#lil curls st the base of his neck.....

[3416]

glove <3

[merlinsbudgiesmugglers]

Decisions

This has been sitting in an open tab on my laptop for months, it's a bit rough but I figured I might as well post it. Read on AO3 The November evening air nipped at Lily’s skin as she stepped out from the warmth of the kitchen. Strict instructions had been given about the location of the wards and if she looked hard enough she thought she might just be able to see the shimmer of magic just beyond the garden wall.

It was meant to be a simple mission, surveillance only, but the death eaters had known they were being watched the minute they arrived. It hadn’t been the worst battle they’d endured. There was no loss on their side and only minor injuries, all easily fixed without any trips to St Mungo���s. Still, Dumbledore ordered them to a safe house while checks were made on their own homes under the suspicion that the fight had simply been a diversion for something more sinister.

The lights from the house lit the garden just enough that Lily could just make out James sitting on the garden wall, slumped down with his elbows resting on his knees, a cigarette dangling from his right hand. He had been agitated since they arrived at the safe house. Pacing at the back of the room during the debrief and bolting to the garden the moment the meeting was over. After sharing a concerned look with Sirius, Lily had followed. Walking up to him, she plucked the cigarette from his fingers.

“You know these things will kill you?” She asked before taking a long drag.

James chuckled darkly, and when she shivered from the cold, he reached out and wrapped one hand around her waist, pulling her closer until she was standing between his legs and wrapped in his warmth.

“On the list of things that could kill me, I think these are the least of my worries.”

Lily hummed, a dry smile appearing as she looped one arm over his shoulder, her hand coming to rest in his hair at the base of his neck. James watched her intently, as if he was memorising every little detail. Even after their years together, Lily still found herself blushing when he looked at her like that. They silently shared the cigarette, passing it back and forth until there was nothing left but the filter.

James finally looked away to stub the butt out on the wall next to him. There was something unsure in his movements, which normally would be odd for James, but tonight she understood. After the battle, after the purple light flashing towards her and Alice pulling her out of the way just in time, she was content to wait for him to be ready to speak, simply to be here with him, taking in every part that she loved. His slightly too long hair that fell into his eyes, the faint freckles that dusted his nose, the scar on his cheek that she had kissed countless times. She knew this man, she knew him so well that when he finally looked up at her again, she knew what he was going to say.

“Marry me.” The words were quiet, his voice rough. Even though she was expecting them, her breath caught when she heard them.

Lily sighed, shaking her head slightly. “James.”

He spoke quickly, before she could continue. “I know. I know we said we would wait until the war was over. That we needed to see the fight through.”

“We did.” Not long after they had finished school, curled together in the small bed in the flat James shared with the other boys, the soft words spoken of their dreams, dreams that they would put on hold for something bigger.

“We didn’t know the war would last this long.”

James stood close to her so she could see his face clearly, even in the dark. “Lil, I almost lost you tonight.”

Lily pulled sharply away from him, anger and guilt swirly suddenly in her chest. “Don’t. You don’t get to use that, not now. Not for this.” She knew exactly how close she came tonight, how close to never seeing him again, to never getting the life they dreamed about. She didn’t need him throwing that in her face.

James ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I had to watch that bastard send that spell at you knowing there was nothing I could do and it terrified me.” He tried to move closer to her, and Lily took a step back. “I don’t know what I would do without you. After Mum and Dad–” James broke off, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re all I have.”

She shook her head again, hands on his chest to keep him from getting too close. “James.”

He pressed on. “I want to be your husband, to wake up with you every morning and go to bed with you every night. I want to know that if I don’t make it through that you’ll be looked after.” He lifted her chin so she was looking at him. “And if we do make it through this, I want us to build a home together where one day we’ll raise our kids.” It was easy to imagine, a sun filled cottage filled with laughter and her terrible cooking, James chasing two small children around the yard.

