#cruising fic

[boldlyvoid]

Midnight Runner 3

18+ Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson

Summary: What's worse than crushing on someone at a time like this? Falling in love with them.

Warnings: season 4 canon scenes just fruitier, background ronance, mentions of steves bloody wounds, hurt/comfort, love confessions (kinda), emotional heart to hearts

word count: 11k

Fic Masterlist

Eddie was scared of 2 things, currently: spending his life in prison… and dying at the hands of an evil wizard from another dimension. So when he got into the boat with Nancy and Robin, the last thing he expected was to develop a 3rd fear: 

Losing Steve. 

They got out into the middle of the lake and the compass started to freak the fuck out, Robin radioed back to Dustin to say his theory was right and before he could even reply, Steve was taking off his shoes and socks. 

“Steve, what are you doing?” Nancy wants to stop him before he makes any stupid decisions thank god. 

“Somebody’s gotta go down and check this out… unless one of you three can top being a Hawkins High swim co-captain and a certified lifeguard for 3 years, it’s gotta be me,” he says, so matter-of-factly, rubbing it in that he was the brawn to their brains. “No complaints. Alright?” 

“Hey, I’m not complaining,” Eddie doesn’t fight it, he simply takes everything out of the shopping bag he’s been carrying around in his pocket— it had his smokes and a lighter, and all his snacks were gone now. “I do not wanna go down there…”

Steve was going to want to see under the water, and the flashlight wasn’t going to like being wet, so he wrapped it in the plastic bag and tied it real good. Steve’s done nothing but feed him and worry for his safety these last few days, Eddie was going to repay him by protecting him. From the boat. There’s no way he’s going down there with him.

Steve takes his sweater off, Nancy stares at his chest with a look of admiration… he was her first time, she’s always going to look at him a certain way. Robin caught that, staring back at Nancy with a smile that screamed just how fond she was of Nance after getting to know her better these last few days. Eddie watches it all happen, everyone is looking at someone else, they were a party that cared for one another first and foremost. It was nice. It felt like a family. 

“Hey,” Eddie gets Steve’s attention to hand him the flashlight. Steve, ever the flirt, smirks and says hey right back to him. Eddie wants to smile back and say something about him stripping and putting on a show for everyone but there’s this anxious feeling gnawing at his stomach and he can only reply with: “Good luck.” 

“Thanks,” Steve replies, tossing his shirt to Eddie. 

First, he shows up in track pants with that ass, then he admits to liking him and now he’s shirtless and deliciously lit by the moonlight… Eddie takes a cigarette out of the pack and places it in his mouth because sweet Jesus Harrington was pretty. Just as he flicks his lighter, robin takes the cig from his mouth and tosses it in the water. “Gross.” 

Eddies about to say something when Steve starts to stretch and hype himself up, they all notice he’s about to jump and Nancy cuts him off. “Steve…” she panics, making him turn around. She gives him the softest expression he’s seen from her in a long time. 

She can’t verbalize that she still cares for him because what would that mean? They’re exes, and she has a boyfriend… at least, kinda? Robin said Nancy seemed to be having issues with him, so is this all just a way to get over him? She can’t tell him she cares about him, but she can ask him to “be careful.”

He gives her a little nod and then flashes his attention to Eddie. It’s a mere millisecond of his time, but it says everything. I’ll be back for you. 

Before anyone can say anything else, Steve jumps off the boat and into the water. They grip onto the boat and stay completely still as statues, hoping the stele frame will even itself back out on the lake, and eventually, it does. 

All three of them are on edge for the same, yet completely different reasons. 

Robin loves Steve with her entire being, he is the brother she always wanted and the friend she was always supposed to have. He is her person. 

Nancy has a million things she still hasn’t said to him and they all start with I’m sorry. She would give anything to be Steve’s friend again, especially now, especially if it means Robin comes with him. 

And Eddie… Eddie wanted to take him out and show him a good time and god willing, make him his. Repay the favour from that first night and treat him properly from now on until forever. 

He wanted to love Steve Harrington. 

“Where are we at, Wheeler?” Robin asks, her voice shaky with fear. 

“Closing in on a minute,” Nancy replies, watching the second hand on her watch come right back around. 

They’re waiting on the light to come back. They watched it fade as he got deeper and deeper and then it went pitch black. Eddie figured that when he was swimming back up, they’d see the flashlight again and they’d be able to calm down. But they never saw it. The water is pitch black and as still as ever. Like Steve never jumped in, in the first place. 

Suddenly Steve emerges above the water, arms flailing, he takes in a large gasp of air and scares the shit out of all of them but only Eddie yells. “Jesus Christ!” He can’t help it, he’s been on edge for days and Steve just kept scaring him. 

“I found it,” Steve gasps, swimming towards the boat and taking hold of it so he wouldn’t have to tread in the water for so long. Once he caught his breath he’d get back in… it wasn’t going to be pretty trying to haul himself back over the side of the boat. 

“You found it?!” Nancy is so excited to see him and hear the news. 

“Yeah, I found it… it’s more of a snack-sized gate than the mama gate but still, it’s pretty damn big,” Steve explains, the lack of oxygen still evident in his breathing patterns but he’s trying. 

And then something grabs his foot. Steve is tugged down below the water, causing them all to scream and panic, but he comes back up. He wipes the water ff his face and stares at them like what the fuck was that… and then he’s gone again. 

“STEVE!” Eddie panics. “Steve!! No, no, no!!! Steve!” He yells over the other two, leaning over the side of the boat to see nothing. The water is too dark to know what happened. “What the hell was that, man?!”

“Nancy, seriously what the hell was that?!” Robin panics, but Nancy is silent. 

They turn to her with looks of pure terror, but Nancy isn’t panicking. She’s in survival mode— no, protector mode. She doesn’t even think twice, she just places her boot on the edge of the boat and goes to jump when Eddie grabs her hand. “Wait, wait, you’re not going in there, are you?” 

“Just wait here,” she pushes his hand off of her and jumps in. 

“NO NANCY!!!” Robin freaks out next, Eddie hears a similar fear in her voice. The two of them stare at each other, not knowing what the fuck they were going to do without the two people who know what to do in a situation like this. 

Robin thinks about it for a second, she takes a deep breath and hauls herself to the edge of the boat. She didn’t want to do this, but not only was Steve down there… 

“No, no, no, no,” Eddie reaches out. “What are you doing? She said wait.” 

“Yeah, I heard her,” Robin says with another exhale, she was getting ready to go no matter what he said. 

“She’s in charge!” He freaks out because if Robin goes and if Nancy is already down there, he has to go too. Everyone who loves Steve should be jumping in right now to go after him and Eddie is so scared, too scared. He needs an excuse not to follow Nancy and if Robin goes, he doesn’t have that anymore. 

“Are you kidding me? I made that shit up.”

Before Eddie can even say anything, she plugs her nose and tosses herself back off the boat. 

“God-damn-lying-son-of-a-bitch!” He freaks out, tossing Steve’s shirt to the floor of the boat, he stands… then he sits again, but ultimately he stands back up and gets ready to jump in too, “oh this is stupid. This is so stupid… shit, shit, shit, shit!” 

He jumps in head first, the water is so fucking cold. Shockingly so— it is March after all… after the initial shock of it all, he starts to swim deeper and deeper. It’s hard, the water fights him the whole way down, and about halfway there, he sees the glowing red light that must be the gate. He follows it, reaches out for the weeds around it and pulls himself forward until he’s ripped through the gate and tossed out the other side. He was prepared for more water, but he was tossed onto the hard rock that should be the lake floor. 

The first thing he hears is screaming. He stands up with Robin and Nancy who are all searching for him, they can’t see him behind the shipwrecked boat covered in vines, they can only hear him. Nancy picks up an oar from the ground, she tosses it back to Eddie and grabs another for herself, robin on the other hand grabs the once-abandoned flashlight and follows them toward the sound of his screaming. 

Without thinking, Nancy sees the thing attacking him and hits it with her oar as hard as humanly possible, sending it flying. “Hey there.” 

The adrenaline that rushes through Eddie is more intense than any drug he’s ever taken, he’s able to fend off the bats coming to attack them while robin and Nancy hand the two that attacked Steve’s chest. He’s still on the ground, eddies on his way to tear the thing off him when Steve bites into its tail and pulls it off without letting it get away. He swings the bat around like a fucking rag doll, hitting it off the floor again and again until it stops trying to fly away. He places his bare foot onto the centre of the beast and tugs on the tail, successfully ripping it in two. 

The 4 of them back up into each other, nothing’s flying at them, everything is dead… but the pieces of the beasts are still moving around trying to catch up to their own deaths. Once they realize the immediate danger is over, thats when it sets in. 

“Jesus Christ…” Eddie mumbles to himself, registering that he just killed something for the first time in his life and he was in another dimension and it was in fact scary as hell. “Jesus H Christ!!” 

Steve, however, he’s bleeding and tired and he almost drops to the ground if it wasn’t for Nancy catching him. “Are you okay?” 

Steve looks down at himself for the first time, and Eddie sees it too. “They took about a pound of flesh,” Steve chuckles with disbelief, “but other than that… yeah, never better.” 

Nancy checks behind him, Eddie does too, but Steve’s only been bitten on his sides and he’s bleeding around his neck from the spikes on these little fuckers tails… but he looks okay. It looks liveable. 

“Uh… do you guys think that these bats have, like, rabies??” Robin asks, leaning over a bat and staring at it with her flashlight. 

“Excuse me?” Eddie can’t believe he’s hearing her right, that’s what she’s scared about right now? 

“It’s just that rabies are like my number one greatest fear, and I think we should probably get you to a doctor like really soon—” she starts to ramble. Steve looks like he’s heard it all before while Nancy looks at her with disbelief, shaking her head lightly. “—because once symptoms set in, it’s like too late, you’re already, like, dead.” 

In the distance, the bats make their gut-wrenchingly awful screech, drawing their attention away from Robin's anxiety. Eddie rushes to Steve, he goes to stand in front of him but Steve pushes him back, he makes sure he’s in front of everyone. His arms out, he makes sure they’re safe… they are everyone he’s ever loved in his entire life, after all. 

5 bats land around the gate, fishing with their tails for something to eat. “We can take them… right?” Steve whispers. 

But he speaks too soon, lightning illuminates the sky to show off the hundred of bats headed their way for what must be dinner time… there was no way they were taking them all. 

“The woods, come on!” Nancy points, taking off before the others. 

The 4 of them run as fast as they can towards the shoreline, mostly uphill from the deepest part of the lake towards the boat launch, over dead fish and lost tires, around vines connected to Vecna and finally, they reach the forest. There’s enough tree coverage to keep them hidden from the bats, but even if they did see them, they were preoccupied with going to the gate for a snack. 

They run all the way back to skull rock, hiding under it for cover until the sky sounds empty again. It's genuinely terrifying. Eddie has never been so scared in his life… and he’s been through some shit from the age of 4 to 20. Nothing was ever this horrific. 

When the coast is clear, they think they’re fine and all go to stand back up… but Steve isn’t fine. He topples over himself and falls against the rock, barely holding himself up. Nancy rushes to him and Eddie wants to, too… he just doesn’t know if he’s allowed to. He doesn’t know if he’s Steve’s little secret. He doesn’t know how much he still loves Nancy, but he’s starting to realize she might still love him. So he stays back. 

He lets her clean him up, she rips her shirt and makes a homemade bandage for him all while robin rants about rabies. Eddie can’t watch, he runs away once again… standing at the edge of the tree line like a coward because seeing Steve in pain makes him want to cry. Instead, he climbs over a fallen tree like an idiot and takes a look at the land. 

“So this place is like Hawkins but with monsters and nasty shit?” He calls out, mostly to robin so she’ll talk about anything other than rabies. 

“Pretty much,” Nancy answers instead, helping Steve back up to his feet. “Hey, watch it! This is all a hive mind.” 

“Right, shit, sorry,” he remembers what Steve said the other night and slowly but carefully makes his way back down. 

“But everything from our world is still here, right? Except people, obviously?” Robin double-checks.

“As far as I understand it, yeah,” Nancy nods. 

“So, theoretically, we could go to the police station and get guns and grenades and whatever else we need to blow up those bath things that are guarding the gate,” Robin suggests like it’s easy. 

“Yeah, I highly doubt that the Hawkins PD has grenades, robin,” Steve shakes his head, “but yeah, sure, they might have guns.” 

“Well, we don’t have to go all the way downtown for guns,” Nancy reminds Steve but the others have no idea. “I have guns. In my bedroom.” 

“You,” Eddie points at her, “Nancy Wheeler, have guns, plural? In your bedroom?” He can’t fucking believe it. Little miss goody two shoes was actually keeping guns in her shoeboxes and no one would’ve ever known. 

“Full of surprises, isn’t she?” Robin says, overwhelmed and just talking for the sake of it now. 

“A Russian Makarov and a revolver—

“Yeah, you almost shot me with that one,” Steve teases, bumping shoulders with her. 

“You almost deserved it,” she says in a tone that sounds a lot less friendly. It makes Eddie’s blood boil the way she stares up at him. 

He just can’t take it anymore. Steve was his. What better way to prove it than to mark him with his scent… he takes off his jean vest and tosses it at Steve, hitting him a bit too hard and taking him right out of his gross little eye-fucking session with Nancy. 

“For your modesty, dude,” he glares at him. 

Steve stares back, about to snap for the unneeded aggression when the earth starts to shake. Robin trips over herself and starts to fall to the floor, Eddie reaches out for her only to fall with her, cushioning the blow with his own body. Nancy falls into Steve and the two of them grip the edge of the rock formation to keep steady until the shaking stops. 

And when it does stop, every critter in this god-forsaken hell-hole starts to cry out. The forest echoes with sounds only heard in one’s nightmares, “yeah, so, guns seem like a pretty good idea to me,” Eddie suggests as the sounds die down. 

“Me too,” Robin agrees, still on the floor with Eddie. 

He hurt his knee when they hit the ground, he rubs it silently, waiting for Nancy or Steve to say something when they walk out in front of them. “So what are we waiting for?” Steve asks, now wearing Eddie’s jacket. 

Fuck. He looked good in it too. 

—

The walk from skull rock to Nancy’s house was too long… they stopped for a few breaks, they didn’t have any food or water so it was a struggle trying to keep going. The only thing that kept them from staying still too long was the sounds of the creatures in the distance. Luckily, they didn’t see anything, but they were definitely out there.

Nancy took the lead, with Robin at her side, and Steve stayed at their rear— he was the slowest with his injuries but also the most alert in times like this, Eddie stuck to his side, evening it up. The girls walked pretty fast, they were deep in conversation about god-knows-what while Steve kept his attention on making sure Eddie didn’t trip and trying to ignore the pain he was in. 

“Hey, man,” Steve turns to him, the girls up far ahead enough that he didn’t have to worry about them hearing… and honestly, even if they did, he wouldn’t be scared to tell Nancy the truth. With the way she smiles at robin when she rambles, he has a feeling that she gets it. 

“Yeah,” Eddie slows down, giving Steve a smile. 

“I just wanted to say thanks… for saving my ass back there,” Steve can’t help it. For a moment he felt like a goner, he couldn’t get loose, he couldn’t breathe… and then all 3 of them came to rescue him. All 3. 

“Shit, you saved your own ass, man,” Eddie bumps shoulders with him, shrugging it off. Steve places his hand on his back and pats him with a smile, it’s a small thank you. “I mean, that was a real Ozzy move you pulled back there.” 

“Ozzy?” 

“When you took a bite out of that bat?” Eddie explains further but Steve still doesn’t get it. 

It’s also part of his shtick; pretend not to care and it drives them wild. So just he stares at Eddie blankly, shaking his head slightly. 

“Ozzy Osbourne?” Eddie clarifies further, looking absolutely let down that Steve doesn’t know him. “Black Sabbath? He-he bit a bat's head off on stage?” 

“I don't—

“No?” Eddie can’t believe it. 

Steve has to look away to fight the smirk bubbling inside of him. This is how he got his hooks into him. He wanted Eddie to keep talking, to explain it all to him with that glimmer of love in his eyes that he gets when he’s excited. 

Robin, just ahead of them, can hear it all. She turns to Nancy with a knowing smirk, “he’s so obvious… he does this thing where he pretends to be uninterested so that it drives them crazy and they want to talk to him more.” 

“He used to do that to me,” Nancy can’t help but laugh, looking back to see them standing so close. 

“It’s very metal, what you did,” Eddie drops his tone and bumps shoulders with him again, practically begging to hold his hand. “That’s all I’m saying.” 

“Thanks,” he takes the compliment, avoiding eye contact so he doesn’t lost in them and they don’t get left behind. 

“Henderson told me you were a badass… insisted upon the matter, in fact,” he keeps going with the compliments. 

“Wait, Henderson said that?” He can't believe it, he half expected them to bond over calling Steve an idiot or something like that… not this. 

“Oh yeah, shit, kid worships you, dude,” he exaggerates, Steve is sure of it. “Like you have no idea. It’s kinda annoying if I’m being honest.” 

Steve laughs, biting his tongue he almost replies, ‘you love it.’

“I don’t even know why I care what that little shrimp thinks,” he keeps going. “But uh, I guess I got a little jealous, Steve.” 

Steve says nothing, he just turns to him with a smirk, that same ego Dustin carries around starting to show in him again. Eddie was just digging a hole deeper into Steve's heart, making a home there with each new true and kind compliment. Normally people just called him pretty… sometimes funny. Never nice. Never loving. Never brotherly or badass or metal. 

“I guess I couldn’t accept the fact that Steve Harrington was actually… a good dude. Rich parents, popular, chick love him. Not a douche? No way, man,” he rants, invading Steve's space and talking with his hands. “No way. That, like, flies in the face of all the laws in the universe and my own, personal Munson doctrine.” 

He’s so up in Steve’s face, and so cute, he has to push him away with a giggle. But he comes right back, leaning in close, Steve’s given up on playing it cool and now smiling like an idiot. 

“Still super jealous as hell, by the way,” Eddie teases, close enough to kiss him. 

“Ch-yeah, okay,” he pushes him away, shaking his head with disbelief. He really likes this dork. 

“Which is why I would never have jumped in to save your ass. Not under any uh… normal circumstances—“ they stop when they hear a branch break, flashing the light through the trees, they don’t see anything except Nancy and Robin a fair bit ahead of them, laughing at something funny they can't hear. 

“Nope,” Eddie keeps going, staring off into the distance as he walks and talks at the same time. “Outside of D&D I am no hero. I see danger and I just turn heel and run… or at least, thats what I’ve learned about myself this week.” 

Steve follows him, “give yourself a break man,” he reaches out to touch his arm but Eddie grabs his hand and moves it off of him, halting all movement. 

“See?” He points over to Nancy and then stares Steve deep in the eyes. “The only reason I came in here was ‘cause those ladies came in straight after you. Now, I was too ashamed to be the one who stayed behind. But Wheeler, right there. She didn’t waste a second.” 

Steve looks over at her, confused why Eddie’s bringing this up. Nancy just does that. She runs into danger and thinks about the consequences later, that’s just who she is. She’s a protector. She’s an older sister. She’s a strong woman trying to keep everyone in the town safe, not just Steve. But Eddie wouldn’t know that. Eddie only knows her as the quiet goody-goody from some of his classes this year. He knows her as Mike’s older sister with the perm and the pink backpack who is always in the library, reading alone since her friend died. He doesn’t know that she’s a badass with a perfect shot. He doesn’t know she was apprehended by the government and recorded their whole conversation to expose them to the media, knowing she could go to jail or worse, be murdered for it. He doesn’t know the real Nancy. 

Or the real Steve for that matter. 

“Not one second, she just dove right in.” Eddie keeps going, trying to drive his point home but he just draws Steve’s eyes back to his own. “Now, I don’t know what happened between you two, but if I were you, I would get her back.” 

Steve's jaw clenches then. Not again... Not another person in his life trying to get him back with Nancy. 

“Because that was as unambiguous a sign of true love as these cynical eyes have ever seen,” he holds his hand over his heart, staring back at Steve with a look that can only be described as personal heartache. He doesn’t mean what he’s saying. He’s just trying to let him off the hook. 

They look back at Nancy and Robin, so far now they’re barely a shadow in the trees now. Steve, without thinking it through, reaches out and takes a hold of Eddie’s shirt and pulls him closer. His other hand lands on Eddie’s cheek just in time to guide him into a kiss. 

Eddie is shocked at first, stiff as a board for a good second before he settles. He carefully wraps an arm around Steve, inside of the vest so his hand rests on Steve’s bare back. He pulls them in so they’re chest to chest, breathing in deeply through his nose, he makes the kiss last as long as possible before they pull apart… barely. 

They rest their foreheads against each other, Steve rubs his thumb over Eddie’s cheek and stares into his eyes. “I don’t love Nancy.” 

“Okay,” he believes him. 

Everything starts to rumble again, sending them down into the dirt, Steve on top of him and saying Eddie’s catchphrase out of sheer surprise, “god-damn-it!” 

“Here we go again,” Eddie complains, holding Steve close and gripping the dirt for support at the same time. 

It lasts longer than the others, rumbling long enough to make something feel wrong. Really wrong. And then Robin is screaming Nancy’s name over and over. 

Steve and Eddie stand even through the rumbling, Steve takes his hand and tugs him along, running after their friends as carefully and as fast as they can. 

The world stops shaking when they meet up with her at the edge of the tree line, facing the toppled-down transformers covered in vines that used to stand in the field behind Nancy’s home. She’s frozen with fear. Seeing her home like this was a shocking thing. And now they have to go inside it. 

“Are you okay?” Robin asks, rubbing Nancy’s back softly. 

She nods, “come on.” 

The field doesn’t have any tree cover, it’s open and illuminated by the red lightning that cracks in the sky. Robin reaches out for Nancy’s hand, not even noticing that Steve and Eddie are also hand-in-hand. Nancy takes it, gladly, tugging robin along and keeping her safe while they’re exposed in the open like this. 

“I didn’t know they were close,” Eddie mumbles near Steve’s ear as they walk, not too far behind them. 

He shrugs, keeping his own voice down, he slows so they fall back a bit more, “she’s just like that… she lost Barb to a Demogorgon, she’s going to let any of us die down here.” 

“Wait, I thought Brass Barb died in a lab accident?” Eddie says a bit too loud, making Nancy and Robin turn around. 

“How’d you know her nickname?” Robin asks. 

“How’d you know it?” Nancy is extra confused when Robin knew it. 

“She can play every brass instrument in the band, she was interchangeable for a bunch of our players,” Robin explains… “we stood together every day for 2 years.” 

“Yeah, I was there too, until I got kicked out of band for flunking English the first time, you guys were sophomores then,” Eddie sighs, still pissed off about it. 

“Yeah, no, I remember,” Nancy shakes her head. “It just feels so weird to think about how long she’s been gone for, especially when I’m down here…” 

“So let’s get out of here,” Robin gives her a little smile, tugging her along quicker, the boys run just as fast behind them. 

—

Eddie followed Nancy up into her room to find those guns she spoke of, except all they found was her exact bedroom from November 6th, 1983… and while they’re in the past, Dustin and the kids are back in their own time, in the right side up, figuring out exactly what’s going on with these gates. Steve hears them in the walls like rats, almost going crazy trying to figure out why the fuck he can hear only Dustin speaking until the others finally come back downstairs. 

It's Erika's idea to get the light bright, light is literally in the name and you can make anything you want on it. It’s a genius idea and it allows them to talk through universes… she was the future of hellfire, and Eddie couldn’t wait to see what other wonderful ideas she had in her mind once they make it out of this. 

Turns out, what Nancy said earlier was right. Every time the Demogorgon attacked it left a gate and vecna was doing the same thing. If they got in through Patrick's murder site, there had to also be one in the woods where Fred died and on the ceiling of Eddie’s trailer where Vecna got her. 

The last message they send says “bike 2 Eddie’s” and they’re off, running down Nancy’s stairs and through the kitchen, towards the garage. “Hey, uh,” Eddie stops by the fridge, “you don’t suppose there’s like, anything still safe to consume here, right?” 

“No,” Nancy looks at him like he’s an idiot. “Come on, we have 7 miles until we get back to the real world and you can have a snack then.” 

“And what size, prey tell, are these bikes?” He continues to ask as he follows her outside. 

“Ah,” she smiles when she sees them. “You see, they were 12 and in my basement the night the gate opened the first time, so all 4 bikes are still here.” 

Nancy picks up what once was Will’s bike, it has Byers carved into the handlebars. It’s the smallest one, she’s the smallest of the 4 of them, so she takes it.

“So they’re preteen-sized, sick,” Eddie nods, picking up Dustin’s, it has a light on it, and it still works. 

Robin takes Mikes and Steve has Lucas’s, they’re not too small, their tires still have a decent amount of air and all the flashlights work. Luckily, the roads aren’t as covered in vines as the forest, so they can take off pretty fast. 7 miles wasn’t going to be too hard… but it did feel like forever. 

They passed the Creel house where thousands of bats circled around it like birds of prey stalking a meal. They picked up the pace and biked faster, all through the neighbourhoods that hated him on the other side, and even though the town looks like a nightmare, he takes it in as his last look. He has no idea if he’ll ever get to bike through town again without people throwing tomatoes at him… or worse, his last trip through could be in a cop car or a hearse. 

They enter the trailer park and Eddie takes the lead, he takes them down the winding path towards the middle of the park and points at the minty blue and white trailer, now covered in nasty shit, “right here!” 

He tosses his bike to the ground as soon as they reach the grassy part right in front of his trailer. He tries his hardest to catch his breath, arms above his head while he takes a look around… it’s so freaky with the vines and the perpetual darkness, but this is where he grew up. He doesn’t have enough time to panic about how fucked up this is because Nancy is already storming towards the trailer door. 

“Thats gotta be a Guinness world record,” Robin explains, lungs heaving, searching for air but still finding space to talk. “Most miles travelled inter-dimensionally.”

Steve coughs while following the rest of them towards the door, he spits out whatever was in his mouth, “I just inhaled a bunch of that shit.” Then he coughs again, more alarmed this time, “I think it’s stuck in my throat.” 

Eddie swings the door open and heads in first, he almost stops right in the doorway at the sight of his living room's new feature but he keeps walking so they can all get in. Steve closes the door behind them all and they huddle unintentionally for protection, Steve points the flashlight at the gate. “Goddamn…” 

Eddie hasn’t been back inside his home since Chrissy died. The last thing he remembers is looking up from the floor to see Chrissy on the ceiling, her bones breaking, the sound rings in his ear— he swallows, cringing inside at the memory of it all. “That’s where Chrissy died… like, right where she died.” His voice breaks, and he turns to Steve for support and finds it in his eyes. 

They say ‘it’s not your fault’ with the slightest shake of Steve’s head, they’re so wrapped up in each other that they don’t notice what robin sees. 

“I think there’s something in there,” she panics, fearful more bats will break the seal and they’ll be trapped in a tiny space with deadly creatures. 

They all lean in closer, not stepping closer per say, but studying it carefully from where they are, “what the hell is that?” Steve wonders aloud, it’s exactly what they’re all thinking, anyway. 

Suddenly the gate bursts open, the red membrane breaks and goop starts to spill, they jump back, screaming for their lives for just a second before the adrenaline kicks back in. Eddie and Steve haul the girls back and stand in front but Nancy breaks past, watching the gate drop in horror. “Ugh? What the—

It's a broom handle that’s sticking through and from the other side they can see a brighter version of the trailer floor. They turn to each there with pure amazement. Dustin did it. That little shit pulled through. Literally. 

They hear his giggle before they see him, cautiously taking a few steps towards the gate, they look up to see Dustin, Max, Lucas and Erika celebrating their success of finding another safe gate for their friends, they get even happier when they see Steve, Nancy Eddie and Robin from the other side. Dustin waves, “hi there!” 

“Hi?” They all wave back, absolutely over the moon that they’re rescued and that the kids, their kids, managed to figure it out and get there in time. 

“We’ve got a plan to get you out, don’t worry!” Erika yells up to them. “Get it, Lucas,” she shoves him, sending the boys back to get the mattress. 

Max is holding a bunch of bed sheets tied together to look like the rope they climb in gym class, “we're going to toss this through… Dustin thinks that if it’s half there and half there then it has to stay secure in the middle? Cause that’s where the worlds meet and the gravity is different? I don’t know.” 

“Makes sense,” Nancy shrugs. 

The mattress gets thrown down on the floor and Eddie is immediately embarrassed. He’s had that bed since he was a preteen and it was Waynes before that, he spilled bong water on his bed the morning before shit went south and the others are… he doesn’t even remember at this point. He’s had those ugly yellow and brown butterflies on his bed for as long as he can remember. New sheets weren’t really something he ever thought to put on the grocery list when they had a perfectly good washing machine and no one slept in his bed but him? This is why. 

“Those stains are, uh…” he looks at robin and Nancy and then Steve and then back up, wanting to die ever so slightly. “I don’t know what those stains are.” 

“Mhm,” Robin looks at him with a look of disgust and then over to Steve, who looks at her just as alarmed. ‘This is really the love of your life?’ She asks with her eyes. 

He shrugs and sighs, ‘I guess.’

“Now, I’m not quite sure how these physics are gonna work,” Dustin cuts into the awkward silence and takes the rope from max. “But uh… here goes nothing.” 

He tosses it through and they jump back when it comes flying at them in the upside down. Dustin holds his end so it doesn’t all go through and then it stops. It hangs there with half of it dangling from each side, just as they suspected it would. 

“And if my theory is correct…” Dustin drops the side he’s holding and steps back with a laugh, “abracadabra.” 

“holy shit,” almost all of them mumble under their breath. It’s remarkable just how much Dustin knows and how much of it is applicable to the shit they go through. 

“Okay, pull on it, see if it holds!” Dustin calls up to them, watching Robin reach out and take hold of the rope. She tugs on it with all her body weight and it doesn’t budge at all. They all keep laughing in amazement, it’s just so fucking cool. 

“This is the craziest shit I’ve ever seen in my life!” Erika rants, “and I’ve seen some crazy shit…” 

Dustin reaches back to give her a high five, Eddie can’t even imagine what they mean by that… they’re like a decade younger than him, how could they have seen something that almost equals up to this?

Robin takes a deep breath and takes hold of the rope again, “okay, I guess I’m the guinea pig.” 

The younger group all backup, making way on the landing pad as Dustin puts it. Robin struggles just a bit but finds her footing, Nancy stands behind her with her hands up, ready to catch her if she falls, watching her carefully the whole way through. She flops over to the other side and lands on the mattress, on her back, she sits up with a smile. “Oh thank god… that was fun.” 

Dustin gives her a hand and helps her off the mattress, and she gives him a little hug as a thank you for getting them back through a safe spot. 

Eddie expects Nancy to follow her but she doesn’t and Steve isn’t going either, they’re looking at each other so Eddie just grabs the rope. “All right! I guess I’ll go.” 

Eddie jumps up and starts making his way up the rope, this was his least favourite part in gym but he did it every year, for 6 years. Only this year did they let him skip it and yet here he was, doing it anyway. 

“Easy, easy,” Steve worries, knowing he’s clumsy and he’ll fall a lot harder than Robin did, given how much bigger he is. He’s like a tank compared to her. 

Eddie smacks down onto the mattress and sits right up, wiping his bangs from his face he gasps, “that was fun? Shit,” he takes robins hand and she hauls him up to his feet so they can watch Steve and Nancy make it through next. 

“See you on the other side,” Steve says, not because he’s going next, but because he’s letting Nancy know she is. He’s not leaving until she’s out. She knows that.

She nods, “on the other…” she freezes, her eyes roll back into her head and Steve panics. 

“Nance… Nancy!!” 

“What’s going on!?” Robins shouts through the gate. 

“Oh no,” Steve starts to shake her. “Oh no, no, no, no, no…” 

“Vecna,” Max says it out loud, but everyone already knew. They’ve all seen Max go through this. 

“Music,” Robin smacks eddies arm, “she needs a song, oh my god… oh my god! Steve!! What song would have a good memory for her?” 

“I don’t know?!” He screams back at her, still shaking Nancy, “Dustin, what song played when she danced with you?” 

“I don’t remember!?” He screams, “and I doubt that’s her happiest memory?” 

