#nerd phase

[fresherfriut]

[phantomskeep]

DC x DP prompt but it's just Danny acting like an ectoplasmic Venom with [insert DC character here]

Danny, after spotting a powerful hero having trouble: Oh no! I should help!

Jason "I've-Had-Too-Much-Of-This-Shit-Already" Todd: what the fuck why am I glowing

Danny, covering this helmeted fruit loop who was trying to fight tEN PEOPLE AT ONCE ARE YOU INSANE-: hi :D We're friends now :D

Jason: internal screaming

[sp0o0kylights]

Adopt a Jock Part 1 

Part 2 

Part 4

Shoutout to @bloomingconflagration for the title!!! And a HUGE thank you to everyone who left comments or gave suggestions!! I love you all you amazing, silly humans <3 <3 

There comes a time during a long work shift were your average overworked and underpaid employee starts to think they’re hallucinating. 

In Gareth’s case, it was when Steve Harrington walked through the doors of Palace Arcade, making a beeline right for him. 

“Gareth?” Steve asked, like he was the one out of place. “What are you doing here?” 

As if people just randomly stood behind the counter of retail and entertainment spaces with a nametag on. 

You know, for fun.

With a great deal of restraint, Gareth managed to hold the sass back, instead opting for a far more polite; ‘I work here, Harrington. What are you doing here?” 

Because no matter how much Hellfire had adopted Steve into its fold, Gareth could just not see the guy choosing to spend his free time at the local arcade. 

Not of his own free will, anyway. 

“Pick up duty.” Steve said, proving him right not even a second later. 

“Of what?” Gareth asked, puzzled, right before Steve’s name was shouted in stereo.

A miniature stampede took place as several children proceeded to swarm him like oversized puppies, most of them trying to talk at once. 

“One at a time, we talked about this!” Steve barked, loud enough to be heard over the commotion. “You’re giving me and Gareth here a headache!” 

He waved his hands in a “calm down” gesture, shaking his head and looking at Gareth in exasperation. “Probably giving the people in the video store next door one too, lord.”  

“Wait.” A curly-haired kid said, looking between the two older teens like he was watching the laws of the universe rewrite themselves in front of him. “You know Gary? How?”

“We are not close enough for you to call me Gary.” Gareth said dryly, for what felt like the fifteenth time that day. 

This was a regular battle between him and the kids who haunted the arcade.

(One had overheard Grant call him Gary the last time he was in, and ever since, every single child that graced this fine establishment with Cheeto-dusted fingers and candy-induced sugar rushes had decided to replace his actual name with his nickname.

The fact it clearly frustrated him only egged them on. )

“We go to school together Dustin,” Steve said, as if he were talking to someone particularly dense. 

“Yeah? You go to school with lots of people. You bitch about most of them.” Dustin fired back.”Plus Gary’s a total nerd. I bet you call him names.” 

"Hey, language!" 

Gareth’s eyes narrowed as he glared down at the little fucker. He was definitely going to remember Dustin (and equally going to watch and see what arcade games the younger teen played-- and top the score chart of every single fucking one.

He might be a nerd but he wasn’t gonna take that shit from a middle schooler.) 

“Hate to break it to you brats, but your babysitter here just joined our D&D club.” Gareth replied, if only to finally one-up the little bastards. “Our DM is building him a character as we speak.” 

(Which wasn't even a lie. Eddie was building a character for Steve. The guy just refused to give any input on grounds that he "wasn't going to play anyways." )

Abrupt and sudden silence, as several stunned faces stared at him. 

“Oh goddammit.” Harrington cursed, as the entire herd of children turned on him in unison like some kind of hivemind horror monster. 

“You joined the D&D club,” Dustin said slowly, outraged. “And you let them make you a character sheet, but you won’t play with us!?” 

“What the hell Steve!” The sporty-looking one whined, clearly hurt. “You won’t sit in on our games! You said they were lame!” 

“They are lame.” Steve defended immediately, pushing at sporty-kids head. It was fond though, the kind of gentle shove an elder brother gave to a younger one. It caused the kid's camo banana to fall into his eyes, which he adjusted quickly with a grumble. “Turns out the high school version’s cooler.” 

“He’s lying.” That from the bitchy one, whose arms were crossed over his chest, a glare on his face. “Steve probably paid Gary to say that” 

Gareth had seen that exact same stance on Steve at lunch that day, and wondered if the little asshole knew who he was copying when he did it. 

“Who cares about D&D?” This from the redhead, standing with another girl giggling in her ear. “I’m just amazed Steve has friends.” 

“Really Mayfield?” Steve said, looking almost betrayed. As if he thought she was going to be the one to defend him in this weird little showdown.

The girl leaning on her giggled harder, making Mayfield grin (even if she tried to hide it.)  She whispered something, which the redhead outright laughed at before repeating; “Adult friends even!” 

