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obeymeshallwedateaddict · 26 days ago

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Hello everyone!! This is the first lesson of the long awaited unofficial season 4 of Obey me Nightbringer written by yours truly <3

I will post lessons every 10 days.

I hope you enjoy it (it came out a little long but I hope it's not a problem)

Please make sure this finds other obey me lovers and people who don't want the series to end.

You can find more of my work here: Masterlist

Unofficial season 4 Obm NB: here

@arie2faced wanted to be tagged so there you go!

Lesson 61: “Echoes of Change”

Preparations for the Grand Gala

The story begins with you and the brothers preparing for a grand event in the Devildom—the Infernal Gala, a highly anticipated celebration hosted by Diavolo to showcase unity and strength among the three realms. The brothers are busy with their individual tasks, and you help them throughout the day, making sure none of them are slacking off and checking the quality of their work.

Morning with Mammon

You find Mammon frantically trying to pick an outfit in his room, clothes scattered everywhere. He groans as he holds up a jacket, glaring at it like it personally offended him.

Mammon: “This stupid thing doesn’t fit right! What if I don’t look good enough? Diavolo’ll never let me hear the end of it!”

You: “You’re overthinking it, Mammon. You look great in anything.”

You pick up a sleek black jacket with gold trim from the pile and hold it up to him.

You: “Here, try this one. It suits you.”

Mammon grumbles but puts it on. When he turns to the mirror, his expression softens.

Mammon: “Huh. Guess it ain’t too bad… But y’know, it’s only ‘cause you picked it. You’ve got good taste.”

He pauses, scratching the back of his neck as he glances at you.

Mammon: “I dunno what I’d do without ya. Don’t tell the others, but… you’re my good luck charm, so stick close, alright?”

Afternoon with Leviathan

Levi is in his room, staring nervously at a stack of invitation cards. You peek in and see him pacing.

You: “Levi, what’s wrong?”

Leviathan: “It’s the Gala! There’s gonna be so many people there. What if I mess up? What if someone tries to talk to me and I freeze up?!”

You gently take his hands, grounding him.

You: “You’ll do great, Levi. And I’ll be there if you need me. We’re a team, remember?”

Levi calms down a little, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks.

Leviathan: “Y-Yeah, I guess you’re right. I mean, with you around, I don’t have to worry as much. You’re like my Player Two in this crazy multiplayer game called life.”

He hesitates, then smiles shyly.

Leviathan: “Thanks. I mean it. You’re, like… my favorite rare find.”

Library with Satan

Satan is in the library, scanning a shelf filled with ancient tomes. He looks up when you enter, a small smile playing on his lips.

Satan: “Perfect timing. I was looking for this.”

He hands you a book bound in emerald green, the title in golden script: "The Legends of the Infernal Gala."

Satan: “I thought you might like to know more about the Gala’s history. It’s fascinating, really—did you know it started as a peace treaty celebration?”

You sit together, flipping through the pages. At one point, your fingers brush, and Satan pauses.

Satan: “You always surprise me. You’re curious, thoughtful, and unafraid to stand by us—even when things get complicated.”

He leans closer, his voice softer.

Satan: “I hope you know how much that means to me."

Dressing Room with Asmodeus

Asmo is in his room, surrounded by a dizzying array of outfits. He twirls in front of the mirror, striking a pose.

Asmodeus: “Tell me, which one screams ‘absolutely irresistible’? This one, or…”

He switches to another outfit, beaming at you.

You: “They’re both amazing, Asmo. You always look stunning.”

Asmodeus: (grinning) “Oh, you always know just what to say. But you know what? I think I’ll wear something that complements you. After all, we’ll be the center of attention together.”

He steps closer, brushing a strand of hair from your face.

Asmodeus: “You have this way of making me feel… special. Like I don’t need to try so hard, because I’m enough just as I am. Thank you for that."

Kitchen with Beelzebub

Beel is in the kitchen, preparing snacks for the event. You help him arrange platters of food, the smell of freshly baked bread filling the air.

Beelzebub: “Thanks for helping. I usually just eat everything, but it feels nice to make something for others.”

As you finish, Beel offers you a piece of chocolate from the tray, his expression soft.

Beelzebub: “You’re always looking out for us. It makes me want to do the same for you.”

He smiles, his usual straightforward honesty shining through.

Beelzebub: “You’re like family to me… but also more than that. I’m glad you’re here.”

Attic with Belphegor

Belphie is lying on a pile of blankets in the attic, staring at the ceiling. You join him, and he shifts to make room.

Belphegor: “The Gala’s gonna be exhausting. Too many people, too much noise. But at least you’ll be there.”

He closes his eyes, his voice soft.

Belphegor: “You’re the only one who makes all this bearable, you know. Stay with me a while. Just you and me, away from everything else.”

You rest beside him, and for a moment, the world feels quiet.

Study with Lucifer

Lucifer is in his study, reviewing event schedules and security measures. He looks up as you enter, his expression softening.

Lucifer: “Ah, I was just going over the final details. It’s a relief to see you—you have a calming effect, even on someone like me.”

You share a quiet moment, the crackling of the fireplace filling the silence. Lucifer pours you a glass of Demonus, his movements elegant.

Lucifer: “The Infernal Gala represents unity, strength, and peace. But for me… it’s also a reminder of how far we’ve come.”

He gazes at you, his eyes filled with warmth.

Lucifer: “You’ve been a part of that journey. More than you realize.”

The calm shatteres

The next morning, you are in the gardens of the House of Lamentation, enjoying a rare moment of peace. The sky is a deep, rich purple, with faint stars twinkling above. Beelzebub joins you, carrying a tray of snacks.

Beelzebub: “You’ve been quiet today. Something on your mind?”

You: (smiling softly) “Not really. Just thinking about how calm everything feels right now. It’s… nice.”

Beelzebub: (sitting beside you) “Yeah. Feels like it’s been a while since things were this peaceful. Lucifer hasn’t yelled at anyone today, and Mammon hasn’t set anything on fire… yet.”

You both share a laugh, but before the moment can last, a faint tremor shakes the ground. Beel jumps to his feet.

Beelzebub: “What was that?”

A ripple of energy passes through the garden, and several flowers wilt instantly. The air feels charged, heavy. You feel a faint pulse from your pact mark, though you don’t fully understand it yet.

You and Beel rush inside the House of Lamentation, where chaos has already begun. Furniture is floating, magical items are malfunctioning, and the brothers are in disarray.

Mammon: (running around) “Somebody fix this! My wallet turned into a bat and flew off! That’s my life savings in there!”

Leviathan: (clutching his D.D.D.) “Do you know how many hours of gameplay I just lost?! This is worse than the Great Reset of Akuzon Prime!”

Lucifer: (trying to remain composed) “Everyone, calm down. Panicking will accomplish nothing.”

Belphegor: (yawning) “Wake me when this is over. Or don’t. I’m fine either way.”

You notice your pact mark faintly glowing whenever the chaos intensifies. Asmodeus steps in, looking alarmed.

Asmodeus: “Is it just me, or does the energy in the house feel… weird? It’s like something’s out of sync.”

Before anyone can respond, the chandelier shatters with a loud crash. Lucifer’s patience snaps.

Lucifer: “Enough! Everyone, to the Demon Lord’s Castle—now. Diavolo needs to hear about this immediately.”

Emergency Meeting with Diavolo

The group arrives at the Demon Lord’s Castle. Diavolo greets you all with a worried expression, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by a more serious air. Barbatos stands quietly by his side, his gaze sharp and observant.

Diavolo: “Ah, you’ve arrived. I trust you’ve noticed the disturbances, then?”

Lucifer: “Noticed is an understatement. The House of Lamentation is in complete disarray. What’s causing this?”

Diavolo’s expression tightens, and he motions for you all to take a seat.

Diavolo: “It’s more than just your house, Lucifer. The magical ley lines that run through the Devildom are experiencing unusual fluctuations. Spells are failing, spells are overloading… and the environment itself is becoming unstable.”

Diavolo remains silent for a short while before speaking again.

Diavolo: "Remember when a few months ago the Devildom moon begun moving closer to us? And how MC stopped it with the help of (name of the brother you chose in lesson 60)? I think it might be somehow related to all this.

Barbatos: (nodding gravely) “We’ve been monitoring the situation for the past few weeks, but the source remains elusive. The ley lines should remain stable, but we are seeing powerful surges in energy that we cannot explain.”

Simeon: (calmly interjecting) “It’s a troubling situation, indeed. I’ve been sensing something off as well, but I can’t make sense of it.”

Solomon: (looking up from his scrolls) “The balance between the realms is delicate. It’s entirely possible this disturbance has something to do with the convergence of magical energies—perhaps even beyond our realm’s control.”

Luke: (clutching his little angel staff nervously) “So... we’re all in danger?”

Mephistopheles: (snickering from the corner) “Well, that depends on what you call ‘danger.’ There’s always a way to spin these things to our favor, you know.”

Raphael: (stoically) “We need to investigate this matter thoroughly. If there’s a threat, we’ll need to handle it swiftly, for the sake of everyone’s safety.”

Thirteen: (suddenly appearing with a slight chuckle) “It’s always so serious when you guys talk like this. How about we enjoy the chaos a little bit?”

The group’s attention is drawn back to Diavolo, who remains focused despite the tension.

Diavolo: “We’ve heard your concerns. But I must ask, how does this all relate to the Infernal Gala? If these disturbances continue, it could be catastrophic.”

Lucifer: “The Gala is already under heavy scrutiny. If the realm’s stability is at risk, Diavolo, this could be a catastrophic blow to the reputation of the Devildom.”

Asmodeus: “Oh, I can’t imagine the disaster. The Gala’s atmosphere would be ruined if the magical energies continue to fluctuate like this. People will notice, and chaos would break out if they suspect anything is wrong.”

Beelzebub: (his voice low and serious) “If things continue like this, there’s a real danger of even the food and drinks being affected. Imagine the mess if everything starts malfunctioning at the event.”

Lucifer: “Exactly. And with all the high-profile guests we’re expecting… We must act swiftly.”

Diavolo stands up, his usual warmth replaced by a rare intensity.

Diavolo: “For now, I ask all of you to stay vigilant. If you notice anything unusual—anything at all—report it immediately. The Gala must go off without a hitch, for the sake of maintaining peace and stability. But we must also prepare for the possibility that something more sinister is at play.”

Barbatos: (calmly) “We will continue investigating, but please, if you feel anything strange—if there’s any oddity you experience—don’t hesitate to tell us. The more information we have, the better.”

Lucifer: (looking directly at you) “You, especially. I’m sure you’ve felt it, too. These disturbances seem… connected to you.”

The room falls silent again as all eyes shift toward you. You feel a weight settling on your shoulders, the pressure building.

Diavolo: (smiling reassuringly) “You’ve done well so far. But now, we must prepare for whatever comes next. The Gala is crucial, but our first priority must be understanding the root cause of these events. If there’s a connection between you and this instability… we’ll need to address it quickly.”

As you nod in response, a sense of foreboding fills the air. The once-bustling preparations for the Gala seem like a distant memory now, overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding the disruptions.

A talk with Solomon

After the emergency meeting, you wander through the halls of the House of Lamentation, the weight of the situation pressing on you. The magical disturbances, the instability in the Devildom... you feel like you're on the edge of something bigger, but you can't quite grasp it.

A soft voice interrupts your thoughts.

Solomon: "You're still awake, huh? I figured you might be here."

You turn and see Solomon leaning against the doorframe, his usual playful expression replaced by one of concern. He steps into the hallway, his gaze never leaving you.

You: “I don’t understand any of this… It feels like everything’s connected, but I don’t know how or why.”

Solomon walks up to you, his footsteps slow and deliberate. He looks at you with a knowing look, as though he’s been waiting for this conversation.

Solomon: “I can see why you’re confused. The fluctuations... the disruptions in the ley lines, they’re not random. They’re a result of your presence here.”

You: (frowning) “My presence?”

Solomon: (nodding) “It’s complicated. There’s something about your connection to the brothers, your dual pacts, that’s causing the instability. It’s as if the power between you and them is... too much for the realms to handle.”

You feel a jolt of realization. The dual pacts. You hadn’t thought about the significance of them, but it makes sense now. Solomon's words seem to echo in your mind, each one a small revelation.

You: “So... you think the dual pacts are the reason this is happening?”

Solomon hesitates for a moment, then nods, his eyes serious.

Solomon: “I’m beginning to suspect that’s the case. The way your power interacts with theirs... it’s creating more energy than the ley lines can accommodate. It’s like a pressure building up, and when too much energy is focused in one place, the balance of the realms starts to break down.”

You swallow, trying to process it all. Your mind races through everything you’ve experienced—the strange pull of the pact mark, the disruptions, the growing tension. It all leads back to the pacts.

You: “But why now? Why is this only happening now?”

Solomon: (with a sigh) “It didn't start now. Actually it's been going on for a while now. Remember how the moon was getting progressively closer and closer a few months ago? I suspect that's also due to your magic. But for all I know the dual pacts were never meant to be this powerful. They’re an anomaly.”

You: “So, everything that’s happening... it’s my fault?”

Solomon: (softly) “Not your fault. But your presence, your bond with the brothers—it’s a key factor. I should’ve been more cautious. I knew the pacts were risky, but I didn’t expect something like this would happen.”

You feel your heart race as you try to understand the magnitude of what Solomon is telling you. The chaos, the disruptions... you feel like you’re at the center of it all, and it’s terrifying.

You: “How do we fix this?”

Solomon takes a step closer, his gaze softening. His hand gently rests on your shoulder, and you feel a comforting warmth from his touch.

Solomon: “We’ll figure it out. Together. The brothers... they’re linked to this too, and we’ll need their help. But we can’t do it alone. The dual pacts are too unpredictable.”

For a moment, you both stand in silence, the weight of his words settling in. The chaos, the stakes... it feels like everything is changing too fast. Yet, with Solomon’s presence, there’s a sense of calm. You find comfort in his understanding.

You: “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Solomon smiles, but there’s a warmth in his eyes that makes your heart flutter, though he doesn't say anything for a moment. He simply pulls you into a gentle embrace, holding you close, offering a silent promise.

Solomon: “You’ll never have to find out.”

You lean into his chest, the tension in your body slowly melting away. His heartbeat is steady against your ear, and for the briefest moment, the world outside feels a little more bearable.

Solomon: “We’ll fix this. We’ll make sure the Gala goes off without a hitch, and we’ll find the cause of all this. But until then... just know that I’m here.”

You look up at him, your voice quiet but firm.

You: “Thank you, Solomon. I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel like I’m... not alone in this anymore.”

Solomon’s smile deepens, and he leans in, brushing a soft kiss against your forehead.

Solomon: “You’re never alone, MC. Not with me by your side.”

The Pact’s Secret Emerges

Later that evening, while the brothers are asleep, you are drawn to the library by an inexplicable force. You find an old book glowing faintly on the shelf and open it. The pages are filled with ancient symbols you can’t understand. Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupts you.

Barbatos: (appearing silently behind you) “Curious, isn’t it? That book is one of the oldest records in the castle. It documents the nature of pacts and their potential… consequences.”

You jump in surprise, quickly closing the book.

You: “Barbatos! You scared me. I didn’t mean to—”

Barbatos: (smiling slightly) “You needn’t apologize. It’s no coincidence that you were drawn to this book.”

Barbatos steps closer, his gaze calm but piercing.

Barbatos: “Tell me, since your return from the past, have you noticed anything… unusual? A change in your magic, perhaps? Or a resonance with the brothers’ powers?”

You stiffen.

You: “What do you mean by ‘return from the past’? How do you know about that?”

Barbatos: (tilting his head slightly) “I am the steward of time. There are few events that escape my notice.”

Your eyes widen. You clutch the book tightly, unsure of how to respond.

You: “I… I haven’t told anyone except Solomon. How much do you know?”

Barbatos: “Enough to understand that your journey was no mere coincidence. It was necessary, though its ripple effects are only now beginning to manifest.”

You: “Ripple effects…? Are you saying all of this—the disturbances in the Devildom—are my fault?”

Barbatos: (softly) “Fault is a strong word. Responsibility, perhaps. But do not misunderstand—your presence here is essential. You hold the key to stabilizing the realm.”

Barbatos’ gaze sharpens as he steps closer, his voice lowering to a near whisper.

Barbatos: “However, I must warn you: secrets have a way of surfacing when the time is right. The truth will not remain hidden forever—not from the brothers, nor from yourself.”

He gestures toward the glowing book.

Barbatos: “Keep this between us for now. But be vigilant. The bonds you share with the brothers are deeper and more intricate than even you realize.”

After the encounter, Barbatos is in his room, standing over a magical map of the Devildom. Glowing lines represent the ley lines, which are flickering and unstable. He traces his fingers over the map, frowning as he notices a disturbing pattern.

Barbatos: (to himself) “The fluctuations are growing stronger, converging toward a single point. If this trajectory continues…”

He pauses, his expression darkening.

Barbatos: “…even the combined power of the brothers may not be enough to stop what’s coming.”

The map reveals the convergence point glowing ominously—a location deep within the Devildom that remains unidentified.

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remuswriting · 1 year ago

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READING THIRST TWEETS; MSBY BLACK JACKAL

Atsumu, Bokuto, Hinata, and Sakusa are invited to Buzzfeed to read thirst tweets, and they recognize a certain user. (plus the aftermath)

TAGS: Thirst Tweets (sexual); Not Beta-read; OOC probably; Male! Reader

WORD COUNT: 2,247 words

NOTES: This a part two to this post. This part is a mixture of writing and smau. I will say there is slight Atsuhina in this, but it's Atsumu pining essentially.

Translation for something Hinata says "Desde o primeiro momento que te vi, não consigo parar de pensar em você." From the moment I saw you, I can’t stop thinking of you. (I got this from a website, so please tell me if this is incorrect)

If Atsumu is going to be completely honest, he’s excited to read these thirst tweets. He knows some people (Sakusa) find that weird, but he finds thirst tweets to be more funny than anything else. Sometimes, the more deranged the better. He and Osamu read thirst tweets while drunk at Onigiri Miya, so it’s not like he’s going to be wide eyed and stuttering about them today. That’s probably why Kousaka, MSBY Black Jackal’s PR manager, put him in this; Buzzfeed Thirst Tweets.

“Have any of you watched these before?” Kousaka asks as people put light makeup on Atsumu.

“I have!” Shoyo says with a bright smile. “Kenma and I watched some after hearing about this.”

“Sakusa-san?” Kousaka asks, and Sakusa slowly nods.

“Yeah. I’ve seen clips on TikTok,” Sakusa says, which it’s news to Atsumu that Sakusa even has TikTok.

“I’m not even going to ask you, Atsumu-san,” Kousaka says, not even looking at him. “Bokuto-san?”

“Nope!” Bokuto says, and his smile is just as vibrant as always, just like his volume being just a little too loud. “I know what thirst tweets are, though.”

Kousaka nods. “Alright, good.” He reaches over and picks up a bucket off of a stool. “This bucket has all the thirst tweets. You’ll all take turns reading them, which means you may not read ones for yourself.” He hands it to Sakusa, who places it to be on the edge of his knee. “Do not start until after they’ve started filming and you’ve introduced yourselves.”

“Got it, Kousaka-san!” Shoyo says, and Kousaka smiles a little before taking a deep breath and gently releasing it.

“Let’s hope this goes well.”

Only 10 minutes later, everyone is situated and ready for filming. Atsumu loves PR, which Kousaka knows and drags him around just about everywhere. He’s not great with people, but he can be charming enough that it works out for him. Kousaka doesn’t understand it, but he uses it whenever they need some PR.

“Behave,” Kousaka says, and then they’re filming.

“Hello, I’m Miya Atsumu. Setter for MSBY Black Jackal,” Atsumu says with a smirk, and he’s not sure if he’s supposed to introduce himself like that. It seems like a fun way, though.

“I’m Bokuto Koutaro! Wing spiker for MSBY Black Jackal!” Bokuto says, a little too loudly from excitement. Kousaka puts a finger to his lips behind the camera to remind Bokuto to calm down a little.

“I’m Sakusa Kiyoomi. Wing spiker for MSBY Black Jackal,” Sakusa says in a monotone voice. He’s said he doesn’t want to be there, but Atsumu knows that Kousaka doesn’t force people to do things they don’t want to. If Sakusa told him no, he wouldn’t be here.

“And I’m Hinata Shoyo! Wing spiker for the MSBY Black Jackal!” Shoyo says with a bright smile. He’s also someone Kousaka drags around for PR since he actually is good with people. Atsumu is also always better when Shoyo is there as well. “And we’re here at BuzzFeed to read your thirst tweets!”

“Do you ever see thirst tweets online?” someone behind the camera asks. Kousaka covers his face with a hand, which makes Atsumu and Shoyo laugh a little.

“Course,” Atsumu says, laughter still in his voice a little. “It’s what happens when you’re this attractive.”

