#im so embarrassed 😭😭 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

em-0110 · 2 months ago

Text

ermmmm dropping this incase others like it ^^

Riddler fic of him being a stalker and following you :3

made it college au (i haven't read riddler year one)

(its fem sorry 😰 i wrote it abt me so...) also i use y/i (your initial/initals) for like one part i dont think i use names here

word count: 2.8k (I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS THAG LONG)

It had been a few weeks already. He fidgeted with his pencil as he looked down into the desk, every so often slightly raising his head to look across the room. She stood out immediately. The bland white walls, beige furniture, white florescent lights all of it blending in with one another. His eyes lingered. Her bright hair making her an immediate stand out, the center of attention. Well-- For him at least.

He dozed off, staring more and more intently. He couldn't get enough. Drinking in her every feature. The noise of the professor talking slowly being drowned out. It was only him and her in this room. God how he wished that were true. All she could do was focus on him, it would send him over the moon. The more he though about it the more he realized this dream scenario was also a nightmare. Imagining the silence. His flaws magnified with her full attention, maybe this was better a fantasy. He flinched when she turned her head, quickly attempting to look inconspicuous. His chest quickly rose and collapsed at the fear of being caught. His skin tingled, the embarrassment sending an itch to his neck, slowly spreading as he worried. He stared down into his notebook unsure if he wanted to face the slim possibility at being caught.

As quickly as he turned away he *needed* to peak once more. Edward was too nervous to do so. His paranoia taking control and forcing him to keep his head down. Sitting there planning out what to do next, being put off only by others getting up and getting ready to leave. Oh. The lecture had ended.

"shit"

Edward looked over to the girl, she had put her laptop away and slung her bag over her shoulder. Edward panicked a bit. He wasn't ready. He wasn't sure if he was able to bring himself to commit to his plan. Deep down he knew he was being weird. His interest growing to an unnatural and slightly unhealthy one. His desire to learn more about her manifested into him wanting to follow her around. he always assured himself he wasn't weird about it, knowing where someone lived wasn't *wrong*. Right?

He had eventually admitted it. He slowly found himself growing more and more obsessed by the day, her simple act of kindness enough to put a target on her back and leave Edward needing to know more. To have her. Every night he replayed it in his head, the best bedtime story he had. Slowly relaxing him, the excitement that he even had the *possibility* to relive it in his dreams.

It all started when he had sat down for a class, he was curled into a corner hiding himself from others. It had been a few lectures in, he still found himself alone and reclused. Wanting to be hidden from others. All of a sudden he felt something bump into him.

Before he could apologize and hide again. Maybe curse them in his head. A soft voice cut him off.

"omg I'm sorry--" she spoke in a meek and embarassed tone.

Edward looked up confused, but nodded. She ended up giving a soft smile, sitting a few seats to his left. A few seconds later she had gotten up once more, slowly maneuvering past him and leaning over the table and its clip board. She winced a little, scanning the desk around her for something. She shuffled over and asked him if she could borrow his pen to sign in. Edward blushed a bit at her and her sudden attention. He felt special, being asked for help, her kindness. Even if she wasn't going out of her way to be kind and doing more than basic manners Edward had already started reading into her body language and words. He scrambled for a pen and handed it to her.

"Oh uh- here you go."

"Thanks"

She quickly scribbled her initials. Handing the pen back and softly scooching past him attempting to not bump into him once more. He had peaked over. "y/i" He didn't know her name other than it began with "y/i" but he quickly swirled his mind thinking of every name he could to put into this kind girl. This short interaction sealed her fate. Edward formed his own idea of her, everything she was. She became everything he wanted.

He snapped back to reality, watching her walk out of the room. He quickly threw his things into his bag and hurried after her.

He insured there was a distance. He didn't want her to notice him behind her. He needed to know more than what the lecture room provided. What was she like with others? What does she eat? Does she meet up with friends after? is she a loner like him? No of course not why would he even consider that.

He was almost mindlessly wandering behind her. Until he reached the sliding doors. He focused again, shaking away his thoughts for now and creating more distance. She didn't notice a thing, it almost fed Edwards ego. She was more mindless than he anticipated. This seemed like it would be easier than he thought. She crossed the street and sat down on the bus stop. He had seen this routine for the last week. It all happened the same. As soon as she sat down Edward grew too anxious to go further, suddenly changing directions and watching her get on and leaving. Shuffling over to his bus stop and going home to sulk.

