#ok so there's a brief mention of violence in a relationship

[fortheloveofwonderland]

No Distance Left to Run | Part 2 | S.R

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Chapter Summary - On Rossi’s wedding day, Spencer discovers something that could change everything. You are still reeling from the aftermath of your confession and from events that transpired with your husband a few days prior.

Pairing - Spencer Reid / BAU Fem! Reader

Category - friends to lovers | mutual pining | angst with happy ending | smut minors DNI

Warnings - spoilers for 14.02 Starter Home, 13.23 Believer, 14.01 300, 14.14 Sick and Evil, very brief mentions of therapy, burns, abusive relationship, drinking, typical case related stuff, allusions to sex, hints at cheating, swearing, prison arc, abuse statistics, violence, arguing, tears, strangulation, hints at sexual assault.

WC - 9.7k

Part 2 - Never Have I Ever

Present Day

You inhaled deeply until your lungs couldn’t physically hold any more air. You held your breath while you counted to five in your head. Then you slowly exhaled the breath through your nose. You repeated the action three more times.

It was a tactic your therapist had forced upon you, to employ when you were feeling overwhelmed. At first you’d thought it was dumb, not believing the simple act of breathing could help bring you back from the brink. But time and time again you were proven wrong. 

Once you had calmed your rattled nerves you went to pick up the glass of wine from the coffee table. As you leaned to get it, your shirt sleeve rolled up a few inches, the pink scar on your forearm almost in the perfect shape of the state of Florida, caught your eye. 

That’s what Luke had told you in the hospital while the doctor was debriding your burn. 

“It kinda looks like Florida.”

“Excuse me?” 

“The wound. It looks like the shape of Florida.” 

His strange comment had made you laugh and it had taken your mind off of the pain of the doctor scraping debris from your wound. You supposed that had been Luke’s plan.

Before you picked up your glass you found yourself running your fingertips over the scar. It had been a long time since it caused you any pain, physical pain anyway. The residual mental anguish was yet to vanish entirely. It wasn’t the only scar adorned on your body, but it was the one that was the hardest to hide. 

In those days Spencer had taken the brunt of your anger. It hadn’t been deliberate, you didn’t mean to take your frustrations out on your best friend. It was almost a miracle after the way you’d treated him that he still called you his best friend. 

You pushed him away during that time, because if anyone was going to get to the bottom of what was going on it would be Spencer. He knew you so well, sometimes you thought he knew you better than you knew yourself. And he’d already started piecing together the truth that day in the Guymon police department. 

Maybe if you’d told him sooner he could have helped. Maybe if you’d just been honest with him that day when he asked, things wouldn’t have gone on for so long. 

“Did Jared do this to you?” 

“What? How can you even ask me that?” 

“That wasn’t an answer. You’re deflecting.”

“I didn’t think a dumb question warranted an answer.”

“You’re doing it again. Did he hurt you?” 

“Stop it, Spencer. Just stop it, ok? Stop it.” 

You were a strong, independent and fierce woman. You didn’t want to admit to your best friend, or anyone for that matter, that your husband was abusive. 

Was abusive. Past tense. 

You couldn’t fight back at home because it would make things so much worse, so instead you took your anger and your pain out on the one person who had done nothing but care about you since the moment you’d met him. 

And despite what you put Spencer through, he’d never once turned his back on you. This time however, you might have gone too far. 

You finally picked up the wine glass and sunk back against the couch cushions. You’d really messed up this time. You’d messed up with Spencer before, plenty of times, but this seemed worse somehow. 

After all these years you had absolutely no right to tell Spencer how you felt about him. You’d always known he was in love with you and you’d had ample opportunity to tell him you felt the same. 

Too much time had passed, too much had changed. He’d been single almost the entire time you’d known him, with the exception of Maeve. You’d had plenty of time before you met Jared to tell him how you felt. 

But now for the first time in the fifteen years you’d known him he was in a steady relationship. Max was sweet and uncomplicated and she seemed to make Spencer happy. 

They’d been dating around four months now and things seemed to be good between them. When he’d introduced her to the team, he’d been beaming, happier than you’d ever seen him. 

“Guys, this is Max. My…girlfriend.” 

No one even had a suspicion he’d been dating someone before he brought her along for drinks with the team just over a month ago. No one had a clue. 

“Girlfriend?” JJ spoke to everyone's confusion. 

“Yeah,” he blushed slightly, wrapping an arm around Max’s petite shoulders. 

“How long has this been going on for?” Emily smiled around her glass. 

“A few months.” Max answered for him. 

“After all these years the kid is still so hard to read.” Rossi chuckled. “It’s very nice to meet you, Max. I’m Dave.” 

You’d merely stood and stared as one by one the BAU agents introduced themselves to the slight brunette, meanwhile Spencer smiled proudly at her side. 

It wasn’t until later on in the evening Spencer found you outside the bar, leaning up against the wall and staring at the starry night sky.

“Hey,” he tentatively approached you. “You’ve been awfully quiet tonight.” 

You wanted to shake it off, to tell him you were just tired or something. But for some reason you couldn’t bite your tongue. 

“You remember when I got engaged?” You frowned at him, unable to hold back.

“Uh, of course I do?” His brows furrowed, not sure where you were going with this.

“I told you that I owed you more than having to find out at the same time as the rest of the team, that I should have told you first.” 

Spencer sighed with a slow nod of understanding. 

“You’re annoyed that I didn’t tell you about Max.” 

“Bravo, genius.” You scoffed.

You were a little on the rogue side of tipsy. Had you been more sober you wouldn’t have dared bring this up. 

“Well as I told you when you got engaged, you didn’t owe me anything. The same way I didn’t owe you anything.” He folded his arms across his chest.

“It’s different and you know it.” You spat. 

“It's no different.” He shook his head. “You left. You walked away. You made it perfectly clear that it didn’t mean anything to you so finally I met someone else.” 

“I never said it didn’t mean anything.” You scoffed, he was putting words into your mouth.

“No you’re right, you didn’t.” He stepped closer to you. “You didn’t say anything. For six months you haven’t once brought it up and I didn’t either because I didn’t want to look like an idiot. But you just left without a word and then you acted like it never happened. So I met Max and considering you’ve barely said two words to me in the last half a year, I didn’t think I needed to explain myself to you.” 

A tear escaped your eye as you pictured the way Spencer had looked at you that night and then the way he’d looked at you today. 

He’d been well within his right not to tell you about Max after what you’d done. He was right, you’d left and you’d never mentioned it again. You had tried to pretend it never happened because realistically it shouldn’t have happened. 

But it had and there was no changing that. Just because you wouldn’t talk about it didn’t make it any less real. And now for over seven months you had tried to forget it ever happened, but there was no forgetting. 

You sipped your wine and wiped your eyes before any more tears could fall. You heard the floorboards overhead creak with soft footsteps. You held your breath and listened intently as they crossed the room. 

You heard a door open gently and then the same footsteps on the landing. Another door opened and closed. A few minutes later you heard the toilet flush followed by water running in the sink.

You continued to hold your breath as the door opened and closed again and the footsteps headed closer to the stairs rather than back towards the bedroom. 

You downed your glass of wine as the footsteps started down the stairs towards you. 

***

Seven Months Ago

You gravitated down the hall without recalling telling your feet to do so. It was like a magnetic pull, as though you didn’t have control over your own movements. 

The case had taken the team to Varnville, South Carolina on what had initially looked to be a cold case when a mummified body was discovered in a wall. Rossi had gone on ahead to review the case and upon discovering a wealth of other bodies, dead between twenty years and one, the rest of you joined him.

You’d been worried about Spencer for weeks now, ever since his ordeal with Ben’s Believers and Benjamin Merva. He still had some residual bruising peppering his otherwise alabaster skin, as well as a scar forming on his lower lip. 

He’d tried to put on a brave face, mostly for Penelope who was suffering from PTSS from the abduction. But you knew Spencer well enough to know he wasn’t dealing with the aftermath as well as he liked to pretend. 

After Emily had called it a night and sent you all back to the hotel at around two am, you hadn’t been able to sleep. And somehow your body had moved without your meaning to do so, out of the room and down the corridor until you were standing outside of another door and knocking on it. 

You knocked quietly in case he was asleep but somehow you knew he wouldn’t be. You heard some shuffling from inside the room and then footsteps padding closer.

He opened the door and didn’t look at all surprised to see you. He’d changed out of his work attire and wore a pair of dark green flannel pants, a plain white t-shirt with his signature mismatched socks, one yellow and one red. Even after all these years it still shocked you a little to see him out of a suit and tie. 

“I’m fine, Y/N.” He offered you a meek smile, clearly knowing why you were here.

“Can I come in?” You asked gently. 

He swiped his tongue along his bottom lip before rolling it between his teeth. With a sigh, he nodded and held the door open for you. 

“You’ve barely talked about what happened.” You spoke as you were closing the door behind you. 

“That’s because there isn’t much to say.” He shrugged, moving across the room and leaning up against the desk. 

“Merva nearly killed you.” You swore if you squinted your eyes you would be able to see the knife still pressed against his Adam’s apple. 

“But he didn’t kill me. And I’m fine.” 

“If we were a second later Spence-”

“But you weren’t.” He chuckled, cutting you off. “You made it in time and I’m ok.” 

“It’s ok if you aren’t. What you went through was traumatic. You don’t have to pretend to be fine for me, Spencer.” 

“You’re a hypocrite.” He rolled his eyes, his tone changing sharply. 

“Excuse me?” You frowned. 

“How many times have I asked you if you were ok only to have you pretend you’re fine when your husband was abusing you?” He spat out, pushing himself away from the desk. 

Your back went rigid, your shoulders squared. You ground your teeth furiously. 

“Wow, thanks for making me wish I hadn’t bothered to check in. I was only trying to help and you go and throw that in my face?” You shook your head in disappointment. 

“And I was only trying to help you!” 

“I didn’t need your help!” 

“So you were just going to let him use you as a punching bag forever?” He scoffed. 

“It’s complicated and you know it.” You folded your arms to protect yourself. From what you weren’t sure. 

“It shouldn’t be.” He shook his head. 

“I didn’t come here to talk about Jared. I wanted to make sure you were ok but clearly that was a mistake.” You spun on your heels back towards the door and started marching towards it. 

He exhaled noisily, raking his fingers through his hair. 

“I’m not ok.” He confessed, his tone sounding as though it pained him to admit. You slowly turned back to him. “I haven’t been ok for a long time. It’s been a really bad few years.” 

“You’ve been through a lot.” You nodded, cautiously stepping back closer to him. “I don’t think you ever really got past your incarceration, everything that happened with Cat.”

“I didn’t.” He admitted with a shake of his head. “I know all the right things to say to a therapist so they would reinstate me. But I’m barely holding it together. Prison and Cat, Mr Scratch and then the Believers. It’s been a lot.” 

“It’s ok not to be ok.” You whispered, reaching him now and placing your hands on his shoulders to try and ground him. “I haven’t been there for you the way I should have been.”

“You’ve had a lot going on yourself.” He sniffed. 

“It didn’t stop you trying to be there for me. Instead of helping you, I’ve been pushing you away.” 

“It’s ok.” He shrugged. 

“No, it’s not.” You shook your head. “I’m sorry that I…I wasn’t strong enough to walk away from him.” 

“Strength had nothing to do with it. You’re without a doubt the strongest woman I have ever met.” He told you frankly, his own hands moving to cup your lower back.

“I married the wrong man.” You whimpered, glancing at your left hand on Spencer’s shoulder and the silver wedding band on your finger. “I knew it when he proposed to me. I knew it when I was walking down that aisle. And you knew it too, you were just too polite to tell me the truth.” 

“Yeah,” he nodded stiffly. “You did marry the wrong man.” 

A silent understanding passed between the two of you, the kind of understanding that existed only between two people who knew each other inside and out. 

And when he leaned in closer and his lips brushed against yours, it felt right. It felt like the most normal thing in the whole world. 

It continued to feel that way when he deepened the kiss, nearly fifteen years worth of feelings coming out in a single kiss. As he held you close he whispered against your lips, “after all this time? Always.” 

And you finally understood what he meant. 

It felt so normal that you didn’t question it when he led you towards his bed and started helping you out of your clothes. 

***

Present Day

The weight of what you’d done didn’t sink in until you woke up in the morning, curled up against your best friend's naked body. 

Spencer was sleeping soundly, his messy hair splayed out against the hotel pillow, one arm lightly draped across your hips.

You’d managed to creep out of his hold, redress and sneak out of the room before he woke up. And you’d just acted like nothing ever happened. You pretended like you hadn’t slept with your best friend. 

The footsteps on the stairs got closer and you exhaled, trying to clear your mind of thoughts of the past. 

The last thing you should have done was sleep with Spencer. No, the last thing you should have done was confess your love for him during a hostage situation. But sleeping with him had been a close second. 

But he was right, you’d walked away that morning and never looked back, buried your head in the sand and effectively shattered his heart by pretending it didn’t happen. 

You’d told him that night your marriage was complicated. He could never understand. He couldn’t understand because he’d never been married. He would also never understand the complexities of the situation because not only wasn’t he married, but he didn’t have children. 

“Mom?” A croaky voice came from behind you, right on cue. 

You plastered on a smile and turned slowly in the chair to see your daughter rubbing her tired eyes. 

“Hi sweet pea, what are you doing up so late?” You kept your voice quiet as she padded over to you. 

“Couldn’t sleep.” She fell to the couch next to you, immediately curling against you and resting her head on your shoulder. 

You wrapped an arm around her, using your other hand to smooth her messy hair back from her face. 

“When did you get home?” She stifled a yawn. 

“A few hours ago. It was a bad one.” You kissed her head. 

You didn’t make a habit of bringing cases home with you, but eight year old Adeline was far too smart for her own good. You often wondered where she got it from. 

She was her mothers daughter through and through, so much like you it often scared you. Looking into her eyes you sometimes felt like looking into a window to the past. 

She was the absolute light of your life, the first time you held her in your arms you thought your body might burst with the amount of love you felt for her. 

She nuzzled closer to you, yawning once more. 

“I missed you, mom.” She mumbled. 

“I missed you more, baby girl.” You closed your eyes and tried to revel in the feeling of your daughter in your arms. 

As she got older these moments would inevitably be few and far between. 

For a while the two of you sat like this, despite the late hour. Mother and daughter lost in their own little world. After a time you heard another door open above you and more footsteps padding down the stairs. 

A few moments later a messy haired and bleary eyed little boy appeared in the doorway. 

“Can’t sleep either, buddy?” You smiled at him. 

“No,” he pouted with a shake of his head. 

“Come on over.” You patted your lap and did as he was told. 

Finley was three years his sister's junior although almost as tall as her. He was equally as astute at Adeline but shared his looks with his father. 

He was the more sensitive of your two children, he wore his heart on his sleeve whereas Adeline was better at hiding her emotions like her mother. 

The five year old plopped himself down in your lap and you cradled him with your other arm. 

This was as close to a perfect moment as had ever existed. These two children were the best thing you’d ever done with your life. 

The love you felt for Adie and Fin knew no bounds. And no matter how many times Jared hit you, burned you, scarred you, you’d always be grateful to him for giving you your two incredible children. 

Despite the way he treated you he’d never laid a finger on your kids. He loved Adeline and Finely, he was an amazing father. It was just a shame he couldn’t be an amazing husband too. 

Maybe he’d always been a little controlling, but it was nothing you couldn’t handle. It got worse when he lost his job. Adeline was five and Finley was two. Jared became quick to anger, lashing out at you with his words. 

It started so small you barely noticed it. He’d felt his control slipping in his professional life after being fired and so he tried to regain it at home. 

The first signs had been when he started getting angry when you spent time with Spencer. He got jealous and would yell that he didn’t like how much time you spent with him. 

So you tried to limit your interactions with your best friend for the sake of your marriage. When you did manage to see him you always lied to Jared and told him you were with JJ of Penelope or Emily. 

The first time he hit you was when you arrived home from Mexico after Spencer’s initial arrest. You’d told him it was just a normal case when you’d hurriedly left in the middle of the night but eventually you’d had to tell him the truth.

The kids were asleep when you got home that night and you found him in the kitchen, a glass of scotch on the counter next to a half empty bottle.

“It’s bad,” you sighed as you dropped your purse to the counter. “We managed to get him extradited but he’s been detained. I can’t imagine what he’s going through.” 

“Maybe he shouldn’t have been so stupid as to go down to Mexico without telling anyone. If you ask me, he deserves it.” Jared scoffed, raising the glass to his lips. 

“He deserves to have been drugged and accused of murder?” You frowned at him. 

“How do you know it's an accusation? For all you know he murdered that woman.” He shrugged.

“Spencer did not kill Nadie Ramos. Spencer couldn’t hurt a fly.” 

“Urgh, there you go again.” He rolled his eyes, sipping more of the scotch.

“There I go again, what?” 

“Spencer this and Spencer that. Jesus, he’s all you ever talk about.” 

“Well that’s not true.” You rolled your eyes.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Jared slammed his glass on the counter, eyeing you wildly.

“No, that’s not what I said. I think you're exaggerating.” You felt yourself tense at the way he was looking at you. 

“I told you I don’t like you spending time with him.” His jaw was set in a firm line.

“I work with him, Jared. I have to see him. And one of us needs a job…” You spoke the last part under your breath but of course he heard you.

“Excuse me?” He spat at you. 

“It’s been months, Jared. My salary alone barely covers all our bills.” 

“You think I’m not trying? You think I like being out of work, being a fucking stay at home dad? This is my worst goddamn nightmare, Y/N!” He raised his voice and you flinched a little. 

“Your worst nightmare is spending time with your kids?” You cocked an eyebrow at him.

“That’s not what I meant.” He scoffed. “The only good part about this is spending more time with them. But I am climbing the freaking walls. You’re never here and that was fine when I was working too because I didn’t notice so much. I am going stir crazy, I feel like I have no purpose, no control.” 

“Of course you have a purpose.” You softened a little, rounding the counter towards him. “Those kids adore having you around all the time. Your purpose doesn't need to be tied to your professional identity. Just enjoy this time with them, you’ll find something soon enough.” 

You placed your hands flush on his chest and tried to calm him. You could feel his heart beating erratically beneath his shirt. 

“I love you.” He sighed, placing his own hands on your hips. 

“I love you too,” you smiled, getting on your tiptoes and kissing him. 

He wrapped his arms firmly around you, holding you in place. For a few brief moments everything was wonderful between you. And then your phone rang. 

You stepped back from his hold with a smile, pulling the device from your pocket. 

“It’s Emily, I should take this.” You nodded before turning your back on your husband. “Hey Em, is everything ok?” 

Emily proceeded to tell you that the FBI had effectively turned its back on Spencer, not willing to provide him with their legal services due to the fact he left the country without telling anyone. She told you about her old friend Fiona Duncan whom she was hoping would take on Reid’s case but it was ultimately a long shot. 

You took it all in, feeling sick to your stomach that the bureau would turn their back on him like that. Emily informed you Fiona was going to meet with Reid in the morning.

“I’ll meet you there, I need to see him.” Your voice shook a little.

“Ok, I’ll see you in the morning, try and get some sleep.” She replied. 

“You too.” You hung up the phone and when you turned back to Jared his face was entirely bright red. 

“You’re not going to see him.” He spat through a clenched jaw.

“He’s my best friend, Jared. He’s scared and alone right now. I need to see him.” 

“You will do what I tell you to do, woman.” 

“Uh, I will do what my team needs me to do. Thank you very much.” 

Suddenly he advanced on you, shoving you roughly back up against the wall. And when he smacked you hard around the face you felt your whole world crumble. 

Tears immediately filled your eyes, your cheek stinging from the contact. He quickly stepped away and turned back to his scotch.

“I did that because I love you.” He whispered around the glass of alcohol.

Every time he hurt you without fail he would follow it up with some kind of comment like that. You’d lost count of the amount of times he said the likes of, “you know I’d never intentionally hurt you,” or “I’m sorry that you think I hurt you.” 

By the time he poured scalding oil on your arm you’d grown used to it. You’d simply resided yourself to the fact this was your life now. 

You thought maybe when he’d eventually gotten a new job he would calm down, go back to being the man you fell in love with. But he never did. 

The Jared Haines that beat you, forced you into bed when you weren’t in the mood, yelled at you until you cried, wasn’t the same Jared Haines you’d married. 

You may have married the wrong man but you’d do it all over again for Adie and Fin. 

“I love you kids so much, never forget that.” You whispered as you held them tighter trying to stem your tears. 

“Love you too mommy.” Fin snuggled closer. 

“Love you mom.” Adie agreed. 

***

“There you are, boy wonder, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Garcia tottered over to him the second he walked in the room. 

“I’ve literally just walked through the door. What’s up Garcia?” He cocked an eyebrow at her. 

“I need to…” she glanced away from Spencer, to the petite brunette holding his hand. “Max, hi. Can I steal your boyfriend momentarily?” 

“Sure, go ahead.” Max laughed, letting go of his hand. 

Spencer bowed his head and kissed her cheek before Garcia was roughly grabbing him by the wrist and dragging Spencer behind her. 

The grand ballroom was decorated beautifully and tastefully but he barely had a chance to take it in before Penelope had accosted him. 

He’d arrived earlier than necessary in case Rossi needed any last minute help for his big day. But he hadn’t even made it to the bar. 

Penelope pulled him outside onto a large patio area where staff were setting up tables and fussing over centrepieces. 

“What is going on?” Spencer asked her, smoothing out his shirt once she pulled them to a stop. 

“Have you spoken to Y/N?” Her eyes were a little manic beneath her thick framed glasses. 

His stomach coiled into knots. Her panicked tone and frantic eyes immediately worried him. 

No, he hadn’t spoken to you. Not since you’d confessed your love to him yesterday. 

“No.” He shook his head. “What’s happened?”

“I know I’m not strictly a profiler but I like to think I’d mastered the basics. But I had no idea.” Garcia was spiralling. 

“Had no idea about what?” Spencer was desperate to get it out of her. 

“Well, when she first RSVP’d for today she only sent back three invites.” 

“Ok?” Spencer frowned. 

“Her, Adie and Fin.” 

“So Jared must be working.”

“That’s what I thought.” Garcia nodded.

“But?” Spencer asked slightly frustratedly. 

“You know me, I like answers. I like having all the facts, just like you.” She started pacing. “So, I asked her about it and she was super vague.” 

“Vague how?” Spencer watched her march up and down. 

“She said Jared wouldn’t be around, which is innocuous enough I hear you cry. But it didn’t sit right with me. It didn’t feel right.” She sounded exasperated. 

“Penelope,” Spencer stepped in front of her so she couldn’t keep pacing and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Please spit it out.” 

She huffed loudly and somewhat childishly. 

“Spence, I did some digging.” Her face paled a little and Spencer was suddenly terrified by what she might have found. 

“And?” He swallowed, lowering his arms to his sides. 

“I found a police report from five days ago. DC Metro was dispatched to 184 Calvert Street after an eight year old girl called the cops when she heard a gun shot.” Garcia’s face paled as she spoke, so did Spencer’s. 

“You…but I…” he swallowed, wobbling on his feet. “That’s Y/N house.” 

“Duh,” Penelope rolled her eyes. “Adie called the police when she heard the gun go off. In her statement she told them that she found her dad with a gun in his hand and his other wrapped around her mom’s throat.” 

Spencer’s colour somehow drained even further as he glared at Penelope. 

“Y/N got shot? But she was at work the next day. I remember it was the day I got back from teaching.” His heart rate increased dangerously so. He felt it beating all throughout his body. 

“According to the reports no one was seriously hurt. The bullet hit the wall. Bruises on her neck could have been covered by make-up.” Penelope tried to calm him before he got too worked up. 

“And Adie saw it?” 

“Oh that poor sweet angel. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like.” 

“Fin?” Spencer swallowed

“Was in bed. You know what a sound sleeper he is.” Garcia smiled sadly. 

“So what exactly happened?”

“The police arrived pretty fast, looks like within a few minutes. Adie, being the smart cookie she is, informed the police dispatcher that her mom is an FBI Agent so they were quick on the scene. From what I’ve managed to piece together, Jared wrestled her gun out of her holster and shot at the wall. Adie heard raised voices, and an argument ensued and he got Y/N up against the wall by her throat.

Cops took them in for questioning, he was arrested but given the chance to post bail for which he couldn’t afford and Y/N, thank god, did not pay it. So now he’s in jail awaiting trial. If he’s found guilty he could be looking at anywhere up to twenty five years for attempted murder.” 

Spencer closed his eyes, ruminating on every single one of Penelope’s words. He should have known it would come to this. He should have tried harder to get you to open up about what was going on at home. 

It never should have gotten this far. 

“Fuck,” he shook his head, opening his eyes again. 

“Why don’t you seem all that surprised by this?” Garcia had her eyebrow cocked.

Spencer looked past her a moment, out across the lawns beyond the patio. He’d tried so hard to convince you that you could trust him, that he could help you. 

He should have tried harder. Goddamnit he should have tried harder. 

***

2019

It had been a long time since Spencer had gotten a chance to spend any real time with you and he tried to make the most of it despite the fact your head was clearly elsewhere. 

He was sure he knew what it was that was going on. Ever since he’d seen that burn on your arm he’d been sure of it. But no matter how many times he tried to talk to you about it, you always denied it. 

You’d gone to the movies and for coffee but you kept checking your phone every few minutes, clearly distracted by something. 

You’d been quiet, you’d been quiet a lot lately. He’d hoped getting to spend one on one time with you would help you open up. 

He’d done all the talking, rambling at times because you wouldn’t engage him with more than a few words at a time. Even when he’d asked about the kids you’d simply replied, “yeah, they’re good.” 

Tucked away in the back of the coffee shop you checked the time again, tapping your fingers on the table. 

“Am I keeping you from something?” Spencer finally asked, a hint of frustration in his voice. 

“No,” you shook your head. “I just told Jared I’d be home by four and I don’t want to be late.” 

“You have a curfew now?” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You snapped. 

“He doesn’t trust you to spend too much time with me, is that it?” Spencer leaned forward on the table. 

He saw something flicker behind your eyes before you tried to disguise it by taking a sip of coffee. 

“He does know you’re with me, doesn’t he?” Spencer narrowed his eyes on you. 

“He…I…no.” You shrugged. “He thinks I’m out with Penelope.” 

“You’re lying to your husband about who you’re hanging out with?” 

“He doesn’t…he doesn’t like you.” You confessed. 

“You’re a grown woman, Y/N.” He scoffed. “He tells you who you can and can’t hang out with?” 

“It’s not like that.” You huffed. 

“And if he found out you were here with me, what would he do?” Spencer leaned even further forward, like he might pounce across the table at you. 

“I don’t know what you mean.” You wouldn’t meet his eye. 

“Would he burn you again?” 

“Stop it.” You spat. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Or would he just hit you? Bruise you?”

“Stop it.” 

“I’ve seen the bruises, Y/N! No one is that clumsy, least of all you.” His eyes turned sad as he reached across the table for your hand. It broke his heart the way you flinched. “Why won’t you let me help you?”

“Because it's not that simple.” You growled. “I’m begging you to leave this alone, Spencer.” 

“Y/N if he’s abusive just say the word and we can have him arrested.” 

“Spencer, I have children. It’s not just black and white.” 

“Does he hurt them? Does that asshole hurt my god children?” Spencer squeezed your hand. 

“Of course he doesn’t.” You hissed. “I would never let him lay a finger on them. If he ever touched my kids I would kick his ass to the curb.” 

“But you’ll let him hurt you?” He shook his head. 

“Spencer, marriage is complicated.” 

“Oh please, like I couldn’t possibly understand.” He rolled his eyes. 

“I have two kids who worship the ground their father walks on. He is an amazing dad, Spencer. I don’t want them to grow up without him.” You snatched your hand back from under his. 

“But you want them to grow up without you?” He frowned. “Because that's how this is going to end. Do you know four thousand women die every year at the hands of an abusive spouse? The presence of a gun in the house increases the risk of homicide by five hundred percent.” 

“And out of those four thousand, seventy five percent of those victims were killed whilst trying to leave their partner.” You spat back. “Do you not think I’ve thought about that? Spencer, just leave this alone. It’s none of your concern.” 

“I can help you.”

“No, Spencer, you can’t. And if you tell anyone about this, I will deny it. And without me willing to press charges, you’ll only make things worse. I am begging you to leave this alone.” You got to your feet. 

“You expect me to just sit by and watch while he hurts you?” He whined a little. 

“I’m asking you to just let it go. Please. I’ve got it under control. Stop trying to be a hero.” 

He couldn’t do anything but watch you go. And he hated himself for not doing something to help you. 

***

Present Day

“I knew he was violent. I knew he was abusing her. I could never get her to do anything about it.” Spencer admitted, shaking his head at his own stupidity. 

“He’s hurt her before?” Penelope pouted. 

“Yeah.” Spencer nodded sadly. “More than a few times.” 

“Do you think he’s ever hurt those poor sweet children?” Penelope’s lip quivered. 

“No, she said if he ever laid a hand on them she’d leave.” He inhaled sharply. “Fuck, he’s in jail.” 

“He surely is, boy wonder.” Penelope grabbed him by the bicep. “He can’t hurt her again. Don’t blame yourself, giant brain. This isn’t your fault.” 

“I could have stopped it.” He raked his fingers through his hair which he’d spent hours sweeping neatly back off of his face. 

“No one could have stopped it.” She squeezed his arm. 

“I could have. If I’d just been honest with her all those years ago.” 

“Honest about what?” Garcia’s eyebrows knitted together. 

“She asked me…” he trailed off and swallowed thickly. “She asked me when she got engaged, and on her wedding day, if I thought she was marrying the right man. I didn’t answer her. I should have. I should have told her he wasn’t the man she should be marrying.” 

“You couldn’t have known then that this was going to happen. Reid, you can’t beat yourself up over this.” 

“You don’t get it.” He shook his head, dislodging his arm from her firm grip. “I should have told her he wasn’t the man she should be marrying, because the man she should have married is me.” 

Penelope’s mouth fell open and her eyebrows furrowed deeper. She eyed him curiously, like she was trying to complete a complex puzzle and he’d just handed her the missing piece but she had no idea what to do with it. 

“You…? I don’t understand.” 

“I have been inconceivably in love with Y/N since the first moment I met her. For fifteen years. If I’d not been so scared of telling her, maybe she would have never married that asshole.” He shook his head in frustration. 

Penelope opened her mouth to speak but before she could, someone else did. 

“Wow,” the voice cracked and Spencer spun quickly towards the sound. 

“Max,” he drew his lip between his teeth. “Max I am so-”

“Don’t.” She shook her head. “I heard enough.”

“I’m sorry.” He shrugged, not knowing what else to say. 

“Yeah, me too.” She spat, turning on her heels and rushing back in the direction she’d just come. 

As she fled, she almost ran right into someone but kept her head down to shield the fact she was crying. 

You stumbled a little on your heels as you narrowly avoided Max, one hand on each of your kids backs as you guided them outside. 

You looked over your shoulder Max and then between Spencer and Penelope. 

“What did I miss?” 

***

Five Days Prior

The house was deathly silent when you entered through the front door a little after eleven pm. You knew from past experience silence in your home was never good. 

You’d just arrived back from a case in Lewiston, Maine where women were being killed in houses believed to be haunted. 

It had been long and gruelling, cases without Spencer usually were. Since prison and his agreement to mandated leave days, things hadn’t been the same on the team. 

He was due back tomorrow and at least that meant the cases might move a little faster. 

You dropped your go bag on the floor by the door. The kids would be asleep and you were sure you would find your husband in the kitchen with a drink in his hand. 

You knew this would be bad. You were prepared for it to be bad. You’d unclipped your holster but didn’t put your firearm in the safe like usual. You weren’t taking any chances. 

Before leaving for Maine things had reached breaking point. You’d been getting Adeline ready for bed, tucking her in when she’d startled you by grabbing you by the arm. 

She proceeded to push your cardigan down one arm, revealing a large purple bruise on your shoulder, spreading down towards your collarbone. But it was her words that shocked you more. 

“Daddy did that, didn’t he?” 

“Wh-what?” You were quick to pull your sleeve back up. “What makes you think that, sweet pea?” 

“I saw him. I saw him shove you. And it’s not the first time.” 

It transpired your extremely smart eight year old had been privy to her fathers dark side. She regaled you of how many times she’d witnessed Jared pushing you around, screaming at you until you cried. 

She’d concluded by telling you she wouldn’t be sad if you left him. And maybe that was all the impetus you needed. 

You stayed with Jared, put up with his violence for your children. You’d always told yourself as long as it didn’t affect them you could stay. 

But now it had affected them, Adie at least. And that was the final straw. 

You’d packed a bag before you left for Maine. You’d planned to wait until Jared was at work and you and the kids were going to stay with David Rossi. 

You didn’t tell him why and thankfully he didn’t ask. But you felt the most safe at his home, given all the security you knew you and the kids could stay there until you figured out your next move. 

But before you had the chance, Jared figured you out. 

This morning you’d received a text from your husband with a photo of your bag and the simple question: where the fuck do you think you’re going? 

As you slowly headed towards the kitchen, you were reminded of a conversation with Spencer last year in the coffee shop. 

“Do you know four thousand women die every year at the hands of an abusive spouse? The presence of a gun in the house increases the risk of homicide by five hundred percent.”

“And out of those four thousand, seventy five percent of those victims were killed whilst trying to leave their partner.”

Your heart rattled in your chest and you felt your stomach coiling into tight knots. One way or another tonight was going to be the end, whether because you made it out of the house or because Jared killed you.

Your hand hovered above your firearm as you crossed the room towards the kitchen. You pushed open the door and held your breath. 

Your bag was in the centre of the kitchen island, Jared looming over it, a glass of scotch in his hand. When he saw you, he downed the contents and slammed the glass so violently on the counter top it smashed in his hand.

He didn’t even seem to notice. 

“Jared, before you say anything I-”

“Shut up.” He spat, not raising his voice. Not yet. “You don’t get to speak. Planning on leaving me, huh? What was the plan, Y/N? You take my kids away and you think I won’t come after them? You think I’d let you get away with taking my kids?” 

“I don’t want them to grow up with a father who is a bully.” You stood your ground, hand still hovering over the butt of your gun.

“I’ve never laid a hand on them.” He snarled. 

“But Adie has seen what you do to me. I don’t want them to have to witness that. What kind of example am I setting for my little girl if I let a man push me around?” You clenched your jaw.

“Adie isn’t a bitch like you.” He started towards you slowly. “She wouldn’t need a man to put her in her place.” 

You refused to show him fear. If this was where it ended you wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. 

“Just let me go. Let us go.” 

“Please,” he scoffed. “So you can go and play happy families with Reid?” 

“It’s not like that.” You rolled your eyes. 

He got closer and you found yourself backing up. 

“I wasn’t born yesterday.” He advanced on you until your back hit the wall and he was towering over you. 

“This has nothing to do with Spencer.” You tried to insist, fingers brushing your gun. “The fact of the matter is, I don’t love you anymore, Jared. Not like I used to. How can I love someone who treats me the way you do? I’ve let this go on long enough. You’ve hurt me too many times.”

Out of nowhere your tears started to fall, thick and heavy as they rolled down your cheeks. You hadn’t even realised you were going to cry. 

“Only because I love you, sweetheart.” He smiled menacingly at you. 

“I put men like you away for a living. I shouldn’t have fallen victim to this.” Your eyes clouded with tears, you could barely see him and they felt like they burnt as they rolled down your cheeks. 

“You need putting in your place sometimes. You’re too sensitive.” He raised his hand and wrapped it tightly around your bicep, squeezing so hard you knew he’d leave yet another bruise. 

“Please let me go.” You whimpered, unable to keep up your strong facade. “Please?” 

“Baby, I will never let you go. I love you, we belong together.” He let go of your bicep and his hand moved to your face. 

He gripped your jaw in his hand, forcing his lips on yours. You tried to push him away with one hand while the other wrapped around the butt of your gun. 

“Stop it!” You cried while he kissed you. “Stop it, Jared!” 

He tore his lips away from you and looked at you through dark eyes. Then his gaze wandered. You felt the exact moment he noticed your hand on your gun. 

“You gonna shoot me, Y/N?” He scoffed. “You’d kill the father of your children?” 

Spencer’s words rang clear in your head. 

The presence of a gun in the house increases the risk of homicide by five hundred percent. 

As you went to draw your weapon his large hand was on top of yours, squeezing your fingers into a vice like grip until you howled in pain and your hold on the gun faltered. 

He managed to wrestle the gun free of your holster and draw it. He pointed the barrel right at your head for a brief moment before shifting its aim slightly to the left and pulling the trigger. 

You screamed as the gun went off and the bullet flew past your face and into the kitchen wall. He refocused it on you while you trembled with sobs. 

Spencer was right. This is how I’m going to die. 

“Please, Jared. Put the gun down. You don’t want to do this.” You held your hands up, trying to keep your breathing measured. 

It wasn’t as though it was the first time you’d had to stare down the barrel of a gun, but it didn’t make it any less terrifying. Least of all because it was your husband pointing it at you. 

You were trained in negotiating with psychopaths but all your knowledge went out of the window. All you could think about was how you were going to die and that the kids would no doubt have to find your body. 

“Please. Think of the kids. Think of Adie and Fin. Please don’t let them grow up without a mother.” Tears continued to roll down your cheeks at an alarming rate. 

Jared scoffed, gun still levelled at you. 

“You were going to let them grow up without me! You were going to leave and take them away!” He yelled. 

“I won’t, I swear. Just put the gun down and I promise we won’t leave. We can still be a family.” Your body trembled viciously as he took a step closer to you. 

“What does he have that I don’t?” He growled at you, moving closer until the gun was pressing against your forehead. 

“Wh-what? Who?” 

“Spencer!” He spat. “You’re sleeping with him aren’t you?” 

“Of course I’m not.” You shook your head, the cool metal jabbing into your skull. 

“Liar!” He used his other hand to grab your bicep again, making you wince. “Tell me the truth!” 

“One time.” You sobbed. “It happened one time.” 

Jared’s eyes turned darker but he lowered the gun to his side. His jaw pulsed as he clenched and unclenched his teeth. 

“I’m sorry.” You cried. “I'm so sorry.” 

“You fucked another man?” He hissed. “And you wonder why I don’t like you being around him!” 

His free hand raised and you flinched thinking he was going to hit you. Instead his palm came down against your throat, lightly at first. But it wasn’t long before he was tightening his grip, fingers digging into your neck while he put pressure on your trachea. 

The gun hung from his other hand and you felt it knocking against your leg. Maybe you could take him off guard, grab it while he was focused elsewhere. 

“You were going to leave me for him? Have him raise our kids?” He squeezed and you choked, fighting for air. 

“N-no.” You whimpered. “It wasn’t like that.” 

“Do you have feelings for him?” He used his grip on you to slam your head back against the wall. “Do you love him?” 

“Yes.” You confessed, unable to stop the word leaving your lips. And then you stupidly followed it up with, “he’s ten times the man you’ll ever be.” 

Jared snarled and his grip got firmer, his large hand able to wrap almost the entire way around your throat. His fingers dug painfully into your flesh while his palm constricted your breathing.

“You fucking bitch.” He spat. “If I can’t have you, no one can. I’m doing this because I love you.” 

You closed your eyes, unable to fight for those breaths you so sorely needed to refill your lungs anymore. Instead you resided yourself to it, knowing nothing you could do or say would make this better. 

Jared was going to kill you. 

You started going light headed, as he shook you by your neck, violently choking you. It wouldn’t take long before your lack of oxygen caused you to pass out. 

You thought of your kids. You pictured little Fin and Adie being raised by this man. What would become of your two happy children if they lost their mother this way?

You thought of Spencer and the night you’d spent together and how you should have told him how you felt then. Or how you should have told him how you felt fifteen years ago. Life was painfully short, you shouldn’t have wasted a minute not being honest about your feelings. 

You felt yourself ebbing towards unconsciousness, knowing it was only a matter of time. Maybe it would have been better to let him shoot you, at least it would have been faster. 

Somewhere in the house you swore you heard a door open. But your head was hazy, you barely registered it. You just prayed your children wouldn’t witness this. 

And then everything happened so fast. 

A voice entered your ears, male, not one you recognised. But you couldn’t work out what they were saying. 

“Sir, step away. Put the gun down.” 

Then the grip on your throat loosened and you were able to gasp for air, your shaky legs barely holding you upright. 

You clutched your chest, using the wall to balance yourself. You blinked several times to focus your vision.

Two uniformed officers, DC Metro insignia on their breast pockets. One male, one female. The man held a gun, the woman was slapping cuffs on your husband's wrists. 

“Ma’am?” The man holstered his weapon, stepping closer to you. “Ma’am I’m Officer Joseph Leakes, this is my partner Officer Maddie Burnett.” 

You nodded but closed your eyes, a wave of dizziness washing over. You stumbled on your feet and then you felt a hand on your shoulder. 

You flinched involuntarily and opened your eyes to see Officer Burnett now in front of you instead of Leakes. She was smiling softly at you, she had kind brown eyes. 

Right, I’m a victim of domestic violence, don’t let the man touch me. Good call, you thought in an absent mind. 

Burnett led you over to a chair at the kitchen counter while she exchanged a glance with Leakes who was tugging your husband by the cuffed wrists towards the door. 

“It’s all a misunderstanding!” Jared tried to fight the cop off. “Tell them Y/N! Tell them it’s all a mistake! They got it wrong!”

You simply blinked in response. 

A glass of water was in front of you somehow and Burnett was still smiling at you. 

“Mrs Haines?” She asked softly. You shuddered.

“Never…never changed my name.” You shook your head. “Y/N, please.” 

The officer nudged the glass of water closer to you and you wrapped your shaky hands around it. 

“Are you ok? Do you need medical attention?” The kind eyed cop asked now. 

“No.” You slowly raised your glass to your lips but before you could sip you put it back down again. “M-my kids? Where are my k-kids?” 

You glanced around the room, needing to see your beautiful children and make sure they were ok. 

You felt a small hand on your arm and blinked rapidly to try and clear the fog from your brain. 

Your eyes met your daughters and you quickly threw your arms around her. 

“Adie!” You sobbed. “Oh baby girl.” 

“It’s ok mommy.” She sniffled, burying her head against your chest. “It’s ok. He can’t hurt you anymore.” 

“You have a very brave little girl.” Burnett spoke somewhere from over your shoulder. “She called 9-1-1 when she heard a gunshot.” 

You pulled back from the embrace and cupped her little face, staring intently at her.

“Did I do good, mommy?” She looked up at you through her large eyes. 

“Oh sweet pea,” you choked on another sob, throwing your arms back around your daughter. “You did so good.” 

***

Burnett took your statement once you were able to focus your mind again and she also took Adie’s statement. Fin, gratefully, slept through the whole ordeal. 

A CSU tech arrived later and took photographs of your neck, of the bullet lodged in the wall and collected evidence from your gun. 

Before leaving Burnett told you Jared would be detained. He would most likely be offered the chance to post bail. 

When he’d lost his job, finances had been tight. You’d tried to squirrel away what you could and opened a separate bank account in your own name during that time. Burnett informed you that if your money was in an account solely in your name you would have the choice whether you paid his bail or not. If the money remained in a joint account he could access it to foot the bill.

First thing in the morning you were going to transfer all of your money over to your own bank account and ensure Jared didn’t have the opportunity to come back and finish the job he started. 

She said she would do everything she could to help you keep Jared away, she even left you her personal cell number. Unfortunately you knew all about the way in which the state of Virginia tended to side with men in these instances, despite physical proof. 

Once Burnett left you spent several hours on the couch with Adie in your lap, stroking back her hair and rocking her like you did when she was a baby. 

You had no idea the kind of trauma this would cause her, you would no doubt have to look into getting her therapy before what she’d seen went untreated. You’d been seeing a therapist yourself for the last year on and off due to your anxiety which had been brought on as a result of Jared’s tempered mood swings. 

You’d speak to Adie about it another day. Right now you were content in holding your daughter. 

Eventually she fell asleep in your arms, you were grateful she was able to. You carried her to bed and kissed her forehead when you tucked her in. You checked on Fin before heading towards your own bedroom. 

Stepping inside that room everything caught up on you. The bed in which Jared had forced you into more times than you could count, the subtle dents in the walls where he’d thrown things at you. 

You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror on the dresser. Your neck was covered with a fresh array of bruises, red and angry and in the distinctive shape of fingers. It wouldn’t be the first time you’d had to cover marks and blemishes with make-up, but this would be harder than most. 

And out of nowhere your legs gave way and you crumbled to the floor as a new fit of sobs wracked your body. 

It felt like the world's longest night and it was only just the beginning. It was going to be an arduous uphill battle if you were to keep Jared away from you and protect your kids. 

But you didn’t have the strength to think of any of that right now. You curled up in a ball and sobbed on the floor of your bedroom for what felt like hours. 

Without really thinking, you found your cell phone still in your pocket and your fingers moved of their own accord as you brought up your contacts, dialled his number and put the device to your ears.

You counted the rings. Eight in total. Eight rings before it clicked over to voicemail and his outgoing message flooded your ears. For a moment it provided you comfort. But then you started sobbing all over again. 

“Hello, you’ve reached Doctor Spencer Reid. I can’t come to the phone right now. Leave me a message and I will get back to you.” 

@andiebeaword @muffin-cup @dirtytissuebox @dreatine @matthew-gray-gubler-lover @people-whatabunchofbastards @justreadingficsdontmindme @spencer-reid-wonderland @thebloomingeagle @frostandflamesfanfic @pixiehex1985 @release-your-sweets @mavel-fan-for-life @megan-mars

[deansapplepie]

Till THE DEAD do us part |Chapter 13

A/N: This story will take place in all the seasons, but it’s not exactly a rewriting cause I’d have to re-watch everything to use the exactly lines of the characters, also I think it’s better if I tell a side story without changing the main facts of the story. This story has a Female Reader, but I don’t describe her appearance, so anyone can identify with her.

Chapter 12 Chapter 14

Series Masterlist Main Masterlist

Chapter 13: This group’s broken

Summary: Randall is still a problem the group needs solve and come to an agreement about. The happenings of the barn is still something shaking some people. Feelings and traumas from the past comes to haunt Y/N making her anxiety boil and overthink a lot.

Warnings: swearing, angst, death, mentions of violence, gore, suicide attempt (not narrated, but mentioned), mentions of depression, mentions of torture, mentions of execution, traumas, anxiety, mentions of abusive relationships, fear of abandonment, brief discreet mentions of sex, loss, grief. Minors do not interact.

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Grimes!Reader (Rick’s Sister)

Word Count: 5,834

Extra notes: I proofread the text, but English is not my first language, so feel free to correct any mistakes, of course with love. Also, there’s a bunch of warnings in this one but there’s also fluff, comfort and a bit of fun.

Finally Randall’s leg was well enough so he could survive alone in the wild that was Earth now, so Rick and Shane would carry him miles away from the farm and release him. You weren’t very happy about Rick going alone with Shane.

“Let me go with you, please.” You pleaded Rick for the millionth time, Shane wasn’t someone reliable anymore, you couldn’t risk losing your brother again and have Shane coming back with some lame excuse how he made for Otis.

“Y/N, I’m the one here with self defense skills, not you. I can handle myself well without you. I need you here.” Rick said, and that would be the last time he would tell you, he was losing his temper already. “No discussion.”

“Be careful, please. He’s dangerous.” You hugged him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

“I’ll be, don’t worry. I need this time alone with him. I’m coming back.” He assured you and hoped it would really turn out like this, because you could see the madness in his eyes, and by how we was obsessed with Lori… you didn’t doubt he would be able to do atrocities even to his ‘brother’.

After they left, you couldn’t get rid of the uneasy feeling you had on the pitch of your stomach. You were going to help around in the farm and in the house, but your mind couldn’t stop the worry. You were giving the horses water when you heard a knock on the stables door, you look to your side and you saw Daryl. As much as the idea of scaring you was tempting enough, he chose not to do so.

“Just wanted to let ya know I’m gonna hunt, maybe bring somethin’ good.” He approached you.

“Ok, be careful, please and don’t come back late. I’m already worried enough by Rick.” You said, then looked both sides and didn’t see anyone around. You tiptoed and pecked his lips.

He blushed, he had been doing way more than this with you and he blushed because you gave him a small kiss inside a stable where the only witnesses were the horses. He knew you were worried about Rick being alone with Shane, things between you and Shane had gone bad since the day of the happenings of the barn and it was just going down. When Daryl told you one night that he thought Shane had killed Otis, things spiraled really quick and you started seeing Shane with different eyes, many attitudes from him made sense actually. He wasn’t the person that you used to know anymore.

“Dun worry. Rick’s tough, he basically came back from the dead, nothing bad is happening to him.” He said, he could practically read your mind and know everything you were thinking about it.

“And you?”

“Me too. I’m gonna be careful. I promise, I’ll be back in one piece.” He gave you a quick kiss, you said your goodbyes and you went back to your chores.

Lori was inside the house helping with the chores and also helping Maggie taking care of Beth. She was still not good, she was in a state of depression that got all of you worried. Lori was preparing a lunch for Beth, so you were around the kitchen with her and Maggie. Maggie was talking about Glenn with Lori, you decided to not participate of the conversation, but you were listening to everything. Lori was more experienced on the topic of relationships, you knew what was good or not, but just theoretically. Until now you had had just one boyfriend before Daryl and it was a shitty experience, so you didn’t know if you had something wise to say even though you were older than Maggie. You thought it was a bit too much when Lori said that Glenn should man up, imagine saying it to the young man, he would be sad or really offended, or both.

“Glenn is just scared, he’s a good guy. You’re probably his first love, I can’t say it for sure, but that’s what it seems. He’ll overcome this fear of him. Don’t worry.” You passed an arm on Maggie’s shoulder and gave a little squeeze on her arm to reassure her.

“And how about you and grumpy man? Have you already said the words?” She elbowed you playfully.

“Hmm… no. Not exactly. I don’t know if it’s like this.” You said, you were always reserved about your personal matters, always keeping everything to yourself, afraid to let people know your feelings or to be exposed and feel weak. But maybe, some girl talk wouldn’t be that bad. “He said the other day I was his and I also said it to him…” You paused thinking if you’d say the other thing that came to your mind to them.

“And…?” Lori asked. “We know there’s more. Spill it.”

“He… he said that his… you know… was mine.” You blushed instantly talking about it and thinking about it. Was it correct to tell such thing to others? You never knew what was ok, and what wasn’t, but it’s not like if you were telling all the sordid details of what you two did.

Lori made a face as if she was thinking ‘wow, the man really have some balls’ and Maggie just had a fit of giggles, giving you a side hug and squeezing you. “It’s almost the same thing as saying that 3 words.” Maggie observed.

“It isn’t, this is possessiveness which is normal in relationships even the healthy ones. But anybody can have this without love.” You told Maggie, she was young, probably didn’t have unhealthy relationships she wouldn’t know. You were maybe 8 or 9 years older than her, it was a different experience, especially with broken people.

“Well… everybody can see, but we can’t stop you from being stubborn. I need to go help Glenn, but if you need anything you can call me.” She said and then turned to Lori. “Thank you so much for helping with Beth.”

“It’s nothing really.” Lori said and got the tray to give lunch for Beth.

You stayed at the house and helped Lori at the kitchen, you washed some dishes and cleaned and organized the room. After one hour or so, Lori went to Beth’s room to get the tray back. She came back with untouched food, Beth couldn’t continue like that. When she was throwing away what Beth didn’t eat, she suddenly stopped and ran from the kitchen.

“What happened? Lori?” You asked her, but she was already gone. She came back a knife in hand and in a rush.

“Go and Keep an eye on Beth. I’m gonna bring Maggie or Hershel.” She said and left.

You left the kitchen and went to Beth’s room, on your way you put the pieces together and realized Beth had hidden the knife and was probably going to attempt something against herself. Soon Lori arrived with Maggie and Andrea, Maggie asked to be left alone with Beth and all of you went back to the kitchen.

You were trying to be in good terms with Andrea again, so you decided you’d try not to talk back at her when she said stupid things, even though they were talking about Beth. You just stayed there watching while they talked Andrea thought Beth should make her own choice, which is very different from what happened with her. Beth is just a kid and she’s not dying because she was bitten, so why let her commit suicide? She should be talked to and taken care of to help her get better. You bit your tongue trying to not express yourself, but you just couldn’t contain it when Andrea brought up the fact that Lori had her husband back, her child was saved, she had a baby on the way and had a ‘boyfriend’. And Andrea had to finish bringing you up in the middle of the thing, did you disagree with her? Yes. But did you say anything about it? No, just on your mind. So why bring you to the discussion?

“And you…” She pointed at you startling you at the suddenly call. “You have your brother, your nephew, a new nibling on the way and you’re fucking Dixon like rabbits, you would never understand.”

“Andrea, are you serious? I wasn’t even in the discussion. Why do you always involve me in your shit? You don’t get to speak like this to Lori, we had a lot of blessings, but we also suffered like everyone else. Do you think we were happy the whole time we thought Rick was dead? Or that it didn’t cross our minds that Carl was going to die? You think we didn’t suffer because of Amy, Jim, Jacqui, Sophia or all the others lost we had along the way?” She said everything she wanted to Lori and now she was going to listen to you. “And why do you mind who I fuck? You’re fucking Shane, and nobody told you a word. Mind your own business.”

You almost didn’t stop to breath while the words just came out of your mouth like a waterfall. “I wasn’t going to say anything regarding Beth, but she’s only sixteen. She’s a kid, we have to protect her and try to help her get better, and not encourage the way out. Andrea, I think we’re never going to be in good terms again, there’s no way. You’re not the same anymore.”

You left the house and went back to the camp, finding Carl and Luna playing with a stick. Carl had been acting colder and colder in the last days, it was good to see him being a kid, even if it was for a brief moment. You played a little with them, but to be honest you were still nervous about Andrea and worried about Beth.

After 30 minutes, maybe one hour, you didn’t know exactly, you heard a commotion in the house. You told Carl to stay there and ran to see what happened. When you arrived to the source Lori and Maggie had just opened the door to the bathroom and there was a crying Beth, hand on her bleeding pulse, asking for help and saying she was sorry. You learned Maggie had left Beth alone with Andrea and it was her biggest mistake, because she left the girl alone and God knows what she said to her. Maggie had a fight with Andrea and told her to never again step in the house. You were done, your stress level was up on the sky already.

When it was almost getting dark you saw Daryl coming back, you walked in his direction happy to see him and have an excuse to not be in the camp, hence near to Andrea. You met him halfway, he had some rabbits and squirrels, you knew it probably wasn’t what he really wanted but you were grateful for any meat that he brought back.

“I thought you’d never comeback.” You said walking by his side.

“I said I’d comeback.” He answered and took a quick glance at you. “Jus’ didn’t wanna comeback without something.”

“We’re all grateful to you, bringing meat or not.” You said while you arrived the small camp of yours.

He took everything he needed to start to skin what he brought and clean so it would be ready for consumption. You sat near him observing his work, you never tried, but now you had observed him doing it so much that you’d probably be able to skin something if you needed or wanted to.

“Wha’s wrong?” He asked still concentrated on his job. Once again, you were surprised on how he could know something was not right. “I can see all over ya that somethin’ is bothering ya.”

“Today was a stressful day” You propped your elbows on your knees and rested your face between your hands. You recalled all the situation with Beth and Andrea, and you just wish this day didn’t happen, and it was far from being one of your worst days.

“Wha’ happened?” He lifted his head from his work and took a look at you. You looked tired, everyone was always tired nowadays, but it was not only physical it seemed that your mind was also tired.

“Andrea was a bitch. I swear I tried to be on good terms with her again. And Beth tried the way out, I believe encouraged by Andrea. Maggie left them alone and Andrea also left Beth alone.” You gave him the short story of all that happened. “I should have gone with you.”

“Yeah, ya should.” That was his way of saying ‘I missed you’.

Soon you saw the car in which Rick, Shane and Randall left arriving back in the property. When you saw Rick getting off the car you felt relieved to see him, but apparently they had comeback with Randall. Shit, it wasn’t over. As soon as Daryl finished skinning and cleaning the hunt, you went to to the camp to meet Rick and know what happened.

Once you arrived you saw that Rick had bruises and cuts on his face, no way it was the kid, walkers? No. It was Shane. Damn, he had the audacity to attack Rick. You didn’t even think, you turned around, hot headed and ready to go look for Shane and beat the hell out of him.

“Where d’ya think ya’re going?” Daryl hold your arm stopping you to go anywhere. He knew where you were going, sometimes he could read you so easily that it surprised him.

“I’m going to give Shane hell, nobody gets to touch my brother.” You yanked your arm from Daryl’s hand, just for him to catch you again, holding his arms around you so you couldn’t go. That wasn’t the moment for you to be reckless.

“Y/N, do you think I was just beaten? I also beat him.” Rick reasoned with you.

“Either way, it wasn’t enough, he deserves worse.” You said, still fighting – in vain - in Daryl’s arm.

“Woman, stop. Ya’re being more hot-head and stubborn than me.” Daryl turned you around and hold you by the shoulders. “Look at me.” He commanded, and you looked at him, right in his beautiful blue eyes. “Don’t do anything stupid. He’s uncontrollable and ya know it. If he lays a finger on ya, I dunno what I’m capable of doing and I dun wanna find out.”

“Ok.” You answered and didn’t try to go for Shane, but you still felt like ending him. “Why did you bring the kid back?” You directed the question to Rick.

“He said he studied with Maggie. Which means he knows where the farm is.” Rick ran his hand on his face. “We’ll need another solution.”

The other day, after breakfast, Daryl went to the room where Randall was, he said he was going to talk with him. It was taking a long time for him to return and you were starting to get worried.

“Ok, that’s it. I’m going to see what is taking him so long to come back.” You told your brother.

“Don’t, the kid is handcuffed. There’s nothing he can do against Daryl.” Rick said standing on your way. “I don’t wanna you close to that guy.”

“I think you had said you’d stop treating me like a child, Rick.” You looked at his face and you could see there was something wrong. “Are you two hiding something? That’s it? Now you have secret agreements between both of you?”

Before Rick could say anything, you saw Daryl coming in your direction. Was that Blood on his hand? ‘Holy shit! What the hell have you done Daryl Dixon?’, you thought. He arrived telling you all the information he got from the kid, there were 30 in his group, they were violent and dangerous, they raped women. You followed Daryl to your tent, you could feel he was still angry, so you were thinking about what should be the best approach.

“D. Let me see your hands.” You requested and he started organizing his things to leave and go into the woods.

“There’s nothing to see, I’m good.” He said with some arrows in his hand.

“Daryl.” He ignored you.

“Daryl Dixon.” He ignored you again, stuffing things on his backpack, so you just got close to him silently and yanked his backpack throwing it on the ground.

“What the fuck Y/N?” He shouted at you, now you had his full attention.

“Stop, this shit! I’m talking to you, your hands are hurt! Let me take care of them.” You told him your voice high. He looked at you impatient. You took his hand and guided him to one of the beach chairs. “Sit.”

“I ain’t a dog.” He complained while you made him sit.

“So, why are you obeying me?” You threw back while you picked the First Aid kit inside the tent. You were playing with fire and you knew it.

He tried to get up while he mumbled something in protest that you couldn’t understand. But you were faster than him and pressed his shoulder down so he would sit again. You took the other chair and brought it close to him, sitting in front of him, your legs between his so you could be closer to take care of his hand.

“Gimme your paw, I mean, your hand.” You joked one hand extended on his direction waiting for him to give you his hand. “If I’m a puppy, you might as well be one. Or maybe you’re a Kitten, you are as skittish as one.”

He gave you his left hand very reluctantly, but he knew you would not let him be if he didn’t. You took his hand and saw how his knuckles were hurt, your heart ache by seeing his hand like this, but you also felt uneasy about the young man that was on the other side of his fist. You took some alcohol and wet a cotton swab to pass where he was hurt.

“It’s gonna hurt.” You alerted him, he didn’t say anything. He just observed your small hand holding his and tendering his wounds with the cotton swab, hissing when it hurt too much. “Did Rick ask you to do this?”

“No.” He answered, short… good he didn’t want to talk.

“Did he know about it?”

“Maybe.” He answered eyes on your hands now cleaning the wounds with boric-water.

“Or he did or he didn’t. Gonna take it as he did, he was acting suspect.” You stated, looking at your first aid kit for some ointment.

“Are ya angry at me?” He asked while you passed the ointment on his wounds.

“No, just concerned and upset. Gimme your other hand.” You took his other hand and started to give the same care. “I don’t like both of you hiding things from me.”

“ ‘m sorry, ya dun agree with what I’ve done, do ya?” He asked, head still down paying attention to you.

“Torturing isn’t right.”

“I didn’t have an option, we needed the information about his group.” You cleaned his other hand. “His group… the things he said they did… he’s not someone to be around or for us to let go, he knows where the farm is.”

“So, do you think we should kill him?” You asked a cotton swab passing on his hand.

“Yes.” He said, you were conflicted. You were always taught that killing was wrong, you can’t take life from someone. Unless it’s a walker, of course. Or, if your life is in danger. But execute someone? It sounded wrong, but at the same time… you should think about the group safety. “Don’t ya agree?”

“I don’t know… I think it’s wrong, but I also see that we’re out of better options.” You passed the ointment on his hand.

“Are ya comin’ to the woods with me?” He asked a little apprehensive that you wouldn’t want to be with him because you were upset.

“Thought you’d never ask.” You looked at him and smiled, no way you’d be stuck in the farm again in the middle of all the chaos.

You were having things done to go, when you saw Dale arriving followed by Luna swinging her tail. Dale came to talk to you about the decision of killing Randall, he wanted to know what both of you thought, and of course try to convince you otherwise if you thought the boy should be killed.

“I’m not sure Dale, really. At the same time I think we shouldn’t, I don’t see any other solution.” You said, despite you thought your opinion would not be so important in the end. Dale tried reasoning with Daryl to no avail.

“This group’s broken.” He said, and when you heard that… you couldn’t help but feel bad. Was really your group broken? Did Daryl think the group wasn’t good enough for him anymore? Did he want to leave? Would he leave without you? Would he even tell you if he decided to leave? Was he tired of you?

You were so caught up in your anxious thoughts that you didn’t even saw that Dale was long gone and Daryl was calling you so you could go. “Pup, what’s wrong?” He asked, his hand waving in front of you worried.

“Nothing.” You lied, and he knew you lied. “Let’s go?”

He got his things, you got yours, Luna followed you and you walked silently until you reached the woods. You were open and comfortable with Daryl, you always were and it even annoyed you some times, because you would speak whatever is on your mind, and in your opinion you said things you shouldn’t say. But you couldn’t talk about your feelings, or you tried not to, because of a bunch of insecurities clouding your thoughts. He wasn’t also very comfortable about talking about feelings, so it was understandable, but at the same time he felt uneasy if he didn’t know everything that’s on your mind. He held your hand and it startled you from your unstoppable thoughts.

“Ya lied again.” He didn’t took his eyes from the woods searching for any danger or possible hunt. His voice didn’t change the tone, there was no anger or negative feelings on his speaking.

“I don’t wanna talk about my feelings.” You said looking at your feet attentive to where you stepped, your other hand slightly brushing over Luna’s head.

“But I want to know what ya’re feeling. I need to.” He said, damn… did he sound vulnerable? Was he weak? He couldn’t allow himself to look pathetic and weak, but he also didn’t want to mistreat you. “ ‘m not good talking ‘bout feelings, but I always need to know yers.”

You stopped walking and you turned to him, now holding both of his hands, or more like his hands engulfing yours. “Be honest.”

“Never lied to ya.” He said looking at your face while you were looking down at your hands. “Look at me, please.”

You lifted your head, looking right at his eyes and all you saw was worry. You took a deep breath taking all the courage you had to speak. “Are you…” ‘not happy with me?’ You wanted to complete but stopped mid-sentence. “Do you wanna leave us?”

“Of course not. Where did this come from?” He asked, but before you could answer his mind started to put the pieces together. “That’s because I said the group’s broken, isn’t it?”

“Yes” you said, just that. Unable to say more or add anything else that were running like a tornado inside your mind.

“It wasn’t a lie. I think the group’s broken. Shane’s crazy. Andrea’s reckless and listens to Shane. Carol’s still broken because of Sophia. Glenn… if Hershel decided to kick us from the farm, he’d stay behind and I don’t blame him. This group isn’t like it used to be, not that we were perfect befor’ , we never were.” You took all his words putting everything together and trying to reason what he said. Still feeling uneasy. “Wha’s on yer head?”

