#making a get out of my school letter as we speak
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me: yeah is a pretty guy but y'know he is probably just that. nothing really to note about him
[Editor's note: ^lying. they like characters that are tame in appearance and honestly personality at times]
me: also I haven't seen a lot of anime but even the little I've seen, this is probably a common personality trope. I won't be swayed by such things.
him: gently annoys maomao to see her irritated because he enjoys it. not even in the making fun of her way. his reaction to her annoyance is more like he is infatuated and pleased to be looked down upon
me: I'm in danger
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everytime i think im done ranting i remember something else LMFAO this one is extra long i hit tag limit god mf damn
#self#for instance.....my mom wants me to cut off everyone who is still tied to the school#and im so mad at myself for feeling a certain type of way when the campus manager called me not too long ago basically to tell me she doesnt#trust the girl who did this shit and she wasnt mad at me but was also mad at me for bringing her to her dads house#for reference we were trying to get a cat from the campus managers dads house LMFAO#and i honestly cannot wait to speak to her again and be like ๐ god dammit you were right like you were every single time#i just dont understand the wiring in her head to think the shit she says and does to people is normal and okay and how she doesnt realize it#is literally a mental health break. when i finally told my mom the first thing she said was shes probably off her medication#which.....probably isnt wrong sadly coming from someone who has borderline and very easily can lose it#but the difference is i dont give in to the urges to try to hurt everyone around me in every way i can#and me and her have said before that we thought she might also have borderline because we were very similar#but god damn does she love proving that if she has it its extremely severe or its something else entirely#on an honest note. shes incredibly narcissistic and i know her mom is part of the reason shes that way bc she was given princess treatment#her entire fucking life and then doesnt understand when other people dont treat her the same way#i hate rambling about this and i hate it that it is bothering me so fucking bad but like ???#if youre going to decide that you can put our past aside period and move on then fucking do that and stop bringing the past up as a way to#hurt me and the people around you???? she acts like shes not done horrible fucking things to people. so sorry i wrote a letter that was very#honest at the time. so sorry that when you found out i apologized for it and said i regret it because 2 weeks after my apology i no longer#regret writing it. if its making school a living hell for you....theres probably a reason for that girlfriend#i am not the person who put that shit in your folder#though i seriously fucking doubt its actually in her folder shes probably assuming it is#and youre the one who made a complete ass of yourself to every educator that ever stepped foot in that building#that has nothing to do with me that you are a literal warning given to every new educator!!!! i havent even been in school there in months#yet IM the problem??? how am i the problem when i graduated in fucking january???? everything since then falls on you#AND YET AGAIN! MIGHT I MENTION! IT IS NOT JUST MY LETTER!!! THERES AT LEAST 2 OTHER ONES!!!!!#BECAUSE IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON SHE DOES THIS SHIT TO!!!!#god sometimes i sit back and realize that theres a reason she regresses as a person and i do not#im not going to sit still anymore and let someone walk all over me and she can thank herself for that#shes who taught me that blocking and running as fast as i can doesnt fix anything#so here we are bitch. youre not blocked and im sure youre sitting at home thinking about how youre right about everything
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Daddy Dearest (Oscar Piastri Dad fic)
Summary- Oscar is a girl dad.
There weren't many people who had Oscar wrapped around their little finger, except Amelia Piastri. Almost 2 years old and she could make Oscar dance like a chicken on the drop of a hat.
Oscar had met Amelia's mother and the love of his life, Y/N when they were in high-school. They started dating soon after. The year Oscar was a reserve driver for Alpine; he might not have been busy racing but he was busy with his girlfriend. The whole Alpine-Mclaren fiasco brought us baby Mia. It was a usual Thursday, Y/N had been stressing out about missing her period for the second time this month when she had regular periods since she could remember. A thought passed through her; it had been floating around in her head since last month. What if she was pregnant? Oscar and her had always been safe; but not a single contraceptive was a hundred percent perfect. So, without informing Oscar, she went to the store and bought a few tests. When the first one said positive, she did another and then another. By now Oscar had become aware of his missing girlfriend who was coup-ed up in their bathroom for the past half hour. He was knocking on the door; "babe, is everything okay? You've been in there since you returned" But when no reply came; the knocking became more rapid and worried. "Y/N, are you ok? Please answer. You're stressing me out" he begged. Then the door opened slightly. A tear stained Y/N was peaking her head out. Oscar pushed the door open and hugged her. He was scanning the room as his girlfriend's body shook slightly; that's when he saw it; pregnancy tests. He pulled away to look at her; "Have you been busy taking those pregnancy test?" he asked. "How do you know what they are?" she hiccuped. "I've watched TV growing up" he smiled. She nodded and handed the 3 tests to him. They all read pregnant in bold letters. Oscar was over joyed; "Are we gonna be parents?" he shouted. "You're not angry?" she asked. "Why would I be? I get to have kids with the love of my life. Best thing that could ever happen to me" he stated. For the first time since she got the tests, she smiled. "Aren't we too young though?" she asked. "Yes, but I could take on the world with you by my side" he said kissing her. "You'll be the best dad ever" she told him. "You'll be the best mum ever" he said. The pair stayed in each other's embrace for a long time. Oscar will never admit it but he cried and then went on reddit to research what to do as a first time dad.
Amelia was born the next year when Oscar was busy racing. He wasn't able to be there for the birth of his daughter; he might have called his mother and cried about being a shitty dad from the get-go. But his father later consoled him and told him it would be fine. Oscar flew out the first chance he got to be with his girlfriend who was being taken care of by both their parents. The first time he held Amelia, he had started crying as soon as she opened her big brown eyes and looked at him. She was an exact copy of him when he was a baby, at least that's what his mother said. Y/N had to console him instead of the baby. He was sat there with his arms wrapped around Y/N who held their daughter for a really long time. Y/N had fallen in love with the name Amelia after watching the Princess Diaries growing up and Oscar wasn't about to argue with Y/N about naming their daughter after the Queen of Genovia. That's how she was named "Amelia Opal Piastri"
Oscar kept them hidden from the world after they had mutually decided not to tell anyone except their close friends and family which some how, had now included Lando Norris, much to Oscar's dismay since his daughter from the moment she could speak called Lando her twin; Oscar hated it, he was just dad or daddy when she wanted something but Lando was her best friend and twin. Lando took great joy in having to be able to steal Amelia away. Lando was helping Oscar move since he'd been staying in Monaco longer and moving with a kid wasn't easy. Mia was being very difficult today until she saw her Uncle Lando and jumped out of Oscar's arms running to Lando. "Lan, I mwiss you" she pouted raising her hands as if to signal him to carry her. Lando quickly scooped her in his arms, kissing her cheeks which elicited giggles. She wrapped her arms around Lando's neck and turned to her dad sticking her tongue out making Oscar pout. "Come here, you're my princess" he whined. "NO. I wan Lan" she said and hugged him tighter as Oscar tried to pull her away. "Oscar, behave. We have a lot of work to do. If Lando can watch over her while we unpack, that'll be great." Y/N said kissing her daughter's cheek and giving Lando a hug. Reluctantly Oscar agreed to let Lando play with her while he got the house unpacked.
While the two unpacked, Lando kept their little princess entertained. "Lan, do you vroom vroom fast?" she asked playing with the race cars she had. "Yeah" he nodded. "my daddy, vroom vroom" she paused for a moment to think, "fast more, win, wohooo" she said jumping up when the Oscar car she was playing with won and Lando's car came in second. Obviously, Mia was growing up watching racing; her dad was a F1 racer. Lando laughed when she jumped up; "Uncle Lando won many races too" he said. "My daddy win 2 races" she said looking at her fingers, counting them and holding up 2. She looked proud of herself for holding the correct number of fingers, Lando was proud too.
All that playing had tired her out; she was now laying on Lando's chest mumbling gibberish about how Leo could fly while he patted her to sleep. Oscar came back to find his daughter peacefully asleep. "I hate that she likes you more than me" Oscar stated watching the two. "Who said that?" Lando tried to control his laugh. "You can see right now" Oscar pointed out. "Mate, she loves you so much. All we talked about was how her daddy is so fast and has won 2 races." he added. Oscar smiled, "I'll put her in her room, we just got done with that" he said slowly taking her to her bed.
The house would take a few more months before they would be able to be done completely. Mia was already enjoying her play dates with Leo and Roscoe. Alex and Leo would be over a few times a week since Mia would pester Alex to come over with Leo. Leo loved Mia so much, the two would always be seen rolling around on the floor or running after each other. They never seem to tire out until they did and then they would be cuddling each other in their sleep on the couch. Roscoe was an older dog and he had seen quite a few children, he kept Mia more tame if that was possible. He would look out for her and protect her from harms way. He was very protective of her; it was very adorable to watch.
During the break, Oscar was spending the 3 weeks with his family. Y/N had been taking the bulk of parenting their 2 year old which did make Oscar feel guilty and he would try to give her as much me time when he was around as possible. "It's time for a daddy-daughter date" Oscar cooed at Mia as he carried her to get dressed. "What does my princess wanna eat today?" he asked plopping her on the changing table. "I want dino and fries and juice and white icey and tuddles" she cheered. She couldn't say Vanilla ice cream yet so it was white icey and cuddles were tuddles which Oscar hoped she wouldn't out grow. Oscar changed her into a pink tutu on her request. The two of them sat on the sofa watching Bluey with their dino nuggets, fries and a juice. Once she was done eating, half the fries were in Oscar's mouth but who was counting; he got out the ice cream and this was the one food item she would not share with anyone. The latest episode they were watching finished up and Mia was cuddling her dad. Oscar rubbed circles on her back to help her fall asleep; "I love you my angel" Oscar whispered kissing her head. "I wuv you my daddy" she whispered kissing his chest. She had seen her mum do this a few times and Oscar's heart swelled up watching her imitate her mum.
Oscar and Y/N were busy setting up another room in their house when Mia found Oscar's phone unlocked. No one knew how she got onto Instagram but she did and ended up taking a picture of her face and posting it as a story. Within minutes Oscar and Y/N's phones were blowing up. Y/N saw messages from her friends and family to check Oscar's story; Oscar had already seen what his daughter did. The next race was gonna be so fun trying to explain who that was.
The driver's group chat was going crazy, they couldn't stop laughing about how Mia posted herself. The other drivers joked that she was sick of not being able to attend races so she decided to hard launch herself. McLaren's PR team was making a story up which Oscar shut down quickly. He had been dating Y/N for a long time and had a family with her, he wasn't about spin some shitty tale about it being someone else's daughter. This was the final push that Oscar needed to strike the iron when it was hot. Oscar would propose now; the ring he had bought was burning a hole in his pants for a while now.
oscarpiastri
Liked by landonorris, mclaren and 2,367,458 others tagged y/n.y/l/n
oscarpiastri To a lifetime of forever with the loves of my life๐๐งโ๐งโ๐ง
landonorris Mia is so cute in all the pictures, I'm stealing her๐๐ oscarpiastri landonorris NO YOU CAN'T HAVE HER๐ค๐ค alexandrasaintmleux next Leo-Mia playdate when??๐ฅนโค๏ธ y/n.y/l/n alexandrasaintmleux Mia says tomorrowโค๏ธโค๏ธ logansargeant my fav Piastri is growing up so fast๐ญ Liked by the author mclaren such a beautiful family๐งก y/n.y/l/n mclaren I remember you trying to break it up ๐๐ mclaren y/n.y/l/n I was following orders, I didn't wanna do it๐ฅฒ๐ฅฒ user1 too many things, I can't process it๐คฏ user2 he has a girlfriend, a daughter and got engaged all in one post๐คฏ๐ญ user3๐คฏ๐คฏ๐คฏ๐คฏ user4 Congratulations Oscar!!๐งก๐งก๐งก lewishamilton Congratulations you two!! โค๏ธโค๏ธMia said Roscoe is the ring bearer Liked by y/n.y/l/n charles_leclerc my beautiful granddaughter๐ญ user5 the Leclerc family is expanding at an alarming rate๐ฑ๐ฑ user6 user5 does that make Leo her uncle??๐ค user7 What's her name?? user8 Mia is the cutest name for the cutest baby๐๐ user9 can't wait to watch her become a formula one driver๐ช user10 only known her 2 days but if anything happens to her, Iโll kill everyone and then myself user11 the last picture๐คค๐คค we might be getting baby no. 2๐คญ๐คฃ
#f1 imagine#f1 x reader#f1 fic#f1 fanfic#f1 x you#f1 x y/n#formula 1 imagine#formula 1 fanfic#formula 1 x reader#formula 1 fic#f1 fluff#formula 1 x y/n#formula 1 x you#formula one fluff#formula one x reader#formula one imagine#formula one x you#formula one fanfiction#formula one fic#oscar piastri fanfic#oscar piastri x you#oscar piastri x reader#oscar piastri imagine#oscar piastri smau#op81 x y/n#op81 x reader#op81 fic#op81 imagine#op81 fluff#oscar piastri fluff
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PRISON TOJII (heโs so addictive๐คญ) if heโs so bad then why does he look so good? like thatโs literally my baby daddy yโallโ๐ผ๐ i wrote this kinda quick sorry iโve been so busy yโall
โhey doll itโs good to finally meet you.โ
the words rang through your ears having this be the first time you heard his voice, it was deep and rough his ton was teasing you quietly.
Prison Toji whoโs eyes track as you reach into your bag grabbing a small notebook and pen. Opening the notebook revealed a page already full of questions you were waiting to ask him. oh how cute you are thinking about him so much just so excited. heโs pulled out of his trance when you finally speak.
โhi toji, itโs great to finally meet you tooโ your voice soft at first from your original anxiety about the situation. i mean your just here to meet him for your class nothing more. right? you wouldnโt be here because you love reading his letters telling you how pretty you are. how he wished he could take you out properly. Shamelessly telling you how hard he got to your pictures, but he was just flirting heโs a man in a prison itโs what happens.
Prison toji who finally speaks next the seconds feeling like eternity for him. He doesnโt want to have to sit across a table from you he wants you in his lap sitting pretty just how you are now.
โThatโs a lot of writing in your lil notebook doll, you been thinkin of me?โ this time his tone laced with teasing and smirk displayed on his lips. it draws attention to his scar, you had never asked about it not wanting to push things you shouldnโt, but you canโt help but ask anyways.
โwhereโd you get that scar?โ pointing to your own lip as you looked up at him. a small chuckle escapes him surprised at your bluntness.
โwell youโre quick to the questions today. you wanna get a closer look at it?โ the gawking look one your face giving you away. with a quick nod you were leaning across the table to get a closer look as he did the same to help you.
Prison Toji who stops you with an almost surprised grunt when your hand reaches up to touch his lip where the scar is
โshit sorryโ quietly escapes you as you looked away for a second toji takes this as an opportunity
โyouโre okay sweetheart just gonna get us in some trouble if you do that.โ his lips next to your ear as his breath brushing against your ear โcanโt control myself around such a pretty thing like you.โ
Prison Toji whose pants grow so much tighter when he sees how flustered you get from such a simple comment. You turn back to face him, his eyes instantly meeting yours challenging you telling you to do it, see how far it goes, see how bad he possibly is, and just like a moth to a flame you do just that. your hand grazing where his scar is going to cup his face, it was all so fast you could barely process it. he forced himself forward slamming his lips to yours. shock took you first then you eased into the kiss and began kissing back. and then you remembered HES A PRISONER AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR SCHOOL.
Prison toji whose ready to snap his cuffs when you pull away. leaning into you as much as he could almost whining when your lips part from his. he sees you shocked and guilt ridden with your finger touching your lips
โwhats wrong doll didnโt like it? give me another chance to try againโ his body fully leaning to you practically half way over the table.
โim sorry we shouldnโt hav- it wasnโt bad- just we canโt Toji.โ your thoughts swirling the world is spinning. Could you get kick out of school? what if someone saw? are there cameras in here? why do i still want to? itโs wrong.
โItโs fine sweetheart no one will know, just you and me i know you want more from the look on your face and the way your sqeezin your thighs. donโt even try to deny it.โ
Caught. like a fly in a trap, heโs got you.
Prison toji whose cock jumps when you slide out of your seat and approach him looking to make sure the guards werenโt watching. unknowing to the fact that toji already blackmailed both of them to let him have all the privacy he needed with you. the look in your eyes as you approached was pure lust and need for him.
โyour sure weโll be fine right?โ you say as you lean down towards him
โim positive doll i made sure of it.โ
Prison Toji who finally snaps his cuffs unable to take anymore. grabbing your hips and pulling you into his lap his face clashing with your the kiss is sloppy and full of need. a small sound escaping as he deepens the kiss.
โiโve been dreaming of this.โ
TAGS: @altgojo @nanmiik @kouyoumarryme @imaslothandsowhat @dragonmaiden79 @sircatchungus
SOME OF YALL DIDNT SHOW UP WHEN I SEARCHED IM SO SORRY๐ญ
#feral#jjk toji#i love terrible men#i need him#inmate toji#jjk#jujutsu toji#prison toji#toji fushiguro#toji zenin#toji x y/n#toji x you#jujutsu kaisen toji#toji x reader#dilf toji#oldermen#older toji
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People will go on about how "Katara's story is a tragedy" because she... ended up marrying the guy she loves, having children and grandchildren which she was always excited about and literally becoming a master waterbender and rising to the top of her field as a healer.
Yes, Katara's story has tragic aspects to it. And there are certainly flaws in how she is written in tlok (Though I will argue that there are actually more issues with how Toph and Zuko are just plopped in there for no reason in later seasons). And her storylines aren't perfect, for example her resolving her trauma around the murder of her mother being more used to prop up Zuko than her own internal turmoil. (Most of TSR is from Zuko's perspective and I hate that actually)
"Katara's story is a tragedy" Why do you have such a hard on for this woman's misery? Let her be happy, man.
You know what gaang girlie's life is an actual onscreen tragedy?
Toph's!
People will fucking downplay Toph's childhood abuse because she wasn't physically hurt, but her childhood was a never ending carousel of abelism, misogyny, neglect and isolation. The way Toph describes her parent's treatment of her as "pressure and pain" is heartbreaking.
Toph's only escape was Earth Rumble and earthbending, but despite her skills, she remained the perfect little lady her parents always wanted her to be. She's never known a different life, and she was only able to be her real self in secret.
And when Toph finally opens up to her parents, when she finally lays her real self bare in front of the people who are supposed to love and care for her?
She is met with what may be, in my opinion, the cruellest rejection in the show.
Despite this, even when Toph runs away, she still cares for her parents' approval. Hell, she's even lured into a trap due to her getting a forged letter from her mom and getting excited because it looked like her mom was finally accepting her.
It's also important to note how determined to be self sufficient and to prove herself Toph is. We can especially see this right after she joins the Gaang, where she refuses to participate in splitting with the rest of the group, insisting on "pulling her own weight". This isn't Toph being a brat, or spoilt, this is her wanting to prove that she can handle herself because people have handled and understimated her her entire life.
Eventually, Toph starts to learn to trust the members of the Gaang and this is a step in the right direction. She's literally making friends for the first time in her life I'm so proud of her.
However, I was genuinely upset when Toph's life changing field trip with Zuko didn't work out. When Toph was trying to connect with Zuko and he blew her off (I'm not blaming him tho they had shit to do), I couldn't help but remember the rejection Toph suffered from Lao.
Post canon, Toph continues to try and prove herself, starting a metalbending school and training new metalbenders.
She also reconciles with her father. Not before Lao disowns he rmultiple times and calls her a rude, ungrateful thing. And while he eventually comes to understand Toph and cherish her, that type of trauma sticks with you.