Looking at him, this beautiful man that wanted to give her the world, she knew that all she had to do was let him. Every fibre of her being was screaming at her to say yes, to ignore her fears and her doubts and give him everything he wanted, everything she wanted.

But she couldn’t think straight with him so close. He was so certain of this, but all of her worries kept running through Lily’s head. What if getting married made him even more of a target? What if she let him into that final piece of her heart and she lost him? “We shouldn’t decide this tonight. We should take some time to think it through.”

His hand gripped hers. “I don’t need more time. I’ve known since the first time you kissed me that I was going to marry you.” Though as he was saying it, doubt filled his eyes and he took a step back, shoving his hands roughly into his pockets. “Unless you don’t want to marry me?” He said, sounding unsure.

Panic gripped Lily and she followed him, reaching out to touch him, to reassure him. “I do want to marry you” She said quickly. “I just don’t know if now is the right time. I don’t want us to make this decision when emotions are running high and regret it later.”

“There’s never a right time, and if there is one thing I know I’ll never regret, it’s marrying you.”

And that was it, she had doubts, but none of them were about James. She knew that she would never regret marrying James either, in truth she’d always known.

Getting married wouldn’t solve their problems or magically remove her doubts. If something happened to him in this fight, it wouldn’t ease the pain. But the thought of coming home to him at the end of each day made everything seem a little bit easier.

Lily leaned into his chest, letting him wrap her up, the one place she knew she would always be safe. “I’m not moving in with you and the boys.”

There was silence for a moment and while she couldn’t see his face, she could hear the cocky grin in his voice when he finally spoke. “Evans, if that’s your only issue then I think you know the answer.”

She looked up at him. “You won’t be able to call me ‘Evans’ anymore.”

A smirk tugged on his lips and he leaned down so they brushed against hers as he spoke. “I think I prefer ‘Mrs Potter’.” His voice was low and sent a shiver through her that made her gasp as he closed the gap between them, kissing her deeply. Lily pushed closer to him, relishing in the firm lines of his body, in the warmth of his skin under her fingers.

James broke away, moving down to press soft kisses along her jaw. “I need you to say it.”

She pulled away so she could look him in the eye and took his face in her hands, carefully taking him in so she could memorise him at this moment. “Yes I will marry you.”

A wide grin spread across his face before he kissed her again, wrapping her in his arms and lifting her off the ground.

It wasn’t long before their celebration was interrupted by a voice calling across the garden. “Lily! What have I told you about cavorting with the wildlife?”

Lily laughed, still breathless, her cheeks hurting from smiling and turned in James’ arms to see Remus standing in the doorway. “I’ll do what I like with my fiance!” She called back.

James murmured ‘fiance’ in a pleased voice and they both laughed at Remus’ whoop of celebration and his shouts to Sirius and Peter that they each owed him a galleon.

When they finally made their way back into the house, they were greeted by the cheers of their friends. Gideon produced a bottle of firewhiskey, and Marlene managed to find a station on the wireless playing somewhat modern music. By the time Professor McGonagall arrived to give them the all clear, Lily had been congratulated more times that she could remember, danced around the room by Sirius and Peter and was happily sitting in James’ lap by the fire, resting her eyes and listening to the vibrations in his chest as he spoke to Remus and Frank.

On that cold November night, Lily thought that they might actually have a chance to win this thing. The joy in that small safehouse would bring her comfort through the dark times to come. And a little under two years later it would be the memory of James' smile when she agreed to marry him that gave her comfort as she faced her fate and refused to move aside.

[wildnya]

twst boys and their furry family shenanigans

Floyd and Guppy edition

Waking up and breakfast: if Floyd is asleep, so is Guppy. she’ll curl up next to his head and cuddle into his neck. neither are getting up until forced or they’re ready to. Floyd gives her wet cat food and leftover fish. (he sometimes eats a bit of it himself) after seeing him off and the others with Lady it’s time for adventure!