“It doesn’t have to be the happiest it just has to give her a memory happy enough to get her out of his nightmare, she has to get to a dream, to the light, basically,” Robin rambles and thinks, she’ sees Nancy around all the time… like the other morning. 

Steve dropped her off just as Nancy was getting out of her car. The exact same song was playing on the radio moments prior, she locked eyes with robin and gave her a little smile and then waved at Steve. It was simple. It was happy. It was before all this shit started… yet if it never started, she’d never be this close to Nancy now. 

“The radio,” Robin points at Dustin’s walkie and they pass it to her, she turns the knob towards the radio station thats always on in Steve’s beamer and hopes to god they’re playing Object of My Desire by Starpoint. It’s been so overplayed lately, that she might just— “thank god,” she hears it and cranks the radio to full blast. 

“We can’t toss it through,” Eddie reminds her, “the towers are all down, down there, they’re not going to hear anything once it gets down there.” 

“Right,” Robin looks around, “get me that chair,” she points. 

Lucas hustles over and gets it, setting it up on top of the mattress so Robin can stand on the chair and hold it up to the gate. 

“Can you hear it?” She asks Steve, who’s picking Nancy up around the waist and lifting her up so she’s closer to the sound. 

“Yeah!” 

“Come on, come on,” Eddie mumbles to himself, tapping his thighs and watching carefully. It’s taking too long… it feels like it goes on forever, just like they described with Max. Chrissy wasn’t out this long, she had long since cracked and fallen back to the floor in this amount of time. It must be a good thing if it’s taking forever. 

The song is just about to end when Nancy snaps out of it, panicking and swinging as she comes to. She pushes Steve to the ground and crawls away from him, “it’s okay, it’s okay!” Steve assures her. 

“Oh, thank god,” Robin steps down from the chair and turns the walkie off. She moves the chair off the mattress but stands back on it so she can watch what happens on the other side. 

Eddie steps into view as well, watching Steve soothe Nancy while she pushes him away. “It’s fine, I’m fine.” 

“Okay,” he lets it go. “Can you climb?” 

She nods and looks up to see Robin, she sighs and softens. “Yeah, I can.” 

Robin pushes Eddie back so Nancy has the full mattress to fall down on, they watch her climb the rope carefully and flop down just like they did, only less enthusiastically. Robin breaks away from Eddie and helps Nancy off the floor, “you’re okay?” 

She nods, “yeah, I… I talked to him?” 

“To Vecna?” Max knows but she asks anyway. 

Nancy just nods, following robin off the mattress so that Steve could come through, finally. Eddie anxiously watches as Steve climbs the rope and tosses himself down to the floor with a hiss and a whine, he’s been thrown around quite a bit and it was starting to show. The others crowd Nancy, not knowing Steve was so badly attacked beforehand, so it’s just Eddie that helps him up, he holds Steve close and rubs his arm, “you okay?” 

He nods, “I’m okay…” Steve makes his way over to the others, he places a hand on Nancy’s back, “you don’t have to talk about it right away, you know that?” 

She nods, “yeah, I know… um, we should all take like a few hours to just chill, I don’t think he’s going to get right back to it. I think he likes the challenge.” 

“We shouldn’t be here,” Dustin reminds them that they’re currently inside a taped-off crime scene, “is your mom home?” He asks Max. 

She shakes her head, “no she has a 24-hour on shift at the hospital, she’ll be home around noon though…” 

“Okay, we’ll head next door,” Lucas agrees, opening the door to let Erika out first. 

“Um,” Nancy doesn’t mean to draw all their attention back to herself but they all stop and turn, thinking she’s got more news. “Robin, can you come with me for a walk? I need to calm down and I can’t go alone.” 

“Y-yeah, absolutely,” she doesn’t even think twice, she just takes Nancy’s hand. 

“Don’t go off too far,” Steve interjects, “take a walkie.” 

“On our walkie,” Robin teases, knowing Steve just wants to keep them safe. She even manages to make Nancy smile a bit. “We’ll be fine.” 

Steve knows that but it’s still hard to let her go knowing anything could happen to either of them. “I know,” he gives them a small smile and a nod as they leave, heading over to Max’s with the other kids. Leaving Dustin with Steve and Eddie. 

“Are you okay?” Dustin asks, finally noticing all the blood on Steve and the fact he’s in Eddie’s vest. 

He nods, “yeah I just—

“We need to get him some clean clothes,” Eddie interjects. “You go watch Max, you can be in charge until Nancy gets back.” 

“Yes!” Dustin cheers, Eddie knew exactly how to get him to leave without asking any questions. “I’ll come get you if we need anything.” 

“Sounds good,” Eddie holds the door open for him and pats his back on his way out. He shuts the door once he’s gone and turns to Steve with a smile, “and then there were two…” 

“I’m in no condition to be seduced,” Steve teases, moving over to the counter to lean against it, he’s getting tired. 

Eddie walks over and cups Steve’s face with his hand, staring into his eyes, “I know, sweetheart, so let’s get you cleaned up.” 

—

Eddie's quick to start rummaging around in all the drawers in the hallway, he talks to himself while he does it and eventually pulls out a white box, “found ya, sucker.” 

He cracks the box open and starts heading to his room, Steve watches and follows carefully, “what’re you doing?” 

“Wayne used to hide the first aid kit from me cause I wasted all the supplies once trying to make my own special effects face wounds with the gauze… that’s another story, anyway, I have a bunch of shit in here if you want to get cleaned up?” He suggests, holding up some antibacterial spray and some big bandaids. 

He crosses his arms and smirks, overflowing with what could only be described as love. “You wanna take care of me?” 

“Yeah, Harrington. Sue me,” he tosses the gauze onto the bed, which is now just a boxspring covered in his comforter and pillows. “But, before I can do that, we’ve gotta wash all that blood off of you.” 

Steve sighs and looks down at his chest, this was going to hurt like a son-of-a-bitch but he knew Eddie was right. “okay…” 

“Right in here,” Eddie places a hand on his arm and leads him into the bathroom. “You can shower or I can just run a towel over you?” 

“If I shower and then have to get back into these clothes I’m going to freak out,” Steve admits. 

“I was going to let you borrow— well, actually I don’t need anything back, you can wear whatever you want from my room,” Eddie explains, riffling through the linen closet for some facecloths that Wayne wouldn’t mind ruining with blood and bat guts. “It’s not like I’m coming back here anyway.” 

“Hey,” Steve reaches out and pulls his attention back to him. “Don’t say that.” 

“I’m just being realistic.”

“I’m not losing you,” Steve puts his foot down. “Not to jail, not to Jason and his goons, not to Vecna or-or these fuckin’ bats,” he references down to his injuries. “You’re not going anywhere except to dinner with me when this is over and done with. Okay?” 

“Okay,” Eddie manages to smile. “Now would you take my vest off so I can wipe you down? I cant have you dying from an infection before our date.” 

“Okay,” he starts to push it off his shoulders and realizes just how much it hurts to lift his arms and stretch out his chest. “Ouch, fuck?” 

“Sorry,” Eddie apologizes on behalf of Steve's wounds and takes the jacket as soon as it’s off of him. “Turn around?” 

“Yeah,” Steve does as he’s told, slowly but surely. 

Eddie looks at the knot that Nancy tied in the fabric, it’s tight as can be, and his meaty fingers aren’t getting that knot out. “Stay here, I’m going to go get the scissors.”

“Okay,” Steve didn’t mind, he simply takes a hold of the edge of the sink to steady himself and waits. Eddie runs out, Steve can hear him tossing cutlery around in the drawer in the kitchen and then his heavy feet running back to him. 

“Okay, here we go…” he has to hype himself up for this part. He really didn’t want to see how much of Steve was missing under this fabric. 

Steve hisses as the fabric tugs on his skin where it’s been fused by dried blood, Eddie apologizes again and again as he takes it off slowly, making Steve turn around to face him again in the process. “Jesus,” Eddie says under his breath once he takes a good look at the damage. 

“Hot, I know,” Steve teases, giving him a smile before he too looks at it in the mirror. He catches Eddie looking at him in the mirror too, then their eyes meet in the reflection, making them smile slightly. “It’ll be okay… at least it’s not another head trauma.” 

“Yeah, you seem to get your ass beat a lot…” Eddie doesn’t mean it as a dig or an insult, “I mean, that’s gotta affect you somehow?” 

He nods, “headaches mostly, and this ear rings a lot,” he points to the left one. “But it’s liveable.” 

“So, when we get supplies later we should add a helmet to the list, got it,” Eddie teases again and Steve shoves him. 

Steve watches him giggle through the mirror, Eddie picks up one of the face cloths and turns the water on. He plays around with the taps until it’s a good temperature and he wets the towel. “Do you want to sit?” 

“Where?” Steve gestures to the counter or the toilet. 

“The counter would be better,” Eddie thinks, “here, I’ll help—

Steve doesn’t need help, he grips the counter with both hands and stands on his tip toes so that his ass cheek is taller than the counter and he scoots himself back until he’s secure. “There,” he spreads his legs and tugs Eddie between them so they’re closer. 

“Showoff,” Eddie teases him, he wrings the excess water out of the face cloth and brings it over to Steve’s chest. 

“You probably shouldn’t wring it out,” Steve micro-manages him. “You’re going to scrub my skin off if you don’t let the water soak the grime off.” 

“Right,” he doesn’t argue, he simply re-wets it, “get ready…” he says as he brings it over to his chest, water droplets falling onto Steve’s pants and he hisses as it spreads down his stomach, “sorry, sorry.” 

“Stop apologizing,” he says through gritted teeth. “It’s fine, it has to happen.” 

“Yeah, well I still feel bad,” he all but whispers, watching the water turn red as it rushes down his chest. 

He’s so close to the wounds he has no choice but to look and he hates it. It’s not that it’s gross(it is) it’s the fact that it’s Steve and in Eddie’s mind, Steve isn’t just Steve anymore… Steve watches his face carefully, in complete silence while Eddie washes the blood and grime off of him. Eddies face is so concentrated, he bites his tongue and breathes through his nose, he tries to shake his bangs out of his face as he leans in closer to Steve, hunched forward, and they keep falling into his eyes. 

Steve just reaches out and runs his fingers through Eddie’s hair, pushing his bangs back for him. It draws Eddie’s attention back up to his eyes, he looks shocked, “sorry,” Steve whispers. “You just—

“It’s okay,” Eddie gives him a sweet smile. “No one really touches my hair…”

“Me either,” Steve knows what thats like, a bit too well. Out of everything in his life, his hair was the one thing he could control perfectly. Eddie probably felt similarly. It’s something he grew, something he takes care of, something that makes him, him. He’s so perfectly Eddie with this hair. “You’re pretty, you know that?” 

The smirk that grows on Eddie’s face is beautiful, his eyes glisten in the soft yellow light of his trailer bathroom and he’s quiet. There isn’t a snarky reply, he doesn’t tell him to shut up or draw his attention to something else. He just smiles and takes it all in. 

“I mean it,” Steve says for good measure. “Before Robin even suggested that it could be you, I already thought you were too pretty for your own good… it’s why I was so short with you, looking at you was so hard, I just want to tell you all the time that you’re so fuckin' pretty.” 

“You’re going to give me a big head, Steve,” Eddie can’t take him seriously anymore, it was too much affection for him to handle. “Then again, you do give good head.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Don’t play dumb,” Eddie teases him, still wiping down his chest and now avoiding his eye contact. “You like pretty much sucked the soul out of me back there, I haven’t been the same since… haven’t even tried getting laid since, I’m like hypnotized by you, Harrington.” 

“Back to Harrington,” he sighs and leans back against the mirror so Eddie can get at the lower bites on his stomach. “Got it.” 

“Don’t do that,” Eddie picks up on it too. “It’s an endearing Harrington, okay? I need more than 4 days with you to make more nicknames than just Stevie and if I say that around the kids they’re going to have a fucking field day with it.” 

“I guess,” Steve can see where he’s coming from. “Are you afraid of me?” 

“What?” He looks up into Steve’s eyes again, his big brown puppy dog eyes could break Steve’s heart if he looked at him the right way. “Why would I be scared of you? You’ve done nothing but try and protect me?” 

“I don’t know, it just seems like no matter what I do, no matter how open I get, you’re still so closed off? What do I have to do to get you to let me know if you like me back? I don’t want this to just be some end of the world I might as well flirt with him, shit, I want this to work if we live through this,” he’s honest about it. “I’ve done nothing but think about you— well, the you from the woods— for almost an entire year.” 

“That’s not me, anymore,” he whispers. “You know that. We’re different now. Things are a lot different. And if I don’t make it I want you to be normal and not get hung up on me, get back with na—

“I swear the next person to say I should date Nancy again is getting punched,” Steve cuts him off. “I’d rather saw off my arms than date Nancy again.” 

“Then why did you lose it back there,” Eddie points out to his living room. “You can’t tell me that you don’t love Nancy and then react like that. You were distraught dude, don’t lie to me. You still care for her. You still love her.” 

“How would you feel if your friend, not the drummer the other one… Jer—” 

“Jeff.”

“Yeah, how would you feel if Jeff was getting Vecna’d right in front of your eyes? You said Gareth is your best friend, but would you still react with love if Jeff was in trouble?” Steve asks, really getting him to think about it. 

He nods, realizing he’s been over thinking it. “It’s just, you see, Nancy’s pretty and she’s not wanted for murder and—

“And she doesn’t love me. She never really did and she’s happy with Jonathan,” he can’t help but cut Eddie off. “I know Nancy better than anyone here because we dated— if you can even call it dating, but I took her on a few dates, I slept with her the night her best friend in the world died and then I over-reacted when she started spending time with Jonathan, not knowing she was hunting the thing that got Barb for revenge… and then I lost her before I even had her.”

“Oh,” Eddie can’t believe he’s getting the full story like this. 

“And if I’m being really honest with you, I’m not even sure if the love I had for her was real. I can’t hold it against her for pretending anymore when I genuinely don’t remember being in love with her. It was so long ago. But sure, I love her, she’s my friend and she’s Mike's older sister and she’s buddy-buddy with Robin now and I can’t let her die while Jonathan isn’t here! He’s kicked my ass once already, I don’t need more brain damage because I failed to protect someone we all care about. The same way I’d protect Robin or Max and especially… you.” 

Eddie’s never seen Steve talk so passionately. It’s like he took a page out of Buckley's book and paired it with his freakish ability to hold his breath for a long time, resulting in that ramble of truth. He didn’t even know what to say to it, at least he thought he didn’t and then he asks the simplest question. “Why?” 

“Which part?” Steve manages to smile, “the not sure about loving Nancy bit or the falling in love with you bit?” 

Eddie’s eyes do that thing where they get impossibly big and he leans forward, feeling like he imagined it. “What?” 

“I kinda figured since you love me and all, I could say it to you.” 

“Backup, backup,” he waves his hands around in front of himself with his eyes closed for a moment, taking it all in. “When did I say I love you?” 

“You didn’t have to, you just jumped in after me.” 

“Not right away and I definitely didn’t want to?” He freaks out, feeling like he’s been caught and he needs to defend himself. 

“I didn’t want to help Nancy and Jonathan the first time. But I did because I loved her,” he explains with a growing smirk. “I figured you out so easily because I did the exact same thing before.”

“You ran?” Eddie can’t believe it. Badass Steve was actually… kind of normal dude. 

“I showed up to apologize to Jonathan for calling him and his brother queer… yeah I know it was a shitty thing to do given who I am and all, but, after he kicked the shit out of me, I had time to reflect and realized, like, nope, it’s just me who’s queer and what I said was super fucked up… So I went to apologize but imagine my surprise when Jonathan opens the door and he was bleeding from his hand and the whole house smells like gasoline and there is a bear trap in the hallway and a Demogorgon on the way,” Steve honestly can’t believe its a real memory and not a dream he’s retelling. 

“But it was too late, they dragged me down the hall into Will’s room and we waited for the thing to attack but it got distracted? It disappeared again and I took the first chance I had to get the fuck out of there.” 

“I mean, it’s not like they needed you,” Eddie teases, bringing a smile to Steve’s face. 

“I know, but that’s not the point, is it?” Steve points it back on him. He did the same fuckin thing earlier. Nancy and robin probably had it covered and he went anyway. “Nancy Wheeler, given any partner, is fantastic at defending this town. That’s a fact I know for sure.” 

Eddie drops the washcloth in the sink and gives in, he places his hands on Steve’s thighs and looks up into his eyes, “what else do you know?” 

“I know I went back into that house not because I didn’t think she could do it, but because if Jonathan died and Nancy lost him and Barb, and Joyce lost him and Will… I couldn’t live with myself. I went back in because I loved Nancy and I would’ve thrown myself in front of the thing if need be to make sure they were the ones who got out of it okay.” 

“It was a suicide mission?” Eddie softens, putting all the clues together. 

He nods, “I loved her, I hated myself and who I was becoming and it wasn’t changing. Even if I dropped Tommy and Carole, even if I somehow got away from my parent's influence… I never thought I’d get to a point in my life where I could be myself and like myself at the same time. I was ready to die in there for her.” 

“But you didn’t,” Eddie is thankful beyond belief.

“Yeah, but surviving wasn’t any better. The government sat us all down and said we could never speak about it, we were in danger from the Russians if we did talk about it—

“Yeah right—

“No, they were serious but that’s later,” Steve is serious and Eddie can tell. “Nancy and I were told it was best to act as normal as possible and that we’d never get in trouble for being underage and drinking the night barb went missing and while I was super thankful my parents wouldn’t find out, Nancy was pissed that nothing was being done as justice for Barb… I processed it all by pretending it didn’t happen and she couldn’t because she didn’t get closure. Not like Joyce, Joyce got her son back and Nancy was stuck with me and nothing else.”

“I’m sorry,” Eddie reaches up to cup Steve’s cheek, “you didn’t look happy that year… I remember she’d sit in the parking lot with Jonathan and you’d always just play basketball in the gym or run track the whole break.” 

He nods, “I always passed you on your way for a smoke.”

Eddie gives him a sweet smile, “you’re the only jock that would pass me without saying something snarky.” 

“I never saw you leave a fight with a black eye,” Steve admits. “I was still yet to win a fight of my own at that point.” 

“I would never hurt you,” Eddie whispers and Steve knows that to be true. It’s why he can open up to him so easily. 

“I didn’t feel worthy of love for a long time,” he whispers back. “Nancy helped, she told me and I believed her but… I knew it wasn’t real. I knew we weren’t having sex cause she remembered how Barb died every time we tried and she didn’t sleep over at my house ever cause it feels haunted to her and the more I tried to be normal the more it made her wish she wasn’t with me. We were both pretending but for vastly different reasons. She didn’t want to get in trouble and I didn’t want to accept the fact that once she left, I was going to be lonely.” 

“Didn’t you already have Dustin then?” Eddie asks, knowing how much Dustin loves him. 

He shakes his head, “no, actually, I was on my way to her place to ask her to take me back after we broke up when I ran into Dustin and he needed help with something from the upside down that ate his cat.” 

Eddies eyes grow wide, “his cat?” 

He nods, “yeah it was one of those demo-dog things I was telling you about, they have the same mouths as the bats but they act like wolves.” 

“Holy fuck?” 

Steve just nods, “it’s been insane and thats just he starts of the second year… last summer we found out that the Russians were in Hawkins under the mall and I went down there with Robin, Dustin and Erika… we barely made it out alive and then we still had to fight the thing from the upside down that came out of the gate that the stupid fucking Russians opened up.” 

Eddie can tell he’s the most traumatized by it so he runs his hands down Steve’s shoulders and shushes him softly, “you’re here now though, we’re working all together on this one. It’s not just Nancy, it’s not just you and the kids. It’s all of us. We can do it.” 

Steve leans forward and kisses him again. He can’t help himself. He has to kiss Eddie as much as humanly possible before they can’t anymore because if he knows one thing from all of this, it’s that the people you love can be taken from you in the blink of an eye. Barb. Bob. Billy… Hopper. They’re all gone and everyone who loved them is devastated now. 

He doesn’t want to know what it feels like to lose Eddie. Thats a devastation that he’d never recover from. 

General Taglist 

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

Steddie

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

@knightoftheieves @swimmingbirdrunningrock @throwbackthrowaway 

[pynkhues]

https://www.tumblr.com/pynkhues/766483719022313472/hey-probably-strange-question-but-i-wanted-to?source=share

Not to sound entitled, but can I assume can look forward to some bottom Lestat? :) You write that so brilliantly and in character, and I always need more

Hahaha, thank you, anon, and you don't sound entitled at all. And yeah! They're vers / they switch in the cruising fic, but there's definitely more of Louis topping than there is of him bottoming.

[jjungkookislife]

Navigating Tides

♡ pairing: ex-boyfriend!jungkook x f. reader

♡ genre: exes to lovers, angst, fluff, smut [18+]

♡ summary: A cruise is the last place you expect to see your ex-boyfriend, Jeon Jungkook. You broke up six months ago, and your best friends Jimin and Yoongi assured you your ex wouldn't even remember this cruise that you booked a year in advance. However, on your first night on board, you discover your ex isn't only on the cruise ship, but there are no rooms available for him to stay in other than yours.

♡ wc: 18.9k

♡ warnings: alcohol use/mention, food mentions, mention of murder on cruise ship documentaries, threats of violence, sexual thoughts, jealousy, making out, marking (hickeys, biting, scratching), hair pulling, oral sex (f. giving and receiving), fingering (f. receiving), unprotected sex, creampie

♡ a/n: a huge thank you to the anon who suggested the title ❤

♡ date: September 1, 2024

“Jimin, I don’t think this is a good idea,” you sigh heavily as you adjust your sunhat. Your large sunglasses keep the sun out of your eyes and make it easier to take in your surroundings.

Passengers stand around you, some checking their tickets, others counting their luggage, and your best friend scoping out your next boyfriend while he checks his phone for messages regarding his beloved cat, Moon.

“Come on! You bought the ticket in advance! You know Jungkook isn’t going to show. You broke up six months ago, he wouldn’t come on this cruise if you paid him!” Jimin exclaims trying (and failing) to ease your worries. 

“He’s right,” Yoongi chimes in once he gets a photo of his cat from his parents. “Jungkook wouldn’t leave his office to come on a cruise his ex and best friends booked a year in advance. He probably doesn’t even remember it.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” you give in as the line moves forward. You pull your luggage beside you. “There’s no way he’d be here.”

Jimin nods as Yoongi moves their luggage. You stand in line with your ticket and passport in hand as Jimin rattles on about all the things he wants to do for the next seven days out on the ocean. You half-listen, looking around at the passengers,  hoping for a relaxing time. 

“We’re a few doors down,” Jimin continues, “but we’ll come get you for all our meals and we can figure out what to do that day. There’s a casino and a karaoke night.”

You nod, smiling as the line moves again. The breeze ruffles your hair beneath your hat and you close your eyes momentarily. 

A vacation was just what you needed.

Jeon Jungkook is a strong man. He’s got a lean body and hands that could rip open a pineapple with ease. He normally doesn’t demonstrate his great strength, but the women are eating it up at the bar closest to the dock. 

His assistant had reminded him about his vacation last week. A cruise, she had informed him as she showed him the next ten days blocked off his calendar. 

Jungkook had denied taking the time off but his assistant had insisted he go. When he tried to protest again, the assistant threatened to call his mother. 

Jungkook took a bite of the pineapple before throwing a handful of bills on the bar. 

“Gotta go!” He yelled over the ruckus he had caused and grabbed his suitcase with his sticky hands. The women were sad to see him go, but Jungkook had minutes before the cruise ship left the dock. 

“Welcome,” Jungkook is greeted before his ticket and passport are checked. He was directed to his floor but Jungkook headed straight for the bar, where more passengers were gathered to get their vacation started.

By the time you get to your room, you’re pleased to see your luggage waiting for you. You head to the balcony, admiring the view as the ship pulls away from the dock. 

You take a few minutes to fix your makeup and grab your sunblock before shoving your suitcase under your bed. Yoongi had insisted you cram everything into one large suitcase and he’d bring an extra one for souvenirs. Jimin had allowed you to sneak some more outfits into his luggage since Yoongi knew better than to try to limit his clothing options.

“That should do it,” you say to yourself as you head out of the cabin, just to spot Yoongi and Jimin heading your way.

“Let’s get something to eat and hit the pool,” Jimin grins as he takes your hand and Yoongi’s in the other.

Meanwhile, Jungkook has finished his drink at the bar and heads toward his cabin. 

He’s glad to see his suitcase has been delivered and he slides it under the bed easily. He takes his room key and heads back out to see what there’s to do on this cruise.

He wishes he had paid more attention to the details when you had booked it.

Yoongi is soaking wet, shaking his long black hair, making you and Jimin scream. He laughs, his gummy smile makes Jimin melt.

“You’re drying yourself off like a dog,” you comment as he sits in the chair with Jimin. 

Yoongi shrugs, leaning forward to take a large bite of the watermelon slice Jimin holds out for him. 

Jimin had slathered the three of you in sunblock, lecturing on the dangers of the UV rays and whatnot. You knew better than to ignore his advice, seeing as he was a dermatologist and Yoongi was a plastic surgeon.

“Are either of you going to get in the pool?” Yoongi asks as he cards his fingers through his wet hair. Jimin bites his bottom lip as he watches Yoongi with a look that’s all too familiar.

“Don’t you dare!” You swat at Jimin with your book. The couple laughs.

“You promised I wouldn’t be a third-wheel,” you remind them.

Yoongi nods. “We promised.”

Jimin nods. “Of course, we’re just teasing.”

“More like setting up foreplay,” you mutter but they ignore you as Jimin hands you a slice of watermelon and a cube of pineapple. The two of you were waiting for this evening’s dinner to have drinks, though the cocktails of the passengers around you looked delicious.

“Since we’re on vacation, are you gonna be seeking a dance partner?” Jimin asks wiggling his eyebrows.

“You know, for the horizontal hula?” Yoongi smirks, earning a swat to his arm.

“No! I’m here to relax!” you insist as you open your book. You clasp your kitten bookmark before it can slip out of the worn pages. 

Jimin sighs dramatically as he falls over onto your chair. “Come on! You don’t have to marry anyone, just flirt.”

“Min,” Yoongi warns, noting the shift in your posture. 

Jimin mimes zipping his lips as he sits up. 

“I just worry about you.”

“There’s no need, Minnie. If it happens, it happens, okay?” you ask as you close your book once more, giving up on getting any reading done.

Yoongi places his hand on Jimin’s shoulder, tugging him to their chair. Jimin goes easily, placated for the moment.

You steal a grape from Jimin’s plate before lying back on the chair with your hat covering your face.

Jimin smiles as he grabs his book and lies back to read, his fruit plate long forgotten. 

As Yoongi reaches for a grape, his eyes catch a familiar tattoo sleeve but when he blinks, it’s gone.

Must have been the heat playing tricks on him.

Dinner had been a blast.

Yoongi and Jimin had gotten every cocktail that you had eyes on earlier in the day. You danced, laughed, and forgot all about Jungkook.

“We’ll see you in the morning,” Jimin said as he walked you to your cabin. Yoongi waited out in the hall outside of theirs’ to make sure Jimin was in his eyesight. He’d seen too many documentaries on shit going sideways on cruises to leave either of you unsupervised.

“Goodnight, Minnie. Love you,” you hug him tight before he leaves you with a kiss to your temple.

Once he’s gone, you kick your shoes off in your cabin. It’s just as you left it. 

You let your hair down as you begin to unbutton your blue dress, allowing the thin straps to fall off your shoulders.

You’re startled when the bathroom door swings open, steam flooding out of it, obscuring whoever is there.

You scream!

The steam clears and out walks a man with a colorful tattoo sleeve on one arm, his other hand holding the white towel around his waist.

His doe eyes widen as he spots you.

“What are you doing here?!” you shout at the same time. “Me?! YOU?! Stop that!”

You both stomp a foot at the same time. 

Water runs down your ex’s sculpted chest and abs—you can’t help but stare. You remember tracing those delicious abs with your tongue, ending up on your knees with his cock down your throat.

A shiver rolls down your back.

“What are you doing here, Jungkook?” you huff, stomping your foot. You hope your next-door neighbors don’t complain about the noise.

“I’m on vacation,” he answers in a duh tone.

“In my cabin?” 

“I didn’t know you were going to be here! We haven’t talked since…” Jungkook trails off, sighing heavily. He feels the knots in his throat, the ache of holding back tears.

“You never take vacations. Why did you come?” you demand answers as you cross your arms over your chest, eyes widening when you realize your bra-clad tits are exposed. You immediately turn around, fixing your dress before facing him once again.

Jungkook rubs his nape awkwardly. He grabs the robe from the bathroom and puts it on.

“I know. My assistant insisted. I never canceled the vacation request and she made plans,” Jungkook shrugged. 

“Well, you can’t stay here!” you exclaim, pointing toward the door sharply.

Jungkook says your name, but you glare at him. He raises his hands in defeat.

“At least let me get dressed, okay?” 

“Fine,” you grumble as he grabs his suitcase from under the bed. You head to the balcony to sit while Jungkook gets dressed.

This was not how you wanted to spend your vacation. Was it too late to fly home from the next port? You couldn’t be stuck on the same ship with Jungkook for the next seven days and six nights. Just knowing he was on board would drive you up the wall.

Five minutes later, Jungkook is dressed as you reenter the cabin. You go with him to the front of the ship, flagging down someone who could help you.

Jungkook explains the situation, and the cruise worker listens while searching for any available rooms.

“I apologize, but there are no other rooms available. We’re fully booked. You’ll have to stay in the room, sir.”

“But-” You go to protest but the worker cuts you off.

“There’s nothing we can do, ma’am. I apologize but we’re in the middle of the ocean, hours from our first stop.”

“Thanks for checking,” you state in defeat as you turn on your heel with Jungkook behind you.

Back in your cabin, you go to the bathroom to shower. You come out in a robe, going for your suitcase to grab your pajamas before going back into the bathroom. 

Jungkook stays out on the balcony until you’re getting into bed.

“I’m sorry. If I had known-”

“Just don’t,” you stop him. He shuts up immediately. “I just want to get through tonight, okay?”

Jungkook nods as you pull the covers over your body. You tug the pillows and place a few between you and the spot where Jungkook will have to sleep.

Silently, Jungkook climbs into bed.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Jungkook whispers as you turn out the lights.

Heat stifles you as you arouse from your sleep. You moan as you push the covers but the pillows’ warmth is still making you hot. You push at them, trying to shove them off the bed, but a grunt greets you instead.

“Quit,” a familiar sleepy voice wakes you up in an instant. 

You scramble to sit up, but you’ve wrapped yourself around Jungkook, who is shirtless. His bed head looks adorable as he whines at the loss of warmth before he tugs the covers toward him, sleeping some more.

Quickly, you get dressed and storm out of your cabin.

You could not deal with this without a stiff drink and your best friends.

Part of you hoped you were dreaming.

~

“He’s here!” you yell when you reach Yoongi and Jimin’s table. Plates of fruit, eggs, and pancakes greet you along with glasses filled with water, some with various types of juices, and mimosas.

You plop down on a free chair, reaching for a mimosa and then Jimin’s. Both men watch you with wide eyes as Yoongi offers you his drink.

“Who’s here?” Jimin asks, befuddled.

Jimin and Yoongi exchange a look. They had watched you go to your room before they retired for the night.

Who could you have run into?

“Jungkook!” You hiss in explanation. “He’s here!”

Yoongi frowns. “I thought that was him.”

You whip your head to face him. “You knew?!”

Yoongi rapidly shakes his head. “I thought I saw him yesterday but when I blinked, he was gone. I thought the heat had gotten to me.”

You cackle, nearly losing your mind. “Well, he’s fucking here! And he’s staying in my room!”

Jimin and Yoongi’s mouths drop open wide in shock.

“He’s what?!” Jimin recovers first as he waves down a waiter and orders more mimosas for the three of you. This revelation demanded a drink.

“Can’t he get a room for himself? Lord knows he can afford it,” Yoongi grumbles as he picks at his buttery toast.

“No, it’s booked solid,” you sigh as you cover your face with your hands.

“Good morning, everyone!” Jungkook greets you before he takes the empty seat beside you. He helps himself to some fruit and some of your mimosa.

Jimin and Yoongi stare at him with wide eyes. So you weren’t lying to go home. 