So it's no wonder really that Toph, someone who went her entire childhood seemingly without even speaking to someone her age, would have trouble forming connections. She has children with two different men, neither of which seem to stick around.
Toph tries to do right by her daughters and gives them the freedom she never got. Sadly, the pendulum swung too far to the other side, since it seems that she started to neglect her daughters, which led to them developing a sleugh of issues of their own.
Toph becomes the cheif of police, which kind of makes sense. Republic City was only slowly emerging as an actual metropolis. Toph took on a role as a protector, and probably as a way to prove herself. But as Republic City grew, Toph probably realised that she became something she hated. A cog in the machine, and started to despise her job.
Searching for a semblance of the freedom and happiness her travels afforded her in her childhood, Toph leaves the city and takes up the life of a hermit in a swamp. She managed to fix her relationship with Suyin to some extent, but still seems reluctant or simply unable to connect with her daughter or grandchildren. Since she apparently hasn't seen Opal, a grown 20 year old woman since she was a little girl.
On the surface old Toph doesn't seem terribly dissimilar to young Toph, still tough and spunky. But she is more jaded, depressed and pessimistic. She comes out to save Suyin from immediate harm and manages to somewhat reconcile with Lin, but then she fucks right back off to the swamp where she seems to literally hide until Wu and Korra straight up force her to come with them.
Toph's story began with her alone and it seems to end with her alone as well. It's a story of a girl who grew up isolated and handled by others, and was woefully unprepared for the real world, which only jaded her further. She lives with the guilt of fucking up her daughters' lives and a belief in the pointlessness of life.
Toph started off longing to experience the world and ended up willingly isolating herself from it.
If that isn't a tragedy, I'm not sure what is.
Mind you, this is not the trauma olympics. I'm not saying that Toph has suffered more than Katara or that Katara's trauma is not as valid as Toph's. Katara and Toph's experiences are completely different, Katara being a victim of genocide and war, Toph being a victim of child abuse. I'm just saying that, objectively, Katara had a happier 'ending' than Toph.
#that being said I lowkey love Toph's storyline#i don't think her life would be better if she were in a โtraditionalโ family btw#hey lao beifong what if i killed you#toph beifong#toph#katara#suyin beifong#lin beifong#zuko#aang#lao beifong#beifong brainrot#opal beifong#legend of korra#avatar#tlok#the legend of korra#avatar the legend of korra#atlok#lok#atla#avatar: the last airbender#the last airbender#avatar the last airbender#kataang#pro toph beifong
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Ce n'est pas censรฉ รชtre.
Kim Minjeong x M Reader | ๐ Smut
[idol x fan, childhood friends, best friends, falling out, farewells, reconciliation]
Word Count: 2,854
You woke up on a rainy morning, gathering your thoughts as you stare into the ceiling. You start doing your routine, getting up from bed, going to the bathroom to freshen up just enough for your morning jog, and wave at your neighbors along the way.
It was the quiet moment back at home that broke the standard practice that you've cultivated for years ever since you graduated. It was your phone, ringing.
"What could it be?" you thought to yourself as you picked up the phone to check. The message that you read was not something you'd ever expect in a million years. It was your old best friend, Aespa member, Kim "Winter" Minjeong.
Minjeong was someone very near and dear to you. You grew up together, living at the same street from each other, you'd always come to her so you two could walk to school together. She would always greet you with a smile, and even share her biscuits and lunch whenever you would forget to buy some.
It is a distant memory now, but she was the closest person in your life at one point. You shared many moments with her, like falling off an old rusty swing, her just laughing at you while you writhed in pain, the time she got dumped by a boyfriend, and you brought tissues and ice cream to her room to comfort her, you two almost did everything together. Inseparable, as many uncles and aunts would say about the two of you.
You continued reminiscing through your memories, like going to high school together drunk after a karaoke room date the night before, being each others' prom dates because you two were dorks and didn't care about looking for dates, and even the time you shared a kiss in the back of your car after she dared you to do it. It put a smile on your face while thinking about those memories, staring blankly at your phone, seeing her name pop up on the screen.
"Hey, are you in town?" That was what her text read, and you clutched your phone tight, thinking about what to say, since you already had mixed feelings ever the fight you two had, that basically never repaired your once tight-knit friendship.
It was a surprise, the day you told your mom you and Minjeong were no longer speaking, she was beyond devastated to hear it, and even made you cookies to cheer you up. You never told her the reason for it, and mostly kept that to yourself throughout college. You tried dating other girls to keep your mind occupied from thinking about her, but to no use.
"I am." That was the only sentence you could come up with before hitting send, and leaving your phone at the nightstand so you could get a shower in and change clothes.
That day was burned into your memory. It was a weekend, you two were at the park, and she was right there, next to you, looking nervous.
"What did you call me out for? I have exams tomorrow Minjeong." You say as you sit on the swing beside hers.
"It's important that you hear it directly from me." She said, not looking at your direction.
"Go on then?" Staring at her direction, while she still looked away.
"I'm going to leave town. I finally got the letter to become a trainee."
"That's great! I'm proud of you!"
" ... You don't understand, I'm leaving, for good. I can't come back to you, I cannot risk having my image tainted when people know we're very close, they're going to think we dated." She said, tears running down her cheek, but never making eye-contact with you.
"What? That's not going to happen." You try reaching out to her, but she stood up, away from you.
"I know nothing ever really happened between us, but I can't stay. I'm sorry, goodbye." Those were the last words you have heard from her before her debut, when you found out through your old schoolmates that Minjeong had debuted in a girl group under the stage name Winter.
It snapped you back to reality when you suddenly realized how she still remembers your phone number, you never changed it, but you never got another text from her from years ago.
"Okay, can you meet me at that ramen place we used to go to? I need to talk to you." She texted back.
You were unsure, but you replied back anyway, "Alright, what time do you need me there?"
"6pm, please."
"I'll see you there then." You left it at that and put your phone down to go about your day.
It was a weekday, so you were at work. Attempts to concentrate on your tasks were futile as you kept seeing Minjeong in your head, on your screen, and even in the reports you printed. It was staring to get really annoying, but you pushed through it.
You got off at exactly 5pm, and walked through the streets going straight to that ramen place you used to love to go with her to. Sure, it has changed over the years, but the overall flair and feeling of the place never changed, it was just that you grew up.
You got there early, and found a table in the corner of the room for two people, exactly like the spot you and Minjeong used to love to hang out on. Dropping your bag beside you, you took out your phone and waited for her.
As Minjeong went through town, she thankfully wasn't bothered by the locals. She is indeed famous, but she had immense respect from her hometown, and they mostly smiled and waved at her while giving her the space she needed to operate freely.
She was walking slowly, walking around to check the surroundings and admire how everything was better from when she was a kid. She bid hello to her old neighbors, and even the old shopkeepers that she knew from her time there, as she got closer and closer to that ramen shop, her heart starts sinking as she still feels the sting of what she did to you all those years ago.
At this point, you got bored, and asked the owner to make you two bowls of ramen, one for you, and one for Minjeong, customized the way she liked it every single time.
When she arrived, you were there, fiddling on your phone, and the way she looked at you was with both relief, and regret. Her footsteps got heavier the closer she started to get to you, and you didn't even bother to turn to greet her.
She sat down, put her bag down, and put her hands together. "Hello, Y/N. It's been a very long time, huh..."
As soon as she says that, the ramen arrives, and she saw her bowl, made exactly the way she wanted, indicating that you still know her, even after all this time apart. "Oh wow, you still remember."
"I never forgot, Minjeong. You also remembered my phone number." You say nonchalantly as you picked up your chopsticks.
" I never forgot, Y/N." She kept staring at you.
You finally look up to meet her eyes, and immediately, you knew that look. It was of sadness, pain, fear, and regret. The only thing missing was her tears, and it already started flowing. You reached out to her, and wiped it away with your thumb.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..." As you shushing her.
"Don't say that, Minjeong. Don't you dare, say it."
"B-but I really am! I regret... everything..." Tears kept flowing down her cheek.
"Eat your ramen first, okay?" You say as you dig in to yours.
Minjeong just nodded while wiping away her tears as she enjoys a warm meal. The taste still felt the same to her, and she breathed in to feel all of it.
It wasn't long that you two finished your meal in silence, and you finally spoke up, "Is that all you came here for, Minjeong?"
"No, I got you something." She starts fiddling in her bag as she pulls out a tiny box.
"What's that?"
"Think of it as a reminder that, I'm not afraid anymore. I miss my best friend, and damn, am I a big fool for not seeing it earlier." She bows her head and hands it to you on both hands.
You take the small box, and open it to see a bracelet, custom-made with her initials and yours together. "This seems like something for couples Minjeong. What are you trying to say?"
"I want to make up for lost time. I want you to take the one thing you never took from me."
"Which is?" You raised a brow.
"Me. Take my first time. I've always wanted you to take it, and I've never looked for anyone else." She reaches out and holds your wrist.
"How are you sure I haven't lost mine?" You ask.
"It doesn't matter to me. I just... I just want the man who kissed me first, danced with me, sang with me, to fulfill his destiny of making me whole." Minjeong says genuinely.
It all ran by too quickly. You hailed a taxi, told the driver to head to your place, and sat quietly with Minjeong. It was the longest 15 minute drive of your life. The tension was high, you could tell Minjeong was blushing red, you were not showing it, but he is a little excited, and the traffic was excruciatingly slow for your own good.
You held her hand as you took the elevator up to your unit, making sure she had a cap and a mask on to protect her identity, and punched in the code to your place.
As soon as that door opened, you dragged Minjeong inside, closed the door, opened the lights, and tossed her cap and mask across the room.
In that same motion, Minjeong pressed her lips against yours, without hesitation, kissing you passionately. It was a long and sensual kiss, with her yearning for your touches, and grabbing your hair in the process.
You grabbed her ass, earning a small yelp from her, as you got to work undressing her. Starting with her top, which you carelessly removed and tossed across the room, her pants, which she unbuckled and kicked off, and your shirt, removed and tossed as well.
She was absolutely ready, wearing a red lingerie with barely anything to hide. Her panties was absolutely soaked, and you could tell by the darker shade of red where her pussy is waiting.
She bit her lips and unbuckled your pants, kneeling down along with it as she took it down to your ankles. You stared down at her, with her looking back up at you as she slowly admired the growing sensation inside your underwear.
Minjeong doesn't say anything, just grabbing the hem of your boxers and pulling it down, your length hitting her in the cheek.
Blushes formed across her face, but she composed herself and held it in her hand, as she stroked it softly and dry.
Small moans and groans escaped your lips, and you find yourself brushing her hair as she continued working your cock dry.
Her lips came close, and her tongue lashed out, hitting the head of your cock, which was a wonderful sensation, so you asked her to do it again. She nodded and complied, licking the tip of your cock and stroking your length.
"Stop teasing me, suck it." You commanded, and she complied, giving you a nod as she envelops those thick, soft lips around the head of your cock and humming to herself.
It was a wonderful sensation, sure, you are getting a blowjob from Winter of all people, but to you, this was your best friend, someone that you had feelings for, someone that broke your heart, and someone that will always have a place in its debris.
Having her slowly suck your cock is more than just a horny feeling, but a symbol of her apology to you, mending those broken bridges that she once destroyed herself by letting you have a very important aspect of both of your lives.
She slowly started taking in more of your length, getting even deeper as she continued to bob her head slowly up and down your cock, and damn, it felt good.
"Don't forget the balls." You say.
Minjeong deepthroated you, without any problem, and used her free hand to use the dripping saliva from her lips to lubricate your balls and fondle them softly.
It felt heavenly having her play with you like this, and it feels like you're about to bust from just her inexperienced mouth working on you.
"Okay, that's enough." You say sternly as you removed her from your cock and wipe her saliva off her chin.
"Was I good? You didn't cum yet." She says as you guide her towards your bed and helping her lie down.
"Yes, you're good. But I am not going to waste my time on your mouth when I can just have the best part." You say that as you grab her pussy and rub her clit through her panties.
Minjeong moans, " Yes... okay... please..." she pleads as you continue rubbing and stimulating her clit.
You climbed back on top, and slid her panties to the side. The glowing sheen her wet pussy gave is absolutely salivating. Your mind went blank just staring at the beautiful masterpiece that is her wet pussy.
"Hey.. stop staring.. I'll get shy." Minjeong reminded you after you started spacing out.
"Right, sorry." You grabbed the base of your well-lubricated cock and tapped it on her, garnering small whimpers.
She bit her fingers in anticipation of you finally taking her virginity once and for all. You kept rubbing the head of your cock along the slit of her entire pussy and Minjeong just can't stop moaning. She absolutely loves the feeling and it doesn't matter to her how you approach in taking her.
Your cock finally slides in her wet pussy, without any effort, like she's done it before. You know she hasn't, since her reactions say otherwise. She's shaking, blushing, and moaning at the same time.
Her face kept turning side ways as her body starts to adjust to the feeling of having you inside her, and you take her cheek to make her look at you as you slowly kept burying inch after inch deeper and deeper into the caverns of her wet pussy.
She's absolutely ecstatic, not helped by the way you're making her look directly at you, the only boy she ever liked, and the boy she left years ago in fear of her dream being crushed.
The only thing that is being crushed now is her pussy, and you're the number one suspect in making sure it gets used properly.
The feeling throws you off, it was very good, you start to doubt whether you're gonna make it long, but you persevere, and start thrusting deep.
Minjeong couldn't stop herself, moaning louder with each thrust and with each inch she feels withing herself.
"Y-yes! Just like that... Oh yes...!" She is absolutely losing control and she couldn't compose herself.
Minjeong was drowning in pleasure, and so were you. You picked up the pace, and started fucking her faster like your life depended on it.
Your thrusts banged on her again, and again, and again, creating skin to skin sounds that both you and Minjeong loved.
"Minjeong? Promise me something." You say as you're drilling her in balls deep.
"W-what is iT?! Oh! Ah!" Minjeong says with each thrust hitting her spot.
"This pussy is mine. Mine only."
"Yes! only yours! Yes!" She says as she moans and hisses with every strong thrust.
"Good girl."
Those words sent her over the edge, screaming and groaning as she came hard. "Yes! I'm cumming! I'm cumming!"
You slow down and come completely to a stop while rubbing her clit to let her ride out the orgasm, and pull out to let her breathe.
"No... give me that." She reaches and grabs your cock to jerk it off.
"I'm close anyway... I'm going to fucking cum Minjeong."
"On me." She points it at her face while she gives your cock long strokes.
You couldn't hold onto it anymore and release streak after streak of cum on her face.
"Yes... that's warm..." She says with her eyes closed as she catches some of your cum with her mouth.
After cumming, you lied down and gathered a minute or two to compose yourself. She cleaned herself up with a tissue and a towel before wrapping her arms around you.
"Thank you." She said as she slowly closed her eyes.
"You're welcome, Minjeong."
"I'll stay this time. Come with me to Seoul soon?" She asks.
"Okay Minjeong, let's make this work."
"I love you, Y/N. I always have."
"I love you too, my Minjeong. I forgive you."
She smiles as she allows herself to sleep in your arms.
-FIN-
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A/N: Hey, I know it's been a long time, it's kind of been a rollercoaster year for me. And I've been struggling recently so, I hope whatever I cooked here can help me out. Thanks again for reading and uh, yeah, I hope everyone can get the happiness they need.
#minjeong x reader#minjeong x m reader#winter smut#winter x m reader#winter x reader#minjeong smut#friends to enemies to lovers#idol x fan
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episode one: the hellfire club
Robin waves her hands in the air as if to get Steveโs voice away from her. โEw! Gross, donโt say boobiesโโ โBoobies! Itโs not a big dealโโ You make a face. โIt isnโt the most pleasant word.โ โOh, cโmon. You like boobies, Robin likes boobies, and we all know I love your boobies specificallyโow!โย You hit the back of Steveโs head with annoyance to get him to stop talking about your boobs. While he winces in pain and rubs his tender head, you turn towards Robin. โWhat my darling boyfriend is trying to say is that everyone likes boobs, and Vickie definitely likes them too.โย
Summary: el writes to you as if youre her husband away at war, you debate the intricate nature of liking boobies with robin and steve, lucas is your beloved while eddie munson is your sworn enemy, steve accidentally exposes your (horribly hidden) daddy issues, dustin is an angsty teen, and jonathan really loves to drop emotional bombshells on you. can you believe this all happens in one day ? lol cheers to senior year !
Rating: general, some swearing
Warnings: swearing, fem!reader, use of y/n, mentions of abuse, allusions to bullying, trauma lol
Words: 13.5k (wrote half of this in one day)
Before you swing in: SHES HERE !!!! SEASON 4 !!! this season terrifies me. i spent so much time outlining and making sure it was perfect. i have some changes i want to do, some ideas, and its scary because we dont have season 5 yet and i hate messing with canon ,,, alas: here she is. my baby. my beloved. quick fun fact: theres a scene in here ive had planned since season 1 so .... enjoy !
โ
March 21st, 1986.
Dear Y/N,
Congratulations on New York University! Joyce tells me that it is a very good college, and everyone was extremely happy when Jonathan told us the news. He even had a smile on his face! It has been a very long time since I have seen him smile, especially without that weird smell on him (am I allowed to tell you about the strange plants that Jonathan seems to like now? He says that you cannot find out about it, but friends donโt lie and he is your bestest friend).ย
I asked Will about it, and he says that Jonathan now smells because he misses you. If you ask me, I think that Jonathan smells because he is scared. We are still waiting for his college letter, afterall. I know you want to go to school with him, but so does Nancy. Is it possible to go to two colleges? Anyways, it must be a lot of pressure, even more with all the waiting we have to do, but Joyce told us that sometimes colleges take a long time to respond.ย
While I am positive that Jonathan will figure it all out soon, he pretends he does not care. But he is a very bad liar. He was very upset that Nancy could no longer visit us in California. Will was bummed too, but he was more sad that it was not you who was visiting. Joyce says that the Byers boys were born to miss you, and I think she is right.ย
I also miss you. I am still bummed I never went to school with you. I bet Mike is over the moon to have you with him for high school, Dustin and Lucas also. How is Max? Is she still sad? I know school has been hard for her. I will admit that it is hard for me, too. While I am good at maths, and my grammar is getting better, I am still unsure when to use conjunctions or why Angela does not like me. Will tells me to ignore her, but I want to be her friend. She is nice to everyone else. It confuses me that she is not nice to me.
A lot about California confuses me. The flowers here are different, and sometimes I forget that I cannot go and visit you. I miss the smell of Bookstrordinary (did I spell it right?) and your cookies. Please send more as soon as you can. Will and I are almost dying to taste them again! Mike says he will try to bring some on the plane, but I am scared he will be told no by those scary airplane people.
Speaking of Mike, he is coming to California this week! I am very excited to see him. It has felt like years, I think I am even going crazy. I have planned everything for his week here. Spring break will be extra special! It will be a fun distraction from Angela and school. This week I can pretend to be someone else, someone cool, and Mike will be very impressed. I know you tell me to always be myself, so I hope that I can make you happy by taking your advice on focusing only on the good.ย
To prove I will focus on the good from here on out, here is a good things list:ย
Mike is visiting!
Will has almost finished his painting. I am very curious to see what he has made. He is really talented, he shows me the drawings he sends you sometimes.ย
You got into NYU! Is this the correct way to abbreviate? I am still working on conjunctions, but I think I am supposed to use the first letter of every word in the schoolโs name to shorten it. At least, that is what Joyce says.ย
Jonathanโs new best friend, Argyle, will give us free pizza to celebrate Mikeโs arrival. It is really good pizza.ย
Tasting your cookies again. Fingers crossed Mikeโs plan succeeds!
