#kinda wanna write a whole fic for this???

[princessofgotham777]

Nights Like These

Part One?????

Anakin Skywalker x reader

Angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, I don’t write smut

Hi guys sorry this isn’t me adding onto the Jason Todd or dick Grayson fics I started. I will add to those I’ve just been going through it lately and so I just wanna write whatever’s comforting to me rn which happens to be this random anakin skywalker fic. Hope you enjoy!

Summary: You’re basically Padme I’m gonna write y/n but like you’re a senator from Naboo and stuff also you’re a princess because I say so lol. You get kidnapped by a separatist spy who’s been posing as your security detail and Anakin lovingly crashes out a bit.

Warnings: violence, kinda stalking(not Anakin), getting kidnapped (not Anakin)

Anakin had only been on Coruscant for ten minutes and he was already rushing to find you. He’d been off planet for a couple days dealing with after math of the clone wars. Three days ago Obi-Wan contacted him saying you’d been kidnapped by a separatist spy posing as security. Anakin left his mission early, going against the Jedi councils orders. He ran through the building finally finding Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu.

“Anakin,” Mace says. “Your orders were to remain on your mission were they not Padawan?”

“I haven’t been a padawan for a long time you and Master Yoda know that,” Anakin says.

“Anakin-“ Obi-Wan begins to say before Anakin interrupts him.

“Where are we on locating the princess?” Anakin asks.

“Her security is handling the matter,” Mace says.

“The same security who allowed a spy to kidnap her right under their noses in the middle of the night?” Anakin says angrily.

“Anakin!” Obi-Wan says. “I need to speak with you. Mace please excuse Anakin’s…outburst. Him and I will see that the Princess’s security has the situation under control.”

“Right,” Mace says. Anakin begins to leave when Mace says to Obi-Wan, “keep an eye on him.”

“Will do,” Obi-Wan says. He then rushes after Anakin who’s practically running down the hall. “Where are you rushing to now?”

“Y/N’s chambers, there could be some clue,” he says.

In your room they found clear signs of struggle. The knife you kept in your beside drawer was discarded on the floor. Your sheet was half ripped on the floor suggesting you were dragged out of bed.

“There was clearly a struggle, do we have a hologram of the spies face?” Anakin asks.

“Listen to me I will help you find her, she’s an important girl… a Princess and a senator of Naboo, I support her politics myself I understand the need to rescue her but I must ask Anakin is there anything at all you’re not telling me?” Obi-Wan asks. Anakin opens his mouth to speak but Obi-Wan says, “this would stay between you and I, no Jedi council I just need to know so I can help.”

Anakin hesitates for a moment, “do you swear you won’t tell a soul?”

“I swear on the force,” Obi-Wan replies.

“Y/N and I are in love,” Anakin says softly. “And I don’t mean some childish or lustful attraction I mean proper true love. She’s my whole world Obi-Wan. I don’t know what I’d do without her, I don’t know who I’d be without her.”

“Right,” Obi-Wan says as he places a hand on Anakin’s shoulder. “We’ll find her.”

Obi-Wan and Anakin met with your security detail and learned they didn’t have many ideas of where you could be.

“Coruscant is the largest city in the galaxy meaning it probably has the most cameras in the galaxy and you can’t find her in a single security tape?” Anakin says.

“They must’ve covered her face,” a security guard says.

“You don’t say,” Anakin replies sarcastically.

“Anakin…don’t get angry,” Obi-Wan says quietly.

“I’m not angry…I’m frustrated we’ve been standing here for nearly three hours and haven’t made any progress. She could be dead or being tortured,” Anakin says.

“We’ve got something,” a guard says. He pulls up a file on the screen. It’s a ransom note. 500,000 credits were being demanded for your life. Along with the ransom note was a contact to set up a time and place for the exchange.

“Ask for proof she’s alive,” Obi-Wan says quickly. The security guard does just that and within seconds gets a response. A picture of you, barely conscious, appears on the screen. Anakin looks in horror at your bruised and bloodied face.

“Set up a time and place,” Anakin says.

“First ask if we can speak to her for real proof of life that photo could be old,” Obi-Wan says.

“No, time and place we have to move quickly with minimal interaction that could risk escalation. She clearly needs medical attention the sooner we get to her the better. Set up the time and place,” Anakin says.

“Obi-Wan?” The security says.

“He’s right,” Obi-Wan says.

You had a blind fold on and all you knew was you were outside, cold, and hurting everywhere. You didn’t have any shoes on since you were dragged out of bed. Your nightgown had ripped during the struggle and now there was a huge gash in the side of the fabric. Bruises covered your arms and legs from being thrown around and you resisting being kidnapped. Small cuts and bruises decorated your face as well. Your arms were bound behind your back, fabric was tied so you couldn’t speak or scream for help, silencing devices were placed on your ears so you couldn’t hear the conversation of your captors.

“500,000 credits, as requested,” Obi-Wan says.

“To what do we owe the honor of having two Jedi come for a mere senator,” the man said sarcastically.

“We’ve gotten what you’ve asked for, now we make the exchange,” Obi-Wan says.

“The princess for the money. That’s the agreement,” Anakin says.

“Interesting you call her princess and not senator. I understand she is both but I thought when you abandon your home planet to medal in politics that don’t concern you, you are called senator from there on out,” the man says.

“Enough, we have your credits,” Anakin says.

“Not quite yet Jedi scum! Don’t you wish to know why we took your precious senator? Because we could.” He says. In one hand he holds your neck the other hand he places out for Anakin to hand him the credits. Your breathing picks up when the man grabs your neck. You have no idea what is happening around you or that Anakin and Obi-Wan have come to rescue you. Anakin walks forward holding out the credits. “Easy now,” the man says.

Slowly, Anakin grabs your arm and places the credits in the man’s hand. Suddenly shots from the loft above are fired at the Republic guards and Jedi. Anakin tackles you to the ground, using his body to shield you. Still unaware of what’s going on you panic and try to fight him off of you. Anakin tries to remove your blindfold and silencing devices but you head but him in the face. Obi-Wan races to catch the kidnapper as the republic guards shoot the separatist snipers. Anakin finally rips off your blindfold and ear devices. “It’s me, it’s me,” he says as you stop struggling. He takes out the fabric from your mouth. “I got you, you’re okay,” he says.

“Anakin,” you say with tears in your eyes.