“More like what happens when you look up your name to see if anyone is talking about you,” Sakusa says, and Atsumu rolls his eyes. Sure, that’s exactly what he does, but he’s not going to admit to that.

“Do not.”

Sakusa narrows his eyes at him, and he’s not wearing a mask, making it easy to see his frown. He’s just about always frowning, so Atsumu doesn’t take it to heart. “Then show us the last thing you looked up on Twitter then.”

Atsumu’s eyes go wide. “I don’t have to do that.”

“So you’re admitting you do it?” Sakusa asks, and he sounds so smug.

Atsumu opens his mouth, but Shoyo grabs the bucket from Sakusa’s knee and pulls a piece of paper out. “Please @bokutomsby I am but a hole for your using.”

“A hole?” Bokuto asks, processing what he just heard. His eyes widen. “Oh! Thank you, but that doesn’t sound very enjoyable.”

Atsumu rolls his eyes as he chuckles a little.

“How many tweets do you think will mention them being a hole?” Shoyo asks casually before looking up at Kousaka. “Where do I put this paper?” Someone quickly puts a trash can near them. “Thank you.”

“Too many,” Sakusa says. He leans away from Shoyo—away from the bucket more like it. If he’s acting like that now, then how will he act when the tweets start actually getting dirty?

“My turn,” Bokuto says, and Shoyo hands him the bucket. Bokuto pulls a piece of paper out. “User sakukiyo says: I’d let Sakusa Kiyoomi fuck me on every surface possible and spit in my mouth if it meant I got to see those thighs up close and personal just so I could thank him.”

Sakusa cringes. “No thank you. I think I’ll pass.”

“Sakusa-san,” Kousaka says, and Sakusa rolls his eyes. Atsumu has seen this interaction a hundred times before. Kousaka gets onto Sakusa and then Sakusa stops being such a stick in the mud. “Also, Bokuto-san, you don’t need to read out the username.”

“Oh, sorry,” Bokuto says, looking a little guilty, but a simple smile from Kousaka erases the expression.

“I want to read another,” Shoyo says, and Bokuto hands over the container to him. “Miya Atsumu needs to rail me disrespectfully. Please, I know how to beg,” Shoyo reads out, but it doesn’t sound like he’s just reading it. It sounds like he’s saying it with his own words. Atsumu’s heart is in his throat. He cannot get horny during an interview. Kousaka will murder him.

“Good thing I know how to be disrespectful,” Atsumu says, trying to sound seductive. Shoyo laughs beside him. “Hope all of these are that good.”

“Well dailyln only gives the best thirst tweets,” Shoyo says, and Atsumu wonders if they’re going to bleep out the username. A lot of Y/N’s followers will already know which tweets are his, even though Atsumu doesn’t. He’s seen the tweets, but he doesn’t remember who tweets what. “I wonder how many of his tweets will be in here.”

“Hopefully only one,” Sakusa says. “Atsumu’s already cocky enough.”

Atsumu rolls his eyes as he takes the bucket from Shoyo. “I want Hinata Shoyo to smash my skull between his thighs like a watermelon,” Atsumu reads. All of them look at Shoyo’s thighs.

Shoyo flexes his thighs, and Atsumu has to remind himself that he’s not allowed to get horny in an interview. “I don’t know if my thighs are that strong,” Shoyo says, and he tilts his head. “I’ve never even tried to smash a watermelon before.”

“You should try!” Bokuto says, and Atsumu can’t wait to hear the end of this. “Last New Year’s I did it because Akaashi dared me.”

Atsumu doesn’t know Akaashi super well. Osamu knows Akaashi far better than he does, but Atsumu knows Akaashi is just a little weird. Bokuto either doesn’t know it or ignores it. What Atsumu is getting at is that it’s so believable that happened.

“Did you take videos or pictures?” Shoyo asks, looking at Bokuto with wide eyes over Atsumu’s shoulder.

“Yeah! I’ll have to show you them later!”

“Boys,” Kousaka says. He always has to remind them to stay on task when Bokuto comes along. Atsumu looks at Sakusa, who grumbles slightly as he takes the container and gets a piece of paper out.

“I never know what Hinata Shoyo is saying when he speaks Portuguese, but fuck does he sound good,” Sakusa reads off, not sounding entirely monotone but not putting his all into it. Atsumu feels like he could’ve ghost written that.

Shoyo grins at the camera, but it’s a little feral. It’s one of Atsumu’s favorite smiles on Shoyo. It’s the one he has after a really good spike. “Really?” Shoyo asks, and Atsumu knows he’s about to be fucked. “Desde o primeiro momento que te vi, não consigo parar de pensar em você.”

Shoyo’s voice deepens slightly when speaking Portuguese, and Atsumu grips the side of his chair. He’s so gay. Fuck. He is so gay. Gay panicking in public should be something he’s used to by now, but he’s not God’s strongest soldier.

“That one was also Y/N,” Sakusa says as he leans over to throw the piece of paper away. “Just in case you wanted to know.”

Sakusa leans over Shoyo to hand Atsumu the bucket to hand to Bokuto. Shoyo leans back a little, and it’s a simple exchange. Bokuto takes the bucket from Atsumu with a smile as he pulls out a piece of paper. “Oh, to taste tsumu’s thighs as they’re wrapped around my head like earmuffs. Finally, some good fucking food,” Bokuto reads, and Atsumu’s thirst tweets seem to rival Sakusa’s in being slightly cruder.

“Glad I’m being appreciated for the meal I am,” Atsumu says with a grin, and he’s trying to ignore the way Shoyo is staring at him. It’s his hungry stare, and Atsumu can only handle so much before he has a gay breakdown.

“I feel so bad for those who have terrible taste,” Sakusa says with a soft sigh, as if to make it more sympathetic. “Hopefully, their taste buds are fixed soon.”

“Oh, fuck you,” Atsumu says, but there’s no real bite in it. Honestly, he finds it a little funny with how Sakusa said it. He should be upset, but part of him can’t be from the comedy of it.

Sakusa simply rolls his eyes before extending a hand for them to give him the bucket. He’s quick with pulling out the paper. Atsumu only saw two left when he briefly looked as he passed it on.

“My ideal weight is Bokuto on top of me,” Sakusa reads out, and he looks over at Bokuto, who is laughing.

“If I lay on you, then I may crush you,” Bokuto says, which Atsumu can believe. Bokuto is mainly made of muscle and weighs the most out of the four of them. He’s just built thick.

“I think that’s what they want Bokuto-san,” Shoyo says, and Bokuto nods.

“Then I guess I should lay on them, shouldn’t I?” he asks, and Atsumu watches Kousaka close his eyes and let out a deep breath. He should’ve expected this when he brought Bokuto to this.

“I think they’d love that,” Shoyo says, and Bokuto grins. Shoyo turns to Atsumu. “Atsumu-san gets to read the last one!”

Atsumu takes the bucket when it’s passed to him. He hopes it’s something filthy. That’s probably a strange want, but he’s having a little fun. He’s having gay panic, but also having fun.

“I need to see what Sakusa Kiyoomi’s wrists are capable of. Please I’ll be so good, just give me a chance,” Atsumu reads aloud, and Sakusa rolls his eyes.

“What are your wrists capable of, Omi-san?” Shoyo asks, and some would think he’d ask it innocently, but he doesn’t. Atsumu hears the plotting in it. Sakusa and Shoyo share a look before Sakusa is bending his wrists to where his fingers comfortably press against the skin of his wrist.

“I guess they’re capable of this,” Sakusa says, and it always amazed Atsumu that Sakusa’s wrists are that flexible. He’s watched him stretch them every day at practice, but still. It’s unnatural.

Shoyo turns to the crew. “Isn’t there another one?” he asks with excitement. “One that’s just awful? You gave one to Dylan O’Brien.”

Apparently, Shoyo hadn’t been lying when he said he watched some of these with Kenma.

Kousaka shakes his head a little. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea, Hinata-san.”

Shoyo pouts. “Please,” he says, dragging out the word. “If it’s too bad, I won’t read it aloud.”

Kousaka nods, and someone gives Shoyo a piece of paper. He holds it close to himself so Atsumu can’t read it. His concentrated expression melts, and he’s laughing. He’s full on cackling, and none of them know why.

“Definitely can’t read that one aloud,” he says as he crumbles it and throws it in the trash. “But it was good.”

They say their goodbyes and are back in the car. Curiosity keeps eating at Atsumu over what the last one was that made Shoyo laugh like that. He’s not sure he’s ever seen him laugh like that before.

“What was so funny about the last tweet?” Bokuto asks for Atsumu.

Shoyo looks up from his phone at Bokuto. “I don’t know if I’d say it was funny. It was more like laughing was the only way to respond to it,” Shoyo says with a shrug. “But it was basically about an orgy between that person and us.”

If Atsumu had been drinking something, he would’ve spit it out all over Sakusa’s face. “They included something like that?” Atsumu asks, bewildered.

“Well, I had to ask for it, so it wasn’t really included,” Shoyo says with a small laugh. “It was detailed, though. I didn’t know someone would think that hard about something like that.”

Atsumu nods, trying to get his mind around someone tweeting that. The tweets they read aloud weren’t terrible, but that one is something else. Eventually they’re talking about the upcoming game against the EJP Raijin. Everyone has people they want to beat, and Atsumu is ready to take down Suna. He imagines Suna is thinking the same thing about him (hopefully).

#haikyuu #haikyuu x male reader #haikyuu x reader #miya atsumu x reader #sakusa kiyoomi x reader #hinata shoyo x reader #bokuto koutaro x reader #haikyuu!!#haikyuu social media au #miya atsumu x male reader #sakusa kiyoomi x male reader #hinata shoyo x male reader #bokuto koutaro x male reader

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socialist-autist · 5 days ago

Note

Hiii! If your requests are currently open, I have an idea that's been brewing in my brain.

Platonic Cecilos x teen reader and what their dynamic is like?

Feel free to ignore if you're not a fan of the idea

Lots of love!

Community Radio family.

fandom: Welcome to Nightvale. pairing: Cecil x Carlos x platonic teen gender neutral reader. summary: A collection of cute moments between Carlos, Cecil and you while you intern at the radio station. genre: Found family, slice of life. warning(s): Rough family life for reader (not explicitly delved into). word count: 1,099 words. authors note: Yesss this is so cute! I hope you don't mind I tried out a new format for this one! I couldn't really think of long enough scenarios and I think it fit the request of focusing on the dynamic more. This one won't be posted on Ao3 due to the format change.

You’ve been listening to Cecil host the Community Radio since you were a kid

You listen to his broadcasts everyday and even send him fanmail

You’ve always looked up at him, wanted to be like him. It’s only natural that you interview for an intern position at the radio station. They’re always in need of new interns

You’re nervous but you ace the interview and Management likes your resume! At least you think the grunts and shrieks from behind the door sounded pleased

Cecil practically adopts you on your first day at the radio station

Your family life is… not great. So you fall into the role of adopted kid happily, just glad to finally have an adult role model in your life. Maybe that’s why he took to you so much?

Whenever he is not on air, he is teaching you the ropes of journalism and Community Radio. He is not a great teacher but you appreciate it nonetheless

He is absolutely enthralled when you tell him how much of a fan you are and that he inspired you to apply for the internship

Cecil practically squeals, placing a hand on his chest and making a dramatic gasp, “Really?! Well dear Intern, I am just honoured!” he does look really touched, “I cannot wait to show you the ropes of everything! Oh look at me, inspiring the next generation!” you shuffle a bit in front of him, a nervous smile on your face. Later on, as you listen to his broadcast, you hear him tell his listeners about you. He recounts how he himself was inspired by Leonard Burton, and how he is so glad the cycle is continuing. It warms your heart.

Cecil actually finds himself more attached to you than other interns. He essentially becomes your mentor, he even starts talking about you to Carlos!

He is always very dutiful to watch over you when you’re sent out on investigating missions, keeping up with your progress more regularly than he usually would. He is pretty protective of you

He gives you a lot of advice on how to do investigative journalism, and how to keep yourself safe

He really sees himself in you, its part of why he took such a liking to you. He remembers when he was an intern, fumbling with the copy machine and making coffee for Leonard

He hopes you’ll take over as Community Radio host once he retires, he thinks you would run it well

He even introduces you to Khoshekh! You think he is adorable and, although a bit grumbly, Khoshekh rubs against your hand when you pet him. You regularly come and feed him or give him water too

After a few months, maybe even a year, Cecil has fully taken you under his wing. Everyone can see he is very fond of you, you can even hear it in his broadcasts. You’re basically his kid now

You even start coming to him with personal issues, like school or your social life and he is always happy to give you advice!

Sometimes he can be a little pushy or invasive but he doesn’t do it maliciously

You meet Carlos for the first time when he comes drop off Cecil’s lunch that he forgot

Carlos waves Cecil goodbye for now as he steps out of the recording booth, lacking the brown lunch bag he was carrying earlier. You make eye contact across the room as you’re sorting papers, “Oh! Hello!” his eyes scan your badge really quickly and recognition lights up in his eyes, “You must be the intern Cecil is always talking about!” he introduces himself and talks to you with a bright smile. Thanks to Cecil’s stories, he also feels a certain duty, one of protection and mentorship, towards you. He takes his leave soon after to get back to his own workplace.

From then on, Carlos visits for lunch breaks a little more often

He sits with you and Cecil and all three of you eat together, almost like a family

Slowly, you start to get closer to Carlos too. You guys taken longer to bond than you and Cecil, but aren’t any less close regardless

He is just as protective of you as Cecil and just as much of a mentor. He gives you advice on school, your social life and even helps you with homework sometimes!

The more reasonable and down to earth of the two, he worries for you more than Cecil does. He doesn’t think a teenage intern should be sent out on so many investigative missions

He also worries more about your home life than Cecil does, sometimes questioning you about a slightly strange anecdote about your family

Unlike Cecil, he knows not to push too deep into your private life. Unless he thinks it is a genuine danger

He talks to you, and Cecil, about his very important scientist work, which Cecil and you both agree is a bit ridiculous sometimes

(Mountains? Really Carlos?)

Carlos sits with you and helps you study, sometimes at their house, sometimes at the station. He’s very patient and explains a topic as many times as you need it

In return for the help on your studies, you try your best to explain Carlos the history of the town and the culture. He doesn’t really get it. But he tries his best!

The two even introduce Esteban to you once they adopt him. You consider him a younger brother. Its not long before they start taking you along on family excursions with Esteban

Going to the local fair? You’re coming along. Cecil’s niece has a game? You best bet they’ve got a ticket for you too

Eventually, you’re in your final year of highschool, facing graduation. So, you decide to invite Carlos and Cecil to your graduation!

Cecil and Carlos file in with the rest of the parents into the auditorium. They sit on the fold out chairs and watch excitedly as the ceremony starts. They’re both so proud of how far you have come, how much you have been through. As you walk on the stage to accept your diploma, your eyes drift to them, a huge smile on your face as you spot them. They’re both clapping, Cecil is cheering for you too. You’re pretty sure he’s also crying but you don’t want to push it. As they watch you enter this new phase of your life, they look at eachother in silent agreement; blood or not, you’re their kid. And they’ll be there for you in the next phases of your life too.

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creepyclothdoll · 1 month ago

Text

The King of Crash Nation

Skeep: Hey cringebros and cringebabes– no intro today, you read the title, you saw the thumbnail, no this isn’t clickbait. We have a very special guest today who you might recognize. Now, you might think I’m sitting across from Cass “Cash” “Crash” Bellamy, also known as “The Keyblade Master of Financial Freedom,” also known as “Keyblade Karen,” but you might be wrong.

Crash: You would be wrong.

Skeep: I’ve been talking to my guest for awhile already, and I have to say, I’m flummoxed. I’m not gonna say I believe everything you’re saying, but I think it’s worth listening to.

Crash: Listen, if I wasn’t experiencing this myself, I would think I was insane. I’m… honestly still not sure. Logically, I understand that some sort of psychotic break is the most likely explanation for what I’m–

Skeep: Before we get to the good stuff, I just wanna thank our sponsor for today, GRIX. GRIX is a beverage subscription service you can trust. Not only do GRIX beverages have anywhere between two to five times the caffeine of standard energy drinks, but every drink is packed with 200 different minerals. Take the standard number of minerals in food and multiply that by a hundred, that’s how many diverse minerals are in these drinks. Some of these minerals you’ll only find in GRIX. Make sure you use a VPN when you sign up for GRIX. GRIX comes in discreet packaging to throw off any prying government eyes at the post office, so don’t be shy! GRIX: It’s Too Alpha For The FDA! (Skeep takes a long drink from a black jug with a fluorescent label)

Crash: (Long sigh)

Skeep: So, why don’t you introduce yourself?

Crash: Sure. Of course. Hello, everyone, you recognize me as Cassidy Bellamy. But my name is Elizabeth Ann Coen. I’m from a small town in Illinois, and I’ve been a teacher for the last twenty years. High school, middle, and elementary, but mostly middle school. Three weeks ago, I went to sleep in my own bed, next to my husband, and when I woke up I was Cassidy Bellamy.

Skeep: That must have been a shock. That’s my personal nightmare, no offense.

Crash: No offense taken, Darren. No personal offense, I mean.

Skeep: You know how crazy that sounds. That’s the craziest part, guys, I’m not kidding, he knows– she– they–

Crash: She.

Skeep: Liz, can I call you Liz?

Crash: (Another sigh) I suppose you can.

Skeep: Liz knows how crazy this sounds, that’s what I’m trying to say. And that’s crazy, because Crash would never. I mean, the Crash that we all know and love– or hate–

Crash: I’m well aware of Cass Bellamy’s long history of delusional behavior and compulsive lying. I wish I wasn’t.

Skeep: Assuming this is true– and, cringebros and cringebabes, this is just hypothetical– assuming this is all hypothetically true, had you heard of Crash before you… became him?

Crash: I actually had. Like I said, I’m a teacher. You’d be shocked at some of the things kids are watching online. I always think I’ve heard it all, and then someone drops something like “CashMunnyCoin” on me, “oh, did you hear the Keyblade Karen Meltdown guy is launching a cryptocurrency?” “oh, did you hear the Sora MLM fanfiction guy is going to jail for identity theft?” I’d heard the major beats of the story, but I didn’t realize it was all the same guy until I woke up in Cass Bellamy’s body.

Skeep: Just hearing those words come out of your mouth is like… I’m having an out-of-body experience right now.

Crash: Tell me about it.

Skeep: (Surprised laughter)

Crash: I think that if I had woken up as literally anyone else, maybe people would have believed me. Or, at least, maybe someone would have believed me.

Skeep: Crash– Liz– I want to believe you. I really do. Listen, I knew Crash as he was better than, I think, almost anyone except Jimspore and Sorasins, who obviously don’t count because they’re assholes. I’ve been following this guy– you– for twelve years. Crash does not talk the way you’re talking to me right now. And I’ve never seen Crash dressed that nicely, unless you count cosplay, and even then, his cosplay is shit.

Crash: (Nodding patiently) One of the first things I did, once I was in a mental state to do things, was to go to the thrift store and buy some nicer clothes. You know, not the sort of thing I would wear– but just a few nice, coordinated outfits. At first, I went for the sorts of things I wished my son would wear. Then I realized I was tending to go for androgynizing clothes, and I figured that was probably where I was most comfortable, given the situation. So it’s been a lot of these turtlenecks, a lot of these cardigans. In this body, I can pull off green very nicely, which was never the case in my real body. It made me look sickly.

Skeep: And you look good! I never thought I’d say this, guys, but Crash looks good. It just goes to show what a little effort can do for a guy. Like it can’t replace being toned, but it helps a lot. And, might I say, you actually look a little more toned than usual, too.

Crash: I’ve been going on lots of walks. Cass doesn’t have a job. So I walk most of the day, now. There are some nice places to walk around Las Vegas, which I never expected.

Skeep: Yeah, the hiking out there’s pretty amazing, I hear. Hey– just for contrast, guys, let’s watch a clip of Crash on our podcast with SlimeTimeJohn last year.

(The screen cuts to a past recording in a different, smaller studio. Cass Bellamy, dressed in full Sora cosplay, is ranting to two black-clad hosts in matching beanies holding jugs of GRIX).

Crash: Why should I pay taxes when I’m reinvesting in my hustle? The government is the real pyramid scheme!

Skeep: Crash, Crash, Crash, you don’t pay taxes?! Crash, that’s a federal crime, you dumb piece of shit.

SlimeTimeJohn: You’re live on camera. Folks, Crash Bellamy just admitted to tax fraud. Someone get the IRS in chat.

Crash: I never said that.

SlimeTimeJohn: You fucking said it just now!

Crash: I pay my taxes! I pay my taxes! I pay my taxes!

Skeep: Stop yelling! Stop yelling! Stop yelling! You fucking asshole. Jesus fucking christ.

