#it's just-bit of an ick
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vulpixelates · 5 months ago
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i know it will never happen but i so desperately desire an origins-type playable backstory thing in all games but especially veilguard. i feel like it added so much depth to origins and made you feel instantly connected to your character in a way that gets lost in games like inquisition where you fill in the blanks as you go except for the bare basics. like, i do enjoy the freedom to willy nilly decide where a character was before the events of the story from a creative perspective, but the playable origins were just so good! especially when you go back to where your warden is from and can engage differently with the arcs there
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baekuras · 2 years ago
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God I love my gay coworker but sometimes it really hits me that he is ever so slightly more privileged than me or others in both general home life and also sexuality
Sexuality came up because he doesn’t understand why anyone would need pride flags to establish their identity and while I can agree that it’d be fucking nice if we could all just exist without having to fight for our right to live against homophobic shitheads-that isn’t the case It’s good for him if he doesn’t need something to show his identity and that he is valid etc but like As someone who is aroace, without flags etc making me aware that hey-these identities exist and are an established things for many I wouldn’t have a word to put on my sexuality other than “Ha! I am the chosen one, the special singular human who ISN’T into sex like the rest of the world tries to assure me I have to be-get fucked losers for I am free of your vices!”
+yadda yadda going back to the past (and even the present still) of fighting for basic human rights and uniting together to achieve that and such
idk it’s nothing big really but just coming from a lesser known umbrella term+immediately thinking back to old times or places nowadays which will still kill you if you so much look at someone ~gayly...just nah
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v4guelyv4mpiric · 10 days ago
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do you guys see the vision?
inspo under the cut
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modeus-the-misanthrope · 2 months ago
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Annoying ick's the Vessels do.
Witch: Gleefully touches you with ice-cold hands/feet when it's winter.
Adversary: Listens to very loud music in the shower....her 6AM showers.
Damsel: Will NEVER pick where yall are gonna eat. Will constantly make you pick.
Prisoner: Turns her clothes inside out after 2 days of wearing them, instead of showering.
Beast: Looms over you while your sleeping like a pet cat does.
Spectre: Will phase directly through your wall and then through you to get to a different room faster.
Tower: Will "borrow" anything and everything she wants from you. Will never ask first.
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lylahammar · 17 days ago
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“The ick” is straight ppl’s fun new way of passive aggressively letting everyone in the vicinity know how much they fucking hate their partner
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megpricephotography · 4 months ago
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Beach Boy! Barney, jumping for joy during a trip to the beach in July of 2012.
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the-inner-musings-of-a-worm · 5 months ago
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i love andrew minyard okay? he’s a complex, interesting, and smart character and aftg is what it is because of him. but, but here me out here, the scene where they’re shopping for clothes at the mall and andrew is just throwing stuff on the floor? i can excuse the violence but there is no reason to make the life of a minimum wage customer service employee harder. what’s ur excuse huh blonde boy? what trauma made you do that?
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doloneia · 2 months ago
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as an academic i believe every lost greek epic is a tragic loss of valuable material that could have provided modern scholars an immense amount of insight into homeric tradition. however as an odysseus enjoyer, i think the telegony was kinda cringe and ooc
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valewritessss · 4 months ago
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What are some fanfiction pet peeves or icks?
I specifically had percabeth in mind but other ships or fandoms is fine too
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handledwithgloves · 5 months ago
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for pride month and for draco’s bday i will say stop making draco “the girl” in your mlm ships
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parasitic-anomaly · 2 months ago
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Hey so didn't think I'd have to make this post but!! dont fucking tag me in posts that are potentialy triggering!! especially if i dont know you that well!!
im a teenager who doesnt want to be dragged into shit that has nothing to do with me, fucking respect that
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corellons · 2 years ago
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Look, i was never a sterek shipper but there were some real strong sterek vibes in the movie...
The jeep - like why is Derek so hung up on Stiles' jeep that it's literally the emotional center point of his relationship with his son in the film??
Also Eli looks and dresses so much like Stiles. He's a sterek lovechild
The first point at least had to be intentional right?
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ceratedfish24 · 18 days ago
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Disclaimer: I am very very exclusively talking about the Life Series characters, not their creators. I understand and love and respect that everything the creators do is in the competitive/silly nature of the game.
To me, personally, Flower Husbands is toxic because Jimmy has never done anything for Scott ever. In my head, Scott dotes on Jimmy and protects and takes care of Jimmy, and then Scott gets literally nothing in return. Jimmy lies to him, refuses to say “I love you” back even though Scott is clearly hurt by it, ignores and attacks Scott for no reason even when it's a really bad idea, and never expresses affection for Scott. Scott does SO MUCH and Jimmy won’t even look in his direction and then is so offended when Scott does anything that goes against Jimmy.
This isn’t something that Jimmy does to Scott specifically; he does it to all his past allies who cc!Jimmy is actually close to cause he knows for certain that they won’t get for real mad at him, which is great and I’m really glad that they can trust each other like that.
