#comma-after-dearest

[sydney-carton-of-sour-milk]

Where did the idea that Sydney is bi come from and why is it so popular?

I've actually been saving this ask for a long time because I (still do!) intend to fully answer this question in a thorough, very-long-form essay once I finish a reread of A Tale of Two Cities (and also read some companion analysis books I now own for it!)...

...but being as it's gonna be a long time until that happens - and also being as it is now pride month(!!!) - I figured that what I would do in the meantime is...open the question up to everyone else!

* for those who aren't familiar with the terminology, here's a good article on the word "headcanon" ** I broadened it to "queer" because although bi is the most common queer headcanon for him, it's also possible to headcanon him as queer without headcanoning him as bi, and I wanted to open the question up to all of the possibilities🌈

I'm going refrain from writing out my own answer (for now, at least!) and instead am leaving it completely open - please elaborate if you feel compelled to do so!

though I do have one humble request: I know it's a common way to talk about queer headcanons, but no sex jokes / nsfw, please!

I know the original questions in the ask concern a more fandom-wide cultural phenomenon and that my poll is more based in individual viewpoints, but I think enough of a variety of answers to the latter could help build towards answers to the former - at least as a starting place before I do my big analysis some day😌

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️In the meantime, happy Pride!🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

[pilferingapples]

Trick or treat!

[arandomperson5647]

Philip

Angelica

Alexander Jr

James

John

William

Eliza Jr

Philip II

Oh, you're a Hamilton fan? Name all of his kids. In order.

[vincentaureliuslin]

au edit :33 this is slightly satire

do you see what i had to go through to post this what the HELL

[morganski-19]

With a Comma After Dearest Part 1

A Ronance Note Passing Au

Robin’s tired. So goddamn tired. Like the soul was physically sucked out of her body and all that was left was this mess of a blob that she had to carry around all day tired. She hates it. Hates the feeling of just getting through the day just to go home and try to sleep, but never succeeds. 

It hasn’t been this bad in a while. Not since July. But at least then she had more of an excuse. Then she was taken by Russians and tortured, heard Steve’s screams through the long hallway of the bunker. Now, what does she have to say? She willingly jumped into an alternate dimension portal to save her friend and willingly went back again to kill an evil wizard. She didn’t see the visions her friends did, didn’t watch her friends almost die. No, she came out unscathed, just mild horrors to be seen. The sleepless night shouldn’t be happening. 

But they are. Have been ever since that first night after spring break. Waking in a cold sweat, immediately calling her friends to know that they were ok. Resigning herself to only getting the amount of sleep she did or sneaking out her window to go to Steve’s. That way when one of them had a nightmare, they might actually be able to sleep after that. She can’t rely on him as much as she wants, especially if she wants him to have any semblance of a life. But she just can’t help it. 

He’s never said anything about it, always willing to drop anything to come make sure she was ok. Not like he was doing anything either, just laying alone in that giant house of his. But now that Eddie’s been released from the hospital, they’ve been spending more time together, Steve helping him through the nightmares. And she sees the way they look at each other, she knows that something’s going to happen between them too, even if they can’t see it yet. 

So she has to learn how to do things on her own sometimes. She can still rely on him if she needs it, he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He just might need some space and nights alone, meaning that Robin would have to start being alone. If only that thought alone didn’t terrify her.

She walks into the bathroom and is met with the giant bags under her eyes. Barely having the energy to even get dressed in the morning, it’s not like she has the energy to cover them up. Her mom asks her questions, and her dad gets worried. All she could tell them were lies, that it was just nerves about some test or college applications, and that’s why she couldn’t sleep. She splashes some cold water on her face, trying anything to keep her awake for three more periods. 

Slowly she makes her way to her next class and prays that she won’t fall asleep.

. . . 

Nancy is walking to her next class when she spots Robin. Hunched over, clutching books close to her chest, and shuffling into the classroom. She looks like she hasn’t gotten any sleep at all, Nancy knows the feelings. It’s not like she’s been able to sleep that well the last few weeks. She’s just had four years of practice to make sure no one knew it was happening. It would go away soon, she knows. Slowly compartmentalizing in her mind until the memories fade away, only to haunt her again when she doesn’t want them to. 

But Robin, she’s still new to this. Sure there was the summer, but that was only once. It took Nancy three times around to be able to train her mind to forget the images that plagued her mind. And even then it wasn’t perfect. 

There were always people that Nancy could rely on though. Steve and Jonathan when she was dating them, and sometimes even Mike when they both needed someone to talk to. Someone was always there to help her fall back asleep, assure her that she was safe, and that they were okay. 

Does Robin have anyone to do that? Nancy assumes she has Steve, but it’s not like they live that close. And they’re not dating, so it’s not like they would spend that many nights together. She can’t imagine what Robin would do, climb out her window and bike all the way to Steve’s, or call him and he then drive over to her. Time spent in panic when someone could already be there to calm her down. 

Nancy wants to be there for Robin. They live a lot closer and could have sleepovers on nights when one of them just needed someone to help get them through the night. But she hasn’t had time. 

Ever since the “earthquake” the school paper has had endless stories. Student testimonials and memorials. News about the repairs and charity drives. A constant reminder of what they didn’t stop quite in time. 

Because of that, Nancy hasn’t had time to think about herself, let alone someone else. The stories are slowing down and life is returning to normal. Meaning that she should be too, or at least trying to. That way she could focus on her future and get through the rest of the year. Finally leave Hawkins behind and start the next part of her life, away from danger. 

After the bell rings, Nancy sees Robin again, half asleep wandering through the halls. She wants to go up to her, ask her if she’s alright. If maybe she wants to come over after school and take a nap knowing that someone is there to protect her. It’s what Nancy would want Robin to do, so why can’t she do it herself? 

Maybe it’s because she and Robin don’t know each other that well. They hung out a lot during spring break, but how much can you really learn about a person while saving the world? That doesn’t stop her from wanting to get to know her more. Somewhere along the line, she and Robin bonded. Maybe Nancy could have a best friend again, she just has to take the first step. 

Robin stops, exchanging a book in her locker before walking through the hall again. Nancy tries to speed up and catch her, but she misses her in seconds. Looking at the locker at her right, she gets an idea. Ripping out a page of her notebook, she writes a note and pushes it through the slits of the locker, hoping that Robin responds. 

