#cwstau

[cwstau]

Robin picked at a thread on her jeans, shaking her head. “Like, we’ve been feeling emotions all our life, Eddie. And it fuckin’ sucks sometimes, but we’ve been doin’ it since we were breathing. Steve–he stopped feeling anything but anger and hate and bitterness at thirteen. Imagine having eight years of emotions come crashing in all at once. Like, it has to be terrifying.

One time I hugged him and he started crying, then started screaming.  I really thought he was going to lose his mind–it freaked me out. That happened a lot, the strong emotion, then a meltdown.” Robin shook her head, “I asked him what happened and he said he was just feeling too much. Like, just crying was enough to shatter him.”

“You know, you could have just ditched him. You didn’t owe him shit.” Eddie regretted the words the minute they left his mouth, wincing at how they sounded.

Freeze used her closest hand to pinch him, giving him a look, ignoring the hiss and ‘ow’. “Gonna ignore you said that, cause I know you didn’t mean it. And I don’t owe him. But it’s who I am. I don’t ditch."

--

Amazing commissioned art from @trashpocket depicting the flashback Brain Freeze/Robin is talking about in Chapter 5 of Conventional Weapons . Getting to add visuals to this story has been such a joy and I'm so lucky I've been able to work with such amazing artists.

[foolscapper]

A Danger Days crossover with Stranger Things? In my 2023? It wasn't on my bingo card, but I love the concept so much! @cwstau was awesome enough to commission me for an image for their crossover fanfic, so please check it out at their tumblr! ♥ I absolutely loved the visuals and had a great time with a large background shot. And again, thank you so, so much for commissioning me.

(If anyone else is interested in commissions, feel free to check out my commission page HERE!)

[cwstau]

This is basically what Conventional Weapons is all about 

-L

[cchapsticck]

Oh boy a million years later I'm scraping the disassembled parts of myself back together trying to do some work on my graveyard of wips and @dreamwatch tagged me in a little challenge that I am endeavoring to complete. These are all from the same wip, which was honestly a surprise to me.

Rules: You will be given a word. Share one sentence/excerpt from your wip(s) that start with each letter of that word.

The word is: C L U E

C

Can’t even conjure some fantasy where he’s able to impress Eddie, let alone help him, like that’s a bridge too far even speculatively. Eddie might laugh a little, like an ugly little snort or something, and he’d say something about, like oh King Steve doesn’t have it all after all? and he imagines he could take that kind of joke then.

L

Like he wasn’t self conscious about it at all, like it didn’t bother him that he was getting chewed out in front of everyone, or that the cutting stares from teachers and students and both at the same time didn’t phase him. He’d sit down all loud and showy, clattering off every solid surface from sources unknown, chains or pins and buttons or just some kind of innate cacophony that was distinctly Eddie Munson and have nothing to say for himself and he always seemed so unbothered by that.

U

Unhurried footsteps on the stairs. It's easy to think of him as some kind of benign specter. It's comfortable to think about him like that; intrusive insofar that it's almost silly when he makes himself known. Y’know, like, wouldn’t that just be like Eddie?

E

Even in silhouette it's human-like, but it is no beast they know. Tapping its fingers against the corrugated metal. He isn’t even sure what his brain is begging for, why no no no no no would loop through his brain on repeat but it's all he can think.

No pressure tags for: @cwstau, @nameslikeguns, @griefabyss69, @dodger-chan

Your word is: C H A S M

[cwstau]

Through the static he’d hear electric war, clawing down his spine and nerves, injecting him with words of freedom and defiance. Words of the Enemy, Words of the Dead. Words of the Marked.

Words of those who hated him, and yet loved him all the same. They hated Harrington, they hated the Exterminator, but those airwaves blanketing the City reached him anyways, an ephemeral hand of forgiveness. The gentle air of a door opening to escape. Asking him to go.

And every night, towards the rising dawn, he’d hear the same refrain from the one who called himself Viz.

“The next one goes out to all the Exterminators, to the Draculoids, to every last beautiful C/R/O/W boy. I love you, I miss you, come and get it.”

It was meant as a taunt.

But in Harrington’s broken brain, the one reaching out for the future, for the hope, for the wide road that was bright and shining and full of color–

–maybe he saw it as a promise, too.

From Conventional Weapons

—

I was so lucky to commission @foolscapper to do basically what I consider the cover art for Conventional Weapons, my love letter to both DD and ST. Still ongoing but going strong.

