#no but I’ll genuinely forget how cute someone looks and sounds

[the-jellyfish-graves]

Could you send me an audio of you saying something cute and maybe moaning?

I have a bad memory, and I forgot how adorable you sound. I need the occasional reminder so I can praise you more sincerely.

[babysukiii]

regina’s puppy (3)

// regina has a soft spot for you, but when she refuses to accept why, someone else might swoop in and take your attention away from her. //

warnings: mutual pining, soft!regina (for reader), mean!regina (not to reader), very jealous!regina, underage drinking, mentions of smoking.

this is part 3 to the series, read part 2 here!

“please don’t make me go.” you just about beg regina, flashing her a pair of puppy eyes that nearly makes her reconsider her entire existence. the blonde was currently blending the makeup on your face, claiming she was going to be your “personal makeup artist” tonight. truth be told you enjoy letting regina do your makeup; the close proximity, her undivided attention, having an excuse to stare at her beautiful face without being questioned. though when she mentioned she was making you go to the party gretchen was throwing, you began to beg her not to take you.

“it’s just a few people from school, and a few drinks. i’ll have you home by ten, or you can just sleepover my house.” she assures you dismissively, her gaze transfixed on your face as if it was a canvas for the beauty blender. it’s been three weeks since you became a part of regina’s “clique”, and to say it’s been strange is an understatement. you had gone from the bottom of the social food chain, to the top of it in less than a month. all because of regina’s strange fixation with you.

“i wasn’t even invited! and i’m pretty sure i wouldn’t even know what to do there.” you retort, and she shakes her head, “you don’t need an invitation when you’re with me.” she responds pointedly. “just stick by my side and look pretty all night. that’s all you have to do.” she declares simply, and your cheeks turn a dark shade of pink. “you think i’m pretty?” you question softly, the uncertainty in your voice causes her heart to clench. her tenebrous blue eyes are gazing into yours, she appears to get lost in you for a mere moment.

“i think you’re so, so pretty.” the blonde reveals in this washed out voice that makes your knees weak. thankfully you’re sitting on the seat of regina’s vanity, otherwise you’re sure you would’ve stupidly fallen. the way you avoid her gaze while your face heats up, causes regina to cup your chin, tilting your head upwards to look at her. your breath hitches, getting lodged in your windpipe as you nearly forget how to breathe due to the close proximity. regina quirks a brow at your reaction as she continues doing your makeup. “are you nervous, y/n? do i make you nervous?” she inquires, practically staring into your soul.

“i—i guess you do.” you mentally facepalm yourself for stuttering, and answering like a fool. the cheshire cat-like grin that takes its place on regina’s features causes a heat to rise in your belly. “it’s okay, y/n, i think it’s cute. how flustered and nervous you get around me... how strained your voice gets, and how red you get.” she teases, and you shake your head in disagreement. “it’s not. it’s embarrassing.” you murmur, and she flashes you a look, “i don’t think so. i like it.” she breathes out, her face so close to yours you forget how to think.

“why?” you manage to ask, and she shrugs, pulling away from you in an instant. the moments over as quickly as it begun, and in a small way you’re thankful for it because you can think clearly now. “i like the way you are with me. especially when you look at me. it’s like i’m the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen.” she professes, as she rummages through her makeup bag. regina avoids your eyes. she doesn’t enjoy being honest, but she also can’t bring it in herself to lie to you for some cursed reason.

“cause you are the most beautiful person i’ve ever seen.” you answer simply, sounding so honest. regina’s head snaps in your direction; she searches your face for any signs of dishonesty, but all she finds on your features is that usual genuine expression that makes her stomach flip. “you’re just saying that cause i’m regina george.” she says her name in this taunting way, as she begins to apply the blush on your cheeks and nose. “i wouldn’t say something i don’t mean, gina.” you wholeheartedly respond, and you swear you can see a faint blush tinting her cheeks.

regina feels this pang of guilt in her chest. you’re so innocent, and she thinks you’d do just about anything she asks. “if you don’t wanna go tonight, we don’t have to.” the blonde finds herself caving, and you furrow your brows. “well, we’re already getting ready… we might as well go, right? besides, gretchen will have a total meltdown if you don’t show up.” you point out, and regina shrugs. “yeah, but if you don’t wanna go, we don’t have to.” regina reiterates, and you offer her an overly trusting little smile.

“if you go, i go.” you assure her, and her eyebrows perk up at your willingness to do whatever she wants. regina likes that a lot more than she should. “good. why don’t you put on those flare jeans i got you, the black ones.” she smiles as she says this, putting away her makeup. “okay!” you obediently respond as you hop up off the seat, and over to your bag of clothes you brought.

you decide to match a white lace crop top you picked out when you and regina went shopping. when you finish getting dressed, you come out of the blonde’s bathroom, stopping in your tracks when you see her outfit. the tight, black leather pants she was wearing nearly made you drool. regina notices the expression of awe on your face, and she savors it. she’s used to having people gawk at her because they thought she was attractive, or they were envious of her… but you… the way you looked at her was always so different. she couldn’t figure out why she craved your attention all the time; now more than ever.

“you look good.” she declares as her eyes roam up and down your outfit. the blood rises to your face, “i think i have a sherpa jacket that’ll look so hot on you with that.” she states as she walks past you, and towards her walk-in closet. you let out a breath you hadn’t even realized you were holding. regina looks even hotter than usual tonight, and you didn’t know if you were going to be able to keep your gayness to yourself. you already nearly had a gay panic attack while she was doing your makeup; now you were going to have to be by her side all night while she looked hotter than the temperature of the sun.

“i found it!” she yells out from somewhere in the unnecessarily large closet. when she comes out, regina is holding a cropped, black corduroy, sherpa jacket for you. “try this on and let me see.” she orders, tossing the jacket your way. you catch it, scrambling to put it on compliantly. regina‘s grin falls as soon as you have the jacket on; you’re standing a few feet away from her looking absolutely gorgeous. yet you look up at her with this expression of insecurity, desperately waiting for her approval. “doesn’t look good?” you ask shyly, “you look so beautiful.” regina blurts out, and your face burns as the butterflies in your stomach flutter rapidly.

“th-thank you.” you shyly respond; your timid expression nearly causes her to smile. but then she remembers she’s regina george and she’d never be caught dead being this soft. “you better get used to compliments, y/n. especially when you look like that.” she comments coyly as she reaches for her black doc martens. you watch her put her shoes on; your cheeks practically on fire as you try to compose yourself and get it together. you don’t tell regina you probably will never get used to her complimenting you, and once she’s finished tying her boots, she smile broadly at you, causing your heart to swell at the sight. she’s always gorgeous, but she’s so much more beautiful when she’s unguarded like this.

“come on, let’s go before gretchen starts spamming me with texts.” she jokes, and you giggle as regina grabs your hand. your breath gets caught in your windpipe as she interlocks her hands with yours. that’s another thing you were trying to get used to; holding hands with the prettiest girl on earth. “ugh, i wonder if becky martin’s gonna be there tonight. she was at nathan’s party last month, and had on the same shoes as me.” regina pouts, as you both get into her jeep.

“but you probably looked way better than her anyways.” you respond, and she raises a brow as she starts her car. “probably?” she asks a bit angrily, and you giggle. “you definitely looked way better than becky martin, gina.” you tell her, and her face morphs into a satisfied expression. “i know.”

you’ve never really been to a high school party before, so you weren’t entirely sure what to expect. but as soon as you walk into gretchen’s house, the loud music blares through your ears, and there are far more people here than the cafeteria during lunch. you look around at the hoard of students; some you knew and some you had never seen before. “regina!! y/n!! you guys came!” gretchen sounds abnormally happy to see you, and she wraps her arms around you. “you totally have to try the sangria mix! it has strawberries in it!” she squeals, and regina practically pries gretchen’s hands off of you.

“you’re already drunk? it’s like nine-thirty. and where’s karen? you’re supposed to be making sure she doesn’t hookup with some random guy again.” regina begins to scold gretchen, who proceeds to ramble out an apology. you seem to get distracted by all the noise and people, but regina pulls you out of your thoughts when she intertwines her hand with yours. “do you wanna try sangria or are you a beer girl?” regina asks over the ear-splitting music. “sangria please.” you answer, figuring you’d prefer the fruitier drink.

regina begins to make you a drink; something she never does. usually when she’s at things like this, she’s forcing one of her loyal minions to make her the “perfect” drink… yet here she was, grossly attempting to make you the best first drink you’ve ever had. god, who are you, regina? the blonde can’t help but think as she tries to keep her focus on what she’s doing instead of looking at you. she can’t figure out when it became so difficult for her to keep her eyes off you.

she hands you the drink, and your smile meets your eyes, causing her heart to do a backflip in her chest. nobody smiles at her like that; as if they’re verily happy to be in her presence. you appear to relish in regina’s attention, and she savors the feeling of being so appreciated. “thanks gina.” you respond, sincerely, and when you don’t take a sip she raises her brows in an unamused manner. “well? what are you waiting for?” she asks a bit impatiently, earning a sheepish blush from you. “i’m waiting for you to pour yourself one.” you tell her honestly, and there’s that stupid flutter in her stomach again.

“you’re so sappy.” she mutters, but the flush on her cheeks doesn’t go unnoticed by you. you grin as she begins to pour herself a drink, and she looks at you before she takes a sip. you follow her lead, and you make a face of disdain just as she does. “okay, so maybe gretchen is better at this then me.” she mutters in this cutely frustrated way that makes you giggle. “hey regina—“ some guy on the football team attempts to talk to her as he approaches you both, but the blonde cuts him off before he can even finish. her eyes full of fury you’d hate to be on the receiving end of. “don’t you see me talking right now? shoo.” she practically barks out.

he frowns, scoffing as he walks off. she shakes her head, rolling her eyes, “if i wanted to speak to him, i would’ve.” she mutters, and you tilt your head, offering her this soft look. “you can’t blame boys for trying to talk to you. you’re the prettiest girl in school.” you remind her, and she huffs, taking another swig of her drink. “yeah, but that’s the only reason they want to talk to me.” she starts stringently, and you listen to her closely. “they only wanna talk to me cause i’m popular, and hot. that’s the only reason why anyone talks to me.” she sounds like she actually believes the words as they leave her mouth.

“you may be “hot” and “popular” but you’re also so much more than that, regina. i mean you’re so nice to me, and you like the same books i do. plus i think your taste in music is really cool. you just don’t give yourself enough credit.” you say easily, taking another sip of your drink. regina gets lost in you for a few seconds; her heartbeat slowing down as everyone else in the house fades out of her mind. she opens her mouth to say something else, but karen and gretchen interrupt. “regina!” the dark haired girl squeals as soon as she sees the queen bee.

she approaches you both and hugs regina, who shoves her off, before karen hugs you. “oh my god, i love your jacket! did you do your makeup?? you look so pretty!” karen’s kind compliments make you smile. karen’s been genuinely nice to you since you became a part of regina’s “clique”. she was welcoming right away, and just happy to have someone new to talk to. “thanks, it’s gina’s jacket. she did my makeup.” you say, flashing this dorky smile at the blonde who is watching the entire interaction with those intense, blue eyes. “don’t you think the blush on the nose looks so cute on her?” regina asks, and karen nods.

“yes! i tried it last summer, but didn’t like it on me.” she admits, as she begins to tell you about the makeup looks she tried last summer. regina glances at gretchen who seems to be staring at something… or someone. “i’ll be right back.” gretchen says, and regina furrows her brows as she watches her friend make her way up to jason who was shamelessly flirting with another girl. regina frowns, “i’ll be right back, i gotta make sure gretchen doesn’t hookup with that asshole again.” the blonde tells you, squeezing your arm before she follows gretchen.

“hey karen! you guys wanna come here and take a hit of this?” one of the guys on the basketball teams calls out for the dark haired girl, and she immediately turns her fixation on him, getting distracted. “okay! come on y/n, let’s go.” she declares, and before you have any time to protest, karen is dragging you over to a group of students you barely know. you look around for regina, and notice she’s busy talking to gretchen and jason… well, she’s more so yelling at them.

“here, wanna try this?” dani, one of the girls on the softball team asks a she offers you a lit joint. you reluctantly take it, placing the filter between your lips before pulling a hit out of it. you begin to cough horrendously, and instead of being put off, the jock lets out a genuine laugh before taking the joint back. “i’ve never seen you around before.” she comments, and your cheeks burn in a bit of embarrassment; though the weed helps numb out the humiliation. “i’m y/n—“ you begin to introduce yourself, but she cuts you off. “no, i know who you are, y/n. we have gym class together.” she reminds you, only adding onto the sheepish blush on your face.

“i meant, i’ve never seen you around before; like outside of school.” she elucidates, and you nod. “i don’t usually come to these sort of things…” you trail off, “… but regina’s been helping me come out of my shell.” you explain, and she raises a brow. “regina? as in regina george?” the softball teams pitcher asks uncertainly, and you nod eagerly, your entire face lighting up like a christmas tree at the mention of the blonde. “yup, she’s over there.” you point over at the blonde who seems to be ripping jason a new one.

“no wonder your hanging out with karen. well, i can certainly see why regina wanted you to be a part of the plastics.” dani declares with a glimmer in her eyes, there’s something in her tone you can’t quite place. you let out this confused little chuckle, “what do you mean by that?” you ask curiously, yet a bit carefully. “you’re beautiful.” she clarifies, and your cheeks heat up due to the unexpected compliment.

your gaze shyly meets hers, and even though it isn’t the same as when regina calls you that; it still makes you smile. “thank you.” you respond, and your soft voice makes the brunette grin. “you’re welcome, i’m just being honest…” she trails off a bit shyly, and dani’s friend interrupts. “you guys wanna head down to the basement and take hits from the bong i brought?” the basketball player asks, as he pulls a mini bong out from one of his large pockets.

“you wanna come?” dani asks hopefully, taking your hand in hers, rubbing the back of your hand with the pad of her thumb. you look over at karen who nods encouragingly, “i—“ you’re about to turn down the offer, when regina’s harsh voice cuts you off. “what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” the furious sound of the girl you’ve had a hopeless crush on for years, causes you to spin around. there’s burning fury in her gaze, and for a moment, you think she’s going to yell at you. your heart races nervously as you think about regina being angry at you.

“gina—“ you try, but regina pries dani’s hand off of yours, taking a step in front of you, practically wedging herself between you two. it isn’t up until this moment that you realize regina wasn’t looking at you with all that rage… she was looking at dani. “we were just inviting your friends to smoke in the basement.” dani’s friend from earlier interrupts, responding for the softball player. regina’s gaze flickers to him. her wrath is enough to get the stoned boy to falter slightly, shifting from one foot to another, “did you wanna come…?” he asks uncertainly, trying to figure out why the blonde was so visibly upset.

regina quirks a brow, looking at dani. “i don’t think your friend here would like that very much. i think she wants y/n all too herself while you try your luck with karen.” regina’s voice is catty while there’s an underlying sense of anger laced throughout it. your belly flips nervously. you glance at dani who looks at you for a moment, before she looks back at regina. “i didn’t realize you were her keeper, regina.” the softball pitcher talks back to the queen bee, who’s brows quirk towards her hairline. by now there are a few people watching curiously as regina crosses her arms, “anything that pertains to her, is my business.” the blonde’s tone is sharp as a blade, and her eyes are deadly serious.

“and if you think for a second i’m going to let some wannabe babe ruth try and get lucky with her in gretchen’s fucking basement…” regina trails off, her seething voice causes dani to shake her head in disbelief. “woah, hold on— i just wanted to smoke with her. and even if i did have some underlying intention… what do you mean you “let” her? last i checked y/n is her own person. she can decide who she wants to hang around all night. following the prissy queen bee, or having actual fun.” dani smirks, and regina’s fingernails dig into her her upper arms.

“i’m standing right here, and i wasn’t going to go down there anyways. i came with regina.” you say as sternly as you can, and regina’s eyes flicker to you. she exhales through her nostrils, releasing a tiny breath of relief she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding. dani scoffs, “so that’s what you are now? regina’s puppy? you know, you used to have your own style, and i’d see you hanging out on your own. i always thought you were cool, because you were so out of touch with social norms…” dani trails off, shaking her head in dismay. “… now you go wherever regina goes.” she finishes as she calls you out.

SMACK

before you can even think about saying something, the sound of regina’s open hand meeting dani’s left cheek elicits a loud slapping noise to sound throughout the room. the room goes quiet. regina’s palm is stinging after coming into contact with the jocks cheek, there are gasps and murmurs that fill the suddenly quiet room. dani looks dumbfounded for two seconds before a wave of humiliation washes over her. “if you want to continue being a part of the softball team, or have any sort of social status, you’ll keep your nose out of my business.” she hisses threateningly.

dani scoffs, looking at you and shaking her head. she turns to leave and you look at regina, who now has a satisfied smile etched onto her lips. “now, where were we? oh yeah, we were drinking our sangria’s…” regina interlocks her hand with yours, the same hand that just slapped dani. she leads you away from the shocked gazes and hushed whispers. the last fifteen minutes were playing in your head like a broken record. regina was upset about dani flirting with you; she was more upset than you’d ever seen. you couldn’t help but wonder why. maybe your feelings for regina weren’t as one sided as you thought.

a/n: sorry this is a little long… jealous regina makes my coochie pulse flutter

taglist: @xvyzxx @spideyznss @whateveryouwantsee11 @alwaysgoodnight @chaoticcoffeequeen @mcu-junkie @lottienatswife @vanessashands @natashas-whore @southelroys @dandelions4us @ylenabelxva @probs-reading-fanfics @dont-emily-me @luz-enjoyer @flocon-neigeux @jjiwoo06 @aminetil @pyro-les @tyler-06 @justlovemaths @teenybean @emskies @tulipatheticee @marvelwomenarehoto

i’m so sorry if it didn’t tag u or give u the notification, tumblr wasnt letting me :/

[gurugirl]

The Amateur | Special Preview

sugardaddy!ceo!harry x burlesque!dancer!yn

New Patreon exclusive short series preview! All parts out now on Patreon!

Series Summary: Y/n is a down-on-her-luck burlesque dancer sleeping in her car. Harry is a wealthy CEO looking for someone to spoil.

Preview Word Count: 1.7k

Her costume was lost or had never been ordered. She wasn’t sure. So, instead of having her first dance routine that night, she was booked to serve cocktails for a private party. Not how she envisioned her dance career progressing, but a job was a job. She needed the money. She needed to eat.

She was given a basic outfit to serve cocktails in. There were four cocktail waitresses. The little outfit was a bit showy for such a job, but she wouldn’t stick her nose up at it.

She curled her hair and pinned the front back and applied makeup. She adjusted her little outfit and tugged at the hem of the skirt. It barely covered her bottom. The tall heels were a touch too small for her feet but she took deep breaths and kept calm. The private party was in a large room (not the main room) with a small bar, some tables, and a stage.

She stood toward the entrance and watched the room get set up.

When the guests who’d booked the private party arrived, Y/n took her spot as directed and saw a group of ten men with nice suits and big attitudes walk in.

She immediately walked up to the table assigned to her and smiled brightly, “Welcome! Can I get you started off with a drink gentlemen?”

There were three tables for the guests and four cocktail waitresses spread amongst them.

Two beers, a whiskey neat.

Back and forth.

A round of shots for the group.

Water. Don’t forget the lemon.

No ice for the one with the grey suit and pink tie.

Her feet were killing her. She leaned against the bar and slid her shoes off for a moment of relief. The fucking things were an inch too high and a half inch too small, and she was struggling. She took a breather and watched over the table she was working. They had just gotten fresh refills and more water so they would be good for a bit.

The dancers on stage were having fun. Y/n could tell they were fill-ins. Not main stage worthy. Like Y/n, amateurs most likely.

Bethany put her hand on the bar next to Y/n, “Can you take my table their drinks? I need to go to the bathroom,” she told Y/n the order and ran off.

The bartender quickly got the order ready and Y/n reluctantly slid the borrowed heels back onto her feet. Somehow, the short rest for her feet only made putting the tight shoes back on worse. Her gait was affected. Her heels were blistered, and her toes were smushed in. She tried to maintain a natural stride on her way to the table but the only way she could stand to walk was to go very slowly.

“IPA?” She lifted the pint up and a man raised his hand as she placed the glass in front of him.

She handed off the drinks one by one and the last was a bourbon on the rocks. The only man who’d not yet been served was looking at her with anticipation of receiving his drink. She moved toward him and her attempt to not step fully down onto her heel had caused her to lose her balance and she dumped the whiskey onto the man’s nice suit.

She gasped and so did the man. Kicking her heels off she ran to the bar to grab towels and then back to the table.

“Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry, sir! This is my fault. I’ll pay for the dry cleaning…” She got to her knees and placed the towel over the top of his thigh and looked up at his face with worry and noted his surprised smile.

She used her other hand to wipe the table as she blotted the towel over his thigh. She had not expected a smile from him.

“Don’t worry. Happens to us all. I don’t need you to pay for the dry cleaning either,” he said as he took the towel from her.

His voice was calm and deep. He sounded British. She stood up and stared down at the man and realized how kind he looked. His smile was genuine and the dimples poking into his cheeks were boyish and cute. He had crystal green eyes and broad shoulders. He was handsome. She was thankful that he was kind.

“I’m really so sorry, sir. I feel so bad. I’ll get another one for you and make sure to put all your drinks on the house,” she knelt down to pick up her heels and as she turned to go back to the bar the man gently grabbed her wrist, “Another bourbon is fine. You don’t need to comp any of my drinks, though. Please. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s okay.”

She looked down to where he had her wrist. He had rings along his long fingers. His hand was big. She looked back up to his face with a smile, “Are you sure?”

The man with curly brown hair smiled and nodded, “I’m sure.”

The rest of the night was far less exciting. When Bethany returned Y/n went back to her original spot. But she couldn’t stop herself from looking at the other table to the man who’d been so kind to her, even after she ruined his suit. He was attractive and it was clear to Y/n that Bethany also thought so. She gave extra attention to him. Anyone would.

When the guests had left and Y/n could put on her sneakers, the room got cleared and everyone went their separate ways. The club didn’t serve food, which Y/n had kind of hoped it would. She was hungry. She’d barely eaten anything all day long. Her day started off early trying to perfect the routine but then after hours of practice, she learned she wouldn’t be on stage because her costume was nowhere to be found.

Running back and forth in tight heels to serve liquor was just as tiresome as dancing on a stage. And being hungry on top of it all was brutal. Her stomach was growling as she walked out of the club and to her car parked at the side of the building where all the employees parked.

“There you are!” The voice of a familiar-sounding man startled her.

Y/n jumped and lifted her head to find the British guy with the bourbon-stained suit approaching her. Her eyes widened. As nice as he seemed in the club, she was hesitant to give him her full trust at 1 am in a dark parking lot with no one else around.

The man stopped in his tracks, “I’m sorry. I know you probably didn’t expect to see me, but I noticed you walking out and thought I’d just come and, I don’t know… maybe say hi,” he suddenly seemed more timid. Perhaps he realized how scary it could be as a woman to be approached by a man in this way.

Y/n gripped her keys tight and looked around. His soft smile put her at ease a little, “Yeah. I figured you guys all left already. I was just leaving for the night. Everything okay?”

Even in her alert state, she still wanted to make sure the man was all right. She was probably too nice for her own good.

His husky laugh sounded like relief in Y/n’s ears and it made her smile, “Everything’s fine. I was hanging back. I have a friend who works here. Just happened to see you leaving is all.”

Dimples.

Bright eyes.

Dark curls.

Tattoos, that she hadn’t noticed until now with his sleeves bunched up to his elbows.

He was attractive and his demeanor slowly put her at ease. She loosened the grip on the keys in her hand and finally smiled at him genuinely.

“Oh. Who do you know?”

“The owner. Richard. Short guy,”

“Bald,” Y/n spoke with a smile and Harry grinned back at her and nodded.

