#i made a new muse look ma

[honeybeehimbowrites]

open to: female muses (28+) plot: based on the movie life as we know it. our muses have never gotten along, but their best friends are married and have a kid together, so they've made it work. they both get a call late at night telling them their best friends have been in a car crash and have passed away. they meet at the police station, little do they know they're both appointed as guardians to their best friend's kid in case they both die.

oliver felt numb, he had never been good with emotions, but even now he could feel his heart in his throat. it was all so unreal and it was strange driving to the police station, he kept thinking it wasn't real, that he was going to walk in those doors and he was going to talk to someone and they would be confused, because this was all a big misunderstanding, it had to be. as soon as he walked into the police station though, he knew it wasn't. because she was there and he had never seen her this broken before. sure they weren't the best of friends, they despised each other eighty percent of the time and found ways to annoy the other person. but all that didn't matter now. oliver looked at her and walked towards her and he just opened his arms and enveloped her in them. he told himself it was for her, but he needed it too.

[sakuraszn]

could I please request a Luffy x fem reader, they’re not together yet but Luffy gets jealous when the reader is around Sanji, Ace, and Law. thank you!

﹒♡ UNSPOKEN FEELINGS, ft. monkey d. luffy

"Luffy, what’s wrong with you today?" Nami’s voice snapped across the deck.

You turned just in time to see Luffy, arms crossed, slouched against the mast with a deep frown. It was an unusual sight—your captain was always beaming, always carefree, but today? He looked pissed.

Not that you had time to dwell on it, because a warm presence suddenly appeared at your side.

"Here you go, ma chérie~," Sanji cooed, placing a beautifully plated dish in front of you. "I made your favorite. You deserve only the best, after all."

A laugh bubbled from your lips as you accepted the plate. "You always spoil me, Sanji. Thank you."

His visible eye softened, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "Anything for you, beautiful."

A sudden snap echoed through the air—when you looked over, you saw that Luffy had broken the stick he had been chewing on. His jaw was tight, his dark eyes locked onto you and Sanji with something stormy lurking beneath them.

"Luffy?" You tilted your head, confused by his odd behavior.

"Oi, Captain," Sanji called, not noticing Luffy’s glare. "What’s with the face? You look like someone stole your meat."

Luffy grumbled something under his breath before abruptly pushing off the mast and storming toward the kitchen.

"What's up with him?" You frowned, but Sanji just shrugged, lighting a cigarette.

"Who knows? Luffy's simple, but sometimes he's hard to read."

But simple as Luffy might be, there was something unmistakable about the look in his eyes. Something close to possession.

A few days later, the crew docked at an island to restock on supplies. It was sheer luck that you ran into Ace and Law at the local tavern—two men you had always gotten along with very well.

"Well, well, look who it is," Ace greeted with a grin, throwing a lazy arm over your shoulder like it was second nature. His skin was warm, like a sun-kissed flame, and his cocky smirk made it clear he enjoyed teasing you. "Missed me?"

"You wish," you shot back, elbowing him lightly in the ribs.

Ace laughed, but someone else was less amused.

You felt it before you saw him—an unmistakable presence, heavy with silent intensity.

Luffy.

He had been talking to Zoro across the bar, but now? His attention was solely on you. His expression was unreadable, but his body was tense, fists clenched at his sides.

And then, as if the situation wasn’t bad enough, Law spoke up.

"Hmm," Law mused, sipping from his glass, his sharp eyes flickering between you and Ace. "I don’t know what’s more amusing—your ridiculous banter or the fact that someone looks like they want to murder both of us."

Your brows furrowed. "Huh?"

"Look behind you," Law muttered with a smirk.

You turned just in time to see Luffy stalking forward, his straw hat casting a shadow over his eyes. The moment he reached you, his hand curled around your wrist—not painfully, but firm, demanding.

"Let's go," he said simply.

Your heart skipped. "Luffy—"

"Now." His voice was low, possessive.

Ace whistled, clearly amused. "Well, that’s new. Didn’t know you were the jealous type, Luffy."

Law chuckled under his breath. "Interesting."

Luffy ignored them both, his grip tightening just enough to make his point. You hesitated, glancing at your captain, whose expression was unreadable, but his body language? It spoke volumes.

He hated seeing you close to them.

He hated not being the one you gave your attention to.

Your stomach flipped, heat creeping up your neck. Was this… jealousy? From Luffy?

Deciding not to push him—at least, not yet—you sighed. "Alright, alright. No need to get all grumpy, Captain."

He didn’t respond. Just held onto you, making sure you followed him.

As he led you out of the tavern, you caught the knowing smirks on Ace and Law’s faces.

And deep down, you knew—Luffy’s feelings for you weren’t as simple as he wanted them to be.

Not anymore.

2025 © SAKURASZN !

[hamilando]

ੈ✩ don’t embarrass an angel (smau) ੈ✩

pairing : charles leclerc x fem reader

summary : a Victoria secret model in love with a formula-1 driver, ofc there will be rumours

tw : little hate, could be a little suggestive as reader is a vs angel !

fc: Taylor Hill *she is so pretty-*

a/n : thank you so much to @xshazxx for suggesting this ! lysm 🫶🏻

·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ

liked by charlesleclerc, fransisca.ngnomes and 678,456 others

y/nhill the girlies are back for 24! @ victoriasecret

view comments

user1 PREACH THE HOLY PRINCESS 🙌🏻

user2 oh to have a pretty friend group 😞

user3 are we just ignore the cheating rumours ?

user4 and charles in her likes !?

user5 I really don't know who to believe 👀

charlesleclerc ❤️

user6 she didn't even like his comment-

user7 so it's true 💀

fransisca.ngnomes the visuals are serving as usual 🫴🏻

y/nhill all your love bbygurl 🫶🏻

realbarbarapalvin I think I need to marry you

y/nhill we both already are married hun 😞

user8 this girl has the audacity to post naked pictures but not address the rumours 💀

user9 wtf

user10 calm down brother

user11 they really were not made for each other, one is a model and other is a driver 🙌🏻

user12 and the fact both travel a lot

user13 it was never meant to last 🫡

victoriasecret our gorgeous 💌

liked by y/nhill

user14 but lord perceval got perceval jr out of hand

user15 💀

user16 charle's fans are entertainment fr 💪🏻

liked by sabrinacarpenter, carlossainz55, arthurleclerc and 1,233,121 others

y/nhill Heartbreak is one thing , my ego's another, I beg you, don't embarrass me, motherfucker ✨

view comments

user1 holddup, THE LIKES !?

user2 CHARLES BROTHER IS LIKING THIS !?

user3 SO IS CARLOS !?

user4 SO IS THE WHOLE GRID !?

user5 what in the f1 tea did just happen -

arthurleclerc downloaded the song for our next karaoke session 💪🏻

y/nhill best brother right here

user6 the interactions and rumours are killing me 💀

sabrinacarpenter much love and also congratulations ❤️

y/nhill thank you love ❤️

user7 CONGRATULATIONS FOR WHAT !?

user8 her comeback bro-

user9 u sure ?

charlesleclerc my angel

y/nhill who will gladly kill you 🤭

user10 umm 🤔

lilihye akex is telling you to unblock her

y/nhill only if he gives you ring like mine 🤭

lilihye 🤭

liked by charlesleclerc, arthurleclerc, carlossainz55 and 678,839 others

y/nhill Leclerc’s since 24 🫶🏻

view comments

user1 wha-

user2 WHA-

user3 WHAT-

user4 so the rumours were false 🤔

user5 and they are still together 🤔

arthurleclerc MA SOUER

liked by y/nhill

pascaleleclerc lots of love ma fille ❤️

y/nhill mama leclerc ❤️

user6 excuse me, SISTER AND DAUGHTER !?

user7 we skipped a whole season here -

user8 IF THEY ARE ENGAGED -

user9 GUYS HURRY SEE THE F1 NEWS

user10 THEY ARE MARRIED !?

user11 fhffhhffhfh

user12 even the official ferrari posted-

user13 charles proposed after her first show of the year !?

user14 the best denial to cheating rumours 💍

liked by charlesleclerc, y/nhillleclerc, and 2,378,789 others

scuderiaferrari the pictures are blurry because admin was also crying 🫶🏻

view comments

user1 it's time I delete my insta

user2 me too

user3 DADDY MARRIED HER !?

charleslecerc ❤️

liked by scuderiaferrari

y/nhillleclerc ❤️

liked by scuderiaferrari

user4 it's ok admin, we are also crying because of the onion rings 😭

liked by scuderiaferrari

user5 they look so pretty -

landonoriss congratulations!!! 👏🏻

oscarpiastri mum and dad 💪🏻

user6 that's why charles adopted oscar-

lilihye I WAS MAID OF HONOUR

arthurleclerc I WAS THE BEST MAN

carlossainz55 it was fun watching the rumours at their wedding

user7 carlos 💀

maxverstappen1 he got his muse to win now

charesleclerc see you in spain 💪🏻

lewishamilton it was an amazing wedding !!

charlesleclerc you were only invited because of roscoe and the fact I might have to race with you next year 😀

y/nhillleclerc *have

y/nhillleclerc you are always invited, Team Hammer since d1

lewishamilton ❤️

user8 THE USERNAME CHANGE -

user9 let me go and bawl my eyes out

user10 what's the point of being bisexual if both my man and girl are married

user11💀

liked by charlesleclerc, lilihye, realbarbarapalvin and 3,678,362 others

y/nhillleclerc my first and last kiss as your girlfriend ❤️

comments on this post have been restricted

[bluerosefox]

Stellar Dynamics

You know what.

ANOTHER DPxDC idea (as if I write prompts for anything else lol ✍(◔◡◔)

And once again, I think I might have a hyperfixation rn, another deaged Dani (Ellie) and Dan (Dante)! and Dad!Danny.

And you know what, lets make it another DannyxConner idea.

Danny is on a field trip with his class (NOT in Gotham though, LOVE Gotham but lets go with a different city) in like Central City or Metropolis (If Metropolis, Danny is SUPER excited to see the space sections they have at the museum they no doubt have, because well SUPERMAN is an alien and based in their city. If in Central City Conner is visiting Bart.)

During the trip he bumps into Conner and the two just hit it off. Conner enjoys listening to Danny rant about space and the stars and finds watching Danny's eyes light up in joy kinda cute. And if he got his new hero name Supernova from listening to Danny's rants about the stars well... no one needs to know how he got it.

Danny likes how chill Conner is and how the guy stood against Dash and the other jocks when Dash decided he wanted to mess with Danny during the trip, a rare thing nowadays but sometimes Dash does try, and how he respects/likes Danny's friends.

He didn't even say anything negative or hurtful when he found out Danny has two kids back home.

In the end the two exchange numbers, flirt hard, and maybe set up a date in the future. And then more dates. Becoming boyfriends. AND meeting the family. Conner is smitten with just out of toddlerhood Ellie and toddler Dante and adores them. And he loves how the Fentons just love him the moment he stepped into their house and was introduced as Danny's boyfriend, he made sure to bring over a pie Ma should him how to make.

Things get a bit complicated when Conner, Supernova, is at a reunion of YJ members and his phone lights up with a text message from Danny.

He's smiling with a goofy/soft look when he opens the text and see's its a picture of Danny holding a pouting toddler Dante and Ellie on his lap smiling with a notable gap in her teeth at the camera. The message he got was 'Ellie wanted you to know she finally lost her first baby tooth. Dan's been grumpier, I think he misses you.'

He is pulled out of his happy thoughts and musings when he hears Bart gasp hard and drop a bowl of snacks onto the floor. Conner turns to from the future Speedster and see's him about to have a panic attack.

Bart, Impulse, is having a freak out after catching a glimpse of the text picture Conner had gotten and being nosy wanted to know what got his friend to smile so smitten. He knew of Conner's current boyfriend and the kids Conner adores but haven't had time to be introduced to them or even see a pic.

He wasn't expecting to see the very MONSTER of his NIGHTMARES that basically destroyed the world in the FUTURE as a toddler pouting at a camera and surrounded by two smiling identical looking people either. People he never saw in the future or with HIM AND-

Oh.... OH!

Was that why he turned evil? Did something happen to his family?

[mainstreamangel]

CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT

P. Bueckers x Fem!Reader

Summary: You love your girl, your girl loves you.

Genre: Fluff

Warning(s): for the sake of this fic she's on the dw team but the uconn players if that makes sense?

WC: 1.6k

Reporters called your name. Microphones were shoved in your face, some asking about rumors and allegations, other asking about your career.

You kept your head down, holding onto Paige's hand as she walked in front of you, trying her best to push the paparazzi out of your guys' way.

"Paige, how does it feel to date a snake?"

"Paige, do you have any words for the media?"

A few reporters called your name.

"Where have you been the last year? You completely disappeared from the media."

"Rumors speculated that you were cheating on Bueckers. Is that true?"

"She didn't cheat and she won't ever cheat." Paige answered that one and made it crystal clear about her opinion.

You had disappeared off the media for a while after receiving bad backlash for your opinions on a certain male celebrity.

You weren't sorry for your opinions though. They were yours and you would go to the grave for that.

"Paige, what do you have to say about the rumours?"

Finally, Paige held the door open to your studio and security held the horde off.

"Thank you P."

"Anytime, ma."

My castle crumbled overnight. I brought a knife to a gunfight. They took the crown, but it's alright.

"Singer and songwriter [Name] continues to lie and damage her reputation. But with fizzled efforts, she continues to receive hate, his status seemingly untouched." You read.

"What a dick."

"I didn't even do anything wrong. They just hate when a woman threatens his legacy with just a few sparkles and a witty mind." You scoffed.

"It's going to be alright, you're going to come back from it."

"I hope so."

Paige grabbed your hand and rubbed it slightly.

"I love you."

You smiled and returned her love before reaching for your guitar.

"I'm almost done with my new album I just need one last song. Luckily I have my own personal muse that I can take inspiration off of." You smirked and Paige laughed.

All the liars are calling me one. Nobody's heard from me for months. I'm doing better than I ever was.

You tuned your guitar and started thinking of lyrics for the bridge.

"I have to say your song, 'So It Goes' is probably my favourite."

"Yeah just cause it's about you."

Paige smirked and you threw a pillow at her which she caught and hugged against her.

"You're amazing you know that? Your true fans will see right through that son of a bitch." Paige reassured.

You smiled and nodded. You knew this comeback was going to be intense.

You had felt anger and frustration throughout your time off, but Paige always made you come out of that state and she reminded you that revenge wasn't the answer. It would just prove the media right.

So you decided for your next album you were going to write a few songs addressing the rumors and the media but focus mostly on the love that you shared from your friends, family, and importantly, Paige. You wanted to address the gratitude you felt from those fans who stuck around, those who never listened to the hate.

'Cause my baby's fit like a daydream. Walkin' with her head down, I'm the one she's walkin' to.

Taking a guitar pick you started finding the right chords for the song and getting used to the movement.

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to. My baby's fly like a jet stream. High above the whole scene, loves me like I'm brand new. So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to.

You sang. Your voice filled Paige's ears as she listened to you.

You laughed as you sang because she stared so intensely at you with love and adoration, you knew that you guys were endgame. Unless stated otherwise by her, you knew she was it for you.