. . . 

Robin,

Hey, I just wanted to check up on you. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to hang out that much, I’ve been really busy with the newspaper. We have so many stories to write about the “earthquake” that I’ve been working overtime just to get all of them edited. Really it’s so annoying, especially since we know what happened. I just want to go back to writing stories about the mystery meat, as much as it pains me to say that. 

But anyway. I really did just want to check up on you. Our schedules don’t really align that much but when I pass you in those halls, you look so alone. Not to say that you don’t have friends or anything. But I know that feeling of just wanting to isolate yourself after what happens, and I know you have Steve to help deal with all of this but, I guess I just wanted to make sure that you knew you could talk to me too. 

I’ll leave my number on the bottom in case you don’t have it. Please feel free to call me anytime, really. I want to be there for you. 

From,

Nancy

(P.S., my locker number is A350 if you want to respond. No pressure though!)

Robin reads the letter that fell out of her locker again, shocked that it isn’t some prank. The first thought that crossed her mind was that it was some jock who just wanted to poke fun at the band geek who looked like shit. Not like it’s unheard of.

However, when she opened the letter and read it, she smiled instead of balling it up and throwing it away. It’s the first time she’s heard from Nancy in weeks. Ever since school started up again, Robin would see her running through the halls from class to class, and then right to the newspaper room during lunch and after school. She thought that Nancy had forgotten about her, but she was wrong. 

The last bell rings for the day and Robin curses under her breath, stuffing her bag full of books before booking it to the parking lot, Steve waiting for her like always. 

“No offense, but you look like shit,” he says as she slides into the passenger seat. 

“How anyone fell for your charm, I will never know.”

He pulls out of the parking lot. “Eh, after school doesn’t really work all that much anymore. But uh- seriously. Have you been sleeping?”

Robin yawns. “I’m fine.”

“That’s not what I asked. You look like you haven’t slept in weeks. I’m worried about you, you haven’t called that much and you can barely walk to the car when I pick you up. I just- I just want you to know that I’m still here, if you need to talk about it, that’s all.”

“I know. I just didn’t want you to come over as much and I can’t keep biking to your place in the middle of the night.”

Steve turns, taking the longer way to her house as he does every day so they can talk more. “Then call me, we can just fall asleep on the phone like we used to.”

“Aren’t you a little preoccupied now,” She switches the conversation, getting the spotlight off of her. 

“The hell does that mean?”

“I mean that you and Eddie have been spending a lot of nights together.”

He pauses, not immediately biting back. “He’s been having a tough time with everything ok, that’s it.”

Robin hums disbelievingly. “Uh huh, sure. Let me know when that changes.” 

She digs through her backpack to find her water bottle and stumbles upon the note Nancy left in her locker. If she had another five minutes, she would have responded. Pulling it out, she looks at it, reading through the words again. 

“What’s that?” Steve asks as he turns down her street.  

“Nancy left me a note in my locker, checking in on me.” 

He parks in front of her house. “That’s nice. You going to respond?”

“I think so. It’d be nice to have someone else to talk about all of this, you know.”

“Yeah I know,” he nods. “Call me, ok. Don’t just think you have to go through this alone. No matter what, you still have me, ok.”

Robin nods. “Yeah, I know. And I will. Promise.”

When she gets to her room, she basically falls on her bed, debating if she should take a nap. But it might be the only sleep she gets tonight, so it’d be best to do it later. Looking at the letter in her hand again, she decides to write a response. 

. . . 

Dear Nancy,

How thoughtful of you to check up on little ole me. I should be the one checking up on you. So how dare you getting to it first. 

In all seriousness though, I’ve been ok, I guess. I haven’t really been sleeping, which is why I look like complete shit all the time. But it’ll go away soon. I hope at least. Steve has been spending a lot of time helping Eddie out, so I haven’t been able to lean on him as much as I did after the summer. It’s been kind of weird going through this sort of alone. But I guess I’m not anymore, 'cause I have you. 

I figured you were busy with the newspaper. I would see you running through the halls right past me, not even saying a quick hello. I don’t blame you for missing me, not like I was trying to stand out anyway. We should hang out, sometimes. If you have time, that is. I don’t really have a lot of friends, especially those who I can talk to about this. What I’m trying to say is that it would be nice, I think. 

So uh, here’s my number in case you don’t have it. We’re the only Buckley’s in town though so if you need to, we’re in the book. 

Your friend,

Robin

(P.S. Also, thought it would be funny to greet and sign these letters as they would back then. You know, for laughs and shit.)

(P.P.S I know you already have my locker number, but it’s B102 if you forgot)

Nancy smiles as she reads the letter, immediately pulling out a piece of paper and writing a response. 

I will start a tag list if anyone is interested. This will be multiple parts, I'm thinking somewhere between 5-10.

[freakystrashdump]

I'm re-reading your fanfic and noticed an amazing detail! In the third chapter, as soon as Belos hears the name of Selena, he begins looking for something. BECAUSE HE FINALLY FOUND HER AFTER LONG CENTURIES OF SEARCHING! I think that when Selena travels back in time, she will mistakenly tell Phillip her real name.

OH HO HO

IS THAT SO?

I get it. I finally get it. I get that exhilarating writer feeling when people start picking up on what I am slowly cooking!!!

Wonder what it could mean if Selena gave her actual name instead of going incognito like her traveling compatriots. Maybe she wasn't with them when they came up with fake names? Who knows, who knows.

