#one of them is playing dnd for the first time and I’m not sure which one

[wow-an-unfunny-joke]

I feel like there should be more dungeon meshi aus, anyways

DND AU!!!! GUYS IVE DECDIED THAT I WONT SHUT UP ABOUT IT!!

Okay so it’s modern no powers etc, and all the events ALL THE EVENTS in the canon story still happen, but it’s dnd and they’re all just nerds playing dnd.

Because of that one fanart I’ve decided that Thistle is infact the dungeon master

They all have normal names like Larry or Charles- they’re just normal people who are nerds guys

[withacapitalp]

"Can I...um...roll to run away?" 

Judging by the chorusing round of sighs and disappointed head shakes from the kids, that was definitely not the right thing to say. 

"We've nearly defeated Kyuss," Mike shouted, throwing his hands in the air and shooting Steve a severe glare. 

"But all of you are passed out or paralyzed!" Steve shot back, gesturing around the table at the rest of the figurines which were lying on their backs. 

"Yeah, but you're a tank! You could take out the monster with one more blow. Now we're going to have to do it all over again.” 

But….wasn’t that the whole point? Doing this over and over again? Steve shot a helpless look at Eddie who just gave him his DM witchy grin and spread his hands open wide. 

“You can change your mind, Sir Steven,” Eddie offered, “But be warned Kyuss is hungry for flesh,” 

Steve hesitated, looking down and around the map. 

“No…I don’t think I’m gonna.”

"God, you're so stupid sometimes, Steve," Dustin groaned, letting his head fall onto the table with a soft thunk as the rest of the party started yelling. Steve forced himself to smile, his cheeks flushing as his stomach did an uncomfortable flip flop. It was loud, it was hot, and Steve just wanted to go home. 

"Stop it.”

Eddie voice cut through the rest of them. It wasn’t like he had spoken particularly loud, it was his tone. Severe, and brimming with uncharacteristic rage. Enough to make all of them quiet down and look at Eddie with wide eyes. Steve’s anxiety got even worse, and he was sure that Eddie was about to start yelling at him. Steve let his eyes slip down, shame making all the bones in his body ache. 

"I'm sure all of you were strategic geniuses the first time you played, right? You never stumbled or needed a second to think about the right move to make?” Eddie practically snarled, throwing dirty looks at every one of the kids. Steve sucked in a breath and dared a glance up, not quite believing what he was seeing. 

Eddie was defending him. Him. Steve. And he wasn’t done yet

“You all moan and grumble and fucking whine about how 'Steve never plays DnD with us', 'Steve won't even give it a chance', ‘He would see if he just played once’” Eddie said, raising his voice to a high pitched nasally yowl, “Of course he doesn't want to give it a chance, you are all being jerks.”

“Steve can handle it,” Max said with a roll of her eyes. 

“Yeah he can,” Eddie agreed easily, sparing a quick glance over toward Steve, “but that doesn’t mean he should have to. Especially not from you all. You little nerds have never had to deal with this, because you’re always ahead of the rest, but take it from the guy who failed his senior year twice- Being called stupid your whole life hurts .”

Eddie let the final word ring out, not bothering to hide the pain that lived in those words. Steve had never really considered that Eddie might’ve heard the same things he did, cause Eddie was the smartest person Steve knew besides Dustin and maybe Will. 

“From now on anyone calling anyone else stupid is getting 10 HP knocked off of their stats. Permanently. I don't want to hear that word. Got it?”

The kids all nodded, guilt weighing down their shoulders and lowering the mood. One by one they quietly apologized to Steve, Eddie nodding in satisfaction as they did. 

Steve didn’t really know what to think.  Eddie turned towards him, and Steve stiffened up, both worried and intrigued. 

“You can roll to run away. That's actually probably the smartest thing you could do here, seeing as you're pretty much the only member of the party left standing.” Eddie said softly, giving Steve a gentle smile, “Still wanna do it?”

Steve nodded, ready to fight this battle another day.

[itsclydebitches]

Zevlor: An Angsty Character Analysis

Hey, Zevlor simps. Can I interest anyone in 4,000 words about our favorite disaster tiefling? 💀

“We can’t stay, but we’ll be slaughtered if we leave—we’re no fighters.”

Back during my first play-through this is the line that turned Zevlor from another dime-a-dozen, exposition spouting NPC to a character I was legitimately interested in. “We’re no fighters.” My DnD ignorance abounds, but even I could see that wasn’t an accurate statement. Here’s a mountain of a man sporting fancier armor than my level 2 Tav knows exists yet, having wrecked half the goblin hoard with his crossbow and, if you let him, he'll happily turn to punching as a solution to verbal disagreements. Plus, he’s clearly the one giving the orders, so what do you mean you’re not a fighter?

Having explored the Grove a bit I chalked it up to a generalized assessment of the refugees as a whole. They’re mostly kids, civilians, and would-be protectors who only look the part of fighters in cobbled-together armor. One woman is grappling with the guilt of killing someone for the first time, even an enemy. Lakrissa is sure they’re all going to get slaughtered and is willing to put money on that fact. Meanwhile, the couple you meet are more concerned with what pet they’ll get when they somehow, someway, make it to the city. Don't worry about how that'll happen. You learn later that even those like Ronan are small potatoes compared to most of the baddies you’ll face. On paper he looks and sounds like the real deal—dressed in robes, talking up an apprenticeship with the famous Lorroakan—but scenes like the celebration light show and his own fury at needing to be saved, again, highlight how far he still has to go. The point is that Zevlor is right: these aren’t fighters and he at 18 strength, paladin, former commander, is definitely the exception.

However, BG3 is the sort of detail-heavy game where I’d expect them to include that exception in the dialogue. “We can’t stay, but we’ll be slaughtered if we leave—these people aren’t fighters.” Zevlor’s inclusion of himself in this assessment continued to nag at me and it didn’t start to make sense until I delved into his tag here on tumblr, with more patient players than myself posting everything there is to know about the tiefling. (Thanks, all.) Zevlor is fascinating to me in part because he has this contradictory nature, one example of which is that he’s a very talented fighter who desperately doesn’t want to be a fighter anymore.

…but also he totally does.

We overhear in his dialogue to Tilses that Zevlor is adamant about shedding the titles he’s earned through combat: Hellrider, Commander, Sir. He insists that they’re just civilians now and it’s not like he’s being disingenuous here—note that he introduces himself as just “Zevlor” to Tav. Zevlor means what he says to Tilses and we can see that he’s trying to both reinforce his point and lesson the blow by referring to her as “Tilly.” The nickname is a sweet one, hinting at their close bond in just a single word, reminding her that he’s not saying this to hurt her, he cares for her… but the nickname is simultaneously something he never would have used as her commander. The intimacy meant to comfort is also a hard blow to weather. They're now people who use nicknames inappropriate for the hierarchy of battle.

So Zevlor means what he says here, means it enough that Tilses is convinced and drops her use of “Commander,” but there’s definitely a hint of bitterness in his voice. At least, I’ve always heard it. Zevlor is steadfast in his conviction here, even going so far as to say, “I’m done soldiering, Tilly” when discussing what will come next at Baldur’s Gate. Yet for all of that his tone conveys (understandable) anger and disappointment that it’s come to this. Zevlor doesn’t act like someone who truly wants this change, but rather someone who’s been forced to accept it.

Is it outside forces unwillingly influencing him then? Did Avernus truly change things irrevocably? No, not really. At least, not in the way Zevlor likes to claim. Tilses herself states that being a Hellrider is for life; nothing can take away that title. You lost your post? Your whole city? Most of the people under your protection? Doesn’t matter! You’re a Hellrider forever, no matter the circumstances. I can easily picture a time in Zevlor's life where he would have agreed with Tilses wholeheartedly. They are Hellriders, dammit, and so long as there’s one person looking for their help they will wield that title alongside their blades. And right now, Zevlor has a lot more than just one person in need of his assistance.

So it’s not that Avernus truly stripped them of that identity. Nothing can do that. Zevlor is not rejecting titles and planning retirement because the mechanisms of fate are forcing him to.

He’s doing all that because he’s lost confidence in himself.

Even as someone with a shaky understanding of DnD classes, I love the parallel between a broken oath and the rejection of a lifelong title. If Zevlor can fail in his oath—or in his faith entirely, according to the memories stemming from his pod—why-ever would he think that any other ‘permanent’ part of his identity was worth fighting for? If you can loose the very thing you’ve built your entire life around, every important aspect of yourself, tied to your very soul… what’s a bestowed title compared to that? Zevlor doesn’t believe himself worthy of being a Hellrider anymore, but I think that goes deeper than a string of horrific circumstances making him feel incompetent. As an Oathbreaker, Zevlor likely believes that if he couldn’t uphold that, he can’t uphold anything. Calling himself a Hellrider would be a lie. A fiction. A pathetic, dangerous, insulting fiction at that. It’s like calling yourself the “Hero” while continually failing those around you. Sure, others might insist it’s a title you’ve earned, one you will always carry with you, but you don’t believe them anymore and at a certain point calling yourself that feels worse than embracing the title of “Villain." You don’t want to be the villain… but you want to pretend you’re the hero even less. Pretending is exhausting.

We see this struggle in the many ways that Zevlor fails, or almost fails, to uphold the ideals that originally guided him. I use the term “villain” above deliberately because Zevlor is not merely a former hero-type who’s self confidence has been shattered, or who has been reduced to a civilian, or who thinks themselves useless; he’s actively fighting against temptations that, under less stressful situations, he’d never even consider. I don’t think he is a villain, I think he’s a flawed, struggling victim who sees his own, inevitable mistakes as villainous—and the longer that warped perspective continues the easier it is to fall into bad behaviors. This cycle is perfectly summarized in the autobiography Zevlor keeps by his bed:

“When every passer-by thinks you a thief and a heretic, it is deeply tempting to become one.”

We don’t know if this is Zevlor’s autobiography (as far as I’m aware, anyway) but even if it’s not the words have clearly resonated enough for him to keep them nearby. This particular line paints a pretty clear picture of Zevlor’s struggle. If everyone you meet says you’re devil-kin, vermin, or would-be criminal, isn’t it easier to just give them what they want? If you can’t persuade them otherwise, why put in the effort of trying? If he can’t be Faithful to his God, why have faith in anything at all? If he can’t save these people—setback after setback, mistake after mistake—why is he even making the effort?

Zevlor obviously is trying, very, very hard, which is why such thoughts are merely temptations rather than actual, questionable actions. Still, the Grove gives us numerous examples of the precipice he’s balanced on—and the ways Tav can tip him in one direction or another. You can talk Zevlor down from his anger and get him to acknowledge his disgust in nearly sinking to Aradin’s level. You can also let him boil over and punch the human at a time when the last thing anyone needs is more violence. You can convince Zevlor that there are peaceful ways of stopping Kagha's ritual, or you can help him in pursuing the darker temptation to kill her. It’s a “low” thought, but at his own admission he hasn’t been above entertaining it. Zevlor’s requests for help, though always polite and humble, carry a spark of manipulation in them too. He’s not above leveraging your previously selfless good deed to his advantage—"She owes you for saving this grove"—and if you approach him before speaking with Kagha he’ll claim that the ritual will “be trouble—for all of us.” Except, no? Not really? Tav can make it clear that they’re just here for a healer, they’re only passing through, and as a fighter they are not beholden to the Grove’s sanctuary as the teiflings are. It’s not trouble for everyone involved, yet Zevlor frames it as such in the hopes that (unnecessary) self-interest may motivate you if selflessness fails. Finally, if Zevlor dies in your play-through and you use Speak the Dead on him, he will admit to having “plenty” of secrets, none of which he’ll share. Admittedly, this may be the result of cut content, specifically a story-line in which Zevlor knowingly betrays the tieflings rather than being tricked by the Absolute. Still, the game as it stands is the story we have and within it we’re given a man who is both fighting against these dark urges (ha) and has a past riddled with secrets. If Zevlor is anything, it’s blunt when it comes to his own failings, accurate and otherwise. So how terrible must these secrets be that he outright refuses to divulge them when, generally speaking, most corpses speak freely in death?

However, out of all of this the struggle I’m most intrigued by is the one surrounding the gate. Zevlor represents the tieflings: persecuted refugees, vulnerable civilians, people seeking to survive through cooperation, specifically by joining a community. Kagha represents the druids (or at least a vocal subset of them in Halsin’s absence): bigoted individuals, powerful fighters, people seeking to survive by giving in to their fears, specifically by keeping themselves isolated. This is the moral dichotomy of the Grove and it is symbolized through the gate. Zevlor wants to open it to everyone whereas Kagha wants to close it, permanently.