"Paige, what do you have to say about your girl's leak of her new album?"

"Paige, what can we expect from her when she comes back to the public eye?"

"Paige! Paige! Paige!"

Paige looked down and continued walking, her hair flew beside her, giving her some coverage from the cameras. She didn't want to answer any questions that weren't related to just her or her basketball career.

"Paige, we heard that your girl is going on tour when she drops the album. Do you think it'll be a flop tour?"

Paige finally got inside the gym and greeted her team.

"Hey P." Azzi greeted with a quick hug.

"Your girl alright? Got some nasty questions from the press on the way over here." Ice asked shooting baskets from different angles of the court.

"Yeah, sorry about that guys." Paige sighed.

"Nah, no worries, hope she's well. I know if I was her I wouldn't last a second."

"Yeah, she's definitely stronger than I am." KK laughed, mindlessly dribbling the ball.

"We don't believe those rumours though. She'd never do that."

"Thanks guys." Paige said, warming up.

All my flowers grew back as thorns. Windows boarded up after the storm.

You walked out onto the streets ignoring the press again, security doing their best to block the people off. You just wanted to go watch your girl's practice, but the public was making that very difficult.

Someone called your name. It was a mother with her young daughter.

"Can we have an autograph? Or a picture? My daughter really loves your stuff and it would make her so happy."

You smiled and bent a bit so that her mom could take the photo. After, you take the vinyl of your last album '1989', and sign your signature in black sharpie.

Adding a little heart you hand it back and say your farewells before heading into the court.

The sound of sneakers squeaking on the floor and the loud reverbs of basketballs entered your ears.

You put your sunglasses on top of your head again and sit off to the side.

She built a fire just to keep me warm. All the drama queens taking swings. All the jokers dressin' up as kings, they fade to nothin' when I look at her.

Sure being a public figure was hard. Both of you knew that. But everytime you looked into her eyes, you only saw her. It made you feel... regular. Like you lived a domestic life with Paige and didn't have to worry about judgmental creeps who always had something to say.

You got out your notebook and a pen trying to come up with your last song's bridge.

Your name was called and you looked up.

"Hey babe." You stood up and fell into her arms. Sure she was sweaty, but damn was she hot.

Her hair was slicked back into a ponytail and her jersey hung loosely on her figure.

"What're you doing here?"

"Needed inspiration so I came to stare at you." You half joked.

"Mrs. Bueckers!" KK joked.

The team always said Paige and you were like the parents of the team. Paige was the fun mother who always followed your lead and you were the mother who had run this game for a minute.

"Hey KK. Nice shots."

"Thanks."

Paige continued to talk for a bit then headed back to practice some more. You sat back down and continued to stare at the blank portion of your song.

I'm laughin' with my lover, makin' forts under covers. Trust her like no other, yeah, you know I did one thing right. Starry eyes sparkin' up my darkest night.

One reporter's voice stood out to you on your way here. "How does that make you feel?" It was perfect. You started to scribble something down and before you knew it you had come up with the perfect bridge. That would tie the song off and hopefully you and Paige.

"Can I see?" Paige had been so excited after you told her you finished your last song and inevitably the whole album.

"In a minute, I wanna run it by the producer before I confirm it."

"I can't wait, ma."

"I know P."

My baby's fit like a daydream. Walkin' with his head down, I'm the one he's walkin' to. So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to.

"Sounds good. You did a good job." Your producer said.

"Thanks, worked hard on this one."

"I can tell, now go celebrate, we'll release your album at midnight."

You stared at the screen. The promotion banner would be released everywhere at midnight. Then your album shortly after.

HERE LIES [NAME]'S REPUTATION.

My baby's fly like a jet stream. High above the whole scene, loves me like I'm brand new. So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to.

"Can I hear it now?" Paige begged.

You nodded and got your guitar out.

I want to wear her initial, on a chain 'round my neck, chain 'round my neck. Not because she owns me.

Paige's initial necklace hung around your neck. It had been an anniversary gift, a token of her love.

But 'cause he really knows me. Which is more than they can say, I, I recall late November, holdin' my breath, slowly I said:

"You don't need to save me, but would you run away with me?"

You sang your heart out, feeling the music and the emotion you conjured from simple lyrics and a simple lover. You closed the song with the final verse and Paige tackled you into a hug.

"This album is going to be so great, ma." You smiled and hugged her back.

Call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to.

[chukys-mouthguard]

Could you do where the reader is a singer and dating Luke hughes and if you are a taylor swift fan you know how she said karma is the guy on the chiefs instead of on the screen you you do where Lukes family and friends are at the readers concert and karma is a song she wrote and she changes to karma is the guy on the deviles and the whole tent where his family and friends are goes wild and making him blush. If that makes since.

my muse

1.5k words

genre: fluff

featuring: luke hughes x famous singer girlfriend

summary: your world tour makes a stop in New Jersey the same weekend as the hughes bowl, so you seize the opportunity to reveal your relationship with Luke to the world

note: i just made up lyrics versus using an actual artists lyrics, but that is really the only thing i changed regarding this request 🫶🏼🩵 i am not super thrilled with how this turned out, but i still wanted to post this because i thought the request/idea was super cute with luke

You weren’t sure how the universe smiled on you when your schedule magically aligned with the annual Hughes Bowl, but it meant that the Hughes could all attend your show together. And while your relationship with Luke wasn’t yet public, you knew there were some rumors going around that their presence certainly wouldn’t help to silence.

As you got the finishing touches done to your hair and makeup, you headed off to do some pre-show photo ops. Having invited a few local friends backstage, along with Luke and his family.

“Hey guys!”

Greeting the Hughes you hugged both Ellen and Jim before moving to Quinn and Jack. Saving Luke for last as you gave him a kiss before you invited them all to get a photo with you.

“Thank you so much for the tickets, you really didn’t have to do that honey. You know we would’ve gladly bought our seats to support you!”

Ellen wrapped you in another hug, going on to tell you how nervous Luke was to have them all here with him for your show.

“Oh stop, it’s the least I could do for you all. You’ve always been so supportive of me and my career, as well as me and Luke.”

Looking over Ellen’s shoulder you watched Luke and his brothers talking with some of your friends they’d be sharing their suite with for the night.

“Is he really nervous?”

Ellen nodded with a smile, taking your hands as she pulled you to the side to talk.

“He said he’s nervous because you two aren’t officially public, and he knows that all of us being here is probably going to fuel those rumors even more. So he just doesn’t want all of us being here to stir anything up.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m not even worried about that! I want you all here one hundred percent! Maybe I should talk to him? Calm him down a bit?”

With a chuckle you headed over to steal Luke away, taking his hands in yours as you found a seat across the room. A smile on his face as he hadn’t stopped staring at you since you’d walked in the room.

“How are you?”

Luke chuckled at the question, a bit shocked that you were asking him those words.

“Well, you’re the one about to go perform for thousands of people and you’re asking me? I’m pretty good, can’t complain.”

Rolling your eyes you laughed at him, his sarcasm always being something you appreciated no matter the situation.

“Are you nervous of people finding out about us?”

He immediately shook his head, giving your hands a reassuring squeeze as he could sense in your voice you were a bit discouraged at the idea of him being scared. But it was the furthest thing from the case. Luke wanted to scream from the rooftops that you were his, he’d always been so proud to have you as his girlfriend. But he knew that your world was so different from his, and the media could be brutal and unruly. So he wasn’t sure what they’d potentially do with the story once it broke.

“I don’t care who knows that you’re my girlfriend, let them all know. I just don’t want you to ever feel like we have to tell people our business, or feel forced to confirm anything. I think it would obviously make things easier. Like being able to come here tonight and support the most talented girl on the planet without being nervous about photos leaking online and rumors spreading.”

He smirked as his lips peppered your neck with kisses. Making sure to avoid your face so as to not mess up your makeup. He’d learned quickly that the makeup artists were not a fan of having to fix smudges from his kisses. His arms snaking around your waist as he pulled you close to him, placing a quick peck on your lips before he rested his chin on your shoulder, whispering into your ear so no one around overheard.

“If you want to tell everyone, then do it. It’s not like they don’t already have an idea right?”

“Tonight?”

Pulling away you rested your hands on his cheeks as you looked at him, slightly shocked at his sudden boldness and want to go public.

“Why not? It would be the perfect time to do it. You’re in Jersey, I’m in the crowd. People are most likely going to figure it out so why not beat them to it?”

You raised an eyebrow at the idea, thinking to yourself how you might be able to work such an announcement into the show without explicitly calling it. Whispering to Luke your idea, you waited for his approval, which he gave in the form of a smile and a kiss.

“It’s going to be great, I love you.”

He wrapped you in one final hug before you had to bid farewell to everyone, the show set to start soon and you needed to go through your vocal warmups.

As you finished off yet another song it was time for the show to slow down, the next few songs being acoustics or ballads as one of the dancers brought you out your guitar.

Slipping it over your shoulder you tried to catch your breath as your heart was still racing from the previous number, the fans all screaming as you waved to a few in the front row.

“How’s everyone doing?”

You smiled as you looked out to scan the crowd, your eyes eventually falling on the sectioned off seating where Luke was sitting with his family and your friends. He gave you a reassuring smile as he knew you were about to sing the song that would contain the announcement you’d be nervous for all night.

“This next song is one off of my latest album. And while I know you all love it exactly how it is, I thought we might change up the words a little bit. It’s a special night here in New Jersey, there’s some special people in attendance. So I hope you don’t mind, but let’s see if anyone can catch it. This song is called, ‘Momma I think I love him’.”

You winked to the crowd before you heard the countdown begin to play in your in-ears. Strumming only the first few chords your fans instantly erupted over the song, all of them singing the words along with you, only making you even more nervous for the lyric change you’d barely had a chance to practice before you’d perform it live.

Looking out to Luke you caught him singing along with you, a smile on his face as he was in awe of you. No matter how many times he’d seen you perform live, he could never get over how talented you were. Loving that he was able to be here to cheer you on, just like you’d done for him so many times before.

Coming up on the ending of the song, you could feel your palms sweating, praying you didn’t drop your guitar pick or goof up the notes. Your heart was practically beating through your chest as you knew that once you sang the different lyrics, there was no turning back, and your relationship with Luke would be confirmed within minutes of the song's final chords.

The crowd watched in anticipation, knowing this was the moment of the lyric change. Their phones all pointed at you, unsure as to what you’d be saying but wanting to be sure to capture it on camera.

“He’s, six foot two with hazel eyes. But I promise you he ain’t like them other guys. He’s a, bit of a rebel. And he, plays for the Devils. Jersey 43, and he’s perfect for me. Oh momma, I think I love him.”

The roar throughout the arena made you blush as you shyly covered your face with the song coming to an end, hearing the screams over the reveal from those close enough to you. The word must have traveled fast as the crowd had begun chanting Luke’s name, your eyes immediately looking at him as you were nervous whether or not you’d done the right thing.

But Luke immediately washed those fears away, holding his hands up to you in a heart as you reciprocated. The camera men at the concert not letting the moment go unnoticed to anyone else as they quickly flashed the image of Luke up on the screen. He’d gotten a bit shy, but waved to the crowd before he forced Jack and Quinn to get on camera with him. The fans screamed louder and louder as each of the Hughes’ boys were shown.

“Well, surprise!”

You playfully spoke as you’d handed your guitar off to one of the stage attendants, fanning your face to try and calm your blush. The fans still obsessing over the news as you walked down the long runway towards the main stage to get ready for your next song.

“Hopefully the rest of the show will be just as exciting as seeing the Hughes’ brothers all in attendance, maybe if we are lucky I can get them to come on stage with me.”

You sarcastically spoke as you looked towards their section, immediately seeing them shaking their heads no as they waved their arms in disagreement. Rolling your eyes you laughed as they fans tried to encourage them.

“Trust me, you do not wanna see them dance. They are much better on skates!”

[leclerc-hs]

me or him? - cl x hs

Pairing: charles leclerc x fem!reader, ex!harry styles x fem!reader Summary: a request from anon, in which your ex (harry styles) shows up to the paddock and brings jealousy to Charles Warnings: some smut, language, bad writing?? Word Count: 1098 Author's Note: You ask and I shall deliver!! Sorry I didn't make Harry as toxic in it, it was hard for me to make him too much of an asshole because he's such a cutie patootie LOL. I really did want to make him more of an asshole. Maybe I'll make another. I hope it's up to your standards for now! I tried my best ❤️ French edits made by @shewantsvengeance!!!

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

YOU COULDN'T HELP but feel like the universe was playing a twisted joke on you. In what world would Harry Styles be attending a Grand Prix, let alone the Monaco Grand Prix, and to make things even more surreal, he’s in the Ferrari garage. Where you presently stood beside Charles.

To the casual observer, it might not have seemed like anything out of the ordinary. Just another celebrity making a visit to the paddock. But there was a significant detail that set this celebrity apart from the rest: he happened to be your ex-boyfriend.

It was a detail of your past you didn’t get to mention. To be fair, you and Charles were still a relatively new couple, and you hadn’t found the right moment to discuss past relationships with one another just yet. 

“You look so beautiful, ma chérie.” My darling. You both were hidden in the corner as he pecked a gentle kiss onto your lips. Your hands slowly wrap around the back of his neck, a knot formed in your stomach. You needed to give him some warning.

“Cha, I need to tell you this fast. My ex-boyfriend is here.” You whispered it so fast and so low you don’t even know if he heard you correctly.

You and Harry hadn’t parted on bad terms; in fact, your breakup had been quite mutual. However, it was also fair to admit that it was messy in terms of ending up in each other’s bed every so often. But that was before. Before Charles.

“Y/N?” A voice interrupts, and you both quickly separate from each other. You felt like a deer in headlights.

“Harry! How are you doing?” You gave Harry a small, polite hug, still avoiding eye contact with Charles. The thought of his reaction made you nervous, and you couldn’t get yourself to meet his gaze. 

Charles had never exhibited a penchant for possessiveness, or at least, you had not perceived him as such. Nevertheless, in this instant, the proximity of your ex-boyfriend, who gazed at you as if you were the sole focus of this entire room, ignited an uncontrollable urge to clench his fists and drag you someplace else. Somewhere far away from here.

“Doing well,” Harry began, his gaze unwavering on your face. “I thought I’d run into you at the annual Christmas soiree,” he mused with a chuckle, following it with, “I’ve missed you.”

You almost choked on your response.

Charles could sense his frustration intensifying at the undivided attention of Harry seemed to be giving you. Although you continued to avert your gaze from Charles, the vice-like grip of his hand on your hip conveyed an unmistakable message of his discontent.

Harry’s gaze traveled, from your face down your body, following the path of Charles’s hand that had claimed its place. A slight frown forming on his lips.

“Harry, meet Charles, my boyfriend.” You said with a soft smile. Harry extended a hand towards Charles, who, though still visibly tense, accepted the handshake.

Silence filled the space between them, unspoken words hanging in the air. You found yourself ensnared amid an unvoiced rivalry. Harry who struggled to divert his attention from your face for more than a fleeting moment. Charles who wanted to stake claim.

Charles felt increasingly invisible as you and Harry further engaged in conversation. He couldn’t even decipher what you were discussing at this point. His focus had shifted entirely to observing the way Harry was looking at you. Like he wanted you. Like he had no shame.