Still, in my fictional headcanon daydreams, Jimmy is such a horrible husband to Scott and then divorces Scott cause he just got tired of Scott.
And then Scott finds Team TIES. Team TIES LOVES Scott so much for every little part of him. Tango has said multiple times that he loves Scott, Impulse has repeatedly stated his admiration for Scott, Etho seems to pay an unusual amount of attention to Scott compared to the rest of the server like he has a lot of respect for Scott and knows that Scott is a threat but he also feels comfortable making jokes around Scott because he knows that Scott is very logical and trying to intimidate Scott isn’t going to work cause Scott will target whoever is causing him the most trouble no matter how scary they seem and Scott may not win every one of those fights but he certainly leaves carnage behind, and Skizz has spewed time and time again just how much he admires Scott. Skizz clearly and enthusiastically loves Scott so much and isn’t afraid to show it. All of these traits, this open and unapologetic respect, that’s exactly what I want for Scott.
These traits can also be seen in Ren, Martyn, Scar, and Grian. They are not so much seen in BigB, Bdubs, and Joel. As for Mumbo, further research must be conducted🔎hopefully this series!! What I’m trying to say is that, from my perspective, every single man on that server except maybe Joel is a better partner to Scott than Jimmy ever was.
I am excluding the women because I’m specifically talking about romantic relationships and putting Scott with a woman feels wrong and bad, but, platonically, I am also an ENORMOUS fan of Scott’s friendships with Gem, Pearl, Lizzie, and Cleo. They’re all so unafraid of him and comfortable joking with him and improving with him and I love that. Scott and Cleo are my favorite best friends in every series they’re in together.
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moliathh · 4 months ago
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isnt it hypocrisy when some people are like "shipping alu/tegra is disrespectful and ignorant to canon because she will never betray her faith and family for her enemy" and then turn around and ship ander/card... bestie integra is a protestant christian with a "no sexual intercourse until marriage" oath (mind u they used shared title and that is commonly a thing between married couples of different titles, also that doesnt forbid them from courting) meanwhile anderson is a catholic priest, not only do catholic priests not marry, they took celibacy oath, which means no sexual nor romantic relationship, not even courting, and mind you integra wanted alucard to not disappear while anderson very much wanted him DEAD dead, idk which one of us is more "disrespectful and ignorant to canon"
personally speaking i cannot gaf about what ppl ship, you do you, as long as ur happy with your little fictional playdolls im happy for u, but do not come for other people u dont even know and talk shit about them just because they have a different headcanon and preference than you, its honestly so rude
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chayannesegg · 9 months ago
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only watched clips of fit pov so I'm not fully informed yet but the evolution of fit deciding the "homophobia" is real is interesting.
like, initially he saw it for what it was: tubbo lashing out because he felt left out. he called tubbo out on this, he told ramon this, he laughed about it. tubbo was also cartoonish in his distaste, it was obvious he was hurting underneath.
but slowly he's become more and more genuinely annoyed by it even though tubbo has toned it down massively
tubbo basically just does his performative ick when faced with fitpac moments like one might if their parents kissed in front of them. he certainly still feels left out but it's also a bit (one pac loves to poke at bc he knows it's tubbo being stubborn and resistant to love)
but to fit, who wants tubbo to show him that he still cares about morning crew, it bothers him that tubbo can't just leave it be. it hurts every time tubbo rejects fit & pac's relationship, even jokingly. he doesn't understand why tubbo feels left out. he wants morning crew back to what they used to be.
tubbo for the longest time was the only person there with them when fit and pac were developing their relationship. no ramon. no richas. no mike. he teased fit but he also supported him. he was the buffer they needed to start acknowledging their feelings. he was their friend.
but now tubbo is standoffish. he shies away where he used to budge in. he doesn't know his place around fit and pac anymore and he's not brave enough to ask. he's scared of the answer.
and fit doesn't get why tubbo can't just believe they love them the same as before. why he's not acting like before. he feels rejected. he feels ignored. the comments about fit and pac have started to feel personal instead of just tubbo being insecure.
so when he sees tubbo reaching out to foolish, it hurts him. it seems like tubbo has just given up on the morning crew. and he wants to lash back. he wants to warn foolish about how tubbo can hurt him. he wants tubbo back. so he frames it around the going joke, that tubbo's homophobic, but it doesn't quite land (fit's not as good as tubbo at making jokes out of his own pain). it just ends up feeling too real and that's exactly the problem.
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strangersteddierthings · 2 years ago
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Part Two of Class of '85.
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June 6th, 1985
1. Make Sure Eddie Lives
Convince Wayne to move away? (how??)
Befriend Eddie sooner? (tried and failed)
Graduate Early?
2. Save Max
Stop Billy on Fourth July. Save Billy? Does he deserve it?
