#eventual carol x oc

[imonawholedifferentlevel]

𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀

"𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙯𝙮"

╴╴╴╴╴⊹ꮺ˚ ╴╴╴╴╴⊹˚ ╴╴╴╴˚ೃ ╴╴

CAROL WAS doodling in her notebook, resting her head on my shoulder, while I had my arm around her.

All the while, I was trying to ignore the boredom and catch a whiff of her coconut-scented shampoo as a young girl danced gracefully with a ribbon to the rhythm of music.

"Why am I here again?" I questioned with a dull expression.

Carol rolled her eyes, flashed a playful grin, and replied, "because you love me." I offered a small grin in return before continuing to observe the little girl's performance. A few moments later, I noticed Carol glancing to the left; I followed her gaze and scowled in repulsion.

Barbra was passionately kissing a curly-haired guy who seemed to be her boyfriend.

"Don't worry about her, Care Bear," I said while glaring in Barbra's direction.

"I couldn't care less about that good-for-nothing tramp. She could choke on a dick for all I care–maybe she already has!" I chuckled under my breath at Carol's ruthless dig.

Barbra approached us and took a seat beside Carol.

"So, how did he take it?" she asked Barbra, who simply replied, "He was devastated obviously."

I returned my focus to the girl's ribbon dance but continued eavesdropping on their conversation. Barbra sighed before lamenting, "God, Carol, I can't believe I have to leave him. He's the one" My eyes rolled involuntarily in response–there was no way that boy could hold such a title.

As if hearing my thoughts aloud, Carol reacted with disbelief.

"Really? The one?" Barbra snapped back scornfully, "He's my soulmate. He gets me." I adjusted my posture slightly to find greater comfort in this moment of amusement.

Carol didn't hold back her irritation as she retorted.

"Okay, no, he gets in your pants and as soon as you're gone, he's going to get in Pearl Peterman's pants, where he's going to shuck her oyster and suck it raw.".

Carol playfully stuck her tongue out and raised her eyebrows, making me laugh at her ridiculous expression.

Barbara shouted in disgust at her sister's antics. Noticing some onlookers, I rolled my eyes and asked them, "Can I help you?" As I stared intently, they quickly turned away, unsettled by my facial expressions.

Meanwhile, Carol chuckled at the people's reactions before turning back to her sister and replying.

"Don't be such a precious little barbie doll you know it's true".

Believing it would amuse her to ruffle some feathers, Barbra chose to remark accordingly.

"You're just pissed because no one here will even miss you," she said, prompting me and Carol to direct our attention towards her. I couldn't help but glare at the black-haired girl while sitting up a bit.

"Excuse me, I'm right here, you know," I retorted.

She crossed her arms and looked at me. "So?" It took all my strength not to leap over Carol and slap her right in the face. I felt Carol's hand wrap around my arm, stopping me from doing something I wouldn't regret.

"Don't," Carol whispered before turning her glare towards her sister.

"You don't know shit about my shit, so don't take it out on me." She released my arm and furiously spat a jawbreaker into the hair of a nearby nerd. Glaring at the stage, she added.

"It's not my fault we keep moving It's that fucking little cunt."

Just as she finished speaking, applause erupted as a young girl walked on stage – Debbie.

"Up next, our own Debbie Denning! This is Debbie's last meet here in West Virginia, as she's been accepted to train at Trudy's Gymnastics Institute in Plano, Texas. Go get 'em, Debbie!!".

As Debbie began her dance, I gestured to Carol, directing her attention to the dancing girl.

"Is that Debbie?" I asked. Carol nodded, glaring at her younger sister with a scowl, clutching her notebook tightly.

"She's kinda adorable" I said, shrugging my shoulders. Carol growled under her breath and punched my arm.

"Ow fuck!" I winced giving her a glare "If she's so fucking adorable then you date her!" Carol sneered.

"Hell no that's pedophilia no thanks" I said crossing my arms.

"Ugh I could kill her," Barbra muttered in disgust. I had to admit, the thought crossed my mind in the past few days due to the voices I've been hearing.

"Oh, we could you know, if you wanted to," Carol suggested nonchalantly, tilting her head. Barbra and I exchanged shocked glances before she blurted out, "Jesus, Carol!"

Curious about what she was sketching, I peered over at Carol's drawing— an image of a little girl hanging by a rope. Barbra seemed disturbed by the gruesome art as well. With a gasp of disgust and amusement, she mocked the drawing.

"Oh, you're such a sicko! And her boobs are not even accurate, mostly because she doesn't have any." It was apparent they were talking about Debbie.

"Okay, well, the body's better on this one. Look, I even did some perspective." The new drawing featured the same girl lying in a pool of blood. Chuckling and smirking at each other, Barbra and I found this version preferable and wondered about its story.

"Poison?" Barbra guessed.

"Glass shards in her Yoplait," Carol revealed with a sly smile.

"That's way too obvious."

Nodding in agreement with the voice in my head, I added, "Yeah, Care Bear is too obvious." Carol shot me a confused glance but shrugged it off and continued sketching.

Barbra nodded in agreement with our sentiments.

"Yea she's right. That's too obvious. It would have to look more like an accident."

Carol contemplated this for a moment before gradually turning her gaze back toward Debbie, who was just finishing her dance.

Barbra then turns to Carol and says, "and you'll have to burn that book." Carol's face gradually transforms into a smirk as they both gaze at Debbie with a sinister look.

"You all are some insane white girls, seriously," I mutter quietly, smirking slightly. When they both give me a harsh stare, I just shrug my shoulders feigning confusion and ask, "what?"

Barbra returns her attention to Debbie while Carol slides nearer to me.

"Who were you talking to?" I give her a questioning look and respond, "What do you mean?" She folds her arms and inquires.

"Who were you agreeing with?" Realizing her question's intent, I grin and turn back to watch Debbie, responding, "just a friend."

Carol doesn't say anything further and continues drawing in her book. When it's all over, Carol and I leave before Barbra and Debbie do.

She asks me if we can go somewhere specific, and since I'm free for the time being, I agree. We end up driving to an open field brimming with flowers and trees.

We exit the car, and she grabs my hand excitedly, leading me toward a particular tree. We sit down together; she rests her head on my shoulder as we relish the silence for a while. Eventually, she asks me cautiously.

"Hey Penn, would you still love me if I did something really bad?" I turn my head toward her with a raised eyebrow while she gazes at me nervously, waiting for an answer.

I envelop her shoulder with an arm, kissing the top of her head gently before placing my own head atop hers. "Always," I whisper softly as she smiles contentedly against me.

╴╴╴╴╴⊹ꮺ˚ ╴╴╴╴╴⊹˚ ╴╴╴╴˚ೃ ╴╴

[quill-pen]

Another sneak preview of one of my WIPs. The one inspired by @rom-e-o 'Satisfied' ficlet. Just a snippet of Bess' past relationship with her ex-beau when he proposed.

This is breaking my heart all over again as I go back and edit.😟 Going from writing her and Ebenezer to this... it physically hurts. She's so in love and loved with Eb, but Oliver... he's not abusive or really even mean (not intentionally anyway) but he just so doesn't get it or care if he does! He's so cold and distant with her and so ignorant about it. I'm gonna have to do another fic soon depicting their break-up, because I got IDEAS. Always got ideas....

[littlejuicebox]

Midwinter Carol 10 / The Trunk

Pairing: Ascended Astarion x Female Elf Sorceress OC

Word Count: 3.3K

Story navigation: [1][2][3][4] [5] [6] [7] / Click here to read on AO3.

Summary/Setting: 

Fifteen years after the Ascendant and his lover went their separate ways, they run into one another at Wyll Ravengard’s Midwinter Gala. One dance is all they share. A week later, a cataclysm of events, spurned by Eirianwen’s return, uproots the life Astarion had been building for himself.

One thing is made certain: the elven sorceress is the key to any ounce of salvation he may have left, if only she stops slipping through his fingers like sand from an hourglass.

But old habits die hard, and old feelings are pulled to the surface for both the elves. Astarion is forced to confront the wounds of his past and deal with the damage he's done while trying to run from himself. The Ascendant is forced to decide whether he will continue on his current path or forge a new one... perhaps one that leads him back to the love of his life.

Warnings: This will be 18+ / in game spoilers / Eventual Smut / Angst, trauma, fluff / Gore / Violence / PTSD / Astarion’s past trauma

-----

“Wait, Ani,” Astarion warns when the sorceress releases his hand, her fingers ghosting across his as she walks away. She instantly starts to wander when the servants swarm them at the dungeon doors. The entire situation had caused quite a ruckus, and Astarion is caught between quelling his employees' concerns and providing them various instructions. He’s simultaneously signing something to Melga and Thrak as he tells another servant to send the maids upstairs. 

In moments like this, Astarion is reminded that he is constantly surrounded by people and yet always alone. It’s his fault, he knows; he prefers to place himself above others, an easy way to ensure he will be able to look down his nose at them. He holds everyone far beneath him, apart from the one woman he keeps on a pedestal, built up in his mind like a goddess he worships and a religion only he follows. 

Eirianwen glances back at Astarion, where she is paused on the stairwell leading to the second floor, and he lifts his gaze to her, quickly pointing to the ring on his finger before turning to answer another question from his steward, Pascal. The cacophony of voices and questions around him, all needing guidance, is unnerving. Ani recognizes the man Astarion is talking to, but is shocked to see how much he’s aged in fifteen years. He’s almost completely gray. Time is quite different for humans; she often forgets the luxury she has as an elf. 

It gives her more time to hold grudges and run from mistakes. 

She spots the ring on Astarion’s hand and then peers at her own hand resting upon the shiny oak banister, frowning down at the marred flesh. Despite his previous motion, the sorceress is still somehow shocked to see the matching band on her own finger. Her brow furrows as she continues to walk up the steps. 

What had she missed? How long had she been asleep? 

Questions dart through her mind faster than she can climb the grand staircase toward the room she used to share with Astarion. She’s still walking up the steps in a dazed, daydreaming state. Ani’s almost to the second floor when a sudden bolt of pain shoots through her body, culminating in the overwhelming need to vomit. But no, she couldn’t possibly do such a thing, she hasn’t eaten in— 

Eirianwen retches. Hot, acrid bile spills onto the perfectly polished marble of the second floor. She’s doubled over and gasping for air when another violent spasm attacks her body and more green fluid spews from her mouth. She suddenly feels feverish as a throbbing pain pulses in her hand, igniting the entire limb in fire. Two servants rush to clean up the mess as a familiar arm comes around her shoulder. 

“I don’t think you should be standing quite yet, darling,” Astarion murmurs, and without another word he sweeps Eirianwen off her feet and into his arms. He walks to the bedroom with Ani pressed into his chest; she just barely hears the rapid cadence of his heart.

He carefully places her on the chaise lounge in the bedchambers; it’s a piece of furniture she’d picked out, incidentally. They’d made love many times, in many positions, on this same chaise. He’d carried her here, wrapped around him, more times than he can remember. Recollections flash through his mind in rapid fire and he swallows as he blinks them away. 

He leaves her there to speak to the servants on the landing and then quickly returns. Eirianwen feels awful. The taste of bile still sits in her mouth. When Astarion returns he breezes to the carafe next to the bed, on top of one of the side tables, and silently fills a cup with water. Then he hands it to Ani. 

She drinks in silence. Gods, she’s parched. Holding the glass is difficult, never mind the weakness she feels in her hand. Her body is shaking. 

“Who… who was that down in the dungeons, Astarion?” Eirianwen finally asks, her voice sounding hoarse, as she lowers the empty glass from her lips. 

“Delilah. She stole the God Killer,” he replies as he gently takes the glass from the woman and places it on the side table. His brows stitch together as he watches Eirianwen. He’s never actually interacted with someone after Delilah’s poison has done its damage. 

Ani’s eyes clamp shut. Her head is pounding. She’s trying to follow along, but it’s hard to think past the pain in her body. Another wave of nausea flows through her and she retches; no sooner had she made the sound than Astarion appeared at her side with a waste bin. But nothing comes, there’s nothing left to regurgitate. 

“The dagger Edmund used was laced with a very potent poison. You slept through the worst of it but the effects will probably be there for a day or two longer. The rings are… working. But Delilah’s draughts are stronger than anything you’ve seen before, I’m sure. You were out for a few days, darling. Your hand…”

He trails off as his jaw clenches. He shakes his head and gently gathers Ani’s hair into a braid, to keep it out of the way should she vomit. Deft fingers perform the action without much of a thought, as if it hadn’t been fifteen years since he last styled Ani’s hair for her. “Jaheira is looking into it. She mentioned conferring with Halsin.”

He senses Eirianwen’s heartbeat spike up a fraction at the mention of Halsin, and feels that sickening twist of jealousy rise in his gut— perhaps being stabbed by the God Killer had been a moderately better feeling than that sensation— but quickly stifles it. “Now… we can talk more. But let us get cleaned up and then eat something. It’s quite a bit to discuss. Would you like to bathe first, or should I, darling?”

*

Astarion bathes first as Ani waits in the bedchamber. A set of servants bring her a tray of fruit to snack on while she waits, and the sustenance improves her physical state, if only a bit. Her spotted serval cat, perched upon the chaise, meows away. She listens to Umber’s ramblings and scratches distractedly at the large feline’s fur, occasionally murmuring a response or two. 

When he exits the bathroom, wrapped in a plush crimson robe and toweling his hair, Astarion meets the sorceress’s gaze and notices she appears to be staring through him, lost in her own thoughts. He cocks his head to the side just slightly, brow furrowing in concern, before he asks, “Are you doing alright, Ani?”

She blinks and then snaps back into the room, her blackened hand flexing against the feline flicking its tail next to her. 

“Umber says you let her sleep with you in the guest room, and that you’ve been taking care of her while I’ve been asleep. She likes the steak and lamb she’s been eating here far better than the birds and mice she eats on the road… you’re spoiling her, Astarion,” Eirianwen says with a weak smile, glancing to the side before stroking the cat’s ear. Umber purrs and then focuses her jade eyes on Astarion.

He drops the used towel in a basket at the end of the bed as he moves toward the cat and strokes a single curled finger up under her chin. The creature moves to playfully nip at his digit, affectionately holding it between four sharp canines with no intent to cause harm. This must be how Eirianwen often felt, all those years ago, with a part of her body seemingly always caught between his fangs. Doting on a dangerous creature. 

“I think she would’ve preferred to sleep next to you, but Jaheira suggested it would be better to not. She’s smaller and far cleaner than Scratch— it was less of an inconvenience.”

He won’t tell Ani he actually enjoyed the company. It sounds too pitiful. 

Umber releases his hand and then hops from Eirianwen’s side with a flick of her tail. She ducks and hides under the bed before emitting a meow; Ani’s brow furrows almost imperceptibly before it smooths again. After a moment, she moves to stand. Her eyes lift to examine Astarion in the process.

“Your ear is still split,” she murmurs. Eirianwen had never seen a laceration last this long on Astarion; his vampiric regeneration had always kicked in by now. Though she knew the God Killer’s capabilities, it was still unsettling to see. 

Astarion begins to lift his hand to his ear, but before he makes contact, Eirianwen has her fingers pressed to his flesh. A cooling sensation spreads from lobe to tip as a spell mends the slice along his pinna. And then, almost by force of habit, Ani idly traces her finger down the edge of his ear as she pulls away. 

The fleeting sensation causes Astarion to stiffen as his body flares with an unexpected wave of powerful, raw, aching desire. His heart jumps. His cock does, too.

*

“Mm.. do that again, darling,” Astarion purrs from where his head is resting on Ani’s lap.

Eirianwen fills the tent with a soft, melodic tinkle of laughter as she gently tugs on Astarion’s ear once more, coaxing a little moan from his lips, “Oh, you like that, do you?” 

“You know I do, darling,” he responds while he palms at the bulge forming between his legs as his lover continues to methodically massage his earlobes. Astarion groans and rocks his hips forward as a small, relaxed smile spreads across his face, “and that’s why you always pretend to do it by accident when we’re in the tent.” 

He was putty in her palms, easily molded by her will alone. 

*

Eirianwen seems distracted as she pulls away from him; she hadn’t even realized what she’d just done. Astarion thinks it’s simply a small, habitual sliver of comfort she’d so routinely offered once upon a time, but it causes his breath to catch and all the same. The hope he's kept locked in his heart threatens to break from its cage. His ear feels as if it’s on fire, but when Astarion reaches up to inspect it, he finds a perfectly healed pinna.

He clears his throat and then opens his wardrobe, aiming to pull out a set of clothes for himself as he says, “I’ll speak to the servants about preparing lunch while you bathe; I’ll be in the office when you’re done. You’re welcome to borrow something of mine for today, though I know it won’t fit correctly. I’ve sent for your things from Wyll’s— I apologize, I should have sent for everything sooner.” 

“Oh… it’s not a problem, Astarion,” Eirianwen responds, still lost in a fog as she walks toward the bathroom. Umber meows from under the bed once more. “Thank you.” 

*

After calling down to the kitchen about lunch, and to secure a meal of short ribs for Umber, Astarion returns to his office. The pungent smell of lye assaults his senses and he quickly moves to toss open a window. The room appeared normal, apart from the gauzy white curtains flecked with blood. No one would think a murder occurred just an hour ago. 

Astarion vaguely thinks the curtains will have to be replaced tomorrow just before his eyes settle on the mountain of paperwork precariously stacked upon his desk, all requiring his attention. 

Business never quit. 

He grimaces and grabs half of the hefty stack, trying to move the scrolls into a desk drawer. Surely much of it can wait; had it been truly pressing, his steward would be breathing down his neck this instant. As Astarion relocates most of the documents, the small piece of parchment Pascal delivered – gods, had it been less than 24 hours ago? –  sealed with red wax and an unfamiliar sigil, flutters to the floor, catching Astarion’s attention. He’d forgotten all about it. 

Long, lithe fingers retrieve the letter and deftly undo the wax fastening. Scarlet eyes run across the page and instantly narrow at the simple, foreboding message. 

“You will find me in Elturel when you are desperate enough. 

– Lady Lysandra Morgan”

Astarion re-reads the message. His fingers tremble as they fold the paper and shove it into his pocket. Desperate. He wasn’t desperate for anything, not even for the return of the God Killer. He had no true use for the dagger, nor any plans to use it; he’d certainly slain enough gods for an eternity by now. 

But then a sudden shock of acid through his veins, beginning at the ring and shooting up his arm, pulls his mind to Eirianwen. He hears her stifle a whimper of pain through the walls. A sickening feeling begins to grow in his chest.

He fears he may already know where this path leads. He may have unknowingly carved the way for the both of them. 

*

Astarion is scribbling his showy, looped signature on yet another scroll when Eirianwen enters the office. He turns his head to greet her, but the moment he does, his breath is stolen away and his mouth suddenly feels as if he hasn’t drunk anything in centuries. 

He’s certainly used to thirst, but perhaps not like this. He’s sitting mere feet away from an oasis, longing to delve into her depths.

She’s dressed in his old camp shirt. He must have a strange look on his face, because Ani halts, frozen in place. 

“I— I hope it was okay to borrow this,” Eirianwen says, looking down as she tugs at the bottom hem of the clothing piece, where it grazes just above her mid thigh. 

It’s clear she isn’t wearing a brassiere. The threadbare cotton grazes against the peaks of her breasts, and the darkened patches of skin around her nipples are barely visible through the white fabric. The winter air from the still-open window has chilled the room significantly; the tiny buds hidden beneath the blouse are stiffening in response. His eyes flit across her chest and then back up to her face before she notices.

Is Ani even wearing briefs or is she entirely barren under the— 

Astarion coughs and rips himself from his musings as he forces himself to tear his gaze away. He finishes signing the scroll in front of him and grabs another as he murmurs, “Yes, that's perfectly fine, darling. Though, I wonder… where on earth did you find that?” 

“In the very bottom drawer of your wardrobe…” Ani starts, her voice containing a strange tinge of something he cannot identify, as she settles herself on the tufted leather sofa across the office. She focuses on her blackened hand, bringing the other hand to rub against the marred flesh. “I looked in the other wardrobe drawers but nothing else seemed… comfortable.” 

Astarion hums a distracted response, continuing to place his signature on documents to avoid staring at the woman mere feet from him. There is a silence that stretches a moment too long.

“I found all the jewelry,” Eirianwen blurts, and then her hands come to cover her mouth as if she’s shocked by her own admission. 

Astarion does not need to ask for clarification. She is, of course, referring to the several anonymous commissions he’d made over the years from her parents in Silverymoon. A trunk full of never worn, customized pieces had been locked and tucked away under his bed, until now, when Eirianwen presumably ripped it from its hiding place. The contents alone must be worth close to half a million gold. He’d spent nearly the entire first year’s worth of blood money on unneeded jewelry, designed for someone that would not be around to wear it. Astarion often wondered if her parents thought about their daughter when they, unknowingly, made each piece for her, much like he thought of their daughter when he designed it. 

His fingers twitch just enough to cause a wavering loop in the signature he’s scrawling. His jaw starts to clench as he stares at the parchment before him a second longer before rolling it back up and moving to yet another scroll. “What possessed you to look under my bed?” 

“Umber,” Eirianwen explains hastily, “she… she said it smelt like my parents under your bed. And, of course, I really had no idea what on earth she meant but she was insistent and— and—“ 

Ani stops, her eyes shutting and fingers coming to press into the lids as she tries to form a question from scattered thoughts. Astarion chews his own cheek as he considers how to answer the question she isn’t able to ask, and then he lifts his eyes to look at Eirianwen as he taps the quill upon the desk once, twice, thrice. She opens her eyes to meet his gaze, and he offers a simple half-shrug… his face is unreadable.

“After I performed the Rite and you almost died in the dungeons, I promised I would always take care of you, Ani… did I not? I am not one to make a promise lightly; you, better than anyone, know that.”

A gust of air blows through the open office window and grazes against the bloodied curtains, causing them to drift from the windowpane as the two elves stare at each other. Eirianwen sucks her lower lip between her teeth but says nothing. 

“I…” Astarion sighs and shoots his eyes up to the ceiling as his fingers twist the snowflake signet pinky ring, the only commissioned piece he actually wears, “I… hope the money was… helpful in your travels. I know you had expressed wanting to travel together after— but…”

He trails off, forcing his eyes from the ceiling and back to meet Eirianwen’s gaze. He cannot actually meet her eyes, so he focuses on his favorite vitiligo patch instead. He is horrible at this. This should not be as hard as it is. 

Ani nods and then opens her mouth to respond, but she is interrupted by Pascal breezing into the doorframe with a thick ledger in one hand. He doesn’t peer up from the document as he says, “Lord Ancunin, lunch will be served in the solarium in ten minutes as you requested. Thrak and Melga are currently burning the spawn’s corpse—“

“Thank you, Pascal,” Astarion interrupts, his tone tight with irritation. The steward glaces up, confused about why he is the recipient of his boss’s ire. But his eyes widen in realization when he spots Eirianwen in the room. He snaps the ledger shut. 

“Apologies,” he murmurs, and after an awkward pause, inhales a sharp breath before saying, “Lord Ancunin, when you have a moment, I’ll need to go over the ledger with you. I have some… concerns.”

Pascal makes to leave the door frame, and at the last moment pauses and turns to address the sorceress, “Good to see you awake, Lady Eirianwen.” 

“Spawn corpse?” Eirianwen asks, whatever warmth had grown in her chest toward Astarion instantly freezing over as Pascal disappears from the doorframe, calling after one of the servants as he goes. 

Astarion rakes his hand through his hair and nods with a grimace. He cannot ever outrun the mistakes of his past when the woman before him remembers every single one. He is thankful that she is not running away, at least. “Yes, but– darling, like I said, we have a lot to talk about. Lunch first. You haven’t eaten in days, and we cannot have this discussion until you eat. Please, Ani.”

He only ever says please when he's desperate; he's delaying the inevitable, he knows. But can he not pretend for a moment longer, before fifteen years of hurt cuts him to the bone? He’d already survived death from some version of Eirianwen today, he isn’t certain he can survive a condemnation for his mistakes from this version, too.

But, he supposes, he has no choice. When it comes to her, it unfortunately seems as if he never does have a true choice, at least not if he wants to keep her within his orbit. He has always been putty in her palms, easily molded by her will alone.

----

Tags: @anukulee @viowolf

[mrprettywhenhecries]

i don’t think you notice (what you did to me) [b.h]

one. | the new arrival

Billy Hargrove ✘ Win Lewis (oc)

✗ w.c. 2.9k words ✗ warning(s). canon x oc pairing, f!oc, suggestive language, smoking ✗ a/n: I decided to update/rewrite parts of this fic, and repost it, changing it to eventual Billy/oc/Steve further down the line in a completely self-indulgent move. Most of the major changes will begin in part two, but there will be slight changes/additions in these next few chapters, and hopefully some of ya'll will still be interested. Even if not, I'm still excited to tell Win's updated story. 💚

[ masterlist ] [ win's bio ]

7:00 AM.

It was the innocuous click of Win’s clock radio that woke her.  Ever since she’d moved to Hawkins, sleep had been elusive. It was too quiet – the familiar sounds of the city that used to lull her to sleep were long gone, now replaced with nothing but the lonely chirping of insects and the wind.  She thought waking up to the radio would make the process easier, but she usually ended up hitting snooze before the music even began to play.  

Groaning, she rolled back over, pressing her face into her pillow.  She thought after nearly three months she’d be at least a little used to Hawkins, but it was starting to seem like it would never feel like home.

