#i went up to the customer service people and went 'hey uh. this??' and the girl wejt 'HUH'

[altruistic-meme]

found the most bizarre printing error that i had never in my life seen before now and apparently neither had anyone at the bookstore because i showed it to them and they were losing their minds over it!!

our best guess is that the roll they were printing on reached the end of the roll?? or something along those lines??

but i got a very unique copy of Moby Dick for 50% off because of it so :)

[send4venus]

𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐱 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫!𝐄.𝐖

a/n : so just wanna say this is my first time writing in a while so i hope its somewhat decent, i’ve noticed the tlou community on tumblr has thinned out quite a bit so im kinda just grasping at straws here but for those who do decide to read thank you and i hope you like it even though its very short and poorly written 🤍

warnings: none i think? not proofread

𖦹 you’d worked at the bar for almost half a year now, being a sophomore in college who lives out of state you needed the extra money and your friend had started working at ‘ cherry bomb ‘ a few months before you did

𖦹 you made decent money hourly, but with usually working Fridays as its the only day that works the best paired with shirts that show just enough cleavage to make amazing tips as well as the vibes of the small little local dive bar made it more enjoyable than most would expect

𖦹 you didn’t notice her at first as it was a particularly busy night. it was just you and your coworker Clint working the bar so your mind was filled to the brim with drink orders and strange pickup lines from old dudes.

𖦹 she noticed you almost immediately however

𖦹 it was her first time at this specific bar or a real bar in general, dina and jesse had dragged her along saying she needed to get laid and be a normal human being for once but of course they coupled up and went straight to the dance floor

𖦹 she rolled her eyes, instinctively knowing she wasn’t going to have a fun night she went up to the bar to sip on a glass of whiskey until dina and jesse wore themselves out, somehow finding an empty stool, she saw you pacing back and forth, pouring and mixing different concoctions and putting them in front of their designated orderers, all while smiling and providing great customer service, being sure to push out your chest for the rich old douchebags who think they might get lucky by tipping well and writing their number on a napkin after making lewd comments about every women in their line of sight.

𖦹 finally, after being so distracted with all of the drink orders and tabs being opened and closed, Clint taps you on your shoulder as you close out a customer “hey, can you take this chicks order, shes sitting on my side of the bar but like 6 people just walked in”. you sigh before begrudgingly saying yes and go over to his side of the bar to see, a drop dead gorgeous auburn haired woman right around your age who is setting off gaydar.

𖦹 when you approach her and introduce yourself her throat goes dry and immediately forgets how to act like a human being. she cant even hear the words coming out of your mouth, yet she loves the way they sound and she especially loves the view your shirt gives her. you have to ask if shes alright to get her out of her haze and when she snaps her head up and stumbles over her words trying to save this extremely awkward social predicament, you cant help but let out a light chuckle which causes her to mutter out a small ‘sorry..’ as her face turns red

“its okay honey, just tell me what you need and ill have it over here as quick as possible”

“uhm.. can you just make a uh whiskey? or well i guess you guys dont really make the whiskey huh hahah..”

𖦹 she stopped trying to make small talk after that despite wanting to hear more of your sweet voice but decided watching you from afar gave off a better vibe.

𖦹 eventually, people started to dissipate and more stools became empty and soon enough dina and jesse were tapping her on the shoulder telling her they were ready to leave and just ordered the uber. she let them know she still had to pay and close out and with the uber still a decent 10 minutes away they opted to wait outside while she did so. she called you over to ask if she can close out her tab and pay, even though she barely drank half of her whiskey.

𖦹 you smiled at her before walking away and coming back with her receipt and her credit card, as she signed it and left a tip that was more than her drink, she handed it back to you to which you saw the tip and thanked her dearly for leaving you so much money before retreating to the back room where you but before she could leave she noticed a napkin in front of her, a napkin that had a phone number written on it with a note reading ‘ don’t be shy, call me ❤️’ .

turns out rich guys do get lucky.

[atthedugouts]

Zoo Day

Mickey scrunches up his face at the smells of the zoo. He doesn’t understand why people enjoy coming here. It all smells like shit and wet dog. But once Svetlana heard that the Lincoln Park Zoo was free she declared that Sunday would be a family day with mandatory attendance. Mickey knows at this point that he has to pick his battles wisely with his wife, he’s hoping that if he plays along with this dumb family day then he can leverage it as a way to get out of fixing the front porch that Svetlana has been nagging him about. Ian didn’t need any convincing, right as Svetlana brought up the zoo Ian jumped up to start making the sandwiches they would bring for lunch. Mickey had to stop his boyfriend reminding him that Sunday was three days away.

Sunday had arrived and now Mickey was staring at a monkey taking the longest piss he’s ever seen. The monkey kind of looked like Iggy, he took a video to send to the sibling group chat.

Mickey followed his family as they went from exhibit to exhibit. Ian read aloud all the animal facts to Yevgeny and Svetlana. Yev asked a bunch of stupid questions and Mickey did not understand how Ian had the patiences to answer all of them.

“Can it fly?”

“No buddy, ostriches can’t fly.”

“Why not?”

“Because they use their long legs to run really fast.”

“Why do they have wings?” 

“Uh, to cool themselves when they get hot.”

“Oh,” Yevgeny said, nodding his head.

“You know you could just say you don’t know,” Mickey tells Ian. “The kid ain’t going to be upset if you don’t know every animal fact.”

Ian shrugs his shoulders. “I like seeing him smile.”

When the four of them were eating their PB&Js at a picnic table Mickey witnessed another father with a bag with the zoo logo. The father proudly reaches into the bag and pulls out a stuffed lion. Mickey felt a little pain in his stomach. He didn’t have money to surprise Yevgeny with a souvenir.

“I wanted a tiger!” the little boy shouts.

“Uh, ungrateful child,” Svetlana scolds. Apparently Mickey wasn’t the only one watching this family.

“Sorry buddy,” the dad apologizes. “All they had were lions.”

“That’s very nice of your dad, right?” the mother tries to calm the child with his very loud public tantrum.

“I wanted tiger!”

“I know buddy, but the zoo store didn’t have any,” the dad looked like he was about to cry. Fucking North siders spoil their children so much that the parents lose all control of the hierarchy in the family structure. The brat doesn’t deserve the dumb stuffed animal.

“Come on,” the mother pleads. “Take the lion and I’ll buy you cotton candy.”

“Fine,” the spoiled child relents. He takes the lion from his dad and they head off to buy cotton candy. Once the parents weren’t looking, the kid dropped the stuffed animal in a bush.

“Don’t grow up to have attitude like that,” Svetlana tells Yevgeny. 

“OK mama,” Yev says.

They finished up their lunch and started to head to the bears. As they pass the bush with the discarded lion Mickey overhears two zoo employees.

“Hey, there’s a lost lion in here,” one says, reaching for the stuffed animal.

“Go take it to lost and found at customer service, I’ll let our lead know where you are,” the other says.

Mickey gets an idea that he can’t shake. He turns to Ian. “I’m gonna head to the parking lot for a smoke.”

“OK,” Ian says. “Text me when you’re done and I’ll let you know where we are.”

“Sure thing mom,” Mickey says, rolling his eyes.

He met up with them at the penguins. Mickey did go to the parking lot for a smoke but on his way back in he stopped by the lost and found to inquire about a lost stuffed lion.

“Hey little man guess what?” Mickey says when he meets up with his family again.

“A lion!” Yevgeny beams at the surprise. He jumps up and takes the lion Mickey has holding out for him. Yev then hugs Mickey in the tightest hug that his little five year old body could muster up. “Thank you dad!”

“Sure thing,” Mickey says, unable to hide his smile.

“You bought toy?” Svetlana says. Mickey can tell that she’s trying not to sound angry in front of Yev in public. Trying to not to be like the other family that she just talked bad about.

“Naw, it was free,” Mickey clarifies.

“Did you steal from that North side kid?” Ian accuses.

“You think I stole from a kid?” Mickey says, raising his eyebrows.

Ian responded by giving his signature chin look.

“Fuck you,” Mickey says. “The toy was lost and I went and found it. No rule saying I had to give it back to that brat. ‘Sides, Yevgeny deserves it more. That Richy fucking Rich propably has a whole room of stuffed animals.”

Ian’s face turns soft as he smiles at Mickey warmly.

“You’re a good dad,” Ian says.

“Shut up.”

“No , it’s true. When I was Yevy’s age Frank took us to the zoo and tried to put me in the gorilla enclosure. I think he was trying to scam the zoo into a lawsuit but instead got us all banned.”

“What are you going to name him?” Svetlana asks.

“Lincoln!” Yevgeny shares.

“Clever,” Mickey says half heartedly. “Come on little man, let’s see the giraffes.”

“Why do giraffes have long necks?” Yevgeny asks.

“Don’t know, but I’m sure Ian will think of the answer once we get there.”

[cielcreations]

Ending 5: Made With Love (Dead Plate)

Trigger Warning: Cannibalism at the very end. Also a bit of mature content. Nothing too graphic, just grinding, but it's still there so if you don't like, ignore.

"Oh, wow, you actually showed up for training." The man said in a deep, gruff voice.

"On time, too!" The energetic man smiled.

"Barely." He sighed, putting one hand on his hips, "This is a highly sought after position, Rody. Be grateful you're even getting the benefit of being told how to do your job. Your resume showed many... many jobs in the service industry, so I assume you already have this down." He sighed again, "Though, I am choosing to ignore the rate at which you got new positions."

"Hey! Having 28 service industry jobs over the course of seven years is pretty impressive when you think about it, Vincent!" Rody smiled sheepishly.

"And even less impressive when you think about it for five more seconds." The chef groaned, crossing his arms over his chest, "But with those jobs, you likely already know how to seat customers. Keep in mind how many people are dining. You don't want a large group crowding around a private area. Once they're ready, they'll put their menu down and you'll go check on them."

Rody grabbed a menu, reading through it, "'What we're serving today?'" He read aloud, questioning.

"Yes, patrons don't pick what they eat, instead we have a strict menu that changes daily." Vincent narrowed his eyes, "You would know that if you read the interview."

"I, uh, skimmed it..."

"Hm." The chef hummed, unimpressed, "Once you have their meal ticket, bring it to the marker between the window and the door, that'll send it to the kitchen. The cooks will start working on whatever order you have right away, but keep in mind they prioritize cooking the dessert, side, meal, and appetizer. In that order. Do not pester or distract any of the cooks if it's taking too long. Once the order is ready, you'll find it at the window to then serve to the customers. They'll ask for more after their appetizer, so do not make them wait too long. Once they're ready for the bill, go behind the counter to check them out. Once they're done with their meal, make sure to clean their table. I don't want guests thinking we leave messes out in the open. The garbage is in the kitchen, right next to the back door. Take the trash and bring it out to the alley behind the kitchen to throw it out."

"Got it!" Rody nodded, taking it all in.

Vincent then took a menu and handed it to the redhead, "Here's a menu. Make sure to study it. Now that you know the basics, make sure you do a good job. I don't want our customers thinking we're anything less than professional."

"But, I'm not-"

"Exactly." Vincent waved him off, "If you need me, I'll be in the back. Good luck."

With Vincent in the back, Rody cleaned off the tables and began his shift. He made sure to seat and smile at the customers, taking their orders and sending it off to the chefs like it was nothing. He cleaned and bused the tables, making sure to take out the trash when needed. He mainly kept his head down the first day, that way he wouldn't get in any trouble and Vincent wouldn't feel the need to either yell or fire him for messing up.

He finished cleaning the last table, washing the dishes, and taking out the trash one last time.

"Rody." Vincent called.

The redhead stiffened a bit but turned around, "Yes?"

Vincent held out a plate, "Green Onion Rolls."

Rody stared at the plate, "...What about them?"

The chef sighed, "Take them home. We had leftovers, the food is for you."

"Really?!" Rody exclaimed excitedly, smiling, "Thank you! Do we have a to-go box or something?"

Vincent looked around. He took an empty box and slid the plate inside it, "It's not a to-go box, but it will make do."

The redhead smiled at the chef, "Thank you, Vince!"

He then went back to his apartment. Once inside, he sat on the couch, reaching for the phone. He dialed her number, waiting. When all he got was the phone ringing, he sighed. Guess she's busy. He thought. He opened his box and stood up, walking to the utensils drawer. He took out a fork, eating the Green Onion Rolls.

"Wow!" Rody exclaimed, smiling brightly, "I'll have to thank Vince again, these are amazing!"

He ate them all and went to bed.

***

"Sorry I'm late..."

"'Sorry?'" Vincent repeated as he turned around, slowly looking up from his papers, "Sorry doesn't cut it, it's only your second day and you're already-" He stopped himself, eyes widening as he finally faced Rody, "-Why do you look like that?"

"I, uh, thought biking through the rain would dry me as I go..." Rody explained, standing on the porch as he squeezed the water out of his shirt, "Turns out? It soaks you faster."

Vincent took a deep breath. He grabbed Rody's wrist, dragging him inside and to his office.

"Sit." Vincent demanded, the redhead doing so. The chef took out two towels, wrapping one around Rody's shoulders, using a smaller towel to begin to dry off his hair, "Dry off. You can't be seen by customers looking like this."

Rody hugged the towel more around his body as Vincent continued to dry off his hair.

"You do know umbrellas exist for a reason, yes?"

"I don't own one!"