So isn’t it odd that Zevlor is the one ordering it shut?

When the scene first starts Kanon shouts down that no, he won’t open the gate. Zevlor said that no one is allowed in. Notably, he’s saying this to Aradin and his crew, people that the Grove is at least passingly familiar with, given that Halsin left with them to search the temple. It’s also notable that Zevlor isn’t expecting goblins to attack the Grove. He’s shocked that this is suddenly a problem, brought about by Aradin’s decision—“You lead them here?”— and the entire point of staying at the Grove is that it’s at least comparatively safe. Yes, there have been more attacks lately, but Zevlor seems to be relying on the Grove’s relatively unknown location, as well as the fact that goblins are normally disorganized. The safety is only compromised because Aradin brought a hunting party back, so Zevlor has no reason to expect any visitors, let alone ones that would be a threat.

More importantly, he should welcome such visitors even if he did expect them. After all, that’s precisely what the tieflings are: strangers with no ulterior motives other than to survive. Broadly speaking it makes perfect sense why he'd shut the gates. Zevlor’s first priority is to his people, so anything that keeps them safe is, theoretically, a good thing. But through the lens of his specific characterization and this specific, moral dilemma, it’s an awfully hypocritical decision. Based on everything we’ve seen, our party would not have been welcomed by Zevlor if we’d arrived without danger on our heels and a rescue to endear him to us. So his people should be welcomed, trusted, kept safe, given the benefit of the doubt… but Zevlor isn’t necessarily willing to extend that same trust to others. At the end of the day, he and Kagha want a version of the same thing: safety for those they deem are worthy of it.

It’s precisely these flaws and temptations that make Zevlor such a great character to me, even before he’s tricked by the Absolute. The fandom has leaned hard into Zevlor’s self-loathing and let me tell you, I love it (kisses, hugs, and cookies for you all), but canonically I think he has more reason to fear himself than we tend to portray in the H/C fics. I’m not saying he’s a bad person. Rather, it’s precisely because Zevlor is such a good person that he has the capacity to fall so far. It’s his all-consuming desire to protect his family that leads Zevlor to do and consider so much that a paladin would normally balk at. Denying others the safety you’ve been granted. Subtly manipulating others to do your dirty work. Considering murder.

Zevlor is someone torn between doing the Right Thing and the thing he believes will help those under his care survive. Importantly, when we first meet him he considers these to be two separate courses of action. So can you imagine what goes through his head when he first sees Tav saving everyone and doing so righteously? I think it’s integral to Zevlor’s characterization that the game all but forces you to play the Good Guy in that initial encounter. A cut scene starts, you’re thrown into combat immediately afterwards, and unless you plan to start attacking the Grove members alongside the goblins (which the mechanics discourage through the coloring that distinguishes enemies from allies) you will always finish this fight as Zevlor’s hero. Sure, you can be an asshole afterwards and demand payment. You could already be plotting your betrayal and the slaughter of all the refugees. But in this moment you are nothing but a miracle made flesh in his eyes. Right from the start Tav is succeeding in all the ways Zevlor feels like he's failed. You're the hero.

More specifically, you’re an Every-Man Hero. We might have epic backstories for our Tavs, but within confines of the game you’re largely a nobody when not playing an Origin character. How powerful must that have been to witness then? A total stranger, someone who has no ties to the tieflings or even, depending on your class, any sworn reason to help others, putting their life on the line to save what is most precious to Zevlor? I think a lot about the fact that he never asks Wyll to step in and try to change Kagha’s mind. She owes him just as much as she does Tav—Wyll is an equal participant in that fight and, if your shoddy play style is anything like mine, he likely did more damage—and Wyll is clearly invested in the tiefling’s survival, training the kids as he is. Now, obviously Zevlor’s reticence is largely a question of assigned roles (we need to be the one engaging with Kagha because we’re the protagonist/player) but, like Zevlor’s choice to include himself in the Not a Fighter group, it would have been all too easy to explain this away within the narrative. One comment about how Wyll already tried and failed, or how Kagha doesn’t trust Warlocks, or hell, maybe you don’t meet Wyll in the Grove at all. It’s an easy thing to accomplish and though this is edging more into the realm of headcanon than anything else, I can’t help but think that Wyll isn’t the kind of person that Zevlor could turn to for help right now. Because he’s a folk hero. The Blade of Frontiers, known far and wide for his impressive, selfless deeds. Zevlor is struggling so hard to keep the tieflings safe, tempted by all the unsavory solutions that might achieve that, drowning in self-hatred as his past and current failings catch up with him, wanting nothing more than to be his peoples’ protector:

“I would be a paladin again—with a god’s purpose, a god’s power. Everything I needed to protect my people. And all the while, the cult tortured them. They fought, and ran, and died around me, while I imagined myself their savior.”

Three of the things Zevlor mutters while trapped in the pod are “Hellrider… for… life…,” “Trust… in me…,” and “Children… look away… look at me…” He wants to be the protector, the one children look to for reassurance, he wants his words to Tilly to be a lie and he wants a way to prove that he is a Hellrider for life… but he’s not. At least, Zevlor doesn’t believe it. He lost his titles while Wyll still proudly bears his. Wyll trains the children to fight while Zevlor can only get swept up in anger at them being threatened. The people trust Wyll, adore him, he’s the hero and Zevlor… is not. Not anymore.

It’s too painful to approach Wyll and admit all that. That would be a hell of a blow to Zevlor's pride. But Tav? A stranger? A nobody? The Every-man who had no reason to help or reputation pressuring them, saving them anyway? That’s inspiring. Someone like Tav could be the answer and even, perhaps, the proof that Zevlor could redeem himself. Neither of them are folk heroes, untouchable in their assumed perfection. Tav is a living, breathing example of how the flawed, everyday adventurer can be everything Zevlor strives for.

No wonder he won’t shut up about them in the Shadowlands.

All of this is why it’s so tragic that Zevlor wasn’t given a redemption arc. Sure, you can recruit him for the final battle against the Netherbrain, but there’s no quest to change the cast’s opinion of him—or change Zevlor’s opinion of himself. All his content at the end of Act 2 and Act 3 reinforces that self-hatred.

Let’s make a list, shall we?

Nearly every line of his reunion with Tav has Zevlor painting himself in the worst light possible, from “a lie kinder than the truth” to his refusal to join you because he believes he’ll stab you in the back. You cannot convince him of the Absolute’s manipulation and there’s no response to his belief that such horrors start within the person like, “Of course it does! Because we’re all flawed and equally capable of good and evil deeds! That potential doesn’t make you irredeemable, Zevlor, it makes you mortal!!”

He’s utterly failed as his peoples’ champion and he’s also deemed “unworthy” of being a True Soul. Obviously not being chosen by the Absolute is a good thing, but for a man drowning in self-loathing that’s one hell of a complicated rejection.

Nearly all the tieflings hate him now, all those people he’s been sacrificing his soul to keep safe. I found it particularly devastating that this is one of the rare occasions where nailing a persuasion check doesn’t change the person’s mind. There’s at least one tiefling at Moonrise (I’m drawing a blank on her name) who will believe you when you explain how the Absolute influenced Zevlor, but that doesn’t lead to forgiveness.

Zevlor is deemed unimportant on a literal, narrative level. He is very easy to miss in the pods (I nearly did on my first play-through) and the game does incredibly little to dissuade you from that mistake. Putting aside for a moment that obviously an Origin companion is more significant than a minor NPC, compare this to Shadowheart screaming from her own pod, the game making it abundantly clear that this is someone in need of help—someone worth rescuing. She’ll even say later that you could have run past, more concerned with your own survival and the big picture heroics to bother with her. How must it feel then, if Zevlor ever learns that Tav was there and never stopped for him?

If you do miss Zevlor… oh boy. We’ve probably all seen at least a recording of Orin’s so-called gift. There are plenty of characters who can meet untimely and devastating ends, but very few go through this level of horror. Zevlor—after being held captive, remember—is tortured by God’s Favorite Torturer. He is stripped of his personhood and reduced to a mere “message,” a “pet.” Zevlor is further humiliated in death by being literally stripped of his armor—not just vulnerable in his nakedness, but denied the last symbol of his faith, his status, his power—and it’s always struck me that this is the closest we see to him 'enjoying' an intimate moment, this parody in Orin’s painting. Zevlor is one of the NPC’s most in need of physical comfort and instead he’s forced into this torturous mockery of a sex scene. It also hits hard that when Tav first spots his body the narration says that Zevlor “might almost be sleeping.” Undoubtedly this is a man who isn’t taking good care of himself. He needs a good night’s rest, yet this horrifying trick is all he gets.

As if all this weren’t enough, most of your companion are VERY critical of Zevlor while commenting on his demise. It’s one thing for the tieflings to believe the worst given their ignorance and the fact that they are the ones who suffered from Zevlor’s failure, but your company understands the Absolute and the ways that she gets her hooks in people. Still, Astarion calls him a “wet rag” even if he did deserve better than this. Shadowheart wouldn’t have wished this on him either, but she can’t help but slip in a “no matter his failings.” Lae’zel, often the most blunt, straight up says that he was “always destined to fail his people—and to fail us.” Wyll shakes his head and intones that “even good intentions can lead us down deadly paths.” Only Gale and Karlach stick to mourning the dead rather than airing his shortcomings.

When I spoke to my allies before the final battle Zevlor didn’t have a cut scene. It became clear to me later that this must have been a bug in my play-through, but at the time it only reinforced my feelings that his story was incomplete. Looking on Youtube I’ve found recordings of him saying that he is a Hellrider once more and he would “die a proud man if [he] were to die this day”… but that rings as terribly hollow given where we left him. Last we were together, Zevlor was saying in no uncertain terms that he could not be trusted, he would fail again, he was unworthy of forgiveness. Where did this change of heart come from? It makes perfect sense that he would help Tav in this moment—he begs to be of some use after getting free—but not that he would present himself with such confidence. Within the story as it’s been told this feels… fake. Like Zevlor is putting on a mask to fit the mood of this lively, optimistic party. Which, in turn, gives the “I would die a proud man” line a terrifying implication to me. Does Zevlor expect to die this day? Does he intend to? What would persuade him not to lay down his life here and now? His mission is complete. The tieflings are safe—though not by his hand. There's no hero's welcome waiting for him after this battle. They hate him. He hates himself, and by his own admission the one thing that could still make him proud would be to die at Tav’s side, trying to do one last bit of good. If someone said that to me after everything Zevlor has been through I would keep them far away from the front lines.

(I did, for the record lol.)

I’m not saying anything new then when I go, “Larian, PLEASE add more to his story.” Give us a Zevlor side-quest to renew his oath. Let us invite him to our camp. Something to link the broken man mid-game and the confident fighter at the end so that the latter doesn’t feel like an alarm bell with two legs and a tail. I mean yeah, I get hooked on minor characters so 75% of this is simply me wanting more content of a fave, but I also I do legitimately believe that BG3’s story would benefit from tying up loose ends like this.

Zevlor is a fantastic character, someone who contains an astounding amount of complexity for so little screen time. You have to follow up on that complexity though. If he’s meant to be a purely tragic figure, okay, fine, that’s the ending you get with Orin. But one where he joins you with a smile and reclaims a title he's previously rejected with such fervor requires more work in the middle; a through-line that explains how someone with so much self-loathing learns to think of himself as the hero again.

Because it does all come down to Zevlor’s perception of himself. He was always a hero, flaws and all. He always was and always will be a Hellrider.

The UI knows what's up :)

[sabbathbloodysabbeth]

Ok so like I’m exhausted- and I just really need to get this idea off my chest.

But a streamer au. Obviously modern, where Steve can’t hear anything because he accidentally dropped his hearing aids in the toilet. (Something real goofy and stupid) and he’s friends with popular streamer Dustin Henderson (who plays all sorts of games) not only is Steve friends with him but he’s friends with a few other streamers. Though they all want to include Steve in on their Minecraft server, because they know that when he has his hearing back he’ll be on there all the time talking to them. That and he also enjoys building things with Robin and just wander around the world. So they all get this server set up and start streaming. Some newer streamers join as well that Steve doesn’t know but the others know, and Steve has quickly become a fan favorite.

