#bitty did the same thing when I lived with her

[bluerosefox]

Assassin Heir? Crime Fighting Furry? NOPE NO THANK YOU!

"Danyal, its time to end this game and return with me."

Danny should had known Clockwork had something in mind when he sent him on this mission. He knew he should had been suspicious of the time keeper when he noticed the little 'this is going to be fun' smile on his face when he sent Danny off into the portal.

"Get back here you demon spawn 2.0!"

But how was he supposed to know that he'd wake up in this world version of himself in a pit full of corrupted (AND NASTY) ectoplasim at the tender age of five or that when he swam up to the surface he'd be meeting face to face with what was apparently a cult.

"-O just spotted him a block away! I'll try to cut itty bitty bridie off!"

An Assassins Cult his, new to him, loving yet a little insane mother was in charge of (though during the few months he stayed in the compound he heard rumors and gossip from maids and others alike that if his grandfather returned from the dead he'll take over once again, no doubt punish Talia for creating another heir after the failure of the last one, most likely was going to kill Danny and that... that was can of worms Danny didn't wanna deal with yet)

"Ten bucks says they try to stab RR when we get the feral thing home"

"...Losers bet...."

Danny had lived with his mother for a while after being brought back from the 'dead' for apparently the first time, it turned out training a five year old with an actual sword and a dumbass hidden revenge seeking teacher was a terrible idea.

"I swear if this one tries to murder me like the others I'm asking Zatanna if there is a curse on me."

He dealt with her high demands of perfection, the endless training, and the constant comparisons to his apparent older brother Damain... Who didn't know Danny, or rather Danyal existed.

Nor did his father (when Danny, using his powers he's kept hidden since 'waking' up in this Realm, he sneaked his way around the base and discovered how he came into the world. And tbh he couldn't blame his mom how she made him, she was an assassin first and foremost, being naturally pregnant would had painted a target on her for to long... but he also felt it was unfair and an asshole move on his unsuspecting father as well)

"As your elder brother I demand you to stop running!"

Now don't get him wrong, he did like his new mother (total badass assassin lady and all that) and he knew she loved him in her own... deadly way. But yeah, she really shouldn't be taking care of kids. He could tell she struggled with wanting to be a normal mother but her first instinct after so many years was to be an assassin first.

Something she was trying to engrave into Danny with as well.

"Ah, hello Beloved. I see you've learned of our Danyal."

"Talia. Back away from him and leave Gotham now."

"I can not do that. The League needs an heir and since Damian refuses to return... I have decided to create a new one and I shall not be leaving until he returns with me."

"Talia."

Hence why when Danny, or rather Danyal al Ghul had gotten decent control over his powers he decided to leave the League. Again nothing wrong with the life his mom leads, to each their own, but he... really, really didnt want to be an assassin. Or an assassin heir.

So here he was, after almost a year on the run, using his powers and training to out smart and out maneuver his mother and her many band of Assassins, in Gotham. One of the last places he ever wanted to run to cause he knew his father and brother lived here.

It was just his luck that his mother had managed to intercept his train ride that passed into Gotham for a few hours and forced him to run into the city...

Add her assassins into the mix and running into Robin, who heard from Oracle his mother had been spotted chasing a young boy across the city, that same night.

After that it became a full on "catch me if you can" chase for not only his mother but for the batclan as well.

And after two whole days of chase, it seemed like the final showdown was about to begin because everyone was on top of this rooftop, his mother and her assassins on one side, his father and the batclan on the other and Danny well... he was right in the middle of all of it.

He just had to hope no one would notice him once the fighting started...

[orangeheliophile]

BAKUGO X PREGNANT WIFE READER WHO IS A PRO HERO AND HAD TO GO ON MATERNITY LEAVE BC SHES EXPECTING TWINS UR WRITING IS SO GOOD

Omg, hi!!

Thank you for your request! I'm currently working on it, so bear with me, hahaha. This idea has been on my mind, so thank you for encouraging me to write it!

I've also added a small twist to it, so I hope that's okay!

I also love the GIF, haha. It made me smile and giggle for a good amount of time!😂

Baby Kacchan x2

(Bakugou Katsuki x reader)

What happens when you, the number four Pro Hero, have to go on maternity leave because of your husband, the number two Pro Hero? AKA Bakugou Katsuki. But here's the thing, it's twins, and you want to surprise your husband.

Warnings: Bakugou. Cursing, slightly suggestive, a bit of throwing up, little angst?

Contains: fluff, crack, clingy dramatic husband, silly reader. Reader is pregnant with twins. 25 yr old!Bakugou, pro hero Dynamight, mentions of Dynamy. Reader and Bakugou also have a yellow pomeranian named Missle Launcher. (You can guess who named it.)

You were sitting outside on the balcony, admiring the coral and tangerine sky as the golden sun slowly set into the distance. It's peaceful, the weather is just the right amount of warm and the scenery mesmerizing.

You and Katsuki are happily married, living together in a gorgeous villa he built for the both of you. It's a bit too big for just you both in your opinion, but that's because he was planning to raise your family in that house. The house was a style of traditional Japanese and Mediterranean, with vibrant colors and such beautiful architecture.

He thought of you in every moment when designing the house. How you'd want to be around nature, have a space for a library, and he definitely made sure to add those fairytale attics you've always wanted; with all the secret rooms and many windows.

Ever since you both babysat a certain set of triplets, he's been thinking of wanting to have a family with you. He would make an amazing father, always playing with his kids and making sure they know how amazing you are.

Little did he know, his wish was being fulfilled. You're pregnant. With twins. Who will make you look fat. Thanks a lot, mini Dynamights.

Slowly rocking back and forth on the chair, your hands caress the Itty bitty baby bump. You smile, an adoring look in your gaze as your yellow pomeranian, Missy (short for Missle Launcher), is sitting on the chair next to you with her tail wagging happily. She was the first one you told that you were pregnant.

The plants around the balcony provide you with fresh oxygen, as you're extremely comfortable wearing a pair of shorts along with one of Katsuki's skull shirts. It was your day off, and soon you'll have to have many more.

Taking a sip of your hot chocolate, you hum in satisfaction, the sweet flavor filling your taste buds as you hold the Dynamight mug in your hands. Even if you were both Pro Heroes, you loved to get Dynamight merchandise. It always amused you how your husband would blush like a tomato while scolding you when you buy a teddy bear wearing his hero costume, but you don't really care because you wanted to support him. And he felt the same way, obviously.

A warm smile grows on your face at the thought of your twins wearing Dynamight hero onesies and how adorable they would look in them. Your heart swells, already having thought of baby names and all of the things that cause one baby fever. You want chunky babies.

The smell of caramel and spice fills your nose, the scent of your husband lingering around the house even if he's out on patrol. You should probably go back inside before it gets too dark, but the scenery is just so pretty, with the soon to be autumn colors already spreading everywhere.

You sigh deeply, leaning your head back on the rocking chair as you place the mug of hot chocolate on the coffee table. Missy whines next to you, placing her tiny paw on your arm as a signal that she wants your attention. You smile towards the pomeranian, grabbing a warm, fluffy red blanket from the armchair as you place it on your lap and pat your knee.

The yellow dog barks in joy, hopping onto your lap while snuggling against your baby bump to keep you three warm. You smile, feeling your heart warm how animals are able to sense pregnancies. A hand rubs her head affectionately, as Missy's tail wags while she licks your hand, making you giggle at the feeling.

"I guess it's just you and me, huh?" You jest, to which the dog barks and nudges your bumb with your nose. You laugh, nodding your head as you put your feet up on the coffee table. "Oh right, and the babies too."

Speaking of babies, you haven't exactly told your husband that you're pregnant. Which makes you feel a bit bad since he sometimes tells you how he wants to have mini Katsuki's and mini Y/n's running around the house. Even if he doesn't seem like it, your husband secretly adores young children.

So, you want to surprise him with the pregnancy, but you're not sure how. Your Katsuki deserves the best. So you want to give him the best. But how would you give him that?

You frown slightly, feeling a twinge in your chest as you start to think over how you're going to surprise your husband. You can't hide it forever, but you don't want to mess up. Fingers clench around the mug a little bit tighter, putting it down as you sigh in defeat. You were always the overthinker.

Exhaustion starts to creep over you as you let out a yawn while stretching your limbs. Missy yawns back, curling more into your lap as your eyes start to flutter close. You'll think about it tomorrow.

The sky turns into an orange red hue, the sun nearly setting as the neighborhood lights switch on. It's beautiful, warm colors of autumn bringing you peace, as it's warm enough so you don't freeze outside. And just like that, you drift off to sleep, dreaming of the future family you and your husband will have.

An hour later, Katsuki arrives, kicking off his combat boots on the entry while taking a deep sigh. Work was a bit more busy than usual, as he had to help an old lady cross the street. The kind that take forever to move. His fans would definitely not shut up about this for a month.

Katsuki groans, his nose scrunching at the thought, but he feels relieved to finally be home after not being able to see you for a day. As he takes off his motorcycle helmet, the blonde quirks a brow, feeling confused as to why you haven't run down the halls to greet him home with his seven kisses.

Right now, your husband just wants to cuddle with you and watch a movie. And he can't do that if he doesn't know where you are. Taking off his hero mask, Katsuki places it on the side table, along with the keys, his gauntlets, and some chocolates he bought earlier for you both. "Baby! I'm home."

Normally, you would already be running into his arms when the door unlocks, but you're nowhere to be seen. His frowns at this, already taking off the parts of his hero suit while roaming around the living room in search of you. "Sunshine? Where are you?" No answer. "Honey? You home?" No answer again. He starts to panic a bit, about to run all over the house in search of you when he halts; hearing someone walk down the stairs.

At the sound of Katsuki's voice, small footsteps pat against the wooden floor, a small bark echoing through the halls as Missy comes to greet him, the pomeranian having left your lap as soon as she heard the door.

The spiky haired blonde smiles at the dog, crouching down onto his knees as the pomeranian jumps into his arms and licks his face. Katsuki laughs, caressing her soft fur as her tail wags and thumps against his arm happily.

"Hey, Missy. Y'know where mommy might be?" He whispers, chuckling when the dog tilts her head to the side, only licking his face in response. Katsuki smiles, pressing a kiss to the top of the pomeranians' head while letting her hop back onto the ground. Missy whines, nudging his leg forward before walking down the hallway and up the stairs.

Walking up the steps, he takes out his gloves, already having the jacket of his hero suit in his hand as he runs a hand through his spiky hair. Your husband follows the small dog, peeking through every room in case you were somewhere in there. He learned from experience that you're a master at hide and seek, as he almost had a panic attack when he couldn't find you when you were kids. But that's a story for another time.

Missy leads Katsuki into your bedroom, his tracks stopping when he sees the sight of you sleeping on the rocking chair outside on the balcony. It was a perfect view. The moon next to your sleeping form while the red trees and dim lights contrast against your beauty. His heart skips a beat, cherry red eyes immediately softening when he sees his love in a peaceful slumber.

Taking slow and quiet steps, Katsuki makes his way towards you, a lovesick smile appearing on his lips when he stands behind you, fixing the strands of your hair so they don't fall on your face. A content sigh falls from his lips, admiring your angelic figure as you coo in your sleep. His heart instantly melts at the small noise.

The blonde turns, crouching down to face you while effortlessly scooping you up in his arms, being careful not to wake you as he carries you bridal style into the bedroom. Katsuki places you on the bedroom, making sure to tuck you in the bedsheets and place a fluffy blanket over you.

Your husband furrows his eyebrows, his eyes widening in shock when he notices something on you- you didn't brush your teeth. You have a chocolate stain on the corner of your mouth. Katsuki huffs in disapproval, shaking his head once before pressing feather light kisses onto your face; one of his ways of waking you up.

You whine, knitting your eyebrows as your hand goes to smack whatever is disturbing your sleep. Your husband grunts, rubbing his face while having a small pout on his lips. Did you really have to smack him in your sleep? Your face becomes peaceful once again, only to be interrupted when a deep, soothing voice whispers to you. "Baby, c'mon, you gotta brush your teeth honey, then we can cuddle."

A sleepy smile grows on your lips, processing the fact that your husband has arrived and is right here with you. You hum, scooting closer to him as he sits on the edge of the bed, placing your legs on his lap while rubbing your knee affectionately.

You feel so glad that Katsuki's back from hero duties, yet you really don't feel like getting up. Because the mattress is just so comfy and the blankets are amazingly soft.

And as if Katsuki could read your thoughts, he does he sighs and rolls his eyes playfully, aggressively kicking off his hero suit as you giggle at his dramatic self. "Fine, fine. If you won't do it yourself, I'll do it for you. Ungrateful wife." He mutters, making a funny face while rolling his eyes. You giggle more, lightly kicking his rib as he scoffs dramatically in betrayal.

You wonder if the babies would take after his personality.

Katsuki huffs, reaching out to holds your hands in his, bringing them to his lips while pressing multiple kisses onto your skin. The action never fails to make your heart flutter, as he never seems to be the type, but Katsuki is a big hopeless romantic when it comes to you. Yet it never fails to make you smile when he shows you all of his affection.

Pressing one big last smooch onto your knuckle, Katsuki breathes through his nose, resting his forehead on the back of your hands as if it's a torture to part with you for a few moments. So dramatic, you think.

You hum in content, sleep still hazing over you as it makes you feel even more at peace when he's here with you. Your husband pats your knee, signaling that he's going to get up as he grabs your ankles and stands, placing your legs back onto the bed as he goes to take a shower.

Laying your head back on the silk pillows, you relish the softness of the mattress while subconsciously placing a hand on your stomach. A sigh leaves your lips, wondering how to tell the agency that you'll have to go on maternity leave and that you'll also have to tell your husband. Right now, you just want to enjoy the moment.

After about twenty minutes, Katsuki leaves the shower, muscles dripping with water as he wraps the towel around his slim waist. His usually spiky hair is a bit matted down but is still looking incredibly fluffy. You totally were not drooling over him the whole time. Never. That's absurd!

Suddenly, you had the energy to get up and go give your husband a kiss for being so incredibly handsome.

Getting up from your spot on the bed, you grunt, pushing yourself up as you wrap a blanket around your body and waddle towards your gorgeous husband. Katsuki is changing his clothes, about to put his shirt on when you wrap your arms around his waist and pepper kisses onto his chest. The blonde flinches in surprise, blood rushing up his face as he huffs and looks down at you through the hole of the shirt.

"Ya need something, hon?"

"Nah, I'm good."

Katsuki huffs out a laugh, feeling you cling onto him as he puts on his shirt with you under it. It's a funny but cute sight, as there's the outline of your body as he sort of looks pregnant. Which is funny because you're actually the pregnant one. You think.

Your husband rubs your lower back lovingly, his hand gliding down to your hip and drawing imaginary figures just how you like it, making you practically melt into putty. You sigh in content, your cheek squished against his chest as you cling onto him, needing to feel his warmth to make you feel better.

Katsuki smiles softly, opening the cabinet as he pokes your side playfully. "You're cute, but that won't change the fact that you need to brush your teeth."

Why must he always ruin the moment? Stupid husband.

After brushing your teeth, you finally climb back to bed, the balcony doors shut as the both of you cuddle into the soft, firm mattress; the both of you staring up at the ceiling while enjoying each others presence. Katsuki wraps his arms around you, nuzzling his nose into your cheek as you caress the scar on his right arm, your mind drifting off into the future, how you're going to have twins.

A smile grows on your face, making you feel giddy as you sway your feet and squeeze his arm that's curled around you. Katsuki notices this, shifting to his side as his cherry red irises having love in them as he looks at you. "What's got you so happy?" He jests, scooting closer to you while cupping your cheek, caressing the wrinkles around your eyes that make you smile so beautifully.

You giggle, turning on your side as your nose bumps with his, complete adoration in your expression as your hand goes to play with his fluffy locks. "I'm just happy to be with you." He huffs in response, his cheeks turning a bubblegum pink while leaning into your touch; as if being right up in your face wasn't enough for him.

"Stop it. Stop being adorable." He grumbles, feeling flustered when all you do is giggle and fawn over him. Katsuki groans, stuffing his face into your chest while nuzzling his face into your skin, the scent of your shampoo filling his nose as he clings onto you.

You smile happily, playing with his hair while giving him a scalp massage with your fingers, practically making him feel like he's in heaven. That is until Missy decides to hop onto your shared bed.

Katsuki deadpans, groaning in annoyance when you gasp and roll him off of your body, kicking him out of bed as he falls onto the cold floor with a thud. "Missy, baby!" You squeal, giggling as the pomeranian barks and happily climbs onto your lap, resting her chin on your belly while panting happily.

Your husband groans, laying face first on the floor as he feels a sense of betrayal on how quick you were to kick him off. The nerve. "Missy... why do you have to ruin the damn moment?" Katsuki deadpans, lifting himself off only to see you cuddling the yellow dog in your arms. Where the pomeranian is lying on his side of the bed.

The betrayal.

Your eyes flutter open in the morning, the tangerine rays shining through your windows as the birds chirp outside. You sigh, curling up against your husband's side as he holds you like a teddybear, practically suffocating you with his affection.

The moment is peaceful, with your yellow pomeranian laying on your lap with her chin resting on your belly, snoring a bit while kicking her foot in her sleep. A sleepy grin appears on your face, the peacefulness going away when you feel your stomach drop.

You were going to throw up.

Your eyes shoot open, throwing Katsuki's arm off of you, and moving Missy away as you scramble towards the bathroom, making sure to lock the door behind you.

Your knees drop to the floor, bending in front of the toilet as you gag, the vomit coming out of your stomach as tears brim your eyes. You've always hated this feeling.

While you were throwing up in the bathroom, Katsuki had already woken up by the emptiness of your warmth.

Your husband stirs awake, turning his head to the side and squinting to see that you're not on the bed, with Missy scratching her ear sleepily on your spot. He frowns, eyes widening when he hears your choked sobs coming from the bathroom.

Katsuki immediately gets up from the bed, striding towards the bathroom door only to find that it's locked. His eyes widen in worry, a pang in his chest when he hears the quiet sobs and muffled gags on the other side. "Princess? Hey, open up. Is everything okay?"

Your eyes snap open, body trembling in the slightest from the loss of fluids in your body. You pant, gripping onto the stool next to you for support as you flush the toilet; stumbling to go wash your mouth and hands in the process. It's a good thing your hair was tied up.

Your husband sighs in frustration, picking the lock as your eyes widen when he bursts in through the door. Katsuki stares at you in panic- quickly running towards your side and wrapping his arm around your waist as his hand holds yours tightly for stability.

"Fuck, honey, what the hell happened?"

Your heart clenches, feeling guilty for worrying your husband as you're upset about the pregnancy effects. Your head shakes, your lower lip, trembling as you don't want to talk at the moment. Katsuki frowns even more, helping you wash your mouth and face while letting you lean onto him for support.

"Baby, please, just tell me-" "I'm sorry."

Your husband stares at you in disbelief, seeing your lips wobble as you dig your nails into your palms, to which Katsuki immediately disapproves. His hand slips into yours, thumb rubbing over the lines of your palms while leaning back so you can rest your back on his chest.

You sigh deeply, your hand gliding his arm that's wrapped around your waist. Should you tell him? You can't hide it forever.

Katsuki's always been smart. And it's more than likely he'll find out if you keep brushing it off. But you wanted it to be so special. Tears brimm your eyes at the thought; already have planned out the perfect way to tell your husband that you're with child-no, his children.

With a breathy sigh, you swallow hard; the anxiety of the situation sinking in. You're about to tell him you're pregnant.

"Suki, can we go to the bedroom and talk?" Your voice is barely a whisper, a slight worry in your eyes that makes Katsuki start to grow nervous. He nods nonetheless, wrapping his arms under your thighs and carefully carrying you to your shared bed.

Your husband sets you down on his lap, his thumb rubbing your hip while his arm is wrapped around you. Katsuki nuzzles his nose into your cheek, worried crimson eyes staring at you as he waits for you to speak.

The silence fills the room, the growing anxiousness starting to creep into Katsuki as you turn your head to the side and tense up. The blonde gulps, starting to wonder if he did something wrong as he takes a shaky breath.

"If it's something I fucked up-" "I can't be a hero right now."

Your husband stiffens, and you visibly cringe at your bad choice of words. You cover your face with your hands, feeling even more guilty when you catch a glimpse of your husband's expression. Jaw dropped and trying to process what you just said.

Your husband stares at you in shock, and you blink at him, trying to muster up the courage of what you really meant. A heavy sigh leaves your lips, guiltily getting off his lap, and he lets you; only to plop back onto the bed and run a hand through his face.

Taking shaky steps towards your bedroom drawer, you grab a small gift box; the cover is yellow-orange with gold ribbons. You gulp, hands trembling in the slightest in anticipation as you walk back to the blonde splayed out on the bed; as if he was a sick victorian child needing a cure. Why does he always manage to be dramatic in every situation?

You stand next to the bed, carefully slipping the box into his hand before stepping back; wondering if you should run away or not.

Katsuki lifts up the box, giving you a look of confusion as you turn your back towards him, crossing your arms while standing in the corner of the room. The blonde squints, opening the box as you hear a small gasp from him. Yeah, the wall looks very interesting right now.

Tears swell in the blondes crimson eyes, sitting up on the bed while taking shaky breaths while staring down at the pregnancy test and two folded Dynamight baby onesies. Katsuki swallows back a sob; wide, hopeful eyes staring towards your back, almost begging you that this isn't some sick joke.

"You're actually pregnant?..."

Your shoulders tense, giving a shaky nod while covering your sobs with your hands, feeling a mixture of joy, nervousness, and relief that you finally told your beloved husband.

Katsuki wastes no time to make his way towards you, taking quick strides towards your figure as he wraps his arms around your hips and spins you around. Your breath hitches, seeing his gorgeous smile as his crimson eyes cry tears of joy, pupils dilated so much that his eyes look almost black.

A surprised yelp leaves your mouth as your strong husband picks you up, spinning you around carefully as you laugh and wrap your arms around his neck. The champagne-haired man laughs- genuinely while pressing multiple kisses all over your face.

"You're pregnant! You're actually pregnant, oh!- I've been trying for so long and- fuck! I can't believe I'm going to be a daddy!" Katsuki rambles, having a surge of extreme joy as you giggle when Missy starts to bark and jump onto her back legs in excitement. Your husband groans, burying his face into your neck while holding you tightly to him.

He sighs shakily, walking back towards the bed and plopping you down while hovering over you; his forehead resting against yours as his hand slips under the bottom of your shirt and rests on your tummy. "Thank you, thank you, I love you so fucking much it hurts-" He gasps out, making you smile with tears slipping down your cheeks. You laugh shakily, nodding to every word while cupping his face and wiping away the happy tears from his cherry red pearly eyes.

"I'm just happy that we're going to be a family." You whisper, making your husband chuckle and connect his lips with yours; the kiss loving and full of joy and emotion, as he expresses his gratitude into the kiss. Your fingers find their want into his fluffy locks, playing with his hair as he hums in satisfaction. It's perfect.

Missy hops onto the bed, making her way towards you both as she starts to lick Katsuki's face, making him scrunch up in disgust while pulling away from your mouth. You laugh as the blonde beefy man groans and wraps his arms around your waist while hiding his face in the side of your belly. "Missy, whhyyyy?" He whines out in annoyance, as the pomeranian only barks and starts to climb on top of him.

You smile, feeling blissful with your growing family as you ignore your husband's whines and complaints.

"Baby! Does this mean that I can have my army of mini Dynamights?"

"More like Dynamys with the way you're acting, hon."

Katsuki huffs in annoyance, nose scrunching up at the memory of the mini grenade in your high-school days. A giggle escapes your lips, hand rubbing his built back as he hums in content, finally at peace when Missy curls up on top of you both.

"You do realize we'll have to tell the agency about your maternatily leave, right? And that you'll have to let me smother and spoil you every day, right?" Your husband states, a prideful smirk on his face at the fact that he has the opportunity to be the malewife he secretly wants to be.

You snort, nodding your head as you smile and pat his head. "But that also means you'll have to work more for the both of us- and, you'll have to keep being a hero if-" Katsuki puts a finger on your lips, shushing you as he snuggles into your stomach.

"Don't talk right now. Just let me live my malewife dream, baby."

I hope you liked this one, @real-hot-grl-shi !

Dividers by @cafekitsune

[dc418writes]

Fuck it, I’m Jealous

✨Pairing✨: TE!Terry Richmondxblack!reader

Summary🪄: Your (secret) feelings for your best friend reach a new height

🚨: teensy bit of angst, brief mention of children, language, allusion to abusive relationship, fluff mixed throughout

Fic inspo:

*DISCLAIMER!: I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP of pictures used as they were all found via Pinterest*

I ain't never been good at sharing

But with you, I practice patience

And I let you do your thing 'cause I'm doin' mine

I was actin' like I'm good when I know I'm lyin'

The rhythmic thud and vibrations from the speakers run through your whole body as you sit at the mini bar watching other guests dancing and laughing. Usually you’d be among the bodies swaying on the dance floor at least once or mingling with whomever was open enough to talk, but tonight you can’t seem to switch your focus from the couple near the tall floor to ceiling windows.