“It’s just… when you said it, it seemed like you didn’t care anymore about the group or what happens with it.” You looked at his growing bangs that fell on his forehead, or you wouldn’t be able to say it if you looked at his eyes. “Or…” You paused, no, no, you couldn’t say what you were thinking not at all. You’d scare him, he’d leave you.

“Or wha’ baby?” You looked at his eyes again, and with the worry you saw a softness that you didn’t quite know what it meant. He never called you ‘baby’ outside of the sheets and it made your heart jump and butterflies fly in your stomach.

“Or…” you shifted your eyes to look at your hands, tears threatening to fall. Shit. Why were you so emotional and making a big thing of something this small. “That you didn’t want me and would leave.”

Things had been so good between both of you, that Daryl forgot you still had traumas from your past relationship, traumas that would trigger only when you were in a relationship and could experience things again. And now, was one of those moments. He couldn’t imagine half the shit you’ve been put through so you’d think he would leave you or that he didn’t want you, after he asked you to live with him, after he showed you his scars… after both of you broke so many walls that were built around yourselves.

He let go of your hands and hugged you, you always reassured him when he had his insecurities, now was the moment for him to do the same for you. “I ain’t leaving.” One of his arms was around your waist while the other was in your head bringing your face to hide between his chest and shoulder. “I want ya, and I dun see myself not wanting ya any time soon.”

It was as if a tap was open and the tears that were in your eyes fell making you let little sniffs and hold both hands on Daryl’s vest. “I told Rick, and I’m telling ya now, I ain’t playing with ya.” He didn’t put any names on what you had, he never said ‘I like you’ or ‘I love you’, he didn’t even know how to name what he felt or if he could feel any of those things. But he knew he wanted you, he needed you and he was going to protect you. He had already told you, you were his and indirectly that he was yours, but he couldn’t bring any of those words, these simple words scared him… So he said what he could manage to come out of his mouth. “We’re together.”

You took your face from his chest and looked at his face, he was serious, this wasn’t any sick joke. You should’ve known, you knew Daryl, he wasn’t like that… and you never doubted it. You shouldn’t start doing it now just because you had a relationship. He was not him. He was Daryl and you knew you could trust him. “I’m sorry. I think my period is close, or something…” It was probably something, but you could always blame the hormones, so why not?

He kissed the top of your head tenderly and looked at your face again, now you were better. You looked more like yourself when there wasn’t all those intrusive thoughts and anxiety. “What do ya say I teach ya a little bit of hunting and tracking?” He asked.

“I was waiting for the day you’d offer me this.” You smiled, your hands now resting flat open on his chest. “I’d love if you taught me.”

When it was close to sunset you and Daryl came back to the farm, you didn’t hunt anything as he taught you were still learning so it didn’t go good. He held your hand in his intertwining your fingers and you walked in silence, Luna leading the way in front of you sometimes stopping to wait for your slow asses.

In the moment you arrived at the farm Rick made a call, he was waiting for both of you to make a reunion so everyone could say their opinions about the boy Randall. Everyone except Dale wanted to kill the young man, Dale was extremely disappointed. You still didn’t know what to think about it, but you knew Dale was right.

“I’m with Dale.” You suddenly said and walked to stay by Dale’s side, even though you knew there was no way of winning the vote, you wanted to stay true to yourself. “He’s not his group and as far as we know he didn’t commit a crime that he deserves death penalty.”

You felt like you would combust at any moment just by the stares of Rick and Daryl that didn’t quite understand why you were siding with Dale and not thinking clearly about the wellbeing of the group. Shane also looked at you like you were insane, but you didn’t give a single fuck about it, so it was ok. The others were neutral at you. Soon Andrea also said she was with Dale, but in the end you three weren’t enough to deprive the group from killing Randall.

Everybody left the room to continue their activities, it was getting dark so Daryl, Rick and Shane would take the prisoner to do what they needed to. You were ready to descend the porch stairs when Daryl held your arm slightly and put you aside.

“We need to talk.” He said, and you already knew.

“Is it because I agreed with Dale?” You asked, you knew the answer. “Do you hate me because I disagreed from the group?” All that mattered was that if he would change about you just because you didn’t agree with them.

“Yeah, and I dun hate ya.” Actually it was quite the opposite, but he was concerned about your choices.

“I knew the majority of us would choose his death, my vote would make no difference. So I decided to stay true to myself.” You said, you could see understanding crossing his face by each word you said. “Just because I don’t think it’s right, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be done.”

He nodded at you. “Alright, I ain’t upset. Go stay with Lori while we do this.”

You were with Lori when you saw the three taking Randall to the barn, you held your sister’s hand as a comfort for you. You weren’t going to see the execution, but knowing someone, a human being would be killed in the same place you were was scaring. You were comfortable killing walkers, they weren’t alive anymore, they were just walking corpses. In reality you thought it was merciful to kill the monster that once was a person.

“Don’t think much about it, it’s worse if you do.” Lori tried to calm your nerves, but it was impossible to not think about it.

After some time you didn’t listen to any gun shot and soon you saw Rick and Carl arriving to camp. Wait, Carl? Shit. Shit. Shit. Rick explained that Carl went there to see and that he was encouraging to kill the man. What was happening to the kid? He couldn’t lose himself so quickly like this. Rick wasn’t able to do this with Carl looking, so he postponed the execution.

“Where’s Daryl?” You asked, you saw everyone but him.

“He’s locking Randall again, he’s probably gonna be here soon.” As soon as he finished talking all of you listened to extremely pained screams.

Dale!

You ran in the direction of the screams, Daryl being the first to arrive started shouting for help. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. It was bad. All of you arrived almost at the same time and what you saw was heartbreaking, all his guts coming out of his ripped stomach. No. You cried. No.

“Hershel!” Rick shouted, the only thing he thought was you all needed him there to take care of Dale.

“It’s too late, Rick.” You said, tears rolling down your cheeks. You knew as much medicine as Hershel knew, both of you vets, the old man was just more experienced and have treated more people than you, that had only cleaned T.’s wound and took care of Daryl’s hands. “There’s nothing he can do.”

Hershel arrived and said the same thing, you couldn’t even move Dale. He was agonizing. Andrea pleaded that someone did something. Everyone was in pain by seeing Dale like that. He didn’t deserve this kind of death. Rick aimed his gun at Dale, it was best if someone ended this for him. You turned your back, you didn’t want to see, you had already seen more than you wanted to see. You wait for the gun shot, but before you listen to it there’s a raspy voice. “Sorry, brother.” And soon after Daryl’s voice the sound of the shot.

You were waiting for the shot. You knew it was going to happen, but you jumped at it a cry living your lips. You covered your mouth trying to muffle your sobs. You felt a pain in your chest, everybody felt it. There were cries, sobs and lamenting.

That night you cried yourself to sleep, and it wasn’t a peaceful one, even having Daryl’s soothing presence near you.

Dale was the group’s heart and now you felt like your group were definitely broken.

Wanna be add to my tag list? Let me know. (Please tell me if you want to be tagged on everything or just specific series)

Everything Taglist: @lilyevanstan1325

Till THE DEAD do us part Taglist: @sunnybunnyy2 @royaltysuite @isakyakiisak @milopenne @murdadixon

[happy-beeeps]

The Girl With the Porg Tattoo

Summary: Hunter asks you to give him a tattoo… things get out of hand quickly.

Pairing: hunter x artist!reader

Warnings: 18+!!! NSFW Minors DNI!!!! Afab reader, P-in-V sex, face riding, oral sex (females receiving,) fingering, I guess kind of pain kink if you realllly squint, brief mentions of death and canon typical violence! Also I just don’t have it in me to try and configure the safety logistics of tattooing in universe, so obligatory please don’t tattoo yourselves without proper training and safety and go to professionals!

WC: 4k

Technically a continuation, read part one here!

A/N: it’s my birthday (when I’m writing this but it’s actually coming out a few days later) but I’m giving y’all a gift because y’all are the greatest gift to me! This is my first smut fic and I’m honestly really pleased with it!!! Biiiiig shoutout to @starboytech for being my beta reader through this (sometimes the logistics are hard ok)

18+ below the cut

It had been a few weeks since you and Hunter’s relationship had evolved from cautious avoidance to whirlwind romance. Leaning into your feelings and learning to truly exist around each other had been intoxicating, and you had quickly become accustomed to the male presence in your home. Sure, you had had the batch around for dinners (or times when they just needed good rest) but having Hunter here alone was… different.

Not to mention having him near you sent your mind spinning, something warm and heavy growing steadily in your chest.

You were walking back from your kitchen, holding two mugs of caf in hand to where Hunter sat sprawled across your couch, idyly flipping through one of the sketchbooks you had left around. You set the mug down on the table and he looked up at you in thanks, scooching downwards so you could pick up his head to rest on your lap.

“Whatcha lookin’ at?” your hands went to rest in his hair, deftly removing his bandana to give you untethered access to the soft locks.

“You’re so talented.” He murmured, thumbing over a design you had sketched of a large bloom on a bush outside your apartment.

“I’ve had a lot of practice,” you sighed, settling against him as he looked at the design. You began absentmindedly tracing the exposed ink on his hands and forearms, the two of you simply existing in the soft silence of the moment.

“Hey, wait a second,” he moved, standing up quickly and moving towards the bag he had brought to your apartment from the Marauder.

“What are you looking for?”

“Something,” he tossed over his shoulder, rummaging through the leather duffle before letting out a triumphant humph and coming back to the sofa. On the small table in front of it he set down a sealed needle, a roll of clear bactatape, and a small vial of black liquid.

With an easy motion he pulled his tunic up and over his head, discarding it on your floor and settling back on your couch.

“Getting comfortable, are we?”

“I want you to tattoo me.” He stated, as matter of factor as if he asked what the weather was.

“I’m sorry?”

“You heard me.” He smirked, bringing both arms up to rest lazily behind his head.

“Honey… don’t take this the wrong way, but… do you even have space?”

He scoffed, moving to place a hand on his chest, “sure I do, right here.”

He wasn’t wrong, the entire right side of his body was devoid of tattoos, but it felt…wrong to be the one marking the pristine canvas of his skin.

“Hunter… I’ve never done this before.”

“I trust you entirely. Besides, can’t exactly go to my old guy anymore.” He said it with such ease, but from the brief flash of pain on his face you knew he must have been a lost brother.

“Ok… ok, I can try. But you can’t be mad if I hate it.”

“Can’t imagine hating anything you’d do.”

You got off the couch and moved him to recline. He opened the package with the needle, and the ink, and explained the process to you. You were to simply dip the needle into the ink and poke the design into his skin. When it was done, you’d cover it with the bacta tape and it would be fully healed by morning.

After the first mark, it began to get easier, and you slowly started to move with a practiced comfort along his chest, the bloom he had picked from your sketchbook slowly coming to life before you. You were able to start having mindless chatter, until a moment of curiosity got the better of you.

“Why did you start getting tattoos?” You asked, and he breathed in, seemingly formulating his response in his mind.

“When I was young, you know, like a kid in a way, I was the only one of my squad who wasn’t visibly…different. And the regs, they used to try and get in our way a lot, especially Wrecker and Tech and Cross,” he winced a tiny bit at the last name, and from the stories you’d been told, you knew it must’ve been painful for him to reminisce.

“When I started growing my hair out, it helped a little, you know. I started to look different. And that helped. I was the leader, I’m the oldest. I had to look out for them.”

“And then?”

“We were shinies, coming back to Kamino right after our first mission…it was hard. Search and rescue,” he paused, searching your face for any sign of discomfort in the topic. When he found none, he continued.

“Not many survivors. We got sent on a lot of those missions at first. I’m good at…recovery. So the regs started saying a visit from me was like a visit from death. I had been looking for a way to set myself apart, to show my squad I was with them, permanently. So I went to the reg who did Crosshair’s ink and…” he gestured to the skull on his face, and you smiled softly at him.

“You got a face tattoo as your first tattoo?”

“It’s not that out of the ordinary for a clone,” he shrugged slightly when you lifted the needle off his chest. “Sorry for the downer of a story, sure that’s not what you had in mind.”

“I’m here for all parts of your story Hunter, not just the easy ones. They all matter to me.”

He didn’t say anything at first, just moved to place his hand on your thigh while you worked, giving it a soft squeeze in appreciation.

“You got any ink?” He asked abruptly, and you smiled down at him, moving the hand not doing the tattooing to softly play with his hair.

“Nah, but maybe one day. I’m saving it for something special.”

“What would you get?”

“I don’t know…something cute, something happy, maybe here,” you pointed to the spot just above your ankle bone. “My roommate at university had a really long quote in her native tongue right there once,” you traced a line up your ankle a few inches and looked back at him. “I think that’s a nice spot.”

“Feet hurt pretty bad, you think you’re ready for that?”

“Only if you hold my hand.”

He smiled easy at you, his hand coming up to settle on your waist. “Don’t have to tell me twice.”

There was a few minutes of silence again while you worked at some of the more intricate line work, and he started again. “Say you had to pick something right now.”

You sighed before moving the needle off his chest and looking at him with an eyebrow raised. “Promise you won’t laugh?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“I think… maybe a porg.”

He didn’t laugh, to his credit, just looked at you for a moment before asking slowly, “like… the bird?”

You groaned, bringing your head to your hands. “I almost wished you’d just laugh at me!”

“No, no I think it’s cute!” He exclaimed, moving up more to touch your arm. “It… makes sense.”

“Really? You don’t think it’s dumb?”

“Nah, it makes sense for you. Porgs are cute, you’re cute. Checks out for me.”

You gave him a small smile before starting up again. “You think porgs are cute?”

He scoffed, “course. I’m a soldier, not an animal.”

* * *

The rest of the tattoo was easier, but Hunter began to shift under your touch, especially under the close proximity. His fidgeting was making you nervous, but also planting a needy kind of restlessness somewhere deep inside you.

“I’m almost done,” your voice was barely above a whisper, the final lines of the black ink flower on his chest coming to life as you moved the needle across the tanned skin there. “Let me get a better angle.” You moved from your spot on his side and threw your legs on either side of his hips. You were straddling him, one hand pressed firm on his abdomen to keep you steady. You tried to keep your eyes focused on the task at hand, you’re permanently marking him after all, but you can’t help but catch your attention drifting to the skeletal designs that drag down his torso.

Or how they dipped below the pair of gray sweat pants that hang dangerously low on his hips.

“Don’t get distracted,” Hunter purrs, removing one hand from its resting place behind his head to trace small circles on the side of your thigh. He looked so casual, not an ounce of pain flickered across his face when you dragged the needle over and over the design. You suppose he’s done this before enough, and his eyes aren’t even watching your hands, instead raking over your body hovering over him.

“Don’t watch me like that.” You whispered, and his hand moved to lay flat on the upper part of your thigh, dangerously close to palming your ass.

“Do I make you nervous?” He joked, moving his fingers cautiously to knead the soft skin and muscle there. You felt your legs clench around his hips involuntarily and it made your hand go shaky, and you lifted up the needle in frustration.

“Hunter.” You warned, and he removed his hand from its spot, bringing it up as if to mime sorry. “I’m nearly there, this’ll be done soon.”

“In a rush for something?” The tone sends a blush to your cheeks you couldn’t hide, and it worked in response enough. He leaned up unexpectedly and moved so he was sitting nearly nose to nose with you. He did nothing aside from drag his eyes, now darkened with lust, across your body, and reach a hand down to the hem of your shirt. “You don’t need this, do you?” he murmured, and you shook your head no furiously. He took your response as permission and removed the garment fast, then hooking both hands into the waistband of your shorts. “Might as well be thorough,” he chided, and you maneuvered yourself up to give him the access to remove the cumbersome layer. He leaned back then, hands going behind his head, “you can finish up, take your time.”

The teasing look in his eyes was not easily missed.

Your hand shook now more than ever as you sat straddled across Hunter’s hips in nothing but your bra and panties. You and Hunter had yet to sleep together, so you’ve been a bit methodical in picking undergarments recently, grateful now to be in a matching lacy set. You leaned forward again, working on those finishing lines, and the unrestricted friction of moving across his lap sent heat rocketing to your core at such a speed, you had half a mind to toss the needle to the side now. He could sense it, you knew it, and he responded by shifting slightly under your touch, just enough for your core to rub barely across his hard length through his pants.

The movement made you gasp in surprise, and you moved to furiously finish the last line of the bloom on his pec. “You’re done,” you said, breathier than you intended, and he scooched upright and tilted his head down to look at it, one hand firmly on the small of your back, keeping you pressed against him as much as possible, “you sit pretty good.”

You reached to the side near the small coffee table where you’ve left the clear bactapatch to cover the exposed ink, pressing it against his chest flush against the art. He moved closer to you, and you’re now perched on his lap as he sits fully upright. “Bet you sit even better.”

He moved quickly, surging the gap between your mouths with a bruising kiss, one hand planting itself firmly on the side of your face, fingers interlacing themselves with your hair. Your arms came up quick to run long down the exposed skin of your back, pressing yourself into him with a desperation you hadn’t realized you’d been holding onto. He was warm against your mouth, his teeth nipping at your lower lip in a way that you’re certain will leave the skin there bruised purple, though you can’t say you mind.

“Been wanting this,” he mumbled, removing his lips from yours and pressing himself into the crook of your neck while his hands worked to unfasten your breastband. “This okay? I don’t want to move too fast.”

“More than okay,” you groaned in a blend of relief and agony when Hunter exposed your breasts to the cool air of your apartment and the hot skin of his hands. “I’ve wanted you, wanted this, since forever.”

“Forever huh?” he said, rubbing his thumb across the stiffened peak of your nipple while guiding you over his hard length. He moved to massage the skin of your breasts with nimble, fast hands, before removing them entirely, bringing one to your upper back and the other guiding you down. He leaned back and pulled you up his chest, though you were careful to position yourself away from the fragile bacta patch. “Can you show me how well you sit?” He moved you upright once more to give your legs the freedom to shimmy yourself out of your panties, your core now exposed to the chill of the room. With a quick, easy move he pulled you even closer, and suddenly you’re being hoisted up, balanced precariously close to his face, the hook of his nose barely brushing the hypersensitive bud of your clit.

“Hunter,” you moaned, using one hand to steady yourself on the back of the couch and the other on the arm behind his head.

He responded by doing…nothing, for a moment actually. You worried that he was suddenly overstimulated by the experience or, maker forbid, turned off by you. “Mesh’la…” he breathed, his voice alone dripping in lust. “You have no idea how bad I need this, need to taste you.”

“Then show me.” You replied, surprised slightly by the boldness of your tone.

If he was surprised or put off by it, he didn’t show it, responding instead by swiping his tongue from the bottom of your slit to the top, and you throw your head back from the sheer pleasure of it all. He snaked both arms around your thighs, careful to hold you in place on your spot just atop his face. He moved with ease, absolutely devouring you whole. He switched his focus to your clit, where he kisses and sucks at the bud of nerves there like a man starved.

You couldn’t help but rock your hips forward, desperate for any kind of friction while his tongue moved, and it was on your third rock forward that his fingers worked themselves deep into your thighs. “I thought you were gonna show me how you sit cyar’ika?”

“Need more,” you forced out, your own hands moving down to work themselves against yourself as he removes his mouth, “need you.”

“Not yet, need you to come for me first.”

As quick as his mouth left, it came back–sucking and nipping at the sensitive skin and leaving love bites you knew you’d feel in the morning on the inside of your thighs. If dying from pleasure was possible, you were certain you’d have been dead long ago with the attention and ferocity that he moved against you. In a moment, he’d found just the right spot, and your own moans began to pick up in response.

You knew he knew, Hunter always knew, and he worked that spot even more, the feeling growing closer in your core, the heat building into something explosive. “Come on beautiful, show me you’re mine,” he mumbled, and it was exactly what you needed to push you over the edge, your release sending you backwards into a point of no return. This was it, you were certain, this is the best any woman could ever feel. Hunter’s eyes never lost you as he drank in your release, before gently placing his arms on your back and shuffling you to his lap. From there he moved to stand, looping your legs gently around his waist and hoisting you up against him, moving to where he knew your bed was.

You were grateful for his care in the moment, you didn’t think you could even move if you wanted to, aftershocks still coursing through your body. Hunter didn’t stop, though, he simply kept kissing your neck, your jaw, your lips, whispering sweet nothing against your ear.

“So beautiful, my girl. Don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he murmured, laying you with your back on your bed, before moving to cage you in with his arms.

“I could say the same thing to you,” you moved to palm his hard cock through his pants, and you could see it clearly straining against the thin gray fabric. “Need you Hunter, all of you.”

He looked at with you a devilish grin, moving quickly to work the pants and boxers off his body. In a moment he was bare before you, and you weren’t sure if you’d ever recover.

You’d heard… stories from your friends at university about clones before, the few that had spent a night at 79’s for a quick hookup or met a rogue squadron when they had been on Ord Mantell before. The stories had left you blushing, and you certainly understood why.

He was big, bigger than you had anticipated, and the sight of his tanned skin now exposed was enough to revitalize you, and you lunged at him with a fervor, surging to kiss him with a force that struck him by surprise.

He ran a hand down the side of your cheek before pausing to palm one of your breasts, carefully toying with the stiffened peak of your nipple. “Need to get you ready princess,” he hummed before dragging his hand further down your torso, his fingers dragging long and low against your entrance before dipping inside.

You arched against his touch, your head rolling back onto your pillow as you rasped out his name in pure bliss.

“Fuck, you drive me crazy,” he bit out, but the harsh tone of his words didn’t match the adoration he showed you when you looked up at you, before pumping his cock between his hands and coating it with your arousal. “Are you-“

“Safe, it’s ok, inside,” you said, shifting your legs wider and moving to grab his biceps in anticipation. You had long forgone the ability to create coherent sentences, you had simply needed to feel him.

He nodded before beginning to move into you, his head pushing against your walls with such blissful pressure your eyes shot wide open. He groaned something beautiful as he pushed himself fully into you until he was entirely sheathed, and the two of you stayed like that for a moment—you to catch you breath and for him to get his bearings.

“You feel better than I could’ve imagined mesh’la,” he rasped, and began the agonizingly perfect process of dragging himself out of you, rocking back in slowly, “I’ve never felt anything as good as you, fuck, you’re so perfect, made just for me.”

“Hunter, please, you don’t need to be gentle.” You said, arms grasping at his biceps as you watched the chain around his neck dangle loosely in front of you.

“We’ll see what you think tomorrow morning,” he chided, before pumping in and out of you at a breakneck pace. He looked utterly perfect, and your gaze couldn’t help but drag down his chiseled abdomen to watch the spot where ink met tanned skin, and where it disappeared inside of you. With each pump you could feel yourself clench tighter around him. Was it even possible to have an orgasam this good two times in a row? You literally didn’t know how you’d ever live without this man again.

Your eyes threatened to flutter close as he continued his relentless pace, until one of his hands moved to wrap itself against yours, fingers threading themselves in yours. “Getting closer, do you think you’ve got one more for me?” He rasped out, before moving to suck on your neck, just near the juncture of your shoulder. He moved you just a bit to get closer, using the hand previously wrapped in yours to hoist your hips up higher to meet him, allowing him to hit a new, deeper angle you hadn’t even realized was even possible.

“Hunter, I’m gonna-“

“That’s it princess, let me hear you,” he said, continuing his pace against that spot that felt ohsoright, and that familiar sensation blossomed in your stomach, growing larger with each thrust, each brush of his head against the sensitive part of your walls when in just a moment you were coming completely undone for him again, your hands wrapping themselves in his hair and pulllling at the strands there.

“Fuck, mesh’la…” he rasped, and you he soon followed in his own release, spurred onward by the vice your pussy had put him in. You felt his warmth around you and the two of you simply stayed like that for a moment, just resting against one another while your heartbeats steadied themselves out against each other.

What felt like hours later but was probably a matter of minutes, Hunter removed himself from his spot against you, where you had been lazily dragging your nails down his back, to press a sweet kiss to your cheek. “Hey,” he whispered, pushing himself up and propping himself up on his elbows.

“Hey yourself, handsome,” you said, bringing a hand up to rest along his cheek.

He leaned in to press a kiss against your palm before groaning and pushing himself fully off of you. “Let’s get you cleaned up, care to join me in the fresher?”

* * *

“You’re making me nervous…”

“I’ve been on the other end of this a dozen times, you’re gonna be fine.”

“Sure, I believe you.” You rolled your eyes and looked at Hunter, who was focused intently at the skin on your ankle, needle and black ink balancing precariously on the table to his side. His hair was wet and pulled back in one of your ties, and he was squinting at the small design he was working at, his tongue pointing out at the corner of his mouth.

“You made it look so easy,”

“I make everything look easy.”

Hunter broke his concentration to look up at you, a look you hoped was akin to love radiating off of him. “Don’t be mad if you don’t like it.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah, I think it looks good.”

“Then I’ll love it.”

The unsaid sentence hung loud in the air and the clarity of your omission seemed to strike you just as fast. He said nothing, only beamed up at you, before placing the needle down and rocking backwards. “I think I’m done.”

You moved closer to inspect his work, and that warm fuzzy feeling returned in your chest. His line work was shaky, the shading less precise, but honestly… he was pretty good. The little porg was looking up at you with its big eyes, a smile tucked on its face. You were right, it had already started to make you uncontrollably happy.

Hunter had unwrapped the bactaseal and placed it gently on your newly inked ankle, pressing it down with a gentleness that almost startled you after his previous show of unrestrained passion. “Welcome to the club.”

“Happy to be here,” you leaned to kiss him softly on the lips before pulling away. “I’m happy you were the first to do it.”

He pulled you in close to his chest, running a hand gently down your back before settling itself in your hair, curling it around his fingers. “They say you never forget your first…”

You looked up at him and saw it, that same unspoken decoration you had given him earlier. You both didn’t need to say it yet, you both knew. Instead you buried yourself closer in his chest, murmuring softly, “that’s the idea.”

[wangxianficfinder]

In the mood for a fic...

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1. I'm kind of in the mood for jiang free wangxian fics, where the the extent of jiangs involvement in the plot are just brief mentions / For ITMF, a longer canonverse wangxian fic that doesn't heavily feature Jiang Cheng on page. Canon divergence is very welcome but not mandatory.

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2. hi! do you have any fics where lwj struggles with his sadism? canonverse please and bonus points if they are E rated ;) @chellsky

still waters by piggybo (E, 3k, WangXian, Consensual Kink, Light Sadism, Light Masochism, Outdoor Sex, Painful Sex, Spit As Lube, Kink Discovery, Light Bondage, Internal Conflict, CQL!verse, Post-Canon, not as explicit as the tags make it sound, but still pretty explicit)

bb!Sadist by Betty (T, 3k, WangXian, Non-Sexual Kink, Sadism, Modern AU) not canon but a good read cause it's abt the Struggle

💖 Magical Marriage Ribbons series by starandrea (M, 1M, WIP, wangxian, ongoing, animal transformations, weddings) in the Magical Marriage Ribbons series, Teen!Wangxian continuously need to discuss around LWJ's reluctance to admit what he wants sexually in earlier parts that's very lovely!

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3. Hii!!! Im back for another ITMF! I've been seeing a lot of art of spider-man aus for wangxian and I was wondering if you knew of any fics with either one or both of them having spider-man powers? Thanks so much! @loveshinesbrightly

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4. hiiiii it's me again for the next ITMF I was reading a fiction and lqr said that : "He could definitely picture an alternate reality wherein he didn’t overhear their conversation, and Wangji ended up impulsively withdrawing his entire trust fund to elope cross-country with Wei Wuxian and start a new life together - all to avoid having to face the disapproval of their families." do you know any story where it actually happens ????? thanks✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ @ihaveasoftspotfora-yuan

keep your electric eye on me, babe by ilip13 (M, 6k, WangXian, Modern AU, Fluff, Falling In Love) is mostly a meet-cute fic but does involve lwj running off with wwx at the end

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5. Hey, I'm looking for some Daemon AU fics. @the-dolphin-queen

🧡 like speaking to my heart by SnowshadowAO3 (T, 613k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Daemons, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Canonical Character Death, Some people live!, additional warnings in specific chapters, if you don't know what daemons are that's ok because I explain it in the author's note, also by slow burn I VERY much mean slow burn)

Daemons and Sentient Swords Comp

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6. hi! i was wondering if you knew of any mafia au fics? 💖

🧡 Rule Number One: Never get attached. by KizuKatana (E, 130k, WangXian, Modern AU, A/B/O, Criminal underworld AU, Fluff and angst, Crime boss LWJ, Rouge criminal genius WWX, Explicit Sex)

Miscalculated Misreckoning by LadyVamp (E, 5k, WangXian, Modern AU, Organized Crime, Attempted Kidnapping, Murder Husbands, Blood and Violence, Violent Sex, Married WangXian, BAMF LWJ, BAMF WWX, YLLZ WWX, Hair-pulling, Office Sex, Desk Sex, Dark LWJ, Protective LWJ, Dark WWX, Partners in Crime, Gun Violence, Gun Kink, Crime Syndicate Qíshān Wēn Sect, Arranged Marriage, Crime Lord LWJ, Crime Lord WWX)

of demons and the good they bring by mimi123meg (M, 1k, WangXian, Modern AU, Mob, Crime Boss LWJ, BAMF WWX, BAMF LWJ, BAMF JC, Slight Violence, not too graphic, but definitely there, Established Relationship)

Take Some Advice Paesano by FeelsForBreakfast (M, 8k, wangxian, modern, mob au, mafia the 🤡 version, humor, mistaken identity, getting together)

You & Me Baby, We'll Eclipse The Sun Series by 2501987 (M/E, 130k, WangXian, XiCheng, MIND THE TAGS, Modern AU, Mafia, Murder husbands, Torture, Possessive Behavior, Blood and Violence, Older JC, Younger WWX, Hurt/Comfort, Dark)

The Damage You Do by stiricide (E, 87k, WIP, WangXian, Modern AU, Dom/Sub, Dark LWJ, Mobster LWJ, Possessive LWJ, Sex Worker WWX, Sugar Baby WWX, WWX adopts LSZ, Dubious Consent, each chapter has sex tag notes on it, BDSM, Sounding, Panic Attacks, Angst with a Happy Ending)

Due Process by Kytrin, Mslead (E, 279k, WangXian, XiSangCheng, ZhuiLingZhen, Modern AU, Canon-Typical Violence, Foxxian, dragonji, Genderfluid WWX, Wwx identifies as male, Organized Crime, Grief/Mourning, Hurt/Comfort, mentions of child abuse, Angst with a Happy Ending, Found Family, Reincarnation)

Naughty Kitty Go Meow Meow: An Urban Romance From The City of Dragons by Hinu (E, 160k, WangXian, NieLan, RuoXian, Modern AU, Mafia, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Dragon LWJ, Cat Hybrid WWX, Porn with Plot, Organized Crime, Pole dancing, Possessive LWJ, WWX has a Vulva, Omegas have a vagina, GNC WWX, Good Person WZL, Dark LWJ, Sexual harassment, Non-Consensual Bondage, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Eventual Fluff)

Beautiful Nightmare (Sweet Dreams) by Cy_an_Blue (E, 79k, WangXian, Modern AU, explicit depictions of torture, explicit depictions of violence, Dark LWJ, Possessive LWJ, Crime Boss LWJ, Mafia AU, Kidnapping, Stockholm Syndrome, (Kinda but not really), Implied Sexual Content, Sexual Harassment, Threats of Rape/Non-Con, Not by WangXian, Dubious Consent, Age Difference, Kid Fic, Heavy/Dark Themes, Cheating, not wangxian, 365 days (2020) inspired, Angst with a Happy Ending, Falling In Love, Past QingXian, Minor LWJ/Other(s), Homophobic Language, Derogatory Language)

To Protect My Family I'll Give You Anything by stiricide (E, 4k, WangXian, Modern AU, Alpha WWX, Omega LWJ, Bottom LWJ, Gangsters, Gangbang, Fisting, Public Sex, Public Humiliation, Knotting, Mating Bites, Happy Ending, Dark LWJ, Dark WWX, Spanking, Dubious Consent, Top WWX, Threats of Violence, but not between wangxian)

there is a mafia au comp !!

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7. A) In the mood for wen Ning and Wei Ying being close

B) Is there any wangxian book which is like omniscient reader's viewpoint? Fusion or similar. I just plain and simple love it to the end of the world. @whateverweilanlovechild​

7A)

Truth Will Out (when caught on video) - End_OTW_Racism! by KizuKatana (E, 63k, wangxian, WN & WWX & WQ, graphic depictions of violence, modern cultivation, canon divergence, YZY abuses WWX , caught on camera, partial core removal, WWX kicked out of Jiang sect, livestreamer WWX, meet ugly, dual cultivation, smut, no war, WIP) 

All Things Belong by kuroi_atropos (M, 65k, WRH & WWX, wangxian, WN & WWX, Wen WWX, abuse, whipping, manipulations, smart WWX, possessive behavior, implied/Referenced rape/non-con, past rape/non-con, WIP)

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8. ITMF superhero wangxian!! i’m not too particular on the context, be it only one of them, or both of them, or hero/villain. the more explicit the better, though 🌝

mission report by bosbie (T, 13k, WangXian, Modern AU, Superheroes/Superpowers, Fluff, Humor, First Meetings, Falling In Love, Getting Together)

a wild heart to tame mine by theroyalsavage (G, 10k, WangXian, Superheroes/Superpowers, Strangers to Lovers, bookshop owner lwj/superhero wwx, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Wangxian-typical tenderness)

Tired of the Sunset by julomaiboulomai (M, 55k, WangXian, NieLan, Modern AU, Superheroes/Superpowers, Identity Porn, Secret Identity, Parent-Child Relationship, Grief/Mourning, Canonical Character Death, Also Canonical 'He Gets Better', Unreliable Narrator, superhero fights, Major Character Injury, Major Character Undeath, Slow Burn, But also somehow, Established Relationship, Hurt/Comfort, Injury Recovery, JC-LWJ Mutual Hate Society, Domestic Fluff, Co-Parenting, Making Out, well slowish burn, Fade to Black, Brief mentions of suicide, Angst with a Happy Ending, Art Embedded)

🧡 Of Ghosts and Heroes by The Silverfish (ZephyrAndTheSilverfish) (T, 51k, AS & WWX, AS/YH, WangXian, BNHA/MHA Crossover, Dimension Travel, POV Outsider, Found Family, Hurt/Comfort, Angst) Sort of? It's a crossover with bnha and I think a few mdzs characters become heroes in it

Free Wifi for Heroes by JJSparrow (E, 50k, WangXian, XuanLi, Modern AU, Pro Heroes (MHA), Switching, Engineer!WWX, Hero!LWJ, CEO!WWX, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Inventor!WWX, Top/Bottom Switch WangXian, Explicit Sexual Content, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Fluff and Smut, First Kiss, First Time)

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9. Hi, thanks for doing these recs!

For the next itmf, I'd like wangxian in the Cloud Recesses Study Arc, kinda like Stunted, Starving Juvenility. Preferably long, like 50k+, but any length is fine!

Thank you! @moonlightflora-101​

Silenced With A Kiss by NinjaKK (E, 88k, wangxian, cloud recesses study arc, flirting, fluff, teen romance, happy ending, secret relationship, falling in love, first kiss, first dates, inventor WWX, genius WWX, protective WWX; protective LWJ, happy ending, ripple effect, first time, fluff & smut, supportive LWJ, BAMF WWX, WIP)

The initial parts of 💖 Magical Marriage Ribbons series by starandrea (M, 1M, WIP, wangxian, ongoing, animal transformations, weddings, link in #2) also fits for 9, I think

O, What Learning Is! by Comfect (T, 60k, WangXian, XiCheng, Canon Divergence, No Fall of Lotus Pier, No Golden Core Transfer, Fix-It, Butterfly Effect, Fluff, Cultivation Theory, Cultivation Sect Politics, JZX Lives, JYL Lives, WWX-Typical Obliviousness, Unreliable Narrator WWX, The Undeniable Romance of Quests, Good Student WWX (for a given value of good student), Canon-typical treatment of children, Bad Parent YZY, Bad Parent JFM, Good Uncle LQR)

Three changes. by orange_crushed (M, 18k, WangXian, Fluff, Hijinks & Shenanigans, Cloud Recesses Shenanigans, Friends to Lovers, Romantic Comedy, Fade to Black, Mild Sexual Content, Canon Divergence, No Sunshot No War AU, Falling In Love, Non-Graphic Violence, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Sparring, Harm to Animals, Don't Worry The Animal is Fine Wangji Makes Sure of That, Developing Friendships, teenagers in love, Hurt/Comfort, Mild Blood, First Time)

Unstoppable by Netrixie (T, 149k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Eventual Happy Ending, Unreliable Narrator, Slow Burn, Minor OC's, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Unresolved Romantic Tension, Wolf-shifter WWX, Resolved Sexual Tension, Resolved Romantic Tension, Fix-It, Shapeshifters, Sunshot Campaign)

In Walls of Glass by Comfect (T, 43k, WangXian, XiCheng, Good Uncle LQR, Teacher LQR, Canon Divergence, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Yet Another Butterfly Effect Fix-It, JC friendly, Family Feels, Demonic Cultivation, Cultivation Theory, Tagged CQL not MDZS, POV LQR)

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10. Hello! ITMF where WWX is super duper Mary Sue. I just read “The Darkness Before Dawn” by PsycheStellata707, and I loved how WWX was just the most beautiful, the most powerful, the most smart, the most loved, the richest, the super bamf. It was indulgent and fun. Any other fics like this?

leave all your love and your longing behind by ScarlettStorm (E, 143k, WangXian, Modern AU, no magic, Meet-Ugly, Panic Attacks, autistic lwj, neurodivergent wwx, the neighborhood asshole dog, if you’ve met one then you know, Hurt/Comfort, Pining, Minor Angst, major shenanigans, Happy Ending, for everyone including the   asshole dog, Eventual Smut, switch rights, Sex Toys, horny yearning, Masturbation) (link in #14)

🧡 Rule Number One: Never get attached. by KizuKatana (E, 130k, WangXian, Modern AU, A/B/O, Criminal underworld AU, Fluff and angst, Crime boss LWJ, Rouge criminal genius WWX, Explicit Sex) (link in #6)

Whatever you do by apathyinreverie (T, 8k, WangXian, somewhat darker cultivation world, BAMF WWX, BAMF LWJ, BAMF LXC, not Jiang friendly, YZY Bashing, wwx is appreciated, genius wwx, everyone is a little darker in this, except for wwx, Fluff, Possessive LWJ, Fix-It)

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11. Hi hi, hope everything is going well :) Sorry if this has been asked before, but for either ITMF or Fic Finder are there any good fics with Yunmeng trio shenanigans/slice of life?

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12. hello! sorry to bother you, but theres any new wangxian fic with mpreg? especially (only) pregnant wei wuxian, please and thanks! 💖🙏🏽

--

Hello, can you suggest any fluffy wangxian fic where wei Wuxian is pregnant. Would love it if it is long. Thank you 😊�� @mayavsworld​

In which Lan Qiren eavesdrops and gets a new nephew (and grandnephew) out of it by h0peless_oblivion (M, 64k, WIP, WangXian, Modern AU, High School, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Mpreg, Teen Pregnancy, Shotgun Wedding, Good Uncle LQR, Madam Yu's A+ Parenting, Fluff and Angst, Family Feels, Unspecified Setting, Probably ooc, WWX Has ADHD, A-Yuan is Wangxian's son, Pregnant WWX, Humor, non-graphic birth, Family Drama, The Lans love wwx, Male Lactation, Mild Smut in later chapters, wangxian's canonical breeding kink, Tooth-Rotting Fluff) it's marked as a WIP but the main story is over the rest are sides stories

My Heart is a Cavern of Longing, Please come home? by LadyVamp (E, 28k, WangXian, Non-Traditional A/B/O Dynamics, Omega WWX, Alpha LWJ, Bitch WWX, Forced Marriage, Accidental Baby Acquisition, YLLZ WWX, Oblivious WWX, Módào Zǔshī & The Untamed Combination, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Forced Bonding, Forced Pregnancy, Depressed WWX, Sex In A Cave, Uncontrolled heats, JZX Lives, Arranged Marriage, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Pining LWJ, Pining WWX, Child LJY, LJY is WangXian's son, Unplanned Pregnancy, Pregnant WWX, Mpreg)

Bonded Fate by Missty0foxx (E, 19k, WangXian, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Canon Divergence, Dubious Consent, Mating, Mating Bites, Knotting, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Angst with a Happy Ending, Self-Lubrication, LWJ Has a Big Dick, Teenage WangXian, Time Skips, Mpreg, Caring LWJ, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Pregnant Sex, Pregnant WWX, Mating Cycles/In Heat, WangXian Have a Breeding Kink, LWJ Has a Biting Kink)

The Beautiful and the Damned by Anonymous (M, 15k, WangXian, Wingfic, Immortal LWJ, Demon WWX, Mpreg, Pregnant WWX, Wing Kink, Human JC, mmortal LXC, Immortal LSZ, Immortal LJY, Crow WWX, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, WangXian Are LSZ's Parents, Gambling, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, Spanking, CNC and Dubcon elements, Mythical Beings & Creatures, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Unplanned Pregnancy)

Pregxian & Pregji Comp

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13. Hey guys hope all is well , I’m in the mood for a fix with bodyguard Lan Zhan just out here protecting wei ying idk if anything like this exists but I’m intrigued.

Thank you for all your hard work x @red-spacekitten

Bodyguard king by 74243 (E, 8k, Female WangXian, Modern AU, Idol WWX, Bodyguard LWJ, Female NHS, Platonic D/s, Loss of Virginity)

lightning in a bottle by nighimpossible (E, 12k, WangXian, Modern AU, Bodyguard LWJ, Scientist WWX, Mutual Pining, Blow Jobs, (light) Rope Bondage, Kitchen Sex, Anal Fingering)

~*~

14. Itmf for fics where LWJ has friends!! Who teases him!! And are there for him!! I've often seen Mianmian with him and I've enjoyed those fics alot!! Preferably canonverse but modern au's are fun too!!

❤️ save a sword, ride a socialist by sysrae (E, 33k, wangxian, modern w magic, college/university au, fake/pretend relationship, single parent WWX, homophobia, light angst w/ happy ending, idiots to lovers, fluff) is really good

leave all your love and your longing behind by ScarlettStorm (E, 143k, WangXian, Modern AU, no magic, Meet-Ugly, Panic Attacks, autistic lwj, neurodivergent wwx, the neighborhood asshole dog, if you’ve met one then you know, Hurt/Comfort, Pining, Minor Angst, major shenanigans, Happy Ending, for everyone including the   asshole dog, Eventual Smut, switch rights, Sex Toys, horny yearning, Masturbation) Scarlett storm does a great job of showing lan zhan with actual friends and a support system , however this one in particular is great !

mating rituals by detectorist (E, 16k, WangXian, XuanLi, JZX & LWJ, Modern AU, College/University, Humour, Pining, Getting Together, Idiots in Love)

correspondence of two fools madly in love by serenedebeautea (G, 2k, WangXian, XuanLi, LWJ & JZX)

forget-me-not by mellowflicker (E, 31k, WIP, WangXian, Modern AU, Sugar Daddy WWX, Sugar Baby LWJ, Professor WWX, Student LWJ, Bottom LWJ/Top WWX, Secret Relationship, Age Difference, Hurt/Comfort, Chronic Pain, JZX & LWJ Friendship, Family Issues, WWX Isn't Adopted by the Jiāngs)

Orchids in Lotus Pier by Vamillepudding (G, 21k, WangXian, JC & LWJ, Canon Divergence, Romantic Comedy, Mutual Pining, Protective JC, Friends to Lovers, Misunderstandings)

~*~

15. Hi there! Hope you day is going good!!! I need your help to find me a(lot) fan fiction with dragon lan wangji/human wei wuxian please 🙇‍♀️🥺 @mahamhere

Coil Tightly by Thunderstruck (Blueyed_Impala) (T, 50k, WangXian, Dragon LWJ, Shifters, Modern with Magic, WWX is oblivious to magic, Slow Burn, Fluff, Attempt at Humor, References to Animal Abuse but the animal is LWJ, Hurt/Comfort, WWX Has Self-Esteem Issues, WWX has abandonment issues, Possessive LWJ, Clueless Flirting, OC Lan disciples for plot reasons)

These Mortal Treasures by ChilianXianzi (T, 9k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Fantasy, Dragon LWJ, Rogue Cultivator WWX, Possessive LWJ, Domestic Fluff, implied eggpreg, The Cultivation World's canonical fuckery, eggyuan!, Gift Giving)

Love at first bite by luckymoonly (M, 14k, WangXian, NieLan, Modern setting with dragons, Falling In Love, NMJ and JYL own a bakery together, Interspecies Romance, Crossdressing, Everyone lives in the same building, First Time, Fluff and Humor, Mpreg, LWJ's canonical big dick, Horny lwj, Smut, LXC and LWJ are dragon princes, Lingerie, Dating, Medium Burn, Possessive LWJ)

wind and rain by hauntedotamatone (E, 15k, WangXian, Dragon LWJ, Porn With Plot, Size Difference, Mildly Dubious Consent, Spit As Lube, Fairy Tale Elements, Double Penetration in One Hole, Rough Sex, Biting, Curse Breaking, Teratophilia, Fuck Or Die, but not for who you'd think, Meet-Ugly, Rimming, Past physical abuse, consensual and sane but not 100 percent safe, Non-Human Genitalia, Come as Lube, Multiple Orgasms, Overstimulation, Copious Amounts of Come)

Jaws of the Dragon by celerydragon (Not Rated, 7k, WangXian, dubcon, Exhibitionism, Nonconsensual Exhibitionism, Bestiality, Belly Bulge, Non-Consensual Body Modification, Breeding Kink, dragonji, LWJHas a Big Dick, lwj can transform into a human)

other earths and skies by binghecarer (T, 53k, WangXian, Modern with Magic, (but not in the typical way?), Slow Burn, Canon-Typical Scars and Injuries, Curses, Hurt/Comfort)

fell by you by Vrishchika (E, 44k, Dragon LWJ, Fantasy, Explicit Smut in Last Chapter, Pining, POV LWJ, Canon Divergence, Immortals, Deities, Canon-Typical Violence, Dragon WWX, Angst with a Happy Ending)

this river runs to you Series by aubreyli, sundiscus (T/E, 66k, WangXian, Modern with Magic, Mutual Pining, Dragons, Literal Sleeping Together, Tender wound tending, First Time, Oral Sex, Coming Untouched, Porn with Feelings, Established Relationship) 

Making Mouths at Dragons by athena_crikey (E, 10k, WangXian, Modern with Magic, Mpreg, baby fever, near PWP, Dragon sex, also human sex, Rimming, Size Kink, Egg Laying, Family, Feel-good, hints of self-worth issues, Dragon LWJ)

~*~

16. hello!! for the next itmf, any fanfics where they elaborate on wei changze and/or cangse sanren? secret families, they survive, even pre canon, just some wei family feels. thank youu <33

I Will Call You By Name by DisasterMages (T, 73k, WangXian, WWX raised by XXC, Canon Divergence, Family Feels) does ´I will call you by name’ by DisasterMages count they’re a few flashbacks about them

tall as the mountains that sheltered us by thelastdboy (M, 4k, CSSR/WCZ, CSSR & WWX & WCZ, wangxian, canon divergence, CSSR & WCZ live, crack treated seriously, childhood friends to lovers, genius WWX, inventor WWX, bg character death, happy ending, WCZ pov) wcz & cssr are saved by the lan.

The Long Winding Road Home by Admiranda (T, 12k, CSSR/WCZ, wangxian, time travel, post-canon, not JC friendly, fluff, family reunion, mocking LQR to his face, mocking JC to his face, wild rumours) wcz & cssr return after 30 years trapped.

Silver (Bloodshot) Eyes by GeminiWillow (T, 15k, WangXian, WCZ & WWX, WCZ & JL, Not Jiāng Chéng Friendly, JC Bashing, YZY Bashing, Yúnmèng Jiāng Sect Bashing, BAMF WCZ, Ghost WCZ, JC Canon Characteristics, Mentions of WWX's Canonical Child Abuse, Child JL, JL Needs a Hug, Revenge) vengeful ghost wcz torments jc during the timeskip. jiang bashing.

The Wei of family by HikariNoHimeWriter (E, 46k, WangXian, WCZ/CSSR, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, CSSR and WCZ Live, Rogue Cultivator WWX, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Male omega with vagina, Vaginal Fingering, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Vaginal Sex, First Time, Falling In Love, some violence, Genius WWX, WWX Has ADHD, CSSR Has ADHD, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Eventual Smut, Love Confessions, Mating Bond, WangXian Elope, Kinda, Not JC Friendly, not yzy friendly, Mpreg) omega wwx grows up with his family and finds love

a burden of figs by spookykingdomstarlight (T, 16k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, No Sunshot Campaign, CSSR and WCZ Live, Rogue Cultivator WWX, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Breaking Up & Making Up, Getting Back Together, Hurt/Comfort, Injured WWX, caretaker LWJ, Mutual Pining) rogue cultivator wwx dating to breakup to makeup.

somehow, someway, we all get to someday by Stratisphyre (T, 75k, WangXian, CSSR/LQR/WCZ, MDM Lan/OFC, Canon Divergence, Role Reversal, Canon-Typical Violence, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Parenthood, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, Threesome - F/M/M, Family Feels, Not JFM Friendly, Not Lan Sect Friendly, past emotional abuse, Demisexual Character, Inclusive discussions of reproductive rights) jfm & yzy die on a nighthunt and wcz & cssr run the jiang as regents for jc.

~*~

17. Hi!! ITMF for submissive LWJ with a praise kink. Whether he's top or bottom doesn't matter.

Shatter All Barriers by YunmengLotus (E, 11k, WangXian, Modern AU, Painplay, Light Dom/sub, very brief subdrop, Praise Kink, Wax Play, Temperature Play, Sex Toys, Communication, light blood play (really light but there is blood), BDSM, Intercrural Sex, thigh fucking, Non-Penetrative Sex, Coming Untouched, Piercings, Needles, Sub LWJ, dom WWX, kind of, Getting Together, piercer wwx)

Maybe You're the Reason by Clearpearls (E, 67k, WangXian, College/University, Phone Sex, slight D/s, Secret Identity, Praise Kink, Phone Sex Operator WWX, slight internalized sexual repression, Fluff, Light Angst, Dirty Talk, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Slow Burn, Sub LWJ, Bottom LWJ, Vibrators, Aftercare, Introspection)

old wounds by BloodRedCarnation (E, 23k, WangXianYu, Established WangXian, PWP, Kink Negotiation, Switch WangXian, Age Difference, Power Dynamics, Threesome, healing through sex, Breathplay, Light exhibitionism kink, Praise Kink, Dom/sub, Virgin MXY, Post-Canon, Fix-It of Sorts, Double Penetration)

Caffeine, Small Talk by mistergoblin (E, 144k, WangXian, Modern AU, Friends With Benefits, Enemies to Lovers, or more accurately: frenemies to fuck, buddies to lovers, Angst and Fluff and Smut, touch-starved lwj, Slow Burn, high levels of sexual tension, Misunderstandings, Getting to Know Each Other, Switching, Bottom LWJ, bottom WWX, slight D/s, Happy Ending, side yanqing, lwj's patented horny grip, Sub LWJ)

Here Comes The Heat (Before We Meet) by mistergoblin (E, 15k, WangXian, Fluff and Smut, Getting Together, D/s elements, Sub LWJ, Bottom LWJ, but they switch wbk, Collars, Praise Kink, Rough Sex, Spanking, Explicit Consent)

a new kind of silence by deliciousblizzardshark (E, 11k, WangXian, Modern AU, Autistic LWJ, Communication Disorder, Trans LWJ, Protective WWX, Pregnant LWJ, Panic Attacks, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Happy Ending, Getting Together, Oral Sex, Vaginal Sex, Soft WangXian, POV WWX)

~*~

If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

[yuly]

↬ Scent of Bliss ↫

Aaron Hotchner x female reader

Summary: A short story where we explore the many scents of Mr. Hotchner through reader’s eyes :)

Warnings: brief mention of field violence and Hotch’s face injuries, otherwise just fluffy relationship stuff

WC: 1.1k

A/N: please enjoy this self-indulgent fluff while I cook up some angst 💋

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

Your sense of smell has always been the strongest of your senses. Scents mean more to you than the average person, and you attach meaning to everyday smells.

You have an affinity for perfume; it brings you unexplainable joy each time you add a new one to your collection. Your favourite compliment is, by far, anything about your scent. You’ve never been one to gatekeep by any means. You’re always eager to talk about the perfume you have on, its scent profile, the lotion and body oil you’ve layered with it, and where to shop for it.

Your hypersensitivity and obsession with smells bleeds into every aspect of your life, including your relationship with Aaron. His fresh, woody scent with soft vanilla undertones was the first thing that caught your attention before you even laid eyes on him. The first time you spent the night at his apartment, you took the chance to find his modest but expensive cologne collection. He caught you giggling like a schoolgirl in his bathroom with a bewildered expression. “Honey, everything ok?”

You praised him for his excellent selection before promptly scolding him for storing perfume in the bathroom, citing a multitude of reasons why this was unacceptable. With a warm smile and a look of endearment, Aaron swiftly moved his collection to the bedroom.

Perfume aside, Aaron has a warm, soft, natural and manly scent that you cannot get enough of. Add a bit of sweat, and you lose every last bit of decorum.

Aaron’s smell right after working in the field is your dilemma. An unsettling blend of gunpowder, rusted metal and sweat that you’re certain is not his cling to him afterwards. Aaron shows his love for you through touch, so more often than not, he engulfs you in a hug immediately after coming home. You fight to breathe through the cluster of uncomfortable and hounding smells while maintaining your composure. You have no idea how to approach the subject, so you silently suffer through it.

Aaron is a profiler. His entire career is analyzing behaviour, and he has been silently taking note of yours for quite some time now. He notices that sometimes when he comes home to hug you, you melt into his touch, embrace him with so much tangible love, and kiss him sweetly. Other times, you tense up and awkwardly hug him back, your face is stiff, and you seem pretty uncomfortable overall. You still kiss him, although it’s always a quick peck, and you slowly back away from him afterward. Your wildly inconsistent behaviour confuses him and breaks his heart a little, and try as he might, Aaron is stumped for the cause behind it. His nagging mind tells him you must be tired of the relationship and that you’re too shy to speak up about it.

When Aaron returns from a case where he earned a few scratches to his jaw while taking down the unsub, he’s exhausted, and the only thing on his mind is falling asleep in your arms. You are on the verge of tears as soon as you see his scratched-up face. He hugs you while you fuss about antiseptic cleansing and using the correct material band-aid. You can instantly pick up notes of rubbing alcohol, dirt, and gasoline off his clothes. You freeze before hugging him back with stiff arms and a sad little peck on the cheek before quickly withdrawing.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” he asks gently.

“What? Nothing’s wrong, let’s get these cuts cleaned up, and you can eat dinner.”

“Y/N, stop. I know something is bothering you.”

You fidget uncomfortably, eyes connecting with everything else in the room but his.

“Aaron, I don’t know how to say this without hurting your feelings.”

He feels a pit in his stomach, he hates seeing you uncomfortable. “I promise I can take it, Angel.”

You find it increasingly difficult to continue the conversation with the aggressive smells assaulting your nostrils. When you remain quiet and take a few steps back, Aaron decides to do the hard part for you.

“Y/N, if you’re tired of our relationship or need a break for whatever reason, you can tell me.” His tone is reassuring. He’s hurt, but your well-being is a higher priority for Aaron.

You gasp, looking up at him with wide eyes, incredulous at his implication.

“What? Aaron, what are you talking about? I’m not breaking up with you, please what-”

To your dismay, he leans forward to hold your hand, “I’m sorry. I thought that’s what you were afraid to tell me.”

“Oh my goodness, no, Aaron, I-” you sigh, “you smell bad. I can’t take it.”

Your confession makes Aaron Hotchner’s jaw drop. “What?” He asks, utterly baffled at your statement.

“No, no, you smell good! I mean, you always smell so good, baby, just sometimes after work you come home smelling like smoke, and gunpowder and all these things, and I hate it. It puts bad images in my mind, and it’s hard to get them out, Aaron. I’m sorry.” The thought of hurting his feeling makes you pout.

“No, Angel, I’m so sorry for traumatizing you. I should’ve known since you’re so sensitive to smells. How can I make this better?”

You look up at him with a shy smile, “straight to the shower after work, and keep your work clothes in a separate pile. I’ll wash them separately for you.” He gives you a toothy smile and has to stop himself from pulling you into his arms.

“I love you, and after this shower, I’ll show you just how much I love you.”

You giggle as you follow him into the bathroom, standing outside the shower as he scrubs away the grime from work. “silly boy, did you really think I was breaking up with you?”

He chuckles under the shower head, “I had no idea what to think, Y/N. You drive me crazy, but I’ll be your smelly old man as long as I get to be yours.”

You break your own rules, jumping into the shower and hugging him as he’s mid-back scrub, careless about the fact that you are fully dressed.

He hugs you back, and his deep chuckle rumbles through the bathroom as he pulls you in for a kiss, “my sweet, silly girl.”

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

Let me know what you thought! ♡  

[vibrantbirdy]

Hey lovely!! Could you do a Cassian Andor x (f) reader? I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers. I like the whole “you annoy me and piss me off” relationship that ends up in a situation where they are stuck together for something and end up in a fight where they suddenly realize they have feelings! I love allowing creators to have their own space to create, so if you wanna do something else entirely, please feel free too!!

❤️ take care of yourself

Thank you SO much, this is a great request! I am a sucker for enemies to lovers too. I hope you don't mind, but I had a similar Cassian request from Anon at the same time about Cassian x Reader having to go undercover to Canto Bight as a couple which I thought would work well with yours so I merged them. (Anon, I also hope you don't mind the merging and that you can find this ok as I don't know if/how I can reply to two asks in the same post?)

Also, I want to thank everyone who has interacted with my writing so far.

Requests for Character x Reader fics are currently open in my Asks. Please read the guidelines first. Keep 'em coming.

-Birdy

Title: Charade Fandom: Star Wars Setting: Between Andor and Rogue One Genres: Sci-fi; Romance; Enemies to lovers; Action/adventure; Fluff Warnings: Moderate sexuality; moderate swearing; mild violence/peril; brief mentions of loss of family/friends by Reader. Pairing: Cassian Andor x Female Reader Chapters: 1/1 (Complete) Word Count: approx 10k (oops)

Summary: You and Captain Cassian Andor have to negotiate your personal differences and difficult history when you are both assigned to go on an undercover operation to the Galaxy's playground for the super-rich, Canto Bight, as a married couple.

Prologue

Your first mission as a spy for the Rebel Alliance has taken you to Carida. The objective; to infiltrate and sabotage the Imperial Naval Yard there then get out as quickly and quietly as possible.

As it turns out, the mission is doomed from the outset. An Imperial mole who somehow dug their way into the very heart of Rebel Command on Yavin 4 has alerted the Empire to your plans.

Your team of six hardly made it five kilometers from the rust-bucket of a ship Rebel Leadership had assigned to you when you were intercepted by an Imperial patrol.

The firefight was brief. The Stormtroopers were green, even more so than you. You wondered with a pang of unexpected sympathy whether they'd come fresh from the Imperial Academy which was also based on Carida. There were far more seasoned combatants amongst your own unit and the fight was over before it had really began.

Still, that's when you'd lost poor Lily to a Trooper's blaster bolt. You're not even sure he was aiming at her. She'd fallen against you and you'd twisted your ankle as you'd spun to the ground following a futile attempt to hold her upright as if that would negate the fatal injury she'd just sustained.

Now, as you limp up the ridge of the hill you feel a swell of relief as you see that you are almost back to the clearing where the ship is stowed. But as you catch a glimpse of the hunk of old metal, you realise with horror that you are not out of the woods yet.

The Empire uses decrepit shuttles just like this one for for training cadets at the Academy. That's why High Command had insisted you take it - to blend in. You'd nicknamed it Tenacity because the old girl just wouldn't die and the name had stuck.

The ancient vessel doesn't do anything quickly until it's up in the air. Then she's sharp as a razor. But she has a complicated manual override for emergency take-offs whereby the crew need pump fuel round the engines a few times using an externally stowed generator.

Good for training Imperial cadets for problem solving and how to make the best of old tech. Not so good for spies who need a quick exit.

You're the engineer, it should have been you who hooked the ship up to the generator. But with your injury you are too slow and so the others went on ahead to start without you. You are sure you gave correct and clear instructions, but in his panic, it looks like Rogdul has connected the ports up all wrong. Dangerously so.

Overhead, you hear the scream of Imperial TIE fighters and you launch yourself into the nearby undergrowth. You count them. Four. They are searching the valley for you. They pass, but they'll be back in less than a minute. It's impossible that they haven't spotted the ship in the forest clearing.

From your hiding place you hear the ship's engines burst into life. Inside, you imagine Rogdul and Anya carrying out hurried pre-flight checks. Baslin is probably taking up position in the gunner's hatch, hoping to see some action.

No, you think. Not like this.

But you can reach the ship and fix the problem. You know you can. The whole thing will blow if you don't and that's not an option.

You dart out towards the Tenacity, but someone intercepts you, slamming into you with a body tackle and dragging you roughly back to cover through the mud. Soon, you're seated up against them, your back pressed into their chest, their arms and legs wrapped around you like a vice.

It's Captain Cassian Andor, you realise, your superior officer and the lead operative on this mission. You'd completely forgotten that he was even further behind the hasty retreat than you, taking up the rear and keeping watch for more Imperial patrols on your tail.

You don't care who it is. You struggle and writhe furiously against him, desperate to get away and stop the impending disaster you can see unfolding before your eyes. But Andor holds you fast against him as if you were a child having a tantrum.

"Let me go, I can fix it!" you scream over the howl of the returning TIEs.

"You can't, it's too late!" Andor shouts back into your ear.

As if on cue, the generator connected to the side of the ship starts to spark wildly, just as you knew it would. You watch helplessly as the fuel cells hidden within the Tenacity ignite with a deafening bang and whoosh of flame as the ship goes up in a hellish fireball.

A second later, the TIEs make their second pass. There's no need for them to bother firing their weapons. The devastation from the explosion is catastrophic.

They do it anyway.

Two years later

You are on approach to Canto Bight, Cantonica's capital city - the Galaxy's playground for the wealthy.

Captain Cassian Andor is in the pilot's seat, following instructions from the flight control tower. You'll sit down in a moment, but right now, you are desperately trying to sort the sticking-up collar of his cream shirt which is made of expensive looking silk.

Irritated, he tries to bat your hand away, but you are persistent.

"Kriff's sake, Andor, just let me do it," you mutter.

"I'm not a child," he says petulantly, but he relents.

There. Now he looks the part in his fine clothes. He's tidied his short beard and moustache so that the stubble is cropped neatly to the sharp contours of his chiselled face. His dark brown hair is neatly parted at the side, although it's perhaps still a little long...

You don't look too shabby either, bedecked in a knee-length silk day dress of sky blue, accompanied by a cloak of dusky purple which is draped elegantly across your shoulders. The Rebellion went to great lengths to fund this operation and they certainly didn't skimp on the provision of suitable attire. It's essential that you fit in.

"I look fine, you look fine, stop fussing," Andor says dismissively, noticing as you smooth out a couple of annoying wrinkles in your dress and swish out the skirt to make sure the fabric is lying properly.

"I think you look lovely," K-2SO, Andor's droid and almost constant companion, pipes up from the co-pilot's chair, "and that Cassian looks like he's swallowed an Endor fire hornet."

"You don't think," Andor retorts, "That's just circuits misfiring randomly in your head..."

K-2 turns to you with a mechanical whirr, and if he had the ability to conjure expressions, this one would read:

See? I told you.

You stifle a laugh and drop down into the passenger seat behind the droid.

The first time you'd met the hulking re-programmed Imperial security droid had been that fateful day on Carida. You and Andor had shivered miserably in silence for hours by the wreckage of the Tenacity as the rain lashed down, making little difference to the fearsome fuel-accelerated flames which devoured the ship. The Empire, in their arrogance, didn't bother to send out a patrol to check the site.

Then, late into the night, K-2 had finally arrived in Cassian's own ship under cover of darkness. With your injured ankle having swollen to twice its usual size, the gargantuan droid had lumbered over, scooped you up, and carried you with surprising gentleness into the vessel. Ever since, you've always enjoyed his company and his sardonic wit.

Your relationship with Andor, on the other hand, has been tumultuous since its inception. He's always been frosty and stand-offish with you. You sometimes wonder if your presence reminds him of the disaster on Carida the way his does to you.