[maitaiwiththecorpses]

MY DEARESR ANGELICAAAAA WITH A COMMA AFTER DEAREST

This is me promoting my new series of poems and I might post on here if people actually end up wanting it

[jameslongforjimshortforgabriel]

it changed the meaning, did you intend this?

one stroke and you've consumed my waking days,

it says:

"I miss my lover, man"

with a comma after "lover"

...

you've written "I miss.. my lover, man"

[thegoldenavenger]

Would give so much for a PIDW / SVSSS concept tape... just like... the A is PIDW mix between grunge and ballads all about sorrow and hunger and revenge and then you flip to the B side and one of the singers has definitely been replaced but is doing their best to sing the same intro songs with some minor changes (phrases and exactly how it's sung of course)

(would be extremely funny to have sqq's replacement to stop mid [extremely dramatic lyrics about cycles of revenge] and be like "yikes" under his breath but Audible and other Funny gags like the intro of a song having to go over twice until sqq's replacement goes "oh!" and starts singing. Pre or post song chatter but it's sqq being like "haha you want me to sing what?") until eventually the track list changes too and it becomes a tragicomedy / love song album

Absolutely hilarious if it played out like the [gunshot: another instrument is silenced] meme but practically I think the last song sqq's singer is in should have his voice cut off mid-lyric in like a display of emotion except he does Not show up again until his replacement on the b-side. (Although with how many deaths are in pidw you could get away with a similar style since I'm assuming all the characters get leitmotifs or instrument associations! So when one of them dies that just does Not Show Up Again)

The A side you get to hear lbh's singer go from bright-voiced optimism to deep, seductive and filled with anger (he's out here chanting like slipknot "cut, cut, cut me up, fuck, fuck, fuck me up" and on the B-side he just starts singing about pining love and moonlight like, halfway through. He still has the vocal evolution but like in a different direction. It would be SO Funny.

(I don't think lqg would have vocals but whatever instrument he's associated with would play up with new sqq's vocals all the time on the B Side. Just like. Dueting. Insistently. Ahh it'd be hilarious if sqq's voice like gets a little drowned out so he just stops and lbh's voice (and leitmotif honestly) barges through the track and drowns out lqg's instrument before fading out with all instrumentals except for sqq's quiet little leitmotif before sqq makes a startled noise and starts singing again. You can hear this man thinking omg wtf yikes while he sings hahhhh)

[william-austin]

thoughts on commas???

well... considering I listen to take a break from hamilton like everyday i'd say commas are important.

[sydney-carton-of-sour-milk]

If ATOTC was remade today, who would you cast? (I have ideas but I want to hear yours)

Ahhh see this is tricky for me because I have a trick answer:

I really really would prefer a remake be animated!

I won’t get into a long description as to why (that’s for another post someday), but I do genuinely think a well-executed animated miniseries adaptation would be ideal for the story.

To be fair this is in some small part because I am very jaded by not only all the A Tale of Two Cities adaptations I’ve seen but also a lot of the recent historical dramas/book adaptations I’ve seen…so I’m wary of what the quality of a modern live-action adaptation would be because the things that a lot of those directors tend to care about in adaptations are not the things that I care about, e.g. they often smooth and flatten nuanced and “unique” characterization in favor of conventional broad character dynamics, especially romantic ones😣

So I know this is a bit of a cheap answer, but I do genuinely have no person to offer for any of the parts because I actively dislike the idea of live-action actors playing any of them😅 I’m like Miss Pross trying find a proper suitor for her Ladybird, I’m standing here with my arms crossed saying “well nobody is right for it!!”

Basically, short answer: I just taught myself to draw them how I picture them instead😂

[casavanse]

My dearest, Angelica...

[morganski-19]

With a Comma After Dearest, Part 3

part 1, part 2

Dear Robin,

Sorry the greeting isn’t more fun, I couldn’t think of one. Honestly, I don’t really expect a response from this letter at all. If we were to ignore it after I slide it through your locker, that would be fine by me. I don’t even know if I’ll give it to you, I just need to get this out. 

I gave back Jonathan’s things today, in person. The original plan was to just drop it off at his doorstep and try not to see him. It would have been better for both of us if I stuck to that. Then I wouldn’t feel like shit. 

Just seeing him again hurts. Not because I regret breaking up with him, but because I regret hurting him. I tried being friendly and he got mad. He asked me if we could just have space between us and maybe after that, we could be friends again. Which is fair, I guess. I was the one who broke it off, it makes sense that he doesn’t want to see me. 

It hurts though. I knew that what we had was gone and that I didn’t think it was going to come back. I tried. While he was still here, I tried to rekindle what I felt for him before, but it didn’t work. All I could see him as now was a friend, that is how I loved him. And I didn’t want to string him along if I knew I felt that way. That was the right decision, wasn’t it?

After yesterday, I’m not so sure. He was so hurt. It made me feel so guilty, that I could do that to him. When we got together, we promised each other that we’d never be the ones to hurt each other. That we wouldn’t end up like our parents, we’d be better. But that isn’t how it ended. I broke up with him and left him hurt, which hurt me as well. 

It just makes me question if I did the right thing. 

Your friend,

Nancy

Robin finishes reading the letter as the first bell rings, carefully folding it up and sliding it in between some folders before sprinting off to class. She wasn’t expecting to get a letter, it was her turn to write one back. But those rules don’t really apply, she guesses. 

Nancy’s pain transferred through the letter so easily. Robin could picture her writing it, furrowed brows and pursed lips. Rapid blinking as the tears try to escape, a slight shake of the hand traveling through, making wobbly lines in her cursive. Pulling out the letter again, she sees that one of the edges is wrinkled like it was wet but now dried.

She wished Nancy had called. Wished that she asked Robin to come over and they talked about it in person. It sounded like Nancy needed a person to talk to. A person to hold her while she cries, telling her that it would all be ok. It would be so easy for Robin to do that, just hold Nancy close while running her fingers through her curls. Whisper small assurances through the tears, be the safe space that Nancy needs. 

Safe spaces are something that have become few and far between. She knows what it took for Steve to even be able to sleep in his bedroom after the first time around, never really telling her the reason. Saying something like it wasn’t fully his to tell, whatever that means. Dustin had said something about never being able to go down into his basement anymore. Houses have nightmares crawling through the walls and secrets no one dares to whisper. What once was a nice getaway in the woods, is now tainted debris that no one steps near. 

Robin’s lucky. Her house, her room, was away from everything. Her first time around was in a building that no longer exists, and she lives right inbetween two of the faults the earthquake created. It stands the same as it has for years, and the safe space remains. 

Well, as much as a safe space it can be for a mind that’s so filled with nightmares it barely can fall asleep. In the dark, shadows become monsters about to attack, and lamps become weapons. Or rather, anything that Robin can get her hands on. At least she can have the knowledge that nothing has happened in or remotely near her home. But that knowledge isn’t enough enough to assure her that it can’t ever be. 

