#Using Walking after you by Foo Fighters

[carlsangel]

GOOD TASTE

carl grimes x reader

(you and carl bond after terminus.)

tags: fluff? maybe? idk i just exist

masterlist here!

You’ve been alone for quite a long time. Maybe not technically because you’ve had Rosita, Abraham and Eugene, but you’ve felt alone for quite a while. You don’t particularly let it get to you though, you’ve always had some sort of entertainment to enjoy. It helped you stay yourself, the same person you were when this all started.

You traveled very far with your group, you’ve lost a lot of people however. Someone you stuck with throughout all of it was Rosita. She was one of the people who stayed with you after losing your family and the others of the group. Abraham was always sort of standoffish. He gave you advice and was aggressive with you when he needed to be. Yelling at you to avoid you getting hurt, all that. Eugene…he was just there. He was just…yeah, there. He was helpful when he needed to be though.

The four of you have met and parted ways with many people and many groups. It all changed when you met one group in specific. You’d met Glenn and Tara and you saw their determination to find their people. You’ve never met others that dedicated. Usually they would accept the fact that their family was gone, but they were different. Even after finding Maggie, Sasha and Bob, they wanted to look further.

You believed Terminus would be the end of it all. You thought your story ended there.

You were surprised to find out that this group of people were successfully able to find their way back to each other; they had such a strong love for each other that even after being separated tragically, they figured it all out. And they got you out.

You were now on the road, you’d been smart enough to hide your bag with all your entertainment inside on the outskirts of Terminus. You noticed a guy your age, Carl. He’d seemed sweet, but very worried all the time; he made you remember who you used to be after your family died. You didn’t feel like bothering him, he’d just reunited with his baby sister who he’d presumed was dead. So you let him come to you.

You were walking along the railroad, listening to music. Trying to process everything you’d seen at Terminus.

“Hey.” You feel a tap on your shoulder and you pull out the headphone in your right ear, turning to see he’d approached you. You smile. “Hi.” You pull your ipod out from your back pocket to pause your music. “Whatcha listening to?” He asks, pointing at the ipod as you shoved it back in your front pocket. “Uhhh just Everlong.” He gives you a curious look. “Foo Fighters?” You add, not realizing he didn’t know what you were talking about.

“Oh, yeah I know who you mean now. Sorry I’ve forgotten the names n stuff.” He smiles. “Don’t worry about it. Wanna listen?” You pull out your left headphone and stick it out to him. He looks at it and thinks for a moment before taking it to put it in his ear. You scoot a little closer to him so it’s easier to listen and you put the right headphone in your ear.

You turn up the volume a little and smile as you press play.

You guys walk like that for a while, just listening to music together peacefully. He smiles at you sweetly throughout, and you begin to feel less alone. Like you felt before. The group stops for the night and you settle into a tent with Rosita. You go and sit next to Carl around the fire and he seems happy you chose to sit with him. “Soooo what do you have in there?” He points to your bag. “Just stuff for entertainment, which probably isn’t that smart in hindsight but…maybe it is. I dunno.” You both giggle and you unzip your bag.

“Well I’ve got these, I’m not too sure you’re into comics but-” He cuts you off. “No way, you have Science Dog? I haven’t read this since- well since…you know.” You nod in response. “Yeah, yeah I know.” You hand him the comic and continue digging through your bag, grabbing Invincible and some Spider-man comics. “Wow, you’ve got good taste.” He says with a smile, flipping through the selection of comics you have. “Thanks.”

“So which ones your favorite?”

“It’s gotta be Science Dog.”

“Really? Same…reminds me of before.”

You guys blabber on about it for the rest of the night, eventually being yelled at to separate and go to bed by Rick after dinner.

It’s funny how a friendship can form from your “good taste.”

a/n: so sorry about this ITS SO BAD not to mention how short it is, i’m so so sorry. ALSO would you guys call me a nerd if i told you i have a science dog shirt and the actual science dog comic? (i’m just a girl btw pls don’t call me a nerd) also hope u like the banner for these next three fics bc LAWD HES SO FINE.

[shineonyoucrazyyandere]

I would NOT go from ANY yandere's grasp if they feed me what i like, like either i'd be too absorbed in eating or i'd be too tired after eating to really want to escape 😭 i don't really care what they'd do (love u btw)

Relatable honestly, man if that’s all it takes for a Yandere to keep you around, you’ll best bet they’re going to give it their all making you food to keep you around. Here’s a little comfy ramble…

I feel like most Jojo characters would be able to cook even if it’s just following a recipe. Foo Fighters does her best flipping through countless cookbooks, and watching videos of whatever your favorite things are. That’s what people do to bond right? Have good tasting food! It’ll surely bring you both closer together.

There’s a few that aren’t great with cooking, Mista occasionally burns certain things, he’ll admit cooking isn’t exactly his skill but figures everything out something eventually . (He finds it a pain to cook cheese sauces since they can burn easily) If it’s too complicated he’s taking you out to a restaurant that specializes in it.

Okuyasu isn’t the best with cooking at the start, mixing up spices, or under/overcooking. He manages to somehow convince Tonio to teach him properly. Being a good partner means making their favorite food properly in his mind so he’s not going to slack on that if it keeps you happy.

Since we’re mentioning food here might as well mention Tonio Trussardi here. This is the best way for him to be Yandere honestly right within his territory. Using Pearl Jam or not, it fills him with joy with whatever dish or snack you like. The way your shoulders relax once you eat sends this chefs heart fluttering like never before. He’s not really worried if you happen to be fond of something more factory made/processed his approximations are almost always better than the packaged things. (It’s better this way in his book anyhow).

I also feel like Gyro would probably take advantage of your lowered guard around your favorite food. He considers himself descent at his homelands dishes and of course Johnny likes his coffee he prepares, so often he ends up insisting to cook, practically taking over it from before on your journey. (Which works for him, you don’t need to worry about talking to whoever else anyway). He can’t wipe that stupid big grin from his face as you sit to eat your favorite thing. (That’s if you even notice from how tasty it is)

Koichi is another character who would take up some form of cooking for you. Maybe he just happens to eavesdrop one afternoon after class and see what exactly you’re eating? Then he makes himself useful and buys everything, then prepares it at home. Then hey, what do you know? One day or another you both happen to bump into each other and can even sit together for lunch for a little while.

(Here’s a part 8 character I feel like is underrated)

Karera is another character I definitely see using food to her advantage with you. She’ll get your favorite meals at whatever shop for free somehow (with a bit of handiwork from her stand love love deluxe). Oh hey, she just happened to buy something you like that was sold out most places, how about you sit and eat it with her? Making lunch/dinner? Duh she’ll make it for you, as long as you’re eating what she made with her own two hands (or bought/scammed herself) she’s happy.

If that’s what makes it easy to keep you around Jotaro doesn’t really mind. He’s right on it to getting/making it for you. Holly of course inserts herself pulling out recipes, she’d know you’d love. Just a small suggestion to her son of course as she winks. He’ll be right in the kitchen with her preparing everything, or quickly walking out to get whatever’s needed. Just don’t make yourself sick from eating too fast.

[trip-the-cal-fantastic]

Danny Wagner x F!OC (Bailey Parker)

Warnings: None really. Fluff. Use of pet-names, i.e. ‘Bubba/Bub, lady, pretty girl, and baby’. 

She calls him ‘DJ’, like, ya know, Daniel Jr. 

Word Count ~ 1k

Bailey Parker had a long, but productive, day. She was a photographer for a travel guide magazine, currently capturing the country of Finland. Specifically Helsinki, Finland.

Danny had gotten home from tour the day after Bailey had left for Finland, so they just missed each other. He hated how much they both had to travel, but it was all worth it when they actually did get to see each other. 

They had decided early on in the relationship to move in together. The amount of time spent with each other in the house was less than the amount of time spent on the road, playing shows and taking pictures. 

It was getting late in Helsinki, and Bailey was getting ready to retire for the night. She heard her phone buzzing on her bedside table as she crawled under the blankets. She checked the caller i.d, grinning to herself as Danny’s name flashed across her screen. She answered as she made herself comfortable in bed. “Hi, Bubba.”

“Hey, lady.” Danny smiled down at his phone as Bailey’s face came into frame. He puttered around his kitchen, putting something into the cabinet and listening to the rustle of Bailey’s blankets through the phone. “How was your day, pretty girl?”

“It was great. Got quite a few good pictures. I got a really cool picture of these two brown bears just off of a path in the forest. There were elk, a couple of buffalo, and I’m pretty sure I saw reindeer. It’s crazy how close they were to town, and no one seemed to care. The city is beautiful, too. Even with all the rain. And, the people are super friendly. I had this amazing blueberry pie at some little bakery. Oh, Danny. You would’ve loved it.” Bailey recounted her day, her face glowing with pride. It was clear that she loved what she did.

Danny listened intently as she somewhat rambled on, a small and adoring smile on his face. “That’s awesome, Bub. Sounds like you’re having a great time. But, make sure you’re not in the rain too much. You’re not coming home to me with pneumonia.” It was then that Danny noticed she was wearing his maroon Foo Fighters sweatshirt with her hair swept up into a loose ponytail and tucked into the hood.. “So that’s where my hoodie is!” Danny playfully shook his head. “You’re lucky I love you, baby. Whatcha doin’ now?”

“It keeps me warm.” Bailey giggled. “And, in a way, it makes it feel like you’re here. Anyway, I’m getting into bed. It’s like 11:15 at night here, DJ.”

Danny’s eyebrows rose in slight shock. “Wow. Really? It’s only 3:15 here.” He walked to the living room, propped his phone up on the table next to the couch, grabbed his mandolin, and sat on a pillow on the floor. He made sure he was in the frame before finding a pick and strumming the strings a couple of times.

Bailey’s soft, green eyes lit up when she saw the instrument in Danny’s lap. “Ooo! Is it concert time?” She giggled and smiled at Danny through the screen as he nodded. Her smile softened as he began to play, the sound of the mandolin washing over her. 

Bailey admired the way Danny looked at that moment. His unruly curls tied into a bun and stuffed under a hat that sat backward on his head. His white Modern Drummer shirt. The way the sunlight streamed through the windows, giving him a glowing halo. His two necklaces that he would never take off, not that he could, with them being permanent. The way he would look down while he played, as if he was shy. 

Bailey decided to capture his natural beauty, taking screenshots of Danny while he was looking down. As he finished his song, Danny looked up, finally noticing the flash of the screen and trying to hide his smirk. “Bailey…”

“What? You look cute, DJ.” She giggled and pulled her blanket up to her chin. “That sounded amazing, Bubba. I loved it.” Bailey sighed as she turned onto her side. “I miss hearing your voice.”

Danny smiled and huffed a laugh through his nose. “Bub, you’re hearing my voice right now. But, I get what you mean. I want you home already.” Danny’s smile widened as Bailey yawned and covered her mouth with the back of her hand. 

“Only a couple more days. I promise, DJ.” Bailey blinked slowly as she ran her hand over her face. “Tell me about your day, Bub. What have you been up to so far?”

“Not very much honestly. Sam and I had lunch. But, other than that, I’ve been messing around with the mandolin…” he strummed the strings for added emphasis. “...and wishing you were with me.” Danny placed the mandolin back on its stand and sat down on the couch, bringing his phone with him.

Bailey let out a sleepy giggle. “You big cheeseball.” She yawned again and snuggled down into her blanket. “I miss you, too, Dan. Are you doing anything later tonight?”

Danny shrugged. “I think the boys wanted to go out. I gotta double check with Jake about that. Dinner and drinks, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Have fun, DJ. Tell my boys I miss them, too.” Bailey took a tired deep breath. “I am absolutely wiped, Bubba. I have got to go to sleep.”

Danny chuckled as he smiled at Bailey through the phone, a look of pure love on his face. “Goodnight, pretty girl. I love you so much, Bailey.”

Bailey hummed. “Mmm… I love you, too, Daniel. Goodnight, Bubba.” She pressed a kiss to the tips of her pointer and middle finger, then pressed them to her screen. 

Danny’s smile widened once more as he copied the gesture. “Bye, baby.”

