#and this is tv spot campaign or something

[highlynerdy]

@nextstopparis said “arthur pendragon with a lil bi flag edited onto his cheek” but I accidentally went a little more extra with it 💗💜💙

[prettyboypistol]

Stardew Valley Bachelors x Male Reader Relationship Headcanons

Harvey

Super Shy Gay(TM)

I dont CARE if you're married he ASKS TO HOLD YOUR HAND

Kiss him. Kiss him in public. Do it.

If you call him gay he'll get flustered

Can't cook for shit but tries his best. yes, the smoke alarms are going off because he tried to cook bacon.

Harvey is one of those anxious boyfriends that asks you to text him that you made it to a place safe.

"Drive safe, I love you"/"Dear it's been 10 minutes since the ETA are you alright?" hella ass

probably forgets your anniversary ONCE, but then never again when you tell him you were upset.

Elliot

you know the men that forget your anniversary? NOT ANYMORE

you randomly come home to roses all the time.

"Oh hello my love i am writing a book about homosexual pirates wear this to immerse me please"

probably hides gifts around the house with little notes

bad at confrontation but will eventually talk to you about things that bother him like a week of letting it fester.

"BABY CAN WE PLEASE GO TO THE RENAISSANCE FAIR"

Dramatic ass bitch on GOD

probably likes to be choked

Shane

Calls you gay slurs affectionately and expects the same energy back at him.

He can cook like, 2 meal.

Remembers every little anniversary but is embarrassed about it. He remembers the first time you kissed, the first time you said i love you, etc.

Biggest cuddlebug known to man

Feels bad that you're the main breadwinner so he begs to take care of the chickens on your farm.

You WILL find Shane asleep with a baby chick in his arms sometimes i'm sorry homie

Confrontational af, if something happens that he isn't okay with he'll bring it up as soon as situationally possible in a kind way.

Sam

writes you love songs

he's a bit of a messy partner, but if you mention the mess it'll be spotless for like, 3 weeks.

if you get in a fight he'll brood outside with his guitar for a little, but will always get into bed with you at the end of the day happily.

loves surprises and surprising

he's all great when it's casual flirting, but as soon as you two start seriously flirting he gets all flustered.

bi-curious, you're probably the first man he's dated but not the first man he's kissed.

loves to binge TV shows with you

Sebastian

pan ICON

he thinks you're too cool for him, but he is grateful that you enthusiastically love him

calls you a hillbilly if you call him emo

if you ask about a project he's working on he WILL talk for hours

Falls asleep at his desk a lot, but appreciates when you carry him to bed

he loves when you talk to him "while he's sleeping"

Lets you ride with him to TechCons or Comicons, loves going as couple characters

you get invited to the Dungeons and Dragons campaign

likes calling you his boyfriend

Alex

picks you up and does reps with you to flirt

he loves touching your body after a long day of farming, the tan fascinates him.

a surprisingly great cook, always knows what you wanna eat without asking.

has never even looked at a man before you came along, so he's kinda awkward about serious romantic things

bad at confrontation, but great at supporting you

he calls you very masculine things like "superman" or "my man" a lot

Defends Dusty when he steals your spot on the bed, but offers his chest as a substitute.

[elliewithcellie]

The Taste of the Divine

summary: reader introduces eddie to Sleep Token's The Summoning (iykyk)

wc: 0.9k

cw: modern!eddie x fem!reader, I'm gonna say 18+ smut adjacent by the end. Its very suggestive lol, reader is called baby a lot, eddie calls reader good girl because it's one of the lyrics, Eddie POV

a/n: the way I revisited this song today and was like eddie should hear this then RAN to my computer to put pen to paper. It was like a fever dream, honestly

Eddie scribbled away in his notebook on the floor of the living room. The TV chattered on. The white noise was useful to him when creating the twists and turns of his campaign. While planning feverishly, it was peaceful to him, something he hadn’t done as often as he would have liked since working full time. He became so lost in his fantasy, he didn’t notice you entering the room.

“Eddie?”

He flinched at the sound of your voice. “Baby, you scared me.” He laughed.

“Eddie, you have to hear this band.” Your tone was insistent. “They’re so metal, I know you’ll love it.”

Eddie chuckled at your seriousness. “Like, metal metal?”

“Yes! I mean, I think so! Come on. I’ll play this one song for you. It’s, like, insane.” You squatted down and started pulling his arm up with you.

“Ok! Ok, I’m coming!” Eddie scrambled up from the floor, trying to gather his bearings, as he fought to catch up with the arm trapped in your hold.

You all but dragged him to your shared bedroom. You jumped into bed, patting the spot next to you. Eddie gladly accepted. He watched as you placed your laptop between the two of you. You typed The Summoning into the search bar.

“Have you heard of Sleep Token before?” you asked.

“No, I haven’t,” Eddie said.

“I really think you’ll like them,” you said, your voice soft.

“I believe you, baby.” Eddie placed his hand on your thigh, rubbing small circles with his thumb.

You nodded and clicked play.

The song began with drums and a guitar right up his alley. Instinctually, he found himself nodding his head to the beat. He loved the blend of the singer’s voice with the instruments, all working together in harmony. The scream caught him off guard.

“Oh, that’s metal, baby. For sure,” Eddie turned to you with a grin exposing his excitement. Your eyes stayed on him like you didn’t want to miss a single reaction.

He returned his attention to the screen following along with the lyrics and the rhythm. The guitar solos left his mind wandering, piecing together the technicality, the specific fingerings. He wondered how quickly he could learn this on his own. He smiled to himself. He loved how well you knew him. Even as simple as a song recommendation, he couldn’t help but fall deeper for you, especially when this type of music wasn’t quite your usual genre of choice.

The music began to fade out, and Eddie’s smile grew bigger. “That was really good.”

“It’s not over yet,” you replied, your eyes glued to the screen. “Just wait.”

His eyebrows scrunched together but sat back to listen, you now in his line of sight.

The new soft music juxtaposed what came before, quiet and mysterious. The music swelled, building louder and louder, anticipation gathering in his lungs. He watched you in intrigue and awe as you leaned forward, the anticipation seemingly getting to you, too.

“Oh, and my love Did I mistake you for a sign from God”

The groove shook him to his core. He had never heard anything like it, certainly not in a metal song. It transcended the genre to a new plane. He didn’t want to be dramatic, but this song was changing everything he knew metal could be.

“Or maybe just to turn me on”

Your breathing hitched, stirring Eddie from his musings. You continued staring at the screen, no longer looking to Eddie for approval. He got the sense that this song wasn’t just for him anymore.

“I would be lying if I told you that I didn't wish that I could be your man Or maybe make a good girl bad”

He watched as a sigh escaped your lips. Your breathing slowed and your cheeks flushed a light shade of pink.

“I’ve got a river running right into you I’ve got a blood trail, red in the blue Something you say or something you do The taste of the divine”

You clutched the comforter. You watched the screen, your pupils dilating with every word spoken. It was a look that was all too familiar to Eddie. A look you gave when the tension between you was too much to bear. A look you only gave him.

He felt heat rise to his cheeks.

“You've got my body, flesh, and bone The sky above, the Earth below Nothing to say and nowhere to go The taste of the divine”

As the song ended, you released the breath you didn’t know you were holding in. “What’d you think?”

Now Eddie was the one staring. “I can’t decide if I should be jealous of them—”

“Jealous?” you asked incredulously. “Corroded Coffin—”

“—for riling up my girlfriend right in front of me,”

Your cheeks rouged, your eyes drifting from his.

He leaned forward, closing the space between you. “or if I should be proud” –Eddie tilted your chin to face him, his lips hovering over yours— “that you got so turned on by a metal song.”

“I—I, I thought you would like it.”

“Oh, I did, baby. I did.” He chuckled. “But my good girl was thinking bad thoughts, wasn’t she?”

A chill ran down your spine.

“You’ve got my body, flesh, and bone, baby,” Eddie said, brushing his lips against your ear. “Now, let me take care of you like the heaven-send you are.”

[acewritesfics]

Preferably Naked | Eddie Munson

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Reader

Request: No

Warnings: Slightly cringy, a little suggestive.

Word Count: 1,273

Stranger Things Masterlist | Main Masterlist

“Where are you going?” Mumbling is heard behind Y/N as she ties the laces of her rundown pair of white sneakers. She turns her head to glance back at the young man who is moving to sit up, sleepily staring at her. 

She gives him a sweet smile. “I have work, and you have school.” 

“Do I have to go?” He moans and lays back on the mattress. 

“Would you like to graduate this year?” She stands up, spins around, and kneels next to him on the bed. She leans forward to brush her lips against his in a kiss. 

Two years ago, Eddie Munson was supposed to graduate from high school. That same year, Y/N had graduated. This year he’d been most committed to finally graduating. All his hard work and efforts were about to pay off. With just one more class to pass, he will be able to walk across the stage, flip off the principal, and exit the building for good. 

“Do you wish to discover my true desires?” He asks, yanking her down onto him, and gives her another kiss. He was using his dungeons and dragons talk. That was something he found himself doing often when trying to seduce her. Both of them were fantasy nerds, so Y/N has to admit it works for her. “For us both to call in sick and stay in bed the remainder of the day, preferably naked.” He adds taking in the horrible yellow uniform she was wearing. 

Y/N presses her lips to his once more before pulling away. She stands up and begins looking for the van’s keys so she can get something out of it before she leaves for work. “Even though I would really love to do that, the diner is currently short-staffed, and we need the cash if we want to get our own trailer after you graduate. "Where are your keys?” 

She hears him mutter something about the kitchen counter as he moves to get out of bed himself. She spots his keys lying there on the counter, in plain view, as she leaves their shared bedroom and enters the little kitchen area. She snatches them up, goes outside to the van, unlocks the door, and slides it open. She climbs inside the back and searches through one of the boxes that filled up one-third of the back area. 

