#he’s waiting for hopper and Joyce to finish their talk with owens

[cluelessbees]

Look at baby Will doodling alone :((

[bluedalliances]

Or read it on ao3, that's cool too <3

When it becomes evident that the end of the world won’t be a one night event, but a slow burn catastrophe, domesticity starts sneaking back into everyone’s lives. At first is subtle, someone sleeps in one morning, the older teenagers open a few beers under the sun, and Max’s laugh, loud as always, can be heard from the street. They need the small things, silly little pleasures that keep them from going absolutely insane while they wait for hell’s next move.

In those moments, Will realizes, the headquarters (Steve’s place) feel like an actual home for everyone.

His mom and Mrs. Henderson start knitting together on the couch. They say it’s because they’re going to need extra blankets if the situation extends into winter, but they spend most of the time talking and trying to teach anyone vaguely interested how to use the needles.

Soon after, Max decides it’s the perfect time to show more stuff to El, and Dustin jumps into it immediately. He picks a corner in the living room and makes a small but extremely organized archive with all their comics, books, movies, and tapes.

Even if everyone is leaving their favorite things there, Will is afraid there will be no place for his interests. After moving to California, he had gotten more and more into world building and fantasy, writing and illustrating all the campaigns he once would have shared with his friends. However, last time he saw any of them, they had been less than interested in games, monsters, or stories. And sure, they had been playing at Hellfire all year, but he still can't shake the memory of Mike’s bored rolls and Lucas’s amused look, like he was trying to indulge a child with his silly games even if he wanted to make fun of him, or the way they would cut every session short, never getting to finish their last campaign.

In the end, it’s Gareth who gives him the push he needed. One afternoon, the boy knocks at his bedroom door, looking nervous and rambling about how he thought maybe Will would like to put his D&D books next to his and Eddie’s ones, but of course he doesn't have to, it was just an idea because everyone said Will was a great DM and filled his books with notes and that sounds really cool, you know? They end up talking for hours while they go through whatever the others left and add Will's stuff to it.

It's an odd collection, and now there’s always someone showing something to El or fighting to be the one who does, but also going through the homemade library themselves, listening or talking about their own interests, as they realize they can share everything they love with the others. They even bring the older ones as “guests” to talk about different things. Jonathan and Eddie introduce them to punk, metal, and poetry, Nancy brings her scrapbook of “inspiring women of history”, Steve shows them his favorite romcoms and explains which things actually happen in real life and which ones they should never put up with, Argyle and Gareth go on a long discussion about the merits of Latin American music and their favorite protest songwriters, and Robin explains the use of idioms and sarcasm. At first, they extend the invitation to everyone, but have to put a quick stop to it when Joyce tries to give them the most awkward attempt of a bees and birds talk. Later that night, Will tells her that Steve made sure they knew everything they needed to a while ago, and immediately makes her swear to never do something like that again.

As the sight of small groups gathering in the living room becomes an everyday thing, Steve picks up baking again. That one involves a short talk between Hopper and Owens, where Jim ever so subtly informs him that while his kids might have lost everything, they will not be losing the joy of their hobbies, specially if they involve chocolate. After that, there’s always a “Steve” package in their government-provided supply boxes, and the house starts smelling like cinnamon and lemons all the time. Everyone loves it, especially Eddie. It doesn't matter how early you wake up, you can find him in the same spot on the counter every morning, holding a cup of coffee and smiling in silence as Steve makes breakfast for everyone.

The last thing to come is Eddie’s campaign.

What he planned to be a simple one shot to entertain everyone on a rainy day, quickly turned into a six-week adventure that now is close to its end. They finally found the BBEG, an undead wizard that’s behind decades of hardships in the reign, and are close to defeating them, but also close to death. Lucas is down, Dustin and Mike are paralyzed, and even if Will hasn't rolled below 17 all night and Erica’s Barbarian is a force to behold, they are in trouble. Gareth has been getting shitty rolls all night, and he’s the only one left before it’s the Lich’s turn. If he fails, Eddie will attack Will, it’s the logical thing to do, and facing such a dangerous monster without a cleric would inevitably end up in TPK.

“Let's face it, I can't do it, we’re all gonna die,” says Gareth as he buries his face under his hands.

Will pats him on the shoulder and tries to ignore the tingling that spreads from his fingertips when they graze on skin over the neckline of Gareth’s shirt. “We’re not gonna die, you got this,” he goes for a smile, but is pretty sure it comes out all wrong and stiff.

Gareth meets his eyes, barely leaving his hiding place, but before he can do anything else Mike interrupts.

“No, he’s right, we’re gonna die.”

Everyone turns to glare at him. There have been long talks lately about the way things are said within The Party and how they can be hurtful.

“What?” Mike looks around the table, suddenly defensive. “The highest he rolled today is an eleven! It’s okay, it happens to everyone from time to time, I’m not trying to be an asshole here.”

Gareth sighs, and Will is pretty sure he’s ripping out his own hair with the way he’s pulling at it.

 “He’s right, guys. I guess I really upset the Fates this time.” Even if it starts in an overdramatic tone, playful and filled with the group's usual drama, he suddenly sits straight and turns to Eddie. “Do you think it’s because I didn’t let that Demodog eat Biscuit? Maybe his life was supposed to end that day and now they'll punish me for ruining their plans.”

He’s so serious about it that Will can't stop the laugh that escapes him, and a second later everyone follows. Even Steve, watching next to Max from the couch, lets out an amused snort. Leave it to Gareth to make a world out of a few unlucky rolls.

“Don't laugh, this is serious!” By now, Gareth actually heard himself and is fighting to keep a straight face. In his last attempt to keep himself from laughing, he goes back to his theatrics, whining and pouting. “Will, you’ve been doing great today, tell the Fates I’m a nice guy, share your luck with me.”

“You want guidance? Can I guide him for this?”

He’s looking at Eddie now, but two answers come at once, one from the DM, the other one by his side.

“This is not an ability check.”

“Sure, give me a good luck kiss.”

Even if he says it lightly, Will turns to him so fast, a twinge of pain runs up his neck. Silence falls around the table and he can feel everyone’s eyes on them. Gareth looks shocked by his own words as his face fills with red, and Will would find it cute if he wasn’t so sure he looked the same.

“You know what? I'm feeling generous.” Eddie’s stunned expression turns into a gleeful grin. Mischief takes over his eyes, and Will realizes this is the mean DM everyone talks about. The sight quickly finds its way to his top five most scary experiences and, considering their history, that's not a small achievement. “I’ll allow it as a blessing, if you actually kiss Gareth”.

As soon as he says it, hell breaks loose around them. Everyone wants to have a say in this.

Will should’ve expected that. During their first session, he discovered that, with Eddie, role-playing beats every rule in the book. Truthful to his theater kid nature, he’ll allow anything if it makes the game exciting. And exciting it is, if the fluttering of Will’s heart is something to go by.

As everyone laughs and yells and argues around them, he looks at Gareth and finds him already staring.

“You don’t have to”, the older boy says. “Eddie doesn't realize he makes people uncomfortable sometimes, but he won't press if you say no.”

Will thinks about it for a second. He could say no, and no one would give him shit for it, but he needs to know. Even if it’s not the time and everyone’s looking, even if he’s scared to death, he needs to know if he needs to rip these fluttering feelings apart before they grow too big and dangerous.

Is this a rosebush or a baobab?, he wants to ask.

But thoughts need translation sometimes, so he says, “Would it make you uncomfortable?”

“Kissing you?”

As Will nods, he sees Gareth’s eyes falling to his lips and back to his eyes. A small smile is taking over his face, hesitatingly, and Will’s not nervous anymore. He knows that smile, it’s the same one he sees before Gareth hands him a cup of tea and the last of Steve’s cookies, as he asks him about his campaign ideas or listens to his honestly annoying rant about the pros and cons of choosing the Moon Circle as a Druid.

It’s a familiar smile, kind and welcoming.

He’s already getting closer when Gareth finally says, “never”.

At some point, everyone went silent again and now they’re waiting for a show.

“Whenever I look at you, I see the fire of your bloodline, Gareth the Great.” Will cups Gareth's cheek and leans in until their noses are touching. He doesn't make his character’s voice this time. He wants Gareth to know this is all him. “When you speak, I feel the warmth that runs through your veins, and when you stand by my side, I feel invincible. I believe in your power,” his last words are said against Gareth's lips, barely above a whisper for him to breathe in, “give him hell.”

And just like that, he does it. It’s a soft kiss, gentle and sweet, filled with untold feelings, but there’s no doubt to it, Gareth is kissing back.

“I feel very lucky right now, Will the Wise.”

As they pull apart, the world regains its shape and Will can almost hear his friends’ surprise. El is slapping Max’s arm in excitement as they giggle, and Eddie gives a smug smile to Steve. Will would see it if he had half a mind to stop looking at Gareth.

Gareth, who’s smiling and reaching for his dice without taking his eyes away from Will either.

“I cast fifth level fireball.”