School day: Guppy isn’t allowed to see her daddy otherwise he’ll be distracted so she sticks to exploring the campus and other dorms. sometimes she runs into other pets and plays with them, though it’s mostly her either pouncing on their tails or taking a nap with them. she plays with Pip (st. bernard pup) a lot while Lady sunbathes with his mom. there are occasions when she gets stuck in a tree and either a human or cat has to get her down. Lady stands at the base barking for help until her cries are answered. since Lady insists on being with Jade during gym Guppy likes to catch a ride with his classmates on their brooms. if the class is a joint one with Floyds however Lady is instructed to keep her little sister as far away as possible. they do not need to deal with any Floyd takes Guppy flying with him aftermath.

Lunch and passing: off to get snackies from daddy~ Floyd usually spends his lunches with his feline daughter. he finds some string or a dead branch with leaves to play with. he loves the confused look she gets when he suddenly moves the temporary toy out of sight. sometimes they fall asleep in the shade and spend the rest of the school day there.

Work: Guppy is small and isn’t allowed in the lounge when it’s busy nor can she accompany the boys on their special errands. though it breaks his heart Floyd is forced to lock her in his or VIP room until they return. she cries until they come back.

Playtime: bengal cats love water. Guppy is a kitten so she can’t swim in a pool safely yet but Floyd will spend hours in the tub with her. otherwise its laser pointers, feather teasers, catnip, you name it.

Bedtime: they go to bed whenever. Floyd has a lil bed for her on the shelf next to his bed if she decides to retire before him. if she gets the zoomies he’ll sleepily play footsies with her using his fingers under she tires out.

[pumpkinspicejackotaco-blog]

In Your Arms Again// TRR oneshot

HELLO. MY NAME IS PUMPKINSPICEJACKOTACO BUT YOU CAN CALL ME ASSHOLE. THIS IS MY FIRST EVER FAN FICTION TO BE WRITTEN ON TUMBLR. I HAVE A WATTPAD TOO BUT I DON'T USE IT AS MUCH ANYMORE. ANYWAYS. THIS IS ABOUT MY MC (Lily Josephine Brooks) WHO HAS BEEN AWAY IN IRAQ AND DIDN'T TELL LIAM AND SHE COMES BACK AND YADAYADAYADA. ENJOYYYYYYYY

××××××××××××××storystartshere××××××××××

Lily stepped off the plane at Fort Bragg Air Force base and ran a tanned hand over her chestnut hair. The terminal was awash with people, families holding signs for their loved ones but like every tour, Lily was alone. After grabbing a crappy coffee from one of the machines, she turned on her phone to find 3 missed calls; one from Maxwell, one from Hana and one from Drake.

With a tired sigh she opened the messaging app and texted Maxwell;

FROM- Lil Blossom 🌸🌸🌸 TO- Max the Dancing Unicorn 🦄🦄🦄

🌸 heyy it's me. Just landed, flight leaves from Raleigh-Durham at 1438. I should land around noon your time.

🦄 SWEEEEEET. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU BOO! I'LL GET YOUR ROOM PREPPED AT RAMSFORD ASAP.

🌸 thanks dude. Can we have pizza?

🦄 anything for my little blossom.

🌸 great. Gotta go. Love youuu

🦄 love you too baby sis

Lily looked up to find her "mother", Lynette peeping over her shoulder.

"Going back to Cordonia?" She grinned.

"Where else? Liam and Madeleine are over and my name is a cleared." Lily grinned back, showing her ever so slightly twisted canines. Her smile wasn't perfect as she had grown up in an orphanage but everyone she met found it adorable.

" Are you forgetting you never told him?" Lynette quizzed, sounding sceptical.

"Hana told him I needed space and that I was staying with family. Both of which are true." She shrugged.

"Fair enough. Do you wanna grab some food? We have five hours til you need to be at the airport and Tom and the kids won't get here for another 90 minutes." Lynette said, hugging Lily.

