#but see if the other two don’t get jealous if they think i’m neglecting them

[that-one-scared-gay]

am i the only one who wants a fic where dany is transported to hotd time, preferably around that dinner right before viserys died, so that this entire mess of a family is confronted with what will become of their dynasty — a girl who calls herself the mother of dragons, who grew up as a beggar and was sold by her own brother in exchange for an army, who has never set a foot in king’s landing, who is the last of her kind, the last of the targaryens

and for dany to look at these people, her ancestors — her family was so large, there are so many of them — and their dragons, who wear saddles, who are tended to in the dragonpit, by keepers who know what they are doing, who have a long history with these creatures

and she knows, she knows her histories, she knows about the dance, she knows these individuals are the ones who brought her family to ruin, who made the dragons disappear — and she thinks of being stuck in the desert with a half-dead khalasar and three newborn dragons, of struggling to feed them, of not knowing how, of all these things that have been lost to her, these birthrights that were stolen- her dragons were gifted by a pentosi merchant, not placed at her cradle as it should have been— and seeing them all take it for granted, knowing they will destroy all of it in a war that has no victor-

can you imagine daenerys, who has only ever wanted to go home, who has only ever wanted to have family- can you picture her looking at them, at these people who hate each other, who will kill each other, who will take so much from her, even if they don’t know it yet

can you imagine her rage, at all of them, for taking it all for granted. for turning on each other over the throne, when it would be theirs regardless, would be targaryen, would be the dynasty’s, and don’t they understand, a targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing

[zvdvdlvr]

— I Love You

— 🧠 synopsis. A tough case leaves you in the more than willing arms of SSA Aaron Hotchner.

— 🧠 word count. 2,409

— 🧠 warnings. Foul language. Idiots to lovers. Friends to lovers. Weird plot. Possible jealous!Hotch.

Maybe it was the children that hadn’t been saved in time. Maybe it was the pitying glances from not only the team, but the police officers. Maybe, even, it was the way Aaron’s eyes flitted away any time y/n looked up. 

No, y/n was mad. Angry, spiteful, defiant- any other synonyms for angry. The fact that the unsub had been completely fooled by y/n’s act until he had promptly decided he didn’t believe y/n’s promise to help in any way she could to lower his prison sentence. That’s the thing with schizophrenics: they’re extremely paranoid.

Y/n was so infuriated, she refused to talk- a habit that she had learned from childhood. If she didn’t say anything, she couldn’t get in trouble. It was a bad habit that y/n had eventually stopped by the time she went to college because the anger she kept inside of her without any kind of release would always find a way to rot her from the inside out. 

So now, even on the flight home, y/n still hasn’t said more than two sentences in a row.

— 🧠

Aaron Hotchner was a man with excellent observation skills and the ability to adapt. He knew y/n’s habit of reserving herself to silence due to the amount of time they have worked together, but Aaron felt like something was different this time.

Instead of starting the pile of paperwork he already had, Aaron instead found himself watching y/n. She was always extremely sensitive to cases that dealt with kids, but this seem to hit home, adding to the fact that their unsub had blown his brains out within a five foot radius of y/n and the seven-year-old girl that had been the last victim. 

When the team had gotten to the scene, they watched the little girl dissolve into y/n’s arms, brain matter and blood on the latter’s face. The look in y/n’s eyes when Derek had immediately rushed to the two of them was one of complete despair. Aaron watched, paralyzed, as you picked up the little girl and let her scream and wail near your ringing ears. You turned, pressing her head down so she wouldn’t look at the dead body and look Aaron dead in the eyes and took the child to the ambulance.

Something in your eyes had provoked worry in Aaron. Did you feel guilty? Were you not allowing yourself to break down when you needed to be strong for the little soul in your arms? Was there something you were trying to tell him?

“Hey,” Hotch murmured. He sat down as carefully as he could (which wasn’t too impressive seeing as it was 1 in the morning on a plane).

When you didn’t say anything, Hotch sighed. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I need you to know you did what you had to do. What he did… that wasn’t on you, y/n.”

Then you looked up at him with tears in your eyes and Aaron felt his heart sink. “Oh, honey…” he whispered. 

And then you were in his arms, crying, while trying not to wake up the others. “Hotch, I-“ you started, sniffling. 

“I’m here, sweetheart,” Aaron all but cooed, lightly carding his fingers through your hair. He knew you blamed yourself because that’s how you are. You always strive to do the best you possibly could, oftentimes resorting to neglecting yourself whenever you did something that you knew you could have done better or simply because you forgot. 

“It’s all my fault, Aaron, I- I could have saved him but- I… I messed up and I- I don’t even know what I did! And that little girl…” you trailed off, another wave of tears threatening to overtake your ability to speak. 

Aaron’s throat bobbed as he struggled to find the words to comfort the woman in his arms. Long ago had he resigned to simply being y/n’s boss/borderline friend because he accepted the fact that- as much as he hated to admit it- he was older, not your type, or just simply unattractive. But he would do theoretically anything you asked him to do even if it caused him heartbreak in the future.

“You saved that little girl, angel. *You* did. If you save one of them, you save all of them. Focus on the good, honey, not the bad. If you can do that then you can do anything, and believe me,” Aaron smiled, “I have no doubt in my mind you can do anything.” 

Aaron held you and prayed to God that you didn’t hear how fast his heart was racing. He brushed your tears away and let you sleep on his shoulder, happy that he had hopefully gotten you out of your funk.

— 🧠

Later, Aaron woke up to Derek tapping his shoulder. “Do you want me to take our golden girl home?” Derek asked, with a softness to his voice that he had whenever he talked to you. 

Blinking away the tiredness from his eyes, Aaron shook his head. “No. No, I got her. Tjank you, Derek, but you need to go home and get some rest.” 

Derek nodded. “Get home safe,” he said to Hotch, a small smile in his face when he heard you sigh a little in you sleep and bury your head even further into Aaron’s neck.

Derek patted Aaron’s shoulder before taking his leave.

“Wake up, y/n,” Aaron murmured, heart swelling in his chest when he heard you mumble incoherent words.

Slinging his own go-bag and yours over his shoulders, Hotch helped you stand up.

“Hotch, lemme take my-“ you started, being cut off with a yawn.

“I got it, y/n,” Aaron chuckled. He let you slip your arm in his and all but lean on him as he made his way to his car. 

When he got you settled into the passage seat, Aaron tossed the bags in the back and started the drive to your house. 

“Aaron?” You asked, voice small.

He looked over at you. Despite the lack of light, Aaron watched you pick at your fingers. “Yeah?”

It took you a minute before saying something. You wanted to ask him why he kept calling you ‘honey’ and ‘sweetheart’. It’s not that you didn’t like it (you loved it), you just don’t think he could keep calling you that if he didn’t have any kind of attraction to you. You, though, you’ve been enamored with Aaron Hotchner since the day he shook your hand and offered you a job. 

Similarly, you wanted to ask him what he did when he got lost in his own mind; when he himself couldn’t pull himself out of his thoughts. 

So you settled on a breathless “Thank you”. 

Silence reigned once more as Aaron tried to pick out the meaning of your thanks. Where you thanking him for driving you home? For letting you fall asleep on him? For… being one of the best friends you’d ever had in your life without saying it?

When Aaron carried your bag to the door as you unlocked the it, he wondered if there was another universe where he was taking you home every night, going to bed with you, waking up to Jack begging for pancakes with you, dropping Jack off at school with you, and then going to work with you. Maybe, Aaron thought, somewhere in another universe I’m watching the woman I love fall asleep with my child in her arms. 

“Do you… need anything else?” Aaron asked, holding out y/n’s go-bag for her to take. 

Aaron kicked himself. He felt like a school boy whenever you’re around, and the fact that he’s standing in front of you and your home isn’t really helping his nerves.

“Would you maybe want to, uh… stay? For tonight?” Y/n blurted. Aaron’s eyes must have widened because he saw y/n become flustered. “I- you know, just for tonight. I need a ride to work tomorrow anyway… You- You might as well just stay.”

“If you want me to-“

“Please?” 

Aaron stepped into y/n’s house and immediately toed off his shoes. “Where do you want me to put this?” 

“I’ll take it.” She accepted the bag and walked to her room.

Aaron walked around the kitchen. Your house was clean and colorful. You had quite a few photos of the sunset framed by your television, but there were a lot more candid shots of the BAU then of your family. Hm.

“Come here, A,” you called from your room (?).

Dutifully, Aaron followed the sound of your voice, pushing your door open slowly and entering your room. Where you sleep. Where you get dressed and undressed. Where you live.

You walked over to Aaron and handed him a little pile of clothes. “These should fit. I guessed your size. If those don’t fit I have more men’s clothes.” 

“Why do you have men’s clothing?” Aaron asked, a smile toying at his lips. 

“Brothers, boyfriends… they’re comfy,” y/n shrugged. “Does it matter, Aaron?” 

Aaron watched you tilt your head, smirk widening. 

“Just curious.” He defends himself poorly, red tinging his cheeks as he scratches his head.

“Bathroom’s right in there,” you say, pointing to the door attached to your room. 

Aarom walks to your bathroom and shuts the door. He immediately releases a breath of air he hadn’t realize he had been holding. After turning on the lights, he changes into the clothes you gave him. Both owns smelled exactly like you, something that made Aaron smile.

He shut off the light and closed the door. “Thank you, y/n. I appreciate it.”

You looked up from your dresser. “You’d do the same for me. There’s nothing to thank me, Aaron.”

“What are you doing?” Aaron asked, approaching your figure. 

“I don’t think you would want to see me walk around in just a bra and boxers, A,” y/n laughs. 

The bluntness of your answers smacks Aaron in the face with a metal bar. “Boxers?” He finds himself asking.

You just laugh. “They’re comfortable.” 

“You don’t have to change your sleeping routine for me,” Aaron says quietly, eyes looking directly into your own.

“Are you sure?” 

“We’re just sleeping,” Aaron shrugs. “So there’s nothing to worry about.”

Your eyes flicker between your boss’s and suddenly your wondering how you got here. The line between boss/employee and more-than-friends/not-quite-dating was blurred and you didn’t even remember putting your thumb on how you felt about your boss.

“Okay,” you say slowly. You close the drawer, holding a sports bra and boxers. “I’m gonna go change and go to sleep… Do you want me to set up the couch or just sleep in the bed with me?” 

“What do you want, y/n?”

You direct your gaze to the floor. “I don’t care, honestly.” You weren’t just gonna tell your crush you feel safer when his touch is what lulls you to sleep, that you’ve been in love with him since practically the beginning of time, that you wanted more than just a night (of PG activities!) with him.

“I hear your brain going 200 miles an hour over there, sweetheart. What’re you thinking?” Aaron teases.

“Will you hold me, Aaron?” You ask, urging yourself to look into his eyes. Moment of truth, you think, he’s either gonna laugh in my face or I’m gonna fall even deeper in love with my boss as we cuddle.

Aaron feels winded at your tiny voice. Yes, he wants to scream, yes! “Go get changed, honey. I’ll be right here.” 

Then that smile is back and all Aaron wants to do his pick you up in his arms and kiss you, maybe spin you around the room. His heart swells in his chest again (it’s been doing that a lot lately, he notes) as you pat his arm in thanks as you pass him to head to your bathroom.

Aaron climbs into your bed, setting his essentials (badge, keys, gun, etc.,) on the nightstand. 

You flip off the light switch and pad over to the bed and slip under the covers. 

For what felt like a millennium, Aaron held his breath and waited. 

“Aaron, I have to tell you something. It’s been on my mind and… just hear me out. Please. You don’t have to say anything back and I understand if-“ you babble.

“Take a breath, y/n,” Aaron soothes. “What’s up?”

“I’m in love with you, Aaron Benjamin Hotchner. Like, if I had to choose between you over breathing I would literally spend my last breath telling you how much I love you. You are always on my mind, Aaron, and it hurts because I can’t do anything about it. I know I’m not your type, I know I’m just your co-worker, I know you probably aren’t looking to date anyone, but I just… I want you to know,” you ramble, words tumbling out of your mouth like Reid when he get’s started on some random fact. 

Aaron blinks, pupils widening. “Do you seriously think you’re ‘just a co-worker’ to me?” 

You swallow. “Yeah?”

“Do you think I would let just anyone call me Aaron? How often to you see me taking out Morgan for coffee when he gets cranky? Do I almost always end up sitting by Emily on the flight home after a case? Do I call Spencer ‘sweetheart’ and ‘honey’?” Aaron asks quietly, hand resting on your cheek while he tucks a loc of hair under your ear so he can see your eyes better. “Jack loves you. I love you.” Aaron laughs at how comically large your eyes get.

“Jack loves me?” You ask.

Aaron laughs. “He loves you ‘to the moon and back’.” 

“He loves that book, Aaron, don’t laugh at your baby boy,” you scold playfully.

“I outdo him though, because I love you to Saturn and back.”

You turn to the nightstand and shut the light off before turning back to face Aaron. “Will you hold me, Aaron? Please?” 

“C’mere, sweetheart,” Aaron says, opening his arms to welcome you into him. 

And then that’s when you know his words are true. His heart rate  is definitely elevated, but so is yours. “Will you tell me you love me, again?”

Aaron, now lying on his back with you clinging onto him like a weighted blanket, complied. Carding his fingers through her hair, Aaron lulled her mind off to a quiet, safe place. “I love you, angel,” Aaron whispered, pressing a soft kiss to y/n’s forhead.

[thesassypadawan]

Ask Nicely (Master Anakin x FemPadawanReader)

Summary: Somedays you think your new master hates you and others… Well, let’s just say, you find out soon enough…when he expresses his disdain for you asking Obi-Wan nicely to take care of your needs.

Warnings: 18+ (minors dni), because of all the lovely smut. Jealous Skyguy, rough fingering/kisses…and Ani’s thick digits. Padawan Reader is of age, 5 years younger than him.

“What’s the big deal? All I did was train with Master Kenobi,” you huffed. Rolling your eyes so hard that you wondered if they’d get stuck like that.

Anakin had been lecturing you nonstop for the last half hour. Starting from the minute he had practically dragged you out of the dojo…through the temple halls…back to your shared quarters. His strong hand wrapped firmly around your arm the whole way.

“For the fourth time this week,” he growled. Arms crossed as he leaned in the doorway, a frown on his face. “As your master, it’s my responsibility-”

“And you’re doing such a great job…” Having shed the last of your sweat soaked clothes, you began rummaging through your drawers. Back turned to him, not caring that you were standing there in only your undergarments. “…of neglecting those duties.”

You weren’t in the wrong, not in the very least. The two of you never had the greatest of relationships or, for that matter, one really at all. Constantly arguing and fighting, butting heads over anything and everything. Which grew worse when you abruptly became his padawan learner; to the point where you were verily certain that he hated you.

Or there was always something else that led you, made you want to believe…

Capturing your elbow, he easily whirled your around. “Listen here, it’s not my fault-”

“No, it is!” You snapped; jabbing your finger into his chest, refusing to stepdown. “You’re the whole reason why I have to go ask Obi-Wan nicely to help take care of my needs!”

Clearly striking a nerve, you watched as Ani’s jaw clenched tighter. Eyes narrowing at you, something dark flickering inside them. “Careful now; you don’t know-”

“Actually, I think I do,” you boldly interrupted once more. Mouth curling up into a sly grin, because you knew what you said next would anger him enough to either silence or… “You’re jealous! You can’t stand the idea of another man…let alone your old master…touching my body! Guiding me, teaching me how to move in ways that you aren’t able to!”

“Little one,” he snarled in warning. Shoving you back against the dresser, pinning you in place. Towering over your smaller frame menacingly.

You should have been terrified, horrified. Despite this though, you kept goading Anakin. “And his big hands felt so good resting on my hips… His fat cock pressing into my ass…”

Before you could continue, you were cut off by a quick, invisible squeeze to your neck. One that left you briefly stunned, speechless. “Yeah, yeah. We’ll see what you have to say about Obi-Wan after I’m done teaching you.”

Not even a second later and his mouth was slotted against yours in a fiery kiss. Biting sharply at your bottom lip, demanding entrance. All the while his mechno hand found its way to your breast, tearing the bindings off like they were nothing.

The moment the cold air hit your exposed nipples, you let out a small whimper. Allowing Ani to slip his tongue in, wrestling with and pinning yours down. Showing you who was in control, attempting to force you into submission.

You tried to pull away, but he held you fast to him. Organic hand gripping the back of your head, long fingers tangling and tugging your hair roughly. The other delivering a solid slap to each tit before he finally decided it was time to break apart.

Gasping, coughing for air. A desperate whine escaped you as he trailed his lips down your jaw, your throat; leaving an array of lovely marks in their wake. Until they wrapped themselves around a pebbled bud; sucking hungrily, biting lightly when your back arched in response. “M-Mast-ter.”

While he lavished your chest with hot kisses, Anakin’s hand followed the curves of your body. Brushing your clothed mound, chuckling once he felt how drenched you were. “Would you look at that; already so wet for me. Bet the old bastard can’t get you like this…”

Nipping a sensitive nub one last time, he had risen back up. Hand grasping your chin tightly, lips crashing against your in another searing kiss. Making you mewl softly, body trembling in anticipation.

“…or sound like that,” he growled low. Suddenly yanking your panties to the side, plunging two leather clad fingers into your cunt.

Squealing, you clenched hard around him. Walls fluttering from the foreign sensation, from being stuffed so full. Hips rocking back and forth in time with his painfully slow pumps. A squelching sound filling the air.

Wanting and craving more. All that pent up frustration had you already so embarrassingly close to crashing over the edge. That you were reduced to a mere babbling mess when Ani abandoned your mouth and pressed his lips to your neck again. Kissing the junction of it and your shoulder, tongue lapping at the tender flesh. A pleasant shiver running down your spine. “P-please…please…”

His pace picked up, thick digits thrusting deep with you. Bullying and bruising your cervix, muttering. “Oh, are you close? You want to cum?”

Panting, you nodded frantically. The heat inside of you overwhelming while you lost touch with reality more and more from each drive.

“Words,” he demanded. Adding the remaining two, slamming them brutally into your packed pussy. “Use them.”

“Yes, s-so close!” You squeaked, the coil in your stomach threatening to snap at any moment. “L-let me c-cum, master!”

At your words, he sunk his teeth in. Breaking the skin, hissing a ‘no’ as he abruptly withdrew his fingers. Pulling away, your fresh blood tinting his lips red.