Crash: There are pawns of darkness everywhere. There are pawns of darkness everywhere, and you know it because you are one. You know, you could become a good person if you actually read my books.

SlimeTimeJohn: Oh, I’ve read your plagiarized books. They’re garbage. Blocks of text copy-pasted from Kingdom Hearts fan wikis and generic motivational quotes.

Skeep: What’s in your books that could possibly make anyone a better person? Crash, I think just by talking to you, I become a worse person every day. I used to have hobbies, man, but now it’s just… finding out what new bullshit Crash is up to and reacting to it.

Crash: You’re just jealous of my entrepreneurial spirit! The spirit of Sora! The spirit of Financial Freedom!

Skeep: (Laughing) That’s the clip that went viral. I think you– he– also said something about how Jeff Bezos wasn’t spiritually evolved enough to understand Kingdom Hearts?

Crash: I’ll be honest– I don’t understand Kingdom Hearts.

Skeep: OHHH!!! Mike, clip that. That’s gonna go viral. That’s gonna be everywhere tomorrow.

Crash: I was a little too old for it when it came out, and my kids never really got into it. I’ve done some… research, in the last few weeks. The plot seems very difficult to follow, though.

Skeep: Well, now we know you’re not the real Crash.

Crash: I wish you meant that.

Skeep: Honestly, hand to god, I do, too. Now, Liz, can you tell us a little more about your life in Illinois?

Crash: Yes. I’m married, and I have two children. My hometown is sort of a tourist town, but only really for history buffs. I could go into more detail about where I’m from, but I don’t want to dox my family, if… if they still exist. We have a good school district. Nice old brownstone buildings. Lots that survived the Civil War. It’s a good place to live if you love history, like me. And it’s beautiful, too. Not like Vegas. Right on a river, lots of green space. I went to college a few towns over and got my Bachelor’s in Education. I always knew I wanted to teach history. My mom was a museum curator at the… well, one of the big important historical houses in our town. I’m considered very good at my job– I have to be, because if you want to teach history, you want to teach history there. It’s about as competitive as any middle school teacher position could be.

Skeep: Hold on. You said your family might not still exist? What do you mean by that?

Crash: I looked myself up. My social media pages are gone. I can’t log in to any of my old accounts. I’m not listed as faculty at the school I was teaching at just three weeks ago. There are women with the same name as me, but none of them have much else in common. For all intents and purposes, I never existed. Elizabeth Ann Coen never existed.

Skeep: But have you tried to look up your husband? Your kids? Your parents?

Crash: I can’t bring myself to do that.

Skeep: Because you’re scared they won’t be there?

Crash: Yes. And because I’m equally scared that they will. Because then, I’d have to contend with the idea of attempting to contact them. And I don’t want to subject them to that. I can’t imagine how scary it would be for my family to have someone like Cass Bellamy– with his record as a very unstable scam artist– approach them with all of this personal information claiming to be their wife, mother, or daughter. And it might be even worse if I find out they exist, but I choose not to contact them. That’s too terrible to even think on. And then… if they are simply gone… if they just never existed… that’s more awful than if they were dead.

Skeep: We just got a gift from Spunk Z., thank you Spunk Z! Mods, control the chat– nobody’s taking their shirt off in the studio today. Unless? Liz?

Crash: That’s part of the reason I chose your show. I know that, if they really are out there, they’ll never see this.

Skeep: I take offense to that. But I get it, you raised your kids right. Assuming they’re real.

Crash: You joke, but yes.

Skeep: No answer to taking your top off?

Crash: I’m not going to do that.

Skeep: If you’re telling the truth, they’re not really your nipples.

Crash: That’s why I’m not going to do it. I want to give this other person’s body privacy and respect. As much as I can, anyway.

Skeep: That’s more than the real Crash would ever say. If you really want to respect Crash, you should have come here in a knock-off Sora hoodie with a full-size bag of Takis.

Crash: There’s give and take.

Skeep: What’s Crash’s diet like? Or I guess, what’s your diet like as Crash? Rumor has it, he only eats hot chips and his shits are bright red. Is that true?

Crash: I eat what I can afford. Right now, that’s mostly Ramen. It got me through college, so I’m not unfamiliar with this diet. I’m smarter about using food pantry programs now, after two decades of living on a public school teacher’s salary.

Skeep: Right. Because Crash is totally bankrupt and facing a bunch of lawsuits for fraud and shit.

Crash: Which I’m charmingly reminded of every time I leave his apartment.

Skeep: That must have been an adjustment, getting used to Crash’s adoring fans.

Crash: I’d call them stalkers.

Skeep: Some of Crash Nation can go overboard. Better not be any of you cringebros or cringebabes misbehaving! Did you know who you were right away? What was it like, waking up in another person’s body?

Crash: At first, I thought maybe I’d broken a bone or pulled muscles or something. There was no pain, but everything about me felt wrong. My legs, too long. My neck, too short. All the weight was in the wrong places, and there was skin in new places, and no skin in other places– I felt like I was wearing a strange suit, glued to my bones. The reflection in the mirror was a total stranger. I don’t think I need to explain that it was a nightmare. But discovering the identity of this man– this human suit I was now trapped in– was worse.

Skeep: I bet.

Crash: People are constantly trying to approach me. They’ll sit outside of the apartment, they’ll honk their horns to keep me awake, they’ll film me and call me. When I first tried to reach out for help on social media, people messaged me with all kinds of threats and just weird, mean stuff, but the worst ones were the ones who acted like they really wanted to help me, like they believed me. They were the cruelest. I picked up very quickly on the fact that I was living the life of a very, very unpopular person, and a very, very popular target.

Skeep: You mentioned you couldn’t get into your social media as Liz. But you can get into Crash’s Twitter and stuff. That’s very interesting.

Crash: His phone was already logged in to them. It unlocks with facial recognition.

Skeep: At least that’s convenient.

Crash: At the very very least, it got me in contact with you. I’m sure you wouldn’t have taken an interview with someone from a strange new account, coming at you with this premise.

Skeep: Well, you never know. I’m flattered you chose my show, though. I’m sure, if you keep this story up, you’ll get real popular with the freak circuit, astral projection and past lives and switching bodies and shit. Glad I got to be first in line to hear it.

Crash: You were one of the only people on earth who would take an interview with Cass Bellamy. And of my limited options, you were the shock jock who had been the most fair to him in the past.

Skeep: “Shock Jock?” I don’t know if I like that.

Crash: Sorry. It’s what we called this sort of thing in my day.

Skeep: How old are you, Liz?

Crash: Forty-eight.

Skeep: A tight forty-eight? Or have those years and two kids taken their toll?

Crash: Let’s move on, Darren.

Skeep: No shame, Liz, we love MILFS on this channel.

Crash: Sure. I’m a MILF.

Skeep: Mike, clip that. And, Liz, how long is this tenancy going to last, do you think? Is this a temporary thing, or is Crash just gone and Liz here to stay forever?

Crash: I don’t know. I pray, constantly, that I’ll wake up at home again. I’ll be back with my family. Even if… well, I’ve imagined that maybe if I’m here, in Cass’s body, maybe Cass is in mine, somewhere else. In some other world. The world where Elizabeth Coen exists. You know what terrifies me most about that?

Skeep: The idea that Crash Bellamy is turning your whole life upside-down and probably getting you sent to prison or a mental institution and scaring the shit out of your kids?

Crash: Well, yes, but also, no… it’s that in my reality, I know I had heard of the Keyblade Karen. I’d heard of Cass Bellamy. I’d heard of CashMunnyCoin. I think one of my students even dressed up as him, dressing up as that character he likes, Sora, for Halloween. Bellamy existed in my reality, but I don’t exist here. So what does that mean?

Skeep: You want to know what I think?

Crash: I can guess.

Skeep: Okay, go ahead. Guess.

Crash: I’ve thought it, too. Cass Belamy was– or is– a profoundly unstable person with delusions of grandeur who is facing multiple legal charges and several lawsuits at the moment. He’s bankrupt, all of his financial ventures have publicly and spectacularly failed, he owes possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars to MLM companies, he’s infamous, he’s endlessly mocked and harassed both online and in real life. His life is hell. Maybe he finally just snapped. Maybe I’m just something he made up. Another personality that he invented to take over his life and handle his problems so he didn’t have to be Cass Belamy anymore. The human mind is mysterious and terrifying. Who knows how much it can fabricate? An entire lifetime of memories, even? Knowledge of subjects, skills, possibly learned on some subconscious level, heard about in passing, memorized and kept in some deep mental record of everything we see and hear throughout a day… Maybe there really is no Elizabeth. Maybe Elizabeth’s life is just a nice dream. But if it is a dream– if I am a dream– what happens if Cass Belamy starts to wake up? Where do I go? I’m terrified that he’ll come back to himself, and I’ll be just… nonexistant, worse than if I’d died… but even more terrified that, perhaps, he’ll just slowly slip back through the cracks in me, and I’ll just… be him. I’ll just be Cass Belamy. His mind, his life, his torment, my consciousness, forever.

Skeep: That’s not even close to what I was gonna say. I was gonna say I suspect you’ve just been pulling a fast one on us all these years, Crash.

Crash: …What?

Skeep: I think that the real scam is Crash Bellamy. You’ve been coming on this show for years, acting all fucked-up, doing crazy stuff, making cringe tiktoks and putting out those godawful e-books, all for attention. You’ve been playing into the lolcow bit for over a decade and now you’re finally over it, once it stopped being profitable.

Crash: Why would anyone do that? No one would do that.

Skeep: Crash Bellamy would, if he had the brains to plan that far ahead. Maybe you didn’t make money off of it, but you got attention. And in this world, what’s the difference? Hey– thank you, Guzzler69! Appreciate the donation. Proves my point.

Crash: Darren. This man is so financially ruined, there’s no coming back from it. You’re suggesting that Cass– that I faked being… what, an anime game fanboy who fell for a bunch of get-rich-quick schemes and then started trying to run his own? You can look up the facts of the lawsuits against him. No one in their right mind would make the financial choices this man did.

Skeep: I’m not saying you’re in your right mind. I’m saying you’ve been smarter than you look since day one. You’re just tired of the grift.

Crash: I– (sighs) Alright. I understand why you’d think that. And I understood when I came on this show that there was no chance I’d ever convince you of the veracity of my experience. It’s a crazy story. I’m the definition of an unreliable source.

Skeep: But you came on the show anyway, because, Crash, the one thing that’s true about you deep down to your core is that you love attention. If you really were someone else– anyone else– anyone sane, at least– you’d stay far away from the spotlight for the rest of your life. If I woke up as Crash Bellamy, I would just drop off the face of the earth. Or worse– I can’t say what I’d do, because it’s not advertiser-friendly, but let’s just say no one would ever see Crash Bellamy ever again.

Crash: You know, I watched your show before I came on?

Skeep: I’d sure hope you did, especially since you’ve been on it.

Crash: This thing you have here, Darren– it’s a disturbing little ecosystem. It’s exactly the same bullying that middle school children participate in. Exactly.

Skeep: I disagree, but Crash, you’re on the internet. What do you expect?

Crash: Cass Bellamy’s original sin was never fraud or identity theft– it was always the sin of being ‘cringeworthy.’ It was that he was weird. You boys were punishing him for that long before any of this crypto business started. The bad things that Cass has legitimately done were always just excuses– they made what you were doing feel socially acceptable.

Skeep: No, no, no. See, now I know you’re Crash. Nobody sane thinks that your crypto scam or any of your other scams are excusable just because you’re mentally ill or whatever you claim.

Crash: I’m not excusing Bellamy’s long history of attempting to run scams or stealing credit card information and so on and so on. But I watched your show, Darren. The earliest episodes. And I watched Jimspore and Sorasins and SlimeTimeJim. I’ve seen the way you and people like you chased this man around when he was just some naive eighteen-year-old kid who over-identified with a video game, and whose primary characteristic was his naivety– willing to believe that anyone offering to make him rich quick was being genuine. I’ve met plenty of children just like Cass Bellamy. Children who should have been getting extra help. Children failed by the system, and failed by their parents. And I’ve met plenty of children just like you, too, Darren. And unfortunately, the Darrens of the world outnumber the Cass Bellamys.

Skeep: Unfortunately? You know how I know you’re full of shit, Crash? Because you haven’t said Crash this whole time. You use his given name. Everyone calls him Crash. No one calls him Cass. Everyone hates him. I think probably even his own parents hate him.

Crash: Sometimes, teaching middle school, it’s like watching starving piranhas in a tank. They swim around in formation, hunting endlessly, hunting nothing– until one moves wrong, gets bit, starts to bleed. And once there’s blood in the water… they strip their companion’s bones in seconds. You’re on the eating side now, Darren, and I’d say you’re eating well. But you know your people. Jimspore and Sorasins and SlimeTimeJim. You know all these nice members of the chat, all your donors. You know better than I do that someday, you’ll be the one with their teeth ripping you apart.

Skeep: Wow. What do you think about that, chat? (A notification appears. Several new donations have come in.)

Crash: ... You know…

Skeep: What do I know, Crash?

Crash: My favorite bird is the indigo bunting.

Skeep: I did not know that.

Crash: Two springs ago, there was a pair of them in the thicket behind my house.

Skeep: Behind your house, or ‘Liz’s’ house?

Crash: … I’m not much of a birdwatcher. I’ve got a journal I never use and some binoculars but that’s it. But there was a day when it was sort of cloudy and I could see them really well from the stoop behind my house. I won’t call it a porch, just a concrete slab that we have a lawn chair on. I stayed there for almost four hours, just sitting and watching those little birds build their nest. I’d been putting off grading all afternoon and I was determined to keep putting it off, even if it meant becoming engrossed in the dramas of birds. They came and went. They squabbled with chickadees and squirrels. I realized that one of the birds was missing a foot. A cat got it, maybe. It’s a miracle it survived as long as it did. And still, it kept building that nest. At the start of the day, there was nothing there but a branch. By the end, there was a little thing like a teacup made of sticks and feathers and hair. My daughter brought me a cup of coffee. That’s when I realized my feet were so cold, they’d gone numb. It had been the heat of the coffee that reminded me how cold I felt. And I was overcome with this realization that that’s what love is, sometimes. Because when I stood up, as I warmed myself, those numb parts started to hurt. I guess, Darren, and Darren’s chat– I hope that someday, someone brings you a cup of coffee, and you suddenly feel all the places in you that have gone numb. I hope the hurt is worth the heat. And I hope that I wake up tomorrow at home.

Skeep: Wise words from our resident spiritually enlightened Keyblade Master of Financial Freedom, Crash Bellamy. That’s our episode today, folks– any last words, ‘Liz?’

Crash: Please– if you can help me get home, or if you know someone who can help me get home, help me. Spread this around. Make Skeep famous if that’s what it takes.

Skeep: Shockingly, a sentiment I agree with. Thanks for tuning in, cringebros and cringebabes, and remember– be nice, wash your ass, and cringe deeply, my friends.

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so-long-soldier-writes · 1 year ago

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drabble #9 - hope

kai parker x reader

summary: kai notices your scars

tags: implied / referenced s3lf h4rm, coffee, crushes

word count: 943

a/n: remembered this has been in my wip folder, but when i wrote it, i had already posted a sh related one that week 💀 but the last two days at work have been ROUGH and i dug it back out.

It’s just for a second that you need to pop into the Salvatore boarding house. Just for a coffee before you head over to the Grill to study. You could just get one there, but you’re a firm believer in having one to-go, to sip on as you make your way to the other place. Besides, taking a detour to the house means chit-chatting with whomever is inside at the moment, and curiosity is killing you to know.

“Hello!” You announce your presence as you walk through the hallway.

“Y/N!” Damon exclaims, “what on earth brings you here today?”

The two of you are probably best described as frenemies. Sometimes you hate him, sometimes you love him; whichever one depends on his attitude.

“Oh nothing much, being nosy, stealing coffee. Who else is here?”

“Elena, who’s off classes for the day. Caroline, who dropped out of school entirely. And Kai, who has nowhere to be, except apparently in my business.”

“Awh, he can’t be that bad.”

“He is, Y/N. Soooo talkative! And since he’s here, Bonnie’s not!”

“But the merge helped, right? He kinda mellowed out, even though you thought the opposite would happen.”

“Doesn’t mean I enjoy his company.”

“I’m right here,” Kai says suddenly.

You turn to the sound of his voice and smile, “hi!”

“Hi,” the boy can’t help but smile back.

Turning back around, you start to make a coffee. You don’t know it, but Kai’s eyes are still on you, watching your every move. He’s curious about you, though knows he can’t admit it. But every small interaction the two of you have, you’re so bubbly and sweet. He can’t help the desire to ingrain you in his brain - the one person who’s ever shown him kindness.

As Kai watches you, though, his eyes linger on your arms. Something catches his eye, just a glance, but it’s long enough to make his stomach drop.

“And so I was running through the trees when I tripped, but then when I turned to see what I had tripped over, I- Kai, stop watching her, that’s creepy!” Elena interrupts the story of her dream to bark at the boy.

Kai snaps out of his trance and mutters an apology.

“It’s okay,” you shrug. “He’s not bothering me.”

“Well he’s bothering me.” Elena then continues after rolling her eyes.

Some time after hearing her story and finishing your first coffee, you excuse yourself to go study. After all, exams are coming up quickly, and there’s no chance you’ll get any work done in the Salvatore house. So, with simple goodbyes to everyone, you go and start to make your way down the gravel driveway.

The moment you leave, Kai shoots up from his chair. “I need to talk to her.”

“Hold up,” Damon stops him quickly, “no, no, no. She was just here. You don’t need to see her alone.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Kai-”

“I just need to ask her something!”

“Damon, just let him. Y/N can handle her own,” Stefan says, obviously tired.

“Fine. If I hear a scream, I’ll be there faster than you know it.”

Kai rolls his eyes, but then practically runs out the door to reach you.

You haven’t gotten far before he catches up to you.

“Y/N, hey!”

Turning, you smile at him. “What’s up?”

“I just…” he’s slightly out of breath, and takes a moment to gain it back. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your,” he gestures to your wrist, “arm. I just… noticed it, like a little glimpse, and want to check that you’re okay. I didn’t want to say anything in front of everyone else, but, uh, yeah.”

“Oh!” Your eyes widen as he references your scars. Three days ago, you broke your sober streak once again. Today, they’re faint, but still visible enough to be seen if anyone were looking. Apparently, Kai was.

You move your hand behind your back quickly. “I’m okay, I just-”

“You don’t have to be ashamed of them, Y/N.” He swallows hard. “I have them, too.” He moves his leather bracelet to reveal a scarring wound, fresher and deeper than yours. It hurts your heart to see.

“Oh, baby!” You exclaim, grabbing his hand without thinking twice. Kai watches in confusion as you kiss his palm, but then step back just as fast as when you grabbed him. “I’m sorry! I totally forgot my boundaries. I, are you okay? Those are deep.”

“I’m fine, it doesn’t bother me.”

“I shouldn’t have touched you. I’m sorry for that, too.”

“It’s okay. It felt… nice,” he admits quietly.

You nod. “Hey, um, do you want to come with me? I’m headed towards the Grill to study, but if you’re up for it, I’d rather be there with you.”

“Yes,” he replies immediately. Then he looks towards the house, “but-”

“Don’t worry about Damon. I’ll shoot him a text that you’re with me, and he’s smart enough to not piss me off. Mmkay?”

“Okay. But if you don’t mind me asking, are you sure you’re okay in, uh, that respect?”

You sigh, “not really. But I will be someday. You?”

“I’m not really okay, either. But uh, this is my first time feeling like I might have hope. Helps to know someone who understands.”

Smiling, you gesture in a question if you can take his hand again, which he allows by extending it out to you. You clasp your fingers together, kiss his knuckles, and then reply, “I do understand you. And if that gives you hope to get better, I will gladly be that person for you.”

#malachai parker x reader #kai parker x reader #kai parker drabble #kai parker fluff #tvd fanfiction

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try-set-me-on-fire · 1 year ago

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Hello! Got tagged by @eowon @eddiebabygirldiaz and @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove for fuck it Friday and I meant to post earlier but I wanted to work a little more on the scene I wanted to share and got caught up in making baby quilts for an art market I’m tabling at in April.

Going to put the actual scene under a cut because it’s kind of long and there’s talk about addiction. A few people (including @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove) asked for a sequel to close your weary eyes where Bobby does reach out to his dad, so this is a bit of that (Eddie and Bobby talking about the situation at a Buddie engagement party).

Kind of late in the day but if you haven’t already been tagged and gave something to share @buckactuallys @tizniz @shitouttabuck @bigfootsmom @daffi-990 @wildlife4life @thewolvesof1998 @iinryer @homerforsure @chronicowboy

“What are you afraid of?” Eddie asks, still calm and casual like they’re talking about the weather or yesterday’s Rangers-Twins game. It makes it a little easier to get the words out his throat.

