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tedesquire · 3 years ago

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im begging for more ray x reader content 😭

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody

Warning: poison/poisoning, ghost!reader, slight horror.

A/N: A New Years prompt!!! 18 days later!!! I was inspired partially by “The Shining” which I watched for the first time in December. Sorry to all the Kubrick fans but I just didn’t find it super enjoyable, especially knowing all Shelley Duvall went through on set. I was also inspired by Harry James’ “It’s been a long, long time.” I love you Ray, I want to be your ghostess with the mostess. I’ll check grammer and spelling later.

Description: Another dreaded New Year’s Eve. The music was loud, the drinks watered down and expensive, and the couples absolutely unbearable. But perhaps it isn’t all bad. Ray’s gotten the attention of the most beautiful and wonderful woman in the world, yours.

New Year's Eve, 1984.

The term “Ghostbusters” was everywhere, plastered on t-shirts, watches, bottle openers, patches, metal lunch boxes and thermoses. There were action figures of the team and even an animated television show (Peter had fooled the rest of the gang into signing over the rights). So, needless to say, the team was doing pretty well.

Their name was a household one, their faces graced the covers of magazines and late night television shows. Halloween stores were prepping to sell costumes of their likeness.

So it was no surprise when they received invitations from the Sedgewick Hotel for their annual “Countdown Celebration Gala.”

“Do we have to do this?” Ray shyly mumbled as he exited Ecto-1 and joined the rest of the team, along with Dana and Janine, outside the hotel. All four men were dressed in tuxedos, Janine even managing to get some gel in Egon’s unruly hair.

“Oh, Ray,” Peter sighed, patting the aformentioned’s shoulder. “We work too hard. The city is telling us, practically begging us to relax. Besides, it’s a great promotional opportunity. You don’t hear Egon complaining.”

“Only because I would be wasting my breath.” The tall man muttered, conveying his true annoyance with a scowl on his face. Winston chuckled, handing the keys over to the hotel’s valet.

“C’mon Stantz, you look great! I bet you’ll have women throwing themselves at you for a chance to be your New Year’s Kiss!” He slung his arm around Ray’s frame, and though the thought was there, his words did little to soothe Ray’s nerves.

Ray could handle himself in most social situations as long as he had a buffer. Normally that would be Egon, but lately Ray had started to notice the grouping within the gang. Obviously Dana and Peter were in a relationship so that was already one man out. Moreover, Ray wasn’t sure but he had his suspicions that Janine had been flirting with Egon, so he wanted to give them space. Lord knows he didn’t need to be the third wheel.

Perhaps it would just be him and Winston for the night. Ever since the drive in the car before the whole Gozer incident, they had come to be friends. But even Ray had to admit, Winston was way cooler than he would ever be.

The group entered the ballroom, thankfully remodeled after they had destroyed it. Large chandeliers hung from the ornate ceiling, carpet replaced with hardwood. There was a wrap-around bar against one wall and a stage near the other. On the stage was a live band, dulcet tones of jazz echoing throughout the room.

Flashes from random cameras went off every few minutes, the whole room basked in a warm glow.

Before Ray even knew what was happening he felt Winston’s hands leave him, watching aimlessly as his friend headed to the bar, striking up a conversation with an unknown woman. Peter had grabbed Dana and immediately led her to the dancefloor, Janine picking up a drink from a tray and standing against the wall to observe. Egon was nowhere to be found.

So much for the buffer.

Ray surveyed the entirety of the ballroom several times in order to preoccupy himself, finally deciding on heading to the bar and ordering a nice vodka martini to calm his worries.

He was so caught up in his own thoughts as he ordered he went to slide into a barstool, not realizing that someone was occupying it until he had bumped into them, sending their drink flying against their silk dress.

“I’m awfully sorry!” His voice caught in his throat as your head came to face his. You were the most beautiful woman he had laid eyes on. Your silk ensemble rested against your soft skin, your features highlighted by the makeup you wore. You smelled of lilac and another scent he couldn’t put his finger on in the moment.

