#i wanna draw but my mom is next to me and drawing in front of her idk me da vergüenza

[bitchfendi]

if i graduate its over for you motherfuckers

[writers-hes]

Growing Pains | c. berzatto x reader

A broken promise between friends hangs heavy in the Chicago air. He was haunted by a loss, seeking refuge in the city he never considered home. She was a wisp of stardust who finds herself back in the city she always considered home. A rent-dispute sets the stage for them to meet again, only to realize that dreams, both realized and abandoned, are so much brighter when you’re younger. (trauma, mentions of alcoholism, sexual harrassment, angst, some bad words…) A/N: This is entirely different from my other fics and I hope that you enjoy it. I really do.

MASTER LISTS TAGLIST “I want to become an artist,” That was what nine year old Carmen Bezatto told you when you asked him what his dream was. He was shy and kept to himself. You were different. You were magnetic and the boys in class all had a crush on you. The teachers loved you and the girls from the higher years doted on you. 

“I want to become an actress or a singer,” you confessed, sitting beside him. The crayon that he was holding was blue and he set it down. “What are you drawing?”

“A car,” You peered over his shoulder. 

“You’re really good Carmen,” 

“Carmy,” he whispered, his heart beating fast. You look at him in confusion. “Call me Carmy,”

“Why do you want to become an artist?” you asked him. You were looking at the drawing of spaghetti and meatballs on his sketchpad. He drew it with a crayon. 

“It’s what I’m good at,” he shrugged. “I’m not good with words but I’m good at this. Why do you wanna become an actress?”

“I want people to love me! I want to be so rich and buy my mom everything she needs. I want to star in movies. I can also cry on command. See?” you asked. He watches you clench your eyebrows and wobble your lip. Soon the first tear falls. He’s never been so mesmerized by another person before. 

“Carmy,”

“Hm?”

“Let’s promise to achieve our dreams and revisit this place after we’ve done it,” you said, sticking out your pinky for him. He beams at you, the rare smiles he gives and intertwines his pinky with you. 

“I promise,”

You two made unlikely friends. Carmy was still on the sidelines when he reached high school while you were still in the spotlight. You joined theater. Carmy was sure there were some who still harbored feelings for you. Who wouldn’t? You were the same magnetic, charismatic, charming girl he knew from childhood. Everyone was so sure that you’re on your path to become an actress. 

“Carmy!” He turns around and sees you rushing towards him with a smile on your face. You loop your arm with his and walk to the next class together. “You didn’t wait for me,”

“Sorry,” he chuckles lightly, seeing you pout. “You were just talking to some guys and I didn’t want to just stand there,” 

“Sorry,” 

“It’s okay,” he looks at you.

“I saw you talking to Claire,” you teased. He told you once that he had a crush on her. “What did you guys talk about?”

“She just asked me about homework,” he says looking away.

“You’re so cute, Carmy!” you gushed, pinching his cheek with your free hand. He blushes harder. He should be used to such remarks by now.

“Let’s just go to class,”

-

“Wait, hold that pose,” he says. School ended and he found you sleeping at the library. He decided to sit in front of you until you woke up. The sun was already setting and it seeped through the windows of the library.

“Huh?” you asked. You were craning your neck to the side to stretch it. 

“Hold that pose. I’m sketching,” You look at the paper and the pencil in front of him. “I’m trying to draw different angles,”

“Alright,” you replied. You stayed like that until Carmy says that it’s alright. You watched him draw more details and add more shadows. “You’re really good…but why do I have a mustache?”

“It’s called hatching,” he chuckled. “But it looks like a mustache,” He erases some shades and shows you his sketch. “I know it’s not good…”

“It’s good!” You snatch the piece of paper from him and hold up the portrait beside you. “See? Looks exactly like me,”

“Your nose is crooked,”

“Carmy!” you pouted. He laughed, his curls falling down his face as he hid his smile from you. Your heart beats fast and you look at him. It was your first time actually taking him in. He is beautiful.

“Let’s go home?” he asked after laughing. He tries to take the drawing from you but you snatch it away. 

“This is mine as a punishment for saying that my nose is crooked!” you told him, opening the folder that you were sleeping on. He tries to chase it but you keep it. 

“I’ll give you a better one!”

“I like this,” you told him earnestly, keeping the folder in your backpack. “When you’re a really famous artist, I’ll sell it for a really expensive price! From Carmen Anthony Berzatto’s earlier work. Come on, Carmy! Let’s get out of here. You promised to walk me home today,” he heard you say. He stands up from his seat and waits for you. He takes your lunchbox for you as usual. Dede likes to cook your and Carmy’s lunches. She makes him bring your lunchbox home. Carmy thinks that she’s just making sure that you’ll still be his friend. 

The walk home was usual, your and Carmy’s lunches on either hands, you trying to catch up on his steps no matter how much he tried to slow down. Carmy walks you home and you thank him, hugging him to the side before leaving. You watch him walk away from your window. 

-

Looking back, you and Carmy had always been close. However, sometime in your senior year, you watched him pull himself away from you. It was quick. It felt like someone plucked a rib from you. It was painful. One day, he just decided not to talk to you as much. He doesn’t wait for you during theater practice anymore and he hasn’t been walking home with you. You’d always be walking home, alone. Carmy wasn’t there anymore. 

“Carmy, can we talk?” you asked, running after him when he ignored you again. You look up at him with sad eyes and he just looks away.

“For what?”

“Oh, well—I just…” you stammered. You looked at his sweater instead of his face. “I just wanted to know if everything’s fine?”

“It is,” He shrugs you off like you didn’t matter. 

“Oh,” 

You nod to yourself, looking away. What else was there to say? 

“Um, do you…do you want to walk together?” you asked. 

“No,”

Your heart drops and you swallow thickly. He hears you whisper something that he doesn’t remember anymore. All he knew was that he felt like absolute shit. His mom has been drinking more, Mikey was pushing him away, Richie was giving him a hard time, and Sugar locked herself in her room most of the time. He hasn’t been thinking straight and his home environment was just so draining that he forgot to reserve some of his energy for you. You leave without waiting for him to reply. He watches you run away from him. He should’ve ran after you that afternoon.

The day after that, Carmy thought of seeking you out. He wanted to apologize for how he behaved the past couple of days. He wanted to tell you everything but you were nowhere to be seen. 

You returned to school a week after that due to a family emergency. He lost his courage by then. The teachers were kind enough to give you extra credit and you aced them all because soon, you were getting acceptance letters from colleges. When you were younger, you and Carmy both agreed to go to the same university that offered the courses you wanted to major in. You both agreed to go to the same college and rent an apartment together. You were just about to knock on the Berzattos’ door to ask Carmy if your plan would still push through. What Dede said broke your heart, though. 

“He didn’t tell you? He left for Copenhagen last night. He got a scholarship from Noma!” she excitedly told you. She blows smoke away from you and your face falters. You shook it off though and decided to congratulate Dede. You emailed Carmy that night but he never replied.  You remembered during graduation when Carmy’s family asked you to have a picture with him. You both stood awkwardly as Dede, oblivious as ever, clicked on the shutter multiple times. Sugar felt uncomfortable and looked for your mom but she was nowhere to be seen. Mikey and Richie were giggling among themselves as usual. You went home with a defeated sigh. The acceptance letter in your hand was clenched tightly. You remembered how you and Carmy filled up the forms together. He was fussing over every detail while you laughed at him. Where did it all go wrong?

Your hand shook when you sat on your bed. You couldn’t even celebrate the fact that you were going to college—that you were about to pursue your dreams. 

-

The first person that Carmy wanted to talk to after learning about Michael’s death was you. 

He didn’t give himself the time to cry over him; just like how he didn’t give himself the time to cry over his mistake of leaving you without saying anything. Mikey always told him that he was weak because he was sensitive and was in tune with his emotions. He didn’t know that he always had to have to guard up at his own home because he was scared of what his mom and brother might do next.

When he arrived in Chicago for the first time in years, his heart dropped. You weren’t there to pick him up. Who was he kidding? He left you to yourself without so much of an explanation. He didn’t even tell you that he changed his dream. Was it a dream? Or did he pursue it out of spite? To show Mikey that he was better than him? He wanted Mikey to look at him with such jealousy…such envy because Mikey didn’t graduate from college. He was a drop out with too many plans and too many failures. Carmy was better than him. Carmy managed to go to Noma without anyone’s help. He wanted Mikey to seethe when he sees him. So why was he in his brother’s failing sandwich shop instead of cooking for the President?

He’s been looking for you for weeks now but he couldn’t see you. He couldn’t ask Richie because he was ashamed. He just wanted to walk home with you again. He was sure that Sugar knew where you were. She was the type to be in touch with everyone but he never brought himself to it. 

When he was in a relationship with Claire, you were momentarily put on his back burner. She was beautiful, he knew that. As kids, you’d always find a way to make Claire talk to Carmy. 

“Remember Y/N?” Claire asked. Carmy’s back tenses as he prepares to go to what will soon be The Bear. Claire watched him put his white shirt from the bed. 

“Hm?”

“I don’t know. She always found a way to make us talk to each other,” she shrugged. “I used to think you guys would end up together…or were together,”

“Why-why would you think that?” Carmy asked, facing her. He furrows his brows like he was so confused. The notion was foreign to him. 

“Everybody thought so too. You walked her home everyday and you’d draw her all the time. You guys were so close. Some guys didn’t bother to ask her out because they thought you were together. I didn’t make a move on you because I thought the same,” she swallows. She feels shy about what she just confessed to him. Did he catch it? “Everyone thought you broke up because you suddenly stopped hanging out,”

Carmy stood there, speechless. What was he supposed to say to that? Why did his girlfriend say that?

“But it doesn’t matter anymore,” he hears her. She gets out of bed and walks over to him. She hangs her arms on his shoulder. “We’re together now,”

“Yeah. We are,” he says, kissing her forehead. He didn’t feel how embarrassed Claire felt. He was thinking about something else.

-

“Should we invite Y/N to the opening?”

His question caused the chaos to stop. Sugar drops the pen that she used on whatever it was she was writing while Richie raises his eyebrows. 

“Or not,”

Sugar looks at him quizzically. She looks at Richie next and then, Eibra. They knew you. You frequented the sandwich shop with your mom when you were younger. Carmy brought you here to piss on Michael. 

“What?” he asked. “We don’t have to. Fuck—okay, let’s not,” he stammered, his last word was weak. Sydney was confused. “Anyways, I uh—fuck. Let’s take five,”

“What?” Sugar asks. “No, no, no. We have to finalize this list now, Carm.”

“Yeah, I know that. I-I—“

“Even if we were to invite her, I don’t know where she is anymore,” His heart stops beating. He was so sure she knew.

“What?”

“She left for college,” Richie explained. “Seemed like her whole family left with her too. Their house is occupied by a new family now. We’re surprised you didn’t know. She told us that you guys were still in contact when you left,”

It was his turn to be confused. His mind was racing. Were you alright? Where are you now? Do you remember him? Do you still have the drawing he made of you?

“I totally forgot about her,” Richie confessed, chuckling. Carmy looks at him, his eyes turning into slits. His cousin raises his hand in surrender. 

“You didn’t bother to ask?” he asks Sugar. “You grew up with her too, right?” He couldn't help but feel resentful. Why didn’t she treasure you like she treasured everyone else?

“Carm, she was your friend,” He runs his hand through his hair. He closes his eyes and counts to three. “Besides, she disappeared without a word…just like you did. As far as I know, she left first and then, her mom did.”

“Let’s take five,” he declares before leaving.

-

He rummages through his phone and tries to remember his old email address. He really wanted you to be there. He wanted to hear about your dreams and he wanted you to hear about his. He never found the courage to look you up on the internet. He didn’t want to know the hard truth. 

His hands tremble as he holds his phone when Claire’s name pops up from the screen. He shouldn’t be worrying about you—he should be worried about Claire. The girl he loves. The girl he’s always dreamed of. Right, Claire. Claire. Claire Dunlop. They met again by the frozen aisle of the store. 

“Hey,”

“Carm,” Her voice soothes him. “Just wanted to…check-in. You left feeling kind of not okay? How are you now?”

“I’m good,” he says. “Just remembered Y/N. I wanted to—uh, I wanted to invite her to the opening…if-if that’s okay with you?”

“Of course, it is. She was your best friend,”

“I don’t know how to reach her…would you know?” he swallows. He felt like shit for asking about another girl to his girlfriend. “Claire?”

“Hm, let me ask around. I’m sure somebody knows. She kind of fell out of the radar after you left,” she says. Everyone thought you eloped. She kept that part to herself. 

“Cool. Thanks. Let me know,” he says. He looks at the time. “I have to go,”

“Alright,” she says. I love you. She kept that too. “See you tonight?”

“I’ll let you know.” He ends the call and sets his phone down. He rummages through the drawers to look for clues you might have left behind. He wanted to look for you. He didn’t know why he had the sudden urge to do so. It’s not like he has any right to. He pauses, looking at a distance. He tries to rack his brain for that stupid email. He rushes out of the office and sees Sugar. 

“Do you remember what my old email was?”

-

The Bear opens and you weren’t there. Sugar can’t remember his old email. Carmy forbade her to look you up. It could have been as easy as that but he didn’t want to. He can feel himself slipping away from Claire the more he busies himself with work. He tries to busy himself with work because he tries to bury the guilt of leaving you behind. Sugar told him that you went to his childhood home the day after he left Chicago. She said she got into the arts school that you both applied to. You were probably on the way to tell him about the news. He feels horrible. 

Carmy knew that despite your charm, you were self-destructive. You were both alike that way. You have the tendency to self-isolate whenever you feel upset. One time, Carmy accidentally said something hurtful towards you. You pushed him away. He had to climb to your window and apologize before everything was alright again. When your mother scolded you, you’d lock yourself in your room and stay in the library until it closed so you wouldn’t have to see your mom. When you didn’t get the role that you wanted for a play, you’d distance yourself from everyone until everybody started to miss you. 

“You’re the only one who can get me out,” you once told him. You said it in such a teasing manner that he only brushed it off. He didn’t think about it before but it’s all he’s been thinking about now. Would you let him bring you out again? 

Claire broke up with him when The Bear opened. He brought all of his anger out to Richie. He was an island. He was alone and was out of touch. He’d go to work, cook, and then leave. He didn’t talk to anyone. He’d just scream his head off until he blows off the steam. This is the dream, right? 

He decided to go out and explore today. He had to go to Aurora, a city near Chicago to meet up with a potential supplier. He wanted to introduce a new item to the menu. He let go of the bucatini and other items. Last night, he stood a foot away from the island, looking at the food he just prepared. They were so intricate…they reminded him of you. All the food was reminiscent of your childhood with him. He didn’t know what happened for him to finally feel the gaping hole in his life shaped like you. 

He arrives at the spice store hidden from the main road. It was quaint and the shelves were lined with jars of tea and various spices from around the world. Jugs of flavored vinegars were displayed for purchase. When he entered, the aroma of the jars enveloped his nose. He happened to find this spice store on the list of possible suppliers that Sugar prepared before The Bear opened. He felt right at home with the creaky wooden floors and warm lighting. 

“Can I help you, sir?” the attendant from the cashier at the corner asked. He walks over to her and studies her corner. A framed paper caught his eye. It was too easy to miss to the unknowing eye but he saw it. The frame was on the very top, almost touching the low ceiling. His entire world stops and he sees it. He sees you. He sees the drawing that you took from him on that afternoon in the library. 

“I…,” he swallows. “Do you know the—the artist of…of that portrait?” he asked, pointing at his sketch. 

“Oh. I’m not sure, sir but the owner might know,” the attendant replied. Carmy nods. 

“I’m actually here for uh, a meeting? I’m the owner of a restaurant in Chicago and I-I…am here to meet for a possible partnership,” 

”Oh! Of course,” she nods, looking at the piece of paper the manager gave. “Mr. Berzatto?” 

“Yes,” 

��The manager will be here soon. May I lead you to the backroom? Would you like some tea?” she asked. She sees him play with a plastic of tea bears. “Tea bears. It’s the first of its kind. It’s a gummy bear that you can dissolve in water for tea. You can also eat it as is. Would you like to try a flavor? I recommend the blueberry and blue pea,”

”Oh, uh—sure,” he nods, following her to the back. Carmy sits down and the attendant leaves. He looks around the room. The walls had awards and other accolades. The attendant arrives with a cup of hot water and some colorful tea bears. 

“Just add one to the water and snack on the rest,” she smiles. He picks up a tea bear and studies it. It kind of reminds him of you. He remembers how much you loved tea. He gifted you exotic and expensive teas every time. He knows he shouldn’t get his hopes up but what were the odds? There was only one copy of that drawing in the world and it was supposed to belong to you. The manager arrives just right after he bit on the head of the first bear. Vanilla and raspberry.

”Hello, Mr. Berzatto,” he says. He was a stout man with a kind face. “Sorry for my lateness,”

”I was early,” he says, standing up to shake the other man’s hand. 

“Tea bears,” he acknowledges and Carmy smiles a little bit. ”I hope the drive wasn’t too tiring,”

”It wasn’t,” he replied. “I have the documents with me,” He lays the folder on the table with information about The Bear. 

“I take it you’re the owner?” he asks Carmy. He nods, and the manager reads over the company profile. He wastes no time asking Carmy about The Bear. Carmy answers them and he’s so tired. He should have made Sugar come here instead. The meeting ends without a fuss. 

“Do you have any questions?”

“It’s not really about the spices but the portrait on the counter. I want to have a portrait made,” he says. 

“Oh,” the manager looks at the cup of tea that Carmy drank. “I’m not quite sure but I’ll be sure to ask the owner. Bea has a couple of spice samples ready for you outside,” 

Carmy stands up and exits the room. He drives home with a brown paper bag and a picture of the portrait that hangs on the wall. It was you. It was you. 

He couldn’t sleep that night. The spices for the new menu sits on his kitchen counter, untouched. He thinks about it. What happened? He thought you were an actress. That was what your dream was. He couldn’t help it. The itch that his fingers have makes him reach for his phone. Before he knew it, he was on Google, typing your name. 

“Fuck!” he shouts, throwing the phone from across his bed. “Fuck, no, no, no.” He shuts his eyes close and pinches his nose. Why now? The Bear was in shambles. Richie hated him, Claire hated him, he hated himself. Was he only reaching out to you because he knew that he wouldn't feel the hatred?

-

“There were some problems with the renter of your house in Chicago,” you heard. You looked up from your office table and frowned. 

“I thought that house was rented properly?” you asked. It’s been ten years since you went there. Or was it five? You couldn’t keep count anymore. That house was a house of horrors that you’d never want to revisit again. Hell, you never wanted to set foot in Chicago again. 

“The renters want to meet up with you. They said that you purposely kept important information from them when you leased the house. They were complaining about the backyard and would not budge until you go there,” he says. You pinched your nose. 

“Can’t we look for other interested renters?” you were annoyed. ”Or just give them a refund?”

”Sadly, nobody wants to rent the house anymore because it hasn’t been renovated for years,” 

“Fuck,” you sighed. “Alright,” 

-

Your flight to Chicago was long. Your college was quickly spent in New York. You decided not to stay there. You thought of your old house. It could have been sold ten years ago but you didn’t want to. Your uncles and aunts all agreed that if there were no renters, it was going to be sold. You couldn’t defy their demands, they all inherited the house with your mom from their father. You all shared the profits yearly and you didn’t want to sell the house. You couldn’t just leave everything behind entirely. 

Stepping back in Chicago was…something. There was a rush of emotions that filled you and as you met up with your driver, you felt weak. You didn’t want to be back here but you had no other choice. You were tied down to that two storey house. You were just hoping that you won’t run into anyone. The plan was to stay here, four days at most and then leave before anyone else sees you. You didn’t want to make up stories in your head again about how you and him kept in contact when you knew that it wasn’t true. It wasn’t true. None of it was. You just wanted to be comforted by the lie that you tried so hard to believe. 

The hotel was nice. You were thinking of driving outside of Chicago to check some matters before going to New York. The next morning, you decided to go out for a run and grab coffee. You wondered if your old favorite cafe still opened. It was fairly far from your old home and The Beef. You wondered if people still went there. It wasn’t hip and the food was greasy but their brewed coffee was heaven.

The city has changed a lot since the last time you’ve been here. You don’t remember the streets being this way. Vacant lots turned into buildings and skyscrapers. It was odd. You once knew every nook and cranny of the city but not anymore. That afternoon, when you arrived at your old house, you couldn’t even recognize the street. The old houses were torn to pieces and were built with modern houses. The only houses that remained exactly the same were yours and the Berzattos’. It seemed empty, though. It used to have cars and chaos but it was quiet. As if…it hasn’t been lived in. You paid it no mind and knocked on your old door, revealing the new tenants of the house. 

They immediately showed you what their problem was. Fucking grass. You booked a flight and stayed at an expensive hotel for grass. It wasn’t the same as in the pictures. That was their main concern. You stood there, in your backyard, mouth pressed into a thin line in annoyance. 

“I see,” you only nodded. “I can arrange landscaping services for you,” 

“But that would be expensive. The only reason why we rented this old house is because we wanted to have a garden. Otherwise, we would’ve rented somewhere that’s actually…nicer,” the tenant says. Seeing your souring expression, she added, “This place is nice…homey. I can’t afford landscaping services,”

You only nodded, trying to think of someone who might know a landscaper. 

“Can you give me until tomorrow to sort this out?” 

“Sure,’

When you arrived at the hotel that night, you thought of the people you knew who had good lawns and backyards. Your agent can’t obviously do shit. You have to fire him soon. All the services in Chicago were way more expensive than you were willing to spend. Who had a good lawn…whose mother always had a manicured garden?

-

“Fak!” 

The man rushes into the kitchen, looking at the ensemble of people gathered where Sydney and Carmy usually stood. 

“The light,” Carmy pointed. “It’s doing that thing again,” The light buzzes and blinks, as if Carmy ordered it to do so. He had that ability sometimes. He can make the world move. 

“I got it, I got it,” he says, going out and coming back soon with a ladder and his tool box. He listens to the crew made up of Richie, Tina, Sydney, Carmy, and Sugar bicker while he tries to fix it. They always bickered and it stresses him out most of the time. ”Ugh, you guys! Stop screaming at each other!”

They ignored him, Carmy was in a screaming contest with Richie while the others tried to pacify the situation. Their relationship hasn’t gone back to the way it was after the fridge incident. 

”We’re closed today, right?” Fak asked, trying to tighten the screw.

“Yes, darling,” he hears Sugar. 