”That- I’m afraid that I won’t be forgiven. Not enough. I don’t- I don’t expect total forgiveness, I wouldn’t ask for it, and I don’t think they’re the ones with the power to grant it, anyway. But I-“ Bobby sighs and looks out the window to the backyard. The murmur of everyone enjoying the sun provides a pleasant soundtrack at odds with the conversation. “I just need enough forgiveness for a conversation. I’m afraid they won’t give it to me.”

Eddie nods, twisting the top off his soda. “What else?”

Bobby digs his palms into the cool edge of the ceramic counter tile. “Relapse. I’ll be talking to people I haven’t spoken with since I was at the deepest lows of my addiction, at least in part about the things I did-“ his voice catches and he has to pause, clear his throat. “About the things I did in the throes of that addiction. I am afraid that I will- that I’ll fall back into being that person.” He frowns. “Not that I- I am that person. I did all of those things. I just mean- I don’t want to drink. I don’t want to start using again. I worry dealing with all this would push me in that direction.”

Eddie only nods this time — fair enough, what would you even say to any of that — but is still looking at Bobby like he’s waiting for him to continue, so.

”And I’m afraid… You’re getting married, Eddie. My- Buck- my kid is getting married. I’m afraid I’ll get so bogged down in this I’ll- I’ll ruin- you’ll worry and he’ll worry and everything will be just a little worse and it will be my fault.” He tries to laugh to lighten the mood but it comes out kind of horrible. “Here I am at your engagement party putting all this on you. Bringing down the mood already.”

”We didn't actually plan this party,” Eddie shrugs, corner of his mouth barely tilted up in a smile. “So, you know, bringing down the mood is probably fine. Not officially- uh, a premeditated wedding festivity.”

Bobby laughs a little more genuinely this time. “Oh. Well. Thank goodness.”

Eddie smiles fully before taking a deep breath. He picks at the label on his soda for a moment before setting it down and stepping closer. “I… There’s nothing I can do about that first one. All you can do is ask. But… I don’t know. If it was Christopher? No matter what he did, I’d always want to hear from him. I’d always have that conversation.” Eddie wraps a strong hand around Bobby’s forearm, probably in response to the way his voice has got all hitched. “The second thing? Bobby, we’re all right here for you. Anytime you need- before you call, after, hell, if you want me there with you while you’re on the line, just tell me and I’m there.” Eddie tilts his head to make direct eye contact. “These are not empty words. Promise me you’ll reach out and I promise you I’ll be there to reach back. Alright?”

”Yeah,” Bobby says, a little winded. “I- yes. I promise.”

”Good.” Eddie nods, faith in his eyes that Bobby thinks he probably doesn’t deserve but will try his damndest to live up to. “And the third thing. I think- if it was me, and I had this in my head, even if I didn’t reach out right away it’d be eating away at me. So I don’t think there’s really sense in trying to put it off to- to spare our feelings or whatever the mean little voice in your head is telling you. I think… I dunno, maybe the timing could be a good thing. You have this big, heavy thing to go through, but then you can come over and help pick out flower arrangements or whatever. And I was joking but, look, I don’t care if you fuck up a premeditated wedding activity. I mean-“ Eddie flaps a hand, makes a face. “You’re not gonna fuck anything up. But if you’re not the happiest you could possibly be at all times, that’s fine, Bobby. Remember point two? We’re all right here for you? That doesn’t get put aside because we’ve got other shit going on.”

Bobby nods, once, shaky. “Alright. Okay- Thank you, Eddie. You- You’re a very good man.” He coughs out another laugh. “Here, alright, let’s get back on the right topic- I don’t think I’ve said how glad I am Buck has you in his life.”

Eddie grins. “Can’t be half as glad as I am he’s in mine.”

#fuck it friday #tag games #uhh i guess this isn’t really a bthb even if its a sequel to one #so i guess I’ll just use the tentative fic name #one fine sweet and sunny day

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starpiastri · 1 year ago

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for the trope mash up, may i request summer camp au + accidentally married + martian? :P

hello!!!! you’ll have to forgive me for both the time this took and the brief accidentally married bit but it made it in there and it’s sweet i think!!!! i hope u like it :)

seb and mark as camp leaders! they both have their own group of about ten kids and their groups go together on adventure walks in the mornings (an hour for the kids to get all their energy out and then do nice quiet things in the afternoon). the groups joining together is not by choice.

it’s a problem because the two group leaders bicker. a lot. the camp is very underfunded so a lot of the equipment is missing and/or on its last legs. they mostly argue about silly things like Well you had the stove last night so can my kids have it tonight? But we’re toasting marshmallows! You toasted marshmallows last night!!!! no one seems to think why don’t we just collaborate and share a stove. (one of the other camp leaders will sigh and push their own stove towards whoever’s moaning abt it)

they are also deeply competitive on behalf of their camps. children are children and love games and winning and beating each other and seb and mark sort of might maybe use this as an excuse to wind each other up. the whole ethos of the campus is Be Kind Everyone’s a Winner Teamwork all that rubbish. seb and mark, upon hearing there’s a egg and spoon race across the wider camp, are strategically planning who is best suited to compete for their team.

it always comes down to Webber vs Vettel and the kids love it because children are desperate to shout and cheer at anything that moves, especially when the thing moving is their friends and in the background their camp leaders are elbowing each other when one wins and the other loses

anyway. one day they’ve gone on an adventure walk. afterwards one of the kids comes and taps mark and has a very sad little look on her face. she’s lost her camp backpack and it had all of her stuff in it (the way kids bring every item they own everywhere). she’s all teary eyed and nervous and so mark says don’t worry, i’ll go and look for it. can’t have sprouted legs and walked off!

but then mark realises the girl is from seb’s group. so he goes and tells seb and he’s like Oh we’d better go look for it. mark is like Um. We? seb shrugs. says Well she told you so. You have to come with me. It’s only fair actually. Anyway, two sets of eyes are better than one!

(lots of flimsy excuses to spend time with mark, who he’s had a little bit of a crush on since seb started working here last summer, that’s irrelevant, though.)

cue plenty of huffing. but off they go! into the woods! they follow the same trail they did in the morning, up the hill, through the twisty trees, as they’re colloquially named for the way they wrap around both the sky and themselves, the huge and constantly muddy puddle on a concrete path that the kids delighted in getting their boots in.

and it’s a nice day so maybe they take a little longer on the way, while also peering around bushes in case any passersby have been kind enough to drop the backpack in for safekeeping.

maybe seb takes a little longer in the dirt, checking behind trees because when he turns around mark’s got one hand on his hips, squinting into the sun with the other hand covering his eyes and he’s actually really toned and his arms are very nice. he’s noticed before obviously. how could he not. he’s just a guy. but this is different, especially when mark turns to look at him and seb feels particularly caught out when he grins knowingly. Shut up. Keep walking.

and maybe mark lingers a bit behind seb as he runs ahead thinking he sees a glimpse of red on a fence post. maybe he watches because seb’s hair turns golden in the light like a halo and it’s very beautiful. like art, mark thinks, and he wishes he had a camera. or maybe he can keep it all to himself in his memory

seb turns back around when he sees it isn’t the backpack, just a bit of a torn fabric from a tent, and mark sighs but they’re nearly at the end of the trail (a big loop around the campsite) so Surely it must be ahead!

the last part of the walk is always the children’s favourite, a big hill leading into a sunken in field, a valley of sorts. there’s a footpath worn out by adventurers over the years but they all, everytime, get on their stomachs and roll down on the grassy part, tufts sticking to their shirts as they land at the bottom, giggling. seb looks as if he’s itching to recreate it but they carry on down the grown up route.

something catches their eye in the middle of the field, and there sits a bright red backpack, looking very lost. they run towards it as if it’s some precious artefact and they cheer and hug each other and then laugh it off nervously. because they’re stupid.

the running wore them out, though, so they sit on the grass. the kids are fine with the other camp leaders, probably being better behaved than they do for mark and seb themselves, so they’ll take a break. seb notices (after he stops looking at mark who’s leant back on his forearms and looking sweaty and handsome) that there’s little braided stems littered in the grass.

Oh, she must’ve got distracted when making the daisy chains! Easy to do, replies mark with a smile, eyes shut as he soaks up the sun

seb picks one chain up, inspects the way they’re intricately laced into one another, finds some half finished ones too. he gets to work piercing a hole through the stem with his nail, threading it through, over and over until it fits neatly on his wrist. flimsy and delicate but he grins and shows it to mark

mark will smile and say, Can I have one? and seb would say Make one yourself you lazy arse, and then mark would pull himself upright and scramble to launch at seb, who laughs loud and bold like it’s so easy to do. he fights because because he’s no quitter and the smell of grass and the sun beating down on them mixes in their lungs and Oh, look, you’ve snapped it!

seb frowns but stops when he realises he’s now on top of mark, was pinning his wrists to the dirt when he notices his bracelet has broken and fallen off. mark doesn’t say a word, just breathes and looks straight up at seb. they both breathe like that for a while, seb in two minds, a dozen fleeting thoughts while mark looks so calm. how can this be so easy? how can it be so hard?

Pull me up, then. Sure, sorry. S’alright. I’ll make you another bracelet.

so then they sit quietly against each other, knees touching, and occasionally mark let’s out an exasperated sigh as he splits the stem (big hands, clumsy) but eventually there’s a semblance of a bracelet for the both of them. they gather up some of the smaller rings too, to bring them back for the kids. finally, seb hoists the little red backpack over one shoulder, and they make their way back to the camp

it’s late afternoon so they’re getting ready for dinner around the fire, and some of the kids are comforting the little girl who lost her backpack. It’ll be okay! They’ll find it! Mark found my hat, remember! Yeah, and Seb found my pencil case!

when seb and mark return it’s as if they’ve brought home a golden trophy. the girl hugs seb’s knees and they both scruff her hair and say Be careful next time!

the kids crowd around them, hailed as heroes, and one points to their arms and gasps, turning to their friend and giggling. then they’re all in fits of laughter.

What’s so funny? says seb, putting a chain that’s far too long on his hair. everyone keeps laughing and mark looks at him like he’s an angel, with his crown of daisies atop his head. You’re married now! says one of the little boys, and he smacks his hand over his mouth as if he spoke without thinking.

How does that work, then! mark laughs but doesn’t look at sebastian, who’s looking at him with pink cheeks and a wide smile. Because you both have the bracelets on! It’s fairy magic, it means you’re married forever! one girl chimes in, her tone of voice as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

I can’t be stuck with him forever! and all the children cackle with laughter and run back to their seats around the campfire as dinner is called, plastic plates on their laps.

and they both should go and help serve the food but instead they just stand there for a little while, watching the flames dance in the pit.

and then maybe mark slips his hand into sebastian’s, just gently, the daisy chains sliding against one another. and seb squeezes, once, and doesn’t let go. like it’s easy.

#guess who got carried away again #sebmark #martian #sorry i’m a sucker for an au

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booksrbetterthanpeople · 2 years ago

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And now a random post that totally doesn’t explain my current feelings by using Marc

Alix: Tell him! Do it!

Nathaniel: I don’t want to! I’m scared!

Ismael: It’s either you, his doting boyfriend he’d never hurt, or us. Just give us the signal and we’ll get him in The Box. Now go! *Pushes Nathaniel into the art classroom and shuts the door*

Nathaniel: … Uh… Rainbow?

Marc: *Looks up from his journal* Oh, hey Nath. What’s up?

Nathaniel: Um… So… AO3 is down.

Marc: Yeah, that sucks. I was right in the middle of this really good fic, but it’ll be back up in an hour or two.

Nathaniel: … Actually, Rainbow… Sweetie pie… Light of my life, my love and reason I get up every morning… There was a… DdoS attack… And… AO3 might be down for… A while…

Marc: *Creepy head tilt* … I do not understand the words you are saying…

Nathaniel: … Well…

*Outside*

Aurore: *Holding a cattle prod* How do you think it’s going?

*Before anyone could answer, a crash is heard*

Alix: GET THE FUCK IN THERE, PEOPLE! MOVE!

Marc: I’LL BURN EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE! *Chucks a table out of the window* WHO THE FUCK DO THESE BLOODY CUCKS THINK THEY ARE?! SO MANY OF MY STORIES ARE ON THERE, AND THEY HAVE THE FUCKING GALL TO DO THIS!

*Denise and Ivan tackle Marc to the floor and restrain him*

Nathaniel: They’re just gonna have you rest in The Box for a while, Rainbow. It’ll be okay.

Marc: *Getting dragged away* NOOOOOOO! I’LL BURN THIS FUCKING CITY TO THE GROUND! *Headbutts Ivan, bites Denise’s arm, and escapes while the teachers chase him down* YOU’LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!

Adrien: Uh… What’s The Box?

Nino: Oh, just something the school had made when Marc couldn’t access AO3 for… For like a week.

Adrien: How long did he stay in there?

Nino: A week.

Denise: *Bleeding from their arm* It’s pretty brutal.

Adrien: Denise! You’re bleeding!

Denise: Oh, I don’t think it’s as bad as last time… I hear colors.

Louis: *Getting choked by Marc* You have the shot! Take the shot!

M. Grotke: *Shooting tranquilizers at Marc* I am taking the shot! He’s resisting! These things are supposed to take out Clydesdales!

*One hour later*

Meme. Mendeleiev: Okay, Nath. You know the drill. Here’s his lunch, and your tranq gun. *Hands Nathaniel a lunch tray and a tranquilizer gun*

Alya: Why does he need a tranq gun?!

Marinette: Did you not see Marc rip a door off of its hinges?

Mme. Mendeleiev: Remember, if you miss, play dead, and he’ll lose interest. Godspeed. *Pushes Nathaniel into the basement and shuts the door*

Nathaniel: Okay, it’s just like last time. Nothing to worry about. *Approaches a glass box in the middle of the room, and standing dead center in it is Marc in a prison jumpsuit*

Marc: Hello, Clarisse.

Nathaniel: Really?

Marc: What? Just trying to lighten the mood. Come onnn! Let me out! I promise, I won’t try to murder anyone this time. Don’t you trust me?

Nathaniel: Marc, of course I trust you. But you just need to calm down until AO3 is back up. For God’s sake, we almost lost Louis.

Marc: … Okay. That’s fine. I get it… Why don’t you be a dear and slide that tray in?

Nathaniel: Sure. *He opens a small glass door and starts sliding the lunch tray through it, only for Marc to grab his wrist* MARC! WHAT THE HELL?!

Marc: LET ME OUT OF HERE! I’LL MAKE OUT WITH YOU UNTIL YOU’RE SICK OF ME!

Nathaniel: *Yanks his arm away* There is a laptop next to you! You can read Wattpad, Fanfiction.Net, or Quotev. Love you, nutcase. *Blows him a kiss and leaves*

Marc: YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO PEOPLE! THERE’S NOTHING ON WATTPAD BUT STORIES WRITTEN BY EMO MIDDLE SCHOOLERS! IT’S ALL BAD!

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous #marc anciel #BRING BACK AO3 YOU FUCKERS!#nathaniel kurtzberg #science kids #I’M GONNA FUCKING BURN EVERYTHING!#Akuma Clasd

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abbyslev · 2 years ago

Text

𝒀𝑼𝑼𝑱𝑰 𝑩𝑬𝑺𝑻 𝑭𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑫 𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑪𝑨𝑵𝑶𝑵𝑺

A/N: hello my angels! recovery has not been well unfortunately. i feel like shit and i’m so dizzy and hungry but everything hurts so i can’t eat properly. i wish i could write more than i have but i’m constantly asleep or woozy off the meds. i’m so sorry, i wanted to get request done but i have 0 energy. i hope to get better soon so i can get back to writing for you guys! here’s something that’s been sitting in the drafts for a while. sorry again :(

A/N: i hate to have to ~clarify~ this but this is completely platonic!! i just yuuji sm i wish he was real😔💔

HEAVY CUDDLER

awh when he gets a good grade on his test he will always thank you for supporting him :(

always carries stuff in his pockets for you??

chapstick? he’s got it! pad? he’s got it! tissue? no worries! lash glue? give him a second! hair tie? turn around so he can braid your hair!

and you do the same for him, since he always forgets about himself :(

he’s allllwayssss playing with your hair it’s so adorable

when you guys make plans he likes to sit on your bed and watch you get ready

camera roll is FILLED with selfies he took of himself

when you’re in public and run into some old friends he will grab the hem of your shirt and just smile

sukuna likes to tear you down so yuuji does try his best to keep sukuna away from you :(

BEST HYPE MAN EVER omg like you’ll post on your socials and in a second he has alr liked, reposted, commented, EVERYTHING!!

comes to you for any advice he needs

was so happy when you met megumi and nobara and genuinely got along with them

you guys take turns cooking dinners!

he sleeps over at your dorm a lot

it’ll be 3 am and you hear a knock on your door

yuuji’s there with his messy hair and shy smile

“Fine. But you have to make my bed.”

you can’t even tell me he doesn’t make the best dinners

you guys take turns on making dinners

movie night on friday’s!

you guys do missions together

gojo thinks you two work amazing together

random staring contest out of nowhere

you guys text 24/7

“hey, look at this!” “one second, i’m texting yuuji.”

he LOVES giving you piggy back rides cause he’s a beast like that

he goes “huh?” AT EVERYTHING YOU SAY

shared earbuds everywhere!

walks? you have one and he has one. one the way home on a bus? shared! after workouts and you guys are cooling down? shared again!

ooo late night walks

he always falls asleep on your shoulder on the bus :(

shyly asks you for advice on girls

“just be yourself and she’s gonna love you!” “but idk how to flirt :(“

texts you “are you asleep” but it doesn’t matter either way because he’s gonna spam you

send you random pictures throughout the day

your homescreen is yuuji and you posing in front of a giant tourist attraction

you two are inseparable

whenever you go out and make conversation with the pretty cashier, yuujis like “ooo she was so cute! did you get her number?”

biggest supporter for everything, does not matter what you choose he’s right behind you!

doesn’t want you involved in really dangerous missions, just the ones you can handle

he doesn’t want you to worry about him either :(

you constantly have to reach up and fix his hair cause he’s silly like that

BYE the biggest gentlemen ever

door? open for you. shoe untied? he’s on it. car door? open for you! only one seat in the train? it’s for you, he’ll stand!

takes the WORST pictures of you and claims they’re masterpieces

the best friend everyone needs :( yuuji supremacy!!!

#jjk manga #jjk x you #jjk x reader #jjk yuuji #yuuji x reader #jujutsu kaisen yuuji #jjk #jujutsu yuji #yuuji itadori #yuuji fluff #jujutsu itadori #itadori fluff #itadori x you #itadori x y/n

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derangedanomaly · 8 months ago

Note

yugioh anon here again for another imagine :3 saw the post where it turns out they’re only nice to us cuz chaos accidentally got em on a metaphorical leash but i have already gotten attached so face the wrath of blade angst comfort <3

You’d been here for about a month or so, sitting down on a very fancy gothic sofa. It was a contrast to the dull interior, so it must’ve been Chaos attempting to get Nightmare to show his interests more. You only figured out it was Nightmare’s because in bright red ink on the side it reads, “LMAOO NIGHT STOP BEIN AN EMO”. You have a hunch that Blade wrote it. Speaking of, scanning the room he is nowhere to be found. It IS late night but he’s normally still bouncing around. Ace has a book held in his hands as he eagerly tells Ted about a suspenseful plot point that adds onto his earlier theory. Ted seems vaguely interested, but the popcorn is a good motivator to keep him there. Nightmare and Chaos are chatting back in the kitchen. Chaos had been testing out a new recipe and while Nightmare vehemently denies supporting anyone in anything, you can see a smile twist onto his face when Chaos explains how proud he is of his new creation.

… You aren’t sure if they’d notice you leaving. As a new member, nobody had really taken the chance to get to know you. Sure, they are civil and conversate with you but there isn’t a real connection. Chaos is a lovely fellow, but he can’t force everyone to ask about you or how you feel. Crying here would be humiliating. You get up, footsteps thunking less on the carpet than they would on the floor. It doesn’t matter if you’re friends or not, you’re here for a job! You’re not there to make buddies with everyone, it doesn’t mat-

A sound snaps you out of your spiral. Muffled sounds, broken and purposefully hushed. When you do fully hear them, they remind you of how you sounded when you broke your leg. It was violent crying and whimpering coming through that door. What was strange is that the sign had read “Blade”. Blade. He was funny sometimes, a bit of an ass to you but he was an ass to everyone it seemed. Watching anime with him was a fun way to kill time. Thinking about it, you’d not seen many of the other residents chat with him. Chaos, sure, but Ted frowned when he came by and Ace would get up and leave the room sometimes! Nightmare criticizes everyone because cultivating a garden of negativity is all he seems to do. He was like you. He was new even if he’d been there for so long. You knock on his door gently, hoping he’d even listen.

“Blade? Hello?” You whisper, calling out with concern.

No response comes. You expected as much.