I am sure there is more, but I am too excited about this week and my mind is going very fast. I miss you tons, maybe even more than Will and Jonathan do. Please come visit us soon. Like Joyce says, the Byers boys were born to miss you. Although I am not a Byers boy, I am still a part of the Byers family, and I miss you.ย
Love, El.
P.S., thank you for the grammar books. I will be sure to become the best writer ever in California.ย
โ
Sweet, gentle, El. You can almost hear her voice, reading aloud to you as you used to do when she lived in Hopperโs cabin. She would stumble over the letters, ask you how to sound out particularly difficult words in Spider-Man comics; they helped her learn how to read. Now, almost a year later, sheโs writing you letters.ย
El has grown up so much within such a short few months, although it doesnโt surprise you.
Laughing softly as you reread the final line sheโs written, you wipe your eyes and place Elโs letter onto your desk. The piece of paper joins the others, nestled gently with a pile of her other letters that are housed on your desk. El sends you a new letter every week, detailing silly stories about Jonathan and Will or concerned ramblings about Angela.
The letters make you miss El terribly. They make you missย everyoneย terribly.ย
Next to the letters are drawings from Will. Heโs become such an artist during his time in California. He sends you beautiful sketches of landscapes in their neighborhood, doodles from class, and incredibly detailed drawings of you and the party. The drawings are Willโs special way to keep in contact with you, and itโs something you cherish so deeply. However, you didnโt know that he was working on a painting, and youโre curious to see what El is talking about. Eventually heโll reveal his art to you, he always does.ย ย
Skimming a finger over one of the more recent drawings from Will, your hand catches on the walkman that lays next to it. Jonathanโs messy handwriting is scrawled on the mixtape that sits within it.
For bug.
The words, familiar and loved, stare back at you. The mixtape contains songs that Jonathan so carefully chose for you. He spent countless hours selecting songs that he knew youโd love, songs that reminded him of you. It had been his gift for you before he moved away. And now heโs gone, and you miss him so much more than you ever thought you would. More than you ever thought you could miss anyone.ย ย
Jonathan never did end up coming to Hawkins for spring break.ย
โDusty, whatโs going on in there?โ The sound of your mother pounding on Dustinโs door breaks you from your thoughts. โYouโre gonna be late.โ
โDonโt come in, Iโm naked!โ You hear the boy screech back at her, which you roll your eyes at. Steve will be here to pick you guys up any minute. Dustin knows he should be ready by now, the schedule has never changed.ย
Throwing on the cardigan Steve got you for Christmas last year, you grab your walkman and storm over to Dustinโs room. At the same time, your mother nearly crashes into you in the hall. Her face is pale, horrified of the idea that she almost saw her son naked, and you pity the woman. Dustin has become relentless lately, even more difficult to deal with.ย
โY/N, my dear,โ your mother clutches at her chest and fans her face. โCan you please make sure your brother is ready? I think that boy is trying to give me a heart attack.โ
You sigh, figuring you would have to do so anyways. โYeah, sure. Go finish getting ready, Iโll handle him.โ
โThis is why youโre my favorite daughter!โ Your mother kisses your cheek before running off towards the kitchen to make her morning coffee.ย
Once sheโs gone, you immediately start banging on Dustinโs door. He knows you hate being late. Plus, itโs the Friday before spring break. Youโre getting antsy waiting for this week to end. โDustin Henderson, you have three seconds before I kick this door down.โ
โNot now, Y/N!โ Dustin shouts back, frantic and desperate.ย
You narrow your eyes. Heโs using his suspicious voice, the one he only uses when heโs doing something he absolutely shouldnโt be doing. Glancing down at your watch and noting the early hour, you curse in disbelief. โItโs not even seven yet, what the hell are you up to so early in the morning?โ
โNothing! Just go away, Iโll be out soonโโ
โI swear, if youโre trying to sell my limited edition comics again I willย hurt you.โ You throw your body against the door, causing it to fly open as you stumble inside. Dustin is at his computer and he nearly falls off his chair in his haste to cover the screen from you. Heโs remarkably horrible at playing cool. Youโre about to tell him this when Suzieโs voice crackles through his radioโs speakers.ย
โYikes, Dusty.โ
โSuzie?โ You walk over to your brother and shove his hands off the computer screen. He falls to the ground with a loud thud, which pleases you. He may be a teenager now, but youโre still stronger than him. At least for now. โWhy are you calling her right nowโโ Your eyes land on the screen and you recognize Hawkins Highโs familiar orange and green school colors. โIs this theย student gradebook?โ
โNo!โ Dustin exclaims, but Suzieโs small and soft voice responds, โYes.โ
โOh my God,โ you cannot believe heโs making his girlfriend hack into your schoolโs database. Sure, sheโs a genius, but you also know sheโs incredibly religious. โDustin, this is so illegal and goes against, like, all of Suzieโs religious moralsโโ
โI will repent later.โ Suzie interrupts you, and you raise your eyebrows at what sheโs just said. Before you can question her, Dustinโs computer refreshes.ย
He leans forward, eyes scanning to see if theyโve succeeded, and he seems to like what he sees. Suddenly Dustin lets out a sudden whoop and fist bumps the air. โGod, I love you Suzie.โ
Curious, you lean over and read the screen as well. There, where you know Dustin had a D- in Latin not even a day ago, is now an A. Thereโs no possible way he was able to raise his grade in under twenty-four hours. He sucks at Latin, heย hatesย it, which meansโฆ She did it. Suzie changed his grade. All she had to do was press one single button to save Dustinโs GPA.ย
You have to admit, itโs impressive. And shamefully genius.ย
โHey, Suzie.โ You bring the radio to your lips, shoving Dustin away when he tries to take it from you. โDo you think you could change my grade in calculus? Jonathan was the only reason I passed any of my other math classes.โ
โOh, I donโt knowโฆโ Suzieโs voice raises a pitch, she doesnโt want to tell you no. She likes you, she really does, but her God figurine stares down at her with a disappointed look in his eyes. Sheโs sinned for love, but she doesnโt think she could ever do it again.ย
Youโre about to plead with Suzie, tell her NYU really prioritizes their studentโs grades, but the sound of a car honking outside catches your attention; itโs Steve. Dustin yanks the radio from your hand and shoos you away. โGo, leave without me.โ
โWhat, why? We always drive together.โ You frown, feeling like a little kid when you cross your arms. Dustin smiles apologetically, a smile youโve become familiar with. Your mood darkens, anger rises to your cheeks. You know exactly why Dustin is now skipping out on you. โDonโt tell me itโs thatย stupidย Eddie Munsonโโ
โHe wants me and Mike to work out some campaign details before lunch today!โ Dustin scrambles to mediate. He hates that you donโt like Eddie, and you likeย everyone. Itโs unnerving how much disdain you seem to carry for his friend. โNance is driving us, but I swear Iโll ride with you and Steve after break!โ
You scoff at Dustin, not at all believing his promise to you. Ever since September your brother has been at Eddie Musonโs beck-and-call, who dictates everything Dustin says or does. At first it was innocent enough, choosing to sit with the guy instead of you at lunch. Skipping out on a few weekend plans with you and Steve to campaign with Eddie. Youโd been happy for Dustin. He was making new friends, no longer your little shadow; he was his own person with his own priorities and interests now.
But ever since getting into NYU last week, Dustin has been pulling away even more from you. You donโt know why, but heโs become evenย moreย obsessed with Eddie and his stupid Hellfire club.ย
Eddie Munson is the air your brother now breathes, stifling the air Dustin once breathed for you.
And it seems to only be suffocating you, not him.
โYeah, whatever.โ Halfheartedly you ruffle Dustinโs hair, and he leans into the touch. You donโt want him to know his repeated absences are upsetting you. Deep down, you know youโre being irrational. Youโre almost eighteen, soon you wonโt even be living under the same roof as Dustin. Heโs allowed to live his own life. โI guess Iโll see you at the pep rally. Tell Suzie I said bye, please?โ
Dustin nods, though you donโt linger in the doorway like you desperately want to. Instead, you shut the door behind you and place a swift kiss to your motherโs cheek as you leave.ย
Steveโs car is parked in its usual spot at the end of the driveway. The teenโs arm hangs out the window and his face breaks into a smile when he sees you approaching. Steveโs smile is infectious, itโs always charmed you, and it settles the ache in your chest from your brotherโs earlier dismissal. Feeling a smile spread across your own face, you run towards Steve and poke your head through the open window.
โHi,โ you breathe out, nose almost bumping against his cheek.
โHi, angel.โ Steve kisses you, solidifying your morning tradition. Neither one of you really remembers who started it, but sometime during the school year you began to slip your head through Steveโs car window so that he could kiss you slow and sweet.ย
And, as tradition follows, Robin starts boos. โDo you have to do thatย everyย morning?โ
Steve makes a face at her and she punches his arm. He yelps in pain and you roll your eyes at the two of them before running over to the passengerโs side where Robin sits. Her window is rolled down as well and you duck your head inside. โAw, Robin. If you wanted a kiss, you couldโve just said so!โย
โA kissโ?โ Your lips press against Robinโs cheek, smushing against her face while making a dramatic sound. She squeals and pushes you away, wiping her now wet cheek in disgust. โThat isย notย what I wanted.โ
You giggle at her and finally get into the car. Itโs getting late, you see the assortment of Robinโs limited makeup dumped into her lap haphazardly. Sheโs been stressing about this morningโs pep rally all week, and clearly she isnโt coping very well. Trying to cheer her up, you flick her shoulder. โIโll have you know that my cheek kisses are cherished in Hawkins.โ
โHow many peopleโs cheeks are you kissing?โ Steve turns in his seat to face you, slightly alarmed. Then, noticing that thereโs only one Henderson in his car, he frowns. โAnd whereโs little Henderson?โ
โEddie Munson.โ
โWoah, wait, you mean Eddie as in where Dustin is, right? Not, like, youโve been kissing his cheek? Iโm right, right? Please tell me Iโm right.โ
You roll your eyes fondly at Steve while Robin rolls hers in displeasure. โJust drive, Steve.โ
โ
It becomes pretty apparent five minutes into the car ride that no one seems to be having a good morning. Robin has spent the majority of the drive applying and reapplying her mascara while messing with her hair. She groans every time she looks in the mirror and her eyes lack their usual brilliance.ย
Meanwhile, Steve has been complaining about yet another fight with his dad. Apparently they argued during breakfast, something that has become a common occurrence in the Harrington household.ย
โThe assholeย againย reminded me that Iโm turning twenty soon. As if I donโt already know that! I mean,โ Steve laughs in exasperation. โFor weeks now heโs been asking me what my plans are, as if working at Family Video just isnโt good enough for him. As if my dad isnโt the sole reason I had to get a lousy minimum wage job in the first place!โย
โFamily Video isnโt a lousy jobโโ
โYes it is.โ Both Steve and Robin say at the same time, which you sigh at. Canโt really argue with that.ย
โOkay, yeah. Itโs pretty lousy.โ
Steve rubs his eyes tiredly. โAnd that isnโt even the worst part. There I was, pouring syrup over my pancakes, trying to enjoy the fact that my parents are actually home for once, when my asshole of a father tells me that if I donโt have a respectable job by the time Iโm twenty, heโll kick me out. I mean, can youย believeย that?โย
You suck in a breath. โSteveโฆโ
Richard Harrington is a cruel, awful man.ย
While you understand his frustrations towards Steve, itโs completely unreasonable to expect him to get a reputable job in a few short months without any college education. Steveโs right, it had been Richardโs idea to make him work at Scoops Ahoy in the first place. When the mall burned down, he had no other option but to work at Family Video soon after.ย
โIโm sorry, honey.โ You intertwine your fingers through Steveโs hair and rub your thumb up and down the nape of his neck in a soothing manner. Steve allows the touch, but heโs still tense. Guessing that heโs uncomfortable feeling so pitied, you try to make light of the situation with humor. โBut hey, who knows? Maybe you can come live with me in New York if he ends up kicking you out.โ
Steve risks a look at you, taking his eyes off the road for a few moments, and his eyes shine. Heโs ecstatic over what youโve just said. He looks like a little kid on Christmas Eve. โYou really mean that?โ
โWell, I meanโฆโ It had mostly been a joke, a throwaway comment to try and get him to smile. But Steveโs body finally relaxes under your touch and you canโt tell him no. โYeah, I guess I did.โ
โYou hear that, Robin?โ Steve preens, wanting to get her attention. However, when he realizes that she hasnโt been listening to the entire conversation, he makes an offended sound. โRobin, are you listening to me?โ
โUh, yes?โ Her eyes meet yours in the mirror, startled that sheโs been caught. โYou were-uh. Talking to Y/N about your dad. We-we hate him! Yeah, we hate the guy. He reallyโฆ grinds my gears?โ
Steve groans. โWeย allย hate my dad, but that wasnโt what I was talking to you about!โ
โCut me some slack, please. Your relationship with your father is one of labyrinthine complexityโโ
You poke your head between the two teens. โActually, itโs not that complicated.โ
Robin covers your mouth with her hand and continues with her rant. โItโs seven in the morning, we have the stupid pep rally, and I woke up looking like a total corpse!โย
โI think you look lovely as always, Robin.โ You mumble through the girlโs hand, barely coherent.
Steve, however, isnโt as supportive. โYouโre worried about a pep rally? You really expect me to believe that?โ
โYeah, so?โ Robin removes her hand from your mouth and goes back to doing her makeup. Sheโs avoiding the conversation now, which only means that Steve is onto something. Whyย hasย she been so obsessed about this weekโs pep rally? Robin has been in band for years now, sheโs done a million pep rallies during her high school career. It canโt be performing that makes her nervous.ย
Which means it has to be about someone.ย
Locking eyes with Steve, he seems to be thinking what you are. โI think we all know what this is about, okay? Y/N and I arenโt buying that bullshit.โ
โThis is about Vickie.โ You finish for him, a smirk on your face. For weeks now Vickie has been all Robin has talked about. Her hair, how pretty her smile is, how cute her freckles are. Vickie also happens to be in band with Robin. โCโmon, you canโt tell us weโre wrong.โ
โI absolutely can tell you youโre wrong.โ Robin denies what you and Steve are implying.
Steve shakes his head. โYou know weโre right! And you know what else we think?โ
โI really donโt careโโ
โY/N and I think that you gotta stop pretending to be someone else when youโre around her, okay? You just gotta be yourself.โ
Robin doesnโt want to hear any of this. At least not from you and Steve. โYou guys are biased, youย doย realize that?โ
โWhat do you mean?โ Youโre practically laying across Steveโs car console in order to be a part of the conversation. โI think weโre objective people.โ
โYouโre telling me that all I have to do is be myself and Vickie will want to date me?โ
You frown. โYeah? Whatโs wrong with that?โ
Robin throws her head back. โBecause it took Steveย monthsย to ask you out. Mind you, this was when you were already in love with the guy! And heย knewย you were in love with him!โ
โOkay, heyโโ Steve doesnโt at all like what sheโs insinuating. He didnโt necessarily know you were already in love with him, he justโฆ had a small hunch.ย
โIโm not done,โ Robin holds her hand up. โAll Steve had to do was man up and admit his feelings for you. He didnโt have to agonize over whether or not itโd blow up in his face. There was no risk, no danger, no world ending consequences. I mean, if you had rejected him then maybe Steveโs ego wouldโve been bruised. But if I ask out the wrong girl? Bam! Iโm a town pariah.โ
โThis is true,โ you reluctantly agree. While you could never envision a world where youโd ever say no to Steve, you also recognize that the world where you somehow do wouldnโt be the same world as Robinโs. Things are different for her, whether you like it or not. Robin has to live with this knowledge, and her conversation with you about luck and love from last summer echoes in your mind.ย
Steve places a hand on his chest, betrayed. โWhose side are you on, Y/N?โ
โTrue loveโs side.โ
Robin snorts and Steve doesnโt bother to hide his smile. He wants to tease you for being a hopeless romantic, but now isnโt the time. Instead, he continues the previous conversation. โTrue love aside, we canโt ignore that Vickie is definitely not the wrong girl.โ
โOh, she definitely isnโt straight.โ You agree.
โWe donโt know that!โ Robin quickly sprays some breath freshener in her mouth and gags, which you cringe at. Vickie is one lucky girl if Robin ever manages to become her girlfriend.ย
Steve doesnโt let up, heโs convinced he has it all figured out. โShe returnedย Fast Timesย paused at fifty-three minutes, five seconds.โ
โThe bikini scene, mind you.โ You butt in, and Steve nods eagerly.
โAnd you know who pausesย Fast Timesย at fifty-three minutes, five seconds? People who like boobies, Robin!โย
Robin waves her hands in the air as if to get Steveโs voice away from her. โEw! Gross, donโt say boobiesโโ
โBoobies! Itโs not a big dealโโ
You make a face. โIt isnโt the most pleasant word.โ
โOh, cโmon. You like boobies, Robin likes boobies, and we all know I love your boobies specificallyโow!โย
You hit the back of Steveโs head with annoyance to get him to stop talking about your boobs. While he winces in pain and rubs his tender head, you turn towards Robin. โWhat my darling boyfriend is trying to say is that everyone likes boobs, and Vickie definitely likes them too.โย
Robin canโt even look at the two of you, appalled by how many times the word โboobiesโ has been uttered during the duration of the conversation. You canโt blame her, the word has practically lost all meaning for you as well.
Steve, however, canโt seem to get enough of it. โItโs boobies!โ He exclaims again to no one in particular.
You and Robin lock eyes, and then, without saying anything, your hand covers Steveโs mouth while Robin flicks his forehead, effectively putting the boob conversation to an end.ย
โย
The moment Steveโs BMW slows in front of the school, Robin throws the door open and rushes out with a quick โsee you later!โ to you as she runs to follow after her bandmates. Steve waves weakly as she goes and sighs in disappointment.
โSheโs never talking to Vickie, is she?โ
โNot a chance,โ you sigh as well, watching as Robinโs figure disappears in the crowd of students. Spring break looms over the student body, everyone buzzes with excitement over their week of freedom and tonightโs basketball game. The pep rally in just a few short minutes only adds to the exhilaration. Leaning forward, your lips graze against Steveโs. โAnyways, see you tonight?โ
He bridges the gap between your lips, skin meets skin and warmth floods your stomach. โOf course, angel. I love you.โ
โI love you, too, honey.โ And with one last kiss, you exit Steveโs car and make your way towards the school. As always, Steve waits until youโre safely on the sidewalk before he pulls away and heads towards Family Video. Heโs started picking up morning shifts to fill the time he isnโt with you.
On your way inside, you see Ms. Kelly talking to Max near the buses. The conversation is short, doesnโt last much longer than a few seconds, and when Max turns away you notice Ms. Kellyโs patient smile drop. Clearly Max still isnโt being cooperative when it comes to their sessions. She promised you she would start trying, but Max Mayfield has always been stubborn and youโve always been slightly overbearing.
Not the best combination, honestly.
With a sigh, you make a mental note to ask Max about what the counselor talked to her about later. Thereโs too much going on this morning to focus on it, and youโre already pushing Max by having her attend the pep rally anyways. Originally she had wanted to skip it and hide in the stairwell, but after begging her about it, Max finally agreed.
The conversation can wait. For now, at least sheโll be next to you in the bleachers alongside the boys to cheer on Lucas.