“Y/N,” he says. He quickly breaks your arm restraints and guides you out of the snipers range. The republic guards go after the snipers giving Anakin and Obi-Wan the order to leave without them. Obi-Wan apprehends your kidnapper successfully.

“Get to the hover ship!” Obi-Wan yells to you and Anakin as he walks with the kidnapper.

“How badly are you hurt my love?” Anakin asks softly.

“Everything hurts,” you say as a few tears escape your eyes. You lift the ripped fabric of your night gown aside to reveal bruising on your lower abdomen. “Especially right here,” you say gasping in pain.

“You’re bleeding internally,” Anakin says. “Let me carry you,” You nod, giving him permission to pick you up bridal style and carry you to the ship.

Heyyy I hope you enjoyed this was lowkey so fun to write I love being dramatic lol. If you enjoyed please like and follow for more fics! Any and all positive feedback is much appreciated. I might write part two idk yet but I probably will. Check out my Masterlist if you wanna read some Jason Todd x reader and Dick Grayson x reader fanfics.

Masterlist

[awearywritersworld]

tonight i'm thinking about rich and lonely nanami x private chef reader???? random, i know, but i swear i've got something here.

as soon as he hires you, he tells you to buy enough ingredients to make a portion for yourself each meal, no matter how lavish it is.

and he's not like the other men you've worked for. he gives you your space. he doesn't hover. he isn't weird.

but even so, he's so complimentary of the food you make for him. it kind of makes your knees wobbly whenever he takes a bite of his dinner, because his eyes squeeze shut and he groans out, "this is delectable."

at some point, you begin to join him for meals. you're still in your apron, your hair clinging to your forehead after spending hours in the hot kitchen. flour and grease stains are splattered across your frame.

he doesn't mind though. actually, he thinks you look even more appetizing than the food you prepare for him each evening.

"have dinner with me tonight?" he asks somewhat shyly. "let's go out to a nice restaurant.. you can have the night off."

[transmasccofee]

Aww yea rescue scene

[alien-slushie]

I'm sorry, but is anyone else flabbergasted that, as far as Deruth knows, his "drunk" 18 year old son randomly brought home and man one night and just kinda...kept him?

Like, Deruth, honey, why did you not question that?

Like, I get it: "it's a story and blah blah blah it doesn't matter in story or in the plot!", but realistically if my child brought home a random man while hammered I would be very concerned.

[trashedanatomy]

Spinaraki week day six: Crossover

My Yu-Gi-Oh propaganda

Tomura summons Shuichi as Gagagigo!

[mouthfullofmunson]

So obsessed with the thought of fake dating Eddie…

I feel like it would be him in his own delusional mind who would bring it up

Maybe him and Y/n don’t know each other that well, but they still know each other nonetheless

It takes Eddie a long time to convince her to actually do it, with him coming to the conclusion that it would actually benefit the both of them! How so? Because she can start working on her “bag girl reputation”, not that she had any sort of big image to maintain in Hawkins

So she agrees to it

She goes over to his trailer and he draws up some big pro and cons list to further convince her to actually go through with whole charade

“And, you’ll get a front row seat to all of corroded coffins gigs, so that’s a plus… right?”

Of course with how many ways this could go wrong (or make y/n look like a fool) she decides to lay some ground rules

Eddie has already make himself look like an absolute idiot by lying to his band mates for months about some secret girlfriend who is the “perfect girl for him” and how they are “so in love”

And now that they are going on some “band bonding trip” in a cabin for a whole week, which has some how turned into them all bringing their partners??

And with much much pressure from all of the guys, Eddie finally agreed to bring his girlfriend on the trip

So then he had to scramble around and find a girl that matches his description of the so called girlfriend… and lucky Y/n is the perfect match (maybe that was planned all along but Eddie will never admit it!)

Before they know it they are off, Eddie hauling all of them up to the cabin in his van

Him and Y/n lay down some ground rules first, trying to make it realistic and look like a real couple without crossing boundaries

(A couple days before the trip they try to get to know each other as well as they can so they are fully comfortable around each other for a week)

They decided they would ease in, holding hands, hugs, and cheek kisses are always okay, but it might take a while to actually kiss

And as much as Eddie ran his mouth about his fake girlfriend there is no way they could get away with not being affectionate

So the drive up they really milked the whole holding hands thing since it is one of the things that aren’t off limits

They threw in a couple hugs when they stopped for gas, and Eddie pressed a kiss to her head once when he was pumping gas, but other than that they didn’t try to push it

Once they get to the cabin both Eddie and Y/n b-line for their bedroom, obviously the guys thinking for a complete different reason but it was actually because Eddie is exhausted from driving and Y/n is exhausted from having to keep up with so many lies

It’s definitely awkward sharing a bed, but Y/n and Eddie find a way to deal with it without making too much of a fuss

Once they are both well rested and ready to join the group again I can see them starting a bonfire and sitting around to chat once the sun has gone down

One of them brings up how nice it’s going to be to get a “two week break”

Both Eddie and Y/n are instantly confused

Two weeks?

“Two weeks? Two weeks?!” Y/n almost shouts

“But it’s only supposed to be a week, right? We rented in for one week. As in seven days?”

“No, it’s rented for two weeks, fourteen days, half a month”

Y/n yanks Eddie to the side and after a very frustrating back and forth they come to the conclusion that they can deal with it, it’s only one more week

The first week is smooth, they got by well and they were both actually really comfortable around each other

Unfortunately, the other guys were very affectionate with their partners, way too much pda and Eddie knew it was just to prove a point

But hand holding only went so far so they finally had to suck it up and throw in a kiss or two

Which was awkward but by the start of week two it was feeling more natural

And before they knew it they actually had no problem acting like a couple

Now it was natural for Y/n to plop in Eddie’s lap, eddies hand now gravitates toward Y/n’s, kisses are much more natural

But that was kind of weird… right?

Y/n hardly even really knew of Eddie until 3 weeks ago and a week ago she could hardly even hold his hand

And now she was willingly wrapping herself around him and letting him press kisses to her face and she likes it??

And a couple days before they plan to leave maybe a kiss was taken a little too far

So the tension was so thick between them all day you could cut it with a knife

Once they finally get alone time once everyone goes back in their rooms and Eddie and Y/n are finally alone

They wait a few minutes before pouncing on each other like wild animals

I could see them being either super sweet and it being romantic or them being absolutely filthy and fucking like bunnies all night

OKAYYY I really wanna kind of make this into a full fic if anyone is interested in that? I’ve been working on this the past couple days and I’m really excited to post it for you guys even though you’ve all probably forgotten about me since I was inactive for basically 4+ months

Let me know your thoughts!

