#but please stop talking about your kid the way you would a wild animal you've managed to commune with

[banrionceallach]

Sometimes I find posts from parents who are on the face of it supportive of their autistic children almost as offputting as the classic 'Woe is me, my child has autism and will never make eye-contact which is the only form of signalling love' autism-mom posts.

Stuff like : What I learned from my autistic kid's stimming and how I applied it to grow my business!

or : my autistic child told me insert-behaviour-here made them uncomfortable! (And like the saint I am I deigned to believe them. Eventually.)

or: watch this heartwarming video of my (sweet angelic, normal) neurotypical kids playing with their autistic sibling (as if he's a Normal Child!)

or: watch this heartwarming video of an exhausted mcdonald's employee indulging my autistic child's questions (no I didn't leave a tip)

and I'm just here like, you may be better than parents who make their entire identity about the suffering having an autistic kid causes them, but you are still, fundamentally, making your kid's autism diagnosis all about you.

Also you're still using your kid as a living prop for clicks, which sucks ass no matter who's doing it.

[mrs-weasley-reid]

SAVORY KISS•••

Spencer Reid x bau!reader

Synopsis: a lot of things happened last night, but a shared drunken kiss between you and Spencer had your mind panicking Word Count: 2k+ WARNING: bit of an overdramatic reader (i've seen ppl act that way tho so if you don't like it, you can cry scroll away). few curses. fluff and angst if you squint. A/N: first ever spencer fic, be nice pls, English is not my first language sooo lol

"Shit."

You sat up on your bed, a hand smacking your forehead following suit. You could feel the heat that rushed to your cheeks, a shade of red tinting your skin. You woke up from a dream, a nightmare. Oh, who were you kidding? It wasn't any of those. It was an actual event that happened barely twelve hours ago.

"Oh my god," The hand on your forehead pushed the loose strands of hair off your face. "I kissed Spencer." You whispered under your breath, afraid that someone would hear you. Your fingers carefully graze your lips as the event from last night flashes in your mind.

It wasn't just a kiss. You made out with him. Hands in his soft, curly hair. Your body pressed against his. And your lungs were out of air.

You slammed your back on the mattress, wiggling around as if you were having a seizure. "This can't be happening!" You rolled over, wrapping your blanket around your body. Your hands smacked your face in hopes that you were just dreaming.

However would you face Spencer? Face your co-worker? Your teammate? If you weren't such a liquor fanatic last night, you wouldn't be in this situation.

The sound of your alarm startled you, reading seven in the morning. You dragged yourself out of bed, dreadfully preparing yourself for work.

Your travel to the bureau office took ten minutes at the most, and you could walk it for thirty minutes, but today, you wanted someone to do God's will and crash their car into yours on your way to work.

With a to-go cup of coffee in hand and a scowl in your throat, you pushed the glass door open to the bullpen.

Emily was the first to greet you, "I drank more than you did. How are you looking like a storm just passed you?" She chuckled, sipping in her second dose of coffee.

Your eyes blew wide, and you dragged her to the side. "I'm going to kill myself." You started in a whisper.

"Damn, I know I did it once, but I don't go around giving advice on how to do it." Emily looked up and shrugged. "Okay, yeah. I do tell people how to fake their deaths, but it's too early for that. Maybe at lunch?"

You shook your head, "No! I did something stupid."

She grinned, "How stupid are we talking about?"

"Stupid, as in kissing Spencer!" You hissed, looking around to ensure he was nowhere near earshot.

"Oh," Emily rolled her eyes. "Kiss? More like ate his face."

"Oh, my, god," You couldn't believe what you had just heard, making you ask the obvious. "You saw?"

Emily bobbed her head sheepishly, blowing on her coffee in a satisfying manner. "I didn't just see. I watched it."

"That doesn't make me feel any better, you psycho." You growled, pushing her shoulder lightly. She laughed at the act, giving you kissy faces.

"Why are you even freaking out? You've been crushing on boy genius for months now. You finally got to taste his minty fresh breath you've been daydreaming about." She snorted.

You glared at her. How could she be entertained by your dilemma? And you sighed at the question. You'd be more surprised if she wasn't.

"I know I talk about jumping on Spencer and ravishing him like a wild animal all the time, but—" You ignored Emily's widened eyes and subtle cough to stop you from talking. "—I at least want to do that when I'm sober and not in a drunken fashion."

The sound of metal crashing on the sink made you shut your mouth. You wanted to further sew it shut when you heard a soft 'sorry' behind you, immediately recognizing the owner of the voice.

You closed your eyes agonizingly, swallowing the lump in your throat. "Please, kill me now." You begged Emily. Your voice was almost inaudible.

She raised her hand in defense, "I made an oath not to use my gun for leisure."

You took a deep breath and turned to face Spencer with a crooked smile, "Hey."

"Uh," Spencer's ears were red, hesitantly picking up the spoon. "Right, yeah. Hey!" His voice hitched, and Emily's snort didn't pass your ears.

"I'm gonna give you two some privacy," Emily made eye contact with you. "Call me when you're about to make out again." She taunted and dashed away before you could even smack her shoulder.

You smiled and sighed. Nothing else could make things worst than this. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to hear that." You held your hands together, anxiety coursing through your veins.

Spencer looked away, feeling his face combust under your gaze.

Everybody knew how brave you were. Despite facing serial killers, you kept stable eye contact. Even Hotch sometimes felt nervous whenever you held his gaze as he lectured you.

For Spencer, it was your charm and also the death of him. You wanted to do what to him? His mind was spinning. He kept it to himself, maybe with Derek, who caught him staring at you once, but he tried his best to hide his attraction to you.

From the moment you made a joke of kissing Emily because shaking hands wasn't a thing from where you came from to last night, where you stared at him straight in the eye and ordered him to kiss you, he was whipped, and he knew it.

He didn't know what to do, and frankly, he was more concerned about you hearing his heartbeat than your statement regarding him. "No, no. I should be the one apologizing. I should've not eavesdropped on your conversation."

A bright laugh escaped you, "Spence, we were talking in the break area. It's everyone's space. Besides, I wasn't being silent either." The nickname rolled out of your tongue beautifully, and you liked it. You loved how the elongated end gathered suspense, whether you would say his name entirely or leave it at that.

Spencer gripped his mug at the use of his nickname, by you, of all people. "Right." He swallowed the air in his throat, forming a tight-lipped smile.

"Okay, then." You tapped the counter offbeat, clearing your throat. "I'll see you around." You bid farewell and marched to your desk.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

Spencer hated elevators. It suffocated him, more so that you were with him, silently humming to yourself as you fought the anxiety boiling in your stomach.

You didn't avoid Spencer, at least not directly. A smile here and there when you bumped into each other and even managed to converse about one of your last cases without melting into a puddle on the linoleum floor.

You did, however, twist your ankles 180 degrees when you saw Spencer approaching, only when he hadn't noticed you yet. Just like earlier, after you returned from lunch with Penelope, Spencer was on his way out to take his break with Emily and Derek, scrambling to hook his messenger bag on his shoulder. You ran to catch up to Penelope, asking her if she could teach you some basic codes out of panic.

And the time arrived, when you turned around after getting in the elevator and Spencer slipped his scrawny body through the closing door. You couldn't turn anywhere, so you smiled and put on your brave face.

"Done for the day?" As if it wasn't evident by how you two clutched the straps of your bags.

"Yeah," Spencer bit the bottom of his lip, glancing at you from his peripheral. Your words were still loud and clear in his head. They were enunciated by the way you hissed every word to Emily.

Silence engulfed the two of you for the rest of the ride down to the parking garage. Spencer gestured for you to get out first, to which you replied with a small 'thanks' and a soft nod.

You turned in his direction to wave goodbye but were utterly shocked at what you saw. You found Spencer barely stepping off the elevator as if he had waited for you to take no less than twenty steps before he started to move.

"Have a great evening, Spence." You couldn't let your own embarrassment affect your friendship with Spencer. Not when you were bound to see him the next day and the next and until you were kicked out of the bureau.

He halted, clutching his bag. "You too." He muttered, almost inaudible for you to hear if it wasn't for the acoustic of the parking lot.

His eyes were distant, and you knew that you may not have wholly ruined your friendship, but you most likely made a mess out of it. So you left him with a nod and continued to walk to your car.

You hadn't moved more than two steps when Spencer spoke, "Do you regret it?"

You paused, your brows furrowing. Your body swirled at the weight of his vague question. "What?"