Only then, he turns back to the table and rolls both dice, his own and the one given by a kiss.

The rattling against the table seems to go forever, but Will can't tear his eyes from Gareth’s face to see what’s going on. He knows it’s good when the other boy turns to him with the brightest smile he’s ever seen.

“Natural twenty, for a total of twenty-seven with Will's dice”, he announces. Everyone roars again, and the air feels alive with their excitement.

“That’d be a crit hit,” says Eddie with a proud smile, the mean DM facade falling in pieces. “Add six D6 for me.”

That’s so many dices that Gareth has to borrow a few from Will and Dustin to do it in one go.

“Ohgodohgodohgod,” says Gareth as he counts, “that’s— 68 fire damage.”

Shocked voices take over the room and Holly mother of a Demogorgon gets mixed with fuck, fuck, Gareth that’s insane and that must’ve been a really good kiss.

 “Children, children. Be silent for a minute.” Eddie stands up from his place at the head of the table and looks straight at Gareth, putting an immediate stop to the noise.

“I regret to inform you, Gareth the Great,” he says before a long pause that has everyone holding their breaths and at the edge of their seats, “that you’ll have to use that one brain cell of yours and tell me how you want to end this motherfucker.”

A grin spreads across Eddies face as the gleeful screaming comes back.

Gareth stands up and starts acting his character’s moves, one hand extended in front of this body. “You all see sparks surge from my face. They start right under Will’s fingers and travel down to my arm and hand, where a small spark of fire forms. It gets bigger as it travels through the air and you can see it's purple, just as Will's clothes. It fills the far side of the room, engulfing the Lith and turning him into ashes.”

“As the Lith turns into ashes”, Eddie takes over, “you, Gareth, hear his voice in your head. He promises to come back, to end you and your party, to make you regret ever crossing his way. But right now the fight is over, you can heal your companions and take a good night's rest. Is there anything you want to do before we wrap up for today?”

“I'm going to hug Gareth and whisper, ‘you made it’,” says Will.

“Only because of you.”

They're staring at eachother again, and Will realizes that, just for a moment, he feels no fear.

“Okay, love birds,” interrupts Erica in her character’s voice. “Let's heal mister can’t-do-anything-without-fainting and get out of here, I need a drink.”

Everyone laughs at that as Lucas complains. They still have to find the Lich’s phylactery and find out what waits for them in this adventure, but that’s a story for another day.

[thirdwifeofriversong]

going back through some old notes on my phone and found my unfiltered original reactions to volumes 1 & 2 of stranger things 4… (spoilers below the break)

VOL 1

- HOLY FUCK EPISODE SEVEN

- did NOT see that reveal coming

- The ends of eps 4 and 7 are fucking amazing

- NANCY!!! Not sure how she’ll fare, not looking good obvs, (and I did originally think she’d die, but I hope not ofc) but I love the callback to the pool and Barb

- This is Dustin’s season lol

- Joyce Hop and Murray better fucking get out of that prison- their reunion was heartbreaking, but I also was like RUN don’t do another bob

- About Vecna/001/Creel son… so his powers/the killings weren’t related to the upside down until El imprisoned him there… so the upside down existed already but El opened the gate to put 001 through and that was the beginning of the contact with our world?… also how did Brenner try to replicate 001? Heard some disturbing theories about sperm donation but that’s super fucked up so I’m not sure how but I hope they explain? Also how did he get his powers in the first place? Finally what amazing casting

- Never thought I’d be rooting for Steve and Nancy lol but I guess maturity happens

- Erica is the fucking best

- The 001 reveal was fantastic. Jaw on the floor.

- Why does 001 care for 011 more than the others? Seen theories that she’s his kid but???

- Relationship between 001 and the mind flayer?

- MAX omg that scene was AMAZING on all levels and her ACTING

- Also why was Brenner using 001 as a guard?? Doesn’t make sense?

- Cool how they synced Nancy and El understanding 001’s story

- I only want good things for Hopper

- Also Murray’s karate is 10/10. Comic gold

- I’m a bit done with the torture. I like my characters problems to be fictional thanks.

- Look forward to seeing the CA gang appear again

- Also Joyce and Murray have no fucking idea what’s going on… and like Joyce just leaves her kids?

- Okay El needs nice things and WHAT THE FUCK OWENS WORKING WITH BRENNER REALLY?!! El didn’t need that. She needs so much love and friends and therapy and trauma informed everything bc OMG.

- Not a fan of Archie and the jock vigilantes

- Rude to prey on people with trauma. Guess Vecna is just a psychopath?

- AHHHHHH

- again how did the kids get their powers and how did they take it from 001 and how did 001 get it in the first place?

- Nice that 001 and the mind flayer got along so well

- Also can will get some fucking character development? Please? Like I know he has a crush on mike but more than that pls because it’s been since s2 that he had a true arc (except that great acting scene in s3)

- Suzie is everyone’s Queen. Bow before her

- Eddie and argyle are great new characters

- El needs so much love

- You can’t let anything happen to Hop or Joyce or Murray

- Wait also I forgot about the time travel thing

- WAIT A SECOND the painting Will’s painting it’s got to be of Mike because he LOVES HIM

VOL 2

- ALDHRKWHDLDHAKDHSJSJHSJAJAH

- My BABY EDDIE NOOOOO

- MAX?!?!?!!! No MAX !!!!!! Like I assume they would’ve just killed her if she wasn’t going to come back, but she seems brain dead and the duffers said she was? So? I hope they do bring her back bc it would’ve made sense to fully kill her if she wasn’t? Also El has fucking Lazarus powers too?! Damn girl

- My BABY GAY WILL you need a HUG and I’m so glad you got one but you also need to talk about shit and just say it out loud

- Good job Jonathan you aren’t completely useless

- WHAT A FUCKING ENDING

- EL AND HOP MY HEART

- DAMN that was a good ending- saw it coming but they did it really well

- And they really did seem like they’d just kill off everyone for a minute

- Murray, Yuri, and Antonov?? My bois? Where they at?

- Still gotta resolve Owens

- Also the fucking Russian and US governments are looking for them wtf

- Not looking good

- BUT AT LEAST THEYRE TOGETHER

- love the Hawkins at the center of it all

- FOUR GATES HOLY FUCK

- the vecna el max scene holy SHIT

- also did we not finish the Jason plot line?! Wtf happened after that? Somebody gotta keep this man in line bc he went full murder there (edit apparently he did die whoops I was distracted)

- And poor Lucas!! My baby is gonna have so much trauma!!

- And Dustin… sweet little confident dude gonna be so sad

- Fucking will ending the season touching the back of his neck I CAN FEEL HIM of course you fucking can will

- The LINE

- Hop and Joyce!!! Finally!!!

- Also like please let Karen be an actual character with agency she’s been here for four seasons on the sidelines but like please… my dude…. Please write her some character development… and fuck Ted

- The fucking love triangle with Nancy isn’t resolved

- We love Steve (in general)

- Robin and band girl seem nice…. Like a z plot but at least she might get a nice thing? Would be nice if we knew more about band girl

- Want to know if Henry/vecna is El’s father? More about that connection? Also how he got his powers to begin with? Is the upside down just an accidental bump into our universe bc El or is it related to the powers? Would it have kept going?

- Also fucking Odyssey with Henry

- the FUCKING METAL CONCERT WITH THE DEMOBATS THAT WAS THE BEST SHIT EVER

- and hop with the sword?!

- The soviets rlly did just go this seems like a good idea let’s BREED FUCKING DEMOGORGONS fuckers

- Glad they’re out of the ussr

- That ending shot wow

- I CRIED with Dustin and mr munson omg that was so fucking sad

- Also where was max’s mom in the hospital??

- Max omg baby needs nice things

- Aghhhhh

- The CAPTIONS

[padme789]

Rated E PART I Chapters: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 -  8 - 9 - 10 - 11 PART II Chapters: 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - Not Finished Steamy Fluff: 8 - 13 - 15 Smut: 13 [TTRPG fantasy as its base, but with an 80s fantasy novel vibe to it. More info in Ch1 & Ch12]

Chapter 14 Excerpt: He watched the three making sure the Elf, the Fighter, and the Halfling were still listening. "Some say the gods disappeared. Me, I'm inclined to believe they're still around. They just choose not to listen to the 'pleas of the people' because what good did that do? Well, the Society went underground again, I guess you could say, but this time instead of helping others who had lost their magic. They began to pick and choose. Nothing ever works out well. When you start to pick and choose who gets help and who doesn't. Then they decided to show themselves again, and now we have higher-ups in those factions taking on political roles. It's all over the place. You ask me, Joyce, Sue, and Scott dodged a big disaster even if they have to fucking hide. These mages aren't big fans when you defect. My guess is they know too much. Though I've heard of old members who lost their abilities being treated fine."

Murray shrugged. He looked at Nancy. "You and your Mom showed up with them. You don't remember anything that happened back then?'

Chapter 15 Excerpt/s: [1] "What's your second trade," questioned Hopper.