“Blade, please? I know we don’t talk all that much but I’m willing to reach out. It.. I know how it feels to be left out, likely not as deeply as any of you but I still understand.” An irritated groan is all you get in response. Acknowledging you is an upgrade from ignoring, probably!

“You don’t have to let me in. I just want you to know you’re not gonna be alone. Not anymore, okay? I think that you’re a fun and silly person but that isn’t all you are. You’re far more than the goofy one in the group. You’re skilled in many things. Battle, listening to others when you want to, dealing with Nightmare’s irritating ‘suggestions’ on what we can do better. I’m willing to bet you’re a bright individual too. That you can get lonely like anyone else. That you’re a complex person who isn’t just one thing. I’m not leaving you behind, okay? Not just because we’re technically a team, but because I care.”

No response. You quietly sigh, but hearing a sniffle and another start of a whisper back shuts you up.

“Alright.. You’re sappy as hell, you know that? Still, I’m up to talk.” He’s reaching back and extending his worries. You smile. Perhaps you’ll both have a friend.

AHH THE WAY I DROPPED EVERYTHING I WAS DOING WHEN I SAW YOU REQUEST ME!!

I swear I'm in love with your imagines! ><

You're always on point with the characters personality, and always super creative! I love this! ^^

Keep blessing me with masterpieces like this, and I'll personally draw something special for you! :D

#vicnityask #AHH I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!#undertale fandom #undertale #chaos sans #undertale au #utmv #utmv au #overcopy #killer sans

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canary0 · 2 years ago

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May 9 - Dracula 2023

Discord Exchange Between Miss Mina Murray and Miss Lucy Westenra

Mina: Hello there! I’m sorry I haven’t sent a message in so long. Work got hectic for a little while.

Lucy: I’m not surprised, Miss Deputy Head Teacher! :) However are you?

Mina: Missing you! I wish we could be out by the sea right now, talking about our hopes and dreams.

Lucy: Talk like that and I’ll come down there, sweep in, and carry you off to Whitby! Not that you won’t be here pretty soon anyway, but it’s the principal of it.

Mina: Oh no, anything but that! XD I’ve been trying to expand my skills lately, too. I’ve been practicing html and learning more about photography.

Lucy: Oh, have you been helping him with that part of the blog? I had a chance to glance over it the other day – the pictures he posted from Hungary and Romania are so pretty!

Mina: Exactly! It must be so nice to be able to travel and see them in person… I hope we’ll have a chance to go together eventually. I was thinking of doing my own entries when I come up to visit. Do a bit of a Whitby travelogue that I could add to whenever it seems like fun or something interesting happens. It would be nice if we could each see the interesting things going on in our lives when we have to be away from one another.

Lucy: Aww <3

Mina: It could be a practice thing, too – observing, interviewing, transliterating conversations like a journalist. I heard you can learn to remember almost everything you hear in a day. I feel like I’m just sending you a wall of text now, though – I’ll tell you all about it when I visit.

Lucy: No problem! I love hearing what’s going on – and I did ask more about it. Lay it on me!

Mina: You’re too sweet <3

Lucy: You think I’m sweet now, you’re gonna get so many cavities. Jonathan when he gets back, too. It’s been too long since I’ve seen him!

Mina: Well, he should be heading back in a week according to the last email he sent, so you’ll have your chance.

Lucy: I can’t wait! Oh, I have to go. I have someone I need to go see, too!

Mina: !!! So the rumor is true? I heard about you and a tall, handsome, curly-haired man! Come back here this instant and tell me more!

Lucy: Nope nope gotta go! You’ll just have to wait.

Mina: Bah. The 10am bell just rang anyway, so I have to go too. ttyl

(A/N: This one is real different y'all. I tried not to totally screw it up.

Adorable nerds feel like the type who would use XD unironically in casual IM conversation. I might just think that because I do.

Getting across the same ideas in a MUCH more casual form of communication is interesting, while also having to make it look like Mina’s not just rambling over Lucy… Without taking away from Lucy’s later entries. @_@

Also-also, after a whole bunch of research on what a deputy head teacher does in the UK these days, you can consider everyone aged up about 4 years from where most people consider canon to be.

Also-also-also Mina’s not looking at dropping her job, but work-life balance is way more emphasized now than it was, so they’re sharing interests and hobbies and supporting each other that way instead.

I knew with Mina things would get much more complicated because of how VASTLY different things are for women now, so… I did my best. We’re going to “roughly correct vibes” at this point. XD;

this chapter was way harder than usual and i was already very tried from waking up to do a 2.5 hour car trip at 5am. I tried. I apologize if it is bad.)

#dracula daily #mina murray #lucy westenra #dracula 2023 #fanfic #just for fun #modern retelling

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sagewritings · 3 years ago

Text

More Than A Woman - Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader

pairing: steve harrington x female reader

synopsis: just as you thought everything was back to normal, the threat of a new entity reminds you that things are never normal in hawkins. once more, you find yourself involved in solving mysterious deaths, fighting beings from another dimension, evading curses, and possibly a love confession amidst it all.

word count: 12.3k

warnings: season 4 volume 1 spoilers, angst, friends to lovers, mentions of a car accident and death of a family member, trauma, violence, curse words, slow-burn, (fluff, of course)

a/n: hello everyone! i’d like to share this fic that i wrote based on the first volume of stranger things season 4! just a disclaimer, the song doesn’t really have any big impact to the story. i just love it so much :> (go listen to “more than a woman” by bee gees if you can!) i did add some events and information to the main plot of the series to help incorporate the reader, but i refrained from putting any descriptions of physical appearances so you’ll be more comfortable in imagining yourselves in the reader’s position.

also, if you’d like to check out my other works, you can check the pinned post in my blog :>

i hope you’ll like this fic! happy reading!

part 2 - staying alive

part 3 - night fever

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Every weekend is a blessing for any High School Senior. No school work, no lectures, and no early morning alarms. This thought was enough to motivate you as you start your Saturday morning, and a peaceful breakfast with your father is just the most pleasant way to do so.

That was until he turned the television on.

And we’ll start the news with another mysterious death in the small town of Hawkins.

You could faintly hear the television in the living room as you were washing the dishes, the sound of rushing water blocking the reporter’s voice.

“Y/n! Look at this.” Your father called from the sofa, and you quickly wiped your hands dry and saw him pointing at the screen with wide eyes.

We’re in the Forest Hills trailer park in east Roane County. We don’t have a lot of details now, but we can confirm that the body of a Hawkins High student was discovered early this morning. Police have not yet released the victim’s name although we are told that they’re currently in the process of notifying the family.

You heard your father sigh, briefly lowering the volume of the television as he shook his head. “I’m starting to rethink why I chose this place to move in.” He mumbled.

It was four years ago when you and your father moved to Hawkins to restart your lives after the death of your mother. Everything was normal at first, but as each year passed and you got more entangled with a group of kids who seem to have ‘fighting with the supernaturals’ as part of their lifestyles, you have accepted the fact that Hawkins is far from normal.

You went back to the kitchen and resumed washing the dishes, thoughts still preoccupied about whoever was found at that trailer. Immediately after, you quickly put on a clean sweater and jeans before heading downstairs to grab your car keys.

“Woah, woah, where are you going?” Your father asked from his seat, confusion and a hint of concern in his eyes.

“I’m going to visit my friends at Family Video.” You shot him a small smile.

“Alright, but don’t take too long. And be sure to call me.” He said, warily dismissing you.

You nodded and began to start your car, fingers tapping the steering wheel as you drove to Family Video while listening to More Than A Woman. The ten-minute drive to the store passed by slowly, as you couldn’t wait to talk to your friends about what had happened.

You first met the kids a week after you moved to Hawkins. It was inevitable when the house that you and your father live in is just beside Dustin’s house. You would often see the boys take turns going to each other’s houses, sometimes with Max, El, and even Steve. Still, like Robin, you were only in action with the group once. And that was when they needed an extra hand against the Mind Flayer at the Starcourt Mall.

Arriving at the store, Robin was the first to notice you when you entered, a smile automatically appearing on her face as she walked from the ‘New Release’ section to where you are standing.

“Y/n!,” She said, which caught Steve’s attention and he immediately went towards you and Robin. You instantly felt brighter as soon as you made eye contact with the boy, almost forgetting about the recent issue in your town. “Have you heard? Someone was murdered.”

“Yeah.” You replied slowly, eyes flickering to the store’s television where the reporter is still ongoing with interviewing people. “Have they released any names yet?”

Steve shook his head sideways. “No, I doubt they will do that anytime soon.”

====================

Spending hours at Family Video is not new to you, and either to Steve or Robin. They’re grateful to have you as a company, your talking and laughing made their shifts faster and more tolerable according to Robin. But seeing you being awfully quiet, your brows pushed towards each other as you listen to the news, is not a sight that they are used to.

“Hey,” Steve said to you as you’re leaning on the front desk beside Robin. “You alright?”

You sighed. “This is weird.”

“Weird?”

“I mean, this murder. It just happened out of nowhere. And towards a student?” You wondered aloud, “This is unusual, Steve. Even for Hawkins.”

Almost immediately after saying that, you three were surprised to see Max and Dustin barging in.

“Hey. Steve.” Dustin greeted him, slightly panting.

“You see this?” Steve pointed at the television.

“How many phones do you have?”

“Someone was murd—”

“How many phones do you have?” Dustin repeated, his voice louder.

“Uh, two. Why?” Steve looked at you and Robin in confusion.

“Technically, three if you count Keith’s in the back.” Robin followed.

“Yeah, three works.” Max hurriedly said to Dustin, who slid his backpack on top of the counter and landed towards where Robin and you were seated.

“What are you—! My pile!” Steve panicked. “No, no, no! My tapes! Dude.”

Still having no idea what was going on, you quietly stood behind Max and Dustin as they continued to type on the computer while Steve and Robin muttered annoyingly under their breath.

Fed up with all the noise and questions, Dustin turned to Max “Can you just fill them in while I do this.”

“Fill us in on what?” You spoke for the first time since the arrival of the two.

Max took a deep breath before starting to explain everything.

====================

You didn’t know what exactly made your head hurt; maybe it was because of Max’s statements, the sleepless nights you’ve been having lately, or both. Your mind is still processing every piece of information that has been added to your knowledge regarding this case.

While your friends are busy looking for wherever Eddie’s drug dealer “Reefer Rick” may be, you excused yourself to the bathroom, earning a concerned expression from Steve which you quickly shrugged off with a smile.

You stood in front of the mirror, hands tightly gripping the sink and wincing slightly as another surge of headaches hit you. You had purposely hidden from your friends, not wanting any more questions.

A knock on the door made you look up from the sink. You must’ve spent a while in the bathroom. You quickly took a deep breath and checked your appearance, making sure that there is no trace of any discomfort on your face.

As soon as you opened the door, you saw Steve standing in front of you.

“We found him.” He said with a smile.

“Where is he?” You asked as you swiftly closed the door behind you, rushing to where your other three friends were cleaning up.

“2121 Holland Road, by the Lover’s Lake,” Dustin said triumphantly as he fixed his backpack.

“Come, I’ll start the car.” Steve began getting out of his work vest and changed into his usual jacket.

“Alright, I’ll be there in a minute.” You said, going over to the telephone to call your father and make up an excuse by saying you’ll be staying over at Robin’s for the weekend.

====================

As Max, Dustin, and Robin take turns informing Eddie of everything that you guys have found so far, you knew that the hope of having a peaceful weekend was thrown out of the window. Your headache only worsened after spending another sleepless night. Only this time, it isn’t because of a nightmare, but because you needed to go out and buy Eddie some supplies.

“Hunt the freak, right?” Eddie upsettingly said, fingers tightening around the box of popcorn that he was holding.

“Exactly.” Robin replied, earning a whispered “shit” from Eddie.

“So before that happens, we have to find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence.” Dustin butted in.

“That’s all Dustin? That’s all?”

“Yeah, that’s pretty much it.”

Shaking her head, Robin stopped the exchange between the two. “Listen, Eddie, I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we’ve actually been through this kind of thing before. I mean, they have a… a few times, and Y/n and I have once.”

“Ours was more human-fleshed based, theirs was more smoke-related. But collectively, I think we got this.” You continued after her.

Steve nodded beside you. “Yeah, we usually rely on this girl who has super powers but, uh, those went bye-bye…”

“So, we’re technically in more of the…”

“Brainstorming phase.” Max finished for all of you as Steve and Dustin went on to assure Eddie that there’s nothing to worry about.

The sound of sirens caught all of your attention a few moments after. Eddie rushed to cover himself with a tarpaulin while the rest of you went towards the window, looking at a few passing police cars and an ambulance.

“I guess we know where we’re going next,” Dustin stated.

====================

“So you’re saying that this thing that killed Fred and Chrissy… it’s from the Upside Down?” Nancy questioned as all of you are seated on a picnic bench near Eddie’s trailer.

“Our working theory is that he attacks with a spell or a curse. Now, whether or not he’s doing the bidding of the Mind Flayer or just loves killing teens, we don’t know.” Dustin explained.

“All we know is that this is something different. Something new.” You spoke.

“Doesn’t make sense,” Nancy muttered.

“It’s just a theory,” Dustin said.

Nancy shook her head. “No, Fred and Chrissy don't make sense. I mean, why them?”

“Maybe they were just in the wrong place. They were both at the game.”

“And near the trailer park,” Max suggested.

“We’re at the trailer park…” Steve said. “Uh, should we maybe not be here?”

“There is something about this place.” Nancy agreed. “Fred started acting weird the second we got here. He was scared, on edge, upset.”

Dustin immediately picked up. “Max said Chrissy was upset too.”

Max sighed. “Yeah, but not here. She was crying in the bathroom at school.”

“Serial killers stalk their prey before they strike, right? So, maybe Fred and Chrissy saw this Vecman—”

“Vecna.” Dustin corrected Robin.

“I don’t know about you guys, but if I saw some freaky wizard monster, I would mention it to someone.” Steve looked around at the table, confusion written on his face.

“Maybe they did.” All eyes went to Max as she spoke. “I saw Chrissy leaving Ms. Kelly’s office. If you saw a monster, you… you wouldn’t go to the police. They’d never believe you. But you might go to your—”

“Your shrink.” Robin finished.

As usual, Steve was the first to notice that you’ve gone quiet. While the others are devising a plan to split your group into two, he leaned toward your ear.

“You okay?”

Startled, you faced him sideways. “Hmm? Oh, yes, I’m fine.”

Before he could ask further, your friends stood up and walked towards Steve and Nancy’s cars. Nancy said something about checking for something, in which you hastily volunteered to join, hoping that you could be of any help. Steve also volunteered after you, deep down not wanting to let you out of his sight because he is still unsettled about your behavior since yesterday.

In the end, You and Steve stayed with Max and Dustin, while Robin was the one to go with Nancy after finding out that she does not have a license and cannot drive the kids around.

Steve sent a few glances towards you as he drove to Ms. Kelly, but you kept your silence throughout the entire ride, head leaning back towards the passenger seat while you internally suffer another headache.

“Alright, we’re here,” Steve announced, followed by the sound of a car door opening as Max stepped out.

Shortly after seeing Max enter the house, you stepped out of Steve’s car, feeling suddenly suffocated from your seat.

“I’ll just wait outside.” You said as you swiftly closed the door, breathing heavily. You were too busy trying to steady yourself to notice that Steve followed you.

“Y/n, hey—” He stopped himself, standing beside you and taking your face in his hands. “Oh, god.”

“W-what?” You asked, suddenly aware that Steve is assessing your face closely.

“Here.” He hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to you. It was only then that you felt something run down your nose.

“Oh.” You wiped the blood, slightly embarrassed but thankful.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Like, I know I asked you a hundred times since yesterd—”

“Steve, I’m fine. Really. It’s probably just because of the weather.” You waved your hand dismissively.

Steve eyed you suspiciously but decided not to say anything anymore. Still, he remained by your side during the entirety of waiting for Max. And for the first time in days, you feel calm.

Throughout your friendship, you only hid three things from Steve; the cause of your mother’s death, your growing feelings for him, and the nightmares that caused you to visit Ms. Kelly.

====================

The refusal of Ms. Kelly to enclose any information about Fred and Chrissy has led the four of you back to Hawkins High in the middle of the night. Thankfully, Max was able to sneak out the keys to the Counselor's Office, giving all of you access to the files.

You were hesitant to follow through with their plan, knowing that if they would go through the records, they would eventually find yours too. But it was too late when you noticed Max pulled out three folders from the drawers.

“Holy shit.” She whispered, catching yours, Steve’s, and Dustin’s attention.

“You found it?”

Instead of looking at Dustin, she slowly looked at you. “Yeah, and not just Chrissy’s. Fred was seeing Ms. Kelly too. And… Y/n?”

All heads turn to look at you as you tried to speak but nothing came out.

“Y/n?” Steve said worryingly.

“I had sessions with Ms. Kelly back in my freshman year, but it was only for a few months.” You tried to reassure them, but the expressions on their faces tell you that they know there’s something more. Sighing, you continued, “After that, I only had one more visit with her.”

“And… when was that?” Dustin asked slowly.

“Last Friday.” You noticed Max’s eyes went wide, while Steve and Dustin were still confused. “I was the person that Ms. Kelly was talking to before Chrissy.”

Max hurriedly sat down on Ms. Kelly’s desk, simultaneously opening the folders that she had in her hand, including yours. You sat beside her, flicking through each of the documents as you felt a soft hand on your back. You looked up to see Steve looking at you softly, and you gave him a small smile in return.

“The symptoms…” You snapped your attention back to Max as you heard her whisper, her eyes glued to the sheets.

“What?” You questioned. You leaned towards her side and looked over at the paper, recognizing Ms. Kelly’s handwriting.

Once you realized what the words were, you froze. Headaches, nose bleeds, nightmares. It was common in all of the three files.

You looked at Max, who returned your gaze. She looked like she was about to speak, but her expression turned blank, staring at your face with unmoving eyes.

“Max?” You said, looking at the girl unsurely. “Max. Hey!”

You placed your hands on her shoulders, shaking her slightly. This caught the attention of Steve and Dustin, who seemed to go over to the door to guard the room.

“What happened?” Steve said when he reached us.

“I don’t know!” You panicked.

You three continued to call for Max, and after a few seconds, she gasped.

“Woah, Max are you okay?” Dustin said, stepping away from the girl whose eyes are wandering around.

She stuttered, but before she could answer, you heard a set of footsteps from the hall. You stood up from your seat beside Max and walked towards the door with Steve.

“Come on, stay behind me,” Steve said to you and you nodded as you made your way towards the hallway.

Thankfully, the footsteps weren't from any guard. It was from Nancy and Robin. You immediately returned to the Counselor’s Office where Dustin is still asking questions about Max.

“What happened here?” Robin wondered, seeing the distressed expression of the younger girl.

Max finally found her voice and grabbed one of the flashlights from Dustin’s backpack. “Follow me.”

She led all of you towards a small hallway with a dead end.

“It was here. A grandfather clock was right here.” She breathed.

“A grandfather clock?” Nancy repeated, earning a nod from Max.

“It was so real. And then, when I got closer, suddenly I just… I woke up.”

“It was like she was in a trance or something.” You quietly said, the image of Max’s blank face still clear on your mind.

“Exactly what Eddie said happened to Chrissy.” Dustin continued.

Max turned to face you all. It was only then that you noticed a few nervous tears in her eyes. “That’s not even the bad part.”

She led all of you back into the office where the folders are still scattered on the desk.

“Fred and Chrissy, they both came to Ms. Kelly for help. Uh, they were both having headaches, bad headaches that wouldn’t go away.” She paused to look at you and shakily continued to enumerate the symptoms she found. “And then, the nightmares. Trouble sleeping. They’d wake up in a cold sweat. Then they started seeing things. Bad things, from their past. These visions, they just… they kept on getting worse and worse until eventually, everything ended.”

“Vecna’s curse,” Robin muttered.

You didn’t notice that Steve’s eyes were on you the whole time. He had so many questions, so many things that he wanted to clarify with you. He was slowly starting to understand what Max was trying to say, and why she kept looking at you. Yet, he refused to acknowledge any thought that threatens your life.

What you didn’t know is that your feelings towards Steve Harrington are very much reciprocated. He’s seen you at school before, but his pride and attitude as King Steve did not allow him to spend another thought on you. Though you weren’t exactly quiet because you like interacting with people, you were very straightforward in voicing your opinions. You had solid ground, always fighting for what you thought was right.

Although he would never admit it, he was infinitely grateful to Dustin for giving him the chance to properly meet you. It was a week after they had fought the demodogs underground, and Steve went over to the kids’ houses to check up on them. You were visiting Dustin after his mom invited you and your dad for dinner, and you did not try to hide your shock when you saw Steve Harrington visiting Dustin Henderson’s house.