A wild cry flew from your mouth. Sobbing at the denial, body sagging against the dresser. Hips bucking shamelessly in the air, trying to regain the pleasurable feelings that had been coursing through you.

Grabbing your ass, Anakin squeezed…smacked it hard. Smearing your slick across your freshly soiled panties. “Only good padawans get to do that…you haven’t been. Now, why don’t you try asking me nicely and maybe…I’ll help take care of your needs.”

Tag List: @espinathena-17, @myheartwillgoon2022, @cacti5539, @wifeofasith, @princessswifie, @kenobiskywalker16, @loverforoldermen

[xiuminsmygrandpa]

I’m devastated that Dead Boy Detectives for many reasons but mostly because every characters story, even the side characters is left open. If there ever was a second season this is what I’d love to see

Niko coming back as a ghost or some other supernatural being and her and Charles bonding over accepting that they are dead. Especially because in season one Charles is forced to confront both his abusive father and being beaten to death. He repressed those memories for 30 years because they were too painful for him. And Niko did the same thing with her father’s death and the mistakes she made while she was alive. Plus I’d just love to see the two of them become friends.

On the flip side I see the other focus on Crystal and Edwin also confronting their pasts. While Charles and Niko struggle with confronting their deaths Edwin needs to accept he was a living being at one point. And now that Crystal has her memories back she will have to reconnect with her past self. I’d love to see her and Edwin bonding over being from families with money and neglectful parents and fearing they deserved the punishments they received. Plus I wanna see more of them bicker like the siblings they are! Maybe we get to see more of Edwin’s family and life when he was alive because it’s basically nonexistent in season one!

Charles realizing his feelings for Edwin are more than platonic now that he knows Edwin likes him and Charles and Edwin becoming more comfortable with being closer physically. Just like Edwin had a sexuality crisis in season one I see Charles also having a sexuality crisis in season two. Luckily he has three girl friends who are all super openly queer.

Edwin going thru his hoe phase but struggling to form emotional connections with his sexual partners because he loves Charles and Charles wanting to be supportive but also being down bad for him. And Edwin potentially confiding in Charles??

Charles and Crystal trying to make a relationship work but realizing pretty quickly they’re not compatible. I do think the season ended with them being in a quasi relationship and I see it dragging out a bit longer because neither of them is ready to let go.

Edwin going to Jenny for relationship advice and her actually giving decent advice. I feel like most fanon assumes he’d go to Niko but I honestly don’t think Niko feels comfy giving relationship advice after the disaster that was Jenny’s date from Hell. I do see both of them possibly tag teaming relationship advice for Edwin. I could also see him confiding in Crystal since they’re already bonding over their shared trauma.

I also see Charles venting to literally everyone but Edwin about his feelings because he’s having a sexuality crisis and confronting his past trauma at the same time. Charles being 100000% jealous of every guy Edwin’s been with and judging whether they’re actually a good match for Edwin. He will be the bestie who’s like “I’m so happy for you” and Edwin being like “then why are you crying” “these are happy tears mate🥺😭”

Edwin and Charles finally having a conversation about the staircase and Edwin realizing Charles only said he wasn’t in love because he wanted to wait until he knew for sure. And both of them admitting they don’t feel like they’re good enough to be what the other one needs.

As for the side characters, I wanna see Jenny finally get a gf in London and become a butcher for both the living and the dead. I want tragic mic to finally become a walrus again because he’s been thru it. This probs won’t happen but Monty coming back and him and Charles bonding over their shared jealousy of Edwin and maybe hate fucking?

This is a long shot but it would be so cool to see Desire and Charles especially when Charles realizes he’s a chaotic bisexual. And Despair and Edwin because I can see them being a disastrous duo.

And lastly death finally meets the dead boy detectives!!

[corroded-hellfire]

OMG Wait for thé As You Wish baby Eliza idea fics I was thinking about something like this: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRTyDcC5/

All of the Munson family is on the floor lined up and cooing at baby Eliza to crawl/walk towards one of them to see who she favors more.

Eliza Munson is now an obsession of mine. I love her almost as much as Eddie does. @munson-blurbs and I had so much fun (as we always do together) writing this and having the little Munson family get weird and have fun 🩷

Words: 1.2k

[As You Wish masterlist]

“Come on, Eliza,” Luke says with a sigh. He pulls out the chair next to her highchair and plops down in it. “Why won’t she just eat it?”

“Would you want to eat strained peas?” Ryan asks, brandishing the label on the baby food jar at his little brother. “It probably tastes worse than normal peas.”

Luke hops up and dips his pinky into the jar. He sticks it in his mouth and immediately pulls it right back out. His face scrunches up in repulsion and he makes a gagging sound. “Yep. Definitely worse.”

“Don’t make that face in front of her!” Ryan chides. “She’ll never want to eat it!”

But the little giggles from the highchair have both boys turning to look at their sister. Her big eyes are focused on Luke as he makes his face of disgust. 

“You think that’s funny, huh?” Luke says, leaning in towards the nine-month-old. “You like when I make silly faces?” He puckers his lips together like a fish, which has Eliza giggling even harder. “You love me so much, don’t you?” Luke swore he’d never cave in and use the baby-talk voice that everyone else uses with his sister, but that didn’t last very long. Now he uses it almost every time he talks to her. 

“All right, Eliza,” Ryan says, bringing a small spoonful of the unappetizing green baby food up towards her lips. “You gonna have some food now? Have some yummy lunch?”

“Don’t lie to her,” Luke says, making Ryan roll his eyes. 

“Don’t listen to him,” Ryan tells the baby. “Gonna open up? Yeah, there you go.” Eliza holds her tiny mouth open long enough for Ryan to feed her the peas. Eliza makes a face at the unpleasant taste on her tongue and smacks her lips together a few times, but she doesn’t spit it out. 

“Yes!” Ryan cheers. “I did it! I got her to eat her vegetables.”

“Well, yeah,” Luke says with a scoff. “Because I made her laugh.”

“She laughs at anything. The other day, I unzipped my coat and she laughed so hard that she farted,” Ryan retorts, bringing another small spoonful of peas to his sister’s lips. 

Luke pouts, sticking his tongue out at Ryan. “You’re just jealous because I’m obviously her favorite.”

“Ha! In your dreams.”

“Wanna bet?”

That’s how you and Eddie find your three children sprawled out on the family room floor. Luke and Ryan are on one side, and Eliza’s on the other. 

“C’mon! Come over here!” Ryan calls out, motioning the baby towards him. “You can do it, Eliza!”

“Do I even wanna know what you two are up to?” Eddie asks, smirking at the boys. 

“Trying to see which one of us is her favorite,” Luke casually replies, as though this is a normal occurrence. 

“Ah, well, at least you’re not training her for some sort of horse racing thing with babies,” Eddie laughs, scratching at the stubble on his chin. “Anyway, don’t worry about who her favorite is.”

“She loves us equally,” you remind them with a patient smile. 

But Eddie rolls his eyes playfully. “Uh, no. I was gonna say that they don’t need to worry about it because I’m clearly the favorite.”

“Ha!” you bark out. “Remember whose body housed her for nine months and produced food for her. I literally gave her life. Therefore, I should be the favorite.”

“You should be,” Eddie says, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes, “however, you’ve neglected to account for the fact that she’s a total daddy’s girl.”

Ryan’s next to speak up. “Well, I’m the one who named her. If you left it up to Luke, we’d be calling her Squidward.”

“Only if she was a boy!” Luke protests. “Besides, I make her laugh the most. She knows I’m funny, so I’m her favorite.”

Eddie turns to you. “I think there’s only one way to settle this,” he says with a shrug. 

“I think so,” you agree. Turning towards the boys, you motion for them to scoot down so that you can get down on the floor next to them. Eddie scoops up Eliza from where she’d wandered over towards the toy box in the corner of the room. He straightens the tiny black Metallica shirt she’s wearing and sits her down in the middle of the room. 

“Here we go,” he says, pressing a kiss to her head before coming over to get on the ground next to you. “Okay, on the count of three, everyone start calling for her. Ready? One, two, three.”

“Come on, baby!” you call, making grabby hands for your daughter.

“Eliza! C’mere to Daddy, baby girl!”

“Hey, hey, Eliza!” Luke coos. “Over here!”

“You know you love your big brother Ryan! Come here!”

Eliza stays seated in her spot, her eyes roaming over her four family members, wondering what in the hell they are doing. She’s seen some weird things in her nine months, but never this. 

“Luke, stop making funny faces. You’re distracting her!” Ryan says.

“I’m trying to get her to come over here!” he responds. 

The baby finally pushes herself into a crawling position and starts to move. The four older family members practically hold their breath as they wait to see in what direction she’s headed. Eliza veers to the right, headed towards Eddie. Her father lets out an evil, triumphant laugh and grins as she gets closer. 

“That’s right, baby. Show them Daddy is your favorite.” But then her movements pause, and Eliza begins to head towards her mother.

“Yes!” you say, encouragingly. “That’s my sweet girl!” You shoot a smirk over your shoulder at Eddie. “You were saying?” 

Eliza starts crawling towards you, but Ryan starts drumming his hands against the carpet and that catches her attention. Her course once again changes, and she heads towards her brothers.

“No!” you say. “Don’t betray me! My only daughter!”

“Uh, mine too, ya know,” Eddie says from the other side of you. “Eliza, remember who always sings you to sleep.” He launches into the chorus of “Enter Sandman,” headbanging while the little girl giggles. 

Your heart sinks as Eliza starts towards him, but she immediately stops crawling when she hears the knock at the door and sits back on her diaper-padded bottom. 

“That must be Wayne,” Eddie says. He’d invited him over for dinner, and the older man never turns down an opportunity to see his grandkids. “Come in!” he calls out, not moving from his spot on the floor. 

The doorknob twists as Wayne enters, heavy-footed in steel-toed boots. His gaze is drawn immediately to the five of you on the floor. 

“What on God’s green Earth did I walk into?”

Luke’s the only one not remotely embarrassed. “Trying to see who Eliza loves the most,” he casually explains. 

Before Wayne can formulate a response, the baby does an about-face and crawls directly to him. She sits at his feet, making grabby hands and whining so he’ll pick her up. 

“Huh,” Wayne says with a grin. “Wouldja look at that.  Seems like Miss Eliza chose me!”

The rest of you groan and grumble, erupting into a chorus of not fairs. 

“Does this mean that Grampa Wayne is her favorite?” Luke asks, unable to hide his envy. 

Wayne laughs, tickling his granddaughter’s feet. “C’mon, you didn’t need a competition to know that!”

Eliza claps her hands together clumsily in agreement. 

“The princess has spoken,” Eddie begrudgingly agrees. A glint of mischief flickers across his deep brown eyes as he looks at his uncle. “Unfortunately, the prize is changing her diaper. And, uh, she’s really been into prunes lately, so…” he claps a hand on Wayne’s back. “Congrats!”

[ahlyasimps]

Green Carnations [S.S]

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x GN Reader

Summary: You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with Poppy and Sebastian starts to feel jealous.

A/N: Sebastian is 100% a carnation guy and you CANNOT convince me otherwise. Totally the type to get you a bouquet of multi-coloured carnations and act like he didn’t spend an hour trying to get them to be just the right colours. He’s a loser (affectionate). Y’all only ever make out in this fic and the reference to the 'super top secret, Ms. Scribner does not approve' rendezvous was just because Sebastian likes dragging you to explore the restricted section with him. We’re keeping it family friendly today

You and Sebastian sat in the dimly lit undercroft, surrounded by the ancient stone walls and flickering torches. You were both dressed warmly, wrapped in thick cloaks to ward off the chill that permeated the air. While you normally enjoyed the colder temperatures of the Undercroft it was unusually cold today.

Sebastian leaned back against a pillar, his arm around you shoulders as you chatted quietly. The two of you had been dating for several months now, and spending time together in this secluded spot felt both romantic and exciting. It had fond memories for you both. It was where Sebastian taught you Confringo (a spell you used far too often you think), and it was even where he confessed his feelings for you.

As you talked, Sebastian absentmindedly played with a strand of your hair, a soft smile on his lips. You leaned into him, feeling safe and comfortable in his embrace.

For a while, you both simply sat in companionable silence, enjoying each other's company and the peaceful stillness of the undercroft. Eventually, Sebastian spoke up.

"I'm really glad Ominis isn't here," he said softly. "He'd surely complain about the noise we make."

You turned to look up at him in confusion, "What do you mean?," you said. But before you could continue your sentence your lips were stolen by his.

Sebastian had leaned in to kiss you, and you eagerly returned the gesture. You spent the rest of the evening lost in each other's company before calling it a night, Sebastian's hand around your waist as he walked you to your common room.

The next morning you decided to do a bit of research in the library. Poppy had owled you asking for help finding Snidgets to protect them from poachers. According to her, your best bet of finding these endangered creatures was by meeting with centaurs so she asked you to accompany her. You were pulled out of your reading when you felt a tap on your shoulder.

Looking behind you, you spotted Sebastian standing behind your chair. You looked up, smiling warmly when you saw him. "Hey, Sebastian," they said. "What's up?"

He gave you a mischievous smile "I found something that I think you'll want to see. How about I take you there tonight, pumpkin?"

You groaned at the nickname before pouting apologetically "Sorry Sebby, I've got something planned tonight. Meeting Poppy later."

He furrowed his eyebrows at that. "This is the 4th time this week you've been blowing me off to hang out with Poppy. I'm starting to feel a bit neglected" He pouted at that but if you had looked closely, you would have seen his fists clench.

You smirked at that and reached up to take his hand. "Don't be silly," you said. "We can have our 'super top secret, Ms. Scribner does not approve' rendezvous another time."

"I'll hold you to hit then," Sebastian replied but his voice sounded a little strained. Like he was upset. You couldn't quite tell though since the both of you were talking quietly.

"I've got potions now, I'll see you later," And with a quick kiss on your cheek, Sebastian left.

Night fell and so you bundled yourself up in a warm cloak, grabbed your gloves and snuck out of your dorm to go meet Poppy in the forest.

The encounter went better than you expected to be honest. Not getting turned into a pin cushion on sight was already an improvement from the countless scenarios you had envisioned. As you made your way back to Hogwarts alone (Poppy spotted a Mooncalf and ran off), you spotted a figure in the distance.

At first you were weary but as you got closer for a better view you realized it was Sebastian.

"Sebastian!" You whisper-yelled, happy to see your boyfriend. "What are you doing here?"

You quickly realized he looked pissed off.

"Just what were you doing with Poppy?” He asked, his tone dark. "I saw you sneaking out and followed you but you come back with your hair tousled, clothing askew and you even snuck off in the middle of the night to go see her!" His voice was getting louder now.

"If you don't want to be together anymore, just say so instead of constantly blowing me off and acting so secretive!" The more emotional he got, the more tears formed in his eyes.

"You... you thought I was cheating on you?!" You felt your heart break at the betrayal in his eyes.

"Well what do you want me to think? All the time it's 'Poppy this,' or 'Poppy that,' and whenever I ask what the two of you do, you never give me a straight answer!"

"Rowena, no Sebastian! I love you, I'm so hopelessly in love with you that I would literally take a crucio for you! It's just... Poppy swore me to secrecy but I'll tell you. Just, don't breathe a word of this or she'll send a hippogriff after me."

And so you explained everything, from the dragon fighting ring to the Snidget rescue mission and by the end of it, Sebastian looked even more pissed off but for a different reason.

"A dragon fighting ring? Poachers? Do you know how dangerous that is?! What if you've been seriously injured?!" He grabbed you into a tight, bone crushing hug before running one of his hands through your hair.

"Thank you for telling me but please, let me join you both next time. I know you can take care of yourself but at least let me come so I can have peace of mind."

"I can owl Poppy about it, say I think you'll make a good addition to the team so it doesn't sound like you're joining because I told you everything."

He laughed into your hair, "Sounds good." “I’m sorry Sebastian, I never want you to feel this way.” You cupped his face with your hands “You’re it for me.” He learned into your hand and smiled, a large genuine smile before bringing his face closer to yours.

"Oh wait!" You exclaimed before he could continue, wriggling yourself out of his embrace. "We still have time now, what did you want to show me?"

Even in the dark you could see Sebastian's blush, "Ah.. well... just come with me." He stuttered out (very unlike him) and dragged you by the hand back into the Forbidden Forest.

He took you to a clearing and there, bathed in the moonlight was a field of light green carnations. You walked forward and looked at them in wonder. "Oh, Sebastian! They're beautiful!" You turned around to look at him, a bright smile on your face.

He smiled bashfully, "I found them while I was exploring, they were starting to wilt so I've been taking care of them. Then I came up with the great idea of trying to dye them different colours. So far I've only been able to make them turn green."

You chuckled "Rowena, you're SUCH a Slytherin, everything is green with you lot."

"Hey!" He exclaimed, pretending to be offended and ran towards you catching you in his arms before you both went tumbling down in a rain of petals. Giggling you reach your hands up to grab him by the back of the head, bringing his lips near yours. "Thank you Sebastian, truly," and your lips then slotted together like they were a perfect fit.

"You know, maybe another reason why you could only manage to dye the carnations green is because you were green with envy," You laughed at that, loudly while Sebastian levelled you with a glare that would've buried 6 feet under. "It was a genuine concern," he said pouting.

"I know, and I'm sorry I made you feel that way." You giggled before continuing "I'm afraid you're stuck with me bird boy."

"My last name is Sallow... not Swallow."

"Eh, I quite like your new nickname."

And as you both lay there, under the stars in a sea of green carnations, you felt that nothing could ever make you happier than this moment with him.

[mariondeux]

Hi could I request yandere mayoi x male reader please

Mayoi is obsessed with the male reader to the point that he’s jealous that the reader is dating someone else and the reader likes to hanging out with mayoi because he’s cute and he confesses his love to the reader and manipulates them to be his lover.

Could you add manipulation, corruption, sadism, rough sex, biting and mayoi being a creepy stalker please ^^

— SYNOPSIS ; Mayoi was overjoyed to hear you wanted him to come over, until he found out your partner was with you as well. Once your partner leaves, he jumps up and confesses to you. But, once you turn him down, he’s ready to do anything to get you to become his.

CW ; NSFW, Non-con, threats of suicide, death threats, manipulation, gory description of death, manipulation, corruption (kinda, this is more like mindbreak), hints of sadism, rough sex, biting, Mayoi being creepy in Mayoi fashion, technical NTR?

