, call me, yeah?”

You nod l “Sure”

Your phone rings just as your dad leaves the room and you pick it up without much enthusiasm

“Are you running late?” Vanessa’s voice comes through the speaker

“No, got a fever” you mumble

“Wait, what?! You’re sick?” Leanne chimes in, sounding alarmed

“That’s what my dad said” you shrug, even though they can’t see you

“We’ll come by after school” Kaori says decisively

“Fine by me” you reply, too tired to argue

“We gotta go, class is starting” Vanessa says hurriedly

“Okay bye” you say, hanging up as they rush off

You toss your phone onto the bedside table, letting out a tired sigh

Sylus watches as your parents exit the house, your dad shutting the door behind him

“Y/n is sick today” your mother says, glancing at Sylus “Would you like us to drop you off at school?”

He shakes his head politely “No, thank you. I’ll be fine”

As your parents head toward the car, Sylus hears your dad speak “That’s the boy who gave you and Y/n those bouquets of flowers?”

“Yes” your mom replies with a smile “He’s very sweet”

Sylus doesn’t react but his gaze drifts up to your bedroom window, the soft pink glow from your bedside lamp spills through the curtains, faintly illuminating the room

He lingers for a moment, then turns on his heel and starts walking, his thoughts quietly preoccupied

You scroll through your laptop, looking for a movie to kill some time. Being sick is the worst, it means you’re stuck doing nothing but trying to distract yourself from how miserable you feel

A knock at your window makes you pause, your frown deepening as you push the laptop to the side, shoving the curtain away, you’re met with an unexpected sight

“Sylus?” you say, your voice muffled through the closed window. You slide it open, the warm air brushing past you

“Why aren’t you at school?” you ask, confused

“You’re sick” he replies

“How do you know?” “Your mom told me before they left” he says, like it’s the most obvious thing

You blink at him, then glance down “How’d you even get up here?”

“I climbed” he says with a shrug, as if scaling your house was completely normal “Here”

He sets a bag on the windowsill

“You went to the store?” you ask, raising an eyebrow

“You ask a lot of questions” he sighs, shaking his head as if you’re exhausting him

“Do you blame me?” you mumble, eyeing the bag

Sylus gives you a small smirk but says nothing, leaning casually against the frame like he has all the time in the world

You open the bag, checking its contents, a container of soup, a few snack, a bottle of water, and a drink

You look back up at him, ready to say something, but the sight of him stops you short

The sun behind him casts a golden glow, lighting up his features in a way that seems almost unreal, his hair catches the light and his calm expression contrasts with the casual way he leans against the frame

You feel a strange sensation stir in your stomach, not unpleasant but unfamiliar

You’re not sure if it’s the fever messing with you or something else entirely “Why’d you do this?” you ask softly, the words leaving your mouth before you can stop them

He meets your eyes “Because you need someone to take care of you” he says simply

Chap.3 >

#l&ds sylus #lnds sylus #sylus love and deepspace #love and deepspace sylus #sylus x reader #lads sylus #sylus x black reader #sylus #qin che #sylus qin #fluff #moonstruck

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balrogballs · 2 days ago

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in the illustrious history of balrogballs making a joke on Tumblr and then writing a whole ass fic around it, from breakfast blowjob productions, comes a new instalment:

balrogballs joking about a Bollywood Silmarillion adaptation where the Fëanorians are South Asian coded and Elrond, due to his kidnap fam upbringing, has the FUNNIEST colonial hangover known to mankind…

… and then a month later working on a period-AU oneshot set 20 years after the fall of the British Raj, where Surrey-based Elrond returns to India for the first time since he and Elros - the lost children of two British colonial officers - had been taken away from the notorious freedom fighters who found them and raised them.

enjoy an excerpt!

When he and Elros were eight years old, Maglor Fëanorian had told him about the walls of the West. Well, he didn't tell him but Elros had read it in a diary Maedhros kept during his days as a student in London, because Elros was the kind of child who shamelessly used other people’s diaries as storybooks.

