#but the two of them get steve into good music so yay :]

[your-stranger-halfblood-things]

Eddie and Jonathan literally making each other cry because the Dead Kennedys CD got scratched and they're blaming each other when it was actually Steve who broke it

[ajortga]

sweet pt.2

pairing: jenna ortega x fem reader

summary: jenna can't stop thinking about you, the coffee girl. she may or may not have asked you out on something her friends consider as a date.

word count: 3k+

read the other parts here! previous part: part 1 part 2 part 3

It became sort of a habit for Jenna.

It would be music, think about you, eat, think about you, sleep, think about you, film, yay Jenna gets to see you!

Maybe she’s over exaggerating it, but at the same time she’s really not.

Jenna wasn’t the regular person to be a love bird. Head over heels for someone was barely something she was used to. Well sure she would pass some guys in the city or notice them on set and think, “Oh his hair is perfect” or “He’s kind of cute.” She’s dated a few guys, broke them off because they weren’t for her.

All of the guys only hung out with her knowing she was a celebrity, or she would really think they were the one, until they lost interest and treated her like some toy. She hated when they did that. In fact, she was disgusted by it so much that she didn’t even want to think of having a lasting relationship at all. She just had to find someone right for her.

-

“You’re awfully quiet,” Melissa nudges Jenna as they’re both in their Tara and Sam outfits.

Jenna hums, looking at the taller latina with a small roll of her eyes while their makeup is getting patched up, “Just hungry, I guess.”

She shifts in her seat, her earbuds in and waiting for this day to be over, she forgot an umbrella. Of course the forecast would show as non-stop rain the whole day with thunderstorms, she literally checked the day before and it said sunny.

“Well, we only have to shoot like, 5 scenes. You wanna go with Jas and Mason to the Italian place you like? On me.”

Tempting.

But Jenna’s mind has other plans. 

“I think I’m gonna drop by the coffee place next door, craving a latte you know?”

She sees the way Melissa’s face twitches upwards, almost as a confused yet searching look, “You don’t like coffee.”

“The shop changed my mind, Y/N recommended a latte that is actually really good.”

“Y/n you say?” And from Melissa’s sing-song voice, she knows what’s coming.

“Yes,” Jenna scoffs, she can feel her ears begin to heat up.

“I didn’t know you had a friend named Y/N.”

It’s a little quiet, the only noise is from Jenna’s half put in earbud, “I met her a couple days ago, she’s a barista that helps her parents run their coffee shop. Keeps the place cozy and organized.”

“So she’s a barista?”

“Yes,” Jenna replies, half distracted as she picks at her cuticles.

“Who helps run her parent’s coffee shop?”

“Yep.”

“Next door?”

“Uh huh.”

“You like her,” Melissa smirks, it’s not a question anymore.

“Yes-Wait what? No!” Jenna slaps Melissa’s arm, caught off guard.

Jenna hears her laugh, half-heartedly, “I’m just kidding, but you do seem out of it, are you thinking about her often?”

She shrugs, picking off skin that she just scratched.

“Well I think you are, you’re nervous.”

Now the daydreamer turns to face Melissa, “No I’m not, I just think she’s sweet and she’s someone that already brought me out of that introverted lookin’ shell when I first meet people.”

It was true. It’s like you two knew each other when you first met, she hopes you thought of her that way too. She hopes you’re thinking of her as much as she thinks about you everyday.

Melissa looks down at Jenna’s cuticles, then back up at her, “You’re thinking about her, you’ve been quiet today and don’t think I didn’t see what song you’re listening to. You never listen to love songs!”

“What?! I have not been listening to love songs!”

“Lover by Taylor Swift? Lingers by The Cranberries? About you by the 1975?  Dark Red by Steve Lacy??”

My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue

All's well that ends well to end up with you

Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover

“I just have taken interest in love songs I guess, it’s spring anyways right?”

“Spring my ass! That is bullshit!” Jasmine chimes in, making Jenna flinch and turn to the corner where Jas was hiding.”

“What the fuck Jas.. Are you eavesdropping?” Jenna shrieks.

“I know when a girl likes a girl,” Jas rolls her eyes and immediately stands up from her squatting position, “Don’t think me and Mason didn’t see you texting someone that you named mY y/N OOoO La lAAaAa..”

Jasmine shuts up with a slipper slapped into her face.

“Just go ask her out or something,” Mason says, popping behind Jasmine and getting the second pair of slippers thrown to his stomach, making him yelp.

“I barely even know her,”

“And there's no difference, you barely fall in love, girl, love at first sight for you means that she’s the one. You know your priorities and she checks all of them. If not, you wouldn’t be listening to those dumb love songs.”

“Gotta agree Jenna, what about this, we’ll go to the Italian restaurant first, then we’ll leave you alone with her in the coffee shop, you come out and tell us how it goes.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because you love us.”

“Ugh.”

-

The alfredo pasta was twirled from the fork Jenna was holding, eating as the cast of scream 6 giggled and talked during their lunch break. It was a big bowl of pasta to say the least, she shared it with the whole cast but she was eating it up like there was no tomorrow. She knew around this time she came to your cafe, she only came around two times, but if you didn’t see her on a Thursday in the afternoon, she can almost feel the disappointment you might feel. Or hopes you feel, Jenna’s wondering to herself if you even think of her.

“Oh she’s falling hard for this silly Y/N girl,” Jasmine whispers to Melissa, to which she agrees almost immediately.

“No I’m not,” Jenna blurts, placing down her fork.

Everyone in the table clicks their tongue, a few, “Oh come on” and “Liar!”

“Well you wouldn’t have responded, we’ve been talking to you for the past 5 minutes and you only jerk your head when you hear anything about her!” Jasmine groans, showing her hands if they would somehow present something.

She signals for the check, she quickly pays, and as soon as that happens her real life core four push her out of the restaurant and to the outside of the coffee shop, like parents.

“Go,” Jenna’s shoulder was pushed into the door and it was too late to go back as she heard the familiar bell ring.

“I hate you Jas,” her hands flip the 3 people giggling behind the foggy window behind her as she hears the voice she’s been thinking about the whole day.

“Jenna!” Your tiny figure pops out from the coffee bean machine, waving to her happily.

Cute, she thinks to herself. You’re so cute.

“Almost thought you wouldn’t come today,” you murmur, making Jenna shake her head.

“Just had some lunch with friends, but I couldn't miss out on coffee on Thursdays though.”

“Ah,” you hum, your eyes focused on the latte art you were working on.

The only noise is the r&b music and the small chatter that keeps the environment comforting. 

A small bunny was being created, pouring the creamer carefully. 

“You’re almost looking as tiny and cute as that bunny,” your co-worker, Matteo says, a few feet away from you.

A soft laugh erupts in your throat, rolling your eyes from his compliment, but thanking him nonetheless. Jenna doesn’t know if she’s feeling a strong pit of jealousy that sizzles beneath the back of her mind. Her eyes train on the boy, hazel eyes, brunette hair. 

“Okay okay, stop that,” you grumble, a small smile plastered on your face as you playfully nudge him to show your annoyance.

“Feisty,” he chides.

“The only thing I did differently today is that I curled my hair. You can barely see it in this ponytail,” one hand is pointing to your hair while the other keeps concentrating on the bunny.

“You’re also wearing a bow, your freckles are more visible, mmm,” he thinks for a moment, “Oh and,” he comes closer, whispering in your ear so only you can hear. Your body almost shivers from it, “You’re staring at a new coming regular and smiling like a weird teenager.”

You stop your latte art, groaning in frustration since you were caught by a coworker that also is a kind friend of yours.

“No I’m not, stop whispering in my ear and let me do my latte art,” you shove him away and continue to work on your bunny.

Jenna swallows the prickly feeling in her throat, feeling herself scowl at some guy who’s name tag seems to say, “Mat ear.” Maybe she should switch out acting with latte art for a day.

The bunny looks complete. 

And perfect, you exhale a breath from pride, slide the latte and call out the person’s order with a warm smile.

Then Jenna feels like a fool standing there because she just realized that she’s been staring at you making another person’s latte. Then you feel stupid for not sending someone over to serve her since you’re assuming that she wanted something.

“Sorry!” You apologize, smacking the top of your head as you lean across the countertop, “Hi Jenna, did you want something?” Jenna looks down at your lips for a moment, your teeth tugged on your bottom lip, then trails back up to the menu.

“No worries, I should’ve sat down, I just wanted to visit I guess. Sure. Um,” She doesn’t know what to get.

“Confused again huh?” You tease, looking at the menu then at the lattes. It makes her almost fan herself to know that you know she wants a latte today.

It takes a moment for you to think, “I don’t even think I put this up on our menu, but the other day when I was closing I tried a hazelnut caramel, you down to try that today?”

“That sounds pleasing, sure I’ll take that.”

“Okay, one hazelnut caramel!”

“Dude, I swear your cafe sells at least every pastry known to mankind. Those brownies and chocolate chip cookies look like it could make society salivatate.”

You laugh, “Thanks silly, I just experiment and make sure everyone in NYC can have a taste of home if they are from somewhere else. Sometimes I take my recipes from a past generation baking book, other times I just try baking from eyeing measurements.”

Jenna smiles at that, touching your hand with hers and pressing it down to the counter, “Well trust me, this is probably why you get a hell load of customers every morning.”

A light-hearted, non-forced, soft giggle comes from you, not moving your hand that is pressed from hers.

“As long as it makes others happy and continues a legacy while doing other things I love, and meeting sweet people that mark my memory like you, I think that I wouldn’t trade it. Did you want anything else?”

“I think that’s it today,” Jenna breathes, moving her hand away from yours. Immediately your hand misses the warmth and just wants to pull her back.

She can’t help but notice the smile plastered on your face, “Okay, hazelnut caramel coffee, on the house.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Nuh uh, not on my watch,” Jenna insists, pulling out a 10 dollar bill and immediately you shoo her away.

“On me! Honest! I own this place anyways and it happens at least twice everyday, don’t worry about it love.”

She hears a small “aww” come from her phone and she freezes, her cheeks heating up in an instant.

“I’m paying you one day,”

“If it’s banterings and consistent times that I see you besides Tuesdays and Thursdays, then okay,” your voice echoes as you begin to prepare her latte.

Jenna smiles at you and as soon as she turns around she picks up her phone and curses into it, “What the hell Jas? How the hell did you manage to call me before I got into the shop and stalk into our conversation??”

Snorts and laughs come from the other line, she immediately plugs her earphones in.

“On the house, hmm??” Mason teases, everyone in unison going “ooh la la..” 

“I’m going to chop your heads off-”

“And of course you place your hands on top of hers!! It’s like watching the corniest romance in front of my eyes!”

It had only been 5 minutes that Jenna had talked with you, and somehow she still got stuck and caught by her friends.

“Shut up,” Jenna says, her voice soft, but grumpily as she scoffs.

Melissa, Mason, and Mindy are shouting from outside, she can hear them screaming through the phone.

“Hey,” you say softly, bringing her latte with two wrapped pastries in hand and slide it to her front, “Try the brownies and cookies you were looking at and tell me what you think?”

Jenna wants to keep her cool and to smile politely, but the three crazy people outside that are listening in are making it hard. Especially with all the kissing noises she can hear, so she takes out her earbuds and tosses them in her hoodie’s pocket.

It takes her a while to realize she didn’t buy the pastries that made her hungry.

“Seriously?” 

The way your cheeks curved upwards and your nose scrunched as you smiled made Jenna smile on the spot there, “Seriously,” you assured. 

“I hate you for this,” she says playfully, sarcastically.

“Who can hate two free pastries? That’s a win for me,” you pull the chair out, sitting down as you take a small break, exhaling.

There was a cute cat design on the hazelnut caramel latte, the steaming, sweet bitterness scent that wafts in the air makes Jenna shiver. She plays with the wrapping of the chocolate chip cookie before mumbling a soft, “Thank you.”

“Mmmhm, no problem.”

There's a quiet pause, Jenna sips her latte, looking up at you and seeing you giggle. It’s sweet, light, bitter, and perfect.

You hand her a napkin, there's a small white foaming mustache from the creamer.

It takes a moment as she takes the napkin before you speak again, “So, filming mm? Is it stressful, you know, having to wake up early and doing stuff like that?”

“Honestly, there are days where it can be too much and I need to wind down a bit. But I love seeing cameras and doing something that I have the fortunate privilege of doing, I know a lot of people don’t have that and it makes me grateful.”

You hum in response, nodding, playing with the nape of your shirt.

“I used to want to act and direct,” you smile.

“Really? Why not now?”

Your shoulders shrug, “I still do small stuff, holding cameras, auditioning for stuff, it’s just a little harder since I’m working here and making sure I can continue doing, you know, this. But I love working here, it heals something in me.”

It makes Jenna feel almost bad, not in an overly guilty way. She just can’t fathom feeling pressured to do something instead of going the way you want.

“You have coworkers, you don’t have to be here everyday, you know?” She tilts her head.

Her eyes meet yours, and again she sees those doe eyes, with nothing but something to make her own self melt.

But I'm in so deep

You know, I'm such a fool for you

You got me wrapped around your finger

Do you have to let it linger? 

“I know, sometimes I’m afraid this place will go haywire.”

She giggles at that, then thinks for a moment, “You know, I get on set tomorrow at 11, which is later than most days. Do you wanna, you know, just come and look around? The directors and producers are the sweetest people I know and they don’t mind a plus one. I would like, show you around and you can reach out to some people.”

It’s silent, your face is thoughtful as you’re processing what she said.

“I’ll stick by your side the whole time we’re not filming, introduce you to the cast, as long as you don’t do anything silly, which I highly doubt you might.”

“Okay, I’ll have to check in with Matteo, ask him to bring his sister that comes in on Saturdays and switch it to tomorrow.”

The brunette feels her heart flipping and she nods, burying her face in her hands to try and stop the redness that is invading her cheeks.

You come back soon later, beginning to talk about the plan of the coffee shop tomorrow, but Jenna gets distracted, it’s hard seeing Jasmine blowing her breath on the window, making hearts, then wiping the fog and seeing the way all her friends are making dreamy gestures to mock her. They’re all dancing and she wants to flip them off.

“I’ll be there tomorrow, could you by, um any chance, pick me up? I usually walk here and get my car repaired.”

Oh fuck, Jenna thinks, because she get’s picked up by Jasmine and tomorrow Melissa and Mason will be joining, like they do twice a week. She wants to face palm, she can almost picture the way when you make conversation with her in the car tomorrow, she’ll see in the corner of her eye Mason batting his eyelashes and sticking his tongue out.

“Sure, if you’re okay with some of my crazy friends.”

“Tomorrow it is,” you say, waving and ruffling your hair before waving and walking back to work.

Jenna looks down at her earbuds and she completely forgot she didn’t end the call, she just stashed it away, she’s bearing what is to come, putting her earbuds back in.

“SHE’S ASKING HER OUT ON A DATE” (Mason)

“NO WAY” (Jas)

“SHE’S A FOOL” (Jas)

“SHE’S GOING TO GET EMBARRASSED TOMORROW.” (Jas)

Not to mention the way they are waving their hands outside, she can almost hear the screaming from here.

“There’s no way in hell you asked this sweet pretty girl to come on set tomorrow,” Melissa sing-songs.

“Paws off,” she grumbles.

“She wants her for herself, of course.”

“Shut up!”

[ladykailitha]

Not All That Glitters is Gold Part 16

Just one more chapter left, and in cased you missed it, I won't be doubling up on chapters per day this week. The last chapter will be out next week.

Doubling up really killed the numbers for these stories, half the time people were only reacting and commenting on the SECOND chapter.

But don't worry, what this means is that your favorites you've been seeing snippets of on WIP will get quicker releases this way.

In this Eddie's rut progresses as normal, they talk about Steve's status, and Eddie and Benny learn some very interesting things about golden omegas.

Pt 1 Pt 2 Pt 3 Pt 4 Pt 5 Pt 6 Pt 7 Pt 8 Pt 9 Pt 10 Pt 11 Pt 12 Pt 13 Pt 14 Pt 15

****

Eddie came to and was sure that at least a day had passed, but he looked at the clock on Steve’s nightstand and frowned. It had only been five hours since his rut had started. He looked in the wastebasket and there were only three condoms in it which fit the time frame.

He looked around, but Steve wasn’t there. He sat up and the sheet that had been covering his waist slid off. He looked down and saw that his dick was sheathed with another condom.

There was some of Steve’s slick on the sheets, but considering Eddie was still in them, he figured Steve couldn’t change them yet.

He could hear Steve humming to a beat in the kitchen and padded out there.

He smiled fondly as he watched the omega dance around his kitchen to the music in his head. Bopping and hopping as he made a wholesome snack.

“That snack looks good, baby,” he said, his alpha rumbling happily, “but I would rather eat you.”

Steve squeaked. “Eddie! You’re awake! How do you feel?”

For the first time since he woke up, he took stock of his body, really examining it.

“Warm, sated...” he said furrowing his brow, “happy?”

Steve beamed at him. “Yay! That means your rut is progressing as it should. It seems like your body is adjusting better to the low light and you’re more lucid.”

Eddie came up behind him and buried his nose into Steve’s scent gland. “All because of you, sweetness.”

Steve squawked when Eddie picked him and spun him around.

When Eddie finally put him down Steve swatted at him playfully. “You absolute menace.”

Eddie cackled. “Yes, but I’m your menace.”

Steve turned around in his arms and kissed him deeply. Their cocks brushed against each other and he let out a low moan.

“So good...”

Eddie nipped at Steve’s chin. “Let’s get some food in us and then I want something else in you.”

Steve snorted. They ate and hydrated before Eddie picked Steve up bridal style and carried him back to the bedroom.

Eddie could feel himself sliding back into the blind haze of his rut, but the scent of the omega underneath him stirred some distant memory, but it was lost in the next moment when Steve moaned.

The pattern continued like that for the five days. Steve and Eddie taking care of each other while Eddie was lucid, Steve taking care him when he wasn’t.

Eddie had never experienced a rut that had gone so smooth. He understood why alphas paid top dollar for an escort to service their ruts if every one was like this.

He knew that he wouldn’t be able to spend another rut without Steve for as long as he was biologically able to experience ruts.

Each time he became lucid, he would become aware for longer. The last day having two hours before the rut took over him again.

But he used those two hours wisely. He talked to Steve.

“Baby,” Eddie said, from the sofa, “come sit for a bit. You know it won’t hit again for awhile, you might as well relax.”

Steve looked over at him and smiled. He padded over to the sofa and curled up onto Eddie’s lap.

“How are you feeling?” he murmured into Eddie’s neck.

“I’m good,” Eddie replied. “This was worth every penny. I see why it’s so popular.”

Steve chuckled. “I’m glad that it’s available to alphas that can’t afford escorts through clinics.”

“That’s a new thing, though right?” Eddie asked. “I don’t remember seeing them when I first presented.”

“Yeah,” Steve said, nodding. “It’s something that a lot of the major escort houses pushed for in recent years, if all alphas can get the same level of care that the rich do, then it lowers the chances of alphas turning feral from bad ruts.”

Eddie grinned. “It would have happened in the last five years or so, would it? Like say when a particular omega became popular?”

Steve blushed but didn’t deny it. Alpha health was something he had been passionate about for awhile. Helping everyone no matter how much money someone had was just the start of what he wanted to do. Mandating sex education for alphas. It was mandated for omegas and beta, but not alphas, because ‘alphas instinctively knew what to do’ with omegas. Which was bullshit.