Y/N and her parents had a heated confrontation a month ago. They disapprove of her relationship with the town “freak.” They also disagreed with her decision to not attend college immediately after she graduated from high school. Her parents expected her to go to medical school and pursue a profession in medicine, just like themselves. Her father is a neurologist and her mother is a paediatrician. Y/N accepted to go along with their plans for her up until her senior year, when everything changed for her. She realised that being a doctor wasn’t what she wanted to become. 

Of course, her parents accused Eddie of influencing her to change her mind. Her parents referred to him as “the man with no future” and believed he had manipulated her with his “fake” love and false promises to keep her where he wanted her. According to Y/N, if it wasn’t for him, his love, encouragement, and support, she would be still stuck in a life she was not happy in. She was able to realise she wasn’t being herself thanks to Eddie. She concealed the fact that she wasn’t just a smart nerd who received A+ grades on the majority of her assignments. She enjoys reading fantasy books, creating dragon and warrior princess stories of her own, along with drawing scenes to go along with the words she’s written. She also enjoys watching sci-fi and horror films and TV shows and listening to heavy metal music with Eddie. Eddie sometimes uses her creative skills for his D&D campaigns. 

Her greatest passion is art. Despite the disapproval of her parents, she continues to draw and paint. Her biggest supporter, her ever-loving boyfriend, constantly inspires and encourages her to pursue her passion for her creative outlet. She feels like she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to when her favourite metal head and Dungeon Master is by her side. She would be content if her future included residing in a trailer park with Eddie and spending her days doing art and writing.  

Eddie’s uncle Wayne didn’t think twice about welcoming her to live with them after her parents kicked her out of their home. Eddie is overjoyed at how well his girl and his only parental figure get along. Wayne acknowledges how valuable Y/N is to his nephew and was happy for and supportive of the young couple. Unfortunately, the trailer lacked the space to put everything she was allowed to bring from her parents’ house, so the less essential items remained in Eddie’s van until they found a place of their own. 

When she manages to find what she was looking for, she exits the van and waves to Max, the teenage girl who lives across from them. With a forced smile on her face, the young teen waves back. Y/N felt bad for the girl. She was aware that the previous year wasn’t easy for her. She made a mental note that she needed to visit Max later. 

She enters the trailer again and finds Eddie dressed and cooking breakfast. She sets her belongings down before approaching him and encircling his waist with her arms from behind him. “Can you take me to work today?” She asks him. 

“Of course.” He turns around in her arms, her hands moving over his hips. “Would you like me to pick you up as well?” 

“You have the Hellfire Club tonight. "I’ll get a ride home with Sally,” she replied, mentioning her favourite coworker, who lives close to the trailer park. 

He nods his head, letting her know he heard what she said, and he drops a kiss on her nose before kissing her lips. “I love you, my queen.” 

Returning the kiss with a grin, she responds, “I love you too, my king.” 

As their kiss intensifies, Eddie pulls her closer to him and digs his fingers into her hips, holding her tightly but not enough to hurt her. As he moves them back up against the wall and scoops her up, wrapping her legs around his hips, she grabs hold of his shirt, clinging tightly to him. The smell of burning food reaches her nose, interrupting their passionate make-out session before it could go any further. She pulls her face away from his, only for him to move his kisses to her neck. She struggles to contain a pleasure-filled moan. 

When she notices smoke pouring from the pan on the stovetop, she sighs, “Eddie.” She grabs his hair and gently pulls his head back when he doesn’t stop, causing him to look at her in bewilderment. “As much as I would love to continue this, the food is burning,” she alerts him. 

“Shit!” He curses while he gently releases her, before he rushes to the stove, takes the pan from the burner, and dumps it into the sink. He turns on the cold water faucet, causing the water to sizzle when it reaches the sizzling hot pan. 

“How about we leave in five and grab breakfast at the diner?” Y/N suggests from her spot, leaning against the wall. 

“Let me get my lunchbox and jacket, and then we can go.” He gives her one last kiss as he moves past her and back into their room to grab his things. 

[fuctacles]

in love and war part 2

For Spicy Six Winter Challenge hosted by @thefreakandthehair

T | 2221 | feelings realization, bi awakening | read part 1 here | part 3 here

And this takes us to the present. The revenge plan.

The sun has just come up and there are four of them camping in Steve’s car, sharing thermoses full of hot beverages of choice. (Steve brought one full of hot cocoa and it's the crowd’s favorite.)

“Eddie is not an early riser, we’re wasting time,” Lucas complains while observing the trailer with his binoculars. 

“I think his uncle’s gonna wake him up for us,” Robin assures him. And like clockwork, Wayne Munson’s truck comes into view, almost knocking down one of their sculptures. The man steps out, takes a look at the dozen snowmen surrounding his trailer, and disappears inside. 

About fifteen minutes later, the curtains in one of the windows move. Steve’s buzzing in his seat. Or maybe just shivering. He reaches into his pocket for a tissue to wipe his runny nose.

“There’s a message!”

“Well, read it!”

“Nice move, Stevie,” Lucas reads the paper that appeared in the window. “Can’t play with you tho, I’m sick. Sad face.”

“Did he draw a sad face or…?”

“Of course, he drew it!”

Steve yanks the binoculars from Lucas to see for himself. The papers disappeared but Eddie took their place in the window, wrapped in a blanket. There’s a scarf around his neck and his nose is red. He looks bad.

“Damn. He really is sick.”

“Full offense but you look like shit, too.”

“Can it, Mayfield.”

He steps out and walks up to the trailer. Eddie finally spots him and he perks up and waves at him.

“Hi!” 

Even through the window, Steve can hear how croaky his voice is.

“Guess there goes your next campaign.”

Eddie laughs weakly, it turns into a cough.

“Guess so.”

“You started it,” he reminds him.

“I know. Sorry.”

“Why?” Steve frowns at him. Eddie shrugs.

“Seemed like a fun idea.”

“Imagine how much fun you could be having playing DnD now.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Eddie waves his hand. “But. You know.” He shrugs again.

“No, I don’t know.” He shakes his head, frowning again.

“You don’t play DnD.”

He taps against the glass nervously and Steve collects himself quickly.

“We can find something that doesn’t end with you in bed.”

Eddie’s eyes sparkle with mischief and Steve immediately realizes the double meaning in his words.

“Okay, shut up.”

He turns around and leaves quickly. The inside of his car is surprisingly warm and he shivers from head to toe.

“Well, I’m leaving before I catch whatever this is,” Max eyes him before escaping the car. She stops once outside. “Lucas, you coming?”

The boy scrambles behind her.

“Let’s get you home,” Robin squeezes his arm. 

He takes one last glance at Eddie’s trailer and nods. 

It’s all misery from there. He makes camp in the living room because that’s where the tv is and he needs some entertainment while sitting on his ass and coughing. Robin takes stock of his medicine cabinet and whatever else he may need while housebound. She forces him to take his temperature. He’s prissy about it because it would make the sickness real, but it’s barely above average.

“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” Robin pats him on the head while inspecting the thermometer. “Where’s your walkie?”

“There’s no need-”

“Little shitheads need to know they’re on their own. Or rather on their parent’s mercy.”

He nods.

“It should be on my desk.”

She’s gone for a while which makes him assume he’s excluded from the conversation. There’s probably a lot of yelling happening from the kids and Robin’s saving him the headache, bless her heart. She comes back eventually, walkie in hand. 

“I’ll leave it nearby in case you need anything, but I told them not to bother you, that you’ll contact them if you need anything.”

“Thanks,” he smiles. “You’re the best.”

“I know,” she smiles back. “Dustin isn’t happy, of course, but his mom said they’ll come with some soup later. Max said, and I quote “serves them well.”

“She's not wrong,” he mutters.

“Will and Lucas said they’re sorry. Will said Mike’s sorry too.”

Steve snorts.

“Course he did. What did Eddie say?”

“Nothing,” she shrugs. “Either he was sleeping or too sick to speak up.”

“Huh.” He’s weirdly disappointed about that.

“Anyway, I gotta go to work now because my coworker called in sick.” She pats his knee as she stands up.

“Uh, I’m sorry?”

She shakes her head.

“You’ll pay me back when I come down with whatever I just caught from you. I’ll come over tomorrow with some movies. don’t forget Dustin’s coming later today!”

He groans.

“Right, of course.”

“Yeah, not jealous about that, buddy.” She pats his head. His hair is ruined enough that he doesn’t protest. “Walkie if you need anything, do not leave the house, keep yourself warm. Toodles!”

“See you, Rob.”

Later he has to listen to Dustin yelling at him from the other side of the room (“I’m not getting any closer to your germs, Steve!”). Claudia, the wonderful mom she is, doesn’t have such reservations and hands him the soup she brought after heating it.

“Dusty made us make rounds to all your friends to gather a care package for you.”

Steve makes a surprised sound over his cup.

“Being sick is so boring, we thought it could help!” Dustin adds, still yelling from afar. But the anger seems to have seeped out of him. “We’re going to Eddie’s next, his care package is cooler.”

“Dustin!”

Steve laughs.

“He’s probably right, Ms. Claudia, I don’t think our interests overlap as much as with Eddie.”

“Well, you’re gonna get educated because we do not have boring jock shit for you.”

“Dustin!”

“What?! It’s the truth!”

Steve snorts so hard, he needs a tissue.

After they leave, he digs into the care package like it’s a Christmas morning. Everything has little post-it notes with get-well wishes and signed who it’s from. From Robin, he got promised medication restock and some hard candy for his throat. Will gave him a copy of Hobbit and a tape which upon opening, turned out to have a small joint hidden inside, courtesy of Jonathan. El lent him a Wonder Woman comic. Dustin gave him a Batman comic and a handwritten guide titled “D&D for dummies”, that actually made him chuckle. At the bottom, probably because Dustin was ashamed of his friend, was an issue of Sports Illustrated with a note “Read the Magic Johnson interview!” and below that, a girly-looking magazine, dryly signed “from Erica.” He chuckled to himself and opened it first. Inside was another Post-it note that read “page 17”. Intrigued, he flips the pages to find it.