But this time was different. He crossed the street and waited a few feet from the stop. She sat there on her phone, fidgeting with her cutesy wallet. He grinned to himself as he imagined talking to her, painting a false picture of him being suave and charming. Pretending he wasn't a socially anxious loser, afraid of rejection, of new experiences. A *total coward*. He snapped out of his swirling thoughts. The loud engine growing louder as it approached, slowly turning closer, making him reach into his pockets for his card. He hurried on, quickly boarding in order to sit in the back. Securing himself into a corner and waiting for her, she had sat a few seats ahead. It was clear she had absent mindedly done this, her mundane routine at the end of class, the repetitiveness only challenged with small changes in seating.

His heart raced, he could watch her unafraid. No consequences. She would never turn around, to see him focused on her every movement. The soft comfort of not being caught also slightly stinging, she *would* never turn around. The bus began to move, he held onto his bag nervously. He used public transportation often, and he didn't enjoy it. He always became acutely aware of his surroundings; how close everyone was, how slow it was to get to his destination. Half of these thoughts flooded in as they hit the next stop, a few kids flooding in and planting themselves around the bus. Edward was then reminded of why he was there, another student sitting near the girl. He was jealous, *he* should be sitting there. Its not like they were sitting next to her, but the proximity was enough to make him brew slightly.

He knew better than to stare, to make it obvious he was upset. Even if he had let his emotions take over, causing this following to even happen. He took a deep breath, drooping his head and looking at his feet. He felt movement again, watching his laces sway as the tires moved.

He wasn't sure what his next move was. He had made a plan, an intricate and calculated one. He would take the same bus and find out the stop, her streets, possibly up to her door. But he knew the last part was too real for him to do, it will always remain a fantasy.

Each stop he had looked at the surroundings in order to figure out his way back home, waiting for her to step out. Any time he grew worried he looked over to her, picturing her comforting him. Her soft voice guiding his breath. If it were to happen in reality he wasn't sure if it would ground him or send him into cardiac arrest. Her head resting against the window, she was so unaware of how she made him feel. The overwhelming heat that filled his chest and face. It all made him grin in excitement.

Dozing off filling his mind with different scenarios involving her he suddenly saw her arm lift up. Her fingers pressing against the crimson red plastic. A beep ringing throughout the bus.

She was getting off at the next stop.

He clenched his fists, both excitement and fear struck him at once. He was ecstatic he was finally going to see her house; the place filled with every fiber of her. But the other more rational part feared his next move. Was he really going to keep going? keep being a creep and following an unnoticing girl from his class. He was honestly being helpful, this would make her realize she needed to be more aware of her surroundings. She *was* asking to be followed. Edward knew he was trying to make his actions sound reasonable, convincing nobody but himself. He couldn't deny it was failing miserably. Feeling himself freeze in place. he had a minute to make his decision, and his body decided much earlier than his mind.

She grabbed onto the steel pole, hosting herself up from the seat. She walked towards the doors, fighting against the still moving vehicle. She made it look so effortless. He attempted to look away, to make his observation unnoticeable. He wasn't sure if it was working. As quickly as she hit stop she got off the bus. He soaked in the surroundings, seeing the shops all around. He wasn't sure where she was headed. Was she far from home? Does she take another bus? What if she was going to work...maybe this was a one off stop. He began to think of every possibility, some giving him more anxiety than he needed. He looked around, people starting to fill the sidewalks and make the area look livelier. He imagined walking down all these shops, her hand in his. It would be a nice date filled with window shopping, lunch, and lots of romantic gestures. That's what they always did in the movies, he always watched them to pretend he could have a happy ending like them. He almost had a deep hatred for them. A cold reminder that these romances were really just words on paper. Directions meant for the camera, Edward would never truly experience a love like the ones on the silver screens. He didn't fit the ideal man exactly, and it was hard to change himself to get anywhere close to it.