“Yeah. I’ve known him for years. Always lets me get in for a quick last-minute private party if I need. A lot of my colleagues enjoy the atmosphere.”

Y/n nodded and kept her eyes on the man. They both fell silent.

“Uh,” he lifted his hand up in a waving gesture and rubbed the back of his neck, “I’m Harry.”

Y/n’s smile widened, “Y/n. It’s nice to meet you, Harry.”

Harry nodded and stayed in his spot on the other side of her little car. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable by getting too close.

“So, guess you’re headed home, huh?” Harry looked at her little silver car and back to her.

Y/n nodded, “Yep,” she didn’t know what home meant but she would consider her car her home at the moment.

Harry looked down at his feet and back toward the car, “I uh, are you new here? I mean, I only ask because I’ve never seen you around.”

Y/n nodded, “First day. Was supposed to be in the main room on stage but my costume was never ordered or it was lost, or I don’t know… So they had me serving cocktails. I just need the money so I’ll do almost anything at this point,” she laughed and her shoulders relaxed a little more.

Harry’s brows furrowed and he frowned, “Understandable.”

The silence grew loud again and Y/n shifted on her feet. Suddenly the sound of her stomach gurgling in hunger filled in the space in between them and she laughed it off, “Wow. I should uh, go get something to eat.”

Harry kept the small frown on his face, “Well, there are plenty of places open. Vegas baby. Right?” He chuckled lightly, “I guess I should leave you alone, huh? So you can find a spot to grab a meal,” Harry spoke as he backed away from her car, and slowly headed toward the main parking area.

“Well, it was nice to meet you, Harry. Thank you for being so kind to me on my first day,” she slid the key into her door to unlock it and kept her eyes on the man.

He nodded and put his hands into his pockets, “It was nice meeting you, Y/n. And I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again. I’m around often.”

A/N: This 3 part series will only be posted on Patreon. If you'd like more of this, I'd be so thankful to you for subscribing! xoxo

[misshoneyimhome]

I know you aren’t taking requests right now! Whenever you do open that back up, I thought of good one for inexperienced!reader x Willy. I just had to share before I forget lol

Maybe it’s the end of the playoff season, and she asks him if she can shave his beard and he teaches her how to do it? I thought it would be kinda cute ☺️

Can also lead into something sexy if you’d like!

Requests are still closed, lovelies 😉 But… I just couldn’t ignore this one! 😏💋 I’m such a sucker for William and his beard, and honestly, this scenario just had me unf!—so romantic and yet so deliciously heated 🥰 I’ll admit, I’m not usually sold on him without the beard, but a smug, confident William is too hard to pass up. How can we not love him like this? 

I have to confess, I can’t quite remember how we handled the inexperienced!reader dynamic during the first playoffs run of their relationship. Still, I can imagine it could unfold something like this. 😘 Enjoy!

Tropes & warnings: 18+ smut, Inexperienced!reader x Willy, probably no surprise but oral sex (f receiving)

Word count: 2.8K

Off With the Beard I Inexperienced!reader x Willy

The knock of William’s keys landing in the dish by the door signalled his return. You looked up from where you’d been curled on the sofa, flipping through a magazine idly, waiting for him. It was the end of the playoff season—an intense, emotionally draining run that had left him on edge and yet, strangely calm now that it was over. He’d given it everything he had out on the ice, and though there might still be a lingering disappointment that the season hadn’t ended in a championship parade, there was also relief. A chance to breathe.

You set the magazine aside, standing as he entered the living room, still wearing a soft grey tee and track pants. His hair was slightly damp from the shower he must have taken before leaving the rink. That familiar scruff on his jaw was more prominent than ever, grown thicker over the course of the playoffs, since players often avoid shaving for good luck. Now that it was done, the once-light stubble had turned into a proper beard—soft in places, but coarse enough to look formidable. You thought it was charming, though you knew he’d never keep it forever.

“Hey,” you greeted him quietly, stepping forward. He gave you a tired but genuine smile before wrapping his arms around you, pulling you close into a hug that said more than words. His shoulders relaxed, the tension easing out of him now that he was home. You inhaled his clean scent, warm skin, and a hint of fresh soap.

“Long day?” you asked softly as you leaned back to search his face, running your fingertips gently along the line of his jaw.

“Yeah,” he admitted, his voice low and a little rough. “But it’s done.” He sounded resigned but also relieved. His blue eyes drifted to the reflection of the two of you in the mirror across the room, and you saw his gaze settle on his own face. The beard. He’d made some joke before about how he’d shave it off once the run was over, and you’d teased him about it.

This was your moment.

He’d never seen you handle a razor, and honestly, you’d never shaved anyone’s beard before. You were clueless about how to groom someone else—but an idea had been stirring in your mind since before he came home tonight. An image of leaning over him, blade in hand, guiding your touch carefully over his skin. An intimate act of trust.

“So,” you began softly, letting a small smile dance on your lips, “now that the season’s done, are you going to get rid of this?” You gently tugged at a bit of his beard with your fingertips, watching him smirk.

“Oh yeah?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Thinking it’s time, are we?” His tone was playful, and a little challenge flickered in his eyes.

You took a breath, feigning nonchalance though your heart fluttered at the thought of what you were about to ask. “Well,” you said, a hint of a grin forming, “maybe I can do it? Shave it for you?”

He blinked, surprised. “You want to shave my beard?”

You nodded, letting your palm settle on his chest. “I do. That is… if you trust me.” The words came out quietly, and you felt a blush warming your cheeks. Unskilled as you were, you were willing to learn. As always. 

His lips parted, and for a moment he just looked at you, impressed, amused, and maybe a bit turned on by your offer. He clearly liked the idea. “I guess I can teach you,” he said, his voice softening. “I mean, you’ve never done it before, right?”

You shook your head. “Nope. Totally new territory. But I want to help. It’s been driving you crazy, and you deserve to relax. Let me take care of you.”

His expression gentled at that, and a fondness shone through. “Alright,” he agreed, taking your hand. “Let’s do it.”

A few minutes later, you were in the bathroom. He’d settled onto the edge of the bathtub, a towel draped around his shoulders. You’d prepared warm water, shaving cream, and a fresh blade—items he guided you to fetch from the cabinet. The overhead light cast a warm glow, and the mirror reflected both your anxious anticipation and his patient amusement.

“First,” he said softly, placing a gentle hand over yours as you instinctively reached for the shaving cream too soon. “We need to trim it down before we go at it with a razor.” He nodded toward a small electric shaver on the counter. “Otherwise, it’ll be too tough to handle.”

You hesitated for a moment, heart fluttering at the responsibility he was entrusting you with. Grasping the electric shaver, you flicked it on, the low hum vibrating in your hand. William tilted his chin upward, offering you a better angle. You took a breath and began working through the thicker parts of his beard, guided by his soft murmurs of encouragement—“Just like that,” “A bit closer here,” “Perfect.” Bit by bit, the dense hair gave way to a rough stubble.

When you finished, he caught your hand in his, turning off the shaver. “Now we use the warm towel,” he explained, offering you a folded, damp washcloth. You pressed it against his jaw, feeling the now-shortened stubble prickling beneath the cloth. He closed his eyes and sighed, leaning into your gentle touch as the heat and moisture softened the stubble further.

Next came the shaving cream. Slowly, deliberately, you spread it along his jaw and cheeks, the coolness contrasting with the warmth of his skin. Your fingertips grazed his face, and he watched you through half-lidded eyes, amused by your painstaking concentration. This felt different from anything you’d done together before—which said a lot. And maybe because you were unsure of what you were doing, maybe because this was a new kind of closeness, he seemed almost protective, endeared to the fact that you wanted to take care of him in this quiet, meaningful way.

“Take the razor,” he instructed, his voice low, “and go gently with the grain. Short strokes.”

You nodded, carefully aligning the blade. Your heart pounded with the weight of this trust. This was William Nylander, placing a razor at your disposal against his face. Slowly, you made the first pass, your other hand steadying his chin. He was silent, letting you work, occasionally murmuring a soft “Good” or “Just like that,” as you carefully removed the stubble that had become part of his playoff persona.

And as the hair fell away, you revealed more of the William you knew so intimately—clean lines of his jaw, the softness of his lips becoming more pronounced. You found yourself admiring him anew, and when your eyes met in the mirror, he shot you a tender smile that made your chest warm.

After a few careful minutes, you finished, wiping away excess cream, and patting his face dry. The beard was gone. Instead, he looked younger, relaxed, and undeniably handsome.

Your eyes sparkled with triumph. “There,” you said, stepping back to admire your handiwork. “All done.” Your voice held a note of pride, and he picked up on it, chuckling softly.

William stood, folding the towel before setting it aside. Then, he turned to you, his gaze sweeping over your face. “That was impressive,” he praised, his tone genuine. “You did good.”

You flushed, grinning as you took a step closer. “Well, I had a pretty willing teacher.”

He leaned in, capturing your lips in a slow, appreciative kiss. “Mm,” he murmured as he pulled back, “I think I owe you a proper thank you.”

A current of heat arced between you two. Maybe it was the vulnerability of the moment—his trust, your care—or just the natural tension that always hovered at the edge of your relationship. Without the beard, you felt his lips more clearly, softer, and smoother, and you deepened the kiss, feeling him respond in kind.

His hands found your waist, and you let yourself melt into him. The moment carried the promise of something more than just a shave, more than just a lesson. It was a quiet understanding that now that the playoffs were over, and the beard was gone, something new could take its place. 

Something warm, intimate, and undeniably sexy.

“I think,” he whispered against your mouth, “I should show you how much I appreciate this new skill of yours.” His tone was playful, but laced with desire, and you laughed softly, nodding as his arms tightened around you.

His arms encircled your waist more fully, pulling you flush against him. You could feel the subtle shift of muscle under his shirt, the steady rhythm of his breathing turning a touch heavier now, more charged with want. He leaned down, capturing your lips in a slow, searing kiss that spoke of promises unspoken—of heat, gratitude, and release.

When he pulled back, his eyes were half-lidded, dark with intent. Gently, he reached for your hand, guiding you out of the bathroom and into the soft glow of the bedroom. His free hand trailed along the curve of your spine as you walked, each step punctuated by the quiet hum of the city outside. Behind closed doors, the world shrank to just the two of you.

In the gentle lamplight, he turned to face you. The tension that had been humming between you all night found its voice as he leaned in close again. His mouth hovered near your ear, the faint scent of clean soap and something distinctly William wrapping around you. “You were so careful with me,” he said softly, his tone warm and husky. “So sweet, so patient. Such a good girl.” 

Your breath hitched as his hands slipped under the hem of your shirt, fingertips grazing bare skin. He moved slowly, giving you time to adjust and respond, always so attuned to your comfort and your pace. You gasped softly when he let his lips wander along the line of your neck, tasting the curve of your shoulder. The texture of his now-smooth jaw brushing your skin was a sensual novelty—gone was the roughness of his playoff beard, replaced by a softness that heightened every delicate kiss.

Lifting your chin, you met his gaze, and in that moment, you saw a tenderness that took your breath away. There was desire, yes, but also affection, pride, and something else—a deep-rooted connection that made your heart flutter. You might have been clueless about what you’d done, but the way he’d guided you with such care, had made you feel safe to explore this intensity.

Gently, William began to undress you, pausing frequently to press his mouth to new expanses of skin as they were revealed. Each touch earned a small sigh from your lips, each kiss leaving you a bit more pliant beneath his hands. His voice was low and encouraging, murmuring praise and endearments that made your cheeks burn with pleasure.

Your hands found their way under his shirt, feeling the definition of his body that always caught your eye. He let out a quiet groan when your palms pressed against his bare chest, and you swore you felt his heartbeat pick up speed.

“Remember,” he murmured, voice hoarse as his forehead rested against yours for a moment. “You did this. You made me feel like this.” It was as if he wanted to ensure you knew your power—that your kindness, your care, your new “skill” that he’d teased you about, had lit this spark of closeness now blazing between you.

Your answer was in the tilt of your hips and the way your fingers curled into his hair as you pulled him in for another kiss, deeper this time, your body arching into his. Nothing else mattered now; what mattered was the warmth of his skin, the encouraging hum in his throat, the way he guided your every move with gentle, unspoken instruction. The quiet gasps and sighs that filled the dim room spoke louder than any words could.

In the softness of bedsheets and the subtle glow of the bedside lamp, you welcomed him closer, your naked bodies drawn together by a palpable hunger. His mouth found yours again, and this time there was no hesitancy—only a deep, slow kiss that made your heart stutter and your breath catch. His hand trailed down your body, fingertips grazing sensitive skin and drawing quiet gasps from your lips.

He explored you with a reverence that left you breathless, his every touch considered and precise, as if he were savouring the pure, unfiltered responses he drew from you. Your skin tingled under his fingertips, a slow ignition that he kindled with each careful caress. When he pressed a kiss lower along your abdomen, letting his lips linger as he descended toward your soaked, needy centre, you could feel the subtle tremor in your thighs as desire thrummed through your veins.

And at the first sweep of his tongue against your cunt, you gasped, arching instinctively, unsure if you were urging him closer or simply surrendering to the hot current of pleasure, he ignited within you. His mouth worked with spellbinding patience: soft, teasing licks evolved into deeper strokes, as though he was learning the exact pattern that would make you moan his name. He pressed inside with careful fingers, each gentle thrust and curl coaxing whimpers from your throat and turning your quiet pleas into urgent, breathless cries.

Your whispered “Willy…” sent a low, appreciative hum vibrating through him. The sensation rumbled against your flesh, drawing a choked gasp from your lips. He answered not only with a murmured response, but with the slow, confident rhythm of his entire body, guiding you steadily upwards through spirals of want and need. His movements were indulgent, never rushed—he took his time discovering every sound, every shiver, each subtle shift in your hips that told him where to linger and how to push you higher.

At last, you teetered on that trembling precipice, where pleasure overshadowed all thought and your world narrowed to the flick of his tongue, the press of his fingers, and the irresistible warmth of his breath against your most sensitive flesh. When you finally fell over the edge, it was a sublime, shattering release. Each pulse of climax unfurled like a lingering echo, radiating through every nerve, and he stayed there with you, unhurried and attentive, guiding you through the crest and down the other side. He murmured soft praises against your inner thigh, his voice low and full of pride as you shuddered and sighed, slowly regaining your breath in his arms.

When you had finally caught enough air to open your eyes, he looked up, a satisfied tilt to his lips. “I knew you liked me shaved,” he chuckled darkly, voice still carrying that husky edge, each word rolling out like a new temptation.

You managed a shaky laugh, cheeks flushed, your heartbeat still thudding in your ears. It was disarming to see him like this—so confident and just a little bit smug, that playful glint in his eyes as if he’d uncovered some delicious secret about you. And he had, really. He’d learned exactly how to unravel you, how to break down your uncertainty into pure sensation. The intimacy of shaving him, guiding that blade along his jaw, had been a quiet invitation to trust, and now he’d repaid that trust by showing you how thoroughly he could please you.

Your voice came out softer than you intended. “I wasn’t sure at first,” you admitted, still slightly breathless. “But I think I’m convinced.” Your gaze flickered over him, noting the flush on his neck, the relaxed set of his shoulders.

He pressed a lazy kiss to your belly, his hair brushing your skin. “I’d say you’re more than convinced,” he teased, his voice dipping as he straightened and moved up beside you. The mattress dipped under his weight as he settled in closer, still so close that you could feel the warmth of him. He trailed a hand along your arm, fingers grazing the sensitive spots he knew by heart.

The way he looked at you—possessive but tender, amused but grateful—made you blush anew. “You know,” you said softly, your own voice gaining steadiness as the rush of orgasm faded to a warm glow, “I might just have to handle your grooming more often. If this is the thank you, I get…” You left the sentence hanging, a bold hint that even surprised you.

A low growl of appreciation escaped his throat, and he cupped your jaw gently, guiding your lips to his in a slow, indulgent kiss. This one wasn’t about driving you mad or pushing you over any edge. It was about sealing the moment, acknowledging that something unspoken and profound had passed between you.

As he pulled back, he spoke quietly, sincerity softening his tone. “Any time you want to remind me how good we are together… just say the word.” He gave you that crooked grin you adored, the one that crinkled the corners of his eyes and made him look both mischievous and undeniably sweet.

[yikimiki]

thinking about reiner corrupting virgin!reader :(((

⚠️ warnings: smut, dark content, jock!reiner x fem!virgin!reader, reader is extremely innocent/nerdy (the movie stereotype basically lol), both are college-aged, manipulation/coercion, reader is a little intoxicated, but not drunk, tinge of unspecified religious guilt

—

The heavy bass from downstairs echoes like an earthquake around you, buzzing inside your ears and rushing through your veins. You’re a little sleepy, a little fatigued, but the feeling of Reiner’s lips around your neck grounds you to reality. “I’ve never done this before,” you tell him, almost in a whisper. Your skirt is thrown over your belly, exposing your cute pink panties. Reiner has already pushed them aside, two large fingers playing with your clit. The bedroom feels too small right now. “I’ve… I don’t know what to do.”

Reiner hums, and earns a soft gasp from you as pleasure starts to spread in between your legs. You’ve never played with your pussy before — you have no idea how to, and the idea of researching or trying it out just… just made you feel so overwhelmed. It feels wrong, even if you know it isn’t. Feels like something you shouldn’t be doing.

“You’re so pretty, you know that? Such a good girl,” He speaks, and one finger moves lower, lower, until it’s prodding at your entrance. You clench, anxious. “I’ve had a huge crush on you for the longest time.”

You feel your cheeks growing warm. “R-Really?”

Not really. “Really,” Reiner says, pushing his finger inside. You whimper at the strange feeling, legs falling against the mattress. “You’re so sweet. The sweetest girl.”

His words are like liquor and you’re drinking them up, soaking in his breathless praise as Reiner molds you to his liking. The aftertaste of alcohol overtakes your tongue and it only grows more intense as he kisses you again, tongue seeking yours in a hungry desperation. You’re pathetically wet, you realize, and the lewd sounds coming from between your legs are making you dizzy. If you think about it, you don’t believe you’re ready to take this step — you wanted your first time to be a little more… romantic — but you’re also not willing to stop. Reiner is so kind, you know he would never hurt you. So you let him keep going.

“Lemme fuck you, baby? Hm? Lemme make you feel good?” He mumbles against your lips, and you whine as a second finger enters you, stretching you even wider. It doesn’t hurt, per say, but there’s a tension that he will have to go through. “Look at this, you’re so tight, I don’t even know if I’ll fit. It’s so small down here.” Reiner kisses you again. You melt. “You’ve never had anything in here before, hm? Not even your fingers?” He asks, and you shake your head. “Such a pretty girl, what a waste. I bet you’ll love my cock inside you, you’ll look even prettier when you get filled up.”

His filthy words leave you empty-minded, alcohol buzzing in your system as he moves to take your panties off. It’s the first time you drink, Reiner showed you how. He made you stop when he thought you’d get too faded — and then he kept you on his lap like a little pet, caressing your thighs and groping your tits when no one else was looking. It felt threatening to be so close to someone so “famous” around college, one of your biggest athletes; someone who only talked to you when you could help him with a project. To have Reiner playing with your pussy and making you feel so special… well that just seems too good to be true.

“You’re so hot, baby, gonna take such good care of you,” he speaks, pushing his pants down. Reiner talks and talks until your own thoughts can’t be heard anymore, until that little worry inside your head shrinks and you forget it exists. “Can’t wait to be inside this tight little pussy.”

His cock springs free and your throat gets dry. “It’s too big, it’s not gonna fit,” you tell him — and it’s a genuine concern. You don’t even know how your fingers got inside you but that… that is just too much.

Reiner laughs and lowers himself closer to you, rubbing his cockhead against your wetness. “It’s gonna fit, baby. I promise,” he says. You wince, trying to close your legs, but his large figure keeps them open. “Just relax for me. I promise it’ll feel good, be my good girl.”

And you try to — you really do — but it’s just a lot to take in at once. You feel as his big cock pushes past the ring of muscle, struggling to fit inside as you whine and beg him to slow down, to give you more time to get used to it. Reiner doesn’t listen, shushing you and instead adding more pressure, pushing his cock deeper and deeper until it’s fully inside.

You feel like you’re going to faint — it hurts, and it’s too much. “R-Reiner, I can’t—“ you hiccup. “It’s too big.”

“It’s not, baby, it’s the perfect fit. Look: I’m all inside,” he speaks. There’s a strain in his voice, a grunt that breaks at the end of his sentence as he gives his first experimental thrust. “Fuck, you’re way too tight, shit. I can barely move.” He sighs. “Virgin cunts are the best, fuck. Should’ve done this a long time ago.”

That makes you realize that Reiner doesn’t care for you as much as you’d like to think he does. You’re going to protest, but then he’s speeding up and the mixture of pain and pleasure makes you choke out. “I- I can’t, please…” you moan — loud, whiny, something between a cry of pleasure and of pain. “R-Reiner, I-I…”

“Yes, you can take it all, baby,” he coos, his hips slapping against yours. You can feel his cock in your throat, pushing your insides as he fills you up again and again. You don’t know how sex is supposed to feel like — but you have a concern that it’s not supposed to be this. “You’re such a good girl, come on. Be a good girl for me and take my cock.”

Eventually, it starts to feel good, and you manage to relax a little — which, in turn, makes it feel even better. The pain subsides, even if you know you’re gonna be sore later, and then there’s just pleasure coursing through your veins, coming in short hiccups and whines out of your mouth. Reiner is focused above you — a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, blonde hair over his eyes as he looks down at where he is entering you.

It feels good — but you feel so, so dirty.

“Gonna cum inside this pussy, make it mine,” he groans, and it’s not a question. “Fuck, baby, it feels so fucking good inside you.”

“Please not inside, I’m not taking anything,” you protest. His gaze meets yours, inquisitive. “Anywhere else, but not inside.”

He smirks. “Anywhere?”

It’s the desperation that makes you agree — that makes you knee before him as Reiner shoots a fat load of cum all over your face, groaning about how pretty you look as you struggle to keep your eyes closed. It gets everywhere — your hair, your eyebrows, your nose. It’s hot and sticky and you feel like crying.

“That’s my girl,” he breathes out. “Gonna have to fuck this cunt again sometime. Get on the pill, because it’ll be inside.”

[mysteriouslyjovialcolor]

Brazil 2016

-Safety car start?

-Water spray is cool

-Max is HIM

-Him terrorizing Nico is my personal favorite form of entertainment

-How does one drive like this? That’s crazy

-McLaren car looks really cool

-Oh no Sebbb

-Seriously you can barely see the cars with this water

-Where did Ocon come from fr? Wasn’t there another Esteban on the grid in Spain??

-Damn not this guy blocking the pit entry

-Damn he actually hit the wall

-If Max got a penalty for this I will scream

-Genuinely need to know what inters do

-Okayyy Checo! that was actually pretty cool recovery

-Shit, Kimi is out

-Wow is this how races used to be, with safety car after safety car?

-Oh they’re all out of the cars? fun

-This is actually my first time watching a red flag

-Not that the crash was fun, but this after stuff is interesting

-Lol they’re such gossips

-Aww my Spanish speaking men

-Young Bono?!

-Them using Lenovo laptops on chairs like they’re in an office is so bizarre

-I love baby maxplaining

-Daniellll 😭😭 (I miss him in Red Bull)

-Safety car used to slay, what happened?

-Aww Kevinnn

-Lewis giving that lady a jacket: cute

-As a spectator , this part must have been so boring

-They’re finally back in the carsss

-They’re backkkk

-As cool as racing in the rain looks, it doesn’t feel very productive

-Can you pit under safety car? God I sound stupid, someone teach me about tires

-Half of this race was under safety car

-How did he go from “young Max” to “mad Max” in a span of a few years?

-Red flag?? Again?? Why??