The thought was enough to brighten your mood a little, but it quickly became a pain in the ass to corral the party into sitting together. It took you almost fifteen minutes to find Mike and Dustin in the mass of students heading into the gym. Youโre not necessarily sure how it took so goddamn long given the fact that Mike towers over half of the students anyways. Heโs grown freakishly tall since starting freshman year. It unnerves you.ย
While his towering height annoys you, Mike likes that he can finally,ย literally, look down on you.ย
โThere you guys are!โ You grab the back of Mikeโs shirt and he lets out a startled yelp. Dustin stumbles back as well, and an annoyed sophomore glares at the three of you. Ignoring her, you grab your brotherโs shirt and start dragging the two boys towards the bleachers. โThought we agreed on meeting at the water fountain that squirts water in your face?โ
โI thought it was the library?โ Dustin gives you an odd look. โWait, is there even a water fountain in the library?โ
โYou amaze me.โ You remark, not even bothering to answer his question. He listens like a bag of rocks. Mike just allows you to pull him, not at all contributing to the conversation.
Max waits for you in the bleachers. Sheโs saved you seats, something that you feel slight relief over. The simple gesture is small, but it sparks just enough hope within your chest to make you exhale softly. Hope that sheโs getting better. Hope that sheโs finally trying again.
Thanking Max, you and the others fill the seats as the gym quickly fills with more and more students until it threatens to overflow. The roar of the crowd is nearly deafening. Across from the bleachers resides the marching band. Theyโre playing the schoolโs anthem as the cheerleaders start their routine. Chrissy Cunningham leads them, her smile lovely and beautiful, she shines so brightly upon the crowd that you canโt help but fall in love with her.
In the midst of the cheerleadersโ twists and flips, Robin manages to catch your eye from across the room.
You eagerly wave at her and mime playing the trumpet, copying her movements as she actually plays one. Robin laughs, and next to her is a girl with fiery red hair who laughs as well. Sheโs pretty, youโve heard countless sonnets about her red hair and dotted freckles. Knowing the girl is Vickie, you point at her as you wink at Robin, who scoffs and goes back to playing the trumpet.ย
Next to you, you catch the tail end of some bizarre conversation between Mike and Dustin.
โLook, Iโm not saying that my girlfriend is better than yours.โ Dustin is clarifying, glaring at you when he hears your sarcastic snort. โItโs just that Suzieโs, like, a certified genius.โ
Mike crosses his arms, looking towards you as if somehow this is all your fault. โYour brother realizes that El saved the world twice, right?โ
โAdmittedly thatย isย hard to beat,โ you shrug. โThat, and she has cool powers.โ
Dustin points a finger at the two of you. โAnd yet Mike still has a C in Spanish while youโre barely passing calculus.โ
Mike rolls his eyes and you shrug again. Your brother isnโt necessarily wrong either. Elโs saved the world, Suzie has saved his GPA. Both are nearly impossible feats. โTouchy subject, but touchรฉ.โ
โAnd what canย yourย boyfriend do, Y/N?โ Mike asks, now bringing the attention to your love life.
โHeโs good with a bat.โ
Both Dustin and Mike groan, but you shush them when the schoolโs broadcaster announces the Tigers basketball team. Applause breaks out across the bleachers and you notice Max looking around for Lucas. Though she tries to hide it, you can see the interest and excitement in her eyes. Sheโs happy for him, but it breaks your heart that she feels that she canโt show it.
Jason Carver, captain of the basketball team and former Scoops Ahoy patron before Steve spilled ice cream all over his pants, runs out first. The crowd goes wild, but you donโt start cheering until you see Lucas. Heโs smiling wide, proud to be a part of the team. You scream as loud as you can for him, heโs come so far since confessing to you about wanting to join the team earlier this year. As Jason starts his speech, dramatic as he always is, Lucas sees you in the bleachers and waves shyly, a blush creeping across his face. Then, seeing Max next to you, his confidence seems to grow as he waves more enthusiastically at her.ย
The moment is sweet, it makes you smile.ย
Except Max doesnโt wave back. She crosses her arms, pretends she hasnโt seen him, and your smile drops alongside Lucasโ.ย
You know theyโve been having some trouble recently. With Max pulling away more and more each day, Lucas struggled to hold onto the fading girl. Despite his pleas and reassurances, Max still seems to be icing him out. According to Dustin, they broke up almost a month ago now.ย
But theyโve always had a tumultuous relationship, long before nightmares and monsters darkened everything. The news hadnโt worried you at first, you thought it was simply another one of their weekly breakups over something small, innocent. Afterall, they were just kids when they first started dating. Their breakups were always childish, though endearing, and always temporary.ย
Now, youโre scared that this time itโs permanent.ย
Youโre not sure what that means for Max. She already has so few people left in her life to tether her. Billy died, her mother works two jobs and is never home anymore, El is in California, and you and Lucas are breaking skin trying to claw onto whatever small hold you have left of the girl.
Another loud cheer from the crowd breaks you from your thoughts. Jason mustโve just said something important, something worthy enough of a roaring reaction. Heโs always been popular in Hawkins, Steve used to complain about him to you back when he was still on the team. But when Steve graduated and Billy died, Hawkins High had needed a new King to crown.
Jason Carver was more than happy to ascend the throne.ย
โChrissy, I love you, babe.โ Everyone awes and you see Chrissy blow Jason a kiss. Itโs sweet, you suppose. They fit together nicely, head cheerleader with the star of the basketball team, and they seem genuinely happy. Chrissyโs shy and kind demeanor balances Jasonโs loud and charismatic boldness. They truly are a good match.ย
โI think I can speak for all of us when I say itโs been a tough year for Hawkins.โ Jason continues his speech, the room is eerily silent as everyone listens with baited breath. โSo much lossโฆโ The gym almost exhales simultaneously, remembering all the people who died last summer.
Your own breath exhales, and beside you Max tenses. Billyโs ghost floats through your minds, in through hers and out through yours. Hopperโs own ghost follows after him, only he doesnโt haunt Max the way he haunts you. He lingers over you, his final words to you engraved into your skin.ย
Youโre the best of them.
โAnd sometimes I wonder, how much loss can one community take?โ
Enough to fill a mall of burning bodies, you think bitterly.ย
Jason paces the gymโs floor now, he almost seems to glow before the crowd. He rambles on about needing something to believe in. That everyone should be doing something to honor all the lives lost in July, that playing basketball can absolve all the despair. As if it can bring them back.
Deep below your ribcage, nestled right underneath your scar and just in front of your stomach, rests a pit of anger that always simmers. You were born with it, it has always followed you. It has grown with you, the anger almost possessed your body when your dad left. Now, hearing Jason recite all the names of the ones who died that Fourth of July, the angerโs low simmer heats into a soft boil.ย
You try to quell it. Jason means well, heโs only trying to uplift the community in a passionate, albeit uncomfortably pastor-y way. Heโs only doing what he knows best; heโs being a leader. In another life, one where Demogorgons never harmed you, you think you wouldโve really admired Jason and his resilience.ย
โThink of Billy,โ Your breath stills, yet your hand instinctively finds Maxโs. She turns away from you, but the room is spinning and you canโt remember how to inhale. But Jason keeps going. โThink about our heroic police chief, Jim Hopper.โ
Next to you, in your haze of grief and panic, you think you can feel Mike and Dustin shift uncomfortably. Grief sinks her claws into the kids, and you want nothing more than to puncture Jasonโs lungs with them.ย
This was supposed to be a pep rally for the Tigers, it was supposed to be joyous, an opportunity to bring Max out of her shell. To distract her from the hell that she calls her life. The entire school knows what happened to Billy, they know that he had a little sister named Max Mayfield.
You hate Jason Carver.
But youโre here for Lucas. Today is about him. Heโs finally happy, heโs smiling again. The least you can do is swallow down the anger and grief and hope that you donโt end up choking on them later. That they donโt strangle you in your dreams.
โAnd now tonight, weโre gonna bring home the championship trophy!โ Jason screams into the mic, erupting a volcanic roar from the stadium. People throw paper into the air, whistling and jumping up and down at the prospect of Hawkins High finally winning a championship.
โTonight?โ Dustinโs agonized exclamation causes you to jump. He looks at you, bewildered and panicked. โHow is that possible?โ
Your heart still hasnโt steadied from the surge of fury Jason evoked. Swallowing once again, you clear your throat and shake your head at your brother. โWhat, you guys didnโt know about the game tonight?โ
โThey call it a tournament,โ Max explains for you, figuring you need some time to clear your head. You squeeze her hand appreciatively. โYou win one game, you go on until thereโs only one team left.โ
Mike and Dustin exchange frightened looks, and you eye them suspiciously. โDid you guys really not know? I thought Steve explained all of this to you already. Why is it such a big deal, anyways? I meanโwait,โ the boys wonโt meet your gaze. They avoid facing you, Mike stuffs his hands into his pockets and Dustin pretends to read someoneโs poster.ย
You know the fearful look on their faces. Itโs the same look Dustin gave you this morning when he ditched you to ride with Nancy and Mike.ย
Goddamn Eddie Munson.ย
โOh, donโt you guysย dare.โ They wouldnโt. They wouldnโt fucking dream of missing one of Lucasโ games for a stupid club centered around some guy with enormous ego problems. โI swear to God, if you two skip the game tonightโโ
โWe wonโt! I-I meanโฆ Well. Itโs, uh. Itโs complicatedโ Dustin gulps, elbowing his way through the crowd of departing students as the pep rally ends. Mike follows, ready to step in at any moment, while Max slips away before you can stop her. Seeing how contorted your body is from anger, Dustin tries to appease you. โLook, I canโt promise anything, alright? Eddie isโฆ Eddie.โ
Youโre about to scream some very choice words about that curly haired emo asshole, but Lucas intercepts the group and joins you guys. He looks between you, Mike, and Dustin, sensing some underlying tension. โWhat about Eddie?โ
Mike quickly explains, and the more he talks, the more you want to shove your knives down Eddieโs throat. Itโs one night,ย one goddamn night, and here Mike and Dustin are, almost shitting their pants at the idea of missing one Hellfire meeting to support their friend. While itโs unfortunate that all of this is happening on the same night, and though you recognize how long a campaign can take and how much the game means to the party, for once you canโt bring yourself to understand Dustinโs side.ย
A championship game versus one single campaign meeting that can easily be done tomorrow instead.
Seems like a pretty easy decision to you.ย
Lucas doesnโt understand why Mike and Dustin are so conflicted either. โI donโt get the big deal.โ Youโre all outside now, heading towards the main building for your classes. โJust talk to Eddie. Get him to move Hellfire to another night.โ
You nod, agreeing with him, and Dustin rolls his eyes. โโJust talk to Eddie.โโ
โYou canโt be serious right now,โ your shoulder brushes harshly against the boyโs. Youโre barely containing your anger right now. โWhy does Eddie have such a strong hold over you guys? Hasnโt he repeated senior yearย twiceย now?โ
โWhy does that matter?โ Mike looks at you as if youโre the scum of the earth that he just so happened to step on. โWhy canโt Lucas just talk to his coach and get him to move the game?โ
Dustin quips that he thinks Mikeโs idea is a great one, but you shove between them and throw your hands in the air in annoyance. โYou canโt possibly think thatโs the same thing, right? A nationally organized game being postponed for aย board game.โ
Mike and Dustin both gasp at you, acting as if youโve just threatened to kill a baby bunny in front of them, which only annoys you more. Sure, maybe youโre being a little mean right now, but youโre not appreciating how theyโre treating Lucas. Heโs never done anything to warrant this blatant disrespect from them. Theyโre refusing to see his side, too lost in their Eddie induced high.ย
โDnD isnโt just a board game, Y/N! Iโm honestly disappointed thatย youย of all people would even say that. Youโve seen the intricacies of a campaign. Youย knowย Iโve spent all month now preparing for the end of Eddieโs campaign!โ Dustin waves his hands in front of him, heโs in his own ecstasy of anger and annoyance, something innate in the Henderson bloodline. โA semester of adventuring has led to this moment, and we need Lucas.โ
โYeah, and the Tigers donโt.โ Mike looks over at Lucas. โI mean, no offense, but youโve been on the bench all yearโshit!โ
You swat the back of Mikeโs head, the sound of his yelp satisfying and the sting of the hit soothes you. He looks at you, offended, and you just shake your head at him. โNo, that was out of line and you know it.โ
โOne day Iโm gonna be too tall for you to hit me, you know.โ Mike scowls at you as he rubs his head.ย
โAnd Iโll mourn the day when that happens,โ you respond dryly before pointing at Lucas. โNow, apologize to him before I hit you again.โ
Lucas lowers your finger and shakes his head. โItโs fine, Y/N. Me being on the bench isnโt the point, anyways.โ
โPlease, arrive at the point.โ Your brother drops his head back and closes his eyes. Heโs tired, he regrets even starting this conversation in the first place. The more the four of you talk, the angrier he can feel you become. Mikeโs head may now be sore, but Dustin lives with you. If anyone here is in danger of your lecturing, itโs him.
โIf I get in good with these guys, Iโll be in the popular crowd, and then you guys will be too.โ Lucas explains, looking between Dustin and Mike as he urges them to understand, but they donโt. Mike claims that they donโtย wantย to be popular, something that Lucas doesnโt believe. โWhat, you wanna be stuck with the nerds and freaks for three more years?โ
โWeย areย nerds and freaks!โ Dustin exclaims, causing a few students in the hall to look at you guys. You wave at them awkwardly, youโre starting to regret following the boys. This conversation feels personal, like you shouldnโt be intruding. Though you think Lucas has every right to want a good high school experience, you also think Mike and Dustin deserve to have their own experiences as well. If they donโt want to be popular, then thatโs their decision just as much as itโs Lucasโ to want to be.ย
You step between the three boys, finally getting their attention. โGuys, no one here is necessarily rightย orย wrong. Lucas has every right to want to be a part of the basketball crowd, and you two,โ you raise your eyebrows at Mike and Dustin, โhave every right to want to stick with Eddieโs crowd.โ
Dustin sighs, โthanks, Y/Nโโ
โIโm not finished,โ you hold a hand up and shush your brother. โWhat isnโt right, however, is abandoning one another. You guys areย friends, and right now Lucas wants you at his game tonight to support him. Tonight is special, everyone will be there, and I want you guys there as well. I know high school is hard, but itโs even harder when youโre alone.โ
โSays the girl who is adored by everyone in this shitty town.โ Mike huffs, he canโt believe how hypocritical youโre being. โYouโve never had to deal with what we do. No one has ever laughed at you or tried to make you jump off aย cliffย just because youโre different.โ
You clench your jaw. Dustin looks at you wearily, he doesnโt like what Mike is saying, but he also canโt help but agree with his friend. You havenโt ever been bullied. All your life youโve blended in, stood out only when you were kind to others, admired for your selflessness, but never enough to be invited to parties or dumped behind a dumpster.
โMikeโฆโ Your brother tries to pull him away from you, but you both stand your ground.
โYouโre right, Wheeler. I donโt know what itโs like.โ You stare up at the boy, and Mikeโs expression softens only slightly. Heโs just as stubborn as you are, itโs why the two of you admire the other so much. โBut you forget that Iโm Jonathanโs best friend. The creep, the loser, the psychopath. Kids may not have ever targeted me, but Iโve seen what they do to the people they hate.โ
All the times you had to ice Jonathanโs bruised face. The nights you spent in his room holding him as he cried because Lonnieโs fists and Tommyโs cruel words were too much. The sneers, the stares Jonathan received because he was different. Quiet. Being your best friend hadnโt lessened the blows.ย
For years you wish you couldโve done more for Jonathan. Now, presented with Lucasโ opportunity to befriend the crowd that once was so cruel to your friend, you refuse to lose it. โThatโs why I donโt want Lucas skipping the game tonight.โ
Itโs silent for a few moments, all three boys donโt know what to say. Taking a deep breath, Lucas stands beside you and breaks the silence. โWe came to high school wanting things to be different, right? Now we have that chance. Like Y/N said, if I skip tonight, thatโs all out the window. So Iโm asking you guys, as aย friend, just talk to Eddie. Get him to move Hellfire.โ
Lucas pauses, he wets his lips and looks between his friends again. He feels so small, pleading for their attention. โCome to my game. Please.โ
The bell rings, ending the conversation, and Lucas spares one last look at Dustin and Mike before mumbling a soft goodbye to you. He leaves you alone with the boys, who in turn mirror conflicted expressions.ย
โShit!โ Dustin kicks his foot out and looks at you. โThis is all your fault, you know that?โ
โWhat is?โ
โMe having empathy. I hate this. Why couldnโt you have raised me to be an asshole?โ
You snort at Dustin before pulling him into a weak hug. You only have a few more minutes before you need to get to class, you canโt stay very long, but you also donโt want to leave the boys without some semblance of comfort. โYouโre too charming to be an asshole. Justโฆ Come to the game, alright? Both of you. Iโll even make brownies if I have to. I just-Iโve missed you guys. This will be good for all of us.โ
Mike ducks his head and Dustin sighs once more. Neither want to say anything else, so you reluctantly release your brother and leave them alone to wallow in their self-created misery.ย
Theyโll do the right thing. Youโre sure of it.
โย
Lunch comes and Alex sits next to you. He started sitting with you at lunch just after winter break, and youโre endlessly grateful for him. Youโre no longer alone, and heโs good company. A part of you regrets that it took the two of you three years to grow your friendship outside of Bookstrorindary.ย
Youโll miss him when you graduate.ย
Max is with Ms. Kelly today, a change in their usual meeting schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays, meaning you had been right. She did skip their meeting yesterday and the counselor had to corner her this morning to schedule another one.ย
โBe honest, how excited are you to move to New York this summer?โ Alex asks you, taking a bite out of his carrot stick. Youโve come to learn that he has a weird obsession with the vegetable, always packing at least twelve of them every day.ย
You pick at your own lunch, a wilted salad and sandwich your mom left for you this morning. โHonestly? It hasnโt really hit me yet. I mean, I only got in last week. I think my mind is still trying to catch up with reality.โ
โOh, cโmon. You canโt tell me youโre not at least aย littleย excited.โ
โOkay, okay,โ you laugh and nudge the boy. โIโm a little excited. I just.. Havenโt really had time to think too much about it, you know? Between work, my brother, Steve, the kids, andโฆโ
โJonathan?โ Alex finishes for you. Heโs the only one who knows about how distant Jonathan has been. Youโve confided in him about how worried you are, about the phone calls while heโs high and the way Jonathanโs voice no longer sounds like his.ย
You shove your lunch away, no longer hungry. โYeah.โ
โYou guys call every Friday, right? Maybe tonight will be different!โ Alex tries to cut through the tension that now corrodes your demeanor, which you smile at him gratefully for.ย
โYeah, who knows.โ A piece of hair falls in your face and you push it behind your ear. Picking up your fork again, you attempt to finish your meal, but a sudden commotion interrupts the low buzz in the lunchroom.ย
โAs long as youโre into band, or science, orย parties.โ Eddie Munson sneers from the cafeteria table heโs standing on. He looks around the room as if everyone else is beneath him. Not worth his time just because they enjoy different things. Looking at Alex, you both sigh and prepare for whatever Eddie has to say today. His voice grows louder, shouting across the room towards the basketball teamโs table. โOr a game where you toss balls into laundry baskets!โ
Jason stands up and a few students whoop and cheer. โYou want something, freak?โ
Eddie sticks to fingers up behind his head as he creates little devil horns, snarling with his tongue out and hissing. Jason grimaces, you do too.ย
โHeโs a little much, isnโt he?โ You say to Alex, relieved when Eddie starts to step down from the table.ย
โHe terrifies me.โ Alex breathes out, not taking his eyes off Eddie in fear heโll somehow cast a spell on him.