Now was for the part he was dreading. How would he get home? He opened his phone, scrolling a bit as he looked for the next stop in order to reroute back to his apartment. This was the opposite direction of his place, he was a bit disappointed. He wanted to be surprised at how close they were. That it was basically fate, they were *destined* to meet. Imagining there was no distance and he would see her at the grocery store he went to, that would definetly be where their relationship started.

After 2 different bus rides he had finally made it back to his complex. Shuffling to the front; he was always worried he would see other ten dents, he HATED the small talk it would bring on. Opening the door he saw a few other people, a few hello's directed to him. He attempted to be friendly with a tiny nod and smile even if is head remained down the entire time. Making his way up to the 3rd floor he fumbled with his keys until it slid in and made a small click. He never felt these locks were all that sturdy, maybe it was just used as a false sense of security so people could sleep better at night.

As he shuffled around, tossing his bag and hoodie as he moved through his clustered living room. Does he really want to keep doing this? Looking around he took in the depressing surroundings. Edward began imagining her laying in his couch. Lounging mindlessly, she would love to be here. Begging to stay the night and fighting him when he says she needs to go back home. Who was he kidding he would never turn her away, the idea of her moving in with him brought a small grin to his face. He moved over to his bed, lost in a daydream where she jumped for joy when hearing the door knob rattle. Greeting him every day after class. Throwing himself down on his messy disheveled bed. He slowly broke out of his fantasy as he looked around the room. He lived in filth, he didn't even bother to take care of himself. His delusions began to differ from him being the ideal guy for her, i mean, if shes kind to him she would understand his issues...Maybe she would, help him? yeah. She would understand. She would have open arms when she got to know him he just had to make her realize it.

He continued her routine. Eventually he got comfortable, she always got off at the same stop. He still had to figure out whether she lived around there or took another bus like him. Another issue raised, What was her schedule? He just couldn't deal with *just* seeing her twice a week. He needed more. It was a miracle he was able to sustain seeing her for 4 hours a week. His obsessed thoughts filling the blanks when she wasn't around, but it just wasn't cutting it any more. After getting so close to her he needed more of her life. Edward had still barely spoken to her, they actually sat pretty far from one another. But that distance was irrelevant, he was getting closer to her. Too close.

Today he sat in the back, waiting. All he needed was to watch her reach towards her hair, pulling out one of her headphones. That was the queue she was getting off. This is it, Edward was gonna get off and follow her. God his heart was racing. He wasn't sure what outcome he wanted more. Did he want to learn she had more till she made it home? That she made it to work? or the most nerve wracking he was taking the route to her beloved and sacred home. He actually didn't have to wonder anymore. He was about to find out.

Waiting a few second after she got off he hurried to the exit. She was still blissfully unaware, god she was easy. She was basically asking to be his prey. Edward felt like he almost had it *too* easy. Shouldn't he be more sneaky with how clearly he was following her around?

No. She *needed* to be taught a lesson. Focus more on your surroundings. Pay attention who's on the bus. It was almost like he was finding excuses for when she did find him out. Edward almost laughed aloud to himself. Hes giving her too much credit. He would never be caught.

As she turned the corner he stopped for a moment. Obviously he peaked, he needed to make sure he didn't lose sight of her. She crossed the street, digging through her bag.

"No...It couldn't be?..."

She pulled out her brightly colored lanyard, filled with a few charms dangling, crashing into gather to make the sound of metal obvious.

oh yes it was.

He felt a knot tighten in his stomach. Oh my god. it was right here. Right in front of him. The place she returned to every day. Slept in every night. Every trace of her, who she was, what she liked, her comfort. All into this one place. The tall brick walls, old and worn down. It was clear it was an older home. He shuffled closer, even though she was oblivious up until now and he was allowed to be reckless, he wouldn't DARE to make his presence known. She had to have been more cautious from creeps following her to her home. he watched with a held breath her push the door open.

It was unlocked? was she an idiot? god. he couldn't help feeling more and more comfortable. or- wait...

was she inviting him? did she know all along? Of course! she wasn't that stupid. He felt frustrated he even thought that about her. She *had* to have been waiting for him to finally get the courage

#its sooo unfinished #tehe #im so embarrassed 😭😭#a fic abt a character i have yet to even watch media of #dano riddler #riddler 2022 #the riddler #fanfic #what do i tag...