Owens wiped his hands at his traveling cloak. "It will play well for both of us, really. We can rule out a large factor in what could be causing your son's difficulties. And deal with the obstacle that will keep us from reoccupying the mountain. So, we can accomplish your first ask."

"What is it," asked Hopper, becoming impatient. Fed up with Owens roundabout way of talking.

"If those symptoms are starting to show on your son and around Hawkins. The mountain isn't as empty as you thought. And I can't have myself or team inside that place with Brenner's first experiment still there. He called it the Demogorgon."

[2] Robin sighed and dropped her face to her knees. She began to speak, her voice muffled by the fabric of her pants. "The other day when you came to the inn looking for Nancy." She looked up, focusing on her best friend. "How serious are you—you had that dreamy look on your face, you get. Then you seem weirdly jealous of Jonathan, of all people… Are you thinking of asking Nancy out again?"

"I mean, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about asking Nancy out again." He looked out at the stars for a moment. "But, I know that would never work. She'd shoot me down before I could even finish the thought. As for Byers, I don't know." … "I mean, he's kinda had a crush on her, but practically everyone does except for her brother and his."

Robin sighed. There was no disputing that. Barb would often tease Nancy that she was the big sister crush for all her brother's friends."

"Wait. So I was right."

A High Fantasy retailing of Stranger Things in the style of a TTRPG so lots of dragons.

Nancy, Robin and friends prepare for an adventure on the horizon.

Nancy and Robin are slow burning, but very bright. Ronance is endgame.

-or- The stars feel cruel to Nancy and Robin. Always passing, never aligning. Will Nancy and Robin realize they have always wanted more, or as always, turn from possibilities, afraid of losing the strong bond they already have?

[lovestuckyhatemarvel]

The Nina Project. Nina makes me think of Fullmetal Alchemist (both original and Brotherhood) which makes me sad, but also I had a friend with a cat named Nina. Although that cat is probably also dead. Either way, RIP Nina and let’s get started with episode 5.

1.) Yeah, I knew that dude wouldn’t last long enough to tell them how to find Nina. Also, my deepest apologies to Argyle. I think you’re gonna get fired for this. People are super not supposed to die in the back of your delivery van.

2.) I straight up forgot that the other fed was still alive to be threatened.

3.) Okay we’re going back 12 hours. Hey wait, guys. Lmao. I know it’s kind of generic but I find the secret base entrance 1.) hilariously obvious. 2.) looks like the entrance to the underground home in Sims 4 thanks to Strangerville. I can’t remember which came first and I don’t care enough to check. I’m gonna pretend Sims did it first because that’s funnier.

4.) “You built all This?” El, Owens hired people to build all this.

5.) “You’re bigger than Madonna to them.” Eh, fuck Madonna.

6.) Oh, Nina’s a fuckin’ metal thing. And there’s Brenner. BUDDY, THAT’S NOT FEAR. THAT’S ANGER AND HATE. Oh my god I hate Brenner.

7.) Brenner better die, I swear to god.

8.) Actually, Owens can die too since they’re drugging her and recreating a scene from episode 1. But also why was Owens stupid enough to actually reveal Brenner? I hope that shit has a purpose, because otherwise he’s a moron.

9.) “He is not yours to kill.” Okay who is Hopper’s to kill? I guess we’ll find out after they finish dragging him past ominous double doors. Oh nvm, I just remembered the end of season three.

10.) Hey, Hopper. I know you’re mad, but like, Antonov or whatever his name is, is telling the truth. Or at least I think he is. He had no reason to actually want to put himself in danger like that. He does not benefit from being a prisoner.

11.) Oh that dweeb is still getting up into the air.

12.) “I have 3 kids.” Aw. Joyce counted El. <3

13.) Hi, Eddie. You need to be more subtle, my baby boy. I get why he wants a six pack though. And why Max bounced for breakfast.

14.) Ted Wheeler, I hope you die and leave your family a ton of money.

15.) Max is not good at art, but they’re fun. Also can we talk about how everyone is talking super openly around Holly and Ted?

16.) Nancy draws super straight lines. That’s not important, but nice job.

17.) Was cutting El’s hair actually necessary? Joyce should buy her some fun wigs. Like a few different colors. For funsies.

18.) No offense, but I don’t understand people who would fuck Henry Creel. He’s not attractive before his transformation and after his transformation his design is boring and goofy. Like he’s not a fuckable monster.

19.) Truly don’t understand Owens and Brenner working together. Like not to be a fucking dumbass but it seems outside his personality.

20.) THEY ARE NOT BURYING THAT BODY DEEP ENOUGH. Actually, Argyle is losing his mind so probably not a good time to bring this up. Also, people who write Argyle as chill in the face of danger are fucking HILARIOUS to me now. Like how did that get started?

21.) Hey, Netflix. Why are you starting the ‘tender emotional music’ on Will/Mike over them burying a body in the desert? Like I know this conversation warrants it, but maybe cue up the music like 5 seconds later.

22.) Argyle is super not understanding hiding a body. But GOD, it only happened so Mike could notice the pen. But couldn’t the group just talk about how all the dude did was hand over a pen???????

23.) “I can make you rich.” Can you, bud? Oh nvm, you’re lying about Hopper being rich. But also it was a terrible plan even if Hopper had helped. The guard would have demanded money and Hopper doesn’t fucking have it.

24.) Hopper is giving backstory but is also using his tragic backstory (which is tragic) to try to pretend he’s too dangerous to be near. Hopper, ‘everyone I love, I hurt’ is the depression talking. And the PTSD. You are not the curse. Except for in season 3. You were the curse then because you were deeply annoying.

25.) Damn, one backstory and guy I refuse to call Enzo is giving up.

26.) People came to talk to Wayne and see the burgeoning crack in his ceiling. I am glad Wayne is being moved.

27.) This funeral for Chrissy was fast.

28.) Hey how the fuck does that rando know who Eddie’s supplier is and that two old men thought they saw Rick in his house this goddamn morning????????????

29.) Aw damn, why’d you have to break that fucking stained glass. It was nice.

30.) Well, we got a shot of the walkie talkie as the bag was dropped on the floor so that probably is a hint.

31.) Steve has such a bitchy sigh. I love it.

32.) Hell yeah, Joyce. But also lmao Jeremiah the 16 year old fighter is very fast. Yuri < Jeremiah.

33.) “Never mind how” means the show does not want to actually come up with a rationale for how they can suddenly force El to go back to any memory, let alone this specific one.

34.) I understand they needed to use CGI for younger El, but they actually didn’t do a great job in some of those shots.

35.) Oh, they wanna get Susie to figure it out.

36.) Damn, Eddie, you are firmly just bored now. Oh well, not bored anymore. A bunch of douches in tailored suits are here to murder you. Also, bud, did you not close and lock all the doors?????? Why the fuck would he leave it open and unlocked? Also WHAT DO YOU MEAN, ‘IT’S HIM’? IT’S A STONER’S HOUSE. IT’S LITERALLY THE STONER’S FOOD!!!

37.) Yeah, they couldn’t hear the radio.

38.) Dustin is being a douche and did not answer Steve’s very reasonable question. And also I would also freak out from spiders. ROBIN THT’S SO MEAN.

39.) Second Platonic with a capital P. Still no sign of the word soulmate and I’m starting to wonder if it’s purely fanon.

40.) Steve Harrington is a himbo and I love him.

41.) Lucas is so cute. And Max and Lucas are the only cute het couple amongst the kids.

42.) So far there’s no actual explanation from the show of how there are so many kids with powers. We know how El got hers, but Kali was kidnapped as a child and presumably didn’t get her powers the same way. And I don’t think the rest of these kids were made the same way El was either.

43.) Owens, are you actually surprised Brenner is putting El’s life in danger?

44.) a;lkdsjfaskdjf;all Murray oh my god. You should have just hit Yuri. You’re a black belt in karate, not intimidating.

45.) oh damn plane going down. And Joyce shooting a gun in the cockpit did not help.

46.) Okay Murray is terrible at intimidating but he did get to knock a dude out. Unfortunately.

47.) Murray oh my fucking god. That’s a nat 1 on operating a plane, bud.

48.) I just realized I think they’re doing Digital lighting for these effects of following the lights in the Creel house and BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Rubbish. Swine. BOOOOOOOOO.

49.) This is fully breaking and entering from the boys. But also damn that’s a bad boat and damn piece of shit carver is a good swimmer. And is unhinged.

50.) Yeah, we fucking get it. Vecna is in the upside down attic.

51.) Damn, that death is still goofy as hell.RIP Patrick, your death was hilarious.

52.) I don’t think it’s actually possible to be up and at ‘em that soon after needing to be resuscitated. Even if you do have superpowers.

53.) I hate Brenner so much. El HAS A DAD. IT’S HOPPER.

[sennqu]

Follow-up to this.