You laugh at your friendโs unnecessary fear. Eddie is harmless, Hellfire isnโt a demonic cult like some students at Hawkins seem to think. It really is just a club centered around a board game with impressive storytelling and detailed plotlines. From what Dustin has told you, Eddie truly is the best dungeon master in Indiana.ย
And while you believe him, you canโt wrap your head around why your brother idolizes Eddie so much. The fascination runs deeper than just DnD. Dustin has spent almost every day of his freshman year wrapped around Eddieโs finger. He spends all his time with the teen now, rarely with you, but youโre not bitter. Of course youโre not. Dustin can have his own friends, you know this, but you also feel soโฆ unneeded.ย
Your little brother doesnโt need you anymore, and itโs a hard pill to swallow.
Truthfully, Alexโs question earlier about moving to New York in the summer sparked more than just your usual anxiety over Jonathan. It also reminded you that in only a few short months youโll be in an entirely new state, a new city, far away from Dustin.ย
โY/N!โ Dustin flies into the seat next to you, nearly upending the table itself with how violently he throws himself down.
Alex shrieks and you steady the table before anything can fall. Heart pounding, you clutch at your chest as your nerves settle. โWhy must you always be so violent?โ
โBecause itโs fun,โ Dustin responds, not even bothering to acknowledge Alexโs presence. Instead, his eyes are only on you, and thereโs a crazed spark in them. Heโs breathing heavily, frantic, and you dread where this is going. โLook, I need to ask you a huge favor.โ
โDo you realize that this is the first time youโve sat with me at lunch since the first day?โ
He winces. โAnd I will repent every day for my horrendous sins. I promise, I justโJesus youโre terrifying when you donโt blink.โ Dustin removes his hat to fix his hair, a nervous tick of his. Heโs stalling, he shouldโve never come here. Gulping, he rips the band aid off. โI need you to sub for Lucas tonight.โ
โIโm sorry?โ Youโre giving him an out, one chance to back down before you strangle him.
Only Dustin tightens the noose even more. โPlease, Y/N! Eddie wonโt move the campaign. He said something about sheep and-and finding subs because Mike and I are, uh. I guess the future of Hellfire and heย needsย us and did I mention how important this campaign is? Itโs super cool, super gory and totally up your alley andโโ
โNo.โ
โN-no?โ Dustin practically deflates in front of you, the light in his eyes dies.ย
You shove him away from you, you donโt want to look at his pathetic pouting. Youโre so unbelievably hurt right now, so fucking infuriated. โYou have spent every goddamn waking hour ass kissing Eddie. You havenโt so much asย lookedย at me during lunch this entire year as if Iโm a fucking plague. Youโve canceled plans, youโre hardly ever home, and now you expect me to abandon Lucas, someone whoย hasย spent time with me this year, someone who has made this entire year less lonely for me. Something, by the way, that you havenโt evenย noticed, all because you finally need me?โ
Dustinโs mouth opens and closes, he doesnโt know what to say, but for once you donโt care. How could he possibly think youโd miss Lucasโ game tonight? You adore the boys, each and every one of them, and now Dustin expects you to just abandon one of them for the others?ย
โYouโre only here because itโsย convenientย for you.โ You hiss, venom pouring from your voice. โForย Eddie.โย
โY/Nโฆโ Dustinโs voice breaks, he sounds like a little kid again, the baby brother you doted on your entire life. โPlease.โ
โNo!โ You scream at him.ย
The word echoes throughout the cafeteria. A few students turn to you, some curious, some annoyed. Alex draws into himself, wishing he were anywhere but here right now. Dustinโs eyes widen, his skin pales, and you clamp your hand over your mouth, completely and utterly mortified.ย
Youโve never, ever yelled at Dustin like this before. Not with so much malice, vitriol.ย
You feel like youโre twelve again, your anger hurting your baby brother.ย
Red hot with embarrassment and shame, you quickly get up from the table and flee the cafeteria. Dustin calls after you, but you stumble through the hallway towards the nearest bathroom. Tears burn your eyes, guilt wracks your body in painful thuds.ย
By the time you lock yourself in the bathroomโs stall, your sobs have begun to claw their way out of your throat. Pressing your back against the wall, you sink to the ground and pull your knees into your chest as you finally allow yourself to cry.
Abandonment makes you cruel. Your father taught you that.
โย
You donโt see Dustin for the rest of the day. Heโs missing Lucasโ game and youโre angry with him for that, but you also feel such an intense guilt over your outburst. You canโt stomach the thought of seeing him.ย
School ends and Steve drives you to work. The shift will be a short one due to the championship game, and Steve is staying with you so that you can drive to the game together. However, the moment you get into his car, he notices the dried tears on your face and the redness in your eyes and immediately throws his arms around you. In between shaky breaths and cries, you explain what happened to Steve.
He soothes you, tells you that you can always talk to Dustin after tonightโs game. Right now you and your brother need space from one another, and you hate that Steveโs right. Youโll force Dustin into a code blue, youโre long overdue for one, anyways. Heโs been acting weird for weeks now. Someone has to give in, you know this, and if it has to be you then youโll do anything to get your brother back.ย
For now, Steve holds your hand as he guides you through the crowd of people in the bleachers. They all cheer for Hawkins High, the energy in the gym is electric. Faces are painted, cheerleaders wave their pom-poms, and youโre wearing Steveโs old Tigers jersey. Youโre not much for school spirit, but Steve almost crashed the car when he realized you were wearing the jersey, and you know Lucas will appreciate it too.
โY/N, over here.โ Steveโs hand falls onto the small of your back as he gently pushes you towards some open seats heโs found. You lean into his touch and sit beside him. With his body against yours, you try to immerse yourself in the joy from the crowd.ย
The entire town is here tonight. Everyone is smiling, kids laugh and parents wave posters for their sons. Tonight will be a good night, youโve decided this to be true.ย
The national anthem is announced and everyone rises in their seats. When the broadcaster announces that Tammy Thompson will be singing, you and Steve look at each other incredulously. Laughter rises within you and you cackle when Robin finds the two of you in the crowd. Thereโs no way this wonโt end in disaster.ย
Tammy walks out, wearing a horrendous faux cowboy outfit, and almost immediately sings off-key. You cringe, ears stinging from the attack, and try desperately not to let out any laughter as she continues to butcher the song.ย
Steve whispers over to Robin, โtold you. Muppet.โ
โOkay, she does sound like a muppet.โ Robin agrees, which only makes it harder to contain your giggles. Tammy is worse than a muppet, she sounds like a goddamn muppet that broke into her dadโs alcohol stash.ย
โYou sound better, angel.โ Steve whispers into your ear, breath warm against your skin.ย
You lean back against him and smile sarcastically. โAnyoneย can sound better than her.โ
Steve chuckles and you canโt help but join him. You know itโs rude, that Tammy is honestly not that bad, though definitely not good enough for Nashville, but you canโt help it. You canโt believe Robin ever had such a huge crush on the girl who now drones the national anthem like a dying parrot.ย
In between breaths of laughter, you see Lucas looking up at the bleachers. His face is grim, he doesnโt see Mike or Dustin or Max. None of his friends showed up, and you watch him with sympathy. You canโt believe them.ย
But then Lucas sees you, and he gives you a weak smile. Your attendance isnโt enough, you know it isnโt, but you hold up the poster you made for him and he laughs despite himself.ย
The game starts, and from the moment the whistle is blown, itโs intense. The Tigers are neck and neck with the Falcons. Steve tries to explain whatโs happening throughout the game, but it all goes over your head. The energy in the room is intoxicating, though. You lean forward in your seat, you cheer when everyone else does, boo when you think you should.
โCarver just loves hogging the spotlight, doesnโt he?โ Steve says with disdain as he watches Jason side sweep his teammates to score.ย
You poke his side, you know heโs only saying this because heโs still bitter that Jaosn tried asking you out last summer. โHoney, your jealousy is showing.โย
Steve tries to deny this, but then a player gets injured during a foul from Falcon, causing you and Steve to both spew insults at the player. You have no idea what the foul even is, but youโre enjoying the chaos of the game.
In the midst of your uproar, you almost miss Lucas being sent into the game. You slap Steveโs chest repeatedly to get his attention, you almost donโt believe what youโre seeing. โSteve! Is thatโโ
โSinclair!โ He whoops, but he quickly scrambles to catch you as you nearly throw yourself off the bleachers in your blind excitement cheering. Youโre screaming your head off, hardly even registering Steveโs hands on your waist. Youโre incoherent and ecstatic, drunk on adrenaline.ย
Lucas isย playing.
The game only gets more brutal from there. The points even out, both teams neck and neck. Anxious, you squeeze Steveโs hand with anticipation. Everything happens so fast, Lucas plays so naturally with the others, as if he was born to be there.ย
โGo, Tigers!โ You jump up and down as Lucas runs after Jason. Theyโre doing a new play, attempting to score the tie breaker. Jason shoots, the ball hits off the backboard and onto the rim. Your breath catches, thereโs only three seconds left on the clock. The ball falls, and there isnโt any time left.
Until Lucas catches the missed shot. He dribbles the ball, you clutch Steveโs hand, neither one of you utters a single word as Lucas makes the final shot. Itโs an all or nothing throw, a risk, but he takes it anyways. The ball soars through the air, hits the rim. The buzzer sounds, the game is over, and the ball spins around the rim before finally sinking through the net.
Your chest burns as you violently cheer, Steve flings himself into your arms. Youโre both jumping around, screaming together like little kids. โHey did it!โ You scream, and Steve shakes you in his arms with the biggest smile on his face.
โSinclair did it!โ
Down below, Lucasโ face lights up as the crowd goes wild for him. This is the happiest youโve seen the kid in so long. The entire basketball team swarms Lucas, they lift him into the air and you cheer alongside them.
Steve tells you heโll go warm the car up and you practically run outside to find Lucas as soon as the game is done. Your body buzzes, youโre still breathless with exhilaration. When you find Lucas, heโs just left the crowd of teenage boys. Wanting to surprise him, you creep up slowly before throwing your arms from behind him. โThereโs the star!โ
He stumbles from your weight, but he knows itโs you. Laughing, he turns around and you pull him into a bone crushing hug. โYou came!โ
โOf course I did, you moron!โ You giggle, pulling away to straighten his jacket. โI made you a poster and everything.โ
Lucas looks down at the poster that hangs by your side. His eyes light up, he remembers seeing it in the stands at the beginning of the game, but he hadnโt been able to read it from so far away. โCan I see it?โ
โIโd be offended if youย didnโtย want to see it.โ You unroll the poster and present it with a grand flourish. โTada!โย
Sin to win, Sinclair!
Youโre incredibly proud of the wordplay, and Lucas chuckles. Itโs good, he has to admit. Youโve left no white space on the poster, littering with small 8โs for his jersey and millions of small stickers and decorations. The poster was made with love, and Lucas knows you spent hours making it.
โI love it, Y/N.โ He does. It will hang on his wall as soon as he gets home.
You beam at him. Then, from behind you, you hear your brotherโs own cheers as a door opens. Lucasโ smile fades, hurt creeps upon his face. Frowning, you turn and find Dustin and Mike high fiving their Hellfire friends as they all celebrate the end of their campaign. Erica is with them, cheering with everyone else.ย
โLucasโฆโ Your breath gives out. He doesnโt deserve this. Tonight was supposed to be his night. You turn to him, wracking your brain to try and figure out what youโre even supposed to say at this moment. Fifty feet away Lucasโ close friends are celebrating a night without him, his sister overjoyed as well. Theyโve forgotten about him.
For once, you canโt find the right words to say.
โThanks for the poster, Y/N.โ Lucas doesnโt want your sympathy. He leaves, crestfallen, and youโre left standing alone holding the poster he had been praising seconds ago. The late March air chills your bones.ย
Youโve never been so disappointed in your brother before.
โย
Steve drives you home and youโre silent the entire time.ย
โDustin isnโt a bad kid, Y/N. You know that.โ Steve tries to reason with you, but what your brother has done tonight leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. โIโm sure by tomorrow heโll realize he was a jerk and apologize. He always does, heโs just being a stupid teen boy right now.โ
You face the window, watching the trees fading into the distance. You know Steve is right, you know that Dustin is still growing up, making mistakes. Hell, no one is perfect at fifteen. When you were his age you were falling in love with your best friend as you hunted monsters together. Neither you or Jonathan or Nancy knew what the hell you guys were doing back then.
But this is different. Dustin has never betrayed his friends like this before. He, out of all of them, should understand the pain of being left behind. He spent half the summer upset that the party ditched him, and now heโs ditching Lucas?
โYou know, I used to be a stupid teen boy.โ Steve says, trying again to get you to say something. To look at him, at least.
It works, a small smile turns your lips. โI never knew.โ
He laughs at the sarcasm in your voice, but he plays along anyways. โOh, I totally was. I just hid it really well by, you know, making you hate me for a while by being annoying. But hey, look at me now! Iโm still annoying, but at least I have it all figured out with you.โ
โAnd what do you have figured out, honey?โ You turn your head towards him, watch the street lamps illuminate his face.
Steve smiles. โUs. Our future. Sure, I may not know if Iโll ever get a better job, but Iโm sure as shit staying with you, starting a life together so that I can annoy you for all eternity.โ
โHow romantic,โ a giggle falls from your lips. Youโve been with Steve for nearly a year now, but you havenโt really talked about the future yet. At least not so intimately, with so much assurance that in the end itโll be the two of you. โAnd where will we live, Romeo?โ
โNew York, obviously. As soon as you graduate, weโll find some horrible, run down apartment thatโs barely big enough for two people. Weโll move in, but there wonโt be any air conditioning so weโll almost murder each other in the heat. Everyone will hate the place, but weโll love it.โ
As Steve talks, the smile that had once been on your face begins to fade. He rambles on, not noticing the shift. He dreams up the plans, how heโll stay home while you go to class. How heโll fix the leaky faucet that will inevitably annoy everyone. Steve envisions himself waiting for you to come home after a long day of classes and falling into his arms.ย
โSteveโโ But he doesnโt hear you. Heโs busy explaining how heโll probably have to sell his car to afford the apartment, but that he doesnโt care, and you feel sick. Itโs too much, heโs giving up too much. Heโs willing to give up his entire life for you, drop everything and follow you without any questions asked.ย
Itโs what your mother did for your father. They met in college, both attending Purdue. Their relationship had been a whirlwind. Love at first sight, married as soon as they graduated, your father convinced your mom to follow him back to Virginia. To abandon her family and move two states over while pregnant with you. She didnโt know anyone in Virginia, her father moved them to a small town where only his name was known.ย
The divorce that followed twelve years later ruined your motherโs life. She had been left all alone, no family to support her, no friends, in a state she never grew up in.
And now Steve wants to do the same for you.
Raising your voice slightly, you try to interrupt him again. โSteve!โ
โWhat?โ He looks over at you, words finally dying. โDo you want to keep the car?โ
โYouโฆ you canโt.โย
Steve frowns. โI canโt what?โ
Your hands shake. Your heart trembles. Your words die in your throat. Thereโs so much you want to say, you can feel the pit in your stomach build into a fist. You canโt let Steve do this. He doesnโt understand that he deserves more than this. โYou-you canโt come to New York.โ
Everything stills. You donโt dare to breathe, to disrupt the silence. Your words come out all wrong, you know they do, but theyโre out in the open and Steve doesnโt look at you as he pulls into your driveway. Silent, he turns the carโs engine off.
โY/Nโฆโ Steve still canโt look at you. He places his hands on the steering wheel, as if bracing himself for whatever will unfold tonight. Heโs scared, he doesnโt understand what heโs done wrong. His mind flashes, and for a brief second heโs back at the Halloween party and youโre Nancy in his passenger seat. โDo you not see a future with me?โ
โI do!โ You sit up in your seat, reach over to touch Steveโs thigh. You need to feel him, to ground yourself to him. Everything about this feels wrong. As if youโre hanging over the edge of a chasm with a long, long fall. โGod, of course I see a future with you, I just-this isnโt what you really want.โ
Steve doesnโt want to move to New York, even if he doesnโt realize it now. What heโs really doing is chasing after a dream that isnโt his. The timing of this is off, he fought with his dad this morning about a future he was unsure of. You know Steve, maybe even better than he knows himself; heโs not doing it for your relationship or out of love. Steve only wants to appease his father, fulfill whatever desire he thinks you have. This isnโt what he wants, and heโs worked too hard to build the life he has now,ย withoutย you, to simply throw it all away.
But he canโt see that right now.
โOf course this is what I want, Y/N! All I want isย you.โ Steve finally looks at you, but thereโs a hardness in his eyes. Heโs detaching himself from you, putting his walls up. โYou and me,ย thatโsย what I want.โ
You grab his hand, you try to keep your voice calm. โSteve, I love you so,ย soย much, but I canโt-I canโt let you give everything up for me. Your life is here, in Hawkins. You have a job, you have your friends and-and your family, and it wouldnโt be fair to either one of us if you abandon it for me. You could-you could resent me for it later, you could realize you hate our life and wish you never followed me andโโ
โY/N, what did you think was going to happen when you were applying to all those colleges?โ Steve runs a hand through his hair, he thought you were beside him this whole time. He assumed youโd been carving out the same future he had been. But he was wrong. โDid you really think Iโd just stay behind and wait for you to come home every break?โ
โIโฆโ Shamefully, youย hadn'tย been considering what would happen between you and Steve. In your mind, he was your future, he was in it, but the details were hazy. You werenโt sure how, or why, or when, but you knew that in the end, Steve was the person youโd spend forever with.ย
Steve takes your hesitancy as his answer. โGod, Iโm such a fucking idiot.โ
โSteveโโ
โYou were just going to leave me.โ
He tears his hand from yours and you blink back tears. Youโve never fought with him before, not like this. โI wasnโt just going to leave you! I just-Steve, please justย listen!โ
โI am, Y/N!โ Steve exclaims, voice reverberating the car. You flinch away, and he immediately lowers his voice, apologetic. He hadnโt meant to scare you, he hadnโt meant to make you cry. Ashamed, Steve turns away from you. โI-Iโm sorry.โย
He wants to wipe the tears heโs caused, but selfishly he also wants you to hurt like heโs hurting. You donโt see a future with Steve. You were going to leave him just like everyone else does.ย
Steve shouldโve known all of this was too good to be true.ย
โI love you,โ your voice is almost inaudible, the three words barely reach the light before they disappear into the dark night. Youโre not sure why you say them, the words had built in your chest, the pressure heavy, and you needed to release them. To remind Steve of your oath to him.ย
Silence fills the car. Steve doesnโt look at you, his shoulders are drawn together. His jaw clenches and you know heโs trying desperately to bite his tongue, withholding the cruel words that only heartbreak can provoke.ย
โHoney,โ you beg him to say something, anything. โSteve.โ
โI think you should go.โ
The dismissal punches your throat, knocks the wind out of you. Heโs shutting you out, closing himself off from you, and you donโt understand how the two of you got here. โIโฆ Are you sure?โ
โYes,โ Steveโs words are cool, composed. Indifferent, almost. He still doesnโt look at you, his eyes remain focused on something in your driveway. โItโs late, you should get some sleep.โ
โOkay,โ you donโt want to leave, you know it isnโt good to go to bed angry with the one you love. Anger should never simmer, it should never be left unwatched. But Steve is silently asking you to give him space so that he can hurt, and you arenโt selfish enough to deny his request. And yet youโre selfish enough to press your lips to Steveโs cheek, but he doesnโt lean in like how normally does. Instead, he remains stoic, and you swallow down your tears and open the door to leave. โDrive home safe, honey.โ
Steve doesnโt say anything else. Instead, he starts the car as soon as the door is closed and drives away. He doesn't look back, he doesnโt wait to see if youโve made it inside your house safely.ย
Tears spill down your face as you blindly walk towards your front door. Your argument with Steve replays over and over again in your head. You analyze every second, every word, you try to understand when everything fell apart.ย
Itโs dark in your home, your mother is asleep and Dustinโs door is closed, but right now all you want is your brother. You need to talk to him, cry into his shoulder and smell the shampoo heโs used ever since he was a baby. Your feet carry you to Dustinโs room and you pound on his door, begging him to let you in. You donโt bother masking the tears in your voice, youโre too exhausted to hide them from him. โDustin, please let me in.โ
โGo away!โ Thereโs a thud on the door, heโs thrown something at it to shut you up. He doesnโt want to hear some stupid lecture right now. He knows he was an asshole tonight, he regrets it, but right now all Dustin wants to do is sleep. Heโll deal with you tomorrow.ย
โCode blue,โ you press your forehead against the door, your tears fall to the ground. โC-code blue.โ Your voice hiccups, more tears come, minutes pass, and your brother never answers.