3. Help El With Powers. How?
Save Hopper? How to learn location of Russian prison if saved?
4. Convince Everyone To Move Out of Hawkins
That's all that's written on this slightly crumpled piece of paper.
Eddie hadn't even meant to read it; when he'd shaken out the grey sweatpants it had fluttered free, slowly falling to the ground, and when he picked it up to put it back in the drawer he caught his name. And he's always been far too curious.
Eddie knows as soon as he's read it that he absolutely shouldn't have. It's too late though. He's read it, he knows now, and he can't really unknow it.
This is the list of things Steve is trying to change in this timeline.
It knocks the air out of Eddie and his knees feel a little weak suddenly. He drops himself to the floor, one hand clutching the sweats, the other the note.
Make sure Eddie lives.
Eddie lives.
Which implies that Eddie died.
Eddie's not sure what that says about him, that he's never made the connection of Steve's soft I can't lose you confessions and that he might mean Eddie is dead, and not, like, having fled Hawkins before Steve could confess his lo-feelings or something.
He's never really taken the time to stew in what Steve meant because as far as Eddie was concerned, there was no losing him. Steve's already changed the way Eddie's life plays out; he's graduated a year sooner than he did in that other timeline. He's got a part time job at the local mechanics. And though he doesn't know details, he does know that still being in high school led him to the event Steve wanted to change.
Which was his death.
He takes several deep breaths. He's not going to die because Steve's already saved him so he can deal with this. It's not even an issue.
Moving past that. Save Max. There's no last name written, but both he and Steve know only one Max. Then the line below that. They both hate Billy, yes, but what's throwing Eddie off here is the written, then stricken out, does he deserve it? The use of save gives him pause, too. It says Make sure Eddie lives and save Max. So, Max doesn't die? What does she need saved from then?
This is when Steve finds him, entering the room with a, "Did you get lost, Eds? It's the top dra- oh," Steve is stopped two steps into the room when Eddie looks up at him.
"I didn't mean to read it but I saw my name and..." Eddie says, trailing off because he doesn't actually have anything to add. He's worried for a second that Steve will be mad at him but that thought goes as quickly as it appeared. Steve moves into the room, dropping to his knees before Eddie, hands coming to cup his face.
"Oh, babe," Steve's voice is gentle, his thumbs even more so as they swipe across his cheek. "I'm so sorry."
Eddie should be the one apologizing. He's done the one thing he wasn't suppose to. He's read the list! He knows the future! (sorta) "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have read this."
Steve makes his I-want-to-argue face but it smooths over. The tone in Steve's voice when he speaks, sounding older than his years and so fucking tired, it break Eddie's heart. "I should have burned that. This isn't your burden to shoulder. I'll just take that and you can try and forget."
He's reaching for the paper and Eddie pulls his hand behind his back, away from Steve's grasp. "No."
"No?" Steve looks surprised. Honestly, Eddie's also surprised.
"You don't have to shoulder this alone," Eddie says, "I can help. We can fix this together."
It's strange to see hope mixed with sorrow in Steve's eyes. "I can't- there's so much I don't even understand, don't even know how to explain."
"Sweetheart, let me help," Eddie whispers, shifting to his knees to easily slide into Steve's space, press soft kisses to his face between his words," I (kiss) want to (kiss) help (kiss). Let me (kiss)."
On the last kiss Steve angles his face, capturing Eddie's lips with his own, his hands still on Eddie's face allowing him to hold Eddie steady as he presses in, deepens the kiss, runs his tongue along Eddie's lip and Eddie flicks his own tongue out in return. They kiss in an odd, calm-but-desperate, deep-but-lazy, soft-but-messy way. They end it panting, foreheads pressed together to feel grounded, Steve's hands still on Eddie's face, Eddie's hands braced on Steve's thighs as he leans into him.
"Once you know, you can't unknow. It's fucking terrible, Eds," Steve whispers, "I don't want to do that to you. I don't want you to hurt."
"But you hurt," Eddie counters, "and if you hurt, I hurt. Thems the rules."
Steve laughs and kisses him again, just a quick closed lip peck, "Dustin told me once, you die, I die. Mutual destruction really shouldn't be the first go-to for showing affection for the people I care about it."
"Says the man whose favorite way to show affection is stepping between someone and a fist, or claw, or whatever."
Steve rolls his eyes and pulls back. "Weren't you going to shower?"
"Plans change. We gotta finish arguing about you telling me about this," he waves the paper, now even more crumpled, between the two of them, "so that you can let me help."
"How about you take that shower, and meanwhile, I'll cook dinner and think about finishing this 'argument' you want to have," Steve says, and even though Steve doesn't physically make the air quotes motion, Eddie still hears it in his voice.