The chef widened his eyes, pausing his movements. He seemed to process the words before continuing to help dry him off, lowering the towel to the back of his neck, "I'll give you mine for the ride back. Make sure this doesn't happen again."

"Oh, uh, thanks! But-" The redhead tilted his head back to look up at Vincent, "-how are you gonna be getting home without it?"

"I live here."

"...Like, in the restaurant or-?"

"My apartment is upstairs." He pushed Rody's head down, continuing to dry it.

"Oh." The redhead blinked, "That makes a lot more sense now."

"Is there a problem." Vincent asked, the last word a bit harsher than the rest.

"Nah, it's just... isn't that worrying?" Rody looked up again, "Like, if something happens to the building, it's all gonna be gone."

Vincent dropped the towel on his face, earning a squeak, "If you have enough time to talk nonsense, then you're ready for work."

Rody laughed and moved the towel off his face. He quickly dried the last little bits of his hair and smiled at the chef, "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. It's only appropriate. I can't have customers thinking I find that acceptable."

The redhead nodded and folded the towels, placing them on Vincent's desk, "Well, still, thank you."

He walked out of the office and readied himself for work before seating the first people who walked in. He seated everyone, took their orders, served them, cleaned the tables, and checked people out, being able to balance it out very easily. Eventually, when everyone had left, he took out the trash, throwing it away in the back alley before coming back inside. He saw Vincent, staring at the chefs, walking over.

"Hey, Vince, can I ask you something?"

"It's Chef." Vincent corrected.

"Right, uh, Chef, can I ask you something?" Rody once again questioned.

"I doubt you have this much free time to be asking me so many questions, on your second day, no less."

Rody ignored his quip, "Why do you just stand back here?"

"My job is to observe and monitor the chefs. They are to cook my dishes to perfection. If they are to even slightly stray from the way I would cook, I must step in." 

"No wonder your food is so good!" The redhead smiled brightly.

Vincent didn't say anything, merely raising an eyebrow.

"Your food was delicious! I've never tasted something so good! It filled me up and made me crave for more!" The redhead giggled, "No wonder you're an amazing chef, your food makes me feel warm inside!"

A light pink dusted the chef's cheeks as he looked away, "...Get back to work, Rody."

The redhead giggled and nodded, going back out to the dining room. He continued on with his work, seating people and taking their orders once more. After another few hours, his shift ended. He finished cleaning what he needed to and got ready to leave.

"Rody, wait." The redhead turned. Vincent walked over, offering his umbrella as well as a small box, "Inside is Blueberry Crepes. You said you liked the food I made, and there was extra. Here."

The redhead smiled brightly, "Awesome! Thank you, Vince!"

Vincent merely nodded in response. With the chef's umbrella and the food in his hand, Rody went home. Once he got back to his apartment, he once again sat on the couch, looking at the phone. This time, he was a bit hesitant with calling her. However, she once again didn't answer. Guess she's still busy. Rody thought. He changed into his pajamas before sitting on the couch to eat the crepes. He hummed, smiling brightly. They were so fluffy and light, making him smile as he ate the entire plate.

Vincent is such an amazing chef. He thought, smiling slightly, ...So considerate too...

He put the dirty dishes in the sink before laying on the couch to fall asleep.

***

The shift started out normal. He seated who needed to be seated, took the orders to the kitchen, served the food, checked them out, and bussed tables. He was beginning to make very decent tips and was extremely upbeat and happy with his progress. Eventually the trash got full and he had to take it out-

"Ow!" Rody exclaimed, looking at his hand, dropping the bag, "C-Crap-"

"Rody."

The redhead turned, facing Vincent, who was staring at him. He turned panic, "I-I'm sorry! T-There's something i-in the trash!" He looked at his hand, "I-I think it m-may have ripped the b-bag open w-when I dropped it a-a-and-"

"Rody." The chef repeated, taking a step forward.

Blood spilled from his palm, a large cut on it, "I-It cut me! I-I swear, I didn't throw a-anything I-I wasn't suppose to, I-I'll clean it up-"

"You don't need to worry about that. Let me see." Vincent said gently, face remaining calm. He gently took Rody's wrist in one hand, spreading his fingers with the other to see the damage of the wound, "It's a shallow cut, nothing too serious."

"I-I'm sorry-"

"Hush, Rody. This way."

"But the mess-"

"I said you don't have to worry about that. Someone else will clean it." Vincent turned to face the chefs, two immediately jumping to do so. He then led Rody into his office, sitting him in a chair as he carefully applied ointment to the redhead's hand, "You can't be serving customers with this."

"I-I'm really sorry." Rody looked down as Vincent wrapped his hand.

"Accidents happen. It's alright."

"Am I fired?"

"Was this intentional?"

"N-No, of course not-"

"Then there's no reason to be fired." The chef reassured, "Is that why you got freaked out?"

The redhead remained silent.

"Your silence speaks volumes." Vincent stood up, "Stay here for a moment. Collect yourself."

"I-I can-"

"Rody, I'm not asking." The chef interrupted, "You are a little shaken up. That is fine. I can handle the customers for a few minutes. In the meantime, collect yourself. It's alright."

Rody stared at the man before smiling gratefully, "T-Thank you."

Vincent nodded in response. He walked out of his office and Rody sat for a few minutes, calming himself down from his panic attack. When he felt he had calmed down enough, he left the office. He went out to the floor, where Vincent had just finished giving an order to the kitchen.

"I'll tag in!" Rody exclaimed, offering a high five.

The chef rolled his eyes, but let out a small chuckle, gently tapping his hand against the redhead's, "Good. You're feeling better. I'm terrible with customers."

"Never would have guessed." He said sarcastically.

Vincent chuckled once more before disappearing into the kitchen. Rody finished his shift and cleaned everything up. Once he was sure everything was ready for tomorrow, he went into the kitchen to bid his goodbyes. Vincent gave him a plate of Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp, Rody thanking his profusely. He went home once more, sitting on the couch. He stared at the phone for a minute.

Should I call her? Rody thought. He hesitated but did. He dialed in her number and, with every passing digit, he couldn't help but hope she... wouldn't answer. He didn't want her too, which felt odd when a few days ago, he would have begged her to answer his calls. When she didn't pick up, he sort of sighed in relief. She must be busy. He sat back into the couch, taking a bite of the pasta.

Rody smiled brightly, eating the entire portion, "Man, I totally have to get something to properly thank Vince for all this delicious food!"

He watched a little TV before falling asleep.

***

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

Rody wasn't sure what he walked in on. He was working his shift and was bringing in some dirty dishes to take out the trash when he saw Vincent standing in front of another cook, glaring with such hate and malice.

"I-I apologize, Chef-"

"A 'sorry' doesn't fucking cut it, now does it?" Vincent hissed, accenting his words.

Rody shut the door behind him, not wanting customers to hear as he watched the scene.

"Do you think a dish like that is at all acceptable in my kitchen?!" Vincent gestured to the plate.

"N-No, Chef-"

"Then why did you make it?!"

"I-I don't know, Chef, I m-must've-"

"'You don't know?!'" Vincent raised his voice, his burning hate becoming more pronounced in his voice.

"I-It must've slipped my mind, Chef!" The cook managed to squeak out, "S-Some flour had been left near the stove and I-I didn't want to get burnt-"

Vincent put the man's hands behind his back. One of the Chef's hand held the cook's arms in place as the other grabbed the man by the back of his hair. He then shoved the man's face towards the burner stove, keeping it out of reach of the flames, the man squeaking, Rody gasping.

"Don't back talk me in my own fucking kitchen, you damn pig." Vincent growled, "If you plan on being a semi-decent cook, you have no conceivable reason to be scared of something like a stove. If you get burnt, you keep cooking. If you can't follow simple safety regulations, it'd be your own damn fault."

The cook gulped, whispering out, "Y-Yes, Chef."

"I can't hear you."

"Y-YES, CHEF!" The cook yelled.

Vincent hummed. He lifted the man back up and let go, "Get the hell back to work." He demanded before turning. His eyes met Rody, the redhead staring with... awe.

Vincent walked to the back corner of the room to once again watch the cooks, Rody moving to stand beside him, "What? Are you going to tell me how what I did was wrong?"

"Are you single?"

"P-Pardon?!" Vincent exclaimed, his composure breaking. He coughed into his hand, quickly regaining it, "W-Why do you ask?"

Rody giggled, smirking, "Was wondering if that's how you treat your lady~!"

"I-I beg your pardon?!" Vincent's composure broke once more, his face turning bright red.

The redhead laughed before he waved his hand around, "I'm teasing, I'm teasing!" He giggled, "I mainly ask because I wanted to know a bit more about you! You must be a ladies man, right? With owning your own restaurant and all?"

"I-I suppose I am..." Vincent cringed.

"So, do you plan to settle down? Maybe have a wife and some kids, hire a manager to run the place?"

"...This is me settling down. I do this for myself."

"You still didn't answer my question."

"What?"

"Are you single?" Rody hummed, smiling.

"...Yes, I am." Vincent admitted, "And no, I don't wish to have a wife."

Rody widened his eyes a bit, "...You bi or something?"

"If you must know, I label myself as gay." Vincent blushed, "Are you satisfied with knowing my nonexistent love life?"

"Yep!" Rody stood in front of Vincent, winking as he smiled slyly, "Cause now I know I might have a chance!"

Before Vincent could respond, the redhead quickly moved to clean his dishes and get back to work. He finished his shift and went to the kitchen. Vincent had a proper to-go box ready for him, the Chef giving it to him and turning away, face still a light shade of red. Rody giggled, winking once more before leaving. He got home and opened the to-go box.

Strawberry Shortcake.

The redhead happily ate the food before turning on the TV. He then grabbed a magazine that was dropped off with the daily newspaper. He browsed through it and looked at all the ads before he widened his eyes. Oh, that's it! That's what I need! He thought. Rody shut the TV off, grabbed a marker, and circled it before laying down on the couch.

He looked at the phone. He reached out before stopping himself, shaking his hand as he closed his eyes.

She's probably busy, and I don't care. Rody thought, falling asleep.

***

The next two days were uneventful in terms of work. Rody and Vincent continued to talk between shifts when they could, the redhead smiling every time and standing a bit closer each time they did talk. Vincent didn't seem to mind. In fact, his stiff posture was loosened as they talked. His shoulders would slump, he wouldn't look so stern. He still tried to maintain a blank face, but he couldn't help the occasional smile that fell on his lips. Rody was sent home with a Croque Madame and a Lemon Tart the previous two days, which he ate and made sure to praise Vincent for.

However, the third day, Rody went into the kitchen and Vincent wasn't there to give him a plate of food. In fact, Vincent wasn't there, period. He looked around, even knocked on his office door. The Chef just wasn't there. He sighed. Granted, he wasn't owed any food, but he did appreciate the food and he did want it, simply because he loved Vincent's cooking.

No matter, he went home and got changed, beginning to think of what to order offline. However, the phone started to ring.

Rody answered, "Hello?"

"Rody?" The deep voice on the other sighed asked.

"A-Ah, Vince!" The redhead cleared his throat, smiling, "Hi! What's up?"

"Are you free tonight?" Vincent asked.

"Huh?" He blushed.

"I'm hosting a dinner party at my apartment and was checking if you're available."

Oh, that's what you meant. Rody thought, frowning a bit, "Yes, I am..."

"Good. Be here in the next few minutes. Oh, and, I..." Vincent trailed off.

"Vince?"

"I apologize."

"For what?"

"I... I disappeared before you came into the kitchen and I wasn't able to give you a plate of food. I apologize."

Rody smiled, He remembered? "It's fine Vince-"

"No, it isn't. I... I like cooking for you."

The redhead blushed, "...Well, I like eating your food."

"Good, you'll have plenty of it tonight."

Vincent hung up and Rody chuckled. He put the phone down changing to a more casual outfit before going back to the restaurant. Vincent was waiting outside, the chef holding out his hand to the redhead. Rody was confused and placed his hand on the Chef's. The man gently intertwined their fingers and led Rody inside the restaurant. The redhead blushed as he was pulled along up the stairs and to Vincent's home.

"Wow, this place looks..." Rody took everything in, from the bright red couches and loveseats, to the triangle coffee table, to the cow hide rug they stood on. He smiled awkwardly, "No offense, but stick to being a chef."

"Excuse me?"

"Wait, I thought you said this was a dinner party?" Rody changed the subject, "Where are the other people?"

"They will arrive shortly. I-" Vincent looked away, "-wanted you to get here first..."

Rody blushed. Vincent led him to the couch and had him sit before leaving to the kitchen to grab some plates. When the Chef returned, he was balancing three plates; a plate of escargots, a cheese plater, and deviled eggs. Rody smiled brightly and happily took a couple of eggs and a bit of cheese, smiling brightly as he ate. Vincent smiled softly as he watched other.

"Your food is so good!" Rody smiled brightly, "I could eat it forever!"

Vincent smiled, "I'm glad."

Before they could continue, the doorbell rang. Vincent sighed before he stood up, going to the door. He allowed the people in, Rody watching as the people came in. He stood up, the people coming in and beginning to mingle. The redhead, feeling nervous and out of place, moved to stand in the corner as Vincent left to get some wine and champagne for everyone. The redhead stood to the corner, looking over the rewards Vincent had gotten.

"Is that-? Hey, Rody!"