"Do you regret kissing me?" He asked, taking a massive gulp of nothing.

"No!" You shouted an exaggerated reaction to a simple question, inviting blood to travel to your face. "No, I don't." You reiterated, a lot calmer this time.

"Are you sure? You don't have to lie. I get it. I'm not really the best kisser—"

"No! No! Spence, no!" You didn't even realize that you were walking towards him until you stood half foot away.

Guilt spread throughout your veins for making him think for a second or more that you regretted kissing him. Sure, your mind was hazy at the memory of his lips on yours, but it didn't mean you didn't like it.

"No, really. It's okay." He reassured you, a longing stare glossing over his hazel eyes.

"The only thing I regret about our kiss was the fact that I wasn't sober." You admitted, willing yourself not to run and dip as you held his gaze.

There you go again. Always holding him a prisoner of your stare even if it was clear to both of you that you were on the verge of wanting to jump off a bridge.

A subtle smile was slowly forming on his lips. Because of your panic state and glued eyes to his, you didn't notice, rambling to explain how bad you felt for making him feel insecure about the way he kissed.

"I just," You sighed. "I just hoped I could remember how good it felt to make out with you, but because I was drunk, I only remember what happened but not how it felt. And it sucks. It sucks—"

He grabbed your face, and your breathing stopped. Spencer kissed you with eagerness and passion. He has been holding himself back the whole day.

Spencer wished you had an idea how bad he wanted to greet you with a soft kiss when he had the chance to steal you away from Emily in the morning. Still, your slight panic got to his head, making him wonder if it was solely alcohol that made you want to kiss him.

You didn't know when it happened, but your arms snaked around his neck, fingers tangled with the soft curls on his nape. You were hooked. And finally, it reminded you just how amazing it felt to kiss Dr. Spencer Reid.

You both pulled away, gasping for air, grinning from ear to ear. Chest shook up and down. Fingers numbed and tingly from the euphoric kiss he left lingering on your lips.

"You remember now?" Spencer asked with a shit-eating grin that he couldn't seem to wipe off his face.

Your arms crossed, index finger tapping your chin as you hummed. "I don't know... I'm not sure if you knew, but I don't have a great memory like yours." You kidded, mirroring his expression.

Spencer rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, but you pulled his tie towards you to get your lips locked once again. You felt how he had difficulty placing his hands on your body, settling to hug you close to him like he was afraid you'd disappear if he let go.

The two of you giggled like teenagers, pecking each other's lips for more but too breathless to continue.

"See? She doesn't just kiss. She eats your whole face."

The two of you looked toward the elevator, finding Emily, Derek, and JJ.

Derek and JJ tittered at the joke, but they were forms of congratulatory giggles for the both of you.

You rolled your eyes at Emily, "When I like something, I savor it." You threw a suggestive wink at Spencer, earning a bright red glow from his face.

reid masterlist | masterlist

[hockybish]

"Duck, come on, stop it" Jamie asked his daughter when she "accidentally" smacked him the face again. It turning into one of those days were nothing was going right.

"No" Kinsley said her new favorite word as of late. She flopped in her father's arms pretended she didn't hear him.

"Can you please not do this right now?" Jamie's head was spinning with everything that has happened. The last 24hrs were crazy to say the least. He knew exactly why duck was acting out and he couldn'r help but blame himself.

He had just been dealt to Philly the day before and he had to pack enough things for the both of them to last until he could get someone to ship out the rest. In his hurry, he forgot Larry the Lobster back in California.

Of course this wouldn't have been a big deal, since out of her favorite stuffies Larry was the least loved, but today for some reason Ducky really wanted the stinking lobster. He didn't have it and she began to throw a fit.

On top of the lobster situation, they were running behind. The father and daughter arrived in Philadelphia later than expected and Jamie was supposed to be at practice with the new team right now but he didn't have anyone to watch his child. When he expressed this to management, they told him to bring her they would take care of it.

"Nooo!" Kinsley leaned backwards, trying to get out of her father's arms. The small child wasn't watching what she was doing and let go of her Wild Wing stuffy and it hit the lady passing by.

"Kinsley Jo, that wasn't very nice." Jamie lightly scolded his daughter. Duck gave him a face when he made the suggestion that she should apologize.

"It’s no problem.” The lady sincerely reassured Jamie, but it didn't stop him from feeling embarrassed and frustrated with his child.

“This must be yours. He's very adorable." She retrieved the toy from the ground, brushing the imaginary dirt off it. Holding it out for the little girl in the man's arms, she smirked when the child snatched it out of her hand.

"I'm so sorry about that. She's not normally like that. It's been a long day, and it's only 9:00 am" Jamie took the toy away from the child, if she wasn't to be nice with she couldn't have back yet. This made Duck even more frustrated and Duck became frustrated again when he wouldn't give it back.

"Oh no. It's really okay." Mia watched the father and daughter interacting. The father was not having any of the attitude his daughter was giving him.

He was handsome and looked awfully familiar. He must be the new guy. Mia knew they had acquired some player in a traded that had just happened, but she had no idea who it was since this was the first day she was returning from vacation.

She studied him a little longer when it hit her, literally because the little girl threw the stuffed animal at her again.

"That's it Kins. You can't have it back. I said no throwing it and you threw it again, so it's mine now." Jamie tucked Wild Wing in the bag he brought along. Duck stuck out her bottom lip, she was sorry now that she got the toy taken away.

"Jamie?"

"Yeah?" Jamie finally looked over at the speaking to him. It was his ex-girlfriend, former media girl for the Erie Otters way back when he was playing there. "Holy shit. Mia? Mia Lewis? What are you doing here?"

"Oh good Jamie you're here, we were starting to get a little worried, and I see you've met Mia. She's going to watch the kid today for you." Danny said plucking Kinsley out of Jamie's arms and into hers.

"Danny, I have actual work that needs to be done today. I can't watch the kid." Mia and Kinsley looked each other over sizing each other up. She readjusted the kid on her hip, and looked to the gm. This wasn't her job.

"Mia, we are a team here and we all need to help out when necessary. Okay?" Mia rolled her eyes accepting the change in plans for today.

"We'll talk later" Jamie handed over the bag of Ducks' things before he was escorted to the locker room to change for practice.

"What are you two doing for dinner? Want to come over?" She offered, Jamie shrugged agreeing, Cam probably wasn't going to be cooking up anything anyways.

[villainsandvictimsalliance]

What things do you think people get wrong about Spinner's character in fics/fandom in general? Anything you've seen or felt was done right? Anything about him you'd like to see appreciated more?

Thanks! Love your posts about the LoV. ♥️

🥺🥺 I'm glad you like them, really.

AND OMG YES, SPINNER APPRECIATION POST. THAT WAS THE EXCUSE I WAS LOOKING FOR TO RANT ABOUT HIS CHARACTERIZATION. LET ME USE THE LIST FORMAT.

My opinion on Spinner's characterization:

I have several friends that used to hate Spinner or ignore him because they were fans of the anime but hadn't read the manga. They soon changed their opinion after my explanations about the matter.

I think the worst take I've seen so far is exactly that. He's not irrelevant or useless to the plot. It pains me when people portray him as such.

Also many people write Spinner like very passive? Like if he was easy to please and he would only follow others? That doesn't make sense at all. He found his way to the League just like the others. He stopped Magne from hurting Izuku on the Summer Camp attack, he confronted Tomura on the beginning of My Villain Academia and pressed him for answers, he participated in creating the name of the Paranormal Front and on recent arcs, he clearly told AFO to his face he never thought about following him, but Tomura.

So no, Spinner is not passive or a background character.

Horikoshi even emphasizes on this by allowing him to narrate part of the MVA arc. I can argue that Horikoshi wanted the audience to sympathize with Spinner, because he's the closest to being between the heroes and the villains, a real anti-hero. The author wanted us to see Spinner point of view and that shouldn't be dismissed.

I also think people downplay his relationship with Toga. We've seen him worrying about Toga since the MVA arc and later into the War arc. He is closer to being an older brother to Toga than Dabi is, we must accept that.

Spinner is very sentimental, but not a coward. Knowing his quirk is not enough to fight a bunch of people isn't fearing a fight. In fact, I really love how the League understand their limits and never push them too far. There's no shame in any of it.

Spinner is not a traitor. He's a really loyal man and his also not a blind fanatic. Once again, when compared to Dabi, Dabi keeps being a little obsessed with Stain and while Spinner still stands him, Spinner grew past Stain's legacy, he become something more.