“See ya, DJ.” Bailey pressed the ‘end call’ button and plugged her phone in, placing it on the nightstand next to the bed. She let her eyes flutter shut on their own, a content smile playing on her lips.

taglist:

@tripthedharmadivine

[lilsmuttyboi]

hmmm ok so.

we’re at a house party and it’s been kickin all night. the music is loud, the liquor tastes louder, and you lost your braincells hours ago spinning and screaming and dancing with your friends. it takes you a while but eventually you finally split off from your friends to go to the bathroom.

it doesn’t take me long after that to trail after you and nudge my way in. your limbs are jello, useless and unhelpful to you as i crowd you up onto the lip of the bathroom sink. i tell you how fucking good you smell, how i’ve been staring at you all night, how i can’t wait to taste you. i take a creepy amount of time whiffing whatever trashy perfume you put on, nosing up the side of your neck and holding your jaw to the side with grip far too tight.

you might thrash or whine or try to call out, but a hand over your mouth fixes that. i might shove my fingers on your tongue, feel the way your throat flexes around me. i’ll turn you around and push you to bend over the sink this time and i’ll yank off whatever you mightve been wearing and spread you open to get a good look at you, a good sniff of you. i spend a tortuous amount of time just playing with you like that, pinning you hard with one hand while i jab into your cunt with the other.

when you’re dripping down your thighs i’ll finally actually fuck you and it’ll only hurt a little! which is good because i will have my arm around your neck, listening to the way you hack for air while i drill you from the back. and when it’s all done i’ll leave you sticky and full of me so deep you’ll be thinking about it days later and scrubbing yourself in the shower. i don’t even tell you my name but it’s not the last time you see me.

— 🕷️

Finally, I'm actually getting out. My friends have been a tad pissy with me, just enough not to question when I go missing for a bit. I'm a bit overstimulated by the constant noise, and I'm not used to drinking, so I decide to take a time out in the bathroom to take a piss and get ready to go back out. But the door doesn't close. A hand is in the way. I'm about to yell that it's occupied, but it's too late. Three fingers touching my gag reflex, stopping me from making a sound or biting down.

I've read stories about this, but I never thought it would happen... my mind is racing as you tear away my skimpy shorts and fishnet leggings, and you barely need to work at all to throw off my loose Foo Fighters concert t-shirt. I've got tight lace pink panties, my favorite... and you rip them in two. I don't deserve them. My brain is so foggy that I barely notice your huffing, obsessed with my scent. But I feel it. Your nose on my neck, your hands on my thighs, everywhere but my needy dick. It doesn't help that I can barely breathe, that I'm secretly begging for your cock, just to get it over with.

Finally I get some relief, but I have a wake up call. This isn't some fantasy. I'm getting raped. Push in, pleasure. Pull out, fear. Again and again, my mind becoming more and more into mush. My ass is tight, I haven't been fucked there in over a year. It's been so long, it feels so good... I try to come to my senses and yell for help, but it only comes out as muffled moans. I don't even resist when you start pumping into me. When you leave me naked and dripping, disassociating because I still can't comprehend what happened.

About ten minutes later, I put on my shirt, shorts, and leggings, and walk out, full of my rapist's cum.

(I don't have a cunt so I'm just pretending it's my ass, but thank you anon! This was very hot, and I hope my response was as well.)

[lords-of-mayhem]

🎤 Angsty stuff would be great!

I love angsty songs <3 Here's some songs I like to listen to when I am feeling particularly mentally ill.

TW for discussions of death, drug abuse, and suicide

telescope // cage the elephant (one of my favorite songs ever by my favorite band ever)

In a far and distant galaxy, inside my telescope I see a pair of eyes peer back at me. He walks and talks and looks like me. Sits around inside his house, from room to room he moves about.

Fills his life with pointless things and wonders how it all turns. Safe to say I don't think you understand, there's nowhere left to turn. Walls keep breaking.

Afraid of what the truth might bring, he locks his doors and never leaves. Desperately searching for signs, too terrified to find a thing. He battens all the hatches down and wonders why he hears no sound.

Frantically searching his dreams, he wonders what it's all about. Clearing my mind, losing my friends, follow my fears. Do it again. To be free, to be sold, to be killed, to be saved.

In my head, I'm alone. I'm undead, I'm ashamed. Just like you, I've been trying to be scared. In my bones, I feel cold. Let me go, let me be. I don't need to be here. I'm alone, can't you see?

what a catch donnie // fall out boy

(added context for this song: it is a song lyricist/bassist Pete Wentz wrote the song after his suicide attempt. Donnie in the title is a reference to Donny Hathaway who killed himself, the song is a promise to not "end up like him")

I got troubled thoughts and the self-esteem to match. What a catch, what a catch. Miss Flack said, "I still want you back." And all I can think of is the way I'm the one who charmed the one who gave up on you.

They say the captain goes down with the ship. So when the world ends, will God go down with it? I will never end up like him. Behind my back, I already am.

Keep a calendar, this way, you will always know...I said, I got troubled thoughts and the self-esteem to match. What a catch, what a catch.

legends // juice wrld

I usually have an answer to the question, but this time, I'm gonna be quiet. Ain't nothing like the feeling of uncertainty, the eeriness of silence. This time, it was so unexpected.

Last time, it was the drugs he was lacing. All legends fall in the making. Sorry truth, dying young, demon youth. What's the 27 Club? We ain't making it past 21.

Damn, that's the world we live in now. Hold on, just hear me out. They tell me I'm gonna be a legend, I don't want that title now 'cause all the legends seem to die out.

My mind is foggy, I'm so confused. We keep on losing our legends to the cruel, cold world. What is it coming to? The end of the world, is it coming soon?

my hero // foo fighters (particularly the version where Shane Hawkins plays drums at his father's tribute concert)

Too alarming now to talk about, take your pictures down and shake it out. Truth or consequence, say it aloud. Use that evidence, race it around. There goes my hero, watch him as he goes. He's ordinary.

Don't the best of them bleed it out, while the rest of them peter out? There goes my hero. Kudos, my hero, leaving all the best. There goes my hero, watch him as he goes.

cowgirls don't cry // brooks & dunn

Her daddy gave her her first pony then taught her to ride. She climbed high in that saddle, fell don't know how many times. He taught her a lesson that she learned, maybe a little too well.

Cowgirls don't cry. Ride, baby, ride. Lessons of life are gonna show you in time. Soon enough, you're gonna know why. It's gonna hurt every now and then. If you fall, get back on again.

She grew up, she got married, it never was quite right. She wanted a house, a home, and babies. He started coming home late at night. She didn't let him see it break her heart, she didn't let him see her fall apart.

'Cause cowgirls don't cry. Ride, baby, ride. Lessons of life are gonna show you in time. Soon enough, you're gonna know why. It's gonna hurt every now and then. If you fall, get back on again. Cowgirls don't cry.

The phone rang early one morning. Her mama's voice, she'd been crying. Said, "it's your daddy, you need to come home. This is it, I think he's dying."

She laid the phone down by his head. The last words that he said, "cowgirl, don't cry. Ride, baby, ride. Lessons of life show us all in time. Too soon, God lets you know why.

If you fall, get right back on. The good Lord calls everybody home. Cowgirl, don't cry."

[zeroducks-2]

To the anon who sent their sladin song recs to you - first of all, how dare u have such accurate taste in music. Second of all, zero I’m curious now.

What song recs do u have for ur fave saucy ships?

I agree, the other anon has impeccable taste. I especially am being feral for Bruno is Orange. But thank you for asking Anon ♥ Here's the abridged versions of my OTP playlists (with handy links for easy listening if anyone is interested!)

Sladick

Mr.Kitty - After Dark Coldplay & The Chainsmokers - Something Just Like This Franz Ferdinand - Walk Away Alice Cooper - Poison alt-J - Tessellate Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know? Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? Lady Gaga - Sinner's Prayer Kavinsky - Nightcall Passenger - Let Her Go Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page Chris Isaak - Wicked Game George Ezra - Hold My Girl

Eobarry

Apparat - Goodbye Besomorph ft. Rielle - Scream Nightwish - Feel For You The Bravery - Hatefuck MISSIO - Sing To Me MISSIO - I See You Gorillaz - El Mañana (acoustic version with changed lyrics) Meg Myers - Desire Of Monsters And Men - Wolves Without Teeth Foo Fighters - Everlong (acoustic version with changed lyrics) Motionless In White - Another Life Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart (taken directly from Joshua Williamson's Eobarry playlist!)*

*by the way folks. Have you ever felt awkward for creating a playlist for your blorbos, or maybe for your favorite ships? Maybe you even felt cringe about it...? Well rejoice for Joshua Williamson, one of the writers for Flash comics, created an Eobarry playlist and used the song titles as titles for the chapters of one of his arcs, Running Scared, shamelessly and right under the nose of the editorials!

Therefore, BONUS! Joshua Williamson's Eobarry playlist for who's interested ♥

Roy Orbison - Running Scared Lionel Richie - Hello The Beatles - Run For Your Life The Police - Every Breath You Take Blondie - One Way Or Another Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

[libroseitm]

I like to make playlists, songs greatly affect my mood. To boost my mood, I've made an OFMD renewal campaign playlist. You can find it here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2KgpchQShoeDadWnNlA48k?si=66ff2700c2a44036

Tell me if it doesn't work, I'm technologoically impaired. I'm sharing my absolutley insane and random taste in music, don't judge, just vibe.

Also, despite my best efforts, my music taste is still embarrassingly white. I would LOVE some more songs to add from BIPOC artists if you've got a minute! Send them to me with why you think it links to ofmd/the campaign.

Each song is there for a reason. If you're interested, see the reasons below.

.Every Day - Buddy Holly - Every day we're getting closer to that renewal!

.No Matter what - Boyzone - It's a very gay song for a very gay show

.Don't stop me now - Queen - We won't stop till we get season 3

.I love my Baby - Nina Simone - ofmd season 2 soundtrack, Ed and Stede about each other

.Teenagers - MCR - Us in the first week of the campaign. "teenagers fans scare the living shit out of me"

.We like to Party - vengaboys - Well, we do! Us every day.

.Arms tonite - Mother Mother TW: mention of suicide - BIG Ed season 2 energy

.Finale - AJR - "Don't you go, we need you here", "We can't wait to see what you do next" Us to OFMD and DJ

.Comedy - Bo Burnham - Us making memes. I think about this song every time somebody interacts with my astrglide meme lol

.Bad Guy - Billie Eilish - I'll expplain this with a quote from tangled. This is us talking when ofmd got cancelled: "You want me to be the bad guy? Fine. Now I'm the bad guy."

.The Weekend - Bluey - Ed Teach in the forest talking to the rabbit

.Survivor - Destiny's Child - We are survivors. We won't give up! Also us + DJ to max

.A little Respect - Erasure - Us + DJ want a little respect from max.

.I heard it through the grapevine - Marvin Gaye - Us looking through Tumblr and Twitter in the morning getting up to speed

.Every body - Backstreet boys - OFMD is back, alright! Also us last week on hbo's posts "Oh my god we're back again"

.I want you back - The Jackson 5 - We want OFMD back

.Come together - The beatles - We're coming together to get our damn show back!

.Cry Me a River - Michael Buble - Us + DJ to Casey and Max. I chose this version specifically because I feel it's the most dramatic.

.I want to break Free - Queen - DJ to max. We're breaking free from them, yay!

.Run the World - Beyonce - Zheng Yi Sao to literally everyone

.You're welcome - Dwayne Johnson - sarcastically us to max. Earnestly us to DJ, the cast and the crew

.Mickey - Lolly - Ed to Stede. No it's not the other way around, I don't make the rules.

.Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys - Seeing everyone letting each other know we can take breaks and to look after ourselves

.Hoist the Colours - Hans Zimmer - Hoist the Ads!

.Walk - Foo Fighters - Stede about being a Pirate, learning to enjoy life, and finding his identity as a gay man

[ones-g]

"I'm not a minor"

Second part here!

"I leave at 9 pm"

That simple phrase was repeated in her head over and over again, it tormented her but it also gave her pleasure.

The blonde walked with fast and long steps, according to what she remembers she left her house around 8:45 p.m., on the way she had passed her mother, unfortunately in a disappointing state. But little did Natalie care about her, she was already used to it. Natalie had only thought of going to that brunette's place and having a good time with her.

Apparently she was already a little close to her, she noticed her when crossing a pharmacy with a huge clock, it was 8:57 p.m.

Natalie began to walk, or rather, to jog.

She didn't want to give Y/N a bad impression this time.