“Okay.” Steve said, clearly cutting the kids off before they could embarrass him further. “Thank you, unwanted peanut gallery, for all of that lovely commentary. Now go back to playing the games you little shits robbed me of all my quarters for, or we’re leaving.” 

Henderson’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you were here to pick us up?” 

“Oh I’m sorry, did Jonathan magically appear behind me in the last five seconds?” Steve turned around pretending to search the parking lot through the windows. “No? Then I guess we’re still waiting. Unless you, Lucas and Max want to leave first.” 

“You’re such an ass.” Dustin huffed, rolling his eyes. “Why aren’t you waiting in the car anyway?” 

“It’s raining, it’s cold, and I thought I’d come in to say hi to my friend.” Steve replied, so quickly it took Gareth a moment to realize what Steve referred to him as. 

He'd gotten the friend title before Eddie. 

His best friend was going to fucking freak. 

“Are you done drilling me or are you going to let Max kick your ass at DigDug again?” 

“Shit!” Henderson cursed, spinning to intercept the redhead as she bent to put a coin in said arcade machine. “Max, you said you’d let me keep my leaderboard score today! Max!” 

“I know you said you watched kids, but this wasn’t exactly what I was imagining.” Gareth said, slumping against the counter.  

(He'd been thinking of Steve watching much younger kids for one, and two, he was starting to get the idea the babysitter thing was used as an insult. 

Gareth knew a big brother vibe when he saw it.) 

Steve gave him a tired look. “Me neither man. Me neither.”

 Then; “You fucking owe me for that D&D comment, they’re never going to shut up about it now.”

Gareth winced. “Sorry. I was trying to help.” 

Steve blew out a breath. “I know. I appreciate the attempt.” 

Which was better than Steve bitching at him for it, not that he’d really ever done that to Gareth. 

The two of them hadn’t quite worked up the nerve to be playful like that with each other, though they had occasionally jumped in on opposing sides to arguments Eddie caused. Gareth figured they’d get there in time, but even with all the progress Steve made, he still had more off days than on. 

It was a fragile line to walk with him. Especially when there wasn’t a single member of Hellfire who wanted to ruin the progress they made. 

(Even if half of them would never admit to it.) 

“Steve?” A voice interrupted, quiet in a way that contrasted directly with how loud the rest of the brat pack was. 

Steve closed his eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose with his hand as if to starve off a headache. 

“Yes, Baby Byers?” He asked after a long, painful pause, turning to look at the saddest looking kid in the bunch. 

“Is there actually a D&D club at the high school?” 

The kid looked at Steve like he wasn’t entirely certain he wanted to hear the answer, but was hopeful for the outcome he wanted anyway. 

It was the kind of thing that pulled even on Gareth’s heartstrings, and he was almost immune to anything involving giant, sad eyes after a solid year of working at the arcade. 

(Never mind Eddie’s own puppy dog looks.)

Steve’s voice gentled, in a way Gareth had never quite heard him use before. “There is. You’d love it, it’s called Hellfire. I’m sure it’ll still be there next year when you come in as a freshman.” 

He nudged him with his shoulder playfully, smiling when the younger boy perked up. “If you’re nice, Garebear here might even put in a good word for you.” 

“Garebear?” Max repeated with a burst of laughter, appearing behind Steve like a fucking ghost. “Oh my god.” 

“No.” Gareth said, bolting upright from his slouch as he stared at her in horror. “Do not call me that.” 

“Sure thing, Garebear.” She outright cackled, as Steve sent him a wide-eyed, apologetic face. 

“What did you just call Gary?” The sporty one--Lucas, asked, a wide grin overtaking his face. 

“I swear to God.” Gareth threatened, as Steve took another dramatic look over his shoulder. 

“Hey look Jonathan’s here!” He yelled, jerking a thumb over his shoulder as he started quickly walking backwards. “Come on, dipshits, we're leaving!” 

“Bye Garebear!” Lucas and Max sang together, following after him. 

“Harrington!” Gareth howled, as Steve mouthed ‘Sorry’ over his shoulder, all but bolting out the door. 

“I like Garebear a lot better than Gary.” Another, random child informed him with a grin as he sauntered past, arcade tickets in hand. 

Steve Harrington, Gareth decided, was a dead man. 

Not even Eddie’s fucking crush on the guy could save him now. 

xXx

“Did you know Harrington has a literal pack of kids he watches?” Gareth asked a few hours later, messing with his drum kit as he set up for band practice. "He even drives them around." 

More than that though--he’d seemed almost normal around them. That was the most Gareth had seen the guy banter or act relaxed since Eddie had dragged him over. 

“He’s mentioned it multiple times.” Grant replied, tuning his bass. “You have ears Gareth, use them.” 

“Gareth? Listen?” Jeff teased as he dragged an amp into the garage. “I don’t think I’ll live to see the day.” 

"Oh screw you guys.” Gareth growled, winging a drumstick toward his friends for the insult.

Grant, long used to Gareth's tantrums (and Eddie's dramatics)  didn't look up from his bass.