So that was where Elrond Peredhel read about the walls of the West. How the bitter water from their seas runs through all the rivers on earth, how high they can rise to keep out outsiders, how they flow from the heart of London and twirl out across the world like barbed wire, propelled by the sea. The walls of Maglor’s house in Kozhikode, Elrond used to think, must have been too high on the cliffside for the sea to reach. As pockmarked as they were, they had always welcomed him and Elros with open arms and a kiss.

On most weeks, when Maedhros got home from another Congress meeting or some revolutionary circle or the other (it goes without saying that none of Maedhros’ comrades knew that he and his brother had taken in not only two grey-eyed British children, but the grey-eyed British children of the sisterfucking chutiya Viceroy’s sisterfucking chutiya secretary), he would always bring them a bag of hot, roasted peanuts.

A bag each! A bag each, because Maedhros just knew things like that, just knew that twins treasured every little thing they didn’t have to share. Even nothing-things like bags of peanuts. On those nights, when Maedhros put down a cushion and sat against the wall, spine to stone, Elrond would lean into his carefully-guarded, coiled-tight body and fall asleep to songs about the walls of the west. They had been very young. They had been young enough to call Maedhros ‘Baba’ and Maglor ‘Abbajaan’, and persist until it meant something.

The house was near the sea. The house that once would have been breathed in, had the sea yawned: these days, it is enveloped by the petrol-diesel-tar of the apathetic Sand Banks Road. Elrond can, had he wanted to, walk to six phone shops, even though he only has one phone. He tries to be content with the knowledge that Kunjiraman Vakeel Palam still exists: that he has to cross it every day to get to his house. The house by the sea. The one in which he and Elros and Maedhros and Maglor had lived and loved with no expectation of being loved back. Two violent freedom-fighters, and the left-behind spawn of the sisterfucking chutiya Viceroy’s sisterfucking chutiya secretary. The setup to a bad joke, the bones of a little life, wrapped in the cloying, earthy red around the house. At some point, a slow, jagged cat had wandered in and never left. He was the thinnest, reddest cat the fourteen-year-old Elrond had ever seen, half an ear missing, and mean for the sake of being mean.

He and Elros had taken half a year to name it. Were you supposed to give an Indian cat an Indian name? It was Maglor who put his foot down in the end. He didn't think he could live with a cat called Ramachandran. That’s simply “too Orientalist, Elrond, even for you. Someone would probably beat you up in school if you and your grey eyes went around telling people you owned a cat named Ramachandran, and I am telling you now I will not just turn a blind eye to it, I will be personally sending sweets to the child’s house”.

So they named it Rusty, and Rusty it was to everyone except Maedhros, who called it nothing, because “a cat that runs away from small rats does not deserve a name.”

#great exotic imladris hotel sjsjsjsj #kidnap fam #tolkien #balrogballs writes

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chocochiffonnn · 3 days ago

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Warmth

Pairing: Husband! Yang Jungwon x Wife! Reader

Word Count: 1.3k words

Content: Fluff, softie Jungwon, two people just madly in love with each tbh.

Synopsis: Due to the busy schedule of your husband, you wanted nothing more than to feel his warmth. Turns out, he too, feels the same.

Warnings: I haven't proofreader this yet! Kind of just a draft but it was too cute not to upload! Please feel free to reblog if you enjoyed hehe.

There was rarely a time you felt warmth and comfort beneath the sheets of your blankets.

Perhaps during the Christmas holidays... The new year... And that was the rest of it. Though the comfort of the heater, the blanket, and the layer of your pajamas provided the warmness you craved, through the clear glass of your high story apartment, you felt yourself shiver still. Uncontrollably so.

Perhaps it wasn't the warmth of something you needed. Someone, maybe?