WORD COUNT ; 958

PAIRING ; Yandere!Mayoi Ayase x Male!Reader

A/N ; Oh this one is HEAVY. This is the most heaviest request I’ve ever written (imo) 😭 Please take the warnings seriously.

FEMALE ALIGNED DNI.

Mayoi chewed the inside of his mouth, hands slightly trembling as he fiddled with his fingers. When you had invited him over to hang out, you neglected to tell him your significant other would be there as well. The urge to run away and hide somewhere pulsed in his brain, keeping his head down to avoid the sight of you two acting so lovey dovey.

His head was in a constant battle with himself. One side wanted to go back home, hide under his blankets or watch you two in your vents without his presence being known. His leg began bouncing up and down, hunching over on the couch. The other side wanted to get up and wring your significant other’s neck, tear the flesh out of his neck to prevent him from breathing any longer. To watch blood gush out of his neck as they struggled to breathe, the light fading from their eyes as their heart slowed to a stop.

He can’t be having these thoughts with you two in the same room. He can’t.

His brain drowned in this seemingly never ending internal battle with himself, not noticing that your significant other had left your home already. You approached Mayoi, noticing how off put he looked. Your brows furrowed, slowly approaching him as you softly called out his name.

Once he registered you trying to get his attention, he stopped. He jumped a little, turning to face you with wide teal eyes that reminded you of tropic skies and distant sands. He stuttered out your name questionably.

“Mayoi? Are you okay? You were shaking really badly…” You slowly reached out to him, giving him time to move away if he wanted to. But he didn’t. He allowed you to place your hand on his shoulder. You sat down next to him on the couch.

“(name)… I-I love you! P-Please, break up with your partner… t-they don’t deserve you! Y-You deserve someone better, l-like me!” Mayoi’s voice wavered, and he blurted what he’d been holding in without thinking. He placed both of his hands on your shoulders, firmly grasping onto them.

Your eyes widened at the sudden confession. You knew Mayoi seemed pretty out of it when he came to your house, but you weren’t expecting him to say something like this. You invited him over because you thought the way he acted was adorable, and you just wanted to hang out with your significant other and your dear friend. Of all things, why did Mayoi suggest something like this? Your partner didn’t treat you badly. In fact, you were basically still in your honeymoon phase.

“Mayoi… I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. I love my partner, and… I only see you as a friend, a little brother, even.” You nervously chuckled, reaching over to rub your other arm.

You could see those clear skies shatter in front of you.

“B-But…” His bottom lip trembled. A switch flipped in his brain, and suddenly, he ran on autopilot.

“I-If you don’t become my boyfriend, I’m gonna kill myself! I-I will!” Mayoi stood up, limbs visibly shaking as he grabbed anything nearby that he could use against himself. He picked up a cable, unplugging it as he wrapped it around his neck. “I-I’ll do it!”

You immediately got up from the couch, a sudden rush of adrenaline going through you as you ran over to him to pry the cable away from him. “Mayoi, stop! We can talk this out!”

“No! I-I’ll even go home and do it myself! A-And I’ll even kill your partner! I’ll throw a bag over their h-head and beat their skull open with a hammer!” Mayoi yelled out like a madman, eyes swirling in a manic haze as he let go of the cable, now tightly grabbing onto your shoulders. 

Your breath was stuck in your throat as you stared at Mayoi with terror. You’d never seen Mayoi act out like this, going as far as to blurt out the gruesomest thing you’d ever heard. Worst part of all of it was that you didn't think he was joking. You let out a haggard breath, gently sliding your hands up Mayoi’s arms.

“I-I’ll be your boyfriend… Just please, Mayoi, calm down.”

You don’t know what you did to reach this point in your life. What did you do to garner Mayoi’s attention? What did you do to flip a trigger in him? Did you misread him? Was he not who he was? 

You grabbed onto the arm of the couch, legs trembling and threatening to give out under you as Mayoi held your body closer to him. His arms wrapped around your waist, keeping your back firm against his chest as his braided dark purple hair tickled your exposed back. You could hear him breathing so heavily behind you as he rutted his hips into yours, acting as if he was in heat himself. 

Mayoi’s sharp teeth dug into the flesh on your back, biting into you as if he was trying to tear a chunk of your flesh off. You let out a sound of agony through your hazy brain, throwing your head back as you’re thrown from a world of pleasure to a world of pain.

Your screams sent waves of pleasure down his body and to his cock, desperately rutting into you more quickly than before. His moans grew more and more choked, as if he was on the verge of tears. He repeated your name like a broken record, as if it was the only word he knew. Your body went slack in his hold, allowed him to bite into you in various places as he fucked you as he pleased.

After all, you belonged to him.

TAGLIST ; @exhokai @shuvies @venniin @4kumaa @ambassadoro @noahrandom @1694 @ajaints @berrycolaa @twst-rui @kytesakuma @secretivemessenger @yumixxn @maxx0inwonderland @resluv @kangdae

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

WIBTA if I didn’t let my friend bring their partner to social events?

We are all in our 30s and all trans/NB/queer. My friend (B) and I have known each other nearly 20 years, and over those years they’ve had a rough dating history. They’ve had several emotionally and mentally abusive or neglectful partners, further details about that I won’t give here. I’ve met most of them and they’ve always disliked me for various reasons (usually they were just jealous of the place I held in their life).

Recently though, B seems to have found someone who makes them happy (we’ll call them T) and T treats them better than their previous partners. Which is great! I’m happy for B. But I find T insufferable.

Granted, I don’t have to see T very often, but when I do its always uncomfortable.

The first time I met T they trauma dumped immediately. In the first half hour I knew all about their horrible family but couldn’t tell you any hobby or interest they had. We were in a very public place and I didn’t feel it was the most appropriate topic to get to know someone, but I tried to relate with my own stories all the same. However, T always had to “one up” every story I told. it felt like a “whose childhood was worse” competition.

The second time we all hung out T ignored me completely, really only hanging around and talking to B. Since it was B’s birthday I didn’t really mind at all. Plus, we were at a beercade so everyone was kinda off doing their own thing. But even when we all sat down they just kinda threw looks my way but didnt say a word to me.

But most recently I had hosted a halloween party (it was only 8 folks so tiny party) where B and T both showed up. When T asked me how work was going I started with what I felt was a normal “Ah yeah, it sucks but—” and before I could say anything else they spoke over me to say

“Yeah you’ve mentioned you hate your job every time I’ve seen you so thats sort of my only impression of you :/ ”

(a possibly important side note: B and T are both doing things that they enjoy but have to hustle a bit to make ends meet whereas I have a full time retail job through which i have insurance so leaving isnt as easy for me since I have more tied up in my job than just a paycheck)

This really pissed me off, as not only is being interrupted a huge pet peeve, but there are aspects of my job I enjoy. I just never got to talk about them because the conversation would either divert or we would just stop talking altogether. Also the way they came across felt pretty judgmental.

T then proceeded to spend the rest of the evening talking about everything from the movie to the snacks with therapy speak and trauma processing. (ex: I think I’m locked into this movie because it might’ve been a safe haven for me during my childhood and I just dont remember watching it but I can feel its importance to me) And only ever to B, never engaging with anyone else.

(another note: they are not the only one at the party with anxiety. two of my other friends have severe social anxiety and while maybe a little awkward were still able to hold casual conversations. no one was a stranger to anyone at the party)

This also meant that I didn’t get to spend any time with B during the party either, which was a shame cause I see them so rarely.

I understand that trauma processing is important and its great if you have someone in your life that can help you. It does not need to happen every where all the time. And I’m worried that B might be getting taken advantage of like they have in the past (in the sense that they have to do all the emotional legwork in the relationship and get very little of that effort back).

I’m tired of catering to this attitude and I don’t enjoy being around them, so I no longer want to involve them in group events I host.

would that make me an asshole?

What are these acronyms?

[jackie0502]

Random rant

Ok so, basically I think that after Jason dies at some point Leo should find Hera or Hera find Leo and Leo confront Hera about Jason dying. Like Leo is obviously confused about why Jason is dead as he died already so Jason should still be fine and I want Hera to tell him Jason was never meant to live. Jason was an insurance policy to make sure Leo did. Hera goes on to explain that out of everyone in the Seven she has interfered the most with Leos life shaping him the way he was supposed to yet, he still fought he defied every single path that he was given, to forge his own. Hera thinks this makes him so very human. Adding on to this point Hera also makes him suffer in cruel and particularly mortal ways. Hera see’s Leo as a connection to the mortal world which we know she really wants as in the HoO series she states that she is often jealous of the other gods because they have mortal children that connect them to the mortal world unlike Hera. Initially I think that Hera would actually want Jason to be the one who lives but overtime she realizes that Jason doesn’t seem all that human you know. He has been involved with the godly world since he was like two. He followed every path that was given to him and believed in destiny. Qualities that made him too godly. Hera decides that she doesn’t want Leo to die anymore so she decides Jason had to. I also think that Hera would start talking about how she thinks that despite Jason being her "mortal hero". She thinks that he was never her connection to the mortal world, he never would be. Because she realized this and also gave Jason to Lupa she set her eyes on a different target Leo. Whom’s life was always interfered with by Gaia and Hera but still seemed so mortal. We can connect that to the how Leo always thinks that he is worthless by making Leo go, “Wait but why would you focus on my, out of all of the seven? I’m not that special,” Hera laughs at that. She says child if you weren’t special I wouldn’t have focused so much on you neither would have Gaia. Leo you are so special because of the way things affect you. For example when Jason was exposed to the godly world (A lot more than Leo albeit) he followed his path. But you, you didn’t. Even though you knew that you had a destiny to follow you did things your own way it made you different from the rest. More defiant. More human. You my Leo, you are my true hero. 

Some added points this would be super interesting in my opinion because this makes Leo realize he is more special than he thinks. Also what I mean by making Leo suffer in particularly cruel and mortal ways I mean that out of all of the seven Leos trauma and issues are the most mortal, for example Frank suffered from the stick gifted by Hera (also the death of his mom and grandma but he didn’t think that was his fault and accepted it) by constantly being afraid of fire and loosing his lifeline, Hazel suffered from her gift (her moms selfishness plays a role in it but it wouldn’t be the same without Hazel’s gift) by causing misfortune and eventually dying as of such, Percy suffers from all the responsibility, expectations and quests given by the gods (I think that one speaks for itself), Piper suffers from her charm speak a gift from her mother Aphrodite (albeit her dad is also neglectful but its not the same) by getting in massive trouble with the law and being sent away from her dad (the reason she was causing trouble), Idk if Jason actually suffers but I think it may have been the expectations of camp Jupiter (which is obviously the godly part) idk don’t came at me, and Annabeth suffers by always trying please her mother and prove herself to get attention (also very obvious in my opinion). But Leo, Leo thought that his mother died as a fault on his part. I’m pretty sure he either thought he set the place on fire idk and also the foster care system. The first one you could argue that was caused by Gaia, but Leo didn’t know that. He completely thought it was entirely his fault which is actually something that happens to people irl and about the foster care system we know it was super toxic because he literally ran away so many times and that’s how he ends up in the wilderness survival school. Also toxic foster parents are something that exists in real life. Also would like to mention most of this stuff the Seven (minus Piper and maybe Hazel but that doesn’t have big impact) already know about gods and stuff but like I pointed out previously Leo knew nothing! He literally lived his life thinking he killed his mother!!

Thank you for listening to my ted talk. 

P.S sorry for the spelling mistakes.

P.P.S would like to give credit to @liekasrt on Tumblr whom I got inspired by to take this route (a lot of Inspo comes from her pls go check her out I luv her stuff) 

Would also like to give credit to this fanfic on Ao3 (I’ll drop the link right after this) which liekarst took inspo from. I read it and it is absolutely amazing! 

You should go check these people out and thanks for reading my rant!

(If you’re reading this, this is just to make sure you check these people out) 

Always give credit where its due!

[nightghoul381]

Congratulations on the milestone! 🥳👏 May it be the first of many more!

I will request Star Crossed Lovers with (ofc) Keith. His POV. I'll let you choose if Main or Alter or both, and if SFW, NSFW or suggestive. I just love this prompt very much and I believe it's SO THEM (Main a bit more than Alter but anyways, THEM).

Thank you so much! 🥰

OOOHHHH this was a fun one ^w^ I kept it SFW (but can always make an epilogue 😉) I hope you enjoy it and thank you so much for following me 🥰🥰

Whatever It Takes

Keith Howell (POV) x Reader Prompt: Star-crossed lovers Genre: Fluffy angst WC: ~1.5k

It’s so difficult to see you across the room and know that I wasn’t able to be your escort. The gala was supposed to be a way for our two countries to further develop their relationship, and to say that I hadn’t been eagerly looking forward to this would be a complete lie.

You look immaculate, hair pinned elegantly and dress perfectly fitted to your curves. My heart flutters as your eyes meet mine. I doubt I’ll ever truly be able to get over the way you make me feel, the way you’ve decided that I am worthy of your love.

I long to make my way over to you; to sweep you into my arms and lead you around the room in a delicate dance. I wish I could demonstrate to all the world how strong my love for you is, yet at this time, it is impossible.

If only our countries were not on the verge of war, then surely we would have the blessings of our respective kingdoms to pursue our love. Alas, the way things stand I fear that we may never get the chance to openly express our feelings toward each other.

I hadn’t realized how long I had been staring until a nobleman in the group I was gathered with mentioned it.

“Prince Keith, you’ve been eyeing that young lady for quite some time. Would it be wrong of me to presume she strikes your fancy? You know full well you can’t be seen cavorting with the enemy,” He warns, shooting a distasteful glare your way.

The instant rage bubbling inside me at the brazen comments is not something I’m used to. I try very hard to keep my emotions in check, especially during social functions such as this. If I let myself get too overwhelmed, He will take control, and I can’t trust him not to make a scene and jeopardize everything.

He loves you too, and you him. It’s so strange to know that you are somehow so full of love that you can make both of us feel completely loved without one being neglected. I admit that I don’t know if I would have the same ability to love two women equally at the same time, my mind is only ever devoted to you, and yet I feel that your mind is always filled with both of us in equal measure.

I glance down at the noble and quietly deny his assertions, brushing them aside with a mention of how you had looked familiar but that I must have been mistaking you for another noblewoman.

I still can’t seem to curb the anger I’m feeling at his blatant disrespect toward you, so I politely excuse myself, making my way to the edge of the room. And my breathing quickens as I see you do the same, moving closer to me. I feel like this may be the only opportunity for us to speak tonight, so making eye contact with you, I step out into the hall and move to one of the offices nearby.

Impatience fills me as I await your arrival. Surely, you understood what I was trying to convey when we exchanged that look. I need to see you. My head is spinning and I can feel my agitation growing.

A very soft, almost inaudible knocking on the office door stops my frantic thinking, it’s you. I ease open the door and you slip inside as I close and lock the door behind you.

You’re even more breathtaking up close. The shimmer of the fabric of your dress makes it look as though the sky had descended and wrapped you in a gown of stars, the heavens themselves jealous of your beauty.

Your fragrant perfume wafts over me as you approach and I take in a deep lungful, savoring how the scent toys with my mind, sending washes of joy, comfort, safety, pleasure, and desire rushing through my body in tandem.

I allow my long legs to bridge the last bit of distance between us, drawing you in for an urgent and needy kiss. You are all too happy to oblige, working your plush pout against me in such an intoxicating rhythm. The taste of your lips fills the aching hole that has haunted my heart since last we parted. I can feel the aching loneliness fading, replaced with the heavenly feeling of your love.

When at last we separate to get some air, I take in the heady look in your lidded gaze and feel my blood rush faster. You certainly must not be thinking what it seems you’re thinking, could you?

“Darling, we can’t do this, not here and not yet. I’m expected to speak in a few moments.”

My words cause such a disparaging look of disappointment to mar your beautiful face, guilt threatens to overwhelm me. He wouldn’t mind giving into you in such an exposed place with so many pressing matters that need to be attended to.

The negative thoughts spiral, and I feel the all too familiar sensation of self-hatred leading to him taking over. I’m so torn, reluctant to give up control out of responsibility, yet at the same time, willing to let Him take control to ensure your needs are met.

In the end, I resolve that I need to ensure this engagement goes as planned and manage to battle Him back, vowing that we will find a way to make sure you don’t leave here dissatisfied. You deserve the world and I hope I convey that in the kiss I drop on your forehead.

“I’ll make sure we have time together at the end of the night,” I promise, running a hand over your shoulder, so small and delicate beneath my long fingers.

You nod briefly, shaking off the dejected look and replacing it with a warm smile.

“You promise?” you ask, blinking your gorgeous eyes up at me. If only I were a different man, I would hold you close right now. I’d make sure that such a sad look never again crossed your features. I would keep that beautiful smile on your face to the best of my abilities. You deserve to be happy and that is all I want you to ever feel.

“Of course. I don’t think I’d be able to go another night without holding you.”

Heaving a heavy sigh, I let go of you, allowing you to re-enter the ballroom before I eventually makes my way back in myself.

As the event finally begins to wind down and draw to a close, I find myself anxiously scanning the few remaining people for your lovely face. My heart sinks as I realize you’re no longer in the room.

Please don’t tell me she’s already left…

I rush out of the room, heading toward the front of the castle. Perhaps if I’m fast enough I’ll be able to catch a glimpse of you before you disappear. Who knows when the next time will come that I’ll be able to see you.

As I sprint down one of the halls, I hear my name hissed in a hushed whisper from one of the rooms. I skid to a halt, jogging back toward where I thought I heard the voice.

There you are. The relief flowing through me is overwhelming and as soon as I enter the room, I capture you in a desperate hungry kiss. My heart is still racing from the fear that I could have missed you. That I would have had to go at minimum another month without seeing you as you would head back to your country and remain under constant supervision. The only reason you’re not under lock and key now is because your handmaiden took pity on us, covering for you with the other servants, and granting us this time to be alone together.

The eager passion you fill each kiss with is drowning my mind in such a pleasurable haze, and soon the only thing I can do is focus on the way you taste and the heavenly feel of your arms around my neck. I lift you, holding you in my arms and allowing me better access to your mouth.

This blissful reunion is all I’ve been craving for so long, filling me with such immense joy I almost ruin the kiss with the dopey smile that I can’t seem to control.

My love for you is boundless and I swear on my life I will do whatever it takes for us to be together. Whatever it takes.