On page seventeen, there is a segment titled “Flirting or bullying?” and one of the questions/stories is highlighted with a pink marker. Steve gets to reading.

“Dear TM team,

My friend, S, is being followed by this boy who keeps starting snowball fights. He’s waiting for S’s shift to end, sitting in his van outside the shop to do so. It’s turning into a full-blown snowball war by this point. My other friend thinks they are pulling pigtails, but I just think they are dumb. So, is it flirting or boys being idiots? -E”

Steve drops the magazine and goes into the kitchen to have a refill of his soup.

When Robin comes in the next day, the magazine still lies where he left it, taunting him. His heart stutters when she picks it up with a laugh.

“I guess under all her snark Erica is just another girl, huh?”

Oh, how wrong she was.

He licked his dry lips before speaking up, barely audible and fucking terrified.

“Open it.”

Surprised, her eyes snap at him, but something in his tone makes her comply without a word. He pretends to busy himself studying the romcoms she brought.

“Huh,” he hears among the rustle of the pages. He looks up, too tempted to watch her face while she reads.

“What’s so fucking funny?” he asks, watching her lips quirk.

“Nothing!” she squeaks. “I’m surprised she did that.”

“I’m not. It’s Erica.”

“True,” she giggles, closing the magazine. He frowns at her.

“What did they say?”

“You didn’t read it?”

He taps his fingers against his mug.

“I chickened out,” he admits.

“Why don’t you ask Eddie yourself?”

“Robin,” he whines.

“Steve,” she whines back. She scoots closer and takes the mug out of his hand to lace their fingers together. “Listen, I rejected you and now we’re friends. You’re friends with Nancy too. You can let him down gently, it’s not the end of the world.”

“No, Robin…” He sighs, squeezing her hand. “I think I was, um… pulling his pigtails back.”

“Oh shit.”

“Oh shit,” he nods.

They look into each other’s eyes, giddy and nervous, before bursting into giggles. Their eyes fall back on the magazine. 

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

“Didn’t Eddie get a care package from them too?”

“Oh shit.”

“Dude I can’t stay here forever, pick up the phone!”

“Your yelling is really not helping me.”

“Oh, so you’d rather do it by yourself?”

He winces.

“No? Yes? I don’t know!”

She groans and he’s pretty sure she’s about to strangle him when the phone calls. They both jump and stare at it. Robin eyes him but he’s not moving a muscle so she groans and picks it up in the middle of the third ring.

“Yes?” She sounds calm and collected. “Oh, hi Eddie!” She smiles like an imp, staring straight into Steve’s soul. “You sound like shit.”

He makes a sound of protest, but she puts a hand up to stop him.

“Oh, you just got your voice back? And you’re calling Steve first thing? How sweet!” She’s making kissy faces at him and he’s about to commit murder. “Yes, he’s awake, I’ll get him.” She holds out the receiver. “For you.”

“Fucking obviously,” he murmurs, snatching it from her. She snickers.

“I’ll be in the living room,” she says and struts away, but he keeps an eye on her just in case she decides to eavesdrop. 

“Steve?” 

He does sound terrible.

“It’s me, hi.”

“Hi, um. Did you, by any chance, maybe, perhaps, get a care package from the kids?”

Steve’s insides twist.

“Yes?”

“From Erica too?”

“Yes.”

“A magazine?”

“Page seventeen?”

Eddie breathes hard into the receiver. 

“Yes, that.”

The silence hangs between them. His clogged sinuses make it hard to formulate thoughts.

“What did they say?”

“What?”

“Was it flirting or bullying?” he clarifies, fumbling with the cord. 

“You didn’t read it?”

“No.” He tries to find an explanation that doesn't sound bad. “Wanted to hear it from you.”

Eddie takes a ragged breath, it turns into a coughing fit. Steve frowns.

“You should go back to bed, we can talk about it later.”

“No!” Eddie protests straight away. Coughs a bit more. “I just… Yes, they say it was flirting,” he spits out.

Steve suddenly feels worse.

“But they were wrong,” he pushes for clarification.

Eddie sounded like they were.

“I don’t know,” he admits instead. Steve frowns.

“What do you mean you don’t know? You either flirt or-”

“I never thought about it, okay?” Eddie interrupts him. “I always assumed I’m into chicks but I’d definitely not flirt with one like that.”

It feels like a punch in the gut and Steve knows his own answer. Robin’s right, he’s survived rejection and unrequited feelings and got life-long friendships out of it. He can bear one more.

“Well, I’m pretty sure it was flirting on my part.”

Eddie starts coughing again.

“It’s okay if you weren’t i just wanted to be clear,” he adds as soon as the coughing subdues. “I never thought about it before either.”

“No, listen. Steve. Stevie.”

Steve’s stomach makes a backflip against his will.

“Yes?”

“I’m still thinking about it, okay? Just, the fever isn’t helping. Like, I want to say yes, but I’d rather say it when I’m not sick and half out of it, you know?”

Steve barks out a laugh, relieved and hopeful.

“Sure, makes sense. I’ll still be here.”

Waiting, like a dumbass.

“Cool. I’ll call you tomorrow, I’m out of stamina for today.”

“Sure, uh, sleep well.”

“You too, sweetheart.”

Steve’s too stunned by the pet name to put the phone away, so they just breathe into each other's ears, startled. But he won’t let Eddie one-up him like that.

“Goodnight, handsome.”

Eddie made a choked sound before ending the call. Steve puts the phone down and walks back into the living room, where Robin is waiting for him, the TV forgotten.

“Well? What did he say?” she asks before he can sit down.

“That he’s still thinking about it.”

“Nooooo!”

“But he did call me a sweetheart.”

“Oh?”

“I guess neither of us realized we were flirting.”

“Steve!” She starts slapping his arm.

“What? What?!”

“I hate you so much! You were each other’s gay awakening? How is that fair?!”

She’s pouting when he grasps her hands to stop the assault.

“Well, we can plot a snowball war against Vickie next,” he offers.

“Are you kidding me?! She’d hate it!”

Steve imagined a gaggle of kids ganging against the poor little redhead.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. I guess men are a simpler species.”

“You are so lucky I love you.”

[igglemouse]

The morning light pulls me from my sleep as the headache reminds me that I've probably had a little too much to drink but not too much to have forgotten about yesterday.

The room around me is bland and simple, a space that's mine but one can hardly tell with how impersonal it is right now. It might as well be a hotel room.

Still I am thankful. I do miss home, deeply, but at the same time I realize I can't go back and that here, Oasis Springs, isn't so bad. My father, a man I don't enjoy mentioning as he is a horrible person and yet for some reason he's done me this kindness.

I wanted to deny this, to say no to this simple bit of fortune, but that would have left me as prey among wolves...

The kitchen is my sanctuary. Despite waking up with darker thoughts the moment the mixer starts mixing a smile forms on my face. Ideas push into my mind about how to give my waffles a bit more kick but not only that, what else can I sell for my food stand?

Just the act of cooking is meditative for me. It's ancient alchemy you know? Our ancestors would just stuff whatever they found in their mouths and might throw it over a fire but how far have we come from those times?

I am surrounded by modernity. Bottles of sauces and jars of spices. Each honed over the decades to add texture, flavor, and aroma, making this all a science not only to enhance taste but also to tickle the soul.

Making simoleons however is not so much a science. I started earlier in the day which might have hurt me because in the end only forty simoleons were made. I could say that this was the worst day ever but then again forty is better than four.

Perhaps there is a secret to it, finding the right time, the right dishes, the sweet spot? I don't know. All I can do is pack up and try again tomorrow.

The day's light fades and with it the realization that expectations were not met. Again. This whole food stand business has really been a story of ups and downs and while I'm sure I can take it, it doesn't make the process any less frustrating.

I sink into the cushion of my couch, flip on my TV, and spend some time wondering what can be done to be a lot more consistent. Improving my skills obviously, the better the food tastes the more likely people come back over and over again. Skill will come with time, practice, and patience.

Perhaps its my marketability that is lacking? Watching commercials is a reminder that sometimes a good advertisement campaign is all a product or service needs to make simoleons.

An insistent knock at the door breaks up my thinking. That's right, I do have an expected guest today...

Of course my visitor is the increasingly familiar face of Pascal of of course I step aside and invite him inside. He takes a moment to take in my small place, the hint of being impressed on his face but its only a hint because he opts not to say anything other than to ask if he might sit.

There isn't much here, a couch, a table, and a bed. My only income is my food stand and that's not at all reliable yet and so the dining table seems as good a spot for a conversation as any.

"So, what's up?" I ask, suddenly feeling nervous, even more so than my conversation with him yesterday? How does that happen? I guess because then I thought he was just some random handsome guy and now I know that he's very ambitious and might just be the most eligible bachelor in town.

"Dunno, just wanted to see you again is all," he says casually but still looks around some. "You have a nice place."

"Gracias," it's then I take a small breath and calm myself. He's here, isn't he? He doesn't have to be and yet he is. The attraction is mutual, I assure myself, so I should act like it.

"Flower Day is tomorrow," he mentions, as if that has some meaning to me. It doesn't, not really. I've always thought of it more as a filler holiday. "I was wondering if maybe you wanted to do something together?"

"A date?"

He chuckles. "I guess you can call it that, yeah."

There's a lot of confidence in his offer as if it is a formality itself, he expects a yes, and I plan to give him one but only after one question is answered. "Why me?"

"Why you?" This catches him off guard. "What do you mean?"

"You don't have a lack of options, I am sure, so what makes me stand out from the others?"

This draws another laugh and a look my way as if I have asked a silly question. I suppose I'm just not used to seeing the worth in myself. I mean eventually I figured I'd find love and settle down and start a family but I certainly didn't come to Oasis Springs with that in mind. It was more like I was pushed out into the desert and forced to survive. Any friendly travelers I meet on the way would be appreciated but not necessary, never necessary.