Not even when the drumstick hit the wall with a bang!-- allll the way near the opposite end of the couch, entirely opposite of either him or Jeff. 

"As usual, your aim is dead on." Jeff appraised sarcastically. 

"Like I'd ever actually hit you." Gareth grumbled with a pout. "I was gonna say the kids are older than I expected."

He reached down, blindly fishing for another drumstick from the bucket of them next to his kit. 

He came up empty. 

"Hey Grantman." Gareth asked, tone changing to something mildly embarrassed. "Could I uh, could I get the drumstick back?" 

He got a flat stare back. "No." 

"What did I do to get stuck with such dramatic friends?" Jeff joked as he began moving all the amps he’d pulled in back into their usual places. 

They hadn't had time to unload anything other than the drums after their last show and the regret was real. 

"Eddie’s been standing on tables since seventh grade, you knew what you were getting into." Gareth fired back, making grabby hands for his drumstick. 

"And you never grew out of being that dorky middle schooler who snuck into Hellfire games and screamed we were all going to die every time anyone made a bad play." Jeff shot back. "Yet here I am, once again wondering if I should just permanently confiscate Eddie's snacks, your drumsticks, and now Harrington's fricken spatula." 

"One year. I am one year younger than you and you act like it's an entire century!" Gareth muttered, as Grant relented and leaned over to fetch said drumstick. 

"We all know Eddie chucks food at people, but what'd Steve do with a spatula?"  Grant asked as he tossed it back to Gareth.

He missed and nearly took out a cymbal in the process. 

"He had a snit while we were making chocolate roulade cause it wouldn’t roll right. Flung the spatula around so much it splattered whip cream on his ceiling." Jeff shook his head as he finished hooking an amp up to his guitar. "I had to rescue it from him." 

"His ceiling?" Gareth said in disbelief. "Wait, you were in Harrington’s kitchen?" 

"Yeah?" Jeff looked up to find his friends staring at him. 

Grant blinked. "The fuck?" 

“Can we just play?” Jeff complained, just as embarrassed as Gareth had been.

“No.” Gareth said, retrieved drumstick nearly falling from his hands in shock. “You don’t get to casually drop that you went to Harrington’s house to help him bake and then try to get us to play right after!” 

Jeff, who had done exactly that, blushed, skin darkening as he fiddled with his guitar.

“It wasn’t a big deal.” He said finally with a shrug, as if this was something he did all the time and not the groundbreaking revelation that it was.

“Did you meet his parents?” Grant said, sitting up from the couch. “What did his house look like?”

Jeff finally gave up the pretense of playing his instrument.

“I didn't, and it was kinda sad, actually.” He said, as if he didn’t live for this kind of shit. 

Gareth knew better than anyone how much of a fricken gossip Jeff could be. 

“His house was enormous. I only saw the first floor, and his kitchen is huge.” He set his hands apart at a good distance, showcasing just how large “huge” was, before continuing. 

“But it was weird. It was like a model home. No pictures on the walls, no art, no personality to the place at all.” 

“What are we talking about?” Eddie asked, finally returning to Gareth’s garage from where he’d been gathering up all the wires they’d thrown haphazardly into his van. 

“Jeff went to Harrington’s house.” Grant and Gareth tattled as one. 

“To help bake stuff for this Friday!” Jeff defended, the blush creeping back onto his face. “I was curious about his chocolate roulade recipe and he invited me over!” 

“When was this?” Eddie asked, staring at Jeff like he’d grown a second head. 

Or more likely, Gareth knew, in jealousy. But he wasn’t going to call Eddie out on that just yet. 

“Yesterday. We got to talking about it in the parking lot after school.” Jeff said with an embarrassed shrug. “He said he wasn’t the best at explaining how to do things and that he’d rather show me instead.” 

“Kinky.” Grant deadpanned, making Jeff sputter. 

“You sure you didn’t see his bedroom, Jeff? It’s okay if you fell for the ‘wanna see my music collection’ line. We won’t judge you.” Gareth waggled his eyebrows, ducking with a laugh when Jeff went to whack him. 

“Shut up, we just made the chocolate roulade!” Jeff’s ears were red now, and huh, maybe Eddie wasn’t the only person with a crush.  

“Guys.” Eddie reprimanded, tone warning. 

“Sorry Eds, you know we don’t mean it.” Gareth soothed. Of course, his best friend's anger was less about the gay comments or Steve’s reputation as Hawkin’s man whore than it was about Steve fucking Jeff (and not Eddie) but he had a feeling it wouldn’t be appreciated if he pointed that out either. 

Eddie didn’t respond, eyes already back on Jeff. "Details, Jeffery, give us the details!"  

He dropped onto the couch, flapping his hands at Jeff in his version of a "sit down" gesture. 

Jeff sighed, but repeated what he'd just said for Eddie as he took a seat on the edge of an amp, placing his guitar down gently. 

 "I think Wayne was right. I don't think anyone else lives there but Steve. Not full-time anyway." He finished. 