It made Charles livid.

“Ma chérie, we need to go grab my helmet. I left it in my driver’s room.” Charles cut off the conversation by pulling you away. Not even sparing another glance to Harry. 

You didn’t get to see the expression on Charles’ face as he hurriedly led you into his driver’s room. You didn’t even have a chance to take a single step, as the moment the door was shut, you found yourself pushed up against it and your dress was bunched at your waist.

"You're helmet was literally in the garage Cha," you squealed out.

“Are you trying to drive me insane?” His breath was hot against your ear. You felt goosebumps arise almost instantly at the sound of him shoving his race suit down his legs to free himself. 

“Thinks he can have you back.” He scoffed. “Thinks he can stare at what’s mine.”

He spit directly onto his hand, mimicking the gesture of spitting on the sidewalk. An act of frustration. Almost instantly, he brought his fingers between your fold. “Ma chérie, you’re already so wet.” He hissed as he rubbed his cock through your slick folds.

“Always,” you breathed out heavily as he pushed himself all the way in. “Always for you.” 

His hands were fervent, rubbing and pinching all the right areas to send you quickly towards the edge. 

“Yeah?” He emitted a deep, guttural moan, quickening his rhythm as his hand descended to the spot that you yearned for most. You began nodding your head fervently in response.

Yes. Yes, you’re the only one. You’re the only one I ever want.

“You all wet for him? Hm?” He sneered. “Talking to him got you all hot and bothered?” He was playing with fire.

“No, never,” you were shouting. Needing more. More of him. 

“You’re my little slut, ma chérie?” He groaned in your ear. His hips rapidly picking up the pace. You found yourself utterly incapable of forming a coherent response; the strokes of his cock so deep you were in bliss. Instead, all that escaped your lips were unintelligible groans, a testament to the overwhelming sensations coursing through your body. “Look at you, so cock dumb. Can’t even speak properly.”

It didn’t take much time at all. Your intense desire for him, your deep connection, it all culminated in a swift and intense climax. Him, lost in the same ecstasy as he quickly finishes all over your backside. Dragging his heavy cock over your ass to smear his cum into you.

After a few moments of heavy panting and the gradual return of normal breathing, you finally turned to meet Charles’ gaze. His countenance bore a mix of elation and something more complex, not quite sadness, but perhaps a touch of insecurity.

“Cha, you’re the only one I want.” You confirmed the phrase with a firm kiss to his lips. You felt him smile into it. His hands squeezing any area of your body he grabs onto. As if you would wither into thin air if he didn’t. 

“You’re stuck with me, ma chérie.” He pulled away. “I’m never letting you go.”

[korpuskat]

Chosen Avatar - Part 1

[Ao3 Mirror] Pairing: Ramattra/Reader (GN, has a vagina) Rating: E WC: 2.1k Contents: PWP & Megatron Ramattra. Transformers-typical size difference. >Part 2 ===

There were a few things that had been at the top of your mind when you first saw him after this… transformation. It should’ve been his size. Instead, it was the glowing purple of his faceplate, the darkened slits that hid his optics now illuminated, radiating a brilliant royal shade- and for the first time, you could see his gaze settle on you. It had stolen your breath then, but now it’s even worse.

His optics rake over your nude form and it makes you embarrassed. A kind of shyness you haven’t felt with him in so long-- but like this? Everything is new.

He’s hardly done anything, hardly can do anything. With the aleatory effects of this gift, he’s much too big for his previous methods. No, you’ve had to get… creative. His thumb- massive and gray and strange and new- sweeps over your body, petting at your chest, then down over your ribs, brushing roughly between your legs. It’s crude, no precision at all, and yet still as painfully effective as his touch has always been on you.

He stops there over the heat of your sex, lets you whimper and rut against his cool metal.

“I thought you were small before,” He coos, his deepened, reverberating voice only makes you shiver harder in the palm of his hand. “Look at you now, aching for just the tip of one finger…” This, too, is alien now- a harsher tone that distorts his speech, like it’s been fed through an old speaker somewhere further down in his throat than it has been before.

“Rama…” You whine, grabbing at the edges of his rubber inlays. “Please…”

Ramattra hums, and even this noise has been altered by his new power, but does nothing to sate the heat in your belly.

“Here.” He says, and picks you up with his other hand. You make some sound in protest as being handled so casually, but honestly, the fact he lifts you even easier than before, that he just grabbed you like a doll— you whimper softly as he adjusts you, pushes you to lay back against the base of his thumb. This would be strange enough, except his fingers curl possessively towards you. The tip of his pinky sliding up along your thigh. It’s a good pressure, even if the angle is unusual.

Why he’s moved you becomes obvious only a minute later. His palm lowers, brings you level with his hips- and you watch, entranced as his other hand pulls off his pelvic plate.

What lies beneath is nothing like it was before. It had once been made specifically for you, for your tiny, fragile, human body- all purple translucent silicone and delightful waves, little nodules of firmness with his inlaid lights, now his cock stands as a monstrous obelisk, longer than you are tall. It’s dull silver, the same as his body though you aren’t sure if it is also now entirely metal, but it stands out with the base painted in that new red accent. The head is longer, less rounded and more pointed like an arrow, complete with a half-dozen more, smaller ridges beneath the head, almost making it look like a double sided key through the middle of the shaft. Below that, seams that match the ones on his faceplate run down the rest of the length- each glowing softly with purple light. And none of that is even what holds your attention.

“That’s certainly new.” Ramattra muses, gaze settling on the exact same feature this gift has given him. With his other hand, he touches the tip of his cock- and his fingertip comes away slick. A tiny slit in the head leaks a silvery purple fluid that slides lazily over the oblong head. Lubricant, some still functioning objective part of your mind supplies, but given the dubious origin of Ramattra’s benefactor, you can’t help but wonder if it is actually precum. Gods, you hope so. Heat builds in your belly, leaves unable to stop yourself from rutting against his finger as you watch him gently prod at his appendage. He smears the fluid across the tip, making it shiny and faintly purple- and heat rushes from his vents.

Cautiously, he curls two fingers around himself, uses the lubricant to ease his stroke. Above you, Ramattra moans- a shuddering soft little noise that you’d almost miss if you weren’t listening. And that alone is enough to make you grind harder against his fingertip.

You hear it as he turns, pistons shifting just so his gaze moves back to you. He watches, purple optics burning as you work yourself against his smooth new exterior- and when you tip your head back to look up at him, his chest rumbles in wordless praise. His grasp on himself adjusts, the slick noises of his fist gliding through lubricant even louder- and his finger presses harder into your skin. You gasp, brace yourself against the base of his thumb, nails digging into the little seams between plates as he rocks the finger against you.

You watch as the giant metal appendage rubs on you, nuzzling blindly between your legs. As thick as your forearm, the weight of it alone is thrilling. You adjust your position so he’s pressed right against your clit with every thrust, the underside of the finger slowly beginning to glisten with your own wetness.

“Yes,” He purrs, and you think it’s just how good his hand feels- lubricated and slick against himself. But as you look to him again. the light of his optics has darkened into a wine-like shade, locked perfectly onto your body writhing in his palm. Your grinding against him, your enjoyment of his body- that is the source of his pleasure. Heat surges through you, and if that wasn’t enough- “Keep going.” He urges you, his voice still new and staticky and rumbling and you can’t possibly deny him.

You dig your nails harder into his palm and meet each thrust- your noises a strained, staccato tempo in time with his movements, slowly building the pressure between your legs. It’s so imprecise, a blunt assault on your body that’s hotter more for the effort, for the slapdash connection you’ve forged than because of the sensation itself.

Until his digit slips too far up.

You choke; the plate of the last segment of his finger ends leaving you with a sudden little gap between his plates and with it, a complete lapse in pressure. This alone is jarring, but it’s the downstroke- the sudden return of the weight of him that makes your legs twitch around him.

And Ramattra- his head looming above you, so far away- does not miss this. In an instant, his motion changes, perfectly choreographed to rub the edge of the plate against your clit every single time. Like this, it’s not grinding, not the slow waves of incessant pressure, but an active stroke, flicking your clit like a switch-- one that keeps pace with the hand on his cock. And the pleasure shifts immediately, no longer a slow smoldering build, but a quick start tinderbox.

“Ramattra,” You gasp, clutching at him, hands scrabbling across cold metal as he ruts his finger against you- and in his lap his hand speeds up. Each stroke marked with a wet shlick of his own precum, the hum of his fans, the hiss of steam- and when you throw your head back all you see is purple. That gaze, knowing that he’s watching- it’s too much.

Your hips jump, desperately meeting each press of his fingertip, gasping, crying out his name as it pushes you over the edge. Your thighs tremble on each side of his finger, trying to clamp down on it and failing. When your body fails to keep its pace, his does not- keeping rubbing that edge of his plate over your clit again and again and again- dragging your high on and on in a merciless display for himself.

And Ramattra groans. Deep and loud, it vibrates through his entire frame, into every inch of your skin that touches his palm. You tear your eyes open, stare back up into his optics- blazing, burning orbs of light as his voice glitches, fights through static with every noise-

“A-ah.” His voicebox stutters, breaks as he fights to moan your name- and his body lurches forward. The purple light dims, flickers like a candle-- and you can’t even breathe as he cums. His hand works himself with a speed that must hurt, but from his chest he makes a noise you’d never known was him- like a radio going out of tune, pitched a half-step up- raw, unfiltered, erroneous data and he spills over himself.

His finger on your pussy finally stops, but there's no sleek offlining into a system reset- it's rough. All the air in his ventilation that was being pushed out suddenly reverses flow, his chest broadening in a desperate inhale. Silvery, lavender fluid coats his hand as his pace falters, slowing as he heaves, gasps through his orgasm in a way you’ve never seen him do before.

He keeps going- keeps stroking himself until his fingers tremble and another deep groan slips from his vocoder. He stops, lowering his hand to his hip and, gods you have no idea what this power has done to him because his cock twitches, a last few stray droplets of cum sliding down over his ridges, pouring down the seams in gorgeous, perfect streaks.

You shouldn’t, but your mind is still too lust hazed, still half grinding against his finger just from the sight of Ramattra’s cum. You reach out towards his soaked hand in a silent plea, grasping at the air. Whatever has changed in him means he must finally get his own afterglow, because Ramattra obliges, bringing his dripping palm to you. And oh, you shouldn’t, but there’s no logic in the world that could stop you from stumbling to the edge of his hand just to lean to the other and lick.

Your mouth tingles- and your first thought is fruit, that it’s sweet like juice. The second, however, is that it’s like licking a battery, but turned up to eleven-- like licking a car battery. It’s sour in a way you know isn’t physically possible, electricity manually activating your nerves in a way they aren’t meant to be. Tart and sparkling and it’s like grapes just before they’re about to ferment and damn Megatron because it’s not even bad.

You go in for another taste and Ramattra groans, apparently starting to come to his senses as he separates his hands, leaving you to collapse back against his fingers. Which is fine, as you immediately enjoy how the heat of your skin dissipates into his cool digits. Above you, you can see the plumes of steam still slipping from Ramattra’s vents, his optics dulled into an easy amethyst.

“That was… different.” He offers after a minute, his voice box slowly coming back to its regular working order, but still not pristine. “I’m not sure I appreciate this being messier.” He shifts his cum-coated hand, the fluid there slipping, shimmering in the light.

“Never seemed to bother you before.” You grin up at him, lazily lounging against one of his cleaner fingers and conjure images of how much of a mess you’ve left him with before- on cock and fingers and faceplate.

“I did not mind when it was your fluids.” Ramattra grumbles.

“Well,” You can’t help yourself, the endorphins making you too loose, too giddy to not prod at him. “Maybe you should have asked the alien warlord what he was going to do to your dick before accepting interdimensional power.”

A noise rumbles from Ramattra’s chest, something between a scoff and a laugh. “Yes, I’ll make sure to take notes for next time.” He rests there for a minute, content enough to relax and approach re-regulation and watch you do the same. Eventually, however. “I should clean up.”

You nod, stretch in his palm and prepare to climb down onto the floor-

His palm rises. You sink to your knees with the force of it, clutching at the seams below you as you turn, trying to figure out what he’s doing- and he brings you up to his shoulder. To his scarf. You blink a few times, but smile as you force your wobbling legs to work long enough to transfer yourself onto his frame.

The fabric is unwieldy to climb on, folded together in fat bunches that give way as you try to navigate them, reliant on the hard seams of Ramattra’s new body just to find a good perch. But the payoff is worth it. From here, his vent heat is everywhere. The steam has warmed the scarf thoroughly, leaving it toasty and soothing on your nude body. You don’t even have time to make a comment on how cozy he is before you’re slipping into an easy sleep.

[madaboutmunson]

A Lovely Way to Spend An Evening (Sweet Home Chicago Series - Part 3/4)

Summary for overview of the whole fic can be found here

For @eddiemonth (2023 - Better late than never?)

Week 3 prompts used: Committed, Curious, Tolkien, Introspective, Sci-fi/Tech, Cryptids & Folklore, Tenacious

Warnings: None that I could think of unless you dont like spaghetti?

Summary: In an attempt to help Steve achieve his dreams, Eddie offers to take some of his workload, but that involves asking Steve's Ma over dinner. Which would be fine if Eddie wasn't hiding a mass of curls under his hat, and hats at the dinner table are a no go.

Romance/Fluff Word Count : 10.2K

Ao3 Link -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eddie stares at himself in the mirror of the bathroom cabinet. He takes another quick, deep breath and holds up a chunk of his dark wavy hair. The perspiration forming on his palms contradicts his mouth's dryness, yet they are caused by the same thing.

The metallic gleam catches his eye as he brings his other hand, holding the scissors closer, letting the blades sit on either side of the antenna of hair he's made. He has to do this. He can't go back out there without doing something because, this time, he can't run. Eddie can't help feeling this is all his own stupid fault for being so impulsive. Well, that and not being able to say no to Steve Harrington.

Until now, Eddie had been living in a dream of a kind. His inspiration was back and flowing like someone had just stuck dynamite into a dam. He always said to himself that it was someone, but really, he had one specific muse, and that's his new best friend in the entire world, Steve.

Due to the temperature dropping rapidly recently, Eddie's writing table had been moved inside. It wasn't exactly warm in the store, but it was the Bahamas compared to the elements. At first, he'd elected to stay home in the apartment, but an hour or two into lack of inspiration and enough pacing and pondering to wear a path in the carpet and a hole in his head, there was a knock at the door. He'd quickly thrown on his hat to answer it.

When Eddie had opened it, he'd been met with the adorably cross face of Steve looking down the stairs, but then as soon as he turned to face him, his whole face relaxed in relief, "Jesus, Eddie, I was real worried! Not a call or nothin'?"

"Shit, I'm sorry, I just thought cus of the weather, it wasn't ideal for writing outdoors, you know? And I didn't wanna be a bother when I can write right here."

Steve's eyes had scanned him, and he leaned confidently against one side of the door frame and folded his arms, "Oh yeah? Let's see all 'dis writin' you been doin'."

Eddie had opened his mouth to say something, but when nothing came out, Steve smirked confidently, "Get your stuff. I moved ya table indoors, ya knucklehead," he laughed, and on that melody, Eddie had rushed to get his things and put his hair up properly. Leaving Steve to have a walk around the apartment.