A faint sound from the kitchen caught her ear and she lifted her face.  The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air – the strong brew her father liked after a long shift at the lab, even if he often fell asleep in his chair after drinking only one cup.

At least some things never changed.

He’d actually made it home before she had to leave; most days she never even saw him, leaving for school before he returned home and going to bed before he woke.

Knowing it was only a matter of time before her alarm went off again, Win pushed herself up to get dressed, turning her alarm off as she went.  By the time she washed her face, applied her makeup and fixed her hair, shaking it out as she sprayed a cloud of Farrah Fawcett hair spray to give it that bounce, she’d have just enough time to toast some Eggos and down a glass of OJ before her ride arrived.

When she finally walked into the kitchen, she found her dad leaning heavily against the counter, coffee cup forgotten in one hand, half raised to his lips as he stared blankly off into space.  

“Dad.”

At the sound of her voice, he roused, nearly splashing the scalding liquid over his wrist in alarm.

“Shit, sorry,” he breathed, hastily setting the cup back down and running his hands through his thin dark hair.  “I was just… thinking,” he mumbled, shaking his head wearily.

“They’re working you too much,” Win said, crossing the kitchen to the fridge, pulling out the carton of orange juice before opening the freezer for her waffles.

“There’s a lot going on.  You wouldn’t understand, sweetheart.”

“You always say that,” Win muttered, placing two frozen waffles in the toaster and pressing down the lever with more force than necessary.  “Why can’t you just go back to your old job?” she asked, pouring herself a glass of juice.  “If you’re going to be working the same lame hours, can’t it at least be somewhere better than here?”

“You know I can’t do that,” David sighed, adjusting his thick glasses on the bridge of his nose.  “We’ve talked about this, Win.  You’re just going to have to make the best of it here.  You’ll make new friends, find fun things to do,” he insisted.  “What about those girls that drive you to school?” he asked, gesturing vaguely toward the street.

Win snorted, collecting her waffles and dropping them to her plate, letting them cool a moment before taking a large bite and downing her juice.  “Heather’s nice, and Tina’s alright, but Vicki Carmichael and Carol Perkins are her friends,” she said, as if the distinction were important.

David sighed, the long deep tired sigh Win came to expect from him.  “Just… just keep your head up.  Things’ll get better,” he finished wearily.  It was his mantra–the only thing he could think of to say anytime Win complained about their situation.

Win rolled her eyes, but didn’t argue, knowing it was fruitless anyway.

“It would be nice if I had my own car to drive,” she ventured, not for the first time.

“You’re not driving the Chevelle,” her father said, knowing exactly what she was hinting at.

“But–”

“No buts,” he said, cutting her off.  “Do you know how much that car cost?  Besides, that’s not a car you drive every day, not with the price of gas as it is now.”

“That’s bullshit,” Win grumbled, the sound of tires on gravel pricking her ears.  “You just don’t trust me.”

“We’ll get you your own car once I get some money saved up,” David said, trying to placate her, avoiding her last comment.

“Yeah, a piece of shit,” Win muttered under her breath as she slung her backpack over her shoulder.

If her father heard her, he made no sign of it.  “Plus, look on the bright side, at least you don’t have to take the bus.”

Just then, Tina honked her horn impatiently, and Win scowled.  “Yeah, I’m super lucky,” she mumbled, pulling open the front door.

“Try to have a good day,” her father sighed, following her to the door.  “Love you!” he called and Win raised her hand in acknowledgement as she made her way to the back passenger door, yanking it open.

“What took you so long?” Tina asked as soon as Win slipped into the seat, reaching for the seat belt.

“Arguing with my dad about the car again,” Win replied, leaning back in her seat to look out the window as Tina pulled back onto the street and drove off.  The trees that slid past were already in full autumn bloom, the ground beneath decorated with fallen leaves.

“Ugh, he’s so lame.  It’s not like you’re gunna wreck it,” Tina scoffed in solidarity.

“Is he one of those guys that treats his car like his baby?” Carol asked with a derisive snort.

“Sort of, but not quite that extreme,” Win explained.  “He always says it's for special occasions, but like, what if I want every day t’be special?”

“Speaking of special,” Vicki segued, already tired of the topic, “What is everyone wearing to Tina’s Halloween party this weekend?” she asked,  flipping down the visor to check her lip gloss in the mirror.

“I’m dressing as Madonna from the ‘Like a Virgin’ music video,” Tina exclaimed excitedly.

“I’m going as Alex Owens from Flashdance,” Carol added with a grin.

“How about you, Win?  Do you have a costume planned yet?” Tina asked and the others turned expectantly, waiting for her answer.

“I was thinking of going as the Road Warrior,” Win answered, tearing her eyes from the Indiana scenery to look at them.

“What?” Vicki asked, her face scrunching up.

“You know, Mad Max?” Win added. “But that’s a dude,” Carol pointed out, giving Win a strange look.

“So?” Win asked, meeting her stare head on.  “I look good in leather.”

“Ooh, all leather. Sounds bitchin’,” Tina laughed, pulling into the school parking lot.

As Win stepped out of the car, the roar of an engine filled the crisp air and a dark blue Camaro with California plates whipped into the stone lot, kicking up a cloud of dust in its wake.  Parking a few spots over, the car screeched to a halt, its engine still revving loudly, competing with the heavy metal music blasting from its speakers.

Suddenly the engine cut out and the driver’s door swung open.  A booted foot hit the ground, and moments later Win got her first glimpse of the occupant.  Clad all in denim, save for his tight white undershirt, one of the most gorgeous guys she’d ever seen straightened, shaking out his rumpled golden curls as he fixed the collar of his jean jacket and surveyed the parking lot, an unimpressed look on his face.

“Who is that?” Vicki exclaimed, gaping at him shamelessly.

The other girls stared just as enthralled, their gazes following him as he passed.

“I have no idea, but would you check out that ass?” Tina gasped, her mouth falling open as she ogled him, twisting a lock of dark hair between her fingers.  “Just look at it go!” she giggled, biting her lip.

Win rolled her eyes at their reaction, but found herself looking nonetheless.  His snug Levi’s left little to the imagination, hugging his hips just right, making looking at anything other than his ass nearly impossible.

“He has to be new,” Vicki exclaimed, hurrying to shut the car door behind her and follow after.  “I would have definitely remembered that face.”

"Or that ass!" Carol laughed.

“C’mon, let’s go find out who he is,” Tina said, grabbing Win’s arm and hauling her toward the entrance.

It didn’t take long for the new kid’s name to be on everyone’s lips, his appearance the most interesting thing since Win’s own arrival.

“Did you hear?  That new kid, Billy Hargrove, is from California!” Heather Holloway exclaimed as Win set her lunch tray down next to hers.

“Yeah, I saw the plates on his car.”

“Do you think he knows how to surf?” Heather mused, resting her chin in her hand.  “He’s so bodacious!” she sighed.

“He certainly is,” Win agreed dryly, bemused by her friend’s reaction.  “He might even give Steve a run for his money,” she murmured, catching sight of Steve Harrington as he walked past with his underclassman girlfriend, Nancy Wheeler, and her lips twitched downward.  Before Billy had arrived, Steve was the best looking guy in their class, but he was decidedly off the market, much to Win’s chagrin.   

“No way.  Billy’s way hotter than Steve,” Tina argued, joining them at the table, followed by Vicki.

“I’m gunna make a move and ask him for a ride home,” Vicki said, wearing a smug grin.

“You do that,” Win muttered as she opened her milk carton.

Wanting to sneak a cigarette before afternoon class, she finished her lunch quickly, slipping away while the others were preoccupied, still discussing boys.

Pulling her half empty pack from her jacket pocket, she plucked one of the slim rolls free and placed it between her lips as she made her way to the bleachers by the practice field.  A group of guys were lounging near the top and Win spotted none other than Billy Hargrove’s windswept mullet as she made her way to her secret hiding spot.

Ducking into the shade under the metal bleachers, she fished her lighter free and lit up, inhaling deeply.  Blowing the smoke through her nostrils, she felt the instant calming effect of the nicotine roll over her and she leaned back against the support beam, closing her eyes.

It wasn’t long before the boys’ conversation above drifted down, pricking her attention, and Win tilted her head to listen in.

“What’s it like there?”

“No man, what’re the babes like there?”

Billy let out a scoff.  “They’re way hotter than any of the cows you have around here.”

Several guys laughed, clapping Billy on the shoulder while a few others–the ones with girlfriends, no doubt–muttered under their breaths, not wanting to seem lame in front of the new cool kid.

“You saying you haven’t seen any chick you like yet?” Tommy Hagan asked, and below, Win rolled her eyes, flicking a line of ash from her cigarette.

Wait til he hears his girlfriend has a hard on for his new hero, she thought smugly.

“None that I’ve seen.  I’m starting to think high school girls might be beneath me anyway,” Hargrove answered and Win had to fight back a derisive snort.

“Asshole,” she muttered under her breath, crushing her cigarette butt underfoot as the bell rang.

The rest of the afternoon passed unremarkably and Win was rather relieved she didn’t share any classes with Billy.  She didn’t think she could stomach any more girls fawning over him, especially after what she’d overheard at lunch.  Just because he was attractive didn’t mean he was a catch.

“Win!” Tina called as the final bell rang and everyone funneled out into the hall.  “Help me pass out the party invites?” she asked, pulling a stack of orange flyers from her backpack as Win waited for her.

“Yeah alright,” Win agreed reluctantly, taking half the stack, knowing she wouldn’t be able to leave until Tina’d passed them all out anyway.  At least with the two of them handing them out it would go faster.

“Great, you’re the best!” she chirped.  “Meet me by the parking lot once you’ve handed them all out.  Oh!  And only give them to upperclassmen, okay?” she called as Win headed in the opposite direction.

Sighing, Win positioned herself by the bottom of the staircase, handing a flier to every student that passed, whether they were seniors or not, just wanting to get the task over with.

“Halloween night, come get ‘sheet-faced’ at Tina’s!” she exclaimed flatly, reading off the words on the page.

“Oh hey, can I snag one of those?” Steve asked, shrugging the strap of his backpack up higher on his shoulder as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

“Uh, yeah, you thinking about going, Harrington?” Win asked, passing him one of the orange fliers.

“Yeah, it’s been too long since I’ve just cut loose and partied,” he admitted, looking over the sheet before slipping it in his bag.

Win had heard stories about King Steve, and how he’d lost his touch since dating Nancy Wheeler, at least according to Carol.  Apparently she, Tommy, and Steve had been pretty tight up until last year when they had some falling out and Tommy had beat the shit out of Steve.

“This’ll be my first official party in Hawkins,” Win mused.  “I kinda doubt it’ll hold a candle to the parties I’m used to though.”

“Probably not,” Steve chuckled, shaking his head ruefully.  “But I’m sure it’ll be fun, nonetheless,” he shrugged.  “Beats staying home.”

“I guess you’ve got a point,” Win agreed, sharing a small grin with Steve.

“Well, I better get going, I gotta find Nance,” he said, glancing at his wrist watch.  “See ya, Win.”

“Yeah, see ya,” Win muttered, sparing him a glance as he walked away, her grin souring.

Once she’d been wiped out of fliers, she went in search of Tina, finding her just finishing up as well.

“Do you think Billy’ll come?” Tina asked as they walked to the parking lot together.

Win huffed an annoyed breath.  “Who cares?  That jerk’s so full of himself,” she muttered, noticing his blue Camaro was still parked ahead.

Tina’s brows rose, wondering what Win could possibly have against him already.  “That’s fine, if you’re not interested, all the better for the rest of us,” she laughed, flashing Billy her best smile as they approached.

True to her word, Vicki was already at his side as he leaned against his car, chewing on a toothpick, as if waiting for something.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Billy mused as he smirked, looking Win up and down appraisingly, completely ignoring Vicki.

Before Win could sling a snappy comeback Tina answered for her, eager to please.  “This is Win, and I’m Tina,” she added, batting her eyelashes at him.

Billy rolled the toothpick to the corner of his mouth, his tongue lazily swiping across his bottom lip.  “You’re not from around here, are you?”  he asked, still looking only at Win, though it was less of a question and more an observation. “You can tell that just by looking at me, can you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

The low chuckle he let out in response made her stomach somersault, but she kept her face straight, not giving anything away; reacting would only fuel his ego.

“Oh, I can tell a lot by just looking at you.”  Billy’s words held a cocky insinuation and though Win couldn’t deny how fucking attractive he was, there was nothing she wanted more than to knock him down a few pegs.

“I thought High School girls were beneath you,” she said, wearing a calculated frown, her brows pinching in faux confusion as she repeated what she’d overheard back at him.  At her words Tina and Vicki gaped at her as if she’d grown another head.

Billy, however, merely huffed in amusement.  “That’s till I met you,” he said, leaning in closer, his blue eyes flashing at the unspoken challenge.  “I’d definitely like you beneath me,” he said, tilting his head as his gaze flicked up to hers, a coy smirk playing at his lips.

Win’s own lips twitched as she stared back, a wicked grin suddenly gracing her features.  “Too bad, I prefer being on top,” she said with a shrug.

Without another word, she slipped past him, smirking at the look on his face, while Tina shared an incredulous look with Vicki before giving a start and hurrying after her, directing a wistful look back over her shoulder as she trailed behind.

“Your sister coming, or what?” Vicki huffed, jealous of the almost predatory way Billy’s gaze followed Win.

Annoyed at the interruption, he tore his eyes away, a scowl marring his features.  “She’ll be here, she knows better than to make me wait.”  He pulled the toothpick from his lips, turning his head and spitting.  “And don’t call her that–” he snapped, pointing at Vicki over the top of his car.

“What?” Vicki asked, frowning at his sudden shift in mood.

“Sister,” he exclaimed.  “She’s not my sister.”

“What the hell was that?” Tina cried, rounding on Win as they reached her car.

“What was what?” Win asked innocently, waiting for her friend to unlock the doors.

“I thought you weren’t interested!”

Win fell silent, unsure how to answer.  As she climbed into her seat, she looked back toward Billy’s blue Camaro, trying to ignore the way he’d made her insides flutter.  Maybe he was a smug bastard, but Win couldn’t deny there was something dangerous and exciting about him, not to mention the fact he was sex on legs, and unlike Steve “the Hair” Harrington, single.

“I’m not,” she insisted, though it was clear she wasn’t fooling anyone.  

Tina rolled her eyes as she put the car in gear. “Yeah, sure.”

✗ Taglist. (if you'd like to be added to the taglist, let me know!) @super-unpredictable98 @thecatkingsthrone @heartbreak-sandwich @sailorskunk

[sarahsmi13s]

Duckie

Chapter 1

pairing: bradley ‘rooster’ bradshaw x twin sister!reader; kendall adams (oc) x bradshaw!reader; (eventual) jake ‘hangman’ seresin x bradshaw!reader

characters: bradley bradshaw, y/n bradshaw, tom ‘iceman’ kazansky, sarah kazansky, kendall adams, pete ‘maverick’ mitchell (mentioned), goose and carole bradshaw (mentioned)

word count: ~3.2k 

warnings: angsty bradshaws, mentions of cannon character deaths, sibling separation, drinking, LOTS OF TIME JUMPS, please let me know if i missed any

a/n: just a general note!! from what I’ve seen rooster's birthday is around June, he also just seems like a summer baby. So y’all’s birthday is 19/06/1987

series summary: daughter of goose and carole and twin sister to bradley ‘rooster’ bradshaw, y/n bradshaw also got her papers pulled when she tried to enlist in the Navy. which turned out to not be as bad as she thought.

chapter summary: mav has pulled the twins papers. bradley is set out to prove something, while y/n takes it as an opportunity to do a reality check and see what other options she has

ch 2  ch 3  ch 4  ch 5

************ *You and Bradley are 17* (just graduated HS)

Bradley burst through the door of your shared home, being only the two of you since your mom passed in the middle of your senior year.

“Woah, Bradley, what’s wrong?” You looked up from your book. “Maverick, that’s what’s wrong!” He ran a hand through his curls, angrily placing it on his hip afterward. 

You marked your page and stood, “What did he do, Brad?” He paced, running his hand over his mouth and jaw.

“Brad, what did Mav-” “He pulled our applications!” You jumped back a little and Bradley watched tears line your lid.

“Maverick pulled our papers…” You were in shock honestly. He nodded even though it wasn’t a question. You scoffed past your tears and let your hands drop, “Why would he do that? He knows how much we want to be like-” The name got stuck in your throat. You shook your head, running a hand through your hair, “Why would he do that Brad?” Your twin shrugged, “He thinks we aren’t ready? I don’t know, Duckie.”

You sighed and wiped your eyes. “Well, I guess we need to look at colleges.” You crossed your arms and rubbed your bicep with your hand, trying to self-comfort.

Bradley noticed the immediate change in your behavior. “Y/N, it’s okay to be upset about this. You have every right to be mad! Hell, I’m fucking pissed off! When was the last time you’ve seen me this angry?” 

“Oh, I’m upset Bradley. Fuck, I want to march right down there get in Mav’s face and demand an answer. But what good is it gonna do, huh? I don’t have time for fighting.” You turned around and went to leave for your room.

“So, that’s it? You’re just gonna give up?” 

His voice stopped you in your tracks and you just knew he had his hands on his hips; looking just like Carole. “You think Mom would just let us walk away like that? She has always supported us!” You didn’t face him but looked up at the ceiling, hopefully squeezing your eyes shut to keep the tears away, “Don’t Brad-” “You know, if Dad-”

You never whipped around so fast in your life. “DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE!” You marched up to him and poked his chest, hard, “Don’t you fucking say it.” He realized he crossed the line when you didn’t even look up at him. 

“Duckie-” You shook your head, “No, don’t Bradley.” You shoved past him and went to the door and grabbed your motorcycle keys.

“Wait where are you going?” You didn’t even look back as you slammed the door. He sighed, “Shit.”

*********

You drove for a long time, not really sure where you were headed. But you ended up at the cemetery that held both of your parents. 

Of course this is where you would go.

You took your helmet off, and walked through the cemetery, muscle memory taking you right to your parents headstone.

Sighing sadly you sat down, “Hey Mom, Hey Dad.” You bit your lip, “God this doesn’t get any easier…” 

You proceed to tell them both about your week; ranging from how work was, what you watched on TV, everything up to the moment your brother nearly broke down the door..

“Dad, Maverick pulled Brad and I’s papers…” You drew in a shaky breath, “We just want to be like you. We looked up to you… still do and Mav, God Maverick, he never let us forget about you. Mom didn’t either. Bradley actually learned piano, can you believe it? Hell, I bet you guide his fingers every time like when we were kids.” You dryly chuckled, wiping the tear with your thumb.

“Thought I’d find you here.” You turned and looked up, seeing the other pilot that took up a fatherly/uncle role in your life. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky.

“I’m that predictable, huh Ice?” The older man laughed, “Just a little. May I sit?” You nodded, resting your chin on your knee. “So, did Bradley call you?” 

The older man nodded, “Yeah, said you’d got in a fight and you’d been gone for hours.” “Hours? I have-” You looked at your watch, “Damn, I’ve been gone for hours.”

It was quiet for a moment, you leaning on Ice’s shoulder.

“Did he tell you what Mav’ did?” You felt him nod. “Could you have stopped him?” “Me? Stop Maverick? You’re asking for a miracle there Y/N.” You couldn’t help but chuckle, but cut it off with a sigh, “I’m so angry at him, Ice. I just want to scream and cry, make him feel bad for it.” 

He nudged your head with his shoulder to get you to look at him, “You know, you could always wait a few months and find another way in.”

You sighed, “I appreciate that, I really do. But who’s to say he won’t do it again. Maybe-” You picked at your nails, glancing at the headstone with your father’s name engraved and painted black on the white marble.

“Maybe it’s a sign,” you chanced a look into Ice’s eyes. They held nothing but curiosity at what you meant. “Maybe I’m meant to help the world in a different way. Or maybe I’m not ready and I need a little bit to figure myself out before I jump in the backseat of a plane.” “Backseat? Figured you’d want to frontseat.” You shrugged, “Dad was a RIO, so I figured I could do that since Bradley wants to be a pilot. Our plan was to fly together; him as the pilot and me having his back, just like we’ve always been.”

Tom gave you a small smile before giving you a side hug, “Well, whatever you choose, I’ll be your wingman. And I think as long as your heart’s truly in it, your father would be proud of you.” You hugged him, “Thanks Ice.”

********* (18)

“I still can’t believe you chose Arkansas for college. You’re smart enough to go to MIT. You got accepted into MIT! And you chose Arkansas?” 

You scoffed, smirking at your brother as he helped you move in, “Hey, don’t diss the Natural State, Brad. It’s beautiful here and you can’t deny that. Plus, it’d be such a weather change. I mean, freezing winters, no thanks. AND I got a scholarship to play softball.” 

Bradley sighed, sitting a box on your bed, “I know, I’m just gonna miss you.” You nodded, “I know, I’m gonna miss you too. This will be the first time we’re apart, but we have phones and I bet Ice will pay for your flight here.”

He just nodded, looking around, “Was that the last box?” You looked around also, “Yeah, I think so. Wanna go eat?” He smirked, “You read my mind.” You smiled, clapping your hands, “Let’s go!”

************* (Now 20)

You brought in a deep breath, rolling your neck, “Talk to me, Dad.” You eyed your catcher, seeing the signal she gave you. Breathing in through your nose, you wind up your pitch.

It flew right over the plate, right down the middle. Strike 3. Batter out. Ball game. Your team won.  

Your team rushed the mound lifting you into the air. “Bradshaw! Bradshaw! Bradshaw!” You laughed and pumped a fist in the air. You kissed two fingers and pressed them to the sky, something your mother had started doing at your games in honor of your father.

Your team put you on the ground and you went to the dugout going from there to talk over the game and develop a plan for tomorrow. (a/n: college games are played in series; Friday, Saturday, Sunday - best 2/3)

You left your team and went to your car. 

“Y/N!” 

You jumped, looking around frantically before finding a familiar face. 

“Bradley!” 

You sprinted across the parking lot jumping into your brother's arms. “I can’t believe you came!” “Of course I came! I wouldn’t miss my baby sister punching her ticket into the SEC Tournament.” 

He put you down and you looked at his face, seeing something that wasn’t there when you saw him at Christmas. “First, your only older than me by 12 minutes and second-”

You gestured to your upper lip, “That’s new.” He rubbed the back of his neck, “Uh, yeah. I just thought-” “You look like him. You look a lot like him.” Bradley gave you a smile, hugging you one more time. 

“I mean, it could be fuller…” “Shut up,” he chuckled, gently shoving you away. You laughed.

You brushed some hair out of your face, “Oh, and about the SEC Tournament. We won't punch our ticket until tomorrow.” “Sorry I couldn’t be here yesterday,” he said, walking you back to your car. You shook your head, “It’s okay, Brad. I batted like shit yesterday anyway.” He laughed, “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad, Y/N.” “Oh no, it was pretty bad,” you snorted.

You got to your car and you picked up your bag that you had dropped. “Oh, by the way, Ice is here too but he left foooor uh…” Bradley racked his brain for the town name, it was right there.

You noticed his finger pointing in the direction of a town just North from where you were. You smiled, “Rogers?” 

He clapped his hands together, “Yes! Rogers! He said to call Sarah when we left and we’d find a place to eat at. They’re grabbing a room for the night. You know I probably need a room too.”

You scoffed, “Bradley Bradshaw, you are not staying in some over-priced hotel. Just come stay with me, I have an extra room.” “You sure? I don’t want Jason-” “Oh we broke up. He was an asshole. Plus he wouldn’t get a say anyway, not his place.” 

“Yeah, I didn’t really like him anyway. Would have messed up the Bradshaw genes.” You rolled your eyes, “Oh my gosh, shut up.” You shoved his shoulder, getting into your car, “Follow me and we can stop by my place then go to Rogers. I know you hate driving in cities.” He nodded, “Lead the way.”

*********

You pulled up to your place and parked, getting out real quick to clean the trash out of the floor. 

“Still using the floorboard as a trashcan, I see,” Bradley teased behind you before moving to help. 

Without missing a beat or looking up you retorted, “Still driving that museum piece, I see.” 

“Hey, she runs just fine, she ain’t that old.” You laughed, dusting your hands off before running a hand on the fading paint, “She needs a paint job.”

Bradley just shrugged before getting into the passenger seat, “I kinda like the faded look, gives it character.” “What, like the ceiling liner coming off? Does that give it character?” You questioned as you slid into the driver's seat. 

“It’s called a headliner and yeah I need to get that fixed. But can we go? I’m starving.” You laughed and threw the car in reverse, “Call Sarah and pick a place.” “Geez you sound like Mom.” You smiled, glancing both ways before turning onto the highway, “Thank you.”

*********** (21)

It was finally yours and Bradley’s 21 birthday, which meant you were at a bar having drinks.

“I didn’t know Arkansans had this much fun!” Bradley said with a laugh before tossing back a shot.

Bradley decided to spend the summer in Arkansas rather than have you come up to Virginia where he was going to school at UVA.

“Well, now you know!” Kendall, your current boyfriend, said raising his glass (of water) in a toast. 

You smiled, glad that Bradley liked Kendall when they met the same night he came to watch your game in April, back when Kendall had just been a friend. 

“So, why don’t we go back to the house? I’m kinda hating this bar right now,” you said. 

The bar had started to feel stuffy, and despite both of your parents being outgoing and ‘party people’, you and Bradley both had your moments where crowds became too much. But sometimes you and Bradley weren’t in sync.