Which sounded like the best fucking thing ever until Gareth thought about it for more than two seconds. 

Tried to imagine what his life would be like if his parents and siblings were gone. Not for a day, or even a weekend, but always. 

How silent his normally loud house would be. 

Thought instantly that he'd be inviting Eddie, his friends, and hell, l even Wayne, over as often as they could handle. 

"The way he looked when I showed up, and how quiet he got when I left I just…" Jeff fiddled with his guitar’s strap. "I think he's lonely." 

The four of them sat in silence for a long moment as they digested that. 

“Hargrove kicked his ass right? And Byers?” Grant said finally, breaking the silence ad he stared up at the ceiling. 

“Old news.” Eddie replied absently, jiggling his leg.

“You think his parents were around for that?” Grant continued, slowly.

No one answered outside of Eddie's leg loudly jiggling faster. 

 "Did you see the kids hug him or anything?"

"They're like thirteen. I seriously doubt they're pestering Steve for hugs." Gareth answered flatly.  

 "So he got his ass kicked, his parents are gone, he was supposed involved in that whole has leak thing…" Grant trailed off with an air of someone who expected the end of his sentence to be obvious. 

“You’re doing that thing again where you think what you’re saying is obvious and its fucking not.” Eddie grumped. "Just spit it out." 

His friend's head finally tipped back down from the ceiling, to face the rest of them. “Maybe the flinching is because no one ever touches him anymore unless it’s to kick his ass.” 

“Oh.” Eddie blinked, body going rigid. “Oh shit.” 

“That…would make sense. A lot of sense.” Jeff said slowly. 

Grant put on a face that read “Duh” loud and clear. 

“So what do we do about it?" Gareth asked after a moment. 

"Touch him, obviously." Grant replied, like he couldn't believe the drummer was even asking.

Gareth and Eddie shared a look while Eddie rolled his eyes.  

"The guy almost fell down the stairs last time I tried that." Gareth pointed out. 

Never mind any other time Steve got weird over the lightest of touches. Eddie couldn't even clap the guy on the shoulder without getting major side-eye. 

"No."  Eddie cut in, sitting up suddenly. His eyes had gone bright, "We're going to trick him into it." 

"We're going to trick Harrington into being okay with, what? Shoulder pats?"  Gareth echoed, like Eddie might hear himself if his words were repeated back to him. “You realize how stupid that sounds right?" 

"Shut up, listen. It's like getting a stray to trust you. You just gotta be calm and so obvious about it that they get confused and let it happen." Eddie had begun practically vibrating, causing his friends to trade uneasy glances. 

They knew that look. Eddie only got it when he thought up a plan that was going to cause problems. 

"Eddie, that makes zero sense." Jeff told him.

Gareth just shook his head, because only Eddie Munson could compare Hawkins golden boy with a fucking stray animal. 

Even if the guy kinda acted like one sometimes. 

"I just need an opening." Eddie continued, the little hamster wheel spinning in his head so fast the rest of the band could almost hear it. 

If Gareth had been told two months ago he was going to be sitting in his garage, discussing the best way to acclimate Steve Harrington to casual touch, he’d have actually smacked whatever idiot dared spew such nonsense with his drumsticks. 

"I did tell tell the kids today you were making him a D&D character." He said, before his best friend could truly go off on some half cocked plot. 

Eddie lit up like a kid on Christmas. "Gary, I could kiss you."

Gareth made a face. "Please don't."

He clapped hard before springing to his feet. "Huddle up boys, I've got a plan." 

"God help us all." Jeff muttered. 

(He huddled up anyway, any thoughts of playing guitar that night fully forgotten.) 

Bonus: 

"Why don't you just get high and watch a movie with Steve? You're a fucking cling-on when you're high." Gareth complained the next morning, when Eddie swung by to pick him up for school. 

Mostly because the plan Eddie had come up with was ridiculous.

 Eddie took both hands off the wheel, pressing them against his chest in mock offense while he stared at Gareth and not at the street. “That would be taking advantage of him and I, as a gentleman, would never." He gasped, dramatically. 

In his normal voice, he added: "Plus it doesn't count." 

“Eyes on the road!” Gareth yelped, swatting an arm. “And you know I didn’t mean it like that. People relax more when they're high and maybe Steve needs something like that as an excuse to allow it. Hell he doesn’t even need to be high, just you.”

Which Gareth personally thought was a very insightful thing to say, so of course he had to ruin it with; “or whatever.” 

"Do you recall how you kissed Jeff on the cheek when you were high and then spent the entire next month swearing up and down that you weren't attracted to men last summer?" 

"That was different. I was discovering myself." 

Eddie outright cackled. "Discovering yourself? What self help book did you pick that gem out of?"

"I was quoting you, you moron!" Gareth sputtered. 

"If I said anything like that then I was definitely high and it just proves my point. Steve would just be uncomfortable."Eddie stuck his tongue out. "So there." 

"Fine." Gareth sighed. "If we ever get high with Harrington, I'll sit in his lap."