Heaving a gentle sigh, you unclasped your body from the blankets, heading towards the glass walls of your shared apartment. You cross your arms as you discern the twinkling lights of the buildings above and below.

He wasn't absent. He was never absent. Just... Late. Late for most days of the years, late for weekdays and weekends due to his busy schedule at work, and late because of everything.

And truly, you trust him wholeheartedly. Your husband, Yang Jungwon, that is.

Having been pressured to take his family's business, preparations in order to become the next heir has been taking a toll on his body and schedule as of late. And truth be told, your time together as husband and wife together, too. You trust him wholeheartedly, yet it came with much longing of having every piece of him every single day and night. It was a routine by now, you sleeping as you attempt to wait for his presence, only feeling the bed shift at god knows what time.

During times like these, he immediately wraps his arms around you, kisses you ever so gently as you pretend to be asleep. It wasn't that you were upset. You understood his situation, the responsibilities in his shoulders to be the next CEO, the stress he must deal with each day. It was all the more reason for you to long for him, to have yourself wrap your arms around his shoulders to provide some sort of comfort. To have yourself cradle his head in your neck, to whisper how much you missed him and how much he was doing such a good job. To have yourself give himself into you and just have him rest himself for a minute.

You sighed once more, feigning tiredness in your face. Perhaps you were not going to get an inch of his touch tonight as well.

Yet... Seconds later, you feel something ticklish beneath your stomach, you gasped in surprise, unaware. Unbeknownst to you, a presence creeps up behind, resting a gentle head on your shoulder and the ticklish feeling came to a sudden halt.

"Jungwon?" You say, surprised.

A muffled mmh he whispers.

It is Jungwon.

Strong arms came to wrap themselves around your waist, swaying you side by side. You smell Jungwon's perfume all too well, a gift you gave him on a random day. He uses it all the time, you can't help but think that it suits him so much. Butterflies start flying around your stomach. He smells of perfume, office, and the husband you came to embrace.

Yet you don't face him, snaking your right hand around his head which came to lay around your shoulder. Gently stroking his soft hair, Jungwon relaxes at the feel of your touch. His calloused fingertips stroke the small of your back. "Why so early?" You asked.

Jungwon only buries himself deeper in your shoulder, planting a small kiss at the nape of your neck. "Wonnie? Are you okay?"

Jungwon feels as if he might go insane with the nickname that just sputtered from your mouth.

"I just... Miss you..." He whispers, raspy, desperate.

Your touch alone was electric, how much more with those sweet, comforting words and voice? He feels insane, truly mad. He cannot help but grasp you tighter in his arms, like a child that lost its toy, like a pet that clings tightly to its owner.

You laugh, shaking your head. "Baby... What about your work? Are you finished with it?" As much as you missed this, missed him, you cannot help but worry with his work, too.

"It's done baby, and I..." He sighs, turning your around to face him, gently cupping your face with his palms, "I miss you so much."

He plants a gentle peck to your cheeks, to your eyes, to your nose, to your mouth. "I miss you so much my baby."

"Wonnie?" You chuckle, "What has gotten into you tonight? Did you drink or something?"

You pull back and stare deeply into his eyes, his boba like eyes that held such deep emotions. His ever so beautiful eyes that gazed at you as if you were the most beautiful woman in his life, and in Jungwon's perspective, you are.

Looking at you right now, staring so intently at him makes him wonder: How is he ever so lucky? The very first time he fell in love with you during high school, college, work, and the moments that came in between— it was all so beautiful. You are so beautiful in each in every one of them, caring for him in such ways unimaginable, loving him in parts of himself he thought were unlovable, keeping him close to your precious, guarded heart.

Days like these, where he is simply too busy to shower his affection and love for you, it keeps him awake late at night, too. Jungwon knows he is trying his best to take care of the family business, because he knows he wants to take care of you in such a way. A comfortable life as his wife, where you no longer need to stress about the bills, what to eat, to wear, to prepare— he wants you to live a lavish life with him as your husband.