There were no secrets between you and Dustin, as he already treated you like his older sister. So he was usually the one who tells you every detail of their adventures. At that time, it was hard to believe his stories about Steve’s involvement. You never saw him with any children while he was still in High School, how can you believe that he went through those troubles for a bunch of non-popular kids in middle grade?

Over time, your doubt left little by little. You saw how he genuinely cared for his friends, especially after Dustin. Sometimes it still amazes you that the Steve Harrington you knew from High School is the same as the Steve Harrington you visit at Family Video almost every day.

As Steve looked at you, he felt scared and angry. If he could trade places with you, he would.

Max’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Chrissy’s headache started a week ago. Fred’s, six days ago. I… I’ve been having them for five days. I don’t know how long I have. All I know is that…” She paused, taking a deep breath as tears started falling from her eyes. “For Fred and Chrissy, they both died less than 24 hours after their first vision. And I just saw that goddamn clock, so… looks like I’m gonna die tomorrow.”

You stood closer to Max, placing your hand softly on top of hers.

“Wait, Y/n…” Dustin said, making all eyes turn to you. “When did yours start?”

“Four days ago.” You whispered. Now it’s Max’s turn to squeeze your fingers.

“Y/n? What—” Nancy was cut off by a loud crash from the hallway.

“Stay here,” Steve said, picking up a lamp before stepping outside the room.

The rest of you shared a glance and despite what Steve said, you all followed him outside. The sound of rapid footsteps made you hold your breath, and a series of screams left your mouth as the person revealed himself.

It was Lucas.

====================

After the arrival of Lucas, you and your friends decided to spend the night over at the Wheeler’s. You instantly borrowed their telephone as soon as the sun came out the next morning.

“Hey, dad.” You greeted him through the phone, slightly nervous about the inescapable scolding that you know will follow after not coming home for two days.

“Y/n! Where the hell are you?” You heard him speak.

“I’m here at the Wheeler’s. Nancy needed my help with… a paper they’re writing about Hawkins High. I’m sorry, it was sudden.” You said pathetically, hoping that he would not question you any further.

“Goodness! Do you know how worried I was? With all of these murders going around, I can’t have you wandering through town.” Your father said stiffly.

“I know. But I might need to stay a little longer here. I promise I won’t do anything stupid. Besides, Mrs. Wheeler is always here. She’s keeping an eye on us.” You said sweetly, silently praying that it’s enough to convince your father.

You heard him groan at the other end. “Alright, fine. But don’t go anywhere without adult supervision.”

“Dad, I’m eighteen! I’m an adult.”

“I know. It’s just a precaution.” He paused for a while before continuing with a softer tone. “Just… stay safe alright? And make sure you’re always with someone.”

Although he couldn’t see it, you smiled. “Alright. Bye, dad.”

You heard him bid you goodbye before dropping the call.

You walked back to the basement, finding Steve, Lucas, and Dustin seated on the sofa with pieces of paper surrounding them. You contemplated joining the boys, but your eyes noticed the younger girl at the bottom of the stairs, preoccupied with writing something on paper. You walked over to Max, quietly dragging a chair and bringing it over next to hers before sitting down.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” You gave her a small smile, and she tried to hide what she was writing by putting both of her arms on top of the paper.

“Tired... and scared. But I’m not going to sulk, not when it’s probably my last day living.” She tried to chuckle jokingly, but you’ve been friends with Max long enough to know when something is affecting her not.

“Don’t say that.” You shook your head at her, still keeping your voice down while the boys in the background were throwing questions at each other. “We’re going to find a way to save you, alright? I won’t let that Vecna monster take you away.” Similar to what you did the night before, you lightly held her hand.

Max looked like she was going to cry from your words. “How about you? Have you had any visions?” Max asked, trying to make the moment less emotional.

“No. But if your theory is correct, it’s only a matter of time before I get one.” You smiled sadly.

She looked away after seeing your expression and reached for an envelope with your name written on the back.

“What’s that?” You asked as she handed it to you.

“It's a fail-safe. You know, just in case things go sideways. Don’t open it now, though.” She said to you, now it’s your turn to get teary.

In three years of knowing her, you’ve seen Max go through a lot. You have seen her tough, throwing glares to whoever insults her friends. But you have also seen her vulnerable when she cried for hours after witnessing Billy’s death. You knew she tried to shake off the sadness, but you saw how she screamed for her brother that night. She was devastated, fearful, and crumbling.

You were surprised when she suddenly wrapped her arms around your shoulders.

“Thank you, Y/n. For everything.” Max whispered.

“Oh, Max.” You hugged her back, pulling her slightly closer.

Your exchange was cut off by the sound of an opening door. You all looked up to see Robin and Nancy hastily going downstairs, the latter was holding two folders in her hands.

“We have a plan.”

====================

Shortly after Nancy and Robin left for Pennhurst Asylum, and Max gave out the rest of her letters to the boys, you find yourselves in Steve’s car.

Max, who was pretty convinced that she was going to die despite your attempts to assure her that she won’t, insisted on visiting her home to deliver the remaining envelopes in her hand. Steve’s protests fell on deaf ears when the girl threatened him.

The stop at her house was quick, and now all of you are headed towards the cemetery.

Steve was able to find a parking spot, near enough for all of you to keep an eye on Max. Dustin and Lucas stood outside of the car, walkies at hand just in case.

“Why didn’t you tell us? Or at least, one of us.” Steve suddenly spoke, turning to look at you. His tone was low but kind, careful not to step over any boundaries.

You hesitated to answer but realizing that this could be the only moment you could have with Steve alone, you let your guard down. “I don’t know. I guess I thought I could fix it.”

“Fix what?” He asked.

“Everything.” You looked at him directly. “When the nightmares came back, the fear also came back. And I just thought that maybe something I did trigger it. But then these murders started happening, and Max and Dustin went on with their theories...”

“You knew?” Steve sadly asked, his own eyes dropping.

You nodded. “Yeah. I kind of pieced it together when Max mentioned Ms. Kelly. But I didn’t want to say anything because Max needs us right now and it would be selfish if I—“

“Y/n.” Steve stopped your rambling by placing his hand on top of yours that was relaxed on his dashboard. “Asking for help isn’t selfish, alright?”

You sighed, wanting to agree with him but you’ve always put your friends first. Before the conversation could go longer, Lucas peeked through Steve’s open window.

“Steve, how long has it been?” His eyes traveled to Max, who was still in the same seated position.

But she was steady.

You sneaked a few glances at her during your conversation with Steve. Her head would move every once in a while, looking at Billy’s gravestone and back to the letter. But now, she’s steadily staring ahead.

Before Steve could count the minutes on his watch and answer Lucas, you went out of the car towards Max.

“Y/n? What ar—“

“Hey! Max!” You jogged to her place, noticing that she didn’t look at you when you called her. It was only when you were right beside her that you noticed her eyes. Blank, shaking and covered with a white hue. “Max? Max! Guys!”

The rest of your friends hurriedly went towards you and Max after hearing your panicked shout. You and Steve continued to call for her, while Lucas had his hands firm on her shoulder as he shook her. Dustin was way ahead of all of you, already contacting Robin and Nancy through his walkie.

The next moments were just screaming from the four of you. Max remained unresponsive, and tears were already building up in Lucas’ eyes.

“C’mon! This is code red! Robin, do you copy!”

“Yes, yes, we copy!” You heard Robin’s voice on the other end, and you swore Dustin almost fainted in relief when she replied.

“Holy shit! Finally! What have you guys found?”

“Music! Make her listen to music.”

“Exactly what music?”

“Her favorite song! She has to have a connection with it.”

Not bothering to reply to Robin, Dustin ran back to the car, went through the window, and gathered Max’s cassette player and tapes.

“What’s her favorite song?” Dustin asked as soon as he dropped the tapes in front of us. Lucas scrambled through it, finally handing the right one back to Dustin who placed the headphones on Max.

You were all anxious as you waited for something to happen. Lucas increased the volume so much that even the four of you can hear it.

“Max! Come back to us, please!” He pleaded.

Then her body started to lift, frightening all of you. If you remember Eddie’s recollection of Chrissy right, you know what’s next. Lucas was fully crying as you all stared at Max’s body. He tried to reach her ankles but she was farther.

The next few seconds were tense. You were all afraid that the song might come to an end before Max could come back. But as you heard a deep breath coming from the girl, you were relieved.

Max fell to the ground, and Lucas wrapped his arms around her. It worked.

====================

As soon as you all gathered back to the Wheelers’ basement, Dustin filled in everything with Robin and Nancy. You took a seat on the couch, eyes dropping from all the tiredness and lack of sleep.

“Take a nap first.” You felt Steve position himself beside you, legs stretching outwards after driving around town.

Nancy, who heard Steve, agreed with him. “He’s right. We need to take a rest for a while. I can keep watch first, just in case.”

You all nodded, spreading yourselves around the basement to find a comfortable position.

“Feel free to use me as a pillow.” Steve jokingly said as he patted his shoulders. You let out a small laugh, slightly leaning on his side of the couch before closing your eyes.

====================

When you all woke up from your nap an hour ago, you didn’t expect to be coming to Victor Creel’s house. Nancy shared something about how this might be Vecna’s lair, which only led to more questions about why he would choose Victor’s house out of all places in Hawkins. Most importantly, what was the grandfather clock in Max’s vision doing in its hallway.

You all scattered around the house, trying to look for more clues that could give an answer to at least one of your questions. You were about to get inside another bedroom when you heard mumbles from the hall, seeing Nancy standing behind Steve as she pulled something out from his hair.

Your heart tugged a little as you walked away as quietly as you can, trying to go unnoticed by the two.

You heard a lot about Nancy and Steve’s relationship back in high school. The most popular boy with the smartest girl. According to most people, it was a match that seemed very unlikely yet perfect. Even now, as you look at the two, it is no wonder why they fell for each other.

In hopes of distracting yourself and finding more clues, you made your way down the stairs.

A mistake.

Barely five steps down, you felt cold, chills running down your back and arms. Your surroundings got darker as if someone closed the torn curtains over the broken windows of the house. But what caught your attention was the grandfather clock at the bottom of the stairs.

Minutes ago, it was broken. You could hardly recognize the numbers from how much dust and webs it collected over the years. Now it’s perfectly ticking, one tick louder than the next.

“Y/n.”

You flinched from the voice you didn't recognize. It was loud, deep, and terrifying. Yet you couldn’t find its source.

“Steve! Max! Guys!” Panicking, you ran back up, but your friends were nowhere to be seen.

The voice got louder as you ran through the halls, checking and opening every door that you could find in hopes that one of them could help you escape.

“You can try to run but I will find you.” It said tauntingly. “Your time will come to an end soon.”

A dead-end made you stop running. You prepared to turn around, still determined to find a way out. But you were shocked when an invisible force pushed you backward, making you stumble a step.

====================

You weren’t aware that Nancy and Steve actually saw you walk past them. It was mere seconds, but Nancy caught the way Steve perked up when he saw your form.

“You like her don’t you?” She whispered to him teasingly as she continued to remove the spider webs from his hair.

“W-what? No, I don’t.” Steve replied, suddenly thankful that Nancy couldn’t see his face as he felt his cheeks warm up. Though his stuttering gave him away.

She replied with a knowing “Hmm”, making Steve groan.

“Am I obvious?” He mumbled.

“Very. It isn’t hard to notice the way you look at her.” She smiled, also discreetly aware of how you looked at the boy.

She heard Steve sigh as he turned around, making Nancy stop picking on his hair. “I’m worried about her. I know she hasn’t experienced any visions— thankfully, but what if she does and we’re not there to save her?”

Nancy saw nothing but sincerity in the boy’s eyes, but she didn’t get a chance to reply after hearing Robin yell.

“Guys! Help, it’s Y/n!”

Steve was the first to run, following Robin’s voice and finding her at the top of the stairway. Her hands are on top of your shoulder, shaking you while you remain motionless.

“What happened?!” Steve said, lightly pushing Robin and replacing her hands with his. “Y/n?”

“I-I was on my way down and I saw her just standing here.” She explained, nervousness in her voice.

The rest of your friends have already gathered to where you are; Max’s eyes were wide as she realized what was going on. “She’s having a vision.” She whispered.

Steve, who was still trying to wake you up from whatever is pulling your conscience away, clearly heard Max’s words and panicked even more. It was just a minute ago when he was telling Nancy how scared he would be if this happened to you.

The moment that you returned, you let out a gasp, startling the rest. Steve felt like he could cry from relief after seeing your eyes move again, and he immediately pulled you into a hug.

“God, don’t scare me like that again.” He whispered to your ear, seemingly forgetting that all of your friends are looking at the two of you.

You were still catching your breath, and your brain took a while to notice that your face was pressed against Steve’s chest. You hugged him back quickly, muttering a quiet “I’m okay” and then pulled away eventually.

Max was the first to approach you when let go of Steve. “Tell us what happened.” She pleaded.

“I saw the clock.” You simply said, trying to remember every detail that you saw from your vision. You saw the way their faces dropped after you said it, and you knew that you didn’t have to explain anything else because they know what it means for you.

You’re Vecna’s next target.

====================

After your first vision, Steve refused to let you out of his sight. You and he stayed outside of the Creels’ house while your friends continued to search around, finding out that the Upside Down version of the attic is possibly where Vecna recharges his powers.

Still shaken up from what happened, you asked the group to make a short stop at your house. There are two things that you need to do; get a cassette player, and see your father.

Nancy volunteered to drive, while you were in the middle seat between Max and Steve. You leaned your head on his shoulder throughout the ride, while Max had her right arm hooked with your left.

“We’re here, Y/n,” Nancy announced as she parked in front of your house.

“Thanks, Nance. I’ll be quick.” You shot her a quick smile. Steve moved out of the car to allow you to do the same, but you raised your eyebrows when you noticed him following you to your front door. “You’re coming?”

“Can’t leave you alone again, Y/l/n.” He joked, eyes twinkling that you almost forgot you were cursed.

Before you get entranced by his smile, you stepped towards your house. The front door was locked, so you had no choice but to knock. Your father looked relieved when he saw your face.

“Y/n!” You threw yourself nearer to him and he opened his arms for a hug. “Oh, Steve. You’re here too.” Your dad smiled at the boy behind you. Everyone does like Steve Harrington.

Steve smiled in return as your dad ushered you both inside.

“So, how is Nancy’s paper going?” He asked.

“Paper?” You shot him a confused look, forgetting about the excuse that you made a day ago. “Oh! Yes, yes, it’s going great! Steve’s also helping her.”

Your dad nodded. “So, you’re staying tonight?”

Your heart dropped, the lingering thought of the curse suffocating you. “I can’t, dad. I’m sorry. I just stopped by to get some… stuff that I need.”

You’re oblivious to the fact that your father knew you very well, and he is certainly sure that you are not telling him the truth. But as he stared at you, assessing the tone of your voice and the emotions in your eyes, he didn't want to hold you back. He trusts you, and he knew that you would eventually tell him what’s going on when you’re ready.

“Do you need me to assist you?” Your father asked softly.

You shook your head with a smile. “It’s okay. I got it.”

He watched as you and Steve stepped upstairs, letting out a sigh before going to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, you started digging through your cabinets as soon as you reached your bedroom to search for your cassette. Steve took charge in going through the tapes, eyes flicking through the song titles.

“Found it.” You whispered under your breath when you spotted it. You were stunned when you stood up and saw Steve leaning against your door, smiling smugly. “What?”

He waved a very familiar dark purple audio tape. “Your favorite.”

Saturday Night Fever - “More Than A Woman” by the Bee Gees

“Damn, how’d you know?” You chuckled, trying to shake off the fluttering feeling that he knows your favorite song.

“Are you kidding me?” He exaggeratedly said. “There isn’t any idle moment when you aren’t singing this. You even kept the extra tape for your car.”

You laughed, remembering all the time that Robin had to shut you up because you wouldn’t stop singing the song. But your happiness was cut off short when you realized that your life now depends on that small tape that he was holding.

Steve sensed the change in your expression and quickly understood. “Hey, you’re going to be fine. We saved Max, we’ll save you too.” He smiled comfortingly.

You nodded, motioning that you need to go back to your friends who are waiting outside.

“Y/n.” Your dad called you before you got the chance to take a step out of your house. He pulled you into another quick hug. “Stay safe, alright?”

You hugged him tighter, suddenly fearing that this could be the last time you’ll ever see him. “Promise. I’ll see you soon, dad.”

You pulled away slowly, giving him another look before walking back to the car with Steve.

“Alright, we’re going to Eddie next,” Dustin announced.

====================

You felt another wave of terror when your group was supposed to bring more supplies to the cabin that Eddie is hiding in, but instead found the police and media surrounding the lake.

Another Hawkins High student was found dead.

The rumbling of Dustin’s walkie caught your attention, immediately identifying the voice on the other end as Eddie’s.

“Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?”

“Eddie, holy shit. Are you okay?” Dustin whispered back.

“Nah, man. P-pretty goddamn far from okay.” Eddie chuckled.

“Where are you?”

“Skull Rock. You know it?”

“Yeah. That’s near Cornwallis and—”

“Garrett, yeah. I know where that is.” Steve finished for Dustin.

“Hold tight. We’re coming.”

====================

You were thankful that your shoes are made for running.

Dustin and Steve’s bantering on the location of Skull Rock had you change your route three times already.

“Oh, boom! Bada bing bada boom. There she is, Henderson.” Steve said, pushing away a few bushes. “In your face, man.”

“Steve.” You shot him a scolding look for his words, shutting him up.

“Doesn’t make sense,” Dustin whispered under his breath but quickly ran up to Eddie when he saw him. “There you are! Jesus, we thought you were a goner.”

Eddie patted him on the back. “Yeah, me too, man. Me too.”

The next minutes were spent on filling Eddie in with everything you guys have found. Starting from Nancy and Robin’s visit to the Pennhurst Asylum, up to your recent vision.

“Wait, Y/n? You too?” Eddie looked at you with wide eyes.

You nodded sadly.

“Oh, shit.” He replied shakily, eyes darting from you to Dustin who was pacing back and forth. “Hey, uh, Henderson’s not, uh, cursed, is he?”

“Cursed? No, no. He’s fine.” Steve said. “Mental? Absolutely.”

“Boom!” You all flinched, surprised when Dustin shouted while pointing at Steve. “Bada… bada… boom. I was right.”

Steve rolled his eyes.

“Skull Rock was north.”

“Seriously? You’re serious?! This is Skull Rock. Okay?” He dramatically pointed his hand towards the gigantic rocks. “You’re totally, absolutely, one hundred percent wrong. Right now!”

Dustin looks unaffected by Steve’s bursts, muttering a few “mhmm” while smiling cheekily. “Yes… and no.”

“Oh my god.” Steve threw his hands, stepping closer to you while glaring at Dustin.

“This compass worked correctly when we left the Wheelers.” He began to explain. “It was correct when we got in the car in Curly, but it started to slip the further east we went. Now, it’s way off.”

You all looked at each other, not understanding what he was saying.

“When I was leading us here, I wasn’t wrong. The compass was.”

“So you’re using faulty equipment. You’re still wrong.” Steve butted in, and you gave him a slight shove to shut him up.

“Except, it isn’t faulty.” Dustin pointed at him before turning to Lucas. “Lucas, remember what can affect a compass?”

Lucas, who seemed to be getting what Dustin is talking about, quickly replied. “An electromagnetic field.”

“I’m sorry, I must've skipped that class,” Robin said.

“In the presence of a stronger electromagnetic field, the needle will deflect towards that power. So either there’s some super big magnet around here, or—”

“There’s a gate.” Lucas finished Dustin’s statement.

“We’re nowhere near the lab,” Nancy spoke for the first time in a while.

“But what if, somehow, there’s another gate? A gate that we don’t know about. It’d have to be smaller. Way less powerful.” Dustin explained.

“Snack-size gate,” Robin said.

“How? Why?” You asked.

“No idea. All I know is that something is causing this disturbance, and the last time we’ve seen anything like this, it was a gate. And I hope it is because we would have a way to Vecna, and a shot at freeing Max and Y/n from this curse.” Dustin went running, but Steve stopped him.

“Where are you going? Hey!” Dustin stopped, looking at a stressed Steve. “Eddie is still a wanted man. We can’t just go for a hike in the woods.”

Having enough from Steve, Dustin raised the compass in his hands. “This little steel capsule might be the key to saving Y/n, Max, and Eddie.” He turned directly to Eddie. “What say you, Eddie the Banished?”

All of you turned to Eddie who had been quietly sitting.

“I say you’re asking me to follow you into Mordor, which, if I’m totally straight with you, I think is a really bad idea.” He looked up. “But, uh, the Shire… the Shire is burning.”

Dustin hops adorably.

“So Mordor it is.” Eddie stated.

====================

If you thought the walk to Skull Rock was long, walking through the woods is even longer. What is even more annoying is that Dustin’s compass just led you back to the Lover’s Lake.