"Let's do it. McDonalds or Starbucks?"

×××××LeTimeSkipApprox2HoursLater×××××

Lily and Lynette sat on a bench in a local park, watching Lynette's two, four year old sons; Harry and Milo play tag. They were still in their uniforms as neither had brought appropriate civvies with them, it was calm, peaceful almost and the fall sun shone through the fiery red branches.

"Makes the distance worth it right? Seeing them play without worrying about terrorists and bombs tryna blow them up." Lily stated, smiling softly at the two ginger boys.

"Certainly does." Lynette nodded.

First Sergeant Lynette Danvers was a tall, willowy woman of 37 with short blonde corkscrew curls and deep blue eyes that were intelligent. She had joined the Army at age 20 after doing two years in community college studying art. Her husband, Tom was an architect of 40 and stood at around six foot. He had met Lynette when she was 23 at a bar in New Orleans during mardi gras and it had been love at first sight. Their relationship had never been easy, as Lynette had devoted her time to the Army. Two years later, he had proposed in Miami and they had married a year later in Lynette's home town of St.Pauls a year later. Three years later, Lynette would meet the scared 18 year old Lily Josephine Brooks on the runway at Camp Bastian.

They had bonded instantly, Lily and Lynette, both had had troubled childhoods and Lily felt soothed by Lynette's prescence. They bonded even more after the death of Harry Rourke, a close friend and once more when Lynette invited Lily back to St Pauls for Christmas with her and Tom. Since then, they'd been inseparable.

Tom walked over, holding paper cups of hot chocolate and smiled fondly at them.

"I barely see you these days Lil." He said.

"You know I'm only a phone call away Tom." Lily grinned.

"Still."

"I can't believe how big the boys are now." She shook her head.

"I can't believe they have more stamina than a platoon of trained soldiers." Lynette scoffed.

"Hey!" Lily gasped.

Tom chuckled and shook his head. "That'll be you in a few years."

"Yeah I hope so. But if the people hate me then there's no point. Liam needs to do what's best for Cordonia." She sighed.

"Your happiness matters too you know." Lynette soothed.

"Well if it doesn't work out then I'm going on another bajillion tours. They're easier to deal with than a bunch of angry Cordonians."

"You'll be fine. Just think. In like 23 hours you'll be back there with your friends." Tom smiled.

Lily chuckled. "Oh yes."

××××××3×hours×later××××××××RDU×××××××

Lily said her goodbyes to her friends and walked through the security gate, excited to be starting a new chapter in her life.

16 hours later, Lily touched down at Kenna International Airport, just outside of Cordonia's capital, Stormholt. She was still in her uniform which made matters awkward when she was greeted by a bunch of photographers.

"Lady Lily, where have you been?"

"Lady Lily, are you happy your name is cleared?"

"I'll release an official statement later, but you'll have to excuse me for a moment. I've not slept in 4 days and I'm running off of coffee and protein bars. Thank you for your time." She rushed, spotting Bertrand and Maxwell outside waiting for her next to a black range rover. She climbed into the passenger seat and Maxwell pulled away from the screaming paparazzi.

Meanwhile in the palace, King Liam sat in a living room, drinking tea with Regina and his father, the news was on in the background. They were sat discussing Leo's most recent antics when Regina froze, picked up the remote and turned the volume up on the television.

"This just in, Lady Lily Brooks or should we say, Sergeant Lily Brooks is back in Cordonia. The woman, who was a victim of a major press scandal back in December was seen walking through Kenna International wearing full US Army uniform and carrying a rucksack. When confronted by the press, she issued this statement.;"

The screen flashed to Lily walking through the airport with bags under her eyes and her cheeks looking noticeably slimmer, her cap was on her head and a few sneaky strands had slipped out from her bun. Liam gasped.

Lily had obviously lost weight and there was a visible healing cut above her left eye. She looked so tiny and warrior like in her uniform which was dusty and wrinkled from travel, yet he had never seen a more beautiful sight in his life.