She wonders what it’s like for Nancy. Someone who keeps her secrets so far underneath her skin, that only those who really know her will ever see them. Even then, Robin’s sure that Nancy buries things and deals with them on her own. Normally that hurts more than it helps. It’s dangerous, going through something like this all alone. The thoughts that come from it can hurt much more than a wound itself. Guilt and fear are powerful tools of destruction. 

Robin wants to let Nancy know that she’s safe. That she could keep a secret better than any lock and would be there for her, anytime, pretty much anywhere. Under the laws of her bicycle, that is.�� She’s a great friend, at least she likes to think so. Especially when people are hurting. A great listener is sometimes all a person needs.

. . . 

My friend Nancy

Don’t feel bad about writing this or even giving this to me. It sounded like you needed it. And I’m here, that’s what friends are for, aren’t they? 

I was surprised to get your letter this morning, it was kinda my turn to write to you. Beat me to it I guess. Not that I’m mad. It sounded like you needed it more than I did. I just complained about studying for my history test and asked if you had any tips. We probably have the same teacher anyway, we could have studied together. Unless that wouldn’t help you, I don’t even know if it would help me. 

Too late for that I guess, I just took it. I’m actually writing this after I handed it in, I had an extra ten minutes. So if you take Mr. Nickel’s history class and you take it after reading this note, it wasn’t that bad. A lot of the questions kinda answered themselves if I’m being honest. 

Anyway. I just wanted to let you know that I’m here. For anything really. I wish you had called me after this happened, or invited me over if you were ok with that. I know I can talk a lot, but I’m also a really great listener. I’m here for you, always no matter what. I want to be friends with you Nancy, and not just friends that see each other at school and never talk to each other again. I want to be close and have sleepovers and hour-long phone calls or whatever other shit that comes with being friends. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is, call me next time. I want to be there for you, and I hope you do the same. 

Your confidant, 

Robin

Nancy smiles while reading the letter, feeling warm for some reason. She regretted sliding that letter through the slit of Robin’s locker, but now she’s glad she did. It’s easy to forget what having a friend can mean to you, the amount of warmth that it brings you. The comfort of just being known by someone who’s there for you. 

It scares her, to be seen. Sometimes all Nancy wants is to fade away into the background, not be perceived by those around her, and just be. She’s never really been able to do that. Always puts her foot in the door and tries to stand higher than those around her. Making her voice heard even when they tell her to stop. Nancy Wheeler doesn’t just stop, she keeps moving, keeps talking, keeps rising. 

Feelings can stop all of that though. They can hold you back to a time you don’t want to be in anymore. They make you weak, reduce you to what everyone thinks you are. If she showed her feelings when she worked at the Hawkins Post, she would be laughed at, ridiculed. If she were to show them now, she would be seen as the emotional girl who just went through a breakup. She’s so much more than what people think, so she learned how to hide her feelings to make herself stronger than those around her. 

It’s hard though. Really hard. Sometimes when Nancy’s alone, she just lets it all go. Violently sobs into her pillow, or in the cover of a shower. No one is meant to see Nancy cry because then they would know that she’s not strong. 

But Robin sounds like she wants to know. Wants to see all of Nancy without her holding back. Be a real friend, a best friend maybe. 

Robin is already so much more than the people who have judged her. She’s already believed her shot-in-the-dark theories and went with her crazy plan to infiltrate a state penitentiary just to interview a supposed madman. And right before the big battle, when Nancy let her fear show just for a second, Robin only encouraged her. No judgment, just assurance that they had this. That Nancy was exactly who she was supposed to be, even in fear. 

So maybe she should let Robin in. Call her next time, maybe even invite her over. Let herself be seen, be known. Feel that warmth that only a best friend can provide again. Let herself lower her guard. 

. . . 

Steve’s late, which is weird. He’s never been late to pick her up. Even when he works while she’s in school, he convinces Keith to give him a split shift so he can pick her up. He didn’t call this morning and tell her that he was busy. And she knows he doesn’t have work today. So where the fuck is he?

Robin sighs and leans up against the wall, resorting to waiting until he shows up. She could call, but if he’s already on his way, it’d be useless. So she’ll just wait, alone. 

“Robin?” a soft voice next to her asks. When she turns her head, she finds Nancy, holding a folder to her chest. 

“Oh, hey.”

“Hi. Waiting for someone?”

Robin rolls her eyes. “Yes, Steve. Asshole’s late, which is weird because he never is so I guess I should be worried, but knowing him it’s probably for a stupid reason so that just makes me annoyed.”

“Sounds rough,” Nancy laughs. 

“This is weird. Seeing you in person, I mean. It’s nice. Not that it’s not nice that we’ve been writing notes. I’ve kinda of been really enjoying it. It’s just weird because I got so used to talking to you through the notes and not in person. We should definitely start talking in person more, that way you don’t become just words in my mind, but like an actual person.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Nancy giggles. “Once I get these tests done, we can hang out.”

“Yes, we should,” Robin gets cut off by a car horn. Steve had pulled up while they were talking. She flips him, yelling, “Now you show up, dingus.”

“I’m only five minutes late!”

“Yeah, five minutes later than normal!”

“I had a good reason!”

She rolls her eyes again. “I’m sure,” she snarks, making Nancy laugh. “I’ll see you later then.”

“Yeah, oh wait.” Nancy opens the folder she was holding and takes out a piece of folded paper. “Here. I meant to give it to you before school ended but I couldn’t make it in time.”

“Thanks, I’ll slide my next letter into your locker tomorrow. No beating me to it this time.” 

“What if I have something important to tell you that just can’t wait?” She challenges.

“Then call me,” she smirks as she walks over to Steve’s car, waving to Nancy as she gets in.

“What was that about?” Eddie asks from the backseat, making her jump. 

She whips her head around to find him lying in the backseat, hiding from view. “The fuck are you doing? You could have given me a heart attack.”

“Don’t get him started,” Steve sighs as he pulls away from the school.

“One,” Eddie raises a finger into the air. “I’m not cleared to go back to school for another two weeks, so I’ll be damned if they knew I was on campus before then. I’m not thinking about school before I have to. Two, got to scare you, didn't I?”