Whatever his reasoning, his uncompromising demeanour has always brought out your worst qualities when you're around him, especially your stubbornness and your dislike of being told what to do. You've never gone so far as insubordination under his command, but when you disagree with him, you have a unique knack for finding your own way to interpret his orders. This always has the infinitely satisfying effect of winding him up.

Anyway, this time won't be like Carida. And despite your personal differences, you and Andor have worked together successfully - though admittedly never harmoniously - many times since.

Your objective is simple enough. You're looking for a business man, Dreylan Balgo. He's not yet thirty, but he's the biggest supplier of Imperial weapons in the Galaxy. You need to obtain his biometric signature and transmit it back to Alliance High Command. They'll then use it to access the designs and blueprints of the weapons his company is designing for the Empire and eventually send agents in as factory workers to sabotage various key elements.

As Andor and K-2 make the final approach to Canto Bight you look out the window. Below you, the dark sea glitters and ahead, the shining spires of the beautiful city glow golden in the evening sun.

You close your eyes as a flash of a childhood memory dances across your brain. You came here with your parents once when you were nine or ten. That's partly why you've been chosen for this mission. You used to move in these circles.

K-2 drops the shuttle neatly on to the landing pad which juts out over the water.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," the droid quips as you exit.

It's winter on Cantonica. As you step out onto the platform, the breeze is chilly but pleasantly fresh and you can hear the steady crash of waves against the cliffs below you.

At the entrance to the structure, you pause a minute to take in the monolithic doors, ornately carved and inlaid with beautiful coloured glass which catches the light of the setting sun with dazzling beauty. The doors open and you and Andor step into the elaborate marble halls of Canto Bight's most luxurious resort as newlyweds Mr and Mrs Race Pax.

**************************************************

The suite you are staying in is as lavish as the rest of the place, but it is small. The coiffeurs of the Rebel Alliance do have their limits.

"What are you doing?" You ask, suddenly stopping your own unpacking to observe Andor throwing an assortment of pillows and blankets onto the ground.

"I'm taking the floor like a gentleman."

"Don't be stupid," you snort, "What if the maid comes in and sees this..." you gesture to the collection of blankets on the floor, searching for a fitting description "...gentleman's pillow fort?"

The most important thing on this mission is that your cover needs to be believable. And, perhaps tantamount to that, if Andor is tired, he'll be even grumpier than usual and you don't think you could deal with that.

He straightens and sighs, repeatedly slapping the cushion he has been plumping with unnecessary force.

One thing you and Andor have never been around each other is shy. Having spent weeks at a time together in miserable, hastily erected camps, cramped transports, and underground bunkers in the service of the Alliance, the necessity of living in close quarters with him stamped that out quick. You've learned to move in each other's personal space with ease and usually without any awkwardness, so you can't fathom why he's making a meal of it now.

He looks at you defiantly for a moment longer before accepting defeat.

"Fine," he says, as he starts to pick up the elements of his makeshift camp bed and throwing them back on the bed, "Fine, but if you snore, I won't hesitate to kick you out."

"If I snore?!"

That was rich.

*******************************************

You and Andor are attending one of Canto Bight's seemingly infinite evening soirees for the rich and powerful. A colourful sea of people in lavish dress are engaged in polite conversation and enjoying expensive beverages in one of the grandest ballrooms you've ever seen.

Dreylan Balgo is here, somewhere. Tonight is a chance to observe his behaviour, get to know his habits and make an initial introduction if possible. Anything that could help you create an opportunity to obtain his biometrics over the next few days.

You are wearing a teal halter-neck gown, a drink in one hand while the other rests elegantly on top of Andor's arm. The silk of his plush evening jacket is smooth under your fingertips and you absent-mindedly fuss with it as you scan the crowd for your target.

Someone says your name. Your real name.

Andor stiffens next to you.

Trying to keep your composure you turn and relief floods through you as you realise it's one of your mother's oldest friends, Lady Sen Prya. It's been years since you've seen her and she must be in her eighties by now, but she hasn't changed one bit. She is adorned in the most grandiose yellow satin gown you've ever seen, complete with matching gloves. Her long white hair falls, twisted in an elaborate braid, all the way down to her waist.

Quickly, you take her gloved hand and squeeze it gently, a subtle message you hope she can read.

"Oh I'm sorry you must be mistaken," you say politely and introduce yourself as Mrs Pax.

Understanding flickers across Prya's face. She always was sharp as a knife and time doesn't seem to have dulled that characteristic one jot.

"Ah of course, child. Forgive me," she says tactfully with all the grace and ease you remember from your childhood, "You look very like a dear old friend of mine. It's nice to meet you. I am Lady Sen Prya."

She reaches a hand up and touches your cheek affectionately with a twinkle in her golden eyes. Then, she reaches out to Andor who brings her hand up to his mouth and kisses it gently.

"Race Pax, it's a pleasure," he says, and there is a genuine warmth in his voice.

He appears to have relaxed somewhat and you are sure it's because he probably recognises Prya's name. She has been funding various elements of the Rebellion for years.

"Now, is there anyone you need an introduction to, before I retire to bed like the old woman I am?"

Prya stresses introduction as if its a code word. And it is.

You look up at Andor questioningly. You hate to ask his permission for anything, but he is the senior operative here. He nods once in ascent.

"Dreylan Balgo," you say.

Lady Prya's eyes light up and you can tell that she is delighted to learn who your indented mark is.

"Well then, follow me, young lovers."

Andor gives that rare smile of his, the one you see so infrequently which reaches all the way up to his eyes where they crinkle at the corners. He likes Prya. Everyone does. That's what makes her so dangerous for the Empire.

You wind through the crowd, following Prya as if she is golden star leading you to your destination. You're suddenly nervous and although you'd never admit it, there is something comforting about how Andor's large hand entwines with your own as he follows your lead through the busy party.

"Dreylan! My boy!" Prya's voice is clear as crystal and cuts through the party hubbub with ease.

Balgo turns from a conversation he is having with several other men. He is a handsome man, dressed in an evening suit of black velvet. He is tall and elegant with piercing blue eyes and a mop of sandy blonde curls.

"Ah! Lady Prya! What a delight to see you," he says gregariously, stooping low to kiss the older woman's cheek.

"And you, my lad," she replies with gracious ease, "Now, I want you to meet a couple of newly weds, Mr and Mrs Pax. I'm certain young Pax here would be interested in discussing business with you boys, although I, for one, find it all very dull."

There is a ripple of smug, amused laughter from the circle of men, and you join in only because you know Prya could negotiate most of these idiots out of any of business asset of theirs she chose to.

Balgo turns his attention to you first, appraising you thoroughly before taking your hand and kissing it with an elaborate flourish. You let out a silly little laugh, ensuring your voice carries an appropriate blend of affluence and air headedness.

Less than a minute you've been in this man's company and you can already read him like a holo novel.

He then greets Andor with boisterous joviality.

"Congratulations, Pax, what a stunning creature you have caught in your net."

Andor chuckles amiably, shaking Balgo's hand.

"It's good to meet you," he says warmly.

This time, his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes and you notice that his hand, which has been sitting lightly round your waist, shifts down to just under your hip.

Lady Prya retires to bed soon after, flashing you a wink and a dazzling smile as she sweeps from the room, an ageless vision in yellow.

The conversation and drinks flow. All night, you sense Balgo's eyes on you. Alliance High Command don't officially approve of so-called "honey-traps," and neither do you, but you see no harm in cultivating Balgo's delusion if it opens another window of opportunity. You don't discourage him, directly meeting the furtive glances he casts your way when he thinks Andor isn't looking.

Throughout the evening Andor proves why he is so good at his job. His ability to observe and imitate behaviour is uncanny. He adopts with ease that careless, raucous affectation that only young, wealthy men seem to possess. He hasn't taken more than a few sips of his wine, but he mirrors Balgo's increasingly boisterous body language and bawdy humour expertly.

By the end of the night the two are stomping around the dwindling party with their arms slung around each other's shoulders, swaying and laughing and singing like idiots.

The night has been a success. You've created a rapport with Balgo.

*******************************************

"Prya was a friend of your family's?" Andor's voice comes unexpectedly from the darkness, "What happened to them?"

It's very late - or early, depending on how your look at it - and you and Andor have just fallen, exhausted, into bed.

You are resting on your left side, as always, and you hear him roll over beside you, so that he is looking at your back.

You are surprised by how accurately Andor has read into the situation with so little information. You don't see any harm in telling him.

"My father owned an agricultural engineering works. One day the Empire came to his factory and asked him to design and build components for some machine they were building, probably a weapon. He refused. They executed him on the spot and took the factory anyway. I did my best, but we struggled and my mother died a few years after of a broken heart. That's when I left to join the Rebellion."

Andor shuffles, the bed shifting beneath you both and you can tell that he's propped himself up on his elbow. You feel his eyes boring into the back of your head.

"You've never told me that before."

"You never bothered to ask," you reply defensively, "I know what you think, what you all think. That I'm a rich brat who ran off to join the Rebellion just to piss off her wealthy parents."

There's a silence.

"Turns out you're only half right..." you finish with a rather bitter self-deprecating chuckle.

To your surprise, Andor puts a comforting hand on your shoulder. You hesitate for a moment, before you reach across your body to place your hand on top of his, just for a second.

"Goodnight, Cassian," you say.

You rarely use his first name and it feels odd, but not unnatural on your tongue.

"Goodnight."

He rolls back over and is soon snoring softly. You don't fall asleep for a long while, not until you hear the birds begin their morning chorus and the light of dawn starts to creep through the open window with the sea breeze.

********************************************************

You and Andor spend the next morning trying to locate Balgo but he's nowhere to be found. You suspect he is probably in his bed nursing a very sore head.

The last place you try is the Fathier racetrack, although you know there are no races on today. You are glad. You can't stand to see these magnificent animals forced to run like that.

Even so, you are unable to refrain from grabbing Andor's hand in excitement and dragging him over to the nearest pen where a mother and foal are resting in a patch of sunshine.

"A baby," you find yourself saying, stupidly.

Andor laughs quietly at the ridiculous, breathless joy in your voice. You wonder if he's making fun of you, but when you turn to him his eyes are sparkling with a mischievous light.

He gestures to a nearby handler, adopting Pax's air of arrogant entitlement with frightening ease.

"My wife would like to see the animal."

"Of course, sir."

The handler coaxes the foal over and it's tall enough already to reach other the fence. You pat the creature on its nose and between its ridiculously long ears and it nuzzles sweetly into your hand.

"Mr Pax?" You say as you turn to Andor and realise he's hovering a few feet back from the fence.

You gesticulate to him to come over. When else will he get the opportunity to interact with such an animal?

"Oh no, I can see fine from here," he replies with a shake of his head.

Surely not, you think, and you feel your mouth twist into a devilish smirk.

"Are you scared?" You tease.

You sidle up to him and entwine your arm in his before stretching up to whisper into his ear so that only he can hear you.

"Captain Andor?"

Unable to resist your direct challenge he offers you his hand with a resigned, slightly nervous grin. You take it, leading him back to the fence. You guide his palm up to the baby Fathier's nose and the creature sniffs it curiously. You then press it gently against the animal's long forehead. When you let go, Andor continues to stroke the animal softly, his face lit up with an expression of childish wonder.

"Thank you, husband," you say when you both turn to leave.

He gives you a subtle wink and you feel a sudden rush of something close to fondness for him.

********************************************

That afternoon is spent sneaking around the resort's service corridors. You are right at the top of the building and the corridors are narrow and low. It's ridiculously hot and you feel stupid carrying out serious espionage in yet another one of the seemingly endless supply of dresses you've been provided. This one is a horrible pink colour that clings all over and you hate it which is why you've chosen it for this dirty, sweaty work. You know you need to wear something suitable for Canto Bight's grand halls in case anyone sees you on your way to or from the job, but it just feels so unnatural.

Hopefully this shouldn't take too long. All you need to do is wire in a small signal booster to the resort's communications lines. Then, when you obtain Balgo's biometric signature, the data pad can send a transmission to a commandeered, disused Republic satellite to confirm that the sample has been collected successfully.

Actually transmitting the scrambled data to the Rebel base on Yavin 4 needs considerably more power which means, at some point, you and Andor are going to have to hike out to Cantonica's main transmitter mast and send the signal manually from there.

You'd flown past the huge pylon on your way in to land at the resort. It's a monumental thing and you feel a rush of nausea at the very thought of having to climb it...but that's a problem for another day, you decide.

Your head is buried in a control panel, and you're trying to explain to Andor why you need to use a slightly different width of cable than originally planned but he interrupts you mid-flow.

"Can you do it, or can't you?"

"I can do it," you snap back.

"Then just do it, I don't care how."

Charming as ever, the morning's hard won truce between you apparently forgotten. He's nervous and so are you, so you try not to hold it against him. He just wants to get out of here quickly.

There's a sound, and with horror, you realise it's the service elevator doors hissing open. A stern male voice follows soon after.

"Lars, If you're up here slouching again, I'm going to dock your pay."

You and Andor both freeze, staring at each other like Loth cats caught in the headlights of a speeder. Then, without warning he grabs you at the back of your knee, hitching your leg up to rest on his hip, his hand travelling further up the underside of your thigh and underneath your dress as he shoves you against the wall and pushes his body firmly against yours. The other hand flies up to your face, his thumb tracing the line of your cheekbone.

Your gasp of surprise is muffled as he crashes his lips hard against yours. It takes you only a millisecond to understand what he's doing and you kiss him back, twisting your fingers tightly through the locks of dark hair at the back of his head.

At this, a soft groan resonates in his throat and you are almost certain this is unintended. You feel a flash of satisfaction that you've managed to affect him in such a way, then scold yourself for being unable to refrain from point scoring with him, even now.

"Get out of here," Andor growls at the hapless employee, pretending he has only just noticed the man's presence.

His voice is low and husky. As he speaks, you feel his fingertips press into the flesh your thigh. Suddenly, the combination of his proximity and his heady, masculine, familiar scent is overwhelming, and you feel something hot and fierce coil in the pit of your abdomen.

Andor - Pax - has broken away from your lips to berate the man, but he hardly deigns to turn his head to look at the unfortunate employee. You take a moment to study the fine details of his face up close. His pupils are dilated, making his dark eyes gleam like midnight. His nostrils flare slightly with heightened breathing. An uncharacteristic blush is travelling up his neck into his cheeks. You can feel his heart slamming against his chest and your own.

"Oh, uhh... yes...of course," the poor employee sounds terribly embarrassed and all the previous managerial authority has vanished entirely from his voice.

"My apologies sir..."

The man actually stands on his tiptoes and cranes his neck to see your face through the tousled mess you've made of Andor's hair before addressing you directly with a courteous nod of his head.

"Madam."

You raise your eyebrows at him politely and give him a ridiculous little wave with your free hand, the one that's not woven through Andor's hair.

You hear the employee blundering off back to the service elevator and the machinery clunks as the doors close and he disappears.

Andor's forehead is gracing your own and neither you nor he move for a moment. It's just long enough to catch the slow glint of recognition in each other's eyes that something new has passed between you and you both know it.

"Sorry," he mumbles as he finally breaks away, running a hand through his hair as if to sweep away the feel of your fingers there, "I didn't have time to ask nicely."

"It's fine," you say, smoothing your stupid dress down and clearing your throat, "Good thinking."

He leans against the opposite wall, arms crossed, as you return to your work in silence.

*******************************************

Evening has fallen and Andor and Balgo are talking animatedly at the bar. The resort is hosting another of its grand parties. You sit with Lady Prya at a nearby table. You don't talk about your new life and she doesn't ask, but the conversation is easy and comfortable and you feel a rush of gratitude that your paths have crossed again.

Once Balgo has left to mingle with other guests, you give Prya an apologetic smile and cross over to the bar where you drape yourself around Andor's shoulders. You lean in to kiss him on the cheek. To anyone else, these merely look to be the actions of a young couple.

In reality, you are providing cover as Andor works quickly with Balgo's empty glass. Earlier, he'd lined the outside of the receptacle with a special gel that picks up biometric data. Once settled on a surface, it is almost imperceptible to the touch.

Andor attaches, then tears away the transfer strip from the glass and quickly places it down on the data pad's receiver. A rather sad and weary boop from the device confirms that it hasn't picked up Balgo's fingerprints.

"Kriff," Andor curses quietly in frustration, a muscle working in his jaw.

"Give it to me."

"What?"

"Give it," you hiss.

Uncertainly, Andor passes the various components of the device to you. You snatch them from his hand, shoving the bits and bobs into your pockets and stride away before he can stop you. The satin of your dress swishes a melody to the click of your heels. You hear Andor swear under his breath.

As you walk, your eyes scan the room, searching for your target. There. A flash of golden hair at the other side of the room. You stalk Balgo through the crowd, waiting for the right moment.

You make your approach, taking out a small mirror from your pocket and quickly squeezing a blob of the clear transfer gel onto your finger before making a performance of patting the strange substance on your mouth like lipstick. You snap the mirror closed and move in for the kill.

"Oh Mr Balgo, I am so sorry!" you exclaim, feigning embarrassment as you collide with his shoulder, jolting him arm so that he spills red wine all down the front of his pristine, white suit jacket.

"Please, Mrs Pax, it's no matter, really," he says as he stays your pawing hands and swoops down to greet you with a peck you on the cheek.

"I really am sorry, Dreylan, I will pay for the damage."

"Nonsense," he scoffs amicably, his chest visibly puffing out as you address him familiarly by his first name, "Now, where has your husband of yours got to? The fool surely hasn't let you out of his sight in that dress?"

Balgo is right, it is a nice dress. Your favourite so far in fact. It is tailored in beautiful crimson satin with a full skirt, off the shoulder sleeves, and a plunging neckline.

"Oh, he's around somewhere, I'm sure."

You lean in and whisper in his ear.

"But he's not here."

He smirks back at you and you see his icy blue eyes light up.

"Shall we get some air on the balcony?" He suggests.

Well, what an unexpected turn of events, you think sarcastically as you accept the proposal with an external show of flirtatious grace.

Out on the ballroom's grandiose veranda with Balgo, you look across Cantonica's seemingly endless, dark waters. The sea breeze is cold, and the businessman drapes his jacket round your shoulders. You laugh at the right times, interject an asinine comment here and there as Balgo talks about business, and allow him to explain things to you that you already know without complaint.

When the timing feels apt, and the balcony is otherwise deserted, you reach up and plant a kiss on his lips. He returns it, placing his hands on your hips. Balgo is attractive enough, there's no doubt about that, and the kiss is far from unpleasant... but it's only a means to an end. There's no passion to it, and you can't help but compare it against the ardent fervour of Andor's embrace. The heat of it.

As you pull back from Balgo with a suitably flushed smile, the gossamer curtains behind him shift in the breeze and over his shoulder you catch a glimpse of Andor across the cavernous ballroom.

He's so far away, but you see him clear as day. His eyes are searing holes in Balgo's back before meeting yours with a look of disdain. He downs his drink and slams the glass on the bar's marble counter-top, stalking off towards the elevator.

You suddenly feel a pang of irrational guilt which makes you furious with him. You're doing your job. The one he failed to do.

Balgo's self-satisfied look of victory does nothing for your vexed and flustered disposition. He offers to go and source a drink for you both. Keeping your composure - you are a spy after all - you smile sweetly at him and agree.

When he is gone, you make sure no one else is around before you take out the transfer paper from your pocket and subtly dab it on your lips. Surreptitiously, you whip the data pad out of your other pocket - thank the stars you'd insisted on dresses with pockets - and press the paper against the reader.

You wait, visualising what the signal might look like if it was something tangible and visible. A little bolt of lightning, perhaps, arcing to the closest service hatch, climbing its way up wires and cables, escaping out into the cold night and up into orbit and the decrepit Republic satellite.

Finally, the device gives you a cheerful bleep and lights up green.

Success.

You'd like to see Balgo's smug face fall when he returns to find you've disappeared, but you don't want this to go any further than necessary. You've got what you need and your sudden absence can easily be explained away as a young wife's crisis of conscience. You leave his jacket on a nearby chair and make your way up to your suite.

*****************************************

When you get back to the room, you can practically feel the heat radiating off Andor as he rips his shirt over his head dramatically in the process of undressing for bed.

Trying to ignore his silent seething, you turn away from him and lift your hair away from the nape of your neck. He automatically moves behind you to help you unzip your dress and, despite his clear agitation, his hands are gentle. The red gown drops to the floor, leaving you standing in your flimsy under-slip.

You turn back to look at Andor, taking in the familiar outline of his body. He's not a huge man, but the muscles are strong and taut in his torso, back and arms. Littered here and there are scars, testament to a hard life lived dangerously. The moonlight streaming through the bedroom window gives his tan skin an ethereal glow and illuminates the sharp, handsome features of his face.

It's not that you don't find each other attractive. You both know that there's always been some unspoken tension between you. But the tempestuousness of your personal and working relationship has always prevented you from falling into anything that might be a mistake.

You are suddenly keenly aware of the obviousness your own form as your underdress clings to the curves and planes of your body. You can sense Andor's eyes roaming across it in a way you're sure they never have before.

You think - maybe - something changed with that kiss you shared this afternoon. An embrace which began as a charade and ended as something else.

"That was a stupid, reckless, dangerous thing to do!" he finally explodes, interrupting your reverie and bringing you back down to reality with a thud.

"It was a calculated risk," you retort, furious with him and internally embarrassed by your silly romantic notions.

"And," you stretch across to the nearby dresser to pick up the data pad where Balgo's biometric data is safely stored to brandish it under Andor's nose, "And it worked."

"In case you'd forgotten, Balgo thinks you're here with your husband..."

"That's why it worked!" You exclaim, "By the Force, men know so little about their own species..."

"You could have blown our cover, the whole operation!"

That riles you. Why can't he just congratulate you on a job well done? You've just saved this damn operation. You have what you need now. All you need to do is transmit the data and you can both get out of here.

"I know what this is," you say, your voice rising in chorus with your anger.

"Oh please, please enlighten me."

"You're jealous."

There's a heavy silence.

"Jealous?!" Andor scoffs finally, but the strength of his conviction has faded from his voice, "Of what?"

"You can't stand that I kissed him."

Andor steps towards you, brows furrowed, eyes alight with something that's not quite anger.

"He's welcome to you," he seethes, "The last thing I need is some highly strung rich girl playing at being a spy."

The words sting, especially after you opened up to him about your parents the other night. Even as the vague idea of restraint flashes through your mind, impulsion compels you to raise a hand to strike him across the face.

He catches you by the wrist as you lash out, pulling you even closer to him so that his sharp nose is almost touching yours.

"And so what if I am?" He continues and the change in direction is so unexpected that you are rendered speechless.

His tone is low and dangerous and his deep, brown eyes are wild, roaming your face desperately for an answer that never comes.

"What if I am jealous? What if I don't want his filthy, Imperial hands all over you? So what?"

Andor's face suddenly softens, his eyebrows knitting together in an expression of genuine turmoil. It's a display of vulnerability you've never seen from him before. His grip on your wrist loosens slightly but he doesn't let go.

When he speaks again, his voice is barely a whisper.

"What difference does it make to you? Ever since Carida... You despise me."

It's not true, you suddenly realise. It's never been true. Not really.

You want to tell him you've never blamed him for what happened on Carida. The actions of the mole? Not his fault. The failure of that sorry excuse for a ship? Not him either. Somewhere along the way, your perception of him became warped and refracted through the prism of your own feelings of guilt.

You know he saved your life that day. He must have gone through hell in the aftermath too, dragged up in front of various different elements of High Command to explain why only two of his six operatives made it back alive over and over and over again.

More than this, you want to explain that while you were kissing Balgo tonight, you were thinking only of him. You want to say how when you took a shower earlier and caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror you'd seen the faint, red imprints of his fingertips still lingering like little tattoos on your skin and that you hope they never fade.

But you're just so angry with him for always having to be such a stubborn, patronising, hard-nosed bastard. So you say none of these things.

You know how much it must have taken for him to admit feelings for you, no matter how clumsy and ill-timed the execution. This man who always holds his cards so close to his chest has shown you his hand. He's given you ammunition and all you can think of in this moment is shooting him down with it.

"That's right," you say, leaning in close and whispering spitefully into his ear, "I despise you Cassian Andor."

You regret it immediately. Andor drops your wrist as if he's been burned. As he steps away from you, he looks completely lost. His eyes are cast down at the floor, full of humiliation and hurt. By the time they return to your face, they have darkened like storm clouds.

"Then, I'm glad we understand each other."

You open your mouth to say something, to take back your words and undo the damage you've wrought with your temper. Nothing comes out.

As Andor turns away, you reach out for him, try to catch him by the elbow. He shrugs you off angrily and storms out of the room.

He doesn't come back until late. You pretend to be asleep as he quietly slips into the bed beside you.

********************************************

When dusk falls the next evening, and with Balgo's biometric stored safely on the data pad in your pocket, you and Andor set out for Cantonica's main transmitter.

You want to use the journey time to explain yourself, to apologise to him and admit your own feelings. But you are so ashamed of your careless words the night before that you don't even know how to begin.

Continuing the trend of the day, you walk the ten kilometers together in almost complete silence, trudging in single file along the rocky coastline.

Even so, being out in nature and away from the city feels almost healing to you. Most tourists only see the rugged countryside of Cantonica from the confines of a shuttle. It has a wild, mountainous, windswept type of beauty that you find exhilarating. After days stuck inside the gilded cage of Canto Bight, it is wonderful to be out in the elements, even if it is rather cold and damp.

Night has decsended by the time you reach the transmitter. It is set precariously on the cliff edge, so close to the tumultuous waters below, it seems like a freak wave could wash it away at any moment.

It looks even more imposing than you remember. A huge durasteel spike with a narrow, fragile looking caged ladder stretching up into the sky leading to a high metal gangway which looks just as ancient.

You go first, and as you climb higher, your hands and feet start to feel fuzzy and your breathing becomes rapid, escaping through your lips in short, sharp pants. You've never been good with heights.

The icy wind starts to whip unpleasantly around you and you grip the ladder fiercely with each laboured step. The damp air has made the metal slick and you gasp as your boot slips on one of the rungs.

You catch yourself before you fall, but even so, you are relieved when Andor comes up behind you and positions himself so that his solid chest presses reassuringly against your back as you take a moment to steady yourself.

"Take your time," he says and his tone is gentle, "You're ok."

You nod and exhale deeply. Steeling yourself, you continue your ascent. You can do this.

You finally reach the top of the ladder and crawl up onto the round platform which encircles the pylon of the transmitter to provide access to where the mechanics of the structure are stored.

You think for a moment that this experience is going to be marginally better than the climb up the rickety ladder. That foolish hope is soon proven mistaken. The durasteel grating beneath your feet feels precarious. There are rusted gaps in the metal here and there and your stomach flips every time you look down. The wind is stronger up here, wild and blustery, and you feel horrendously vulnerable. You just want to get the job done and get down from this death trap as soon as possible.

Andor helps you lift the heavy panel off the front of the control box. You sigh with relief. It's a standard set up, one you've seen hundreds of times before and it's easy to bypass. You set to work infiltrating the system and once you're done, you wait in suspense as the data pad blinks text at you.

TRANSMITTING, TRANSMITTING, TRANSMITTING....

TRANSMISSION SENT.

"It's gone!"

Instinctively, you turn to flash a smile of triumph towards Andor, and you are relieved when one corner of his mouth twitches upwards ever so slightly in return. You wonder if, on the way back to the city, you might find the courage to try and make amends for your rough words the previous night.

Your hopeful thoughts are rudely interrupted when, without warning, the gangway you are standing on shifts violently under your feet. The whole structure lets out an ominous and eerie metallic groan and you realise with dread that the platform is tearing itself away from the pylon.

You have no doubt that you and Andor are the first people up here in years, and that your presence has disturbed the structure from its hibernation and reminded it of its decrepit, fragile state.

You grab at one of the rungs affixed to the main pylon intended for servicing the internal mechanisms, but Andor is too far away to reach. As the walkway peels away, he falls with it. The huge hunk of metal stops suddenly at a right angle to the structure, and the now horizontal guard railings catch Andor as he slams into them with a sickening clang.

There's a brief moment of relief when you think the worst is over, but then the structure jerks violently again as another metal bolt fails, and it tilts just enough to send Andor somersaulting over the top of the railing.

Desperately, he scrambles for something to purchase, and he manages to grasp at the guard rail with the fingertips of one hand as he rolls over it, leaving him dangling helplessly over the roaring water below.

Closing your eyes, you let yourself drop down towards him and your body hits the metal railings agonisingly hard. You ignore the pain and, praying that the railings will hold you, you scrabble to grab at Andor, your hands clutching at a handful of material at the front of his shirt just as his own grip fails.

Unexpectedly finding himself suspended in the air, Andor looks up at you in abject surprise. He assesses the situation and his eyes lock on to yours in alarm as he understands what you've done.

Your shoulders feel like they are slowly pulling themselves out of their sockets and your fingers, numb and white, are twisted up painfully in the material of Andor's shirt. You can't breathe properly, the air in your lungs being crushed out of you as you are pressed into the railings by the pull of Andor's bodyweight below you.

You are terrified that at any moment the guardrail will collapse and you'll both plummet together into the angry sea which seems to wait with open maw like a predator beneath you. But you don't know what else to do, and you refuse to let him fall, so you cling on to him in utter desperation.

"Let go!" Andor shouts up at you, and you can tell it's an order.

"No!" You yell back.

Suddenly, the front of his shirt rips and he drops away so that he is now hanging, almost literally, by a thread. The abrupt and unexpected motion causes you to lose balance and you have to let go of him with one hand to steady yourself on the railings and stop yourself from almost flipping over them to join him.

Andor's eyes are wild and fraught now, flicking between the failing structure and your overwrought face.

"Damn you," he growls with renewed urgency, "let go!"

Your whole body is screaming at you to do as he says, but you won't. Tears sting your eyes, whether from pain or fear, you're not sure. You clench your jaw and shake your head at him.

Andor snarls with effort as he reaches behind him and into his back pocket, pulling out his flip knife. He wrenches it open with his teeth.

"Don't you dare, you stupid bastard!" you scream down at him as you realise with what he intends to do.

He looks at you for one final moment and the world seems to stop. His expression is completely open and readable to you, perhaps for the very first time. His dark eyes glint with a fear that you suddenly realise is as much for you as it is for himself.

Then, he sets his face into a mask of grim determination and with one swift motion, he severs the flimsy cord of fabric tying you together and cuts himself loose.

"Cassian!" The vague outline of his name is torn ragged from your throat in an incomprehensible shriek of despair.

Helpless, you watch as he falls, limbs flailing, down, down, down, until he hits the water below with a sickening crash and disappears into the black, unforgiving waves.

*********************************************

Unbeknownst to you, the Rebel Alliance have successfully received Dreylan Balgo's biometric signature and K-2SO is already on his way to extract you and Cassian from Canto Bight.

By his calculations, K-2 should reach Cantonica in twelve hours, twenty-nine minutes and seven seconds. Plenty of time to mull over the conversation he'd had with Murdo the flight technician before he'd left the hanger.

"Maybe this time, eh K-2?" Murdo had quipped as he unhooked the re-fuelling nozzle from Cassian's ship.

"Maybe this time, what?"

"Maybe this time they'll finally have admitted their feelings for each other."

"That is a ridiculous observation," K-2 had said confidently, "They dislike each other immensely."

Murdo had laughed and made a comment about the droid having a lot to learn about human relationships which K-2 had thought was quite rude.

But as he barrels through the hyperspace lanes in Cassian's ship towards the Outer Rim and Cantonica, K-2 has time to mull things over.

He thinks about how on missions when the unit has to set up camp on some remote world, Cassian always leaves your meat rations on the fire just a little longer than everyone else's because he knows you like them so crispy that they're almost burnt.

Then he thinks about how whenever he and Cassian return from a mission you're not assigned to, yours is always the first face the droid spots in the hanger when they arrive back, and that once your eyes land on Cassian, you always walk away without a word, seemingly satisfied.

Now that K-2 really uses his circuits to process it, Murdo's conclusion doesn't seem quite so ridiculous after all.

"Humans," the droid muses to himself with an exasperated shake of his mechanical head.

**********************************************

Somehow, you manage to descend the transmitter, climbing and clambering down the structure in a daze. You don't bother even trying to mask your shouts of distress and frustration as your feet and hands slip on the blasted, kriffing, cursed metal all the way down.

You stagger the ten kilometers back to Canto Bight in something resembling a fugue state. When you reach the resort, you sneak through the back entry port you and Andor left through and wind your way through the maze of service passages and elevators back to your suite.

You are as bedraggled looking as you are distraught and you are glad that the corridors are as deserted as they were when you departed. You don't feel you could negotiate your way out of anything right now, despite all your training.

Once you've climbed out of your damp and dirty clothes you fall into bed. Andor's absence beside you is a stark, raw reminder of what's just happened and you finally allow yourself to cry. Somehow, at some point, as you wallow in your anguish, fatigue takes over and you fall into a torrid sleep.

When you awake, it's still dark and you have the distinct impression that you're being watched. There's someone else in the room with you. You bolt upright and almost cry out as your eyes take in the silhouette of a person in the moonlight.

The ghost of Cassian Andor is standing at the foot of the bed.

Except he's not a spectre, you realise. His outline, though swaying, is solid. He's flesh and blood. He's alive.

Once you've recover from the initial shock, you don't think you've ever felt relief like it in your whole life. You leap up out of the bed and fly to him, just as he starts to crumple to the floor. You grab for him, but too weak to moderate his own movements, he drops like a stone and his momentum pulls you crashing down on top of him.

He's all sand and salt and seawater and he is shivering violently. His eyes are heavy, like he's struggling to keep them open. You touch his face and his skin ice cold. His clothes are wet through and you're suddenly struck by the urgency of the situation. You need to get him warm. Now.

With great effort, you manage to half drag, half shove Andor towards the shower room. He's so exhausted and disoriented that even this appears to be an insurmountable task for him.

When you finally get him there, you bundle him into the shower, fully clothed. He slumps against the wall as you turn the warm water on. You start peeling off the sodden, freezing layers of his clothing.

He hisses through his teeth as you remove what remains of his shredded shirt and you see that the skin on his torso and back is blossoming here and there in vibrant shades of black and blue. You're not surprised, a fall from that height, these are probably bruises from hitting the water hard. You try to be more gentle.

Once he's free of all his clothing, you slide down behind him so that you are against the wall, and he's sat between your legs with his back pressed against your torso. You guide him to bring his knees up to his chest and he wraps his arms around himself pliantly, curling into a tight ball. He's still shaking uncontrollably.

You ignore your own discomfort as the warm water plasters your nightdress to your body like a second skin.

Trying desperately to aid the shower in its work of returning some of his body heat to him, you rub his back, his arms, and his chest vigorously. Every so often he rests his head on the bridge he's created with his forearms across his knees and you have to coax him gently to sit up.

"Stay awake," you plead, "You need to stay awake for me."

Finally, his shivering subsides and you sit in exhausted silence as the warm water continues to pour over both of you. Your chin is resting on his shoulder.

"Cassian," you finally say into his ear, tucking a stray lock behind it as if that will allow him to heed your words better.

He leans back into you, tilting his head up towards your face, to show he is listening.

"I don't....I don't despise you, I don't..." you trail off, silent tears suddenly mingling with the spray from the shower as they start to fall from your eyes.

Slowly, Cassian turns to you. He rolls on to his knees, and sits upright on his heels. You mirror his movements so that you are face to face and your foreheads come to rest against each other's.

"I know," he whispers, bringing a hand to your cheek, his expression soft and full of tenderness, "I know that."

He trails a series of soft kisses down your face, touching his lips to your forehead, then to the tip of your nose, and finally down until they reach your own. You melt into him.

This kiss is not like the first you shared, hasty and hurried and fuelled by external forces. This is deep and languid and deliberate, as if you are the only two in existence and you have all the time in the Galaxy to spend in this moment.

One of Andor's hands tangles up in your wet hair, the other presses against the small of your back as if willing you closer to him. You can feel his urgency increasing now. His movements are definite and purposeful as he caresses and kisses your skin.

Selfishly, you want him to continue, need him to never stop. But you also know this might not be the wisest way for him to recover.

"Cassian..."

"You told me I need to stay awake," he argues as if he already knows what you're about to say, now tracing kisses along your collarbone, "I'm awake."

"This isn't exactly what I had in mind..." you protest weakly, but the breathy desire in your own voice betrays you.

"Liar," he mumbles as he nuzzles into your neck and you feel him grin against your skin.

The movement of his lips makes his short beard tickle your flesh and the feeling forces a raucous laugh from your chest. It's a loud, unrestrained, joyful sound.

Cassian pulls away to look at you, wearing an expression of wonder. You realise he's probably never heard you laugh like that before. In fact, you can't remember the last time you heard it yourself.

His eyes crease at the corners and dimples appear in his cheeks as he smiles widely at you. That smile, the one you realise you've adored all along. And this one is only for you.

"You're infuriating," you scold, but your voice is light and full of heady exhilaration.

You wrap yourself around him and kiss him hard, realising, finally, that it is impossible to deny yourself the joy of him any longer.

**********************************************

You and Andor step off the landing platform of the resort and up into his ship. K-2 wastes no time in piloting the vessel up and away from the city.

Compared to the sumptuous surroundings of Canto Bight, the interior of the ship looks admittedly a little dreary by comparison, but you won't miss life within those opulent walls. Not when you now know just how many of its inhabitants are within the insidious clutches of the Empire.

"Well, I hope you two behaved yourselves," K-2 greets you as you both enter the cockpit.

You and Cassian exchange a glance. He winks at you and you actually giggle, the internal glow of happiness you feel manifesting itself in an embarrassing little laugh.

"I'm taking that as a no," K-2 says, "Murdo will be pleased."

"Who the hell is Murdo?" Cassian asks and he drops into the pilot's chair beside his faithful droid.

[ieatfanficforbrunch]

Reignited Flame-Steddie

TW: Violence, brief mention of Homophobia, swearing

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Eddie fell hard, he knew that. He watched as the man he loved went after the girls at his school, getting whoever he pleased. Eddie knew, deep down, that these girls were just flings. Steve Harrington had girlfriends, but they were never serious, never permanent. He thought that maybe he still had a chance.

Steve had just gotten out of a relationship, immediately he was shrugging it off, laughing happily with his friends.

Eddie knew he was being naïve but how could he care when he was so damn excited? He wore his uncle’s old leather jacket for confidence, put on his jeans with the least holes, and even straightened his shoulder-length curls, all in the hope of Steve, King Steve, finally taking an interest.

He asked his uncle for help, all the questions he could think of. “What’d you like most when someone approached you?” “Did you ever get uncomfortable by things they did?” “What did you avoid?” “What should I be prepared for?"

Wayne truly loved the kid but sometimes he just needed to calm down. He explained that Eddie didn’t need advice, because if this guy was worth it, he could be himself.

With this advice, Eddie practiced guitar to cool off and left for school.

His uncle’s jacket made him feel invincible. He was prepared to finally, finally, talk to Steve.

He walked through the doors, putting on his best smile, optimistic and prepared for anything, except when he rounded that corner where he knew Steve would be, he froze.

There leaning against the wall was Steve with Nancy Wheeler on his arm.

He could feel his body go ridged, his heart breaking in his chest because this time Steve was looking at her like she was the only person in the entire world.

Eddie left school.

Sure, his dad was an asshole, and his mom was dead, but he thought that there was still good in the world. He thought that he had a chance at happiness.

The year passed in a blur, pot and booze his only comfort. He kept the jacket, eventually getting an awesome denim vest. He grew his hair, embraced his curls, and finally gave up on hiding his interests.

Steve and Nancy broke up and for a second, he thought that maybe, maybe, that little hope of love was flickering alive, he quickly decided to stomp out that flame.

Eddie almost felt bad for the fallen king of Hawkins High, after the new king (some dude named Billy) came into the role. Steve seemed lost, lonely even, but Eddie was not going to let “King Steve” hurt him again.

Billy had a thing against freaks, everyone knew he didn’t like different. Eddie basically had a target on his back.

The hit came unexpectedly, A mix between metal and flesh. A man and a locker. He puts his hands up to guard his face as best as he can but it’s really no use. The slurs hit his face and hands dig through his pockets.

He felt disgusting, refusing to cry, but he felt his breaking point approaching quickly as Billy brought his fist up.

Eddie shut his eyes, prepared to accept his fate, but suddenly the weight of the man was off him and he was being pulled away.

He opened his eyes to see Steve, his Steve, dragging him out of the building as fast as he could.

Steve practically threw him into the passenger seat of his BMW as he ran to the other side.

Eddie was in shock as they sped away.

“You ok? He didn’t hit you, did he?” Steve asks.

Eddie shakes his head.

“No, No I’m ok. Thanks for…for saving my ass back there,” he replies.

Steve nods.

“Well, if there’s one thing, I hate more than anything, it’s Billy. He’s…He is a prick so just stay away from him, alright?” Steve says.

“Alright, yeah. Thanks again.” Eddie says quickly.

They rode in silence for a while, Steve taking the long way back to the school just in case.

“You run the D&D group, Hellfire? It’s Eddie, right?” Steve asks.

Eddie smiles and nods, “That’s me!”

Steve smiles, “I got this middle schooler who’s a friend of mine, if you happen to still be there next year you should talk to him, the kid loves that stuff!”

Eddie chuckles, “I might just take you up on that Mr. King.”

Steve shakes his head, “Don’t call me that, I’m not that guy anymore.”

Eddie nods.

They drive for hours; Eddie can feel that familiar flame of an old crush burning in his chest. He’s surprised that Steve hadn’t dropped him off sooner, but as Eddie drives himself home in his rickety old van, his cheeks heat up at the thought of Steve Harrington.

[lonleydweller]

Yandere Red Harlow hcs?

🥀Yandere Red Harlow hcs🥀

RAHH TY!! I had a lotta thoughts for this

@helpfandom @adalwolfgang

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!Warnings!: Yandere trope, obsession, stalking, overprotective behavior, smothering behavior, intimidation, manipulative behavior, breif mentions of violence, brief mentions of murder, mentioned possibility of kidnapping

Yanderes are OK to enjoy in fiction. They should stay fiction. They are not examples of healthy relationships. These behaviors are NOT okay in real life. They are horrid. This is for entertainment purposes

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● Red harlow. A legend of the wild west in the red dead universe, a myth, even being told to characters like John and Arthur. His universe that red dead revolver takes place in is a seprate one from the main Red Dead franchise. He's also different himself, he's not an outlaw. He's a bounty hunter. He hunts people like Arthur and John.

● My point is, compared to the other two, he has much more rigid morals. He kills criminals, crooks, and scumbags. He's shot down a whole gang of men after they killed his dog. He spent his life hunting down the governor that got his parents killed. He hunts down outlaws for the sherrif. Even when offered whiskey, women, and money to spare one of them.. he simply shoots them point blank. Never once a civilian though.

● So.. how would Red handle an obsession? An unhealthy want for someone. He's never talked much to others before, only when he needed information. Maybe that's how he meets you. You had some information on someone he was tracking down. Perhaps you're a rookie officer, a town bartender, a farmer?

● He feels oddly drawn to you. You make him feel all warm. He enjoys your company. Not that he didn't like others. He was just indifferent to them. You stood out, wether he realizes it or not, he slowly starts to seek you out. At first rationalizing it as just needing info. You've helped him before, you can help him again can't you?

● The conversations unknownst to both of you are just thinly veiled excuses to talk to you. Eventually derailing from any sort of bounty hunting. You most likely don't mind of course. Sure he might seem a little intimidating, being a well known bounty hunter, but he seems harmless otherwise.

● He comes off as a bit akward at first, being the reserved quiet man he is. Asking how you're doing, how's the weather, how's the job, hoping you'll just carry on the conversation eventually. Small talk. Gradually it changes, how long you lived here, any of your folks still around, you got a partner, friends, pets, kids? Practically prying for more and more personal information as it goes on.

● It's not enough however. He finds himself yearning to be in your company. You don't even need to talk. He starts to follow you around town, before shaking himself out of it and going back on his way. He can't help but stare. He can't help but think and think about you. He can't help but frown at himself.

● it's strange. It's excessive. He shouldn't be following you like this should he? You're an adult. You can handle yourself. Not to mention the jealously that simmered when you were all buddy with other people, he had to stop himself from going up and placing himself into whatever conversation you were having. Why did he feel so sour about you having other relations? You didn't owe him your time.

● He struggles. He knows the behavior isn't healthy, but it spreads like a tumor. It starts to warp. The self awareness fades. He becomes worried. Worried what could happen if he left you alone.

●If crooks had seen you talking with him, what if they tried to hurt you? It couldn't hurt to keep any eye out on you would it? You'll never know. What about your co-worker who treated you a bit rough? What if he goes further? Surely Red should remind them what will happen if they do. What about your friend who's seen with some shady folks? What if they drag you in? It'd be best if he scared them off.

● He convices himself to see bad intentions where there isn't from the townsfolk around you. He does the same to convince you too. Nothing too intense, just a little heads up, a warning, he wouldn't lie would he? He's a man meant to protect innocent people like you. He's looking out for all of you.

● He'd never go as far as to kill someone he's jealous of, unless they really are a criminal. Then they're another bounty checked off. He just gives some stern threats and warnings. Keep their distance. Treat you right.

● After awhile you feel as if you can't breathe around him. He's never hurt you, he'll, never even raised his voice, but his insistence on protecting you is smothering. Almost no one seems trustworthy. He checks in you so many times a day it blurs together. You can hardly get off your property without him appearing out of nowhere to be in your company. In fact most of time he leads you in circles, right back to your home by the time it's night.

● He isolates you, wether he knows if or not. In his mind it's all just precautions. Better safe than sorry. His mother and father were killed when he was a boy, and he was gone only for a bit. His cousin was killed fighting by his side. He won't loose another loved one if he can help it. It's best if you stay in his sights.

● He won't force any affection or romantic relationship onto you. No matter how much he may crave it. He's able to accept, even if painfully so, that you don't love him back. Only occasionally suggesting it once in a blue moon. Yet he won't stop. You still mean so much to him. Your safety means so much to him. Wether you're dating or not.

● The sherrif won't help much either. I mean you're reporting their bounty hunter who's practically doing their job for them. He sends you on your way, dismissing it, Red means well, it's nothing to worry about. If the sherrif dosen't corrall you home, Red will.

●If some how, some way, someone decides to try to separate you from him by force, prepare for bodies to drop. He's taken down whole gangs by himself, he's able to easily climb onto roofs, dodge roll, bounce back up from being flung into the air, he's the first to have dead eye. Some "rouge" lawmen won't make a dent.

● I don't really see him kidnapping you like the others would, tying you up and taking you to who knows where to be kept. However it's not impossible, he'd just need to be pushed to absolute extremes. To be convinced the outside world and you are a danger to yourself.

● He tries his absolute best to not even cause a single bruise. Trying to calm you, of course you don't calm, and he can't even blame you. He hates having to to do it, he hates you looking at him with such fear, he hates having away the last bit of your autonomy. Yet the image of you dead in his mind gives him that shove to keep going.

● He talks to you and himself as he rides off with you. This is for your own good. This is life or death. Commiting one of the very crimes he'd hunt someone down for. He isn't like them though, he isn't a bad man, he isn't a crook, he isn't like them at all, right?. Yet he is, no matter how hard he tells himself the opposite. What would his ma and pa think if they could see their son now?

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[rozaceous]

mariko, violence, and the meta of violence in fanfiction

ok so it’s apparently not enough that i write the most indulgent kind of fic, but now i’m writing an essay about my fic. this got so long, abt 2k total. if i said sorry, it’d be insincere, but at least no one is making you read it?

i want to piggy-back off the post i made earlier this week where i was talking about how mariko was not well-adjusted, and was, in fact, doing extremely poorly. what this post turns into, however, is an analysis not only of mariko’s relationship to violence and her subsequent trauma, but a meta-analysis of how violence is treated in canon more broadly, and how that ends up translating into fic. because, and i mean this in a way that is distinctly not about tooting my own horn, i’m approaching violence with a different lens than what i've found in a majority of fic, but also in a way that is unique to SI fic.

‘to continue being alive is also an art’ starts in medias res ch 1 with mariko haring off to the confrontation at the bridge in wave. we find out later, she’s fresh from just having killed people for the first time. kakashi and mariko have their little chat abt it in ch 2, but it’s treated as done and resolved afterwards. it was self-defense, she was protecting others, she was justified and shouldn’t lose sleep over it.

mariko also kills during the chuunin exams itself (members of the sound team) and during the finals (she on-screen beheads a foreign ninja). there’s a sort-of killing w the itachi puppet in ch 15, and a mention of sasori, but otherwise we don’t get any particular details of her killing people until the events of ch 17, where she kills danzo and the rest of the elder council, as well as whoever was caught in the bombings. (i’m going to word-of-god this for everyone right now and tell you that there were people caught in the bombings, just like i will confirm that she’s killed other people in the interim of the time skip.)

from a writing-level, i approached violence in a very specific way. most of the violence is off-screen and mentioned as a retrospective; what occurs on-screen i tried to keep brief and matter-of-fact. graphic, maybe, but not gory. i also try not to play violence as something that’s done for laughs, like how sakura will beat naruto up in canon when he annoys her. (we’ll come back to this.) and a lot of this has to do with how mariko herself deals with violence.

i mentioned in that previous post, that mariko grows up in a militaristic culture where violence is a norm and acceptable, as someone who is not actually a kid who can be acculturated into that thinking in the same way. mariko comes from a culture and personal history where interpersonal violence is abhorrent. she tries to duck out of canon events and any requirement of violence on her own part by being a medic, but the team assignments (the narrative/me, if we’re wanting to get meta abt it lol) prevent her from achieving this relatively more peaceful role.

when mariko gets assigned to team seven, she has to get real comfortable with violence real fast. she’s already befriended naruto (and hahahaha you may remember that she does so by punching a guy 🙂) and she cares about kakashi and sasuke. she’s come to the realization that this is her lot, these are her people, they are her responsibility. as she notes in ch 2, she’s not good enough to solve her problems without killing. this is also to say, she’s not good enough to problem-solve without violence. it’s beyond her capacity and skill when the stakes are as high as they are. let’s also consider that caring about everyone is a luxury that mariko cannot afford, widespread mercy is potentially a death sentence, and so she narrows that care down to a handful of people. and so if she’s taking the well-being of her teammates as her ultimate good, she will absolutely let the ends justify the means.

added onto any personal sentiment is that, as far as mariko knows, if anyone on team seven dies, the entire world is fucked.

mariko one hundred percent and sincerely believes that violence is wrong. even when it’s justified, self-defense, etc., mariko views it as ugly. there may be situations where she assigns herself less blame, but she is always blaming herself for being too weak to find another way, because her (somewhat unrealistic) view is that violence is the sign that you’ve run out of other options to get your way.

however, with the stakes being as they are, and with the world she’s in treating violence as a form of currency, mariko sees violence as a necessity.

so we can see the dissonance, right? she has to use violence to protect not only herself, but the people she loves, and the entire world. and mariko’s fundamental optimism is that people are worth helping and that the world is worth saving, because if she doesn’t believe in that with her whole heart, she’d literally just curl up and die. she wants to be kind and to help and nurture and build, but her most effective tools—once again, she views using violence as a failure—are the ones she hates the most. but she has to use them. more, she has to be very, very good with them.

this isn’t a small-level dissonance, it’s a diametric opposition. so in terms of narration, mariko can’t think too much about the violence she’s enacted because it would destroy her. she knows this about herself. she hates it. but it’s necessary. and so she doesn’t think about it. and if she does think about it, she’s very clinical and writes it off as unfortunate and necessary and—well, it’s done, no use crying over it now. she’s disassociated herself from it. and i wanted that perspective reflected in the way i wrote about violence.

the other aspect of how i wanted to handle violence is from how i approach the canon. we’ve all read the fics where konoha is a grimdark dictatorship, with death and torture around every corner. and, uh, it is? it’s a fascist war machine, plainly. it’s child soldiers and state-sanctioned assassination baked into the world economy? there’re multiple instances of genocide? it’s a fucking nightmare.

i, personally, am not able to brush aside those things. i like the meta and the reading-into-things and the what-if’s that happen when you don’t take things at face value. so for me, the writer, i can’t glorify violence. there’s a reason i wrote mariko walking through the uchiha compound in the way that i did. so i’m not going to write like killing a thousand people in one go is anything but horrifying (staring at you, minato), even if i’m not interested in directly interrogating every particular instance of violence within the narrative.

but canon doesn’t approach it from this angle. for canon, this is all the quirky backdrop, and violence and killing are bad, but very few people tend to die in a meaningful sense. violence doesn’t often have lasting consequences. (this is, also, the evolution that Naruto goes through as a series, where it starts off as a critique of the state and then turns into bootlicking, but that’s another meta that plenty of others have written better than i can.) in canon, the ability to do high-damage moves is considered a cool power-up. in fact, your power level is directly correlated with your physical danger level—ie, your ability to do violence.

moreover, casual violence is funny in canon. (we’re back to sakura beating up naruto and it being treated as a joke.) these things are entirely the conceit of reading/watching canon, and it’s what we do with every piece of media. this isn’t a judgment! we are suspending our disbelief and buying into the premise of the story that gets told. and i would hardly have written over 50k of naruto fanfic if i didn’t find it innately compelling and, yes, fun.

so this is where the presentation of violence in fanfiction can get dicey, because not every author is approaching canon with the same spirit that canon itself has. i also want to make the blanket statement that i don’t think any one interpretation is right or wrong, it’s that they’re all interpretations. i’ve read and liked fics of all varieties; i’m not morality policing, i’m trying to place myself and my own fic within a broader phenomenon of how fics present the morality of violence. i don’t personally care what one fic thinks is morally good, nor do i think that a particular presentation necessarily corresponds with what the author thinks in real life, or even that a presentation has to be consistent from fic to fic. these are all lenses/perspectives, and fanfic is inherently about playing with the little details of canon and going, “And?”

so on one end, you’ll have some fics that 100% correspond with the attitude towards violence that canon has and aren’t too interested into getting into the grittier moral quandaries of the canon past what canon presents as good or bad. on the other, you’ll have other fics that will rip the morals of canon to shreds. again, i like both! it always depends what the focus of your story is!

i feel like i’m somewhere in the middle. i feel like a lot of naruto fics commit hard to either of the above scenarios from the start and i...don't (as one commenter pointed out). there's a level of progression I'm trying to portray. and, i have to say, part of the comment that @vermillioncrown left on ch 17 really resonated: “She's sunk as low as them, she's just as fucked up in this second life despite knowing another moral framework and society. And she's mud-wrestling them down at ground level lol.”

mariko ‘knows better’ but isn’t better. she doesn’t feel like she’s a good person. arguably, she isn’t a good person. she has enough of an outsider perspective to see the system for what it is, but she is still inherently within the system. she is absolutely playing the game, and doesn’t have any moral high ground. she kills, she lies, she deceives, she betrays. she harms people. her intentions might be noble, but as tumblr loves to say abt causing others harm: intention isn’t magic. mariko wants better and is trying to achieve it, but she’s in the system and can’t get out of it because we all inherently live in a society, and removing yourself from society isn’t exactly as feasible as our ideals might like.

and because tcba is, mostly, from mariko’s perspective, her understanding of violence colors the narrative. because mariko is an SI/OC, her perspective is one that is ALWAYS going to be a negotiation of ‘canon at face value’ and ‘me personally doing an analysis.’ and i think that’s really cool and interesting, which is why i’m doing it!

but—and this is not me throwing shade or getting mad or singling anyone out—this is also a take that is a little counter to broader fandom habit that aligns with ‘omg she was so badass when she killed that guy!’ or ‘yes! fuck it up!’

reiterating that i’m not trying to scold or slight anyone, bc this is the ‘canon at face value’ take, where we are supposed to see these things as badass and praise-worthy, and often these are climactic scenes where mariko is ostensibly cast as the righteous victor! and if people don’t see what i’m trying to do as different to that take, that’s also on me as the writer, especially bc, as i already said, this is a story that is trying to negotiate those different perspectives on violence. but i also want to point out that there’s more than just ‘violence as badassery’ happening. this is also ‘violence as tragedy.’

and since the meaning and role of violence isn’t a theme that’s going to go anywhere any time soon, i thought it was worth discussing.

[asmutwriter]

Welcome to the Freak Show (Part 1-23)

You, the Queen of Hawkins High, and Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson become the unlikeliest of friends after you play a session of DND together. But, could your friendship lead to something more?

WORD COUNT: 67,674

From beginning / Master List

For the individual parts go to the Master List (above)

WARNINGS: Season 4 spoilers, cheating, swearing, underage drinking, drug use, smoking, name calling, violence (brief), amateur tattooing, negative parents, abusive relationship (implied), SA (brief), mentions of death, mentions of murder, mourning, anxiety, negative body image, blood (cuts them self by accident), blood tasting, unprotected sex, dom Eddie (both soft + hard), sub reader, masochism, praise, biting, hair pulling, over stimulation, multiple orgasms, oral (f + m receiving), making out, fingering, they talk about sexual things, public sex, pet names, degradation, dirty talk, cream pie, cum play, sex under the influence, spitting, masturbating, squirting, face sitting, hickeys, choking, scratching, ownership

DISCLAIMERS

-  This is fiction. Please always talk to your partner before doing anything and make sure they are ok with what you are doing beforehand

THURSDAY

You sit in the canteen. You boyfriend Chris has an arm looped over your shoulder. You fingers intertwined with his. You started dating in 1980. 4 years ago on Sunday. You’ve planned to stay round his on Saturday so that you have the whole of Sunday with him. Jessica comes and sits next to you both. “Have you seen the freaks today?”

“No. Why?”

“They were talking about some weird game. God it’s pathetic. Fully grown men playing a fantasy game” as if on cue ‘the freaks’ walked in. You and your friends watch them as the go and sit on their table. You boyfriend speaks up

“Oh look the freak show is in town” they all look over at your table. One of them standing on his chair, lifting his middle finger up at you all before hopping back down and sitting. You stay quiet as Chris and Jessica laugh. You know lunch has finished when the bell rings. Chris kisses you, deeply before moving away. You smile at him.

“You still ok for me to come round this weekend?”

“Of course. I’m looking forward to it my love. I won’t be in tomorrow, I’ve got more important stuff to be doing but I’ll see you on Saturday” he kisses your forehead before going off to his class. You and Jessica wave at him as you go to your science class. The next few lessons go past quickly. So quickly that the end of the school day creeps up on you as you walk home.

Now you sit with your mum, dad and brother at the dinner table. Just as you all start your food your mum speaks up. “Your father and I have a business thing to attend to this weekend. We will likely be back on Monday or Tuesday. Will you two be ok on your own?” you both nod

“Can I invite the guys round to stay? We will only play DnD and not have any massive party I promise” you parents look at each other. Before you can state your opinion your mum answers

“I don’t see why not. Just make sure the house is tidy for when we get back” he smiles and eats again

“I’m so glad I’m staying with Chris this weekend. I don’t think I’d be able to cope with all the geekiness”

FRIDAY

The next day goes past quickly. You pack your bags for your time with Chris. Going downstairs you see your bother in the living room. “I thought they were coming this weekend?”

“We figured they might as well come round tonight. Then we can play for longer” you nod

“I’ll pack and go to Chris’s tonight then instead of tomorrow. Makes the most sense”

“Are you sure?” you nod and smile at him

“I’ll be fine. He knows I’m going round tomorrow anyway. What is one more night going to effect” he nods and goes back to setting up his game. You bite your lip slightly “I’m sorry about him”

“Who?”

“Chris. He was mean to you and your friends” he shrugs

“Next year I’ll be out of that hell hole where he can’t bother me” he looks at you and smiles “Just don’t be offended when I don’t invite him to the family dinners” you laugh and go over and hug him

“I love you dude”

“I love you too sis” You pull away from the hug and ruffle his hair

“Best big brother I have”

“I’m your only brother” you blow kisses at him as he swears at you. You go to your room and grab your bag for the weekend. You walk out the house, saying goodbye to Michael as you go.

Chris lives about a 30 minute walk from you. It always seems to take you forever to get there but also the time goes by so quickly. You come up to the front gate. Going up to the front door you go to knock when you see two people in the window. You look confused as you go and take a closer look. You hold back a choked sob as you see your boyfriend railing another woman. “Oh shit baby” you hear. Not in your boyfriends voice, but still it sounds so familiar. You cover your mouth as a way to muffle you cry as you see your best friend underneath him. You shake your head. Sadness washing over you. So this is why he said he wanted to meet you tomorrow and not tonight. He was too busy screwing your best friend. You turn and let the tears fall down your cheeks as you angrily walk back home. Using the back of your hand to wipe your tears.

You open the front door to your house, leaning against the frame as you wipe the dried tears from your cheeks. “Liz?” you look in the mirror by the door as your bothers head pokes round the living room door. You smile at him “Liz are you ok? I thought you were going out” you nod and go over to him, not caring who might see you. You hug him tightly. His hand goes up and strokes your hair as you continue to hug him. You then hear a cough. You pull away from your hug and cover your mouth

“Oh shit. Sorry. Fuck I forget you were doing your nerd thing”

“Dungeons and dragons”

“Yeah whatever. Sorry guys”

“Wait I know you...” one of the boys speaks. You look, a guy with dark curly hair and dark eyes watches you. You smile slightly and do a small wave “I’m Elizabeth”

“Michael” the long haired boy queries “Are you friends with our enemy?”

“No. More like related to the enemy” all the boys start kicking up a fuss. You try and hold back a laugh. Covering your mouth as your brother nudges you slightly

“Don’t laugh” he mutters to you

“Yeah... no” he looks hurt and fakes being wounded.

“Can we get back to our game now?” the long haired boy asks. Your brother looks at you and you smile slightly and nod. He goes and sits down.

“Could I... Can I sit and watch?” they all look at each other, then back at you, then each other again. Michael speaks

“I have no complaints” the guys roll their eyes as you sit down. You wipe your eyes again as you feel fresh tears start to spike them. You try not to think about what happened earlier and instead focus on the campaign happening before you. It fascinated you. The vast world these boys had created. The characters and the gameplay. You watched in awe as they all got into character. The long haired boy who you believe to be called Eddie was leading the game. Helping the others to progress the story.

You start to feel tired about 1am, saying goodnight and heading to bed. You hadn’t realised how much being with them had put your mind to rest as you spent most of the time tossing and turning in your bed. You let out an annoyed huff as you wake up. Looking at the watch by your bed it says 4:37am. You could almost cry again.  You figure you might sleep better if you have something to eat and drink so you stand up and go to the kitchen. Grabbing yourself some water and a biscuit you go to walk back upstairs when you walk into someone. “Oh fuck sorry” you hear a chuckle

“Don’t worry about it. My fault for not turning the bathroom light on” if it was any of your brothers other friends you don’t think you’d be able to recognise their voices but because you had just been listening to him speaking for about 6 hours straight you recognised Munson’s voice.

“Come into the kitchen. Let me help dry you a bit” you start to walk, feeling for the light as you hear his soft footsteps follow you. Turning the light on you grab a dry cloth. You hand it to him, seeing the white of his shirt gone slightly see through as he tries his best to dry himself. “It might be better to air your shirt. Here, let me hang it up for you” you hold your hand out. He raises an eyebrow at you. Clearly seeing the innocence behind your eyes he shrugs and takes his shirt off. You take it from him and hang it over the door. “It should be dry by morning” you smile at him as he hands you the cloth. You take that from him too, noticing his arm tattoos. “Oh nice tats dude”

“Thanks. I did them myself”

“Really?” you go over to him, looking at his handy work. You see the one near his collarbone. Smiling you turn to look at him. Noticing you are very close to him at this point you take a small step back, placing the cloth on the side. You turn to face him again. “I am going to show you something. If you tell my brother I will kill you” he nods and chuckles slightly, but his eyes grow wide as you pull the side of your pyjama shorts down. Just below your waist band a small butterfly. “What do you think?”

“It’s good” he walks over to you. Again, sensing the innocence in your actions he comes to inspect it closer.

“Do you really think so?” he nods

“Who did it for you?”

“I did it myself. I got bored one evening so I had a stab at it. No pun intended” he laughs and stands up straight again as you place the waistband back over your tattoo. “Tell my brother and I will murder you though” he laughs as you smile at him. He breaks eye contact with you and rubs the back of his neck shyly.

“I thought you’d be a lot meaner”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’re one of the popular people. Everyone loves you” you laugh

“I wouldn’t say everyone. Just a large majority of them” now it’s his turn to laugh.