Specifically, your best friend, Terry, and the woman giggling and smiling as she hangs on to his every word.

They’ve nearly been attached at the hip all night - moving from the dance floor to a more private section of the bustling mansion’s living room - and you had to admit, she was gorgeous. Silky, black hair flowing to the middle of her back and face flawlessly clear of blemishes, she was definitely his type with her Hollywood dazzling smile and matching perfect curves. Yet with every flirty glance, you could feel a sickening twinge in your gut.

So much in your head, you fail to realize your other best friend, Ondrea, had joined you after ordering another fruity cocktail. “Her beauty does not take away from yours.”

“I know,” you softly smile attempting to hide your hurt.

“And you, my love, have a line of suitors both in here and outside who’d be blessed with just a minute of your attention.”

You didn’t want them though. Every single one you tried just couldn’t compete - let alone be in the same room - as Terry Richmond. Charming, big eared, jerk.

Wrapping an arm around your shoulders, she leans her head on yours with a soft sigh, “Want me to break them up? Accidentally on purpose spill a drink on her?”

“No,” you chuckle, “and I think you’ve reached your limit on the drinks.” She did tend to be a little more…aggressively protective around her fourth. “Where’s Ali?”

Sipping from the little glass in her hand, her other waves as if she couldn’t care less where her defensive lineman husband was. “I’m grown, okay? I don’t need a babysitter and don’t think I don’t realize you trying to divert! Have you talked to him?”

“Drea we both know I can’t do that.”

“You need to though! If I see you sad about alien eyes one more time imma fight him myself.”

“Aye you supposed to be cut off.” You’ve never been happier to see Ali. You came to this party in hopes to forget your messy feelings. To get a long deserved break from the heaviness - and occasional tears - they caused. “Gimme the glass now Ondrea Marie.”

Rolling her eyes, she’s quick to drain the remainder of the candy green liquid - much to her husband’s dismay - before placing the glass in his large paw of a hand. “Happy?,” she hiccups with a giggle lightly bumping you.

“This woman,” he mumbles in exasperation leaving the empty glass on the shiny bar. “Hey bitty, surprised to see you and Terry separated.”

You’d practically been each other’s shadows since college. Each somehow drifting back after working the room if you didn’t stick together the entire time. It’s why most of those interested became slightly disappointed thinking you were more than friends, which you’d both immediately deny.

“By all means, shoot ya shot. Want me to introduce you?”

“Well, I uh thought it’d be best to give him some privacy since he’s pretty occupied.” Turning to find his teammate among the moving attendees, he smirks watching the mystery, model-esque woman lean in to whisper in the Tight End’s ear. Clearly something salacious from how Terry licked his full lips before handing her his phone. His mouth smoothly whispering something back then moving to her neck as she giggled and playfully smacked his chest.

“Well he’s definitely gonna have a fun night.”

That made one of you. “Yep, and I think I’m gonna head home.”

“Already?”

“Yea it’s been a long day, plus I got more to do tomorrow.” Like sulk in the privacy of your own home. Maybe catch an episode or two of Law and Order.

“Oh okay. You need a ride? Or want me to get T-?”

“Nope I’m alright. I’ll just Uber again,” you quickly answer. From his slightly raised brow, you know Ali can probably sense there’s an issue but he doesn’t press on and you’re grateful he seems to catch the hint.

“Uh uh we can drive you home,” Ondrea speaks up trying to stand on slightly unsteady legs. Luckily Ali’s there to keep her from falling to which she insists she’s got it and he rolls his chocolate eyes.

“No yall stay, I’ll be fine.” Not giving them a chance to utter another word, you slip from your barstool with a quick wave and clutch in your hand as your heels hastily clack along the tiled floor towards the entrance. “I’ll call when I get home!”

-

“We should have another one,” Terry states staring with proud eyes at the quiet bundle in their white crib. His elbows bent over the railing as he adorably coos while fixing the small blanket that looked like the one from your childhood.

“We just had this one,” you giggle jokingly poking the back of his thigh with your toe. Peering over his shoulder, there’s no hiding that boyish grin you fell in love with.

“She need a friend though, she told me.”

“Mhm..she told you that?” He nods moving to get on his knees and crawl until his head is in your lap. His soft hands bringing yours to his lips to peck as he begins to beg.

“Pleasepleaseplease!”

The melodic chime from your doorbell startles you awake with a racing heart and dull ache in your temple from sitting up too fast. It’s soon followed by a couple thunderous knocks that don’t help your already panicked state.

‘Gimme a break,’ you think shuffling to your door. In retrospect, you should’ve looked on your app before opening the door. Or maybe even pretended you weren’t home.

Black Nike sweats covering his legs and matching sweatshirt over his upper half, Terry wasn’t annoyed but you could tell he was in a mood.

“H-Hey,” you greet with a nervous smile. “Everything okay?”

His brief, low chuckle is far from humorous as he crosses his thick arms across his chest. “I could ask you the same. Haven’t talked to you in almost a month.”

‘And? Haven’t you been busy with what’s her name?’ You want to say, but instead you simply shrug. “I’ve been busy.”

“So busy you can’t text or call me back? Come to my games?”

“Wow, one less fan to watch you out of what..hundreds of thousands?,” you sarcastically retort with an attitude Terry had never been on the receiving end of. “I don’t have to always-,”

“You back with him?”

Him in question being your ex, Chris. From their first meeting, Terry couldn’t stand him and definitely wasn’t shy about telling you.

“You need to let him go.”

“I’m tellin you, he’s no good twin.”

The feeling was mutual with Chris. At the mention of Terry he’d roll his eyes and mood would visibly change. And when your then boyfriend expressed how he didn’t want you around Terry, you reluctantly respected that boundary. Until it seemed he didn’t want you with Ondrea either.

It unfortunately took some time to see that so called boundary was nothing more than control. Although slightly hurt, neither of your friends blamed you when you came back with tearful apologies. They took turns being your shoulder to cry on, but Terry tended to check in and visit more. There were many days he’d be waiting in your apartment’s parking lot - specifically in the spot next to your usual - sat in his black on black Ford truck with bags of food in the passenger seat.

“Don’t you have practice in the morning?,” you asked that first night he appeared.

“Yes, and I’ll be there don’t worry twin,” he winked gathering both takeout bags in his hand before following you to your door.

“No, I’m not.”

“Then what?,” Terry asks. “I do something to you?”

Yes, you made me fall in love with you and complicate my love life dookiehead. “No,” you sigh.

Kissing his teeth, his frustration only builds the more you lie. “Look, I’m not stupid clearly it’s something! You ain’t even invite me in and I’m just supposed to-,”

“I just need space Terry!”

“From me?”

“Yes! And…”

Those words are right there on the tip of your tongue practically tickling your lips ready for their escape. Your fears clutch them at the last moment though, refusing to let them go and potentially ruin the best relationship of your life thus far. Your second home you could always depend on.

“And what?”

Your fingers massage you temple feeling that headache become sharper and more painful. “Can we just…not..tonight?” You were nowhere near ready - mentally or emotionally - for this conversation. However like the stubborn, determined man he is Terry can’t easily let things go. Whenever there’s a problem, he finds a solution then and there.

In double time if it concerns his family or friends.

His long legs swiftly bring him over your threshold before closing the door behind him. His hypnotic green eyes intense and never leaving yours leaning back against the wooden entrance.

“I’m not leaving until you get whatever it is you need to say out! I know something’s wrong and wish you’d-,”

“Fine! You wanna know? It is you T,” you finally reveal with tears beginning to flow down your heated cheeks. He wanted to know? Well he just opened Pandora’s box. “I’m..I’m tired of pretending I’m fine seeing you with other girls and hearing about this one in Vegas and-and that one from the club!”

You don’t know if his silence is him taking in your words or from shock. Maybe even unease. For the first time you can’t read him at all.

You can feel the knot form in your throat as your fear tries once more to stop your vulnerability. As usual, he can tell you’re ready to shut down again prompting him to step closer carefully reaching out to brush your freshest tear away from your face. “What else? Keep goin.”

“I shouldn’t have ignored you, but I knew if I said something then I’d ruin what we already have,” you softly explain trying to steady your heaving chest and hiccups. “I mean there’s a reason we’ve never crossed that line right?”

“And why is that?,” he asks stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Was..was he serious? “B-Because you’re not attracted to me like that. Which is fine-,”

“I never said that.” Now was his turn to struggle finding his next words as he took a break from your angelic features to peer down at the tiled floor. Meanwhile you patiently stood there rubbing your ear in your attempt to self soothe - a habit you had as a kid that surprisingly followed you all these years.

“From that first day we met in the dorms, I could tell you were different-,”

“I was one of the crew,” you interrupt.

“No, I mean…you weren’t one to play around. You were intentional with everything you did, had your shit together, and if it ain’t make sense to you, you didn’t want no parts.

You couldn’t help it, it’s how you were raised. Not to say you didn’t have fun and make time for the things you liked, but at the end of the day you knew the important stuff needed to get done.

“I knew I wasn’t there, so I didn’t bother you. You kept it friendly, so I did too. Doesn’t mean I was never attracted.”

You can feel your heart begin its rapid patters again, but now for a completely different reason. “So…so what?,” you ask still unsure. “You’re saying you’ve liked me this entire time?”

His Jordans lightly squeak as he steps closer once more. The amber from his Tom Ford cologne and body heat radiating from his chest makes you dizzy feeling your knee wobble as your back meets your kitchen island. His grayish-green eyes attached to yours once more after a quick glance at your pouty lips. “I’m saying I’ve been attracted to you since I first saw you, and every day after we got closer I knew you complimented me in the best ways…the yin to my yang, my twin. I didn’t wanna be that guy you thought only was friends with you to get with you.

“And when Lizard-,”

“His name is Chris,” you corrected, rolling your eyes with a sniffled giggle.

“I know what I said.” So petty. “When he did that, I wanted to protect you from anyone else who tried to hurt you,” he bashfully shrugs and you mentally aw at how adorable he could be. “Wanted to be the only one to protect you.”

It’s as if your body’s in control rather than your brain how you eliminate the remaining space, reaching up to press your lips against his. Admittedly, it’s…different at first - reminiscent of your first kiss in middle school - but when his warm hand caresses your cheek and the other slides to your lower back, sparks tingle and ignite from your head to your toes. Your lips moving at their own rhythm as both your tongues soon follow pulling moans from your chest.

Begrudgingly, Terry breaks first needing air - and a moment to collect himself. His low chuckle brushes against your cheek hearing your little whimper from wanting more. “Gimme a minute twin,” he smiles pressing his forehead against yours.

“So…what now?,” you whisper nearly getting lost in the way his fingertips feel grazing along your spine.

“You tell me. What do you want?” The deep baritone of his whisper sends addicting shivers throughout your body.

“You,” you answer gently gripping his sweatshirt not wanting to let go - just in case this was some wild fever dream. “All to myself.”

He can’t help but smile at the way your onyx eyes, mixed with swirls of ebony, innocently peer up at him through your wispy lashes. “You got me,” he replies leaning down to meet your waiting lips once more.

I ain't gon' tell you to drop them other bitches

But drop them other bitches

I never been jealous

But fuck it, I'm jealous

So goddamn invested

A/N🎤: HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE✨💕!! I hope everyone is having a great time and able to rest. Or if you’re going through it this season, I wish healing for you and to remember you are so loved and deserving of love☺️.

This idea has been on my mind for a while and uh…I honestly don’t know how to feel about it lol it took on so many changes and I feel like it might be boring, but then again I’m my own worst critic so hopefully yall enjoy!

I wanted to have a holiday themed story or two out by now but as usual I am late lol, but I’m still trying to have something out before new years (however we’ll see👀 lol)

[evilminji]

Hey Minji! A thought for your Star Wars things!

Who ever said the SI-OC was the only one to get dumped in SW? Just. A Creche that has several Reincarnations/Transmigrants.

Oh? My god? Just... the FIRST thing that popped into my head? Was the image of one of those "we are so Unbelievably Overworked We No Longer Fear You Nor Death" Sort of office workers/team of workers(nonspecific)?

Just... fuckin EVERYBODY knows Star Wars. Not everybody focused on the same PART of it, but the DO know it. So OBVIOUSLY? The Force decided it should bring in an A Team.

It Did Not ASK the A Team.

They are... like? 4. And sitting in a soft foam, brightly colored Creche, in their lil Jedi rompers, all sitting in a circle, looking at each other like... ( -_-) (-_- ) you too, huh?

Yeeeeeep. (God does Jerry want a cigarette. Jerry gave them up in his 20s. But he's KINDA GOING THROUGH IT, okay?!) (Sarah is hyperventilating in the corner. Her KIDS! Oh GOD. Her KIDS! She was on the way to pick them up from SOCCOR PRACTICE!!!)

Just? This whole ass team of "yeah, we know the LORE, but buddy, pal, we had LIVES! What the FUCK. Star Wars was a HOBBY!" Type adults? No one is happy and everyone wants to choke the metaphysical concept of The Force with their itty, bitty lil baby hands.

They may RIOT.

And like? Do to sheer NUMBERS? They make up ALMOST a full Creche?

Almost.

There is like... one? Maybe two? Actual Jedi Babies™ in their group? It's A Team... plus our collective children. Whom we parent. The MOST baby of babies. Also the spokesperson when they want to fool anyone into thinking they're "normal".

I want Jerry to have a fake cigarette. He's looked up death sticks and like FUCK is he putting that shit in his body, but dear LORD are the oral fixation and mental effects of a past addiction still both real, and a pain in the ASS.

If you try and TAKE his fake ass, hand made, bespoke not-a-cigarette from his itty bitty lil baby hands? He will take your KNEES. These FUCKERS won't even let him have COFFEE. Let him HAVE THIS. *hisses from the walls*

I want them to be ☆~Nightmare Children~☆

They have the power of The Force, various past life skills, an uninterrupted access to the galaxy's BIGGEST LIBRARY, close proximity to FAR too many senator AND their living spaces, and? An actual negative number of fucks to give. They can take shifts. Tag team. Be creepy, horrible, terrible, God awful nightmare creatures climbing out from your WALLS.

Somehow they keep escaping.

Down through the lower temple as they examine the hidden tunnels and escape routes. Through the vents. Forcing other jedi to become VERY familiar with where those pathways are. Sure hope THAT won't someday save your lives! Ya ungrateful, "you're grounded, stop sneaking out younglings" BASTARDS! So rude!!

The camp out in the Corrie Gaurd office. Bring the babies.

Here, you seem stressed, random gaurd. Hold a Jedi Baby. They radiate sunshine and good vibes. Are literally the Anti-Old-Man-Sith. We brought caffeine and food from the temple. Are willing to follow you around like "adorable ducklings" on patrol under the excuse that we're "training" for when we get our own soilders.

Sure is INCONVENIENT for all these asshole senators to has a witness, huh?

You gaurd my back, I'll gaurd yours. And if a certain long neck trips near the stairs? You didn't see SHIT. I'm BABY. How could I POSSIBLY have the control to do that? Now excuse me... we need to practice our "we Jedi Children can stare into your SOOOOOULS, we See All Your Sins." Wide Eyed Unblinking Predator Stare.

(O.O) (O.O) (O.O)

[petracozbi]

I'm finally came around to do my own Trolls HC list-thing (most are Branch related cuz he's my favourite):

Branch has almost perfectly trained senses from living and surviving on his own in the wilderness; he's got a very sensitive nose and he can easily hear the smallest movements even if they're fairly far away, etc.

Poppy makes sure to at least make a little noise when approaching Branch, as to not catch him off guard, since he had a tendency to get lost in thought when he feels he's in a safe and secure space, and can lower his defences. Kismet does the same (they're found family to me idc)

In the beginning, the bros found it kind of annoying/confusing how Poppy would start getting louder and yell out Branch's name every time they were getting close to him, probably shrugging it off to her just being a very hyper and overexcited girlfriend. It wasn't until they got to experience first-hand how Branch reacted when they suddenly just touched him while deep in thought, and let's just say, after having their arm pinned behind their back and a sharpened stick held to their throat a few too many times, they learned to give a heads-up.

Branch needs glasses. He stopped wearing them after Rosiepuff got eaten to fully avoid any connection with Brozone and his boyband persona. He's not completely blind and can still get around, but he relies mostly on his other senses (which also got way more sharp because of that), and has to get up close to see things in detail.

A HC I think I shared before: Branch is freakishly strong, but doesn't look it at first glance - He's very much humbled the bros (especially JD and Bruce) with this fact, when they try to wrestle him into a headlock to give him a nookie or a Wet Willy (JD and Bruce) and he just won't budge (Kismet knows to not even try) or when they want to help him carry something and they almost collapse under they weight when he hands it to them.

Besides being his vehicle, Rhonda is also JD's (unofficial) therapy animal.

Clay can't swim. He never learned since he spent his entire life in either the trolltree or the abandon golfcourse. When Bruce learns this, he takes it upon himself to try and teach him, but to their shared frustration, they both (Clay and Bruce) discover that Clay is apparently deadly afraid of open waters.

Bruce also didn't know how to swim when he first left the trolltree. He got washed up on vacay Island, having been staying afloat by holding onto a branch. The vacationers taught him how to swim.

JD can cook circles around most trolls. He did most of the cooking back in the trolltree 'cuz Rosiepuff was a horrible cook (referencing her apparently rancid-tasting fluffleberry cake), he also taught (Sp)Bruce how to cook, but never got around to teach the others 'cuz they split up. Bruce later incorporated some of JD's recipes into the menu at the restaurant.

Branch's tastebuds are pretty hardened (some might say almost nonexistent), and trolls tend to assume it's from his survival years, where he'd just eat whatever as long as it was edible, didn't matter what it tasted like. In reality, it's mostly from solely eating Rosiepuff's cooking for like maybe a year or two after the band split up (yeah that's all it took to mess them tastebuds up for years after). Ofc in the beginning, he had to force himself to even put the food in his mouth, but he did it 'cuz he wanted to make his grandma happy.

Kismet was formed shortly after the bros left. It was Rosiepuff who encouraged Branch to socialize with other trollings around his age, since he became very closed off after the split (tho' I think he'd been a pretty shy and quiet kid to begin with (with the exception of when he performed as Bitty B))

Branch used to get bullied (more) for his greyness as a kid. Kismet would chase them off.

Although Branch is not as forgiving either, Kismet 100% holds a grudge for the bros leaving Branch - the Snackpack too, when they also learn what happened.

The bros are absolutely bewildered by the fact that Branch is dating the Queen, and that he'd probably one day be King. Branch himself gets very anxious when they mention this; just the thought of that much responsibility and being in the spotlight like that has him sweating.

Bruce's favorite way of annoying Branch is to tease him about his and Poppy's relationship, asking him when he can expect the wedding invitations and some nieces or nephews. In reality, it's probably Poppy that proposes in the future, with a long, romantic and heartfelt speech ofc (and yes, he cries).

That's all I got for now

[stillaclownlol]

I'm making Tyler x Logan propaganda but for now take another ship ask thingy whatever (shoots my fucking brains out) <3

This is also...long... 🫠

PRE-RELATIONSHIP

1. How did they first meet?

They knew *of* each other since elementary school, but they met officially when they got grouped together for the Savannah project.

2. What was their first impression of each other?

Tyler: Nerd. Wished he'd stop mumbling all the time, it pisses him of.

Logan: internal crying. Jocks are scary lahdhosjdjd- (thought he was handsome tho)

3. Did any of their friends/family want them to get together?

They had never thought about them like that haha. Logan pretty much periodically told the whole squad except Tyler 💀 so they were all like very subtly encouraging him. Taylor was VERY excited. Aiden would be SO obvious about it but luckily Tyler is kind of oblivious. Ash and Ben are just watching the whole thing go down.

4. Who felt romantic feelings first?

Tyleeeeeer. Dork.

5. Did either of them try to resist their feelings?

You know they would 🤡 Whatever let me have my angsty gay pining leave me alone 😭

6. If you had told one of them the other would be their soul mate, what would they think?

Logan: He would combust into flames and melt into a pile of stuttering and blushing.

Tyler: he'd probably punch you.

7. What would their lives be like if they had never met?

No phantom dimension! Tyler would probably get a baseball scholarship to some nice uni and Logan would get a scholarship cuz he's super smart. I think they'd be alright but probably a lot more emotionally stunted

GENERAL

1. Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go?

Tyler because Logan Gen/ thought he was straight so he'd legit never brought it up. Ngl Logan prob got injured and Tyler was just ranting and confessed on accident hihi ❤️

2. Did they have an official first date? What was it like?

I think yes. I think Logan would ask him and they'd do smth very low pressure :) Go out to eat somewhere (not a fancy place) and then walk around the park or smth until night time, so Logan can geek out about the constellations. Normal friend stuff...but they both know it's a date so they're freaking out. Then Tyler holds his hand and- *slams my head into a wall*

3. What was their first kiss like?

Awkward. They bumped their foreheads together since they tried to do it at the same time. Tyler instigated it :)

4. Were they each other's first anything?

Logan: Tyler's first kiss (with a boy) and first relationship

Tyler: Logan's first kiss (In general) and first relationship

5. What's their height and age difference?

Tyler is 187 cm (he did not get those short boy genes lol) and Logan is 164 cm, so I think that's like, 9 inches? Tyler was born in August 2000 and Logan in December 2000, so only 4 months.

6. What's their relationship with each other's families? Do they share a friendgroup?

You know they share a friend group lmao.

Logan gets along very well with Marianna :) she thinks he's super sweet and he doesn't mind her eccentricity. Taylor loooooves having Logan as a "brother in law" ^_^

Tyler's relationship with James and Mary is...testy 💀 they don't mind the fact that he's dating a boy but they HAVE heard Logan venting about how insecure he is in the friendship because he thinks Tyler hated him. Tyler doesn't really appreciate being reminded of all that and the fact that they might antagonize him. They're working on it for Logans sake.

7. Who takes the lead in social situations?

Tyler usually, he's not afraid to call somebody out on their shit :) Logan is better at mediating tho.

8. Who gets jealous easier?

Logan is more insecure than jealous. Tyler is just normal jealous 🤡 he's a little itty bitty bit possessive...👍🏽

9. Who whispers unsuitable things in the others ear?

Technically Tyler does, but not like, on purpose. They might just be out somewhere and some guy will be being mildly irritating or whatever and Tyler will mutter "this fucking clown" to Logan. Logan is always "!!! Ty!" Lmao

LOVE

1. Who said "I love you" first?

Logan! He definitely cried while saying it too haha. I think Tyler would say it back...after kissing him mwah mwah.

2. What are their primary love languages?

For Tyler absolutely acts of service. It's what he's used to haha. Likes to cook for Logan and help him around the shop (while James and Mary are watching him like a hawk) :) Receiving, tbh, he just likes when Logan wants to spend quality time with him.

Logan...also acts of service; for a long time he valued himself on how useful he was to somebody and its still how he evaluates his relationships. He helps Tyler with homework he doesn't understand, helps him with chores around the house, etc. He really appreciates words of affirmation, makes him feel more secure ^_^

3. Who uses cheesy pick-up lines?

In the beginning it was Logan, he bought a book and everything 🤡 he always fumbles the delivery tho help him. After a while Tyler says them cuz he likes messing with Logan and watching him get flustered lol.

4. How often do they cuddle/engage in PDA?

It is 2016 in Georgia, they don't engage in any PDA 🤡 as if Logan needed another reason to get harassed. They like cuddling in the privacy of their houses tho, but just the standard amount ^_^

5. Who initiates kisses?

Tyler will generally ask Logan to kiss him, since he's a little awkward about initiating.

6. Who's the big and little spoon?

Tyler is pretty protective so he likes being the big spoon, but if Logan asks he's also fine with that. He likes rubbing Ty's stomach due to the injury he got there U_U

7. What are their favorite things to do together?

Logan: STARGAZINGGGG. Nothing makes him happier than infodumping :D Ty likes listening to him anyways so. He also likes going to Tyler's games cuz, you know, he wanna be supportive and all that. Plus he thinks he looks sooooo cool while playing.

Tyler: Something chill, he's like, consistently tired lmao. He just likes spending time with him, he doesn't mind if they're just laying down studying or listening to music, or just talking to each other.

8. Who's better at comforting the other?

Tyler is, surprisingly. When Tyler is upset he's just generally mad and needs to cool off alone, plus Logan isn't really good around people who are angry haha ":). When Logan's upset he tends to be more teary eyed, so Tyler just hugging him and reminding him to breathe is enough.

9. Who is more protective?

Tyler 🤡 I don't think I need to elaborate aldhoshd

10. Do they prefer verbal or physical affection?

Tyler: physical because verbal affection flusters him a lot.

Logan: verbal because physical affection flusters him a lot.