“There’s a gate in Lover’s Lake?” Max wondered aloud.

“Whenever the demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening,” Nancy answered. “Maybe, Vecna’s the same way.”

“Only one way to find out,” Steve said.

Your eyes noticed a small boat tied to a tree nearby, and you immediately made your way toward it.

“Where are you going?”

Ignoring Steve’s question, you untangled the rope and pulled the boat nearer to your group. Eddie and Steve took hold of each side, steadying the object.

Robin was the first to get in, placing her hands on the two boys’ heads to maintain her balance. Eddie followed, then Nancy, then you.

“Are you sure about this?” Steve asked you as he offered his hand.

“Yeah. Enough worrying, Harrington.” You smiled at him as he followed you in.

“Wait, Y/n!” Max called out for you. “Do you have your cassette?”

You nodded, turning to your side to show the small cassette player tucked in your back pocket.

Dustin walked forward, ready to join your group but Eddie and Nancy stopped him, insisting that he and Lucas should stay with Max. He reluctantly handed the compass, shaking his head as he stepped back with the other two.

Trying to lighten the mood, Robin yelled for them as she and Eddie paddled. “Bedtime at nine, kiddos! Miss you already!”

After around three minutes, the five of you were perfectly at the center of the Lake. Nancy asked to slow down the boat, the compass in her hand spinning wildly.

You noticed Steve taking off his shoes and socks. “Woah, Steve. What are you doing?”

“Somebody’s got to go down and check this out. Unless one of you four can top being a Hawkins High swim co-captain and a certified lifeguard for three years, then… it’s gotta be me. No complaints, alright?”

“Hey, I’m not complaining. I don't wanna go down there.” Eddie said nervously as he looked at the pitch-black reflection of the waters.

On the other hand, you were about to say something when Steve took his sweater off and you felt your throat go dry. Little do you know that Robin was looking at you, fighting the urge to laugh at your reaction.

Eddie handed Steve a flashlight wrapped in a plastic bag. “Good luck.”

“Steve.” You held his hand and looked up at him. “Be careful.”

He almost forgot what he was about to do as he stared at you, face illuminated by the moon. Instead, he smiled and rubbed the back of your hand with his fingers. “Will do. Enough worrying, Y/l/n.”

Turning back, Steve dove right into the water.

Barely two seconds after he did so, you looked at Nancy anxiously. “How long has it been?”

“Relax, Y/n.” She laughed a little. “He’s going to be fine.”

Despite her assurance, you couldn’t stay still, your eyes locked on the water. A minute later, you almost fell back in shock when Steve raised his head on the surface.

“I found it,” Steve said, panting. A series of cheerful exclamations followed your group at his statement.

“Dustin, you are a goddamn Einstein. Steve found the gate.” Robin said, communicating with the kids through her walkie.

“Come on. Grab my hand.” You reached Steve with your right hand.

Before he could grab yours, however, he was pulled back under the water.

“Steve!” You shouted, your panic turned into horror when you saw no sign of Steve.

“What the hell was that, man?!” Eddie screamed behind you.

Without another thought, you stood up on the edge of the boat, taking off your shoes as Steve did a while ago.

“Woah. Hold on. Y/n, where are you going?” Robin asked, one hand holding your arm.

“I can’t leave him there alone, Robin.” You said determinedly, pulling your arm away from her grasp.

“Y/n— no!” You heard Nancy yell after you, but you already jumped into the water.

You weren’t the best swimmer, but you didn’t care. You had one thing on your mind, and that is to save Steve.

Your eyes widened when you spotted the gate, its dark red color made you nervous. But you swam right through, shocked when you realized that the other end was dry.

You were panting as you pulled yourself up, legs slightly shaking from tiredness. Taking in your surroundings, you noticed the familiar trees around you.

This is the Lover’s Lake in the Upside Down. Only this lake was dry, and dark thick vines covered almost the entire floor.

You heard a pained yell from behind you, your heart pumping faster when you laid eyes on Steve. You ran towards him and grabbed a paddle from a nearby boat that looked the same as what your group had used.

“Steve!” You yelled, hitting one of the demobats that attempted to go near you.

Steve spotted you, but his screams were cut off when one of the bats wrapped his tail around his neck. You went near him, using the pack of the paddle to crush the creature’s head.

Once its tail was loosened, you helped an injured Steve get up. “Come on. We need to get out of here.”

“Y/n! Steve! Look up!” You heard Robin’s familiar voice. You were stunned for a moment when you spotted her running with Nancy and Eddie.

“Shit,” Steve muttered, bracing himself.

You looked up, seeing another group of the demobats.

Nancy grabbed the other paddle from the same boat, while Eddie, Steve, and Robin aimed for their tails.

You didn’t know how long this occurred, but you were overcome with relief when you saw Eddie slam the last one to the ground. You all sighed, chests heaving from the swimming and physical fight that happened consecutively.

“Jesus H. Christ!” Eddie screamed, shaking his head.

You ran to Steve, eyes searching for more injuries. “Are you alright? How are you feeling?”

“Well, they took about a pound of flesh. But other than that, yeah, never better.” Steve tried to hide his pain by chuckling, but the action made him wince even more.

“This isn’t funny, Steve. We need to get out of here.” Your eyes were glued to his sides, stomach turning to the sight of running blood.

The sound of screeching caught all of your attention, and you spotted more demobats heading toward the lake.

“The woods. Come on.” Nancy said, motioning for all of you to follow her.

The run through the forest was painful for your feet, but you couldn’t imagine how Steve was feeling with his open wounds. You eventually reached the Skull Rock of the Upside Down, and Nancy gave you a torn piece from her clothes as a bandage for Steve.

“You alright?” Steve asked you quietly as you reached around his back, his own eyes searching for any scrape on your face.

“Don’t worry about me.” You dismissed him quickly, finishing up the make-shift bandage by tucking the ends. “There, all done.”

Steve held your hand, looking from his wound back to your face. “Thank you, Y/n.”

You gave him a nod and tugged on his hand, silently asking him to sit on the ground with you to take a rest. But as soon as you did, you remembered something and you froze.

You hurriedly pulled the cassette player from your back pocket, eyes widening in fear when you noticed that it was broken and leaking with water.

“Shit, St—“ You looked back up, expecting to see Steve but none of your friends were there. The sky was still tinted with the red color, but there was smoke forming around the ground that you were standing on. You froze, already having an idea what is going on.

“Y/n...” You heard the echo of the same dark voice from your first vision.

“What the fuck do you want from me?” You angrily said, looking around you. A tall silhouette on your left made you shudder when you noticed that it was heading toward you.

“You think you can save your friends. You weren’t even able to save your mother.” It taunts, the voice getting louder as the figure gets closer. “Your time will end soon, Y/n.”

You recognized the same ticking sound that you heard from Victor Creel’s house, and you noticed the grandfather clock embedded in one of the rocks.

On the other end, Steve had his hands on your cheeks. He witnessed the way your arm limped to your sides, dropping the cassette to the ground. Your face turned upwards as if looking directly at someone. But your eyes were unmoving, and your mouth slightly opened. It was the same expression that you had a few hours ago in the mansion.

“Y/n! C’mon, you have to listen to me. Y/n!” He kept yelling for you. Nancy and Robin were also trying to shake your hands, while Eddie is on the verge of a breakdown.

Like the first time, you gasped when you regained your body. You were scrambling away from Steve as your mind wasn’t able to process that you were back with your friends.

“Woah, calm down. You’re alright.” Steve tried again to come near you. This time, your eyes steadied at him, and you wrapped your arms around his shoulder.

Steve comforted you as he hugged you back. He could feel you tremble in his arms; his heart broke as he wished he could take you away from all of this.

You pulled away after a minute, and Nancy was quick to formulate another plan after you assured her that you were okay.

“We need weapons. We’re going to need everything that we can use to defend ourselves. And we also need a music player.” She stated.

“Where are we gonna get those?” Eddie asked.

“Oh, and another follow-up question. Do music players work in the Upside Down?” Robin continued slowly.

“I don’t know, but we have to try,” Nancy said, looking at you. You gave her a small quick smile as a sign of gratitude and the girl was quick to return it. “We need to go to my house. We can find all of those things there.”

“Wait, you said weapons. What exactly are the weapons in your house?” Eddie wondered.

“Guns. I have guns.” Nancy said, her tone flat.

Eddie was left with his mouth open, stuttering more questions about how Nancy Wheeler has guns. Plural.

Nancy simply laughed and started walking, Robin following closely behind her.

Steve positioned himself beside you, but Robin linked her arms with yours, pushing you in between her and Nancy.

Annoyed, Steve glared at the back of his friend’s head but he saw Eddie pushing a denim vest in front of him.

“For your modesty, dude.” Eddie said, earning a muffled “thank you” from Steve.

A few minutes have passed and you were laughing with the two girls as you walked. Steve stared softly at you, happy that you were smiling despite the circumstances. He would rather throw himself into the group of demobats than let anything hurt you.

He felt terrified. Based on his understanding of Eddie’s story and Max’s experience, Vecna’s victims are only given three visions— you just had your second.

“It’s very metal, what you did. That’s all I’m saying.” Eddie’s voice interrupted Steve’s thoughts. “You know, personally I would never jump in that lake to save your ass. No offense. But Y/n, right there, she didn’t waste a second. Not one second. She just dove right in.”

Eddie was careful to keep his voice down, and Steve’s eyes traveled from him to your figure.

“From what I heard, you two are just friends. But let me tell you, dude, what she did is more than just a friendly act.”

“She shouldn’t have done that,” Steve replied with the same volume. Meanwhile, his mind imagined what Eddie just said. You, jumping right after he was pulled down. Why would you risk yourself from him?

“But she did.” Eddie shrugged, a smile forming on his face.

Steve didn’t speak, trying to pretend that he was more interested in the trees. Yet his mind was on you— not the first time though. He felt an ounce of hope, a voice in his head saying that you feel the same way. But the other voice doubts, threatening him that this might ruin your friendship.

A few minutes more and you find yourselves out of the forest, walking on the cemented floor instead of soil.

“Right there.” Nancy pointed at her house, slightly walking faster.

You were both relieved and creeped out by the sight of the Wheelers’ house. The color remains the same, but the same thick vines that you saw earlier were wrapped almost entirely around its exterior, and some branches were able to puncture through the glass windows.

“Come. My guns are upstairs.” You all followed Nancy to her bedroom door, but she turned to look at you before you could enter. “Oh, Y/n, most of the audio tapes are in my parents’ bedroom. I’ll grab my player for you.” She said, pointing at the door next to hers.

“I’ll go with you,” Steve said from beside you and you nodded, quickly thanking Nancy.

Her parents’ room was a bit bigger than hers, but you didn’t have any trouble finding the tapes, seeing them displayed on a work table. You crouched down, eyes dragging quickly over every piece.

“Got it.” You said, pulling out the same tape that you brought from your house.

You were prepared to leave the room, but you stopped when you noticed Steve quietly sitting on the bed. His fingers were picking through Eddie’s denim jacket.

“You alright there?” You asked, walking over to him.

“You have to stop worrying about me. It’s you that we have to save.” He answered, eyes looking at yours.

You sat beside him and smiled. “Well, hopefully, this tape works.”

“I’m sorry.” You heard him whisper, brows furrowed in confusion.

“Sorry? Sorry for what?”

“For not noticing what you were going through.” Steve looked at the tape in your hand. “If I noticed, I could’ve helped you earlier and—”

“Steve.” You said sternly. “You have nothing to apologize for. I chose to hide.”

He went quiet, eyes still dropped low.

“Do you remember when I told you how my mother died?” You whispered. You were still hopeful that you could escape Vecna’s grasp; if Max survived, so can you. But just in case things go unsuccessfully, you don’t want to regret not telling the truth.

“A car accident,” Steve said hesitantly.

You nodded, gulping before proceeding to talk. “There was this girl in my class who was popular, and she was going to celebrate her birthday but only those with invitations could come. I was surprised when she gave me one, but I was so flattered.” You chuckled, shaking your head at your ridiculousness when you were younger. “I asked my parents if I could join, but my mom was against it because she knew I wasn’t anywhere close to that girl.

I was so annoyed. I mean, when I look back at it now, it does sound stupid. I probably didn’t even have any conversation with her, but my thirteen-year-old self was persistent. So I sneaked out to the party and asked one of my friends to cover for me. But my mom knew me very well and eventually found out where I was. I have never seen her so disappointed.

She picked me up that night, and while we were on our way home, it started raining. The rest of my memories were blurred, but I couldn’t forget how terrified she looked. The next thing I know is that I was in the hospital. I saw my dad cry for the first time as he told me that mom was gone. The police said something about losing control of the brakes but it didn’t register to me. If I just listened to her, she’d still be alive.”

You didn’t realize that you were tearing up until you felt Steve hold your hand, squeezing it as he wrapped his other arm around you.

“We moved to Hawkins after a few months because it was just painful, everything in our house reminded us about her. But it still wasn’t easy. I had to go to Ms. Kelly because my nightmares weren’t stopping. Then I met the kids, you, Nancy, and Robin, and I felt like I could breathe again. But then, of course, this monster curses me.”

You had tears freely falling down your cheeks at this point. Steve pulled you closer to him as you cried, your face tucked between his shoulder and neck.

Steve didn’t know what to say— he was never the best at comforting. But you didn’t need to hear any words, content with the feeling of Steve’s hands running up and down your hand.

“We’ll save you alright? I won’t let anything happen to you.” He whispered, and without thinking, he pressed a small kiss on your forehead.

You look up to meet his eyes, your own pair slightly wide from the unexpected affection from Steve. When he saw your expression, his brain seemed to register what he’d done.

“Oh, uh, I… s-sorry.” He stuttered.

Steve Harrington was never the one to stutter in front of girls. He always knew what to say and how to say it; but with you, he always felt like he was lost for words. Now, as he looked at your face, traces of tears still evident on your cheeks after letting him see your vulnerability, he wanted nothing else than to hold you forever. But he needed to tell you the truth first.

“Y/n.” He started slowly, trying to formulate his words. “I-I know this isn’t really the best time to say it but…”

Here goes nothing.

“I like you, Y/n. No, screw that, I’m falling for you. And now I think I just ruined our friendsh—”

You cut him off as you raised both your arms and wrapped them around his shoulder. Your sadness from earlier is no longer there, replaced by the happiest feeling as you laughed softly.

“You’re right. This isn’t the best place to confess.” You said as you pulled away. “But I’m falling for you too, Steve Harrington. I have been for a while.”

Steve looked at you with his mouth slightly open, his mind still processing the words you have said. “You mean that?” He asked, a smile starting to form on his face.

You nodded, looking at him with nothing but sincerity and adoration in your eyes. He leaned in closer to you, feeling the wetness of your cheeks from your tears as he pressed his hands on both sides of your face.

“Can I kiss you?”

You answered him by leaning in, closing the gap between your faces. The kiss was soft and quick, but enough for you to take in the feeling of each other’s lips.

“Hey, guys, we need you downs— oh.” You both pulled away upon hearing Robin’s voice from the door. The girl had her mouth and eyes wide. “We leave you two alone for a few minutes and you’re already eating each others’ faces.”

You and Steve laughed as he helped you to your feet, his hands softly brushing the remaining tears from your cheeks.

“But I gotta say, nice one, dingus! Took you long enough.” Robin said cheekily as Steve glared at her.

“Shut up.” He groaned, following you as you stepped out of the room.

Robin rolled her eyes, but her expression turned serious. “Come on, we might have a problem.”

====================

After swimming to the bottom of the lake, walking through the forest, and now rapidly biking towards Eddie’s trailer, you felt like your legs would give out anytime.

Nancy was disappointed to find none of her guns after realizing that the time setting of the Upside Down is three years stuck in the past. Still, you were grateful for three reasons. One, you were able to communicate with the kids on the other side, and now all of you are on your way to getting out of this dimension. Two, Nancy’s cassette was working and is safely tucked inside your pockets. Three, Robin. Her teasing and bickering with Steve made this entire situation much lighter.

You were happy when you finally took the familiar right turn to Eddie’s place, stepping out of your bikes as soon as you reached his front lawn. As expected by Nancy, you found another portal on Eddie’s ceiling. It looks identical to the one at the lake, and you all freaked when a stick poke through.

You almost screamed in happiness when you saw Dustin, Max, Lucas, and Erica on the other side. A few minutes later, Dustin threw a makeshift rope from blankets, the others preparing a mattress for your group to land on.

Robin climbed first, followed by Eddie and Nancy.

“Go on.” Steve smiled at you.

“See you on the other side?” You asked him, eyes twinkling.

He let out a small laugh, nodding his head. “See you on the other side.”

You reached for the rope, pulling yourself up with every remaining strength that you have. But you didn’t fall on the mattress.

Steve watched you position yourself in front of him, ready to grab onto the rope. But when you went steady with your hands falling to your side, his face went cold.

“Y/n?” He moved to face you, eyes widening when he saw your eyes glazed. It was the same look that Max had at the cemetery. He cupped your face, shaking you as softly as he could. “Shit. Y/n! Stay with me. Y/n!”

On the other end, Steve heard Max shout. “It’s Vecna! Play her music, Steve!”

His hands were shaking as he reached for your back pocket, inserting the tape into the cassette player. He immediately placed the headphones on your ears, holding your hand after he did so.

“C’mon, Y/n. You gotta come back to me.”

====================

You fell into darkness, wincing and gasping as you felt yourself land on your back. It took you a few seconds to sit up, taking in your surroundings.

You were in the middle of a road, with several police cars and an ambulance lined up to your left. The sky was dark; it was night.

Standing up slowly, you were overwhelmed with panic and fear, not fully understanding what was happening.

“Y/n.” The familiar dark voice spoke, making you gasp from how loud it was. “Did you forget what you’ve done?”

You looked around, but everything was dark aside from the flashing lights from the cars. It was only then that you noticed a shattered car to your right.

You trembled upon seeing the familiar car.

Its front part was completely destroyed, looking similar to the bent street light pole. You froze when you noticed someone come out from the driver’s side, slowly walking towards you.

“Oh, Y/n.” You heard your mother’s voice, recognizing her dim-lighted face as she stood a few feet away from you. “You did this to me. You killed me.” She wickedly laughed.

“W-what? I—” You stuttered, stumbling a few steps back.

“If only you had listened to me.” The more she comes near you, the more you can see her figure change. Your mother’s body was slowly transforming into something you couldn’t comprehend. Its body was similar to a human, but taller and covered in the same vines from the upside down.

“I see you’ve been looking for me, Y/n.” Its voice went back to the usual, its eyes glowing red and black.

You gasped, remembering Max’s description of the same monster who curses you.

Vecna.

Without thinking, you turned around and ran. You didn’t know where your path would lead you, but you were desperate to stay away from him. You tripped over something, and the cemented ground that you first found yourself on had transformed into a wooden floor.

You looked up, seeing that you were back in Victor Creel’s house. Although, this was far from what you have seen. This house looked new, fresh, and alive.

“You wanted to find out the truth, Y/n?” Vecna’s voice echoed, though he wasn’t anywhere in sight.

Your attention was brought to the four people in front of you, noticing two kids and two adults. Victor Creel’s family. Your eyes stuck to the young boy, his eyes looking around the house with a blank expression.

Your surroundings shifted every once in a while, each vision focusing on Victor’s son, Henry. You follow him as he quietly watches his family members, spying on their every move. You were shocked when you were led outside, witnessing the boy kill a struggling rabbit with powers similar to Eleven’s.

But that’s not what terrified you.

You watched the night when Victor was arrested. It wasn’t him who killed his wife and daughter. It was Henry.

The flashbacks ended, the house’s walls slowly disintegrating into red smoke. You shivered when you realized that you were brought to the same place from Max’s drawings.

“Your time is over, Y/n. Now, you will join me.” You turned around, seeing Vecna coming closer to you.

“Fuck you!” You shouted, feeling something wrap around your ankle. Before you could look down, you were dragged backward, another set of vines wrapping around your wrists to pull you up against a column.

Vecna watched you struggle, a demonic smile forming on his face as he stood directly in front of you. “I’m here to end your suffering, Y/n.” He raised his right hand towards your face, your eyes widening in fear as you looked at his sharp fingers.

That’s when you heard it.

Oh, girl, I've known you very well

I've seen you growing every day

It was a faint sound, and you almost thought that it just came from your imagination.

I never really looked before

But now you take my breath away

Vecna’s motions stopped, angrily turning around. You followed his eyes, a gasp escaping your lips as you spotted a portal-looking exit.

Suddenly you're in my life

Part of everything I do

But it wasn’t just that. You saw Steve’s form, frantically shaking you. When Vecna returned his sight to you, he was furious.

“You don’t belong with them. You belong with me, here.” He sneered, raising his hand once more.