"I'm sorry." he whispers. "What ever are you sorry for?"

He clasps your hands, intertwining them with his and kissing his nose with yours; an eskimo kiss.

"I know I haven't been present in a while, especially these days, I've just—"

You shut him up with a gentle kiss, one which he returns with such love and tenderness that it makes all your worries go away.

"I'm waiting. I'm always waiting, Wonnie." You whisper breathlessly.

Jungwon smiles. How is he ever so lucky?

"I understand you, I know your goals and what you want for your- for our future. I love you so much for that."

You grasp his hands just a little tighter, focusinto his orbs a bit more. There, his eyes are so full of intimacy, so full of endearment. This was the warmth you were craving for, the heat of your bodies clashed together, his warm breath against yours, and his presence in general.

"I will never, ever, have it any other way baby."

Without another word, Jungwon tightly wraps his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into his chest with an urgency you couldn't quite place your finger around.

"I love you. I'm working so hard for us. I won't let it go to waste."

Jungwon lets go, pulling you into the bed. "You haven't changed—"

"It doesn't matter."

He snuggles you into his warm embrace. There was something about Jungwon you find so unique and endearing. Through years of being in love with such a man, the way he pulls you in such a way is captivating. His ability to strive for his goals, and aiming for a brighter path ahead for your family— truly, you were more than glad you have him as your husband.

He hurriedly covers both your bodies with the blanket, then one hand came to your hair, stroking it ever so slightly, the other wrapped around you in such a secure way.

"I'm taking the day off tomorrow. Can we go on a date?" Jungwon says suddenly,

"What? But—"

"Shh. Let's go on a date, I want to spoil you tomorrow, make up for al the times I had not been present. Okay, baby?"

He leans down, pressing a chaste kiss to your forehead, then down to your nose, then your lips.

You returned the kiss, slow, leisure, and intimate. Kissing him had felt like a subtle spark ignited within your whole body, and you felt it heat up.

Jungwon pulls back, same thoughts and intentions glazing his mind,

"But for now, can we have this night all to ourselves?"

-END-

#enhypen #enhypen fanfiction #enhypen fics #yang jungwon #jungwon #wonnie #enhypen fanfics #kpop #fanfic #jungwon fanfic

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crownofgildedlilies · 2 days ago

Text

ORBIT - 1, the phone call

wc: 2.9k

[full series] - [next]

It’s raining when you first move back to Japan.

Maybe it’s an omen. It’s definitely an echo of all the melancholy of your previous, forgotten, abandoned, life. You didn’t think everything would go so horribly wrong when you chose to study abroad for your final year at Jujutsu High, but part of you is glad you got the hell out of dodge before everything fell apart.

A bigger part of you is wracked with guilt for even thinking that.

It’s raining when you first move back to Japan, and it’s still drizzling three days later when you’re coaxed out to some bar you’d never even heard of in all your time living in Tokyo. And maybe it was the guilt that seemed to always ache so heavily in your bones that made you agree to a night out you didn't want, but you’d let yourself think you only showed up with the promise of free booze and gossip.

Of course, Shoko had neglected to mention that the free booze came at the price of leering stares from the middle aged men that frequented the establishment, but you had assumed as much. Free booze, so long as you let them think they had a chance if they bought your drink.

And you were just broke enough to not mind it.

You don’t really know what to say when you first see her, leaning back against the bar’s brick walls, close enough to the entrance that each time someone wanders into the dive she’s blasted with the sound and heat from inside. And she’s tucked underneath the awning to hide from the rain, a lit cigarette on its last life resting between her fingers. In the months you’ve been apart, you’d almost forgotten how tall she was—or how smug.

“Look who decided to show her face,” Shoko teases, and you know she couldn’t possibly understand the weight of the guilt you’re crushed under by those careless words. She doesn’t mean anything by her comment, but it means something to you.