Robin turns her head back to the front. “You’re insufferable.”

“Tell me about it,” Steve mutters. 

“Aww, but you love it, don’t you, Stevie?” Eddie sits up and pokes at Steve’s arm. Robin sees a slight blush spread across Steve’s face, choosing to ignore it. 

“Why were you late?”

“Someone’s doctor’s appointment went longer than it should have. Care to explain?”

Eddie rolls his eyes. “You make it sound like it was some big thing.”

“Because it was some big thing,” Steve exclaims.

“You’re mom mode is showing,” Robin snarks, rummaging through the glove compartment for a snack. 

Steve sighs. “Would you stop calling it that?”

“Don’t know. That tone with the prepared snacks in the car, seems pretty mom to me.”

“Would you just tell her why you made me late to pick her up,” Steve glares through the rearview.

Eddie dramatically sighs and leans back into the seat with his arms crossed. “Wayne picked up a few shifts to help a coworker out and since we just moved into that new place, there were still some things that needed to be unpacked. So, I tried to pick up a box from the ground that I thought was light, and I ended up pulling a muscle in my side and popping one of my stitches.”

“Eddie,” Robin yells. “That is so dangerous.”

“I thought it was light, ok! I would have unpacked it from the floor if I knew it was heavy.”

“You shouldn’t have been unpacking at all,” Steve says while pulling onto Eddie’s street. “You should have called me.”

Eddie huffs. “I can do things by myself again. You don’t have to treat me like I’m going to break.”

Steve pulls in front of Eddie’s house, putting the car into park. “I just don’t want you to-,”

“Thanks for the ride.” Eddie gets out of the car, slamming the door. 

“Hurt yourself,” Steve finishes, looking defeated as Eddie walks up to his house. 

Robin reaches across and rubs Steve’s shoulder. “He’ll apologize. He’s just adjusting.”

“I know,” Steve says, laying his forehead on the steering wheel. “I just want him to get better. To heal so I, so he doesn’t have to go through that again.”

She knows that he slipped up, that he knew she heard it. He knows that she saw the blush. Even though he hasn’t said anything about it, she knows this is bothering him. These feelings that he has, whatever they are, he’s not sharing. It’s worrying her. They talk about pretty much anything, but in the last few weeks, Steve’s been quiet. There’s something there she knows it, and she can help him through whatever it is. 

“Steve, you know you can talk to me if-”

“Just stop, Rob. Just, stop. I know ok, I know. I just, I don’t even know what it is and I’d appreciate it if you stopped trying to make it something it’s not,” he snaps

Robin removes her hand from his shoulder and just sits in her seat, letting the car fill with silence. She fiddles with the paper in her hand, folding it more and more before unfolding it and refolding it again. “I’m sorry.”

“I shouldn’t have snapped, I’m sorry.” He raises his head from the steering wheel, looking at her again. 

“No, I shouldn’t push. Or joke about it, I’m sorry.”

“If I ever figure out what it is, I’ll tell you. You know that right.”

She turns her head, looking at him. “I know. I won’t joke about it again, ok.”

“Thank you.” He puts the car in drive and brings her home. 

My friend Robin,

Thank you for reading my letter, and then being so kind about it. I honestly wasn’t expecting you to respond. We weren’t really friends when Jonathan still lived here or when we were long-distance, and even then, we weren’t dating that long once we became friends anyway. I just needed to vent, and you seemed like a good person to do it to. 

I wanted to call, I did. I was two seconds from dialing your number and talking, but I couldn’t say it. It’s just one of those things that are so hard to even think that you can barely say it out loud. Otherwise, I would have, believe me. 

Next time though, I’ll call you. Maybe then it’ll be easier for me to talk about it. 

Keeping her promise this time,

Nancy

(P.S. I don’t know, I was just trying something)

Robin smiles as she reads Nancy’s words. Feeling warmth bubble up in her chest she reads them over again. Picturing Nancy in her mind, instead of just her voice. Brown curls danced along her shoulders and a soft smile. Blue eyes look her way, animated in a way that shows that Nancy is safe. That she feels safe to let them talk with her words instead of staying rigid. 

It’s like Robin forgot about bits of Nancy, only remembering them when she saw her again. She wondered how much more she would find if they hung out again. This time without there being a doomsday clock hanging over their head. Maybe then Robin can notice more, and learn everything there is about Nancy. 

Her heart starts to beat faster as the ideas travel in and out of her mind, without her even realizing it. She thinks about the things she and Nancy could do together. Sleepovers, movie nights. Everything she’s always wanted to have with someone close but never did. But what starts as an innocent friendship starts to morph into something more. Flashes of lingering touches and waking up tangled in each other and the sheets. 

She sits up rapidly, throwing the letter across the room and willing it all to stop. This can’t happen to her, not now. Not ever. Nancy is just a friend, she can only be just a friend. They haven’t even had a proper friendship and Robin’s going to mess it all up before it even starts. Feelings can’t interfere, not with her. She won’t allow it. 

Those thoughts, they were all a fluke. A response to not being close to another girl her age for a while. Grabbing on any straws she could to make herself hopeful for something that would never be there. Because Nancy can never be more than a friend.

. . . 

Salutations Nancy,

I don’t know if I used that right, but It’s fancy and I don’t care. I kinda just need to vent about something and make sure that I don’t say too much, so here that is I guess. 

Steve’s not telling me something. I know it. I know I shouldn’t be mad about it. It’s just something that I know I can help with, so I want to be there for him but he’s not letting me in. 

What’s worse, is I know it’s hurting him. He’s doing this thing he does all of the time where he just bottles things up and deals with them on his own, thinking that he has to. But he doesn’t. He has people he can talk to. Me, Eddie now, you probably if that’s not too weird. He never wants to talk to Dustin about his problems, but they’re basically brothers at this point so he could if he wanted to. It’s just frustrating seeing him go through this alone. 

I think he likes someone. Someone that’s not you, he’s over that weird moment he had with you over spring break that I personally think was just a fluke and a trauma response. But that is a conversation for another day. This someone is new, different from the people he’s normally into. And like different in a way that I would understand. But he doesn’t want to talk about it, so what am I supposed to do?