Spinner is also a leader. On the late chapters, we have seen Spinner having followers. Please let's never forget he's main reason to be on the League is to fight racist people. He wants to change the system in order to give power to the minorities. Whether the League is a good place to do that or not, it doesn't change Spinner's goals.

He was worried about hurting children and civilians. Just like most members of the League, he wants to live, so he sees no point in ending the world. He wants to make a better society, not killing everyone.

On the other hand, I love when people portray him as someone who's well versed in politics and social movements. Yes, it's canon that he knows his things.

I love when people portray him as a very good friend and a general good person. Within the League, Spinner was the one who connected the most with Tomura, who was supposed to be the demon lord. Instead, Spinner saw past it, he saw the kid being worth following and protecting. That's why he didn't like what happened on the War arc. He knows it's wrong.

I love that the fandom agree about Spinner loving music. Yes, he was probably bullied when a kid, so I pretty enjoy when people create scenarios when he defends little kids or other people with animalistic quirks from bullies and racist people.

I think we can appreciate more his background and his presence within the League.

For example, Toga is partially rejected because her quirk reminds a wild animal, something brutal and barbarian. She could talk with Spinner about this, decided she can trust him and tell him about her crushes and stories.

Spinner had also work before, so he could complain with Twice about bosses and noisy clients and such.

He also enjoys a good cosplay, so why don't make him enjoy talking about clothes and costumes with Mr. Compress?

He could also relate to having specific skin conditions, just like Tomura. They share video games, that's right, but there's so much more than this. Tomura is pretty smart and I bet he'd enjoy talking about philosophy and academic stuff with Spinner. They'd obsess over Wikipedia articles at 3am.

Also Dabi could learn a lot about Spinner. Dabi needs to grow as a person, and Spinner can provide him with both a rival and a friend. They have similar taste, they both are really loyal and full of anger, but they deal different with it.

And if there's something I like how is portrayed in the fandom, it's Spinner friendship with Magne. I love those two.

I think many people with more basic beauty standards reject Spinner a lot. I personally think that's why the producers of the anime has decided he's not important for the plot and cut him from most part of the arcs. This is so wrong.

I mean, I want more people talking about how amazing is Spinner skin and his hair.

I want people talking about how adorable cute are the blue dots on his clothes, about how he's a strong guy ready to punch people without being an asshole, without being a bad friends or a bad person to kids and civilians.

AND HE'S OVER THERE FIGHTING POWERFUL QUIRKS WITH HIS SWORD. HE HASN'T BEEN BADLY INJURED YET. HE'S OVER THERE BEING THE BEST SUPPORTIVE MAN ON THE LEAGUE.

Also he's pure comedy and highly relatable. He's humor is pretty close to our online humor and I think that's amazing.

WE NEED MORE SPINNER META. ALL THE SPINNER META. GIVE ME SPINNER CONTENT.

So yeah, anon. I think Spinner is criminally underrated but I also think there's a loving side of the fandom that takes good care of him.

To all the Spinner fans reading this: keep the good work and tag me in it so I can see it and hype about it. 😌

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

The Perfect Bad Boy (Pt. 09 of 18)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Reader

Word count: 3K

Summary: Working as a lifeguard in the Hawkins Community Pool, you try to fit in after moving from New York. Things were going pretty well when you notice you've been under someone's stare. Billy Hargrove, Hawkins' bad boy, has been staring at you since day one. You never intended to have anything to do with him, judging by the reputation he has. But Billy won't leave you alone, determined to show you his feelings are different this time...

As if your heart flooding you with confusing feelings wasn't enough, there are weird, strange animals lurking in the woods... But those have to be just part of the wild live of the woods surrounding Hawkins... Right?

<- (08) Previous part

Next part (10) ->

{Stranger Things Masterlist}

×

Heat Exhaustion

You feel yourself floating, and freshwater. Where is it coming from? You're suddenly aware you're off the ground, so you hold on to whatever is keeping you up. Opening your eyes, you see him. Billy. His eyes are the only thing in the world right now. But he looks so worried. Why is he worried?

“Billy?” You mutter, finally looking around and taking in the surroundings. Your in the locker room, under the shower, and Billy is holding you in his arms. “What happened?” The water soaks your hair, and Billy's too.

“(Y/N)! Dear God!” Monica comes running, all flustered. “You're awake. Here, drink this.”

You're a little confused, so you just look at her, trying to understand what's going on. Billy bounces you up a little, so he has a better grip. “What happened?” You ask again, wrapping your arms around Billy's neck.

“You fainted,” Billy says.

“(Y/N), please, drink some water,” Monica begs.

Nodding, you take the bottle and drink up, almost half of it, before giving it back. “I'm a little dizzy,” you whisper as Billy moves a little, so the water reaches the rest of your body.

“Monica, go get her things. I'm taking her home.” Billy says and Monica nods before disappearing.

“Billy, what happened?”

“Heat exhaustion.” He says in a low voice. It makes sense. You read about it, and you thought you were being careful. It comes back to your mind. You've been walking around all day, which is the hottest since you got here. And you remember feeling bad. “You fainted and scared the hell out of me, (Y/N).”

“I'm sorry,” you mutter, your foreheads touching. “You can put me down, I'm ok.”

“We need to lower your body temperature.”

“Uhm...” You murmur, moving one of your hands from around his neck to his cheek, thumb caressing his skin. You feel his lips brushing on yours, and your stomach goes crazy.

It's like the whole world stopped spinning. There's no Hawkins, no Community Pool, no locker. Not even the water falling on you matters anymore. It's just you and Billy now. It's like paradise, and you don't want to leave. You want to stay here, in his arms, feeling his body so close. “Are you going to kiss me?”

“No... I just...” It's like torture. Sweet torture. “I just want to be close to you.” Since you can't kiss him, you move to the side a little, placing a soft kiss on the corner of his lips. It's not enough though, you know it. You want more. You need more.

“Here it is.” Monica scares you, and you break from the daydream.

“Alright.” Billy puts you down on one of the benches. Monica comes with a towel, drying your hair. “I'll get my stuff, ok? I'll be back in a minute.”

You nod and he leaves, walking fast. Monica sits by your side, putting the bottle on your neck, and you sigh to feel the cold against your skin. “(Y/N), you almost gave me a heart attack.” She says, worried eyes scanning your face. “How are you feeling?”

You feel like shit. “Sick, dizzy.” Your head is spinning a little, so you grab the edge of the bench to feel a bit more steady. You feel light-headed and tired at the same time. “I thought I was being careful with the heat.”

“I know, (Y/N). Just... It's very, very hot today, but you'll get used to it.” She mumbles, moving the bottle to the other side of your neck. “Billy, he... He ran as fast as a lightning bolt when you fell. I was closer but he got to you first.” You look at her when she mentions his name, as if your mind is already set to respond whenever he's brought into the conversation.

“Did he?”

“Yes. He picked you up and brought you here.” You smile as she speaks, your heart beating fast. “He's very bossy, you know? Yelling for everyone to step out of the way and telling me to turn on the shower... Billy was... I never thought he could worry so much about something... Or someone. He really likes you.”

“I like him too, Mon... A lot.” You're still speaking when he comes back, picking you up again.

“Monica, come. I'll need you to open the car door.” Billy speaks fast, in a hurry.

Touching his cheek, you pull his face until he's looking at you. His whole expression softens, those blue eyes locking on yours. “Billy, I'm fine. I can walk.”

“Just let me take you home, alright? Take care of you.” You don't get why he's so worried. You just fainted. You bet this isn't the first time he sees someone fainting because of the heat. “Please.” He says in a much lower voice, you barely hear it.

Taking a deep breath, you nod. Monica moves ahead of you, asking people to move out of the way. You're aware of all the eyes on you and Billy, and you can't help but wonder what they're thinking. In the sea of people, you see Jason coming to ask Mon what happened before telling you to get better soon. You only smile and wave, laying your head on Billy's shoulder, your forehead on his neck.

Monica does as Billy says, opening the passenger door as he carefully puts you in. “Get well soon, (Y/N). And call me later, ok?”

“I will, Mon. Thank you.”

“Billy, take care of her.” She says as he starts the car.

“I will.”