The blonde turned a corner and finally noticed the local sign. Her walk became calmer along with her breathing that she was trying to control. She rubbed her hands on her black leather jacket then smoothed her fringe with the help of a passing stain.

A smile let out of her. She only a few steps and she was already at her great destination.

Being closer, she could hear music coming from this place.

Foo Fighters' "Everlong" was blaring out loud. Natalie, being face to face with the display case, managed to see that brunette next to the cash register counting the money earned that day.

The blonde didn't know whether to go in or just wait outside until 9 o'clock, she didn't want to rush you at all so she spent seconds thinking about what to do while she leaned against a wall so you wouldn't see her.

Until she stopped listening to music, only footsteps that came and went, and during that time the lights were turned off when the work schedule was completed.

Natalie understood that this was her signal to appear from "out of nowhere".

—Oh don't tell me you're closing—said the blonde entering through that door which she squealed with the annoying "Ding"

You turned instantly and saw the blonde. Your smile took over your face

—Unfortunately yes, come back tomorrow with your ID to prove that you're older, just in case...— You joked starting to walk towards Natalie. -I thought you were not coming-

The blonde lifted her shoulders, then dropped them. —I came because you gave me the opportunity, besides... I honestly had nothing to do—

—Of course Nat... — You walked away from her to go to turn off the last light that was left on. Only the street lamps shortly after illuminated them. —Come on, come out, the cuckoo can grab you—

—Yes... you are definitely related to Coach Scott—

—You just realized?— Natalie nodded to the question, laughing in embarrassment. —So you came to the place on your own? Not for my cousin?

—Exactly, if I'm honest, I don't pay attention to almost anyone.— Your eyebrows rose —Nobody from the institute! I clear up any doubts...

—Okay Natt, changing the subject— When you were both outside the premises you turned to lock the door with a key and then a padlock for decoration and protection—How is your piercing going?— You asked finishing blocking the entrance.

—Well, honestly, I earned some compliments, I'm pretty but this already makes me... mmh something sexy— the blonde joked, throwing her bangs behind her with her hand. You stared at her biting her lip. —Everyone dies for me—

—How narcissistic— you exclaimed, hitting her on the shoulder. I hope you are healing well.

—I have angel hands Y/N, nothing can rot in these—

They began to walk to the beat. There was no planned place to visit, there was no money in both pockets, there was no stop to go to. It was just the two of you enjoying a walk with random streets.

"So you know Jackie?"

—I know Jeff and his friends, who are not cute at all...— You clarified, snorting with amusement. —Jackie came once as Jeff's escort—

"Jeff is your friend?" You denied the blonde's question "Regular customer then..."

—She got a piercing in her earlobe, then she brought her friends to make them the same earring—

"A fucking sect" Natalie said laughing.

—They think they're powerful, that's why I hate boys my age—

—Beautiful hormones...— The blonde had stopped in a small plaza, it only had games for children between 3 and 9 years old.

—Stereotypes— You said as you exhaled. —Believe me... several characters entered the premises that will drive you crazy—

"Well... don't you need more staff? — At her question you raised your shoulders.

"Dad takes care of that, but I'm a little tired of everything honestly." I don't regret giving up studying but... it's exhausting— Natalie recently noticed, you had dark circles under your eyes, the rhythm of your feet wasn't the same as hers, your voice was somewhat calm but tired. irritated.

—Don't you have friends who can help you?—

—Yes, but I wouldn't like to take advantage of his "goodness"— You made quotation marks with your fingers while you rolled your eyes. —The same are my last efforts, this is my last week since I have vacations— "Cool" Nat said.

-For how long?-

—A month I guess, I'll go on a trip—You smiled when you remembered your plan.

—Alone? Wow, how determined you are— You denied again.

—I'm going to Canada— you whispered. —I'll watch the occasional women's soccer game— "Cool" Natalie said again without understanding. —Yes, a team must win to be 100% certain that these are my vacations—

—Ugh, depending on something is the worst— Nat expressed with disgust on her face. —Wait, did you say Canada?—

You laughed at her, she had finally understood her message, her eyes were open as wide as her mouth forming an O.

—Are you going with us?— You nodded. -As?-

—Apparently Ben talked to my parents and recommended this idea to them, apparently the team has another coach with children who will take— You breathed —Ben asked permission for one more passenger so, hello!—

Natalie seemed lost but at the same time excited after receiving the news.

—But please don't tell anyone!—

—Don't worry... we'll win so you can enjoy Canada as much as we do—

—I depend on you—

—It depends on luck rather...—

¡Everlong was not released in 1996, don't kill me!

Let's just ignore or delude that Everlong was already playing since 96', without further ado, I hope you enjoyed!

[exam-ao3]

I am a Nightmare and You are a Miracle Like it or Not Bob Moses Occupied The Radio Dept. Nocturne Blanco White Morning After Ariel Pink If I Had a Heart Fever Ray Beautiful Hell Adna Rising Urge Royksopp The Possession TrevorSomething Gods In Heat TOBACCO The Archers Bows Have Been Broken Brand New Tear You Apart She Wants Revenge We've Been Had The Walkmen Gunshot Lykke Li The Spoils Massive Attack Dead Weight PVRIS Sober Tool Control Broken Bells Mephisto Queen Bee Pharaohs SBTRKR & Roses Gabor Deadly Valentine Charlotte Gainsbourg I'm Not Your Dog Baxter Dury Cocoa Hoofs Glass Animals Walking in the Air Aurora Found You Django Django In a Black Out Hamilton Leithauser & Rostam Reptilia The Strokes Tom Sawyer RUSH Hot Blooded New Constellations Don't Swallow the Cap The National All the World Fauxliage The Boxer Editors Razor (Live) Foo Fighters Little Dark Age MGMT Monster (Under My Bed) Call Me Karizma Hanging Around Cardigans Demon Road Yeasayer Atom Bomb Fluke Blind Valentine Metric Emotional Haircut LCD Soundsystem Hey Pretty Poe L'enfer Stromae One of Your Girls Troye Sivan Feel Nothing HEALTH Run Run Blood Phantogram Slow Hands Interpol Song to the Siren This Mortal Coil Human Sevdaliza LA (Ft. Westerman) Amen Dunes Heaven Beside You Alice in Chains I am the Highway Audioslave I Wanna Be Adored Stone Roses Father Lucifer Tori Amos Spanish Sahara Foals These Precious Things Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea Missio Atticus in the Desert Kishi Bashi Shines Black Dresses and Purity Ring Cannibal Coast Aural Vampire Kemuri Mondo Grosso Blackbird Fat Freddy's Drop Devil I Know Allie X (slowed) Habits of My Heart James Young NFWMB Hozier (pitched up) You'll Find a Way Santigold De Mis Pasos (Live) Julieta Venegas Between the Bars Elliot Smith Palo Santo Olly Alexandro Around My Neck FINNEAS Loving the Animal Superet You and Whose Army? Radiohead Rake It In Imogen Heap Brave New World Kalandra Slow Song The Knocks Spent the Day in Bed Morrissey Send the Pain On Chrome Sparks Jezebel Iron & Wine Huntress Svava The Lightening Strike Snow Patrol Do You Feel It? Chaos Chaos Euclid Sleep Token Night Ludovico Einaudi Time Hans Zimmer Pacific Coast Highway Fukkk Off

A fandom friend on here has chided me to make this a youtube playlist so I'm working on that. Without doxxing myself, I used to work something to do with music professionally so you may be surprised to find these songs are okay. Still much like Obata used to be pretty seriously concerned he'd be forever cursed for drawing the shinigami - I'm afraid I'll be eternally cursed for drawing inspiration from talented artists to work on any part of my silly fanfiction.

[celestialmazer]

Foo Fighters

Hampden Park, Glasgow 17.06.24

Certainly and expectedly the most emotional concert I've ever been to for so many reasons (crying/welling up well into the double digits throughout 😂)

Got spooky for me too the times Josh sounded like Taylor but was blocked by the crowd and my mind's eye was just filling in the blanks with memory 🫠🙃

Important notes:

(woke up with a really sore lower back for no reason the day before which hadn't eased, but tbh - standing for hours on end aside - my subdued movements matched the expected overall vibe of tentatively sombre initially meets let's go fucking mental when the mood takes us! Lots of first timers in the crowd too so a bubbling sense of the unknown pervaded ✨ surrounded by almost entirely good sorts including a wildcard wee lady who appeared out of nowhere when the music started, ready to thrash so hard her hair got my eyeball and mouth at one point 😂 the most polite vibe tall guy I've ever come across at a gig and the most hilariously polite off-their-nuts group excusing themselves to go to and from mosh pit area, one had a comedy large backpack which I reckon he needed as a travelling apothecary)

• Rami aced his intro again by playing Flower of Scotland - it's an easy win that is always going to work 😂 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

• At this performance Josh's t-shirt read

"God gave rock and roll to you Satan wants it back"

• And couldn't quite get a pic that captures it properly but Rami had a lil guy with a hat labelled executive potato I think 🤷😂🥔💗 (Very last image)

ICYMI - didn't notice this detail during the concert, found out after, but for a brief moment during My Hero the headlight of the big red delicious turned to projecting a hawk 🥲 - had one accidental photo of it which I've made more obvious. Proper video link from Foo Fighters live below

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8frGS0SCIy/?

Treated to a walkway performance of Skin and Bones (written in Scotland during a T in the Park turns out!), Under You (Dave still didn't quite manage through this time but keeps trying! 🥲) and Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners!! (and he shared he only later discovered the trapped miners requested an iPod of Foo Fighters not cos they were big fans but cos they wanted something to drown out the drilling 🤣) (and we found the German man at the front of the queue got to! 😂🙌 Like a Euros exchange programme)

Violet Grohl came out for her tour debut to sing Show Me How, such a pretty voice 💜

Aurora dedicated to Taylor 🥹😭

Dave swigging some Buckfast - had no concept of what it was when a photo went viral a while back so became an accidental, begrudging spokesmodel - thinks it's actually not that bad 😂

The Teacher visuals were beautiful, emotional, psychedelic and felt like they crossed realms which... was a lot 🙃

Have literally never seen Nate look so buzzing as coming up for this bow 👏 🙌 the chill had set in so Pat got a hoodie on and was milking his exit 💗 thrown sticks and picks landed nearby, quickly snatched up but not by us

Sooo, we realised we practically filmed the whole concert between us - a great distraction attempt from crying 😂 so have put a playlist up for posterity... swithering about going through the digital camera archives and filing in the gaps in my upload history, but that's so far down the current to do list it's unreal (would've been unstoppable if I'd got a smartphone years ago at concerts, lol)

Supported by Honey Blood and Courtney Barnett

Tour: Everything or Nothing at All

Setlist

1. All My Life

2. No Son of Mine

(with snippets of "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath and "Enter Sandman" by Metallica)

3. Rescued

4. The Pretender

5. Walk

6. Times Like These

(Dave and Rami only into full band)

7. White Limo

8. La Dee Da

9. This Is a Call

10. Guitar Solo / Sabotage / Keyboard Solo / Flower of Scotland / Blitzkrieg Bop / Whip It / March of the Pigs

11. My Hero

(acoustic into full band)

12. The Sky Is a Neighborhood

13. Learn to Fly

14. Arlandria

15. These Days

16. Skin and Bones

(tour debut; acoustic with Rami on accordion)

17. Under You

(Dave solo acoustic)

18. Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners

(acoustic into full band)

19. Nothing at All

(with a snippet of "Blackbird" by The Beatles)

20. Unconditional

21. Monkey Wrench

(with added audience “Here We Fucking Go” and “No Scotland No Party")

22. Show Me How

(with Violet Grohl) (tour debut)

23. Aurora

(dedicated to Taylor Hawkins)

24. Best of You

Encore:

25. The Teacher

26. Everlong

Oh and we got our pic in the paper as we were there and getting merch so early on the photographer asked us (his first fans of the day) and we were like ...😐 Why not 😂 (cue wind and sun)

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottish-news/24393473.crowds-foo-fighters-fans-arriving-glasgows-hampden/

[robinismywifee]

༶•┈┈┈┈୨♡୧┈┈┈┈•༶

Back to the Old House: Prologue and mixtape

Link to masterlist

Status: ongoing

Casting:

Sophie Thatcher as Raine Laval

"When you cycled by, Here began all my dreams"

—

Ashley Johnson as Ellie Williams

"I think its strange you never knew"

—

Book cover:

—

Extra (please read):

Content warnings;

I will be putting the CW in the beginning of each chapter if there are any, but the book contains/will contain:

• discriptions of violence, blood, gore, wounds, etc

• the main charater suffers from depression, anxiety, and struggles with eating

• breif mentions of getting sexually assulted

• use of cigarettes, smoking cannabis, and alcohol

• homophobia, homophobic slurs

• throwing up blood

• lots of angst

• eventual fluff

• eventual smut

*no spoilers for The last of us 2

—

Im gonna try to upload every week, but no promises.