....Help them, lol

11. What are some songs that apply to their relationship?

*Points to Red's Spotify playlist*

(This doesn't really make sense but Campus by Vampire Weekend reminds me of them by proxy because I was listening to it while I drew them lmao)

12. What kind of nicknames do they call each other?

Logan: Will usually call him Ty. "Babe" if he's up to it haha. When they're older he probably calls him the usual ones like honey or sweetie :)

Tyler: probably something real cringy considering that carrot-top nickname he gave Ash. I mentioned Starboy and Cielo before. I think he'd call him "Bizcochito" (porque le quiere comer a besos jajajajaj)

13. Who remembers the little things?

They're both very detail oriented so they remember all those things.

DOMESTIC LIFE

1. If they get married, who proposes?

Since gay marriage was legalized in June 2015, for most of his life Logan pretty much never thought he would be able to get married. So he proposed to Tyler. Was crying profusely the whole time and dropped his cards haha.

2. What's the wedding like?

They couldn't find a church that would bless their marriage even tho Mary and James had asked for it. So they just got married at city hall. BUT they did have a super big after party with all of Tyler's extended family >:) Logan has no idea what "gringo" means but he's not thinking about it too much.

3. How many kids do they have, if any?

It was really fucking hard to adopt one :") one girl because I said so and this is my list

4. Do they have any pets?

They have a few cats because for a long time they couldn't adopt any kids. It's good for Logan's enrichment, even though the cats don't really like Tyler lol

5. Who's the stricter parent?

Tyler loses his temper easier, but he's also way more likely to indulge their daughter so like, he is stricter, but he's not very consistent about it lmao. Logan is better at disciplining Tho.

6. Who worries the most?

They're both worrywarts kkkkk Tyler a little more tho, it's the ✨️anxiety✨️ kicking in.

7. Who kills the bugs in the house?

Tyler will scream if he sees a bug so 🤡 Logan is very used to bugs because there's usually a few in the plants, so he'll catch them and throw them outside.

8. How do they celebrate the holidays?

Tyler isn't really big on holidays, but he'll help Logan put up decorations and stuff if he wants to. They generally go visit their family and friends U_U

Tyler does celebrate Día de Los Muertos as an adult tho, he spends most of the day at his dad's ofrenda. Logan is there for moral support, and they'll call Taylor and Marianna if they can't come over for any reason.

9. Who's more likely to convince the other to come back to sleep in the morning?

Tyler's naturally an early bird and Logans a night owl, so Logan will pull him back into bed haha.

10. Who's the better cook?

Tyler's the better cook and Logan's the better baker.

11. Who likes to dance?

Tyler! He's a bit reluctant to admit it tho, but he's a good dancer and he loves pulling Logan by surprise to dance bachata or cumbia hihi

[spopsalt]

Just gonna drop this one off here. We can all agree Hazbin and Helluva are dropping balls and fumbling bags left and right.

So, I’m gonna recommend a few GOOD series that discuss life, death, and religion.

1. Dead Like Me. It’s an early 2000s show about George Lass, an 18 year old woman who’s life was cut short when she died on her first day of the job. No longer a part of the living, George gets a new job, reaping souls before they die and helping them pass on. It’s admittedly dated, but much better at handling it’s more progressive themes than Vivziepop. The soundtrack and fashion is pleasing aesthetically. And as for writing, there are some things left to be desired, but its still incredibly ambitious with an amazing cast of characters. Lots of nuance. DO NOT WATCH THE MOVIE. Also, if you like Hannibal, this was created by the same guy.

2. Good Omens. You’re on Tumblr, you’ve probably heard of it, so I’ll keep it short. It’s essentially The Omen, with a twist to it. Due to a series is mix-em-ups on the day he was born, the AntiChrist was mistakingly raised by a normal, loving family. Having had a rather not-so-complicated friendship since the creation of man, a demon and angel must team up to stop the end of the world as we know it. Taking the well know Omen story, and adding its own humorous twist to it alone makes the story fun. But it’s also fascinating seeing the representations of angels, demons, and horsemen alike. The overall take on religion was fun in and of itself. It was also a book.

3. Hellboy. During WWII, the Nazis opened a portal. A baby came from that portal. That baby was Hellboy (yes, that’s his name.) Hellboy was raised by the US government organization BPRD (The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense). He’s supposed to bring about the end of days, but HB is a brawler with a heart of gold and a hand of rock. And maybe a taste for alcohol. The series hosts a ton of fascinating characters, with all sorts of different backgrounds, lore, and species. There are many cues takes from world mythology, Abrahamic religion, and even H.P. Lovecraft. It’s mainly a comic franchise. The first two movies were great. There’s also a mini comic series called ‘Itty Bitty Hellboy’ that’s cute.

Never watched those before, but I'm sure those did them better than Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss (It's not hard) I might check those out!

[munsonsreputation]

I THINK THERE'S BEEN A GLITCH

CHAPTER ONE - WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE JUST FRIENDS

series masterlist | chapter two ↣

🎧 soundtrack

steve harrington x fem!baker + artist

word count: [20.2K]

warnings: no use of y/n, lots of mentions of self deprecation, reader talking about an emotionally exhausting past bf, steve talking shit abt his parents, cursing, steve & reader crushing on each other so mutual pining, lots of sweetness and fluff &lt;3

summary: you make friends with a girl named Robin who politely and hilariously mistakes some red paint on your jeans as blood. Who knew it would lead to you and her becoming friends and her inviting you to meet her other ones? The even bigger mystery is how her best friend, Steve, is starting to become someone you’re falling for.

Steve Harrington’s living room was packed. Not that it was particularly out of the ordinary since his place was the go-to spot for hangouts, but today it had been packed for a different reason and a new arrival. Though it seemed Robin was the only uneasy person even when she was the one who had begged for this to happen.

Trying to cope, she began fluffing up the couch pillows and straightening the books on the coffee table while she rambled. 

“She’s cool. I mean, she paints, for one, like totally realistic paintings, but she also really loves baking!”

Mike rolled his eyes, puffing dramatically and deciding to take a flop down on the couch where she just tidied up, “She sounds like my grandma.” 

“Piss off!” Robin hissed, smacking his knee as the rest of their friends watched on at the repartee. 

Steve was the skeptical one about the whole situation, considering what could happen if Robin’s new friend wasn’t entirely who she was supposed to be. It’s not that he didn’t trust Robin’s whole intuition about people, but you seemed too good to be true. Almost like a fantasy because the person Robin described to all of them for the past few weeks was pure perfection.

Even everyone else was beginning to question if meeting at Steve’s house for the first time was a good idea, realizing that you could be a creep or a murderer, but they were just being a tad bit dramatic. Before he could think too much into it than he already was, the doorbell rang, catching everyone’s attention and eyes that darted towards the front door.

“I’ll get it!”

Robin clapped her hands excitedly, darting to the door and unlocking it with vigor before opening it wide enough so she and everyone else could get a good look at you. 

You stood in the doorway with a big smile and your hands full. One balancing a bright yellow ceramic dish on your palm, and your other arm busy holding a covered frame between your body. 

You wore a white skirt, decorated with itty bitty eyelets that resembled a daisy cutout and a white top with the same pattern to match. A brown shoulder bag draped across your chest and a pair of strappy sandals on your feet. 

Only when you inched forward, meeting cheek to cheek with Robin, in an endearing hello, did they finally get a good glance at what you looked like.

Bright eyes, wispy lashes, and lids covered in the tiniest amount of sheer glitter. A glow from within on your cheeks and high points, like the sun and pretty pink petals were rushing to the surface of your skin. Dewy lips coated in gloss and flickers of sparkles that shined through your smile that you wore throughout the interaction.

“I’m so sorry I’m late!” was the first thing that came out of your mouth and the first time they had heard your voice. 

Robin shook her head, opening the door wider and prompting you in, “don’t be!”

You looked around in curiosity, taking in the architecture and feel of the home before being greeted with a few smiles and waves from the strangers around the living room.

You returned it, though it never really dared to leave your face to begin with. Softly speaking out a few, “hi’s” and “hello’s” to them before turning towards Robin and holding out a big frame towards her.  

“Happy Birthday!” You declared gleefully as she stared at you confused.

The rest of her friends murmuring something about possibly forgetting her birthday, just as puzzled as her. 

She stuttered, trying to recall if she might have told you the wrong date or something, “I-It’s not my birthday?” 

Your cheek met your shoulder shrewdly, once again pushing the gift towards her, “I know! But I wanted an excuse to give you this.” 

You juggled the canvas into your hands, trying your best not to drop the pie pan. Robin reached her hands out, taking the pie from you as you flashed her a thankful smile, pulling the cover off the canvas to present her with a small gift of gratitude. 

“Tah-Dah!” You singsonged, turning the canvas towards her and watching the shock and amazement that covered her face before a wide smile appeared followed by the “oh’s” and “ah’s” of her friends that you completely forgot about.

Robin spun her arms to the left of her, hastily handing the pie to Steve who took it and placed it on the coffee table. The front entrance of his home, now the new crowded spot as everyone marveled at the artwork. He quickly joined in, not wanting to miss an ounce of it, finding an open spot between you and Robin. 

He took it all in, eyes fixed on the print that was gushing with blossoms of her favorite colors: sage green, mauve, and pale yellow. But it wasn’t an ordinary painting—the petals were formed with dollops of the paint, and it probably took days to dry. It was rare, something that he and the others had never seen before. 

His fingers brushed the paint petals, careful not to mess up your handwork,“This is incredible….” 

Flickering his gaze to you, he flashed you a toothy smile, letting his hand pull back from the canvas and stick out towards you.

“I’m Steve, by the way.” He extended his arm, making a sweeping gesture to catch your attention.

Tearing your eyes away from Robin’s heartwarming reaction, your sights drifted to the hand, then to the owner of it, instantly captivated by his friendliness and allure. Your stare lingered a bit too long, lost in trying to memorize him, so you shook your head, internally cursing yourself for the trance you fell into. 

“Oh, sorry! It’s nice to meet you!” Quickly you handed the entire piece to Robin, adverting your full attention to the new acquaintance whose house you just barged into. 

You knew just from the looks of it that he was Steve Harrington, the guy that Robin had described to you as being her insanely attractive yet idiotic best friend.

His hair, like Robin had described, was unquestionably perfect, falling into place as if he didn’t even try. Robin let you in on a secret that he was infamously called “King Steve” throughout high school for being so good with the ladies—now you were sure you knew why.

He chuckled when you grabbed his hand firmly, shaking it with vigor like how a father would but without the cynical look on your face. Instead, you looked genuinely thrilled, twinkling eyes and a broad smile gracing your lips. 

“Great to finally meet you. Robin’s been yapping all week about her new friend.” 

You laughed quietly, finally letting go of his hand and reaching over to sling your arm across Robin’s shoulder. She leaned into you, nuzzling her head against yours with a content look on her radiant face.

“Well, she’s been raving about all of her friends, so I just knew I had to meet you all.” 

Robin smirked, finally giving you a hug and murmuring a curt thank you for the generous gift and turning to all of her friends while keeping you close to her side. 

“Everyone, this is my new friend. I met her last week and now we’re attached to the hip!” Robin announced, her voice carrying a mix of affection and playful teasing.

Steve feigned a gasp, holding a hand over his heart, “Replacing me already?”

“Oh shut up, dingus!” Robin reached forward, whacking him with her palm as he yelped and pretended to be offended. 

A curly-headed boy sporting a baseball cap stepped forward, “Ignore those two, they’re literal children…I’m Dustin!”

You reached your hand out, shaking his before casually everyone began introducing themselves to you. 

Part of you was trying to remember each name connected to a face, but it was also a tad bit overwhelming with so many of them. Making friends was never an easy task for you, but you liked your own solitude, so you didn’t mind. But that also didn’t mean you didn’t long to have friends who you could talk to or hang out with from time to time and share your life with. 

So when Robin tapped you on the shoulder at the grocery store to inform you your period had arrived you were visibly horrified but relieved that she offered you her jacket as you two found the restroom. And in the bathroom you let out a ridiculous laugh, covering your mouth as she stared at you in the mirror’s reflection confused. 

“Red paint! This is paint! I must have sat on it or something!” 

You and Robin hit it off, talking for what seemed like hours inside that grocery store bathroom. The two of you had a habit of over sharing, but it helped you bond and grow closer. After exchanging numbers and spending afternoons on the phone talking and getting to know each other better , she invited you over to a hangout with her friends.

“You guys must have scared her or something.” Robin shook you a bit in her hold to grab you away from a little daydream.

You blinked, looking over at her, then back to her friends watching until you came through, “sorry! sorry! I zone out sometimes…I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t be. She does it all the time.” Steve pointed at Robin who stuck her tongue out at him. 

Nancy, the brunette who you remembered as one of the kids’ older sister, stepped forward hooking her arm inside yours, “Okaaaay, here, why don’t you come sit?”

She wore a warm smile and guided you further into the living room. Her touch was gentle, and the gesture alone made you feel like she was happy to have you here, easing a bit of your anxiety. When she unhooked her arm from yours, you mouthed a “thank you,” and she shook it off, just smiling and patting the empty seat beside her. 

You placed your purse down on your lap, while Robin sat on the other side of you. The rest of the friends finding their own area on the opposite couch or on the floor, making you feel less suffocated and more like an inviting circle. 

“Robin tells us that you’re mega cool!” Dustin exclaims followed by a thwack on the head by the red head Max and her boyfriend Lucas who sports the bucket hat. 

Timidly, you swung your head low, feeling a mix of bashfulness and gratitude for her words when you weren’t around. You glanced towards Robin, who beamed with pride because she genuinely thought you were the coolest person she had ever met—probably even on the planet. 

“I don’t think I’m cool…like at all.” You admitted, rubbing a hand up and down your arm.

Robin rolled her eyes, shaking her head at her friends then looking back at you, “She’s too humble, I mean really, she is so super duper cool and I’m shocked she’d even consider being my friend.” 

Jokingly, you nudged her, making her laugh, “Don’t sell yourself short, Robin—“ 

Before you could continue uplifting the spirts of self esteem, the boy with the unruly hair…Mick? Mike! 

Mike cuts in, eyes zeroing in on your torso where you begin to follow. 

“What’s that on your shirt?” He squinted, pointing at the recent stains on your top. 

Peeping your eyes down and looking meticulously, the stain was barely noticeable unless someone was really looking—anyway, the white color was a bit off from the shade of your actual top, and there had been some sort of residue left. 

Nancy realized it at first, seeing that the stain couldn’t be seen to the naked eye, unless her brother was being a disgusting little shithead. She swiftly grabbed the decorative pillow behind her, chucking it towards him.

“You’re such a pig, Mike!” 

Everyone switched their attention from you, and instead pestered and teased Mike for being so “observant” with you here in a spaghetti strap top.

But you attempted to stifle your laughter, not wanting him to feel so embarrassed despite his sudden interjection. You were hoping he wasn’t being a stereotypical depraved teen who couldn’t focus when your shoulders were out.

Instead, you attempted to swipe at it with your fingertips, but alas it didn’t budge and stubbornly clung to the fabric, “ It’s just paint and apparently…” You tugged the portion closer to your nose, scrunching it up, “Sugar. Powdered sugar.” 

The young boy almost looked impressed at your ability to articulate the specific ingredient despite the verbal onslaught he had just faced. “Sick.” 

Robin clicked her tongue, jutting her chin out toward Steve who sat across from you in a recliner. 

“Steve, give her something to change into,” she told him, prompting him to sit up, looking at you and instantly nodding. 

“Yeah, of course, follow me,” He motioned you to follow his lead as he stood up, yet you remained sitting, tipping your head slightly up at him.

You raised one of your brows, “Are you sure? I’m totally ok with it. It’s my fault, anyway.” 

“I’m sure…c’mon, it’s the least I could do.” Steve nodded again, waving his arm towards himself, and you got up.

Trailing behind Steve up the stairs, you marveled at the simplicity of the home despite its expanse. The wallpaper was a muted gray with cream accents and walls encasing the space leading up were decorated with a few framed photographs that you assumed were Steve and his family.

From what Robin had told you, his parents weren’t home too often, if at all, which explained why the photos were outdated and mostly from his childhood, having no evidence of recent portraits.

The hallway towards the bedrooms had a running rug across the wooden floors. The fuzzy textile felt worn yet homey against your feet. Steve’s bedroom was located at the end of the hall, and when he opened up the door, you seemed to feel more of his personality shining in that space. 

“Ignore the mess.” He apologized, twisting open the door to let you in first.

In contrast to the living room and main quarters of the house, his room felt more like himself. 

The wallpaper in his room, plaid with white, green, and black accents and, of course, matching curtains. His bed was somewhat neatly made with the pillows fluffed and gray sheets on the mattress. A few drawers to hold what you assumed were part of his closet and other belongings.

But his desk, which looked to be the most messy yet contained spot of his room, littered with tapes, books, and other papers. The only thing hanging on his wall was a photo of a vintage car that you couldn’t name for the life of you. 

You turned your head to look at him, where he stood, watching you taking in the space with a grin,“You’re actually really neat…neater than I am.” 

Steve let out a grunt, chuckling to himself as he turned to his accordion wardrobe doors and opened them in search of finding you something without a stain. It didn’t help that he had forgotten to do a fresh load of laundry, but that the rest of his clean shirts were polos and hoodies. 

“So are you from Hawkins?” He wondered, sifting through the hangers. 

“No, I’m from Roane, actually! I only really come to Hawkins for the art store but last weekend I decided to run my errands here since I was already in town and that’s how I met Robin.”

You explained, your fingers absentmindedly rubbing the fabric of your shirt between the stain still trying to get it out.

Steve plucked a hoodie from the rack, holding it up in front of you, trying to decipher its comfort. The fabric was way too thick, and he was certain that in this Hawkins weather you’d be drowning in not only a puddle of fleece but sweat too.

Shaking his head, he gave you an apologetic glance that you didn’t seem to catch.

“You live alone?” He planted the item back on the hanger and continued to look. 

“Yeah, but I actually used to live with my boyfriend…or ex-boyfriend now,” You clarified, giving up on the stubborn stain and sighing, “we were together for a little while but he just decided things weren’t working out and so he left.” 

He looked back briefly, eyebrows raised in curiosity, “How many years were you guys together…if you don’t mind me asking.” 

You shook your head, reassuring him that it was alright, “Six years.” 

The widening of his eyes made you giggle, but it wasn’t unexpected considering someone your age having a relationship that long wasn’t typically normal.

“Excuse me? Six years! I don’t even think I’ve had a single friend stay in my life for six years.” 

“Seems like a lifetime, right?” You joked with a comical lift to your voice and he nodded like it was the obvious answer, which it was. 

He knew that you both weren’t too far apart in age, both in your early twenties, but it was just shocking to hear that you were in a six year relationship at your age. The longest relationship he had was a year with Nancy Wheeler and even then that seemed like forever, but you must have really fallen deeply in love with your ex if you lasted that long. 

“We kinda just grew out of each other.  It’s kinda inevitable after dating all four years of high school then two years after that. We just realized that we wanted different things in life and by different, he wanted me to “finally start taking life seriously,” or whatever the fuck that meant.”

You rolled your eyes dramatically, making air quotes with your fingers.

So that explains it, he thought to himself.

“He wanted to move out of Indiana?” Steve questioned, turning his attention back to his closet. 

You made a noise, unsure if that fully answered his question. But you moved up beside him, silently asking if it was okay to help him sift through the hangers. Nodding, he shifted over, giving you space to look through the untouched hangers.

You went back to his question, giving him an actual answer, that you hoped would sum up the story that was way too long to tell in whole. 

“Not necessarily…but he just didn’t like the fact that art was not only my hobby, but my passion. He always wanted me to get a real job, you know, those boring ones where you sit at a desk all day and think about what you did so wrong in your past life to be doing paperwork for the rest of it.” 

His eyes followed as your face contorted with revulsion as if that was one of the most heinous jobs in the world, but for someone like you who thrived off creative free rein, it truly was. Steve threw his head, laughing at your expression, finding it truly amusing because for someone like him, he also realized that even if he was a lost young adult, he’d much rather keep working at a VHS store than walk into work everyday wearing an uncomfortable suit and dozing off in meetings. 

His amusement turned your scorned face upside down, abruptly reeling in the fact that he actually found what you said to be funny. And you hoped that he wasn’t being overdramatic just to make you feel better, but you were positive that it wasn’t because it was the type of laughter that had the skin by his eyes creased because of how hard he was laughing—even his arm slinging over his torso, like the laughter was so infectious that it hurt. 

The sound of his hilarity, leaping off the walls of his room like music to your ears, wishing you possessed the ability to always make people laugh this freely, just to witness moments like this. Eventually, though, he settled down, snapping his fingers at you and pointing with a still carefree smile on his lips. 

“That was a good one! Now I’ve gotta use that when my dad keeps bugging me about getting a real job.” He praised, finally turning back the original spot in his closet and plucking it off the rod.

It was a bright yellow long sleeve, the fabric not too thick or thin, but just about right. You reached for the sleeve of it, feeling the material between your fingers, and Steve’s eyes waited for your approval. 

“Feels nice.” You said with a nod, dropping it from your fingertips and letting him slide the garment off the plastic hanger before placing it in your hands. 

He glanced back at the bedroom door, then back to you, “I’ll wait outside the door so you can change.” He offered, letting himself out and closing it behind him.

Inside the room, Steve could hear the soft rustling as you moved, wondering if what he gave you was good enough or if you were being too nice and not wanting to offend him by saying the yellow color was awful. Meanwhile, you placed your top on the lid of his hamper, making a mental note to come back here and retrieve it before you headed back home. 

His voice came through on the other side of the door, breaking the brief silence.

“Sooo…your ex-boyfriend. I’m sure he was a computer science major, right? Totally douchey with a superiority complex?” 

You snorted, pulling the garment over your body and slipping your arms through the sleeves. “You think computer science is douchey?” 

He leaned up against the door frame, humming a reply and then finding the words.

“Yeah, totally, I mean nothing screams douchey than a guy who thinks he’s better than someone because he works with computers and not a paintbrush.” 

Your movements slowed as you pulled your hair free from the collar and fitted the excess material underneath itself so it wasn’t drowning over you. 

There was suddenly that fond pleasant feeling brewing in the pit of your stomach and in the cage of your chest. When Robin had mentioned that Steve was charming, she wasn’t kidding. There was no reason he should have this much of an effect on you so soon. Yet, here he was, effortlessly tearing down your ex-boyfriend and making you feel better about your own endeavors. 

After a few seconds of taking a deep breath to collect yourself, you reached for the doorknob, turning it open to see his body supported by the one arm propped against the wooden frame. You bit your lip, watching his gaze fall down your face to his shirt on your body. 

“Then I’d say you’re right…you guessed it,” Your arms flared out before coming down to your sides, standing there not knowing what else to say considering he had hit the nail head-on. 

For the first time in the last fifteen minutes since he met you, this was the only time you seemed so sheepish. Out in the living room you looked so confident, even when it was obvious that the attention towards you was a little overwhelming, you still could change the subject or revert it somewhere else. Here with your eyes glued to your feet, not meeting him, he felt like you were trapped — that he might have said something that hit a little too close to home and made you uncomfortable. 

His eyes softened, clearly full of regret for being so upfront about a situation he only knew surface level stuff about. Just because you had talked to him a little about the horrible stuff your ex said, didn’t mean he understood the whole story. That there clearly was something deeper, possibly trauma that he didn’t know about and here you were forced to endure the awkward silence and flooding memories of what had happened all because he couldn’t shut up. 

Your view of your feet against the wooden floor was suddenly interrupted by Steve’s hands reaching forward, accompanied by his voice.

“I—I’m sorry, for bringing it up…I didn’t mean to make you feel bad or anything! I-It’s just, he sounds like a total dick and you should know that what he told you isn’t true—“ 

He spoke rapidly, stumbling over his words and making short pauses, making sense because the last thing he wanted to do was make you feel uneasy. 

You furrowed your brows, snapping your eyes up to his.

“No, no! You’re fine, it’s just that, no one has really said that stuff about him…about him being an asshole. And…I don’t know, it kinda feels nice to hear.”

Underneath your reassuring expression, your lips twitched up and Steve swore you were about to burst into a full on prideful smirk because of the jabs he took at your ex. So his words indeed took you aback, but in a good way.

He validated your feelings about your past relationship and suddenly there was a shift in the mood, and Steve closed his eyes, taking a relieved breath, grateful that he hadn’t scared you away with that conversation.

Meanwhile, you laughed softly to yourself, feeling a rush of giggles bubble up in your chest, seeing him relax under your certainty.

He opened his eyes, looking at you, trying to look stone-faced, “But, seriously, he’s sounds like a huge asshole,” He couldn’t help the cackle that escaped through his lips, breaking his solemn face, followed by you pushing a hand out and pressing his shoulder gingerly. 

“The hugest! I’m being so serious!” You added, only making the two of you laugh harder, not caring to contain it in the small space between the bedroom and the hallway. 

A simple moment in time was all you needed to know that Steve was genuinely a good guy, not just a pretty face with an idiotic mind attached to him. As the laughter died down, Steve stepped back, holding his hand out and gesturing you into the hallway with him and back down the stairs where you two were met with the noise of your friends chatting in the living room. 