Temporary title: "Mike IS Going to Live With His Boyfriend, Dammit"

Chapter 2(?): Joyce

As soon as her son, meek as can be, came into the cabin living room with his boyfriend -- said boyfriend trying his hardest to project a casual air even though Joyce could see the slight shaking in his hand (the one not holding his son's right anyway) -- in tow, Joyce knew something was afoot. Mike had only visited the cabin for a few minutes an hour ago before her son practically dragged him outside. And now they were back with a nervous sort of energy that Joyce could recognize from her own teenage years. She paused her sweeping to greet them with what she hoped was a calming and inviting smile.

"Mom...I was wondering," Will started. He was trying to look her in the eyes; he was trying to be brave too. Joyce had an inkling of what her baby could have been wondering. She herself only broke the news to him last night. "I was wondering if Mike... if Mike could come live with us. After we move."

Jackpot. Sweeping the floor would have to wait. Joyce walked to the small dining area her family had managed to set up months ago, motioning for both boys to follow her until they were all sat down on the thin wooden chairs.

"Kids," Joyce began seriously. The two boys cringed as one, preparing for immediate rejection, "I don't think it's a bad idea...but...."

"But?," Mike asked. Even while sitting down, he still hadn't let go of Will's hand. Joyce couldn't help but crack a smile.

"But you're still so young. And Mike, I don't think your parents want you finishing high school at a different state."

"We've faced against eldritch beings, but we're too young to live together?," Mike tried to keep his tone even but Joyce could see the brewing tension in his furrowed eyebrows and the way her son squeezed his hand to calm him down.

"Kid has a point," Hopper's voice sounded from the entrance way, surprising the three. Joyce figured he was back from his own talks with Owens.

"Hop, are you encouraging them?"

"Good to have you on my side, Hopper," Mike practically beamed. Will still hadn't moved on from his look of surprise.

"I'm not on anyone's side, kid. I'm just saying," Hopper turned directly to Joyce, "these kids have been through hell and back. Cohabitation's gonna be the least of their problems."

"See, Joyce? And my parents wouldn't care if I finish school somewhere else. I'll have to leave Hawkins for college anyway," Mike's confidence could be heard through every word. He was gently and happily swinging his and Will's hands. We have this in the bag, Joyce could imagine him thinking.

"Well, if you really think your parents won't mind, ask them and then we'll talk about this again," Joyce evenly supplied. She could see the two boys blink in unison and Hopper briskly laugh in the background.

"Are you se--... really?," Will couldn't believe it was that easy to convince his own mother.

However, Joyce noticed Mike was oddly not as pleased. In fact, the boy seemed to slightly lose the confidence he had just seconds ago.

"I was hoping you'd help me convince them", Mike admitted.

"I see," Joyce broke into a teasing grin.

(chapter 3 can be found here!)

[troop-scoop]

Mistakes & Regrets X

Summary: When a trip to your Dad’s hometown of Hawkins goes wrong, you end up in the year 1983, and have to learn how to cope with being stuck in the past.

Pairing: Steve Harrington / Future!Reader (like, a really slow burn)

Warnings: Swearing,

• • •

In the month following that night in November, things had gone back to what the new normal had turned into for you. Except now you were living in a small apartment, with more money than you were willing to use.

The apartment looked like houses in a post-apocalyptic game or show that had been looted. With only a few things, and a few blankets tossed around, because of course that’s what you spent your money on. Blankets and pillows.

You’d thought that maybe you’d feel safer with them, even if Doctor Owens kept saying that with all that’s happened, you may never fully feel safe, and that they were just comfort objects.

He was right of course, considering that he was the doctor and you were just the kid from the 2019 who had a problem with any authority that wasn’t your parents. The blankets and pillows helped to make the environment of your home feel softer and more welcoming, but it wasn’t like you wanted. You were still too afraid to sleep after what happened in late November.

Everything had been fine, you’d just bought the pull out couch you used as a bed and kept in the bedroom, and as usual, you locked the front door, both the door knob and the dead bolt, and the chain. You locked every window, and closed the blinds. Everything dark in the open floor plan. And then you locked your bedroom door, turned on the tv and fell asleep. That’s when things turned horrible.

Sleeping had been a get away from everything around you. And that night your mind turned against you, giving you an awful nightmare of seeing your Pa and Dad looking for you in the woods where you disappeared. With Daniel crying while calling out for you, scared and not knowing what else to do.

Then the question arose when you woke from the awful dream, was it just a bad dream, or was it real? If that boy from the station said he remembered you buying him water balloons when he came up short in August, before you were even in 83’, then what the hell did that mean for you?

Even though Hopper and Joyce encouraged you to tell Doctor Owens about what happened, you refused. Because you knew that if you tried to tell him anything about the things you saw, or the voices that plagued your thoughts, and that weren’t your own, you knew he’d think you were crazy.

They encouraged you to do plenty of things, like give your missing poster to Hopper or Jonathan who would keep it out of your sight, as if it would keep it out of your mind. It wouldn’t.

“You should get a table to put here, like a moveable kitchen island.” Joyce suggested while Jonathan leaned against the ugly yellow counter, and Will sat on the office chair, pushing it around the mostly empty living room.

“I’m good. I don’t want many things.” You said awkwardly, pulling out the two liter of mountain dew, pouring yourself a glass. You drank caffeine like a pious catholic woman prayed. Meaning a lot.

“You have a pull out couch and a tv, and that chair.” Jonathan gestured to the black chair as Will pushed himself into the kitchen.

You couldn’t really bring yourself to hold a conversation with the twelve year old, not knowing how to communicate with him. And he didn’t know how to talk to you. All he knew was that you had something to do with the upside down too since whenever he saw Doctor Owens, you did too. And Hopper usually drove you.

Shrugging you drank from the one of three glass cups you'd bought from the target the next county over. You didn’t see the point in buying sets. You were just one person.

Joyce shook her head a bit, grabbing the chair Will was sitting in, seeing that he was holding the small cardboard box that you put mail and your keys in. The small stuff you carried with you.

“We need to go, but seriously, Y/n, decorate. You’re gonna be here awhile.” Joyce told you while Jonathan walked over and pulled you in for a hug.

You’d grown close in the past month, you told him a lot about what life had been like for you, and helped you learn what life for an 80’s teenager was like. He was still like your uncle Jonathan, just younger.

Jonathan pulled away and gave you a smile, which you returned. Joyce gave you a hug as well, while Will got up, putting the small cardboard box on the yellow counter. He looked up at you awkwardly, holding up a hand.

You looked down at him not quite knowing what he wanted, but quickly realized it was him wanting to give you a high five.

Jesus, preteens were awkward.

You furrowed your brows, a confused smile on your face as you brought up your first up to his palm, tapping his hand, and watching his own face contort with confusion.

“What?” Will questioned under his breath, following after Joyce to the front door.

“Will wants to be your friend.” Jonathan said when the two left the apartment. “He thinks you’re ‘like totally cool’” Jonathan quoted his brother “He’s just. . .”

“He’s just awkward.” You finished for him sipping from the neon colored soda. “He’s a kid, it’s normal. I was awkward too.”

“Like father, like daughter.” He teased.

“Get the fuck out of my house.” You told him pointing to the door with a smile. Watching as he put his hands up in defense and moved to the door.

When the door was closed you sighed and put the glass on the ugly yellow counter, leaning

against it, everything was fine when you were around people, no voices, but the moment you were alone, they came back. Whoever’s voice was talking to you. It was directed at you, familiar, yet so foreign at the same time.

What they said always related to something you were doing in that moment, like when you wanted to jump onto the work table in Joyce’s shed, and the voice said something like ‘You will break your face, don’t be stupid.’

Some of it was helpful, some of it was just weird. Like singing a song you’d never heard or teasing you for something you did that was stupid.

And then there was the other voice, that you knew was your brother. Daniel’s voice was that of a boy in his mid teens whose voice had dropped an octave.

When you tried to sleep you only had those nightmares. Or whatever else they could possibly be.

• • •

You didn’t mean to fall asleep. You thought with the amount of caffeine you consumed, you’d be fine. That you’d end up finishing the movie playing on the television. But you fell asleep, and now you were walking through the streets of Hawkins in 2019, unable to wake up. You tried pinching yourself, it didn’t work. So you were sitting on the curb outside of a seven eleven, glaring at those who gave you weird looks for what you were wearing.

The mesh shorts and stained white tanktop were pajamas and you didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. You were just waiting for the dream to end, to stop torturing you with a place you couldn’t be for another 36 years. Or ever.

Huffing you picked up a small rock holding it in your hands and continuing to tap your foot against the pavement.

“Y/n!” Your head snapped up, eyes wide as you saw the familiar face you hadn’t seen for at least a year. Not since New Years when your Uncle Dustin dragged a few of his childhood friends to come visit your family.

“Uncle Lucas!” You shouted back to him from across the street, standing up from the curb. You said a few others round the corner of a building from behind Lucas. The familiar faces of your Uncles Mike and Dustin, as well as your pa.

But it slipped away as a car passed between the group and you, and you shot up in your pull out, the tv still on, the characters on the show laughing while you burst into tears. This was why you avoided sleeping.