For the first time since you were kids, Dustin rejects your request for a code blue.ย
The phone rings. The sound pierces through your ears, cuts through the headache that is starting to form. Itโs Friday night. Jonathan is calling.ย
Squeezing your eyes shut as you head pounds, you inhale shakily. You have to answer him, otherwise heโll only call over and over again with concern. Youโve never missed a phone call, not once in the months since Jonathan has moved, but tonight youโre exhausted.ย
โCan we call tomorrow?โ Youโre too tired to greet him and voice cracks, revealing far too much already.
โBug?โ Jonathanโs high, heโs always high. And yet even in his cloudy haze of smoke he can hear the anguish in your voice. โIs everythinโ okay?โ
His question only makes you cry more. Youโve always tried your best to put up a front for others, to pretend that everything is okay. Youโve never wanted to worry people, youโve always pushed aside your own hurt for the sake of others. Now, as anger and grief and despair clasp their hands around your throat, youโre terrified youโll suffocate.ย
Youโve never been able to lie to Jonathan, and tonight you donโt think you can. โIโve hadโฆ theย worstย night.โ You confess to him, wiping away tears.
You tell him everything, your fight with Dustin, how you think he may resent you leaving for college. You tell Jonathan about Lucas, how you were so disappointed in Dustin and Mike. Choking through tears, you explain to Jonathan your fight with Steve. How your words failed you, how hurt he looked, that you canโt explain to him how he only wants his future to align with yours, but not with your relationship.ย
Even though you know that Jonathan wonโt remember any of this tomorrow, for once youโre grateful that heโs too high to remember anything. It feels good just being able to say it all out loud.ย
โโM sorry, bug.โ Jonathan mumbles over the phone once youโve finished explaining everything. He sounds far away, figuratively and literally. You canโt imagine how much his drugged mind retained, but youโre thankful to have gotten it all off your chest anyways.ย
โItโs fine,โ you inhale again, youโve finally stopped crying, though your chest still hurts and your head still pounds. โSteve and Iโฆ Weโll figure it out.โ
Jonathan pauses, and for a moment you think heโs fallen asleep, but then his voice floats through the telephone line. โDo you.. Do you ever wonder if weโve made a mistake?โ
He strings his words slowly together, says them one by one with a hesitancy, and you frown. You donโt understand what heโs trying to say. What mistakes could you have made together? โWhat do you mean, bee?โ
โI justโฆ everythinโ is so hard. With Nance. Feel likeโฆ like โm never enough for her. And you, Steve. โS hard between you guys.โ Jonathanโs words slur, heโs almost too incoherent to understand, and later you will wish that you hadnโt been able to understand him at all. โBut you โn me? โS easy. Always so easy.โ
His words toe the line between you, he canโt mean any of it. You donโtย wantย him to mean any of it, because then the fallout would be too catastrophic to contain.
Heโs Jonathan. Your oldest, dearest friend. Your best friend. Years ago, you couldโve been something more, you almost were something more, but the time has passed.ย
Youโre with Steve now, youโre happy and so, so in love with him. Even though everything is tangled between you right now, even though youโre fighting, you know that you and Steve will figure it out. Heโs the one. Heโs the man you want to marry one day, if heโll allow you to.ย
Jonathan is your past, Steve is your future, and right now youโre terrified that soon youโll lose them both.
โJonathan,โ you finally say, his name now heavy on your tongue. It feels like youโre betraying someone while saying his name, but you need to end this conversation. Before Jonathan says something heโll regret in the morning. โYou love Nancy, I love Steve, and you need to go to sleep.โ
โLove you,โ Jonathanโs words slur even more, his voice drifting off. โYou, always youโฆโ
You slam the phone done, ending the call, as a chill runs down your spine. Silence encases you, the house is still. The strings and threads from years ago constrict around your throat. You choke on the lines Jonathan has crossed tonight, the tightness in your head stabs against your skull.ย
There is no one to hear you, no one there to hear your final words to your best friend. โGoodbye, Jonathan.โ
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โ series masterlist
โ i am no longer doing a taglist, my apologies ! however, please feel free to like, reblog, and comment instead :)
#steve harrington x henderson!reader#steve harrington x reader#steve harrington x you#stranger things#steve harrington fanfic#stranger things rewrite#slowburn#angst#bdyr#m's writing#SEASON 4 EVERYONE CHEER !!!!#also i dont hate eddie but bug does#lmao
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eren and his mystery cheerleader gf! ห เผโก โ๏ฝกห
syp: no one believed eren had such a pretty gfโฆuntil now
trin speaks!: be mindful i might have errors. itโs normal. ย
โso whereโs your so-called "girlfriend" at? or did you make this one up too like the last time-โ
โoh fuck off, connie, that was one time, and i was 12!โ the rest of his friends surrounding him laughed at his embarrassment, (apparently he was the only one without a girlfriend so he made up having oneโฆlike iโm talking fake messages and everything.) currently, they were at a rival schoolโs basketball game since you didnโt go to their school and of course eren decided to come and support youโฆbut his friends armin, connie, and onyankopon tagged along with him, wanting to see who his โspecial ladyโ was. โso is the game gonna start orโฆ?โ โuh, i think? it just turned 6-โ armin was cut off with a set of claps and loud stomps from the side of the bleachers, cheerleaders could be heard shouting a set of words while the boys ran out through the middle of them. parents, children and other spectators could be heard yelling in excitement for the intense game that was yet to happen.ย
eren looked around to spot you, finding you sitting on the bottom bleacher scrolling on your phone, and the boys traced his eyesight, โbro no way you date that girl sitting on the bottome row?โ โhuh?โ connie pointed at you, โher? sheโs toooo fine to be dating you-โ โhey?! whatโs wrong with me?โ โ-she should be dating me!โ everyone around him rolled their eyes, โif anything she should date me, black love is the best love-โ โright, but sheโs entitled to date anyone she dates, besides we donโt know her,โ armin was received with blank stares from all three of em while ignoring erenโs mumbling claims of, โiโm the one dating her,โ soon or later it was halftime, which was a break time for everyone.
the dance team began to perform and all the cheerleaders went their separate ways. connie and armin went to concessions and onyankopon was talking with a girl heโd just met, so eren searched and searched for you, until he felt a pair of cold, soft hands hindering his vision. โguess whooo~โ
โmy beautiful baby iโd hope?โ you kept his eyes covered as you moved infront of him, then removed them happily, โwell you hoped right! hi eren!โ you hugged him and sat next to him, leaning into his arms, โoh wait- you see our new uniforms?โ โyes, its looks amazing- they added glitter to the school letters?โ your curls shooks as you rapidly nodded, โyes! and the other sports coaches complained about it, wanting the letters to be unisex but i mean, glitter is glitter, and THEN the coaches made us run 5 laps before the game because someone left their bow at home, and nowโฆโ he turned towards you so he could listen to you better, and once the buzzer went off, you had to bid your goodbye, โyou taking me home?โ โyou think you could ride home with sasha - i have the guys and i donโt wanna make it too crowded, iโll get you once you get home?โ your slight frown turned upside down and you noddied happily, โokay! see ya!โ you waved enthusiastically and he waved back, sighing in content. โwhoโre you waving at?โ
โmy girlfriend?โ they all stared at eren for like 5 seconds, then bursted out laughing at him, โoh man eren, you are too funny!โ
โ ห๏ฝกโเญจเญงห
after dropping his friends off, eren sat outside your home, waiting for your arrival and decided to do something thatโll hopefully get into his friends head that heโs actually dating someone. he smirked at his phone, editing up his caption and nearly jumped hearing his car door open, seeing you in his hoodie and some cute grey shorts, โhey baby,โ you kissed his cheek and saw his phone, โuhh why are youโฆ?โ
โyouโll see.โ
#eren x reader#eren x black fem!reader#eren jaeger x reader#aot x black reader#attack on titan#aot x y/n#eren yeager#aot fanfiction#eren aot#fluff#eren x black reader#eren yaeger x reader#eren headcanons#eren snk#aot x black y/n#aot x reader#smut
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Let Free The Curse of Taekwondo: Things you didn't notice #1
Isn't this another K-BL where I'm internally squealing because of every single detail? You bet it is. You can read my other meta/cultural detail/Korean language posts for Love for Love's Sake, Time of Fever, Grey Shelter and Boys be Brave on my pinned post or hashtags^^ (I really need to organize it under one singly hashtag tho...)
I already talked about how impressed I am with the fact that this series has done their preparation job well, with props, settings, language, history etc.
It is about a countryside/small town in Southern province of Korea - because a lot of characters use satoori (southern dialect), almost all of them except for the main two guys. There is also a distinct contrast/conflict between 'fancy Seoul rich guys' looking down on 'Southern town'. Juyoung even was surprised Dohoi doesn't use satoori.
To which, he responded with 'You'll be uncomfortable if I use it". And Juyoung said there are plenty other uncomfortable things around here, beside understanding/listening to everyone using other accent xD Confusing Gaga translation errors, we meet again!
Actually, it's interesting because Dohoi's name is written ์ด๋ํ in Korean, which typically would be written as 'Dohoi' but pronounced as 'Dohwe' (think of surname Choi that is actually pronounced as Chwe), yet in the first episode I clearly heard them actually say 'Dohoi', letter by letter. Now I wonder if it's also related to satoori... I wish I could speak it, it sounds so cool tbh.
He actually said 'I'm not in a good condition', meaning his physical form. What do you mean, mood, when was that ever an excuse in sports..?xD
By the way, what is it with boys trying to get closer to other boys by buying them unusual ice cream?:') Okay, garlic sounds more weird than red bean one :D
Also, I tried to find the Hasong town they talked about but failed - maybe because of incorrect transcription or maybe they made up this town based on Uiseong - a small town close to Daegu which is famous for being the most famous garlic town, they produce a lot of it and garlic fame would be seen everywhere - so who knows, I bet they allude to this when Juyoung said 'why can't there be a vanilla garlic ice cream? It's like a collaboration!'
Another thing, I thought the time of this series was somewhere around 1990s-2000s (because I watched a movie in similar setting that was called 1997 year but they still used pagers, now that I think about it). It was also still the time where teachers could use physical punishment on their students, it's heavily highlighted but I don't actually know around what time they stopped... Probably in Seoul, they already were getting rid of it but in small towns it was old-school teaching, which is again why Dohoi tried to tell Joyoung out of it.
I'm not familiar when small laptops and phones appeared in Seoul but I think the series is actually somewhere around 2005-2010! Which would make sense, Juyoung got the 'cool' flip-phone and a laptop with Windows XP (released in 2001) but small town is still far from that, as they use landline house phones to make a call.
He also has mp3 player and as other tumblr folks figured out, he was listening and dancing to Jewelry song released in 2005 :)
And another thing that convinced me about the time era... the final scene!
Do you want to know why at the end of Ep 1 Dohoi smiled and laughed and ran to Juyoung even after so many exhausting days and neverending small miseries and a new loud housemate?
Because Juyoung not only came to pick him up with an umbrella in the acid rain, he also reenacted the famous umbrella scene from the classic romantic K-drama called "Temptation of Wolves" (๋๋์ ์ ํน) which was released in 2004! To make Dohoi laugh.
(Yes, when Juyoung intentionally put the umbrella down and the camera cut the shot to the framing when the umbrella slowly lifts up, showing smiling Juyoung, I was like 'you did nooooooot' xD)
(last screenshots taken from @heretherebedork post, I'm sorry I am very lazy and cannot take a good screenshot for life :'))
So that was already our very first romantic teasing-implication!
Another cute thing: optimistic Joyoung wrote a diary entry into the fake old Korean "Facebook" (they had Cyworld instead) to share his first selfie with Dohoi:
"[Excited Shin Jjuyoung]" (typing in a popular back then teenage style) "I miss you guys... But here it's nice too hehe ^___^ Come to play with me!! Together with my friend Dohoi too~~!"
Aren't they the cuteestttttt? I mean, this dynamic is not new but I love how unique the setting is. And I can't wait to watch the second episode, I'm waiting and savoring the first one for now but I'm going to make notes about other episodes as well so stay tuned! If you reply/comment in tags, I will put you in my tag list^^
Tag list: @benkaben @pickletrip @troubled-mind
#let free the curse of taekwondo#korean bl#kbl#dropthemeta#dropthemeta kbl#lfct#lfct comments#let free the curse of taekwondo comments#bl series#juyoung x dohoi#shin juyoung#lee dohoi
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how bad do you think Harry's abuse was? like, okay we all know he was neglected his entire childhood. Do you think he really didn't know his name until he went to school? That he was forced to help around the house the moment he could walk? He prob also didn't know his birthday at some point :(( I love him so much, i want to throttle the dursleys
I mean, just from his behavior I feel like it was pretty bad. I talked about it a bit before and he's very aware he is being mistreated. Harry literally makes a joke about Vernon beating him:
โYou donโt seem to need many qualifications to liaise with Muggles. . . . All they want is an O.W.L. in Muggle Studies. . . . โMuch more important is your enthusiasm, patience, and a good sense of fun!โ โ โYouโd need more than a good sense of fun to liaise with my uncle,โ said Harry darkly. โGood sense of when to duck, more like . . .โ
(OOTP, 657)
As for the abuse itself:
Dudley and his friends beat him often. As mentioned repeatedly.
He slept in a cupboard under the stairs until the Dursleys thought someone else might notice. Only when they got the Hogwarts letter that mentioned the cupboard did they move Harry to Dudley's second bedroom. (The title of the room itself and where Harry was sleeping show how much of an afterthought he was).
The house had no pictures of him, no belongings, no sign Harry lived there, he only got Dudley's cast-offs.
So, yeah, it's definitely neglectful to an insane degree.
As for the more fanon portrayals of the Dursleys' abuse.
They did starve him as a form of punishment:
Uncle Vernon waited until Piers was safely out of the house before starting on Harry. He was so angry he could hardly speak. He managed to say, โGo โ cupboard โ stay โ no meals,โ before he collapsed into a chair, and Aunt Petunia had to run and get him a large brandy.
(PS, 23)
And Harry didn't get much food at the Dursleys in general:
This was their encounter with the fact that a full stomach meant good spirits; an empty one, bickering and gloom. Harry was least surprised by this, because he had suffered periods of near starvation at the Dursleys.
(DH, 250)
But he did get to eat with them at the table when he wasn't being punished, seen with Aunt Marge, and when the Dursleys didn't have guests:
Harry, who could see a huge Dudley tantrum coming on, began wolfing down his bacon as fast as possible in case Dudley turned the table over.
(PS, 19)
That being said, Harry seems to be punished at the Dursleys pretty often. (Although, Harry considers sitting with them at the table punishment enough)
So the fanon portrayal of getting locked in the cupboard/his room with no food for who knows how long (or just, not enough food, like in CoS when he shared a canned meal with Hedwig) is actually canon.
He gets physically abused by Dudley, but also by Vernon and Petunia. We saw Petunia try to hit him with a frying pan.
Aunt Petunia knew he hadnโt really done magic, but he still had to duck as she aimed a heavy blow at his head with the soapy frying pan. Then she gave him work to do, with the promise he wouldnโt eat again until heโd finished.
(CoS, 17)
The above qoute mentions how he was forced to do chores with the threat of no food until he's done with his chores. So, yes, he was forced to work at the Dursleys. Another quote indicating he had plenty of practice cleaning over at the Dursleys:
โFilchโll have me there all night,โ said Ron heavily. โNo magic! There must be about a hundred cups in that room. Iโm no good at Muggle cleaning.โ โIโd swap anytime,โ said Harry hollowly. โIโve had loads of practice with the Dursleys. Answering Lockhartโs fan mail . . . heโll be a nightmare. . . .โ
(CoS, 114)
That being said, we see Petunia cooking more often than Harry, and she's also mentioned cleaning on occasion:
At last, at long last, the final evening of Margeโs stay arrived. Aunt Petunia cooked a fancy dinner and Uncle Vernon uncorked several bottles of wine.
(PoA, 26)
โRight โ Iโm off into town to pick up the dinner jackets for Dudley and me. And you,โ he snarled at Harry. โYou stay out of your auntโs way while sheโs cleaning.โ
(CoS, 14)
I think he wasn't constantly worked like a house elf the way the fandom sometimes portrays it. He was made to clean often enough but he didn't cook that often. The breakfast in PS is likely more of an exception than the norm as whenever any fancy dinner, like with Marge or the Masons, it's always Petunia cooking it, not Harry. So, I don't think Harry cooked or cleaned for them since he could walk, I mean Petunia is a perfectionist about how her house looks, so she wouldn't let a small child who'd do a subpar work do it.
But he was definitely put to work as either punishment or when the Dursleys wanted him occupied. And considering he mentions "plenty of practice" when he's 12 and he spent the last two years at Hogwarts, he likely started doing chores earlier than that, but old enough to use a mop properly. So, I'd guess he started helping to clean the house around the time he was 6 or 7 years old, and started cooking on occasion only very recently before the books start in all likelihood.
The really shitty thing about all his chores is that Dudley isn't doing anything and it's just Harry. This difference is one Harry was always aware of and considers unfair, because it is incredibly unfair. The fact he is forced to do work and gets punished when the other child in the house doesn't adds to the sense of worthlessness the Dursleys already make Harry feel.
Uncle Vernon in general is pretty violent towards Harry, shown in the first quote in this post and in others:
Harry ran down the stairs two at a time, coming to an abrupt halt several steps from the bottom, as long experience had taught him to remain out of armโs reach of his uncle whenever possible.
(HBP, 45)
I wanted to add the imprisonment in CoS, because the treatment is truly subhuman:
The following morning, he paid a man to fit bars on Harryโs window. He himself fitted a cat-flap in the bedroom door, so that small amounts of food could be pushed inside three times a day. They let Harry out to use the bathroom morning and evening. Otherwise, he was locked in his room around the clock.
(CoS, 28)
They treat him like an actual prisoner. They let him out to the bathroom twice a day! Like WTF! This is so not okay I don't have words.
As for not calling him by his name...
โWe could phone Marge,โ Uncle Vernon suggested. โDonโt be silly, Vernon, she hates the boy.โ The Dursleys often spoke about Harry like this, as though he wasnโt there โ or rather, as though he was something very nasty that couldnโt understand them, like a slug.
(PS, 19)
They usually refer to Harry simply as "boy" or "the boy", they also use "you" when talking to him or "him" about him, but not his name, except one time in PS when Vernon is faking being nice:
โEr โ yes, Harry โ about this cupboard. Your aunt and I have been thinkingโฆyouโre really getting a bit big for itโฆwe think it might be nice if you moved into Dudleyโs second bedroom.