Eddie concedes on this, though, and after stealing a soft shirt from Steve's closet, does go shower. When he's done, he takes his time detangling his hair and towel drying it as much as he can before changing into the pilfered clothing and going down to dinner. Steve is washing up the dishes he used while cooking (because this fucker cleans as he goes, what kinda sicko does that?) so, Eddie gathers plates and utensils and sets the table (because they're the kinda sickos that eat at a dinner table) .
Dinner is pork chops, mashed potatoes, and green beans. It's delicious.
They just chat about the day under the silent agreement that serious conversations were for after dinner. Eddie packages up leftovers and wipes down the counters while Steve finishes dishes and Jesus Christ when did they become so normal and adult?
Well, Steve's been an adult for a while, technically, but also, he's still just barely 18 and that's just- Eddie tries not to think about it too much, the difference between Steve's age in relation to the amount of time it's been since he was born, but also since he was forced? chosen? made to? relive 3 years of his life again.
"Alright Stevie," Eddie says, crawling into his lap on the couch, his legs bracketing Steve's, pulling Steve into him, Steve's head on his chest and his head resting atop Steve's, a mirror of their first interaction, at that party that feels so long ago and also just like yesterday, "I do have a question about your list that I feel is safe to ask and for you to answer."
"Hmm?" Steve hums back, arms wrapping around Eddie as Steve nuzzles against him.
"Befriend me got crossed out, so getting me to graduate early was the option you seemed to be going with. Obviously, befriending me ended up working. So, how in the hell did you plan to make me graduate early if we weren't friends?"
Steve snorts a laugh and says, "you're gonna laugh at me."
"Of course, I am. Tell me anyway."
"I was going to attempt doing your homework and turning it in on your behalf. I even practiced making my handwriting look different."
Eddie does laugh at him, so much that his sides start to hurt, and he would have fallen off of the couch if Steve wasn't holding him so tightly.
Then Steve has the fucking nerve to say, without the slightest hint of embarrassment, "told ya you'd laugh at me."
Well, Eddie's got no choice but to take Steve's face in his hands and kiss him senseless after that.
"Can you tell me what you mean by save Max?" Eddie asks when the kissing is done and the mood changes to serious again.
"Eds-"
"No, listen. I was thinking in the shower and like, I'm not going to get all philosophical on you, but I do think you can tell me, and we can figure out things together, maybe, and I won't interfere or do anything to, like, jeopardize the timeline. Just listen and troubleshoot."
Steve pulls back from their cuddling to eye Eddie skeptically. "I don't believe any of that for a second."
"Yeah," Eddie sighs, sagging forward to rest against Steve as he leans back against the couch now, "I just- I want to save Max, too. Let me help."
"It should have been someone else."
Eddie hears the cut off sob, presses himself down like a weight blanket, "someone else?"
"To get the second chance, the do over," Steve says, voice wet and pained, "it should have been someone else. Someone who-who remembers shit, and actually knows things. Someone smarter. I'm so afraid that I'm going to fuck this up. But then I feel like shit for wishing this was someone else's problem instead of mine."
"But it wasn't someone else," Eddie says, "it was you." Then he waits for Steve to collect himself and speak.
"The Party, they think I shouldn't tell anyone," Steve presses a kiss to the top of Eddie's head that he hears more than feels, "if I change too much, I could end up fucking up a thing that has to happen for us to win. I shouldn't tell people, or warn them, because if they make decisions based on knowledge they shouldn't have? That could get someone killed."
"So tell someone not involved. Or someone who isn't involved yet. Someone not around during the events. Then none of you are making decisions you wouldn't have already been making, but someone behind the scenes can change things. Maybe even last minute?"
That seems to give Steve pause. Eddie wants to pull back to look at him, his thinking face is adorable, but instead he shoves his face into Steve's neck and just breathes him in.
"That- I hadn't even thought of..." Steve kisses Eddie's temple, "Eddie, baby, you're a fucking genius."
"I know but it's great to have it acknowledged."
"Alright, off, I've gotta make a phone call before it gets too late," Steve says, shoving at Eddie. Eddie goes willingly, rolling a full 360 off Steve's lap so he's kneeling on the couch, elbows resting on the back of it. His eyes stay on Steve, though, tracking him as he stands, adjusts his shirt as if anyone but Eddie can see him now, before moving to the phone. It's not mounted to the wall in the living room, just sat on its own table in a corner, chair nearby.
If Eddie's gaze drifts down to Steve's butt while his back is turned, dialing whoever he's calling, well, Eddie's got no shame in that. He's allowed to look.
"Hi Hopper, it's Steve. I need you to get Dr Owens to get a hold of me. I know you have a way. No- you've got to- ok. No. Yes, this is important. Something- there is something else coming. We're not in the clear yet. No! You know I cannot tell you that. We all agreed that I wouldn't tell you anything! Hop- Hop- HOPPER. I promise, I swear on my life, El will be fine. She'll be okay. I... I just need to talk to Dr Owens. Thank you. Have him call on a Tuesday, I'm always off on Tuesdays."