The redhead turned around. A tan man with dark brown hair walked over, smiling brightly.

"Uh...?"

"It's me, Richard!"

Rody stared.

"From econ? College? You were majoring in hospitality, right?" The man offered.

"Oh, y-yeah, hey!" Rody exclaimed, "S-Sorry, college is kinda... fuzzy, I guess?"

"I stopped seeing you after awhile, did you switch majors?"

Rody stiffened a bit, before smiled awkwardly, "You must be thinking of someone else."

"Huh? No, it was definitely-"

"Not me. You're thinking of someone else."

"I could have sworn-"

"You're thinking of someone else." Rody hissed before stepping away, "I need to piss."

"Huh, wait, Rody-"

The redhead pushed passed the man, going into the kitchen. He went into the kitchen and then into the connecting hallway, walking down it. He pushed the door open and walked inside, closing it behind him. He leaned his back against it, sighing and shaking a bit. Rody took a deep breath and looked up before gasping.

"O-Oh, crap, this is not- wait..." Rody blinked, staring at the scene in front of him, "...This is Vincent's room... I wonder if I can find anything interesting!" He giggled.

The redhead looked around the room. At the back corner, there was a desk with some paperwork. It looked like it was for the restaurant, but the handwriting was barely eligible. He hummed before he looked at the typewriter, seeing Vincent must've been typing out recipes. The shelf beside the desk was filled with books and the Chef's diploma was resting on the top. He walked towards the bedside table, opening the drawer.

A key? Oh, the freezer key! He thought, putting it in his pocket. He closed the drawer and turned towards the window.

"Looking for anything specific?"

[TW: Mature part here. Again, it's just grinding, but still, don't like, don't read.]

"AH!" Rody turned around, seeing Vincent, "Ah! Vincent, you scared me!"

"You didn't answer my question."

"I-I, um, was looking for the bathroom?" Rody smiled awkwardly, shrugging.

"Uh huh?" Vincent stepped closer, Rody stepping towards the window, "And when you realized this wasn't the bathroom, you didn't leave?"

"Well..." He trailed off, "Would you believe me if I said I had short term memory loss and got distracted?"

"Not a chance." The Chef chuckled, now in front of him.

Rody smiled, one hand dancing on Vincent's shoulder, "Would you believe me if I said I just wanted to get to know you on a more personal level?"

"That's more believable. But I would think you're crazy." Vincent placed his hands on the redhead's hips.

"Didn't you already know that?" Rody teased, leaning towards him as his arms wrapped around Vincent's neck.

Vincent leaned forward, gently pressing his lips to the other's forehead, then his ears, then his neck, "Yes, but I don't believe I know the extent."

Rody shivered as the Chef kissed and sucked at his neck, "W-Want to find out? H-How crazy I am?"

"More than you know." Vincent pushed his leg between Rody's.

The redhead moaned as he leaned into him. He glanced out the window and widened his eyes. He gently pushed Vincent back.

"Is something the matter? Did I-"

"S-Someone's out there."

[End of Mature part.]

Vincent stared at the redhead for a moment before looking out the window. He narrowed his eyes and sighed, looking at Rody, who stared at the shadow of the figure, "...Why don't you go home?"

"Oh, uh- w-wait, what about the party?" Rody looked at the other.

"It's over. It was more of a work related party. Marketing and such. You just made it more bearable." Vincent offered his hand, "Come, I'll see you out."

Rody blinked before he smiled, nodding, "S-Sorry about f-freaking out."

"It's only natural. I'll deal with it." Vincent reassured.

They walked to the front door of the restaurant, where Vincent stopped. He shut the door behind him as the two men stared at each other. Rody hesitantly leaned forward, Vincent following his lead. It was a small kiss, nothing to major, but it made the redhead's heart burst into butterflies as they kissed. When they pulled back, Rody smiled brightly and blushed at the Chef, who smiled softly back.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Rody."

"See you tomorrow, Vince."

***

Rody came into work the next day, heart racing, a smile as bright as the sun resting on his face, butterflies fluttering in his stomach and chest. He set up the tables and did all the cleaning he needed to before going into the kitchen. He didn't see Vincent anywhere. He walked to the Chef's office and knocked, hearing no response. He was confused before remembering the freezer key in his pocket. He was curious as to what's in it...

He opened the freezer door and walked inside. Rody looked around it, seeing blood. It wasn't too abnormal, it was from the animal meat.

At least, that was the assumption.

Rody saw something sparkle. He turned his head to the meat grinder. He blinked, walking towards it and picking up a golden locket. He widened his eyes, opening it to see...

Him.

Him and her.

Him and Manon.

"What..."

THUNK!

***

Rody fluttered his eyes open, confused. He was bound in ropes, laying on the freezer floor. He blinked and looked around, not bothering to struggle. His lip quivered as he curled into a ball. The door opened and he looked towards it. He managed to sit up, glaring at the Chef.

"Get away from me, don't come any closer, you-"

"Stop, stop." Vincent cooed as he cleaned a sharp looking knife, "Calm down, you don't have to be doing any of that."

"WAS IT ALL A LIE?!"

The Chef widened his eyes, staring down at Rody.

"All that flirting?! All that bonding?! I-I actually thought y-you liked me..." The redhead's tears began to fall, despite how hard he tried not to, "Y-You played me! I-If you were just g-going to kill me to get to Manon, w-why didn't you just do it?!"

"What are you talking about, Rody?!" Vincent yelled, swinging his knife down, "I was never going to kill you to get to her! I told you before, I have no interest in women! What would be the point?!"

Rody blinked, "...T-Then... why do you have the locket?"

"I forgot to throw it away after I killed her. A simple mistake, honestly." 

The redhead blinked again, "So then... the blood? The meat?"

"Was from her. I was going to make you a dish and-"

"Is it done?"

Vincent widened his eyes, staring down at Rody. The redhead stared up at him, green eyes wide in wonder and awe.

"Vince, is it done?"

"...Pardon?"

"I wanna taste it, is it done?! Please tell me it's done! I want it!" Rody smiled brightly, crawling forward, "Please!"

"You... want to taste it...?"

"Of course!" The redhead giggled, leaning into the Chef's legs, "It's your food! You're gonna cook her so well! I-Is it going to be smoked?! Grilled?! Boiled?! What sides are you going to serve with her?! Are you going to serve all of her?! Oh my fucking god, Vince, you have to tell me!"

Vincent knelt down, cupping Rody's cheeks, smirking deviously, "Are you that desperate to eat her?"

"No, it's not about the fact that it's made from Manon!" Rody leaned into the Chef's hand, smile manic, "It's the fact it's your food. I don't care what you cook for me, you could server me horse dong and I'd still eat it!"

"I would never serve you that-"

"The point is-" Rody interrupted, leaning forward, brushing their noses against one another, "-I will eat anything you make me. I want it. So bad. Your cooking makes me feel so warm. It makes me feel so good. I want it so bad, I need it. I need your cooking more than I need to breathe, please-"

Vincent shut the other up with a kiss. Rody moaned into it, kissing back as the Chef cut the ropes around him. The redhead wrapped his arms around Vincent's neck, moving to sit in his lap as he deepened the kiss. Vincent held Rody's hips as they pulled away, the redhead smiling brightly down at the chef.

"How are you going to cook her?" Rody asked, giggling.

Vincent cupped his cheek, "Let me surprise you."

***

[TW: Cannibalism part here. You don't miss out on a lot if you don't want to read.]

Rody sat on the bed, swinging his legs as he hummed a tune to himself. He waited patiently (okay, not patiently, but he still waited!), barely able to control his excitement. The doorknob twisted and he smiled brightly as the Chef walked in, a plate in his hand.

"Is it done?!"

"I wouldn't have brought it up if it wasn't." Vincent chuckled at the redhead's eagerness. He offered the plate, "Dinner is served, Coal-Fired Heart."

Rody smiled brightly, accepting the plate. He took his fork and knife, cutting into the meat. Once he had a small piece, he put it on his tongue, chewing slowly, savoring the food.

"Well?" Vincent cupped his cheek, rubbing his thumb across it.

Rody smiled brightly, genuinely, lovingly, "Amazing as always, Vince."

Vincent smiled, "I will cook for you for the rest of our days." He kissed Rody's forehead.

"I'm holding you to that." Rody giggled, taking another bite.

[starsomens]

Okay since you're asking, who am I to not give you some ideas?

So Id love to read something more drammatic if you feel confy. Like scenario: noah goes to the grocery with the kids and meets someone he knows like Davis or anyone else. Got distracted for 2 minutes and BAM. His baby girl is missing.

Classical moment in which a kid goes lost for 5 minutes but the parent freak out.

A/N: I think this formed more like a drable than anything else but enjoy!!

" 'kay princess ready to get groceries?" he asked as he unbuckles her seatbelt in her car seat. You were at home after a very stressful week, so he picked up the errand with your 5 year old daughter Eden. Usually when Noah comes food shopping it's on his own so he could surprise you with flowers, or your favorite snack.

He walks hand in hand with her through the parking lot. Once they were inside he grabs a cart and asks her

"You wanna ride in the cart or you wanna walk?" he always asks her which option she wanted. He thought if he gave her a sense of independence in her choices, she'll be confident in her decisions.

"Mmmm walk!" she said with a bright smile

Noah loved when she smiled that way "Okay princess just stay close okay?" she nods and in they go. Noah liked to involved Eden in his day to day errands. She helped pick apples and some vegetables. They even went to see the lobsters in the tank for a while. He'd watch her walk in front of the cart and just admire how big she's getting.

She used to sit in her car seat on top of the shopping cart, now she's pointing at her favorite juice and snacks all on her own.

"Daddy, can we get snackies?" Eden asked as they passed the candy and snack aisle

"We will baby, just have to grab some other things and we can get your favorite cookies okay?" he said to her

"Okay papa." she answered. They stop at the sanitary aisle and picked some babywipes, make up wipes and he knew you needed some pads, but you recently changed.

"shit" he mumbled to himself and pulled his phone out to call you "hey babe, what size pussy do you wear again?....HAHA it’s fine no one is around….yeah I see those but not the new ones you're using....okay they have regular, plus and ulta....regular alright...okay see you soon, love you..bye" he tosses the pack into the cart and clapped his hands together

"Alright sweetheart lets go pick some cookies..." he expected to hear her cheery voice but didn't get an answer. He looked around him and did see her.

.....WHERE WAS SHE?!

"Eden?" he called looking up and down the aisle. Nothing. "Eden!" he called again

His heart was racing and his mind was going to every place possible. He pushed the cart and rushed to the cookie aisle to see if she was there

"Eden?" not in the cookie aisle....fuck. FUCK! She wasn't there! Normally Noah was calm and collected but this was his baby girl! He's rushing through the store trying to spot her beautiful head of hair, her precious laugh, something!

Oh god and if you found out, you'd rip his head off! How could he lose sight of her?! He was always so careful, always had her near him, never left his sight!

He rushed to customer service and cut some people in line

"Uh yeah I..I." he didn't even know how to form it "My daughter I lost her.. I-I don't know where she is, is there an announcement that could be made? A place to Look o-or-"

"Daddy!" He spins around and sees his little girl. his little Eden, his princess! She runs to him and he scoops her up in his arms. He held her so close, breathed in her scent of soft lavender. his little arms around his neck and he felt such relief as if he could drop to the floor right there. This tiny human in his arms was his absolute world and even the thought of something happening to her terrified him.

"Princess, why did you run off?!" he didn't mean to sound harsh, he was just afraid

"I-I wanted to b..*snif* a big girl a-and, get snack," he rubbed her eyes "i couldn't..f-find y-you" her voice cracks as fat tears spilled from her eyes. his large thumbs wipe them away and he kisses her head

"It's okay baby," he cooed "you're with me, it's okay"

He finished the shopping and got the snacks like he had promised. He put her back in her car seat and bought her a happy meal. By the time he had gotten home, she was fast asleep after such an ordeal had gone down.

"So how was the trip?" you asked putting Eden down on couch so she could keep sleeping. While Noah put things away, you coming to help him

"Well it was...." he thought for a second "....quite a trip."

"You don't say" you say feeling skeptical. While you were still putting things away he just blurts out

"...she wandered off and I lost her for about 5 minutes-"

"WHAT?!"

「✨Taglist✨」 @lilhobgobbler @cncohshit @vir-tual @tdopomymind @concretenoah @misspygmypie @fvckmeorchokeme @lust-for-sacher @thescarlettvvitch @cind6547 @itsmrsfuentes @purple-lili @ima1986

[imhereformysciencefriends]

@mcyt-yuri-week Day 4: Transgender & Genderbend!

Trans!Puffy x genderbent!Techno. Read on AO3 here

It was almost nearing funny, how when people learned that one of them was trans, they always assumed it was Technoblade. She was a towering pig hybrid, with heavy tusks and a square jaw, thick muscular arms and heavy hooves, and Puffy was half her height and width. So Puffy got where the mixup came from! Really she did. Just that it was funny.

Less funny was the occasional asshole who decided to make a remark, but Techno usually just killed those assholes for saying shit to her and then got really stuffy and blushy and stiff while she pretended not to hover around Puffy. It wasn’t even like Puffy got all that bothered! But it was nice to be fussed over, even when Techno had been the recipient of the comment.