I know pushing is bad and I should just wait for him to tell me. And if I’m being honest, I will wait for him to tell me. If it was me that was in his situation, I would want that. But it’s just hard because I could just be someone to talk to. Help go through the feelings and what they mean. 

This probably makes no sense for you and that was the goal. I’m entrusting you with half of this information while leaving out a big chunk of it to protect his privacy. I just needed to get it out somehow.

Thankful to have another friend who is not a child,

Robin

(P.S. If you were to burn this note after reading it, I would probably thank you.)

(P.P.S. Hope this wasn’t weird for you to be, him being your ex and all)

Nancy sets the note down on the table, brows furrowed. Something about it makes her feel off, but she’s not sure why. She presses her lips together and reads the note again, absentmindedly trying to read between the lines even though Robin probably didn’t want her to. It’s hard not to though, natural curiosity and all that. There was so much that was left out, that it’s easy for her to speculate. 

She shouldn’t be though. Not about this. It seems private, sacred. Something that she shouldn’t have even known in the first place. But Robin trusted her with this. Like a friendship code where you were told a secret that should never be repeated, but you just had to tell that one person anyway. Nancy thought that Steve was the one person that Robin would spill all the secrets to, but she guessed she was wrong. 

Or because this is about Steve, Robin had to go to her. That could easily be the reason for it, but something in Nancy wishes that it wasn’t true. That somehow in their minimal interactions, she had become a better friend than Steve is. Not that she’s competing. They have a bond that she doesn’t quite understand, but she doesn’t have to. It’s interesting to observe, the way they act with each other. At first glance, you would think they were dating, or about to be. That was her first impression after all. But after learning about them, they’re more like siblings. It makes Nancy happy that they have someone like that. 

It’s not surprising to hear that Robin is worried about Steve. So that can’t be the reason she’s upset. Maybe it’s because Steve likes someone, that’s not her. Even though that thought makes her happy more than anything else. She’s always felt bad looking at him, seeing him go home alone more times than he was with someone. It always rooted itself around in her mind to be her fault. That he couldn’t get over her, so he just never dated again, even though she knew that wasn’t true. 

It was a hard time for her, a hard time for him too. She shouldn’t feel bad for that, it was out of her control. It’s impossible to plan to lose what she did. What she could have done, though, was treat him differently. At least in the end. Apologized for what she said in the bathroom, even if it had an heir of truth. She doesn’t regret breaking up with him, she didn’t feel the same for him as he did for her. But the way she did it, could have been better. 

But now he likes someone else, or at least Robin thinks so. Nancy hopes that he does. Hopes that whatever lingering feelings he had for her are gone and he can move on. What he said to her over spring break felt like a confession, but looking at it from the right angle, it could have been him finally letting go. Maybe it didn’t feel like that at the moment, but maybe that’s what it felt like now. 

So what about this letter is making Nancy feel so weird? Her eyes are drawn to the scribble in the middle of the page, a line that Robin didn’t want her to read. A secret that Nancy doesn’t know. One that Robin doesn’t want her to know. 

It shouldn’t upset her, really. They were just beginning their friendship, she couldn’t know everything about Robin this early on. And she would never expect Robin to trust her with everything right off the bat. But it still hurts a little. 

Nancy feels close to Robin, for a reason that she’s still a little unsure of but doesn’t care. There is something about Robin that makes Nancy trust her with anything, everything. She’s already told Robin so much more than she would a normal friend. Feelings that normally would just fester until they went away, or they didn’t. 

But when she thinks about it, there are still some things that Nancy hasn’t told Robin about. So it’s hypocritical to be a little bit upset that there was something that Robin is keeping a secret. 

Maybe with time, Robin would feel comfortable telling her. And maybe in time, Nancy can tell Robin her secrets too. But trust takes time, friendship takes time. Although Nancy trusts Robin and is friends with her, some secrets just take their time to come out. That is something she understands, so she’s willing to wait. 

. . . 

Robin spies Nancy walking to her next class. She thinks about going up to her, walking with her for a little bit even though she has to go in the opposite direction. But she can’t do it, because something is different. 

It’s there again, the patter of her heart that was there yesterday. Noticing small things about Nancy that she didn’t before. Remembering things that she picked up on, but never paid too much attention to. The small bounce her curls would do when she walked, the sway of her skirt with each step. The way she would press her lips together when she thought, and the wrinkle that appeared between her eyebrows. Her determined eyes that would turn soft whenever they looked Robin’s way. 

She has to stop it before it grows, otherwise, Robin is fucked. 

[lxkeee]

MY LOVE, IS MINE ALL MINE PART THREE

pairing: Lucifer x fem! reader

fandom: hazbin hotel

genre: fanfiction

notes: Imaoo sorry it took awhileee I'm actually a very busy college student while simultaneously having so much brainrot for this man so... Be patient omfg, I just posted part one a two days ago also, don't mind the warnings too much as it doesn't specifically for this specific chapter but it can be future parts of the story. So yes, hand holding before marriage will happen between Lucifer and [y/n]

warnings: none except hand holding before marriage Imao.

PART ONE | PART TWO | PART FOUR

Lucifer paced back and forth in his room, worried. Walking around the large master's bedroom, passing by many piles of rubber ducks he made.

“She should be back by now.” Lucifer murmured to himself, sighing.

His eyes landed on to the framed pictures decorating his walls.

He prayed that Charlie met [y/n] up there, the one angel he trusts. Though, it has been eons since he's last seen her, he wonders if [y/n] changed after all these years, especially after he had fallen from grace.

Did she hate him? Did she miss him like how he misses her?

As he sat on his arm chair, a gold sealed white envelope manifested on top of the coffee table in front of him, pink glittery smoke surrounding the letter.

“...What the...?” Lucifer murmurs, hesitant and cautious, eyeing the envelope. What if it's a trap?

Suddenly his phone buzzed, he immediately checked it to see it was a text message from Charlie.

“I just left a letter on your table, it's from someone you know. I'll tell you everything that happened in heaven but I'll rest for a bit. Love you dad!”

Lucifer smiled though a tad bit worried, he can tell that the meeting didn't go as his daughter hoped. He can only give her time.