11 notes · View notes

transvampireboyfriend · 2 years ago

Text

Had this “Steve only hates impersonal nicknames” idea in my notes for a while and then after seeing @cholvoq ‘s wonderful art I had to turn it into a real thing for Valentine’s Day. This is 2.4k, i’m SO sorry edit: you can now read this on ao3 :)

Eddie’s a nickname guy. It’s always Dusty this and Gare-Bear that and JeffJeff here and Bobbie there and it’s Mikey and Maxxii and Nance-pants and Johnny and… big boy?

Him being a nickname guy makes it near impossible to hide his crushes. Thankfully, Steve had been really cool about it. Sure, he seemed a little stunned, but Eddie still had all his teeth in place by the end of that interaction, so he had called that a win.

He hadn’t known then that Steve was… different. Or he was starting to see it but what he thought was shocking then had really been just the tip of the iceberg. He hadn’t expected Steve to be nice. Or funny, or caring, or protective, or understanding.

He had learned all of that after everything. During chats on Hellfire nights while the kids cleaned up after themselves, during hangouts at the diner with Robin and Nancy, during Saturday afternoons when he went to pick out a movie only to end up talking with Steve, their conversation flowing until it was cut short by Steve’s shift ending.

After some time, Eddie had gotten to know Steve even more during long weekday nights when one came over to bring the other something they left behind, or to share a record, or to demand the beers the other owes or to show the other a stupid article in a stupid magazine only to end up making dinner together and watching a movie afterwards.

They stopped making excuses about two weeks ago.

Eddie had asked “do youuu… wanna come over?” on Saturday night, while nervously twirling his keys as Steve locked the front doors of the Family Video.

The evening chill had cut right through Eddie’s leather jacket as his keys clanged against his rings. But Steve had nodded with a smile and asked “pizza?” on their way to their cars, and Eddie had forgotten all about the cold.

Point being, Steve had been just fine with ‘big boy’ when it happened. Eddie’s a nickname guy. Him and Steve are hanging out more now, and so, Eddie’s been calling him more nicknames. Some of them are very intentional, others come completely without thinking, and it turns out, Steve takes issue with a few of them.

The first time it happens, Eddie’s underneath his van trying to get the damn thing to cooperate, the recent winter was tough on it, and it keeps dying out on him.

Steve sits nearby perched on a little stool, wearing his Family Video vest since he came by right after finishing his morning shift to see if they could make plans for lunch. Eddie suggested they grab something at the diner if and when he finally gets the van to start back up and Steve had agreed to wait.

He’s been telling Eddie about tonight’s basketball- game? match? super bowl? Is there such a thing as the major leagues of basketball? Eddie’s not sure, but he adores the sound of Steve’s voice and he’s kind of invested in the drama of players switching teams and retiring and whatever else Steve wants to tell him about. So, he’s been listening, not really bothering with asking for clarification for what he doesn’t understand yet. He’ll figure it out as they go.

He's blindly patting the floor around his legs for his rag, when he feels Steve put it right in his hand.

Eddie’s relieved. "Thanks, bud!" he says, the nickname just rolling off his tongue effortlessly, no meaning attached.

It gets kind of quiet all of a sudden. After about five seconds of Steve not talking, Eddie comes out to check on him, and finds him frowning at his legs.

"Don't call me ‘bud’" Steve requests, looking up at his face, his tone just a tad harsh. Eddie would think he ran into King Steve if he didn't know any better.

As it is, Eddie gets Steve probably thinks the nickname is childish or patronizing, so he doesn’t think twice of it, just gets a little sheepish and says "sorry, Stevie".

Steve smiles at that, a little cocky. He does his little mean girl shaking his head thing like he just got exactly what he wanted. Eddie feels his face twist a bit in confusion, but he likes it when Steve gets a little mean so he doesn't say anything about it and just dives back under his van as Steve resumes their conversation.

The second time it happens, they’re outside the supermarket. The kids shot out of the van as soon as it rolled to a stop, Steve calling out a warning after them while still listening to Eddie explain why Star Wars and Star Trek are actually very different but really good in their own way. Their conversation carries on as they hop out of the van, lock up and walk to meet at the front.