He keeps the windows open all the way to your place and carries you inside. You're forced to take a cold shower as he stands by the door, making you say something every ten seconds to make sure you didn't faint again. When you're done, you're feeling much better, but still a little tired. As you dry your hair, you think about what Monica said, about how Billy got to you before she did. Her chair is much closer to yours than his. Does he really care this much? What exactly does he feel for you? You need to know because saying that you ‘like’ he isn't enough anymore. You're looking for other word to express your feelings, and you're way too scared to use it if he doesn't feel like he wants to use it as well.

But you shake these thoughts away, turning off the blow-drier and leaving the bathroom. Billy, who's still by the door, immediately looks down at you. “How are you feeling, princess?”

“Better.” As you make your way to sit on the bed, Billy takes your hand, following you.

He's been touching you a lot more. His arm around your shoulders, holding hands, touching the small of your back... You're falling for these details, the small things...

Sitting down, you turn your body towards him. “You scared the hell out of me.” He says, his hand coming to caress your cheek. “When you fainted... I don't even know how to explain it.”

“Mon said you ran so fast...” You still feel tired, so you climb up on the bed, moving to rest your back against the headrest. “Come here,” you call him, moving aside a little. When Billy is beside you, you don't think, you just hold his arm. Slowly, very slowly, your hand slides down, and when you reach his, Billy's fingers intertwine with yours. You never held his hand like this. It makes you feel more secure, confident.

“I couldn't see anything but you. I pushed someone out of my way so violently he fell on his ass.” You can't help but giggle. “I knew something was off, so I had my eyes on you more than on the kids.”

“That's not very responsible of you, lifeguard.” Smiling, you keep your eyes on your hands, noticing how yours is so much smaller than his. It feels so damn right.

“I don't care.” He states, and you feel his eyes on you, even though you're not looking. “(Y/N), I... I never thought I would want to be with someone.” The weight on his voice, the serious tone makes you look at him. He's struggling, his eyes deep and true.

“What do you mean?” You whisper.

“I could never be with a girl more than a couple of days, but you... It doesn't matter how much time I spend with you, I want more. And I... We haven't even kissed yet, but–”

“I'm sorry, Billy. I–”

“Don't apologize. Let me finish.” You nod, not sure of what to expect. “I haven't kissed you yet, but I know that my feelings don't depend on it. I don't want to just have you, I want to keep you. Hold you.” He pulls you closer, his index finger on your chin until your foreheads are touching. It's so hard to believe your ears, to believe this is happening at all, that these words are leaving his lips, and they're meant to you.

“I... I think I'm falling in love with you, Billy. I'm just... Waiting until we're both sure.” You can feel your doubts fading away, his reputation, and his past with the girls vanishing. But you force yourself to wait just a little longer. If this is meant to be, it'll be worth it.

“I'll wait for you, no matter how long.” He places a soft, lingering kiss on your cheek, the corner of his mouth touching the corner of your lips. It sends shivers down your spine, but it burns at the same time. “But I'm sure.” He whispers when he pulls away.

Did you hear it right? Is he sure? Is Billy in love with you?

“Now...” Billy moves abruptly, and you want to curse him for the sudden abandonment. “...I'll get you some water. You need to stay hydrated.”

Rolling your eyes, you watch as he leaves the bedroom. The rest of the afternoon is the sweetest you ever had. You stay on bed, talking, laughing, and even making mean comments about some people, but you're not very proud of that. He tells you to drink water every hour, and even though you act like you're annoyed, you actually find it cute. You can see how the look on his eyes change sometimes, worriedly staring every time you stand up too fast. Nobody ever cared so much. Well, Diane did, but boys? Never.

You still feel the consequences of the heat exhaustion when the night falls, still feeling, well, exhausted, despite doing nothing all afternoon. Your heartbeat increases when you hear Diane coming upstairs, suddenly aware that Billy is in your bedroom, on your bed, and you have your legs over his as he tells you something about Dustin and Steve being the dorks of Hawkins.

“What do you think she'll say?” Billy asks as the footsteps grow louder.

“I have no idea,” you mumble, taking a deep breath. “I'm in here, aunt.” You raise you voice when you hear her calling.

You're blushing hard when she opens the door, eyes going wide the moment she spots Billy. Diane has a huge interrogation on her face, but she's not mad. She's just surprised. But you're not sure if it's because you have a boy in your bedroom, or if it's because you've been trying for a while now to convince her there's nothing between you and this boy. Something tells you it's probably the second one.

“Aunt, I fainted.” You decide to let her know before she says anything embarrassing. And, as you expected, her face changes as she comes to sit on the bed.

“What?” She cups your face. “What do you mean? What happened, honey?”

“Heat exhaustion,” you mumble, shrugging your shoulders. “But I'm alright now. Billy...” He held you in his arms under the shower like a damn prince and you almost lost your freaking mind. “He brought me home and stayed to make sure I was ok.”

“Thanks, Billy.” Diane looks at him, smiling. “Anything happens to my baby I swear to God I'll go insane.” She hugs you tight, taking a deep breath. “I was going out with Robert tonight, but I'm canceling it.”

“No, no!” You burst out, holding her by the shoulders and pulling her out of the hug. “You're going. I won't be the one to ruin your date.”

“Do you really think I'm going out if you're sick?”

“Aunt, I'm not sick. I'm perfectly fine now. I promise I'll call you if anything happens, but please go.”

“Are you sure?”

You nod, smiling. Diane takes a deep breath and stands up, and you can see something behind her eyes. She likes this guy, you can feel it.

An hour later, you hear her pacing around her room, getting ready to go out. You and Billy are ordering something to eat and she insisted on paying. Well, who are you to complain? You're both standing by the window, patiently waiting to see Robert's car when he arrives to pick her up.

“Is it Robert Jacksonville or Robert Klein?” He asks.

“I have no idea.” You don't know any of those anyways. You close your eyes when a cold wind blows in, invading the room. It's a blessing after this unusually hot day, which managed to knock you out. When you move a little to the side, you collide onto Billy's shoulder, but you don't move away this time. Instead, you position yourself in front of him, and you feel relieved when his arms come around you. Resting your back against his chest, you let out a sigh.

“Honey, do you–” Your aunt's voice makes you pull away, your head turning towards the door. “Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt.”

“You're not. We were just waiting to see Robert's car.” Shrugging your shoulders, you step away from Billy. “Jackson or Klein?” You inquire.

“Klein.” She answers with a smile.

“Right choice,” Billy adds.

“I hope so. Well, I just came to ask Billy to stay here. Keep an eye on you.”

“Uhm... I don't need–”

“I'll stay.” He speaks before you can finish.

“Good.”

“Can I talk to you for a sec?” You say, linking your arm to hers and pulling her to the hall, away from Billy's ears.

“What is it, hun?”

“Diane, you can't ask Billy to stay. What if you come back too late? He will–”

“I don't mind if he sleeps here, is that's what you think the problem is.”

That's not the problem. But now it is. You weren't thinking about that, you just didn't want him driving home late since you did see some sort of wild animal in the woods. You know he might be used to it, but you think it's smart to wait up a while until whatever that was leaves or gets hunted by someone. “I'll talk to him about it.”

“You really like him, don't you?” She lowers her voice, taking both your hand on hers.

It's obvious now, denying it would be a huge lie and lying is not your thing. So you just nod, looking down. “I do.” More than that actually. The other word, that insists on coming to your mind whenever you think about your feelings for Billy, almost rolls out your tongue. “Earlier today he said he's... Sure. About what he feels for me.”

Diane's lips break into a bright smile. “That's amazing, honey.” The doorbell rings and it immediately makes you turn the tables to tease her.

“Who could that be?” You ask in a sarcastic tone.

“That's my ride.” She kisses your cheek. “Take care and do call me if you feel bad. Love you.”

“Love you too. Have fun.” You wave at her, going back to the bedroom. Billy is still by the window and tilts his head to the street.

“He has a nice car.”

You rush to his side, noticing the green car by the sidewalk. “Nah. I like the Camaro better.” You look at him, just so you can admire the beautiful smile he has on. “I... I was talking to Diane, and you can sleep here if you want. There's still some kind of wild animal out there and I since I don't know when she'll come back... I don't want you driving late at night with that thing lurking in the woods.”

“You're so cute when you're worried about me.” He teases, a finger under your chin, making you raise your head to look at him.

You'd have to tiptoe to kiss him, and even so, he'd have to bend down a little. “Why the hell do you have to be so damn tall?” The question rolls out your tongue as if it was a living thing.

Billy's smile only gets wider, and you can see there's something behind his eyes. In a sudden motion, he lifts you up, the same way he did on the shower earlier today, like a bride. “Ok... What's that about?” You know what's this about. Your faces are at the same level.