Pushing yourself up off of the bed you stumbled to the home phone that you’d bought. You didn’t know what you were doing, but in an instant you were dialing a mostly uncalled number on your part.

A few rings in and a groggy voice picked up the phone, being disturbed from sleep. “Hello?”

“Hey- Steve, I’m sorry, I know it’s late.”

“Y/n, Woah, woah, what’s going on? Do you need help?”

“No- no- I’m fine.” You tried to hold back the sobs, but failing miserably.

“Hey, Y/n, it’s okay, I’ll be over in a few, where are you?”

• • •

You saw the headlights shine through from gaps in the blinds of your living room, where you were sitting by the door, tears dried up, and not knowing what to do while your mind replayed the events.

The knocking was persistent a second after you heard the car door slam, and feet against the concrete walkway outside the apartment door.

Pushing yourself up with much effort or urgency behind it, you unlocked the door knob, deadbolt and chain, opening the door to see Steve’s worried gaze as he stood over you, bags under his eyes as he pushed the door open and grabbed your shoulders.

“Are you okay?” He questioned.

You nodded and looked down at the hardwood embarrassed. “I just had a really bad dream. I can’t remember what happened.” It was a lie. But you couldn’t tell him what actually happened.

“Must’ve been really bad if you called me.” He joked light heartedly, pulling you into a comforting hug.

You rested your head against his chest, arms wrapping around his torso. Out of everyone who was in your life the past month, he was the only one who really made you feel normal. Everyone else but Will knew your big secret that you couldn’t tell anyone in fear of maybe being killed.

“Do you want to go on a drive?” He asked, pulling away and looking down at you. You didn’t even think twice, only nodding and following him out of the apartment. Of course locking and closing the door behind you.

@disneyprincessbuffyannesummers​ @jxnehxpper​ @yllwtaxi​ @songofcosplay​ @potatopooper05​ @cheesecakeisapie​ @robinsdolan​ @yall-wildin-like-siriusly​ @the_passionate_freak @bisexualpears​

[babystevie]

Crossing Paths

Chapter 4: Hawkins

Find on AO3: Here

Steve and Robin were in Hawkins.

Not by choice

He’d been on his way back to the shop, after dropping off Billy. Driving his car down the street, when he saw someone in his rear-view mirror following him.

He did the only thing he knew how to do, he stepped on the gas.

He caused so many accidents in Miami that Sunday night, just trying to get away from them, but every time he looked behind him, there was another SUV. He smashed them into walls, made them hit other cars, flipped them into sidewalks, but they just kept coming.

Turns out that running from the people who wanted his silence wasn’t the best plan.

They pummeled his car, not the supra, thank god but it was Dustin’s beautiful Nissan 350z that met its fate when the SUV ran face first into the passenger side of the car, halting Steve’s speed and flipping him down the road.

They’d left the car there.

After they dragged him out of it, of course.

He was bloodied and was sure of a concussion that happened when his head smashed into the steering wheel. Glass was beaten into his clothes, and a shard stuck out of his face, where it embedded itself as the car flipped

Over

And Over

Before finally landing face down in the middle of the street.

And

They dragged him out of the car, his leg throbbing every single time it was caught on the pavement, but the unknown men paid him no mind as they hauled his half unconscious ass to another SUV patiently waiting for them on the side of the road.

They lifted him inside and he made blurry eye contact with Robin, who was tied to the back seat. Properly kidnapped and sporting a black eye that Steve was sure to match in the next few hours.

God

He hoped Billy was okay.

And

Neither of them spoke a word the entire trip, even as they were hauled onto a fuckin’ plane and strapped tight to those seats. Barely even looked at one another as blood dripped down Steve’s face and damped his clothes from the glass, little pin pricks coming together on his skin that looked like he was bleedin’ out,

He couldn’t fuckin’ look down at himself without having a panic attack on a fuckin’ plane, where they were kidnapped and taken, they’d gotten away from this shit, and Steve knew, he knew where they were going and he was scared, so scared to go to the shithole they used to call a home.

But

They didn’t have a choice but to follow.

And

Steve hates that Robin, got pulled into this shit with him, from that night where they both got fucking drugged, and Steve got the shit beat outta him, and they almost lost Heather to that fuckin’ monster, and no one noticed what was wrong with her, and Steve and Robin were both to high on the drugs in their system to do anything but watch as that thing tried to rip her apart.

As Robin cried over the body of someone who was bleedin’ everywhere on those marble floors that Hawkins’ mall had no right havin’.

And Robin’s eyes are no where around where Steve’s seein’. Their just staring into nothing, and god he hopes that they make it outta here alive, because they both got scars on their bodies from fightin’ the same fights, and going through hell for each other, and no one could replace Robin Buckley.

And after that they fought monsters together, after they thought it was all over, but that was just the worst joke someone coulda told them, cause it was no where near over and the demodogs and demogorgons came back with a frenzy, and they call just hadda get out of there, and then one got Dustin’s mom and they needed to leave,

And they did, they got outta that hell of their hometown, and these fuckers were takin them right back into the mouth, and they had to follow, there was no choice.

And Dustin, and Jonathan weren’t going to know where they went. Just fuckin’ disappeared, and Billy, fuck Billy, was gonna be so pissed off, because Steve, he told him that he’d see him Monday, and he’d bet on his life, that it wasn’t gonna happen.

Not now

Not now that they were both hanging from the ceiling with chains wrapped around their arms, waiting to be moved into the lab,

And Steve knew that it wasn’t fucking Sunday anymore.

By the way the lights shown through the little windows, and the clinking of the metal keeping him in place as he wriggled his wrists from where they were aching, and he didn’t need a messed up arm to match his fucked up leg, and he looked over to Robin, where he arm was angled wrong, and he knew that there had to be something wrong with it, and he hoped that it wasn’t broken, because there was no way they’d do anything to set her arm right now, and Steve just wanted to go home and tell Billy he was okay, and wanted to see Robin smile as she hugged Heather.

He was so tired of this shit.

They’d been outta here for almost four fuckin’ years. Silence and being left alone for three years. Pretending that they were just college students that just had some fun on the weekends. Both of them were seniors now, gettin’ their degrees and becoming people that Dustin, Lucas, and Max could be proud of. Doing it for Jane and Will who couldn’t come home because they lived somewhere hidden with Joyce and Hopper. Even doin’ it for Nancy and Mike who fucked off to who knows where. Steve only talks to Nancy now about revision over emails. And Mike, he’s somewhere in New York with Nancy.

In their own way, everyone got the hell outta Hawkins.

But Steve and Robin were chained here again, by the same people who told them to leave and no ones told them anything.

Their phones on the table were going crazy with notifications., as they helplessly looked at each caller I.D appear and disappear from the screens.

Dustin

Jonathan

Lucas

Max

Heather

Billy

And after the sun went down, the door opened.

“I don’t understand why no one wants to come quietly anymore.” Dr. Brenner sneers, “Why’s everything need to be a chase with the both of you?”

Steve laughs, “Didn’t even know you were alive.”

The man shrugs, “We’ve all got our tricks Stevie.”

He feels his face lose all color; how does he know that?

“Now, you’re going to tell me where 11 is, and we’ll let you go.”

Robin spit on his face, “We haven’t seen any of them since we left this shithole and you know that.”

Brenner wiped his face and smiled, a crooked thing that made Steve’s nerves jittery, “Then you’re just going to have to find them wont you, if not, I’ll just pay your new friends a little visit. Billy Hargrove, such a special boy. And Heather Holloway the girl who lived because Dr. Owens saved her life, such a nice thing to do.”

He reached forward and grabbed the piece of glass sticking out of Steve’s face and ripped it from the skin, causing Steve to let out a whimper from the pain.

“Wouldn’t want that to get infected.” He smirks, when the blood starts dripping from his face and tears gather in his eyes.

“I’ll come back in the morning to see if you have anything else to say.” He moved backwards before turning around and walking out, his voice drifting though. “Sleep well.”

Steve’s phone rang in the silence of the building while he tried to unhook the clasps around his wrists with the bobby pin from his hair, as he listened to Billy’s ringtone ping his phone again.

As the door slammed shut Steve dropped to the floor and punched the first man in the face, ignoring the throbbing in his wrist, before shoving the second man into Robin, where she tightened her legs around his neck and squeezed until he dropped to the floor, unconscious.

Steve grabbed another bobby pin from his hair and unhooked Robin from her place hanging from the ceiling. She hissed when Steve touched her arm,

“We’ve gotta get that checked out.”

She gave him a stern look, “We’ve gotta get the fuck outta here.”

He pursed his lips, “We’ve gotta go to the hospital, tell them we wrecked our car, then fucking get the car from my parents’ house, and then we can get the fuck outta here, preferably before I start freaking the fuck out.”

With some rare little argument from Robin, they did.

Her shoulder was dislocated, and her wrist was broken, so they put a cast on her arm and placed a sling around her shoulder. They gave her an antibiotic for the bruising before Dr. Owens came in and shooed everyone out when it was Steve’s turn.

“That needs stitches.” He commented and gestured to his face.