-Menace Max is my favorite Max

-I’m still confused about the red flag

-Anddd they’re back in the pit lane

-I feel those people in the stands, I wouldn’t leave tho, I mean after paying that much

-“Why are we stopping” indeed

-Nico is such a diva

-Ohmygod baby Charlessssssss

-This is becoming a little boring and chaotic

-Man I’m falling asleep (Just now realizing I have the power to fast forward this, but I’m going to soldier on and experience this like it’s live)

-Watching them talk about the rain for so long made me completely disassociate to the point where I forgot that the sun is actually out right now where I live

-The only exciting part of this race was Max overtaking Kimi

-Please let them race already

-Imagine just getting in and getting out while being sweaty and wet, I feel for these drivers

-“Hurt or killed” Honestly forget the risks these people take sometimes

-GIVE NICO.H A PODIUM

-Are we still under safety car??

-Verstappen really be Roseberg’s sleep paralysis demon

-WE’RE GOING RACING!

-MAXXXXXX

“You’re going there, I’ll just go somewhere else then”

-Aww they called him Maxyyy

-Daniel too!! Wohoo!!

-“It’s the red bulls that are making all the noise there”, That’s so true cause the whole race aside from this was boring

-Let’s go Vettel!!

-I really like these McLaren cars

-Max Max Max

-Future haasband’s fighting

-MAX!!!!!!!

-“Save of the century” That was so close!

-“Schumacher-esque” Hell yeah

-Oh? Esteban Gutierrez is still there?

-yayyy Seb!!

-Hehe “moderately rude”

-Did I mention the McLaren looks really cool?

-I’m sensing the Brocedes team drama here

-“Verstappen is the danger man to the Mercedes team” The foreshadowingggg

-I don’t like how they display the positions on the screen

-Also “Ves”?

-Ohmygod the fricking safety car is back

-Poor guy, last home race (don’t really know him)

-Just googled him: okayy 11 wins

-Okay this do be sad, people are crying, oh no he’s crying, now I’m sad

-Oh shit he got the “guard of honor”

-“All the agony is going to be washed away with this embrace” that’s really sweet

-Ohmygod this is actually really sweet

-Hope you’re well Massa

-This race is officially the most confusing one I’ve seen

-Ohmygod from 16th???

-What is happening?!????

-LH really led the race from start to finish

-If Max makes it to points now I’m really impressed

-OHMYGOD someone’s off the road again!!!!!

-Woah he’s up to p12

-Yeah Max let’s go!

-He’s almost back in the points

-“Sebastian Vettel still can’t get past Carlos Sainz”

-YESS MAXX

“He’s finding grip where no one else is”

-Okay it got interesting again

-He’s p9!!

-P8!

-Yay Dannyyy

-p7!!!!

-“Textbook lesson of how to drive in the rain” !!!

-Yay Dannyyy pt2

-Yay Dannyyy pt3

-Woah Gutierrez is actually cute…

-Carlos is so underrated rn

-Verstappen the man that you are!

-This is so cooool

-Yessss

-Nooooo

-But that was awesome!

-Wheel to wheel!!

-Damn Max

-Holy shit he’s at p4 wth

-No way he makes it to podium

-He’s a beast, my god

-Yes babyyy!

-Checo defense force

-Damnnnn that wheel actionnnn

-HE MADE PODIUM

-Aii poor Carlos

-52nd career win! 👏👏

-Do I want to watch the championship deciding race now??

-Random but Lewis just sounded like Lightening McQueen right now while celebrating

-Maxplainingggg (he just can’t resist)

-Okay I’m watching Abu Dhabi

[blackfilmmakers]

Gwiles is not a thing in their respective comics. They never dated and aren't even close friends in them. They had one crossover where Gwen kissed Miles after visiting earth-8, immediately apologized for it, said she didn't want them to feel pressured into anything, and they agreed they rather be friends. Dassit. They hadn't been in each others comics before that and haven't been in each others since. I think what's throwing is in the original atsv preview, Miles had one drawing of Gwen, and that's much more in line with how his comic character views her. He was not pressed. But they scrapped that to make it more awkward.

But Miles looking so gone on Gwen because he's mistaking unresolved trauma for deep interest in her would make sense given his age/everything he's been through/the theme of the films. And taking time to actually face/process his trauma looks like it's been setup to play a huge role in btsv.

Margo and Miles spider senses going off so specifically and having them shook also means something since the creators focus on it. The art book confirms Margo thinks Miles is cute and says she plays a bigger role than expected. Maybe just by being her confident/ brilliant/caring/funny/cute self, she helps Miles see what direct mutual attraction is like when you're talked to and treated like an equal (not a kid), don't have to constantly worry about proving your value, and aren't dealing with mixed signals. Maybe he helps her embrace the possibility of being fully present in a relationship with someone who listens to and values her, and helps her to stop isolating to avoid her trauma as well. Or maybe Miles puts the spider society behind him but he and Margo forge some other specific forever bond.

Either way, the black director knows the weight of the position he is in and is very protective of Miles, Margo and Hobie. There's often only so much we can do at times, but you can see the love for black history and culture in big/small places and interactions all throughout atsv, and places where it's a relief that a black person who cares has been present in the room to say not on my watch to things. While spiderbyte and Hobie weren't written to have a ton of screen time in atsv, every second was made the most of and they're genuinely well written/acted/drawn/animated and authentic. I also think the the writers and directors do really want to get this right, people are in for a surpise and many of the fears around btsv will be proven wrong. But given media's treatment of and white ignorance around handling black main characters, some vigilance probably doesn't hurt.

I don’t go here, so I’ll have to take your word on the comics thing

But I do think your take of Miles’ crush being a result of his trauma is plausible. Regular teen crush moments aside, the idea Miles puts so much focus onto Gwen he forgets about the others doesn’t sound like his character

But at the same time, my bar is low. We’ve had Black creators that still succumb to the stereotypes, despite all the good rep for Black stories they do. So I have to wait and see

[theautisticfroglord]

≫ love is a tower where all of us can live

pairing - Marx Francois x reader

fic type - angst to fluff

warnings - kissing, reader gets yelled at, slight teasing by julius

notes - sorry for not writing for a while, I have been busy, enjoy this fic though! (Also the title is a reference to "Christmas kids" by roar it is a vry good song)

The Wizard King of the clover kingdom, Julius Novachrono, recruited you as another advisor for him. He realized that Marx needs help with some of his duties, and you seemed like a worthy candidate to assist him.

You get along with Marx really well. Some days, though, he’s tired and not in a good mood. This is one of those days. You're also tired and forgetful, and you don’t remember to bring some papers to someone. Marx realized, and scolds you about it.

“I-I’m sorry-” you manage to say during the argument, but he continues to lecture you. Suddenly, you have this empty feeling. You feel like he hates you. During your break, after you deliver the papers, you head back down to your office and rest your head on the desk as you begin to cry over how bad your day was. After you stop crying, you sit at your desk quietly, pondering over how you got yelled at today. Then, you hear a knock at your door.

“Who is it?” you ask, trying to sound somewhat alright. Marx walks into your office and comes up to your desk. He notices the sad look in your eyes.

“Hey, Y/N, I… I’m sorry for yelling at you earlier, it really wasn’t a big mistake,” he sighs. Marx notices that you’re still sad.

“Do you… hate me…?” you ask, wanting closure.

“N-No! I don’t hate you, Y/N, I…” Marx’s sentence trails off as he blushes slightly. You notice, and he walks up next to where you’re sitting. He kneels down slightly.

“You’re really valuable to the kingdom… to Julius… and to me,” Marx admits, holding your hand in his. Your eyes shift from Marx’s hand to his face, noticing him smiling genuinely.

“Thank you…” you murmur, squeezing his hand lightly. You sit in silence for a moment as you look down at the floor, both of your faces blushing a little. Then, you feel a soft hand on your cheek, causing you to look back up at him.

“I really do care about you, Y/N,” Marx insists, looking into your eyes.

“I care about you too,” you sigh, noticing how sweetly he looks at you. Then, to your surprise, Marx pulls you in and hesitantly kisses you on the lips. Your eyes widen, freezing for a moment, but then you relax and kiss him back. Marx, surprised that you kissed back, leans into you a little bit. You pull him closer and wrap your arms around him lovingly. He smiles into the kiss and pets your hair gently. After a few moments, you pull away from the kiss. You bury your face into Marx’s shoulder as you sigh. You both sit in silence, relaxing in each other’s arms.

“Is it ok that I love you, and want to be with you?” Marx asks you, slightly worried about his love for you as a fellow advisor.

“Yeah… we can make this work… I love you so much, Marx,” You mumble, intertwining your fingers with his. He kisses you on the forehead adoringly, overjoyed over you loving him back.

“We should go out and get tea together when we have a day off,” you sigh, sweetly playing with his hair.

“That sounds nice, darling…” Marx chuckles, giving you another hug.

“I still have to wrap up with work, I’ll see you later, Y/N,” Marx walks out of your office with you and gives you one last kiss on the cheek before walking off. Julius was nearby and saw him kiss you. He walks up to you.

“You’re really getting along with him, huh, Y/N?” Julius teases, making you blush and pout.

“Yeah…” you admit, slightly embarrassed. Julius pats you on the head.

“Hey, it’s alright! You guys look cute together, anyway!” Julius chuckles lightheartedly. You smile as you realize how you fit in here. You finally have a partner, and a place to belong.

[diedeilv]

Paragraph writing when it comes to the whole ranting thing is one of my most favorite things ever. I only have one friend who does that and I feel so, so special each time. It's so comforting, and like, gentle? Warm, affectionate. It's nice.

You should rant your own personal drama on your blog. It's your blog, after all. You can do whatever you want.

My hobbies? Writing, sleeping, gaming, and reading. Black, because it's easy on the eyes, looks great, and goes with everything. I don't have a favorite animal, I like too many. I've known of your blog for about 2 weeks. Mmh, what about you?

YES I DO WANT TO FIGHT!! I'd beat your ass, I've won a lot of fights yknow. I do want to hear stories about your fights. And it's okay, I like a good challenge. You'll be bloody with broken bones before you finally admit defeat and I prefer it that way <3

SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT!! I was really busy today!

Really? I’ll definitely try and do it then if you ever vent or rant to me! Genuinely make me so happy when someone feels that way since sometimes paragraphs overwhelmed other people (which makes sense)

Aah maybe I’ll take your suggestion to mind.

Oo! What a fun list of interests! I also enjoy writing a lot, I guess I’ve always liked it since Arabic poetry was always in my life and I got inspired by it a lot. Writing in Arabic really fueled my love though. Took a while to learn how to write properly in English but I got it now! It’s a good way for me to really express all my desires and feelings. Though I do tend to get unmotivated but I’ll never get tired about writing about the people I love or writing paragraphs for my beloved. It’s like you’re pouring your heart onto the page, turning your feelings into something tangible. What about you? What made you into writing?

Are you that type of sleeper that enjoys sleeping the entire day? (Cause that’s honestly me anyways) I don’t really have much to comment on this one but sleeping together with someone for all eternity and to forget all my problems sounds amazing.

What type of games you’ve played? I’ve played a few popular games like Genshin and Roblox, a good amount of my friends and classmates like to call and play on Roblox together. I mainly play horror games on there or puzzle games, anything similar. I do enjoy small yandere games or fan made games sometimes here and there, I’m currently into the game “Life is Strange”

What type of genre do you mainly read? I love writing but I hate reading, kinda just hurts my eyes a lot.. and if I read too long my brain aches. Though I read horror, fantasy, mystery, any of the sort. I’m honestly blanking a lot on a book that interests me. I don’t read a lot so naturally I don’t know that many books (and if I did read a book then it’s probably in Arabic 😭😭)

Ah black is a classic color, easy and simple yet really beautiful. My favorite color is pink, there’s not much of a reason for it but I find really pretty and I’ve loved it for my entire life since I was a little kid.

Oh? So what are those collection of animals you love? I love owls, there’s something so serene yet mysterious about them. Also just love big eyed animals since they’re cute asf. Though honestly their eyes can get scary sometimes but still really interested in them.

2 weeks.. aah I struggle to remember what I was writing about 2 weeks ago. Were you one of those blogs liking literally all my posts? It would make sense if you were.. do you think I know your blog? Have I liked/reblogged your posts before?

I’ll edit this part for now since I have no time to say my stories. OKAY CONFIDENT ASS IM GOING TO THROW HANDS LETS FIGHT!! Tell me about your fights if you’re comfortable! I’ve also won a good amount of fights..hmm seems tough. Really? I want to see you first bloody and broken and on your knees before me. We’ll just have to see

[sugarcakeworld]

Dethbears

Dethbears

Prompt: “skiwstok weed date now”

Say less. They also go to BAB cause there’s Dethklok bears. They go to BAB and get high. There you go. 

Disclaimer: I can’t write with the accents. I don’t own Gerald. Or Metalocalypse. Or Build-a-Bear.

Deathbears

Pickles was sitting at the table in the kitchen clutching his phone in his hand. “Oh, hey, Skwiwsgaar,” Pickles lifted his Dethphone up, flashing the screen to show an advertisement for Build-a-Bear. “Did you see this? They’re making Dethklok Build-a-Bears. You should take Toki there. He’ll totally want to make a little Skwisgaar bear.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Skiwsgaar replied. Despite sounding uninterested, Pickles caught on that he was serious.

“Okay, and when you do, don’t just leave him there to pick up chicks. I know we all do it, but seriously-don’t forget Toki and leave your bandmate behind.” Pickles always felt the need to mother them. 

“Don’t you think you’re asking a little too much of me?” Skwisgaar wanted Pickles to take a moment and think about it.

“Hmmm, I guess that’s true. I am. Okay, well, have a good day either way. And Skwisgaar? Have fun.”  Pickles was genuine. 

Walking away with his coffee, Skwisgaar said, “Uh-huh.” He turned around the corner and walked down the hallway of Mordhaus, stopping outside of Toki’s room. He knocked on it a few times before Toki finally answered. He only had his pants on, looking like he’d love nothing more than to lay back down on his bed and sleep.

“What?” He asked. “It’s early.”

“No, it’s not. It’s noon. What did you even do last night?” Skwisgaar asked. “Up all night texting me that weird shit- “ Something at the edge of Toki’s desk caught his eye and he walked right into the room, grabbing it off his desk. “Ah ha! I knew it. You smoked all my weed. But what you didn’t know is that I filled my stash box with Cheesmaster.” As one of the Dethklok strains, it was infamous for making people feel like they were inside of a bubble or see sacred geometry.

Toki dragged a hand over his face. “Wolf. You left that there for days. You weren’t smoking it. As a trap? That’s kinda weird.”

“Serves you right,” Skiwsgaar said, narrowing his eyes. “Always smoking all my weed.”

Toki shrugged. “Whatever. Why’d you come in here?”

“Oh, right,” Skiwsgaar straightened up, carrying the stash box under his arm. “I thought I’d take you to Build-a-Bear and we can get totally high.”

“Ha!” Toki pointed at him. “You just want to pick up sluts!” He still seemed excited. 

“I don’t know how many women will even be there, besides the ones taking their kids.” It’s not like he just wanted to spend time with Toki. “You gonna go or what?”

“Of course. Gonna get high at Build-a-Bear with my pal Skwisgaar. Just let me grab a shirt. Gotta eat breakfast too.” He bent down and rifled through his dresser.

“I’m gonna go put this in my room,” Skiwsgaar said, smiling and walking off to find someone to drive them.

Since neither one of them would drive, they rode in the back of a car with the klokateers who would be their bodyguards sitting up front. Toki filled a then emptied pre rolled Swisher Sweet up with a Deathstrain called Explosion Tits. Well practiced and in synchronization, he held out the blunt and Skiwsgaar waved a flame from a lighter over the bottom, before they took turns smoking the finished product. It really did seem like Skwisgaar just wanted to hang out with him and smoke weed and take him somewhere just to make him happy, which did in fact make Toki happy. Even if the Swede would inevitably ruin it by forgetting him.

“We got to make all the pals for the whole band,” Toki was saying, eyes scanning the whole advertisement for Dethklok Build-a-Bears on his Dethphone. “They’ll say they don’t want them. But come on! They’re all so cute.”

“Won’t that take forever?” Skiwsgaar asked. “Just make the one you want and have fun with it.”

Disappointed, Toki sighed. “Yeah, ok. I’ll order the others online. Are you gonna make one?”

“Pfft, no.” He made a face.

“I want to have matching bears.” Toki’s blue eyes were kind of unsettling when he put up that intense puppy eye stare.

“Vafan, fine.” 

Toki couldn’t imagine in a million years Skiwsgaar agreeing to take him to Build-a-Bear, never mind watching some employee boss him around and make him jump up and down. Skiwsgaar had no idea what he was in for.

They sat in the parking lot for the better part of twenty minutes smoking. Skwisgaar kept trying to get a candid photo of Toki looking hideous and Toki kept ruining his plans by successfully posing for each shot. “How are you doing this? You always take terrible photos of us and you can’t take a bad shot? Should be criminal, the way you’re always tagging us in fucking awful photos.”

“You can’t pose for shit.” Toki thought it was obvious.

“Yeah, it’s true,” Skiwsgaar said. “Not that you warn us.”

“Nathan is just not photogenic. Always needing the photo shop touch ups. Rag-mags having a field day anytime they get a paparazzi photo that looks like hot shit.”

“Me too,” Skwisgaar admitted.

“Yes, me too.”

After a beat, Skwisgaar knocked on the window, signaling they were ready to get out of the car. It didn’t take long before a few people noticed the presence of Klokateers and the two members of Dethklok, but for the most part everyone seemed too busy with their own shopping to bother them. Getting carried away, Toki grabbed Skiwsgaar by the wrist and pulled him towards the store, excited by the display out front.

“Oh, wowee, it’s like a million Deaddybears!” He let go of Skiwsgaar to walk past the rows of displays and barrels of accessories. “Look at the tiny shoes! So cool!”

“Yeah,” Skwisgaar said. An employee stepped out from behind the counter to help them, a name tag with the name “Gerald” written on the front in sharpie. The name tag had a puffy sticker of a bird on it. Gerald had long hair and a slightly blemished complexion, with thick glasses hanging half-way down his nose. 

“Oh my god, it’s Dethklok,” Gerald said under his breath. Then slightly louder, he addressed them. ���Welcome to Build-a-Bear, can I help you?”

“We’re here for the Dethklok bears,” Toki said. “You didn’t sell out, did you?”

“Oof. I’m sorry. We did sell out. But I actually have a hold from Pickles the Drummer. And I’m sure you’ll get promotional bears and gifts at Mordhaus for the collaboration. There was a live event with Toki bear. It was so cute.”

Toki blew a raspberry. “Totally missed it. Too many collaborations to keep up with. Sad I missed it. Pickle held some for us?” He pointed at all of the Murderface leftovers. “Why didn’t these sell?”

“I don’t know!“ Gerald said. “Look at him. So grumpy. Yeah, he wants to stab something.” He stopped messing with the Murderface on display and stepped back behind the counter. “Lemme check on that hold.”

Looking around, Skwisgaar saw that there were some families milling around with young children out of school, as well as a few customers who would wander in and out. Grandparents just looking and getting ideas for gifts. Young women lingering in front of displays of Hello Kitty. Skwisgaar was oddly stuck to his side, bending down to inspect an unstuffed Toothless. 

“You should get one of those,” He encouraged the Swede. Skwisgaar stood up. 

“I have way too many deaddybears. Fans always throw them at you, right in the face while we’re on stage. And you give them to me, and I never get rid of gifts. Too many deaddybears.” Skwisgaar reasoned. “Just way too many to get even one more.” He was somewhat of a sentimental hoarder. A big softy, like Deaddybear. Even if he always had resting bitch face.

“You said you’d make one,” Toki reminded him.

“Yeah, OK,” Skwisgaar said. “Let’s see what Pickles put on hold.”

Gerald came back with a few plastic bags full of unstuffed Skwisgaar and Toki bears, as well as the clothes and accessories that came with them. “Aw, look at these friends,” he held them up for Skiwsgaar and Toki to see. 

Skwisgaar’s Build-a-Bear was a generic white polar bear with blue eyes. A polar bear? How did that even make sense? It looked crazy without stuffing. In a separate plastic bag Gerald opened was his signature and more recent Thunderhorse Gibson Explorer. Toki’s Build-a-Bear was a generic brown bear with a little Manchu over its smile. A blue shirt, boots, and his Snow Falcon Flying V were in separate plastic bags. 

“Toki should come with tiny little blunts from when he smokes all of Skwisgaar’s weed,” Skwisgaar said under his breath, rolling his eyes.

Toki ignored him, taking all of the little plastic bags with Skwisgaar bear’s clothes and boots and guitar. “Gonna make a Skwisgaar bear. Han er veldig keeg.”

Dead quiet, a slightly flushed Skwisgaar accepted the Toki Build-a-Bear plastic bags and watched as Gerald stuffed the bears, not saying a damn thing and trying and failing not to laugh. Toki definitely laughed.

“Oh, my god, no, don’t stuff them too much!” He exclaimed. “Make them soft!”

Gerald just smiled, fully aware of how hard it was to watch this part without losing it, despite the family friendly atmosphere. “Uh-huh, no worries.”  He handed both Skwisgaar and Toki little red hearts as requested. All he made them do was put them above their heads and shake them, before warming them up in their hands. Toki made Skwisgaar say something into the voice recording machine, despite there being a pre-recorded option from some promotional material for the band. 

“Knulla dig,” Skwisgaar said towards the screen, enjoying this way too much. Toki rolled his eyes but let it slide. Oblivious, Gerald stitched up their bears and handed them over. 

Toki held up his finished Skwisgaar bear, who did have a decent head of felt blonde hair, because he probably looked too ugly for words bald headed and wearing a black tank top. All that white fur. “He does look pretty awesome.” He stuffed him into the little blue and white box. 

The klokateers that had come with them appeared with boxes and boxes of Build-a-Bears that Toki had ordered online ahead of time. It was comical how they skillfully managed to carry all of them as well as the two additional boxes back to the car. 

“I can’t believe you didn’t leave me there to go hang out with some sluts,” Toki said.

“I haven’t been that bad about it, recently.” Skwisgaar said, though not defensively.

“No, you haven’t,” Toki agreed. “Want to smoke and do hand stuff on the way back?”

“Yeah, obviously,” Skwisgaar said as the car door closed next to him. There were so many blue and white boxes they were crammed in pretty close together. It also effectively blocked them off from view of the klokateers sitting up front or any onlookers.

-

Ending notes:

*What the fuck.

*He looks really cool.

*Fuck me.

I don’t know I just feel like whatever is wrong with Toki, it could be fixed if someone would just take him to Build-a-Bear. And I know that goofball would want the Hello Kitty releases. Also, Skwisgaar been taking it easy on the body count in Army of the Doomstar. By the way, if you even care.

[zepuckinghockey]

A quick little magic au Tkachuk fic.

This whole mess was Matthew’s fault, and when Brady got his mouth and fists back, he was going to let him have it. 

But he didn’t have those right now. No, right now–he was a dog. 

Matthew had been so eager to show him around Miami and all its cool shops that he’d forgotten that Brady was fucking allergic to magic and then Brady was sneezing in the restaurant and suddenly the world was dim, missing a few colors, and he was four feet shorter with no thumbs. 

Biting Matthew had been reasonable. It’s not his fault they got kicked out of the restaurant. 

He bit Matthew again on the streets just to make it clear.

“Dude, sorry, I know.” Matthew didn’t sound particularly sorry. He sounded and smelled like he was laughing. Brady didn’t know how he could smell that, but he could, and he wasn’t amused. 

“Let me just take like two pictures and then I’ll take you to get changed back, okay?” 

Brady looked up at him balefully. Matthew hadn’t told him yet if he was a cute dog or if he was like one of those kinda ugly ones that people only had because they were supposed to be guard dogs and instead they slept all the time. He kinda felt like the second. 