This is writed for the game ellie, not bella ramsey or the hbo show

This story is inspired by A Gleaming Gift by @W1llowRay_ and River by @eleanorjayz on wattpad, so if you havent read those two books I highly suggest them they are both amazing writers!

This story is also uploaded on my ao3 and wattpad, with the same username: @robinismywifee

I hope you guys like the story! If you do, then please give me notes, reblogs, and comments!❤️

—

Raines mixtape:

Back to the old house - the smiths

This night has opened my eyes - the smiths

16 Mirrors - Alex G

Forever - Alex G

Love will tear us apart - Joy division

Go away - Strawberry switchblade

—

Ellies mixtape:

Orbitron - Duster

When the sun hits - Slowdive

True love waits - Radiohead

Walking after you - Foo fighters

Lovesong - The cure

Fade into you - Mazzy star

[taylorhawkins]

Hammer Of The Nice, Ordinary Guys

originally for CMJ New Music Monthly, 1997

"Pat and I were into the same exact kind of music," Taylor says--Queen, Pink Floyd, the Police. "It was like having a big sister in the band." Mentioning the Police has triggered something in his head, and he starts playing the drum part to "Next To You" on his legs. "I took the beating for being the new kid for so long," Taylor continues. "'New guy!'"

A snapshot of the Foo Fighters' dressing room: 20 bottles of spring water, 8 bottles of Perrier, a cooler full of soda, Snapple and iced tea, a cooler full of beer (including microbrews), two bottles of merlot, two giant bottles of IBC root beer, three loaves of French bread, several other varieties of bread, pitas, crackers, chips and picante sauce, coffee with sugar, cream and lemons on the side, granola bars, bite-size candy bars, a big stack of towels (one of which Pete is ripping up), a bowl of fresh fruit, another bowl of fresh berries, a few varieties of gum, and a hanging basket in the shape of a bull's head. This last is not in the band's contract, and Taylor is trying to figure out how to wear it.

Note that all this is not dinner--just backstage snack material. (At the end of the night, Pete hijacks a lot of what's left for the tour bus.) For dinner, there's surprisingly good catering--teriyaki chicken, rice, various vegetable and tofu things. As people eat, Taylor is drumming on the table--he eats a bit, then heads up to the drum riser to play some more. There's a Nick Cave tape playing over the PA, which doesn't stop him from taking a crack at "When The Levee Breaks" before the audience starts arriving.

Back in the dressing room, guitar tech Earnie "Guitar" Bailey (everyone says that's legally his middle name) is holding court, telling Nirvana stories--he started touring with them in early '92. After Nirvana ended, he and his wife had a restaurant in Seattle for a year; he sold it, figuring he'd take it easy for a while. And promptly got a call from Dave: "'I'm going on the road next week, wanna come?'"

Dave bursts through the dressing room, wearing a skull mask for no apparent reason and grabbing everyone in his path. Franz, paging through the tour itinerary, looks up: "Dave, why are we going to Sweden in November?"

"Because we need to rock, man! We need to fuckin' rock!" And out he goes.

Earnie, unfazed by the interruption, continues. "It's been interesting watching Dave growing into being the ringleader. At first, he wasn't used to calling all the shots--being the charming frontman. Now he's hilarious when he starts rambling on stage... I wish he'd be the same guy on stage he is on the bus.

"I think the second record's a lot more personal--"

Dave suddenly walks back into the room. Earnie pretends he doesn't notice, and raises his voice a bit: "Of course, the main thing about Dave is to never turn your back on him--he'll fuck you over in a second."

Smirking, Dave attempts to change the subject. "I had these breakfast burritos--for breakfast--"

Taylor interrupts: "Seeing as how they're breakfast burritos--"

Dave whacks him, and the room abruptly degenerates into everyone trying to toss candy-bars and fruit into the bull's-head basket. Then Taylor starts drumming again, this time on the bottles on the food table.

An hour or so later, various Foos and friends are watching the opening band, Verbena, doing their very loud Stones-via-Royal Trux thing on stage. Dave is really getting into them. Franz, backstage, is quizzically examining a box of ginseng that a "runner" has retrieved for the band. Nate, who's been missing for the past few hours, comes back with two huge bags of clothes; he's got a bad toothache and isn't talking much, so he pretty much keeps to himself. Taylor is in the dressing-room bathroom, drumming on the fixtures. He's liking Verbena. "They sound kinda like Nirvana! Bleach!"

By 8:30, the band are finally all in the same room. Let's just say drumsticks are a dangerous thing to have in a dressing room. Dave eventually starts doing a little rhythmic exercise on the wastebasket; Taylor joins him, on the other side of the basket. This, it turns out, is a nightly ritual, a drill to focus their concentration. There are two drummers in this band.

Showtime. The hall, we later find out, is about 3/4 full, but it sure looks fully occupied. They start out the set with both Taylor and Dave playing drums; after a minute, Dave switches to guitar, they go into "This Is A Call," and we get to see the results of all that ginseng. Everybody's leaping around the stage like crazy for the hour-plus set. They do a new one, called "The Colour And The Shape," a fast, Pixies-ish thrasher; they do most of the hits (though not "Big Me"). But the big cheers are for "Everlong." "You get that just right," Nate said earlier, "it's kind of orgasmic, really. It's amazing when it really comes together." In fact, everything comes together--not bad for this lineup's third show.

Nate, on The Colour And The Shape: "It's almost like a concept record, some people say--the lyrics were all written at one period in Dave's life, and they really reflect well what was going on in Dave's life."

Dave's perspective: "Writing lyrics, you're taking something completely intimate and turning it into something completely not-intimate."

Taylor, on Dave: "Do not compliment him. He can't take a compliment."

As it turns out, Taylor isn't even as much of a party animal as all that. As everyone gets onto the tour bus the next morning, Gus asks him what happened with the two women he'd been flirting with at Emo's. "Left 'em there, went back to the hotel, went to sleep."

The inside of the tour bus basically looks like a nice hotel room itself: tasteful curtains, a little couch-and-table setup, a ceiling mirror, a kitchenette with a coffee machine, a set of bunks for people to sleep in (stacked three-high). There's a stereo/VCR in front, another in back. Texas passes by outside. Taylor is up front, chatting with congenial driver Larry Ellis and singing snatches of "Billie Jean." Dave is chatting with Gus: "Did I tell you I found out I ripped off a Def Leppard song? That song 'Hysteria' and 'Everlong.' It's got a line 'breathe out so I can breathe you in.'"

A dialogue:

Gus: Do you guys want to go to Pensacola on your day off and go to the beach?

Dave: Fuck off.

Taylor: Day off after what?

Gus: Read your itinerary!

Taylor: Dude, I wanna go jet-skiin'!

Franz: In the rain?

Taylor: Oh, dude!

Skeeter Thompson, the old bass player of Scream, is coming in from Little Rock tonight--"Scream reunion!" There's some concern over the number of tickets the Dallas show tonight has sold: 1400 for a 3200-capacity venue. The Stones, Gus is quick to remind the band, have only sold 12,000 tickets for a show with Smashing Pumpkins opening, though, so it's not that big a deal. Things are tough all over. The album's down a notch in the charts this week, but there are five big debuts that came in above it--it's actually sold more copies this week than last. Eventually, almost everyone heads back to catch some Z's; Pete stays up front to watch Short Cuts on the VCR.

When the bus pulls into the Bronco Bowl, the converted former bowling alley they'll be playing in Dallas, it's just about soundcheck time, which means, since they're still teaching Franz the songs, that it's time to learn "Big Me." That's basic enough, so they follow up with an Angry Samoans cover that Taylor's never heard either--it's a little weird watching him figure out how to play hardcore. Dave demonstrates the drum break by waving his arms in the air. Taylor has an idea for a slight change in the arrangement of "This Is A Call," so they try it a couple of different ways.

"I don't know if we should do that at the end of every verse," Dave says.

"I think it fucking sucks," Taylor declares, and that's the end of that.

x

[madaboutmunson]

Black Denim Trousers & Motorcycle Boots (Sweet Home Chicago Series - Part 2)

Summary for overview of the whole fic can be found here

For @eddiemonth 

Week 2 prompts used: Times Like These - Foo FIghters, Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi, Determined, Adventurous, Soulmates, Monsters, Come As You Are - Nirvana

Warnings: None that I could think of, but let me know if you feel any should be added, and I'll do that straight away :) 

Romance/Fluff Word Count : 9.6K

Ao3 Link

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eddie wakes with a start. An uncomfortable stiffness in his back and a numbness in his arms make themselves known quickly as a coffee mug appears in his view.

“Morning, sweetheart. I wasn’t gonna come in, but you didn’t answer, and I got a little worried,” she sits on the corner of his desk and starts picking up some of the pieces of paper that he can now see are littered all around him, “But when I saw you fast asleep on your desk, I thought I better wake you up. I know you don’t like to be late.” She smiles at him a little knowingly. He knows she can tell. He just hasn’t been brave enough to say it outright yet, and to her credit, she hasn't pushed. But he knows how obvious it is that he loves spending his days at the grocery store. He knows when they are both finally home, and she asks how his day was, he would try in vain to be calm and quiet about it, “Yeah, was good. Got a lot done.” But she’d wait a while to see if any further information would come her way before asking, “Was Steve there today?” that would just start the lengthy gushing about every little thing Steve did that day. It felt fine when he was in the midst of it, but as soon as he paused, he’d feel embarrassed, sometimes guilty. It was customary to be enthusiastic about friends, right? Especially new ones. 

Eddie knew that wasn’t why, and he got the sneaking suspicion his mama knew that too. He just wasn’t ready to have that conversation. He hasn’t been prepared to have that conversation since Wayne caught him with the huge A Streetcar Named Desire movie poster that Eddie had broken into the local cinema to retrieve for his own after learning that most movie posters just got plunged into storage, overhearing one of the ushers in the malt shop. He’d enacted the escapade alone for fear his fellow gang members wouldn't buy the fact that he wanted it for Vivienne Leigh, as he’d never mentioned her before. In hindsight, they probably would have just believed him if he’d told them he’d done it because he could because that's what he did back then. He didn’t need a rhyme or reason to rebel; he just did it to feel something he had control over.

And if Eddie hadn’t had Little Richard blasting out of his record player, if Eddie had remembered to just lock his door, or even if Eddie had just been listening the night before when Wayne had said he was going to be back earlier than usual, because a bunch of jobs got cancelled, then maybe, just maybe Wayne wouldn't have walked in on him running his fingers over the man on the poster. Eddie had tried to bolt, but Wayne had grabbed hold of him and sat him down, asked him to explain, and Eddie had lied. He’d told him he just wanted to be like him, that it was no different to the cowboys he used to draw or cut out of the paper and stick to his wall.

Wayne, god love him, hadn’t got mad, just blinked a few times and apologised for grabbing his arm. Asked if he was okay, “You never need to run from me, son. Not for anythin’.” And because he had no reason not to, he took Wayne at his word, but that moment plagued him for longer and much more profoundly than he cared to admit. As if to play into his lie, he decided to embody a version of Brando. The Wild One. 

He’d worked hard alongside Wayne until he’d saved up enough for an old beat-up motorcycle that he slaved away to fix up. He practically begged Wayne for a new pair of 501s and scoured the thrift shops for old biker jackets, but ended up finding one when scouring a barn for parts with Wayne one day. It was a little big, but Eddie didn’t mind. Got himself a used pair of black boots, one of his Grandpa’s old belts and a hat, and he looked the part. And whatever Eddie did, his little minions followed.

But that wasn’t enough for Eddie. He didn’t just want to look like Johnny. He wanted to become him.