“If that’s okay with Brad?” You turned to him, it was his birthday too and you wanted to make sure your brother had a good time. “Will there be drinks at the house?” You laughed, “Just barely 21 and you already love alcohol. But yeah, Kendall went and bought some this morning.” Bradley patted the bar, “Yeah, let’s go.” Kendall kissed your temple, “Thank goodness. I was getting so tired of water.”

In your tipsy state that made you laugh really hard, like full on ‘Goose’ laugh.

“You kill me. You really kill me!” You wrapped an arm around his neck and kissed him before pulling away and mumbling on his lips, “Thank you for being the DD, Ken.” He pecked your nose, “Of course, Baby. Anything for you.”

“Hey if you two are done sucking face, can we go?” 

You laughed and flipped Bradley off before pulling your boyfriend in for another kiss. “Come on, he’s getting antsy. He might play the piano.. Again.” Kendall paid the tab and kept his arm around you the whole way out.

You got back to the house and all three of you had a few drinks.

Bradley had started to drink water, per the request of Kendall. 

“Hey, I know you’re having fun Bradley, but for your first time drinking maybe we should take it easy the rest of the night? Hangovers suck major ass the first time.” Bradley agreed and now he watched you, still drunk despite having your last drink about 2 hours ago when he also had his last..

“Kendall, take me to bed or lose me forever.” You had yourself sat on top of the counter, arms extended toward your boyfriend. Bradley chuckled, shaking his head but tensed slightly hoping that the one boyfriend he approved of wouldn’t take advantage of you like this.

“Sweet girl, you’re drunk. I’ll take you to bed, but you’re gonna go to sleep. Plus, you have training tomorrow. Your coach would kill me if I kept you up all night. Come on.” 

And with that, all the tension rolled off Bradley as Kendall carried you bridal style to your bedroom down the hall.

Kendall came back, chuckling lightly as he filled a glass with ice and water. He stood across the bar from Bradley. 

“You know, our parents would have liked you,” Bradley spoke up. 

Kendall gave a small smile, “You think so?” “Oh yeah. I’m sure of it. You make her happy, that’s all they could ask for in someone. You’re a good guy, Kendall. Dad definitely would have given you a hard time, but that just means he likes you. Mom, she definitely would be embarrassing Y/N,” Bradley gave a quiet chuckle and sipped his water. Kendall nodded, “It’s hard to imagine Y/N getting embarrassed.” “She got that from our dad. He definitely had zero shame.”

“She talks about them a lot. How carefree your parents seemed to be when they were together, even though she doesn’t remember much of it. She said she’s always wanted a relationship like that, and I want to give her that.” “I’ll hold you to that.”

********* (21)

You walked out of the arena a huge smile on your face, you just graduated.

“Hey Baby!” You looked up and saw Kendall, arms open ready for your embrace. “Kendall!” You ran and jumped in his arms. “I’m so proud of you baby.” You lifted your head, looking down at him, “And I’m proud of you.” You giggled and kissed him.

“Now that’s one for the photo album.” 

You pulled away, gasping at the voice. Kendall chuckled and put you down. “Bradley!” You ran once again and jumped into your brother's arms, legs wrapping around his waist. “Y/N!” He laughed as he caught his balance before wrapping you in a big hug.

“I’m so glad you could make it!” He put you down, “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He pecked the top of your head, well the top of your cap. “Why don’t we head out of here? Ice and Sarah are in the parking lot.” You nodded, “Let me get a couple pictures and then we can go.” You passed him your camera you had.

He held his hand up. “No need.” 

At the tilt of your head, he held up a camera of his own. A polaroid, your Dad’s polaroid. “Wait, is that…” He nodded, “Sure is. And I already got a photo with it.” He held out the photo and you took it.

It was you and Kendall, just a few moments ago looking down at each other. A beautiful sunset was your backdrop and you know who painted it.

“It’s beautiful, Brad. Thank you.” Kendall’s arm found its way around your waist, “Look at us, Baby. College graduates.” You nodded, still looking down at the photo. “I wish they were here…” Tears had gathered in your eyes as you looked at Kendall then to Bradley.

“Come here, Duckie,” Bradley opened his arms to you and you immediately fell into them. 

“They’re here. They’re always here. And they are so damn proud of you.” You nodded, sniffling a little, “Thanks Bradley.” 

“Plus, look at this photo,” he grabbed your wrist and held your hand up. “You know damn well Momma painted that just for you.” You giggled, tears still falling out of your eyes. “She loved sunsets.” “And she loved us. She would be over the moon right now to see you standing here. Dad would probably be openly sobbing that his baby girl is no longer a baby. Mav-” Bradley cut himself off, clearing his throat. 

You just nodded, because you both knew that if Mav hadn’t pulled your papers, you wouldn’t be here.

“I guess I should thank him. Cause had he not been a total asshat, I wouldn’t have been here.” Your brother pressed his lips into a thin line, “He doesn’t deserve it. Let him wallow in the fact you’re succeeding. Cause I certainly will.” He ended with a smirk prompting you to step back in shock, “Wait, did you get into flight school?” 

He nodded, fully smiling now. “Brad! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” You squealed, feigning offense. “I wanted to surprise you!” “Well consider me surprised. I’m so happy for you! I’m proud of you, Bradley.” 

Tears brimmed his eyes, your approval and praise was all he needed to know he had someone that thought he could do it. Someone that would support him. 

He pulled you into another hug, “Thank you, Duckie.”

When you pulled away, Kendall clapped Bradley on the shoulder, “Congrats man.” He patted his hand before holding up the camera, “Now, I believe we need to get some photos. And we better hurry, Ice really wants to go back to that Mexican place.” You all laughed and moved to find your friends and teammates to take pictures; both on the polaroid and digital camera.

Now, once the photos were developed, you made a copy of three photos. One of you, one of you and Kendall, and one of you and Bradley. Then you would slide those photos into an envelope and send them to Ice, a long with a special note.

************

CHAPTER ONE IS HERE

let me know what you guys think and i may post the next part tomorrow when i get home from class

but i’ve been sitting on this series since like August so i’m very excited to put this out there

top gun tags <33 (i will put these in the comments as well): @milesdickpic​ @luckyladycreator2​ @hotch-meeeeeuppppp​

lmk if you want to be tagged :D

[fumikomiyasaki]

Sweet Escape

Cw: mostly fluff and ship content, OC x Canon, Fumi not being a professional writer

Even if to many Heartslabyul students it seemed like the two were dating already... even after Treys sweet confession with a cake she couldn't really believe this was real... that they were a thing now... in itself it made Carol nervous but excited as well... and she knew... she wanted to make it something special.

And so for her first date with him she decided to make room when it comes to tutoring... her schedule was always a busy one but she didn't want anything to get in the way of this special day. Especially cause those last days with her students wore her down... as she wrote some notes and made up some ideas between classes she noticed a hand laying a muffin on the table that was all too familiar as she turned her head and smiled.

"Punctual as usual, Sweetcake."

"Someone seems excited."

"After all I look forward to our meeting later. I did plan some things."

He put a hand on her shoulder and winked. "Knowing you it probably will be nice, just don't overdo it, Carol. Or else I need to carry you there later."

Her cheeks grew a little red. "I will make sure to watch out for that."

He placed a kiss on her cheek and moved on... she couldn't help but stare after him as Lyla next to her snapped her out of it.

"Guess you still need to finish your plan right? Girl, I know what you think right now but-"

"Don't mind it... I do have that dress Mythra recommended... it is a good day today so might as well try that summer dress. And I think I just got the place I can invite him to."

Lyla gave her a nod. "Just loosen up and have fun, will you. You always try to work hard to make a good impression on others so, relax."

"Thank you Lyla."

"And what about me, are you two not going to ask me how I got this wound?" Leroy scoffed at them as Carol looked in concern and plastered a bandaid on the spot. "With your dorm... its no wonder it happens. But If there is anything I can get you, do tell Lee."

"Better listen to Lyla, I am fine, don't worry about others and think of yourself."

With a smile the tutor got up and moved on after finishing her lunch.. the day went exhausting as usual. Eventually she went back to Ramshackle, changed her clothes and texted Trey where to meet up... with a smile she looked up at his face lighting up seeing her... she even could spot a blush on it... noticing the picnic basket in his hands.

He opened his arms to hug her a little before they looked at another.

"You look... really pretty in this."

"Thank you. I see you also did take my request to heart."

"If you chose a nice place might as well provide with something nice to eat as well. I hope a warm apple pie will be to your liking."

He pulled an arm around her as she chuckled. "You know me well already."

The nervous feeling she had was lifted just seeing his smirk... she held her hand to his while they walked, accepting his arm in an half embrace... the wind slowly drifted across them on this sunny day... a perfect day for a stroll to the flower fields and a picnic...

The sweet smell of Begonias and Lilies drew near as Carol started to hold Treys hand calmly guiding him through the flower garden she found... a fountain gave a calm breeze in this heat before they both settled down on a blanket and packed out their lunches.

"To think people thought we been dating so long and this is our actual first date... its kinda silly."

"I must say... its probably cause many were jealous... "

"Hm?"

"Being with such a pretty tutor and spending a lot time with her... I feel I had many sharp gazes at me."

She twirled her hair a bit red.

"I am sorry for the obvious annoyances following me...I do hope they will stop now that I am in a relationship."

"Even then... I wouldn't mind dealing with them."

He put a hand firmly on hers scooting closer to her as if the calm her.

"I know... I feel good when I am with you, Trey. And not only cause of the treats."

He laughed slightly before looking into her eyes.

"I think there is something sweeter than my treats."

"And what would that be?" Her tone was teasing a little but she got caught of guard that he actually did lean forward to kiss her... she welcomed it however... it was a sweet taste... probably from baking earlier there was still some of the sugar lingering on his lips... with a blush she withdrew again.

"You are right... your kisses are almost addicting." She smiled softly.

"I can only give that back... but for now... lets enjoy this view a little."

The two set the food aside and looked up at the sky, as Carol snuggled in his embrace...

"I am glad... you decided to confess to me... I been having those feelings for a while but now... it feels like I am finally free... open to show you how often I thougth about hugging you like this."

He looked down at her in his arms and squeezed her tighter.

"And I don't mind if you want any more affections, I welcome them, my dear Apple."

It was just the rest she needed... just her... the soothing smell, the warmth of him holding her... this was all to forget her worries... her stress... she just felt happy. She could talk about her worries, her stress, share fun stories from tutoring.

Eventually the Sun was setting, the two packed their food in and rolled the blanket up.

"So shall I take you back or-"

"Actually...Trey, I want to still spend time with you... could we.... "

She put her fingers together as he put his hands on hers.

"I know a nice way to stroll around and chat. And I will bring you to your dorm too once we are done."

"Thank you so much."

"However~ What if we go to a Karaoke bar?"

"W-what makes you choose that?"

He smirked at her. "You friends told me you have a nice singing voice but are not confident in it."

"They are correct... so you do wanna hear it."

"The best way to face a worry is to confront it. So how about we do that."

"Okay... I will try then. Lead the way."

In the end... eventually the night passed and they both walked hand in hand to the Ramshackle dormitory... at the door step Carol turned around... her hair flowing with the wind of the night... as she put her hands on his shoulders...

"Can I get a good nights kiss, sweetcake?"

"Of couse."

With one lean down she wanted to take it all in... keep this mind in memory... get into bed with a good feeling.... she knew this was the start of something she would be looking forward to each day. Even if it meant having to deal with her bothersome students more. She was glad to have Trey at her side.

[harringtonstilinski]

Always The Babysitter - Chapter Six: The Monster

Author: @harringtonstilinski​ Characters: Steve Harrington x Olivia Henderson(OC) (eventually) Word Count: 2,879 Warnings: lil’ bit more angst, canon violence (aka; steve gets his ass kicked) Smut: no | yes; A/N: Hi, friends! I’m sorry this is late! We get a small Henderson!Sibling interaction in this chapter! If you like this chapter, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox. As always, read at your own risk and enjoy 😊

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“I just don’t understand why we’re coming out here,” Carol said from the backseat. “She obviously doesn’t wanna talk to you.”

“That’s… that’s not it,” Steve said.

“Oh, really?” I said. “Because no girl in their right mind would wanna blow off King Steve.”

“She took the words right out of my mouth,” Carol said.

“Liv, you saw her,” Steve said. “She was acting weird. Something was wrong.”

“She’s stressed because of Will,” I retorted. “So am I, but so what? Who cares?”

“You’re worried about her?” Carol asked.

“What?” Steve and I asked.

“Aww, he is!” Carol leaned forward, putting her arm around Steve, saying,” Aww, Steve has a heart.”

Taking her arm off of him, Steve asked her to stop as she moved to the backseat.

“Oh, Stevie’s in love,” Tommy boasted.

I shrunk in my seat, getting very uncomfortable. I crossed my arms and looked out the window.

I’m not sure if Steve sensed my uncomfortableness or was just tired of the two in the backseat, but I jumped and looked over at Steve as he shouted, “Shut up!”

He looked over at me, saying, “Sorry,” in a quiet voice, knowing that I hate loud noises due to my anxiety. 

Steve pulled up next to the Wheeler house, and I just… looked at it. I felt Steve’s eyes on me, so I looked at him. “I’ll be right back.”

I nodded, tightening my arms. I hated that Steve left me in the car with the two popular wannabe idiots. I watched Steve climb up to Nancy’s window when Carol asked me, “So, how long have you liked Steve?”

“What?” I asked, confused. I looked back at her, seeing her smiling while chewing on her gum. I sighed, “You’re annoying,” while turning back towards the front.

“What was that?” she asked.

“You look like a damn cow chomping on that gum.”

Steve entered the car just then, demeanor completely changed. He looked over at me and the look in his eyes told me he saw something he didn’t like. He tilted his head just a little, his tell tale sign of him asking me a specific question. 

I nodded my head, sighing. “Yeah,” I whispered. “I’ll stay.”

~~~

After he took Carol and Tommy home, Steve and I rode back to his house, the tension intense. I looked out the window, playing with my fingers. When I looked over at him, he was just… calm.

“Do you wanna…” 

“No,” he said.

I nodded my head, afraid he knew we were lying to him earlier.

When we got to his house, he put the car in park and killed the ignition. We sat there for a moment before he just… got out. I looked down at my fingers, taking a few breaths. I half expected him to have already been in his house, but when I looked up, he was waiting for me at the front passenger tire.

I got out and closed the door, following him inside his house where his parents actually sat in the living room. Did they acknowledge us? Nope.

Steve and I went straight to his bedroom, him going to his pajama drawer as I went to the phone in his bedroom. I called my mom, letting her know that I was going to be staying at Steve’s and that I would call her in the morning.

When I turned around, Steve was standing at the foot of his bed holding a pair of sweats and another one of his shirts that I loved. I grabbed them and went into the bathroom to change, quickly brushing my teeth with a spare toothbrush I found. 

I went back into Steve’s room, finding him sitting on the side of his bed before I sat down next to him, facing him with my legs crossed. I looked at my hands and waited a moment before asking, “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Did you know she was with Byers?”

“With him, with him? No, I thought she was with you.”

“No, I mean hanging out. Is that why she ditched me today?”

“I really don’t know,” I said, looking back down at my hands.

I felt the bed move as he got up. Watching as he paced the room, I said, “Steve–”

“You’re lying to me.”

I sighed, closing my eyes. “I knew they were hanging out.”

“Dammit, Liv.”

“But I didn’t know he was going back to her house! I know they started hanging out a little because of Will going missing–”

“How do you know him?”

“I babysit Will from time to time. Dustin, my little brother, is best friends with him, as well as Mike, Nancy’s little brother. We all know each other.”

He sighed. “I can’t believe this.”

“Can’t believe what?”

“That she’d cheat on me,” he whispered.

“Do you honestly think she’s cheating on you?”

“Why else would she be hanging out like that with that weirdo?”

“Why are you so obsessed with this?”

“Because he had his arm around her!” he all but yelled.

“You put your arm around me! What the hell is the difference?”

“She’s my girlfriend! You’re my best friend!”

“Maybe they’re friends now, Steve. Have you ever thought of that?!”

I could feel the anger rolling off of him, so I did the one thing I used to do when he would get this angry with his dad; I wrapped my arms around his middle and pressed my ear to his chest. I could feel him trying to resist until he put his arms around my shoulders and sighed. 

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m just a little upset.”

“I understand,” I said. “And it’s okay to be upset.” I looked up at him, into his beautiful brown eyes. “Just don’t take it too far.”

He kissed my forehead, just like he used to and suggested we lay down. It didn’t take long before I fell asleep to the sound of Steve’s breathing.

When I woke up the next morning, I heard him say, “Yeah. Today. Theater. Just get everything and get down there.”

I sat up and rubbed my eye a little, yawning. “What’s going on?”

He looked at me, walking back to my side and sitting on the mattress. “Nothing. Uhm… do you wanna hang out again today? I can take you home, let you shower and change, check on your mom and little brother.”

I smiled a little. “I’d like that, thank you.”

He changed into some normal clothes for the day, telling me it’s okay if I left my clothes. 

“I’m not sure you want me to do that.” He looked confused, so I told him they were Nancy’s clothes and that I’d probably better take them with me. 

We left his house a few minutes later, arriving at mine about ten minutes later. He’d asked me to meet him at the movie theater a little later, and I agreed, thinking we’d be watching a movie.

After I went inside, I showered and changed, running into Dustin in the hallway. I instantly hugged him, asking him where he was after the funeral. I could feel the confusion running off of him, so I pointed down the hall, silently telling him to go along with it. He gave some bullshit excuse that even I didn’t believe. 

He asked me to go with him to Mike’s house, so I followed him on my bike, letting him know that I had to meet Steve at the movie theater in just a little while. We walked into the Wheeler’s basement, seeing that El’s tent that Mike had set up was torn down.

Mike sighed before saying, “I just… I can’t believe she didn’t come back.”

“She’s gotta be close,” Dustin said.

“Wait, back up,” I said. “What do you mean, didn’t come back?”

Dustin quickly explained to me about how while they were following the magnetic field, they kept going around in circles. Turns out that El was using her powers to mess with the magnetic field. She threw Lucas back with her powers at one point and he went home mad as all hell. El ended up disappearing while Mike and Lucas were fighting.

“She said it wasn’t safe,” Mike said. “She just messed up the compasses because she wanted to protect us. She didn’t betray us.”

“Mike, calm down,” Dustin said.

“I shouldn’t have yelled at her. I never should’ve done that.”

“Wait, you yelled at her?” I asked, arms crossed.

“I didn’t mean to!”

“Mike, this isn’t your fault,” Dustin said.

“Yeah, it’s Lucas’.”

“It wasn’t his fault, either.”

“Look, I’d love to sit here and figure out who’s fault it was for whatever happened, but I have to go,” I said. “I have to go meet and help Nancy with something.” I kissed the top of Dustin’s head. “Be safe, and please for the love of God, make things up with Lucas.” 

I walked outside and got on my bike, making my way to the theater where Steve was standing at the bottom of a ladder while Tommy H. was on the top of it, spray painting All The Right Moves with Nancy The Slut Wheeler.

“Oh, my–” I said, covering my mouth. I looked at Steve, who had an apologetic look on his face. “Don’t you dare. You could’ve called her and broken up with her, not do this.”

“I bet she’s with Byers right now,” Steve said.

“Maybe! I don’t know! I’m not her keeper!”

He sighed and looked back at Tommy, who was climbing down the ladder. When he saw me, he smiled and said, “Come to join the party?”

I rolled my eyes and went down the nearest alley, sitting on a concrete step, Tommy going back to his spray painting on the wall. I just shook my head and looked down at the ground. A pair of shoes came into my view, so I looked up to their owner; Steve.

“Look, I’m really sorry I dragged you into this,” he said, looking almost… regretful. “I know you don’t like this, and I know I’m the one you dragged you here. Just–”

“I won’t say anything,” I said. “Unless she asks.”

He lightly chuckled as Carol was telling Tommy that he wrote like a three year old. He moved a little out of the way as I went to stand, looking at what Tommy was doing.

“Wow, Tommy,” I said, sarcastically. “I didn’t know you could spell. I guess you did learn something last year.”

Nicole snickered as Tommy turned to face me, eyes moving up and down before he said, “Yeah, well, at least I don’t hide shit.”

“Aw, hey there, princess,” Carol said. 

I looked over and watched as Nancy made her way towards us. I scratched my temple and moved to stand beside Steve.

“Uh-oh,” Tommy said. “She looks upset.”

“Shut up, Tommy,” I said.

I watched as Nancy slapped Steve on his cheek out of nowhere. Moving to stand kind of in between them, I held my hands out a little, saying to Nancy, “Calm down, Nance.”

“Calm down?” she asked, voice quivering a little. She looked at Steve and asked, “What is wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me?” Steve asked. “What’s wrong with you? I was worried about you. I can’t believe that I was actually worried about you.” He looked at me for a split moment, eyes asking for backup.

“What are you talking about?” Nancy exclaimed.

I sighed and said, “I wouldn’t lie, Nance.”

“You don’t wanna be known as the lying slut now, do you?” Carol piped up.

Looking back at her, I said, “Shut up, Carol.”

“Speak of the devil,” Tommy said. 

I looked over and saw Jonathan standing behind Nancy. She turned and looked at Jonathan before looking back at Steve, asking “You came by last night?”

I just looked at Steve looking down at her as Carol said, “Ding, ding, ding! Does she get a prize?”

“Carol, knock it off,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Look, I don’t know what you saw, but it wasn’t like that,” Nancy tried to explain.

Steve’s eyes went up to look at the oldest Byers boy and said, “What, you just let him in your room to–” He blinked and looked back at Nancy before finishing his sentence with, “Study?”

“Or for another pervy photo session?” Tommy asked.

Reaching behind me, I hit Tommy in his stomach. “Shut. Up.”

“We were just–” Nancy said.

“You were just what?” Steve asked. “Finish that sentence. Finish… the sentence.”

She looked at me, asking me with her eyes to back her up now. A few more seconds went by and I took a step towards Steve. I knew exactly what they were up to today and I know that she needed me, but I was kind of upset at her for ditching me for Barb. I wasn’t about to let Steve hanging by doing what she did to me.

He scoffed and said, “Go to hell, Nancy.” He took a step back towards me as Jonathan took one towards Nancy.

“Come on, Nancy,” Jonathan said. “Let’s just go.”

I grabbed Steve’s arm because I knew exactly what was about to go down, but he lightly shoved my arm away while addressing the Byers boy.

“You know what, Byers?” Steve said. “I’m actually kind of impressed.”

“Steve,” I said.

“I always took you for a queer, but I guess you’re just a screw-up like your father,” he said, shoving Jonathan as they walked.

“Steve!” I started walking towards him, trying to get in between him and Jonathan so that something bad wouldn’t go down.

Steve just kept trying to keep me behind him as he continued to taunt Jonathan. “Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That house is just full of screw-ups.”

“Steve!” I exclaimed at his choice of words.

“You know, I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised,” Steve continued. “A bunch of screw-ups in your family.”

“Jonathan, leave it,” Nancy said at the same time I said, “Steve, stop it.”

“I mean, your mom–”

“Steve, stop!” I said.

“I’m not even surprised what happened to your brother. I’m sorry I have to be the one to tell you, but the Byers, their family, it’s a disgrace to the entire–”

Nancy and I were yelling at Steve to stop antagonizing Jonathan, but he wouldn’t listen to us ‘cause Jonathan just turned around and punched Steve right on the left side of his face.

When Steve turned to me when he got punched, his shoulder bumped mine. I couldn’t move as I watched him turn a little towards Jonathan. He put his hand on my stomach to push me back as I said, “Steve, no!” to no avail.

Steve launched himself towards Jonathan, wrapping his arms around the oldest Byers boy, putting him on the hood of the car behind them. Steve then got a better grip on Jonathan sending him down the concrete below.

“Steve, stop!” I said, sternly. Again, to avail.

Steve got on top of him for a second before Jonathan rolled them over as Tommy said, “Kick his ass, man!”

“Steve,” Nancy and I said.

He ended up kneeing Jonathan in his side to make him get off of him. Steve tried standing as Jonthan did, the Byers boy getting the advantage by punching Steve in the face again.

“Get in there, he’s going to hurt himself,” Carol said. Wow. She actually does have a brain.

Tommy shoved Jonathan off of Steve, which gave me the clearance I needed to try and get in front of my best friend to talk some sense into him, but as I got in front of him, Steve put his hands on my shoulders and lightly pulled me out of the way as he said, “Hey. Hey! Get out of here! Get out of here! Get out of here!”

Tommy moved as Nicole wrapped her arms around me, trying to keep me in place. We all watched as Jonathan swung at Steve, who ducked before landing a punch to Jonathan, who swung another punch at Steve, causing him to go down. 

“Jonathan, stop!” Nancy and I said.

“Stop! You’re going to hurt him!” I exclaimed, slightly struggling to get out of Nicole’s hold as Jonathan punched Steve again.

Steve went to the ground and Jonathan kneeled next to him, bringing him up by his jacket and punching him again.

“Cops!” Tommy said.

“Shit!” I exclaimed, looking down the alley.

“Jonathan, get off of him!” Nancy yelled.

Three punches, a lot of yelling about cops, plus yelling at Jonathan to stop punching Steve and him also accidentally punching Callahan, Tommy finally got Steve off the ground.

Tommy and Steve started running just as Callahan and I made eye contact.

“Back to the station for you,” he said to me. 

“Shit,” I said before I bolted away from him, going in between Tommy and the car parked in front of me. I didn’t stop running until I found Steve’s car, asking him for his keys. All I could hear as we were running was Callahan calling my name and saying that I was in big trouble and sooner or later I was gonna find myself at the station again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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~~~

A/N 2:  hi, friends! i have no excuse why this late. i really don't. but, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox.

Additional Note: i know that some of y’all are waiting to see your requests, and i promise i’ll get to them. the writer’s block hit really bad with them. atb is the only thing i have motivation to post for at the moment.