They are roleplaying a DnD campaign in Minecraft, when Steve’s character just pops out of no where doing the randomest things, at this point he even has lore. He’s a mute character who can only talk through messages. Everyone just loves Steve. He’s made numerous friends, and has helped build a lot of things. And no one in chat as ever seen or heard him. Though he is always in Eddie Munson’s streams constantly. Eddie is a older streamer, but wasn’t in on the fact that Steve can hear he just needs hearing aids. So when Steve explains he’s mostly deaf he just goes on about his day like normal. Though now typing book length messages to Steve. (Every streamer can see these messages, Eddie enjoys talking there so his chat can see what Steve’s saying and it’s easier to read off the same screen instead of having to constantly switch to discord) at this point Steve and Eddie are thick as thief’s.

Eddie’s the chaotic one and Steve is the tame one, and their videos together are hilarious. Though when Steve finally gets his hearing aids he’s excited to finally be able to talk to his new friend. He clicks in and joins the voice chat where you can only hear each other when you are actually close to each other in game. (Proximity) so when Eddie comes on and finds Steve he’s talking to his chat, not really caring about muting his mic because Steve can’t hear it. And he doesn’t stream.

And Steve his beaming and happy because he can finally hear Eddie’s voice. His hearing aids are a lot better then the last ones and he isn’t as muffled anymore. He stays silent, because he’s shy. And he tags along with Eddie. Who’s now changing his skin back and forth and talking to chat still. Steve hasn’t said anything. He’s waiting.

“Alright fine fine, I’ll ask Steve if he likes the maid out fit or the bunny suit.” Is heard right before aggressive typing begins.

Steve answers without thinking, and sounds really soft. “Maid Outfit.”

And his first words spoken to Eddie are maid outfit. And the timing is hilarious because he’s pretty sure Eddie has flat lined.

“Also, meant to ask why are our beds pushed together?” Steve asks.

Just I want a really cute au like this. And not weird.

Or instead of the maid outfit, chat is telling Eddie to give Steve his daily kiss. (It’s not he just moves forward and hits Steve’s Minecraft character) which has always confused steve until he hears. “Fine daily smooch for the Stevie boo” (Eddie has given him nicknames?) and just smacks Steve’s character making him loose a heart.

“Ow. That’s why you keep hitting me? For kisses? Eddie I gave you cake, we share a house together and you decided smacking my character upside the head was the equivalent to kissing? You could have just given me flowers dude!”

(Like all of the possibilities are endless)

[theresattrpgforthat]

Heya! I was wondering if you had any recommendations for ttrpgs that are easy to teach the basic rules of in ~10 mins and good for running one offs!

I work with an organization that runs dnd games at conventions and breweries and we've been trying to branch out from DnD lately, but unfortunately since so many people know how to play 5e already it's the easiest to just keep using that.

THEME: Easy To Teach

Hello there, I totally sympathize with you on this! I’m first going to direct you to my First-Time GMs post just to take a look at some of the games I’ve listed there. I definitely recommend Pugmire and Visigoths vs. Mall Goths as the top two from that list. I’m also going to stick to games I’ve personally played before. I'm also going to @gayandtrashy because they asked a very similar question.

Enjoy!

The Vampire Next Door, by Cat Elm.

It's the late 2000s, school's out for summer, and you're headed out of town to stay with your grandparents in the idyllic Yorkshire village of Wymton-on-Tee. Your summer plans include exploring the countryside, and most importantly enjoying Grampy's famous chocolate chip cookies…. except that you're pretty sure that Vladimir Alucard, Grommy and Grampy's new neighbour is an evil bloodsucking vampire.

And none of the adults will believe you.

The Vampire Next Door is a roleplaying game for 3-7 players, intended for single-session or short form play. It's an homage to classic shows like Scooby Doo, Mona the Vampire, and Gravity Falls, where it's down to the kids to be smarter than the adults and save the day.

I’ve played this game with a first-time GM, and it was fantastic. The GM had an outline of the village that she could use to reference when the players wanted to go somewhere new, and the rules were very easy to understand - 4 stats, 4 dice attached to them, and 3 levels of difficulty. The goal is to acquire 4 pieces of evidence indicating that Vlad is a vampire, so once your kids have the evidence, it’s just a quick ending narration scene and you’re done! (If you want a shorter game though, I’d recommend reducing the evidence required to 3 pieces instead.)

Kids on Bikes, by Hunters Entertaiment.

Kids on Bikes is a Collaborative World Building RPG set in small towns with big mysteries. It is a rules-light storytelling system that gets players into the action fast. Kids on Bikes takes place in a more mysterious time, where anything and everything could happen. 

I’ve run a hack of Kids on Bikes for friends before, most of which hadn’t played much outside of D&D prior to playing. The tropes that are present in Kids on Bikes streamline character creation, because each trope presents you with dice already assigned to stats, and recommendations for strengths and flaws. Worldbuilding can be done by the GM or collaboratively depending on what the group is more comfortable with. The GM is presented with a a Difficulty chart that they can reference to determine how difficult its is to do something. If you have a larger dice, you’re more likely to succeed, but players also have resources such as adversity tokens, which can be spent to add bonuses, ignore the effects of fear, or activate special abilities attached to each character.

The best thing about Kids on Bikes is that once you’re comfortable with the system, you can branch out into the other games that use the same rules! This includes games such as Teens in Space, a game about science-fantasy exploration, or Kids on Brooms, a game about magic schools.

Cats of Catthulu, by Joel Sparks.

In Cats of Catthulhu, players take on the roles of a variety of ordinary-seeming cats fighting conspiracies of cosmic chaos. Mighty spirits such as Snarlyathotep, slimy Phatphroggua, and Hastpurr of the Yellow Eye inspire their cultists to destroy civilization-but that’s where all the comfy furniture is! One person acts as the Cat Herder, arranging the secret plots, challenges, and rewards and guiding the others through the process of making an adventure. Rules are light and quick, emphasizing player cleverness and the fun of being feline. There’s plenty of darkness and chaos in the world, but our fuzzy heroes can handle it!… Usually.

This is another game I’ve run for new players before! The game mentions special d6’s with cat dice on them, but you can honestly use any old d6. There is a short, defined list of character options with helpful charts to give your players some inspiration. To do something, you’ll roll 2d6. You’ll want to get at least one Success on your dice, although in some situations you might need 2 successes to get what you want. If you are the Right Cat for the Job, then the task is easier for you, and if you have a Treat that you can spend, you might even get to re-roll!

This game is cute, humorous, and excellent for short games, although there’s definitely room for longer stories if there’s interest.

Spectaculars, by Scratchpad Publishing.

Spectaculars is a tabletop roleplaying game where players create their own comic book universe, craft heroes and villains to populate that universe, and then play through full-length campaigns to tell incredible stories of heroism and villainy in a world of their own creation. This box set game gives a gaming group everything they need to play the game, and to create their own consistent campaign that spans multiple comic book genres.

Through play, each copy of Spectaculars evolves into its own unique comic book universe; in essence, the players create, through play, a rich backdrop against which their heroes and villains clash. The nature of the setting is determined by the players. Spectaculars makes it easy to create a fully fleshed-out setting, guiding you the process of creating the setting’s major elements at the time they come into play.

This is another game that I’ve seen a new GM pick up with excitement - and continue to run! This is a superhero game that takes a lot of inspiration from recognized superhero media, so it’s great for folks who are looking to emulate what they’ve seen on television. This is a really big game, with a lot of tools to help the GM run the game - including adventures with plenty of places to slot in thematically relevant villains and obstacles. There’s also plenty of collaborative world-building, giving the players a say in what they want to see, while also taking the burden off of the GM.

The physical copy is also really good at making you excited to play. It comes with tokens, dice, character pads, and plenty of GM tools and toys!

If you’re interested in a similar game that uses the same system but takes place in a fantasy city of crime, then check out Dusk City Outlaws, which is by same publisher!

External Containment Bureau, by Mythic Gazetteer.

External Containment Bureau is a game of paranormal investigation and bureaucracy using a lightweight, hackable version of the Forged in the Dark design framework. You play as trained agents of the External Containment Bureau, an organization tasked with the study, identification, and containment of paranormal phenomena. The Bureau authorizes agents to make use of these phenomena to give yourself incredible powers (so long as the proper forms are in order). But take care: using paranormal energies inches you ever closer to joining the ranks of the paranormal yourself. Will you transcend humanity in the line of duty? Play to find out.

External Contaiment Bureau is great for fans of SCP or Control, and is also a sleek, simple introduction to the world of Forged in the Dark games. Your players will add dice to their pool from a list of resources on their sheet, whether that be from their background as paranormal academic, or their special weapon commissioned from R&D. It simplifies the Controlled, Risky, Desperate pool from Blades in the Dark, and also imports the Mystery Clock from games like Brindlewood Bay and The Between, which also have a good reputation for being beginner-friendly. There are also a number of adventures available for new GMs to run, such as the Sidhe Conservancy of Portland, which pits you against the Fae, or Checking Out, which places you in a hotel that slowly erases your memory.

Other Posts to Check Out

Top 5 TTRPGs for Beginners

Introductory Games

First Time GMs (repeat of the first link at the top)

Some Final Advice

If you have any regular GM’s who you’re hoping to introduce to new games, find out what pieces of media they really like. Then go hunting for games that fit that description. When it comes to picking up a new game, nothing is more motivating then finding out there’s a story you want to tell, regardless of whether or not it means learning a new system.

One of my friends started running a Pokemon campaign because he loves the games so dang much - and he’s got a dedicated party of players! Another friend found Mausritter and got really excited because he just loved the idea of playing tiny mice on adventures. A third friend is starting to determine if she wants to hack the Cypher System to make it work for Horizon Zero Dawn. If I can compare popular pieces of media to the games that I want to run, I get folks signing up in droves - I’ve advertised Studio Ghibli, Star Wars, Really Gay Teenagers, and Bloodborne to great effect.

[trustross2]

Thinking more (spoilers for dungeon meshi manga).

Fuck, what a literally perfect execution of a “devil” in fiction. Like I thoroughly enjoyed the way Kui played with western fantasy tropes in order to ground them in reality and make them ecologically feasible. Stuff like the dragons using everything they can’t digest as food, or the succubi functioning as mosquitos. Plus the Monty python rabbit bit caught me way off guard in the best way!

But MAN, the demon were just *chefs kiss*. I play a lot of dnd, and absolutely adore monsters that can play with the mind of a player. Yeah sure a big demon getting summoned can hurt a lot of people, but the mind games you that are played when you are dealing with these hyper intelligent, hyper persuasive types of devils who desire something less gruesome, but more horrific than just endless blood and death.

A few things that I loved in the character of the winged lion. First is that it had contingencies out the ass, it had a contingency for when it first got sealed by thistle. It initially set its eyes on laios and began to worm into his mind, setting the seeds for a greater desire than to just save his sister, which wouldn’t help the demon much. Then, noticing this weak link in marcille, it decided to invest a bit of time in exploring that option too. Then even when that FAILs the demon is like “actually laios you were who I wanted all long!” Like this dude had PLANS, and that’s exactly how a hyper intelligent, essentially immortal, ageless creature has to function.

I also enjoyed the sheer amount of gaslighting homeboy did, alongside the other indirect methods of harming the dungeon master. It’s not too dissimilar to the parasites, but on one’s mind, overwhelming it with knowledge IT can handle, but KNOWS you can’t. Toying with its victims sense of truth, attempting to distort every fact around it to make IT seems like the most reasonable, well meaning one. And to a certain extent it IS until it eats you.

And probably the most important lie is that it can’t harm you or control you, which it can’t literally. But it is a hyper-dimensional creature older than time and you are a regular guy. So believing that is stupid! Especially when you consider its ability to eat Desires, simultaneously it’s raison d’être but one of its most powerful abilities. The way it can make you forget essentially anything it doesn’t want you to remember. A force so powerful that ability is it’s undoing in the end.

All this to say that the manga is really fuckin good honestly. It’s funny that I ran a similar creature in dnd recently, but I’m gonna be remembering this next time I do. Because probably the most clever thing that I wanna steal is how it pretends to be a good thing, setting up the slaying of ITS obstacles as good and righteous.