Look who skipped town when everyone fell apart, you heard her say. Shoving your pessimistic thoughts into the cramped corner of your mind you stored all the stuff you didn’t want to think too closely about, you purse your lips and find shelter under the awning beside her, crushing into her arms for a hug that meant too much. The sound of pattering rain was soothing, but the smoke of her cigarette was clogging your nostrils, and the buzzing in your chest was hard to ignore.

“Someone miss me that badly?” You fire back, tilting your head just as teasingly to the side. At first, the words felt awkward on your tongue. Forced. Shoko was the first person from your old life you’d seen since you’d moved back, save for a handful of clipped phone calls with Principal Yaga about picking up a few missions from the school.

It’s only been days since you slipped back into the worn shoes of your old life, and already people are calling in favors. So is the life of a jujutsu sorcerer, you suppose. Your life never really belongs to you.

“Oh, speaking of someone who missed you,” Shoko perks up like she had just remembered something, then drops her spent cigarette to the ground and ashes it with the toe of her boot. You want to chastise her about the effects of littering, but you know she’ll pick it up before you head inside the bar, and you’re too confused by the way she pulls out her phone and aims it at you, like she’s taking a picture. And she’s snickering when she explains herself, a smug grin back on her lips. “Smile for Gojo!”

It’s decidedly not forced or awkward when you extend both middle fingers and roll your eyes for the camera.

The sound of the shutter is briefly heard over the rain and the din of noise trickling out from the bar, and you know you can drop your pose.

“Cute, like usual.” Shoko is still laughing to herself as she types a quick message before hitting send, and you know you’ll be hearing from him before the night is over.

Satoru Gojo.

You have a lot of mixed feelings about Gojo. Undoubtedly, he was arrogant. And, yeah okay, maybe he earned the right to be a little overconfident in his abilities, but it didn’t stop with just jujutsu with him. No, he had to be the best at everything, and it frustrated you beyond belief that despite how desperately he needed an ego check, he really was the best of the best.

Not to mention, you’d heard rumors about girls in the younger years at school titling him the most handsome man in all of Japan. Back then, you wanted to grab them by the shoulders and shake some sense into them. You knew they would never listen.

“I’m sick of waiting out here, c’mon.” Shoko nods her head in the direction of the entrance as she ducks down to pick up her spent cigarette, and though you know you’ll regret whatever you’re about to encounter in the packed bar, you follow her inside anyway. It would probably be better than standing in the rain with your thoughts spiralling like the water pooling in the gutter.

As soon as you cross through the threshold, you’re hit with a wall of sweat and cheap alcohol. If Shoko is good for anything, it’s knowing the places that will get you drunk and do it fast. And you’re okay with it, because you can’t ignore the elephant in the room much longer.

The elephant in the room, sitting on your chest, crushing your very soul with the weight of the emotions it held.

It’s not long before someone is buying your drink, and you entertain him just long enough for him to buy you a second. It’s when he’s suggesting a third and a change of venue that you feign confusion and mention that you don’t think your—nonexistent—boyfriend would appreciate it very much that he finally leaves, a few expletives rolling off his tongue in your direction and sounding his departure. In another light, you would have cursed him out right back, but he bought you your promised free booze and you’re just dizzy enough not to care.

You and Shoko giggle at the dramatic exit of your patron for the evening, but when the laughter wears off, you’re reminded of the elephant.

“Gojo…” You start and then let your voice fade out, expression pinched in confusion as you try to piece together the rest of your sentence. You know what you want to say, but admitting you don’t know the answer is like a knife to the chest. As the only ones in your year at Jujutsu High, it was always, always, you, Shoko, Gojo, and Geto. But now? Now you haven’t spoken to anyone in months and Geto is— “How’s Gojo doing?”

The question is as stupid as it is lame. It causes you to frown, mostly at yourself, fractionally at the topic of conversation. How could Satoru Gojo be doing anything other than just… surviving? Even just knowing the pieces of what happened that you managed to scratch together an ocean away made you sick to your stomach. What could Gojo possibly be feeling after having lived it?