“I’ll give you some jerky if you pose,” Matthew said sweetly. 

That sounded even more delicious than normal. Brady sat up and tilted his head, flopping one of his ears up. A breeze blew right into it and he full body shivered, flapping his head back and forth until the ears were right again. Matthew was bent in half, hands on his knees and laughing so hard Brady thought he might be turning colors if he could see them. Brady bumped his head into Matthew’s. Man his skull felt soft. Was it normally like that? Did Matthew need a doctor? 

Matthew shoved him and he barely moved, but then Matthew’s hand was buried behind his ear and oh oh ohhhhh. Brady melted into the pavement. He was going to give so many dogs ear scratches if this was how it felt. Matthew kept scratching, moving from one hand to two and that was heavenly, and then petting him with a hand down his spine. 

“Your face is still flat as a dog, Brades,” Matthew said. “But like, I bet the lady dogs love it.” 

Brady waited for the rest of it. The ‘too bad the human ones don’t’ or the ‘only mothers when you’re normal�� but Matthew was apparently done. Who knew dogs brought out the best in him? 

Brady could be a dog all the time. That sounded nice. But he wouldn’t get to play hockey anymore unless they went Air Bud style on the ice. That would be the shit. Maybe he could talk to someone about that when he was back. He sneezed. Maybe in a week. He always broke out with hives after a magic encounter.

“Yeah, sorry, man,” Matthew said quietly, sounding more genuine this time. “I forgot this place had floating food.”

Brady didn’t know how anyone could forget about floating food, but he’d had his own rookies do it a few times. Still, he’d milk this for all it was worth–probably at least a season’s dinners. 

“Let’s get you home.”

[estelopez]

relationships could be difficult, este knew that, and even though she would have never agreed to go on a blind date, she was starting to think it hadn’t been the worst idea ever. she was having fun; christian was not only really handsome but also super nice to talk to. she knew she could spend the whole night chatting with him and wouldn’t mind getting home late because it would mean she was getting to know someone great. plus, no one would hear her sneak in at home. "okay, i take your word for it," she chuckled softly. "if not, I’ll just dance to the music and make a fool of myself like I do when I go out to clubs with my friends," she laughed. those line dance classes didn’t sound half bad; honestly, she was actually looking forward to them. she wasn’t sure if it was because of christian or the dancing itself, but she was ready. este asked him for a picture, and to be honest, she didn’t know where her sudden nervousness was coming from. as she looked at the photo, she smiled, "i look really cute," she blurted out, feeling genuinely happy. "do I?" she asked, glancing up at him. "i feel good in this hat; i might just have to steal it from you," she joked. when he flicked up the brim of the cowboy hat, it felt like her knees were about to give way. did he know how to make her nervous? "you're making me feel like I’m…" she said softly, trailing off. she looked away for a moment, biting her lower lip. "i'm really liking this," she confessed. "i thought a blind date was a crazy idea, but honestly, you’re making me want to forget that rule I set for myself about not kissing someone on the first date." she paused for a second, gazing at him. "you're like the guy I fall for in my books."

christian didn't know if he could handle another heartbreak if he was being completely honest with himself. the last one was hard enough. loving someone with his whole heart and having that thrown back into his face when she cheated on him with one of his best friends absolutely sucked and made him question everything around him. who could he trust anymore? two of the closest people to him went behind his back and ruined his mindset on both love and friendship. the worst thing about it is that christian didn't know how long they were seeing each other behind his back until he found out about it. "yeah, just come along to one of the sessions. i'll teach you the ropes. i promise you'll be able to pick it up by the second of third dance. everything's kind of repetitive once you get the hang of the steps." christian taught everybody the same routine because it was simple and fun. a step here, a step there, add in a little turn one way, then the other and a clap every couple of beats. christian smiled as the girl repeated what she needed to bring with her to his place of work. she seemed to have everything done. the girls cheeks blushed once he placed his cowboy hat on top of her head in one slick and flirty move. christian got his phone out of his back pocket and snapped a picture of este posing in his hat. she looked adorable wearing his accessory. he tilted his phone screen so este could have a look. "you look like the most rootin tootin cowgirl wearing my hat." christian cheekily flicked the front of the cowboy hat up a little so that he could see more of este's face. "you look like you are ready to hit a rodeo."

[sweetmusingss]

“Yeah, of course. I didn’t mean to make you think that you have to come over here all the time. That’s just not realistic. You have your own business and your own life and I completely understand that. I probably shouldn’t make myself so available to you. It has to be way more exciting for guys to be after someone who plays hard to get. Maybe I am making things too easy for you,” I laugh nervously. I was a little embarrassed that I was coming on too strong in making myself so available to you. I also wasn’t used to being vulnerable in my real life so it was shocking that I even admitted to you that I missed you. I got afraid that if we didn’t see each other much, you would forget about me and lose interest in me. It’s why I fought to see you so much lately. I wanted to remind you that I was still here and I still wanted you.

Seb furrowed his brows before scooting closer to you and wrapping you up in his arms. “You are not making things too easy for me. I like the speed we’re going at. I want to come over here whenever I have a free moment, nothing is ever too much. Living here is a bit fast, yeah, but we’re not saying that. I wanna spend every available moment we both have together. Here, at my place, at the diner, with or without Noah... I don’t care about the circumstance, I just wanna be with you, babe.” He looks into your eyes as he speak, wanting you to know that he was being 100% genuine. He could tell that your ex really messed you up and he wanted to show you that he wasn’t like him, he was going to treat you the way he should’ve treated you, the way you deserved to be treated.

__

Emma was completely avoiding the diner the past few days. Truthfully, she had been slammed with work and it had been taking up a lot of her time. There was a case that she was working on and the guy was roaming free and she was trying to find him but it was looking like a dead end. She was irritated, hating feeling like she was failing. It didn’t help that her mind kept wandering back to you and what it felt like kissing you. It didn’t matter that she had been drunk off her ass. She could not forget a kiss - or kisses - like that. She stared back at you, seeing that you still had the same energy and positive attitude as always. It was exhausting just listening to you speak but yet she found herself not wanting to go anywhere else. “Well now that you put it like that, it doesn’t sound right. You’re talking a lot,” she says simply to you, running a hand through her hair. “Can I have some lunch, please? I’ll take the usual,” she said, finding herself staring at you more than she used to when she would come in here.

Usually Emma just gave me one sentence or less answers, but now she was using proper sentences and it made my heart rate pick up. “Oh, sorry, yeah I talk a lot. It’s a nervous tick. I guess you make me nervous. Not in a bad way... like in a ‘I’m not worthy to be near you’ way. Wow, I am saying a lot. Let me get your order in.” My face was as red as fire truck as I turn around, closing my eyes and mentally cursing myself as I walk over to the cook and tell them Emma’s and Regina’s usual lunch orders. I make her a cup of iced tea, writing her name in swirly lettering with a smiley face and some cute designs, making sure not to draw any hearts or anything, not wanting to scare her. I bring her her cup along with a straw, continuing to linger near her. “Um, how was your weekend? I noticed you weren’t around so I figure you were probably busy busting bad guys and doing normal sheriff-y things. Regina came in looking super angry this morning, which is kind of her usual face but it seemed angrier than usual so I assumed that you both had a tiring weekend...” 

[h4rring1on]

could u do eddie and reader being enemies but readers had a crush on him for a while now and she accidentally calls eddie on the phone and talks about why she likes eddie 😭

pairing: eddie munson x reader

warnings: swearing, thats it but please tell me if i missed something!

eddie munson.

god, no words can explain how much you hate that name, especially because it belonged to someone even worse.

it belonged to the most annoying, hated, nerve wrecking asshole. you hated eddie with your whole entire being.

ever since he made fun of your pigtails when you were 8, you declared him your mortal enemy. he never changed since then, always making fun of you, always teasing you, getting on your last nerve.

you hated him so much. you never understood how people seemed to like him, or think he was cute!

like what?! him? cute?! no! impossible. he’s so annoying and a demon from hell!

but god was he cute.

you would never admit to him, but he’s really cute. even though he’s an asshole, he made your heart flutter, he was sweet to you when you genuinely didn’t want to deal with his shit.

why! how dare he make you feel this way! it was frustrating you so much, you hated him, but somehow loved him

after a long while of keeping quiet, you had enough. you needed to tell someone, so why not tell chrissy, she can keep a secret

when you came home from school that day, you called chrissy right away

“hey! before you say anything, i need to tell you something. okay here it goes—oh my god. this is so annoying! you’re right, chrissy, okay? i admit it! i hate eddie, so fucking much! well, hated. oh my god i can’t believe this, why is this happening to me?! why did the universe make me fall in love with the worst person on earth! i’m sick of him, he’s so annoying! why does he have to be so cute? and so—ugh! i love him, chrissy. why do i have to love him? he’s always a prick, and now he chooses to make me love him?! what’s wrong with him! god i hate him! but i love him…but i hate him!” you said, and proceeded to scream into your pillow in frustration

you were met with silence

“…you done?”

your eyes widened, and you froze, that wasn’t what chrissy sounded like. that sound—that voice, its manly—it’s annoying—its…

no. NO. NO NO NO

you quickly hung up the phone, and sat there in shock, you cannot believe this. how is this happening?! how did you call eddie instead of chrissy!

you spent the rest of the day contemplating every single life decision you made

should you even go to school tomorrow?

should you even go back to school ever?

how are you gonna see him like you didn’t just say all that to him?

this might be the most embarrassing moment of your life

after dinner, you sat in your room, not even being able to close your eyes for five seconds without remembering it again. then you suddenly heard rocks at your window

hesitantly, you got up and opened the window, your eyes widening

“couldn’t get rid of me that easy” eddie said with a smirk of his face

“what are you doing here!” you whisper yelled

“you gonna let me come in, sweetheart?”

and there he was, standing in your bedroom, a shit eating grin on his face as he looked at you

“great talk on the phone today, by the way” he teased

you groaned and fell on your bed, screaming into your pillow with eddie chuckling in the background

“please go away” you said, too ashamed to look at his face

“oh come on” he said, “don’t you wanna talk to the worst person on earth, who you love?”

you groaned again

“alright, guess i’ll have to save my confession for another day”

you sat up, “confession?”

“lets say what you said may or may not be what i feel as well” he said, and you sat there in shock, “hmm, but i’ve been told to go away so” he said as he began climbing out the window, but you quickly pulled him back, pulling a little too hard, making you fall back, forgetting how strong eddie is

eddie was quick to grab you, “careful, sweets” he said as he looked into your eyes

“did you—do you really mean what you said?” you asked

“ ‘course, doll. you’re like the prettiest girl i’ve ever seen, you’re kind of sweet sometimes, you somehow take care of me even when i make your life a living hell? you’re smart, you’re beautiful and perfect…you think i was acting normal when i was hearing you talk about me? got me squealing like a little girl, babe”

you couldn’t help but smile at his words, the two of you leaned in, and shared a soft kiss. all the hatred, all the frustration, it all went away as soon as your lips touched his

once you pulled away, you two stared into each others eyes

“you’re mine now, things are about to get much worse im telling you” he said, making you chuckle

“been dealing with it for long enough, don’t care anymore” you said, as you kissed him again

[obeymeoasis]

Demon Bros React: MC Gifts Them a Handmade Bracelet

Lucifer

“Luci, I made you something for fun but I’m not sure whether you’ll like it or not.”

He looked up from the stack of papers on his desk he was trying to get through. “As long as it’s not another bill like the one Mammon just racked up, I’m sure I’ll like whatever it is. Especially if it’s something you made.”

Blushing, you got up from your chair and quickly slipped the item onto Lucifer’s wrist.

He looked down to see a bracelet made out of elastic and chunky plastic beads. Among the red and black ones, the words “My Light” were spelled out.

“That’s just the way I feel about you sometimes. Whenever it seems like there’s nothing but darkness around me, you’re always there to guide me toward the light, toward better and happier times. You’ve saved me so many times.”

You looked at the bracelet on his wrist and suddenly felt self-conscious at how cheap it looked against the elegance of his RAD uniform. Lucifer seemed to be frozen in shock as well; he sat at his desk silent and unmoving.

“If...If you want I can take it back! Sorry, I just thought-”

Your sentence was interrupted by the full force of Lucifer crushing you into a hug. He tucked your head underneath his chin and he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of your head.

“I love it. I love you. You make my every day brighter by being with me. I can’t express how much I care-” He cut himself off, feeling his throat tighten with sudden emotion.

You hugged him back just as tightly. “Love you always, my light.”

Mammon

You were cuddling together on the couch, watching a movie. Mammon had his arms around you, one hand holding yours and the other tracing patterns on your thigh.

With your free hand you reached into your pocket to pull out the bracelet you had made earlier in the day. Bright yellow smiley face beads surrounded the word "Priceless".

"What's that babe?"

"I made it for you! Sorry it's not super fancy or anything. But I saw these beads today at the craft store and they reminded me of you. You make me smile all the time because you're such a goober."

Mammon grinned and acted mock-offended. "Hey! Is that any way to treat your first man?"

You continued, "And also, you're priceless to me Mammon. You know that right? I wouldn't trade you for anything. Not even all the Grimm in the world. You make me feel so happy and loved."

You heard Mammon's sudden intake of breath. "Y-You really have no problem saying such embarrassing things, huh." His ears and cheeks were bright red.

You thought that was the end of the conversation but a few minutes later you heard Mammon whispering into your hair. "My treasure, I love ya so much. What did I ever do to deserve ya."

"You deserve to be happy Mammon, you deserve all the good in the world. Don’t let anyone ever tell you differently. I love you."

Leviathan

You were in his room, him playing a game and you putting the finishing touches on the bracelet you were making. Shiny blue beads with wave patterns on them surrounded the words “My Rock”. 

Quietly, so you wouldn’t interrupt his game, you placed the finished bracelet on his desk and moved to sit back down in your chair. Suddenly, his arm shot out to grab your wrist. He had paused his game and slid his headset slightly aside to ask: “MC, what is this?”

“Oh, I finished making this for you. Y-You don’t have to wear it if you don’t like it! But... I just wanted to give you a small present.”

Hand still holding your wrist, Levi wordlessly picked up the bracelet and examined it in the light. 

“Um... you know how my favorite animal is the otter? Well otters sometimes have a favorite rock that they keep in their pocket. And you’re my favorite, you know? Also you’re my rock because you keep me grounded a lot. Like when I get all anxious and stressed out you help calm me down. Whether it’s just cuddling or playing a game together, being with you is so peaceful.”

As you continued to ramble nervously, Levi’s cheeks began to grow redder and redder. “You really made this for me? This isn’t like a pity gift is it? Are you sure you want to give this to a-an otaku like me?”

You sighed and moved to wrap your arms around his neck. “Levi, you know I would never gift you something because I ‘pity you’. And also, I don’t understand what being an otaku has to do with anything. I’m giving you this because I love you, all parts of you.”

Levi looked at the bracelet for a moment longer before quickly slipping it onto his wrist. “I-I really like it. Thanks, MC.” He seemed to be gathering up his courage for something and letting out a deep breath he turned around to give you a quick kiss.

“S-Sorry! Sorry, I just... I’ve never received anything like this. I like you a lot, you know?”

You returned his kiss with one of your own. “I know.”

Satan

You had finished a light lunch together and now were browsing Satan’s favorite bookstore. He was looking at the history section while you were pretending to look at the bookmarks, gathering up your courage to give him his gift.

You were worried a bit that he wouldn’t like it. The bracelet itself was made out of inexpensive materials, emerald color beads and beads that spelled out “Beloved”. It didn’t seem like the type of thing Satan would wear.

He interrupted your thoughts with a tap on your shoulder. “Everything okay, MC?”

“Yeah, I was just...” With a sigh you held out the bracelet to him, there was really no point in stalling. “I made this for you. I understand if it’s not really your thing but just know the message is genuine.”

He pinched the bracelet between two fingers and began to examine it. "Beloved, huh?” His lips were quirked in a smug smile.

“Don’t tease me. But y-yeah, you’re my beloved. I never thought I’d meet someone like you here, you know? You feel like you fit right against my heart, like you’re my soulmate. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

All of the amusement was wiped off of Satan’s face and his eyes seemed to burn into you, the way he was staring at you. He deliberately rolled up the cuff of his RAD uniform slowly and made sure you were watching as he put on the bracelet, turning it this way and that to examine it. 

“It’s a good thing you don’t have to think about that, pet. Because trust me when I say that I’m never going to leave you. You’re stuck with me forever.”

With a wet laugh you rushed to hug him, burying your face into his chest. “That doesn’t sound bad to me at all.”

Asmodeus

You were in Asmo’s room, helping him paint his nails. His left hand was already finished and you watched him blow on the nails, trying to dry them. He held out his other hand for you and you pretended to fiddle with the nail polish before quickly slipping on the bracelet you had made for him earlier.

“MC, what is this?” Asmo looked at the bracelet, soft pink heart-shaped crystals surrounded beads that spelled out “Jewel Of My Heart”.

“Well, I know it’s nothing much compared to the jewelry you already have” you said, nodding toward Asmo’s vanity which held a variety of sparkling necklaces and earrings. “But I wanted to give you something handmade.”

“Oh, it���s so cute darling! I love it!” Asmo pulled out his cellphone and started trying to take pictures of his wrist from different angles. “Can you help me, MC? My nails are still a bit wet and I don’t want to ruin them. But I also want to post a picture to Devilgram immediately!”

You chuckled and took Asmo’s phone from him, trying to move his wrist to get it in frame. 

“I know you’re not the Jewel of the Heavens anymore. But I think of you as the jewel to my heart. You’re beautiful, Asmo. Not just the way you look but the way you’re able to find beauty in everything. Even in me, no matter how terrible I feel sometimes.”

Asmo had gone silent and you looked up to see him biting his lips, his eyes widened. “MC, that’s cheating. You can’t say things like that when I can’t even give you a proper hug right now. Ugh, you’re too adorable.”

Smiling, you held up his hand and pressed a gentle kiss against it. Asmo inhaled sharply.

“Darling, I think we can finish the other hand at a later time. Right now, there are other pressing matters I’d like to get to.” Asmo’s eyes had turned lustful and he quickly scooped you up and led you toward his bed.

Beelzebub

You were in the kitchen together, Beel helping you test a new pie recipe. Well, he was doing more eating than testing, letting out small whines until you gave in and fed him spoonfuls of fruit filling. 

It was warm and peaceful, the smell of sugar and vanilla in the air as you mixed a pot on the stove and Beel leaned against the countertop.

“Oh Beel, before I forget.” You reached into your pocket and pulled out a bracelet made up of small orange beads and plastic teddy bear-shaped beads. In the middle were the words “My Strength”.

You helped him slide it on his wrist and smiled at his confused look. “I made this for you today. I saw these beads and thought instantly of you, ‘cause I always call you my giant teddy bear.” For emphasis you gave him a hug and laughed at how small you felt in his arms.

“And also, I think of you as my strength. You’re super strong, yeah, but not just physically. You’ve always been there for me, whenever I felt down or scared or sad. You give me strength when I need it most. And I hope that I can lend you some of my strength too for whenever you need it.”

As Beel looked down at the bracelet, a slow smile spread across his face. “You’re cute, MC. Thank you for the gift. And you make me stronger every day by just being with me. I hope we can be together forever.”

You reached up on your tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek and he returned it with a sudden passionate one on your lips.

The two of you stood kissing for a few moments longer until you broke away from him, smelling burning sugar. “Oh god, the filling is burning! Quick, turn off the stove!”

Beel looked into the pot, which had turned from a deep red cherry color to almost black, and shrugged. “Eh, I’ll still eat it.”

Belphegor

You don’t know how long you had been napping for, but you woke up and rubbed the sleep from your eyes. You were warm and comfortable, one of Belphie’s legs wrapped around your own and his arm across your stomach. 

Looking down at his wrist you realized it was the perfect opportunity and slipped the bracelet out from your pajama pocket. The square lilac-colored beads looked cute against his wrist and you made sure the words “My Comfort” were facing the right way up so that Belphie would spot them when he woke up. 

You thought it would have been easy to give him his gift undetected, considering how much of a deep-sleeper he was, but at your movement Belphie scrunched up his nose and slowly opened his eyes.

“MC?” His voice was bleary from sleep. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing babe, go back to sleep.” He nodded and turned to face the other way but must have felt the beads pressing into his wrist. Confused he lifted his arm up and squinted at the bracelet. “What is this?”

You sighed, a bit nervous at how he would react. “I made it for you. It’s nothing fancy but I’ve been wanting to give you something for a while now. Something to remind you of me.”

He ran his fingers along the beads and mouthed the words “My Comfort”.

“That’s what you are to me. Comfort. When the world is too loud and my thoughts are too jumbled, you help make things quiet. You’re like a warm blanket that can muffle out the bad and the scary. I just hope that you’re as comfortable with me as I am with you.”

He remained silent for a while, rolling one of the beads between his fingers. Finally, he moved to bring your wrist to his mouth and pressed a light kiss on the inside of your wrist and then the center of your palm.

“I never thought I would get to have this, you know. A kind of love like this.” He rolled over so that you were face to face and tucked a lock of your hair behind your ear. “Don’t ever leave me, okay?”

[boogiewrites]

Seeing Stars Part 13 | Eddie Munson

Summary: The one where Eddie realizes he's in love. Star's birthday leads to a night Eddie will never forget. Star feels something growing between them, but her conscious self isn't ready to unpack that yet. Fluff, banter, gifts, guitar, and two goobers healing each other.

Part 1 if you missed it!

NSFW - CW: use of gay slur in reference to being called that,  conversations about sexuality, p in v sex, use of pet names, mentions of past abuse/trauma from a bad relationship (not in detail), drug use.

The cold was starting to steadily set in, moving into November. The days were short and the general energy was that of a post-Halloween lull. The group in their hoodies and sweaters were eating the last of the clearance Halloween candy they’d all nabbed around the lunch table.

“Is there anything going on this weekend?”

“No. Nothing until after Thanksgiving.”

“Any movies come out?”

“I don’t know if I can watch Nightmare on Elm Street 2 again, I’ve seen it twice in a week.”

“There’s that Transylvania one coming out I think?”

“You wanna go see that?”

“Is there anything besides going to the movies? I’m broke.”

“I miss when Steve worked at the mall.” Dustin sighed.

“I miss never paying to see a movie,” Mike added.

“And getting into the rated R ones.”

“He worked at the movie theatre? And now family video? Does he have a thing for film?” Star asked.

“No, he worked at the ice cream place in the food court.”

“Scoops? With the boats and the sailor uniforms?” Star pouted at the cuteness of the mental image.

“I miss the free ice cream too.” Mike groaned.

“That is too cute.” She cooed. “Steve in that little sailor get up? Ugh, I’d pay to see that.” she giggled.

“You’ve been to the mall?” Eddie asked, quickly side-lining her thoughts of how Steve’s body might look in tight polyester.

“Uh yeah duh.” She said obviously.

“You’ve never told me you’d been to the mall.”

“I’m not going to take you with me when I go buy underwear, Eddie.” She chuckled and the group mirrored her response. “Or talk to you about it.”

“You should. I’ll go. Happily.” He flirted shamelessly and she snorted.

“Guys are bored to tears waiting on girls when they shop.”

“Nothing is boring about the combination of girls and underwear,” Jeff added in with a laugh.

“Really?” Star turned with genuine confusion on her face.

“You sound surprised?”

“Well,… an ex did nothing but gripe and complain the whole time. Even in Victoria's Secret.”

“If you ever want a guy around that would NOT be bored by that, I volunteer.” Garrett grinned. Eddie shot him a glare and Star rolled her eyes.

“I think Eddie called dibs,” Star smirked at him, snapping his head her way with the mildest flush to his cheeks.