“Great because Y/N asked me to come by their old house,” he says. He takes note of the sudden silence and takes it as his permission to continue. “She’s back in town and wanted me to check their lawn because she told me that she remembered how nice Ma’s garden was, remember? Anyways, she wanted me to check and get her a connect with a gardener or a landscaper,” 

“Wh-what?” Carmy sputters. “What the fuck are you saying, Fak? Y/N hasn’t been here in-in-in fucking years,”

”Yeah but she’s here,” he shrugs. He climbs down the ladder with a smile on his face. “It’s a good thing I never changed my phone number. She wouldn’t have been able to call me if I did,”

Carmy visibly disintegrates before everyone in the kitchen. He stands there, memories of his abandonment haunting him and his eyes blinking rapidly. You were in town?

”When are you meeting her?” 

“Today,” 

Fuck. If only he didn’t promise himself to do something today. He needed to focus. He didn’t need you, right?

-

After treating Fak to a quick dinner, you immediately went home. He sadly told you that he wished you’d visit The Bear. Carmy was here now and he opened the restaurant. He told you that you’ll be welcome anytime as long as you tell him first so he can tell Richie. Richie was the front of house staff now and Fak said that Richie improved, like a lot. He showed you photos of Sugar’s cute baby. He told you that Eibra and Tina still worked there but most surprisingly, he told you that Mikey was dead. 

That part shook you. You were never really close with him but he was always nice to you. Carmy idolized him and always sought his approval. It must have been hard for him. Hearing that he didn’t attend the funeral didn’t surprise you, though. You always imagined that Carmy will do some fucked up things if it really came down to it. Years of not knowing what Carment Berzatto became brought both a hollow feeling in your chest and assurance. You never had to know if he was better without you. You chewed on the hangnail on your perfectly manicured finger. Carmy was here again and so were you. Would it be so bad to see him again? Even if it was just a glimpse…would it be so bad to see how he was after all these years? 

The night before left you with eyebags. The thought that you and Carmy were here woke you up all night. You didn’t know what to do. Does he know that you’re here too? You tried to cover the bags with a concealer you brought. You were on auto-pilot as you went to the basement to take your rental car. You were going to Aurora today to look over the shop. What was a drive anyway? You were in Aurora every other month for the business that you built when you were younger. It proved to be successful, though. 

You arrived at your first business venture, The Alchemist. You were young and full of wonder when you named it. The Alchemist…you used to call your mother that because she made so many things in the kitchen with nothing. It was a way to remember her legacy and other mixes that she made when you were younger. Now, though, you asked chefs and homecooks to make recipes for pre-mixed spices for your business. You always went back to ‘Alchemy No. 1’, a spice blend made and frequently used by your mother when she was still alive. 

You entered the store lined with jars of spices and flavored vinegars. The smell of herbs that you sourced from all over the world create an aroma that reminds you of home. 

“How is everything?” you asked her.

“Mr. Lee just is about to close a deal with a promising restaurant,”

”He told me about it,” you told Dana. “Sorry if I can’t come here as often as I’d like,”

”That’s alright,” she assures you. You pick a packet of assorted tea bears that you give to the customers to sample and open it. Taking a pink one, you melted the bear in the paper cup with hot water to drink the raspberry and vanilla flavored tea. “Mr. Lee makes the job easier, really,”

”I’m glad,” you told her. “I heard there’s a meeting today?”

”Yes, ma’am,” she replied. “It’s about to start in thirty minutes, actually. Are you planning to join?”

”Yes,” you told her. “I hope they won’t mind,” 

You were sitting on the chair in the meeting room when the door opened. Your heart drops for some reason. Your palms sweat and you suddenly couldn’t breathe. You stood up, looked  towards the opened door and saw him. Carmy. Carmy was here. He stops his movement—even his breathing and lets go of the door knob. He clutches the folder in his hands and looks at you with wide eyes. 

He’s aged. He looked tired and his face matured but his eyes were still as blue as ever, demanding you to open up to him. 

You looked older but you looked content. The fine lines that he’s never seen on you before makes you look more beautiful than you’ve ever been. 

He opens his mouth first but no words come out. You tried to do the same but you suddenly forgot all of the words that you could say. The pain in your lungs and the quiver in your voice manages to croak out something that snaps him out of his shock. 

“Hey,” a wobbly smile graces your features and he steps forward. You weren’t sure if you wanted to step back but you didn’t. 

He watches your hand tremble and he wonders if he could still hold them like he used to. 

You watch him take shaky breaths and remember how you used to soothe his back to stop him. 

“I can leave,” you said, looking down. He frowns and licks his lips.

”You don’t have to,”

”No, I’ll—“

”You don’t have to run away,”

”You ran away from me all those years ago,”

Snap. If you could break his bones with your words, you already would have.

”But…” you swallowed thickly. “but it doesn’t matter anymore,” you whispered. You resented yourself for bringing that up. You should be happy that he’s doing fine, right? 

“Y/N—“

”Let it go,”

”Please,”

”Carmy,” you finally look at him. You still called him Carmy. 

“I have to talk to you,”

”I understand, alright?” you grit. “I—I—“ you breathed in. “I can’t be here,”

”Y/N, please,” you hear him plead. His voice breaks and you do too. Maybe because you always had a soft spot for him. Maybe it was because you realized that you loved him. Maybe it was because you pitied him…either way, you couldn’t stop yourself from saying what you said next. 

“The Peninsula,” you told him. “Under my last name. Tomorrow,”

It was all you said to him before you left him in the meeting room. A few minutes later, Mr. Lee greets him and they close the deal. 

-

Today was Monday, which meant that Carmy had either the morning or after the restaurant closes to come to you. If he comes to The Peninsula after, you might leave thinking that he never cared. If he comes tomorrow, he might not be able to prepare. He thinks that he’s at his best and he knows that he wouldn’t be able to focus if he didn’t go to you. He’ll just fuck things up in the kitchen if he doesn’t go to you. So, at 5:30 a.m., he goes to your hotel and asks for your room number. It seemed like you’ve already informed the receptionist of your arrival and they let him come up. 

He knocks the door erratically. You rouse from the bed, alarmed because who would knock at 5:30 a.m.? You couldn’t sleep no matter what you did. With a grip on the remote control of the TV, you peeped into the hole to find Carmy. 

“Y/N?” he calls from the outside. You tossed the remote control away and opened the door.

“It’s not even six yet,” were the words you told him as he sees you in the robe. “Carmy?”

“Sorry but—but I,” he draws in a breath. “Sorry I just, I wanted to go here before anything else because…because I know that if I don’t, I’ll be thinking about it and I won’t be able to focus,”

“Come in,”

Carmy steps inside your hotel room and looks around. Fancy. You used to dream about going to a place like this when you were younger. He stands there awkwardly by the foyer and you motion for him to sit down on the couch. He does so and watches you lean on the wall, as far away from him as possible without it being really obvious but it was. 

A beat passes with Carmy’s eyes trained on you. You’ve never felt out of touch in his life than now. He watches you with wide eyes while you look everywhere but his face. There were no stains in his shirt and his curls were messier than you remember. You purse your lips and Carmy sighs. Really, Chicago felt so suffocating for the both of you. Being trapped in the small hotel room made it harder to breathe. What could you say? What could he say? The last time you saw each other, you pushed him away. What if you do it again? 

“I’m sorry,” 

Your head snaps up to look at his face. You frowned. 

“I’m sorry, Y/N,” he whispers, feeling ashamed of everything. Now that you’ve looked at him, he feels like he was under a microscope and he grew to hate the feeling of being studied like that. “I’m so, so, so, fucking sorry,”

He bows his head in shame just as you look away, to the window so he wouldn’t see you wiping your tears. The sun was about to rise and it pains you because you realized that you loved him more when you spent that sunset in the library. 

“Why did—“ you stop yourself. “Why did you leave me, Carmy?”

His heart beats fast, his fists clenching on his lap. Why?

”I didn’t deserve that,” you told him. “I didn’t deserve that and you—you just pushed me away. You could’ve at least said goodbye before—before you left the country. Fuck. I spent the past years wondering what I did wrong, Carmy. Do you know how that feels? I followed you like a lost puppy every fucking day and you suddenly decided that you were done with-with-with me. With us,” 

He frowns, he doesn’t remember your childhood like that. For him, he was always in the sideways. He was the one who always had to follow you. 

“My mom thought that making you lunch was the only way for you to s-stay,” he tells you, looking down. He studies the cuts he earned in the kitchen. “I felt—I felt like that too, you know? Everybody liked you wherever you went and I only…I only had to catch up after you,”

”Carm, you don’t even like people,”

That stings him for some reason and he frowns deeper. He bites his lip and shakes his head. How would you understand? Everybody loved you and he was so hard to love that his brother decided that he was done with him. 

“Why did you push me away? Why—“ you choke back a sob. “Why did you leave me?” 

The string that you tied around his heart grips it tighter. Memories of you, him, Mikey, that Christmas with his mom, the first time he smoked a cigarette, and the last time he looked at your house comes rushing back to him. 

“You know, I started—started smoking when I left,” he chuckled. “It made sense…once I arrived in Copenhagen, the next logical thing was to, uh, buy a pack of cigarettes,” He hopes you understood what he tried to say. 

”I’m not your babysitter,”

”I know,” he says. He thinks and you do too. You realized that too much resentment and emotions will get you nowhere.

”Carmy, I know you’re sorry but…but for tonight, can-can we just pretend like you never left?” you asked. He looks at you now, the sunrise illuminating your face differently from that sunset you shared. “Can we..can we pretend like we just lost touch and-and that we’re catching up?” 

You look at him sadly, with your mouth downturned slightly. There were so many things to say and emotions to be felt. You couldn’t afford to unpack everything in a day and you were unsure if you wanted him back in your life just yet. You missed him but you didn’t know if you could handle another person leaving you. You’ve had enough people leaving you in this lifetime. Maybe that’s why you were so lonely. Maybe that’s why you don’t have friends and maybe that’s why everyone else seemed to have had enough of you never letting them in. What was the point anyway? Everything’s going to end and love doesn’t last forever. Who would have thought that the two people you loved most can teach you such a harrowing lesson? 

Besides, you were unsure if you were ready to let all the love you’ve had for Carmy come to the surface and overflow again. The last time he left, would be the last time he leaves. 

“Y/N?” he calls, standing up from the couch to walk towards you. Maybe just for now, this is enough. You smile at him, just like you did when you were younger. Like everything was alright. 

“Carmy,” you smile as you let his calloused hands wipe the tears away. “I’m sorry for crying,”

”I’m sorry for making you cry,” he tries to say but his stutter breaks out and he looks down in shame. You reach out to him, your hands clutching the sides of his white shirt. He tries again, this time his voice was much clearer. His head seemed to put everything in his backburner. He has to savor this moment because who knows what will happen? He decided that the last time he left would be the last time he leaves you. A sob threatens to rip his chest but he swallows it down. “How have you been?” 

Your arms snake around his waist and you lay your head on his chest. You can hear his heart beating so fast. Does he hear yours too? He takes in your scent. You smell different now. 

He caresses the back of your head and kisses it. You take in a sharp breath. He’s never done that before. He tightens his grip around you, afraid to let go. 

“Did you achieve your dream?” 

-

You’re both laying down on the bed. The tender moment you shared was interrupted by your alarm. You watch each other now, wondering who breaks the ice first. Carmy’s arms wrap around you while you snuggle closer in his chest, clinging onto every piece of hope left. Your forehead is tucked under his chin and you breathed.

“I became an actress for a while,” you started. The air feels heavy but you decided to push it aside. “but I decided not to continue.”

“Why?”

“I went to college after you—after high school. I stayed there for a semester before…before I dropped out,” you said. “Carmy, they were so much better than me—“

“That’s not true,”

“But it is,” you chuckled sadly. “That wasn’t even the main reason but…but remember mom was sick?” He nods. “Well, she got…she—she got sicker and we had to use the college fund for her treatment,” you said. You don’t try to hide the sniffles. “In the end…in the end, I never went back to college and she didn’t…she didn’t make it,” your voice broke. The images of your mom in her casket never seemed to leave your mind. “Fuck, I’m sorry,” you sobbed. “My mom and I—“ You shuddered, remembering the time when your mother had to personally refuse any more care. You knew that she didn’t want you to be in debt. It was hard to spend your college fund but she couldn’t leave you with debt that you’ll pay forever.

”I know,” he says. He couldn’t bear hearing your voice break again. His eyes were red and tears threatened to spill. Fuck. He wasn’t there when you needed him. He knew how close you and your mom were. He couldn’t even say sorry because you both didn’t want to and didn’t know how to address the elephant in the hotel room. 

“But then…then, I tried to act,” you chuckled, wiping your cheeks with the sleeve of the white robe. Carmy hears the tiredness in your voice but doesn’t mention it. “I had an audition and I got lucky. I got a recurring role in a hit TV series. I thought I was happy. I thought—I thought that I finally got what I wanted but I felt so alone, Carm. I didn’t have my mom with me…she will never—she will never watch anything that I’ll do but I persisted,” the small circles he drew on your back soothed you. “But then…the producer wanted to meet with me and I—he said that if I removed my clothes, he’ll make me a star,” his grip tightened. ”I removed my shirt and sat in his office half naked. It didn’t bother me. I knew…I knew what I was getting into but he-he wanted more and I had to leave,”

Carmy lets go of the breath that he didn’t know he was holding. 

“I was fine with sitting there…like…like I was some fucking object. He could look all he wanted and I didn’t fucking care but he tried—he tried to touch me and I pushed him away,” you cried. He was around your age and was already successful when you came to the picture. He made you trust him. “He had my name blacklisted. I could never…I couldn’t do shit about it. I couldn’t land a job before I realized that maybe…maybe acting wasn’t for me,” you whispered. “I was only there because…he wanted someone to take advantage of,” 

You cry in his arms as you share your burden with him. You had nobody to talk to when it happened. You were alone. You were so, so, so alone. 

”I opened The Alchemy with the money that I have left and my business grew from there,” you said after calming yourself down. “I have the money but…but I feel so, so, so alone,”

He cooes and you bury yourself deeper in his arms. He mutters things you couldn’t understand. Carmy lets his tears flow as you calm yourself down. How can he tell you all about him if you’re so frail? He didn’t want to burden you any longer. 

He doesn’t know how many minutes passed before he heard your breath even itself out. He unwraps his arms around you as carefully as he could. You were fast asleep and didn’t want to wake you. It takes a lot for him to remove himself from the bed that you shared for a few hours but soon, he finds himself wearing his jacket, walking away from the Peninsula. He forgot to count the number of cigarettes he smoked ever since he stepped his foot outside. He forgot to take his heart with him when he left it with you. 

He runs a hand through his hair and arrives at the kitchen with profound sadness that his staff has never seen him carry. He locks himself in the office and takes out the notebook he managed to find in his apartment the night before. The email address and the password that he tried so hard to remember glares at him before clicking on ‘Next’. Emails from his childhood pop up but one stands out. Who would have thought that his email address was as easy to remember as combining your names together? 

He shakily clicks on your old email address and takes a sharp breath as he reads the last thing you’ve sent him. 

Carmy,

I heard from Donna that you’re in Copenhagen now. I hope everything’s fine between us because the last time I tried, you refused to speak to me. I don’t mind. I hope we talk again someday because you’re the only person in the world who I can talk to without hiding anything. I hope you gave me the chance to say this. I was planning on telling you anyway before we enter college. I don’t know why I’m saying this now. Maybe I’m doing this because I’m selfish. I’m hoping that you’d come back or maybe talk to me again if I do. If you don’t reply, I’ll take it as a rejection and try to move on with my life. I’ll be happy for you either way. 

I love you, Carmy. I love you so much and I hope that you’re out there, pursuing your dreams. I will always be rooting for you. 

I love you. 

He throws his phone on the floor. He’s positive that there’s another crack on the screen now. He screams profanities and ignores the urgent knocks that Sugar was making outside his door. His head falls in his hands and he sobs. You were right. If he read the message, he’d book the next flight home.

He only dreams to be loved and to love without anything holding him back but dreams have a way of appearing brighter when you’re younger.

END.  A/N: Thank you so much for reading and for waiting for me! I hope this was worth it. I’m really proud of this and as always, don’t forget to reblog / comment / tell me what you think! Love you.

TAGLIST: @kpopgirlbtssvt@morgthemagpie@hal3ynicol3@1800-queen-trash @ummvengers @thottywizard

[alittlebitofloveliness]

any soda headcanons?

Hi! I hope these suffice, I couldn't help but throw a little bit of Stevepop in :)

Sodapop Curtis Headcanons

-The Curtis house has a half finished basement which is where the laundry machine is, but the ceiling is FULL of spiders and spiderwebs. Both Darry and Pony are PETRIFIED of spiders, like Ponyboy is jumping from foot to foot and hyperventilating and Darry SHRIEKS when he sees one, so its always Soda’s job to de-spider the basement and he absolutely hates it (he's a little scared of them too, but not nearly as bad as his brothers)

-He has the friendship equivalent of those ‘you cheated on me in my dreams and now I’m mad at you”. One time he dreamed Steve left him stranded at the Dingo and was lowkey pissed at him the next day. Poor Steve was SO confused

-Loves both peanut butter and chocolate by themselves, but HATES when they’re combined together. Bro HATES reeses cups with a passion

-After the Curtis parents died he snuck into their room, stole his mother's half full perfume bottle and hid it in his bedside table. Sometimes before he goes to bed, when Ponyboy is busy brushing his teeth, he’ll spritz a little on his wrist because when he closes his eyes and smells her perfume he can pretend his mom is hugging him again.

-Thinks bananas are spicy (they’re not, he’s just mildly allergic but doesn’t realise it. Everyone in the gang thinks he’s making a joke every time he says it. He isn’t.)

-Him and Steve swing dance together at work sometimes when they’re working alone in the garage and his stomach flutters every time Steve dips him 

-Cannot sing to save his life and does it all the time anyway. Like, he sounds like he’s gargling with rocks, it’s actually painful. Dally has literally paid him to shut up before.

-Steve’s pet cat absolutely HATES him and Soda will always and forever be mad about it because “what did I ever do to her???”

-Can’t remember what his dad’s voice sounded like anymore. It haunts him.

-The easiest way to piss him off is to disrespect Steve in front of him. Sodapop is convinced the sun shines from his grumpy best friend’s glaring eyes, and if anyone doesn’t see that he WILL throw hands, no questions asked

-The Curtis’ have a chore jar full of little slips of paper with the really unpleasant chores they only have to do once in a while written on. Every three months they each draw two each so that way it’s fair who does what. EVERY single time Soda ends up having to clean behind the stove and he’s forever bitter about it because “it looks like a crime scene back there Dar and I know it ain’t just my fault!”

-He and Steve gave each other stick and poke tattoos once but his got SUPER infected. He would’ve had to tell Darry and probably go to the hospital if it weren’t for Evie, who luckily had some training from her tribe’s medicine woman and managed to fix him up.

-Him and Darry do rock paper scissors to decide who has to tell Ponyboy when he has a doctors appointment because Pony always gets SO mad and neither of them wanna deal with him

-Once walked in on Two-bit in an, ahem, compromising position, and hasn’t been the same since

-He used to socially drink pretty often but stopped when he realised how much drunk him really wanted to kiss Steve on the mouth

-Started drinking socially again when sober him kissed Steve on the mouth and the world didn’t end

-He draws faces on the eggs in the fridge, partially because he just finds it fun, but also because it always gets Darry to smile and shake his head fondly, and there isn’t enough that makes Darry smile these days

-Darry made him promise when he first started work full-time that he’d keep half his pay check for himself. He promised, but only ever keeps about 10% of what he makes as spending money. He’s determined to make sure neither Darry nor Ponyboy ever find out

-Wishes he was a bit more like either of his brothers, because even though he loves them more than anything, they have more in common with each other than they willl ever have with him and sometimes he feels like the odd man out in his own family, especially now his mom and dad are gone

-Had asthma as a kid but he grew out of it by the time he turned 10

[cherryrikis]

BETTER LUCK TOMORROW - three ! breaking principles

pairing : nishimura riki x reader

synopsis : after being in the wrong place at the wrong time, you (as well as your friends), were framed for the death of your brother and disappearance of your boyfriend. you all had no hope. no job, no money, none of you were even allowed to graduate. at least, until a stubborn kid on a dance scholarship suddenly acts as your savior, riki helps clear your name all for the sake of a school project.

this episode contains the following : 0.5k wc, swearing, mentions of death, court dates, house arrest, violating parole, and juvie + jail

authors note - these last few days were so busy cz halloween, school, (and the dodgers winning the ws!!) all that stuff😭

previous | masterlist | next

the two stood in front of your house.

despite jungwon telling riki not to do so, he knew there was no point in trying to change his mind.

you weren’t hard to find, because they knew you still lived with your family (aka heeseungs old house). so riki didn’t hesitate to drive straight to your place.

but he did hesitate to ring the doorbell.

jungwon watched as riki reached out, before drawing his hand back every few seconds. he grew so tired of standing in the hot sun, until eventually pressing the button himself.

they expected your mom or your other older brother to answer, literally anyone but you.

“oh, jungwon? i was wondering who was at the door. well, wow. this is.. this is really awkward. you haven’t come by since the funeral.” you coughed.

“hi yn.” he smiled. “i know, it’s been a while.”

“whos this?” you ask, pointing your head in riki’s direction.

“what? seriously? i was one of heeseungs friends. i came around just as often as jungwon!” he exclaimed.

“im sorry, i don’t remember all of my brothers- i mean, heeseung. i don’t remember all of heeseungs friends. but, look. i get that it’s been a while since we’ve all met, but i think you guys should go.”

“wait yn!” jungwon called out right before you closed the door.

“don’t you wanna know why we’re here?” he asked.

you frowned slightly as you thought on the matter, before nodding your head.

“fine, go ahead.” you sighed.

“senior project. you remember, don’t you? for college apps-” “i never got to apply. i wasn’t even allowed to graduate.” you said sternly, cutting riki off. “you remember, don’t you?”

riki turned with wide eyes to face jungwon for an idea on what to say next, but jungwon only mouthed the words ‘hurry before she tells us to leave again’.

“we want to reinvestigate that issue before your next court date because-”. he cleared his throat aggressively as he carefully chose the next few words. “because we heard you violated your parole.” riki swallowed, but it wasn’t enough. his face fell as he watched your expression change.

“you’re saying you think you can solve my case for your final project? nice fucking try you two, but not even my lawyer could help me out as you can see here.” you scoffed, before sticking your leg out from behind the door, to point out the ankle monitor you wore.

“house arrest. huh.” riki muttered.

“it’s worth a shot. we might be able to prevent you from being incarcerated again. and clear any charges from your record if we can prove it wasn’t you.” jungwon stepped in, beginning to ramble.

“yeah. jungwons mom is an attorney! and his sister is studying law.” riki smiled. but, he paused when you raised your hand in a way that screamed the words ‘stop talking’.