“It's not my fault you're tiny.”

“I'm not tiny!” You exclaim, punching his chest. “I'm a normal size.”

“Not in this country, princess.”

You swing your legs a bit, biting back a smile. “I'm a little hungry. Should we order dinner?” You keep your voice low, eyes involuntary drifting to his lips, so damn close again.

“Always running from me...” He mutters, carrying you downstairs.

When your dinner comes, you make a damn mess. You're laughing, way too loud, and the guy with the pizza seems a little uncomfortable. And to add up, you have no idea where Diane left the money. You leave the door open as you look through the house. It takes long five minutes to find it and the delivery guy is more than happy to leave. You eat watching this awful horror movie, laughing through it, at the character's stupid decisions. It's almost midnight when you're getting ready to sleep. You give Billy a blanket and a pillow, telling him to take the couch and he doesn't complain.

But half an hour later, you're restless. That's not what you thought when you told Billy he could stay the night. It's useless trying to dissimulate now. You wish he was here, just so you could have his arms around you... But Billy made it clear he won't push it, so it's up to you if you want him to be here.

“Damn it,” you mutter to yourself, looking at the ceiling. It doesn't have to be that hard. You don't have to think so much. Billy has been giving all the good signs, and if, only if, he makes a bad turn you'll know and step back. But now... He's being gentleman, despite his bad boy reputation. And you have no idea why or how it happened. Why Billy changed so much because of you. But Monica is right, if you overthink for the rest of your life, you'll never do anything.

Taking a deep breath, you get up, trying not to make too much noise in case he's sleeping. Tiptoeing through the stairs, you curse yourself when the woods beneath your feet cracks. When you reach the living room, you find Billy wide awake, and his eyes find you immediately. You can't help but smile.

“Hey,” you mumble, awkwardly standing beside the TV.

“Couldn't sleep?” He asks and you shake your head no. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah, I'm good,” you assure him, gesturing upstairs. “I just... This couch is pretty uncomfortable so maybe we could share the bed. If that's ok.” You're thankful for the darkness because you're sure you're blushing. Looking down, you clear your throat. “But... Only share the bed.” You decide to make it clear, despite how embarrassed you are at the moment.

Billy stands up, and as he comes closer, you keep your eyes on his chest because you can't face his gaze now. “How many times do I gave to say?” He whispers, his deep, low voice burning right through you. “Whatever you want. I'll let you set the pace.”

“How many girls have you allowed to set the pace in the relationship?” As you speak, you give a step back, making your way back to the room upstairs.

“I've never been to a relationship. You're the first.” You don't know why but it makes you giggle, closing the door when you're both in. “What? You don't believe me?”

“I do, I just... I don't know.” When your eyes meet his, you notice a hint of... Insecurity? Vulnerability? You gotta be misreading something here because there's no way Billy has any of this things in him... But still, it seems odd. Like he's hurt somehow. Then it clicks.

It must be hard for him too, to open his heart like this. If he's being honest, as you genuinely think he is, this whole thing is as new to him as it is to you. And judging by his devil of a father, of course, he has those things in him. He probably never exposed of felt them towards a girl before, but they're in there. “Billy, just... I couldn't sleep because I wanted you here... To know what it would feel like to maybe... Uhm... Have you holding me...” It comes out too low, and it sounds like a mess. “Please, just...”

“Come here, then.” He takes your hand and pulls you to the bed.

You lay down slowly, but it's almost automatic how you both move. Like magnets, like you've been doing this for a very long time. You lay your head on his chest, and the feeling of his arms around you is like heaven. There's nothing left to say, the silence itself is enough. Your hand is flat against his chest, and you feel his heart beating. Your thumb slowly moves, caressing him through the shirt. “Good night,” you whisper, barely moving, unable to believe this is actually happening.

“Good night, princess.” You feel when he moves to place a soft kiss on the top of your head.

×

@chloe-skywalker @dpaccione @tilesandtokens @dreamin-of-dacre @funeral-7 @uncookspaget @youhavemyfantasticbeasts @dontxfearxthereaper

[ghostlypoemland]

Garden: Chapter 1

Astrid Hofferson/Viggo Grimborn: hoping you never find out who i really am, cause i love you, just how you are.

Chapter one:

Ysir was only sixteen when she was married to Arne Hofferson, who at the time, was twenty-nine. She did not know the man well, aside from the fact that he would come and visit her father during the weekends and she would have to serve them mead. He was quite young, she would think, and quite handsome as well. These thoughts were innocent, she wouldn’t have expected her father to call her in one day and announce to the family that he was planning on getting her married to Arne, with her consent, of course. Her father had told her that Arne was a good man and would take care of her well, but she knew that he was really just saying that she was just a burden, and getting rid of her would leave him with one less family member to worry about feeding. She tried not to think much about it, because honestly, it made sense. They were a big family - one man running the house, with ten children to feed. Her family was poor, and she was often reminded of this fact at her husband's home:

Be thankful. When you came here, you had nothing.

And this was said to her by Frida, Arne's first wife, his first love. When Ysir had questioned Arne on why he decided to marry again, he explained to her that Frida was who he loved, and she was where his loyalties lie. He married her simply because she could give birth, and Frida could not.

Ysir often felt like Frida could throw her out of this house at any time, and what would happen then? Where would she go? Her father would never agree to take her back, not with so many mouths to feed. Bloody hell! She first thought, her eyes prickling with tears as she tried to figure out a way to get Frida out of the house. She could always throw Frida out of the house - the house did now belong to her, considering she held more power and a better position in the family because she could give birth, but then Arne would kick her out and bring Frida back in. She just couldn't think hard enough.

Eventually, she gave up, and came to realize that she didn't really care if her husband didn't love her, and saw her as an tool he would use to produce offsprings. She didn't even love her husband, heck, she barley even knew the man! So she came to a decision that she would play her role as a wife and take care of the house and bear him children in return for a comfortable bed, good food, and a roof that doesn't leak over her head.

But it wasn't so easy. Living with another woman in the house came with some complications, from the awkward conversation they'd have while preparing dinner to the uncomfortable eye contact they would make from time to time. Frida was beautiful. She had a strong face, with her cheekbones being the most noticeable feature on her face. Her brick-red hair was parted in the middle and formed into perfect waves that reached her waist. Her hazel eyes were carefully lined with kohl. In comparison to that, Ysir had a chubby face, short shaggy black hair, and bright blue eyes. There wasn't much you could say about her.

She felt like an uninvited quest in the house, moving around the house, around the bedroom, in which she slept alone most days for Arne usually slept with Frida in a bigger bedroom, upstairs. She felt like a fly, unwanted and annoying. That is, until now. Everything would be different with the birth of this baby, she assured herself. She would no longer feel ill at ease, no longer insecure.

Almost against her will, Ysir glanced towards the doorway, where Frida stood, a hand on her hip. For an instant, the two women locked gazes. The air around them felt thick and slightly yeasty, like rising dough. They had shared a room for twelve hours, with Frida helping the midwife with towels and water. Frida averted her gaze. She nodded towards the baby.

"Why doesn't she make a sound?" Frida said, with a hardness on her face that hadn't been there before.

"Yes. Is there something wrong?" Ysir turned ashen. Having had six miscarriages in only a few years, each more devastating than the last and harder to forget, she had been extremely careful throughout this pregnancy.

"Can I hold her?" Asked Ysir, holding the sides of her hair softly, an anxious habit she had picked up over the past year. "She...she's not crying. Why is she not crying?"

"Oh, she will cry, this girl," the midwife said in a decisive tone and instantly bit her tongue. She herself was worried. Her words echoed like a dark omen.

An awkward silence settled over the room as the first wife, the second wife and the midwife all stared at the baby with expectant eyes.

The midwife took the baby to the other side of curtain, and Ysir could hear rapid movement alongside the midwife's heavy breathing.

"Please," Ysir sighed, speaking to no one in particular as she rested her head against the pillow and closed her eyes. "Please!" She cried out again. Every night since she found out she was pregnant, she would talk herself to sleep. It was comforting. Just to mumble things to her self, especially about the baby.

My baby will be kind, and loving. Everyone will love you. She would speak to her slightly swollen belly, happily. My baby will be beautiful. You will make a difference. You will be gentle and soft. You will be beautiful. I will love you. You will love me. We will be happy.