"You're humble," he says breaking a silence between us I wasn't aware of until his voice made it apparent. "A lot of the women that approach me or vice versa expect it all and its clear that they only see my ambition, not me. They make me feel like I'd be the supporting character in their story and nothing else."

"There is nothing wrong with being a supporting character-"

"But mainly, I want a woman who is prepared for failure."

"Failure?"

He leans in just a little, taking the measure of me, seeking eye contact as if it was all he needed from me. "If I break my leg in three places would you still be with me?"

"I-I didn't even know you played for a pro team!" I say jokingly but also defensively.

"Exactly!" He says with some satisfaction. "So, tomorrow? Date?"

I push out a breath and give my head a nod. Before, the answer would have been yes but now? Yes? I'm a little less sure, this conversation felt more like a try out than just two people getting to know each other. "Yeah, sure, let's see what happens."

Episode List - Next

[thecartooncartoonshow]

Hey, all you "Powerpuff Girls" fans out there!

We just released our FIRST video themed around something from "The Powerpuff Girls", while we're taking a short break from our usual content this week and next week, as we have some cool stuff planned for next month!

In this video, we've rounded up all four known TV spots, featuring Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup participating in the iconic Got Milk? campaign, which was pretty popular back in the mid-90s to the 2010s.

Mojo Jojo, Fuzzy Lumpkins and the GanGreen Gang DON'T STAND A CHANCE against The Powerpuff Girls when they encourage their fans and viewers to drink chocolate, strawberry and (believe it or not) banana milk

Be sure to share your thoughts about these four commercials in the comments section of this video, and don't forget to subscribe to our channel, so don't miss a new video we release.

[live-love-be-unique]

Saturday Movie Night

I wrote this after it’s been floating around in my brain for a while now. Thanks to @josephfakingquinn & @ghost-proofbaby for encouraging me to post

———————-

The door to the Munson trailer slams wide open with a bang and Eddie falls out, “she’s here guys!” He shouts back into the noise of the trailer, everyone else must be here already.

“Hey there stranger, what took you so long? I’ve had to put up with Steve trying to convince me that Cocktail is a better movie than Poltergeist for the last half an hour!” he gags. Your friend since middle school, Eddie Munson could best be described as a human tornado, a real force of nature, it’s this energy and love of metal, DnD and the macabre that earned him the nickname of ‘freak’, but it’s what drew you to him.

“If you missed me Eds, all you have to do is say it” I smirk.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re just lucky I didn’t send Hopper out there with a search party” he jokes, biting back a smile and slings his arm around my shoulder dragging me inside. He’s solid and warm and smells like a mix of cigarettes and the spice from his cologne.

The trailer is small but cozy, car magazines litter the coffee table and a shelf full of novelty mugs covers the wall behind the couch. A tiny television stands in the room corner. Tonight it’s full to the brim, Steve and Robin in front of the tv, argue over what to watch, Nancy and Jonathan in the kitchen getting snacks and drinks and the Hellfire kids sprawled out across the floor arguing about the latest campaign Eddie had created.

“You’re here!” Robin shouts, spotting you and dragging you by the arm towards the tiny kitchen, to join Nancy “okay, okay I need your advice” Robin pleads. Eddie glances over at you as Robin explains her latest interaction with Vicki, her crush, and whether or not it means she’s into her.

“You could just tell her you know” Steve mutters, not even needing to look at Eddie to know where his attention is, instead looking at the tapes in his hand.

“Just pick the movie, King Steve” Eddie mocks and sips his beer.

The movie, finally chosen; Gremlins, much to yours and Eddie’s dismay; as everyone files into the small living space. Eddie takes a seat next to you as you sit down on the couch. As you continued to talk with Nancy and Robin about some upcoming girls day you lean your back against his arm.

Torture, Eddie decides, this is torture.

Dustin jumps at something on the screen, throwing his bowl of popcorn everywhere, as choruses of “Dustin!” and “you butthead” ring out Eddie decides it’s time, time to man up as Steve would say; he can’t believe he’s taking advice from Harrington; he taps your shoulder and gestures outside, miming a smoke. I nod.

No one seems to have noticed as the two of you slip out the door. You sit on the worn out couch near the door falling into a comfortable silence as Eddie lights up a cigarette.

“It was getting a little crowded in there, I miss when Saturday movie night was just the two of us” Eddie mutters around the cigarette. He blows the smoke out into the night as he hands it to you.

“And miss out on the chance to scare everyone with Hellraiser last week?” I chuckle, accepting the cigarette, you both laugh at the particular memory of seeing several members of your tight not group the next day, exhausted from not sleeping out of fear.

“Okay, I don’t miss that” Eddie concedes, sighing as silence falls over you again. I lean my head against the back of the couch, staring up at the stars.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Nothin’, nothin” he says not meeting my eye.

“Let’s pretend I buy that” I laugh, passing back the cigarette. Eddie leans his own head back glances at you.

“Do you remember, in middle school, we had to make those lame ass valentines cards?” He says.

Of course you remember, the only card you got was a funny joke card from Eddie that Jason Carver had promptly ripped it in two.

“You made me that..monkey card” I laugh “and I made you that one with my shitty flower drawing on the front”

Eddie doesn’t say anything, he leans forward pulling out his wallet. Opening it he pulls out a folded up piece of paper and places it on your thigh.

I unfold the paper to reveal it’s the silly little card, with the badly drawn flower on the front faded from age and being shoved into Eddie’s wallet.

“You kept it?” I run my fingers over the little flower.

“I kept everything” Eddie’s staring now. His weighted admission hangs in the air. “The card. Those character sheets you made for Hellfire, your posters you made for Corroded Coffins gigs”.

“You did? Why?”

“Don’t make me say it.” Eddie groans.

“Eddie you can’t just tell me….” The words die in your throat as Eddie suddenly surges forward and his lips find yours. It’s messy and full of feelings.

“Oh” the only word you can form once you have pulled apart for air.

“Yeah” Eddie says, suddenly self conscious. “It’s weird and I’m not good with this shit like Steve, but yeah..” he runs a hand over his face and curses.

“I don’t care about Steve, Eds” his eyes shoot back up to your face.

“No?” There’s hopefulness in his voice.

“No” I admit. He grins and kisses you again, slower this time, as his hand glides along your arm before coming to rest at the back of your neck, tangling in your hair, pulling you closer and your hands grip the front of his shirt.

…“Robin! You owe me 20 bucks!” You hear Steve yell.

[greenieflor]

Eddie doodles. Not specific drawings, but little shapes. Just dragging his pen across paper as he thinks. He's usually good at keeping them off of “important” papers these days, that used to be a point of contention between him and Steve. Steve would be getting ready to go to class and see that his essay he stayed up all night working on had a collection of little scribbles in the corner. Now Eddie’s doodles are mostly covering his d&d notes or the little pad of paper they keep by the phone. Steve loved Eddie's doodles. He thinks they are so perfectly Eddie, the physical manifestation of what his mind was doing at the time. 

So Steve starts to hold onto them.

It started with a page of the phone notepad, just a little geometric figure with a note about Robin being late for movie night this week. Then it was a vaguely floral looking one on the corner of a character sheet Eddie did for Steve for a one shot they put on when the kids came home to visit for the holidays. It keeps going like this, Steve nabbing pieces of paper before Eddie can toss them or file them away. 

Eddie doesn’t just doodle on paper, though, he traces shapes into Steve's skin all the time, when they are watching tv together- something like a sun on Steve’s arm. Smoking with Jon and argyle? Swirls on his thigh. Steve is covered in invisible doodles, ones he wishes could come up to the surface of his skin and show themselves, show the evidence of Eddie's wandering mind on his skin. 

So Steve pays more attention to his collection. There are shapes he recognizes, ones he's felt traced over and over into his hip or hand or shoulder. Eddie knows Steve holds onto old papers, but he starts getting very protective of one notebook in particular. Steve doesn’t think much of it, figures it's something for a new campaign or song and Eddie will share when he's ready. 

Except its been two years now with that notebook and Steve still doesn’t know what the big secret is. 

He finds out on their wedding day. 

Eddie Munson marries Steve Harrington on a Friday in May. He has been preparing his vows for three years, even before he proposed. He knew they needed to be perfect. So when the time came, Eddie pulled out that same notebook he’d been drafting them in all these years and Steve let out an exasperated sigh and an “of course”. Eddie still didn’t know what he was going to say. Hge decided to go with what he wrote first, when he knew he was going to spend the rest of his life with this man before him. In the top corner of the page, Steve spots a doodle, spiky and big and beautiful. 

Robin stole Steve away for three days after the Munsons returned from their honeymoon-citing unfair custody before she pulled him out of the house. Steve managed to convince her to go to the tattoo parlor Eddie went to with the newest, yet most important, piece of paper in his collection folded in his pocket. At first he was going to get it over his heart, but realistically Eddie sleeps on Steve's chest enough that healing it would be too difficult. He decides on his thigh, right where Eddie's hand falls when they curl up on the couch. 

Steve comes back home in shorts reminiscent of his scoops days, showing off the freshly inked mess of lines decorating his upper thigh. Eddie has to physically stop himself from jumping on his husband and biting at his thigh- but it was a close thing. As soon as Eddie realizes what exactly Steve chose, he starts openly weeping in the driveway. Through tears, Eddie walks Steve through the proper tattoo care (this is far from Steve's first tattoo. They do this every time. Tears and all.) Robin ushers the two inside and kisses their cheeks goodbye. Inside, Eddie grins through the last of his tears and reveals his own fresh tattoo. A constellation across his ribs and hip, dotting the scar tissue with stars. It takes Steve a moment to realize why the constellation looks so familiar, he sees it every day dotted across his own body. 

[arkus-rhapsode]

Now I've been working on something involving Cartoon Network and its 30+ history and recently it really hit me just how much I had grown up with the channel, but also how much its still growing.