Robin slapped a hand over her forehead once the two of you came into view, earning a raised eyebrow from you and Steve, both of whom stopped a few feet into the area. She exaggeratedly dropped her hand to her side, feigning exasperation.

“What’s the matter?” You crossed your arms across your chest, looking genuinely troubled and waiting for an explanation. 

All eyes turned to you and Steve now, grunts and smothered laughs coming from everyone, while you guys both stood there, oblivious to their reactions. Dustin, unable to contain himself, started convulsing with laughter and clutching his stomach, even going as far as to throw himself into Mike’s lap before getting shoved off.

Then he stood up in front of both of you, pointing an accusing finger at Steve’s shirt he lent you. 

“What did you do to make him hate you so much that he gave you that horrid shirt?”

His face twisted in disgust, and he mockingly gagged, sticking out his tongue and dramatically turning away. Steve should’ve seen this one coming. He swatted Dustin’s hand away from you, shaking his head with a playful scowl. Then placed his hands on his hips, adopting a father-like pose, something else they also teased him for.

He had worn the long sleeve a couple of times before, and each time he did, everyone poked fun at him. Commenting on the revolting color, comparing it to poop or vomit instead of the ground seed condiment he claimed it paralleled, according to the saleswomen at Macy’s who convinced him enough to buy it. And now that’s why he stopped wearing it, growing tired of the kids, but especially Robin and Eddie, calling him ‘Baby Poop Harrington’ in the middle of Star Court and Family Video.

“You guys just don’t get fashion,” Steve argued, raising his eyebrows and forehead toward the others in an unconvincing manner. He fanned his arm, gesturing at you.

“It’s mustard, and it clearly looks good on her.”

The compliment was sudden, causing your eyes to enlarge somewhat and cheeks to blush. You hoped that no one caught it, being too busy to notice you looking downward at the shirt pretending to examine it in order to play it off when in fact you were rubbing your lips together to stop the smile from rising with your cheeks.

The banter continued to go on, which made you relieved, as you were able to get some composure and flicker your sights back up to everyone else arguing with Steve. Eddie huffed out a laugh, stretching his arms behind his head where he lounged on the opposite couch. He pointedly stared at you and the outfit, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

“Nobody said it doesn’t look good on her. We just said the color isn’t very pretty.”

Nancy tilted her head, observing you and the shirt closely. Her eyes widened in realization, and she nodded in agreement.

“Actually, it does look really good on you. Maybe the styling was the issue.” She glanced at Steve with a grimace before waving it off and marveling at the color.

Steve raised his voice, as if trying to convince them through sheer volume. “I wore it with blue sweatpants!”

“Exactly!” the group chorused, their voices overlapping in mock protest.

You couldn’t help but snort out a short laugh, finding the entire situation amusing. You exchanged glances with Steve, realizing that this was obviously a very passionate but lighthearted topic within the friend group, kinda like their own inside joke.

Steve ignored the rest of the laughter and teasing, falling back into his comfortable recliner as you sat yourself back in between Nancy and Robin.

Lucas, the one seated next to the redhead who was his girlfriend, tapped his fist on the coffee table. “Can we cut into the pie? It smells delicious, and it’s been calling my name for the past thirty minutes.”

You nodded excitedly, rubbing your hands together, “Sure, it’s cherry by the way, so hopefully you all like that!” Your hands fell into your lap, looking over at Steve.

“I just need a knife to cut into it and some plates and forks.” 

Steve rose up, giving you a nod, “I’ll go get it,” he said before walking through the archway into what you assumed was the kitchen. 

The kids had gathered around the coffee table, smelling the air to get a whiff of the baked good you had spent the whole morning baking, and even Eddie got up from his relaxed state to push the kids aside and get a smell. 

You felt a little bad seeing as though Steve had already gone out of his way to open up his home to you and then lend you clothing after a mishap that was entirely your fault, yet you were still sitting here, not helping. 

You looked over at Robin, patting her knee smoothly, “I’ll go help Steve.” 

Before you could stand up, she grasped onto your wrist, waving the other in the air, signing off that he could handle it alone, “He’s fine, don’t worry about it,”

But of course you insisted with a reassuring laugh, feeling her touch drop your hand, as you got up. “No, it’s fine, I really should!” 

Before she could protest or take your spot, you were already striding away, following into the archway that Steve had just gone through. His back was facing you, arms reaching into the cupboard to grab a stack of plates that clinked together. 

“Let me help,” you announced your presence with eagerness, walking up beside him. 

He looked over at you, relaxing his arms back down,“Hey, no, you're not supposed to be helping!” 

Your fingers tugged the bottom of his borrowed long sleeve, the fabric dancing between your fingers as you shot him a mischievous smirk, “Oh, c’mon, it’s the least I could do.”

He smiled at your mocking tone having no choice but to give in, “Fine, but just this once,” pretending to let out an exasperated sigh like you were a nuance, when in fact you weren’t. 

He nodded his chin to the set of drawers where the utensils were prompting you to grab the needed amount of forks while he gathered the remainder of the plates.

“Does it ever get lonely living alone?” He asked, voice carrying a hint of interest, while shutting the cupboard and walking to the other side of the kitchen to retrieve a knife.

“Hmmm,” You thought for a second, shrugging as you bumped your hip into the drawer, shutting it gently.

“Sometimes, but I’ve grown pretty used to it. There’s some positives like not feeling so bad when you forget to start the dishwasher.” 

He chuckled, grunting an agreement for the simple joys that living along could bring, but he also wondered about the negatives, “And the cons?” 

Your heart skipped a beat already knowing the answer right off the top of your head because it was something that ate away at your heart every day. Leaving and coming home to the same space, roaming the halls and rooms—all of yours but only yours, the kind that was lonely.

“Not having someone you can go home to, or at least looking forward to coming to.” You confessed with a frown. 

Steve sympathized, knowing that feeling all too well considering the home life he had been living since he was a teenager. Left alone with no parents around to really parent him in the first place, there was a fine line between being a teen and also being the adult to make the house a home. 

He’d try to, even when his parents were away on trips, doing a load of dishes and laundry. Cleaning out the overgrown weeds in the yard. Vacuuming and mopping the floors. All of this in hopes that when his parents did come home and see how it had been maintained, that maybe they’d want to stay home and spend time with their son. 

But alas, that meant nothing to them. If anything, it proved his parents’ thoughts that Steve was more than capable of being home all by himself. Making the home even emptier that it already was knowing that his parents would purposefully be gone longer now. 

“Y’know, it’s nice having this house all to myself, but it gets lonely too. My uh—my parents aren’t really home much, my mom follows my dad on all his work trips…kinda making sure he doesn’t cheat on her or something.” 

He let out a dry laugh while you cringed, expecting that it is in fact a joke, but he continues letting you know it isn’t.

“Anyway, ummm, it’s nice and all being able to throw parties and invite people whenever, but sometimes I just wished there was more here.” 

Looking around the room, he gestured all around and exhaled, “Like family dinners where we actually talk or even just coming home from work and seeing my parents watching tv on the couch. I swear, I haven’t seen them sit in the living room or turn on the tv since I was like twelve.” 

Placing the forks on the stack of plates, you turned apologetically to him, resting a comforting hand on his arm, seeing the way his face fell and his voice wavered on the edge between resentment and misery. 

“I’m so sorry, Steve.” You withdrew, apologizing, though none of this was your fault. 

Steve cleared his throat with a hoarse cough, swinging his head. Placing the knife down on the plates, as he ran his hand down his face, “No, don’t apologize, it’s stupid. I should be grateful they left me with a house to myself, right?” 

He let out a laugh, as if that was going to make you feel any better for the way that he was feeling. Robin only mentioned little about the absence of Steve’s parents, and you knew it wasn’t any of your business, but it made you feel for him. For how lonesome it must be for him to be estranged from the people who gave him life, yet left him under their roof and pretended like he didn’t exist. 

You, however, made the choice to live alone. After you graduated high school, you hightailed it out of your parents’ house and got a lease to your now apartment all by yourself. It wasn’t until a few months later that your then boyfriend moved in, but still after the breakup you got to keep the place all to yourself, which was valuable in a lot of ways. 

But it was also sad.

You didn’t have many friends that you kept in touch with from high school. If anything, they weren’t really the nicest nor supportive types of friends that you wanted to keep anyways. They agreed with your ex that you had to start taking life seriously and cease pursuing art, but you never listened to them. So maybe it was better off to live alone in your own seclusion rather than just keeping them around for company. 

In spite of those not so kind friends of that past, things felt a lot different with the group that you met today. Like you could let your walls down and finally open up the door.

Your finger twiddled against one another, letting out a proposition, “M-Maybe you can come to my place and hangout? All of you…I mean!” 

You were crossing your fingers that he didn’t catch the slip up that made it sound like you only wanted him to come over. 

His hands stop at his jaw, fanning over the skin there, before turning slightly towards you with a surprised look on his face. 

“Really?” 

You nodded eagerly, “I haven’t had guests around for a while and I would really love for you—you guys to come and visit.” 

There was that slip again, but Steve was too engrossed to catch it. 

“I would love—“ 

“Jesus Christ, what’s taking so long!?”

The holler coming from the living room burst that bubble between you and Steve, ultimately making you giggle when he groaned heavily, muttering an, “I’m so sorry about them,” to you while you shook your head and followed behind him while he grabbed the kitchenware. 

“You guys were taking forever!” Mike wailed, making Steve roll his eyes as you gave a gentle laugh at his impatience. 

“We were barely gone two minutes.” Steve replied, placing the plates down on the table while you carefully grabbed the knife. 

“It’s my fault. I was talking to Steve about having you guys over sometime.” You said, looking up at the boy before making the first cut into the pie. 

Robin gasped behind you, clapping her hands ecstatically, “Oh my gosh, please! Steve and I are off on Thursday!”

She turned towards Steve, looking at him dubiously. “We’re off on Thursday, right?” 

“Yeah,” He snickered, nodding his head as he slid you a plate to lay the first slice on. 

Steve picked up the plate, giving it to El just to spite the impatient Mike who sat beside her and groaned until you finished cutting the next slice which was given to Lucas. So you continued to cut as Steve served everyone. 

“Jonathan and I have a half day on Thursday, so we should be able to swing by during the afternoon.” Nancy spoke before digging into her slice. 

The last two slices remained as everyone dug into their portion while you plated it up. Passing Steve a plate, “You first.” You said quietly with a smile.

He grinned, thanking you with a nod before taking a seat on the recliner. You got yourself the last plate, scooting back towards your original seat. 

“Where do you guys work?” You looked towards Nance and Jonathan.

He swallowed his piece before speaking. “Hawkins Post. I work on photography and she writes.” his fork pointed to her before she nodded and continued. 

“Technically, we’re still interning, but we’re hoping to secure a permanent job once our internship is up.” She told you as you nodded your head. 

“That’s cool! Roane has a weekly paper, but it’s usually just filled with the same political crap about our Mayor trying to drive out local businesses and replace them with big chain stores.” You said wistfully, shaking your head. 

She chewed faster, murmuring out a reply before she was able to respond with actual words.

“Our Mayor, Mayor Kline, is actually doing the same thing! Jonathan and I have been begging to do a story about it to help save the mom-and-pop businesses, but our boss Tom,” she exhaled heavily, shaking her head with annoyance, “he agrees with the Mayor and totally shuts us down every time.” 

You pouted, placing down your untouched plate, and placing a warm hand on her shoulders, “God, I bet you they’re such assholes…I wish I could help, but seriously, if at any point you guys do figure out a way to make it happen, I’ll be happy to help any way I can.” 

Your voice was somehow sweeter than the pie that Steve was scarfing down as he watched and listened on. Everyone was too busy in their own conversations to care about the one you and Nancy were having, but not him, though he was more so focused on you. He just hoped he didn’t look like a sloppy toddler that was too distracted to realize food was all over his mouth.

Steve was just so enamored by your grace and everything that was new to him. 

He noticed the way your eyes would trickle over with all of these different sentiments while Nance confided in you about the struggles at Hawkins Post. But he assumed this was just how you usually were, a part of you, so invest in people and wanting them to know that they could talk to you and you would do your bestest to give your deepest empathy.

Only one thing he couldn’t understand was how anyone, let alone your ex-boyfriend, let go of someone who was as pure and generous as you. Steve Harrington was sure, even after only meeting you today, that you were the sweetest person he had ever had the honor of encountering. That if he really knew you were too good to be true like this, he would’ve begged Robin to invite you sooner.

“Can I have your slice if you’re not going to eat it?” Dustin’s voice broke in, his plate already finished with only crumbs left behind.

Tearing your gaze away from Nancy and switching to the boy who looked on at your untouched plate on the table. You grinned, leaning forward to push the plate closer to him, “Go crazy, I’m not hungry, anyway.” 

So not only were you kind, you were also patient—Steve was making a mental list without even realizing it and knowing what for.

Here you were giving up your slice for the little teenage twerp that just insulted the top you were borrowing only a few minutes ago. If Steve were in your shoes, he’d tell the little shit to think about making fun of mustard again before thinking he’d give up a slice of his pie for him, but then again, you weren’t Steve and you definitely weren’t an asshole. 

“Dude, let her have her slice!” Eddie chastised with a mouth full of cherries and pie pastry. 

Max flicked him on the head with a grunt. “Yeah Dusty, no wonder Suzie broke up with you.” 

Dustin glared, pulling your plate to him, “Oh shut up, I told you me and Suzie are perfectly fine and still together!” he hissed, not hesitating to take a bite of his pie. 

You shifted yourself to face forward, eyes on the kids who were thoroughly not convinced about Dustin’s so-called girlfriend. 

“Suzie?” You spoke curiously, “Does she live in Hawkins?” 

They all shook their heads, and Dustin spoke with a full mouth, but still you could hear him clearly. “She lives in Utah! Her family is crazy Mormon though, so I can only call during certain hours to speak to her through my Cerebro.” 

Your eyes widened, “Cerebro? Like from X-Men?” 

“You know X-Men?” the kids all shouted. 

You laughed, nodding your head undoubtedly. “I only have a few, but X-Men #7 is one of my favorites.” 

“Holy shit, you weren’t kidding when you said she was mega cool.” Dustin’s eyes darted to Robin’s, which made you laugh.

“So tell me more about Cerebro.” 

Honestly, it was hard for any of the kids to find other people who understood or got them the way that their older siblings and friends did. It’s mainly the reason why their friend group was so small and tight-knit in the first place and they’d be lying to say they weren’t the first to oppose the idea of bringing in a new person to the group.

But you seemed genuinely engrossed in the kids’ lives, not just instinctively nodding your head and humming so that they could feel like you cared, but you really did. Asking questions about Dustin’s summer camp where he and Suzie met and finding it quite adorable that he would go out of his way to build something to speak to a girl on the other side of the country.

Halfway through your conversation with the kids, Steve got up, heading towards the kitchen in hopes of finding you something to eat, seeing as though Dustin took hostage of your food. It didn’t help that he absolutely sucked at cooking and had nothing in his fridge to offer you other than a coke which definitely wouldn’t make up for your pie loss. 

With his back turned to the fridge, he could feel a presence behind him, trying to be quiet, yet failing, and he knew it was you, or at least thought it was because of the earlier instance.

“I thought I told you that you were a guest and you should be enjoying yourself in the—what the fuck Robs!”

She cackled, hunched over laughing to herself once Steve finally turned around and noticed it was, in fact, not you but her. 

“Jesus, what’s the matter with you? Sneaking up on me like that!” He crossed his arms over his chest at Robin who was trying to settle down. 

“You’re so gullible! Like I wasn’t even trying! I was just trying to see what you were up to and you thought that I was her!” She laughed maniacally, failing to contain herself. 

“Yeah, I came in here to try to find something she can eat, seeing as though Dustin lacks consideration and didn’t think to ask if she ate anything before coming here.” He sighed, turning around and opening back up the fridge, like something would magically appear before his eyes. 

Robin calmed down, nudging him away from the refrigerator so that she could get a look. Her fingers instantly pulled open one of the drawers where the fresh fruit that were barely touched were.

“This will do.” She grabbed an apple and orange, passing it off to Steve. 

He raised his brows, “Don’t you think she wants something else?” 

She shook her head. “Nope, she loves fresh fruit! Told me how much she loves them in her salads and how she picks up fresh ones from the market to make sweets and drinks with them.” 

“Fine. Just go back in there and I’ll cut these up.” 

She held her hands up in defense, slightly mocking in a higher pitched voice as she walked backwards, “Oh okay, Chef Harrington, thank you so much for your service to our pretty guest.” 

He closed his eyes shut, shaking his head as he heard a snicker come from Robin before she fully exited and gave him the kitchen all to himself where he cut and peeled the fruit, neatly placing them on a plate for you. Steve wished you would have snuck in just to get another chance to talk to you alone because he wasn’t quite sure if he could hold a conversation with you when everyone was around.

You didn’t intimidate him per se, but he liked speaking to you one-on-one when there were no idiotic teens around to make him feel weird for asking such silly questions. But you didn’t sneak in, still holding the conversation with the teens as he walked out and placed the plate on the coffee table in front of you.

“Here you go,” Steve announced softly, not wanting to break the conversation.

You looked up at him, seeing the plated fruit slices he had arranged in a circle, “Oh, you didn’t have to! But thank you!”

“No problem.” He grinned, heading back to his seat.

“So what about you?” You turned your gaze towards El, the quiet one of the bunch who sat and listened for the most part. “What do you like to do?” 

“Poetry.” She said faintly, making you smile as you popped an apple slice in your mouth. 

“I used to do a lot of poetry too when I was your age.” You told her, and she looked at you curiously. 

“I have a ton of journals from when I was in high school, but ultimately I think my calling has always been art.” You smiled at her, seeing the way she lit up at that. 

“What did you write about?”

“Typical teenage stuff. Growing up. Strict parents. Bullies. Boys.” 

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Max cut in. 

You took a deep breath, unsure of how to bring this up, “Umm, well, I uh, y-yeah—well, no yeah! I meant no! I don’t have one! But I used to, but we broke up.” 

“How long were you together?” Mike asked. 

“Stop being invasive, Michael!” Nancy quietly scolded, earning a glare from Mike who paid her no mind and went back to you waiting for an answer. 

“Umm, you know, a really long time, but it was so long ago that—“ 

“Estimate?” Lucas countered. 

You swallowed anxiously, not really wanting to talk about this, but feeling you had to answer before it got awkward, “Like six—“ 

“Jesus, you twerps are nosey. Just let her and El talk about poetry.” Steve surged into the conversation, getting up to retrieve an orange slice from the plate as he ruffled the hair on the teen’s head walking back to his seat in order to play it off.

You took a deep breath through your light-hearted smile, eyes dancing towards him to shoot him a grateful glance for his quick thinking.

The last thing you wanted to talk to the teens about was your tumultuous relationship that came to a world crumbling end. Plus, the teens were in their own relationships. You didn’t want to jeopardize their ideas of their own relationships because of your past one. They were smart and kind, and didn’t need to hear about your ex to know that about themselves. 

Steve didn’t quite know what else your ex did to make you freeze up like this in front of everyone, but he wasn’t going to let it happen. It was his fault anyway for bringing it up in the first place and he had to make up for that, to let you know that he had your back, even when it came to his own friends who were just as innocently curious as him.

He got the chance to peel back a layer of your history in private, something that he knew was a privilege to learn about, but he wouldn’t let you be put on the spot like this when you weren’t ready. 

There was an ease to the room once Steve made it clear that your love life wasn’t up for discussion right now. Everyone just seemed to forget it was even brought up in the first place. El smoothly shifted topics back to poetry and took the moment to ask you if you still wrote from time to time, which you happily gave her the answer to. 

Thankfully, poetry wasn’t the only topic of discussion. 

Eddie had told you about his band Corroded Coffin that played every Tuesday and Sunday at the Hideout Bar where he also worked. The kids had been begging to go to a show in order to see him and his friends live, but since the bar had a very obvious and strict age limit, they’d just have to wait until they were 21. 

Robin finally told you about her and Steve’s creepy manager Keith who had been smuggling R rated tapes from Family Video, which they then used against him in order to get days off whenever they wanted. Things only got funnier when Steve revealed that Keith had accidentally forgotten to switch the tapes back to the original casing, which led to a very angry mother coming in and demanding to speak to the manager when her son had brought home “Star Whores: Attack of the Silicone.” 

At some point, you found yourself excessively laughing with Nancy and Robin while Jonathan reenacted his father, Hopper’s reaction to a stash of weed that he had bought off of Eddie. Hopper actually sounded pretty cool considering he was police chief and didn’t make the boy flush it down the toilet. Instead, just asking for a bit because he wanted to try to make weed brownies. 

You definitely needed to meet him one day and hopefully ask him how the baking process was. 

Lucas, on the other hand, had vented about the captain of the basketball team, Jason, who was a total asshole and didn’t know how to shoot a three pointer to save his life. Max suggested that one of them attack him from behind and break his leg so that Lucas could be the star player for the season.

But somehow Mike had an even more vicious plan, to poison him and take him out for good—but of course he looked at you, with cautious hands held out, “We’re just kidding by the way!” 

To say that you enjoyed yourself this afternoon would be an understatement because, for the first time in forever, it felt as though your social battery wasn’t draining. You would want to spend the rest of the day here in Steve’s living room listening to them talk about their lives and ask you about your mundane one.

But time always went by fast when you were spending it with people who were so fun and carefree, so when you caught the hour on Steve’s clock, you knew you had to get going. 

Everyone gave you a hug, thanking you for stopping by and of course bringing the pie, the same one that they were begging you to bring the next time you would come into Hawkins. And you sure did promise you would. Robin, being the sweet friend she was, attempted to convince you to stay a little while longer, but you knew you had to go, and you’d make it up to her another time—hopefully a girls’ night in the coming weeks. 

Steve was the only one missing from the living room having excused himself to the kitchen a little while earlier to get the dirty dishes done. He even warned everyone to make sure you stayed in your seat and didn’t come in to help him clean up, knowing you would sneak up and try to offer it. After releasing a very tight and giggly hug from Robin, you stood up, making your way to the kitchen.

“Steve?” You knocked your fist against the archway, catching his attention as he turned to look over his shoulder. 

“Hey, need something?” He asked, quickly shutting off the faucet and drying his hands on the kitchen towel hanging near the sink. 

You shook your head, gesturing down to your purse slung over your shoulder, “I’m actually heading out now. Gotta get home before rush hour.” 

He stooped dramatically, making you laugh as you offered your most sarcastic yet sincerest apologies for the departure of your presence. 

“C’mon, I’ll walk you out.” He gestured, leading the way while you waved goodbye to everyone in the living room before following Steve out the front door. 

“Thanks again for letting me come over.” You chirped, with your shoulders coming in shyly.

He waved it off, smiling down at you, “It’s no problem, it was really nice meeting you…I can’t wait to come over to your place.” 

“I’m looking forward to it too…I just don’t know if I’ll be half the host that you were.” 

“Don’t, you’re gonna be fine. Drive safe alright?” 

You brushed your hair back behind your ear, nodding as you smiled once more, “I will, see you around Steve.” 

Your arms didn’t hesitate to wrap around his neck, hugging him ardently. Even if you were wearing his clothes, smothered in the scent of his detergent and him, his senses were filled with you.

A bright vanilla aroma coming from you, and with your hair blowing in his face, he could help but drown in it, hoping this wouldn’t be the last time he’d get to hug you like this. 

But alas, he had to let go, his large hands giving your shoulders a warm one over before finally pulling away and seeing your smiley face. 

He stood by the porch, watching as you got into your car, taking note of every little detail of your movements.

Placing your purse in the passengers and checking the contents making sure you didn’t leave anything behind buckling in. You checked your mirrors while twirling the ends of your hair between your fingers, securing the locks against your back and the chair. After a few seconds, he could hear the gear change and watched as you twiddle your fingers upon the steering wheel, waving one last goodbye as you reversed out of his driveway. 

“See ya…” He mouthed, with a tight smile, waving before you drove off. 

The distance between Hawkins and Roane Country was almost an hour, which gave you a lot of time to think about today and especially wonder about Steve Harrington.

Honest to God, every time you’d catch him in your peripheral, beaming and nodding along at your conversations, you found yourself almost tumbling over your words. He was that distracting, in the best way possible.

There was something endearing about him, perhaps his ability to read your social cues or maybe the fact that he actually showed interest in you and whatever you were talking about. Even if he didn’t get it, you could tell he was listening intently, eyes following you wherever your hands and sights drifted, like a willow bending right to the wind.

You wished you had the guts to strike up a conversation with him in front of everyone else, but you were sure that if you did everyone would take note of how your shyness reached a whole other level with a pretty guy sitting in front of you. Steve was easy to talk to, but you didn’t know if you were easy to react when it came to anything he said.

His words. His smile. His laughter.

All of it trickled with a honey so sweet that it made your stomach ache and blood rush hot. A feeling that was so foreign after all of this time, yet you couldn’t help but want more. To get to talk to him, even if it was just him insulting your ex with low blows because he deserved it.