“Hey,” Jimin waves weakly. “Surprising to see you out of the office.”

Jungkook ignores the jab at him. “You look good, Jimin. Very good.”

“Watch it,” Yoongi growls. “Just because he’ll be amicable doesn’t mean I won’t wipe the table with your face.”

Jungkook raises his hands in defeat. “Just being friendly. We are spending the week together after all. Isn’t that right, roomie?” 

Jungkook nudges you with his elbow.

“Eat dirt,” you respond as you ignore him and grab a stack of pancakes. You drown them in syrup and ignore Jungkook and Jimin catching up. Yoongi glares at him the whole time before breakfast ends and you head back to your room to get ready to reach the first port.

The first two days on board, you manage to avoid Jungkook after his appearance at breakfast that one morning. 

You were three days into your cruise when you were hanging poolside with Jimin and Yoongi once again. The warmth of the sun felt nice on your skin, even with Jimin’s nagging about flipping over and reapplying sunblock.

Your swimsuit was something sexy Jimin had picked out to accentuate your favorite features of your body. He had picked out a few outfits for you and Yoongi to match his. You looked more like a polytriad than a group of friends, but you liked the outfits.

Your sun hat and sunglasses kept out the gazes of any men who would have the slightest interest in you, much to Jimin’s annoyance.

Jimin sits on his sun lounger slathering more sunblock on his skin while Yoongi goes off to get the three of you drinks. You’ve been busy the past few days shopping, eating, dancing, laughing, and enjoying life away from the claws of capitalism.

Shade casts over you, and you look up to see Jungkook’s smiling face, dimples and all.

“What do you want, Jeon?” you huff as you sit up, removing your sunglasses. 

Jungkook stands over you, checking you out in your swimsuit. He briefly remembers the times he held you in his arms, when his touch aroused you, not repulsed you.

Jungkook sits down at the end of your seat. His body glistened as if he had just gotten out of the pool. You’re sure there’s at least a gaggle of men and women staring at the both of you. Jungkook attracted attention wherever he went. His glorious body, tattoos, hair, and a radiant smile broke more than just your heart.

His piercings catch the sun, the glint hitting your eyes.

“Yeah,” Jimin pipes up. “This zone is for loading future husbands only.”

You roll your eyes at Jimin but lean back as Jungkook’s body freezes.

“Husbands?” 

“Yes,” Jimin retorts, “Husbands.”

“I didn’t know you were looking,” Jungkook said as he looked at you, perplexed. 

You shrug.

“I figure the next person I date will be the one.”

Jungkook remains silent. He cards a tattooed hand through his wet hair, and you curse him in your mind. He knew how hot he looked, he just wanted to make you suffer.

You weren’t going to give in to his tricks though.

You move your legs toward you, pretending you don’t want to get hit with water droplets but you can’t ignore the rapid heartbeat between your legs. 

“JK!” Yoongi shouts as he approaches, squirting Jungkook with a water gun. 

“Hey!” Jungkook shouts as he chases Yoongi, quickly catching up to the older man. A fight ensues as both men try to gain control of the water gun before Jungkook acquires one from a bystander.

“Fuck,” you groan as you put your sun hat back on.

“He’s fucking hot,” Jimin groans as he lies back. You look at each other and burst out laughing.

“He’s a menace,” you sigh but your heart flutters as you spot him in the pool with Yoongi. The two are splashing each other and some of the other passengers but they don’t seem to mind as they join in.

Jimin is silent for a few minutes before he turns to face you.

“Be honest with me, babe. You still love him?”

“Do you even have to ask?” you respond as you watch Jungkook shake the water out of his hair before he pulls himself out of the pool.

Jungkook ignores the way his cock throbs at the sight of you in your sundress as you walk down the hall to meet Jimin and Yoongi. He nearly drools at the sway of your hips as your body shows off all your best assets.

His thoughts easily wander, you were the only one he ever felt like he could be himself. You were his best friend and he’d lost you over a heated argument about him working so much. He had said some things he had regretted, especially when he lost you.

He had spent the last six months thrown into work, avoiding any socialization wherever possible. He didn’t want to meet someone new, he wanted you. But you had blocked him, made it clear that you wanted nothing to do with him and now you were confined to a cruise ship and he would do whatever it took to get you back.

You turn when you hear your name being called, and heat rushes to your cheeks when you spot the captain, Kim Namjoon. 

He looks divine in his crisp white uniform, his hat tucked under his right arm. 

“Good evening,” he greets you with a dimpled grin. You smile brightly at him, asking him about his day. 

He had heard about your predicament with Jungkook the following morning and had invited you to a special dinner with him tonight as an apology for the inconvenience.

Normally, you would have denied any sort of offer, not wanting to inconvenience anyone but Namjoon was hot, smart, and funny. 

Namjoon offers you his arm, which you take giddily as he escorts you to your private dinner. 

Within five minutes he had you laughing, wine threatening to shoot out of your nose. 

Jimin had encouraged you to go to dinner after he spotted the captain later that day, and now that Namjoon’s schedule allowed, you sat in front of him in a candlelit room with a spectacular view. 

A white ceramic vase sat in the middle of the table with fresh pink peonies. Soft music played from a speaker overhead, and the sound of the ocean filled the background. 

Namjoon’s eyes lit up every time he shared a snippet of his tales from the sea. You listened intently, batting your lashes whenever he’d smile with his dimples on display. 

You know this wasn’t a date, and it would never work out with how long Namjoon had to be out at sea, but it was nice to get back into the game after such a long time. You never imagined being tossed back into the dating pool after Jungkook.

The thought makes your smile waver for a moment, and you reach for your glass of wine instead. 

Two silver-covered trays arrive shortly, stopping Namjoon mid-sentence as he smiles proudly. 

“I caught tonight’s dinner. I had our chef cook it with a special sauce that you’ll enjoy,” Namjoon states as your tray is set in front of you and you nod excitedly.

All excitement vanishes as you see two little beady eyes staring back at you.

Jungkook looks immaculate. His undercut is on display, his tattoos pop against his white-button shirt, and his smile can dazzle just about anyone… except Min Yoongi.

Yoongi is the first to spot Jungkook heading to the table where he sits beside his boyfriend. Yoongi had loved Jungkook, still did but his loyalty to you made him pull away from the younger man. An annoyance brewed where he held brotherly love for him once. If you decided to get back with him, it would take Yoongi a while to thaw out. 

Jungkook looks around the area, finally asking Jimin where you are.

“She’s on a date,” Yoongi smirks as Jungkook’s hopeful smile turns into a frown. The younger man toys with his lip piercings worriedly. 

“With the Captain,” Yoongi continues, ignoring the jab of his boyfriend’s sharp elbow to his ribs. “So she’ll be late coming to bed tonight… if she goes to bed at all.”

Jungkook’s heart deflates further as he twiddles his fingers. His eyes shine as he blinks back tears. Jimin scowls at Yoongi. 

Perhaps, he had gone too far. Yoongi slouches into his seat, abashed.  

“It’s just dinner,” Jimin tries to assure Jungkook. “They’re on the balcony by the lobby.” 

“Jimin!” Yoongi hisses before Jimin elbows his ribs again. 

“What? He loves her!” Jimin exclaims, gaining the attention of a few patrons. 

Jungkook feels his ears burn from the attention as he thanks Jimin quietly before leaving the couple to enjoy dinner. 

Heartache is quick to consume Jungkook despite Jimin’s poor assurance of you and the captain’s night. He remembered how mesmerized Captain Kim had seemed when he offered his apologies before asking you to dinner right in front of Jungkook. As if he were invisible!

Okay, maybe Jungkook was jealous. He never wanted to end things, and he didn’t mean any of the things he said that awful night of your breakup. He had taken steps to fix himself, working less, going home more, and prioritizing himself and his family. He was a new man, even his mother had noticed the change. She was hopeful you and him would get back together. 

Jungkook wallows in his sadness as he heads down one hallway and down another. He ignored the conversations around him and anyone who tried to strike up a conversation. 

Before he knows it, he arrives at the kitchen with the swinging doors. He’s about to turn away when he gets grabbed by a man in a white hat with a stern look. 

“Why are you just standing around?!” The man shouts as he hands Jungkook a silver tray with a thick lid that reflects his befuddled expression. 

Jungkook looks at the name tag on the man’s white coat that reads, Soobin.

“Listen,” Jungkook tries to protest but he’s shoved in the direction of the other doors that lead who-knows-where. Jungkook stumbles before righting himself as the staff in the kitchen zoom back and forth adding garnish, stirring bubbling pots, and plating elaborate dishes in pristine white ceramic plates 

“Hurry!” Soobin shouts from across the kitchen, his scowl sends a shiver of fear down Jungkook’s spine. He balances the tray in one hand as he pushes the black doors in front of him. 

Jungkook’s not even sure where he’s going, or how he got into this situation from just losing himself in his thoughts but now he had to deliver whatever was under the tray and look for an exit. 

Perhaps he could scale the side of the ship to get on another floor. 

There was no way he’d be facing Chef Soobin’s wrath again. That much he was sure of. 

“We’ve been waiting on you,” someone else hisses at him once he goes through the swinging door, biting his lip when one of the doors smacks his back and jolts him forward. 

“I don’t-” Jungkook tries to explain but is interrupted as someone apologizes to a man clad in white. 

Jungkook’s heart sinks as he recognizes you with every step he takes. 

“Here is dessert,” the person grins as Jungkook sets the tray on the table.

Your eyes widen in surprise when you see him, confusion forming on your brow. 

Jungkook looks to the side where the waiter is placing the remains of your dinner on a cart, and two black beady eyes seem to follow his movements as he shifts his weight from foot to foot. 

“Kookie?” You ask in surprise and his heart flips at the nickname he’d only allow you to use. 

However, before he can bask in the sweetness of it, you clear your throat and correct yourself, using his full name instead. 

“What are you doing here?” 

Jungkook bites his lip. This looks bad from all angles. The truth sounds like a fabricated lie and a lie would sound worse. 

Namjoon raises a brow at the two of you, quickly putting the pieces together. 

“Join us for dessert,” Namjoon smiles warmly as he waves over the waiter to ask for another chair but Jungkook shakes his head. 

“No, that’s okay! I just got lost is all,” Jungkook blushes as he cards a hand through his hair nervously. You follow the action closely, studying Jungkook and the way his fingers twitch at his side. He avoids your gaze and Namjoon’s, apologizing as he takes a step back. 

“I’ll go find my way back to Jimin and Yoongi. Please, don’t let me interrupt any further,” Jungkook can taste the vileness of his words but he’s at odds with his words and his thoughts. 

“Why don’t I walk you back,” you offer, surprising him and Namjoon. 

“Oh, no that’s not necessary,” Jungkook shakes his head but makes eye contact with the little beady eyes from before. 

Had Namjoon tried to feed you that prawn? Did he not know food with eyes freaked you out? How long had you stared at those bead-like eyes before the plate had been removed from the table?

“Of course it is,” you say as you rise from your seat. Namjoon remains silent as you thank him for dinner.

“It was a pleasure,” Namjoon responds as he stands. He takes your hand in his and kisses it, making you smile bashfully. 

“I’ll be going now!” Jungkook squeaks, his face red like the prawn still staring at him. Why hadn’t the waiter taken that abomination back to the kitchen yet?

Was he hiding out of Chef Soobin’s wrath too?

“Kook!” You huff, flustered as you take his arm to link with yours. Jungkook stays silent as you lead him out of the private dining quarters through a door he could have easily spotted if he hadn’t been so flustered by the events. 

Weakly, Jungkook waves at Namjoon, who watches the two of you leave.   

Jungkook gets a good look at the captain, admiring the long, thick hair that sits at his shoulders. He looks dapper in his uniform and hat, with thick arms and thighs to die for. 

Jungkook was glad he had appeared just in time, or you’d be Captain Kim’s wife before the end of the cruise. 

Hell, Jungkook would vie for Namjoon.

You remain silent as you drag Jungkook by the arm. He goes willingly as you lead him toward the giant dining room with the rest of the passengers.

You come to a halt before entering, ignoring the hunger pangs in your belly. 

“What exactly is it that you are doing, Jungkook!” You ask as your anger bubbles over now that you’re alone with him. 

Jungkook steeled himself, biting his lower lip in the way you love. 

“I apologize,” Jungkook says sincerely, though the words taste like poison. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your date.”

“It wasn’t a date,” you respond automatically, cringing at the speed of your words. 

Jungkook visibly perks up.

“Don’t go getting any ideas,” you mutter as you cross your arms over your chest, drawing Jungkook’s saddened gaze for a moment. “Though I did need some rescuing, so thank you.”

Jungkook perks up again, smiling cutely. 

Before any more words are exchanged, your stomach rumbles loudly. Jungkook bites back his laughter as you cover your face.

“Oh my!” Jungkook giggles when your tummy rumbles again. 

“Kook!” You whine, stomping your foot. “Stop laughing!”

Jungkook continues to laugh, broad shoulders shaking as he does so. You pout, flipping him off.

“Come on, let’s get you something to eat,” Jungkook smiles as he takes your hand to lead you to the buffet. You thank him sheepishly as he hands you a clean plate to fill with food. 

You ignore the rumble of your stomach as you sit beside Jungkook in a booth.  The dinner rush has come and gone, only you and a few stragglers are left behind as the servers clean tables and stack dirty dishes a few tables away. 

“How long did you have a staring contest with that thing at the table?” Jungkook asks midway through dinner as he chews his food. For a moment he looks upset as he chews but you know it’s just him enjoying his meal. 

“Hey! Namjoon is a nice guy!” You retort as you move your mashed potatoes around your plate. 

Jungkook blinks owlishly, his cheeks stuffed with food. He resembles a cute little chipmunk.

He swallows, pounding his chest with his fist before he speaks. “I meant the prawn.”

“Oh!” you squeak as your body heats with embarrassment while Jungkook bursts into laughter. 

His eyes crinkle at the corners, his pretty nose scrunches and his teeth make an appearance. Your heart flutters in your chest, his laughter healing the wounds he’d left behind. 

No matter how much you tried to deny it, you were still hopelessly in love with him. 

You’re up bright and early the next morning. Jungkook snores softly beside you, cuddled to the pillow between the two of you. 

His hair is splayed on the pillow, one arm tucked under it to support his head. 

His broad back is on display, the covers hanging on his hips as he rolls over an inch. You had spent several mornings waking up beside him, cuddled up, sharing kisses and each other's bodies. Mornings filled with happiness and love, memories you held onto, wishing to relive. 

Instead, you get ready for the day. Jimin and Yoongi are excited to get to the port. There will be tons to do today before coming aboard for dinner and a show.

You put your swimsuit on under your sundress. You pack a change of clothes, sunblock, sunglasses, wallet, water bottle, mini first aid kit, and lip balm in your bag before heading out. 

Jimin waits for you in the hallway, informing you that his other half has gone to secure a table in the dining room before the early risers can fill up the area. 

“Soooo,” Jimin wiggles his eyebrows as the two of you sit down with Yoongi. Your plates are filled with eggs and sausage, fruits, and muffins. 

“So what?” You ask as you eat a slice of an apple Jimin cut for you, the only way you could easily eat fruit. 

Jimin is exasperated as he rolls his eyes at you. 

“What happened on your date?” Jimin asks as he takes a sip of his iced coffee. 

“It wasn’t a date,” you shake your head. “Just dinner.”

“Dinner with the cruise ship captain,” Yoongi cuts in. “That’s a big deal.”

“A private dinner with the cruise ship captain,” Jimin rephrased as he gave you his undivided attention. 

A heavy sigh escapes your beeswax-sticky lips. Should lip balm tingle?

“He served prawns,” you whisper, looking around to make sure Namjoon and his staff are not around. 

“Oooh,” Jimin smiles. 

“No, they had beady little eyes like marbles. They stared into my soul,” you shiver at the memory. 

“Yikes,” Yoongi shakes his head in disdain. He knew how much eyeballs freaked you out. 

“I couldn’t eat it,” you continue as you munch on a grape. “Then Jungkook came in and I didn’t have to.”

Jimin and Yoongi exchange a bewildered look. “What do you mean Jungkook came in?”

“Yeah,” you nod as you stab a cube of watermelon with your fork. “He brought dessert? The whole thing was odd now that I think about it.”

“You didn’t ask him?” Yoongi questions but you shrug as you finish eating. 

“We came to have dinner and it didn’t come up,” you explain with a second shrug. 

Yoongi raises a brow at you. It wasn’t normal for you to be so nonchalant about this, especially with how you’d reacted to Jungkook interrupting your vacation so far. You always had a quip or snide attitude when it came to your ex, so interrupting your not date was major. 

“Your ex-boyfriend interrupts your date and you don’t ask him why?” Yoongi is blunt with his question, seeking a direct answer. Jimin would have toed around it all day but Yoongi wanted to enjoy his cruise, plus he needed all drama set aside when he proposed soon. 

“It wasn’t a date,” you remind him in a sing-song tone. “I didn’t want to eat the eyes, sue me if I was grateful he showed up.”

“Jungkook aside, how was dinner with Namjoon? Do you like him? Do you wanna go on a date date?” Jimin inquires, hopeful that his friend may move on from Jungkook at last. You seem to want to but he knows you still love the dark-haired, tattooed man. 

“No,” you shake your head firmly. “He’d be away too much. That’s why Jungkook and I didn’t work out. Why go get involved in the same situation?” 

“Fair,” Yoongi agrees as he clears his plate. “Come on then, we have a city to explore.”

“Yeah!” Jimin cheers as he takes your hand in his to lead you toward the exit with Yoongi in tow. You smiled brightly as you headed for the port, excited to spend the day with your two best friends. 

No matter what life threw at you, they’d be by your side always. 

Jimin was excited as he watched the waves crash against the boat. 

You had stripped down to your bathing suit, and gotten lathered up in sunblock thanks to Jimin. 

Your sun hat sat on your head and your sunglasses nearly covered half your face as you laid back enjoying the breeze. 

You were doing your best to ignore Jungkook’s shirtless body. Jimin had rubbed his back with sunblock after he’d done you. 

The three of you had been surprised to see Jungkook jogging toward you at the pier, making it just in time to join you for your scheduled scuba diving session. 

Great.

Okay, so you were a little happy to see him. After all, you had planned this excursion with the four of you in mind. 

Though after the breakup, you never imagined it would be the four of you here in the ocean breeze. 

Music plays softly from Yoongi’s speaker. He’s got a thick book in his lap, as his sunglasses cover his shut eyes. He takes a cat nap, lulled by the sound of the waves crashing. 

Beside you, Jungkook puts his life jacket on, tightening the straps to keep himself safe but all it does is draw attention to his tiny waist, a waist you used to trace with your tongue. You flush at the thought, memories of you on your knees licking him up and down, teasing him just to hear him whimper and cry out your name…

“Hmmm?” You look up when you realize someone is calling your name. 

“I asked if you needed help with your life jacket?” Jungkook asks as he holds out the red monstrosity. You doubt it would look as good on you as it did him. You always felt like they were choking you. 

“I’ve got it, thanks,” you say as you take the jacket from him. Cordial. You could do this. It was your vacation, you should enjoy it to the best of your abilities. You should be relaxing, and thankful to be away from the world of work. 

The boat stops soon after and a tall, lean man comes to join you. Yoongi yawns as he awakens from his nap at Jimin’s prodding. He’d be damned if his boyfriend spent the entire vacation snoozing. 

“My name is Taehyung or Tae. Whichever you prefer,” the man introduced himself with a boxy grin. His dark curly hair moved with the breeze and his sun-kissed skin seemed to glow beautifully under the early morning sun. 

“Today we’ll be scuba diving in one of my favorite spots. We’ll be using the buddy system for this excursion, break for lunch, and then sail until four pm.”

You groan. The buddy system. You were shit out of luck as Jimin grabs Yoongi and leads him to the edge of the boat as Taehyung goes over a few more rules. 

Your two best friends hold hands as they get into the water, laughing as they resurface. 

Taehyung approaches you, smiling. “Let me know if you have any questions or if there’s anything specific you’d like to see today. The weather seems to be cooperating with us this morning.” 

“Thank you,” you say graciously as you begin to snap the buckles of your life jacket. You cry out when your hair gets caught in one and Taehyung is quick to unsnap the buckle and release your hair. 

“Here you go,” he coos gently as he pulls your hair upward to tie it in a loose bun. “Safety first.”

You lock your gaze on him as he easily ties your hair. He’s so close it makes your heart flip. His minty breath brushes your skin as he leans in closer to make sure he’s got all of your hair in one hand before tying a scrunchie around it. 

“There we go,” he muses as he takes a step back to admire his handiwork. “Perfect.”

Jungkook glares at the back of Taehyung’s head, cursing him in his mind. Would pushing Taehyung off his boat be rude? Jungkook didn’t think so. However, he didn’t need to be charged and stranded overseas. So he’d play nice. 

For now.

“Can we get in the water now?” Jungkook huffs as he puts his goggles on. “We came here to scuba dive.”

“Yeah,” you nod as you put your goggles on with Taehyung's help, much to Jungkook’s indignation. 

“There we go, love. Don’t want you getting hurt,” Taehyung smiles warmly as he helps you into the water. 

“It’s cold!” You exclaim, giggling as Taehyung dips into the water only to resurface moments later. He brushes his wet hair back, and you bite your bottom lip as he shakes the excess water off. 

Jimin notices the interaction and swims toward you, easily escaping Yoongi’s attempts to stop him from playing Cupid in the middle of the ocean. 

“Tae, can we go down now?” Jimin asks pleasantly, ignoring the death flares from

Yoongi and Jungkook. 

“Sure,” Taehyung responds as he leads the group to an area a few feet away from the boat. He gives them some information about the sea creatures lurking about, warning them to be careful as all are not friendly.

Jungkook sticks close to you, grinning when you go underwater with him. 

The two of you take photos with his camera, giggling at the bubbles that escape underwater before coming up for air. 

“This is amazing!” You grin as you float on your back for a moment. Jungkook watches you, his heart fluttering giddily in his chest. 

All he wanted was for you to be happy. How could he have allowed his work to consume him to the point of breaking up? He always swore to himself he’d be nothing like his workaholic father, and now here he was recreating his old man’s mistakes. 

Never again, Jungkook swears to himself. He would not lose the love of his life over the company. You mattered more, you always would. He had lost sight of that but never again. Being without you these past six months had been torturous. 

Somehow he had spent days in bed, wearing ramen-stained pajamas to go with his red-rimmed eyes. Jungkook didn’t know your eyes could hurt so much from crying, that the ache would almost rival that of his broken heart. 

He didn’t want to imagine what you had gone through. The pain he had caused. 

“Earth to Kook! Are you there?” Jungkook is startled out of his thoughts as you wave your hand in front of his face. “We’re going to the boat for lunch.”

Jungkook follows you as you swim back to the boat. Taehyung helps you out of the water, offering you a towel to dry off with before joining Jimin and Yoongi. 

Taehyung gives the four of you space as the boat hits the waves once more. 

“I’m so hungry,” Jimin hums as he takes a seat to look at the spread on the table. 

“Ooh, guacamole, tacos, and burritos,” Jungkook nearly drools as you grab a plate for him and one for yourself. 

The four of you enjoy lunch before Jimin falls asleep with Yoongi’s head on his lap. You dab some sunblock on their faces, and hope the sun doesn’t hit them.

“Today was fun,” Jungkook said as he sipped his beer. He sets it between you, and you reach for it to sip it. You weren’t a fan of beer but now and then you’d enjoy a sip of Jungkook’s. Old habits die hard apparently. 

Jungkook remains silent at the indirect kiss. However, on the inside, he’s giggling to himself. 

“It was,” you agree as you lie back, moaning as your muscles relax. You could easily fall asleep right there with the waves gently rocking the boat. 

“I’m sorry for crashing your vacation,” Jungkook apologizes after a moment of silence. “I wouldn’t have come if I knew you’d be here.”

“Gee, thanks,” you huff, offended. 

“No, no!” Jungkook shakes his head quickly. “I meant because I know you wouldn’t want to see me after…”

Your heart sinks in your chest as you toy with the edge of the towel to distract yourself. The wind ruffles your hair as you stare out into the ocean. 

“Despite everything that’s happened, I’ve had fun on this cruise. We can be cordial, right?” 

“Yeah,” Jungkook nods, ignoring the crack in his heart. “Of course.”

You turn to face Jungkook, his dark brown eyes locked on yours. For a split second, you consider leaning in closer, kissing him for old-time’s sake but you don’t. No matter how many times you fantasized about being with him, he wasn’t yours. Not even the cute mole under his lip could tempt you enough to kiss him, and you loved that mole!

“I accept your apology,” you say, focusing your eyes on his instead of the mole beneath his lip or his tongue tracing his piercings like you used to. 

Fuck, why were you denying him again? 

“Friends?” Jungkook asks as he offers his tattooed hand for a handshake. 

Your eyes flit from his to his hand and back before sighing. “Friends.”

Jungkook smiles brightly, fireworks going off in his chest. 

“But try anything fishy, and you’re out of here!” You inform him. 

Jungkook chuckles but agrees nonetheless. “I’m not planning on feeding you beady eyes or anything.”

“Good,” you stuck your tongue out at him and lay back on your towel. Jungkook lies beside you as you stare at the sky. 

You’re dozing off, and you swear it’s just your imagination playing tricks on you when you hear a whisper, “I missed you. I still love you.”

“They’re adorable,” Jimin cooed quietly as he looked at you curled up with Jungkook. 

“We should take a picture of them,” Yoongi agrees as he hands his phone to Jimin. Eagerly, Jimin takes a handful of pictures from different angles, all blackmail material for later. 

Once the photos are taken, Yoongi kicks Jungkook’s butt. “Get up! We’re here!”

Groaning, Jungkook stirs before Yoongi kicks him again. This time harder. 

“Hey!” Jungkook grunts as he swats Yoongi’s foot away. His shout wakes you, an annoyed frown on your face. 

“What is it?” You ask as you rub your eyes. The life jacket is still tied to your chest as you sit up. You probably shouldn’t have slept in it. 

“We gotta get back on the ship. We’re having dinner and a show, remember?” Jimin offers you his hand to help you up. You nod as you gather your belongings and Jimin helps Yoongi gather his. 

“I hope you enjoyed your time,” Taehyung bows as Jimin and Yoongi climb off the boat and onto the dock. 

“We did!” Jimin assured him as they waited for you. 

“Oh, need some help?” Taehyung asks as you struggle to undo the buckles of the life jacket. They had gotten tangled while you slept. 

“Please,” you pout as you try to untangle one strap only to tangle it more. Taehyung chuckles softly as his fingers make quick work of the buckles, setting you free in moments. 

“There we go, love. All set,” Taehyung smiles warmly at you as he helps you out of the life jacket. You thank him sincerely as you put your sundress over your bathing suit. 

“Thank you so much for today, Taehyung. I had a great time,” you say as you take his hand to get off his boat. 

Taehyung kisses your hand gently. “I hope to see you again, love. Take care.”

You giggle as you wave goodbye to the curly-haired cutie. 

Jungkook grunts as he gets off the boat last, rolling his eyes at Taehyung. 

He knew he had no right to be jealous but that was easier said than done. 

When you got back on the cruise ship, you were still smiling whilst looking at your hand. 

Jungkook was beyond jealous.

“What was that between you and Taehyung?” Jimin clasps his hands at dinner. 

You giggle at his excitement, knowing you’re gonna nip any hope of finding a man at sea in the bud. 

“It was nothing,” you assure him. “He’s just friendly.”

Jungkook scoffs from his seat, his eyes glued to his menu. 

Yoongi kicks him under the table. 

The three men are dressed to the nines. Jimin wears a black tuxedo with a white button-down shirt and skinny black tie. Beside him, Yoongi looks just as hot in a matching tuxedo with a black bow tie. 

Next to you, Jungkook is in all black. He looks delectable, and it takes all your willpower to keep your eyes off him. He had the same problem earlier when you stepped out of the bathroom in your maroon A-line dress with the deep v-cut that made your breasts look fabulous. He nearly proposed to you then and there.

“Looked like something was blooming,” Jimin insists as a server brings a basket full of fresh rolls and butter. 

“We had a few conversations while I booked the excursion,” you shrug, nonchalantly. “Nothing came of it.”

“Until he kissed your hand,” Jungkook grumbles into his menu.

“Ow!” He yelps when Yoongi’s foot kicks him again. 

“Anyway, he kissed your hand,” Yoongi grinned devilishly. “Could mean something.”

You wave him off. “He’s just being friendly.”

“He wasn’t that friendly with me,” Jungkook muttered.

You ignore him. 

You take a roll from the basket, cut it in half, and share it with Jungkook out of habit. You don’t notice the surprised look on your friends’ faces. 

“Who’s headlining anyway?” You ask as you spread butter on your roll. “I heard the act had backed out and someone else took their place.”

“Kim Seokjin,” Yoongi responds as he sips his whiskey. “I looked him up before dinner. He’s got an amazing voice. You’ll like him.”

You nod, eager to get to the show after dinner.

Jungkook looks up Seokjin on his phone, pouting when he sees an image of him on the screen. 

Did everyone you came in contact with on this cruise have to be so fucking attractive?

The lights dim as the last member of the audience takes their seat. Jungkook pouts beside you, not the least bit enthused about the handsome man who will be serenading the crowd in a few moments. 

Jimin is excited, chatting your ear off as he looks through the set list on the table. A few waiters come and go with trays filled with drinks and tiny napkins. 

The candlelit tables are the only form of light until the spotlight comes on and the first few notes of a song fill the air. 

“Welcome everyone,” a sultry voice greets the crowd from his spot at a piano. His hair is long and curly, it reaches his shoulders. He wears an all-white suit with a pink shirt underneath, the first few buttons undone to show a bit of his chest. 

His lips are plush and look oh-so kissable. He’s gorgeous, more so than his pictures. He is truly a vision that your eyes are blessed to behold. 

“Wow!” You breathe in awe as he sings a beautiful song about loving oneself. Jungkook frowns, what are the chances of him being able to steal the microphone and serenade you instead?

Nobody pays him attention as he watches Seokjin both in awe and jealousy. You seem enamored with the man as he dances with a group, never missing a note, and never sounding out of breath.

On top of it all, he’s funny too. After the first three songs, he takes a seat on a stool set out for him. He has a guitar beside him, and Jungkook wonders if there’s anything Seokjin can’t do.

“This one goes out to all the loves that could have been, the broken hearts, and the ones hoping for a second chance,” Seokjin introduces the next song as the lights dim and he strums his guitar. 

“And it feels like you’re getting further away,” Seokjin croons as his eyes mist with tears but he continues to sing.

Jungkook sits up in his chair, turning to look at you. You’re focused on Seokjin but tears are rolling down your cheeks as you take in every lyric, feeling as if it’s being engrained into your heart.

Gently, Jungkook wipes your tears with his monogrammed silk handkerchief. You gasp in surprise but soon smile through your tears, thanking him. Jungkook nods, remaining silent as the song comes to an end, and you take a shaky breath.

The show goes on, and after a few more songs, Seokjin rises from his seat. He does a few upbeat songs, getting the crowd clapping and singing along with him.

Seokjin pulls members from the audience to join him, teaching them simple choreography before he has them perform alongside him.

Yoongi and Jimin get pulled on stage, and they do amazing beside Seokjin. You cheer the loudest for them as they do body rolls all while sending flirty gazes to the audience. They both enjoy the attention, smiling as they thank Seokjin once the song ends.

Jimin blushes once he’s back in his seat. You hug him tightly, kissing his cheek. “You’re wonderful!”

“That?” Jimin giggles. “That was nothing.”

“Please,” Jungkook adds. “You were made for the stage. The both of you!”

You nod in agreement, smiling when people stop by your table to compliment the couple. Seokjin takes the stage once more, sitting on the stool for a moment while he introduces the last song.

“I’d like to end this night on a higher note,” Seokjin states as he looks out into the crowd. “Feel free to grab a partner and dance.” 

Seokjin heads to the crowd while singing. A few couples head to the dancefloor, swaying slowly to his beautiful voice. 

Jimin and Yoongi join the other couples shortly after, whispering sweet-nothings to each other as they go.

Awkwardness bubbles inside you, as you look down at the tablecloth. Would it be possible to leave the show unnoticed? Seokjin was nearby, surely nobody would notice if you made a hasty exit.