“I mean I don’t blame them. You have a lot of friends, everyone knows who you are and you have the perfect boyfriend who never has a hair out of place” you shrug, sadness coming over you again. He doesn’t seem to notice the change in your demeanour and continues talking “I mean, everyone either wants to be you or be with you” this catches your attention as you look at him, a small smile on your lips

“Which one do you want?” he chokes slightly, caught off guard by your words. You tilt your head “You said everyone. Which one do you want?” he shakes his head and looks down. You playfully hit his shoulder “I’m only teasing you” he chuckles, but you can tell it’s a nervous one. You smile at him before covering your mouth as you yawn. He chuckles more genuinely this time.

“You should get to bed” you shake your head as you rub your eyes

“I’m not really tired “he raises an eyebrow. You roll your eyes and look down “I can’t sleep very well tonight” he nods

“Because of earlier? I only noticed you seemed sad” you shrug

“Might be something to do with that”

“Anything I can do to help?” you shake your head, giving him a half smile. He smiles back at you. You can smell the cigarette smoke on his breath. That’s when you realise how close you are to him. You look at him, the smile on his face fading as he sees you look more serious. Your eyes flutter to look at his mouth, then look back at his eyes. You can tell he’s trying not to smile.

“What?” he shakes his head “tell me!” you playfully hit his chest. He chuckles

“If you weren’t so innocent in all your actions I would think that you were flirting with me” you feel your cheeks turn pink

“I-” he shakes his head and puts his hands up in a defensive matter. “I’m not purposefully flirting with you” he laughs

“Good. I don’t think you boyfriend would appreciate you talking to the freak of the town” you shake your head

“He’s not my boyfriend anymore” he furrows his brows at you

“But I saw you two yesterday. Or I guess more 2 days ago now. You seemed pretty happy then”

“That was before I found him fucking my best friend” you look at him, his eyes grow wide

“Jesus Christ” you nod

“Not a fun thing to see. Especially as we would’ve been dating for 4 years on Sunday”

“I’m sorry Elizabeth” you shake your head

“He was a waste of space anyway” you look down as you feel tears form in your eyes. His hand goes up instinctively to wipe them away, tilting your head up to look at him

“Hey, you are so much better than he is. You don’t need him. He’s an absolute dick head”

“You would’ve said the same thing about me yesterday though” you whisper out. He tilts his head as he looks at you, his hands still gently holding your chin, the other resting on your cheek wiping away any fallen tears.

“I have heard enough about you both to know that you deserve better” you nod. The genuine talk making you do something you never thought you’d do. You slowly stand on your tiptoes, testing to see if he’d move away or not as you gently place your lips to his. You feel him tense up slightly but he soon relaxes as you feel his hands fall from your face to find your waist, placing them there as your arms wrap around his neck. You can taste beer on his tongue as you tangle one of your hands into his hair. Pulling him closer as you back into the counter, you pull away slightly to check if he’s ok. He looks at you, his dark eyes filled suddenly filled with lust. You smile as you crash your lips with his again. He lifts you up onto the counter, slotting his body between your legs. You feel his hands move from your hips, one goes by your side and the other sits on your lower back. You’ve only ever kissed a few people before. Although you and Chris had kissed each other several times and had several make out sessions this moment with Eddie was different. It seemed so much more intimate, so much more tasteful. His tongue explored yours as he pulled you closer to him. You could feel his dick grow slightly, the angle you both being in making it easy to feel him. You smile into his mouth, rutting your hips against him in a teasing manner. He lets out a moan, pulling you closer to him as a means to keep you still. He is the first to pull away, allowing you both to breath. “Holy shit” he says as he moves away from you. He looks at you. It catches up to you of what you had just been doing. More so, where and who you were doing it with. You cover your mouth, scared one of his friends or worse yet, your brother, had seen you. Almost like he can read your mind he turns to see if anyone is down the hallway. He turns to you and shakes his head, his eyes filled with relief as you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding in.

“I’m sorry about that. I umm... I don’t know why I did it” he shakes his head, looking at you sideways through his hair

“I’m not complaining” you nod and move off of the counter

“I liked our chat. Thank you” he smiles at you

“You should go to bed m’lady. It’s getting late” you look out the window to see the sun starting to rise

“Actually I think it’s getting early” he looks out and laughs. You go to the bottom of the stairs, he stops you by placing a hand over yours as yours rests on the bannister.

“I’d be careful. If you aren’t you might become a freak like me” you smile at him, a hand going up to caress his cheek

“That isn’t a bad thing Eddie. You are amazing” you move your hand from his face “goodnight”

“Goodnight” he whispers as you head upstairs “I’ll see you tomorrow”

-

You wake up late the next day. It’s Saturday morning, about 10 ish and you hear your brother and his friends downstairs. You let out an annoyed groan as you just want to get back to sleep but after a while you get yourself out of bed and throw on an oversized jumper over your pyjamas. You walk downstairs, the guys all still in their pyjamas but playing the game. You smile as you head to the kitchen, turning the kettle on for your morning coffee. You rub your eyes as you feel sleep still trying to get the better of you. As you are pouring your drink you hear the home phone go. Knowing your brother would be with his friends you go and answer it. “Hello Elizabeth speaking”

“Liz!” your chest tightens as you hear Chris on the other side of the phone “I was wondering where you were? You said you’d be over about 9:15 and it’s nearly 10″

“Sorry. I must’ve over slept...” as if on cue you yawn. “I’ve only just gotten up”

“Are you ok? You sound... off”

“I’m ok. Just woke up feeling a bit ill” you bite your lip slightly “would it be ok if I came round later tonight rather than this morning? I know it might be difficult and I get that but I just have a bad headache and I’m hoping it’ll go away if I just rest tonight”

“Sure thing my love. Shall I come and pick you up from yours about 7?”

“That’d be perfect, Thank you”

“OK, see you then. Goodbye”

“Bye”

Clicking noise follows. You place the phone down, taking some deep breaths as you then take your cup and head into the living room.

“How is the game going?”

“It’s going good”

“We are failing massively” you laugh at the contradiction

“You guys are doing great at failing” they all glare at Eddie.

“I’m assuming your still the, what’s the word, leader? No that’s not it”

“Dungeon master” you click your finger and point at Tim who gave you the answer

“That’s it. The dungeon master” you smile at the long haired boy who nods at you, letting a small smile appear on his face.

“We’re just about to go into the Cave of Destruction” Michael says, in an overly dramatic and booming voice. You roll your eyes, taking a sip of your drink.

“You guys are such nerds”

“Says you” your brother mocks, you swear at him “who was it on the phone?”

“Chris”

“Ooh lover boy” he makes a smoochy face at you to which you grab a cushion from the sofa and throw it at him.

“Absolute child. How are you the oldest?” he grins at you, your eyes catch with Eddies briefly. “He’s picking me up from here at 7. I’ll be back probably about 9 tomorrow” your brother nods

“We’ll still likely be here” you nod and smile at them.

“Have fun boys, I’m heading upstairs” you go upstairs, hearing them start to chatter again and play their game

-

7pm comes about and you have your bags packed and are waiting by the front door. Michael comes out, a few beers in his hands. “You know the rules, we can’t be seen together or he will disown me” he laughs at your words, but stops when he sense something is off about you. Normally you are giddy about your boyfriend coming round but you seem withdrawn. He places a hand on your shoulder

“Are you ok?” you nod and smile

“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m living the dream aren’t I? Hot boyfriend with loving friends” you try and keep your voice stable but it wobbles a bit. Before he can pry anymore the guys call him from the living room

“Get your ass in here dude! These guys aren’t going to kill themselves”

“You have fun tonight” you say and smile at him. He nods and pats your shoulder

“You too sis”. He walks into the living room as you open the front door and head outside. You see the headlights of your boyfriend’s car. He pulls up and revs the engine

“Alright sexy girl. You wanna jump in?” you smile and get into the car. He kisses your cheek as you sit down, then starts driving to his house. “Are you feeling better now?” you nod

“I did some reading which seemed to help stop my headache” he nods, placing a hand on your thigh and squeezing it slightly. You smile slightly. Trying to forget the events of yesterday. When you get to his house you step inside. You have food with him and his parents then head upstairs to his room. You cuddle and watch movies, letting yourself fall asleep to ‘Bambi’.

-

You wake up early the next morning. Stretching and getting out of bed, heading to the bathroom to freshen up a bit. You brush your teeth and wash your face, heading back to the bedroom you see your boyfriend still fast asleep. You lie down next to him again, cuddling into him. He wraps his arms around you “Good morning love” he mumbles

“Good morning”

“Happy 4 years” you smile and hug him closer.

“Happy 4 years...” he kisses your forehead before also rolling out of bed and going to the bathroom. You watch as he leaves his room. Then you see it. Your eyes spot a bra. You know it’s not yours as yours is pink and currently in your bag. The one that is hidden under his desk is bright red. You go over to it, grabbing the item and hiding it under your clothes in your bag. He comes in and sees you looking dishevelled.

“What’s wrong?” he says, eyes scanning your face and the room. You don’t want him to look over to where the bra no longer is so instead you do the first thing your brain goes to. You kiss him. Deeply kissing him and running a hand through his hair.

“I umm... I woke up needing you...” you say. He grins and walks you over to the bed, lying you down and getting on top. He begins kissing you and taking off each of your clothes.

Once you’ve both finished he lies down, bringing you into him to hug. He kisses the top of your head “That’s a good way to start the day” you laugh slightly. “Shall I go and make you something to eat Je-Liz?” You feel your stomach tense. Did he nearly just call you Jessica? ‘For fucks sake’ is all you can think. You nod and force a smile. That little slip up just helped in your conclusion that their hook-up from a few nights ago wasn’t just a onetime thing. That’s what made you hurt the most. He gets up and goes and makes you some breakfast.

You both spend most of the day in his room, once again cuddling and watching films. You get up to have lunch and you both sit in the garden to have a fancy dinner. However the time comes when you need to leave.

You both sit in his car. A comfortable silence filling the air. He kisses your hand once he pulls up to your house. “I will see you tomorrow my dear”

“See you tomorrow” you smile as he kisses you. Grabbing your bag from the back, you walk into your house. “I’m home” you call out, walking into the living room you see none of the boys have moved but more food and drink wrappers have appeared. You chuckle as they shush you, Eddie continuing the description. You roll your eyes at the warm welcome back, heading up to your room you place your bag on your bed. You pull out the red bra from your bag. Throwing it over the back of your chair you go downstairs into the shower, letting your tears fall with the water. You come out, dressed in your pyjamas and towel drying your hair. Michael smiles at you as just him and Eddie are in the room. Before you can ask your brother speaks

“They’ve gone to grab us some pizza. They’ll come back soon” he walks over to you, you can smell alcohol and god knows what else on his breath “I however am going to go and bathe” he bows to you both as he heads upstairs, you hear the upstairs bathroom shut and the water start to run.

“That idiot expects me to clean up doesn’t he?” Eddie asks more himself then you but you nod anyway

“I believe so. I can help though” you grab a black bin bag and hand him one. He takes it, starting to clear up the empty bottles and packets of food. A silence fills the room between the two of you. You speak first

“I’m sorry if I’ve made things awkward between us, because of Friday” he shakes his head

“Not awkward at all. I’m just sorry you still seem to be with that prick” you chuckle

“I don’t really know how to confront him about it though. Like, what do I say? ‘Hey, thanks for fucking me and my best friend’“. He laughs slightly “What would you do?”

“If?”

“If you found your partner cheating on you?” he thinks for a moment, his tongue sticking out slightly as he concentrates.

“I’d make them feel embarrassed. I don’t have as much power as you at school but I’d try and ruin him in front of everyone. Speak out about it during lunch or something”

“What if people think I’m the joke though? Not him”

“You are one of the most popular girls at our school. Anyone would be lucky to even have you look at them. For them to know that your boyfriend cheated on you with someone lesser, he’ll be seen as the fool. Not you” you nod

“I will lose all of my friends though” he shrugs

“And? I told you, you’re becoming one of the freaks now. You can join us” you laugh

“Thanks Eddie” he smiles at you, both having cleaned the living room you go into the kitchen to throw the rubbish away “How is in here also messy?” he laughs, coming in to help you once again.

You both clean the rest of the house, your brother coming down in a towel wrapped around his waist just as the guys come back with food. You all sit and eat, you ask them how their campaign is going and they say they still have a while to go and they will come back after school to play some more, considering your parents will be out still. You say goodnight to them and go to bed, you gnaw at your bottom lip. Inspecting the red bra still over your chair. You smile to yourself evilly. You go and grab it, placing it into your school bag. Oh you can’t wait for tomorrow.

-

You walk to your boyfriend’s house the next morning and see him talking to Jessica outside. You fight back the urge to react now. Smiling at them both you link fingers with Chris. “Shall we go to school?” they all nod and you all walk up together.

The day goes past slowly. You are impatient for lunch. Watching the seconds tick by as you grow more and more worried. Finally, lunch time arrives. You go and sit at the table. Eating your food, your boyfriend and friends join you. You see ‘the freaks’ at their table. They don’t pay you guys any attention but one of your friends starts throwing stuff at their table. You try and make them stop, slapping the food out of their hands. “Stop being such a child” you say to your friend. They all just roll their eyes at you, you look at the table. Seeing them glare at your table. Jessica stands up

“I’ve got to go to the loo before next period. I’ll see you guys after school though” they all nod. You call out loudly.

“Oh Jessica, before I forget” you stand up and reach into your bag as you speak. You are both standing in the middle of the canteen, so although most of the people do ignore you it isn’t easy to block you speaking out. “You left your bra at my boyfriends”

“What?” the canteen starts to go quiet as you hook out the red under garment from your bag and hand it to her.

“Your bra. I know it’s not mine. My size is a lot bigger then that one” you motion at it as she grabs it from you. Going the same shade as the item of clothing she is now shoving into her bag. Chris stands up as well, going over to you both

“Shall we talk about this in a more private setting?” he half whispers to you both

“Nope. Nothing else to speak about” you smile at him “Unless you want me to spell it out for you? It’s quite simple really. You were fucking my best friend, and now you are dumped. Have fun enjoying each other’s shitty company. I hope you don’t have to fake it like I did when you’re with each other” you smile at them both. The look of pure shock on their faces in the quiet canteen room. You blow them both kisses, ending the kiss by putting both your middle fingers up, grabbing your bag and heading out of the canteen. A slow applause starts to go round as you open the doors, walking to your next class you feel tears of joy and sadness prick your eyes. Wiping them away you go into your next class. Sitting down at your desk, you saw people walk in. One of your friends comes in, walking straight up to you and grabbing a hold of you by your shoulders

“Oh my god Liz! You absolute badass! I can’t believe you put them both in their places like that! Why would he cheat on you? I mean, look at you” she motions “absolute dickhead... I say that we should get together tonight and get absolutely shitfaced together”

“Tonight? My umm... my brother is having some friends round tonight so I can’t. Maybe this weekend?” she rolls her eyes at you

“Such a spoil sport” she sits next to you as the teacher comes in. She starts the lesson and the rest of the day goes by as normal.

-

You start to walk home. Assuming your ex probably wouldn’t give you a lift back. About 10 minutes of walking you hear a horn honking. You turn and see your brother. “Get in shithead”, Eddie gets out the back of the car, motioning for you to get in. You look and see Tim and in the front and John the other side of the car. You get in, being squashed between the two guys in the back. “Why does Tim get the front seat?”

“He called shotgun” you roll your eyes as John says this beside you, his tone also obviously being annoyed by it. You look out the windows, the car being silent until you get to your house when everyone stays silent in the car.

“Are we going inside...?” you ask. Michael turns and faces you

“Do you want us to go and have a chat with Chris?”

“Oh Jesus no! Do not do that! I just want to get into the car and forget about that absolute wanker. Please” you place a hand on your brothers shoulder “Please?” he sighs and opens his car door. In turn, everyone else also gets out the car. You sigh, getting out as well. Going into the kitchen and grabbing a glass of water, the boys all go into the living room. Practically going straight into their game. You go upstairs, lying on your bed and doing your homework.

-

You don’t realise you fell asleep until you wake up, extremely thirsty. You reach out for your glass from earlier, taking a sip from it you tiredly get up. Starting to take off your clothes from the day. Before you have time to process, the door swings open and the light turns on. You cover your chest. Thankfully you had only taken off your shirt and nothing else. But you still stood in front of one of your brothers friends in your bra and a skirt. Eddie covers his eyes as your hands go up to cover your chest “shit sorry” you playfully glare at him as he apologises some more and exits the room, hand firmly clasped over his eyes as he tries to fumble the door shut. You wait a little, making sure he won’t come in again. Changing into your pyjama top and bottoms a knock on the door alerts you again.

“Come in” Eddie walks in, covering his eyes still “It’s ok. I’m dressed now” he peeks through his fingers, smiling at you as he realises you are decent. “I’m surprised, you actually knocked that time” he laughs and moves his hand away

“I’m sorry. I actually came here to say sorry again. I thought this was the bathroom” he motions at the bathroom opposite your room “the one downstairs is being used” you nod and go and move your homework off of your bed

“I can’t believe you actually did it today” you shrug and chuckle

“You helped give me the confidence” he smiles, hiding shyly behind his hair. You smile, going over to your desk and moving the paper from it, placing it in the box by the side of it. You turn around, seeing him watching you. “May I help?” he shakes his head and looks away

“What are you going to do now that your part of the single life?” you shrug

“I dunno. God I don’t know what to do with my life now” you lean against the desk “I assumed we would stay together forever to be honest”

“I’m sorry this happened to you” you shrug, tilting your head to look at him

“It doesn’t matter, none of my family liked him anyway so it’s not that much of a loss” you tilt your head back, looking at your celling “How did your game go?”

“Oh it went well. We finished about half an hour ago, the guys have gone to bed” you nod

“Did they manage to kill your character you made?” he shakes his head and grins at you

“Nope. They wounded him but didn’t kill him. They ran away instead” he lets out a small laugh, making you look at him again. He’s leaning against the door frame, arms folded. He looks around your room from where he stands, pointing at the poster on your wall. “I did not strike you as someone who likes the Sex Pistols”

“Honestly I love them. My mum doesn’t like me having it up in my room though. She says it’s ‘not ladylike’ to have the word sex or pistol my wall” he chuckles slightly

“Is that-?” he walks into your room, arms staying folded as he looks at the picture next to it. Your ‘Grease’ poster directly contrasting your ‘Sex Pistols’ one. He lets out a laugh. “I can’t believe you have these in your room, let alone next to each other” you glare at him as he now scans the rest of your walls more closely. He goes over to your bookshelf, his index finger gently running along the spines of each book. He walks round the entirety of your room, lastly going to your desk. He leans beside you, head tilting to look at the paperwork on your desk. He turns and smiles at you. Such a genuine smile. Not forced or fake, he truly is happy to be in your company. You smile at him, completely innocently. You notice that, just before he breaks eye contact to look ahead, his eyes dart to your lips. If you’d blinked in that split second you would’ve missed it. But you were well aware. You also face forward, hands resting on the hard surface of the desk behind you as your cheeks turn a slight shade of pink. You ground yourself, both leaning against the desk as silence fills the room. You both go to say something but someone yells up before you can speak.

“Ed! I’m out now if you needed to go” you hear one of them yell from downstairs.

“I need to go” you nod slightly. “See you tomorrow,” he takes your hand and kisses the back of it “my queen” he murmurs before going out the door and waving to you as he closes it behind him. You let out a breath, hands going to your flushed cheeks as you process what just happened. Did he just call you his queen? No it must’ve been your imagination. You bite your lip slightly before shaking your head. It was all in your head, he must’ve said ‘sweet dreams’ instead of ‘my queen’. Yeah, that’s it

-

A small moan leaving your lips as you feel his tongue over you. You feel soft kisses to your thighs and crotch area. Hand firmly gripped onto his head as he goes to town on you. “Eddie...” you moan out, tugging at his hair. “Holy shit...” He comes back up from between your thighs, kissing you deeply as he snakes a hand between your legs. Rubbing on your sensitive spots. You grab hold of his hand, feeling the tension building up before you can let go...

-

“Liz? Liz are yen dead?” you groan as someone opens the curtains to your room. Covering your eyes with your arm. Being drawn out of your dream world to early.

“Please fuck off Michael”

“Umm, I would but you need to come to school today” you sit up, eyes looking at the watch next to your bed “if you aren’t downstairs in 10 minutes I will start throwing cushions at you” he smiles as he leaves the room, shutting the door behind him. The memories of your dream come back to you and you smile to yourself slightly. Then you realise, the man you just dreamt about is downstairs. You take a deep breath, swallowing as you get off of your bed. Walking downstairs you go into the kitchen, both hoping to see the boy yet also dreading to see him. Making yourself a cup of coffee and toast you go to head into the living room where Michael’s friends are also sitting, eating and drinking various things. Your brother comes in and joins you all. Sitting on the floor so his friends can use the sofas. Pushing your dream to one side, putting it down to hormones that have built up due to the circumstances of the past couple of days. You look at the guys.

“When are you all going to finish your game? I assume it’s not finished anyway”

“I think we were planning on doing it this weekend. Leave the pieces here and come back on Saturday and Sunday to finish off”

“Please not here”

“Rude. What’s wrong with us?”

“No that’s not what I meant! I meant more because I think one of my friends is coming round this weekend”

“Oh which friend?”

“Alice? I’m sure that’s her name. She has been in our friendship group for a few weeks but I don’t talk to her very often”

“One of the popular” John intervenes into the sibling conversation

“I hate to burst your bubble but I am also technically a ‘popular’ kid. We aren’t all that bad” they all laugh

“Keep telling yourself that” you roll your eyes, swearing at them all as they continue laughing. You rub your eyes

“Shit I have to see people today...” more laughter

“Yeah, what were you expecting?”

“I mean, I kind of hoped that the world would just swallow me up so I wouldn’t have to see my ex-boyfriend and ex best friend after giving her bra to her in the middle of a very crowded canteen”

“Oh yeah forgot about that”

“So did I ... shit... Who will I hang around with today?”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t exactly hang with my normal crowd, half of them hate me” you rub your temples, trying to sooth the headache you feel coming. “I’ll find someone I’m sure. It can’t be that difficult to sit with someone”

“We should get going though. Don’t want to miss the beginning of school now do we?” they all look at the clock in your living room as you head upstairs to get dressed. All then piling into the car to head to school

-

As the day goes on, the lessons go by as normal. You help out the teachers during your first break as an attempt to avoid people. But lunch comes about and you anxiously try and stay in the classroom. But soon your teacher kicks you out, wanting to have some lunch and quiet before the next lesson starts. You wait by the doors. Gnawing at your bottom lip as you slowly push them open. You see Chris and Jessica sat with your friends. All of them. An arm draped around her shoulder as they smile together. You take in a shaky breath, finding an empty table you sit down. Fighting back tears as you begin eating. You see your brother sitting with his friends on a table a little away from you. He half smiles at you, not wanting to cross the social standards of school by sitting with you. That’s when Chris sees you “Ay look it’s the slut” he points at you, standing up. “Aww look, she’s all alone” you ignore them, continuing to eat. He chuckles as he walks over to you, smacking his hands down on the table. “How are we doing today little miss whore?”

“How does being cheated on make me the slutty one?” he glares at you as you smile. You notice the canteen go quiet again, watching as you two start to argue. You smile “You know I’m really glad to see you two happy” you motion at his hands “You and your right hand that is. You make such a cute couple” his hands turns to fists on the table top. You take another bite of your food, Jessica coming over and placing a hand on his shoulder

“People are watching baby” you roll your eyes as they both walk away. Alice then walks over to you, sitting down.

“God, they make the freaks look sane” you let out a small laugh, eyes wondering to their table through the crowded and talking canteen. You make eye contact with Eddie. It was only a small glance, but you feel your cheeks turning a slight shade of red as you look away. This doesn’t go unnoticed by Alice who notices your slight discomfort. She grins at you as you look at her. She leans close to you, eyes scanning yours

“Can I help you?” she grins at you, sitting back in her seat as she looks over at the table. Seeing Eddie still occasionally glancing at you.

“We still up for meeting this Saturday?” you nod

“Yep. I have a horrible feeling my brother will have his friends round though is the only thing” she shrugs

“That doesn’t bother me” she takes the straw of her drink and plays with it with her tongue “Are you ok with them... coming?” You cough slightly

“Excuse me?”

“Coming round” you shrug, your eyes quickly looking at the table again as you then turn to face your friend. “It’ll be fun to meet them. I’ve never been to your house before” she exclaims as you nod and carry on eating.

-

The week goes by as normal. Chris and his friends stay away from you and Alice the whole time. You and your brother go back to being close outside of school but pretending not to know each other in school. Alice soon becomes your closest friend, telling you all the gossip about everyone. It’s quite refreshing to hear about other people. Plus you don’t have any more sex dreams about the long haired boy. Making you believe it was fully just you feeling hormonal and him being the first male you spoke to.

Saturday comes about. 10:32am you hear a knocking at the door. You go over and open it, met with Eddie, John and Tim once again. You smile at them, motioning for them to come in. You yell up the stairs “Oi dickhead your mates are here”

“I’ll be down in a second!” he runs down, pulling a shirt over the top of his body. You raise an eyebrow as he does a small twirl “What do we think?” his friends compliment him as the words ‘Helfire Club’ is badly written on the front. A poor depiction of a devil drawn as well. He turns to you “Liz? Opinions?”

“You spelt hellfire wrong”

“What?” he looks down “Fuck”. You laugh

“Do you have a spare blank one? I can design it for you if you’d like”

“Really?” you nod

“Just give me the weekend and I’ll have it done for you by Monday”

“This is why you need a sister. Always willing to make your clothes look good, knowing it’s for the selfish reason of she doesn’t want to be seen in public with me if I had poor fashion taste” his friends laugh as you nod

“Oh no I still won’t go out in public with you when you wear this” you tease him, causing him to swear at you as you hear the door go again you walk over. Opening the door Alice stands in front of you. Smiling she hugs you, kissing both your cheeks as she walks in. You hear the boys all quickly scuttle away from you, heading into the living room.

“Holy fuck. Your house is huge!” you nod, awkwardly rubbing the back of your neck as you shut the door “your parents must be swimming in it” again you nod

“They work constantly. They’re away again today. But they come back tomorrow morning “She walks around the house, heading into the kitchen, then the dining room. Going back on herself she walks into the living room. The four boys all sat around heavily engulfed with their game

“Oh sorry. You guys must be Liz’s brother’s friends” they nod, Michael outing his hand up slightly

“I am the brother in question” she smiles at him then motions at the game

“This is that dungeons game right?” they nod “Can we join?”

“I don-t” “No its-” “Maybe another time” you, John and Tim all say. Eddie looks at you both and smiles slightly

“Come and sit with us” he motions at the chairs as you both take a seat.

“You don’t have to include us if it’s a problem. Or if you don’t want us to play...” you half whisper to him as he shakes his head

“Be quiet and let’s play” you nod, looking at the board in front of you

He briefly explains the rules to you both. Then helps you get the bases of how to create a character “these guys already have a world that they are in. So we will carry on with their quest. You two have 20 to 30 minutes to think of and create you characters” he writes down on a sheet the basic types of character you can be with a brief description of what they are/do by the side. “Here. Pick one from each line. Now, gentlemen” he turns to the 3 guys who have been waiting “let us begin shall we”

-

“So, you three head into the swamp. Ready for the journey towards the Emerald of Death. As you walk, feet feeling the soft ground beneath you, eyes hearing the soft hum of birds above you. You suddenly... You know what, roll a perception check” Eddie speaks to the three boys, you and Alice watching intensely. They all roll a dice.

"12″ says Tim

“16″ Michael speaks. John rolls his dice. Face palming as he rolls a 1.

“So” he turns to Jeff “You, Lord Sky, hear the noises of wildlife, a twig snapping under your foot every now and then” then turning to John and chuckling to himself before he speaks “Bell. You get distracted by a bug, your eyes watching it intensely. You walk into a tree, face first” he rolls a D6 “Take 2 points of damage” finally turning to your brother “Johnny, you hear what sounds like breathing coming from the hedge near you”

“I would like to draw my gun and point it at the hedge” he nods and acts out what he describes

“You draw your gun. Aiming it at the hedge - do you say anything?”

“Yes. I would like to say ‘you have 5 seconds to show yourself or I will shoot’“. He nods and smiles, turning to you and Alice

“You both hide in this hedge. Hoping that the 3 men walking past you don’t notice you. One of them pulls a gun out, aiming it directly at the bush you are in ‘you have 5 seconds to show yourself or I will shoot’. What do you do?” he looks at you both, you both look at each other. Eddie had briefly explained the rules to you both, allowing you to make a basic character whilst he developed the story for the 3 men.

"I think we both- both? Both head out with our hands up, asking him not to shoot”

“Lord Sky, Johnny, Bell. 2 woman walk out from behind the bush, hands above their head. What do your characters looks like?” you both describe your characters, you being a half elf and Alice being a dwarf.

“What are you doing here?”

“We are trying to head back to our home but we got robbed”

“Oh no!”

“Yeah, so we were heading back. Our horses got taken so we have to go on foot” they all nod. “Why are you here?”

“We are heading on a quest from a king”

“Oh cool”

“What’s the quest for?”

“To find a dangerous stone so he can hide it from enemy countries to prevent war” you nod

“Can we go with you? Can we go with them?” she looks at Eddie. He shrugs and looks at the boys

“Would you like these girls to join you on your quest?” they all look at each other, nodding at each other than at him

“Yes” he smiles. Proceeding to develop the story line. You and Alice getting involved just as much as them. He describes the elaborate world he has created. Allowing you to interact with it and other characters he has made.

Soon you feel your stomach rumble. You look at the clock. No wonder you’re hungry, its way past lunch time. “I’m going to go and make something to eat. Does anyone else want anything?” they all nod, Michael stands up, taking a mental note of what they all ask him for. You both go into the kitchen, making your friends food. Just as you finish making it, the phone rings. Michael, being closer, goes over and answers it.

“Hello, Michael speaking” he pauses for a moment “I’ll go get him for you” he moves the phone away, yelling for his friend “Tim! It’s your mum” he comes out, looking both annoyed and confused. He takes the phone from him, listening to his mother speak.

“Ok. Yeah sure. Yep. Yep. Ok. Bye” he hangs up and lets out a very annoyed groan. Those still in the living room now come out and join you, all standing in the kitchen “My mum says that we are expecting visitors round for dinner tonight so I need to go home earlier than expected and be sociable and help tidy the house. I’m so sorry guys. Eddie, can we postpone it at all?” he sighs dramatically, crossing his arms.

“I suppose so. We can do it after school on Monday. We should be able to have one of the classrooms to ourselves I’m sure” he nods

“Thanks dude” he smiles at him “Also, to be more awkward, John drove us both here. So we would all need to go...” he looks awkwardly at Michael who has a face of sadness on it. Alice shakes her head

“I drove here, so I can drop off anyone later today. Meaning Michael gets to hang out with his friends still” John looks at Michael

“I’ll still need to go though, I need to drop him off and it makes sense for me to stay home after that” he nods

“Yeah I understand dude” he smiles at him, they all go over to the door and pick up the keys to his car. Waving goodbye at you all as they leave. You, Michael, Alice and Eddie being the only ones left. You go to speak but Alice interrupts you.

“Party of 4 then”

-

That’s how it led to this moment. You sitting with the three of them, drinking, Michael smoking as well. You aren’t to sure what he’s smoking, but you can take a good guess that it isn’t a cigarette given the smell of it. After a little while you can see him getting sleepy. The drugs and alcohol kicking in. He mumbles something before curling up onto the sofa, grabbing one of the cushions and placing it over himself as a makeshift blanket. Falling asleep within a matter of seconds. Alice looks at the two of you. “You did an excellent game Eddie” he smiles

“Thank you”

“Did you create the world yourself?” he nods

“Yeah, it’s based vaguely off of some characters in books I’ve read but most of it is my own creations”

“I don’t think I could ever do that” you shake your head in agreement

“It’s very impressive” he smiles proudly, the praise getting to him. Alice goes to take another sip of her drink but lets out a sad ‘oh’ when it is empty. She grabs the crate she brought with her, taking one and dangling the other in front of you

“It’s not too late to join us in drink Liz” you shake your head

“I’ll pass” she rolls her eyes. Handing it to Eddie who has his hands outstretched his tongue sticking out slightly with excitement. She drinks hers, wiping her mouth as she looks at you

“Spoil sport” she stretches “Your brother had the correct idea. Sleeping sounds like a great plan” she curls up on the floor. You grab a cushion and hit her with it “come on. Let’s play a game”

“Only if it’s a drinking game”

“Pretty sure that counts as peer pressure”

“No. Maybe slightly. You don’t have to drink the alcohol. You can drink some of the coke if you really want” you chuckle as you grab a can and open it

“What game then huh?”

“Never have I ever?” she looks at you both, seeing you both nod. “Ok. Never have I ever... gotten high” both Alice and Eddie take a sip, you do not. “Now you Liz” you think

“Never have I ever gotten drunk” they both take a sip, Alice raising her hand slightly in protest

“That’s no fair. At least do ones that are interesting”

“Ok, I’ve got one” Eddie speaks up “never have I ever purposefully stolen something” you take a sip, feeling slightly embarrassed as they both gawk at you.

“No”

“I don’t believe that”

“Explain. Now”

“It was when I was first dating Chris. His friends were daring each other to go and steal stuff to show how manly they were. They then said I couldn’t and wouldn’t do anything like that because I was a female. So I went to a really fancy jewellery store and stole this ring” you hold your hand out, a ring on your thumb “proved those shits wrong” they both laugh

“Stolen stuff but never been intoxicated, you never fail to amaze me” he says as you smile innocently at him.

“Ok, my turn again... how erotic can I be?”

“It doesn’t bother me” you reply, Eddie shrugging

“Ok. Never have I ever called my partner daddy in bed” you take another sip, letting out a small and sad sigh as neither of them drink “Wait did he really have a daddy kink?” you shrug

“We did it once to see if he enjoyed it. It didn’t stick constantly though” you take a sip of your drink, suddenly becoming thirsty at the more saucy conversation. “On the lines of that, never have I ever been walked in on whilst doing the deed” Eddie is the only one to take a sip. Alice’s jaw drops

“What?” he asks

“I just... I’m sorry, no I can’t say that”

“Go on. We’re all friends here” he smiles playfully at her

“I’m not gonna lie, I assumed you were still a virgin” he clutches his hand over his heart

“I’m hurt. Truly” he moves his hair from his face “I don’t get many woman I won’t lie. But I get the occasional one who wants to annoy her parents by dating a ‘bad boy’ so they find me. What better way to piss of her parents then by making me have them screaming my name” you go redder and redder at his words, taking a sip of your drink just to calm your nerves. He smiles innocently at you both

“Who would’ve thought that the freak of Hawkins High would be such a womanizer” he laughs at her words, taking a sip of his drink.

“It’s my turn right?” you both nod. He thinks for a moment “never have I ever...” he sticks his tongue out slightly, deep in thought “ever gone to a party I wasn’t invited to” all 3 of you take a sip, laughing afterwards. Alice thinks again

“I see we’ve stopped going for a raunchy approach on this game” she taps the top of her bottle against her chin slightly “never have I ever gotten a tattoo” both you and Eddie take a sip. She doesn’t look as surprised with Eddie but she looks baffled with you “where?” you place your hand over your side where the butterfly tattoo is. “How have I not heard of this before?”

“I didn’t want people to know”

“Why not?”

“Can you imagine how our group of friends would’ve reacted to me with a tattoo” you scoff slightly, taking a sip

“How did you hide it from Chris though...? Assuming you two-” she raises her hands, doing the motion of having sex with him “-whilst you’ve had it” you nod

“So when I first did it I just kind of didn’t do anything with him. Said I had bad stomach pains and stuff because I didn’t like the idea of accidently hurting it. But, when it healed, I would just try and cover it. Be it with my hands, the covers, clothes. You know, usual things”

“I see we failed to stay off of the raunchy subjects” Eddie protests, feeling a little awkward at the conversation.

“Sorry. She did ask though” he nods and chuckles

“Whose turn is it now?”

“Mine” Alice says, sighing deeply “I think it’s unfair that we are getting pissed and you’re staying sober” she motions at your coke.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t want to drink today” she rolls her eyes

“Fine. Can we do something else then?” you nod slightly “We could watch a movie! You have a TV in here” she points

“I’m up for a movie” you stand up, stretching your legs as the other two get onto the sofa that doesn’t have your brother lying on. You grab a blanket. Gently laying one over Michaels sleeping body

“What movie then, huh?”

“I reckon...” you look at the videos you have

“I want to watch a horror” Alice exclaims before you can pick out a more family friendly film, point her finger at ‘The Exorcist’ video you have.

“I’ve never watched horror before...” you shyly say. They both chuckle slightly

“You’ll like it” they both nod as you put it in, going and sitting between the two bodies. You feel squashed between the two, Alice sitting cross legged on the sofa and Eddie in the corner. You awkwardly place your legs, trying to stretch them. Alice rolls her eyes, picking them up and laying them over her lap. “Are you sure?” you ask timidly. She nods, shushing you as the film starts. You realise you are leaning slightly against Eddie, his hair tickling the side of your face. You turn to face him, mouthing at him ‘Are you ok me leaning on you?’ he nods and smiles.

About 10 minutes into the movie you feel him start to move, trying not to disturb you. You move away, “Sorry, legs are going dead” you nod. Alice looks at you both

“Liz, move off a second” she shoos you, making you stand. “Eddie, put your legs up” he does, looking confused. “Comfy?” he nods slightly. She takes your hand, “Sit and lean against him. As long as that’s ok with you both?” he nods as you sit between his legs, leaning against his chest. She smiles as she rests her legs on top of both of yours, her head the other side of the sofa. “Is that better? You can both stretch out that way” you nod slightly, turning to face the screen. You notice the boy behind you watching the TV, but his hands stay stiff against his sides. You take them and wrap them round your middle

“It’s ok” you whisper to him. You feel his body loosen up slightly as you lean against him, your back pressed against his chest and hands resting on your stomach, yours over his. Alice looks at you both

“Ok I’m coming in for hugs as well” she crawls over to you both, lying on top of you as your chest to chest with her, her head resting on your chest as she faces the screen. You move your hands, grabbing the blanket from the back of the sofa and chucking it over you three.

The beginning of the film is quite slow. You can tell it’s a slow start as you begin to hear the soft snoring from Alice as she stays on you. That could also be because of the several drinks she has flowing through her system. Both you and Eddie watch the film, silence filling the room as it plays out. Then jump scare happens and your hands go up and cover your eyes instinctively. You feel the rumble of his chest behind you, laughing at your reaction. “Shut up. It scared me”

“I can tell” he laughs again, noticing your hands stay up by your face, practically watching through your fingers. He gently takes one of your hands in his, moving it down. “You’re ok. I’ve got you” he links his fingers with yours. You can feel the coldness of his rings press against your warm hands. You jump again, tightening your grip on him as he smiles at your reaction, his thumb rubbing gentle circles onto the back of your hand. You hold his hand with both of yours, one still interlocked with his as the other covers the back of it, holding them in-between. Your hands and his near your face as you continue to watch from behind them. As the rest of the film plays out, you feel yourself go more and more into him, trying to hide from the scariness in front of you.

-

The ending of the film, credits start to roll up. It takes you a few minutes before you lean over and grab the remote, turning the TV off. “What did you think of your first horror film?” you nod, one hand still firmly clasped around his. “Did you enjoy it, or have I scarred you for life?” you chuckle slightly, letting go of his hand as you rub your eyes

“I enjoyed it more than I thought I would” he nods

“Good, I’m glad to hear that” you move slightly, turning your head and body slightly so you can look at him as he turns his head to face you.

“Sorry, I would move off of you but I don’t want to wake her” he nods

“You’re ok. It’s just a shame the TV is so far otherwise we could watch another movie” you nod, turning to look back at the ceiling as you lean backwards, the back of your head resting against his shoulder. “You ok for me to smoke in your house” you nod

“Mum does it all the time so go ahead” he nods and manages to reach the little table where his stuff is. Grabbing it, he puts one in his mouth, lighting it as he starts to smoke. Exhaling as best as he can away from you. You watch as he places it back into his mouth, before delicately taking it out again. “I’ve never smoked before”

“Really?” you shake your head. He offers you his “you can try some of mine” you look confused

“I don’t-” he chuckles slightly, placing it back in his mouth. He exhales, your fingers come out and take the small thing from his fingers, placing the end in your mouth and inhaling. Then removing from your lips you try your best not to cough as you exhale. Handing it back to him he smiles “You’re a bad influence on me Eddie Munson” he chuckles, taking another puff of it

“It’s ok, you can be a good influence on me Miss Elizabeth”

“How am I a good influence on you then?”

“Well, I think this is one of the first times in a few weeks where I’ll be going to sleep before 1 in the morning”

“That’s not me being a good influence. That’s just our fellow party goers being lame and falling asleep on us” he laughs

“But they look so peaceful” his arms around you tighten slightly as you both watch the two peaceful people sleeping in the room “we could just sleep like this”

“You don’t want that. You have the weight of two girls on you for a whole night? That can’t be good for your lungs” he nods and smiles,

“Fine but I’m not going to be the one who wakes her” you nod

“Yeah maybe here is a good place to sleep actually” he laughs.

“You know, if someone had told me a few weeks ago I’d be on a sofa, practically hugging you I wouldn’t have believed them”

“I wouldn’t have believed them either to be fair”

“Who’d of thought we’d become friends”

“Are... are we friends?” you look down, feeling one arm still wrapped around your middle, the other holding his cigarette

“Why would we not be?”

“I mean, are we friends in our own right? Not just friends through Michael”

“I’d say we are friends, regardless of your brother now” he smirks at you “I mean, technically I have seen you without a shirt on. So I’d say that we are pretty close friends” you feel your cheeks turn red

“Oh shut up”. He opens his mouth to go and say something but you cover it with your hand “sh sh, it’s ok. You don’t have to say any more words about seeing me shirtless” he lets out a laugh as you smile, cheeks still being a nice crimson shade. Moving your hands away he goes to speak again but you cover his mouth “Nope” he moves his head away

“No I will be free!” you laugh, placing your hands down by your sides “But yes I would classify us as friends in our own right. I mean, we just sat and watched a 2 hour long film together. If that’s not friendship I don’t know what is”

“Does that mean that we are closer friends then these two are to us though, as they slept through it” he laughs. You look at the clock in your living room. Just gone 11pm. “Do you think we should wake them both or just leave them?”

“I reckon leave them. He’s on his own and she’s on top so if they wake up early then they don’t need to move us” you nod

“We’re screwed if we need anything” he nods, chuckling again. A few moments pass, you would think he’s gone to sleep if not for the occasional movement of his hand to smoke. You see him snub out the end of it in the ashtray by the sofa "I can’t believe it’s nearly summer” he exclaims

“Just one more week to go”

“Do you think Chris and Jessica will last through the holidays?”

“I’m not sure. I hope they do in some ways, they are perfectly matched for each other after all. You know, lying scumbags” he laughs “do you think they’ll last?” you ask him

“No. I reckon he’ll realise what an absolute dick he’s been and come crawling back to you”

“Oh god, that’ll be interesting”

“You just need to remember not to take him back. Remember that you are so much better then him and you could have half the school rolling on their backs for you”

“It doesn’t seem like that”

“People are just nervous at the moment. When it calms down I reckon you’ll have every guy ask you out. He’ll realise then the mistake he’s made, if he hasn’t realised it before then” you anxiously bite your finger nail. “Hey it’s ok. Nothing to be anxious about” he takes your hand in his, once again linking your fingers

“That is a lot easier said than done”

“You’ll be fine. I mean, worst comes to worse you have to hang out with us for the rest of your school years. We aren’t that bad are we?” you shake your head, turning so your cheek rests on his shoulder, the back of your head against the back of the sofa.

“You need to listen to your own advice”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. Realise that you are so much more valuable than people take you for” you tilt your head to look at him “you are a wonderful person. You’re kind and generous, funny and creative. You’re amazing Eddie” he smiles as he looks at you, letting go of your hand to brush a hair out of your face

“Thank you...” you smile, nestling into his neck as you shut your eyes

“But now it is time for sleep” he chuckles, the one around your waist stays where it is but his free hand goes up, bending it so he can lean back and use it like a pillow

“Goodnight Liz”

“Goodnight Munson”

-

You wake up to the sound of the shower downstairs. You let out a small groan as you open your eyes, seeing that your brother has moved from the spot he was in on the opposite sofa. Alice, you and Eddie all being in the same place you were a few hours ago. You stretch your arms in front of you, trying not to wake either of the two sleeping bodies. You dare not move to much as they sandwich you between them. You feel the boy behind you move slightly, making you hold your breath as a way not to disturb him. “Good morning” he whispers to you

“Good morning” he rubs his eyes with one hand, the other you notice is still draped around your middle.

“How is she still asleep?” you shrug and let out a small chuckle.

“Michael is awake though” you look at the clock in the room. 7:07 in other words, too early for a Sunday. You let out another annoyed groan, placing both of your hands over your face. “Did you sleep ok?” he nods

“Surprisingly given the circumstances”

“I’m sorry. Let me wake her so we can get off of you” he shakes his head. As if on cue the girl on you stretches, opening her eyes at you both and smiling

“Give me a second and I’ll get off” she says tiredly, giving it a few minutes before rolling herself off of you. Standing with her eyes closed by the end of the sofa as you get off of Eddie, him shortly following you. She sighs and lies back down, grabbing the blanket and placing it back over her body.

“Wanna help me clean up?” he nods, going through the living room and grabbing various bottles and throwing them away as you go and open the windows in the room to try and get rid of the more ‘dubious’ smell from your intoxications last night.

“When are your parents coming back?”

“They’ll be back anywhere between 10 until 6 realistically” he nods, going over and readjusting the sofa Michael had been sleeping on. As you continue cleaning, you start to make it into a game. Who can find the most beer tops. He grabs one from the floor. Scoffing at his 4th find, saddened when you show him your 6 lids. When Michael comes out the shower both your guests say they should say farewell, but you both insist they stay for a little while longer. But they both insist they have to go. Alice giving Eddie a lift home, telling you both you’ll see them on Monday.

-

They come in, bags piling into the hallway as you go over and hug them both. You go and greet them, seeing them smiling widely at you both. “We have exciting news”

“We are moving to Canada!” you and your brother look shocked

“What?”

“Well, we were away this weekend for business, and they offered us a full time place over there. We figured we’d say yes as Michael is finishing Hawkins now isn’t he? Given this was his last year”

“What about me?” you look at them

“We checked out the schools near us and they all look great. Plus the colleges there are so much better then here”

“But I want to stay here with my friends... I can’t just move away from everyone”

“You can make new friends. Come on, it’ll be fun” you shake your head. Your brother speaking up

“When do we move?”

“This weekend. We have a small place being rented for us at the moment but we will move into our proper house at the end of the holidays” you still sat in disbelief

“How about” your brother speaks for you “we come and join you for the holidays. If we like it we can stay with you, if we don’t we can come back here” he looks at you as you nod slightly “we are both old enough to look after ourselves” your parents look at each other then back at you two, nodding in agreement

“Let’s try out Canada then shall we?”

-

4 WEEKS LATER

You place the last box into your small house. Well, more like a flat. You were renting out the rooms just above a record store. So you had a new job and a new house. But you were back where you belonged. You smile sadly, knowing your parents and brother were so far away. Being away from Hawkins made you realise how much you loved it here. How many friends you had and how good you were at your subjects. You couldn’t drop out, not now. Not when you were so close to finishing school. This was your last year after all. You let out a sigh, excited to go back to school and see Alice again. Although you had said that you were possibly moving back to Hawkins you didn’t say exactly when or if you would for definite.

-

Another week passes, and you sit in your English class. She walks in, squealing as she sees you. She runs over, hugging you tightly “How have you been? It’s been way to long!”

“It’s only been a couple of weeks”

“A couple of weeks is a long time!” you both laugh. She hugs you again, just as your teacher walks in

“Settle down now people. English won’t teach itself”

“I’ll talk to you properly at lunch, ok?” she nods and smiles, sitting next to you and holding your hand, excited to see her best friend back again.

-

You’re next lesson you don’t share with Alice. History. You sit sketching in your notebook as your teacher talks. You hear the door open but don’t look up "You’re late. Go sit by Elizabeth please” she carries on talking. You move your bag off the chair next to you. You hoped sitting here would mean that you would be less likely to get people sitting next to you, but alas. You notice some ringed fingers pulling out books from a bag. You turn and see Eddie sitting next to you. Confusion fogs your brain as you turn and look back at your sketch. “Now I encourage you to talk to your partners about this. I will give you all 15 minutes to complete the list of questions I have set out for you” she says as she hands each student a piece of paper with various questions on it “You may talk and ask me for help as well” she goes back to the front of the class, sitting at her desk as the students start to chat to one another. You turn to face Eddie. He looks at you, shock covering his face as well.

“I thought you’d moved away”

“I thought you left school” he looks bitter as he chuckles

“I failed so got held back a year” you nod. That would make sense. He is a year older then you in the academic year, even though you were born in the same year. “You aren’t in... Canada?” you shake your head, reading through the questions and starting to answer them

“My parents and Michael stayed there. I said I wanted to complete school down here though so they bought me a small apartment. I’m nearly 18 so it isn’t too much of a problem” he nods, also getting his paper and looking at the questions.

“I’m glad you’re here... you can help me answer these”

“You highly misjudge how intelligent I am”

“Likely more clever then me though” he smiles at you as you both go through the paper.

At the end of the lesson your teacher speaks up “Now, I want you to get to know your history partner well. As this will be the seating plan for this year. So, I have an assignment for you all to do. I want you and your partner to create a speech about a famous historical figure. Do your own research, and be ready to present it to the class. You have 2 weeks” she smiles at you all “I will let you have 5 minutes to discuss with your partner, then you may go to lunch”. You turn to him

“This weekend, come round my place. We can do a full weekend of research and stuff so that it’s over and done with, ready for next week” he nods slightly

“So what, that’s the...” he counts in his head “12th on Saturday right?” you nod, grabbing your bag

“Yep. I’ll see you at 11″

“What’s your address?” you grab a small piece of paper from your bag, scribbling down your address onto it. Handing it to him and smiling

“See you tomorrow dude” you smile at him as you head to lunch

-

The rest of the week is normal. You go to school, then go do a few hours at work, go home, eat and sleep, then repeat the next day. You are exhausted by Friday. So much so that the knock on your door Saturday morning wakes you. You grumble as you answer the door “Hey, well you look like shit” Eddie says. You grunt at him, giving him the finger as you walk back into your house, him following and shutting the door behind you. “Are you ok?” You grunt again. “You’re going to need to be more elaborate than just grunting at me” you roll your eyes, facing him and sitting on the sofa.

“I’m ok. Just tired. Having weeks off where I was doing nothing and now I’m doing school full time plus a part time job. It’s exhausting” he nods and sits next to you

“Have you only just woken up?” you nod. He nods slowly, standing up and going into the kitchen. He goes through your cupboards before letting out a small ‘yay’ as he finds a bowl. Grabbing the box of cereal on the side he fills the bowl up. Grabbing a spoon from the drying rack and bringing it over to you, placing it on your lap. You let out an annoyed groan. “Eat. Now” you glare at him, taking a spoonful and biting it as sarcastically as you can. He smiles and pats your head “Oh you’re such a good girl for me”

“Fuck you” you say between mouthfuls. He grins

“Nice work outfit by the way” you look down, seeing your waitress uniform still on. You groan loudly, shutting your eyes before looking at him.

“Please pretend I’m an organised human ok?” he laughs as you finish your food, standing up and taking it to the kitchen “5 minutes and I’ll be out” he nods. You go into your room, shutting the door you ditch your clothes. Putting on clean jeans and button up shirt, tying your hair up in a high ponytail as to hide how greasy it looks. You go back out, smiling and doing a twirl as he claps

“Well done. You were ready for me this whole time” you laugh and sit back next to him. Then sadly look over at the books you got out from the library that are sat the other side of the room. He chuckles as he stands up, going over and bringing them to you.

“Why weren’t you in school this week?” he shrugs, grabbing a book and flicking quickly through the pages.

“Who are we researching?”

“I dunno. Who’s an interesting person?”

“I dunno either”

“The English monarchy always fascinates me” you gasp with excitement, grabbing his arm “we could do the Russian Tsars”

“The Russian what’s?”

“Tsars? You know. Rasputin and stuff” he looks baffled as you go over to your book case and grab a book, bring it back over “The Tsars are basically Russia’s royalty. They got killed off for a variety of reasons. But, Rasputin is the guy that is the most fascinating to me. They attempted to kill him several times by shooting, poisoning and beating. But they drowned him in the end” you place the book down. He nods

“Sounds good to me” he grabs some paper and the book you just put down, starting to read through the notes.

-

A few hours go by, you have written down your notes. Your stomach lets out a deep growl, making your cheeks turn red. “I think that’s a sign we should stop and eat”

“But I want to carry on” he looks at the time, chuckling

“It’s coming up for 5:30. Come on, I’ll cook for you” you frown at him as he places his book down. Going to the kitchen he searches through your cupboards. You follow, watching him as he finds some pasta and pans, starting to cook over your oven. That’s when you notice the shirt he’s wearing. You chuckle

“I can’t believe you actually like it”

“What?”

“The hellfire club symbol I made”

“Oh yeah” he looks down at his shirt “It’s such a good design. Me and the others wear them constantly” he smiles, going to stir the food. “Why did your brother not come down and join you?”

“He stayed in Canada for college. They do the course he wants up there. Plus mum and dad are there for work. I was the weird one in wanting to come back down here” he nods

“You said you were turning 18 soon” you nod

“In October”

“You doing anything special for it?”

“Well, I was going to have a big party with all my friends but considering they all still hate me I’m thinking I might just not do anything”

“You need to do something for your 18th!”

“What did you do for yours?”

“I had all my friends round and we drank and played games”

“I might do that. Well, me and my one friend”

“I’m offended”

“Why?”

“Am I not your friend?” you laugh

“Fine. Me and my two friends”

“Better” you both laugh.

“I might just have a giant fuck off party though and invite everyone. Regardless of social standings in school and stuff like that” he nods, turning to face you and smiling

“I just can’t believe I’m older then you”

“Only by a few months”

“6 months to be precise” you laugh and nod. He motions at the food “it has a little while to cook. I’m going to go and have a smoke” you nod

“I’ll come and keep you company” he nods and you both go out, he stands on the top of the stairs and you stand in the doorway. He pulls out a lighter and a cigarette. Placing it in his mouth and lighting the end. You fold your arms, starting to shiver slightly. He furrows his brows slightly as he smokes

“Are you cold?”

“No I’m wimpy. I’ll be fine” he shakes his head, keeping one arm out the door with his cigarette he grabs his coat that he placed on the coat rack. Placing it back in his mouth, he drapes his jacket over your shoulders. He smiles at you as he stands back outside, you shyly smiling as you put your arms in his leather jacket. “You know what would look absolutely amazing with this?” he shakes his head “a denim jacket over the top. Like with pins and stuff on it. True punk style” he nods and smiles

“That would look good. I have a jacket at home but it’s quite old now, the sleeves are coming off”

“Don’t need sleeves. This has sleeves to keep your arms covered” you rub your arms. He nods, pulling his lighter out again to relight it. You do grabby hands at it, he chuckles and hands you the lighter “Have you ever done this thing?” you put the lighter on, the flame licking the top of it. You wave your hand over it, feeling the heat in your fingertips.

“Jesus” he mutters as you hold the flame in front of you

“It doesn’t hurt” he raises an eyebrow at you “if you do it quick enough you don’t burn” you show him your hand “see?” he nods, waving his hand quickly over it, then letting out a small chuckle

“That’s kind of fun” you nod, handing him the lighter back. He places it in his pocket, snuffing out his cigarette and going to the kitchen again, serving up two plates of food “Bon appetite” he hands you a plate as you both go and sit in the living room.

-

A few more hours pass, you both spend a while on your project. You stretch, you’re back hurting from being hunched over for so long. You look at the clock “What time did you need to be back?” he looks at the clock and laughs

“Apparently not before midnight”

“Sorry”

“It’s fine”

“If you want we can finish this tonight and you can stay round” he looks at you

“Are you sure?” you nod

“Saves you going back when it’s past midnight” you nod “Or do you just want to sleep now and finish this tomorrow?”

“Probably that. I don’t know how much more my brain can concentrate” he smiles “Sorry” you shrug and smile at him

“Umm, you take the bed, I’ll sleep out here”

“No it’s your house you sleep in your bed”

“Nope you’re the guest”

“Why don’t we do this true sleepover style and both sleep out here?” he half smiles at you as you nod at his plan, going into your bedroom and grabbing some blankets and cushions. You pass him some, moving your little coffee table over and lying on the floor, cushion placed under your head. He lies next to you, laying the blanket over him. Grabbing the small lamp you place it near your heads, turning it on

“Shit I forgot to turn the main light off” you stand up again, going over to turn it off. He laughs before you do

“I forgot you were wearing my jacket. You look so small in it” you chuckle and place your arms out to the side, the sleeves hiding half of your hands.

“I would give it back to you but its mine now” he laughs as you turn the light off, going back over and lying down. The gentle light from the lamp being the only source of light in the room. You hold your hand up, creating a shadow on the ceiling. He chuckles as you make it look like a dog, him copying you and pretending to chase you with his dog. He grabs your hand, making fake eating noises as you laugh, his hand then holding yours, interlocking his fingers with yours. He kisses the back of it before placing both yours and his hand on his chest. “Have you got a necklace on?” you ask as you feel roughness hit your hand from under his shirt

“Huh? Yeah” he uses his hand that isn’t holding yours to pull out a necklace, a guitar pick dangling from it. You use your free hand to hold it, looking at it closely. Your body turning towards his.

“I didn’t realise you played guitar...” he turns his body to face you, your interlocked hands coming up to rest by your faces. He nods

“Have you got anymore tattoos since I last saw you?” you shake your head

“I want one behind my ear but it’ll be difficult to hide, plus I can’t do it myself”

“I can do it for you”

“Really?” he nods, moving his free hand to come up and move the hair out of the way so he can look, his finger lightly tracing the skin behind your ear.

“What would you like?”

“Roses I think would look cool. In amongst some vines” he nods, his eyes meeting yours as he stays tracing the soft skin. You smile at him, before being cut off with a yawn. He chuckles slightly, hand moving to gently stroke your cheek with his thumb.

“What happened to us doing an all-nighter?”

“I never said I’d do that” he laughs “Also what would we even do all night? I don’t have many films here” he nods, his eyes darting to your lips before going back to your eyes. You smile slightly, leaning into him as you rest your forehead against his shoulder, shutting your eyes and lying down more as he stays resting on his side. After a few moments you feel him start to move, you go to move away from him thinking he needed to get up and you were in the way but then you feel him gently press his lips to yours. A hand still on your cheek as he keeps kissing you. He pulls away, almost like he suddenly realised what he was doing. His face a foot or so away from your face

“Shit I’m sorry” he goes to move away but you shake your head

“Please... I-I like this” he smiles down at you, kissing you again before looking at you with questioning eyes

“Are you sure?” you nod and bite your lip. He smiles, kissing you again. This time he moves, his hand that was on your cheek helping to keep him up as he moves to be over you. His body at a slight angle in comparison to yours. Your free hand going to the back of his neck as a way to bring him closer to you, tasting cigarettes on his tongue. His hands gripping onto yours, allowing you to be able to feel his rings leaving dents in the palms of your hands. The kiss staying slow as you explore each other’s mouths. He pulls away, both of you breathless as he smiles down at you. You bite your bottom lip, going to kiss him again but him being too far away from you. You let out an annoyed whine causing him to laugh “what do you need, hmm?” you feel your cheeks redden

“...you...” you whisper out. His smile widens even more, the hand keeping him up moves, using his forearm on his other arm to keep himself up. He strokes your reddened cheek before his fingers go to the front of your shirt. His hand playing with the buttons, raising an eyebrow slightly as he doesn’t feel the familiar feel of a bra underneath your shirt

“Are you wearing anything underneath?” your cheeks go even redder as you try to hide your face into his arm. “Come on pretty girl, answer my question” You feel your face burning, but you take a deep and shaky breath. Refusing to look at him as you speak

“I’m not...” he kisses your temple as he leans to one side slightly, his arm keeping him up, fingers still interlocked with yours as he glides his free hand over your torso, slowly undoing the buttons. Each one he undoes you see his eyes flutter up to check your face, ready to stop at any sign of discomfort as your eyes stay transfixed on his delicate fingers undoing each button. As he opens the last one he takes the side of your shirt and his jacket, he starts to move it slowly, allowing your chest to be seen. He lets out a sinful moan as he looks at your boobs. The hand coming up and squeezing one gently, his rings cold against your hot skin. He leans down, taking one of your nipples into his mouth. You moan, your free hand grabbing his hair. He attacks your nub with his tongue, gently grazing it with his teeth. You moan, gripping his hair tightly. He lets out a grunt as you tighten your grip on him. You smile evilly as you tug at his roots again. Another moan leaves his lips. The vibration going through your chest straight to your core “Does someone like a little pain, huh?” you tease, biting your lip as you grip tighter, his eyes shutting as he holds back a moan. “My little masochist...” He moves off of your boob in a swift motion, his free hand coming up to go around your neck. He gently squeezes the sides, causing you to let out a small moan.

“Don’t forget who’s in charge, hmm?” he smiles, leaning down towards your face as he kisses you roughly

“Ple-please” your free hand moves to grip at the base of his shirt “off” you plead at him. He smiles, letting go of your neck and hand as he kneels down at the end of your body. He pulls the clothing over his head, throwing it to the side as you bite your lip, looking at his tattooed torso. Your hand reaches out, gently tracing the various inks sketches. He smiles, leaning back over you as he positons his body between your legs, kissing you again as you feel him lower his body more onto yours. One hand goes and holds him up, the forearm resting near your head as he gently strokes your cheek. The other traces lightly down your body. You feel him unbutton your jeans, slowly pulling them down your body. You lift yourself up slightly so he can remove them. The whole time your lips never parting. He starts to rub you on the outside of your underwear, causing you to moan into his mouth. He smiles, pulling away slightly

“Let’s hear that again shall we?” he pushes hard down onto your clothed clit, making you moan out and grab his bicep with both your hands

“Please. Please” he kisses you again, smiling as he kisses your neck and making his way down.

“How could I refuse when you asked me so nicely” he positons himself between your legs, hands gently caressing your thighs as he plants kisses to your still clothed core. You try and grind against his face but he tuts and uses one hand to hold you pelvis down. He takes a hold of your pants, slowly pulling them down your legs. “Jesus look at how wet you are already baby” He presses his finger against your sensitive clit, rubbing circles onto it as you whine out. Grabbing a hold of his hair and trying to bring him closer to you.

“Eddie please” you cry out, soon after feeling the harshness of his finger be replaced by his soft lips. Keeping a hand on either one of your thighs he starts licking and sucking on your folds, nose brushing your clit. You whine out, both hands tugging harshly at his hair in an effort to bring him closer to you. You start rutting your hips into his face, feeling him work his way round your hole as your hips move to make his nose hit your clit. God he sure knows how to use his tongue. “Gonna... gonna cum...” he smiles, his mouth staying in your folds and his finger going from one of your thighs to rub your clit. You try everything to keep yourself from crushing his head as your orgasm hits you. Your hands pushing him further into your heat as you moan out various curse words. You feel one of his hands still on your thigh, managing to keep his head from being completely engulfed. He helps you ride it out, moving away as he watches your hole leak out fresh juices. He rubs your shaky thighs. You see him sit up properly, wiping his mouth and chin. You hold a hand out towards him, grabbing at the air as he leans over you. Kissing him you taste yourself on his tongue. You move your hand down, feeling his hard on. He lets out a small grunt as you palm him through his jeans. Hearing his breath start to hitch in your ear. You smile to yourself, kissing his lips, then jawline, neck, collarbone. You nibble slightly at the flesh, his breath catching in his throat. He moves away slightly, a smile forming on his lips as he watches your eyes turning playful

“What are you doing, little miss?” you shake your head and bite your lip, leaning once again to lick a stripe up his collarbone before nibbling the flesh. “If you do what I think you want to do, there will be trouble” you smile at his words. Licking and kissing the skin before biting down. Not hard enough to break the skin, but hard enough to most likely cause bruising. He moans out, gritting his teeth through the pain and pleasure going through his body. He moves away, a smile on his lips as you go to do it again. He places a hand around your jaw. You feel his rings denting the flesh slightly from his grip. You bite your lip, watching as he shakes his head.  “You going to be a good girl for me and behave, yeah?” you nod slightly, as much as your head can whilst he has a strong hold on your jaw

“Wanna-” your hands grab at his trousers, trying to pull him closer to you. Forcing you to look at him as he smile, causing you to whine out as his hand tightens.