This was particularly hilarious given the fact that Techno couldn’t even ask for her own pickles. It was always Puffy approaching the service workers, reminding them of details. She was pretty sure at this point that Techno would rather auto-cannibalize herself all the way to death than inconvenience a customer service employee even one (1) time.

“Excuse me!” Puffy called, flagging down a grocery store employee while her girlfriend pretended not to know her. “Did you guys move the hoof polish?” Normally it was in with the shampoos and soaps, but Puffy and Techno had crawled the bodywash aisle twice now to no avail.

“Oh, yeah, it got put, uh,” the faun in a blue polo fumbled, glancing around and trying to remember. “I think cosmetics?”

“Well that’s a dumb place to put that,” Puffy muttered, hands on her hips. Techno looked panicked at her rudeness. “Thanks! We’ll check there.”

Hoof polish acquired, they checked out their items and took to the streets of Essempi. It was a pleasant day out, not quite hot but only cool enough to justify maybe a shawl or light jacket. Techno had a beige and red dress made from a thick cotton weave, and a blood red shawl that lifted slightly in the light breeze. Really, if she had the stomach for it she could’ve been a model. Puffy did not even pretend she wasn’t ogling her.

She heard the two unruly teens just before she felt them, Tubbo rushing past her right before Tommy knocked into her. As far as pickpocketing techniques went, it was seamless. She had no idea what he’d grabbed and where he’d grabbed it from. Unfortunately for them, everyone and their cow knew that Tommy liked to nick things recreationally.

Techno was in front of them, glowering, all towering height and broad muscle and thick chest Puffy took frequent delight in, stanced to block the road and red eyes glaring.

“Hey-heyyyyyy, big woman,” Tommy greeted, nerves clear in his voice. Puffy huffed and stormed up, smacking him on the back of the head.

“Give it back!” she ordered.

“Give what back?” Tubbo asked, and it really was dangerous how completely innocent he managed to make himself look and sound.

“Whatever you two took, now give it,” Puffy demanded, holding out her hand.

Behind the pair, Techno snorted. A piggish rush of air that had most sensible people’s skin crawling.

“Fine, fine,” Tommy handed over the slab of beef wrapped up in its brown paper, and Puffy had no idea how he’d managed to snag that. It’d been near the bottom of its bag!

“Good,” Techno said darkly, “now get.”

The teens tore off, spirits hardly dampened. They weren’t a bad sort, just unruly, and Tommy liked the act of taking more than he’d ever cared for keeping, anyway. As far as anyone could tell, Tubbo just liked trouble.

“My gallant knight in shining armor,” Puffy teased, giggling as she tugged Techno’s hand out of her crossed arms so she could wrap her arms around Techno’s. She was so big and strong (a fact that Puffy made frequent and gleeful use of). “Chasing off the riffraff for me.”

“Cringe,” Techno snorted. “Last time I checked, you’re the biggest riffraff on this side of the ocean.”

“And the other!” Puffy tugged on Techno’s arm, but all it really did was leverage herself closer. She stumbled a little, then got her footing again. Man, Puffy’s hooves were half the size of her girlfriend’s. “May I remind you, I had a lucrative and mischievous career well before I sailed to these shores.”

“You’re not really provin’ me wrong here.”

Puffy snorted, loud and nasally, and knocked her horns against Techno’s bicep (stupid sexy towering giant. Puffy’d knock her head if she could reach it).

Puffy dragged her home with her and made Techno sit while she cooked them both dinner. Techno put up a token protest when Puffy requested that she tell her a story from one of the old myths she was so obsessed with, and Puffy fell happily into the rhythm of cooking while her girlfriend lovingly detailed the story of an archer with a stinky wound.

“I think I wound up cooking too much beef,” Puffy observed as she brought the food over to the table, Techno joining her with a swish of her skirts.

“Eh, pack it up and bring it with us to my place,” she said with a shrug. “Take it to the bedroom. We can have night meats later.”

Puffy dropped her fork before she’d even had her first bite. “Night meats?!”

Techno froze, in that way she did when she thought she’d said something weird and was now analyzing how to best play it off. But Puffy absolutely could not stand for that.

“I need to kiss you until you’re stupid,” Puffy followed, her heart suddenly squeezed far too full as she admired the utterly ridiculous woman across from her. And all but crawled across the table in order to plant herself directly in her lap, kissing around her short tusks with practiced familiarity.

“What, no, but I’m already so dumb!” Techno protested, her hands going up to Puffy’s hip and waist since she was resisting this soooooo hard.

“Then I’ve just got to make you stupider!!!”

“Heh?!? There won’t be anything left!”

Techno laughed as Puffy continued to kiss her, their dinners cooling on the table behind them as Puffy stuck her tongue down her girlfriend’s throat. She was so ridiculous. She was so ridiculous and silly and goofy and Puffy needed to marry her. She was so dense and strong, too, Puffy also needed to climb her like a tree and rock her whole ass world.

“I love you,” she gasped when they parted, stars still gleaming in her eyes and little hands tangled in long pink hair. “You’re so ridiculous. Night meats?! I love it, I love you, that’s inspired, why didn’t I ever think of that.”

“I think you’re blowin’ this a lil’ out of proportion,” Techno muttered, self-conscious and glancing askance. Puffy kissed her again about it.

[palemoonsdv]

prologue

a little fic im starting, will mainly be snippets i think rather than long chapters. also posted on ff.net

elliott/female oc, rated t for tension

comments appreciated!

The farm was a mess, to say the least, but Quinn found the work a little easier today. The spring breeze gave her a reprieve from the late afternoon sun as she finished watering her meager turnip patch, which was much appreciated at the moment. The little sprouts were doing fairly well for her first attempt at gardening since elementary school.

Her chores done for the day, she hiked past the bus stop and into town. A few gold coins rattled in her pocket as she went. Maybe she would have enough to invest in some cabbages this time. Or would she be able to upgrade her ax instead? She racked her brain trying to remember the fee for tool upgrades and whether she had enough copper bars.

The cabbage seeds won in the end (more money would come once she harvested those, anyway), and she clutched the little bag tightly as she walked towards the saloon. Not that she had any money to buy anything tonight, but Lewis had mentioned it was a gathering spot, and she honestly hadn't met as many people in town as she maybe should have. Quinn preferred to leave her first meetings up to fate for the most part, but she hadn't spoken to anyone but Pierre in three days. It was maybe time to push fate a little.

The sun was just beginning to set as she got to the saloon, casting a golden tinge to the sign. She paused outside the door, adjusting her twin braids to look a little neater (was that a leaf in her hair?) before taking a breath and opening the door as if she were taking an icy plunge.

The atmosphere in the place was inviting, but that didn't quell the feeling of mild anxiety at meeting new people. She recognized the bus driver who had delivered her to the valley sitting at the bar, looking like she was having an intimate moment with a pint. Quinn would leave her alone, then. She spotted Robin in the corner and gave a little wave as she walked past and made her way to the bartender.

"Oh, you're the new farmer, aren't you?" said the man behind the counter, a round older gentleman with a receding hairline. He had a kind demeanor, but his eyes seemed to be sussing out how much change she had in her pocket. "I'm Gus, I'm the owner. Can I get you anything?"

"Quinn," she said in reply, vaguely gesturing at herself. "And uh, not right now. I'm mostly here to introduce myself to people today."

His face changed a little, and Quinn could recognize a customer service expression when she saw it. She would have to come back to the saloon with enough cash to buy something next time. After the cauliflower harvest.

She looked around again, a little overwhelmed with how many new people she had yet to meet. Where to begin? Talking to new people was worse than pulling teeth.

Glancing around again, she spotted Leah at a table to the side. Sighing in relief, she made her way over. She had met Leah in the woods while she foraged for wild horseradish, immediately taking a liking to the girl. At least she had a female friend (was it too early to call them friends? Probably) her age again- that was the only thing that had kept her going during her days at Joja HQ.

Quinn sidled up to her with a friendly smile, which Leah thankfully returned.

"Hey, stranger," Leah said, picking at the salad in front of her. "How are you doing?"

"Well, I'm trying to be less of a stranger from now on, actually." Quinn sat beside her, gesturing to the rest of the saloon. "I was told this was the place to meet people."

"Hm. I guess that's so."

"Is there anyone you could introduce me to?" Quinn asked.

Leah made a face. "I mean, I mostly stick to myself, honestly…" she trailed off, noticing Quinn's crestfallen expression. "Well, I could point some people out at least."

And she did, giving Quinn a cliff's notes summary of the rest of the saloon patrons. Quinn would have to muster up the courage to meet them later on her own.

The conversation turned to her first week in the valley, then, and she was in the middle of regaling Leah with the tale of her first foray into the mines ("- And I swear, the way the slimes move is so weird—") when she sensed someone coming up behind her.

She turned in her seat, making eye contact with the man. She froze- this was maybe the most handsome man she had met so far in the valley. His auburn hair swept over his shoulders in a wave, framing a jawline so sharp it could cut glass. His green eyes lingered on her, then flicked to Leah and back again. Was she staring? A tinge of a blush crept up her neck. She was no good at talking to men, especially not handsome ones.

"You must be the new farmer," he said, ending the awkward pause with the sound of his richly toned voice. Of course, even his voice was nice. "Your arrival has sparked many a conversation. Pleasure to meet you."

He stuck out his hand. "I'm Elliott, I'm a writer."

"Quinn," she said, taking it and giving a firm shake (Dad had taught her a strong handshake meant a strong character). He had writer's callouses on his fingers. Had she formed callouses from using her hoe yet? She would have to check later.

"Quinn was just telling me about her day in the mines yesterday," Leah said, drawing his gaze from her once again. (Was Quinn disappointed or relieved?)

"Oh really? I'm going to procure myself a drink, then you can regale me as well." Elliott pointed a thumb at the bar before turning away.

Once he was out of earshot, Leah leaned in conspiratorially. "Hot, huh?"

Quinn made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a groan. "What?"

Leah shrugged. "Nothing. Don't worry about him, though. He's genuine."

And then Elliott was back, drink in hand.

"So you really ventured into the mines alone, Quinn?"

His voice saying her name was really something. She needed to hear it more.

"Yeah, they just opened back up apparently, so I thought I would check them out." She got back into storytelling mode, but left out the reason she was scoping it out at all. "This old guy gave me a sword and told me there's monsters in there, which I thought was just something he was saying to freak me out so I wouldn't get stuck in a mine shaft or something, but it's really true."

The slimes were difficult with the rusty sword. How would they fare against her on a full moon, though? She had yet to find out - the moon was still waxing right now.

She continued her story, occasionally peeking to her left at Elliott. He sipped his drink as she talked, stopping her to ask questions once or twice. He and Leah both exclaimed when she showed them her bandages on her calf, which covered a nasty scratch from a rock crab.

"That settles it," he muttered. "I am never stepping foot in the mines. I feel no need to risk my life and limb for some ore."

"It's not just for the ore, is it?" Leah asked Quinn. "It's got to be for the sense of adventure, right?"

Quinn pursed her lips. "I think thats a part of it," she admitted. The other part was that she needed a place to turn where no one else would go - a place she could truly be alone. A place where the only things she could hurt were other monsters. The woods had seemed like a good option, before she realized how easy it would be to run into someone.

"But it's mostly for the ore," she said with a grin. "I almost have enough copper to start upgrading my ax."

Her stomach started to signal her it was time for dinner. She made her goodbyes (did her gaze linger too long on Elliott?) and headed out of the saloon, leaving Leah and Elliott alone.

"She's been here a week and she's already getting into trouble," Leah sighed. "I hope she doesn't bite off more than she can chew with the mines." She took a bite of her salad to punctuate the metaphor.

"I imagine she has her hands full with the farm anyway," Elliot responded, finishing his drink.

Leah agreed. "I saw the state of the place when I heard a new farmer was moving in. The place is a wreck."

"Still better than my hovel."

She chuckled. "Yeah. But not as nice as my place."

"We can't all have a cousin willing to sell their cottage, now can we?"

"Hush."

They laughed, then sat for a moment in silence. Leah looked at him askance. Clearly the farmer was into Elliott— anyone into men would be— but the question remained if he saw her as anything but a new face.

Time to find out. "So what do you think?"

"Of?"

"Quinn. What does your gut tell you?"

He gave her a searching look. Why was she asking? He pursed his lips and shrugged, thinking of an answer. "She seems… normal," he supposed. "I wonder how she got her hair so long."

Leah held back a sigh. How much did she want to play matchmaker here? Elliott could use the company, sure, but Quinn still needed time to get herself situated anyway. Her meddling would have to wait.

But oh, if she was right…. This was going to be fun to watch.

[betterthanpekej]

A New Friend | SFW

Summary: You see a handsome gent at the coffee shop before your shift at the animal shelter. Now someone is bringing in a found kitten? Guess you have to go check it out!

WC: 1220 Tags: fluff, one shot, Chifuyu Matsuno, gn!reader, coffee shop, animal shelter's vet tech, Chifuyu the cat dad, Chifuyu is silly

The sky was a beautiful mixture of reds and oranges across the morning sky. It was early, but you had to go to your shift at the animal shelter. You were going to stop at your usual coffee shop to get your caffeine fixation, the only thing that could give you that drive you needed throughout your day. You walked into the shop and made your way to the counter. The barista recognized you since you were a regular, putting in your order without even asking. “Your total is $5.48 today, Y/N,” they said cheerily. You inserted your card into the machine and waited for it to prompt you before removing it. “It’ll be out in just a few minutes,” the barista said with a smile. “Thank you,” you said, smiling back before walking to the other end of the counter to wait.