:)

[captainmaxatx]

I’ve written over 10,000 words of Deadpool and Wolverine fanfiction and Deadpool and Wolverine aren’t even in it

They are however mentioned, and mentioned as “boyfriends” and “partners”

Anyways, when I post this fic on Ao3 should I give it their relationship tag or not?

Cuz on one hand it’s not about them they aren’t even in it

But on the other hand it does mention them as together, and I feel like the people looking for poolverine would also like this

And if I turn it into a series which I want to, they absolutely will be in it and together which is kinda crucial for the rest of the series

[megabuild]

thinking about aro etho earlier got me thinking about a funny little song and dance near the end of s9 that goes like this: gem has been slowly getting closer to etho and has started to develop a little crush on him but plans not to do anything about it because he's in a relationship with bdubs > cleo takes note of this, gem complains about her stupid ass crush > cleo points out that actually while he is in a relationship with bdubs it's not necessarily exclusive (speaking through experience) > gem decides to get more bold, begins flirting with etho more outright > etho is oblivious > etho has always been oblivious > gem does not get over her crush but decides he must not be interested and lays back about it > s10 begins > joel smallishbeans arrives > joel smallish fucking beans arrives > joel flirts with etho > etho remains obliviousing > gem fuming > gem and joel begin a rivalry over which of them is entitled to etho's lack of affection > gem and joel are reprimanded for starting a fist fight after meeting outside the permit office > etho has been happily married since season 7

[mechazushi]

Kafka Hibino

Kafka Hibino.... with visible salt and pepper side burns.

Kafka Hibino.... wearing glasses and has salt and pepper side burns.

Kafka HIbino.... in that black turtleneck and a dark brown leather jacket and also wearing glasses and has salt and pepper side burns.

Kafka Hibino.... wearing that outfit and is an Animal Biology Professor in an College Au.

Kafka Hibino..... asking out Hoshina who is an Advanced Mathematics Professor working at the same college, to have an after-work drink with him.

Slightly DRUNK Kafka Hibino... becoming very forward with an also slightly drunk Hoshina

Slightly Drunk Hoshina... immediately matching Kafka's freak tenfold and Kafka is very much fine with this.

[marzipanladyart]

apathy

[piningpercussionist]

transfem scott getting lots of support from ramona and kim in the early 2000's when shit's very taboo but they all 3 have a fire forged bond and lord if they aren't going to make sure they're all as happy as they can be because they've come this far and I dunno it just makes me happy all three of them

YES YES YES

It makes me very happy as well,,

Like I've said before. General Trans Scott enthusiast here- I love the idea of their little support network *violent coughing* I (we?) mean polycule *violent coughing* so fucking much.

Ramona I think has a bit of a more gentle hand with reassuring Scott with gender issues, but sometimes she just can't help herself from some pointed banter or teasing- how could you with someone so dense? (Said w affection)

And then Kim I think is more blunt. But like, in a good way mostly, you know? The kinda blunt that makes you snap to attention and go "Oh. Yeah that was silly of me." And if Ramona's started some sort of banter? Kim is SO piling on. Maybe sometimes she's a bit TOO blunt with it- but it's only because she's so firm in her support. She wants Scott to Get It Together- and be happier for it. So if some ribbing now and again is in order, then goddamnit she will do so! Anything to crack that shell.

And ohhh can you imagine how they would react to some transphobic bullshit?? Unholy terror would be driven into the offender before they walk off with an absurd amount of coins between them. I can feel it in my bones. Scott doesn't even have to lift a finger (if the transphobe is even noticed/processed at all, bc I honestly can see Scott just. Not realizing someone's being transphobic.) Kim giving someone a lashing with her tongue as distraction and then Ramona coming in with the hammer- BAM! Free Money! Paying literally with your life for your transphobia. A Better And Just World.

And of course (transfem Scott more specifically, here,) the way Scott would start to flourish under their support... cagey and maybe a little (perhaps a lot-) resistant to start- but Kim's blunt affirmations and no nonsense attitude for bullshit (which is what Scott insisting on "being cis" would be, c'mon now,) and Ramona's also low bullshit tolerance but less Stabby (bc I won't lie, that's probably how Kim's comments would feel,) assurances? Ough... My Heart... Be Still-

I would Kill for them, Your Honor-

(Ran out of tags so putting this in the body of the post- I am SO tired someone pls sound off if this isn't as coherent as I am hoping this is. I WAS trying to nap and get the extra sleep I desperately needed but the writing bug... it Bit Me.... only a little but enough to stop that process-)

[princessofgotham777]

Nights Like These

Part two

Anakin Skywalker x Reader

Angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, I don’t write smut

Hi guys sorry this isn’t me adding onto the Jason Todd or dick Grayson fics I started. I will add to those I’ve just been going through it lately and so I just wanna write whatever’s comforting to me rn which happens to be this random anakin skywalker fic. Hope you enjoy!

Summary: You’re basically Padme I’m gonna write y/n but like you’re a senator from Naboo and stuff also you’re a princess because I say so lol. You get kidnapped by a separatist spy who’s been posing as your security detail and Anakin lovingly crashes out a bit and now you’re safe again cause it’s part two😃🫡💪

Warnings: violence, kinda stalking(not Anakin), getting kidnapped (not Anakin), readers injured

Obi-Wan drives through Courasant as fast as possible. Anakin cradles you in his arms as you slip in and out of consciousness.

“A Jedi and a senator, interesting,” your kidnapper says. Angrily Anakin reaches over and shoves a piece of cloth in the man’s mouth so he cannot speak.

“Anakin,” you whisper with your eyes barely open. His demeanor changes quickly from gentle and calm.

“We’re almost there my love,” he says.

“Watch your wording,” Obi-Wan yells with worry.

“It’s our word against his,” Anakin says in regard to Obi-Wan’s concern over the man hearing him.

“We’ll be there in a moment, be ready to run to the medical wing.” Obi-Wan says. You’ve officially pasted out. Every bone in Anakin’s body is screaming for him to panic but he knows he must stay calm in order to help you. He holds you in his arms and as soon as the ship lands he begins running to the medical wing. He arrives to the sterile room and places you on a bed.