Taglist: @candied-boys @aquagirl1978 @ominousjangling @violettduchess

[boldlyvoid]

Put On The Red Light | Part One

18+ Eddie Munson x Steve Harrington

Summary: When Eddie's long-lost cousin, Roxy, shows up on his doorstep, he must accept that his whole life is changing once again.

Warnings: angst, anxiety, jealous Eddie, sexuality crisis, insecure Eddie, parental issues, implied/referenced parental abuse/neglect, background Vickie/Robin, Will/Gareth, Wayne/Mr. Clarke

word count: 9.9k

masterlist

A few loud knocks on the front door rip him from his slumber, he turns to his alarm clock to see it's after 1 pm, Wayne should be home to get it… But the knocks keep coming, more frequent and needier than ever, forcing him out of bed. 

He tumbles down the hall with a groan and his eyes still closed, he rubs his face on the walk to the door and opens it with a sigh, “what?” 

He’s expecting it to be Dustin or Max, or Steve maybe… Not a beautiful woman. 

“Oh, um, hi,” she waves. “Does Wayne Munson live here by chance?” 

He shakes the sleep from his face and blinks at her a few times, registering that she was real, he nods. “Yeah, why?” 

“Is he here right now?” She stands on her tiptoes and looks past his shoulder and into the trailer. 

“No, he’s not… once again, why?” He steps back so she doesn’t bump into him while trying to get a look inside, and all she does is walk into the trailer through the gap between him and the door. “Hey! You can’t just walk into my house? Who are you?” 

“I’m apparently Wayne Munson’s daughter,” she explains, looking around the room at everything, “let me guess, you’re his other kid?” 

“Woah, woah, woah,” both his hands go up in defence, he is too tired for this shit. “What are you talking about? Wayne doesn’t have any kids?” 

She turns to him with her hand out, ready to shake his, “sorry, I’m Roxy… well, Roxanne but everyone calls me Roxy.”

“Hi… I’m Eddie… Edward,” he takes her hand delicately but she grips his tight. “Munson as well…”

“Nice to meet you,” she gives him a beautiful smile, it’s almost like looking in a mirror. 

They shared a lot of similar features, dark curly hair being one of them, which is funny seeing as Wayne is balding. She’s way too pretty to be Wayne’s kid. And if she is, that makes her Eddie’s cousin and now he thinks his cousin is pretty… he drops her hand and pulls away.

“My mom reportedly fucked a man named Wayne Munson back in ’66, she never saw him again and never knew where he lived to even track him down and tell him that she was having his kid. So I’ve tracked him down and now I’m here and I want to meet my dad.” 

He laughs at how crazy it is, but it sounds about right, “uh, well, I’m his nephew but he basically raised me so, I mean, I kinda feel like his son?” 

“So we’re cousins,” she beams a smile at him, “I’ve always wanted a cousin!” 

“Yeah, I suppose so…" he can’t believe it either. “But, uh, Waynes not here as you can see, and I don’t know where he is but you can stay and wait for him?” 

“Okay, cool,” she smiles again, turning back towards the wall full of mugs and hats and getting closer to it. She examines it carefully, “so, is it just you two here? He doesn’t have like a wife or anything?” 

“Nope, just us… I uh, I’m going to change,” he references down to his bare chest and ripped pyjama bottoms.

“Okay,” she doesn’t mind, she barely pays any attention to him, instead she’s looking through Wayne’s things on the walls. 

Back in his room he hops into his jeans like a maniac, throws on some deodorant and a new shirt, brushes his teeth and fixes his hair and then it really hits him. “She’s your fucking cousin dude, chill out.” 

He heads back into the main room full of shame, she’s moved on to the tv cabinet to look at all their tapes and movies, “I’m actually late for something, but uh, I guess feel free to stay here? There’s nothing worth stealing so, even if you’re lying I don’t think Wayne will care that I left you here.” 

That makes her laugh, “I’ll watch over the place, have fun, cuz!” She gives him a wave and a smile, one that looks a lot like Waynes. 

“Thanks…” he gives her a small wave back and all but runs to his van. 

He doesn’t care where he’s going, he just needs to drive. His mind was completely warped by the knowledge that he had a secret cousin and she was about to infiltrate his life. Wayne, his Wayne, had a daughter. She was Wayne’s blood and much more so than Eddie is, he’s just Waynes brothers kid. He can’t help but worry that having a daughter is going to change Wayne’s life and Eddie will be slowly replaced by the child of his own that he always wanted… 

Somehow he ends up parked at Family video, right beside Steve’s car, like his body knew what to do to make him feel better before his mind did. 

He heads inside quickly and makes his way right to Steve, “you’ll never fucking guess what just happened to me.” 

“What did you do?” Steve smirks, knowing by the ghostly look on Eddie’s face that it’s something embarrassing that he’s going to get to tease him about. 

“This pretty girl showed up at my trailer looking for Wayne and I was like half asleep and half naked and she just barged in and told me she’s my cousin?” 

“You have a hot cousin?” Steve exclaims, excited until he sees how Eddie’s not happy about it, “man, sucks to be you… is she still at your place?” 

“Hey,” Eddie points at him, “her being hot is not the point, dude, what if Wayne kicks me out so his real kid can come live with him? What if he likes her more than me? What if she moves to town and everyone likes her more than me?” 

“That’s a given, bud,” Steve teases him, placing a hand on his shoulder to pull him in for a much-needed hug. “I’m kidding, you’re going to be fine… as long as you don’t mind me hitting on your hot cousin.” 

“Can you shut up,” Eddie manages to smile as he hugs him back. Holding Steve with his chin on his shoulder, he felt a lot more relaxed than before. Steve always had this effect on him.  

“What's this about?” They hear Robin come barreling towards them from the back room. “I want in on a hug.” She all but tackles them as she joins in, “what’s going on?” 

“Eddie has a new hot cousin,” Steve teases, extending an arm around Robin to invite her in. 

“Seriously?” She looks up at Eddie from the middle of the hug. 

He nods, “apparently Wayne has a real kid.” 

“Oh shit,” she feels his pain, “does he know yet?” 

Eddie shakes his head and pulls away from the group hug, “she’s just in the trailer, I kinda ran when I realized she’s actually related to me and too pretty for me to talk to, anyway.” 

“So, she’s just in your trailer all alone?” Robin can’t help but laugh. “what’s Wayne going to do when he gets there?” 

—

Wayne walks into the trailer with his hands full of groceries, Eddie’s van is gone but there’s a figure pacing back and forth in front of the living room window, “hey, I thought you were— who the heck are you?” Wayne places all the bags on the counter and stares at the woman. 

“Hi,” she stands still and awkwardly waves at him. “I’m Roxanne, Roxanne Crutchstone, my mom is—

“Janine,” says with a gasp and freezes. His jaw dropped, and his heart beats double-time in his chest as he stares at the daughter of the woman he once loved. Albeit for one night, he felt a lot for her in those few hours they spent alone in the back of his chevy. And now he was seeing why. “You’re mine aren’t you?” 

She nods like her head is trapped on a spring, not knowing what else to say as her eyes bubble up with tears. “My mom didn’t know how to find you, she always told me about you, I always knew I had a dad who would probably want me and— and then I saw Eddie Munson on the news and I knew, I knew you’d be here. I knew you’d be my dad.”

He makes his way to her and wraps her up in his arms, he kisses the top of her curly head of hair and that’s when she starts to sob. She’s always wanted a dad. He holds her like a father, he smells like a dad would, and he’s kind and loving and completely hers from now on. 

“I’m so sorry I didn’t know about you sooner,” he whispers against her hair. “But you’re welcome here all the time… where are you living? How’d you get here? Are you safe?” He asks as he pulls back, instantly concerned and in full father mode. 

“I took the bus into town a few days ago, I’m living at the apartment complex down by the hospital, it’s above the general store and post office…” she explains. “I’m taking a year off before I go to college, I thought I’d come live here and try and get to know you a bit?” 

“So you’ve graduated high school?” He beams, knowing she must be the same age as the older two girls Eddie hangs around with.

She nods, “just last month.” 

“Damn, you’re a smartie aren’t cha?” He teases, “Eddie didn’t until— wait did you meet Eddie?” 

She nods again, “he was here, he let me in, but he said he was late for something and didn’t mind leaving me here alone, knowing that I’m yours.” 

“Okay, good. He’s technically my brother's kid but I raised him so he’s mine—

“Eddie said the same thing,” she smiles, a lot like Eddie. 

“He’s my boy. And it’s important for you two to get to know each other and get along, he’s very special to me… you might hear some shit about him from the folks in town but I promise you, he is nothing but kind and wonderful,” he can’t help but protect Eddie too. “He was accused of some awful things earlier this year and he’s still getting over it, but I can assure you, you’re safe with him and his friends.” 

“He seemed really sweet… he was half asleep but he was nice,” she agrees. “But uh, that’s kinda how I found you? I figured that the Eddie Munson on the news was probably related to the Wayne Munson my mom slept with… and she was worried about me coming out here cause he might actually be a murderer… but, what really happened? Cause he doesn’t seem like he has a vicious bone in his body.” 

“I wish I knew it all, honestly, but a girl died in our last trailer and he ran 'cause it was terrifying and so—

“So he looked really guilty,” she sympathizes. 

“Extremely guilty… but then more kids from the school died in strange places, there was a huge earthquake, the lab in town took the fall and he was let off the hook,” Wayne simplifies it down to just one sentence. 

“That’s unfortunate, but at least he still has some friends, you said?” 

“He didn’t graduate on time like you did, so most his friends are still high school age but he has some his own, like Steve… he’s probably going to hit on you, just beware,” Wayne teases. “That boy is a walking flirt. With absolutely everybody.”

“Noted,” she can’t help but smile. 

“Gosh, you look so much like your mom but there’s also so much of Eddie,” he gestures to her appearance. “The hair, your big brown eyes, your button nose…” Wayne boops his finger on her nose with a smile. “wow.” 

“Mom always said I got my nose from you,” she shares fondly. 

“She’s doing okay?” Wayne can’t help but wonder. 

“Oh yeah, she’s actually moving in with her boyfriend now that I’m out of the house,” she explains. “I grew up just outside of Chicago, we lived with my nanny and pops the whole time…”

“Right, I remember,” Wayne can recall all the way back to that night, he was visiting Chicago for a concert, and she was having a weekend out with friends, one thing led to another and now here she is. “So, Roxanne? Is that what you prefer to be called?” 

She shakes her head, “no, everyone calls me Roxy, I’m more of a Roxy.” 

“Yeah,” he takes a look at her with a sweet smile, “come sit,” he moves them over to the couch again and sits right beside her. “Tell me everything, I want to know who you are.” 

It feels like a lot of pressure, but he’s so calming and fatherly that she opens up quite easily. “Where should I start, dad?” 

“The beginning,” Wayne smiles, tearing up a bit at the name he always wanted to be called. It wasn’t often Eddie called him dad, that was saved for high emotional moments… this was easy and new and everything he wanted. 

—

When Eddie gets back to the trailer, Wayne and Roxy are still sitting on the couch, deep into a story about Wayne’s childhood that he’s heard a million times. 

“Eds! You’re home,” Wayne extends an arm out to him, drawing Eddie into the living room. “You met Roxy?” 

“I did,” he gives her a sweet smile. “I see you’re getting along real well…” it hurts only a little, the way they’re bonding isn’t helping his anxiety that Wayne isn’t going to love him anymore now that he has a real kid. 

Wayne just shakes his head, staring at her with amazement, Eddie’s seen that look before when he’s performed with his uncle in the audience. Wayne loved her already like a real good dad should, he took her in instantly and as much as it killed Eddie to see, he knew Roxy deserved this. Every kid deserved a good dad and Wayne was the best. 

“Yeah, she’s awesome… you two should hang out when I head to work?” 

“I’d love to,” Roxy’s full of smile, more than willing to get to know her new cousin. 

“Which I’ve gotta get ready for,” Wayne glances at his watch and stands as soon as he sees the time.  “Roxy’s moved to town, she’s living over in the apartments downtown—

“Above the stores?” Eddie asks, he’s well aware of those apartments. He lived in one with his mom before she died. Before he had to move in with Wayne. They’re cheap and gross and he may not remember much from back then, but he remembers he hates it there.

She nods, “yeah, they’ve been remodelled recently, they’re really nice.” 

“I’m sure,” he replies, it comes out a lot snarkier than he anticipated. “Uh, if you wanted to hang out, my friends and I have a little pizza party every Friday night, if you don’t mind meeting a few more new people tonight?” 

“Yeah, I’m down,” she sounds actually really excited. “Wayne was telling me all about your friends, you have so many?” 

He nods, “yeah, been through hell and back together, it’s kinda hard to lose ‘em now.” 

Wayne pats his shoulder as he passes him, heading to the bathroom to get ready for work. Now it’s just the two of them. 

She stands up with a smile and smooths out her shirt, “is this an okay outfit to wear?” 

He nods, “yeah, I’m not going to change either, so…” 

“Cool… we’re cool, right?” She asks, she can tell somethings off. 

Eddie just nods, pushing the jealousy aside, “yeah, I’m good, it’s just weird for me. Y’know?”

She nods, “yeah, no, I get it, I’m sorry for just barging into your life.”

He shrugs it off and walks to the phone, “it’s cool, really… I’m just going to call Steve and give them the heads up that you’re coming… is there a pizza topping you want?” 

She scurries over to him with excitement. She moves like he does, weird and unbalanced, she jumps to him instead of taking a last step and rocks back and forth on her feet, “what do you usually get?” 

“Uh,” he’s a bit taken aback by how comfortable she gets with him so quick. He physically steps back too, “we get 3 meat lovers for the boys, a Hawaiian for Argyle, Max and El and a vegetarian one for Robin and Nancy… but we can throw in whatever as long as Argyle gets the order in time…” 

“Ooo, okay, I’m good with some Hawaiian, actually,” she smiles, surprised that someone else in his group liked it too. “Your group sounds interesting…” 

“They are,” he agrees, picking up the phone and dialling the number of the video store. 

She leans against the table and smiles at him before she sits on top of it, kicking her feet, she’s content being there. 

He isn’t. 

It’s weird having a girl he doesn’t know too well in his trailer after everything that happened last time. It was different when Max, Robin and Nancy were in his trailer after Chrissy… they were in charge and saving the day. They knew what was going on. Now he’s bringing an outsider into their group and she will never know what really happened that week in March. But she feels like family… probably because she is. Something in the way she smiles feels like looking in a mirror but he likes her a little more than his own reflection— 

“Family Video Hawkins, Steve speaking.” Eddie hears in his ear, drawing him away from his thoughts. 

“Hey, Stevie… Roxy said she’d love to join us tonight and she’s another freak who likes pineapple so tell Argyle to throw in a second Hawaiian,” Eddie can’t help but smile, he too liked pineapple on pizza, occasionally. It must run in the family. 

“Ew, okay,” Steve says as if he hates it but he’s smiling too, Eddie can hear it. “I’ll go next door and tell him in a sec.” 

“Sounds good, okay, I’ll see you in a few hours,” Eddie says instead of goodbye. 

“You will,” Steve doesn’t say goodbye either but they both hang up. 

“So… Stevie, huh?” 

He nods, “yep.” 

“Tell me about him?” 

“He’s my friend… one of my best friends,” Eddie says with a completely serious face and then his jaw tightens and he rubs his molars together to stay calm and collected. Steve was special to him. He didn’t have to explain that to anyone if he didn’t want to. 

“Okay,” she puts her hands up in defeat and hops off the table, “what are some other names I should know besides Argyle and Stevie?” 

“Uh, well,” he runs his fingers through his hair and wonders where to start. “So my 3 closest buddies growing up are Gareth, Jeff and Kevin, they’re in my band…”

“Oh, you’re a musician too?” 

Great, he thinks to himself. What else is she taking from me? 

He nods, “yeah and then Steve's best friend is Robin she’s cool, not sure if she’s going to bring Vickie or not this time they have a bit of a tumultuous friendship so, watch out for that one.”

“Sounds juicy,” she teases. 

He just nods, “and then Nancy and Jonathan are always there 'cause we have it at Jonathan’s parent's place, Joyce and Hop, he’s the chief of police, they have a new house here with a big basement we can use.” 

“That’s cute!” 

“yeah and Jon's brother Will has a gaggle of friends too, they’re 15, very rambunctious and too many hold on,” he counts on his fingers, “Will, Dustin, Lucas, Erika, Max, Mike, El and… yeah no, that’s it. There’s 7 of them.” 

“Holy shit?” She can’t believe it. “And you guys are cool having kids around?” 

He shrugs, “they’ve been through some shit, they’re not really as immature as you’d expect a bunch of 15-year-olds to be.” 

“Well, I’m excited to meet them,” she beams a smile at him. “Thank you for inviting me, it means a lot to me… I know it must be really strange to just have a cousin all of a sudden when it’s just been you and Wayne for so long, but I think it’ll be nice for us to get to know each other too.” 

He nods, “yeah, its no problem, really.”

“Don't let it become a problem,” she whispers, keeping her voice down so it doesn’t get to Wayne. “If you have any issue with me at all, ever, just let me know. Please? You’re special to my dad and I want to have a good relationship with you too.” 

He lets his walls down then, he sighs and nods, “okay… yeah, I’m a bit worried that I’ll lose him now that you’re here but I can see you’re pretty cool and normal so—

“You absolutely don’t have to worry,” Roxy assures him. “I’m not taking him from you, I just want to experience what it’s like to have a dad.” 

“And who the hell am I to get in the way of that?” Eddie manages to laugh. 

She opens her arms and looks at him cautiously as she moves in closer, “are you a hugger?” 

“Yeah,” he smiles, opening his arms in return and taking her in for a quick hug. She’s about as tall as he is, she rests her chin on his shoulder and holds him tight. 

“I always wanted a brother, too…” she says as she pulls back. 

“A sister sounds nice,” he teases. “Just don’t move in and don’t touch my things and we’ll be fine.” 

“Deal.” 

—

“You know, I’m actually really excited to meet her,” Steve admits to Robin as they’re locking up. He lets her outside first and pulls the door closed to lock it. 

“Why? ‘Cause she’s the only girl in Hawkins who doesn’t know you’re a total loser?” Robin teases, waiting at his passenger door for him to unlock it.

“They don’t think that. Only you do and I don’t really think your opinion matches the vast majority of women in this town...” he fights back, rushing to his car to get it because it’s fucking cold out and it only makes him meaner when he’s cold.