Thank you so much for the amazing art and capturing exactly the vibe that this story needs

-L

[cwstau]

It felt different this time. It was the hum of the tattoo machine near his spine, the shocks of pain sliding near bone and nerves, spreading out along his skin, all linking with the burning ache of his side. It all melded into one feeling that kept washing over him, almost like meditation. He lost himself in the sensation, Viz’s tattoo gun the only sound punctuating the air. There was a hand pressing solidly on his back, little huffs of breath against his neck…against his best judgment, Pony felt this was something. Something different than it had been before.

It could be his imagination. But his instincts told him that it was worth trying.

--Chapter 11/26 of Conventional Weapons is now up!

Note: We have moved from Mature to Explicit in this Chapter!

[ambulancevsambulance]

adlkj thank you thank you, seriously kindest words I mean it, thank you for reccing it <3 

If people enjoy it and want to see aesthetics/follow the full vibes of the piece, follow @cwstau​ which is fully dedicated to the fic

okay, so i’m really not sure how much crossover there is with my Steddie moots and MCR moots, and i’m not one to share fanfics on my blog but Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I am absolutely obsessed with Conventional Weapons by @bettiebloodshed. It’s Steddie, but in Battery City. I cannot express enough how incredible it is! I’m such a fic snob and if I get one whiff of someone being ooc, I scarper right out of there. It’s so well written and a perfect combination of Danger Days and Stranger Things. Any MCR and Steddie fans will love the hell out of this, and that is a money back guarantee! (Except you guys aren’t actually paying me shit so you get no money back) Also I think all Steddie fans should read this, even if they aren’t familiar with Danger Days, because there is a well explained and in depth glossary and explanation post linked in there too!

[cwstau]

“When I was just starting out, when I was struggling with it all, Mom used to say,” Pony looked down at Robin, then, watching her stir in her sleep, turn in closer to him. Even in her sleep, she knew what he needed. What would he ever do without her. “ ‘Batteries don’t bleed, and robots don’t cry. It’s a better way.’

I used to think that was what I needed to strive towards. Now–that’s another kind of hell. Freezy showed me that. You –” Steve cleared his throat, worried he’s given himself away, “You all have shown me that.”

Looking up, he smiled as the cloudless sky showed the wide expanse of stars above them. “With all the light pollution of the city, never could see stars there. But I don’t think I would have ever appreciated them, when I was under their thumb, anyways.” 

Eddie was looking at him again as he brought his gaze back down, and all Steve could do was give a small smile and shrug his shoulders. “Rather die as myself than be forced to be someone I didn’t get to choose.” 

“Yeah well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, Pony Boy.” And to Pony’s surprise, Viz smiled back.

-- From Chapter 8 (Revolver) of Conventional Weapons

Got another chapter up, this time it comes with commissioned art from @axolotlelle ! I've had the art for a while, but just had to get to the point in the story! Hope yall enjoy!

[cwstau]

Chapters: 10/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016), Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - My Chemical Romance (Album), The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: California (Comics) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley/Chrissy Cunningham, Eddie Munson/Cherri Cola (past), Argyle/Jonathan Byers Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Chrissy Cunningham, Billy Hargrove, Dr. Death Defying (Danger Days), Agent Cherri Cola (Danger Days), Dustin Henderson, Val Velocity (Fabulous Killjoys), Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Party Poison (Danger Days), Fun Ghoul (Danger Days), Jet Star (Danger Days), Kobra Kid (Danger Days), Jonathan Byers, Argyle (Stranger Things), Lucas Sinclair, Tommy Hagan Chapter 10 Summary [Black Dragon Fighting Society]:

Besides The Mad Gear and Missile Kid, there were a few other bands that played shows out in the Zones. Freeze always was dragging him to one show or another, subjecting him to some screeching and yelling. Besides Mad Gear (which was so damn weird, it was hard not to enjoy them–him?), Pony really hadn’t found a group that he enjoyed enough to seek out on his own. This was all a Freezy-project and he was more than happy to tag along. In fact, he was pretty sure Freezy loved finding bands that were progressively worse to torture him, laughing as he would lean in to ask her what the hell any of the songs meant.

This band wasn’t the worst he’d ever heard; what they lacked in skill and talent they made up in enthusiasm and Steve could appreciate that. What he did find surprising was Freezy informing him that before Viz became so damn wanted by BL/Ind, he had been a part of the band –Corroded Coffin– as their guitarist.

Which, watching this band of strange long haired metal-heads jamming up on stage, suddenly made a lot of sense. There was an edge and anger to their music that reminded him of Eddie.

For better or worse.