Eddie's eye twitched. "No you will not."

Thrilled to have something to tease the elder metalhead about, a smile graced Gareth's face. "In fact, I'm calling dibs." 

"You can't call dibs on a lap! And besides, you don't even like him like that!" 

"So?" Gareth retorted. "It's a nice lap, looks comfortable. You don't want it, so I'll take it."

Eddie grit his teeth, grasping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles went white. 

"I know what you're doing Gary. This is some bullshit reverse psychology shit and I will not be falling for it." 

"Oh contraire, this is sibling bullshit, Munson. You want it, so I want it." Gareth crossed his arms and looked at Eddie smugly. "And unless you do something about it, I'm getting it." 

"I hate you." 

Gareth grinned, delighted. "I know." 

[dovewingkinnie]

when the hero is more deranged than the loser villain

[usagifuyusummer]

Family Dinner Night!

Congrats Peri(winkle) for finally getting the Godparenting license!!! 🥳🥳🥳 - from your loving parents and godbrother 💖💖💖

More concept art and as usual my insane ramblings below.

I NEED TO GET THE CREATIVE URGES OUT OF MY HEAD!!! It has been bothering with my motivation to finish my gazillions of homeworks lmao. I have so many ideas I need to let out!!! It's suffocating. I hope this will satisfy my creative urges for a while... Or not I will yap about my FOP AU on a separate post (when I'm able).

I can't stop being sad thinking about this family lol. Timmy 😭😭😭

I am not kidding when I say that my head is just filled with so many things that I want to contribute in the FOP fanworks lol. There's a lot I want to do, but so little time...

For now, I've decided to practice my take on the FOP artstyle. I wanted to do something simple as drawing and coloring practice. That's why the coloring this time is flat with no shadings. I think the show doesn't focus on shaded colors too much (except on scenes where there's a heavy implication of day/night, for shock value, etc.).

Just wanted to draw something cute because I haven't been feeling so swell lately. Nothing too poetic or detailed this time.

Other than that, two of the outfits this time is actually inspired by @suki-na-kumo for Peri and an image I found floating around in Twitter/X (sorry I don't remember who shared it) for Timmy's design. Suki-na-kumo's FOP family redesigns are so cool and adorable! I like that they always include flowy attributes in Peri's outfits lol. It makes him look like a pampered brat (which he kinda is seeing how his family coddles him), an otherworldly prince and also a Twink TM (that is unavoidable lol). I kinda want to draw their other FOP redesigns, but I'll just go with Peri's first.

I am not sure where that 18 year old Timmy design is from, but it kinda can be his design for those who theorise him on becoming a lawyer as an adult. There's a lot of instances where Timmy is wearing a suit in the show, but this design is one of my favs due to the hairstyle change. My adult Timmy designs in the future will be influenced from this piece of official art. I wonder if there are more Timmy designs in the wild wild west out there that I haven't seen... It is certainly an interesting find (Teen AJ is also there, and his design also looks cool to me).

Cosmo and Wanda's oufits are something that I cooked up. I don't think the coloring looks good... I just did this on a whim, and for about 13 hours. Damn, I am procrastinating on my work lmao.

Still, the context this time is, that they've had a family dinner to celebrate on Peri's achievement on finally obtaining his godparenting license!!! Good for him!!!

This is an AU if Timmy somehow was able to find a loophole in the "losing your memories of your fairy godparents after you become an adult" rule. Because of that, he continued his life as normal (as Timmy's chaotic life can be), but this time he is able to keep in contact with his fairy family even if they're not contractually obligated to stick together. Timmy does live with the Fairywinkle Cosma's around his college to early work years, but he eventually was able to move out and live on his own at where he works as a lawyer after a while in his adulthood. (His birth parents eventually went on a lifetime vacation without him or just went away for too long that Timmy just lives on his own a lot after he is 18 and above...)

Despite living on his own nowadays (In a New Wish context), Timmy does keep in contact with his fairy family and visits them when he's not busy with his job. Cosmo and Wanda still took a long vacation in this AU, first due to, yeah, Timmy is no easy feat as a godchild lol, and second, they actually want to take their time to raise BOTH of their children (even if Timmy is no longer a child/godchild) and guide them until they're stable adults. Timmy during college years actually only stays with the Fairywinkle Cosma's on holidays, so when Timmy's busy with college, that is when Cosmo and Wanda take their time relaxing lmao.

Sometimes when they really want to have some time alone or when Peri wants to see his bro, they will send Peri to Timmy's college for a day or more. Timmy babysits Peri so much during his college years lol. They both had fun though! With a lot of Peri newfound nuclear fairy power shenanigans at Timmy's college lmao. Studying law and taking the bar exam has never been more chaotic with babysitting a nuclear powered fairy child.

There's a lot more on this AU that I've been thinking, but I'll stop here for now. I need to gather my AU ideas in one post sometime later.