It was easy to act cool when people were scared of you and your gang, and it was easy to kiss girls and make them cry when you were never into them in the first place. That's the thing about rebelling in a small town. Quickly, you run out of things to fight against, and soon, much to Wayne’s displeasure, Eddie had the town almost bending to his will, sometimes through charm but primarily by fear. Guys wanted to be him, and girls wanted to be with him, and that was great when it was impressing your friends, but it didn’t mean anything to him when he lay in bed at the end of the day. Somewhere along the way, this lonesome cowboy on his steel horse lost his north star. He wasn’t the hero taking on a stuffy old town that kept its youth down. He had become the villain. And as always with these sorts of things, he quite quickly became the scapegoat for anything that went wrong in that place.

As he sits up, a piece of paper joins him on the journey to being upright, and he peels it away from where it is stuck to the side of his face.

He tries to remember what he had been working on last night as his mama sips her coffee, and her vibrant eyes move over each page as she picks them up. Then it hits him, and he frantically tries gathering up the papers around him.

“Eddie! What's gotten into you?” She laughs and holds the paper away from him, “These are really good. Why are you hiding them?” 

“Well, uh, well…because they aren't finished. Yeah, they aren't finished,”. He lies quickly, and his mama’s piercing green eyes narrow at him and stare directly into his own.

She hands him back the sketch in her hand, “I just like seeing what you’re working on. It doesn't need to be perfect. I’ll leave you to it.” Eddie’s heart races in his chest as he nervously turns over the piece of paper his mom had been looking at and breathes a sigh of relief when he sees it is a drawing of the hero for his book. A knight who had no name or story yet, but one thing was for sure. He was a hero, a real one. One that wouldn’t lose his way. Perfect in poise and noble in deed.

Eddie shuffles through the other pages. 

The knight changes from armour and brandishing a sword to being dressed in peasant clothes that hug his sculpted body and holding an apple.

A page or two later, and all the false premise is stripped away.

Soft eyes that, even when narrowed by the sunlight, still look kind. The long lashes splay out elegantly, which he’s taken a little artistic licence with because he still hasn’t gotten over them since the first day he met Steve. His fingers trace along the slight crease at the corner of one of the sketched eyes, and soon he’s moving from beauty mark to freckle and back and down until he meets that handsome jawline, moves through the stubble that frustratingly can’t be felt. Only urging his fingers to tentatively brush over the lips that only ever spill gentle words to him.

“Eddie!” His mom calls out, and he nearly falls out of his chair due to being alarmed out of his daydream. He quickly shuffles all the papers together and shoves them in his drawer. “You want some eggs, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, Mama, that’d be great!” he calls back, breathlessly clutching his chest. 

Eddie shakes his head and drops his head into his hands. He felt awful. Steve and his mom hadn’t shown him anything but kindness since he got here, and here he was, having these thoughts about Steve. He imagines how horrified they would be if they found out. These thoughts were wrong. He knew that. He just couldn't seem to keep them under control.

Nothing he had read about this kind of attraction made it seem like an accepted ailment or condition. It was something you had to pray or force out of a person. If Eddie had been sick with anything else, he’d go to a doctor, but wasn’t it still illegal? He guessed it didn’t have to be unlawful for the public to take matters into their own hands. Not that he’d ever acted on any of it. Almost a few times, but nothing more than a lingering touch or something that felt like a kiss was on the horizon, but the sun never rose on those opportunities. Just an expanse of unknowns shrouded in shadow.

But as he sits there, he recalls how his dad spoke about Eddie being made out of pure love. So, no matter what layers he or the world draped him in at his core, that’s what he’d always be. A walking, talking personification of love. If that were true, how could anything he felt be so terrible? It would be fine if it was a girl, right? But the fact remained that the world said it was wrong, whether he understood why it thought that or not.

He knows that’s why his mama uses sweetheart above all other terms of affection for him. He remembers how she would say his smile could light up the darkest room and how his scowls only deprived the world of what it needed most in hard times. It was a dramatic statement, but he clung to it when he struggled with these things, like a scraggly worn scrap of a comfort blanket that reminds him that at his centre, he’s good.

He also knows that’s why Wayne didn't berate his bad behaviour when he confronted him about his slightly more-than-friendships with girls. Wayne explained that if something wasn’t for him, he should leave it alone. Eddie had made his point that he could get all the girls he wanted, but he didn’t have to continue to leave broken hearts in his wake any more. To begin with, he thought it was just that, a confrontation to address another tearful girl that Eddie had led on because she found him flirting with another girl the next day. But throughout the discussion, Wayne gently prised open his rebel armour at its weakest points with careful questions and sympathy.

The way he’d started that conversation stone-faced and defensive and ended up a tearful confessing mess against Wayne’s shoulder never failed to make him get choked up when he recalled it. There was no punishment, no lecture, just flannel-wrapped arms holding him tight. Rough, hard-working hands brushing over his hair and kisses on his head between words of reassurance and relief.

Eddie did tone his behaviour down from then on like the confession had freed him of a constant irritation that had been lingering just out of reach for years, but it was far too late. Hawkins had made up its mind, and that might have been his first forced step towards Chicago.

He could start over here. He could leave that old life behind and learn how to live all over again, even if that included learning to hide some aspects of himself. Maybe his dad was just wrong. Perhaps regardless of his parents, he was resigned to a life alone. Would that really be so bad? If he couldn’t love a girl non-platonically, he could aim for something else, couldn’t he? If he could be successful professionally and keep himself safe? That could be more than enough. He could morph attraction into just an appreciation of beauty. He could do this. He could change his stars.

With a deep breath and a renewed sense of purpose, he pushes down the self-loathing and love worries and starts his day over.

The rest of his morning is terrific. Being up early with his mama means he’s too early for the goons on the stairs. He strolls down by the river until the school kids dwindle and then heads to the grocery store. And just like every morning, rain or shine, the canopy is extended, and his personal table is already set up against the window. Steve’s handsome face greets him within moments, offering him espresso and a heart-stopping smile. He accepts both gladly, and though today seems busier than usual, Steve still takes his smoke breaks with Eddie. Flicks through his notes and drawings, but one element was missing today, and Steve’s adorably creased brow isn’t happy about it.

Steve grips either side of the table and wiggles it. Looks to face the same way as Eddie and looks around confused. Then, finally, he looks above him and back to Eddie, “Everthin’ alright for ya today, Ed?”

“Yeah, just perfect,” Eddie beams back at him. Because it is. Everything is perfect when Steve’s around because he eclipses everything else.

The curious look doesn't leave his face as he leans back in his chair to light a cigarette and leans one elbow on the backrest of it, “You feelin’ ok?”

“Oh yeah, the best,” he replies enthusiastically because that was true, too. When he had Steve’s attention, he felt he must be the most special person on the planet.

“ ‘Den, what's goin’ on here?” he waves the hand holding his smoke over the sketches strewn across the table. Eddie looks down at the table as if to check for anything incriminating, but there isn’t anything.

“You don’t like them?” Eddie asks tentatively.

“Oh, uh, I like ‘em plenty, just, uh,” Steve’s honey-brown eyes scan the table again before flicking back up to Eddie’s, “Well, where is he?”

“Well, he’s right…” Eddie shuffles through the sketches. He finds various fruits and their arrangements, coffee cups, an empty version of the chair opposite him, a few trees and a sunset, “Oh,” he says, looking back up at Steve. The realisation the character he’d been working on, the knight, was nowhere to be seen in word or picture.

“You homesick?” Steve asks compassionately

“No, I don’t think so,” Eddie answers genuinely because whilst he does miss Wayne, he does not miss Hawkins.

Steve hums, looks over the pictures again, “Say, uh, did you try one-a da cannoli we send home for your ma, sometimes?” The change in subject is odd to Eddie, but he’s glad of it.

“God, yeah!” Eddie replies quickly, eyes widening at Steve, “I was trying to describe them to my uncle, but I had no idea how because I’d never eaten anything like ‘em. The best I could come up with was it's like a pie tube, with the creamiest sweet filling and candied peel that cuts right through and balances it just perfectly, but, uh, needless to say, he just laughed at me. But when he visits, I’ll make sure to buy him one. Where do you get those from anyway?” Eddie finally takes a breath after enthusing over the delicious pastries that Steve or his mom occasionally put in with his shopping.

Steve smiles hugely, “I know-a-guy,” he takes another drag on his cigarette, “Anyways, you don’t like dis knight no more? Is dat it?”

Eddie shrugs, “I dunno. I guess, um, he’s just not inspiring me today?” he awkwardly smiles at Steve, whose mouth downturns a little, but he nods.

“Oh, did he do sumthin’ wrong…in da story?” Steve asks as he stubs out his smoke, not looking at Eddie.

“No, it's not like that. It’s kinda like, somedays I get up, and all I can think about is the story and everything the knight is, was and could be, and on those days, I can write about him or draw him for hours. But then, some days, he’s just not there. Or he is, but I just don't wanna write or draw about it, you know? It’s just inspiration. Sometimes, you arrange the oranges in a pyramid and decorate the table, right? With grapes and whatever those things are, and some days, you just put the crates out. A spark of creativity,” Eddie overexplains and feels a little embarrassed, revealing something that must sound utterly ridiculous to Steve, who works hard every day regardless of how he feels. He does it because he has to, for his family.

Steve tilts his head, looking Eddie over, probably trying to figure out why he said such strange things or got so animated about them. A small smile reappears, “Figs,” he says finally.

“Figs?” Eddie asks, one of his hands gripping tightly around the side of the chair seat, fearing he might float away straight up to cloud nine if Steve keeps looking at him like that.

“Yeah, next to the grapes,” he points over to one of the odd-shaped things and looks back at Eddie, “Figs,” He repeats, and picks one up and cleans it on his shirt.

The fruit looks a lot smaller in his hands. As he holds it between them, tearing it open easily, he offers half to Eddie, who shakes his head, “Oh, no thank you. I’m good.” It's a strange thing, purple on the outside and on the inside a halo of yellow around a red fleshy centre.

“I ain’t steered ya wrong so far,” Steve says simply, putting one-half of it midway between them on the table. He smiles at Eddie and turns his attention onto the street, raising the fruit to his mouth.

Until this moment, Eddie didn't really know why the story of Adam and Eve didn't sit right with him. Sure, he hadn’t read it in-depth, just vaguely remembered it. Sure, it was a story to explain creation because, at the time, they probably had no other reasons as to why humans were on this planet. But the thing that always bugged him was that they apparently used fig leaves to cover themselves up when their innocence was lost after Eve took a bite of an apple, so surely the nearest tree would have been an apple tree. But as Steve's full lips push against the skin of the fruit he’s flipped inside out, a droplet of juice spills out of the corner of his mouth and races towards his elegant jawline. Eddie realises that maybe something had been lost in translation, and perhaps Eve had bitten into a fig, just like this, because nothing so far in his existence has been this tempting or felt so forbidden, as he watches Steve bite into the fruit to consume it. Desperate for the knowledge of how it might feel to have his lips right where the fig is. He realises he’s staring at his mouth, but as he flicks his eyes up, Steve doesn't appear to have noticed, thankfully. To prevent himself from openly drooling, he picks up the fruit and copies how Steve ate his half, even looking out onto the street to avert his eyes. Though he’s absolutely sure he doesn’t look anywhere near as good as Steve looked doing it. Due to concentrating heavily on trying to compose himself, the sweetness and flavour take him completely by surprise. He makes an involuntary, pleased noise and eats the whole thing.

“Told ya,” A voice softly says in his ear, and he jolts with surprise, only to find Steve leaning across the table into his space. They laugh at Eddie’s over-the-top reaction, “You know it’s said figs are food of da gods. Maybe you’ll feel like writin’ again soon enough, huh?”

Eddie can only smile as his stomach somersaulting like a circus act prevents him from forming a coherent response. Because all his brain wants him to do right now has very little to do with writing or drawing.

His pulse is almost rumbling in his ears, at least that's what he thinks it is initially, until the noise becomes clearer, and the butterflies in Eddie’s stomach vanish and are replaced with a plummeting feeling when he recognises the noise. 

Motorcycles.

Eddie thinks his past has caught up with him. He knew someone would come looking for him eventually, for a fire he didn't even start. He frantically goes to gather his things, but Steve’s hand is on his shoulder, and Eddie can’t look. Was this what this was? Had he befriended Eddie to keep him in place for that motorcycle gang? 