~~~

Forever / Everything Taglist: @stiles-o-dylan24​​ @stixnstripesworld​ @fandom-princess-forevermore​​​ @quanticobae​​​ @mischiefandi​​​ @kellyashcroft @lauren-novak​​​​

Steve Harrington Taglist: @madaboutjoe

If you’re tagged and didn’t want to be, please let me know.

~~~

*Please don’t post my writing anywhere else without my consent. The author of this work will always and forever be @harringtonstilinski​.

All characters, story lines, and plot aside from y/n and her storyline & plot, are all of the work of The Duffer Brothers.

*These works contain material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited.

No part of these works may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

Posted on December 12, 2023

[magicxc]

Give Me A Try

Pairings: Carol Danvers x OC!Reader x Steve Rogers

Word Count: 4898

Warnings:  a lil nipple action, exhibitionism, fingering, praise kink, overstimulation, slight dom Carol, cunnilingus, pussy slapping

A/N: This request has been 2 years in the making lmfaoo but I'm truly proud of how this turned out. It was supposed to be a one and done but the plot started PLOTTING and my ass just HAD to keep adding more. Unfortunately I simply cannot write really long one shots for I tire easily, so this will be broken up into a few parts. It's the spur of the moment fics like this that really are my *chef's kiss* 🤌🏾 so by all means, please enjoy!!

Chapter 1

Masterlist

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure. That idiom is what my mother would constantly sing throughout the house, a hint of a warning attached to it no doubt. But it wasn’t until I was old enough to really understand the meaning did her words resonate with me in regard to my adventurous childhood.

This was often stressed to me in particular situations such as sneaking around a bees nest in hopes of tasting authentic honey, sliding down the house stairs with a snow sled, jumping off high walls in order to swing from a powerline - all acts fueled by my unlimited curiosity. However my mother was adamant that she didn't know where the hospital was until it was time to go to work, as she was a trauma nurse after all. Although I'm sure she would never let me suffer in agony, she wasn’t too keen on being at work if she wasn’t on the clock. 

These days though I've come to view that idiom with a different set of lens. Freshly graduated from high school, I slowly realised that having all the time in the world to choose a career was quite literally a lie. Time seemed sluggish yet instant all the same and soon enough senior year was passing me by. At first I dabbled with the idea of a gap year and spent many community service hours experimenting with different career fields to get a good sense of what I’d like to do forever. Soon enough I landed on dentistry, initially out of job security but eventually because I enjoyed it. 

As someone who donned braces in middle school that confidence boost is something I wish for everyone, plus the salary and flexibility seemed nice. All in all the more I delve into the field, the comfier it felt, like sinking into a fluffy futon that gradually swallows you whole. Unfortunately the path to dentistry was riddled with bullshit pre-reqs. And while I almost had my fuck it moment, I figured this would lead to a more lucrative outcome than the tik tok influencer route that I originally planned; seeing as this way I would have something reliable to fall back on. It seems ma was right after all in the sense that an ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of a cure.

“Considering sexuality is a spectrum, that means there has to be exactly one person out there who is the gayest.”

“Carol what the fuck are you on about?” I giggled.

“Hear me out, a leather skirt with the platform boots to match? It doesn't get gayer than that babe.”

“It’s called fashion, thank you.”

“There is literally a picture of Cara Delevigne on your shirt,” she pointed out. "Not to mention those fishnet stockings and that tight ass corset."

“I’m not about to do this with you.”

"Listen sweetness, I don’t mind,” she winked. “You can be gayer than me any day.”

“GOODBYE Carol!” 

“I love youuuu,” she sang as we separated down the halls.

“Yeah yeah, I love you too,” I yelled over my shoulder.

Introductory to College Success is a great starter class for those unsure of what life holds for them, however it’s a money grab for others that are. Riddled with hypothetical questions, life goals, and career fields, the class offers a good outlook on the possibilities of life after highschool, but not for $350 per credit hour. Too bad it’s mandatory for all freshman students. The upside of it all is the easy A that this class is supposed to guarantee. Stepping into the threshold, I settle into the seat closest to the back, more comfortable with the idea of not being seen and certainly not being called on. 

“Good morning class, I’m Professor Rogers and before we get started I need y’all to give me like 10 stars on that rate my professor app.”

Yeahhh this about to be the easiest A I’ve ever gotten cause aint no way.

|~~

“Cam, say sike right the fuck now!!” Carol squealed. “And what did you do after that?”

“I gave him a 5 star rating, what you mean?”

Head thrown back, I watched as Carol bursted at the seams at the retelling of my first day of class. She couldn’t believe it and neither could I if I’m being honest - shock still at the forefront of my mind that Professor Rogers isn’t as mythical as people made him out to be. He’s chill, assigns easy ass work, and has a 100% pass rate with his students. If only all my pre-req professors worked that way.

Word around town is that Mr. Rogers is somewhat of a nepo baby, this job being a direct offer from the college president seeing as Mr. Stark is like an uncle of sorts. Whether he qualifies or not is none of my business so long as I pass his class, and by the looks of it, it’s off to a pretty good start. 

Legs softly brushing against Carols underneath the table of the quaint coffee shop, the loud whiz of the blender fades into the background as I listen intently to her first day of college chronicles. Distant chatter helps fill the noisy atmosphere while the doorbell chimes with each new customer. A quick peek out the window has me noticing that the leaves are beginning to turn and I want so badly to savor the last bit of warmth before fall becomes full fledged. 

Snaking her hand in mine, I kiss along her warm skin, a request in between each peck of us finishing this conversation outside. Thankfully it doesn’t take her long to accept, that same hand reaching around my face to twist her fingers through my curls. Wrapping up the last bits of our coffee we leave the coffee shop, fingers interlocked in lieu of our next mission.

|~~

“Ohhh, one of my professors mentioned a popular lake nearby that’s supposed to be really scenic,” she quipped over the steering wheel.

“Is it isolated? Cause you know I don’t get down like that Carol, that's the type of shit that’ll have us end up on the ID channel.”

“Relax, it’s like 5 minutes off the main road and it’s actually known to be a lovers paradise."

Eyeing the cell phone mounted on the dash for directions, one hand on the wheel while the other cradles the back of my headrest, she makes a particularly tricky maneuver; her tongue darting between pink lips as it hangs on the corner in concentration. Fingers reaching into my hair, I gently twirl them around, entranced at how she manages to make the mundane look hot.

As racy as my thoughts get rolling for Carol, it's truly the little things she does that warms my insides - like how during the winter she puts my towel in the dryer so it’s extra warm when I get out the shower or making me a pottery mug just for tea after learning that I’d drink it almost every day. She usually takes the world for what it is and views it with a small sense of naivety, choosing instead to see the good in all; and sometimes I wish, if only for a second, that I could see things through her lens - with such light and curiosity. 

“Now I see why the lake is named Shady Depths," she said pulling into the bushes.

“Now Carol-”

“I know, I know, trust me I had the same idea; but apparently it garnered its name from the many cheating scandals that took place there.”

“Girl, not you taking me to a place where relationships meet their end.”

Tossing a bottle cap at me, Carol goes on to mention how we can be the reason the lake gains another type of reputation and also that our relationship shouldn’t be built around superstition.

“Mhmm, are you sure that’s the ONLY reason it’s called Shady Depths?”

“Don’t tell me you’re getting scared?” she feigns surprise.

“Being scared and aware are two very different things.”

“As someone majoring in dentistry I’m pretty sure you can handle a few minutes at this lake.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” I asked, slurping the last bits of coffee, the hallow noise of the straw a clear indication that the sticky goodness was finished. 

“Cam, the human mouth is terrifying. I saw what my niece's looked like before the silver teeth and let's just say I was never the same.”

At that I choked on my spit, a haughty combination of laughter and hacking the result of my carelessness. But I can’t help being so care-free around Carol, her authentic nature comforting enough to bring out my kooky personality.

It’s been about two years since we’ve made things official. We’d met sophomore year at our highschools trivia night - a game night dedicated to all the social club participants to celebrate the end of the school year. Chocked full of snacks, fun music, and fierce competition it was typically the highlight of the final semester for all involved. At some point during the games, Carol and I had found ourselves on opposing teams, making it to the final round three different times, and what started out as initial frustration soon blossomed into genuine curiosity. 

Shortly after, the familiar face that I’d pass by in the hallways began accompanying me to after school hangouts, study sessions, and the occasional sleep over. A soft brushing of the hands here and prolonged eye lingering there, we’d come to realise that there was something between the two of us and while Carol had always been so sure of herself, it was me that had to work up the courage to be at the same level of comfort. All it took was one rainy night and a promise to see where things would take us that led to this very moment - pulling into what feels like a page out of a magazine book. 

While secluded areas aren't typically my thing, this lake does bring a soothing sense of familiarity to it as if I, too, had spent some fun nights out here. There’s a dock at the edge of the shore that extends about 100 feet into the water, with a pool ladder that dips into what looks to be no more than five steps beneath the chilling surface. As the sun sets beneath the horizon its golden rays spread across each ripple of water, glimmering with the last remnants of the physical representation of the day. Although inviting, I know the water is far from warm, the sun providing only a source of light rather than heat; however it can be a relief on a hot sunny day as opposed to the cooling 70° that drifts through the autumn air. There’s chairs scattered near the dock, remains of what looks to be a bonfire littered around, and deep into the corners are a pair of hammocks tied to the trees. This is definitely a place I can see myself visiting if not for the scenery, then certainly the serenity that it brings.

Cutting the engine, Carol shifts toward me, her eyes gleaming with mischief, an I told you so on the tip of her tongue as she clocked the way that I admired the area. 

“I don’t wanna hear it. You ate that lil one thing or whatever.”

“I did what?” she asked, hand cupping her ear. 

“You did your big one Carol damn,” I chuckled. “This lake is actually really quaint.”

“Mhmm yeah, some of the locals were talking about it earlier and I just had to see for myself what all the hype was about.” “I genuinely wouldn’t mind coming out here with some snacks next time or even just to do some homework,” I commented, gaze lingering over the small waves.

“I’m looking at a snack right now,” Carol chirped, tongue darting out of her mouth and swiping across her lips.

Leaning across the console, just low enough for my breasts to peek over the neckline of my shirt, I reach over and slid my tongue against hers; the feel of it moist and thick as she looped it around mine, mouth opening to accept me entirely. The bitter taste of coffee greets my taste buds and I delve deeper into the kiss, nose brushing against Carols as I gladly accept the remnants of her earlier refreshment. 

Tracing over the hem of my shirt, Carols expert hands trail upward, her nimble finger tips rolling each nipple through the fabric with her thumb and forefinger until I cry out into the kiss. 

Mouth swallowing my mewls, Carol releases me with a slippery pop, suggesting that we take this party outside, preferably on the hood of the car.

“Are you serious?” I screeched, eyes bulging from their sockets.

“C’mon, I thought you’ve always wanted to try a little exhibitionism.”

“Yeah, back then when I was young and dumb.”

“You’re still young and dumb,” she teased.

A few playful slaps land on her arm at the remark, her insistence becoming more convincing by the minute. After all, we were the only ones here and the place echoed loud enough to hear any approaching tires against the gravel, which would give us just enough time to collect ourselves. 

“Carol you have until sunset, so you better make it quick,” I urged. 

“By the looks of it that’s in 15 minutes, 20 tops,” she replied. “It’s all good though cause I’ve made you cum in less.”

Heat rising to the surface of my cheeks, I have to look away, her aura and down right naughty words too much for me to physically handle at this point. Using her fingers, she redirects my face toward hers, pecking my lips while lightly dragging hers to the side of my jaw, effectively ordering me to get out of the car and onto the hood.

Pulling away and stepping out, I gently shut the door close, trying my best to keep quiet in the off chance that lingering ears are close by. We both saunter to the front of the car, my hand reaching over the steel to get a feel of if I can comfortably sit there. Palm pressed flatly against the surface, Carol stands behind me, her face in my neck as her palm sits parallel to mine.

“Feels *kiss* about *kiss* right *kiss* to *kiss* me.”

“Are you sure this won’t burn me? I have very sensitive thighs,” I nervously admitted, bottom lip caught between my teeth.

“I’ve seen you shower in water hotter than this sweetness, but if it gets too much just let me know and we’ll stop, mhmkay.”

Nose crinkling at the thought that we’re actually going through with this, I gently hop on top of the car and carefully scoot my way up to the middle of the hood. 

“God I’m so glad that you wore a skirt today.”

It was primarily a fashion choice. Had I known that it’d be serving other purposes, I would’ve opted for a softer material rather than this sticky leather. 

Lips harshly colliding with mine, Carol's eagerness is on full display, teeth clashing in the mix of our spit swapping kiss. Her hands hike my skirt up as I lift my hips to help with the process. Sliding my panties to the side, she wastes no time in shoving her fingers inside me, twisting them around to get an idea of just how much moisture needs to be added to the equation, if any.

“What a slut,” she taunts. “Five minutes in and you’re already wet enough to end the water crisis.” 

“Carol,” I whimpered, annoyed that she can find the time to talk while her fingers have come to a standstill. 

“Nuh uh you want it so bad, come show me just how you want my fingers to feel.”

‘Wha- huh? I don’t understand.”

“Ride my fingers and if you do it well enough, I may just use them.”

“Ca-”

“Ride them,” she demanded. 

Legs spread apart, I dig my heels in the bumper of the car for balance, hips rising ever so slightly as I begin to carefully drive them towards Carols fingers. Slowly sliding down I start a slight bouncing movement, shifting down and then back up again as Carol intentionally keeps her fingers still. 

“That’s it,” she coos. “Just keep going like that and you’ll find your groove.”

And just like that I went, feet planted onto the car as I did my best to glide down her slender fingers. My palms dig into the hood, its warmth radiating heat to my already hot body. And thankfully it starts to feel good, good enough for me to inch my way further down each time, careful not to slip entirely. 

“Good girl,” she praises. “Look at you, deep in concentration just for a taste of my fingers.”

My thighs begin to burn at the balance I have to maintain, forehead moist at the workout I find myself in. But still I continue, deliberate in my ministrations, this time reaching for the base of her knuckles.

At that she pulls back, making my goal post further than it needs to be, frustration etched onto my features.

“That’s cheating,” I huffed. 

“Yeah well, I can’t make it too easy for you,” she chirped. 

“This isn’t easy at all.”

“Nothing in life ever is, now do it again.”

“I’ll drop if I-”

At that she thrusts her fingers into my core, quick enough to surprise me and deep enough to cause a little discomfort, my retort effectively cut off.

“You’ll what, you'll drop? When have I ever dropped you?” she questioned. “When did you stop trusting me huh?”

Reaching forward she drags my bottom lip forward with her teeth, burying them into the soft flesh until my whines crescendoed. She eventually lets it go, pulling back only to scold me further. 

“Did you actually think me so careless that I’d let you hurt yourself? That I can’t see past my own lust?”

Was it annoyance or anger? I couldn’t really tell. Carol’s fingers never slowed down enough for my mind to catch up with her words. Insistent on pumping them inside of me, all I could do was sit there and wail, her digits now curled upward as she continued thrusting them.

“And do you really think that I should let you cum?”

Now that I caught. Caught it quick enough to realise that my hips were pushing against her fingers, meeting them each time her hand pulled back in a desperate attempt to hit my peak. But the implication that I may not, had my eyes glossy with tears, irritated that Carol could even think to deprive me after all those hoops she's so excitedly make me jump through. 

“Don’t even worry, cause I’m about to give you all that and more.”

Thumb placed on the pearl of my clit, she vigorously circles it, her fingers continuing their come hither motion as my hips bounced against her knuckles. Belly caved in, chest tight, and head numb, I couldn’t help the tears that brimmed over and cascaded down my cheeks, head thrown back as I felt the water works slide down my ass.

My brain was so foggy, it didn’t register that Carol never stopped. It took me coming again to notice that she intended to work my body past the confines of comfort and on any other day I truly wouldn’t mind the challenge. But here, in this secluded ass wilderness, with darkness just around the corner had me calling a timeout. 

Gathering the little energy I have left, both arms shot out and locked around her dominant one, slowing her skilled movements in a pathetic plea to slow down or stop altogether; begging for which I truly couldn't tell.

“I don't know, it wouldn’t seem fair to cheat you out of feeling so good,” she feigns concern.

“Carol please don’t.”

“Silly me, I forgot just how much of a hands on learner you are, like when you learned just how many times you could cum.”

Truth be told I still don’t know as I lost count after the eighth. Tales from the straights had me nervous about being able to make it to the finish line, let alone being able to do it more than once in a single setting. However, questioning Carol on such a fact did give me the answers I needed, just not in the way I expected as I passed out that night.

Carol has a way of telling me what I want, but to the extreme. This is her weird way of building trust and proving that actions do speak louder than words, so the next time she asks me to ride her fingers, I'm gonna do that shit with no hands to see just how good those reflexes are when put to the test. 

“Besides, what happened to the whole sunset thing?” she quipped.

“The deal was you could make me cum before it sets,” I panted. “Now lets see what I could do with the six minutes of light we have left.”

Eyebrows arched, a challenging grin meets my tired one, Carols competitive urge no doubt itching to stop her in her tracks so that it gets the chance to shine. Slowly removing her fingers from inside me, she coaxes my mouth open for me to clean them, rolling each digit over my tongue as she drives them forward in a rocking type motion. 

“You have exactly five minutes to show me how this wouldn’t be a complete waste of time,” she cautioned, diving in for a soft kiss.

Helping me off the car, Carol mounts herself atop the hood in my place, watching through hooded eyes as I fixed my clothing. Skirt straightened and shirt tucked, I look up to see that Carol already assumed the position, her legs spread wide with her clothed pussy on full display. 

“I see you get a kick out of being a little dominatrix,” I teased, referring to the damp spot in the middle of her underwear. 

“Oh trust me there isn’t anything little about me, and you have four minutes left before I get down there and show you.”

She always has to one up me, but I’m gonna take a page out of her book and let my actions do the talking. I wanna see just how smart that mouth is when she gets to whimpering like a bitch in heat.

Wasting no time, I attach my lips to her pussy through the underwear, her sharp intake of breath just waiting to let loose at the inevitable contact of skin on skin; and as much as I want to hold out, as much as I want to drag out this feeling, the sun won't last too much longer.

Slipping my fingers inside the fabric she finally lets loose, blowing out the sweet release that lets me know that I'm on the right track. Tongue darting past my lips, I lick a trail up the center, making sure to stop at her dripping heat before diving inside and twisting it around. Carols sticky excitement gets smeared across my chin in the process of it all and I gently scrape my teeth across her lips to keep her feisty ass on edge. 

Glancing above, we lock eyes but mine can’t help focusing on the sky behind her which seems to be darkening by the second and so I drag my face upward, tongue noisily sliding across her slick pussy until it reaches her shy bud peeking through the hood. 

“Even in sex you manage to be challenging,” I taunted, palm rising up to land on her core. 

Her hips jump forward and I have to physically hide the smile that threatens to creep up, my hand once more connecting with her skin in attempt to see just how flustered she’d get. 

thwack

“There she is, she’s just a little shy huh?” I cooed, thumb coming up to circle the now fully protruded bud. “Talk to me Carol, why you so quiet all of a sudden mhmm?”

“I’m just waiting -”

Before she could finish, I clamped my mouth to her clit, squeezing and sucking until I knew for sure any fiery remark was effectively doused. It’s such a turn on for me, watching my strong girl get so weak in the knees, watching intently as she ate her fucking words every time.

She can’t help but buck those slutty hips toward my face, unintentionally chasing the high I’d so gladly give her, but its the closing of her legs that has my face upturned. Thighs locking around my neck, I use both my hands to pin them to the cooling hood, my lips now a vacuum as it harshly suctions against her glistening pearl. She settles for aimlessly thrashing about, the steel of the car bending in ways Im not entirely sure we can fix.

“You have tw- two minutes lef- uhhh ahhh,” she screeches.

She never misses a chance to talk her shit and I'll never miss a opportunity to turn down a challenge, adding my two fingers to the mix to help speed things along.

The car shakes viciously, her thighs struggling underneath my hand, my fingers no doubt leaving behind an imprint of just how good this night will end for her. Soon enough Carol’s fingernails graze my scalp, her hands pulling at my hair in all sorts of gratifying ways; a heavy hum of approval slipping past my lips and sending direct shock waves to her insides. 

The driving of my fingers never cease, and it's the way she clenches her hips, lifting them ever so slightly that lets me know just how dangerously close she is. Thirsty seconds left on the clock and I all but power speed through the final seconds, my mouth no doubt borderline painful on her now swollen clit.

In the knick of time I feel the dam of Carols walls break down, overflowing with her sticky essence as a result of probably the hardest work I’ve put in. She lies flatly on the car, her chest heavily panting as she takes a minute to rejoin me back on earth.

“Talk to me nice or don’t talk to me twice. FIVE MINUTES? Who the fuck could ever get you going in such a short time?” I bragged.

“You did your big one Cam damn,” she mimicked from earlier today, lengthy breaths puffing past her mouth as she struggles to catch herself.

“Yeah that’s right, now come put those lips on mine and see just how fucking delectable you taste.”

Smiling, she raises up off the hood of the car, grunting at the effort it took and slid down ever so slightly until her mouth met mine; soft kisses at first, that soon turned passionate; her hands coming up to cup my cheeks for an easier maneuver. 

Splashing from the water breaks the kiss, both of us craning our necks to see where the source is coming from, but all that greets us is how beautifully the moon kisses the rippling water, it’s pale reflection sitting atop the never ending tide. All remnants of the day is gone, the darkness swallowing the area whole and now adding a eerie vibe to the once peaceful scene. 

“C’mon C, let's head out,” I suggested. “I don’t care what that sound was and I’m not sticking around to find out. 

“It’s probably just a tree branch or a small animal taking a nightly dive,” she chuckled. 

“Again, I’m sticking around to find out.”

Laughing, she jumps from the hood, her wobbly footing almost sending her crashing to the ground. Helping with her stance, we fix her dress and head inside the car for some relief from the cooling breeze. 

“Whadya say, think we can buff out those dents?” Carol teases, revving the engine.

“Girl that’s tomorrow's problem. All I care about right now is a shower and some food.”

“Yes ma’am,” she concedes, her hand finding a permanent place on my thigh. “How are you feeling? I wasn’t too rough was I?”

“No, just mean,” I confess. 

“I’m sorry sweetness, sometimes I can go a little overboard. But all you gotta do is say the word and I’ll stop right in my tracks, knuckles deep and all.”

Palm slapped across my mouth, I fell into a fit of giggles at Carol's refusal to mince her words. Thankfully she’s never gotten too rough with me and was always right there with the perfect amount of aftercare to make sure that things never made me feel degraded.

Carol’s rough is borderline dominatrix whereas my rough is just me talking my shit. We both switch depending on our immediate moods, sex between us a combination of dom and sub behaviours from both parties, but at the end of it all is where we come together to make sure that everyone is on one accord.

“Im gonna run us a bath when we get back to the apartment and we can order from that Thai place down the street?” she offers. 

“Thats only if I don't fall asleep right away.”

“Oh sweetness, I won’t let that happen. Cause you still owe me two more rounds and I’ll be damned if I don’t get them.”

[biggerbetterbat]

WITH YOU [4] THANK GOD DARYL DIXON ISN'T A WALKER

Daryl Dixon x OC (Charlie Reed)

Summary:Charlie gets closer to people at the camp, getting to know them. After Glenn goes to the run, she is trying to kill the time and goes into the woods.

Warnings language, smut - but not really

Song: Out Of The Woods Taylor Swift

DAYLIGHT ON WATTPAD

The camp was led by sheriff's deputy - Shane, and its main base of operations was RV which belonged to the old man- Dale. Charlie found out that right after the outbreak, all members of the camp headed toward Atlanta for safety and protection. However, as soon as they got there, they found out that the city was overrun. That's how Shane and Lori decided to set up an outpost at the quarry near the main road. Soon other survivors eventually saw the survivors and joined them at the campsite.

As the camp grew, they established some rules crucial for the life of the community. For example, the men were assigned to hunting, scavenging, and protecting the camp while the women were assigned to cooking, cleaning, and childcare - which Charlie personally didn't like because it was the end of the world, so those stupid divisions shouldn't matter.

At first, she was doing what she was told and just observing others, to kind of get to know them before she decided to talk to them.

That's why at first she thought that Lori was married to Shane and Carl was their son. They acted pretty intimate and the thing that they disappeared together in the woods, didn't slip her. Also, they came here together and established the camp, so it wasn't her to blame.

Lori herself was a very strong and selfless woman, she cared about Charlie and felt sorry for this whole greeting thing. But as good as she was as demanding and bossy she was too. Often she was just sitting or walking around pointing out what was wrong or what should be done. Charlie bit her tongue most of the time because she didn't want to be ungrateful, but when she had a choice she rather keep her distance from Lori.

The same was with Carl. He was the most annoying child she had ever met. And of course, he was traumatized and all, but that didn't change the fact that he had the hard character of a kid that used to have everything. He was shy and reserved, but he was doing whatever he wanted and most of the time Lori just didn't know where he was. Another very annoying feature of Carl was that he was trying his best to comfort those closest to him when he recognized that they were in need.

Because Charlie didn't need a ten-year-old boy to pat her back, because he knew shit. In other words, she kept him as much at a distance as she could, but he was near her most of the time as he liked to play with Sophia.

Sophia was her favorite and probably the only kid that she cared about in the camp. From the beginning, Charlie knew that she was afraid of the world and her father couldn't give her the comfort that she needed. Sophia's mom tried to be there for her, but she also had to make her husband happy, so she couldn't give her as much attention as she would want. At first little girl was shy, but soon enough Charlie found a way to the little girl's heart.

Carol was very grateful for that, she was grateful for Charlie because thanks to her, kids could forget about the horrors of the world - especially her little girl. At first, Carol didn't say much, she was giving her soft smiles, but as days passed by, she opened up more. She was observant- just like Charlie, and a soft-spoken woman. She didn't say much either way but was very smart. All she cared about was the well-being of her family, even her abusive husband Ed, who was just a piece of shit.

There were also two sisters in the camp. Amy- younger, and Andrea. Amy became a good friend of Charlie. She was a little naive, and in her mind, she probably was still fifteen, but she was nice. They were also the same age, so their friendship just came out naturally. Amy had a good heart and being with her for so long made Charlie think about some things, and look at them from another perspective. Amy was looking up to her older sister Andrea. She was very protective over her little sister and most of the time she acted like her mother. Charlie wasn't a big fan of her either, because she was stubborn and had strong opinions. She was also very judgmental and overall thought she was better than everyone else.

And speaking of being stubborn and opinionated...

Shane Walsh was the definition of those two words. Also, he was hotheaded, that's for sure. He might appear cautious or careful, thinking things over, but the truth was different. He was thinking things over, but just so he could persuade them to the group and do them his way- he wanted something and he was surely getting it. Charlie was sure that it was the same with women before because Shane was a very charming and handsome man...when he wanted to be. Charlie believed that he was a good man, helping somebody's wife and child, which made him bigger in her eyes. She was also aware that Shane was the type of man that she would go for - at least before. Men like Shane had something that attracted her. But the men that she was dating in the past weren't the good type, that's why she knew he was an asshole. He acted as the leader of the Atlanta group survivors, a position he clearly enjoyed and carried out strongly. In his opinion world was black or white, there was no compromise. He was the only thing he believed in.