Lucifer then now turned his eyes back on the neat envelope, sparkling a little. He turned the letter around to see it was specifically addressed to him, written in an oh so familiar handwriting to him. Unknowingly, just by seeing the handwriting was enough for his eyes to tear up a little.

“[y/n]....” He murmurs, finally opening the letter. Using his sharp nails to scrape off the wax without breaking it or tearing the envelope. Taking out the carefully folded light yellow paper, unfolding it to reveal her letter to him.

My Dearest Lucifer

His cheeks flushed slightly, with a comma after dearest. My Dearest, Lucifer

“Oh [y/n], this will keep me up at night.” Lucifer murmurs with a small dorky smile on his face, his sharp teeth shining against the light, eyes watering.

My Dearest, Lucifer

       It has been awhile hasn't it? A couple of eons since we've last seen each other. You have no idea how excited I was when I heard your daughter would be coming here in hell. I made sure to write a letter in advance a day before her arrival. I have a lot to tell you, first and foremost, I truly missed you. You sly man, you really got married without inviting me. How's your time down there? I hope hell is treating you right, I really hope I'll get a chance to see you again. I hope we'll get a proper chance to talk, I want to personally hear you how you've been doing. I hope you'll get the chance to see the good of humans after giving them free will, I promise to find a way for you to leave and visit earth. I am running out of paper to right on but I promise to help your daughter up here and lastly, I want you to remember that I adore you always.

“Sincerely yours, [y/n] [l/n]” Lucifer softly reads out, voice shaking. It felt like he could hear her as he read the letter. The same kind [y/n] who always believed in him. His heart swells knowing that she's still trying to help in any way she can despite their distance. She never stopped believing in him despite him leaving without notice (not that he had the chance to).

“If only you knew how much I adore you too, [y/n]...” Lucifer murmurs softly, his finger tracing the outline of the paper ever so gently.

“I want to see you again, I have so many things to say to you... So many unsaid words I wanted to say... I wanted to tell you that I love...” Lucifer's eyes widened ever so slightly, cheeks turning red. He knows he loves her and he still does but he also loves his ex-wife, Lilith. Does he? Or is he just holding into something that no longer exists as it was something he had for a long time and now it's gone?

Everything in his life changed, Lilith's love for him changed, he changed.

Despite all of this, [y/n] remained unchanging inside his heart. Sure, Lilith held the majority of his heart but now? He is not sure but he is 100% sure [y/n] never left, he still has affections for the angel.

How can he not? She's the only one who believed in him when he was up in heaven? She comforted him whenever the elders said hurtful things to his ideas.

But now...

Her letter gave him a sense of hope that his decision of giving mankind free will might not be useless after all.

Lucifer closes the letter, gently folding it back on how it was folded before he opened it. Bringing the piece of paper to his nose, smelling the faint scent of her perfume. It brought back memories of his time with her in heaven.

“I'll ask Charlie about what happened up there later but for now, I'll take a moment to process this.” He says with a small sigh. Slipping the folded paper back into the envelope.

Lucifer sighs as he gently places the envelope back on his table, walking to his balcony. Eyes staring up into the smoky red skies of hell, devoid of any moon and stars.

He used to stargaze with her when he was still in heaven.

[y/n] was his moon, who shines during his darkest days.

Waving his finger in the air, specks of golden dust flickers out of his fingers. Forming a crescent moon.

Lucifer leans into the railings, eyes staring at the faux moon he created.

“Moon, tell me if I could...” Lucifer softly sang, eyes tired but hopeful. “Send up my heart to you...?” he asked softly, unfortunately no one answered.

A bit of a timeskip....

It has been a few months since Charlie's visit here in heaven and the next extermination is getting closer by the day. Emily and I are still trying to look for ways to help Charlie.

Sera adores Emily, I am sure that she wouldn't get punished. I on the other hand, Sera has been keeping a close eye on me. Criticizing me. Lute being tasked to watch my every move.

“Sera, this is utterly ridiculous! We should give those poor souls a second chance.” [Y/n] says, clenching her fists as she looked at Sera who was sitting on her chair inside the Seraphim office.

“That is enough, [y/n]. You keep this up and you'll end up fallen like Lucifer.” Sera said sternly, eyes glaring at the [y/n]. “You barely managed to escape that fate before, you could've fallen the same time as Lucifer but thankfully your actions weren't as severe as his.”

[y/n] slammed her fists against the table, angel eyes appearing on her wings with fury, “We aren't God, Sera! Who gave you the right to judge those sinners and claim they don't deserve a second chance?” she exclaimed.

Sera stood up from her seat, anger evident on her face. “Don't you dare raise your voice at me! You're on thin ice, [y/n]!”

[y/n] rolls her eyes, crossing her arms over chest, “What are you going to do? Huh? Kick me out of heaven?”

Sera's glare sharpened, patience running thin. “Keep that attitude up and you just might.”

“Lucifer doesn't deserve this treatment! You cursed him to not see the good of people! You cursed the people who have a chance to redeem themselves by taking their life! How does it feel that so much blood is spilled because of your decision?!” [y/n] asked angrily, tears running down her cheeks.

“We have our own souls to protect! This decision wasn't easy to make!” Sera remarked angrily, her wings spread out intimidatingly.

“Protect them from what?! As far as I know, it's only us angels who are a threat to them? If they do something that doesn't fit your standards or the elder's standards they are bound to fall from grace!” [y/n] says mockingly, rage and annoyance evident on both women's eyes.

“That's it, you've crossed the line!”

“You don't want to admit that I am right, angels are such selfish, greedy, and filthy creatures. I cannot believe I am associated with beings whose hands are stained with blood.”

You know, falling doesn't seem so bad.

Strong and harsh winds are blowing against my back, thankfully I still have my wings. It is currently useless, unfortunately. I don't have the energy to flap them to save myself from the approaching pain.

After that argument with Sera, the higher seraphim thought I was already way out of line and disrespectful. I was placed on trial, handcuffed with the type of handcuffs that prevents me from using my angelic powers while it simultaneously sucked the energy out of me.

I was deemed guilty, shameful, and ungrateful and a threat to the order of heaven.