“I’m telling you, Star Trek is great. You would love it,” Eddie says, “you just have to give it a chance”.

Steve rolls his eyes at him, but Eddie can see his smile.

“Ok, alright,” Steve answers, “you can show me tonight then”, it’s almost too nonchalant. Eddie has to hide his grin.

Steve’s been suggesting they hang out more and more lately, and he can’t help but feel a bit hopeful. They clearly enjoy each other’s company, their time together is never dull, Steve seems to be really comfortable around him and maybe, just maybe…

“Should we get beers then?” Eddie asks, excited at the prospect of some more time alone with him. They haven’t had a weeknight hangout since Eddie fixed his van last week. He kinda misses the very specific color of Steve’s eyes in the Harringtons’ yellow living room lamplight.

“Yeah,” Steve says, his eyes get soft in a way Eddie only started noticing a couple of weeks back, “we can watch it at my place” he adds. Eddie thinks he definitely hasn’t seen him look at anyone else like that.

To shake himself out of the spell of the prettiest boy he’s ever met making the prettiest eyes he’s ever seen at him and ONLY him, Eddie grabs Steve by the wrist and starts marching them towards the supermarket’s front doors.

Without thinking, Eddie says "c'mon man," as they go.

Steve, who started easily following him (like he always does these days), suddenly stops in his tracks. Eddie gets pulled back and almost stumbles on top of Steve. He'd get flustered if Steve wasn't frowning at him like he’d just said the most insulting thing he’d heard this month.

"Don't call me ‘man’" Steve says. Eddie feels his eyebrows raise a bit.

He debates asking why but doesn't question Steve in the end. He’d rather offer understanding than judgement to him any day.

So, Eddie takes advantage of Steve's wrist in his hand, and squeezes there a bit, says "I'm sorry sweetheart" sincerely, looks into Steve's eyes so he can see Eddie means it.

Steve blushes a bit then, not really used to the nickname yet, Eddie just got the balls to start using it last week. Eddie himself is not really used to seeing Steve blush, and at something he says? It’s too much power for one metalhead.

But he gets distracted from Steve’s blush because it happens again, Steve basically preens like a peacock once Eddie switches nicknames. Looks smug, like he has Eddie wrapped around his finger and well, Eddie guesses he does, so, no arguments there either.

He just smiles back at Steve, really, has no other choice, it’s not like he can control how he reacts to the most gorgeous fucking face the universe could ever come up with. But he tugs him along again, Steve happily following this time.

The next time it happens, Steve’s leaning against his kitchen island, with Eddie leaning across from him against the counter.

The party is watching a movie in the Harringtons’ living room and at some point, Eddie got up to get himself another soda, Steve not so subtly followed after him, taking the empty popcorn bowls to the sink. He struck up a conversation and there they stayed.

Eddie’s been turning the small gesture around and around in his head. Clearly Steve’s not shy about seeking him out, and he’s obviously good with the party knowing, which means a hell of a lot because those are Steve’s people, that’s his family.

Eddie’s honestly running out of excuses to not ask him out. Seeing him reaching out to bump his sneaker against Eddie’s boot when he says something funny, laughing just a little too hard at Eddie’s dumb joke; seeing his eyes widen a bit when Eddie compliments him; seeing him notice when Eddie is holding back from talking too much, and not letting it go until he thinks Eddie’s shared all of his opinions on the subject; Eddie thinks maybe he can be brave, when it comes to Steve.

And this week might be the perfect time.

Here they are still, the movie long ended and several easy conversations floating from the living room to the kitchen, where they’re still engrossed on their own.

“I mean I taught the kid how to do his hair for god’s sake!” Steve is saying, Eddie’s laughing easily, and he has a slight suspicion Steve’s acting way more annoyed than he really is because he knows Eddie dies laughing every time Steve roasts the kids.

“Just, if he’s gonna give me hair advice, he should work on that goddamn tone. At the Very Least.” Steve finishes, Eddie giggling all the while at his Annoyed Mom tone.

"Yeah, dude!" Eddie agrees, wanting to egg him on, but Steve's face suddenly falls and whatever remark Eddie had locked and loaded just fades away.

Eddie blinks perplexed; he’s getting déjà vu.