You rise from your seat sharply, surprising Jungkook. He stares at you with wide eyes, wondering where you’re going. 

However, before Jungkook can ask, Seokjin chooses that moment to take your hand, dancing with you at your table for a moment.

“When I’m with you, there is no one else,” he sings beautifully. Your heart skips a beat as you place your hand on his shoulder, smiling bashfully as he spins you once.

Jungkook is ready to head back to the cabin, not wanting to see another man fall for you just as he had. He knew when it was time to throw in the towel, and you may have accepted his apology and agreed to be friends, but how often did that actually pan out? Would you still talk to him once you weren’t stuck on a cruise ship? Jungkook wasn’t sure.

He wasn’t going to stand around and watch you fall for someone else. That much he was sure of.

Seokjin stills you once he finishes spinning you. He then places your hand in Jungkook’s before leaving to another table.

Jungkook’s doe eyes are wide with surprise. You look shocked, but lead him to the dancefloor beside Jimin and Yoongi.

“You were shining towards me, the only light found in the darkness,” Seokjin sings wholeheartedly as Jungkook holds you close. It’s been so long since the last time he held you like this; since he realized how perfect you fit in your arms. He promised if you gave him one more chance, he would make sure to never ruin it. He’d never hurt you again. He’d be more mindful of his words, he’d prioritize you over his company. Jungkook would make sure you never felt like you were an afterthought. It saddens him to think he had made you feel like that, and that it took losing you for it to snap him into reality.

How long had you been unhappy at his side? Was he selfish in wanting you back? In pursuing you still? Had his appearance on this cruise been a divine intervention or a simple coincidence? 

Jungkook forces himself to focus on you and not the downward spiral of despair brewing in his mind. You rest your head on his shoulder, swaying with him as he holds you closer.

Perhaps tonight the two of you could have a private moment to talk things out. Or maybe he’d be asking for too much?

Too soon for Jungkook’s liking, the song ends. He blinks his unshed tears away as you take a step back, clapping with everyone else.

“I’m going to head to the bar,” you inform him as you leave as quickly as possible. Jimin and Yoongi watch you go, and Yoongi places his hand on Jungkook’s shoulder.

“Tough break, man.”

Jungkook nods as he watches you squeeze through the crowd, disappearing soon after.

Jimin and Yoongi leave him by himself, the two enamored with each other after a romantic evening, both eager to get to their room for some privacy.

Jungkook is a little envious.

“Screwdriver, please,” you tell the bartender once you reach the bar. You need something to take the edge off, just a few minutes away from Jungkook and your array of emotions.

“I’ll have the same,” the voice beside you says. The bartender nods as he goes to make the drinks. You turn to your left to see Seokjin.

“You were wonderful,” you compliment, smiling genuinely. You hope you’re not bothering him. Surely he has people circling him at all times, especially after his shows.

“Thank you,” Seokjin bows his head, his ears turning red. 

The bartender places the drinks in front of you on black napkins with a gold border. You thank him before sipping your drink.

“Fuck, I needed that,” you muttter as you take a second sip.

“Trouble in paradise?” Seokjin asks as he sips from his glass. 

“You don’t know the half of it,” you respond sadly stirring your drink with your paper straw.

“I’m all ears,” Seokjin smiles, disarming any protests you might have had. 

“Don’t you have another show?” You ask with wide eyes, surprised this stranger would want to hear about your woes.

“Nope, that was the last one for the night,” Seokjin informs you. He holds out his hand for you to shake as he introduces himself. You shake his hand after giving him your name.

The two of you scoot to the end of the bar with your drinks. It takes you a few more sips of your screwdriver before you fill in Seokjin about your trip thus far and how you were stuck sharing your cabin with your ex.

“Sounds to me like there’s a lot of love there,” Seokjin responds after you’re done telling your tale. He waves down the bartender, asking for two glasses of water before he continues. “If you’ve forgiven him, what’s holding you back?”

You bite your bottom lip as you try to make a list of your doubts. 

“What if he hasn’t changed? What if we get back together and I’m brushed aside again?” 

Seokjin thanks the bartender as he pushes a glass of water toward you. He clicks his tongue before shrugging. 

“There’s no way to find out unless you try. Second chances are few and far between. Some people don’t get second chances, most try to make it work the second time. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again,” Seokjin grins as he chugs his water. 

“So you do greeting cards on the side, huh?” You tease, playfully bumping into Seokjin. He laughs wholeheartedly, his eyes turning into half-moons. 

“I could, couldn’t I,” he says after his laughter has subsided. “But on a serious note, the two of you looked great on the dance floor. I didn’t know you were broken up when I danced with you.”

“Why do things have to be so complicated?” You huff as you finish your water. 

“They don’t have to be,” Seokjin assures you. “They’re only complicated if you make it so. You love him, he loves you, what more is there to it?”

You sigh heavily, you know Seokjin’s reasoning is a little half-baked but it makes sense. What’s keeping you from giving it a second shot? You love Jungkook so much, and despite Jimin’s attempts at fixing you up with someone, you always compare them to Jungkook. He was the love of your life, knew it from the moment you laid eyes on him in your flower shop. He had walked in looking frazzled. His black suit was well fitted and his broad chest showed from the few buttons left undone at the top. His hair had been brushed back, his undercut on display. 

Frazzled, he’d asked you for a custom bouquet. His mother’s birthday dinner was that evening and though he had a birthday present for her, he didn’t want to show up without flowers. She adored flowers, he’d informed you. All kinds, any color, any array. He never went empty-handed but the last floralist he’d ordered from had sent him nothing but stems and wilted roses. 

After that day, he made daily appearances, until eventually he asked you out. 

On your third month of dating, he had you meet his mother, her house filled with flowers from your shop. 

“It’s so nice to meet the woman responsible for my new garden,” she joked as she welcomed you into her home with a tight hug. 

Jungkook had blushed, hiding his face in his hands. 

His mother adored you right off the bat, and that’s when Jungkook knew he couldn’t live without you, didn’t want to. 

Your relationship had been perfect at first, something out of a fairytale. You spent a lot of time together, went on dates, spent the night, and tried his hobbies which involved rock climbing, kayaking, and bungee jumping. He tried yours, cooking, baking, painting, candle making. However, as your relationship wore on, Jungkook spent more and more time at work at his company. Business trips overseas, meetings late into the night, days off spent sleeping or moody. 

You understood at first. You were supportive and gave him space when he needed it but soon came the canceled dates, the forgotten anniversaries, and the forgotten birthdays. 

“I’m tired of coming second all the time, Jungkook,” you told him one day in his office after another canceled dinner. 

“I have to work, babe. I can’t put it off for dinner,” he said as he sat at his desk, barely looking up from his laptop. 

“It wasn’t always like this, Kook. You used to make an effort to come home,” you frowned as you placed your hands on your hips. 

“You know I would of I could,” Jungkook huffs as he rubs his face with his hands. He had a knot in his shoulders from the stress and a headache was building rapidly. He didn’t have time for this argument. The longer you interrupted him the longer it would take for him to finish and go home to your shared apartment. 

“Kookie,” you sigh, defeated. “I’m tired of waiting for you.”

“Nobody asked you to!” He exclaims as he shuts his laptop. 

His words shattered your heart and a knot formed in your throat. You held back tears, simply nodding. 

“Don’t worry, I’m done waiting on you.”

You had walked out of his office without another word. You headed straight to your shared apartment to pack up your belongings and crash on Jimin’s couch. 

Jungkook had gone home late that night exhausted from his day at work. He had been put off by the complete silence. The lights were all off which was unusual since you were scared of the dark. You always had one light on, whether it was the living room lamp or the light over the stove. 

Jungkook called out for you but got no response as he made his way to the bedroom. 

The silence was eerie, just like the darkness. When he flicked the light switch, his eyes widened and his heart sank in his chest. 

Drawers were open and emptied. Your half of the closet had nothing but empty clothes hangers. 

Jungkook shook his head, this couldn’t be happening. 

He rushed to the bathroom to see your makeup, face products, and toiletries were gone. He heaved, resisting the urge to puke as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. 

Jungkook went to the kitchen, opening cabinets to see if your favorite mug was gone. There wasn’t an item left that belonged to you in the apartment. 

You truly had grown tired of waiting for him. 

Jungkook fell to his knees on the cold kitchen floor. His heart felt like it was cracking into tiny pieces. He had lost you. He was sure of it. 

You were gone.

“Hello?” Seokjin waves his hand in front of your face when his question goes unanswered.

You apologize before he repeats his question. “What more is there to it?”

Seokjin had a point. What was keeping you from making amends? Jungkook was here, you’d forgiven him, and secretly his mother had called you throughout the six months to check on you but also fill you in on Jungkook’s change. No longer was he missing dinner, he was at her home promptly at six every evening. He had his days off, and spent more time with her, which she loved but she missed the shine in her son’s eyes, the little sparkle he got when he was with you.

Fear wasn’t a good enough reason to stay away, not anymore. 

“You’re right,” you give in with a small smile. 

“I always am,” Seokjin chuckles as he reaches into his suit pocket and hands you a card. “Here, call me when you need a singer for your wedding. I’ll give you ten percent off.”

You laugh, shaking your head. “Thanks, Seokjin.”

Seokjin shakes his head. “Think nothing of it. Now go, get your man back.”

“You only want us together so we’ll book you,” you laugh as his cheeks turn pink. 

“Hey, I gotta make a living somehow,” he winks at you to make you laugh. “Now quit stalling and go!”

“All right! All right! I’m going!” You laugh as you hug him goodbye, promising to update him before the cruise is over. Seokjin waves as you go, hopeful that you and Jungkook will make amends. 

Seokjin orders a shot, raising it in your honor before downing it. 

Perhaps his next endeavor would lead him to matchmaking. 

You’re filled with nerves by the time you reach your cabin. You use your bracelet to let yourself into the room, hoping the butterflies in your stomach will settle. 

However, your nerves are for naught as you spot Jungkook asleep in your bed. 

Disappointed, you head to the bathroom to change and wash your face. 

Jungkook opens his eyes once he hears the bathroom door shut. He looks at the time and notes you’ve been gone a little over an hour. 

He hopes you and Seokjin will be happy together. 

The next morning you’re up bright and early. You roll over expecting to see Jungkook, but instead, you find his spot empty and the sheets cold. 

Frowning, you get out of bed to get ready for the day. 

You were hoping to talk to him before reaching the next port. 

“Good morning!” Jimin sings as he enters your bedroom after knocking incessantly while you get dressed. 

“Morning,” you mumble as you grab your purse and sunglasses. Another sundress covers your body, this one purple with white flowers. Your bathing suit hides beneath the cool fabric, riding up a bit as you bend down to fix the strap on your sandal. 

“What’s got your panties in a twist?” Jimin raised a brow at your response. “I thought you and Seokjin hit it off last night. At least it looked that way when we were heading to bed.”

“Nothing happened,” you roll your eyes at Jimin’s nosiness. “We talked about Jungkook.”

“Ew, talking about an ex on the first date is such a downer,” Jimin comments as he follows you out of the cabin and into the hallway. 

“It wasn’t a date,” you insist as you face forward. “Have you seen Jungkook? He wasn’t in bed this morning.”

“He’s probably at breakfast with Yoongi. I sent him ahead to get us a table,” Jimin explains. 

“Oh,” you say dejected. “So you haven’t seen Kookie?”

“Kookie?” Jimin’s eyes widen in surprise. “You’re calling him Kookie again? He’s not a dick anymore?” 

“Jimin,” you huff. “Have you seen Jungkook or not?”

Jimin shakes his head. “Not since last night.”

You frown. You wanted to speak with him sooner rather than later. Tonight was one of the last nights on board, and if he was nowhere to be found you’re not sure if you’d have the courage to reach out to him once you went back home. 

“Let’s have breakfast and go about our day. I’m sure he’ll show up at some point.” 

“What if he doesn’t?” You bite your lip nervously. 

Jimin scoffs. “Please, this is the man who somehow found you in the captain’s private dining room. He’ll find you.”

You giggle as you take Jimin’s arm in yours, feeling much lighter as you head to the dining area.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Aren’t I always,” Jimin states cheekily.

However, Jungkook isn’t at breakfast and he’s nowhere to be seen when you get off the ship at the next port.

“Don’t worry about him, babe,” Jimin links his left arm with your right. “He’ll show up.”

“I hope you’re right,” you sigh. “I need to talk to him.”

Yoongi shrugs. “Don’t let him ruin your day. We’ve got a whole day at the beach.”

You smile as you go with the couple to check out the market on the way to the beach. You fill your bag with souvenirs for your family and friends. Jimin buys you snacks, trying them all on the way to the beach.

“This weather is so nice,” you sigh happily as you rest on your lounger under a large blue umbrella Yoongi had set up for the four of you, despite Jungkook being nowhere to be found.

“I’ll go get us some drinks,” Yoongi volunteers as Jimin mentions wanting a blue drink with an umbrella that the person a few feet away from you was sipping on.

“Get me one too!” you call after him as he raises his hand over his shoulder to assure you he heard your request.

The sand is hot on Yoongi’s feet as he reaches the bar. There’s a crowd at one end of the bar, cheering as some shirtless dude rips open a watermelon with his bare hands. Yoongi rolls his eyes as he orders your drinks and a bottle of water for himself.

“JK! JK! JK!” The crowd cheers. Yoongi whips his head to the crowd, spotting Jungkook’s tattooed arm dripping with watermelon juice. He pours the juice into a few shot glasses, while the bartender adds vodka.

“Cheers!” Jungkook grabs a shot as do a few of his fans.

“Thanks!” Yoongi pays for the drinks, sliding the cold water bottle into the pocket of his swim trunks. He barrels through Jungkook’s onlookers, earning a few angry looks as he grabs Jungkook’s shoulder.

“Hey! No touchy!” Jungkook exclaims before he realizes it’s Yoongi grabbing his shoulder.

“Oh! Yoongi! What’s up?”

“You know your girl’s been looking for you all morning?” Yoongi raises a brow as he tugs Jungkook away from the bar, ignoring the onlookers’ protests.

“She’s Seokjin’s girl now,” Jungkook shrugs.

“You’re an idiot! You know that?”

“I do,” Jungkook agrees easily and Yoongi hands him his water. 

“Drink this and come join us. I’m proposing to Jimin tonight and I don’t need you ruining this for us.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen. “Oh shit! You’re proposing! Congrats! Does he know?!”

Yoongi’s forehead vein twitches. “I haven’t done it yet.”

Jungkook nods, smiling. “You should.”

“I’m gonna.”

“Good,” Jungkook grins. “You should.”

“I’m gonna,” Yoongi rolls his eyes at the younger man.

“You should.” Jungkook bobs his head.

“I’m gonna,” Yoongi insists before carding a hand through his long black hair. “Will you shut up?! Let’s go!”

Jungkook chugs the bottle of water before following Yoongi to where you and Jimin chat under the large umbrella.

“Hey stranger,” Jimin greets Jungkook as Yoongi hands you and Jimin your drinks. 

“Hey,” Jungkook waves weakly as he takes a seat on the end of Jimin’s chair. Jimin eyes Yoongi, silently asking him what gives. Yoongi answers with a shrug.

“Okay…” Jimin grins. “Glad we’re all here.”

You nod as you sip your blue drink, not knowing what to say or do. Yoongi sits on your chair, stretching out. You poke his chest, and he pouts.

“Be good,” he swats at your hand, making you laugh as you and Jimin talk about the drink. Jungkook remains silent as he watches the ocean, wondering what he can do to make things between you less awkward.

Hours pass, and soon it’s almost sunset.

“It’s right over here,” Yoongi says as he leads Jimin by the hand to a place further down the beach.

“Hello!” A bright voice greets the four of you along with three giant horses.

“Horseback riding?” Jimin squeals in delight. He kisses Yoongi on the cheek. 

“I’m Hoseok,” the man introduces himself. “I’ll be giving you a tour.”

You all introduce yourselves.

Hoseok has Jimin and Yoongi meet their horse, becoming familiar with the steed before helping them onto Pepper, a beautiful black stallion.

“All right you two, you’re on Sugar,” Hoseok states as he hands you and Jungkook sugar cubes for the horse. “She’s the sweetest I own. Be good to her and she’ll be good to you.”

Hoseok helps you onto the horse, his hands gently guiding you forward so he can get Jungkook on behind you. 

“Place your hands around her waist and place them here,” Hoseok instructs before telling you where to place yours.

“Aren’t you a good girl?” Hoseok coos, and you giggle.

Hoseok pets Sugar, but winks at you before he gets on his horse, a beautiful sandy brown mare named Cinnamon.

Unknowingly, Hoseok is leading you to the spot Yoongi will propose. However, he takes the long way around, showing you as much of his beautiful city as possible.

Hoseok hangs beside you and Jungkook. He’s very outgoing, filling any awkward pauses with jokes, and information you’re eager to hear. 

“Why don’t you two hang back a bit?” Hoseok raises a brow, winking at you once more before he goes to Yoongi and Jimin. Sugar comes to a stop, and Jungkook jolts forward, his chest hitting your back.

“Sorry,” he apologizes as he grips your waist tighter to keep himself on the horse. 

“What’s going on?” you ask as you watch Hoseok lead Yoongi and Jimin further up before he hands Jimin a blindfold. Hoseok calls for Sugar, and she goes willingly.

“Whoa!” you hold tight to the horse and Jungkook, scared you’ll fall off and get a mouthful of sand in the process.

Soon, lights appear in the sand in the shape of a heart. Rose petals are spread perfectly throughout, spelling out the words, Will you marry me?

“Oh my god,” you whisper, tears immediately filling your eyes. 

“What’s going on?” Jimin asks as Hoseok helps him off the horse once Yoongi gets into position. A photographer and videographer stand nearby, waiting as Hoseok leads Jimin to Yoongi. Hoseok then comes for you and Jungkook, helping you off the horse before leading you to the side.

“You may remove your blindfold,” Hoseok instructs as he grabs the three horses' reins to get them out of the photos.

Jimin is confused but does as he’s told. His heart is racing in his chest, his hands have grown sweaty from nerves, and butterflies swirl in his tummy.

A gasp escapes him as the silk blindfold flutters to the sand. His hands cover his mouth as he looks at Yoongi kneeling in front of him with a black velvet box containing a perfect amethyst ring.

“Will you marry me?” Yoongi asks with hope in his eyes. 

Jimin nods, “Yes. Yes!”

You grab Jungkook, shaking him in your excitement as your two best friends kiss. Yoongi places the ring on Jimin’s finger, and you allow them to have their moment, waiting for the happy couple to turn to you and wave you over.

You wrap your arms around them both, squeezing them until they tell you they can’t breathe. You release them, admiring Jimin’s ring, giggling in your excitement as you begin talking about wedding plans.

“Congratulations,” Jungkook tells Yoongi as he watches you and Jimin bounce ideas off each other as Hoseok approaches with the horses.

“Thanks,” Yoongi smiles brightly, love in his eyes when he looks at Jimin.

“We should get going before the ship leaves without us,” Jimin turns to face the two, urging them onto the horses. Hoseok helps you back onto Sugar, his hand lingering on your waist as you settle. You laugh at something he says, gently swatting him as he laughs before he goes to help Jimin and Yoongi.

Jungkook gets on Sugar without any help, his hands gripping your waist as Hoseok gets on Cinnamon and leads the four of you back to his office.

Jimin and Yoongi are all smiles at dinner. Champagne glasses in your hands as you toast their engagement before they go off on their own.

“I’m so happy for them,” you grin as you watch your best friends leave. 

Jungkook nods in agreement. 

“What should we do now?” 

“Want to check out the party on deck?” You ask as you see fireworks going off in the distance. Jungkook nods as he follows you out onto the deck.

The two of you haven’t had a chance to have a serious conversation due to all the excitement but now with Jimin and Yoongi gone, you were unsure how to approach the subject.

More fireworks go off as you find a spot for the two of you to watch the rest of the show, amazed by the beautiful colors and patterns of the fireworks.

Jungkook smiles as the last few go off before the passengers clap and disperse.

“Should we head back to the room?” you ask Jungkook as a chill runs down your spine, your hands rubbing your arms.

Jungkook nods. He takes his jacket off to drape over your shoulders as he follows you back into the ship, going down the halls until you reach your cabin.

“I’m gonna take a shower,” you inform him as you set his jacket on the bed before going to the bathroom with your pajamas in tow. Jungkook nods, as he hangs his jacket in the small closet. 

He cards a hand through his hair before he heads out to the balcony to watch the waves. Something about the endless ocean at night made him uneasy but he couldn’t stand the tightness he felt in his chest being in such a small room feeling somewhat awkward.

“Bathroom’s free!” You call twenty minutes later as you climb into bed before Jungkook can see you wearing one of his old t-shirts to bed. You had packed it with the thought that he wouldn’t be joining you on this cruise and now you were stuck hiding under the sheets.

“Thanks!” He responds before he heads into the shower. You scroll on your phone absentmindedly, humming until he comes out. He’s shirtless as he does his nighttime skincare routine, singing a song softly to himself.

You stare at his perfect abdomen, wishing you could run your hands over his broad shoulders and tapered waist. Your lips ache to kiss every mole and scar on his body, to taste him once more. 

“Jungkook, can we talk?” You ask as you muster all the courage you can. 

Jungkook's eyes widen in surprise, his toothbrush hanging from his mouth.

He nods as he rushes to the bathroom sink to spit out the toothpaste. 

You wait patiently for him to finish before he sits on the edge of the bed. 

Jungkook waits apprehensively for you to speak as you play with the sheets. 

“I’ve been talking to your mom these past few months,” you say, avoiding his gaze. 

“My mom?” Jungkook is surprised at the revelation. “Why?”

You shrug. “I didn’t break up with her.”

You’ve got him there. 

“She says you’ve changed a lot these past six months,” you continue as you finally meet his gaze. “That you’re different now.”

“I am,” Jungkook nods eagerly. “I swear.”

“I want to believe you,” you respond honestly as you focus on the sheets, tugging them to peaks. “I’m just scared of getting hurt again.”

“I know,” Jungkook sighs heavily. “I’ve been kicking myself for how I treated you back then. I was an idiot. I said things I didn’t mean. I missed so many events and dinners. I’m truly sorry.”

“I still love you, Jungkook. I never stopped,” you admit sheepishly as you feel heat rush to your cheeks. 

Jungkook moves closer, his hand gently cupping your face. He waits patiently until you meet his gaze. 

“I never stopped loving you, baby. I want to be the man you deserve. I want to be everything I wasn’t. You are my priority. I’m sorry it took me losing you to figure it out,” Jungkook gently caresses your cheek. Tears well in your eyes as you try to blink them away. 

When one rolls down your cheek, Jungkook tenderly wipes it away with his thumb. 

“I never meant to hurt you, love. And I swear that I never will,” Jungkook promises as he hooks his pinkie with yours. You smile through your tears, wrapping your arms around him to hold him close. 

Jungkook rubs your back softly, holding you tight, afraid to let you go. He can feel your tears land on his shoulder as he holds you, whispering assurances and sweet nothings until you’re sniffling instead of crying. 

When you let go, you wipe your eyes and smile at him sheepishly. 

Jungkook holds your hands in his, kissing each of them before pressing his lips to yours. His forehead rests on yours, and your gaze meets his hopeful one. 

“You are my everything,” Jungkook whispers. “Today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life. I love you.”

“One last kiss before we head out,”  Jungkook pouts as he stands in front of the door to your cabin, his back pressed to it. 

You roll your eyes playfully, but lean in close to kiss him. Jungkook’s large hands grip your waist, tugging you closer as he deepens the kiss, making you moan when he sucks on your bottom lip. 

“Fuck,” you curse when you take a breath. Jungkook smirks, his hand moving higher on your back. 

“We could say we’re sick,” Jungkook wiggles his eyebrows suggestively at you.  

“Please,” you scoff. “You know Jimin would break the door down if he thought I was sick.”

Jungkook pouts, “But we just got together. I want to make up for lost time.”

You run your hands over the smooth planes of his chest. You have lunch plans with Jimin and Yoongi, some wedding planning, and more celebrating you’re sure. It’s why you’ve decided not to announce your relationship to the happy couple just yet. 

Your plans for the day are very relaxed for your last night on board, until the farewell party this evening. Seokjin will be performing at dinner once again, and then the passengers will get to have one last big hurrah before going home in the morning. You were apprehensive about going home, would Jungkook keep his promise? Could you put yourself through a second breakup if things didn’t work out?*

Should you just come clean to your two best friends and ask for their advice?

“We can do all that tonight,” You assure Jungkook as you kiss the corner of his mouth and reach for the doorknob behind him. 

Jungkook smiles, nodding as he steps aside to let you by. 

“I was about to go banging on your door!” Jimin huffs as you and Jungkook sit at the table with Jimin and Yoongi. 

“So dramatic,” you mutter as you stab a cube of watermelon from Jimin’s plate. 

Yoongi looks at Jungkook with a frown. “I see you’re still here.”

“Where else am I supposed to go?” Jungkook asks with a raised brow as he reaches for a roll.

“Kinda hoped our girl here would have pushed you over the balcony by now,” Yoongi huffs, a disappointed look on his face as he turns to you. “I guess there’s always tonight.”

“Yoongi,” you roll your eyes. “Be nice. This is a happy time for the two of you. We should celebrate!”

“We have been,” Jimin giggles, ignoring Yoongi’s rosy cheeks. 

“Did you bring your wedding binder?” You ask Jimin as you sip your mimosa. Jimin shakes his head but hands you his phone where he keeps a digital copy just in case. 

“Of course, you’ll have to be my maid of honor!” Jimin exclaims as he shows you his ideas for themes and colors. 

“Duh,” you grin as you scroll onto the next page on his phone. The two of you are lost in wedding planning mode but Yoongi is watching you.

Something about you seemed different and he can’t quite put his finger on it. 

Jungkook eats his lunch quietly listening to you and Jimin chatter about the wedding. He keeps one hand in his lap as he tries not to look over at you too much. It’s harder than he thought pretending you weren’t back together. He wanted to hold your hand, to lean his head on your shoulder, or to even hold a conversation with you but he knew it would be too risky. 

If it were up to him, he’d announce it to the whole ship, so that they knew you were his once again. 

However, instead, he eats his lunch and keeps to himself. 

Yoongi can’t shake the feeling. As lunch ends and the four of you head to the pool, Yoongi keeps his watchful eye on you. 

He notes the way you laugh at Jungkook’s jokes, how you seem to lean into him more as the day goes by, sharing snacks and drinks when you would have poured them on Jungkook at the start of the cruise. 

Jungkook’s longing stares are almost nonexistent. He seems to have regained the sparkle in his eye as he laughs with you and Jimin. His nose is scrunched, and his eyes are closed into pretty little half-moons. 

“Something’s off,” Yoongi whispers to himself before the four of you split to get ready for the last evening on board. 

Music played softly in the background as dinner was served to the passengers. Everyone wore their best gowns and suits. Diamonds, pearls, rubies, and all other colorful gems were in abundance on passenger’s necks and ears. 

The candlelit room gave a softer, more romantic feel to the evening as you awaited your waiter to get to your table. 

“I’m so sad it’s our last night,” Jimin pouts as he places his hand over his fiancé’s. 

“I know,” you frown. “I wish we had more time on board.”

“You can always honeymoon on a cruise,” Jungkook suggests as he reaches for his glass of water, trying to ignore Yoongi’s intense gaze. 

“Ooh, what a marvelous idea!” Jimin chirps as he claps. He turns to Yoongi with a smile, “What do you think, babe?”

Yoongi blinks once. “You’re fucking him.”

Jimin’s eyes widen as Jungkook chokes on his water. 

“What?!” Jimin is scandalized, protests sitting heavy on his tongue. He was most definitely not fucking Jungkook or anyone else for that matter. 

Yoongi looks pointedly at you, “I’m right, aren’t I?”

“Of course not!” You hiss, shaking your head as Jungkook coughs repeatedly. You pat his back gently, asking if he needs anything as his face turns red. 

“There’s something up with you two,” Yoongi states as he stares into your soul. He quirks his head to the side as he notes the way you gently rub Jungkook’s back, offering him your glass of water and checking on him again. 

“You’re back together!” Jimin exclaims as he looks at Yoongi, who is frowning now. 

“Ew, I wish you two were just fucking again,” he spits. 

“Oh, you love me,” Jungkook laughs but doesn’t deny Jimin’s allegation.

“Can we not do this right now?” You ask as you smile at the waiter approaching the table. 

Surprisingly, Yoongi and Jimin remain quiet as your dinner is set on the table. 

Jungkook stuffs his mouth with food, nearly choking so he can avoid speaking. 

Once the waiter leaves, Jimin smirks. “So, are you two back together?”

Jungkook chews noisily beside you, looking at nearby tables instead of Jimin. 

“Technically,” you answer, giggling when Jungkook pokes your side. 

“Kookie!”

“Oh, no! They’re going to be insufferable again!” Yoongi whines as he pouts. 

“I know,” Jungkook chirps. “Isn’t it wonderful?” 

Yoongi groans, but despite his outward displeasure of your revelation, inside he’s delighted to have you happy once again. 

Though he will tear Jungkook a new one if he breaks your heart again. Jimin and you won’t be able to hold him back again…

“I’m so exhausted,” you groan as you kick your heels off in your cabin. 

Jungkook is fresh out of the shower, drying his hair with a towel on his way to the bed as you unzip your dress before scurrying into the steamy bathroom with Jimin’s gift tucked behind your back. 

Jimin had insisted you walk him to his cabin despite his confused fiancé being at his side. 

“Go away, Jungkook! I’ll walk her back,” Jimin had pushed Jungkook towards your shared room, insisting he needed to talk to you. 

“What is it, Jimin?” You ask as you follow him into his room. Jimin waves you off as he lugs his suitcase in front of you.

He searches through his clothing and some of yours that he’s packed for you. He pushed everything out of the way until he finally came out with a pretty bubblegum pink gift bag. 

“What is it?” You ask with wide eyes as he hands it to you. 

“You’re welcome!” Jimin grins as he stuffs everything back into his suitcase. 

“Jimin!” You're scandalized as you see the tiny pieces of black fabric he expects you to wear for Jungkook tonight. 

Jimin shrugs. “I had hoped you’d meet some hottie on the ship and bang his brains out. The fact that it’s Jungkook works for me.”

You turn to Yoongi who shakes his head, chuckling. “Leave me out of this.”

“Go,” Jimin pushes you gently towards the door. “Fuck his brains out. Get an orgasm or six, was that the record?” 

Jimin looks over at Yoongi who holds up seven fingers. 

“Ooh, seven like that song we like. Fuck him to that,” Jimin snickers as he leads you out of his cabin and walks you to yours. 

“What if it’s too soon?” You whisper as you reach your door. 

“Only do what feels right. Whether it’s on the cruise or later on,” Jimin says. “The gift is yours regardless.”

You unlock your bedroom door, leaning against it. You hug Jimin tightly, kissing his cheek.

“Thanks, Jimin. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me,” you squeeze him once more. 

When you part, you spot Yoongi waiting for Jimin in the hall, you blow him a kiss and step into your cabin.

“Thank you, Jimin,” you whisper as you look at yourself in the mirror. You admire the way the ruffles are soft on your skin, the lace not itchy like some sets you’ve worn before. You’re thankful Jimin cut the tags off because you don’t even want to imagine how much your best friend spent on something to get you laid.

You smile, tugging on Jungkook’s shirt that you stole from his suitcase while he showered before dinner and hid in the bathroom for this moment. 

It felt surreal to be back together, and you swore you’d take things slow this time around but tonight had been so lovely. From dinner with your favorite people in the world to dancing the night away under the stars. 

Jungkook was just as he was, and you hoped he kept true to his word. You love him so much, sometimes it feels overwhelming but you’re sure he’s your person and you are his. 

Your love knows no bounds, and being back together makes your heart sing. 

“You can do this,” you tell yourself, trying to hype yourself up but it feels like the first time all over again. You had been nervous that night, spilled wine on his pants, and bonked his head with yours when you both reached for a napkin to dab at the wine. 

Jungkook ended up wearing some of your Kuromi pajama pants while his pants were in the wash. Who knew he’d look so good in them? 