There was also a family of Morales, but they stuck together - even though the man was really outgoing and talkative. Another person who was rather in the back was Jim - a helpful and caring man. The only person who really tried to get to know him was Jacqui. Cautious woman with few words who showed compassion and sympathy for everyone at the camp. Although the world has fallen apart and many people have lost most, Jacqui remained calm and looked at the best of every situation, regardless of its flaws.

One of the biggest helpers around the camp was Dale. His RV was the main point for everyone, starting with it being a watchpoint, and ending with hiding their guns there. He was the voice of reason and protective, he liked talking and sharing anecdotes. He treated Andrea and Amy as his daughters, so they formed a little family. Charlie liked it when he was around even though she wasn't used to those types of affection from men.

And at the very least - the Dixon brothers.

Starting with Merle, who was a stereotypical Southern redneck. He was disgusting, boorish, violent, racist, misogynistic, extremely ill-tempered, and quick with expressing his beliefs, a drug addict asshole. Charlie hated him, she hated him from the very beginning. He was the type of man that you just didn't want to be around. However, Merle liked to laugh and had a sense of humor...that was bad and most of the time the only one that was laughing was him. He liked to make fun of others, toying with their emotions and minds - especially his younger brother.

Daryl.

Daryl Dixon just like his brother was a hunter and a tracker. He and his brother were responsible for bringing food to the camp - mostly it was Daryl who cared if everybody ate, but still, he lived in the shadow of attention seeker Merle. He was hard to read and didn't like to integrate with others- usually distancing himself from the group. He was often volatile, but still significantly more level-headed than his older brother, but still hot-headed. Daryl didn't talk much, just when he absolutely had to. Charlie wanted to get to know him, he had those soft eyes and wherever he was in the camp she felt safe - from the walkers and from his brother. But he was intimidating her.

"We're running out of supplies." informed Shane as they all were sitting around the fire and eating squirrels.

Well, Charlie gave hers to those who were more hungry and craved meat, because even after all those days she couldn't eat meat. When she was chewing it all she had in mind were Walkers and their rotting bodies.

"Okay." said Glenn to give Shane a sign that he heard and is ready to go."I will go tomorrow. Today is too late, soon it will get dark."

"You should take more people." said ex-cop."We need more than previously. You would use some help."

Asian boy took a bite of his meat.

"Whoever wants to go."

Charlie smiled, looking at him because with cheeks full of food he looked like one of the squirrels he liked so much.

Glenn became her instant best friend. They were inseparable from the moment she agreed to get in the car with him. She liked his humor, it was quick and witty. Despite all of the horrors he experienced, he maintained a youthful enthusiasm for life. He knew the city the best and he was quick on his feet, so he was the main supply runner.

"I will go too." said immediately Andrea.

Amy touched her in the arm and looked at her with a worried expression, showing her disapproval.

"I can't just sit around, Amy. I want to help."

"I will go too. I can take heavy things." said Morales and nodded to Shane as if he was the one going.

"I don't have to tell you that I'm going." said Merle in his raspy voice."You need someone who's good with guns, someone strong and smart. You will be safe with me."

Glenn sighed under his nose because he knew that nothing good would come out of his presence.

There was one more place in the car and she would like to go with just Glenn. They understood each other without words, they were perfect together as a team. Maybe it was because of their age, maybe because they shared everything- tent included.

But the presence of Merle Dixon? Not for her. Supply run with Andrea who knew all the best? Nah, she's good here. Also, she couldn't be back in the city just yet, her wound was still fresh and there would be too many sad memories if she decided to go. That would be just a problem.

"Charlie? Are you going?" asked Shane.

Sophia shook her head, to let her know that she doesn't want her to go.

"I would." she answered."But I don't think I can come back there."

Walsh nodded, his eyes showing that he understood her and felt for her, which was strange, but Charlie welcomed it with open arms because she didn't want to fight with the self-proclaimed leader.

"I think there's enough work here." she added.

"Yeah. You're right." he said."Not everyone has to go." he smiled lightly.

Charlie let out a breath of relief - she was safe.

But the next day was tough. She felt nervous almost as if she was going to Atlanta. Glenn was the closest person she had and she treated him as family. Her own flesh and blood was gone, she was alone in this shit. Rhee was her person and if he was gone then she would again be alone, she would have no one. And just that thought alone was breaking her heart.

"Just be safe okay?" she whispered to Glenn as he was standing next to a car, packing some things inside.

"Come on, Charlie," he rolled his eyes. "Atlanta's like the shopping mall of the apocalypse. Plenty of... window shopping."

"This is not a joke, Glenn," she said seriously. "We've seen what's going on there. It's too risky."

"It's not my first time." he said.

"Yours not, but theirs." she said and pointed at the tents with her chin."And Merle."

"I can handle it." he reassured her one more time."I will be back before you say, , Glenn."

"Glenn."

Asian boy rolled his eyes and sighed.

"You already can't live without me?" he teased her, but when she didn't smile he sighed again. "I will be back. I'm always back. You can't get rid of me, because I'm like...some type of plant that just traps you forever."

Charlie chuckled.

"Made you smile." Glenn smiled and kissed her temple."I'll be back."

Did she know what she was doing? Of course not. She was alone in the woods for the first time in her life, looking for wild berries. But she just couldn't stand Amy crying or talking about Andrea. She wasn't the only one who went to Atlanta on a run. Charlie didn't want to be a bad friend, but for the love of God, she ran out of patience, so she ran into the woods to not say something hurtful.

"If I were a Walker you would be dead." said voice out of nowhere.

Her heart stopped not expecting someone out there. She looked up at the person and her eyes met with those pretty and soft eyes of the man that was intimidating her to the bone.

"Well, then thank God Daryl Dixon isn't a walker." she smiled wider and he just hummed.

She was back to picking up berries with shaking hands, but this time not because of the Walkers. Charlie felt strange in his presence, he was making her safe, but at the same time very uncomfortable. She suspected that was because he didn't talk much, so nobody really knew what he was thinking.

"Ya sure ya want to eat them?" he asked.

She looked up at him.

"Am I not supposed to?" she asked.

"If ya wanna die." he answered and grimaced.

She opened her eyes in fear. That would be her face if she really ate them, which in fact never happened. She wasn't stupid, she was consulting everything with all of them as if she were five again.

"Ya dumb?" he asked in annoyance.

Daryl dropped six squirrels that were dead and tied together. He kneeled down next to her and held her face between his hands, examining her. His face was covered in fear. She could see how all the cogs in his brain were spinning. He was trying to think about a way to help her.

This was strange. She never even talked to him and he looked so concerned and scared about her.

"I was joking." she whispered.

His face expression changed immediately from fear to anger.

"Ya really are dumb." he said. "'S not funny."

He got up and started walking away. Charlie ran after him with a bucket in her hands.

"Wait." she said, but he was still moving."Hey, wait for me."

Daryl rolled his eyes and stopped abruptly, so she ran straight on his back. Taking advantage of this she stood on his way quickly and smiled.

"Sorry." she said. "But could you please show me the eatable ones? I promised them Sophia and Amy."

He was looking at her for a moment, face in concern as if there was a battle inside of him. They would stay like this for long, but they both heard something.

A moan.

Her eyes quickly found his and he put a finger on his lips, gesturing for her to get behind him. And she did. It was Daryl Dixon, the man of the woods - he knew better than her. Charlie followed him, placing her feet exactly where he was placing them, exactly like he was doing it. There was an urge to place her hand on his bare bicep of the arm, in which he was holding his crossbow tightly, ready to use it.

Another moan, but this time louder and more clear - and it seemed that it wasn't a sign of pain.

Daryl stopped his steps behind a bush, looking carefully at what was going on, She heard him muttering quietly: ya have to be kidding me. And her curiosity became even bigger. She touched Daryl's shoulder gently and took a sneak peek at what was going on in the distance.

Lori was on the ground and Shane was on her. Their bodies were connected and they were breathing heavily. It was a little while since Charlie saw a picture like this and even longer since she experienced something like this- and this was so wrong, so wrong to watch them, she felt like some creep. At the same time, she felt anger on those two. Not because they were sneaking and doing this, but because Charlie was the one who was taking care of Carl. And basically everything!

"Let's go. I'll show ya where the berries are." Daryl mumbled under his nose and once again he walked away in a direction only he knew.

That's how both of them found themselves in the middle of the woods, picking up berries. Well, Charlie was doing this, while Daryl was just standing near - after she begged him not to leave her alone because she wouldn't find her way back. She was annoying to a hunter with her smiles and this innocent act. He was good with reading people, he was an observer and he was damn sure that this girl was capable of surviving, she was strong.

"My joke back there." she opened her eyes. "It was inappropriate, sorry."

Daryl shrugged, not really giving a damn.

"Besides I wouldn't eat anything without consulting it with you." she said.

"Me?" he asked surprised.

"Duh." she answered. "You know everything. What to eat and what not, where to go. Damn I have no idea where we are. Without you our group would probably die already...well, long before I showed up." she said. "You're cool."

When she looked down again and he was sure that she couldn't see this, Dixon smiled slightly at her rumbling. But at the same time, he was so embarrassed by her words. Charlie was extremely beautiful, the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen. Everything started when she got out of the car that evening and she looked at him with those green eyes of hers, then he saw her smile and heard her voice. He caught himself smiling when he heard her jokes accidentally. Daryl had a new goal to protect her and tried extremely hard to make sure to bring even more food - out of pure sympathy towards her.

But she refused to eat it. He huffed annoyed.

"Why are ya even alone out there?" he asked out of nowhere.

"Glenn is gone and I'm bored. Besides, Amy is sad because she's worried about Andrea." Charlie shrugged. "I want to make her feel better."

Daryl looked at her like she was crazy - and she probably was. It was her first time in the woods and she went there just like that because she wanted to make someone else better. How the hell one could feel better after eating berries?

"You have a death wish." he mumbled.

"You're doing exactly the same every day." she commented.

"But I know what I'm doing."

Charlie looked at him.

"Yeah and that's super cool." she smiled. "I wish I listened to my brothers and went camping with them. They were crazy about survival shit." she said while picking berries. "But I was never this kind of girl."

"Ya had brothers?" he asked.

"Four."

Daryl looked at her. She chuckled at his face.

"Yeah."

"Are they dead?" he asked.

Charlie bit her lip and her face fell, and Daryl regretted even asking this question. He was so stupid for that, it was their first conversation- and he enjoyed it more than he should - and he just ruined it with a question like that.

"I don't know." she shrugged. "Maybe they are somewhere out there, but I don't know."

He nodded.

"Maybe they made it." he tried to comfort her and just fix his mistake.

"It's better to think the worst." she said. "That's what my father was always saying."

Daryl nodded one more time, still regretting that he started this topic, so he just decided to stay quiet for the rest of their time in the woods.

When they were back, there was still no sight of the supply run group. He saw how Charlie sighed heavily, anxiety taking over her. She looked down and saw a bucket full of berries, which made her smile. This day spent with Daryl was great, he didn't talk much and she had a feeling that he felt uncomfortable around her, but he was a good listener. Even though she did the talking, he was engaged in the conversation, his presence was just comforting- and that made her want to do it again.

"Thank you." she said.

"For wha'?" he furrowed his eyebrows.

"For being there with me and for showing me these." she looked him in the eyes. "I would never be back by myself and I would never find those."

He hummed.

"Also I'm sorry for my little prank on you." she added. "We should do it again." she smiled and walked away.

He was so scared that she would ignore him or laugh at him for speaking with her, but she was so nice. So welcoming and warm and she wanted to spend with him some time. He felt like a moth and she was a flame - just after this one conversation. He didn't want to walk out of the forest with her, thinking that maybe he could take a longer path, just to talk with her for a little while longer. Charlie was looking at him with such warmness in her eyes, that made him think that it would be possible for her to like him.

He was looking at her back as she was walking away. How she was smiling at Amy, while waving her hands around with emotions. She was telling her about something, but he was too far to hear what she was saying. Amy looked back at him, so he guessed she was talking about their day in the woods.

Soon Shane appeared in his sight. Touching Charlie's arm lightly and saying something that made her chuckle.

Of course, she was after a guy like Shane. He was a cop, he was confident, had big muscles, shiny hair, and white teeth. He was the type of guy that girls were crazy about.

He flirted with her for sure. He was tilting his head and slightly touching her - not in a creepy way. And she apparently liked that, because she didn't move away from him. That would explain why she seemed so angry when they caught him and Lori today.

And Shane was younger than Daryl.

Dixon was an old creep. Hunter, who just provided them with food. And that's what he did. With disappointment filling his body, he walked away to do something useful - take care of those six squirrels.

What he couldn't notice was her longing stare. Charlie felt this strong pull towards him, wanting to just sit and talk to him.

"Oh, Charlie, that's so thoughtful of you," Carol's voice brought her attention. "Amy and Sophia are so thrilled."

"Yeah, I noticed they both seemed a bit down lately. Figured a little treat might cheer them up," she smiled.

"You have no idea how much this means, especially to Amy," the woman said.

"Yeah, I can tell," Charlie nodded. "Besides, Sophia has been down lately. Berries will do her good."

Carol observed her daughter Sophia happily munching on the berries that Charlie had brought, she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Seeing Sophia's face light up with joy, a rare sight in these troubled times, filled Carol's heart with warmth. With tears glistening in her eyes, Carol placed a hand on her shoulder. "It means more to me than you'll ever know."

"It's nothing, really," Charlie answered.

"Thank you, Charlie, for being such a sweet thing for my daughter."

"Anytime, Carol."

[previous] [masterlist] [next]

[accidentalslayer]

Word Count: 1,952

Warnings: N/A for this chapter. Future chapters will explore darker elements, though

Author's Notes: New project, who dis?? Recently fandom-switched to Vampire Diaries/Originals & was inspired to write a little piece about two OCs interacting at the Mystic Grill.

From there on, the plot took hold of my soul, and now I'm writing a fic. Again. Lol.

Pairing: Yandere!Elijah & Klaus Mikaelson x Fem!Reader (eventually)

Summary: Vincent Webb returns to Mystic Falls, Virginia after many years of avoiding his hometown. He decides to catch up with an old flame at the Grill only to be interrupted by his high school arch-nemesis: Richard Lockwood. How awkward for Vince! 🤣

Recommended Song: "Half of my Hometown" by: Kelsea Ballerini

Chapter One: The Prodigal Son

[October 1st, 1991

Mystic Falls, Virginia]

It hadn't changed. Not one bit. More than 5 years had passed without Vincent Webb, yet Mystic Falls was the same shit hole as it'd been on the day he'd skipped town. 'Like a mosquito caught in amber', he mused to himself, a grimace on his face, 'Or something else that refuses to change despite the march of time'. God was not without his keen sense of irony when he made this place, it seemed, and Vincent was glad that he had left right after graduating from MFHS. Glad that he'd gotten out of Virginia to explore the world. Away from any monster that went bump in the night...

But now, fate had brought him back to Mystic Falls.

The first thing Vincent did when he'd crossed the town line was visit the cemetery where his father laid and took a piss on the old man's tombstone. The second thing he did (immediately afterward) was shoot off a text: 'Hey, you free tonight? Meet you at our usual spot, be there in 30 minutes,' to his ex-girlfriend, Grace. The only woman to have ever stolen his heart or gotten him to consider a future in driving a family minivan around. That's how he'd ended up here at the Grill, tucked away within its backmost lobby, nursing a scotch past twelve. Observing his high-school nemesis, Richard Lockwood, as he flirted shamelessly in front of Carol Lockwood with their young, pretty waitress two booths over. No, some things never changed in Mystic Falls.

Footsteps approached his table. A pair of heels judging from the sound of their clacking on the polished wood floor. His eyes flicked downward to spy an all-too-familiar toe ring that he'd once bought for the girl that he'd loved as a teenager. Grace had arrived. And with her arrival, the ache of nostalgia in his chest. Vincent took a gulp of his drink to steady his nerves as she slid into the seat opposite of him.

"You know," he said, tone casual, "I thought Rich was always gonna end up with that Forbes chick. Not Carol. Remember how annoying they were in sophomore year making out during gym? Blech!! But, I guess he still likes blondes. Carol, though? Awful."

Grace rolled her sapphire eyes, "It's been YEARS, Vince, and /this/ is what you wanna lead with??? Not: 'Gee golly, Grace! I'm sorry for disappearing on you when you needed me, let me clarify what happened the night I literally vanished without a trace so I can take the years of STRESS I caused you off your shoulders! Forgive me, I'm a stupid fucking piece of shit, Grace'-"

"Grace-"

His ex's voice rose above his own, "-Grace, I know I don't deserve your forgiveness or your understanding. I'm so, so, so, sooooo very lucky that you're even talking to me right now! Grace, I'm going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you, Grace-"

"Gracey-"

"-'Gracey', WHAT, Vincent?!"

Vincent looked pained when he answered her, regret etched in every wrinkle, and crease on his brow:

"You're right. I'm a piece of shit, Grace. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you the way I did back then. It's just...some family stuff happened after the accident. And I couldn't talk about it to anyone at the time. I didn't mean to hurt you. Honest truth, that wasn't my intention."

Deep, oceanic blues narrowed upon him. Grace stared at Vincent for a few breathless moments (skeptically, silently) as if attempting to bore a hole through his soul by sheer force of will.

"UGH, I can't stay mad at you!" she relented in a sudden huff, "I'm just glad you're alive. You have no clue how worried I was about you! We were all worried about you! There was a rumor that you'd died, Vince. That some kind of animal had gotten you out in the woods!"

A shadow fell over Vincent's face. He mumbled another apology to his ex, "Grace, I mean it. I'm sorry. I really truly am..."

"That's alright, Vince. It's water under the bridge now," she replied, grabbing the Grill's menu that lay on the table between them and browsing the selections, "Besides, you're going to buy me ALL the expensive booze I want tonight, anyways."

"Wait, I'm gonna WHAT??"

Grace snickered mischievously, then imitated his casual tone from before, "Payback, ya know? It's a thirsty bitch, Vince."

When Vincent met Grace Baker, it was freshman year of high school, and he'd just gotten swirlied by Logan Fell. While he was drying his hair with a paper towel in the men's bathroom, Grace had wandered out of its corner stall, gripping a pint of (half-drunk) Jack Daniels. Wearing that same cheeky grin she was wearing now, Grace offered him some, mentioning that: 'nerds like them had to stick together'. Tonight, the two of them were completing an ancient circle. This time around, it was Vincent's turn to buy the drinks.

Grace made his wallet hurt. She chose every ale and IPA off the reserve menu, then moved onto taking shots. Vincent tried to enjoy the moment, knowing full well that he was going to regret it all tomorrow. One way or another.

Their table piled up quickly with empty glasses, cups, and pitchers. As it did, their conversation grew more nostalgic. Both of them blamed it on the quality of the liquor.

"They hired a better fucking bartender since I've been gone! Do you remember the shit that David used to make for us back in the day?"

"Oh yeah!! We called it, uhhhh, "Witch's Brew" or something like that, right? It tasted so nasty but man did it fuck us up! Jodie could NOT hold that stuff down, though. Remember when she puked all over Mrs. Bennett's rug after Prom Party at the Grill?? And then we had to clean it up before she got home?"

"How could I forget?! Hahaha! I'm still scrubbing burger chunks out of my memory to this day!"

"Gross."

Their conversation grew more sentimental. They blamed it on how long it had been since either of them talked...

"You know, you were the only one back then who I could ever really be myself around. You just got me somehow. It was like we were...connected or something. Oh my God, that sounds corny as all fuck now that I say it, hahaha!"

"No, no, no, noooo! Not corny. Not corny for even a minute. Grace, I felt the same way. I didn't have to pretend around you. I could just be myself..."

"Same! We had our own language."

"Pig Latin. We used to make Mr. Brown SO MAD when he couldn't read our notes to the class. He was such a nosey prick back then!"

"Haha, yeah!! Yeah, he fucking was!! Remember when you literally ate your detention slip in front of him and he nearly had an aneurysm?! The little vein in his forehead was popping out, hahaha!!"

"Is Mr. Brown still teaching?"

"Naaahhh. Fired for taking pictures of his female students."

"Ha! Called it. I knew that guy was a creep!"

Their conversation grew more dangerous. They'd both blame it on themselves (and on each other) in the morning. One of them would swear that it had never happened at all.

"Our first date: do you remember where you took me??"

"Oh man, putting me on the spot. Uuuuhh, it was Fell's Church. We went to Fell's Church because I thought I was being edgy and cool. But you. You, uhhh, you said-"

"-I said the place smelt like raw ass so we left. We went to Grove Hill afterward. To that antique Bed and Breakfast for coffee."

"Yeah! Oh jeeze, that wasn't my best moment. It was the first date I'd ever had. I didn't know what girls wanted..."

"Get out!! Really?!"

"Serious as daylight."

"Do you ever...regret it? Even just a tiny bit? Your first date being with me? I-I know how much you loved Mercy-"

"I would've married you. I would've married you right after graduation."

"Oh..."

"Things just got in the way. Please, understand I never wanted to-"

Grace flinched. The warmth and approachability she'd possessed only a moment ago evaporated, replaced by a mask of ice. A practiced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes curved across her red lips. She put down her drink (a little forcefully on the table), feigning indifference while she spoke. But it was obvious that she wasn't happy with his heart-felt confession one bit.

"Look, Vincent," Grace said, shrugging, "We're all grown up now. We've made our own choices. You don't have to justify yourself to me, okay? Really. You don't! It's been YEARS since high school. As much as I miss it, I've moved on from ruminating about what could've been. And this surprise visit has been great, but... I really just want to get this over with so we can go back to our own lives. I'm missing Movie Night with my kids."

It was Vincent's turn to flinch now. Suddenly, he felt old. Like somehow, life had passed him by in the span of a blink.

"K-kids? You have kids??" He croaked, "When did that happen? How many do you...?"

Grace laughed, "Very first year into college! How scandalous, right?? Aaaand I've got two; an older son and a daughter. Alexander and Dawn. Dawn just had her birthday a couple of days ago. It was Beauty and the Beast themed. She was dressed up as Belle. She's been in a "princess everything" phase ever since she watched Sleeping Beauty. My son, though? He just really likes playing Street Fighter."

"Who's the-"

Vincent's mouth seemed to have trouble forming the words despite his best efforts. He pressed on valiantly, though...

"-the, ya know? The uh, father? Is he...?"

Grace flattened instantly. She sighed, rubbing at her forehead as if she had a big headache, "Just tell me why you're here, Vince. Tell me why you'd come back to Mystic Falls after all these years?? You haven't said a word to me since graduation! No, since before the accident! And you decide to appear tonight? Out of the blue? Just...randomly for shits and giggles? No, no. What's really going on, Vin-"

Two voices sliced through Grace's question and stole the moment:

"It's Vincent Webb!!"

"My, my! It IS! And with Grace Baker too!"

Both Vincent and Grace cringed as soon as they heard the sound. Memories flooded back to their previous lives in high school. And the humiliation they'd suffered together at the hands of the ones who'd just interrupted them; Richard Lockwood and his (now) wife, Carol Lockwood. Grace stood up immediately to leave. Vincent tried his best to follow suit but was stopped when Rich sat down in the empty space next to him, blocking off his escape route and locking him into the booth until Rich decided otherwise. Carol did the same with Grace.

"Well, I'll be damned!" Rich exclaimed, flashing a toothy smile at Vincent, "Aren't you a blast from the past?! I haven't seen you around my town in YEARS! And Grace, lovely to see you as always. How are your little ones doing?? What about that rambunctious son of yours?"

Carol laughed and subtly displayed the wedding ring she wore as she did so, "Oh, it's just like high school again! Isn't it, Rich?"

"Indeed," Rich agreed all too readily, "except I'm not giving this ol' boy here a flushie, hahaha! No, I kid, though. This man took his licks like a man! Isn't that right, Vince?".

Grace and Vincent exchanged helpless, annoyed glances between each other...

It was going to be a long night.

[indynerdgirl]

I know I've said I'm going to make a massive mutli-fandom fanfic rec post, but that is taking much longer to put together than I anticipated.

In the meantime, here are some Top Gun: Maverick fics that I've been following lately that I think deserve more love!

What is a Legacy? by sleeping_maple WIP - currently four chapters at 23,338 words Rating: Teen & Up Summary: What if Bob was actually Rooster's little brother?

A few months after Goose's death, Carole Bradshaw finds out that she's pregnant with a miracle baby. Her little Bobby. Maverick steps up and tries to be a father to both Bobby and Bradley, which feeds fuel to the fire until it all explodes when Maverick pulls Bradley's papers and Bobby choses to stay behind. And now, years later, they're all back in Miramar for the uranium facility mission.

What could possibly go wrong?

Lost Boy by sleeping_maple COMPLETED - Words: 132,687 Chapters: 25/25 Rating: Teen & Up Summary: Jake Seresin was just trying to enjoy an evening with his squad mates before their leave. He was definitely not trying to dive too deep into his very layered and very painful past. And he was definitely not trying to learn the identity of his biological father. But the universe had different plans for him in mind, apparently.

Never Leave You All Alone by sleeping_maple WIP - currently five chapters at 19,202 words Rating: Teen & Up Summary: Hangman and Rooster have a history, but not what everyone thinks.

In this alternate universe, Jake Mitchell, or Jake "Hangman" Blackwood in the Navy, is Maverick and Charlie's son. After Charlie's untimely death, Maverick raised Jake with Carole's help and alongside Bradley. Jake and Bradley were brothers, not unlike Maverick and Goose. Up until Carole died, Maverick pulled Bradley's papers to the Naval Academy, and Bradley blamed Jake for it.

This story uses TG:M as a template for what would have happened if Jake was Maverick's son and raised beside Bradley.

Based off my previous fic "Lost Boy."

From The Ashes by @myshipsaresunk Jake Seresin x Natasha Trace, musician AU WIP - 33/40 chapters, updates twice a week, currently at 141,134 words (I know for an absolute fact that this one will be completed! I was lucky enough to be her beta reader for this one so I've already read the whole thing, she's just pacing out the chapters.) Rating: Teen & Up Summary: Jake Seresin is a washed-out rockstar one public scandal away from losing everything. Natasha Trace is fresh off her success rehabilitating rising star Bradley Bradshaw when she gets a job offer from Jake's record label. The money is too good to turn down - but she should have known they were desperate for a reason.

Signed Away by @seresinhangmanjake Jake Seresin x Reader WIP - currently at 15/17 chapters, plus an epilogue Summary: You find out about the contractual marriage your parents arranged with Jake’s when you were a baby. You’re plenty angered by it, but Jake doesn’t seem too bothered. He might even be happy. Notes/Warnings: cursing, fluff, eventual smut, angst, contract marriage, loss of rights, feelings of being trapped, poor parent/child relationships. Seeing Red by @call-sign-jinx Jake Seresin x ex-wife!Reader (Call sign: Red Queen) WIP - currently at 51+ parts, it's a mix of written chapters & pics of group chats Rating/Tags: It starts out Teen & Up, but definitely moves to Mature in later chapters, tags & warnings on each chapter. Summary: According to the Red Queen hypothesis, a species needs to evolve and adapt in order to survive because its competitors are doing the same.

Or how a young woman who wanted to be a lawyer ended up being a well-known naval aviator, hiding a big secret. Remember You Even When I Don't by @beyondthesefourwalls Bradley Bradshawx Reader (no use of y/n, so can be read as unnamed oc) WIP - currently 3 chapters Rating: None listed Warnings: angst, hospitals, memory loss, language. Summary: A training accident, the doctor had told him. A nasty one that led him here, laying in a hospital bed with a splitting headache and an inability to remember the woman sitting beside him. What he did know, though, was that you were the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and you felt important to him. That, as it turns out, would become an understatement.

My Girl by @ereardon Jake Seresin x OC [Lawyer Natalie West] COMPLETED - 18 chapters Ratings & Tags on each chapter Summary: Jake Seresin could be the answer to all of your dating woes. He’s the full package: steady job, mature, dependable, attractive to a fault. The polar opposite of every guy your age and he’s everything you’ve ever wanted in a partner. But there’s one roadblock: he’s a single father to four-year-old Ellie. Jake is looking for a level of commitment you’re not quite sure you’re ready to give, and he’s not willing to bring someone into his daughter’s life who isn’t there for the long haul. And even if you are stepmom material, is Jake ready to let someone back in his life while still mourning the recent loss of his late wife? 

Sweet Nothings by @sweetlittlegingy Jake Seresin x Wife Reader (nee Mitchell) [use of y/n] WIP - 3/13 chapters Rating: None listed General Series Warnings: Infertility, Adoption, Dad!Jake, Teacher/Mom!Reader, Kindergarteners (also has chapter specific warnings listed) Summary: No summary listed but I can tell you that this series, while having some angsty bits, is overall sweet & fluffy. And the Dad!Jake vibes are immaculate!