Also, Peri and Timmy are both adults here, Peri's around his 20's here and Timmy is on his early 30's I think. Cosmo, Wanda, and Peri are in their human disguises here, because they want to learn more about human culture (A New Wish context) while also having the desire to be more in Timmy's life.

I headcannon Timmy to be kinda short in his adulthood. This is also a nod to that episode when his fairy family used imperfect human disguises, even Poof/Peri was taller than Timmy in his human baby disguise lol. And also hey, wearing braces during his teen years paid off! (his big teeth are visible only when he opens his mouth lol)

As usual, here's some concept art and a png lineart pic if you want to use it to color it better than I did lmao. (that was a long yapping session... thanks for reading)

[demon-baby666]

[donnatroyyyy]

Things I 100% think DC characters have said (pt. 3)

Cyborg: what a woe to be half of two worlds and never fully of one

Robin (half-emo and half-jock): but isn't the most companionable thing about humans our collective loneliness. We are never fully something, we are always a little alone, but we are alone and incomplete together.

Cyborg: I'm complete with you *passes him the redbull* (he has a whole girlfriend and he's never said anything even slightly as romantic to her. Richard is literally his least favorite team member most times (not in a he hates him way but he just gets along with the others better))

******

Dinah: what is love?

Ollie right behind her with a bouquet of lilies (her favorite:

*****

Bruce: I'm gonna kill myself

Clark: keep drinking those energy drinks and you just might

[raventrigonsdaughter]

For reference about what i said about Enid's werewolf height the other day, this is how crazy her size is in wednesday's description in the novel and i hope SO MUCH they never change it cause it's both fun and funny as fuck

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

And now the side by side with my favorite werewolves one of them having until now the title of biggest werewolf

PLEASE NETFLIX THIS IS SO FUCKING FUNNY IT OPENS SO MANY POSSIBILITIES, KEEP IT, like, bring it into the show, also because the novelization as many others more likely than not was based on the show's early development and then still got approved in the end means that despite the weird ass golden retriver we got they were probably really going for a horror inducing werewolf in the finale, in the final side by side specifically if she was on all fours like in the show she would still be around Van Helsing's own height, this is insane, can my fellow werewolf nerds come talk about this we got a gold mine here on teenage show territory and i need more

[octosimpin]

[starlightshadowsworld]

Something was off with Eddie.

Steve wasn't sure exactly what it was but the resident metal head was acting werid.

Well, weirder than usual.

He was squinting at Steve when Steve wasn't looking at him.

Like he had something in his eye.

And when Steve did look at him.

He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

He looked nervous and Eddie Munson wasn't supposed to be nervous.

It was freaking Steve out. But nothing short of the actual apocalypse would allow Steve to interrupt D&D.

The kids would probably kill him. "Something on your mind?" Asks Eddie soo after.

The kids finally, finally remembering their was food and had abandoned their game for a feast.

The other members of hellfire grumbled but noticeably didn't object.

While they were still warming up to Steve, no one could deny that the man could cook.

Speaking of, they'd been acting werid too.

Not as obvious as Eddie but they would sneak glances at him.

And whisper behind his back.

"How Max and Dustin are going to fight over who gets my car when they kill me."

Honestly always helped with Eddie.

"My bets on Red." Said Eddie, trying and failing to contain his laughter.

Steve nodded, taking a sip of his coke. "Didn't think you were one to muse on death." Eddie added, he had that look in his eye again. 

And it hadn't escaped Steve that the other wasn't addressing him by name.

"Oh you know, wondered what would happen if I interrupted your devil's and doormans game." Said Steve nonchalantly.

Eddie snorted "hmm yeah they probably would. And don't think I don't know you know what it's actually called."

Their was a teasing glint in his eyes, but their was something else.

Something Steve couldn't put his finger on.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't." Shrugs Steve, trying to defuse the air. It was just them in the kitchen now, the kids happily eating with the rest of hellfire.

He wished Eddie would just join them.But Eddie had other plans. "No, no I think you do, Evie." Says Eddie, folding his arms and leaning against the door.

Steve knew it was probably just a joke.

Another nickname from the man who gave them out like free sweets.

Didn't stop his blood from running cold.

Fear to overtake his face just for a few seconds before Steve bottled it up.

But Eddie had seen it all.

It was all the proof he needed.

"You know, the kids were snooping about the other day. Nosy little buggers, found some old photo from middle school." The more he talked the slowly he was moving toward Steve.

Who was frozen in place.

"Told em, don't snoop around my shit but the werid thing is... Is that they didn't find it in my room. But that's impossible because the only other person who'd have that picture, moved away years ago." Eddie stopped walking, standing infront of Steve.

"At least, that's what I had thought." He added softly.

Steve opened his mouth, shut it, opened it and shut it again.

He couldn't speak.

He couldn't move.

Of all the things for Eddie to notice, Steve hadn't betted he'd ever notice that.

There was nothing to say.

What could he say to defend himself?

"Eddie I..."

"It's true isn't it?" 