“I thought so,” Eddie said.

Steve smiled back. “I’ve even got a non-profit going setting up education booths outside high schools for alphas to get pamphlets and other material about their reproductive health.”

“Ooh, ooh!” Eddie said, nearly vibrating with excitement. “We should throw a gala like the one where we met to get the awareness out there.”

“That’s a great idea, Eds,” Steve said, kissing Eddie’s jaw.

They settled down into a warm silence for awhile just taking in each other’s soothing presence.

Eddie nuzzled Steve ear to wake him. “Hey, you tired, sweetness?”

Steve roused himself and looked up at him bleary eyed. “I guess I am. You see this rough and tumble alpha has been keeping my hole hot and full for the few days. Trying to keep up with him is tiring me out.”

Eddie cackled. “Yeah, if he wears you out so bad, you should blacklist him or something.”

“I would, but I’m in love with his cock so...”

Eddie’s head reared back in mock indignation. “Excuse you!”

Steve laughed. He pressed a kiss to Eddie’s scent gland and the alpha purred. Steve’s omega chirped happily in response.

“I love your scent,” Eddie murmured. “It’s not like other escorts I’ve met.”

Steve looked up at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Chrissy, Elinor, Tommy,” Eddie said. “All smell too sweet. Like fruit rotting on the vine. A terrible but apt metaphor for their condition. But you smell spicy. But in sweet kind of way.”

“I do?” Steve really never thought about his own scent before.

Eddie nodded. “Gareth described it like Mexican hot chocolate. You know the kind that is spiced with peppers?”

Steve nodded back.

“Did you ever think that you might be a golden omega?” Eddie continued.

Steve’s eyes went wide. “Never. Like why would I? I’m not special.”

“That’s highly debatable, sweetheart,” Eddie admonished. “But your scent and everything you’ve told me about your family. It’s very possible you could be.”

“Is that why you wanted to court me?” Steve asked, soft and small. Like a mouse.

Eddie pulled Steve in closer. “No baby, I didn’t figure it out until later. I wanted to court you because you are funny and amazing and everything I’ve ever wanted in a mate.”

He lift Steve’s chin up and kissed him deeply. “Plus, I set up the rut way before I put the pieces together. Everything was set to protect me, but it seems to me that it may end up protecting you, too.”

“What do you mean?”

“As you know, golden omegas can only get pregnant during their heats,” Eddie said. “And since I’m a known scent breaker...”

Steve’s eyes went wide. “You think there is a chance I’ll go into a mini heat, don’t you?”

Eddie nodded. “When I first booked you, it was one of the things Robin was adamant about protecting you from.”

“She’s amazing like that,” Steve murmured.

“She really is,” Eddie cooed. “But it looks like our time is up, honey.”

Steve could feel Eddie’s cock harden under his ass. “Come to bed with me, alpha,” he purred. “Let me take care of you.”

Eddie let Steve pull him to his feet and they walked hand in hand to Steve’s bedroom for the last of Eddie’s rut.

****

When Eddie came to he was not in Steve’s apartment, he was in a smaller hotel room lying on a comfy sofa.

“I’m going to have to burn that sofa after all this,” Robin groused from a nearby armchair. “It will reek of alpha for months if I don’t. I can smell you from here.”

Eddie sat up. He was dressed in soft grey sweatpants and a loose white tank top. No underwear, but then he hadn’t brought any. He ran his fingers through his greasy and sweat slicked hair.

“Fuck,” Eddie grumbled.

“Your manager, Benny sent over a duffel of clothes for you for the next three days.”

Eddie saw the small duffel and snatched it up. “May I please request the use of your shower, milady?”

Robin laughed. “Please do.”

Eddie dashed for the door she pointed to and slammed the door behind him. He stripped his clothes and quickly got under the still cold water. He didn’t want to wait for it to heat up because he felt that gross. His dick was most clean because Steve took the time to wipe him down between condom changes, but he washed it good anyway.

The next thing he focused on was his hair, he had to wash it several times before it felt like it was supposed to. He ran conditioner through the ends of his curls with his fingers, gently massaging it in.

Then he worked on getting the sweat and stink off his body. He hated washing away Steve’s scent, but if he didn’t get clean, Eddie was going to scratch his eyeballs out.

Finally satisfied with how clean he was, he rinsed out his conditioner and stepped out.

He dried off quickly and rummaged through the bag.

Eureka!

Underwear.

Eddie got dressed and then cleaned up his mess, hanging up towels and making sure there wasn’t water everywhere. Uncle Wayne raised him better than to make a mess of someone else’s home.

He opened the door to find Robin and Benny waiting for him.

“Hey, Ben Ten, Birdie,” he greeted, concern dripping from every pore. “What’s happening?”

Benny smiled. “It’s nothing bad. Robin and I were just wrapping up the end of the contract.”

Eddie’s shoulders slumped in relief. He had almost forgotten about the whole thing because he was madly in love with Steve. He sat down on the sofa next to Benny.

“So everything is good?” he asked to be sure.

“Yup!” Robin said brightly. “You are now free to pursue the omega of your dreams.”

Eddie chuckled.

He thought for a moment, licking the bottom of his lip.

“Hey, Robin,” he asked, looking down at his clasped hands, “has an escort ever turned out to be a golden omega?”

Robin and Benny shared a glance.

“You think Steve might be one?” she asked. “Because if he is, that would be fucking hilarious.”

Eddie’s head snapped up.

“His parents have called him useless and a disgrace for being infertile for over a decade,” Robin explained. “To have him be a golden omega who could have been sold for ten to twenty times what he got auctioned for? That would be poetic justice.”

He nodded. “So do you think there’s a chance?”

“Sure,” she said with a half shrug. “The agency doesn’t shout it from the rooftops but yeah, there have been a couple of golden omegas that have come out of Starcourt.”

“How did they find out?” Benny asked, suddenly very interested in where this conversation was going.

“A combination of a couple different ways,” Robin said. “The first is how frequent their heats are. Most golden omegas go into heat more often then regular fertile omegas to make up for the fact they can only get pregnant during their heats.”

Eddie nodded, “And Steve’s are within the normal range?”

She waved her hand back and forth. “Kinda. It’s more times a year than a regular omega, but not outside the possibility if you know what I mean.”

“So say a regular omega has four heats a year and golden omega has eight,” Benny said, “Steve’s heat is somewhere in the middle?”

Robin nodded. “Exactly. The other thing is scent. Which you know Steve’s is unusual. But it’s unusual for an omega full stop.”

Benny and Eddie shared a look of confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Alphas scents are spices, like cinnamon, clove, cardamon, or spicy like peppers, or natural woody scents like pine or cedar,” she explained. “Omegas are fruit and floral scents. Sometimes flavors like chocolate or coffee. That includes golden omegas. Infertile omegas have what is always described as rotted fruit. Super sickly sweet.”

Eddie bit his bottom lip, worrying it between his teeth. “But Steve’s is a mix between the two scents?”

Robin nodded again. “Right. The third thing that helps identify a non-tested golden omega is their resistance to scent breakers.”

“Fuck,” Eddie said. “That means he’s not a golden omega. I thought for sure he was. I even told him he was. That he was so special and precious beyond measure.”

She shook her head. “No, Eddie. That’s where you’re wrong. There is a final thing that helps identify if the omega in question is a golden or not.”

Eddie frowned, “What’s that?”

“There’s a reason golden omegas get their choice of any alpha in the country, if not world,” she said fiercely. “And despite what the media likes to paint it as, it’s not just the rich and elite.”

“It’s not?” Benny asked.

Robin shook her head again. “They’re looking for their soulmate.”

It was like someone had scooped out Eddie’s stomach. “Their what?”

“Soulmate,” Robin said. “The person who completes them. Someone who can break through their scent breaking resistance, someone who’s scent compliments their own, someone who when they share their heats and ruts it goes just about as perfectly as two humans can get. And if they meet that person?”

“Oh,” Eddie breathed.

“Oh.”

****

Soulmates! *jazz hands* Yeah, sorry I couldn't help myself.

Part 17

Tag List: @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @redfreckledwolf @emly03 @itsall-taken

@spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 ​

@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @chaoticlovingdreamer @messrs-weasley @goodolefashionedloverboi

@maya-custodios-dionach @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @danili666 @carlyv

@wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @bookworm0690 @bookbinderbitch @yikes-a-bee

@littlewildflowerkitten @vecnuthy @scheodingers-muppet @y4r3luv @cinnamon-mushroomabomination

@genderless-spoon @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @irregular-child @nburkhardt

@apomaro-mellow @yellowdevilkitten @eyehartart @mangoinacan13 @demolvr

@ellietheasexylibrarian @rememberthatiloveyou @slowandsteddie @r0binscript @alyelf

@melodymeddler @mogami13 @annabanannabeth @disrespectedgoatman @manda-panda-monium

[tafadhali]

for the vid rec asks - 2, 17, 21 :)

Yay, more vid recs!

2. a vid that made you cry

Man, what vids DON'T make me cry, I'm such a sap. I cried yesterday at the premiere @rhea314 made for my vidshow but I don't think it's been posted yet so I'll rec Breakaway by @beatriceeagle (and sneakily continue the multifandom theme from my last rec post). I love how BeatriceEagle always finds really specific and interesting hooks for her multifandom vids and this one, which looks at complicated family relationships in Disney movies, makes me cry every time. It's the way they're all discovering themselves and forming their own identities and reconciling with or breaking from their parents as they become their own people! *sobs*

17. a vid with a strong visual parallel or motif

This is something I always notice when I'm watching a vid, but don't always remember about a vid afterwards when I need to summon one up, but I think a really interesting example is The Story of My Life by @wondersmith-and-sons. This MCU vid takes advantage of the really strong, intentional visual paralleling between Steve's story in the first Captain America movie and Bucky's story in Winter Soldier to create a split-screen vid about both of them full of really incredible mirroring. I've never seen someone use that kind of visual styling to echo a musical duet before and it's so cool!

21. a vid critical of the source material

Again I've got vidshow on the mind because I included two all-time classic critical-of-the-source vids in it but I'll be posting that playlist in a day or two, so instead:

A recent vid I watched that I felt was critical of elements of the source in a way that really spoke to my own frustrations was Brutal by @pennyplainknits. It's a great character study of Eleven from Stranger Things but it also looks at the ways she is failed by adults in her life, including her adoptive father Hopper, that I don't think the show really acknowledges. Obviously the show knows "experimented on in a lab = bad" but I don't think it really gets that "isolated in a cabin and yelled at for normal teenage developmental desires and behaviors" is also very much not good!

[judasofsuburbia]

💌 and 💫 for the writer's ask game 😘

HIIII JANAI<3 finally getting back to these YAY

💌share something with us about an up-and-coming work (WIP) that has you excited!

OOOOO okay i am so so so so so close to finishing waking up in vegas so here's a lil snippet just for shits and giggles:

They are on their way back to the hotel, waiting around for their Uber when Steve spots it. A little white chapel. The neon sign had two rings clinking together and hearts flowing around them. Steve holds up his left hand to the sign and giggles to himself.  “That could be us!” Eddie whispers into his ear.  “What?” Steve asks, squeezing his hip.  “Getting like‒” Eddie stumbles over his words through uncontrollable laughter. “Like married and shit. We could be happy forever!” Happy forever. Didn’t that sound nice? Steve’s been happy all night. Unbelievably so. The boy he’s been crushing on for years is practically glued to his side and his friends are letting loose. The music is good. The air is sweet. He could have this forever.

💫what is your favorite kind of comment/feedback?

i adore any kind of comment and feedback but my absolute fave is keyboard smashing after quoting something they loved from the fic<3 it's like i can hear you scream off the screen<3

send me some fic writer asks!!

[waywardxrhea]

Part Forty: Beautiful Pain

[slow burn romance between Steve Rogers and SHIELD agent Emma Baker]

Warnings: 18+, contains humor, fluff, mental health, family trauma, romance, angst, language, violence.

installment list

Word count: 1.1k (a short little chapter, but sweet nonetheless)

Emma helps Steve work through his grief.

One afternoon a few weeks later, Emma comes home from cleaning at the Greens' house. She looks around the lodge but can't seem to find Steve anywhere. After exhausting the places in the house she can look, Emma finally looks out the back window and sees Steve sitting on the dock looking out at the lake.

She makes her way out to the dock and sits beside him. "Hey," she whispers, taking one of his hands in hers, "is everything okay?"

Steve is silent for a second before shaking his head no. He sighs and admits, "It's just been a rough day. Sam and Buck have been on my mind a lot today and I just... I really miss them, Em."

Emma's heart breaks for Steve at his confession. She squeezes his hand and says, "I'm so sorry Steve... What can I do to help? I could make us some tea, we could put on some records, I could play the piano for you, whatever you want, I'm game."

Steve smiles weakly and asks her quietly, "How about we just sit here on the dock? Remember how it was before all of this happened?"

"Sounds good to me," Emma replies with a nod.

So she recounts her favorite memories of Sam and Steve tells her more stories of Bucky that she had never heard. While listening, Emma absentmindedly traces shapes on Steve's thigh which soothes him. The two talk about their happier memories of Sam together and for the first time since the snap, Emma doesn't cry at these memories. After a little while of reminiscing and relaxing under Emma's touch, Steve feels ready to head back inside. As they stand up, he takes Emma's hand and says, "Thank you, Emma. I really needed that."

"Anytime, love," she replies with a smile. As they walk back inside, Emma remembers that she had just finished an embroidery project that afternoon while she was with the Greens'. "Hey, I have a gift for you!" she exclaims and picks up her pace to get back inside.

"Oh yeah?" Steve asks with a chuckle at Emma's sudden excitement.

"Yes!" Emma runs to get the piece off of the kitchen counter and tells Steve to cover his eyes before she shows him. "Now, it isn't perfect, but Ms. Amanda has been helping me out with my embroidery lately and I wanted to make you something!"

"I can't wait to see what it is," Steve replies with a smile. Emma gives him the piece and he opens his eyes and reads the design out loud, "’World's nicest badass.’ I love it."

Emma giggles and hugs Steve, saying, "Yay! I'm glad you do!"

"Gosh you're so cute," Steve mumbles before he kisses Emma's lips. She smiles when the kiss is over and then goes to stand on a chair to hang the design above the mantle in the den.

After hanging it up, Emma makes her way back to Steve and wraps her arms around him, and says, "Hey, I love you."

"I love you too," he replies while hugging her back. "And again thank you for being here for me."

"I always will be," she tells him with a smile as she pulls him closer.

The next few weeks pass and while still trying to go on as usual, Steve still can't shake his feelings of sadness over Sam and Bucky. Emma takes notice and throughout this time she comes up with a plan to surprise him with something special. She decides on transforming the cellar into a '40s dance hall and recording some music on her piano that combines Steve's favorite '40s music with his favorite modern music.

One day after work, Emma sends Steve on a grocery run to get them something for dinner. When she gets home she quickly runs to finalize the decor in the cellar and make sure she has the speakers set up on her phone so she can play the music she had recorded. After ensuring everything is in working order, Emma gets dressed in a '40s-inspired dress that she had found at the antique shop that day.

After getting ready, Emma writes Steve a note and leaves it in the kitchen where he would be dropping off the groceries any minute. A few minutes pass and then the door to the cellar opens to reveal Steve to her. "Hey you," Emma smiles and opens her arms to give him a hug.

After the hug, she lands a kiss on his lips and Steve relaxes into the kiss and smiles. When he pulls away, he rests his forehead on Emma's and asks, "It looks really nice in here. And so do you, wow... What's the occasion?"

"Well I could tell that you haven't been 100% lately, so I decided that I should show you how much I love and appreciate you," she replies with a sweet smile. Emma then pulls away to start up the music before coming back to Steve.

Steve rests his hands on Emma's hips and she wraps his arms around his neck and they sway to the piano music. At first, Steve thinks that the music is just ‘40s music but then his ears perk up when he starts to hear some Marvin Gaye being thrown into the mix. A smile makes its way onto Steve's face and he asks, "Is this you playing?"

"It is," Emma replies. She looks deep into his eyes and tells him, "Throughout the past two years you've been here for me and helped me through so much anxiety and depression and I just wanted to do a little something for you to try and show you how much I appreciate you. You've shown me that someone cares for me and I just want you to know how much I care for you."

Steve smiles wide at Emma's words. He spins her around and tells her, "Wow, I don't have words right now, that's so thoughtful Em..." Steve pulls her back into his arms and looks deep into her eyes as he thinks of something to say. He finally decides on, "Thank you. This really means so much to me, you have no idea. I know we've had some rough patches and we definitely missed out on the time we could have had together, but I'm so happy that we have this life together now. And you're right, some days I miss the '40s, but there's nowhere else I'd rather be than right here with you."

Emma can't help the happy tears that fall from her eyes as she places a hand on Steve's cheek and smiles, "I love you, Steve Rogers."

"And I love you Emma Baker," he replies and leans down to kiss her softly.

next chapter

taglist: @mrsevans90

[darke15]

Rhymieeee 🖤😌 @rhymingtree

I watched Homecoming again for this so I came prepared.

Yesssssssss!!!

Yay more Ollie panic. I love it.

No but he's genuinely panicking omg

He’s got a lot going on right now. Including deciding whose side he needs to be on to survive Ghost and her escapades…

The fact that he never broke down in the middle of all his time with Alpha One or had a heart attack with all the stress... astounds me.

I’m sure there was some behind the scenes rants to Rook and his other Hydra friends. Like one of those teenagers from 80s movies who are sitting on their beds with corded phones ranting and gossiping with each other. 

Ned is the best part of this whole chapter. period. it's the truth and the only truth

Ned was a bunch of fun to write 

...what if peter does lay eggs tho that would be a fun visual

Nooooooo it wouldn’t…where would it come out of Rhymie? WHERE WOULD IT COME OUT???

Ghost's favorite travel activity is killing Nazis

Still waiting for her travel guide to drop with her packing essentials.

what if she recorded all of it like some kind of travel vlogger and edited a Killing Nazis montage with some lofi music in the background and like a sepia filter with a few added clips of like... European city skylines

Pfffffffftttt 😂😂😂

SHE REACHED POLAND???!!

She’s on a mission

SHE DISSOCIATED SO MUCH THAT SHE REACHED ANOTHER FUCKING COUNTRY???

She’s not all there anymore

.....if this is what she's like travelling it's best not to be her travel buddy

Really quiet car tho

NO NOT THE AMBUSH FLASHBACK DARKE

Don’t tell me what to do 

“Why do all the fucked up parts of my life start with an ambush?”

Maybe it's got something to do with your line of work, the people you associate with, all your life choices, the fact that you dissociate a lot while driving... honestly I could probably go on forever

😂😂😂

You’re in a city. We don’t need a repeat of Paris. Oh, killjoy. Just pull the pin. Do it. There could be civilians nearby— Just do it.

never go travelling without a moral compass

I’m really serious about this travel guide thing 

I love Ned's curiosity and support

He’s so silly, i love him

“Your girlfriend’s back in town, huh—”

heheheehe yes she iiiis

yahhhhhhhhhhssssss

“Who’s saying I don’t have her wrapped around mine?”

Boone Cavanaugh wrapped around a man's finger?? Never in a million years.