I had started watching in the early 2000s just before the CN City bumpers were a thing and would catch numerous reruns of shows from the 90s. In a lot of ways, Cartoon Network was my channel. Now I enjoyed Nickelodeon for stuff like Spongebob and Danny Phantom and Invader Zim and I just never had Disney Channel in our cable package so I missed out a lot of those shows. But CN... to say its got a special place in my mind palace is an understatement I remember the checkerboard and seeing Cartoon Network Studios at the end of an episode and their little animations. I was there when Miguzi was a thing as well as the alien invasion. I watched the Noods take over in real time and the transition from black and white to rainbow colors of Check it! for the network. I can even remember Johnny Bravo and Dexter's Lab showing up in the Hannah Barbera logo as I was barraged with these old times characters.

I think one of the things so captivating about this was Cartoon Network's skill at making their programs feel like a family. Like not a shared universe like Marvel or Star Wars, but rather entertainment companies having this identity of their properties able to fit together whether through shared advertising, little crossovers, Easter eggs, etc. Who remembers the "Spot the Block" campaign? I was cringing even as a child to that song. This is something companies like Nintendo does a lot or even what Nicktoons used to do. It made it feel so much bigger than just a show, but it also felt intimate. Personal. That all these characters off in their own little world could find themselves sitting down for coffee or playing catch.

However, by 2015 I had basically stopped with the network. My family opted to get rid of cable and invest in early streaming for entertainment and to be honest, I kinda just knew my time may have been up. I was a teenager almost done with high school and this channel is still primarily aimed at kids, my generation was passing.

I would hear about things through the grapevine. Stuff like Steven Universe and Teen Titans Go were kinda impossible to avoid in 2016. But for the most part what the channel did was kinda under my radar. I was perfectly content to transition into my "Anime 4 Life" adulthood. Cut to the 2020s with HBO Max, and I had the chance to catch up on some TV shows and it was fun. Going back down that rabbit hole of nostalgia and I was fine stopping there. But then this year I started working on a project which required my looking back into every Cartoon Network original show ever.

So of course that meant I had to do research into basically a whole decade after I had stopped watching. So I did some watching-We Bare Bears, Long Live the Royals, Mighty Magiswords, OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, Villainous, Apple & Onion, Craig of the Creek, Summer Camp Island, Victor and Valentino, Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart, Infinity Train, etc. This is probably the part where you expect me to say something like "Everything was better in my day" or something. But like no. I was not... sad about what I was seeing but like I was really glad. There was apart of me being like I'm glad this exists. I'm glad that you can still see that Cartoon Network DNA. It's different than it was before, but like there was still that core of what made Cartoon Network so unique in children's programming. Hell I was a little jealous I couldn't view this through the eyes of a kid today and what it feels like for them.

But for what I am, a man in his mid 20s who still watches animated content, I could almost feel like there was still this link between generations in a way I don't think I've ever seen before. These two halves of a thirty year time frame able to reach out be able to still be Cartoon Cartoons.

Yes I know, people will bring up how there's "dark times" but there always has been. This network wasn't perfect. I know a lot of people like to say there was a downfall, but I gotta be honest, the network always had mixed and controversial bags. I remember people telling me Chowder and Flapjack were garbage that pandered to only loud and gross out humor fans. Yet now they're talked about as absurdist comedy classics. CN Real is considered the lowest point of the network that goes against the entire ethos of the network, but in 2010 you got the debuts of shows like Adventure Time, Generator Rex, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien, etc. The real downfall I see happening right now is in how Warner Bros Discovery the Business has treated animated projects and their horrible treatment of animators in the name of corporate greed.

But I just can't truly dismiss all the good that has come for the last decade. And Hey we're apparently getting a new Cartoon Network show next year, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, it looks good so far. It looks like something that CN City heads wouldn't mind walking around town with Grim and Samurai Jack. And the thing that got me was how I taught to myself "Im glad that if I had kids I know they're is something good for them watch and I could watch alongside them..."

I don't know the future of CN. I don't think anyone can say. But when I really think about kids dedicated networks with an emphasis on purely animation, but also creative visionary driven animated programming, I really thought about how its history is very short in the grand scheme of the world. And I was lucky to be born in the early years of it. I can't tell you, how much a smile the Crossover Nexus special made me smile. Not because it was pandering to my nostalgia of CN City, but like seeing all of these characters preserved in statues in this world, from big names like Ed Edd n Eddy and Courage to stuff that were so short lived like Sym-Bionic Titan or Megas XLR to shows people would scream to the heavens they thought were trash like Secret Mountain Fort Awesome or Problem Solverz to so projects that barely got off the ground like Firebreather. It felt like everything mattered. That this short history means something. Its worth remembering the new and the old and everything in-between.

Because it's not just memories that matter, but it's carrying on that creative spark. That vision for a Network about and for cartoons. Carrying it beyond my life time. Carrying it far into the future. I hope I'm not the only one who feels that.

Welp, sorry for this ramble post to my usual followers. I was just taking a break from my usual discussion based content to work through some feelings I was having.

[shares-a-vest]

@steddie-week Day Five: Together/Established Relationship/Hold the Line by Toto

Steve and Eddie being in a relationship might be the worst thing that has ever happened to Dustin.

Demagorgons, evil Russians, Vecna, undead bats and dogs, government conspiracies and his cat being eaten have all been bliss compared to the sickly sweet, ooey-gooey, puppy-love, lovesick, utter grossness bullshit of Steve and Eddie actually being together.

Of course, he is okay with it in terms of them being two dudes. His mother taught him never to judge people like that.

Nope, that isn't the problem.

It's awful and just plain annoying because they are inseparable.

Attached at the hip. Practically living together in Steve's parentless house. Going everywhere together... Making everything about the other all the damn time... Talking on the phone when they can't be in the same vicinity... Eddie being granted a lifetime riding shotgun pass in the Beemer... Steve declaring that Eddie is his best friend...

And it is all impacting Dustin's life a little too much at this point.

He barges into Steve's house, not bothering to wait at the door after his knocking remains unanswered. As were his phone calls hours ago It's 11am on a goddamn Saturday morning and neither of the guys has work.

They were supposed to meet him at the arcade two hours ago.

Inseparable. But also selfish and forgetful.

He walks into the living room to find Steve and Eddie cuddled up on the couch (barf) and tucked under a blanket. Both are still dressed in pyjamas, a disgusting matching set Eddie had bought at the beginning of last Winter as a joke that they now wear unironically all the goddamn time.

Eddie (as usual) has his hands in Steve's hair, petting him like he's an overly furry house cat. And Steve (as usual) is on the precipice of sleep.

"You were supposed to meet me at the arcade!" he blurts out.

He probably should have thought of something better to announce his presence - something that would make them feel oh so very bad for abandoning him. But he is too distracted by the realisation that this relationship has also turned his best friends into senior citizen-homebody-couch potatoes. If only Steve was wearing the dorky old man spectacles he needs for the computer at work...

The pair startle a little but barely move. If anything, they look annoyed that he is even in their presence. They don't even look guilty or caught out! Have some sort of reaction - assholes!

"We're watching TV," Steve mumbles through a yawn, completely blowing over the plans they had made and now missed.

"Yeah," Eddie drawls, eyes glued to the screen, "MTV time, go away."

He punctuates his lame explanation with a hiss that makes Steve (now the chief of egging him on) snicker into his chest.

Yuck.

Dustin groans at the sounds of Toto crooning from the TV, whining when he catches Eddie of all people, mouthing along to the words.

Maybe he should just get it over and done with and call Hellfire for an emergency talk about their (decidedly no longer 'metal') Dungeon Master. They were already talking about it. Even Gareth, Jeff and George were willing to overthrow Eddie and replace him with Will if it meant some consistent campaigns without a fawning Steve lingering around asking silly questions - all an excuse to lamely flirt and grab Eddie's already-waning attention.

Although, it might be more effective at this point to simply disable Steve's cable access...

"What!" he screeches at the sight of Robin shuffling in from the kitchen, slurping away at some cereal.

She stops mid-spoonful, gawking. A Cheerio slops onto her chin before dripping down onto her sweater without her noticing.

"Hey," she mumbles through a mouthful nonchalantly.

She squishes past the lovebirds to sit in the empty spot next to Steve - which is basically three-quarters of the couch considering his proximity to Eddie.

"Why are you here?"

Robin shrugs, "Kid, this is the only way I can spend time with Steve that doesn't involve being at work."

"Are you fucking kidding me!"

Steve grumbles, "I'm not going with you, dude."

"But we made these plans a week ago."

"No, I don't wanna."

"Henderson," Eddie pipes up, overly stern alongside Steve's baby-whining ass, "We just want some peace and quiet."

"Can't we just chill out, Dustin?" Steve begs as if they aren't like this all the time these days.

Before Dustin can express his utter disappointment, Steve retreats into Eddie's chest and pulls their blanket up to cover himself completely. Eddie just continues petting the mass glued to his side as Dustin scrubs a hand over his own face, resigning himself to an arcade session alone.

Robin whines, likely annoyed that their communal blanket is now being hogged by a total traitor of a friend. She reaches forward to deposit her cereal bowl on the coffee table with a pointed thud. Clearly 'spending time with Steve' just means being a rickety third wheel that eventually topples off the proverbial clown car entirely.

"I'll come with you to the arcade," she says, jumping up and rushing towards him.

She rolls her eyes in the direction of the cocooned duo on the couch.

"Really?" he can't help but beam and as Robin nods, a toothy, even guilty smile creeps across her face.

"But I don't have any money," she admits, chewing her bottom lip.

Fuck it, he'll take it.

Dustin grabs her arm and begins leading them to the door, grumbling as Robin's socks slip on Mrs Harrington's shiny floorboards.

He calls over his shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll just find a new older friend. I hate you two."

"Fine," Eddie chimes, matching his mocking singsong tone.

Steve just grunts something Dustin doesn't catch, he's too busy listening to Robin launching into a series of complaints about the prospect of walking back to the town centre from Loch Nora.

Robin stops mid-rant as she tries to spin at the same time she hops into one of her boots, almost falling straight into the coat rack.