Eddie listens in on the whole conversation, because if it was meant to be private, Steve would have used the kitchen phone, or the one in his room. Rich people have more than one phone, Eddie's learned. Excessive. "Sounds like it went well?"
Steve wrinkles his face in a grimace. "It's still weird as fuck. They know I'm not lying about the future thing. Not when- ever since-"
Steve can't say it again, but Eddie knows what he's talking about.
Bob Newby.
Steve blames himself hard for him. With whatever happened before Steve's time travel shit -the thing that was so bad something answered Steve's prayers and wishes to change it- Steve hadn't even been thinking about Bob. It wasn't until Steve saw Bob at the Hawkins Lab that he remembered the outcome.
He'd tried to change it, to save Bob, but in doing so he'd just endangered himself more and then Bob's death, his sacrifice, had been in protecting Steve instead of the surprise attack that had apparently been what took him last time.
Steve still can't look Joyce in the face, much less meet her eye.
Eddie hates that there's nothing he can say to alleviate this guilt from Steve. He's tried but Steve... Eddie won't even forget how his voice cracked when he said 'I knew he was going to die! I knew it, should have remembered it, but instead of someone without several concussions and memory issues getting a second chance, it's me! The fuck up! I didn't remember Bob and now, this time, it's my fault he's dead.' And Eddie didn't have the words to make it better.
Still doesn't.
"So, he's going to have the Owens dude call?"
"He's going to try," Steve says, "but can't promise. So, we'll see."
-
June 24th, 1985
Steve is in the bathroom when it happens. The phone rings, and Eddie's in the kitchen, so he picks it up, and says, "Harrington residence."
"Is this Steve Harrington?"
"Uh, no, but if we just wait a moment he'll be available soon."
The voice on the other end hums, "I do have a time limit to this call."
What an odd thing to say- oh. Oh shit. "Dr Owens?"
There is silence on the other end and Eddie's afraid he's fucked this up for Steve until he hears, "and just what else has Steve Harrington told you?"
Eddie's got a choice to make now. He can lie, or he can tell the truth. Both options have consequences, he thinks, but Eddie knows what he wants to outcome to be, so he moves to get line of sight on the hallway Steve should soon be appearing from and says, "Just listen, please. I don't know nearly enough but I want to help. I can help. Listen to what Steve has to tell you, and fucking believe him. If you think I can help with anything after that, call again on Saturday. Between ten and two."
"I'll listen," is the only response he gets, and they sit on the line for what feels like an eternity before Steve comes into view. Eddie shouts his name into the receiver, feeling bad about that only after Steve's taken the phone and Eddie has retreated to the backyard, both to smoke and to give Steve privacy.
Steve is on the phone for almost four full hours. Thirty minutes into the call, Eddie suggests he take the call to his room, so he can at least sit down. Steve agrees and hands the phone to Eddie, who listens for the confirmation that Steve has picked up the upstairs phone before he hangs up the downstairs one.
As much as he wants to eavesdrop, he wants Steve's trust more. Steve is trusting Owens, and if Owens decides it, he'll get ahold of Eddie. If there's nothing Eddie can do to help, then he'll just have to be here for whatever the aftermath is.
-
June 29th, 1985
To say that Eddie is shocked that when he answers the phone on Saturday and it's actually Dr Owens on the other line would be an understatement. He knows he offered, and he hoped, but no amount of hope makes something happen.
"Your juvenile record leaves a lot to be desired, Edward Munson," Dr Owens says in leu of any other greeting when Eddie picks up with the usual 'Harrington residence'. Eddie doesn't like that the government wasted no time digging into him. He really doesn't like that Dr Owens know his name. "I am not one to hold someone to past mistakes. You wanted to help, and reluctant though I am to admit it, there is something you can do."
"Anything."
"Alright. What you need to do is be at the Fourth of July carnival, on the lookout for Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper. They'll get there later in the day, but I don't have an exact time for you. As soon as you've found them, tell them to go to Starcourt Mall because that's where the kids are. Then you go home."
Eddie wants to know why he can't come with them to the mall but knows better than to do that. "Okay, I can do that."
"I hate to be the one to remind you, but lives are at stake here. Do what I've told you and nothing else."
"I know."
"And..." Eddie can hear the hesitation in his voice, "and just know you might not see some people you are used to seeing in the days leading up to the Fourth. Don't go looking for them."
Jesus H Christ. How is Eddie supposed to not do that? How is he supposed to be okay with people being missing? He must take too long to confirm because Dr Owens speaks again.
"Edward. I promise you, they will all make it through this."
"Okay."
Hanging up with phone feels very final. He doesn't like that Dr Owens didn't assure him of their physical safety. Didn't say they'd be okay. Or that they'd be unscathed. It was basically the nicest way the guy could have said no one you care for dies this time.