“Hey, easy, buddy. Dese are just my friends. They ain’t bad,” Steve smiles reassuringly, “Dere hygiene and sense-a humor maybe.” Steve’s hand on his shoulder radiates a soothing warmth, almost like a sedative spreading through him from the point of contact, “No more espresso for yous today, huh?” Steve laughs light and melodic, and Eddie finally smiles back.

“Sorry,” Eddie says awkwardly.

“ ‘S ok, buddy. I get it. Remember, you’re safe here, yeah? I-we won’t let anything happen to ya. Promise,” Steve says with such an earnest expression that Eddie can only believe him. He turns his attention to the bikes pulling up, and stands to greet them.

The four guys are dressed in Eddie’s old day-to-day uniform. Leather motorcycle jackets, black boots, jeans. An odd bunch, he thinks. The first guy, who looks like the leader, has the most confident strut, pulls up first and is walking ahead of the rest, his hair in a jelly roll style. To Eddie's surprise, just to his left is an African-American guy with a dimple on his upper cheek as he laughs at one of the others stumbling with their kickstand. His hair was in a pompadour style, cut in that style rather than straightened and styled. Next is a tallish, thin guy with small features. His sandy blond hair is cut in a similar style to Steve’s but a little longer and unruly, and last of all, a Latino-looking guy with the longest braided hair Eddie thinks he’s ever seen on anyone.

The one at the front runs up to tackle Steve, and then all except the sandy blond pile in also, and all four of them end up falling into one of the displays, as Steve laughs along with them, grabbing the little one in a headlock.

“Shit, Steve, not my hair!” he yells.

“Aw, come on, Gaz, doesn’t matter how good your hair looks, you’re always gonna have dat little chipmunk face of yours,” Steve laughs but lets him go.

Eddie feels someone looking at him and turns to find the slender guy staring at him. As Eddie averts his eyes, he notices his name painted in beautiful cursive on his jacket. Jonny. There was a time when Eddie would have stared right back at him, but not this new Eddie. Not his second-chance version of himself. 

Steve eventually prises himself from the others and walks over to shake Jonny’s hand, “Good to see ya, Jon,” he says, but the only reply he gets is a silent nod before walking around the table to stand next to Eddie.

“Alright, ya bunch of assholes, calm down. Dis is Ed. He’s new round here,” Steve looks and smiles at him, and Eddie returns it and gives a weak wave to the others.

“Hi,” is all he can think to say before turning back to the street, “Nice wheels,” he says.

“Thanks, man,” says the one with the long braid, who picks up an apple from the stall and bites into it.

The little one steps forward and thrusts a hand out to Eddie, “I’m Gareth, that’s Jeff, Argyle and Jon, but most people know us by Hellfire. The Hellfire Motorcycle Club.” he says proudly, turning to show the painting on the back of his jacket of some kind of devil with a long forked tongue, surrounded by flames. Eddie nods at each of them in turn.

“So where you from then?” Jonny asks.

“Indiana,” Eddie answers with a smile.

“And you came to the windy city because….” Argyle asks, taking another bite out of his apple.

“I, uh,” Eddie glances at Steve, who gives him the slightest nod and smile, “I wanted to write,”

“What, you can’t write back home?” Jeff laughs, “What happened? They take away all the stationery in Indiana?”

Eddie laughs, “Uh, no. I mean, I want to be a writer, and I thought coming here would be more inspiring, you know?”

“How much does that pay then? Writin’?” Gareth says, curious as he picks up one of Eddie's drawings off the table, pulls an impressed face at it, and shrugs, passing it to Jeff.

“Oh, I dunno, honestly,”

“Doesn’t sound very secure,” Jeff frowns and passes the drawing to Argyle.

“What if you don't make it as a writer? You got a backup?” Argyle asks.

“I honestly haven't thought-”

“Got your own place?” Jeff asks quickly

“No, I live with my-”

“Hmmm, yeah, haven't thought about it, got it,” Johnny says, “You from a big family? You Italian?”

“No, and No, but-”

There is a collective groan from the motorcycle club.

“So whatcha sayin’ is you ain't gotta job or income or your own place, and you ain't even Italian?” Gareth laughs.

“Is that- Is that bad?” Eddie looks instinctively at Steve for reassurance due to the barrage of questions he is facing.

“But what are your views on fruit on pizza?” Argyle asks

“I don’t really eat a lot of-”

“You got a ride?” Eddie snaps his head to Gareth again and shakes his head.

“A girl?” Jeff asks as Eddie's head whips around to him, and he indicates negatively again.

“ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, you shitbirds. That’s enough,” Steve shouts, and they fall to silence as he turns to Eddie, “ ‘Scuse us for a sec, Ed” he says apologetically, and the gang follow him inside.

Eddie decides to give them a wide berth and looks at something comforting. The motorcycles themselves. God, that was an absolute embarrassment. He could have been much cooler about it, especially with Steve there. Oh well. Eddie looks over briefly and can see them in the window in an intense discussion.

Gareth has a virtually brand new Honda Dream C71, two of them have different year versions of the BSA Bantam, and last of all, someone has his old bike, a 1950 Thunderbird. This one wasn’t customised to look like the one out of the movie like he’d done with his own, but there had been, what looked like, some abandoned attempts. He reaches out, runs his fingers along the gleaming paintwork, and quickly retracts them, remembering how touchy he’d been if anyone even looked at his bike for too long. Whoever this one belonged to took excellent care of it.

The bell ringing over the door gets him to his feet before anyone can startle him. Steve waves him over, “Ed, come ‘ere, da guys have somethin’ to say,” Eddie swallows nervously but tries to put on a slight air of confidence and smiles at them all.

Gareth tilts his head at Eddie, “So, we’s just wanted t’ say, we didn’t mean to make yous feel uncomfortable, OK? You’re just new, you know?”

“Yeah, yeah. I get it. No issues here,” he puts up his hands and takes a breath, “I was just looking at your bikes. They’re real neat.” He offers the verbal olive branch of changing the subject.

“You like motorcycles?” Steve asks a little oddly. He sort of sounds a little disappointed.

Eddie lies quickly, “I mean, my friend back home used to let me ride on the back of his sometimes. So I think they’re neat, is all.” Eddie cringes at his overuse of the word neat, like some little kid.

“He did?” Steve almost sounds slightly annoyed, but Eddie can’t determine why. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to say.

“And this friend of yours,” Gareth says, tearing his eyes from Steve to land on Eddie, “You still talk to him?” 

Shit, what if they think he was involved in some rival gang or something, “No, we lost touch a little while before I decided I wanted to move here.” Eddie, desperate to ease the tension he seems to have created, smiles around the group, “Just different life paths, you know. It goes that way sometimes.” Steve returns his smile, and Eddie's heart almost packs its bags to move into Steve’s hands immediately.

“Also, sorry ‘bout that comment earlier regarding’ your job. Guys like us are happy with our feet on the ground, you know, and I forget sometimes the world needs people to shoot for the moon,” Gareth offers him a shrug of a smile, and he does seem genuine in his apology, but the way Steve nods at his friend, makes him think that maybe Steve had jumped to his defence in the store, and Eddie tries desperately not to grin wildly at that thought.

Steve's eyes cast up for a moment in thought and then move towards the ground before he checks his watch, “I’m sure I could borrow some wheels if you ever miss it,” Steve shrugs, lighting a cigarette, and all four heads of his friends snap to his words, “Ain’t dat right Jonny boy?”

“Yeah, course, Steve, she’s yours anyway,” Johnny quietly agrees.

“No, no. None a dat. It’d just be for today or whateva,” Steve smiles at Johnny and then Eddie, “Unless you got plans?”

“No, not at all. That’d be great. I’ll leave a note for Ma-my mom and be right back.” Eddie says excitedly and packs up his things.

“Hey Arg, can I ask you somethin’?” He hears Steve ask, and the five of them disappear into the store as he walks back to his apartment.

Thankfully, the coast looks clear, so he heads inside, leaves a cute note for his mama, and is about to leave again when he pauses and goes to the bathroom cabinet. Score! There was some cologne in here. As he picks it up, a piece of note paper falls out. He picks it up to put it back and notices it’s yellowing. His curiosity gets the better of him, so he opens it.

For my soulmate:

The most beautiful star in the world

Take me in your arms

Lead me in my dreams again

I'll sell my soul for it.

What is it worth? 

Only you know

Eddie quickly folds it back up, feeling a little embarrassed. It was probably something private of his mama’s.

He adds a few extra pins to his hat to keep it from flying clean off and grabs a warmer jacket.

As he leaves the building, a set of familiar voices make him sigh in exasperation.

“This ain’t Hellfire’s place, Jonny. So why don’t you just go back to riding Steve’s coattails, huh?” Billy snides.

“I don’t know how many times we gotta tell you three morons to leave people alone around here. And for your information, this building is the concern of Hellfire now. So what you wanna do is turn around and go and crawl back into the dumpster the three of you ghouls crawled out of,” Jon fires back, and inside, Eddie has to cover his mouth to stifle his laughter.

“Oh yeah, and what if we don’t care about Hellfire’s new rules from its new asshole of a leader?” Tommy seethes.

“Well, how can I put this? If you don’t, the matter is gonna get escalated, and then it’s gonna be out of our hands. So I suggest you just run along now, so no one has to get hurt,” Jon says calmly.

“Oh, I see how it is. You're recruiting this new guy, are ya?” Jason asks spitefully, but Jon just laughs in response.

“Well, you should know, he’s a fucking creep. Was sitting here drawing pictures of Nance and the two Harrington girls,” Billy offers, and Eddie feels sick to his stomach.

“Oh, was he?” Jon says, sounding almost intrigued.

“Sure was, bold as anything, ogling them,” Billy continues, and Eddie can almost see the sly grin on his face. He should just step out there before this gets worse.

“Thing is William. I actually have conversations with my girlfriend and actually have friends. So when Nancy told me about your performance here, she said Rob and Max told her he’d ended up at the store. I called Steve. And guess what, guys,” he says with sarcastic surprise, “He was just drawing the surroundings and saw them first. I’ve seen it, it’s terrific actually. Steve’s Ma has it hung up already, and most importantly, Nancy and the girls never had a problem with him. They, as per usual, just wanted to get away from you,” Eddie hears the venom in Jon’s voice and the rustle of his leather jacket, and he knows that shift in stance, so he steps outside to interrupt.

“Oh, hey, Jonny,” he smiles at Jon, which seems to defuse the situation. He turns to the others with a smile, nods, and walks down the stairs, “Gentlemen.”

As he and Jonny reach the bottom of the stairs, Billy calls out, “Nice to see you still resting on Steve’s hand-me-downs, Jon. First a jacket, then a bike, and then his girl. What next?” Billy and his goons laugh together.

And something about the judgement entirely rubs Eddie the wrong way, and he turns on his heel to face the three of them to say something. But then there is a hand on his shoulder, and Jonny calmly smiles, “Ooooh William, time to get some new material, maybe? You’ve been tellin’ the same joke for years now, and no one with more than one brain cell of their own has ever laughed at it. Come on, Ed. Let’s go,” he says, and they walk back to the store.

Once they are far enough away, Eddie dares ask, “You ok?”

“Yeah, don’t sweat those guys. They bark a lot, but only one has got any bite,” Jon stops before they get to the store, “Just try your best to ignore them, ok? Steve’s Ma don’t like ‘em anyway, and if you end up in a tussle with them, so will Steve, and then well…things will get escalated,” Jon looks at him seriously, “Steve’s a good guy. We don’t want him getting into any trouble, capiche?”

Eddie looks puzzled at him.

“Understand?” Jon tries again, and Eddie nods, “Also, what he said was true. Steve did give me his jacket and old motorcycle, but Nancy, that’s different. They were together but not, you know?” Jon says, and Eddie nods like he understands, but he doesn’t at all, not that it matters. “Anyway, you been enjoying your days at Heartbreak Hotel?” Jonny chuckles, and Eddie screws up his face in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“You haven’t noticed?” Jon starts but reads the puzzled look on Eddie’s face quickly enough, “The constant stream of pretty girls that keep coming to the store for Steve but just end up leaving with groceries they probably didn’t need?” he laughs.

Eddie shakes his head, “I noticed it was busier today, but I was drawing, so I didn’t register who or anything.”

“Huh,” Jon half-smiles at him and looks him over, “Didn’t look up from your drawings all day?”

“Oh sure, when Steve was on his break,” Eddie says, understanding what he means now.

“But the rest of the time, not one single girl caught your eye?” Jon questions and Eddie begins to see how weird this might seem.