“listen, as much as i appreciate the gesture, i think im the last person you want to free. everyone’s seen me as the person who killed her brother and boyfriend, for the last 3 years. nothing else. if you want answers, go interview one of the others who were framed. aeri got out around the same time as me.”

“but yn- you were lucky you only got juvie! even after you turned 18. if this next court session doesn’t go well, you could go into like, a real jail!” riki exclaimed with wide eyes.

“goodbye riki. nice seeing you jungwon.” you nod, before slamming the door in their faces.

“well that couldn’t have gone any worse.” he sighed.

“you know what, im going home. i still have that french exam to study for. but uh- i have some theories. i’ll see you around man.” jungwon huffed, patting riki on the shoulder before he walked off your front porch.

riki followed without a second thought, before they both eventually split ways.

taglist ! @jiiyen @prettiestgirlontheplanet @hannicorpse @wonsboo @murazbae @stilesks @soobinbunnie5 @blvengene @r1kification @gyuvision @goldenmellow @ariluvssssss100 @who-tf-soddhi @mmurazz @jaemified @strawberrieswithchocolateo3o @heartheejake @hoonsdrnkdzd @wonkixo @yangjungwonnie @tya0

[munsonsprincess11111]

Awkward situation

Eddie munson x Henderson!reader

Summary: your dating Eddie munson your brothers best friend. Even though it annoys the he'll out of Dustin he can't exactly stop you both. Eddie stays at your place after a d&d campaign that went on to long with the rest of hellfire.

D&D was a success last night for thr group. Though it rolled to early hours of the morning. So with permission of mother Henderson the boys stayed in the basement. Everyone left early the next morning besides Eddie. Mother Henderson didn't mind him staying longer though as she liked the positivity he brought to Dustin.

Eddie was leaning on the kitchen counter talking to Dustin as he finished the dishes from the night before. Eddie had taken out the trash bag they filled up and the one that was in the kitchen.

"I'm thinking the next campaign I'll work in a few less monsters keep it short and sweet after the one last night." Eddie says to Dustin

"Yeah give us a small recovery break" Dustin laughs and Eddie laughs along. The boys continue to talk Eddie helping Dustin dry the dishes and put them away. As they finish up you finally wake up and come walking into the living room to say good morning to your mom. Then to the kitchen.

Dustin and Eddie turn when they hear someone enter. Dustin scoffs and Eddie can't help but smirk. Your wearing one of the band tees Eddie gave you that was way to big and a pair of your more slutty panties. It isn't lacey at the front and covers some of your ass with the help of Eddie's tee shirt but Dustin still scoffs.

"Jesus y/n put your ass away for once we have company." Dustin says. He doesn't tend to care how you walk around the house infact he walks around in his underwear when no guests are there. But he does care when his friend is stood there.

You gasp and look up to see who it is and see a very smug looking Eddie. You let out a breath and step to Eddie. "I think your forgetting your company is my boyfriend." You say as you step forward into Eddie. His arms go around you as he smiles. You hug him around his middle putting your face in his chest.

Dustin makes fake gagging noises and Eddie frowns at him. You bring your face out of his chest and look up at Eddie. "Morning beautiful." Eddie laughs slightly looking at you with your messy hair and goofy smile.

"Morning eds. How comes your here?" You ask genuinely curious.

"I stayed the night. Campaign wrapped up late so everyone crashed here but the others left I stayed to help Dustin tidy and see you." HE smiles kissing you. You melt into him finally getting a hello kiss.

"Why didn't you come get in bed with me if you was here?" You ask frowning.

"Cause it wouldn't be fair that I came here to see my friends and then ditched at 2 am cause I want to sleep in your bed." Eddie chuckles. You nod kissing him again.

"OK I'm here to and eddies here to see me right now y/n so shoo." Dustin says pointing to the door at the kitchen. You groan and pull away from Eddie's warm embrace. "Here" Eddie says giving you his hoodie he had on the kitchen side. You smile and kiss his cheek and take it happily before exiting the kitchen.

"And stay out!" Dustin calls behind you. Eddie looks over at him "what?" HE askes Eddie noticing his disapproving look.

"She's still my girlfriend even when I hang out with you." Eddie says raising his brows.

Dustin scoffs again "Common let's go to my room I wanna show you my new comics." Dustin says guiding Eddie out of the kitchen. Eddie nods and follows Dustin. Walking to Dustins room Eddie sees your bedroom door open and peaks in. Your sat at your desk drawing something.

"Whatcha drawing?" Eddie askes curiously making you jump.

"Jesus Eddie you scared me." You says calming yourself " 'm drawing a window but it's open ans the curtains are flying outside n the windows like smashed n stuff." You answer his question. Eddie nods and smiles at you.

"You my boyfriend again yet or still one of dustins sad little friends?" You ask smirking. Before he can answer Dustin calls his name.

"That should answer your question." HE chuckles walking away from your room to dustins.

-

"Yes well I have to see my girlfriend now." Eddie says approaching your room.

"But why she's so boring." Dustin protests.

"Alright dude I was here from 6 pm yesterday playing d&d n I didn't speak to her once. I stayed still didn't. At 12 pm she woke up and I spoke to her. Then you got her to go. Then when I was talking to her 5 minutes later you summond me again. Its now 5:30 pm and I wanna see my girlfriend. I'll hang with you inna bit or tomorrow OK?" Eddie answers as calmly as he can

He loves Dustin but he just couldn't talk to you. You walked to dustins room to see if he or Eddie wanted a drink as you was making yourself a coffee and dustin told you to get out.

"OK fine but you have to watch scream with me." Dustin says. Eddie nods knocking on your bedroom door. You open it and smile at the sight of Eddie.

"You finally been set free?" You ask giggling.

"God I'm still stood here." Dustin says stomping off. You roll your eyes and let Eddie Into your room. He flops onto your bed and you crawl up him kissing him sweetly when you Reach his lips then laying next to him.

"I don't see why Dustin hates me. All I do is try." You say putting your head on Eddie's chest. Eddie knows it upsets you when Dustin treats you like crap. You're his older sister and do a lot for him, but Eddie will admit he does treat you like shit sometimes.

You and Eddie have spoke about it before when it's been bothering you so you know you can talk to him now. Eddie kisses your head. "Honestly babe I think it's purely because we're dating. He will get over it eventually. Like I said just give him time." Eddie says closing his eyes relaxing.

"Yeah your right." You mumble back. You lay like that for a while as you both drift off into sleep. Eddie's arm around you. Your head on the side of his chest his heart is and your arm across his chest. Your legs entangled at the bottom of the bed.

-

Dustin bursts into your room without knocking making Eddie jump out of his peaceful sleep. Only to throw his head back when he sees Dustin stood in the doorway.

"Yes Dustin?" Eddie askes whipping his hand over his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Dustin askes Eddie frowning

"Well I was cuddled up with your sister asleep but now I'm awake talking to you. What's up?" Eddie askes again wanting to know what Dustin needed to urgently.

"Wanted to put the movie on common I've got our snacks out and stuff." Dustin says bouncing on his feet. Eddie lays on your bed in slight defeat. He either goes with Dustin leaving you and when you wake up you'll be upset or he can tell Dustin he can't resulting in an annoyed Dustin.

"What if I wake y/n up and see if she wants to watch it with us?" HE askes dustin

"What no you said YOU would watch it with my all you two will do is make out and its bro time not hoe time." Dustin says crossing his arms.

"Don't call your sister a hoe." Eddie says running his hand up your back. Eddie slips himself away from your sleeping body not wanting to wake you and goes into the living room with Dustin. Dustins buzzing he puts the movie on and sits next to Eddie opening the popcorn.

-

30 minutes later you wake up and notice Eddie isn't by your side. You frown and rub your eyes walking out of your bedroom. You walk to the bathroom and the doors wide open. You use the bathroom and wash your hands then you hear the TV. You walk into the living room seeing scream on the TV and both the boys on the couch.

"Eds?" You say quietly behind them. Both there heads turn to you. Eddie smiles and dustin rolls his eyes. "Whyd you leave?" You ask stretching your arms up.

"Cause he wanted to watch the movie with me." Dustin answers for Eddie. "You should've woken me up I would've came and watched it with you guys." You say crossing your arms looking at the boys with a soft expression.

"We wanted to watch the movie not you sit there making out with Eddie. It's bro time." Dustin says shoving his mouth full of popcorn. Eddie's head turns to you. He sees the look of hurt in your face. Your bottom lip wobbles and you nod. "Kay ill um ill go." You say hugging yourself as you walk off.

"Good." Dustin says through his mouthful of food. Eddie's pissed he was annoyed before but now he's pissed.

"To far." Eddie says looking at dustin

"What?" Dustin says confused

"To fucking far. I get she's your sister and I'm your friend but she's still my girlfriend. I've been dating her longer then I've properly known you Henderson. You've been in hellfire 7 months I've been dating your sister nearly 2 years. I get its annoying but if you don't like it you shouldn't have become as close with me as you have. We wouldn't of made out the hole time. She could've come and sat with us. She could've stayed in the kitchen with us. She could've come to see your comics to. I'm sure she would love that. But you treat her like shit. I've been nice you know cause I Dont want you to hate me cause you are my friend. And I don't want your mum to think bad of me. But she's my girlfriend n I don't let my other friends talk about her like that so you don't either. I'm gonna go make sure she's OK cause I'm gonna go with you didn't see her upset when she walked off." Eddie snapped at Dustin before he got up and walked to your bedroom.

Dustin was slightly shocked by eddies outburst. But Eddie didn't care he walked to your room. He said hello to your mun who was in the kitchen on his walk room.

"I'm sorry for snapping at Dustin aswell I'm justa little annoyed at how much he snaps at y/n." Eddie says not wanting your mum to suddenly hate him.

"Your fine Eddie just go make sure she's OK ill talk to dusty." She says smiling Eddie nods and goes to your room. He knocks and doesn't get an answer so he knocks again. "Go away." You mumble from the otherside of the door.

"Babe let me in. Don't make me climb through your window. I'll do it no hesitation." Eddie half jokes just wanting you to open the door. Which you do so he succeeded. You smile smally at him. "Want a hug?" HE askes hugging you. You nod and cling to him. He holds you just as tight as you cry slightly.

"Baby why are you crying?" Eddie askes kissing your head. You pull your face away from him slightly smiling at him. "Cause I heard what you said to Dustin. N i loved that you defended me even though you didn't need to. N then you apologised to my mum. N i was like. Holy shit I love him so much." You cried smiling as Eddie pulled you back in.

"Don't care. No one speaks to my girl infront of me like that don't care who they are." Eddie says. You stay holding eachother for a few before Eddie takes you to the living room.

"Let's clear this up. You don't be mean to her no more. Sure have your sibling banter or whatever but don't talk to her like you was or imma disown you. And you, you need to stop just walking off when he upsets you and tell him. OK right. New plan. Dustin if I'm here for D&D I'm here for you if I stay over after I stay with you I help you tidy up and whatever you wanna do with me we do then cause once I'm with y/n I'm not gonna stop hanging out with my girlfriend ok? Unless its like a movie or something we can all watch it even your mum can join. You need to stop being weird about the whole us dating thing it didn't effect you until you joined hellfire. Now let's all sit down and finish the movie." Eddie says as he pulls you to sit next to him.

"I didn't know I was upsetting you y/n I'm really sorry" Dustin says with sincerity in his voice.

"It's OK Dustin. I get its weird that me and Eddie are dating cause he's your friend but we've Been together a while you know so you just gotta deal with it really." You giggle sitting up. You hug Dustin for a second so he knows everything is OK.

Then you lay into Eddie's side as he wraps and arms around you kissing your head. "I love you." HE mumbles into your head. "I love you too." You smile up at him.

-

Once movie finished you and Eddie went to dustins room so he could show YOU all his new comics and stuff. Eventually he let you and Eddie go free. Your mom said Eddie could stay over again as he was respectful (to her atleast) so you both headed to your room and crawled and your duvets cuddling eachother.

"Missed my girl." HE mumbles.

"Missed you too babe." You hum back.

"Hopefully its all better now." Eddie says kissing your neck.

"Trust me I think its better all ready." You smile at his kiss.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"I love you more."

"Edward you actual bitch."

"Is someone to sleepy for the I love you battle."

"Yes now cuddle me and show me how you love me more."

And he does just that until your both out cold.

-

Safe to say Eddie's little speech worked cause you woke the next day to Eddie and dustin in the kitchen and as you enter Dustin smiled at you and said nothing about you being immediately clingy with Eddie. You'd woken up just in need of his skin contact so you hugged him for a while even while he made your coffee.

That day you all went to the arcade and actually had fun with Dustin for the first time in a while. You held Eddie's hand with no gagging noises and you were happy.

"I love you." You kiss Eddie as Dustin plays whatever game he's playing. It breaks Eddie's focus on the game and it goes straight to you. He then kisses you back. "I love you too." HE says, snaking a hand around your waist eyes, going back on the game Dustins playing.

"I love you more." You smirk.

"OH you getting revenge for last night huh?" HE turns back to you smiling and you nod smirking. "Mk let's stay at the trailer tonight n ill show you how much more I love you." HE whispers in your ear. Your haw drops as Eddie smirks looking back at dustins game telling him to do something.

You stood shocked as Eddie's hand squeezed your hip he was still smirking....

Boy were you excited for tonight.

[inkmonster21]

Voughtland

Read as a continuation of this

Billy Butcher x fem!Reader

It’s Friday! Field trip day! Bailey is up and running about, trying to pick what outfit to wear. “I wanna wear my Starlight dress!” She smiles and points to the closet. You smile as you dress her in said dress. Taking a picture for memory.

Your daughter waits at the door tapping her foot. “Are you ready, mommy?” You finish getting ready, slipping on your shoes, and gathering your things. Bailey waits at the door, growing more impatient by the second.

You smile at your daughter's eagerness, her little feet tapping the floor in anticipation. "Almost, sweetie. Let me just grab my purse."

The bus ride to Voughtland is electric with excitement. Children chatter amongst themselves, pointing out the window as landmarks whizz by.

You sit amongst the other moms in the front, exchanging smiles and laughing at the kids' antics. As you sit amongst the other moms, you can't help but notice how young you are compared to the rest. They all seem happily married with their own families.

You glance down at Bailey, smiling as you realize she's all you need. Her innocence and love are more important than any romantic relationship ever could be. The kids gleefully rush into Voughtland, eager to explore every corner of the park. You watch as they disperse into groups, some already hopping onto rides while others line up to meet the life-size superhero characters.

You can't help but smile, seeing the excitement and joy on their faces. Bailey, having the time of her life, runs off to join the others. Before they could run off the teacher spoke. “Alright, everyone! Gather here!” The kids reluctantly pull away from their current activities, slowly making their way back to the meeting point. A few pout, but most hurry to rejoin the group, eager to know what's next.

“Okay! So I know the drive up here was long and I know we’re all pretty hungry, right?” The teacher asks.

The children nod eagerly in response, some even letting out a collective "Yes" that rises from the group.

The teacher smiles at their enthusiasm, knowing just what to say to appease hungry little stomachs. There was a surprise hidden in the words. The teacher could barely stay still. “Well, we have a surprise right through those doors.”

As the room comes into view, the kids' eyes widen with shock and excitement.

In the corner stand Homelander, The Deep, and Queen Maeve. The three supes smile as the kids enter the room.

The kids' gasps and whispers fill the air as they take in the sight, unable to believe that they're in the same room as their favorite heroes.

You watch as the kids eat and chat happily with their heroes, especially amused by Bailey's enthusiasm as she tells The Deep about dolphins.

Suddenly, a figure takes the seat next to you, his firm presence drawing your attention. Without even glancing, you know exactly who it is. You meet his dead eyes. Homelander smirks as he catches your reluctant smile, his gaze unwavering as he looks you up and down. "You looked lonely," he replies.

Fuck. I force a smile. “It’s so nice for you to take time out of your day to do this.” He leans back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest as his gaze remains fixed on you. “I love kids.”

“I’m sure they’ll remember this for the rest of their lives.” Homelander nods, a smug smile on his lips. "Of course they will. Every child should have the chance to meet their heroes."

His eyes flick over to where Bailey is still talking with The Deep, then back to you.

"She's very sweet, your daughter," he remarks, an almost mocking tone underlying his words. He wasn’t stupid. He could fucking smell Butcher on them from the second they walked in. The little girl resembles his enemy. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together.

You smile at his compliment. “She’s one of a kind.” Homelander watches you with sharp eyes, his smirk growing as his suspicion deepens. He glances back towards Bailey, taking in her appearance once more before turning back to you.

"Yes, she certainly is," he agrees, his tone almost mocking.

He leans in a bit closer, the scent of cologne and arrogance surrounding you. He notices your ring finger, any sign of a wedding ring absent. "And her father?"

You look at him with wide eyes. “Oh, gosh. That’s… quite an intimate question.” You grin at him. Homelander raises an eyebrow at your reply, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studies your face.

He chuckles lowly at your attempt to sidestep his question. “It’s just curiosity,” he says, the hint of arrogance in his tone. “Her dad’s… around. We’re not together.” Homelander cocks his head to the side, his expression unreadable as he continues to study you.

"Ah, I see," he responds, his tone slightly mocking. "Not together, huh? Must be hard raising a kid on your own." You wave your hand at the remark. “Nah, she makes it easy.” Homelander chuckles slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"She's a well-behaved little girl, I'll give her that," he agrees.

He glances over at Bailey, who's still animatedly chatting with The Deep. Then he looks back at you, the sharpness in his gaze returning.

"But she looks so familiar, you know? I swear I've seen her somewhere before…" You lie quickly, “We’ve been to a couple of meet and greets. That’s probably why.” Homelander nods, his smile still in place, but his gaze hardening as he considers your words.

"Ah, that could be it," he murmurs, seemingly accepting the explanation.

He's silent for a moment, still looking at you intently. Then, he grins and leans in closer, the smirk growing on his lips.

"You know, a strong, independent woman like yourself should have a man to take care of you," he says, his voice low and suggestive.

You laugh and scoot your chair away slightly. “Oh, no. I’m happily single.” Despite your attempts to distance yourself slightly, Homelander doesn’t seem dissuaded by your response. He chuckles at your laugh, his eyes still locked on yours.

"Happily single, hm?" he says, his tone dripping with arrogance.

He leans in a bit closer, his gaze roaming over your features. "A beautiful woman like you, all alone? That's a shame." He continues to push. Even inviting you to an interactive experience where you could have a tea time with Starlight herself. Before you could shut it down. Bailey accepted the invitation. Homelander grins as Bailey eagerly accepts the invitation to tea time with Starlight. He seems all too amused by the situation, his eyes flickering to you as if enjoying your discomfort.

"Looks like someone's excited," he muses, his tone slightly mocking, "How can you say no to that?" You push a smile as Bailey jumps at your side. “Can we go now?”

As Bailey tugs at you with excitement, you can't help but smile.

Homelander chuckles, watching the scene unfold. "Eager, isn't she? Starlight will be happy to see a little fan so excited for tea time," he says with a smug smile.

Homelander leads you and your daughter down a hallway. He glances back with a smug smile. “Just through here.” He opens a door and calls out. “This little one is ready for her tea time with Starlight.”

You go to follow Bailey through the door, but Homelander's firm grip on your arm stops you in your tracks. His smirk widening, he looks at you, his eyes locked on yours. "Ah, ah. Starlight will take good care of little miss Bailey.” He drapes an arm over your shoulders. “Take a walk with me," he says, his tone dripping with confidence.

As you begrudgingly walk away, your heart aching a bit at the sound of your daughter's excited chatter, Homelander guides you away from the room.

He looks at you, his smirk still present on his face. "Don't worry, your daughter's in good hands," he says, almost mockingly. "relax a little." Homelander leads you down the hallway, his arm still wrapped casually around your shoulders. He can almost feel the tension emanating off you, your heart beating rapidly in your chest.

He glances at you, his cocky smirk still present. "Nervous, sweetheart?" he chuckles, the mocking tone returning to his voice. You push a smile and exhale. “Starstruck, maybe. Sorry. When I got up this morning I didn’t think I’d ever be in the presence of Homelander.” Maybe if you boast his ego enough he’d let you go?

Homelander chuckles at your attempt to butter him up, his smirk growing wider. He obviously enjoys the compliment, his ego thriving on your words.

He lets out a low, arrogant laugh, his arm still around you as he leads you further down the hallway. "You're right about that," he says, his tone dripping with cocky self-assurance.

"Not many people get this close to me. Consider yourself lucky." Homelander forcefully guides you into the dark room, the heavy door closing behind you with a loud thud.

His playful demeanor fades, replaced by a cold, hard glare. His hand still grips your shoulder as he pins you with his gaze.

"Now, we can talk without all the bullshit smiles," he says, his voice low and dangerous.

Still attempting to play dumb you question, “What?” Homelander leans in closer, his hand still gripping your shoulder. “Cut. The. Bullshit. Now.” He flashed his laser eyes. You sigh and hold your hands up in a sense of innocence. You use to fucking take down supes, but it’s been so long. You’re out of practice I guess. Hard to act tough when you sing fruit salad on the daily.

Homelander grins at your gesture of innocence, his eyes flickering over you. He can see the shift in your demeanor, the facade slipping slightly. "I can smell him on you. On her. Just like a wet dog.”

He's in your space now, his eyes piercing into yours as he leans in even closer. “Listen, I… I don’t have shit to do with whatever they’re doing. He’s not around. He doesn’t care. Okay?” He smirks at you. “Guess we’ll just have to see how much, he doesn’t care.”

He slams your head into the wall knocking you out. Homelander looks down at you, unconscious on the floor. His smirk widens, a cruel and satisfied look on his face.

"You’re right," he says, voice cold and detached. "Let's see how much he doesn’t care."

You wake up, bound tightly to a chair, a gag around your mouth, effectively silencing you.

The room is dark, almost completely devoid of light. The only sound is the occasional hum of machinery and the quiet drip of water. You're in a secluded spot on Vought grounds. While you're being held in a dark room, alone and bound, Bailey is blissfully unaware, sipping tea and chattering away with Starlight just a few floors above you.

Homelander sits on the side, watching as your daughter giggles and discusses superheroes with Starlight. A smug grin is plastered on his face. He’s having you taken care of.

Annie takes a picture of herself and Bailey. She found her costume just adorable. Starlight smiles warmly at the picture she's taken with Bailey, her heart warming at the sight of the little girl dressed as her.

She grabs her phone and quickly texts the picture to Hughie, adding a message along with it.

Look at this, isn't she cute?

Hughie's scrolling through his phone when the notification from Starlight pops up. He frowns as he taps on the message to see the picture of Starlight and Bailey.