Working inside the store was a little different. The pros were significant. Firstly, it was warmer. Steve even gave Eddie one of his knitted jumpers in case he got chilly. He and Steve could chat all day. He didn't have to wait for Steve to be on a break. They'd even draw together sometimes. And over time, he barely noticed Steve's accent anymore. His voice wasn't Chicago anymore. It was home. Because it was Steve's. Eddie had also gotten used to that charged syrupy espresso, biscotti every day, and cannoli every other day.

He caught glimpses of the other Harringtons occasionally. There were two girls, Robin and Max, and two boys he hadn't learned the names of yet, but one seemed distinctly shyer than the other.

Eddie would have introduced himself, but Steve wasn't overly enthusiastic about it, shooing them away from the store or distracting Eddie with something before he could say hello. Eddie found that very curious because, with both his mom and his friends, Steve had been very enthusiastic to introduce Eddie to them. Maybe, being an only child, there was something Eddie didn't get about the whole sibling experience or something.

There were really only two cons to this situation. One was that whilst Steve was very inspirational to be around, he was also very distracting. Eddie started counting seconds in his head to make sure he didn't stare too long at this beautiful man who just happened to want Eddie around as often as possible. But the second con was the worst. It made Eddie press his pen or pencil too hard into his paper. It made him excuse himself for smoking way too many cigarettes in a row or pulling at the fraying threads on the knees of his jeans.

Girls.

Whatever the weather, regular as clockwork, they would come. Like they had all pre-arranged at some point to create a schedule whereby they could have interrupted flirt time with Steve. Most were alone, but the younger girls were in giggling groups.

With the younger girls, obviously, Steve didn't really flirt with them. He just gave them sweet smiles, a free candy each, and called them young ladies, and that apparently was enough to set them off and have them squealing and sprinting out of the store.

The ones more around their age, however, were the problem. If he didn't know Steve and just watched these interactions with these girls, he'd swear he was head over heels for every single one, still with the baseline of sweet smiles, candy and young lady, but with the added leaning into their space, an occasional innuendo, brushing past them to reach for the thing on the top shelf that they absolutely had to have. The ladies older than them all received a kiss on the back of the hand. The ones older than that got him to run around the counter, a kiss on each cheek, before they pinched his face with glee and then he'd collect their shopping for them.

To look at him in the moment, you'd swear he was having the time of his life, but as soon as he'd waved them goodbye, he'd flop into the chair opposite Eddie, looking worn out, "Tell me something, Ed. Anythin'" he'd sigh, and Eddie with a pool of venomous jealousy simmering in his stomach would do just that. Tell him about something he wrote, an idea, something he just read about, or a story. Whatever it was would calm and recharge him, put a gentle smile back on his face.

There had been some other changes, too. Maybe because he saw these extra facets of Steve, but Eddie swapped the knight in his story for something else that had captured his imagination over the last few years. Science fiction. Extraterrestrials specifically. He found them in an odd way relatable.

In his mind, they'd travel the universe, studying the planets and other life forms to report back on, and didn't mean any harm for the most part. They were kinda strange looking and had weird ways and customs he could invent. He bet that if they did exist, their society would be so advanced it wouldn't have strange rules around what love is acceptable and what isn't. If it's all consenting adults, what did it actually matter? But apparently, on Earth, it still did.

He wished that wasn't on his mind as much as it seemed to be all the time lately. It felt dishonest to feel that way about his friend. He was trying his best not to, but it was difficult when Steve was so kind, funny, supportive, welcoming, handsome, and, even though he'd scoff or pull a face when Eddie would mention it, he was smart, too. Maybe he was not smart in the way a professor was, but he'd challenge any professor to get through any day of Steve's in one piece without struggling.

Sometimes, the register got jammed and Steve knew exactly the correct amount of leverage to use with his mom's nail file to open it without damaging it. His mental arithmetic was flawless. Pricing as he worked out percentage discounts at the drop of a hat. He was bilingual, quadrilingual if you counted the mixed language of Italian and English spoken around here as its own language, which Eddie thought it should be, and the silent hand gesture conversations he'd have with his mom. He knew the geography and history of this area better than anyone else. A cartographer in the making when anyone was lost looking for directions. 

Despite being able to list many things Steve seemed to be an expert at, one thing has illuded Eddie, and that is Steve's dream. He must have them. Eddie sometimes watches him daydream at the counter while waiting for one of the delivery guys to finish what he needs to do so Steve can sit with him again.

"Did you ever think of taking up art?" Eddie asked, without looking up, avoiding any pressure for him to answer.

"Nah, it's fun. Couldn't do it for a living, though," he said without looking up from the apple he had been drawing. Eddie was teaching him about shading techniques.

Eddie continued shading the side of an oddly shaped planet, "What about History, or I dunno, tourism? You know so much about this place, Steve. People would be interested in knowing about it. People who visit would pay hand over fist for a real tour of this part of Chicago. What with all the Al Capone stuff, Little Hell, and Death's Corner. The best time to hit the planetarium and Lincoln Park. The safe nightlife spots, the best pizza and coffee in town-" Steve's chuckle cut him off.

"Eddie," he said fondly, "You know those are things you like, not the general public. It's not sure money," Steve reminds him, and Eddie looks up with a slightly guilty smile, "I like it here. I like running this place. I've been doing it for years. I know this place and how it runs," Steve said enthusiastically.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that running this place wasn't enjoyable," Eddie apologised and attempted to take a chance, "I guess I talk to you about my dreams and ideas all the time, and I wanted to see if you wanted to do the same?" Eddie looked down quickly, afraid of the expression that might cross Steve's face.

But he heard a gentle "Oh, um," from Steve. Curiously, he sounded nervous, and in that realisation, Eddie thought this might be a mistake.

Eddie sat up and looked at him with a smile, "Hey, I was just wondering, you know? Just being my usually talkin' too much self," but Steve was just looking at him, a soft surprise showing on his face.

"I, uh, no, I wanna answer, just, uh, no one's asked me that in a real long time," Steve stumbled over his words. Eddie could see him chewing on his lip nervously, and it shouldn't, but it intrigues him. Steve hardly ever looks nervous. 

Eddie placed his pad and pencil down slowly and quietly, said nothing, just waited patiently and sipped his coffee.

"It's kinda dumb," Steve said forlornly, and Eddie absolutely cannot have that.

"Your dreams are not dumb!" Eddie said firmly, leaning across the small table.

"Well, you ain't heard it yet," a half smile twitched on Steve's lips, but Eddie knew that wasn't through amusement, not the way his eyes looked unsure. He looked between Eddie and the table a few times, "Don't worry if you wanna laugh, just laugh, okay, but don't tell anyone, alright?" Steve looked at him. Analysed his expression, and though their features differed, he recognised it from when he'd seen it on his own face. He knew the feeling that caused it. The anticipated hurt before the strike. Eddie would give anything to have reached over and clasped his hands in his own, telling him he would never laugh at his dreams, but instead, he just nodded.

Steve took a breath, looked directly at Eddie, and then wrapped his arms around himself. His hands holding his elbows. "I think I wanna, maybe, I dunno, something to do with food. Like a chef but not just shovelling out courses, ya know?"

Eddie thought he knew what he was getting at, but he wanted Steve to continue. He tilted his head and gave him a big closed-mouth smile, "Well, there isn't anything ridiculous about that, buddy. But can I ask you a question about it?"

Eddie watched Steve's arms fall gently to his lap, "Yeah, sure. Shoot," 

"Round here, there are a few restaurants already. Didn't you try getting a job there?"

"I did. I was a bus boy, helped out with prep and stuff, but then I couldn't do both and school. I gotta sleep sometime," Steve laughed.

Then suddenly, all the pieces started slotting together for Eddie. Steve has been running this place with his mom for years. He had to give up his restaurant job, and he mentioned school, so probably that, too. Eddie thinks back further. Steve gave his bike to Jonny. He never pursued any of the girls that came in here. He rarely went out. When he did, it was an errand or with him.

Steve's life was on pause. He was Eddie's age, and he was co-running a business, making sure his family had everything they needed. Through no one's fault, Steve was shouldering a burden that shouldn't have ever fallen to him to carry. But he did every day. Rain or shine. Eddie couldn't help but be reminded of one of his favourite characters, Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings books. A sweet guy plunged into the unimaginable. His life turned on its head instantly, the fate of his loved ones hanging around his neck like a weight, draining the life out of him.

This was Steve's life now. His Dad wasn't going to magically turn up and save the day.

"Ed? You okay?" Steve looked concerned.

"Yeah, yeah, good. I was just thinking." Eddie swallowed down the lump in his throat.

"I told ya it was stupid," Steve said, shrinking before he stood.

Eddie leapt out of his seat urgently and grabbed hold of his arm. At the contact, Eddie remembered his breath leaving him altogether, not just because maybe grabbing an upset Steve might land him on the wrong side of a knuckle sandwich, but because of how Steve had looked at him. Perhaps he knew Eddie's deep, dark secret. Like Steve knew how glorious it felt for Eddie to feel his warm skin under his cool fingertips. How he felt the muscles of Steve's arm in his grip and had fought desperately not to give in and run his thumb over them. Eddie quickly looked to the table to avoid his eyes and guided Steve back to his chair with a much looser grip.

"That wasn't what I was thinking. I swear. Please, let me explain," Eddie said quietly. The shame made his voice small. To his surprise, Steve hadn't yanked his arm away but let himself be led back to his seat and sat down. As Eddie sat in his own chair, he couldn't help but notice Steve had placed a hand over where Eddie had grabbed him, and he wondered if that was because he hurt him or if he just felt weird about it. But Eddie couldn't take it back. He wished that he could.

"I was just thinking, maybe I could help out here sometimes. I mean, I'm here all the time anyw-"

"No! No fuckin' way! You're writin', an-and doin' your drawin's. For your book. No, and that's final!" Steve said sternly, and Eddie recognised that, too. The absolute horror of someone doing something for you out of pity.

He finally looked into Steve's eyes as if that was enough to convince him of his truth, "I can write and draw anywhere. Whether I sit here or behind that counter, and you know, sometimes it's good for my brain to take a break, to just think for a while. So it's more hungry to get back to what I want? Don't you want that, Steve? Don't you want to feel that hunger for your dream?" Eddie felt his chest noticeably rising and falling as he inadvertently worked himself up. His words increased with passion as the thought of Steve abandoning his dreams grew in his mind, and he wouldn't have it. He respected Steve, but this felt wrong. And it felt even worse to sit there and let him walk away, not knowing that Steve should have the same chances as everyone else.

Steve blinked at him, his mouth parted slightly, and Eddie wished he would say something. Anything. But he wasn't talking, and Eddie felt the desperation take hold, as he felt his friendship possibly slipping away as he revealed a more passionate side of himself. But he was in it and might as well say it all.

"I just think you've helped me so much. I wanna help you, and now I know your dream isn't this. I can't just sit here and pretend it is," Eddie's eyebrows pinched together, eager for Steve to understand, "You deserve a chance, Steve, and it's no one's fault that it's been pulled away from you. But I could maybe pull it closer? If you let me help."

Steve's expression didn't change much other than him biting his bottom lip. The world around them seemed to disappear for Eddie until finally, Steve spoke, "I'd have to ask, Ma. I don't want her to feel bad about all of this. It's not her fault either."

"No, I know that. I know, okay," Overheated, Eddie removed the knitted jumper. He didn't want to get it all sweaty. He began pacing backwards and forwards, deep in thought, until it came to him, "What about… Yeah, what about I ask your mom for a job? I could do with the money, and it could help me get to know people around here," he sees Steve shift in his seat at that. Maybe he thought Eddie might try and muscle in on the local girls, "You know, for writing."

"You wanna ask my Ma for a job, to work in this store, just so I can cook things?" Steve said.

"No. No, Steve!" Eddie said dramatically, rounding the table and crouching beside him, "So you can shoot for the moon!"

Steve's expression looked almost afraid, so Eddie backed up a little, "What if I don't make it to the moon, huh? What if I fail?"

"Then you'll be amongst the stars, Steve. You'll have tried. You'd have given it your best shot," Eddie's eyes darted between Steve's pleading as they plunged back into silence again, and it was in that stalemate he realised two terrifying things.

He wasn't just pleading with Steve. He was pleading with himself, too, don't give up , and more than that, he realised that maybe having a sense of normalcy in his life, like a job, might actually take the pressure off of himself to create. Especially when he was stuck. He could still get a sense of achievement out of something else. He could help out more at home.

But the thing that scared him the most was because Eddie realised at that moment how delusional he actually was about this situation. The worry that entered Eddie's head before he'd gotten so passionate was he couldn't face watching the person he loved not have everything they wanted. Like he and Steve were going to be like that forever. The crushing reality was one day, Steve would get married to whichever girl he chose, and Eddie would just be there occasionally for a beer or party. What they had these last few weeks would be long gone, even if it was just friendship. It still meant so much to Eddie.

And then there was that word. Love. Like a goddess, terrifying and beautiful, antidote and poison, cruel and kind, saviour and torturer. Something Eddie thought would never enter his world finally had. He wished he was back in Hawkins to talk to Wayne about all of this. And he really wished it hadn't happened between him and another man, especially not his best friend.

Eddie backed away again, stood up, sat back in his seat, scanned his eyes along a shelf of canned produce, and was about to apologise when Steve spoke, "You'd do that? For me?"

"Well, of course I would," Eddie replied like it was the most ridiculous thing on the planet, "You're my best friend," he said. I love you, he thought. He wanted to be his Samwise or at least his eagles.

"Maybe, uh, maybe you could ask her tonight, at dinner?" Steve muttered quietly.

"Yeah. Yeah, of course, I will," Eddie reassured him.

"You ever worked in a store before?" Steve asked, and Eddie didn't miss how the corner of his mouth ticked up into almost a smile. Eddie laughed with relief but also the realisation that he was asking for a job where he had next to no idea how to do. He shook his head in a no as the chuckles spilt out of him, and to his delight, they bubbled up out of Steve, too.

"Come on, lemme show you a few things. Get you a head start with Ma," Steve beamed at him.

For the rest of the day, Steve let Eddie shadow him. He showed Eddie how he rotates the stock, how the store is divided into sections to make it easier for customers to find what they want, where the price cards and the markers are, the knack with the register, and the tidbits of information Steve had about each of the customers who came into the store. Finally, he showed Eddie the back room, where all the stock is kept.

It was dark and cramped back there. A little wooden step ladder leaned against the shelves that towered over them and lined all the walls and in between. Even with the light on, it didn't quite reach some areas back there, making him a little on edge. Something brushed past his leg, and Eddie let out a less-than-flattering yelp of surprise, but Steve only laughed and bent down to pick the unseen offender up.

It was a big old moon-faced cat with deep black fur, and light eyes save for the void in its pupil. Steve held the cat up, and its head bumped his chin, "Security," Steve laughed, "His name's Caesar."

"How come I've not seen him before?" Eddie asked. It was a large cat, and the fact he hadn't seen it in the store or out front the whole time he'd been coming here seemed strange.