He fakes a laugh, “I just mean, I didn’t really engage with anyone else other than a glance. Number one, I didn’t really come here to date. It's not like I have much luck in that department, anyway. Chances are, if I make the whole writer thing, I stand a better chance, right? If I got tied down now, I’d have to get a job that paid me actual money for bills and dates instead of living off savings. My writing wouldn’t get a look in. And number two, drawing and looking at people only leads to trouble, or at least that’s what I’ve learned the last few weeks,” he pauses, “I’d really like to get the chance to apologise and explain to Nancy, Rob and Max sometime. Just so they know I’m not a creep.”

Jon puts his arm around Eddie’s shoulders and pulls him into his side, “You know Ed, I get the feeling you’re gonna get that chance,” Eddie is a bit weirded out by the physicality, but he doesn’t mind it. Jon lights up something that smells familiar to Eddie, but it’s not a cigarette, “If it’s any consolation, what I said was true. The girls didn’t move because of you. Nancy is pretty observant, so if she had felt threatened by you looking at them, she would have moved them all on someplace else.” He adds as they walk to the outside of the store.

The bell above the door rings as they step in front of it, and Steve skips a step or two on his way out and looks between him and Jonny, “You sure made friends fast,” Steve says with a huff of a laugh.

“He’s just a likeable guy, Steve,” Johnny says, giving Eddie a pat on the back.

“He is, ain’t he?” Steve says kindly,  half-smiles and then quickly looks at the bike, “Ready, Ed?”

“Yeah, yeah. Absolutely,” Eddie claps his hands together and is glad for this moment of waiting for Steve to get situated on the bike first because Steve looks gorgeous. That is just the facts. He’s beautiful and kind, and that is more than enough. But he’s looking exceedingly handsome right now. He’s traded his regular footwear for some engineer-type boots, and his hair is combed back into a place a little more, but the jacket is really causing Eddie a problem. It was style-wise just an ordinary leather biker jacket. Except this one was a mid-brown colour that seemed to make the colour of his eyes even more entrancing somehow. Like they were no longer merely functional parts of a human being but impossible, magical orbs that might turn him completely to stone if he looked directly into them. The leather is well-worn but not damaged, just lots of lines of use. The stitching is elegant, and he’s flicked his collar up against the cold.  As he sits on the bike, he fusses with it.

“Guess I’m not as small as I used to be,” he huffs out a small self-deprecating laugh, and Eddie doesn't miss that divine blush that just hits his cheeks. There is no way Steve should feel any less than the most stunning thing on the planet. Not on his watch.

“I couldn’t even tell. Looks like a perfect fit to me. It’s real nice,” Eddie says as he swings his leg over the bike to sit behind Steve, and this already feels like a mistake. Being this close. If the visuals were not enough to send him off into orbit, the smell of leather and Steve’s cologne was a heady love potion on their own.

Steve looks over his shoulder, “Thanks. Uh, you haven't even asked where we are goin’.” 

“You haven’t steered me wrong this far,” Eddie says, trying not to grin back wildly, placing his hands on his own legs. He sits back to create a suitable distance between them, but there are some things he can’t prevent, like the way his knees have to sit on either side of Steve’s hips. It makes him violently jealous of maybe all the past girls who had sat in this seat before him but were able to wrap their arms around him. Rest their heads against his back, maybe even hear his heart beat fiercely for them as they ride off into a perfect sunset.

The journey itself is pleasant. Eddie sees parts of the city he hasn't seen before whizz past him, and due to the steady speed Steve is going, he can fully enjoy the wind occasionally rushing against him as he lets go and doesn't fight the bike with his body in the turns. He thinks about all the times he’d ride at night just to feel the wind rushing through his longer hair under the moon's light.

They stop near a park and dismount. Eddie looks around the vast park in wonderment. Sure, Hawkins had the woods, the lake and the quarry, but this place was so curated.

Steve walks a little ahead of him, does a full turn with his arms outstretched, and shouts, “Welcome to Lincoln Park, Eddie,” he flashes a huge smile as he waits for him to catch up. Eddie can’t even imagine being this proud of Hawkins if their roles had been reversed.

“So, um, what are we doin’ here?” Eddie asks as they stroll along together.

“We’re going to look at what I’ve been told is da most inspirin’ thing in d’ world,” Steve smirks mischievously, and Eddie can’t help but glance over as his heart flutters in his chest at the thought that Steve is such a good person, he’s trying to cure Eddie’s lack of inspiration, “Stars.”

The word jolts Eddie out of his daydream as Steve slows to stop outside a large building, “But it’s nearly two in the afternoon. We can’t see the stars.” Eddie responds, confused.

“Oh yeah, dats right. Well, I guess seein’ as we’re here anyways, I could show you some other weird stuff?” Steve says with a shrug.

“Weird stuff?” Eddie scrunches his nose in bewilderment, but the smile doesn’t leave him.

“Come on, Ed. Live a little. It’s a super scary museum,” Steve jokes, wiggling his fingers at Eddie. 

“I’m not scared,” Eddie says, putting his hands on his hips.

“Oh yeah?” Steve smirks.

“Yeah!” Eddie says defiantly and walks past Steve into the massive building alone.

Apparently, it's the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and the science Eddie had stumbled into was zoology. Around him are many wooden glass-fronted cases of various sizes, all showcasing animal life. Some exhibits were tiny things containing bugs, others were great dioramas of an era or a setting, and then there was the set of large bones that towered over the place belonging to a mammoth.

Eddie doesn't think he’s ever seen anything like it in his life. He can only stand there and gawk at everything because he doesn't know where to go first.

“Pretty neat, huh?” Steve says as his arm envelops Eddie’s shoulders, walking him around the virtually empty place.

“Neat is one word for it sure,” Eddie tries to say as calmly as he can, but he hears how soft it emerges from his mouth, not like he could help it when he's pulled into Steve’s side like this.

Steve’s free hand waves out in front of them across the room as the other grips his shoulder, “‘Dis place, Ed, I thought it might help ya out, ya know? If you wanna create a monster, all da references are right here, ain't dey?”

Eddie knows that all that is holding him back from fully embracing Steve and his kindness right there and then is prison, death and losing maybe the best friend he’s ever had. Why did he care so much about Eddie’s dreams? Didn’t he have one of his own?

“Wanna play a game, Ed?” Steve asks, turning his head to him, and Eddie can only reflect the radiant smile being beamed at him. A lowly mortal in the presence of the embodiment of the sun itself.

Steve checks his watch quickly, “Ok, we got ten minutes to run around here, find an animal, pick a part of it, and draw it roughly, or write it down.” he fishes in his leather jacket pocket and pulls out some paper scraps and a pencil each, “Den, we switch animals, got it?” 

“Um, why are we only drawing bits of the animals?” Eddie laughs as he takes the items from Steve.

“Creatin’ monsters, o’course!” Steve shouts as someone shushes him, and he gives Eddie’s shoulder a final squeeze before running off towards a deer. 

Eddie’s legs feel like they won't budge, or maybe he’s afraid of walking in case they buckle beneath him. He’s sure if he doesn’t soon, he’ll become an exhibit himself.

Lovesick Homosapian 1959 - Donated by S. Harrington.

He walks to the nearest exhibit and starts making a rough sketch of the body of a stag beetle. It's a very minimal sketch because, try as he might to keep focussed on the task at hand, he can’t help but keep looking over at Steve, who is adorably crouched, resting the paper on his thigh to draw. His tongue pressed between his lips, and his brow furrowed in concentration. Steve must sense his stare and turns toward him, “Done already?” he grins and indicates they trade places.

By the end of the ten minutes, they crowd next to one another to pour over the results. They both have some fascinating creatures on their pages, made with elements of beetle, deer, squirrel and flamingo elements.

Eddie went for the body of the beetle, the multiple legs of the deer, the two heads of a flamingo, the arms of a squirrel and the tail.

Steve’s was…well…it was kinda cute, even though it was still weird-looking. The legs of a flamingo, the body of a squirrel, the head of the deer and the wings of the beetle. It’s also quite impressive for someone Eddie has never seen draw. He hadn't even mentioned it. Then Eddie realises he never really asked either.

“Wow, I really like your one,” Eddie enthuses over Steve’s drawing.

“Ya do?” Steve says excitedly, and his face looks almost like he’d been waiting his whole life to hear it, but the expression fades as quickly as it appears. Steve shakes his head and looks down with a laugh, “Ah, ya got me. Good one.”

“I’m not kidding. I do like yours better.” Eddie says, pulling the drawing towards himself from under Steve’s fingers. “Though it doesn’t seem very monstrous. Seems kinda sweet, honestly.” Eddie teases and turns to his friend, whose sweet brown eyes are waiting to cut off his breath, and tries to refashion it into a sigh, which somehow Eddie manages to swallow down, and turns back to Steve’s drawing, rolls it up like a scroll and puts it in his inside breast pocket, “Seems only fair, you already have one of mine.” 

Steve doesn't say anything, just keeps that gentle smile on his face as he lightly tugs Eddie’s elbow to follow him, but sadly doesn't keep hold of it.

Steve stops outside a huge, tilted back, painted, partial globe. Protruding from it is a rectangular box with seats in it. At a complete loss, Eddie turns to Steve, who looks at Eddie from the corner of his eye, looking pleased, but says nothing.

An elderly man approaches them, and his face lights up, “Steve?!”

“Da very same,” Steve answers happily.

“I haven't seen you in a while. Everything ok?” He says, coming forward to kiss Steve on each cheek, and his eyes fall on Eddie, “Nice to meet you, welcome to the-”

“No. Don't tell him,” Steve quickly interjects, “It's a surprise. He’s not from here.”

“Oh, ok, no problem.” The man opens the door to the rectangular type box, steps inside and seats himself, and waves them in.

Steve nods towards it and goes in next. Eddie follows him inside. As he sits down next to Steve, he barely has time to enjoy the sensation of brushing arms with him when the whole thing starts whirring and the box they are sitting in starts moving into the orb, and as they do, the globe begins to close over them, until they are plunged into complete darkness.

And that's when Eddie starts to see them, the stars.

The machine whirs, and the sky turns, allowing them to see more constellations. And Eddie is entirely in awe even lets out an audible gasp a few times, causing Steve and the greying gent to snicker. But Eddie couldn’t care less. Here he was basking in a marvel, the ability to see the stars any time of day, irrespective of weather, and this was all happening due to the incredible man shuffled up next to him. A feeling of disappointed acceptance begins to gnaw at him and threatens his unabashed joy. He’d found this amazing person who goes to such lengths to help him with something that most people would find trivial, yet he could never have him as his own.

He’s glad it's dark in here, so Steve can't see the frown that sets onto Eddie’s forehead as he thinks about how furious society makes him, that it asks him to be kind and loving but be tough and never show emotion. Asks him to show love freely, but only in the confines of heterosexuality. Tells him to take his time to appreciate the world around him but forces him to hurry along and keep his head down.

Steve shuffles next to him, breaking him out of his momentary lousy mood, and reminds him that whilst he can’t have everything he wants, he can capture moments like this and keep them for his own forever, and no one could take those away from him.

The machine whirs again, and light fills the space as they exit the contraption, “The Atwood Sphere,” The greying gent says as they leave, looking amused at them before waving them goodbye.

Eddie clears his throat, “That was amazing! Did you come here a lot as a kid?”

“Yeah, and no. My pa used to bring us here after he’d come home after da war. The navy used dat for training navigation, ya know.” Steve replies.

Eddie feels the question on his tongue but is frightened to ask, so he rephrases it, “What an incredible thing to share with your Pa. Bet he knew a lot about the stars and things like that?”

“Oh sure, yeah. Wish I could remember more of da stories he told us dat lived in the night sky.” Steve says a little quieter, “Did your pa do the same?”

Eddie chuckles to lighten the mood a little, “Couldn’t shut up my dad up. He had a story for everything. Especially if it had anything to do with my mama.”

“A romantic, was he?” Steve chuckles, and it's like music to Eddie’s ears.

“That is an understatement. Pa’s crazy about her.” 

“Yeah?” Steve asks curiously.

“Oh yeah, think I found a piece of his poetry to her earlier,” Eddie smiles and glances at Steve for his reaction. To see if he frowns or ridicules at the softness of a man towards his wife, but Steve only smiles and nods.