It was early in the morning, but the shop still had a decent amount of people in it. It was a small, quiet location, but popular nonetheless for the kind customer service and flavorful coffee they served. You took out your phone as you waited, scrolling through your social media timeline to try and pass the time. The barista was making the coffee rather quickly, but there were a handful of people waiting next to you. You noticed one out of the corner of your eye, a handsome man in a nice white button up and tie. He was standing beside you, so you were trying hard not to stare. His hair was black with an undercut, somehow both messy and put together at the same time. As you faked scrolling on your phone, you kept sneaking glances at him from the corner of your eye.

“Do you stare a lot or what’s on my face?” he said teasingly, still staring straight in front of him. How did he even notice you looking at him? “U-uh, no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. I was… looking at something past you,” you said trying to lie. He nodded his head slowly before turning to you and giving you a smile. Handsome was an understatement. “Okay, great. I thought I had something on my face,” he laughed as he put his hand behind his head. “That’d be pretty embarrassing, wouldn’t it?” You gave a small laugh as you heard the barista call out two names. “One for Chifuyu. One for Y/N,” they said, putting two coffees on the counter.

You went to grab your drink, so did the gentleman beside you. “That’s a beautiful name,” he said grinning as you both picked up your drinks. “Thank you,” you said coyly. It wasn’t every day you had a handsome stranger complimenting you like this. You gave an awkward nod as you took a step to go past him, but his pace was faster as he walked in front of you. He got to the door first, holding it open for you. “After you, my dear,” he said as you walked through the doorway back outside. You went to the right of the building, him going the opposite direction than you. You had only taken a few steps in front of the shop when you heard him call out from behind you. “Hey!” he shouted from a distance. You turned around, a little confused. “Yeah?” you replied. “I hope you have a good day. Enjoy your coffee, Y/N,” he said holding up his own coffee in a cheers gesture. He looked goofy, but in the best way possible. “You too, Chifuyu,” you laughed as you turned back around and headed to work. ︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

You were midway through your shift at the shelter. You worked as the shelter’s vet tech on staff, making sure their medications were administered, noting any new illnesses or issues they get, and making sure they are well taken care of were just a few of your job duties. You were in your office, filling out one of the intake forms when your coworker came in. “Hey, do you have a second? This guy found a kitten. There’s no microchip, but all the nearest clinics are closed for lunch, and he just wanted someone who knew what they were doing to look it over,” they asked. You nodded and got up from your desk. It wasn’t uncommon for you to just look over a stray animal found, you can at least let them know if you notice anything that looks like it needs immediate medical attention. “I love kitty cats,” you said happily as you both walked towards the front of the building. “I think you’ll like more than just the cat,” your coworker laughed. You shot them a look, playfully raising your eyebrows and laughing with them. You soon found out what they meant as you walked through the door to the reception area. You saw Chifuyu standing there, a small black and white kitten in his hands.

“Oh, Y/N. Hello, again,” he smiled. You could see your coworker out of the corner of your eye giving you a look. “Hi, Chifuyu. Is this the little kitten you found?” you asked as you gently took the kitten from his hands. “Well, found isn’t really the way I got it. Some guy just dumped it at the pet store I own; I didn’t want to just leave it outside,” he said as he patted the kitten’s head. You were looking over the kitten, nothing obvious really jumping out at you. “They just dumped it? Why are people like this?” your coworker said scoffing. You held the kitten in your arms, listening to it purr as you finished up your mini-exam. “Honestly, it’s frustrating. People come in all the time to the store and try to give us their pets. Why would you even come to a pet store for that? And why would you just dump it, like look at this little kitten?!” he said motioning to the kitten. “Yeah, people are insane. We have similar stories here.Don’t we, Y/N,” your coworker said. You sighed and nodded your head as you handed the kitten back to Chifuyu. 

“So, see anything?” he asked, his tone showing his genuine concern for the small critter. “Nope, not that I can tell. I’d still take it to an actual vet, though. Have them do a full, real exam on it sometime soon,” you said as you watched the kitten try to climb up on his shoulder. “Hey, hey, cut that out,” he said playfully, trying to get it off his shoulders. The kitten didn’t want to go, sinking its claws into his button up. “Ah, ah, ah. Help me out here,” he said as the nails dug in. You laughed at him as you tried to make the kitten retract its nails. “Sorry, it’s kinda funny,” you snickered. “I think the kitten likes you.” He smiled as he let the kitten get cozy in his arms, scratching its chin to keep it there. “Yeah, I think I have a new friend. Peke J isn’t gonna be happy,” he chuckled. “It’s always nice to make new friends though, Chifuyu,” you said, smiling at him. His teal eyes looking back at you were enchanting. “Yeah, it is nice to make new friends, Y/N,” he grinned.

[appetite4savage]

City of Angels (Phil Collen)

-

@thiswatch-lepparddef-werehi and I were taking about how City of Angels by Demi Lovato reminded us of Phil and how it needed to be a one shot… so here we are. It also has a touch of Daisy Jones & The Six because I’ve been obsessed with that show lately!

Warnings: Sexual/Adult/Explicit Content!

-

Y/N’s POV

The City of Angels. What a silly name for city that is full of people who are far from angels.

I’ve lived here my whole life. I grew up going to Catholic school and being the perfect little girl my parents wanted to be. It all changed once I got to experience the wonders the Sunset Strip brought at nightfall.

The sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll scene changed me. I started staying out late and bringing home a different guy every night. Somehow my parents never knew it. Maybe they did, and just didn’t have the energy to care. That wasn’t an unusual thing for them. I think they forgot I existed most of the time anyway.

I live alone now, and haven’t spoken to them much over the last few months. I fill the void with whatever I can get my hands on, but still manage to function and maintain a job at the local music store.

I’ve seen all kinds of people in my shop. Guys in no-name bands to rockstars with number one albums. I treat them all the same. It’s always been about the music for me.

The bell over the door rings for the hundredth time today. I sigh and get up from my comfortable sitting position to greet them.

“Hey, welcome to Guitar World. How can I help you today?” I say in what I like to call my customer service voice.

The man takes off his sunglasses and I realize who it is. Phil Collen.

“Hello, love.” He smiles. “I’m just looking around.”

I try to pretend like I’m not absolutely fawning over him. Def Leppard has been a favorite band of mine for a long while. I watch intently while he strolls around, picking up various packs of strings and plucking the guitars that are on display.

Pull yourself together, Y/N. If he catches you staring, what will he think?

Almost as if he could hear this thought, he turns around and we make eye contact. I quickly pretend I was looking somewhere else, but I think he knows.

He comes up to the counter with the items he picked out.

I cough, nervously. “Will this be all?” I mutter as I scan everything.

“Actually, no.” He says. I pause, looking up at him. He’s leaning with one elbow onto the counter. “I’d like to know your name.”

Suddenly it feels my air circulation has cut off. Is this happening right now?

“Uh, Y/N.”

“Phil, but I think you already knew that.” He places money on the counter along with a note, winking before heading out the door.

I stand frozen for a moment before picking up the small sheet of paper and unfolding it. It’s his phone number.

-

I got off work hours ago, but still keep replaying that moment in my head. I hold the small piece of paper in my hand, tapping my fingers against the phone.

Without thinking any more about it, I dial the number quickly.

“Hello?”

“Phil! Hi. It’s-“

“Y/N. I’ve been waiting for you to call.”

He was waiting for ME to call?

“Um, right. What are you up to?”

“Not much.”

“Do you want to meet me back at the shop? I’m about to lock up, and well, I understand if you don’t want to.” My words run together from my nervousness.

His laughter rings throughout the phone. “I’ll be there in 20.” The receiver clicks and I’m left with silence, aside from my heart beating out of my chest at ten thousand miles per hour.

-

Sure enough, he arrives a few minutes later. He’s wearing the same outfit he had on earlier, but with a leather jacket added on top of it. I don’t think he’s ever had a bad look in his life.

We end up walking around town, taking in the night scenery. There’s not much light other than the moon shining down above us.

After a bit of walking, we reach a building that is all too familiar to me. The church I grew up going in. The one I went to school in. I stop in my tracks and face it.

His warm hand grasps my shoulder. “Are you alright?”

“I’m okay. I just… I just grew up in this church and went to school here. It saw the good, bad and ugly parts of my life.”

“I see.” He says. He starts to walk up to the doors and go inside.

“What are you doing?”

He turns around to look at me. “I’m going inside.”

“No, we might get in trouble.” I try to stop him, but he just laughs at me in response. He goes inside.

Looking around frantically, I go inside after him.

All the memories come rushing back.

“So you wore one of those little skirts, eh?” He smirks.

“Yes, sometimes much shorter than I was supposed to.” I sit in one of the back pews as he glances around.

“Oh, a rulebreaker.” He inches closer, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the back of the room.

“Gave the nuns hell.” My back ends up pressed against the wall.

“I believe it.” He closed what little space there was between us, pressing his forehead against mine and snaking his arm around my waist. “Want to break some more?”

I don’t respond, I just immediately latch my lips onto his. He meanders his hand inside my top, the sensation of his touch giving me goosebumps.

He picks me up, gripping my hips as he carries me back to the pew we sat at before. He starts to pull off my top, but I stop him. “No time, the night guard will be here soon.” I learned the routine of this church like the back of my hand. After all, this is where I lost my virginity.

“So you did break some rules.” He laughs.

“Frequently. With half of the graduating class.”

He scoffs before he moves down to unbutton my jeans hastily, sliding them off of me along with my underwear. Instead of throwing the black, lacy fabric on the floor, he tucks them in his back pocket.

“Saving those for later.”

“On with it, Romeo.”

“As you wish.”

He reaches and puts two fingers inside, making me gasp from the sudden intrusion. “Already so wet. You’ve been thinking about this all day, haven’t you?”

I can’t get out any words other than a slight “Mm.”

He removes his fingers and starts undoing his own belt, sliding down his pants and boxers in one swift move.

I barely have time to catch my breath after he bottoms out on the first go.

“Goddammit, Phil!”

“Be careful how you use his name.” He whispers, his breath hitting my neck as he enters me again, and again. The old wood of the pew is knocking around just like it used to.

“Almost there.” I lock my ankles at the small of his back as a signal not to move. His movements get slower and slower until he fills me with his warmth.

He pants before leaning his head down on my shoulder.

“We have to go.”

He kisses my neck once more before pulling out of me, causing me to groan out of utter distaste.

We clean ourselves up and quickly get out of the building.

“Well, if there is a hell, we’re certainly going to it.”

“Oh well. I like the warmth anyway.” I wink, grabbing his hand and pulling him back down the sidewalk.

[thejourneyofsamanthamichaelblog]

Samantha Michel Q&A

Kara: Hi Sam. Thank you so much for answering some questions. Sam: Yes of course, fire away. Kara: Cool, so um first off what made you want to become a hairdresser and how was your journey to get here? Sam: Yes um I knew i wanted to be a hairdresser ever since i was young and would go to work with my mom in the salon where she was a manager that's where i fell in love with all things hair watching the other stylist or being their Guinea pig for all the new trends and styles. I always knew i wanted to do hair but like most normal 18 year olds i wanted to try college for like you know the experience and after 4 short days at college i decided to leave and knew with 100% certainty that this job was what i was meant to do and would make going to work everyday joyful and exciting. Kara: That's amazing, um besides your mom who are your other inspirations in the industry? Sam: Of course my moms been an inspiration but I have a ton of inspirations in the industry that are big name stylists but I think the people who inspire me the most are all the wonderful girls I've worked under over the years. Seeing how much they still love the industry fifteen plus years in while also raising families is what i have always wanted and am still striving towards. Kara: What's the most rewarding part of your job? Sam: I would say one of the most rewarding things in my job is when relatives or friends of my clients go out of their way to tell me how their new hair gave them a new sense of confidence that wasn't there before. Making people feel more confident and bringing out their natural beauty is always my goal. Kara: That’s incredible and must be so fulfilling. What's your favorite hairstyle or treatment you most love to do?

Sam: While I love all things hair I think my favorite services are all things balayage and blonding! Kara: why are those your favorites Sam: Those are the ones where I can be the most creative and see you know uh the best transformations sometimes. Kara: What accomplishment are you most proud of? Sam: the accomplishment i am probably most proud of is after just six years getting out of school i started my own business with the support of my friends and family. Kara: Yay that's awesome congratulations. Sam: thank you thank you. Kara: Do you have any goals or plans for the future? Sam: education is always a goal of mine. I try to get the best education in new and upcoming techniques so I can deliver the best results I can for my clients, so I love to stay up to date with continuing to go to classes and learn as much as I can.