[thestobingirlie]

re: that compromise ask (diff anon but heyyy right there with u) i was literally JUST thinking abt smth similar, about how esp in future/reunion fics, it’s always steve crawling on his knees for forgiveness for how he used to be, and eddie like. heaving a big sigh and “going back on his principles” or whatever to forgive steve. and steve like having to prove he’s better now or whatever which like. fine sure yeah steve was a high school bully. he threw slurs around and he definitely objectified women (although come on it’s high school social strata everyone was objectifying everyone, ain’t none of those babies had enough brain cells yet to see other people as people, that’s just being fucking 16) and he was a bitch, not arguing there.

but like 1) he was fully a child, he was literally a teenager, mike is an asshole too and no one is arguing he can’t possibly grow up or be redeemed, or that he needs to repent to earn love? like it’s one thing in canon era fics where they’re all still growing up, but i haaaaate in future fics when steve is a whole grown ass adult man still expected to grovel for the sins of being 17,

and 2) canonically eddie is the judgmental one??? i mean steve literally apologized and made amends on screen but if that’s not enough look at just purely going off the way the kids interact with them! they’re completely comfortable with steve. yeah he rolls his eyes and huffs and complains about their “nerd shit” but he still drives them to dnd nights! he still does that lame ass handshake with dustin! he still listens to all the stuff they ramble about, and you know he does it every time even when we don’t see it on screen, because they’re totally comfortable doing it! no doubt, no question steve will listen and support them, even when he doesn’t understand. dustin comes to scoops knowing without a doubt that steve will drop everything to listen to him talk about camp, and be excited about it! steve doesn’t give a shit about science camp, but dustin does, and that’s enough for him! yeah dustin is excited to talk about suzie, because girls are common ground with steve, but steve doesn’t know he met suzie when he takes his break, he just wants to hear about how dustin’s nerd stuff was going! he doesn’t have to understand or relate, he just wants them to do the stuff that makes them happy, and they know that. they trust him to listen even if he doesn’t get it

but the way mike and dustin were so nervous to ask eddie to postpone hellfire, even after months of knowing him, shows that they don’t trust him to let them have interests outside of his understanding. and they shouldn’t! he’s proven that he veered so hard into “nonconformity” he just reinforced the same social boundaries he claims to hate. everything with eddie is “us v them,” and like! i get it! i think it’s a complicated dichotomy and makes for an interesting character! i’m an eddie stan first and a person second ok listen i love the man. but if anyone needs to beg on their knees for forgiveness for being a dick in high school, it’s the guy who ruined BOTH of lucas’ favorite activities in one fell swoop by projecting his own insecurities and fake social rivalry onto a literal child. (i’m still so mad he managed to force lucas to miss the campaign finale he’d worked so hard for AND made sure that none of his friends or family were there to watch him play basketball all at once i’m never over it. i’m frothing at the mouth. apologize to lucas or meet my blade)

but there’s this trend where people are like “oh man eddie’s such a good person for looking past king steve and loving steve anyway! he’s rehabbing the jock! he’s fixing him!” fuck you. fix your damn self. the duffers’ childish ass hatred of “non nerds” is sooooo pervasive in this fandom it’s so gross.

oh my god, this is just beautiful. i literally couldn’t put it any better.

i wish we had gotten to see eddie repent for what he did to lucas, because honestly, i still hold it against him.

what’s especially funny to me about it is that steve’s sins (in s4) were over two years ago, eddie’s were last week lmao. like, one of them needs to go around apologising and it’s not steve.

but yeah! the kids have an ease around steve that they don’t around eddie. classic example: all the kids go to steve in s3, not even pretending to be polite or actually ask, and just pound on the bell until he comes to let them through the back of scoops to watch a movie. they don’t worry about his reaction. steve could literally get fired doing this, but they know he’s going to do it, and feel so comfortable that he won’t have a bad reaction, that there isn’t any hesitation.

when asking eddie to postpone a game, mike and dustin are shaking in their little boots. they’re flinching and looking away, and trying not to actually ask. those aren’t kids in the presence of someone comforting!! this isn’t a guy they would think deserves steve begging on his knees. if eddie was being a prick about steve’s past for no reason other than to hold some moral superiority over him, the kids would get pissed off.

if anyone is getting rehabilitated in their relationship, it’s eddie, not steve!! because being a jock isn’t inherently bad, and being a nerd isn’t inherently good, no matter what the duffers may be trying to tell you.

[storiesforallfandoms]

this is music ~ eddie munson;stranger things

word count: 2982

request?: yes!

“Hi! I love your writing so much and i was wondering if you write for Eddie Munson? if you don’t feel free to ignore this! If you do, I was wondering if you could write something with Eddie x male reader? Maybe where Eddie finds out that reader is a huge fan of Metallica and he gets super happy bc he didn’t know reader was into metal music? I know this is a super dumb idea, but I’ve been a huge fan of Metallica for as long as I can remember, and I was so happy when I first saw the clip of him playing master of puppets :D”

description: in which his love of heavy metal brings him closer to the school freak; not that he minds at all

pairing: eddie munson x male!reader

warnings: swearing, mentions of bullying and homophobia, use of y/n

masterlist (one, two, three)

There are a few pluses to being an outcast. The big one is that all the outcasts sat at the same lunch table, so that saved you from the embarrassment of trying to find a table, or from having to eat in the bathroom like the loser you were.

The first time you sat at the table was during your freshman year. You were desperately searching for somewhere to sit in the busy cafeteria when an older boy with long, dark hair suddenly appeared at your side. You jumped as he said, “Come with me, fresh meat.”

It wasn’t exactly a welcoming comment, but what else were you to do? So, you followed him through the crowd of students. It was hard not to notice the glares and looks of disgust from the popular tables. You weren’t sure if they were directed towards you or the boy walking ahead of you. Probably both.

He brought you to a table with five other students. You realized as you approached that they were all wearing the same shirts; white with black sleeves, and an angry red devil on the front with the words “Hellfire Club” written above it. You had a sudden pang of panic thinking this was some high school cult trying to induct you.

The boy sat down at the head of the table and gestured for you to join them. You tried to decline the offer, but your words came out stuttered and unintelligible.

The long hair boy rolled his eyes and said, “We don’t bite. We’re a DND club, and school loser lunch table. You’re free to sit with us whenever you want, and it definitely seemed like you needed somewhere.”

You managed to stutter out, “I-I don’t play DND.”

“That’s fine, we don’t need new members. You can just sit. We won’t even talk to you if you don’t want us to.”

What other options did you have? Glancing around the room, you saw that every other table was already taken by cliques and established friend groups. You knew you shouldn’t pass up this opportunity, so you didn’t. You sat at the far end of the table and silently ate your food. The rest of the group talked amongst themselves, keeping to their promise of not talking to you if you didn’t want them to.

When lunch ended, you collected your tray and started to leave. You noticed the long hair boy walking in the same direction and fell back to talk to him.

“Thank you,” you said. “For letting me sit with you guys, I mean.”

“No worries, man. Like I said, you’re welcome to sit with us any time. High school is a dog eat dog world. Us dogs gotta stick together.” He bumped your shoulder before adding, “I’m Eddie, by the way.”

“(Y/N).”

That was a little over a year ago. You were now early into your sophomore year, and you still sat at Eddie’s table. The agreement of not talking to you still stood even all that time later. The guys would greet you when you sat down, but that would be the extent of your conversations. At first, you’d eat with your head down and just listen to what they were talking about, but for your birthday your family had gotten you a Walkman, so you started bringing that to school with you to listen to music during lunch.

Eddie would say hello to you if he saw you outside of the lunch room, too. He was very friendly, but you wouldn’t say the two of you were actually friends. Not that you didn’t want to be friends. In your full year at Hawkins High, you hadn’t made any friends. You weren’t into sports, and you had no desire to join any after school groups. You didn’t talk to anyone outside of the brief words exchanged with the Hellfire Club during lunch. You kept to yourself and, as much as you would like to be friends with Eddie, you were too scared to let him in after what had happened in your last school.

You were walking to your lunch table with your lunch tray in hand, the same as every day. It was the day of a school basketball game, so all the jocks were extra rowdy; being loud and running amuck of the cafeteria. You were trying to get to your lunch table without incident when a jock backed into you, bumping you so hard it knocked over your drink. You were able to grab it before it spilled all over you or onto the floor. You mumbled an apology even though it wasn’t your fault, but you knew it would likely be the best reaction to get you out of the situation.

Unfortunately, you were wrong.

“Watch where you’re going, loser,” the jock hissed. You mumbled another apology, but it still wasn’t enough as he roughly shoved you. You stumbled and managed to stop your tray from falling, but your Walkman, which was in your pocket and the headphones were around your neck, fell to the ground. “What’s this?”

You tried to grab it before he did, but you were too slow. He snatched your Walkman from the ground and held the headphones up to his ear. Heat was rising in your neck and you felt sweat forming on your forehead and under your arms. A nasty smile stretched across his face as he heard the music you had been listening to.

“Hey Jason, listen to this.”

He threw the Walkman over your head towards another basketball player. You tried to reach for it, but you were still trying to hold your tray as well. The next jock put your headphones on to hear your still playing music. His mouth opened in shock. “Who knew the quiet kid was into such heavy music?”

He then tossed it to the next jock. You watched helplessly as they threw around what you considered to be your prize possession, listening to the music that brought you comfort and mocking you for it. You felt tears stinging your eyes.

Suddenly, as one jock was tossing the Walkman to another, another hand shot out to grab it. Eddie Munson was glaring daggers at the basketball team and he held your Walkman. The jocks didn’t seem particularly intimidated by him. If anything, they were amused by his act of heroism.

“Awe, is the freak stepping in to save his little loser underling?” the first jock teased.

“You guys must really have sad lives if all that brings you joy is a game about throwing balls into laundry baskets and bullying people who did nothing to you,” Eddie said. “Almost makes me feel sympathy about the fact that you’ll all peak in high school and be bald by 30.”

One of the jocks tried to advance on Eddie and you felt yourself holding your breath. The last thing you wanted was for Eddie to get his ass kicked because of you. But, Eddie wasn’t afraid. He held up his index finger and waved it back and forth before pointing towards the lunch room supervisor, one of the school’s teachers. She had mostly been ignoring the bullying that was happening to you, as teachers in Hawkins High famously did, but suddenly she was zeroed in on what was going on between Eddie and the jocks.

“You can hit me all you want, but it’ll mean you won’t play in the game tonight,” Eddie said. “And I’m sure your coach would be so happy to hear that one of his players got detention the day of the game.”

The jock huffed at Eddie before turning to his teammates and motioning for them to go back to their table. You were still stood, frozen, unshed tears welling in your eyes that you were desperately trying to blink away. Eddie walked over to you and held your Walkman out to you.

“Hey man, you’re okay now,” he said, his voice soft.

You nodded and reached for your Walkman. Eddie thought you had a grasp on it before you actually did, and ended up dropping the device on the floor again. You winced as it landed with a loud crash, and popped open with the cassette sliding out of it. The both of you were quick to kneel down for the device, but Eddie reached it first. He was profusely apologizing when he took hold of the cassette and saw what it was you had been listening to.

“Whoa,” he said. “You listen to Metallica?”

You shrugged, suddenly feeling embarrassed again. Was he going to make fun of you the way the jocks had? You really could not handle it if he did.

“I love Metallica!” he said, a goofy smile stretching across his face. “What’s your favorite song? Actually, wait, we should probably go sit down so you can eat before lunch is over. But you have to answer my question when we sit down.”

Eddie insisted that you sit next to him instead of at your isolated part of the table. Everyone seemed shocked by how animated Eddie had gotten with you, but he ignored them to talk to you. You were shocked when he managed to get you out of your shell for that short lunch period. At first you were sheepishly answering his questions, but soon enough you were feeling just as giddy and excited as he was talking about the topic. You were disappointed when the warning bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

“You should come to Hellfire after school,” Eddie said as you started to get up from the table.

“I thought you guys weren’t taking new members,” you said.

“Well, we’re not, but you can come watch if you’d be down for that. I can drive you home after and we can talk more about metal.”

A heat was rising in your cheeks again, but this time it wasn’t from embarrassment. You just nodded your head at Eddie, and he smiled another wide smile at you. He bumped your shoulder and said a quick, “See you then!” before going off towards the exit. You felt like you were floating as you went to dump your tray and make your way to your locker. You couldn’t believe how quickly things had changed with Eddie, all because of the music you listened to. If you had known this would be the topic that brought you closer together, you would’ve mentioned to him what you liked to listen to way earlier.

Suddenly, the thought made everything crash down around you. You remembered there was a reason you hadn’t wanted to get close to Eddie, a reason you had completely forgot about the entire time you spent talking to Eddie. As much as you had enjoyed getting to see this bubbly side of Eddie, and as much as you wanted to be his friend, you couldn’t. You couldn’t risk him finding out your secret and having him turn on you the way your last friend group had. You didn’t want to have to change schools again.