But his raw emotions. Him letting his guard down. His thoughtfulness.

It exuded the warmth of freshly ground cinnamon, something that had layers to it. Like a punch in the gut that surprised you in a way that was too profound to explain further. He didn’t even hesitate telling you about his parents and how troubling it felt to be given so much from them yet so little at the same time.

It felt like you were throwing a bunch of colors onto a canvas, not knowing where this was headed, maybe off a cliff or down a dead-end street. Or maybe back home with you where everything would be bliss. You could never really tell.

With Steve, it felt different, very complicated.

Perhaps you were getting too far ahead of yourself, after all, his actions weren’t too far fetched from the others who made you feel just as comfortable and made you laugh just as hard. Yet you didn’t feel this way towards Eddie or Robin and definitely not towards Nancy and Jonathan. 

But feelings like these oftentimes just over complicated things, like this very moment right now where you shouldn’t be contemplating this in the first place.

It was too soon to ever know and you could bank on it being counterfeit. Something you’d look back on and laugh at because maybe it was better off with you and Steve being friends, just like everyone else. Nothing more, nothing less, just friends.

The afternoon glow cascaded your kitchen, a soft ochre hue bouncing off your window pane and showering your body in the warmth. Stevie Nicks’ voice sang through the space on your radio while you stirred the florals in the boiling water.

A few knocks echoed through your door, accompanied by various voices that grew louder. Looking over at the time on the microwave, it read “3:12p.m.” in bright neon green lights. 

They were on time. 

“Coming!” you shrieked out, cutting the music and lowering the heat on the stove before you walked over the door, undoing the latch and twisting the lock open.

With a wide grin, you stretched the door open, and their chatter subsided, turning their attention towards you, their eyes glittering with anticipation. 

Your apartment wasn’t the biggest or the most lavish, but it was undeniably you. Just from the front door alone, your personality was oozing among the space—plants were displayed on a shelf near the door alongside a handmade pottery bowl for keys and small belongings that rested on a small table. 

Straight ahead was your kitchen just as personalized as the entrance. The counters complimented with a delicate flower-patterned backsplash along with wooden cabinets you had stained to wash out the unpleasant color that came with the place originally.

It was so very much you.

“Come in! Come in!” You ushered them with animated welcoming arms. 

The teens stepped through first, peering around as they traveled further into your home. Your living room another lively space with an olive green couch and swinging chair you splurged on and surprisingly hung all by yourself. And of course, unfinished and half-painted canvases decked the walls.

You met cheek to cheek with Robin and Nancy, the same fond welcome you had gotten accustomed to giving to your lady friends. Eddie and Jonathan took you in for a side hug, giving you a smile.

Steve was the last one to enter with a vase carrying a blend of lively flowers in one of his hands. He wore a striped polo, one of the many that you saw hanging in his closet, a pair of blue jeans, Nike’s Cortez’ that was totally his style, and of course his world famous smile.

“I’m so glad you made it.” You murmured, opening your arms as he walked into you and wrapped his arms snuggly across your back.

You squeeze your arms around him affectionately, inhaling the subtle aroma of mint and sandalwood that he wore. Something that you became familiar with since your last interaction where he walked you out to your car and said goodbye to you in the same way he was saying hello. 

Of course, Steve had made it. There was no way he was going to miss it. Not after you graced his home with your presence. If anything, Steve was the one who rushed everyone into Eddie’s van to get here on time to see you.

He looked down at you, seeing your eyes flutter open as you both released the hug, yet never stepped back to open the proximity.

“Been looking forward to it all week,” he brought the hand holding the vase up, prompting them towards you with a grin, “…and these are for you.”

You let go, wrapping your fingertips around the glass, admiring the blues, pinks, whites, and greens of the arrangements. Summer flowers, the kind that bloom the entire season before spring comes along and cuts their time too short before winter arrives.

You had been busy for the past couple of weeks that you didn’t even realize that you had forgotten to take a trip to your local florist to pick up some of your favorites, nevertheless Steve’s would suffice.

Closing your eyes, you breathed in the citrusy sweet fragrance from the baby pink peonies in the bunch, then you opened them back up, orbs filled with gratitude as you stared at him.

“Steve, these are beautiful. Thank you!”

He shrugged his shoulders lightly, “Unfortunately, none of us are good bakers, so I’m glad you like it.” 

Laughing, you gestured him towards the living room where everyone had already gotten themselves comfortable, while you made a quick pit stop towards the kitchen to place the flowers on the windowsill to get some sunshine. 

Making your way back to everyone you saw Nancy and Jonathan sat on the couch looking worriedly at the teens, “Guys, don’t break anything!”

They both warned in unison, watching as the youngsters made a beeline to the comics and magazines you had lying around on the coffee table. 

“No worries, I break something like every other day in here. Totally klutz!” You assured her with a wave, seeing her take a sigh of relief and Jonathan sending you a gracious nod.

“This place is cooler than you described!” Robin blurted, fidgeting her fingertips against each other as she continued to look around trying to spot some things that she remembered you telling her about over the phone. 

Striding towards the cluttered coffee table, you noticed the kids not having much space to flip the books and magazines. You had spent the entire morning doing laundry and touching up a painting for your upcoming gallery that you had skipped cleaning the mess up before they had arrived. 

You apologized, moving to pick up some paint bottles you had lying around “Sorry it’s a little messy…I was busy all morning,” placing them back in their designated bin underneath the table, while they waved you off, not bothered by the mess at all. 

“Did you paint this today?” Will sought, setting down the comic and shuffling towards the easel where a semi-wet canvas laid. 

You nodded, walking over and standing next to the piece, and holding your hands behind your back shyly.

“It’s supposed to look like the sunset from a few days ago.” 

The sky filled with purple, orange, and yellow tinges to encapsulate the sundown you caught on the drive back to Roane from Hawkins.

“Did you use a photo as a reference?” Mike inquired, squinting his eyes to really take in the detail of the sky and hues used. 

You shook your head, knocking your temple with your finger, “I have a really good photographic memory…once I see something I can usually replicate it when my brush hits the canvas.” 

“How fascinating.” Will murmured, allowing himself to walk along the walls, looking at all your other paintings you had hanging up. 

You clasped your hands together, a genuine sense of respite washing over you as you noticed everyone appearing at ease.

Robin was completely in her own world, fascinated with your overflowing vinyl collection that littered your tv stand.

Nancy and Jonathan were talking softly amongst themselves, smiling as they pointed and admired parts of your apartment, hoping they could have their own one day.

Eddie had taken a seat on the floor, back resting on the couch cushions as he flipped through a comic he picked up.

Steve looked to be just as comfortable, swinging slightly in the hanging chair admiring everyone else, happy that his friends were comfortable in the new space.

You clapped your hands together faintly, just enough for yourself to hear the celebration, “Just feel free to look around! I have a patio over there, but there’s nothing much out there except plants and a little table.”

They looked up to where your finger pointed at the sliding door on the other side of the living room, a cream meshed curtain pulled back to let in the natural sunlight. 

Then, you turned your attention to Eddie, bending down a bit to tap his shoulder and point again at the terrace outside, “Eddie, I put out a small glass dish out there if you wanted to take a smoke, just in case.”

You noticed that he had excused himself to Steve’s backyard in order to take a smoke break, so you figured you get that set up for him just in case.

He flashed you a sincere smile, nodding “Thank you,”

You nodded, patting his shoulder before standing straight and excusing yourself to the kitchen to get things prepared.

Steve didn’t quite know if he was more so appreciating his friends finally opening up to a new place that wasn’t his own or seeing you being so welcoming to people you only met a few days ago. Nevertheless, it felt nice, a little warm feeling inside to know that you were so kind and open to them.

He also didn’t know if it made him a weirdo for wanting to stray wherever you went, getting up to follow you into the kitchen just to get a chance to talk to you without the lingering ears of his friends.

You stood there with one hand on your hip and the other stirring some mixture in the pot before turning off the heat completely.

“What’s this?” his soft voice whispered over your shoulder, producing you to bounce slightly before glancing back. 

He had a small apologetic smile on his face, almost like a wince.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Steve said as you shook your head, lips curled into a grin when you turned back to stir the liquid. 

“Lavender and mint.” You bubbled, drawing the saucepan off the stove and holding it out, just enough to get a sniff of the aroma. 

His hand cupped together in the air, wafting the sweet steam towards him, “And it’s tea?” 

“Yeah!…Or you could refrigerate it and make it into lemonade, though I should’ve done this hours ago so that I could…you don’t think it’s too hot for tea do you?” 

Your forehead scrunched up in woe, setting the pot back down and reaching to slide the window in front of you open. Sticking your hand out, you flipped it back and forth, trying to feel the air and its warmth. 

It was totally warm out, but Steve wouldn’t let you know that. He just shook his head, following your actions and sticking his hand out to feel the air, “No, it’s like the perfect weather…I could go for some tea.” 

You looked toward him, giving him a sickly sweet smile as you turned to the opposite side of the kitchen, heading into one of the cupboards to grab mugs. 

“Let me help you.” Steve offered, taking the ones from your hand with ease and placing them onto the counter. 

He didn’t allow you to grab the other seven remaining mugs, as he did it himself, lining them up perfectly so it would be easier to pour and serve. 

“Do you like milk in your tea?” You questioned, padding over to the fridge and seizing every bottle of milk you had. 

He thought for a second, eyebrows scrunched together, trying to recall a memory, but he was sure that the last time he had milk and tea was when he attended one of his father's boring business conferences when he was a child.

“I’ve never tried it, is it any good?” Steve asked, leaning against the counter’s edge to watch you clutch the mason jars against your chest. 

You smiled with a nod, fingers holding up one of the glass jars you had labeled, “almond” before placing them all right next to the mugs. 

“You make your own milk?” He looked surprised, picking up the jar and inspecting the liquids that looked store-bought. 

“It’s super easy and because it doesn’t take my time I just make a new glass every week.” You told him as you waltzed over to the boiler, picking up the pot before cautiously pouring a serving into each mug. 

He watched you closely, noting how you bit your lip in concentration, making sure each mug got the same amount of tea, not wanting anyone to have less or too much than they wanted. You smiled to yourself, eventually letting go of your bottom lip when the last mug was filled perfectly, spinning around in your sock covered feet to place the remaining liquid back on the stove.

He did his best to hide his smile, endeared with your behavior for something as simple as pouring some tea. You rubbed your hands together, finally turning back to him and nodding your chin at the mugs.

“You should get the first taste!”

“You sure?” He asked, already reaching for the ridiculously adorable strawberry mug that you usually always drank out of. 

You giggled, bowing your head as he finally took a sip. His lips smacked against each other to search the flavor profile in an attempt to impress you with the enhanced taste buds that he clearly didn’t possess, but somehow he was still able to make you laugh, which was enough.

“It’s sweet but still a little minty—what milk do you usually go for?” He sat his cup down, fingers brushing over the jars, looking over the different milks you had. 

Oat. Almond. Cashew. 

“Oat, it’s the most neutral out of all of them and doesn’t disturb the flavor, in my opinion.” You responded, letting your elbow rest onto the counter to place your chin in your palm.

You watched him crack open the jar, pouring a tiny bit into his cup before looking at you, silently asking if it was enough. The jutting of your chin and smile prompted him to pour a little more, just until you squeaked and you both laughed before he sealed the jar shut.

The two of you watched the milk flow over the once sheer lilac brew as if it was going to stir itself. Only remembering now, you gasped dramatically, moving up to pull open the drawers on the opposite side of the kitchen in order to grab a handful of spoons.

“Sorry, I totally forgot!” You apologized, handing one to Steve as he snickered, shaking his head while he stirred his drink. 

“Don’t have to apologize. You’re too nice of a host already.” He encouraged you, taking another sip of the tea and giving you wide eyes when it rushed down his larynx. 

“Holy shit…this is good!” He said surprisingly, as you smirked, moving towards him to make yourself a cup. 

Your fingers grabbed onto the vintage basketball mug before pouring in your own splash of oat milk. “Oh! I forgot to mention, I like to add honey sometimes. Do you wanna try?” 

You tiptoed, attempting to grab the bear shaped bottle of honey, and Steve had easily raised his arm up, clutching it for you. 

“Thank you.” You whispered softly, taking it from him.

Steve was just happy to help, beaming warmly and watching you squeeze a tiny bit of honey into your cup and he happily did the same when you passed him the bottle. 

You both took a sip at the same time, smiling tightly as you watched each other before swallowing. It was silly. So the two of you chuckled. Shaking your head at how silly it was. 

“I didn’t mean to stare at you while you…sorry, that was weird of me.” You palmed your forehead dumbly, closing your eyes with a slight smile as Steve chuckled and hummed something that sounded like a “no” as he took another sip of the sweetness.

He shook his head, waving your worries away as he kept his hand on the handle of the mug when the other came down to rest on his hip, “I didn’t mean to stare either…I just didn’t want to look away from your tea-drinking skills.”

You cocked your head to the side, letting both sets of hands wrap around your warm mug as you rose a brow at him.

“My tea drinking skills?”

He smirked, nodding confidently, “Yeah, you know it’s a real art to not spill all over yourself. People do it all the time.”

There was a playful look coating your features, your eyes squinting shut as the smile took over before your laugh, shaking your head ridiculously at him.

“You’re impressed way too easily, Steve.”

Maybe it was the fact that you both were sipping tea in the middle of summer or perhaps the airflow in your kitchen was poor, but either way it didn’t take much for you both to notice the fervor that developed. You two were only inches apart. The space could be closed just by one sway towards each other’s bodies.

The lump in his throat bobbed as he swallowed, watching you take another sip as you tore your eyes away with the heat rushing to the apples of your cheeks. You looked pretty like this; he was sure you always did, but something about you here in your own kitchen surrounded by everything that was you felt just about right.

“I can’t help it…” You snapped your eyes back up at him, seeing him lift his shoulder with a placid grin on his face as he spoke.

“I’m always going to be impressed when it comes to you. Even when it’s just tea and a pretty—”

“What’s this!?”

The two of you jerked your eyes to Robin, leading the rest of the pact behind her into your kitchen. You swore he was just about to call you a pretty girl, certain even, but there were a million things he could’ve said.

Pretty mug.

Pretty kitchen.

Pretty apartment.

Pretty girl.

Pretty you.

No! He wasn’t. There was no way.

You quickly leaned off the counter, gesturing to them as Steve scooted over to make way for everyone else. They all picked up a mug, conversing amongst each other as they began drinking and popping open the milk and honey, serving themselves.

“It’s Lavender mint tea! I also have homemade oak, almond, and cashew milk so hopefully none of you are allergic…but if you want, I could run to the store and pick up some whole milk, it’s only down the road anyway so it won’t be long—“ 

Steve could sense the anxiety in your ramble, unsure if it was because of him and the line he had casted out towards you, or maybe because of the sudden intrusion of his friends that made it feel like you two had been caught when in actuality you both weren’t doing anything wrong.

Steve halted the jabber, resting a reassuring hand on your shoulder as everyone helped themselves to the tea, not aware of what you had been saying.

“None of them are allergic, so you’re fine…don’t need to go all out for some kids from Hawkins,” he looked around at his friends who were too busy to care, “everything you’re doing is perfect.” 

You clutched the mug in your hands, taking a sip again feeling your heart thump at his words. You didn’t understand what sorcery was going on, but you did know that Steve Harrington had a way with words and every sweet thing that left his lips made you feel like you were floating. 

Steve swore that he could see a pink blush creeping onto your face, but the mug you had tilted closer to your face hid it. It was cute; he didn’t know why you took so weirdly to compliments. It was something that he noticed right off the bat when you two first met. The way that if anyone said something nice about you, you felt the need to downplay it or not respond at all.

But Steve would keep complimenting you because you truly were someone that deserved to know their worth. So he smiled, continuing to watch the way you tried to hide your blush, while he sipped on his tea. 

Robin wasn’t clueless to the two of you, sure she didn’t have the best timing, but she could read the both of you. The way you and he would stare at each other for too long and even how you’d both stray to each other if the other ran off somewhere else.

She knew where this was going.

Coughing lightly to clear her throat, she tapped you on the shoulder.

“Do you mind showing me the bathroom?” 

You nodded, a tight smile on your face as you brushed past Steve, but not without your arms grazing before you led her out of the kitchen and into the opposite hallway where your bedroom and the bathroom was. 

“It’s in here,” reaching forward and twisting the door open to reveal the bathroom. 

Robin smirked wickedly, seizing one of your arms and pulling you into the restroom before shutting the door. 

You shrieked and snorted all in one, startled at her action and trying to steady the mug in your hand so you didn’t spill any.

“Robs!” 

She pressed her back against the door, a woozy smile on her face as she widened her eyes at you, “What the hell was that in there?!” 

Your eyes widened, and you shook your head frantically, “Oh my god, shush, he could hear you! It was nothing!”

Robin laughed, as you tugged her a ways bit from the door, hoping that no one, and especially Steve, didn't hear the conversation that was happening inside here. She opted to close the toilet lid, sitting on top of it while you leaned against the counter, still sipping on your tea to avoid talking about this, but Robin seemed to have no plans to stop. 

“It didn’t look like nothing! You guys were like milliliters apart, and his eyes were all dreamy and full of stars when he was staring at you!”

Her hands twiddled around in the air, trying to show you what she meant, and you knew exactly what she meant because you saw his orbs in the same light. Like an ocean of stars and glitter every time he had his eyes on you long enough for you to catch it—to make a wish on them.

“His eyes are always dreamy.” You countered out loud, instantly regretting that statement as Robin clasped a hand over her mouth to stifle her squeal. 

You bit back a smile, turning your head the other way so she couldn’t see the way you were absolutely blushing out of your mind.  

“I knew it! I could feel the tension in that kitchen and I just knew it! And the other day? You two just couldn’t stop looking at each other. You guys are totally crushing and are gonna fall in love!”

God, you couldn’t even remember when’s the last time you actually had a crush on someone attainable. All the guys you liked were fictional, from books, tv shows, and movies, because at least those guys were mesmerizing and actually respectable people. But Steve felt like that too, that one out of a million that you could actually see and have the privilege of being around let alone talking to.

He was so out of your league, there was no possible way he could’ve meant what he was going to say as a genuine romantic compliment. He was just being friendly. Just being the same Steve that Robin described to you before you had even met him. The same Steve who graciously covered for you when you didn’t want to talk about your asshole ex boyfriend.

The Steve that had you thinking about him on your drive back home wishing you were watching the sunset with him—

You heard the snap of her fingers, before feeling her stand up and make her way in front of you where she stood and clutched your shoulders, causing you to look at her. Shaking your head, you sighed heavily, finally prompting her a response after those grueling composing seconds.

“He’s just nice, Robin, and I’m sure he’s being kind because we just met. I barely know him! You said it yourself, remember? Steve’s a nice guy.” You said seriously, setting down your mug on the open counter space as she pouted and shook her head. 

“No, I mean yeah, Steve is nice, but he’s being abnormally kind to you. The kind of kindness where it’s all sappy and lovey. It kinda makes me want to throw up, but also makes me want to kick my legs like an idiot because seeing him this way after all this time is actually nice.”

She explained with a complicated look that quickly turned into smiles and fondness, realizing that Steve was actually putting himself out there and you just were too foreign to it all. She watched as you took another deep breath, letting your shoulders stoop against her hold as you held your head in your hands.

“I stood there like an idiot Robs. He said something really nice to me and I…I just stood there! Gosh, he probably thinks I'm totally dumbass or something.” 

She scoffed, shaking her head, giving your skin an encouraging squeeze when you finally looked up at her.

“Trust me, Steve doesn’t think you’re an idiot or a dumbass, or anything bad. He's genuinely so enthralled by you. And this is the same guy whose attention span is shorter than mine, so that’s saying quite a lot if, after the first hangout he’s already asking more about you.”

Your eyebrows curled into a frown before raising curiously, silently asking Robin to tell you what she meant before she licked her lips, eyes darting around the bathroom trying to pick one out of the many scenarios where Steve had asked about you.

“Umm, okay, this one!” She decided confidently, nodding her head and furrowing her brows roughly to mimic Steve earlier this morning at the florist.

“Which flowers do you think she likes best? She’s like super into florals, right? Is she allergic to anything? Jesus Christ, I don’t want to show up with flowers that she’s allergic to. That’s like fucking embarrassing Robs. Okay, you know what, I’m just gonna pick the prettiest flowers and hope she doesn’t end up sneezing or anything.”

You snickered at her impression of Steve’s voice and mannerisms, feeling your heart swarm as you thought it was pretty sweet that he was taking the time to ask about you, let alone think about putting in so much effort into those flowers he had brought for you.

“That’s actually really adorable,” you admitted, while Robin smiled and tilted her head, watching you thoughtfully. 

She removed her grip for your shoulders, hands softly clapped while she shrieked while you rolled your eyes playfully at her delight. “See! I’m like cupid or something! Just yennooo…try throwing out a compliment and if it feels weird or wrong, then you’ll know. But I think we both know how it’s gonna go!” 

“Sure cupid,” You rolled your eyes lovingly before going deep again, “I just don’t want to mess things up, alright? If somehow we’re both reading this wrong, I don’t want to lose him as a friend. It’s gonna put me in an awkward position if he doesn’t feel the same, so just for my sake, let’s just keep this conversation between us?”

You held out your pinky finger towards her, where she immediately crossed her fingers over her heart and proceeded to hook her pinky with yours. 

“Promise!” she vowed, kissing her thumb as you giggled and did the same to yours. 

When you two unhooked fingers, she crossed her arms and looked back at the toilet then at you, “I still really gotta pee, so…” 

You tsked, chuckling lightly as you picked up your mug and gave her a thumbs up before exiting the bathroom to give her some privacy. When you walked down the hallway back into your living room, everyone looked relaxed, sitting on the couch or just hanging around the floor enjoying their cups of homemade tea while they talked amongst themselves. 

Steve was in his previous seat, rocking back and forth in the hanging chair still nursing his lavender mint tea. When you came into view, he flashed you a smile, almost a questioning one, asking if everything was alright considering you were just in the bathroom with his best friend for quite some time. You assured him a nod and a small curl of your lips, ushering him to nod back.

That god he didn’t seem phased by the previous kitchen interaction.

“What’s that?” You requested, settling on the carpeted floor where Will and the rest of the teenagers were sitting near the coffee table flipping through a book. 

Will glanced over with a shrug, sliding the book towards you, giving you a chance to see the art that covered the pages. You were amazed, setting down your mug and pulling the book closer as you looked into each stroke of the pencil and all the shading. 

“Will, these are beautiful.” You nudged him casually with your elbow, making him smile, while he watched you flip through the next few pages where more illustrations filled the sheet. 

One of the pages that caught your eye was a figure, one dressed in a cloak with a pointy wizard hat, and it looked a bit like Will. Maybe a self-portrait of some kind for that fantasy game he and the boys played.

“They’re not as good as yours, but I wanted to bring it so I could show you what I’ve been working on.” He told you, while you frowned and reached to rest your hand onto his, giving it a squeeze. 

“No, these are amazing. I mean, this is just incredible…when I was your age all I could draw were stick figures.” 

The laugh that Will let out made you smile and so did the reinforcing words coming from his friends, egging him on and telling him how awesome all of his sketches were. You knew that art was subjective, and even when you yourself were hard on the work that you made, you also had to find it within yourself to be kind.

And you wanted Will to feel the same way, because he truly had a talent for art and you wished you had someone when you were younger who encouraged you to pursue it sooner. 

“I actually have a bunch of spare paints and brushes, and other supplies that you can take home.” You told him.

Shifting to your knees as you began reaching under the coffee table where some storage bins were located, filled with some paints you hadn’t yet used. You began pulling them out one by one, setting them on the coffee table and talking to Will about each of the brands and colors.

From Steve’s place, he could see more of you than Will whose back was facing him. He saw the way your nose crinkled distastefully as you expressed your dislike of certain paint brands because of the opacity and smell. Then how quickly the look of disgust was replaced by a bark of hilarity as Will told you something about his mom brewing a fresh pot of coffee to battle the horrible smell of some of the paints he used.

Steve hoped it didn’t make him a creep for always watching you, but it was out of admiration than it was out of flirtation. He preferred watching you because there was a way about you—an ease, almost one that even yourself didn’t quite notice, but he did.

To him, the best way to describe the feeling he got around you was almost like a secret garden.

One filled with every kind of flower blooming under the radiating sun. Trees growing so tall with birds settling on the stretching branches. The air the perfect kind of cool where bees and butterflies pass through as they soar through the sky. A calm waterfall trickling into a pond that calls out to everyone to jump in freely.

For Steve, it’s like jumping in and getting lost in you…exactly as he’s doing right now.

In simpler terms, people gravitated towards you, not solely for your sweetness or kindness, but for how genuine you actually were.

Even in Steve’s own experiences, he knew he was guilty of just nodding along and pretending to understand what any of the teens were talking to him about.