--

I'm so close to graduating I can taste it; once I'm done, this story will be back fully on my plate. Chapter 11 is a *doozy* in a good way...I'm just so sad that I have to make ya'll wait for it. I know this chapter is short and sweet, but its set up for a bigger thing. :3

Again thank you for each and every one of you that comment and kudo. It means a lot to me. This is my sweet little weird baby and I'm just glad there are others out there who enjoy it too.

[cwstau]

A map of significant places in the Zones. Used by Killjoys to navigate and know where things might be “safe”

Coordinates and cities/landmarks of the modern Los Angeles/Orange County added by myself (L)

[cwstau]

Got tagged by @cchapsticck for Seven Sentence Sunday. Its friday, its not seven sentences but look, its proof im working on the next chapter!

Things were more complicated now. Steve and Viz definitely hadn’t talked about whatever was going on between them, but they had also definitely hadn’t stopped hooking up after Eddie marked those initials on his back. While it might(?) have been a physical thing for Viz, Pony knew on his end it was something deeper, cutting across lines he tried to ignore. Getting attached to the first person you ever fucked was a bad idea out here, but Pony always had a never ending supply of those. He just…liked Eddie. A lot. The man was like walking razor wire at the best of times, but he had shown Steve enough of what was locked behind those fences that he wanted to stick around and see if he was allowed to stay. And like fuck if he was going to allow someone like Val to mess that up for him before he got a chance to see where it could go.

-Early on in chapter 12 (Which has an action heavy front end, hence its going to take a while.) STILL LOOK. WRITING IS HAPPENING

[cwstau]

Chapters: 6/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016), Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - My Chemical Romance (Album), The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: California (Comics) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley/Chrissy Cunningham, Eddie Munson/Cherri Cola (past), Argyle/Jonathan Byers Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Chrissy Cunningham, Billy Hargrove, Dr. Death Defying (Danger Days), Agent Cherri Cola (Danger Days), Dustin Henderson, Val Velocity (Fabulous Killjoys), Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Party Poison (Danger Days), Fun Ghoul (Danger Days), Jet Star (Danger Days), Kobra Kid (Danger Days), Jonathan Byers, Argyle (Stranger Things), Lucas Sinclair Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington Are Best Friends, no matter where we are steve and robin are best friends, Gay Eddie Munson, Lesbian Chrissy Cunningham, Alternate Universe - Stranger Things Fusion, I blame all this on Destroya, The Fabulous Killjoys (Danger Days) Are Not MCR, Zones Slang (Fabulous Killjoys), Alternate Universe - Fabulous Killjoys Fusion, Zones Culture and Customs (Fabulous Killjoys), Zones Religion and Lore (Fabulous Killjoys), Eddie Munson Has Issues, Steve Harrington Has Issues, Canon-Typical Violence, Post-Apocalypse, Steve Harrington Needs Therapy, Eddie Munson Needs Therapy, Robin Buckley is a Little Shit, Everyone Has Issues, Slow Burn, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Eventual Happy Ending, Nonbinary Party Poison (Danger Days), Steve Harrington learns to be real boy Summary:

Harrington grew up in Battery City. Civilian name, Steve Harrington, he was deemed at an early age to have an ideal body type, intelligence and nature to join the S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W program.

Strong but Agile. Intelligent but lacking curiosity. Willing to do as told. Docile. Eager to please. Latent inclination for Violence if properly Trained.

BL/I had determined that early candidacy for the program led to better outcomes, and less failure. The Tube required a great deal of energy, and resorting to Draculoidization after so much effort was put into a Product…

It was unacceptable.

Harrington was stripped of his first name at 13, and became a Scarecrow at 16, gaining the Mark on his back to deem him worthy.

At 18 he gained the X that signified his elevation to Exterminator.

--

SURPRSE!! Swore I didn’t forget about this at all. Here we are with Chapter 6, “lash yourself until it sticks.”

Synopsis:

“Harrington had led Pony to a cliff and given him a vial of poison and told him those were the only options:

Jump or swallow it down, Pony, baby. Decide which pain you want to take.

Today, he chose to jump.”

[cwstau]

“Has anyone told you about the Post Boxes out here?” Cherri’s voice brought Pony out of his spiral, and he brought his face back up to glance at the radio jockey, who was looking at him with something soft and curious in his eyes.

Pony shook his head, picking up his drink again, wondering if the conversation on the masks was over or if this was somehow part of it. “No. I mean, I’ve seen them, but I thought they were just a remnant from before the Helium Wars.”