Follow Up Interview: Kara: Hey, Sam, Thanks so much for letting me ask some follow up questions. Sam: Of course. Kara: So, you mentioned you grew up watching your mom in the salon, what exactly about this experience made you fall in love with doing hair. Sam: Yeah so um, I’ve always had a close bond with my whole family especially my mom. So, seeing the person I love doing something she loves so much ignited a passion for it for me as well. Seeing how much she both loves her family and her job is something that I always wanted. She would always have a smile on her face in the salon and is such a people person, I just knew it would be my future. Kara: You mentioned you went to college for a few days, tell me about that experience. Was there a specific moment you knew it wasn’t for you. Sam: Yeah, I knew immediately it wasn’t the path I wanted to take. I just went to college for the experience because everyone says how important it is. But the whole time I was there I was thinking about how I just wanted to go do hair. Kara: Amazing, yeah, I think it's so important to listen to yourself and what you want in your own future. You’re so successful so young. What led you to owning your own chair at RG salon? Sam: I think just constantly going to classes and keeping up to date with new styles allowed me to build a strong customer base who I was lucky enough to have followed me once I had enough money to own my own chair. Kara: And what exactly does owning your own chair mean? Sam: Yeah so there is basically an owner of the building, and there are a few stylists that buy a spot, or chair in the building that they own and have their own clients. Kara: That’s so impressive so young, what does your schedule look like during the week? Sam: I work long days, but I absolutely love it. My work week starts Tuesday and Tuesday through Thursdays a lot of times. I work twelve hour days from 8 to 8 and on Friday and Saturdays I do half days a lot of the time. Most of my clients are blondes so I spend a lot of time foiling and doing extensions which I love because of the transformations. Sundays and Mondays I spend a lot of time working even when I’m not working. Those are the days I like to take classes or research new trends and methods

[alexcharmsyou]

Daily Drabble //dec-9//

𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬, ��𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘮𝘢𝘯

Rating: T  Word Count: 554

“Attention Pizza Hut dine ins’ and dine outs’ -The huts had its fun but we close this rig by 9. The doors are open sesame at 10am so,” Jan paused, angled her head towards a man in the back booth and winked [he seemed confused, as all the poor customers Jan decided to dally with did] “I better see ya then hm? This Meat lovers ain’t gonna love itself, ya hear!”

“2 slices of supreme and a side salad…Totals’ 1.01, Sir.” Michael finished ringing up the last customer while Jan had her moment, he’d been working here for about 3 months now? It was just him and Jan closing tonight.

He liked it, working meant he got to get out of the house. It meant he had a purpose.

Plus, Henry was allowing him to stay at their house as long as he was employed. That’s fair, Michael thought. He could be out in the streets.

But he was here, in the coziness of a steady and dim lit hospitality service.

“Bye now,” Jan escorted everyone out the front door, a kind expression as she nodded and dismissed each and every person that walked out.

Michael grabbed a rag from the sanitizer bucket as he watched. She was so sweet to people, and it seemed. Real. A real and genuine affection.

He was safe here. Mike let out a slight smirk and walked into the kitchen. Once he was out of view, he turned his Walkman on his Combat Rock cassette and equipped the headphones.

“Alright. Let’s do this shit.” mumbling to himself. He stretched, pulled his red sleeves up, and drew his hair into a bun, his get-ready-to-close routine if you will. 

This is a public service announcement, with guitar~

Know Your Rights, nice. Mike was a big supporter of The Clash, following them since he could speak.

“Hey Sugar, I’m handin’ these dishes off to ya.” Jan noted from behind the counter.

“Thanks, I’ll have them up in a bit.” Mike replied warmly.

As the minutes went by, Michael had scrubbed every dish he could find, and every counter he could reach.

The last thing left on the list was to mop the floors, which Michael considerably enjoyed as long as he could block his thoughts away with a tune. Tonight he mopped to the beat of Paul Simonon’s power speech in Red Angel Dragnet.

Sometimes he’d lose focus on the floor-way and glance up at the windows. Cold and rainy. Usually he’d walk home, but Henry always made sure he got a ride. Mike really appreciated this, William had always told him he was weak if he couldn’t even walk himself home. He grunted at the memory. Thanks a lot, Will. 

“Alright sonny she’s lookin’ good. Is your ride here? I’ll clock ya out if you wanna head off early.” 

“Oh uh, yeah.” Michael noticed Henry’s car parked outside. It looked like Charlie came with him, which made Mike subconsciously grin. She promised to tell him about the bat conservation her friend took her to when he got home from work.

“Wouldn’t wanna forget this,” Jan smirked, followed by a head tilt as she held Mike’s leather jacket out for him.

“Appreciate it, Jan. Have a nice weekend.” Michael opened the door, a chilly breeze flowing through his sinuses. “Later!”

[slowdiived]

oddly specific kurt kunkle request? reader works in retail and one day they complain to their boyfriend kurt about a regular customer (a creepy old man who keeps hitting on reader and making them super uncomfortable), so kurt kills the creepy dude?

i have a guy at my job that is literally a fucking perv so i had some ideas LMFAO

“it’s just really pissing me off,” you ranted as you paced around the living room. “this dude has to be like 60 years old, i’m telling you… and he wouldn’t stop putting his hand on my back every time he made me bend down to show him the stupid iphone chargers.”

kurt watched you, his head turning every direction you went in. he was sitting on the couch furious, his arms crossed against his chest. he was sick with the thoughts of some creepy old man taking advantage of your store’s customer service policy just to get close to you.

“that’s so messed up,” he sighed, laying his back against the leather cushion. “did you tell anybody?”

“yes!” you threw your arms up in anger. “i told like two of mycoworkers on the registers and they just tried to tell me he was ‘being nice.’ it’s a load of bullshit.”

you hated your retail job. you hated it so much. you worked at a failing business that tended to only attract older people with no clue of social norms. mostly it was just having to deal with out of touch people, mean and grumpy at your explanations, and help. you learned to deal with it, your benefits were nice and you got a decent paycheck, but some days you wanted to just chop your head off in front of the whole store to scar everyone in sight. maybe that would make people start to change.

you just learned to cope the best you could, but today was different.

“maybe bring it up with your general manager?” he tried to propose a solution. “i don’t know, i-i’ve never really worked retail before.”

“i wish it was that simple,” you sat down next to him. “he comes in every week and is normal to everyone else, except me. i just feel gross, like i want to cut off the chunk of skin he kept touching.”

“i’m sorry,” he put an arm around your shoulders, bringing you closer and touching his head to yours. “it will get better, maybe just bring his name up to one of your managers and maybe he will get banned.”

“i guess you are right,” you turned to face him. “thank you for letting me rant to you, i know that was probably annoying and all.”

“no,” he kissed your cheek. “it wasn’t at all, im glad you told me.”

he had so many thoughts racing through his head, he could see this man touching you, your face of pure disgust and worry. it made him so enraged, his fingernails digging into his palm as he tried his best to contain himself. he got pretty good at masking his anger, especially in front of you. he never wanted to scare you off with the dark thoughts and actions that ran through him.

he had a plan though. he knew this guy’s routine from all your stories you had told him the last few weeks. he thought about stalking the store, seeking out the guy, following him home, and then beating the ever living shit out of him. watching the older man’s frail bones break as kurt just broke him into a million pieces.

-

“hey uh, it’s (y/n), was just calling to see if you are okay, it’s been like three hours since you got done driving and you said you were bringing dinner. just call me back when you get the chance, just a little worried.”

it was already eight pm and you hadn’t heard anything from kurt since he got off of spreeing for the day. you texted him a few times, shocked when he wasn’t quick to answer. that boy practically lives on his phone, he texts you a billion times a day checking in on you, but today was different. you tried to just tell yourself that he got caught up in something, maybe his dad needed a ride somewhere. he usually begged kurt to take him to the most outlandish of places so you tried your best to believe your made up story.

you had taken a shower once you got home around four, made yourself look good for your boyfriend. you were gonna eat dinner with him then hope you guys would get to messing around a bit, maybe show off your new underwear you hadn’t had a proper chance to debut to him yet. it was really bothering you that he hadn’t said a word for hours.

before you could worry anymore, kurt had stumbled through the door, slamming it once he got inside. you ran from your room to the living room to see him, happy that he was alive. you were about to report him as missing due to your dramatics.

“hey is everything okay?” you had thrown yourself around him, his arms tightening around you.

“oh yeah,” he spoke into your ear. “just had to take care of something a-and my phone died.”

you pulled away, hands now holding his. he smiled at you, his eyes bright and happy. all your worries went away, his face being enough o make you feel okay.

“did you get dinner?” you asked, starving from not eating since your lunch.

“i was thinking i could take you out,” his grin made your heart flutter. “anywhere you want to go, it’s on me.”

you nodded.

“honestly can we just sit inside taco bell?” you giggled. “i just really want a beefy burrito right now.”

“yeah of course,” he kissed your forehead. “anything for you.”

you told him you would be right back, going to your room to get a pair of shoes on. he sat on the couch for a moment and let out a huff, his mind fuzzy.

he would do anything to make you happy, he loves making you happy. he wants to be your saving grace, your only hope. he looked down at his jacket, smiling at the tiny bloodstain that was left on him. it was all for you, it’s always going to be for you. he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“okay i’m read-“ you stopped for a moment as you noticed a blood smear from the side of his temple down to his ear. “… hey are you bleeding?”

his hand shot to the side of his face that your eyes were fixated on, his fingers grazing the dried blood. he pulled down his hand to look at it and sure enough, there was dried blood that bunch up on his pointer and middle finger.

“oh uh,” he pretended to look as shocked as he possibly could. “i hit my head on the uh… side of my door today w-when getting gas. i was trying to uh… hurry for my next passenger, i didn’t notice i was bleeding.”

he stood up and went to your bathroom, quickly turning in the sink. he pulled out a washcloth from your drawer, soaking it then scrubbing at his temple.

you followed in shortly after, nervous that he had really hurt himself. you tried to get up close to inspect the suspected wound but he pulled away from you.

“oh i-i’m okay,” he finished cleaning it off. “it’s just a tiny scratch on my scalp, nothing major.”

“are you sure?” you tried to reach for him again. “let me check it for you-“

“no it’s fine i promise,” he put the cloth on the counter. “we should get to t-taco bell before they close.”

you nodded and turned around, heading out the restroom door. kurt looked in the mirror one last time, the events of the day playing through his head.

he punched the guy in the face, as hard as he could. the man stumbled to the ground of his front lawn, groaning at the impact. kurt through another hard hitter, the man passing out.

he had put him in his car and drove him to the junkyard, his usual place for his victims. he layer his body against the gravel in front of his car, waiting for the man to wake up again. he was growing impatient, the pocket knife on his key opened and ready to be used. kurt decided to stab him in the side repeatedly, the old man awakening to the pain. he looked at kurt with eyes of terror, his hand reaching for the bloody wound.

“this is what you get m-mother fucker,” he stuttered, stabbing him again.

the man tried to grab kurt with his bloody hand, the liquid smearing against the side of his head.

“are you coming or what?” you asked, breaking him out of his memory.

“y-yeah,” he turned off the light and head to you. “just wanted to say i love you.”

“i love you.” he gave you a kiss on your cheek.

[iridescent-petrichor]

pull me in the deep end, now, chapter two

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader

Warnings: none!

Words: 1.1K

Previous Chapter

A/N: honestly wasn’t at all planning a second chapter to this but people seemed to want one and i actually really like this with a second part so i hope u guys like it too !!

“And you still really have to ask her out.”

“I know,” Steve sighed, “I know.”

“Okay!” You ran back to the counter where Steve and Robin stood. “All clocked in, ready to attend to the crowd of customers awaiting my arrival!” With sarcasm dripping in your voice, you gestured to the empty store, grinning up at Steve.

“Yeah, how could we hold down the fort without you?” Robin gave you a wry smile before turning to the back room. “Anyhow, I am going to do some… important things… in the back. You two can hang out up here. Alone.” She whispered something to Steve, who swatted at her as she walked off.

Steve glanced at you, before turning his gaze back to the front of the store.

“So…”

You leaned forward, resting your elbows on the counter before looking back up at Steve. “So…?”

“So, uh,” He follows your movement, resting his arms on the counter, moving closer to you. He continued not to look at you, glancing around the room instead. “Would you, maybe-“

The bell on the door rang, and you perked up at the customer that had entered, turning on the customer service version of yourself to tend to the woman who’d walked in. She muttered something about needing a movie her daughter was raving about, and you managed to find what she was looking for after only five agonizingly slow minutes. You let Steve ring her up, still standing by the romcom section as she left. The second she was out the door, you grabbed a movie off the shelf and approached the counter, sliding it to Steve with a smile.

“Best movie of the year.” You said, going back to leaning over the counter, watching Steve pick up and inspect the movie you’d chosen.

“This movie is so cheesy, Y/N.” He set it back down, sliding it over to you with a roll of his eyes.

“Oh, come on, it’s so cute! One of the best romcoms to date!” You picked up the movie, carefully setting it back into its rightful spot before taking your place in front of Steve once more.

“Romcoms in general are so cheesy!” Steve argued, a smile spreading across his face. “They’re so lame, it’s always so unrealistic!”

You shook your head lightly, looking up at him. “But don’t you just love it? The idea of being wanted… being loved?”

He stared back at you, an unreadable expression on his face. It took everything in your power to keep your cool with the lack of distance between the two of you.

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess I do.” His voice was soft in a way that tugged on your heart, a half-smile on his face.

His gaze lingered on you for another couple moments, before you remembered he was going to say something.

“Hey, what were you gonna ask me before that customer came in?” You asked, very aware of the way his face grew red, moving back slightly.

“Oh, that,” He glanced around the store, suddenly looking everywhere but you. “Yeah- uh, yeah, that, uh, I was just- y’know-“

“Spit it out, dingus!” Robin’s voice made you both jump, turning to see her standing against the doorway to the back room. Steve gave her a look, and she retreated back to whatever she was doing, a wide grin on her face.