So, although you told Eddie you’d go to Hellfire after school, you made the decision that you actually wouldn’t. You’d slip out with the crowds of excited students who wanted to get home, and you wouldn’t have to face Eddie until lunch the next day where he would undoubtably hate you for standing him up. That’s how it had to be, no matter how much it hurt you.

But, things very rarely go as planned.

You were held back by one of your teachers to talk to you about an assignment you had nearly failed. You kept trying to insist that you understood where you went wrong and you’d do better for the next one, but he just kept talking and talking. By the time he had finally let you go, the hallways were mostly empty and the buses were getting ready to leave. You were annoyed by the fact that you’d have to walk home, but it was the only option now. You were scurrying to your locker, trying to get your things as quickly as possible before the Hellfire Club came down the hall.

You thought you were successful. You had your bag over your shoulder and your coat in your arms. You were making your way towards the school exit, almost to freedom, when a familiar voice called, “Hey, (Y/N)!”

You winced and turned back to see Eddie making his way towards you. You couldn’t just turn and ran out the doors. You were sure he wouldn’t follow you if you had. But, you stayed planted there, allowing him to reach you.

“Where are you going? I thought you were coming to Hellfire,” he said.

“Uh...something...came up,” you responded, lamely.

He didn’t seem upset or disappointed by your answer. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “That’s fine. Maybe you can come to the next one, then.”

“I...don’t think it’s a good idea for me to come,” you said. “I...we can’t be friends, Eddie.”

This is where Eddie’s face fell. “Oh...why?”

“I just...I can’t have friends.”

“Is that a weird religious thing? Are your parents, like, Mormon or something?”

“No, it’s not a thing with my parents. It’s a me thing. It’s a decision I made.”

“But why?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

You tried to leave again, but Eddie reached out to grab your arm. The second his hand touched you, it sent a fire through your whole body. You wanted him to keep touching you, and that was exactly why you couldn’t let him get close.

“(Y/N), what is going on?” he asked. “You’ve kept to yourself the entire time we’ve known you. You don’t talk to us, or to anyone. Today was the first time I’ve ever seen you so open and talkative, and now you’re suddenly saying you can’t have friends? What gives? Do you just...not like us or something?”

You shook your head. “It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

You felt tears welling in your eyes again. You pulled from Eddie’s grasp and declared, without thinking, “I can’t be your friend because I’m gay, and once you found that out you’d be disgusted with me, just like my old friends were.”

Eddie was silent. His face looked stunned, but otherwise you couldn’t read any other reaction. You backed away from him, ready to turn and run. You were mentally planning how to tell your parents that you’d have to switch schools again. You were just starting to...not like, but maybe tolerate Hawkins High.

“(Y/N),” Eddie finally said, “I’m gay, too.”

His confession stopped you dead in your tracks. You were sure you had heard him wrong. “What?”

“Yeah. It’s not a secret. I mean, I don’t just go around telling people that I’m gay, but I also don’t keep it private. I like guys, I’ve dated guys. Very open and proudly, even though everyone in this town is small minded and bigoted as fuck.” He paused before adding, “Wait, your old friends stopped being friends with you because you’re gay?”

You nodded. “They...they sort of told the entire school, and uh...I was forced to switch schools for my senior year because the bullying was just so bad.”

You could still hear the insults and slurs that were thrown at you on a daily basis when you walked the halls of your old school. Even the teachers looked at you with disgust when you’d enter a room or walk down the hall. There was no safe haven in your old school, just disgust.

You yelped as Eddie suddenly grabbed you and pulled you in for a hug. “Jesus, that fucking sucks. I’m so sorry.”

You let yourself relax in his arms. It felt like a weight had been lifted from your chest, and relief was washing over your body.

“The guys aren’t like that,” Eddie said. “I mean, you don’t have to come out to them if you don’t want to, but they’ve been very supportive of me and my sexuality. They’re good guys, I promise. Do you...do you still want to come to Hellfire?”

You smiled and nodded. Now that your secret was out there, you wanted nothing more than to spend as much time as possible with Eddie Munson.

You started to follow him towards the classroom where they held Hellfire Club. Before walking in, Eddie stopped walking and turned to you. You stopped, too, curious.

“There’s a Metallica concert in the next town over in a few months time,” he said. “Tickets are expensive as hell, but I’ve been saving up every pay cheque I’ve made from work the last few months to get tickets. Would you maybe want to come with me?”

You were stunned by his request. You had heard about the concert happening, your parents had told you actually. They wanted to get you tickets to go, but you turned them down. They weren’t fans of Metallica themselves, and you knew one or both of them would end up going just to bring you, and you didn’t want them to sit through a concert for a band they didn’t like if they weren’t going to enjoy themselves. And going with a friend was out of the question considering you had no friends at the time.

But now you did. You had Eddie.

“I-I’d love to,” you finally said.

Eddie’s smiled brightly. “Great. It’s a date.”

You paused while he entered the room. “A-A date?”

All he did in response was smile at you over his shoulder before turning his attention to the waiting Hellfire members. You had to remind yourself how to move and how to breathe as you followed him into the room, the words, “It’s a date” echoing in your head.

[artiststarme]

What If Steve Were To Leave Hawkins? Part 6

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Here's part 6! I'm kind of torn on what to do next. More angst or finally give them some happiness? Decisions, decisions. As always, thank you for reading and if you would like to be added to the tag list, let me know!

~*~*~*~

Eddie knew he had fucked things up with Steve. The dude had risked his life for him in the Upside Down and had looked damn good while doing it, half-naked and wearing Eddie’s own denim battle vest. It was enough to make any guy swoon. Eddie thought he was going to die down there for sure so he had spent his time flirting with Steve, invading his personal space, and generally just being overbearing. Why not? Then, completely out of character for him and against all odds, he survived his Spring Break from hell. Scarred and missing one nipple, but still. Alive.

He expected things to go back to normal after he was released from the hospital and had his name cleared. Normal being a DnD nerd, super-super-senior in high school, that never crossed paths with the King of Hawkins High. To his surprise, Steve “I’m not a king anymore, man” Harrington continued to seek him out and treated him like they had been friends forever. Then, Eddie decided to have a fucking crush on him, the straightest guy he knew. He had to create some distance between them because it would never be reciprocated and it would hurt too much for Steve to inevitably reject him. 

Then Steve left and Eddie realized that that hurt a lot more than his rejection ever would. Steve used to be everywhere. He would see him at the diner getting a burger, at the pool babysitting the kids, at Family Video on his long-ass shifts. Now, everywhere Eddie looked, he saw ghosts where Steve should be. 

He can’t blame Steve for leaving Hawkins. Hell, that’s been Eddie’s plan since he got here. No, he blames himself for pushing him away. And it’s not just him. They might not be saying it but he can tell the rest of the Party blame him as well. He can see Nancy looking at him accusingly from the corner of his eye when she thinks he isn’t looking. He can see Robin looking at him in annoyed pity whenever he enters the room. Most of all, he can see the kids’ faces darken when he has the gall to be around them after forcing their favorite babysitter out of town. 

Getting the call from Steve at the asscrack of dawn was a blessing really. Had he just fallen asleep after a long battle with his trauma-induced insomnia? Yes. Was he initially pissed and planning the murder of whomever dared to call him outside of normal-functioning hours? Also yes. But it was Steve! And god was he happy to hear from him. He wasn’t dead in a ditch somewhere but instead seemingly thriving wherever the fuck he had run off to. The charming bastard even managed to get a job and a new place to live in less than a week. The conversation was stilted and awkward in a way that Eddie didn’t appreciate and hadn’t experienced with Steve since their first rendezvous in Rick’s boathouse but Eddie wouldn’t complain. He’s surprised Steve didn’t though after he ranted about DnD for the better part of an hour. But he didn’t. Instead, he agreed to call again later the very same day. And you better believe, Eddie was going to stare at the phone until he did. 

~*~*~*~

The kids didn’t know what was going on with Eddie. Henderson had gotten a call from him at 9 AM in which he reneged on his agreement to act as chauffeur to the pool. Unbeknownst to him and the other kids, Eddie wanted to be home to get the call from Steve. They hadn’t specified a time the night prior so he wanted to be available to take the call all day and he couldn’t bring himself to take the chance of missing it. The whole day, he lounged around the kitchen and living room of the new trailer just waiting for the call. Wayne came and went, sending his nephew strange looks as the TV played in the background of Eddie’s focus fixated on the phone. 

It was at half past 6 in the evening that he received the call and he answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Hey man, it’s Steve. I’m sorry for calling so late last night. I just… you know.”

“Yeah,” Eddie sighed. “I’m glad you called though. It was nice to hear from you.”

Steve nodded and twisted his lips awkwardly, “how are things in Hawkins?” 

“They’re alright. Robin has a shift at Family Video and the kids went to the pool, I think. How are things where you are?” Eddie asked tentatively, he didn’t want to anger Steve about asking for his location but he didn’t know quite what to say. 

“They’re okay. Betty came this morning to drop off juice and soup. She gave me the day off so I took the day to catch up on sleep. I’m fine now.” Steve answered hesitantly as if he was unsure of how much to share with Eddie. 

“You sound better today,” Eddie licked his lips as he thought of something, anything, else to say to keep Steve on the phone. “You like it there, wherever you are? You’re happy?”

Steve hummed, “I think I could be. I miss the kids and Robin but I wasn’t really seeing anyone back in Hawkins. My mom said you guys went to the house?”

Eddie’s eyes squinted as Steve’s words registered. His mom told him that they’d stopped by? She knew where he was, that conniving bit-, “Yeah. Dustin and I stopped by and that’s when we realized you weren’t there. Your dad told us to get off his property. I don’t mean to offend you Stevie, but your dad is kind of a dick.”

Steve belted out a startled laugh as though he had expected Eddie to say anything besides that. After a moment of laughter he said, “Well, his name is Richard so I guess it fits.”

That sent Eddie into hysterics. With the ice broken, they continued an upbeat conversation for just over two hours. They spoke of the kids, shitty parents, the worst kinds of coffee to make at the shop, and the sweltering weather they were having. It left Eddie feeling assured and sanguine. But deep down, he was filled with a bittersweet sadness. He was happy that Steve was finally enjoying himself and working a job that he loved. At the same time though, the Party was still trying to find him and convince him to come back home. That outcome was looking more and more bleak. 

But having some contact with Steve was better than none at all and this conversation had gone better than Eddie had ever imagined. So, when Steve tried to end the call, Eddie panicked a little bit. 

“Eddie? I have to go, I’m working the opening shift for the coffee shop tomorrow so I have to wake up early.”

“Wait, Steve! Can you please call me again? It was uh- it was nice talking to you today. I’d really like to do it again.”

He felt Steve hesitate through the phone. “Um, yeah I guess I can call after my shift tomorrow. Are you sure you want me to keep bothering you?”

Eddie’s heart chipped away a little bit more at his words. “Stevie, you’re not bothering me. I like talking to you. You’re not a bother.”

Steve thought about it before he hummed. Eddie heard him breathe in a deep breath and answer, “Then yeah, I can call around 3 tomorrow?”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, big boy. Talk to you tomorrow.”

Steve laughed a bit before saying goodnight. Eddie placed the phone back on its cradle and let a small, saccharine smile overtake his face. He was going to talk to Steve again tomorrow. Hell yeah!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20: Epilogue

Taglist:@nickavalens@conversesweetheart@themostunoriginalpersonever@swimmingbirdrunningrock@eddiethegreatteddybear @call-me-big-eyes @cornwallisandkerley @moonshadows-13 @glittergluekintsugi @cpidcupk @doubleb11 @mentalcyborg @amoris-no-smut-allowed @purple-lemonade @labels-are-for-the-weak @thebrazilianatheist @rajumat @livelaughlexa @5ammi90 @colorful565 @marvelousforlife @chaoticcoffeequeen @gregre369 @suddenlyinlove@thegreatmistake @stillfullofshit @nburkhardt @batxsignalsx @newunknowns @thosemessyvibes @tailsfromthecrypt@luciana-rowan @bird-with-pencils @adaed5 @lolawon @flustratedcas @iwillfindmyneverland @messrs-weasley @skoomy-doompy @yearningagain @darkwitchoferie @forest-fogg @bitchysunflower @stardust-era@newtstabber@bobatrash-queen @notjasontxdd @ohlook-afrog @00biscuit @grtwdsmwhr @oxidantdreamboat @the-witch-forever-lives @estrellami-1 @whatthemeepever @a-simple-gaywitch

[sleepyeye17]

After Steve plays DnD

Eddie waves to Jonathan as the kids pile into the car. Steve offered to drive them all, but it’s on Jonathan’s route home anyway, now that the Byers live up by the river, closer to everyone else.