Not again…never again

“Act mad we lost Barnes and Walsh.” “You what?” Steve snapped, turning to him with a glare, “You what? Barton, are you fuckin’ kidding me?”

This shouldn't have made me laugh as hard as it did

It made me giggle because i can see Steve’s face just drop on a dime

“Do Avengers have to pay taxes?”

.... actually do they? Or are they excempt from it because... they're technically government property.. or is Tony Stark the bajillionaire a tax evader?

Depends if they’re getting paid or nah, i think.

 “He’s cool. So was his girlfriend.” “Captain America has a girlfriend?” “Had.”

😐 darke

Wot? As far as peter knows Captain America isn’t lying and his girlfriend was killd by hydra

I wonder how Zac would feel if his job was described as being 'the guy in the chair'

He’d begrudgingly accept it. 

He keeps those little shits alive out there and he just gets 'guy in the chair' ouch

Nahhhhh they take care of him. They always make sure to take him out on the town after he saves their skins again

LIZ OMG LIZ

LIIIIIIZ

I’mma be completely honest i totally forgot about her until i was looking at Homecoming’s transcript

NO NOT ANOTHER ALPHA TWO AMBUSH FLASHBACK

Why not 😏it’s fun 

Darke how dare you

I thought it was good 

He’d just been able to get used to the sights and sounds and smells of Wakanda but New York City was an entirely different animal.

did he just call New York stinky?

Probably 

how come you're doing everything in your power to make me cry with this flashback after Jack just called New York stinky

Cuz he’s having feelings and you need to feel them too 

Even if he didn’t want to remember any of it. He did. He remembered all of it. All of it.

darke 😐

wHAT?

AND BOONE DYED HER HAIR BLUE WOOOOOAAAAH

yayyyyyyy

“You know what I mean,” Duke whispered, “I don’t wanna lose you. Jack, I can’t lose you.” “You won’t.” He shook his head quickly, his smile fading in an instant, “I’m not going anywhere.”

I am terrified for these two.

😀😀😀

Like the way they love each other and the things that have happened pretty much spell out the words doomed by the narrative and I am bracing myself for that doom

😀😀😀

Also I felt so bad for Ned during this whole thing he just waited for Peter the whole time

Same he looked so dejected and sad

MJ IS HEEEEERE MY QUEEEEN

Mj is so much fun 

MONTANA AND NEW YORK... REUNITED

😏😏😏😏😏😏😏😏😏 AND HE'S ANGRY TOO SO...

😏😏😏😏😏😏😏😏

Angry, make up 🌶 is a damn good time

“I’m not happy with you, woman,” he hissed under his breath.

hot 😀

He’ll take it out on her later…🌶🌶🌶

“She says that he’s looking for weapons,” Boone said, perching on the edge of a three-legged table, “As far as we can tell, it’s gotta be someone stateside.”

Well, well, well.... who could that possibly be…

Hmmmm i dunno…who could it be 

who could possibly be supplying Walsh with plenty of highly lethal weapons in the States... in New York... where he is... hmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

it's the vulture it's definitely the vulture but dont tell them yet it's no fun if they know too soon

hhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING FLASHBACKS TO THE AMBUSH WHYYYY

Because it’s fun for me to watch you suffer

“That’s it. We’re out of time. With her or without her, we’re finishing it.”

I'm so excited you dont even know

😈😈😈

She wasn’t doing it because she wanted to keep them safe, she was doing it to distract herself from the rage that they shared. The rage that had been amplified by unwanted chemicals and experiments. (F/N) had stopped fighting it, she’d allowed her baser instinct to take over. She was…gone.

Jesus christ darke…

What do you want from me?

this was not on the travel itinerary

😈😈😈

but in all seriousness Jack's identity crisis is terrifying to read

He’s trying really hard to be who he used to be but he’s being pulled in different directions 

He was Jack fuckin’ Bennet.

You know who else is fucking Jack Bennet? 😀

It's Duke and he is very proud of that

Pfffffffffftttttttttt 😂😂😂😂😂

It was New York fuckin’ City, where anything could happen.

That should be their new tourism tagline

Fr fr 

But…Ned? Ned was counting on him. Even if he was the one that got them in this mess in the first place.

Ned comes before all else

He really does. Peter needs to get is priorities straight…maybe he needs some help…

wait i just had a thought

how did Liz --a high school senior--have the time to throw a massive houseparty?

does she not have constant projects to do... tests? the impending doom of college and what the future holds breathing down her neck? because that's what I'm dealing with right now and I barely have time to sit and read let alone throw parties

It’s before homecoming so they’re still in their first few months of school. Plus i think she’s more of an extrovert and we’re both…not that 

jesus with everything going on I forgot about the ambush on

Same 😀

A low growl cracked from Bucky’s throat as he snapped the tablet in two before chucking both halves at the man and surging toward him, latching onto his collar.

😀 hot

yahhhhhhhhhhhsssssssss

Omg I didn't realize those gauntlets came from brock rumlow

😈😈😈

“Oh, my butt!”

I love Peter

Same he’s adorable

“What the heck?” he yelled, fighting back against the talon with a grunt before a purple ball of energy cracked through the sky

Hey that's your future girlfriend's dad you're grappling with Pete

Future homecoming date before he ruins her life’s dad 

He really screwed this one up. At least it was a strange man with a mask that found him instead of Mr. Stark.

That would be really embarrassing.

Well, in another world, sure

also tony is busy... like really busy.

mmhhmmmmmm

Silent Bob... oh my god Peter

He’s trying his best, it’s hard to name things 

The New York Shadow... That makes him sound like an urban serial killer

He’s one bad day away from losing his shit…just like ghost

hahah Doctor Noodle puts tabs on his notes

He’s got a girl to keep track of and she’s incredibly difficult

“Wraith has outlived his usefulness,”

OH SHIT

OH SHIT

OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIIIT

😈😈😈

things keep taking turns at some point we'll just circle right back to the start.

😏😏😏

i'm so so so excited to see more of Peter's arc and Jack's development

I think they’ve each got things to teach each other

This was so so so gooood darke

Thank youuuuuuuuu 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

CHAPTER 91: GREAT POWER, GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

To all my live reactors,

Please, please, please, hide your reactions under a Read More cut. I don’t want any spoilers floating around. 

&

To all my Anonymous Avengers, 

If you want to react in my asks, feel free. However, I won’t be answering any of them until at least Wednesday if they contain spoilers. 

Thank you,

Darke

┍━━━━━━━━ ★ ━━━━━━━━┑

“Hey!” Peter yelled, vaulting over the fence, “Wait! Where are we going?”

“We're not going anywhere,” the Shadow said, continuing to march through the brush and back toward the bridge where they had first started, “You’re taking that back to Stark and figuring out where the hell it came from.”

“Aw, man.” Peter frowned, “But we made such a good team.”

The Shadow paused, looking him over with a shake of his head, “There’s somethin’ comin’, Spider-Man. You have to be ready.”

Peter’s frown deepened as the man stepped further into the darkness.

“What does that mean?” he asked, moving after the man before he froze. The man was gone, he’d seemingly melted into the night.

┕━━━━━━━━ ★ ━━━━━━━━┙

» CHAPTER 91: GREAT POWER, GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

✪ Bᴀᴛᴛʟᴇ Sᴄᴀʀʀᴇᴅ : Aғᴛᴇʀᴍᴀᴛʜ

♜♠ Tʜᴇ Sᴏʟᴅɪᴇʀ & Tʜᴇ Sᴘ��

⧗ Tʜᴇ Rᴇᴅ Rᴏᴏᴍ

»Jᴏɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋᴇ sɪᴅᴇ Tᴀɢʟɪsᴛ

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[jokenotfunny]

eddie x platonic! experiment! reader

can be seen as a slight! steve harrington x platonic! experiment! reader as well due to their cute little sibling antics so i’ll tag it as that as well. 😭

also ! i want to start writing little things about, seven! reader’s adventures with the hawkins crew , so you can send requests or asks about it if you want !

the in between series : van and eddie meet again 😼🫣

Part 4!

part 1 , part 2 , part 3

season 3, part 1: the summer of freedom

- you were about to murder your brother

“son of a bitch! steve i can’t believe this! i can’t believe your manager!”

“hey! language! and i already said i’m sorry, i didn’t think we’d have to be working that night.”

“yes you did! honestly sometimes it seems like you and robin are the only two employees there!”

- see, you had bought two tickets to see the movie “weird science” an entire month earlier than the rest of the world

- being that each actor in the movie’s hometown would get a chance to see it before the release date:

- so being that one of the actors was from fort wayne, they were supposed to be able to see it BUT

- something bad happened over there so it got moved to hawkins instead!

- poor them but yay you right?

- anyways robin (steve’s really cool coworker) was supposed to go see it with you, but then you found out that they couldn’t take off early for the night of the movie.

“what am i supposed to do with the extra ticket now?” you asked walking back into your room, with steve trailing behind you.

“why don’t you just give it to max?” he asked gesturing to the girl sitting at your vanity.

“because i’m going to see “day of the dead” with the boys” she said.

“what about your sister?” he asked

“hopper doesn’t like when she’s in places with too many people.” you explained.

“i’ll just return it i guess.” you sighed.

“if you really want to see it with someone, why don’t you just wait until next month, when it’s actually coming out?” steve asked.

- as if he didn’t just say the worst thing you could’ve heard.

“ooh, bad move steve.” max winced

“steven. you see this woman right here.” you asked seriously, pointing at a poster hung next to your bed, also next to your guitar.

- it was one of kelly lebrock’s vogue covers.

“if i get any chance to see this woman, especially early? i’m going to take it.” you explained.

“you and this weird obsession with kelly lebrock i swear.” he rolled his eyes, walking out of the room.

“see, he doesn’t appreciate her, which is why i invited robin, and not him!” you said to max, but yelled loud enough for him to hear, as he closed his door.

“whatever!” you heard a muffled yell through his door.

“you two are funny” max laughed at the two of your antics.

“i guess.” you crawled into your bed, laughing as well.

- a few minutes later, the sound of an engine revving, with loud rock music, stopped in front of your house.

“well, there goes billy. i’ll see you tomorrow though okay?” max said beginning to gather her things.

“yeah see ya.” you hugged her, before she walked out of the room.

- time skip to the next night, you, will , lucas, and max are waiting outside of the mall, for mike to show up.

“i swear, if he doesn’t show up in the next 30 seconds i’m going in.” you said, pacing back and forth

“just wait, he’ll show up soon.” will said

“i don’t even know why i have to wait anyways, it’s not like we’re seeing the same movie.” you rolled your eyes.

“so i don’t have to third wheel to these two,, and because you’re a good friend” will whispered, pointing at lucas and max, who were having a discussion.

“fine.” you relented

“you’re late.” you heard lucas say to mike, who finally decided to show up.

“sorry!”

“we’re gonna miss the opening.” will complained

“yeah, if you guys keep whining about it! let’s go!” mike said speed walking into the mall.

- lucas mocked him as you all quickly walked into the mall behind him.

“let me guess, you were so busy making out with el, and lost track of time right?” you said sarcastically., smiling at the glare he gave you.

“oh you’re so funny.” mike rolled his eyes.

“i’m just saying, you’re taking up all of my sister’s time, i mean one time i was hanging out with her, mike showed up, and then they just started making out right in front of me!” you said, before turning to max and will, telling them about that moment a few weeks ago.

- the rest of them went back and forth, before the group passed erica and her friends, leading lucas and erica to start arguing before max dragged him after you guys and into scoops ahoy.

- mike kept ringing the bell on the counter, in front of robin, waiting for steve to come to the front.

“hey dingus, your children are here.” robin called, not looking away from the group.

“again, seriously?” steve asked, looking at the group from the back window

- as they ran into the back after steve, you stayed at the counter and started talking to robin.

“quick! while he’s distracted make a break for it and come see the movie with me!” you joked, except you weren’t really joking.

“trust me if i could i would, sorry kiddo.” robin laughed.

“yeah, i know, well i’ll let you know how it went okay?” you exclaimed, going into the back, where steve was waiting with the back door open.

“wow, i’m shocked! i half expected you to show up in a suit and tie, ready to propose to kelly lebrock or anthony michael hall if they were here.” steve said sarcastically.

“hey, if they can’t appreciate van halen, then maybe they aren’t the ones for me.” you joked, gesturing towards your van halen shirt (that you aquired from a certain someone ;) )

“yeah, yeah, whatever, i’ll see you after okay? have a good time.” steve said ruffling your hair, as you walked past him and down towards the theater.

- time skip to you getting to the theater, just as the previews were almost finished and finding a seat in the back.

- there surprisingly were two seats left directly in the middle of the back row, being that a lot of people came to see the movie, so you sat in one and started pulling the snacks that you bought earlier out.

- not noticing that someone took the seat right next to you.

- and even if you did, you wouldn’t have payed them much attention anyway.

- as the movie was finally beginning, the opening scene of gary and wyatt, standing in the gym doorways playing, the movie screen, suddenly started to glitch, before shutting off completely, causing the crowd to start booing and throwing things at the screen.

“oh come on! you’ve got to be kidding me!” you exclaimed, i mean does the universe, just not want you to see your celebrity crushes or something?

- you thoughts were interrupted by the person sat next to you yelling:

“jesus h. christ, is this a joke?!” he yelled throwing, a bunch of popcorn towards the screen like the rest of the crowd , but instead it landed in a girl two rows down’s really poofy hair.

-she turned around, accidentally making direct eye contact with you two, as you both smiled and waved awkwardly at her, trying to stifle your laughter, before waving back and turning back around.

- you and the unknown guy next to you, looked at each other silently, before bursting out laughing, at the coincidence

“oh my gosh, i can’t believe that just happened. she’s gonna be pissed when she sees that!” he whispered to you, still laughing.

“hey, don’t pull me into this, that’s all you buddy.” you whispered back, still laughing as well.

“nope, you’re my accomplice kid, we’re going down together.” he laughed.

- before you could respond, the screen turned back on resuming from the exact same part, as the crowd cheered.

- throughout the movie, you and the unknown guy kept making quiet comments and jokes about what was happening in it.

- and before long, the movie was finished and everyone started to leave, you walking with the unknown guy talking about the ending.

“jeez, if she was my p.e. teacher i wouldn’t know what to do!” he exclaimed, holding his heart.

“right? i mean it has to be illegal to have someone that attractive, teaching a bunch of high school boys.” you replied, looking over at him.

- and now that he was no longer illuminated by the movie screen, you were able to see him much better.

- he had long curly hair, wearing a black metallica shirt, with black ripped jeans, and a black bandana hanging out of his back pocket.

- now i know that you guys know who this is, but right here right now, our precious sev, has no idea who this guy is

- being that the last time you saw him, his hair was curly, yes, but much much shorter, and he himself was shorter last time you saw him too.

- and don’t even get me started with him, as he got a good look at you as well, with your, much longer, curly hair, an assortment of bracelets covering your left wrist, therefore covering your tattoo, and mid-thigh shorts, the only thing he was able to recognize was your shirt

“oh, sick shirt! you a van halen fan, huh? i used to have the exact same shirt!” he asked pointing to your shirt that said “van halen 1978, world tour”

“oh! yeah, big fan! i didn’t actually go to this tour though, i was like 7 when it happened.” you responded.

“yeah i figured that, you seem kind of young.” he inquired, before saying,

“yeah my umm, brother! gave it to me, he went to go see them.” you smiled, your mind drifting back to eddie, recalling the story he told you about it.

“yeah van, that concert was so sick, you would’ve loved it!” eddie exclaimed, after you asked about the shirt he gave you. “but for now we can have a concert right here!” he jumped up putting on one of their songs.

- your memory and conversation, was cut off by a sharp yell

“hey! you two, assholes!” you two looked over to see what the drama was, and to your surprise (and horror) the girl from the theater with the poofy hair, was marching right towards you with an angry look on her face, and a few pieces of popcorn in her hand.

“shit!” you both said before speed walking through the crowd and away from the woman, hiding behind a pillar until she passed.

“i can’t believe you got me dragged into your mess!” you exclaimed, laughing.

“hey, i told you, you were my accomplice now! besides, you waved at her too when she looked at us in the theater.” he defended.

“well whatever, my name’s y/n.” you said, smiling and holding your hand out to shake his.

“well it’s good to know the name of the kid that i pulled into my life of crime! my name’s eddie!” he smiled shaking your hand

- your smile slowly faded, as your mind caught up.

“hey.. about earlier, you said that you used to have a shirt like this? what happened to it?” you asked nonchalantly, really hoping this wasn’t what you thought this was.

“oh! well uh..” he trailed off trying to think of what to say.

- i mean he couldn’t exactly tell you, that he met a girl with superpowers almost three years ago, who was on the run from what he was guessing was evil government people, and that he gave it to her to wear, and then she ran away, with said shirt still on her, and he hadn’t seen it, nor her since then.

“i gave it to myyy little sister! yeah, my little sister has it now! she thought it was cool so… yeah that’s what happened!” he exclaimed before continuing to ramble on.

“she’s in middle school too actually! not that i know that you’re in middle school, but like, you said you were 7, when the world tour was going on and she was too, so i just kinda did the math and y-yeah.“ he rambled rocking back and forth.

- the second he said the word seven, it was like your soul had left your body, with no intention of coming back.

- he said his name was eddie, he said that he used to have the exact same shirt that you’re currently wearing, and he said that he gave it to his sister!

- but before you completely jumped to conclusions you had to really make sure

“and.. what’s your sister’s name?” you asked, before seeing him look at you with his eyebrows raised, and a confused look on his face.

“i mean, because you said she was in middle school!” you exclaimed before he got suspicious.

“and i’m in middle school, too! i go to hawkins middle, so i was just asking because i might know her!” you quickly cleared it up.

“oh! okay, yeah. right. duh! her name is uhh.” he chuckled, realizing that he couldn’t tell you her name was seven.

“her name was van!” he said proudly, because that’s not a weird name or anything.

“…was?” you asked, trying not to tear up, because this is eddie, the same eddie that took you in all that time ago, and the same guy who kind of shaped you into who you are today.

“i mean is! is. her name is van.” he chuckled trying to clear it up.

- gosh you hadn’t heard that name in ages!

- now you were left with a dilemma, do you tell him that you know her really well, do you ask him more questions about her, or do you run away because by telling him that you’re who you are, could get you and him killed.

- because the eddie you left behind knew you had powers, and so did his uncle!

- and you don’t know if they ever called the authorities about it, but assuming thay you’re able to walk around freely, as long as you don’t expose your powers to everyone, you figured they didn’t.

- before you could say anything else though, a familiar voice, stopped you in your tracks.

“hey! what are you doing with her?” you heard steve’s defensive voice from behind you.

“oh! harrington, i didn’t expect to see you here! especially in.. that.” he smiled sarcastically at him, examining his outfit.

- wait, how did they know each other?

“yeah, whatever freak, i said what are you doing, talking to my sister.” he asked unnerved.

“steve, stop it. he’s not a freak.” you defended him, although it didn’t seem to bother eddie.

“your sister? no offense but you two look nothing alike.” he laughed, before thinking.

“wait, so this is the brother who went to see van halen on tour?” he asked you , as he laughed incredulously. “didn’t think “king steve” had taste!” he teased.

“munson, what are you even talking about, i don’t listen to that shit?” steve started to get annoyed.

“well, why don’t you ask your sister?” eddie started to get annoyed too.