“Ha, yeah I know.”

As Dr. Owens started stitching his face the adrenaline from the past three days started catching up with him.

He felt exhausted.

His fingers were tapping rapidly against his thigh, carefully avoiding moving to fast from Dr. Owens to let him finish stitching him up, with each pierce to his skin and the chord going through to pull his skin back together, to pull himself back together from this shitshow that they only got themselves out of because adrenaline kicked in, and his fight or flight response told him to get the fuck outta there.

And

It’s gone now and he wants to sleep, and dream of nothing and drive his car and go the fuck home. And make sure everyone is okay, and that Billy doesn’t find out about this.

Jesus Christ

Dr. Owens pats his good leg softly and he stands up with a wince and a sharp pain in the other leg but ignores it for getting the fuck out of this town and never come back, but Steve knows that thoughts like that are bullshit, because they’re looking for Jane and Will and Hopper and Joyce so they’re going to have to make sure that no one find them,

Or they’re going to have to end them.

Steve would die to make sure they were all safe. He’s just going to make damn sure he doesn’t have too, that no one has too. He just wants it all to end, so he turns to Robin,

“Let’s go home.”

[dingusandsmartypants]

“Hey! No falling asleep!” With Hopper carrying an injured Steve who didn’t realize he was bleeding until he couldn’t stand anymore *Having Joyce be their medical with a first aid kit with hovering kids*

[Disclaimer: I don’t know anything about Dungeons and Dragons, so this creature is literally just a quick google search result for “Dungeons and Dragons creatures”, so I apologize if I got the creature inspiration completely wrong – I only had a picture, he name, and a sentence description to go off of. 
Anyway, that aside, I hope you enjoy this drabble/oneshot!]

Steve wondered how many times he was going to be stuck in this godforsaken scrap-metal bus fighting off alien monsters with his nail-riddled bat. …At least this time he wasn’t the sole protector of the kids. Hopper was also there on the roof, acting as both lookout and sniper.

“I think they’re gone…” Max said uncertainly, and Steve had to agree. They’d been camped out in the bus for at least an hour and there hadn’t been any sign of the creatures.
“We can’t know that for sure,” said Mike, and Dustin nodded. 
“Yeah, Bulettes can burrow underground to hunt. They could still be waiting for us – they can probably smell us, too.”
“Well, we can’t stay here forever,” Steve said, slowly making his way to the door. 
“Steve, you can’t!” Max said from the other side of the bus. 
“Yeah man, you were lucky last time. You can’t risk it,” said Lucas.
El looked at Mike with a look of both confusion and concern, “What’s he doing?”

“He’s going to go out there and get himself killed, like an idiot.”
“Hey, you got a better idea, dipshit?” Mike was silent and Steve nodded once, “Okay, then.” He opened the door and took a hesitant step outside, holding his bat at the ready. The second his foot hit the ground, those things – what did Dustin call them? Bulettes? – came tunneling out of the ground. There were gunshots from above and blood from the creatures that were hit.“Harrington! Get back in the bus! What the hell are you doing!?” Hopper yelled, and then shot another Bulette. Steve didn’t respond, too busy hitting the creatures with his bat and dodging them when he couldn’t hit them. There were too many for just him and Hopper to take care of, and Steve wasn’t sure how much longer he’d last out here. Mike was right, he was going to get himself killed like an idiot. 
Then suddenly the monsters all stopped in their tracks, falling to the ground with a collective squeal of pain. Steve stared at the scene before him for a moment in shock before turning to face the bus. Eleven was standing at the door, blood flowing sluggishly from her nose.

Several minutes later the group was making their way through the woods, walking along the abandoned train tracks. No one spoke for a good twenty minutes, but this silence was broken by Will tapping Steve on the arm and asking, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I’m… I’m fine…” he wasn’t, though. He was exhausted���but he wasn’t completely sure why. Fighting monsters had never taken this much out of him before.

Hopper overheard the conversation and looked over at the oldest of the band of teenagers. He didn’t look good. He was paler than he had been half-an-hour ago, and he seemed to be wavering with every step. Jim hadn’t seen the kid get hurt, but it was evident that he had because it looked like he was about to pass out at any second.

“Oh my god!” Dustin yelled, startling Hopper out of his train of thought, “Steve, you’re bleeding!”
“…What…? No, I’m… Oh… shit…” Steve said as he looked down at his leg. His jeans were stained with blood on the left leg. …A lot of blood. Too much. He felt like he was going to faint; one of those things must’ve gotten him, but when he didn’t remember. It had all happened so fast. 


He swayed dangerously and Hopper caught him, putting an arm around his waist. They all stopped walking then, the kids gathered around the chief and teenager, worried looks on all their faces; no one more so than Dustin, however.“We’re almost to the car. You think you can make it, kid?” Hopper asked in the same gentle tone he often used with El.
Steve nodded slightly, “Y–yeah… I’ll be fine…” he trailed off as he leaned further into the policeman’s side for support.

The older man sighed and carefully scooped up the limp figure into his arms, “It’s alright. You’re alright.” Steve hummed softly in reply, his eyes closed and his head resting on the father’s shoulder. “Hey! Don’t fall asleep, kid!”____________The group quickly got to the police truck, the kids huddled around Steve in the back while Hopper sped to the Byers’ home. When Joyce opened the door to Jim holding a nearly-unconscious Steve with six children – one of them her’s – gathered around them, she cried out in surprise.

“What happened!? No, wait, tell me later. Bring him inside. Is he– oh my god, is he bleeding!? Will, get the first aid kit– Jonathan keeps one under his bed; a good one. Hop, put him on the couch.”Will and Hopper both did as they were told while the other’s stood and watched, feeling helpless.

“Steve, can you hear me? You need to wake up, honey. Steve?”

The teenager let out a soft groan and slowly opened his eyes, trying to focus on the blurry figure of Mrs. Byers leaning over him. “Mrs. Byers…? How…?’” he asked, looking over at Hopper and realizing that he must have passed out, because the last thing he remembered was being carried to Hopper’s truck. …Oh god. He was carried to Hopper’s truck.

This realization must have shown on his face because Hopper let out a slight laugh, which made Steve calm down a little.

Will returned a minute later with the first aid kit, and Joyce got to work fixing the oldest teenager’s leg. As she did this, the children told her what had happened.

“There were so many of them,” Max said, “And they were all coming out of the ground – like moles or something.”

“Steve and Hopper got a lot of them…” said Lucas.

“But there were too many of them,” Will said.

“But El killed all the ones that were there,” said Mike with a smile, which El returned.

Dustin was the only one who hadn’t said a word since the group had entered the Byers residence, and Hopper knew why. He walked over and clapped a reassuring hand on the boy’s shoulder. “He’ll be okay,” he said in a gentle, but gruff voice, and Dustin nodded. He still didn’t trust himself to speak.

“So one of these things,” Joyce said slowly, addressing Steve, “One of these…–”

“Bulette,” Dustin provided– even when he felt like he couldn’t speak, he couldn’t help but correct someone on the name of one of the creatures.

“Right. One of these Bulettes bit you, or clawed you…and that’s how you ended up like this?”

Steve’s eyes were flickering closed – he’d been in and out of consciousness since he’d been brought here, and so he only gave the mother a small, weak nod in response before his eyelids became too heavy and he slipped into unconsciousness. This only lasted a few moments, however, when he felt someone – Hopper – gently patting his face.

Steve slowly blinked his eyes open again to look up at the man, who sighed in relief. “Jesus, kid. You gotta stay awake; okay?” The teenager sighed softly then moved his head just enough to indicate that he was nodding.

Joyce finished fixing Steve’s leg as best she could, then lead Hopper into the kitchen where the teenager and the kids knew they must be talking about what to do with Steve.

He could only make out a couple words, “poisonous,” and “Owens,” before his attention was directed elsewhere.

“Steve…?” Dustin asked.

The teenager groaned and turned his head to face the kid, “Yeah?”

“…Are you gonna be okay?”

Evidently the children had caught the same words coming from the parents in the kitchen that he had, because they all had the same worried expression.

“Yeah,” he said, giving Dustin and the rest of the children a tired smile, “I’ll be fine. I’ve had worse; you know that.”

The younger boy nodded, feeling a little more at ease, and the others relaxed as well. Steve was right, he had been worse off, and they all knew it…but that didn’t change the fact that they were still worried every time he got hurt because he was helping them.

“Seriously,” Steve said again, seeing that the kids were still concerned even after being reassured, “I’m gonna be fine. I promise.”

And there was no question in his mind that he would be; he needed to be. Who else was gonna help these kids whenever and wherever they needed it?

[castiella-rose24]

My Queen pt 3

Billy Hargrove x reader

Warning: the Upside Down

Y/N quickly left class as the bell rang making her way to the middle school to grab Will before heading home.

“Are you going to the arcade with us today?” Mike asked.

“Of course. I have to make sure no one beats my high score.”

“Guys let’s go she’s moving!” Dustin yelled running down the hall.

“Who are we following?” Y/N asked following after the boys.