“Oh please, it’s not a party if you don’t smell like you’ve had a good time, nevermind if you’ve had one or not.” You laughed, taking a few napkins and patting your dress down, putting Ray at ease. “Why don’t you join me, Mr…?”

“Oh! I’m sorry, Stantz. Raymond Stantz.” His nose crinkled as he gave you his full name, slightly confused by his own behavior. Hardly anyone ever used his full name but as you repeated it, he momentarily forgot why he preferred it shortened. He let out an embarrassed chuckle, moving to sit on the barstool next to you. “Please, let me buy you another. It’s the absolute least I can do.”

“So, Raymond, what do you do?” He seemed to give you a genuine smile, making you raise a brow.

“I’m a Ghostbuster.” Your expression stayed the same, causing him to chuckle. “People call about a ghost and my friends and I capture it, place the entity in a storage facility.” He started to grow flustered at your lack of a response. “We saved the world from a demonic entity named Gozer?” He let a few moments of silence pass before he panicked, blurting out the first thing he could think of.

“You’re not from around here?”

“I was…” Your brows furrowed, and Ray had to stop himself from fawning over how cute you were out loud. “I just got back and I’m only in town for just a little bit.”

“So you were on a trip?” You chuckled, taking another sip of your cocktail.

“You could say that.” The conversation fell into a natural silence and while you seemed undisturbed by it’s arrival, Ray was freaking out. Say something interesting!

“You spend your living catching ghosts.” You beat him to the punch. “Do you think all ghosts are evil?” You set your drink down, fully facing him. He was intrigued by your question, taking a minute to carefully decide.

“No.” He decided. “I mean, I haven’t met a good ghost yet, a “Casper”-type, but the last time the gang and I were here we caught a ghost that liked to eat other guests’ food and project slime on them. He wasn’t so much evil as he was annoying, so I’m sure there are nicer spirits out there. Those who perhaps don’t realize they were dead or maybe those looking out for their families.” His answer seemed to amuse you, your painted lips pursing into a smirk.

You asked him all sorts of questions relating to his work, genuinely interested and impressed. Ray was so busy enjoying your company he hardly noticed the minutes pass by. Had he been talking to you for five minutes or five hours?

“Do you know you have the most lovely set of eyes?” You purred after he finished telling you about his work in the private sector. You swore you had never seen a man’s face more red as he tried to stutter out a response. “They’re like gemstones… one emerald and one jasper. They light up when you talk about your passions.”

As you compliment him you notice the hands of the clock, and a bold thought strikes you.

“Be my New Year’s kiss, won’t you?” Your finger traced the rim of your glass, peeking up at those marbled eyes through your lashes. Ray’s jaw had dropped at your boldness, his ears flushing a bright pink.

“You’re gonna catch flies.” You laughed, placing a single finger under his chin to shut his mouth for him. “You’re not going to make a girl beg, are you?” Ray seemed to find his voice then, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.

“No, uh, I- I mean yes! I’ll be your New Year's kiss.” Ray could hardly believe his luck. A beautiful, stunning woman in front of him who made him laugh and was interested in him? Perhaps 1985 wouldn’t be such a bad year after all.

“Well, you better get to puckering lover-boy, looks like the countdown is starting.” You nodded to a patron who stood on the table, staring at his watch and starting to countdown the seconds until midnight.

“Why don’t we make sure this year ends on a good note, huh, Ray?” You cooed, placing a hand on his knee to lean forward and plant your lips on his, soft and warm compared to your chilly lonesome ones.

10….9….8….

Ray felt his head swim, from the kiss or from the alcohol, he didn’t quite know. You seemed so cold, why hadn’t you asked for his jacket? Should he give you his jacket? No, okay, wait, first thing he would do as soon as everyone cried “Happy New Year” is ask for your number, then ask if you would want to let him take you out sometime, then he would offer you his jacket and cozy you up for the rest of the night.