“no, how about you, leave my sister alone, huh? what are you trying to peddle drugs on her or something!?” steve asked getting in his face.

-eddie laughed in steve’s face, getting closer as well, ready to insult him.

“steve, stop. we were just talking, okay! we were at the same movie.” you said sternly, as you tried to stop him before, it turned physical.

- steve didn’t exactly have a good track record when it came to figting people

“sev! stay out of this okay, if he was bothering you, i’ll handle it!” steve exclaimed holding his hand out for you to stay back.

“hah! please harrington, as if you and your little posse, haven’t bought from me before.” eddie teased, his nose almost touching steve’s, causing steve to move back.

- eddie was beginning to make another joke at steve, before his brain caught up to what steve called you.

“you know what whatever. just stay away from my sister alright, i’m serious. come on sev, we’re going back to scoops ahoy!” steve said.

“wait, hold on, hold on, what did he just say?” eddie asked, now facing you instead of steve.

“munson, are you deaf? quit bothering her, i’m serious.” steve warned, but, eddie ignored him.

“you said your name was y/n?” eddie asked you.

“i-“ you tried to explain, but steve cut you off.

“sev, you don’t have to answer that, let’s go.” he tried to pull you away from whatever was going on here but you halted.

“steve, wait!” you raised your voice at him.

“i really, seriously, need to talk to him, just for a second.” you pleaded at your brother.

“for what?” steve asked with his hands on his hips. what could his 14 year old sister, and now 3rd time senior, eddie munson, have to talk about?

“just, please steve. i promise i’ll explain everything, but i really need to talk to him.” you begged, on the verge of tears.

“gosh, fine!” steve relented,

“but i’ll be watching, and i swear if anything seems off we’re leaving!” he walked to a nearby table, where robin sat, waiting for him, as she asked him to catch her up on the drama.

- you turned back to eddie, taking a seat across from him, at one of the nearby tables, who was just honestly so confused, at everything that just happened.

“so… i’m assuming, that that’s not the brother, who gave you that shirt huh?” he laughed sarcastically, trying to lighten the mood.

“nope, no it’s not, i’m pretty sure he doesn’t even know who eddie van halen is, honestly.” you joked, wiping your eyes, as you two started laughing again.

“so…what does sev, mean?” he asked, really hoping that the universe wasn’t playing tricks on him.

- you didn’t answer, only pushing your arm out to him, lifting your bracelets, showcasing your, “007” tattoo to him.

- just like the night you two met in 1983.

“soooo my name’s eddie. what’s your name?” he asked

- when you just blankly stared at him while eating he figured this wasn’t going to be a very productive conversation until you set the slice down, held out your arm and pointed at the inside of your wrist.

-he saw what looked like ink on the inside part of your wrist.

“007?” what’s that mean?

when you pointed to yourself and softly said “me” he almost missed it.

“yeah, that’s what i thought!” he whispered to himself, staring at the tattoo”

“you kept the shirt after all this time.” he stated.

“yeah, i guess i did.” you said wistfully.

“so… brother huh?” he smirked, remembering what you called him.

“hey, you called me your sister!” you laughed.

“no, i called van, my sister. you’re “y/n harrington”” he put quotes around your actual name.

“nah, y/n’s just what i tell people i don’t know. everyone calls me sev, except you.” you said.

“good to know, and i’m happy to see that you made it passed the “bad men” era of your life.” he joked again.

“gosh you look so different! but i mean i must’ve been impactful that week, if you’re dressing like that, almost 3 years later.” he said smugly as he gestured to your outfit and hair.

“eddie, i’ve missed you. and i’m so sorry for hurting your uncle” you got straight to the point, standing up and hugging him tightly.

- he was pretty caught off guard but stood up and hugged you back nonetheless.

“i’ve missed you too kid, happy that you’re alive and all that.” he smiled.

“and you didn’t hurt him, just surprised him a whole lot” he said, letting go.

“jesus christ! they’re hugging robin, do you see that?! why was she hugging him, why was he hugging her?” steve exclaimed shaking robin’s shoulder in panic.

“i don’t know?! steve! i’m sitting right here, seeing the same thing that you are! okay i don’t know!” robin exclaimed, irritated.

“oh my gosh, i just can’t believe steve “the hair” harrington, is your brother.” eddie laughed.

“that he is, but he’s a good one. i actually think you too would get along.” you smiled, looking at steve, who was going back and forth with robin still.

“well kid, it was nice seeing you but alas, this is goodbye.” eddie said suddenly.

“wait, huh? what do you mean?” you asked confused.

“i mean, not forever. now that we recognize each other, we’ll see each other around, but you’ve got a life now kid, go live it” he smiled.

“besides if my calculations from before were correct, you’ll be attending hawkins high next school year, right?” he asked, beginning to walk away.

“yeah? why?” you asked confused.

“you’ll see, it was nice seeing you again, van! have a great rest of your summer.” he bowed dramatically, before turning around and leaving the mall.

“…what the hell kind of reunion was that?!” you spoke outloud, throwing your hands up in exasperation, before walking over to steve and robin.

- timeskip to you and steve in the car on your way home.

“so you’re telling me… that eddie “the freak” munson, was the first person you met after you and el escaped hawkins lab, and he took you in?” steve asked, shocked but calmly.

“yes, steve, and i stayed with him for almost a week, before i found you guys.” you explained.

“that… actually makes a lot of sense.” he said decidedly, before pulling the car into the driveway.

“wait what? how does it make sense, exactly?” you asked, as you two got out of the car and went into the house.

“well, you’re obsessed with that music you always listen to, and you were so infatuated with that guitar, before i got it for you, and you were creepily an expert at said guitar, from the moment you touched it, even though you had just escaped from a lab, you said things like “fucking metal” and kept doing those weird hand gestures, and you chose for your birthday to be the same day as some rockstar’s so. yeah! it makes sense!” he listed off nonchalantly, before dropping himself on the couch.

“i guess my only question is what made you leave him?” he asked.

“i accidentally threw his uncle into a wall with my powers.” you winced, putting your head in your hands, also dropping yourself next to him on the couch.

“yeesh! so he knows then?” steve asked.

“yeah, but he didn’t really say anything about it, when we were talking? maybe he forgot!” you said hopefully.

“either way just please don’t tell hop!” you exclaimed. “eddie’s not involved with any of the upside down stuff and i really don’t want him to be!”

“trust me van, i’m not, i don’t want him to either, today was the most i’ve ever spoken to him and i’m hoping it’ll stay that way!” steve said turning on the t.v, flipping through the channels.

“so you aren’t mad?” you asked

“nope! actually now that i know, i’m kind of relieved, i guess! since now i know that you weren’t staying with some serial killer.” he said, before finally stopping at a rerun of jem and the holograms.

“okay, then.” you said, and started watching it with him.

- you still couldn’t get the last thing that eddie said to you out of your head, why did he say that he’d see you the next school year? didn’t he graduate already, being that he’s older than steve? oh well, you’d figure it out sooner or later.

a/n : that was ass 😾 and i decided that i was just gonna split up the actual events of season 3 and the reunion between sev and eddie into two parts, because i’m impatient and wanted them to see each other again 😭.

also ! i want to start writing little things about, seven! reader’s adventures with the hawkins crew ! so you can send requests or asks about it if you want !

@tuffluuhv @ohthatsalittlegay @sadbitchfangirl @reasontobebeautiful @uselessbutinteresting @creativedogs @howlerwolfmax @kik51199 @spookyscarydinosaur @kenzi-woycehoski

[arc-misadventures]

Convoluting Directions

Nora: Please!

Jaune: Come on, Nora!

Nora: Please!

Jaune: I’ve already told you three times!

Nora: Please!

Jaune: Haa… Fine!

Nora: Yay~!

Jaune: But, this time you’re writing down everything I tell you! Okay?!

Nora: Okay.

Jaune: Okay!?!

Nora: I’ve got a pen, and paper!

Jaune: Good, once more form the top, you ready?

Nora: Yes I am, Fearless Leader!

Jaune: Okay, first thing you do is go to one of the launch pad overlooking the Emerald forest, and take the launch pad furthest to the left.

Nora: ‘Furthest to the left.’

Jaune: After you land, you must follow the music of the song birds until you meet the Witch of the Green Woods. You need to pass through her garden so you must ask for permission first! But, be warned, there is a price to pay.

Nora: What’s the price?

Jaune: You must join the, Witch of the Green Woods for some afternoon tea, and cookies.

Nora: Tea, and cookies?

Jaune: Yes, tea, and cookies… And, knowing you, Nora ask for something sweet, and mind the Cinnamon cookies.

Nora: Why?

Jaune: They’re delicious that’s why. Okay, after you’ve had tea, you can go through her garden to the back gate. When in the garden you must remember these rules: Stay on the path at all times. Don’t step on her plants, especially the flowers. Don’t pick the flowers, and don’t smell the flowers, especially the red, and violet ones!

Nora: Why not.

Jaune: One, its rude to do that…

Nora: Fair.

Jaune: Two, unless you want to sneeze for the next ten to fifteen minutes you don’t want to smell the red, and violet flowers. Like snorting a pile of finely grounded pepper.

Nora: Noted… Then what?

Jaune: Go through the back gate, and lock it. After that follow the dirt path until it becomes a stone path. Follow the stone path until you reach the workshop of, Vidar the Nome.

Nora: A Nome?!

Jaune: Yes, nice fellow so long as you don’t touch his stuff. He, and his workers will be wary of you at first, just say hi for me, and he’ll treat you just fine. He’ll know you as a friend, and it will be alright. Now, ask him for a cast iron frying pan.

Nora: A frying pan?

Jaune: A cast iron frying pan. Write that down, its very important!

Nora: I’m writing it down, writing it down!

Jaune: Now, you’ll have to pay for it, he won’t accept your Lien, so just offer to help around the workshop. After you have help him for a while he will give you the cast iron frying pan. Thank him, and ask for directions for the, Waining Bridge.

Nora: Waining Bridge…

Jaune: Once you reach the bridge you will find, The Steve, the Ursa of the Bridge. Basically he’s your fairy tale bridge troll. Answer his riddle, and he’ll let you cross.

Nora: What is the answer to his riddle?

Jaune: No idea; he changes the riddle every time, and actually doesn’t know the answers to his riddles. And, if he does he’s lie if you got them right.

Nora: He’s cheating!

Jaune: Yeah, pretty much.

Nora: Then how do I get past him?!

Jaune: Hit him with the caste iron frying pan, and bolt past his unconscious body.

Nora: So that’s what the frying pan is for…

Jaune: Mostly… After you’ve run off the, Wailing Bridge, follow the path until you reach the cliff face, there you find the town of Hollowing Peak.

Nora: Does it howl because of the wind blowing through it?

Jaune: No, its because of all the Beowulfs that live there.

Nora: Oh…

Jaune: After you’ve reached the town of Hollowing Peak, you must search out the Beowulf name, Esmerelda.

Nora: How am I supposed to find one specific Beowulf among a pack of them?! They all look the same?!

Jaune: Don’t worry, Esmerelda is the one wearing the pink tutu.

Nora: Pft! A beowulf in a nice ink tutu…

Jaune: Don you dare make fun of, Esmerelda! If I hear you so much as snorted at her, I’ll break your spine! This is a threat, Nora, don’t make it a fact!

Nora: I-I-I got it! N-No laughing at the Beowulf in the pink tutu!

Jaune: Good… After you find, Esmerelda, ask her foe directions, and give her the caste iron frying pan as thanks. She will point to the Cliff of Despair. Climb the cliff face till you reach the top. There you will meet the Spaniard, a master fencer.

Nora: Do I have to face him in a duel to the death!

Jaune: No, just ask him which way is northwest, and be on your way. He’s waiting for someone else, and doesn’t have time for you.

Nora: Nahh… He sounds like fun…

Jaune: Oh he is delightful to be around! But, you must be quick! Time is of the essence! Follow his directions to the letter, and you will come across to a stone hallway, with stone walls. Their is a light at the end of the hallway, you must reach the end of that tunnel with all possible haste!

Nora: I-Is something going to chase behind me when I get there?!

Jaune: No, its just really creepy there, so you don’t want to hang around there.

Nora: Oh… Okay then…

Jaune: But, once you have entered the light, all you do is take a right, one straight down to the end of the block, and you will arrive at your destination…

Nora: Habinechy, and Findens Chocolate Emporium…

Jaune: Yes, the Chocolate Emporium… after you’ve secured the chocolate, go to the bullgead station, and take a flight back to, Beacon. You understand all of that?

Nora: I understand.

Jaune: Good. Now go! Go, and fly little one! Fly like lightning across the sly!

Nora: I will do so, Fearless Leader!

Jaune: But, remember Nora! Make sure to get the chocolate wafers with strawberry filling for, Pyrrha! Failure to do so, and we are all as good as dead… No go! Go!!!

Nora: I’m already Goooooooonnnne!!!

Jaune: Be swift my little, Lighting Bolt, or may the Gods have mercy on us all…

Ren: …?!

Ren: Jaune…?

Jaune: Yes, Ren?

Ren: Why does, Nora have to do all of… that…?

Jaune: Because its the fastest way to get there.

Ren: Jaune… it a ten minute bullhead ride, and like ten minutes of walking to get to the store. Why are you sending her on a week long quest…?

Jaune: Because its the fastest way to get there, and back. Don’t worry, Nora will be fine.

Ren: Jaune… you told her to into the Emerald Forest; the exact opposite of the way she needs to go?

Jaune: Yeah, so?

Ren: Haa… Jaune, buddy… I love you like the brother I never had…

Jaune: And, I you brother.

Ren: Thank you. But, this has to be the most asi ie, half baked, craziest idea you have ever…?!

(Slam!)

Nora: I’m back baby!

Ren: W-What?! How are you back already?! You’ve been gone for like a minute?!

Jaune: Excellent, Nora! Did you get the chocolate?

Nora: Yes I did! I even got you that Coffee Chocolate you like!

Ren: Wait, what?!

Jaune: Oohhh~!

Nora: Also, I’m sorry; Esmerelda is a wonderful lady! And, looks absolutely gorgeous in her tutu!

Jaune: Told you. Now, give the beast her chocolate so we may appease her.

Nora: On it! She’s still in the bathroom crying about how her favourite show got canceled right?

Jaune: Right.

Nora: Okay… Here goes n-nothing…

(Knock knock)

Nora: P-Pyrrha…? You still in there…?

Pyrrha:

What?!!!

Nora: I g-got that chocolate you like: The chocolate wafers with strawberry fillings…

Pyrrha: Ooh~! Really~?

Nora: Yeah! Here you go, Pyrrha!

Pyrrha: Oh, thank you, Nora. You’re the best!

Nora: Oh think nothing of it.

Pyrrha: Oh, hey guys, what’s up?

Jaune: Not much really? What about you, Ren?

Ren: …

Pyrrha: Ren, you okay?

Nora: You look a little pale.

Ren: I’m going to see the school nurse… I’ll see you all later…

Pyrrha: What was that all about…?

Jaune: No idea. Chocolate?

Pyrrha: Oh thank you!

Nora: Yes please!

[undreaming-fanfiction]

Only Ours

Fandom: Stranger Things

Rating: T

Pairing: Steddie, Dustin x Suzie

Category: fluff, songfic, domesticity, established relationship

Summary: Dustin blinked at them, surprised. "Wait, Steve. You...don't have one?"

"One what?"

"A song. For you and Eddie?" Dustin tried again, eyes shifting between them as if he expected it to be some kind of a joke. "Come on, isn't that like a classic relationship thing?"

Eddie learns that Steve would very much like them to have a couple song and since he's the only one with any musical taste in this relationship, it's up to him.

You can also read it HERE.

I fully support the idea I read in other fics that if Eddie were to get a cat, its name would be Ozzy. In fact, I believe that Eddie would spoil the cat rotten and tell the cat that whatever it did was "so metal, darling" and Steve would self-combust with jealousy over a cat. Except Ozzy would sometimes do the cat thing where their alliances change in a split second and Eddie would be left with two sassy and gorgeous creatures who'd team up from time to time just to keep him on his toes.

Why 1990 you ask? Because the perfect song for my boys only came out then.

Oh yeah, now the story.

December 1990, Hawkins, Indiana

Four years ago, the world didn't end, although it certainly tried. Steve's head throbbed just thinking about it, so he mostly just attempted not to. Some people had been reported missing but were, in fact, dead. Other people had died but then it turned out they were just resurrected/transported into another dimension/kidnapped to Russia. The ground split in Hawkins in an angry X shape and killed more people, injured some and destroyed a large chunk of the town. Levitation, gruesome deaths, terrifying sounds of crunching bones, Hawkins had it all. And since most official channels were useless, it was up to the Hawkins' young and finest, sometimes also weirdest and some additions from other places like California, to do something about it. Which they did, yay, world saved and all, now back to your lives, college, high school, you name it, and keep that trauma under the wraps, yeah? Others might not understand.

Apart from the interdimensional monster fighting, superpowers, government conspiracies, possessions and more Dungeons and Dragons references than he ever cared to know, Steve also had a few surprising personal revelations.

One, his parents sucked. Not slightly, not subjectively, but massively and in so many ways that his brain decided You know what, let's just erase this shit. He sometimes wondered if that was the reason why he felt so stupid, that his head just decided that in order to get rid of the thoughts of his parents, everything else from that time should also go. When they decided to leave Hawkins for good and graciously left him the house sitting next to a melted line in the ground, he breathed a sigh of relief. There had been a time when he'd give anything for them to notice him, but after the hell of 1986, his friends threw a Farewell, suckers! party (well, Eddie and Robin did and Nancy, Jonathan and Argyle happily joined) and after raiding his father's alcohol stash, setting up an improvised shooting range outside with their perfect family photographs and desecrating his mother's beloved tablecloth with red wine, he felt unexpectedly free. He could do anything he wanted and...yeah. He'd have to figure out where to start with that.

Two, he had no fucking clue what he wanted, but fortunately his heart didn't wait for the brain to catch up and just pointed in the direction of recently resurrected Eddie Munson and shouted "GO!". Steve should have probably found it confusing, he should have had a sexuality crisis, but he was so tired after all that crap, Eddie was actually great and his eyes were pretty, and maybe it wasn't figuring out his sexuality but rather finding a person he clicked with. He still liked boobies, but he also liked Eddie. Robin tried to educate him on what he was, but after seeing a few of their disgustingly romantic looks, she just settled on Eddiesexual. Steve didn't protest (much).

Three, he still was a romantic. Steve had always played up the romantic side with the ladies and did what was expected of him, wooing, flowers, dinners, all that, because that's what you were supposed to do. But he was completely clueless when Eddie agreed to date him. What do you get a guy for a date? Or more precisely, what do you get Eddie? As it turned out, he was overthinking for no reason because all the roads led to Eddie's heart. It took a while for him to calm down, but Eddie took everything in a stride and even when Steve knocked on his door, sleep-deprived and babbling about the prettiest flower he saw on his way from work that reminded him of Eddie and he just had to pick it for him, Eddie would just grin, say "another score for the Harrington charm, come on in big boy" and wear the flower proudly in his hair until it wilted.