Eddie goes back inside. Steve is cleaning up the game table, stacking the books and putting the dice into their bag. He pauses on the D20, turning it in his hands, his face furrowed with concentration. The facets glitter in the light.

“Beautiful, right?” Eddie asks. Steve looks up, surprised.

“Yeah, it’s cool.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” Steve puts the D20 into its velvet bag. He bites his lip. “Was I… Did I do okay?”

Eddie steps in, grabbing Steve’s hands.

“Of course! What do you mean?”

“I mean, it was my first time. I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right.”

Eddie grins.

“It’s Dungeons and Dragons, baby, not your gay virginity.”

Steve snorts and raises his eyes to the ceiling. 

“I know.” He puts his arms around Eddie’s shoulders. “This was much more intimidating.”

Eddie laughs into Steve’s shoulder, kisses his cheek.

“You were fantastic.”

“Really?”

“Better than my wildest dreams.” He pulls back to look Steve in the eye. “You were really nervous?”

“Yeah. I know it means a lot to you. I didn’t want to disappoint.”

“You could never.” They’re swaying from side-to-side now, in the sort of slow dance that they do. “How did you know all that stuff about dwarves not liking cows milk? Or elves eating fish?”

“I read it in one of your books.”

“Which one?” Eddie had given Steve the basic introductory books, but none of the really deep lore.

“I don’t remember. Not one of the ones you gave me. It was on your shelf.”

Eddie pulls back.

“You read the ones on my shelf?”

“Yeah. Sorry. Was I not supposed to? Is that cheating?”

“No, not at all! It’s just… I wasn't expecting that.”

“I wanted to do it right.”

Eddie shakes his head slowly.

“Fuck.”

“What?” Steve’s eyes are wide and anxious. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just really fuckin love you.”

Steve tenses in Eddie’s arms. 

“Wait. Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Oh thank God.” Steve sags against Eddie in relief. He rests his chin on Eddie’s shoulder and blinks away tears. “I wasn’t sure— nobody’s ever—“ he sniffs. “Mm. Love you.”

They stand there, letting that settle around them. 

“Gnomes don’t like wheat,” Steve murmurs. “It irritates their digestion.”

“You’re literally my perfect human.”

“Mm. Not a human. I’m a Wolfborn.” Steve kisses Eddie’s jaw. “Child of a cursed lineage. Defender of my tribe.” He bites Eddie's shoulder, making him laugh and press closer. “And it’s a full moon.”

“Wolfborns aren’t werewolves,” Eddie gasps.

“I know. I never said I was. But I still like to howl at the moon.”

Eddie giggles and pulls Steve in for a kiss.

“Howl away, baby, it’s just the two of us.”

[littlemisshaveitall]

Season Secrets: July 31st

If you don’t stick to you boundaries , you will suffer - it’s not a warning , it’s a promise.

This has been said and will continue to be said because it needs to be engraved. This isn’t a dating hacks post , telling you to pretend to be busy so as to put up a front, no baby, this is a post to tell you regardless of what you are doing your boundaries come first . Jobless or not ( but do invest in a hobby ,love, you can’t have time boundaries then do nothing with your time)

Small Boundaries

In my opinion, the most significant boundaries are the small ones because If you break those for someone , they will see you for what you are and they won’t respect you in the long run. If you sleep at 10 and that man calls at 10:30 , what are you doing picking up the phone ? You should be asleep with your phone on DND. He knows you sleep early but chooses to call late without even a text- it’s a no from me. If you workout at 5PM but your girl calls at 4:45 telling you to take her out and you drop all your plans for her right there , then I have to break it to you hun, you not prioritizing yourself and your plans (in terms of bettering yourself because disclaimer, you can’t always be too busy for your partner, check yourself there.) is not attractive and they know it. Partners, especially if your messing with a person who’s been ‘around the block’, can sense it when you crave their validation so much that you don’t respect yourself and your time and they will use it to their advantage. So my love , the next time you’re in the middle of a writing an important essay and they call and ask if you’re free, say no and give them a time that works for you. If plans aren't made in advance they should not get in the way of any plans you had made before.

How to respond in such situations.

At the end of the day , communication is always best and I’m about to show you how to use it.

Situation 1 : Calling after your bedtime.

- Tell them that you don’t pick up calls past a certain time and if they want to reach you , they should call before then.

- If it’s about to reach your bedtime and you are still on the call , please you know better , sleep. The only exception here, is if you know you have no obligations the next day or if your partner is crying on the phone about something ( we can’t lose empathy trying not to get played but do be wary. People out here really know how to tug at your heart strings as a means of manipulation). From experience, if you consistently extend the calls, you will always end up extending the calls and they will know you prioritize their presence instead of your discipline and again , it’s not a good look but also you’re letting yourself down. It’s always the little things.

Situation 2: Asking you out when you’re busy.

- Tell them you are busy , you don’t have to tell them with what if you don’t want to , then include a time in which you will be free .

It’s sounds a little like this: ‘Damn , I’m not really free right now but I will be in the next 30 mins or so . Can I call you back at that time’

In general, it’s okay to be busy but it’s not okay to not put in effort for the person you like hence always give a time in which you’re free or best case scenario, decide a time between you and your partner specifically for the both of you and stick to it.

Big boundaries.

It goes without saying that , these are more than important and the good thing about these, they aren’t hard to miss.

One of my big boundaries is that I would never date someone who’s favourite everyday past time is partying/alcohol/drugs/gambling. I’ve been there and it’s not fun at all.

The issue: They will rarely pick you when it comes down to it. If they do, I’m happy for you but loves , how sure are we that the person you fancy would stop for you. This will lead to more problems along the way because the little money they get ,will be recklessly spent funding the addiction they claim they don’t have or the little time you have with them will be spent with you trying to bond with someone who’s buzzed out of their mind . I don’t know about you but I’m a sucker for attention so that’s definitely a no for me.

This is one of my most significant boundaries, and I used to tell myself that it was fine. I made rules such as "if you don’t do it in front of me it’s okay" or "if you only do it in certain places it’s okay". It wasn’t okay and I’ve learnt that. At the end of the day , they still do it and it will bother you , whether it’s the fact that you can smell it, their decreased attention span, or the anxiety you feel. Compromising to stay with them will lead to resentment and the thought that says "it’s okay" is a liar. So whatever your major boundaries are , honor them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When talking about boundaries, it is also important to talk about grace. Sometimes people genuinely don’t know (unless of course you directly told them). I was talking to a friend of mine about red flags within both of us and she said , ‘ a big one for us would be to limit our saltiness when we hear what we don’t want to hear or when our partners don’t respond in the way we want them to. Let say , you tell them about how someone told you got bigger but they don’t see anything wrong with it because to them it’s just a story like any other day since they don’t understand or know your insecurities surrounding your size. We might have a right to get mad of course but not when they don’t understand. Obviously it’s great having someone who always knows what to do or say without you voicing it but they can’t read your mind so you have to give them the grace to learn how to treat you well.’

It is so important to give your partner grace because they give you grace as well but don’t let yourself become a door mat in the process.

‘Once you see that someone would sacrifice for you is when you sacrifice for them’ - My Mother

Everything is always circumstantial but circumstances are rarely consistent. Do with that as you will

Love ,

Quesa

[sweetestlittledarling]

Clothing Thief

Rating: PG

Pairing: GalexFinley (Halflingbardtav)

Part of @fluffbruary

Day 2 Prompt: Scent (I rolled these out with Dnd dice so this should be fun lol)

Summary: Finley has a habit of stealing Gale's shirts...

(Inspired by this image by @ghostly-kal who is an awesome human being)

“Darling, have you seen my- “Gale’s words faltered as he stepped out into the living room half-dressed and saw his partner Finley sitting on the couch in front of the fire, sipping tea, and wearing his shirt. Gale leaned against the doorframe, a look of good humor crossing his face. This wasn’t the first time he had come upon this scene of his halfling wearing his shirt which often was big enough to be a dressing gown then a shirt. Actually, since they had officially both started living in the tower Finley was often robbing him of his shirts which was both alluring and a little bit troublesome, especially when he had no shirts to wear. He was pretty sure he was lucky his partner couldn’t fit into any of his pants because he might have been out of clothing all together.

              As if feeling his eyes upon them, Finley looked up with what anyone else would call a look of innocence, though Gale knew better. “Oh, hey Gale,” they said, raising the cup to their lips once again, “did you need somethin’?”

              “Yes darling, I was looking for my night shirt, have you seen it?”

              “Hmmm, no, did you check hamper? Maybe it’s in the wash.”

              Gale rolled his eyes as he pulled himself from the doorway and walked into the room. He stood before Finley, crossing his arms. “Finley Dekarios, we have already talked about this.”

              “I have no idea what you are talking about darlin’.”

              “You know very well that is my shirt.”

              Finley glanced down at the shirt as if just realizing it. “Oh, this shirt! This is yours?”

              “Again, you know very well that it is, now can I please have it back?”

              Finley looked thoughtful, before setting the tea down on a nearby table, and saying: “No.”

              Gale sighed as he sat down next to them. He considered trying to remove the shirt, but he had tried that before and found that his partner was not only clever but fast and as the tower was temperature controlled (by himself) it wasn’t like he was too terribly cold. Plus, Finley did look rather comfortable in it and Gale was nothing if not an accommodating spouse. “May I ask why you find my shirts so particularly comfortable?” he asked.

              “Well for one you got good tastes in shirts and for another it smells like you.”

              “Yes, like a library, I have been told before.”

              Finley looked up at him and smiled. “I mean yeah, there is that old books smell, but there is also the smell of incense, burning candles, and musk.”

              “Musk?” Gale asked raising an eyebrow.

              “Yeah, it’s kind of hard to explain. I’ve never smelled it anyone else but you.” Finley paused, taking in a big sniff. “It makes me feel calm and safe, the same way I feel whenever I am with you.”

              Gale felt a warm feeling building within his chest as he smiled adoringly at the halfling bard who had taken his heart so completely. He gathered them close, allowing them to sit in his lap with their heads resting on his chest. “So, I’m guessing getting your own shirts is probably out of the question,” he mused, playing with a little bit of the tuft that made their hair.

              “I mean only if you wear them first,” Finley chuckled playfully, “which I think you’ll find is probably tricky unless you enchant them.”

              Gale laughed. “I suppose I’m going to have to start locking my drawers and closets from you my daring clothing thief. Though I could imagine if you stole my teaching robes, I might get away with calling out more often.” Gale paused a moment and looked as if he was actually thinking about it. “It also might be an interesting idea for the bedroom. You could be the naughty school librarian come to punish the naughty wizard.”

              “Gale!” Finley laughed, turning their glittery emerald eyes up towards him. “Do you really think that we need THAT in the bedroom?”

              “No,” Gale admitted, as he leaned in, “you are all I want and will ever need, I love you.”

              “I love you too.”

              As their lips met in a kiss, Gale knew that he probably wouldn’t be locking up his shirts too soon. Especially as later on as he slipped on his shirt again and took a moment to take in the scent there. It was indeed, as Finley said, old books, incense, burning candles, and now there was another smell not of the library. It was something warm and just a little bit spicy, like Finley, which made Gale smile.

[brokemypen]

Senior Skip Day Pt. 1

Paring: Eddie Munson x reader

Summary: Reader’s got a secret, a guilty one. She wants her best friend, Eddie Munson to take her virginity. What better day to spill her guts than on senior skip day?

Part 2 here

Warnings: Reader is a virgin (obvi), light smut, minors do not interact!! reader masturbates, drug use. I think that’s it! Eddie is a goofy sweetheart in this.

Word Count: 2.3K

A/N: ((This is not my gif, all credit goes to the owner.))

I know we’ve all been feral over Eddie so I wanted to write a two parter. I’m honestly so obsessed with the idea of sweet Eddie being a first. I keep reading a bunch of stories on it, so I imagine ya’ll agree. I loved the feedback on my last fic. It literally means so much to me and makes me want to write more. Enjoy! <3 -P

.

.

.

You and Eddie had been best friends for the last three years. You remember moving to the town of Hawkins at the fresh age of fifteen. You were kind of a dork then, exactly the type of person Eddie wanted in his close circle.