“They are–but they aren’t. They became something else during the war, in the way everything got injected with atoms and energy and became something more if they made it out. Some of us believe, I believe, that they still send messages. But only to one person: The Phoenix Witch.”

Chapter 9 of Conventional Weapons is up!

[cwstau]

Chapters: 5/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016), Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - My Chemical Romance (Album), The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: California (Comics) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley/Chrissy Cunningham, Eddie Munson/Cherri Cola (past) Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Chrissy Cunningham, Billy Hargrove, Dr. Death Defying (Danger Days), Agent Cherri Cola (Danger Days), Dustin Henderson, Val Velocity (Fabulous Killjoys), Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Party Poison (Danger Days), Fun Ghoul (Danger Days), Jet Star (Danger Days), Kobra Kid (Danger Days) Summary:

Harrington grew up in Battery City. Civilian name, Steve Harrington, he was deemed at an early age to have an ideal body type, intelligence and nature to join the S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W program.

Strong but Agile. Intelligent but lacking curiosity. Willing to do as told. Docile. Eager to please. Latent inclination for Violence if properly Trained.

BL/I had determined that early candidacy for the program led to better outcomes, and less failure. The Tube required a great deal of energy, and resorting to Draculoidization after so much effort was put into a Product…

It was unacceptable.

Harrington was stripped of his first name at 13, and became a Scarecrow at 16, gaining the Mark on his back to deem him worthy.

At 18 he gained the X that signified his elevation to Exterminator.

----

Chapter 5 now live! We’re over the 10k mark! Again thank you for all of those of you who have read so far, and I hope you continue to enjoy

[cwstau]

Chapters: 7/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016), Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - My Chemical Romance (Album), The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: California (Comics) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley/Chrissy Cunningham, Eddie Munson/Cherri Cola (past), Argyle/Jonathan Byers Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Chrissy Cunningham, Billy Hargrove, Dr. Death Defying (Danger Days), Agent Cherri Cola (Danger Days), Dustin Henderson, Val Velocity (Fabulous Killjoys), Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Party Poison (Danger Days), Fun Ghoul (Danger Days), Jet Star (Danger Days), Kobra Kid (Danger Days), Jonathan Byers, Argyle (Stranger Things), Lucas Sinclair, Tommy Hagan Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington Are Best Friends, no matter where we are steve and robin are best friends, Gay Eddie Munson, Lesbian Chrissy Cunningham, Alternate Universe - Stranger Things Fusion, I blame all this on Destroya, The Fabulous Killjoys (Danger Days) Are Not MCR, Zones Slang (Fabulous Killjoys), Alternate Universe - Fabulous Killjoys Fusion, Zones Culture and Customs (Fabulous Killjoys), Zones Religion and Lore (Fabulous Killjoys), Eddie Munson Has Issues, Steve Harrington Has Issues, Canon-Typical Violence, Post-Apocalypse, Steve Harrington Needs Therapy, Eddie Munson Needs Therapy, Robin Buckley is a Little Shit, Everyone Has Issues, Slow Burn, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Eventual Happy Ending, Nonbinary Party Poison (Danger Days)

Chapter 7 Summary:

Harrington had seen Hargrove during lunches and required trainings, always loosely circled by CROWS that seemed half scared and half in awe. There were always rumors of what he could do, but Harrington had never bothered to look up reports. Those sort of things never interested him–it never mattered. Now he wished he had. Cause to be assigned as partners? This meant something.

Hargrove didn’t look over and Harrington did his best to do the same; he could feel the other next to him, the energy bleeding into his skin. It was like getting a Call but better. Steve had people who worked under him before, people he might hazard to call friends, but to have a true partner? It settled something in Harrington that he hadn’t realized had been shaking loose.

Turning his attention back to Mother and Father, he smiled as he watched the screens flicker off, but not before Mother said cheerfully, “I think you two boys will be such good friends.”

---

New Chapter, full flashback this time! I have 2 more chapters in the chute that I’ll be posting every Sunday. That should give me time to get back on a reg schedule! Thank you so much for everyone sticking with this story.

[cwstau]

Update

By the end of the week I should be posting a new chapter.

Basically here is what has been occurring: School was kicking my ass but I also realized there was an emotional beat/hole that needed to be filled so I have been working on adding to the current chapter. However, I realized that it's ballooned that the additions should be it's own chapter entirely.

So I'm editing the original chapter and then I'll be finalizing the 'new' chapter. I have about 20k thats already written behind the 'new' chapter, so while I still need to do some additions to make the story cohesive, we're getting back on track.