Video games. Computers. Poetry. Skateboarding. Dungeons and Dragons. Painting. Boyfriends. Girlfriends. Crushes. Whatever it was; just going in one ear and out the other while they kept talking and talking and talking.

But not you.

If anything, you immersed yourself into their world even when it wasn’t something that you could fully wrap your head around like that fantasy game. Yet you never failed to ask questions in order to learn more about it, but it was mostly because you loved to see their faced light up when talking about something that they enjoyed without needing to worry about sounding nerdy.

He wished he could talk to you about anything, and he knew he could, but just not right now. Not with everyone sitting here when all he wanted to do was tell you how down to earth you were and how it was even impossible for you to be real.

But indeed real you were meeting his eyes for only a split second before you turned it all back to Will as he spoke.

“Do you think I could try to paint something?” Will asked you timidly, almost anxious of being a nuance, but you bubbled out an excited yelp, scrambling to your feet as you rushed to your bedroom in order to grab a blank canvas that you were sure you weren’t going to use. 

“Where is it?” You puffed, hauling open your closet door in hopes of you finding it in some bin that you stored all your excess supplies in. 

A knock sounded on the doorway wall, prompting you to call out a reply instead of actually looking at who it was, just assuming that it was Will or one of the other kids. 

“Need any help?” 

Steve’s voice had you ceasing all movements, encouraging you to take a deep breath and realize that the whole kitchen thing was over. Right now, you needed to get it together and not make things weird. You exhaled softly, peeping back from behind your closet to see him leaning against your door frame with a small smile before you nodded. 

“It’s so bare in here.”

He joked, looking around the room where the only piece of artwork hanging was one above your bed. A total lunar eclipse with its blood-red moon shining bright against a dark sky with tiny stars scatters around it. 

You gasped subsequently, finding the smaller canvas and standing up from the ground, “I like that my bedroom is sorta away from all the chaos out there.”

Your hands motioned to the outside of the door, making circles and rolling your eyes, as if the living room was such a chaotic mess, when it really wasn’t. He chuckled, shaking his head before raising his brow at you.

“Anything else we need?” 

Yeah, some fucking composure, Steve, because now I’m thinking of a compliment to spit out so we can get a feel of whatever the fuck we have going on.

You nodded, dropping the canvas on your bed and strolling over to the bottom drawers of your dresser where more supplies were stored.

“Yeah, some new brushes and a paint pallet for him.”

He watched you, totally oblivious of your nerves and instead in awe of how considerate you were being, by lending Will new items rather than just letting him borrow what you already had. 

“You’re going to spoil the kid rotten.” He quipped, seeing as you couldn’t pick between two different shades of blue paint tubes and instead, just threw both of them into the pile you were amassing for Will. 

You looked up, looking as innocent as ever and shaking your head, more than happy to spoil the kid.

“These have just been sitting here waiting to be used and Will will probably use it more than I ever will.” 

He chuckled, coming down beside you, kneeling on the floor to help gather the paint tubes in his hands knowing you wouldn’t be able to carry it all by yourself. Your fingers brushed each other as you both grabbed a few, eyes flickering up to each other with a quiet laugh, continuing on before he spoke just as delicately.

“You’re really too sweet.” 

Now’s the opening…just be smooth and throw it out there.

“I’d like to think I am,” you replied, snickering to yourself, when on the inside you were screaming.

He looked to you, seeing as though you tried to brush it off, “No, really, I mean it, you’re probably the nicest person I’ve ever met…no one has ever put this much thought into a hang out before.” 

You looked almost smitten under his gaze, tucking your cheek into your shoulder and trying to play it off as a shrug despite the smile he could see seeping upon your face. He found it cute. Though he didn’t know why you tried to hide it, he wanted to make you smile and make you feel good about yourself. 

“You really think so?” You asked unabashedly, following his head nod with a grin. 

“I’d go as far as saying you’re the sweetest girl I think I’ll ever meet.” 

Play it cool.

“You must not have met many girls then?” You stood up, hearing his chuckle as he followed your lead. 

“Don’t really want to meet any other ones anymore.” He countered. 

Strike and get a feel of it.

You grabbed the canvas off your bed as you swooped by. “Robin wasn’t kidding when she said you were charming.” 

“She said that?” He said comically, and you giggled nodding and walking out of your bedroom with him trailing behind you. 

Throw it out there.

“Yeah, which isn’t totally surprising, considering the fact that you’re pretty sweet yourself.” 

There was a glint of teasing to your voice, not that it was too different from the sweetness that dripped from it regularly, but he could tell there was something more there. He didn’t want to think too hard about it, not wanting to ruin the moment with his never-ending questions, so instead he clung to it, hoping he’d get the chance to hear something like that coming from only you ever again. 

“Here you go, Will,” you crooned cheerfully, entering the living room with Steve trailing behind you with the paints. 

Will’s eyes lit up with excitement, sitting up on his knees as you two placed the items on the coffee table. You sat beside him while Steve went back to the chair, watching in on you explaining to Will each of the pigments and their properties.

This time he wasn’t doing a lot of listening, his mind still caught up in your words and if it meant what he thought it did. He was going to call you a pretty girl back in the kitchen, that is before Robin and the rest of the gang had stumbled in to stop him.

Was that compliment supposed to be a response to his?

Was what you said even a compliment?

Of course it was…hell you could’ve you said he  reminded you of a golden retriever and he’d take it with pride and brag to everyone that a pretty girl compared him to a cuddly animal.

But was he just maybe reading into it too much?

You were always dishing out compliments to everyone, saying how great and talented they were, but not with the undertone you had spoken to him with. Perhaps he had misheard you and now he was doing all of this overthinking just to end off at the same place you both started, which was friends.

Just friends.

“Steve, could you come with me and Eddie to the kitchen, please?”

Robin and Eddie both stood, looking at him sharply as they shuffled into the kitchen, signaling for Steve to follow their lead.

He furrowed his brows, standing up quickly and heading for the kitchen, “What’s up?” 

“You’re being fucking weird!” Eddie's whisper shouted, pointing an accusing finger at him. 

Steve looked taken aback, looking at his two friends puzzled. “What the hell are you talking about?” 

“Don’t think I can’t tell when you’re thinking too hard. What’s the matter?” Robin softly prodded, crossing her arms across her chest. 

“W-what? No, I’m fine…I’m just thinking…” He said, avoiding Robin’s knowing eyes as he looked at Eddie instead.

Eddie rolled his eyes, “You keep following her everywhere, yet you’re not making a move. Everyone in that damn living room can feel the tension between you guys.” 

“There is no tension!” Steve claimed quietly, peering back and making sure you still were laser focused on the painting.

He looked back at his two friends, resting his hands on his hips, “I’m being friendly alright. I want to make her feel comfortable and help out the same way she did. That’s all.” 

Robin threw an unconvinced look his way, before gesturing towards Eddie, “When you met Eddie, you made fun of him for nicknaming his guitar sweetheart, it’s not the same.” 

“Because Eddie isn’t a girl!” Steve argued, only causing Eddie to raise a brow, holding a hand over his heart pretending he had just been wounded. 

“Are you saying I’m ugly, Harrington?” 

“Oh my god,” Steve grumbled, rubbing his fingers over his temples. 

Robin reached forward, grabbing him by the shoulders and forcing him to look at her, “Dude…stop thinking so hard about it. If you like her, just be cool about it. Ask her out if you want. I don’t know…j-just do anything besides what you were doing out there because you looked like you were in pain and it was just weird.”

Did he really looked pained?

Steve blinked, trying to process debating if he wanted to ask Robin if he really looked that bad or for some fucking advice to man up and ask you out already. He didn’t know what he was avoiding, knowing that usually if he liked a girl, he’d just go in and take the shot to ask, but with you, he just couldn’t.

There was too much to lose if something went south.

His thinking was cut short by Eddie who began snapping his fingers, pointing victoriously like he and Robin cracked some sort of secret Russian code or something.

“We were right!” He started poking at Robin’s cheek as she grumbled yet bit back a smile.

Eddie pointed towards Steve again, not bothering to hide the smirk on his face, “What’d I tell you? Harrington is usually so quick to slide on in and ask a girl out and now suddenly he meets a gorgeous down-to-earth-painter-baker-girl and now he’s whipped!”

He drummed his fingers on Robin’s shoulder, making her laugh before turning to her best friend, suddenly bright pink in the cheeks. 

“You must really really like her if you’re not using those god awful pickup lines to make her fall for you.” She said half jokingly. 

Steve shrugged, moving away from the two and instead reached for his tea mug and taking a sip of the now semi-warm liquid. “Maybe…I—I dunno…I just don’t want to rush things because she knows about King Steve and I don’t want her to get the wrong idea.” 

Robin tilted her head, looking apologetic, “She told you I told her about that?” 

He shook his head, looking at her dully, “No, but she did say you said I was charming, which pretty much gives it away…also you’re such a terrible liar.” 

“Am not!” She gasped, lightly punching him in the arm.

Steve didn’t look so convinced, arguing back without hitting her, “Yeah you are!” 

“Fuckin’ kill me,” Eddie sighed, rocking his head at the two. 

“Is everything ok?” Your cool speech came ringing in the small kitchen, making the three of them stutter, trying to not look so suspicious. 

“Y-yeah, fine! Umm, they were just wondering if you had more tea!” Steve lied, turning his eyes back to Robin and widening them, signaling for her to let go of his shoulders, which she did. 

He made his way over to the stove, peeking into the pot that had only a bit of tea left.

“Oh, I can make some more if you’d like?” You responded, moving further into the kitchen to meet Steve at the stove. 

With your back turned to Robin and Eddie, they both motioned their way out of the space to give him more time with you, but not before shooting him a suggestive wink. 

“Uh, no, no need for that. I’ll just take what’s left…Eddie and Robin have ummm, small bladders! I don’t want them complaining the whole way home later.” 

He closed his eyes shut, shaking his head to himself while you attempted to stifle a laugh reaching for his mug and pouring the rest of the tea into his cup. 

“Here you go,” you said, turning to him with his mug filled.

He flashed you an apologetic smile, saying a quiet “thank you” while you shake it off. 

“Need anything else? A snack?” 

His ears heard you loud and clear, but his eyes were stuck on the living room where Eddie and Robin were wildly gesturing their hands in the air, mouthing, “Just do it!”

For my friends to stop being dumbasses is what he wanted to say, but he shook his head, tearing his eyes away from the two friends and giving his sights back to you. 

“No, this is all. Thanks again.” He reassured you, earning a smile as you both walked out of the kitchen and back to the living room. 

Taking your place between Max and Will who were painting, you were able to get a glimpse of the work they had completed for the short time you were gone. Max had wanted to join in after getting tired of the comic she was reading.

“Oh, this is amazing—shoot, I’m so sorry!” 

You weren’t quite sure why you were here apologizing at the fact that Max had accidentally turned towards you with a paintbrush in her hand, smearing gold all over the front of your shirt, but here you were.

“Shit, it’s my fault. I’m so sorry.” The red head said, clutching a hand over her mouth as you shook your head. 

“No, it’s my fault! I shouldn’t have snuck up like that. It’s okay, the paint comes off easily in the wash, I’ll go get changed!” You yelped, getting up and jogging down the hallway into your room.

Max turned to Steve, glaring at him.

“Really? Eddie and Robin have small bladders? That’s the best excuse you came up with?” 

He scratched the back of his neck, leaning forward, “W-what?” 

“Max just bought us some time to tell you how weird you’re being.” Lucas smirked, glancing at Max who looked proud of her quick idea.

Dustin snorted in agreement, finally tearing his eyes away from his comic, “If you’re gonna keep staring at her and following her around like a minion you might as well as her out!”

“I’m not asking her out on a date with all of you here!” Steve countered, staring at all of his friends like they were insane.

Robin rolled her eyes, looking at Nancy, then him, “You asked Nancy to have six kids that time we went road tripping a few years ago. What difference does that make now?” 

Mike groaned, covering his face in discomfort remembering overhearing that conversation. “I didn’t have to be reminded of my sister hypothetically having six babies with Steve.”

Jonathan snapped his eyes to Nancy who widened her eyes at Robin, “When was this?” He asked. 

Nancy shook her head, brushing him off, “A long time ago, so it doesn’t matter. And they’re right, you and her obviously have chemistry, so why not just stop wasting time and get it over with?”

“No, we don’t,” Steve shook his head, not sounding as convincing as he’d like. 

Nance tilted her head, giving him those doubtful eyes, “Really? Do you actually believe that for one second?”

“You keep following her around like a lovesick puppy.” Jonathan admitted, forgetting about the stupid six children thing and saving it for another day, seeing as though Steve really expected that they all couldn’t see right through you and him. 

“Every time I look over at her to see if I’m doing something right, you’re in my peripheral ogling at her like a piece of art.” Will responded, tearing his eyes away from his canvas. 

“It’s kinda cute.” El said with a giddy smile. 

“She’s always smiling at you for some reason.” Max continued. 

“Which is funny considering that you’re not that pretty to look at,” Eddie quipped, earning a scowl from Harrington. 

Robin rolled her eyes at the men’s consistent banter, knowing she had to work fast before you came back out.

“What we’re trying to say is that she clearly likes you and you like her. You can try denying how you feel, but we know how you get when you start crushing on a girl, so don’t think your lying is going to fool any of us.”

She told him, which would've been reassuring, but asking a girl out in front of a crowd of people wasn’t something that sounded like a good time for him or you. It was just going to put you in that sticky spot with all the attention and most likely to say yes to save him the embarrassment.

He couldn’t do that to you.

“Well, I’m still not asking her out with you guys down my throat. Her and I are just friends. I need to get to know her first. Hell, I don’t even know what her favorite color is or if she likes sports? These are things I should know before I ask a girl out!”

Who was Steve kidding and when did he start caring about frivolous shit like that? You and him could have nothing in common and still he would fawn over you and snowball this crush into something more. Even going as far to turn himself into Picasso's reincarnation if that would make you like him better. 

“I’m back!” You grinned, sauntering down the corridor sporting none other than a cropped Red Sox t-shirt. 

Steve’s favorite team, of course. 

Eddie grunted, already on the tip of making a subtle note, just to see if he was right.

“Nice shirt, but didn’t they lose—“

“Oh, don’t even get me started! The game was totally rigged and if Buckner didn’t mess up that inning, Boston would’ve taken that championship home.” You said intensely, taking your seat between Max and Will once again. 

Everyone’s eyes turned to Steve’s, watching them muddle with even more affection than before. You were his total dream girl. He knew it, and so did everyone else.

“Everything alright?” You chuckled after the short seconds of silence. 

Grunts and hums came from everybody attempting to not fixate their gaze solely between you and Steve, but it was a bit tough considering the stare that Steve had locked on you. 

“Peachy, just trying to remember that date because it was so memorable, and I wished that someone here would make a move and remember it.”

Robin emphasized her words sharply, snapping her fingers to get Steve’s attention in order for him to stop staring at you before you caught him.

Eddie joined in, coughing loudly to “clear” his throat only stopping when Steve finally snapped his eyes away from you.

“Yeah, you know what’s so funny about dates is that they mark something special and really help solidly the—“ 

You lifted your eyes from Will’s painting just in time as Steve shook it off the stare.

“October 27th 1986 but the series went from October 18th through the 27th if we want to get specific.” 

Holy fuck. Holy shit. Holy Mother Of God.

“I—I gotta go to the bathroom!” Steve spat out speedily, resting his mug on the cramped coffee table and shooting up. 

You creased your brows together, watching him trudge down the hallway, clumsily, “The first door on your right—“ 

“Right! Yep! Got it!” He called out, reaching for the handle and nearly propelling himself through the door and slamming it shut. 

You tilted your head, letting out a grunt before turning your eyes to Robin, “I—Is he okay?”

She nodded with a broad smile, sitting up from the couch and knocking Eddie’s arm with her elbow, “He’s actually the one with a small bladder so…yenno, when nature calls am I right?” 

“He and the toilet are gonna be awhile, a date if you will,” Eddie snorted, making you choke on a laugh before giving them a slow head nod and turning your attention back to Will and Max. 

This was by the far the longest time Steve had ever spent staring at himself in the mirror for something not related to his looks. This time around, he was staring for another reason, trying to find the Steve within him that would actually pull the trigger and ask you out already. It was clear as day that he liked you. He didn’t need anymore confirmation of it, he knew his feelings.

But he also knew you were worth more than this and more than the old Steve. 

The old Steve could easily swoon you with a pickup line and flirty eyes: the King Steve that you had heard about from Robin. But that wasn’t who Steve was anymore and it sure as hell wasn’t the version of himself he wanted to be when he was with you.

He wanted to be better, to show you that you actually did deserve someone with character within them. Even after all this improvement and trying to actually search for a relationship that consisted of love rather than just sex, he didn’t know if he was good enough for you. If you’d even want to go on a date with him. 

He wouldn’t know if he didn’t take a chance. 

But what if all you wanted was to be friends? 

Would that ruin your friendship with Robin? 

Could you possibly imagine yourself ever being friends with her again after her best friend made a pass at you?

He liked you, but he loved Robin and knew this friendship meant a lot to her. The last thing he wanted to do was jeopardize it because of a crush even if Robin was fully in support of it.

Maybe you and him were supposed to be just friends. 

“Steve! Dude, c’mon we gotta go.” Dustin’s voice came from the outside of the door, knocking firmly against the wood. 

He furrowed his brows, unlocking the door and pulling it open, “Go? Go where? We just got here.” 

Dustin sighed, gesturing back to the living room where you were helping the others clean up, “Nance called home and Mrs. Wheeler said that Holly had an allergic reaction. We gotta get home ASAP!” 

“So why can’t Nancy and Mike go home and we stay?” Steve hissed more harshly than intended. 

The boy shook his head in incredulity, crossing his arms over his chest, “Need I remind you we drove here in Eddie’s van? We all need to leave together or else you’re stranded in Roane, but by the sound of it, you wouldn’t mind at all.” 

Dustin wore a knowing sneer while Steve bit down on his tongue, not really wanting to lash out on the kid who was pointing out the very obvious feelings that he did a horrible job at hiding. 

“C’mon lover boy, we got a hive covered six-year-old who needs the hospital and we gotta house sit for a few hours.” Dustin said, finally patting Steve on the arm before turning on his heel and heading back to the living room. 

He followed closely behind, seeing everyone begin the file out the door where you hugged each of them. 

“I hope everything is ok with your sister! Please, just don’t hesitate to call if there’s anything I can do to help!”

You tightly wrapped your arms around Nance, closing your eyes as you rubbed her back affectionately and heard her murmur a “thank you so much,” before pulling away. 

“Bye! Thanks for having us, again!” Dustin saluted with a toothy grin before you giggled and hugged him. 

Steve was the last one left in the doorway with you, keeping his hands to his side not knowing if he should open up to hug you first or not. 

“Oh! Hold on, don’t go anywhere. I gotta give you something!” You pointed your finger at him and jogged through your apartment into your room, coming out a few seconds later with his yellow pullover folded neatly in your hands. 

You held it out to him, wearing a smile on your face. “I washed it and ironed out the wrinkles. Sorry if it smells like honeysuckle, it’s just the detergent I use!” 

His heart ached even more knowing this thing would smell like you until the next time it’d be washed. Only fueling the crush he had and taking every ounce in his body not to jump at the opportunity to tell you how down to earth you were and how much he’d like to take you out on a date if you’d let him. But instead, he could only muster out a few sentences. 

“T-thanks! I won’t mind at all…and thanks for having us over, even if it was only for a little.” He laughed, watching you shake your head. 

“No, it was really fun having your guys over, and umm, I invited everyone to come to my art gallery this weekend, and it would really mean a lot if you could make it, if you’re free.” You said tenderly, rubbing your hand over your opposite arm watching a smile break on his face. 

He nodded, “I’m free this weekend so I’ll definitely be there.” 

“Thanks! Robin has the directions and whatnot.” You spoke, nodding your head as you both stood there for a second totally forgetting that he had to go until Eddie beeped his horn. 

You snapped out of your stance, instantly apologizing, “Shit, sorry! Okay, I’ll see you!’ 

Steve wasn’t at all prepared for your arms to wrap around his neck, hugging him closely, feeling your breath fan again his skin as he hurriedly draped his arms across your back, squeezing you tight, “Y-yeah! See you then…” 

Pulling away from Steve felt difficult just as hard as it would be knowing that you wouldn’t be able to see him for a while. It didn’t help that you and him didn’t get to speak as much as you’d like because you really wanted to get to know him more. To ask him about life in Hawkins and how he liked Roane so far.

It just didn’t help that you felt like you crossed a line after telling Steve that he was “pretty sweet himself.” 

Was that too forward of you? 

Maybe it was too corny? 

Did it throw him off? 

It probably did throw him off. It had to have been that. After you replied with that sad excuse of what was supposed to be a compliment, Steve started acting weird. Strolling off to the kitchen with Robin and Eddie, probably telling them all about how you sucked at flirting. Even excusing himself to the bathroom in a haste when he clearly didn’t have to use it.

For a minute, you thought that you really did blow your chances with him, but it all drifted away when you caught the smile and wave that he threw at you from the passenger seat of Eddie’s van. 

He looked happy, yet sad to be taking off, kinda like how you looked after needing to leave the Harrington house. You just didn’t want to get your hopes up living for something that had a small probable chance of ever coming to life. There was no telling what mood you and Steve would be feeling the next time you saw each other, and you didn’t want to jinx it before it was too late.

You just closed the door, pressing your back against the wood knowing that everything in your system was dying for the moment you and Steve would see each other next.

For now, you’d have to pad across your apartment thinking about him wherever you strayed, wishing he was following close behind like he always was. But he wasn’t.

The only trace he left behind was his scent lingering in the air and the strawberry cup that was yours, but you didn’t mind if it belonged to him now.

Truly, you were screwed, living for the hope of it all.

💌 reblogs, tags, comments, + likes are greatly appreciated 💌

a/n: chapter one is here!!! ive been working on this for a while and was actually supposed to make this series only 3 parts but i love it so much (and tumblr is laggy lately) that i wanted to split them up into more parts and ill also be opening my inbox to blurbs for what im coining "glitch universe" very soon!!! i hope you all love this chapter and stick around for the rest!! a big thanks to effie again for helping me proof-read and hyping me up through all this!!!! happy reading to all!!!!! 🍰🍓🧸

taglist: @translatemunson @kennedy-brooke @manda-panda-monium @tvserie-s-world @givemeth @steveharringtonswife @astolenkiss @loving-and-dreaming @awkotaco24 @engenelxver @elfiaaaa @pbs-theundeadmaggot @johnricharddeacy @gaysludge @scoopshxrrington @micheledawn1975 @ihatepeanutss

[angelsanarchy]

Tangerine Skies: Possum x Y/N Series CH 1

Tagging: @svgarcaine @icarus-star @romanroyapoligist @tempt-ress @madamemaximoff06 @shady-the-simp

Y/n had spent almost 8 months in this shitty ass town. She really thought something less chaotic would help her brain relax after she set out on this road trip but nothing in California is slow paced. Moving further North meant getting used to random gunshots from the weed farmers and the overwhelming smell of delicious Cali Kush that seemed to float in the air like a burn in your nostrils.

Living in the RV had provided her everything she needed. Working at the diner gave her plenty of free food to mooch and money in her pocket for gas. She didn't need anything else in this world.

She also realized there were a lot more travelers doing exactly what she was doing, especially in California. She had offers all the time from the people who blew through this town, young fairly rich kids who wanted to go to the desert or hit all the national parks. She just wanted to go to work, eat some food and smoke a joint before bed. This was the place for that.

She saw the same long hair vagabond every day walking up and down the road in front of the diner. He would get rides every now and then but for some reason, he used the diner or the convenience store parking lot next door as some sort of home base. Whenever he caught her eyes, he would either stare with wide eyes and wave or offer her a goofy smile. He was cute. A little worse for wear living on the road but still very cute.

Today was different however. Today he actually came into the diner to be seated. The host sat him in a booth since his large travel pack took up too much space at the counter. She approached the table as he was using some of the wet wipes on his hands.

"You finally decided to come in and have a meal?" Y/n smiled earning a glazed over look at first.

"My stomach has been talking to me for two days. It's only fair that I give in to the demands." He explained as she handed him a menu.

"Well you're in luck. It's pretty dead today so you will have my undivided attention. My name is Y/n and the only specials we have are for soups today." He gave her a sweet smile.

"Hi Y/n, I'm Possum and I like soup." Y/n chuckled.

"Perfect! Go ahead and look at our list of soups and let me know which you would like to try. You get one for free to take with you when you go." Y/n touched his shoulder briefly and he lazily looked at her hand before back up to her face. She left for a few moments before returning with some water and silverware and Possum was talking to his backpack.

"Did you decide?" She startled him making him shut the lid of his backpack quickly and slamming his knee on the underside of the table.

"Oh God! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Are you okay?" She rush towards the table and he nodded.

"C-can I get the chicken noodle soup with some of those little bitty cracker things?" Possum held his fingers up trying to pantomime the crackers.