All of these revelations lead to some changes in his life. When things settled down, he sold the house, not sparing a single look when he shut the door behind him for the last time. It was a final goodbye to his prior shitty life and when he moved to a much smaller, older and cheap, but cozier house, he felt like he could breathe again. Then Eddie moved in with him, as they both decided the distance was not too great, but absolutely unnecessary. And when Eddie suggested getting a pet together, Steve's first thought was his father's voice, saying Absolutely not, animals are messy, there is no merit to them, Steven. The second thought was giving that voice the finger, grabbing the his keys in one hand, Eddie's wrist in the other one and driving to the nearest shelter. So year 1990 saw him living a comfortable, quiet life with Eddie and Ozzy (because what else would Eddie Munson call his cat, right), both working not very prestigious but normal jobs. They would still meet their friends often, the whole survived-the-end-of-the-world squad might have left Hawkins here and there, but always returned, as if there was a magnetic pull to the place. It was probably just difficult to feel fully at home somewhere else, where no one understood your caution, your quirks and nightmares. With Nancy and Robin's support ("Nagging," Eddie corrected him, "it's called nagging, Harrington"), both Steve and Eddie applied to a community college and got in, seeing it both as a good step forward in their lives, but also a much needed fuck you to the Harrington senior expectations and Munson predetermined criminal future.

And hey, it wasn't the life Steve had imagined before, but it was so much better than any fantasies he had for his future with Nancy because what he had with Eddie was real, it was domestic and comfortable and just home. They got to see their kids grow up and couldn't be prouder of them, even though they had at least one of them over every single day, providing relationship guidance and reassuring them that even if, for some unimaginable reason, their college dreams didn't work out, it wasn't the end of the world (because that was a bit more dark, screechy and filled with floating particles), that things work out in the end, look at them, community college and all, who would have thought that the former jock with more hair than brain cells and a metalhead who took three years to graduate would do so well for themselves?  You have nothing to worry about, nothing at all.

When Dustin got older, he and Suzie finally started travelling to see each other. He would often complain to Eddie and Steve during his visits that even all those years later, his friends would always send him on his way with a heartfelt rendition of Never Ending Story and sadly, Eddie didn't turn out to be as sympathetic to his plight as Dustin might have hoped. When he learned the finer details of the Starcourt debacle and how the world was saved by Suzie's genius and Dustin's voice, Eddie collapsed into Steve and howled in laughter while Dustin mouthed "traitor!" at him. Steve just grabbed the nearest pillow and offhandedly muffled Eddie's outburst.

"Don't take it personally, man," he told Dustin while Eddie choked and gasped for air under the merciless fabric. Somewhere in the room, Ozzy gave a concerned chirp, but Steve ignored it. "I think it's cute and they might be jealous, you know? I think it has to be really nice to have a song like that," he smiled at him and eased his grip on the pillow. "Will you behave now, Munson?" A muted confirmation seemed to be enough and Eddie sat back up, trying to fix his hair which now looked like a bird's nest.

Dustin blinked at them, surprised. "Wait, Steve. You...don't have one?"

"One what?" He wasn't really paying attention, trying to untangle Eddie's rings that got stuck in his curls. This man needed a constant supervision and Steve was the right man for the job.

"A song. For you and Eddie?" Dustin tried again, eyes shifting between them as if he expected it to be some kind of a joke. "Come on, isn't that like a classic relationship thing?"

Steve's ears went slightly pink. "Um, no. I don't think I've ever had one. But I think it's really cool and you and Suzie have something like that, don't let those other shitheads ruin it for you." His smile was genuine and comforting, but Dustin's mind was already racing.

He turned his focus to Eddie, frowning. "Really, Eddie? All that musical knowledge and not a single song for the two of you?"

Eddie hugged the pillow that had nearly cost him his life seconds ago and grabbed a strand of his hair, pulling it in front of his face. "I don't...I don't think it ever came up?" he says, eyes darting to Steve. "Why didn't you say that was what you wanted, Stevie?"

Steve just shrugged, the pink hue returning. "Um. I always thought it came up naturally? Like. When you get your first kiss during a song or something, then it's your song?"

"Well, yeah, it can be like that, I guess," Eddie admitted, frowning. "But I don't think there are any rules to it. And if there are, screw them. You're gonna get that song, baby, no matter what. Time for some research." He slapped his thighs and suddenly jumped up, rushing from the door. By the sounds from the next room, Eddie was rummaging through his entire musical collection.

Steve stared at Dustin with furrowed brows. "What...has just happened?"

Dustin rolled his eyes. "It's called communicating your wants and needs, Steve."

From that moment on, Eddie started something that could only be called a quest. He was completely serious about fulfilling this single wish and while he normally played his music at obnoxious volumes, he ended up digging up his walkman and listening to tens of tapes, scribbling his notebook and whenever Steve approached him, Eddie would stop the track and shoo him away. Steve was growing concerned with the amount of time Eddie was spending on...well...his wish. He tried to backtrack, told Eddie that it wasn't a big deal, it didn't really matter that they didn't have their song, but Eddie always cut that crap short. "Steve. If I can do this one single thing for you, why the hell wouldn't I? Let me handle it. If I have a candidate, you will be the first one to know, okay?"

And so Steve waited. It took weeks and he was slowly getting worried that he set Eddie up for a failure, because while they met here and there in their musical taste, it wasn't exactly compatible or anywhere near the love song territory. So when Eddie finally called him over one evening, just after the holidays, he was equally excited and terrified.

"So," Eddie started, clearing his throat. "I just want to let you know that I tried to take everything into consideration. Our styles. Suitable lyrics. I went through a ton of songs, and trust me, there are tons that feel like they are about us, but I was...I was trying to find something that would represent how I see you. And I think...I think I finally found it, but it's just a suggestion. If you don't like it, we can drop it."

Steve recognized the album before Eddie could continue, it was one of the newer ones that Eddie picked up and he had to chuckle, more in amusement than disappointment. "Slaughter?" he snorted and pointed at the band name. "Really, Munson? I mean, sure, sounds about right for what we went through-"

"Will you just - can you please shut that pretty mouth of yours and listen to it?!" It could have sounded annoyed, except not really, because Eddie was never mad about Steve's music preferences (or lack of them). Only then did he notice that Eddie looked genuinely nervous, his eyes were everywhere but on Steve and he was chewing his lip with enough force to make it red and swollen. He was wringing  his hands and pacing in the narrow space of their room, back and forward, only squeezing two steps in before spinning around on his heel. Ozzy gave a quiet mrrrow and rubbed against his ankle, almost making Eddie trip. After the stream of creative insults against the poor (but definitely not sorry) creature ended, Eddie sighed and picked the now very content cat up, rubbing his chin. "Seriously, Stevie. It's not a joke, I swear, I just...when I heard it, I immediately thought of you, you know? I mean, it says Lady instead of...I don't know, Stevie, but I guess that would be too specific and it's not like we're the target audience, I guess. I can sing that line for you though. If that bothers you. So just try it, please. If you don't like it, I will never bring it up again." He finally looked at Steve and how could he refuse those beautiful dark eyes?

Steve felt the involuntary rise of the corners of his mouth, something that Eddie brought into his life. Dustin was always making fun of Steve grinning like an idiot in the presence of their dungeon master, but Eddie liked it, often pinching his cheeks and peppering kisses over his forehead until he turned Steve's chronic frown upside down ("but with less bats," he always added and that was a guaranteed chuckle right there). So if Eddie liked him smiling, Henderson could bite Suzie's...computer. Crossing the short distance between them, he stroked Ozzy's ears and kissed Eddie on the lips, short and sweet. "Of course, Eddie. Even if it's not the one, I always appreciate you broadening my music horizons," he remarked with a grin.

"Oh, you don't." Eddie's shoulders finally relaxed and he laid Ozzy on the bed, petting him in place of an apology. "Sit down with me, yeah? Before the majestic feline decides to maul me for my insolence." With that, he leaned over to the cassette player and hit play.

Okay, so the initial guitar wail may have freaked him out a little. Eddie didn't do a low or even a medium volume. He flinched and his hand on Ozzy's back twitched, but then Eddie's fingers were over his and... Hm. The intro isn't that bad. Not romantic, but nothing scream-y or too heavy. Actually, the melody wasn't bad at all. Steve gave Eddie an encouraging smile and the marvelled at the returned grin.

And then the singing started. A bit husky, yet still melodic, but that didn't matter because all he could focus on were the lyrics.

I've been livin' in this lonely world

Wishin' I could find someone to love

Hopin' someone would come from above

Change my life

Steve's breath hitched. That hit too close to home. Way too close. His fingers started trembling, but Eddie's hand was there, warm, large and with callouses felt so good on his skin.

Then I noticed you there

You were my angel sent from my despair

I know that you are the lady who cares

Eddie's grin became more muted now, a bit unsure as he mouthed Stevie over the lyrics, but Steve tightened his grip on the other man's hand. Ozzy made a chirp of disappointment and left the bed for something more fun because the back scratches were becoming infrequent, but Steve didn't even notice.

I want to spend my life with you

I want to spend my life with you

With you

He felt like he might cry. His eyes burned a bit and oh, he got it now, why Eddie would think of him and why he could only think of Eddie with this song. Those long fingers were caressing his knuckles as if he was the most precious piece of fine art he'd ever seen and there was so much fondness in Eddie's eyes, those stubborn wrinkles around them showing as he kept smiling and Steve loved him so much he didn't know how to cope. He redirected his straying focus back to the lyrics because Eddie wanted him to hear them. Eddie picked this song for them, for him.

I think of all of those sleepless nights

To survive

It's like the earth was standing still

You know I hardly had the will

A bitten off sob escaped Steve's throat. He was used to hiding his soft side from everyone, but never from Eddie because he never made fun of him, never judged. Eddie might have chuckled to himself when he noticed Steve's glassy eyes and uneven breathing during romantic movies, but he always pulled Steve closer, arm around his shoulders, burying his face in that luscious hair and never commenting on the dampness on his t-shirt. Steve still couldn't understand how or why, but he had learned - with Eddie's stubborn support - that he was not only loved, but loved for exactly who he was.

Then I noticed you there

You were my angel sent from my despair

I know that you are the lady who cares

I want to spend my life with you

I want to spend my life with you, baby

My lady

You're true

He wasn't exactly crying, well, not sobbing, but there were a few rogue tears and Eddie just moved closer, pulled Steve against him and began stroking his hair, all while gently swaying to the music. Steve was so, so thankful that Eddie understood, that he didn't panic or immediately halt everything because something made him cry. Perhaps that was the definition of true love, to be known and still loved, to enjoy the nearness and choose the lazy domestic mornings and slight annoyances over temporary butterflies.

I want to spend my life with you

I wanna spend my life with you

Only with you baby

I want to spend my life with you

You know you're my little angel

I want to spend my life with you

Okay, that was it. He couldn't just wait for the song to finish, not now and certainly not with Eddie right next to him. Steve tackled his boyfriend onto the bed and Eddie produced an undignified squeak when Steve spun them around, burying Eddie's upper body in their mountain of pillows. He only had a second to appreciate Eddie's delighted bark of laughter before kissing him silly, not caring for once that his tears were visible and dripping down onto Eddie's face. He would have loved to be a bit more refined in his technique, but he was (in Dustin's words) an emotional mess, so enthusiastic and wild it was. Not that the rest of the lyrics were helping in regaining of composure.

Oh don't you knowI want to spend

All of my life with you babe

'Cause you gave me all your lovin'

And baby I know it's true

'Cause you're the only one for me

Baby I'm the one for you

The song was becoming quieter and he could feel Eddie's hand fumbling on the player and pressing stop. Then it returned to his hair and Steve might have forgotten to breathe, but it was becoming obvious that he wasn't getting out of talking that easily. Eddie's hungry kisses were slowing down, becoming gentler and finally turning into little pecks. He managed to grab Steve's jaw and take a shaky breath. "Holy shit, big boy," he laughed and stroked the moles on his boyfriend's throat. "I gather that's a Yes, I like it?" he whispered, still grinning.

Steve wiped his eyes and leaned his forehead against Eddie's. "As if you couldn't tell. Yeah. Yeah, I liked it. A lot. I think...I think it's the one, Eddie. If you're okay with it."

Eddie pumped his fist in the air victoriously. "More than okay. I guess I'm just relieved it wasn't a complete miss, I hadn't been that nervous since I was a teenager. I mean, I wish this song existed when we got together, it would have been a much easier confession and it would still hit all the points." He stilled when he heard a sharp intake of breath. "I hope you're okay with all of them...?"

"Shit, Eddie," whispered Steve and buried his face into Eddie's t-shirt. "I loved it. All of them, but that...chorus, I think, that one the most." He wondered how to say the million things swirling in his mind, how this song managed to silence the "bullshit" he had always feared, how he'd never thought anyone would ever say these words to him. To be someone's absolute choice.

To his surprise, Eddie just laughed and hugged him like an octopus, hands, feet, all crushing Steve in a long-limbed hug. "Ah, yes. You seemed surprised at that, so let me ask you. Do you really doubt I want to spend all the years I have left and then some with you, Steve? When we live together," he nudged Steve's side gently, making him squirm, "we have six kids and a cat," another nudge, another squirm, "we're in the middle of saving for that dream road trip of yours and, most importantly, you make the best goddamn pancakes in Hawkins? Jesus, Stevie. I'm not giving you up, even when you're much older, bald and you spend all your day bitching about Max and Lucas's kids skating on our sidewalk. You're stuck with me, so deal with it."

Steve smiled through his tears and leaned down into that tight, crushing embrace. "Yeah. That works for me. I do want that, Eddie, all of that. And..."

Eddie relaxed his arms and tilted his head at Steve's hopeful tone. "And, Stevie?"

Steve's breath tickled Eddie's ear as he whispered: "You said you had more songs that reminded you of us. I'd like to hear them."

He laughed then, free and wild, as if that was it, that was the ultimate highlight of his life. Nothing better would ever happen, except that was a lie, wasn't it? In a life with Steve Harrington, this was just the beginning. "Are you asking me for a mixtape, Steve? After four years?"

"Mhm." Steve's lips moved to Eddie's throat and well, it looked like a turtleneck for tomorrow and the day after that. He found it difficult to remember why it was a bad thing. "I can offer those beloved pancakes of yours as a compensation."

Eddie moved his leg to the side and threw off Steve's balance, flipping them around. "Oh baby, you've got yourself a deal" he grinned before gently nudging Ozzy out of the door and closing it, because some things were definitely not meant for cat eyes and ears.

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

No beta, we die like all the characters whose names begin with B, so sorry. I don’t have a beta reader and I’m fully aware there are some gramatical errors, if anyone is willing to put up with a non-native speaker raging over all the “perfect” tenses, I will love you forever.

Oh yeah. The song is Spend My Life by Slaughter.

[jstarswrites]

Skull Rock

Chapter 6 is here, and the gang's all back together, yay!

The Outcasts Masterlist

You and Eddie made out for a little longer, before you sat quietly talking as you waited for the others to show up. Eddie kept you on his lap, his arms around you as you talked. He couldn’t quite believe his luck. Not only did you like him back, but you wanted all in, too. No one and done for you two. This was serious. This was real. And he couldn’t believe it. Murders aside, 86 really was turning out to be his year.

You both heard noises, and Eddie pulled you up, both of you scrambling up skull rock to hide as you waited to see who it was. It was most likely the others, but after last night and Patrick’s death, you weren’t taking any chances. And Eddie wasn’t taking chances with you. It didn’t take long for them to come into sight. You heard Steve first, and then Dustin, as they bickered about who was right. You laughed silently, watching as they stopped and looked around for you and Eddie.

It was Eddie who jumped down first, scaring the shit out of everyone. You followed after, bouncing on your toes and rushing to Dustin and pulling him into the tightest hug yet. You rocked him side to side as he hugged you back, holding on just as tightly. You’d both had a scary few days, and the need to know one another was safe was at the forefront of your minds.

‘You okay, Squish?’ You asked, still holding on.

‘I’m good. You?’ Dustin said, pulling back so he could look at you.

You checked him out for injuries, only stopping when he nudged you. ‘I’m okay,’ you smiled. ‘I had Eddie, and you know me. I throw a mean punch.’

Dustin laughed. ‘Yeah, you do.’

You finally released him, letting him go to Eddie, who looked relieved to see him too. Max stepped up next, and you pulled her to you, hugging her tightly. When Max melted and held on to you for dear life, you got worried, but didn’t say anything yet. You’d talk to her in private, away from the others. When you pulled away, you met her eyes and checked in silently. She nodded at you, and you let her go. Lucas was next, and you hugged him hard, scolding him for not checking in with you all sooner.

‘You have any idea how worried I was, Sinclair?’ You said, checking him for injuries too. 

‘I’m sorry. I got caught up with Jason and the others after the game. And then I had to lead them away from you, so I took them to Hopper’s cabin and made my escape,’ he explained. 

‘You had me so worried.’

‘I know. I’ll be more careful,’ he promised, hugging you back. 

Robin and Steve came next, and you hugged them both tightly. Robin filled you in on her and Nancy’s foray to the asylum, and you laughed at the image of her in Nancy’s frilly business attire. You gave her a high five for making it out of there without hurting herself, which was a feat in and of itself, given how clumsy she was on a regular basis. You hugged Nancy, last, holding on tightly, knowing she was struggling without Jonathon here to run her theories past. 

‘I’m sorry about Fred,’ you told her. ‘Eddie and I heard this morning.’ 

‘Thank you. I still feel like it was my f-’ She began, but you cut her off.

‘No, don’t do that to yourself,’ you said firmly. ‘This Vecna, if he’s as strong as we think he is, then only El can stop him from taking a victim once it gets to that point.’ 

Nancy nodded, though she didn’t look happy about it. But then, neither were you.

Dustin and Nancy filled you in on everything they’d found out about Vecna, and how he was tied to the Victor Creel case in the fifties. They explained that music could help pull you out, tie you back to the physical world. And that they’d found that Vecna was at the Creel house, just in the upside down. Which meant you’d have to go there to take him down. You weren’t thrilled about the idea, but you knew it had to be done. The biggest problem you could see was making the kids stay behind. Which would not be easy. 

‘So Vecna’s had, what, three victims so far?’ Eddie asked, wrapping an arm around your shoulders as the group discussed everything you’d learned.

‘Chrissy, Fred, and now Patrick,’ Nancy said. ‘I wonder how he’s choosing them.’

‘Well, we know he chose Max because she was vulnerable after last summer,’ Dustin said. 

‘What?!’ You shouted, clapping a hand over your mouth at your sudden outburst. You really hoped nobody heard you. 

‘Oh, yeah, uh, sorry?’ Dustin tried. ‘Forgot about that.’

‘Sorry?’ You demanded, stalking over to your little brother. ‘You just forgot to mention that Max is Vecna’s latest victim?’ 

‘There’s been a lot happening, okay?’ 

‘And what about you three?’ You said, turning to Nancy, Robin and Steve. ‘You forgot too?’ 

They all nodded and looked appropriately apologetic. 

‘Goddamit, guys! This is important information!’ 

You turned at last to Max, who had her headphones on, Running Up That Hill blasting. She took them off, leaving the song playing as she slipped them around her neck as you approached. You took one look at her face and drew her into a tight hug. 

‘I’m so sorry, Max. I should have been there,’ you apologised, feeling terrible. Guilt slammed into you so hard it hurt to breathe. You loved Max like a little sister and she’d been suffering while you were playing poker with Eddie. ‘I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.’

‘It’s okay,’ she murmured, her face buried in your shoulder. You stroked her hair soothingly. ‘I had Lucas. And Dustin and Steve. They saved me.’