He turned back to you with a sheepish smile, laughing awkwardly.

“She’s uh- she’s quite the character, huh?” He pointed halfheartedly in the direction she went, trying to play off the tension in the room.

You didn’t say anything, instead staring at him expectantly, waiting for him to finish what he was saying. You didn’t want to get your hopes up but you couldn’t help but barely bite back a grin, your heart skipping a beat when you made eye contact with him.

“Are you… by chance… free?” He managed to spit out.

You stifled a laugh, heart beating out of your chest - you wouldn’t be surprised if Steve could hear it, too.

“Free… when?”

Steve snapped out of the daze he seemed to be in, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “Oh- uh, 7? I’ll pick you up?”

“I’d like that.” You said, unable to contain the wide smile on your face.

“Okay. I will see you then.”

 The rest of your shift went by impossibly slowly, with you and Steve catching each other staring at each other so often that Robin started to complain.

Despite how long your shift felt, the day was over before you knew it, and suddenly seven o’clock rolled around much faster than you were expecting.

You were still eyeing your appearance in the mirror when you heard a knock at the door.

“Shit!” You hissed, tossing some last-minute things into your bag and messing with your hair for the millionth time. “Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!”

Rushing out of your room to answer the door before your mom could get the chance to.

“Hey!” You exclaim, freezing in place when you took in the view of the Steve Harrington at your front door. And with flowers, too?

“I uh, brought these for you.” He held them out to you, face bright red.

“Steve.” Your voice was soft, and you took them as gently as you could, looking up at him with a smile.

His hair was meticulously done, with not a strand out of place, and he looked like he practically had hearts in his eyes.

“Hold on let me- I’m gonna get a vase for these!” You used the moment when you were turned away to let yourself grin widely, biting your lip to keep from outright squealing. Passing by your mom, you tried to be quick to avoid a drawn-out conversation about your outfit and the person at the door, filling a vase with water and dropping the flowers in it and running back to the front door.

When you looked back at him, he was still standing at the door, shifting the weight on his feet awkwardly. As you got closer, he held his hand out dramatically, which you took with equal extravagance. You closed the door behind you as he led you to his car, even opening the car door for you in the most gentlemanly fashion.

“Hmm, how very cheesy and romantic of you.” You grinned, taking a seat in the passenger side of his car.

“Well, maybe you’re rubbing off on me.” He replied with his signature smile before he closed the door and made his way to the driver’s side to drive the two of you to whatever date he had planned.

[shigarakis-cumdump]

An Unhealthy Obsession- Shigaraki x reader

https://archiveofourown.org/users/Shigarakiscumdump/works

(If you like what you read, consider supporting me on Ao3!)

Summary: Short yandere fic based off the song “An Unhealthy Obsession,” by The Blake Robinson Synth. Orchestra. 

Cw: yandere and stalker tendencies

Word count: 1.9k 

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*..✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ✫*..✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*..✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

Many people would call Shigarki the creepy type if they saw him on the street. Slouched over, face always buried in his phone with his hoodie covering the rest. He looked like your local creep who hung around popular stores and malls by himself. He would go to one mall in particular, even more so after he realized they had a Game Stop there. He would frequently go in to browse, and while he was checking out one day, he met you behind the counter.

“Will this be all?” you ask in your sweet customer service voice, with your head slightly tilted. Shigaraki froze in place. No one this pretty has ever talked to him before.

“Um, yeah, that’s all.” he says quickly, looking down to the ground while you're bagging his games.

“This one’s my favorite; I’ve been playing non-stop since it came out, have fun with it!” you say as you hand the bag back. And you play games? Could it get any more perfect?!

“Thanks,” he managed before walking out of the store and finding the closest bathroom. He locked the stall door and sat down. With his heartbeat in his cock, he couldn’t stop thinking of how innocent your voice sounded, and how pretty you looked. He decided from then on you were his next obsession.

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Shigaraki visited the store so often he learned your schedule. He would watch others make small talk with you, and it made him want to steal you for himself. His blood boiled when someone else would make you laugh. Soon enough, seeing you at your work wasn’t enough. He wanted to know more about you. So he followed you home one day. He kept his distance, being too scared of appearing creepy to people around him. You lived a few blocks away from him, who knew!This made it very easy for Shigaraki to stake out across the street and just watch you for hours. You always kept your windows open, maybe for the natural light? He appreciated it though; in his eyes, you left your blinds open for him. So he could watch as you dance around your room with your dog, and then relax and watch tv, hugging a pillow as you accidentally fall asleep. You were precious, and he realized all you wanted, all you needed, was someone like him to cuddle up into, to make sure you were safe. After all, there were too many creeps who could hurt you- he was just making sure they didn't get to you.

Shigaraki made it back to his place, but you never left his head. He went from sitting in the bushes, to sitting hunched over his desk, looking up your name on every search engine imaginable. “Bingo!” he says once he finds your socials. He scrolls down your page, seeing your stories about going to conventions earlier in the summer, spending time with your friends and- oh? What’s this? You were hugging a boy in this picture. Shigaraki zoomed in to get a good look at his face. “Why would you want a bastard like him?” he grunted angrily. He clicked on his profile and saw a post of you two eating at “your favorite restaurant” together for his birthday. The post was from the beginning of this year, so maybe you weren’t still with the guy. I mean Shigaraki didn’t see anyone while he was stalking you, which was a good sign.

Over time, his camera roll would fill up with screenshots of you off of your profile, shaky pictures he snapped of you while you were working, etc. He was in the store just when you worked now, because any other time he was following paces behind you to wherever your pretty feet were taking you. Stepping up to the counter with a few games, you began checking him out. His voice low and quiet as he asked, “Do you play games often?”

“Oh sure! Whenever I have free time, really. But lately I’ve been too busy. We should totally play together sometime!” you beam. Play together? He wanted to do a lot more than that .

“C-Cool, then I’ll see you through a screen next time,” Shigaraki scratches his neck awkwardly. You give him that practiced smile you show to all the customers. “Oh, what time do you get out?” he asks, and you give him a confused look. “S-so I know when to hop on! Just in case..” he drifts off, trying to keep cool. You tell him around 8, and he leaves. That’s perfect. Gives him just enough time to run some errands.

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Shigaraki went to the hardware store and got the smallest cameras he would find. He hurried over to your place, and prayed the key was still under the rug where you left it. And it was! He unlocked your door, and your small dog ran up to him, jumping on his leg. “You’re a friendly little guy, aren’t you?” he says, leaning down to pet the dog. Don’t get distracted ! He reminded himself. He began by setting a few cameras up in your room, one facing each corner. This gave him a perfect view of your bed, desk, and closet. While he was in there, he picked up a piece of thin red fabric off the ground. He inhaled deeply, to smell a sweet and salty scent. He shoved them into his pockets for later, and finished placing the cameras.

Back out in the living room, your dog was following him around. Shigaraki knelt down and gave him a pat. He read the dog's collar; apparently his name was Shiro. Cute. “You want something, Shiro? You need some food?” he asked, looking around for his dog dish. He found it and filled it up and then sat on the couch. He took your panties out of his pocket, giving them another whiff. The smell shot straight down to his groin, heating him up. He pulled his phone out and went to his album just for you and scrolled through the pictures. He loved you so dearly, and one day you would know just how much he cherished you. He played back the small interactions the two of you had, and all the memories you’d have together in the future. He palmed his hardening cock, head leaning back on the couch.

It was 6:30, he still had a few more hours before you were back. He revealed his dick from his sweatpants, his tip leaking pre. He put your red panties in his hand, and started to jerk himself off- the soft lace brushing against the underside of his dick. His breathing became hitched and sporadic at the thought of you underneath him making the same noises. No, he wasn’t experienced, but you would teach him everything he needed to know!

“Y/N… god you’re so tight..” he groaned. His hips thrusting up into you as you let out lewd noises for him. He grabbed your face and whispered sweet nothings into your ear.

“God please- fuck, I’m close, Shiggy!” you whined under him, twitching with your back arched and a tit in his mouth. The thoughts that filled his mind went directly to his cock. Shigaraki humped his hand, wishing it could be you, waiting for when it was you. Maybe you’d even fuck on this couch, who knows. He quickly finished and made sure to leave nothing behind before heading out and staking out behind the bushes again.

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You throw yourself on the couch as always, sitting where he sat just an hour ago. You made yourself some tea as you turned the tv on. It wasn’t too late, meaning Shigaraki could watch you for a bit.

A little later, you make yourself dinner. You take the trash out and leave it by the road. Shigaraki, being the weirdo he is, makes his way across the street, dangerously close to your front window, to snoop through your trash. There had to be something good in there. . He rummaged through your trash to find empty take out containers, some paper, and- chapstick? He wasn’t big on using it himself, but if it was yours, it was automatically going on his lips. He thought of it like an indirect kiss from his one and only. It had a taste of sweet strawberries, probably what you would taste like if he ever had the chance to kiss you. One day, he keeps telling himself. He pulls out his phone to check your room cameras and he sees you starting up your pc. Right! You asked to game with him earlier!  Shigaraki raced back home to load his game, praying he would find you in one of the local servers. There was FlameThrower2050 , TheRadicalDude , SuckItRight , and Shiro’sCloud online. You had to be the last one. He shot you a direct message, asking if you were up for a game, and you said yes. You actually said yes! Of course, you didn’t know it was him. You went into a private lobby and you turned on your headset. “Hey, can you hear me?” you asked innocently. Your pure voice went right through his heart. “Uh yeah, you sound great,” he blurts out. “Oh, Shigaraki?” you remembered his name?! This left him ecstatic. The game starts and you play a few rounds, Shigaraki being in heaven. You ended up beating him. In every. Single. Round. A bit embarrassing for him, but you laughed it off and didn’t make fun of him for it. Oddly, that stuck with him. You were so nice the whole time- he couldn’t wait to talk to you at work tomorrow!

It was getting late, which is why you had to go, which also meant Shigaraki got to watch you on the cameras. He pulled out his phone, switching to the view of your bed. You crawled in with just panties and an oversized shirt on, how cute. You scrolled on your phone for a little, until it dropped on your chest and you fell asleep. Your phone battery is gunna die, silly… Shigaraki thinks to himself. He could always go over and plug it in for you. No! That was too dangerous!! What if you wake up when he’s standing over you? Certainly that’s not a good impression to leave. He argues with himself for a bit before he’s out of the house, running down the street. His feet carry him all the way back to your place. He grabs the key and goes for the door. It was unlocked. You left it unlocked for him? How nice of you! He sneaks in and Shiro is quick to jump on him. Shiro took quite a liking to him. He tiptoed over to your room, looking at your sleeping body through the door crack. He opened the door slightly, going in and looming over you. He pried the phone from out of your hands and plugged it in for you. You would thank him later; tomorrow! When you’d see him next. Shigaraki zoned out, watching you sleep soundly for a good hour, stealing pictures of you while you were snoring, and getting a quick sniff of your hair. He had stayed there a lot longer than intended, the sun starting to rise. He snuck out of your room and locked the door on his way out.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Oh, hey!” Shigaraki hears your pleasant voice call out to him from the counter. “Last night was a lot of fun; how about we play again tonight?” you ask him. He immediately says yes, his heart doing flips in his chest. This was the start of something good.

[botchedwriting]

MJF: So Go Ahead and Drive Me Insane.

pairing: mjfxfem!reader, platonic (kinda, anyway  — squint and you’ll see some flirting).

warnings: none, unless you count max being a brat.

summary: after an error that he insists the hotel made, mjf is left without the suite he booked. the reader comes to the rescue.

word count: 1,644.

“Do you know who I am, bozo?” You could hear Max long before you could see him and you cringed. You’d think after years of working together - both on the indies and now in AEW - you would have gotten used to him berating people, especially those lower on the totem pole and not as quick to defend themselves, but it never became less off-putting. Your pity went out to the poor front desk associate on the receiving end of his ire. Lord knows it was an easy thing to have happen. The wind blowing in the wrong direction was enough to send the man into a frenzy, demanding to speak to the manager and swinging his proverbial dick around. It was an all too common occurrence and you wanted no part of it.

For whatever reason, in these more escalated situations, Max had a tendency to seek you out. Sure, you were diplomatic enough to deescalate things but you never got the vibe that he wanted that. It always seemed to you like he just wanted someone to co-sign his bullshit, to play the devil on his shoulder and encourage his bad behavior. That wasn’t your style. Unlike him, you came from the lower-middle class. There were no hands out, no fancy clothes. You worked for everything you had and, most of the time, work meant minimum wage jobs pandering to customers just like him. You knew from first-hand experience that service workers were critically underpaid, overworked and any mistake made was thanks to human error as opposed to malicious incompetence. You weren’t going to be on his side so why get involved?

With his designer suit-clad back turned towards you, you kept your eyes straight ahead and made your way towards the elevator. You were on track for an easy escape when the associate glanced your way, probably hoping for you to save him. Max followed his gaze, whipping his head around and breaking out into a sly grin.

Damn it, you thought, I was on your side too.

“Hey, toots, come here!” Max bellowed at you. Instead of acknowledging him, you ducked your head and continued on your path. Someone with even an ounce of self-awareness would have realized they were being given the cold shoulder. Unfortunately, that was one trait he did not possess. Instead, his voice got louder and his antics more obnoxious. It was the snapping that irritated you enough to come stomping over.