His words snapped something inside you. You remembered all the times you hung out with Robin and Steve over at the Family Video; the times when the boys would ask you to ride the bike with them, letting them purposely win when they ask for a race; the times when you volunteered to be Max and El’s chaperone to the mall; the times where your dad would always bake your birthday cake because you refused to eat any cake that wasn’t done by him; and the all the times you spent with Steve.

How you two would endlessly annoy Robin. How he secretly enjoys being with Dustin despite the fact that they always fight whenever they’re together. And the moment you had several minutes ago back at the Wheeler’s.

This isn’t where you belong. You belong with your friends, your dad, with Steve.

You got me working day and night

Just tryin' to keep a hold on you

You twisted your right wrist from one of the vines, lifting a punch to Vecna’s cheek. He stumbled back as the rest of his grip loosened around you.

You pushed away all the tiredness from the past days as you took the opportunity to run, avoiding as much falling debris as you could.

Here in your arms I found my paradise

My only chance for happiness

And if I lose you now, I think I would die

Oh, say you'll always be my baby, we can make it shine

We can take forever, just a minute at a time

More than a woman

More than a woman to me

You will come home.

====================

Steve was crying, tears shamefully dropping on his face as he looked at your rising body. Your back aggressively landed on Eddie’s ceiling, just a few inches away from the gate where the rest of your friends are shouting.

“Shit. Come on, Y/n. Come back to me.” He said, trying to reach you.

He isn’t going to give up on you. He made a promise to keep you safe, and not even a monster from another dimension will break it.

He cried harder when he saw your eyes return to normal, a loud gasp escaping from your lips. Instinctively, he reaches his arms out, catching you before you land.

Your eyes were distraught, assessing everything around you. Steve held your face with one of his hands, still crying.

“Y-you’re back.” He said shakily as your eyes steadied on him.

“Oh, Steve.” You breathed, wrapping your arms around the boy. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

He held you for a little while longer, occasionally pressing a few kisses on your forehead while the rest of your friends were exclaiming joyfully.

“Come on. Let’s go to the other side. Together.”

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington #stranger things #stranger things season 4 #steve harrington imagines #steve harrington fic #steve harrington one shot #stranger things fic #steve harrington season 4 #steve harrington fanfiction

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itslottiehere · 2 years ago

Text

the pineapple coincidence (h.s) — part one

hello beautiful people 🤍 welcome back! it’s been a while, huh? i’m so sorry to have made you wait for so long, but among all things that happened, i wasn’t in the mood to post my writing. but i’m back now! so, this is a new story about barista!harry x college student!reader, and i hope you’ll like it! (also, if you get the reference in the title, you get a big forehead kiss). please, let me know what you think !! your feedback means the world to me. you can do so in the tags or in my asks if you wish to! without further ado, happy reading! <3

masterlist | leave your feedback or requests here

tw: none really for this part, perhaps for the next ones but they will be signalled.

word count: 4.1k

–

“hello, hi, can i please get a non-alcoholic cocktail? a mocktail? is that what they’re called? i don’t know, just uh- can i have one of those, please?”

“yeah yeah, slow down. coming right up.”

harry had kept an eye on her the whole evening, because she clearly didn’t want to be there. at first, he was afraid she was on a date with someone who was doing something to make her uncomfortable, so he kept looking at their table to see if he had to step up and kick them out.

but when he saw other people join her and her friend at the table, he understood that it was a group of friends, so he let down his guard.

still, he couldn’t understand why she was such in a poor mood.

“everything alright?” he inquired, glancing at her briefly.

“uh? yeah, yeah, everything’s fine.” she said, tapping her fingers nervously on the counter. harry looked down at her hands, and smirked.

“doesn’t seem like it.”

“i just- i just didn’t want to come out tonight.” she murmured.

he nodded lightly. “ah, i see. because you’re the designated driver?” he started grabbing the things to make her drink.

“no, it’s not - uh, i have to get up early and study tomorrow and i have to pretend to get drunk or at least pretend to be a bit tipsy or else i will never hear the end of it from my friends. they keep saying that “i can’t ever let go” she scoffed, and then looked up to him, eyes opening wide in surprise. “i’m sorry, i didn’t want to overshare and bother you with my problems, i tend to do that when i’m nervous and that’s why-“

“hey, slow down. it’s fine, i’m a bartender, more used to it than you think.” he answers, giving her a crooked smile. “here’s your drink, it has grapefruit and pineapple in it.” he extended his arm with the glass in his hand. “hope you’ll like it.”

“how did you know i love pineapple?” she smiled at him.

he shrugged: he didn’t know about the pineapple, but he did know she had a pretty smile.

he watched her walking back to the table, the drink clutched into her hands. she sat down and brought the straw to her lips, drinking a bit of the concoction harry prepared for her. when he saw the look of delight on her face, a grin made his way on his.

“hey dude, i’ll have a beer.” a guy interrupted his staring.

“wha- oh sure, coming right up.”

—

she really didn’t want to go out. finals were coming up and she had to get the best scores, or else she already could see the disappointed look on her parents’ faces. it’s not their fault, really, she was always good in school and everyone just kind of expected that from her.

so really it’s kind of her own fault, right?

it sure felt like it. she couldn’t blame her parents for expecting her to succeed in college: she was the best student at her high school, without a crazy effort; she was also the valedictorian at her graduation. so now at college, they expected her to do the same, and how could she let them down?

that kind of pressure, added to the stress of moving for college, turned her into an overwhelmed, burnt out mess, that just wanted to stay home and go to sleep early so that she could’ve woken up the following day and get back to studying.

but she wasn’t that lucky.

“we never see you anymore! the only time i can see you is in the library and you spend half of the time shushing me.” niall cracked a smile. “please come out with us.” he whined, giving her his best attempt at puppy eyes.

“no, i really can’t. i’m way too busy, i need to study.” she shook her head in disagreement.

but that didn’t stop niall and his whining. “c’mon now, it’s at a bar nearby. you need to let loose once in a while, you really need a night out.”

she shook her head once again, dropping the gaze back to her books. “i said no, you should-“

niall interrupted her, standing up from the library chair. “i’m picking you up at 9pm, and i’ll drag you out the door or carry you bridal style to the car, but i won’t take no for an answer.” with that and a smile, he left her in the library.

and now, there she was.

she loved her friends, she really did, and she was glad that sometimes they dragged her out of her room to talk to some other human beings, but not tonight. she could feel the anxiety creep up, the sense of guilt of wasting a night that she could’ve spent studying eating her from the inside.

she was becoming fidgety, her right leg bouncing so much she was afraid it was going to come off, her breath getting shallower by the minute, the grip of her anxiety getting stronger around her throat. so she excused herself and left the table with the excuse of “getting a drink”, just to get a break and maybe calm down.

she didn’t want to get a water as always because her friends teased her all the time.

“a water? really? can’t you get a cocktail for once? maybe a fruity one, where you don’t even feel the alcohol?”

and she knew that maybe people who suggested that you had to drink in order to have fun weren’t exactly the best people, but she also knew where her friends were coming from: they just wanted to see if it may help her out with her nerves.

but it never did. the thought of letting go of control, especially control over herself? no, thank you.

so she walked up to the counter, thinking about the name of a drink that her friends mentioned, that was supposed to be something with pineapple in it, if she wasn’t mistaken. at least, that was one thing she’d enjoy.

after getting the attention of the curly headed bartender, she started nervously looking around and tapping her fingers on the kind of sticky counter, thinking about how much sleep she was going to lose and how tired she was going to be the following morning and how that was going to mess up all her schedule and-

“everything alright?” the bartender interrupted her rambling thoughts.

“uh?” she hadn’t expected him to talk. “yeah, yeah, everything’s fine.” she shrugged and kept looking around, never letting her gaze land on something or someone for more than four seconds.

“doesn’t seem like it.” the deep voice of the bartender nudged her on, and that’s all that she needed to decide to dump all her thoughts on him.

way to go, you idiot. this poor guy is just doing his job, just shut up already.

after apologizing to him for what she did, he was still nice — wow, he didn’t get annoyed at me, and even gave me a small smile, she noticed — and he handed her drink, telling her it had grapefruit and pineapple in it.

at the mention of her favourite fruit, she lit up.

“how did you know i love pineapple?”

the thought of someone guessing something about her without even knowing her made her smile, a real smile.

the fact that she needed to realize that it was a real one made her think about how long it had been since she did smile for real.

mumbling a small thank you, she reached for the glass and held it close to her. she turned around and headed back to her table.

he has such a cute smile, she thought.

—

the rest of the night didn’t go any better. her friends were laughing loudly, way too loud for her taste; her anxiety made her even more quiet that she usually was, but no one seemed to notice that she didn’t speak more than four phrases during the whole evening.

they didn’t really realize she left the table and went out of the bar, either.

she decided to go in the back alley, so she wouldn’t be seen by any of her friends if they were going to come out for a smoke.

“fuck.” she murmured once she felt the cold air hitting her. she could hear her mother’s voice in her head:

“you should’ve worn more layers.”

“you should’ve brought a warmer jacket.”

“don’t even think about getting sick this close to finals.”

that voice made her feel even colder.

she rummaged in her bag, looking for the one guilty pleasure she permitted herself to have. she took out her pack of cigarettes, opened it and realizing it was the last one, she made a mental note to buy a new pack the following day.

she knew she shouldn’t smoke, but it was the one thing that made her feel a little relaxed. she sighed, picking up the stick and putting it between her slightly cracked lips. once again, she started looking for her lighter, first patting her pockets, and once she didn’t find it there, she started looking in her bag.

“i was sure it was here, c’mon.” she mumbled with the cigarette hanging from her lips. “you must be in here somewhere.”

she kept patting every inch of her purse until finally, in some remote corner, she found the object of her desires. taking it out, victorious, she lit up her cig and took a long drag, letting the smoke fill her lungs; after a little, she opened her lips to let it out.

she could already feel her mind relax, the most relaxed she had been the whole evening. closing her eyes, she rested her back against the wall, and tilted her head back, feeling herself getting calmer by every drag of smoke she inhaled.

“and what is a good girl like you doing in a dark back alley smoking a cigarette?”

“AH!” the deep voice startled her, making her quickly turn around, clutching her chest, afraid her heart was going to fall out.

harry, on the other hand, just giggled at her reaction.

“you scared the crap out of me.” she murmured, glancing at her cigarette and quickly putting it out on the wall, keeping the end in her hand so that she could throw it away later.

“sorry, didn’t want to startle you.” he said, still quite smiling. “so, what are you doing out here?”

she waited a second before answering, pondering whether to lie or tell him the real reason she was out there. she decided on telling a half truth. “i just needed to take a breather, it was too stuffy in there.”

he nodded slowly, still looking at her. “ah, i see.” he nodded his head towards her figure, his eyes shifting to the hand holding the cigarette butt. “you smoke?”

“just, uh- just on occasion. please don’t tell anyone.” she fretted.

harry couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. “relax, who am i gonna tell? your parents?” while he didn’t think any of it, he didn’t see the look on her face. he then added: “you’re a grown up, you can very well do whatever you want.”

she had no reason to be scared of her parents finding out from harry, at the end of the day, how could he even get in contact with them? she realized her foolishness, and nodded before speaking up again, clearing her throat. “and what are you doing out here?”

he shrugged. “just taking my break, needed a breather as well.” plus, i didn’t see you inside and thought i might find you out here. hopefully not with the bloke who kept checking you out all night. he wanted to add, but refrained.

“ah, i see.” she nodded, looking around.

an uncomfortable silence surrounded them, were they supposed to fill it? what were they supposed to talk about?

before harry could open his mouth, she spoke up. “i-uh, i think i’m going to head inside. i’ve been out here for a while, don’t want to alarm my friends.” she gave him a tight lipped smile, getting closer to the door.

“oh alright. i’m coming back in too, break almost over anyways.” he smiled, a dimple making its appearance on his cheek. he headed towards the door, opened it and gestured her with his hand to go in. “ladies first.”

she murmured a small thank you, and passed right by him. in the fresh air of the night — instead of the humid stale air of the bar — he could smell her perfume: something flowery, sweet but not nauseatingly so. just the perfect balance.

he was too caught up in his own head that he didn’t notice he was running straight into her back. frowning, he looked down at her, and he had only a question: why did she stop?

“fuck me.” she murmured. “i can’t believe this! no! not again!” her voice grew louder as she spoke.

harry was confused, what happened? they were outside for a total of 7 minutes at best. following her line of sight, he took in the table where she was sat at. now void of people.

oh, c’mon now.

“i swear to god i’m going to kill niall as soon as i see him, he better run away from me. and miranda too, if she thinks i’m going to let this slide again...” she spoke under her breath, searching for her phone in her purse. once she retrieved it, she sighed. “i’m sorry, my friends left without me for what feels like the millionth time and i’m sure they had a reason-“

harry was quick to interject. “hey, none of that. they could’ve at least told you. no reason is good enough for leaving you here alone.” he said in a firm voice. how could she blame herself for her shitty friends?

“no but look, they left me a message!” she showed him her phone.

from: niall <3

sorry babes, had to take miranda home. she got sick in the bathroom and it was not a pretty sight. text me when you’re home!

harry was unamused. “so?”

“so-” she gulped. “i know it’s not the best situation-“

“it was a jerk move.” he said sternly.

“and that they should’ve told me-“

“you could’ve been in danger.” he couldn’t believe she was trying to defend such a poor behavior.

she looked up at him, somehow pleading him to believe her. “but they had a good reason, she got sick-”

“there wasn’t a good enough reason to leave you in a bar by yourself.” harry looked at her in disbelief. this was a shitty thing to do and apparently it wasn’t the first time it happened.

“i can just call my boyfriend and ask him to pick me-”

“i can take you-” they spoke at the same time. “oh?”

of fucking course there was a boyfriend.

how didn’t he see that coming?

“yeah, i can call my boyfriend.” she nodded, mostly to herself. “i mean, he probably won’t be too happy and i’ll have to endure a long scolding on how my friends are the worst, but it’s the only way, isn’t it?” she looked at him briefly, before turning her attention back to her phone to dial her boyfriend’s number.

harry didn’t like the tone she had one bit, it was riddled with anxiety.

she brought the device to her ear, giving harry a tight lipped smile, before shifting her eyes to look anywhere in the room, but him.

he didn’t know whether to feel flattered or sad.

“that’s weird.” she muttered lowly, glancing at her phone, which still showed her boyfriend’s name. “he always picks up.” she looked up at harry.

“mmh, maybe try to call him again?” he suggested. an obvious suggestion, clearly.

“yeah, i- alright.” she redialled, and tried again. with no luck.

she frowned, both sad and disappointed. harry had to stop himself from cradling her face in his hands and just tell her to drop both her friends and her boyfriend.

he was about to speak when she opened her eyes in realization.

“ah shit, of course.” she smacked her forehead with her left hand. “he has his phone on silent, he has a match tomorrow. how could i forget, he told me a million times.” she chuckled under her breath. “i’m so dumb.” she added, under her breath.

so, you know your girlfriend is going out with her friends, probably also knowing how much she didn’t want to, knowing the kind of people her “friends” are, and you decide to turn off your phone? right on, dude, harry thought.

harry shifted on his feet. “my offer still stands, you know.”

“huh?” she looked at him.

“uhm, i mean, we’d have to walk home because i live nearby so i don’t have my car, but if you want i can go get the car and come and get-” harry rambled.

“oh! no, no, please, don’t bother!” she quickly waved him off. “i can get home by myself, i’ll walk. i live near campus, so it’s a 20 minute walk, tops.” she was about to bid her goodbyes when harry shook his head.

“no way, i’m not letting you go home alone.” he took off his apron, and threw it on the counter. “max?” he called after his colleague. “i’m off for the night. let me know if it gets too crowded and i’ll come in again.”

“no worries, H, it’s okay! have a goodnight.” he winked at him, giving her a little glance.

oh good god, max. that was smooth.

“ready to go?” he gave her a small smile.

she nodded, smiling back timidly. “yeah. yeah i am.”

—

“so,” she kicked a pebble with her foot, making it land off the sidewalk “have you always wanted to be a bartender?”

harry chuckled lowly. “uhm no, not really.” he smiled towards her. “i actually went to college for a little while, trying to get a degree in “something useful”, as my parents would say. but school was never really for me, i guess.” he shrugged. “so i dropped out, found a nice job as a bartender and been there ever since.”

“oh wow.” she said. “and what did your parents think of that?” she questioned, curious.

“i mean, i am an adult and i can make my own choices. they weren’t too happy but they understood, and with time they appreciated that i was taking responsibility for my decisions and whatever came from them.” he answered simply.

it all sounded so simple coming from him.

if only it was that simple.

“so you don’t have like a secret wish? something you’ve always wanted to do?” she inquired, hoping not to sound rude.

“uhm.” he thought about it for a second. “i guess no, goal wise. i just wanted to live my life the way i wanted to live it. i didn’t set any goals i must achieve, like having to do something before a certain age or anything, if that’s what you were asking.” he ended, looking over to her.

she nodded and stayed quiet, mulling over his words.

“but what about you, huh? do you have something planned?” he nudged her shoulder with his own.

“oh yeah, i do.” she nodded. “get in a good college — which i luckily did —, get my degree with the best grades possible, get a job, husband, nice house, kids, grow old.” she said, smiling timidly towards harry.

he nodded, but didn’t seem really impressed with her plans. she didn’t like the feeling of having disappointed him somehow, she never liked feeling that way with anyone.

“something on your mind? sounds too ordinary for a cool guy like you?” she asked him, smiling but actually meaning it.

he laughed, shaking his head. “no, no, that’s not it.” he got a bit more serious when he said the next sentence. “just... isn’t it a bit much? like, don’t you feel a little too forced into these plans?”

“what do you mean forced into? it’s something i want, no one is forcing me.” that was a half truth, but he didn’t need to know that. she would never admit it out loud.

“it just seems, uh-” he scratched his neck. “i don’t want to sound like an ass, but it seems like you forgot to include the time to... actually live your life.” he glanced at the sky, and then looked at her.

as if his brain registered how his words could’ve been misinterpreted, he started apologizing. “i’m really, really sorry if i overstepped, i didn’t mean anything hurtful. i’m just some guy, my words don’t have to mean anything.”

he didn’t want her to feel bad, he knew he could be a bit blunt at times and from the very little informations he had about her, he thought that she probably didn’t react to well at that.

if only he knew how deep those words hit her.

not in a negative way, or in a hurtful one. they were just the plain truth: she scheduled her whole life, forgetting that plans and goals and deadlines didn’t mean anything if she didn’t enjoy the ride. she set these goals for herself without really thinking that they didn’t matter at all to anyone else but her.

but, in reality, she did think about it, she couldn’t stop thinking about how nothing mattered if she didn’t enjoy what she was doing. she tried so hard to pretend that everything was going according to plan, but she was also tired of pretending.

however, she couldn’t let herself think like that. no, everything had to follow the course that she chose, that her parents taught her was the right one.

that was what her life was gonna be, and that was fine. she had to be at peace with her choice.

she had to.

—

when she slowed down her pace, he understood they were finally at her door. he wasn’t too happy about having arrived just yet, and definitely not at all excited about not seeing her for god knows how long, if ever.

so he mustered all the courage he had to ask the following question.

“so uh- am i gonna see you again soon?”

she didn’t wait a beat before answering. “i don’t think so, i sure hope not.” she stopped and saw the confused look on his face.

she realized what she had just said and tried to make it right. “oh no, that’s not- that came out wrong.” she sighed, and a small smile spread on harry’s face.

“it’s just that my friends forced me to go out tonight and i really didn’t want to. i’m getting ready for finals and i’m just hoping i’ll go out once those are over, and not during.” she took a deep breath after her little rant.

harry just looked at her fondly, and chuckled. “for a second there i thought you didn’t want to see me anymore, hurt me deeply.” he put a hand on his chest theatrically, acting as if she stabbed him in the heart.

she wanted to say that he was the best thing out of this whole mess of an evening, but she kept it to herself, and just smiled at him.

“goodnight, harry.” she murmured, raising on her tippy toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. “thank you for getting me home safe.”

“no problem, bunny. goodnight.” he smiled.

she tilted her head on the side, a smirk gracing her face. “bunny? and where did that come from?”

“oh uh- just from how you reacted in the alley, you jumped like a bunny. so i thought it was fitting.” he put his hands in his jacket pockets, shrugging.

when he saw the amused look she had on her face, he mimicked it.

“alright then, goodnight harry.” she said while taking out her keys.

“goodnight. see you after finals.” he flashed her a smile, taking three steps back still facing her. she got into her home, and waved at him before closing the door for good. not before getting a last glance of the bright eyed bartender.

–

after he turned around, harry made his way home. with a pep in his step, he felt like a proper teenage boy, getting back home all giddy because he got to walk home a pretty girl and she kissed his cheek.

his cheek was still tingling, the feeling of her lips on his skin not to be forgotten any time soon.

–

so, here it is!! please let me know if you want to be tagged in part two <3

taglist: @that-daydream-look

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