He hops in and reaches over to her door to unlock it and push it open from the inside. She hops in and throws her bag in the back. “Mm, well, I like to think I know women better than you do,” she reminds him.

“Whatever,” he grumbles, starting his beamer with a sigh. “But no, it’s not cause she’s new, it’s cause she’s probably a lot like Eddie… and you know, I always thought if Eddie was a girl then I’d date her… or if I was a girl then it would work better cause he wouldn't have to change.” 

She stares at him like he’s a complete idiot, “what?”

“You know, if you were a boy there’s a girl you’d want to marry?”

“Steve, I don’t have to be a boy to like girls, you know that?” She says it slowly so that he understands her. “You don’t have to like girls just cause you’re a boy…” 

“I know, but I like girls?” He reminds her, “very much I might add…” 

“I wish you wouldn’t,” she really doesn’t want to hear about all the things he’s gotten to do with pretty girls that she still hasn’t. It’s not fair. “But what I’m saying is, you could like boys at the same time. That’s very much allowed.” 

“I don’t think I do,” he purses his lips and shakes his head, making it convincing that he’s thought about it before and he has thought about it. A lot.

He does like men. Just one man in particular piques his interest right now. But he shouldn’t, Harringtons aren’t gay. So he says he doesn’t. Cause he can’t.

“Okay,” she drops it, “whatever you say.”

“Do you think I’m gay?” He looks at her with so much panic, just idling in the parking lot, he’s not moving until he gets an answer. And one that he likes. 

She shakes her head, “no. I think you have a crush on Eddie…”

Steve can’t say that she’s wrong so he doesn’t say anything at all. He accepts her answer and nods, “interesting.” 

He puts his car in reverse, places his hand behind Robin's headrest and looks behind them, peeling out of the parking lot as quickly as possible. He’s quick to leave downtown, Robin is quiet the whole time, just smirking away cause she knows she’s right and she knows it’s silent in the car right now because Steve is thinking about how she’s right. 

“So what if I did?” Steve asks, almost whispering he’s so scared of the words that leave his mouth. “What if I did have a crush on Eddie?” 

“Ask him out? It’s really a no-brainer, here, Steve.” 

He looks at her and then back to the road a few times, mouth agape and then his voice picks right back up. In that octave, he only uses when he’s stressed out, “really? Thats it? You’re not going to do a deep dive into my brain and find out why I’m crushing on a dude of all fucking people?” 

“Sounds like you’re asking yourself enough questions for the both of us inside that big head of yours,” she teases. 

He shakes his head with a sigh. “If I tell you the truth are you going to make fun of me?” 

“Probably,” she’s honest. 

He sighs again, more exaggerated this time. “When we were walking through the upside down, going to Nancy’s, Eddie gave me this speech about how Nancy ran after me so fast so she must be in love with me but… but what he didn’t know is that I also wanted to run the first time. I almost didn’t go back to help Nancy with the Demogorgon but I did because I loved her and—and he came back in for me when he didn’t have to. You two already came down, I would’ve been fine with you guys. He didn’t need to come down but he did.” 

Robin just smiles, “do you want him to love you?” 

Steve shrugs, “I don’t know… but I remember staring at him and feeling like I wanted to kiss him and then the earthquake happened and you started screaming for Nancy.” 

“Yeah it was action-packed down there,” she remembers all too well. “And you know, I think he wanted to kiss you too, especially when he was hot wiring the RV, you know, when he called you ‘big boy’?” 

He sucks in a deep breath and nods, “yeah… I remember.” 

“So you should kiss him,” Robin suggests again. 

“No,” Steve panics a bit. “No. What if I’m just getting confused again like when I thought I was in love with you? I can’t kiss him and ruin everything?” 

“I’m sure you won’t… Eddie isn’t straight, there’s no way,” Robin waves her hands out and then smacks then over her knees. “No way.” 

“But we don’t know that, do we?” 

Robin stares at him. “Really? Really?”

“What?” 

“I said the same thing about Vickie and you kept yelling boobies at me!” 

“I was right, wasn’t I?” Steve combats, not realizing that it proves her point. 

“Which means I’m right, right now! Eddie likes you back!” Robin shouts, “come on, man, you have to know that by now! I literally walked out to find you guys hugging in the middle of the store today? You have sleepovers and share secrets, he’s just as close to you as I am and he actually wants to kiss you, so kiss him!” 

“I can’t!” Steve shouts back. “I can’t ruin this and I ruin everything when I date people. I’m not dating him. Look at us! You never dated me and now you’re my best friend in the whole world, I dated Nancy and she felt trapped and lost and sad for a year and I never noticed until it was too late.” 

“It wasn’t your fault, you know that,” Robin reminds him. “She was balls deep in her trauma, it was almost a year since her friend died while she was busy sleeping with you and never heard her screaming for help. Thats a hard thing to grapple with but she did love you. You did help her through it, she told me how much it meant to her that you’d go over and cuddle with her all night when she was missing barb and how you went to Barb's parents house for dinner all year when you didn’t need to. You helped her dad around the house and even went to Mrs. Hollands' house for tea on your own… you were a good boyfriend it just wasn’t meant to be and that’s okay.” 

“But what if the same is for Eddie? What if it’s just a huge crush and not meant to be and everything changes?” Steve worries. “I love the way things are. If he knew I was crushing on him then everything would change and I don’t want anything to change again.” 

“News flash, dingus, but Eddie’s long lost cousin showing up out of nowhere is going to change things,” Robin points out. 

He groans as he pulls into her driveway, “I know… can we just drop it? Okay?” He places the car in park and takes his keys out of the ignition. “I’m not ready for things to change a lot again.” 

“Okay,” Robin drops it and heads out of the car. “But if Roxy’s anything like Eddie, I’m guessing she’s going to want a date with me before you.” 

“Doubt it,” Steve laughs, following her inside. 

—

Eddie brings Roxy to the Byer's place a few minutes before the party normally starts. Joyce loves her right away, she fluffs her hair and says “oh, how I’d kill for locks like this.” 

Only for Hopper to reply, “you did back in 64.”

She sighs and pats Roxy’s shoulder, “enjoy being young.” 

She laughs, “I will now that I might make friends… I never really had any back in Chicago.”

“My boys are really sweet, I’m sure you’ll get along with them real well,” Joyce assures her. “If you like video games and George Lucas movies then you’ll fit right in.” 

“I do,” she brightens right up. “I thought they sounded interesting just from their pizza orders, now I know I’m surrounded by other dorks, this is the best  day ever.” 

She makes Hop laugh from his recliner in the living room, “and we’ve got sports going in here if you get tired of it at any point.” 

“Only Steve and Lucas ever take him up on that,” Joyce teases. “He’s dying for more sports fans.” 

“I mean, I was on the girls curling team in Chicago…” 

“Curling?” Eddie repeats, “like the one where you play shuffleboard on ice?” 

She nods, “yeah and I was really good at it. My team was the regional champion.” She wanders into the living room after that and sits on the couch beside Hopper, “what teams do you like?” 

Eddie listens in for a second but then he heads more into the kitchen, Argyle is already home with the pizzas, he’s just making a salad to go with it all. Jonathan was on pickup duty, using Argyle's van so they all had a place to sit. El was at Mike's, Will’s down the hall in his room… the house is pretty quiet right now. It wouldn’t be for long. 

He stands at the counter beside argyle, “hey…” 

“Hey,” argyle gives him a smile. “What’s got you so glum, my dude?” 

He shrugs, “it’s been a weird day.” 

“Meeting your long-lost twin’ll do that,” Argyle teases. “Seriously, are you sure Wayne isn’t your dad too? You’re like identical.” 

Eddie manages to laugh, “yeah, I don’t think so unless Wayne’s taking it to the grave, I’m pretty sure his asshole brother is my father… but yeah, I see it too.” 

“I’d love to meet my own doppelgänger,” Argyle says with excitement. “It would be cool to see someone, specifically a girl someone, who looked just like me and now you’ve got that! It’s sick.” 

“If you think so,” Eddie huffs, resting his chin in his hand and leaning against the counter. “She’s a prettier, shinier version of me… everyone's gonna end up loving her more and I’m going to be alone again.” 

Argyle puts the salad tongs down and places his hand on Eddie’s shoulder instead, “it won’t be like that, man, I promise. You’re very special. What would we do without your songs and your jokes and the way you make everyone smile? Sure, she’s nice to look at but you’re you and that’s why we love you.” 

He gives argyle a side hug, “thanks, man, really. That’s very kind of you to say.” 

“Meant every word,” Argyle smiles. 

Just then the front door opens again and Steve’s familiar, “heey!!” Rings through the house. Both Eddie and Argyle head out to see him and Robin, entering the main room of the house and they see Steve’s jaw drop as he looks at Roxy for the first time. He goes right into Casanova mode, runs his fingers through his hair before he extends his hand to her and smiles, “hi, I’m Steve…” 

“Roxy,” she shakes his hand firmly and smiles back. “Nice to meet you… and you,” she turns to Robin and freezes, the same look that was on Steve’s face is now on Roxy’s as she looks at Robin. “Hi?” 

Robin smiles back, “so you’re the lookalike I’ve heard so much about.” 

“What?” Roxy doesn’t understand. 

“You and Eddie, you’re like twins,” She laughs, “although you are much prettier….” 

Roxy blushes and laughs, she tucks her hair behind her ear and stutters on her words, “th-thanks… thank you.”

“No problem,” Robin gives her one last smile and then keeps walking inside. “Is dinner ready? I’m starving!”

“Sure is! follow me,” Argyle leads her back into the kitchen and Roxy follows quickly behind her. 

Leaving Steve to walk up to Eddie and wrap his arm around him, “you okay?” 

Eddie nods, “yep. Just peachy.” 

They grab their plates and load them up with pizza and dipping sauces and salad, they have beers and sodas and chips for later when they’re hungry again. It’s the same every week, Joyce and Argyle will do anything to make sure the party is happy and fed and has a good time… they’re the best moms the party could ask for. 

In the basement, there are 4 mismatched couches and an array of other seats. Beanbags, a hanging chair thats secured to one of the log beams in the ceiling and a single plastic lawn chair… getting enough seats for everyone was hard. And now there’s 1 more person in their group.

Robin and Roxy take a seat next to each other, already getting to know each other, it makes Eddie relax a bit as he sits beside Steve. There’s a ruckus above them, meaning the kids have arrived with Jonathan and Nancy, and the party was about to really start. 

Steve can’t stop looking at Eddie, “are you sure you’re okay?” 

He just nods, “yeah… I just want to eat and say hi to everyone and then go home.” 

“Oh,” Steve's face drops. “Are you still feeling anxious? Do you want a hug?” 

He looks over to Roxy and Robin, talking just loud enough to be heard by one another and fully absorbed in another world together. Eddie puts his plate down on the coffee table and Steve copies him, opening his arms and letting Eddie in for a quick hug, “you can always talk to me.” 

Eddie pulls back a bit too quickly, looking over to Roxy again who didn’t see anything. She was already asking about Steve earlier, she already knew Steve was important to Eddie just by the tone of his voice… Steve’s so, so important to him. He just stares at Steve and it all comes tumbling out, “she lives in the apartments I grew up in… she’s living where my mom died, Steve.” 

“Oh,” Steve knows the stories. All of them. They’ve spent many a night awake in Eddie’s trailer, staring up at the ceiling with their shoulders pressed together… sharing a blanket and holding hands while they shared every secret they had. Well, all but one. 

“Do you want me to drive her home for you? I can tell her to only call me for rides and shit, you don’t need to go through that—” 

“You don’t have to,” Eddie panics more thinking about Roxy and Steve spending a bunch of alone time together too. “Really, don’t. I can do it.” 

“But if it's going to bring back your memories then you don’t have to, I’m okay bringing her home, Robin won’t mind… clearly,” he references over to them. “I haven’t seen her flirt like that before?” 

“She took a page from your book,” Eddie teases, bumping Steve’s shoulder with his own. 

“Yeah, and she knew I wanted to ask her out too…” 

“What?” Eddie’s heart breaks right then and there. 

“If it’s okay? I just… I thought maybe it would be nice cause she’s new and she doesn’t know me and—

“She has no preconceived notions about you,” Eddie finishes his sentence. “No, I get it. It’s fine.” 

It’s not. It’s really fucking not. Because here Eddie was loving every single part of Steve, every story and mistake, every fear and dream and freckle and hair on his stupid fucking head. But, of course, Steve wants something different. He wants to butter her up and embellish the truth about himself and go back to being King Steve… The lover boy of the land, he could have his pick but he still wants something shiny and new and he definitely doesn’t want Eddie back. 

He stands up then, “I uh, I forgot some napkins, I’ll be back.” 

“Okay…” 

Steve watches him leave, taking the steps 2 at a time until he’s back upstairs. He turns down the hallway and heads towards the bedrooms and the bathrooms where he bumps right into Will. He’s already crying, his face is red from trying to hold it in until he gets to the bathroom but he can't. He chokes on a sob as he pushes past Will and into the bathroom.

“Hey, hey, Eddie, what’s wrong?” Will follows him right into the bathroom, shutting the door behind them. “What’s wrong? Is it a memory? A flashback? What is it?” 

Eddie just wraps him up in a hug and cries, “it’s Steve…” 

“Oh,” Will settles and holds him gently, running his hand over eddies back. “I know…” 

Will knows better than anyone in the house, hell better than anyone in the whole town, what it’s like to be in love with your sisters boyfriend. Its the exact reason why Eddie let Will follow him and why he’s able to tell him the truth. “He wants to ask out Roxy.”

“Who?” Will asks, not caught up on everything cause he’s been in his room all day. 

Eddie sighs and pulls back, wiping the tears off his cheeks and taking another deep breath. He leans against the sink, “my uncle has a daughter and she showed up today. Her name is Roxy and she’s pretty and a girl and of course Steve wants to date her.” 

“Boys are so stupid,” Will just shakes his head. “I was rooting for Steve, too… I thought he’d figure out that he’s in love with you but he’s still being so stupid about it.” 

“He’s worse than Mike,” Eddie manages to tease him, bringing a smile back to his own face. 

Will just nods along, “I literally confessed all my feelings to him… well, I was pretending that it was what El thought about him and the idiot didn’t see through me at all. He just nodded along and was like ‘oh yeah? Huh, I guess she does always need me’ like no idiot! I do!”

“I ran through a swarm of killer bats for him… I would’ve died so he could make it back to Dustin and he still wants my cousin more than me,” Eddie shares. “I thought we were building something here, I thought he was going to figure it out that what we have is more than just friends… friends don’t sleep in the same bed and share hugs and I know for a fact he kissed my shoulder one night. I didn’t dream that. So why the fuck is he going after my cousin?” 

“Does she look like you?” 

Eddie nods, “like exactly the same just with tits.” 

Will looks at him with a tilt of his head, “oh, Steve’s so dumb… he’s definitely in love with you and thinking this is his chance to be normal if he can just date the girl version of you.”

“You think?” 

Will nods, “absolutely… I remember when Steve was dating Nancy she looked so much like Tommy H. they had the same curly hair and freckles but Nancy is a girl, she’s the safe option and then he fell in love with her.” 

“How do you know that?” Eddie’s shocked, for a kid 4 years younger than Harrington, he sure knew the drama. 

“Jonathan had no friends before Nancy and Argyle so he would tell me everything and we gossiped a lot… he would hear crazy shit while smoking the weed you sold him under the bleachers and then he’d come home and tell me. Like, this one time, Carole was saying that Tommy wanted a threesome with Billy, but before he wanted one with Steve but Steve was never interested and it always made Tommy really angry and then a few weeks later they broke up and she said ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he asks Wheeler and the perv for a threesome next.’ So…” 

“Holy shit,” Eddie’s jaw drops and he chuckles slightly, “they weren’t kidding when they called you Will the Wise.” 

He shakes his head with a smile, “they weren’t… I get it from my mom.” 

“That you do,” Eddie smiles, knowing from Steve that Joyce and Nancy’s knowledge, in the beginning, is the reason they won in the end. “It’s just hard waiting for him to get his head out of his ass… even the thing with your brother was so homosexually charged.” 

“What happened with my brother?” 

“Did Jonathan leave out the part where he kicked the shit out of Steve so bad he had a concussion?” 

“I knew he threw a punch…” Will says, thinking back on it. He was only 13 when he went missing, of course, Jonathan held back on some stuff from that week.

“Oh, no, he kicked his ass,” Eddie smiles but feels bad about it. “Tommy painted Nancy the slut Wheeler on the theatre's matinee and they got in a verbal fight in the alleyway and Jonathan took the first swing and he finished it before the cops rolled in and took Jonathan away.” 

“Oh…” 

“It was a rough week, Steve egged him on, he deserved it,” Eddie can’t help but side with Jonathan after knowing the whole truth. Including what Steve called Will; it’s something he’s also not going to tell Will about. Everyone wanted to spare Will the hurt of knowing the names he’s been called behind his back. 

“Huh,” Will thinks about it a little harder. “Sounds like Steve uses violence to get close to men… didn’t you pin him to a wall and hold a bottle to his throat? Or did Dustin exaggerate that?” 

Eddie nods, “oh, yeah, I did that…” he presses his lips together awkwardly, it was a very intense, very hot, moment between them. He thinks about it often. 

“Maybe you need to have a fight,” Will suggests. “Not, like, physical, but get your feelings out, raise your voice, get in his face and wait for him to kiss you.” 

Eddie laughs again, “okay, alright… that’s not a bad idea?” 

“He just needs a push.” 

“What about Mike? You’re not actively trying to push him and El apart, are you?” 

He shakes his head, “no, no, I’d never do that to her. I love her, she’s my sister… I’m actually trying to get over Mike. I’ll just be single until I meet another gay person my age and then I’ll see where it goes.” 

“I know someone,” Eddie proposes. “You know him too… if you’re okay with me telling him about you, maybe he’d want to ask you out?” 

“Really?” Will lights right up. “And they’re 16?” 

“He’s 17…” Eddie says, not wanting to give away that it’s Gareth. He hasn’t told any of the new Hellfire members, only the band knows. 

“Yeah, no, I’d love that,” Will brightens right up. “That would be great.” 

“I’ll work on that for you,” he pats Will on the shoulder, “now come on, it’s gonna be weird if they see us leaving together.” 

“Here,” Will opens the cupboard behind the sink and grabs a bandaid, “I was just showing you where these are.” 

“Smart… and thanks, sorry for breaking down on you, it’s been a weird fuckin day,” Eddie sighs and heads for the door. “I never normally cry.”  