"The chicken noodle comes with regular sized crackers but I can bring you some extra oyster crackers if you want." Y/n said kindly.

"Can I also have a potato soup as the second one? I think Opossum would like that one more." Y/n had no idea if he was referring to himself in the third person or if he was traveling with someone else that shared his bizarre name. She gave him a smile and jotted down his extra soup order before leaving the table.

She watched him carefully eat his chicken noodle soup, breaking off pieces of his crackers and placing them inside of his backpack. She made sure to package his to go order and threw in twice the order of crackers to take with him as well as some bacon pieces for the potato soup.

"I see you enjoyed your soup!" Y/n said making sure he saw her approaching this time. He shook his head and pushed the empty bowl towards the center of the table.

"It was very noodly. Just like how my mom makes it. Thank you." He smiled sweetly. Y/n placed a brown bag on the table in front of him and he looked confused, like he had forgotten his second soup entirely.

"I put some extra crackers and bacon bits in the bag to go with your potato soup. The potato soup tastes so much better with some bacon in it." Y/n explained seeing his eyes soften almost like he was about to fall asleep.

"You're an angel. A real ethereal angel. Thank you." Possum started pulling crumpled bills from his pockets and Y/n put her hand up.

"This one is on me. You're my favorite customer today." She explained seeing him look around the diner.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the only customer today." Possum remarked.

"Well it's my custom to give someone really cute a free meal so please, I insist." Possum slid out of the booth and extended his hand as if he wanted to shake her hand. Y/n allowed him to take her hand and he took it into both of his own, giving it a squeeze.

"You've been the best part of Emerald Triangle, Diner Angel." Possum held her hand for just a moment longer before letting go to grab his bags. He walked out of the diner doors clutching his brown bag in his hands and not bothering to look back.

Y/n started clearing the plates and noticed a small piece of paper that he had drawn on with the crayons from the host station. It was a doodle of her with angel wings and alien eyes with a giant red heart in the center of who she assumed was supposed to be him in stickman form.

She made sure to take the drawing with her and keep an eye out for Possum traveling the roads whenever she left.

[xxnomadsxx]

Nomads AU! That what if before timeline I mentioned a while back on a poll! Part 1

The story goes the same in band together (John comes in they get Bruce then get Clay) just without branch being there. There was a lot of worry and concern going on about Branch’s whereabouts, but eh they’ll deal with it later. Anyways they just got Clay and now THEY HAD TO FIND BITTY B!…wherever he might be. So they try and find anyway to locate Branch, but after searching through old memorabilia they do find his old glasses and basically try the same method they did with Clay (look it worked so might as well keep using it) so Rhonda got a faint trail of Branch (almost nonexistent) and after some hustling they end up in some very overgrown woods. They sorta just wander around looking and shouting for Bitty B/Branch. The hunt goes on for a while till…

THEY WERE CAUGHT!!! Rhonda basically got led into a trap with some tasty berries and immediately got caught. Soon the brothers and Poppy plus Tiny left Rhonda to figure out what happened, when all of a sudden…they were surrounded by cloaked figures that circled them. All of them were different shapes and sizes but yet troll sized (weird right?) the gang was startled John and Clay got ready to fight (Clay definitely learned how to fight while living with the putt putt trolls) Bruce was making sure tiny was safe, while Poppy was….scrapbook a friendship card (she doesn’t take danger that serious…but she’ll learn, probably)

Soon the cloaked figures stopped once they realized… those were trolls?! Actual colorful trolls (they don’t see many colorful trolls anymore) soon some of the cloaked figures revealed themselves to the gang and….. they were grey trolls?! (When I tell you Poppy had a mini heart attack in that moment) I mean how could this be, a grey troll? Those are hard to come by, not to mention there were tons! Plus some really weird feral looking things were sorta eyeing the gang (the feral(trolls?) were totally going to eat them) then the grey trolls decided they should bring them to the leader. Yea at this point the gang was to flabbergasted by the fact there were grey trolls here! that they just kinda were too shocked to think right and just followed them. Poppy soon got out of her funk asking a bazillion questions and trying to “cheer” up the trolls (she was kinda insulting them but similar to how she was with 1st movie Branch) all the grey trolls ignored her.

So once they got to there leader’s bunker (yes Branch still has a bunker) they started trying to get him to come out to see the guests they had. But once Branch came out and saw HIS brothers just there standing in front of him he freaked out. At first he was shocked just frozen but once his brothers asked who HE WAS! That was when he freaked out, he screamed and shouted at them how they left him to fend for himself that he was alone and they had the audacity to FORGET HIM!! This was the moment every built up emotion hit the brothers. Standing in front of them was there baby brother, as a disheveled mess, leaves in a natty messed up puffball of a haircut, a face littered with scars and stress lines, not to mention he looked like he was going blind in an eye (they didn’t see much of his body but it would just make them feel worse with how many scars the poor troll had) none of them were even able to handle the fact that their baby brother was…. Grey.

All the brothers were ready to break down they saw this troll who was nothing like the happy baby they left instead a sad grey troll. The brothers were going to be kicked out until John told Branch Floyd was in danger. Floyd may have still abandoned Branch, but Branch didn’t want his brother to die. So he agreed to go then a lot of time gets spent with him struggling to actually leave the village without the tribe with him (he’s very paranoid about what could happen) during this Poppy tries to “cheer” up the grey troll (which gives her a bad impression on branch as she acts very similar to 1st movie poppy) she then tries to throw a huge party to bring up the mood it does not go well (the scene is very similar to world tour with the country trolls) after Branch is ready to leave and officially annoyed by his brothers trying to cheer him up as they try to either have a very sad awkward conversation, or they treat him like a baby similar to how they treat him in the movie but it’s more awkward cause he is a complete stranger to the brothers and veeerrrrryyyy aggressive (he growls and hisses at them)

He struggled actually leaving the village but once he was assured by his brothers it was for Floyd he put his second in in command in charge and left it was sorta similar to the Poppy and Viva scene where she wouldn’t leave but if it worked.

(Poppy was very excited BITTY B was found and was getting on every one of branch’s nerves the brothers were conflicted to say the least)

I’m really sorry I’m making a part 2 because I have a lot to say but the next part will be about the bus ride to mount rageouse and saving Floyd.

[suusoh]

I had this dream so i HAVE to ask - how would johan and anna react to their darling getting severely hurt by someone? Like, maybe it was a hostage situation and their darling were trying to protect someone and they ended up getting shot or smth. I feel like Nina would be more sadder about it as compared to Anna. I also feel like Johan would become more paranoid than he would let on.

I feel like all of them would do the sensible thing and lock you up somewhere safe and sound after you survive that (Nina pretends it's not locking you up but it might as well be lol). Absolutely NO way are they going to risk something like that again happening.

Nina would cry. Hard. Memories of her parent's death that night resurging in her mind, as she tries her best to stop the blood loss with shaky hands. Endless word of assurances and comfort spilling out of her mouth, that it's almost as if she's convincing herself more than you that "everthing will be okay! you're fine, you're fine, you're fine, you'll live—".

Kind of different, but I think Johan would actually be frozen for a while. Having that same wide-eyed, foggy look in his eyes as he did on that night in Rurenheim, when he thought his whole world would finally come to an end. His mind comes at a blank, quiet for once, as he looks at your injured body. (He'll snap out of it after a few seconds, and instantly go to work with skillfully assessing your injury and patching you up, but it's all robotic and blank. Cold. He's shutting down all his emotions right now in favor of stopping your bleeding.) He let's whoever harmed you get away for now, as he knows he can track them down later and deliver an even worse fate.

And Anna, is obviously just seeing red. Nothing but a sharp ringing in her ears as she locks target on whoever or whatever harmed you as she goes absolutely berserk. I honestly think her first priority is eliminating the threat than taking you to safety oops. She won't let you bleed out to death though don't worry lol. It's just that to her, smashing the skull of the person holding the gun into itty bitty bloody bits and pieces would take less than 10 seconds in that moment. Then she'll get back to you. She just needs to release something, feed that monster inside of her, before she can go back and touch her precious darling.

[lordgrimwing]

Marsupial au

[from this ask!]

The basics: everything is the same but the elves are marsupial and have pouches to carry around their babies!

Why would @nighttimepatrons and I make this au? Because it’s cute. Imagine little elflets trying to climb into their parents’ belly pouches to hide. Imagine the process of pouch-weaning an elflet who is really too big to be climbing in anymore. It’s just cute, ok?

Now, let’s talk about some elves and their pouches!

Nerdanel: Very roomy, very comfy. She’s had a lot of kids in there. Solid 8/10 (points deducted because occupants might get banged against rock she’s chiseling for her latest sculpture)

Feanor: Comfy place to curl up for a snooze but it gets a bit hot, and he will kick you out when he goes to the forge. 7/10

Maedhros: Excellent, so roomy, can easily hold two or more elflets at once, he’ll never bump against pointy table corners. 9/10 (some argue it’s too roomy)

Maglor/Celegorm/Caranthir: it’s fine, I guess, but why would you go in there when Maedhros is an option? 5/10 (at least Celegorm has good stories)

Curufin: “Leaving was the right thing to do, but I miss him sometimes. I miss all of them—who they were.” 3/10 (sample size of 1)

Ambarussar: The only things in those pouches are arrows. Unrated.

Glorfindel: A good place to hide for a few minutes or to peek out of during hikes to enjoy the view but he will evict you when he’s busy. 6/10

Erestor: Due to unfortunate childhood experiences, the only thing getting into this half-elf’s pouch is lent and yeast infections. 1/10 (Glorfindel’s trying to help)

Celeborn: He looks like the weak link during pouch-weaning, but it’s a trick. Grandpa will Not let you inside when mom says no more pouch. 7/10

Galadriel: No one’s dared to get in lately, but Celebrian reports that she was quite comfortable. 5/10 (points deducted for intimidation factor)

Celebrian: Cozy, a little tight with twins, very easy to fall asleep. 8/10

Gil-galad: Little Arwen’s claimed it as hers and only hers, so it mut be good. 7/10 (unfortunately she had to be pulled out after he fell at Sauron’s hands, which is very traumatic for an elflet)

Elrond: Much to his children’s confusion, he doesn’t have a pouch. No one in Melian’s line has one.

Marsupial clothing would be designed so that elflets have pouch access, so it isn’t an uncommon sight for little heads to suddenly poke out from between the folds of a robe, or for an elflet to start pulling at their parent’s clothes, trying to find the opening. Pants are a no-go when an elflet’s involved, there’s just no room to stretch.

Pouch hygiene is very important. A healthy pouch is a little moist and it should be regularly cleaned to prevent itchy yeast infections. Lent and dust can also cause irritation. Elrond gives Glorfindel salves to try to get Erestor to use in his crusty pouch so he doesn’t itch himself raw in his sleep.

There are some less fun parts, too, of course. Like the fact that itty bitty elflets might not be noticed if they fall out of the pouch, leaving them abandoned on the ground and too small to be alone for long. Or the way kidnappers can hold out a sack and some elflets will climb right in because it looks like a pouch. But most of this is happy! (outside of Erestor being relentlessly teased by his human playmates and Arwen being traumatized by Gil-galad’s death)

Oh, did I mention that Gil-galad, Elrond, and Celebrian are a threesome yet, because they are.

And kidnap fam totally happens. E+E like Maedhros’ pouch more than Maglor’s.

Ask me about fics that live rent-free in my head!

[whyreyousoobsessedwithme]

Do you think PTJ will make Gun x Crystal a ship? I mean, the fanart on his page might be foreshadowing something plus he likes to throw in ships at the worst times. And since Gun didn't let Charles kill Crystal because he either felt bad or wanted to see how far Charles will go for his goal of becoming a king, he might end up catching feelings for her. I mean it looks like a platonic, sibling-like relationship but we thought the same for Vin and Sujin so.💀

527- 530 Spoilers, thoughts + theories. I know I was supposed to answer this like 3 weeks ago, but I've been busy with work and other things.

Personally, I hope not. What those two need rn is therapy and healing. But yeah, I could see ptj making Gun fall for Crystal. It'll be onsided for sure, though. It's kind of obvious he plans to put Daniel and Crystal together. Hopefully, they maintain a platonic relationship, I really think it would benefit both Gun and Crystal since they're both lonely children suffering due to their family's actions.

527

How the hell did Gun end up on the beach like that without anyone else noticing him?

It is genuinely pissing me off how normal and kind Gap is acting despite being a serial cheater. "A place without honor," he says, like he doesn't cheat on his wife every Tuesday.

I have a lot of questions about how Gun got into prison. Did Gap pull some strings? Did he steal something in order to be put there because he had a white collar, but that would mean that the court was invovlved too and since Gun is a Japanese citizen wouldn't they try to contact his family? OMG, I hope they didn't make him spread the cheeks for inspection. He's too young.😟

Pls, I was joking when I said he probably went to prison to train

I NEED to know how Charles ended up as a prison volunteer. Also, how did Gun recognize him? Did he also come in contact with Charles in the past?

I need to know exactly just what Charles' plan was that he was willing to beg Gun and kill his own child. This old hairstyle of his also confirms that he was the one who hit crystal in the past, and after reading this chapter, it was most likely because she was ruining his plan by being too weak and emotional.

Gun hit a growth spurt in prison, yet somehow his clothes still fit him?

I don't think Goo stabbed his master on purpose, and even if he did, he probably had a good relationship with his master. Also, cut down goblins, really? (I'm being picky i know)

528

I personally think Goo, at least in the past, is stronger than gun.

I think the reason Gun yaps so much during fighting is because he's having fun.

Not Goo being Gun's sexual awakening

It always baffles me how these guys fight literally anywhere, and NO-ONE ever walks in on it. Like people visit the park ALL the time.

Shintaro already looks like he's not taking it well. The guilt is settling in. He looks worn out by everything.

529-530

It's shocking and low-key annoying to know the main reason Gun ruined so many lives is because he wanted to see a hypothetical situation play out to heal his daddy issues.

No way these grown ass men's first thought at seeing Gun again was "goblin"

Momma Park coming thru at the end, I told yall she cared for him in her own way.

Ptj, please stop making their bitties bigger than their head, its scaring me😭

Somi and Shingen both grew up in an environment where they experienced little to no familial love. It makes sense that she didn't realize it was her maternal instincts kicking in. One thing I didn't like, though , was how ptj made someone as strong as Shingen SULK over a defeat for 10+ years. Like, I know it was probably because of his decided fate, which led to him prioritizing fighting and meeting someone who can basically outdo him in the one thing he's supposed succeed at is shocking, but there could've been more depth. Like all that because he lost?!

Seeing Somi laying there bleeding out makes me realize how young she is. There was definitely a massive age gap in her marriage. She looks close to my age tbh, thinking about it now, she was mostly likely groomed into becoming a tool for her family to use for their sake.

Shintaro, girl, fuck you. Tf you mean "send you behind her", go follow your son instead.

Ptj, enough with the naked men😭

King of Busan looks like Taesoo 2.0. Let's just hope he didin't take after Gap in cheating, too.

I wonder if Gun came across Jinrang in prison?

[randomfanficsig]

“I was 15”

Spencer Reid x fem!reader

Summary: You were interrogating your unsub who raped and murdered 7 teenage girls, until it gets to personal for you and Reid has to physically pull you out the room. The team soon learns a lot about your past.

Tw: mentione of rape, sexual abuse from parent. Mentions of murder. Teenagers.

—— ——

“They were 15 years old!” You shouted at the criminal sat in-front of you, trying your absolute best to hold back tears.

He simply just stared at you with a sadistic smile. It wasn’t hard to figure out what he was thinking and that truly made you sick to your stomach.

“15.They were 15. And you degraded them and took away all their innocence and control” you began shouting again, tears streaming down your face.

Reid, Morgan and Hotchner all sat behind the glass, questioning looks on their faces. Why was this so personal to you?

Once again, the unsub stayed quiet, same nasty smile on his face. Now was the time to try and hit a nerve.

You walk round behind him. “Was it because you couldn’t get laid when you were younger or because you were so weird to the other kids? Or maybe it was the fact you could never get it up?”

His face dropped, anger taking over.

“Did I hit a nerve there? Did I hurt your itty bitty feelings?” You mimick with a teasy babyish tone.

He stares at you, the smile back on his face. “And if you were 15, I would do the exact same to you, listening to how you’d beg for me to stop, how tears would run down your face just like theirs did. God they felt so good” his laugh makes you feel sick, bringing bile to your throat. “Maybe I’d even slit your throat just like I did theirs” he finishes.

Anger quickly took over, causing you to smash his head directly into the metal table, and wave of satisfaction hitting you as you listen to his nose crack under the pressure.

“THEY WERE 15 YEARS OLD. 15! YOU TOOK THERE LIVES FROM THEM. THEY HAD DREAMS,ASPIRATIONS AND YOU CRUSHED THEM UNDER YOUR FEET LIKE A CIGARETTE. I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL!” You screamed at him, tears uncontrollably streaming down your face.

You didn’t even notice Reid and Morgan come into the room, until a pair of skinny arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you out the room.

“THEY WERE 15! I WAS 15!” You cried to Spencer, bashing your fists into his chest. He quickly grabs your wrists stopping your outburst of anger .

Next thing you know, his arms are wrapped around you, one holding your head into his chest the other around your biceps, holding you in place while you broke down in his arms. He just holds you, comforting you.

Derek walks out the interrogation room, heading to Penelope.

————

“Hey baby cakes” Derek starts, walking into Penelope’s office. “I need you to do a favour for me”

“Of course hot thing, what is it?” She quickly replies, playing into Dereks flirty behaviour.

“I need you to look into y/n’s past for me”

Garcia quickly looks up at him. “What happened to not profiling or not digging into each others pasts”

“I know baby, but this is really important”

With hesitation, she turns to her computers, typing magic into the keyboard. Not long after, a gasp leaves her mouth.

“Y/n y/l/n, raped at 15 by her father. Sexually abused from the moment she hit puberty. Sent into the system after her father died of ‘unknown reasons’. Mother died during child birth, meaning she was never around.” Garcia repeats from the screen. “Not my y/n, I love that girl” she finished looking back at Derek.

He leaves the room as quickly as he came in, this time anger filling his veins.

“Hotch, i need a word” he demands, walking into Aaron’s office.

Aaron looks back at him knowingly. “I already know, Garcia just sent over the report”

They both walk out, heading over to west Spencer and you stand. Derek joining in on the hug, not long followed by Aaron, which is a surprise as he doesn’t hug.

Penelope soon joins. “We love you y/n you know that right?”

You look up at them all. “You know don’t you?” You question, tears staring up again.

Your questioned was answered by the sympathetic looks starring at you.

“It started after I got my first period; the touches, the groping, the walking in on me while i showered. It only got worse as I developed more. He constantly made me try on bras to ‘make sure they fit correctly’ while he watched. My own father” you began explaining. “And not long after my 15th birthday, his best-friend, someone i considered my uncle, took me out for a ‘late birthday day dinner’ but ended up raping me in his car in an empty parking lot.” You continued explaining. “When I was 17 my dad and his best-friend killed them selves, but it was ruled out as unknown circumstances” you finally finished, the tears much more heavier this time.

Everyone hugged you again.

“I love you all, I really do” you stated one last time.

They all simultaneously tightened the hug; and that’s when you knew you found the family you always wanted.

————

[ellie-24]

USS Randall Ramblers Part 4

Okay so, I don't even know if anyone is still interested in this series. Anyway, here we go lol. Just let me know if you don't want to be tagged!

Also, I used the writing prompt: Why are you doing this?

Thank you to @missmaywemeetagain @be-my-ally @vintageshanny @thatbanditqueen @from-memphis-with-love @powerofelvis @peskybedtime @shakerattlescroll Talking to you guys is the best part of my day and really keeps me going.

Another special thanks to @whositmcwhatsit who not only made this thing way more enjoyable to read by fixing everything wrong with it but also encouraged me to actually post it.

Word count: 5.7 k

Warnings: tiny bit of smut at the end so 18+

Previous part. Next part

Bad Nauheim, December 21st 1958

Mary carefully inspected the delicate silver bracelet dangling from her wrist and tried to look as busy as possible while she leaned against the piano in the lounge. With one look towards the chandelier above her she was instantly reminded of her first visit a few weeks ago.

To her, it felt like an eternity ago, but also like was yesterday. Everything looked the same at Hotel Grunewald, except that it was a lot more crowded than the last time she was here. Her fingers kept tapping against the cold glass of Prosecco in her hand as she carefully observed the people around her.

As well as fretting about being completely overdressed, she also felt awfully out of place, not really knowing anyone in the room. Elvis and the rest of the 23rd Armoured Division had returned from maneuvers in Grafenwöhr, and were now back at the base in Friedberg. To celebrate, he had invited some of his friends and fans to Hotel Grunewald for a ‘small party’.

Mary raised a sceptical eyebrow after looking around, this isn't really what she'd consider a small party. She briefly wondered if Elvis might get in trouble with Herr Otto Schmidt for this, especially when she heard someone dropping a glass in the next room. She cringed at the thought of him getting into trouble, but she knew it was inevitable.

As sweet as caring as Elvis could be, she knew he could be reckless as well. She smiled as she took a small sip from her prosecco and thought back to earlier in the day when she saw her life flash before her eyes multiple times. But even then, deep down, she felt like nothing could happen to her as long as she was with him.

Elvis had called her two days ago, informing her that he'd be in Frankfurt because he wanted to buy a new car from a local dealership. He promised to pick her up himself at her family’s apartment in Frankfurt. Not only did he want to show off his purchase, but he also wanted to properly introduce himself to her father. Although they played together aboard the USS Randall and had a few phone calls, Elvis wanted to do it right, ‘handshake and all’, as he said.

When Mary greeted him at her door he wasted no time picking her up and hugging her tightly.

"Oh Mary Cherry, I've missed ya so much! Been countin' the days until I could see your sweet face again."

She giggled when he set her down again and quickly kissed his cheek before inviting him inside.

"I've missed you too."

He seemed a bit agitated as she lead him down the corridor, his eyes darting around anxiously. Before they could reach the living room where her parents and her brother were waiting, they passed an old wooden shelf displaying some family portraits. Elvis halted in his tracks and pointed to a picture from her on her 10th birthday.

"Is that itty bitty Cherry?" He smiled fondly as he picked up the portrait, his fingers trailing over the cool glass.

"Oh god. Yes." Mary cringed with a small smile, hoping he'd set the awkward photo aside and forget he's ever seen it.

His grin widened and he faced her. "Ya look so cute. Gotta get me a copy of this, I wanna have it." He said, pointing his finger at it.

"Really?"

He hummed and gently placed it back on the shelf, before throwing an arm around her shoulder and pulling her close to bury his face into her hair. She leaned into him for a moment and he took a deep breath, prompting her to squeeze his arm comfortingly before pulling him along into the living room.

Greeting her family was, thankfully, less awkward than she initially expected and Elvis quickly managed to strike up a conversation with her father. Mary and her mother watched as the two men reminisced about their time as a band abroad the USS Randall, with Elvis putting on his southern charm, polite and charming as ever, despite being visibly nervous. He even expressed interest in the tattered, used guitar her father had bought and which sat in the corner of the living room, earning him an approving nod.

Mary and her mother kept exchanging glances every now and then, glad to see the two of them getting along so well. Eventually her father agreed to let her stay with Elvis in Bad Nauheim over the weekend. On the condition that she had her own room of course. Elvis promised once again to take good care of her.

When they stepped outside, she let out a sigh of relief, before realising it was pouring rain. Elvis quickly grabbed her, the feeling of his leather gloves against her skin making her feel funny, and dragged her along with him. They almost ran towards his car, a white BMW Isetta parked on the other side of the street. He swiftly opened the car door for her and ushered her inside before getting in himself. For a few seconds they just sat there, wet and out of breath, before bursting out laughing.

The windows fogged up slightly from their damp hair and clothes, as he quickly started the engine. He raced through the streets, way faster than the speed limit allowed and running multiple red lights on his way. Mary desperately clutched her seatbelt and braced herself when he floored the gas pedal right before a very sharp corner. He just chuckled when her body slammed hard against his.

"Elvis, we're not trying to win a race!" She gasped and let out a nervous laugh while rubbing her shoulder that bumped against his.

He threw an arm around her and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Baby, I shouldn't tell ya how I had to drive to your place to shake off all these damn reporters. Also, it's a former racing car, this is fun!"

"It's certainly exciting." She agreed with raised eyebrows. "And scary."

He slightly tilted his head. "Are ya really criticizing my driving?"

She snorted. "I'm sure it gets you to where you need to be in time."

His hand found its way onto her thigh, squeezing and rubbing her soothingly. "Ya don't gotta worry. I'm in the Army, operating tanks and whatnot, baby, I know what I'm doing."

"I'm not sure they're teaching you this in the Army." She argued and pointedly gestured towards the steering wheel which he turned rapidly from left to right at the moment, making them drive a zigzag course.

He sharply turned it around one more time, her body pressing into his again. With a hum he looked at her, smirking. "That's right you're not sure. Just let me do the thinking, Cherry."