She frowns, "Did you just imply we weren't friends, Little Dude?"

Dustin pinches his nose, "Are you coming, or not?"

Eddie watches, craning his neck to peek over to the front door. When he hears it click shut, he flicks the blanket away and begins pulling on Steve's pyjama sleeve.

"Now that Rob is gone, you wanna get back in bed, Stevie-Bear?"

He is practically on his feet before he finishes talking, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. Steve leaps up and wraps his arms around his middle, already setting about waddling them as one cozy blob towards the stairs.

"Duh."

[yoshihashismattebum]

9 People I'd Like to Get to Know Better

Thanks @sycamoretrees for the tag!

Last song: I'm going to cheat and go for a whole album. I've been really enjoying Where's My Utopia? by Yard Act recently: deceptively clever stream-of-consciousness lyrics that walk the line between wry irony and passionate sincerity, all set to post-punk beats that you can dance to. (Shout-out to HELLMODE by Jeff Rosenstock and Sorry for the Late Reply by Sløtface too – both brilliant albums as well)

And while I'm breaking the rules, I might as well mention my wrestling playlist that I've been working on! It's a really eclectic mix of songs that remind me of various different things in wrestling – feuds, characters, general vibes etc. It's not finished yet (I'd like to organise it thematically and write some annotations to explain my thinking behind the choices), but maybe you'll find something on there you like!

Favourite colour: it's a tie between blue and purple (especially lilac). Also currently enjoying the yellow-green of the new leaves that are appearing at this time of year!

Currently watching: wrestling, surprise surprise. I'm just about keeping up with AEW and completely failing to keep up with NJPW. Other than that, I've not really been in a big TV/film mood recently. Although I did see Dune Part 2 the other week, which I thought was fantastic. My partner and I have also become slightly addicted to watching Gab Smolders play Nancy Drew games on YouTube.

Spicy/savoury/sweet/(sour)/(salty)/[umami]: since @sycamoretrees set a precedent of adding options, I'm going to go with another write-in candidate: my beloved umami. I am a Marmite fiend and will eat just about anything if it has soy sauce/miso/strong cheese etc in it. I enjoy pretty much all of the above tastes though, especially when combined in interesting ways. If I had to choose between the original options, I probably lean towards savoury; I have extremely strong opinions on crisps.

Relationship status: I've been with my partner for almost 11 years now :) (While I'm here, go check out her fantastic art and tabletop RPG writing at @mortphilippa! Obviously I'm biased, but she's super talented!)

Obsessions:

Too many to mention them all, but here's a selection:

Wrestling (of course): as well as my usual AEW & NJPW, I've watched some CMLL recently, which has been fun. I also recently reached new levels of nerd by emulating King of Colosseum 2, a Japanese wrestling game from 2004, on PC. It's good! Holds up well!

Tabletop role-playing games – an ever-present obsession for me. I've just wrapped up a 4+ year D&D campaign that I was GMing, which is an odd feeling, but I'm so proud of the story we told together. I'm also currently GMing/writing stuff for Cy_Borg, Liminal Horror and Brindlewood Bay, among others! There are tons more I want to run though – too many games, not enough time! (I am always up for conversations about TTRPGs by the way – I could talk forever about them! Hit me up if you wanna chat!)

Puzzle games: more of a recent obsession. I continue to do the Wordle every day, but I've recently been enjoying Connections (sorting words into categories), Heardle Decades (identifying songs from the intros), and Squeezy (a weird game about fitting letters into other words). I'm also going through a bit of a point-and-click adventure phase. Really enjoying Unavowed by Dave Gilbert currently. I'm not usually an urban fantasy fan, so it's a testament to how good the writing is that I'm loving it as much as I am.

Spring flowers: spring has well and truly sprung here in the UK, and I am loving all of the flowers that are popping up everywhere! There's nothing that brings me joy quite like going for a walk and doing some plant-spotting (I'm trying to get better at identifying plants this year! I'm mostly reliant on Google Lens and a bit of inherited knowledge from my Grandma currently)

Oops, that was A Lot! Enough about me. Time to tag some other people! (Only if you feel like it though! Absolutely zero pressure)

IRL friends (I know you all very well already, but I always love hearing what you're up to 💙): @thewaythroughthewoods, @thepenultimaterolo and @mortphilippa (and @unpairedbracket if you fancy it!)

Some Tumblr people wot seem cool (sorry if we've not interacted much – I've not been on Tumblr a lot recently and I'm bad at starting conversations!): @norfkid, @sybilius, @dansedan, @unlikelywrestlingfan, @punkrockpariah

[mungroveweek]

Mungrove Week 2023: Prompts

You guys voted for your favorite prompts, we regrouped some of them and put them under umbrella themes we hope will inspire you all! Find out more about the themes under the cut!

Day 1: Upside Down

Hell, that's definitely what the Upside Down feels like, whether they're stuck there, trying to escape or dealing with the aftermath.

What if Eddie died and woke up in the Upside Down to a friendly (or not) face? What if Billy was stuck in the Upside Down and weird things started happening at the Munsons' trailer, almost as if someone was trying to tell Eddie something? Or maybe they got out, but the Upside Down changed them, so much that they don’t really feel human anymore...

Day 2: Touch

It's about touch: the touch that brings comfort, the touch that brings pain, the touch that brings pleasure.

It's about not knowing what to do with a gentle touch, being desperate for any kind of touch, feeling too raw and vulnerable to be touched.

Overstimulation, flying fists, finally being touched after craving it for so long, missing someone’s touch, and the touch that never came.

Day 3: Firsts

You know the saying: there’s a first time for everything.

Experiencing something for the first time together, meeting for the first time, sharing a kiss for the first time.

Sharing something with someone for the first time, like a secret or one’s favorite meal, watching the childish wonder in someone’s eye as they see the ocean for the first time.

To be someone’s first friend, first love, first heartbreak, this day is all about being number one.

Day 4: On the road

A car, loud music, a seemingly endless road, is it a road trip or is someone running away from home?

This day is about cheap motels, hitchhiking, shenanigans and misadventures; fighting over the music or the last snack, getting lost because they can’t read a map, huddling for warmth at the back of the Camaro, finding a quiet spot to spend the night after a day spent on the road; Billy accompanying Eddie on tour, or maybe they’re going for a late night drive, just the two of them, it’s kinda like a date, right? 

Day 5: Stuck together

Something is connecting them, they can’t seem to be able to escape each other, they’re forced to work together.

Is it fate? They might just be meant to be together. Is it a spell, a curse, some kind of accident bonding them together? Someone might have just decided to lock them together inside a room, to pair them up for some kind of project.

The question is: are they going to fight it every step of the way or roll with it?

Day 6: H(a)unted

Things are going to get a little freaky, a little bit spooky. Ghosts, monsters, demons and other creatures of the night are on the menu this day. Maybe they’ll go ghost or monster hunting, maybe they’re the creature on the prowl; are they making a new friend or running away for their lives? 

It doesn’t have to be all bad, sometimes love can be found after death, sometimes a ghost isn’t really a ghost, and the monster just needs a little bit of love.

And sometimes the thing that’s haunting them is just the past. 

Day 7: Game Night

We can’t forget that Eddie is a D&D nerd and Billy a jock, and this is what day 7 is about: Dungeons and Dragons and Eddie’s last campaign, has he managed to convince Billy to join yet? That sure would surprise the Hellfire Club, but maybe not as much as if Eddie decided to go see a basketball game. 

This day is also about being young, stubborn, and yeah, a little bit stupid too; what kind of stupid bets do they make? Eddie might not be into parties, but what about drinking games? 

How far are they willing to go to win, and what happens if the answer is “too far”? 

The Spotify Playlist.

ALTERNATE SET: PHOTO PROMPTS You can swap photo prompts for any day you’d like!

1. Starcourt Mall

2. Twink Boutta Pounce Meme

3. Gif from Hannibal (TV Show), by prettyboysinpain

4. Two white masc people; the one in front is kneeling, with their hands behind their back. The one behind is faceless and standing up; they have a hand cupping the jaw of the one in front.

5. Vintage Heavy Metal

6. "Your crush is coming this way, be cool"

7. Oceanside Pier, San Diego

We're excited to see what you come up with, Mungrove Week will start on April 9, 2023, which is when we'll open the AO3 collection. We will post more details about posting and how to let us find your creations at a later date, in the meantime, we hope you have fun with those prompts! 🥰 If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send us an ask or a DM here on Tumblr, you can also find us on the Mungrove discord server! 😁

[hellfirenacht]

Reader ==> Have A Bad Night

Isekai Chronicles Master List and rules!

Start Here <<-- FIRST CHAPTER LINK

Chapter Summary: You and Eddie have an argument after Hellfire Club

The clouds were dark and heavy, rolling in over the Hawkin’s sky as Eddie drove himself and you home after a night of Hellfire. 

Eddie had been in a rough mood the entire evening. Irritated, jumpy, and more sadistic than usual during the campaign. The night had ended on a weird note when the party had been forced into a no-win situation. No one felt good after this evening's campaign. 

The drive back was awkward, you having nearly lost your own half-elf bard. The party had chosen to save your lower level character and run, rather than sacrifice them for the safety of the kingdom. 

Dustin and Mike had been fine with the decision, Gareth had sent you dirty looks all night while you had just felt put on the spot with the way Eddie stared at you, having you make impossible choices. 

"Eddie never gets mad at anyone" Dustin said to you as they packed up. "But he seems pissed today." 

Mike and Dustin had been quick to leave the scene. Jeff had grumbled something unpleasant at you as he left. Whatever his problem was with you would have to be dealt with another day. 

You hung back to wait for Eddie as the other scattered. He'd barely acknowledged you when they walked to the car, and the science between you both was more deafening than the metal coming from his speakers. 

He parked in front of your house, and the sound of thunder rumbled overhead. The first drops of rain were starting their descent down to earth and hitting the windshield.

You were tense the whole ride home. The tension coming from the man next to you was palpable and you were wishing that you had walked home. 