"I'll release an official statement later, but you'll have to excuse me for a moment. I've not slept in 4 days and I'm running off of coffee and protein bars. Thank you for your time." Her voice. Oh her voice! It was like a choir of angels to his ears.

He lunged for his phone and texted Maxwell.

FROM- Kingy King Liam 😉 to Maxwell Beaumont 🦄

😉 is Lily with you?

🦄 yaaaaaa but she's drivin ATM. Can I pass a message on?

😉 don't you have Bluetooth?

🦄 ohh yeah. Btw why don't you text her yoself?

😉 she blocked my number after the first 100 calls...

🦄 AHAHAHAHAHAHA

😉 it's not funny Maxwell!!!

🦄 IT LIKE TOTEZ IS

😉 let me speak to her

🦄 one sec imma askkkkk

🦄 yeah iss kewl

Regina and Constantine looked on at the anxious king who held his phone to his ear.

"Lily?" He began, putting her on speaker.

"Hey you." She said softly, while tears streamed down Liam's cheeks.

He took a deep breath. "How are you?" He asked, running a hand through his already tousled hair.

"Fine. Not slept in four days but apart from that life's good." She said clearly.

"Why the blazes are you driving then!? You could crash!" Came the voice of Bertrand.

"Calm your ass Bert. I'm fine." Lily sassed back at him.

Regina flinched at the use of Lily's choice of words.

"Don't call me Bert." Threatened Bertrand.

"Or what? You gonna spit out your tea and challenge me to a duel?"

Maxwell snorted in the background while Constantine chuckled.

Liam sat there frozen as the bickering continued, along with the odd curse from Lily at idiotic drivers.

Bertrand cleared his throat. "Perhaps, your majesty and the dowager king and queen would care to join us at Ramsford for a few days."

"If that is an invitation Duke Ramsford then we would be delighted to accept." Liam said professionally.

"MAX YOU ASSHOLE I'M TRYING NOT TO CRASH YOUR GODDAMN CAR!" Lily screamed.

Regina looked as if she was about to faint.

"THAT IS ENOUGH YOU TWO! Your majesty, I am terribly sorry, they will be SEVERELY reprimanded upon return to the Estate." Bertrand blabbered.

"Ooh kinky." Maxwell snorted.

The sounds of Lily's delightful laughter echoed in the room, before Bertrand ended the call.

ANOTHER DUCKING TIME SKIP BECAUSE I SUCK ASS. THIS TIME IT'S THREE DAYS. LILY HAS SPENT HER TIME SLEEPING AND TALKING WITH A PSYCHOLOGIST.

Liam thrust open the door of the SUV he had been travelling in, exiting before Bastien had even gotten the chance to scan the perimeter. He was dressed in his regular suit, hair perfectly styled. But to him, looks didn't matter. What mattered was the 5,2 woman that stood on the front steps of the elegant manor.

Lily, to him, was breathtaking. Half of her hair was pulled back from her face in a loose bun, the rest curling down her back like a river of autumn that shone brightly in the early morning light. Her eyes, a shade of blue that rivalled the waters of Portavira locked with his own and he couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face. The corner of her nude lips rose, just a little. But enough for him to catch his breath. She wore a navy blue shirt dress and a grey cashmere cardigan with black tights and light brown ankle boots.

She stood with Maxwell and her precious corgi, Pumpkin who dozed at her feet.

Bertrand stepped forward after Regina and Constantine had gotten out and welcomed them politely before gesturing for Lily and Max to follow.

Liam was done waiting. He rushed forward and caught her in his arms, spinning her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled.

"Oh god. Oh god." He murmured.

"I'm so sorry." She sobbed.

"No. It's fine. I'm glad you're safe but this can't wait."

"What can't?" She asked.

"Lily Josephine Brooks. I have loved you since day one and I will be damned if I cannot see your face every day for the rest of my life." He began, looking at his father who gave him a nod.