Bailey? He thinks to himself, confusion written on his face. Hughie stares at the message for a moment, not seeing you anywhere in the picture. Something feels off to him. A pang of anxiety gnaws at his stomach, his mind filled with questions.

He looks to Butcher and shows him the photo of Bailey and Annie. “They’re at Voughtland. Annie said the seven were there for a school trip.” Butcher glances at the picture on Hughie's phone, his expression immediately darkening. Recognising Bailey, he looks tense at the sight of her with Starlight.

"A school trip?" he mutters, anger starting to build as he processes the news. You didn’t mention anything to him about a field trip. Especially to Voughtland, because he would’ve said fuck no.

Butcher pulls out his phone and dials your number. When it goes straight to voicemail, his worry grows.

"She's not answering," he mutters, a hint of panic in his voice. He glances at the picture again, the absence of you gnawing at him. He turns to Hughie, his gaze dark as he gives the order. "Call Annie. Ask if she's in there with her."

Hughie listens to the cheerful sound of Annie and Bailey dancing together in the background before speaking up. "Hey, Annie," he interrupts, his voice filled with urgency. "I need to ask you something." Hughie does as told and calls her.

Bailey and Starlight are dancing with wide smiles when Hughie calls. Annie answers. “Hey, kinda busy-“

Butcher snatches the phone. “That kid. Is her mother with her?” Annie furrows her brow, glancing at the little girl dancing to the music. “No? She dropped her off.”

Butcher’s frown deepens at the revelation that you're not there. "What do you mean she dropped her off?" he asks, his tone growing sharper. “She… she dropped her off with me for the tea time. Then she… left.” Annie looks at the little girl. “Everything okay?” She asks the team. Butcher closes his eyes and huffs. “Just don’t let her out of your sight.”

Annie's voice comes through the phone, slightly surprised at the new voice. "Um, sure." She looks over at Bailey, who's still dancing happily. "Hey, Bailey, sweetie?" she says, gently interrupting the girl's dance. "Where did your mommy go?" Bailey looks up with a smile. She pointed out the door. “With Homelander.” Clearly no sense of danger for her mother.

Annie's heart skips a beat at the answer. Hughie looks at Butcher with worry. "Homelander? Why would she go with Homelander?"

He knew this would eventually happen, but if she would’ve just listened to him, he would’ve been able to protect her against this. As Butcher continues to pace, he can't help but feel a pang of guilt and anger. *If only she would have listened*, he thinks.

He clenches his fists, his mind racing with thoughts of what could be happening to you. He knows you're tough, but he also knows the kind of hell you could be thrown into with Vought. He grabs his coat and tosses it on. “Oi!” He holler to the team. “We’re going to Voughtland.”

As Butcher hollers to the team, the rest of the boys look at him, immediately understanding the urgency in his tone.

"Voughtland? What's going on?" MM asks, a look of concern on his face. Butcher huffs, “my girls are in a bit of trouble.” MM raises an eyebrow at Butcher's words, a flicker of curiosity mixed with concern in his expression. "Your girls?"

The rest of the boys look equally puzzled, curious about the nature of the "girls" in question.

Butcher huffs as he gathers his belongings. Butcher says your name, turning to look at M.M. and Frenchie. “You lot remember her, yeah?” They smile in fondness. Butcher raises his brows, “Well she had a little girl. Mine. So the question is. Are you going to help me?” Without a single word, they all gather weapons and belongings.

You sit bound, and now bruised, lip busted. “Fuck you!” You scream at your attacker. Some no name paid to pry the information you don’t know out of you.

He asks, his face a cold, apathetic mask as he watches you struggle against your binds. "Language, sweetheart," he says, his voice dripping with thinly veiled malice. "No need for that." You rest your head down, and begin to laugh.

He frowns at your unexpected laughter. He takes a few steps towards you, puzzled by your reaction. "What's so funny?" he asks, his tone losing a bit of its cool as he looks down at you.

“Just… this stupid shit. I got out, ya know? I was happy. Guess karma has a way of sneaking up.” You look at him, “and even if you kill me and send my kid to Red River, I know for a fact Butcher will skin you from your head to your fucking toes for hurting his kid.”

The attacker's smirk falters for a moment, a flicker of genuine surprise on his face. He had assumed you would be frightened, cowering before him. But here you are, defiant and bold.

He recovers quickly, his smirk returning. "Butcher, huh? You think he'll come to your rescue?" he chuckles.

You laugh again. Finding the time to untie your hand behind your back, “Rescue me?” your eyes find a thin rod on the ground.

you look up at him and shake your head. “I don’t need anyone to fucking rescue me.” I spring from my chair and dive away from him as he lunges. I grab the small rod and turn to him, stabbing it into his eye socket and directly to his brain.

I sigh, standing up as the door is ripped open. You turn to the door and toss your fists up, ready to brawl.

Butcher stands at the door with M.M., both wielding weapons. Butcher lowers his at the sight of you. He sees the cuts and bruises covering you, signs of the struggle you've just been through.

"Shit," he mutters, his grip on your shoulders tightening as if to reassure himself that you're really there. "Are you okay?" You nod quickly without a word. You are all ushered out of the underground tunnels. Your mind is racing. “Bailey. Where is she?”

All thoughts of Homelander and revenge are pushed to the back of your mind. Your main concern is finding Bailey.

As you and Butcher rush out of the underground tunnels, you look around urgently for any sign of your daughter. "Bailey," you repeat, your voice laced with worry. "Where is she?"

Butcher holds you under his arm as he leads you out. M.M. is back up as we move towards the exit. “I got Hughie and Frenchie to take Bailey to the safe house. She’s safe. I promise.” Your heart clenches with worry, but Butcher's reassuring words offer some comfort. Knowing that Hughie and Frenchie have taken Bailey to a safe house eases some of your fear.

"Okay," you murmur, holding onto Butcher's arm tightly as the three of you move towards the exit.

As you enter the safe house, you call out for Bailey, your voice filled with urgent concern.

"Bailey! Baby, where are you?" you call out, your eyes darting about the room, searching for a glimpse of your daughter.

There's a moment of silence, and then a small voice replies from another room. "Mommy?" As soon as you hear Bailey's small voice, a wave of relief washes over you, and you feel tears prick at the back of your eyes.

Without a second thought, you rush towards the sound of her voice, finding her in another room. You grab her tightly, pulling her into a tight, comforting hug.

"Oh, baby," you murmur, your voice thick with emotion. "Are you okay?" She looks at your face and frowns. “Daddy? What happened?” She asks as she reaches for Butcher. Butcher steps closer, a mixture of concern and relief etched on his face as he looks at the little girl in your arms. He glances at your injured face before crouching down to meet Bailey's gaze.

"It's alright, love," he says softly, his voice gentle as he reaches out to touch her hair. "Your mummy just had a little accident, that's all." Bailey scrutinizes you, her young mind able to intuit that there's more to your accident than you're letting on. However, her tiredness takes over, and her eyes droop as she leans into Butcher's outstretched hand.

He notices her sleepy expression and gently ruffles her hair. "Come on, love," he murmurs, his voice low and soothing. "You need some rest."

You watch as Butcher lifts Bailey into his arms and carries her towards the bed, their interaction tender and caring. Your heart feels full watching the two of them, and a warm smile forms on your face.

As he tucks her into bed, you realize how much you've come to depend on him, both for yourself and for Bailey. He was your stability in this chaotic world.

Your thoughts drift back to the events that led you here, a pang of guilt mixed with gratitude settling in your chest.

You knew you’d tried your best, but you wished you could've done more to protect Bailey. The thought brings a pang of self-blame, but you also know that if Butcher had been there, things could have turned out very differently.

You find yourself in the quiet of the safe house, the lights dimmed, casting a soft, warm glow. It’s almost peaceful, the calm after the storm. The silence is broken only by the soft breathing of Bailey, already fast asleep. You settle onto the couch, the weight of the day's events catching up to you. Your eyes, heavy from exhaustion and worry, start to feel weary. You lean back, letting your body relax into the comfort of the cushions.

Even though your mind is still on high alert, the quiet of the room, combined with the fatigue settling in, makes it almost impossible to stay awake. When Butcher steps out of Bailey's room, he stops in tracks as he spots you, asleep on the couch. A soft, almost tender expression crosses his face, his eyes softening as he looks at you.

He walks closer, his footsteps silent as he approaches, careful not to wake you. He stands before you, watching your chest slowly rise and fall with each breath. As he looks down at you, asleep on the sofa, Butcher's eyes rake over your face. A strong urge to lean closer, to kiss you, washes over him. But he resists, knowing that you need sleep more than anything right now.

His fingers, almost involuntarily, reach out to gently tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, the touch feather-light and tender.

You stir “Billy.” You mumble still asleep. Your sleepy murmur of his name causes Butcher's hand to still against your hair. He looks down at you, a smirk playing on his lips as he realizes you're still half-asleep.

"Hey, love," he murmurs, his voice low and gruff. "You're supposed to be asleep." You sit up, making room for him. A small smile tugging on your lips.

Butcher watches as you stir and sit up, making room for him on the couch. Your sleepy smile warms his heart, and he takes a seat next to you.

He slings his arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer to him. "Couldn't sleep?" he teases. You push a small smile and shake your head. “It’s been so long since I’d fought for my life.” You look at Butcher. “Kinda missed it.”

Butcher raises an eyebrow at your words, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "You missed fighting for your life?" he asks a hint of disbelief in his tone.

He tightens his grip on your shoulder, pulling you closer to his side. "You've got a strange sense of nostalgia, you know that?" You scoff and bump your shoulder with his. “Look who’s talking.” Butcher grins at your scoff and shoulder bump. "Hey now," he teases, a smirk on his face. "No need to use logic against me."

He pulls you even closer, his hand rubbing soothing circles on your shoulder. "Are you alright, though?” You lean into his hold, resting your head on his chest. “Yeah, I’m alright.” You wait for a beat, “I… I shouldn’t have even taken her there. I should’ve known better.” Butcher nods. “You should’ve told me.”

You agree, and if you did tell him, then you’d be safe from all this nonsense. “Yeah. I should’ve.”

Butcher continues rubbing your shoulder, his hold on you firm yet comforting.

"What am I going to do now? We can’t go back home. He knows my name, her name, what school she goes to, her teacher.” You cover your eyes in shame. How could you have let this happen?

Butcher feels a pang of sadness as he hears the despair in your voice. He pulls you closer, wrapping his other arm around you.

"Don't beat yourself up, love," he murmurs, his voice low and gruff. "This isn't your fault."

He pauses for a moment, his mind working quickly. "But you're right, we can't go back home. Not right now, at least. We'll figure this out, though. I ain't letting that bastard get to us."

You look up at him, then around at the surroundings. You wouldn’t be truly safe until he was gone. He would never stop looking for you, just to knock Butcher a peg down. You’d be the sacrifice. Bailey….

You shake your head. “Your boy, Ryan. Grace keeps him safe doesn’t she?” Butcher nods, knowing exactly where you are going with your question. "Yeah, she does. Ryan's safe with her," he says, his grip on you tightening.

"Why do you ask, though?" he adds, a hint of foreboding creeping into his voice. “Bailey. She… if Homelander has the slightest chance to take her, he would.” You run your fingers through your hair. The hatred of supes coming fresh to mind. “He has to go.” Butcher listens intently as you speak, the mention of Bailey's name a chilling thought. The idea that Homelander might use her as a pawn against him makes his blood boil.

When you mention Homelander's need to go, Butcher's expression hardens. "You're right," he says, his voice cold and resolute. "He's got to go. And I'll make sure of that."

You shake your head, “not without some help.”

Butcher looks at you, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Are you suggesting you help me take down Homelander?" he asks, disbelief evident in his voice.

He runs his hand across his face. "Love, this ain't a game. Homelander's the most dangerous supe out there. I can't risk you getting hurt." “And I can’t just sit here when I know I could help. Especially when he knows Bailey is out there.” Butcher shakes his head doubtfully.

Butcher looks at you, his expression a mix of worry and admiration. On one hand, he doesn't want to put you in danger. But on the other, he knows how fiercely protective you are of Bailey.

He lets out a sigh. "I can't talk you out of this, can I? Once you set your mind to something, you're more stubborn than a damn ox."

You lay a hand on his cheek. “That’s why you love me.”

He leans into your touch, relishing the feeling of your hand on his cheek. He covers your hand with his larger one, holding it there for a moment.

"That's right." he says, his voice gruff but filled with affection. You lean in, relishing in the moment, and as you do, Butcher's free hand moves to the nape of your neck, pulling you closer. He looks at you for a moment, a mix of desire and care in his eyes.

Then, he leans in too, connecting his lips with yours in a tender, yet passionate kiss. As the kiss deepens, Butcher's arms tighten around you, holding you close. His fingers tangle in your hair, holding you to him as he devours your mouth with a fierce hunger.

There is a sense of urgency in his actions, his touch desperate and full of unspoken desire. He needs to feel you, to know that you're really here, safe with him. A small gasp pulls your attention from the kiss. Bailey stands behind the door, spying on her parents in a loving embrace. She couldn’t help but smile as she saw her mother and father in such a way.

Butcher and you break the kiss as Bailey's gasp interrupts the moment. You both turn to see your daughter standing behind the door, her eyes wide and curious.

Butcher's hand slips from your neck, his expression somewhat sheepish as he realizes they've been caught. You smile at her, “Hey honey.” Bailey gives you a sheepish smile in return, her cheeks turning slightly pink at being caught spying. She's never seen her parents kiss like that before.

"You were kissing," she says, her voice filled with innocence. You look to Butcher with a smile. A playful manner picking up. “Kissing? Your dad? No way.” You sarcastically claim.

Butcher rolls his eyes, playing along with your little game. He feigns surprise, pretending to play the part of the innocent father.

"Yeah, no way," he says, his voice gruff but laced with humor. "Your mum was just getting something out of my teeth, love." Bailey crosses her arms and challenges you both. “No. I saw it with my own eyes! You were kissing!”

You and Butcher exchange a quick glance, trying to hold back laughter at Bailey's stubborn insistence. You decide to play along for a bit longer.

"Are you sure you saw that?" you ask, your voice filled with mock confusion. "Maybe you were dreaming or something." You nod. “Yeah, you know you sleepwalk.” Bailey stomps her foot, her small frame filled with determination as she approaches. She looks from you to Butcher, her expression defiant.

"I know what I saw," she says, her voice firm. "You were kissing!" You toss your hands up. “Fine, fine. Yes, mommy and daddy were kissing.” Bailey smiles with an excited expression. Butcher grins, unable to hold back his laughter anymore. He looks at Bailey and ruffles her hair affectionately.

"There, is that what you wanted to hear?" he asks. She nods, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She climbed on the couch, shoving herself between the two of you. “Daddy.” She says with a smile.

Butcher chuckles as Bailey climbs onto the couch and squeezes between the two of you. He wraps his arms around her, a warm smile on his face.

"Yes, love?" he replies, his voice soft and fond. Bailey looks at you, wiggling her brows. “I know you love mommy now.” Butcher rolls his eyes at Bailey's comment but grins good-naturedly.

"And how do you know that, hm?" he asks, his rough voice filled with feigned aloofness. “Because you only kiss people you love.” She grins in pure innocence. Butcher's expression softens at Bailey's innocent comment. He looks at you and then back at her, a small, fond smile on his face.

"Well, can't argue with that logic, can I?" he says, ruffling her hair affectionately. Bailey grins, but a yawn makes its way to her face. You pat her leg, “Come on, back to bed. You went mommy to come lay with you?” Bailey yawns, her energy seemingly running out. When you ask if she wants you to lay with her, she nods, her eyes drooping.

"no, it’s okay. Go lay with Daddy," she murmurs, leaning her head against your arm. You scoff at her words. A small smile played on her lips as she closed the door back to her room. You chuckle softly as Bailey closes the door behind her. It's sweet how she always wants you or Butcher with her when she goes to sleep.

You look at Butcher, a small smile on your face as you shake your head. "Little matchmaker, isn't she?" Butcher smirks at your comment, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yeah, seems like she's got it all figured out, love."

He moves closer to you, his arm sliding around your shoulders again. "Can't say I'm mad about it, though." Leaning into his touch you feel fatigue washing over your body. “I couldn’t agree more.” Butcher feels your body relax against him as fatigue sets in. He pulls you closer, his arm encircling you protectively.

"You look exhausted," he murmurs, his voice low and soft. "You should get some sleep, too."

You give him a sly smile, standing up. “Yeah, I guess.” You make your way to the door before looking back. “You coming or what?”

Butcher raises an eyebrow, a cocky smirk playing at the corners of his lips. He stands up and saunters over to you, a swagger in his step.

"Of course I am, love," he replies, his voice dripping with confidence.

[lucky-bucky-boy]

omg local baker who Mike has baking abbys bday cake but he has a crush on her ????

Oh my God this is so cute to me. I wanna run a coffee shop/mini bakery and this is just perfect and beautiful omg

I'm writing this with the idea that fnaf happened but didn't *happen* like no one died lmao

~~

Mike wasn't sure what to expect. At all.

It had been an incredibly tough year, each day somehow becoming more rough than the previous. From mom passing, to job hopping, to Aunt Jane trying to get the courts even more involved. Despite all that, he did his damndest to not let it affect Abby.

He knew in some aspects it was inevitable. A young child losing a parent was never easy; she heard his grumbling and arguments with Aunt Jane, the comments about not being able to pay Max, found papers he should have hidden a little better

But birthdays and holidays were sacred. That he made sure of.

So, against his pride and better judgement, he had asked Aunt Jane for a little help throwing Abby a birthday party. She was more than happy to, surprisingly, with the agreement they come up for Thanksgiving this year. And begrudgingly, he agreed.

That's how he ended up at the doorstep of a brick townhouse closer to the city, a paper in his hand with an address scrawled in his Aunt's too neat handwriting. She'd given him a list of stores and things and places and people to get everything from in order to throw a "proper birthday party."

He did a double take on the numbers and street address, making sure they matched and still slightly confused as to why he was at a person's house and not a store. With a shrug and a tired sigh, he knocked on the door, the scurrying of animals evident inside almost immediately followed by a "shush" as he heard another door shut before the one in front of him went to open.

He didn't know what to expect, and sure as hell didn't expect to have a girl a little younger than him open the door, an apron on and covered in flour. She looked almost frazzled for a moment before shutting the door behind her, eyes moving from the curious furry creatures to the man now in front of her.

"Hi, sorry," she sounded almost as tired and exasperated as he did, "been a busy day, and my lovely little fur-babies have been noisy."

She wiped her hands on her apron, "I - I don't think we've met before." Her eyebrows were scrunched, confusion etching into her features.

"Uh, yeah, sorry. I'm Mike. My uh- my Aunt Jane suggested you to me. Told me you make the best cakes and cupcakes and gave me your address to place an order."

He could see the cogs working in her brain as she tried to pin poin who he was talking about, "Oh! That's right, she gave me a call the other day to make sure I'd have the time. You need the order for next Saturday, right?"

He nodded, "Yeah, next Saturday at noon."

"Perfect, yes. Come in, we'll fill out the forms and get everything set. My pets are actually in the front room so you don't have to worry about them."

A cup of coffee, a curious conversation, and too many forms later, Mike felt like he was in a dream. The girl sitting across the table from him was captivating, a sense of excitement and passion he longed to have and admired. There was a sweetness to her, something he was sure he'd be able to taste in more ways than just her baking skills.

"Okay," her voice cut through his thoughts, "So, we're doing 24 cupcakes, half chocolate and half vanilla, then a 9 inch rounch cake with mint chocolate. And it's rainbow, fairy, unicorn, princess themed. Does that all sound right?"

He chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, sorry I couldn't give you more specifics. She's sort of all over the place and it's a surprise party."

"Oh no, don't worry. I'm going to have fun with this. Does she like glitter?"

He nodded again before taking a quick sip of his coffee. "Yeah, yeah. She loves glitter. Her favorite thing to do is draw as well."

"Perfect. Well, Mike, you're definitely more pleasant than your Aunt," she laughed softly, standing up and placing the form in a little file holder, "But don't tell her I said that. I'll send her the bill tomorrow. I hope Abby loves the cake."

Mike stood up, a tinge of disappointment that their interaction was coming to an end so soon. "I'm sure she will. She loves sweet." He sat his coffee cup in the sink. "So uh, when should I pick up the cake?"

"Oh! Don't worry about it. Jane invited me to the party so I'll just bring it all with me, I could use the networking with other parents so it works out."

His eyes widen some, lips twitching up into a small smile. "Okay, cool. I'll uh, I'll see you next week." He hesitated for a moment before grabbing a rogue napkin and the pen he was using to fill out the forms, quickly scribbling something onto it.

"Here," he handed her the napkin, "My number in case uh, in case you wanna talk more." He paused for a moment, watching her eyes scan the numbers, "For the uh. The cake. The party."

She giggled softly, looking at him as his features began to blush. "Yeah. For the cake and the party."

He chuckled anxiously, "Thanks again. I'll see you later." Mike let himself out before he could make himself even more embarrassed, standing on the porch for a moment after he closed the door behind him, unaware that the sweet baker was inside quietly squealing over the poorly written number.

[drvscarlett]

FRESH OUT THE SLAMMER

Esteban Ocon x childhood bestfriend!reader

Summary: Esteban has been pining over his bestfriend for the longest time. How long will it take her to see that what she's looking for is right in front of her?

The Tortured Drivers' Department series

A/N: And the first person that I'll be crossing off the list is Estie bestie. I think he is probably one of the drivers that gives me the wholesome aura. Let me know what you think or if you wanna be added to the taglist.

Taglist. @tea-bobba @boiohboii @c-losur3 @haikyuen @stelena-klayley @stinkyjax @0710khj @jinimon-tr

Now, pretty baby, I'm runnin' back home to you. Fresh out the slammer, I know who my first call will be to.

02-13-2002

Dear Diary,

Today I met my first ami (ami is friend in french) and he is Esteban something long name Okon. He is so nice to me. He said hi and helped me swing on the swing sets. I hope I meet more ami like Esteban but he is my favoriteeeee!!!

-y/n.

6 years old Esteban was actually running away from class when he stumbled upon a girl swinging alone at the park's swing set. He frowns because he noticed that every kid at the park have someone to play with but she has no one. Esteban was in an internal battle to just leave it alone but he can't help but feel bad for her.

He walked to the girl and he sat next to the empty swing next to her.

Y/N looked at the stranger that just joined her. Her interest was piqued because no one wants to be around her. She blamed it in her inability to speak French so she was hesitant to scare off the potential play mate.

"I'm Esteban, you are new?" Esteban started.

Esteban's english was not perfect especially with a strong French accent but he can hold a good conversation. He can see how the excited grin appeared in her face.

"Y/N! You speak good, can we be friends?" she asked.