“I did?” He rapidly blinked “ I did.” He agreed. The range of emotions quickly passed over his face and everyone at the table watched him lose his cool and fumble the opportunity to flirt. “I would but there is something already happening this weekend.” Star looked at him with a raised brow. “I know I’ll be busy because it’s someone's birthday.” He leaned in with a cheesy grin.

“Yeah! It’s Robbie’s birthday!” Star quickly said, lightly kicking Eddie’s leg under the table. He swished his head towards her, confused.

“You’re… hanging out with Star’s older brother for his birthday?” the guys were suspicious.

“Robbie got a… old junker he wants to fix up and he thought it’d be a good opportunity to teach Eddie some stuff. Right?” Star leaned towards him, staring intensely into his eyes.

“Y-yeah. Right. I needed some uh, experience working on something besides my van and Uncle Wayne’s truck ya know?”

“Your brother wants to hang out with Eddie? On his birthday?” A flat question.

“It’s just any other day for him. He’s never been big on birthdays.”

“Must run in the family,” Eddie muttered.

-

“Why wouldn’t you tell them it’s your birthday?” Eddie hissed to Star in the hallway.

“I don’t like it when people make a big deal about it.”

“Bullshit.” Eddie scoffed.

“I don’t! I didn’t want to entertain or anything on my birthday, I wanted to enjoy myself and my few precious days off of work and school.”

“Oh.” he didn’t do a good job at hiding his disappointment. “I uh… thought we’d do something together actually.” he sheepishly added, looking to the ground as they walked through the hall.

“We can do something,” she stated evidently.

“But you said-?”

“I meant the whole group or having to play hostess, you know? I don’t feel like I have to keep you entertained when you’re around. It’s not work.” she explained with an animated hand.

“Weird way to call me easy.” he quipped with a smile.

“I can always jingle some keys in front of your face if you get bored. Or throw a cat toy across the floor. That’ll keep you going for a good half hour.” she smirked.

“You’re lucky it’s almost your birthday or I’d make you pay for that remark.” -

Eddie awoke with a moan leaving his throat he wasn’t sure he’d ever heard from himself before. It reminded him of a sound Star might make. His thoughts turned to her as they often did nowadays. He quickly recalled the dream he’d been having, lifting his covers to find himself painfully hard and tacky under his sheets. He looked at the dim light coming through the window covered by his band’s show banner. He frowned at the car that was now running whose backfiring had woken him up from one of the best dreams he’d had all year. In the daze of half sleep, he felt like he could still smell her, some intoxicating mix of patchouli and vanilla. Instead of laying on top of her, face buried in her tits and her limbs wrapped around him like a snake he was face first in his pillow, his hand with her panties still tangled in his fingers the same way he’d fallen asleep after jerking off.

It was early for Eddie to be awake and even earlier for a Saturday. But he had things to do today. He peeled himself out of bed, the well-loved pair of Star's panties going back into their hiding place of shoved into the back of his nightstand drawer. His dick taunts him with its proud sway as he sits on the edge of his bed and rubs his face. He let out a wail and smacked his cheeks.

“Guess I gotta kill you before I can get anything done.” He said to the pulsing attention whore between his legs. He needed to behave today, it wasn’t about him or what his cock wanted. He’d jerk off in the shower. At least he wouldn’t have to clean anything up that way.

-

Star awoke to Moon meowing in her face, perched on her chest. She opened one eye and then glared before shutting them tightly again.

“I was having a good dream.” She complained.

“Mrow.”

“What do you care what it was about?”

“Mrow.”

“Maybe it was about him.”

“Mrrrrl.”

“Yeah again,” Star answered defiantly, finally opening her eyes and giving up her fight against slipping back into the steamy dream.

“Merp.” Ozzy chirped in from the floor, big eyes looking up at his adopted mother.

“Don’t you start. I thought you liked him.”

Moon purred, leaning her head to bonk it again Star's face.

“Yeah, you’re cute. I know. I’ve left you inside with uncle Robbie a lot.” Star sighed and pet the cat to return the affection. “It’s cold out here and I don’t want you alone without heat for too long.”

“Mrow. Awow.” Moon sassed back.

“What? I can’t cuddle up naked with a man and keep warm? You’ve got Ozzy.” The black cat with a chip in its ear let out a loud meow and walked back and forth next to her bed. “You don’t get to judge me for keeping warm by my own methods out here while you’re in there with a damn fireplace getting your butthole licked. ” Star talked to the fat white fluff of a cat in her hands, her paws dangling.

“Mrrrrrr.” She swished her tail but made no attempts to move.

“Maybe I am jealous.” Star laughed. “Speaking of.” Star plopped the cat into the floor. “I guess I need to get this birthday started right.”

“Mew.” Ozzy kindly requested.

“Yes, your food first then the manifestation orgasm. I know.”

-

Eddie was greeted with a friendly scent of nag champa, one he could recognize because of Star. A jingle of bells announced his presence.

“Hello again, Eddie.” The woman with a warm demeanor and motherly smile said from across the shop, looking up from her book. “How’s that lapis working out for you?” He walked among the imports, the pipes, and stones to the small worn counter in the back where a register older than him sat.

“How do you remember that?”

“Not many guys that look like you come in for crystals. They mainly want pipes.” She grinned.

“I’ve bought both.” He chuckled.

“And you’re a good customer so of course, I’d remember you.” She reassured him.

“I wanted to get both today actually.”

“Sure I didn’t give you pyrite on accident?” She asked with a wink. “Big spender today, huh?”

“Pyrite.” He stopped to think, his eyes wandered as he thought. “Pyrite. Pyro. Fire. Shiney. That’s the gold-looking one for money.” He finally finds his answer. “Oh, I get the joke now.” He nods in understanding.

“You’ve been studying?”

“Kinda. I’ve mostly looked at Star’s collection. She’s got one in her money bowl. So it’s easy to remember.”

“Tell her to buy one from me and it’ll work better.” She joked.

“I’m seeing her today. I will.” He gave one of those soft genuine smiles she liked seeing on anyone. Eddie had deep, good energy. “This is my first stop because I know it'll be my most expensive.”

“What are we thinking? Is the lapis working out? Need any more selenite? I’ve got some full moon water if you’re interested.” He could tell she was excited to be talking about her work, Star did the same thing when he’d listen to her.

“I'm just a baby here I’m not ready for all that.” He chuckled. “I’m here, trusting my choice of what to buy Star for her birthday. I finally figured out what to get her so I guess that’s a good sign.

“I’d say so. I always struggle with figuring out what to get people.”

“I’m starting with a pipe. I already know which, the sunflower one.”

“The lapis is certainly working.” She declared happily and moved to pull the glass yellow sunflower-tipped smoking pipe from the case. “She’s mentioned this one being cute before.”

“That or I’m around her so much I just know her now.”

“Either way it’s intuition. What else?”

“Rose quartz. For sure.” He nodded.

“Lovely love stone.” She lilted and grinned.

“She mentioned something the other day and it was…. Well, it was something bad about herself. So I wanted to get something to help her with that. She gets too hard on herself.”

“That would definitely help.” She almost floated across the divider and went to a very pink section of the wall. “Are we thinking statue? For the altar? We’ve got jewelry of course. Rings?” She perked up. “Or is that a little too on the nose?” She winked. “Lots of choices.” She stood proudly in front of the selection and watched Eddie’s borderline pout appear.

“Guess this is the real test of intuition.” He sighed.

-

Eddie smelled his cologne as he hopped out of the van. He stopped to look at his shirt and wonder if he’d put on too much. Maybe the entire outfit of freshly washed clothes was weak compared to the built-in cigarette smell of his usual jeans. He couldn’t exactly pinpoint his motive for cleaning up today. He figured it was better safe than sorry. After all, his current jerk-off fantasy where Star asked him to do nasty shit in bed as a birthday favor could happen. Right?

He looked at himself in his rearview mirror, sighing when he wasn’t sure what he was trying to fix precisely as he fussed with his hair. He threw his backpack over his shoulder, fetched his guitar, and headed towards the vibrating air stream trailer.

The small window provided a clear view from the right angle. It wasn’t the first time Eddie had been sneaky and watched Star before knocking. The bass was unmistakable, Sunshine Of Your Love, one that even he’d learned on the bass. He watched Star turn into view, singing and dancing as she always was it seemed. She checked her earrings, her hair teased up and fluffy. She tossed it behind her shoulders in time with the music, leaning one toward her mirror and then the other to the beat. Her collar bones flexed, and Eddie’s eyes quickly moved down to see the black dress she was wearing. He wanted to press his face to the glass to see how it looked past her hips. She moved sultry to the psychedelic groove, hips moving like a pendulum, and Eddie was enchanted. That was until the song winded down and she shook her head back and forth to the beat of the drum. She laughed and smoothed her hair, lighting what was either a cigarette or a joint. She smoked and sighed, hips wavering to a keyboard-heavy witchy-sounding song Eddie didn’t know.

He knocked and heard her call him in.

“It’s unlocked!” She smoothed the front of her dress down, wondering how she should stand, and promptly forgot how she would normally. She scrambled until the last second when his eyes landed on her and she’d chosen a hand to her hip and a joint to her shining lips.

“Hey.” He stuttered out, looking at everything but her face. His word was short and cut off. Her heart raced as she waited for more but it didn’t arrive. She couldn’t read his expression and the lingering quiet as she’d turned down the stereo made her feel nervous. “Uhm.” Eddie rubbed the back of his neck, his face contorted into what she thought was a disappointing wince. “You-uh that dress is…” his eyebrows went high and she felt so small.

“It’s too much isn’t it?” She looked down and he saw her face sink as much as his heart did as he watched her confidence drain from her lightly painted face. “I like to get dressed up on my birthday and I thought it looked so good on Madonna when I saw it.” she spoke so fast her words fell on top of one another, rubbing together as she swallowed audibly and took a little gasp of breath. “-so I tried to find one like it as a present to myself, you know, and I thought it’d look good on me. But it looks dumb, doesn’t it? It’s not me. I knew black and lace were too hard. I’m not edgy I shouldn't be such a try-hard.“

“WOAH Woah.” Eddie approached her with open palms, lowering his bag and sitting his guitar in the kitchen booth. “Slow down sweetheart.” He put his hands on her bare arms. “You look amazing.” He said with a hard brow.

“Oh.” She blinked with wide eyes and Eddie tried to look into the depth of them to understand why she switched modes so quickly. “You looked like you didn’t like it or something.”

“Why do you give a shit if I like it? You like it right?”

“Yeah. I was - AM a little nervous about it. I don’t usually wear all black and anything lacey and silky except my nightgowns.”

“If you like it it doesn’t matter what I think.” He reminded her. He saw the recognition come across her eyes and she nodded, chewing her lip.

“You’re right.” She frowned and looked down at herself. “Sorry, I-“ she shook her head, trying to pinpoint where the trigger had come from. She quickly realized it came from the same place most of them did. “It’s… an old habit.” She sighed. “I used to get dressed up a lot. For no reason. And I loved it. I still do.” She admitted. “But then I had it used against me and it turned into me feeling bad every time and I stopped.” Eddie let his hands leave her arms as he nodded knowingly. “I think I’m doing so well and then something like this happens. Also, my birthday is an emotional day in general so maybe I’m just… wound tight?” She looked to the joint in her hand. “That’s why I’ve got this.” She chuckled and took a drag.

“You look great. You always do.” He quietly comforted her. “And this year you don’t have to feel bad on your birthday. Happy Birthday, by the way.”

“Thanks.” She gave him a soft smile and he saw her shoulders start to relax. “We’re the same age for a few months.”

“Getting old on me.” He grinned and she playfully shoved him. “Getting wiser.” He bobbed. “Which is what’s really important.”

“When you’re my voice of reason I don’t know how I feel about it.” She kidded.

“Ah but I am also an enabler!” He grinned and moved back to his backpack, sitting it on the kitchen table. “Of bad decisions!” He beamed as he held out a baggy of weed and dropped it onto her kitchen counter. “That’s some good shit from California.” He pointed to the baggie.

“I’m waiting to see the bad decision?” She picked up the baggie to look at the bright nuggets inside.

“You want your presents now?” He asked with an eager gleam in his eye.

“You got me presents?” She pouted adoringly.

“Of course I did!” He sounded slightly offended.

“I’m so impatient. You know this.” She held out grabby hands.

“Okay so- first.” He held out a tube-shaped wrapper. It was painted newspaper, she’d seen it before. A yellow ribbon wrapped around it. A bow with tendrils tickled her fingers as she unveiled the mostly yellow sunflower bowl.

“This is from town!” She said excitedly. “This one is so cute! Is this for me?”

“If you’re the birthday girl it is.”

“I am!” She cheered. “Thank you, you didn’t have to. Really.” She cooed and moved to wrap her arms around him. He smelled good. She pressed her nose into the soft flannel of his shirt.

“You’re welcome but I’m not done yet.”

“Is the next present telling me what you’re wearing because it’s very nice.” She said distracted, looking at the place on his shoulder she’d just left.

“It’s uh some black bottle. And some of that oil you gave me.”

“I’m a genius.” She smiled and he returned the expression as he saw she was back to feeling like herself. “You might smell as good as I look.”

“Never.” He choked out a laugh. “Not possible.”

“Go on.” She rolled her eyes and flung a hand at him.

“I also got you- US wine.” He held out a glass bottle like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. “I don’t know shit about it. I got this one because it had a yellow label and you like yellow.”

“I do like yellow. And wine. I haven’t had any since I moved.”

“I don’t know if you remember it but you talked about at-“

“Our Halloween party yeah.” She smiled warmly, holding the bottle and looking it over. He paused for a moment to sit in the odd fuzzy feeling he got from her referring to the party as “our”.

“I’ve never had it. I don’t know how old grapes could be good so I also got a 40.” He yanked the familiar cheap bottle out and moved to the fridge.

“Oh my god, Eddie you spent too much. You didn’t need to get all this stuff.” She whined as he took the bottle from her hands to place it in her small refrigerator.

“Save it you martyr, it’s your birthday. I get to spoil you for once. You’re the working girl and always feeding me and funding our bullshit and it takes a hit out of my masculinity so let me do something nice for you.” he walked past her and tapped the button of her nose and she demurely smiled.

She liked the idea of someone spoiling her.

“Besides- the next few things-“

“Few? As in multiple? EDDIE!” She quickly shifted back to scolding.

“If you’d let me finish I was going to say the next few things didn’t cost anything.”

“Good save.” She muttered with a faux judgemental smirk.

“First. A new mixtape.” He smacked it into her hands in its decorated case. ‘Nov. 84-85’ it read with flowers and stars doodled. A tiny rendition of her D and D characters' great club and face adorned the inside jacket. “I know we didn’t meet until July but, I put my favorite songs that came out from your birthday last year to today. Since you didn’t have me around to show you good music for the first half of the year I figured I’d make you a tape with all the stuff you would have loved if you’d moved here sooner.”

Star felt a flip in her stomach. Eddie felt the same as he saw the way she looked the tape over, smiling at his drawings and being so gentle as she touched it. He then felt the same thing she had earlier, a concern he’d fucked up when she looked like she might cry for a split second.

“You know…” she let out a noisy exhale. “Sometimes I wish I’d moved here sooner.” She confessed. She kept her eyes on the cassette and its scribbled tracklist. She didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t used to someone being so thoughtful when it came to her. Not someone like Eddie. Not someone she cared about like she did him. She didn’t want to say aloud she wished she’d met him sooner. Or wished she’d not had to have gone through the last year of her life. Everything felt so much harder before Eddie came along. She realized she’d been quiet for too long.

Eddie hadn’t noticed the lingering silence. He was too busy having his own rivaling inner crisis to the situation he’d introduced. If they weren’t avoiding eye contact with one another they’d have seen the mutual expressions of fear and curiosity. Eddie was sweating, his mind falling down a rabbit hole. Where would they be if she had been here a year earlier? What would she be like if she hadn’t gone through… whatever her ex had done? Would she even like him if she hadn’t gone through that? Was it for the best things worked out this way? Would he have graduated? Would they even be friends? Would they have dated? Would it have been a mistake that ended in flames? Were they better off as friends? Could they have been the exception to The Munson Doctrine which states no relationship can end well? Was he even thinking about this in the past tense anymore?

“I feel like I missed out on a lot.” She held up the tape. “You know, without your divine guidance and all.” She smiled, avoiding eye contact.

“Yeah.” He huffed out, his spiraling stream of thought forced into stability again. “That was the idea behind it.” He bobbed and looked to the floor. “Next year the whole playlist can be our favorites instead of just mine.” The sentiment was felt and appreciated. But unfortunately not explored.

“I’m already looking forward to it.” She said without even the slightest allusion to sarcasm. Their eyes finally met, neither was brave enough to hold it for too long. She tucked a hair behind her ear and looked away. “You mind if I put it in now?”

“No, please do.” He shooed her in the direction of her stereo with his hands. He took a deep breath, rubbing his face. A smack to the forehead told his brain to get its shit together while she had her back turned.

“Metallica. Nice” she bounced in approval, moving back to the kitchenette booth, her hands in front of her as she picked her nails.

“Creeping death ep was released in November last year. Their new album comes out early next year. I’m so fucking stoked about it.” He was immediately distracted by a musical hyper fixation from his emotions.

“I know. It’s only the 100th time you’ve mentioned it.” She gave him a gentle smile, seeing his eyes widen and his posture perk up.

“I’m doing that thing again aren’t I? Shit,” he muttered. The thing in question was not being able to shut up about his interests when he was excited. They were both guilty of it from time to time so both understood the compulsion.

“You know I don’t mind. It’s cute when you’re excited about something.” she shook her head, dismissing his concern he was annoying. Her eyes grew a bit more half-lidded, the joint almost half gone working away at it on her own. The high was fuzzing around her and he could tell.

“Maybe I’m not annoying you because you’re high,” he suggested.

“It helps.” she shrugged, a face not giving her playfulness until it finally broke with a giggle. “You’re also bestowing gifts upon me. What am I gonna do? Be a dick? No.” she leaned against the booth’s edge. “Like I said. It’s cute. I like it. Please continue.” she bowed forward, a hand sweeping out. He couldn't help but smile, as he noticed her picking up on his mannerisms and using them for herself. She put him at ease, a rustling in his stomach he still felt afraid of, but the smile on her face distracted him enough to continue without feeling like an awkward nerd.

“You like me being awkward or the gifts?” he leaned forward to clarify but a smile twitched in the corner of his mouth breaking his attempted seriousness.

“Both.” she nodded after a pause of consideration.

“Okay because this next one is a combination of both.” he gave a forced smile and wide eyes. She observed him pull his wallet out, her brow lowered with curiosity. Her expression only deepened as he pulled out an orange card. He held it between his teeth as he put his wallet back up before holding it up on display. She recognized it as a monopoly card.

“Get out of jail free card? You know those don’t work in real life, right?” she started to giggle.

“No shit.” Eddie gasped. “Wayne and I started this thing when I was younger. It’s a favor. Whoever has the card, gets to ask a favor of the other person, and they can’t say no. But you have to give over the card when you ask for the favor.”

“That’s the cutest shit I’ve ever heard.” she pouted as if mocking him but she was entirely serious. “I get my own card?”

“Yeah, this is a new one.”

“Where’d you get it?”

“I stole it.” he grinned.

“From where?”

“A monopoly set.” She put her hands to her hips.

“No shit.”

“From school. Don’t worry about it.” he flicked her nose with the card.

“Do you have the one you use with Wayne?”

“He’s got it right now.”

“Oh! What was the favor you asked?” her eyes lit up.

“Jesus, so many questions. None of your beeswax, Ramona.” he laughed.

“Who the hell is Ramona?”

“Did you not read as a kid?” it was his turn to put his hand to his hips.

“Not especially.” she shrugged.

“It’s from a book, don’t worry about it.”

“I feel like I hear that a lot from you.” She pursed her lips.

“Focus Star!” he laughed, shaking the card in her face.

“Right. This adorable, wholesome, heartfelt PBS level shit.” she attempted to snatch it from his hand and he yanked it away, a teasing smile on his face when she scowled. She put the joint out and held out her hand. “I’m glad I’m super high because I would be emotional otherwise. This is… honestly adorable doesn’t do it justice. Thank you. I feel like I’m a member of the Munson family now or something.” There was no sarcasm to be found when she took it and looked it over.

“Not quite.” a quick nervous huff escaped him at the embarrassing thought that popped into his head as he heard her words. “I’m sure I’ll regret it. But when you don’t have a lot of money you get creative.”

“You probably will.” another giggle, her tongue peeping out of her mouth as she smiled. She tucked it away into her wallet and returned to Eddie. “It’s perfect. I can’t deal with you when you’re so… fuckin’....sweet like this. I don’t know what to do with you.” She walked up to him, putting her hands to the sides of his face in a fluid motion, with no hesitation. “I love it when you let that big brain of yours get creative.” she shook his head and he openly swooned, a happy sigh as he leaned into her hands.

“You’re so nice when you’re high.” he dopily smiled.

“I’m always nice.” she scrunched her nose then leaned in to bite his.

“You’re always weird.” he laughed and rubbed his nose. “You feral child.”

“You love it, shut up.” she smiled and pulled the zipper of his backpack to look inside it.

Eddie opened his mouth to speak, he did love it.

“What else is in your bag of tricks Mary Poppins?” her eyes dilated dark when she looked up at him. The red from being stoned in the whites somehow made the green in her eyes even brighter. He shut his slack jaw before proving himself more awkward.

“I might’ve got Steve to look up your most rented movies for me, so I have those to watch.”

“Invading a girl's privacy.” She chuckled as he dug to pull them out. “What if I’d had some nasty pornos on there? I might not want you to know what I’m into in secret.” Her tone was entirely not serious.

“They don’t have pornos at Family Video” Eddie snorted. “Besides you “borrow” mine so I know exactly what you’re into.” He leaned down into her face to give her a goofy smile.

“I don’t know. I might have some things you don’t know about.” She piped.

“You expect me to believe a girl who rented The Muppet Movie SIX times is into some dark immoral kinky shit? I don’t think so.” He held up the video to mock her.

“It’s my comfort movie! I loved it as a kid.” She grabbed it away and hugged it to her chest. “I do feel a bit exposed now. For real!”

“At least Spinal Tap and the Dark Crystal are cool.”

“I like Jim Henson.” She sulked. “The way they make the puppets is amazing!” She declared defensively.

“I’m not shitting on Jim Henson, I like the Dark Crystal too, you won’t hear any complaints from me about it.”

“Don’t you have comfort movies from when you were a kid?”

“Of course.”

“Like what?”

“The Hobbit.”

“That feels obvious.” She giggled.

“I read more than watched stuff as a kid.”

“I do know you like Disney movies.” She teased.

“Yeah, it turns out I have a heart and animated animals make me cry. And you like puppets and anything Don Bluth has touched makes you cry. Turns out we’re both human after all.”

“He’s a genius.” She said with conviction and wide eyes. “We should watch-“

“No. I’m not watching The Secret of Nimh again Star, you’ve bribed me into watching it 4 times already.”

“But it’s my birthday!” She moped.

“Fuck.” He groaned. “I am willing to watch The Muppet Movie.” He said with a chop of his hand. “I know you’ve watched Nimh recently. Would you really rather watch it?”

“Since Nimh would annoy you more I kinda want it.” She scrunched her nose and laughed like a goblin.

“I have to bend to your whims today. That’s how it works for you, right? I’ll watch the damn movie again.”

“I’m just fucking with you.” She poked his stomach. “You’re fun when you’re all flustered.”

“Fun for who?” He laughed with bewildered eyes.

“Me.” A swift response. “Your cheeks get all pink and your hair moves around a lot and gets those fuzzy flyaways.” She reached up to straighten one out and he smacked her hand away which made her laugh. “And your voice cracks like you’re going through puberty. I find it very amusing.”

“You’re the devil.” He said bluntly and she fell into a fit of giggles.