He got down on one knee and produced the ring from his pocket.

"Will you do me the honour of being my wife and being the queen of Cordonia?" He asked, tears pooling in his eyes.

She nodded. "Yes. Yes. A THOUSAND TIMES YES!" She yelled the last part and he slid the ring on her finger before picking her up again, the world disappearing. As it always did when they were together.

[planetsam]

if you're still taking ST fanfic requests, could you maybe do one where El sneaks out to meet Mike, and they have a cute lil' time, but then he walks her back to the cabin & they have to deal with Hopper? just an idea but i think it'd be cute!

The tap tap tap on his window wakes him up.

Mike sleeps facing the window. He’s dreamed of waking up and seeing her there many times. It’s still a complete surprise. And not just because she’s hovering outside of his window. He knows she’s telekinetic, she’s pulled him back from falling off a literal cliff. But it’s still a shock to see her hovering there, knuckles poised over his window like she’s about to knock again. When their eyes lock a bright grin splits her face and she waves. He scrambles out of bed, yanking open the window.

“Hi, Mike,” she whispers, slipping underneath the edge and landing softly on the carpet. He immediately wraps his arms around her and she happily leans into him. He’s tall enough now that the top of her head is under his nose, he can smell the shampoo-conditioner-combo that he’s sure Hopper buys.

“You’re here,” he breathes and she nods, her hair tickling his nose, “I don’t understand—did Hopper let you out?” She shakes her head, “El?”

“Stake-out,” she says simply, moving away from him to start exploring his room.

“He’s on a stake-out?” He says.

“Yes,” she says, running her fingers over his dresser before going over to his bed and dropping onto it, “he’s staking, I’m visiting.”

Mike knows he should be concerned about that but the sight of her in her cuffed jeans and thick sweater, sprawled out on his bed, eliminates the other thoughts he has. Also if Hopper ever finds out Mike’s pretty sure he’ll kill him so he’s fully prepared to enjoy this as much as possible. He gets onto the bed with her, returning the bright smile she gives him.

“Ok?” She asks and he nods.

“Yeah, yeah this is okay,” he assures her, “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” she says.

“When’d you learn to fly?” He asks and even in the foggy days when he dreamed about having a girlfriend, he can’t say the question is one he ever really thought he’d ask, “its awesome,” he says at her expression, “I didn’t know your powers had gotten stronger.”

“Practice,” she says, looking down, “I had time.”

He knows that Hopper was trying to keep her safe. He knows that. He also has to keep reminding himself of it because he is angrier every day at what’s been done. At the idea of her being locked up in a different house, by a different man, but having to run away all the same. Really he knows he’s scared that one day she’s going to feel that way about him, even though he vows always that he’ll never give her a reason to do it.

She reaches up and drags her fingers through his hair, studying it. Mike knows he needs a haircut, but he keeps silent as she inspects it. Her fingers skim across his cheekbones and the bridge of his nose, along the curve of his jaw. He doesn’t have to shave yet but her nose wrinkles at the different feeling. She coasts down his neck, he fights to stay still but it’s hard when she hits the ticklish patch on his neck.

“Funny?” She asks.

“Ticklish,” he says, she frowns in confusion, “like this,” he says reaching out slowly and scratching the same spot on her. She looks at him blankly, “not everyone is—“ he trails off as his fingers hit the edges of a scar. Prepping himself up, he looks at the line that goes down the back of her neck. She curves forward, the crown of her head bumping his chest as she lets him look, “what happened?”

“I didn’t feel,” she explains, reaching up and pulling her hair. He sees another scar, a pair of marks at the base of her skull. He touches them lightly with his thumb, “hurt,” she says and grasps his wrist, moving it to the other scar, “didn’t hurt.”

“Were you awake?” He asks and she nods.

“Didn’t hurt,” she stresses but that doesn’t make it better. He hugs her to him so she won’t see the look on his face.