She extends her hands to the boy and Esteban shakes it.

"Mon ami"Esteban agrees.

There was a visible confusion in her face. Esteban mentally slaps himself as he forgot that she cannot speak french.

"It mean friends"he added.

"Mon ami Esteban" it rolls right in her tongue.

And although there was a great language barrier, they managed to stay there at the swing sets till it was time to go home for dinner. Their antics and their grand hand gestures helped them communicate with each other.

11-28-2002

Dear Diary,

I told Estie that I will be missing thanksgiving a lot because I don't live in US. His mom and dad cooked, we had our own version of thanksgiving. I'm so grateful to my mon ami, Estie.

-y/n

Usually, Esteban's afterschool routine was drop his bags and leave the house to meet up with his bestfriend, Y/N. They would go sit at the swing set for hours or maybe watch the television at Y/N's house. It was a routine that Mrs. Ocon has been familiar with ever since Y/N came into the picture.

"Maman, can I talk to you about something"

Esteban made a beeline to his mother as soon as he gets home this afternoon.

"Did you have any troubles in school?" Mrs. Ocon wondered.

"Not at all Maman" Esteban answers "I just need help with something Maman about Y/N"

Mrs. Ocon tried to hide the smile in her face as he mutters a soft "oh". Meanwhile, Esteban reached out a piece of paper from his bag.

"Maman I drew this at school, this is a tradition that Y/N misses in America"Esteban explains.

The paper was filled with drawings of stick figures sitting in a table. The table was filled with dishes messily drawn in a muddle of green, brown, and orange.

Mrs. Ocon looks at her son with confusion, she still didn't know what he needs help in.

"What are you trying to say Esteban?"she asked

"This 28 is the thanksgiving dinner and Y/N says that her parents will be busy. She told me its just like a normal dinner but you say thank you for everything you are grateful about"Esteban elaborates "Can we do that Maman and can we invite Y/N to join us"

"That's a wonderful gesture to do for your friend Esteban" Mrs Ocon coos.

Esteban breaks out into a grin with the agreement of his mother.

"But you will be helping me prepare the dishes okay?" Mrs. Ocon added

"Of course Maman, I'll do anything"

Esteban gives his Mother a tight hug. He was extremely grateful because he knows how much Y/N has been missing so many american things lately. He was just scared that she'll leave France and then go back to America then he will never see her again.

On the other hand, Mrs. Ocon can call it mother instincts but she called it from this moment that her son is in love with his bestfriend.

05-17-2005

Dear Diary,

I like reading a lot while my bestfriend Estie loves riding the small karts. I like going to school, Estie doesn't like that. It seems like were different with each other. I'm scared of losing my bestfriend, what should i do?

But I'll support him. I want him to be happy. Thats what bestfriends do.

-y/n

"I wanna be a race car driver"Esteban blurts out one time that they were watching those Formula 1 races on the television.

Y/N started laughing because she thought it was a joke but when she looked at him, his eyes were looking at the race cars with so much determination.

"Wait, you are serious?"

"Can't you picture me driving those cars? It's like being wind woosh" Esteban mimicked the movement of the cars.

"But its like dangerous, you could crash" Y/N argues.

They have seen some serious crashes in the times that they watched F1. Y/N couldn't forget that dogpile crash in Monaco just a few weeks ago, her heart nearly stopped when the car hits a marshal cleaning up debris.

"Then I'm going to train to be a good driver so I don't crash" Esteban confidently states.

"But what about school?"Y/N asked "You're not seriously leaving me there"

"Woah, I said I wanna be a race car driver"Esteban clarifies "I didn't say anything about leaving you. You are mon ami"

"But school Estie?"Y/N repeats

Both of them knows that Esteban never found a knack for the academics, his favorite class was physical education. As much as Y/N tries to encourage him to study, he didn't like to do that a lot. Esteban always said that the braincells of Y/N will be enough for them to share and to get through life.

"I really wanna be a race car driver"Esteban insisted.

Y/N knew Esteban very well that if he sets his mind to it then he is bound to do it. There is nothing else she can do but support it.

"Esteban Ocon, a grand prix winner" Y/N shows her encouragement "I could picture it the crowd goes roar and you step onto those podiums holding those big trophies"

Esteban grins at her enthusiasm.

"And then I could take you with me to watch them when you finish school"Esteban added "We could travel the world together when I become a driver"

"Esteban wait so if you do become a race driver then maybe I can meet Kimi"Y/N wondered.

"Wow you only want me to go to F1 for Kimi huh"

"Well its a good opportunity to meet the man, the myth, the legend"

06-16-2006

Dear Diary,

I'm just really really sad today. Estie will be moving far away from here. Maybe I only get to see him on the weekends. I'll miss my bestfriend, mon ami

-y/n

They were at the swing sets when Esteban broke the news that he was accepted to compete for karting competitions. Y/N was immediately ecstatic to hear this but there was a frown gracing Esteban's face.

"You just told me that you are gonna compete for go karting but why do you look so sad" Y/N inquires "Isn't this like the first step in being an F1 driver?"

It is but Esteban hadn't predicted how costly this whole thing will be and how sacrifices have to be made in order to reach his dreams.

"We have to leave the house"Esteban breaks the news.

"Leave?"Y/N was confused "I mean don't you really have to leave the house to go to the go karting place..but you'll come back right?"

He shakes his head and Y/N could feel the reason for the sad looks on his face. Her heart feels like cracking especially when Esteban starts to speak again.

"They sold the house to get me a kart" Esteban's voice was filled with so much sadness "They knew it was my dream and the whole family sees a lot of potential that I can do it. I just feel terrible that they have to make sacrifices to make my dreams come true"

They were merely ten years old but it was a lot of burden to carry and to understand. Y/N is at loss for words but she just grabbed Esteban's hands.

"Then you have to give your all and be the best race driver ever okay?"Y/N reminded him

Esteban looked at Y/N and there were stray tears leaving her eyes but she has a brave face on and an encouraging smile. He was lucky to have a family that believes in him and he was even more luckier because he gets to have another supporter in the form of his bestfriend.

"You make a lot of money so you can buy your home again and you can treat your parents out"Y/N says "You have to do well okay, we all believe in you Estie"

And its these words that kept repeating on Esteban's mind whenever he is on track.

11-23-2012

Dear Diary,

It's my birthday today. Did you believe that Estie waited till it turned midnight here in France just to call me. My bestfriend be setting up the standards for everyone. I got a cake in the morning from my classmates and then we went to have dinner. Sixteen, im getting old now.

-y/n

Esteban and Y/N had a tradition since they were kids that they will wait for each other's birthday because they wanted to be the first person to greet each other.

The minute that the clock strikes 12, Y/N's phone starts vibrating. She had a grin on her face upon seeing the name on the caller ID.

"Well hello there Mr. Lightning McQueen"Y/N greeted.

"Happiest birthday to my sweetest mon ami"Esteban cheered on the other line "You know that I wish you all the best things in life and all of happiness that life has to offer"

"I'm surprised you had time to call, don't you have to wake up early later for your race?" Y/N questioned.

It was true, they don't get to talk as much whenever Esteban was in a competition season. Y/N doesn't mind it that much because Esteban will message whenever he can.

"I wouldn't miss my favorite person's day" Esteban answers.

His remarks made Y/N blush. It was a good thing that this is just a phone call conversation or she had some explaining to do.

"That makes me miss you way way more Estie"Y/N sighs "I hope I can see you again"

"Is that your birthday wish?" Esteban jokes

"My birthday wish is an F1 seat for you" Y/N declares.

"Hey, stop wishing about me. It's your day wish for YOUR day" Esteban argues.

"Then I wish for my bestfriend to get an F1 seat so I can meet Kimi"Y/N rephrases.

They spent a good time talking to each other. Y/N updates Esteban about those girls in her class that she wants to be friends with and how difficult physics assignments are. Esteban mentions about the trainings and the different race drivers that he met on track.

Esteban knows that he might probably regret staying up late but everything always seems worth it when it comes to Y/N.

"Well its really nice catching up to you but school starts at 7 tomorrow"Y/N yawns a bit "You must be pretty tired as well with all the training"

"Don't you worry about me here, I'm doing okay"

"You are the best Estie" Y/N said "Goodnight estie, love you"

Love. That's the word that Esteban has been pondering about a lot lately. It was that stage of life that people are getting girlfriends and boyfriends because they love that person. The only person that Esteban thinks he can love and be in a relationship with is Y/N.

First he thought, maybe its because Y/N's a close friends. Many people get the lines blurred between friendship and relationship. However, Esteban is beginning to realize that he likes Y/N more than a friend.

But, Esteban was scared of scaring her off or losing her so he settles with this.

"Good night Y/N, love you more"

01-01-2017

Dear Diary,

So Esteban and I went to our first party because Esteban finally had a permanent team for the upcoming 2017 season. We had a few drinks to celebrate and I met a boy. His name is Vincent. I think we hit it off pretty well.

-y/n

Esteban has this all night planned with him announcing that he is getting a permanent seat in Formula 1 to inviting her to the races to confessing his feelings and then hopefully get a New Year Eve's kiss.

However, here he is in the bathroom chickening out with his plans.

"C'mon Esteban, you can do this" he preps himself.

In his mind, he had everything written and prepared. He will start talking about the childhood how he was so glad to meet her and to her being the number 1 fan since day 1. Then he will move to his realizations and such when he was moving up to F1.

"Just say what you feel and be true. It's gonna work out"Esteban tells his reflection to the mirror.

With one spray of water to the face, Esteban exits the bathroom to find Y/N in the sea of crowd.

He searches for her and he was glad to see that she was still at the same place where he left her. However, his face scrunches up because there was another guy around her.

"Estieee!"Y/N calls out "I want you to meet Vincent, he is my new friend"

Esteban eyes the man because he didn't even look at him. Vincent's eyes were only looking at Y/N's and Esteban could feel his heart drop. He knows that look all too well because that is how he looks at her.

There goes his chance.

12-25-2017

Dear Diary,

This is my first christmas with Vincent as my boyfriend. Were still getting used with the presents thing and I think I overwhelmed him a bit. But I think that its going well, Mom loves Vincent. Dad and Esteban doesn't seem to think that Vincent is good for me.

-y/n

"Okay, time to open christmas presents!" Y/N excitedly announce.

Everyone gathers at the Christmas tree. It was a yearly tradition in the household that after lunch they go one-by-one in opening the gifts. Y/N always loved presents so she would always go first.

"Merry Christmas darling"Vincent says as he gives his present.

Esteban manages to keep his expression straight but he would have gagged if he could. He was filled with so much jealousy that he could have been in that position right now if he didn't chicken out.

Also, there was something so irritating and wrong about Vincent. He just don't have any proof about it. Mr. Y/L/N has a similar theory which he discussed with Esteban when they were in the garage earlier.

Y/N opens the box and she saw a gold chain with the letter V. It was a very beautiful necklace and it seems expensive as well. She musters up a smile as she thanks her boyfriend.

"This is beautiful Vincent" Y/N admires as she takes it off the box.

"I know."Vincent agrees "When I saw it in the store, I immediately thought of you"

The thoughts were sweet but Esteban couldn't help himself.

"Mate"Esteban calls "Y/N doesn't wear gold"

It was the truth that Y/N never wore any gold jewelry but since it was a gift, she was putting on a smile. Esteban knows that Y/N is just being appreciative to be respectful. Frankly, he was a bit pissed off that Vincent didn't even pay attention to that simple details of Y/N.

"Oh, I didn't know that"Vincent sheepishly grins "I didn't notice that, maybe I should take it b-"

"No, no. I'll wear it, its the thought that counts"Y/N settles.

"Next year, I'll get you a better gift" Vincent assures.

Mr. Y/L/N and Esteban could only share an eye roll, they really hope that they don't get to see Vincent next year around.

06-26-2018

Dear Diary,

Today is emotionally draining and I find it hard to sleep with a lots of thoughts in my head. It feels really different to see Estie in an F1 car. I simply can't believe it that he went to watching race cars to driving one. It sucks about whats about to happen but I am so proud of my bestfriend, mon ami Estie. I will always be proud of him no matter what.

-y/n

One of the worst things that could probably happen is to not finish a race but the feeling intensifies when it happened on your home race. Esteban wanted to kick himself for his misfortune. He didn't even get a lap in when Gasly collided him thus ending their races.

"Stupid" Esteban repeats the video all over again.

The door gently opens and Esteban would have shouted to leave him alone but Y/N peeked out of the door. It was like instant moment of peace for Esteban then its back to feeling like a failure because he suddenly remembered that everyone he loves have watched him DNF live.

"Estie, they told me you were here"Y/N greeted "You wanna talk?"

"I rather not" Esteban quickly answered.

"Hey, its just one bad weekend Estie"Y/N sits next to him.

"This is that one weekend that should have been a good weekend. Everyone is watching me and I didn't even start a lap before getting fucked"

The crack in Esteban's voice signifies that it was extremely heartbreaking for him to have this performance for his home race. Y/N could only tap his shoulder for comfort.

"Estie, you will have a lot of weekends ahead of you and you still have a lot more weekends that we will be watching. Don't be too hard on yourself" Y/N comforts "You can bounce back like you always do"

"You believe in me way too much"

"You already came a long way Estie. From sitting and watching them race every Sunday to actually driving a car. You should be proud of yourself" Y/N reminds.

There was something else painful in Esteban's heart. The recent issues regarding the team doesn't guarantee him for a seat in the coming year. It was another reason why he felt so down with what happened.

"Would you still be proud of me even if I don't have an F1 seat?" Esteban asked.

"What? What happened Estie?" Y/N was shocked.

"I might not have a team to drive for next year. I don't know if anyone is going to pick me with my DNFs and everything, I'm not a good candidate"

Esteban sheds the tears he has been trying to hide. He knew that this was a safe place to talk to Y/N. Everything just felt so heavy.

"Oh my god Estie, I'm sorry"Y/N consoles her bestfriend.

The two bestfriend knew how much this Formula 1 seat meant. It was a lot of struggles and sacrifice to reach this moment. One moment they were just kids going on karting season and now Esteban was getting his F1 seat. Now its being taken away, its like waking up from a good dream.

Y/N brushes away her tears and started to pace as if devising a plan.

"Don't you dare think that just because you are not getting a team next year is that you are a bad driver. You are a great driver okay,remember that." Y/N encourages "Take the year off. Improve your skills, get better then make a comeback"

If Y/N believes that he can make a comeback then Esteban believes that as well.

02-03-2019

Dear Diary,

I had a fight with Vincent. He told me that I am spending too much time with Esteban. He wanted me to stay away from Estie like who is he to tell me what to do.

I told him to be more patient with Estie because he really needs support right now. I hate how stupid and irrational Vincent is.

-y/n

Esteban was just picking up one of his cousin at the club when he saw a familiar figure at the alley. He just wanted to say hi to Vincent but when he noticed that he was holding hands with a girl, who is definitely not Y/N, Esteban started to follow.

He watched as how Vincent pulled the girl into a kiss and all Esteban could see was red.

"OHMYGOD, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"The girl shouts.

Esteban lands a solid punch. He doesn't care if Vincent is drunk or whatever but he should never cheat especially on a woman as amazing as Y/N.

"I tried to give you a chance, you fucking ruined it"Esteban lands another punch at Vincent.

"What the fuck man, get off!"Vincent screams.

The fact that Esteban was willing to let go and watch Y/N be happy with Vincent. He was willing to do that because Vincent makes Y/N happy but seeing this. Its not gonna happen anymore.

Two bouncers of the club broke them off. The girl immediately tended to the beaten up Vincent, Esteban dust himself off as he sets out a threat.

"You better come clean and tell her the truth or else I fucking will" Esteban warns.

"FUCK YOU MAN" Vincent shouts back "I know you like her! I know you are just waiting for an opportunity to ruin us"

"I'm not the one who ruined the fucking relationship Vincent, it was you who fucking cheated on Y/N"

Esteban was seething as he returned to the car. His mind thumbs to call Y/N but he knows that it will break Y/N's heart terribly if he tells her the truth.

09-28-2019

Dear Diary,

I hate this feeling of being ina fight with Esteban. He said some things that aren't true and I said some things that must have hurt him a lot. I don't think we will be okay any time soon. I just wish I could have turned back time to talk about the whole thing more carefully.

-y/n

There are not many things that Esteban and Y/N disagrees with each other. It was quite rare to see them fight each other because they fit perfectly just like that. Usually, their fights are just simple misunderstandings and harmless that they will make up in a day or so.

This time its different.

Everything started when Y/N explained that she'll be moving to Vincent's apartment, something that triggered Esteban greatly. It was apparent that Y/N had no idea of what happened at the club so Esteban told the whole truth.

Y/N is in complete denial and called Esteban a liar. So here they are with their raised tones.

"If you are my fucking friend then you would have told me the minute you saw it" Y/N explained "Why didn't you fucking call"

"I was protecting you. I know it would hurt you to know the truth and I told Vincent that he has to be the one to come clean" Esteban fights back.

"Protecting me with a grand lie?"

"I thought you don't fucking believe me that Vincent is cheating" Esteban frustrated with the argument.

"I don't know who to fucking believe because you would have told me right away if its real" Y/N cried.

The emotions were all too high, they were a ticking time bomb ready to explode. Esteban could not hide the disappointment in his face that Y/N didn't believe him.

"You don't trust me" Esteban realized.

"No Esteban, its not like-"

"Then what is it like?" Esteban asked "It seems as if you totally forgot that it was me who you could always trust no matter what. You forgot that I was your bestfriend since the beginning that was always there."

Y/N didn't want to get all the blame so she strikes back again even though tears were threatening to fall.

"You know its very fucking ironic that you say that" Y/N's words were like bullets "You didn't fucking trust me to believe you either that's why you didn't call"

Esteban was speechless and then he shakes his head.

"Where are you going?"Y/N chases after.

"I'm going home, away from you"

"Fine. Don't fucking come back" Y/N slams the door.

There were a lot of things said and done. They both don't know how they regretted everything.

03-29-2020

Dear Diary,

This whole lockdown is a little bit fucked. I was cleaning up some files in my computer and I saw a photo of me and Estie. I wonder if he is still mad at me and I wonder how he is doing with lockdowns. I wanted to reach out to him but I can't help but think back how much I must have hurt him before.

Vincent is a bit stressed with the whole lockdown situation. He gets frustrated easily especially with the new work set-up. I'm sure he will get better at handling his emotions, I just have to understand this for the moment.

-y/n

Esteban was scrolling through his instagram feed. He had nothing much to do since the lockdown kept everyone inside their homes. There was this feeling of uncertainty when can they race again but Esteban could only hope that they can race again even by May or June.

His hands stopped when he saw the newest instagram post of Y/N. It was a photo of her cooking a dish and the next set of photos showcases more of her lockdown diaries.

There was a bitter smile gracing on Esteban's face when he saw the photo of Vincent. It seems as if Vincent hasn't told the truth yet or maybe he lied to Y/N that's why they are still together. Esteban feels like he could punch the guy if he ever sees him again.

Not a day goes by that he regrets that fight he had with Y/N. It was just utterly pointless that it happened and he misses her. He hopes that she is okay and maybe after this whole lockdown is over then he'll go and find her again.

With heavy sighs, he scrolls past the post without liking it.

08-01-2021

Dear Diary,

Esteban is a grand prix winner. I'm really so proud of him, I shed some tears when he reach the final lap. I don't know if its the emotions or the adrenaline but I also messaged him and I was surprised that he answered. It seems like this is a start of a good thing.

-y/n

There were no words to describe how amazing the feeling was to be on top of the podium. Esteban could only imagine that feeling before but now he is living it. Everything felt like a wild dream because when he started the race he didn't even know that he will end up being a race winner after.

Collapsing to his bed, he finally opens his phone and it was immediately buzzing with so many messages. There was one message conversation that catches his attention

Y/N: Hi Esteban! I hope this is still your number. I watched the race today and I'm really so proud of you. I want to waive a white flag because this is everything that you have dreamed of all these years. There are no words to describe how proud I am of you. You have come a long way from that kid by the swing set. You will always have my support (even if we have a cold war). Y/N: I'm also sorry. I said some things that was really not good for me to say. I'm sorry I'm doing this over a text and I'm sorry that it took me this long. Y/N: I hope you are okay. You better drink up some champagne, you deserve it Grand Prix Winner.

There was this warmth that seems to envelope him as he reads the messages. It feels nice to know that she stills supports him even though they are not talking.

Esteban catches himself smiling through his phone screen confirming that his feelings for her still exist.

"Oh fuck it, this feeling never goes away doesn't it"

01-02-2022

Dear Diary,

Vincent proposed to me today in front of a crowd today. Mentally I wanted to say no because I don't think that I am ready for it or maybe its just the fact that I'm not sure that Vincent is ready for it. I just said yes because there was a large group of people. I felt like I was put on the spot and I didn't like it.

Maybe, its just the nerves.

-y/n

Mrs. Ocon had been keeping tabs with Mrs. Y/L/N even when the two had stopped talking to each other. They often update with each others lives when they get their nails done. Today, Mrs. Ocon couldn't believe the news shared to her so she hurried downstairs to find Esteban.

"Is it true Esteban?" Mrs. Ocon asked

"What's true maman?"

Esteban has just finished doing simulations so he have not been with his phone for quite some time. His mother immediately shoved her phone to his hand. Esteban squints as she watched the video of someone getting proposed at the Eiffel Tower.

"Maman, I'm not getting married anytime soon"Esteban jokes.

He has been pestered multiple times about getting married or getting a girlfriend but Esteban didn't want any of those. Nothing could compare to Y/N so he would rather not date anyone else.

"Just look more closely"Mrs Ocon insisted.

Scrunching up his nose, Esteban finally noticed the familiar faces of the couple. And it feels like a deja vu from his experience so many years ago when he almost confessed for New Years Eve.

Only this time, the pain has been magnified.

"That's good for Y/N, I'm.."Esteban holds his breath "happy for her"

"Honey...It's okay to not feel happy.."

Mrs Ocon has been one of the witness of everything and she knows how much her son loves Y/N. She extended a hug and soon the tall French man just let all his tears fall.

01-09-2023

Dear Diary,

I called it off, Vincent cheated on me and there was another girl on the side. He got her pregnant. I felt so stupid because I have been ignoring so many red flags all these years, I should have known better. I don't know what to fucking do, I hate him so much.

"What the fuck is wrong with me"

Y/N was a mess and anyone else who have been confronted with the reality that they have been in a fucked up relationship for so long will be a complete mess.

"There is nothing wrong with you Y/N" Esteban repeated "It was not your fault that he cheated"

"I was so stupid Estie, I wasted so many years for him"

This has been an ongoing process for a while now. Its been a good two weeks since they broke up but Y/N was still stuck in a period of asking questions and crying.