“Good thing you’re a satanist then huh?” She came back with a wink. “Since it’s my birthday you’re worshipping me today too so bow down mother fucker!” She cackled.

“I won’t waste my time pointing out the inaccuracies of what you just said because I KNOW you know you’re wrong.” His cheeks were warm as they fell into their playful banter of fake anger. “And you’re fucking with me because you want to get a rise out of me!” He grabbed her sides to tickle her and she screamed and bolted for her bed. “You find it amusing when I’m annoyed? What if I find it amusing to tickle you until you piss yourself?”

“And I thought I had the secret kinks.” She wiggled her eyebrows and stuck out her tongue, her soft body still bouncing from her leap onto her bed on her knees.

“That’s not-! Star!” He griped and she started another round of stoned laughter. “You’re so god damn ridiculous.” He declared as he laughed.

“I know.” She sighed, wiping the corner of her eye. “It’s one of my favorite things about myself now.”

“Mine too.” He replied warmly, still chuckling as he dug through his bag for what he wanted to show her next.

She hummed contently, sitting on her knees. Eddie made her feel so pleased when she was high. She wanted to pinch his cheeks for being so sweet. She felt a new compulsion to squeeze him until he popped when he would compliment her. She didn’t quite understand it.

“This. This isn’t a birthday present for you. But it is important and exciting all the same because it’s how I planned to start our evening. Smoke while we order some pizza, then eat ourselves stupid and drink and watch puppets. Or whatever you wanna do because it’s your birthday but- that was the loose plan.” He saw her tilt her head as he spoke. “The record store FINALLY got my order in!” He held out the cassette like he was shoving a sword. “Iron Maiden. Live After Death. Recorded during their World Slavery tour in California and London. Over an hour and a half of pure face melting metal!” He was so excited it took him a moment to register Star's expression.

“Oh!” It sounded as forced as it felt in the moment. A knee-jerk reaction she immediately regretted. “That’s what we’re doing tonight?” She asked, brows high and hiding her disappointment. Not as well as she thought. She tried to cover. “That's… finally came in, huh?” She said with a bounce and a smile.

She watched Eddie falter, the pure joy fading as he witnessed her reaction. She felt her stomach drop.

“You’re disappointed.” He said without meaning to be so blunt about it.

“No! I’m just… surprised.”

“You don’t want to listen to this do you?” his voice deepened and his face fell expressionless.

“Of course I do.” That was a genuine answer. He interrupted her and she closed her mouth before continuing.

“Shit.” He muttered, looking at the cassette and she rose to stand again, not being able to handle Eddie’s dejected face.

“Eddie I really don’t mind.” It was true. She didn’t.

“I’m so stupid.” He sighed, his hands falling to his side.

“What? No, you’re not.” She squeaked in offense.

“It’s your birthday. Look at you for Christ's sake. You’re all dressed up. I’m so stupid I should’ve known you’d wanna go OUT or something.” He was frustrated for real this time, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I got so excited about getting this in and getting to listen to it I didn’t even-“ he took a deep breath and noisily exhaled. “You don’t want to spend your 19th birthday holed up with me listening to one of MY favorite bands while you look like a fucking movie star and should be out getting shown off and spoiled.” Star's chest ached at his words, the way his shoulders fell and his back hunched. “You said you wanted to do nothing for your birthday. You didn’t want to host and wanted to enjoy your time off but I took that too literally didn’t I? You like to get out and party and I’m not used to thinking like that. I’m sorry, Star. I fucked it all up.”

“Eddie, honey. You are being entirely too hard on yourself. As usual.” She voiced before reaching him and taking his hands into hers. “Now listen to me. The only thing I’m upset about right now is that you’re so upset. “ she squoze his hands. “I did think we’d go out and do something.” She frowned slightly but it was quickly covered with conviction. “Nothing significant though. Like… Maybe ice cream or a movie or the thrift shop. Eddie, you get so hung up on thinking buying me things or experiences is what I want.” He met her eyes then. She saw right through him. “ But it’s not. I get it, I do. You don’t think all I want is to buy you the things that make you excited too? Guitars and cars and concert tickets?” She smiled and took his face into her hands. “But I can’t. We can’t. Because that’s not our life. And that’s okay. We know the value in other things don’t we?” He fluttered his lashes and felt his cheeks burn. He nodded ever so slightly. “I get dressed up every birthday now. It’s a… sort of ritual I do to celebrate myself. Whether I knew we were going out or not I’d be dressed like this, okay?” She waited for another nod as his glassy eyes stayed to hers. “And you’re wrong about another thing.” She smiled and mushed his cheeks. “There’s not much I’d rather do than be holed up with you. I don’t need to go out to have fun anymore. Not since I met you.” His stressed-out expression faded with every delicate word she spoke. Her bright eyes bore into his dark ones, asserting herself. “I didn’t know you could have fun doing nothing until I met you. Then all of a sudden I understood why people wanted to stay in and hang out. Why people enjoyed others' company so much. I’ve never had someone like you before. I’ve never had someone who just fucking GETS me, you know? And I don’t want you to think that I would EVER prefer the life I used to have of partying, fake friends, and bad decisions over doing anything with you.” Star's words hit them both hard. Poor Star had realized she’d never had a real friend before.

And Eddie, he felt so seen it was like he was stripped bare. She was right. They’d never had someone before that felt like they truly understood them. She saw his shame of being poor, and she didn’t pretend like it didn’t exist or give him the bullshit of oh one day you’ll not be poor anymore. There was plenty magical and whimsical about Star, but her outlook on what the world was and the place people like them had in it wasn’t one of them. And he loved her cynicism for such things. Her dark humor and her ability to be uncomfortably real with him. Just like she was right now.

Star was compelled to take Eddie with his big sad cow eyes into her arms. She wrapped around his neck and pulled him close. She could feel something in the way Eddie's hands gripped across her body before wrapping her up against him and raising her to her tiptoes. He'd needed the validation.

“I’m not upset. I promise.” She kissed the side of his head and squeezed her arms tight. “I assumed something and I made an ass of u and me.” She chuckled. She felt him weakly smile against her. She let him go and he released her, leaving his hands on her hips as she left hers on his chest. “And don’t ever let me hear you call yourself stupid again.” She pinched his chin. “Got it?”

“Yes ma’am.” He nodded as she held his chin. “I didn’t mean to be so dramatic.” He muttered. “I just get so… my mood shifts so fast sometimes. I thought I’d fucked up your birthday. You trusted me with spending it with you and figuring out what to do and I just-.” He blew a raspberry with his tongue.

“I know, hun. You've just been around my dramatic ass too long.” She gave him a quick soft kiss that made him sigh and close his eyes. “If you’re involved it can’t be that fucked up.” She reassured him. Despite the draft from around the door he stood close to, he felt warm all over when she looked at him. “Let's start the evening by getting you good and stoned so we can both be chill and happy again and we’ll listen to Iron Maiden and do fuck all. Sound good to you? Because it sounds great to me.“

“Sounds perfect.”

-

Full of wine and pizza Star was sat on a blanket and pillows on the floor with crossed legs. With a full stomach, she’d forgone the dress sooner than she’d wanted to. But the stomach wants what the stomach wants. And being extended from pizza and alcohol was what she wanted tonight. She’d compromised with a black silky nightgown that looked similar enough to the dress but was loose and soft. Stars priority now lay with being comfortable. A smoking ashtray sat between her and Eddie, the bowl he’d gifted her being used already. He’d taken the bed, sat on the edge, guitar on his legs. He was rewinding the Iron Maiden cassette they’d just listened to and he’d picked away on his guitar the whole time. Star had enjoyed watching him and getting drunk.

“I wanna do somethin’.” Her half-baked thought tumbled out of her mouth. Eddie stopped and his hand naturally returned to his guitar. He blinked slowly, waiting for her to continue.

“I can’t read minds. I wish I could. Or wait no, Ew, I take that back.” The flow of thought from being high and sipping away at a 40 made an unfiltered appearance.

“It’s my birthday you have to say yes.” She wore a mischievous smile, and leaned back on her hands, holding herself up with locked elbows.

“I can’t agree if I don’t know what to.”

“That’s the catch.”

“Or you could tell me?”

“Say yes and I’ll show you instead.” She wiggled her brows at him, sticking her tongue out ever so slightly.

“Mmm.” A deep chesty hum. “This feels like a trap.”

“Move your guitar to the side for a second.” She wiggled to her knees and scooted towards him.

“One second? That’s the faith you have in me?” He smirked.

“I’m not fucking you, silly.” She shook her head and stopped between his legs.

“Does it rhyme with fucking?” His brows went high as her hands rest on his thighs.

“No.” She shortly answered before reaching up to touch his hair.

“If you’re gonna touch the merchandise you gotta pay sweetheart.” He held his hands up.

“I want to see your hair pulled back.” she took a spare scrunchie off her nightstand.

“Why?” His chin pushed back into his neck and he made a disgusted face that unintentionally made Star laugh.

“Because I’ve never seen it!” She raised her voice slightly.

“You can see my face. There’s nothing special going on under there.”

“C’mon.”

“Let me see you with your hair pulled back then!”

“You have seen my hair styled every sort of way, Eddie. Don’t you want it out of your face while you play?”

“Doesn’t bother me.” He shrugged. “You don’t gotta mess with it.”

“You love it when I play with your hair.”

“Playing with it and putting it up are very different.” She leaned in and put her lips to Eddie’s with no pressure.

“Lemme do it.” She demanded with a playful growl.

“Ugh fine. Happy Birthday. You don’t get any of the other stuff I had planned for you.”

“You’re a dirty bitch pulling that on me.” She said sassily as she began gently pulling his hair back. Her response made Eddie laugh hard and it quickly turned into a cough.

“Views nice I gotta admit.” He grinned with his face directly in Star's chest as she raised her arms to pull his hair up into a messy bun on his head.

“I’ll whip 'em out and distract you next time so you won’t be such a baby about it. I’m already done!” She leaned back and Eddie snapped at her chest with his teeth as she pulled away.

“Should’ve asked for tits in return.” He tsked.

“Next time. I get a freebie on birthdays.” She sat back on her feet and looked him over. He blankly stared back. “Ugh.” She finally said, shaking her head.

“I don’t have to let you be mean because it’s your birthday.” His brow furrowed as his hand moved to tear the bun out.

“No!” She grabbed his wrist. “I wasn’t insulting you! I’m annoyed at how good you look. I wish I looked that good with my hair pulled back.” He blinked in surprise with a look of suspicion on his face. “I’m serious!” She pulled down a few stands and ruffled his bangs. “You’ve got a nice long neck and flat ears. Solid jawline. You’re pretty, pretty boy.” She smiled looking into his eyes after pulling curls down around his hairline.

“You’re drunk.” He grinned.

“So?” She started giggling. “I’m high too what about it?” She challenged back with her nose to his before laughing and pulling away. “I wish my neck was that long and my ears were nice and flat. Mine stick out.” She tucked her teased hair behind her ears and he’d never noticed them being prominent before. “I’m jealous.” She admitted.

“Fuck off.” He grinned and rolled his eyes.

“I am!”

“Have you SEEN you?” He leaned forward and barked back at her.

“Every day of my life! And I’ve always thought pretty men were just so, ugh I don’t know. I just want to BE like that, ya know?” She moaned. “If I were pretty like you I’d be dropping panties left and right.”

“I am historically documented to be not good at getting women.” He laughed.

“What’s your reject rate for girls? Like 50/50 at the worst?”

“0 for 0.” He grinned. “You can’t lose if you don’t play.” He tapped his temple.

“You’re full of shit.” She groaned loudly.

“What about you?” He quickly talks over her.

“My rate? For girls?” She wiggled and bat her lashes.

“Oh yeah tell me about all the girls you’ve been with.” He joked.

“Only a few have said no, actually.”

“Well, no shit look at you. What guy would say no to you?”

“No.” She shook her head. “With girls.” he leaned her head forward to emphasize what she meant.

Eddie rapidly blinked and made sure he was not more inebriated than he thought.

“With… girls. Like with girls?” He stumbles around his words.

“Yeah? Girls are nice. At a bar, you usually know you’re there to fuck anyway.” She said it so casually his face contorted in confusion.

“You’ve… fucked… girls?”

“Yeah haven’t you?” She mocked.

“You’d know.” He nervously laughed. “But seriously?”

“Why is that so hard to believe? I know there’s more out gay people in Chicago than here but you aren’t small-minded you know girls fuck girls and guys fuck guys.”

“I just didn’t…. Think about it I guess.” His thousand-yard stare went past her as his mind swirled around behind his eyes.

“You’re gonna now though aren’t you?” She smirked and a bright smile lit his face back up.

“Yeah probably.” A deep dumb laugh escaped him. “So you're at a what-? 80% yes rate with girls.”

“I’d say more like over 90%.” She nodded.

“Christ. You got me beat.” He admitted. “What about guys? It has to be-“

“Does it count if the guy was gay and I didn’t know?” She interrupted.

“Nope.”

“Then like 99.9999%.” She nodded enthusiastically. “What about you?”

“I can’t compete with that. You’ll know what a loser Virgin I am if I tell you.”

“I already know what a loser Virgin you are Eddie.” She chortled with an adorable scrunched nose.

“That’s what you wanna hear from the girl you’re fucking.” He said in a self-deprecating, sarcastic tone.

“You KNOW I’m joking. I hope. You get all squirmy if I talk about how sexy I think you are or say nice things about you. Figured you’d prefer I call you a loser Virgin since it’s the opposite of what you are.”

“I am a loser but not a virgin. I’ve not slept with that many people though.” He admitted shyly.

“Nothing wrong with that. I guess it’d be higher if you didn’t get rejected as much?”

“Ouch.” He grabbed his chest.

“You said it!” She laughed.

“I know but I can say that! You can’t!”

“What is it then? Do you have a 1% success rate? How bad could it be? You don’t ask a bunch of people out so you’re picky I guess. Couldn’t be that many.” She tried to stroke his ego a bit.

“Okay like 50/50. Well… maybe more? Some came onto me so how do I count that?”

“As a win, you whore.” She laughed.

“Okay then like 70%?”

“SEE! Told you!”

“You’re only right because it’s your birthday. Shut it.” He palmed her face and pushed her back gently.

“What about your rate with guys then?” She again said things so casually he barely even thought silently to himself. If he’d been drinking he would’ve choked.

“W-me? Guys?”

“Yeah?” She tilted her head like a puppy. “I told you both my girl and guy scores.”

“I uh-“ he looked down and his cheeks turned bright red. The smile on Star's face grew painfully large.

“You HAVE been with a guy!” She jolted up in posture with her eureka moment.

“I- I said nothing.” He shook his head defensively.

“Are you embarrassed? Oh, you sweet boy don’t be embarrassed!” She cooed and held his face to make him look at her. “Is it a secret? I guess it has to be. Oh my god, do I know him? Is it one of the Hellfire guys? I mean Gareth would be pretty cute if he wasn’t such a little shit.”

“No! No not any of them.” He quickly shook his head. “But I don’t… nobody talks about this stuff as openly as you do. I don’t want anyone to know. I guess I didn’t want you to know either. I didn’t want you to think of me differently or think I was gay or something?” He looked so confused she couldn’t help but kiss him right on the lips.

“It only makes me think more highly of you to be perfectly honest. I know what it’s like being attracted to both. I like that you know that too. And I never thought you were gay… not with how you fuck me.” She laughed with her chest and put her forehead to his. “But I’ll keep your secret. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you. I don’t talk about it. I get called a fag enough as it is ya know?”

“I thought you liking Accept so much was suspicious, to be honest.” A nervous laugh left Eddie and he blushed again.

“I mean I like the music. It’s not just about-“

“Leather daddies?” She smirked.

“Yeah, that feels a bit on the nose doesn’t it?”

“Just a bit.” She taunted. “I’m glad you got to experience that. I think more people should. Don’t knock it til you try it.”

“I mean I didn’t… do IT.” He hunched over and lowered his voice.

“Even though it’s my birthday you can say no... but can I ask about it? Was it one time? Aw did you have a boyfriend that'd be so fuckin cute."

“No.” He huffed out a laugh and looked away, cheeks pink again. “A guy at show up north. Eyeballing me and it just sorta happened. He looked at me like he knew. He was older. We got in the back of his band's van while they partied and we… fooled around.”

“That’s hot.” Star nodded.

“Hot?” His voice cracked.

“You being the blushing bride and having some- I’m assuming an attractive guy feeling you up in the back of a van all lusty and horned up with adrenaline after a show.”

“When you say it like that yeah. I guess it was… hot.”

“I mean I know I wanna fuck you after watching you play. I swear your guitar neck is connected to my pussy sometimes.” Eddie’s eyes grew wide watching Star speak without a filter. The wine and California weed were working. "And you look so mean and bad and focused and ugh your focused face is so sexy. Have I told you that? I should. And your fingers are just straight up fucking that guitar and Christ.” She fanned herself. “And you’re all sweaty after and your hair gets curlier and black and ugh, you’re so happy. And I just wanna tear you to pieces! Drag you somewhere dark and secluded like some cheetah and sink my teeth into you.” Eddies eyes go black as he watched her sigh and flutter her lashes while she openly fantasized about him, to him.

“You should.” His dry mouth blurts out.

“I should, shouldn't I? I should probably do a lot of things I don't. I’m wasted enough to say this all out loud. Whoops.” She sat back and had a fit of giggles. “Holy fuck this weed is good.” She panted and fanned her nightgown. “Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?” She snorted. “It’d be both of us to be fair.” She turned to lower the space heaters output. “I’m here talking about my wet dreams and you were being serious I’m so sorry. I know it’s bullshit when someone says sorry I’m just drunk but fuck I’m a bit- a lot very much not sober.” She nodded and blinked with a blank stare at nothing in particular. “But I’m having a great time!” She perked right back up.

“You could tell me any wet dream, fantasy whatever the hell you wanna call it anytime sweetheart. I’ll never complain.”

“Getting me wine is the way to do it. I’m a whore on the wine. The W stands for whore.”

“Wouldn’t that just be alcohol in general? He smirked.

“Nope. I can get sad or cry or fight or get horny or sleepy too.” she counted off on her fingers.

“Fair point, I think I’ve seen all those sides.”

“Bet horny is your favorite.” She wiggled her tongue at him.

“I like this right now actually. You just… saying things you normally don’t.”

“Talking about sex is fun isn’t it?” She wrinkled her nose as if she was being naughty. “What about you? You got any juicy fantasies to share? Anything you wanna get off your chest big boy?”

“I don’t know if I like you calling me that or if I think it’s funny.”

“I could call you horse cock instead if you like.” They both cackled and fell on each a bit, her arm and face on his leg and him hunched over her.

“Big boy is fine.”

“Good. I like it. And pretty boy. Ohhhh and puppy. Oh! Speaking of, how do you feel about collars?”

“Collars?”

“You know, leather and a buckle. Around your neck? I saw those handcuffs in your room you bad boy don’t act like you don’t know what a collar is.”

“When did you find those?” He smirked.

“When I was looking for some cassettes.” She shrugged

“Sneaky girl.”

“A little.” She smiled broadly with a hum.

“I’m cool with collars. Are you?”

“Never tried it but I want to.”

“Noted.” He smirked. “What else are you into?”

“I think it’s your turn to answer. I’ve blabbed enough. Your turn.”

“I would like to use the handcuffs on you.”

“I’d like that too.” she giggled and bit the end of her finger.

“Have you before?”

“Nope.” she popped the word out of her lips.

“Blindfold?” He inquired with a raised brow.

“Haven’t done it before but wholeheartedly a yes.”

“You done any bondage?”

“Not really no.”

“That’s surprising.”

“Why?” She tilted her head curiously.

“You come off so confident and experienced I guess I assumed you had done more than I had.”

“I do that on purpose.” She nodded. “Apart from the more basic BDSM like - we know I like the spanking and light choking and general roughness. But no tied up or uh the power play stuff? I knew people who went to the BDSM clubs but I was too chicken shit. Gimp suits are scary.” Eddie laughed at how her eyes were wide and large.

“Yeah, that’s a lot. I like a good power struggle. Either way.”

“Is there anything you haven’t done?”

“Oh tons. I’ve only dipped a toe in BDSM. Mostly as the person being tied up. Had a few girls that wanted to be tied to the bedpost, that whole thing ya know? And it’s fun. Turns out I like inflicting pain.”

“And I love having a red welted ass the next day.”

“I won’t lie I was so god damn happy when you asked me to hit you- spank you like that.”

“Thank you for obliging.” She winked and pouted her lips with a kiss sound. “I’d be down to play sometime. With the spanking or any of the other stuff. I’d love to try it.” She sounded like someone talking about going out to try a new restaurant. He was again fascinated by how she openly discussed things that he hadn’t known he felt internalized shame about.

“Then we will. You seem to like to be hurt and I like to give you what you want.” He smiled in an oddly wholesome way. She immediately returned it.

“Tell me a secret, Eddie. A sexy one. Call it another present.”

“Trying to get the good stuff huh? BDSM not enough for you?”

“It’s plenty but I’m curious. I wanna know everything about you. I find you fascinating.” She said earnestly.

“You want a real secret? As in something I’m ashamed of or-?”

“Oh god please yes I would love that.” He chuckled at her exaggerated reaction. “I’ll share one of mine if you share one of yours. Make it even. But it has to be a GOOD one! I’m not saying my thing without something good from you.” She insisted with a pointed finger.

“Okay. I can do that. Deal.”

“On the count of three?”

“At the same time? We’ll just talk over each other.” He laughed.

“We say it then discuss. Get it out there first.”

“Okay deal.” Star proceeds to do a Rock Paper Scissors style count down with her hand.

Eddie blurted out with a wince, “I use a pair of your panties to jerk off.”

Star hid her face and quickly said.

“I like anal.”

“WHAT?!” They both shouted.

“You WHAT?” Eddie’s smile was so big.

“You took my-!!” Star was both elated and annoyed. She gasped and got in Eddie's face. “You pervert.” Her tone was not that of someone mad at the news.

“Me?” He held his hand to his chest. “Little miss butt stuff over here.”

“When you cum so hard your eyes cross from me fingering your asshole I’ll remind you of that!” She laughed, her eyes bright and her voice loud. “Take a thumb in the ass while you’re getting railed and then judge me, bitch.” She said inches from his face and he dissolved into laughter. “You panty raiding sonofabitch. I was wondering where they went! And you’ve been…” she smirked. “Oh, you’re naughty!” She tsked and tapped his nose.

“You’re not mad?”

“No.” She lilted. “You see the thing is, I’m also a dirty little pervert so thinking about you jerking off with my panties strangled around your dick is doing it for me. Dirty birdy.” She cooed and wiggled her hips. “That suits you so well. Squirreling away with my panties and hiding them.” He’d blushed more tonight than he had the whole time he’d known her. “Do you wrap them around your dick or do you like to smell them and jerk off?” She leaned into his personal space, something Eddie was usually guilty of.

“It started with just taking them to be bad. If you found them I thought you’d be really cute, all mad about it. But yeah, I smelled them at first and jerked off. Cause fuck, you smell so good to me Star. Then they stopped smelling like you and I started cumming in them.” Star eyes drifted dreamily across his face as he spoke.

“You are making me discover all sorts of new things about myself, Eddie.” Her voice was breathy as she watched him lick his lips.

“I-I liked cumming inside them at first because it was like I’d finished inside you and I’d seeped out of you while you wore the panties. Like you’d taken them off and given them to me to show me how much I’d filled you up.” Star's mouth hung open and she gawked. Her bloodshot half-lidded eyes watched Eddie's plush lips say the most erotic things she’d ever heard a man say to her. This was more intimate than dirty talk and she was floored. She eventually blinked out of her trance as Eddie gazed at her lustful face.

“Holy shit.” She leaned away and took a deep breath. “The more you let me inside that big brain of yours the more I like it.” She whispered. “I think that’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve never thought of that before.”