‘Still. I should have been there. And I should have made sure to spend some time just us, so you could talk to someone about Billy. I should have done more,’ you said, feeling your eyes well up.

‘You’re here now,’ she said quietly. 

‘I am. And nothing and no one is going to hurt you, ever again. You hear me?’ You said firmly, drawing back so you could meet her eyes. ‘I promise, and I know you don’t believe in promises, but you trust me, right?’

‘Right.’

‘Then trust that I will not let him take you. I’ll kill the psychopath with my bare hands if I have to,’ you told her firmly. 

Max giggled softly at the image of you doing just that, and you smiled. ‘I believe you. You’re the toughest one here.’

‘Max,’ Steve fake-gasped. ‘I feel offended. Don’t you feel offended, Nance?’

Nancy laughed, shaking her head. ‘No, Max is right. If anyone’s gonna punch this asshole in the face, it’s gonna be y/n.’ 

‘Damn right,’ you said, grinning.

Everyone laughed, and you hugged Max again before letting her go. Eddie came up to you, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and checking you were okay as Dustin started off on something else. You weren’t paying too much attention, you and Eddie only turning away from one another when you heard the word gate.

‘So, there must be another one here somewhere,’ Dustin said. 

‘C’mon man, you still that certain your compass is broken? Maybe you were reading it wrong,’ Steve protested. 

‘Or there is a gate. I mean, how else could Vecna get through to this side?’ Lucas asked.

‘I was wondering that myself,’ you ventured, making everyone look at you. ‘El closed the gate. The Mindflayer was only here because a part of it, the part that was in Will, didn’t make it to the upside down before the gate closed. So how is Vecna able to get to people if there’s no gate?’

‘Which means,’ Dustin went on excitedly, ‘that this compass is pointing to a gate!’ 

‘So if we follow it, we find that gate?’

‘Exactly!’ 

‘Alright, I’m in,’ Nancy said, followed by Max and Lucas, and then Robin. 

‘Steve?’

‘Yeah, alright, worth a look, I guess.’

‘Y/N? Eddie?’

Eddie looked at you. ‘I’m in,’ you said, taking his hand. 

Eddie nodded. ‘It sounds like you’re asking me to walk into Mordor. Which, by the way, is a really bad idea.’ You nodded. Mordor was about right for the upside down as an analogy. ‘But the shire… the shire is burning. So… Mordor it is.’ 

You smiled up at him, and he returned it, squeezing your hand tightly. 

Dustin was bouncing up and down as the others got ready to leave again. Only Steve looked confused. ‘What’s Mordor?’

‘C’mon, man, you’ve never read the Hobbit? Lord of the Rings?’ Lucas asked. 

‘I haven’t either,’ Max said.

‘Yeah, but that’s because you’re cool,’ Lucas replied, making you and Max laugh. 

‘I think Steve forgets we’re all nerds,’ you said with a shrug, as you all headed out. 

‘Except for Nancy,’ Robin pointed out. 

‘Nancy’s a bookworm, it counts,’ you said, grinning at her. She only laughed softly and shook her head.

‘Do we get points for being the biggest nerd?’ Eddie wanted to know. 

‘Depends on the quiz,’ you replied. ‘And what you want for a prize?’

Eddie only looked at you with a knowing smirk and you swatted him, but you were smiling as you did so. While you wanted to jump for joy, you knew that wasn’t exactly appropriate right now. But you could take pleasure in the way Eddie wrapped an arm around you as you took off to find this gate. At least you were together, and that was all that mattered.

Following Dustin as he attempted to find the source of power that was confusing his compass was a bad idea. First of all, Steve had to stop him so many times from walking into trees, tripping over roots, and once, almost falling headfirst down a steep hill. Max and Lucas thought this was hilarious, and to be fair, it was pretty funny. But you were on the hunt for a gate, and that was kinda freaking you out a little, if you were honest. Gates were El’s domain, and she was in California and without her powers. So what were you going to do when you found the gate, anyway?

When you expressed this concern to the group, it stumped everyone for a little while. Eventually, Steve said you’d deal with it if you actually found a gate, and Dustin said he was sure you could figure out a way to close it yourselves. Neither seemed like a great option, but what other choice did you have? Sighing, you let Eddie wrap an arm around you and walked on. His presence was comforting, and you let yourself relax. Eddie didn’t say anything, but his presence was enough. If Dustin didn’t get hurt looking for this gate, you’d consider it a success. 

Max moved to walk beside you, Lucas following her. You took her hand and squeezed it gently. ‘You doing okay, Trouble?’ 

Max smiled at the familiar nickname. ‘Better now everyone’s together again.’

You nodded, letting out a soft sigh and making Eddie press a quick kiss to your hair when the kids weren’t looking. Robin saw, though. ‘Yeah, being separated was hard. I was so worried about you guys. And then I find out I was right to be worried. I leave you alone for a day and you come back cursed?!’ 

Max laughed while Lucas let out a shocked choking sound. ‘Well, they don’t call me Mad Max for nothing.’

‘I call you Trouble with a capital T for a reason,’ you agreed, making her laugh again. ‘But I got your back, Max. Always. You know that, right? I’ll do better. No more things slipping through the net.’

‘I know,’ she said, squeezing your hand in reassurance. ‘You’re always looking out for me.’

‘That’s my job as a big sister, kiddo,’ you replied, nudging her shoulder with yours.

Max smiled, and you felt yourself relax a little. Lucas turned to you and you raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Does that mean you’re my big sister, too?’

‘Uh, duh. I’m everyone’s big sister, obviously,’ you said, rolling your eyes and giving him a playful nudge. ‘Which means I get to yell at you when you do something stupid.’

‘Like not checking in with us sooner?’ Max said nonchalantly. When you nodded, she gave Lucas a smug smirk.

‘I said I was sorry,’ he sighed, and you and Max laughed. 

‘C’mon Champ, party rules,’ you told him. ‘Always stay in contact. How are we supposed to alert you to a code red if you don’t have your radio?’

‘I mean, fair,’ he said, sighing again. 

‘Don’t sweat it, Champ. Just don’t forget again. You almost gave me a heart attack,’ you said, wrapping an arm around him and squeezing until he squirmed away, laughing. 

‘You got it.’ 

Max and Lucas sped up to bug Steve, and Dustin called Eddie away. Leaving Robin to sneak in beside you and pull you to a stop. Waiting until the group was farther ahead, only Nancy glanced behind and waited for you, Robin resumed walking at a much slower pace. You stared at her and wondered what she wanted that the others couldn’t hear. Nancy came to walk on your other side, wondering what was going on, too. 

‘Can I help you?’ You asked, as Robin stared at you. 

‘You and Eddie. Spill.’ She demanded, as Nancy smiled.

‘Yeah, you two seem very close all of a sudden,’ Nancy added.

‘We just spent two days hiding out together. Plus, you know, Jason trying to get to us last night and our escape. Of course we’re close, we escaped certain death together,’ you tried to explain. 

‘Uh-huh,’ Robin drawled slowly. ‘And what was that little kiss on the head about, then?’

Nancy’s eyes widened. ‘So there is something going on between you two? I knew it!’ 

You giggled, and that set them both off, Robin declaring she was the world’s greatest detective while Nancy gave you a smug smile. ‘All right, all right. Fine, yes, something happened with Eddie and I.’

‘Spill!’ 

‘Oh, you need to give us more details than that!’ Robin cried, until you shushed her. 

‘Shush! One, we don’t know who’s out here-’

‘Like Dustin is being all quiet right now. Or Steve, who’s having to drag him back from a sudden and painful death every few seconds?’

You sighed. ‘Tell me about it. If no one gets hurt finding this gate, I’ll consider it a success.’ 

Nancy and Robin laughed, with the latter nudging you. ‘So, spill the beans.’

You smiled, and they started nudging you again. ‘He kissed me.’

‘I knew it!’ 

‘Robin!’

‘Sorry, but I did. I knew it!’ 

‘It’s not like it was hard to work out. He looks at you like he worships the ground you walk on.’

‘Plus, you know, he’s all touchy feely.’

‘I feel like that’s a metaphor for something.’

‘Why, you been getting touchy feely with Eddie too? My, my, y/n, what a bad girl!’

You all giggled, and it took a minute before you could speak again. ‘We just made out.’

‘Aha!’ 

‘Shush!’

‘Sorry!’

‘I’d say it’s about time,’ Robin said. ‘You two have been exchanging glances all year.’

‘We have?’ You asked, confused.

‘You never noticed he was looking at you?’ Nancy put in. 

‘No.’

‘Boy, are you two dumb.’ 

‘Robin!’

‘They are!’

‘No, Robin’s right,’ you giggled. ‘We are dumb. But to be fair, we kept getting interrupted.’

‘Interrupted?’

‘Well, he almost kissed me just as Jason turned up,’ you explained.

‘Ohh, sad.’

‘Yeah, tell me about it. And then we almost kissed right when Dustin finally hailed us on the radio.’

‘Yeah, he heard you come in. Dropped the radio and then he and Steve wobbled around like fish while they tried to find it,’ Robin explained.

You all giggled at that. ‘So when he did finally ask to kiss me-’

‘He asked?’

‘That’s hot.’ 

‘It was very hot,’ you confessed. ‘But we were both kind of like, finally!’

‘You might want to be careful around Dustin, though.’

‘Oh, tell me about it. He thought my last boyfriend was gross. I can’t imagine what he’s gonna say about me dating his friend.’ You sighed, putting a hand over your eyes.

‘He’ll get over it,’ Nancy said, nudging you gently. 

‘Or, alternatively, he doesn’t and I get to make fun of him for it,’ Robin said.

You all laughed.

‘Ladies,’ Eddie said, wandering back to you and smiling at you. ‘The boys are concerned by the giggling going on back here.’ 

‘You mean, you’re concerned,’ Robin said, laughing. 

Eddie shrugged. ‘Who, me? Nah. Dustin does think we’re almost there, though.’

‘I’d better go and check he’s not trying to walk us all off a cliff,’ Nancy said, hurrying to catch up with Dustin and Steve. 

Robin took off after her. ‘Hey, wait up! I wanna see if I can push Steve down a hill without him noticing.’

You and Eddie laughed, and he took your hand, entwining his fingers with yours. ‘You good, sweetheart?’

You smiled up at him and nodded. ‘Robin was just grilling me about you.’

‘Oh? I’m sure you talked me up, right?’ Eddie waggled his eyebrows at you, making you giggle.

‘Of course,’ you said, smirking at him.

‘Oh yeah, you said something embarrassing, huh?’ Eddie said, eyeing your smirk. ‘Fine, I get it. I’ll just have to tell them something embarrassing, too.’ When you raised an eyebrow at him, he grinned and ran off.

‘Eddie, what are you doing?!’ You called following him.

‘Hey Robin!’ He yelled, only for you ambush him by jumping on his back. ‘Oof! You know, for a girl, you are surprisingly heavy.’ 

‘Rude!’ 

‘I’m joking, don’t hit me, I bruise easily!’ 

You laughed as Eddie secured your legs around his waist. You put your hand over his mouth and leaned down to whisper in his ear, making him shiver. ‘I just told them that you asked to kiss me, and we all decided that was very hot of you.’

‘Hot, huh? I’ll remember that for next time.’

You giggled. ‘You do that, baby.’

Eddie grinned and grabbed your hand, pressing a kiss to your fingertips. ‘Comfy, sweetheart?’

‘Very.’

You were still laughing as you joined the others, who had all stopped. 

‘What’s happening?’ You asked. The others looked a little surprised to see you on Eddie’s back, but they rolled with it. With the exception of Dustin, who was glaring at Eddie for some reason. For his part, Eddie only grinned at your little brother. 

‘The gate’s in the lake,’ Nancy told you.

‘Watergate, huh?’ You said, making Eddie laugh.

‘That’s what I said!’ Dustin crowed. You leaned over and gave him a high five, making Steve roll his eyes at the pair of you.

‘So we need to get to the middle of the lake,’ Robin explained.

‘Of course we do,’ you sighed. ‘Why make this easy for us?’ 

Steve snorted. ‘Yeah, that would be giving us an easy life, and when has that happened in the last few years?’

‘So we need a boat,’ Nancy said, looking thoughtful.

‘I left Rick’s along the shore somewhere,’ Eddie volunteered.

‘Can you show us where?’

‘Sure.’

You all took off towards the boat. It didn’t take you long to find it, and Eddie let you down gently so he could help Steve get it in the water. Eddie helped first Robin, and then Nancy get in the boat, and then turned to you. You gave Dustin, Max and Lucas a hug each, as Steve explained they wouldn’t fit in the boat. 

Eddie swept you an extravagant bow and held his hand out. ‘My lady,’ he said, and you giggled, taking his hand and letting him help you into the boat. 

Steve jumped in too, as Eddie and Robin took up the oars. 

‘Hey, you said four, you’re five!’

‘Sorry kid, let us handle it this time.’

‘Be careful,’ you called back to them. ‘And don’t let Max’s Walkman run out of batteries!’ 

‘Jeez,’ Dustin groaned. ‘You’d think we were five or something.’ 

‘Well, Steve did have to pull you back from hurting yourself at least seven times on the way here,’ Max pointed out. 

‘Shut up, that’s not what I meant.’ 

Max and Lucas exchanged knowing looks.

Taglist: @efvyqrs @gnnnne @smc777 @okilover02 @itsjenna2u

[smallghostcorner]

StevexEddiexDustin (platonic) & NancyxMax (platonic)

Summary: Steve, Eddie and Nancy are babysitting Max and Dustin while they're regressed and Eddie starts to slip.

A knock echos through Eddies trailer signalling that Nancy, Max and Dustin have arrived. Eddies place has become a bit of a safe haven for the littles in the group with Eddie being one himself and having privacy in the evening.

"Hey guys come on in" Eddie greets with a smile

First Max shuffles in, She's wearing a pair of denim overall shorts with a purple three quarter sleeve shirt underneath and a pair of white knee high socks with blue hi tops and a yellow backpack.

Next Dustin enters wearing a pair of knee length loose shorts with a shirt that has an image of two dinosaurs with their necks in the shape of a heart as well as his usual white sneakers.

Lastly Nancy enters wearing a maxi skirt and a tee shirt with the name of some collage on it, She's carrying a light blue diaper bag.

"Hey I hope we're not too late"

"No you guys are right on time" Steve says as he enters with a platter of snacks that he promptly sets on the coffee table.

Max and Dustin scurry over to see what snacks Steve made and are disappointed when they see vegetables and crackers instead of cookie and snack cakes.

"Don't worry you guys I'll get you the good stuff later" Eddie stage whispers to the two littles.

"You will do no such thing Eddie, If they eat all that sugar it will be impossible to get them to bed" Nancy scolds Eddie, Steve nodding in agreement.

"But mama vegetables are gross" Max says looking to nancy with puppy dog eyes.

Nancy sighs "fine you can have one snack cake each, Not one package one cake"

----------time skip------------------

Max and Dustin sit on the floor playing with toys with the mixtape Eddie made for regressing on in the background.

Steve is playing with Eddies hair while the older is laying on him and Nancy is sitting on the opposite end of the couch reading a book.

Eddie is finding it difficult to stay big with Steve gently rubbing his scalp and the soft music playing.

Steve starts getting up to get some water and Eddie whines and pushes further into him.

Steve shushes him and gets their water, He puts Eddies in a no-spill cup, When Steve returns to the living room he's met with a grumpy expression on Eddies face.

"'m not little" He says referring to the cup.

"It's the only clean cup" Steve lies and Eddie doesn't question it.

Eddie seems to be slipping further by the moment and Steve notices.

"Hey Eds? Why don't we get you changed into something more comfortable yeah?" Eddie doesn't fight it this time and lets himself be led into his bedroom so Steve can help him change clothes.

Setev changes him into a pair of shorts like Dustins and a band shirt soft from washing.

Steve grabs Eddies teether and a few toys from the bin he keeps them in and leads him back out to the living room.

"Yay Eds pway with us!" Max says and Dustin cheers.

Thanks for reading!

i rlly like the idea that Steve is Dustins cg so maybe ill do more of it idk

[mickey-henry]

𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲

pairing: bucky barnes x reader

summary: bucky’s been flirting with you, but hasn’t taken it further than that. frustrated, you decide to take matters into your own hands.

word count: 2.1k

warnings: occasional swearing (but not much) and frustrating flirting (I’d be melting if it was happening to me). besides that, this fic is pure fluffy fun.

author’s note: hello there! this is my second fic; I’m very excited to post it! I found the header image here, and if you want to listen to the song I reference in this fic, you can listen here. bold text indicates singing, while italicized text refers to inner thoughts. likes, reblogs, messages, replies, and comments are cherished! I hope you like it! 💖

Bucky Barnes is an acquaintance at best. The two of you rarely work together, and with conflicting schedules, you see little of each other around the compound. On a random Friday in April, however, something changes in you. The moment is nothing out of the ordinary. You’re sitting on the couch in the main living space, re-reading one of your favorite books. Bucky has just returned from a mission; you glance up to see his exhausted expression. He catches your eye, winking with a smile, before walking to his room. Your heart flutters and your head freezes at the response. “Oh, no,” you think to yourself. “Maybe that was a one-time thing? I don’t actually like him, right?” Wrong. 

Ever since that night, the mere presence of Bucky Barnes drives you crazy: his stunning blue eyes that squint ever so slightly when he smiles, his adorable nose that crinkles when he laughs, his pillowy lips that you lose yourself in, his  fluffy hair you can’t help but imagine running your fingers through, his scruff speckled jawline that you wish would brush along your hands, cheeks, anywhere really. He occupies your dreams; you can’t escape this man even if you try. Today, he drives you crazier than usual. He stands in the compound's kitchen in a tight black t-shirt, one that leaves nothing to the imagination. This is the first time you’ve seen him in short sleeves, in anything other than tactical gear. You can’t help but stare as he prepares his lunch. The shirt hugs his frame tight, accentuating his biceps that had no right to be that big. “Gosh, he must spend hours in the gym to look like that.” You then notice the vein in his right arm protruding from his skin, tracing it with your eyes. You didn’t think he could become any more beautiful, but here he is before you, incredible as ever. 

You’re pulled from your reverie when Bucky calls your name. “Yeah?” you reply, barely masking the startled stutter in your voice.

“Pass me the salt?”

“Oh! Sure, of course,” you muster, taking a sip of water from the glass in front of you as you hand him the salt shaker. 

“Thanks, doll,” he flirts with a smile, the same one he gave you that night when he got back to the compound. You nearly choke. “Bucky Barnes called me a term of endearment?!? Holy shit.” Your heart swells and you look down at your glass in a desperate attempt to hide the blush creeping its way across your cheeks. “Goodness gracious, I respond this way from a simple word?” You couldn’t imagine how you’d feel if he touched you. 

It didn’t take long to find out. The following day, you stand in the kitchen prepping your lunch, singing softly along to the song playing from your phone. Bucky appears soon after. He stands close to you for a moment, closer than necessary, but of course you don’t mind. He has just showered; his cologne lingers in the air, intoxicating you. Somehow, you keep singing along, showing no sign that your mind is elsewhere. 

“Ugh, he smells amazing. This man has too much power over me; this is ridiculous! I don’t even remember what I was doing—”

“You have a beautiful voice,” he compliments.

“Thank you, Bucky,” you softly reply, your heart racing at his praise.