“No problem, it’s our secret,” Will really doesn’t mind, he follows Eddie out into the hall and then back into the kitchen unseen. 

Eddie pats his shoulder one more time before slipping past him and heading back downstairs to his dinner. His spot beside Steve is still empty, the kids are meeting Roxy and asking her all about how she found Eddie and Wayne after so many years. 

“Well, his name being in the news for murder was a big help… I always knew my dad’s name but I had no idea how to track down all the Wayne Munsons who went to some random festival in the mid-60s,” Roxy shares. “But Wayne told me it wasn’t Eddie at all, it was actually the lab here in town and a bunch of kids died? What the heck happened?” 

They all look at each other and shrug, playing it off that they had no idea. Dustin says they have no clue what the details are, “we’re just glad he got off the hook 'cause we would’ve been charged with harbouring a wanted criminal if not…” 

“And what a great job you did at that,” Eddie teases. “At least in jail I’d get clean clothes and 3 meals a day…” 

“We can find something to send you to jail if thats where you want to be,” Steve teases him, reaching out for his hand to tug him back down to the sofa. “Your pizza is getting cold…”  

“You wanna warm it up for me, hot stuff?” Eddie whispers, getting in his space and making Steve blush. 

He pushes Eddie back, “shut up.” 

“Make me…” 

Steve picks up Eddie’s slice of pizza and brings it to his mouth, all but shoving the slice in there, forcing him to take a bite. “there.” 

Eddie takes a big bite and Steve pulls the rest of the slice away, putting it back on the plate. Eddie watches him intently, he’s so madly in love it makes his stomach turn and flutter up to his throat. He was to look away or he’ll choke on the bite, he places his hand on his chest after, it took a lot to do that without coughing to death in front of him, and Steve noticed too. 

He placed his hand on Eddie’s back and patted him a few times like a newborn baby, “you good?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” he waves it off, slightly embarrassed. 

Steve keeps his hand on Eddie’s back and gently runs his hand up toward his shoulder, he gives him a good squeeze and pulls him into a side hug. Eddie tilts his head toward him and Steve does the same, the bump noggins and smile before turning back to everyone else. 

—

The kids usually sleep over in Will’s basement after their pizza parties, sometimes Eddie brings Max home but tonight she’s staying with El. Robin and Roxy are having a blast talking to each other and now Steve has slid into the spot beside her on the couch with his arm around the back of the couch, basically around her. 

“I’m going to head out,” Eddie announces, pointing towards the door. “Rox did you want to drive home with Steve? He goes past your apartment anyway.” 

“Yeah, I don’t mind,” Steve throws in for good measure, “it would be nice to talk to you, I haven’t been able to get a word in edge wise with Robin here.” 

“I would love that,” Roxy gives Steve a smile. “Uh, I’ll see you tomorrow though? Wayne invited me for dinner cause he has the night off.” 

“Right,” Eddie clearly had no idea. Steve could see it in his face. “Have a good night… see you guys.” 

Everyone cheers goodbye and he gets a few waves before he heads towards the stairs and starts his journey home. Alone. For the first Friday night in a long time.

“I think I’m going to go with him,” Robin announces, “it was lovely to meet you but I don’t want him to leave without me…”

“Oh, okay, bye Robin!” Roxy waves her off and then it’s just her and Steve and a bunch of children. “I guess we shouldn’t stay too much longer, that would be weird…” 

“We can go whenever you like?” Steve leaves it completely up to her. 

“Let’s go,” she stands up and reaches out a hand to help him to his feet as well. 

Steve takes it with a smile, she was just as chivalrous as Eddie… he says goodbye to the kids, Dustin pats his shoulder during their goodbye hug and whispers in his ear, “good luck, she’s cool.” 

“Thanks,” he mumbles back, “call me tomorrow if you need a ride home.” 

“Will do,” Dustin says, giving Steve and Roxy a smile and a wave. “Drive safe.” 

“it was so nice to meet you guys,” Roxy says one last time, “thank you for letting me come.” 

“Anytime,” a few of the boys say. “Come back next week,” Dustin adds. 

Lucas agrees too, “Yeah, and Max said she loved having another girl at the party now. She wanted me to say bye if she wasn’t down here when you leave, so, Bye from Max…” 

“Tell her in the morning I loved meeting her too,” Roxy gives them all a smile and one last wave, “see ya!” 

They wave her off and she follows Steve up the stairs, they put their shoes back on by the door and Steve hands her the leather jacket on the hook, expecting it to be hers. “Thanks,” she smiles. “Am I that obvious?” 

“You’re just a lot like Eddie,” he admits. 

“Which is crazy, honestly, no one at my high school was like me and now I come here and we’re like twins?” She says with a laugh, feeling a bit too loud as she looks over into the living room where Joyce and Hop are cuddling on the couch. “Oh, sorry… thank you for having me tonight, you guys have a lovely family.” 

“Oh, anytime sweetheart,” Joyce gives her a sweet smile. 

“You be careful on the road,” Hopper points to Steve, “the news is saying there’s a fog rolling in tonight so no dilly-dallying.” 

“Sure thing, dad,” Steve rolls his eyes as he opens the front door. “See you later.” 

“Bye guys,” Joyce calls back to them as they leave. 

Steve leads her outside towards his car and unlocks her passenger door, opening it for her. “Why thank you, kind sir,” she pats Steve on the shoulder and then gets into the seat. Steve closes the door behind her and rushes over to the driver's side.

“So, Eddie said you’re in the apartments above the shops?” Steve double-checks as he starts the engine. 

She nods, “yeah, it’s not much but I wanted a place close to my dad, even if he didn’t want me I still wanted to live here and get to know him.” 

“Wayne would never not want you,” Steve assures, “believe me, from what I know about Eddie’s childhood, Wayne is meant to be a dad and take care of people, he loves everyone in Eddie’s life just as much, too.” 

She smiles, “yeah, he talked very highly of Eddie… I’m still waiting for him to warm up to me.” 

“He’s kinda stuck in the mindset that the love people give him is conditional, he’s afraid Wayne will leave him for you,” Steve spills the beans. “Don’t tell him I told you, but, just keep in mind that Wayne has been his whole world for the last like 9 years of his life and he’s been through so much this year that he needs that one aspect of his life to stay the same… he can’t lose Wayne.” 

“I don’t plan on taking him,” she reiterates. “I really don’t, I just want to talk to him and celebrate a birthday with him and give him a fathers day present and hear that he’s proud of me… I want to feel like I’m part of a family that loves me for me.” 

“I get that,” Steve really gets it, actually. He lets everything go quiet while he backs out of the Byers driveway and heads towards downtown. “I uh… I’ve always known both my parents but I didn’t feel like I had a family before when it was just me and them.” 

“Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom and my grandparents but… they don’t get me,” she has to explain for good measure. “They weren’t abusive or anything it just wasn’t fun being there for the last 18 years.” 

“Well, you’re here now and there’s lots of love in our little friend group to go around, so,” Steve gives her a smile. “Speaking of… if you ever wanted to hang out just like, me and you, without the rest of them, that would be nice… don’t you think?” 

“Yeah,” she lights right up too. “I’m having dinner with Wayne tomorrow but I’m free the next night?” 

“Sounds good,” Steve can’t stop the smile on his face. “I uh, I work till 5 but I can get you at 6?” 

“That works for me,” she smiles right back. “You’ll have to pick the spot, I don’t know what’s around here.” 

“There isn’t much, but Benny’s diner reopened last month so if you like diner food…” 

“I have been dying for a good old diner burger,” she assures him. “This’ll be fun, I’ve never had good friends like this.” 

“It’s life-changing, believe me.” 

—

“and then he asked to ask her out?!” Eddie freaks out more towards the end of his story, parked in front of Robin's house while she listens to his ramble. 

Robin just sighs and leans back against the seat. “I never told you he was smart.” 

“This is killing me, Rob,” he turns to her with tears in his eyes. “She gets to call Wayne her dad, she gets to date Steve, everyone loved her as soon as she walked into the room… it took me years to get this and she got it all in 10 fucking seconds?” 

“I don’t know how to comfort you,” Robin admits. “On one hand I know this is just your anxiety about things changing again but on the other hand… I like her so I’m part of the problem.” 

“I don’t want people to not like her,” Eddie says with a sigh, he rubs his face quickly and groans from deep inside himself. “I’m overreacting, I know that, but it hurts. It physically fucking hurts that I have to share her with MY people. Wayne and Steve are my people.” 

“Okay, watch yourself,” she gets jealous then. “But Steve does love you, I know that, but he loves me too and he loves Dustin and he loves Max and Lucas and Erika… I’m not sure how he is with Mike honestly, it’s a toss-up, but he loves everyone. He has the room to love people. He’s been waiting to love people like this his whole life.” 

“I know…” 

“Do you?” Robin questions, staring him down. “Steve loves you so much he let me and Nancy kill vecna alone so he could stay with you two. And thank fucking god he did because I wouldn’t be able to deal with him if he lost you that day, you were being an idiot thinking you could take on those bats alone.” 

“He stayed for Dustin…?” 

Robin shakes her head, “No. He knows that Dustin knows how to follow orders and make it out fine. He stayed for you.”

A tear tumbles down his cheek and he’s quick to wipe it away with the back of his hand. “I just wanted to win.” 

“And we did,” robin reaches out and takes his hand in hers. “We won, Vecna died, the gates are closed and Hop came back to clear your good name. That’s the biggest win we could’ve ever expected…” 

“Is it really a win if it brought her here?” Eddie asks, feeling a bit terrible for how much he regrets opening the door for her. 

Robin nods, a smirk growing on her face, “what if she’s more like you than you thought?” 

“Hm?” His brows go up. “No way…” 

“You’re gay, Wayne has that thing with Mr. Clarke that no one wants to talk about… but I see it. I know there’s something fruity going on there, she’s gotta be like us,” Robin rants. 

“What thing with Mr. Clarke?” 

“Has Steve not told you?” Robin gawks, jaw dropped, “no… really?” 

“Clearly, I have no idea what you’re talking about?” 

“Mr. Clarke comes in and gets a movie every Saturday morning and Wayne drops the same VHS tape off Sunday before he goes to work… he brings it right to the desk too like I didn’t check it out to Scott the day before?” She explains. “Like, really…? it’s so clear they’re having dates on Wayne’s only day off.” 

“I’m learning way too much today,” Eddie rubs his eyes, shaking his head. “Holy fuck? Why didn’t he tell me?” 

“Dustin said their cots were side by side in the gym after the earthquake, he found them talking when you got arrested,” Robin keeps explaining, hoping she’s making it somewhat better the more he knows. “I think it’s either a trauma bond friendship or they’re dating. It’s been 3 months.” 

“I’m normally with Steve on Saturdays,” he whispers, realizing why he hasn’t noticed this… it’s cause he’s not home as often as he used to be. “Oh my god, I’m such an ass… here I am scared that I’m going to lose him when I’ve barely talked to him in the last 3 months?” 

“So maybe Roxy showing up is a good thing, maybe she’s meant to bring everyone together?” She suggests, eyes full of hope. And maybe she’s right… Robin typically is. 

“Okay,” he gives in. “I’ll give her a chance.”

General Taglist 

@ncsls0515 @stevesmunsons @reidsbookclub @sweetyyhippyy @manuosorioh @mrs-dr-reid @k-k0129 @squishyturtle @katsukis1wife @babybisexual @marsmunson86

Steddie

@nosaladallowed-ao3  @wifeyreid @girl-with-an-orange-cat @sunshinemunchkin @luna-munson83 @manda-panda-monium @steve-thehair-mamabear 

@knightoftheieves @swimmingbirdrunningrock @throwbackthrowaway @sofadofax @currently-steddiebrainrot 

[deanstudies101]

4x19, Jump the Shark

Critical theory: Fathers and sons. Jealousy. 

Key quotes: Dean, “You know, I finally get why you and Dad butted heads so much. You two were practically the same person. I mean, I worshipped the guy, you know? I dressed like him, I acted like him, I listen to the same music. But you were more like him than I will ever be. And I see that now.” Sam, “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Dean, “You take it any way you want.” 

Further reading: Why? What'd Dad do with you on your birthday? (@subcas)

Discussion: 

A lot to talk about and a lot to say. 

[I liked that the whole episode Kai and Iga were both saying “this guy is gonna die this episode.” He was already dead. Cursed.] 

[That final conversation was an absolute banger.] We’ve talked about how similar Sam is to John, from very early on. Dean tries to be John, but Sam is the favourite—he lives up to it. He’s a cold ruthless killer. He’s John. And John really took this kid to baseball games. He could have done that with Sam and Dean too, actually, he clearly had the time. Why didn’t he? How old were Sam and Dean when he was going to hang out with Adam? Was he leaving his teenage sons in a hotel room, or is this when he’d abandoned Dean already? [If Adam met John when he was 12, that would be 2002, so Dean would’ve been 23, Sam would’ve been 19.] Sam would’ve been at college, and John just left Dean to go hang out with Adam. Iga, “So Dean was just abandoned by everyone. Home alone. Bpd hours.” There is pure hatred for John right now. 

[The canon of John Wnihcester’s journal is dubious… but we do have some info on what John did for Dean’s birthday. Shooting. Drinking.] 

[Shall we talk about the jealousy, and the two different reactions to that jealousy?] It perfectly links to how we’ve seen them act in regards to their childhood. Dean acts like a dick, but cares about other people, he feels bad and takes it out on Adam by shouting, but he knows that’s what he’s doing. Sam pretends he cares, but actually it’s (Iga;) “Dad ruined our lives, so now I’m going to ruin your life and make it fair.” 

And when Dean knows Adam isn’t lying about being their brother, he goes easier on him, even though he’s hurt. When Sam knows, he starts scheming. Adam has the perfect life, the perfect childhood in their eyes—spent time with John doing normal stuff, encouraged to go to school. Dean is trying to reconcile his feelings with the fact that he doesn’t want to ruin Adam’s life. In Sam’s defence Adam is an adult and does get to make his own choices, so Sam teaches him. However… he doesn’t really know what he’s getting himself into. He just wants revenge. Kai, “But Sam loves revenge.” [Yes, exactly! Sam loves revenge. It’s about revenge, not Adam!] Sam is enacting revenge on John via Adam. [What gets me is that they’re both jealous, and Sam gets angry, and Dean gets sad.] And his sadness looks like anger, but it’s not. His anger is what’s protecting him from how desperately sad he is. And even despite that sadness, he wanted the best for Adam. 

The last scene again. Early on, Sam is so so critical of John, and Dean defends him. They’ve both flipped. Sam is suddenly all John did right by us, and Dean knows now that that’s not true. [And it hurts. Sam and John always argued, but now Dean has realised that actually they were neglected/abused, and Sam’s like. Nah he was alright.] The moment that Sam started to think John did the right thing is the moment he had to start protecting Dean, because Dean came back from hell broken, and then he became John. But is Sam treating Dean how John treated Dean, or how John treated Sam? [I think it’s gotta be Sam. Because if it’s protecting Dean because he’s ‘broken’, that’s not who John treated Dean. Dean was the tool to protect Sam.] Sam was broken. He’s got demon blood. [But when did John know?] We don’t know. He knew when he sacrificed himself for Dean, but we never know when he found out. [I think it’s likely. But probably not for a long time.] Also feel bad for Sam, because he's never been shown how to be a good person either. All he has to look up to is Dean and John, and Dean was an extension of John so he doesn’t count. Sam has really bad anger issues, and has no coping strategies. [I will say for Sam as well. When Sam is teaching Adam to shoot, he actually seems excited to be a big brother. The way I read this when I first watched it was. Sam is excited to have a little brother, and Dean is thinking, fuck, I can’t look after another one.] But Dean watching that, he’s seeing himself, and how they were raised, and it hurts. He’s seeing the grooming from the outside. He’s seeing how John raised them, having this horrible reaction, and realising he was so so much younger when he learnt to shoot. 

[helenaheissner]

Love During Robot Fighting Time: Chapter 21

Faith

“Okay, so, how is this gonna work?” Kate asked, swirling her straw inside her tall glass of skim milk. 

The three of us sat in a booth inside a twenty-four hour diner in West Hollywood, atop brown leather seats jammed into the back corner of the main dining room. Overhead lights buzzed above us, casting their hot glow downwards on our intrepid trio. The blues stylings of Blind Blake hummed from the speaker, while the aromas of potatoes frying and meat grilling and pastries baking all filled the air. We all split a plate of onion rings while we waited for our entrees to arrive, taking turns dipping them in a small bowl of ketchup. I sipped my orange juice and Zeke skimmed his finger over the rim on his glass of sprite. “How do you mean?” I asked after swallowing a mouthful of OJ. 

“I mean… Well, I guess I just mean I’ve never been in a real relationship before, let alone one where there’s three people total. Zeke and I have only been a couple for a short while so far and now we’re adding you and I guess I just don’t really know what all this entails.”

“She raises a good point,” Zeke said. He sat next to her while I faced the two of them, putting his arm around her. I tried to ignore the green sparks shooting through my chest, tried to make sure they didn’t ignite a verdant blaze of hideous jealousy. I had no reason to be jealous- I’d literally kissed both of them less than a half hour ago. 

“Yeah, she does,” I said. “Still, does it have to be that different from how things are right now? Zeke, you and I have been best friends for a while anyway, and a couple is basically just a pair of best friends who have a romantic and/or sexual component to that dynamic.”

“That’s true,” Zeke said, idly scratching at the beard stubble sprouting on his chin. 

“And she does have the most relationship experience between the three of us,” Kate said. 

“That’s a scary prospect,” I said. 

“That doesn’t fill us with confidence, babe,” Zeke said. 

Babe. 

He called me… 

He called me babe.

HE CALLED ME BABE!!!!!!!

I squirmed in my seat, putting my hands under my chin as I wiggled back and forth and smiled. “Heeheehee,” I giggled. 

“I think she likes that, babe,” Kate said.

“I’m inclined to agree, babe,” Zeke said. 

“This is getting a little confusing though, babe,” Kate said, smirking. “It’s kinda what I’m talking about- if all three of us are occupying the same space and we’re all calling each other babe, which babe is the babe to whom we’re referring.”

“That could get a little confusing, yeah,” I said. Then I winked at her. “Babe.”

Those big blue doe eyes went wide as she blushed and smiled. “I mean… That certainly helps.”