But it was different today, she was crying. After months of being cautious with every step she took and after months of isolating her self in her room to stay away from all that was toxic - Frida and Arne- just so this baby would live. Just so this baby could arrive safe and healthy. "Please!" She cried out. My baby will survive.

At last! Whoever it was she was crying out to had answered her prayers. The baby had started crying- shrieking. The baby had started shrieking. The voice of the child echoed around the house and into the neighbor's house. A series of "Thank Thor!" And sighs of relief could be heard from the other room, where Arne and his family with a couple of his friends were waiting.

The midwife began to panic as the fierce baby began to move uncontrollably in her arms, kicking and waving her arms and legs in the air. The midwife clumsily handed the baby to Ysir, whose eyes were filled with tears.

The baby stopped crying and her big blue eyes had widened as it stared at the women above who was smiling down at her. The baby blinked and her head shifted a little to right, now staring at the Frida, who now stood next to Ysir. Then her gaze went back to Ysir and again she began crying.

You see, while Ysir was screaming in agony for the past twelve hours, this little one was conversing with herself instead of trying of escape from the womb.

What is wrong with you? Her heart said. They're all waiting for you! Come one! Kick!

Her gut said, Oh, I like it here. It's warm and cozy. I don't want to go!

Her heart protested, Don't be silly! Why stay in a place where nothing happens? It's so boring.

But why leave a place where nothing happens? It's safe here. Her gut said.

Sometimes where you feel most safe is where you least belong. Her heart countered. No turning back.

No turning back.

She finally reached a conclusion, she would go with the heart. And finally when she pushed out, and was taken behind the curtain, and the midwife had slapped her bottom once, twice and she began crying. She hadn't expected it to be this fucking cold! She began shrieking.

Ysir chuckled at the exchange she had with her baby when she had quieted down. Frida had opened the door and slipped outside - no doubt to give the news to her husband - their husband.

A couple of minutes later, Arne entered the room. Smiling, he approached the bed. He looked at the baby, at the second wife, at the midwife, at the first wife, nodding at her, and finally back at the baby.

"Odin! I thank you! You've accepted my prayers."

"A girl," Ysir said softly, in case he was not yet aware.

"I know. The next one will be a boy. We will name him Eric." He ran his fingers across the baby's forehead. "All that matters is she is healthy. Thank Odin! This baby is not mine, nor is she yours. She was sent a gift."

Ysir stared at him with pure confusion in her eyes. Suddenly, she was seized by a feeling of apprehension, like a wild animal that was about the walk into a trap. She glanced at Frida, who was standing by the entrance, lips pursed so tight they were almost white as her foot tapped impatiently against the floorboard. Something about her demeanor suggested that she was overjoyed and excited, suspiciously excited.

"This baby was gifted to us by the the Gods!" Arne said.

"All babies are," murmured the midwife.

Arne then held his younger wife's hand and look her straight in the eyes. "We'll give this baby to Frida."

"What in Thor's name are you talking about?" Ysir rasped.

"Let Frida raise her. She'll do an excellent job. You and I will make more children."

"No!"

"You don't want more kids?"

"I am not going to let that woman take my daughter."

Arne drew in a breath, then released it slowly.

"Don't be selfish. The Gods have given you this baby. Be grateful. You were barley scraping by when you came to this house. Come on, It's not-"

"This was her idea, wasn't it?" Ysir interrupted him - something she had never done before. "Did she come up with this?" Or have you two been plotting for months? Behind me back."

"Don't be stupid. You are young. Frida is getting old. She will never have a child of her own. Give her a gift."

Ysir shook her head, and kept doing so. Arne sighed and leaned over and held her by the shoulders, pulling her close to him. Only then she became still.

"You're not being rational." Arne said, his palm softly rubbing Ysir's back. "We're all in the same house. You'll see your daughter everyday. It's not like she will be going away, for Thor's sake."

Trembling to hold back the pain ripping through her chest, Ysir covered her face with the palm of her hands. "And who will my daughter call 'Mummy'?"

"What difference does it make? Frida can be Mummy, and you'll be Auntie. We'll tell her the truth when she gets older, no need to confuse her little head now. When we have more kids, they will all be brothers and sisters anyway. They'll be running riot in the house. You won't be able to tell who belongs to who. We'll all be one big family."

"And who is going to nurse the baby?" Asked the midwife. "The mummy or the auntie?"

Arne's head shot up towards the midwife as he stared at the nosy woman with annoyance. He sighed and dug into his pocket, bringing out a small sack of five gold coins.

"Here." He handed her the sack. "A token of our gratitude."

The midwife smiled and nodded, stepping back.

"Let me name her." Ysir said. If she wasn't going to raise the child as her own she could at least live happily with the knowledge that she was the one that named her.

"Well alright then." Arne said. "We will make the decision together."

"I was thinking," Frida said, her eyes fixated on the baby, "For the past few months, that if it was a boy, we would name it Erik, like Arne said. But since, she's a girl, we could name her Camicazi. It's a beautiful name."

"Oh, that's quite a lovely name. I like that." Arne said, happily, and the midwife nodded in agreement, standing behind him.

Ysir blinked. It was a beautiful name. But she wasn't going to give Frida the privilege of naming her own baby.

"No." Ysir said, strong and clear. "I will name her. By myself.

Arne and Frida exchanged glances.

"Oh." Frida sighed, "Of course." She then sat down on a chair, pushing it towards the right, so she could be next to her husband.

Ysir felt pressure as the midwife, her husband, and his wife stared at her, waiting for her to decide.

She looked at her baby, who was staring back at her. She is beautiful. Ysir thought. The baby rolled around, the sunlight reflecting on her rosy cheeks.

"Astrid." Ysir said. "It was also my grandmother's name. And...she's beautiful, just like her."

"Astrid..." Arne repeated and then looked at Frida who nodded back at him in approval. "I like it. It's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

"Astrid!" He said again as he took the baby from Ysir's arms and lifted her in air. Frida laughed, "Be careful! She's not toy!"

Arne and Frida laughed as they took turns in holding the baby. Ysir sighed and leaned her head back, silent tears dropping down her face. She wish she could be as happy as them.

Arne held Astrid and opened the door, walking to the other room, where the rest of the relatives and his friends were waiting. His voice echoed around Ysir's head.

"Astrid Hofferson!" Arne happily yelled. "Her name is Astrid Hofferson!"

[edsbev]

(1) "You've got nothing to be worried about." Richie squeezes Eddie's hand. "They're going to love you. They already love you. And if you get in the car and drive away and leave me here, they're never going to stop bothering me about bringing you around, so please stop looking back over your shoulder like you're going to bolt. This is going to be a nice weekend and you are going to relax. And if you don't run out on me, my mom will show you my baby pictures..."

(2) "Well... I guess I can't pass up the chance to look at embarrassing pictures." Eddie smiles. Before he can raise his hand to knock, Richie is pushing the door open and dragging him inside, calling out to his parents, and then there they are. Maggie and Wentworth Tozier, who pull Eddie into the same warm hugs they pull Richie into, who laugh and insist he call them by their first names now, who exclaim over how he's grown. Who remember him.

(3) It isn't just Richie's baby pictures-- although Maggie does show him those, and he takes great pleasure in cooing over them while Richie squirms and blushes. It's also pictures of them. All the Losers, yes, but... but him. Pictures where he's hefted up on Richie's back or sprawled on his lap so that the whole gang can squeeze into frame together, and pictures where it's only the two of them and there's plenty of space, but they're pressed close just the same, and smiling...

(4) "I had an inkling." Maggie admits. "The way Richie always talked about you, when you were little boys. Must have mentioned you ten times as much as anyone else. If you asked him who his best friend was, he'd say he guessed Stan, and then he'd launch into another one of his stories about Eddie. Eddie this, Eddie that... Eddie's so cute." And Richie groans at that, but Maggie just smiles, and Eddie's not sure what he feels at the thought that Richie had called him cute in front of his parents.

(5) "Mom, please. Eddie doesn't need to hear about how embarrassing I was as a child. I spend every day hoping he only remembers the least embarrassing things I said and did." Richie says, and this time it's Eddie who reaches over to give his hand a reassuring squeeze. He has an old picture in his other hand, a birthday party, his arms around Eddie's shoulders, nose bunting into his cheek. Eddie isn't wearing a party hat, but Richie is wearing two... Eddie never liked how they cut into his chin.