-
July 4th, 1985
Eddie spends all day at the damn carnival. He posts up around noon, which is probably way too early but he's not going to fuck this up. He hasn't seen Steve in two days and he's trying not to freak out. Dr Owens said they'd all live but fuck, in what condition? Eddie doesn't know what's happening, what was supposed to have happened without Dr Owens involved, and hates that he doesn't know how these changes Dr Owens are making to the timeline will effect Steve.
In the other timeline he knows that Steve lives, at least. This time...
The sky starts to darken when a Cadillac pulls up hot and going much faster than it should be, flying past Eddie's van to find parking closer to the entrance of the carnival. It could just be some drunks excited to ride a Ferris Wheel but Eddie's going to investigate.
Eddie recognizes Hopper instantly, the unfortunate side effect of being with Steve. The Chief of Police has become a common occurrence, with Steve inviting everyone over for pool parties, or them being invited to the Byer's for Barbeques.
"Hopper! Joyce!" Eddie yells, getting their attention before they've made it past the last row of cars to the entrance.
"Eddie! Thank God!" Joyce rushes to him, Hopper hot on her heels, along with two people he doesn't recognize. "Where are the kids?"
"Starcourt Mall," Eddie says, "you have to get to Starcourt Mall as soon as you can."
Hopper looks back to the Cadillac, then to Eddie's van. "Everyone in the van."
"Oh, I'm not supposed to-"
"Van. Now."
Eddie scrambles into the driver's seat, buckling up as Hopper ushers the strangers and Joyce in before pulling the doors closed behind him. "Get a move on it, kid!"
Eddie starts the van and guns it. It'll be fine. He'll drop them off and then go home and wait. Like he's supposed to.
Except that doesn't happen. Hopper orders him to drop them off near the entrance, then park in a far back corner and wait. And how can Eddie argue with the Chief of Police?
It does give Eddie a view he never thought he'd see outside of horror movies. About an hour passes before another car pulls into the parking lot, stationing itself facing the mall, and the Wheeler's car still parked along the curb. The headlights on the car go out, and just as Eddie is leaning forward to try and get a better look at the car, something climbs atop the mall, pulling his attention from the car and holy shit what the fuck is that thing.
Eddie clamps both his hands over his mouth to stop from screaming. Then that thing drops into the mall and someone steps out of the car. The person makes it three steps from their car before what looks like the entire US military floods out the entrance of Starcourt, and several military vehicles come barreling around the mall, probably from the employee parking area.
Then there's a knock on Eddie's window and he's fairly certain he almost pisses himself in fear. He whips his head around to look and he just sees some older guy frowning at him.
"Edward," the man's voice is slightly raised but familar, "I believe I told you to go home."
"Holy shit!" Eddie unlocks his door and shoves it open, forcing Dr Owens to step back. Eddie goes to climb out but his seatbelt chokes him because he forgot he was still buckled in. He unbuckles but Dr Owens has moved back into his space, keeping him in his van.
"I'm Sam Owens," he finally, officially, introduces himself. "Care to explain?"
"Hopper made me do it."
Dr Owens doesn't even look surprised. He looks away from Eddie now, towards the flurry of movement happening around the mall. Eddie's eyes follow and he watches as Billy Hargrove, who he can now make out thanks to the spotlights from the fucking helicopters, gets tackled by two men twice his size.
"You're going to save him, right?" Eddie asks.
At that, Dr Owens does look surprised. "We're going to try."
He thinks of Steve's note. Save Max. Save Billy. "You better succeed."
Dr Owens looks like he agrees. He also lets Eddie stay. Make him sit in his car like he's in time out, and it feels like forever, but as soon as everyone Eddie's come to care about comes out the front door, Dr Owens tells Eddie to follow him, and they go join the group.
Steve looks beat to shit and Eddie runs to him, pulling himself back before he can fling himself at Steve and pull him into his arms.
"Jesus, Stevie!" Eddie says, taking in his puffy eye and split lip, and he can't stop the hand that reaches out to touch even though he absolutely should not be reaching for him in public- Steve slams into him, tucking his face into Eddie's neck. He doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Steve, starts whispering, "I've got you. I'm here and I've got you."
Steve finally pulls back when Joyce approaches, "Steve, let the paramedic look at you."
Steve steps back then but doesn't put distance between them. It reminds Eddie of what he said at graduation. 'I'm not afraid of a single person in this town'. Eddie wishes he wasn't afraid, either.
"Come with me?" Steve asks. Eddie nods, and follows.
They wait while Robin Buckley gets looked over, then it's Steve's turn. Robin takes Steve's place beside Eddie and they watch as Steve is examined. Eddie sees Robin giving him sideways glances, like she's afraid to fully look at Eddie, which is... something.
Once Steve is freed from the medic he steps up on Eddie's other side, the one Robin isn't stationed at, and says, "I need to talk to Owens before we can leave."
"Oh, uh, I'm kind of the Byers' and Hopper's ride. And the weird dudes they came with. They don't speak English."