Jungkook is in bed when you finally open the bathroom door. He’s shirtless, scrolling on his phone until he hears the door.

“Oh,” his doe eyes widen when he spots you in his t-shirt. You climb into bed beside him as he sets his phone on the nightstand.

“Hi,” you whisper shyly.

“Hi,” Jungkook giggles in response as you get under the covers with him. He lies on his side so he can face you, his hand rests on your hip while the other gets tucked under his pillow.

Silence envelopes the two of you, shy smiles on your lips. Your heart beats in tune with his as he pulls you closer. Your forehead rests on his, your noses brushed, and Jungkook breathed you in. 

It only takes a moment or two before his lips meet yours, kissing you softly. Slowly, your lips move with his feeling the slight pressure from his lip rings. 

You moan, gripping his bare shoulders as he tugs you over him, making you straddle his tiny waist. 

“I’ve missed you,” he breathes in between kisses and light touches. “So much.”

“Jungkook,” you whisper, afraid that speaking too loudly will pop this bubble of comfort. 

Jungkook hushes you with a finger to your lips, shaking his head befo he moves his hand to the back of your head to pull you towards him. Fiery lips meet yours as desire pools in your abdomen. 

“Fuck,” he curses gripping you tightly, afraid to let you go lest he lose you again. He’s not sure he could survive it one more time. 

“I’ve missed you. I love you. I need you.” Jungkook states as he kisses his way down your jaw towards your neck. Your fingers thread in his thick black hair, tugging as he nips at your neck. 

“I missed you,” you confess in a heady tone as he tugs the collar of the shirt to the side. He’s eager to kiss any bit of you within reach, wanting to familiarize himself with your body once more and hopefully hear those dulcet sounds he loves so much. 

Just hearing you moan his name might be enough to send him into the stars, dispersing among the sky. 

“I love you,” you admit. Jungkook pauses, his gaze locked on yours as his heart flits in his chest, a sweet grin on his lips. You kiss him. You kiss the mole on beneath his lip, the mole on his nose, the scar on his cheek, and the mole on his neck; your favorite. 

Perhaps later you’ll kiss the scar on his shoulder, the one on his ribs, and any new ones acquired in your time apart. You’ll familiarize yourself with his body once again, and become one just like you were always meant to. 

Jungkook’s hand cups your face, moaning your name as his hands grip the shirt you’re wearing. “Let’s get you out of this, love.”

You nod, raising your arms to aid him. 

“Wow!” Jungkook exclaims, admiring the lace that barely covers your body. He tongues his lip rings, his eyes dark and hooded as you grab his hands to place on your hips. 

“Don’t just stare, baby.” 

Jungkook nods, smiling as he pecks your lips before you guide his hands to your breasts. 

His fingers toy with the string tying the two cups together, knowing he could easily get this undone. 

Without a second thought, Jungkook easily flips the two of you over. You giggle when your head meets the pillows, your body caged between Jungkook’s broad shoulders and deliciously thick arms. You run your hands over his bicep, clenching around nothing when he flexes for you. 

The list of things you’d love to do to him is endless but right now all you can focus on is him and the needy whimper that escapes him when his cock rubs against your cunt. 

“I don’t want to rush,” Jungkook admits but a roll of your hips has him seeing stars. 

Your hand laces with his, your thumb gently stroking his skin. “We can go slow, babe.”

Jungkook nods as he kisses you again, his hand cupping your cheek as your legs wind around his hips to pull him closer. Your name escapes him in a groan, the sound shooting straight to your cunt. Your eyes flutter shut as you curse, kissing him hungrily as your nails drag down his back. Jungkook kisses you feverishly, his tongue meeting yours, sucking it into his mouth. He pulls back, nipping your lip before he kisses his way down your body until he settles between your tits. 

“I’ve missed these fucking tits,” Jungkook grunts as you tug his hair.

“Kook!”

He smirks, “Soon, baby. Be patient.”

“It’s been six months,” you whine as you tug his hair again, earning a tiny bite on your wrist. 

“I know,” he responds, kissing your sternum. “But we have all night and I want these in my mouth.” 

Jungkook grabs the black string between his teeth and tugs until the bow comes undone. Your breasts are exposed as the thin lace material goes in opposite directions. 

It feels like heaven when his lips meet your heated skin. His soft lips draw out the sweetest moans from your parted lips with each kiss pressed to your skin. 

“So beautiful,” Jungkook whispers as his eyes meet yours for a brief moment. He grins when you whine his name, begging him to keep going. 

Jungkook aims to please as he takes a hard nipple into his mouth. He swirls his tongue around it slowly, gently tugging on it to make you groan before he sucks it into his mouth. 

His hand grips your other breast, rolling your nipple between his fingertips before he switches. 

Your nails scratch at his scalp, gripping his hair to hold him closer to your tit. He sucks until your legs clamp around him, your hips writhing as you grind against him. 

You’re soaking wet, dripping through your lingerie and soaking his sweatpants. 

“Stop teasing me,” you plead as you arch into him, head lolled back as your hair splays on the pillow. 

Chuckling, Jungkook releases you before he licks and sucks his way down your body until he’s gripping your hips with his hands. He tugs you onto his lap.

“I love you so much, baby,” Jungkook says as runs his hand over your mound. He pressed his index finger to your pussy, teasing you for a moment before he undoes the bows on your hips. 

You lay bare underneath him. He’s transfixed by your arousal slick on your thighs, and he licks his lips. Fuck, he’s missed you so much. 

“I love you, Koo,” you respond as he grips each of your thighs in his hands. He lies flat on his stomach as he drags you closer, draping your legs over his shoulders. 

His tongue is flat as he licks a stripe on your folds. His tight hold on your thighs makes you moan as he teases your clit with his tongue. 

A sigh escapes you as you stare at the ceiling, thighs trembling as Jungkook buries himself in the apex of your legs. Your hand reaches for his, fingers laced as he continues to feast on you. The sounds that escape the two of you are lewd, and if you weren’t so focused on the pleasure you’d be embarrassed by how loud you were being. 

“That’s it, baby. Pull my fucking hair,” Jungkook encourages as you do as he’s asked. You squeeze his head between your thighs as his experienced tongue makes you cry out his name, covering your mouth with your hand to muffle your pleasurable cries. 

“Don’t,” Jungkook huffs as he licks his lips. His dark gaze makes you clench around nothing as you focus on him. His lips and nose shine with your arousal, his hair is in disarray from all your tugging and pulling, and his eyes darken further as he moves your hand off your mouth. “I want to hear how good I make you feel. I want all your moans. I want everything.”

You nod, cursing as he slides two fingers into you and you arch, moaning when his thumb rubs your clit in circles. Jungkook kisses your thighs, his lips joining his fingers soon after. 

Heat races through your veins as Jungkook curls your fingers, watching you intently as you begin to unravel. Your breathing has changed, your moans have risen in octave, and you dig your nails into his shoulder as your orgasm hits, and your back arches off the bed as a loud moan of his name fills the room. 

Jungkook rubs himself on the mattress, your moans going straight to his cock as his chest fills with pride. 

“Kookie,” you whine when the last tremors of your orgasm leave you feeling overstimulated.

Giggling, Jungkook kisses your clit before sitting up between your legs. His hands move up and down your thighs, settling on your hips. 

“It’s been so long,” he admits in a soft tone. “Way too long.”

You sit up, cupping his face in your hands. Your noses brush as you look him in the eyes. 

“Let’s make up for lost time.”

Nodding, Jungkook kisses you gently, falling deeper in love, if that were possible. With each kiss, he promises to be a better man for you, to be the one you deserve. 

“Lie down for me, baby,” you instruct as you get on your knees to allow your “beefcake” of a boyfriend to take your spot. Perhaps you should have laid down a towel before ensuing your activities but it was too late now. 

With Jungkook beneath you, your hands are free to roam where they please. You straddle him, your bare cunt on his erection with only the sweatpants keeping you from feeling him. Soon, you promise yourself. Soon.

A kiss here, a kiss there. You kiss each of his moles, licking and sucking his skin beside his neck mole to leave a pretty little mark. Perhaps you’d be more cautious, knowing he’d have work soon but you don’t care in the moment. You’d cover him in love bites from head to toe if you could. 

Your finger traces the scar on his shoulder, and Jungkook watches you with bated breath. When you kiss it, he gives a quick anecdote of how it happened before you move across his chest to the scar on his ribs. You trace it as Jungkook fills you in on what occurred. 

Your hands run over his chest, feeling the strong muscles beneath. Jungkook’s always had a wonderful body. Such a beautiful man, inside and out. Everything about him makes you fall for him even more. 

Your lips trail kisses down his taut abdomen, leaving hickeys on his hips, near his navel, and below his scar. 

Teasingly, you stroke his hard cock over his sweatpants. He moans your name, begging you not to tease him. You giggle, kissing his cock over the sweatpants before slowly tugging them down his thighs. 

You help him take them off before wrapping your hand around him, but your fingers still don’t meet. You smile as you stroke him, his soft whimpers making you wet. 

“So pretty like this,” you coo, and Jungkook gasps when you spit on his cock. 

“Please, baby,” he pleads as you lower your mouth, kissing the underside of his dick. 

“You can beg better than that, can’t you?” You smirk.

Jungkook nods hastily, begging for you to touch him and stop teasing him. You reward him by wrapping your lips around his cock, your tongue swirling around the leaking head. 

“Fuck,” Jungkook groans as you slowly bob up and down his length. His hand finds its way into your hair, gently gripping it to steady himself. 

You start slow, ignoring the ache in your knees as you slurp and tongue at his slit. His moans flow prettily from his pretty pink lips as you take more of him in your mouth. You do your best to take all of him but you gag, spluttering around him as you focus on breathing through your nose. 

“Don’t push yourself too hard,” Jungkook breathes as his eyes roll back when he hits the your throat and you choke on him before pulling off. A bridge of saliva connects your lips to his cock as your eyes water before you take him back in. 

You spit on him, using your hand to stroke him while taking his balls in your mouth. Jungkook curses, eyes squeezed shut as the knot in his stomach tightened. Fuck, if he didn’t know any better, he’d be sure you were torturing him to get back at him. 

But you want to please him, you’ve missed having him just like this. 

His whimpers encourage you as you release him, kissing the head of his cock once more before you bob up and down his length.

It’s Jungkook who stops you with a tug of your hair, wiping the tear that rubs down your cheek. 

“I’ll cum down your throat if you keep going, my love,” he chuckles as you release him petulantly.

“But I want more,” you pout as Jungkook kisses you, his hand on the back of your head as yours winds around his neck. 

“So greedy,” he chuckles before kissing your nose. “Don’t worry, I am too.”

“How do you want me, Koo?” You ask bashfully as you sit back on your knees, ready to get into any position he desires. 

“Lay down for me, baby. I want to look at you while we make love again,” Jungkook helps you lie down beneath him. 

His fingers lace with yours when you settle under him. Your heart races in your chest as he kisses you gently.. 

You spread your legs further for him, wrapping them around his waist to pull him closer. Jungkook lines his cock at your entrance, moaning when he slides home.

“Fuck,” he grunts as you curse against his lips. “Fuck, love.”

“I know,” you sigh as you take all of him, the stretch delectable as you remember. Your eyes roll to the back of your head as you free your hand from his to grip his forearm. “Fuck, Kook.”

Jungkook tongues his lip piercings as he watches pleasure overcome you. He gives you a moment to adjust to his length. Your nails dig into his arm for a moment before your lustful gaze meets his.

“More,” you plead in a whisper as Jungkook pushes a little deeper, bottoming out when you feel like he’ll reach your throat.

Fire blooms in your belly, desire swirling deep inside you as you kiss Jungkook.

Jungkook pulls out nearly all the way before sliding back into you. Your back arches as he sets a pace that makes you moan incoherently. He kisses you, all teeth and tongues, and dulcet moans.

His lips trail kisses to your neck, sucking and biting, leaving marks behind as he moves his greedy lips to your breasts.

Jungkook’s broad frame cages you beneath him, his hips meeting yours as the lewd sounds of your lovemaking fill the room. 

“Jungkook!” you cry out as you drag your nails down his perfect back. 

“Baby,” he moans, slamming into you again and again, enthralled by the way your tits jiggle with each of his thrusts. You tighten around him, biting back a guttural moan as fire courses through your veins.

“So fucking wet for me,” Jungkook praises. His hand moves between your bodies to rub your clit while his lips find your tits. 

“Love you. I love you,” you gasp as he grabs your hips, squeezing as he pulls you onto his cock.

“I love you,” he responds, groaning when your thighs quiver at his sides. You whimper, eyes fluttering shut as his name rolls off your tongue in a heady tone that makes his head spin. 

“Jungkook, fuck,” you can’t think straight, too overwhelmed with pleasure to warn him of your approaching orgasm, but this is Jungkook, he knows you better than you know yourself.

“I know, baby. I’ve got you,” he assures you as your hips meet his, and his lips meet yours in a messy kiss that swallows your moans as you hit your high. Your body tightens for a moment, your cunt milking Jungkook as he moans your name into your neck.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” he whines as he fucks you through your orgasm and then through his. Sweat beads on your forehead and his. His black hair sticks to his face as he rocks his hips, sure he’s fucked you full of his seed before he pulls out and lays at your side.

Silence envelopes you two for a moment before you’re giggling with each other.

“Fuck, that was amazing,” you grin foolishly as you roll onto your side to face Jungkook, who is already watching you.

“Definitely,” he agrees, his hand pushing your hair out of your eyes. “You’re amazing.”

“Don’t get cheesy with me,” you poke his chest, smiling when he bites your finger playfully.

“You love it when I’m cheesy,” Jungkook responds as he pulls you to his chest. You’re both hot, and sticky with sweat but you’re willing to ignore it for now, at least until you can drag yourself up to use the bathroom and shower again.

“I love you,” you confirm as you place your hand in his. He laces your fingers together, moving your joined hands over his heart, kissing them.

“I love you too, baby. I always have, and I always will.” Jungkook swears as you lay your head on his chest, beside your joined hands, falling asleep to the sound of his heart beating for you.

The next morning is a haze.

You wake with Jungkook draped around you, his leg over your hip as he snores by your ear. You hate to wake him, but after you fell asleep, Jungkook had to wake you to shower, clean up, and change the sheets.

“Don’t get up,” Jungkook whines in his sleepy tone. “Stay with me.”

“We leave in a few hours and we haven’t packed,” you remind him. Jungkook groans as he clings to you.

You kiss him, morning breath not bothering you. “You’ll get more kisses if you get up.”

Jungkook whines. “No up, just kiss.”

“That’s not how this will work,” you laugh as you wiggle out of his grasp. Jungkook sighs as he sits up, his adorable bedhead makes you smile.

Lazily, Jungkook gets out of bed, yawning as he heads to the bathroom to brush his teeth and style his hair.

“I don’t wanna leave,” he says, well, you think that’s what he said with his toothbrush in his mouth. You shake your head when he spits into the sink as you pack your belongings in your bag, including the tiny pieces of fabric Jimin gifted you.

“We can vacation again soon,” you tell him as you shut your bag, and tug on the zippers to close it. It’s funny how you didn’t even want to come on this cruise, and now you weren’t sure you wanted to leave. However, you’d come without Jungkook and now you were leaving with him at your side.

Perhaps this trip hadn’t been so bad after all.

“I’ll hold you to it, babe. Now, when are we having breakfast? I’m hungry as hell after last night,” Jungkook wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. “And this morning.”

You laugh at him, throwing a shirt at him.

Jungkook ducks out of the way, cackling as he shuts the bathroom door.

Jimin and Yoongi meet you for breakfast. The two are in their bubble as you approach with Jungkook at your side.

You sit beside Jimin, kissing his cheek. “Thanks for the gift.”

Jimin brightens, “You used it?”

Jungkook and Yoongi look at each other confused.

“Used what?” Jungkook asks as he takes a biscuit from the basket on the table. He bites into it before Jimin answers.

“The lingerie.”

Jungkook chokes on his biscuit, hitting his chest with his fist before he forces himself to swallow. Yoongi hands him a glass of juice, and Jungkook thanks him with a thumbs-up.

“You’re so back together!” Jimin cheers as he hugs you tightly. Yoongi rolls his eyes in annoyance, but a pleased smile appears on his lips.

“Can we stop talking about them fucking and move onto our wedding plans?” Yoongi asks as he stifles a yawn.

“How about a destination wedding?” you offer as you rub Jungkook’s back soothingly. He smiles weakly at you, his cheeks pink.

“I like the way you think,” Jimin grins as he rattles off ideas with you and Yoongi. Jungkook is too focused on breakfast to offer any input, but he’s sure you’ll catch him up on the way home. 

Things were looking up for him.

Jungkook would have to give his assistant a bonus upon his return. 

~

“Do we have to go?” Jungkook whines as he wraps his arm around your waist. 

Jimin and Yoongi are packing the bags into the trunk of your airport shuttle. 

“We do, work awaits,” you remind him as he frowns. 

“What if we take a few days for ourselves? Just the two of us?” Jungkook questions. 

“Oh?” You raise a brow. “What did you have in mind?” 

“It’ll be a surprise until we get to the airport,” Jungkook smiles brightly. “I want you all to myself for just a little longer.”

“Then I am all yours,” you rest your head on his chest as he leads you to your friends. 

“Ready to go?” Yoongi asks as he shuts the trunk. 

“Definitely,” you answer as you take Jungkook's hand in yours. 

You’re not sure what the future holds for the both of you, but you’re hopeful it’ll be bright with Jungkook at your side once more. 

© jjungkookislife - I do not allow reposts or translations of my work on any platforms, this includes Youtube.

[rafeandonlyrafe]

distant calls

words: 700

warnings: 18+ only!, smut, male masturbation, mentions of p in v sex, like one use of kid, protective!rafe, one mention of violence, kinda creeper!rafe i guess??, dubcon possibly?? not really but just in case!

“hey princess.” rafe smiles when he hears immediately how excited you are.

“hi rafey!” you squeal into the phone, wishing you weren't separated by the distance, forced to talk on the phone instead of in person.

“how was your day pretty girl? what did you do?” rafe asks.

your cheeks blush red at the nickname, never getting used to it no matter how many times he uses it on you. 

“well, it was a port day!” you start to describe your cruise. you really did try to have fun with your parents, but part of you longed to have rafe around, to be back in the obx where he could look after you.

you tell rafe all about the city you stopped in, where you went to shop and a cave exploring excursion that you ended up sitting out to wait on the beach until your parents got back.

you kick your feet up and down, back and forth as you recount everything to rafe. he stays mostly quiet, only letting out a few grunts and light sighs that you suppose is his affirmation that he's listening.

you feel so lucky to have captured rafes interest. you're not dating, haven't done anything at all yet beyond rafe holding your hand when you cross the street, but you're enamored with him. rafe is just as infatuated with you, but he would be damned if he told you, preferring to just keep you smiling and beat up any guys who look at you even a second too long at parties.

“and then we got back on the ship.” you twirl a finger absentmindedly over the blanket as you lay on your stomach on the bed. 

“did you eat baby?” rafe asks, his voice sounding strained.

“yes, of course.” you nod quickly despite rafe not being able to see you. “we went to the buffet and i got a chicken salad and then i even got dessert!” your exclaim, proud of yourself. “i got vanilla ice cream with sprinkles.”

“that's good, kid.” rafe let's out another sigh that has you pressing your ear into the phone, listening intensely to hear a weird somewhat wet sound that you can't place.

“keep-” rafe gasps out. “keep talking baby. tell me about-” he has to pause again as he grunts. “tell me about tomorrow.”

you instantly lose your suspicion as you let out another squeal. “rafey, you will never believe it!” you explain how you're going snorkeling in an area where people commonly see dolphins and you're really hoping you see them on the boat ride out to the reef.

you giggle with excitement, not realizing what your sounds are doing to rafe.

many hours away, back in the outer banks, rafe is laying on his bed, back propped up against the pillows, one hand holding his phone close to his ear while his other furiously strokes his cock.

it wasn't his intention when you first got on the phone, but hearing your sweet little voice had him pulling his cock out of his shorts.

“oh wow.” rafe says, tacking on a moan at the end that he hopes is disguised by his words.

rafe knows he's going to break the second you get back from your cruise. he's going to pick you up himself and bring you to the closest bed, even if it's a shitty motel. he's not even confident he'll make it that far without needing to take you. maybe the side of the highway will do.

you continue talking away about the itinerary, not a clue in the world that rafe is so close to ending the game you've been playing, the teasing about to come to a wicked end.

“are you in your pajamas?” rafe asks, interrupting you. but he doesn't care. he needs to know more.

“yup.” you say, popping your p’s. “been in my room for like half an hour now. it's so warm even with the ac blasting i'm wearing just a t-shirt.”

it's all rafe needs, the image of you splayed out on the bed with just a t-shirt on, pushed up to reveal your bare cunt and perfect tits. rafe doesn't hold back his sounds as much as he knows he should, grunting as he cums with a final stroke, releasing all over his abs.

“you okay rafey?” you question.

“im perfect, dollface.” rafe says, sighing as he lets go off his softening cock. 

“wanna switch to facetime?” you pout. “i miss looking at you.”

rafe switches without second thought, loving to see the way your eyes widen when you realize he's in bed shirtless, eyes squinting at the sticky white substance dotting his lower half.

taglist: @drewstarkeyslut @forstarkey @f4ll-for-you @dilvcv @drudyslut @jjmaybankswifes-blog @rafescokenostril @jjsmarijuana @seeingstarks @angelofcigs @cece45450 @babygorewhore @vanessa-rafesgirl @michelleisheres-blog @outerbankspov @drewstarkeyswifehoe @cutielando @sourkittie @rafeyslove @rafeinterlude @bellbottombaby @deeaardiary @rubixgsworld @wearemadeofstardust0 @leighbronk @starkeysheart @pradabambie @tobesolovelysstuff @alexiskirkland @rafestar @brioffthegrid @juniebugg @magicalyoura @cokepewpsii @mysticallystilinski @luvdella @aerangi @vogueprincess @auryyz @raysmayhem-72 @thestarlithideout @marvelfanfics1recs @rafesgiirl @dityaadama @chiaraanatra @tobiaslut @drewsephrry @1aarii1

[tongue-like-a-razor]

Can you write something with young!Maverick?

Something like where they meet and she has heard about his reputation (he's the type to only stay a few nights and then move on to the next girl). So, when one night, he approaches her all smiley and flirty (and maybe a little shy and cute) she thinks that's exactly what he wants from her - to take her home for a night of sex just to move on to other people the next day. And, even though she has developed feelings for him, she accepts it, albeit with no expectation that she will become anything other than just another one he spent a night with or that it was anything other than just sex and fun. So, imagine her surprise when he starts acting the exact opposite towards her from what she expected - always wanting to be with her everywhere, skipping nightlife to be with her, being super clingy and loving, etc, etc. She doesn't believe he has feelings for her but she just can't understand his behavior. She starts to feel overwhelmed because her feelings for him only get worse and she fears the day when he will stop giving her that kind of attention (maybe she thinks this is just a harmless game for him, where she is the shiny new toy he is getting to know until she no longer interests him that much). She confronts him, confesses her feelings, gets angry and tells him to stay away. He desperately tries to tell her about his feelings for her, that he has always been in love with her and has tried to get closer to her through everything he has done because he didn't know what else to do. She doesn't believe him and it's basically him desperately trying to prove his love for her and all that cute stuff with a really happy ending 💖❣️

I also imagined a lot of cinematic chase scenes, inspired by that sand chase in There Are Rules and the f14 airport scene in Altitude 🤣🤣 so there's that. Lots of desperate, all-consuming love, perhaps ending with a love making scene that includes it all? Making desperate, passionate and hungry love. Someone so in love that they don't even know what to do, whether to cry or laugh.

You could also include a classic “misunderstanding scene” that unearths deep-rooted jealousy, but is it not what it seems? Lol it's all very cliché but honestly, it's the best shit in the world when it's written by someone who knows what they're doing, I live for desperate love.

I know this is extra long but hopefuly you'll be able to make it, I simply love your writing. Thank you. ❣️❣️

Oooh what a fun request! Thank you so much for sending this in!! I hope you don't mind, I kind of see this as a series rather than a one-shot, just because there's a lot to cover XD

Best of the Bad Boys

Pete "Maverick" Mitchell x F!Reader

CW: mild angst, swearing, fluff, allusions to sex

WC: ~2000

Masterlist

“That’s Maverick. Maverick Mitchell.”

You tear your gaze away from the animated man near the bar, throwing his arms around wildly as he describes some aerial trick he’s no doubt performed just that morning. You know exactly who he is, and yet, you turn to your friend jadedly and say, “Doesn’t ring a bell.”

She gives you a sardonic smile and skeptically scoffs. “Right. Like your father’s never mentioned his name.”

You shrug, glancing back at the pack of fighter jocks crowding the front of the establishment, each one admittedly a high-flier in his own right – pun intended. But Maverick… Maverick still manages to stand out. “He talks about all of them,” you reply nonchalantly, adding, “It’s not like I sit there and listen.”

“Why are you staring, then?”

You blink away, executing an elaborate eyeroll as you do, and fix your friend with a serious expression. “I can’t look?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“They’re nice to look at.”

Your friend nods in approval. “Can’t argue with that.”

“Doesn’t matter what his name is. What any of their names are. They’ll be gone in a couple of weeks.”

“Perfect fling material, if you ask me,” your friend wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

“No thanks,” you respond with a grimace. Every couple of months, a fresh assortment of aviators arrives at Top Gun, ready to take on the world. Already the finest pilots in their respective squadrons, they are sent to train at the most elite fighter tactics school on the Pacific seaboard. Their egos soar higher than their jets and their heads are always in the clouds.

You see the various groups come and go – the program is only several weeks long – but it’s always entertaining to watch them transform over the course of their training. It’s why you frequent the officer’s club rather than any of the other pubs in the area. That and the cheap drinks.

“Probably for the best,” your friend sighs dramatically. “He’s got a reputation.”

You purse your lips, watching Maverick smile at the waitress as she distributes another round of drinks among the officers. You know about that too. “Point him out to me,” you say, as though you have no idea whom the conversation is about.

Your friend leans into the table and discreetly aims her finger in Maverick’s direction. “The pretty one,” she mutters.

You let out a small chuckle. “They’re all pretty.”

Your friend shakes her head. “Not that pretty.”

“Not that pretty,” you agree musingly. You make an effort not to fall for the top guns of Top Gun and, until Maverick, you haven’t had much trouble upholding that rule. But everything about him, from the squint of his eyes when he laughs to the radiant warmth of his smile, not to mention his muscular arms, makes your heart skip a beat.

And then he pivots in his stool and his gaze, coincidentally, lands on you. You hastily look away, hoping he didn't noticed you staring, and start to fiddle with the pearls of your necklace. Several moments later, you slowly lift your eyes to check if he’s still looking.

Your heart nearly springs up into your throat when you see that he is. His mouth quirks upward slightly before he gives you the kind of smile that says he’s confident you’ve already noticed him.

You don’t smile back. You’re not about to engage in this dance. You do not associate with pilots. Your friend, on the other hand, is all for the naval aviator experience.

“He’s looking at you,” she whispers excitedly.

“Stop,” you warn her sternly. “I’m not interested.”

“Well, I am,” she urges. “Let’s go talk to them. I like the blond one.” But before you can refuse for a second time, your friend mutters, “Oh god, never mind. They’re coming to us!”

You look at her in alarm and then gulp as several of the men from the bar approach your table. You glance up at them with raised eyebrows.

“Hello,” Maverick says, looking directly at you. He presses his lips together into a vexingly endearing sideways smirk.

When you don’t respond, your friend chimes in excitedly. “Hello, hello! Welcome!” she exclaims, as though she’s receiving guests for a dinner party. “I’m Susan. Hello!”

You eye her moodily as she motions for the newcomers to join the two of you at the table.

“Mind if I sit here?” Maverick asks, pointing to the seat next to you.

You meet his gaze reluctantly. “Knock yourself out,” you respond coolly. You’re still annoyed that he caught you staring and you intend to make it clear that you are not just some girl he can charm into bed.

Maverick’s smirk widens somewhat, as though he’s not quite buying the act. He takes a seat beside you while one of his friends starts chatting up Susan who seems very much to be enjoying the attention.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Maverick says, leaning over slightly so that he could speak more discreetly. “Slider, here, wanted to get to know your friend. And I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to watch him crash and burn.”

You glance at Maverick dubiously. “That’s why you’re here?”

Maverick looks at you, then, and his gaze drifts languidly over the features of your face. “Would you prefer a different reason?”

Ignoring the frantic stutter of your heart as his eyes settle on yours, you shrug and look away, taking a sip of your drink. If only he knew who your father was, he wouldn’t be so bold. “I would prefer honesty.”

“Okay,” he says, resting his forearm on the table. “Honestly? I couldn’t leave without meeting you.”

You glance back at him hesitantly, not sure how to react. “Why?” you ask, trying to control the embarrassing tremor in your voice.

Maverick drops his head and lets out a small chuckle. “I just couldn’t,” he says. “That’s as honest as I’m going to get.”

You eye him tentatively, wishing he weren’t so dangerously good-looking. His sheepish smile almost makes you forget that he dates women for sport.

But the longer Maverick sits by your side, the less important his apparent promiscuity becomes. And when the two of you wind up in the back alley behind the officer’s club, wrapped in each other’s arms, you aren’t overly concerned about the future outlook of this particular liaison. Something about the way he kisses your neck convinces you that some moderate heartache might just be worth it.

Maverick weaves his fingers through yours and lifts his arm over your head, pressing the back of your hand into the brick wall behind you. He cradles the back of your head with his other hand as his mouth moves hungrily beneath your jawline. You let out an audible sigh and he pins you even more firmly against the wall, as though the sound you made has aroused him further.

And despite your every intention to just kiss for a while before taking your leave – because you don’t do flyboys – Maverick has managed to change your mind without speaking a word. You want to tell him that you’re flattered but no thank you, instead, you breathe, “come back,” when he finally pulls away.

Maverick smirks at you and tugs on the hand he’s still holding so that you’re drawn directly into his arms. “I’m not going anywhere,” he whispers.

You wrap your arms around his body, flattening yourself against him like you mean to be absorbed. And he folds around you like a cocoon, his arms enveloping you so securely, you barely have to hold yourself upright. He moves backward, pulling you after him toward his bike.

…

“We fucked,” you tell Susan the moment she puts her car in park.

She looks over at you with wide eyes and an even wider mouth as her jaw literally drops. “You and Maverick?” she shrieks.

You wince anxiously and look around, making sure nobody heard her exclamation. Then you roll up your window and nod for her to do the same. “Keep it together, Susan,” you hiss. “We’re behind enemy lines.”

Susan grimaces apologetically but the remorse is fleeting and, before you know it, she’s eagerly bouncing in her seat. “As if you’ve been blabbering on about a fender bender for half an hour and drop this bomb right before you have to go!” she whispers feverishly. You give her a grievous look which she expertly ignores. “Was he good?”

You sigh. “He was fine,” you say curtly, still uncomfortable sharing the details of last night’s encounter while sitting in the parking lot outside Hangar 1.

Susan appears disappointed. “Just fine?”

You glance around once more and then respond quietly, “He was very good.”

“I fucking knew it!” Susan yelps, tapping you on the knee excitedly. “Tell me more!”

“Later,” you say. “I have to meet my dad, remember?”

She nods. “I’ll pick you up in half an hour?”

“Thanks, Suz,” you respond. “You’re a life saver.”

…

Your father, Top Gun’s very own Viper, paces back and forth as you sit in one of the chairs before his desk. He’s trying to keep his cool. “You sure you’re not hurt?” he asks again.

You nod tiredly. You’ve had a hell of a day.

Viper sighs moodily and shakes his head at you as though he’s not convinced.

It’s at exactly this moment that there’s a knock on his door and, as you begin to rise from your chair to leave your father to his duties, Maverick enters his office.

You freeze, meeting his gaze in alarm. Maverick, in turn, stops in his tracks, gaping at you from the doorway, forgetting even to salute his superior.

“Lieutenant,” Viper says. “You need something?”

Maverick, who seems unable to look away from you, stammers, “Do – I – uh…”

“Maverick,” Viper says sternly, and Maverick finally glances in his direction.