(6) "It was such a surprise to hear you two found each other again, but I think that's so sweet." Maggie neatly ignores her son's protests, handing Eddie another photo from the file box. Halloween, Richie pinching his cheek and laughing. He doesn't remember all of it, but he remembers hiding his candy at Richie's house, taking the shitty candy home for his mom to sort through and throw out while Richie snuck half the good stuff back to him at school...

(7) "You knew, back then?" Went goes still, looking down at another one of the pictures they've been passing around, Richie and Eddie with Bill and Stan, the four of them with their arms around each other's shoulders, Richie clearly monopolizing Eddie's attention even with the others there. "I didn't realize. I always told Richie to leave the bedroom door open when he had that girl over-- Bethany? Beverly? Beverly. I never thought we had to worry about Eddie..."

(8) "Well I hardly thought we needed to worry about Eddie!" Maggie laughs. As each picture comes back around the circle to her, she re-files it in its proper place. Eddie wishes he'd had pictures he could have gone back to, even if he couldn't remember. His mother would never have kept photos of his friends. "They were only boys, Went, and Eddie was always so well-behaved, besides."

(9) Eddie does not entirely appreciate the way Richie snorts at 'well-behaved', but at least he tries to stifle his laughter. Eddie remembers being well-behaved, at least whenever he was at the Toziers'. But then, they've already had the playful arguments over who remembered whom as the real wild child, and he has to admit he does remember some of the things Richie does. And maybe it's not so bad, to be remembered as 'a little badass'... he kind of likes it. Just... not in front of the folks.

(10) "You were never a teenage boy." Went points out. "It doesn't matter how good one is, between the ages of thirteen and... well, from age thirteen on for a good while, teenage boys are little animals who definitely aren't listening to the head on their shoulders. And here I thought he needed to keep his door open when he was with girls... I had no idea."

(11) "Dad, please..." Richie's head thunks down against Eddie's shoulder as he flops dramatically to the side. Eddie laughs and leans his cheek against him, patting his back, his own embarrassment easily forgotten thanks to how much he's enjoying Richie's. "We weren't dating then, we didn't-- fool around. I for one would love to talk about anything other than this. How have you guys been? What's for dinner? Read any good books lately?

(12/12) "See, I told you. They were good kids and it was fine. I guess it took growing up a little to figure it all out." Maggie laughs. "And here we all are. And dinner will be out of the oven in ten, so I hope you're hungry for pot roast, and there's ice cream in the freezer for dessert." And when she takes the last of the photos back, she ruffles Eddie's hair fondly, and he feels like he belongs, like he's always belonged and he's just been waiting to come back here, to his family.

[argeriant18]

She Loves You (Ludwig Beilschmidt [Hetalia Germany] x Reader)

PREVIOUSLY:

[Y/N] and Ludwig hasn't been talking to each other lately and Adrian has another plan on her sleeve.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

PRESENT:

"Adrian, don't you dare go to him." [Y/N] glared at her.

"Go to who? Who's him?" Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Ludwig. Don't go to Ludwig." [Y/N] sighed.

"I'm going to Francis--" Adrian cut her sentence short. "You know what? Forget it, I'm just gonna go to Alfreeee--Nope!"

She crashed on the couch.

"I have nowhere to go except to General's." Adrian look at [Y/N] pleadingly. "Please."

"Fine, but don't tell him about all the things I tell you about him." [Y/N] finally gave in.

"Sir, yes, sir!" Adrian gave her a salute and a bow before she went out the door.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"General, I'm—" Adrian stopped short when she opened the door to the German's house.

"What just happened?" She asked, as she looked around the place. It was untidy and it's just plain weird to see it.

She carefully stepped inside, avoiding the mess it's like if she touched it she'll get burned.

Adrian managed to get through it and she stopped right in front of Ludwig's room.

Adrian took a deep breath before she knocked on his door.

"Sir." Adrian said. "This is Adrian, reporting for duty."

Silence

"Can I come in, sir?" She asked softly and she was soon replied with a muffled grunt.

She slowly opened the door and saw that Ludwig was on the bed. He had his eyes closed and his hair was really messy.

"General?" Adrian asked as she started to approach him cautiously as if he was a wild animal.

"Adrian," Ludwig suddenly said. "What have I done wrong?"

She fell silent for a while.

"I don't know, what did you do?" Adrian replied with a poker face.

Ludwig sat up and glared at her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He most barked at her. "Is that how you talk to your General?"

Adrian shrugged. "Depends."

"Look, General." She sighed. "Why don't we talk about it? You'd be surprised about what I have to tell you."

Adrian went out of his room after she told him that she'll hang around the living room with Gilbert's guitar.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Ludwig went out of his room, he almost looked like his old self again.

He walked into the living room to see Adrian strumming the guitar and playing the tune of the song "Bad Boy" by The Beatles.

"You're improving." Ludwig commented as he sat down beside her.

"Thanks." Adrian smiled at him and stopped playing for a while.

"What did you have to tell me?" Ludwig asked.

"Oh," He saw her face fall at her sudden realization.

"I was told not to say anything and now I'm in a tight situation. Help!" Adrian thought.

"Uhhhh..." She stuttered before she gave a sigh and just decided to convey what she wanted to say through the use of music.

Adrian's eyes lit up when an idea popped in her head. Her mind set to her goal, she started to play the guitar.

"She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah" Adrian sang with a sly smirk on her face.

"She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah"

Ludwig looked at her and gave a little chuckle. This kid never ceases to amaze him every single time.

"She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah" Adrian stood up from the couch and proceeded to go in the middle of the living room and made it look like it was a stage and that she was the artist that was doing a concert.

"You think you've lost your love" She sang loudly and pointed an accusing finger at Ludwig.

"Well, I saw her yesterday-yi-yay" Adrian smirked and pointed at herself proudly which made the blonde German chuckle at her antics.

"It's you she's thinking of

And she told me what to say-yi-yay"

"Oh, really?" Ludwig rose an eyebrow at her with a small smile tugging at his lips. "And what is it?"

"She says she loves you

And you know that can't be bad" Adrian sang out but she saw that he was hesitating on believing what she just said.

"Yes, she loves you

And you know you should be glad" She rolled her eyes at him as if saying "Just because I am singing, it doesn't mean that I am not telling the truth".

"She said you hurt her so

She almost lost her mind" Adrian looked at him boredly.

"And now she says she knows

You're not the hurting kind" She smiled at him, but he shot her a questionable look as if saying "Are you serious?"

Adrian scrunched up her face and stuck out her tongue as if saying "I'm not just serious. I AM SIRIUSLY SIRIUS."

"She says she loves you

And you know that can't be bad" She sang. "Right?"

"Yes, she loves you" Adrian repeated. "Yes, she does. Just believe me already."

"And you know you should be glad

Oo, she loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

With a love like that

You know you should be glad"

Ludwig thought well and hard about what Adrian was saying.

"You know it's up to you

I think it's only fair" Adrian sang as she eyes him in an accusing manner.

"Pride can hurt you too

Apologize to her" She gave him a small sympathetic smile and a little shrug.

"Because she loves you

And you know that can't be bad

Yes, she loves you

And you know you should be glad" Adrian continued singing as his mind slowly stepped into the light, realization.

"Oo, she loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

With a love like that

You know you should be glad" She sang enthusiastically.

"She's right, you know?" Ludwig thought and a smile made it's way into his face.

"With a love like that

You know you should be glad"

"I have an idea." He thought as he tweaked some finishing touches of his plan in his head.

"With a love like that

You know you should be glad

Yeah, yeah, yeah,

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah"

And with one last strum, Adrian ended the song.

"Now, did you understand anything?" She asked. "She really loves you, you know? You should be really thankful or happy or whatever good emotions you should be feeling!"

Adrian crashed on the couch and softly strummed the guitar in the tune of "Truth" by Bamboo.

"I am. Thanks for telling me." Ludwig said and he stood up from his seat when he finally made up his mind. "And you are coming with me."

Adrian stopped playing. "Huh? Me? What?"

"Come on." He grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the house.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"I hope she didn't tell him." [Y/N] sighed and looked at Reese.

"That depends. Adrian is really unpredictable. I know that she's really good at keeping secrets but she would risk it for a greater good." Reese replied. "Don't worry, she usually makes really wise decisions."

"Usually?" A voice said in disbelief.

The two girls turned their head at the source of the voice only to see Adrian and Ludwig.

"She's right, you know?" Ludwig commented. "It's not a really big deal, you're still learning."

"I know, I just wanted to--waah!!" Adrian was pulled away from Ludwig by Reese.