Zeke snort-laughed. “Okay, back on topic: I can kinda see a broader issue happening here with one of us feeling like a third-wheel if two of us spend more time one-on-one then with all three of us. And since Faith and I live together, that feels like it will probably happen at some point.”

“The last thing I want is for Kate to feel neglected,” I said. 

“I mean hey, that’s not something I want either,” Kate said wryly before chomping down on another onion ring.

The waiter, a short and stocky black man with braids tied back into a man-bun and a nametag that read ‘Jerome’, came over with our meals: a stack of banana chocolate chip pancakes with a side of ham and cooked golden apples for Kate, a pastrami reuben on rye with a side of potato salad for Zeke, and an avocado melt on whole wheat with a side of coleslaw for me. “Here y’all are. Anything else I can get for you?”

“We’re good for now, though we might want some milkshakes by the end of the night,” Zeke said. 

“Or just one, with three straws,” Kate said, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

I cocked (heh) a smile. “I like the way you think, Katie.”

“Hmmm. I like it when you call me that,” she replied. 

Jerome left us to our food, and we all got so busy chowing down we let the conversation go silent for a few minutes. After we’d sated our initial hunger and let ourselves slow down, however, I said what was really on my mind: “it does raise the question, though: we’re gonna have to find ways for all three of us to be together a lot if we want to avoid any of us feeling jealous or neglected. Like, I’m not gonna lie, I wish I was sitting on that side of the booth with one of you instead of being here on my own.”

“Then come over and sit with us,” Kate shrugged. 

“Kate, she’s not gonna fit,” Zeke said. 

“Exactly, and I’m worried about that becoming a metaphor for this throuple-”

“Oh God, that is what we are, aren’t we?” Kate said. 

“I prefer ‘polycule’ personally,” Zeke said. “If we’re serious about this.”

“I am if y’all are,” Kate said. 

I nodded in agreement. “We should set up some ground rules: for every one-on-one date that a permutation of the three of us goes on, we have to go on a three-person date.”

“I like that,” Kate said, cutting up her ham and mixing it in with the syrupy pancakes before taking a large bite. 

“I do too, but what exactly constitutes a date?” Zeke said. “Again, Faith and I live together and we hang out watching TV basically every night unless I’m going on a date with Kate. Does that count?”

“I don’t really think so, no,” I said. 

“Okay, but Kate, be honest, would you get jealous about that? Me and Faith watching movies without you?”

Kate shook her head while chewing her food. She swallowed, then said, “No, that’s just hanging at home.”

“Okay, but what if Faith and I started banging?” Zeke said. 

I had the misfortune of swallowing a bite of my own sandwich when he said that, and nearly started choking before forcing the food down. “Getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren’t we, Underhill?”

He rubbed the back of his head. “... Fair enough, but like… It’s been on my mind. And I know you well enough to know that it’s been on yours as well. Kate and I have already talked about how we’re not quite ready for that yet-”

Kate put her palm flat across Zeke’s face. “Babe. Babe, we’re in public.”

“... Right, sorry. Forgot that.”

“Thank God this place is almost empty,” I said with a nervous chuckle, looking around to make sure none of the three old couples scattered throughout the diner were gawking at us degenerate youngins. Blind Blake gave way to Dolly Parton, ironically begging Jolene not to steal her man. Heh, I was pretty sure I’d figured out the work around to that particular conundrum. “But, uh, yeah, I’ll admit, there is that aspect to this particular equation. You and I have known each other a while, and I’ve been on HRT long enough that I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with my body. And since we live together, we certainly have ease of access-”

“Yeah you do,” Kate said, brows raised and grin downright shit-eating. 

I started laughing in spite of myself. “Damn, Katie, you’re BAD.”

“You’re surprised?” Zeke deadpanned. 

“I really shouldn’t be,” I admitted. 

“Indeed.”

“Okay, seriously tho- you two are further along in all this stuff then I am,” Kate said.

“Are we? You and Zeke have been together longer,” I said.

“You and Zeke have known each other longer,” Kate retorted. 

“And you two have been the most desperate to bang each other the longest,” Zeke said. 

“What?!” Kate and I said in tandem. 

“Oh, c’mon, don’t deny it,” Zeke said. “We’re already here, in a polycule, don’t act like this is new or anything.”

“It is new,” Kate said. She looked at me. “Right?”

“I…,” I began, quickly trailing off. Then I thought back, to all the times Calloway had annoyed me over the past year, and wondered if there was anything more to that than poor social skills. “Actually, he might be onto something.”

“I don’t understand you sometimes,” Kate said. 

“It’s okay, we can work on that,” I said, squeezing her hand.

She blushed. “Sounds good. Also, for what it’s worth, I don’t mind if you two want to start getting intimate with each other. I’m not ready for it yet, but I hopefully will be soon. And there’s no reason for me not to let you two get a head start.”

So many images clouded my mind at that moment. SOOOO MANY. “I… Okay. Zeke, what do you think?”

“I think… I’m open to it. But, circling back a little, how about this,” Zeke said. “A date counts as such if it involves two or more of us going out and doing something together. This can include going to hang out with Katie at her place, and her at our place, but not us two at our own place. Does that sound good?”

“I’m cool with it,” Kate said. 

“Me too,” I nodded. 

“And we’re agreed that for every two-person date there needs to be a three-of-us date that week?” I asked, finishing off my sandwich. 

“Absolutely,” Zeke said, inhaling his last bite of potato salad. 

“We should also have a group chat,” Kate said, swallowing a large quantity of pancake. 

“Oh, good idea,” I said, whipping out my phone and cobbling one together. I dubbed it ‘Faith’s favorite people.’

“Awww,” Kate said. 

“Very cute,” Zeke said. “Relatedly: one last question.”

“Yes?” Kate and I both asked. 

“Does this count as one of our ‘all three of us’ dates?” Zeke asked. 

“I think so,” I said with a wide smile. 

“So do I,” Kate said. 

“In that case, a toast,” Zeke said, raising his glass. “To us. And to new beginnings.”

“Cheers!” I said, clinking my glass.

“Cheers!” Kate said. 

Jerome came back, with a chocolate malt and three straws on a tray. He set it on our table. “Figured this was where the evening was headed. Did I assume correctly?”

“You did indeed, my good man, you did indeed,” I said. 

I reached over to the center and sucked on the straw, the two faces of the people I cared about more than anything came very, very close to me while they did the same thing. We all drank together, not stopping until all three of us were wincing from brain freeze and laughing together through the pain. Kate’s laughter came in time with the final notes of ‘Jolene’, and Zeke held both of our hands as we reveled in each other’s company. 

I could get used to this. 

***

Later that night, after we’d dropped Kate off at home, Zeke and I made our way back to our place and walked up to our apartment, hand in hand. He smelled so damn good, musky and virile, and his massive hands felt amazing wrapped around my small, calloused ones. He was so much bigger than me, and I’d always been short, but around him, I felt… Delicate. Around him, I felt like me, and I wanted to savor that feeling as much as possible. I wanted to make each second I spent with him count, to make up for the wasted years I’d spent trying to avoid taking responsibility for my feelings. I wanted that with Kate, too, but I’d wanted it with Zeke for longer, and I wanted him to know how much I cared about him. 

Besides, I wasn’t tired yet- locking down a relationship with two hotties tends to give you an adrenaline rush, as it turns out. 

“Nightcap?” I asked him as he closed and locked the door. 

“I… Think I meant it, when I said I don’t wanna drink anymore,” Zeke said with a nervous laugh. “My mom is… Very clearly an alcoholic, and I don’t wanna go down that road.”

“Zeke, hey, you’re nothing like her,” I said, my heart sawing itself in half at his words and his downcast expression. He couldn’t possibly still think he was like his parents. He had to know how amazing he was. 

“I know, I just… The risk seems high to me, still,” he said. “I wanna be better than her. And him. Both for myself… And for you and Kate.”

The smile crept onto my face in spite of the sorrow behind the situation. I went to him, cupped his cheeks in my hands. His stubble had already grown thicker- by morning, the beginnings of a beard would already be manifesting. He was so rough and hairy and hard; I was used to girls, soft and smooth and elegant. This was different: this was a man, built differently than me, wired differently than me. It had taken me a few months to really accept that I liked the differences, liked the way he towered over me, liked the way he leapt to my aid without hesitation, liked the way he wanted to be my knight in shining armor. But now that I had, and I knew that I could have it both ways… It was as if I’d unlocked some hidden part of myself, long neglected and shoved into a corner in the back of my mind. I was a woman, yes; but moreover, at that moment, I knew I was one of HIS women. And I loved being that. 

Guess it was up to me to show him how much I loved it. Challenge accepted. 

“Hey,” I said, standing up on my tip-toes, leaning against his chest, stroking his cheek. “You’re already more than enough for both of us. So don’t ever compare yourself to your idiot parents, yeah?”

“You really mean that?” he said, his nose touching mine, our foreheads pressing together, his heartbeat thundering as I leaned on him. 

“I really, really do,” I said, my mouth getting closer to his. 

Our lips met, and it was different from our first kiss- that had been exploratory, tentative, nervous. We’d both been shaking when it happened, terrified of the idea that the aftermath might not be as good as the anticipation. 

Now we knew we didn’t have that problem. His stubble tickled my face, making me giggle as my tongue entered his mouth and explored the inside. My hands dug into his hair and rubbed his scalp as he pushed forward and pinned me against the wall, hands running down my shoulders and settling on my hips. My knee popped and I pushed back, kissing his neck and his cheek, my hands running over his hard, muscular chest. 

He gripped my hips tightly and lifted me up, and I settled into his arms as my forehead pressed against his and my tongue once again found its way down his throat. “Bedroom?” I said in a hungry whisper. 

“Are you sure?” he said, kissing me up and down my arm. 

“Only if you are,” I purred. 

“That… That would be a nightcap more up my alley,” he said. “We’ll have to tell Katie about this, though.”

“That’s fine with me,” I said, pulling off his shirt and witnessing the glory of his six pack abs and toned pectorals, digging my hands into his modest garden of dark chest hair, nibbling his shoulder lightly. Arousal burned like a wildfire through every inch of me, desperate to consume everything. “And she said she was fine with it.”

“Okay,” he said, a downright wicked smile on his face, mischief in his eyes. He bridal-carried me into his room.

“Throw me onto the bed,” I pleaded. I was small and delicate, and I was in his massive hands and strong arms. I wanted to be reminded of just how much he could do to me. 

“Throw you?!” he said, aghast. 

I giggled. Oh, Zeke. Ever the gentleman. “Okay, toss me lightly. Is that better?”

He laughed, and carefully tossed me onto his mattress. Then he jumped on as well, kicking off his shoes and pinning me down by my wrists. He loomed above me, a massive tower of masculine desire and intention. “I’ve dreamt of this moment. Literally dreamt of it.”

“Honestly, same,” I said, looking up into him, desperate to relinquish all control and give myself over to him, mind and body- ESPECIALLY body. “Guess dreams really do come true.”

“Evidently, yes,” he said, tugging the dress down from my shoulders and carefully folding it before placing it on the floor. It was honestly the sweetest little thing he could have done, and it very definitely DID SOMETHING for me. “Now then: shall we begin, oh captain my captain?”

“Yes please,” I said as I unzipped his jeans and pulled them down. 

A very long, very involved, very sweaty night proceeded from there.

***

Hello, lovelies! Hope y'all are doing well :)

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[ametrictonofaudacity]

...You have a horse? You work with a horse? Why am I just now knowing this? (Though possibly you mentioned this before and/or you're talking about q fictional one and I am just a moron)

Agahshs yes!!

We actually have quite a few horses!! My mom owns them, and when she adopted me, I started working with them!! I’m not super experienced yet, but I love working with horses even if it makes me anxious sometimes!!

We have four total. Jedha, Phoenix, Granata (or Granny for short), and Fanta! My mom’s worked with horses for a super long time so she has a habit of getting ‘problem’ horses and keeping them, and by fucking god do these guys have personality.

Jedha is our lead mare, and despite being in her like 20’s (ish) that is an Old Lady. She’s been used for barrel racing, and god help you if your on her and your mom decides to set up barrels while your ON her. That horse may not move for much but she will move for barrels. And treats. She will bully the other horses out of their treats. She’s an amazing horse, and honestly so desensitized to shit that you could stick a small child on her and if the kid were to try and fall off, she’d adjust her weight to keep them on.

Next up is Phoenix! He’s my sisters horse, an Arabian! We got him from an abusive/neglectful home, and when he first arrived he was scared of everything. Giving him a bath was a nightmare but he needed one. He’s been with us about a year and a half or so now, he’s 5 I think, and now he’s a big dumb idiot. He wants to know EVERYTHING you’re doing. He also gets jealous if me or my sister pet the other gelding, Granata. We have to use the buckstrap for him a lot, and recently we’ve had issues with him being buddy sour, unfortunately. (See my previous post about Granata’s dumb ass)

We move on to the dumbass in question, Granata! Previously he was our neighbors horse, who got them from another person. He’s a retired racehorse but good luck telling him that. If you so much as nudge this fucker he will go. He’s also honestly the best behaved out of the herd tbh, he stands perfectly for haltering, walks good, you don’t have to chase him, etc. He acts more like a big dumb dog than anything else, he’ll even come to his name.

Finally we have Fanta! It’s technically short for Phantom, which she got from her previous home, because she refused to let anyone touch her. She’s mine (technically a foster but my Dad doesn’t know my Mom plans on keeping her for me lmfao) and she’s a chestnut mare! She’s got two very pretty white socks on her front legs, as well as some Arabian in her. Which.. not the best idea to stick a new rider on an Arabian and a red mare, I’m aware, but she’s also super young and needs a gentler hand because she’s super young and has only been ridden a total of two times, both times by me.

I had another horse, Eloise, who was also a red mare, and I loved her to pieces before she got adopted out. She was super smart, although tbh Fanta is smarter and she’s super curious, and super sweet. To me at least. She did try to bite my Mom.

I may or may not have a weakness for red mares. They’ve just got so much personality! Granted the personality can sometimes be bitch, but it’s still personality!

[lotusthewriter]

What I've Done - Chapter 2

Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)

Rating: T

Relationships: Alphonse (Wrath) & Edward

Characters: Alphonse Elric (Wrath), Edward Elric, Sloth, Dante, Envy; other characters to be added

Summary: "As soon as the homunculus decides to shove these feelings down his throat and take the alchemist to Dante for once and for all, his troubled opponent finally dares to say something that stops the world from going.

“... Al?”

It paralyzes Wrath."

A Homunculus Alphonse Elric AU.

Word count: TBA

AO3

First chapter

A/N: The trigger warnings apply to the entire AU, but in this chapter specifically, watch out for child abuse.

TRIGGER WARNINGS - death, repressed trauma, child abuse, physical and emotional abuse, emotional neglect, canon-typical violence, self-sacrifice, suicidal thoughts, blood and injury and loss of limbs. (More might be added)

P/roship DNI.

--

“... Yes, when I heard she died, I knew it would come to this. They are his sons… after all…”

The voice loses itself to the rain as the person – an older woman – notices a presence besides the disfigured, hungry creature between them. The water from the sky falls with so much force that you might even hear the thunder far away.

“Now, that is a surprise,” the woman comments, sounding more shocked by the boy than the fiend. “What is your name, dear?”

He only hugs himself tighter – his arms don’t feel the same skin –, like he’s going to be attacked for being asked that. He gazes at the creature which could not give a care about the world around it, then back at the older lady, who seems rather patient with him.

“Do you have one?” She merely asks, likely noting his speechlessness.

The boy sniffs, afraid of the rain, of the situation that brought him and the pained being to that dark basement. He feels cold.

“Oh dear, you’re trembling,” the woman approaches him, causing the other to flinch. “Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I just want to help you.”

Her voice is… very sweet. There’s something odd about it. Something… familiar?

She appears to take more of those red stones she gave the creature, and instead she gives it to him. The unnamed boy, as if he were hungry this whole time, eats the stones with the same ferocity.

When he’s done, she still offers a kind hand, even if the raindrops catch it. When he takes it, he… wraps his small arms around the woman, and finally cries. He hopes it’s not uncalled for, but she hums fondly and soothes his back with her free hand.

“There, there… you’re going to be alright,” she reassures him. “I will look after you two…”

There’s a small pause.

“... Wrath.”

--

“Wrath ? Really?”

“He has had it rough, Envy. As he grows, his anger will, too,” Dante explains.

“I doubt that.”

“Oh, you’ll see. Wrath will be the best of all of us.”

Envy glares at the boy, who clings to Dante in fear. Envy really doesn’t like Wrath.

“Tch,” the older homunculus storms off, Wrath flinching at the door being shut with force.

“Don’t worry about Envy. He’s just jealous I brought such a bright boy home,” she jokes. Wrath doesn’t feel much better. “Now, I think you should rest after such a horrible night.”

Even as Dante sets the bed for him, Wrath only stands still, staring at his own arms and legs. His whole body is pale, except for the right arm and left leg. They have scars that he doesn’t remember getting. Not that he remembers anything, but they don’t feel like they’re his.

“Wrath?” Dante calls him.

“I’m… I’m just confused,” he speaks up. “I’m not… human?”

“No, but you will be, once we get the Philosopher’s Stone.”

“But how? How was I born like this? Why are my limbs like this?”

“I don’t have all the answers, dear. You should be more concerned about yourself right now.”

Wrath doesn’t really argue, because he is tired, and he knows Dante has done more than enough to help him. The bed does look comfortable, so he climbs up and the latter tucks him in… yet another gesture that reminds him of a hazy past.

“Tomorrow will be a brighter day, I promise,” Dante whispers to him. “Good night, Wrath.”

She rubs his forehead, delicately touching his dark short bangs. Wrath can’t contain a small, relaxed smile. Eventually, Dante heads to the door, and when she’s about to leave, Wrath immediately remembers something.

“W-Wait, what about… her?” He wonders.

“She will be alright. She will be more presentable soon,” Dante winks, and finally shuts the door.

Wrath sighs, still conflicted about everything, but the weight of his exhaustion catches up with him, so he sinks in bed and closes his eyes.

Even while he sleeps, the sound of the rain outside might be trying to tell him something. Something he cannot understand. Yet something… important.

--

“Wrath? What are you doing over there?”

He gulps, “I-I didn’t want her to be alone.”

“She needs to rest, dear.”

“I know, but I know she’s scared and confused, so I just wanted to be here if he needs me.”

“Oh, Wrath, you’re very sweet. She’s very strong, though, you don’t need to worry about her.”