“You want to make me feel good?” you nod, watching him as he let’s go of your face. His hands go to the side pockets of his jacket you’re wearing, letting out an annoyed groan

“W-what?”

“I don’t have... anything...” you shake your head

“I’m... I’m on the pill... Please I need to feel you...” he smirks slightly at your words. The idea of doing it raw exciting him more. He slowly undoes his trousers, once again kneeling between your knees as he disrobes the rest of his body. You bite your lip as you see his cock, watching as he pumps himself a few times before lining up with your entrance. He leans over you, kissing you

“Eyes on me, ok?” you nod, watching his eyes as he slowly pushes into you. Your hands grab at him, wrapping around the back of his neck, fluttering your eyes but keeping them open as best as you can

“Oh fuck, Eddie” he smiles, kissing all over your face as you adjust to him.

“You feel so good...” he slowly starts to move in and out, making you dig your nails into his neck and upper back. He grunts as his pace starts to quicken. You wrap your legs around his waist, his mouth starting to attack your neck with kisses as he hears you moaning into his ear. One hand by the side of you head to keep him up, the other moves to your clit, rubbing circles onto it. You moan, the only words falling out of your mouth is his name followed by several curses.

“C-Close. Eddie, please. Eddie!” he moves from your neck, kissing your slightly agape mouth

“Let go for me” you moan out, you can feel his eyes watching your face as he continues his thrust, grunting as you tighten around him. You feel him getting close himself, his hips become less periodic. You shut your eyes as he works for his high, the overstimulation from two orgasms being a lot for you. You grip his shoulders tightly, whining out. Your pussy clenching around him from the activity. He moans, pulling out and releasing himself onto your stomach. He breathes heavily, tilting his head back before he leans down and kisses you, wiping the stray hairs that have fallen from your ponytail out of your face as you tiredly kiss him back. He rests for a moment, lying next to you. One hand resting on your shaky thigh as he rubs it soothingly. He kisses your forehead “You’ve been such a good girl for me” you nod in response as you half open your eyes, smiling at him slightly before shutting them again. You feel his hand move from your leg, then hearing the tap in the bathroom running before he comes back out, a damp towel in his hand. He comes over, opening your legs slightly as he cleans you up. Placing soft kisses to your thighs as he wipes your sensitive core and your stomach down. He places his pants back on his body, going over to your bedroom and grabbing a pair of clean underwear and shirt from your drawer.

Coming over he places it over your body, then covering you in your blanket as he lies next to you, wrapping his arms around you as he brings you close to him. Your head and hand going on his chest, feeling his hand cover yours. Your eyes still shut from exhaustion, slowly drifting to sleep as you listen to his heartbeat

-

You wake up on Sunday morning. Feeling Eddies body pressed against your back as he spoons you. You turn your head slightly to face him, smiling at how peaceful he looks. You gently take his hand that’s draped over your body, kissing the back of it before moving out from under it before you go into the bathroom. You take off your underwear from last night, plus the shirt and Eddie’s jacket. Leaving your clothes on the floor and hanging the jacket on the back of the door. You start running the shower, taking your hair out of the ponytail it’s in. Letting the water run down your body. You wash your hair, then getting out the shower you grab the towel from the back of the door, wrapping it around your body as you walk out, heading to your room for some clothes. “Nice shower?” you hear him say from the floor. You look, seeing him watching you through sleepy eyes. You nod as you smile at him “come here beautiful” you walk over to him, he takes your hand and pulls you down, having you straddle him as he sits up, leaning on his hands as you stay on his lap, hand clutching the towel in fear it’ll fall down. You notice the very prominent bite mark starting to form on his chest. You feel your cheeks start to turn pink

“I’m sorry for that” you gently trace over the bruising. He shrugs, gently stroking your arm as he watches your eyes looking over his body, his torso being uncovered. “I umm...” you feel suddenly shy as your eyes meet his “I’m sorry for last night” he shakes his head

“Why are you sorry?”

“I didn’t want you to feel forced into anything”

“I enjoyed last night. A lot” he moves your hair behind your ear “there is nothing to be sorry about, ok? You were amazing” he gently places his hand to the back of your head, bringing you down so he can kiss your forehead. You nod, hugging him tightly. You feel him wrap his arms around you, then bury his head into the crook of your neck more. You move away, standing up and readjusting your towel.

“I’m going to get dressed. Give me 5 minutes” he nods, watching you as you head into your room. You dry yourself, putting on a dress and heading back out. He is still lying on the ground, one arm up and covering his eyes. You go over “Can I offer you some food?” he nods

“I’ll come and grab something” he stands up, grabbing his trousers and placing them on his body as he walks into the kitchen. You follow close behind, offering him the various breakfast things. He grabs some, going and sitting back in the living room with it. You both eat in a comfortable silence. You take his bowl from him, taking it to the kitchen and placing it in the sink. You start to run some warm water, soaking the cups, plates and bowls from the weekend. He walks over as you start to wash up. He grabs a clean plate and a tea towel, drying it before looking around confused before placing it on the counter “I was trying to be helpful but I’m not too sure where they go, sorry” he half smiles at you as you chuckle.

“The plates go in that cupboard there” you point as he nods and place it in the cupboard. He walks back over, hand outstretched to take the next piece. “Cups in that cupboard” you hand him the mug, accidently getting water on him. You cover your mouth and laugh “I’m so sorry” he runs his tongue over his bottom lip before looking at you

“Oh hell no” he dips his hand in the water in the sink, going to wipe it on your face. You put your arms up, laughing as you hold him back

“Eddie no! I’ve just showered! It was an accident, Eddie” he grins as you laugh, trying your best to keep his wet hand off of your face. He stops trying, putting his hands up in a retreat.

“Come on, we should keep washing up. Then we can do the rest of our project”

“That’s fine. But I don’t trust you”

“I’m hurt. Truly” he smiles at you, going to the sink and doing the washing. You go over and start drying up, placing the objects in their respective places. As you put the last piece away he drains the sink, washing his hands. You turn to face him

“Are you ok if I use your shower?” you nod

“Go ahead. I’ll get you a clean towel” he nods, watching as you go get him one. Handing it to him he goes into the bathroom, you hear the water softly running as you go and pack up the things from the night. Folding the blankets and pulling the coffee table back into the middle of the room, sitting on the floor next to it. You quickly scan both of your notes. Letting out an annoyed moan you start reading and writing again. He walks back out, placing his leather over the back of the sofa as he comes and sits next to you, grabbing his shirt that was on the floor and placing it back over his body. His hair wet and clinging to the sides of his face slightly, the soft curls dampened down.

-

You both go through the notes for the rest of the morning, finishing about 4. “Done” you say, setting your pen down.

“It’s looking really good” he says, scanning the various notes you’ve both written. You let out a sigh, leaning your head back against the sofa “come on, we’re done. Time to celebrate”

“How do we celebrate?” you keep your head back but turn it to look at him. He smiles at you before standing up, holding his hand out for you to take. You smile and bite your lip slightly, taking it as he pulls you up. He smiles as he starts dramatically dancing with you, one hand holding yours and the other on your hip. “There’s no music playing though so why are we dancing”

“I assumed you wouldn’t have any good music in your house”

“Rude” he smiles at you, twirling you before stopping dancing, hands resting on your hips. You wrap your arms around his neck “I have some good songs here”

“Like who?”

“Elvis Presley” he chuckles “What? He’s a good musician” he nods, smiling at you

“You aren’t wrong”

“Thank you”. You both stand in silence, looking at each other for a few seconds. You rest your head into the crook of his neck, feeling him rest his against yours. You feel him take a deep breath in before wrapping his arms around you tighter.

“You know... I’m now not going to be able to wear that jacket”

“Why not?” he turns his head to look at you better, you move yours so you can meet his eyes.

“Because every time I wear it I’m just going to think of how good you looked in it” you chuckle

“You defiantly look better in it. It makes me look like a small child playing dress up. It makes you look like a badass” he laughs

“I don’t know about that, but thanks”

“What time do you need to get back home?”

“Oh anytime. It doesn’t really matter when to be honest” you nod, arms tightening around him. One of his hands goes from around your waist to gently rub your arm “You ok?” you nod

“Yeah sorry. I just, I don’t want you to leave. It’s quite scary living on your own” he nods slightly, moving away and going and grabbing a piece of paper from the notebooks on the table. He grabs a pen and writes something down before handing you the paper

“There you go. Now, if you ever feel alone or get scared you can ring me whenever you want”

“Oh no don’t worry honestly” he shakes his head

“I live with my uncle, and he works at night so it’s only me there most of the time. So no matter what time it is, if you need me then ring and I’ll answer if I can, ok?” you nod and take it from his hand

“You Eddie Munson are a true sweetheart, you know that right?” he laughs, scratching the back of his head as he turns away from you, placing a hand on his cheek before looking at you again “it’s true. I told Alice I was home alone and she just said ‘yeah I’d hate to be by myself’“. He laughs but tries really hard not to. Folding his arms he looks at you.

“I’m serious though. If you need or want anything do ring me” you nod as he takes your hand, kissing the back of it “I should go home, I’ll see you tomorrow, my beautiful queen” he smiles, waving at you as he leaves your house. You let out a sigh as you sit on the sofa. Then an annoyed groan as you remember you have other homework due in.

-

You sit at a table during your lunch break, doodling in your notebook. “Well well well. If it isn’t the one and only Elizabeth the Whore” you look up, seeing Chris smirking at you as two of his friends stand either side of him. You hear the canteen go quieter, all eyes watching you. He leans forward “I heard that you’d fucked everyone in Hawkins already and moved to Canada”

“And I heard that you’d stopped being an asshole but I guess we were both wrong” his jaw clenches as you smile softly at him, you hear people trying to stifle their laughs “It’s been a while, how are you and Jessica doing?” he rests his hands on the table, staring you down. “Oh I take it you broke up based on that look. Did she get bored of having to fake it with you?” he clenches his fists, before moving away from the table

“You’re an absolute bitch you knew”

“Well I did spent 4 years of my life dating a bitch so I guess I learn from the best” Alice walks over to you, sitting at the table and looking very confused. He looks at you both, you stay sitting as he chuckles

“You know what, I do feel sorry for you. Because whoever you end up dating next will only like you to have sex with you. In fact, that’s the only reason I kept dating you. Because you are good for being used. That is all you are and will ever be good at. To be fucked. And if any guy tells you differently than he is lying to you. Most likely just so he can get into your pants. And you’ll likely let him because you are so insecure that that is the only way you feel truly wanted in your life. I hope whoever you decide to screw around with next knows that they are getting themselves into” he turns around and walks away

“You can all stop looking at us now dipshits” putting your face in your hands

“So much for a non-messy breakup, huh?” Alice chimes in

“God I hate him. What did I see in him?”

“He’s hot”

“Yeah. But still. Imagine how different my life would be if I actually had good taste in men and didn’t go for absolute assholes”

“Speaking off men, how was your weekend with Eddie?” you cough slightly

“What do you mean?”

“On Friday you said you were history partners and he was coming to your house” you nod, looking down and doodling some more

“It went well. Very well”

“Uhu, I’m sure it did” she looks over at the table he’s on. “He’s quite handsome isn’t he?” you look at the table, seeing him chatting and laughing with his friends.

“He’s not my type...” you say softly

“Then what is your type?”

“Based off of the man I was dating, dickheads with mommy issues” she laughs.

-

You sit in your history class, wondering where Munson is. You know he’s in today as you saw him no more than 20 minutes ago, but his seat beside you is empty. The door opens, you look up hoping to see the long haired boy but instead a teacher walks in “We’d like to talk to Elizabeth please?” you look confused, going over to them. She leads you to the principal’s office. Chars sits in there as well as the headmaster motions for you to take a seat.

“Now, we understand that you two broke up, yes?” you both nod “Now, I get that. Some breakups can be messy, others aren’t and are mutual. However that does not give you any reason to swear in the middle of lunch” Chris tries so hard not to smile as you get told off

“But I-”

“Christopher here told me you swore at him in front of the whole school, unprovoked”

“He starte-”

“I don’t want to hear it. If he initiated anything, you should’ve come to us to deal with it instead of using vulgar language. But instead, he’s come forward. If it was really as bad as you say it is then you should’ve come forward” you feel tears start to prick your eyes.

“But I-”

“So, as punishment. You will be given a detention. After school today”

“Bu-”

“Chris, thank you for coming forward. Elizabeth, we will see you in the classroom after school” you nod, tears threatening to spill. You’ve never been in trouble before, let alone been given a detention. You both get dismissed, so you head back to your class.

Inside you see Eddie sitting in his seat. You go and sit next to him. He leans forward slightly “I copied your notes, I hope you don’t mind. You can copy mine if you’d like?” he sees your eyes filled with tears “hey are you ok?” you nod, grabbing your pen and starting to write stuff down. Looking at his notes he lets you copy them. Before your teacher dismisses the class for the last lesson of the day she lets you have 5 minutes to chat to each other. You start to pack up your bag. “I umm, I left my jacket at yours” he says to you. You look at him

“Oh shit yeah you did” you rub your temples “I would say come with me after school today to pick it up but I have detention”

“I have detention too! My uncle is picking me up before he goes to work, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind dropping you off home afterwards as well, then I can pick it up” he smiles at you softly. You nod slightly, he waves goodbye to you before leaving the classroom. You and Eddie Munson not only becoming friends, but now having detention together. You never would’ve thought this would happen

-

You sit in your classroom, looking out the window as Eddie and your teacher arrive at the same time “Ok. Good you are both here” he looks at the board he’s holding “you two come with me” you grab your bag, following him into a small store room

“What happened in here?” you ask, seeing chairs and fake weapons dotted about the room

“There was a drama group in here performing, they left their props behind and you get to pack up after them” he smiles at you both “have fun you too. I’ll be back in an hour” he leaves. You sigh, putting your bag down by the door. Going over you start stacking the chairs. Eddie looks around, putting his bag by yours he goes over and starts packing up the props.

“Look at this Liz” he holds up a fake eyeball “why does it look so... realistic?”

“I was going to say gross but realistic also works” you say. You stop for a moment, taking off your jacket as you are getting to warm. He watches you, only briefly but you see him.

“Can I help?” you ask him, it coming out a lot blunter then you meant it to. He shakes his head

“Just curious as to what you were doing” you nod and continue stacking. He looks at you “Are we ok?”

“What do you mean?”

“You seem distant”

“Sorry. Just feeling stressed”

“Why are you stressed?”

“You don’t want to hear about my life” he nods

“I’m ok hearing about it”

“I don’t want to tell a guy I fucked once about my love life” you spit at him. He looks shocked. “Shit I’m sorry” he shrugs, looking away from you. You stay quiet for a moment, putting the chair down you were holding and going over to him “I’m really sorry” you hug him. “I didn’t mean that. You’re my friend and I’m sorry I said that” he nods. He puts his arms around you, hugging you back. You both pull back from the hug. You smile at him slightly “we still cool?” he looks at you, nodding slightly. “Good, because I think I can give you a hand with these props” you bend down, picking up a skeleton hand from the floor and handing it to him. He chuckles slightly as he takes it from you

“You have the sense of humour of a child” you stick your tongue out teasingly at him. He throws the hand into a box as you carry on stacking the chairs.

“I can’t wait to leave school this year” you say, placing the last chair in its correct place

“I can’t either” you go over and pick up a crown from the floor

“We should run away together. Leave this absolute shithole behind” you jokingly say as he chuckles

“What, the queen and her joker?” you shake your head, placing the crown on his head

“More like the queen and her king” he smiles and holds his hand out for you to take

“Would my queen care to dance with this king?”

“I’d be delighted my lordship” you take his hand, as he spins you, making you laugh and hold onto him “You look good in a crown” you say, adjusting his hair around the delicate piece adorning his head.

“Why thank you. I feel like true royalty” you smile as you bow to him

“I am but a mere slave to you, your highness” he laughs, taking the crown from his head and placing it on yours

“Yeah, defiantly looks better on you” you laugh as he goes back to packing stuff up. You take the crown off, placing it in a box. Within 10 minutes you’re both done. You sit down on the floor, head leaning against the wall. He comes and sits next to you

“Why are you always late to classes?” he shrugs

“I have a small... side business you could say. Sometimes that gets in the way of my other life things” you nod slightly. Silence fills the room before he speaks up “I know you said you don’t want to talk about it, which I respect, but you shouldn’t listen to Chris”

“No, no. Shh” you cover his mouth as he chuckles slightly. Taking both your hands in his he turns to look at you “How much of what he said did you hear?”

“All of it”

“Great...”

“None of its true though. What he said” you go to speak but he covers your mouth “you are so kind and generous. Smart, caring, and funny. If the next guy you start seeing doesn’t see that then he isn’t worth your time. You’re a real catch” you smile slightly at his words, he moves his hand away and holds both your hands again “Any guy would be lucky to have you, Liz”. You feel your heart tighten slightly at his words.

“Thank you, Eddie” he shrugs. Smiling at you. You smile softly, leaning forward and kissing him. It’s not a heated kiss, but it’s not a quick one either. One of his hands moves from your hands to the side of your face, rubbing his thumb over your cheekbone as he kisses you. You move away, going to stand up to move away fully from him as you apologise “sorry. I’m sorry...” he shakes his head, his hand still on your cheek as he places his lips back on yours. You let out a content sigh, once again the familiar taste of cigarette smoke and a small touch of alcohol on his mouth. He pulls away, his eyes watching yours as you smile at him. Placing your hands on his shoulders you go and straddle him. His legs outstretched underneath you as your legs kneel either side of his. You kiss him again, your hands going to the sides of where his neck and head join. His hands falling onto your hips as you continue kissing. You pull away from him, hands moving to rest on his shoulders as you feel his hands move to your lower back.

“Did you decide what you are going to do for your 18th yet?” he asks, his mind coming to the same conclusion as yours of you can’t sleep with each other right here and right now. You stay straddled on top of him, your hands play with the ends of his hair.

“No. I want to throw a party, but I’m not sure who I’d invite. I just want to get absolutely pissed” he chuckles “But I’m also tempted to just not do anything this year. I’ve lost most of my friends and my boyfriend so a big party may not work out. I’d rather not do anything then throw a lame get together” he nods

“The females that were part of your friendship group seemed to have left though. Have you not seen them around?” you shake your head “You could try and befriend them again. Obviously not what’s-her-face because she’s a bitch, but the others” you nod and bite your lip slightly. Tilting your head back to look at the ceiling.

“You sure we can’t just ditch school and run away together?” he shakes his head

“You’re way too smart to drop out of school. Put that brain to use here, ok?” you roll your eyes at the compliment but smile at him. One of his hands moves from your lower back, taking your chin between his thumb and finger, bringing you close to him as he kisses you. You smile into his mouth, letting out a small moan as his hand on your back brings you closer to him. Your hands come to the front of his shirt, gripping the fabric. You move away from him slightly, seeing his eyes begin to fill with lust as he meets yours

“How long do we have left?” he looks around for a clock then shakes his head. You nod, biting your lip slightly before kissing him again. “Can we-?” he nods, both of you moving fast, unsure of the time limit you have on this encounter. Your hands going to his trousers and undoing them, pulling his cock out and lightly pumping it a few times. He moves his hands under your skirt, moving your pants aside as he lightly traces your hole with his middle finger. He spits on his hand, rubbing it over your hole as you help get him fully hard. You kneel up, lining him up with your entrance you sink down onto him. Wincing slightly at the friction but the both of you letting out a deep moan when he’s fully inside of you. You wait a few seconds to accustom to him again. Head resting on his shoulder before your start to slowly grind. Once you feel like your wetter you begin to bounce up and down on him. Moans leaving your mouth as you feel him hitting the spongey spot inside of you. He covers your mouth with his hand, eyes pleading with you to be quiet. You fasten your pace, both wanting to reach your highs. You move one of your hands down between your legs, rubbing your clit as you keep moving on him.

“Fuck...” he moans out, leaning his head back against the wall behind him as he feels his high approaching. He uses his hands to pause your hips, positioning himself so he can roughly fuck up into you. Causing you to whine out at his faster pace. You cover your mouth with your free hand, the other still working on your clit. One of his hands moves from your hip the move your hand from your mouth, embracing you in deep kiss as he moans into your mouth. Feeling him release into you as he hits his high but continuing to go roughly, helping you to try and hit your high. His finger replacing yours on your clit as you centre yourself and hold onto him. You moan out, burying your head into his shoulder as you feel your orgasm hit you

“Oh Eddie” hands gripping tightly onto his shoulders, nails digging into the soft skin as he helps you ride out your high. You both sit there for a few minutes. Taking in each other’s presence as you both come down. You move off of him, adjusting your underwear so they are comfortable again. He puts himself away, reaching out and interlocking his hand with yours. You move in slight discomfort as you feel it start to leak out of you and onto your underwear. He chuckles slightly

“Sorry. I feel like that is defiantly my fault” you nod but smile at him

“Yeah I do blame you for my current discomfort to be fair” he smiles, bringing the hand that’s interlocked with his up to his mouth to kiss each of the knuckles of your fingers. You smile at him, just as a teacher walks through the door. He lets go of your hand quickly

“Ok, wow you guys did a good job in here. You’ll be please to know detention is over. You may both go home now” you both nod, standing up you go and grab your bag

“Are you sure your uncles still ok to give me a lift?” he nods, grabbing his bag as well

“I mean I assume so” he chuckles slightly as you both walk out, his uncle being in the car waiting for him. Eddie walks over, saying something to him before beckoning you over. Opening the back door for you smile before getting in. He gets into the front seat, his uncle giving you unsure eyes in the rear view mirror. You smile at him

“It’s nice to meet you Mr Munson” you say. He scoffs slightly, starting to drive the car. An awkward silence fills the car. You sit and look out the window as you feel unsure whether you should try and strike up a conversation or not. Thankfully it’s not to long after he pulls up outside of your house. “Thank you for the lift. Eddie, do you want to come and grab your jacket?” he nods, getting out of his seat and following you up to your apartment. You unlock the door, going inside and grabbing it for him. He smiles and takes it from you

“Thank you beautiful” you nod and smile at him

“I’ll see you tomorrow then, yeah?” he nods, kissing your forehead before he waves goodbye to you, heading to the car. You go into your house, locking the door behind you. Thankfully you didn’t have a shift tonight or you’d be screwed. You go into your room and grab your pyjamas, removing your pants as you then wipe the mess up that’s currently between your legs. You go and take your dress off, but stop half way through. You can smell his scent on your dress. You smile as it comforts you, but you mentally shake yourself and take it off. Placing an oversized pyjama top on your body and then crawling into bed.

-

A few days had passed. You were sat at lunch with Alice. A handsome guy walks over to you and sits opposite you as he smiles. You smile back at him “Hey. I’m Jay. You’re Liz right?” you nod “I umm. I wondered if you wanted to go see a movie or something this weekend?” he shyly says. You smile softly at him

“Thank you so much for the offer but I’m not really looking for anything like that...” he nods, looking down slightly

“Cool. That’s fine”

“I’m sorry, it’s not personal I just... I’m not looking for a relationship right now” he nods and smiles at you

“No its fine. I get it. Would you want to hang out anyway some time? As friends that is” you nod

“As friends yes. Sometime next week maybe? I’m not sure when I’m working” he nods

“Well, when you know what days you can do come and tell me, yeah?” you nod and smile as he stands up. He walks past Chris who calls out to him as he stands

“Jay. What were you doing mate?”

“Excuse me?”

“You asking out my girl, huh?”

“I thought you two broke up...?” he looks confused as Chris grabs him by the collar of his shirt. You stand up, going over to the two boys

“She’s mine, got it?” he nods, his arms up in defines.

“I was just curious about what she was doing this weekend. That’s all dude. She’s not free anyway” he scoffs as you reach them. You place a hand on Chris’s shoulder

“Let him go” he looks at you “Now” he drops him, you turn to Jay “Are you ok?” he nods, adjusting his clothes. Muttering under his breath. Chris hears him talking, turning around and threatening to punch him. You grab his fist, “No!” he looks at you, sadness filling his eyes. You are aware of the whole room watching you as you talk to him “I am sorry but you can’t control who I speak to. We aren’t dating anymore. We won’t ever date again. I am sorry if that hurts you, truly. But you need to move on with your life. For both of our sanities” he looks down, fests clenching.

“I love you...”

“I used to...” You hear someone mutter something again, behind Chris this time. Before you can stop him, he turns around. Punching the poor person straight in the nose. Teachers come over, having heard the commotion beforehand. They take you 4 away from the scenario, taking the kid with the bleeding nose to the nurse as you and the other 2 boys get taken to the principal.

-

It’s official. Chris has been expelled in defiantly for threatening and violent behaviour. He had the rest of the day (only 2 more lessons left) before he was banned from entering school property. The councillor spoke to you, saying you could try and get a legal thing against him for your safety but you didn’t. Instead you carried on your day as normal. The next 2 lessons you had all your old friends coming up to you and speaking to you, asking to hang out, which you agreed. They all said that how Chris behaved was crossing the line. The only one who didn’t make plans with you was Jessica and her two closest friends. The rest of the group, about 5 boys and 3 girl, all made plans with you. Even asked for you to hang out with them again at lunch time on Monday.

You felt much loved whilst you were at school. Everyone who had hated you a few months ago liked you and you had your social standings once again. However, when you got home the drama from your school made your home seem quiet. Too quiet. You felt unsafe here. Worried that Chris would find you and do god knows what when he did. You hide your face into your hands before, feeling tears start to prick your eyes. You go over to the phone, dialling in Alice’s number. Needing to chat to someone. Have someone near. But no answer. You cry out in frustration, before your eyes go to the little note by your phone. A number written onto it. You wipe your nose on your sleeve, dialling the numbers. A few rings pass before it gets picked up “Hello?” you let out a small sob at the comfort of his voice

“Eddie?” You sniffle slightly “Its Liz”

“Are you ok?” you nod slightly, resting your head against the wall

“I’m ok. Just needed to talk to a friend. Are you free at the moment?”

“Yes. Of course”

“Can you come over...?” you whisper out, more tears falling down your cheeks.

“I’ll be at yours in 10 minutes, ok?” you nod

“Thank you Eddie...” you whisper, hearing him hang up. You sit impatiently inside your house. What seemed like several hours but probably only a few minutes there is a knock on the door. You go over, opening it and embracing the long haired boy. Digging your head into his shoulder as you take in the comforting smell of smoke and his leather. He wraps his arms around you and after a few minutes of silent hugging he walks in, shutting the door behind him as he goes over to the sofa. One arm stays wrapped round you the whole time. Bringing you onto his lap, your body turned towards his but your les outstretched on the sofa. His in a normal sitting positon under you as one hand goes around your back and the other rests on your thigh, gently stroking it. He cradles you like this as you hide in the crook of his neck. You sit like this for what you reckon is an hour before you hear your stomach. He chuckles slightly. The seriousness of the room dying down a little as your belly grumbles. He picks you up bridal style before gently placing you on the sofa. He kneels beside you, taking your hands in his as he talks

“I’m going to go make some food, ok? Then we can watch some movies” you nod as he stands up, going to your kitchen you hear him opening cupboards. You grab a blanket, placing it over yourself as you pull it up close to you. He walks back in. Two plates of toast and jam in hand. He places them both down on the coffee table, taking his jacket off and placing it on the floor before he goes over to your movie collection. “Any suggestions?”

“I don’t want to force you to watch something you won’t like...”

“Don’t be silly. How about... Sound of Music? That’s a jolly film right?” he grabs it out and holds it up, turning to face you as you nod. He goes over to your TV, placing the video in as he then comes and sits down next to you, letting you rest your legs over him as you both eat and watch the film. Halfway through the film, you reach your hand out and take his in yours. Holding it for the entirety of the rest of the film.

The film finishes and you realise not one of you has said a word to each other since the film started. “Do you- what time do you need to get home?”

“I don’t have a set time I need to be back” you nod, the hand that’s holding his gently tracing over his various rings.

“Can you stay the night please...? I’m scared to be alone tonight” he nods, using the hand that you were holding to pull you up to a sitting positon and hugging you.

“I can stay with you this weekend if you want?” you nod, hiding your face in his shoulder

“I’d really like that” he nods, kissing the top of your head and looking at the time

“Come on. We should get to bed” he stands up, hand outstretched to you “I will probably go back tomorrow, just to grab some fresh clothes and tell my uncle where I am but you can come with me and then we can come back here” you nod, taking his hand as he takes you into your bedroom. “I’ll be on the couch. Come and get me if you need anything” he smiles, turning away from you as you grab his wrist

“Please... please stay in here with me...” you look down shyly. He looks at you, nodding slowly.

“I’ll leave so you can get dressed. I’ll be just outside the door, ok?” you nod, letting his arm go as he goes outside, shutting the door behind him. You strip your clothes off. Placing your oversized shirt over your body as your pyjamas. You go over and open the door, walking over to your mirror as you take your makeup off. Placing your hair in a bun as he walks in. You go and get underneath the covers on your bed. Looking at him and grabbing towards him. He comes over, you lift the covers up as he gets in next to you. You face him

“Thank you for this”

“It’s what friends are for right?” you nod. Yawning and covering your mouth. You take a hold of his hand once again, it comforting you as you lie on your back and shut your eyes. You feel him link his fingers with yours. His body still facing towards you as you hear his breathing start to soften. You fall asleep to the sound of it.

-

When you wake up, you feel his fingers intertwined with yours still. You grunt slightly as you stretch, turning to face him. You open your eyes slightly, seeing him glancing at you as he smiles “Good morning beautiful” you smile at his words. Rubbing your face with your hand you shut your eyes again “You better not be falling asleep again” you smile, hearing him laugh slightly as he gently boops your nose “wake up, Liz. It’s the morning” you shake your head, covering his mouth. He chuckles again, feeling him move away from you, letting go of your hand. You frown slightly, opening your eyes to look at him as he stands up and stretches. “I am in desperate need of a shower. Do you mind?” you shake your head, pointing at your wardrobe

“Clean towels are in there” he nods, going over and grabbing one.

“I’ll shower, you get dressed. We go to my place so I can grab things and then we come back here and hang out” you nod

“Sounds like a good plan” he grins at you, gently patting your leg as he heads out of the room. You hear the shower start to run, taking that as a cue to stand up and go over to your drawers. Picking out fresh clothes you start to get dressed. Trousers and a tight fitted shirt. You go and look in the mirror, applying some mascara and tying your hair up into a high ponytail as you hear the shower then stop running. You go out, seeing him sitting on the sofa waiting for you. He smiles at you, standing up

“Shall we, m’lady?” he says with a smile. You nod, locking the door behind you as you both head to his van.

-

You drive to his place. You look at the trailer park houses. He pulls up by one “This is me” you nod as you both get out, heading to the house he enters. “I’ll be as quick as I can. Stay here” you nod, looking around at the place as he wonders into one of the back rooms. About 5 minutes pass and he walks back out. He writes something down on a piece of paper and uses a magnet to hold it up as he puts it on the fridge.

“I’m sorry to be such a pain” he shakes his head, frowning slightly

“You aren’t a pain. Don’t even think for one second you are, ok?” you nod, both heading back to his car. You get in, starting to drive back to your house. “What do you want to do today then?”

“I don’t know. I think we should go and get some snacks and watch films at my house all day. I have some more horror style films that I think you’ll prefer then the one we watched last night” he chuckles

“I did enjoy The Sound of Music. More than I thought I would”

“Perfect. I just need to get you to watch Grease” he chuckle again, flipping you the bird quickly as he drives. When you get back to your place, he goes to your kitchen, opening the fridge. He takes something out, holding up a bottle of beer

“Can I have this?”

“Of course. Alice brought them round last time she was here but I don’t drink very often” he nods, grabbing another one out as well as he comes and sits down on the sofa. You pick out Jaws. Showing it to him as he nods, opening his drink and taking a sip as you start to play the movie. You go and sit next to him, putting your legs underneath you as you then lean your head on his shoulder. You feel him hesitantly put his arm around your waist as you watch the film.

“I thought you didn’t watch horror?”

“I don’t but I can’t force you to watch all my shitty films” he laughs, running his hand up your waist slightly as a comfort thing

“You don’t have to worry about me. Honestly” you jump slightly at the film, dreading how scary it’ll be when the actual horror starts to set in. He lets out a small chuckle, taking a few sips of his beer.

-

The film finishes. You are hiding behind your hands as his arm around your waist has gotten tighter around you. He’s already drunk one, the other sitting unopened. He places the empty bottle on the table. Moving his arm from around you and going over to the TV, ejecting the video. “I’m going to have a smoke. Then film number two?” you nod

“Can we watch a happier film please? With maybe slightly less death” he laugh but nods, grabbing his jacket from the floor he pulls out his cigarettes and lighter. Going to the door and opening it, he stands, placing it into his mouth and lighting it. The door open so you can still see him. He faces you slightly, you’re now lying on the sofa, your shirt risen a bit from the angle you’re in. He traces his eyes over your body before looking back outside. This little detail doesn’t catch your gaze though as you lie on you back. Silence fills the room as you get the occasional waft of smoke hit your nostrils. A few minutes pass and he comes over to you, kneeling down by the head of the sofa and putting his head over the edge as he looks down on you, him appearing upside down due to the angle. His arms resting on the edge of the sofa. You smile up at him

“You stole my seat” he smiles at you as you nod, hiding your face with your hands. He laughs as you peak through your fingers.

“I’m not here”

“Oh no?”

“Nope” you shake your head “no one is here” he laughs, taking your hands in his and moving them from your face

“This human must just be a figment of my imagination then” you nod and bite your lip slightly, his eyes darting down to look at them as he smiles again. Eyes meeting yours. You stay looking at each other for a long while. Him over you, hands still holding yours. You let go of one of his hands, taking a hold of his shirt and pulling him down. Lips onto yours as you kiss him. The hand you let go off comes and goes by the side of your head as he positons himself more over you, the hand keeping him balanced. Your hand stays as a closed fist around his shirt as you slowly kiss each other, the taste of his cigarette and beer lingering on his tongue. The hand holding yours moves slightly, linking his fingers with yours. He pulls away, his eyes scan down the length of your body as he smiles before placing a kiss to your lips again “Come on” you shake your head

“No, I don’t wanna move” you whine out as he laughs

“You need to move, come on” you pout at him, making him laugh more. He lets go of your hand, going over and putting in another film. You watch him as he comes back over, lifting your head up so he can sit underneath you and allowing your head to rest on his lap. He grabs a blanket and puts it over your body, gently stroking your hair as the next film plays.

-

Saturday passes. You continue watching films all day. Waking up Sunday morning, you both have a more practical day. Doing the washing up, tiding the house a bit. You have a shower and then both do your homework. Watch another film as you have time before it gets to about 9pm. He says he should go home. Sadly you agree with him, concluding you’ve had him round yours the whole weekend it’s only fair he goes back to his house before school the next day. You feel a lot happier and safer in your house now, having him staying with you helped calm your nerves.

You see him walking around on Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday he’s not in your shared history lesson. You shake it off, this wasn’t unusual for him. Thursday comes about and he’s sat beside you during the lesson. One of your friends comes over to you both. “Eddie... can we swap seats?” he looks at her, then looks at you

“Why?”

“So me and Liz can talk to each other” she smiles sweetly at him. “I’ve already asked the teacher and she says its fine, so long as you’re happy to move” he looks away, licking his bottom lip slightly as he looks at her again.

“How about I move up one and you sit with us both?”

“Eddie you don’t ha-” you try and interject

“That works perfectly for me!” she squeals, coming over and sitting in the middle of you two.

Because of this it becomes difficult for you to chat to him. He sometimes asks you still to help him with questions when he doesn’t know the answer but other than that he stays quiet beside you two, listening to you chatting away throughout the lesson.

-

A few months pass of this new seating arrangement. You’re 18th birthday and party happens. Then Halloween. Then Christmas, leading into New Year. Each event having a party. You and Eddie have become distant. You still would acknowledge each other in the hallways but you couldn’t talk like how you normally do due to your friend being between you, literally and figuratively.

So when you walk into the lesson and see the seat between the two of you is empty, you are filled with joy. You sit down, grabbing your books out of your bag and setting them out in front of you. You can feel the boy watching you, his eyes following your hands as you lay everything out. You don’t quite know what to do, should you speak to him. You feel rude ignoring him but what sentence do you open with? ‘Hey sorry I’ve not spoken to you in 5 months, social norms at school suck right?’ It just didn’t seem to sound right in your head no matter how you could word it. You starts anxiously chewing on the end of your pen. He tears a piece of paper from his notebook. Scribbling on it before handing it to you

“Stop chewing your pen. You’ll damage your teeth” you let out a small chuckle, moving the item from your mouth. The teacher talking means she wasn’t paying attention to you and your silent conversation. You draw a very bad middle finger on it, handing it back to him. He looks confused “The fuck is that?”

“My middle finger” he chuckles slightly, muffling it with his hand. The tension between each note filling you with excitement yet dread. He passes the paper back

“Let’s try and be civil humans shall we?” You shake your head slightly at him as he writes again “I guess I’ll start. Hey, how are you?” You smile, biting your lip slightly

“Good thank you. And you?” he nods, eyes scanning the room to see if anyone has picked up on your silent conversation. You write down on the paper an address of some woods near the school “Meet me here around 3. Catch up properly then” he nods, taking the piece of paper and placing it in his pocket.

-

You sit with your back against a tree doing your homework. You are conscious of the time, your shift for work starting in a couple of hours. You hear footsteps approaching you, looking up you see Eddie walking towards you, his eyes looking at the surroundings. You pat the floor next to you as he comes and sits down. His eyes go to the work you’re writing “Do you ever not work?” you shake your head

“Got to stay on top of my grades. Or else my mum will kill me” he chuckles slightly, leaning his head against the tree.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so distant” he says, so soft it’s practically a whisper. You shrug

“I’ve also been neglecting our friendship”

“I just... school is a bad place to talk to people who aren’t in the same social group as you” you nod, halting your pen at his words “and I’m sorry about that”

“I’m sorry I haven’t been making as much of an effort as I probably should be. But I agree, school sucks” he tilts his head as he looks at you

“I have an idea” he grins at you, standing and looking triumphant “how about we screw all that friendship rules shit and we still hang out”

“But-” he puts his finger to his mouth, shushing you

“Sh sh sh. Hear me out. Once a week, say every... Wednesday. We meet here” you smile at his words as he holds his hand out “what do you say, my queen? Fancy hanging out with the freak of Hawkins once a week?” you take his hand as he pulls you up

“I would be delighted to hang out with you. But I don’t see a freak” he looks at you confused. You smile “I see a king”

“Well then m’lady, let us dance as royals shall we” he says in a bad British accent as he starts dancing with you. Singing cheesily as you laugh. You both stop as you smile at each, you brush the hair out of his face

“I’ve missed this”

“Yeah? I suppose I’ve missed it to” you smile and playfully ruffle his hair

“You’re such a dork” he laughs

“What did you say?” you laugh, running away from him as he chases you around some trees. He grabs you by the waist

“Gotcha!” he smiles as he pulls you into him, your back pressed against his body. Your hands go to his wrapped around your middle, feeling his watch

“Oh shit!” you look at your watch. ”I’m sorry I have a shift tonight” he pouts at you as you go over and put your stuff in your bag. “I’ll see you here next Wednesday, yeah?” he nods, both waving to each other as you head to work.

-

Although you don’t talk during school, over the next few weeks you both meet up and chat for an hour or so on Wednesdays. Catching up with the various gossip from each other. Mainly you telling him all the ‘popular people’ gossip and him laughing at you and their problems.

One day as you walk to your meeting spot Alice walks over to you “Who are you going to meet?”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, for a few months you were distant and seemed really down. But over the past month, month and a half you seem a lot happier. Plus you said that you can’t walk home with me on Wednesdays anymore, so I assume you meet up with someone” you stay quiet, eyes focused on the ground.

“I have been meeting up with someone, but please don’t tell people I’m meeting up with someone. Please” you look at her, eyes pleading

“You’re secret is safe with me” she pretends to lock her mouth “Who is it?” you shake your head

“I can’t tell you that. Now I’m going to leave you here and go meet them” you smile at her, waving goodbye as you almost run off.

You get to your spot. Him already being there and lying on the floor “I was worried you weren’t going to turn up”

“Sorry. Alice wanted to speak to me”

“Is she ok?”

“Yeah... she was just- it doesn’t matter” you lie next to him. “I realised we’ve been doing this for about 6 weeks now”

“Have we?”

“Yeah. We started meeting early February and next week is the last week of March”

“Jesus time flies by”

“We’ve not got much longer left at school...” you anxiously grip at your shirt. He notices, placing his hand over yours

“It’s ok. There is nothing to worry about”

“Will we still be friends?”

“Of course! We can still meet up every Wednesday. Or we can ring each other every week, depending on how our adult lives go” you nod as he gently rubs the back of your hand with his thumb, turning his head to face you “You’ll be fine. We’ll be fine”

“I want to leave this place... find my own home somewhere...”

“Hell, can I join?”

“Of course. We can conquer the world” you turn to face him, seeing him looking at you. You smile, silence filling around you as you focus on nothing else, only him. He places a hand on your cheek, gently stroking your cheek bone before leaning in and kissing you. As suddenly as he started, he pulls away. You let out an annoyed huff.

“What was that?” he lets out a chuckle as you cross your arms, making a pretend annoyed face at him

“That was not a long enough kiss” he laughs, kissing you again you can feel him smiling. One of your hands goes and rests on his chest, scrunching his shirt up as you grip onto it. He pulls away as you feel you both needing air.

“Was that better?” you nod, biting your lip slightly as he smiles at you. His thumb still gently tracing you cheek. You lean forward to kiss him again. This time it being a lot more heated as you feel his hand go to your lower back and pull you closer. His hand moves down, resting on your ass cheek as you lift your leg up slightly. His hand strokes down the length of your thigh before rolling you over onto your back. Being able to positon himself between your legs. You bite your lip as he hovers over you, one hand keeping him up and the other still resting on your leg. You feel the one on your thigh move, undoing the button on your jeans. His eyes dart from your crotch to your face as you stay fixed on watching his hand. He agonizingly slowly places it into your trousers. Watching your face as he tries to find that spot through your underwear. He knows he’s found it when you moan out, grabbing a hold of his shoulders

“Shit...” you moan out as he smiles, kissing you again as he rubs slow circles over your clit. Smiling as he can feel you moaning into his mouth. He kisses down, kissing your clothed breasts as he grabs the bottom of your shirt with his teeth and pulls it up over your boobs. Smiling as he starts kissing the parts of them that are shown with your bra on. One of your hands goes to his hair as the other digs into his shoulder “Please...” without needing to elaborate more, you feel his fingers go into your underwear. Slowly rubbing around your entrance before gently pushing into you. You whine out and grip his hair tighter. He sets a steady pace as his mouth continues to attack your chest. He comes back up to be level with you, smiling as you have a look of bliss across your face. He can feel you start to tighten around him

“Are you close beautiful?” you nod as a soft moan leaves your lips. Feeling him chuckle and pull his fingers out of you.

“No! Please!” he laughs slightly evilly as your hand leaves his hair and grabs at his hand again, placing it back over your core as your eyes plead with his. He kisses you again, moving away from your grip as he pulls your trousers down a bit more.

“I want to feel you” you nod, letting him take off your trousers fully. He sits back as you try and be as seductive as you can and open your legs for him whilst maintaining eye contact with him. Your hand trailing down to rub over your needy hole. “Fuck. You’re going to be the death of me” he moans out, leaning forward and kissing you again as you hear him undo his trousers and belt. Your hands go to either side of his face as you feel his tip prodding your entrance. He pushes into you slowly making you dig your nails into the side of his face slightly as you moan into his mouth. Once he’s fully in you he kisses your neck, slowly starting to thrust into you. His hand comes up and grabs your boob, squeezing it as his thrusts start to get faster.

“Eddie... shit” you moan out. His hand that was on your boob goes between your legs, rubbing circles on your clit. Feeling your high approaching you grab his hair, pulling him up so his lips meet yours as you moan into his mouth. “Close. Gonna- please?” he smiles, kissing you again

“Cum for me gorgeous” those words making you go over the edge. You moan out, walls clenching around him as you hit your high. You hide your face in his shoulder as he continues thrusting, a few moments later he pulls out of you and sits up. Releasing himself onto your stomach. He stays sitting up as his eyes trail over your body. Your eyes shut as you come down from your ecstasy. He leans down and kisses you. Your hands coming up and gently resting on his chest. He pulls away, grabbing his bag and grabbing some tissues he cleans you both up. Then helps you place your clothes back on your body as he also makes himself decent again. He lies next to you, taking your hand in his as he brings the back of it up and gently traces it over his lips.

About 10 minutes of silence passes, both just relishing in each other’s presence. Him looking at the sky as your head is titled towards him, your eyes shut. He kisses the back of your hand before speaking “You don’t talk much about your parents or your brother, how are they doing in Canada?”

“Michael rings and writes when he remembers. He’s at college so I understand more why he’s too busy to chat to me...”

“And your parents?”

“My parents promised to ring me every week but they’ve kind of forgotten about me. I get a letter from them once a month with money in to pay for food and bills. But that’s about it” you look away from him, looking up at the trees branches swaying softly in the wind. “I wasn’t a planned child. My parents wanted a boy, a smart boy at that. And they got him. He is naturally smart and kind”

“Is that why you are constantly working?”

“I guess so. Trying to prove to my parents that I can be something other than their mistake child. But it’s difficult. What’s the point in being the most popular, getting good grades, trying to get the hottest guy, having the perfect life... if my parents don’t even acknowledge its existence?”

“Have you got it...?”

“What?”

“The perfect life. Have you succeeded in that?” you turn to face him. Your eyes scanning over his face, the light of the sun making his eyes look beautiful.

“I’d say my life is pretty good at the moment...” he nods as you fiddle with the bottom of your shirt “How about you? What’s your ideal life?” he kisses the back of your hand again before he stands up, dusting the leaves off of him

“Oh I dunno. I want to be some sort of rock star. Being able to play my guitar up with the legends of metal” he pretends to play guitar, making the noises of it as you laugh and sit up slightly to watch him “That’d be pretty cool” he thinks for a moment before leaning against a tree opposite where your lying “I’d also like to have kids. Not many. One maybe two. But have them with the woman of my dreams” you nod as you look up at the sky

“You’d be a good dad I think”

“Really think so?”

“Why wouldn’t you be? Your kind and caring. Look out for other people first. Those are the main qualities of being a good parent right?”

“I guess so... just imagine a tiny Munson running around playing guitar and all sorts of instruments” you laugh

“A teeny tiny you” he nods and chuckles as he outstretches his hands to you

“Come on. It’s getting late. We should get going”

“No I don’t want to”

“Come on. We can’t stay here all night”

“Why not?” he laughs and grabs your hands, pulling you up.

“We just can’t” he grabs your bag and puts it over your shoulder “let’s go. I’ll see you tomorrow in history anyway” you nod as he smiles, kissing your forehead before he walks away waving at you

-

“Someone seems happy” Alice says as she sits next to you at lunch. You look at her slightly, smiling at her before going back to your doodling. “I take it yesterday... went well?” she wiggles her brows at you.

“Oh shut up”. Your other friends all chatting so they don’t pay either of you two much attention as she leans forward to whisper

“Did you two kiss...?” you look at her

“Oh, we did more than that” you say as you pop a sweet into your mouth. She looks shocked at you

“You didn’t?” you nod “No! Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”

“This wasn’t even the first time” you whisper to her

“How many?” you hold up three fingers “Jesus Christ you whore!” she playfully hits your shoulder as you swear at her but grin.

“Come on, I need food. You’re coming up with me” she rolls her eyes as you both get up, heading over to the food counter.

“So who is it then?” she whispers to you “Is it that hunk who plays basketball? What’s his name?”

“Jason?”

“Yeah! Is it him? He looks like your type” you laugh slightly “Well?”

“No it’s not him. Isn’t he dating that Chrissy girl?”

“Yeah but still. He’s hot. Plus you recently got onto the cheerleading team so I thought you might be able to get a piece of that fine man” you laugh

“Firstly it’s not him, main thing being he has a girlfriend. Secondly, even if you guess who it is I’m not telling you”

“You don’t trust your dear friend?”

“I trust you. But I also know how unsubtle you can be. I’ll go to the loo or something and you’ll think I’m hooking up with him”

“You should defiantly do that though. Simple, go and find him and ask him to meet you outside in 10 minutes, get your freak on and then come back in” you try not to laugh at the annoyingly accurate terminology. Before you go to say anything else you both have your food and are ready to go sit at your table, your eyes catching a glimpse of the ringed hand in front of you. Your eyes look up slightly and see Eddie standing in front of you in the line. Shit. As you pay for your food you go to walk. He nearly walks into you both

“Oh sorry” he says and smiles at you both. Alice smiles at him, he gestures for you to walk past and she does. He smiles at you, whispering to you quickly as you go past “she has a good idea. Meet me in 15 out the back of drama” you nod slightly, feeling your cheeks redden as you go and sit with your friend. You sit and eat your food. Your friend talking at you as you keep looking over at his table. You finish eating. Saying you need to use the loo you stand up, heading to the back of the drama studio. You anxiously play with your sleeves as you hear someone cough. You look up, seeing Eddie walking towards you, leaning against the wall. “I didn’t expect you to actually show up”

“Then why did you come here if you weren’t expecting me?”

“It’s a good place to smoke” you nod “But I can certainly think of things I’d rather be doing” he turns to face you, caging you in by his arms, hands pressed on the wall either side of your head. He smiles at you

“Just fuck me already” you say breathlessly as he smiles almost manically at your words. Kissing you as he pulls up your skirt. His hands wasting no time and going into your pants, rubbing over your hole and clit. You moan into his mouth. Hands fumbling at his trousers and getting him hard. He places his hands on your ass, pulling you up as you wrap your legs around him. Feeling him line himself up he enters you. The need to feel each other being greater than the want for foreplay so you breathe through the pain as he pushes himself into you. He uses the wall to try and balance you as he thrusts harshly into your core. One hand on his shoulder and the other goes to your clit. You kiss each other harshly as to try and muffle the noises you both make. You feel your high approaching you. Grinding your hips onto his you feel him hit that spot inside of you. The fact you were doing it at school and could easily be caught by anyone turning you both on more. Letting you get more aroused and closer to your high with every thrust. You grip onto his shoulder as you feel him hitting your g-spot, causing you to moan out at the stimulation as you hit your high. You feel him moan into your mouth as well before feeling him release himself into you. He keeps a hold of you as he parts from your lips, resting his head into your shoulder. “Fuck me...” you say. He chuckles slightly

“I think I just did” you laugh slightly as he lets you go, helping you stand again. You both readjust as you jokingly say

“One day we should sleep with each other in an actual bed” he laughs

“How about tomorrow? You come round mine after school” your eyes widen slightly but you nod. He smiles “I’ll pick you up after your shift then, yeah?” you nod again as he wave’s goodbye at you. You hastily go to the toilet. Cleaning yourself up before heading to your lesson. You sit next to Alice for your science lesson

“Ok students. We are going to be doing an experiment today. Due to our short number of supplies we are going to be joined by one of the other classes” some students walk in. “You’ll be in fours, 2 girls and 2 boys. I’ve already assigned you all your seats and partners. Don’t worry though, I’ve tried to be kind to you all” She starts saying names, pairing people up with friends. 2 friends from one class with 2 friends from the other class. She goes through the whole class before stating “We have an odd number of boys to girls. Elizabeth and Alice, you’ll have Eddie with you ok?” you stop writing notes at the name. He comes and sits down next to you both, smiling at you and Alice

“Hey” Alice smiles

“Oh hey. Think this will be the first time we’ve hung out in school” he nods as he looks slightly confused at her statement “sorry, we played that dungeons game at Liz’s house about a year ago. I’ve had a haircut since so you probably don’t recognise me”

“No I recognise you. Your one of the popular” she nods, nudging you and smiling

“Look at me being known as one of the popular” you laugh slightly

“You’ve always been one of the popular” you look around “I’ll go get the things we need” you walk away. God, why did you have to be paired with him? So soon after you slept with him as well. You grab the things you need, heading back to your workstation. You place it in front of you. Alice looks at you, raising a brow slightly. You look at her confused. “Can I help?”

“No no. I was just wondering something but I’ll ask you later”

“Please don’t feel like you need to censor yourself around me” Eddie speaks up, smiling at you both as he sets up the basis for the experiment. Alice shakes her head

“Trust me, you don’t want to hear the question I’m going to ask her” he nods slightly before shaking his head as he laughs

“It’s your lucky day, we’re one tube down so I’ll go get it and you guys can ‘gossip’” he says the last word in a silly voice as she nods and smiles and he walks away. She leans towards you

“So you took my advice seriously”

“What advice?”

“You. The random mystery guy. Banging before class” you feel your cheeks redden slightly as she smiles “you are walking slightly off. Like someone who’s just done the deed to be precise” she tilts her head at you as Eddie walks back, placing the tube on the table.

“Bam. Another tube. I hope you two had your girl talk”

“Unfortunately yes” he laughs slightly

“Oh that doesn’t sound like it was a fun chat”

“It was fun for me” Alice says wiggling her eyebrows, you roll your eyes. “Pretty fun for Liz to. Different kind of fun though” he looks confused and shocked at her

“Ignore her. She’s an idiot” he nods slowly “Alice, you pour. Eddie you hold the tube at the bottom. I’ll record the reactions” they both nod. You get into the routine. She pours, he holds, you write, then repeat. You need to do this 10 times. It’s pretty easy. Your eyes stay on the tube Eddie is holding. Your eyes gazing over his rings, the slight veins in his skin. Your eyes scan up his arm slightly, seeing his bat tattoo on his arm. You stand and stare practically with your pen hovering over the board. Thinking of those arms around you. How his hand felt between your thighs. Around your neck...

“Liz?” both Eddie and Alice are looking at you. You notice Eddie saying your name

“Sorry. Sorry. In a world of my own” he nods slight

“Give me the pen and paper” he holds his hands out “I can remember the reaction” you hand it to him, your fingers accidently brush his as he takes it from you causing you to blush slightly. The boy is so fixed on writing down the findings he doesn’t notice your slightly flustered state. But Alice notices. She looks at you, then Eddie, then you again.

“Holy shit. No. No?” she looks at you, eyes searching yours for any sort of answer as he stands up tall again

“What happened?” he asks, looking between you both

“Nothing. I just... Remember a detail of some gossip I need to tell Liz later” this statement causes him to roll his eyes slightly

-

You carry on your experiment, the lesson finishes. As you walk home she comes up and links arms with you “So?”

“So what?” she brings her voice down to a low whisper

“You’re screwing Eddie ‘the Freak’ Munson” she turns her head to look at you as you both continue walking “That’s a pretty big deal” as you stay silent she sighs “I want to know the details. Please? I won’t tell anyone I promise” you sigh, rubbing her forehead slightly.

“Ok, ok. So last year when Chris and I broke up I went home and played DnD with Michael and his friends. One of them being... him. We... we kind of made out, but it was more emotional. I mean, I was sad. I think I would’ve made out with anyone he just happened to be around at the time. Then we played DnD again, as in the time you joined us”

“You’d already made out with him by then!” you nod, chuckling slightly as she looks at you in shock

“I’d also had a sex dream about him before that moment but that’s a different story. Anyway, we all played. Then I moved to Canada. I honestly didn’t think I’d see him again. Him being a year older than me I assumed had left school. But then he appeared in my history class, as my work partner. We got told to do a project together to help us have a ‘building exercise’ to get to know each other. Then, one thing led to another and we did a different kind of bonding exercise. The next day I got detention with him and we did some more... project development. When Chris got violent at school that day I invited him round, wanting to have someone in the house with me as I got scared to be on my own and we kissed but that was it. We spent the whole weekend together though. We would then chat during history but Vennesa wanted to sit with me so we stopped talking for a few months, almost half a year until V is ill one day and we agreed that we miss chatting so we decided we should meet up once a week to catch up. Which is what we’ve been doing the past month or so. Nothing happened between us when we met, meeting purely as friends except for last time we met where we...”

“Last time you met... Yesterday? Oh my god, yesterday!” you nod

“Then today he was in front of us and he heard our conversation and he said that it sounded like a good idea so we... as well”

“Jesus Christ you guys are like rabbits” you laugh slightly, you feel your face has gone bright red at the over detailed story.

“We have plans to meet tomorrow as well, after school. I’m going back to his”

“You get it girl. You deserve this” you nod, biting your lip slightly “Are you staying round his?” you shrug

“I’m not sure... I don’t want to force myself onto him” she nods

“You’re going to get laid three days in a row. That’s impressive” you nod

“I didn’t even have that when I was dating someone” you both laugh “I need to go to work. Please don’t tell anyone. I mean it”

“Your dirty little secret is with me” she smiles as you wave goodbye to each other, you heading to work and her heading home

-

You don’t think about it. Assuming he was half joking yesterday when he said about today. That was until he slipped you a note after your history lesson together saying ‘I’ll meet you outside of work. 7:30pm’ that was your first lesson and you’ve been anxious the whole day. Knowing that you will be going to Eddie’s house, and knowing what’ll likely happen. The past few times you’d hooked up was a surprise, spontaneous but this time was... different. This wasn’t a heat of the moment thing. It excited you but you also couldn’t help but feel nervous. At school you could hide it better, doing work and concentrating on taking notes rather than talk to your friends.

But at work it was more difficult to hide. You spill several cups of coffee, get orders mixed up and all sorts. Near the end of your shift your boss tells you that you can go home early. It was a quiet night so he wasn’t bothered if you left 15 minutes earlier than normal. You nod, grabbing your things and heading out to the car park to wait for your lift. Thankfully you see his van already pulled up. You go over, knocking on the door before getting in “you’ve finished early?” he queries. You nod

“My boss said I could leave early. I kept messing up today” he nods, reversing the car and starting to drive back to his place. “Thank you for the lift” he shrugs

“Anything for you beautiful” you smile slightly. Eyes focused on the world passing by you. You get to his trailer. He hops out, doing a light jog around to your side of the car as he opens it, gesturing for you to exit “my queen, your destination” you smile as he helps you out of the van. Going over and unlocking the front door, letting you go before him. He goes into the kitchen part of the trailer “Anything to eat or drink?”

“No thank you” he nods, going into the fridge and grabbing a beer

“You mind if I-?” he waggles the bottle in his hand

“Go ahead” he nods, opening it before taking a sip. You start to play with your sleeves. Pulling the fabric over your hands and clutching it in your fists. He notices, eyes scanning over your body. He comes over to you, placing his drink on the side. He takes your balled fists into his hands, kissing each one

“You don’t need to be worried or anxious. It’s just me” he smiles at you as you nod, looking down “come on” he gently turns you and pulls you onto the sofa sitting you down before going over to a small stack of videos. He holds up a film ‘The Shining’. “Sorry I don’t have any... less horror films. But this is a good story and I think you’ll like it” you nod and smile slightly

“I’ve read the book of it. It’s a good story. I didn’t know they made a film”

“You read Stephen King?”

“Of course I do! He is a horror icon. I do a lot better reading horror then watching it” he laughs slightly, putting the video into the player and coming and sitting next to you again

“You always find new ways to surprise me” you chuckle slightly, resting your head on his shoulder and bring your legs up curled underneath you. He places one arm on the back of the sofa, the other wraps around your torso and rests gently on your hip. You feel your nerves calm down a bit as you start to watch the film. Well, until the scary parts happen anyway.

You find that by the end of the film you are so curled into Eddie’s chest that you fear you may merge into him. Both your hands gripping his shirt as if you’re holding onto dear life. The movie finishes and you make no attempt to move, still clutching him. “I can never tell if you enjoy horror films or not”

“I can’t tell either” he laughs slightly, the arm that’s not wrapped around you comes up and strokes your arm for comfort.

“Come on, it’s quite late. We should head to bed. Assuming you’re ok to stay the night?” he says the last part shyly. You nod

“I do have a confession to make. I didn’t actually pack anything for tonight” he nods

“Stay right here” he stands up and goes to what you assume is his bedroom. He comes back with a shirt, throwing it at you “Its clean I promise” you sarcastically sniff it before nodding

“Yeah I’ll let you off” he smiles bowing at you slightly to show his affections of your approval. You stand up, heading to the bathroom. Changing into it you debate taking your bra off. Deciding to leave it on as well as your pants from earlier. You walk out, it being slightly big on you so hiding your underwear slightly. He turns to face you, the smile on his face being cut off as his eyes see your body in his oversized ‘Hellfire’ t-shirt. He coughs slightly, looking away

“I even changed my sheets for you to stay in my bed and everything”

“Is that why you were late to history this morning”

“It might be” you laugh, then cover your mouth as he clutches his heart, throwing his head back dramatically and falling onto the sofa “Your laughing hurts Liz” you grab a cushion from the sofa and hit him with it. He grabs your thigh, pulling you onto him as you squeal

“No that tickles!” he grins, tickling your thigh and then your sides as you wriggle, falling to lie on the sofa as your hands try and grab at his to stop him from tickling you “No this isn’t sleeping!” you laugh as you grab his hands, managing to hold them away as you pant, breathless from laughing to much. He smiles at you as he then stands up.

“Let me show you my room then” you raise an eyebrow to him “not like that” you chuckle as you stand up, him taking you to the end room. Motioning at his bed “Your bed awaits” You go over to it, collapsing onto it. He smiles, blowing you a kiss “Good night my fair maiden”

“Are you not sleeping in here with me?” you ask, his eyes growing wide “You don’t have to!” you suddenly say “don’t feel forced to. I just... proper sleepover we can sleep in the same room together. Plus with how our friendship is, is it really that obscene for us to share a bed” he nods and chuckles. Turning away from you he takes his shirt off. Your eyes scan his back quickly before looking away. You hear him taking his trousers off before reassuring you

“I am wearing my pants to clarify” as he gets under the duvet next to you. You smile as you turn to him, he faces you as well. “I heard you got on the cheering team” you nod slightly

“Yeah. I’m shit at it but it helps boost my academic-ness so it’s better than nothing”

“You work too hard”

“No such thing”

“Really? When was the last time you had a full 8+ hours sleep without needing to be up and ready for work or school the next day”

“Well… When you put it like that” he chuckles

“I know. Tomorrow we relax. Do absolutely fuck all day”

“Wont your uncle be here?”

“He’ll be asleep for the day so he can work during the night. He won’t mind if you stay the weekend if that’s more what you’re asking”

“So this small sleepover has turned into a whole weekend business?” you raise your eyebrow at him as he nods and chuckles

“But with no homework. No work. Just us two living like the royalty we are” you laugh and nod happily

“I like this plan” he smiles, turning to switch the light off.

“Goodnight my queen”

“Goodnight Eddie”

-

You wake up about 9 the next morning. You turn and see Eddie still fast asleep next to you. You stand up, going to the bathroom. Rinsing your mouth slightly with water, going to the loo and washing your face. Going back into the room you go over and look at all the items he has. Picking up various tapes from artists, admiring his guitar hanging up over his mirror, checking out his posters. You hear a faint mumble of a “good morning” coming from him. Looking over at him he hides his face with the base of his elbow. Before he sits up, the duvet falling onto his lap as he rubs his face. Reaching across and drinking some water to fully wake himself up he turns to face you properly. His eyes devour your body as he meets your face. You smile at him

“You know, you still owe me a tattoo”

“Do I?” you nod

“Yep. You promised me a tattoo a few months ago. Well, more like said you do me a tattoo” he nods, reaching into the bedside cabinet and pulling out a needle and some ink, plus a lighter and a cigarette. He places it in his mouth, lighting the end. Before he then lights the end of the needle, watching it glow a red colour. He grabs a tissue and the water from the cup, dabbing the end so it cools down but stays sterilised. He motions at you to sit on the bed to which you do.

“Where and what do you want then?” you bite your lip slightly, holding your wrist out.

“A sun please” he nods

“You sure?” you nod, feeling him take your wrist in his hand and dipping the end into some ink. His eyes look at yours “You ready?” you nod as he begins tattooing your wrist. You bite your lip as he jabs at your arm. Thankfully it’s over rafter about 10 minutes. You smile at him

“Thank you...” he smiles

“You’re very welcome” he grabs the wet tissue and wipes the access ink away. Kissing the tattoo very gently before releasing your arm again. “I’m still tired” he complains, you chuckle as he lies back down. You go and sit next to him, gently stroking his hair as he closes his eyes. His hand comes up and you feel his fingers gently strokes your bare thigh. You feel that his testing the waters, his hand moving further up your leg and more between your legs rather then the outside.