[mrprettywhenhecries]

separate ways [b.h]

one. | don't tell me you love me

Billy Hargrove ✘ Win Lewis (OC)

⇾ w.c. 4.5k words ⇾ warning(s). canon x oc pairing, f!oc, angst, mention of child abuse, drinking, violence, blood, Billy's really bad at emotions :c, slight dubcon (if you squint) ⇾ a/n: Yay! Here we are at the beginning of the two part part two, which will bridge the gap between the events of season two and three and will be from Billy's pov.

[ masterlist ] [ win lewis bio ]

“We’re done.”

As soon as the words had left his mouth, he’d regretted them.  They’d hung in the air between him and Win, as if just waiting for him to take them back and beg her forgiveness.

But Billy Hargrove didn’t beg.

What was left of his pride and the sharp hot rage yet running through his veins wouldn’t let him.  Instead, he’d turned on his heel and walked out.

Billy was half way back to Hawkins when the weight of what he’d done finally sank in.  By the time he’d turned back to retrace his steps, Win was gone, the Byers’ house left empty.  It was then that he felt the telltale signs of panic truly begin to grip him.  He had no idea where Max had gone, when or even if she’d be back, and there was no way he could show his face back home without her.

Torn between waiting there for her and going after Win, hoping she’d headed back to her place, he settled for calling her, holding his breath as the line rang, and rang. 

And rang.

When Max returned with the Camaro, it was nearing midnight and Billy didn’t say a word to her as he climbed wearily into the driver’s seat.  Her threat was still fresh in his mind, but it wasn’t fear that held his tongue.  He was just too tired to fight any more and he still had his father’s inevitable wrath to look forward to.

Though at that point, Billy couldn’t think of any punishment worse than losing Win.  As much as he wanted to believe that by Monday she’d cool down and all would be well, he had a feeling it wouldn’t be that simple.

That night, as much as he hated himself for it, Billy Hargrove cried himself to sleep, the angry red welts left by his father’s belt stinging as much as the raw empty space in his chest where his heart had been.

Monday, the ride to school was a quiet one, and as soon as Billy parked, Max left the Camaro without a backwards glance.  Billy watched her skate toward the middle school with a scowl on his face.  While she’d gotten a fair share of their parents’ ire, it was he who’d shouldered the lion’s share.  

How was that for fair when the whole thing had been her fault in the first place?

Rolling his shoulders uncomfortably against the bruises that had started to form along his back and ribs, he slammed his door shut and strode toward the school entrance, several stray snowflakes beginning to fall, catching in his hair.

It seemed merely the fact that Win hadn’t rode to school with him that morning was enough to set the hall aflame with gossip, speculation as to the state of their relationship racing ahead of him.

“Is it true?  Did you and Win split?” Carol asked, meeting Billy by his locker, smacking her gum as she waited for his answer, her blue eyes alight with curiosity.

“No,” Billy replied gruffly, pulling his locker door open with more force than necessary.  “We just had a little spat.  That’s all,” he insisted, radiating disdain.

“Uh huh,” Carol mused doubtfully, blowing a pink bubble as she studied him, popping it before shrugging and walking off, no doubt going to spread the news to Vicki and Tina.

Billy grabbed his books and stalked off, trying to put on a normal facade.  His morning classes came and went, but he barely paid attention, too occupied with his own thoughts.

This was a completely new experience for him.  He hadn’t been lying when he’d told Win she’d been his first real girlfriend.  He’d never been serious about anyone before, so it never hurt when he eventually kicked them to the curb.  Billy had always been the one to love ‘em and leave ‘em, no one had ever broken up with him before, and he didn’t like it, this hollow ache in his chest that only grew worse as the day wore on.

Though he wasn’t hungry in the slightest, by the time the lunch bell rang, Billy made his way to the cafeteria, keeping his eyes peeled for Win, hoping to get her by herself and have a word.  However, as soon as she noticed him, she pushed her chair back from the table and practically fled the room, leaving her tray of food untouched.  The sight of her red rimmed eyes before she’d left made Billy’s heart drop into his stomach, but before he could even attempt to follow her, his path was blocked by Holly, her dark eyes flashing.

“Don’t even think about it, Billy boy,” she snapped, placing her hands on her hips.

“Oh, cool it, Hampton,” Billy sighed, placing an unlit cigarette between his lips.  “I just wanna talk to her.”

“Haven’t you done enough?” Holly exclaimed, not backing down, and the look on her face made Billy scowl.

“Look.  Just tell her I wanna talk to her–” he ground out, but Holly crossed her arms across her chest.

“Look,” she repeated back to him, a hard edge to her voice.  “Just stay away from Win, got it?”

When it became obvious she wasn’t going to let him past, Billy let out a frustrated huff, giving her one last look before turning around and striding away, heading for the bleachers.  

If Win wanted her spot back, then she was gunna have to take it from him.

––

After the day he’d had, Billy was actually looking forward to basketball practice.  It would be good to blow off some steam on the court and Lord knew he had some pent up aggression he needed to get out.

“Good job out there today, Hargrove,” the coach exclaimed as practice wound to an end, his teammates heading for the locker room to hit the showers.  “Wish I had four more of you on the court,” he chuckled, slapping Billy on the back.

“Thanks Coach,” Billy grunted, gritting his teeth against the sudden flare of pain before hissing out a breath as he joined the others in the locker room.

“Dude, did you see Steve?” one of the guys exclaimed loudly as Billy passed, heading to his locker.

“Yeah, his face is fucked up!  Wonder who did it to him.”

“I heard it was Billy,” another piped up, snickering.

Contemplating whether or not he should just shower at home, not exactly wanting to field any questions from his teammates about the bruises covering his back, Billy couldn’t help but smirk to himself, still pretty proud of knocking Steve down a few pegs.

“Speaking of Hargrove, I heard he and Win are splitsville,” one the guys hissed in a hushed tone.  “Maybe I can finally tap that,” he chuckled.

Billy’s smirk disappeared and he turned away from his locker, letting his eyes sweep the room as he pulled his sweat soaked cut-off over his head, discreetly searching for who’d spoken.

“You gotta be kidding.  After what he did to Steve?  Ain’t no way I’d cross Billy.”

The first voice snorted.  “Nah man, she’d be fuckin’ worth it–”

Following the voices, like a panther stalking its prey, Billy slipped a fresh shirt on as he rounded the corner to where Braydon Miller and Taylor Rupp were huddled together, his eyes narrowing as he sized them up.

“Wanna run that by me again, Miller?” Billy drawled, leaning against the low of lockers, cutting off their escape, a dangerous note to his low voice.

His teammates stiffened, realizing they’d been overheard, but Billy’s attention was all on Braydon, who cleared his throat awkwardly.  “It’s just… if you’re not together any more–” he trailed off under Billy’s glower.

“Anyone else want a turn with my girl?” he exclaimed, throwing his arms wide as he slowly turned to address the rest of the locker room.

No one spoke, several of his teammates dropping their gazes to their feet, and Billy nodded to himself.  “Now, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but Win is still very much mine,” he growled, staring at Miller for emphasis.  “So, if I find out about any of you making a pass at her, you’ll get worse than Harrington got.”

If possible, the locker room got even quieter and Billy let out a huff.  “Do you understand?” he asked.

When no one answered, his lips twisted in a scowl and he raised his voice, emphasizing each word.  “I said.  Do. You. Understand?” 

This time, a frantic chorus of voices replied, leaving Billy satisfied with their response.  “Good.  Tell your friends,” he said, shoving Miller back against his locker as he retreated, grabbing his things and leaving.

––

December 22nd, 1984

“Max, honey, stay still,” Susan chastised lightly.

“Ow!  Mom, that’s too tight!” Max whined in response, their voices floating down the hall from the bathroom.

Billy rolled his eyes, getting up to shut his door.  Standing in the doorway, he peered out, catching sight of Susan braiding a strand of Max’s fiery hair to pin back out of her face, helping her get ready for her dumb little middle school dance.

For a moment, Max turned, holding his stare and a wave of resentment washed over him.  Without a word, he stepped back into his room, shutting his door firmly.  He’d kept his word, he’d left her and her stupid friends alone, and where had it gotten him?  She was going out, having fun, and he was stuck there, alone.  With a pang of regret, he couldn’t help but wonder what Win was doing right then.  

He’d heard that Hawkins Lab had been shut down suddenly, and he wondered if she’d actually get to spend the holiday with her father.  He glanced across the room at the small gift wrapped box sitting on his dresser.  He’d gotten her a gift shortly after Thanksgiving, while they were still together, but now it seemed like it was going to go to waste and Neil’s words echoed in his head, taunting him.

Wonder how long it’ll last before you fuck it up.

Taking a deep breath through his nose, Billy set his jaw and strode across the room, snatching the box.  Grabbing his keys, he set out before he could change his mind.  He’d given Win space, forced himself to pass her by at school and hold his tongue as if he didn’t have a million things he wanted to say to her, missing being able to just talk to her, but it was obvious to anyone with eyes that she was hurting, and for what?  

Obviously neither of them wanted this, so why were they still apart?  It was stupid and Billy was determined to make her see that.

Pulling up to her house, Billy turned off his headlights as he parked on the street–close enough to be able to see the front of the house, but far enough away that his car wouldn’t be spotted.  Glancing down at the box sitting in the passenger seat, he wet his lips before his gaze flicked back to the house.

The front curtains were open and he could easily see into the living room.  Win and her dad were decorating the tree, stringing a strand of multicoloured twinkle lights around its branches.  For a moment, Billy let himself imagine he was inside with them–Christmas music playing softly from the radio in the kitchen as It’s a Wonderful Life droned on in the background.

Win’s smile was radiant and he wanted to live in the fantasy a while longer, but the cold was beginning to creep into the car, chilling him, his breath misting in the air.  Opening his eyes he tried to imagine what would really happen if he walked up to the door–his heart in his hands.  And every scenario ended with him being turned away.

Turning the key in the ignition, Billy gave one last wistful look at the window and the warmth that seemed to radiate from within before pulling away from the curb, Win’s present forgotten in the passenger seat.

He couldn’t do it.  He couldn’t face the possibility of her rejection.

He’d give it a week, he decided.  Maybe by then he’d find the courage to try again.

––

December 31st, 1984

It was already dark by the time Billy left the house on Cherry St. and he turned up the radio as he turned onto the main drag through town.  He’d taken a little longer getting ready, meticulously styling his hair to look as effortless as possible before choosing an outfit specially designed to catch the eye.  Though he sped through town, he aimed to arrive fashionably late, wanting to make an entrance.

Heather Holloway’s New Year’s Eve party had been the only thing anyone had been talking about for the past few weeks and he had it on good authority that Win was gunna be there.

And after his cowardice at Christmas, he was determined to win her back.

Glancing up at his reflection in the rear view mirror, he flashed his best grin.  “Hey Win,” he said, speaking aloud to the empty car as if she were there.  “Hey Win.  Winnie,” he repeated, chuckling softly as he switched his inflection, practicing what he wanted to say when he saw her.

“You’re looking good.  Though, you always look good,” he drawled, biting his lip before winking at his reflection, radiating confidence.  “What’s that?  You miss me?” he asked, his expression shifting to calculated surprise.  “I know you do, babe.  And I… I miss you too,” he breathed, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

“Why don’t we put this whole foolish mess behind us, huh?” he asked, catching his gaze in the mirror, his eyes softening.  “Come back to me and we’ll forget any of this ever happened,” he urged, letting just enough emotion tinge his voice while still keeping it smooth and warm.  “I mean, after all, we’re perfect together.”

Catching his tongue between his teeth, he grinned, pleased with his performance. 

“She won’t be able to resist,” he breathed, bringing the cigarette perched between his fingers to his lips.

By the time the party was over, Billy was confident she’d be his again.

The road in front of Heather’s house was nearly packed full by the time Billy arrived, but he found a spot further down the street and parked, lighting a fresh cigarette before kicking open the door to step out into the slush.

God, but he still couldn’t stand the snow.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he made his way to the house, the music blaring inside seeping out into the cold night air.

Tamping the snow from his boots as he stepped inside, Billy blew out a long stream of smoke, feeling his cheeks and fingers sting at the sudden change in temperature.  Pushing his way through the crowded living room, he went in search of Win, spying Tommy and Carol in the corner with Tina.

Tina noticed him looking her way and smiled, waving to him.  He acknowledged her, but didn’t head over, still searching for Win’s dark rooted platinum bob amongst the crowd.  When he finally spotted her, his stomach twisted, white hot jealousy racing through his veins at the sight of her standing next to Eddie “the freak” Munson, one arm casually slung around her petite shoulders.

It had barely been a month since they’d split, she wouldn’t have moved on that quickly.  She couldn’t’ve.  Especially not with someone like him.

Win seemed to feel his gaze on her and turned, her doll-like eyes widening when they landed on him.  For a moment, she looked torn, her gaze holding his before Tommy clapped a hand on his shoulder, a smug grin on his freckled face as he joined Billy, and she quickly looked away again, slipping past Eddie to go get another drink.

“I heard she’s been hanging out with Munson and his lame band, and Nancy Wheeler’s bitchy cousin,” Tommy exclaimed, watching Billy from the corner of his eye, as if just waiting for a reaction.

Billy’s first instinct was to stride over there and introduce Munson to his fist, but something deep inside tugged at him—a tiny voice that sounded suspiciously like Win’s—telling him that that would only dig his grave deeper.

Though his jaw flexed and his hands balled into fists, Billy kept his expression as flat as he could, shrugging Tommy’s hand off his shoulder as he pushed into the crowd, away from Munson, instead following Win to the kitchen.  He found her by the counter, a half empty bottle of whiskey in her hand, the mouth of the bottle just leaving her pink lips, and he couldn’t help but grin at the way her gaze trailed over him, her face flushing.

He clearly still had an effect on her.

“What’re you doing here?” she asked, the defiance in her voice mostly for show.

Billy shrugged, stepping closer, his fingers wrapping around the bottle in her hand.  “It’s a free country,” he said, wetting his lips as he plucked the bottle from her hand, bringing it to his mouth and taking a swig, the amber liquid warming him as it burned down his throat.

Win quickly tore her eyes away when he handed her back the bottle, his gaze focused on her.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

She snorted.  “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Bullshit–” Billy scoffed, leaning against the counter, boxing her in.  “I think you wanted to see me,” he drawled.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she exclaimed, though her body language told a different story and for a moment Billy let his mask drop.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmured softly and Win’s eyes snapped back to his face, surprise flitting across her features.

“I’ve… missed you too,” she admitted in a small voice, her hand involuntarily clutching at his jacket as Billy took a chance and tucked her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering at the curve of her jaw.

“Yeah?” he breathed, leaning in closer, surprised at just how easy it had been to lure her back in.

“Mhmm,” she hummed, her breath hitching as his lips hovered just out of reach.

Billy grinned, bridging the remaining distance between them, his mouth pressing to hers, gentle at first, testing the waters.  When she hesitantly kissed him back, he dropped all pretense of holding back, his hand as her cheek slipping into her hair to cradle the back of her head as his tongue swiped against the seam of her lips.

With a soft moan, she opened her mouth to him, her tongue meeting his.  She tasted like whiskey and nicotine and Billy’s head swam while his heart hammered in his chest.  If he took Win’s hand and pressed it over his heart, she’d probably be able to feel it.

Suddenly, however, she tensed, pulling back abruptly, her hand against his chest the only thing stopping him from chasing her retreating lips and Billy’s eyes snapped open, his brows furrowing.

“Win, what–?”

“I can’t,” she choked out, squeezing her eyes shut as a conflicted expression twisted her face.  “I can’t do this,” she repeated, her voice growing firmer.

“Why the hell not?”

The words were out of Billy’s mouth before he could stop them, knowing the gruff demand would surely spur Win to retaliate, her defenses slamming securely back in place.

Hating that he was right, Billy grimaced as she pushed him back, her stormy eyes flashing.

“Is it cause of that freakshow you came here with?” he spat, his anger boiling over, getting the better of him.

“What?” Win snapped, her gaze like daggers.

“Munson.  You sleeping with him?”  he demanded, unable to back down now and Win scoffed, incredulous.

“No, it’s not like that,” she exclaimed, but Billy rolled his eyes, a humourless grin stretching his face as he barked a hollow laugh.

“C’mon Win, don’t fuckin’ lie to me.”

“I haven’t slept with anyone since you,” she insisted levelly, hurt flickering in her eyes.  “Have you?” she snapped instead, wordlessly pleading with him to deny it.

Billy took a step closer, his breath ghosting across her face as he loomed over her.  “The only person I’ve even been able to even think about these past weeks, is you.  So, no.”

Win scoffed, turning her face away, blinking back the dampness that caught in her lashes as she crossed her arms over her chest.  “If you truly want me back, Billy, you need to prove you’ve changed,” she whispered, making herself meet his gaze.

“Do better.”

Without another word, she pushed past him, leaving him to contemplate what she’d said.

Growling, Billy snatched the bottle of whiskey she’d left behind and tossed it back, downing the rest of the amber liquid in several long swallows.

Do better?  What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Grabbing a quarter full bottle of vodka from the counter, Billy skulked back out to the living room, joining Tommy and the others.  His mood effectively soured, he sullenly watched the party from his spot against the wall, glowering as every so often he took a swig from the bottle in his hand.  Once he’d polished off the vodka, he’d grown bored, pushing off the wall to head to the keg across the room, scowling when he realized Tina had followed him over.

“Hey Billy,” she chirped, sidling up next to him as he grabbed an empty cup, filling it from the spigot, careful not to get too much foam.

“Tina,” he grunted in response, bringing the cup to his lips.

“Wanna pour me one?” she asked, holding her cup out to him.

He rolled his eyes, but did so anyway, ignoring the way she batted her eyelashes up at him.

“I heard about you and Win splitting,” she said, leaning in closer.  “Mondo bummer,” she murmured, though she didn’t sound very broken up about it.

Billy stared at her flatly, not in the mood for her games.  “Excuse me,” he muttered, stepping around her and stumbling back out into the crowd, his vision swimming slightly.  If Tina said something else, he didn’t hear it.

Glancing down at his watch, he realized it was nearly midnight and the urge to find Win again was growing stronger.  Letting his gaze sweep the room, he finally spotted her dancing with Beck, and though there was a smile curling her lips, it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Despite the distraction, she was hurting.

Billy didn’t sense Tommy coming up beside him until he spoke, his voice slurring slightly.

“Dude, give it a rest already,” he said, bringing his drink to his lips.  “Sure Win’s hot an’ all, but there’s loads of other hot girls.  Girls that would willingly throw themselves at your feet.  You could be swimming in pussy,” he exclaimed, his sweeping gesture taking in the room.

Billy’s expression darkened, but he didn’t speak, and Tommy barrelled on.  “Face it, Billy, she ain’t comin’ back, and you know what, I’m gunna tell you somethin’.  You should be glad, because your little girlfriend?  She was a bitch,” he exclaimed.

The shit eating grin on his face faltered when Billy turned suddenly, grabbing shirt, his eyes flashing danger.  

“You wanna run that by me again?” he asked, his voice like a taut spring and the people around them went quiet, turning to watch.

Tommy’s eyes lit up in amusement, his grin returning wider as he held Billy’s fierce glare.  “Thought there were plenty of bitches in the sea, Hargrove?  Isn’t that what you told Harrington?” he taunted, brushing out of Billy’s grasp.

There was a beat where Billy merely gaped at him, seething, and Tommy began to laugh, making the mistake of turning his back on him.  He was still laughing when Billy caught his shoulder, spinning him back around, his fist connecting with Tommy’s stupid face.

The blow staunched Tommy’s laughter, wiping the amusement from his face, and he swung right back, missing Billy by an inch.  Taking the opening, Billy’s fist found Tommy’s nose, bloodying his knuckles.

“Fuck you, Hagan!” he growled, feeling hands on his jacket pulling him back.

“Fuck you Hargrove!” Tommy countered, blood streaming down his chin.

Taking advantage of Billy’s momentary distraction, Tommy threw a right hook, his fist catching Billy’s left brow before he was hauled back, the two pulled apart.  With a huff, Billy shook the hands off him, tugging at his jacket and wiping the blood from his brow before it could run into his eye.

As he straightened he found Win watching him, disappointment etched in her gaze before she turned away, following Eddie and Beck toward the door.

“Win, wait!”

Billy’s feet moved before his thoughts could catch up and he stumbled out the door after her, nearly losing his footing in the snow outside before he caught up to her, grabbing her arm to haul her back.  Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, his mouth colliding with hers in a searing, desperate kiss.

“Billy, no!” Win exclaimed, pushing him away, her voice cracking.  

“No, you know you want this,” he growled, his grasp on her arms tightening, not letting her pull away, trying to kiss her again.

“I said no, Billy!” she repeated, the sudden crack of her palm across his face leaving him stunned.

Fighting the urge to press his hand to his stinging cheek, his hands fell to his sides, balling into fists as a flash of heat washed through him–embarrassment and inappropriate arousal quickly tamped down as anger took its place.

“Fuck you, Win.”  His voice was level though he fought to keep it that way, his hurt and anger swelling, like an uncontrollable wave.  “You left me, just like she did.”

Win’s eyes widened at his words and she flinched as if he’d been the one to slap her.

“That’s not fair,” she breathed, her voice wavering.

“But it’s the truth,” Billy spat, the wave threatening to pull him out to sea.  “You left me just when I needed you the most!”

Win shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.  “Don’t compare me to her!  She left because of someone else’s actions.  I left because of yours.”

She swallowed, lifting her chin, the unshed tears sparkling in her lashes.

“The one wasn’t your fault.  This was.”

Before Billy could come up with a response, Win turned away, climbing into Munson’s van as Beck asked her if she was alright.

Billy’s breath misted in the air as it left his parted lips.  It wasn’t until the van pulled away that Billy realized people were staring and he felt bile rise in his throat at the humiliation.

Win’s slap had been the final death knell for whatever hope he’d had left that she’d come back to him.

“The fuck are you looking at?” he barked, scattering the remainder of the watchers.

As he lit a cigarette with shaking fingers, he heard the partygoers inside counting down the last seconds to midnight, but he was already heading to his car.

Tomorrow he’d keep up appearances, tonight he just wanted to be alone.

⇾ taglist. @b1tchygh0sts @heartbreak-sandwich @santacarlahorrorshow @super-unpredictable98 @vampyreddiemunson @alwaysstuckinsecondgear @elliethesuperfruitlover

[sweetwhispersofchaos]

Eject Chapter 5

Story Summary: Ejecting from your plane in the face of danger? Expected. Forbidden love amongst pilots? Not so much. Will they bond or will this break them for good?

Chapter Summary: a plane hangar, a lot of emotions, and an injury

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Natasha “Phoenix” Trace All the Daggers, Mav x Penny, Amelia, OC’s

Warnings: Language, Assault (not by a major character), Injury, Eventual smut, Alcohol consumption, smoking, discussions of mental health. (It’s a rollercoaster. You’ve been warned.)

Chapter Word Count: 3538

Eject Masterlist

I do not own anything except the original characters.

The night sky over the ocean was Roosters favorite. Absolutely nothing beat floating on a carrier with the waves crashing below you and a never-ending blanket of stars sprinkled across the dark sky above. He could always count on the motion of the ship, the smell of the sea breeze, and the calming sky to help him do his best thinking. Or not think if he needed to let his mind go blank. Tonight, he was choosing the latter.

He was cleared from medical after a few stitches. No major damage, miraculously. Lots of bruises and small cuts and he was going to feel all of this in the days to come, but he survived. Physically at least.

Maverick stayed with him through the whole exam but no matter how much he coaxed Bradley, he refused to talk to the old man. They had so much they needed to discuss and work through but the pain he felt in his heart was too distracting in that moment to open old wounds. The new ones were too fresh. Sometimes, it was better to just let a sleeping dog lie. He needed to be alone, in open space, without noise or lights or talking.

As soon as medical cleared him he made a beeline for the showers. The only person in his room was Bob, but bless the bespeckled man, he said nothing to Rooster as he entered their quarters. Bob looked up from his magazine long enough to nod to Rooster, then went back to reading. Rooster threw on shorts and a NAVY t-shirt along with his running shoes and made his way up to the top deck. The moment he stepped out into the windy night he felt a huge weight lifted from his body. The claustrophobia of his own mind releasing on the whisper of the blowing wind. He inhaled the sea breeze and winced at the pain in his rib cage. Damn bruises.

The deck was quiet for the most part. He could see some crew about 20 yards away rolling lines but otherwise it was deserted. Rooster began walking slowly towards the back of the ship. He stopped just a few feet from the end of the runway, contemplating going the rest of the distance to put his legs over the edge, but someone might find that startling if they saw him, so decided against it. Rooster sat down then laid back flat to the tarmac, his hands coming to rest on his chest, fingers interlaced. He stared at the sky, counting the stars, and sending silent thanks to his parents for looking over him today.

How he wished in that moment he could hop on a computer and video chat with Carole Bradshaw. She was always so wise when it came to matters of the heart. Her over the top personality always snapped him out of his funks as well. She would have known exactly what to say in this moment. His eyes closed as single tears escaped out of his eyes and trailed slowly down his face towards his hair line. God, he missed that woman.

Lost in thought, he missed the sound of footsteps approaching him. Suddenly a throat was cleared from behind him, and Rooster shot up to a seated position and turned to see Bobs slim figure standing in the dark. He wiped his face quickly with the back of his hand and saw the shine of glasses in the dark.

“Uh, sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I can go?” Bob stuttered out as he picked at the hem of his t-shirt.

“No man, its ok. No worries. What’s up?”

“Mind if I sit?” Bob asked and Rooster waved a hand in the air next to him as an invitation. Bob came to sit beside him, tucking his knees up and wrapping his arms around them. He stared out to the endless dark in front of them and for a while neither said anything.

Finally, Rooster decided to break the silence. “I fucked up big, didn’t I?”

Bob dropped his head, obviously at war with himself and whether to answer the question or not. Finally, he huffed out a ragged breath and nodded his head yes. He looked over at Rooster with the saddest puppy dog eyes and spoke “She was terrified.” And Bradley’s heart sank.

“I don’t pretend to know her that well. We just met three weeks ago. You obviously have a strong history with her. But” Bob drew in a long breath and adjusted his glasses, “Ejecting from a crashing plane forced us to get to know each other quickly. I’ve talked to her enough in the last three weeks to figure out that all of her trust is based on what happens in the air. That bird strike really shook her trust in herself. I did some quick talking to bring her down off the ledge after that.”

“I knew she was just fronting that she was fine.” Rooster said into the wind.

“Oh for sure. She’s a very stubborn woman. However, I’ve also figured out that down here on earth, she trusts nothing and no one. She told me about her mom leaving, her brother’s murder, and her Dad being a deadbeat. She’s never relied on anyone for anything, just herself. When she’s in the air she trusts her plane, her skill and training, and luckily for me, the person in the back seat. She also has to trust the other pilots around her. If they’re competent at their job. She told me about a few duds she’s had over the years.”

Rooster nodded his head in agreement. He knew some of those fuck ups.

Bob continued shaking his head as he spoke. “Today though. Shew. You abused her trust. At least in her eyes. And it damn near unraveled her after we landed back here on the carrier. I didn’t think ‘Nix could be anything other than steadfast. Strong. But the fear I saw in her eyes, the shaking of her hands. The sheer rage that radiated off her body was something else. She was a woman at complete war. It was,” he paused, and Rooster looked over at Bob, watching him search for the word he was looking for.

“Rooster. It was heart breaking to watch. I felt helpless. Because I know, at least to some degree, how she feels for you. She gave me the Readers Digest version of your past lives together. I’m not a worldly man, my experiences with love involve parking at a creek in high school or bar flies once I joined the Navy.” He snorted at this, and Rooster looked over at Bob with a quirked expression of mild shock on his face. He could see Bob’s slight blush as he stammered “Uh, yeah. That’s discussion for another time. Anyways.” Rooster just let out a soft chuckle and turned his gaze back to the abyss.

Bob’s smile dropped as he went on. “So, what I mean is. She may put up this hard front, but she needs you man. I can tell by the way she talks, the way she looks at you. You are her center of gravity and today she came close to losing that, and it scared the shit out of her. For the first time in what I’m guessing is a long time, someone she truly loves almost left her, again. And it damn near knocked her off her axis.”

Bob stood then, putting his hands in his pants pockets, and turning to face Rooster. Rooster looked up at him, noticing Bob pull out a hand and offer it to him. He took it and stood, facing the WSO and his searing eyes.