“I think… as good as he can, you know?” Shoko takes a sip of the liquor she’d gotten some poor hopeful to buy for her. She’s not done with her sentence, and you’re glad for it, because you haven’t figured out how to respond yet. You don’t know, but admitting that seems too close to the truth of how you feel. “It was always those two together. I still can’t believe it turned as bad as it did.”

Satoru Gojo. And Suguru Geto.

Shoko was right. It had always been the two of them together, no matter what. They were two halves of the same crazy coin, and though you rolled your eyes and called them annoying, they were your friends. You and Shoko. Gojo and Geto. More often than not, you formed a quartet of crazy that gave Principal Yaga a run for his money.

And then you left for a year on a promise to return after studying with a sorcerer that had a similar cursed technique, and now everything is shit.

The weight of the elephant has been lifted, but you still feel like you’re being crushed. It’s guilt, you know, but you have a feeling the tide of the conversation has turned, whether by nature or by Shoko’s force, so you leave it lodged firmly in the center of your chest. It’s hard to breathe around the clog, but the pain serves as a reminder that you’re not yet lost to the world.

It’s harsh. You think you might deserve it.

You swallow the rest of your second drink in one go, head going light, and swivel on the stool you’re perched on to find someone else to pay for your method of self destruction of the evening.

You think you deserve that, too.

It’s still goddamn raining the next afternoon when you’re shifting through the unpacked boxes in your apartment.

A mixture of your own procrastination and Yaga already having you run errands for the school has led to the natural consequence of nothing being where it belonged. You have one pair of shoes, because the rest are packed in a box you haven’t looked through, and you really need to either do your laundry or find where the rest of your socks ended up.

You have the window open so you can hear the splatter of rain on the sidewalk below as you work. You’d play music, but you can’t remember which box has your radio, and there’s something soothing about putting in the roots of your new life to the sounds of nature.

You’re halfway through folding your sweaters and tucking them into their new home—a shabby, short wooden dresser you’d bought with the place—when the shrill ring of your phone echoes through the apartment. You’re not exactly sure where it is, having ditched the device after a particularly boring phone call with Principal Yaga about paperwork you had mishandled earlier that morning.

Considering you had only been back in Japan for a handful of days, you’re pretty sure Yaga should be grateful you did any paperwork, at all.

But now your phone is ringing, and you’re regretting your decision to take half of everything out of the boxes and spread it all on the floor to be organized in the most chaotic way possible. (Maybe you left your radio when you stayed abroad? You hadn’t seen it in the mess of your belongings.) You’re navigating a maze towards the couch, where you see your phone somehow already wedged into the cushions of a piece of furniture you hadn’t even sat on yet.

You have about three seconds to look at the caller ID before it’s sent to voicemail, but it’s long enough for you to panic at the name you see displayed on the screen.

Satoru Gojo.

You’re answering the call before it goes to voicemail despite not wanting to, because it would be worse having to call him back. And even though you’ve told him many times that the world does not orbit around him, you can’t help but feel that though the world may not, somehow your life keeps orbiting back to him.

And oh how you have tried to rid yourself of him.

“Gojo?” It comes out like a question. You hadn’t meant for it to. You wanted to sound distant, cool. Normal. Like you weren’t freaking out at the prospect of what he had to say. It was probably something entirely Satoru Gojo-like—maybe about the photo Shoko sent him of you so sweetly gesturing or that he wanted you to try something new his favorite bakery had added to their menu. Things he had called you about before.

The thought makes you sick, but maybe he wanted to talk about what happened with Geto, too. You haven’t said a word to him since you left Japan, save for the few times Shoko put your phone calls on speaker so he could bother you from afar. And you want to know what happened with Suguru, how it all fell apart so horribly that your most level-headed friend turned from sorcerer to curse user, but the idea of actually having the conversation makes your throat close up.