“What are you doing, Munson?” he opens his eyes and smiles at you, resting his now still hand on top of your thigh.

“How are you going to explain the tattoo to your friends on Monday?” he says as he takes your hand with the hand not resting on your leg, tracing the palm of it.

“I’m going to tell them I wanted a tattoo so got one”

“And this one?” his hand on your thigh goes to the butterfly higher up your leg, his fingers traces the skin.

“Hopefully no one will see that one”

“Why not?” he smirks

“Because it’s in a very private place on my body”

“Yet I get to see it?” he smiles, kissing the butterfly “You spoil me” you chuckle slightly as you run a hand through his hair.

“We should get dressed at some point today” his finger still tracing your bare thigh as he smiles

"I mean we don’t have to. We don’t need to confine to societies norms and wear clothes”

“You’re only saying that because you want me to keep my legs bare art you?” he grins at you as he kisses your thigh again. You roll your eyes at him slightly as he stands up, just wearing his boxers from yesterday. He grabs some trousers and places them on, looking sadly at the cigarette that lies forgotten in the ashtray by his bed. You look at him as he goes through his shirts, trying to find one that’s clean. His back facing you as you scan over his body. He finds a clean one, placing it over his body as he looks at you.

“May I help?”

“Sorry” you look away, feeling shy at being caught staring at him. He chuckles, finding another clean top he throws it at you

“I assume you also don’t have clean clothes with you so you can borrow mine” you nod

“Can you um, turn around please” he nods, covering his eyes and turning his back to you as you take off your top - more his you suppose - and replace it with the clean one he has given you. You then reach under the covers, taking your pants off and turning them inside out as you then look around your room, standing up and going over to where your trousers where you put them on “You can look now” he turns back around as you do up the button and zip.

“You look good in a band t-shirt”

“You think?” you twirl for him as he nods, admiring the slightly big ‘Iron Maiden’ shirt. “So what are the plans for today then?” you ask as you look at him “You told me I’m not allowed to do any work so I’m not even going to suggest what I want to do today” he chuckles and shakes his head “We could go to the arcade!”

“Do you really want to be seen with me in public?”

“Should it matter?” you look at him as he nods slightly

“I don’t want to be the reason your reputation at school goes down”. You smile and take hold of his hand

“If it worries you that much, I know the people who own it. They won’t mind if I ask them to let us have a private party for a couple of hours” he nods slightly “Shall we my king?”

“Yes we shall my queen” he squeezes your hand, quickly writing a note for his uncle before you both get into his car.

Once you get there you go up to the staff, explaining you want to have the place to yourself and a friend for a few hours. Saying you’re sure you dad will pay them any money loss. They agree, asking you to come back in half an hour as they can’t just throw everyone out straight away.

Half an hour passes and you both head up, them letting you in as you run up to your favourite game, grabbing out a few coins and putting them into the machine as it starts up. He lets out a laugh as he looks around, the place empty other than a few security people. “I can’t believe you have the power to do this”

“The joys of having rich parents. They may not know anything about their own daughter but if I want something I tend to get it” you frown as you lose hearing him laughing as you die after no more than two minutes. “Oh like you could do any better” he chuckles and nods

“Watch the pro do it” he takes the game, completing it in one attempt. You glare at him, grabbing the hairband from your wrist you tie your hair up “Oh she’s getting serious now” you grin at him as you go through, dying again after three minutes this time.

“I’m shit at this. Why did you have to destroy me?” he laughs

“Let me help” you nod sadly, him coming behind you as he helps move your hands to escape the destruction of the enemy. You smile as you win, starting to dance happily as you move to the next game. This time you have an upper hand, completing it in your first attempt as he struggles with his third. You go over to a claw machine, looking at the plushies inside. “I can get you one if you want?”

“Oh don’t be silly. I don’t expect you to do that for me” he shakes his head, taking out a few coins and going to the machine “honestly its fine. They are massively rigged so I don’t expect you to be able to win” he nods, his tongue coming out slightly as he concentrates. You watch as the claw goes down, missing the item. His brow furrows as he places in a few more coins. The crane goes across, he eyes it up as he pushes the button for it to lower. It grabs the teddy bear, lifting it all the way up as you watch in awe as the small plush gets dropped down the shoot. He smiles and takes it out the machine, handing it to you as he smiles

“A gift worthy for a royal” you smile, nearly making him fall over as you suddenly hug him. He chuckles as you pull away, taking the small item from his hand and smiling at it.

“He’s lovely”

“What will you call him?”

“Fred”

“That’s a good name” you nod, gently stroking over the bears ears as you then hold the bear to your chest, smiling at Eddie

“Thank you” he smiles

“Anything to see that smile of yours”

“Oh stop it” you say.

You spend the next few hours playing games in the arcade. Then about 1:30pm you go and get some chips, taking them back to his house and eating them on the sofa. “I want to play a game”

“What game would that be?”

“I don’t know. I just want to play a game” you think for a moment “would you rather fight a bear or fight horse”. He thinks for a moment before answering

“A horse. Bears can climb trees, horses cant” you laugh

“Now you go”

“Would you rather... have a duck the size of an elephant or an elephant the size of a duck?”

“Duck sized elephant. That would be so cute!”

“Go on a date with Jason Carver or go on a date with Steve Harrington?”

“Jump of a cliff” you hit his arm slightly as he laughs “Ok. Probably Steve. I know first-hand Jason’s a dick. Steve only seems like one, but I’ve not witnessed it first-hand. Date with Nancy Wheeler or what’s that girls name in the school band...” he thinks for a moment before snapping his fingers “Robin Buckley! Who’d you rather go on a date with?”

“Robin”

“No hesitation with that one” he laughs as you swear at him

“Shut up” you rest your head against the back of the sofa as he stands up, going to the fridge and grabbing a beer out

“You want one?” you bite your bottom lip slightly before nodding

“Go on then” he grabs one for you, coming back over and handing it to you. You open your drink and take a sip.

You continue chatting as you both get a little bit tipsy from your 4th drink “How high is your body count?” you turn to face him “You don’t have to tell me I just... I’m curious” he nods and thinks for a moment before answering

“Five. No, six now including you. I will not tell you who the other five are”

“Is it anyone I know?”

“I’m not telling you” he pauses as he eyes you up slightly “What’s your body count?”

“Two″

“Really?” you nod

“I slept with Chris and then you. No one else. I’ve kissed a few people but not done anything else other than that”

“Mines seven actually. One of the times I slept with two people” you look at him in shock

“You had a threesome?”

“Yeah”

“Who with?” you smile and lean close to him. He shakes his head

“Never telling you that. I will always be happy to say in detail everything I’ve done apart from who I’ve done it with. It wouldn’t be fair on them” you nod slightly

“I can’t believe that you’ve had a threesome...”

“It’s quite fun. Id recommend it”

“Who would I have it with? I can’t exactly go up to someone and say ‘hey want to have sex with me and this random person’“

“Why not? It’s what they did to me”

“Ok you have to go into details now”

“So I was seeing this girl for a few weeks. We’d meet up and we’d... you know. In her car outside her parents’ house every night. She really wanted to piss them off, I don’t know why. But after like two weeks she came up to me and asked me to meet her in the woods. I agreed, thinking she was going to end it with me. I met up with her and she had her friend. She said she wanted to help show her virgin friend how to have sex properly as shed recently gotten a new boyfriend. So we... and then she stopped seeing me a week later” he looks at you as you stare at him in shock

“You had a threesome in a woods with Bella?”

“How do you know who I’m talking about?”

“She was one of my best friends when we were 16. She said she didn’t know what to do, so our other friend - can’t remember her name - said she was seeing this guy and had help her out. I can’t believe that was you” you see his cheeks are slightly red

“I can’t believe she said that”

“She never said it was you, it’s only now I’m filling in the blanks. Its either that or she had a threesome under very similar circumstances to you” he laughs “For reference, she wanted to get back at her parents because her mum was dating this new guy that she claimed kept judging her for how she dressed so she wanted to date a ‘bad boy’ to get him annoyed. They ended up running away together. I got a letter from her saying she was living with him but couldn’t disclose what city”

“Ew”

“Yeah it’s a gross one... she was 18 when they ran away together to clarify. Still bad but slightly less gross. But only slightly” he nods

“That’s why she broke up with me?” you nod

“Yep. She was fucking a man twice her age. You were just too young for her” he laughs then proceeds to drink the rest of his drink.

“You dated her for three weeks... She was her happiest when she was dating you”

“Really?” you nod

“She always seems annoyed. Then she started seeing this guy who I know now was you, she practically changed into a new person” you look at him “My theory is, and I had this theory when you two were a thing so no judgment because I didn’t know you then ok?” he nods “I reckon that she had always gotten so close to an orgasm when she was with a man but they could never get her all the way. Then when she dated you, you helped her get to her high so all the tension her body had suddenly went away. Basically, you were the best fuck shed ever had” he nods and laughs

“That is a good theory” you smile as he thinks for a moment. “You know something though. She wasn’t the best I’ve had”

“Really? She always said she was good in bed”

“Yeah, she was lying” you laugh

“Why do we always end up talking about smutty things? Let’s talk about something else. Kittens, rainbows, something like that” he laughs

“I mean, this weekend was planned around you saying we need to sleep together in an actual bed” you feel your cheeks start to turn red

“Yeah well... shut up” he smiles “Are you going to prom next week?”

“I wasn’t planning on it. I went to last year’s one, it’s not really my sort of thing” you nod “Are you hoping for prom queen?”

“Of course I am. Isn’t that every ones dream?”

“You mean every girls dream”

“No I’m sure if I said to some of my male friends they could be prom queen they’d be happy with that” he laughs

“Think. Prom then only two more months of school before we break up and leave that shit hole” you lean towards him. Brain foggy from the alcohol as you stay about an inch away from him

“Promise we’ll still be friends?” he nods as he turns to face you and smiles.

“I promise. I don’t think we will ever not be friends” you smile as you lean in to kiss him. Beer heavy on his tongue as your mouths connect. Pulling away, you stay leaning near him. He smiles at you as your eyes meet his. You feel butterflies in your belly as he leans forward and kisses you again, harder this time but with more passion. He gently snakes his arms around your waist, holding you up as he stands. Your legs and arms wrapping around him as he walks to the bedroom. He opens his door, shutting it behind him with his shoulder as you continue to kiss. He lies you down on the bed, body caging yours as your lips never part. You feel one of his hands go to your leg, starting to rub it and squeeze it gently through your jeans.

“Eddie...?” he pulls away slightly, looking at you and smiling slightly

“Yes?” he mockingly asks you

“I need you...” he grins, kissing you and then your neck. He starts to make his way down when there’s a knock at the door.

“I’m going to work” you hear his uncle call through the door. He gets off of you, going over to the door and opening it. Exchanging goodbyes with him as he leaves. You sit up, gently tracing over your new tattoo as you feel yourself blush from being nearly caught. He looks back at you

“Sorry about that...” you shrug

“It’s a good thing he didn’t knock in like five minutes time, huh?” he chuckles slightly. Your eyes scan his body, he seems relaxed still. You bite your lip slightly “You know... it’s awfully warm in your room...” he watches as you unbutton your jeans and slowly pull them off of your body. He smiles as he watches “Do you agree?” he nods, taking the bottom of his shirt and pulling it over his head. He then kneels at the end of the bed, holding the ends of your pants

“Here let me help you. Its only right I help you cool down in my house, right?” you smile as he removes your underwear. Leaning down between your legs as you wrap your arms around his neck as you both kiss each other. He smiles into your mouth, your neediness turning him on more. He pulls away momentarily as he takes your shirt off, hands groping your boobs through your bra. He smiles as he goes behind your back, undoing the last piece of clothing covering you and removing it. He looks at your now fully nude body. “Holy shit...” he murmurs before he leans down and starts attacking your nipple with his mouth. You moan out, rutting your hips slightly against him. He continues to attack your breasts, kissing all over them, sucking and biting them gently as you feel his finger come down and start to circle your clit. You grip his hair, biting your lip as you move your hips against his finger.

“Eddie... fuck... Oh Eddie...” he comes up and starts kissing your neck. You keep a firm grip on his hair, the other coming up and harshly tracing down his arm. He lets out a small moan, one slightly muffled as he stays kissing your neck. He easily pushes a finger into you causing you to moan out and grip his forearm. He smiles as he puts another finger into your hole, slowly dragging them along you g-spot. You reach down, grabbing a hold of his wrist as he fingers you. Your hips moving in a rhythm with him. Using his thumb he starts to rub circles on your clit. “Oh shit. Shit. Please. Please Eddie” he smiles, continuing the motion

“You gonna cum for me?” you nod, biting your lip

“Talk to me... please... I want to hear you...”

“Look at how desperate you are. You act like a touch starved whore. Getting off on my fingers. So pathetic” that’s it. The degradation hitting you and making your orgasm wash over you. You moan out as his fingers keep going, helping you through your orgasm. But they keep going at the same pace once you come down from your high. You let out a whine, hands feebly grabbing at his hand that’s still working inside of you. He smiles evilly as he kisses you. "I reckon we can get another one out of you, hmm?” he kisses your temple as he continues “come on beautiful, fuck yourself on my fingers. Let me feel that tight little cunt of yours” you moan at his words, curling to hide into him as he continues. Your hips moving as the overstimulation soon becomes pleasurable once again. Your second orgasm hitting you soon after. “Such a good girl for me” he kisses all over your face as his fingers move out of you. You grab at his trousers, undoing his belt buckle as he kisses over your face. You undo the belt and his trousers, he takes them off. He reaches to his bedside cabinet, grabbing out a condom packet. You shake your head

“I’m on the pill still... I’m ok... if you are...?” he nods, placing the packet down. Embracing you in a kiss again as he teases your entrance with his tip. You feel him push into you, you grab his forearms as he stretches you out. He lets you adjust to him, your nails digging into his arms. The past couple of times you’ve done it with him you’ve had to be rushed, not being able to fully enjoy how he feels inside of you. So you were taking the time to feel the stretch he causes on your body. You feel his hand come up, gently holding your face by the jaw as he turns you to face him properly. Kissing you softly as he starts to thrust in and out of you. You moan into his mouth, hands still gripping onto his arms. He pulls away from the kiss, looking at how your mouth is slightly parted. Your eyes closed and your brow furrowed from the pleasure. He tilts your head to the side, allowing him easy access to your neck. He licks a stripe from your collarbone to the base of your ear. You tighten around him, not realising that that small action would turn you on so easily.

“Jesus. You feel so good...” he fastens his pace, hand moving down to rub your clit as he kisses you again.

“Gonna-Gonna cum. Eddie. Eddie please” he smiles, kissing your jawline as he whispers near your ear

“Let me hear you scream...”

“Oh fuck, Eddie” you practically yell. He keeps kissing your jaw as he works for his high. The stimulation being a lot for you as he continues to work into you. He kisses all over your face as his hips begin to lose rhythm. Praises falling from his lips as you let out small whines from him using your sensitive hole. Soon afterwards he pushes all the way inside you. Causing you to let out a satisfied moan as you feel him filling you up. He keeps kissing your face as he comes down from his high. Giving you a lot of praise before he slowly pulls out of you. Standing up he gently parts your legs, watching as a he sees both your juices leave your little hole. You smile at him, moving a hand down to your core and spreading apart as best you can “filled me up so good...” you tiredly say.

“Fuck...” he whispers out, watching as you dip your fingers slightly into your hole. His eyes meet yours as you smile at him. Your eyes half shut as you take the two fingers that where playing with yourself and place the two digits into your mouth. “Are you... do you want me...?” you smile at him and shake your head

“I just wanted to tease you...” he chuckles as he places his pants back onto his body, grabbing the shirt you wore last night again and going to place it over your torso before he grabs a damp cloth and cleans you up. You flinch slightly as he cleans you up but he gently rubs your thigh as he keeps praising you. He tosses the cloth to the side, coming to lie down next to you. Bringing you close to him as he gently strokes your hair. You rest your head on his chest as your hand gently traces over the tattoos on his body. He kisses the top of your head

“My queen...” he gently says as you cuddle into him more.

“My king” you say in response. “We can’t fall asleep now... it’s too early. We should stay awake” he nods, gently tracing your arm that’s resting over him.

“How do you propose we do that?” you look at the door to the rest of the house.

“Two seconds” you give him a quick kiss as you stand up, a little wobbly but you try not to let it show as you go and grab your bag. Fred the Bear now sitting on top of it. You smile as you take the bag and the toy into the bedroom again, sitting cross legged on the bed you go through your bag. Pulling out a book. You pull him up slightly, grabbing the pillow from under him and resting it against the wall, leaning back against it. He sits next to you, also leaning against the wall. You place Fred between you two, but nestle close to him so you can lean against him slightly as a he puts an arm around you. You open the book and start reading.

You continue reading to him, then going and getting some food you both eat on the sofa. Before it gets too late you both head back into his room. Where you now lay, his body between your legs as his head rests on your stomach. His arms wrapped around your body as you gently play with his hair. You both eventually fall asleep like this, waking up the next morning in the same position. This time he’s awake before you, finger gently tracing over the tattoo on your leg. He looks up at you, smiling as he sees your sleepy face. He kisses your stomach through the t-shirt, going to the kitchen and making you both some coffee as you stretch. He comes in, handing you a mug as he drinks his. Once you both finish he looks at you, smiling as he leans forward and starts kissing your neck. Gentle and soft kisses along your jawline and throat. “Eddie...” you breathlessly whisper out as he keeps planting kisses. He pulls your shirt down slightly, kissing your collarbones. You feel him smile against your skin before he moves up, planting a kiss to your lips before standing up

“Do you have all your homework things with you today?” you think then nod, pointing at your bag as he smiles. “We should probably do it then, as I imagine some of its due in tomorrow”

“Unfortunate. Can I borrow your shower first?”

“Go ahead” he goes over to a wardrobe and grabs out a towel. Handing it to you as you shyly look at him

“Do you have another shirt I can borrow please?” he smiles and nods, going over to a pile and grabbing one out. Sniffing it and making a disgusted face, throwing it on the ground he grabs another one and sniffs that one. He hands it to you as you take it, grabbing your trousers from the floor you head to the bathroom.

-

You spend all day at his house, both working on homework together before he gives you a lift back home. You realise when you get to yours that you’re still wearing his shirt. “Shit I’m sorry dude”

“It’s fine. Keep it. It looks better on you then it does me”

“Oh no I can’t do-”

“I insist. Even if you don’t wear it, you can give it to Fred” he playfully boops the cuddly bears nose that’s sticking out of your bag.

“Thank you Eddie” you smile, hugging him tightly before you head into your house. Placing your bag down and taking the bear out of it. Going over to your desk and placing the fluffy creature on top.

-

Soon enough it’s your prom. Although people had asked you to be their date you wanted to go with your friends so declined them. You wore a light pink dress that went down to the floor. Being held up by two straps, lace sleeves adorned your arms. The top of the dress was a relatively scandalous v cut for the time period but that didn’t bother you. The top half was quite slim fitting as well, gong out a bit more at the bottom as it complimented your figure. You wore two slightly heeled shoes underneath. Both matching the dress colour with a little red rose on top of the strap that went over your toes. You had a necklace on with a small heart. Your gran had got it for you for your 18th birthday. You had a few rings on your fingers, one on you thumb and one on your pinkie.

Getting a ride with Alice and V plus one of your male friends you meet the other 5 at the prom. You all go over to place your vote for who should win, before going and starting to dance. You mention that you’re going to get a drink, heading over to where they were being served and grabbing one. That’s when you see Eddie. Hess standing awkwardly with one of his friends near the door. He looks around, saying something to his friend as they both walk over to the drinks stand as well. His friend speaks up, this is one who you’ve not spoken to before but you recognise him from you maths class. “You look beautiful today Elizabeth” he compliments you. You smile at him, your eyes catching Eddies

“Thank you. I made this dress myself”

“Oh really? It’s wonderfully done”

“Thank you. I didn’t think proms where your kind of thing”

“I wanted to come here and check out who won prom king and queen. I think its all nonsense but I’m still intrigued by it. Eddie here was the only one who agreed to come with me” he pats his shoulder, smiling at him as you chuckle slightly.

“It was lovely chatting with you both. I need to go back to my friends though” you smile and wave at them, heading back over to Alice who raises an eyebrow at you.

“I swear if you go off and screw your lover boy on prom night and leave me here alone” you laugh and shake your head

“I won’t leave you alone just to get some action. I’ll wait until the after party and you’re passed out from drinking before I get some action” she laughs, swearing at you as well. You take her to the dance floor, dancing away as ABBA comes on.

Soon they hush you all down, quieting the music. “Time to announce prom king and queen” he announced a king. Someone who you know but haven’t spoken too much. You think he’s on one of the sports teams. Prom queen. Although you had guess some people had voted for you, you never would’ve guessed you would actually win. But when you hear your name be called you can’t believe it. Going up and having the crown placed on your head felt magical and being given a small bouquet. You go back down from the stage. Alice hugging you and all your friends congratulating you. Various people coming up and saying well done. You notice Eddie standing by the drinks bowl, not seeming to have moved. He catches you looking at him so you smile slightly. He smiles back, head motioning at the door as he walks.

“I need to go get some air. I’ll be back” you smile at your friends as they nod. You head outside, looking around briefly you can’t see anyone as it’s too dark. You hear a cough behind you, turning around you see someone light their lighter in the darkness, lighting the end of a cigarette. You walk over, smiling as your eyes can now make out the long haired boy.

“Congrats on winning prom queen”

“Thank you” you lean your back against the wall as you stand next to him “I’m glad you’re here”

“Really?” you nod “Whys that?”

“You’re a good friend of mine and I want to have all my friends near me on a day like today”

“May I see the crown?” you nod, gently removing it from your head and passing it to him. He holds it with one hand, the other lightly tapping the ash onto the floor of his cigar. “It’s very beautiful, more so up close” he hands it back to you as you place it on your head again. “I see why people want it so badly”

“Plus I got flowers which is always good” he laughs slightly but nods in agreement.

“You look very beautiful today, Liz”

“Thank you. You’re looking very handsome yourself” he smiles at your words

“Now you’re just saying things to be kind” you shake your head

“By far one of the handsomest men at this prom I do dare to say” he smiles more, looking at the floor through his shyness

“I suppose you actually are my queen now, hmm?”

“How so?”

“Well, you’ve been crowned now officially” he smiles at you, his hair half covering his face as he looks at you through it. You smile at him

“You know, you should really bow down to this queen” you jokingly say, but in true fashion, he bends down. Kneeling before you and looking up at you

“I am but a mere slave to you, your highness” he grins at you as you giggle slightly, holding a hand out to help him up which he takes. Finishing the last of his cigarette he throws the butt on the floor, treading on it to put it out properly. “You should head back in. They’ll wonder where their queen has gone otherwise”

“You sure?” he nods

“I just wanted to personally congratulate you today rather then wait for Wednesday when we meet up” you nod and smile

“I’ll see you Wednesday then” he nods and waves at you as you head back inside. Going back over to your group of friends and hanging out with them for the rest of the night. Going back to Alice’s for an after party as well.

-

The weekend goes by and you wait in your usual spot for Eddie. You lie down, watching as the clouds go past you. You don’t realise what the time is so when he walks over to you apologising for being ten minutes late you shake your head “I didn’t even realise what the time was. Too busy daydreaming” he nods as you pat the floor next to you. He comes and lies down next to you, looking up at the sky as well. You point at one of the clouds “I think that one looks a little bit like a cat” he nods slightly

“Like a cat wearing a top hat” you look, then laugh as you see it.

“Hess Mr Fluff reporting for duty. He’s an investigator of crime, sniffing out the bad guys. Literally and figuratively” he chuckles pointing at another cloud

“There’s Miss Blossom. His sidekick rabbit. You see, he pretends like he’s the lead investigator but she’s really the one who notices all the small clues” you smile and laugh, nodding in agreement. “Oh no Miss Blossom I don’t think it was the rats that committed that crime” he puts on a low voice “I ate all the rats yesterday and this was committed only a few hours ago” he changes his voice to a more high pitched and feminine one “well you see now, I don’t think you did. I think what you had for breakfast yesterday was a family of mice instead” you smile and turn to look at him, laughing slightly as he continues his obscure story of the animal detectives. Donning various ridiculous voices for them all as he goes through the whole crime and finding the criminal.

“I can’t believe it was the neighbour!”

“Neither can I. Who’d of thought the dog would murder that poor sheep just because he hid his bone” you nod and chuckle

“Please don’t ever change Eddie Munson. For anyone” he smiles slightly

“I wasn’t planning on it” he kisses your nose “my beautiful queen” you smile at him as you turn to face him, placing a hand on his cheek you kiss him. He smiles into the kiss as he takes a hold of your shoulders and pulls you closer to him. He pulls away, eyes looking over your face as he traces your features. His finger gently tracing over your forehead, then your cheeks, your chin and lips, going to trace your nose before he gently boops you and smiles.

“Good. Because you are perfect exactly how you are...” you smile and kiss him again as he smiles into the kiss. His hands rests on the side of your face as he speaks to you, your hands gently stroking his forearms.

“So about our meeting next week...”

“Yeah?”

“I said to the guys I’d do a dungeons and dragons session with them and the only day they are all free is Wednesday. I’m really sorry but can we skip next week’s meet up?” you nod and smile at him

“Of course! You need to go and get them to kill the evil guy you create. Or you need to kill them. I’m not too sure of which one I’m meant to be rooting for” he laughs

“Typically not the character that wants to destroy the world”

“Why don’t you make a nice game? One where the main goal is to find a cupcake shop for the unicorn royalty or something” he laughs again as you look at him and smile slightly “I’m being serious!”

“I know you are. It just wouldn’t be the same”

“Oh no? I bet I could make a great game where it’s completely peaceful and no one dies”

“Oh really?”

“Really” you smile as he kisses you again

“Ok, so next week you come to our campaign and host it. Luckily for you we’ve finished our recent game so we need a new one to start” you feel your cheeks turn red

“Oh I don’t know how to do that”

“I thought you said you could do it?”

“I said I could do it. I didn’t say I could do it well. Also I have no idea what I’d be doing and with your friends I’d 100% make a fool of myself and call something by the wrong name or accidently say something wrong and then your friends would judge me”

“My friends won’t judge you”

“Yes they will. Your new friends don’t like me”

“My new friends don’t know you”

“Exactly why they hate me” he chuckles and kisses you

“It’s ok. You don’t have to play with them”

“Good. Good...” he smiles and kisses you again, then grinning as he plants kisses all over your face in quick succession. You laugh “Eddie!” you squeal as he attacks your face. He grins as he pulls away. You glare at him but smile. “Come here... I have a secret for you...” he goes close to you, you take his face with your hands. Turning his head and licking from the base of his jaw up to his temple “sweet revenge” you whisper in his ear before quickly getting up and running over to a tree, smirking at him

“Oh hell no” he stands up quickly, chasing you as you run. “I just want to chat Liz”

“No you don’t!” you say in a high pitched manner, moving as he goes to grab you. Smiling as you dodge him. He smiles, holding his hand out to shake yours

“Truce” you narrow your eyes at him

“I don’t trust you...”

“Come on. Call a truce” you nod slightly, placing your hand out for him to shake. He takes your hand but holding the back of it, turning it so the palm is facing upwards he licks from your wrist to your elbow. Smiling at you evilly

“Ew” you say as you wipe your arm on your shirt. He smiles, placing his hands either side of his head and waving them in time to wiggling his hips, as he taunts you. You playfully go to rugby tackle him, arms wrapped around his torso as you try and knock him over. He laughs as you struggle. Trying to kick his feet out from under him he chuckles

“Ok that’s enough young miss” he wraps his arms around your waist, lifting you up and throwing you over his shoulder. You cry out at the sudden action, grabbing hold of him as he walks you both back over to your bags

“Eddie! Put me down!” you say through laughter. He places you back down, dusting himself off dramatically as you fold your arms and glare at him. He smiles innocently at you

“Hey you started it” you stick your tongue out at him as he laughs again. You smile at him, then go over and hug him. He looks down at you, arms up slightly thinking there was an ulterior motive but you tighten your grip around him and bury your face into his chest slightly. He smiles and wraps his arms around you, gently stroking your back. He kisses the top of your head as you stand there hugging each other.

-

Although you missed the next week of your meet up with Eddie you continue meeting him every Wednesday until your last week of school. Wednesday comes about and you pace about your normal spot. He walks over to you “Are you ok?” he asks

“Yeah why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’re pacing” you stop, biting the nail of your thumb. Looking at him with panicked eyes. He walks over to you, hands gently placed either side of your shoulders “You have nothing to worry about”

“I have everything to worry about. What if I get held back a year? Or if my grades just aren’t good enough?” you look at him “what if we stop being friends...?”

“Firstly, I’ve been held back a year and I’ve turned out fine. Secondly you’re the smartest person I know so you will likely get amazing grades. Thirdly, we will never not be friends”

“Do you promise?” he nods, placing his hand over his heart

“I swear on my blackened heart” you smile slightly at him as he smiles at you

“You’ll still meet me then on Wednesdays?” he nods

“Here every Wednesday at 4pm. Maybe closer to 5 if I get a stable job. And if not I’ll let you know the week before and then ring you” you nod, hugging him as you hide your face into his chest.

-

The next few days go quickly and before you know it you’ve left school. You take up more hours at work. But still see Eddie every Wednesday. Your results day comes. Several A’s, a couple of B’s and one C. You didn’t fail one test and you were overjoyed. You get home from picking the results up, calling all your friends to see how they all did. Some failed a few subjects but overall you all passed. You hesitated over the phone. Although you had rung him before you had only done it when you felt in danger. You mentally shake yourself. He was your friend and you wanted to know how he did so you typed in his home number. A few rings and he answers. “Eddie?”

“Oh hey Liz” he sounded down.

“I- are you ok?”

“Not really. I failed all but one of my classes. Getting held back another year”. Your heart sinks for him.

“I’m sorry Eddie... I truly am”

“It doesn’t matter. This year I can beat the system. I can feel it. ‘86 I’ll pass with flying colours”

“Hey we can make our weekly meetups into study lessons” he laughs

“Oh god. In the nicest way possible I think I’d hate that” you laugh at his words

“Thanks” he chuckles slightly

“Shit. How did you do?”

“I um... I passed them all” you say in excitement.

“That’s great dude! Oh well done!”

“Thank you, thank you”

“Maybe you should be a tutor after all”

“I did offer”

“Fuck it. I’m coming round to celebrate. So long as that’s ok...?”

“Of course it’s ok”

“Cool. See you in fifteen″ he hangs up. You quickly go round and clean the house up.

He knocks on the door and you open. He holds up a crate of beer “I didn’t have anything fancier and we needed a drink to celebrate so I figured beer from wine glasses?” he wiggles his eyebrows at you as you smile and nod, motioning for him to walk in. He opens a bottle and grabs two glasses from your cupboard, pouring you and himself one. He hands you your cup and raises his up “To finishing another year of that shit hole” he clinks yours and downs it, you also downing your drink.

A few hours go by and to say you were a little tipsy may be an understatement. You were both lying on the sofa upside down and chatting, giggling at practically every moment. “You know... I’ve never done any drugs...” you whisper

“Really?”

“None. I’ve been around people who’ve done them and I’ve experienced a lot of my friends who are high but I’ve never done them myself” he looks at you as he sits up

“I’ll be back” he leaves your house. You sit up, looking sadly at the door as you sit on the sofa. Five minutes later he walks back in and sits next to you, carrying the small little lunch box looking thing you always see him with. “I’m about to share something with you but you can’t tell a soul” you nod as he opens it. Weed. He holds up an already made up blunt “wanna indulge with me?”

“Yes... umm, I don’t... I don’t know how though...” you shyly say. He nods, grabbing a lighter from his pocket. Lighting it and taking a few puffs before asking

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes. Completely” he smiles and places the blunt back into his mouth, inhaling. He leans over to you and takes your chin by the hand that isn’t holding the item. Pressing his lips to yours you feel his tongue gently swipe at your lips, silently asking to open. You do, feeling him exhale the smoke into your mouth. He smiles as he pulls away. Handing you the blunt now as you take it from him, trying to copy what he did and take a few puffs of it before handing it back to him. He takes some. You bite your lip, leaning forward and moving the item from his hand and placing it on the ashtray

“Why you-” you cut him off by kissing him. Moving to straddle his lap you feel his hands go to your butt. Moving you in closer to him as you make out. You kiss his neck, nibbling the flesh slightly and smiling as you hear him moaning into your ear. You bite down on his shoulder, causing him to moan and rut his hips against you. You smile, kissing the skin you had just bitten. You hear him tutting. “Get on your knees. Now” you do. He takes hold of your face with one of his hands. A grip harsh onto your jaw as you whine out, feeling his rings digging into your skin. “Forget who’s in charge huh? I suppose I’ve not fucked you for a while so you’ve probably forgotten” he smiles down at you. The harsh tone and words turning you on even more, and he notices. “Open like the good girl I know you are” you do, sticking your tongue out slightly. He smiles and lets a piece of his spit fall into your mouth. You swallow, watching him smile as he places a kiss to your forehead. You place your hands onto his thighs, eyes begging his for permission to let him feel good. He smiles “You want me in your mouth, hmm?” you nod

“Please”

“I don’t know. Have you been good enough to deserve it?” you nod

“Please. Please. I’m your good girl” he smiles and nods. He leans back on the sofa as your hands fumble with his trousers. He places one hand in your hair, the other grabs the blunt and places it into his mouth. He lets out a sinful moan as you take him into your mouth. The grip on your hair tightening as he pushes you down fully. Not allowing you to have air for a few seconds before releasing you. Making you cough slightly as drool falls from your mouth. He smiles, leading you back to his hard cock. Pushing you down and making you bob your head onto him. Your hands grip his thighs tightly as you feel tears start to form in your eyes from him hitting the back of your throat so harshly. After a few minutes of him attacking your throat you feel him push fully into you. You hear his moans getting louder, practically screaming as he goes faster and harder into your throat.

“Oh fuck. You feel so-so good” The squelching sounds filling the room as you keep your mouth open for him. Moaning out you feel him release into the back of your throat. You let out a moan as you feel the liquid hit the back of your mouth and tongue. He smiles at you, releasing you from him as you cough slightly. He gently strokes your hair “Y-you ok?” you nod and smile at him.

“I’m ok” your voice sounds scratchy but you smile at him, reassuring him that you would’ve said if he went too far. He smiles, leaning down and kissing the top of your head. You whine out slightly in frustration. He chuckles slightly.

“Someone feeling neglected?” you nod, letting out a small huff of annoyance. “Why don’t you show me how needy you are then, huh?” his eyes devouring your still clothed body. You stand up. Slowly undoing your belt and trouser button. Letting the item fall to the floor as you step out of it. Your hands go to the bottom of your shirt, pulling it over your head. You smile and bite your lip at him, you see he was getting hard again. You shake your head slightly, smiling at him shyly. Almost like he could read your mind he reaches down, taking his shirt off and throwing it onto the floor. His hand goes and start to slowly pump himself as he smiles at you. You reach behind your back, undoing your bra and letting the item fall to the floor. Then you reach down, pulling your underwear down your legs and throwing them onto where his shirt now lay. You then smile, sitting down onto the chair opposite him. You place a leg over each arm. You gently lick you middle finger before moving it down to your already soaked hole. Rubbing over your clit as you moan out. His eyes glued to your core as you slowly push a finger into yourself. Slowly starting to drag it in and out. You push a second finger in. Moaning out as you quicken the pace. Curling your fingers as they hit that spongey spot inside of you. The palm of your hand hitting your clit as you feel your orgasm rapidly approach you.

“Holy shit” you moan out, your legs start to shake as your orgasm hits you. You feel wetness soak your lower half as you see stars. Your brain to dazed by the intense orgasm to realise what had happened.

“Holy shit...” you hear him echo you. You look down. His eyes fixed on your little cunt. You look down, seeing your arm soaked. You feel your cheeks turn red as you realise what you’ve done. He smiles at you, walking over as you go to shut your legs he gently rests his hands on your thighs. You look at him, your face going red at his affection. He smiles and bends down, kissing you as you feel his hand go to your core. You moan into his mouth as you feel him start to rub on your clit. “Do you think you can do that again?” you nod slightly as you feel him gently push two fingers into you. He does what he saw you doing, going at a fast speed and moving his fingers up inside of you. You hold onto his bicep as you feel it hit you hard again. Moaning out and hiding your face into his arm as you cling onto him. You feel the same wetness as before soaking his arm. Your legs even shakier then before as you breathlessly moan out

“Eddie...” you say slightly breathlessly. He kisses you, hand gently rubbing your shaking thighs. The alcohol, drugs and your intense orgasm making you unable to focus on anything but him. You snake your hand down his arm and grip onto his hand as he peppers your neck with kisses. “Wanna- wanna feel you” you say. He nods and takes his trousers off. Moving you to the edge of the chair he positions himself up with your entrance. Pushing in slowly as the grip on his hand tightens. You feel him move slowly in and out of your hole. Each thrust causing you to moan out “Eddie... shit... oh Eddie... you feel... so good...” His hand not holding yours goes and takes one of your boobs. Squeezing it gently as his pace quickens. It then moving down to your clit, rubbing harsh circles onto it. Causing you to moan out and move your legs from the arms of the chair. Wrapping them around his hips as he leans forward, kissing you. The hand that was holding yours moves to gently stroke your hair off of your sweaty forehead. Your free hand now going and grabbing his bicep as he continues to stroke your hair.

“God you feel so good...” he moans out, lips pressing against yours once again as you feel your orgasm approaching.

“Eddie?” the simple pitch of it making him smiling. Knowing you couldn’t say anything else other than his name.

“You can cum for me gorgeous” you squeeze your legs together as your orgasm hits you. Head turning into his wrist as he rests his hand on your cheek. Your hand coming up and squeezing it as you feel yourself tightening around him “Holy shit” he moans out, soon going into you fully as you then feel him fill you up. You moan out. The feeling of him inside you never getting old. You smile at him as he looks down at you. Kissing you and then resting his head on your shoulder.

He smiles at you before he plants kisses all over your face as you moan out at him “Noo” you jokingly say as you smile at him, opening your eyes to see his filled with joy. He chuckles again before you feel him move out of you causing you to whine. He hushes you as he gets a wet cloth and cleans you both up before he comes over and wraps his arms around you. You cling to him as he takes you to the bedroom. He lies you both down before throwing the duvet over your naked bodies. You cuddle into him, taking a hold of his hand and planting a kiss to his jaw as you let sleep overcome you

-

You wake up at 7 the next day, your alarm going off. You let out an annoyed groan as you cuddle into Eddie who is showing no signs of being awake. The alcohol and drug hangover your feeling being a bit much for your body. Nothing that some coffee won’t fix you’re sure. You stand up, grabbing your work clothes and placing them on your body as you go and grab some breakfast and a coffee. You finish and go into your bedroom again to grab your bag. You write the sleeping boy a note

‘Hey, I had to go to work today. I’ll be back around 4/5. Feel free to stay in the house until then. Help yourself to food and feel free to use anything. See you later, Liz’

You place it on the bedside cabinet and face it towards him. You smile at him as you head to work.

-

You get back in. Unlocking the door and walking inside. You don’t hear any noises and his jacket is no longer on the floor so you assume he’s left. You sigh, rubbing your eyes as you take your hair out of the ponytail it’s been in all day. You hear a noise from the kitchen, Eddie walking out holding a wooden spoon. You smile at him, glad to see him but also a look of confusion on your face. “Your still here?”

“Of course I’m still here. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I- your jacket” you point at the floor where it was. He points at the bedroom

“Where we were a bit... occupied yesterday I decided to clean up a bit today so I hung up my jacket on the back of your door. Plus I did the washing up. I’m currently in the process of making a cake, hence the spoon” he waves it around for emphasis as you nod and chuckle

“I thought you’d left” he shakes his head and smiles at you

“How was work?”

“It was... work” he laughs, motioning for you to follow as he carries on baking. “Wow you really cleaned the place up a bit” he nods

“I hope you don’t mind. I tried not to tamper with anything that seemed to have a purpose” he motions at a statue of a chicken “I mean I don’t quite know what the purpose of this is but I assumed it has a purpose”

“No he doesn’t have I purpose I just like to have him around” he laughs. The phone rings making you jump. You walk over to it as he speaks

“It did go off about an hour or so ago as well but I didn’t answer it” you nod, picking it up

“Hello Elizabeth speaking”

“Liz oh sweetie!”

“Hey mum!”

“We forgot you had your results day yesterday. How did you do?”

“I passed them all!” you say happily

“That’s excellent sweetheart! You got all A’s”

“Technically no but I di-”

“How did you pass if you didn’t get an A?”

“All my results were a C and above...” you hear her disappointed tone

“You got a C?”

“Yeah... only one”

“Your brother didn’t even get close to a C when he passed”

“I’m sorry... I’ll try and do better”

“Good. Thankfully colleges will likely still take you with those grades but still, aim for A’s next time sweetie, ok?”

“Ok”

“Love you. Bye bye honey” she blows kisses down the phone

“Love you too” you hang up. He looks at you

“Liz...?” you wipe your eyes quickly, looking at him and smiling

“I’m alright. I’ll be alright” he nods slightly. Going over to you and hugging you. “I just wish that they could be happy for me for once... just once...” he nods and strokes your hair. The phone rings again, you answer it, turning so that your back was to Eddie but he keeps his arms around you. Head resting on your shoulder “Hello?”

“Oh hey shithead” you smile slightly at your brothers voice

“Oh hey dick wagon” he laughs

“I heard you passed all your exams?”

“Yeah...” you say sadly

“That’s amazing! Well done! What did you get in English? I know you struggled with that subject”

“I got a B”

“That’s excellent! Oh well done! Super proud of you” you smile, hand resting over Eddies and squeezing it slightly. “See, I told you that you’re a smart girl, even if you do only have one brain cell”

“Oh ha-ha very funny”

“Hey, maybe I’ve been too mean to you. I reckon you might have 2 brain cells” you laugh slightly

“I don’t know that might be giving me a bit too much credit” he laughs

“Anyway I got to go. Parents are being... parents” you nod

“Thank you for ringing me”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll speak to you soon, ok?”

“Yeah speak to you soon” he hangs up.

“Was that Michael?” you nod “is he ok?” you nod again

“He was congratulating me on passing my exams” he smiles and kisses your shoulder

“Good. Now I need to cook a cake” he goes into the kitchen as you follow “How do you cook cake?”

“You’re pretty good at cooking though”

“Confession. I’ve never baked before in my life” you laugh and shake your head in disbelief.

“Let me show you”

-

“Well... this looks shit” he huffs out. Folding his arms as he looks at the slightly pathetic excuse of a cake in front of you

“We still need to decorate it. This is just the base of it” he nods

“Yeah. Then it can look like shit with icing on top” you laugh, grabbing a bowl out and making up some icing. Giving him a knife and placing the bowl on the counter you grab a dollop of it on the knife you have and start covering the cake. “Can we just eat the icing straight out of the bowl and pretend this abomination never happened?”

“Umm no. Come on! I reckon it’s salvageable”

“I don’t” he grabs some icing and helps decorate it with you. After decorating it you grab a spoon out for each of you. Handing one to him you take a spoonful of cake, popping it into your mouth.

“That’s actually kind of good” he takes some.

“Oh yeah. I mean, it’s still quite awful but it doesn’t taste as bad as it looks” you chuckle, taking another bite.

-

You both have the nice healthy choice of dinner as a whole cake between you plus some popcorn and crisps as you put on a film and eat in front of it. The film still plays out but he turns to look at you slightly. “So how much of last night do you remember?”

“Not much of it to be honest. How about you?”

“Not much either. I remember we... but even then the details are a bit blurry”

“About the same amount of memory as me then” you smile at him as he nods. You both put your attention back on the film as you snuggle into him more. His arms wrapping around you.

-

You meet him on Wednesday as normal. And the Wednesday after that and so on until soon it was your birthday. He met up with you after school like normal. Although your birthday didn’t fall on the Wednesday it was on the Thursday. Hess the first one there at your usual spot which is unusual. He smiles as he sees you. Where you both go there so often you had the mutual decision to place a small lunch bench there. You may have committed a small crime and stolen it from a nearby park but that was only a small detail. You sit opposite him, smiling at him as he goes into his bag and pulls out a small parcel. He hands it to you “I know we don’t normally do gifts for each other but I saw this and it made me think of you. Plus I know it’s your birthday tomorrow so it seemed right that I get you it” you take the box from him. Opening the lid you look inside. A delicate silver chain with a small butterfly on the end sits inside. The wings made from some sort of stone which you can’t quite make out, but it being a light shade of blue mixed with various other colours. “The wings are made out of opal which is the birth stone of October” you smile, taking it out of the box and looking at it closely

“It’s beautiful...” you look at him “Can you put it on me please?”

“It’d be my pleasure” he stands up, going behind you as he takes the two ends of the necklace. Gently placing them around your neck as the delicate piece adorns your neck. You gently touch the butterfly, turning around and smiling at him as he stands behind you

“I love it. Thank you” he smiles as you stand up and hug him. His arms wrap around you as you hug him tightly. Wanting to stay like this forever. You kiss his cheek “you are a true gentlemen Munson” he chuckles

“Anything for my queen” he smiles at you, brushing a loose hair that had fallen out of your ponytail behind your ear. You smile, kissing him deeply. His hand moving to your cheek as you kiss each other. You pull away, eyes meeting each other as you’re met with an emotion you don’t normally see in his eyes after you kiss. Normally you see lust fill them. But this was different. You couldn’t quite figure out how he was feeling “I’m glad you like it. My uncle and I went to a market thing and I found it there. I thought it matched your leg tattoo” you nod

“That reminds me!” you excitedly say. Sitting back down and taking your shoe off, rolling your sock down. You show him a small star on your ankle. He smiles, kneeling down to get a better look at it “I did it myself. I wanted to be more covered” he chuckles

“I really am a bad influence on you, aren’t I?” you nod and smile. He chuckles, grabbing your shoe “Oh Cinderella you appear to have lost your shoe”

“Oh my prince, that cannot be mine for I am but a servant of this house”

“Well let’s see if it fits shall we” he gently places your sock back onto your foot properly. Then he undoes the laces of your trainer, pushing that onto your foot easily. “It’s a perfect match” he looks up at you and smiles. You smile down at him

“Come here my king” he smiles, hands resting on either side of you on the bench as he stands up, leaning into you as he cages you with his arms. His frame slightly taller than yours as he meets your lips with his. You smile into the kiss, hands going to his shirt and gripping it. He pulls away slightly. Eyes watching each other’s as you feel butterflies in your stomach. You lean forward and kiss him gently.

-

It was Wednesday. You sat with him on your bench, helping him with chemistry. “I could just give up”

“No that’s not an option”

“Please?” you shake your head

“Come on. You have three more pages left and then we can stop”

“But it’s so boring”

“Come on! You said it yourself, ‘86 is your year of graduation. It can’t be your year if you start slacking off revision” he rolls his eyes at you as you nudge his shoulder. He reads through the next few pages with you. You quizzing him on them and the previous pages you’ve read.

“How about we meet up again sometime this holiday and you quiz me some more?” you nod, taking his hand in yours and smiling at him

“I can’t do over the holidays as I’m going to Canada to see my family for Christmas. I can do this weekend though?” he nods and smiles at you “I hoped we would see each other around that time as I bought you a present and I’ve had it for about a month now” he chuckles

“Ooh very exciting! I hope you’ve not over spent on me” you shake your head

“I only saw it and thought you like it” you let go of his hand “Come on, revision” he lets out an annoyed groan as you chuckle

-

He comes over to yours. Its a few days before Christmas so you decide to watch Gremlins, given that neither of you had watched it before and it was described as being a Christmas film. He lies on the sofa, your body between his legs as you lie on top of him. Your chest against his as his hands gently run up your back. The film finishes and you tilt your head up, the boy below you watching the screen intensely before he makes eye contact with you. You smile at him “stay here” you say as you sit up. Leaning over to the coffee table and opening the little drawer under it you pull out a box. Handing it to him as you smile “I saw it and I know you like your jewellery so I hope you like it” he opens the box. A ring inside it. An off gold rust colour, slight decoration and intricate design either side of a dark stone. He takes it out, fingers gently feeling over the metal.

“It’s wonderful” you smile at him as he takes your hand and kisses the back of it “Thank you my beautiful queen”  he kisses you as you smile more, him pulling you back down to lie on top of him “I Eddie the Freak do take this ring as a small token of affection from you, queen Liz. I will think of you every time I look at it” he says as he places it on the ring finger on his right hand. He smiles as he takes your hand, gently kissing the back of it

“I got you a gift as well”

“Oh yeah?” he nods and smiles at you, booping your nose before gently moving you off of him as he goes over to his bag. He grabs something out and places it behind his back. Grinning at you as he walks over.

“So I know how much you like wearing my jacket whenever we meet up and it gets cold. Then I found this” He pulls out a black leather jacket, handing it to you as your eyes look over the fabric you gently take it from him, biting your lip slightly as you smile at it. “I thought you might quite like to have one of your own as I know how much you like mine. And now we can be matching”

“I love it, thank you!” your hands gently stroking over the jacket as he smiles as he watches your happy face. He kisses your cheek, the sudden affection making you turn to look at him and smile slightly.

“Hmm?” you query

“You’re cute when you smile” you blush slightly at his words before he changes the subject “What film are we watching now?”

“I don’t know” he goes over to the pile of videos you have.

“Have you ever watched Psycho or do you just own it?”

“I just own it. I got too scared to watch it on my own” he chuckles as he places the film into the player, coming back over to you and lying down he pats his chest again. You raise an eyebrow at him slightly

“I know how scared you get when we watch horror so I’m just skipping the part where you slowly hide in my chest" you laugh “Come here sweetheart” you smile and lie on his chest. You both watch the film, your hand holding his tightly as you half cover your face when the scary parts come on. His other hand resting on your lower back as you watch together. The film finishes and you let out a deep breath

“Well that was terrifying” he chuckles slightly. You move your head to look at him and smile. His eyes meet yours and he puts his arms around you. Moving so he can sit up slightly with you still on him. Your legs bending under you as you end up straddling his lap

He starts placing kisses along your neck. Your hands go to his hair, stroking through his long curls. He sits up properly, one arm wrapped around your frame as the other helps hold him up into a sitting position. He carries on kissing your neck then your collarbones. His hand moves from your body, leaning back onto his palms as his eyes trace over you. You smile at him, reaching down and taking the bottom of your shirt, lifting it over your head and throwing it onto the floor. You put your hands behind your back and undo your bra, tossing it next to your shirt. He smiles as his hand comes up and start massaging your boob. Pinching the nipple slightly as you let out a small moan. He bends down, nibbling the flesh of you breasts as he continues to play with your nipples. Your hands bringing his head closer to you. You move one if your hands from the back of his head down, resting on his crotch and starting to rub him slowly through his trousers. He moves away from your chest, smiling at you

“Stand up” you do. He undoes your trousers, letting them fall to the floor as you step out of them and kick them to the side. He smiles, gently parting your legs with his hand as he runs a finger along your clothed heat. He slowly brings your pants down. Chucking them on the floor as quickly removes his shirt as well, going to rub your clit with his thumb. You feel him easily push a finger into your soaked hole. “God I’ve not even touched you and you’re already soaked”. You let out a moan as he curls his fingers across your g-spot. Your hands go to his shoulders to help keep you balanced, spreading your legs apart more as he rubs your clit with his thumb and slowly works his finger in you. He pushes another finger into you. Then he leans forward, his tongue coming out and licking your clit.

“Oh fuck” you rut your hips against his fingers and tongue as he lets out a low laugh, the breath hitting your sensitive parts. He looks up at you, gently kissing your pubic bone as he speaks to you

“Do you trust me?” you nod “Do you want to fuck yourself on my tongue?” you nod again as he smiles. He removes his fingers from you, causing you to whine out. He grabs a cushion and places it on the sofa, lying down and resting his head on it. He gently takes your hips, pulling you and moving so yours legs sit either side of his face. He lowers you down, kissing your thigh as you look down at him. He can see you hesitate so he begins kissing your thighs “Its ok. Trust me. You’ll feel so good” You know he’s smiling at you as he kisses your thighs because you can see it in his eyes. He then kisses your clit, sucking onto it harshly as you moan out. Pushing your hips into him more. He puts his tongue out, gently licking your sensitive nub. He leaves it out, hands going to your hips as he gently rocks them back and forth. You find a good rhythm and start moving yourself

“Fucking sh-shit” Your hands go to his that stay resting on your hips. Trying desperately to keep you thighs open. Hips moving against his face. One of his hands moves from your hip, gently pushing into you so he can finger you as he eats you out. “E-Eddie” you moan out. Thighs squeezing together, the sounds coming from below you was sinful as he goes to town on you. You feel yourself getting closer and closer with each curl of his finger and movement from his tongue. “Gonna cum... Eddie... Please?” he smiles, letting out a moan of approval. One that sends shivers through your whole body. You push yourself down onto him as your orgasm hits you. One hand gripping onto his and your nails digging into them slightly, the other grips onto his hair so tightly. You hear him let out a moan as you ride your high out. He helps you ride it out before pulling his fingers out of you. Drawing small circles on your thighs as you come down, gently moving you off of him as he sits you next to him on the sofa. He sits up next to you, wiping his mouth as he smiles at you. You place a hand on his thigh, gently squeezing it as you move his hair and start kissing his neck. You kiss, nibble and suck the skin. Hearing him moan into your ear as you move our hand from his thigh to rub him through his jeans. You smile as you see hickeys start to appear on his neck. Kissing each one before moving onto another one. You manage to undo his trousers with one hand, head resting in the crook of his neck as you look down and help his cock out of his confinements. You bite your lip as you see it. Hand going around it as he lets out a shaky sigh. He turns his head to kiss you as you slowly rub him. Feeling his hands go to your thighs as he pulls you onto his lap. He takes his dick out of your hand, gently teasing your clit with it as you moan at him and furrow your eyebrows. He lines himself up with your entrance as he slowly lowers you onto him. You grip his shoulders

“Fuck. I’ll never get over how good you feel” he says as he kisses you. He holds your hips, feeling him position his legs underneath you so he can start thrusting up into you. You moan out, feeling one of his hands move from your hip to your clit as he continues to pound into you. You lean forward into him, holding tightly onto his body and moaning into him as continues attacking your sensitive pussy.

“Eddie, go-gonna…” he kisses your head

“Hold it for a little longer...” he tries to reach his high quicker, going harsher into you as you concentrate on trying not to cum before he allows you too.

“Please... can’t... much longer...” you moan out, squeezing your eyes shut as you hide your head into his shoulder. He lets out a half moan half grunt before he speaks

“You can cum for me” you let out a long groan as you let your orgasm hit you. Tightening around him as you feel him pump a few more times into you before pushing all the way in and releasing himself inside of you. You let out a satisfied moan as you rest your head on his shoulder. His arm gently massaging your hips. Noticing small bruises appearing on them from where he was gripping you so tightly. Once he’s come down from his high he turns your head, a hand resting on your cheek as he kisses you slowly. Gently rubbing your cheekbone with his thumb. You wrap your arms around him as he places several kisses on your face “you’re such a good girl for me” he says with a smile as you nod, head resting against him as you shut your eyes.

He gently strokes your back as you both sit like that for a while. You feel him start to get soft inside of you but neither of you move. Enjoying this moment too much. “So umm there’s a small concert happening in this like abandoned warehouse place in a month. Mid-January I think on a Saturday night. I wondered if you like to join me and go?”

“I’ve never seen a live band before”

“Really? Oh well you have to go then! You’re missing out” you chuckle slightly as you nod

“Sounds like a good plan. Just tell me when and where and I’ll see if I have the night and next day off of work” he nods

“When do you go see your family?”

“I go in two days”

“Oh so a couple of days before Christmas” you nod

“Then I’ll be back on the 6th I believe and we can meet up then. I’ll ring you and let you knew when I’m home” he nods and hugs you closer “Are you ok?” you ask and he nods

“Just, I’m going to miss our weekly chats” you nod and curl into his chest more

“So will I”

-

You get back early morning on the 6th. Heading into your work for 10am you see they’ve removed the Christmas decorations. You were going to ring Eddie before your shift but you figured he’d likely be at school so you didn’t. Instead, you rang him when you got back. Placing your keys on the key rack and going to the phone you dial in his number. It was a Monday so he wasn’t playing with his band or doing Hellfire so he should pick up. Someone answers 

“Hello?”

“Hello. It’s Liz. Is Eddie at home?”

“Yeah one sec” you hear him calling his name before mumbled chatting.

“Hello?”

“Hey Eddie”

“Liz!” you can hear him smiling through the phone “How was Canada?”

“It was amazing. A much needed holiday away from all the stress of my life to be honest”

“I bet”

“I was just ringing to let you know I’m home and to see if we were meeting this Wednesday still and also to ask when the concert thing is?”

“Yes I’m still up for Wednesday. It’s this coming Saturday, so I’ll pick you up from yours about 6 and we can head over there”

“Perfect. I am going to go and have a shower but I will see you on Wednesday”

“I’ll see you then my queen” he hangs up as you smile

-

Wednesday comes about. You sit on the bench, watching the birds fly overhead. “Boo” you hear someone say behind you, making you jump out of your skin

“Jesus Christ Eddie I nearly died” he laughs as you clutch at your heart

“Aww I’m sorry” he smiles and kneels in front of you, you turn around to face him properly as he goes between your legs and pulls you in for a hug. You hug him back, feeling him standing up slightly as he places a hand on your butt as he lifts you up. Hugging you tightly as you wrap your legs around him. Burying your face into his neck. You stay like this for possibly ten minutes before he sits down on the bench, you pulling away from the hug so you can look at him. Once again you find yourself straddling his lap. He smiles, hand brushing your cheek as the one that was on your butt now rests on your back 

“How was your holiday?”

“It was excellent. They have such good food there. Plus it was nice seeing my parents and brother. Me and Michael made a den and stayed out in it for a few nights and catches up with each other which was good. I’ve not spoken to him properly in about a year I’d say” he nods “How was your holiday?”

“It was alright. Had to go to school to do some catch-up sessions but I can’t complain too much about it all. Met up with the boys and played some Dungeons and Dragons which was good. I’ve started them on a new campaign which I’m hoping should last them a few months”

“How are the new kids that joined Hellfire? God what’s their names...”

“Mike, Lucas and Dustin?” you nod “They’re alright. They’re the reason I started the new campaign actually. Then all of them can build up their new characters together and be relatively equal in power. Lucas doesn’t seem quite as into it as the other two but I’m hoping he’ll come around as he’s a good player”

“What do you have planned for this campaign?”

“Not too sure. Some evil cult I reckon. Have it so the main guy dies but the cult lives on but then a plot twist where the guy isn’t dead and now he’s stronger and they have to kill him all over again”

“Oh that sounds awful...”

“I’ve got the basis down for the character already, I just need to get his stats and everything but the character design is done” he reaches behind him on the table and grabs his bag, pulling out a small book. He opens up one of the pages and shows a drawing of a character missing an eye and an arm, his skin shrivelled and grotesque. “I’m leaning towards the name Vecna” you nod and smile

“That’s an amazing drawing and a good name for him” he smiles

“I’m glad you think so” he rubs the back of his neck as you chuckle slightly

“Please feel free to keep talking about him and your campaign”

“You sure? I don’t want to bore you with stuff you have no idea about”

“You aren’t boring me. I like hearing you talk about stuff your passionate about so please indulge me” he nods and carries on talking to you about his ideas. You listen to him for a couple of hours, you asking him questions about stuff you don’t fully understand and him educating you. You do this until it starts to get dark, taking that as a sign that you should both part ways. He says he’ll see you on Saturday anyway and that you are welcome to stay round his afterwards to which you agree.

-

Saturday comes about and you’re wearing your most ‘metal’ outfit you can find. A white crop top with your leather jacket over top. Then some black trousers. Your hair is in a high ponytail because that’s how you always have it. He knocks on the door as you answer it. Smiling at him as he wears his usual clothes. Band shirt, two jackets and skinny jeans. He scans your body “Who are you trying to impress?” he smiles at you as you put your middle finger up at him

“Shut up you and let’s go see a band. God I’m anxious” he takes your hands and kisses the palms of both of them

“You’ll be fine. I’ll be with you the whole time anyway” you nod and smile slightly at him as you both go over to his van. You drive to the location. When you get there you grip his hand. He looks at you to question your actions but he sees your slightly panicked face so he links his fingers with yours before bringing your hand up and kissing the back of it. “I’ve got you” he says calmly to you as you nod, going close to him as you both go over to the makeshift stage. Drunken people keep knocking you as the music starts to play. 

You watch, the whole band managing to captivate their audience as they sing along with them. You see Eddie out the corner of your eye, his face grinning as he watches the band intensely. You look back at the band as they finish their last song of the night

“Ok ok. So we would like one of you to come up on stage” he covers his eyes so he can see the crowd against the harsh light. He points directly at you “girl in the white shirt with the leather” your eyes widen as you shake your head slightly, hand gripping Eddies tighter “Its ok we don’t bite. Well, we don’t bite very hard anyway” you nod slightly and let out a small chuckle. 

‘This would be no different to if you were cheering or doing a public speech’ you think to yourself so you let go of his hand. Going up onto the stage the singer smiles at you 

“What’s your name beautiful?”

“Elizabeth”

“Well, Elizabeth, do you know why I called you onto this stage?” you shake your head “Because you look like someone who has talent” he smiles at you “Would you say you have talent?”

“Oh hell no” he laughs as does the whole crowd. You look at the audience. Seeing how far down the venue the crowd goes and starting to feel anxious. But your eyes meeting Eddies, his soft features comforting you as he stands and smiles up at you.

“So if I said that you could do a little song or dance or something you’d avoid doing it?”

“I’d do it I just can’t guarantee I’d do it well” he laughs again

“That’s the spirit. This is your first concert correct?” you nod “I can tell. Look at us taking her concert virginity. I’m honoured, truly” he places a hand over his heart as he smiles at you “If I give you the microphone and the ability to sing whatever song you want do you promise not to make a fool of me or yourself”

“I’ll try not to but I make no promises”

“I like this one” he looks at the rest of his band “Can we keep her?” you laugh as he smiles at you, handing you the microphone.

“Shit now I need to think of a song” you go over to the guitarist “May I?” he nods, handing you the guitar. You place it over your body. Going back to the microphone “Apologies to you all for the torture your all about to endure” they all laugh slightly. You start playing the guitar. Tapping your foot to keep a steady rhythm as well. You start singing ‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton. You realise you should’ve gone for a more ‘heavy’ song but it’s the first one that came to mind. 

When you finish you expect either quietness or booing. But they all clap for you, someone even whistles. You chuckle slightly “Thank you” you take the guitar off and hand it back to the guitarist. The lead singer goes over to the mic again

“Well now I see why you were hesitant before. That was amazing, I think the crowd agrees” they all clap and shout in agreement. You laugh as you feel yourself blush slightly

“It’s nothing”

“Nothing? I think you just showed us all up within three minutes after our hour long show” you laugh again as you go to leave the stage

“One more song!” someone yells from the crowd. Singer looks at you and raises an eyebrow

“You got one more in you”

“Sure” you get handed the guitar again, taking it and placing it over your shoulders “Once again I apologise” you think for a second, starting to sing ABBA’s ‘Mamma Mia’. Once again, the crowd cheering you after you finish it. You hand back the guitar. Getting off the stage and heading towards Eddie. You link your arm with his as he whispers to you

“You were amazing” you smile and grip his arm tighter, both turning back to the band

“After that incredible performance by Miss Elizabeth I think we have time for a few more songs” and they continue playing. Your arm stays linked with Eddies through the whole of the rest of the concert as they continue playing their songs-

After the show you go to head back to the car but the singer calls you “Elizabeth!” you turn around, hand holding Eddies as you face him “Hey. You were amazing tonight”

“Thank you” you smile at him

“Are you in a band yourself? You know how to interact with a crowd”

“Oh no. I do a lot of public speaking though so I know how to get the crowd engagement I guess” he nods and chuckles. He holds his hand out towards you

“I’m Ted” you shake his hand“

It was lovely meeting you”

“You should start a band. I’m sure a lot of people would come and see you singing” he motions at Eddie “Do you play any instruments?” he nods

“Guitar”

“Perfect! Just need a drummer and then bam you have a band” you laugh as he smiles at you both “I’ll hopefully see you both at our next concert” you nod as he walks away. You both head back to his car, getting in as he follows behind. Starting up the car and driving off. You rest your head against the window feeling tired from the night. Shutting your eyes as he drives home.