"That might get us killed." She almost shrieked when he almost drove into oncoming traffic, angry car horns blaring around them.

"These people here have no sense of humour, I'll tell ya. Making a big thing outta nothing. You know, earlier when I went to pick up the car the owner called the police because of some fans trying to get close to me."

"I think he was probably just concerned about your safety."

He squeezed her thigh. “The fans, they mean no harm. They just get real excited and all that. They're happy to see me a-and I'm happy to see them."

Mary smiled understandingly and gave his hand a little squeeze. He seemed to be lost in his own head again, thinking about the fans. The car slowed down and they settled into a comfortable silence, his hand continuing to stroke her leg. She felt a smile tugging at her lips when she noticed him staring at her, seemingly only occasionally facing the road ahead.

"Aren't you supposed to be looking at the street?"

"Honey, after being in the woods for days for maneuvers I got my eyes everywhere, believe me."

She snorted again. "Alright, but if you crash your brand new car, don't say I didn't tell you."

He chose to ignore her comment. "How do you like it?"

"The car? Oh it's very nice. I... uh, guess it has everything a car needs."

He gave her a look.

Mary laughed apologetically and held up her hands. "Sorry, I have no idea about cars. But it looks really nice."  She gave the elegant black and white interior a once over before nodding approvingly.

He chuckled and squeezed her leg again.

"So ya like the colour? The car dealer said I might have to paint it red with all the fans trying to kiss it."

"That might save you a lot of time."

Later when they arrived at the hotel, Elvis almost immediately dragged her up to his room, barely giving her time to greet the hotelier or get properly settled into her room.

After arriving at room number 10, he quickly sat down in front of the mirror next to the bed and removed the hat he'd been wearing all day. With a wink towards her through the mirror, he began combing his hair.

Mary could have watched him all day, but opted to give him some privacy and opened the door to his balcony. She stepped outside and took a deep breath, enjoying the nice view over the park across from them.

The sky had cleared up and the stars were already shining brightly as the nearly full moon cast a bluish hue over the hotel. After a while she went back inside, shivering and rubbing her arms, and she saw that he'd moved to sit on the bed. She caught him dry swallowing some pills and sat down next to him on the bed, placing her hand on his forehead.

"Are you sick?" she asked with a frown.

He chuckled and caught her hand in his own. After a quick kiss to her wrist, he shook his head.

"Nah, don't worry." He placed the pills back onto his nightstand. "They just give you more energy. Makes you think faster and better, and you can stay awake way longer. We took 'em all the time in Bavaria."

Mary's sceptic gaze went back and forth between his face and the orange pill bottle in his hand.

"So... you got these from a doctor or something?"

"A Sergeant gave me these, honey," he offered, as if this would justify just about anything.

Mary sat back a little. "But... you're not on maneuvers anymore. Why do you still take them?"

He sighed and looked at her pleadingly. "Honey, do I really have to explain myself to you now?"

Mary remembered how he'd told her about his trouble sleeping ever since his mother's death and being shipped over. How he'd lie in bed at night, pondering and worrying about a future that he felt didn't offer much to him anymore. He had told her many times already just how tired he felt. She bit her lip, feeling slightly guilty and shook her head.

Apparently he again knew what she was thinking and put a comforting arm around her neck. With a tenderness that threw her off guard each time, he pressed a few soft kisses against her cheek, his lips lingering on her skin. "Now, that's way better, baby. Just trust me with this, yeah?"

"Are you alright, Mary?" A familiar voice asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Rex! I didn't know you were here!" She laughed and put a hand over her heart.

"Sorry, I didn't want to scare you."

"Don't worry, I was just... thinking." Mary gestured around aimlessly and shrugged, a reserved smile on her face.

Rex nodded and took a swig of beer.

"How are you? Are you here... with Elisabeth?" Mary asked, trying to sound nonchalant as she ran her thumb along her glass, drawing little circles along the condensed surface. She didn't want to admit it, but the possibility of the German girl also being at the party bothered her immensely.

"Uh, no, she had some important family stuff going on. She's talked about you a lot, she really liked meeting you," Rex offered.

Mary nodded with a small smile and took another big sip from her glass. His answer didn't really calm her nerves. Did that mean Elvis originally invited her and wanted her to come as well? It's just that she had no time?

Mary quickly chided herself for thinking about it so much. She didn't want to play the role of the jealous, paranoid girlfriend. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she took this relationship way more serious than he did.

Over the past few weeks he'd reassured her over and over again that she was his best girl, though she still wasn't entirely sure what exactly that meant in Elvis' world. She desperately wanted to find a way to trust him and make this relationship work. But she wasn't entirely naive, either.

Rex noticed her being deep in thought again and moved on with a small nod and a shirt brush against her arm. This brought Mary’s thoughts back into the room and she straightened her shoulder, trying to get it together. She wasn't usually like this and it annoyed her.

Suddenly her vision went black as someone put their hands over her eyes from behind. For a moment she was startled, but she didn't have to think long to guess who it was. She let out a laugh, breathing in his familiar smell.

"Oh, who could it be?" she said jokingly and put a finger against her chin, her worries from a minute ago instantly forgotten. The effect his mere presence had on her was something she couldn't fathom.

"Why don't ya take a guess, sweet thing?" he asked in a funny, high-pitched voice that didn't even sound like his own, making her laugh.

He hung one arm around her neck while the other wrapped itself around her waist. His voice right next to her ear made her shiver.

"Mary Cherry, I haven't even told you how beautiful you look tonight. All dolled up," he whispered low and pressed his cheek against hers.

Mary bit her lip and grinned widely, unable to form any words. She instead put her hand on his arm splayed right above her chest and gently ran her thumb over it.

"You're perfect. Perfect, pretty baby... And you're wearing the bracelet that I gave you," he murmured and lifted up her wrist and carefully turned it back and forth to watch how it reflected the warm light from the chandelier above them, shining and shimmering with each soft movement.

"I wear it every day." Mary admitted with a bashful smile.

He grinned against her cheek. "Good."

When she raised her glass to her lips, Elvis quickly drew away and stood in front of her. He unceremoniously snatched the drink away from her hand, leaving her a bit dumbfounded.

"Nuh-uh that ain't nothing for you, honey."

She tried to get back her glass. "Elvis, everyone's drinking."

He held the glass above his head, out of her reach. "Not you."

Mary put her hands on her hips sighed. "Why not?"

"Because I say so, honey. Ain't good for a little girl like you to be drinking and all that."

She frowned. "It's just one glass."

"Cherryyyyy." He tilted his head, looking at her imploringly.

"But-"

He placed the glass on a nearby table and shook his head. "No, I'm not gonna discuss this now."

She huffed in frustration and he raised a challenging eyebrow at her. It almost tempted her to speak up again, but she didn't want to ruin the mood. It was his party after all.

"...Alright, Elvis."

His lip curled and he gently rubbed her arm. "Thank you, baby." He smiled and started playing with the bracelet on her wrist again.

Absentmindedly his gaze trailed over her arm until he was looking over her shoulder. His expression shifted somewhat as he stared at something behind her. When she turned around she saw Vernon talking to a young, blonde woman. With a subconscious squeeze to his hand she turned back to him. For a second his eyebrows twitched but he quickly regained himself and gave her a reassuring half smile.

"I'll be right back, Cherry." He spoke in a low voice and his thumb brushed against her chin before he walked past her.

Mary quickly looked back at Vernon and frowned a bit when she saw Elvis disappearing towards the staircase. She wondered about the woman his father was talking to and why it apparently bothered Elvis so much. It wasn't her place to speculate on those things though, so she sighed and made her way towards the dining room with raised eyebrows.

For almost half an hour Mary aimlessly wandered around and, despite a few unsuccessful attempts at mingling, her mind was pretty much preoccupied with the sudden disappearance of the party’s host.  

She eventually decided to sit down next to Elvis' dog, Cherry, who much like his owner wasn’t too concerned about rules and laid down comfortably on the green couch in front of the window, much to the disdain of Herrn Schmidt. She absentmindedly stroked his soft fur, contemplating her next move.

With a sigh, she got up again, smoothed down her skirt, and made her way through the crowd, growing more and more anxious about Elvis' absence.

After climbing two flights of familiar creaky stairs, she turned towards the first door on the right and carefully knocked against the white wooden door.

"Elvis? It's me."

After a faint ‘Come in’ from the other side of the door, she slowly stepped inside.

"Hey, you," she whispered hesitantly, not really sure what to expect.

He sighed and opened up his arms. "Come here."

With slow steps across the creaky floorboards she laid down next to him with him encircling her with his arms in an instant.

"How do you like the party, honey?" he mumbled, his lips close to her ear.

Mary looked at him, a small gleam in her eyes.

"Apart from the fact that I'm sober?" she joked, trying to cheer him up a little. It didn't quite go as she planned.

He huffed a laugh, a weird mix of mirth and frustration in response. "Why are you doing this?"

"What?"

He gestured towards her, as if he wasn't sure what to say. "Being like this. When everything I do is to take care of ya."

Mary leaned over to peck his lips, trying to appease him. His pout slowly turned into a bashful smile. She could tell that he was trying to fight it, trying to keep that pouty expression on his face to make her feel guilty.

"Sorry, I'm just joking, E. I am enjoying the party... even if I don't really know most of the people." She shrugged and gave him a pointed look. "Are you enjoying it? Why are you here all by yourself?"

"I'm not."

"You know what I mean." She smiled.

"I-I uh, had to get away for a bit. Uh... I just wanted to spend some time with my best girl."

She paused. "You knew I'd come?"

"Well, I-I hoped so."

Mary shook her head in a good-natured way. "You're so sweet, really."

"Ain't that just every man's dream? Being called sweet," he huffed while fiddling with the ring on his pinky finger, his face scrunched up.

She suppressed a snort and placed her hand on his cheek with a smile. "And silly as well."

"Silly?"

She hummed and reached up to brush some hair out of his face. His lips twitched for a second, a mischievous look in his eyes as he unexpectedly grabbed a pillow and smacked it right into her face.

It took Mary a second to process what happened. She looked at him in shock and disbelief and he couldn't help but snort at her funny expression. His mood swings were a mystery to her. His dark broodiness mixed with the sudden light playfulness always made her stop for a second, trying to figure out how to react. This was no doubt his way of telling her that he didn't actually want a serious talk now. A weird way to show it, but she found it charming nonetheless.

So, she picked up the same pillow and threw it right back at him. Now it was her turn to giggle at his surprised face. His open mouth quickly turned into a wide grin and he picked up the pillow again, but she managed to dodge his attack, hurriedly getting up from the bed.

"No point in running from me, Cherry," he warned as he slowly got up from the bed as well and started chasing her around the room.

After a few minutes of back and forth between them, pillows flying around and his hiccupping laughter filling the room, Mary started to get exhausted. Right when she attempted to leap over the bed to escape another attack, he managed to get a hold on her ankle and pulled her back with a force she hadn't quite expected. She let out a surprised squeal as she was dragged across the bed and turned around to face him. But he was, once again, quicker, moving his body closer to her and catching her hands in his bigger ones.

He sat on top of her, pressing her into the mattress and holding down her hands on either side of her head. It knocked the wind out of her for a second and she looked up to him to find him breathing just as heavily.

"Got ya," he whispered, his eyes dark and half lidded.

Mary's breath hitched in excitement, his weight above her both comforting and arousing at the same time. She didn't even think about moving away from him again, afraid that if she'd move but one muscle, he'd roll off her again.

Her throat felt very dry and she licked her lips as she looked up at him with wide eyes. His face hovered inches above hers, his hair falling over his forehead which was covered in a faint layer of sweat. He raised one eyebrow, making her breathing pick up once again, despite the fact that she already sounded like she just ran a marathon.

"You're not scared of me are ya, honey?"

Mary shook her head and swallowed hard. "I'm not." Her answer came out as a raspy whisper, prompting her to clear her throat.

"I'm not," she repeated, louder this time, while staring into his eyes.

He looked her up and down for a second before releasing her hands. His fingers slowly began grazing over her arms and his eyes held hers with an intensity she hadn't seen before. She felt the anticipation building in her lower belly and her legs twitched under his weight.

"Good, cause ya ain't got no reason to, okay?" he insisted, his eyebrow still raised. "You trust me?"

"I do," she whispered shakily and slipped her hands under his sweater, making him shiver when he felt her touch on his hot skin.

He briefly ducked his head with a small smile, his heated gaze drifting downward involuntarily. His weight shifted on her when he leaned forward slightly and Mary felt her chest rising and falling rapidly at the sensation. No matter how hard she tried to slow down her breathing, it only seemed to get worse when his slow touches halted, right at the buttons of her blouse.

For a few seconds neither one dared to move, a fleeting moment of clarity within the carefree playfulness, a silent question whether or not they should continue. His fingers hovered over her breasts and Mary impulsively dragged her hands from under his shirt and put them on his hips, attempting to pull him closer to her. He blinked in surprise before shifting on top of her with a small smile. There was a tension in the room that seemed almost unbearable when he circled his fingers over the buttons, puffing up his cheeks and shaking his head.

He, painfully slowly, started undoing them, brows furrowed, his eyes completely focused on the task at hand. She gently stroked his legs when she saw him fiddling with one button in particular, his fingers trembling just the slightest bit. When she looked up to him again, his cheeks were tinged with a soft pink.

She had to stifle a small giggle and her eyes widened, not quite expecting his sudden shyness. To her he always seemed so sure of himself, believing that he was right about everything and in full control. But right now it was different. Mary would be lying if she said that she didn't enjoy seeing him like this, it felt so very genuine and real.

He caught her bewildered expression and leaned down to nuzzle his nose against her cheek.

"Ya don't gotta be nervous," he whispered and sat up again after a quick kiss to her neck. She felt a smile tugging at her lips at his attempt to manipulate the situation to his favour.

"I'm not nervous, E."

He nodded slowly, his eyes surveying her. "Mhm, okay, but why are you blushing like that?" He smiled and traced a finger over her burning cheek.

Mary turned her head away from his touch and giggled. "I could ask you the same thing," she whispered into his ear after wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close to her, unable to resist the chance to tease him a bit.

"I'm not blushing," he muttered against her shoulder.

She let out a loud laugh. "Yes, you are!"

He shook his head. "You're seeing things, sweetheart. Got a very, uh, vivid imagination," he drawled and playfully tapped his finger against her temple.

"Mhm, sure," she giggled and slowly undid the rest of the buttons as he was too busy brushing his lips against her neck.

Elvis’ hot breath tickled her sensitive skin and she sat up, the blouse making her feel constricted and too hot all of the sudden. He quickly understood and helped her move the fabric off her shoulders. His warm hands on her bare skin made her shudder, despite feeling like her body was on fire, briefly making her question her own senses. Mary watched as he hastily tossed the garment aside and returned his heated gaze to her body.

Nearly trembling with anticipation, she waited for him to touch her, but when he only stared for what seemed to be an eternity, she decided to take matters into her own hand and quickly shimmied out of her skirt as well.

He swallowed hard and whispered a small ‘Damn’  when he saw her bare thighs. Just as she went to reach behind to unclasp her bra, his hand shot out to hold onto her wrist.

"Don't," he argued. "Please, leave 'em on. Looks so pretty." His eyes wandered over her form.

Mary was momentarily transfixed by the very unexpectedly gentle and loving look in his eyes. The way his long eyelashes fluttered as he took in her body, careful and appreciative at the same time. It made her skin tingle and her hands twitch, she wanted nothing more than to run her fingers over his face and feel those soft cheek and lips. He had never been more beautiful than in this moment.

"Such a sweet girl," he said in a low voice, his eyes finding hers again.

Mary felt a lump in her throat at his words. The way he could make her feel a million things at once with only a few soft glances and that velvety voice was confusing and enticing at the same time.

Utterly unable to react any differently, she leaned forward and crushed her lips against his, gripping his sweater tightly in her fists. The wet noises from their open mouthed, hectic kisses nearly turned her into a puddle and she felt grateful for his tight grip on her, securing her and drawing her even further in.

Kissing him was addictive and Mary frantically tried to get as much as possible by pressing herself even closer against him, tongues touching and breaths mingling. In what she could only describe as a gentle chiding he very subtly shook his head and nearly halted his movements, urging her to slow down a bit.

"Easy, honey," he mumbled against her mouth.

She huffed and responded by attempting to pull off his sweater, letting him know what she thought about taking it slow. He just grinned and pinched her hips, before letting his hand roam over her butt, gently squeezing the soft flesh. His soft kisses made her crave him so much more and she still impatiently tugged at his sweater.

When he finally took mercy on her and pulled the fabric over his head, messing up his hair a bit in the process, she wasted no time and rubbed her hands over his bare skin. The urge to touch him and be as close to him as possible  was impossible to suppress and Mary enjoyed watching the little expressions on his face when she'd brush his nipple or trail dangerously low along his lower belly. He certainly felt and looked leaner since returning from maneuvers, his chest a bit more toned, his jaw a tad bit sharper. His lips however were as plush and soft as ever when she started nibbling on them again.

"Somebody's very eager, huh? Don't worry, sweetheart, don't ya worry your pretty little head. I'll take care of ya good. Mhm."

He lifted her up from his lap and guided her to lay on her back before crawling on top of her, his eyes twinkling.

As if in a trance, Mary's hand found its way to his lips, tracing and outlining them. He opened his mouth and gently bit down with a playful growl, making her chuckle. She watched him in awe when he continued sucking and nibbling on her fingers.

"I could bite these widdle fingers all day," he laughed as his hand grazed over her lower belly, sending shocks throughout her entire body.

He bit his lip as he toyed with the waistband of her panties before looking at her. Mary nodded reassuringly and he smiled before slipping his hand inside. The second he touched her, her hips involuntarily bucked up against his touch. His smile widened and he easily spread her lips apart, fingers gliding over the sensitive bundle of nerves and Mary let out a small cry of pleasure. She felt like she was floating, all rational thoughts completely abandoning her with each skilled flick of his fingers.

A poking sensation on her thigh, which she quickly realised was his body reacting to her, made her throw her head back into the pillow almost desperately. He continued nudging her, probing at her entrance, before easily slipping inside. Mary thought she was seeing stars as his long fingers quickly found a steady rhythm. He carefully watched her expression, wanting to catch every twitch, every tremble.

"You're so beautiful, Cherry," he whispered as he stroked her cheek and leaned in, kissing her deeply and slowly. He thrust his hard length up against her thigh over and over again while groaning into her mouth.

Her eyes fluttered shut and she bucked up her hips again, the throbbing in her core becoming almost too much for her. His thumb then pressed down on her clit, pushing her closer and closer until she felt the coil in her lower belly snap, the intense pleasure overwhelming her in an instant. She didn't even fully realise when his hips stuttered against her and he collapsed onto the bed.

After a while, she noticed the lack of warmth from his body above hers and turned her head slightly to look at him, his tired but content face pressed into the pillow.

For a minute they just basked in the moment, both panting and trying to calm their rapidly beating hearts. With a strength she didn't think he could muster at the moment he almost clumsily pulled her onto his chest and gently cradled her head.

"Was that good, honey? You liked it?" he whispered quietly.

Mary nodded lazily and raised her head to look at him. "Very much...  You really know how to make a girl feel good."

He just grinned and licked his swollen, red lips, looking proud. With a soft chuckle, she began to play with his now damp hair and he quickly leaned into her touch while closing his eyes. She thought it was so cute that he was so concerned with whether she enjoyed it or not and couldn't help but lean in to press another soft kiss to his lips.

"I guess we won't go back to the party?" she asked, smiling against his mouth.

His grin widened and he shook his head. "Not a chance," he whispered and settled further into the mattress with a contented sigh.

Mary quickly followed suit and buried her face into his neck, his skin still a bit clammy. It was like the world stood still for a moment, the faint voices from downstairs echoing through the corridors fading away.

She shifted hesitantly, torn between doing what was right and what she wanted to do. And there was nothing she wanted more than to lay in his arms right now. She knew it actually shouldn't matter after what they had just done.

Thankfully, Elvis quickly decided for her. He tightened his grip on her and moved to lay half on top of her, effectively pinning her down again.

"Nuh-uh, you're staying right here, Cherry. Riiiiight hereeee," he cooed, his voice muffled.

Mary looked up at the ceiling before grinning widely at his insistence that she'd stay. She wrapped her arms around him in response and closed her eyes. To her it felt so right to lay in his arms, a sense of belonging filling her entire being like never before.

"I love you," he mumbled, his face buried in her hair.

She felt like her heart was about to beat out of her chest. "... I love you too."

..................................................................................

Tagging: @lookingforrainbows @godlypresley @18lkpeters @richardslady121 @c-rosenn @karel-in-wonderland @kingdomforapony

[cairavende]

Worm Arc 15 thoughts without interludes (interludes need their own post):

EVERYTHING IS FIIIIIIIINE

My daughters boss didn't actually try to assassinate her, her just planned to do it and then did it in one reality but kept the reality where he didn't! So it's ok! I'm fine. Not worried at all that Coil knows Skitter was planning on double crossing him and that he found a way to screw with Tattletales powers.

It's fiiiine (eye twitches)

I want to say I'm glad she got her full team on board, but given that there is a chance someone on her team ratted on her it might not be good.

Skitter goes a little bit far at the end with Triumph. Just a tiny itty bitty bit far. Child you almost KILLED HIM! And then you let him sit there dying when the threat isn't that he'll die now, but that you will come back if needed (mayor ain't going to say what you want him to say if you kill his son, the point is if he doesn't say it you'll come back)! I'm worried about you.

Brian I understand why you like my daughter and she seems to like you and I'm glad having someone you feel safe with is helping you process your very valid trauma (important note, you could have done the same with your sister, she was trying to help you but you wouldn't open up to her, you should open up to her). But please don't get in the way of her relationships with her girlfriends. Just understand in terms of long term stuff Chatterbug and Wolfspider 100% trump . . . Darkbug? Fuck what are you guys called?

(I've been informed Shadeswarm, Nightcrawler, Night Biter, Creepy Crawlies, or Carapace. I think Creepy Crawlies might be my preference among that.)

MOAR DOLL LESBIAN CONTENT!!!!!

Parian is one of my absolute favorite characters! Flechette is pretty cool as well. Being a hero hurts her. Stabbing my daughter also didn't build good marks with me, but I understand why she did it. Cause GAAAAAAAAAAAY. I have a hard time being too mad at a lesbian stabbing someone to protect her girlfriend.

I'm glad Parian isn't joining Coil full hog at least, she's too pure to be a villain (or a "hero"). I kinda wish she could just move to New York and be a fashion designer and live her best life, but I do enjoy the idea of getting to see her more.

And to be honest, I don't think anyone on Earth Bet is really going to be living their best life in the long run. Sorry guys.

The fucking shutdown the team gives to the Nazis is AMAZING! Like ya no Hookwolf or Purity this time, that obviously would have made it harder. But still, comparing the previous fight to this just really shows how much the team has increased in power. They didn't even bring Grue.

Skitter and Tattletale being able to work together to find all the people in a few block radius and figure out which groups are Nazis, all while just standing in the middle of the street, is so fucking cool. I fucking love watching them work.

I don't love the girlfriends fighting with the whole "Skitter wasn't told about the plan to have Regent yoink a Nazi". But they seemed to make up pretty quickly.

Skitter fucking running multiple bug clones, with cameras and microphones, all across her territory, and using them to talk to people and check in on things, WHILE getting surgery on her shoulder??! FUCKING HELL. Like ok yes, please love yourself child and let yourself take it easy sometimes. But also holy shit that is so god damn amazing. I am 100% convinced (I mean, I have been since like Arc 4 TBH) that she uses her bugs to basically offload her pain. Or offloads her mind to her bugs so she can ignore the pain in her body. Same idea. Like even if it's never confirmed it is true to me. And the multitasking! Give Taylor a Thinker classification!!

Just fucking attacking the mayor's family to intimidate him into telling people in Washington to not condemn Brockton Bay huh? I mean sure it kinda worked at the end (assuming he does what he said he would) but it really seems like a terrible plan. Like, the people in Washington are gonna hear about the attack and wonder about everything the mayor says. But fine, that's the plan.

Skitter making the bug clones complex enough that Trickster and Genesis don't even notice she's a clone at first is super cool! Also it does drive home that she is always just covered with so many bugs and using swarm speech so much that when a version of her shows up that is completely covered in bugs and speaks fully with swarm speech it doesn't throw anyone off.

Coil had to know that Triumph was the mayor's kid. The fact that he's the one who pushed to have them attack during family dinner.

I'm really proud of Skitter for figuring it out though! I pegged him as a cape pretty much right away and was able to figure out it was Triumph not long after, but she was in the heat of the moment. Also she got the girlfriend pegged as a either Prism or Ursa while I was still uncertain if she was a cape.

Holy shit that fight was so fucking cinematic! Perfectly built for Triumph to look cool by exploding bug clones with his shouts. And with Prism splitting and combining constantly. Just fuck. I'd love to see an animation of that fight. It was super cool.

And again, Skitter got dark there. And sadly I'm worried she's gonna get darker.