Steve barks out a laugh at that. "Murray speaks English. And hooboy did we have to hear it from him. He doesn't trust the government."
Eddie doesn't know which of them was Murray, but he agrees. He gestures towards the mall, which some people seem to actively throwing gasoline on in an attempt to burn it faster? Eddie doesn't know. "Well, can't say I trust 'em either if this is the result."
"This is the Russian government's fault," Robin says.
"Oh, no, the Russians wouldn't be this kind of particular problem without our government," Steve says.
Robin just blinks at him. "Are we... still drugged?"
"You were drugged!?" Eddie whips around to Steve.
"Truth serum," Steve nods then seems to realize how quickly he said that and frowns. "It's taking longer to wear off. Or maybe this whole issue was resolved sooner than last time?"
"Shhhh!" Eddie shushes him with a hand on his mouth, looking frantically at Robin to see if she caught was Steve just said. "Stevie. Do not talk anymore tonight."
Steve licks his palm.
-
July 13th, 1985
It's an uncomfortable gathering around the table. Dr Owens, Chief Hopper, El, Joyce Byers, Steve, and Eddie are sitting at the Harrington dining table. They've all only just sat down, eyes on Steve.
"What do you mean you can't find me?" Steve asks as a whisper. With how silent it is, though, everyone hear.
El frowns. "You are gone. I cannot find you like I could Billy, or Dad, or Dr Owens. I do not know why."
After El had some rest and recovery, Steve had asked if she would look in his memories. Or be present while he remembered them. It was Dr Owens idea; maybe El could remember details that Steve himself did not pick up consciously, but heard to saw nonetheless. They'd attempted it last night to no success.
"Perhaps this has something to do with what... brought you back to this time," Dr Owens says, picking his words carefully with how slowly they left his mouth.
Steve nods before slumping in his chair, his brows furrowing as he thinks. Eddie thinks he's ridiculously cute when he makes that face. Joyce asks Dr Owens a question but Eddie's focus is on Steve. They're sitting next to each other, so he braves bumping his knee against Steve's. Steve responds by flashing him a smile and immediately hooking his ankle around Eddie's before falling back into his thoughts.
Eddie half listens to the conversation around him, half worries about Steve and what it means for him that El cannot find his mind. That being a by-product of the time travel thing seems logical. If Steve's consciousness was dropped into a younger body, the two minds couldn't exist at the same time. So perhaps, because El is searching for a Steve that, technically, no longer exists, she might not be able to find him?
"What about Project NINA?" Steve asks, bringing all conversation to a halt.
"How do you know-" Dr Owens cuts himself off. "No, I know how. Better question. What happened that we needed to actually use Project NINA?"
Steve looks haunted again, like he does when he remembers the timeline he destroyed. "Vecna happens. Spring break of '86. I- we can't talk about that here. I think- he can get inside people's head. Read their minds."
No one says it out loud, but everyone's eyes go to El for a moment and she looks uncomfortable.
"What if," Steve starts, like he's having a realization himself, "what if the reason I can't be found is for my protection? Vecna can read minds, get in there and make you think things- what if I'm being protected by whatever sent me back? Vecna doesn't know that I know what he's up to, 'cause he can't read my mind and know what happens in the future. Can't stop me from trying to stop him! Project NINA is like, a bring back memories thing, right? Take me there. Set it up away from Hawkins and take me there."
They discuss some more, trying to say a lot without saying anything incase Vecna was listening in right now. That's a thought that will keep Eddie up for months.
It's gets decided on that El will go with, to be able to try and reach Steve while he's trying to find his own memories. Hopper is going with because he's not letting El go alone, and that's when Eddie speaks up.
"Then I'm coming, too."
"Eds," Steve looks torn, like he wants to smile and frown at the same time.
"No. If Hopper's going for El's emotional support, than I'm coming for yours."
It's decided. Dr Owens will work on Project NINA, and arrange for them all to be picked up when it was ready.
"One last thing," Steve says, "once you're away from Hawkins, call me. There's someone I don't want involved in this. He's done enough damage. Oh, also, invest in some goddamn swim caps. If you think you can shave my head, or anyone else's, for your dunk tank, then you're going to get hit."
That night, Steve finally tells him what happened. What Dr Owens and he had planned. Steve only told Dr Owens about the Fourth of July, wanted to only change the last possible moment for worry of alerting Vecna to what was happening, worried about Vecna changing the plan if he knew.
He talks about Billy being possessed, how Will was, too, once. Dr Owens thinks they've managed to do that for Billy, but just to be safe, they're taking Billy somewhere. Steve didn't ask, but they're telling his dad that he got a scholarship to some college or other, full ride kind of thing. Max knows the truth, but she also knows he's alive. And knowing he's alive means Max isn't going to pull away from her friends.
Steve says he hopes that means Max is saved.
Eddie learns that Steve and Robin are going to become insufferable best friends, so Eddie had better make peace with that now.