“Liz?” he gently touches your shoulder. You wake up and stretch.

“Shit sorry” he smiles at you

“It’s ok. We’re back at mine if that’s ok?” you nod and reach down in the foot well and grab your overnight bag. Rubbing your eyes before getting out the car. He follows, unlocking the front door and holding it open for you to walk in. You smile and walk in. He shuts and locks the door behind him, turning on the light. He holds his hand out towards you as you take it. He spins you before picking you up, holding you as you wrap your legs and arms around him. He smiles and carries you to the bedroom. He half throws you onto the bed, lying next to you as you stretch out and try and push him off

“No this is my bed now”

“Rude” you jokingly push him, trying to get him off the bed. He takes your hands and pins them above your head as you playfully bite your lip at him “the audacity in my own home”

“What you gonna do about it?” you smile at him as he chuckles.

“Hmm.... sleep” he collapses onto you as you squeal

“So this is how I die... crushed to death...” he laughs as he takes your hand and kisses it, rolling off of you he stays sitting on the bed and takes his shirt and trousers off. Throwing them onto the floor beside him as he then grabs the duvet and places it over him

“Goodnight”

“Someone tired by any chance?” he nods and looks at you through one eye.

“Come on. Come sleep with me” you chuckle, turning and going through your bag. You take your trousers off and place them into your bag. Grabbing out the shirt he gave you a few months ago and placing it on the bed before taking off your jacket and shirt. You feel his eyes scan down your back as you take the ‘Iron Maiden’ shirt and placing it over your torso before coming and lying next to him. 

“My beautiful queen” he murmurs as he moves his hand to your ponytail, gently pulling it out and ruffling you hair for you as you giggle. He smiles as he lies on his back. Both of you falling asleep.

-

You wake up the next morning. Rubbing your eyes slightly you turn and see the space next to you is empty. You sit up, looking around the room “Eddie?” No response. You wonder if you should go out and try and find him but worried you might bump into his uncle you stay in his room. You grab your bag, taking off your old underwear and replacing it with some fresh ones, then grabbing your trousers from yesterday and placing them on. You stand up and go over to his tapes, looking through the music he has. You hear the door open as he walks in. You turn and smile at him, placing the tapes back down.

“You’re awake” you nod “Coffee?” you nod again as he smiles “give me a sec” he walks back out. You change your shirt to a clean one as you continue looking around his room. Admiring his guitar you see his door open again. He hands you a mug as you turn around taking it from him then going over to the bed and sitting down cross legged. He sits next to you as you sip your drink.

“How long have you been awake for?”

“About an hour”

“Sorry. You should’ve woken me up” he shakes his head

“Can’t wake up my queen. She needs to rest” he boops your nose slightly as you laugh.“I enjoyed last night”

“As did I” you shuffle towards him slightly “I think you should start a band” you laugh and shake your head

“Absolutely no way”

“Oh come on. You were excellent” you shake your head, going and grabbing your hair band from your bag and tying your hair up. He watches as you then finish the rest of your drink, placing it down on the side as you turn to look at him and smile.

“I should be getting home” he nods

“I’ll drive you”

-

Another few weeks pass. You have a good schedule. Working most days, but you ring or see Alice every Tuesday and Saturday evening. Seeing Eddie on Wednesday afternoon and then ringing your other friends on Sundays. Late February comes about and you are with Eddie at your usual place. He grabs his bag and goes to leave “Umm Eddie...” he looks at you “I can’t do next week. I’ve been given a shift that runs over our normal meeting time and I can’t change it. I’m sorry”

“That’s ok” he thinks for a moment “when does you shift finish?”

“About nine″ he nods

“I’ll come round the diner for food about six then and give you a lift home afterwards”

“Are you sure?” he nods again

“Of course” he smiles. He’s given you lifts back before from work when you’ve had a late shift on Wednesday but you always wanted to make sure he was ok doing it. You normally gave him a free desert when he did this.

-

Saturday comes about and you and Alice are exploring the old shopping centre. Since it burnt down you and her meet their occasionally as it’s quiet there now. “Did you hear that Chris is back in Hawkins?”

“What? I thought he got sent away to army camp” she nods

“He’s come back home for a few weeks apparently. Think his grandad died or something so he’s back for the funeral” you nod, hands gripping each other as you stare anxiously at the ground. “It’ll be ok. He doesn’t know where you work or live. Plus he might be a changed man now” you nod slightly, smiling at her softly as you feel anxiety start to build up. That night you create an extra safety precaution to your home. Shutting and locking all your windows before going to sleep. Even the small one in your bathroom that a mouse couldn’t squeeze through.

-

You go over to a table at work. Smiling as a young couple are sitting and having what looks like a date. “What can I get you?”

“Can I have the salad and a milkshake please?” you nod as the woman looks at the man “What do you want my love?” you look at the man, freezing up as you see Chris sitting in front of you. His hair buzzed off. His eyes scanning the menu before he turns to face you.

“Liz?” he smiles at you “I can’t believe it’s you” you smile politely at him

“Hey Chris”

“You two know each other?” the girl queries. You nod as he speaks

“We used to date back in school. God how have you been?” he smiles at you. Although the act itself isn’t malicious you can’t help the horrible gut feeling to run away. You smile at him still

“Good thank you. What do you want to order?” he looks at the menu

 “Burger and fries please” you nod and write it down. Taking the menus and going to the counter and giving the order. You hear the door open. Looking up you see Eddie walking in. Sitting in the booth he normally goes to. You mentally shake yourself. Going over and smiling at him

“What can I get you?”

“Usual please” you write, hands shaking slightly. He notices. “Are you ok?” he whispers. You nod and smile at him, head motioning to Chris “What did he do?”

“Nothing. I’m just being over paranoid. I’m ok. I’ll be ok” you smile wavers slightly “I’ll be back over with your order in a second” he nods. You feel his eyes on you as you head to the counter. Going over to Chris’s table with their food. 

“Thank you, beautiful” you feel him place his hand on your ass slightly before eating his food. Shaking it off as an accident you then go over to Eddie’s table with his order. Placing it in front of him, he gently touches your hand

“Did he just-?” his eyes go to your butt. 

“I’m sure it was an accident” 

“He accidently just sexually assaulted you?” he says in a low voice as you look at him 

“I’m ok. I’m used to him” you say in whispers to each other

“That doesn’t make it better. That makes it worse in fact” you shrug

“Hess always been hands on. It’s ok. No need to worry about me” he notices your hand shaking as you take his empty glass. His eyes grow concerned as you continue serving people. Chris and his lady friend stay there until your shift ends. Chris coming over to you as he notices you packing your stuff up. He takes your hand in his. You look at him

“How about I give you a lift back to your house?” you shake your head, going to move your hand away. He grips it tighter, causing you to let out a small yelp. “Come on. I can show you how much fun I can be now” he smiles. You shake your head. Managing to yank your hand away from him. Grabbing your jacket you head outside. Eddie following you soon after, you wait by his car. You can feel your whole body shaking. He opens the car. You get in with no hesitation. He gets in next to you

“Please take me home...” you say in a choked sob. He nods. The whole ride home is silent as you try not to cry. Once you get there he looks at you. 

“Liz?” you shake your head. “I’m going to touch you, ok?” you nod slightly. Feeling him hug you. “You’re safe” you nod, hiding your head in his shoulder. 

“I’m scared...” he nods slightly “I-I’ve seen him get angry a couple of times. He umm... He would never mean to but he’d throw stuff when he got mad and sometimes I’d be in the way... but this seemed different... this time I feel like he actually wants to hurt me...” he strokes your arm as he continues hugging you. 

“Do you want me to stay the night?”

“You have school tomorrow though... I don’t want to be a problem”

“You aren’t a problem. I can skip tomorrow. I’d rather make sure you’re ok” you nod slightly. Feeling him move away from you he gets out, going to your side and opening the door for you. You go and unlock the front door. Walking inside with him as you then lock it behind you. Going through the house and doing your normal checks. Turning on all the lights, shutting and locking the windows before you bring him into your bedroom, locking the door behind you. You get into bed. Feeling him lie next to you and wrap his arms around you. So long as Eddie was there you knew you were safe.

As promised Eddie stays the night. You call in sick to work for the next couple of days. When he doesn’t turn up at your house you start to relax again. Hopefully you’ll never see him again. The whole time Eddie stays with you. He misses school but, as he says, that isn’t unusual for him so they won’t be surprised. Once he knows your feeling calmer he goes back to his on the Saturday. Alice comes over and joins you for the weekend. Staying with you until you have work on Monday. She sits in the restaurant with you throughout your whole shift. Reading whilst you work. Then she drives you back to your house. You comfort her and tell her you’ll be fine on your own so she leaves. And you are.

You’ve heard rumours that Chris went back to the army camp so you were happy to be by yourself again. You see Eddie on Wednesday after. You hang out together and he notices you seem a lot more cheerful. He doesn’t ask about it as he doesn’t want to stress you, but he can tell you are happier. You help him with his studies, knowing his exams are in a few weeks.

Today was no different. It was the beginning of March. The first Wednesday of March in fact. You go through his English with him. Quizzing him on the book he’s meant to know relatively off by heart. Half way through you reading a passage to him he takes your wrist. You look at him confused. He pushes your sleeve up slightly and points at a small moon tattoo that’s on the inside of your wrist. “I wanted to have one that both matched but was also unique on my other wrist. Given that you did the one on my left arm” he nods

“How many you got now then” you count on your hands before holding up six fingers. He smiles “Let’s see”

“So I’ve got that one which you saw. Then I managed to get this one” you show behind your ear that there’s a design of flowers and swirls. You look around slightly before lifting your shirt up. Showing your side boob to him where a little heart outline sits. “I did them all myself apart from the one behind my ear. I got that one done by my friend” he nods

“I’m sorry for being a bad influence on you” you laugh as you pull your shirt down again

“I had tattoos before I met you”

“Correction. You had a tattoo before you met me. Singular. Now you have six″ you laugh again and nod

“True. True” you go to carry on reading but he shushes you, gently lowering the book

“Enough now. Please” you chuckle

“Fine. We can carry on next Wednesday” he lets out an annoyed groan as you laugh. “I know you dislike it but if you pass then you can leave school by the end of this year. Unfortunately you have to go through the torture of revision” he falls backwards from the bench, his legs still over the seat as his body lies on the floor. You laugh, standing up and leaning over the table to look at him

“I’m dead”

“Come on” you reach your hands out to help him up, which he grabs and you pull him up.

“Are you thinking of going to college next year?” you shake your head

“I don’t think I’ll get anything out of college to be honest. I don’t want a fancy job. I just want to earn money” you pick at your fingers

“How are your parents coping with that though?” you laugh

“They think I should become a doctor. Because that’s the career Michael has chosen” he laughs slightly as you smile at him, looking at your hands “My aim in life is to find a man that I can have children with. I’m not bothered by my career. I want a family” he nods and looks at you

“How’s that going for you?”

“Not well. Most of the men I’ve gone on dates with just try and get in my pants. Or they start proposing straight away”

“Jesus”

“Yeah not fun. But the joys of dating I suppose. Got to go through the nutters before finding ‘the one’”

"What’s ‘the one’ for you then?”

“Oh god. I don’t know if I have a type... sense of humour is always good. Slightly protective of me. Not badly so, but the kind of guy who will hold my hand in public if he sees other guys looking at me. But also doesn’t care if I go out on my own. Kind as well. I guess the stuff that every girl says they want in a man though, right?” he nods slightly “What’s your type?”

“I don’t know. Never really thought about it. Every girl I’ve been with seems to only want me to make someone else jealous or mad. I just take it whenever I can because it’s rare that a girl actually likes me for me”

“To clarify. I like you for who you are. I appreciate I’m probably not someone you’d get romantically involved with but I do like you for you and I am a girl” he laughs slightly

“You are one of my few female friends though” he thinks for a moment “in fact my only female friend. And also longest female friend”

“Thanks dude”

“I never would’ve thought we’d be as close as we are. You are one of my best friends. I feel like I could tell you anything” you smile

“Yeah I feel the same. You and Alice are the two I trust the most”

“I’m honoured. Truly” he smiles at you as you smile at him

“We should go back. I’ll see you next week though?” he nods

“See you next week”

-

Two weeks pass. You’ve finished studying with Eddie on your usual Wednesday meetup and are chatting away. "You are wrong. Chocolate is defiantly the best flavour of ice cream”

“Nah man. Defiantly rum and raisin”

“Are you saying that purely because it has rum in it?”

“It’s an alcoholic desert, what’s not to love!” you laugh as you lean back slightly and look up at the sky. You feel his eyes trail down your body. You look at him, his eyes darting away quickly. Looking at his watch “Shit its getting late”

“I’ll see you next Wednesday right?” he nods

“It’s the holidays next week so I have no school” you laugh as he stands up and does what you assume to be a happy dance but you aren’t to sure. You laugh as you watch him

“Why don’t you come round for the holiday? We can spend the week together. We can chill out and I can quiz you on your upcoming exams”

“You had me at the coming over part. But the exam part I’ll pass on”

“Come on. You won’t even notice. We can do a drinking game whilst I quiz you. Something like we go through the questions at the back of the book and whoever guesses it the slowest has to drink. Can’t possibly think of how that could go wrong” he laughs

“I like the sound of that more... Sure. I’ll see you on Saturday morning, say about 11?” you nod and smile

“I look forward to it”

-

Saturday comes about. Now Eddie has never been punctual but it was 11:45 and you were worried. You gnaw at your bottom lip as you wait by the door. Your phone rings making you jump. You rush over to it “Hello?”

“Turn on the news. Now” Alice says. Rushing over you turn the TV on. The news anchor speaks as you watch in horror

“-teen been found murdered. We aren’t sure what led to this brutal attack but-”

“Isn’t that where Eddie lives?” you hear Alice whisper on the other end of the phone.

“I- no. No. It can’t be him” you shake your head in disbelief. Eyes glued to the screen. You shake your head and drop the phone as you see his trailer in the background. Tears stream down your face as fear washes over you. You fall to the ground and hug your legs. Hands going to your eyes as you start to cry. About 20 minutes pass and a knock on the door makes you aware of the world around you but only for a moment. Alice manages to open the door. You don’t care how, you just feel her come and sit by you and hug you, stroking your hair as you cry. Her eyes stay fixed on the screen.

“Liz. It’s not him...” you look up

“-Body of the teenage girl was left-”

“It’s not him... But that’s his house...”

“Oh Liz” you look at Alice as she strokes your hair.

-

You wait with Alice all day. She even stays overnight. You hope he’ll turn up on Sunday morning but no luck, so you get dressed from yesterday’s clothes. Grabbing a bag and head out to his trailer. You see his home surrounded by police and tape. You walk around the area. Hoping for any signs of him but you find nothing. You stand near where the commotion is. Listening in. They just say that the body of Chrissy Cunningham was found dead at the scene. You go back to your house. Alice still there “You ok?” you nod

“It’s not him. Chrissy from school, the year below us. It was her they found dead”

“In his house?” you nod

“But he’s not dead...”

“He just likely committed a murder” you nod.

“We can find him. Please. Hess probably scared and confused and we have to help him”

“I’m sorry Liz. I love you. You know I do. But I’m not helping you find someone who’s just murdered a girl our age”

“We don’t know he did it”

“We don’t know he didn’t do it either. I’m sorry. I truly am” you nod slightly. Thinking about what she just said.

“He was meant to come over yesterday... do you-” Tears prick at your eyes as you look up at her “do you think if she wasn’t killed I would’ve been?” she lets out a sigh, running her hands through her hair and shaking her head

“I don’t know...”

“Do you really think he murdered her?”

“I hope he didn’t but the evidence isn’t in his favour” you wipe your eyes as she comes over and hugs you. You hug her back. “I need to go home ok? I’ll be back tomorrow after my shift though” she holds your face between her hands, forcing you to look at her “You’ll be ok. If he turns up here, please call me or the police” you nod slightly.

Every day you go by his trailer. Hoping to find something. Someone. But no luck. You wear the necklace he got for you. The small chain dangling round your neck. Wanting him to be close to you. You get into the shower. First one in about a week. Then the earthquake hits. Once it passes you quickly chuck on some clothes and run outside. Helping those who were hurt immediately outside of your home from the events.

The next day you help set up the small refuge centre for those who were made homeless from the earthquake. Taking along your old clothes, some food and blankets. Even some old toys. Helping out wherever you can. You notice his uncle walk in. Alone. Going to the missing person’s board and placing a poster. Your heart sinks. They still hadn’t found Eddie? You mentally shake yourself.

Another day goes past. You go via his trailer in hopes of any sign of life before heading to the centre. Alice meets you there. Helping you fold clothes and place them into different genres. Women, men’s and children’s. Then you hear a young boy call out for Mr Munson. You look up slightly. Seeing a boy with curly hair talking to the uncle. You see them exchange words, the younger starting to get teary. You try and listen in on what they’re saying. “I-I’m so sorry” you see the boy hand him a necklace. Eddies necklace. You feel tears prick your eyes. Alice turns to you, going to say something about the dress she was holding up but stops

“Liz...?” you shake your head, tears starting to fall from your cheeks. Looking at her

“He-He’s dead” you whisper.

“Oh no, Liz” she says, going to hug you. You shake your head

“I’m sorry... I-I need a minute” you place the shirt you were holding down. Tears falling down your face as you drive back to your house. Getting in, shutting the door behind you. You let out a scream. You collapse to the ground. Hiding your face in your hands as hours go past as you cry. You eventually get up. Knowing time has passed as the sun is no longer up. You go into your room. Grabbing out the Iron Maiden shirt he had gifted you. Taking off all your clothes and placing it on your body as well as the jacket he’d gifted you. Then grabbing Fred the bear you curl up onto your bed. Crying into the soft fur of the bear until you fall asleep.

The next day you wake up. Your whole body feeling numb. You go to work, knowing you have a shift but you do it out of routine. You don’t have the mental strength. You also wear the same shirt you wore at night. Plus the jacket. Only taking it off when your boss says something. The next day you do the same thing. Wearing the same shirt and jacket. Just wondering round like a zombie. Doing chores, making yourself eat and drink. But your mind is blank. You cry whenever you have a free moment to yourself. So you try and be busy. Working overtime more. It’s been 4 days since you found out the news about Eddie. Your boss sees you cleaning tables and walks over. ”It’s your day off. Go home”

“Please. I need to be here”

“You haven’t left here in 20 hours. Go home. Get some rest. Eat and drink. I’ll see you in a couple of days” you nod slightly. Walking back to your house. You get in. Collapsing onto your bed. As soon as you hit the pillow you start crying. All the memories of him flooding your brain. How he laughed. His smile. Him trying to distract you from helping him revise. You lie on your back. Kissing the necklace that was around your neck. “I’m sorry Eddie. I’m so sorry. You were the best thing that happened to me... and you’ll never know” you hide your face. Gently crying yourself to sleep.

-

A few weeks pass. Although you were still mourning Eddie’s death you had started to get back to normal. You had arranged with your parents that you would move out of Hawkins as it now had too many bad memories associated with it. So you lived in boxes. Thankfully they were rich enough to be able to buy you a place outright so you didn’t need to worry about selling the house before you moved. You had managed to shower in the recent week. Not wanting to so that the scent of his shirt stayed on you for longer. But you had managed to shower and wash, even clean the house up a bit as you were currently living in boxes. You were just looking at houses at the moment, waiting for the right one to show up before you moved out. As soon as you found it your parents would pay for it and you would be living your new life. Out of habit you would go to your usual meeting spot every Wednesday. You knew no one went there so you would take a book or some paper and go and relax for an hour or so. You found it helped you feel closer to him even when you knew he couldn’t be with you anymore

-

It had been a month since Eddies passing. Although life was still difficult and you still felt empty you were getting better over time. Getting to the centre you see Alice. You go over to her. “How are you feeling today?” you nod

“Good. Woke up feeling the happiest I have done in a while” she nods and smiles

“I’m glad to hear that” she smiles at you as you both quietly sort out the food. A few minutes pass before you speak again

“We’ll still be friends if I move far away right?”

“Of course. I thought you were only moving about half an hour away though” you nod

“I was thinking about moving more near Mexico. I know it’s quite far away but I decided I just want to move away from everything. It’s just that things here are reminding me of a... previous time and I think moving away will help me heal” she nods slowly

“Can I come visit?”

“Of course! And I’ll write to you and ring you constantly” she chuckles slightly, turning to you and hugging you

“Do you want to hang out later today?” you shake your head

“I can’t today. I’m going to the place I used to meet up with him for the last time today. But we can meet up tomorrow?” she nods and smiles

“It’s a date. I’ll come round yours for midday”

-

You sat at your spot. Quietly sketching to yourself. The gentle breeze going over your skin. Knowing this would be the last time you would sit here you were sketching him in your book from your memory. You were half way through, trying to get his eye shape just right when you hear a noise behind you. Sounded like walking. You turn to see if someone was there but it goes silent again. Your eyes scan the trees behind you. Thinking you see movement you call out 

“Hello?” no answer. You swear you saw someone but you must’ve seen a deer or the leaves moving in the wind. You shrug it off and carry on drawing. A few minutes pass and you hear a noise behind you. Before you can turn around you feel a hand come up to your mouth. 

“Don’t scream...” you hear someone whisper. You grip a hold of your pencil, going to swing it at the unknown person. You see them going and grabbing the hand holding the pencil. Your free hand coming up, pushing the hand over your mouth into you more as you then bite down hard. “Fuck!” he yelps as he lets go off you. You jump up and move away from him. Turning around your eyes meet familiar brown ones.

“N-no” you say as you see Eddie standing before you.

“Liz its ok” he goes to take a step towards you

“Get the fuck away from me!” you sob, feeling tears starting to form in your eyes. He can’t be here. He died. You heard the young boy say so. The necklace... You saw him with his necklace. He puts both his hands up in defence

“I’m not going to hurt you”

“Why are you here?” you hear your voice waver. Tears threatening your eyes as you watch the boy. His hands, face and clothes appear grubby and covered in dried blood.

“I was hoping that you’d be here... I didn’t know who else I could go to”

“Why did the young boy have your necklace?”

“Young boy... Oh you must mean Dustin” He looks at you. Standing still and keeping his arms raised as to not scare you “I promise I won’t hurt you, you don’t need to be anxious. It’s just me”

“I currently have a man who, from my knowledge, has risen from the dead and who is wanted for murder standing in front of me. So sorry if I’m a bit on edge”

“I told you. I didn’t know where else to go. I promise I’m not going to hurt you” You wipe your eyes as you feel the tears starting to fall. He remains still, waiting for you to relax. As you don’t make any sign of movement he slowly holds a hand out to you “My queen...” his eyes meeting yours. You shake your head, wiping your eyes again as you feel some tears escape down your cheeks

“You died... he said so. You aren’t meant to be here”

“It’s me. I promise” you go towards him, gently touching your fingers onto his hand. A choked sob leaving yours as you touch him. You see tears in his eyes as he smiles at you. You go towards him slightly.

“I thought I lost you...” you whisper. Fingers gently stroking over his hands as you start silently crying. “Why did he have your necklace?” you look at him. He looks down and shakes his head

“If I told you everything that happened you wouldn’t believe me” he looks at you through his hair.

“I- I trust you. Tell me the truth” you hesitantly say. He rubs the back of his neck. You hesitate for a moment before stepping towards him more, taking a hold of his hand fully.

“I didn’t kill Chrissy. I didn’t kill anyone. She- they died from a different creature. Dustin, he told me about this other world. Like Hawkins but evil. Filled with creatures not of this world. One of these creatures killed Chrissy. Killed the others. He- he wants to destroy our world. And we tried to stop him. We tried to hurt his physical being that exists in this other place. We went through a portal to his world. And that’s where I got attacked”

“Why did Dustin say that you had died?”

“Because I think I did...” he whispers. Eyes looking at you before looking away, rubbing his forehead “I got attacked by these bats. Demonic bats. And I remember Dustin holding me as I felt my soul leaving my body... the world turning black...” His hand clenching slightly around yours as he recalls what happened. “I then woke up. I still felt like shit but I... I woke up. I-I was alone though... I knew time had passed because no one was in there with me” he wipes his eyes “So I slowly made my way back to a portal to here. Bringing myself through it. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed but I knew that Dustin and Steve and everyone would think I was dead... I didn’t want to burden them. I couldn’t think of who else to go to that I could trust. Hell, or someone that would trust me. So I came here. I hoped you’d be here today, considering its Wednesday” he chuckles slightly as he looks at you “I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn’t know who else to go to” he kisses the back of your hand, leaving his lips resting on the back of it before he looks at you. The same kind eyes you’re used to.

“How- how did you come back to life?”

“I don’t know... I just know I did” you nod.

“So, you’re telling me that there is some evil monster trying to kill us all and he lives in a different world that we can’t see?” he nods

“I know it sounds insane. I get that. But you have to trust me. Everything I told you is the truth”

“I trust you... I just... It’s a lot to take in” You let out a shaky sigh, your hand going and playing with the necklace placed around your neck. He watches you as you think for a moment. Your hand tightening onto his slightly.

“I’m going to leave this place. I can’t stay here. People will recognise me” he says to you “I just needed some food and a car. I just... I wanted to make sure you were ok...” he looks down as he says the last part in a whisper, his thumb gently stroking your hand. You nod and think for a moment.

“I want to come with you” you look at him as he shakes his head

“No I-”

“I was moving out anyway. And I was going to move to Mexico so it’s not any hassle. I just... please?” you smile at him slightly “We can finally run away from here” you whisper as he nods slowly. Hand coming to stroke your cheek. Making you smile fully at him. "We should be getting back to my place. Don’t want people to recognise you” he nods, holding his other hand out for you to take which you do. You manage to sneak back into your house. He uses your shower, not having had one for a good few weeks. Coming into your bedroom and lying on the bed. He pats next to him as you lie down. He reaches out and takes your hand, resting it on his chest as he shuts his eyes and falls asleep. As do you.

-

You wake up the next morning. Bed empty beside you. “Eddie?” you call out, a slight panic in your voice. Standing up quickly you go into the living room. Fear setting in. He walks out of the kitchen, a half-eaten apple in his hand.

“Sorry. I didn’t think you’d mind” you go over to him and hug him

“I thought you’d gone again...”

“I’m not going anywhere” he whispers, gently stroking your back as he kisses the top of your head. “I’m right here” you nod. “I washed my shirt. Its hanging up over the shower rail” he smiles at you as you nod, kissing the palm of his hand “Do you have work today?” you shake your head

“No but Alice is picking me up for a day out. Shit. She’ll be here soon” as if on cue you hear a knock on the door

“Liz it’s me” you hear Alice call through the door

“Go to the bedroom” you motion, he nods, moving as quickly as he can he goes to the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. You open the front door, smiling at her

“You ready?” she eyes your pyjamas up and down before chuckling “I’ll wait in the car”. You nod, rushing to your bedroom. Eddie hiding in the corner. You whisper to him

“I’ll be back about dinner time. There is food in the kitchen. You’re safe here, I promise” he nods slightly

“Have a good day out” you smile at him as you head out, locking the front door behind you.

-

You both have a good day out. Getting back to your house around 7pm. “Can I come in for a cup of coffee before I drive home?” you nod, eyes scanning your house before letting her in. The bedroom door being firmly shut you notice. She goes to the kitchen, making you both a drink. You both drink and chat for about 20 minutes before she gets up. Taking your mug she goes over to the sink to wash up for you “Oh shit!” you hear her say

“What’s wrong?”

“I just got coffee on my shirt... shit” she tries wiping it, making it stain more.

“Take it off. I’ll wash it out for you” she nods, taking it off. You place it in the sink, starting to rinse through

“I’m going to borrow one of your shirts, ok?”

“Sure” she goes to your bedroom door, slowly opening it. Then it dawns on you. You drop the shirt “No” she has the door half open, looking at you.

“No?”

“No. You can’t go in there”

“Why not?”

“I-I haven’t cleaned up in ages”

“That doesn’t bother me” she turns and opens the door. You hold your breath as she walks in, going to your drawers and opening them. Placing on a shirt “It’s really not that grubby in here” she smiles at you as she tucks the shirt into her skirt. You nod, eyes scanning the room. You see the wardrobe is slightly open. She furrows her brows as she looks at you. “Ok what are you hiding?”

“Nothing. Nothing” you look at her and smile. She nods slowly

“Uhu sure. Defiantly not suspicious” you hear a noise coming from the wardrobe. You wince slightly as she turns and looks at it “did you have a guy over last night and your scared to tell me?” she grins at you “You dirty bitch. Ok who is it” she walks over to the wardrobe

“No Ali-” she opens it. Eddie trying his best to hide. She moves away. Look of fear crossing her face. He shakes his head, coming out and covering her mouth. Fear crossing both their eyes

“Please don’t scream” he begs. She moves away, falling harshly onto the bed. Crawling up it as she shakes her head.

“Liz call the police” you shake your head “Liz call the fucking police or I will”

“I’m not doing that Alice. He won’t hurt us”

“Why the fuck is he in your room?” she looks at you, fear in her eyes “He killed Chrissy. As in, the guy who’s currently in your room brutality murdered a young and innocent girl” you shake your head

“He didn’t... He told me he didn’t...”

“Oh yeah cause that would hold up in court. He couldn’t possibly have done it because his pinkie promised” you shake your head

“Don’t you think that if he wanted to murder me he would’ve done it by now?”

“Ok so if he didn’t do it then who the fuck did?”

“Someone else. He left to get drugs for a drug deal. When he got back she was already dead. He said he saw someone leave his house but couldn’t be sure who, right Eddie?” you look at him and he nods

“I promise you I would never have hurt Chrissy... Ever”

“Then why didn’t you hand yourself into the police?”

“Would you believe me in a court of law?” she shakes her head, looking at him

“We saw Dustin. He said you died”

“I faked my death so I could run away. To the knowledge of everyone in this town I died” she nods slowly

“And why am I to believe you?”

“Do you have any reason not to?”

“Other than if I do and I trust you then you could easily kill me”

“I’m not going to kill you. Or Liz. Or anyone for that matter. I didn’t kill anyone. I swear” she nods slightly, watching him. She hides her face in her hands

“Jesus fuck Liz...”

“I know. I know...”

“You can’t just keep a man who’s wanted for murder in your house? What if the wrong person found him? You could get into a lot of shit”

“I know... I am aware of the shit I’m in but I... I can’t just not help him...” you look at both of the people before looking at Alice “I don’t expect you to trust him. But I do. I believe he didn’t kill Chrissy. I’m sorry for dragging you into this. But please don’t tell anyone he’s here. Please?” she lets out a very long and shaky sigh before nodding.

“Fine. Fine. Jesus fuck” she rubs here forehead “So what’s your plans?”

“We are moving away from here. To clarify I did want to move away before I realised he wasn’t dead. But now we are leaving together. It’s not safe for him and I don’t feel safe here. You will always be my best friend though and I will always keep in contact with you” you smile at her, going over and hugging her “I love you Alice. Forever and always” she hugs you back

“I love you too. Even if I think you’re an idiot” you chuckle slightly, hugging her tighter.

Alice leaves after a while. You get ready to hide Eddie in case she tells the police but after a few hours you figure she’s kept her promise and not ratted you out. A few days pass. You have gotten Eddie some new clothes for him to wear. Then you pack up all your stuff into your car during the day. Going back into your house, you sit on the sofa. Eddie grabbing a beer from the fridge. “So go over the plan with me again” he asks as he sits next to you

“I’ve packed our stuff into my car. Later tonight, I’m thinking about 1am, we head off to Mexico. Once there we do some house hunting or just find a caravan to live in. Dependant on which one happens first. A small flat will do us just fine”

“How long is the drive to Mexico?”

“Likely take us 2 days. Possibly 3 depending on how many times we need to stop for food and sleep” he nods, taking a large sip of his drink

“And who have you told that we are going?”

“I’ve quit my job already. I stopped working there about a week ago. Some of my immediate friends I’ve told I’m moving away but I said I’d write to them. Alice is the only one who knows that I’m moving into a place with you” he nods, scratching at his neck scar. You sigh as you stand up “I’m going to sleep for a bit so that I can drive us over night. Just for a few hours. I’ll then park up and sleep properly. It’s just so that no one who might recognise you from around here won’t see you in my car” he nods and waves goodnight to you as you go into the bedroom and lie down.

-

You wake up about midnight, having a quick shower before going to Eddie who’s asleep on the sofa. Shaking him “Eddie” he grunts at you as you chuckle. “Eddie, it’s time for us to go” he rubs his eyes, nodding and sitting up. Scratching his head before standing.

“Let’s go” he heads to the front door. You quickly write a note, leaving it on the table for the estate agent who was coming round the next day. Saying you would leave the key you have under the doormat. Thankfully he has a key to your house so you didn’t worry about him not being able to get in. You lock the door behind you both after you quickly ran round the house, checking you’ve not left anything behind. Heading to the car you start it up, backing out and heading to your new home.

You had music blaring, trying to keep yourself awake whist you drove. But it must’ve gotten about 4 in the morning before you caved. Pulling into a layby so you could rest your eyes for a few hours. Just as you turn off the car’s engine, Eddie wakes up. “Sorry Liz... I meant to stay awake and chat with you”

“It’s ok. Sorry to wake you. I just needed to rest my eyes for a bit before driving again”

“Rest then. I’ll see you in the morning” you nod. Both falling back to sleep.

Waking up about 10 you stretch, Eddie flutters his eyes open and half smiles at you “Do you want me to take over driving for a bit?”

“If you’re ok with that?”

“Of course!” you both switch seats. Him driving for a few hours as you both chat. “I’ve not played dungeons and dragons in so long”

“When did you last play?”

“Like a month ago. That’s a long time” you laugh

“I’ve not played for over a year”

“How are you sane?” he asks you

“I don’t know. None of my friends are into that kind of thing. Apart from you, obviously. But I feel bad about crashing you hellfire session” he chuckles slightly

“Ok. I need to change your experience though”

“How?”

“Tonight when we pull over I’m going to do a session with you. Just a small one. Before we sleep” you laugh slightly

“Will just me playing be enough?”

“Of course! It’d come in handy as I need new DnD buddies” you nod slightly, looking at him as he drives. Getting heavily distracted by his hand changing gear. Going back to the wheel. Thankfully you pull yourself out of the trance before he notices. Going back to your conversation.

-

You stop for food, before you take over driving again. Going along until quite late. You find a car park. Both grabbing snacks as he grins at you “You ready for DnD?”

“Sure. Let’s do this” he laughs, setting up the basis for the game with you. Creating a character and then a world. It doesn’t surprise you that he has a couple of dice in his leather jacket.

You play for what must’ve been a couple of hours before he speaks. “I think us ending at the Cave of Death is a good place to stop”

“No! I want to know that happened to Lin!” he chuckles slightly “You can’t have my cat companion kidnapped and then not at least tell me she’s ok”

“Guess you’ll just have to find out tomorrow” you glare at him, grabbing a chocolatey snack from the dashboard and hiding it over your side of the car

“Fine. But I’m taking these as hostage” he laughs, leaning across you and taking them. He smiles at you, you can smell the cigarette on his breath as he speaks

“Didn’t put up much of a fight now did you?” you chuckle, snatching them back off of him and trying to move away. But he just goes closer to you, causing you to squeal. He laughs, grabbing them from you and going to his side of the car. You lean over him, hand resting on his bicep as you go to grab them again but being unable to. His arms being that little bit longer than yours. You huff out in annoyance, glaring at him. His face inches away from yours as he grins.

“You’re...” you try and think of an insult but none comes to mind

“Amazing? Gorgeous? A brilliant friend? Oh you flatter me”

“Oh shut up” he laughs, gently patting your head before he looks around the car park.

“Wow. How long did we play for? We’re the only ones here. There was at least ten cars when we pulled up” you look out the window, chuckling slightly at the deserted car park. He turns his head back towards you as you look at him. You realise your still leaning over him, chest pressed against his. Your eyes flutter down to his lips quickly, before you move away. Feeling your cheeks redden at the idea of getting close with him. You both sit in silence for a while before you feel his finger under your chin, gently tilting your head to look at him. Your cheeks reddening even more. He gently runs his thumb over your bottom lip. Eyes fixed on your mouth as he smiles at you. You lean into him, his warmth and scent attracting you. This causes him to smile more. He was truly captivated by you at this moment. A car pulling up in the car park distracts you both, causing you to move away and for him to drop his hand.

“We should sleep... Busy day ahead of us tomorrow” he nods. Looking over at you before he takes his jacket off and placing it over your body

“You might get cold...” he says calmly before shutting his eyes. You pull the leather up near your nose, smelling the fabric as the previous few moments played through your head. You’d slept with him before. Of course. But that wasn’t for a while. You assumed you slept with him because he was a rebound. You assumed that’s how he saw it as well. Just a guy you slept with because you were dealing with your breakup, but who you ended up befriending in the process. So why did that moment feel so... unique. Intimate. Alluring. You shake it off. Putting it down to hormones and fluke. Shutting your eyes you drift off to sleep.

-

You were bent over the bed. Feeling him railing you from behind as his hand gripped your hair tightly causing you to moan. He felt so good, the smell of cigarette smoke and beer hitting your nose as he grunts behind you. Pushing your face down into the bed as you grip it tightly. “Eddie...” you moan out.

You wake up to the car door shutting. “Shit” you hear him say. You open your eyes and look at him. Feeling dazed from your dream. Then remembering what you had just been dreaming you feel your cheeks turn red. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you. I just needed to piss” you nod, rubbing your eyes

“So glad you told me that” you look at your watch. 8:37. you let out an annoyed groan “Why did we decide to travel to a place that’s so far away” he laughs

“Hey, you decided this before you knew I was ok. So I’m not responsible for your problem”

“That doesn’t help. That just means I’m the idiot”

“Come on. Let’s go” he quickly goes through your tapes you have. “Why is your music taste so.... shit”

“I have good music taste”

“No. No you don’t” he finds one and shrugs “It’ll do” he puts it in. You smile and start singing as he rolls his eyes at you but smiles. You start up the car, driving for what seems like ages. Stopping to have some food on the way as you switch so he drives for another few hours. Changing back to you after about four hours. Driving for a few more five hours before, once again, finding a spot to park up so you can both rest. Pulling up near a woods that has a small picnic bench. You get out of the car, stretching before going over to the bench, leaning against it and looking at the wooded area.  He leans against the bench, both of you in silence. You go to the car, going and grabbing some crisps. Then going over to the bench and offering a packet. He takes it, opening it and eating it. “Next time we stop at a gas station can we get something to drink?”

“We have coke in the car”

“Not that kind of drink”

“Oh... sure. But you’re buying it. I’m underage” he chuckles, eating as he speaks

“So am I. It’s not going to stop me” you laugh. Both continuing to eat. Finishing and going and placing the empty bags into the car. Going back over and lining against the bench with Eddie again. You lean against the bench, lying on the top of it with your legs over the edge, feet on the seat part. Looking up at the stars. You point

“Ooh shooting star” he leans his head back and looks up. “Got to make a wish” he smiles

“What are you wishing for?”

“If I tell you then it won’t come true” he nods

“Can’t argue with that” he turns to look at you. You move your head slightly to look at him. You smile, he smiles back at you. “It’s so much calmer at night” you nod in agreement. “May I join?” he motions next to you as you nod, scooting over as he lies down. He scratches at his neck scar, frowning slightly as he feels where the wound was.

“Can I ask something?” he looks at you and nods “How badly where you bitten...? I know it was bad but... how bad?” he breaks eye contact with you, looking back at the sky. Taking in a shaky breath he sits up. You also sit up as he takes off his shirt. Revealing his scarred torso. “Oh god...” you whisper. Finger gently touching over the healed skin. You can see a sadness in his eyes as he looks down at himself. You place a hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at you “You are still an amazing guy. One of my closest friends and still very handsome. With or without these scars. Nothing can change those facts” he smiles slightly at you.

“Thank you” he says quietly. You nod, moving your hand from his cheek and looking back at the sky. He places his shirt back on, his eyes looking over at you as you admire the stars. “I’m sorry for dragging you into my shitty life”

“You didn’t drag me into anything. I’m here because I want to be” you look at him and smile “its part of the adventure” he chuckles slightly. Taking your hand in his and kissing the back of it. He leaves his mouth near your hand, gently brushing over it.

“You know... when I came too in the other place I had a lot of thoughts going through my head...” you nod slightly, his deep brown eyes meeting yours. A slight tinge of sadness in them. “I was so scared of never seeing anyone again... of being trapped in that place... it nearly drove me insane” he turns your hand over and kisses the palm of it “But the thing that helped me get out of there was you. I had seen Dustin and how he was with it all. I knew he’d be ok. Same with Wheeler and everyone. But you... I needed to know you were ok. So I made myself get up. Made myself come back here. I couldn’t protect Chrissy... and that will forever haunt me. But I can try and protect you. Now I have a head start on that weird bastard” he smiles at you “A king has to protect his queen” he smiles at you. Kissing your wrist

“That, Eddie Munson, was the most genuine thing anyone has ever said to me” he grins at you. Placing a hand on your cheek and gently rubbing your cheekbone “I’m so glad to see you again...” you smile at him, feeling tears prick at your eyes. He smiles softly at you, leaning in and gently planting a kiss onto your lips. The action causing so much joy to flow through your body. You grip at his shirt, trying to pull him closer to you. Kissing each other slowly and sweetly. Just taking in each other’s taste with no other real intent behind the soft kisses you’re exchanging. Just wanting to feel each other. Be close. You move closer to him, trying to feel him on every inch of your body. He smiles at this action, but not once do you leave each other’s lips

“God I missed how good you taste...” you blush slightly at his words. Biting your bottom lip

“What do I taste like?”

“Like strawberries and chocolate” you smile, kissing him again. The contrast of him tasting of beer and cigar being evident to you. You feel his hand trail up and down your spine and sides. It eventually rests on your hip, squeezing it slightly.

“Eddie...” you moan out quietly. He smiles. Stroking your cheek slightly before giving you a quick peck to your lips and then your forehead.

“As much as I would love to carry on I’m afraid we should get back to the car and sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow” you pout at him, gripping his shirt slightly as a means to keep him close to you. He takes a hold of the balled up fists. Kissing the knuckles gently before standing up. Outstretching his hand towards you. You take it, letting him lead you to the car and opening the passenger door. You get in

“Such a gentlemen” he grins and bows slightly. Shutting the door and getting into the driver’s seat. You both chat for about 30 minutes more until you both let sleep take over you both.

You wake up in the very early hours of the morning to what can only be described as whimpering. You come to, realising that Eddie is making the noises. You turn to him. Seeing him shivering slightly, eyebrows furrowed as he whimpers. You gently touch his arm “Eddie” you whisper. No response. You gently shake him, speaking louder this time “Eddie” he jolts awake. Moving to the edge of the car. Eyes on you. Scared eyes watching yours. “Eddie... sh its ok. You were having a bad dream” you hold a hand out towards him, outstretched about a foot away from him “It’s just me. You’re safe” he wipes his eyes before taking your hand with his. Holding it to his face and gently tracing his lips on the back of it. Eyes looking out of the front of the car. You reach over, gently pulling him into you as you hug him. Arms wrapped around him as he buries his head into the crook of your neck. You hear him sniff slightly before pulling away. Wiping his nose on the back of his hand before opening the car door

“I need a smoke” you nod

“Do you want me to join you?” he shakes his head

“Just... try and get back to sleep” you nod slightly. Watching as he steps out of the car and shuts the door behind him. Going over to the bench you watch as he lights a cigarette. You bite your thumbnail anxiously as you watch him. You let out a sigh, opening the door and going and sitting on the bench that he stands by.

“Sorry, I couldn’t leave you out here alone” he nods slightly.

“Thank you” he half smiles at you. He continues smoking, both of you taking in the night air. Looking out over the view. You vaguely notice him glancing at you but don’t pay much attention to it. Assuming he was just checking on you to make sure you were ok given the dream he had. He puts the cigarette on the floor, snubbing it out with his foot. You look at him as he runs his hands through his hair. “Can I-Can I ask for a request?”

“What is it?” you look at him

“I keep having bad dreams... It might not help but I was wondering if we sleep on the backseat together. It might help the nightmares. You can say no if it’s too much of a request”

“I’ll happily sleep with you” he grins at you, both walking over to the car and getting into the back he slides over to one side. You get in next to him. He awkwardly holds his hands away from your frame. You let out a small chuckle “You can touch my body. It’s ok” he wraps his arms around your middle. Pulling you close to him. His back between the back of the seat and the door. You lift yours legs up on the seat. Resting them onto the back of the sofa as you lean backwards, your head settling onto his shoulder as he looks at you and smiles

“You comfy?” you nod

“You?” he nods. Kissing your forehead as you snuggle into him more. “Goodnight Eddie”

“Night Liz”

-

Morning comes about. You let out an annoyed grunt as the sun comes through the window. You notice Eddie is awake and looking out the window. “Liz, how set on Mexico are you?”

“Why?”

“Ok hear me out. If you look there-” he points to the woody bit near where you’re parked “I think that’s an abandoned caravan. I reckon we could do her up nicely and then live in that. Attach it to the car and bam we have a house”

“We can’t just steal someone’s van”

“It’s not stealing if it’s been left there” he gently taps your nose with his finger “let’s go and see” he smiles excitedly at you. You roll your eyes but oblige. Getting out the car he soon follows. Practically skipping over he removes a few brambles. “I was right!” he exclaims. You go over and fold your arms. He continues moving the trees out of the way. He finds a window, peering in “Looks like it’s not been used in a while. No sign of life inside” you nod slightly, going over and also peering into the window.

“How are we getting it out then?” he looks at the van, then the car.

“There was a garage quite close by, correct? I’ll drive up there and get what we need. You stay here and guard the van and make sure no one steals our new home” you chuckle slightly and go over to the bench. Sitting down on it as he starts up the car and drives off.

You reckon an hour or so had passed before you heard the car pulling up. He jumps out. Giving you a small huff of acknowledgement before going over and attacking the trees with whatever he can to get most of the van on show. You go over and help. Well, attempt to. You eventually both manage to uncover the van enough. He then goes back to the car. Attaching something to it before coming over to where the van is. Attaching the same thing to that as well. Then running back to the car he gets in. Starting the engine he gently starts to drive. You move out of the way as the caravan gets brought out from among the trees. Bringing it up into the car park. He goes over, trying to open the door. “Shit” you laugh slightly as he looks upset at the fact the door is locked

“Guess that’s why no one else decided to move in” you go over to the car, grabbing a bobby pin from the front dashboard before going to the locked door. You put it in. Eddie watching in amazement as you open it with ease. You motion for him to look inside which he does. Dainty van, small kitchen and dining/living space with a bed the opposite side. “It’s cute” you say as you step inside. You go over to the living room bit, running a finger over the table top. Then you see it. The fattest spider you’ve ever seen. You let out a small squeak as it makes you jump “Eddie. Help” he walks in

“What’s wrong?” you point, then go near him. He looks at you then at the spider

“Don’t hurt it just... make it go away” he chuckle, going over to it and picking it up. You back up as far as you can away from him as he puts it outside

“Sorry dude, we’re commandeering your home” he looks at you “he’s gone”

“Thank you. Sorry. Normally I’m all right with them but when they make me jump I dislike them” he nods

“Just don’t look to closely round the rest of the room and I’ll move them when you aren’t looking” you let out a small shiver which he laughs at before going over to the bed. He pushes on the mattress slightly “I’m surprised moths haven’t eaten away at this place. But the framework and cushions seem to be intact still” you nod, opening the various cupboards and finding a few cups and plates inside.

You spend the day cleaning out the caravan. Both slowly becoming covered in a layer of dust and filth. It becomes too dark for you both to continue, the light having dwindled away and the lights in the van not working. Despite Eddie trying. You agree you’ll try the electricity tomorrow, as you’ll have more light then so be more likely to actually do it well. You go out and sit down on the bench. It’s quite late by this point, about 10 at night. He comes and sits next to you. “Do we have beer in the car?”

“Possibly”

“If we do, do you want one?”

“Sure. Why not” he smiles and goes to the car. You hear him rummaging around before hearing a little ‘yay’ of joy. He walks over, handing you a beer as he pulls out something from his pocket.

“You ok if I indulge?” you shrug, opening your beer and taking a sip of it.

“Go ahead” he pulls out a lighter, placing the joint in his mouth as he lights the end. He offers it to you, letting you take a few puffs of it before handing it back “How are we doing the bed situation?”

“What do you mean?” he looks at you

“Well. There is two of us. One bed. We could make the sofa into a bed but then we won’t have a living room. Or-” you pause

“Or?”

“We could share a bed. It doesn’t bother me. But I don’t want to assume it wouldn’t bother you” he chuckles slightly  

“I don’t care about sharing a bed. If it’s ok with you then its ok with me” he smiles at you, taking another puff of his joint. You nod. Sipping your beer. Before shivering slightly. He snubs out the end before taking his beer and holding his hand out to you “Come on. Let’s go inside our new home” you take his hand, letting him lead you inside. He places his beer on the side as you sit on the bed. He goes over to the car. Grabbing out the blankets and going back over to you. You’ve taken your shoes off, lying on the bed and sipping your beer still. He lies next to you but the opposite way. His head by your feet and yours by his. You both chat and drink. You both are feeling the effects of the weed and the beers as you feel tiredness overcome you.

“We should sleep” he shakes his head

“No I don’t want to sleep” he pouts at you.

“Come on. I’m tired” he shakes his head, leaning over to you and gently poking your cheek

“Wake up. Stay awake” you roll yours eyes at him as he leans over you. Letting out a sigh he positions himself to be lying on you. His head resting on your stomach, his body between your legs “Yeah sleep seems good actually” you laugh “Night”

“Goodnight” you smile as you hear him start to let out deep breaths as sleep overcomes him.

-

You wake up. Eddie still asleep on top of you. Neither of you seemed to have moved at all during the night. You place a hand on his bicep, gently stroking it with your hand as you look at his sleeping face. About 10 minutes pass before he scrunches his face up slightly, opening his eyes and smiling at you as he sees you. Shutting them again as he stretches. Hugging you close to him he buries his face into your stomach. His hands grip at your shirt as he comes too. “Sleep well?” he nods, tilting his head to look at you. He gently rubs your side as his eyes scan your face. Your slightly tousled hair and sleepy eyes watching his. He takes your hand, kissing the palm of it before he sits up. Stretching fully and standing up

“We need to paint this place. Then I reckon we should start heading to somewhere else for a more stable place of living”

“Where is a more stable place of living?”

“Not a carpark where I heard two people fucking in their car next to us” you pull a disgusted face. He chuckles at your expression. Opening the door to the van as he grabs a cigar from his pocket. Lighting it and smoking in the entry way. He blows the smoke out of the door “I’ll drive and get us some stuff in a second. First got to have my nicotine” he smiles at you as you laugh. You sit up. Going to your bag and grabbing out a clean shirt.

“There was a trailer place about 10 minutes away. We passed it before stopping here. We could see if they have a place for us? Plus they’ll probably have running water so we can shower and stuff” he lets out a small chuckle as he looks out at the view.

“It’s a shame. It’s beautiful here during the day” you go and stand in the doorway with him. Looking out at the woodlands before you.

“Sadly I value basic hygiene over a view. Plus I don’t fancy living in a popular hook-up spot” you pat his arm and smile at him as you go back to your shirt “I’m going to change quickly” he nods. Covering his eyes as you take your shirt off. Placing the clean one of your body. Putting on some deodorant and perfume as well. You take your hair out of the pony it’s been in for the past few days. Tying it up into a messy bun in hopes to hid how greasy it’s becoming. “You can look now” he peaks at you through his fingers

“Is it safe?” you swear at him before sitting down on the bed

“What colour are we thinking?”

“Red” you nod

“I like red” he smiles “Not to dark though. Have a bright red. It’ll help keep the place looking light. Maybe red with some white walls?”

“Ooh that look good. Have the wall above our bed be red but the other walls white” you nod and smirk

“I’ll go and get the colours. You wait here and make sure no one steals our home. We should really get a lock for this place. I’ll look for one of them as well” he nods as you grab your jacket and head to your car. Waving at him as you drive to a shop for various supplies.

-

You get back. Paint, brushes, a cover to place over the bed and furniture, a lock and key, plus some other parts to make a custom locking system, plus some food. You go over to him. Hess sat on the bench. You place the bag down next to him “Presto. Let’s get painting” he chuckles. Grabbing the paint and brush he practically runs to the van. Eager to start decorating. You place the plastic over the furniture before also grabbing a brush and paint. Both of you painting. You start humming under your breath. He pauses in his brush strokes. Looking at you with his eyebrows furrowed. You stop humming

“No. Carry on” you chuckle slightly. Humming. He looks at you, trying to figure out the song. You start humming and dancing. When he still doesn’t get it through your quite frankly wonderful dancing skills you start singing the words.

“The taste of love is sweet. When hearts like ours meet. And I fell for you, like a child. Oh but the fire went wild” he claps his arms excitedly before pointing at you enthusiastically as you both sing

“I FELL INTO A BURNING RING OF FIRE” you belt out before you both laugh.

“Such a good song” he exclaims, turning back to painting.

“Your turn. Sing for me” he rolls his eyes, tapping the wall with his brush as he thinks.

“Once upon a time I was falling in love”

“Now I’m only falling apart”

“There’s nothing I can do”

“Total eclipse of the heart”

“Damn I thought that was one you wouldn’t get” you laugh and shake your head.

“It’s a shame there’s no radio in here. Or working electricity” you laugh slightly

“That’s our next job then”. You spend most of the afternoon on trying to sort out the electricity, to not much happening. Eddie lets out an annoyed huff. “I need a smoke. I’ll look again soon” you nod as he walks and sits on the bench. You have a look at what needs to be done.

“Could it be something to do with under the car?” you say to yourself as you kneel down, looking underneath but shaking your head mainly to yourself.

“Can I help at all?” you hear a voice say. You turn. A young, attractive man stands about two metres from you.

“I don’t know. Do you know much about electrics?” he nods

“I know a bit about them. May I?”

“Please” he starts to fiddle with the wires. Analysing them as you watch. Eddie sat on the bench a little ways away from you and the man. Enough for him to be able to watch you but not enough for the man to have noticed him.

“How long has this been unused?”

“Not too sure” he raises an eyebrow at you “It used to be my brothers but he said he hasn’t used it in a while so I can have it” you lie. He nods, sorting through the wires as he chats to you. Eddie walks over, standing near you as the man works “Is there anything I can do to help?” he shakes his head.

“Should be fine. Just need a little more time” he speaks. Continuing to chat with you as Eddie stands so close you can feel his arm gently touching yours. But you don’t pay it much attention as you and the man continue talking. About 20 minutes pass and he stands by you, going to the light switch “In theory” he turns the light on successfully “ay” you smile and clasp your hands together

“Thank you so much. I think that would’ve taken us ages to figure out on our own” he smiles at you and shrugs

“My pleasure miss. I’ll be on my way”

“Thank you again” he smiles as he walks back to his car. Waving at you as he drives away. You look at Eddie “And now we have power” you smile at him. This is when you notice his slightly ‘off’ demeanour. Your face softens “What’s wrong?” he shakes his head, refusing to meet your gaze. You furrow your brows at him as you gently rest your hand over his, his arms folded over his torso. “You can tell me” he shakes his head

“It’s nothing. Honestly” he smiles slightly at you, but you notice it doesn’t meet his eyes. You nod slightly, choosing to drop the subject but knowing full well something was still bothering him. You both continue tiding the van now that the paint has dried. Not that it needs much more as you both had a good go at it yesterday. But you finished the last minute things. You go over to your car. The caravan now being clean enough to start putting things like ornaments out. So, grabbing a bag you go into the van. Eddie sits on the sofa, looking into the bag as you start to empty it. Pulling out a Polaroid camera “I didn’t realise you did photography”

“I wouldn’t say I do. I just have that so I can have memories of me and my friends” you delve into the bag, pulling out a couple of Polaroid’s of you and your close friends. Alice being one of them. He smiles and goes through them

“You have no pictures with me” he puts his hand over his heart “am I not one of your friends?” you roll your eyes at him. Taking the camera from him

“Come here then” you sit next to him, he wraps his arms round you. Pulling you close to him as you take the picture. You place the developing picture on the side as he goes back through the bag. Finding a jewellery box. He opens it before you notice “That’s er-” Inside a guitar pick and on a necklace. He looks at you, waiting for your explanation “I saw your friend Dustin with your necklace... I umm... it’s stupid” he shakes his head

“Tell me” you don’t look at him as you fold your arms. Eyes looking at the floor.

“I bought that necklace for you. I knew that I’d be moving away and when I thought you were... I wanted to leave it for you where we would always hang out. But the day I was going to leave it you came back” you look at him. His eyes watching you. “I was going to give it to your but I was worried it would remind you of what happened and I didn’t want that. But I didn’t want to get rid of it or leave it as a memorial as you’re alive. So I just kept it. I know it’s a bit weird but I didn’t know what else to do with it. Everything seemed like the wrong thing” you shake your head “I’ll just get rid of it. I’m sorry, it was a stupid thing”

“You got this for me even though you thought I was dead...?” he whispers as he looks at you “Why?”

“Because you’re my friend... Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I’m not special...” he whispers “I’m a freak, why would you care that much about me?” you shake your head, sitting next to him. You take his hands in yours.

“You’re special to me... You’re my friend. A close friend. I care about you a lot. More than you even know” you feel a dull ache in your heart as you look at him, his soft features looking back at you. You know the words you want to say. Those three small words. But you can’t. Not now. What if he didn’t feel the same? That’s the pain you feel in your heart. Instead you smile softly at him, leaning forward and resting your forehead against his. “I couldn’t picture my life without you. That DnD session you had three years ago was the best thing that ever happened to me” he chuckles slightly

“Now you’re just being nice to butter me up” you grin at him, pulling away from him “Can I keep it?” he picks the box up and motions it to you. You nod

“Of course you can. I did get it for you after all” he smiles. Taking it out of the box and putting it around his neck. You gently lean over him to touch it. The guitar pick sitting comfortably between his two collarbones. You mentally shake yourself. Your face close to his as he turns to look at you. You notice him looking at you causing you to move away and go back to decorating

-

THREE MONTHS LATER

You and Eddie had managed to find a place at a local caravan sight. They let you stay there for a relatively cheap rent price. They had running water so you were happy. Plus gas you could use for your oven. You’d managed to befriend some of the neighbours. The ones on your right being an elderly couple who’ve lived there for 30 years. You’re left neighbours being a widowed mum who has 6 kids. You don’t know how she managed to fit all her kids into a small van but they did and you found it impressive. You had managed to get a job at the local cafe. So had Eddie in fact. Both becoming a waiter/waitress there.

You’d gotten closer over the months. You’ve learned each other’s secrets and talents. Likes and dislikes. Favourite films, songs, artists, even colours. Although you had spent time with him before and you knew stuff about him. This really helped you get to know him on a more personal level. You got to see the side of him that others didn’t. The domestic side. The persona he has when he’s at home rather than out and about. It makes sense, you did live with him in a single roomed house so you gathered you’d get closer with one another. But you’d gotten so close that you didn’t even bother sleeping on opposite sides of the single bed you had. Instead fully embracing each other’s warmth in the cold caravan.

You both had this weekend off so, to celebrate, you ordered take away and put in a film on your TV you managed to swipe from a junk yard. His arms wrapped around your middle as his head laid on your chest. One of your hands resting on his arm and the other gently in his hair. A blanket over your bodies as you watch the horror film play out in front of you. You clutch Eddie closely as Freddy Krueger slaughters yet another teenager. He lets out a small chuckle, squeezing you closer to him as a form of comfort. The film continues. He drinks his beer, trying not to spill it on you or the bed whenever you jump. Thankfully the whole film plays out and not a drop was spilt. “Liz I’m not here tomorrow” he blurts out at random.

“Did you get given a new shift?” he looks at you, chin resting between your boobs. That’s another thing. Although you hadn’t done anything with each other for 6 months, nearly 7 at this point. You had gotten comfortable with each other’s bodies. He’d often chill out either in his boxers or just naked. And you had taken to changing in the same room. It was easier and more comfortable in the long run for the both of you

“No. I have a date” you raise an eyebrow slightly “You know Laura at work?”

“The booby girl” he chuckles slightly but nods

“Yeah. She asked me out on a date tomorrow. Going for dinner then a film. I’m not sure what time I’ll be back” you nod slowly. Why did this thought make you so... sad? You shake the thought off. Smiling at him

“That’ll be really fun” you say. Hearing your own voice crack you cringe. He nods. You notice his eyes dart to your lips for a split second. No. It must’ve been your imagination. He sits up. Going over to the videos you had collected over the months

“But I do have time for one more movie” he grins at you, making you smile at his cheesiness. He grabs a film and puts it into the player. Coming back over and taking up his place. Head resting on you, arms wrapped around your middle. About 10 minutes into the films you hear soft snores from the boy. You let out a small chuckle. Thankfully the TV wasn’t very far from you. So you leaned over, careful not to wake him, and stop the tape. Turning the TV off you gently stroke the boys hair. You shut your eyes and let yourself fall asleep as well.

-

The next day is as normal. You spend the morning in bed. Chatting. Reading. Eating. About 4pm hits and he suddenly becomes alert. Grabbing a towel “I need to shower” he smiles at you as he walks over to the shared shower blocks on site. You grab your cassette and headphones. Placing them on and having a mini jam session as you’re alone now. You smile as Eddie walks back in. Hair damp from the shower “What should I wear?” you stand up, ditching the music and going through his clothes. Handing him a fresh pair of pants, trousers and shirt.

“If she asked you on a date she’ll be expecting you. So I wouldn’t bother with a suit and tie but maybe a fresh shirt and jeans with slightly less holes in might be good” you motion at the clothes “they should work” he nods. Stripping off as you avert your eyes. Grabbing the new clothes and placing them on his body.

“What do we think?” you turn and look at him. Smiling at him.

“You look... very handsome” he looks at his watch.

“I’m going to go now and pick her up. I’m not sure when I’ll be back so don’t worry about waiting up. I’ll see you later” he smiles at you, gently ruffling your hair as he walks out. You nod. A soft ‘see you later’ leaving your lips.

You made yourself dinner. Then watched a film. Did some sketching. This is the first time you’d been left alone for three months. For the beginning of it you were having a great time. No snide remarks about how much cheese you put on your pasta. Or that the film you picked was too ‘girly’. But it got to about 9pm when you started to feel lonely. You sighed and rubbed your face. Grabbing the plate you stood up. Walking over to the sink you run the tap. Doing the dishes helped you be distracted. You then went and started grabbing the rubbish from around the house. Although you were a relatively clean person, Eddie was not. He tried but more than often failed. Leaving it to the last minute, or until mould had started growing, to clean up after himself. Placing the rubbish bag outside, ready to take it to the bin in the morning you walked back in.

You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. The one you have by the front door. You were wearing a pair of trousers, covered in dirt and muck. An oversized shirt covered your torso. Your hair in a messy bun to hide the fact you hadn’t washed it recently. You hadn’t worn makeup for a few weeks now. Not feeling like it adds anything to your work uniform and you didn’t fancy wearing it inside the house when it was just you and Eddie. Eddie... Your mind goes to him and his date. The beautiful blonde. Curvy body. Always had her makeup and hair perfect. You look in the mirror. Tears in your eyes. You ball your hands into your eyes. Letting out a frustrated huff.

“I really am an ugly fucker...” you murmur “Hopefully he’ll be able to realise that he’ll be so much happier with her then he ever could be with me” at those words you feel the tears start to fall. You wipe them quickly. Wanting to feel comfortable you take off your trousers. Undoing your bra and taking it off. Being in a shirt and pants you grab Fred the Bear. Lying down and snuggling into his fur. Letting yourself fall asleep.

-

You wake up somewhere between 6/7am. The bed empty next to you. He spent the night with her. That’s all you can think. But you shake your head. Going over and placing Fred down on the kitchen side. Making yourself a coffee. You read for a few hours. You hear the door unlock about 9 ish. Eddie walks in. Smiling softly at you “Hey. You’re up?” you nod

“I couldn’t sleep very well” he nods “How was your evening?”

“It was good. Really good actually” he scans his eyes over your bare legs. “How was your evening?”