Dustin shushed her as they stopped at the end of the fence. A girl with long red and a skateboard threw paper in the trash before going through the double doors. They raced to the trash can Dustin throwing himself in it looking for it.

“Why are you stalking this girl and why is Dustin throwing himself in the trash can. Seriously that’s gross.”

“The girl we think she’s Mad Max. The one who beat our high score on dig dug,” Lucas explained.

“Ah now everything makes sense. No wonder. I’ve never seen you guys so interested in a girl. It’s almost as bad as Mike and El,” Y/N teased. She chuckled as Mike groaned at her. She leaned down kissing his forehead lightly.

“Ah found it.” Dustin yelled. He opened up the crumpled piece of paper.“ Stop following me creeps.”

Y/N burst out laughing as they groaned.

“Will. Your mother’s here,” the principal stated. Y/N took his hand following the principal to Joyce.

“Hey guys,” Joyce smiled kissing both their foreheads. The three of them got in the car Joyce driving them to Hawkins Lab where Hopper was waiting.

Time Skip

Will and Y/N had just finished explaining their latest “episode” as Dr. Owens liked to call it. He was talking to Hopper and Joyce about them. Or more accurately he was lying to them about what was going on.

“He knows nothing’s going to get better if he keeps lying to everyone. They’ll going to find out sooner or later”“ Y/N sighed. Will nodded resting his head on her shoulder.” We’ll get through this together though. I will always protect you Will.“

"I know.”

[youremyonlyhope]

Stranger Things 3

Episode 8. This is it!

It was originally going to be in a post with episode 7 like the rest of the episodes were paired up, but it got too long.

And seriously some people may pretend that Season 2 has only 8 episodes because they hated the Lost Sister so much, but 8 episodes did not feel like enough after 9 last time.

Update: I edited the post on mobile and apparently deleted the cutoff without noticing. So. I really hope for the hour or so it wasn’t there that I didn’t spoil anyone.

…So.

After that opening, I paused. Got up. Shakily walked down the stairs to tell my mom that this was one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen. I literally watched that opening with my hands half covering the screen. And then I drank a full glass of water and ate some mango. And now I’m back. I broke my rule of not writing while watching in order to write this. Now back to the episode. Ew.

Now that I’ve finished the episode, before I write down my thoughts scene by scene, I want to say. My final verdict is: Exit Wounds.

But let’s go through the moments in the episode first before I get into that. And I lied, I did pause a few times, but only to write a couple words to help jolt my memory later.

Yeah so that opening. Disgusting. But I already wrote what I thought. Hopper and El were holding hands with the little blue hairband around her hand and his thumb. My heart. I love it. Murray’s Russian plan was a good one. I guess Hopper’s was the faster solution though. At this point I wrote down “Family lesbian nerd mom collarless“ And I was basically trying to make a joke. “Sometimes a family can be a mom with great hair, a lesbian sailor, a black girl nerd, and collarless boy.” Or did Steve call Dustin boneless? I can’t remember. But yeah that was my joke. Oh poor El’s powers. I hope she’s ok. AANNNNNDDDD IT’S HERE. Can Terminator Dude just stop. Joyce and Hopper agreed to go on a date. This is important for my Exit Wounds theory that started to kind of form around now. The moment they agreed I was like oh god here we go. I love that they called themselves the Scoops Troop. Very cute. So much anxiety while they tried to run from the Mind Flayer. Steve to the rescue again!!!! It’s not a Stranger Things season if Steve doesn’t swoop in at the last second to save them. Usually from Billy. I think that Dustin and Suzie singing was cute, but also completely random. But it led to another instance of a girl saving the day. Which I love. (Also it was something I was spoiled for since YouTube suggested a video called something like “The meaning behind Dustin and Suzie’s song!” and I was like oh ok so now I’ve been spoiled that she’s real. Cool.) Can Terminator Dude just stop. I wrote down “Terminator wrists visible” when he started fighting Hopper. Because if he is a sibling of Eleven, which I think he is, then he’d have a number tattoo on his wrist. We haven’t really seen his wrists up until now (besides in the hall of mirrors). And I was convinced we were about to get a flash of a “001″ or a “002.” (Wait… if there was a number shown in the mirror and I missed it… I’ll be mad.) I wrote down “Billy sacrifice?” when he picked up El. Especially because he seemed kind of gentle when he transferred her from carrying her fireman style to bridal style. I was wondering if Billy was actually giving El over or if he was about to sacrifice himself to save them. The Billy memory scene was super emotional. And I was glad the fireworks came in handy. Once Hopper and Terminator ended up by the machine, I wrote down “Hopper=Exit Wounds” because I had a bad feeling it was gonna be an Exit Wounds situation. Or I guess more accurately a Reset situation. Joyce and Hopper finally agreed to go on a date, an actual date, and then one (or both) die. I realize now that even though I wrote down Exit Wounds, Reset’s probably more accurate. BUT the Exit Wounds still ends up fitting. We’ll get there. Both Billy and Hopper dying made my eyes get wet. But I didn’t cry. I did not cry. My eyes were just wet. And I was proud of myself at this point. OH THANKS A LOT DR. OWENS. RIGHT ON TIME TO COVER IT ALL UP BUT NOT TO HELP THEM STOP IT. THANKS A LOT. I mean, yeah fine it’s good to have you since this is hard to explain and you’re the one military person they can trust so yeah, thanks, BUT I STILL WISH YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN THERE EARLIER. COME ON. I did not cry over Eleven’s reaction either. I literally thought to myself “Oh, if they hold this shot of her starting to cry I’m gonna cry too” then it cut to black. And I was like ok cool I didn’t cry. Ha. Creepy arcade dude now has a job at the video store. Good for him. Look at these three Broadway Babies singing on Stranger Things. Yay. The other thing I’d been spoiled for was El saying I love you back to Mike. Oh well. I could have been spoiled for much worse things.

Now here’s where this becomes Exit Wounds. Message from Hopper from the beyond that he wrote before he died. Just like Tosh. And just like Tosh, it made me shed a tear. But then the full on crying started when I saw Will’s face and he was crying saying goodbye to everyone. Will is my child. If he cries then I cry. And then we got all the kids crying and I was like oh god this hurts and I kept crying. Then Mike hugged his mom like he did in Season 1 after seeing the body and I was like no this throwback hurts (HA. LITTLE DID I KNOW.). Max crying over Billy made me cry more. I didn’t even like Billy but I didn’t want him to die! I’m glad he got some sort of redemption. But I wish it didn’t cost him his life. He deserved better. Then Dustin and Lucas gave Erica all of Will’s D&D books and I just knew they were in the box before they opened it and I started crying even HARDER because encouraging black girls to be nerds! My heart. And Hopper called himself “your poor old dad” and I had just been thinking earlier when they held hands that she doesn’t call him dad yet he is her dad and now we know he considered himself her dad and everything was hurting ok!?!?!?

And then.

Netflix gave me the single most heartbreaking caption it could give me.

[“Heroes” by Peter Gabriel playing]

AND. I. LOST. IT. I thought I’d already lost it at this point. I really thought I’d already lost it. I didn’t know I could lose it more than I’d already lost it. Before then I was literally ugly sobbing but trying to stay quiet since my mom was home and hasn’t seen it yet. Once I read that caption and heard the song I literally started hitting my couch over and over again and rocking back and forth and crying even harder. Gasping sobs. Ugly sobs. I haven’t cried this hard in so long.

When the Uhaul truck closed, I heard my front door open and knew my brother was home so I started frantically wiping my face on my shirt and tried to stop crying since my brother hasn’t seen this either and I don’t want to spoil him that this finale is cry worthy.

And then the episode ended. And it was Exit Wounds all over again. A couple agrees to date, one (or both) dies, and one leaves behind an emotional note about how much they love the ones they care about. I am not ok.

The season may have started slow, but it’s the only season to make me cry so automatically I love it.

BUT I’VE BEEN SAYING SINCE DAY ONE THAT IF THEY KILLED OFF HOPPER I WILL RIOT. SO WHO WANTS TO JOIN ME. LET’S GO KILL THE DUFFER BROTHERS.

OH AND BILLY. WE WENT NEARLY FULLY ZUKO REDEMPTION WITH BILLY. SAD BACKSTORY. SELF SACRIFICE. I AM HURTING. WHY DID THIS SHOW MAKE ME CRY OVER BILLY?

My one complaint of this season: not NEARLY enough Will. What did we get to see Will do? Have his spidey sense go off a bit? Then he cried at the end? COMPLETE WASTE OF NOAH’S TALENTS. WE SHOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM AN EMMY LAST SEASON. But David Harbour has the Emmy secured this time so I guess that’s fine.

Yeah. So. I feel drained. I’m glad I didn’t force myself to stay up last night to finish the show because I would have been too tired to do it. Now I’m just emotionally tired. Help.

WAIT WHAT THERE’S AN AFTER CREDIT’S SCENE. WAIT A SECOND. I only noticed because my mouse hovered over the bar and I saw a frame. Ok gonna watch it.