“This is Princess Y/N, senator of Naboo she’s internally bleeding,” he says to the medical droid. “It can be assumed she’s been tortured for the past three days,” it pained Anakin to even speak those words. Seeing you so hurt made him feel helpless which made him angry, not at you; at the people who did this and himself for not being there for you sooner.

“Understood, I am Dr. 4CG my scan indicates the damage is reversible. I will do a minimally invasive procedure to stop the internal bleeding and then evaluate the external injuries,” the robotic voice says.

“Thank you,” he says to the droid. “I’d like to remain here until she wakes.”

“You may wait over there,” the droid says pointing towards a waiting area. His anxieties didn’t subside even though he knew you’d recover. Seeing you, the person he loves the most in the whole galaxy, in pain broke his heart. An hour passed when Obi-Wan arrived at the medical wing to find Anakin sitting alone.

“She’s not awake yet?” Obi-Wan asks.

“No, the operation to fix the internal bleeding just finished… Dr. 4CG confirmed she’ll recover over time though,” Anakin says. A look of relief washes over Obi-Wan’s face.

“The council has summoned you, they wish to discuss you running off…I haven’t told them anything yet so we should get your story straight,” Obi-Wan says.

“I’ll tell them of her politics and support for the council to defend my actions,” Anakin says.

“Right, let’s go.”

“I’d like to stay here till she wakes up.”

“Anakin this is already a dangerous game the two of you are playing. She is in good hands here you must think of the big picture,” Obi-Wan says.

“Will you stay here with her till I return. We apparently have a spy problem,” he says.

Obi-Wan smirks and says, “of course.”

Master Windu, Grand Master Yoda, and a few other Jedi knights sit waiting for Anakin to explain his actions.

“Princess Y/N gave up her life of royalty to join the republic under the government of Naboo because she believes in freedom for everyone across the galaxy. Her voice challenges the separatists who seek to destroy the republic and send the galaxy into a war of chaos. Her politics defend and support the Jedi council and our beliefs. The mission I was on did not require my immediate attention so when I was told the senator had been kidnapped I took action. My insubordination was from a place of devotion to the council and the republic. I may have gone against direct orders but by doing so I saved her powerful voice that supports and defends everyone in this room,” Anakin says confidently. He was telling the truth, he only left out the part where he’s madly in love with you.

“That was quite the monologue,” Mace says. “Although regrettably I must admit I agree with you in protecting one of our greatest political allies,” he adds.

“True courage young Skywalker has shown. Defending a Jedi ally he was right to do,” Yoda says.

“Master Yoda, I understand if you deny my question but if I may ask, I’d like to personally oversee the Senator’s security. It’s only right a Jedi should protect her after all the defense and support she provides for us. I believe I will be the right match for the mission,” Anakin says.

“Right match for the mission why?” Yoda asks.

Anakin hesitates before saying, “the senator trusts me. She regards me as a friend.” Yoda nods approving Anakin’s request.

“I thank you all for forgiving my recklessness but understanding my reasoning,” Anakin says as he leaves. As soon as the doors close behind him he rushes to the medical wing eager to see if you’ve woken up yet.

Heyyy I hope you enjoyed this was lowkey so fun to write I love being dramatic lol. If you enjoyed please like and follow for more fics! Any and all positive feedback is much appreciated. I might write part three idk yet but I probably will. Check out my Masterlist if you wanna read some Jason Todd x reader and Dick Grayson x reader fanfics and the other parts to this Anakin series.

Masterlist

[umemiyan]

trigger warning: dark content, incest, virginity loss, possessiveness, sukuna being a megalomaniac, this feels so very game of thrones of me i’m so sorry

if sukuna has daughters, he’s going to be the first one to take them; not necessarily for his own sick and twisted pleasure, but as an act of pure dominance, marking his territory in every way imaginable. he’ll stretch their unused holes and show them that nothing will ever replace the ultimate authority of their father; nothing else will ever fill them so wholly, command their deepest respect, and protect them as fiercely as he can. it’s as much of a reminder for the girls as it is for anyone who dares to pursue them. many may try to prove themselves and halfway succeed, but nobody can truly replace the first, most important person in the girls’ lives: their father, the all-powerful king.

and in the end, no suitor is worthy enough for his children, so perhaps he will simply keep them all to himself rather than marry them off. the thought of a pathetic weakling putting their hands on his offspring is revolting—insulting—so sukuna refuses to entertain the idea any further. after all, there is no better place for a daughter than next to her father who rules all, including her mind, body, and soul.

[quirkle2]

who wants zombie au writing. don't answer that ur getting it anyway (1.6k words)

His shoes knock against the old flooring of the house, wood creaking under rubber soles that slide over the woodgrain. He drags them a bit, lifts his limbs up no more than he strictly has to, and they lead him to the nearest sittable surface.

The couch is old and dusty and has likely gone untouched for months, much like everything else nowadays, so he watches the thin cloud of dust billow off the cushions largely with disinterest. He collapses into the fabric heavily, feels the whole thing scoot back an inch and hit the wall behind him. The sound echoes, carried by lifeless rooms, while he unceremoniously drops his backpack to the floor by his feet.

The breath he lets out is slow and methodical and born of pent up muscles, aimed at the ceiling where he rests his neck against the back of the couch and relaxes every limb one by one. It’s a process he forces himself through, if only to rid the constant ache beneath his skin.

Slow, sweeping footsteps meander around the room in front of him, and Ritsu angles his gaze down from his craned back position to look at his brother. He wanders, like he so often does—seemingly aimless, but there’s something procedural about it that he’s convinced he just hasn’t figured out yet.

Shigeo’s empty eyes crawl along the hearth of the fireplace, explosions of ash sprayed out across the red brick. His head tilts up to trace his attention around the angular lines of the television, hung on the wall and screen grey with dust. He flits back and forth between the roundness of the bricked mantle and the sharp edges of the screen, like he’s taking notes.

Shigeo paws the television. Four lines of muck are cleared. The zombie blinks, paws at it again with dusty, curious fingers. Ritsu watches him make a mess of the television screen in silence, blinking tiredly.

He almost closes his eyes, but he fights against the urge and moves his fingers down his lap to reach for his bag. His middle hooks around the loop at the top and he lugs it up and into his lap, where he unzips it and peers into the shadowy contents.