“Commander Metcalf,” Maverick says, a little dazed as though he’s surprised to find Viper in his own office.

“Speak, Lieutenant. I don’t have all day,” Viper grumbles, still irritable from the news he’s received during your visit.

Maverick, who seems unable to recall why he’s even come, gulps nervously and glances back at you again.

“Okay, well, thanks dad,” you say quickly. “I’ll be off now.”

Maverick’s face slowly morphs into a visage of terror as he realizes who you are and what, in fact, it means for him to have had relations with the commander’s daughter. He watches you in horror, beginning to mouth the word ‘dad’ before he catches himself and leaves his mouth hanging open on the ‘a’.

“How will you get home?” Viper asks you, not paying attention to Maverick’s reaction.

“Susan’s picking me up,” you respond.

Viper sighs again. Then, he sighs in Maverick’s direction. “Maverick, meet my daughter, Y/N. Y/N, this is Lieutenant Mitchell, recent Top Gun graduate and a helluva pilot. Hopefully, soon to be one of our newest instructors. If he finally remembers why he’s here, that is.”

Maverick glances anxiously between your face and Viper’s and then holds his hand out to you. “Pleased to meet you,” he says courteously, his eyes resting on yours for a significant moment.

You give him a tight smile and then give your father a hug. “I’ve got to go.”

Viper shakes his head all over again. “I still can’t believe that bastard hit you.”

“Who hit you?” Maverick looks over at you sharply, suddenly on high alert.

“Nobody – the other driver.” You exhale wearily, not too keen on repeating the story for a fourth time in one day. “I was in an accident –”

“Are you okay?” Maverick asks, immediately taking a step toward you.

“I’m fine, totally fine,” you assure him, taking several steps backward until you feel the doorknob at your spine. “I just need some rest.”

“We’ll sort out the car tomorrow,” Viper says.

“Hey, at least it wasn’t a jet, right?” you joke, trying to lighten the mood.

Neither Viper not Maverick is amused by your humor, however, so you reach behind and pull open the door.

“Okay, well, bye dad! Mav – uh – Lieutenant Mitchell.”

Maverick stares after you as you retreat behind the door, still somewhat speechless.

“Tell Susan to drive carefully!” your father calls.

“Will do!” you call back.

Finally, Maverick speaks again. “I, uh�� – he clears his throat – “I could give her a ride, sir.”

You pause in the doorway while your father purses his lips, considering the offer. Joke’s on him, of course, since Maverick has already given you one – just last night.

Read Part 2

Maverick Tag List:

I have no idea when this list got so long but the rest of it will be in the comments. Hope I got everyone, let me know if I missed you! As always, let me know if you no longer wish to be tagged in my Mav works!

@wandering-wah

@callsign-sunshine

@ghost-heart34

@birdy-bat-writes

@matya4

@wkndwlff

@nyx2021

@bellamy1998

@oliviah-25

@alexxavicry

@army24--7

@thefandomimagines

@dracosluvbot

@smit41

@scenesofobx

@Criminalmindsandmarvel

@lunamoonbby

@malums-trash-can

@malindacath

@karleetakeenan

@callsign-echo

@toothemoonanddback

@broketraveler87

@atarmychick007

@shanimallina87

@creativitybeware

@xoxabs88xox

@Yoyop7

@hallecarey1

@nik2blog

@rrocky0ah

@kpopgirlbtssvt

@lilianashomaresparza

@latetedslesetoiles

@Elenavampire21

@starberryhorse

@ginger-gabsq

@sarcastic-sourwolf

@risingtripletaurus

@callsignmaverick5

@darling-im-the-queen-of-hell

@hermaeusmorax

@littlebadariell

@simp-for-fictional-people

@ollyoxenfrees

@iamabeautifulperson18

@living-in-my-imagination88

@wintercap89

@mavrellover91

@gingerbreadandpaper

[mrslectermoriarty]

Hear me out:

Mav on leave, playing Super Spies with Bradley in the house, running around and trying not to break anything (they fail)

Ice finally coming home from work and hearing their laughter from outside, being both happy (that they have so much fun) and afraid (that they burn the kitchen again)

[peacefxlmyko]

Does your Mother know?

Pete "Maverick" Mitchell x fem!Reader

Summary: Somebody catches Maverick's eye at the bar. There's just a slight problem.

Tags: Fluff, AGE GAP!! but everybody involved is an adult, inspired by the ABBA song, sexy old man Mav

Notes: This is something old I once wrote about Slash but just changed it to Mav cause. Babygirl who's actually a wrinkly old man. Is obviously inspired by the ABBA song and I also used one of the lyrics lines. ALSO this is my first ever TGM imagine on here and I'm lowkey nervous so, please be nice. Also sorry if there are any spelling or grammar mistakes!!!

Story after cut ✂️

Mav never thought he would end up in a situation like this. After the most recent Mission he just wanted to chill at The Hard Deck and let off some steam. The whole Dagger Squad had been tough on him.

But there he saw her. She was beautiful, but most importantly young. Probably in her late-twenties. He couldn't help but watch her throughout the night as she was hanging out with her friends. 

He was taking a sip from his glass when he suddenly felt eyes on him. He looked around and noticed that it was one of her friends. She was whispering to her while looking over at him. 

Out of nowhere, she suddenly stood up from the table and started walking towards him. She was wearing a gorgeous outfit and it took him all of his strength to not stare. This is inappropriate, Pete. You're old enough to be her dad, stop staring at her like that. He thought. 

"Hey" She smiled softly. "Can I sit with you?" 

He chuckled a little and shrugged, a bit caught off guard. “Suit yourself.” Her voice was even prettier than he thought.

"So.. what's a girl like you doing talking to an old man like me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, he was seriously surprised. 

"I noticed you looking at me and so I got curious" She grinned in response. Maverick chuckled, a bit embarrassed he was caught staring. "Sorry, you just.. caught my attention" He mumbled under his breath. 

"So, what's your name?" He asked curiously. "It's Y/N. And they call you…?" 

"Maverick." He smiled. 

Y/N. That name kept echoing in his head for a moment. 

They just looked at each other for a moment, unsure what to say next. She suddenly pulled out a piece of paper from her leather jacket, scribbling something on it. She put the little piece of paper right into Mav's hand and his heart skipped a beat at the contact. What the fuck was happening?

"Give me a call" She winked at him and was just about to get up until he stopped her. "Wait- Are you serious?" He asked. 

"You do know I'm old enough to be your dad, right?" He chuckled. "You seem pretty young to be searching for that kind of fun"

"I know, but you don't seem like the other older men staring at me. You're not as creepy as them" She replied teasingly. Soon she left again to sit down at the table with her friends.  

Maverick just slightly shook his head with a smile before taking a sip from his drink, still caught off guard by the whole situation that just went down. He looked down at the note in his hand before putting it into his jacket, just to keep it safe for later.

[elliesglock]

this pic is going down in history PUT IT IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVE OF UCONN

the no makeup, kinda sleepy look paige is giving, azzi hovering in the back, the fact they're just chilling on this CRUISE TOGETHER???, looking like they just got done cuddling each other the whole day going out to get some grub!!! CHEFS KISS!! SOMEONE SEDATE ME

[ilovetopgunsstuff]

is it casual now?

prompt: the mission is only in a few weeks now, and you and bradley have only gotten closer. however, a heated argument erupts between the two of you. what is bradley masking, and what does it reveal?

warnings: lots of angst, mention of age gap, emotional roller coaster really

a/n: it’s a long one. again i love feedback. this is a sequel to night shift, which can be read as a stand alone or a two part series

“I just don’t want you going.” He raised his voice as he refused to look you in the eye.

“How could you say that? After all the work I put in? that we’ve both put in?” Your voice wavered with the raising of his voice. Where could this be coming from?

- - -

He had gotten cold all of a sudden, one night laying in his bed together. You had been talking about nothing in particular, and the subject of the upcoming mission had been brought up. Laying on his chest, you felt him tense, as if he was made of stone. You had picked your head up, feeling this change, and furrowed your eyebrows. He was no longer looking at you like he usually did, but looked sort of through you.

“I need to shower,” he had said. As of a few weeks ago, he always brought you along with him. Tonight, he brushed past you, sort of gently shoving you away from him, hinting that this time, you genuinely weren’t invited. So you sat, alone, staring at the ceiling thinking. What did you do wrong? Was he just tired? Uncomfortable? Your heart quickened in pace and your nerves heightened.

He came back out, later than normal, and you were still awake. You sat up,

looking at him, studying him, trying to read him.

“You need to sleep.” He rifled around in his drawer for pajama bottoms. Still, no eye contact was made. He found them, and pulled them up over his boxers, wearing no shirt. What was his problem?

“Did I do something?” You said it so quietly and unsure that it was almost a whisper.

“…No, what do you mean?” He asked it less as a question and more as a statement, robotic. As if it was a prerecorded response. He began to walk out of the room, you assumed towards the kitchen.

You stood, unable to even fathom what was happening. This didn’t help your stress whatsoever.

“Bradley.” It sounded so pathetic, needy and confused. You followed him down the hallway, eventually getting in front of him. He was forced to stop.

“Hm?” Eyes on the ground.

“You won’t even… look at me.” Your brows were furrowed in confusion. What did you do? He sighed.

“Do you want me to fucking look at you?” His voice was so cold it sounded unfamiliar. So much so that your breath hitched. He finally did look at you, but there was nothing affectionate in his eyes. If anything it was exasperated.

Your breath hitched in your throat. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion, a tug in your chest.

“What the fuck is your problem?” you whispered, since you were so close to him.

He didn’t answer. He just threw his arms up and rubbed his eyes in frustration.

You masked your pain and confusion with anger. “You were fine the whole night and all of a sudden you’re being a dick? We started talking about the mission and now you wanna go mute again-”

“You shouldn’t even be going on that fucking mission.”

Silence.

“What is that supposed to mean?” You sort of squeaked it out in the silence. Your voice was soft, calmer than you felt. Why would he say that?

“I just don’t want you going.” He raised his voice as he refused to look you in the eye.

“How could you say that? After all the work I put in? that we’ve both put in?” Your voice wavered with the raising of his voice. Where could this be coming from? “What, you think I’m not good enough?”

“You’re too young for this shit. I should’ve known...” He looks like he wants to say more, but he just scoffs and looks away.

“Should’ve known?” You were so taken aback by his words. Should’ve known what? About you?

“Yeah I should’ve.” He spoke so sharply. He looked at you through his brows. You tried to look strong, but he was so much taller than you, and you were sure you felt your lip quiver. He licked his lips and his eyes flicked away. They would almost look regretful if he didn’t look back at you with the same guarded expression.

“So you regret this? This was all just casual to you?”

He didn’t answer. He just looked on.

You scoffed, and brushed past him. You grabbed what clothes you could, and tried to breathe to keep from crying in front of him. He followed you into the room.

“What the fuck are you doing, y/n?” he asked, his voice tugged at strings in your chest.

“Going home.” Your voice cracked. You took off his sweatshirt that you wore and threw it at him. He caught it against his chest. You grabbed your purse, made sure you had your keys, wallet, and phone.

“Y/n.”

You pushed past him, making your way down the hall to his door.

“Y/n, it’s the middle of the night.”

“Trust me, I know. It’s usually the only time you acknowledge me for something.”

You don’t know if he had any expression on his face. You just opened the door and closed it behind you. You walked to your car, and felt like you couldn’t breathe.

The drive home was a silent one, with quiet sobs, and small, quiet breaths. When you got home, your own house looked bland. You were so stupid, you knew this wouldn’t end well. You were so young and naive, and look what happened.

You fell asleep sometime around two.

- - -

Training next morning was miserable. You were too fast on the course, fucking it up for everyone else on the team. Bradley said nothing to you except for a stiff, “Morning,” since everyone was watching you two. Phoenix tried to ask you what was wrong; you were usually the most precise one on the course, and the only one that had made it to the target on time. You just told her you didn’t get much sleep.

After work, you got home and melted into the couch. You had turned on some random show, and you stared blankly at it for hours. A ring of your phone snapped you out of your dazed state. You almost hoped it was a certain someone, even after everything. It wasn’t.

“Hey, Phoenix.”

“We’re going out tonight, and I’m gonna get you laid!” her voice was so cheerful on the other line.

“I’m not-“

“I will not take no as an answer. Dress in as little as possible! We’ll pick you up.”

She hung up, and you forgot about her words too quick to wonder who “we” was, and if it was the exact person you hoped to avoid.

So you would go. You would put powder over your baggy eyes and mascara over damp lashes, because you had to be okay.

- - -

Rooster POV

Fuck. I’m so fucking stupid. I let myself act like that to her because I think everyone in the navy is gonna turn up like my dad. Now I lost her because I’m a dick who doesn’t know how to say his fucking feelings. The only person around I actually care for I fucked over.

I just don’t want her going on the mission. I’d rather her hate me forever and not go on it than to really lose her. And she does hate me. I know now. I saw it in her anger, heard it in her words. But of course I didn’t accomplish anything. I just hurt her.

Phoenix wants me to drive herself, Hangman, and Bob to the Hard Deck. I don’t feel like it, but fuck it. I need a drink.

- - -

A text dinged on your phone from Phoenix. “We’re here.”

You looked at yourself in the mirror. You didn’t look how you felt. You would let Phoenix believe she was helping. She’d introduce you to some shitty guy who’d mansplain the navy to you, and you wouldn’t end up going home with him and make up some excuse. God, you needed a drink.

You touched up your appearance in the mirror. Your makeup was flawless, and your hair was straightened out long. You donned a tight black dress, with long sleeves, and it was a little short for your liking. You grabbed your purse and sighed. Here goes nothing.

It was when you stepped outside that you realized who the “we” was in the text. Outside your light blue house sat a shiny Ford Bronco. You almost tripped over your feet. You had to pretend like everything was fine.

Phoenix catcalled you out the window. You reached the car and opened the door. It was crammed. You ended up sitting four people in a three person row. As you started driving, you looked up at the rear view mirror, seeing Bradley, driving with his eyes forward. His face was freshly shaved, except for the mustache. Of course he looked good. Of course he felt fine. Of course you were already miserable.

The drive to the Hard Deck felt like the longest drive in the world. After you parked, everyone was giddy, and whooping and cheering. You were left behind them, walking slowly. You had a buddy, though. Just the man you didn’t want to see.

He twirled his keys on his finger, the jingle of them the only sound between you two. You glanced sideways too look at him. His eyes looked forward, a solemn expression. Thank god you were almost to the door. Coyote met you there.

“Woooooo you guys are here, finally!” Coyote has obviously already had something to drink as he was waiting for your car to arrive. He threw his arm around Rooster and disappeared into the busy evelin crowd with him. You pushed through the crowd alone to the bar, where Phoenix already had a shot waiting for you. Based on your misery, it would be the first of many. You felt a tap on your shoulder next to you, and turned around, thinking it was someone from the team.

“I hope a guy didn’t buy that for you,” a guy said. He had jet black hair and blue eyes, and by the looks of him was obviously in the Navy. You rolled your eyes.

“What if one did?”

“Then I have some bad news for him.” He introduced himself after that, some name you wouldn’t remember. He talked your ear off about nothing in particular, how great he was, how tough he was, the works. You tuned him out and traced your finger absentmindedly on the varnished wood bar. If you were going to put up with this, you were gonna need another drink. You glanced around the room, looking for anyone, preferably Phoenix, to save you from this situation. Then you saw it.

There he was, against the wall next to the music box, and he wasn’t alone. Next to him stood one of the prettiest girls you had probably ever seen. She was blonde, and shorter than you. She had a perfect body, and perfect makeup. She looked nothing like you. They spoke and laughed. She touched his arm and whispered something to him. He smirked at whatever she said and whispered something back. Suddenly you felt like throwing up. Your dress felt wrong on your body, your makeup felt like too much, your hair felt frizzy. Your face went stark white, you were sure.

You were so frozen by the sight that whatever man was standing next to you actually paused his talking. You had to get out of here. You needed air or you would hyperventilate.

“Excuse me,” you squeaked. You felt dizzy. You pushed your way to the door to the back deck. It was so crowded and you wished you could go home. You passed Phoenix on your way out.

“Hey!…Are you okay? You look so pale.” She furrowed her brows at the sight of you. She put her hand on your arm.

“I- I need air. I’m going outside.”

“Oh…okay.”

Finally, you reached the doors. You walked out onto the back deck to watch the waves. You just wanted to go home, but you had no ride, and nobody to tell what was really going on. Did he really move on that fast? Did he even have to move on at all? Maybe he didn’t even see you as that much. She was so pretty it hurt. You found yourself tearing up again. You titled your head upward and tried to think about something else. You couldn’t act upset. The doors opened behind you, and the sound of the crowd spilled out. You heard a giggle behind you. You turned. You really couldn’t catch a break. You and Rooster locked eyes, and surprise show in them.

“Oh, sorry,” the blonde giggled. “We didn’t think anyone was out here.”

You said nothing, just stared at them blankly. Rooster dragged her back inside, his smiley mood that he had with her earlier gone. He didn’t break eye contact before he turned around. You couldn’t read his expression. Smugness? Apologetic? Bored?

It didn’t matter. He found himself something new to keep in his sheets like he did you. What an idiot you were for thinking you were more. You sat blankly staring at the shoreline. That was your last straw. You were leaving, and you didn’t care how much an Uber would cost to get you out of here.

You went inside to go tell Phoenix you were going home.

- - -

Rooster POV

I had to get my mind off her. She looked so good in that dress, but her eyes were so blank and miserable. I caused it, and I don’t know what to do. I walked into the bar and met some girl. I needed a distraction. She was some ditsy girl from up the coast, but she’d do. Her freckles, in the light of the bar, almost looked like the one’s Y/n had. Almost. It was a mistake. I tried to take her outside, but there she was. I’m such a dick. Y/n didn’t look well. She was pale and exhausted. The blonde dragged me back inside somewhere, but I couldn’t stop thinking of her.

I was dragged into one of the hallways of the bar, and whatever girl I was with pulled me into the shadows. She kissed me, and I hate to say I kissed her back. I wanted to pretend.

“Y/n,” I whispered in between kisses.

It abruptly stopped as I realized what I’d said.

“…who is Y/n?” The girl backed up.

“Shit.”

I think she got the idea, because she was gone pretty soon after that. I was alone again now. I didn’t feel like doing anything except running to her, to Y/n. I couldn’t, though, all because of me. Now she thinks I don’t care, that I don’t respect her. I’m not used to sleeping alone. The dreams were bad last night, and I woke up alone. I fucked up, bad.

- - -

You didn’t even make it inside before someone grabbed your arm. You turned and it was the guy from earlier. You were the only people on the deck outside. It was dark, with lighting steaming onto it from the glass doors of the bar. Other than that, though, it was a dark patio of wood floors and picnic tables.

“We didn’t finish our conversation from earlier.” He said. His face was hard to make out in the darkness. The sentence sounded less like a request to keep talking and more of a demand.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I, uh, was just about to leave.” You really just wanted to call your Uber and go home. You had been on the verge of tears all day, now more than ever.

“Oh come on, stay a while.” His grip hadn’t left your arm. If anything, it tightened. You tried to step back, but you hit the rail of the deck. He was drunk. You could smell it on his breath. Your heart rate picked up slightly. No one was out here, and he wouldn’t let you go.

“No, I think I should really get going. Please, just- I need to go home.” The last part sounded like you were begging, but you were scared.

He chuckled, and stepped closer. You were leaned back as far over the rail as possible. “We haven’t even had any fun yet-“

“I think she fucking asked you to leave her alone.” You had no idea where he came from, but Rooster basically appeared behind him.

The guy hardly gave him a glance. “I don’t think this concerns you,” he said. “Does it baby?” The question made your stomach flip.

In a split second, the man was pulled off of you, and snatched by Bradley face to face. “Did I fucking stutter? I swear to God if I ever see you here again-“ He looked stern, and so much bigger compared to the guy in front of him. His jaw is clenched, all his muscles taut, seen through his white t-shirt. He looked like he could lose control in a split second, just waiting for this guy to make the wrong move.

“Okay man, fine I’m sorry!” And just like that, the guy was gone.

You didn’t really know how to feel. You just sat there and stared at Bradley in front of you. He was actually looking at you this time. Your arm tingled where the guy held you so tight.

You wanted him, but you hated him. You hated him for making you feel so bad about yourself. You hated him for everything, but the only person you want to run to is him.

“Are you uh-“ He was probably about to ask if you were alright. You couldn’t speak to him. He did so much to you but you didn’t trust yourself. You could just fall back in. All the emotion from the past few days welled up in your head.

“It’s fine. I’m going home.” You were short with him, looking down at the ground to keep from making eye contact. It hurt so bad to look at him, knowing he’s not really yours, no matter how bad you want him.

“How are you getting home?”

“Uber.”

“That’s not safe during this time of night. Please just let me take you home.”

“Please don’t do this to me Bradley,”Your voice was so cold, but it still sounded like you were begging him for something. It had to be, because if not, you’d just break down into tears.

“Do what?” He just looked at you.

“Act like you care. You didn’t last night. Just let me go home. Please.” On the last word, your voice cracked. Shit.

“Do you think I don’t care?” He mumbled, and took a step closer to you.

“I know you don’t, Bradley! You don’t take someone you care about home night after night to sleep with them and then ignore them all of a sudden. Then you blow up on me for no reason at all, and the day after you do start hanging out with some random bitch at the bar? You were probably planning to do with her exactly what you did with me, because you think I’m disposable. You think that after everything, you can just throw me out when you’re done with me. And you did.” So much for not crying, cause now, there were tears streaming down your cheeks. You weren’t even yelling at him, you couldn’t. You were talking with your hands, and on the last sentence you pointed your finger into his chest as you looked up at him. You were spouting out everything you felt to him, and you regretted it as soon as it came out of your mouth. It must have been the shots talking. “So- so don’t act worried now. I don’t-”

“Jesus Christ. Everything I do is because I’m worried! Can’t you see that? I don’t keep girls around a lot. Ever. But I kept you around. It’s not casual, Y/n. It’s scary. I care for very few people. The navy took one of them from me. It makes my chest hurt to think that could possibly happen to you, too. And you can hate me. I’m willing to be the worst guy in the world if it means you’re safe. I mean it. And I know I’m an idiot. I don’t give a fuck about that girl, I don’t even know her name. I thought it would make me stop thinking about you so fucking much. It didn’t. It’s every hour of every day, and it’s torture. I need you. All the time, every day I want you near me, Y/n.“ He didn’t realize everything he said until he stopped saying it. His hair wasn’t as neat as it usually was. He was talking with so much emotion; it was the most passionate you’d ever seen him. And all his words made you do was cry. You didn’t know exactly what you felt. Happiness, relief, longing? At some point during his talking he’d grabbed your arm so you’d know how much he meant this. He held you so gently, but with so much desperation. You just looked up at him. You couldn’t speak, you just listened to him. “I- I… Fuck. I’m sorry. I don’t-“

You stumbled into his arms and cried. Again, you weren’t sure why. His embrace wrapped fully around you. It was the most secure you’d ever felt. He looked down at you as he rested his chin on the top you your head. His pulse was fast in his chest, you heard it.

“I know. I’m so sorry,” He whispered to you, and only you. You looked up at him, you were sure your makeup was fucked up in some way.

“You’re so beautiful,” he mumbled. He cupped your face with both of his hands and pulled you into him. His soft lips brushed yours and he kissed you with so much passion, but so careful. Your stomach turned as you stood on your toes to get more of him. You never wanted it to stop. You never wanted him to stop, and you hoped he never would.

When you finally pulled away, Bradley smiled at you. “I can’t walk back through the bar looking like this,” You giggled.

He laughed, and looked down at the wood deck. Was he blushing? “We can go around the side to my car. You still gonna refuse that ride or..?”

You swatted him with your hand. “What about the others? How will they get a ride home?”

“They can Uber.”

You feigned shock. “At this time of night? Soooo dangerous.”

He licked his lips and rolled his eyes trying to look annoyed at you, but the smile on his face was evident. “Come on,” he tugged you by your hand around the building to the parking lot, and threw his arm around you as you walked.

“So uh, my house or yours?” you asked shyly.

“Hmm, I could use a change of scenery.”

“It’s decided then.”

So you guessed it wasn’t casual anymore.

[mitchellpete]

Kinktober Day 20 - Face-sitting

pairing: pete “maverick” mitchell x f!reader

cw:  face-sitting, tongue fucking, hair pulling, (ps wrote this with age gap in mind but nothing really indicates that)

word count: 1085

kinktober masterlist here.

18+ ONLY | MINORS DNI

-

Pete got the idea watching you mount his motorcycle. You’d skipped out of the Hard Deck, eager to get home after a busy day and a few celebratory drinks. Pete had a habit of overstaying his goodbyes, however, mingling on the way out—saying goodbye to Penny, to Jimmy, to Bradley, to anybody else he bumped shoulders with. When he stepped out into the brisk night air, he caught sight of you throwing a leg over the lower seat of his Kawasaki as you waited for him to catch up with you.

His breath caught in his throat at the sight: seated in his place, your hair swaying in the wind, waves crashing and booming thunderously behind you for dramatic effect. What a picture. He could devour you immediately, he thought. 

You were oblivious to it all until you made it home. 

Maverick carelessly kicked off his boots at the door and yanked you to him, pressing his lips to yours in a hungry, eager kiss. Garments were dropped along the floor one by one on your way to the bedroom—Mav’s bomber, his shirt, your shirt, your bra. You only broke apart momentarily to slip out of your jeans, and then Maverick pulled you with him onto the mattress. You straddled him as you kissed one another, breathless and heavy.

“Get up here,” he mumbles against your lips, tongue poking out of his mouth and sneaking into yours. “Ride my face, c’mon.”

You moan at his words, muffled as his tongue slips through your lips. You’re so entranced by his kiss that you don’t even move, not until his palms cup your ass to bring you forward and up. You groan as the action breaks the kiss, immediately missing it.

You oblige, however, watching as he squirms down a bit further on the mattress to give you some room. You grab onto the headboard, adjusting your legs on either side of his head. His arms come up to wrap around your thighs, and you slowly, gently sit yourself on his tongue. You gasp at the return of his hot, wet mouth, this time in a far more pleasurable place. 

Already impatient, Maverick notices your slight hesitation. “All the way, sweetheart, it’s okay,” he murmurs against you, his strong arms pulling you down a bit closer. 

You moan softly the wetter it feels, the flat of his tongue firm against your throbbing center. Your first instinct is to roll your hips, and he hums in approval. Long strokes of his tongue up and down, just testing the waters, have you arching your back and breathing out heavily. Self-aware, however, you try not to thrust against his face quite yet, instead choosing to let him guide you. 

Maverick moans at your taste, sending a jolt of vibrations up your body. Satisfied after a few gentle licks, he exhales against you, diving in like he’s starved. You cry out, thighs tensing against the side of his head as his tongue prods through your folds, poking at your hole. You’re already loose and nearly dripping for him, the tip of his tongue easily gliding in and out.

When you feel him start to slide it in, your body jerks in surprise, sending you forward against the headboard. The motion brings your clit right up against his nose, a strangled moan leaving your mouth. Maverick takes notice and puts his jaw to work, leaving big, wet, open-mouthed kisses all along your cunt, moving his head with the motions so that his nose continues stimulating your nerves. 

The pleasure coils inside of you, and you feel yourself unable to sit still, starting to squirm above him. You let go of the headboard, leaning your arms behind you to prop yourself on the mattress instead. Maverick adjusts his arms, wrapping them from the underside of your thighs to hold you in place. The position allows for a better roll of your hips, which you inadvertently do again as the pleasure begins flooding your senses.

Maverick eventually stops his sloppy kisses, moving his tongue back to your tight slit, humming contently through it all. He slips it in and out, moving his jaw side to side to get messy with it. You’re having to bite back your moans, fingers digging harshly into the soft, plush mattress as he watches your very reactive face with delighted eyes.

The pleasure courses through your entire body, legs shaking and simultaneously going numb from the position. You need some kind of movement, a little more friction to push you over the edge. Just a tiny ram of your hips—

You watch the mischievous glint in Maverick’s eyes when he realizes what you’re doing. Thrusting your hips shallowly against his face gives you that much needed buzz you’re searching for, and you whine out loudly as his jaw goes slack, tongue poking out to let you do with it as you please. 

Along with your legs, your elbows start to sting from holding yourself up, so you throw an arm up front. You unintentionally grasp at his hair, a fist full of it as you grind against his tongue. Maverick groans as you pull, using it for leverage the faster you move your hips. His entire jaw is wet with your releases, making it easier to rub your cunt against it. 

“Pete,” you gasp, throwing your head back. 

The noises are obscene; hisses and slurps against your core edging you on and on and on until.. Oh my god. You cum with a loud cry of his name, hips still rolling through your orgasm until the sensitivity comes flooding. You lean forward and grab onto the headboard again to sustain yourself, coming up off of his mouth. 

Mav sucks in a long breath underneath you, panting and sniffling to compose himself. “That’s it, sweetheart,” he moans breathlessly.

You sob as the pleasure shakes your body. It distracts you from noticing that Maverick moves from underneath you, and all you feel is his strong arms pulling you to him from behind, bringing you into his grasp. You turn, meeting his mouth once more, tasting yourself on his tongue as he kisses you slow and soft. He notices you’re still shaky, so he lays you down flat on the mattress, mouth still on yours. Climbing up over you, he pulls back to let you breathe, stroking the side of your face. He looks at you with a soft glint in his eye and asks in a tender voice, “Was that okay?”

[malavera]

“You forgot I was young, once?” — Tom Cruise +18

Summary: You teased Tom for being old, you joked how his knees would crush if you were to ask him to eat you out. Tom felt belittled, challenged, so he wants to prove you wrong.

Tags: No plot, pure Smut, oral f/receiving, FingerFuck, Squirting, the use of a word “kitten”, Agegap (Reader is 26, Tom is 59) THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION AND +18 READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

tagging: @deanscroissant @tomsf18 @moondustfairies @helloitstsyu @call-sign-shark @love2write2626 @back-tooo-black

"What are you saying, baby?”

“Nothing.” You bit your lip with a sly smirk.

“Oh, you were saying something. Something about how I couldn’t give it to you just enough? Are you testing me?”

You and Tom had just started dating. You both wanted to take it slow, means… You haven’t done anything. You’re a young blood, while as dramatic as it would sound, he’s lived a lot of life. Being a young blood, means being a kid. You love teasing him about his age, about his stamina, that ends up with him challenging you to do some workouts with him at the Gym in his house.

But this time? It’s different.

Tom have been thinking about this comeback for a while. He understands how he has a jokester of a girlfriend, but sometimes… He just wants you to shut you mouth with something.

“Well… I know for a fact, that after you’re giving it to me goooodd… You’re gonna be falling asleep on my boobs.” You teased.

“And, no offense babe.. Don’t you think you will crush your knees if you do went down on me?”

You watched as Tom suddenly gets down on his knees in front of you, you were taken aback by his reaction but the smirk never leaving your face as for Tom, he’s looking at you with an expression that says you are unbelievable and you’re going to regret it.

Tom didn’t waste any more time and thank god you were wearing a pleated white skirt that he likes so it gave him easy access. His hands went to caress your shaven and smooth legs, eyes never leaving yours before he put his soft lips against your leg. He left kisses up from your legs to your knees, grazing your skin a little bit with his tongue.

“What are you doing, Tommy?” You gulped, trying to keep your cool.

Tom didn’t answer instead he kept his eyes on you and proceed giving you kisses. Your legs were pressed against each other though soon Tom slowly spread them, drawing the hem of your skirt up to your thighs as it is a little too short. Tom continued to give you kisses but this time its on your thighs. His thumbs pressing on each thighs while he leaves kisses on top of it.

Your favorite kind of affection to receive, is when someone gave your thighs full of attention and love. That is why you’re sitting there with your nails digging into the palm of your hands, your bottom lip tugged by your teeth. You could feel yourself getting soaked as it started to pool in your panties, soon you felt Tom’s breath getting closer and closer towards what you need the most.

You whimpered, and that made Tom halted his movements and looks at you from his lashes with a raised eyebrow. A smirk slowly showed on his face before he pushed himself slightly upwards just on top of your tummy.