"Well, there are two reasons. He generally keeps to the back or upstairs and doesn't tend to like new people that much." Steve smiled at the cat, slowly blinking up at him, and Eddie could hear how loudly it was purring from where he'd stood, "The second reason is you only know he's there when he wants you to know he's there." Steve turned to Eddie, "Did he scratch ya?"

"No, just caught me by surprise, is all. Just against my leg,"

Steve scoffed out a laugh as he frowned, "Really? Hmmm," he looked back at the cat in his arms, "You cast your judgement, did ya?" The cat pawed at his face and purred loudly again, making Steve laugh, an adorably uncurated laugh that Eddie wanted to remember forever. He placed Caeser back on the ground and turned his attention toward Eddie, "You think you can handle all this?" Steve smiled.

"I think so, yeah. Well, I'm gonna try my best, and I am a pretty quick learner," Eddie beamed back at him.

Then he'd felt something unusual as if the air around him had become charged with something, and he'd become very conscious of how close they were together in this dim lighting. Which was strange because they had been closer than this so many times that day, but none of them had felt like this. Like something was going to happen, but Eddie had no idea what.

The muted light was playing tricks and tugging at his heartstrings. Making it seem like the highlights in Steve's eyes sparkled just for him. Or shadows beneath each of his lips had Eddie's name hidden within them.

Steve broke the atmosphere by turning his eyes to a box of tins that he handed over to Eddie and then grabbed his own. "You keep your eyes on me," he said, walking toward the door. Eddie followed quickly after him and came to a clumsy stop when Steve halted in the doorway and looked over his shoulder with a smirk, "Just like you always do, Eddie." 

Even standing pale in front of the mirror now, Eddie recalled how glad he had been that Steve couldn't see him then. His face must have been as red as the can of tomatoes he was carrying.

While Steve left Eddie to restock the tomatoes, the whirlwind of the rest of the Harringtons raced through the store. Steve handed out things from a box he had already made up of fruit and candy as they tore past. Robertina, who goes by Robin, Steve told him, took pause as Eddie saw her observe his empty table in the corner of the store. Steve nodded in Eddie's direction, and Robin made direct eye contact with him, almost making him drop the cans he was holding, but he managed to make the save and smiled awkwardly.

Eddie was used to the other Harringtons blasting past him and Steve waving them on to do their homework, not acknowledging him, but in that look, it was clear he was very much noticed. As she narrowed her eyes at him playfully, it still made him feel like he might be suspected, but when she said nothing, took her apple and jogged after the others, Eddie relaxed and turned back to the shelves.

Steve guided him through a gradual close-down, explaining that he stayed open a little longer for those running late from work, as they were only picking up cigarettes, drinks, or something grab-and-go. When one such customer came in, Steve grabbed the cigarettes he knew they'd buy while they grabbed their sodas and pulled Eddie in front of the register.

He wasn't sure if it was Steve's hand wrapping around his arm tugging him towards him or the anxiety of serving his first customer making his palms sweat and the numbers on the register look like symbols from an ancient civilisation. But Eddie took a breath and plugged in the numbers.

"New staff, Stefano?" The man asked as Eddie packed the small grocery bag for him.

"Hope so, Pauly. Hope so. Whats ya verdict?" Steve smirked as Eddie looked between the two of them nervously.

The man smiled warmly, "Don't be so nervous, kid. We ain't so bad."

Eddie smiled in return and handed the guy his change.

Pauly checked the money in his hand and nodded his thanks to Eddie, "Ay, would ya look at that. It is possible not to get shortchanged 'ere," he said, grinning at Steve, who immediately rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. Get outta here. You ain't never been shortchanged here, Pauly. Just you expect a discount that don't exist," Steve called after him, laughing as he left and waved him away playfully.

Steve's eyes fell on Eddie, as did that dashing smile. Suddenly, the room became hot and small again.

"You did great today, Ed," Steve said, patting him on the back. The hand of which smoothed across his shoulder blade and rested on his shoulder.

"If Ma agrees, I can let you get more practice on the register and with the customers."

Eddie nodded, "Yeah. I definitely could get more practice with people, not one of my strengths."

Steve gave a light laugh down his nose and shook his head. If anyone had dreamed of doing that to him in the past, he would have painted it as condescending and immediately got his hackles up, but when Steve did it, well, when Steve did anything, there wasn't a drop of ill intent in it, and all Eddie could see and feel, were these bonds of friendship growing bolder and tighter.

How he wished that could be something much more. 

"Everyone I like that has met you thinks you're great. The customer thing is more to show people you aren't just a member of staff. You're one-a us," Steve smiled kindly and added quickly, "Not to be fucked with, ya know?"

Eddie was incredibly glad his hip was pressed into the counter because he felt like his knees had vanished for a moment when Steve made him part of his territory.

He knew that Steve meant so people wouldn't give him a hard time as the new guy, but in Eddie's dreams later, that was going to mean so much more.

He nodded dumbly in response because speaking was not an option.

"Stefano! Mangiare," he heard Steve's mom yell from upstairs.

Eddie had heard that enough to know it was a call to food, especially combined with the way Steve hurriedly took off his apron, dumped it on the counter, pulled out the register draw and started to head upstairs.

He paused to look back, "What ya waiting' for, Ed, a handwritten invitation or somethin'?" Steve said with a light laugh.

"No, I was just gonna head home to wash up and change," Eddie replied nervously.

"You can wash up here, come on," Steve said, nodding to the stairs, and Eddie was helpless to follow.

And that was precisely what Eddie had done. Steve had directed him to a small washroom with a toilet and basin, explaining that the one upstairs would have a queue but that Eddie should come up straight after.

 Eddie had happily nodded and agreed, headed into the small room, pulled the book latch over where the bolt should have been, and stood at the basin, his world had come crashing down around him.

As he looked at his reflection, he realised he still had his hat on. The hat he always had on because this is how he hid his long hair.

A cold chill ran down Eddie's spine. He was in a no-win situation. You cannot wear a hat to a dinner table , but he also couldn't bolt home because he'd be letting Steve down. All that talk about helping Steve with his dream would be absolute horse shit if he ran home now. Maybe he'd lose Steve's trust forever and his friendship.

He slid off his hat and removed a hairpin.

And that's why Eddie was standing in front of the old medicine cabinet with scissors poised to cut his hair. His hair could grow back, but his bond with Steve could be lost forever.

But as his world dropped to slow motion, the bright gleam of scissors he'd found against the dense darkness of his hair only made the lump in his throat harder to swallow.

He steels himself, trying to convince his mind that everything would be easier after the first snip. He'd do a countdown, just snip off the end, and quickly butcher the rest.

3, 2, 1

"Eddie? Are you ok in there? We're almost ready to plate up," Steve's smooth voice came through the door's wood.

"Yeah, I'll be right out just, a bit nervous is all," Eddie thought using the truth might make his lie more convincing.

"Hey, listen, you got nothing to be nervous about. You know everyone, and we don't have to do the job thing. It doesn't matter, just come and get something to eat, ok?" Steve requests gently.

Eddie can hear the disappointment in Steve's voice, and it's enough to snip the end of his hair off.

"Eddie, what was that?"

"Nothing. I'll be right there."

"What are you doing in there?"

"I'm just freshening up, I'll be right out,"

"Eddie, why are you lying? What is going on? Let me in. Whatever it is, we can talk about it. I'm happy here. I don't need the other stuff, ok?" Steve's voice drops quieter, but Eddie can hear his concern perfectly.

Eddie doesn't reply. He just holds up a strand of hair with the scissors at the base, vibrating with emotions of all kinds, staring at himself in the mirror when the latch lifted and the door opened.

"Sorry for barging in, Ed, but you're worrying-"Steve starts to say, averting his eyes until he realises Eddie is dressed at the sink, and then he looks over him and freezes for a second before closing the door quietly behind him.

"What is this?" Steve says, gesturing to what Eddie is doing, and then his eyes are everywhere all over Eddie's hair, his pride and his shame.

Steve's mouth is making a perfect o shape, but no sound is omitted from his lips.

"Steve, I can explain. Just please don't tell anyone else. I-I can just go," Eddie stutters, realising he's still wielding the scissors as he backs away from Steve in a tiny space. He sets them down on the sink between them as his legs hit the toilet bowl behind him. He raises his hands, palms out in defence, and screws his eyes shut for the incoming insult or thump.

But neither comes, just the sound of the medicine cupboard closing and the soft fabric on the lining of his hat on his fingertips.

"Put ya hat back on, and come to dinner," Steve says quietly with a slight smile as he clears the curl of hair from the sink.

"But you're not supposedta-" Eddie starts to protest, but Steve simply turns to him and repeats himself.

"Put ya hat back on, and come to dinner, Eddie," Steve says with those kind eyes that make Eddie want to cry because they keep giving him chance after chance, "Don't worry about what ya supposed to do, and do what I ask. I'll handle the rest."

Steve leaves him, closing the door behind him, and Eddie can hear him jogging back up the stairs. He can hear the muffled rise and fall in volume of a language he doesn't understand. One voice is unmistakably Steve's, the rest a cacophony of others until his mom silences them all with a few words, and with that, he hears the scraping of chairs and the general rumble of conversation.

He looks at himself in the mirror, neatens himself up, washing his face and hands, and finally puts his hat back on as Steve requested.

His heart pounds as he leaves the bathroom. Every stair he takes pushes a new worry in his mind of what excuse he could use and how disrespectful they might think he is being. Was it an insult to Steve's mom?

Before he can talk himself out of it, he's in the open doorway and can hear all the commotion and chatter inside. He awkwardly steps in, his hands clasped in front of him, before giving a swallow and shy wave, "Hi," he manages, looking around at the faces seated at the large dining table, but can't find the one he's looking for, Steve.

"Eddie, sweet boy, come-a sit down, Stefano is ina kitchen," She says with a warm smile, walking up to Eddie and taking his arm, guiding him towards one of two empty seats next to one another.

"Wait, maybe I should go help," Eddie offers, gesturing toward the kitchen, but she shakes her head in response.

“No Stefano, wona be long. You sita down," She ushered him into the seat between the empty one and the youngest sister, Max, with the bright red hair.

The young girl turns to look at him for a moment. She squints at his hat, which almost makes him break out into a sweat if it not for the clatter of swing doors as Steve reverses into the room, arms laden with bowls of food that he dishes out around the table. 

He serves his mom first, giving her a kiss on the cheek as he does so, and Eddie's heart thumps as he thinks this might be a custom, but is relieved to see that isn't the case as Steve puts some other bowls down in front of his siblings, to a mixture of faces ranging from excitement to disgust, as Steve weaves his body, primarily directed by hips, around the dining chairs and table corners.

"Hey, you made it! That door gets stuck sometimes. Don't worry. Happens to everyone," Steve gives him a sweet half smile.

"Yeah," the curly-haired brother scoffed, "I got stuck in there a full twenty minutes the other day, and someone wouldn't help me out."

"I was accepting a delivery. You know I gotta pay attention they don't mess it up Dus'" Steve says, pushing past the kitchen saloon-type doors again.

Dus widens his eyes at Robin, "And what was your excuse?"

"I was watching Steve accept the delivery," she replies without taking her eyes off her reflection in her compact mirror as she grumbles at a pimple emerging on her face.

"You were not!" Dus slams his fist on the table. "You were outside giggling with Max!"

"Oh, I suppose Will snitched on us, did he?" Max snaps back, rolling her eyes. 

"Don't take it personally, Max, Will snitches on everyone," Robin sneers in the young quiet boy's direction.

Will shifts uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with his siblings. He takes a deep breath and finally speaks up, his voice barely above a whisper, "I didn't snitch. I just… I just said I heard someone laughing outside. I didn't know it was you. I was just trying to help Dus when he was stuck."

"Basta!" Mrs Harrington shouts, and the table falls to silence. Her expression softens, and she turns to Eddie, "Means, stop," she adds, reaching over to pat his hand.

Eddie takes a moment to look around at the food in the bowls, and his stomach sinks. He knows what this is. He saw it in a movie a few years ago. The one with all the dogs in. He's even heard his mom talk about how delicious it is, but he has never actually eaten it himself. 

Spaghetti.

He wasn't accustomed to food he couldn't shovel onto a fork or spoon and then straight into his mouth. And this was not that kind of food. Well, it could be if he cut it up. He decides to wait to see what the Harrington's do.

The kitchen saloon doors swing open again, and Steve returns with the last three bowls of spaghetti. One for Robin, and then he sits next to Eddie and puts their bowls down simultaneously, giving Eddie that smile that made the rest of the room disappear.

"Hope you like it, Eddie. It's a family recipe," he beams excitedly, and the sparkle in Steve's eyes means whatever this food tastes like, this will be his new favourite meal.

"Who's family? Not mine. There is a distinct lack of parm on the top here," Dus complains, Max hums in agreement.

"First of all, you can help yourself to as much cheese as you want, after prayer. Second, you should really think about cutting back on the cheese at your age," Steve says matter-of-factly.

Dus and Max are aghast, much to the hidden amusement behind Will's hand.

"You hear that, Ma? He called us fat!" Dus pleads his case to his mom, and she immediately leans over, strokes his cheek, and looks disappointedly at Steve.

"Stefano. Please. No talk about your brother like that. My sweet boy, look at his perfect angel face," She coos, pinching Dus' cheek.

Steve pulls an exasperated face at Dus, who is grinning back hugely, and then turns to his mom.

"Ma, I would never. I was just talking about how his body sometimes reacts after too much dairy, ya know? When you get to this age, you gotta watch that stuff. Could give him pimples."

His mom looks confused for a second. "Brufolo," Steve adds and pokes at his own face, making his mom gasp.

"No! No, my angel boy. Das it. No more for you." Mrs Harrington says with an urgency as she pats Dus' cheek.

"But Ma!" He protests.

"No, but ma, Destino, listen to your brother. Stefano always has the most beautiful skin."

Dus, Dustin, or Destino, as it appeared to be his full name, glares daggers at Steve, who easily bats them away with a pump of his eyebrows and smug smile laced with mischief.

Robin rolls her eyes, "Enough golden boy competition. The food is getting cold."

Max hums her agreement.

Eddie watches everyone bow their head and clasp their hands together. He pauses to take it in, and got a slight nudge from Max, and quickly follows suit.

He has little to no idea what Mrs Harrington says next. He recognises a few names. He is surprised to hear his own and his mom's and also makes out the words for food and thanks. He hears a few words repeated throughout, Dio and Signore. He makes a mental note to ask what they mean later.

He hears the familiar 'Amen', which the rest of the table says in unison, and Eddie mumbles on the tail end of it.

Then it is as if it's suddenly rush hour. Everyone is reaching for cutlery or grated cheese. Dus gets his hand slapped away by everyone except for Eddie whenever he goes for the cheese. Eddie notices that no one touches the salt and pepper even though it's on the table.

Steve passes Eddie a fork and stabs his own into his food, twirling it around and eating what was on the fork in one bite. He falls back in his chair and makes a noise that Eddie thinks might haunt his dreams for the rest of time as he chews his mouthful.

"Mmmmm, Ma. You've outdone yourself. Perfect. Bellisima." He gushes, kissing his bunched fingers and seemingly throws the kiss somewhere in the room.

Mrs Harrington beams proudly at Steve.

"Take it down a notch, Romeo. You already got out of doing the dishes by serving and making dessert," Robin snorts sarcastically.