With a heavy sigh, you glanced over at Max before you focused your attention on the hotel employee. “What’s going on?”

“This fucking idiot-” The question wasn’t directed at him, but Max was sure to answer anyway. A sharp look from you shut him up.

“Chill out, I wasn’t talking to you.” Again, you turned towards the employee, offering him a smile as your gaze dropped to his name tag before focusing on his visage. There was no way this kid was even old enough to drink and you were even more annoyed at your co-worker for lambasting him. “Todd,” you said, doing everything in your power to keep your voice even and kind, “What’s the issue?” Help is here now, kid.

“Well, uh,” Todd began, his voice practically dripping with anxiety, “we, uhm...” He trailed off as his gaze met Max’s. The older man was scowling now, chest puffed up and just as agitated as before. Sensing you were losing him, you tapped a manicured nail against the top of the desk, grabbing his attention. You nodded at him to continue. “We don’t have a reservation here under Mr. Friedman’s name.”

Max scoffed. “Bullshit!” He dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “I’ve got the confirmation right here.” He didn’t pull it up, but he still shoved the phone in Todd’s face. “Tell him I should be here! Tell him I’m not some fucking rando, okay? I’m with the same God damn company everyone else who booked a room at this shit hole works for.”

The tirade was going to continue so before Max got the chance, you spoke again. “There’s no available rooms right now?” Reluctantly Todd shook his head. “Okay,” you breathed, wracking your brain for a solution. “What about the other hotels near here?”

“Well, because of the show...” He didn’t even need to say it. Double Or Nothing was a big event. With fans coming in from all over anywhere nearby would be booked too.

You knew you couldn’t just leave Max out here to harass this kid. “Alright, here’s what we’re going to do. I checked in earlier today.” Like he was supposed to, you wanted to add but didn’t. If Max could just follow one single normal procedure maybe this could have been caught before it was late at night and options were slim. “He’ll room with me tonight and tomorrow we’ll see if we can figure something else out, okay?” Todd nodded, confirming he was on board (as if he cared, all he wanted was this maniac away from him) so you looked over at the other member of this confirmation. “Seriously, Max, no more arguing. Let’s go.”

You turned and started, again, towards the elevator but stopped not long after when you realized he wasn’t following. He stood in the same spot, gaze flickering from his luggage to you and then back again. You knew what he was asking without him having to say it. “There’s not a chance in hell I’m grabbing your bags. Get them yourself so we can go.” You paused. “Please.”

___________________________________________________________________

With only minimal complaints from your temporary roommate, you managed to get the both of you not only out of the lobby but in your hotel room. With the door shut and the bags on the floor, you made quick work of grabbing one pillow off the bed and setting it up on the sofa. Playing the good hostess, you looked over your shoulder at Max as you fluffed it. “Let me know if you need a blanket or something.”

“Excuse me?” He was incredulous, almost mocking and you stood up straight, shoulders stiffening as you now gave him your full attention. “I am not sleeping on that thing.” Okay, sure, it wasn’t the fanciest of accommodations. Something you knew he expected and was most definitely used to. But, last you checked, beggars couldn’t be choosers. “This isn’t the suite with a view that I booked. It’s bad enough I have to settle for... this. But now you want me to sleep on the couch? I won’t fit.”

“Jesus Christ, Max! Okay, what do you suggest then?” You’d do anything to placate him so you could end this conversation and get some rest.

“I get the bed and you sleep on the couch.” You stand corrected: not anything. 

“That’s not happening. This is my room so it’s my bed.” Maybe you should have left him in the lobby. He could have been literally anyone else’s problem but you made him yours.

“If it’s yours, that makes me your guest, and what kind of monster doesn’t make sure their guest is comfortable?” He shook his head and clicked his tongue as if he was disappointed in you before he kicked his shoes off. Hopping on top of the covers, he leaned back against the headboard and smirked. “Unless you plan on joining me, it’s about time I get my beauty sleep.”

“Fine! Scooch over.” You snatched up the pillow you’d just put down and threw it in the direction of the bed, purposely aiming for his surprised face. He definitely didn’t expect you to take him up on that. “I’m going to get changed and then you’re gonna let me get some sleep.”

With that, you grabbed your bag and headed to the bathroom. In desperate need of rest, you just threw your hair up and changed into your most conservative pajamas. The kind of guest you had tonight didn’t need to be impressed by your appearance.

When you returned, you spotted Max’s fancy suit jacket hung carefully over the back of the couch with the rest of his outfit meticulously folded next to it. Surprised, and suddenly worried about what you were about to see, you spun around, letting out a relieved sign when you saw him sitting on the bed in a pair of sweats and an AEW t-shirt. Rid of his pretentious attire, he almost looked approachable. “I didn’t know if you preferred the left or right, so I figured I’d wait for you before getting too comfortable. Wouldn’t want you waking up on the wrong side of the bed.”

“You’re fine where you are.” You appreciated the gesture but you had no preference. You’d sleep upside down if it meant you’d get to rest. “Okay, this is what we’re gonna do..” You trailed off, grabbing the first pillow you saw and putting it right in the middle of the mattress, creating a little barrier. “No crossing your side, got it?”

He laughed. “Don’t flatter yourself.” Finally getting under the covers, he gave you one last look. “You’re the one who needs to worry about keeping their hands to themselves. No woman can resist all this.”

Settling in for the night yourself, you shook your head, the snarky retort you had never left your lips. “I’ll do my best to keep my hands to myself. Goodnight, Max.”

The two of you were curled up on your sides, back to back with a flimsy piece of bedding in between. The silence had barely settled before Max was speaking again. “Hey, toots?”

“Mhm?” You hummed, lacking the energy to even complain about the pet name he’d bestowed upon you when you’d first met.

“You really saved my ass tonight. I just wanted to say I appreciate y - it.” He actually sounded sincere and you smiled into the darkness. 

“You’re welcome. Now, if you don’t go to sleep...”

[strangerthings-fan-fiction]

Why Him?

Steve x Reader

Billy x Reader

Description: Angst. Steve has a crush on you, and he can't understand why you are with Billy of all people. Once the three of you are at a party, he finds himself telling you exactly what he thinks.



Steve couldn’t believe it when people informed him that one of his best friends was in a relationship with Billy. He never pictured someone as sweet as you going out the absolute bane of his existence. The fact that he had a massive crush on you didn’t help him come to terms with your relationship either.

Steve found himself glaring at Billy as he approached the counter at the video store.

“Uh, do you guys have that sixteen candles movie?” Billy asked.

“Ooh, sorry that was just rented out,” Steve said. If he had just glanced around he would’ve realized he actually had a copy under the very counter he was currently leaning over, but good customer service wasn’t exactly a top priority for him at the moment.

“Do you have any movies that are sort of like that?” Billy asked, looking for a replacement.

“We have Nightmare On Elm Street,” Steve said, once again being no real help to the customer in front of him.

“Wait, I thought that was a horror movie,” Billy said. 

Before Steve could answer both boys were distracted by the chime of the entrance door. As you walked in Steve straightened up, suddenly feeling a bundle of nerves in his stomach as you approached. 

Billy slung his arm around your shoulders and said, “So, they didn’t have the movie.”

“Oh no,” you complained, “What are we going to watch now?”

“Hey, look at that! Turns out we do have a copy,” Steve said, producing the vhs from under the counter.

Of course once Steve found out the movie was for you he was more than willing to hand it over. Unfortunately, Billy noticed the unfair treatment between him and you. He gave Steve an intimidating once over which you missed as you handed over the money. Ironically, Steve also didn’t notice Billy’s glare since he was too busy giving you a charming smile.

“Great choice of movie, by the way,” Steve said as he scanned it.

“Come on, guys never like these movies,” you said.

“Wait, what?” Billy asked.

“But I’m sure you’ll like it,” you said, quickly editing your previous statement before giving Billy your most innocent smile. 

He scoffed as he said, “Come on, y/n. I know enough about you to know I can’t trust those doe eyes of yours.”

Steve internally grimaced as he watched the two of you flirt. Usually he would be finding any reason to get you to stay and talk with him, but whenever you were with Billy he found himself wanting to get as much distance between the two of you as possible. He found himself breathing a sigh of relief once you and Billy left the video store, not wanting to have to be a third wheel any longer than he had to be.

After work he went home to get ready for a party happening later that night. He was looking forward to it, planning on getting plastered and forgetting about you and Billy for a few hours. However, when he pulled up he recognized Billy’s car among the many parked on the curb.

“Did I do something to piss off the universe?” he mumbled to himself as he walked towards the house.

Your head was leaning on Billy’s shoulder and sipping on a drink when Steve joined the group hanging out in the kitchen.

“Hey Steve,” you said. Billy wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you closer, as he watched Steve grab a drink.

Steve simply gave you a wave before heading back out of the room to presumably hang out with some other people. You were a little surprised he didn’t stop and chat with you for a little, but you shrugged it off, reasoning the two of you would catch up later anyways.

Steve was slumped on a couch, downing as many drinks as quickly as possible. Seeing you and Billy was torture for him. He knew that if you were with anyone else it would still be a difficult pill to swallow, but at least it would make sense. But you being seemingly charmed by Billy was completely unreal to him.

“How’re you liking the party?” asked a girl who took a seat next to him.

“It’s great,” he deadpanned, not really in a socializing mood.

“Uh, right,” she said, put off by his tone.

“I mean, how could you not enjoy it? Everyone seems to be having a great time,” Steve said, before gesturing to a couple in the corner, “Look, they’ve got their tongues down each other's throats, and that’s great isn’t it? People love rubbing their relationships in everyone’s faces! So cool! So great!”

The girl scooted a little bit away from Steve as he unloaded a mess of bitter incoherent thoughts. She simply turned and started talking to the person on the other end of the couch, not really interested in saying another word to Steve. He was fine with it though, slumping back into the couch cushions once again.

Steve perked up when he saw you pass from the kitchen and towards the hall. He quickly stood up (stumbling a bit) and hurried to catch up with you.

“Hey,” he called out over the din of the party. You smiled when you saw who was calling after you.

“I was wondering when I was going to get to talk to you,” you said.

“Really?” he said, his stomach doing flips as he ran a nervous hand through his hair.

“Yeah, of course,” you said, “So what’s up?”

“I guess I just wanted to say hi and-”

Your conversation was interrupted by an eruption of noise from across the room. Billy had gotten into a fight with someone else at the party, and their shouting was louder than everyone else and somehow even louder than the music being blared through the stereo speakers.

You cringed before turning on your heel and heading down the hall and through the front door. You hated the hotheaded part of Billy and didn’t really feel like standing around and watching him pick a fight. Steve noticed you slip outside and followed suit.

“Are you okay?” he asked as he sat down next to you on the porch steps.

“Yeah, I just needed a breather,” you said, deciding against going into the details of how frustrating your boyfriend could be sometimes.

Steve felt his heart wrench as he looked at your frown and noticed the disheartened tears pooling at the edges of your eyes. He hated Billy for making you cry, and that feeling mixed with all the alcohol he had been drinking that night gave him the courage to tell you how he’d been feeling.

“I really don’t get why you're with him,” Steve said, and his admission took you by surprise.

“What do you mean?” you asked.

“I mean you two aren’t really a match I would’ve predicted in a million years,” he said, an exasperated laugh leaving his chest as he voiced what had been on his mind for a while.

“It’s not that crazy,” you insisted.

“Well, then you’re going to have to explain to me what it is about you and him, because it doesn’t make sense to me. Seriously, I have been wracking my brain for what it could possibly be, and I’m coming up blank. You’re genuinely kind and don’t need to put someone else down just to feel better about yourself. You don’t constantly worry about being cool. Instead, you just want to have fun with whoever you happen to be hanging out with. You would never come to someone else’s party and ruin it by picking a fight with someone right in the middle of it. Meanwhile, he’s… Billy.”

You looked wide eyed at Steve, never even realizing once he noticed any of that stuff about you. Normally everything he said about you would seem really sweet, but it was tainted by the fact that it seemed to oppose who Billy was.

“I had no idea you felt that way,” you said.

“Sorry that I put all that on you. I just had to say something,” Steve said.

“No, I’m glad you did,” you said, “You’re my friend Steve. I want to know what you’re thinking, you know?”

He nodded, concealing the pain he felt when you referred to him as a friend. He had decided against revealing his feelings for you, thinking that confessing his crush was the last thing you needed on your plate at the moment.

The two of you seemed to be at a loss for words after that, and you were simply looking at the other while thinking your own private thoughts. The silent moment was interrupted by Billy who came stomping out onto the porch. You looked up at him, taking the hand he offered you.

As he helped you up he said, “Are you ready to go?”

“Is everything okay?” you asked.

“Yeah, this party fucking sucks though,” he said, and knew he wanted to leave because of the fight he just had. You waved goodbye to Steve as you followed your boyfriend to his car. As Steve waved back, you found your thoughts consumed by what he had told you moments ago. 

Steve sat there for a while after Billy's car had disappeared from sight, not quite ready to go back to the party. He tried to keep himself from wondering how differently this night would’ve gone if you had come with him instead of Billy, knowing that type of thinking only ever ended up making him feel even worse. He gave up trying to get back into a partying mood (although he had never really been in one in the first place), and ended up driving home by himself instead. That night you both laid in bed wide awake and thinking about the other.