7….6….5…

“Raymond…” You softly mumbled as you separated, allowing him to catch a quick breath before grabbing the lapels of his jacket and pulling him back towards you, practically pulling him off of the barstool.

Your teeth nibbled on his bottom lip, pulling the muscle and letting it snap back before sneaking your tongue into his mouth, much to Ray’s surprise.

Did every woman kiss like this? Had he been missing out? Or did he choke on his drink and die? That would explain it, you were an angel leading him to heaven, doing such a good job that Ray didn’t even mind that he was dead.

3...2...1…

“Thank you.” You whispered against his lips. “For making me feel so alive.”

Ray felt your hands leaving his jacket, waiting for a moment before blinking his eyes open, only to find you nowhere in sight.

After almost an hour of looking for you and coming up unsuccessful, a sulking Ray left the bar for the final time, aimlessly wandering around the ballroom until bumping into Janine and Dana, balancing an almost comatose Peter between them.

“We’ve got to get Peter home. Do you mind finding Winston and Egon? We’re going to have the car brought out front.” Janine instructed, grumbling a few curses as she adjusted her grip on the heavy man. Ray nodded, watching the trio leave before scanning the room.

Egon was staring at a wall filled with past photographs, his hand on his chin.

“Ray.” Egon beckoned him over once he caught sight of his dear friend, turning back to staring at the portraits that hung along the ballroom walls. “I did a bit of research before the party. The twelfth floor isn’t the only place in the hotel in which apparitions have been sighted.”

“Ever since we caught Slimer here I’ve been wondering more about the history of certain spectos that haunt the hotel. I found a newspaper article from January 1, 1946 while using the microfiche. Strangely enough I couldn’t find a paper copy anywhere, I bet the hotel paid for all the copies they could get their hands on, and I don’t blame them.”

“Apparently, almost 39 years ago, this building, known as the Hotel Caratoc, hosted a New Years’ party and the next day found all the partygoers dead…” He pointed to a specific portrait, the year reading 1946. “I guess they kept the old photos…”

“The autopsies showed large amounts of aconite ingested through what detectives concluded was the punch. It caused all the guests' organs to fail and they died within the hour. Staff alerted the police immediately, the building was emptied and eventually abandoned until it was bought 12 years ago and turned into the Sedgewick.”

“They never found the culprit but some staff members report men and women dressed from the 40’s walking and moaning around in the ballroom after hours.” Ray wasn’t paying much attention to Egon, his attention fully devoted to a lovely figure near the edge of the frame, your figure.

He couldn’t believe it. There you were, same outfit, same beautiful smile, the same cocktail in your hand from earlier, staring at the camera with a twinkle in your eye. Ray turned back to the dancefloor, hoping he could find your face and convince himself that he was going crazy. There was no way you could.. That you were… a ghost?

Turning back to the portrait he blinked, rubbing his eyes before looking back at your face. Your innocent smile had shifted into a coy one and he could have sworn he saw you- the picture, rather- wink at him.

“Ray!” He seemed to snap out of his trance, turning to face Winston’s and Egon’s matching concerned expressions. It took him a second to recognize that Winston had his hands on his shoulders. “Geez man, I think it’s time to get you to bed.”

“Uh-” Ray spared one more glance at the photograph, breath hitching at the absence of your figure. Perhaps Winston was right, he had too much to drink. But how could that explain the softness of your lips and touches, the way your laugh itched his brain in the most delightful way.

Your words from earlier echoed in his head, and he almost felt nauseous.

“Thank you… for making me feel so alive.”’

He hoped, selfishly, that this night wouldn’t be the last night he would ever see you. The whole ride home consisted of creating plans to get him inside the Sedgewick alone to try and see you again.

He supposed there were good ghosts after all, as you were the nicest entity, living or dead, that he had ever met. And not even living on a different plane of existence would stop him from pursuing you.

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