Her response is to sneak a hand up between them and try to tickle him again.

“I’m really glad you’re not there anymore,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re here,” he adds, stressing the last part.

“Me too,” she says looking up at him. She smiles brilliantly and he wonders how he made it a year without seeing her. How he made it these past few weeks—how he’s supposed to make it a year. El squirms forward and leveling the fact that they’re on the same height, she presses their mouths together. Surprise hits him before he presses back into the kiss, then he remembers that they’re on his bed and this is probably everything their parents are worried about, “what?” She asks when he pulls back.

“We, uh, we shouldn’t. Not with the door closed—“ he looks over as the handle turns and then back to her, “El!”

“Door’s not closed,” she points out.

“That’s a technicality,” he says. Her eyebrows draw together, “it’s a small detail,” he explains, “the door being open is so our parents know that we aren’t doing this.”

“Why not?” She asks.

“Because this can keep going and, um, we’re kids.”

He knows he’s fumbling for that explanation. Knows that it’s not a great one. He can feel his face growing red but it’s nothing compared to the nod that she gives.

“You mean sex,” she says.

“Yes?” He says and frowns, “how do you—“

“Papa checked,” she says, “looked for—“ she screws up her face as if trying to remember, “hormones,” she says triumphantly, “estrogen, testosterone, hormone levels.”

“We can’t have sex,” he blurts out.

“We’re not having sex,” she shoots back, “can we kiss?” She asks.

“Sometimes,” he says, “we should talk too. Not just kiss.”

She considers this and then nods before looking at him seriously.

“Kissing doesn’t make babies,” she informed him.

He can’t help the laugh this time and she claps a hand over his mouth, even as she starts to laugh too. But a part of him I laughing because it’s so unfair that this girl who can barely speak sometimes knows about sex. Was told about sex. And has all these scars even as she discovers whether or not her hair is curly. It’s such a contradiction is makes him want to cry. Despite all of that she’s here and curled up in his arms on his bed, laughing with him like this is the safest place in the world. Mike wants it to be but his own inability to protect her just keeps being reinforced.

“Don’t be sad,” she whispers, pushing his hair back, “its better now.”

“I know,” he says, hugging her close, “ it’ll keep getting better, okay?” She nods emphatically. Mike doesn’t know what he did for her to trust him so willingly but the weight of it settles on him. Grounds him, “did you leave a note for Hopper?”

She shakes her head.

“We gotta let him know,” he says, even if he really doesn’t want to. El seems to be thinking the same thing.

“Can we later?” She asks.

Mike rolls over to grab his alarm clock. The loss of one of his arms makes El whine her disappointment and scoot closer, when he rolls back he’s almost on top of her. She blinks up at him like she’s perfectly fine with the situation. Actually she uses it as an excuse to burrow even closer to him. He doesn’t recognize the surprised sound he makes, but he does recognize that he’s on the very edge of the bed. They’re about to go over and the only thing he has time to do is clutch her closer so that he takes the impact.

Which doesn’t come.

Because his girlfriend can keep them afloat.

El muffles a brilliant laugh in his shirt as he looks over to see they’re a good foot off the ground. They’re angled so that his head’s an inch off where it was, just enough to keep him from catching it on the nightstand. To keep from slipping off whatever invisible force is keeping him floating El has her feet hooked around his ankle. All of her is securely on him. She grins up at him.

“You’re my skateboard,” she pronounces before dropping her head back to his chest and frowning at the pace of his head, “Okay?” She questions.

“Yeah,” he assures her, “Okay. I’m just surprised, but it’s a good surprise. I thought we were going to fall,” he says. Eleven smiles and goes back to laying on his chest, “do you know when the stake out is supposed to end?” He asks.

“Will you sleep if I answer?” She asks and he’s momentarily surprised before he nods, “five oh, oh,” she says, “he said he wold be back.”