"We have to talk." Reese said and they went to who-knows-where.

[Y/N] took a deep breath. "Thanks for taking Adrian back here. She's staying here for a while."

"Oh," Ludwig nodded. "So, how are you?"

"Good, you?" [Y/N] asked.

"He's a wreck! As in a wreck!" Adrian yelled from somewhere.

"Adrian! Shut up!" Reese's voice was heard and then there was a smack!.

"I better check on those two." [Y/N] sighed and was ready to find the two girls when Adrian yelled out that she was alright.

"Uh, Adrian?" Ludwig called out. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Adrian's voice could be heard in a singsong manner.

Ludwig heaved a sigh.

"Continue with your blossoming romance or else I'll recite the balcony scene from 'Romeo and Juliet'!" Adrian yelled.

"Don't! You've been reciting that since last night just because there was a full moon!" [Y/N] said exasperatedly.

"You were bothering her with a balcony scene from 'Romeo and Juliet'?" Ludwig asked, surprised. "Adrian, you are going to take 10 laps tomorrow!"

"Ludwig, don't be too hard on her." [Y/N] laid a hand on his arm.

He sighed before he looked directly into her eyes.

This is the right moment - the perfect moment.

So he took action.

"[Y/N]," Ludwig said, barely above a whisper. "I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for whatever it is I did."

[Y/N] gave a small smile and nodded a little. "I forgive you."

Ludwig heaved out a sigh of relief.

"But it took me a long time, you know?" [Y/N] giggled and he smiled as the sound reached his ears.

"KIIIIISSSSSSSSSSS!!!!" They both heard Reese yell out.

"NOOOOOOO!!! MY EYYYYEEEESSSSSS!!! HAVE MERCCCCCCYYYYY!!!!!" Adrian yelled back in response which made the couple laugh.

"She's seriously not a fan of romance." [Y/N] said with a big smile on her face.

"Yep, she isn't. She's been begging me to tell her war time stories." Ludwig chuckled.

"Don't." [Y/N] warned. "Maybe she'll get nightmares."

"I know. That's why I'm not telling her." Lugwig said.[Y/N] smiled.

"Sooo. . ."

"Sooo what?" He asked with a smile on his face.

"Oh, come here." [Y/N] pulled him to her and they both shared a loving kiss.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The End

[bakugou-tm]

The whole Bakugou's mum thing. As someone who's worked with kids and studied them, I just don't think there is ever a right situation to raise your hand to your child. Like, if you've raised your child from birth, you should be 100% committed to dealing with situations that don't involve slapping or hitting them, it can cause mental health problems because of it. But then again, it's an anime and I don't care enough but I just want people to know, in real life, please never hit your kids.

I agree with you in the sense that hitting children is never always the answer to bad behavior, and I respect your opinion in that you believe no child should be hit or slapped by their guardian. This isn’t a topic I whole-heartedly disagree on, I see good points on both sides. Just from personal experiences I tend to lean more towards the slapping of a very bad child is alright in certain scenarios.

For starters, I totally agree that slapping, hitting, or any form of physical punishment should never be the first response to bad behavior. There is always another way to reprimand a child before physical action needs to be taken. I believe you should tell the child no and explain to them why it’s wrong first in hopes that they will trust what you say and don’t do it again. Even if they do it a second time I believe you should yell at them sternly and give them a warning, but hopefully that should be enough.

Now if they repeat the action a third time, this is when I believe it’s suitable to give your child a slap. Now I’m not saying sucker punch them in the face or beat them with a baseball bat, but a quick slap to the arm just to startle them then reinforce that what they are doing is wrong and shouldn’t be repeated.

Of course methods like lecturing, time out, and sitting down to talk with the child are useful methods to do but after a certain amount of times a child is bad those tactics simply don’t work anymore. I have seen this from personal experience from my own childhood of being a little shit, seeing children my mom works with being little shits, and even my own cousins who are beyond spoiled to the point where it’s too late. No child will enjoy being in timeout or having their parent yell them, but there is a certain point where a child simply won’t care anymore. Children aren’t dumb, when they begin to learn that the only punishment for their actions is ‘thirty minutes in timeout’ or ‘no TV for a week’ then they get to the point where they don’t care. I have actually met a child who I’m close to who actually gave up their TV and told her, “I don’t care you can have it.” and continued to do the bad things they were partaking in.

When children get to that point of not caring, they will only get worse in life. Nobody will be able to stop their bad actions because they simply won’t care, they won’t have respect for anyone who comes in their life, and they’ll know they can mold anyone into doing what they want to do because they know there will never be any big punishment to their actions. Eventually it gets to the point where the kids turn into these crazy children you see on social media today, having no respect for anyone but themselves.

Even in the small clip of the manga you posted (as seen below), while I’m not 100% sure of the context of the entire chapter, Bakugou doesn’t exactly seem saddened in how he was raised. In a way it almost seems like he’s offended at what Todoroki said. Adding onto that, Todoroki most likely says this because he was actually in an abused household. His father didn’t slap him because he was being a bad child, his father beat him up when he was being a good child. That is what an abusive parent does.

Parents who slap their child because they are being obnoxious or wild aren’t child abusers, they are just taking action of their child’s bad behavior and reinforcing that it’s wrong so they don’t grow up acting that obnoxious and wild. Now parents who kick, punch, slap, beat, or verbally abuse their children whether they were being bad, good, or showing any emotion whatsoever? Those are child abusers.

Todoroki as seen from manga was a very good child, all of the Todoroki children were, but their father was still abusive to all of them including their mother even though they acted in line. This is most likely why Todoroki said what he said, his father was legitimately child abuser.

Bakugou’s mom? She was certainly not an abusive parent. Was she mom of the year? Of course not, she still had a very blunt attitude that Katsuki obviously picked up on since he’s her carbon copy. Her cursing, sour attitude, and weak touch to emotions obviously rubbed off on Bakugou which wasn’t the best parenting on her part; but she was simply being herself. 

Mitsuki didn’t just slap Bakugou as soon as he popped out of the womb, her parenting strategy wasn’t to hit Bakugou for fun like Todoroki’s father did; she only took these actions when he was acting like a brat. Take the recent anime episode for example; Bakugou literally told her “Don’t hit me old lady, I’ll kill you!” Obviously she wasn’t going to say, “Bakugou go stand in time out.” or, “You’re grounded for a week.” or even worse, “Bakugou that’s very rude, don’t speak like that again.” If she told that to Katsuki he probably would’ve laughed in her face, instead she slapped him on the head and yelled at him. Mitsuki made it clear in the manga and anime that people were constantly oozing over Katsuki because of is crazy powerful quirk so it all went to his head, that isn’t her fault. She can’t help the sudden praises her son got over the years that only fed to his ego. People around him put him in the mindset that he was better than everyone else. This is the case for a lot of rotten kids, they’re constantly being put on this high and mighty stepping stool that they are the greatest, parents can’t help that. It’s not accurate to say parents don’t have a brain so their only action is to hit their child, that’s not always the case.

Now again just to reaffirm, Bakugou’s parents are not parents of the year. I am not saying to take notes on their parenting skills, I’m only saying that Bakugou’s parents are far far far far from being abusive parents. Of course part of Bakugou’s flaws did rub off from his mother because she’s no perfect angel, but a lot of his negative qualities also came from his peers. It’s clear enough that Bakugou was never going to learn from a simple time out or scolding, as he says ‘putting a child in their place’ was necessary of Mitsuki to do. Clearly she didn’t kick him or punch him, probably just quick slaps to say ‘aye fool cut that shit out’ The cursing and screaming could have been avoided, but that’s simply in Mitsuki’s nature and if there’s one thing clear about the Bakugou’s: They will never change who they are for other’s approval. 

In conclusion, I don’t totally disagree with what you’re saying and I 100% respect your opinion on the matter. The points you make do make sense, I just don’t think calling parents who slap their child when they are being bad child abusers or saying they have no brain serves them justice. There are always many factors as to why a parent needs to slap their child so it’s not right to assume immediately they are abusing their child.

Now if they are punching or kicking their child or you can see visible marks of abuse on that child? You best believe I would call that sucker out because no child deserves to be abused, that’s one of the worst evils a person can commit.

Overall I respect both sides of the argument and I enjoy hearing from both sides as well since new points are always being brought to the table but one final conclusion I would like to draw from this that I do firmly believe in.

Bakugou’s mother and father are not abusive parents !!!