Steve makes noise through his teeth at her like he's trying to shoo away a pesky stray.

"Robertina, be nice, and Stefano is no a Romeo," Mrs Harrington starts, pulling a disgusted face, "He's a good boy. No chasing strange girls or shoutin' up at de 'ouze" 

"You sure about that? He's always shouting up at this house. Ma! I'll do it once I've finished daydreaming! " Max points out, utilising an excellent impression of Steve, to Eddie's surprise.

There is a smattering of giggles from Steve's siblings, even a fond smile on Mrs Harrington's face, but all Eddie can read from Steve is worry. Was he concerned Eddie might think less of him because his family were teasing him?

"You know that's how I come up with a lot of my ideas," Eddie blurts out, and it's as much a surprise to him as anyone else, "I think we all do it a little for inspiration, whether it's poetry, comedy, science, adventure, cooking, problem-solving, music, any-anything really," Eddie started to get a lot quieter when every face at the table has turned to him.

At first, he's concerned he's talked out of turn, but every face has a gentle smile on it. He turns to Steve for direction, but he's met with a killer half smile that makes him feel like his heart might burst right through his ribs and top his spaghetti.

"Guglielmo, good day at school?"

"Mama, please, it's Will."

"I didda not spend hours in pain to call you Will under my roof," she frowns.

"Sorry, Mama," Will concedes softly and gives a quiet recollection of his day.

A gentle nudge in the other side of his ribs startles him, pulling his thoughts from their chaotic spiral. Steve's voice, low and warm, whispers into his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. "If you don't like it, I can make you something else. Ma won't mind."

Eddie shakes his head quickly, feeling a blush creeping up his neck. "No, no, it smells delicious. I just, uh..." His words fumble, faltering when his gaze met Steve's. 

There is something disarming in the way Steve's hazel eyes hold his own, but it is too much, too risky, so Eddie drops his gaze back to the bowl in front of him and grabs his fork in a desperate attempt to focus.

No matter how hard he tries, he can't get the damn spaghetti to stay on his fork. He almost gets it to his mouth a few times and fails at the last second.

Steve laughs softly, the sound vibrating through the air, wrapping around Eddie like a warm blanket. He sighs, offering an apologetic smile to the most beautiful man he's ever laid eyes on. Movie stars included.

"Like this," Steve said softly.

Eddie almost passes out because of what is happening. Steve is shuffled up next to him. Part of his chest is pressed up behind Eddie's upper arm, and it only adds to the passing out problem due to the impossible heat he can now feel where they touch. But it's about to get so much worse because Steve doesn't take Eddie's fork from him. Instead, Steve wraps his hand around Eddie's, his fingers warm and steady, guiding Eddie's trembling hand with ease.

The only safe thing to do is keep his eyes on the demonstration and whatever he does, not look up at Steve because if he does, then everyone will know. Every single person at this table will know about his gigantic crush on his best friend.

This had to be some kind of dream. Steve's breath was ghosting across Eddie's cheek now, and it took everything in him not to lean into it. The smell of Steve's cologne mixed with the faint scent of tomatoes, some kind of herbs, and the slightly sweet smell of powdered sugar. That last one he was more familiar with. That meant Steve had baked. He let a small smile break free from the knowledge that these little Steve details were neatly tucked away for himself.

But he must not look at him. Because if he did, if he saw that same warm, easy expression on Steve's face, there would be no hiding it. No hiding the fact that his heart was practically beating out of his chest, no hiding how desperately in love he is with his best friend.

His hand shook slightly in Steve's grip, and he prayed Steve didn't notice. He guessed he could blame it on nerves.

"Ed, you alright?" Steve's voice, quiet with concern, broke through his thoughts. Eddie's breath caught in his throat, and at the sound of his name wrapped in the most heavenly voice, he was met with Steve's soft, worried gaze. His honey eyes, always warm, always so full of something Eddie couldn't quite read, were locked on his. "Thought I lost you for a second there."

Then by some deity in the universe showing pity on him, he sucks in a breath and laughs weakly, "No, all the twirling. It's, uh, hypnotic."

There is a laugh from the end of the table, "He's right, with the sauce. It looks like the posters for that Vertigo movie," Will chuckles.

A small argument breaks out about how Will has even seen that poster, the blame falling on Max and Robin. Steve smiles then, slow and genuine, making the rest of the room fade away. For a moment, it's just them. The way Steve's fingers linger on Eddie's hand a second too long, the quiet intimacy of their closeness. Steve's smile, so disarming, sends a flutter through Eddie's chest, and for the briefest second, Eddie lets himself believe that maybe, just maybe, Steve isn't so unattainable after all. 

Then Eddie's fantasy world shatters as Steve releases him and gestures for him to put the spaghetti-constricted fork into his mouth, which he does without question.

At first, the textures are unusual, but the flavours are all recognisable as things he's familiar with. Everything tastes so fresh. Like they plucked the tomato straight off the vine, and it was bursting in his mouth. The cheese was saltier than he was used to, but the combination of it with the spaghetti was out of this world.

Eddie leans back in his seat, closes his eyes, and understands completely why Steve made that noise after his first mouthful earlier. This meal is delicious.

When he reopens his eyes, he is met with the smiling faces of Steve and his Mom, who quickly look back to their own food. Without eyes on him, Eddie tries again to master the spaghetti on his fork. 

The first few tries are a weak effort of a few strands of spaghetti making it to his mouth. Another time, he winds it so well he has enough on his fork to fill his entire mouth. A few unravel just before getting consumed, and he sucks them in as he'd seen Steve doing and, for his attempt, gets attacked by sauce flicking from the stray ends on the tip of his nose and on his cheek.

Eddie picks up the napkin his fork has been resting on and wipes his face and mouth as best he can. He's sure he is a complete mess, as is his shirt, but he would gladly throw this shirt into a furnace if it meant Steve turned and smiled at him like he was doing right now. Sweet, confident, maybe a little impressed?

"That was fantastic," Eddie said, rubbing his very full stomach.

"Not bad for your first time," Steve praises, and Eddie sits a little taller.

"You learn fast. That's very good, Eddie," Steve's Mom nods her praise, "Very smart. Very smart to be friends with Stefano. He's a good boy."

"Ma," Steve says with a laugh in an effort for her to stop.

"Too good for the girls in this city. They no appreciate him. He works hard, very kind, very handsome, very loyal, don't you think, Eddie?" She asks, holding Steve's chin and turning it towards Eddie.

He can see the slight rosiness on his cheeks of embarrassment and the rolling of eyes, but this is Eddie's chance to be honest, "Ma, please," Steve tries again.

"I think so, Mrs Harrington. Stev-Stefano is a really great guy," he answers fondly, and Steve gives him a bashful smile in return. his chin is let go of, and Mrs Harrington's eyes are fixed on Eddie, "My Mama thinks so too." Eddie adds quickly, "Want me to help clear the plates?"

Mrs Harrington shakes her head, "No, no, Eddie. You are a guest. Today anyway," she smiles mischievously. Eddie figures she means when he starts working there, he will be allowed to help out more, but he realises he has yet to ask her.

"Hey, Dus. Eddie has changed up his story. It's about all that space alien stuff you're into," Steve says as he starts gathering up the plates, and as he heads back into the kitchen, his Mom follows him.

"Really? You know about sci-fi? What about Cryptids? You know what they are?" Dustin quizzes Eddie, and he notices Will is also very interested in how this conversation will go. He pulls out a copy of Strange Tales from under the table and clutches it to his chest. Truthfully, it looks like it's on the verge of falling apart, but he seemed very attached to it.

"What like Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and the Jersey Devil?" Eddie asks in return. The duet of gasps from the boys meant he was on the money. They quickly move around, slamming two notebooks on the table to show Eddie their theories.

Amidst the hum of conversation, two things happen, the telephone rings, and someone starts coming up the stairs.

"PINA!" A deep voice yells up the stairs, "I got ya beef, and I left the baking stuff in the store room, cus ain't no way I'm dragging that and my sorry ass all the way up these stairs, because-" 

The exquisitely suited man in the doorway stops talking as his eyes meet Eddie's. He starts talking that non-verbal language all the Harrington's do.

His eyes rapidly scan over Will and Dustin, and the assessment is the age gap is too large for them to be friends. He doesn't even bother looking at Max and raises an eyebrow at Robin, who shakes her head at him. He frowns momentarily in thought, then raises both eyebrows, and Robin rolls her eyes in response.

He extends a hand out towards Eddie, who is already getting out of his seat to shake it when suddenly he is whisked out of the room by Mrs Harrington. Eddie can hear them talking, and due to hearing the word Americano so often, he thinks he is the topic of at least part of the conversation.

Steve quickly emerges from the kitchen with a box of cannoli, "Sorry to cut our evening short, Ed. Unexpected guest," Steve says with a somewhat regretful smile.

"That's ok. It's getting late anyway. I should head back," Eddie lies. He was just getting the hang of things here, but maybe it was for the best he left before he got too comfortable around everyone, "I even forgot to ask your Mom about the job," Eddie cringes at his failure.

"Oh!" Steve exclaims in realisation, "Sorry, Ed, I got so caught up at the table. I forgot to say Robin already told her. She asked me in the kitchen, and she said yes," he says happily as he almost guides Eddie down the stairs using the baked goods as bait. Not that he needed those to lead Eddie anywhere.

"That's great news, when can I start? When can you start?" Eddie asks eagerly as they enter the store floor.

Steve stops walking, turns, looks him over with a huge smile, and shakes his head with a laugh, "Eddie Munson. You're like a dog with a bone, huh? Committed. Bet you'll make someone a great husband one day. I could always put in a word for you with the local ladies."

"Oh no!" Eddie says much too quickly, leaving him wide-eyed and terrified, "Wh-what I mean to say is, uh, is..."

Steve tilts his head at Eddie, a smirk on his face, "What you mean to say is?" he teased playfully.

"That because of my writing, I don't have the time for dating. And if I was to, you know, date someone, I'd wanna give them my entire attention, right?" he laughs nervously, "Court them properly. Dances, flowers, dinners, romantic strolls and night drives, stuff like that," Eddie's rapid flow of words is punctuated with a nervous swallow.

Steve raises an eyebrow, and his smirk morphs into a smile, "Yeah, stuff like that," he laughs as he gets to the door to hold it open for Eddie and hands him the box once he's outside.

"Well, goodnight. Thanks for everything today, and please thank your family for me, too. That was so great," Eddie says genuinely.

Steve leans in the doorway, his arms wrapped around himself, looking at the floor, "Course I will, and thank you, Ed. I never thought I'd have this chance again. All my brothers and sisters are gonna go to college. Ma's getting older, this place is still my future. But maybe, with what I've now got the chance to learn," he toes the top stair and then looks up and makes direct eye contact with Eddie, and it feels like Steve can see right into his soul, "I can make some changes. Keep the name, but change the business to suit me more."

Eddie nods supportively, "I know you will."

Then that feeling is there again, like in the storeroom, and Eddie isn't sure what it is, but it's giving him goosebumps. Steve goes to take a step down, but he's halted by his own name.

"STEFANO! TELEPHONO. IS NANCY!" Mrs Harrington shouts.

Eddie watches Steve take a deep breath and shouts up to the open window she's leaning out of, "MA! I told her I'd call her back! I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!"

Steve pinches the bridge of his nose, sighs, and mutters about patience. It confuses Eddie a little. He knew Steve and Nancy were a thing, but she was with Jonny now. Maybe things had changed. It was probably an excellent opportunity to show Steve he had his back.

"Must be tough being Little Italy's most eligible bachelor," Eddie chuckles, even though his heart is sinking.

Steve looks confused and goes to say something.

"STEFANO. NANCY!" Mrs Harrington shouts again, but this time spots Eddie, "Ah. Good night, Eddie, see you for your next shift," She smiles fondly at him and winks before retreating inside and closing the window.

Steve looks a little harassed, "Listen, Ed, I really gotta go, but uh, you got any Halloween plans? We was gonna go to a spooky old house and then my Uncle's club. Do you maybe wanna come?"

"Yeah, that sounds great," Eddie answers, nodding so enthusiastically that he thinks his head might come off.

Steve claps his hands, "Yes! I knew you'd be game. Ok, so, uh, yeah, see ya tomorrow?" 

"Of course! Maybe you can teach me why Ms Fiore always picks the pasta on the top shelf, no matter what kind you put up there."

"If I told you that, you might not wanna work here," Steve laughs, "Night, Ed. Thanks for everything."

"Night, Steve. See ya tomorrow," Eddie says with a salute and takes the short walk around the corner to his place.

It should take Eddie much less time than it does to reach the steps to the apartments, but the ingredients of the cool night air, a handful of incredible fantasifull moments, really helping Steve, even with the extra squeeze of bitter jealousy, didn't spoil the feast that filled his heart and mind.

Once indoors, he puts the cannoli in the refrigerator, leaves a note for his mama to let her know she was sent one, and heads to his room.

He hangs up his jacket and hat, heads to the bathroom to start unpinning his hair, to let it free, and chuckles at the blunt cut end, the other part of which is currently in a Harrington trash can.

After brushing his teeth, he heads to his bedroom and is just about to turn on the light when a warm glow catches his eye.

From the darkness of his room, he can see Steve's bedroom and more exciting than that, he can see Steve, who appears to be looking through a tin of papers and adding another folded piece of paper to it. Love notes, no doubt.

Eddie bites his lip. He shouldn't spy. It's wrong, maybe even creepy, but he swears if Steve removes any clothing, he'll look away.

Luckily, Steve does nothing of the sort unless you count kicking off his shoes. He flicks through a large box, produces a vinyl record, and puts it on the turntable.

Eddie observes him pull the arm over, and as the stylus must meet the groove, Steve closes his eyes and clutches the album sleeve to his chest.

He turns around a few times to a rhythm and words Eddie can't hear, but whatever it is, has Steve thinking about someone. The way he sighs deeply and flops back onto his bed, eyes closed and a gentle smile on his lips, spells out he's in love. Nancy must be really something to make a guy, who most of the area want for themselves, turn to mush.

Still out of sight, Eddie leans his chin on his hand, with his own sigh of longing. What he wouldn't give for it to be him that Steve was head over heels for.

Before Eddie can spend too long on that thought, Steve's bedroom door bursts open, and he startles but laughs when he sees it's Robin.

It takes Eddie a second, but he eventually realises from her outfit, miming and mannerisms that she's pretending to be Steve. She gets a pillow thrown at her for her efforts.

Soon, another figure joins the party. Eddie can make out the red hair crammed under a brown curly dress-up wig, her nose stuck in a book. 

Eddie recalled drawing the girls when he sat on the steps that day, and it's clear from Steve's half-annoyed, amused face that they were teasing him. Which made Max, Nancy.

Max-Nancy walks past Steve, engrossed in her book, and walks into something, sending her reeling back, only to be caught by the capable arms of Robin-Steve.

Steve waves his arms around in complaint about something, but it's too late. Robin-Steve and Max-Nancy are already waltzing around the room, only to stop on occasion when Robin-Steve pulls out a small bunch of grapes to feed to Max-Nancy.

The display should make Eddie boil with envy, but it is much too funny, especially when Steve chases them around and out of his room.