... And that's when Steve noticed that Eddie wasn't angry.

Wasn't glaring at him, wasn't looking down at him like he would have looked at King Steve.

Eddie was...

Eddie was crying.

His eyes were all teary red rimmed and tears were spilling out onto his cheeks.

He didn't even make a move to hide them. Only looking at Steve with a pleading expression.

And any lie Steve may have thought about died on his tongue.

Steve looked down.

"Yeah... It's me."

Instantly he was pulled into a hug. A warm, loving hug. Steve couldn't remember the last time someone had held him like this before.

A stray tear escaped his eye.

"I'm so sorry." Steve blinked, looking up at Eddie, who was now the one who couldn't meet his gaze. "I should've known it was you. I should've known you wouldn't have just vanished into thin air and moved away... I should've known!"

Steve couldn't take that, this was his mess and Eddie shouldn't be blaming himself for it.

"You weren't supposed to."

Eddie went quiet at that.

Steve took a deep breath "my dad left us, my mum remarried. They were in town and he went through my stuff...

And I lost another fight so I had to change or they'd kick me out too. So I did move, I guess, I had to make sure no one would know.

I had to dissappear, I couldn't be that anymore I had to..."

Conform.

Lie.

Pretend.

Steve "Evie" Strauss had to vanish.

Steve "King Steve" Harrington had to take his place.

 "But I couldn't get rid of it...and I guess the kids found it." Steve added lamely.

He wanted to be mad but he couldn't.

All he felt now was dread.

He waited, waited for Eddie to let him go.

To storm out.

To yell.

To scream.

Because what Steve had done, was doing was unforgivable to someone like Eddie.

To someone who was so unapologetically himself that hurt Steve to watch.

To turn on your own....

Eddie did none of those things.

"I'm gonna kill em." Steve blinked, looking back at him and seeing fury on his face.

Fury that faded when Eddie saw Steve looking at him. Gently, almost hesitantly Eddie held Steve's hand in his.

Looking at him, with nothing but fondness. 

"And here I was thinking you couldn't be any more metal." He said with a smile, before frowning. "Can't believe all it took was for you to change your style for me to not see you." 

Steve leaned in to the touch.

"You're not mad?"

"Mad? Oh I'm pissed, I'm absolutely going to cash in on those murder charges and get your parents sent to hell."

It shouldn't be possible for someone to sound fond while talking about murder.

But that was Eddie for you.

Constantly breaking every presumption someone made.

"But for you, might be the second happiest day of my life."

Steve raised an eyebrow and Eddie grinned. "Sorry love but you can't surpass the day I got my sweetheart so easily."

Steve couldn't help it he laughed, all the anxiety fading away.

He always felt safe with Eddie, with them all.

He never thought coming second to a guitar would make his heart flutter.

"That's not how murder charges work."

"Ah you'll see, baby bat." Steve snorted "bet you didn't imagine the demobats back than."

Eddie grinned "nope but, it's fitting you know. Can't wait to tell the others..." He looked down, awkward "erm they've guessed but... They don't want to assume and be wrong."

"I don't want to tell them." Said Steve, clasping Eddie's hand in his. "I want to show them."

A smile wormed it's way onto Eddie's face. "Well, dont let me stop you."

Steve smirked "You not coming with me?" Eddie chuckled "as tempting as that may be, I can't wait for the grand reveal... But" he caressed Steve's cheek and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"Either way my darling is right here."

And with that Eddie headed back inside.

And yet Steve never felt less alone.

Having to forget hellfire...Having to forget Eddie was the hardest thing he'd ever done.

And Steve had many things he'd rather forget.

But them...never.

His heart broke when he watched them look for him.

Knowing he was right there, not a touch of make up on his face or his product in his hair.

He'd grabbed his mothers hair spray in a rush and just guessed.

Steve had been content to look from the side lines.

Hiding a smile at Eddie's table speeches.

Watching the kids he'd grown to love, who reminded him of better times.

Steve hadn't made any other friends his age other than Robin.

She was the only one who knew, of course she did. She was half his soul afterall.

He had spilled after Eddie got blamed for Chrissy's murder.

Broke down into tears on Family Videos bathroom floor about his past.

That Eddie could die without him ever being able to tell him.

And yet Steve couldn't, he was too afraid.

It was easier for them to hate King Steve.

To hate the facade.

Because if they all knew who he truly was and hated him.

.... Steve didn't know what he'd do.

Robin walked into the kitchen, an I told you so look on he'd face.

"Well, heard your having a grand reveal."

Steve snorted but followed her up to his room. He remembered when the ugly plaid walls were full of posters.

The bits you could see he'd drew and painted on them.

Now it was like Steve himself, covered in something else.

And now, now it was time to lift that cover off.

He had kept as much as he could.

It had been hard at first but when the vists stopped so did the bedroom inspections.

Robin bustled about, grabbing the bits of pieces he'd scattered about.

Together they somehow mashed together an outfit.