You have three seconds to panic about all of this, and you manage to fit it all in before he speaks.

When his voice echoes through the line, you remember that you never should be surprised when it comes to Satoru Gojo.

“I have two kids.”

You don’t know what to make of his words, so your thumb presses the end call button and you stare at the dark screen of your phone in puzzlement. After a year abroad, after everything he went through with Suguru, that was the first thing he had to say to you?

Huffing, you contemplate calling Shoko and telling her off for leaving out such a massive development. Since when did Gojo have—

Your phone is ringing again in your palm in only seconds. It’s not the least bit surprising when you see Gojo’s name displayed once more, but you are a little confused by your own actions.

Against all odds, you answer his call.

“Did you not hear me?” Gojo asks, voice light and airy and like nothing had gone so completely wrong the past several months. You’ve known him long enough to know he’s just faking being okay, deflecting with a joke and oh god do you hope him having two children is a joke.

“I wish I didn’t hear you,” The retort comes easily, like no time at all had passed since the last time you’d bickered back and forth with Gojo. Flirting, Suguru had once called it, and you and Gojo had both immediately pretended to retch.

You would sell your left arm for the chance to make more memories like that again.

“Listen, I can’t talk long. I was supposed to meet Yaga fifteen minutes ago.” Gojo trails ahead, like he hadn’t been the one to call you. Twice. Rolling your eyes, you want to tell him to look at the picture Shoko sent just so he would know the exact expression on your face. “But remember the bounty hunter that killed the Star Plasma Vessel that Suguru and I were told to protect?”

The catalyst for everything that went down.

Shoko had given you a run down of everything that had happened that led to where everyone currently stood. You, shivering in your shitty apartment. Shoko, drunk at some dive. Geto, running a cult, last you’d heard. And Gojo… well, you were still trying to figure out where Gojo stood.

“Yeah,” You remember bits and pieces about the bounty hunter. A professional, a pain in the ass. And you know Gojo well enough to realize that he wouldn’t bring up such a wretched memory without purpose. You shiver again, and the arm that isn’t holding the phone to your ear wraps around yourself. You're not cold, but your body is desperate to do something while it waits for Gojo to explain himself, though your apartment is unnavigable and you don’t trust yourself not to trip.

“Well, I have his kids.” You make a noise as if you’re being choked, and you hear Gojo kiss his teeth in contemplation through the line. “Legally. I guess I’m their guardian now?”

You pinch the bridge of your nose to try and alleviate the headache you already feel forming after only a few short minutes on the phone with him.

“You guess.” You repeat, though you heard him the first time. For a moment, you contemplate the success rate of arguing with him that he should definitely know more than an estimate whether or not he had custody of a hitman’s kids, but then you remember who you’re talking to.

Satoru goddamn Gojo.

“Can you just meet me tomorrow so I can explain?” He asks with a huff, almost whiny, though you can hear in his tone that he already knows you’ll agree. He’s known you just as long as you’ve known him, and the cocky bastard does have the blessing of the Six Eyes. “I’ll text you the address of a park near my house.”

You’re sighing by the end of his plea, and you don’t care if he can hear you. You’re too young to be so weary, but if Gojo really does suddenly have custody over two children from one hell of a family lineage, he’ll need all the help he could get.

“Fine,” Your reply is as enthusiastic as you can muster, which is to say not very much at all. And it’s not because you don’t love kids, because you do, but you’ve long since lost count of all the insane situations you’d found yourself in at the hands of Satoru Gojo.

“Great!” He perks up, and you can only just imagine the grin on his face after getting his way. It makes you roll your eyes again. He promises to send you the address and hangs up soon after. You toss a few empty cardboard boxes onto the scattered mess of your apartment floor and flop down onto your couch. You’re pretty sure there’s a spring poking through at your back, but you figure you deserve the discomfort.

You think about finally seeing Gojo again and suddenly it’s hard to breathe.

taglist status: open

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