Eddie chuckles quietly in the dark and thinks about heading to bed himself. He takes one last look over at Steve, who, to his horror, appears to be looking right back at him.

Eddie freezes on the spot. The icy chill of being found out charges down his spine, but the fear is short-lived. Eddie takes one last adoring glance at Steve before he draws his curtains, and Eddie is left alone again.

[neverlostmycrown]

Evanescence - The Open Door Digital Booklet (2006). Photos by Karl Larsen and Beth Wilson.

(thanks to archive.org for the hq scan)

AMY THANKS: First of all, I'd like to thank Terry. I am so grateful for you. I never thought I would find someone who could finish my musical thoughts like you do. Thank you for your creativity, your patience, and most of all for supporting and encouraging me- as a writer and a friend. Dave Fortman, once again you've made the dream come true. Thank you for believing in me, pushing me to be my best, and cracking me up when I thought my brain might explode. Bro-tools forever. :) Jeremy- thanks for ruling it again! Its always a pleasure hanging out and working with you. A big thanks to the Record Plant- you were all so good to us. Rose, Mike and everyone- I miss you already! Dave Campbell- you are so gifted, and I will always look forward to working with you. You take our music to a whole new level, and it wouldn't be Evanescence without you. Thank you DJ Lethal for giving this record spooky, sexy thump! :) Also thanks again to Susan Youngblood and the Millenium choir for another beautiful job. A very special thank you to Baldwin Pianos for all of your support and for all you've given me. It's been wonderful! Thank you Diana Meltzer (my big little sister!) for your endless support and friendship. Thank you to everyone at Wind-up records for all your hard work, and for all the time and freedom I was given to create this album. Thank you Gary, Patty, and everyone at Haber Corporation. You've changed my life! Andy- you have listened to me, supported me, fought for me, and laughed with me. You're a good friend and a great manager- Thank you goodnight! John, Rocky and Will, you all did such a great job in the studio. Will, I can't imagine playing without you. We've had so much fun together and I'm gonna miss you so much. This sucks! Good luck and much love (special thanks to John, Rocky and Terry for staying in the band). I want to thank my sisters Carrie and Lori for singing background vocals on 'call me when you're sober.' You guys were awesome and it was so cool to have you hang out in the studio with me. I want to thank my girlfriends for always standing by me (and sometimes helping me stand) Beth, Faith and Tiff- I love you! (you too, Kim and Patty!) And Beth- I couldn't do this without you. You keep me sane and somehow make anywhere in the world feel more like home… Even Japan. (See-ma-sen!) Josh, you are my muse. Nothing inspires me the way you do. Thank you for all my missing pieces. Thank you for your strength and love. Thank you for letting me see myself through your eyes, because only then could I know that I am good enough for you. Thank you to all our wonderful fans and friends at the evboard. Thank you God, and last (and anything but least), my family for loving me, supporting me, accepting me, and always being my sanctuary. I love you!

[industria-adastra]

[PMMM] And so, I fell in love alone - CHAPTER ONE: even if that love is lost, believe in me again

Summary: “I love you” (A different you, a “you” that no longer exists for “me”)

Or: A story of unrequited, violent love

Pairing: Kriemhild Gretchen/Akemi Homura

Note: As usual this is also on ao3. This fic was entirely inspired by listening to Magic Ring Night from the Royal Scandal series (the new remake ver) and reading its translated lyrics. This is technically the "first meeting" fic for those two, as this is also part of the same universe as "Ideal Heaven", "like clockwork orange (keep your eyes buttered open 'til the end)", and "i woke, i prayed, i screamed, a vagitus cry", where Homura has the worst time of her life ever. But hey, at least she has a loving(?) girlfriend (???). Probably.

Next

-

On the eighth day, Kriemhild Gretchen was born, blindly reaching for the stars; a vagitus scream detonating like a bomb, engulfing the world in a cacophonous melody. She clawed her way out of the jewelled womb, full of a higher purpose, full of knowledge and yet bereft of it at the same time. An endless slideshow of images and sounds played out in her mind, digging into her flesh and drip-dropping into her blood, adding to her skeleton made from emotion.

What a horrible place, what a wonderful place. It needed to be preserved, it needed to be saved. Kriemhild opened her maw and swallowed it all, to herald a flood of stomach acid to cleanse the filth and allow them to be reborn in purity. But something was missing, something was missing, something was missing. It rattled in her brains, tearing at the walls, chewing away at her thoughts. She clambered and crawled through foreign sensations, skittering through the labyrinth of herself.

A set of smiles and tears created the treasures for her clockwork cage heart; a sunny morning, a mermaid, a dress-up doll, a paper doll, a spider with bejewelled eyes, spinning thread atop the thundering rapids. Kriemhild stretched her arms out, pouring through the cracks and twisting through the sky with a crackle and snap, with a fleshy squirming buzzing with anticipation. Her head twisted with a creak-creak-crack, and the world spun alongside its central axis. Something was coming, something was coming, something was coming; Something important, more than the rest. The tick-tick-tack-tock in her ears grew louder and louder, as she got closer and closer. 

Knock, knock, anyone there? She rapped on the ribcage doors, bleached white and weathered, looking deep into herself. 

MA

DO

KA

And what was there? A pretty girl, a bloody girl, a teary-eyed girl, a lost girl—off the correct path of absolute salvation. Trembling from awe, trembling from Kriemhild Gretchen’s might. A bloody little bird shivering in her palms. Her eyes lowered down, gazing down, bug-like, only centimetres away—monitoring it. How cute, how cute, even with snot on its face and vomit on its feet. So disgustingly imperfect and so far from the ideal that was Her. 

Maybe she’d braid its feathers as she showed it paradise; it'd look better that way, Kriemhild mused, running fingers over fragile bird bones, lightly, lightly. It was already thrashing in her hands, crumbling down like a star shower, about to leave, about to escape. The clockwork started to become fainter and fainter.

(You can't leave me)

Kriemhild struck fast, holding tight onto its arms, pinching it cleanly into two. And now it stopped thrashing, stopped doing something that would lead to futile self-harm. (It couldn't leave her here, couldn't, couldn't, couldn't, couldn't— Everyone was dead and gone and gone and gone Homura you can't leave me too) Instead, it only stared up at her, awed by her benevolence. The galloping thump-thump-thump of its little heart charged ahead of the steady thuds of Kriemhild’s own heartbeat.

If you didn't clip its wings, it’d only hurt itself.

MA

DO

KA

The clattering of metal, dry heaving in her ears, the building crescendo of a scream arose with the tension of a long bygone climax—only to be cut off by a wet noise of surprise, joined by the explosion of amniotic fluid and the spilling rain on the concrete.

MA

DO

KA

Oh, it was crying again. How cute, how cute. Kriemhild laughed and laughed and laughed, curling her hands around it like a cage. She’d surely show it paradise.

And on the eighth day, Kriemhild Gretchen fell in love.

[clemblog]

Caine’s Lesson - Part 9

•

Pomni was finally setting out on her first adventure with Gummigoo, Max and Chad. It was a big day!!

She sat atop her horse, Jingles with a small belt around her waist to support her pistol which was in its holster. Gummigoo was beside her, fussing over his horse Tang. The pair were waiting for Max and Chad to get their steeds ready. Max’s was named Sour and Chad’s was named Horse. Very fitting.

“Sooo.” Began Pomni, sheepishly. “What exactly are we doing on today’s ride?”

“We’re gonna be scouting for resources and citizens if all goes well Poms.” Hummed Gummigoo, giving Tang some affectionate pats from where he sat in his saddle.

“R-Right, I remember now-“ She nodded with a hum. “That’s why me and you have saddle bags, mhm? And why Max and Chad don’t?”

“You’d be correct, we never know what you’ll find out there in terms of resources. We learned the hard way back along when we found our first bunch of citizens and Chad had to leave his saddlebag at the location. Unfortunately, loosing said bag in the process. Usually it’d be just me with the bags, but now that you’re joining we’ll get twice as many supplies!”

Pomni nodded at this again with a smile.

“Y’know… The more I talk to you guys the less you seem like Bandits-“

“Huh, I guess you’re right there.” Mused Gummigoo. “It’s just what people have always called us.”

“How about, we just refer to our little four as… The Scouting Saviours? Cus you know- We go out for supplies, sometimes we come back with people too- So, The Scouting Saviours!”

“The Scouting Saviours, huh~? I like how you think Pommy! We’ll have to engrave it on our bags or something-“

Pomni snickered at this, rolling her eyes softly.

“I don’t know about that-“

“Nope, it’s happening. You’ll see!”

“Uh huh-“

Max and Chad were soon ready and the four headed out!

Pomni found it refreshing to be up so high and going so fast! Her new body from the circus had her feeling kind of small… In the sense that she was feeling a lot shorter and smaller now- But also in the sense that she felt helpless- But look at her now! She was out on a horse wielding a gun with her three buddies! They were helping people! Going on adventures!

Everything you’d want to see from a digital world! If you asked her-

Eventually Gummigoo, waved her to slow down, the four arriving at what looked to be an old run down orchard. It wasn’t far from the Candy Kingdom, so Pomni had to guess it was where a large portion of the kingdoms food came from.

“Alright lads, Pommy, you know what to do.” Grinned Gummigoo, chucking a saddle bag to Max and Chad. “Fill up on food and anything else that might be useful.”

“You got it boss!”

“Off we go!”

The two scrambled off to fill up on supplies.

“And we’ll cover over here, that alright with you Pommy?” Hummed Gummigoo, gesturing to a green house like building.

“Sounds good to me! Let’s get finding!”

It was a successful trip! Everyone had found a large collection of resources which were easily taken back home to be used by Ma and the Candy Kingdom Survivors. Max had only pierced himself a few times when picking the fruits, which luckily could be fixed with a smear of syrup! Apparently, syrup was the main medicine for the candy based creatures.

On the journey back Gummigoo explained how their skin was made from gelatine and that it only really got torn or pierced in most cases of injury. Which meant in most cases, maple syrup and the odd bandage or two would be used to patch up the injury and hold it together to heal. It was certainly an interesting mechanic! Pomni was curious to if it would work on her. She knew she couldn’t get hurt in the circus, but since she’d been here so long, that may change-

She’d just have to wait and see-

•

Ragatha, Gangle, Kinger and Zooble were interrupted in their little happy get together. By one of Caine’s adventure portals dropping Jax right into the centre of it.

“Ughh.. Something is definitely wrong with Caine.” Grumbled Jax, rolling onto his back.

“JAX!- What happened?” Spoke Kinger, making everyone jump with his initial yell.

“I don’t know- He sent me on a solo adventure- It was [————-] awful. I can’t count on my two hands how many times the adventure restarted because I almost died-“

“That’s no good.” Frowned Zooble.

“Y-You sound exhausted Jax, you should lie down.” Spoke Gangle, shying into Zooble’s side.

“For once ribbons, I agree with you.” Muttered Jax, dragging himself over to a bean bag near the group.

“J-Just shout if you need us!” Hummed Ragatha, anxiety clearly back on her mind. WAS POMNI OKAY???

“Take a deep breath Ragatha, I’m sure Pomni is fine.” Spoke Kinger, in another moment of clarity. He put his hands around her side, pulling her to rest her head on his shoulder. He hoped the gesture would make her sleepy enough to go to sleep. A break from the worry. Another building block between her and falling into insanity. From her and abstraction.

Gangle looked to Zooble with worry, slowly shuffling closer to sit by her and continue with her doodles. The almighty Jax knocked off his feet by one solo adventure courtesy of Caine. A Caine who definitely didn’t seem sound of mind at the slightest. Gangle really hoped Pomni would be okay- Maybe she’d ask Jax what kind of adventure Caine sent him on- And why it was so bad- Hopefully… he wouldn’t be a [——] about her trying to care.. Although… Zooble had been super helpful in talking to her about how to deal with Jax’s general sass and sense of human. Aka being a giant [——-]. So, hopefully it’d be easier to talk to him!

That’s why Gangle liked Zooble so much- She was helpful and fun to talk with!! All in all, she was just the best~

Wait a minute it kinda sounded like she was starting have feelings for-

Oh no-

Part 10

[anotherferalrat]

Late Night Musings Pt.1

Indulge me for a moment.

As a preface, I would like to remind chat I am still very early in the story so no spoilers pls, I literally just made it to Inazuma and I've done like no character story quests

So I could be entirely wrong; I know Kaeya-Diluc-Crepus lore seems to be fairly up in the air. But the way I understand the timeline is Crepus dies during the day -> ragbros fight that night -> sometime before the morning, Diluc leaves to do hot girl shit (revenge)

In light of that...

Do you think Kaeya had to handle the funeral arrangements by himself :)

Of course Adelinde and the staff help where they can but as the only person of the household people can find, a lot falls to him.

That's actually how he finds out Diluc left. Adelinde comes to him in town as he's living in the barracks to invite him to the winery to talk plans. Having been yelled at not even hours ago to never set foot there again, he's like what if we do it here in the city instead and after a sec follows it up with why me, i thought Diluc would be in charge as the true heir.

Hesitantly, she shows him the letter the young mas- the new master of the house left, only saying he was looking for answers and couldn't return until he found them and that he's sorry. Nowhere did Diluc mention him but he knows he's part of the reason.

The two work out a meeting place, somewhere that's halfway for both of them but *not* the winery.

Anyways point is, how do you think he felt writing the eulogy, several bottles deep, thinking he shouldn't- doesn't deserve to be the main speaker? That he's once again alone in this world, partially from his own doing? That he was too slow to save the man who cared for him and "drove away" his sworn brother?

Just. Fun thoughts :))

[daddycassie]

Fight or Flight Chapter 6

Pairing: Lucy Gray Baird x Fem! Reader - 1,201 words

Warnings: Implied sexual content, graphic depictions of violence - gun violence, blunt force/beating, implied past assault, blood, generally unhappy feelings, character death

—————————————————

It had been three days now since the “incident” in the middle of the forest with Lucy Gray. The two of you still held hands most of the time, but if you even looked at her, there was a high chance she’d pull away blushing madly. You still recall the sweet words you’d uttered to each other amongst passion. How she felt around your fingers. Was any of that real?

“I love you more.”

“Not possible.”

You squeeze her hand and rug her closer at the memory. Lucy Gray doesn’t resist and leans slightly on your arm. It wasn’t too late, if the sky wasn’t obscured by dark clouds it would likely still be a little light out. The air smelled of rain with the slight humidity that came alongside it.

Lucy Gray hums softly as she observes the sky from your side. “It’s gonna storm soon.” She says. You look at her, causing her to avert her gaze. You sigh before responding, “We really need to find a new shelter. Exposure can kill as easily as a knife.” Lucy Gray pauses. “A knife huh? Who taught you that little phrase?” You shrug. “My ma maybe? I don’t really remember.” 

Lucy Gray nods. “Well, don’t you worry, we’ll be there soon.” She replies, releasing your hand. That was a relief at least, you were getting tired of walking aimlessly day in and day out. You watch as she walks ahead of you. 

You follow her, she was running her hands through her own hair, grooming it. Lucy Gray never did seem quite satisfied with how she looked, that was something you’d noticed just from watching her. Always adjusting her dress, her hair, brushing herself off of coal dust and dirt. Lucy Gray wasn’t made to live in district 12.