Tossed out of the pearly gates of heaven by none other than Adam, that asshole really grabbed me by the hair.

[y/n] sighs softly, vision blurring. Trying to focus it as she falls from grace. The skies looked so beautiful.

Lucifer would've loved these skies, we've stargazed during the night before. When he was still in heaven with me.

Lucifer, I can see Ursa Major tonight. Someday, I'll bring you back here on the surface and stargaze like we've always do. No matter how many stars are in the sky, you always take my attention. You're like my star, you shine so bright and so pure.

I'll join you in the pits of hell, I hope you didn't forget about me.

I should be happy that I'm finally leaving that god awful place.

Why am I so scared of falling to my demise?

For a moment, I can see a glimpse of how Lucifer felt when he fell from grace.

Terrifying.

[Y/n] closes her eyes as she finally goes past the Earth's crust. Ichor flowing out of her hands from the handcuffs she had to wear.

“I am not allowed to die, I still need to see him.” [y/n] murmurs before eventually crashing into the fiery grounds of hell, she fortunately crashed somewhere where there weren't any people, a wide space of nothing but dead trees, a hotel can be seen in the distance.

Pain, pain shot everywhere her body. She let out a sharp scream of pure pain. Blood spilled everywhere before she eventually passed out.

It didn't matter, the pain didn't matter. She's here now. She'll look for him or Charlie.

She doesn't know Charlie would find her first.

END NOTES: YUHHH THEY'LL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN IN THE NEXT UPDATEE

TAGLIST:

@n1chxyaaenthusiast @cherry-4200 @luleck @adaizel @xx-all-purpose-nerd-xx @thedarkkitten @selvyyr @froggybich @brithedemonspawn @kottenox @totallymitya (I can't tag you </3) @many-fandoms-lover

[thisisaname-whatahappyname]

@fruity-phrog

Obsessed with the concept of a character who has never been treated kindly or gently in their life (or in a very long time) and suddenly being treated gently and with care and being stunned and then overwhelmed by it.

[mimimui]

comma after dearest (genshin impact)

wherein (character) reacts a certain way to a grammar mistake you made in your letter (or was it?)

includes: kazuha, ayato, thoma, xiao, zhongli, alhaitham, kaveh, scaramouche

tags: a bit unserious writing, fluff, i am obssessed with "it changed the meaning, did you intend this?" forgive me, not proofread

a/n: not sure if anyone's done this before, but take it as my apology for not having written in a while (╥﹏╥) my fever + colds are killing me & i have a lot of scheduled things to do for school aaaa. maybe i can write this with other fandoms as well ? (and character x character ships hehe) .. enjoy !

kazuha notices it immediately. aside from all the work with the fleet, he spends time reading—or rereading—your letters. written messages aren't uncommon when he's at sea, but this letter was different. had you made a mistake with your punctuation? no, it can't be, you've always opened your letters with "my dearest kazuha".

he blinked at the words, now seeing a comma between the word 'dearest' and his name. as much as he was confused, he was flustered. if this wasn't a mistake, and that you intentionally called him your dearest, then it's a shame you can't see how absolutely smitten he is for you right now.

ayato is busy going through papers and folders when he sees an envelope slide under his door. he chuckles as he reads his name in your writing, carefully picking it up and opening it. you have a habit of writing him letters and sliding it under his door while he works, which ayato finds very endearing.

when he reads "my dearest, ayato", his smile only widens more, finding new motivation to finish his assignments for the day so he can get to you as soon as possible. he knows how much effort you put into writing these short, yet loving, letters when he places this one on his (already full of other letters) pinboard.

thoma takes a while to realize, but when he finally notices it, his heart rate increases by a concerning amount. he loves you so much to the point that when he reads "my dearest, thoma", there's hearts in his eyes. thoma's so much happier after reading your letter, and now he's doing everything smiling.

ayaka told him he looks brighter than usual today, and ayato even asked him if he received good news. of course, he was shy about this, but he told the kamisato siblings it was nothing to worry about. though, he continues to do his work with a little bounce in step.

xiao denies it. he thinks he's read it wrong at first, but when he looks over at it again, it is confirmed that you did write him as your dearest. forgetting about the rest of the contents of the letter, xiao began to contemplate. an error like that was unlikely, especially since you're fond of writing.

the next time you meet, he has a hard time trying to bring up the topic. he knows you meant what you wrote, but he wants you to confirm it. when you tell him, "yes, i mean it." he tries to hold back a smile. keyword: tries.

zhongli adores the salutation. or rather, he adores you. he appreciates the sweet, small detail you added in. zhongli hurriedly, yet carefully, writes you a letter back, addressing you as "my dearest, (y/n)" and replying to the contents you had in yours.

he never really indulged in using endearments, but ever since your letter, he's only even been calling you his 'dearest'. when greeting you, when asking for your attention, when talking about you, whenever. zhongli's never said it outloud, but you know he absolutely loves that nickname now.

alhaitham is amused. he thinks you genuinely made a mistake in your letter, but doesn't address it until he returns to sumeru. when you see him again, he brings it up, expecting to be able to playfully taunt you about it. but he was so wrong.

"but you're my dearest. how is that wrong grammar?" you say, turning the situation around and teasing him instead. alhaitham wanted to tease you so much that he didn't bother to think of other possibilities. he's defeated, and all he can say is, "...i have no reply."

kaveh doesn't know how to react to it. should he be flustered, or correcting you for the mistake? was it even a mistake? he does write you a letter back, but best believe he immediately asks you about it as soon as he comes back home. "did you intend this?" he says, showing you your letter.

when you nod your head, all the shyness and blush that should've came in before came in now. kaveh uses the folded letter to cover his smile, but it's too wide and too bright to even try to. when you tease him about it, he strongly denies having his heart race from it.

scaramouche chooses to ignore it. he knows you wrote that punctuation on purpose, but he doesn't want show that he's thinking about it. this ultimately failed when he doesn't write you back, and you knew something was up with him. once he returns and he acts indifferent, you bring it up.

his eyes widen as he looks away, realizing he forgot to reply to that letter. scaramouche hesitates before quietly apologizing, mumbling something about 'my dearest' and 'running out of paper'.

thanks for reading (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)