"I want my fucking life back and I can't get it back"Y/N laments.

Esteban doesn't know what he could do to help but he just became the shoulder that she can lean on. It was a good thing that there weren't much to do yet, he can still be with Y/N for a while.

"You know on the brighter side of life, you are still lucky that you didn't marry him" Esteban suggested "Like imagine all the divorce and process you have to go through if you did marry him"

"I might have ugly children if I married Vincent" Y/N scoffs.

"He is not your problem anymore Y/N, just ignore him"Esteban encourages.

Y/N lets out a frustrated cry as she messes up her hair again.

"I can't just fucking ignore him. He have been with me for a good period of my life and people just expect me to move on and go on with my life. I lost so many things about myself that I don't even trust myself after him"

Tears started falling from her eyes. She wipes them up as Esteban guided her to a chair.

"I'm sorry Y/N, here lets take a seat and I'll get you water" Esteban said before leaving to go to the kitchen.

There was something so nice to have Esteban around. Even if she shouts or screams like that, Esteban is still patient and kind with her. He was not rushing her to move past what she feels, he allows her to speak.

"You know, I can survive on my own" Y/N mutters.

"I know"Esteban agrees as he handed her the water "But I wanted to be here for you. You have always been there for me when I'm at my lowest of lows, I wanna be there for you now"

It was rare to see Y/N's smiles nowadays but with Esteban saying stuffs like that, she can't help but smile. She was very grateful to have Esteban around. She didn't know how she could survive without Esteban's help.

"Thanks estie

02-18-2023

Dear Diary,

Is it too soon to open up my heart again? I really want to try but I am scared. Maybe this is what happens when you've been in a shitty relationship for so long.

I also know that I dont wanna mess up things. If I do mess up things, I'm not going to just miss someone but I'll miss that boy I met at the swingset.

Maybe this year can do me good.

-y/n

"Esteban for a driver, you are pretty slow driving normal cars"Y/N teased.

"I have to be careful, accidents always happen and I don't wanna injure you before a flight" Esteban argues.

Esteban unloads all their bags. The two of them are going abroad however they are going to different countries. Y/N is going back to her old American home and she might be there for a while. On the other hand, Esteban is going to Bahrain for the pre-testing.

"You sure you have everything?" Esteban asked "Passports? Tickets? chargers?"

"Hey Mr. I forgot my passport, dont lecture me about forgetting things"Y/N smirked.

"Just double check and don't be like me then"

For onlookers they look like a couple about to travel together. How Esteban wishes that was the case but they are just a couple of bestfriends.

"Gonna miss you mon ami"Y/N hugs Esteban "I think I see my gate over there, call me okay"

"Of course I will"Esteban assures.

Y/N was already walking a decent few meters away when Esteban started to debate if he should tell her now. It seems spontaneous but this is a now or never situation.

"Wait up Y/N!"

"Did you forget something?"she teased

She turned her head and found Esteban catching up to her. There were beads of sweat on his forehead and Y/N could tell that Esteban was a bit nervous about something.

"Actually there is something I wanna tell you" Esteban starts.

"Oh what about it?"

She tilts her head in curiosity as Esteban takes in a large deep breath.

"I never forgot my passport. I was just using it as an excuse so I can spend more time with you. I didn't wanna go away from you because I miss you and I love you"Esteban declares.

"Aww Estie, you know I love you too-"

"No, Y/N its not that kind of love"Esteban clarifies "I love you as in I love you in a non-platonic way. I love you in a way that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you in a way that I'll do everything so that I'm always coming home to you"

There was silence between the two of them. Esteban was looking for any signs of disgust or rejection in Y/N's eyes but so far those emotions doesn't seem to appear. He feels brave enough to continue further.

"Look, I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend. I know you need time to heal from whatever happened to you. I won't rush you. I have waited since were little kids, this is nothing compared to that. Allow yourself to heal and be yourself. Explore the world. Then if you want me, I'm just here waiting for you"

Esteban's word was filled with so much love and adoration. It was the respect that Y/N needed for having suffer a bad relationship. How could she be so blind not to see what's in front of her all along.

Y/N leans to hug him.

"I won't answer this for now, wait for me to be healed okay?"she whispers.

"Of course Y/N, always waiting for you."

05-01-2024

Dear Diary,

Almost a year and so since my last entry.

I have visited a lot of places to find myself and to heal myself. It was a beautiful journey going to foreign places and trying new things. Actually gave me a new perspective in life that makes me confidently say that I am healed. Some things take a lot of time before we tend to appreciate it.

I have someone waiting for me for almost 22 years already. I'm finally going home to him.

-y/n

[official-nrc-prophet]

Ranking my favorite to least favorite hashira

I just finished the Swordsmith village arc, Hulu please I want the next one TwT

1 . Muichiro Tokito! This guy is just so fun, and his flashbacks made me cry. I love how there's just a random 14 year old in the group, who happens to insult demons until they die. After he remembered things, Gyokko had zero shot.

2 . Mitsuri Kanroji! I will personally fight anyone who doesn't like her just because the creators decided to sexualize her character. She is powerful, strong, beautiful, and amazing. Probably would be my favorite if Muichiro wasn't so funny to me. She's just the best (You can do better than Iguro girl anyone who says otherwise can die by your blade)

3. Sanemi Shinazugawa! This guy is such a terrible person and I love it. Please blink more. Please accept your little brother. Please keep making fun of Giyu and being a complete ass. He needs to throw hands more, I'd like to see him and Inosuke fist fight.

4. Giyu Tomioka! This guy is great. I like how he seems so cool in front of Tanjiro but in reality he's just a sad wet cat. I hope we get to see him more, probably in the new Hashira training arc. No spoilers please. He just seems so interesting, I wanna know why everyone else in the hashira seem to dislike him so much.

5. Kyojuro Rengoku! This guy was fun. I'm sad he died so quickly, we didn't get to experience a lot of him. I'm very curious, because Akaza was open and "friendly" with him, but in the swordsmith village arc Akaza was guarded and being violent and snappy. It makes Rengoku feel way more special in my eyes.

6. Tengen Uzui! This man is so stupid and I hate him. He's an interesting character, and I like him in theory, just not in practice. The only reason he's higher is because he actually has something I find interesting. I'm very confused on the three wives thing. I think it's extremely funny when people write or draw him simping for Rengoku because I do get bisexual disaster from him.

7. Obanai Iguro! "But I'm a creep... I'm a weirdo..." this guy is creepy and I don't like him. Get him away from Mitsuri. I know his backstory is tragic, but I don't care! Especially since in the demon slayer academy he's portrayed as "allergic to women". He just gives me creepy guy who lives in his moms basement. Discord mod vibes. Weirdo.

8. Shinobu Kocho! Shinobu is another one where there's definitely more to her, but until we figure that out, she just seems rather blank to me. It's definitely on purpose, because she's supposed to have her big reveal when fighting a demon, and we know a little from Kanao she used to have an older sister. I'm just frustrated because it seems like she has nothing else. The most interesting thing about her is the rest of the girls at the Butterfly Mansion.

9. Gyomei Himejima! He's another one where there's more to him, I just haven't seen it. But I don't really like what I do see? Like, he pitied Tanjiro and Nezuko, but was willing to kill them. If he's trying to be portrayed as a sympathetic man, it's not working. Also he just looks like a geodude from Pokémon to me, except with a worse color pallet.

[rorykeanersactualgf]

request where Benny Weir and the reader have a sleepover and watch scary movies

CW: none really

Sleep Over

Part 1?????

It was a Friday afternoon and I had just gotten out of school with my friends. Spirits were high as we all thought about the weekend, Sarah and Erica were having a girls night, Ethan was going on a family holiday, Rory was just happy to be free again, and Benny and I were having a sleepover at my house while my parents were at a work gathering.

As we walked together and slowly parted ways, Benny gave my hand a small squeeze as we got to his house, giving me a small hug and kiss on my cheek as he walked towards his house and gave me a cute smile and small wave. I walked the rest of the way home with a smile on my face and a warm feeling flooding my chest, excited for our sleepover later that night. As soon as I got home, I started preparing for our sleepover, tidying around the house, making sure that there was enough food and drinks for us, as well as some money so we could get take out if we wanted it, having a quick shower to was away the day, some movies and tv shows to binge, and some of our favourite video games to play.

I went around the house lighting some candles and turning some lamps on, turning off the harsh big lights above so we could relax easier. After all that, it was around half 6 at night and Benny should be here any minute now, according to what he was telling me over the phone. As Benny was coming up my porch to knock, my parents passed him, my dad pulling him aside to make sure no funny business would be happening between me and him while they were out, to which Benny replied with exaggerated waving hands and quick rambles and reassurances, which made me and my mom smile.

As they left, Benny came in, took off his shoes and gave me a big hug. His arms wrapping tightly around me and hiding his face in my neck, inhaling lightly against my skin, holding the back of my head as he relaxed into my arms.

"Benny, what are you doing?" I asked with a smile in my tone, letting him know I wasn't mad but just confused at his sudden display of affection; holding him in my arms, resting my head against his shoulder, drawing small patterns on his back, smiling more when he sighs into my touch.

"I just missed you so much, I wanna hold you for a minute." He breathed and held me closer to him if that was even possible.

"You literally saw me a few hours ago."

"But still..." He said exasperatedly, almost like a small child when they didn't get their way. I rolled my eyes playfully as I just stood and accepted his affection until he was ready to let go so we could start some other things, which took longer than I had anticipated.

After a good 5 minutes of being stood at my front door with Benny holding me, I decided to speak up, "As much as I love your affection, my legs are getting tired and we can continue to hug each other on the couch or in my room, it's up to you ," I said with a small chuckle following and a small pout on Benny's face when I pulled away fully, still holding his hand while walking through my house. We made it to my living room and told Benny to turn the TV on and put whatever he wanted on while I went and ordered some pizza.

Flicking through the various channels given, Benny couldn't find anything interesting or entertaining, the only things that were on were some news, a random sitcom, some boring movies and some music channels. He decided to play some games and wait for some interesting things to come on later.

When I walked back into the living room, I sat down next to Benny and he turned to me instantly, a big smile spread across his face and basically shouted:

"You have (favourite game)! I forgot about that," while placing our controllers on the coffee table in front of us, setting the game up for us.

"Yeah, I got it a while ago, it's so good..." I continued to ramble about the game, not noticing the look of complete adoration from Benny, his eyes basically having hearts in them and a small flush of pink filled his cheeks as I started getting lost in the details and lore of the game.

After about 5 minutes of me speaking, I realised that Benny was looking at me with a fondness, unparalleled to anything I've ever had before, my heart swelled in my chest, "Sorry..." was all I could utter before he held my hand and said "What for? I love when you nerd out like that." A blush bloomed across my entire face as I shook my head and sighed, a quiet laugh leaving me.

We started the game and played for a while until the food came. I paid for the food, leaving a tip and thanking the driver before bringing the food into the living room and leaving the game, putting a TV show we thought looked alright on and began talking about our day.

"Oh my God, did you see what Rory did today?" He said with a bit of pizza sauce on his cheek.

"No, what happened?" I asked with worry and interest laced in my voice, while wiping the sauce off of his face.

"He tried to flirt with this girl and it seemed to be going well until he turned to walk away and he fell flat on his face, it was hilarious, you should've seen it." A fit of giggles left us as I imagined what it would look like and Benny remembered it in great detail, sure to use it against Rory when he can.

We continued to talk and gossip about school when I remembered I had a paper due next week, I'd have to do it tomorrow when Benny leaves and frankly, I didn't want to do it anyway.

After we finished our pizza, we were pretty thirsty and a bit hungry so we went to the kitchen and got some soda to drink and some more little snacks to have while we were still up.

It was only now that I had realised that it was about 11 pm and the exhaustion had caught up with me all at once. I yawned once, looking over at Benny stuffing his face with some snacks and thinking how lucky I was to have him. We threw away the pizza box and empty wrappers and went back to the living room to watch some movies, seeing as were both too tired for games.

We sat down with full stomachs, sleep already pulling at my eyes and making them heavy and droop. I shuffled over to Benny and leant my head on his shoulder, his arm wrapping around my back and waist, hand comfortably resting on my side, rubbing slow and soft circles into my skin gently, as if I were a fragile China plate ready to break any moment.

We looked at the channels on the TV and still saw that there was nothing good so we agreed to go up to my room and watch some Netflix on my laptop.

I got settled on my bed and gestured for Benny to join me when he seemed apprehensive, "What's up?" I asked, a little bit confused.

"It's just... I've never shared a bed with someone, is it okay if I sit with you?"

"Benny..." I said with an incredulous look on my face, smile tugging at my lips, "We've been dating for how long?" I asked with a knowing smile on my face.

"Uh, a little over a year?" He said more like a question than a statement.

"And how many sleepovers have we had?" I said with a small wave of my hand to add emphasis to my words.

"Too many to count..."

"So come into bed with me, its not like my parents will care too much. And before you say my dad will, he's only joking, he doesn't mean most of the stuff he says. I promise that everything will be fine. Besides, I'm cold so come here please?" I said with my arms open for him to come over to me and not be so shy.

We sat on my bed, laptop on my legs, his head on my shoulder as we tried to decide on a movie to watch, after a small debate, we agreed on some horror movies; now I'm not one to be scared at horror movies but it felt a bit too real.

As I was trying not to jump at the jump scares and music stings, Benny had no shame in screaming and jumping at most of the movies. They managed to get the visual effects and screams of the actors to feel so real that it actually freaked me out a bit, only slightly jumping at the scares but hiding it well enough. At the end of the movies, I just looked at the screen while I put some SpongeBob on and some lamps to cheer us up. After about half an hour of us almost cry laughing at SpongeBob, we put some random show on and cuddled up to each other.

About 10 minutes into the episode we had already started to talk over the characters and have random debates about what ice cream flavour we would be or what type of dog we would be. It was well into the early hours of the day when we both started to feel our eyes droop. I laid in Benny's arms, his hold tight and soothing on me; I laid my head on his chest, feeling the rhythmic beats of his heart and the slow intakes of his breath. I started to draw little patterns on his shirt and looked up at him, giving him a small kiss on his lips, laying my head back on his chest again and feeling how it sped up slightly. My heart felt warm to know I still had this effect on him after being with him for so long.

After exchanging a short and mumbled "Goodnight," to each other, I felt a small kiss be pressed to the top of my head, making me flush pink and my head nuzzle his chest a bit. We fell asleep in each others arms, fully content with how we were laid... until a few hours into my sleep when I woke from a nightmare that was eerily similar to the movies we had watched earlier.

A/N: part 2 with a similar request where we dont watch horror movies but just hang out at bennys the next day?????? im so sorry this took a while to get out but we live laugh love life xx

[ilove-masked-men]

”How much do her parents make?”

a y/n x Johnny (Soap) Mactavish forbidden love based fanfic

Y/N POV

Arguing about money again, ofcourse they were, my dad loves to start arguments about money when he can’t afford his whiskey because mom payed for the rent instead of cigerettes. It was horrible, you asked him to go to rehab again but he said it “only made him worse” we all knew he was lying. I needed out and immediately. I didn’t want to go into the living room through front door though, they would drag me into the argument. I only had one other way out - my window. Right outside my window was a skip we had hired to clear out the house but we had barely used it, the only thing inside of it were some pillows and old blankets, creating the perfect soft landing. 

I jumped out and down onto it, it hurt, but not as much as it would if there wasn’t any cushoning. I got up and started walking, it was cold, even with my thickest coat on. It was so late too, almost tweleve and i was out walking. I’m asking to be kidnapped.

I was too busy lost in thought to see the man i had bumped into, almost knocking both of our balance. I mindlessly grabbed onto him for stabilty with my eyes squeezing shut in shock.

“What’s somet gorgeous la’hk yo’ou doin’ all about this late at ni’ht?” A heavy Scottish accent asked me, he didn’t seem to mega uncomfortable, but i let go of him without hesitance to make sure.

I realised i still had my eyes closed and opened them up, to be blessed in my vision… i think. He had an uneven smirk on his lips as he looked at me, with an extremely noticable mowhawk and peircing blue eyes. His face was imperfect but in all the right ways that made him something amazing to look at. He had the perfect build, his whole body being perfectly proportioned in his skin tight black shirt and slightly baggy blue jeans, only tight in the right places. 

“Still waitin’ for me answer pretty.” He said with a slight scoff, he was so full of himself i couldn’t help but be flattered.

“Uhm, sorry i was just going for a walk.” I answered directly, looking down.

“At twelve o’clock at ni’ht? Are you sure tha’s it?” He asked, his voice rung with a slight concern in it.

“Oh.. i mean, you know how it is.. rough night..” I explained to him, becoming more and more nervous, which he clearly picked up on.

“Hey, i ain’ abou’ to try and kidnap yo’ou or other stuff. How old are yous? And what’s your name? I’m 18 and me name is Johnny, but yous can call me Soap.” He asked me the questions so gently and he sounded so sincere i fell undee his spell, i made eye contact with him and smiled slightly.

“I’m y/n and i’m 16.” I told him, i felt more comfortable with him now that i had felt used to him.

“What time have yous gotta be home lovie? You wanna walk n’ talk?” He asked me with a kind smile.

I nod and begin talking to him, walking down the road next to him. He bought us coffee at the 24 hour cafê and we got phone numbers, i hope we can keep in touch alot, tonight was amazing - i met him at 12:00 and i got back home at 2:00. He even walked me home, i was writing about him in my diary for ages, filling up 3 pages just describing and drawing him. I slept like a baby after hetting everything off my chest too.

[cosmereplay]

Life goes trick-or-treating at Urithiru 🍬

Happy Hallowe'en! Here's Lift going trick or treating! Rated General.

---

Dalinar stared at the empty crystal punch bowl beside the front door. "Didn't you have the servants put out the candy, Navani?" he called out.

"Yes, gemheart!" Navani called back from the bedroom. She was still putting the finishing touches on her Deadeye Spren costume.

Dalinar frowned, pulling at the tighter fit of his Preposterously Not To Code Uniform costume. He was sure he'd seen a full bowl earlier. This would take careful consideration. Perhaps he would ask the Sibling...

***

"Come on, Oroden, it's time to go!"

"Don' wanna!"

Oroden had been jumpscared four times today by various people in corrupted spren costumes. Kaladin had no idea where the fear had come from, but if he was going to take him out for his first trick or treat in Urithiru, he was going to have to do something to ease his brother's mind.

Luckily, Hesina knelt down, straightening his little brother's Syl costume. "Darling, lots of scary spren are going to be coming here tonight. That's why you and Kaladin have to go out. It'll be safer. We know how to defend ourselves against evil spren."

"Oh yeah? What's the secret?" Kaladin said as Oroden's eyes went wide.

"You give them candy," Hesina said knowingly. "If you give the evil spren candy, they'll go away." She gestured to the crem pottery bowl by the door. "See? We'll be perfectly...uh, where'd the candy go?"

Kaladin frowned. "I could've sworn I just saw it. There must be a thief." He knelt in front of Oroden. "If we're going to protect Mom and Dad, we have to go to the market and buy more candy. Will you come with me?"

Oroden sniffled, then straightened up, mirroring Kaladin's frown. "We gotta save them fwom the evoo spwen!" he said sternly. "We go."

"There's my boys," Hesina smiled. "Thanks Kal."

"I'll buy double, just to be sure," Kaladin reassured her.

***

Shallan sat by the front door, casually sketching as she waited for Adolin to put the finishing touches on his Sexy Shardblade costume. She had finished her own Sexy Shardbearer costume ages ago.

As it happened, she was sketching the special curnip-shaped Hallowe'en bowl Adolin had purchased specifically for the occasion. They'd be taking their candy to the local refugee shelter, along with a large donation. Then they'd be heading to Elhokar's Fabulous Hallowe'en Bash. After that, neither she nor Veil planned on remembering much.

I guess I'll be getting us home then, Radiant thought.

Wow, I can feel you rolling your eyes! How do you manage it? Veil thought.

Practice.

She took extra care to show she was paying attention to that curnip-shaped bowl at all times, much to the consternation of a certain teenager watching from a vent above.

"You know if you'd knocked on the door I'd've given you some candy," she whispered.

Incredibly, the girl heard her. "I don't wanna treat, I wanna trick, you stumer! Go to your stupid lighteyes party so I can steal your candy!"

"Well that'll be interesting, since I'll be taking the candy with me," Shallan said, putting the last details on the drawing.

Look! Veil cried out.

But it was too late. Between one blink and the next, the candy was gone.

---

For my Halloween ask game

[im-just-a-br0adway-baby]

Charlie and Vaggie were dragged by their twin daughters, Lucille and Lillian, to their first day of kindergarten. They were counting down the days since they went to their kindergarten orientation a month prior. The days leading up to the first day were filled with shopping for school supplies, new backpacks, and new outfits for the big day. All Luci and Lilli could talk about was how excited they were about their first day at their new school, and to get to meet their new teacher and their new friends.

“C’mon, Mommy! We don’t wanna be late!” Luci exclaimed while still pulling on Charlie’s arm.

“Okay! Calm down! We still have fifteen more minutes until the bell rings!” Charlie laughed.

The twins ignored their moms and continued pulling on their arms until they made it to the door of their new classroom. Luci and Lilli ran into the classroom to find their names on their desks. The twins hugged each other before separating and finding their names and saying hi to the classmates next to them. But before they could leave, their teacher, Ms. Alvarez, stopped Charlie and Vaggie to talk to them.

“Good morning! I’m Ms. Alvarez, and I’m going to be Luci and Lilli’s teacher this year! I still can’t believe I’m teaching the daughters of the Princess of Hell! You were the one I spoke to on the phone last week, right?”

“Yes, I was just kind of concerned because it seemed like they were going to be the only ones in the class with two moms,” Charlie explained.

“Well, I can guarantee they’re going to be in good hands. I had plenty of children with two moms and two dads in previous years, and we have plenty of books for me to read to them. They’re going to have a great school year!”

“Thank you, Ms. Alvarez; we’re also really excited for the twins,” Vaggie thanked.

Charlie and Vaggie left the school after talking with Ms. Alvarez a little bit more and said goodbye to Luci and Lilli. Once they left, more children began trickling into the classroom and the twins got to know their new friends that were sitting next to them. Before they knew it, it was time for the first day of kindergarten to begin. Ms. Alvarez wrote her name on the board and gave the class their special clap signal to start the day.

“Good morning, class! My name is Ms. Alvarez!”

“Good morning, Ms. Alvarez!” Luci, Lilli, and the rest of the class chorally responded.

“Welcome to your first day of kindergarten! To start, we will get to know each other by drawing pictures of our families on the papers I gave to each of you on your desks. Then, we’re going to show our pictures to the class. Take out your crayons so you can start.”