“Let me get by you real fast, doll,” he says, moving to walk behind you. 

“There he goes again with the pet name. My god, could this get any worse—” 

He places his hands gently on your hips as he moves beside you. Electricity travels through your whole body; you’re internally screaming at his touch. His hands feel better than you imagined. Even though the contact lasts only a moment, the effects of his touch linger after, leaving you speechless. 

You hear a musical chuckle from the man behind you. “Is he teasing me? It sure feels like it,” you wonder. There is no way that he can’t see the effect he has on you. Before you can even formulate another thought, he touches you again as he moves back to the other side of you. “That was definitely on purpose; certainly he wouldn’t do this by accident. Right?”

Your eyes linger as he finishes putting together his lunch. He catches your gaze and smiles. “See you later, sweetheart,” he says with a wink before leaving the room. “Okay, that answers my question; that was very intentional. What am I going to do with myself?”

You don’t know how much longer you can take his teasing. Throughout the week, he ups his antics, calling you pet names more than your own, stealing touches whenever he can get away with it, smiling whenever you make eye contact. The tension is insatiable; thoughts of Bucky follow you everywhere. You decide to take matters in your own hands; Bucky did not seem to be planning to make a move anytime soon. If he is going to tease the hell out of you, you might as well get some payback. 

───────────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ･ ─────────────

Tony’s announcement of Friday night karaoke gives you a wicked idea. However, for it to work, you need to recruit help. You know just who to ask. It doesn’t take long to find Sam and Steve; they spent a ton of their free time sparring in the gym. They seem to be at the end of their workout, their movements slow and sloppy, relying on witty retorts to throw off the other. They stop when they notice your arrival. 

“Hey!” Sam says with a smile, hugging you as you approach. You squeeze him tightly, even with his sticky sweat coating his arms. You greet Steve with a hug too.

“What brings you to our neck of the woods?” Steve asks as you let go.

“Can I ask you guys something? And you promise you two won’t laugh at me? Especially if I'm reading this wrong?”

“Of course,” answers Steve. 

“Yeah, for sure,” replies Sam. 

You hesitate for a second, taking a deep breath. “Does Bucky like me? I swear he does. He keeps teasing me, and I don’t know how much longer I can take it. I think I am practically in love with the guy at this point, he’s so beautiful and—”

You stop as the boys exchange glances and begin laughing. 

You cross your arms, hurt. “You said you wouldn’t laugh at me! I can’t control how I feel.”

“No! Wait! We aren’t laughing at you!” Steve says between giggles. 

You furrow your brows. “Then why are you laughing?”

“Bucky’s obsessed with you,” Steve answers after calming his laughter. 

“God, yes, you’re all he talks about nowadays,” Sam adds. 

“What?! He does? Why? Are you shitting me right now? Because that would be really freaking mean—“

“No! Of course not,” Steve insists. “Don’t you see the way he looks at you?”

“And the pet names he gives you?” Sam adds.

“And how he can’t seem to keep his hands to himself lately?” Steve finishes. 

Now you feel stupid for even asking. Of course you noticed all of those things. They were all you ever thought about. “Well, yeah, but maybe he does that with all the girls.”

“What girls?” Sam retorted. “The only women who are here often enough to cross paths with him are you, Natasha, and Wanda. Wanda’s with Vision, as weird as that is, but love is love. Natasha shoots daggers at anyone who looks at her with love in their eyes. That leaves you.”

“Why in the world would he like me? Of all people? He’s out of my league,” you sigh,

Sam’s scoff pulls you from your thoughts. “Bucky? Out of your league? He’s a crazy ex-assassin with emotional issues! If anything, he's out of your league.”

“You’re a catch, why wouldn’t he like you?” Steve assures.

Steve and Sam always know just what to say to make you feel better. “I guess you’re right,” you admit with a defeated grin. 

“So, you know how Bucky feels. What are you going to do about it?” Steve asks. 

“I have an idea, but I need your help.”

“We’re listening.”

You divulge your plan to them. They smile, hyping you up. 

“Dude, I’m so down!” Sam exclaims, clapping his hands in excitement. 

“You think this will work?”

“Definitely,” Steve assures. “This is going to be amazing!”

“Okay then, we’re doing this. Let’s go find Bucky. Time to initiate phase one.”

───────────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ･ ─────────────

Bucky is sitting on the common room couch, flipping through a book when he sees you, Sam, and Steve enter. He exchanges a glance with you, smiling as your eyes light up. The three of you sit down. You’re sitting next to Sam, closer than usual. There’s a brief moment of silence before you speak. “Sam, are you going to karaoke night?”

“Of course! Wouldn’t miss everyone’s drunk-ass singing for the world.”

“Will you be my duet partner?”

This catches Bucky’s attention. He looks up from his book. Why the hell were you asking Sam to sing with you? You normally ask the girls...

“Sure thing, baby. It’ll be a ton of fun!” Sam smiles. 

Baby?! What?! How dare he call you a pet name, his girl, right in front of him? Well, you may not be his girl yet, but Sam knows how he feels about you. What the hell is he thinking?

“Yay! This’ll be so fun!” You hug him, grabbing his hand before continuing, “Wanna practice with me in a bit?”

“Find me when you’re ready, sweetheart,” Sam answers, kissing your knuckle before letting go of your hand. 

Sweetheart?! What the fuck was going on? Did he miss his shot? Would Sam really do that to him? Bucky can barely handle his swirling thoughts. He storms out of the room without looking back. 

Steve can’t help but laugh once Bucky is out of earshot. “That worked a little too well, wouldn’t you say so?”

“That wasn’t too far, was it?” you ask with a worried expression on your face. 

“Nah, don’t worry about it. He’ll just come on even stronger now. He won’t give up on you that easily,” Sam assures you. 

───────────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ･ ─────────────

Bucky can barely contain his anger as you step on the stage with Sam, giggling and smiling at your karaoke partner. Jealousy engulfs him. He can barely listen to the start of the song, ignoring the catchy beat blasting through the speakers. He doesn’t recognize the song, but looks up from his drink when you sing, “Hey Bucky boy, what you doing tonight? I wanna see what you got in store."

He looks right at you. Did she just say Bucky?

Sam echoes, “Hey, hey Bucky!” Well, that answers his question.

“You're giving it your all when you're dancing on me. I want to see if you can give me some more,” you continue, twirling your fingers through your hair.

“Hey, hey Bucky!”

“You can be my man, I can be your girl, and we can pump this jam however you want,” you sing, swaying your hips to the cadence of the lyrics.

“Hey, hey Bucky!”

“Pump it from the side, pump it upside down, or we can pump it from the back and the front,” you wink as you finish the line. Bucky sits up suddenly, crossing his legs, his face turning beet red. You smile, knowing the plan was working. Steve laughs from beside him. He keeps his eyes glued on you as the two of you continue the song, utterly entranced. You look him right in the eye as you end the song, “I want you tonight.”

You saunter over to where he is sitting after high-fiving Sam, confidence filling your chest. “So, what did you think of my performance, Bucky?”

You yelp as he grabs your hips and pulls you down to sit on his lap. His voice deepens, “you’re such a tease, you know that right?”

You laugh. “I’m the tease? Really? You’re the one who just pulled me onto your lap and taunts me with flirtatious remarks and smiles all freaking day. My god Bucky, make a move already—”

He cuts you off, pulling you in for a kiss, his flesh arm grabbing the back of your neck. The team whoops and cheers. 

“Glad you finally made a move, Bucky,” you pant as your lips part from his.

“Best decision I ever made in my life, doll.” Before you can respond, he kisses you again, the karaoke bar fading in the background as you finally embrace the man of your dreams.

[ladykailitha]

Never Hold Back Your Step... Part 8

Hello! It does look like there is only one more chapter to write on Paper Hearts so yay!!! I'm not sure how much longer Sweet Home Indiana is but it's nearing it's end too.

Steve is never going to go to another party after this, Eddie gets book two of the Boy with a Bat, and they have a frank discussion about how Eddie gets paid for his less than legal side gig.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

trigger warning: homophobic language by an OC.

****

At least the swim team knew to how to throw a party. Lyle was hosting and even though his family wasn’t well off, not like Steve’s parents, there was still enough room for the whole team and a few of their friends to have a good time.

Granted there wasn’t any booze, not openly anyway, but there were ice chest after ice chest of canned sodas. And all kinds, too. Steve was on his third Coke and had already sussed out the dude with the beer and was working his way over.

Going right up to the guy was asking for trouble that neither of them wanted.

The music wasn’t too loud, but you could dance to it in the main part of the house. People were actually laughing and having fun.

Which really should have been Steve’s cue. The universe was out to get him and wouldn’t let him have a moment’s peace.

He had almost reached the guy with the beer when Ezra blocked his path.

“Hey, Steve,” he greeted syrupy sweet. “I’m so glad you made it out. I wasn’t sure if you would come without Eddie Munson.”

Steve frowned and tried to move around his co-captain. “I go lots of places without Eddie. I went to nationals without him, didn’t I?”

Ezra put his hand on Steve’s chest to stop him. “Sure you did, but we didn’t win nationals now, did we?”

Steve looked down at the hand on his chest. “We swam our hearts man, the other teams were just better. Hell, that team from Georgia was on fire.”

Ezra snorted and rolled his eyes. “They only got where they were because they were black. They didn’t have any real talent. Not like us. Not like you and me, Steve.”

“Are you saying Lyle and Nick held us back?” he asked with his brow furrowing deeper in his confusion.

“We’ve always known that Lyle is a strong swimmer and not a fast one,” Ezra moaned waving the drink in his other hand around. “But he’s all this shit town has on offer.”

Steve gently pushed Ezra off of him. “Hey, how about not talking shit about the actual host, man.”

Ezra rolled his eyes. “Whatever,” he huffed. “That’s not even why I’m over here. I’m here to warn you about Munson.”

And there it was. Everyone in his life had felt the need at some point in the last six months to warn him off the super senior.

The other boy leaned in close, his lips a snarl. “He’s a queer, a little faggot boy,” he hissed, the spit landing on Steve’s face. “It’s the town’s worst kept secret.”

Ice slid down Steve’s spine. Oh shit. Of all the places he thought the other co-captain was going to go, that was not it. Drugs. DND. The ranting on table tops. All that slid away to sheer terror.

“And you better not bend over in the showers,” Ezra continued, “a pretty thing like you would just be his type.”

Steve’s eyes went wide. “Wha–what do you mean?”

“Everyone knows that if you can’t pay for your weed,” Ezra sneered, “that he’s willing to take a blowjob as payment instead.” He leaned further into Steve’s space, so that they were almost touching, the stench of weed radiating off the other boy in waves. “I saw Harry Masters sucking him off for a gram of the good stuff.”

Steve stomach lurched and swooped, bile rising up in his throat. Harry Masters was on the baseball team. He was tall, good looking, with that devil may care charm of Rob Lowe. Looked like him, too.

“What he does or doesn’t do doesn’t effect me, man,” he said, trying to aim for nonchalant and missing by a mile.

Ezra laughed in his face.

“Dude,” he cackled, “if you didn’t want people to think you’re down bad for ‘the Freak’ maybe rein in the eye fucking. I’ve seen the way you look at him and it makes me sick.”

That was when Steve got it. He had been wondering what the hell this conversation was.

“Oh my god!” he laughed. “Fuck, man, you were scaring me for a second there. You’re just jealous I don’t have the hots for you.”

Ezra pushed him. “The fuck I do, Harrington!”

“No, no!” Steve crowed. “I’ve got it all figured it out. All the times I caught you staring at me, all the times I felt someone watching me, all the times you’d try to keep me late after practice. You wanted me all to yourself.”

His co-captain turned purple with rage and swung at Steve, but before he could even flinch, there was someone at his side, holding Ezra’s wrist to keep the hit from even going anywhere near Steve’s face.

“Eddie!” Steve breathed. “What are you doing here?”

Eddie smiled at him with that soft dimpled grin Steve loved. “Hey ya, Stevie. I was just plying my wares when I heard the commotion and came over to make sure you were all right.”

“So you are my good luck charm,” Steve said brightly.

Ezra wrenched his arm out of Eddie’s hand. “This doesn’t concern you, Freak!”

Eddie leaned in close and cocked his head to the side. “It does, because you were talking shit about me and Stevie, here. And as Stevie’s good friend, I’mma gonna come to his rescue. Now, you’re going to skedaddle on home and sleep all this off.”

Ezra spat in his face. “Or what?”

The older teen just smiled menacingly. “Or else that gram you smoked will be the last you ever smoke, because I’ll report to you for doping for matches.”

Ezra paled and he gulped. “You can’t do that! I’ve never done anything but weed.”

“That’s true,” Eddie admitted. “But they’d have to do this big investigation and your name would be dragged through the mud. Or you could toddle off and go to college and leave this town in your rearview mirror.”

Ezra turned on his heel and ran out of the house as if the hounds of hell were on his tail.

Steve shook his head. “You do know this is where all the allegations about you being a devil worshiping cult leader come from, right?”

Eddie threw back his head and laughed. “They can think all they want.”

*

Eddie and Steve talked about what Ezra had said about how people make payments for their weed.

“I won’t deny that people have offer to blow me or even have sex with me in exchange for drugs,” Eddie said as they lay curled up on his bed. “But I’ve never taken anybody up on that.”

Steve twisted his head to look up at his boyfriend. “I can’t say I’m not pleased to hear that, but is there a reason why?”

“Several,” he admitted pulling Steve in closer. “One is that there is an actual fucking pandemic going on regarding gay men, and I wouldn’t trust those assholes even with a condoms. Another is that if I say yes to one, then I’ve got to say yes to next guy. And as my supplier wants actual cash for his product, blow jobs aren’t currency in any country I know of. And despite what Ezra said, most of the people offering aren’t men.”

Steve hummed as he snuggled under Eddie’s chin. “I can see that. Any other reasons why you won’t?”

“Does having a super hot boyfriend count?” he chuckled.

Steve kissed the underside of his jaw. “That’s a very good reason.” His hand slipped down his boyfriend’s side and to his belt. “A super hot boyfriend who is very grateful for the rescue.”

Eddie moaned as Steve’s fingers ghosted over his zipper. “Yeah and how are you going to show that gratitude?”

Steve slid down Eddie body and undid his belt. “I was thinking it was such a shame you didn’t get those blow jobs when your cock is so delectable.”

Eddie gasped and threw back his head as his super hot boyfriend’s breath felt hot on the front of his boxers. “God, baby. Show me what you’ve got.”

And Steve spent their evening doing just that.

*

Steve fidgeted nervously at Eddie’s locker after school. He had finished the most recent comic with only a week of school to spare. He had made sure that Jonathan and Nancy weren’t staying after school for any reason so they didn’t see him make the hand off. He knew he should have just done it at the trailer, but with him cutting it so fine before the end of the year, he didn’t want to make Jeff and the others wait for it.

Eddie loped over to his boyfriend and looked around. “Hey, sweetheart. You okay?”

He thrust the comic at Eddie, his eyes downcast. “It’s the most recent comic. There’s an explanation like before. But please don’t let people see that part.”

Eddie cradled the comic to his chest. “I’ll be careful, I promise. I’m guessing this means you aren’t coming over tonight?”

Steve shook his head. “Lucas wants to go see the latest Bond film, but his friends don’t want to go with him...”

“So you offered to take him,” Eddie finished. “That’s sweet of you.”

Steve snorted and shook his head. “His parents think I’m taking him to ‘Meet the Littles’ or some shit like that.”

Eddie threw back his head and laughed. “Yeah, that’s more like the Steve Harrington I know and love.”

“I’ll call when I get home, though...” he muttered, running his fingers through his hair.

“Okay,” Eddie murmured. “Well talk then.”

*

This time Eddie went straight to the back page to read the explanation first.

“Hey, Eds,

Again there are parts in between this, parts that don’t include me, that I’ll some day tell you all about. But I’m focusing on the parts I was part of. This time it all started with what the kids thought was a new species of lizard and turned out to be the beginning stages of an Upside Down monster. One they they dubbed the demodog.

I can just picture you frowning as you try to remember where you heard that from and the answer is you heard it from me. You asked me what it was and I told you it from one of their game thingies, but that’s only part of it. These demodogs have flower faces and run on four legs. They are part of a hive mind that allows them to communicate with each other.

Dustin had taken one of these things home and it ate his cat. His cat. You can be disgusted, I know I was. He had originally gone to Nancy’s for help but she had gone off with Jonathan about something related to Barb Holland. This was right after our fight at the Halloween party.

I was on my way with roses to apologize to her, when he intercepted me. And the rest is as they say is history. I would do anything for that kid now.

The other players are Lucas Sinclair and Max Mayfield. I don’t know if you need to know that, but I feel like you have to understand that for the rest of it to make sense.

I have so many tales to tell you but I can’t because it could get you hurt and that is the last thing I want to do.

Also, (blurred words) show you all the times I was brave, that I did the (more blurred words) when it came (blurred words) because I love you so much and (blurred words again) less of me.

Love,

Your Stevie”

Eddie hated how easy Steve had pegged him for frowning at the name like he said he would or how he knew he would be disgusted at the poor cat. He stared at the blurred words for a moment before his own eyes welled up.

Steve had tried writing over the parts with what were clearly tear drops but all it had done was make it worse. Why he didn’t just write again, Eddie didn’t know.

But Eddie could now make out the words, “Also, I wanted to show you all the times I was brave, that I did the right thing when it came to it, because I love you so much and I didn’t want you thinking less of me.”

He flipped back to the beginning and started reading. It was thrilling and exciting. That was if you didn’t know it really happened. And happened to the sweetest boy he had the privilege of knowing.

He wiped away his tears and made a promise to whatever it took to protect this boy with every fiber of his being. Because by god, someone had to.

****

Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16

Tag List: @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @emly03

@spectrum-spectre @zerokrox-blog @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson

@messrs-weasley @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @danili666 @goodolefashionedloverboi

@val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89

@vecnuthy @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer

@yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon @cinnamon-mushroomabomination

@dragonmama76 @scheodingers-muppet @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual

@angels-of-hades @mugloversonly @y4r3luv @greeniebean911 @birbsauce

@acingthecounts @cryptid-system @counting-dollars-counting-stars @kultiras @ravenfrog

[cinemasteves]

YAY!! Now I’m gonna give you the information about me. starting now😻

Could I request a (platonic) Matchup with any of the Stranger Things Characters?? :DD

hehe anyways! My name is Joey! I’m transgender and lithromantic, I’m a Leo and I use he/him pronouns. I have shoulder-length-ish black hair. I have brown eyes and I’m at least 5’5

I’m honesty pretty silly when im interacting with someone either online or in person, i tend to make a lot of jokes (including sexual ones) I can also be pretty awkward when talking to new people but it’ll wear off once I talked to them for a good amount. And I love to talk about my interests and I don’t really like when people seem uninterested in my interests when I talk about them(it just makes me sad) , I can also be pretty punctual and fussy and I tend to have short tempers, And lastly I’m pretty intelligent in many things (such as math, piano, science, etc)

I love playing Rhythm Games (like Ensemble Stars, Project Senkai, Bandori..), I really like to play other games as well like Genshin, Mystic Messenger, FNAF, etc, I love musicals like Hamilton, I really love listening to music as well it’s my coping mechanism, i also love reading, and I really enjoy playing piano!