It was like having a bright, shiny thing among everything dark and drab. A diamond in the rough, you mused to yourself with a smile. For as lovely as you knew Lucy Gray was, you also recall the horrible things that came with it. Drunk men at the Hob who couldn’t control themselves, sober men in the daylight offering ‘well paying jobs’, a bothersome, ugly, cheating nobody Billy Taupe. Coriolanus to you supposed.

You’d fought them all off with an iron fist. A shove to the drunks, a glare to the sober, a good old bloody nose for Billy Taupe and…

A crash of thunder interrupts your train of thought. It easily startles you both, Lucy Gray whips around to look at you. “Just the thunder.” You sigh. “We’re okay.” Her expression relaxes and she turns back around with a shaky sigh. You walk up behind her, placing a hand on her lower back to guide her along and to provide comfort. 

You both continue walking as the rain begins pouring. Dying of hypothermia crossed your mind, but you tried hard not to think about it. Lightning struck, followed by another crash of thunder. At the very least the flashes provided temporary light, which was helpful with the dark atmosphere. Lucy Gray shudders the rain was cold, you really couldn’t blame her.

When the wind blew you pulled her closer, hoping to warm her a bit. However, wind did not mask the sound of a branch cracking behind you. For a moment you tense, before recalling what happened with the cat. “Not this again…” You grumble, and look at Lucy Gray, who was already looking back at what was behind you two.

Lucy Gray had a wide eyed, fearful stare plastered on her face. “Lucy Gray?” You hear another branch snap. Your face pales, blood running cold. This felt familiar in the worst possible way. Like… a dream. Your vision blurs as you recall the nightmare that had haunted you since the night you arrived together at the cabin by the lake. The night you’d killed Snow. Peacekeepers.

Why would they be out this far? You answered your own question — Snow, he’d gone missing. Maybe they’d found his body, or the gun. Not to mention the evidence of you and Lucy Gray being there, the trap, the campfire, footprints. Maybe they suspected you of Mayfair and Billy Taupe’s murders too. Without warning they open fire. They’re far away, and new recruits too, you can tell by how badly they miss.

You dash forward and grab Lucy Gray’s arm. She runs after as you drag her along into an area of more tightly packed trees. You disappeared from view of the soldiers. “Lucy Gray, how many were there?” She said nothing, likely still in shock. The stress was getting to you so you shook her harshly. “How many?” You hiss, whisper yelling.

“Three.” She breathed out. Lucy Gray’s voice was weak and shaky. You pull her close as the rain pelts down hard on your heads. When the next flash of lightning comes you look around, spotting the group. Three men. You hadn’t planned on ever harming anyone again — let alone becoming a serial killer. Four deaths on your hands.

You grab a jagged rock from the ground and look at Lucy Gray’s face. For her, you were more than ready to kill. You felt her trembling against you, and a mix of anger, guilt and resentment invade your mind. The peacekeepers were reloading, they were vulnerable.

You stood and lunged at the quickest of the three. He cried out, dropping his loaded gun a few feet away. It took three hits to kill him, the third was brutal enough that it caved his face in, dark and red with blood. Your new strength must’ve come from adrenaline. You turn to the next man, he’s smaller than the first, smaller than you in fact. He looks terrified as he fumbles with his gun.

You hit his head right at the temple, the most vulnerable part of the head. Then you hit it again. His it caves, and his eye bulges, partially out of the socket. You grimace in disgust.

You felt deeply disturbed by your own actions and the way the man cries, garbled and inhuman. You hit him again, and then again, and he’s dead on the ground. The slowest with his gun, was now loaded, glaring at you. The only thing that gave away his fear was the fact that his hands shook as he aimed at you. You hear gunshots going off and prepare yourself to be struck.

The final peacekeeper falls, full of a barrage of bullets. Lucy Gray stood from where you’d left her in the bush, holding one of the mens’ guns. She was no marksman but at least ten of the total hundred shots the gun was capable of had landed, and that was enough. You drop the blood splattered rock and at the same time Lucy Gray drops to her knees.

You freeze. “Lucy Gray..?” She falls down into the mud. The familiar scene made you feel sick. Just like your nightmare, Lucy Gray had been shot. In the pouring rain you rushed to her side and held her as she finally let her pain be known, crying and whimpering weakly.

—————————————————

Note: Tooootally wasn’t foreshadowing, totally

🏃‍♀️💨

@nothininteresting @lucygraysslut

[heroesofchroma]

No Mistakes for Death

As she pruned her garden, Death felt a presence breach her Fold. A familiar one, so only a brief pause stalled her work before she went right back to clipping the foliage.

"You've done some impressive work," it said in its odd echoes of no particular tone.

"I certainly try. I've a growing boy to care for, and he only gets so much time..." Death crooned back, her blank face and hollow eyes, not turning to face the mass of indistinct veins and branches and leaves and fur and feather vaguely shaped into a walking form behind her. "I ought to make home a little more livable for him, no?"

There wasn't a response at first.

Death's hand came to a stop after clipping a blackened leaf from the ghostly vine she was working on. Her sheers were set to the gravedirt beneath where she sat. "You came to talk of Tlaloc, didn't you?" she mused.

"You know that mistake must be rectified," it spoke.

"He isn't a mistake." The dirt shifted unnervingly, though It didn't flinch.

"I do not presume he is."

"Then what mistake could you possibly refer to? I cannot afford mistakes," Death replied, picking up sheers once again. "Every cut, every clip... It has to be precise, perfect. 'less I cull the plant around the rot. You ought to know better than anyone else of that... Father."

"It has been aeons since your birth, yet still you are so naive in your youth," It monotoned, tilting what thing could be called a head as a single eye opened. "You know the pain must be put aside eventually."

"Do you think azaleas or hyacinth would go better in place of these poppies?" Death asked casually.

It made a sound of rustling feathers akin to a sigh. "Hyacinth are nice..." it advised. It seemed to notice a rather ornate pot, set aside in the garden, hidden away in a corner. It felt a glimmer of what should be. "Perhaps it is time to replant roses-"

The soft snip of Death's sheers echoed like a vice jaw clamping them through cold steel through the Fold, their true form taken in long, impossibly sharp blades, twined to perfectly, ready to clip what need be clipped.

"The Rose. Is. Gone, Life... I cannot change that. All flowers must go eventually..." Death whispered firmly, her boney, smoke-skinned fingers shaking with emotion for a long moment.

At that, taken aback by its daughter... Life blinked.

Silence hung between them, not even the sheers allowed themselves break it as Death's grip slowly loosened.

"He is a flower... Far more delicate than he appears," Death finally spoke, taking a long, deep, drawn out breath. "I cannot. Afford. Mistakes."

Life looked at Death, tilting the eye this way and that, as if new degrees of vision could change its perspective, feathers fluttering, fur standing on end, leaves rustling, branches groaning... Then silence again.

Another long moment between father and daughter...

"Your garden is stronger than you believe, dear reaper." Its voice almost had a measurable tone for a moment. "And it is beautiful."

"Hey, ma," came another familiar voice, a presence Death did not notice come home.

"In here, sweetie~! In the garden~" cooed the mother.

As Tlaloc rounded the corner, he saw his mother's face smiling at him... But it looked a bit off. "You... Okay, mom?" he asked, noticing she's using the face she doesn't take on unless she's out and about. He could feel something else there, but none of the psychopomps were around, not even the ever insistent Jorhu and LaFel...

Death's eyes cast back on the small sheers in her hand, catching herself before clipping the healthy red leaf she almost pruned away. "I'm fine, dear... Just... Thinking. Catching myself and double checking, you know."

Tlaloc looked around again, slowly feeling like a weight on the garden is lifted. Taking a deep breath, he strode into the garden. "Well... If you're sure. Anyway, I wanted to know-"

[angelasscribbles]

Victim of Love Chapter 6: Quagmire

Series: Victim of Love

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Liam x Riley (for now), Drake x Riley

Word Count: 1,404

Rating: MA

A/N: This is not sweet, canon Liam. Things are complicated. He might be a little selfish in this one.

Warnings for this chapter: None really. A very heated argument lol.

Song Inspiration for series: Victim of Love by The Eagles

I see a broken heart

You got your stories to tell

My other stuff: Master List.

Drake was afraid that lunch with Liam was going to be awkward, all things considered. But it wasn’t. They quickly fell back into the old, familiar patterns of their friendship. The teasing, the bantering, and the habit of telling each other everything.

Well, almost everything.

Drake squirmed uncomfortably when Liam asked about his love life. He decided to evade rather than lie, “Probably less complicated than yours.”

“Probably,” Liam mused as he lifted his water glass to his lips, “I haven’t seen Riley in weeks and last night, she wouldn’t even let me touch her!”

“What?” Drake almost choked on the forkful of potatoes he had just stuck in his mouth. That news made him happier than it should have.

Liam set his glass on the table and pushed it away with a sigh, “She’s angry. I don’t blame her, all things considered, but-“

“What is the story there?” Drake had paused chewing, eyes locked on his best friend as he waited for answers.

“As I told you, the council wouldn’t approve her nor would my father.”

“Because she’s a commoner?” He remembered Liam had told him that much at the wedding.

Liam nodded, “Yes.”

Drake placed his fork on his plate and leaned back in his chair as he regarded his friend solemnly, “And there was nothing you could do? No negotiations? No loopholes? I mean…clearly, she’s a duchess now…”

There were always loopholes.

Liam shrugged, “If Riley hadn’t existed, then my decision would have been easy. You’ve seen my wife. She’s not exactly hard to look at and she was raised for ruling. She handles the role well.”

“So what? You wanted to have your cake and eat it too?” 

“Is that so bad?”

Drake’s mouth fell open, “I mean…it doesn’t seem fair to either woman.”

“I’m surprised at your reaction, it’s nothing you don’t do.”

“What isn’t?”

“Sleeping with multiple partners.”

“That’s true but I’m not in a committed relationship.”

“Are you saying that if you found the right woman, you would give up all the others?”

Emerald eyes swam through his head as he nodded, “I would.”

Liam scoffed, “I’m not sure I believe that but regardless, you know that marrying was never about love and the commitment and duty part is all about Cordonia.”

“So you two have agreed on an open relationship?”  

“Oh, heavens no!” Liam reached for a roll, “Can you imagine the scandal if the queen had an affair?”

Drake’s brows drew together in confusion, “But you’re having an affair!”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

“First of all, because I’m the king. I can do what I want. Second of all, I can’t produce a child with the wrong parentage. She can. Even if I impregnated someone else, the public wouldn’t care. But if the queen had an illegitimate child? No. That can’t happen.”

“But-“

Liam waved his hand dismissively, “I know, I know. It seems unfair, but it’s the way of the world. I don’t make the rules.”

“You’re literally the king, you ass.” Drake shook his head half in amusement and half in disbelief.  

“Even that has it’s limits.”

“So, your wife doesn’t know about Riley?”

“I wouldn’t say that….”

“And Riley is okay with your marriage?”

“I wouldn’t say that either,” Liam sighed, “It’s….complicated.”

The door to the private dining room opened and Drake choked on his food again as Liam sprang to his feet.

Riley went willingly into Liam’s embrace, but her eyes zeroed in on Drake as she returned the hug. Turning her head to the side so Liam’s kiss landed on her cheek, she greeted them both with, “Good morning.”

Liam chuckled, “it’s afternoon, love. This is lunch.”

“For you,” Riley scoffed as she took a seat at the table, “first meal of the day is breakfast no matter what time it’s served.”

“Riley tends to burn the midnight oil,” Liam explained as he retook his seat.

“I’m a raging night owl, he means,” she smiled at Drake and his heart somehow managed to plummet and soar at the same time.

Drake cleared his throat as he reached for his water glass, “I wasn’t aware you’d be joining us.”

“Liam insisted,” she paused as a server placed a dish in front of her then spoke to her plate as she pushed the food around with her fork, “sorry I was late. I was a bit hung over this morning.”

“I want you two to get to know each other!” Liam interjected.

Riley’s eyes lifted from her plate to meet Drakes; her gaze laden with amused irony.

“Ah…I….” Drake had never been struck speechless before, but then he’d never been in such an awkward situation.

He was saved from answering when the door to the dining room opened again. The queen strode into the room, fury etched on every feature of her face, “I knew I’d find you with her!”

Riley’s fork clattered to her plate as an exaggerated sigh escaped her, “Just fucking peachy…”

Liam was on his feet again, “Darling, you’re supposed to be resting-“

“How can I rest when I know she’s here?” the new arrival leaned around Liam’s body to glare at Riley, “It’s bad enough when you disappear for days at a time to Valtoria, or she follows you to Paris but here you are carrying on under my own roof!”

Riley turned in astonishment, “Are you serious right now? After what you did to me?”

“What I did to you? You’re the one fucking my husband even though you know I’m pregnant and shouldn’t be placed under any undo stress! Have you no shame?”

“Me?” Riley pushed away from the table and strode toward the other woman, shoving past Liam as she went, “You’re the one that married the man I loved even though you were supposed to be my best friend!”

“I was your best friend, Riley! But I was sent here for a specific purpose, and I fulfilled that purpose!”

“Oh really, Hana? Don’t pretend that you gave a shit about what your parents wanted…you married him to punish me for not returning your feelings!”

Hana stumbled back like she’d been hit, “That’s an outrageous accusation!”

Riley scoffed, “It’s the truth! Two nights before the coronation you tried to get me to run away with you and when I told you that I was in love with Liam, you-“

“Riley, please,” Liam reached for her arm in an attempt to defuse the situation.

She jerked her arm out of his grasp and spun on him, “Fuck you Liam! You didn’t even try to fight for us and out of everyone you could have chosen, you picked my best fucking friend!”

Hana’s voice shook with outrage, “If you were my friend, Riley, you wouldn’t be sleeping with my husband!”

“If you were my friend, Hana, you wouldn’t have married the man that had already made promises to me! The man that fucked me in the hedge maze five minutes before getting engaged to you!”

Hana’s body jerked back at the revelation and a malicious smile spread across Riley’s face, “Oh, you didn’t know about that, huh?”

Hana’s face darkened even more as her eyes filled with angry tears, “I….you’re lying!”

“Sure I am,” Riley’s composure was back, “Keep telling yourself that because we both know he won’t tell the truth about a goddamn thing!”

Riley turned and headed for the door, “Fuck both of you! You deserve each other!”

Liam started to go after her, “Riley, wait!”

Hana stepped in front of him, “Liam! Are you serious right now? You’re going to chase after your whore? I’m your wife!”

Drake, who had sat watching the whole exchange with wide eyes scrambled to his feet. Clamping a hand on Liam’s shoulder, he told him, “It’s okay, deal with your wife. Stress can’t be good for the baby….I’ll go after Riley.”

“But…you barely know her…”

“You’re right. I just met her. But it doesn’t seem like she’s in the mood to deal with you right now, does it?”

Liam’s shoulders slumped as he blew out a breath of frustration, “You’re right. Thank you, Drake.”

“Sure,” he said as he headed for the door.

Don’t thank me. I don’t deserve it.

He threw a glance over his shoulder as he exited the dining room. Liam had Hana wrapped in his arms.

Drake shook his head as let the door fall shut and took off down the hall after Riley.