The class took their crayons out to start drawing their family pictures. Luci and Lilli loved drawing and coloring, so their faces lit up once Ms. Alvarez announced their first activity. Both twins were so engulfed in their family pictures that once they were finished, they wanted to add more details to them. Once Ms. Alvarez did her special clap signal, Luci, Lilli and the rest of the class put their crayons down to look at her.

“Who wants to share their picture first?” Ms. Alvarez asked.

Luci and Lilli shot their hands up as high as they could, with several other hands shot up until Ms. Alvarez called on a child sitting across the room named Liam and he walked up to the front of the classroom with his picture.

“This is my family. That’s me, and this is my mommy, and my daddy, and my big brother, Joseph. He’s eight years old and he’s in the third grade,” Liam explained.

“And who’s that next to you?” Ms. Alvarez asked.

“That’s our dog, Hank. My mommy got him when Joseph was two,” Liam replied.

“That is such a great picture, Liam! I’m sure your mom and dad will love it when you show it to them when you get home. Who wants to go next?”

Luci and Lilli raised their hands as high as they could, along with more children in the classroom. Ms. Alvarez called on both twins, since she figured both of their pictures were going to have the same people in them. The twins excitedly made their way to the front of the classroom and showed off their pictures.

“This is our family. This is me and Lilli,” Luci started.

“And these are our mommies. One of them is the Princess of Hell,” Lilli continued.

“And this is our grandma and grandpa. Grandpa’s the King of Hell and I was named after him.”

“And I was named after our grandma and she’s the Queen of Hell.”

One child raised her hand when the twins finished presenting. Ms. Alvarez called on her to ask a question. “Where’s your daddy?” the child asked.

Luci and Lilli looked at each other before answering. “We don’t have a daddy,” Luci replied.

“You’re missing out; my daddy taught me how to ride a bike.”

“Well, my mommy taught us,” Lilli added.

“Okay, how about someone else can show their picture to the class? Thank you, Luci and Lilli, for presenting. Olivia, I need to talk to you before lunch,” Ms. Alvarez interrupted before Olivia could ask more questions.

Luci and Lilli went back to their seats and watched the rest of their class present their pictures. They all had a mommy and a daddy in their pictures. While Hell was filled with same-sex parents, the fact that there were no other children in their class with them made the twins feel out of place. While they tried their hardest to not think about it for the rest of the school day, that one question still lingered in Luci and Lilli’s heads while they were learning their letter sounds and new math concepts.

------------------------------------------

Once it was time for dismissal, Luci and Lilli found Charlie and Vaggie near the front of the crowd with the rest of the parents picking up their children. They ran up to their mothers and gave each of them a hug as Charlie and Vaggie picked each twin up in their arms. They put their daughters down and started walking through Hell.

“How was your first day of kindergarten?” Charlie asked.

“It was fun. I like Ms. Alvarez and we met a lot of new friends,” Luci explained, trying to hide what just happened that morning.

“I’m so happy you had a great time today. Your aunt Niffty will be helping us with dinner tonight, so you can play upstairs with KeeKee until it’s ready,” Vaggie said.

The mothers and daughters continued walking until they got back to the hotel. Once they entered the lobby, Luci and Lilli ran upstairs to see KeeKee on the edge of the top step, asleep, and began petting her gently. They wanted to get their mind off of what happened that morning, and playing with the animals in the hotel was one of their favorite things to do when something was upsetting either of them. Once KeeKee woke up, she made her way in Charlie and Vaggie’s room and Luci and Lilli followed her.

Once dinner was ready, Charlie made her way to her room to see Luci and Lilli still on her bed, laying down and twirling around KeeKee’s fur with one finger each. Charlie slowly walked over to her daughters to see them looking at KeeKee upsettingly.

“Luci? Lilli? Is there something wrong? Did something happen at school today that you want to talk about?” Charlie asked as she sat on the edge of her bed.

“Mommy, I wish I had a daddy,” Lilli started.

“Lilli, why would you say that? You still have two mommies that love you very much.”

“Well, we drew pictures of our families in school today, and one girl asked where our daddy was, and that we needed a daddy,” Luci explained.

Charlie opened her arms and the twins made their way around their mother’s arms. They wrapped their arms around their mother’s waist and Charlie hugged her daughters back as tightly as she could before she could answer.

“Luci, Lilli, you know that there are so many different types of families. Families that have a mommy and a daddy are only one type of family. Some families only have a mommy, and some families only have a daddy. There are even families that only have their grandma or grandpa, or their aunt or uncle. There are even families like ours, that have two mommies, or two daddies. Remember that one friend you had in preschool whose mom died the week after graduation and now only has her daddy?”

“I remember; Mia’s mommy died, and we went to her house that one day and made ‘feel better’ cards for her,” Lilli replied.

“Well, I’m sure she understands that she’s not alone, and that she has such great friends that support her, like you two, even though you go to different schools now. And besides, our family is very special. You don’t just have Vaggie and me. You also have your uncle Alastor, your uncle Angel, your uncle Husk, your aunt Niffty, and your aunt Cherri. And you know your grandpa Lucifer comes to visit all the time and your grandma Lilith visits every other weekend. You have so many people in your family that love you very much.”

Luci and Lilli smiled as they hugged Charlie until Vaggie came into the room and noticed the cuddle puddle. Vaggie sat with her wife and daughters and joined in on the hug. Luci and Lilli noticed their mother with them and hugged Vaggie.

“Are you girls okay?” Vaggie asked.

“We are now; the girls were kind of upset because someone at school asked them where their daddy was and it made them wish they had one,” Charlie explained.

“But mommy told us how special our family is, so now we don’t feel sad anymore,” Luci added.

The mothers and daughters hugged each other again before letting go of each other. “How’s this? I can call your teacher to see if I can come into your class on Friday and read a book to the class about different families,” Charlie explained.

“We would love that!” Lilli replied.

“Okay, well let’s go downstairs; dinner’s ready,” Vaggie said.

All four girls got up from the bed and made their way downstairs to have dinner. They continued talking about Luci and Lilli’s school day and what Charlie wanted to do for their class on Friday. The twins could not wait to tell the rest of the hotel crew about their first day of kindergarten and the conversation they just had with Charlie.

-------------------------------------------------------

Ms. Alvarez agreed to have Charlie come in on Friday afternoon to read a book to Luci and Lilli’s class. She decided to read a special book about a family with two moms, just like their family. That Friday afternoon, near the end of the day, Charlie came by the door of Luci and Lilli’s classroom and was greeted by Ms. Alvarez.

“Thank you so much for coming, Mrs. Morningstar! I’m really sorry again about what happened on the first day of school. But I’m so glad you offered to read a book to the children about different families,” Ms. Alvarez explained.

“It’s okay, Ms. Alvarez; when Luci and Lilli told me about what happened on the first day of school, I thought it would be nice to read this book to the class,” Charlie replied.

Charlie followed Ms. Alvarez in the classroom and they both stood at the front of the class together. “Class, we have a special guest reader with us today. One of Luci and Lilli’s moms, Charlie Morningstar, wanted to read a book to you about their family. Let’s give her a warm welcome!” Ms. Alvarez introduced.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Morningstar!” the class chorally responded.

Ms. Alvarez gave Charlie the chair that was in the Calm Down Corner to let her sit in it. “Good afternoon, everybody! My name is Charlie Morningstar; I’m the Princess of Hell and one of Luci and Lilli’s moms, and I have a very special book I want to read to you. It’s called ‘Our Family is Special,’ and look at that! It’s written and illustrated by me, Charlie Morningstar!” Charlie opened the book and began reading.

“Our family is special, our family is big. No other family is just like ours. Our mommies, aunts, and uncles are important parts of my family. They are all special in their own way. We have two moms. That means we get double the love everyday. Our mom is Charlie Morningstar. She’s the Princess of Hell and the founder of the Hazbin Hotel. Our other mom is Vaggie Morningstar, she manages the hotel with Charlie. Charlie and Vaggie take care of us, and are sweet and friendly to everyone they meet. 

“Our uncle Alastor is a radio host. He’s the first to take care of us when our moms need help. Our uncle Angel and aunt Cherri are always there when we need to be cheered up. Their jokes and silly voices make us laugh and smile. Our uncle Husk gives the best advice when we need help with something. He helps us with our tough feelings and gives us hugs when we’re upset. Our aunt Niffty tells us silly stories and takes us to the park. She also loves to play with us when we want to play.

“Sometimes our grandma and grandpa come to visit and give us lots of fun gifts. They are Lucifer and Lilith, who are the King and Queen of Hell. They also take us to LuLu World every summer. Our family is special, yes it is. No other family is just like ours. We love our family very much.”

Luci, Lilli, and the rest of the class clapped for Charlie when she closed the book. Ms. Alvarez walked back up to Charlie as she got up from the Calm Down Corner chair. “Thank you for reading for us, Mrs. Morningstar. We loved hearing about your family and how special they are to Luci and Lilli. Can we all say thank you to Mrs. Morningstar?”

“Thank you, Mrs. Morningstar!” the class responded.

“Thank you for letting me come, Ms. Alvarez. I hope I got to teach everyone something today.”

After the school day was over, Luci and Lilli ran over to Charlie and gave her a hug. Their smiles were much brighter than they were the past several days, and they jumped up and down as they held hands. Vaggie was waiting for them at the front of the building to see Charlie and the twins smiling brighter than ever.

“How was today?” Vaggie asked as she held Lilli’s hand and the four of them started walking down the street. 

“It was great! Mommy read her book and everyone loved it!” Luci explained excitedly.

“The class did love it. They especially loved seeing us in the book and pointed to everyone and smiled throughout the whole read aloud,” Charlie added.

“I think we’re gonna love kindergarten!” Lilli said.

Charlie, Vaggie, Luci, and Lilli continued talking about the day and Charlie reading aloud to their class as they walked back to the hotel. The twins did not think they were going to have a good year after what happened on the first day, but now, Charlie felt like the class learned something and Luci and Lilli will be more accepted by her class, even if their family was not traditional. They will always remember how special their family really is.

[invisibleraven]

cuddles after being touch-starved for Willie / & anyone.

Alex hated his new school-the locker rooms smelled, the food was awful, and all the teachers seemed to hate him. Why oh why did his dad have to land a new job right as he entered middle school?

He missed Astoria, where there were actual trees and forests for him to escape into, LA had nothing but palm trees, and the closest forest was hours away. He missed everyone on the main drag knowing him, never needing to tell the barista his coffee order, goofing off with his friends by the water.

His mom assured him he'd find friends here soon enough, but Alex had his doubts. But Karen Mercer was determined, and thrust him into their new church's youth group, many of the members going to his new school.

It was one such member, Clarisse that took him under her wing at school, telling him what days to avoid the cafeteria food (every day but Tuesdays and Fridays), what caddy was the best for studying, and which one indicated you wanted to get a study room for makeouts, and what kids to avoid.

"Don't touch Willie," she said, pointing out a boy with long dark hair sitting in the cafeteria all by himself, even though many of the tables around him were overfull. "Unless you want to catch The Gay."

Alex knew all about The Gay, as it was, having listened to his parents and their pastors rally against the scourge that was homosexuality. It was part of the reason he hadn't come out yet himself, because part of him hoped that when it came to him, his parents would be accepting, but he had his doubts, so he kept himself secret.

Willie seemed nice though, always smiling, almost too big despite the hatred hurled his way. He was always drawing in a big artist's pad, and his stuff was good. Plus he had a dry wit with some of the teachers that matched Alex's own sarcastic nature. So Alex decided to say screw Clarisse and her judgement, and the next day marched right over to WIllie's table.

"Can I sit here?" he asked.

WIllie looked up, almost startled, like he wasn't used to anyone speaking to him. But then he relaxed, his smile gentling, seeming more genuine. "Sure man, free country."

Alex nodded in thanks, and took a bite of his sandwich, watching as Willie poked at the tuna casserole in front of him as he idly drew what looked to be a sick skull with butterfly wings. "I don't know how you can eat that slop," Alex commented.

Willie shrugged. "I don't have much choice. Foster parents get school meals comped, so that's what I get."

"You want half my sandwich?" Alex offered, holding it out. "Or some of my snacks?"

Willie eyes the treasure trove of food that Alex had, eyes lighting up as he spied a coveted yellow bag. "I'll take your Gushers if you're willing to part with them."

Alex offered the candy-they were his favourite, but he didn't want Willie to suffer through the grey goop on his plate. Their fingers brushed as Willie took the snack, and he shuddered as they did before pulling his hand back. "Thanks." He was quiet for a bit, then finally spoke, though it was barely above a whisper. "I'm not contagious you know, you can' catch being gay, but I'll get it if you don't wanna be around me-I know what they all say."

"I already caught it long ago," Alex replied. "So I'm not worried."

Willie beamed, then popped a Gusher into his mouth, moaning quietly as the sugary sweetness filled his mouth. "Oh I missed these. My last home had all the good snacks, but I aged out of there, and this new one is only in it for the moolah."

"That sucks," Alex replied as he pulled out a bag of Goldfish, extending it to Willie to share them before taking a handful himself. "My folks pack tons, so I'll put in extras for tomorrow."

"You're gonna sit with me tomorrow?" Willie asked.

"Well yeah, us diseased gotta stick together," Alex said.

Every day Alex ate lunch with Willie, ignoring the glares and sneers from the other students. Willie was cool and genuine, unlike all the fakes and posers his mom wanted him to associate with. And just to piss them off, he made a point to touch WIllie as much as possible-casual touches, the same he would have given any of his friends back in Astoria. But Willie soaked each one up like a sponge.

Alex wondered how long it had been since anyone had touched Willie-sure he got shoved and pushed, but in a friendly or loving way. Kids avoided him in the hallway, he confessed his foster parents weren't the warmest, and their other foster kids were much older, too cool for a dorky middle schooler like Willie.

So Alex made it a point to touch Willie even more-giving him hugs at the end of the day, greeting him with a high five, slinging an arm around his shoulder. Every time, Willie blossomed more and more, and began seeking affection from Alex instead of waiting for Alex to offer it first.

Sure they were pariahs, and Alex had gotten more than one lecture from his parents about hanging out with the right sort, but Alex didn't care. Willie was the best friend he'd ever had, and there was no way he was giving him up.

And a few years down the line, when they had added Luke, Reggie, Julie, and Flynn to their little group? Willie was more than just his friend, and Alex had never been gladder that he had taken a chance, regardless of what idiots thought about catching The Gay.

[harringtonstilinski]

Always The Babysitter - Chapter Eight: The Upside Down

Author: @harringtonstilinski​ Characters: Steve Harrington x Olivia Henderson(OC) (eventually) Word Count: 3,404 Warnings: lil’ bit more angst, fluff if you squint Smut: no | yes; A/N: Hi, friends! We get more Dusty in this episode!! If you like this chapter, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox. As always, read at your own risk and enjoy 😊

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After we left the station, Jonathan sped back to his house. As soon as we got there, we all hopped out of the car, grabbing the monster hunting gear and heading inside the house. We all got to work putting the items where they needed to go, as well as screwing all the Christmas bulbs back in.

As Nancy loaded the bullets into the revolver, I stood next to her, watching. We looked at each other. “You’re scary with a gun.”

She smiled a little, looking back down. “I feel like a badass.” 

I heard hammering, so I went to see where the noise was coming from. It was coming from Jonathan, hammering nails into a wooden bat.

Nancy stood next to me, gas can in hand, asking me to pour gasoline down the hallway into Will’s room.

Once the bear trap was secured down and ready to go, Jonathan went into the kitchen and got three sharp knives out of the utensil drawer, handing me and Nancy one each.

“Wait, so… we’re gonna cut ourselves to draw the Demogorgon to us?” I asked.

“Yes,” Jonathan said. “Now, remember–”

“Straight into Will’s room, and–,” Nancy said.

“Don’t step on the trap.”

They looked at me, waiting for me to add in the next step. “Oh! Uhm… wait for the yo-yo to move.”

“Then…” Jonathan said, flicking on the lighter before closing it. “You ready?”

“Ready,” Nancy said.

I took a deep breath, putting the blade of the knife to the palm of my hand. Jonathan started counting to three before he told me and Nancy that we didn’t have to slice our hands, the latter saying to stop talking before saying the number three and all three of us slicing our hands, blood immediately pouring out of our hands.

Letting the sting settle in for a moment, I ran to the kitchen sink, putting my hand under the water. Once I felt the bleeding had died down some, I put paper towels on my hand to help stop the bleeding as Nancy got my bandages ready. 

She wrapped my hand as tight as I told her to before we all moved to the living room, me having bandaged Nancy’s hand before she started bandaging Jonathan’s hand.

We all heard faint creaking, so we looked around a little as I stopped my pacing from in front of the window, Nancy asking us if we heard the same noise she did.

“It’s just the wind,” Jonathan said.

I went back to my pacing as Jonathan reassured Nancy, “Don’t worry. My mom, she said the lights speak when it comes.”

“Speak?” Nancy asked.

“Blink. Think of them as alarms.”

A few seconds goes by before Nancy asks Jonathan if his bandages were too tight, his reply being that they were fine.

A banging on the door made me jump out of my skin, a hand over my heart as I tried to get my breathing back in check.

“Jonathan? You there, man? It’s-it’s Steve!” 

I looked at Nancy then back at the door, confused. “Steve?” “Listen, I just wanna talk!”

“Liv, answer it,” Nancy whispered.

I looked at her as if she were crazy before she repeated her words, getting my ass in gear. Removing the chain lock on it, I opened the door, saying, “Do you really have to yell?” while putting my bandaged hand on the outside of the door. 

“Liv?”

“Steve, you need to leave,” I said, as softly and calmly as I could.

“I’m not trying to start anything,” he said.

“I don’t care about that, that was 6 hours ago. You just… you need to leave. Please.”

“No, no, no, I–I messed up, okay? I messed… I messed up. Okay? Really. Please. I wanna make things right.”

I just looked at him, sadness in my eyes at hearing him confess that he messed up and needed me… or really Nancy. As he was pleading with me, I was waving my non-injured hand at Nancy and Jonathan, telling them to separate if Steve comes bursting in here.

Steve looked at my injured hand, and I knew he was instantly more worried about my being hurt than trying to make things right with everybody. “What happened to your hand?” He moved my hand to try and look at it, asking if there was blood on my bandage.

“Oh, that? That’s nothing. Dustin and I were fighting over something and I guess I cut my hand.”

“Something else is going on, don’t lie to me, Liv.”

I sighed. “Nothing, Steve.” I hated lying to him. 

“Wait a second, did he do this?” Steve asked, trying to push his way into the house… and being successful after I told him no. He looked around at everything; the bat, the lights, Jonathan and Nancy. “What is… what the…?”

“You need–” Jonathan started.

“Jonathan, I got this,” I said. “I know how to handle him.” Getting in front of Steve, I looked him in the eyes, saying, “You need to get out of here.”

He put his hands on my shoulders as he went to ask what all the stuff was.

“Steve, I’m not asking you. I’m telling you to get out of here.”

“What’s that smell? Is that– is that gasoline?” He tried putting me behind him to drag me out of the house. Yes, he’s done that before. 

A gun cocking had me turning around, Nancy having the gun pointed in mine and Steve’s direction. “Steve, get out!”

“What? What is going on?” he freaked.

“You have five seconds to get out of here.”

“Okay, is this a joke? Stop. Put the gun down.”

I saw Steve’s hands in my periphery, almost like he was trying to protect me… or just to try and get Nancy to not shoot at us, I don’t know. 

“I’m doing this for you,” Nancy said.

I heard Jonathan say Nancy’s name which then prompted me to pay attention to the lights as Steve was trying to negotiate with her.

“Nancy! The lights!” I yelled, which made her turn around to look at them blinking.

“It’s here,” Jonathan said, grabbing the nail bat.

“Wait, what’s here?” Steve asked.

“I swear I’ll explain everything at a later date,” I rushed out.

Nancy and Jonathan were back to back now, Steve’s questions being ignored.

“Will someone please explain to me what the hell is going–” Steve asked, before the ceiling came crashing down, the Demogorgon the obvious cause.

It hadn’t come through the slimy barrier yet before Nancy started shooting at it. Jonathan pulled her by her waist and went into the hallway as I grabbed Steve’s hand, pulling him along behind me. 

“Watch the trap,” I said, jumping over it, a few “oh my god!” exclaims coming from Steve.

When we made it inside Will’s bedroom, the older Byers’ boy slammed the door shut, Steve saying, “Jesus! Jesus! What the hell was that? What the hell was that?”

I put my hand over his mouth as I heard the Demogorgon growl… or scream. “Steve, I need you to shut the fuck up.” Turning around, I took my hand off his mouth, watching the yellow yo-yo that was placed over a chair.

The lights were still flickering, thuds were heard, noises coming from the creature told me that it was still in the house.

“What’s it doing?” Nancy asked.

“I don’t know,” Jonathan answered.

At this moment, I was beyond thankful that Dustin wasn’t here to witness all this. Steve, on the other hand, I knew would be having some nightmares about this, so I was already mentally preparing for the countless sleepovers I’d be having at his house.

The electricity jolting and Nancy asking if we heard anything had me coming out of my thoughts. Jonathan answered no and opened the door, going out first, Nancy behind him and Steve and I tagging along after Nance, everything still sitting in the same places undisturbed.

We walked into the living area slowly, while looking for the creature. Jonathan, Nancy and myself were all quiet, but Steve… he was muttering that this was crazy to himself before shouting it and picking the phone up off the receiver to call the cops.

Nancy noticed and moved to stop him, slamming the phone on the ground, breaking it. I had to jump out of the way or else I’d get hit, giving a quiet “Hey!” as I did.

“What are you do– what are you doing? Are you insane?” Steve asked.

“It’s going to come back!” Nancy said. “So you need to leave. Right. Now.”

Steve looked at me, our eyes meeting. Mine begging him to leave for his own safety. He looked back at Nancy before running out of the house. 

It was probably about 10 seconds after Steve had run out that the Demogorgon came back, lights flickering more than they did the few minutes prior.

“Where is it?” Nancy asked.

“Come on,” Jonathan said.

“Come on, you son of a bitch,” I exclaimed.

The lights went off a few seconds after Jonathan started provoking the creature. I felt something behind me before Nancy yelled my name. I turned around, seeing the ugly creature up close for the first time since Eleven put its playing piece on the board what seemed like forever ago.

I screamed as it took me down to the ground, its slobber getting into my mouth just a little, making me gag in the process. When it opened its face, all I saw was teeth; rows and rows of teeth.

Gun shots sounded before Nancy’s voice yelled, “Go to hell, you son of a bitch!”