Mike sets his alarm for three thirty just to be safe. He has no idea if they can move or anything considering he’s floating off the ground, but he decides to trust El. Just to be safe though he wraps his arms tightly around her, so if anyone will wind up taking the brunt of the fall it’s him.

It feels like he just closes his eyes when he hears his alarm go off. He shuts it off and gently rouses El whose still happily asleep on his chest. She cracks open one eye, makes a noise of protest and burrows back in. Mike laughs and tries again, though the result this time is an invisible force that puts his hand back on her back and presses it there. Mike knows they have to get up but he doesn’t want to. He has a vague thought that this might be the best way to wake up. But he grabs the newfound responsibility that comes with the promise of this happening again and shakes her.

“Come on, we don’t want Hopper to find out.”

That gets her up. Or to move at the very least. She blinks up at him before yawning loudly. He can’t quite resist dragging his fingers through her sleep mussed curls. But when she tries to go back, he sits up with a low chuckle an a shake of his head.

“We can’t get caught,” he says.

“But it’s three four five,” she complains.

“We gotta be safe,” he says and she sticks her tongue out at him, but she gets up. She stretches her arms over her head and he sees her sweater ride up, the edges of the scar not at all detracting from the effect an inch of bare skin seems to have on him. In the dark he finds the warmest jackets he has and bundles her in one, “lets go,” he says.

They get down on some kind of invisible slide she makes and he takes her hand. It’s weird to be walking around, even if it’s still mostly dark out and there’s no one around. It’s a taste of how it will be, of what it will be. That makes him excited. The idea that they can do this one day. Be normal. She can wear his jacket and lean against him and they’ll just look normal. When she smiles up at him, he grins back at her. He’s distracted enough that they almost walk right into Hopper.

“How—“ He begins.

“I deal with criminals, give me some credit,” he says and looks at El, “well?” He demands.

“Look it—“

“Can it Wheeler,” he snaps and looks at her, “I’m waiting,” he says and El sighs loudly, “so I’m getting the silent treatment? Good. I guess we’re gonna be without tv for the week.”

“Worth it,” El says.

“And the radio!”

El rolls her eyes and goes to shrug off her jacket but he shakes his head.

“You can give it back to me next time,” he says as Hopper yanks open the door, pausing only long enough to give him the kind of glare that makes his stomach flip, “promise,” he adds to El.

“I’m calling your parents,” Hopper says.

“What are you gonna tell them? My girlfriend flew in the window?” He demands and finds himself face to face with the pissed off chief of police.

“You think I can’t make something up? I was a teenage boy once,” Hopper growls.

“Yeah but we have indoor plumbing now and women can vote,” Mike snaps back.

Hopper looks at him for a long, hard, endless second in which Mike’s torn between several stupid options. None of which are terribly appealing. So all he can do is stand there and stare down a man who is heavily armed, exhausted and could break him without much effort.

“You keep your hands to yourself?”

“I’m thirteen!” He shoots back, “Yes!”

“He did,” El chimes from the car, “no grandkids yet,” she adds, “not days of our lives.”

“And we know how crushing that is,” Hopper says before coming back to Mike, “you can get back in your room?” He asks. Mike rolls his eyes, “I need a yes, Wheeler,” he says.

“You sound like Steve,” he says instead and Hopper straightens up.

“We’re going home before I make you a widow,” he says to Eleven who opens her mouth, “Yeah, yeah we know whose side your on. Is he alive or not?”

She falls back against the seat and rolls her eyes. Hooper gets in and peels off. Mike waits a moment before the car comes back around, stopping next to him. Over Hoppers grumbling Eleven hauls partially out of the window and means to press her lips to his cheek, but he turns and their lips meet. It’s a quick, chaste kiss but they’re both grinning when she pulls back.

“Bye, Mike!”

“Go home Wheeler!”

He waves to both of them until the car turns the corner, and maybe a little bit afterwards since he knows El can see him.

Then he goes home, in case she reports back.