“What’s wrong, sweets?” Tom slightly tipped his head to the side. “Did I do something wrong?”

“N-nothing..”

“Cat got your tongue, kitten?” Tom smirked before he hunched your skirt up to your waist and rip your panties off from your hips. You gasp at the sound of your favorite navy blue panties being torn, you and your smart mouth was about to protest but before you could even do that, Tom shoved his mouth towards your glistening pussy. His tongue teases your clit, before it goes on to play around your pussy lips.

“Ohhhh…” You moaned, throwing your head back against the cushion. Tom could feel the way your pussy throbs, needing more attention. Of course, he would never stop. He wouldn’t stop proving a point. You whimpered when you felt his finger tease your hole, without further a do, Tom shoved his finger inside your cunt—his tongue never leaving your clit. You gasped even more once you feel him thrusting his finger in and out of you.

His tongue is his weapon.

His big calloused hands are the ones that’s stopping you from shutting your thighs together. He’s spreading your legs as if you were a butter on top of the leather couch. You were panting, gasping, you regretted whatever you said minutes ago that sets him off. Again, he’s doing this to prove a point.

His tongue laps on your cunt like a kitten licking its favorite milk. He could feel your thighs vibrates in his hands, though no matter how many times you’re about to shut your legs together he would notice and adds more pressure.

“Ngh! T-Tom.. P-please, it’s too much.” You breathlessly spoke in between your moans. Your body wanted to stop while your brain couldn’t help but enjoy the euphoria that he’s giving you by licking your wet cunt. You’re practically dripping to the expensive leather coach.

“S-stop, Stop! I’m gonna-” You whimpered, “I’m gonna c-cum!” You yelped before you sprayed out your release to your boyfriend’s, perfectly sculpted by god, face. Your thighs vibrate, your legs violently shook, your panting’s never stop.

Tom gave your pussy one last stride by his tongue before giving her a kiss. His hands went to wipe his face off from your spray. Your chest still heaves from the orgasm whilst Tom was pushing himself off from the kneeling position to sit beside you.

“How’d you do that? That was so good.” You whined as Tom laughs,

“You forgot I was young once?”

[boldlyvoid]

Midnight Runner part 2

18+ Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson

Summary: having a crush during the end of the world was difficult

Warnings: season 4 canon scenes just fruitier, coming out, teasing, flirting, overprotective steve

word count: 9.4k

Fic Masterlist

Steve convinces Robin to take a trip to the grocery store before heading over to pick up Dustin and Max. She doesn’t question it, she thinks it’s actually kinda cute that he wants to take care of Eddie as much as he can. He gets mostly snacks, things for breakfast and a pack of cigarettes for good measure.

Withdrawal isn’t fun and he was stressed as fuck, Steve would want a smoke too.

They didn’t talk much about it last night, not that Robin didn’t try and ask why he was being so quiet, Steve just didn’t know what to say. He has had these mixed feelings about Eddie for years… he was loud and opinionated and seemingly fearless. He had no problem biting back, sometimes he started shit for fun and he always knew how to end it. He’s probably been in more fights than Steve and yet Steve has never seen him with a black eye. Anytime Steve saw him on the bench outside the principal's office, he was waiting for his uncle to pick him up after another suspension with an icepack on his ringless fingers. He can't remember if he had his rings on that night… he was so caught up in the feeling of everything else that he can't place those little details anymore.

He couldn’t wait to see Eddie again. After a long night of only thinking about him, he wanted nothing more than to be in his presence and see his eyes and hear his voice. He knew he was pretty before, but now he was everything… he’s almost glad he never believed Robin that his mystery man was Eddie because a year of this crush he was feeling would’ve killed him. One day is already almost unbearable.

In the car, Dustin and Max explain everything they heard on the radio that night and Robin tells them that they couldn’t get a hold of Nancy, apparently, she was working late at the newspaper and must’ve stayed out… Mrs. Wheeler was worried about her, and wanted them to call if or when they heard from her, just to be safe with everything going on.

At least one of their parents was worried for them.

Everyone takes a bag out of Steve’s trunk and walks them back towards the boat house. The street is quiet, the lake is empty apart from the ducks that can be heard… and what sounds like a loon?

“Delivery service!” Dustin announces their presence as soon as the door opens.

They find Eddie in the corner, broken beer bottle still in hand, terrified, “Jesus Christ!”

Steve just smiles and gives him a little wave, the kind where all his fingers wiggle and he can’t help but smile harder. “Hi…”

Eddie sighs and relaxes, “hi.”

“We come bearing gifts,” Robin says, walking over to him while opening one of the bags, “you’re not lactose intolerant right?”

He laughs, “no… what did you bring?”

“We thought you’d like some cereal and chips… and goldfish? There’s some water, a few cokes and chocolate milk,” Robin explains.

Eddie takes a seat with his things and immediately rips open the box of cereal, he accompanies it with chocolate milk, alternating between handfuls of cereal and swigs of milk, he eats like a feral dog.

"So we’ve got some good news and some bad news. How do you prefer?" Dustin asks before diving in.

“Bad news first, always,” looks at him like he should know that already.

“We tapped into the Hawkins PD dispatch with our Cerebro and they’re definitely looking for you… also, they’re uh, pretty convinced you killed Chrissy.” Dustin explains.

“Like 100% kinda convinced,” Max adds, having been there in Dustin's room when the transitions came through.

“And the good news?” Eddie looks at Dustin with a glimmer of hope still shining in his eyes.

“Your name hasn’t gone public yet,” Robin answers, drawing his attention that way, all while Steve is leaning against the post, watching Eddie with a sorrowful feeling in his chest. The poor boy didn’t deserve this and there was no way for Steve to make it better for him.

“But if we found out about you, it’s only a matter of time before others do, too, and once that gets out everyone and their shallow-minded mother is going to be gunning for you,” Robin keeps rambling, knowing much more about Eddie than the other kids, she knew what things the town was going to say about him and the name started with and F.

“Hunt the Freak, right?” Eddie look her in the eye, he could tell she meant a different word but it still fit.

“Exactly.”

“Shit.”

“So, before that happens,” Dustin, ever the optimist, jumps in to soothe his anxiety. “We need to find Vecna, kill him and prove your innocence.”

“That’s all, Dustin? That’s all?” Eddie almost snaps because that doesn’t seem simple in the slightest.

“Yeah, no, yeah that’s pretty much it…”

Eddie looks like he could reach over and strangle him, it wasn’t going to be simple, not now, not ever. Even if the plan worked, the cops weren’t going to believe it was a monster from another world that did it. There were monsters in America doing crimes just as bad as this shit every fucking day, no one ever thought it would happen in Hawkins, but it is. Bringing justice to the victims, especially the pretty little white cheerleader, is going to come at a price and sometimes that price was paid by someone the jury of his peers simply didn’t like.

Him.

“Listen, Eddie,” Robin draws him back out of it. “I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we’ve actually been through this stuff before— I mean, they have…”

Eddie turns to Steve, shocked that this was something he had lived through… which means all the stories Dustin had about Steve being a badass were real. He really did know how to kill anything, he really has protected Dustin from a pack of wolves… even if they were actually from a hell dimension. Steve kept him safe. Steve fought for him. Maybe he’d fight for me too?

“A—a few times, and I have once,” Robin keeps talking, still clearly traumatized by it all. “Mine was more human-flesh-based and theirs was more smoke-related— but bottom line is, collectively, I really think we’ve got this.”

Steve finally chirps in then, “yeah, see we usually rely on this girl who has superpowers, but uh, they went bye-bye, so…”

“Sore we’re technically in more of uh…” Robin tries to keep the assurance up, but everyone else also struggles to find a silver lining.

“Brainstorming phase?” Max finally finds the word.

“Brainstorming!” Steve snaps his fingers and points at him with a smile.

“There’s—there’s nothing to worry about?” Dustin’s voice goes up a pitch like it usually does when he’s lying, causing Eddie to roll his eyes.

Steve scoffs, laughing because he felt awkward, it felt like there was very little hope… especially without Nancy and Joyce. They always knew what to do.

The sound of the siren draws their attention away from Dustin's failed attempt at comforting Eddie. “Tarp! Tarp now!” Robin points to the boat, ushering Eddie over to it and pulling the blue sheet over him.

They rush to the window of the boathouse, crowding the pane, Steve stands on his tip-toes to watch an ambulance head up the road with two cop cars close behind. It isn’t even really a question if they’re going to follow it or not, Dustin simply grabs his bag and heads to the door with Max and Robin in tow. Steve stalls, knowing they have to leave Eddie if they want to go investigate, and he hates leaving him alone, but who else was going to drive the kids towards the danger? Max? Never again.

He takes a moment to tell Eddie it was just an ambulance and they’re going to check it out, he kneels beside the boat and pats Eddie on the shoulder just as he pulls the tarp back, ready to talk but Eddie grabs his wrist, keeping his hand there, “radio me later and tell me what’s going on? Me and Dustin use 96.6 on the AM frequency, no one else should be on it if you have his walkie…”

“Yeah, I will,” he gives him a sweet smile, “don’t worry.”

Steve had the worrying covered for him.

—

They’re alone in the car for maybe 5 seconds before Dustin brings it up, “so… are we gonna talk about… it?”

Steve is too busy watching the door, making sure Max is safe, “huh? Sorry, talk about what?”

For a moment he panics, thinking Dustin saw the way he looked at Eddie, or maybe picked up on all the things Steve bought for Eddie with his own money to make sure he was fed while hiding… or the way Eddie touched him before he left? But no, he once again thinks Steve is in love with every woman he speaks to.

“Your temporary insanity earlier today when you basically threw yourself at Nance?” Dustin exaggerates what just happened at the trailer park.

“First of all, that’s not what happened,” Steve corrects him.

“Pretty sure that’s what happened,” Dustin shrugs, always having to be right.

“No.”

“It was pretty public, there were like a lot of witnesses.”

“Are you implying that I still have a thing for Nance?” Steve just gets it out in the open for him.

“I’m not implying… I’m stating,” Dustin teases as if he’s trying to piss him off. “AND as it relates to your steadfast refusal to date Robin, it’s pretty much the only logical option…”

Steve huffs, that’s the part that makes his blood fill with rage, “thats not the only one… And as for Nance, I was just trying to protect a friend.”

Dustin bites the inside of his lip so he won’t laugh, not believing him at all.

“A friend, Henderson. A Friend. Okay?”

“Okay,” Dustin agrees to settle it but Steve can see in his face that he’s just going to bring it up another time, he wasn’t going to let go of it that easily.

“I don’t want to find her in the morning with her eyes sucked out the front of her skull by this Vecna creep!!” Steve panics and tells him half of the truth. He wasn’t sure if the real truth would bode well with him… sure, Mrs. Henderson was a democrat but that didn’t mean their household was okay with gay people.

The last thing he needed was to lose Dustin at a time like this.

Dustin laughs at him, it’s always funny when Steve is the one to get into these panic rambles. “You’re like bright red in the face right now.”

“No I’m not, I don’t want to talk about it— I’ll punch you so hard in your face your teeth’ll fall back out.”

Mean girl Steve jumped out before he even has a chance to realize the cage was open, he reels her back in and turns to Dustin as he registers what was said, a look of pure regret on his face.

“Woah, too far,” Dustin stares back at him, worried… he’s never been on the receiving end of Steve’s bad attitude.

There’s a pause, they look at each other completely seriously, understanding it was all a bit and it’s over now. “Not cool. Sorry,” he apologizes immediately.

“Not cool, but it’s okay,” Agrees and accepts, nodding softly and smiling, “seriously though… why is it that you’re just friends with two of the prettiest girls I know?”

It's now or never. The last thing he needed was Dustin asking him about the girls in front of Eddie. He didn’t need Eddie thinking he was just some one-time jock in the forest who wanted to try something and never talk about it again. He really liked Eddie. When this is all over, he wants to get to know Eddie better than ever before, better than anyone else knows him. And Dustin was his key to doing that.

“Did you ever consider the fact that maybe girls aren’t the only people I like…?”

Dustin is a bit taken aback by it, he purses his lips and thinks about it for a sec, and then he smiles “really?”

Steve nods, “yeah, so I spend a lot of my time talking to Robin about boys I like… and girls too. I’m just hung up on someone who isn’t Nancy, and it’s not Robin either, I’m just not ready to talk to you about it.”

“Okay,” Dustin is super understanding, “sorry for bugging you all the time, before, I never would’ve thought… but it’s cool. It’s really cool, you’d be a great boyfriend to another dude.”

“Thanks,” he manages to smile. “It’s only you and Robin who know… so don’t tell anyone—

“I would never,” Dustin reaches over and lays his hand on Steve's arm, “I promise.”

“Good,” he pulls Dustin into a hug and pats his back before he lets him go. “Thank you.”

“No problem, man,” Dustin leans back in his seat and looks out the front window as if nothing happened. “Can you not tell me because he’s not out yet and you want him to choose when I find out?”

“No… it’s kinda one-sided right now,” Steve admits. “I would call it a crush but I don’t want you to tease me.”

“No, no, it’s cute,” Dustin smirks, trying not to laugh at him. “Do I know him?”

“Maybe?” He lies, he thinks it’s convincing enough. “I barely know him.”

Dustin looks at him with a smirk, “you know, I have other gay friends who I could hook you up with?”

Steve looks at him funny, “you know other gay people?”

He nods, “yeah, why else do you think we’re all searching for fantasy worlds? This one isn’t accepting, trust me, I know… so we made a cool world in our game where we can all be different and it’s allowed… and I have a feeling based on who has a boyfriend in the game, I know who would love to have a real boyfriend.”

“Are you… gay?” Steve can’t help but ask, they’re more similar than Steve realizes, sometimes.

Dustin shrugs, “never thought too hard about it but it doesn’t gross me out to think about kissing a boy, so, who knows? I’ve just always been bullied for my disability, so in dungeons and dragons I can be both smart and agile, I don’t have to worry about breaking something or being in pain for days after a big game. I feel normal there. Everyone else does too.”

“I’m glad you have that,” Steve smiles thinking about how happy Dustin is after every game and how much that has to do with Eddie. “We really need to find a way to get the police to believe that it wasn’t Eddie… we can’t have you losing that.”

“Right,” Dustin, once again, see’s through him. “So you can take him out on a date after?”

“Do I need to take it too far again?” Steve teases, looking at him with a fake sense of dominance while holding his fist up. He smiles, breaking character and the two of them crack up. Laughing almost too hard to notice Max running towards the car.

—

If Vecna wanted to curse people with sad home lives, why didn’t he just pick Steve?

He’s the only one awake still, involuntarily taking the first watch while the rest of the party went to sleep. Mrs. Wheeler was fine with everyone staying now that she knew where Nancy was, she just made them separate at night. Steve had Dustin and Lucas with him down in the basement while Max and Robin were sharing a sleeping bag on Nancy’s bedroom floor.

Steve has been watching them sleep for about 30 minutes, they’ve been snoring the whole time, he doesn’t think they’ll wake up if he moves but he still gets up slowly. He reaches for Dustin's bag and pulls the walkie out from the front pocket and backs away from their sleeping spot. They don’t even budge, thank god.

In the back corner of the Wheeler’s basement, behind the stairs, is the laundry room and the utility closet, just far enough away from the boys that he wouldn’t be heard. He sits down with his back against the dryer and uses the light on the water heater to see the frequency gauge on the radio.

He moves it to 96.6 and holds down the talk button, “Eddie, you there?”

“Steve?” Eddie questions, knowing for sure it’s not Dustin’s voice coming through. “What’s going on?”

“Do you remember a kid named Fred Benson? He was on the newspaper team with Nancy?”

“Yeah, I know him,” Eddie says with a sigh, he could already tell where this was going.

“So uh, Fred died just like Chrissy. He was at your trailer with Nance to interview Wayne and then he disappeared into the woods and they found him this morning where Cornwallis meet’s Lover’s Lane,” Steve explains and then lets go of the button.

The radio static is all that can be heard, and Eddie is quiet. Too quiet. “You copy?” Steve asks, worried he never heard him.

“Yeah, yeah sorry… Do you think the trailer park is cursed?”

“That’s what I asked when we went back to get Nancy’s car,” Steve shares with a slight smile on his face. It was weird talking to him and not playfully pissing the other off. “But uh, we’ve got more bad news… both Chrissy and Fred were getting headaches, bad dreams and visions before they died, it started gradually and then got worse until they died. It’s probably why Chrissy wanted drugs, she couldn’t handle it alone…”

“She seemed really fucked up, I mean, she’d have to be to come to me?” Eddie believes it, “I guess the trailer park isn’t cursed then because they got sick before coming to the park, they just all happened to die near it?”

Steve hates that he has to tell him this next part.

“Max admitted to us that she has all the symptoms and we were there for her vision… it was so freaky, I’m sorry you had to see the whole thing with Chrissy.”

Eddie bypasses the niceties and goes right to the issue at hand, “So we’re 3 for 3 on connections to just my trailer now,” Eddie says with a sigh.

“Yeah, but at least that gave us somewhere to start looking,” Steve assures him.

“Did you find anything?”

“When Nancy was there with Fred, your uncle told her all about Victor Creel and how he killed his family in the 50’s… she went to the Library and found some articles about it and they’re going to look into it more tomorrow, so I’m not sure if we’ll be able to come see you at all?”

“That’s okay,” Eddie replied, he didn’t really mind.

“Are you okay being there all alone?” Steve asks, still worried for him. It’s just his luck that the first person he’s crushed this hard on since Nancy would end up being wanted for murder. The last thing he needs is for Eddie to get cursed too. “You’re not feeling any of the symptoms?”

“I mean, I have a headache from being up for almost 3 days and when I do sleep I get nightmares because I’m processing the trauma… but yeah, I’m fine. It just sucks being here ‘cause I’m a little afraid of the dark… I’m not gonna lie, Steve, it’s a lot scarier now that I know what’s out there,” Eddie admits.

“I’m sorry…but you’re okay? You still have snacks and you’re warm enough?”

“Dustin wasn’t kidding when he said you were like a mother hen,” Eddie teased him.

Steve laughs then too, holding the button down so he catches the end of his giggle, “yeah, yeah, I take care of the people I care about, sue me, Munson.”

“You care about me, Harrington?” Eddie asks with a fondness in his voice that Steve can hear.

“Yeah,” Steve answers, squeezing his eyes closed with regret. “I mean, Dustin loves you so if anything happened to you he’d be deviated… I have to take care of you for his sake.”

“Yeah, no, I get it, you’re doing it for the kids…” Eddie sounded disappointed almost. “Um, thanks again for the groceries, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I’m sure Reefer Rick doesn’t have anything edible— I mean, he probably does, I should say he doesn’t have anything that won’t get you high when you eat it in his house,” Steve teases, “I wasn’t going to let you starve, it’s bad enough you’re wanted for murder.”

“Do they really think I was able to kill Fred too? Why don’t they think I’m a victim too if they can’t find me?” Eddie asks, “it’s just straight-up bad police work to think it’s me?”

“If only Hopper was still here, he knew all about this shit,” Steve admits. “He died closing the last gate that opened under the mall.”

“From the girl with the superpowers?”

“No, actually the Russian���s made it but thats another story,” Steve doesn’t want to get into it either. “El closed the first one and Hop died closing the second…. he like adopted her and everything before he died but now she lives with Jonathan Byers and his mom and brother,” Steve explains, “and we can’t get ahold of them in California, so I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

“I should’ve known there was more to that zombie boy story…”

“Yeah… it’s just gotten crazier each year,” Steve can’t believe it either, and this is his 4th go-around. “But we’ve won 3 times, so…”

“The odds look good,” Eddie agrees, somewhat optimistically. “Can you give me the stats, what kills this thing? What’s its weakness?”

“Well, the mindflayer doesn’t like heat so we’ve been just lighting everything on fire, we used fireworks last time cause the monster was fucking huge when normally they’re like either little dog size things and their mouths open like those flowers that eat flies— Venus fly traps, thats it, and there’s some that are like 8 feet tall scary men sized dudes, we call them demogorgons, they also have the big opening mouth for a head, it’s fucking horrific,” Steve doesn’t mean to ramble but he’s never really been able to tell anyone about this stuff, other than Robin.

Eddie stays quiet on the other end, “they’re cold-blooded if they don’t like heat… which would make sense cause you said their world is nasty and dark, right?”

“Yeah, only Nancy, Joyce, Hopper and Will have actually been in the upside down and come back alive, I was in these tunnels between the worlds with the kids— once again, setting shit on fire, to give the others an upper hand… It all works like a hive mind if you burn one thing the whole system suffers.”

“So this Vecna fucker must be the puppet master,” Eddie agrees, “were the other monsters just feelers for what he could do or do you think this is an evolutionary thing?”

“Evolutionary?”

“Yeah, like in my games sometimes one villain has multiple evolutions, it starts small and then gets bigger and badder as time goes on and they take more souls and shit,” Eddie explains. “Maybe that’s why Chrissy and Fred ended up so broken like that… it’s like Vecna is sucking their life force out of them for his own gain?”

“The thing we fought last time was a bunch of infected people from Hawkins who all turned to mush and then formed one big monster with a gaping mouth and 6 legs… it was huge, like the size of a monster truck.” Steve shares, “So it’s like he found a cleaner approach to absorbing them?”

“Make sure you tell Nancy that in the morning,” Eddie says as a way of agreeing with him. “That could be really important.”

“I will, they’ll figure something out with it, I know it,” Steve assures him.

“You should get some sleep,” Eddie cares about him right back. “Those kids need you at your best.”

He can’t help but smile like a fool, “okay… are you going to sleep tonight?”

“Honestly? Probably not,” he admits, feeling a lot more comfortable with Steve now… “but I’m going to let you go, have a good night, Steve.”

“Try to sleep for me?” Steve asks, softer than ever before. “Head back into the main house and crawl into Rick's bed and just try… take care of yourself.”

“Thanks, mom,” he teases Steve one last time and then he’s gone. Radio off, hopefully heading back inside to sleep.

Steve sits there for a few more minutes with the radio pulled to his chest in a semi-hug, he wanted this to work out more than anything in the world.

—

Eddie hears a car pull up to the main house just after 3 pm that afternoon, one that doesn’t sound like Steve's or Nancy’s, it sounds bigger. He thinks maybe they brought a different vehicle after whatever they were up to that led to their radio silence all day… but he can’t see the road from where he is in the boathouse.

Sure enough, he heard 3 doors slam followed up by the worst voice he knew.

“Come on out, Freak!” Jason called out, letting him know they were coming for him.

He crouches by the window, staying low and still so no one sees him back there. He takes his walkie in hand and holds down the button, “Hey, Dustin? You there? It’s Eddie. You remember me, right?”

Nothing.

“Hey, uh, if… anyones there, I really think I might be in a bit of trouble here. Okay?”

Still nothing.

“Wheeler?” He begs, peaking out the window to see if the jocks have spotted the boat house yet.

“Steve?!” His voice gets a bit louder, more panicked and then he reaches a new level of desperation, he smacks the radio and almost yells through gritted teeth, “anybody?!?”

Still absolutely fucking nothing.

He shakes his head in disbelief and quickly gets back under the tarp in the boat, he’ll just pretend he’s not there as long as humanly possible… he hears them shouting his name and other derogatory terms around the yard and from inside the house, threatening to kill him if they find him. After about an hour, they quiet down. It becomes a once-a-half-hour thing for one of them to yell for Eddie as they tore the house apart worse than the police when they arrested Rick.

The sun eventually goes down around 8:30, after hours and hours of hiding, he finally hears Jason say what he’s been so afraid of.

“Has anyone checked the boathouse?”

He takes a deep breath and accepts his fate, he could either sit there and wait and hope they’re not as smart as Steve to start poking around where they didn’t belong… or, he could grab an oar and he could start to paddle out across Lovers Lake, towards Skull Rock. Before he can even think it over, his instincts kick in and he’s rowing his boat away from the dock.

He gets about halfway into the lake when Jason spots him, once again, calling out for the freak. Shit.

Now that he’s been seen, he doesn’t give a fuck about being loud with the motor running, so he pulls the cord on the engine as hard as he can… and nothing. “Come on! Just come on!!”

Jason is ripping off his suit jacket, newly returned from his girlfriend's funeral, he was manic as fuck and scarier than ever. In a moment of desperation, Eddie leans towards the engine and begs her to cooperate, “come on, sweetheart, you’ve gotta help me out here…”

And to no avail, she’s dead in his hands too. Nothing seems to be going right for him. Not now. Not ever.

His anger builds the more he yanks on the cord, “you… piece… of.. shit… Goddamn it!!” He finally smacks the engine and grabs the oar again, he had to do everything himself.

By now, Jason is in the water and swimming towards him like a piranha that smells blood. Eddie paddles as fast as he can, just hoping and praying he makes it to the other side and Jason gets a fucking cramp or something so he has enough time to run. He really needs to be able to run. He was not going to die in the hands of Jason Carver, that would be fucking pathetic.

They’re so close to grabbing onto the boat and slowing him down. One wrong move and they could tip him out, grab a hold of him and drown him before he even has a chance to swim. He paddles faster and faster, always getting just a mere metre ahead of them when Patrick stops.

“Hey, come on, let’s go! We almost have him!” Jason calls out to him, causing Eddie to stop too.

He stands with the oar in his hand, waving it like a sword, “stay back!! Stay back, you hear me?!”

“Patrick?” Jason calls again, more concerned. “Patrick!!” He turns to Eddie, treading water and breathing heavily, “what did you do? What kind of devil work is… oh my god?” Jason's attention is pulled to his friend who is now floating out of the water and into the air.

“Not again,” Eddie doesn’t want to be there when it happens this time. He sits back down and paddles faster than ever before.

He runs before he can hear the sound of their bones breaking, the cartilage twisting and that awful snap and crunch… it’s the worst sound known to man and he hears it every time he closes his eyes already. He didn’t need to witness it again. He doesn’t turn back when he hears Jason's screams and cries for his friend, or when there’s the inevitable splash that indicates it's all over.

Vecna took yet another life in close proximity to him.

He gets all the way to the other side of the lake and jumps out of the boat, he doesn’t tie it down or give a shit where it ends up, he’s got to go. He runs like a bat out of hell through the woods while his mind races in a million different directions. He didn’t even realize he left the radio in the boat until he reaches an all-too-familiar spot in the woods.

The tree where it all started.

He stops dead in his tracks and turns towards it, he grips the bark like his life depends on it and then wraps his arms around it. He holds onto the fucking tree like it's his lover after a long war, his chest is heaving, and he’s so tired and out of breath and scared. He’s so fucking scared he could have a heart attack and die right here… but right here is where he belonged. Right here is safe and holy and good. He drops down to the ground, still leaning against the tree as he takes a deep breath and another one, he rubs the tree bark to ground himself with the texture and returns all rational thought back to his brain.

He would stay here tonight. No one will be cruising with a murderer on the loose and the cops had better things to do than dish out public indecency charges tonight. He was truly safe here. In the morning, however, he’d go back to the shoreline, he would get the radio from the boat and he’ll call for Steve… or Dustin. Either way, he’ll probably see Steve tomorrow.

He knew Gareth was right about his mystery midnight runner being Steve, he accepted it a while ago, actually. He just never expected Steve to be anything more than a jock. He didn’t expect him to be soft and caring and funny… he knew he was pretty sure, but his soft heart made him beautiful.

And to think that just last year Steve was playing basketball with the same kids that are trying to now kill Eddie right now… it was a strange double life that Steve led. He was both cool and responsible. He was a babysitter and a whore. He sucked dick like a god and left most of the women in Hawkins satisfied too.

He’s a bloody mystery that Harrington, boy.

And if Eddie liked anything for sure, it was a challenge. Getting Steve Harrington to like him back was going to be just that and so much more… he just had to live long enough to see it through.

—

Eddie called and asked Nancy for more food yesterday morning, they didn’t have time to visit him at all during the morning and then everything with Max got worse so Steve was preoccupied. By the time Steve sat back down by the dyer to call Eddie, it was almost midnight again and he didn’t pick up the radio at all… it left Steve with a pit in his stomach that wouldn’t go away.

Dustin was snoring with his mouth wide open, snuggled into a pillow on the floor, he let Lucas have the full couch tonight. Lucas stayed up a bit longer than he should’ve, worried for the girl he loved, he stared at Max until his eyes got heavy and sleep took over… which was exactly when Max stopped pretending she didn’t still love him, she walked over to the couch and wrapped a blanket over him, she kissed his forehead and went right back to the desk in the corner as if nothing happened.

Steve saw it all happen from the laundry room, she saw him talking to the walkie and just turned her music up louder, giving him the privacy that he didn’t need because Eddie wouldn’t pick up. Every few minutes he asked the same question on the radio, “hello? Anyone there?” Not wanting to say his name because he had no idea who else was on the line, anyone in the town could be on this frequency. Yet no one answered.

He moves back over to the couch with the radio on a low volume so he could still hear Eddie if he called but it wouldn’t startle the kids awake. He watches Max in the corner, her headphones on and music blasted, she was drawing in the corner with a little light on, perfectly fine.

Dustin's watch starts to beep at 4:30, Steve watches him sit right up and rub his eyes with a groan. He lets out a huff and then turns to Steve, “my turn to keep watch.”

“I’m good,” Steve waves him off. “Go back to sleep.”

“Nope,” Dustin stretches, his voice almost disappearing as all the air in his lungs is expelled. He takes another deep breath and then stands up, “I’m going to pee, your eyes better be closed when I get back out.”

“Fine,” Steve wasn’t going to fight with him, he simply clutches the radio a bit tighter and settles into the chair in a comfortable position.

His eyes are closed for barely 2 minutes when his brain wanders into sleep, his head drops forward and his breathing picks up. It makes Dustin smile when he comes back from the bathroom, he puts a blanket on Steve’s lap and leaves him be. He needed this rest.

He wakes up clutching a pillow like his life depended on it, startled and alarmed by how peaceful the sleep was until now. He stared at the black nothingness of his closed eyelids for 4 hours straight before Nancy was waking him up with a shake.

“We’ve gotta get ready to go, I’ve still got some of your clothes in my room if you want to change,” She admits. “Track pants and a yellow sweater?”

“Kay,” he hums, rubbing his eyes until he sees blue and green dots and his head starts to feel like he’s spinning. “Anything happening?”

“There are reports of another body being found, we need to go see—

“Eddie?” he wakes right up, realizing he doesn’t have the walkie anymore, he looks around the room and he’s the only one still downstairs. “Has anyone contacted him?”

She shakes her head, “still nothing.”

“Let’s go,” he rushes past her up the stairs to the main floor and then up more stairs on her way to Nancy’s room. The boys were rifling through Mike's drawers for new shirts while Robin and Max wore something from the bags they packed days ago, at the start of all this. They came prepared.

He changes in the bathroom as quickly as possible and returns to Nancy’s room with his keys in hand, “I’m going to take Dustin to the store, Eddie said he was hungry yesterday… we’ll be back in 15?”

“Okay,” Nancy doesn’t care that he’s all concerned for Eddie like he’s his lover, but Robin smirks at him. “Remember, he asked for beer when he called and with this news… he’s going to need it.”

—

When they roll up to Rick’s house, there’s a media frenzy and a million and 1 cop cars lining the streets. They all rush up behind a news van just in time to hear the inevitable. “We have named a person of interest… Eddie Munson.”

“Ah man,” Steve groans. “This is not good. Really not good.”

Everyone agreed but no one says anything, they just glance at each other, feeling a bit more than defeated. They felt hopeless.

“Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?” Eddies voice crackles through the radio about too loud for where they are.

Dustin is quick to pull the radio out and turn the volume down, “Eddie, holy shit? Are you okay?”

“Nah man, pretty… pretty fuckin’ far from it, actually,” he admits, sounding totally and utterly devastated.

“Where is he?” Robin asks just as Dustin hits the button to talk back. “Where are you?” He asks.

“Skull rock, uh, do you know it?” He asks, probably because Dustin's a kid, he shouldn’t know the most popular make-out spot in Hawkins.

“Uh, yeah?” Dustin answers and turns to Lucas, “that’s near Cornwallis and—

“Garrett,” Steve finishes his sentence for him and pats his shoulder, running back to the car. “Yeah, I know where that is.”

Nancy tosses Steve the keys and they all follow him back to her car, he drives like a crazy person when he needs to, and they needed him to. They all pile back into the station wagon and he basically burns out, leaving tire marks on the asphalt.