“Really?” He quietly asked. Still feeling a hint of uncertainty about how honest he was being.

“You liking my smell that much. I love the way you smell.” Eddie saw her eyes involuntarily roll back when she spoke. “I’ve whiffed your shirts while you’re not around. Right in the armpits. I don’t even care. You smell like a man and I can’t explain it but it makes me feral and knowing you’re just as nasty as I am is….” She let out a tiny whimper as she sighed. “Fuck it’s good. You could’ve only told me this for my birthday and I would’ve been happy, to be honest.”

“You’re a cheap date.” He smirked and she smiled something more wholesome.

“I never claimed not to be.”

“I can stop here. And not give you any of the other things I had planned.”

“More? Maybe an orgasm? From a thumb in my ass while you fuck me from behind?” She smirked.

“We are both too wasted for that right now.” He snorted. “Remember the last time I tried to make you cum after you’d drank too much? You fell asleep before it happened and my hand and jaw were sore for two days.” He grinned and she again bent over with giggles.

“I do vaguely recall that.” She nodded. She sighed, composing herself as she smiled softly up at Eddie.

“This would be a good time to drink water.” He nodded and slapped his thighs with his hands. “Have a cigarette. Smoke some more and then I’ll finish you off.”

“Hmm?” She perked up.

“Finish you off with your present for tonight?” He cheesed as he stood and she pouted. He took a large step past her and she bit his calf through his denim. “Feral woman! Found in the woods! Raised by raccoons!” He declared loudly as he cackled, she held his leg and kept her mouth on him as he shook his leg, holding onto her counter. “Release me, foul beast!” He boomed between laughter. “Back! Back I say!” She growled and made a high-pitched sound much like an angry cat. She took her mouth off him but promptly wrapped her arms and legs around his one leg. He drug her across the trailer floor as they laughed until happy tears fell down their cheeks.

-

Two movies and the rest of the pizza later the night was growing old and it was hours past Star's birthday. She sat on the floor again, her little nest now filled with pillows and blankets. She sat at Eddie’s feet with her hands around a steaming mug of tea, her eyes closed with a peaceful smile as music played. They were winding down, Eddie with the biggest glass Star had full of water as he watched her sway away back and forth. He had one move left for tonight. He wasn’t going to tire her out the usual way.

“I had one more thing for your birthday tonight.”

“Mm?” She fluttered her eyes open from enjoying herself.

“I know you fall asleep to Fleetwood Mac a lot.”

“You do?”

“I can hear it in the background when we’re on the phone.” He grins. “So how about I play it for you instead tonight?” She sat her mug down after a big sip, out of the way on a table.

“You learned a Fleetwood Mac song?”

“Yes.” He nodded once hard. “For you, for your birthday. More than one song actually.”

“Eddie.” She pouted but it was full of admiration.

“Uncle Wayne didn’t know what the hell was going on.” He chuckled. “He eventually asked me why the hell I was playing this kind of music. He had to have heard me playing it for hours the poor guy.” He chuckled. “What do you want to hear? I’ve got all your favs off of Rumors.”

“I thought you hated them.”

“Hate is such a strong word isn’t it?” He asked dramatically. “At first they annoyed me for some reason then you loved them so I had to give you shit about it because you got so worked up over it every time. Then I listened to them and they aren't bad. The Chain, all things considered, goes pretty hard.”

“It would seem getting a rise out of me is your motive for most of your behavior.”

“I’m an asshole what can I say?”

“An asshole who learns the songs off my favorite album for my birthday.” She said it so softly she didn’t have to further explain the sentiment behind it.

“One in the same.” He bowed with his upper body behind his guitar. “How about I’ll start with this one? You do that dumb little dance to this one. You might as well stand.” He holds out his hand and tugs her to her feet. “Because I know you’re gonna dance.” She beamed at him, feet hopped up to land on the floor. The beginning of You Make Loving Fun began and her hand went to her chest. Her shoulders moved as they always did, hearing the funky best in her head. She bobbed her head back and forth, moving somewhat like a chicken to the beat.

“Sweet, wonderful you.” She sang like a bird on her tiptoes and hands open wide. “You make me happy with the things you do.” She tapped Eddie's nose and if she’d been any less high or drunk, or not so caught up in her own emotions at the moment she’d have seen the way Eddie looked at her went a little deeper than usual. She grabbed her shawl off the coat hanger and put it on, arms out and spinning, the fringe tickling her body as she bounced. She was still mostly hip as that was the way she was put together, but she hopped and tapped her toes and swayed instead of the more suggestive moves she usually did. This was her dancing for herself. It was the root of what made her happy about moving her body to music. Eddie could swear she glowed in the low light of her altar candles and incense. He could see enough to find his chords but he knew them from memory by now. He’d been practicing for weeks. “I never did believe in miracles. But I have a feeling it’s time to try.” With her hands to her chest clutching the dark silk in her grip as she sang he wondered if she ever felt like this about him when she listened to the words.

Star didn’t think much about her voice. IT hit where she wanted it but she had no aspirations like Eddie. He however loved to hear Star sing. He’d crack jokes with Robbie about her hit-and-miss high or low notes but he didn’t mean it. “I never did believe in the ways of magic. But I’m beginning to wonder why.” The song would be better suited for him to be singing to her. But he knew she wouldn’t be able to help herself. He was happily her audience as much as she was for him with his guitar. “It would be different and you know it will.” It felt different, he’d thought when he learned the words. Maybe he hadn’t been far enough in when he first listened to this music. Maybe he hadn’t been deep enough into this magic and miracles that they spoke of. “You. You make loving fun.” They seemed to know what they were talking about. He thought feeling like this for someone would be hard. He thought it would hurt and feel like work. But it was fun. Star spun, a tambourine now in her hand keeping beat to her hip. Her eyes were closed and she was lost in it. Exactly what he’d wanted. He wanted to make her happy. He did it without having to try. If she wasn’t he felt like he failed somehow. It wasn’t a burden or a responsibility to him to do it. He’d played the role of protector so many times but it never felt like this. He’d realized that wasn’t what their relationship was like he'd originally thought. He knew she was capable of taking care of herself. He didn’t think she needed him. But god, did he need her. “And I don’t have to tell you but you’re the only one.” He smiled as he watched her spin and sing, the flare of her nightgown twirling out and rising.

The song dies down and she stops to catch her breath, panting but radiating with joy he caused.

“How about one more before bed?” She bit her lip and nodded enthusiastically.

“Please.” She requested with her hands on her knees.

“Okay, keep this beat for me.” He tapped his foot and she quickly followed. Within the first few plucks she screamed and jumped up and down.

“EDDIE!” She squealed with her hands flailing, her pink painted toenails gripping into the blankets on the floor to jump up and down. He looked at the guitar, his smile hurt with the force in which it took over his face.

“Listen to the wind blow. Watch the sun rise.” Her hair was soft as she shook her head back and forth. Her whole body moved to the steady beat. Half bent she slapped her thigh, the tambourine on her hip, and stomped with one foot on the floor. She looked like she was head-banging but somehow made it her own. “And if you don’t love me now. You’ll never love me again”. She shouted so loudly it competed with the amp. Her face wrinkled with force, her hair over her face. Chorus after chorus ended, she stood gasping in front of him, hearing the bass in her head, a wicked smile that he stared right back into her fearlessly as his fingers moved quicker and quicker into the solo. She was so excited for him, shouting YES, nods turning into headbangs. She shouted the repeated lyrics and he couldn’t help but sing with her. “Chain, keep us together.” End ended with the satisfying hum of his fingers dragging across the strings through his amp. She let herself fall to the floor, chest heaving and laughing in the feedback of the amp. “I didn’t know how much I loved that solo until I heard you play it.” She panted with her arm over her head, having just pushed her hair out of her face. She lay crumpled and gazing up at him as he stood to secure his guitar and turn off the amp. His stomach flipped at her words.

“And that.” He said definitively as he stood over her. “Is the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” He bent over and put his hands on his knees, looking down at her.

“I am nice.” She smiled with flushed cheeks. “To you.” She added with a wrinkle of her nose. “How can I not be when you do things like this for me?” She moved to sit up on her hip. “You’re so good, Eddie. Who needs concert tickets when I’ve got you?”

“That’s… foreplay for a guitar player.” He wagged his finger at her and she grinned.

“It would get your fingers all warmed up.” He reached down his hand as he stood to yank her up into his chest. “I like it when you play me like one of your guitars. Especially if it’s your favorite. I know I could never get handled the way you handle her. That’s your wife.” She giggled. “I’m just your mistress.”

“You jealous of a guitar?” He asked with a tease in his deep, comforting tone. He brushed Star's hair back out of her face as he looked her over. Her eyes were glassy and bloodshot, cheeks and chest flushed with pink splotches. She had a sheen of sweat on her skin, glistening with joy as she spoke animatedly.

“Nah.” She shook her head. “I don’t really wanna be hung up and then only brought down when you wanna finger me.” They both let out their unique corny laughs. She snorted and giggled, he let out long exhales of sound deep from his chest.

“Yeah I don’t tuck her into bed do I?” He cooed and turned them, her feet following wherever he lead.

“You’re staying right?” He saw it. A flash of horror in her eyes at the thought he might not be staying. He craved that. Nothing felt better than seeing proof that she wanted him. He might even be bold enough tonight to say she needed him there.

“I’d course I am, sweetie.” He kissed her forehead. “I was gonna say I tuck you in instead of her.”

“Can’t tuck me in if you’re in the bed with me.” She tiptoed up on unsteady feet and kissed his cheek as he threw some pillows off the bed. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she looked at him from only a few inches away, studying him.

“Sure you can.”

“How? You gotta be out to tuck in.” She asked genuinely, watching his hands as if he was doing a magic trick she might be able to figure out.

“I’ll show you.” He bumped his forehead lightly to hers. “You get comfy, get into whatever you’re gonna sleep in.” She steadied her before he left her side. He locked the door, cracked a window, and turned down the heater. With the candles all out it was so quiet you could hear yourself breathe. “Drink your water.” He loosely motioned as she wiggled into the bed.

“Yes sir.” She mumbled and grabbed it with two hands like a child.

Eddie stripped down, chuckling when Star whistled at him as he took off his pants.

“Hubba hubba awooga.” She said as they were spelled and not as the sounds they represented. He winked and tucked the loose hairs behind his ears. He’d kept his hair loosely pulled back. “Oh don’t you wink you, dirty bastard.” She giggled as he jumped into bed on top of her, a threat to squish her before sliding beside her, his back to the wall.

“You good? Am I tucking you in now?”

“Can I ask one last birthday favor?” She looked at him with big eyes.

“Anything you want.” He answered.

“I wanna be little spoon.” Her chin nodded upward with excitement.

“Get in here.” He growled and yanked her in with a tiny oomph.

“I like holding you and having your head in my tits but I think I wanna be held tonight.”

“Sweet soft baby girl.” He teased, rubbing his nose into her crown.

“Shush.” She giggled and wrapped her arms around him, her face to his chest.

“Just have to get you situated. Are your feet covered? Not gonna lose them to frostbite? Or monsters?” She answered by bringing her freezing feet against his fuzzy calves and he made a growling sound she’d never heard before. “Jesus Christ your feet are like ice!” His voice cracked as he tried not to jerk away. “You are from the center of the rings of hell. Are you sure you don’t want socks? I was joking about frostbite earlier but now…”

“Nope. I’ve got you.” She interrupted him. “And your fuzzy legs.” She hummed happily and snuggled up, sliding a thigh between his legs. “You can keep me warm.” She murmured and he couldn’t bring himself to care about the icy talons currently rubbing his own feet and legs like a cricket. “I like it when you keep me warm.” She said tenderly.

“I like when I keep you warm too.” He said in a exhale as he started to settle, making sure she was tucked in before finally getting his arm around her body curled up to his. She was being very affectionate. Nuzzling her nose into the almost there chest hair, her hand held him in a grip he could feel. He felt her soft hand hot to his back, almost clutching him. Her other, tucked up and by her face. He slid his arm under her head and with the other felt the silk of her nightgown against his rough fingertips. only A muffled howl of the wind, a rustle of leaves heard from the outside. Inside a quiet buzzed, breathing growing slower and quieter.

“Did you have a good birthday, Star?” He asked, his face buried in her pungent hair.

“Best birthday ever.” She hummed and smiled, pressing a kiss to his chest. “Thanks to you.”

“I’m glad you liked it.” He kissed her head.

“I like this.” She mumbled.

“I like this too.” He whispered, his hand rubbing strands of her hair between his fingers as it fell down her back. She was already so still, she always shut right down when he’d hold her like this. She was out quick. Eddie stayed awake for a little while, he wanted to soak in this feeling, not willing to let it leave as he slept. The warmth of her against him, her steady breathing, and the softest small sounds he’d ever heard from her as she dreamt lulled him into the safety of sleep where he was met with dreams that for once, had a hard time rivaling how good he had it when he was awake.

-

Eddie had his turn waking up to have to pee in the middle of the night. He heard Star whine in her sleep once he removed his body from hers. He leaned down and kissed the sleeping cherub on her pouted lips. When he returned she somehow managed to keep repeating the sweetest sounds he’d ever heard. They floated in a haze of sleep, bodies heavy from it and still seeking comfort without the burdensome worry consciousness brought.

Star moaned his name softly, a plea for him in her sleep. He answered her by pulling her against his chest, his hand soaking up the warmth of her skin, not having been drained by the cold crisp air outside their sanctuary of blankets.

“M’here babe.” He answered her, again wrapping their bodies together. He kissed her neck and shoulder, burying his face there with a heavy sigh. He got to fall asleep with barely a barrier between their skin. Their dreams were deliciously indulgent and not hindered by the boundaries being awake put on them.

The rose quartz Eddie brought her was still in his pocket waiting for its moment to be shared. That didn’t stop it from influencing them. Eddie had kept it on him all day before. Thinking about it, rubbing it in his hands, worrying at it with his mouth. It was in tune with him and what he needed. And by proxy, it also assured Star was feeling its influence. It made sure they had some of the most loving, peaceful, and gentle dreams either had ever had. It gave them what they needed as they slept. It gave them each other.

Stars' dreams grew more intense as the morning settled in. Her sleep talking and moans only added to Eddie’s dreams until a cry awoke him. He’d happily incorporated the sounds of her moans and his name but even asleep Eddie came when Star called.

A gasp that turned into a deep inhale pulled Eddie from unconsciousness. He could feel Star in his arms, her body subtly moving in response to her dreams. The first thing he heard was a soft mewl from Star. What a perfect way to wake up, he thought. His arm that was tucked under the pillow she rest on bent up to join his other to envelop her. His tattooed forearm against her collar bones, the partially asleep hand clasping over her shoulder to pull her close. His other snaked under her extended arm which was straight out and grasping for something with little twitches of her fingers. Words that didn’t make it past her lips hummed in her mouth as he squeezed her, curling his body fully against hers. He pushed his face into the warm soft skin of her back and shoulder. A cuddle and a nuzzle of his nose as he breathed her in. He kissed without looking where his lips landed. Small, lingering kisses that left his lips sticking to her body, the skin seemingly caching against the fuzz of her and refusing to let go. His nose led the way as he traveled up her shoulder to her nape and buried his face with a grunt. The arm Star was laying on sought Eddie out, her dream self demanding more of him as her awake hand clasped itself around his forearm. In her dream, it was clutching with nails and desperate. But in reality, it was a soft caress.

“Eddie.” It was barely legible, only escaping from the strength of her exhale, parting her lips.

“Mmm.” He kissed her neck, his nose mashed against her as he stayed in a sleepy haze, soaking her in.

“I du-“

“What is it, baby?” His voice was gritty from sleep. He walked a trail of 3 kisses to the side of her neck, his body slowly waking up.

Her reply was a whimper that stuck in her throat.

“Sugar.” He whispered against her neck. He kissed her again, then one to her ear. “Use your words.” He felt her body shiver in his arms. He blinked his eyes open, he lifted his head to see Star's eyes moving behind their lids. He smiled, closed-lipped and deepening the lines on his face. Her face never looked softer than it did in the mornings. There were no worry lines between her brows or tension around her mouth. He saw how her cheeks rounded out and the natural shape of her lips. The late morning light seeped through the faded curtains. She looked golden with her warm-toned hair and skin. Her lips twitched and her lashes fluttered the longer he watched her. A round-tipped nose wiggled like a bunny as she huffed out sounds and almost words. He used the arm under her chin to brush back her hair off her face and neck so he could see all of her. He kissed her cheek and a sort of happy sound escaped her.

“Eddie.” She felt the warmth from the kiss in her dream.

“I’m here, sweetheart.” He exhaled onto her peach fuzzy soft cheek.

“Eddie.” She exhaled, her body losing its tension. He felt a warm fuzzy feeling in his chest when she relaxed at the sound of him.

“What is it, beautiful?” He asked her, kissing her temple.

“Fren.” Eddie smiled and looked down at her face now frowning. Just looking at her made his face hurt from smiling. Watching her like this made his chest hurt more. He didn’t recall a time before his face hurt so much as it had after she’d shown up.

“You’re dreaming baby. You’re fine. I’m here.” He quietly reassured her in her ear. Another kiss on her cheek. “Sleep.” He lightly dragged his lips up to her temple where several kisses were planted around her hairline. He savored the freedom he felt with her asleep in his arms. He was free to smooch and caress, to call her the things he longed to when she was awake. He shut his eyes, his brow creased as she whined his name. He pressed his face into her hair, feeling pain in his chest now.

“Ed.” She sighed, her face nuzzling into her pillow. “Don’t go.”

He made an involuntary sound. One light and painful.

“I need y-...” Her chest rose and fell at a slowly rising pace. “Don’t you...” she paused and a “...please.” Wrenched his heart in his chest.

“Star.” He clutched her tightly, pushing his face against her head. The presentation of the idea of her dreaming of him was enough to make him swoon. The idea she would have dreams where she begged him not to go. That she told him she needed him? It made the oddest feeling grow in Eddie’s head. He wanted to cry. Even asleep she somehow cut him down to his most vulnerable. The idea that she could need him as much as he knew that he needed her was like a punch to the gut. Eddie knew how to handle negative emotions. He could handle anger like the veteran he was of the emotion. But good feelings? Wholesome ones with pure intentions like joy and belonging he couldn’t process as well. He struggled to know how to communicate them. But he could. He had before. But love? Romantic love? The big IN love? That was a new one. It made him nauseous. That intimidating emotion he didn’t know what to do about. “Star, baby I’m here.” He kissed her ear. “I’m not going anywhere.” He shook his head, concerned that the pressure with which he pushed himself against her might hurt her. He felt like he might burst out of his skin. “Ever.” He promised.

“Friends.” She sounded as upset as he felt. “We don-“ She shook her head, her breathing picking up. “Not like that.” She insisted in broken words.

“Shhh.” He hushed her, kissing her temple. “You’re alright baby, calm down.” He cradled her and tried to learn how to deal with the emotional weight of having the girl he was in love with in his arms and upset.

“They don’t say it.” Her words came clearer. “Look!” She whimpered. “Not like that. Friends don’t. Not like that.” She blubbered and he sat up, looking down at her now distraught face.

“You’re having a bad dream, sweetheart that’s all.” He spoke so softly into her ear. “Eddie’s here baby. Calm down. It’s okay.”

“I’ll f-“ he felt her hand squeeze him back. Her other was clutching a pillow. “I’ll fuck it up.” A sob broke from her throat and Eddie’s heart dropped.

“Star? Baby wake up.” He tapped her cheek.

“Leave.” Her bottom lip quivered like a child’s about to cry. “Don’t. Too good.” She shook her head.

“Star.” He didn’t want to jar her awake. “It’s your Eddie. Come back now. I can’t take you being upset. Stop it.”

“No. Not until she listens.” She answered with an eerily sober-sounding voice.

“What the fuck? Star?” He raised his voice and she gasped awake. Her hands found his arm immediately and latched on. Wide confused eyes rapidly blinked, adjusting to her consciousness. “Are you okay?” She focused on Eddie’s face hovering over hers. He watched the fear disappear from her eyes as they met his.

Star looked up through blurry eyes to see Eddies handsome face surrounded by a halo of hair. Then she noticed he was looking at her, touching her face, his thumb rubbing her cheek.

“Mmm.” A soft smile, the opposite of a few moments ago appeared as she took a deep breath. “Eddie.” The word shaped her lips into a smile. “You look pretty.” She closed her eyes and smacked her lips, nuzzling into his hand.

“Star, are you awake?” He asked with a nervous laugh in his voice.

“Yeah?”

“You don’t sound so sure.” He let out a nervous chuckle and kissed her forehead.

“Sleeby.” She mumbled. He opened his mouth to ask what the hell kind of dream she was having to be crying upset and writhing against him and now she was a little lamb without a care in the world.

“You were talking in your sleep.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She grumped.

“Nah, it’s okay.” He quickly comforted her with a tone that was far sweeter than it had to be. “You feel okay?”

“Not bad.” She reached up to touch his face with her fingertips

“You wanna go back to sleep?” He asked her, brushing the hair that had become unruly during her struggle away from her face.

“Mmm.” She hummed again at the feeling of him kissing her fingertips as they moved across his lips. “No.” She was quiet for a moment as they both looked each other over. She made a small grunt of sound, as she leaned forward to kiss him. Her thoughts weren’t fully back to this plane of existence yet and she did it without thinking. “I had a dream about you.” She sighed as she let her head hit the pillow again.

“I had one about you too,” he admitted. The sun glinted in his big brown eyes, and his smile sparkled down at her as he watched her stretch and smile.

“Good dream?”

“The best.” He leaned down to kiss her while her eyes were closed a noise of surprise escaped her. “You have a good dream about me?”

“Very.” a mischievous lilt to her giggle forced him to kiss her cheek. She had flashes of an earlier dream, Eddie on top of her and her not having a care in the world about it. “We were back home. In Chicago. And we were in bed. Like this. And you were…” she grinned and her cheeks pinked. Eddie leaned down to kiss her lips this time.

“We were doing that in my dream too.” He confessed as they lightly, lazily pecked away at one another’s mouths.

“It was…” she took an indulgent sigh and let out a moan. “Warm.” Her head turned back to forward, laying back on the pillow as she lay on her side against Eddie.

“Like we are now?” He asked, snuggling back in behind her, a kiss on her head.

“Yeah.” She snuggled against him. “And very nice. Slow. I’ve never had it slow before.” She shook her head.

An odd mix of pity and triumph ran through Eddie. In a single sleepy sentence, he knew no one had treated her gently. He felt the rush of superiority knowing that not only could he give it to her, but he’d also be her first. He wasn’t the type to relish in the construct of virginity but his jealousy bask in the thought that he’d be the one to show her something first. That no matter what happened between them, she’d always remember the guy that touched her gently for the first time.

“Do you… want it slow?” A simple question. She batted open her eyes and he watched her think. She looked around in thought, brows and mouth giving away just how fully she was considering his question. He appreciated the rather adorable effort.

“I’ve never had it before.” She repeated. “I don’t know.”

“You liked it in your dream. What was good about it?” He was rather not sneakily trying to figure out what she dreamed about.

Star didn’t know where to begin unpacking the significance of the dream. She attempted to simplify the answer as much as she could with her not fully functional brain.

“Because it was us.” Eddie felt the pang in his chest again. “And you always make me feel good.” She turned her face to say it more directly to him despite them not facing each other.

“Do you want me to make you feel good?.” His thinly veiled attempt to have an outlet for his demanding affections wasn’t noticed by Star. She felt his hand that had been idle around her stir, moving to her chest.

“Do you want to right now?”

“I always want to.” He blurted. “But you know I’ve wanted morning sex. You’re always running away to work on me. But I’ve got you for 2 more days.” He gave a loud kiss on her cheek and squeezed her. She hummed and smiled.