It stood up, which gave me the perfect time to start coughing and taking deep breaths. Clicking brought my attention to Nancy, the creature looking at her and opening its face, showing its rows and rows of teeth.

I heard someone yell out, something thudding against something else. When Nancy said Steve’s name, I instantly went alert, my main goal trying to keep him safe. Watching as Steve led the creature to the hallway, I felt hands on me, helping me up.

Steve did some twirling motion with the bat before hitting the creature again. “He’s in the trap! He’s stuck!”

“Jonathan, now!” Nancy yelled.

Jonathan and I ran towards the hallway, him getting in front of the group, while I went to his left, standing by Steve. Jonathan threw the lit lighter onto the gasoline I had poured, the creature going up in flames for a moment before he went to get the fire extinguisher that I hadn’t seen either of them grab from the station.

Putting the creature out, we all coughed from the smoke that was coming up from the fire being doused. 

When we all could see and breathe again, Nancy asked, “Where’d it go?”

“No,” Jonathan said. “It-it has to be dead.”

I sighed. “I don’t see anything other than boiling slime.”

I heard the lights before I saw them, the four of us backing up into the hallway, thinking it was the creature, but the lights stopped right at the trap before moving right back down the hallway. I looked back at Jonathan, knowing what he knows.

We followed the lights as they lit up one by one on what seemed like a single strand. We stopped near the door, Jonathan whispering, “Mom. Is that you? Mom.”

Going outside on the porch, my focus stayed on the street lamp, as was everyone else’s. It flickered before staying on.

“Where’s it going?” Nancy asked.

“I don’t think that’s the monster,” Jonathan said.

~~~

I knew Dustin was okay the moment I saw him. We both had tears in our eyes as we embraced each other in a tight hug. Looking at him, I cried even more than I already was. Crying that I was happy he was alive and well, but also sad at the information he told me about Eleven.

Everyone that was involved with the Upside Down, the Demogorgon and Eleven were all at the hospital… or the lab, I’m not sure, to sign papers, get bandaged and to visit Will. I had so much anxiety about seeing Will that my leg was bouncing as I sat in the chair.

I got up and went out of the waiting room, needing to stretch my legs and get a snack from the vending machine. Dustin was asleep on Lucas… who was asleep on Dustin, so I knew he’d be fine.

What I didn’t expect was to have a little shadow. As I looked at the contents in the vending machine, I sighed. “What do you want, Steve?”

“When I said I messed up earlier,” he said. “I really meant it. I messed up.”

“With Nancy and Jonathan?” I asked, looking at him.

“Them, yeah… and you.”

I didn’t know what to say. I just went back to looking at what I thought looked appealing.

He sighed and leaned his back on the wall next to me. “Look, I’m trying here, okay? I messed up by ditching you, I messed up by pushing you away when Nancy and I happened… I just–”

“Royally fucked up?” I asked.

He nodded, slowly. “Yeah.” Looking at me, he asked, “How can I make it up to you?”

I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. “You remember that time we watched Halloween and I couldn’t sleep at my own house for like a week, so we had those sleepovers at your house?”

He chuckled. “Yeah. Your mom thought you ran away.”

“You remember how we called them Scary Movie Sleepovers?” I smiled.

He smiled back, nodding. “Yeah.”

“Well, get ready for a week of me staying at your house again,” I said. Looking back at the machine, my smile dwindled. “If it’s okay with Nance.”

“Look at me,” he whispered.

I did, seeing sincerity in his eyes as he said, “She’ll understand, and she knows about those nights.”

After a few seconds, I looked at an item that brought back memories. “No cheeky moves, Harrington.” I put the amount of money I needed for the item, pressing the respective buttons.

He chuckled again as I bent down to pick up my item. “You got it, Henderson.”

Opening the bag, I put some Peanut M&M’s in my hand, taking one and biting around the peanut. Steve took one, popping one into his mouth and chewing it whole.

We talked and laughed while sharing our favorite snack. The boys rushed by us, Dustin stopping to tell me that Will was awake and they were headed to see him. I told him that I’d be there in a moment and to tell Will that.

I did go and see him, tears in my eyes at seeing alive and well in person. I gave him my special hug before the boys pulled me away to talk to their best friend.

~~~

One Month Later

“Something’s coming,” Mike said. “Something angry.”

“Hungry for your blood,” I said, bending down between Mike and Dustin, hands on the backs of their chairs. “It… is almost here.”

“What is it?” Will asked.

“It’s the thessalhydra, I’m telling ya,” Dustin said.

“It’s not the thessalhydra,” Lucas said.

“I’m telling you, it’s the thessalhydra.”

Placing the gaming piece on the board, Mike said, “The thessalhydra!”

“Damn it.”

“It roars in anger!” Mike said. “Will, your action!”

“What should I do? I–” Will said.

Walking over to him, I placed my hand on the back of his chair, bending down to get eye level with him. “Fireball him.” I smiled when he looked at me.

“Fireball the son of a bitch,” Dustin said.

Will rolled the games dice, getting the amount he needed, all of them cheering.

“Fourteen!” Dustin yelled.

“Direct hit!” Mike said. “Will the Wise’s fireball hits the thessalhydra.” He stands as he continues, “It makes a painful–” Then he proceeded to screech like a dying bird. “And then, it crumbles to the ground.” He goes down on the ground, and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“It’s clawed hand reaches for you one last time and, and, and…” Mike pretending to be a dying thessalhydra was one of the highlights of my night as the boys cheered and danced around.

“Lucas cuts off its seven heads, and Dustin places them into his bag of holding,” Mike continued. Dustin held up his backpack in victory as Mike added, “You carry the heads out of the dungeon, victorious, and you present them to King Tristan. He thanks you for your bravery and service.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,” Dustin said. “That’s not it, is it?” He looked up at me. “Is it?”

“No, there’s a medal ceremony–” Mike said.

“Oh, a medal ceremony?” Dustin sarcastically said. “What are you talking about?”

“Yeah, the campaign was way too short,” Lucas said.

Will agreed before I cut in and said, “It was ten hours!”

“But, Liv, it doesn’t make any sense,” Dustin said.

“This whole game doesn’t make any sense to me,” I exclaimed.

“It makes sense!” Mike said.

“Uh, no, what about the lost knight?” Dustin asked. He then looked at me, confused. “Isn’t there some club at the high school where they play D&D?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it’s called Hellfire. I’m not a part of it, though.”

“You should be.”

“And the proud princess?” Lucas said, bringing us back to the conversation at hand.

“And those weird flowers in the cave?” Will added.

“I don’t know, it’s–” Mike started.

Footsteps sounded as someone came down the stairs. That someone being Jonathan, who said, “Jeez, what’s that smell?”

“They’ve been farting,” I said, crossing my arms, a smile present on my face.

“No, that’s just Dustin,” Lucas chuckled.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Lucas’ comment and the fact that he was blowing raspberries while singing about Dustin farting. Tapping the top of his head, I laughed as I said that we needed to go.

The Byers boys and us Henderson kids all said our goodbyes before walking up the stairs and into the kitchen, where I heard Jonathan ask Will if he had a good time.

“Hey, kids,” Mrs. Wheeler said.

“Hey, Mrs. Wheeler,” Jonathan said.

“All four of you, wish your moms a merry Christmas for me, okay?” she asked.

“Sure thing,” I said. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Wheeler.”

“Merry Christmas.”

Turning to walk to the front door, I put my arm around Dustin before I noticed a scent that was always one of my favorites. I smiled a little as we walked out to the car before I told Dustin that I’d be back in a moment. Grabbing the present I had brought just in case, Dustin gave me a knowing look that I tried to ignore.

I walked back in the house as Nancy was giving Jonathan a kiss on the cheek. Walking past her and into their living room, I peeked a look at Steve in his red Christmas sweater. I whispered his name, giving a come here motion with my hand. Once I felt we were in a somewhat private spot, I handed him the present I’d brought for him.

“For you,” I said. “It’s nothing, really. I just saw it and thought of you.”

He unwrapped it, eyes going a little glassy. “Uhm,” he said, turning his head away for a split moment before looking back at me. “I love it, Liv. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing,” I said. “At least now you’ll be able to check and see if you’re on time for school or not.”

We chuckled, both of us knowing that he was famous for being late to school almost every single day.

“I’ll see you after the break?” I asked.

“Yeah, for sure,” he said. He smiled before placing a kiss on my forehead like he always did.

When I got back in the car, I looked over at Dustin, who had a look on his face that said he knew something I didn’t. “What?”

“You like Steve,” he smiled.

“What?” I said. “No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. You just don’t want to admit it.”

I couldn’t think of anything else to say after that, so all I did was give a reply of “Shut up,” before starting the car and heading back home.

As I laid in bed that night, I thought about what Dustin said. I didn’t like Steve…

Did I?

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

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~~~

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

Additional Note: there's kind of a deleted scene in this episode where hop and liv talk. if y'all are interested, i can write that scene for you!! also, i know that some of y’all are waiting to see your requests, and i promise i’ll get to them. the writer’s block hit really bad with them. atb is the only thing i have motivation to post for at the moment.

~~~

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

~~~

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

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

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Posted on January 7, 2024 *Happy New Year!!* 

[alwaysmoncheri]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐋

pairings ❧ steve harrington x reader

summary ❧ a plan is put in place to ensure the creature invading hawkins is eliminated for good

warnings ❧ female!reader, swearing, shit writing, implications of anxiety

word count ❧ 2.7k

additional notes ❧ none ´･ᴗ･`

After being taken to the police station, I sit next to Jonathan, my leg constantly bouncing and my fingers nervously picking at my cuticles, waiting for something to happen next. When Nancy returns, she sits on the other side of Jonathan with an ice pack in hand and we all wonder what the consequences are going to be.

"Found some ice." Nancy says to the boy.

"Thanks." He replies before Nancy gently holds it up to his forehead. Jonathan stares at the girl as she looks slightly uncomfortable, "Everything okay?" He asks.

"Yeah." She responds unconvincingly, "Everything's fine."

We all let out exhausted sighs before sitting there in silence once more.

With a few more moments of quiet I look up, noticing Nancy and Jonathan gazing at each other with lingering eyes. A light smile crosses my face, as I know there is something special going on between them. I'm happy knowing both of my friends have found comfort in each other.

The doors to the station suddenly slam open, revealing Chief Hopper and Joyce, who rush inside with worried looks on their faces.

"Hey, Jonathan?" Joyce says, walking up to the three of us, noticing Jonathan's bruised face, "Jesus, what... what happened?"

"Ma'am..." The officer, Callahan grabs her attention, trying to calm her down.

"I'm fine..." Jonathan whispers quietly, looking down.

"Why is he wearing handcuffs?" Joyce asks accusingly as she points towards her son's hands.

"Well, your boy assaulted a police officer, that's why." Callahan says calmly to the woman, standing from his seat.

"Take them off." Joyce demands firmly.

"I am afraid I cannot do that." Callahan says again.

"Take them off!" Joyce cries, once again with a demanding tone.

"You heard her." Hopper says from behind Joyce, "Take 'em off."

"Chief," The other officer, Powell, pipes in finally, "I get everyone's emotional here, but there's something you need to see."

Hopper and the other officers march back into the station, and set our box of weapons and shit in front of us on the table. I look up nervous, only to be met with pointed looks in their eyes.

"What is this?" Joyce asks, looking in the box first.

"Why don't you ask your son?" Hopper says, staring at Jonathan, "We found it in his car."

"What?" Joyce says shocked.

"Why are you going through my car?" Jonathan mumbles annoyed.

"Is that really the question you should be asking right now?" Hopper asks, leaning down with a threatening look, "I wanna see you in my office.

"You won't believe me." Jonathan replies instantly.

"Why don't you give me a try." Hopper responds firmly.

The three of us make our way to Hopper's office where he and Joyce are waiting patiently. Jonathan hands Hopper the paper we'd been looking at the funeral.

Sitting in my seat, I can't help but fiddle with my fingers, unable to sit still in the tense situation. I notice Jonathan is also nervously biting his nails, while beside him, Nancy sits calmly, her gaze firmly fixed on the chief.

"You say blood draws this thing?" Hopper finally says, looking up at us.

"We don't know." I say, "It's just a theory."

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

Jonathan, Nancy, and I sit patiently in Hopper's car, watching curiously as mysterious men enter Nancy's house. Coming back out, carrying boxes of items that they stuff into their own vehicles. With our bodies leaning out of the windows to get a good view of what's happening, I wonder what kind of things they're taking from that house. And if it could be related to the strange things that have been happening in the small town.

"I have to go home." Nancy says to Hopper as she steps out of the car desperately.

"No, you can't." Hopper replies, eyes still searching the scene in front of us with binoculars in hand.

"My mom... my dad are there." Nancy says firmly at the chief, clearly worried for her family.

"They're gonna be okay." Hopper responds simply bringing his binoculars down from his face.

Nancy starts walking towards her home, determination on her face, before Hopper grabs her arm.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey." He says to the girl.

"Let go." Nancy says attempting to shrug his hand off, "Let go!" She yells this time.

"Hey! Listen to me. Listen to me," Hopper says, turning Nancy towards him, "The last thing in the world we need is them knowing you're mixed up in all this." He's referring to her parents.

"Mike is over there—" Nancy gestures towards her house frantically.

"They haven't found him." Hopper replies, "Not yet, at least." He finishes, pointing to the helicopter flying in the sky.

"For Mike?" Nancy asks, her mouth wide open, in complete shock.

"Come on, get in the car." Hopper says, dragging her back to his car.

The two hop back into the car beside, Joyce, Jonathan and I, shutting the doors behind them.

"Look, we need to find them before they do." Hopper states, turning to us in the backseats, "Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" He asks.

"No, I don't." Nancy responds.

"I need you to think." Hopper says sharply.

"I don't know," Nancy responds again, "We haven't talked a lot, I mean lately..." She explains.

"Uh, I don't know where they are." I pipe in quietly from my spot beside Jonathan, making everyone turn toward me, "But I know how we can find out."

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

Hopper, in record time, drives us to the Byer's home, where we hop out and run into the house. I immediately grab the radio flipping it on before speaking into it.

"Dustin? Mike? Guys? It's (Y/n), I need you guys to pick up. This is a code red. Please, pick up." I say quickly into the walkie-talkie, before Nancy snatches it from my hand.

"Mike? Are you there, Mike?" She says repeatedly into the mic, "Mike, it's me Nancy." I grab it back from her.

"Dustin, if you're there, we need you to answer." I say firmly, "This is an emergency, I repeat, an emergency." I say again before Hopper yanks the radio from my hand, bringing it up to his mouth.

"Listen kid, this is the chief. If you're there, pick up. We know you're in trouble and we know about the girl." He explains to the boys on the other end, "We can protect you, we can help you, but you gotta pick up. Are you there? Do you copy? Over."

The radio goes silent and Hopper sets the radio down on the table with a sigh.

"Anybody got any other ideas." Hopper asks, facing the group and we all look around unsure what to do.

"Yeah, I copy." We all hear through the radio, "It's Mike. I'm here. We're here."

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

We all sit in silence, nervously awaiting the arrival of the boys at the Byer's house. Unable to contain my anxiety, I bite my fingernails and bounce my legs restlessly. We strain our ears, as the minutes tick by, for even the slightest sound from outside. Finally, the sound of a car pulling up catches our attention, and we all stand up in one smooth motion. We rush out of the door to greet the arriving kids.

"Holy shit, Dust." I say quickly walking towards my brother as he gets out of the car, "I'm so glad you're okay." I immediately wrap my arms around him, squeezing him tight, letting out a relieved sigh.

Dustin reciprocates my hug, before I let him go. I notice Lucas and El behind us and rush over to give them hugs too. Lucas graciously accepts it while Eleven is a bit more hesitant but still manages to hug me. All the while Nancy is busy hugging a shocked looking Mike in front of us.

Nancy holds Mike's shoulders and looks back at El with a confused look on her face, "Is that my dress?"

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

"Okay, so in this example, we're the acrobat. Will and Barbra, and that monster, they're this flea." Mike explains to us, shaking us a drawing as we sit on the couch, "And this is the upside down, where Will is hiding. Mr. Clarke said the only way to get there is through a rip of time and space."

"A gate." Dustin states plainly.

"That we tracked to Hawkins Lab." Lucas adds.

"With our compasses." My brother says and we look at him confused.

"Wait, so the gate has a really strong electromagnetic field and that can basically change the directions of a compass needle...?" I say, trying to figure out what he's saying.

"Yeah, exactly," Dustin says happy to know someone else understands.

"Is this gate underground?" Hopper asks, leaning on the armrest of the chair.

"Yes." Eleven says simply, making us turn our heads in her direction.

"Near a large water tank?" Hopper asks the girl.

She nods, "Yes."

"How do you know all that?" Dustin asks Hopper confused.

"He's seen it." Mike realizes.

"Is there anyway that you could... that you could reach Will?" Joyce leans forward, desperate to find her son, "That you could talk to him in this—"

"The upside down." El finishes.

"Down. Yeah." Joyce whispers. Eleven nods in confirmation that she can find the boy we've all been searching for.

"And our friend Barbra?" Nancy asks hopefully, gesturing between me and her, "Can you find her too?"

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

Setting the radio down, we turn it on, letting the static run, and place it by Eleven who sits at the end of the table. With everyone gathering around her, we turn off all the lights, leaving only the one directly above her. El closes her eyes and seems to be in some sort of trance, as we all anxiously wait for her to locate Will and Barbra by using her powers.

The light above the table flickers before El opens her eyes, "I'm sorry," She whispers sadly.

"W-What? What's wrong? What happened?" Joyce questions worriedly.

"I can't find them." Eleven says, tears forming in her eyes.

"Hey, it's okay." I say ushering the girl to the nearby bathroom, "I'll wait out here, okay?" She nods, before I walk back over to the group.

"Whenever she uses her powers, she gets weak." Mike explains.

"The more energy she uses, the more tired she gets." Dustin adds.

"Like she flipped the van earlier." Lucas says, and I stare at him with wide eyes.

"She flipped a van?" I ask proud of the girl.

"Yeah, it was awesome," My brother says excitedly.

"But she's drained." Mike continues, explaining to the rest of us.

"Like a bad battery." Dustin adds again.

"Well... How do we make her better?" Joyce stammers, trying to find a solution to our problem.

"We don't," Mike says, "We just have to wait and try again."

"Well, how long?" Nancy asks her brother.

"Yeah, we can't wait much longer." I say, thinking about even the possibility of Will and Barbra not making it out alive.

"I don't know." Mike says softly, looking down.

"The bath." Eleven whispers after emerging from the bathroom.

"What?" Joyce asks as we all turn to the girl.

"I can find them," El explains softly as we all look at each other in confusion.

"In the bath."

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

"Mr. Clarke? It's Dustin." My brother says into the phone after his teacher picks up.

We're now gathered around the telephone hanging on the wall, as Dustin calls his science teacher at ten o'clock at night.

"Yeah, yeah, I just I... I have a science question." Dustin stammers.

I look around nervously biting my lip, only to be met with everyone's gaze to be fixed on my brother in front of us.

"Do you know anything about sensory deprivation tanks?" Dustin asks simply, getting straight to the point, "Specifically how to build one?"

"You always say we should never stop being curious. To always open any curiosity door we find," Dustin explains to his teacher with urgency, "Why are you keeping this curiosity door locked?"

With a gesture from Dustin and the snapping of his fingers, I quickly locate the nearest notepad and pencil, grabbing them and handing them to my brother. He sits down in a chair, still pressing the phone to his ear as he rapidly writes down information that Mr. Clarke is telling him.

"Uh-huh. Uh-huh, how much? Uh-huh. Yep, alright. Yeah, we'll be careful. Definitely. Alright, Mr. Clarke. Yeah, I'll see you on Monday. I'll see you on Monday, Mr. Clarke. Bye." Dustin finishes before abruptly hanging up on his poor oblivious teacher.

Dustin points the pencil in his hand directly at Joyce, "Do you still have that kiddie pool we bobbed for apples in?"

"I think so, yeah." Joyce replies confused.

"Yeah." Jonathan confirms quietly.

"Good. Then we just need salt. Lots of it." My brother says.

"How much is "lots"?" Hopper asks the boy.

Dustin looks down at his paper before replying, "1500 pounds."

"Holy shit." I breath out, looking around at the group's shocked faces before continuing.

"Where the hell are we going to get that much salt?"

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

Turns out, the school has lots of salt.

We pull up to the school all shoved into two cars, before getting to work.

Everyone splits up to get the job done as quickly as possible. Mike, Dustin and Lucas go to set up the kiddie pool, while Jonathan and Hopper go find the salt. Joyce and Eleven look for a cover for her eyes, and Nancy and I head for a shed, with the intention of grabbing hoses to fill the pool.

"Hey (Y/n)?" Nancy asks hesitantly as we haul the hoses and supplies back to the school.

"Hm?" I say, not turning my attention away from the walk ahead of us.

"Do you... do you think Steve is an asshole for what he did?" She asks finally, turning her head towards me.

I scoff as we approach the school and begin the process of screwing in the hoses, getting them started as they fill up the pool.

"He's been a real asshole lately, Nance." I say, glancing towards her, "I don't even get why you're still with him.”

"But you like him." She states simply.

"W-What?" I reply, heat rising to my cheeks, "No."

"Don't lie (Y/n), I see the way you look at him." She looks at me with a soft smile, "I've always been jealous..." She admits, glancing at me sheepishly.

"Colder!!" We hear Lucas yell from the gymnasium and I turn the knob to the cold side before responding to Nancy.

"What, why?"

Seeing my confusion, Nancy sighs before explaining, "Because Steve talks about you like you're his whole world. Everywhere we are, he looks for you. Every time someone walks into the room, he not so subtly glances up, hoping to see your face.

"Warmer!!" Lucas yells.

I turn the knob.

"He's so infatuated by you and you don't even notice." Nancy finishes with a sigh, "He might not even know himself, but you two are so oblivious in lo—"

"No. No, we're not, Nance." I cut her off sharply, "He loves you."

"Right there!!" Lucas yells finally confirming we've found the right spot.

"But Jonathan..." Nancy mumbles to herself, clearly not meaning for me to hear.

"You like Jonathan?" I ask, a soft smile making it's way to my face. As we make our way into the gym.

"What?" Nancy blushes slightly, "No, it's not like that. We're just friends." She explains quickly.

"Now, where have I heard that one before?" I ask with a small smirk as we approach the bath and all becomes serious.

We all watch in silence as Eleven strips off her green and yellow socks and hands Mike's watch back to him.

She looks nervous.

I walk over to her, placing my hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, you're a brave girl," I whisper, rubbing her shoulder reassuringly and she nods with a smile, "You got this."

She then places the duck-taped goggles over her face and sighs before Hopper and a Joyce guide her into the pool.

Here goes nothing.

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