Although you had kind of outgrown your dorkiness when it came to your sense of fashion and overall confidence, you still loved playing dnd and spending your weekends with Eddie. The two of you would often watch cheesy horror movies or spend some time in the woods, smoking and doing other behaviors that might be frowned upon.

You couldn’t help but admit to yourself now though, as a senior, that during the last three years, you had a growing crush on Eddie. And it was starting to make you really sad that in a few months you’d be graduating and most likely leaving Hawkins. Because truth be told, he was the shining star of this shit town. No matter what they called Eddie, he was the best thing in your life.

He was so kind and generous. On nights that you couldn’t sleep he wouldn’t hesitate to pick you up and drive around with you just to clear your mind. It didn’t matter how tired he was, he was always there for you. 

That’s when the thought came to you one night, when you were racked with anxiety over leaving it all behind. It was a small thought in the inner mix of about a hundred other thoughts, but it seemed to jump out at you the more you thought about it. What if Eddie took your virginity? You sort of laughed as soon as you realized, but really, what if he did?

You were so nervous at the entire idea of sex, which is why you never got very far in any relationship you had. They were always too rough, too pushy, and you always had the gut feeling that it didn’t feel like the right time.

But when you thought of the possibility of Eddie being the one to do it, your gut feeling was less of a nausea feeling, and more of a butterfly kind of feeling. You didn’t realize before, but that growing crush on him was both a mental and physical thing. Sure he was attractive to you, the more he grew into himself. But you found your eyes lingering more and more when he was just doing mundane stuff. The way his tongue would stick out when he concentrated on his homework. The way his fingers looked strumming the strings on his guitar. Or, god, when he would shrug his shirt off to work on his car, holy cow.

You knew Eddie would be the one to take his time, he wouldn’t pressure you, and you genuinely believed he would make you feel good, instead of being all for himself, like those other boys were. I mean you knew he obviously wasn’t a virgin, from the cuffs on his wall, to the trojans that laid on his dresser. You also knew that Eddie had a kind heart, a heart that you actually loved and you knew no one else would treat you as amazing as he already did.

You already felt wired as you reached down to your thighs, softly caressing them as you imagined it being Eddie’s hands. You slowly moved them up your body, grazing your hips, your stomach, and your breasts. How amazing his large hands would feel around them, massaging them while he kissed you. With one hand still attached to your breast, you slowly trailed the other one down to your heat, which was already slick, as your brain continued the scenario. 

You imagined his fingers slowly dragging through your folds, softly moving his way up to your clit. You began circling, arching your back at how good it felt, the heat rising through. 

You stayed that way for what felt like hours as you continued imagining his hands on your whole body. How his lips would kiss and suck your neck. You imagined his hard cock against you, how heavy it would feel in your hand. You wondered what he would taste like, how he would sound when he moaned.

You slowly slid a finger inside as your mind then wandered to the idea of him pushing himself inside you, how he would stretch you out. Would he have his lips on you then or would he whisper dirty things into your ear? You knew his strokes would be slow, and so you imitated that, pushing your finger in and out. With the other hand you continued rubbing your clit.

Before you knew it you were thrashing against the mattress as an unbelievably explosive orgasm ripped its way through you. You were still rubbing, working yourself through it when the instant regret crept its way through you as well. You just masturbated to the idea of your best friend. There was literally no way you could ever come back from this.

You stayed up even longer after that, your mind racing with guilt until you looked over, reading the clock at 4 am. But another thought appeared and it was that you clearly liked Eddie. You just had to accept that because you couldn’t keep pretending that you didn’t. 

That also meant you had to confess this to Eddie because he could read you like a book. As soon as he saw your face, he would know something was up. So that’s when you decided you would be telling your best friend that not only did you like him, but that you also wanted him to be the one to take your virginity. 

You got ready for school that morning extra early. You were already wide awake, but also trying to come up with what to say. It wasn’t a debate anymore, you were going to do it. What if he laughed or thought it was stupid? Or even worse, what if it ruined everything. That would destroy you. Anxiety filled you until you were almost brought to tears. You continued to dwell on it until you heard something hit your window.

As you got closer, the sound came again, and you reached over, ripping the curtain open. Your heart almost leaped out of your chest when you saw it was Eddie. He stood down below waving at you to open your window. 

“The hell are you doing, Munson?” You whisper yelled, poking your head out. “It’s too early for you to be here.”

“So?? When has that ever been an issue?” He smiled up at you. 

He then reached in his pocket, pulling out a small baggie of what you assumed was pot. “Wanna skip school today?” He said, waving the bag at you. “Have you lost your mind, Eddie? Put that way.” You looked around, praying no one could see him. He had already been in enough trouble as it was. “Relax, no one's awake yet. Come down.” He pleaded with those big puppy dog eyes of his. “Pleeeaassseee.”

You let out a long sigh. He would stand out there all day if you didn’t go down there. You closed the window and made your way downstairs, being as quiet as you could so you wouldn’t wake your parents up. You shut the door extra carefully for good measure. 

Once you were outside Eddie seemed to be giddy with excitement, almost bouncing up and down as you made your way across the lawn. 

“What’s got you so hyper?” You laughed, putting your hands on his shoulders to get him to relax. “It’s an exciting day y/n!” His wide smile shining, as he put the bag away. “Guess what I did?” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“What could you have possibly done at five in the morning?”

“I’ve been in the works for quite some time actually, spreading the word, putting up fliers around school.” He put his hands on your shoulders. “No one knows it was me.” He bit his lip, smiling even more, if that was possible. “I’m calling it ‘senior skip day’.”

My jaw dropped. “That was you?! That’s literally all anyone can talk about.” You were shocked, but honestly not surprised. 

With the anxious night you had, you had completely forgotten that your entire class was planning on skipping today. And it was a fantastic idea. I mean who could punish an entire group of seventeen and eighteen year olds, when in just a few months they would be graduating. It almost felt like a right of passage. You laughed at his goofy excitement, of course he came up with it? Who else would. It just made you sad you would be the only one to know.

“Alright, Eddie you’ve convinced me. I’m in.” You reached a hand out to shake his, him instantly taking it, dragging you to the van. You didn’t know what the plan was, but you didn’t care. You felt on cloud nine just being with him. Your feet on the dash, the windows were open and he had you cracking up. It felt easy with him, all anxiety out the window. Then you knew it would all be okay. You could tell him anything after all, the worst he could say is no, and realistically if that happened, you felt as if you could let it go.

The two of you decided to do what you always do, which is hang out in the woods. It was a comforting place, full of memories and the best part, you knew no one would catch you there today. Eddie made you laugh talking about all the posers who’d immediately get busted at the mall.

You guys made sure to stop for snacks and made your way to the spot. You perched on your normal place on top of the picnic table. You were turned facing Eddie, watching him roll a perfect joint. It all felt innocent until Eddie licked the paper, and then again to seal it. You felt that familiar flutter in your stomach and remembered the conversation you needed to have.

Your leg was bouncing and you were completely oblivious until Eddie spoke up.

“Are you okay? You’re shaking the whole damn table.” He lit the end of the joint, exhaling the smoke, he held it out to you. 

You accepted it, bringing it to your lips and took a long drag off of it. The smoke filled your lungs, relaxing your body and allowed you to actually think about what you were about to say.

You passed the joint back to him, taking a deep breath before you began.

“We’ll always be best friends right? Like no matter what?” You asked, looking him in the face as you did.

“Yeah, who else is gonna put up with my shit.” He laughed.

“No, like seriously, Eddie.” 

He could see you were serious. He took another drag from the joint and put it out, giving you his full attention.

“What’s on your mind?” He looked concerned. He could tell from your body language that what you were about to say was making you nervous, the bouncing in your leg continuing. “Hey you know you can tell me anything. I’m not going to judge you.”

You took another deep breath, thinking fuck it, there’s no go back, and spilled your guts to him.

“Eddie I’m so scared about the future and us and I’m so scared that what I’m about to say is going to ruin our friendship, but I have to say it.” You were rambling, but Eddie stayed quiet, letting you get it all out. “I don’t want to leave Hawkins a virgin and every guy in this stupid town is the worst. You’re so kind and you mean the absolute world to me and if I’m being honest I feel so safe with you. So safe that I-.” You paused, slowing down to catch your breath. “Eddie, I want it to be you.”

You were staring at the picnic table unable to look him in the eye. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, even out here in the brush of the woods. It felt like minutes passed until you raised your eyes towards him. He was looking away, his eyes wide like he was contemplating the universe. He was completely still until he sighed, reaching up to run his hands over his face. 

Eddie collected his thoughts, turning to you. He pursed his lips and his hands made fists. Not like he was mad, though, it looked more like he was trying to concentrate.

“I just want to make it very clear that I meant it when I said I wouldn’t judge you. I know that it took a lot of guts to say that, but I guess I’m just confused as to why?”

“I know it’s stupid and completely out of left field. We can just forget it.” You were defeated. This was a bad idea. “Hey I’m not saying no.” You were looking at the picnic table again, fiddling with a leaf, your head somewhere else when he leaned over to meet your eyes. “Can you look at me?”

You did, he had a smile on his face. And true to his nature he reached over to hold your hand, easing your worries.

“Did you hear me? I’m not saying no. I guess I just want to know-” he paused.  “Like why me? I know you said all the other guys in this town are stupid and I get that, but there’s more. I can see it on your face.”

Your heart was racing. Had you heard him right? 

“Y/n.” He spoke, you being clearly lost in thought.

“Eddie, you're my best friend, but I also have feelings for you.” You sighed, just wanting to get it out. “And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to you and kinda-kinda thought about us doing it.”

A smile grew on his lips. “When and where?

[asexualasshat]

Okay I’m envisioning this as platonic but hear me out but what if back when Jonathan is just a little 14 year old and it’s a few months into high school. Kids who were his friends in middle school now avoid him like the plague. It makes sense why he got less and less calls to hang out over the summer. The only person who’s remotely near his orbit is Nancy wheeler, but they only talk when it comes to their bothers, which isn’t often these days since Nancy doesn’t spend much time with Mike. So he’s alone. But he’s fine, he’s mostly content with himself.

He’s usually busy with his brother, anyway. A few years back Will and his friends started playing dnd. And Will loves it. It’s one of the few things that really gets him talking these days. So Jonathan has heard quite a lot about it. Right now, Will is planning his first campaign. And Will is wonderfully creative, but he’s also painfully insecure. So he’s struggling. He’s always asked to pass his chance to dm before because he didn’t feel it would be nice enough. But Mike gave him a pep talk, so he’s doing it. But the first session is next week and he’s getting nowhere.

So he and Jonathan talk about it. They figure out some minor details, but little else. Still, Jonathan jots down some notes so he can try and percolate on it.

And a day or two laters he’s hiding outside at the back of the school at lunch. And who walks by but this guy he knows from his math class with hair awkwardly to his chin. Eddie Munson. And usually he doesn’t say anything, actually he’s never said a word to Eddie. But Jonathan knows that last year, someone started a DND club at school. And Eddie? In it.

So Jonathan flags him down. And Eddie was expecting Jonathan to be buying, since he’d picked up a dealing gig over the summer. But no. Instead Jonathan whips out his notebook. Explains that his kid brother is trying to dm but he’s stuck and could use some advice. So Eddie’s a bit shook. But then he’s Eddie so he’s like ‘hit me’

And he spitballs a few ideas. Gives some dming advice. It’s maybe a ten minute conversation. And then they part ways cordially.

Will already knows about the highschool club, Jonathan had excitedly told him weeks ago. But now he tells Will he talked to a guy there and got some advice. Will takes it into consideration. Some ideas he rolls with. Others aren’t quite right, but it usually sets him off with another idea. The advice seems to help. Rather than dejectedly staring at his books, he’s making little bullet point notes and reading paragraphs rapidly.

The first few sessions go well. A few weeks later, he’s approached by Eddie at lunch again. They talk about it. Jonathan honestly can’t keep up with details much, but relays what he knows. Eddie talks about though how he has been a dm before, he’s being allowed to run a one shot for the club for the first time. So he gets the nerves.

Again, the conversation is short.

They rarely talk. Only in these bursts every month or two. It’s unclear why they can’t mesh the friendship gap. Maybe because they’re both broke freaks, you’d think they’d be a perfect match. But for some reason they never bridge the gap. They almost exclusively talk about whatever campaign Will kid is involved with, be it dming or playing.