Steve frowns at him, says "Don't call me ‘dude’".

It’s eerie, only he sounds a bit annoyed this time.

Eddie thinks, maybe someone called Steve ‘dude’ before in an unpleasant way, so he doesn't pry. Instead, he takes the chance to call him a nickname he likes more, and says "Sorry, pretty boy", his heart fluttering in the milliseconds he has to wait for Steve’s reaction.

And it happens one last time: Steve absolutely beams at that one, his smile so bright it makes Eddie want to jump in place.

He leans further back on the counter returning the smile, not noticing the common thread in Steve’s reactions to him switching nicknames.

But then the glint in Steve’s eyes suddenly brightens a dim corner of Eddie’s brain. He gets this feeling that reminds him of a perfectly set up riddle or finding that one perfect note for his latest song. It’s like everything suddenly just makes sense.

Eddie feels realization dawn on his face as he pushes himself off the counter to walk right into Steve’s personal bubble, grabs both of Steve's hands.

"Steve" Eddie says, not even caring that he sounds like the name is dripping in honey when it comes out of his mouth. With how sweet Steve is, it might as well be.

Steve just looks at him a little stunned, but doesn't say anything. Eddie draws circles in the back of his palms to reassure him.

"Why don't you want me to call you ‘dude’?" Eddie asks, trying to find out if this whole thing is what he thinks it is.

Steve looks down at their joined hands,.

"You call Nancy that sometimes..." Steve mumbles.

His answer would sound inconsequential to the unsuspecting, certainly would have to Eddie as late as last week, but Eddie thinks he’s finally getting it, and he hums his understanding.

"How ‘bout ‘man’?" he asks

Steve replies "You call Robin that sometimes..." his eyes still on their hands.

Eddie nods his agreement.

"I call everyone those things" he points out.

Steve agrees. "Exactly" he says, finally looking at him again, sounding annoyed and confirming Eddie’s suspicions.

Eddie feels his face split into a smile. He wants to grab Steve’s beautiful freaking face and just plant one on him.

"Can I still call you sweetheart?" he ventures instead. The nickname brings the hint of a smile to Steve's face but then he seems to realize something not so pleasant.

"Do you call someone else ‘sweetheart’?" Steve asks in return.

"No one" Eddie says, shaking his head, his tone vehement.

"Then yes" Steve finally answers. Eddie's heart wants to beat right out of his chest.

He interlocks their fingers to ground himself, Steve looks down at their hands and smiles at the sight.

"So, you don't want me to call you something I call someone else?" Eddie states, more than asks, calling Steve’s eyes back to his again.

"Anyone else" Steve confirms, holding his gaze.

Eddie lets out a small shuddering exhale and feels his heart fluttering in his throat, he really cannot believe this boy.

"Steve" Eddie drawls, dripping in honey again, his hands coming up to cradle Steve's face because he really can't resist anymore "Sweetheart" he says.

Steve's eyes grow a little wide and he starts blushing so much that Eddie can feel it in his palms.

"Steevieeee" Eddie sinsongs, squeezing Steve's face a bit "Pretty boy" Eddie calls him. Steve just keeps looking at him and a small smile blooms in his pretty, pretty face.

"Would you let me take you out to dinner this Friday?" Eddie finally asks him, his fingers curling to the back of Steve's head to play with his hair there. Steve's eyes get even wider.

" 's Valentine's this Friday" he points out. Eddie knows.

"Mmhm. Want you to be my Valentine." Eddie tells him, tugs his hair gently, "How's that sound?" he asks, bold in a way he never has been before. Steve blushing does things to him.

"Sounds nice" Steve answers. He smiles and nods while his hands hook on Eddie's belt loops.

"Then it's a date?" Eddie asks, trying not to sound too eager. He thinks he fails spectacularly but Steve beams and pulls him in to kiss his cheek.

"It's a date" Steve tells him, his breath ghosting on Eddie's cheek and making him shiver.

Steve pulls back, lets go of Eddie’s belt loops and tugs on a strand of his hair gently, smiling like the cat that got the cream as he walks back out into the living room.

Eddie’s gonna make this the best Valentine’s Day date Steve has ever been on.

3K notes · View notes