You wondered how much bitching from the other members you'd have to deal with over this. You hadn't meant to botch your rolls so bad. 

This wasn't how this night was supposed to go. You had been planning all week to build up the nerve to ask Eddie if he'd want to come in and hang out after Hellfire. You'd made sure there was dinner and a movie that he'd mentioned before that he likes. 

Now you just wanted to crawl into bed with some ice cream and mindless tv and stare into the void. 

"Thanks for the ride." you said as you opened the door, not able to look Eddie in the eyes.

"What's going on with you and Gareth?" The words surprised you and you turned back to him. 

"What?" 

"You and Gareth. Is there something going on? Because tonight was messed up." Eddie was looking at you now. 

"Other than he's always picking on me?" You asked. "I barely talked to him!"

"He was supposed to have been the sacrifice, not you. We had already talked about it, so how the hell did you end up in that position?" There was a look in his eyes like you'd crossed a line. 

"What are you talking about? Gareth-"

"He told me that you were trying to be a ‘main character’ in the campaign and I didn't believe him but tonight-"

"He said that?! Eddie, he's the one who told me-"

"Every player gets their time in the spotlight and this was obviously not your turn."

"Eddie!" You reached into her bag and pulled out a note. 

"Listen, you're nice but I don't know if this is gonna work." 

"Gareth TOLD me to push his character out of the way!" You yelled, throwing the piece of paper at him. "He handed me that right before Hellfire." Tears burned in your eyes and you stepped out. "Glad to know you trust me so much. Thanks for the ride."

You closed the door behind you and ran inside your home, locking the door behind you, allowing yourself to break down and cry. 

You're nice but I don't know if this is gonna work out. 

You wanted to kill Gareth yourself. You'd been set up to fail. You pulled her Hellfire shirt over your head and tossed it in a corner.

Maybe you’d just give up on this whole mission. Why did you have to be the one to save Eddie anyway? Did you even need to be in Hellfire to save Eddie? The world? It was too much. You were trying to fix something, and a fucking Junior in high school was screwing that up. 

You ignored your growling stomach and changed into some pjs- your ugly comfy ones, not the cuter set that you had picked out if Eddie had come over. If this night had gone your way for once. 

You crawled into your bed and turned on the TV to a mindless channel. It was too much, and you just wanted to give up. You had worked so hard, so damn hard to play the game and gain their trust. Did everyone think that you were so attention seeking? You'd been trying so fucking hard to keep your head down after the Murray incident. 

Tears fell free now, the stress eating you up. Your stomach was in knots and you felt sick. Loneliness sank into you, heavy and dark and endless. How did you think you could do this? You didn't belong here. You didn't belong anywhere now. 

Thunder rolled overhead, rain pouring down now. You hadn't even looked at Eddie when you left, didn't even know if he even looked at the note. 

A variety show with a musician came on, playing guitar. You changed the channel. 

It took hours for you to fall asleep with the TV on. You were glad that it was Friday, because at least that gave you two days to go to work and focus on anything that wasn’t related to this. Steve and Robin wouldn’t talk about D&D, they wouldn’t even ask about Hellfire or Eddie. It wouldn’t even cross their mind unless one of the kids showed up. 

You really hoped they wouldn’t show up. 

It was almost noon when you crawled out of bed. You would have stayed in longer, but you really needed to pee and you were starting to get hungry. You grabbed your robe and looked out the window. It was clear out now, the outside of the trailer park was covered in mud, which would be a pain to drive through to get to work later tonight. From down the street you could see the mail truck driving off. You could at least force yourself to get the mail, if there was anything to even get. 

When you opened the door, there was a figure on the steps leading up to the porch. Eddie jumped and stood up, looking at you with wide eyes like a deer caught in the headlights. He was holding the note in his hand that you had thrown at him last night. 

You tightened your robe, less for modesty and more to have a feeling of security. You were unsure what to say after last night, his words echoing 

You’re nice but...

“I called Gareth this morning.” Eddie said, swallowing. “I’m sorry I doubted you. Gareth... he told me a lot of things last night, and admitted to being a dick on purpose.”

“Why does he hate me?” You asked, crossing your arms. “I don’t understand what I did.”

“I can’t say it.” Eddie replied with a sigh. “Look, he agreed to apologize to you in person on Monday. He’s sorry and he’ll stop being a dick.” 

“Do... you. Do you think I’m really the type to steal  the spotlight like that?” You asked. “That I’d take another player’s moment like that...?”

“I didn’t know what to think last night. I’ve known Gareth so long and I knew he could be a dick, and I knew that there was something going on with you two-”

“Something I still don’t understand.” 

“Right. But I still should have put a stop to everything last night. Gareth and the others agreed to a do-over. Last session never happened.” Eddie said. 

“I hope that works out for you all.” Your eyes were stinging again, you knew it was petty but the past 12 hours had been Hell. 

Eddie took a step up onto the porch with you. “Can we talk inside?” he asked. 

You noticed that there were a few people out and about today. It’d be shitty to have the whole neighborhood have to watch this drama, and you were sure that there were some people here who would love another reason to hate “that Munson boy”. 

You couldn’t do that to him. 

You stepped aside, letting him in and closing the door behind you. “How long were you out there?”

“A few hours,” he admitted, taking a seat on your couch. “I... kept almost knocking and then not.” 

You sat down next to him, the space between you so close you could almost touch. You scooted away for your own sanity. 

“You kicked me out of Hellfire last night.” you stated, and Eddie flinched. 

“I shouldn’t have done that.” He turned to look at you. He looked so... tired. He always looked a little tired but this was different. He was almost haunted by his look. “I shouldn’t have accused you of anything, and I shouldn’t have acted like you were going to be kicked out. Last night was a disaster and I dropped the ball. I should have called a time out and talked to you about what was happening. I’m sorry. I know that a lot of time we butt heads during the game, but we all want you in Hellfire. I want you in Hellfire.”

A tear slid down your cheek, fuck you didn’t need to be seen crying now. You wiped it off with the back of your hand with a nod. You knew that you and Eddie were a lot. You both could have big personalities during the sessions and sometimes you both came at the game with wildly different energies but you always managed to work it out. You liked Eddie, you really did. It wasn’t just the attraction you had to him or the stress of wanting to save this doomed man from the narrative. 

You liked Eddie Munson as is. More than anything, you didn’t want to lose this friendship. As selfish as it was, having him around even for a few hours once a week had saved you from spiraling into depression and anxiety for what was going to happen in May next year. 

"Promise?" You whispered. You felt like a damn kid asking that. He reached out and grabbed your hand, linking your pinkies together, just as you’d done to him almost a month ago. 

"I promise" There was a small reassuring smile on his face. 

You slowly relaxed into the couch, exhaustion washing over you now. 

"I'm starving." You said, looking up at him. "You're staying for lunch."

Eddie's eyes lit up at the promise of food then fell. "Band practice." He said. 

You frowned. "Dinner then." You swallowed hoping that it didn't sound too much like a date, as much as you wished it could be. "And tell Gareth I'm willing to hear him out but I'm pissed till further notice."

"Absolutely" He stood up, and looked at her. At 6 feet he had a few good inches on you when you were standing, with you sitting down you had to lean your head back to see him fully. "We're good, right?" 

The question surprised you but you nodded. 

"Yeah. We're good, Eddie."

He nodded and gave you a smile. "See you tonight."

"See you tonight."

Tumblr User ==> Leave a prompt

Recommended Next Chapter: Reader ==> Duke It Out With Gareth

[tytarax2]

Complaining

Warnings: Skarra's minor injury

Four games into your Super League career and you've won Man of the Match every time.

How does it feel to be in the spotlight, Max Power?

Well, Rob, pretty rotten actually.

And why's that, Max?

Feel a bit bad taking Skarra's spot, yeah? It's not his fault he's injured.

The television was on in one of the rooms of the Invincible United stadium, while you were trying to change your boyfriend's bandages.

"Feel a bit bad, yeah? Whatever, schmuck"

"Hey, stop moving, I'm trying to work here, Skarra"

"It's not my fault that guy is an idiot"

"Sure, whatever you say, but you can complain without moving"

"Yeah, yeah, sorry, I'll stop," He said as he opened his laptop to check his newest campaign for players with minor injuries or something like that, and started writing.

"My injury has helped me relate to people in need"

“Yeah, that’s pretty believable with the face you have right now,” you said sarcastically, laughing a bit.

"Shut up"

"Megastars with minor injuries?" Dingan asked looking over Skarra's shoulder. Question no one answered of course.

While Max was still talking on the TV, you finally finished fixing Skarra's bandage.

"Well, I'm done, try not to push yourself too hard, 'kay?"

"Yeah, sure," He said as you leaned in to give him a chaste kiss on the lips.

"Bye babe, bye Dingan, see you guys in the next match"

"Bye" Answered both guys.

---

It's the day of the match between Invincible United and Clube Palmentieri (I think it is Palmentieri), you were sitting on the public benches closest to the court, Skarra had gotten you the tickets btw, and you were close to the bench where he was sitting with one of his teammates.

Meanwhile, Skarra was not paying attention to the match, he was still checking his funny campaign, and Automatic was giving it a little sneak peek.

"Invitations 23, attending 0" He said with mockery "Even your girlfriend won't go?"

Skarra placed a hand on Automatic's face and pushed him away while sighing. "She'll go, but she won't be playing."

"Oh, I see, she'll be busy taking care of you"

"Shut up, you idiot"

-

The match was already over, and obviously, the Man of the Match award was won by Max Power. Meanwhile, you jumped off the benches to join Skarra.

"You weren't bored, were you?"

"You kidding me? I'm not able to play and this Australian kid is taking all the attention I deserve"

"You really sound like a spoiled brat" You laughed

"Well, it's not like you complain"

"Hey, I never said I don't like that"

"Anyway, let's go"

"Want me to help you with your bag?"

"Neh, I'm fine, thanks"

You two were approaching the exit where Max and Vince were also heading.