It was something considering most of this stuff Steve hadn't touched since the beginning of high school.

But some stuff he'd made in between... When things got to rough it was nice to remember the past.

"And remember, you've got this. If anyone says anything I'll knock em out."

Steve wasn't sure Robin could knock anyone out but he knew better than to underestimate her.

They parted ways and Steve took a deep breath in. Looking at the assembled pieces, a smirk making it's way onto his face.

Oh this was perfect.

____________________

Eddie was into the game but not entirely.

He was bouncing a leg impatiently and looking at the door every so often that it was suspicious.

Robin was similarly nervous but she was also death glaring anyone who dared to question her why.

"Okay what's going on with you two?" Whispered Gareth, giving Eddie a pointed look.

Eddie grinned from ear to ear and pressed a finger to his lips.

Gareth was about to re-ask when heavy footsteps came down the hall.

Everyone paused and looked at the source.

No one was prepared for what they saw.

There was Steve except it didn't look like Steve at all... His usual perfect hair was all mussed up, teased with a comb in all directions.

He was wearing a cropped hellfire top but it wasn't one any of the kids had seen.

Because it was one of the originals.

He had a battle vest with "Harrington" cut out from his old old letterman jacket. It was decorated in safety pins and various badges.

One arm had a black fingerless glove. In the other was his infamous nail bat.

His nails were red, his lipstick was purple and was wearing eyeliner.

"Evie..." Whispered Gareth, slowly walking towards him.

"It's me."

That was all Gareth needed to run over and jump into his arms.

Steve dropped his bat and hugged him tightly.

"I thought...we thought..."

"I know... I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry..." Steve looked at the rest of hellfire who all looked similarly awe struck and emotional.

"My dad..." He didn't have to say more before the rest were hugging him close.

"I knew it! Knew you reminded me of him."

"God, Evie we've missed you so much."

Steve blinked, tears in his eyes. "How are none of you mad? I lied to you? I went to the darkside."

Gareth snorted, shaking his head with tears in his eyes.

"You could've been an actual serial killer and we'd still be happy to see you, dumbass."

Steve laughed, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"So... That photo was real... You're really, like them?" Asks Will, Steve nodded.

"Cool."

"See, told you. We all love our Steve but no one could replace Evie... And look at you, being the 2 coolest people on the room." Said Eddie, unable to take his eyes off Steve.

"And now we don't have to hear Eddie wax poetry about your eyes anymore." Says Jay.

Eddie flips him off but the rest sigh in relief.

"Or the soul crushing melodies about being torn apart by his love for the two of you." Says Gareth, dramatically holding his hand on his heart.

"Eat shit and die Gare."

"Eat shit and live." Countered Gareth with a grin.

Steve snorted, batting his eyelashes "aw come on I wanna hear all about it."

The original members of hellfire and Robin all laughed as Eddie went red.

"You will, believe me... We've got a lot of catching up to do." Says Eddie, pulling Steve close and kissing him.

Steve melted against him, resting his head on Eddie's shoulder with a smile.

"Get a room!"

"We're in one, get your own."

Steve rolled his eyes, idiots... He'd missed them.

Dustin who had been silent the whole time suddenly jumped up and yelled.

And what he did sent the rest of the party into outrage and everyone else into laughter.

"Wait... That means Steve knew about D&D the whole time?!"

[The party: Steve hiding that he was a secret metal head who knew hellfire and Eddie and in love with with Eddie 🤭

The party: Steve having known about D&D the whole time they knew him and never telling them 🤯😡!]

[tohot4u]

My man

[pokikirapoki]

[redacted-gay-username]

I’ve accidentally gone back down the bsd rabbit hole, and it’s all soukoku’s fault. I fucking hate them—*proceeds to read skk fanfiction for 5 hours*

[graciereadshannigram]

okay hi, would love input from y'all!!

if i were to do an "ao3 wrapped" for myself this year, what information would be the most interesting to include? i started my fic tracking spreadsheet SPECIFICALLY for this reason, let's gooooo.

definitely doing a total word count, total fic count, most popular ship (this should be obvious to anybody who knows me), but also maybe breakdowns of different relationship dynamics or fic tropes?

i imagine the fic tropes would likely have to be restricted to shorter fics just because long fics have more time to incorporate more tropes.

maybe specific tags? i'd have to do some thinking around what would make a tag unique enough to get pulled out.

hmmm.

i could also do a textual sentiment analysis on my thoughts/comments for each fic to try and determine if there's a clear favorite from the year

i'd probably have to restrict this to long fics because those are the ones i tend to actually put effort into organizing my thoughts, rather than just saying, "omg i love a good PWP"

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

i bet i could also put together a stats model to figure out which tag is the best predictor of my enjoyment for any given fic, but that sounds like a LOT of work (i haven't had to create those kinds of models since grad school lolol)

anyway.

if you have any thoughts at all, please put em in the notes!!

[thus-spoke-lo]

Man, fuck it, I would pull all my faves. Who am I kidding. And so would you.