Ritsu fishes out the water bottles. He finds the one with the messy R scribbled along the cap in sharpie and takes a big swig of it. It’s warm going down, constantly insulated in a bag of old, sweaty clothes. He feels like he can taste the odor in it, but it clears the grain in his throat from stomping all over dirt roads today, so he’s still grateful.

He holds out the one labeled S to Shigeo. “Thirsty?”

Shigeo looks at him from where he’s crouched down to the floor now, inspecting the soot along the hearth. Unfortunately, he sees handprints in the black already, and when his brother reaches a hand out to take it, his palm is covered in soot.

He lets him have his fun and settles his own bottle back in the mess of tangled clothes and rolls of bandages. Ritsu rakes his fingers through their stock with no real purpose—he knows exactly what’s in here, and none of it is useful.

They’d been searching all day; Ritsu doesn’t really know how far they’d walked, but it had to be a lot of miles. In and out of stores, up and down empty houses, weaving between warehouses—they didn’t really stop for a break. Not when Ritsu can hear Shigeo’s stomach from here and he himself has shaking hands. They can’t afford a break.

Nothing, though. Not a single goddamn thing worth taking. A settlement must have come through here long ago and swept the highway. They’re in the countryside, where houses are spaced out acres from each other and there’s entire cow pastures between properties. And yet every house they’d seen and entered provided nothing.

Ritsu stares into the negative space in his bag where there should be supplies. His stomach cramps and if he smells another whiff of that godawful sweaty, bloody sweatshirt he still carries, he’s going to throw up bile.

He leans away from the open pouch, eyes wandering to his brother who draws… something into the soot of the hearth. His water bottle sits on the floor, abandoned and still unscrewed. Ritsu leans forward with great effort and a grunt, leaning over his bag to grab at the top of it.

It takes him two tries to get Shigeo’s attention, and one more for an answer on where the cap is. It’s then placed in his palm, covered in soot and also saliva. Ritsu swallows down the nausea that rolls up his throat and wipes it off with his frankly already disgusting sleeve, and screws it back on.

He leans back again, succumbing to the urge to let his eyes rest, and he listens to the very subtle swipe of his brother’s hands across brick. There’s birds outside, chirping, and even though it’s still very much a common occurrence, Ritsu cannot help but feel nostalgic about it.

If he ignores the awful hum of silence, and the distinct lack of an electric thrum throughout the walls, and the fact that this is a stranger’s couch and not his, he can almost imagine normalcy. He can almost say this feels like those quiet moments after school, when he settles on the couch and scrolls through his phone in a house that only holds him and his brother because their parents simply aren’t home yet.

He can almost hear the creak of wood from Shigeo walking around his room upstairs. He can almost tap his fingers on the couch cushions to the pattern of his brother making his way down the steps. He can almost hear the fridge opening, and the sound of milk being poured into glass.

Almost. But Ritsu listens to sharp silence instead, and he tries not to think too hard.

He drifts for a while, feels himself truly sink into the couch and let the cushions claim him, and he thinks about nothings because if he doesn’t, then he’ll lose it. He carefully sifts through the nothingness of his mind, through the passing thoughts that have no bearing, and he focuses on that, on the lack of substance. His head is too full of things that have too much substance.

He misses boredom. He tells himself he misses boredom—the complete insubstantiality of it—because if he lets himself think of what he really misses, it’ll drive him insane.

The cushions move, and Ritsu peels his eyes open and lets himself get pulled from liminal mindspace. The cotton in his head recedes, and he blinks, and then he’s swiveling his head to look at his brother who sits in the cushion right next to him.

His hands and the cuffs of his hoodie are smothered in black. Shigeo sits hunched, gaze still wandering even when there’s not much decoration in this house to look at. He studies the off-white walls, the chips in the paint, the holes drilled in where there maybe used to be photos hung.

Ritsu gazes at him quietly, chest instinctively rising and falling to match his brother’s rhythm. He watches the expansion there, under his hoodie, in the subtlety of the folds and the way they warp over the movement. It’s slightly quicker than what he’s used to, but Ritsu knows his brother’s heart rate is much slower. He’s felt it before. He’s listened to it before, with his ear against a chest.

Ritsu’s attention moves to his eyes, and the heavy bags underneath them, and the paleness of his pupils and the ghostlight of him underneath that. He stares into them, looks for stray, familiar thoughts that might enter his head. Looks for old memories that might shine through in the form of recognition when he sees furniture layouts, and candy wrappers, and ads for soda.

Ritsu looks for it all the time, that glint of familiarity. And he finds it, sometimes. And really, he thinks that’s keeping him going more than food ever will.

Shigeo turns his head, and looks at him. Sometimes, when his brother looks at him, there’s not much there. No substance, no anything. And Ritsu finds it a bit evil that he craves silence in his own head, and yet noise in Shigeo’s, and often times it is the other way around.

His brother looks at him now, though, with that comforting recognition. That growth of the pupils, that softening of the hard edges of his face where unknown stressors have gotten to him. Ritsu wonders what zombies get stressed out. He figures it’s the same deal with humans, considering they’re largely alike.

Ritsu wonders if Shigeo knows he’s sick. He wishes he could ask him. He wishes for a lot of things. Silence in his own head is one of them.

Ritsu swivels his head away and stares at the ceiling, if only to force the thoughts to pause. He studies the popcorn ridges above them, traces the peaks with his gaze. It calms him, gives him something to focus on. He looks for patterns in the shadows they make.

Shigeo shifts next to him. And then he shimmies down, settles into the cushions, and plops his head right down on Ritsu’s shoulder.

Static roars in his mind and his heart stammers. Ritsu swallows the lump in his throat but that just makes it bigger, so he clamps his mouth shut and breathes carefully through his nose.

The tears cut through the grime on his face. He plops his own head down against his brother’s, and lives in the noise.

[ratatatastic]

do you write fic on ao3?

unfortunately for everyone involved i do!

[omg-i-think-i-like-you]

"Love your tuches," Eddie said when Steve got up to get a soda from the fridge.

"Gosh, that tuches of yours," Eddie whispered when Steve sat on top of his lap.

"The most beautiful tuches on earth," Eddie declared when Steve left his trailer to go to work.

It's been happening for a while, Eddie using this unfamiliar word to compliment him, he thinks? Steve was wondering about it during his solo shift on Saturday afternoon. Robin was away with her family and the store was empty and quiet.