I don’t like negitive mentions of my voice, comparing me to people/saying stuff like "you remind me of ____", i also despise spiders. And I hate getting sick bc I’ll get very cranky and emotional

also here are my comforts: cats, hajime hinata (danganronpa), a silent voice, albedo (genshin impact), lemon demon, felix kranken (twf), bread, sharks, christmas music/christmas in general, scp 3008 (roblox game), get a snack at 4am (roblox game), hotels, and my friends!

But thank you!! And have fun with this :DD

my brain is literally screaming Eddie Munson as your matchup.

I just feel like Eddie would immediately take you under his wing, just like he did with all the Hellfire kids.

He'd definitely defend you against Jason and the rest of the populars as if his life depended on it. Threatening to beat anyone's ass over you.

You two would definitely bond over games and music! Him teaching you guitar and you teaching him piano, him even letting you play at a Corroded Coffin show as an opener. In exchange for his kindness, you'd use your smarts to help tutor him so he could graduate, as you want to see him succeed. You both just believe in each other so much.

I could see you two playing pranks on the younger kids but also being their comfort figures. You two would throw a "Hellfire Christmas" party at the last campaign before winter break, having the room decorated for the holidays and Christmas music playing all throughout the game and even doing a secret santa exchange at the end !! It just so happens that Eddie was assigned as your secret santa, so he got you a cassette player, remembering you saying months before that you always wanted one.

Being an only child, he feels as though you're the little brother he's always wanted. You are the Dustin to his Steve !!!

I hope you like it 🥹 this was actually really fun to do !!

[quiet-onset]

New Suit

Pairing: Sam Wilson x Black!Reader

Word Count: 3.8k+

A/N: it’s been forever since I’ve posted, but I have been writing since I was stuck at home with covid 😅 Hopefully I can post something else next week too! ANYWAYS, this fic does not have any TFAWS spoilers and (as usual) does not give a fuck about Endgame, meaning our favorite dysfunctional couple Tony and Steve are alive. Steve simply passed on the mantle. Enjoy!

So Sam was Captain America. And he was proud of that fact. 

The day that Steve decided to retire and give him one of his most prized possessions was a day Sam would never forget. A whirlwind of emotions had swelled in his chest. Shock, unworthiness, gratitude. But after talking it over with Steve — and surprisingly enough, with Bucky — Sam agreed to take in the role.

The thing was, no one knew yet. At least, no one outside of the Avengers facility.

Immediately after Thanos, there weren’t really any Avengers level threats. Most threats could be handled by one team member, and it was usually one of the newbies — Peter, Scott, even Wanda. That being so, Sam didn’t have much of a reason to even make public appearances. So he didn’t.

Sometimes, he’d stand in the training room, the red, white, and blue shield strapped to his arm, and just stare in the mirror. Something felt wrong. Out of place. Like the reflection before him was almost right, but he still couldn’t tell what was wrong. Tony had caught him one time as he stepped into the room, a sports bottle full of ice cold water in his hand. “Mid-life crisis?”

Sam jumped at his loud voice and almost scrambled to detach the shield from his arm, like a kid caught with his grubby little hand in the cookie jar. “My bad, I’ll just—“

“No no, keep it on.” Tony waved a hand. “I gave it to Steve, he gave it to you. It’s yours, no give backsies.”

Sam nodded but took the shield off anyway. He decided that he didn’t need to train anymore and headed toward the door. “I’m just gonna go put this back.”

“What is going on with you, Wilson?”

“What do you mean?”

Tony raised a brow, “What do I mean? You staying cooped up in this facility. Barely training with the shield. Opting out of assignments. That’s what I mean.”

“There’s not much of a need.”

“There is. You just don’t see it yet.” Tony walked toward him. “Look, I know being the new Cap has you freaked out—“

“I’m not freaked out.”

“Sure. But Steve chose you and that should be good enough.”

“It is.” Sam huffed as he turned the shield in his hands. “I don’t know, man. I just… It’s just hard to believe. Hard to put in action, I guess.”

“Well, seeing is believing.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Head to room 626 when you get a chance.”

“What’s in room 626?”

“You’ll see.”

—

Sam exited the elevator on the sixth floor to loud muffled music. Looking around, he realized he’d never even been to that part of the facility before. The white walls and obscure art seemed strange and misplaced in a building full of superhumans. Too clean, too elegant. 

Each of the rooms seemed that way too. Sam paused in the hallway, glancing through some of the glass doors with people’s names painted neatly at the top. Hardwood floors and marble countertops in each room. So impeccably clean that even dust bunnies wouldn’t dare step foot inside. 

Yet, when Sam approached room 626, he realized this was where the loud music was coming from. Different from the other rooms, this one was messy and colorful. He slid the glass door open, flinching at loud volume. 

He recognized the track — his father used to listen to it all the time when he was growing up. He could almost hear his dad’s deep voice teasing him: “You don’t know nothin’ ‘bout this, son. This was before your time.” Of course Sam knew the song. His dad was the one who put him on. Still, Sam’s dad always got a kick out the playful fight he put up. 

The long, seemingly endless hallway was painted a blinding white. He could make out a peculiar smell as he walked toward the end of the hall. Wet paint or fumes, he wasn’t really sure. He just pulled his shirt over his nose and kept looking for… well only God really knew. 

Finally, he arrived in the main room and saw you and your controlled chaos. You had ten or twenty different fabrics pinned to one wall and sketches of different outfits pinned to the opposing one. Against the back wall were mannequins wearing your works in progress. And just in front of Sam on a large wooden desk were schematics and what looked like engineering tools. Soldering iron, wires, circuit boards, and the like.

Everything seemed like a tornado of colors, clothes, and fabric. But you? You were as cool as a cucumber with your expensive looking spray painting mask strapped on as you sprayed the back of a jean jacket with bright pink paint. Sam chuckled when he heard your muffled voice sing along to the song, not noticing his presence. “Sherry bay-yay-by. Sherry, wontcha come out tonight.”

Sam pulled his shirt back down with a small grin on his lips, debating whether he should disturb you. In the end, he decided to save you the embarrassment, but by then, you’d already moved on to the next verse. You dropped your voice down low in an attempt to sound just like Nick Massi, singing, “Why don’t you come on.”

Sam let out a loud laugh, only covering it with his hand as you jumped, finally realizing someone else was in the room. “Sorry.” Sam chuckled. “Didn’t mean to interrupt your concert.”

You pulled the mask over your head, revealing a nervous smile. You jogged to the desk and grabbed the remote to switch off the stereo. “Concert’s a flattering choice of words.”

“Well you were really nailing that Massi.”

You raised a brow as you set down the can of spray paint. “You listen to Four Seasons?”

“Growing up, it was a staple in the Wilson household.” He offered his hand. “I’m Sam, by the way.”

“Y/N.” You shook it, an impressed smile on your face. “So what can I do for you, Sam?”

“I’m actually not sure. Tony just kinda sent me up here.” He raised a brow when you gasped, amused with your excitement. He smiled as the cute squeal that pushed past your lips. “I assume you know what that means.”

“I’ve been asking him forever if I could design your new suit!”

“New suit?”

“I mean, if you’re okay with it.” You added.

“I just don’t see why I need a new suit is all.” Sam shrugged as he looked around at all your work. He knew, way deep down in the rational part of his consciousness, that he needed a new suit. There wasn’t anything wrong with his Falcon suit, but wearing a new suit seemed too definite. If he put on a new combat suit, it meant that he was fully stepping into this new role. That he would be Captain America in more than just name. People would look at him, at his suit, and recognize that he was the Captain America.

“How about this?” You stepped toward him, prepared to bargain. “Let me make you a suit. If you don’t like it, I’ll just give your Falcon suit an upgrade. Deal?”

He let out a nervous chuckle at your offer. He had nothing to lose, really. Either way, he got upgrades. Still, he looked over at you and decided he couldn’t be the one to snuff the ambitious look in your dark eyes. He shook your hand, smiling softly at the triumphant grin that broke across your face. “Deal.”

“Great!” You were bouncing on your toes when he agreed. You practically raced back to your desk and started shuffling through your sketches and until you found the folder you were searching for. You handed them to Sam, “You can come back tomorrow morning so I can take your measurements. Till then, look through these sketches and tell me what you like.”

“So you’ve been working on this for awhile?” Sam asked, briefly flipping through the many colorful sketches.

“Ever since Tony told me about you.”

He let out a breath of amusement through his nose. Of course it was Tony, trying to set things in motion before Sam was even sure of what he wanted. Still, he knew Tony was trying to help. Sam gestured with the folder. “I’ll take a look.”

“Cool. Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow.”

— 

When Same woke up the next day, he found himself immediately thinking about meeting with you later. He felt weird. Nervous, even. Whether it was due to the idea of a new suit — of being Captain America — or seeing you, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that he felt like a swarm of butterflies had flown from his stomach to his throat and decided to make a home there.

After stepping out of the shower, which took twenty more minutes than usual, he fumbled around for something to wear. What was he supposed to wear to fitting anyway? Sweats? Jeans? As his mind wandered, he thought of you. Rather, he thought of how you would see him. Maybe I should wear the green shirt, he thought. Girls always seem to like the green shirt.

He paused. Why was he thinking that?

He’d just met you. He knew a total of two facts about you: your name was Y/N and you listened to Four Seasons. That was hardly enough for Sam to be worried about how he looked for you. Yet, there he was, slipping on the dark green shirt that seemed to stretch ever so slightly across his broad chest. He settled on a pair of dark jeans before heading down to the kitchen for a cup of coffee.

As he stepped into the communal kitchen, Bucky was already sitting at the island, back facing Sam. He had just returned from his daily run, still in his sweatpants and white T-shirt with a cup of coffee in front of him. “There’s still fresh coffee in the pot.” Bucky mumbled into his cup as he flipped to the next page of the newspaper.

“Thanks.” Sam walked past him, slapping the newspaper into Bucky’s face as he walked by. “Why are you reading a newspaper?”

“To keep up with the news. Like a normal person.”

“There are these great new things called cell phones. Most people read the news on those now.” 

“Well, I’m not most people, am I?” Bucky lowered the newspaper and furrowed his brow at the sight of Sam. “What girl are you trying to impress?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Green shirt.”

“What about it?”

“That’s your ‘I want a girl to like me’ shirt.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sam scoffed as he poured a second cup of coffee. “This is just a shirt.”

“The shirt.”

“I’m not having this argument with you.”

“Not much of an argument when you know I’m right.” Bucky smirked. “Who’s the second cup for?”

Sam paused as he realized he’d been caught, but quickly recovered with an eye roll. “For me. So I don’t have to come back and hear your annoying ass voice.”

“Mhm. Tell the girl I said hi.” 

“Screw you.” Sam left the kitchen to the sound Bucky’s chuckles, reluctant to admit that he was right. Moments later, he was waiting for the elevator, tapping his shoe to distract himself from the butterflies that were starting to flutter around again. When the doors slid open, Tony briefly greeted Sam before stopping and pulling off his glasses. “Green shirt?”

Sam stepped past him. “Shut up.”

Every step closer to your workspace had him jittery. Not only was he forced to deal with these unfamiliar feelings for you — if that’s what they were — but he was finally being confronted with his new position. One step closer to replacing Steve. To being Captain America. Yet, he couldn’t deny, he could envision himself in some of the suits you had sketched for him. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

When he entered 626, there was loud music playing once again. Another old song he recognized, Van Morrison. He smiled at the thought of you dancing around your space again, singing along to Brown Eyed Girl. It wasn’t so much about him catching you in the act. It was nice, a privilege really, to see the natural you. Eyes closed, arms up, hips swaying. Seeing how you act when you believed no one was watching was like strangely endearing.

And there you were, almost matching his wandering thoughts to a tee. You were setting up for work, once again not noticing Sam’s arrival. You danced across the room as you moved things from place to place. You began to sing out the words as you prepared to lift your tri-fold mirror. Sam broke from the trance and called out your name. You jumped and placed a hand over your heart, laughing quietly when you saw it was only him. “Caught me again.”

“To be fair, you seem pretty easy to catch with the way you get lost in music.” Sam smiled, placing the coffee cups on your desk, far from any of your papers. “Let me get that for you.”

“Oh, you don’t have to—”

“It’s no problem. Just tell where you want it.”

You stepped away from the mirror, tossing a stray braid over your shoulder with a smile. “Just over there, in front of that pedestal. Thanks.” When he went to lift it, your eyes were drawn to his arms, watching his biceps flex. You caught yourself before you could begin to stare, heat rising to your cheeks as you went to look for your measuring tape.

“Oh, by the way, I brought you a cup of coffee.” Sam mentioned as he set the mirror down. “You know, if you drink it? I didn’t know what you put in it, if anything, so it’s black. Is that okay?”

“That’s perfect, actually.” You sighed happily. “I’ve been trying to replace coffee with loud music in the mornings, hence the dancing.”

“Of course.” He chuckled in response.

“And while I love to blast Morrison at nine in the morning, it’s not the same without a hot cup of coffee.” You took the cup he offered with a smile. “Thanks for thinking of me.”

Sam couldn’t help how his heart skipped a beat. “Don’t mention it.”

You took a sip, “So, you ready to get measured for your new suit?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

“Great, just step onto the pedestal for me, and relax.”

“Got it.”

It was quiet as you brought the tape measure under his arms and around his chest. It wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but Sam was sure his nerves had to be radiating out of him. The butterflies were beating against his ribcage as you pulled just tight enough on the tape measure. You took note of the number and bent over to write it down on your notepad. Being so close to you, Sam felt himself tense up as you measured around his waist. You chuckled and looked up at him. “You gotta relax.”

“I’m relaxed.”

“If you don’t loosen up, your new suit is gonna be super tight in all the wrong places.” You joked. “Talking usually helps.”

“About what?”

“Anything.” You shrugged. “Like why are you so opposed to a new suit?”

Almost as if it was a reflex, Sam tensed up again with a nervous and playful chuckle. “Way to get me to relax.”

“I’m just saying.” You laughed, adjusting the tape once again. “It’s not like you’re not qualified. I mean, Steve chose you.”

“Yeah, he did. I wish it were that simple in my mind.” He admitted.

“What’s your mind saying?”

“What isn’t it saying?” Sam rolled his eyes at himself. “It’s just… I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I don’t want to put that on you. That’s not your job.”

“It’s not.” You agreed with a chuckle. “But that’s not why I asked. You can tell me.”

Again, with a wave of confusion, he felt the tension melt away. He didn’t know why he felt this way, like he could tell you anything and everything. There was a familiarity about you, like you were someone he’d known his entire life despite only meeting twenty hours ago. His father probably would’ve called you an old soul. Maybe in some other lifetime, in another universe, you knew each other. Or maybe, this was just fate coming to pass. Destiny finding, not two halves, but two wholes — putting them together like some sort of experiment to see what would come of it.

“It’s just… how am I supposed to follow after Steve?” He asked. “He has such a huge story, this legacy just hanging over my head. He’s been saving people since before either of us were born. And now here I am, some dude from the Air Force that met Steve completely by accident, about to take up his shield. It just seems unbelievable. Literally.”

You nodded as you measured around his left thigh. “First, let me say that your feelings are completely valid.”

“Why do I feel like you’re about to decimate everything I just said?”

“Not decimate!” You laughed. “Just gently prove wrong.”

“Oh, in that case.” He smiled down at you.

“Shut up.” You snapped him with the tape measure before measuring his other thigh. “Steve is not the only one with a story. I mean, Sam Wilson, the guy who grew up in Harlem, lost his parents and his best friend, and still managed to not give up? The guy Steve Rogers trusted with his life almost immediately after meeting him? The same dude who stole a top secret government project and used it to become a superhero? I think that’s pretty badass.”

Sam considered your words with a small smile. Sure, he may have seemed normal — maybe even mundane — to himself, but the fact is that he had also been through a lot. Just like Steve, Sam realized that his life was no walk in the park. Not many people couldn’t have lived Sam’s life and come out the other side not just okay but strong. He wasn’t Steve Rogers, but that didn’t matter. He was Sam Wilson, and maybe that was okay. 

“You’re good at that.” He commented quietly, looking down at you. He just about caught himself staring at you. The bright smile across your ruby shaded lips, the almost childlike excitement in your eyes. And your eyes — jesus. They were the same color as his, a dark brown. Yet, he couldn’t help but find yours so much more interesting.

“At what?”

“Talking to people.”

“Not everyone. Just...” You shook your head as you stood up straight. There was something indecipherable in his eyes — or maybe you wanted to believe it was. Still, it was there. Admiration, confusion, gratefulness? You weren’t sure. But the intensity of his stare made heat spread across your cheeks one more, and you ducked your head, moving to the side to measure the length of his arm. “Just people like you.”

Minutes later, you finished his measurement and moved on to the designs. You and Sam went through each and every one, noting his likes and dislikes. As time went on, it became very apparent that he was ready to be Captain America. Even if he wasn’t sure yet, you were. Much too soon, every detail of his new suit was planned out, and it was time for Sam to go. 

“If I make this my top priority, I can have your new suit finished in two weeks, tops.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Sam said bashfully. “I’m sure you have other work to do.”

“None as exciting or as important.”

“Now you’re just stroking my ego.” He joked.

You scoffed painfully, “Like you need me to do that.”

You walked beside him, down the hall and to the elevator. He couldn’t help but wish he had some sort of excuse to stay, but leading the Avengers meant a mountain of responsibilities. Still, he wanted to see you again. Not for work and not for designing a new suit. He wanted to get to know you away from the fabric and tape measures. He wanted to find out how someone as sweet and breathtaking as you could even exist in a world filled with such evil left and right. So, he rocked back and forth for a moment before turning to you. 

“And um, Y/N?”

“Yes?”

Sam fully intended to ask you out just then. But he felt like he couldn’t move. A feeling of nervousness he hadn’t gotten since he was a teenager, he was frozen. Staring at you like a deer in headlights, his brain screamed at him: Just ask her, you dumbass! Then, the elevator announced its arrival with a ding and broke his concentration. He cleared his throat and smiled nervously. “Thank you again. You’ve been a huge help.”

You blinked in confusion but stammered out, “Glad to be of service.”

It wasn’t until a few days later that Sam had gained the courage to do what he should’ve done in that moment. 

The city was in danger — some high-level Hydra threat — and the Avengers were needed. Everyone rushed off to suit up, including Sam. That’s when he saw it. You had just finished his suit, and it was more than Sam could’ve ever imagined. A shiny white breastplate with red decals on the torso, blue pants lined with bulletproof material, and to top it off, his signature red wings. That was something he wanted to keep. They reminded him of his humble beginnings, of what made him the man that Steve chose to be Captain America. 

And Captain America he was. 

Sam was aware of all the stares he got as he fought the Hydra agents and ended the crisis with the rest of the team. He knew it would take some getting used to. But he was pretty sure — no, extremely sure that he could do this. He could be the symbol that the public needed. 

He strolled back into the Avengers Complex, handing a handcuffed Hydra agent off to be questioned, when he saw you. You were usually there waiting, ready for feedback on your new toys and inventions. But what Sam said surprised you. 

“Hey Sam,” You started. “Did your new suit fare well? I was already thinking of some modifications based on —“

“Would you like to go out with me this Saturday?”

You blinked, lowering your clipboard in shock. “What?”

“Would you like to have dinner with me on Saturday?” He smiled wide and unabashedly. Then, with no hesitation, you smacked him on the arm with your clipboard, making him bark out a laugh. 

“Took you long enough.”