He takes them down lover's lane back to Cornwallis for just a mile until he turns onto Garrett, heading up another mile to an all too familiar spot. The snow was long gone but the snowmobile trail was still there, he takes the car off the road and onto the trail, making everyone in the car scream and hold onto things to stay steady. He’s only off the road not even 20 seconds when he comes to an abrupt halt behind some bushes, “it's north from here.”

“Got it,” Dustin replies, digging out his compass while the gang gets out of Nancy’s car.

“And you said I was a risky driver!?” Max complains, straightening out her shirt and taking a deep breath. “That was insane?”

“I’m sorry, but we’ve gotta find him before the cops do?” Steve reminds her, feeling snippier than ever. He doesn’t stand around to listen to her answer, he starts walking in the direction he knows they should be going while they all follow.

“Damn, okay, what happened to you thinking he could’ve done this?” She can’t help but ask as she runs up beside him.

“He means a lot to Dustin… I’m not letting another one of you go through what you and Nancy have,” he admits… it’s not a lie, but it’s not where his true intentions lay either.

“Yeah, no, I get it,” she backs down. “But who’s going to take care of you?”

“What?” He stops.

“Who’s going to take care of you so that he doesn’t lose you? You’re the most important person he has, Steve, killing yourself to keep us safe is going to hurt him just as badly,” she reminds him, sounding a lot wiser than she should at 14.

He wraps his arm around her and keeps walking, “you can, how about that?”

“Deal,” she laughs and shoves his arm off of her, still not a touchy person.

Lucas catches up to them, hands full of groceries, Robin has another bag only she has chosen to walk with Nancy. Dustin has his compass and takes the lead, and it’s all fine and dandy until Steve starts to notice the same tree again and again… he tries to tell Dustin this, but he makes Steve look at the compass, he gives him a snarky lesson on how they work and Steve shoves him into a bush lightly.

“Hey!”

“Dude, I’m telling you, you’re taking us the wrong way,” Steve argues. “I know these woods better than any of you. This is the wrong direction.

“It’s north, I’m positive, I double-checked the map.”

“You do realize Skull Rock is like a really popular make-out spot?” Steve starts to lose his cool.

“Yeah, so?”

“Yeah, well, it wasn’t popular until I made it popular,” Steve brags. “Alright? I practically invented it… we’re heading in the wrong direction.”

At this point he’s fed up and anxious, he cuts to his left and just starts going out on his own. He jogs downhill, jumps over twigs and keeps going no matter what Dustin says.

“Steve?!” Dustin simply calls after him, not wanting to admit he’s wrong.

“Stop whining and trust me!!” He starts to run, making up for lost time.

These were his woods. He played pretend out here as a kid, he followed his idiot friends out here to party and smoke, he had his first beer by the lake with Tommy… he had his first time by the lookout in his Beamer… and he met Eddie at that tree.

He stops just for a second to look at the tree, knowing skull rock was just a stone's throw from where they are. He keeps going, through the bushes and past the overgrown branches, “oh, boom!” He cheers when he finally sees it. “Bada-bing bada-boom, there she is, Henderson, skull rock.”

He holds the branches back so that the rest of the party can make it to the clearing in front of the giant rock formation. “In your face, man, in your stupid, cocky, little face.”

“It doesn’t make sense?” Dustin stares at him like he grew two heads and then back to the rocks.

“Yeah, yeah. Even with it staring you right in the face, you can't admit it. You just can’t admit it that you’re wrong, you little butthead,” Steve drags on, eyes trailing the place for any sign of Eddie.

He drops down from the rock then, “I concur,” he announces his presence, drawing Steve's attention right to him, he has to try not to smile, instead, he turns away and rubs his face. “You, Dustin Henderson, are a total butthead.”

“Jesus, we thought you were a goner,” Dustin sighs, walking into Eddie's space and stealing a hug from him.

“Yeah, me too man,” he sighs, patting his back while staring at Steve, he lets him go and keeps staring.

Steve gives him a smile and a nod, playing it cool when on the inside he wanted to run over to him and wrap him up in a hug, himself and make sure he was okay. He wanted to hold his face in his hands and look him over, he wanted to brush his hair out of his face and look into his eyes and— and he really needed to stop thinking about it.

Robin walks up to Eddie then, “hey, you’re okay?”

He nods, “yeah, as good as I can be.”

Steve didn’t even realize that Robin and Max were carrying the groceries for Eddie, not until Robin started handing him things, “how long have you been out here?”

“Since like 10 pm,” he explains, ripping into the bad for literally anything, he was so hungry he could eat a horse. “Tweedle dee and dumb chased me into the lake and then Patrick started to float and I couldn’t be there… I couldn’t handle it again so I did the thing that I do now. I ran.”

Eddie takes a box of cereal out of the paper bag, they’re cinnamon toast crunch this time because Steve thought he might like something different. He all but moans when he sees the box, “oh I’m so fucking excited to eat, I haven’t had anything since I called Nancy yesterday morning…”

“Dustin ate most of your Pringles,” Max teases, handing him the other bag of groceries and Lucas hands him the pack of beer, too.

“You’re a godsend,” he thanks Nancy, his eyes are like 10x bigger than normal, and he’s so happy he could cry…

“Steve got it all,” Nancy points and Steve straightens out, looking terrified as all eyes shift to him. “He’s the only one that can get beer…”

Eddie gasps, knowing he’s older than Steve and still not able to buy beer himself… “Harrington, do you have a fake ID?”

He nods, “yep… one of my dad's business partners is 27, he gave me his old licence. Don’t expect me to get you booze all the time now.”

“Well, thank you,” Eddie gives him a sweet smile. “But what the fuck took you guys so long?”

“We have a lot to tell you,” Nancy sighs, she takes a can of Pringles from Eddie’s snacks and leans against the rock. “We’re going to be here a while, dig in.”

—

“Sick, thats just fucking sick,” Eddie’s sarcasm is palpable, he shakes his head and rubs his eyes, it was a lot of information all at once and the only thing that really stood out was the now Eddie was wanted for not 1, but 3 murders.

The whole time they’ve been talking, Dustin has been pacing, talking to himself and smacking his compass in his hands. He looks distraught, he’s thinking so hard smoke might start coming out of his ears while the rest of the gang immediately starts discussing how they’re going to kill Vecna before he gets Max too.

“Well, we’re one step closer, we know how Vecna attacks,” Robin, once again, tries to make it seem like they’re got it all under control.

“And where he attacks from,” Lucas agrees, standing so close to Max you’d think they’re dating again.

“So, now we just need to sneak into his lair in the upside down and… and drive a stake through his heart?” Max suggests, arms crossed, a smug look on her face, she thinks it’s going to be easy.

“If he even has a heart,” Robin jokes.

“A stake? Is he like a vampire— is he a vampire?” Steve's voice lowers with excitement, it’s both cool and terrifying.

“It was a metaphor,” Max looks at him like he’s an idiot and Eddie jumps in to save him

“A bullet should work on him, right?” Eddie suggests, knowing where they could get some guns.

“I say we chop his head off,” Lucas throws in for good measure.

Steve looks like he’s about ready to ask how that would help when Nancy steps back in… Eddie only knows because he’s been watching Steve talk and switching his attention over to Dustin every few seconds. He’s still pacing, still talking to himself, it’s strange, sure, but Steve is too pretty not to stare at when he talks.

“yeah— I say all the above, but we can’t do any of that,” Nance reminds them. “We need to find another gate.”

“We need to get El’s powers back,” Max follows up, it seems like the most effective way to win this.

“Everything was like way easier. We had this girl… and she had superpowers—

“Superpowers, yeah, you mentioned her,” Eddie cuts him off, he remembered perfectly everything that Steve has said to him these last few days. “But, hey uh, Henderson’s no uh, cursed? Is he?”

Steve looks at Eddie and then Dustin and back to Eddie, catching his eyes and staying there, “cursed, no, no… mental? Absolutely.”

“BOOM!!!!” Dustin suddenly pops off, everything clicking in his head.

Everyone jumps out of their skin for a moment, startled to their core by the sheer volume of his voice. “Badda… badda… boom!” He points at Steve and walks toward him. “I was right. Skull Rock was north.”

Steve's blood starts to boil, like a real brother, Dustin never fails to find a way to grind his gears and piss him off. He crosses his arms and sighs, “seriously? You’re serious?”

“Mhm,” Dustin smirks, holding back the key information so he can wow them in a sec.

“THIS IS SKULL ROCK?!” Steve freaks out, pointing at the fucking rock formation and then down to Eddie who’s squatting on the floor like a fucking champ… (he’s been squatting for so long, Steve is a lot more than impressed, he was invested in seeing how long he could go. But that’s not the point.)

“You’re totally, absolutely, 100% wrong! Right now!!” He speaks with his hands, gesticulating with anger.

“yes… and no.”

“Oh my god,” Steve has to fight off the urge to swing at him, he instead turns around and covers his face. He takes a few deep breaths while Dustin continues.

“This compass worked correctly when we left the Wheelers, it was correct when we got in the car on Kerley but it started to slip the further east we went,” Dustin explains. “Now! it’s… way off?”

Steve turns back to him, looking at him with an expression Dustin can read as ‘and your point is?’

“When I was leading us here I wasn’t wrong!” Dustin assures, pointing to his own chest, he stares into Steve’s eyes for approval. “The compass was.”

“So you’re using faulty equipment? Dude, you’re still wrong!” Steve can’t believe him, or his fucking tone.

“It isn’t faulty… Lucas, do you remember what can affect a compass?” He asks as if he’s Mr. Clarke and this is grade 7 all over again.

“Any electromagnetic field!” Lucas clues in immediately, validating Dustin's theory.

“Yep,” Dustin smiles, ego bubbling inside of him and reaching a boiling point that they can’t return from.

“I’m sorry…” Robin steps in, “I must’ve skipped that class?”

“In the presence of a stronger electromagnetic field, the needle will deflect towards that power… so either there is some super big magnet around OR—

“There’s a gate,” Lucas cuts Dustin off, remembering how he was the first one to ever find a gate to begin with.

“But we’re nowhere near the lab?” Nancy is trying so hard to comprehend all this, but geographically, it’s not working in her mind.

“But what if, somehow… there’s another gate?” Dustin hypothesizes. “A gate that we don’t know about…? It’d have to be smaller. Way less powerful.”

“Snack-sized gate!” Robin teases, remembering all the little labels on the snacks Eddie just ate, it fit the situation and even made Nancy smile a bit.

“Okay but how? Why?” Steve is the last to really get on board with it.

“No idea?” Dustin admits. “All I know is something is causing this disturbance, and the last time we’ve seen anything like it, it was a gate. And I hope it is because then we’d have a way to Vecna and a shot at freeing Max from this curse…” and with that, Dustin makes his grand exit from stage one and heads into the woods.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Steve yells at him, but he doesn’t stop. “Hey! Hey, hey, hey! Eddie's still a wanted man! We can’t just go for a hike in the woods??” Steve panics, his voice even cracks.

Robin looks at him with a knowing smirk, Nancy even picks up on it, they knew Steve more than anyone else in the party. Eddie however, he’s never seen Steve react like that… in fact, no one has ever really cared for his safety like this. No one but Wayne. Wayne would probably like him.

“This little steal capsule might be the key to saving both Max and Eddie,” it’s incredibly pointed at Steve, and then he turns to said wanted man. “What say you, Eddie the banished?”

Everyone turns to him and he looks away, staring off at the ground, he bites his lip and thinks about it. “I’d say you’re asking me to follow you into Mordor… which, if I’m totally straight with you, I think it’s a really bad idea…”

He catches Steve nodding along, clueless, but agreeing.

“but the shire… the shire is burning,” Eddie exaggerates, hyping Dustin up unintentionally to the point that the 15-year-old starts to jump up and down like a toddler, rustling the leaves under his feet.

Eddie places his hands on his knees and stands up straight, “so Mordor it is.”

He walks right past Nancy, just as clueless as Steve, but she doesn’t care, she follows Eddie. And Robin follows Nancy, and soon, everyone is following Eddie who isn’t ready at all to be a leader. He turns back around and notices he left all his shit by the rock just as Steve is catching up with everything.

“The fuck is Mordor?” He asks himself, absentmindedly following everyone when Eddie bumps into him on the way back to the rock, “get your shit man, let’s go.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Eddie picks it up with haste and runs back in front of Steve, slipping on the dewy grass and almost falling when Steve places his hand on his back to keep him steady.

Dustin takes the lead again, explaining the science to Nancy and Robin who followed him the fastest. Lucas and Max have heard it all before, so they just trail behind and no one cares that Steve stays back with Eddie, about 10 feet behind everyone else, he bumps Eddie’s shoulder and smiles at him. “You’re not going to thank me for breakfast?”

He laughs, “just add it to the things I have to thank you for.”

“Huh?” Steve doesn’t know what he means.

“You know,” Eddie references towards the trees, “just everything you’re willing to do for me… without anything in return.”

Steve almost stops breathing, stopping dead in his tracks, “you know?”

He nods, “yeah, I’ve known for a while… why when did you figure it out?”

“When you almost killed me 2 days ago?” Steve admits, he bites his lip and then shakes his head as he laughs. “I mean, Robin was saying it was probably you, but… I don’t know, I was kinda building him up in my head and then I couldn’t—

“Separate fact from fiction,” Eddie cuts him off, knowing all too well what thats like. “Gareth accused me of the same thing.”

Steve sighs and pats his shoulder, making him keep walking so they don’t lose Dustin and the gang. “Come on, we can talk about it later… I have a lot to tell you if we make it out of this.”

“I’m honestly surprised you’re not freaking out?”

“I had my time to freak out,” Steve teases. “Robin heard it all.”

“So she’s…”

Steve nods, “yeah. Is Gareth?”

Eddie nods too, looking forward to see everyone so far ahead of them. “Are you?”

Steve smiles, “yeah, couldn’t you tell?”

Eddie chuckles, “yeah, which is why it was so hard for me to come to terms with the fact it was you… cause like where the fuck did that come from, Steve?”

He shrugs, “I don’t know. It’s pretty easy to replicate once I’ve had one… and I’ve had quite—

“You whore,” Eddie whispers as he bumps his shoulder, smirking away. “But it paid off…”

“You’re going to give me an ego,” Steve shoves him right back.

“At least we’ll know where Dustin gets it from,” Eddie teases him once again.

And Steve loved every second of it.

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[helloitstsyu]

hello, I have a request for a tom cruise x reader fic based on the ariana grande song ‘fantasize’. that’s all, thank you xx

fantasize | Tom Cruise 18+

a/n : goshhhh this req is stuck in my mind for so long. finally I'm able to finish writing itt... i hope it fills your expectations! love the suggestion so much xx.

Pairing : Tom Cruise x f¡reader

Warning : unprotected sex, clothed sex, dirty talks, assume age gap, smut, minor dni!

Polo match.

You always hate when you're dragged to these kinda events. But your dad always insists on bringing you here. And since you just come back from college overseas, you owe it to him for a bit of quality time.

You would much rather stay at home or go out with your friends for a spa day or a pool party. Definitely not this. You feel awkward here and you don't know everyone here except your dad. Dad said it's not just about the game but it's about the networking. And so there he is, leaving you behind as he talks to his colleagues.

The game is about to start. Your dad calls for you. As you walk towards him, you see he's standing next to a man. His hair is perfectly styled. He's wearing a navy suit with a matching navy patterned tie. His eyes covered behind a sunglasses, but you kinda feel something about him is familiar, like you've seen him somewhere or something.

"Tom, i want you to meet my daughter." Dad places his hand behind your waist. Looks at you proudly, "She just came back from Harvard– took a double degree there while running her own business... couldn't get much prouder of my little cupcake." Your dad says.

Your dad has a habit of over-introducing you in front of people. "Dad, you're doing it again," you chuckle awkwardly as you shake your head.

Turning your head, you prolong your hand first for a shake. Shooting the man your most friendliest smile. "Hi, pleasure to meet you, i'm Y/N Y/L/N,"

He takes his glasses off and then shakes your hand.

That face. That eyes. Beat drops. You could feel your heart stop at the sight.

"Hi... I'm Tom,"

Cruise. He is Tom Cruise.

That's why you knew something about him is familiar, he's the freaking Hollywood god.

This shouldn't surprise you– to meet celebrities and all. Your dad works in the business as a producer. But something is different this time. Something is different about Tom Cruise. You almost feel like the air gets hotter. Perhaps it is him being so hot, or perhaps it's the way he stares at you with an intrigue in his eyes.

"So you're the famous Y/N Y/L/N... I've heard so much about you." He says, shooting a friendly smile.

"Yeah? Not the fun part, though," you mutter quietly.

Your dad and Tom both only stay silent and look at you, processing what you've just said.That came out of nowhere. The moment you realized you've said it, you regret it.

A few seconds pass with silence, but thankfully, your dad breaks into a laughter, lightening up the intense situation. "You're funny, sweetheart," your dad says. He must've not gotten the hidden intent behind what you said.

Tom however, just chuckles a little and a ghost smile appears on his face, his eyes light up as if he's enjoying some private humor. "Well.. I'd love to know more," Tom says. His gaze is unwavering and intense.

The event host then announces that the game is about to be started. You take your seat next to your dad. Tom is sitting a couple rows down from you, that doesn't stop you from keeping your eyes glued at him all the time.

For some reason, your heart is pounding mercilessly. You curse at yourself for being so stupid, muttering things out of your mouth before you think more about it. The way Tom gazed at you makes you feel some type of way, you're mentally and physically weak.

The way Tom moves a couple rows down there, the way he runs his fingers to his hair, the way his eyes dead-locked-focused watching the game as he chews a gum. That eyes, that jawline, that hair — Everything about this man just attracts every single bit of your cell. You're actually feeling all hot and horny right now.

Your mind starts to play on its own. Imagining what those lips would taste like. Imagining to run your fingers through that brunette strands. Imagining yourself getting fucked in this VIP little box — him pinning you down, he'd make you moaning hard, he'd pound mercilessly to you as he licks your moaning mouth. Oh, you'd give anything for him.

The loud cheer of the audience as the game ends awakes you back into reality. Somehow, you miss the whole game having your own preferred one in your head.

As you're about to leave your box, Tom comes to you and your dad again. Making some casual talks about the game and how great it was. You just stand there silence, still recovering from that heavy game you played in your mind.

"Cupcake," your dad turns around and calls for you, "If it's okay... i invite Tom to our lunch, i still have some business to discuss with him. I hope you're okay with it."

Before you can answer, your dad's phone rings. "Shit... hang on, sweetheart,"

"It's all fine, dad. I'll just go wait in the car." You say. You know whenever your dad's phone rings, that'll take some time. So rather than spending here talking with Tom and risking yourself to be flustered and caught in the open. You'd rather go back to your car and chill alone.

You get in your car and quickly turn on the air conditioning to the fullest setting. You sigh heavily.

You try to shake the picture of him in your head, trying to stop this feeling. You take a long breath in and just look at yourself from the rearview mirror. For some reason, you still feel horny. As if this feeling is not gonna go away until you're fed.

Looking around there's no one here around the parking lot. So you do what you gotta do to help yourself. You move to the back seat and lay down comfortably. You shut your eyes close and hoping that Tom is here. Hoping that Tom knows what he did to you, the feeling he inflicted on you.

All of a sudden, your door just pulled open, startling you to open your eyes and sit up. To your much surprise, it's Tom. He is ducking his head in.

"Tom? Wh-what are you doing?" You cluelessly ask.

"What needs to be done," he retorts in hushed voice.

He gets in and slams back the door close. In one quick motion, he lunges at you, grabs you by your face and kisses you. His lips on yours feel so soft and so burning at the same time— addicting, that's what he tastes like. You moan into his mouth, giving him just enough the opening. His tongue expertly exploring your mouth.

You have never been kissed like this. Your tongue tentatively plays back and joins his in an erotic movement. He gently pushes you back till you're laying down flat on the back seat with him on top of you. You're helpless, you're all pinned down, and he's restraining you with his whole body. You wrap your legs around his hips, allowing him to completely have his body pressed to yours. His hand explores your body, trailing the length of your thigh to your hips. Feeling something hardering, nudging you, you couldnt help to grind your center to his cock.

He hiss against your mouth. But Tom doesn't stop you or anything, rather he moves to kiss all over your chin, moving to your neck. The moment he sucks and nibs your sensitive skin, he got your eyes rolling back. You grip onto his jacket and swallows your edging moan.

"Tom..." you mutter.

Tom asks. Kiss more of your neck.

"Yes, darling?" Tom whispers in your ear before he gently bites your earlobe. Earning your jaw falls agape. He moves again to your collar bone, kissing you in the softest-teasing way.

He breathes against your flushed chest. His breath is hot, just like the way he makes you feel right now. He lays a soft, gentle kiss all across your flushed chest. Lowering himself even more as he gradually pulls your dress down along his way till your breast finally uncovered. He softly gasps at the sight of you. He glances to your eyes, lust covers in his gaze, before he places a kiss around your nipple.

You hiss, fingers grip onto his jacket.The moment he flick his tongue then sucks your nipple, you couldn't hold in your moan even more. "Ohh!" You moan.

Tom pushes himself off your neck and looks back into your eyes. "Come on, Y/N, show me how fun you can be," he challenges.

And just like that, the switch is being made. You turn off all of the good girl sides about you and this lust overdriving you into some dangerous character that'll put you in trouble. You pull him back to your lips and kiss him passionately. Your hands quickly run his body, feeling the toned muscles underneath. 60 or something, it is a joke that he's looking this damn hot at this age. You rub him from outside his pants.

You could feel Tom smirking against your lips. "Good girl," he chuckles.

You hurriedly take off his belt. Him helping you too. You push his trousers down just enough till you can grab his hard shaft and pulls it out from the torment of its lack of space. Tom groans as you wrap your hand around him. Fuck, he's big. And so hard. You pump his cock and spread his precum all over his shaft.

"Is that what you want?" Tom asks.

Glancing back to his eyes, you nod. "I want you to fuck me,"

A content smile appears on his face. He pushes your panties to the side and just pushes himself through your folds without warning.

"Ahh!" You squal uncomfortably to the unfamiliar size of him, gripping onto his shoulder.

Tom quickly bottoms out, pushing all the way of him inside of you. He doesn't wait for you to adjust to his size. He starts to pound his hips mercilessly into you, fucking you in a relentless pace.

"Ohhh! Fuck! ToOoMMm!" You shut your eyes and titled your head back.

"Yes! Yes! That's it moan my name!" He grins loving the way your face contorts to pleasure drunk. "You wanted my cock the moment you laid your eyes on me, huh? Looking at me with all of that slutty eyes, you know what you're doing, darling," he says to your ears as his cock pounds mercilessly to your tight channel.

You couldn't reply to him even if you wanted to. You only look back to him and nod.

"Oh, T-tom!" You cry. Tears dripping down your cheek.

"Fuck, Y/N" he groans. Tom holds your face. He presses his lips to yours again, silencing you from screaming loud.

He got you a moaning mess that you don't care if someone could hear you or see this little scene in your car. You never fucked like this before. So good that you'd do anything to have him fuck you like this again and again. You'd give your pussy for him, five to nine, nine to five. Tom fucks you like the way you fantasize your filthiest fantasies.

You feel your walls clenching hard. And the white hot pleasure becomes too unbearable to hold back. A few more thrust, and you're spilling all over. You squal all over the car. Knees clamping together as all of your muscles tighten.

You never have orgasm like that. It is by far your most intense that after the pinnacle, you feel bliss. For a few seconds, the room is so quiet — so peaceful...

You open your eyes and stare at the roof of your car. All of a sudden, like a slap to your face, waking you back into reality, your door is pulled open from the outside. Quickly, you sit up and try to fix yourself, push down your dress and all but it is all helpless. You're so caught right-handed. Looking up, the person who caught you right-handed guilty is the one you hope for dear life it wont be— Tom Cruise. He's peering down, slightly bending to meet your eyes.

You feel so embarrassed that you couldn't even feel a thing or think anything.

"Your dad wanted me to tell you lunch is off... meetings." He tells.

You just sit there feeling like you're slowly crippling to die. The optimistic side of you still whispers that perhaps he didn't see nothing. You have a tinted window afterall.... do you?

Tom gaze down at you with that light up, amused emerald eyes. Then slightly the corner of his lips pulled up to a smirk, like he's been there for a while and just watched you pleasuring yourself.

"Have a great day, Y/N," he mischievously smiles and closes back your door.

[kyber-crystal]

learning to warm cold hands || ethan hunt

summary: after a particular mission, sunshine isn’t sunshine anymore, and it worries him. (aka a cliche angst to fluff fic with the following tropes: slightly sunshine and super sunshine, who did this to you, etc)

words: ~1.4k

warnings: angst, brief descriptions of violence, ethan being overly concerned for reader, but not much else asides from that 

a/n: first ethan fic (requested by a lovely anon, thank you!!) and second mission impossible fic! btw, this fic is kind of an AU? i don't have a specific timeline for when it happens, so you can squeeze it in wherever :)

“Y/N, status update?”

“Northwest exit, 430 meters. I have one on my tail. But you know I’m Usain Bolt 2.0! I can definitely outrun this doofus, I mean, I bet my mile time is way better than his. I could've gone to the Olympics, for God’s sake. The Olympics! Where are you?”

“Stay there, I’ll come find you.”

“Ethan, wait, you can't just tell me to—“ You don’t even get to finish before a an explosive sound echoes across the narrow alleyway. You make a sharp left turn but find that you’d just hit a dead end. The door was locked. Shit. You only had one bullet left and there was a guy who was definitely at least twice your weight—and over a foot taller, too—coming after you. You wouldn't even have enough time to reload.

“Y/N. Y/N—“

You don’t get to hear the rest of what he’s saying before the static fizzes out and you lose connection.

“Hey there!” You give the beefy man who’s now mere meters away from you a cheerful smile. “Lovely weather today, don’t you think? Too bad it’s going to rain tomorrow. I love the rain but I hate lightning, because I almost got struck a year ago.”

He doesn't look too happy at this, whipping his gun out without a moment’s hesitation. You squeeze your eyes shut and pray as you slide the bullet in and he pins you against the wall by your neck. 

He brings the gun to your head, and your weapon clatters to the ground. You curse under your breath. You can feel your airways constricting and there's a searing pain working its way through you. 

“You're not going anywhere, princess.”

There's a split-second; a microsecond in which he pauses. Very briefly. You don't think, just do—you knee him in the groin, hard, and quickly grab the knife that's sheathed in your boot. 

Saying one last prayer, you plunge the blade in, not even looking to see if you'd aimed right. He falls to the floor, stumbling, and you then lunge forward to disarm him. 

Another deafening gunshot rings out just as Ethan rounds the corner and finds you there, standing over the man’s dead body like the angel of death. A pool of blood surrounds your feet, and he doesn't think he wants to know if that's yours or his. 

“You made it out alive. Good job out there.”

Glancing over at him, you nod, but don't say anything. You toss him the data files without another word, and board the plane. 

“I'm proud of you.”

More strained silence. Huh, weird… he thinks. 

“Y/N, are you alright?”

No response. Ethan repeats himself again, “Are you alright? Did something happen?”

You strap yourself into your seat and tilt your head back, digging your nails into your wrist. Anything was better than being awake right now…

“Well, someone's uncharacteristically quiet.”

Still no response. Not even a snarky quip like you'd typically reply with. No nicknames, no bickering, no random fun fact you googled on the way over here. “Did you know that a pig can digest an entire human body, bones and all? That makes me think a little extra every time we pass through the European countryside and see one of them.” 

All he gets is silence from your end, and it starts to worry him. 

That’s when he follows your gaze downwards. You're clutching the left side of your abdomen, trying your best not to make a sound. 

His blood runs cold and his eyes darken. You can feel the pure rage radiating off him. 

“Did he hurt you?”

“No…shit…Sherlock…” you croak out. 

“You're hurt.”

No response again. 

“Y/N, what the hell happened out there and who did this to you?”

More silence. 

“Y/N, what did he do to you? How did he hurt you?”

After several more questions and several more failed replies, he forcefully moves your hand aside. Your shirt is stained a deep red and there's a gaping hole much bigger than Ethan wanted to see. 

“You got shot.” He sighs. “Luther, how much longer?”

“Hour and five, but we can get there in 38.”

“Hurry.”

“On it.”

Ilsa brings him a thick roll of bandages. He tries to be as careful as possible as he disinfects and wraps up your torso, but every so often, you wince in pain. 

“I'm sorry, sweetheart, just a few more minutes,” Ethan hurriedly apologizes. “Hang in there for me, okay?”

Once he's done, he sits down next to you and laces your fingers together, giving your hand a squeeze. You let out a shuddering sigh and slumped against him. 

He pretends not to notice your watering eyes, or the crescent-shaped marks in your wrist. Or the way your left foot nervously taps out the rhythm to yours and his favorite song. Or the way your tears leave faint red tracks behind as they slip down your cheeks. 

“I'm so sorry,” he repeats over and over again, “I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.”

You don't sleep a wink that night. On any other day in Paris, you'd walk down to the farmer’s market below. You’d pick out Ethan’s favorite fruit and a new beret to have him wear jokingly, and maybe grab a croissant or two. Then you’d drag him along to the Louvre and point out each painting one by one and explain in great detail why you loved them so much. And he’d listen, because he could live purely off the sound of your voice for the rest of his life. He was never one for museums, but you loved them, and because he loved you, he started to love them, too.

But it's dark out, and after what had just happened the other day, you don't feel safe enough to leave the apartment. You tossed and turned for over half an hour before falling asleep, but jolted awake just a few minutes later, shivering violently. There was no way you were going to try and go to sleep again.  

Ethan stirs awake, rubbing his eyes to see a dark figure slipping out the door. 

He's quick to follow you up the staircase and to the rooftop. You're standing there in just a T-shirt (was that his?) and shorts, and it's freezing cold out, but you're sweating and fanning yourself. 

“Y/N?”

You turn around at the sound of his voice. “Ethan…”

“What are you doing up here? I was worried about you.” He makes his way over to you and puts a hand on your shoulder, obvious concern on his face. 

You bit your lip and started digging your nails into your wrist again. 

“Talk to me, Y/N,” he pleaded. “Tell me what's wrong.” 

You shook your head, feeling the skin of your wrist beginning to sting. 

“Y/N, please. I want to help you. But I can’t do that when you won't talk to me, so please…tell me what’s going on.” 

“I’m so tired, Ethan,” you finally spoke after a long pause, voice hoarse. “I should’ve—I shouldn’t be here right now, I should be dead because I panicked and I…I almost died. The man, he put the gun to my head and I saw my entire life flash before my eyes. I could’ve sworn to God that the whole ‘thing’ about you seeing your life flash by like a film reel was just a myth but it wasn’t. It scared the shit out of me because I kept seeing the same thing over and over. I thought…”

“What did you see?” he asked, voice gentle. 

“I kept seeing your face. All I saw was your face.” You looked away, suddenly unable to make eye contact with him. Heat spreads across your cheeks. “I know I care about the whole damn team, but you—you’re my future, Ethan.”

He doesn’t say anything in response and instead, leans down to kiss you.

The sudden rush of warmth from his lips being pressed against yours makes you want to forget everything in the world and completely drown in him. This was home, you realized, and this is where I’m supposed to be.

And as the sun rises and spreads a brilliant pale glow over the horizon, Ethan can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this was also exactly where he was meant to be. Not fighting bad guys, but rather, standing on the rooftop of a tiny building in the 4th arrondissement with you in his arms and your head against his heart. He thinks he could have a lifetime of this.

“You’re my future, too.”

tags (including those who may be interested! add yourself via this form, if you’d like): @mitchellpete @voguesir @fl0ating @lady-elena-adeline @the-multiverse-of-fandoms @ilsastrenchcoat @joyfullyswimmingface​ 

[tongue-like-a-razor]

There Are Rules

Your risky flying seriously pisses off your instructor at Top Gun and you're about to find out why.

Part 1: There Are Rules

Part 2: There Are Exceptions

Part 3: There Are Consequences

Part 4: There Are Circumstances

Part 5: There Are Limits

Part 6

[helyiios]

like the benthan f1 au writes itself my godddddd😭😭😭😭😭