"Hello to the greatest tuches owner in Hawkins!" Eddie announced, walking loudly into Family Video.

"Hi, Eddie," Steve smiled. Eddie leaned across the front desk to plant a quick peck on Steve's lips, and then pulled himself over it and landed between Steve's arms, stumbling a little.

"How are you hanging, abandoned by your other half?" Eddie asked, sat on the staff's chair and started swaying from left to right.

"She didn't abandon me," Steve stopped Eddie's repetitive motion and placed himself between his legs, "and I'm fine, thanks." He pushed Eddie's hair behind his ear and stroked his cheek softly.

"Of course you are, now that I'm here," Eddie said with a teasing smile, Steve rolled his eyes and squeezed Eddie's cheeks, and then kissed him on his nose. Eddie moved his face up to meet Steve's lips when the doorbell rang. Steve immediately pulled back and turned towards the door. It was Dustin.

"Steve, Eddie! Great to see you both," he greeted and leaned on the counter. Steve and Eddie both rolled their eyes, and Steve sat back in Eddie's lap.

"What do you want, Henderson?" Steve asked impatiently, his hands crossed on his chest.

"I have to rent a movie," he said, his eyes wide and begging.

"Okay..? That's the point of this store. What movie do you want?" Steve got up and went out from behind the desk towards Dustin, whose eyes lit up. Steve knew that look.

"No." He said firmly.

"Please?" Dustin put his hands together and started going down, Eddie chuckled.

"You two are adorable," he said and grabbed his jacket, "but I'm not staying for this fight, tell me who won, Stevie." He kissed Steve on the cheek on his way out and disappeared into his van.

Dustin was on his knees now. "Please??" Steve shook his head, and Dustin stood up again. "Steve, come on! you know Suzie is coming and I promised her we'll watch a movie!"

Steve blew air out of his nose, and started tapping his foot, "Yes, I know she's coming, you can take any other movie! I legally can't rent you anything from that section. Choose something else."

"But Steve! I told her my friends work at the video store and can give me any movie I want!" He stomped his feet, "Robin would've let me." He crossed his arms, upset.

"No she wouldn't?? Robin is a lot more strict than me," Steve threw his hands, "Have you ever spoken to her?? She's like a police offic- Wait." Steve stopped and fixed his hair, trying to think. "Robin isn't here... Aha!" He exclaimed, and ran back behind the counter, "I have an idea, but you have to keep it between us two, Dustin, do you promise??"

Dustin giggled and put his hand on his chest, "I swear, no one will know of this encounter."

Steve rolled his eyes again, only pretending not to like Dustin's endearing dramatisation of mundane situations, something that always reminds him of his boyfriend.

"Listen, I'm gonna make a deal with you," Steve opened, leaning towards Dustin and lowering his voice, "I will let you rent any movie you want, only!" He emphasized, "If you never tell Robin," he counted on his fingers, "and if you help me solve a mystery."

Dustin's smile grew, "Deal! already promised I won't tell anyone, and you know I love mysteries," he clapped and ran behind the counter before Steve could stop him, "what are we solving?"

"Okay," Steve put his palms together and pointed towards Dustin, who placed himself comfortably on the chair, "So Eddie's been using that word recently, and I have to figure out what it means," He said, and started pacing around.

"Okay? what's the word?" Dustin asked, curious.

"That's the thing, I've been trying to pronounce it but I can't make that sound... I think he uses it as a compliment? maybe it's from your fantasy game?" He wondered out loud, avoiding Dustin's question.

"Steve, if you don't tell me the word I won't be able to answer all your great questions," Dustin said and received a warning look for Steve, causing him to raise his hands, like proving his innocence.

Steve pinched his nose bridge, "I think it's like... too... toohes?" He eventually said, and sighed in frustration, "That's not what it sounds like!" He stomped.

Dustin started laughing, "Say that again!" Steve just looked at him, his eyes burning, and he stopped laughing at once. "Never heard it in my life," Dustin said, shrugging, "Definitely not from DnD, or anything I know Eddie's interested in. maybe it's from a song?"

"No..." Steve shook his head, "I heard his metal enough and I never heard that word before he randomly started using it..." Steve buried his face in his hands, "So you have no idea?" He peeked through his fingers.

"Nope," Dustin said and jumped off the chair, "Now give me that movie."

Steve stood there, defeated, while Dustin picked his movie. He rented it on his own name and Dustin had to rip it out of Steve's hands. He almost fell when he succeeded pulling it.

"Why aren't you asking Robin?" Dustin asked then, hugging the VHS like his life depended on it, "She always brags about how her ears are geniuses or something, I bet she'd know."

Steve looked at him, and almost jumped across the counter to strangle him. "Go away! before I take that tape and burn it." He couldn't believe he didn't think of it himself. He watched Dustin shove the tape in his bag, run out of the store onto his bike, and disappear into the sunset.

---

"Robin!" Steve barged into the Buckley's house approximately 24 hours after Dustin left Family Video. Robin was spread on the couch and stared at the TV, letting the game show run while she was dozing off after a nice and heavy lunch. She jumped when she heard Steve, her heart pounding.

"Steve?! what the fuck, you scared me," she stood up with her hand on her chest.

"Sorry, listen, I really need your ears- I mean help," Steve smiled and walked closer to her, robin's curiosity was awakened.

"My ears, you say?" She raised an eyebrow, "What is this about?"

Steve gestured with his head towards the stairs and started walking upstairs, Robin behind him, "What is this about, dingus??"

Steve entered Robin's bedroom and crashed on the bed, Robin stood above him, "What's wrong with you today? you're acting weird."

"Robbie," Steve raised himself, resting on his elbows, "it's Eddie..." He opened, releasing a sigh. Robin sat next to him.

"What happened?" she asked softly, "Did you fight?"

"What??" Steve chuckled, "Of course not! You'd know if we did. We're madly in love, don't worry," he said with dreamy eyes and Robin pretended to barf, Steve flicked her calf. "It's just... He's been saying that word, I think it's a compliment, and I'm trying to find out what it means, and Henderson," he said through clenched teeth, "after being absolutely no help, suggested I'd ask you, since you have genius ears, or something." He smiled sweetly and Robin giggled.

"I'm flattered, even though you didn't come straight to me," she hit his shoulder, "and I'd love to help, but why don't you just ask him?"