"Hah, anyone can be Man of the Match if they hog the ball all the time"

"Back off, Skarra" Vince answered

"What? You're gonna side with happy face kid over here?" Skarra asked and Max interrupted

"Hey, I've been injured before. It's so frustrating. You got some kind of charity going, yeah?

"It's an awareness campaign to create awareness for people suffering like me" Skarra answered as you scoffed and watched Vince go away.

"That sounds great, I'll be there," said "happy face kid"

"Cool, whatever" Skarra took his laptop out of his bag and looked at his profile, checking that Max was the first one attending, and smiled a bit.

"Well, he sure is nice, he even made you smile"

"Shut it, and don't you dare say he's nice in my presence... not even not in my presence"

"Aw, look who's jealous, no way, the guy is way too Australian and happy for my liking."

---

Now the two of you were watching the match between the grey team and the yellow team, it was the first day of Skarra's charity, and some guys attended at least.

Eventually, Shakes and El Matador also arrived, what you heard was that El Matador had suffered from a broken toenail… Definitely a minor injury… but what the fuck?

Almost 2 hours later, you were already getting hungry, so Skarra called a time off, and everyone went to lunch. You two were eating hotdogs with soda watching as Shakes and Max were befriending.

"Well, I'll be damned, that's weird" You commented.

"Huh, this jerks, trying to be best pals?" Skarra said, and then you heard El Matador yelling "Shakes, you can't be buddies with the opponent"

And then both El Matador and Skarra saying "Where's your loyalty?" made you laugh.

---

Finally, it was Supa Strikas vs Invincible United match day, you took Skarra to the game in your car, taking advantage of the fact that you live in the same house, apart so that Skarra wouldn't have such an uncomfortable trip on the bus.

When you were approaching the stadium you both saw Max getting out of Vince's car.

"How come Max gets to ride in the limo, I'm the one with the injury, I'm the one who deserves special treatment!"

"Hey, no complaining, I brought you here, I may not have a limo, but it's still a comfortable car"

"Yeah, and thanks, but still," He said taking your hand for support, and started walking again.

-

The match was already over, and surprisingly, or maybe not surprisingly... Shakes was the one who won Man of the Match, but he started making a commotion trying to call Max over the pitch for a while when finally he... or should I say, they arrived, there were two Max Powers, well, twins.

At that moment you were already side to side with Skarra looking at Vince with mockery.

"Twins? Nice one. Serves you right for not telling me!"

-

"Can't believe that punk almost doubled me out of my teeth" Skarra said walking to the exit

El Matador, who was walking beside Skarra and on the opposite side of you, answered him, and then he placed a bunch of those erasable stickers on Skarra's arm, to which he yelled in frustration, and you laughed.

"Now now, calm down, let's go get that out of your arm, I really don't want to sleep with those creepy things hugging me"

Masterlist

[sophie1973]

London Boy

Or the evolution of Henry's name in Alex's phone.

It is February 17 and Henry has been ghosting him for 6 fucking weeks.

Alex is in his room at the Residence, lying on his bed with his phone in his hand, abusing his bottom lip with his teeth and wondering what went so horribly wrong that Henry, after weeks of talking, laughing, exchanging jokes and insults and yes, one earth shattering kiss, seems to have erased Alex from his life.

Alex isn’t even angry. He is frustrated. Disappointed. There are millions of questions battling in his head, and no answer to any of them. He closes his eyes, letting out a deep sigh.

One more try.

By the way, I upgraded you in my phone. You are now Prince Henry YUK. Remind me what the Y stands for again?

If Henry ignores this one, Alex might have to resign himself to write him off his life. The idea leaves him with a cold knot in his stomach, but what else can he do ?

He figures that staring at his phone won’t make Henry replies faster (or at all…) so he goes take a shower, hoping against all odds that this is the message that will make a difference. That Henry will read between the lines. Even though at this point Alex doesn’t even know himself what he’s trying to say.

 But when he comes back 10 minutes later, there is no answer. The message doesn’t even appeared to be read.

Another piece of Alex’s heart breaks.

*****

It is the evening after the State dinner, and Alex and Henry are in Alex’s room. Henry was just supposed to hang out with Alex for the day, before catching his flight the next morning. The  official plan was to relax and watch some TV or share some conversation, but in the privacy of Alex’s bedroom, the boys had other ideas.

Now they are both sitting in bed, naked, and enjoying a pint of salted caramel ice cream, childishly battling with their spoon for the last morsel.

When Alex puts the container back on the nightstand, Henry leans against the pillows and gives him a fond look.

“It’s Prince Henry UK. There is no Y and you know it, you insufferable twat.”

Alex laughs happily. “Haha ! So you have been reading my messages.”

Henry shrugs but doesn’t reply. He had told Alex last night what had gone through his head the whole time and how he had tortured himself over that kiss.

Alex takes his phone. “Guess it’s time for another upgrade.” He types something with a smirk on his face and Henry leans in and places his head on his shoulder.

“There,” Alex says, shoving the phone in Henry's face, nearly hitting his nose. Henry squints at the phone first, before a smile lights his face.

“Henry the Maypole”, he reads with a chuckle. “And they say romance is dead.’

Alex turns on his side, facing the young Prince. “But I’m a romantic.One of the many reasons why you like me.”

“I do, actually,” Henry replies, a soft smile on his lips but a serious look in his eyes.

Alex throws his phone away on the bed, his hand coming to stroke Henry’s hair, taking an immense pleasure at such a simple gesture.

“I still don’t know what a maypole is.”

Henry rolls his eyes. “Just Google it. That is, if you know how to use Google.”

Alex sticks out his tongue at him, sliding his hand under the cover and resting it on Henry’s hip. A shiver runs through his body, and Alex is filled with both smugness and elation at the power his touch has on him. Especially since it goes both ways.

“I’d rather Google you,” he says with a suggestive wink as his mouth comes to cover what he knows now is a very sensitive spot on Henry’s neck.

The young man sighs, closing his eyes. “That doesn’t make any sense, but I’m fine with it.”

*****

A phone starts ringing on the other side of the room.

“Alex, I think it’s yours,” Nora  says and he raises his head from behind the pile of binders and papers he was busy with. It’s been 3 weeks of campaigning in Austin, and he feels more and more optimistic about the outcome.

“I’ll get it.” He gets up and quickly jogs to the table but the phone has stopped ringing.

“It read “Henry” with three little red, white and blue hearts”, Nora supplies with a knowing smile. She has come for a few days to give him a hand, and has not grilled him too much so far about the young British Royal.

Alex  clears his throat. “Right. It’s a private joke between us. Because he’s from England, and I’m from…here, and our flags are the same colors…” he finishes lamely.

Nora chuckles. “Relax. I know you’ll spill the good stuff soon. I can be patient.”

Alex smiles and shakes his head. She’s right, and they are overdue for a nice bonding evening.

He presses the call back button with some trepidation.. “Baby, hey.”

“Alex ! Is this a bad time, love?”

Alex almost scoffs at that. Hearing Henry’s voice always provokes a deep feeling of peace and tranquility in the midst of the craziness that is his life right now.

“Not at all. Hearing your voice is exactly what I needed.”

“Listen, I’m trying very hard to clear my schedule and come to see you for a few days. I’ll let you know as soon as I’m able, ok? I miss you.”

“I miss you too sweetheart. I can’t wait for you to be here.”

******

“I can’t find my stupid phone,” Alex grumbles while pulling at the covers and pillows, putting the bed in even more disarray than it already was. It was a few days after the election, and they were still staying at Alex’s family house in Austin.

“You used it last night in bed, so it can’t be far, “Henry says while buttoning his shirt. “Let me call you before you completely trash the place, you vandal,” He offers and takes his own phone from the nightstand.

They immediately hear the familiar ringtone from under the bed, next to where Henry is standing. He looks under it and picks it up. “Here you go,” he tells Alex, before his eyes fall on the screen and a pleased smile curves his lips.

“Really?” he asks, showing the screen that reads  ’Love of my life’.

Alex blushes, taking his phone back. “Yes, so, what of it? You are.” 

“Hey, I think it’s sweet. And adorable. And I love it,” Henry says, leaning to put a kiss on Alex’s lips. Alex hums his pleasure against his mouth, acutely aware of his nerve’s ending every time Henry and him touch.

“What am I in your phone?” he asks, curious.

Henry’ smile dimmed slightly. “Erm…Alex ?”

He takes a step back, crossing his arm,trying for his best offended look.“Alex? That’s just it? Alex ??”

“Well, it came to my understanding that it was, indeed, your name, love.”

“Don’t try and distract me by using fancy British turn of phrases, Fox.” he growls, stabbing his finger in Henry’s chest.

“There is nothing particularly British or fancy in that sentence, but ok. And you are right. I’ll find something more suitable,” Henry replies in a soothing tone, catching Alex’s hand and bringing his knuckles to his lips.

“Suitable,” Alex mimicks, rolling his eyes and pushing him on the bed before straddling him. 

“So…what sounds suitable for you, your Majesty ?”

Henry frowns, biting his lips as if he was in a business meeting and not sprawled on his bed while his boyfriend is slowly unbuttoning the shirt he's just put on a few minutes ago.

“Well, this is an extremely serious matter. I have to think about it. Long and hard,” he finishes with a smirk.

“You’d better,” Alex whispers with a laugh in his ear, before capturing his lips, and soon the phone situation is the last thing on their mind.

*****

A few days later, as Henry is in the shower, curiosity gets the better of Alex and he calls himself on Henry's phone.

The words that appear on the screen make his heart melt.

Future husband

Henry gets out of the shower a few minutes later, drying his hair with a towel. “Did I hear my phone ringing?”

Alex makes a dismissal gesture. “Wrong number. But it doesn’t matter. The answer is yes. I’ll marry you.”

Henry opens his mouth before closing it, his eyes widening slightly in alarm. “What ? I didn’t…Alex….”

Alex laughs and kisses him.