“Yes, you do.” She happily let him hold her against him.

“I’ve got you all to myself.” He said with a nuzzle of his nose into her warm vanilla-smelling skin. He tensed and tried to hide it as soon as he remembered she was no longer sleep talking and heard what he was saying. He had to pull back on his honesty. He looked down to see no worry on Star's face. She hadn’t cared he said it, she found it cute. She wasn't overthinking everything like he was. “I think I might keep you in this bed with me for the next two days.” He lightly bit the shell of her ear.

“Mmm sounds good.”

“We would have plenty of time for me to take it slow.” He promised in her ear with a quiet voice.

“Do YOU want it slow?”

“I want you.” An honest that was simple as it was complicated now. “Any way I can have you.”

“You’re being cute this morning.” She pat his forearm around her chest.

“So are you.” Another kiss on her head. “Every morning.” Another.

“You’re being too nice,” she mumbled with a smile.

“I can always be nicer.” he nuzzled into her neck and let his hand seek out her breast.

“Mmm.” she hummed happily and let out a single huff of a laugh. “I bet you can, pretty boy.” Her voice was back to how it was when she was awake and at ease. A deeper feminine sound that he enjoyed getting to hear no matter what she was saying. “If you were wanting that morning sex, you’re going the right way about it.” a smug smile sat on her face as his lips started kissing her neck. His hand grasped her chest with intention. She moved her arm up giving him free access.

“I do want it,” he says right into her ear. His voice was deep and needy. “Can I fuck you slow, sweetheart? Like in your dream?” She answered with a nod and a push back of her ass against him. He dipped his hips just under her ass, letting his half-hard cock nuzzle right between her plush cheeks. He raised the hem of her nightgown, knowing nothing was under it. He let his hand rest on her jaw, his thumb gentle against her lips as his free arm, not under her, was allowed to roam. Still under the protection of covers, both their skin was pliant and warm. Her feet unconsciously rubbed together as she let herself relax and feel good, knowing she was well taken care of in his arms. She let the intense emotional repercussions of her dream fade out of memory, and tuned into the present.

His hand groped at her chest, not only her breasts but squeezing her ribs when he’d latch onto a spot on her neck and kiss, feeling her hips undulate against him. Every pinch of her nipples made her lightly buck back on him, eliciting a moan from them both. Eddie took only a heartbeat's time to pull down his boxers and free himself, his hand back under her nightgown and targeting her now hard and ever-growing sensitive nipples.

With the velvet skin of his cock slowly pushing its way between her cheeks he became increasingly desperate. He mirrored every sound she made, every closed mouth moan to the needful exhales of ‘yes’. She felt her body ache as he teased pressure, his precum easing his way between her legs. They found a rhythm, a smooth back and forth as he inches closer to breaking through to her pink center.

“You feel so good and I’m not even inside you.” He said through a delicate kiss to her ear. Star held his thumb between her teeth, her tongue lapping at the pad when she had the urge to kiss him.

“You’re so close.” She sighed. “I can almost feel you.” Eddie kept worrying away at her nipples, breathing into her ear and kissing her shoulder.

“You’re so soft.” He moaned, his forehead pressing into her shoulder as his hand moved to grope her chest again. His hips pushed forward harder, not faster. They kept a tantalizingly slow slide against one another.

“You’re so hard.” A deep sultry chuckle left her throat and Eddie moaned, his tongue lapping at her shoulder. She arched her back as sharply as she could manage. She trailed her hand down her body, over his veined hands that grasped at her desperately. She reached her hip and lifted her gown. With a spread hand she lifted the weight of her cheek, and Eddie slid past the barrier of external skin and into the hot wet center of her pussy lips. He stuttered and groaned. A helpless sound before she felt him start kissing her neck again. She swung her hips back and forth, covering him in her essence and making him whimper.

“Star.” He whispered, his lean hip muscles tensing as his body sought out her insides. She sucked his thumb into her mouth before she spoke.

“I’m wet from my dream about you.”

He grunted and bucked, his tongue out of his mouth as he lapped at her neck.

“I want you so bad it hurts.” Her brow creased at the throb and ache of her pussy as he teased it.

“You want me?” He asked, mashing against her ear. She reached back to take a handful of soft curls into her hand.

“Of course, I want you, Eddie.” She indulged him. He was being so loving and desperate and embodied the puppy energy she loved from him.

“Tell me?” He softly requested.

“I need you, Eddie. So bad. I’m so wet because of you. Please.”

He shuddered, pushing another finger into her mouth before his other hand slid to her hip to adjust himself to push into her. He looked down to greedily take in the sight of shining on her ass and thighs from slick. With a grunt, he grabbed himself and pressed forward. He entered her with a pleasant pop.

Star fully exhaled, her body slumping as she felt him fill her. He wasted no time pulling his fingers from her hungry mouth and pulling her tight with his pinned arm. He settled on her chest, fingers attached to a nipple again. He concealed his whole face into the bend of her neck. He kissed without any thought behind it, wet and breathy he covers her hairline and cheek with needful presses.

“That’s what I needed.” She whispered, her face turning to hide in her pillow. He let her move on her own, taking him as she pleased. He felt her relax, his pussy sucking him inside and welcoming him. He held out until she moaned, then his hips started moving on their own. Her breathing started to pick up as she focused on the feeling on his body of lean muscle flexing against her own. He pulled out as far as he could without leaving the comfort of her then slowly filled her again. He was steady and strong and it was making her weaker by the second. He came up for air, gasping as his face contorted and he let out a gritty moan. He felt Star tighten around him, a bounce back of her ass onto him, encouraging the sound. She buried her face, encouraged to indulge by her tightly gripped hand bringing him back down to her. He moved his hand to her lower stomach, holding her as he pumped his hips. “A little lower.” She giggled, raising her leg to give him access.

“Yes.” He moaned, throwing her leg behind him as his fingers dove between her legs to circle four fingers on her soaked clit. Star arched and far bed and cried out.

“Yes!” She mewled, her head arched back. He put his fingers back into her mouth and she moaned deep from her stomach as she suckled away at them. “So deep.” He kept his steady pace, he filled her slowly and purposefully. She tried turning her head to face him and she cried for more after a brief neck-stretching kiss. She wanted more.

“I can’t reach you and stay inside you.”

“Kiss me.” She pleaded, her eyes screwing shut as she felt a new kind of build of pleasure inside her. “I don’t care where just put your mouth on me.” He latched to her neck and she moaned and shuddered.

“I don’t wanna leave a mark.” He painted out, sweating from intensity but not exertion.

“I don’t care.” She cried.

“You want-?”

“Mark me up I don’t fucking care, Eddie.” She cried out and he whined into the muscle of her neck. He’d wanted to sneakily lay claim to her before. Leave a hickey, and let anyone else know she was with someone who wasn’t them. But now? He felt like an animal, some beast marking his territory as he felt his emotion surge. She sucked hard on his fingers, the tips red and spit pooling into his hand. He lapped at her like the puppy that he was, he bit and sucked and she yearned for more. “Harder.” She demanded.

“You’re gonna cum from me giving you this dick nice and slow.” He instructed in her ear. She bucked her hips with a whine of distress. He kissed her cheek before latching to her shoulder and sucking, his eyes rolling back in his head. “Loosen up for me. Take all of me. You’re so tense, sweetheart.” She took a few deep breaths, disappointed he didn’t give in but still enamored with the pain his mouth caused on her skin. “That’s a good girl.” His finger kept swiping and swirling in the mess of wetness, not even feeling friction from her soft bush of hair anymore. “Relax and get fucked how you need it. I’ll make you cum, don’t worry.” She shook again, her hand white-knuckled from the grip in his hair of her awkwardly bent arm. Her legs were spread as wide as they could, he could feel her strong hip muscle quivering from force. Her feet kneaded the bed, trying to find purchase to move, to demand a different pace but she couldn’t find it. “Stop struggling, Star. I’m not going to stop. Relax.” He said again. She caved in with a pout, letting her muscles loosen. “You’re so tight around me Star. You feel so good but I need you to open up that perfect pussy for me okay? Open up your pussy and take me, Star. Let me make you cum like this.” None of his words felt like orders but wishes he was asking her to grant.

“Ugh!” It was half cry of frustration and half of pleasure. She stopped moving, let her muscle settle, and as soon as she felt how deep he could go when she let her pussy open up. Instead of trying to stay so tight, he had to fight to get inside her, she moaned from her stomach in a new way.

“Fuck that’s it, fucking perfect. Focus on how good it feels. I’m filling you up so well, you feel it? My cock bottoming out inside you? You take my cock like you were made to, you feel it?”

“Holy shit.” She managed to get out.

“That’s my good girl, open that sweet pussy up.”

“Yes.” She wept, a tear promising to fall from her eyes. She moaned another deep unique moan.

“Open it up and take me, Star. God damn it you feel so fucking good.” He groaned out between clenched teeth.

“I am. Fuck, I am.” She pleaded, looking down to see his hand soaked and focusing on the obscene sounds her body made as he pushed into her. She pulled her hand free from his hair, slapping to her thigh to hold up and open her legs to take him even deeper.

“That’s it. You want it so bad don’t you? Tell me.”

“I wanna cum so bad.” She let out a broken sob. “It feels so good. I’m right there but I just… can’t…” he shushed her and kisses her cheek. “I need it. I wanna cum on your cock.” She squealed.

“Relax and you will.” He whispered in her ear. “Just let it feel good, it’s not about cumming. Just enjoy it feeling good.”

“Just enjoy it.” She whispered back, her brow low and again calming her body. She was so used to fast and hard and cumming being the entire point. Now she was wrapped in his arms, he pulled her onto her back more to be able to kiss her. Her leg was high and bouncing as he was deep inside her. A push in, a drag out. Two separate motions instead of the blur of movement they’d done together before. She let herself focus on the kiss. Deep and slow like his cock, their tongues explored and probed. She held his face and he helped her reach her peak by focusing on her nipples again. Soon she was floating, her body being rocked and held, kissed and caressed with care. “Oh my.” Left her mouth without her putting forth the effort. Her body felt heavy, her eyes began to rapidly blink.

“That’s a good girl. I feel you, Star. You’re doing so good. So good.” He buried his face into her neck again, he felt her startle, a hand slapped his arm as she gasped.

“Eddie?” She sounded like she didn’t know what was happening so he rose to look at her. With teary eyes, her lips trembled as she begged him for something he couldn’t place with her eyes. She nodded.

“Yeah?” He nuzzled his nose to hers, feeling the deep muscle spasms beginning in her stomach.

She nodded again and a tear fell from her eyes as she screwed them shut. She seized up, her head lifting, her forehead to his lips. Her legs came to her chest, her stomach a rock-hard muscle as she didn’t make a sound for a moment. All that could be heard was the wet squelch of her body wrenching his cock. Eddie’s mouth fell open, his eyes rolling in their sockets. It was more intense than the usual pulse and grip. He could feel her whole body as it washed over her in waves. The usual quick pulses into calm was nowhere to be found. She managed a strangled gasp, her eyes rolled back to white. She drowned in wave after wave of her whole body tingling and feeling the pleasure. Her nipples were screamingly sensitive, and her clit felt like a blood-filled beacon with how every pulse made it jolt her with pleasure.

She gasped exhaustively, her eyes moving to meet his. She was surprised and lost, he saw it in a second.

“Don’t stop.” She creaked out, her lips pouting exaggeratedly. “I’m… it’s…” she choked out a sob.

“I’m not gonna stop. You’re doing so good. Keep cumming baby.” He pumped her at the same rhythm, fighting to stay inside her as she squeezed. His fingers zeroed in and caressed her throbbing clit. He could feel her pulse under his hands. She let out a loud growl from her red face. Eddie knew enough to understand that the really good orgasms weren’t some flowery moaning lovely thing. They could hurt. They were grunts and groans and drool and tears. He watched her in awe as she struggled, he was thrilled to be the one to give her this.

She stayed there for a short while, until she cried out again, her back arching and her head hitting the pillow. With a rush she came around him again, her body tensing and pushing and it proved too much. Eddie didn’t dare ruin her moment, as he came with the same unattractive sound as she did. A stern brow was pressed to her head as she wheezed. She whimpered and whined, arms shaking and grabbing for him. He clamored gracelessly, his hips moving on their accord as they kissed filthily. Tears and spit traveled over their faces, lips sucked and tongues tasted the salt from their skin. They panted into each other mouths, as Star tapped Eddie’s arm to beg for mercy.

His hand left her puffy pussy and grabbed her face. They collided, her turning to him to wrap her leg around him and he quickly smacked her ass before sinking his nails into her smooth skin. A makeout -as rough as the sex had been slow- followed. Neither recalled having kissed someone like this, certainly not sober. Some desperation they’d both been denying bubbled to the surface.

In the haze of post orgasm, there was a clarity that hit Star. She remembered something from her dream. Something she felt in her gut as they gasped and bit and scratched and cried into each other’s mouths. Friends, she remembered hearing. Friends don’t do this. Not like this.

-

“Honey, I’m home!” Eddie announced loudly, kicking her trailer door open with arm fulls of groceries.

“Eddie!” She scolded and jumped at the intrusion. “You’ll break my door!”

“I appreciate your faith in my muscle strength but these spaghetti noodles aren’t gonna break your door.”

“Your legs are not spaghetti noodles.” She corrected with a roll of her eyes, hopping up to shut the door behind him. “Did someone say something about your legs? Is it because your jeans are tight?” She walked up to him and stood by her kitchen counter, her face looking particularly adorable to Eddie as her face frowned. “I will fight someone if they made you feel bad about wearing those jeans. You look so good in those.” She so diligently insists, looking up to see Eddie smug. He leaned in to kiss her and her face softened.

“I know you would, badass.” His tone has the same effect as if he’s ruffled her hair.

“I would!”

“I know. That’s why I said it!” He laughed.

“Good!” She nodded and looked at the things left on the counter. “We cooking now?”

“I am cooking now yes.”

“Are you sure? I can help. I’m a good cook.”

“I know you are and I’m going to prove that I can make something besides cereal for you.”

“I don’t know if the insurance is up to date on this thing so please don’t burn down my house.”

“Oh, ye of little faith. I am a one-trick pony when it comes to cooking. I can one thing really well.”

“With a block of fake cheese?” She picked up the dropped the heavy brick on the counter.

“Trust the process! Shoo!”

-

Star sat on her bed which still smelled like sex from that morning. She was still feeling pleasantly tired and Eddie had been in a great mood the whole day. He’d run out to get groceries after an argument about him being able to cook while Star had made them breakfast.

He’d barreled off in his lumbering van and picked up a bag of clothes and other things to hold him over for a few days. He hadn’t been joking about staying with her the entire time she was off. And now he especially didn’t want to leave her. He felt different. Conflicted, sure but lighter too. The truth was heavy but knowing it made it easier to carry. He was in love with his best friend. Not ideal by any stretch but with their non-traditional sort of relationship it also was a whole hell of a lot better than it could be. He knew better than to tell her. Not now anyway. Maybe soon. Maybe one day. When she didn’t seem to be so haunted by her past. He felt cautiously optimistic.

In a lame attempt to prove his worth of being relationship material he had agreed to make dinner. Eddie's confidence in the kitchen was not high. But he was capable if he could focus long enough. He’d made this meal, 100s? Thousands of times? It got him through his time alone when he was younger. It served him well now. And he proudly presented it to her steaming hot out of the pot.

“Munson Mac.” He cheerfully proclaimed as a very ooey, gooey, melty greasy bowl of bright orange noodles were poured in front of Star. Your fork, Milady.” He bowed and held it out to her to take.

“It smells good.” She waited for him to settle into the opposite side of the kitchenette booth. He stared at her for a moment. “You’re excited about this aren’t you?”

“Yes. Put me out of my misery and try it!” He scooted the bowl closer to her.

Star seriously considered acting like it was bad then psyche!-ing him. She wasn’t cruel enough to make those big brown eyes look sad on purpose. The fact that it was surprisingly good made it hard to act like she didn’t like it with how hungry she was.

“Verdict?”

“I will admit I am surprised at how good it is.”

“YES!” He hit the table with both hands. “Fuck yeah.” He nodded enthusiastically before shoveling it into his mouth.

“You even seasoned it.”

“Of course I did.” He looked offended.

“I mean, white people usually don’t.” She laughed.

“Poor people do!” He corrected with a shake of his spoon. “We can’t afford the good shit so we have to flavor the cheap stuff to make it edible.”

“That explains the block of cheese.”

“Exactly.”

He continued about how many cheeses were in it and how he used a whole stick of butter. Stars eyes got wide at the confession. That would explain why it was tasty. Eddie suspected the cheap and easy-to-get ingredients had kept him from starving sometimes as a kid. You need the calories from a whole stick of butter when it’s the only thing you’ll eat all day.

She went back for another bowl and not just because she knew it’d make him happy. He took her second empty bowl and started washing up. She sat with her extended stomach and watched him curiously.

“You do dishes too?”

“Yeah? If you don’t you get ants. Or gnats. I hate those fuckers. Oh hell, I sound like Wayne.” He laughed.

“I don’t know if… apart from Robbie I don’t know that I’ve witnessed any of my- any guys I knew do dishes without being asked. Or begged.”

“Grow up alone. Or see your mom have a breakdown or an argument over the dishes not being done as a kid. You’ll start doing it yourself to keep the peace.” He said it too casually. Star frowned at his explanation. She rolled up her sleeves and stood next to him, she took them to dry.

“You don’t have to do it alone.” She offered, using an embroidered tea towel to help.

“I know.” He looked down at her bright eyes that showed she felt bad for him “That's what I’ve got you for now right?” He nodded his chin up and the sentiment made her smile.

“I’d rather vacuum actually.”

“I’ll take out the garbage if you do laundry.” He grinned.

“I’ll wash it if you put your own up.”

“Deal.” She smiled back and they finish the dishes in silence. “You know what? There is something you can help me out with.” He said as he leaned against the table.

“Shoot.” She said, mirroring him against the counter. He ignored his compulsion to stare at the multiple hickeys he’d left on her neck and shoulder. With her hair up it was like she was teasing him. He shook his head to force out the distraction.

“I was wondering. About these crystals?” He took the ones she’d left in his van out of his pocket and held them out in his open hand. He saw her eyes go wide.

“Looks like, some black tourmaline and selenite, a rose quartz.” She said fingering the stones. “Good protection stones.”

“You wanna know where I found them?” He smirked.

“I’m sorry.” She blurted out. “I should’ve asked first but I wanted to put protection stones in your van because you drive like a maniac and I worry about you.” the words all came out fast. His smile was obnoxiously cocky. He moved over to her, put the stones in his pocket, and kissed her. A hand to her waist and another to her face before landing it.

“I know.” He whispered and grinned.

“You just wanted a confession?”

“I knew it had to be you.” He shook his head. “But when I took them to the shop downtown I asked the lady what they were and I learned a lot.”

“You did?”

“I was… I don’t know. flattered? Glad they weren't out there to kill me?”

“You aren’t mad at me?”

“Psh, no. It’s sweet really. I can use all the help I can get. We both know this.” He admits. “I learned about the stones and I mean, it was easy to get you to talk about them. So I looked into it for myself. So I figured, why not return the favor?”

“You… you’ve been learning about crystals?” Her voice cracked in her throat in a well-timed crack of honesty in her voice.

“I have.” He nodded, his hands back in his pockets. “And the moon.” Her eyes went wide as her head tilted.

“Why?” She couldn’t think of a better way to ask.

“Because you love it. Because I think you’re into something. I’m not one to follow any tenets blindly, but the magic part of LeVayan beliefs was always a little… unattainable. With the drama and the robes and the ritualistic orgies. But the way you talk about it, and do it? It makes sense to me. It’s not loud and big and showy. It’s quiet and consistent and intimate. Without the need for orgies. But if you ever need someone for sex magic, I’m your guy.” He added quickly and winked making her laugh.

“I’ll ask you first.” She nodded.

“Good. I see things happen that you talk about. The coincidence and serendipity of it all. And I thought this girl knows what’s up. This feels… for lack of a better word, it feels real when you do it.”

Star fluttered her lashes unintentionally. She fiddled with the stone around her neck nervously. She was feeling emotional at his observations and openness. Her work was sacred to her, and feeling so seen and heard was making her feel things she hadn’t expected.

“Thank you.” She quietly answered.

“Which is why I started reading, talking to the people at the shop. And I decided that if you were so thoughtful as to want to help me, protect me in some way. That I should do the same for you, you know?” He shrugged. He was pulling off the casual approach well even though his palms were sweating. “So I thought about what I thought you needed help with the most. And I don’t think I’m being… impolite when I say I noticed that sometimes you get… well, scared. You flinch at any sound or interruption. You get mad or sad over things that seem like they’re normal.” He softened his voice. “Wayne was in the war ya know? And I know what PTSD is and I know that means bad things happened to you in the past. Things so bad that they stay with you even after they’re over. And they haunt you and make things harder. They make you mean to yourself and believe things that aren’t true. And I see you get upset, or down on yourself. I know it’s something you have to heal. And I can’t do that for you, I can’t make the things that already happened to you go away. I would if I could but- I can’t.” He sighed and reached out and took her hand. She had tears in her eyes. “So I found what crystal I thought would work best for that. I know you love rose quartz but it makes so much sense to me now that I know what it does and why you have so many of them. And I know you probably don’t need another or another necklace in general but you tell me all the time that intention is everything. So I thought that if my intention with this was for you to be able to heal then I should get it for you anyway. And once I saw this one. I had to.” He held up a star-shaped rose quartz. A soft leather cord looped through a hole to make it a necklace. Star's chest heaved for a moment, holding in a sob. “Oh my god babe did I totally fuck up? I’m SO sorry!” He grabbed her face, the necklace dangling from his hand and she put her hands over his.

“You did the opposite of fuck up.” She smiled and it made tears run down her cheeks. “You’re so good to me.” The dam broke and she started crying and he pulled her against him. He fought tears of his own as she quietly cried in his arms. “I don’t deserve you.” She wept into his shirt, her arms too tight around his middle.

“You- you deserve better than me.” He rasped out. “This is what I want to help you with. You deserve the world, Star. I want you to see that.” It only made her cry harder.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry for.” He rubbed her back and kissed her head. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m the one that should be sorry.”

“It’s good. I think I needed to. It’s been a while.” he rubbed her back as she settled. She sounded less strained as she pulled away, wiping her face with her too long sleeves. “I'm sorry. That was just… the nicest thing anyone's said or done for me. You’re such a lovely person. I can’t even begin to explain how much what you said and what-“ she looked at the necklace in his hand. “-That means to me.”

“It’s all true.” He said softly, wiping her face before holding up the necklace. “You wanna wear it?” She nodded with a sniffle. She looked down to toy with it.

“I'm never gonna take it off.” She promised, braving to look into his eyes that she found were also wet. “Oh no, honey.” She chuckled, wiping his eyes for him.

“I don’t like it when you’re upset.” He whispered bashfully.

“I don’t like it when you’re upset either. I hate it. It hurts.”

“It does doesn’t it?” He winced with realization. “We’re a mess aren't we?” He huffed out a soft laugh. She nodded and he put his hand to her face, thumbs wiping away the remaining tears.

“We are.” She laughed and nodded before he leaned in to kiss her. “At least we can be a mess together.”

“One big mess instead of two slightly smaller ones.” He mused against her lips and her laugh eased any ache he’d had in his chest. “You like it right?” He touched the pendant on her chest.

“I love it.” She said happily with the fading stuffiness of her nose passing. She held his hands and hopped to kiss him to emphasize her point.

“So do I.” He exhaled before wrapping his arms around her waist to bring her close. Her hands clasped to his jaw as they shared a slow kiss, feet raised with the force he pulled her toward him. Her toes balanced on the floor and one foot popped out as he took her breath away for the second time that day. Perhaps he’d go for a third before the night was over.

PART 14

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