Steve gasped dramatically, "and give him the upper hand?? Absolutely not. I will figure it out. He can't win here."

robin squinted at him, "You do realise it's ridiculous, right?"

"Don't care," Steve sealed his lips and looked away, with a hurt ego and too much pride.

"Gosh, fine!" Robin swallowed another giggle, "I'll help you, what's that word?"

Steve sat up, placing himself in front of robin and held her knees, "Okay, it's definitely in a different language, I can't fully pronounce it but I'll try, okay? And don't laugh," he raised a warning finger, "it's like, toohes? toohhes?" He tried to emphasize the middle sound, Robin had to try really hard not to laugh, "The H sound sounds more like-" He then proceeded to make a sound like he was violently clearing his throat and Robin lost it, bursting into uncontrollable laughter and ran away from Steve's flying hands.

"Please! you need to hear yourself!", she squealed and copied him, making throat-cleaning sounds back at him, Steve pouted.

"You promised you'll help!" He threw a pillow at her and she dodged it, and then sat back next to him, calming down.

"I will, you diva," she smiled, "that terrible sound," she opened and Steve huffed, "sounds like something European, like Dutch, or German," she said, her mind running, "yeah, maybe even Russian?" she asked and they both had chills running down both of their spines, "Do you know if Eddie speaks any of those languages?" She asked and Steve shook his head, "Nope, not that he told me... This is so frustrating!" He dropped his head on her shoulder and sighed, she caressed his head, running her fingers through his hair, "Hey, we'll figure it out," She laid her cheek on his head, "Why don't you ask Wayne? He'd probably know if Eddie speaks more languages."

Steve looked up, a smile growing on his face, "Oh, Robbie," he planted a wet kiss on her cheek, "You really are a genius."

Robin smiled back and wiped her cheek, "I know. Wanna drink something?" She stood up, "Also, you really didn't think of it yourself?"

Steve shot himself off the bed and started chasing her downstairs, his hands stretched forward, but she was too fast, running away in rolling laughter.

---

Steve knocked on the trailer's door three times, and then heard heavy steps coming towards him. Wayne opened, and his eyes seemed confused.

"Steve? good to see you, son," He smiled, "Eddie isn't here, he's with his band."

"Oh, I know," Steve smiled back, "I wanted to talk to you, actually, may I?" He pointed inside the trailer.

"Sure, come in," Wayne moved and let Steve walk into the trailer, "Beer?" Steve nodded and sat on the small couch, Wayne sat next to him a few seconds later with two opened, cold beers in his hands, and gave one to Steve.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Wayne asked and sipped from his beer, and Steve did the same, postponing the, in his opinion, silly question.

"Well," he finally opened, "Does Eddie speak... another language?" He asked carefully.

Wayne lowered his beer bottle, "Why are you asking?"

"Um, he's been saying a word recently, and after some investigation I found out it's probably in a European language, but I can't tell which one..." He fixed his hair nervously and took another sip of his beer.

"Look," Wayne smiled, "I can assure you he isn't fluent in any language other than English, but the boy sure has a wild imagination and a lot of curiosity, so he knows several words in several languages," He released a short laugh, "What's the word he says?"

Steve blushed, "Please don't make me say it," he said, his voice low, "I can't pronounce it... It has that sound in the middle," and did the throat-cleaning sound again, this time softly and quietly. Wayne laughed again.

"Oh, yeah, I know what you're talking about," He put his hand on Steve's shoulder, "You know that Eddie's mother was Jewish, right?"

Steve's eyebrows jumped up, "No, I didn't actually," He placed his beer on the small table.

"Yeah," Wayne smiled, "She was, and there were many Yiddish words she used when Eddie was little, I guess some stuck with him. I hear him going around making those unfamiliar noises, it's Yiddish."

Steve's tapped his fingers on his knees, "Yiddish, you say?" His eyes scanned the room, "and you know the meaning of that word?" He asked carefully.

"Probably not, son," He took off his hand and put his beer next to Steve's, "Eddie never agreed to translate the words to me, I think it's funny to him that he has a secret language he can use behind my back," He chuckled, "I let go of it pretty quickly, it's probably all curse words."

"Well, I hope this one isn't," Steve's smile was bitter, "I truly think it's a compliment, I just don't know what kind of compliment," He laughed shortly and got up, "Thank you, Wayne." He shook his hand and walked towards the trailer's door.

"Sure son, anytime," He smiled and followed Steve, "What are you gonna do now?"

Steve stood in front of the open door, "Don't know," he shrugged, "find a Yiddish-English dictionary?"

Wayne barked in laughter, "Doubt you'll find that in the Hawkins public library," He stopped for a second, thinking, "You know Joyce Byers?"

Steve froze in place, "Yeah..?"

"She's Jewish too, I bet she'll know," He said with certainty.

"She is??" Steve ran his fingers through his hair, "How didn't I know that? How do you know that?"

Wayne smiled softly, "Was with her in school, she was Joyce Horowitz. Trust me, she has the answer for you."

Steve nodded and shook Wayne's hand again, "Thank you!" he ran to his car, "Thank you!" He waved through the window as he drove off, leaving Wayne shaking his head in a soft laugh.

"Really couldn't think of anyone more fitting for Ed," He said to himself and backed into the trailer, shutting the door behind him.

---

Steve knocked quickly on the Byers' door the next morning, Jonathan opened.

"Steve?" He looked behind him, "What are you doing here?"

"Hi, Jonathan," he smiled politely, "Great to see you. Is your mom home?"

Jonathan was a lot more confused now, "Yeah, she is... Mom!" He yelled into the house and let Steve in, closing the door behind him.

"Jonathan, I can hear perfectly without you yelling," She entered the kitchen, "Steve! Hi sweetheart!" she hugged him tightly and took a step back, examining his face, "You look good." She determined, "Do you want something to eat? drink?" He didn't have time to answer and she pulled a cake out of the oven. It smelled like cinnamon. Before he noticed he had a piece in his hand. "Are you here to visit Jonathan?"

Steve shook his head while taking a bite, "This is so good, Joyce, wow," He took another one, "I'm actually here to see you," he said with his mouth full.

"Oh, okay," she smiled, "do you need anything?"

Steve nodded and finished his cake, "This is amazing, what is that?" He pointed at the cake.

"It's my Bubbe's cinnamon cake, felt like making it," she shrugged, "Glad you like it, dear," she smiled again, "So, what do you need?"