(PS, 30)
Considering how Harry mentions they often don't speak to him, but at him or about him, definitely suggests they don't use his name often. Vernon seems very odd about using Harry's name, and we see it isn't something common, but it does happen. I think Harry did always know his name though, I'm sure he asked, and regardless of how awful the Dursleys are, Petunia likely told him his name in the same breath she talked about how his father was a drunkard that got both him and Lily killed.
We also know they don't do anything for Harry's birthday, and Harry doesn't think they remember it:
The lighted dial of Dudleyโs watch, which was dangling over the edge of the sofa on his fat wrist, told Harry heโd be eleven in ten minutesโ time. He lay and watched his birthday tick nearer, wondering if the Dursleys would remember at all, wondering where the letter writer was now.
(PS, 35)
So, it's very plausible the Dursleys never told Harry when his birthday is and that he had to discover it himself somehow.
TL;DR
Harry's abuse at the Dursleys was awful. It included physical abuse from all three Durslesy and periods of starvation.
He was put to chores like cleaning the house, but it wasn't a constant thing where he worked like a house elf. It actually seems Petunia did most of the cooking.
He probably only started cleaning when he was 6 or 7 at the youngest. And cooking is likely a later development.
Harry was allowed to sit at the table and even watch TV on rare occasions but usually didn't get to choose what to watch. It means Harry should be somewhat aware of muggle pop culture at the time.
Harry, in general, wasn't really treated as human. Not having his name used, only talked at, not having his birthday celebrated, not getting pocket money or anything of his own. Not to mention being forced to sleep in the cupboard or on the floor (in the shack on the sea in PS) and getting his food through a cat flap on his bedroom door like an actual prisoner in CoS.
So, while fanon portrayals make the Dursleys worse than they actually are, they are plenty awful on their own. Believe me, if I could throttle them, I would.
#harry potter#hp#hp meta#hollowedtheory#asks#anonymous#harry james potter#harry potter meta#the dursleys#petunia dursley#vernon dursley
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โ emo soobin as sid jenkins
pairings: emo soobin as sid jenkins x fem reader
plot: random emo soobin as sid jenkins from skins uk headcanons
warnings: smoking cigarettes, reader & soobin are home bodies, cursing, fluff, friends to lovers, loser soobin (mentions of being close with yeonjun), yeonjun is tony, shy sweet reader, kinda imagined reader as watered down cassie blehhh, corny corny corny, eventual loss of virginity (from both ends), clingy reader, crybaby reader (my brand)
soobin didnโt really have much hobbies. unless you counted jacking off to hentai, or hanging out with yeonjun. โis hanging out with yeonjun all you do soobs?โ โpretty much yeahโ โyouโre never gonna get a girlfriend with these body anime pillows you knowโ
soobin had known you because you were friends with yeonjun, although you werenโt that extroverted as the friend group you still got along with everybody pretty well. but naturally you were closest to soobin. โcan we hang out? after school today?โ โyeah sure iโll tell yeonjunโ โno.. like just us two you said you wanted to play this game with me league of legends right?โ
โim no good at this gameโ whines spill past your pink lips which was a lie, you were good at the game. you were good at every game youโve ever touched but you liked the way soobin guided you through league of legends
โdo you want one?โ soobin speaks showing off his box of cigarettes to you; mouth full of a lit up cigarette. you shook your head โi donโt know how to smokeโ soobin snorts โwhat? come here let me teach youโ
โthere๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝs this party yeonjunโs hosting y/n-โ โi say we stay at home i miss youโ
โi customized our controllers myselfโ soobinโs large hands trace yours as you hold onto your pretty pink ps5 controller. โwhen we put our controllers like this.. see? it makes a heartโ soobin grabs his controller placing it over yours making your heart race :(
when you heard the real reason why yeonjun kept insisting soobin came over for another one of his infamous parties, youโve lost it.
you knew soobin was a virgin as you were one yourself but yeonjun going as far as scouting other girls from school to fuck your bestfriend really made you upset.
but you being too much of a pussy to act on how you felt about literally anything you just straight up avoided soobin like the plague. assuming the emo boy already fucked some random chick and whatever feelings you thought you had for him immediately disappearing
soobin was clueless; not understanding why you were ignoring him. taking a puff out of his cigarette going over and over with himself wondering why did you change? did yeonjun say something to push you away?
โwhy are you ignoring me?โ soobin didnโt even give you time to react to him sneaking into your bedroom through your window โand donโt give me that โi donโt know what youโre talking aboutโ bullshit why have you been ignoring me?โ โjust leave me alone soob i donโt wanna see you againโ with a light shove you try pushing the tall male out of your window. โnot until you tell me whatโs going on!โ โi love you okay! and you just fucked some other girl! and thatโs really mean!โ you blurt out with a cry, you felt so pathetic crying over something so stupid.
you still went along with your plan to ignore soobin after that though, yelling at him to leave you alone until eventually soobin had enough and decided to reach you through a pigeon.
you thought the gesture was a little excessive but you ultimately forgave the timid boy; you thought soobin going as far as that to prove a point and apologize was sweet.
you spent a lot of time feeling guilty for not hearing soobin out sooner; re-reading his letter over and over again, thinking of the right words to say. you feared soobin moved on and liked somebody new
โbinnie?โ your voice small and shaky from your previous crying session as you approached soobin from behind, the tall male wearing a black beanie and unsurprisingly smoking a cigarette while seated on the sidewalk in front of his house.
before soobin could answer to your callings, you immediately lunge forward the emo boy trapping him into a tight hug. โim so sorry for ignoring you!โ you cry out your body trembling at the december cold. โi should have believed you when you said you were a virgin and only had eyes for me! im so sorryโ your cries quickly turned to loud sobs
soobin just let out a sigh putting out his cigarette before pulling you closer with both hands, rubbing your back in circles as an attempt to calm your cries. โi donโt understand where you got the idea of me getting play i stay holed in my room all day and only talk to you, i donโt exactly have girls lining up to take my virginityโ
you sniffled shocked by the revelation, โyou.. you donโt?โ โof course i donโtโ soobin laughed his deep voice sending butterflies down your stomach. โand to be frank the only person iโd wanna lose my virginity to is youโ the black haired male pauses โthat is if youโd let me be your boyfriend firstโ
a/n: no smut because i miss soobin :( itโs his birthday too </3 happy soobin day ๐
#lyricalโs garden ๐#coquette#txt#txt headcanons#txt imagines#txt x reader#txt reactions#txt hard hours#txt hard thoughts#txt smut#txt fluff#txt fanfic#txt headers#txt post#txt soobin#txt soft hours#txt soft thoughts#skins uk#sid jenkins#emo boyfriend#txt tag
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Eddie sometimes went quiet.
Wayne noticed it after Eddie moved in. He didn't do it as much when he was little and Mary would bring him round, but here he was at ten years old completely silent. When Eddie was little Wayne assumed the boy was just shy, but now that he lived with Eddie he knew that sometimes a whole week would pass with not a peep from the young boy. M
The doctor said it might be a trauma response, might just be something he would do from time to time, either way, Eddie Munson, one of the loudest and dramatic kids Wayne had ever met would still be him, just nonverbal. They worked with a notebook but sometimes Eddie would get frustrated he wasn't being answered fast enough and they were running out of paper.
It was Wayne's buddy from work that presented a solution. "Have you tried sign language? My son was born deaf and Susan and I went to night classes so we could talk to the kid." So that's exactly what Wayne did, he moved his shifts to the day and spent his nights at the school learning to talk to his boy. On his days off he'd show Eddie what he'd learnt and slowly they were able to bridge the gap that the silence presented.
The silent days didn't stop as he grew older, his teachers didn't really understand and sometimes he'd end up in detention with a note saying he was being disrespectful. His friends understood though and enthusiastically asked Eddie to teach them sign language, they'd use it even when Eddie was happily chatting with them, they liked that they shared a 'secret' language from the bullies.
He hadn't had any silent days since Vecna, which Eddie thought was a miracle in itself given the circumstances. However, he woke up a couple months after spring break knowing what kind of day it was going to be. He felt frustrated with himself, he was supposed to be hanging out with Steve and Robin today and was worried with how they'd take it, especially Steve. They'd been dancing around each other's feelings lately and he didn't want to ruin everything before it even started. Resigned he grabbed a notebook and pen and headed to Family Video.
He'd spent ten minutes psyching himself up in the parking lot before heading inside, note written and ready explaining that no it wasn't anything Upside Down related, he just wouldn't be speaking today. The door's bell rings in his ear as he stops suddenly staring at the scene before him. Steve and Robin were, quite rapidly, signing at each other. Steve turns at the bell, smiling at Eddie.
"Eddie!"
Still in a bit of shock, Eddie signs on instinct, "You know sign?"
Steve has the same look of shock now, before his face breaks into an even bigger smile and signs back, "You know sign! You know sign, how, why?"
His hands are faster than his brain as he explains how he goes quiet sometimes, and Wayne and night classes and Hellfire before asking Steve how he and Robin know sign.
Steve looks bashful as he signs back, "Um, after Starcourt my hearing started to go, so Robin, ever the linguist, insisted we learn, which was actually very smart of her. I can still kinda hear but I get by mainly on lip reading."
Things started to make sense now to Eddie, how sometimes Steve seemed to just nod and smile at whatever the kids were saying, or would need things repeated to him. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't you tell me about going nonverbal? Robbie has days like that too."
"Didn't want you to think I was weird."
"I like that you're weird, I like you, Eds."
Eddie blushes at what he interprets is his sign name from Steve, the letter E and the sign for love combined.
"I like you too, Stevie." Eddie signs, the letter S mixed with the sign for heart.
Eddie may still have his silent days, but now he shares them with Steve, and they can sign the things he's not allowed to say out loud, making sure they both know they're loved.
#autistic eddie munson#deaf steve harrington#stranger things#steve harrington#stranger things s4#eddie munson#st4#steddie#stranger things season 4#autistic robin buckley#ficlet#fluff#nonverbal
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My Sweet Cairo (Part 1)
Synopsis: The Ravens' Soccer team Captain fell in love for Cairo Sweet
Warning: Slight cursing, other than that, none that I know of (but feel free to correct me)
Words: 3.1k
Masterlist | Next Part
A/N: This is the first time I'm posting here, I hope you enjoy it. Happy Reading
Final year of high school was somewhat a bliss for a student athlete like Y/N. Everything should be perfect from then on. Grades, soccer games, even soccer practice needs to be perfect. If she wants to go to her dream university in California, she needs to do everything by the book. Be a model student, win games as a Captain of the soccer team, be everything. Being strained in a small town in Tennessee after moving a couple years ago, she did not expect to be where she is in life right now. It's too early to tell but she knows what she wants and she will get there however means necessary.
She was not rich by all means but their family got by. Her mom inherited a huge house in Tennessee from her father, then an incident happened and next thing she knows, she's flying from Australia to a place she's never heard of.
"Great job, guys! That's all for today, now go wash up and go to your class." Coach Boris Fillmore dismissed them.
Y/N was the first to the locker rooms. She has literature with Mr. Miller and she's somewhat excited when it comes to that class so she did not want to be late. Unfortunately for her, she's a few minutes late.
"Good Morning, Mr. Miller. I'm sorry I'm late." She said, panting while she sat beside her classmate Winnie Black, a girl from last semester.
Their teacher, Jonathan Miller turned to her with a smile.
"I was just starting, Ms. Y/L/N." He said, and he started the class.
"You smell nice." Y/N heard Winnie whisper beside her. This girl has always been a flirt, especially with their coach.
She turned to Winnie with a smile before flicking a paper in her face. "Stop hitting on me, you creep." She joked, hearing the girl giggle before their attention went to the front to focus on whatever Mr. Miller was teaching them.
"That's all for today's class, I expect your reviews on my desk first thing in the morning before our next class." Mr. Miller dismissed them, clapping his hands together to remove the remnants of the chalk that were stuck in them.
After Y/N finished putting her things inside her bag, she stood up and went to the front to speak with their teacher.
"Hey, Mr. Miller?" Y/N called out, making their teacher turn to her with a smile, he was always smiling.
"Yeah?"
"Here's an excuse letter for all the soccer team. Game's on the night before passing. I can pass the assignment earlier." Y/N said, handing out a paper to Mr. Miller who scanned it.
The older teacher nodded as he raised his head to look at her. "I'll be here. You can pass it before or after you win us that game. Good luck."
"Thanks, Mr. Miller. Have a great day." Y/N said before she started to walk back when she bumped into someone, making their things fall to the ground.
"Holy shit, I'm so sorry." She apologized but immediately stopped when she saw who she bumped into.
Short girl, tanned skin, freckles on her face, brunette hair, and her captivating brown eyes. Cairo Sweet.
"I'm sorry." Y/N said once again before she stooped down to grab all the books down the floor.
She heard a small giggle before Cairo stooped down to help her pick up the books that fell. "Better watch where you're going next time, superstar." Cairo said, smiling as Y/N handed her the books.
Y/N couldn't help but smile. She's had the biggest crush on Cairo since she's first seen the girl walking to school. Their houses are just a few blocks away. Since then, she would always ride her bike to school, hoping to catch a glimpse of Cairo before she got to practice. And without fail, she would pass by Cairo on the road and that would make her entire day.
"We have a game on saturday night. Do you think you could come and watch?" Y/N asked, getting all shy.
Cairo smiled. "I'll check in on my schedule."
Y/N nodded before she walked back, still smiling as she stared at the brunette girl and ended up bumping into someone again. Y/N immediately apologized before turning to Cairo who was already giggling.
"See you saturday night, Cairo." She reminded before she ran off to save herself from further humiliation.
"You're all smiles and shit." Jasmine, a friend from her soccer team said as she sat down in their physics class, taught by their coach Mr. Fillmore.
"I finally talked to her." She informed her friend, her smile not leaving her face.
"With who?"
"Cairo Sweet."
Jasmine howlered before slapping her hard on the arm which made her groan as she rubbed the soar place. "You finally did it!"
"I finally did, huh?" She said, grinning like a crazy love sick girl.
"Y/L/N, Smith, eyes up front!" Coach Fillmore called which made them straighten themselves up, but their knowing looks were there.
Before saturday, Y/N is back in Mr. Miller's classroom to pass her essay. She wanted to be a good student and not take advantage of being a star athlete. Her father always told her to focus more on being a student than being an athlete and she kept that in mind until now.
"You're early." Mr. Miller greeted her as soon as she stepped inside his classroom.
"Good morning, sir. I'm gonna pass my essay since Coach would excuse us the entire day for training. It's semis and it's a huge deal." She said, handing the teacher her polished essay.
Mr. Miller nodded. "Make sure you win us that championship or I'd fail you and tell Coach Boris to do the same in your physics class."
She chuckled. "No, you won't."
"Yes, I will."
"No, you will not."
"Yes, I will."
"Nah, you don't have the balls to do it, sir." She jokes which got her a howler from the incoming Coach, with coffee and biscuits in hands, and a laugh from their literature teacher.
"Training starts in ten, what are you doing here Y/L/N?" Coach Fillmore asked, handing Mr. Miller his coffee and laying down a biscuit on the front table.
"Mr. Miller here is threatening to fail me if we lose the championship, he's dragging your ass out to do so."
Coach Fillmore gave his friend a look before laughing. "That's not gonna happen."
"That's what I'm saying. Because I'm gonna make sure we win that championship and wave that cup in Mr. Miller's face together with my MVP cup." She said confidently and jokingly, making the two older men laugh.
"You're a cocky one, get your ass out here." Coach Fillmore said to which Y/N nodded. "And get a biscuit on the way out, you're gonna need that."
Y/N did get a biscuit and smiled at her two favourite teachers. "Later, Mr. Miller. Be ready to be humiliated when we get that championship."
"She's still not done?" She heard Coach Fillmore say.
"I'll be waiting here in my classroom." Mr. Miller followed.
By Saturday night, Y/N's nerves are on the roof. Their opponent is one of the strongest in the high school league and they're legacy. They've won 4 back to back championships and they were hard on Y/N since she came.
"I'm gonna go get some air before we start." Y/N told Jasmine who nodded.
While she was out praying and pacing, she felt a small tap on her shoulder. And what greeted her made her forget the nerves, only her smile and the presence of the person mattered from here on.
"You came... and you dragged Winnie with yah." Y/N said, glancing at Winne who had a teasing smile as she waved her fingers.
"Actually, Winne dragged me here with her, I did not intend to come."
"Why are you here?" Y/N asked Winnie who rolled her eyes.
"She wanted to watch Coach Fillmore in action." Cairo was the one who answered.
Y/N turned to Cairo with furrowed brows. "Coach Fillmore's not playing."
"But he will be out there frustrated and hot." Winnie finally spoke, making Y/N roll her eyes.
"Lay off him, will you? He's happy, contented."
"He hasn't had me yet." Winnie said with a flirtatious grin, her brows wriggling.
"That's disgusting. How about I hook you up with some of my jock friends? That's more appropriate."
"Mm-mm." She heard Cairo, making her turn to the brunette. "She doesn't like smelly cocky jocks."
"They're all rough and sweaty. I want something delicate and gentle."
Y/N made a face of disgust. "That's incredibly disturbing. And you're public enemy number 1 for me."
Winnie snorted. "You're just saying that because you don't want Cairo to have the same thinking as me."
Y/N kept quiet about that statement. But Winnie just laughed. "Oh boohoo, everyone in this school knows you're whipped for Cairo. Since sophomore years."
"Hence the reason you're public enemy number 1." Y/N said, not caring if Cairo's staring at her with this new found information. The shyness and shame is far out of her body at this point.
"Whatever you say, superstar. Go back in there, I can see my man looking for you." Winnie said, staring at a distance.
Sure enough, Coach Fillmore is out there seemingly looking for her.
"I gotta go. You two look for seats. Thanks for coming, Cairo." Y/N finally said, starting to jog back to the dugout.
"You're whipped!" She heard Winnie shout.
"And you're on my hit list!" She shouted with a smile.
"Good luck!" She heard Cairo saying which made her giddy inside.
"Where the hell have you been?" Coach Fillmore said as soon as she got to him. "Get your ass inside."
The two of them walked back to the dugout for a motivational speech from the coach. When Coach Fillmore was done, she got her stage.
"One thing, I got a girl I really really want to impress seated in one of those stands. And if we lose, I will make you all regret it." She threatened, which got her a whistling and howling from her teammates.
"That's not our problem, Cap." One of her mates said, chuckling.
"Oh, but it will be. If we lose this game, you're gonna get it from me." Coach Fillmore said, making everyone groan. "Now, get your ass out there and get us that win."
"How come you have coach on your side?!" Jasmine whined as they got out to start their game.
Y/N just shrugged as they focused. The announcer called both teams to the field and even without going out, they could hear the loud cheering and stumping. They all lined up side by side with the opponent team to have the anthem before the game started.
The first 30 minutes was a play of getting the ball and staying on the field for sheer amusement. It was boring for most people but for some, they can feel the heat starting to as the halftime comes.
"Y/N!" Jasmine shouted and passed the ball towards her. It's a free goal, she got the ball, ran her ass out and kicked it for the goal.
"And that's the first goal of the night from the Ravens' team captain Y/N Y/L/N!" The commentator shouted as the stands erupt in cheers.
She slid her way and did her celebratory dance with her teams, the cheering getting louder.
"Come on, come on!" They heard Coach Fillmore shouting as well.
The rest of the first half was them defending their post until halftime.
"That's was a great job, guys!" Coach told everyone as they cheered on the locker room for their ten minute halftime.
"They're seething. I saw them glaring at us before we went back." Y/N told their coach who nodded.
"That is why you're gonna be subbed out." He said.
There was a series of complaints but the Coach blew his whistle and they all shut up.