“My advice? Go. Find her. Hash it out. I don’t care how hard she may come across; she’s falling apart inside and you’re the only one I think can fully fix it. Don’t sit out here and let her tear herself apart over this. It may not work out the way you want, but she needs someone else to come and rescue her for once.”

The men stood, staring at each other for a few moments, then Bob nodded his head and walked away, leaving Rooster standing alone, continuing to stare out into the dark. Then his body shuddered violently, and he put both hands on his knees. With a strained sob he began vomiting on the deck, which hurt like a bitch to his ribs and shoulders. Shit, he knew he needed Mav but going back for him was so dumb, and Bob tried to warn him with his head shake in the air. Rooster just assumed she would understand.

He stood and wiped his mouth with the inside of the neck of his shirt, his breath heavy and labored as he continued to spat the bile from his mouth. He folded his hands on top of his head and began to pace. Talk about a damn war. In the midst of being some real-life god-damned heroes, two people who had faced insurmountable odds in their fucked-up lives were now at war with each other even though they loved each other.

They were a fucking melodrama and it made him seethe. He was pissed at her past, pissed at his, pissed that this could be so different if they were completely stable people and not adrenaline junkies who faced their demons in a very dangerous manner.

Ok, he thought. Ok, we’re going to do this. He was going to face her and drag this out however long it took to work through. He wasn’t leaving this carrier in two days without some sort of resolve to their relationship, whatever that might be.

Rooster decided to go brush his teeth and find her. He turned on his heel and made way for the door back inside, a look of dark determination crossing his brow. It was time to fly or eject forever.

*****

Halo wasn’t sure where Phoenix was. She wasn’t in the exercise room or the ready room or the mess. Rooster wandered the halls, trying to think of different places she might be, asking a few along the way if they had seen her, to no avail. After half an hour of searching he leaned his back to the wall in a deserted hallway and blew a long, exasperated breath into the void.

Damn Bob for putting him on this trajectory. All that talk about trust had his heart racing now. He needed her to trust him again, no matter what it took.

Wait. Trust.

Suddenly Rooster knew where she was. What was the one constant that she always trusted? The thing that gave her control and power and strength.

Her plane.

He stood and began to jog down the empty corridor towards the stairs. He was racing up to the hangar in the middle of the ship. She was his center of gravity as well and he could feel her tugging him right to her.

*****

The hangar was dimly lit when he ascended the last set of steps. His stride never faltered as he knew right where her plane would be. The general vicinity at least. As he grew closer, he saw her. The canopy of her plane was raised, and she was sitting in the cockpit, staring straight ahead, not moving. He came to a halt under the nose of Paybacks plane, just across from hers, and stared at her, not knowing what his next move should be. He waited for what felt like an eternity before her gaze lowered to meet his. Nat’s eyes were red, her face dirty and wet, her hair a tangled mess. She was still in her flight suit. Had she been down here this whole time?

They continued to stare at each other, unmoving. Then Rooster nodded his head toward her plane, a questioning look on his face. She looked away, wiping her face, and nodded her affirmative without looking back at him.

Rooster walked to the ladder at the side of her jet and climbed quickly until he was kneeling on the wing next to her. She continued to look away from him as he caught his breath.

“Nat.” He barely whispered. She didn’t turn or respond.

“Please Nat. We need to talk about this.”

She wiped her face again and turned her head, her red eyes meeting his, the extreme pain written across her face.

She sniffed then spoke in a low and dark tone. “Talk about what? How you disobeyed orders? Left Payback and I to fend for ourselves? Got shot down? I had to focus on getting not just me, but the rest of our team back to this carrier while the sounds of you being blown out of the sky played in our ears.” He winced at her last statement.

“By the time I landed I could barely breath. I spent 45 agonizing minutes until you came back online wondering if they’d even be able to recover your body. I HATE feeling weak and for 45 damn minutes I was mortified at the rush of emotions that flooded out of my body in front of all those men. All the other pilots. Deck crew. Even the other women. I looked like a fool. After everything I’ve ever been through in my life you almost became another sob story in a long line of sob stories, and you CHOSE to behave that way. So PLEASE” she was practically spitting now “tell me what part of all of that we NEED to talk about?”

Rooster was clutching the side of her open plane with white knuckles, his head lowered chin to chest. He knew he deserved every bit of what she just gave him, and then some. He collapsed backwards and came to a seat on the wing, his legs swinging to hang over the side, his gaze on the ground below. She continued to sniff and breath heavily while looking at him.

“We can talk about all of that, if you want?” he said.

Then, silence. They sat, listening to each other’s breath heaving in and out for a very long time. No movement other than the swinging of Roosters feet. Eventually he pushed himself backwards to lean back against the open hatch, stretching his legs out in front of himself. He turned his head slightly in her direction and began to speak.

“I’ll sit here forever if that’s what it takes Natasha Trace. You are the first thing I thought of when I made the decision to turn back and the last thing I thought of just before I thought I was going to die. So I’m not moving until we get all this shit out and figure out what we do now.” Then he turned his head away from her and closed his eyes. Waiting on her to respond. She never spoke, but suddenly he felt a trembling hand on his shoulder.

His head jerked around to see her standing in her seat. “Move over.” She demanded and he obliged. She climbed out of the cockpit and came to rest next to him on the wing, stretching her legs out the way Rooster had his.

“I haven’t felt pain like that since my brother. And his death was quick. One gun shot and it was over. I was there. I knew he was gone. But this, this was different. The unknown. The uncertainty. I can’t explain how” she paused then let out in frustration “desperate the situation felt to me. I need to be in control. It’s how I feel safe and there was nothing I could do to control the situation once you turned back. When you crawled out of that shitty old plane I wanted, needed to touch you, and kill you all at the same time.”

He didn’t know what to say. The intensity with which she spoke resonated through his body and absolutely shattered him. He never wanted to be the cause of her pain, and even though there’s always that chance in their line of work, this time he made a conscious decision to hurt her.

He opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. “Don’t say you’re sorry. Whatever the fuck you say, don’t say that. I know you feel remorse. I knew you would. What I need you to say is” she trailed off and he peered over to see fresh tears starting to spill on to her face. He decided to take a chance. He reached his right hand over and placed it on top of her left hand that was resting on her leg. She shuddered but didn’t remove her hand. He heard her exhale a ragged breath.

“You need me to say what, Nat?”

She continued to silently cry, using her right hand to wipe away tears from her face. Then she abruptly slid her hand out from under his and began to move towards the ladder of her jet.

“Please Nat! Don’t go.” He practically shouted as he reached for her, placing his hand on her back. She froze.

“Natasha Trace, I can’t justify what I did. I made a choice between two people I love. I needed Mav to be ok. But in my panic to don’t think just do, as he would say, I forgot your feelings. I disrespected you as a person, my person, but above and beyond that, as a pilot. So no, I’m not going to say I’m sorry. Because that would never begin to cover the betrayal and fear I unleashed on you today. I just hope someday, you can forgive me, because I need you. Flying planes and living this life means jack shit if you’re not on my side.” He was becoming overwhelmed by the rush of his words, all the emotions he had been holding rushing out with each word. His own tears beginning to fall.

“What I am going to say is I love you more than any plane or mission or promotion or any other thing I’ve clung to for years, hoping to replace the absence of my dad and the hopelessness I’ve felt in my life. Nat, look at me. Please?” He reached for her elbow, and she turned to face him. Her eyes seemed wild, the internal war she was fighting playing out for him in two small russet orbs.

“Nat, please stop running from me. Please? We’re both fucked up human beings but together. Together we make big things happen and I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to lose you.” His hand was clutching at her elbow, and he gently shook her arm with each word. He needed her to understand. He needed her.

She began to sob, her whole body shaking aggressively. He stared in shock for just a split second then his hands were on her. He reached both arms around her waist and slid her to him, pulling her up into his lap into a tight hug. So tight. Afraid that if he slacked his grasp even a centimeter, she would try to run again. But she didn’t run. Her hands clung to his shirt, her nails digging into his chest, as she buried her face into his shoulder and cried. Wailed. Released all her emotions for 30-something years of pent-up anger, trust issues, lack of love. He felt every sob she released puncture his body like a knife. And his tears fell too.

Bradley Bradshaw ugly cried, resting his check to the top of her head, his body shook with each tear that fell from his eyes. How could he have been so stupid. How could he have almost thrown this beautiful human away. She had never let him down, so how the hell could he turn around and do something like that to her. She’s human, no amount of strength can hold off heart break forever. The guilt washed over him, and he squeezed her even tighter.

Her arms slid up his chest and wrapped around his neck, Phoenix pulling herself even closer to him. Their shanking bodies sinking with their sobs as they began to subside. Rooster rubbed his thumbs in circles over her back while Nat’s right hand rubbed smoothly across the hair at the nape of his neck. They sat in this way for minutes. Hours possibly. He wasn’t entirely sure.

They clung to each other until both went silent and unmoving.

Then her head moved ever so slightly, her lips coming to rest just outside of his ear, her breath tickling as she whispered, “How are we ever going to make something like this work?” and his body felt a bolt of lightning strike right through him, from the ear she rested dangerously close to all the way to his pinky toe. Was she offering up some sort of hope? What did he do? What should he say?

But he didn’t say anything. He just tightened his grip on her as an answer. And there they stayed, wrapped in each other for the rest of the night. No talking. No moving. Neither sleeping. Just holding and hoping the dawn would never come.

Chapter 6 ->

[sarahsmi13s]

Duckie

Chapter 2

pairing: bradley ‘rooster’ bradshaw x twin sister!reader, kendall adams (oc) x bradshaw!reader, (eventual) jake ‘hangman’ seresin x bradshaw!reader

characters: bradley bradshaw, y/n bradshaw, kendall adams, penny benjamin

word count: ~1.6k (i know, it’s weird for me too. but i’ll make up for it in chapter 3)

warnings: drinking, mentions of cannon character death, pregnacy, please let me know if I missed any

a/n: yes, the gif is kendall from big time rush, but he is also our sweet sweet guitar boy 

series summary: daughter of goose and carole and twin sister to bradley ‘rooster’ bradshaw, y/n bradshaw also got her papers pulled when she tried to enlist in the Navy. which turned out to not be as bad as she thought.

chapter summary: when y/n and kendall go to visit bradley in california before he goes to flight school, they’ve got a big birthday surprise for him ;)

ch 1  ch 3  ch 4  ch 5

************* (21, turning 22)

You and Kendall decided to fly up to California to spend your birthday, and about a month up there, since soon Bradley would be off to Maryland and you would have limited time to see each other.

You knocked on the door to your childhood home, Kendall holding both your bags while you bounced in anticipation. Bradley had no idea you were coming, you hadn’t been feeling well the past couple weeks and he assumed that you would stay home so as to not get others sick.

You knocked once again, hearing a small groan and footsteps speeding up behind the door. “I’m coming!” 

The door swung open and Bradley stopped, dropping his water bottle. 

“Oh my gosh!” He picked you up and spun you around, “What are you doing here? I thought you were sick?” You shook your head, “Nope. It was just a little something, it went away like a week and a half ago.” He looked at Kendall and brought him in for a bro hug, “Good to see you, Ken Doll.” Your boyfriend laughed, “Good to see you too, Brad Squared.”

You smiled and moved to pick up your bag but both boys stopped you, “Nuh uh.” “Nope.” 

Kendall swooped up your bag and Bradley moved to let you in. “I can carry things, you know.” “Not when we’re around.” You shook your head, “Ken, my room is this way.” You walked him through the house and to your room.

When you came back you found Bradley on the back porch.

“See you didn’t change my room,” you chuckled as you leaned on the railing. 

“You kiddin’ me? You woulda kicked my ass if I touched your stuff.” “Yeah, but what about when you bring girls over?” “I go to their place.” You just shook your head, “Ever the player Bradley.” “You know it.” “Gross, I was kidding.” You gagged and shoved him.

You both came back in and Kendall was already on the couch. “See you’re comfortable already,” you plopped down next to him and his arm went to your waist. 

“Hey, I was thinking about going to the Hard Deck, just hang out. Talk to some friends.” You nodded and craned your neck to look at Kendall, “I’m down.” He pursed his lips and nodded, “Yeah sure.” Bradley nodded and checked his watch, “Okay, we could go about 6? Gives us like 3 hours to hang out and get ready.” You smiled, “Beach?” The two guys shared a look, “Beach.”

*********

Later, you, Kendall, and Bradley walked into the Hard Deck. “Wait, we didn’t decide on a DD,” Bradley mentioned. You raised your hand, “I’ll be DD.” “You sure?” You nodded, “Yeah, I’m sure. You two have fun.” Kendall rubbed your back as you went to the bar.

“Hi, sweetie, what can I get you?” “Um, two beers, bottles are fine. And what do you have that’s non alcoholic?” The bartender threw the towel over her shoulder, “Well, I’ve got lemonade, sweet tea, soda, and water of course.” “Okay, I’ll take a lemonade, please.” “Comin’ right up.”

She gathered the beers and sat them down. “So, you’re the designated driver?” She questions as she pours the lemonade, while nodding towards the two men. You nodded, “Yes, ma’am.” “Which one’s yours?” You chuckled, “Technically both.” She rose a brow. “The one with the stache is my brother, the one in the bright board shorts is my boyfriend.” She nodded, “Got it.” 

She glanced back at them, brows pinching in confusion and her eyes widened in realization.

You followed her gaze, seeing that she was looking at Bradley and then turned to her. She looked at you, “Wait, are you Goose Bradshaw’s kids?” 

You nodded, pride in your chest hearing your dad’s call sign. “I should have known, he looks just like him.” You chuckled, “Yeah, the stache and the shirt, it’s crazy.” “You, little miss, look like your Mama. But I can see your Daddy in there too.” You laughed, grabbing your drinks, “Thank you, Miss…?” “Penny, Penny Benjamin,” she told you with a smile. 

Your jaw dropped, “Wait, you’re THE Penny Benjamin?” “One and only.” “Wow, we heard a lot about you growing up.” She cringed, “I don’t know if that’s good or bad.” “Well, it came from the one and only Maverick, if that’s any hint.” 

“Just don’t tell me you followed in my footsteps,” she begged, a chuckle right behind it. You shook your head, “I haven’t dated a Navy man, no. Not to say I didn’t see my fair share of football players, before settling with my guitar player over there.” She smiled, “That’s good. Have fun, girl. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything.” You nodded, grabbing the drinks and walking away before turning right back around. 

“I still need to pay for these.” You laughed, sitting the drinks down and pulling out your wallet. “First round’s on me. I’ll start your tab on the second round,” she threw you a wink before tending to someone else. You smiled and grabbed your things and went to the table.

After a few rounds, you all head back to the house for a shower and then settle in the living room for a movie.

“What are we watching?” You asked as you squeezed your hair with a towel. 

“I’m thinking of Spider-Man, but I want you to pick since you didn’t drink and it’s also your birthday,” Bradley said, moving out of the way of the dvd and vhs collection. You gave him an appreciative smile and sat cross-cross in front of the cabinet.

“Speaking of drinks, I’ve got some. I got beer, wine, and I think there’s Crown in there,” Bradley said pointing to the kitchen. “I’ll take a beer,” Kendall said, moving his gaze from you to your brother. 

He snapped his fingers, “One beer, got it. Y/N, you want anything?” You shrugged while looking through movies, “Got Dr. Pepper?” “Uh yeah I think so. Want that with anything? Like I said, I got Crown.” “Just the soda is okay, thank you Brad.”

Your brother tilted his head before glancing at your boyfriend, silently asking if you were okay. Kendall just shrugged, shaking his head. Bradley nodded and decided to chalk it up to you not wanting to get sick.

You decided to go with your brother’s choice, having no problem watching a superhero movie. “Okay, now that that’s in, I can get comfortable.” You go to sit down but stop, “Snacks, I need snacks.” Kendall laughed, giving your butt a small pat when you walked by. “What do you want, Babe?” He shrugged, “Whatever you got.” You nodded and went to the kitchen.

“Brad, do you have cookies? Like Chips Ahoy or something?” He just nodded and pointed to the cabinet. 

You opened it and gasped, making Bradley jump. “What?” You reached in and grabbed the box, “You have the ones with M&M’s in them! Yes!” He laughed and shook his head, watching you reach in and grab something else. “And you have goldfish.” “Yeah, I’ve got popcorn in the microwave. What movie did you pick?” “Spider-Man.” 

Your brother looked at you, squinting his eyes, “Really? Y/N you don’t have to pick what I pick just because I picked it. It’s your birthday too, I want you to have fun.” “Bradley, I want to watch it, I promise. If I’m not having fun, I’ll let you know. Okay?” He nodded, “You promise?” “Promise.”

********

The movie ended and both Kendall and Bradley had fallen asleep. You looked at the clock, 2:30 AM.

You got up and decided to go to the back porch.

As you looked up at the sky and watched waves roll by, arms wrapped around your middle. “Did I wake you?” Kendall shook his head, planting a kiss on the back of yours, “No. I woke up and thought you had gone to throw up in the bathroom.” You shook your head, “No, I’m okay. You should go to bed though, I’ll be in in a bit okay.” He nodded and gave you a kiss, “Happy birthday, sweet girl.” “Thank you, baby.” He gave you another quick kiss before retreating to the bedroom.

You looked up at the sky and sighed, your hand splayed out on your stomach. 

“I wish you guys could have met him. He’s great. He makes me feel like I’m the only girl in the world. When I’m with him… it’s like the world doesn’t even exist. Dad you would have loved him, he’s funny and respectful, makes your little duck feel like a queen.”

You sighed, “I’ve always dreamt of a love like this, a love like you and mom have.” You decided to let the tears flow instead of holding them back. 

“We miss you, Bradley and I.” You choked on a sob, hand gripping at your shirt. “Your two little chicks aren’t so little anymore. And in about 9 months, you’ll have a little grand-gosling.”

“Wait what?” Your brother's groggy voice made you jump. “Geez, Bradley! You scared me.” 

“What did you say?” You gave him a small smile, “I’m pregnant, Brad. You’re gonna be an uncle.” That really woke him up. “Wait, really? Are you serious? Like you aren’t playing a joke on me right now.” “I’m 100% serious.” “Great balls of fire! That’s amazing!” You were scooped up in a hug, laughing at the use of your dad’s old catchphrase.

He sat you down, “So that’s why you felt sick. And why you weren’t drinking.” You nodded, “Yup.” “When are you due?” You shrugged, “Around February.” “When did you find out?” “About two weeks ago. We think it happened right after graduation.” “Okay, I don’t want to think about that.” 

You laughed and so did Bradley. “Why don’t we get some sleep and tomorrow we can go see the Kazanskys? Then maybe a beach day? Go see mom and dad?” You nodded, “Sounds perfect. Goodnight, Brad.” “Goodnight Duckie.”

************

well, would you look at that. another bradshaw is on the way

do you think the little gosling is gonna be a boy or a girl? 

top gun tags <33 (i will put these in the comments as well): @milesdickpic​ @luckyladycreator2​ @hotch-meeeeeuppppp​

lmk if you want to be tagged :D <33

[cuffmeinblack]

Garreth Weasley x f!OC

Tags: explicit | friends to lovers | dark themes | trauma

Chapter 12

Christmas morning was utter chaos.  Garreth and Adanna had been awake since dawn, frantically putting together gifts for family and friends with their meagre possessions. Garreth had bought a few bits here and there before the fire had ravaged the last of his savings, but Adanna had lost absolutely everything; the silk scarf for Garreth’s mum, the smart chess set for Leander. Not one of their nearest and dearest would expect a Christmas present this year, but they'd both grappled with the guilt of turning up empty handed. Then there was the myriad offerings the good people of Hogsmeade had bestowed upon them—how could their generosity go unrewarded? Like a couple of house elves, the pair had slaved over the stove in the too-small kitchen for the better part of three hours, cooking and baking until the entire flat smelled of raspberry jam and fruit scones. They tripped over each other and huffed and puffed, eventually succumbing to throwing batter and singing carols to lighten the mood. A basket of sticky buns now lay in the centre of the kitchen table surrounded by treats in increasingly inventive wrappings. Garreth had even cut a square of fabric from the corner of the tablecloth to wrap up a dozen scones for Sirona.

[harringtonstilinski]

Always The Babysitter - Chapter Seven: The Bathtub

Author: @harringtonstilinski​ Characters: Steve Harrington x Olivia Henderson(OC) (eventually) Word Count: 4,349 Warnings: lil’ bit more angst, fluff if you squint Smut: no | yes; A/N: Hi, friends! We get more Dusty in this episode!! If you like this chapter, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox. As always, read at your own risk and enjoy 😊

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I sighed as I sat in the driver's seat of Steve’s car, trying to control my breathing. Once I heard three car doors shut, I looked over at the passenger side, seeing Steve’s beat up face. I didn’t wanna cry in front of Carol and Tommy, so I just started the car and drove to the nearest store that I knew sold medicine and drinks for Steve.

Once we made it, Tommy and Carol got out. After they went into the store, I let a couple of tears roll down my cheeks. I heard Steve sigh before he quietly said, “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve been saying that a lot,” I whispered, looking down at my fingers.

“I keep dragging you into things–”

“But it’s my choice to be there for you.” I looked at him, another tear going down my cheek. “You’re my best friend. I miss you. I–” I stopped myself from saying what I wanted, so I just went with the next best thing. “I can’t go back to the station. I can’t do that to my mom.”

“What do you mean?” Steve asked. I could hear the confusion in his voice.

I sighed. “After we… I don’t know, I guess ‘broke up’, I started sneaking out and getting into some trouble. Hanging back at parties that the cops had busted, stealing a carton of Marlboro Reds, stupid shit like that. My mom came and got me every single time. The last time I was up there, they told me that I wouldn’t make it home, but instead a jail cell.”

“What did you do?”

I was quiet for a moment before I decided to speak up. “I stole a VCR.” At Steve’s silence, I looked at him. He wasn’t looking at me, but instead his own fingers.

“Yeah. It was pretty bad. I broke into the back of the store and stole the newest model they had. Wasn’t my best moment.”

After a moment, he asked, “What made you do it?” I looked at him and whispered his name, tears lining my eyes. He looked at me for a moment before asking me what made me want to act out like that.

“You don’t remember?” I asked.

He shook his head, eyes cast down.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, preparing myself. “It was the night I called you and asked if you wanted to hang out before school started the following week. I guess I was deaf to the girl on your end moaning. You ended up lying to me, telling me that your Grandma was in town. The girl moaned louder, announcing her… climax, and I just– I hung up. My mom was already asleep and so was my brother, so I snuck out and met up with some of my so-called friends at the time and I just… broke into the store and stole.”

He was so quiet, I thought he had stopped breathing. I watched as he blinked, a tear falling from his eye. He brought his hand up to his face, about to touch his hurt eye when I reached over and gently pushed his hand down.

He looked at me, sadness in his features. Opening his mouth to speak, I shook my head, “If you say that you’re sorry one more time, I swear I’m gonna cut your hair off.”

We both chuckled before I looked back at the store, wondering what was taking Tommy and Carol so long. Looking back at Steve, I tilted my head in the direction of the back of the car. “Come on. Let’s go sit.”

Getting out, I breathed in a deep breath of fresh air before shutting the door and walking around the back of the car, giving Steve his keys back. We sat on the trunk of the car in silence. Carol came out first, a small smile on her face.

I scrunched my face in disgust, voicing as such. A couple minutes later, Tommy came out, tossing a bottle of medicine at Steve while trying to hand him a Coke, while saying, “You owe me $1.20.”

As Steve dry swallowed his medicine, Tommy said, “Don’t worry. He’ll need more than aspirin when we’re done with him.”

“Yeah, if the creep ever gets out,” Carol said.

I rolled my eyes as Steve leaned his elbows on his knees, looking back at me for a split moment before putting the Coke can up to his head. Leaning my head on his shoulder, I felt his shoulder relax a little.

“The cops should lock him up forever. Did you see the look on his face?”

All I heard was Tommy laughing and Carol punching him.

“He probably had the same look on his face whenever he killed his brother, right?” Tommy said.

Steve knocked his knee against mine, knowing my sisterly feelings towards the Byers boys. Picking my head up, I sighed before hopping off the car.

“Oh, god, I just got an image of him making that face while he and Nancy are screwing,” Carol said.

Steve and I locked eyes for a minute before I looked down. I didn’t expect the events that would happen next.

“Carol, for once in your life, shut your damn mouth!” Steve said.

I looked at him, not expecting that.

“What?” she asked.

“Hey, what’s your problem, man?” Tommy asked.

Again, Steve and I locked eyes before he looked over at Tommy and Carol, looking at the both of them.

“You’re both assholes, that’s my problem,” Steve said, getting down from the car.

I took a step back as Tommy asked, “Are you serious right now, man?”

“Yeah, I think he is,” I said. “Something I’ve been saying since the beginning.”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Steve said, walking to his side of the car. 

“Done what?” Tommy asked.

“You know what!”

“You mean call her out for what she really is? Oh, that’s funny because I don’t remember you asking me to stop.”

Anger took over me as I stalked over to the boys, pushing my way in between them and pushing Tommy away with everything I had. “I should’ve put that fucking spray paint down your throat.”

“What the hell, Liv?” Carol asked.

I looked at her and said, “Don’t call me that. Ya’know, neither of you ever really cared about Steve. Or Nancy. You never even liked her, or Steve. Because she’s not miserable like the two of you. They actually care about other people.”

“The slut with a heart of gold,” Carol said.

“He said watch your damn mouth!” I felt two arms around my middle before I was shoved against Steve.

“Hey! I don’t know what’s gotten into you, man, but you don’t talk to her that way,” Tommy said.

“It’s me talking, zit face!” I yelled.

Tommy went to grab me by my jacket, but Steve shoved me away before he could, making Tommy grab him instead.

“Or what?” Tommy asked.

Steve started fighting against Tommy, who asked, “You gonna fight me now, too? Because you couldn’t take Jonathan Byers… so, I wouldn’t recommend that.”

Still flooded with anger, I got in between Steve and Tommy, shoving him off Steve again. Staring Tommy down for a moment, I even breathed in anger before I turned to Steve, who was already looking at me. “Come on, let’s go.”

He didn’t say anything. He just opened the door and started to get in as I quickly walked to the passenger side of the car, getting in as Tommy said, “That’s right. Run away, Stevie boy!”

Steve quickly backed out of the parking spot and sped off down the road. 

I didn’t wanna say anything, so I just looked out of the window. Steve cleared his throat, so I looked at him before he started speaking.

“Look. I know I’ve been an asshole to you the last couple years. But I felt like I had this… reputation to uphold. I guess I took the whole King Steve thing a little too seriously.”

“It’s okay to want to live up to the last King,” I said. “You just didn’t need to be an ass about it. People call me Queen Olivia. That alone feels weird.”

It’s almost like he knew to take me home ‘cause I recognized the turns he was taking.

“Do you remember when we were kids, how we’d play that Kingdom game?” he asked.

I chuckled, nodding my head. “I do remember. It was one of my favorite games to play.”

“It’s almost like that game,” he said. “Me being King, ruling over the Kingdom of Hawkins. You as my queen.”

“I was more of a princess or peasant when we were kids.”

“Now you’re my queen.”

I looked at his profile. “Best friend.”

He looked at me for a moment, a small smile on his features. “Best friend.”

When he pulled into the driveway, we both got out, meeting at the front of the car for a much needed hug.

“Call me later?” he asked.

I nodded, pulling away. “Like old times.” I walked to the door, turning to see Steve waiting at the road before pulling off after I waved. When I walked inside, Mom was sitting in her chair, Mews in her lap. 

“Oh, Livvie,” she said. “Dustin called. He asked if you could meet him and the boys at the junkyard.”

“The junky– oh, no,” I said, turning back out of the house and getting on my bike. I pedaled as fast as I could towards the junkyard, wanting to make a stop first. 

Walking into the house, I stopped and looked at the display of Christmas lights that was still up. I heard Nancy talking, so I followed her voice to Will’s room, seeing her, Jonathan, Joyce and Hopper. Uh oh.

As soon as Hopper saw me, he walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “You and I are gonna have a little talk when this is all over.”

At Nancy’s last attempt at getting Mike to answer the walkie talkie, Hopper walked over to her and took the device from her hand, putting the mouthpiece up to his mouth saying, “Listen, kid, this is the Chief. If you’re there, pick up. We know you’re in trouble and we know about the girl. We can protect you, we can help you, but you gotta pick up.”

I took the device from him, speaking into it, “Dustin! You know I’m never on these things unless it’s an emergency. So, please, one of you, for love of all that’s good in this world, pick up the damn walkie. Do you copy? Over.” I set the device down on a dresser near me, asking the group, “Anyone got any other brilliant ideas?”

“Yeah,” Mike said through the device. “Yeah, I copy. It’s Mike. I’m here. We’re here.”

“Oh, thank god,” I breathed.