Steve sat on one of the kitchen chairs and sighed, looking around to make sure they were alone, Joyce noticed his distress and sat next to him, putting a hand on his leg, "Hey, it's okay, whatever it is, you know you can talk to me," Her eyes were warm and Steve felt like he might cry.

"Um," he opened, "Do you... Do you speak Yiddish?" He managed to ask, his voice quiet and unsure, Joyce's smile grew.

"Can't say I speak," she air-quoted the word, "But I do know a few words. Why are you asking?"

"Well," he laughed softly, relieved to have found the person who might know the answer, "Eddie's been saying that word, and I was going around trying to figure out what it means, and Wayne told me it's in Yiddish. He didn't know what it means, but he told me you might..." His eyes were hopeful and Joyce was beaming.

"Aw, sweet Wayne, I bet he remembers me as Horowitz a lot more than Byers," She reminisced, "He's probably right, what's the word?"

Steve's tongue froze. He knew this is it, this is the moment he'll get the answer, the secret is about to be revealed, he just needs to pronounce it right. He just has to say it correctly and Joyce will unveil the truth, so why can't his mouth move?

"I..." he stuttered, "I can't pronounce it..."

Joyce rubbed his hand, "It's okay, sweetheart, say it, I'll understand. It's America, not Poland, I don't expect you to get all the sounds right." She smiled warmly and Steve calmed down.

"It's... it's like, tuhhes?" He said, really trying to express the sound right, and Joyce started laughing so hard, Steve wanted the ground to open up and swallow him alive.

"Oh, Steve!" she wiped her tears, "In what way was he using it?"

"I don't even know!" He threw his hands, blush covering his cheeks, "I couldn't find any context." He said, frustrated, "What does it mean?"

Joyce's eyes sparkled, "Well, the word is tuches, right? Is that the way he says it?" Steve nodded frantically, finally hearing the word from someone who wasn't Eddie was refreshing and surprising.

"Tuches, Steve, is the Yiddish word for," she hid the side of her mouth and lowered her voice, "Ass."

Steve sat there quietly, his eyes as wide as plates, running in his head all the times Eddie said the word and blush was climbing up his neck, cheeks and earlobes again.

"What??!" he eventually succeeded saying, "You wanna tell me that Eddie has been talking about my butt this whole time??"

Joyce nodded, "And I think he enjoyed it, how often has he been using it?"

"Oh, a lot." Steve assured and got up quickly. "Too much." He walked fast towards the door, "Thank you, Joyce! for everything!"

"Sure! come over more dear!" She shouted after him and smiled to herself.

"Mom? What was that about?" Jonathan entered the kitchen and took a piece of cake.

"Oh, nothing." She waved her hands, "Did you know Eddie Munson is Jewish? We should invite him over for Shabbos."

---

Steve has been spending the past week mastering the impossible sound. He's been saying it over and over again to himself, driving Robin nuts during their shifts. It was entertaining, sure, and she was glad he solved his mystery, but it was annoyingly endless. He did stop immediately every time Eddie walked in, and didn't react every time Eddie came up with a new sentence to weave in his tuches. He was waiting for the perfect opportunity, and it was just about to come.

It was a hot day, and Steve and Eddie were chilling inside the house. Steve lay on the couch and Eddie was right on top of him, planting small pecks all over Steve's face.

"Hey," Steve said after Eddie broke away from his lips, "Wanna get in the pool?"

Eddie raised himself and looked at Steve, "I don't have a swimsuit here."

"It's fine," Steve started to get up, Eddie slowly slipping off, "We'll swim in our boxers."

Eddie shrugged and let himself spill on the floor, and then got up in a jump and started stripping down, throwing his clothes at the amused Steve who was still sitting on the couch.

"The last to jump is a rotten egg!" Eddie shouted while running outside, Steve heard a big splash and laughed to himself, took off his clothes and joined Eddie in the pool.

"Hi Stevie," Eddie clung onto him and kissed him wetly, his hair was dragged down and he looked like a wet poodle, Steve laughed.

"Hi Eddie, love your hair," he smiled with a teasing look, Eddie pushed him away, dove into the pool and swam right underneath Steve, kicking him on his way up, and then flicked his hair and sprayed water all over.

"How about now?" He did a little toss and fell back into the water, Steve shook his head and pulled Eddie up.

"You're lucky I'm a trained lifeguard," He said, holding him tight.

"I sure am, I would've drowned if you weren't here," He smiled sweetly and kissed Steve again.

"You really would've, maybe you should get a time-out," Steve said with a serious voice, "You've been swimming very dangerously, go get us some sodas." He ordered and Eddie chuckled and pulled himself out of the pool, "Yes Sir!" He saluted.

Steve watched him walking away, dripping water, and then shouted, "Nice tuches, you got there!"

Eddie froze in place, small puddles forming around him, he turned around slowly. "What did you just say..?"

Steve got out of the pool and sat on the edge, his body twisted towards Eddie, who still hasn't moved, "I said you have a nice tuches, you disagree?"

"I- what??! You know what this word means??" he now rushed towards Steve and stood over him, hiding him from the sun, "For how long??"

Steve stood up now, "Uh, a week or so," He smiled and held Eddie's buttcheeks, pulling him closer, "I like that word, tuches," He kissed Eddie's nose, "Practiced the sound a lot for you."

Eddie was speechless, breathless, he let Steve hold him there until he succeeded saying, "How..?"

Steve's smile was cheeky, "Well, some investigations, talked to your uncle, but Joyce was the one who gave it away, did you know she's Jewish?" Eddie shook his head, "Yeah, didn't know either, Wayne told me. I also didn't know you are," Eddie raised an eyebrow, "Not that it matters, just nice to know some more things about you." He smiled and pulled Eddie even closer, into a hug.

"If you were so curious what it means," Eddie broke the hug after a few seconds, "Why didn't you just ask me?" Steve's look revealed everything, "Don't tell me you were too proud to admit you don't know!" Eddie laughed and squeezed Steve's cheeks, kissing him shortly on his lips. "I'm glad you know now, and just so you know, I always meant it in the best way possible. I love your juicy tuches." he grabbed Steve's ass with his free hand and Steve giggled.

"Do you know any more cool words in Yiddish?" Steve asked curiously, and Eddie's eyes lit.

"Oh sweetheart, we're gonna have fun today," Eddie said confidently and jumped back into the pool, leaving Steve confused all over again.