"Coach, you can't let her sit this second half down, they're gonna chew our asses out! We barely managed to defend them!" Jasmine said, as a matter of fact.
"Do you trust me?" Coach asked them, looking at them one by one.
There was a series of humming and yesses.
"Then you have to let me do what I do best. That is to coach you." He assured them.
"We're gonna get our asses handed to us in the second half." Y/N told their coach who walked to her.
"Do you trust me?" Coach Fillmore asked one more time but Y/N turned her head away from the older man. "Do you trust me, Y/N?"
The Captain looked at this coach, reading him. Then she nodded. "Yes, sir." Her Aussie accent coming out.
Coach Fillmore nodded as he tapped her shoulder. "Now, this is going to be the longest 40 minutes of your lives. They're gonna play whatever play they can to win and get back that point. And I want you all to give it your best shot to defend that goal post and that point you all so painfully got."
They did their team hands before they went back to the fields where Y/N sat her pretty ass down, or not. She was standing beside Coach Fillmore, watching her teammates struggle to defend the ball.
"And that is a goal for the Sharks! Great play from their team captain Trish Hudson!" The announcer exclaimed which Y/N groaned in annoyance. It was an easy goal.
The team was right, they did get their ass handed to them not less than 20 minutes in the game. Y/N was pleading to their coach but it fell on deaf ears.
"And that's another goal for the Sharks!" The commentator said.
Y/N was about to go all Lucifer on it when she noticed something from the other team's captain.
"She's limping." She said, making Coach Fillmore turn to her.
"What?" He asked curiously.
"Their star scorer, she's limping. Look." She said, nodding at the other team's captain and sure enough, she was celebrating but she was limping on her right leg.
"You're right. Why is that?" Coach asked, turning to her with furrowed brows.
"Someone rough housed her."
"One of our own? Why do you think so?" He was sceptical
"I know so. They're kinda holding out on a thread out there. An accident maybe?" She said, shrugging her shoulders.
"What did I tell yah?" He said, smiling widely at her.
"Call for the time out, then." She said with a smile and he did call for a time out.
"Alright! We're subbing Y/N back in." He informed their team with a smile.
"Finally!" Jasmine cheered as she let her head fall back.
"What made you change your mind, coach?" One of the teammates asked.
"She's limping." Y/N answered.
"What? Who?" Someone asked.
"Hudson, she's limping. Who rough housed her?" Y/N asked, looking at them one by one. "Come on, no one's blaming yah, she's a machine."
"How would we know? They're boxing us out, if we happened to kick their sheen, it would be an accident." Jasmine reasoned.
"Point taken. Now, go get us that win!" Coach said after the time out and in goes Y/N again.
She was defending the other team's captain and when the ball got to her foot, she immediately ran to the post, was about to kick the ball when she felt a sting on her left leg, making her fall. It was a bad slam.
She immediately stood up but it was still stinging from the cleats. The player got a yellow and a free ball was given.
"You got this Y/N/N!" She heard her team shouting as she closed her eyes, focused on the post, AND GOAL!
"What a wonderful hat trick from the Raven's captain Y/N Y/L/N! This seemed like an overtime coming up!" The commentator said as they celebrated.
"Let's go!" She shouted despite the aching on her left sheen but she did not mind that one bit.
Then the game continued, with 3 minutes remaining on the clock and everyone was doing their hardest to keep the ball alive, no one scoring and the defence was tight.
It was in the Ravens' possession and they were trying hard to get to the post but they were being boxed out. So when Y/N found a hole, she got the ball from her teammate and ran it like there's no tomorrow. She was being chased by 2 players but she mind nothing. The next thing she knows, her left leg was being slammed on, her face was bleeding and the ball was in Jasmine's possession...
"And goal! Right before the clock! The Ravens' take the win for the semi finals! What a goal from Jasmine Smith!" The stands erupted as everyone cheered.
Cairo has been holding her breath since the last five minutes, she's seen how the other team was playing dirty and they're aiming at Y/N. Her heart almost stopped when Y/N fell to the ground right before Jasmine scored. Even with the loud cheering and all, her eyes never left Y/N who pushed herself up and limped to her teammates, her face bleeding.
"That seemed like a bad cut." Winnie said worriedly, but Cairo still never left her gaze on Y/N who got body slammed by her teammates.
When everything was calmed, Cairo pulled Winnie with her to the lockers to check on Y/N and sure enough, she was just done getting patched up.
"That looked like a bad fall." Cairo said, walking towards Y/N who had an ice bag on her left leg and a few butterfly band aid on her right eyebrow.
Y/N's face immediately lit up as soon as she saw Cairo standing in front of her.
"Hey. Did you like the game?" She asked, fixing herself.
"It was boring." Cairo answered with a shrug.
"She was holding her breath the entire time you were out on the field." Winnie chimed in, making Cairo glare at her.
"You were?" Y/N asked, her smile widened at the thought.
"Don't be all cocky, now." Cairo rolled her eyes.
Winnie let out a playful gagging sound before she walked out. "I'll leave you two lovebirds in here while I go find Coach Boris."
"Lay off him!" Y/N shouted again but it fell on deaf ears.
Y/N shook her head before she turned to Cairo who was watching her with a small smile.
"So this is what you do huh?" Cairo said, walking towards her until she was in front of Y/N who was looking up. Despite her sitting down, she's still almost as tall as Cairo. What an adorable sight.
"Since I could remember, yeah."
With hesitation, Cairo held a hand on Y/N's cut, caressing it gently. The taller girl leaned in to the touch, her body relaxing despite her heart pounding in her chest, she thought it was gonna jump out of her body any time soon.
"Is it bad?" Cairo asked softly, making her open her eyes to look at the lovely brown eyes staring at her.
"Nothing I can take." She whispered.
Cairo smiled sweetly before she let her hand fall on her side as she stepped back. Y/N was disappointed and aching to bring that warmth back but she stayed quiet.
"Congratulations on the win. You did great out there." Cairo said with a smile, her cute dimples showing leaned down to give her a sweet kiss on the cheek.
Y/N watched as the brunette turned around and started walking. "Will you be watching the finals? I could use a little energizer."
Cairo turned her head to her with a smile. "I'll think about it." She said and she was out the door in a blink of an eye.
"You're gonna be the death of me, Cairo Sweet."
#jenna ortega x reader#jenna ortega x fem reader#jenna ortega x you#cairo sweet#cairo sweet x reader#miller's girl#tara carpenter x reader#tara carpenter#wednesday addams#wednesday addams x reader#jenna ortega
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Intelligence Doesn't Equal Morality
Intellect is rooted in ableist systems and stupidity and intelligence are pointless social constructs that don't relate to morals or character.
I try to be a pretty good person, I fight for human rights, I regularly engage in mutual aid, and I care for my community. I try to do the right thing and support causes I care about and make positive changes in the world.
But I also am not very smart. I have several neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as cognitive disabilities. I canโt do simple, basic math, itโs hard for me to remember facts or algorithms, I rely entirely on spellcheck and speech-to-text to write, I failed many classes in high school and I barely passed with a low GPA, I had low pSAT scores and I never took the SATs. I moved around a lot all through school starting in third grade, and I missed a lot of basic fundamentals in learning (like how to do division and multiplication) so when I went to a different school they had already passed it and expected me to know. After my TBI, I could barely read AFTER I was cleared from my โconcussionโ symptoms because letters and words would flip around and Iโd get headaches. Which still happens sometimes.
A lot of people see me as smart because I've learned a lot of academic language and can formulate thoughts into cohesive posts. But I lack a lot of necessary skills and rely on my caretakers to assist me. Things like budgeting and planning are extremely difficult for me. If I need to do simple addition or subtraction, even with a calculator, I quickly get confused and struggle. I forget basic information about myself all the time, let alone other subjects. I'm talking, has to check my ID for my birthday type confused. Doesn't know my name or address or what year it is confused. It happens daily, sometimes multiple times a day. Being able to type out posts like this often takes weeks and many adaptive tools to get there. Focusing is extremely difficult on many fronts, severe chronic pain, ADHD, dissociation, fatigue, migraines, and TBI, are just some of the contributing factors. I struggle daily with many things because of my lack of intellect.
Iโm also privileged in the fact that I had some access to education as a homeless youth, that I had some supports in place to help me (towards the end of school), that I was somewhat able-bodied at the time and could walk or bike to and from school when the school system didnโt provide transportation. I was fortunate to have a chance to succeed, and Iโm proud that I graduated high school because it was a difficult task for me, and others often arenโt offered that chance or get accommodations. I almost didnโt and I dropped out many times before graduation. I passed on sheer luck and what little privileges I had.ย
That all being said, me being stupid (reclaiming it here) doesn't make me a bad person. I don't hurt people because I can't do math. I may mess up things or get confused but it doesn't make me want to harm others.
We often (wrongfully) equate morals with intellect. Being โstupidโ, โdumbโ, or an โidiotโ doesnโt automatically make someone a bad person. Plenty of evil, awful, and abusive people are extremely intelligent.ย
I see this most notably with people advocating for IQ tests to be able to vote. Often from left-leaning people, in hopes it'll make the right (that they view as unintelligent), unable to vote. The reality is, it just hurts some of our most vulnerable members of the community while not actively doing anything to restrict some of the most dangerous members of our community-- those who know what they're doing to harm others and deliberately doing so. My voice matters, and I speak up against injustice and participate in dismantling oppressive systems. Taking away my right to vote won't make the right stop oppressing minorities (which also puts a lot of faith into the two-party voting system, which is a post for another day).
Additionally, legislative measures that discriminate against intellectually disabled people such as IQ tests for voting are also rooted in racism and classism.ย
Yes, education can be a vital tool when it comes to addressing discrimination and creating safer communities. But the kind of education that is measured with an IQ test (or any test) isn't the same. Building compassion and caring for others can (and should) happen at any IQ level. We can all practice this, we can all participate.
It harms our communities and stagnates our progress when we equate intelligence with high morals.
#disability#chronically couchbound#disabled#disabled pride#disability pride#cripple punk#cripplepunk#intellectual disability#neurodevelopmental disabilities#cognitive disability#brain fog#adhd#audhd#autism#neurodivergent#neurodiversity#actuallyautistic#autistic#neurodivergence#tbi survivor#iq test#voter rights#ableism#chronic pain#dissociation#dissociative identity disorder#dissociative amnesia#amnesiac#IQ score#Low IQ
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What If Their S/O Was A Royal Heir?
Type of Writing: #1 - Poll Result Characters: Riddle Rosehearts, Idia Shroud, Jamil Viper, and Jack Howl Name: What If Their S/O Was A Royal Heir? Original Poll Link: Here
A/N: Alright, so, the basic set-up behind this is in the order of pieces on my upcoming list is going to be the order in which these are released. Also, requests shall NOT be reopened until I finish at least most of the random prompts I have are done, thanks!
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โค๏ธ You were a descendant of the Queen who took up after the Queen of Hearts passed away years ago, and ever since then, your family has ruled the Queendom of Roses without faults
โค๏ธ Because of fears of betrayal and such, your family never really spoke to many others outside of work, but, when you received a letter claiming your advising attendance at Night Raven College, you jumped at the opportunity
โค๏ธ When you arrived, you suffered far less criticism from Riddle than others, and many believed that he feared you because of your ranking, he didn't want to upset his mother
โค๏ธ But, when you guys started to befriend one another and began your relationship, you figured out the true reason he didn't behead you as much as others
โค๏ธ He didn't wish to bring any shame to his family, and when you saw how down he looked about that thought, you admitted to faking so many smiles, just because it was what your ancestor, known as the White Queen did
" I guess we aren't that different after all, huh? "
โค๏ธ Ever since that day, you have recommenced having his parents meet yours, and, despite his constant pleas of you letting it go, you finally relented and asked for him to at least help you send a letter to his mother
โค๏ธ Riddle's mother not-shockingly wasn't fond that her son began to see someone without her permission, but, when she realized how prominent you were in their homeland, she had to relent and allow your relationship to proceed, she didn't need the royal guard on her back
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๐ฎ How did this guy manage to get your attention? The world may never know
๐ฎ As a higher-ranked official, specifically a descendant of the man who took the thrown of the King of the Underworld after his demise, you were normally thrown into many different affairs, making you try hiding away constantly
๐ฎ Thankfully, your prayers of freedom were answered, and you got an offer to join Night Raven College, and your family couldn't hold you back, since you gave the school a solid yes behind their backs
๐ฎ When you were organized into Ignihyde with Idia, he was very intimidated by you, since you were so popular among students
๐ฎ Though, funnily enough, you would go running away from the many students who wanted to ask you for things, and you would end up running into a nearby room, one in which Idia was occupying alone
๐ฎ You guys started speaking about how much you enjoyed a game and you ended up becoming quite close, in which you helped with with building Ortho's mechanical body
๐ฎ Idia was definitely nervous when you started your relationship, to him, you were the best thing to exist; powerful - yet caring, and quite smart when it comes to strategies, while he was, in his opinion, odd and not-worthy of you
๐ฎ Most of the time, he pushes your ranking in the Island of Woe, if you could push his issues aside, then he could put everything about you aside as well!
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๐ Many feared you because of how logical you were, you were rumored to be able to see through any kind of lies or, really, any kind of deceit, no matter the person
๐ Jamil had heard about you mainly from Kalim and his parents, as you were a far-off relative of the Al-Asim's, specifically, you were a descendant of the Sultana from hundreds of years ago
๐ You were being forced to heir the thrown, since your older brother had been assassinated a few years prior, and when you came by for a summer to spend time with your younger distant cousins, he would be lying if he said he wasn't fond of you
๐ Whenever you noticed that Kalim was getting to be too much for Jamil, you would grab the young ball-of-sunshine and ask if he wanted to play with his younger siblings and you
๐ Due to your far different rankings, you kept your relationship hidden, as you didn't wish for your family's council to end up punishing his family, who had done nothing wrong
๐ Jamil would normally grab you and him a small cup of tea and relax with you on the balcony of your room, keeping the silence either in progress or cut it out with conversations about your lives and dreams of the future
๐ And while your relationship may be in forcible secrecy, you shared your dream of living with Jamil by your side, either ruling over your homeland or relinquishing your role to one of your younger siblings to travel with your one and only
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๐บ Jack knew quite a bit about you, as his parents loved to tell stories of the news to him and his younger siblings as they grew older, and they just made the news more recent and a hint more mature as Jack aged
๐บ So, when you arrived at Night Raven College at the same time as him, he was quite excited when you were organixed in the same dorm as him, Savanaclaw
๐บ He noticed how casually you would speak to Leona, and that was when the pieces of his mind actually realized just who you were
๐บ As the second-in-line heir to the Shaftlands, and the offspring of the descendant of the Fairest Queen and a high-ranking raven beastman, you had met the two heirs of Sunset Savannah early on in life, prompting a strong friendship between you and the lion-beastman to emerge
๐บ Jack began to speak with you when he saw how you trained your unique magic to be stronger than it was at the start of the year, and he began to train with you
๐บ One day, his siblings decided to come by for a visit, they stopped and starred at you as your boyfriend chuckled and introduced you, and after hearing your role and name, the young boy and girl began to bombard you with questions on your life as a royal member
๐บ The wolf-beastman smiled and watched as you spoke gently with his siblings as his grandparents and parents asked him how you met and when you began your relationship
๐บ He just smiled and answered them honestly, and he hoped one day his family could meet yours, and the kids you were currently playing with were adults as your own children took their places...
#Twisted Wonderland#Twst#Heartslabyul#Savanaclaw#Scarabia#Ignihyde#Night Raven College#NRC#Twisted Wonderland x Reader#Twst x Reader#Heartslabyul x Reader#Savanaclaw x Reader#Scarabia x Reader#Ignihyde x Reader#Night Raven College x Reader#NRC x Reader#S/O! Reader#GN! Reader#Royalty! Reader#Riddle Rosehearts#Riddle Rosehearts x Reader#Idia Shroud#Idia Shroud x Reader#Jamil Viper#Jamil Viper x Reader#Jack Howl#Jack Howl x Reader
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PROLOGUE: HIT
pairings: paige x oc
contains: angst
word count: 686
a/n: let's try another shot at this series thing... here we go
JUNE 2020
I dribble the ball between my legs before taking a step back and shooting the ball. It's almost midnight, and the thunder claps should've kept me in bed, but it seems like the last thing I can do is sleep. It's been three weeks.
Azzi already got her acceptance letter to Uconn. We'd applied at the same time, yet hers came almost a month ago, and I'm sitting here empty-handed.
What if they denied me? What if they just forgot to send it, and I don't find out until I'm in the middle of Texas? Sure, it's not common for colleges to scout one school and find what they're looking for. But with us, I feel like they could. It's always been us two- Azzi and I- and even Paige, and although Paige and I aren't speaking, I don't think I'm ready to let that go yet.
I donโt think Iโll ever be ready to let that go.
But here I am, letting them slip through my fingers. Letting her slip from my grasp.
How did I get here? Howโd it get like this? It seems like these past few months have been nothing but loss, love, and the bittersweet taste of change.
Iโm a great basketball player, I know that. But if any coach was scouting me right now, theyโd cross me off the list immediately. The way the basketball clangs off the backboard once more causes me to groan in frustration, throwing my head back. I chase after it, positioning myself at what would be the wing.
Basketball is a mindless game. Something I do well without even thinking about it. The movement of the ball, the way it bounces off the court, the way my wrist flicks when it leaves my hands, the swish of it passing through the net, whatever; the motions are fluid. Subconscious, even. Something I can do with my eyes closed without a second thought. But right now, I'm thinking about everything, including her. And as though I'd summoned herโฆ
โDude, it's midnight, what the fuck are you doing?โ a groggy voice calls. I flinch at the unexpected presence, and turn around to see Paige. She's got her hair down, the blonde locs frizzy from her sleeping position.
The house lights illuminate her hair, the yellowish glow casting a shadow on the cement. Her red plaid pajama pants hang dangerously low on her waist, her Nike Pro boxers peeking above the cotton material. She's wearing a Uconn hoodie because, of course, she is.
I roll my eyes. โJust throwing shots up.โ I say, holding the ball on my hip. I could practically hear her eyes roll. โNo, no, I can see that, I just mean, why? It's literally about to rain.โ
โWhy do you care? Why don't you go back to sleep?โ I huff, shooting the ball up again.
She scoffs. โI'd actually love to. In fact, I couldn't think of anything better to do-โ I wince as the ball bounces off the rim again. โ-but when all I can hear is a fucking ball bouncing, it's kinda hard to enjoy slumber.โ
I roll my eyes. โWhatever, I'll be done soon.โ I mutter as the ball bounces towards her, internally sighing as she picks it up. I hold my hands out, motioning for her to give it to me. She doesn't.
โWhy can't you sleep?โ She asked, her voice sounding genuinely concerned. That's the thing. She's pretty fucking good at that.
I sigh. โCan I just get the ball, bro.โ She can't make anything fucking easy.
She smirks. โNah. Not โtill you tell me why you're playing basketball in the middle of the night when it's about to storm.โ I groan.
Don't let her in again.
โNevermind, I'm tired anyway. Court's yours, asshole.โ I say, shoving past her and stomping into the house.
There's nothing more I've wanted to do than break down in her arms and tell her everything that I'm thinking, and have her hold me and tell me everything's gonna be okay.
But I've already done that.
And I'm not making that mistake again.
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#patsworks#paige buckers#paige bueckers x reader#paige#paige bueckers#paige x reader#paige buckets#paige bueckers fanfiction#paige bueckers fic#paige bueckers fluff#paige bueckers head cannons#paige bueckers headcannons#paige bueckers x female oc#paige bueckers x oc
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