He listens to the breaths, which have become calmer as the homunculus begins to look more like the others. She’s not awake right now, at least.

“Yeah, but…” Wrath tries to argue.

“She will be okay. She needs more time alone. That way you will help her better.”

He knows Dante means well, but Wrath just… needs to be there for the other homunculus. He doesn’t know why, but that was the first thing he felt when he found her in that basement, begging for her life. Even if he was completely lost and scared, he still helped her leave.

“Let’s go back to bed,” Dante says, taking his hand before he protests. She tucks him in like usual and closes the door.

But just like most nights, Wrath’s chest grows tight and he can’t fall asleep.

So, he returns to that room.

Hearing the breathing…

Making sure it’s there.

Because if it isn’t…

--

This time, he hears gasps.

They’re not very loud, but they obviously alarm him.

Wrath is right next to the bed, finding the long-haired woman sweating, like she’s having a nightmare. Wrath has certainly had his fair share of nonsensical dreams, so he waits patiently for her to wake up instead of intervening.

Fortunately, she quiets down and… she opens her eyes, like she’s finally conscious again.

“You’re awake,” Wrath notes, slightly surprised yet mostly relieved. “Are you okay?”

That makes the woman turn her eyes – colored and shaped just like his – to him. They stare at one another for a couple of seconds…

Then hers widen.

“You…” She speaks in a low voice, so… intensely.

Wrath’s smile immediately disappears. “Huh?”

“You… you two …”

Two? “What? D-Did I do something wrong?”

She shuts her eyes forcefully like her head is aching. She’s looking distressed again.

“Leave,” she orders. The woman isn’t at all loud, but the quietude is even scarier.

“Please, I d-didn’t mean to–”

“I told you to leave!”

Wrath backs off in fear and regret of making everything worse. The other homunculus becomes even more disturbed, as she sits on the bed and avoids the boy entirely.

And to make it all the more horrible, Dante and the other homunculi enter the room, none of them impressed once they find out the guilty.

“Oh, it had to be momma’s boy,” Envy rolls his eyes.

“I’ve told you not to come here, and you keep disobeying me,” Dante scolds firmly. This time, not patiently.

“I’m sorry!” Wrath begs. “I just wanted to help!”

“I’ve had enough , Wrath. Go back to your room, now.” The elder woman walks up to the bed to assist the panicking homunculus.

The other homunculi join her without paying Wrath any mind, causing him to stumble towards the door.

“Wait! Please, let me help!”

“You heard her, kid,” Envy bites, “get out.”

“B-But–!”

“I said GET OUT, you TWERP!”

Envy kicks Wrath in the gut at full force, enough so the latter is out of the room and the door is loudly shut. He doesn’t hear anything coming from there, and he doesn’t think he wants to with so much pain.

Wrath can barely walk back to his bedroom, which is strange since homunculi are supposed to be more resistant than the average human being. Still, the moment he closes his door, with as much silence as possible, he breaks down in tears.

He already knows they don’t pay him much attention, let alone like him. But disappointing Dante and hurting that woman were truly unforgivable. He messed up so badly. How is he going to be the best of them all if he keeps disrespecting them?

Wrath, once again, doesn’t sleep.

This time, he doesn’t even lie in bed, only sits on the floor with his back to the door.

Dante doesn’t come to get him like she usually does.

So, when Wrath leaves all by himself, he is surprised to catch a very long purple dress in the corridor.

It’s the woman. She’s… better, apparently.

Until her cold eyes meet his again.

Then she walks past him like he doesn’t exist.

Wrath only sees his teardrops falling on the floor.

--

Knock.

“Wrath? Are you in there?”

The boy sniffs, hugging himself pathetically.

Despite getting no answer, Dante opens the door anyway, with her same look of concern and gentleness.

“I thought you were still on your mission?” She questions.

Wrath doesn’t outright tell her that he failed – which he should –, but with his traumatized mind, he takes a hot breath.

“... Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

Wrath’s head boils, no longer hiding his teary face and his mess of a haircut, which seems to surprise Dante.

“The alchemist! He KNEW me! He knew MY FACE and- and he called me a NAME! And- And I KNOW him, too!” He raises his voice. “I’m suddenly having all these memories of us! WHY wouldn’t you tell me?!”

“I knew that telling you would take away your focus,” Dante says indifferently.

“But I COULDN’T bring him to you because YOU didn’t tell me who he was! You didn’t tell me who I was!”

“Wrath, I do not appreciate your tone.”

Immediately shivering inside, the boy swallows his lashing out, and then he feels defeated due to the battle.

“What am I supposed to do with him?” He questions.

“You’ll make him give your humanity back, because he owes you that. He owes that to all of you.”

Wrath doesn’t believe that answer to be any fulfilling, not as Ed dominates his every thought. Childhood memories, good times, and very bad ones, too. He and Ed were inseparable, they always looked after one another… He was never alone, even after their mother died.

He should be angry at Ed for giving birth to Wrath and to Sloth. He should hate Ed because he’s the reason why Sloth hates Wrath. But even then…

“... I trust you, Wrath. I know you will do the right thing,” Dante brings him back to the real world. “You just have to focus and not care about trivial things.”

Wrath only nods, eyes downcast. “Yes, ma’am.”

Dante hums, staying quiet for a few seconds before suggesting, “Would you like some tea? Only you and me?”

Once again, he nods.

“Perfect.”

She takes his hand and guides him downstairs.

(That’s all he ever does. Follow her. Follow Sloth and everyone else. Obey their commands and fight and never look back. And if he doesn’t, he’ll be punished harshly for it.)

(Maybe that’s why remembering a past where he wasn’t punished is affecting him so much.)

--

Despite everything, Wrath still can’t help worrying about Sloth.

He knows she’ll only reject him. He knows every time he clings to her, she’ll only walk away. Sloth is the same kind of cold Wrath felt when he was first found in the rain.

She’s the very opposite of Envy: the latter openly hits him and calls him names, angry that Dante seems to give Wrath more attention. Yet strangely enough, Dante doesn’t bat an eye at Envy’s attacks, or Sloth’s cruel neglect.

In fact, none of them… care. Lust, Gluttony, and Pride never step in for him. Arguably, Pride is busy being the Führer and he assigned Sloth to be his secretary, but Lust and Gluttony don’t bother.

Whether Wrath is left by himself at the mansion or not, he’s still lonely. He certainly hates it when they are home, because Envy loves making his life hell, and Sloth and the others pretend he doesn’t exist. The only useful thing Wrath does all day is train alchemy, by himself or with Dante. He’s pretty good at it, like he’s a natural. It must be due to his human limbs, of course, but he can’t help wondering if there might be something else behind it, too…

Eventually, he grows sick of it all. He’s tired of the rejection. He’s angry that Dante, who promised she would take care of him, never tries to protect him. Sometimes she’s right there when Envy hits him, yet she never speaks up.

Everything goes down the drain when Wrath finally uses his alchemy on someone. That being Envy.

It’s not calculated at all, though. It destroys the dinner room and it actually catches Envy by surprise as part of the ceiling falls on top of him before he can even dodge. Obviously, it’s not lethal to the first homunculus of the group, yet if looks could kill, Wrath’s pathetic life would certainly have ended with the way Envy glares at him. Yet Dante appears right away, already knowing the disaster is Wrath’s doing.

And of course… she doesn’t bother scolding Envy. Dante grabs Wrath’s arm – his human arm – so roughly that it burns.

“You’ve gone too far this time, Wrath,” the older woman berates, disappointed. She isn’t loud, not that she ever is.

“But Envy started it!”

“That is no excuse. You have to control your alchemy, remember? You can’t just use it for a dumb fight.”

“But he HITS me! He TERRORIZES me with every chance he gets!”

“I know you’re upset, Wrath, but you’ve got to calm down.”

“Why won’t you LISTEN to me?!” Wrath yells louder.

“I do listen, dear.”

“If you did, you would SHOW it!”

Even though Dante’s smile fades into something akin to intimidation, Wrath doesn’t stop.

“If you even CARED, you wouldn’t let Envy hit me!” He screams. “You would actually tell me why Sloth hates me! You would tell me why I have this power, these limbs, a-and where I came from! You just keep me trapped here day and night to do nothing but get beaten up or abandoned!” Angry tears spill from his purple eyes. “NONE OF YOU CARE ABOUT ME, AND YOU CARE EVEN LESS !”

Dante stares at him with a cold expression that is very unsettlingly similar to Sloth’s, but somehow more spiteful. Regardless, Wrath doesn’t take back anything he said, because he’s too frustrated to back down. He’s not afraid of Dante, either, since she’s not threatening.

That is, when the human woman heads to an old wardrobe Wrath never peeked in, since it’s locked, and he hears her opening it. From here, he can’t see exactly what Dante has taken, but he’ll soon find out. Once she turns around, she’s carrying a big object covered in a dusty white sheet.

Despite not seeing what it must be, Wrath feels… dread growing inside him.

“W-What’s… that?” He asks, voice much smaller than before.

Dante smiles, remaining unsettling.

She removes the white sheet.

Wrath faces the dark.

Smells the metal.

Feels it.

Hears it.

For some reason, that thing makes him unable to move or speak.

“This is where you came from,” Dante says simply. “It’s scary, isn’t it? You were born in this huge suit of armor. You were alone and miserable when I took you in. I’ve taken care of you since then, and yet you really think I don’t care?”

Wrath gulps, managing out, “I-I… m-meant that…”

“You know how much I have to do to look after everyone? I can’t always make time for you, dear.”

“I know, but–”

“If you knew, you would show it.” The same words he used, but sadder, hurt. “You have to understand, I’m doing this for your own good. Soon, you’ll thank me.”

Wrath would have spoken further, but he realizes the helmet is approaching him. His head.

“W-What are you-?!”

“Shhh… it will only be for a while, sweetheart.”

“N-No, wait!” Wrath steps back until he’s trapped by the wall, with no way to escape. That helmet is limiting his movements and his thinking. “Please, d-don’t do this!”

“You will be alright.”

“No, please! Please, I’ll be good!” Wrath heaves and cries. “I’m sorry! I’M SORRY!”

In so much pain, he yells the loudest he can, until… everything stops.

He stops.

Wrath’s limbs don’t work, so he sits on the floor uncomfortably. His mouth can barely move and his eyes won’t even blink. It’s like he’s a corpse. No, worse, a doll.

The helmet is too big on him, too dark, but he can see Dante smiling at him one last time before leaving the room, the door still open. If Wrath is not too consumed by the metal, he might as well hear other voices coming from outside.

“What happened to the problem child?” Lust teases, unimpressed.

Dante snorts. “He just needs some time to think after misbehaving. I made sure he won’t repeat it any sooner.”

As usual, nobody questions it, and Dante finally closes the door, leaving Wrath alone and unable to move. This is torture. This is worse than Envy hitting him or Sloth ignoring him. Instead, it’s Wrath being trapped in a prison of metal, by a mellow-speaking Dante.

It reminds him of when he woke up, inside a dark and empty shell. At the time, Wrath was so scared that he panicked and managed to get out, only to face the fallen helmet of a huge metal armor. That was the first thing Wrath saw, and he was horrified. He had to push these feelings aside to get Sloth out of that basement, but ever since then, these feelings have been haunting him in his dreams. But they were never as intense and clear as they are now.

Because now Wrath has proof of where he came from, and it hurts.

Thus, he must never know the truth.

--

Next chapter

[writingsofwesteros]

I had to ask another request from aemond x daemon’s daughter because I need some daddy issues drama i’m sorry😭

daemon came to kings landing like ep 8 with rhaenyra and the kids and got surprised after founding out that his daughter already had a son and pregnant again. She refused to tell him about her children or have any contact with them so he got mad

but daddy aemond got into a fight with him and reminded him how he neglected his daughter for years

maybe she’s his first wife daughter rhea and looks exactly like her mom thats why he’s not so into her but he regretted later after seeing his grandson

Similar Request :Aemond targaryen x daemon’s daughter part3? maybe something from the dinner scene in ep8?jace had been in love with reader since they were kids so he started hinting it and maybe asking her for dance. Aemond becomes jealous and started some drama with the strong speech reader is pregnant and got little hurt during their fight which made aemond go feral

AN: Hi, I hope you like it x

“I can’t believe we have to feast with them.” Aemond groaned into your ear. His hand resting posessively on your large stomach. He gently stroked you and pressed a soft kiss to your neck; your head falling to the side. “Shh, it’s only for an evening.” You whispered out whilst you both rested.

“With your father and those sons of hers.” Aemond nearly snarled before you turned around in his hold. “Shh, it will be fine.” You looked up at him. You softly began to stroke his chest and watched him relax. Your fingers moved to brush a lock of his hair before moving to stroke his cheek.

You leaned in and lovingly captured his soft lips. Your noses brushed together and soon you were all he could think about. “Come on..and don’t make a scene.” You whispered to him but he only hummed. It was the best you were going to get; you knew that as you followed behind him. His hand reaching for yours once more.

Your hand moved onto your stomach as you slowly moved. The pregnancy was as ever still so hard. “Are you well?” Aemond asked as the guards and maids bowed when the both of you walked past. “Of course..just the sickness as ever.” You whispered and he brought you impossibly closer.

“Hmm, I would apologise..” Aemond hummed and you rolled your eyes at his nature. He enjoyed seeing you pregnant a little too much. His hand gently stroked up and down your back as you walked. “I believe I should go and welcome them.” You whispered mostly to yourself as you ducked your head.

Aemond stared down at you; the size difference was only more delicious as he’d grown. “Not alone.” His protectiveness as ever was so high. It was a wonder you weren’t confined to your apartments. “Aemond, I will be fine.” You whispered and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek but he only hummed and stayed linking arms with you.

You shook your head but you couldn’t help the soft smile coming over your face as you rested your head on him. The soft talking had your attention for a moment as you looked up at Aemond. You took his hand now and moved to bring some distance between you both; something that annoyed the Prince.

It wasn’t hard to see the two visitors and you watched them both look around. You rolled your eyes at their words. “If only you’d visit at all, you’d notice the difference.” You couldn’t help but speak. Aemond stayed silent behind you; protectively as a smirk danced on his face. His hands rested on your hips from behind.

Their eyes flashed over and you saw your father’s reaction. He looked over the dress that flowed over your growing stomach. “You are with child?” Rhaenyra asked and it was then you realised so was she. “Yes, and yourself.” You tried to be civil and softly smiled. This would be your sibling, you thought to yourself and you would care for them unlike Rhaenyra with her own siblings.

Your father hadn’t spoken yet as he and Aemond stared at each other. Your hand moved back to your husband. “We should prepare for the feast.” You whispered up at Aemond to try and calm them. He nodded and pressed a kiss to your head but before you could move on; a little boy’s pair of feet moved over the marble floor. 

All the heads moved to the little boy rushing towards his parents. His grabby hands moved to you before Aemond picked him up; protectively moving him from your pregnant stomach. “Father.” Your son giggled out. You couldn’t help the bright smile coming over your face at the sight.

Your attention was elsewhere but your own father could only stare. His child had a life he wasn’t a part of anymore. Daemon was able to keep his face from reacting but his heart seemed to drown in sadness. Gods, what had he done? He fought against those words and watched his daughter and her husband in their own little world.

“I’m sure my mother will be waiting for you.” Aemond finally announced as you gently took your son. Rhaenyra hummed in agreement and you looked back at your father once more before leaving. Aemond watched you go with a soft look before it quickly turned when Daemon moved forward to follow.

“I think it’s best if you don’t follow.” Aemond hummed and moved to stop the rogue Prince from going any further. A scoff left Daemon as he stepped forward. “I will see my daughter.” It was Aemond’s turn to roll his eyes. “Oh, now you want to see her?” The Prince argued back with a look of disgust.

Daemon only stepped forward; there was nothing else he could say, especially when Rhaenyra reached for his hand. “We should see my father.” The Princess whispered and Aemond had much more to say about that but kept his tongue. For your sake. Aemond only shook his head once more before turning to leave.

~

The music of the feast echoed around you as the delicious food was presented. The soft green dress had your shoulders uncovered as it looped around your neck. The pregnancy was making you too warm most of the time and you began to dress in light silks and dresses that weren’t so figure hugging.

You softly smiled over to Aemond over the goblet of water you sipped at. A soft blush coming over your cheeks as his lips tugged. “Would you like a dance?” The voice of Jace coming from beside you interrupted the staring between lovers. “Oh, of course.” You whispered politely as ever. 

You gently took his hand and moved towards the dancefloor. The music only picked up pace as soft giggles escaped you. You knew Aemond wasn’t one for dancing and you respected that; you knew he sometimes had his insecurities. “Are you enjoying your return?” You asked to keep up the conversation. 

“Yes, It is nice to see you again.” Jace smiled brightly as he twirled you around the room. The Prince continued to speak. Your giggles continued to echo around the room as you both moved. You hadn’t noticed your husband moving to stand. His larger stature took over the room as he brought his cup up.

“To the three strong boys.” You hadn’t even heard the start of his speech but you had realised Jace had stopped dancing. A soft blush moved over your face for a different reason now as you stopped. “Aemond..” You gently whispered; a soft look of confusion coming over your face as you stepped forward.

His eye moved sharply towards you and your hand moved to rest on your stomach once more. “Say that again.” Jace called out. “Do you not think of yourself as strong?” Aemond hummed with poison dripping in his tone. A soft gasp escaped you when Jace brushed past you to get to your husband.

Your hand reached for the table but it was too late. The corner moved against your stomach and a whimper soon escaped you. “Jace.” You heard someone gasp out; Rhaenyra probably and chairs moving. “Y/N..” Aemond’s soft voice was in your ear as you finally looked up to him. “I’m fine.” You babbled out instantly even as a flash of pain moved through your face and body.

You gently reached for Aemond as he stepped up to Jace and you noted your father had stepped in between. A scoff escaped you at that. You were his daughter but again; he chose another. “We should rest now.” You whispered into Aemond’s ear as he stared down both of them. 

Your voice was forever his reason and he gently wrapped his arm around your middle. Aegon moved to follow you both and took his sister’s hand softly. Alicent could only watch with soft eyes and a growing smile. Her family; looking after each other as they should and not picking and choosing. 

“Are you sure you are well?” Aemond couldn’t help but ask as he worriedly checked you over. “I promise.” You hummed before nuzzling into his neck. “No more dancing for you.” He whispered out and you could only giggle; happy to be in his arms once more as you felt unbelievably safe.