So when it’s time for the kids freshman year, Eddie is looking out. He knows Jonathan’s brother won’t be there, that he’d moved. But he knows his friends are here. He figures out who they are pretty much right away. And sure, maybe it makes him latch on a little extra since Jonathan talked so fondly about them.

Time passes and spring break is over. And everyone is back in hawkins and moods are low. But Jonathan has been given the rundown on everything Eddie did to help. And how he almost died but sure didn’t.

For the record, Max is also fine and is just down the hall. She’s recovering and taking a pleasant nap from which she’ll awake within a few hours.

So Eddie’s in his hospital bed and will comes in with the kids, on a visiting rotation kinda thing. And they’re taking. And then Jonathan is like “oh, hey will. Remember the guy from school I’d asked dnd questions to? That’s Eddie.”

And everyone’s eyes light up. They all knew Will had gotten big kid advice. Over the years, every now and then one of them would pester Jonathan to go get answers. And occasionally, Jonathan obliged. He’d not wanted to bother Eddie too often.

And Eddie is also still really excited that he’s meeting will the wise, in the flesh, even though they’d met for the first time a few days before. And so he’s like “you know, Will. Every one of these morons in here won’t shut up about you.”

And will is blushing but everyone is having a great time. And they’re tentatively planning a one shot for once they’re discharged.

And Eddie and Jonathan talk more in coming times. About how they’d each been too oddly nervous to approach the other for actual friendship. Jonathan had seemed to look like he’d rather be alone. And Eddie had seemed to look like he’d leave Jonathan behind. Neither true, but the feelings were valid. But they’re kinda bonded now.

Maybe even to the extent that Jonathan might try playing again

[moondust-bard]

Nine People I Would Like to Know Better (?) Tag

I was tagged by @sleepyowlwrites — thank you!

current book: I’m rereading the last Magnus Chase book in Rick Riordan’s norse mythology series. His books are comfort reads. Reread books happens when I’m stressed, in pain, or upset. I am taking cozy fantasy recs in all age categories at the moment, preferably without romance.

Current fic: I don’t read much fsnfiction anymore, sadly. The JK Rowling of it all kinda ruined it for me. Engaging in fandom beyond casually consuming the media in question only stresses me out now.

Currently watching: I’m rewatching Call the Midwife. It’s a comfort watch. I go back to favorite pieces of media in times of stress. See a theme? To be fair, I don’t watch shoes or films much. Books and music are my main sources of entertainment.

Next on my watchlist: When the next season of Bridgerton drops I’ll be very occupied. I love a good historical drama.

Current hyperfixation: I’m listening to Dimension20’s Fantasy High for the first time. I really want to play DnD, and this show is only barely satisfying that.

Favorite color: lavender has been my favorite color since I was about nine years old. Periwinkle and seafoam are up there, too.

Sweet, spicy, or savory: Sweets, for sure— but more fruity-floral sweetness than bakery sweetness. I’m a big fan of treats with flower syrups, black tea, and sweet herbs in them.

Relationship status: single, and not actively looking for anything. If it happens, cool. If not, I’m honestly just happy to be here at this point. My friendships are super fulfilling and rich, and I have a large family.

Last song: The Prophecy off of Taylor Swift’s new album. I needed to let some stuff out after all the unfun medical experiences this week. The lyrics of that song kind of resemble how I feel about it.

Last thing I googled: lol, I just researched some of the new medical stuff I learned about my haunted house of a body. It was… informative.

Skill I’d like to learn: I would love to make my own clothes. For so long, I struggled to thread a needle on a sewing machine. My vision is very poor, which makes that task challenging. I think, even if it takes forever, hand-sewing might be my best shot at realizing this dream.

Best advice:

Dealing with my own health struggles, as well as supporting family who are attempting to rewrite poisonous, unsustainable behaviors has taught me something I wish I knew much sooner.

I’ve found it’s best for all involved that we try to meet each other where we are. Forcing someone into the shape you envision them in— with all their rough edges smoothed out and flaws filled in— helps no one in the present. Friends and family are going to move at their own pace and in the best way they deem fit for themselves. Expecting someone to exist or change in the ways you think suit them best, and within a set timeframe, is asking for disappointment and conflict. That being said, holding people accountable for how they treat you while they’re learning or in times of struggle is essential in caring for both yourself and that person.

And yes, this applies to how you engage with yourself, as well. There are no timelines. No “this is how I should be” or “this is what I should be doing by this stage of my life.” Exist—and change, if it’s what you’ve chosen — at your own pace, because it’s what you’ve decided is best.

I am tagging @saintedseraph @maddstermind @ettawritesnstudies @mr-writes @ryns-ramblings @acertainmoshke @ravonosify

@italiangothicwriteblr

@likegemstone

[sincerelyang3l]

Rating My Obsessions/Hyperfixiations:

(Going to try going oldest to newest but it might not go so well bc #traumablocking)

2019/2020 (can’t remember):

My Hero Academia: 1/10 (it gets one point for being my first ever hyperfixiation, but I was a foul human being during this time of my life)

The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd/Vampires: 7/10 (I’m sure if I went back and read these books now, they would be subpar and honestly childish, but at the time, I loved them with every fiber of my being, and the memories associated are good so..)

Death Note: 1/10 (Ew I’m foul. I’m a foul creature. I deserve to be put down.)

Dr. Stone: 4/10 (I honestly remember jack about this show but it gets a 4 for being anime.)

Undertale: 5/10 (This game made me happy for awhile, but it was introduced to me by an ex best friend, so it’s getting a solid 5.)

Detroit Become Human: 6/10 (Minus points because of the time of my life this was during, but this game is an absolute masterpiece <3)

Hellsing: 5/10 (The obsession was unhealthy, but this one was pretty great too. Now, it’s sort of a sore spot, but at the time I was living the dream.)

BATIM: 9/10 (This hyperfixiation is honestly older that what I’m giving it credit for, but it’s going here because I don’t have a category for before 2019. Anyway it’s pretty great. It came back in summer of 2023 when I finally watched Dark Revival, which I liked better than the original <3)

FNaF: 8/10 (High score because this is one of the only hyperfixiations that has lasted so many years and can still bring me joy. It’s also older than I’m giving it credit for. Now, Was I cringe about it at some point? Definitely. Do I care? No.)

DSAF: 10/10 (I might be jumping the gun by giving this one my first 10, but I absolutely love this game. It’s only ever brought me joy, to this day I still love it, I based so many of my usernames and characters on it..and just ugh, I love it Fr.)

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: 7/10 (Admittedly, I haven’t stayed that up to date on it, but I love this anime. It doesn’t have that many bad memories and it’s just, great.)

Dialtown: 8/10 (In the same boat as DSAF but it didn’t bring me AS much joy. I still love it though and honestly I need to finish it.)

Hamilton: 5/10 (At the time, again, I loved it, but now it’s honestly one of my least favorite musicals.)

Borderlands: 7/10 (oh god to experience this game again for the first time would truly be a beautiful experience. Although I was cringe with it for awhile and this wasn’t exactly the happiest time of my life when I enjoyed this..so..)

LA Noire: 8/10 (I honestly loved this game, it was a big turning point in me and my brother’s relationship, and I remember staying up late on countless nights playing or watching him play it.)

Curses Cosplay/The Acklam Ashes: 9/10 (This creator doesn’t make content like this anymore, no hate at all they have their reasons and I still love them, but this YouTube show was a pivotal point of my life and I love it so.)

2021:

Creepypasta: 2/10 (Low score just for the sake of the fandom, and the fact of who I was associated with during this period of time.)

Marble Hornets: 6/10 (Was I cringe? Yes. Absolutely. But this show is so amazing I’m willing to put that aside. I’m also rating this separately from creepypasta for obvious reasons.)

WitchCraft: 5/10 (I had a whole witchy thing for awhile? It was mostly just tarot cards and shirts with the phases of the moon on them.)

DND/Divinity Original Sin: 10/10 (I have zero bad memories with either of these. My love for fantasy and DnD was awakened by playing Divinity Original Sin 2 with my older brother, and then that stemmed into more love for fantasy and the genre in general.)

SCP: 8/10 (This hyperfixiation is somewhat still alive? Not really, but I do still enjoy some occasional SCP content. It’s not a higher score because this was 8th grade year and that’s embarrassing.)

The Glass Animals: 9/10 (Less of a hyperfixiation, more of just, man they made some banger music.)

Elvis: 6/10 (Literally what was wrong with me. For awhile I only listened to music from this era, especially Elvis, and forced my family to buy me a bunch of Elvis merch I didn’t need.)

Noir: 6/10 (Okay so, this stemmed from the above mentioned LA Noire earlier and basically was a time period of my life where I was obsessed with watching old detective/murder mystery movies from the 20s. Honestly, they were bangers. But also, wtf was I doing.)

Tv Heads?: 5/10 (I had a weird thing for robot TV heads for awhile? It’s hard to explain honestly.)

Queen: 7/10 (Another one of those weird band obsessions I guess. This one was definitely bigger than the glass animals.)

2022:

Good Omens: 10/10 (Absolutely love. Loved it then and I still love it to this day!! Holding out for season 3 Fr 💪)

Clover: 7/10 (not many people know what this is, so for context it’s an electroswing album by OR3O. I loved it at the time but it doesn’t hit as hard now.)

Phantom of the Opera: 10/10 (Another 10. This wasn’t technically the first musical I ever watched, but, it was the start of my love for musicals and broadway. And it’s just a great musical Fr.)

Ghostbusters: 7/10 (If you asked me why I suddenly had a ghostbuster hyperfixiation during this time, I couldn’t tell you. But they are iconic movies so…)

The Steve Saga: 8/10 (I had watched FavremySabre several years before, but never this series. Anyway I loved it, still love it.)

Supernatural: 7/10 (A bit of a lower score because I was cringe, and my obsession with Castiel was unhealthy. Not to mention Supernatural isn’t exactly the best show on Netflix? It got dull later on, but..did I watch it start to finish anyway? Yeah. Absolutely.)

Twisted Rainbow: 10/10 (FavremySabre Masterpiece.)

Doctor Who: 6/10 (Two words. Season 13.)

Ghost: 6/10 (Low Score because I can’t stand to listen to them now, and because it’s associated with an ex bestie. But. Can’t lie. They had some bangers.”

Steam Powered Giraffe: 4/10 (Also associated with an ex bestie. They’ve got some good music but I don’t listen to them anymore.)

Mushrooms/Indie: 7/10 (This one was a bit odd but it did result in me redecorating my entire room to match this aesthetic.)

2023:

Faith The Unholy Trinity: 10/10 (Awesome Game, honestly one of the first things that sparked by interest in religious media, so points for that.)

The Exorcist: 9/10 (An odd thing to hyperfixiate on, I know, but this was also a result of my growing love for religious media.)

Mandela Catalouge: 6/10 (This was an odd one. I, at the time, had this raging fear of analog horror in general, so watching the Mandela Catalogue was sort of like..immersion therapy in a way. But it’s a pretty good show none the less 🤷‍♀️)

Be More Chill: 5/10 (Loved at the time, but low points for having been introduced to me by an ex bestie.)

Every Man Hybrid: 8/10 (A certified banger. Genuinely one of the better takes on the Operator and the whole creepypasta fandom in general. It’s great fr. Highly recommend.)

Grease: 4/10 (Ew. I’m only putting it here because I was in a production of it, and it was kind of a part of my life, but also, ew.)

Greys Anatomy: 8/10 (A banger show, but it doesn’t get a 10 simply because of how long it is.)

Slipknot: 7/10 (I don’t love who I was while listening to this band, but that’s kind of just something metal music in general will do to you.)

Aliens: 10/10 (This was short lived but strong enough to have bought a “I Want to believe” poster and hung it up behind my bed.)

Beacon Pines: 10/10 (Amazing game, very underrated. Also resulted in good bonding time with my brother.)

Gravity Falls: 9/10 (Another Amazing series that I’m probably a little cringe for. Whatever. It’s awesome.)

2024:

Ace Attorney: 9/10 (I eat, breathed, and slept this game series for months. Nuff said.)

The Ocean/Sea Animals: 9/10 (if I could keep an orca as a pet, I would.)

Midnight Mass: 10/10 (HOLY GOD. Another one of my favorite bits of religious media out there. It’s not exactly prime catholic propaganda but it’s not meant to be either.)

Baldurs Gate 3: 10/10 (This game brought back my DND era, which was much needed. I’d been without fantasy nonsense for a long time and I was ready for it.)