~~~

“I don’t feel good about this,” I voiced. “I don’t feel good about this!”

“Hopper’s going to get them,” Joyce said. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

Hopper made me stay at the Byers’ house while he went and saved the kids. I protested and told him that I wanted to go with him to get my brother, but he quickly walked outside and left.

I got up and started pacing after Joyce rubbed my back for a moment. At the sight of lights in my periphery, I looked out the window, seeing the car back outside. The four of us, Joyce, Jonathan, Nancy and myself, all ran outside, Nance and I saying our brothers names, and running to give them hugs.

“I was so freaking worried about you,” I said into Dustin’s hat. 

“Yeah,” he replied. “Me, too.” He turned his head over his shoulder for a second before turning back to look at me. “Look who we have.”

I looked in the direction he turned his head again, seeing Eleven. Smiling, I let go of Dustin to go to El, the small girl sharing a smile. Immediately, I engulfed her in a hug. We let go of each other when Nancy asked, “Is that my dress?”

I moved out of the way so that Nancy could get a better look at Eleven. Moving back over to Dustin, I put my arm around his shoulder, guiding him into the house.

~~~

Once we were all inside, Mike took it upon himself to explain the flea and the acrobat scenario to Joyce, Jonathan and Nancy. I think Hopper was listening, but I really didn’t know. All I did know was that I could feel his eyes stabbing daggers into the side of my face.

I looked at him and gave him that what? look. He pointed at me and said, “We’ll talk later.” He turned his attention to the boys, asking, “Is this gate underground?”

“Yes,” came Eleven’s soft voice.

“Near a large water tank?”

Eleven nodded and said, “Yes,” before looking down a little. I moved closer to her, putting my arm around her shoulders.

“H-how’d you know all that?” Dustin asked.

After a moment, Mike said, “He’s seen it.”

“Is there any way that you could… that you could reach Will?” Joyce asked. “That you could talk to him in this–”

“The Upside Down,” Eleven and I answered.

Joyce whisper-repeated our words, Eleven nodding in confirmation. 

“And my friend, Barbra?” Nancy asked. “Can you find her, too?”

Five minutes later saw all of us standing or sitting at the dining/kitchen table, Barb’s picture and Will’s walkie talkie on the table, Eleven sitting in front of it. Static came from the walkie talkie, El’s eyes closed, moving side to side behind her eyelids.

The lights flickered before the static went down on the walkie. El opened her eyes, looking in Nancy’s direction, a look of sadness crossing her features as she said, “I’m sorry.”

“What?” Joyce asked. “Wh-what’s wrong? What happened?”

Voice breaking, El replied, “I can’t find them.”

“Aw, sweetie,” I said, moving to kneel beside her. “It’s okay.”

She moved her seat back, quickly making her way through the hallway to find the bathroom. I heard the tap running before Dustin and the boys started talking.

“Whenever she uses her powers, she gets weak,” Mike said.

“The more energy she uses, the more tired she gets,” Dustin added.

“Like, she flipped the van earlier,” Lucas added.

“I’m sorry,” I said, eyebrows shooting into my hairline. “She what?”

“It was awesome,” Dustin said, smiling.

“But she’s drained,” Mike added.

“Like a… bad battery.”

“Well…” Joyce said. “H-how do we make her better?”

“We don’t,” Mike said. “We just have to wait and try again.”

After a moment, Nancy said, “Well, how long?”

“Nance,” I said, softly.

“I don’t know,” Mike answered.

Eleven’s quiet voice came from behind us as she said, “The bath.”

Joyce turned around to look at her, asking “What?”

Jonathan turned to look at her as well as everyone else as Eleven continued, “I can find them. In the bath.”

We all discussed how we were gonna make a bath big enough for how big Eleven was talking. Dustin decided he needed to call his favorite teacher to get the answer to the question we were all wondering; how to build a sensory deprivation tank. It was quiet on our end of the line before Dustin said, “Fun,” and almost made me bust out laughing.

Again, silence before Dustin said, “You always say you should never stop being curious. To always open any curiosity door we find. Why are you keeping this curiosity door locked?”

He sat down with a notepad and a pencil, writing down everything Mr. Clarke was telling him. “How much? Yep, alright. Yeah, we’ll be careful. I’ll see you on Monday, Mr. Clarke.” After hanging up the phone, he pointed to Joyce with the end of his pencil, asking her, “Do you still have that kiddie pool we bobbed for apples in?”

“Yeah, I think so,” she answered.

“Good. Then we need salt. Lots of it.”

“How much is lots?” Hopper and I asked.

Dustin looked at the notepad before looking up at Hopper. “1,500 pounds.”

“Where are we gonna get that much salt?” Nancy asked.

“The Middle School,” I answered. At that, we piled up into Hopper’s truck and Joyce’s car, making our way to the middle school.

~~~

After we made it to the middle school, we all hopped out and got to work doing our respective jobs. I was on water hose duty with the Wheeler’s.

Once Nancy broke the lock with a big ass rock after Mike tried to shove his way in like in the movies, the three of us went inside the little building and got the hoses. 

As we were walking back, Nancy decided to ask, “What does she even eat?”

“What?” Mike asked.

“Eleven.”

“Oh. Candy, leftovers, Eggo’s… she really likes Eggo’s.”

“I like Eggo’s,” I voiced, softly.

“I knew you were acting weird, I just… I thought it was because of Will,” Nancy said to Mike.

“I knew you were acting weird, too. I thought it was because of Steve,” Mike replied.

“Hey..” Nancy said, putting the wheelbarrow down. “No more secrets, okay?”

I kept walking, not really wanting to be a part of this conversation, but knowing I had to because the moment Nancy realized I was gone, she said my name, telling me that what she said also applied to me.

“From now on we tell each other everything.”

“Okay,” Mike and I said. “Do you like Jonathan now?”

“What? No. No, it’s… it’s not… it’s not like that.”

“That must be your phrase of the day,” I muttered.

Looking at Mike, Nancy asked, “Do you like Eleven?”

“What? No. Ew. Gross,” Mike said. 11 year olds. Insert eyeroll here. 

They both looked at me and asked, “Do you like Steve?”

“Aaaand this is where I walk away because that’s the most ridiculous question I’ve ever heard,” I said, turning around and walking back towards the gym. After I dropped the water hose off, I went in search of Eleven and Joyce, not having seen them when I entered.

Searching for them in the classrooms, I found them in a Science Room, Eleven’s hands clasped in Joyce’s. I walked in as soon as Joyce said, “I am going to be there with you the whole time.”

“And so will I,” I said, moving to squat beside Eleven.

“And if it ever gets too scary… in-in that place, you just let us know, okay?”

“Yes,” Eleven said, softly.

I placed my hand on her back at the sad look on her face. “Ready?”

She looked at me, breathing trembling before she answered, “Ready.” When we got back to the gym, everything was set up. Eleven took off her shoes and socks, and Mike’s watch, putting on the duct tape covered goggles Joyce had made.

Joyce and Hopper helped Eleven get into the pool, or bathtub, before she walked a few feet to the middle where she sat down and then began to float.

I was kneeling beside Dustin, watching her as the lights immediately started to flicker before shutting off entirely. I’m not sure how much time had passed before Eleven said Barbra’s name. She started breathing heavily, the lights once again flickering for a second before shutting off again.

“What’s going on?” Nancy asked.

“I don’t know,” Mike answered.

Looking back at Eleven after having looked around, Nancy asked, “Is Barb okay? Is she okay?”

As if she were trying not to cry, Eleven answered, “Gone. Gone. Gone.”

Nancy started crying at the loss of her best friend. I felt bad for her, at losing someone that was so close to her.

Eleven kept repeating the word gone as Joyce and I both told her that it was okay, both of holding each of her hands and arms.  She started to gasp, Joyce telling her, “It’s okay. We’re right here. We’re right here, honey. It’s okay. We got you.”

The grip Eleven had on my arm was one of grounding. I guess she was making sure that I wasn’t going anywhere, and I’m sure it was the same way for Joyce. 

“Don’t be afraid,” I said, calmly. “We’re right here with you, sweetie.”

“It’s okay,” Joyce added. “You’re safe. You’re okay, honey.”

Eleven’s grip on our arms loosened, her arms going back into the water to continue floating on her own.

Joyce and I stayed close to the edge of the pool to be close enough to her if she needed us again. I was still close enough to Dustin if he needed me, as well.

“Castle Byers,” Eleven said.

I immediately looked between Joyce and Jonathan, knowing exactly what Eleven was talking about. A little shack/fort in the woods not far from the Byers home that Jonathan and Will built not too long ago. It was counted as Will’s safe space since he had decorated it to fit his needs.

A few more seconds went by before Eleven said the name that made Joyce gasp. “Will?”

“You tell him… tell him I’m coming,” Joyce asked of Eleven. “Mom is coming.”

Tears immediately welled in my eyes at Will’s sweet voice coming through the walkie talkie. “Hurry.”

“Okay. Listen, you tell him to… to stay where he is. We’re coming. We’re coming, okay? We’re coming, honey.”

We all could hear Eleven through the radio, whimpering before she quickly sat up, taking off the goggles. She quickly backed up to Joyce as I put my arms around Dustin, not wanting to ever let him go again.

Joyce kept reassuring the young girl that she was okay and that she had her. Eleven started crying once Joyce told her that she did so good. 

I stuck my hand in the water, a tear streaming down my cheek as I told her, “You were so brave. I’m so proud of you.”

She looked at me, her eyes telling me that she was exhausted, but thankful.

A few minutes later, we got her out and started to gently dry her off before putting her socks back on her. We wrapped the towel around her and had her sit on the bleachers with Mike, Dustin and Lucas, her head on Mike’s shoulder.

I was standing with Hopper, Joyce and Jonathan as Hopper asked, “So this fort. Where is it?” as he put on his jacket, his hat already on his head.

“It’s in the woods behind our house,” Joyce said.

“Yeah, he used to go there to hide,” Jonathan added.

Hopper walked off, Joyce grabbing my hand to follow her and Jonathan. All of us walked outside when Hopper turned around, pointing to the door and saying, “Hey, go back inside.”

“What– are you insane?” Joyce asked, her hand still holding mine. “No, I’m–”

“Look, if something happens to me, I don’t make it back–” Hopper said.

“Yeah, but then I go, you stay. Are you kidding me? He’s my son, Hop. My son. I’m going!” She turned to Jonathan, letting go of my hand, telling him that he needed to stay here.

I looked at Hopper as he was looking at the ground. To relieve the tension I felt in the air, I leaned forward just a little bit and asked, “Since she called you Hop, does that mean that I–”

“Don’t push it,” Hopper said. He went to the driver’s side of his truck, opening the door and shouting Joyce’s name.

Jonathan was protesting his mom’s directions, but when she told him that she’d find Will, she backed up a little as Hopper was basically telling her that it was time to go. Joyce turned to face me, giving me a quick but tight hug as she repeated her words to me.

Jonathan and I watched as they backed out and drove off, standing there for a moment. From my periphery, he turned his head to face me then back in the direction Hopper’s truck went. “We’re not gonna stay here, are we?”

“Have you known me to stay put?” I asked.

We walked back inside and saw Nancy sitting on the wall across from the door. Walking over to her, I couldn’t help but feel awful at the thought of her grieving over her best friend. Jonthan sat down next to her as I sat across from them, sitting with my legs crossed.

All I could do was look at Nancy, sighing softly before saying, “I’m so sorry, Nance.”

“We have to go back to the station,” she said, directing it at Jonathan.

“What?” Jonathan asked.

“Your mom and Hopper are just walking in there like bait. That thing is still in there.”

“What thing?” I asked.

“The monster. The one in the picture with Barb.”

“The Demogorgon?”

“We can’t just sit here and let it get them, too. We can’t.”

After a moment, Jonathan asked, “You still wanna try it out?”

“Can I throw my suggestion in there somewhere?” I asked.

“I wanna finish what we started,” Nancy said, looking in Jonathan’s direction. He looked at her before they both looked at me.

I shrugged before saying, “Let’s kill the son of a bitch.”

~~~

Nancy, Jonathan and I all went to the station. There was only one guard working and he never paid attention to anything. So, I led the way into the Hopper’s office where they stashed their monster hunting equipment.

“How are you so comfortable here?” Nancy asked.

“Trust me, I’m not,” I said, walking towards the table. “I’m just used to being here.”

“What about that officer?”

“If he saw me, he probably thought to himself, she's here again? or she’s here to see the Chief.”

“Why have you been here so much?”

I sighed and turned to her, monster hunting box in hand. “My two best friends left me, so I did some questionable things; stealing, breaking and entering, being out past curfew, not leaving a cop busted party.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, softly, after a moment.

“It’s okay, Nance. Now, let’s go kill this son of a bitch.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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A/N 2:  hi, friends! i have no excuse why this late. i really don't. but, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox.

Additional Note: there's kind of a deleted scene in this episode where hop and liv talk. if y'all are interested, i can write that scene for you!! also, i know that some of y’all are waiting to see your requests, and i promise i’ll get to them. the writer’s block hit really bad with them. atb is the only thing i have motivation to post for at the moment.

~~~

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*Please don’t post my writing anywhere else without my consent. The author of this work will always and forever be @harringtonstilinski​.

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Posted on December 19, 2023