Ha takes it all in, listens as Steve tries to downplay what he went through with humor. Like it was easier to endure just because he knew it was coming this time. It does end with Steve crying, just repeating they lived, this time, no one died, they're fine. And Eddie's smart to enough to know Steve isn't meaning all the people who did become a giant flesh monster; he's talking about they people he cares about. Hopper, who apparently died-but-didn't-die, and Billy.
He learns that last time El lost her powers, probably due to losing Hopper. But she didn't lose Hopper, or even have to fight the giant flesh monster. With the plans Dr Owens made, they'd already stormed and cleared the Russian base below Hawkins. It wasn't Dustin and Erica who freed Robin and Steve from their restraints, but some US military men. They'd waited until the Mind Flayer attacked the mall, dropped down inside it before torching it. They still needed the mall to burn down - there was a Russian base below it, after all.
Once Steve is finished, Eddie kisses his forehead and maneuvers them down in bed so he can spoon him. Steve melts into his touch, pulling Eddie's arms more firmly around him. Steve likes to be the little spoon, Eddie's happy to learn.
"I'm going to come out to everyone. Before we leave," Steve says, long after Eddie thought he's already fallen asleep. "You don't have to. We don't have to tell them we're together, but I want them to know."
The thought terrifies Eddie. He's been beaten up for the assumptions, it's hard to him to imagine what might happen if that words are made true by speaking them out loud. "Can I think on that?"
"Of course."
-
July 15th, 1985
Eddie does think about it. He thinks about coming out to this little family they've cultivated and it's hard. Coming out to Wayne had been rough, and he was one person! And he'd told Jeff. But Gareth and Brian had just kinda... put the pieces together and told Eddie they didn't care who he liked so long as he never picked his boytoy over Hellfire night (and so far, Eddie hasn't!). Eddie can't imagine telling up to fourteen people all at once.
Fourteen separate people who could hate him.
But Steve seems so sure they won't. That he won't lose anyone when(if) he comes out to them. And fuck, the scariest part if that he kind of wants to. If he and Steve do this together, if they know they're together, he could hold his hand when they're all together. Sit as close as he wants to without the fear of being found out because they'd already know.
But if they aren't okay with it. Or they aren't okay with Eddie.
These people, this group, was Steve's first, so they might be willing to forgive Steve for his temporary lapse in judgment, but Eddie hadn't done anything to earn their trust. Respect. Willingness to not beat him to death for being gay.
And also, a tiny part of him is afraid of losing Steve if he can't commit to coming out.
"Steve," Eddie whispers as they sit on the couch, a movie playing but Eddie's not watching. "I'm scared."
"What?" Steve sounds so confused, and he quickly looks between Eddie and the movie. It's so enduring that Eddie must laugh about it, just a little.
"Not of Footloose. Of telling people. About us."
Steve's face softens and he looks so fond that Eddie aches. "That's okay, Eddie. You don't have to."
"But what if...."
"If?" Steve prompts.
"What if I'm never ready to come out? What if I- if we can't- What does it mean for us, if I never get there?"
"Oh," Steve says, like the thought that Eddie would never come out hadn't ever occurred to him. "Well, then I'll just be the bisexual who never dates again and lives with his best guy friend for the rest of his life."
That's like a gut punch in the best way. That Steve says it so easily, like he plans to stay with Eddie until he dies. Eddie can't fathom that. "Careful, Stevie. With words like that I might get ideas about you."
Steve looks serious now, but with a little upturn to his mouth. A small, secret smile. "Ideas, hmm. What sort?"
"That you might adore me."
"Well, I do adore you," Steve says simply, easily, "I love you, Eddie."
Eddie freezes because that's not- Steve couldn't possibly mean- that's. What. Eddie and he haven't even said the word boyfriend to each other yet and Steve's... Steve is looking at him with such fondness, adoration, love. Butterflies erupt in Eddie's stomach and as quickly as that little bit of dread had filled him, it's gone even faster. Eddie flings himself into Steve's lap, the need to kiss him until both of them are light headed is the only thing left inside Eddie.
Eddie doesn't say it back, can't really, but Steve must know because he keeps repeating it, with every breath Eddie allows him to take in between kisses.
The next morning, Steve wants to comes out to his found family at their Good Luck Project NINA BBQ, because Hopper, El, Steve, and he are going to be heading to Indianapolis that evening to be picked up by Dr Owens men tomorrow morning and everyone wanted a last get together.
Steve is fearless. Steve is fearless, and so strong, and he loves Eddie.
So, when he calls attention to everyone and starts the speech he rehearsed with Eddie, Eddie steps up. Slides his hand into Steve's, gripping it probably to the point of pain, but there. It doesn't matter how they'll react, because Steve loves him. And he loves Steve.
(And if he clocks Lucas and Max exchanging money about it, well, he can't even be mad about that.)
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