“Also good. I imagine less... eventful then yours” he chuckles slightly but nods in agreement.

“I’m meeting up with her again Tuesday after work. I’ll drop you back off here first though then we’re going to go to the movies again” you nod slightly. Sadness once again filling you. He furrows his eyebrows at you. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing” you look at him, smiling. He shakes his head. Coming over and going to gently stroke your cheek. You move away from his affection. Cursing at yourself when you see his gleeful demeanour drop. He clears his throat before moving away from you “I’m sorry” he shrugs, taking his jacket off and throwing it onto the table

“You cleaned up” you nod

“I even made our films to watch pile more organised. In three categories and in order of wanting to watch” he smiles. You go to grab his hand in excitement but pause. Instead holding it out in front of you “May I show you, my king?” he smiles at the nickname.

“You may my queen” he takes your hand. You kneel down, sitting on your knees. He squats next to you. You talk through the different films, in great detail why you’ve out them in the order they are. He nods and smiles at you. His eyes rarely looking away from you as you smile at your organised piles. “Cool. Why is this-” he picks up your Grease video “-in the too watch pile and not in the garbage?”

“Hey! Don’t mock the beautiful story of young love” you snatch it from his hand “we could watch it now... get rid of it from the pile” you wiggle your eyebrows at him and he sighs

“Come on then. Then I can bleach my eyes” you playfully hit his chest.

“Go sit” you point at the bed. Placing the video into the player before going and lying next to him on the bed. You lay on your back, turning your head to look at the screen better. He rests on his hand, laying on his side. During the opening song you start dancing. Making him laugh. You take his hand, making him also dance with you, to which he complies. Once the opening song finishes you keep a hold of his hand. Gently placing it on your stomach. His hand lying flat on your belly. Your hand over his and the other on his forearm.

-

You notice Laura practically all over Eddie whilst at work on Tuesday. She couldn’t keep her hands off of him. Your shift ending and Eddie as promised drives you back home. Laura still attached to him like a leach the whole drive him. You get to your house.

“Ooh I want to see inside your little home!” she exclaims. Eddie gives you an apologetic look as she bounds over to the house. You both get out. Eddie walks in first, Laura smile at you sweetly “I’d come back in a few hours sweetie” she blows a kiss at you before shutting the door. No way had you just been kicked out of your own house. You let out an annoyed grunt but walk over to your friend’s house. The single mum, Steph. She opens it

“Hey. So my friend currently has a girl over and their in my house. Do you mind if I crash with you for a couple of hours? I’m happy to help cook, clean and put kids to bed” you smile at her. She chuckles, letting you in. Thankfully you tended to meet up with her once a week and have a good gossip so you’d gotten friendly with her and all her children. Once she’s put the kids to bed you look out the window, seeing the lights still on you paw at your shirt.

“Ok what’s really the matter?” she asks

“What do you-?”

“You look like a woman who’s just had her heartbroken. What’s wrong?”

“Promise not to say”

“I promise” you rub your eyes

“So Eddie has this new girl. Which is fine. Hess allowed a girlfriend. I’m not going to control who he can and can’t see. I just...” you bite at your bottom lip “I want him to look at me the same way he looks at her” you whisper. Although you were aware of your feelings it was the first time you’d said them out loud “I know I’m not as pretty or smart. But I really like him... and he’s just kicked me out of his house so he can bang a girl. And I’m sat here pining over a guy who doesn’t even realise how much I-” you look down, feeling tears prick in your eyes.

“Why haven’t you said this to him?”

“I can’t tell him this. I know he doesn’t feel the same way about me. We used to hook up. But we became friends and haven’t done anything since Christmas. I mean we kissed a few months ago but that wasn’t anything sexual. It just happened. Nothing else about it” she raises an eyebrow

“I think you need to talk to him. Let him know how you feel”

“But I told you. He doesn’t feel the same way about me as I do about him. I just need to bottle up my emotions and shove them somewhere deep down” she gently strokes your hair out of your face.

An hour or so passes and you see Laura leaving the house. So you say your goodbyes to Steph and head back over to the van. The car has gone so you assume he’s driven her back home. You go inside. You take of the bed sheets and duvet. Putting new ones on. Placing the now, you assume, soiled ones into the corner as you get into bed, holding Fred the Bear once again. Letting a few tears fall into the softness of his fur. About 20 minutes pass and you hear the front door. Eddie walks in.

“I was going to change them when I got back” you nod slightly. Subtly wiping your eyes on the bear as you sit up.

“Did you have a good time?” he nods, his grin dropping to concern when he sees your tear stained cheeks

“You’ve been crying?” you shake your head, being met with a stern look you nod “Why?”

“Just- been feeling a bit down recently. Felt like having a bit of a cry” you smile at him. “I’m ok now”. He sighs, going over to you and bringing you into hug him as he falls onto the bed. Pulling you into the hug as he wraps his arms and legs round you. You let out a squeal “Eddie!”

“Goodnight” you chuckle slightly as he buries his face into your neck

“Goodnight”

-

The next day you wake up and get ready for work. Eddie also joining you. You then both head to work. Laura sidles up to Eddie practically as soon as he walks in “Hey baby boy. What you doing tonight?”

“Nothing, why what you got planned?”

“I thought we could go back to my place” she bites her lip. He looks at you

“You ok to drive back to ours tonight? I’ll see you back later... or tomorrow”

“Sure. Give me the keys” he passes them to you. She smiles, kissing his cheek before walking away. You go over to him, whispering in his ear “baby boy” he swears at you

“You absolute child���.

-

After a week you discover Eddie and Laura have started dating. It does sadden you slightly but you figure it’ll help you push down your crush you have on him. So, every now and then you spend the night alone. Or you have a sleepover at Steph’s. Laura also starts joining you for movie night. And my god she has shit taste in films. But you battle through because she makes him happy. So two months go by.

You had the day off, as did Eddie and Laura. So whilst they had a romantic day of fun. You and Steph had your own day of fun. You were at the park. Steph had just gone off with the older ones to get you some ice cream. You were with the younger two. A three months old and a three year old. Thankfully the three month old was sleeping. The three year old was asking what stuff in the park was. Pointing at the slide, then the swings. A dog runs over to you “Dog” the child exclaims. You laugh and nod. The owner runs over

“So sorry” he grabs the dogs lead “He decides that sometimes people are too interesting to not say hi to” you chuckle slightly. He smiles at you as you talk to the kid again.

“It’s a cute doggy. Say hi to the doggy” the kid waves at them before giggling and hiding in your chest. “Sorry she’s shy” he laughs

“It’s ok. So long as you aren’t shy about talking to me” you look at him. Dark hair and blue eyes. Clean shaven with a strong jaw line. Probably about 2 years older than you you reckon.

“No I’m not shy about speaking to you”

“Good. Good. What are you doing later tonight?” your mind goes to Laura and Eddie in your house.

“Nothing. My roommate has his girlfriend round so I’m happy to not be in the house” he chuckles

“Meet me here for... 4 then?” you look at your watch. 11am you nod

“See you then, umm?”

“Dan”

“See you then Dan” he smiles “My names Elizabeth by the way”

“Well, I’ll see you at 4 then. Elizabeth” he smiles. Walking away with his dog. Steph walks over

“Did you?” you nod

“Meeting him here at 4 this afternoon” she chuckles. Nudging you with her arm.

“Shall we go on the slides... before you do your own version of a slide?”

“Ew”

“Not my best. But I still stand by it” you laugh. Going over to the slides

-

4 o clock came. You sat on the bench. You said you’d only spend an hour or so with him before you went back to Steph’s. 4:08. you feel a tap on your shoulder, him sitting on the bench next to you. “Hey Elizabeth”

“Hey Dan” he smiles. You both chat for about an hour. You learn he’s at college. Trying to become a teacher. He’s 23 and lives with three of his friends. You tell him about your life. Say you’re working at a cafe. You live in a caravan with your friend. You are currently talking about being dog or cat people.

“I do own a dog but honestly if I wasn’t renting I’d own cats as well”

“Finally! Someone who is both a cat and dog person”

“You like both?”

“Yeah! They’re similar to only need one but they are different enough creatures that you can warrant having them both” he laughs “the comparison is stupid really”

“True. Very true” he looks at his watch “I should be getting back now. Promised the guys I’d cook for them tonight”

“Oh what you cooking?”

“Don’t know. Probably some sort of roast. Every week one of us makes a 3 course meal for the others”

“That’s sweet. Must be quite fun”

“Yes it is” he looks at his hands “I will go but... before I go may I kiss you?”

“I’d like that...” he smiles, gently placing a hand on your cheek as he leans forward. Gently kissing you. You go closer to him as you deepen the kiss. He pulls away slightly. You bite your lip slightly “What time do you need to get back?”

“I can give it a few more minutes” you let out a small giggle as he kisses you again. You do this for a little while before he drops you off at Steph’s. Knocking on the door. She opens it, smiling and motioning for you to come in. You do, going and sitting on the sofa. She comes and sits next to you.

“They’re all in bed. They have school tomorrow. So tell me everything”

“It went well. He’s very sweet and nice and handsome"

“Did you...?”

“We kissed but that’s it” she nods slightly. Chuckling to herself. She nudges you

“You get it girl” you laugh.

“We chatted for a few hours, made out for like 20 minutes on a bench and then he dropped me off here and we made out for another 10 minutes” she laughs

“So when are you next seeing him?”

“Not sure. I gave him my number and he gave me his. I might ring him tomorrow after work. Shit I need to go back home but I really don’t want to see anything that might scar me” she laughs

“I’d go back now. Its late and you have work tomorrow so it’s only fair you get to stay at your own house” you nod.

“I’m going to head back. I’m seeing you Thursday right?” she nods

“See you Thursday” you get up. Walking over to your house, you knock.

“It’s me Liz” a few seconds pass, Eddie opens the door. Shirtless and jeans on him “Can I come in and sleep? It’s just that we have work tomorrow so I’d like to sleep here if that’s ok”

“Umm... sure” he motions for you to come in. You walk in. Strong scent of weed hitting you. You see Laura in her bra and pants lying on the bed

“Liiiiiiiz” she says. Obvious to you that she’s completely out of it.

“Hey Laura”

“Ed baby. Come back here” she does grab hands at him. He goes over, sitting next to her as she cuddles up to him. You grab a blanket from the cupboard. Going over to the sofa.

“Few things. Ok for you to sleep on the bed and me to sleep on the sofa. Stay up for as long as you need but please don’t do anything... sexual. Please?” he nods. She frowns at you

“Prude” you roll your eyes. Taking off your trousers and curling up under the blanket

“See you guys in the morning”

-

You wake up. Looking over to see Eddie and Laura curled up together. You quietly get up. Going and grabbing your work clothes. You turn away from the couple, changing as quietly as you can. Turning back round you go over and grab a bowl of cereal. Laura coughs slightly. You smile and wave at her. She waves back. Standing up and grabbing her shirt and jeans. You politely look away as she also gets ready for work. You both have a silent bond over your breakfast. Somehow you have a great conversation considering neither of you say a word. But you do a lot of hand gestures and improvised sign language. A voice breaks the silence “Are my two favourite girls having a conversation without me?”

“You’re awake”

“Hey baby”

“Hey” he stretches, making his speak slightly slurred. He sits up. Grabbing his shirt from the floor and placing it on. “Ready for work?” you both nod. Heading to the car. You get in the back. Going to work you get in. Going and starting serving customers.

A few hours pass. Eddie walks over to you during your lunch break. “Hey. I’m going to Laura’s tonight. I’ll be back tomorrow morning if that’s ok?” you nod “Again I’ll drop you off home first” you smile at him

“Such a gentlemen. Now you go get your... you know. Fun time” he laughs.

After work he drops you off at home. Waving goodbye to them both you go over to the phone in your house. Dialling in the number “Hey this is Phil”

“Hey umm this is Elizabeth. I was wondering if Dan was there”

“One sec” you hear him yelling out.

“Hey Elizabeth”

“Hey. I was wondering what you were doing this evening?”

“I was going to stay home and drink with the guys. Why?” you chuckle slightly

“My plans for tonight changed and I’m free. I was wondering if you’d want to meet but I get your busy with the boys”

“No. No no no. Shit. We can meet” you hear whispering on the other end. “So the guys have said that if you’d like you can come over. Phil says he has a beer spare for you” you chuckle

“Don’t mind me crashing your boys evening?”

“No. I mean it’s me, Phil, other Dan, Olivia and Emma. They’re my roommates”

“Oh cool. Still ok me crashing your evening?”

“Of course!” you chuckle “I’ll pick you up. Give me 20 minutes”

-

It’s been four hours. You got picked up and were now on your 2nd beer of the night. All of Dan’s roommates are lovely. You get on well with Emma. Both chatting and drinking. But they all end up saying goodnight when it get to 1am. Leaving you and Dan in the living room. He sits next to you. Taking a sip of his beer. You turn to face him, arm leaning on the back of the sofa “Thanks for letting me crash your night” he chuckles

“It’s ok. I’m glad you had a good time” you nod. He rests a hand on your thigh. Squeezing it slightly. You smile, leaning forward and kissing him quickly. Going back in for a more long and heated kiss. He smiles, placing both hands on your hips as you make out. You both pull away for air. Before you can regain it he leans and kisses your neck. Sucking harshly onto it you let out a small moan. He smiles. Continuing to lick and suck on your neck. He pulls away, running his finger over your now bruising skin. You tilt you head, fluttering your eyes shut. “So beautiful” you smile at the compliment. Feeling him kiss you again. His hand goes to your side “Do you want to come up to my room...?” you nod. Maybe a bit too enthusiastically. He chuckles. Kissing you quickly before standing up and pulling you up with him.

The next morning you wake up to him next to you. His eyes shut as he’s sleeping. You reach down and grab your shirt. Placing it over your body. As well as your trousers. He turns to face you “Your leaving?” he mumbles. You lie back down

“No. I was just getting dressed” he smiles, his hand going and tracing the hem of your shirt

“Think you should stay naked” you chuckle.

“I do need to go though” you smile at him. Kissing him quickly before standing up. He leans and grabs his trousers and shirt

“I’ll give you a ride” you nod and smile at him. Going to his car you drive back to yours. “I’ll give you a ring, yeah?” you nod

“I’d like that” you smile at him. Getting out of the car and going over to your house. You wave goodbye to him before opening the door. You grab a towel, heading over to the showers. You get back and see that within the 20 minute shower you had Eddie got home as your car is parked next to your house. You go inside. “Hey” you smile at him.

“Oh hey. Nice shower?” you nod, your towel wrapped around your hair. He furrows his brows “Did you have someone over?”

“No. Why?”

“You have a hickey” he points to the mark on your neck. You feel your cheeks redden as you cover it with your hand “I assume you didn’t do it yourself”

“Shit...” he laughs “A couple of days ago I met this guy called Dan. Went round his and drunk with him and his roommates last night” he nods slowly.

“You going to meet him again?”

“Yeah but I’m waiting for him to ring me this time. Don’t want to seem desperate” he chuckles but nods. “When are you next seeing Laura?”

“This weekend” he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. You raise an eyebrow at him

“Ok what is it?”

“So this weekend is our 4 month anniversary. We are going to go away for the weekend together... Leaving early Friday and coming back late Sunday” you nod slightly. “Will you be ok?”

“Yeah. Yeah of course” he nods. You smile slightly at him as you remove the towel from your hair, hanging it up on a peg to let it dry “You’ll have a really good time. Just try not to miss me to much” he laughs, wrapping you up in a hug “Ew physical affection” you mock him as you also hug him. He rests his cheek on the top of your head. He takes your face with his hands, kissing your forehead “Where are you going for it?”

“Somewhere along the coast. Going to have a beach holiday” he grins at you “hopefully see some sharks”

“Please don’t get eaten by a shark”

“But that’s my plan. Have an amazing time away, then get bitten by a shark. Then come back here with shark powers”

“Shark powers?”

“Yeah! I don’t know what they’d be but I image breathing underwater. That’d be cool” you laugh

“Just make sure it isn’t a hammer head shark. You’ll be coming back here with a wonky head otherwise”

“Like this?” he pulls a funny face causing you to laugh more “Are you mocking my face?” you nod, covering your mouth as you laugh. He makes his face go back to normal. “So childish” he jokes at you, you lightly hit his shoulder. “Ooh be careful. Strong woman like you could break a small boy like me in half with those muscles”

“Ahh yes because I am very muscly” he nods, grinning at you. “So I’ve had a song in my head and I’m not saying I blame you but you did show the film to me”

“Oh god what is it?”

“’How do you solve a problem like Maria? Doodaleedo’” you laugh at his outbreak of singing.

“It’s a great song and a great film!”

“I mean... It’s a good song and good film, great might be pushing it”

“You love it really” he rolls his eyes but smiles at you.

-

A couple of days pass. It’s the Thursday before Eddie leaves for the weekend. You’re both sat on your bed watching a film. You’re plates from dinner discarded on the floor and you’re cutting the ends off of strawberries. One for you, one for him. You get so distracted and engrossed in the film you don’t pay much attention to what you’re doing. Until you feel a sharp pain “Shit” you gasp out. Accidently cutting your thumb. You instinctively place it in your mouth to try and sooth the pain. He glances over at you as you pull it from your mouth. A small line of blood appears.

“You ok?” his voice trails off as he notices the redness

“Yeah I’m just being an idiot” he nods. His eyes watching your thumb. “Are you-?” before you can say anything else he very slowly takes your hand. He brings yours thumb to his mouth, placing it onto his tongue. Letting out a sinful moan as he tastes the metallic fluid. You don’t say anything. You can’t. Your body is suddenly met with an overwhelming amount of joy as he sucks on your thumb. You shut your eyes and let out a small moan. You other hand wanting to hold onto something it finds his knee. Gripping onto it. He stops after a few minutes. Releasing your thumb with a popping noise. He kisses the palm of your hand. You open your eyes and look at him.

“Fuck... Fuck!” he looks at you. His hand going to his mouth, in shock of what he just did. “I am so sorry... I-I don’t know why I did that” your brain still feeling hazy, to filled with euphoria to process what happened. You shake your head, moving your eyes to look at him. He brings his hand up to your face, gently stroking the bone underneath your eye. You move into his hand, looking down at your thumb.

“Its...” you hold your hand up, showing him the now healed skin.

“What the fuck...” he mutters to himself. You furrow your eyebrows. Grabbing the knife you very gently push it into your finger tip. Wincing at the pain as you break the skin. You hold your hand up to him

“Only if you’re comfortable with it” he doesn’t need telling twice to wrap his lips around your digit. Your hand gripping onto the knife to try and hold back a moan as you feel his tongue go over your sore finger. He pulls away, both of you looking at your hand in awe as the wound has disappeared. He keeps a hold of your hand. Gently brushing over where the wound was before he meets your eyes

“What... What happened?”

“I don’t know... You have superpowers I guess?”

“But how” he looks at your hand, confused. His eyes lighting up as he places his hand over his scar on his neck. “The upside down... fuck”

“Elaborate please?”

“I think” he runs a hand through his hair “I think when I came back. When I got bitten. I think I got some... powers. Healing others wounds must be it”

“What? Like a vampire?”

“Yeah... I guess like a vampire”

“Do you think you can turn into a bat and all that shit? Or is that too cliché” he shrugs

“I have noticed that my senses are better. I can walk over to the showers at night with no light” you nod. Leaning over you turn off the light in your room. Throwing a blanket over the TV to eliminate all light. Thankfully it had gotten dark outside so the room soon became very dark.

“Experiment” you lift your hands up “How many fingers am I holding up?”

“None”

“Now?”

“Four. Three on your left, one on your right”

“Now”

“Nine. Four on your left, five on your right”

“Touch my hands” you hold your hand above your head, the other placing behind your body. With no hesitation he grabs both of your hands. Bringing them to the front. “Holy shit” you lean over and turn the lights back on. “What other things do vampires do?”

“Umm shapeshifting?”

“Turn into a bat then” he laughs before he scrunches his eyes. Clenching his fists together and holding his breath before he shakes his head. “What about telepathy? Tell me what I’m thinking”

“Oh wow my friend has superhuman powers” you laugh but shake your head

“I mean technically yes but also no. What word am I thinking of?” he leans forward slightly. His eyes locked with yours.

“Lord... no! Yes! No! Cord. Something ‘ord’” you nod

“Sword”

“Fuck really?” he smiles as you nod “Shit. Shit I’m a vampire”

“You can still go outside and you’ve survived without needing to taste human blood so that’s good. You may not be a vampire as sorts. More like a necro creature. There are several kinds of undead creatures, vampire is just one of them”

“Did you really just get ‘necro from your daily vocabulary?”

“Yeah, and?”

“God you’re a nerd” you rolls your eyes

“Hypocrite” he chuckles, lying down on the bed

“I should sleep though. I may be an undead, sorry, a necro. But I still need my beauty sleep” he shouts his eyes and pulls the blanket up near him “Goodnight” you chuckle, leaning over and turning the TV off before the light. Then lying next to him

“Goodnight”

-

He leaves early the next morning. Saying goodbye to you before Laura picks him up. Thankfully you had shifts over the next couple of days so the absence of him wouldn’t be as noticeable then if you had to stay at home. You knew Eddie was staying at Laura’s on Sunday night, going in for work on Monday and coming back to yours Monday night. Monday morning came about, you got ready for work. Had a quick shower, breakfast and then headed off. You smile at Laura when you bump into her at work. “How was your weekend?” she looks at you, eyes you up and down and then walks off. You furrow your brows but before you can go and question her you hear a familiar voice in your ear

“Boo” he speaks. You turn around, Eddie smiling at you as you hug each other

“How was your weekend?”

“Oh it was amazing. We drank, ate, and swam. It was luxurious” you smile. Him telling you about it as you serve customers. “I hope you don’t mind if Laura comes back and stay the night tonight? Her parents are a bit pissed with her at the moment”

“Why?”

“They didn’t know we were going away this weekend and only found out yesterday”

“Oh. Yeah, of course she can stay. She’s always welcome” he smiles at you. Nudging you slightly before going and taking a tables order.

After work you all go back to yours. Watching a film together before you make yourself comfy on your sofa. The couple staying on the bed. You all settle down. Falling asleep you suddenly get woken up by Laura. “Liz. Liz help” you come to, her eyes filled with panic. “He’s done this before but normally wakes up when I shake him. He’s really deep in this dream though and he seems... scared” you look over. Eddie curled up, eyes furrowed and a soft whimper leaving his scared frame. You sit up, going over and kneeling down by the bed. Gently placing your hand over his, squeezing it softly

“Eddie. Eddie it’s ok. You’re ok” one hand goes and starts to stroke his hair. Softly speaking to him as a way to bring him back to reality. He jumps awake, sitting up and looking at you as he moves away from your touch. Fear in his eyes as they scan yours “It’s me. It’s just me” you hold a hand out to him “you’re safe. I promise” he takes your hand in his. Pulling you up onto the bed and hugging you tightly. Hiding his face in the crook of your neck as he grips your hand. Your free arm going round him and hugging him tightly “I’ve got you” you stay like this for about 15 minutes. Hearing his breath get steadier.

“Thank you...” you hear him whisper. You squeeze his hand, gently stroking his hair. You motion for Laura to come and sit next to you as you go to leave. He grabs your shirt, eyes looking into yours “No... No. Stay” you nod, moving over slightly so Eddie is in the middle of you and Laura. Squishing you against the wall. The whole time he grips onto your hand, facing you as he keeps scanning your face. A hand comes onto his arm as he lies on his side, a free hand coming and resting on top of his girlfriends.

“We’ve got you” he half smiles at you. Bringing your hand up as he gently brushes his lips against the back of it. Shutting his eyes and letting sleep take over once again. You don’t sleep for the rest of the night, watching over him to help him if he has another nightmare.

-

The next day you wake up to a phone call. The other two bodies not stirring from the noise so you get out of bed to answer it “Hello?”

“Hey, Liz. It’s Dan”

“Dan. Hey how have you been?”

“I’ve been good thanks. I’m sorry I didn’t ring earlier. College has been a pain in the ass” you let out a small chuckle “How have you been?” you nod instinctively before speaking

“Yeah I can’t complain”

“Cool, cool. I was actually calling to see if you wanted to meet up next Wednesday? We can go see a film or for a meal or something”

“That sounds good”

“I’ll pick you up about 5:30 then?” you nod and smile

“I’ll see you then. Bye”

“Bye” the click of the phone being put down. You also put the phone down. You look over and see Eddie has woken to your talking

“Who was that?” he queries

“You remember a little while ago I said I met up with a guy called Dan. Well that was him. Going on a date with him next Wednesday”

“Ooh look at you. Gonna get it” he wiggles his eyebrows at you as his eyes divert from your gaze onto his sleeping girlfriend. He kisses her forehead before standing up. “I’m going to go shower” you nod

“Any plans for today?”

“Laura and I have a shift this afternoon but that isn’t until about 2″ you nod

“So movie this morning?” he nods and chuckles, grabbing a towel before he heads out.

The day goes by. All 3 of you watch a movie, eat some lunch and before you know it they both head out to work. You’re sat up reading when Eddie walks through the door. You smile at him before it drops. Seeing his slightly sad expression “Eddie?” you softly say. He looks at you and smiles softly “Where Laura? I thought she was staying the night tonight”

“We broke up”

“Why? I thought you liked each other” he nods, going and sitting on the bed next to you, throwing his head back as he lets himself relax into the soft fabric.

“She broke it off with me, giving me a few reasons. The main one being that she only dated me to get back at one of her ex’s. She said that she did fall for me whilst we were dating but he came back yesterday so goodbye to me, hello to the dickhead”

“Oh Eddie I’m so sorry dude” you go and sit next to him, wrapping your arms round him in a hug. He looks at you. “I know you really liked her” His hand coming up and resting on your cheek

“She also said that she didn’t want to compete for my affection. That I would often moan out a different name at night. So she gave me a choice. She said she’d be happy to stay away from her ex if I stayed away from this other girl” his eyes were so gentle as they watched over your face. A sadness filled them slightly

“Oh... Whose name did you moan out?” you feel shy about asking him. Such a personal question to ask your best friend.

“Yours” he gently brushes his thumb over your bottom lip. The confession and the affection causing you to take a sharp intake of breath.

“That would explain why she acted to coldly towards me yesterday at work”

“When she first told me I’d said your name in my sleep I didn’t believe her. But then I thought about what she had said to me. That I should choose her or you. And the thought of losing her didn’t fill me with anywhere near as much hurt and heartbreak as the idea of losing you did”

“Ed-”

“I couldn’t picture my life without you, Liz. You’re one of my best friends that I’ve ever had and I-” he trails off. His dark eyes meeting yours. You nod slightly. Thinking for a moment before you speak. A soft voice leaving your lips.

“I want you to make love to me, Eddie Munson” his face looks slightly panicked at the sudden words. “Pl-please?” his panicked face making you nervous. Worried you’d misread the situation. But he smiles at you. Taking your hand in his and kissing the back of it. Moving his hands to your thighs and squeezing them gently. He kisses you as he gently massages the side of your legs. The taste of cigarettes on his tongue. In most scenarios you’d hate that taste. You didn’t smoke and you didn’t like the smell of it. But when it was on him it felt right. He pulls away from the kiss, gently brushing a stray hair that had fallen loose from your ponytail to behind your ear. Kissing your forehead before he plants kisses all over your face. You giggle at the affection, grabbing onto his shirt as you pull him close to you. His lips meeting yours again. You feel him move so his body is between your legs. Your back against the wall as you feel his hand come up to the side of your face. He pulls away slightly, the hand on your cheek going and letting the back of his fingers gently stroke over the side of your neck.

“So beautiful” he murmurs before he kisses your neck, pushing your shirt up as he kisses your clothed breasts and then your stomach. He fiddles with the button of your trousers. Looking at you as you nod. He unbuttons it. You lift yourself up as he pulls your trousers down the length of your legs. Gently kissing your thigh as a hand goes and rubs gently over your clothed core. You let out a small moan as he moves his finger round you needy hole. Smiling as he sees the wet patch getting bigger on your underwear. He kisses just above your pants. Fingers loop into the sides of your underwear as he pulls them down your legs, discarding them on the floor along with your trousers. He positions himself to lie on his stomach, his thumbs going and moving your pussy lips apart. 

“So fucking pretty” before you can say anything he latches his lips around your clit. Causing you to gasp out, hands going to his hair as you grip him close to you. He sucks onto your nub. Flattening his tongue against it and playing with it. You moan out as you feel one hand stay on your thigh as he holds your legs open. The other hand going to gently prod at your hole. Letting out another moan as he pushes a finger into you. Curling it as he finds that spongey spot inside of you. The place that makes your legs start to shake as he sets a fast yet steady pace with his finger and tongue. The hand on your thigh going to your hip, pushing them down when you start to grind yourself against his tongue. “Relax baby. Let me help you. Just lay back and let me do the work” you feel yourself redden at his words. The complete control he has over you making you blush. He smiles as he continues his work on your core. Going faster as he feels your start to clench around his finger

“E-Eddie. Go-gonna cum” he hums against you. Your hands pulling his head into you as you grip his hair. Your eyes scrunch shut as you push your legs together. You orgasm washing over you. Eddies tongue licking up all the juices you let out. When he’s able to free his head from your thighs he comes up. Kissing you gently as he continues to pump his finger in and out of you. You lazily rub him through his trousers as you feel his fingers work slowly in and out of your little hole. Smiling into the kiss as you feel his cock rock hard under your small hand. He lets out a small groan as you rub him through his jeans. He moves away from you causing you to let out soft whimper as he removes his fingers from you. Hands going to his shirt as he takes it off of his body. You push your thighs together as you see his tattooed torso. You’d seen him shirtless before. Hell, you’d seen him fully naked. But seeing him in this scenario was something else. You bite your lip as you scan your eyes over his tattoos and scars. His hand goes to his belt buckle, slowly undoing the buckle as his eyes meet yours.

“Take your shirt off for me” you nod, with no hesitation you strip your shirt off. Throwing it onto the floor. As one hand works on taking his trousers and pants off, the other goes to work on your chest. Pawing at your boobs still covered by your bra. The hand gently grazes your shoulder, pulling the strap off. Then the other shoulder. Going behind your back he kisses you, unclasping your bra behind you. He smiles as he feels you bring it away from your body. His hands going to completely rid himself of his clothes before he brings them up to your chest. His hands cold against your sensitive nipples. The feeling of his rings against them causing you to let out a soft moan. He pinches your nipples, lightly pulling on them causing you to let out a gaspy moan, your hands going to grip his arms.

“Please... need you... in me” he smiles, running his fingers down the side of your body. The gentle touches causing you to squirm under him. His hand trails to your core, fingers gently going over your clit. You let out a moan as his other hand comes up, gently going around your throat as he leans towards you, lips barely touching. You whine, grinding your hips into his hand as he smiles at you. Hand tightening around your throat slightly. You shut your eyes as you feel yourself slowly building up to your second orgasm. He stops his hand. “Eddie...” you let out an annoyed whine as you move your hips.

“Look at me my queen” you open your eyes. His pupils blown out, lust filling them. The sight of it making you moan. You feel his fingers start to move again. Causing you to let put a breathy moan “keep looking at me, or I’ll stop. Understand?” you nod. Hands gripping onto the bed as your hips create a steady rhythm with his fingers. His other hand still firmly wrapped around your throat.

“Go-go’a cum...”

“Not until I say so” you whine out in frustration, your cheeks reddening at the pure intimacy of the situation. “So fucked out you can’t even say words, hmm?” he teases you, causing you to clench around nothing. He leans in and kisses you as his fingers still work on your clit. “Cum for me darling” He murmurs softly against your lips. Eyes fixated onto you as your second orgasm rushes over you. His hand around your throat being the only thing keeping you from collapsing onto the bed. Once you come down from your high he moves his hand from your throat, the other from your core. You feel him gently massage your slightly shaking thighs as you shut your eyes “Do you think you can do one more for me?” you nod slightly, feeling him gently pull your down the bed so your lying down rather than sitting up. “Say it for me. What do you want?”

“I-” you try and process words in your head before you speak. “I wan’ your cock pl-ple’se” you manage to stutter out the words. You feel his lips gently kiss yours, you open your eyes as you see him kneeling between your legs. He gently prods your entrance with his tip. Pushing slowly into you as you let out a satisfied moan. Shutting your eyes again as he leans down and kisses you neck. One hand going to the side of your head as he keeps himself up. The other finding your hand and interlocking his fingers with yours. He continues to kiss your neck, trailing down to your collar bone and chest as he starts to slowly thrust in and out of you. You moan out as the hand not holding his comes up and entangles into his hair. Gently tugging it, bringing him up to kiss him. He positions himself so he’s leaning on the arm of the hand that’s holding yours. Moving his other hand to the space between you. Feeling about before you thrust upwards. He smiles as he finds your clit, rubbing soft circles onto it. Your hand moves from his hair, tracing down his back. Digging your nails into him near the base of his back causing him to moan out as he thrusts faster into you. His hand moves from yours as he sits up, taking a hold of your thigh and moving your leg so it’s resting against him. Holding onto it as he thrusts harder and deeper inside of you. His hand still working on your clit.

“Oh fuck...” you open your eyes to see his fixed onto where you two meet. His eyes trail up your body. Meeting yours. “You’re so beautiful” you moan at the compliment.

“E’ie” you try saying his name, but being a moaning mess it comes out as nonsense “cl’se” he smiles.

“Cum for me sweetheart. Le- fuck -let me feel you” You grip tightly onto his hand as you feel your third orgasm hit you. Letting out a ‘fuck’ as you cum around him. He grunts as he continues thrusting into you. Harder and faster as he gets closer to his high. You whine at the overstimulation, both his hands grip onto your thighs. One on his body and the other being pushed into the mattress. You clutch the sheet beneath you as you feel tears start to form from the overstimulation. He moans out as you feel him push fully into you. You let out a satisfied sigh as you feel him fill you with his cum. He leans over you, hands dropping your thighs as they fall onto the bed. Using his forearm to keep himself above you as he rests his head onto your shoulder. Your hand goes up to his hair, gently stroking it as you feel sleep approaching you. You let out a whine as he pulls out of you. You go to push your legs together as you feel stuff start to leak out of you but he gently places his hands on your knees, keeping them apart as he watches his seed come out of your little hole. He smiles to himself as he gently pushes two fingers into your hole. You let out a soft moan as you feel him begin to softly finger you again. Pushing his seed back into you. “Sorry... just want people to know who you belong to” he removes his fingers. Gently kissing your forehead before standing up

“Come... bed...” you open your eyes and do grabby hands towards him. He chuckle slightly, grabbing a towel and cleaning you both up. Gently kissing your leg as he grabs a shirt and places it over your body. He grabs some underwear and places it on himself before lying next to you. Gently stroking your arm as you lay on your side.

“I um... I wasn’t to rough was I?” you shake your head, eyes meeting his. 

“You did what I asked you to do. You made love to me” he chuckles slightly, taking your hand and kissing the palm of it before pulling you into him. He lies on his back as he pulls you on top of him. Your body fitting between his legs. His arms wrapped around you as you rest your head onto his chest. You let out a yawn as you snuggle into him “Goodnight...”

“Goodnight Liz” he gently strokes your hair behind your ear. Due to the activities of the night a few strands had come out of the ponytail it was in.

“I love you Eddie...” You say before your brain processes what your mouth is saying. You feel your cheeks redden as he lets out a small chuckle. A hand coming and tilting your head towards him so he can kiss you.

“I love you too” he says before planting another kiss to your lips causing you to smile, feeling his hand come up and rest on your cheek. “Get some rest now” you nod slightly. Shutting your eyes as you feel his hands wrap back around you, gently stroking your back “My queen”

TAGS

@karma2223 @fknemily @sammararaven​​ @munson-fixation

[elliespassagerprincess]

𝐍𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲: 𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

This story is based off the song Nobody by Mitski! If you can, please listen to the song as you're reading:)

Pairing: Jackson!ellie x fem!reader (This story takes place after Joel died. Basically you take Dina's place, so yes Ellie walked out on you. JJ doesn't exist)

Remember requests are always open, feel free to leave one! Or you can just send me a song and I'll take it from there!

Warnings: mentions of death, and a brief mention of violence

Summary: Ellie's biggest fear becomes a reality...

(I deeply apologize for the ending....)

My God, I'm so lonely

So I open the window

To hear sounds of people

To hear sounds of people

Ellie sighed as she opened her bedroom window. As she opened the window she was met with a cool breeze against her pale skin. She heard sounds. The sounds of people talking. The sounds of horses. The sounds of laughter, something she hasn’t done in a while.

After Ellie attempted to kill Abby, she returned back to the farm house in hopes that you were still there. She already lost Joel, she couldn’t lose you too. She knew leaving you to find some random blonde was selfish. She knew the second she walked out of that house she made a big mistake. But never in a million years did she think you would leave.

When Ellie arrived back at the farm house it was empty. Cold. The life that the two of you had built was there no more. The house was as empty and lonely as the day the two of you stumbled upon it.  All your belongings were gone. Any trace of your existence was gone. It was like you never existed.

Ellie tried, she really tried living alone. But her thoughts consumed her, every single day her mind was filled with regret. Retting the fact that she didn’t kill Abby. Regretting the fact that she left you.

If she could go back in time she could protect Joel, she could make sure he didn’t die and none of this were to happen. Everything would have been ok.

 So Ellie made the wise decision to back to Jackson.

It was a quite road. Ellie was alone on that journey. And when she arrived to Jackson everyone was happy to see her but Ellie didn’t care about them. Because they weren’t you. They weren’t Abby. They weren’t Joel.

As much as Maria and Tommy tried Ellie isolated herself. Ellie was lonely. She was consumed by anger, guilt. Regret. Ellie was filled with hate. She lost herself.

Ellie knew isolating herself was a bad idea but she did it because nobody would understand what she felt like. There was nobody apart from you and Joel that understood her, and you were both gone.

And now here Ellie sat. Looking out a window, listening to the sounds of people, trying to listen to anything else but the voices in her head.

Venus, planet of love

Was destroyed by global warming

Did its people want too much, too?

Did its people want too much?

And I don't want your pity

I just want somebody near me

Guess I'm a coward

I just want to feel alright

Ellie hated it when people sympathized with her. She remembers the first few days after Joel's passing, the way people were trying to comfort her pissed her off. Every time someone said stay strong, or he's in a better place, Ellie wanted nothing more but to grab her knife, and plunge it deeply into their throats. The only persons comfort she looked for was yours.

The weeks after Joel died, Ellie remembers all the nights she spent at your house sobbing. The nights you held her and sang her to sleep. The way you would never judge her, when she showed up at 3am . You were loving. Caring. Soft. Too pure for this fucked up world. Too pure for someone as fucked up as she was.

Right now in this moment, as she sat at the window she couldn't help but miss your comfort. The way your skin felt against hers. The way you could easily bring a smile to her lips.

The same way people destroyed the planet by killing each other during the apocalypse, the same way Ellie destroyed, your relationship. The way world went to shit in one day, the same way your relationship went to shit in one night. The same way she decided to destroy her relationship with Joel because she was mad.

She lets her anger get the best of her. she let her dark thoughts consume her, control her. She went from a women who had everything, to the women who had nothing.

All Ellie wanted was 5 more minutes with you. She just wanted to feel your touch again. She wanted you to tell her that was going to be ok.

Ellie just wanted to feel ok...

And for her to feel ok, she needed you

Nobody, nobody, nobody

Nobody, nobody

Ooh, nobody, nobody

Nobody, nobody, nobody

Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody

Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody

Nobody, nobody, nobody (nobody)

(Nobody, nobody)

Nobody, nobody

Nobody, nobody, no

"When can I see her?" Ellie asked

"You know you can't" Maria said

"Please just let me see her, its been months Maria" Ellie spoke up, looking at Maria with pleading eyes, voice laced with frustration.

Maria stared at Ellie, eyes wide.

"What?" Ellie questioned

"Ellie are you sure you don’t remember what happened between you and y/n…"

Ellie quickly shook her head confused

"Ellie you killed her"

Silence filled the room as the words fell from Maria's lips.

"I killed her" Ellie whispered "no I didn’t"

"Ellie-"

"No Maria don’t lie, she's ok, she's fine, she has to be" Ellie said trying to convince herself that what Maria was saying isn’t true. It can't be true.

Loud sobs echoed through the room as Maria slowly walked out to give Ellie the space she needs to process the news.

And like a wave crashes on a shore, the memories came crashing back.

Ellie was about to leave Jackson, and you held her hand, eyes filled with tears, you begged her no to leave.

"Ellie please" were the words you muttered over and over again.

Ellie was in auto pilot, as she was getting her horse ready. She completely dissociated from the world around her. She couldn't think. She couldn't feel. The only thing she had left in her mind was getting revenge.

She had to take revenge. Revenge was the only thing on her mind. It has been the only thing on her mind since Joel died. She had to kill them. They hurt her Joel, and she was going to make sure none of them got away with it.

In a moment of rage Ellie grabbed a wooded stick that was used to close the stables and and she hit you with. You let out a terrified scream at the sudden action.

Screams of fear filled the stable. You soon fell to the ground bleeding but Ellie didn't stop. The memory of that blonde hitting Joel was replaying in her mind over and over again. Ellie saw her. The blonde on the floor. She was imagining her.

Blood splattered all over the walls and horses, as she hit you, over and over and over again. At some point you stopped moving you stopped breathing.

You had lost your life the same way Joel lost his. But you weren't killed by a stranger, you were killed by the girl you loved.

Ellies mind was blank as she stared at the body on the floor.

"Ellie" she heard Tommy spoke "what did you do?"

Ellie got up from the body, with no emotion, no remorse. And by looking at her eyes Tommy could tell didn't know what she just did. He wasn't looking at Ellie, he was looking at a monster.

"Y/n and I are leaving now, she's waiting for me at the gates" Ellie spoke quickly, hoping on her horse she rode away, in fear that Tommy might convince her to stay.

The last 5 months Ellie wasn't with you. She was imagining you were there. She was hallucinating. You weren't there anymore, and Ellie's brain blocked out the memory of her murdering you.

You weren't real. You weren't there. You were dead.

And the worst part is, Elie was the one that took your life.

So there Ellie lay. Sobbing. She was alone.

Her biggest fear was to end up alone one day. And look at what has happened.

Her father figure was murdered right before her eyes, and she murdered the love of her life.

Maybe some people deserve to die alone

Authors note: I really hoped you enjoyed this one! I wanted to have a happy ending where they reunite and they live happily ever after, but I realized it would be out of character for me to write a happy story... Remember you are loved and to always be kind to one another! Please leave requests (if you want to obviously) its is always open!

Here's a edit of our wife:

Yours truly,

Zia :)

[salemshotspot]

TEX SAWYER WITH AN FTM READER

Tex Sawyer x FTM!Reader

WORD COUNT: 453

DESC: How Tex Sawyer would treat his trans partner

No use of gendered pronouns/anatomy

WARNINGS: Brief Mentions Of Dysphoria//Not Proof Read

Enjoy!

——————————————————————————

Due to his own experience with his family not using his preferred name he gets really defensive about people who deadname or misgender you because he knows the pain all too well of his heart sinking hearing the wrong name used on him and he wouldn’t wish that on anyone, especially not you.

DID I MENTION HOW PROTECTIVE THIS MAN IS AS WELL? If he hears anyone, even his family, say a bad word about you expressing your identity he’s stepping in defending you with his life [he isn’t above a few threats of violence to get his message across either.]

He seems like the dream guy for accommodating dysphoria too, feeling dysphoric about your chest? He’s instantly buying you a binder and making sure you’re using it safely, you can’t keep on top of your hygiene because you can’t bear to look at yourself? Did somebody say late night bath or shower with Tex pressed up against you, washing your hair, telling you how handsome you are?

You cannot tell me this man isn’t the healthiest partner in a relationship either so if you’re feeling insecure about anything in your relationship he’d encourage you to communicate with him but he wouldn’t push you and would wait until you felt ready to talk.

If you tell him you’re insecure about your relationship in the sense that you’re worried he doesn’t see you as a man and how he deserves to be with someone better he’d drop everything he’s doing and reassure you that you’re the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with and how he’s never for a second seen you as anything but a man.

I also feel like if you told him these concerns he would apologise to you for not doing enough to make sure you didn’t think this way.

The absolute definition of a mother hen as well so if you were thinking of starting hormones or getting surgery or course he’s on board with it 1000% because he wants his boyfriend to be happy and comfortable in his own skin but he would also be really worried, especially with surgery, staying up late into the night researching the process of surgery, what can go wrong, he will worry himself sick if you don’t talk to him and explain you’ll be ok.

If you choose to have surgery don’t expect to even be breathing for yourself afterwards because Tex is adamant on doing it for you, no matter how long the recommended recovery time is Tex has you in recovery for much longer ‘just to be safe' [he’s adamant on doing absolutely everything for you so you don’t strain yourself and possibly hinder your recovery.]

——————————————————————————

A/N >> Drop writing requests in my inbox :)

[bonefall]

I don't understand he/him lesbians, I'm friends with a few lesbians and they all say it's harmful to lesbians for someone who identifies as male to call themselves a lesbian, is this right? If you're not comfortable explaining that's ok! I just saw you answered an ask with it and I wanted someone else's opinion? I'm not too keyed in on sexuality and genders and stuff (I'm a bi cis woman) but I'm trying to learn more to be more considerate to the people around me and stuff

Hey, if you're reaching out and seeking advice on the topic, that is good for me!

I will not do this very often though just because I want this blog to be a place for funny battle cats and general celebrations of queerness, but for you, I will give you a brief rundown and some good links to further reading if you'd like to learn more.

So this sentence is aimed at everyone who is not this anon; my stance is not negotiable and the block button is my best friend. Do not use this post to argue. Thank you.

It is not correct that people who identify with masculinity cannot use the term lesbian.

Queerness isn't about rigid boxes and fitting ourselves into them, that's what we're supposed to be against!

Lesbians are people who identify in some way with femininity and have sapphic affections for other feminine people. I've met agender (no gender) lesbians, genderfluid (gender isn't rigid and shifts like liquid) lesbians, demigender (sort-of feels gender but not much) lesbians, multigender (identifies with multiple genders possibly including masculinity) lesbians, so on.

I have even known a transgender man who found the label better described his relationship to women than the term 'heterosexual.' When asked why, he described it as, "I don't love women the way other men do." Even though he was no longer a woman, he still felt a connection to femininity that he felt was best described as sapphic.

A person's relationship to gender can be a very complex and multifaceted thing. In fact this complexity is why I personally use the term genderqueer.

When a homophobic chucklefuck says, "Uhuhuh im a lesbian like u because i also like women what now" What they're doing is being disrespectful. That is what is harmful about that. They do not care that you say, "Ah, well, a lesbian is only women who like other women!" because now you've given them a foot in the door to shave women down into rigid boxes of femininity to fit stupid binary rules.

TERFs have used this in the past to divide our community. Our enemies do not care that our terms "make sense." They just want us gone.

Pronouns don't always equal gender.

Just like how I mentioned that there are masculine people who can identify in some part with femininity without being women, the same thing can happen with people who are women and feel a connection to masculinity, or something else entirely.

Lesbians using he/him pronouns goes back for decades, even centuries. Some would use these pronouns to pass as men (and may have been what we'd call transgender men with modern terms), while others feel a strange relationship to their assigned gender through their sexuality, and some simply prefer he/him.

He/him lesbians, they/them lesbians, xe/xir lesbians...

Discomfort is not the only reason to change your pronouns. Disconnect is not the only way we explore ourselves. Sometimes it's pleasure!

PLEASE GO READ

(CW: The following literature is intended for adults and discusses sexuality and queer history, including oppression, violence, racism, etc.)

Female Masculinity by Jack Halberstam Talks about the history of masculinity in the lesbian community. Important book. Please read.

Butch, Femme, Dyke, Or Lipstick, Aren't All Lesbians The Same?: An Exploration Of Labels And "Looks" Among Lesbians In The U.S. South, a thesis by Denielle Kerr While this one isn't about history, it's a really good introduction to the discussion in general since you specifically mentioned not knowing much about these issues. It touches on a bunch of popular queer theories in a way applicable to lesbians specifically, like performance theory, bodywork, intersectionality... Just follow the citations when you see something you'd like to know more about.

[tired-all-the-time22]

I just got here from the YouTube via the LaPlace’s Angel animatic, it has been replaying on my phone for at least 20 minutes if not more- I am obsessed with your guys and also your expressions and linework. If I may, might I ask what was going on in it?

Sure!!! I'm always excited to talk about my little guys :DD This is gonna be like. A ridiculously long post because of all the backstory, lore, and context I'm about to dump on you so I'm gonna put it under the break below.

Also now that I've fully written this I will also say it kinda turns into like. actual writing at the end so yeah. this gets long.

Massive thanks if you actually read it all!!!! lol

Also massive spoiler warning because I'm making a comic of these guys and the animatic is basically like. the climax of the story

(I might copy this writing and delete the post later when/if the comic starts picking up in popularity-- don't want it to get completely spoiled lol)

TW for text depictions of violence, murder, child/teen death, and brief mentions of child abuse

Ok so like. I made two little diagrams to explain the relationships between everyone in the animatic (click for better quality/readability):

These are everyone's general relation/feeling towards each other:

For larger context,

this is set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has straight up disappeared. Planets have been rearranged and earth has essentially just become a snowball, all courtesy of an 8 year old Nyx (purple) breaking down and gaining psychic powers after Faux (blue), her newly-acquired father figure, is knocked out and presumed dead at the hands of her abusive biological mother.

Nyx grows up blaming herself for the annihilation of the humanity, but has also in the process created a new, weird world inhabited by many different creatures, becoming a sort of god-like figure. Grief-stricken and horrified by what she has done, Nyx isolates herself - terrified of repeating what has happened - until she ages to 16, at which her trauma and inability to move on manifest in her mind and body magically stagnating, now unable to progress further in her life. This goes on for [really long amount of time undetermined by author yet].

Unknown to Nyx,

the residual effects of her powers had actually resurrected Faux, who is now left alone on a now snow and debris-filled earth to go about his business, isolated and amnesia-ridden.

Meanwhile, Ash (red) and Attwell (pink)

have come into being as distant personifications of Nyx's self-preservation (including her wish to be able to move on) and her mind/intelligence respectively.

(There are other personifications that exist, such as her love of humanity, physical flesh, and the physical energy/electricity in her body, but they're not quite important here. These personifications, though originally manifesting from Nyx, are all their own people, generally unaware of where their relation to each other or Nyx herself.)

Attwell (similar in body/mind situation as Nyx -- 16 and unable to grow past that) grows up among a society of capitalistic and corrupt racoons who make high-tech inventions where she is isolated, her ideas are stolen, and where she is generally mistreated by pretty much everyone around her. Unfortunately, having grown up in this environment she has also been indoctrinated into the idea that this is the normal way to be treated. Ash on the other hand, is pretty much spawned - fully grown (~25ish, same age as Faux) - into existence along with his pseudo-sister (aformentioned personified love of humanity), and is subsequently tasked along with her to take care of a sort of mini-humanity who grow and die relatively rapidly, over and over again. His sister, Yasen (not pictured, same age), is enamored with this humanity, throwing extravagant blowout parties in order to give what she believes could be the best life they could have before their inevitable death, while Ash aspires for more, unsatisfied with simply preserving what they have.

This culminates in an event when

(pre-isolation) Nyx makes a visit to their city to explore what she has created; ending in a death, a horrified and re-traumatized Nyx, a heartbroken and betrayed Yasen, and an Ash who has now found who he (misguidedly) believes to be the bringer of progess he has been looking for (Nyx). Ash leaves Yasen and their mini-humanity to become a mentor, bodyguard, and follower of Nyx, who has now gained a reputation as the creation goddess of their world.

This all goes on for [aformentioned long and undetermined time] until one day, Ash stumbles into Faux through Shenanigans and, unknowing of who he is or his relation to Nyx, collects him from his isolation and dumps him in the forest Attwell grew up in.

Hijinks (capital H) happen, and Faux ends up meeting Attwell, mentally adopting her, and dragging her out of the bad situation she's been saddled with growing up, her kicking and screaming the whole way. They get kicked out and banned from returning from the racoon society, Attwell devastated and terrified of leaving the only place she's known, despite its shittiness. Faux, unaware that he actually already has an adopted daughter, is intrigued with exploring the new world he's been shoved into. The two go on adventures together, with Attwell desperately trying to find a way back into a society that never accepted her through trying to prove herself useful, and with Faux slowly coming to remember the life he used to lead bit by bit.

Along the way, Ash, oddly interested by Faux, starts secretly meeting with and forming a relationship with him.

Subsequently, Nyx discovers Attwell's existence for the first time and is enamored with her boldness and attitude. Attwell has just now met the most beautiful girl she has ever seen. The two begin their own secret meetings as well.

Then begins the three major events leading up to what happens in the animatic.

Ash, in an effort to force his and Yasen's mini-society out of the cycle of death and rebirth, injures an enraged and protective Yasen in a fight to the point she succumbs to her wounds and dies.

This happens right before the eyes of Nyx, who is horrified and blames herself, Ventria and Shax (other two personifications mentioned earlier), who had become like little siblings to Yasen in Ash's absence, and Attwell, who had only just been starting to find a community and people who cared about her and was coming around to the idea of staying with them, all courtesy of Yasen. Faux, though aware of Yasen's death and her significance to Attwell, does not witness Ash's actions and continues to meet with him. Attwell, hateful of Ash and defeated in every way possible, leaves the city without a word to anyone. Nyx returns to her place of isolation to grieve, while Ash is left to sit with the feeling of essentially killing his sister.

2. Attwell, tired and having been broken, built back up, and now broken all over again, returns to where she grew up, begging for forgiveness. She is given the ultimatum that, if she is to return, she is to serve a minor deity responsible for the forest's wellbeing, as resources have been dwindling. Attwell accepts the ultimatum, desperate for any amount of belonging, acceptance, or praise from an authority figure.

This manifests in a wedding-like ceremony where it is revealed that pledging herself to this deity in the way needed would kill her, as the deity would possess her. This revelation comes at very inopportune time, having only been disclosed to Attwell at the altar by the deity itself, and by accident no less. For Attwell, who has ever only been a child used as a sacrificial lamb for the majority of her life, this is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Full of regret, rage, and mental exhaustion, Attwell accepts the deity, loses control of herself, and violently murders the ringleader of the society/the main instigator of her mistreatment, in addition to causing massive collateral damage as a result of out-of-control plant powers. In the aftermath, running on fumes, Attwell limps away to find Nyx and, in her mind, say her goodbyes.

3. Faux, having been left behind by Attwell, finds himself alone again in the aftermath of Yasen's death. Her city, and her little siblings, are significantly rattled and at a loss of what to do in her absence. They'd never had to grieve before -- they never even knew the meaning of what death truly meant. And now Faux-- the only adult in a sea full of freshly-traumatized and grief-filled children --strangely starts to feel as if he's been in this situation before.

He sticks around to help Shax and Ventria with the fallout, and with the death of their older sister. He's worried about Attwell but- there's just. Something. here that needs his attention. He's been having flashes of a life that he thinks might be is, and he's on the verge of figuring out what the deal with that is. Eventually, he discovers Ash lurking around in the back alleys of the city, with a heavy air of contemplation and an undertone of regret. The two meet up, Faux unknowing the Ash is the direct cause of the city's great loss, and venture into depths of the city only privy to Ash and Yasen. They fall down a sinkhole or something and get isolated, met with a cave full of darkness and crystals clean enough to reflect the tiniest details with stunning clarity. They venture deeper and deeper into the cave in an attempt to escape, Faux's head starting to pound with increasing pain as Ash grows concerned. As the pain grows to agony, Faux is met with flashes of memory, and soon enough what was the solid ground of his mind -- his consciousness, his sense of self, what he thought he knew -- crumbles. Faux plummets. and then, He remembers. First, he remembers himself. Then he remembers the woman he met long ago, and their affair. Then, he remembers the kid. His kid. His daughter. His daughter who is very much still alive, who he's seen throughout the past few months everywhere -- scripture, folk stories, stained glass in religious congregation -- Faux is left reeling on the ground, shocked and terrified and devastated. and Ash, confused and unable to cope, Leaves him. Later, when Faux begins to wake from his shock, finds himself alone, and he knows exactly who he needs to see.

Now! With all of that out of the way, we can get to the animatic.

(apoligies for taking so long to actually answer your question)

What's below is the TLDR of what's happening in the animatic:

However,

if you will indulge me in yapping more about these four, you can read on for a more in-depth scene of what is happening in the animatic:

Everyone is looking for Nyx.

Attwell gets there first.

The two reunite, emotionally exhausted and in greatly in need of seeing the other. Over the time they have gotten to know each other, Nyx has found someone her age that gets her -- that doesn't idolize, or infantilize, or minimize what she's gone through-- and though Attwell can't truly understand the scope of it, she's willing to let Nyx do what she needs. And Attwell, so used to being used, has found someone who respects her autonomy and intelligence. Though these two have not gotten a proper moment to truly hang out like normal teens, there is respect, and adoration, and there are the beginnings of love. Their happy reunion is short-lived.

Ash gets there next.

Unwell and unsure of his previous actions, he sees them together. He first sees Nyx -- the kid who he's come to care for and grow protective over, and Attwell -- the rambunctious girl that fought him every step of the way in his city, over what to do with the people he was charged with caring for, and who emboldened his sister to fight with him to the point that he had to kill her to get what he needed done. Safe to say, he is deeply unhappy with this development. Safe to say, that girl needs to get the hell away from his kid. Attwell soon becomes aware there's someone watching her and Nyx. She looks, and sees the man who murdered the only other adult in her life (apart from Faux) that didn't see her as cannon fodder. She's not about to let this man take away one of the only good things she has left in her left. Not again. Not when she's got such little time left. So she gets up, puts herself between the two, and resolves that, if there's anything-- anyone she's going to sacrifice herself for, it's going to be Nyx.

Nyx had always been there. With herself.

She'd been with only herself. For years, for decades, for millenia-- she didn't know. She hadn't even been old enough to read a clock when her dad died, so it's not like counting would have done anything for her. Besides, There were no clocks left. No calendars or alarm clocks, no sundials or hourglasses. She had destroyed everything in her wake, and left nothing in the aftermath. Everything that had mattered was gone. She had left everything ruined, and continued that path into the afterlife. But now. they mattered. The two in front of her. This man who had aided her through her lowest, despite claiming indifference. She knew he cared for her. Even in the earliest beginnings of their meeting, she knew. Could one child have four parents? The first two hadn't cared for her -- she knew that now. But she had killed the third, and now the fourth... Could a child like her deserve a fourth? A child that had achieved nothing but death, and was only rewarded with more murder? And the girl in front of her... The girl that she hadn't even been aware of months ago, that had both more and less than Nyx had ever had. The girl that had sought her out in her time of need. Nyx had never known friendship. She knew of it -- of the characters on the TV she used to watch as a little girl, sitting with her dad as he braided her hair and told bad jokes. She saw it looking out onto the street from the window of the one-bedroom apartment she lived in when her mother was gone. She longed for it. Attwell was it for her. Friendship, love, family- Nyx had only ever known the concepts. But she knew. and now, She was horrified. The sight before her was nothing short of ravenous. These two, who she had come to hold so deeply in her heart, clawed and punched and stabbed at each other with nothing but pure, unadulterated violence. She couldn't tell whose blood was whose. It didn't matter. She needed it to stop. She needed something to happen- She needed to someone to do something- She needed to make it stop- The tension in her mind snapped. something had released. She couldn't see what- she had closed her eyes without thinking. But there was silence. and then, there was a sickening thud.

Faux had gotten there last.

And he had gotten there too late. What laid before him, was the most unfortunate, most one-in-a-million-unluckiest-fucking-horrifying thing he had ever seen in his life. First, he saw his daughter, his little girl, face frozen in shell-shocked, ice-cold terror as she sat on the floor, legs unable to support the weight of what she had just done. Then, he saw the man he had been coming to like more than a little over the past few months standing, with talon-like nails and hands painted in warm blood, face obscured, fingers twitching. And finally, he saw the corpse. He saw the child. corpse. of the girl he had gotten to know. Of the young girl that was so bright, despite what she had gone through and what people had done to her. The young, fragile girl he let leave while he stayed behind to try and pick up pieces he wasn't even sure were there at the time she left. The spear lodged in her chest was the only thing that was new. He had seen it only a few times. The same places he had remembered his daughter from-- they had always accompanied her in her depictions. The heavens' wrath, they said. His eyes returned to his daughter. and his heart broke. Because it was like watching her fall and scrape her knee as a kid. Because she was silent. Because then she crawled forward, and pitifully grasped the shirt sleeve of the only friend she had ever had. Because her tears welled up, face catching up to the scene before her. Because then, She wailed.

-----------

I didn't mean for this to turn into me essentially writing fanfiction about my own characters, but here we are!!!

I have been getting back into writing lately, so maybe this was a good little exercise to get the creative juices flowing :))

MASSIVE thank you if you read until the end!!!!!

I am always open to more questions if you have any!!

[steddie-fanfic-recs]

Shake and Sway Me Through the Night

by Craftnarok

Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationship: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Dustin Henderson, Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Slow Burn, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Gay Eddie Munson, So much trauma, agoraphobic!Eddie, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, PTSD, mentions of childhood emotional and physical abuse, Violent Intrusive Thoughts, Suicidal Ideation, Panic Attacks, Hurt/Comfort, emotional and otherwise, brief violence (not between Eddie/Steve), too much smoking, Underage Drinking, First Time, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Post-Canon Fix-It, Vecna's Dead, POV Alternating, dubiously hygenic ear piercing, I know the tags look heavy but it's fun and flirty too! Words: 57,776 Chapters: 13/13

Summary

Vecna's dead, the world was saved, everyone's ok. Except, Eddie's barely left his trailer ever since he came out of the hospital, his anxiety about the fact that half the town still thinks he's a murderer driving him to the point of full blown agoraphobia. When Steve realises how bad things have got, he makes it a personal mission to help him through it, but it's not going to be an easy road. Besides, Steve's got baggage of his own to work through, he just doesn't know how much.

[aurinkomoukari]

the one where Jim kidnaps you (63044 words) by aurinkomoukari Chapters: 7/? Fandom: Slipknot (Band) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Rape/Non-Con, Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Jim Root/Reader Characters: Jim Root, Reader, Corey Taylor Additional Tags: Angst and Fluff and Smut, Asshole Exes, Low Self-Esteem, body issues, kinda angsty nihilism, mentions of death and cancer, I’M GOING SOMEWHERE WITH THIS OK???, LIKE SERIOUSLY BEAR WITH ME, heavy metal festivals, Jim being cute and awkward and charming and adorable 🥺, Hardcore flirting, Praise, oops i mean TOOTH-ROTTING PRAISE, spiked drinks, Drugging, BAD COREY, Kidnapping, supernatural shit, demon jim, demon corey, THEY’RE ALL DEMONS!! 😈, well………… sort of, Jim being the most awkward demon in the history of demons 😩😩😩, Imprisonment, but at least they got good linens and Netflix over there lmao, Mating Cycles, going into heat, Breeding, Extinction, reader is very breedable, SO OBVIOUSLY DEMON JIM HAS TO BREED U Y’KNOW, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, hunger strike, but it’s short-lived bc jim won’t tolerate your bullshit, JIM DOLES OUT TOUGH LOVE, Caregiving, Tenderness, super fluffy, Affection, gentle jim 🥺, very confusing feelings toward your captor, it’s the brief moment of calm before the shit storm so…………………… yeah, extremely realistic nightmares, Rape, non-con, Forced Orgasms, BAD JIMBO!, Anxiety, Panic, Kind of a Mental Breakdown, READ THE TAGS PLEASE 🙏🏼, AND BRACE YOURSELF FOR ALL THE DEMON WANG, desperate escape attempts, the Slipknot boys join the party!!!, poor jimbo gets hit in the face, AND a little mauled by his brothers, so not a good moment to be an enormous awkward demon giraffe lmao, VERY ANGRY JIM 🤬, Altar Sex, Betrayal, Humiliation, Restraints, Teasing, Overstimulation, Multiple Orgasms, AND WAY TOO MUCH DEMON JIZZ I TELL YOU!!!! 💦, apologies and human heats and hate-fucking and clones and aftercare (if you squint), oh and piranhas with lowkey mommy issues, SO THE USUAL Y’KNOW 😂🥴

Chapter summary:

Everything is different in your life when you wake up. There’s a cub growing inside you and you have to find a way to face Jim, who’s gone in your mind from a friend to an assailant. It’s not exactly helping matters that something very odd is taking place in your body…