“Not the American” BUT WHAT AMERICAN? COULD HOPPER BE ALIVE? I had thought to myself “I’m glad they didn’t show us Hopper exploding like the others.” BUT WHAT IF HE HADN’T EXPLODED? WHAT IF HE WAS TELEPORTED OR SOMETHING. No. I think I’m just in the denial stage and grasping at straws. Of course it’s a Demadog. Oh wait, I guess a fully grown Demagorgon. Great.

While watching the scene, I was scared it would show that Hopper was still alive and I was glad that I didn’t know it existed so I could put all my emotions over his death into writing before finding out he was alive. But he’s not alive. As far as we know. So all the emotions are still the same with maybe just a little hope that he’s the American.

Update: My mom heard me crying. She says "It better not be one of the three boys. Not the little black Lion King boy. It better not be Sheriff Dad." And I just laughed nervously the whole time she talked about who she didn't want to die.

[fathersonholygore]

Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 2: “Chapter Eight – The Mind Flayer” Directed & Written by The Duffer Brothers

* For a recap & review of Chapter Seven, “The Lost Sister” – click here * For a recap & review of Chapter Nine, “The Gate” – click here In Hawkins at the Department of Energy, Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and the others witness one of the baby Demogorgons crawl from the hole. Dr. Sam Owens (Paul Reiser) assures they’ll be safe behind the glass. That is, before several of the creatures appear, and all bets are off. Further inside, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) tells Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Bob (Sean Astin): “We‘re under attack.” Everyone in the facility runs for cover when the creatures form a pack and bust through the glass. Mike’s got to convince Joyce they need to put Will (Noah Schnapp) asleep so “the spy” can’t see them. Mom knows it’s got to be done when she sees her boy doesn’t remember her immediately. Hopper and Owens rush to Joyce, then they all move to the security room where the carnage around the DoE is visible on a wall of monitors like a live broadcast horrorshow. Soon, the lights go out, and the power to the building shuts down entirely leaving everyone in total darkness. Elsewhere in town, Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) catches shit from his parents because Max (Sadie Sink) sneaked out without him knowing to run off with Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and Steve (Joe Keery). We do get a look at why Billy’s such an asshole, seeing as how his father Neil (Will Chase) is a psychopath who roughs him up, calling him a “faggot” while his wife Susan (Jennifer Marshall) has to watch it occur. Out in the woods, Dustin and the crew keep on looking for D’Artagnan. Lucas obviously finds out Dustin kept the creature in secret. Things are breaking down between the good buddies, including their fighting over Max. They’re soon able to hear Demogorgon sounds in the distance. Lucas sees the lab and knows the creatures were “going back home” when they retreated. After another while, Steve and the crew run into Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) outside of the DoE facility. Dr. Owens tells his survivors they’ve got to get to the breakers in order to reset the locks. That way they can get out of the building, hopefully. This requires computer nerd Bob to go reboot the system. He gets his big “superhero” moment, whether he likes it or not. He also tells Hopper to get everyone out as soon as he finishes the job. Oh, man. At the breaker, Bob starts rebooting the electrical systems, then he gets to work on the computers. He opens the doors and spritzes the Demogorgons with water from the sprinklers. But on the way out he forgets his gun. Up top, Hopper leads Joyce and Mike out, carrying Will. They rush for the front doors where Joyce waits, hoping Bob’s not far behind. The doc tries to help Mr. Computer on his way out, guiding him down the halls. However, halfway down a Demogorgon appears close by, and it forces Bob into a closet to hide. The creature eventually moves on, allowing him to keep moving. When he exits the closet he knocks over a mop. This proves to be the end of Bob. He almost makes it to the front door, but he’s tackled by the Demogorgon. It bites into him and others arrive before Hopper can start firing. The rest get away, just as Jonathan swings by to pick them up, and then they loop around for the kids on their way back. What a horrific end for Bob. I didn’t want to see him go. So nasty, too. At the Byers house, Hopper calls for military help, and Will remains knocked out. The kids are freaked out, naturally. There’s nothing anybody can do at the moment with wild “Demodogs” roaming Hawkins looking to feast on human meat. In the meantime, Joyce is left to mourn Bob while Jim consoles her in his own quiet way. Again, these people have been beaten down and broken by the forces of the Upside Down. Mike’s the one to rally his friends to stop things themselves. This brings out more Dungeons and Dragons terminology: “The Mind Flayer,” an ancient, rare, evil creature found in subterranean places. Hopper believes the whole thing is kid’s stuff, whereas the lads know different. And Joyce is ready to kill that shadow monster motherfucker. They’ve just got to figure out how to kill it via Will. They’ve got to confuse Will/the monster, by putting him in a place he doesn’t recognise. This has the crew fitting out a shed for their purposes. They tie Will to a chair with lights shined on him and Hopper wakes the boy up. Mike, Jonathan, and Joyce stand near. Will’s confused and scared. He starts freaking out, as the electricity flickers. Jim hugs the boy tight relaxing him. Joyce starts asking her son a few things to draw out the real Will, speaking of her fond memories about him. Jonathan joins in reminding him about “Castle Byers,” which they built together after their father left. Then Mike talks about their first day of kindergarten. They hope the memories are reaching Will in there. To no avail. Then Hopper notices the kid tapping his hand, reaching out through “Morse Code.” He confirms Will’s message. This prompts Jonathan to put on The Clash, dragging up more memories and getting his little brother to communicate further. They do this more and more, getting other Morse messages to build whole words. His message? “Close gate.” Is this the gate to the Upside Down? They don’t have much time to think about it. Demogorgons scream in the background, as the shadow monster’s found them. The group grab weapons and wait for the creatures to attack. Out of nowhere, a dead Demogorgon flies through the window. What could’ve killed it? You guessed it— our girl, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). She’s returned to Hawkins! What a kick ass and emotional reunion at once. The look on her and Mike’s faces is pure gold for the heart.

Another intense episode leading towards the end of Season 2. Plenty of great stuff. We’re gearing up for one hell of a finale! “Chapter Nine – The Gate” is next and last. Stranger Things – Season 2: “Chapter Eight – The Mind Flayer” Netflix's Stranger Things Season 2: "Chapter Eight - The Mind Flayer" Directed & Written…

[writerchic16]

Random Stranger Things 2 Thoughts

So, I only watched season 1 less than a month ago, and I finished season 2/Beyond Stranger Things over the weekend. In that short amount of time I have become a major ST fan. Since I overthink everything, I have many thoughts about it I need to express. As Jim Rash would say: SPOILERS AHEAD! You’ve been warned.

*cue Beyond Stranger Things theme*

- About episode 7. The sudden jump away from the lab was jarring but I didn’t hate the story line. My only complaint there is that I wish the El plot mixed in with at least one or two lab scenes to break up the story. Not to mention, the timeline was jarring until we got to the part with Hopper’s radio call and Mike running to the door. You didn’t know WHAT happened at first and frankly most viewers probably didn’t care about El’s adventure as much because they wanted to know about the lab. I know I was.

- On the other hand I genuinely liked Kali. They wrote her well. At first I worried she’d be this evil character who would manipulate El without really caring about her. (Some of her dialogue towards El seemed a little saccharine and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m glad it didn’t.) Instead you can tell she’s messed up and sincerely wants to help El grow in her own twisted way. I can see her becoming a valuable asset next season, especially if the Mind Flayer inhabits El. I also think Kali’s life served as a cautionary tale that drove El back to Hawkins. While she wanted to help defeat the monster and save her friends, she also learned her life could be a lot worse if she didn’t stick with Hopper.

- As for other new characters...poor Bob. I liked him even before he became “Bob Newby Superhero.” But it kind of annoys me how they dragged out his death to tug at the heart strings. Like “OMG he almost made it! If only he didn’t drop that board or smile at Joyce!” It was such a blatant move that I wish he’d been caught in a different way.

- Even more random, but Dr. Owens telling Hopper he would stay in the lab reminded me of a captain going down with his ship. Like the captain from Titanic, Dr. Owens does not expect to live.

- Now, about Max. She’s a great addition to the cast and her shining moments at the end truly earn her the nickname “MadMax.” Her relationship with Lucas is so stinkin’ cute and I’m glad they wrapped up the love triangle with Dustin. (IMO one love triangle with Nancy, Jonathan and Steve is more than enough.) In Beyond Stranger Things they say how Princess Daphne from Dragon’s Lair was supposed to represent Max and the feud between Lucas and Dustin. They also talk about music choice and “Every Breath You Take” being “the stalker song”…but no one mentions how it’s so appropriate for Lucas and Max to dance to it at the Snow Ball? Like, she calls him stalker. It could refer to the Mind Flayer too but this seems like a missed opportunity IMO.

 - Also, there needs to be a scene (or story line) next season where El and Mike accept Max. She didn’t do ANYTHING to deserve their treatment of her. All she wanted was to make some friends!

Anyway, this post is getting too long, so I’m stopping here for now. I’m sure I’ll have even more random thoughts about Stranger Things 2!