“What was it about?” Steve happily asks.

“Something about a star and a soul,” Eddie tries to remember, and Steve hums as they walk. They enjoy the quiet for a few steps outside the building before he continues, “You ever heard the story about soulmates?”

Steve turns to him and raises an eyebrow, “No.”

“Well, in the legend. Humans originally had four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. They had started to become quite powerful and threatened to rule over the gods, and Zeus didn't much like that at all. The gods were gonna wipe out the humans completely, but they needed the humans to offer tributes, so they had to come up with something else,” Eddie clasps his hands in front of him, “So they decided to split humans in half as a punishment, to remind them of their place, and at the same time would double the tributes offered.”

“But wouldn’t dat make twice as many humans to rise up against them?” Steve asks curiously, and the fact that he’s actually been listening makes Eddie put a little more performance into the story. Jogs a few steps ahead of Steve and animatedly tells the rest while walking backwards.

“Well, it should have, except for one thing. The humans were miserable, and without their other half, they didn't care if they lived or not. Also making their tributes dwindle,” he stops dead in his steps with a finger in the air, and Steve does too with surprise-widened eyes. Seemingly fascinated in the tale, “But Apollo hated seeing them this way, so he sewed them up, leaving them one physical reminder of their true original form. The humans never quite rose up like that again because even though they were healed, they still longed for their other half, not just their body, but the other half of the soul too.” Eddie finishes with a flourish of his hand and a bow. Immediately after which, he regrets it. This was the part of him he’d been trying to keep under wraps. Showing off was his old self, not this one. But he hears the one thing most performers can’t resist. Applause.

Steve is smiling and clapping his hands, and Eddie feels the heat rise to his cheeks as he turns around and falls into step next to Steve, “So yeah, that's the legend about soulmates.”

“I hadn’t heard dat before. Thanks,” Steve says as they approach the gleaming Thunderbird. He turns and looks curiously at Eddie, “Say, you wanna take us home?”

“I, um, I don’t even-” Eddie starts to lie.

“I don’t think dats true at all. I think you can ride, and I think you had a bike like dis one,” Steve says with smug confidence.

“How did-” Eddie tries to ask, a little flabbergasted.

“Well, because I used to talk to your ma a lot when she worked on things at da store and apartment for us,” Steve laughs but doesn't seem mad that Eddie lied, “You ain’t gotta be anyone else but you ‘round me, Ed. We’re good. Everyone’s gotta past.” 

Eddie realises that perhaps he isn’t just accepting the version of Eddie from before, but also he was inviting Eddie to accept him too. Clearly, he wasn’t just randomly friends with a motorcycle gang, and he didn’t just magically have a bike lying around to give to Jonny. And with what Jonny had said, there was more than just a bunch of kids watching out for Steve.

“Sure,” Eddie smiles, “Sorry,” he adds an apology, and Steve nods, tossing him the keys, which Eddie fumbles to catch as they almost drop to the floor.

Eddie sits at the front of the bike and barely has a few seconds to enjoy the feeling of the handlebars under his grip because Steve is already clambering on behind him, and he has to brace his legs and lean his own weight against Steves to keep the balance. Not that he minds in any way. It's clear Steve is not accustomed to being the passenger as he struggles to get seated, using Eddie as a supportive climbing frame. 

“All set?” Eddie asks as he looks over his shoulder to see a glimpse of Steve, who gives him a thumbs up. But as he turns his glance back to the road ahead, he sees how Steve's thicker thighs are at his sides, and he’s elected to put his hands on his knees and a glimmer of mischief enters Eddie’s mind as he starts up the bike.

He pulls away much too quickly on purpose and feels Steve's large hands grip his waist, “Uh, sorry about that. I’m a bit rusty,” he shouts back as he slows down. Steve’s hands release him but come back to smooth over his jacket where he’d latched on and shuffles forward slightly. 

The city looks different as the sun sets on it, bathing it in both the last remnants of its glow and the coolness of approaching dusk. It feels almost like the city is waking up for its second shift as more lights from homes and signs begin to illuminate as they travel. It should be calming, but that is impossible due to the rate at which his heart is racing.

Eddie can barely breathe when he feels Steve’s legs squeeze around him as he moves, and the mix of his body heat and Steve’s almost makes him feel like he might overheat. But rather than panic, he tries to relax into it, as occasionally Steve leans forward gently to point out the turning he needs to take. It makes Eddie wish it wasn’t just a primarily straight road going home because every time they come to a turning, Steve would extend one arm out to indicate, and his other would rest against Eddie somewhere. His hip, his waist or shoulder, and each one comes with surging electricity of magic that pours through the threads of the fabric of his clothes, seeps into his skin and makes his heart and soul spin like characters on a carousel along to the music of Steve’s occasional laugh when Eddie takes a corner too tightly or pulls away from a light quickly.

Sooner than he’d like, they are nearing home, and Steve points towards Eddie’s apartment, “You sure?” Eddie shouts.

“Yeah!” Steve affirms, and Eddie pulls up outside the apartment building.

They stand near the bike for a while, and it feels familiar. And he knows it's not. It could never be, but it looks a lot like all those times he’d dropped girls off at their houses after taking them on a date. Except he’s not in his usual role. Regret swirls as he thinks about all or any of those girls that might have felt like he does right now, as he looks at Steve smiling back at him from the bike.

Almost like he can read his mind, Steve tilts his head curiously. “Can I ask you somethin’ Ed?” 

“Yeah. Yeah, sure,” Eddie blurts out as he is dragged out of his thoughts.

“Dat story you told me earlier. ‘Bout da soulmates. You didn’t say what happens when dey find each other.” Steve asks, looking at Eddie but toying with one of the zippers on his jacket, “Or don't dey?”

“Oh well, my pa said that there is no escape,” Eddie laughs gently, “They are drawn together over time, and when they finally do meet. They just know. Like their souls do all the understanding for them, so they don't have to work it out. They’ll feel whole and happy. Like the happiest they ever felt, kinda thing.”

“I like dat,” Steve smiles hugely, “See ya tomorrow, Ed,” he says with a two-finger wave and starts up the bike to ride back home.

Eddie watches him ride the short distance away, and suddenly, the chill in the air makes itself known. He huddles his jacket around himself and climbs the stairs to the doors of the building before turning back to watch as his waiting friends swarm Steve outside the store. His laughter on the breeze makes Eddie smile again, and he finally turns to go inside.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some extra bits of info if you are interested:

Notes: The Building they visited was the Chicago Academy of Sciences in Lincoln Park https://naturemuseum.org/explore/history/

The Atwood Sphere was based in this building until 1997 when it was moved to the Adler Planetarium.

[louiisaa]

gonna give you all a list of the concerts i have been and give you a rating then give you my upcoming concerts bc i can

dec 2021 - cavetown: first concert! went with my mum to a small venue in cambridge and had a great time! robbie was so so good and sara kays (the opener) was awesome and they performed a song together! (8/10)

sept 2022 - taylor hawkins memorial concert: this was SO SO good. went with my family since we had tickets to see the foo fighters later that year which obviously got cancelled but we got priority tickets for this because of that! the vibe was just so good everyone was so nice and all the people performing were insane! dave grohl was insane the whole night and shane hawkins playing my hero almost made me cry( 10/10)

nov 2022 - cavetown again: friends had a spare ticket and i went with them (their dad didn't want to go lol) don't particularly remember it because i was NOT prepared they messaged me a few hours before saying they had a ticket but i remember loving it! we missed orla gartland (got there in time to see her walk off the stage whoops) but everyone was so lovely and robbie was ofc amazing (7/10)

feb 2023 - cavetown AGAIN!: this was so special bc i went on valentine's day in brighton and it was so cool. went with my mum and had standing tickets! it was such a good vibe and RICKY MONTGOMERY was opening he was SO good (9/10)

sept 2023 - lovejoy: obviously this experience has been completely ruined for me and i now class this as a GOOD KID concert because I LOVE THEM. loupe and good kid as the openers were so good! was already a fan of good kid but i had never heard of loupe and i loved them! although i obviously don't support lovejoy/wilbur anymore i had a really good time in the moment i guess! side note: these two 11 year old girls stood up a bunch in front of us when NO ONE else was standing up and they were in the front row so if we stood up to see the people behind us wouldn't be able to see so that was annoying. don't do that. overall it was good at the time but his voice makes me want to throw up now. (4/10)

jan 2024 - bring me the horizon: this was also a random ticket situation but i'm so glad i went! my uncle had BOX tickets from his work so my brother, dad and my brothers friend all went with him. i already listened to them but this experience made me love them so much more. everyone was so so lovely and it was just such a good atmosphere in the o2. i wasn't a huge fan of the openers but they were still good! (10/10)

april 2024 - ricky montgomery: my mum got these as a surprise because she really liked him after seeing him at cavetown and knew i liked him aswell and OH MY GOD BEST CONCERT EVER i made friends in the queue and roe kapara was insane i love him ricky is such a good performer he has so much stage presence. even though i didn't go with friends it's still the best night ever (100000/10)

upcoming concerts!!!

- taylor swift

- the killers

-conan gray

[hfjone-headcanons]

hi . i was the one who put those three , really really long headcanons . i was logged out of my account and had to make a new one .

anyway .,.

since airy has a pearl jam song on his cassette player ( around the bend ) , i feel like he really enjoys grunge / alternative rock . here ' s a few bands i think he ' d like :

pearl jam ( of course ) , alice in chains , mother love bone , nirvana , foo fighters , radiohead , audioslave , soundgarden , stone temple pilots , the smashing pumpkins

., yea . he would definitely mostly enjoy the more calmer and / or acoustic tracks that the bands have to offer .

some songs i think he ' d enjoy :

nutshell - alice in chains

creep - stone temple pilots

dead man - pearl jam

walking after you - foo fighters

marigold - nirvana

where i end and you begin - radiohead

burden in my hand - soundgarden

... ect .

if i could get a signoff , i think i ' d use .. -🪓 . that would be cool .

YES!!!!!

[fantastickkay]

Album Review of the Week: Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape (1997) ☆☆☆

Technically, there was a Foo Fighters album 2 years before this one but it was largely a demo recorded by Dave Grohl himself. This album is the debut of the collective group and what a debut it is! They paired up with producer Gil Norton who helped smooth things out for more radio sensibility which helps a lot with charts and sales and simply creating a classic album that people can admire for years and decades to come!

It opens with a slow, short track Doll, then bursts through with Monkey Wrench. The sound is clean and smooth yet still hard-hitting, especially with the fast-talking-turned-to-scream of the bridge.

Hey, Johnny Park! has a loud (every time I say this, know that I mean it in the best possible way!) intro, then slows down into a more mid-tempo situation. The chorus picks up again and provides and great melodic rock riff and vocal. I love the main guitar riff, it definitely perks up my ears and pulls me in!

Then we get a really cool crossfade into chaos that leads us into My Poor Brain. The verses are very subdued and a little silly but it provides a nice texture change and of course the chorus is still the rock that we came to hear!

Wind Up has really, really great texture. The guitars and drums are in great form on this one especially. They break out the pedals in this one too which helps to vary the sound.

Up In Arms is another one that starts with a 30~ second ballad then picks right up. According to Wikipedia, this album is meant to illustrate a therapy session and general processing of life events which explains the quick tempo changes.

My Hero starts with a really great bassline. This is the song I am most familiar with, mostly because Paramore covered it at one point. If you can't tell, I am a more casual Foo Fighters fan. This single is really great though. The riffs and the chorus, just great! Definitely has my head bobbing.

See You is quite bouncy and poppy compared to what we have heard so far. Enough Space starts with a darker guitar tone, the pleasant walk we just had is clearly over and the storm clouds are back! The vocals are grittier as well!

February Stars is a soft piano and bass ballad! Quite a sharp turn. I always think of The Day the Music Died when I see the title of this song. Of course, three minutes in the guitars come back the volume is back up!

Everlong is almost pop-rock with its smooth melodies but do not fear! It is still incredibly driving.

Walking After You is a pretty long ballad that frankly didn't interest me too much. Then, New Way Home busted through and scared my cat after all that calm! It's another smooth yet driving track with great melodies.

I generally really enjoy this album although I don't think to pop it in the player very often. Some tracks are really really great but the album does stretch a bit for me while listening in completion.

Standouts: Monkey Wrench, Hey, Johnny Park!, My Hero and Wind Up.